Chapter 109

Chapter 4: Uncomprehending Actions

This was likely another gap between monsters and beasts; possessing immense power but lacking in clear intelligence. To put it more specifically, they weren’t that sharp-brained.

With this note in mind, he turned around to see two other calls coming from behind. Two girls dressed in the same Cure outfits as him—one green and one purple—were running towards Ai.

“Rosetta! Sword!” Ai exclaimed with excitement upon recognizing her comrades.

“Sorry for being late. Lance said there was a Selfish Beast here so we came as fast as we could… Oh, who’s that?”

“What’s this black-masked thing? A new Selfish Beast?”

“No, it clearly looks different from the others.”

“There isn’t the usual reaction from the Selfish Beast, Lance—”

Two Cure girls quickly noticed Ash struggling with the Selfish Beast; one green, CureRosetta (Rose Angel), and one purple, CureSword (Sword Angel).

“He’s a damn pervert!”

Six Flowers erupted in anger and immediately labeled him, recalling his earlier words.

“Six Flowers, he saved Ai-chan. Even if Mr. Ash is strange, you can’t just say that,” Love began, holding her fist up and clenching it in her palm in thought. Suddenly, a lightbulb appeared above her head indicating a flash of inspiration.

“Oh yes, I remember now!”

“He’s the Kamen Rider, the hero from the live-action drama that Asahi TV broadcasts on Sunday mornings at 9 a.m.!”

Love was elated. Having seen the belt and hearing “Henshin!” countless times while imitating the transformation scenes herself, she knew she couldn’t be mistaken!

The scene became momentarily silent. CureRosetta walked to Love, tilting her head and placing their foreheads together.

“Ai-chan, you don’t seem feverish.”

“Hold it, I’m serious!”

“Heart, are you really conscious?” Sword asked sternly. “How can a character from TV appear in real life?”

“You came yourself from Poker Kingdom, haven’t you, Makoto P?”

“That’s different!”

“Aren’t Kamen Riders our enemies?” Ash’s voice cut their discussion short. “When are you going to finish talking and act instead?”

“I’m sorry, extremely sorry! It slipped my mind for a moment!” Love bowed multiple times to Ash and then called the others to join her to fight.

The battle was one-sided in their advantage; Love purified the monster with her healing [MySweetHeart], and the battle soon ended.

Similarly, under his own power and Longya’s power, Ash easily overpowered the weakened Selfish Beast, much as an experienced hunter would over a stripped bear.

“Curses, again defeated by this Kamen Rider!”

Seeing the defeat, Ira instantaneously teleported away.

“I guess we won too, on Ash-san’s side!” The Purifying Angel looked towards Ash, only to witness an unforeseen shock. Another weakened Selfish Beast, even though battered and broken, was still targeted. Ash continued his merciless beatdown, resembling a ball game with the helpless Selfish Beast as his target.

Black mist emitted from the Selfish Beast with each strike, before being absorbed silently by Ash.

“Don’t tell me he’s doing what I think he’s doing!” Six Flowers was startled at the sight of Goryu’s strength being used recklessly; the roles of hero and villain were reversed.

“Does he mean he doesn’t possess the power to purify Selfish Beasts?!”

“It seems like he wants to eliminate the heart itself,” Swords said grimly.

“Mr. Ash, stop it!” Urgent pleas from Love halted the ongoing assault. “Selfish Beasts come from corrupted hearts—the spirits of people. This destroys them permanently!”

Ash paused in grabbing the monster.

“Yeah, that monster seems to be a physical representation of someone’s thoughts.”

Different than any other beast he knew, this was interesting. Only heard of manifestations of despair as creatures, not such a form.

Humans, truly amazing beings.

“Yes! If these spirits aren’t purified directly, that will erase the hearts of those individuals! Therefore, please allow us to handle this—”

Love sought purification, desiring the spirit to return to its owner swiftly, yet Ash had other plans.

Before she could speak, Ash dealt another powerful blow to the mute Selfish Beast.

“Why!?” Cries of protest erupted again among the Purifying Angels.

Having explained everything, why continue?

“What does it matter about other people’s hearts to me?” Ash looked at the puzzled angels. “Why should it affect me? If one’s scared of losing control, they should start by taking care of their own spirits.”

Seeing a wisp of black energy merge into him, Ash nodded inaudibly to himself.

Moreover, he could obtain more ‘Dark Echoes’ this way, why not?

Upon hearing this, the Purifying Angels fell silent then rose in greater fury.

“Just unfair!” CureRosetta and Six Flowers raised strong objections. Sword castigated Ash fiercely, but Love acted faster.

“Stop!” She moved to intercept Ash before the selfless act.

Her eyes shut tight, expecting pain.

“Love!” They expressed disbelief at her sacrifice.

A breeze scattered her golden hair as his fist stopped mere centimeters from her nose. Seeing her fear yet tenacity, Ash returned to normal, removing his belt and walking away.

Seeing him go, Love exhaled deeply. Trembling legs gave out, forcing her to kneel.

“Are you okay, Love?”

Others helped Love, who was visibly shaken. Angered by Ash’s disregard, they blamed him.

“What kind of person are you!?”

Indifferent, he grabbed a book, transformed it into a speedy vehicle with a red sword, and sped off in a roar.

“Why, Mr. Ash?” Love sat in puzzlement after seeing his departure.