Chapter 106

The First Strange Person, known as Ash.

When the destructive force imbued with annihilated star dust kicked his waist, destroying the flesh inside even the black armored belt, Ash fell into the familiar darkness and void.

Unable to speak, unable to see, unable to think, even the thought itself didn’t exist, as if all the meaning of his life was engulfed into this infinite emptiness, this was human death.

Normally speaking, this would be the ultimate answer a human would receive at the end of their life, but as previously stated, normally things would happen differently.

Human named Ash is a bit different from normal humans due to the existence of something called “System” on him, he becomes an “Undying Person” who gets reborn in other worlds after death, he is not allowed to just easily die.

Due to this characteristic, he is quite familiar with death itself.

Removing his glove, which was in a melting state, the belt from his waist was even more pitiful, the rotating dial throwing sparks everywhere, the slot for holding items was completely clogged with melted material, and the control stick, used for launching special moves and transformations, had broken in two.

Besides the two black bottles inside and the red trigger sticking out that can be recycled, the rest of the parts were in such a terrible condition that even its creator would simply shake his head, only able to sell it as scrap for five bucks per kilogram.

While thinking about what could be done with these scraps and whether there are collectors in the world of the afterlife, several transparent panels appeared within his field of vision.

[Blausnow Gloves] (Status: Damaged)

[Build Driver] (Status: Damaged)

[Confirming task termination due to host’s death. Starting mission assessment.]

[Mission conclusion processing… Confirmed collection of ‘Dark Echo.’ Your score in the ‘Kamen Rider Build’ world is: [A]! You have earned one lottery ticket.]

Without looking at the system’s rewards and brief report, Ash, accustomed to it, waved his hand as if shooing away flies, dispersing the panels. As they say, out of sight, out of mind.

“It’s not just because you attacked earlier, ruining the evolution trigger, and then suddenly using a black hole to kick me. Snakes are indeed petty creatures.”

Compared to cold-blooded snakes, I prefer rabbits more.

But laughing incessantly seeing the shocked expression on the traitor alien snake-like monster being betrayed by someone within his expectations gives me satisfaction. If I betrayed the team and joined the side of the snake monsters for a few episodes, I probably wouldn’t regret it.

Flipping his wrist, Ash tossed the scraps at an incompetent figure wielding a scythe. “Get lost; you can’t take them anyway.” After chasing away Death, responsible for reaping souls, and disappointing to leave, Ash once again felt his soul detaching.

[Transmission initiated. New world confirmed as: ‘D…]

“Here we go? This time, the start comes really quickly.” Within the usual sense of inevitability, there was hint of expectation.

“I hope the hero this time will make me feel more excited.”

On the corridor of Daihai Middle School, two girls in school uniforms were scanning around, looking for something.

“There are rumors everywhere in the school that books are flying up in the library suggesting an invocation ceremony, and statues of Chopin and Mozart in the music room are starting to play music!”

“Other things like brooms and mops flying everywhere—I wonder if this rumor involves the story about the ghost in the girls’ restroom?”

“Yes, apparently even Teacher Yari from class three was terrified!”

Young students are always powerless against such uncanny stories. Right now, they’re discussing with great excitement the supernatural phenomena making waves throughout the entire school.

As the two girls pass by these discussions, they appear awkward, step lightly, and dart away like thieves.

“Mana, we haven’t found anything here!”

With the wisdom emanating from a student who clearly excels, Six Flowers, wearing glasses, recalls with a headache, the incident involving baby “Ai-chan”.

“Oh no, where has Ai-chan gone!”

Fourteen-year-old Mana Aida is also anxious, since they were entrusted to look after “Ai-chan,” a baby who defied the mammalian rule by hatching from an egg, enough to make Darwin faint. However, handling infants in class was unrealistic, so they entrusted someone else, resulting in a chaotic result—now everyone talks about how the little lost baby’s mysterious powers have taken over the whole school!

Ai is no ordinary baby; generally, infants don’t hatch from eggs or grow transparent wings.

Regardless, Six Flowers and the others deeply appreciate Ai-chan’s cuteness and the ability they owe to Ai-chan’s magical power that saved their lives before. How could they not worry about losing her?

When these two voiced their worries, three different fluffy toys or ‘spirit creatures’ flew out of the girls’ pockets, expressing distress.

They voluntarily helped care for Ai-chan, ending up losing her as well.

“I’m sorry, it’s our fault that we couldn’t take good care of Ai-chan Sahlulu…”

“No, it wasn’t your fault, Sahlulu.”

