Knights of the Digital World

"Are you afraid of me? Come on, tell me the time and place, and I'll teach you a lesson in no time!"

"Anyone can brag! You'd better be prepared to be defeated and have your cartridges taken back! Don't bother with any particular time, go outside and find out now!"

"Oh my, you two are really energetic. I'm out of luck, I'm still recovering from an injury and can't play. Why don't I be your referee? I promise to be fair and impartial."

Kiriya watched the two arguing, but instead of trying to stop them, he chuckled and fanned the flames from the sidelines.

"Huh? Hiiro, why are you and Taiga arguing again? Kiriya-san, you should have stopped them. Alright, alright, stop arguing. Aren't we talking about this... um, about Emu? Let's not talk about anything else for now."

The usually withdrawn Emu was also awakened by the argument between Taiga and Hiiro, and quickly jumped in to act as a peacemaker. He seemed rather awkward when addressing Emu.

"...Anyway, my opinion is simple: retrieve his game cartridges. Anything else is fine. Letting a child become a Kamen Rider...I absolutely disagree!"

When I saw Emu (Da) jump out, he no longer insisted on his previous duel with Hiiro and expressed his opinion indifferently.

Fei Cai, who had just been challenging Da Wu to a fight and exchanging insults, also turned serious and said:

"Although I dislike unlicensed quacks, he's right. We can't let a child become a Kamen Rider. It's too dangerous!"

"Count me in, I also think this is too unreliable."

Kiriya raised a hand and said.

"Huh? This isn't quite right, is it? The cartridges are meant to be...forever...dreams, we have no reason to take them back..."

Emu (Great) Little Angel was still unable to accept this behavior and said awkwardly.

"Not only is there no reason to take it back, but you also don't have the capability. Don't underestimate me just because I'm young; I've been a Kamen Rider for two or three years now, and none of you know more about Kamen Rider than I do!"

Emu wanted to take advantage of CR's benefits, but that didn't mean he would suffer in silence. Even knowing that Taiga and the others were doing it for his own good and didn't want him to get involved in danger, Emu would never let them take his Gashat.

"Honestly, didn't you guys even think to ask me, this visitor from another world, any other questions? Like, how did I get here? What's my purpose here? What can I do? ...None of that! Just carrying my cassette tape! Tsk, rigid, so rigid! All of you are unqualified! You are the worst group of otherworldly people I've ever met!"

Emu recounted his story with great distress, making the naive Emu (Ai) very uneasy. After Emu finished speaking, Emu (Ai) said with an embarrassed look:

"I'm so sorry, I was so stupid, I didn't even think of the problem you mentioned..."

Chapter Six: Divine Talent

"You're back? Why do you look so unhappy? Weren't you going to test the dangerous zombie cartridge and take care of Lazer while you were at it? Did things not go well? Was there a problem with the cartridge, or did Lazer escape?"

Parado was squatting on a chair, playing a game console. Hearing Xiajiao return, she glanced at him, saw his gloomy face, and casually asked...

"No... the cartridge was a success, and all the intended functions worked perfectly. Lazer also fell into my trap. Everything was going smoothly until a strange brat appeared who could also transform into Ex-Aid, and he even had a high-level cartridge that I didn't create. The dangerous zombie was only level 10, so I was no match for him and decided to retreat."

With a dark expression, Shrimp Dumpling was filled with rage at the fact that there were still cassette tapes produced without his involvement. While answering Parad's questions, he turned on his computer, hacked into the government's database, and tried to find out Emu's identity.

"A mysterious brat who can transform into Ex-Aid and even has a Gacha cartridge that's higher than LV10? How interesting! Dan Kuroto, do you know his identity?"

Parado became interested, defeated the BOSS he was fighting in a few moves, threw the game console aside, jumped to the ground, and walked behind Shrimp Dumpling to watch him operate it.

"I'm checking... Hmm? That's strange? Why isn't it there?"

Shrimp Dumpling looked at the results displayed on the computer and showed a surprised expression:

"There's absolutely no information about that kid in the government's database. There's no record of his birth, medical treatment, schooling, or any other aspect of his life. It's like he just appeared out of nowhere. It's outrageous..."

