Chapter 177

Seventy-First Chapter: The Hallucinating Warrior

The so-called hallucinating warriors were ordinary individuals who, upon seeing actual heroes, would wear their own self-made cosplay costumes and claim to be heroes to join the fight.

In reality, whether it was the Kamen Rider or Super Sentai worlds, these people with an air of immaturity yet with explosive action capacity were not scarce. Creatures like the “Takoyaki Knight” created by an undead monster were examples of this sort of thing.

Compared to the actual fighters with varying circumstances, the hallucinating warriors usually had no abilities. Their supposed transformations merely reached the level of cardboard armor, being the futile outcome of powerless hearts. Generally, aside from offering some laughter, they were essentially useless.

However…

Ash could not help but sigh as he looked at the purple-haired girl wearing protective gear. The hallucinating warriors weren’t up to much either. Last time, at least she had worn a motorcycle helmet and suit; that was better than this.

Hallucinations cannot come true unless they are extremely vivid.

“Hallucinating warrior? You mean Ruri is disguising herself as a Pretty Cure?”

“Haha, Madoka, do you think it’s real?”

Akuri’s words left Ash dumbfounded.

While they were still talking, another elementary school girl mustered all her courage, rushing forward to grab onto the bandit’s leg.

“Do not steal others’ belongings! Hey!”

“Wha—!”

Seeing the little girl clamping onto his leg and calling herself Precure, the bandit clenched his heart, using his strength to push her away amidst her screams. She tumbled to the side, ending up upside down in a nearby trash bin, unconscious.

“Ruri?”

Akuri turned back in disbelief. This impostor aiming her energy ball at where the bandit had been; there was no mistaking about who had thrown it.

Astonishment, excitement, longing, fright—numerous expressions swept over the young girl’s face.

Ash narrowed his eyes. This hallucinating warrior… she seemed far from just a fantasy.

“She did it!”

Staring in disbelief at her own palm, Ruri joyfully celebrated, realizing she had defeated the enemy. She also noticed her classmate Akuri close by and hurried over.

“Akuri, did you see? I did it!”

“I really became a Precure!”

This kind of ability couldn’t be possessed by an ordinary elementary school student. Is Ruri truly a new Pretty Cure?

Strange events, strange developments—unimagined, Akuri frowned deeply, sensing that something was off!

“What do you think…”

Originally intending to discuss with Ash, when she turned around, he’d vanished. There were no signs of him anywhere.

Hey, you’re a Kamen Rider, not Batman! How could you have that sort of disappearing act?

Without other options, Akuri tried alone to solve the mystery before her.

This self-important, newly-declared Precure elementary schooler was indeed a familiar sight to Akuri.

Her real name was Sasaki Ruri, also Ash’s classmate. Due to her timid nature, she often blundered during physical activities like gym class, and would be teased by some naughty students in their class.

Elementary kids tend not to be too complicated, laughing at someone’s embarrassment without understanding the emotional impact.

Akuri came to her aid, scolding those students and preventing further teasing.

“Ruri, what power is this?”

“Yeah, this power is amazing!” Ignoring Akuri’s concern, taking off her plastic helmet, Ruri’s eyes were filled with uncontainable excitement. It was as if the lottery revealed a grand prize, and she excitedly told her friend.

“Just now, I defeated a thief stealing someone else’s bag. ‘BIU’—I took him down, so now I am a righteous warrior, a hero!”

“Ruri, explain what happened?”

After numerous questions, Ruri, somewhat hesitant, recounted her story.

After facing bullying, despite Akuri speaking up for her and her classmates soon forgetting about it, she knew another embarrassing moment would follow if she didn’t change her timid personality.

Sometimes, the harshest critics are ourselves!

As a naturally timid elementary school kid, Ruri lacked the courage to change. One day, watching TV, she saw a report on the urban legend of Pretty Cure.

The Pretty Cure, constantly battling evil beings, were strong, beautiful, and always protected others—Ruri was deeply inspired and yearned to be like them.

“If I call myself a Pretty Cure, can I gain courage too?”

So, the girl donned her homemade outfit, fabricated a battle name, and sought to start small—helping elderly people cross roads, doing light chores.

“Back then, even that was beyond my reach…” Her voice sounded somewhat bitter. As a kid, she found it difficult to even help with small tasks; her frail body and lack of courage made it impossible.

Though passers-by only smiled kindly without mocking her, Ruri felt those smiles stung her differently.

“Suddenly, things changed!”

“I met someone strange, he gave me a bead, saying it would grant me power beyond humans, that I could become Pretty Cure!”

Ruri rummaged her pocket and pulled out a glass bead with dark patterns inside.

Surely, someone’s behind this! Akuri frowned, pondering who could’ve done such a thing, tricking Ruri who dreamed to be a hero.

Could it be that person… or another member of the Selfish Organization?

