Chapter 207

One hundred and fourth: Ash: Did you forget who I am?

With that settled, everyone sprang into action; Akuri, who had a five-minute transformation limit, sought a safe location to reset her status. Meanwhile, the girls quickly flew towards the monster’s location.

At the moment, there was still plenty of time. The girls were confident that this would be their victory.

“In my heart, I hold a sword and the brilliant courage, never letting go!”

Suddenly, a man’s singing echoed from ahead of the girls, and a man in a black leather coat with a cowboy hat appeared from around the corner, humming melodically as he blocked their path.

“The sole trump card to awaken miracles is oneself.”

This man who obscured his face with his hat, making it hard for others to read his expression, was naturally none other than Ash—the girl’s extremely familiar nemesis!

“Isn’t it obvious? To make this game more interesting, the one who adds difficulty to the challenge—”

Ash clicked his fingers at the girls and finally raised his thumb, tilting up his hat brim, revealing a mocking gaze under it.

“It’s me.”

“It’s you, you made that selfish beast take away Makoto’s voice?!”

Seeing him proudly pointing at himself, Rikka couldn’t hold back her anger. She wanted answers from Ash, who casually nodded in response.

“The selfish beast is my creation and the opportunity too, but not the choice. If I were a despicable villain, I’d have gladly taken all the blame here. But I’m not, so the answer is.”

“Yes, that’s right, I did it!”

“That’s Makoto’s important voice! You’re way too over the top, how unreasonable!” Hearing this, Ai’s mood became complicated. Seeing Makoto’s eyes filled with anger, Rikka channeled her anger into a verbal assault.

“Games are meant to be played together joyously, what you are doing isn’t a game—it’s just for your own amusement!”

“Sodayo, I’m enjoying myself. If you’re not, then it’s your problem!”

“That kind of person—”

Rikka and Makoto’s fists clenched threateningly, prepared to fight, but Ai stepped forward to stop them.

“Diamond, you two go and defeat the selfish beast, I will handle Ash!”

Rikka hesitated but understood Ai’s determination when she looked into her resolute eyes. She held back the rage for her friend and glared at Ash before rushing off toward the selfish beast.

“I knew you couldn’t handle me alone.”

“There will be times when women must take action too!”

Ash didn’t chase after them, which relieved Ai, though it also brought tension.

As the man walked over with hands in his pockets and approached, an overwhelming pressure increased with every step, his presence like a massive black dragon shadow looming behind, ready to envelop her.

But now was not the time to fear; she needed to buy time for the others.

Realizing persuasion through words was futile, Ai lowered herself into a fighting stance, confronting that evil with the gentle yet powerful light of a Precure.

“Ho, looks like you finally understand.”

Seeing the girls prepare for battle, even Ash couldn’t help but smile. He raised his hand and slowly closed his fist.

That’s perfect, hero, Cure Heart, shine brightly!

Driven by a desire akin to hunger, Ash moved. The man rushed to Ai and kicked out as she raised her hand!

Ai widened her eyes; Ash hadn’t transformed?!

“Bang!”

The metallic clash and tremors of bones made her close her eyes—this man was serious!

Ai decided she wouldn’t hold back either. The girl’s rapid punches produced a flurry of pink shadows, striking at the man who seemed large yet moved as deftly as a reed in the wind, dodging heads and elbows alike.

“Not bad, honing your skills?”

“To reclaim Arisu, we are making every second count!”

They understood that hard work could bring results.

“You need to work even harder!”

Ash grabbed Ai’s swinging wrist, his fingers like a snake wrapping around her arm, preventing her from breaking free. With a strong motion, he swung Ai over his shoulder, sending her crashing into the cement road, creating a massive crater and rolling several times before stopping.

“Quite the power from the Abnormal Kamen Riders.”

Indeed, aside from an overly vicious appearance, the Abnormal Kamen Riders hijacked the history of corresponding Riders, theoretically allowing them to tap into their full strength.

Now equipped with the Abnormal Kamen Rider disk, Ash’s biggest weakness was mitigated. The disk’s protective strength surrounded him, letting him use his power unrestricted by the limitations of a human body.

Hmm, if only I had such conveniences, maybe I’d be jealous. Tsk, back then, I should have stabbed him a few more times.

“I won’t let you pass!”

“A warrior’s bravery to cover allies truly deserves praise.”

Turning briefly, Ash caught sight of Rikka and Makoto heading off.

“Guess the producer did tell you their location?”

“Yes! Although conflicted, he told us anyway.” At this, Ai felt some happiness.

The producer finally decided to tell us the truth! He has a heart battling evil too!

“Threatening him won’t sway everyone before the fear of evil! Things aren’t always as one wishes!”

“Threatening? Hahaha!”

Laughing heartily at something amusing, Ash exclaimed.

“No, I merely offered a chance.”

“EH?” Ai froze due to Ash’s response.

“Your misunderstanding, the enemy isn’t malice but another’s dream.”

“Is it acceptable to shatter someone’s dream in the name of right? Can good children like yourselves do this?”