Knights of the Digital World

"Alright, that's enough. Like I said before, let's fight! If you win, I'll promise you I won't hurt anyone first—but if someone messes with me, I still won't hold back. And if I win, you have to agree to my previous conditions, okay?"

Yongmeng (the eldest) was silent for a moment, then nodded and said:

"it is good!"

Then, in the next moment, two almost overlapping voices rang out:

"Max's Big Transformation!"

Chapter Twenty-Five: Extreme Players VS Perfect Knockout Players

As Emu (Big) and Parado shouted, two transformation sound effects rang out:

"Ga! Level Max! (Maximum Powerful Body! Dariragan! Dagozuban!) *n Maximum Power X!"

"Ga! Mazaru Up! Red Fist Powerful! Blue Puzzle Chain! Red and Blue Intertwined! Perfebsp; Knobsp; Out!"

Dazzling light and shadow effects appeared, and the game world unfolded in an instant, pulling the four people into a vast wilderness.

At the location where Emu (Big) was, the huge mecha landed, and Maximum Gama, whose chest was painted with the facial features of EX-Aid, slammed his fists together and took big strides forward.

Where Parado had been standing, a warrior in red and blue with a swaying skirt appeared. He twisted his neck, casually spread his hands, and two energy items, "Muscle Transformation" and "High-Speed ​​Transformation," appeared in his hands, which he then pressed into his body.

After merging the games "Perfect Puzzle" and "Knockout Fighter", the newly created puzzle fighting game "Perfect Knockout" combines the capabilities of both games, possessing both the ability to manipulate energy items and the ability to perform explosive attacks.

Even though the ability to merge reduces the maximum number of energy items a player can manipulate from three to two, it is still a significant advantage.

After absorbing two energy items, Parado's body seemed to have swelled up. Facing the approaching Extreme Player, Parado calmly took out his signature weapon, the "Gasha Paradox Blade Gun," transformed it into axe mode, and then approached the Extreme Player at a speed imperceptible to the human eye, delivering a powerful blow to his chest.

There's still a gap in strength between a player who can perfectly defeat another player and a player who has reached the pinnacle of skill. After all, even though they are both Lv.99, their strengths and weaknesses are still different.

The "Maximum Gama" mech piloted by extreme athletes is so powerful that its size alone suggests its formidable strength.

However, with the "muscle-enhancing" energy item, Perfect KO Player did not fall behind in strength this time. In fact, the increased speed from "speed enhancement" made his attacks even more powerful, forcing the Extreme Player to take several steps back.

However, the robust armor also provides extreme players with extraordinary defensive capabilities. To put it more vividly, extreme players are like warrior-type tanks: high health, high attack, and high defense. They don't have many flashy skills, and their speed is relatively slow, but their health bar is so thick it's infuriating. They are the nightmare of all damage dealers.

The player who perfectly knocks down the enemy is like an assassin: low health, high attack, and fast speed. They possess a bunch of fancy skills. Apart from being a bit fragile, they can fight, run away, and heal, making them a nightmare for all damage dealers.

However, when the two met, they became each other's nightmares.

The player who had been perfectly knocked down was struck by an axe, took a few steps back, and immediately charged towards the player who had been perfectly knocked down as if nothing had happened. His heavy body stomped heavily on the ground, creating deep craters.

The player who had perfectly knocked down the opponent was also taken aback by the extreme player's exaggerated defense. After quickly retreating, the player thought for a moment and then switched his energy items to "Muscle Transformation" and "Clone." Instantly, six players who had perfectly knocked down the opponent appeared, surrounding the extreme player and launching a slash attack together.

The player who perfectly knocked down the opponent had a deep understanding of the extreme player's defensive strength. He suspected that if he did not use "muscle-building" to enhance his attack power, he would not be able to break through the extreme player's defense.

Since even the fastest players can't match his speed, and "high-speed upgrades" aren't really necessary, I might as well try other energy items instead.

Surrounded by six perfectly knocked-down players, the Limitless Player was taken aback; after all, they were enemies of equal strength. His apparent ease didn't mean his defense was as strong as the perfectly knocked-down players thought. Being relentlessly attacked by six perfectly knocked-down players would inevitably cause him injury. The only question was the severity of his wounds.

However, as a seasoned gamer accustomed to "one-life victory," this hardcore player understands that details determine success or failure. If he doesn't pay attention to these minor injuries, they will become the final straw that breaks the camel's back later in the game.

Therefore, the extreme player did not underestimate the importance of relying on his defense. He stopped and took out his signature weapon, the "Gasha Keyboard Sword," and with a powerful swing, deflected the attack from the player who had just been perfectly knocked down.

The effect of the "clone" wore off, and the six players who had perfectly knocked down the player were reduced to one. He thought for a moment, then suddenly threw the "Gasha Paradox Blade Gun Axe Mode" in his hand towards the extreme player. Then, relying on his ability to manipulate energy items, he retrieved the "High Speed" and "Iron Transformation" energy items and inserted them into his body.

The hardcore player's attention was initially drawn to the thrown Paradox Blade Gun. After knocking it away with his keyboard sword, he realized that the player who had perfectly knocked him down had disappeared.

The next moment, the player who had perfectly knocked down appeared in front of the player who had reached the limit, his fists gleaming with the luster of steel.

Originally intended only to provide immunity to physical damage, the energy item has been given a new purpose by players who have been perfectly defeated.

He transformed his fists into steel and unleashed the "Explosive Strike" ability. The fierce punch slammed into the chest of the Extreme Player, penetrating the thick mech and striking the pilot hidden inside, causing his Knight Gauge to plummet rapidly.

However, the Extreme Player reacted quickly, the mech grabbed the Perfect Knockout Player with a backhand, and Ex-Aid in A Gamer Level 2 form jumped out of the mech and delivered a flying kick to the Perfect Knockout Player.

