Chapter 141

Thirty-Fifth Chapter – Wise Consumption, Rejecting Impulse Buying

The Selfish Organization continued to collect negative energy for their loyal Selfish King.

The Pretty Cures still thwarted evil plans one after another, cleansing tainted Spirit Hearts that became Selfish Beasts.

Where there was light, there was shadow; the struggle between justice and evil continued to play out, regardless of which world. No further explanation was needed.

Recently, Ash had been enjoying his comfort, thoroughly reaping benefits.

Not because his heart was cleansed by love’s profound words in the previous chapter, but because he could now earn Dark Echoes from his bed without running around as before – an incredibly comfortable lifestyle.

After all, not every world had such personified dark energy like Negative Intentions. In other worlds, most times he had to fight personally just to earn more Dark Echoes. And now, not even fighting was required to gain bonuses.

But Ash still introspected on his recent attitude toward the Selfish Organization, particularly Regina, questioning if an overly lenient environment had eroded his determination as a top collaborator or if he was being too flattering.

After proper self-examination and perfect deductions, he concluded: Intensify!

Isn’t it great if the fishy behavior could be enjoyed? He would bully colleagues when necessary, engage in battles with little sisters when possible, and comb through the princess’s gold hair during free time. This life was simply fantastic!

Not everyone liked extremes of life and death experiences. Moderate enjoyment is beneficial while excessive indulgence can harm the body. Ash acknowledged his quirks but knew they were not as extreme as Shikamaru’s madness.

Following Ash’s diligent efforts and gains from the last major battle, he collected enough Dark Echoes to withdraw them from the system again.

[Absorbing Dark Echoes…]

[You have received: Time Cyclone Driver!]

“A good thing indeed!”

A black-and-white rotary belt appeared in Ash’s hand. Pressing the unlock button, Ash swiftly rotated the slots on both sides, transforming it into a high-speed spinning disk, emitting the familiar whirring sound of helicopter blades.

There’s no denying the real deal feels better than Bandai toys with DX belts that Ash’s rough handling likely requires repair.

“But it turned out to be a good item. What day is it today?”

Ash remained aware of his luck.

While he wasn’t sure how he compared to someone universally lucky, Ash’s luck was certainly unlucky in comparison to ordinary folk. Though not as bad as “Divine Cleanser,” he often stumbled upon black hands among corpses after raids, causing team leaders to kick him out every battle. If not for pride, he’d don a fortuitous outfit like some unnamed adventure hero.

However, this time, he felt his luck was changing, drawing a Time Cyclone Driver. While these items seem mass-produced at events, they’re ideal platforms for combining various Rider powers. Just find a gauge, and the corresponding powers follow naturally.

No snowball effect necessarily, but it was surely icing on the cake.

Speaking of gauges—he remembered owning one. Reflecting, Ash began searching the vast inventory with his table as the target.

Fortunately, despite often passively forgetting, he didn’t misremember possessions. After lengthy searching, he found a gauge!

Staring at the motorcycle-transformation [Ride Driver] gauge on the table, Ash was unsure of what expression to make.

He recalled obtaining this from a demon king who initially used it once. The king never noticed losing it.

“What’s it for? To transform into robots?”

Next to [Diego Turbo Motor] book, [Gatling Phone], [Ride Driver], [Hyper Rise Motor], and [Build Phone] sat together on the table. Ash fell into silence again.

“When did I collect so many?”

Unconsciously, he also grabbed a bowling ball from the Selfish Organization base, putting it in his inventory with the rest.

He fished out regular coins, a Gaia Memory (bought, not obtained!), an empty Fang Orbe, two monster batteries, several Dragon Gaia Memories, even a stinky NEOAmazon Driver with a blood-stained armband. He swore he couldn’t recall when he stuffed it in.

“Even though its violence is impressive.” Pulling out the belt, he was soon overwhelmed by the smell and tossed it back in. “But transforming into an Amazon isn’t ideal for a human, and…”

He dislikes the smell of blood.

Despite this comparison, Longya’s strength seemed appealing. Still, Ash found no other Riders gauges after long searching.

What happened? I remember owning one. Was it recovered by a demon king during my blackout?

Finally, he resorted to the system. Lucky for him, he stored enough darkness for two more draws, testing the system’s luck function. Although it doesn’t carry a guaranteed outcome like those given after each world visit, there was a chance for something valuable.

Risking it all pays off!

[Extracting reward…]

[Congratulations! You obtained the “Hawk Mechanoid Gauge”!]

Gripping the small gauge, Ash recalled it transforms into a small mechanical eagle, essentially a Bandai remake of past toys.

“But what I need is a rider gauge.”

Is ceremonialism lacking? Should I try esoteric methods?

Pondering, Ash recalled seeing something on TV as a child.

Looking left and right, the princess was sleeping, Ira and Regina collecting negativity. No one was around; great.

“What’s he doing?”

Returning disheveled from battle, two organization officers, the youthful Ira and mature Mamu, peeked at Ash standing outside, inexplicably raising his right hand.

Now awkward with Ash around, even less willing to return to the base.

“I don’t know, maybe saying witchcraft?”

“Scary!”

All lights, power, reside in my right hand. Illuminating paths to European success! Flash extraction!

[Extracting reward…]

[Congratulations! You obtained the “Watermelon Ball Gauge Mechanoid”!]

The bike flipped; no convertible arrival, perhaps due to headshots.

Seeing the two gauges and the Time Cyclone Driver, Ash impulsively wanted to hurl it into the sea, mimicking Daichi’s words.

“System, are you doing this on purpose?”

This simplistic or aged-looking interface, reminiscent of a decade-old穿越风格, remained unresponsive.

“Can you speak? Forget it, doesn’t matter.”

Knowing how futile arguments were with this stubborn system, he sighed.

“Wretched.”

With that, Ash cleared his desk, timing his departure perfectly.

“Saying, Belu hasn’t sent any messages, did the Pretty Cures really get rid of him?”

“He’s useless. Even though, Pretty Cures have gotten stronger, wait…”

Ira considered a terrifying possibility.

“You think Bella might not be dead? By Pretty Cures?”

“If not Pretty Cures then…”

Both turned to where Ash left, gazing at motorcycle exhaust. Unexpectedly, they sensed a faint truth.

A woman stood at Ash’s rented house door, a purple-haired girl ready to press the bell, hesitating. After internal conflict, she dropped her hand.

“Maybe he’s not home yet.”

“No, Owner is about to arrive.”

“How do you know—?” As Makoto started to question, recognizing the voice, embarrassment overcame her.

“How rare to have visitors. I don’t remember telling anyone else my address.”

Facing Makoto’s awkwardness, Ash recalled their previous encounters and guessed her intentions.

“So Miss Sakurai, were you planning to sneak my lights while delivering packages, or wait until I’m lax to ambush me from behind?”

“Who would do that!”

Makoto denied loudly. The man laughed, brushing past the hostile girl to open the door.

“Regardless of your motives.”

Ash stopped the closing door with his hand, letting a sliver of light through.

“Come in.”