Although the eyes of the pink armored figure in front of him were just large, cartoon-like patterns, even appearing somewhat cute, Peter could still clearly sense a gaze of death.
He could only offer a nervous smile to Dan Kuroto.
Li Hua immediately spotted the Gamer Driver on the waist of Dan Kuroto, who was transformed into Ex-Aid, and the game cartridge plugged into it.
"Is he a helper sent by Boss Dan? A new Kamen Rider? Why have I never heard Boss Dan mention this before?"
Although he was a little confused, having a helper at this moment was naturally great. Li Hua was about to open his mouth to greet him.
Then, Dan Kuroto's voice came through the communication system: "It's me, Dan Kuroto."
"So, Boss Dan, you are also a carrier of the Bugster Virus antibody?" Li Hua was slightly surprised.
"Nonsense. Otherwise, how do you think the Gamer Driver and the game cartridges were manufactured? Since ancient times, no scientific technology has been able to directly produce a mature and complete product without going through experiments."
"So Boss Dan, you are the first user of the Rider System..."
"Discuss any questions you have later. Let's deal with the Bugster monster in front of us first." Li Hua was interrupted by Dan Kuroto before he could finish speaking.
"Alright. Boss Dan, please protect the two students behind me. I'll take care of this Bugster monster." Li Hua transformed into his Level 5 form again and, holding a belly full of grievances, charged directly at the Bugster monster.
Dan Kuroto shook his head slightly, summoned the Gashacon Breaker in Hammer Mode, blocked the energy bullets the Bugster monster fired toward Peter and Gwen, and said aloud, "Get behind me."
However, whether intentional or not, there were always one or two energy bullets that, while hammered, were not completely deflected. Instead, their trajectories were slightly altered, flying past Peter's side.
Peter watched the energy bullets crash into the ground, blasting out craters the size of washbasins. He couldn't help but shiver, casting a resentful look at Dan Kuroto in front of him, trying his best not to voice the complaints in his heart, and simultaneously moving a little closer behind Dan Kuroto.
"Um, sir, can you be a little more careful..." Peter cautiously spoke up.
Dan Kuroto's tone was completely innocent: "The monster is shooting so many energy bullets, and I have to protect both of you at the same time. It's not that easy, is it?"
As he spoke, a few more energy bullets flew by, practically grazing Peter's clothes.
"I got distracted while talking. My apologies."
Peter: "No need to mind me... just focus on dealing with the monster's attacks."
Gwen Stacy's lips curled up slightly as she listened to the conversation between Peter and Dan Kuroto. She then turned her gaze to the battle between the Bugster monster and Brave.
Li Hua, who had been shot at like a target by the Bugster monster for a long time, finally got a chance to vent his pent-up anger. With the rage fueling him, he slashed his sword, strike after strike, fluently, steadily, accurately, and fiercely, at the Bugster monster.
"It looks like this monster can't hold on much longer." Gwen exhaled slightly, feeling a bit relieved as she saw yellow light particles radiating from the Bugster monster's body, and parts of its torso becoming translucent.
"It's finally going to be resolved." Peter also breathed a huge sigh of relief. Since the Bugster monster was heavily injured, it couldn't afford to fire energy bullets at them anymore, so Peter didn't have to be as on edge as before.
Li Hua was also preparing to use his finisher to take down the Bugster monster. First, he used the holy sword's ice power to control the Bugster monster, and then he pressed the game cartridge button to charge up.
"Is it resolved?" Dan Kuroto smiled slightly, thinking to himself, "I personally took the stage for this, how can this scene end so simply?"
Sure enough, a sudden change occurred.
Li Hua's finisher was just about to reach the Bugster monster's face when a streak of light suddenly flashed past, actually saving the Bugster monster by grazing past Brave's finisher.
The figure in the light streak stopped, revealing its form.
Li Hua, who had been intensely on guard, immediately lost control of his anger, raising his sword and slashing at it.
"A monster riding a motorcycle?" Peter asked in confusion.
"Just seeing the commotion from afar, I knew it was you, Doctor. It's been a long time." The Bugster monster riding the motorcycle greeted Li Hua.
"This time, I will definitely destroy you." Li Hua gritted his teeth and declared, unleashing his ultimate move—the finisher—in his anger without further discussion.
"It... it can talk?! What exactly is this monster?" Peter stammered when he heard the Bugster monster speak.
Dan Kuroto turned to Peter and explained: "If the Bugster monster that emerges cannot be defeated before the Bugster Virus completely erupts and thoroughly invades the infected patient, causing the patient to disappear, then the Bugster monster will completely replace the infected patient, becoming a Complete form, possessing intelligence no less than that of a human."
