Chapter 269

Chapter One Hundred Sixty-Eight: The Climax of Hearts Surging

“Ahh…”

A sound involuntarily escaped his throat.

Indeed, thanks to them, I’ve never been more eager to live than this time.

After all, such an opportunity couldn’t be missed when it finally came.

Yet, in the end, it failed.

There was no help for it; after all, fighting for my life was still new to me.

The weak expression on Ash’s face, barely visible under the mask, was quickly banished, replaced by the indomitable smile of a hero!

“Now, the Pretty Cures and Kamen Riders have failed. What comes next!?”

His head, which had fallen down in defeat, raised back up.

“Hahaha…” Laughter, chilling even from behind Longya’s helmet. “I won.”

“!”

How are you still alive?!

“Got you~”

Ash twisted his arm, which had pierced his body, to pin it. Startled by Ash’s intentions, Selfish Ancestor cried out anxiously.

“Let go!”

Pummeling Longya’s head with his other three fists, black armor plates fell away, revealing his bloodshot, resolute eyes.

“Behold—”

Lifting his already shattered helmet and smashing it into Another Ryuga’s face, both the helmet and Longya’s face crumbled, revealing a man drenched in sweat from clenching his jaw.

“The way of a Knight!”

This strike left his opponent dazed and dropped whatever they were holding. Seizing the chance, Ash grabbed the Spirit Heart.

Holding the softened red heart that glowed again with gentle light, Ash smiled healthily.

“Love has been reclaimed—pfft!”

One of Love’s gazes turned crimson.

Thick, black blood dribbled over the Spirit Heart, turning its pink aura into something sinisterly scarlet.

Even with closed eyes, Love saw everything.

She wanted to cry, to speak, but no sound came out. Only the faint sense of loss and mounting sorrow overwhelmed her.

[ADVENT] (Contract Descend)

The raging Black Dragon Duo crashed into them, separating the two. After slamming through two buildings, it plunged into the ruins of a warehouse.

“Get off me!”

Black Dragon Duo was brushed away. Disheveled, Selfish Ancestor pushed a slab of concrete away from himself. Meanwhile, Ash stood up slowly. Strangely, the gruesome wounds and bloodstains on his chest had vanished; he appeared unharmed, deeply breathing in the smell of blood.

“Please.”

SORRY.

“It’s restored… If so, great, let’s do this again!”

Another Ryuga taunted, his claws still dripping with blood. Without answering, Ash drew another burning golden wing card.

[SURVIVE] (Survival Blaze)

Survival Dragon Ya spread his arms, lowering his stance toward the enemy as he ran.

Another Ryuga grabbed Survival Dragon Ya by the neck, who in turn pulled his collar, accelerating. They darted past obstacles, knocking over abandoned machinery inside the warehouse.

Ash’s punch met his opponent’s easily and attempted to trip him, but Selfish Ancestor, strong as a cement pillar, tossed Ash aside effortlessly.

[ShootVent] (Firing Descent)

As Ash landed and rolled, he inserted the card and lifted the Gosei Knight Machine Armor, summoning the Black Dragon Cavalry to attack with fireballs. Selfish Ancestor did not hesitate either, opening four dragon mouth-shaped claws that rained fiery projectiles down on Ash and the Black Dragon Cavalry, sending them sprawling.

Rolling back to his feet, Ash ignored his own risks and swung relentlessly. But Selfish Ancestor, immune to the attacks, countered and sent Ash flying.

Selfish Ancestor pulled Ash up roughly and laughed as he pummeled him, denting his chest plate until, with one final kick, he sent him crashing to the ground.

The man’s sweat fell from his temples onto his dented chestplate.

Struggling to open his eyes, he first saw the grotesque face of Another Ryuga, his hand grasping at his chest as dark energy surged.

“You [Swear-word]…..”

Trying feeble kicks yielded no response.

“Your unreasonable ability to retain consciousness as human is odd,” Selfish Ancestor said calmly, ignoring Ash’s struggle, “However, none of that matters now. Even if my initial choice failed, I don’t need perfection. Killing you and taking your body will suffice, fixing what was incomplete.”

“When that happens, someone named Ash will become the new Selfish King!”

No matter the perspective, Ash could never accept this.

“Don’t jest.”

“My body, my time, are mine. You can’t have them.”

“Do you wish to resist? You’ve always acted selfishly, just like me.”

“When you possessed my Dark Power, that feeling of control, wasn’t it blissful?”

Selfish Ancestor coaxed Ash with ease, yet Ash remained resistant.

“Don’t get too close…”

With disbelief, Selfish Ancestor watched as Ash gradually withdrew his own hands from his grip.

“Since a young age, I’ve always been an outsider, believing I had an incredible talent and dismissed everyone around me.”

“Other worlds, similar reasons, I’ve done unforgivable things just as you accuse me… So I refuse to blame it all on you.”

Hah, and that’s why I don’t deserve to survive.

“Good and bad, all part of me.”

In desperation, searching for a way to escape Mirror World, Rikka, almost hopeless, saw the transformed motorbike of the Black Dragon Cavalry in front of her, with a familiar voice sounding from beyond the mirror.

“This voice…!”

The Girls understood that Ash continued to fight.

“And because I once was a self-righteous scoundrel with no friends, now it is different!”

Ash’s eyes revealed unwavering determination, contrary to his self-perception.

“No monster exists within people’s hearts. Anyone can surpass it by striving for a better tomorrow.”

The multifaceted eyes of Another Ryuga reflected Ash’s figure, glowing brighter and brighter.

“No way!”

The darkness that enshrouded him suddenly started shining like Pretty Cure’s light!

‘That’s how much they believe.’

“So now I want to believe in the bright future they strive for, and hence, I must fight against you, and the likes of me!”

Cure, lend me your strength, lend me your pure heart!

Ash lifted the pulsating Spirit Heart and forcefully implanted it into his heart!

“Ahhh!!!”

Golden light and lightning gushed from Ash’s body, striking the nearby Selfish Ancestor. The struggling Another Ryuga backed away continuously, reaching for Ash.

“Stop! This body is needed—!”

Ash felt it.

“Her heart and love!”

“And my soul and love!”

The sudden burst of the Golden Storm blew away stubborn Another Ryuga, and by the time it trembled and got up, Ash emerged from the golden pillar with streaks of crimson highlighting his black hair.

[Ryuga/Survive Heart Mode]

“This is…!”

Ash softly touched the red Spirit Heart over his heart.

“The overflowing surge of heartbeats!”