"Interesting! This is getting more and more interesting! Dan Kuroto, I'm going to check out that kid. Maybe he can play a few rounds with me."

Parado's eyes lit up, and he laughed heartily as he prepared to leave.

"Wait a minute, Parado!"

The shrimp dumpling called out to Parado, and said earnestly:

"Although I didn't make it, that kid has a Level 20 cartridge with great power. If it weren't for the Dangerous Zombie cartridge's ability, I would be game over by now. If you're going to test it, be careful not to die. Also, take this with you."

Shrimp Dumpling tossed Parado a blank two-in-one game cartridge, saying:

"Take this card and go collect some Bugster data. I need it to develop my cartridge. Don't worry, the Dangerous Zombies need some other data to upgrade, which I haven't collected yet. Until then, my focus will be on helping you develop your cartridge. It's time for you to get started."

"Is it finally my turn? I'm looking forward to it. Don't disappoint me, Dan Kuroto."

Parado fiddled with the blank cartridge for a moment, then put it away and smiled at Shrimp Dumpling.

"Hmph, who do you think I am? I am Dan Kuroto! I developed the Player Driver and the Rider Transformation cartridges! My talent is at the Kamen Rider level! Only cartridges created by someone with god-like talent like me are allowed to exist. Games made by others shouldn't even exist! Parado, just wait and see! Wait for the cartridges I develop!"

Shrimp Dumpling snorted and buried himself in the research and development of the new cartridge.

Parado chuckled softly, said nothing more, transformed into a mass of data, and disappeared into the small, dark room.

…………

With Emu's (Daiga) coordination, Emu, Hiiro, Taiga, and Kiriya finally began a formal and peaceful exchange.

Actually, they didn't have any prior conflicts. It's just that Fei Cai and her parents are used to making decisions for the children as adults. Even if it's for the children's own good, this arrogant attitude makes the children very unhappy.

As a pediatrician, Emu was very good at listening to children's thoughts. With his mediation, Hiiro and the others also put aside their adult airs and began to communicate with Emu.

"First of all, let me make this clear. My cartridges and player drivers are bound to me, and you can't take them away. So let's leave it at that and not talk about it again."

Emu looked at the knights in front of him and emphasized it again.

Kiriya was the only one among them who had witnessed Emu's strength. Seeing his resolute attitude, he knew his side couldn't win, so he stopped insisting, leaned back, and said:

"Since you've put it that way, then so be it. I have no objections."

Dawo frowned, wanting to say something, but Feicai stopped him, shook her head, and said no more.

Fei Cai then spoke on behalf of everyone:

"I understand. That's enough about that. Now let's talk about what you said earlier. How did you get here? What's your purpose? Now you can talk about those things, right?"

"Okay. I don't want to go through all this guessing and suspicion with you guys, it's too much trouble. Let me address the issues one by one. First, how did I get here? I have a partner named Dark Number, who has the ability to travel between worlds. I came here with his help."

"Darkship? What a strange name. It sounds like something about a tram..."

"Yeah, Dark One was originally a tram beast, of course it has evolved now... but that's not the point. Anyway, you just need to know that I have the ability to travel between worlds."

Now let me talk about my purpose... Actually, it's not really a purpose. I was just really bored during summer vacation, so I came to your world to relax."

"To relax?!"

The CR members were all stunned.

Emu said matter-of-factly:

"Yeah. All my classmates and friends are busy, and my girlfriend went on a trip with her family. I've finished all my studies and don't have any entertainment options, so of course I'm bored. I just decided to browse around on another site."

"You just mentioned a girlfriend? How old are you?"

"Thirteen, what's wrong? Is there a problem with me having a girlfriend? You guys don't all have girlfriends yet? Are you all single dogs?"

Emu's expression was exaggerated as he precisely stabbed the knife.

Yongmeng (the eldest) stood there, smiling awkwardly, not knowing what to say.

Kiriya shook his head and wailed, "Stop cursing, stop cursing, it will happen."

Da snorted softly, his face expressionless. In his view, women would only slow down his gun-drawing speed. Although he soon changed his mind...

Only Hiiro's face showed obvious sadness after hearing Emu's words. He thought of his deceased girlfriend, Momose Koki, and his mood immediately became depressed.