"Replacing a human being?..." Peter murmured, his tone filled with astonishment and disbelief.
"That's right! I, the great Motos, am a Bugster that has achieved Complete form, an existence far superior to humans!" The Bugster monster cackled with strange laughter, having dodged Li Hua's finisher by relying on its speed advantage.
"Damn it!" Li Hua cursed and once again raised his sword to strike Motos.
"Doctor, your energy gauge isn't very full." Motos took Li Hua's strike and spoke with a teasing tone.
Brave, transformed by Li Hua, had been continuously bombarded by the Bugster's firepower for a long time and had consecutively unleashed two finishers. His Rider Gauge energy was now running low.
"The situation doesn't look too good. Aren't you going to help?" Peter asked Dan Kuroto, looking at Brave, who was being suppressed by Motos due to lack of energy.
"Stay back." After saying this, Dan Kuroto switched the Gashacon Breaker into Sword Mode and slashed at the Bugster Motos.
"Danger, danger." Motos pushed Brave away and flashed to dodge the sword strike. Although he said "danger," his posture was quite relaxed.
"You must be Ex-Aid. Lord Parado asked me to send you his regards." Motos slightly bowed and addressed Dan Kuroto.
After Motos became a Complete Bugster, he was recruited as a subordinate by Parad.
"Who is Parado?" Li Hua asked in confusion.
"Parado..." Dan Kuroto's tone was deep, implying an extraordinary story behind it.
"Brave, your Rider Gauge is almost empty. Don't participate in the fight anymore, or your life will be in danger." Dan Kuroto said to Li Hua.
"But..." Li Hua looked at the Bugster Motos in front of him, still very unwilling.
Motos laughed out loud: "Ex-Aid, although you are Lord Parado's prey, in the end, you are just a human. How dare you challenge me, the great Motos, a Complete Bugster—a perfect organism?"
Dan Kuroto's brow, under the armor, slightly furrowed, then relaxed. After all, this Motos didn't know his true existence, only knowing that Parado was his boss, and this was the script he wrote.
Forget it, I'll just beat him half to death.
So, Dan Kuroto fought Motos according to the script, only using a little more force than necessary in his hands.
"Damn it, how can you be so strong?!" Motos spoke in disbelief, and the thought of retreating arose in his heart. In the beginning, he could easily withstand Ex-Aid's attacks, but after only a few exchanges, he began to feel overwhelmed.
Li Hua, watching from the side, also felt his understanding being refreshed. He hadn't expected Dan Kuroto could also transform into a Kamen Rider, and one that was clearly stronger than him.
"Wait a minute." Li Hua watched for a moment and then realized, although Ex-Aid, transformed by Dan Kuroto, was formidable, he was only marginally stronger than Brave, transformed by himself. The reason Motos quickly fell into a disadvantage was because he had been getting weaker during the fight.
After being cut a few more times, Motos finally realized something was wrong and questioned, "What's going on? My power!..."
Dan Kuroto seized the moment of his stunned confusion, delivered another sword strike, and then explained: "Ex-Aid's full name is Extreme Aid. It possesses the special ability to suppress the activity of the Bugster Virus. That is to say, I can lower your level. You were too careless!"
"It has that ability?! I'm not playing with you guys anymore." In his shock, Motos threw out a few bombs, trying to create distance.
Dan Kuroto also retreated with the momentum, giving Motos a chance to escape.
"See you later! The next time we meet, I won't be at the level I am now! And I won't give you the chance to lower my level! Fragile creatures like humans simply cannot compare to the mighty Bugsters." Motos, following the standard procedure, delivered his threats and tried to leave with the Bugster monster carrying a fire gun.
"Damn it, I can't let him take the incomplete Bugster monster away, or else the student infected with the Bugster Virus..." Li Hua was extremely anxious in his heart. He immediately threw his Holy Sword, which, ignited with Water and Fire energy, struck Motos's hand.
Motos glanced at the Bugster monster that had slipped from his grip, then at his own injuries.
Forget it. After all, it's not a Complete Bugster yet. It doesn't count as a real comrade.
He accelerated even more, disappearing into the distance in the blink of an eye.
After all, Ex-Aid is used by the protagonist. He's only making occasional guest appearances and won't be leveling up with Brave, Snipe, and Lazer all the time.
Before achieving the highest-level form, he needs some flair, which is why the ability to lower others' levels was introduced.
(End of Chapter)