In Fuuto: Starting as a Kamen Rider 01

Page 36

The vault door slid open silently, revealing a multitude of high-tech creations arranged in a chilling array inside.

He took out a specially made metal box from it.

The box was opened, and inside lay a "gift" that he had prepared long ago for Sonozaki Saeko.

A drive filled with mechanical feel and violent aesthetics.

Its design is rugged and direct, with each component exuding a cold metallic luster, full of a sense of power.

This is the "Forceriser".

Beside it was a program ascension key with an ominous dark purple color.

Its shape resembles a lurking, highly venomous scorpion, with the outlines of its pincers and stinger clearly visible, as if it might come to life at any moment and devour someone.

A faint purple light flowed across the surface of the key, exuding a chilling aura.

“This is a ‘forced sublimation device’.”

Su Chen picked up the drive and introduced it in a calm tone.

　"It can unleash the power of the program's sublimation key in the most brutal, direct, and primitive way."

"There are no superfluous embellishments, only pure, surging power."

"And this one is the 'Stinging Scorpion Progrise key'."

Su Chen gently placed the purple key, which exuded a dangerous aura, into Sonosaki Saeko's palm, which trembled slightly with excitement.

The icy touch and the terrifying energy it contained sent a jolt through Saeko's mind.

"The power it contains is pure 'destruction' and 'poison'."

"It is the power that erodes everything and ends everything."

"This power is best suited for you as an assassin."

Su Chen's gaze fell on Saeko, with a hint of scrutiny.

"From today onwards, you will have a brand new identity."

"A code name that belongs only to you, used to bury the past and create the future."

Su Chen looked at her, into those eyes burning with flames, and slowly uttered the name that symbolized the end and the new life.

A deep, magnetic voice echoed in the silent laboratory.

"Kamen Rider...Metsu."

destroy.

The "destruction" in "annihilation" is also the "end."

Chapter Thirty-Five: The Forbidden War, The End of the Past

"Before you can receive new power, you must first bury your past with your own hands."

Saeko Sonozaki's body stiffened slightly.

She looked up at Su Chen, her burning desire instantly replaced by astonishment.

Su Chen continued, each word clear and unquestionable.

"Use your strongest power, use your once proudest 'forbidden' form, and fight me with all your might."

He paused, his eyes sharp as knives, as if trying to dissect the most hidden corner of Saeko's soul.

"Let me see just how fragile your so-called 'strength' really is."

This is not a matter for discussion.

This is an order.

Saeko Sonozaki took a deep breath, the cold air in the training field piercing her lungs.

Her tightly pursed lips betrayed her inner turmoil, but the thought of doubt was fleeting.

She instantly understood Su Chen's intention.

This is the final test.

It is a complete "destruction before construction".

Without thoroughly crushing the decaying past, new life cannot take root.

"Yes, Master."

Her voice had a slight, barely perceptible hoarseness, yet it was incredibly submissive.

She slowly loosened her grip on the "scorpion" key.

The cool touch on her fingertips reminded her of the allure of her newfound power.

She resolutely placed the brand-new forced sublimation device and key gently on the metal workbench beside her.

Then she turned around and looked at something else.

It was a memory she knew all too well, a memory that carried both her glory and her shackles.

"Forbidden memory".

It lay there quietly, radiating a faint purple glow, as if whispering tales of its former glory.

She also whispered the power that originated from her father, but which ultimately became a constraint.

She reached out and touched the cold surface of the memory chip with her fingertips.

Once, this memory was a symbol of her identity, a reliance on her status, and a source of her power.

Now, it's just a past that needs to be shattered.

【Taboo!】

Without the slightest hesitation, she inserted the memory into the drive.

An eerie purple light burst forth from the driver in an instant.

The light, like a living vine, quickly enveloped her completely.

An ominous energy fluctuation permeated the air.

Within the light, her figure began to twist and change.

The figure wearing a peculiar top hat and Gothic-style clothing reappeared.

Forbidden dopant.

A powerful energy surged within her, far more intense than she could ever remember.

Perhaps knowing the significance of this battle, she squeezed out everything she had.

"I'm on it!"

Saeko let out a shout, her voice carrying a resolute tone, and a hint of sorrow that she herself was unaware of.

She pushed the forbidden power to an unprecedented extreme.

The air pressure in the training field suddenly dropped, and purple energy arcs jumped around her, making crackling sounds.

She suddenly pushed her hands forward.

The movements were swift and without the slightest hesitation.

Two enormous purple energy orbs condensed and took shape in her palm.

Inside the sphere of light was highly compressed destructive energy, with unstable electric light flowing across its surface, emanating a terrifying aura that sent chills down one's spine.

They roared, tearing through the air, and crashed down on the motionless Su Chen with the force to crush everything.

This was once her pride.

It is her strongest move, capable of instantly killing any enemy.

It was the end of all her past battles.

However, Su Chen simply stood there quietly.

His expression remained unchanged in the face of an attack powerful enough to level a small hill.

He didn't even change into a higher form.

He simply raised his right hand slowly, and a flash of light appeared on the driver.

【RisingHopper!】

The basic form of Kamen Rider 01 features a simple grasshopper armor covering the entire body.

This stands in stark contrast to the bizarre and complex appearance of the forbidden admixture.

He did not dodge.

There wasn't even a blocking stance.

He simply stretched out his right hand, palm facing forward, to meet the two terrifying energy orbs.

It's as if they want to respond to this former "strongest" in the most understated way.

"Too slow."

Su Chen's voice came through the mask, clear and cold.

"Too scattered."

He continued his evaluation, each word like a small hammer striking Saeko's heart.

"That's too... weak."

The last three words were so soft they were almost inaudible, yet they carried the heaviest weight.

The words have not yet fallen.

A barely perceptible distortion appeared in the space in front of Su Chen's palm.

The distortion was so subtle that it was impossible to detect without careful observation.

Yet, this tiny distortion seemed to possess the power to devour everything.