"Then… what about us…"
Hearing Dan's words, Elena looked lost and despondent, her expression hollow.
"Will we end up like that game illness patient we saw earlier? Infected by the Bugster Virus, turning into nothing, and disappearing from this world in the end?"
"It's also possible that we'll eventually have to fight the Bugster Virus creature that grows inside our own bodies," Li Hua speculated. "And only by killing the monster born from us can we survive."
"You really underestimate me."
Dan laughed proudly and said,
"If that were the case, I wouldn't have needed to go through the trouble of finding two doctors like you who possess antibodies to the Game Disease, just to create the Player Driver."
"Boss, you mean…" Elena's eyes brightened.
"We won't be eroded by the Virus? We're not at risk of disappearing?"
"Of course. The Gamer Driver and the Game Gashats were created precisely to fully control and safely utilize the power of the Virus."
Dan nodded firmly and explained:
"When you transform into Kamen Riders using the Gamer Driver to fight Bugster monsters, you will inevitably come into contact with the virus within them. But unlike ordinary infected patients…
When using the Gamer Driver, the power merges completely with your own selves.
It means that you yourselves wield the power of the Bugster Virus, instead of the virus merely parasitizing inside a host and feeding on humans to birth Bugster monsters. Once those monsters fully mature, the patient disappears entirely.
In biological terms: parasitism versus symbiosis."
"So that's how it is… becoming one with it."
Li Hua still had doubts. "But if that's true, then in the end, are we still humans, or are we Bugster organisms?"
Dan looked at him and narrowed his eyes slightly.
"If you insist on defining it clearly—you are both the light—"
"…Both Bugster beings, and humans." He nearly misspoke.
"So in the end, we're no longer purely human?" Elena looked conflicted.
"The existence of the Bugster Virus is beyond human imagination—it has the potential to cause immense catastrophe.
To fight the various monsters spawned by it, we must harness its power, because human weapons are ineffective against Bugster beings.
And to fully utilize that power…"
Dan nodded slowly, his tone heavy.
"If you want to give up, there is still time. But finding other people with antibodies to fight Bugster monsters in the short term would be nearly impossible."
The implication was clear: if they refused to become Riders, no one would be able to contain the virus. Its development and spread would lead to consequences no one could predict.
Dan wanted to see what choice they would make under such pressure.
Although he spoke to strengthen their resolve, his words were also true. Without containment, the virus would spread and evolve naturally—eventually becoming a disaster that could engulf humanity.
Of course, if they refused, he would not force them.
He wouldn't put a gun to their heads and say, Henshin.
Forced riders could never achieve the will, belief, and awakening needed to break through system limits. For Kamen Rider Chronicle, they would be meaningless consumables.
Li Hua and Elena's expressions shifted rapidly, visibly struggling internally.
"How have you decided?" Dan asked as he saw determination settle in their eyes.
"To fight unprecedented monsters, you must surpass human limits—and humans are limited by nature."
If humans are limited… to defeat the unimaginable, they must…
Finally, the two exchanged a glance. Their heavy expressions eased, and they smiled, relieved. They nodded.
Elena curled her lips with a wry smile.
"What else can we do? We're already on this pirate ship—we can only keep going 'til the end."
Li Hua nodded in agreement.
"This is not a pirate ship."Azu frowned unhappily.
"If you must use a ship metaphor, then it's Noah's Ark—a vessel that saves the world."
"You're right!" Elena smiled, looking quite proud."We're saving humanity—just like superheroes in comic books and ancient mythologies."
Li Hua shook his head.
"I've always just been a doctor. I transform to cure Game Disease—nothing more."
Elena felt deflated."Li, you're really boring. Saving lives is exactly what heroes do."
"That's true," Li Hua nodded seriously.
"So that makes Dan the savior who built the Ark?"Elena teased, glancing sideways at Dan.
"No. According to narrative logic, you two are Noah, who pilots the Ark. The Master is the god who guides you."
Izu corrected seriously.
"In that case, thank you for your guidance, oh great god."Elena blinked playfully and looked at Dan.
"But in the Bible, wasn't the Great Flood originally created by God to cleanse sinful humanity If so, this metaphor doesn't quite fit. Dan isn't the omnipotent God of myth."
"The so-called God of the Bible…"
Li Hua snorted coldly.
"The so-called flood of destruction was a disaster created by God himself, and then he puts up an Ark and pretends to 'save' people?
We fight the virus and save patients with Dan's Rider System and our own strength. Human power saves humanity!"
"Li, the Bible is just a religious story. Don't take it too seriously."
Elena whispered awkwardly:
"You should be careful saying that in front of religious fanatics. They'll say you're blaspheming."
Li Hua nodded, knowing she meant well.
Meanwhile, Dan felt an indescribable emotion.
The virus was indeed something he himself created.
The Driver and Gashats were also made by him.
Meaning—the entire crisis was started by him.And Elena's joke had nearly hit the truth.
"Ahem." Dan cleared his throat."Actually, you don't need to carry such a burden. Even though you'll gain Bugster traits…
You will absolutely still be human.
Aside from possessing power equivalent to Bugster monsters, nothing will affect your mind or consciousness."
"As long as your will remains unchanged, you remain who you always were. You'll simply become superhumans."
Not human—but not no longer human.
"If that's true… then that's actually kind of nice," Elena said. Then hesitated.
"Um… about basic human physical functions—will they be affected?"
Tandoichi lifted a brow. "Basic physical functions?"
"She means eating and sex…" Li Hua explained seriously.
"Shut your mouth!"
Elena snapped, embarrassed. "No need to say it so bluntly!"
"Actually," Li Hua sighed,
"That's what I want to ask too—will we stop tasting food? Will our children be affected?"
"Of course not." Tandoichi smiled.
"The power you gain won't alter your biological structure. It simply grants you new ability.
You'll keep all human traits.
You can manifest Bugster power only when needed, like switching forms.
Put simply, superhumans."
"Like superheroes in comic books!" Elena gasped.
"Actually, more like heroes in mythology," Izu explained.
"Heroes defeat demons and beasts, and as a reward, receive divine blessings and gain great power."
"Exactly—receive the blessings of god!" Yaz grinned confidently.
"Well then, we Riders will gratefully accept the 'divine gift' from our Master—our god, Dan."Elena said half-jokingly, looking at him with interest.
Dan only smiled faintly, giving no clear answer.
Author's Note
Enemy and hero sharing the same origin is the soul of Kamen Rider.The exact same source of power—guided by different wills—creates the Rider and the monster.
Only those who carry darkness can truly destroy darkness.
(End of chapter)