After learning who the true culprit was, the most important thing now was to be wary of other “windows” that might exist in the parking area. If she accidentally stepped on one during the fight, it would all be over.
Luckily, in Qianling’s understanding, that Window Witch was never the type to patiently wait in ambush near a trap.
All her actions were practically dictated by her whims, and this trap was likely the same.
So Qianling didn’t need to worry about facing both the Doll and the Witch at the same time. All she needed to do was deal with No. 1 in front of her.
Just then, No. 1 also broke free from the shackles of the Iron Brambles through brute strength.
After that, its claws shifted back to their usual tentacle form.
Oh? Looks like it knows that form won’t work. But honestly, it doesn’t really matter what shape it takes.
Qianling wasn’t flustered at all, continuing to press close to No. 1’s side.
As the distance closed again, the thick and thin steel tentacles clashed violently over and over.
Aside from the clanging sound of metal striking and sparking, there was also the constant slicing noise as air was torn, and even the concrete pillars of the parking area were affected, left with gashes and tears.
Because of the sheer difference in strength, Qianling was at a disadvantage.
All she could do was defend, and several times she narrowly avoided being slashed by No. 1.
But for her, all that mattered was getting close enough.
Weapons like tentacles or whips were always harder to use at close range.
So once she closed in, it was best to have the Iron Brambles shift to another form.
And the difference between Qianling and No. 1 here was that Qianling could switch forms even faster.
If a frontal assault wouldn’t work, this time she’d destroy its core from the side!
She made up her mind.
The distance between them was quickly closed by her, and it was the perfect moment to switch forms.
But right at that instant, No. 1 made an odd move.
“Huh?”
Qianling let out a puzzled sound, because No. 1’s tentacle didn’t continue its attack on her, but stabbed straight at a nearby concrete pillar.
What’s the meaning of this? Isn’t this just leaving yourself wide open?
Just as she thought that, the tentacle, which should have collided with the pillar, was actually swallowed up by it, and its forward momentum didn’t slow in the slightest.
A faint light kept flickering where the tentacle touched the pillar.
Then, the tip of the tentacle dropped down from directly above, at the same speed.
“Whoa!”
Startled, Qianling let out a strange cry as she threw herself desperately to one side, but lost her balance in the process, rolling awkwardly half a turn on the ground before scrambling to her feet.
The spot where she’d just been standing was now marked by a crater after a deafening crash.
No. 1’s tentacle lifted slightly, then struck again, forcing Qianling to give up her advantage and retreat to a safer distance.
She finally got the chance to see what just happened, first looking at the pillar, then up at the ceiling.
Sure enough, both had an inconspicuous “口”-shaped mark, drawn in pencil, that blended almost perfectly with the color of the concrete.
Though Qianling had tried her best to stay alert, she simply couldn’t notice such well-hidden graffiti in the middle of a fight.
Damn it, I missed a window because I got careless… Was the only one on the hospital gown?
Only then did she realize.
What’s more, since No. 1 knew how to use the windows, the Doll Witch must have programmed this logic into it.
She’d originally thought all of this was just the Window Witch’s twisted amusement, but in the end…
So you’re in on it too! Doll Witch!
A bizarre scene flashed through Qianling’s mind.
A rose-colored witch in Lolita attire stood shoulder to shoulder with a teal, big-hatted witch, one clutching her stomach and snickering, the other grinning smugly with pride.
She nearly forgot—her own creator was also a typical “creator”, the type who’d pour effort into any idea she found interesting, no matter what would come of it.
Just her luck, now Qianling was the one left to deal with the consequences.
This wasn’t a problem that could be solved just by complaining.
Silently, she added another tally to the Doll Witch’s tab in her heart, then refocused on dealing with the current crisis.
No. 1, also a doll, charged in with overwhelming force, its tentacles swinging as it blocked the exit to the parking area, leaving Qianling no way to escape.
Qianling could barely keep up, but when it came to a simple brawl using the Iron Brambles, she couldn’t beat No. 1.
Moreover, every time No. 1’s tentacles passed through a window, that faint light flashed in the dim parking area, and devious surprise attacks kept brushing past Qianling, never giving her a chance to use her previous tactics.
In the process, Qianling was growing a little agitated.
Each time No. 1 used a window, she noted its position, but No. 1 always found another to use for its next attack.
Just how many windows did that Window Witch draw?!
If this keeps up, I won’t last until the windows run out…
She started desperately thinking about what might be the key to turning things around.
Just as she was forced backward by No. 1’s advance, her foot bumped into something in a pile of debris. A burst of white powder spilled onto her shoe from the impact.
Is this… lime?
To be precise, it was a whole sack of lime powder.
Qianling looked down at it, and an idea struck her immediately.
She used the Iron Brambles to grab the sack and hurled it with all her might at No. 1.
As expected, No. 1 took it as an attack and swung a powerful tentacle at it midair.
With a bang, the sack exploded.
Not just the lime inside, but even the burlap packaging burst from the impact, scattering powder across every corner of the parking area.
This was exactly what Qianling had been waiting for.
She snapped out of her previous slump and dashed toward No. 1 at top speed.
As before, No. 1’s normal attacks couldn’t touch her, so it quickly tried to use the windows for a sneak attack again.
However—
“It won’t be so easy this time!”
Qianling shouted sharply.
At that moment, whether on the floor, walls, pillars, or ceiling of the parking area, faintly glowing rectangular regions could be seen everywhere.
That glow always appeared when something passed through a window, and Qianling had noticed it earlier.
Now, the whole space was filled with “objects” that could enter the windows—the lime powder that had exploded everywhere.
All the windows were now completely exposed, and No. 1’s attacks were no longer unpredictable.
Qianling leaped lightly, dodging a tentacle thrust from below at an angle, landing just five meters away from No. 1.
This time, she finally switched to the short sword form as she wished, while No. 1 was hurriedly pulling its tentacles back.
In that instant, it tried to run, but it was already too late—the tables had turned.
The short sword formed from the Iron Brambles stabbed straight into its chest, then transformed back into a tentacle that burst out from its chest.
After a shudder, it went completely still, even the blood-red twin pupils dimming.
Afterwards, Qianling pulled out the Iron Brambles and gently laid No. 1 down on the ground.
“Farewell, my sister.”
She said this softly and calmly, as if mourning for it.