“Having a hero’s power will make people stop underestimating me. Everyone will look at me differently!”

After defeating the bandit, satisfaction swelled within and her old fears disappeared. But Akuri could only feel her friend had changed.

Seventy-second Chapter: Ash Watching On

“Ruri, is this how you think now?”

“Is there anything wrong with it?!”

Ruri retorted fiercely, her tone hinting at hostility.

Akuri grew even more uneasy. Though timid, Ruri was kindhearted, thoughtful, always thinking of others. Her self-description initially spoke of helping others, but now, her prideful and selfish demeanor hardly resembled her at all.

“So, what will you do after obtaining this power?”

“Afterwards… right, I will defeat more bad guys and selfish beasts. I want to make my classmates, teachers, parents, everyone, shocked!”

This was even more wrong; Ruri wasn’t someone who enjoyed fighting or hurting others!

Moreover…

“Ruri, do you really know what strength means? It isn’t to boost your own glory, nor is being a hero about showing off!”

Akuri glared at the bead with intense dislike.

Surely, this strange item had influenced Ruri!

“You don’t deserve to be a Pretty Cure!”

Hearing her dear friend’s condemning words, Ruri froze, her face contorted.

“You do not understand what it takes to be a warrior. Quickly throw away that thing, you were undoubtedly deceived!”

Noticing Akuri’s gaze, Ruri quickly stuffed the bead back into her pocket.

“What? Saying such nice things, I bet you’re just envious of me and want this bead!”

“How dare you say that!”

“What I said is inaccurate? You clearly are a selfish person!”

Watching the two elementary school kids already quarreling, Ash sighed in disbelief.

“A self-righteous fool with another self-righteous fool, classic.”

He had seen similar setups countless times.

In fact, as soon as Ruri acted suspiciously, Ash caught on. As someone tasked with collecting dark echoes, he had an uncanny sense for darkness.

But Ash was no longer interested in playing detective with kids. Instead, he followed the trail of darkness to its source. Problem-solving wasn’t his strong suit, but identifying the issue itself suited him perfectly.

True enough, on the highest floors nearby, Ash spotted a skinny and fat figure, whose dark intentions matched those of the Selfish Organization.

Were they the new recruits sent by the Selfish King? But…

The skinny one in a top hat, unshaven and flamboyant, looked like a drag queen. The fat one, who already looked ridiculous with his shark-like teeth visible, completed the bizarre duo.

“Unbelievable appearance!”

Ash’s disgust was evident. The previous three members, including the one with filed teeth, were attractive. The newcomers brought the beauty bar down even lower.

Should I eliminate them later?

With this thought, Ash listened in on their conversation through the wall.

“Heh heh heh, see, simple as that—baited!”

“Indeed, humans dreaming of powers beyond their limits, how selfish.”

Predictably, this scheme was cooked up by these two.

Still, who wouldn’t want to change their life with newfound power?

“Should this fake hero be exposed, their despair and thirst for power would surely give rise to enormous selfish beasts!”

“Indeed, Eira and company aren’t efficient. Let us teach this world a lesson: show who are the true useful minions of the Selfish King!”

Muttering a strange chant, the corrupted Spirit Heart transformed into a giant ash-cigar monster over three stories tall, billowing second-hand smoke that enveloped the area, leaving people coughing and screaming in panic.

“Selfishness!”

“Cough—It’s a Selfish Beast!”

Still discussing the mysterious bead with Akuri, Ruri instantly recognized the monster.

“Ruri-chan?”

“Gaze upon me, Akuri. Now, as a Pretty Cure, nothing can stand in my way. I can take this monster down in a single strike!”

“Hold it, don’t do anything rash!”

With her self-confidence soaring, Ruri wouldn’t listen to Akuri anymore. She shook off Akuri’s hand and faced the Selfish Beast head-on, fists at her waist.

“Selfishness!”

“My time has come. You monsters’ days are numbered. I—Cure Queen—will end you all! Hah!”

From Ruri’s hands, an energy ball hit the Selfish Beast, blending seamlessly into its body like a drop of milk dissolving in a river.

“That’s… impossible?!”

“I became a hero!”

Even so, lacking any substantial damage, the Selfish Beast was enraged, smashing its fist, turning into falling sparks that struck Ruri. She screamed as she slammed into a chair.

Looking at the approaching monster, she lost her former bravado. Tears of confusion and fear welled up in her eyes.

How is this possible? Didn’t I gain power?

Why couldn’t I overpower this beast? Was it because my power wasn’t enough?

If I had more power…

Sitting atop and seeing the anticipated scenario unfold, the observing officer grinned widely, eventually revealing an unsettling smile.

“Desire more power for selfish ends!”

Such a selfish beast, born from desire power, would surely instill fear in everyone.

“How cruel, treating children with such severity…”

Ash tossed a dark gear high, catching it in the open card slot.