[Gashacon Sword!]
Ding! Your plug-in has been recharged!
The Gashacon Sword—known as the "Legend Sword" in the game world—rested glowing on the battlefield. It could switch between Flame Sword Mode and Ice Sword Mode with a press of a button.
In Flame Mode, it unleashed scorching flames capable of burning out the Bugster Virus. In Ice Mode, it emitted frigid air that could freeze enemies solid before shattering them into pieces.
This was the holy sword Hiiro used to dominate from Level 1 to Level 100—without ever falling behind.
You could say Dragon Swordsman got handed this one. Just randomly placed in another game's field—why couldn't I get that kind of luck? I swear, Long got served lemons while he got the golden apple.
"That's the legendary holy sword!" Poppy exclaimed.
Hiiro corrected her coolly, "No, this is my scalpel."
"Eh??"
"I told you, there's nothing in this world I can't cut!"
Hiiro swung the Gashacon Sword—now glowing with flame—and slashed at Alhambra without hesitation.
He was so into it that Ryuga decided not to interfere. I pulled out my Gashacon Breaker and went for the grunts instead.
[Hit! Hit! Hit!]
The words flashed rapidly across the battlefield, turning it into a neon-lit paradise of real-time action.
"It's useless!" Alhambra roared as he was blown back by Hiiro's attack.
He raised a broken magic wand, cast a recovery spell, and stood as though nothing had happened.
"Healing magic? Let's see you handle this—freezing operation, commence!"
[CoChin!]
With a click, Hiiro pressed the A button and switched the Gashacon Sword to Ice Mode.
"Drink!"
"Drink!"
He unleashed a flurry of snowflake-laced strikes. Frost condensed in the air. Alhambra was frozen mid-action, unable to even finish a spell.
"Operation complete," Hiiro declared coldly as he slotted a Gashat into the sword.
[Gashat!]
[Kimewaza!]
[Taddle Critical Finish!]
With a burst of blue and red, the Gashacon Sword released a final strike wreathed in fire and ice—cutting clean through Alhambra.
[Game Clear!]
Hiiro didn't even glance back as the explosion roared behind him. With a flick, he sheathed the sword and disengaged his transformation. Ryuga, having cleaned up the field, helped Poppy gather the unconscious patient's family and returned to CR.
The next afternoon, the director entered the lounge holding a large box.
"This is apple pie from a grateful patient," he announced. "Let's enjoy it together!"
"Nice!" Poppy cheered, already pulling out a knife and fork from behind her back. "Let me do the cutting—"
"Stop!" Hiiro barked sharply, freezing her mid-motion.
He stepped forward slowly, expression cold and solemn.
"There is nothing in this world... that I cannot cut."
Hiiro took the knife from Poppy. With a swift double slice, the pie was cut perfectly into four equal parts—one for each of us.
Everyone fell silent.
Soon after, Poppy rushed into CR with urgent news.
"Ryuga, emergency call!"
Ryuga arrived at the scene only to find someone already there.
"Taiga Hanaya?! What are you doing here?" Poppy demanded.
It was Kamen Rider Snipe—CR's original Rider and one of the most battle-hardened veterans among us. Once a radiologist, he'd suffered damage from early cassette prototypes, leaving part of his hair white. Later, his medical license was revoked for undisclosed reasons, and he now ran a private clinic.
Ryuga gave him a dismissive look and said nothing. He ignored Poppy entirely and fastened his belt, staring down a Bugster that had morphed into a twin-barreled musket.
"A gun-type Bugster? What luck—it's just my type. Let's warm up!"
[BangBang Shooting!]
"Transform!"
[Gashat!]
[Let's Game! Metcha Game! Mutcha Game!]
[What's Your Name?]
[I'm a Kamen Rider!]
Kamen Rider Snipe, Shooting Gamer Level 1—engaged!
"Bro, don't lend that right eye to anyone," Ryuga muttered, eyeing the heavy visor fringe covering one side of his face.
[Gashacon Magnum!]
With practiced ease, Snipe summoned his Gashacon Magnum and immediately turned the Bugster's own barrels against it. With a direct shot, he triggered an internal explosion.
The patient—a young boy named Livre—and both Riders were knocked down by the blast.
Livre, terrified by the sheer power of Snipe's attack, fled the scene.
"Damn... effective, but very painful," Taiga Hanaya groaned as he and Ryuga struggled to their feet.
But it was a one-sided conversation—everyone else had already left. Ryuga returned the boy to CR on Poppy's orders.
"Tch…" Taiga Hanaya muttered, realizing Ryuga had ditched him.
Back at CR, the director wore a troubled expression.
"Why did he show up again?" he muttered.
"You know him?" Ryuga asked.
"You don't need to know, intern," the director replied stiffly.
"He has a right to know now," Poppy insisted.
"Yes, of course," the director said, suddenly all smiles.
"Five years ago, a Zero Day incident occurred. It wasn't made public, but many citizens were infected with the Bugster virus and vanished."
"That's when the Ministry of Health partnered with Genm Corp. to form CR," Poppy continued.
"At the time, Taiga Hanaya was a top radiologist and chosen to become a Kamen Rider. But... he got too deep into the games. A medical accident happened. A patient died."
Whether it was truly his fault or something deeper... only Taiga Hanaya knew the full story.
"By the way, Ryuga," Poppy added, "the stressor for our current patient is a doctor. Please inform Taiga Hanaya not to interfere further."
"Got it. What's his address?"
Half a day later, Ryuga stood in front of a tiny private clinic, holding a chibi-style hand-drawn map from Poppy.
"Poppy's a devil for drawing this... and I'm a bigger devil for being able to read it."
"So you finally arrived, genius player," Taiga Hanaya greeted him, leaning on the doorframe.
"Nice clinic you've got," Ryuga said, walking in and scanning the surprisingly high-end equipment.
It wasn't just well-equipped—it had tech beyond what most hospitals had.
"What brings you here?" Taiga Hanaya asked, watching him curiously.
"Same as you," Ryuga replied. "The Bugster's targeting people with doctor-related stress. And since I just met that kid... I'm a target."
"Smart for a pediatric intern," Taiga Hanaya muttered.
"What's that got to do with intelligence?" Ryuga deadpanned. "Anyway, CR wants me to tell you not to get involved."
"Heh. Like I ever listen."