Yongmeng (Big) thought Yongmeng was unaware of Feicai's situation and, fearing he might further provoke Feicai, quietly took two steps closer to Yongmeng, bent down, and was about to tell him to watch his words when Yongmeng suddenly said:

"By the way, Jing Feicai, do you want your girlfriend to come back to life?"

Upon hearing this, both Jing Feicai and Jing Huima turned their heads sharply, their gazes fixed on Yongmeng.

Chapter Seven: Hope for Resurrection

"Kid... no, little kid, explain yourself clearly. What do you mean by 'do you want Xiao Ji to come back to life'? Do you have a way to bring Xiao Ji back to life?"

Kagami took several large strides to Emu and asked loudly.

He adored his daughter-in-law, Momose Hime, and constantly lamented her passing. Moreover, Hime's death greatly affected his son. Although Hiiro seemed unaffected, Kagami knew the deep wounds Hime's death had left in his son's heart.

Kagami Haima was constantly worried about this, but there was nothing he could do, so he could only hide his worries behind his antics. Later, after Dan Masamune released the Knight Chronicles game, Kagami Haima secretly got involved, hoping to achieve final victory and revive Hime.

—Although they were so bad they never won a single game.

Compared to his father's excitement, Jing Feicai, the son, remained silent. However, his clenched fists and bulging veins betrayed his inner tension and excitement.

He was afraid that Yongmeng was just joking, that this was just another dream, and that he was just being delusional.

"Of course. In fact, the data of patients who died from game-related illnesses are stored in the prototype cartridges of the viruses they were infected with. Like the virus from the game Ryuki Hunter Z that your lover, Momose Kohime, was infected with, right? As long as you find the prototype Ryuki Hunter Z cartridge, you can obtain her data. Then you can give her new life as a Bugster. Although the species has changed, it's still a kind of resurrection, isn't it?"

Emu didn't keep anyone in suspense and told them everything he knew.

"Huh? As a Bugster? Isn't there any way to be resurrected as a human?"

"I ask the gray horse with disappointment."

Emu rolled her eyes and said:

"You should be grateful you can be resurrected. If it weren't for the special nature of the game addiction, you wouldn't even have the chance to be resurrected."

Jing Huima wanted to say something, but was stopped by Jing Feicai. Feicai's eyes were tightly closed, her whole body was trembling uncontrollably, and her face had a distorted expression that seemed to be both crying and laughing. She said:

“It’s alright, Dad. As long as Ji can come back, it doesn’t matter if it’s Bugster or anything else! As long as, as long as she can come back to me…”

Tears streamed down Fei Cai's face. People are always like this; they don't know how to cherish what they have until they lose it, and then they constantly yearn for the good old days.

Fei Cai and Xiao Ji's feelings for each other were undoubtedly genuine. However, there was a period when he neglected Xiao Ji for the sake of his studies, to the point that he didn't even know she was ill. He only saw Xiao Ji one last time.

This regret intensified Fei Cai's pain, filling him with guilt and making him like a desperate gambler, clinging desperately to every sliver of hope. This is also why, in the original story, he betrayed the CR team and joined Dan Masamune's ranks.

He just wanted to save his girlfriend. Dan Masamune had the ability to do so, so he was determined to get Dan Masamune's help no matter the cost.

Hua Jia Da Wo watched Jing Fei Cai's changing expression from the side, his face showing a complex mix of guilt, apology, joy, and relief.

Xiao Ji's death not only affected Jing Feicai's life, but also his. He went from a genius doctor to an unlicensed quack. His body also became distorted due to the original cartridge.

Most importantly, Hime's death had always been a hurdle he couldn't overcome. Even after killing Graphite, Taiga still felt guilty and remorseful. Now, seeing the hope of the lovers' reunion, Taiga finally let go of his burden and felt much lighter.

But soon, Taiga regained his deadpan expression and asked Emu:

"Why do you know all this so clearly? The forensic doctor also mentioned that you anticipated Dan Kuroto's trap and told him not to use that cartridge... Is this your ability? Or is there another reason?"

I have a strong ability to grasp the key points; I asked the crucial question right away.

Yongmeng had no intention of hiding anything. He picked up his water glass, moistened his throat, and said: