Global awakening! My Kamen Rider identity has been exposed!

Chapter 40 Farewell

After standing in the pouring cold rain for a long time, Jiang Lan finally got into the car, started the test tracker, and sped away.

On the deserted streets, only the sound of the gradually pattering rain and the roar of the test tracker's engine intertwined and echoed.

The roar was like the raging fire surging in Jiang Lan's chest, venting unrestrainedly in the desolate rainy night.

Thirty thousand people —

Thirty thousand vibrant lives were consumed and burned to death by the flames of Daguba right before his eyes!

How could Jiang Lan not be furious about this deep-seated blood feud?

Countless complete families fell apart right before his eyes, shattered beyond repair.

If I were just a little stronger, if I could be just a step faster, perhaps I could have protected those innocent lives.

The cold rain lashed Jiang Lan's cheeks, and countless water droplets flowed freely, making it impossible to distinguish whether they were icy rain or scalding tears.

My thoughts suddenly shifted, and fragments of memory switched to another scene.

Jiang Lan rode the experimental tracker and slowly stopped in front of a coffee shop called "PolePole".

His purpose in coming here was to see "Old Man" again – Shitama Saburo.

Back then, after the passing of his old friend and wife, Shikisaburo resolutely adopted their children, Jiang Lan and Ren. For Jiang Lan, Shikisaburo was already like a biological father, the most solid support during his wandering years.

Upon entering the coffee shop, Asahina Nana, Saburo's niece, quickly brought him a warm cup of coffee.

A warmth spread from his fingertips to his heart. Jiang Lan finished his drink, exchanged a few pleasantries with his father, and then got up to take his leave.

"Where are you going?" Asahina Nana called out to him first, her tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible unease.

Jiang Lan paused for a moment, then replied softly, "Hmm—I'll wander around for a bit, and then, perhaps, I'll embark on an adventure."

"Leaving now?"

"Why the rush?" Old Man Shimajiro frowned, his tone full of doubt.

He was unaware that Jiang Lan was the being known to the world as "Unknown Life Form No. 4," and that this so-called "adventure" was actually a life-or-death battle with a high probability of no return.

Before leaving, Jiang Lan turned around and bowed deeply to Shiyu Sanlang, his posture respectful and solemn: "Father, thank you for your tolerance and care over the years."

"And Nana, thank you for taking care of me all this time too—"

Asahina's eyes instantly reddened, tears welling up. She looked at Jiang Lan, her voice choked with barely suppressed sobs and a questioning tone: "Why?"

"Why did you have to leave at this time of all?"

Jiang Lan had already decided in her heart that she would no longer hide it—if she was going to die this time, she should at least let her father and the others know her true identity, so that after her death they would still be worrying and waiting day after day, adding to their sorrow.

I'm so sorry.

"Because I am emptiness."

"This time, I must defeat Zero—"

These words exploded like a thunderclap in the coffee shop. Saburo Kyoto and Nana Asahina froze on the spot, stunned for a long time, their eyes gradually filling with tears, turning red and swollen.

They instantly understood the true meaning of the "adventure" Jiang Lan spoke of—it was not an ordinary journey, but a life-or-death charge.

Both of them knew that after this parting, Jiang Lan would most likely never be able to return to this warm and welcoming coffee shop.

But they all tacitly refrained from revealing their worries, silently keeping their heavy concerns hidden in their hearts and pretending to believe that it was just an ordinary adventure.

When the adventure is over, Jiang Lan will come back and, as usual, sit in the shop, drink a hot coffee, and chat with them about everyday life.

As soon as she finished speaking, Jiang Lan didn't look at their expressions anymore. She turned around abruptly, rushed out of the coffee shop, and slammed the door shut behind her.

He dared not linger, fearing that if he stayed even a second longer, his hard-won determination to die would crumble, and that his attachment to the world would weaken his fighting spirit, preventing him from defeating Zero with all his might.

The audience members who witnessed this memory also had tears welling up in their eyes, and tears silently streamed down their faces.

Saying goodbye to the important people in your life is a pain and reluctance that is hard for ordinary people to imagine.

Jiang Lan's mentor, father, and relatives, knowing full well that he was doomed on this journey, did not utter a word to stop him; they simply supported him in silence.

This restrained concern and selflessness quietly touched the hearts of all viewers.

"Waaah—Jiang Lan's memory is enough to make him a god! I finally understand the weight that Sakurako Zedu interpreted as the 'tragic warrior'—"

"It was truly heartbreaking. Watching him say goodbye to his family and friends one by one, my heart ached and I felt a tightness in my chest."

"Knowing that death lay ahead, he still rushed to the battlefield without hesitation, just to protect the smiles on others' faces. Jiang Lan, truly a man of honor!"

"Everyone knew he was never coming back, yet they all tacitly kept quiet—this kind of cautious tenderness is so heartbreaking!"

"Jiang Lan has already suffered one defeat, and his belt is not yet fully repaired. Can he really defeat Daguba?"

"I wonder if his ability to become stronger when facing stronger opponents will still be effective against Daguba."

After leaving the coffee shop, Jiang Lan eventually arrived at a kindergarten, where he met his younger sister.

After a reluctant farewell, Jiang Lan turned and left. At that moment, there was only one person he wanted to see—

people.

Meanwhile, at the Tatsumi 5-chome pier in Koto Ward, Rose Sister had met with misfortune.

Kaoru fired repeatedly at her with enhanced nerve-severing bullets, and Rose fell into the vast sea after being hit.

Although her body was not found afterward, the police have officially declared her dead.

Linglong: 856323613 Currently, of all the Gurongi, only Zero remains to be eliminated.

And it is also the most powerful and the most difficult to eradicate!

The hopes of the entire world weighed heavily on Jiang Lan's shoulders!

That once cheerful young man now carries an immense burden on his back, resolutely marching towards the unknown final battle.

Seongnam University, Archaeology Research Laboratory.

Sakurako Sawatari stood by the window, gazing at the torrential rain pouring down outside, her eyes filled with worry. She gently—

He sighed and murmured, "I hope this rain will stop soon—"

She was waiting for Jiang Lan.

She firmly believed that Jiang Lan would come to see her.

Sure enough, not long after, the roar of a motorcycle engine suddenly broke the silence of the rainy night from the end of the road not far away.

A blinding beam of light pierced through the dark rain, hurtling toward the research lab.

Sakurako's heart tightened, then a warm feeling welled up inside her—Jiang Lan had really come.

Upon arriving at the archaeological research lab, Jiang Lan slowly parked the car and took off his helmet.

The sound of light, crisp footsteps followed, and Sakurako Sawatari, holding an umbrella, ran up to him. Even though she was already a little breathless and her forehead was still covered with fine raindrops, a bright smile still bloomed on her pretty face the moment she saw Jiang Lan.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

The rain continued to fall, but it couldn't drown out the rapid heartbeats of the two. In the world, it seemed as if only their figures remained.

"Hi." Jiang Lan looked at her, a gentle smile on her lips, and greeted her softly.

It was obvious that Sakurako Sawatari was the last person he wanted to see on this trip.

After saying goodbye to Sakurako Sawatari, Jiang Lan had no regrets.