Ai gently hugged the spirits, comforting them: “I should have been the one taking care of her, I asked you help. I shouldn’t blame you. If anyone did wrong, it’s my responsibility too!”

“Mana~”

Seeing Ai’s compassion, the spirit’s eyes filled with tears of gratitude.

“And above all, we need to find Ai-chan, let’s work together!”

“Really, Mana, do you know where Ai-chan might be?”

Six Flowers added with a cold reality check, which froze Ai’s action and face, adding a regretful smile.

“Hehe, still searching — Wait, I found it!”

Midway through her comment, she noticed something unexpected and pointed excitedly in a direction.

“What! Are you kidding?”

Six Flowers quickly followed Ai’s direction and saw the strange sight.

Beside the flowers at the sports field stood an individual out of place, dressed in a sharp black vest and slightly unbuttoned shirt that suggested neither student nor teacher.

This young man, with short hair and a calm gaze, stared at a baby giggling in his arms with playful pinches—this was the baby they’ve been searching for, Ai-chan.

“Ah, Ai-chan!”

“Qpi~”

At the sound of Ai’s call, Ai-chan fluttered her transparent wings, flying into the girl’s arms.

“It’s about time we worried so much,” although complaining, seeing Ai-chan brought renewed joy.

“Thank you for helping us find Ai-chan!”

Six Flowers hastily thanked the person. The man adjusted his hands back into his pocket casually responding.

“Nothing, she just happened to fly near me, and I just caught her.”

“You’re such a nice person!”

“Mana,” warns Ai cautiously, “don’t just give compliments freely.”

Six Flowers felt a twinge, reminding Ai, but the sight of the cuddly Ai-chan in her friend’s arms made her smile inadvertently.

“Thanks, Ash!”

“No worries, Lance!”

“Let’s not let such sloppiness happen again!”

In the contagious spirit, Saahruhu, Raquel, and Lance, the three odd creatures, cheerfully circled around Ai-chan. Just as Six Flowers shared the joy, an unfamiliar presence behind her caught her attention.

“Hm, hm?”

No, no, no! Six Flowers’s eyelids twitched, startled.

How could they just appear so freely when there are non-magical people present here? If others saw these spirits—no, the baby with wings would be even more shocking!

But this gentleman seemed oblivious to it.

Ash’s gaze slightly turned towards the spirits, now realizing another person’s presence, these fluff balls hurriedly pretended to be dolls, lying on Ai’s and Six Flowers’s shoulders.

Too late, Ash is not a fan of mysteries. He already knew the impossibility of pretending from the start.

Rather than asking questions making everyone uncomfortable, it’s better to understand what was happening first.

Stiffly turning around, Six Flowers collided with the man’s gaze head-on.

“That…”

Before Six Flowers had time to explain, the man spoke first.

“You are students of this school, right?”

“Exactly, you don’t seem to be from Daihai High.”

Ai looked into the man’s handsome face with tousled black hair and equally dark eyes. Both girls wondered about his background, seeming older than high school students. His clothes didn’t look like what teachers would wear, and workers would have worn uniforms, yet these vests…

“Actually, I’m not a middle schooler,” came the reply confirming their guesses.

“But, please drop the ‘big brother’ thing. My name is Ash, simply call me Ash,” replied the ageless man uncomfortably, not used to such informal titles.

“Mr. Ash, nice to meet you. I’m AiidaMana, the president of Daihai High School.”

“My name is Six Flowers, a friend of Ai’s, please take care of me.”

After introductions, both parties gave their names.

“Your name sounds foreign, Ash-san. This is the first time I encountered a foreigner, please become my friend, so I’ll have a foreign friend too!”

“Wait, Mana! Such enthusiasm for the first meeting is impolite!”

Curious upon hearing his name, Ai, who had been observing, handed the baby to Six Flowers and stretched out her hand enthusiastically to make friends with Ash.

Interesting girl, reminds me of those warriors.

Seeing Ai’s bright smile and the unusual infant with doll-like spirits, Ash confirmed his suspicions.

Are you and your companion the heroes of this world? Let me see some proof.

Reflecting internally, he lowered his gaze to Ai’s smooth, fair palm, and shook her hand eagerly.

“Hey, now we are friends!”

“Ash, I have a question,” he started, his finger pointing to the baby in Six Flowers’s arm. “Are you searching for this child? Are you the child?”

“No, I am her mother. Right, Ai-chan?!”

Ai held the baby confidently, the baby responding happily, “Qbi Qbi”, openly acknowledging the statement.