Although its appearance is Lv.2, Ex-Aid's power is still at Lv.99. Moreover, without the burden of the giant mecha, Ex-Aid has made a significant leap in both agility and speed compared to its previous form.

With the mech "Maximum Gama" still coordinating with Ex-Aid's attacks to block the Perfect Knockout player's movements, Ex-Aid's kick landed squarely on the Perfect Knockout player's face, sending him flying. The Knight's Gauge on his chest also began to drop rapidly.

With just one kick, Ex-Aid successfully reduced the Knight's Gauge of the player who had perfectly knocked down to three-quarters of its health. The player with the best defense, however, had about four-fifths of their Knight's Gauge remaining, both still considered healthy.

"Tsk, what is this? The second phase of the BOSS? We haven't even gotten it to low health yet, and it's already transforming so early. That's a bit much."

The player who had been perfectly knocked down rubbed his face, which had been kicked, and groaned.

"I'm not the BOSS. In fact, as a doctor, I should be the protagonist of the game, right? After all, I'm a partner of justice."

Ex-Aid retorted with a witty remark before jumping back into his mech.

While detaching from the mech greatly increases his speed, it also significantly reduces his defense. If a player who has been perfectly knocked down uses the "speed boost" energy item to launch a sneak attack, it's basically game over.

"Hmph... Say whatever you want. All I want is to win!"

After saying "Perfectly knocked down the player," he grabbed two "muscle-enhancing" items and stuffed them into his body, then roared as he charged toward the extreme player.

What a coincidence!

The hardcore gamer clapped his hands and charged forward, not to be outdone:

"Me too!!!"

Chapter Twenty-Six: Old Tan in Action

"Hiiro! Kiriya! Come quick! Get the first aid kit out!"

Kagami Hiiro and Kujo Kiriya, who were sitting at the table leisurely reading their papers, were suddenly startled by Poppy's anxious shout. Thinking something had happened, they jumped up from their chairs and ran towards the door.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? What happened?"

Upon arriving at the entrance, Poppy and Emu, supporting Emu (the older one), struggled to walk towards them.

Emu (the older one) was covered in wounds, his clothes were tattered and stained with blood, and he was in a daze, relying entirely on Poppy and Emu for support to move around.

Kiriya and Hiiro were stunned by Emu's (large) terrible condition, but their medical instincts made them act quickly.

Hiiro went forward to perform a basic examination on Emu (Da), while Kiriya went back into the CR, ran to the ward inside, found a stretcher, and rushed out again.

"Fortunately, it's all superficial wounds, just some blood loss. Kiriya, go and treat his wounds, I'll go get a blood bag and give him a transfusion. He should be out of danger."

After examining him, Hiiro breathed a sigh of relief. First, he and Kiriya carried Emu (Dai) to the ward. Then, he hurriedly ran to get blood bags, while Kiriya took out the first-aid kit from the CR and began treating Emu (Dai)'s wounds.

After a while, the group managed to stabilize Emu's (Dai's) condition. Dai also heard the news and rushed to CR.

Everyone sat around the table. Fei Cai, looking somewhat tired, tapped the table and said:

"Weren't you guys on vacation? What happened to make Emu look like this?"

Emu and Poppy exchanged a glance, then Emu leaned forward and said:

“Let me tell you. Daiei Mu’s opponent was Parado, who also had a Level 99 cartridge. At the time, it was like this…”

Emu recounted what had happened, including the news of Emu's death and the bet between Parado and Emu (the older one), and concluded by saying:

"Emiya and Parado ended in a draw. After Emiya deactivated his transformation, he had many wounds on his body. He was fine at first, but then he fell into a coma."

"Dan Kuroto is dead? And he's planning to resurrect as a Bugster? Tsk, that's something he'd do. He doesn't care about life, not even his own... Tch..."

Kiriya said unhappily.

"Even if he's dead, he'll leave behind a lot of trouble. Parado has more game cartridges than we do. Even Emu could only fight him to a draw, or even seriously injure him. If it were us, the game would probably be over."

Fei Cai tapped the table again, her expression grave.

After a moment of silence, Dawo suddenly said:

"Perhaps we can look at this from a different angle? When Parado made that bet with Emu, didn't you guys think it sounded like he was being spoiled? Like a child's possessiveness, only allowing him to play with me and stuff... Parado is Emu's Bugster, maybe we can use Emu to turn him against us?"

After hearing Dawo's words, everyone fell silent in shock, staring intently at him. Dawo, feeling uneasy, touched his face and asked:

"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?"

"No, it's just that I didn't expect you to make such a suggestion... It's completely out of character for you, Taiga," Kiriya said first.

Emu: "Your way of thinking is so unique... Is it because you're in love? Everyone says that people in love think differently from ordinary people. Is it Nishimani Nicole?"

"...This is none of your business! Just tell me if this idea is feasible or not."

My face flushed red, and I spoke loudly.

In the end, Fei Cai was the most conscientious, stopping everyone from teasing Da Wo, and said seriously:

"Theoretically speaking, it's feasible. However, the specifics depend on how Emu handles it... Let's discuss that after Emu wakes up. In any case, this intelligence is very valuable."

Furthermore… there should be a result regarding Dan Masamune's situation. At the latest, the decision on how to handle the Genmu Group should be finalized by the end of this week. Mr. Hinata Kyotaro revealed to me that it's basically confirmed that Dan Masamune will take over the Genmu Group again.”

"Another pile of trouble... I'm going to go for a walk outside. Relying on the government is really unreliable. I'll find Bugster's hideout using my own methods. In any case, the Kamen Rider Chronicle Game cartridge can't fall into their hands. This game shouldn't have existed in the first place!"

Kiriya sighed, stood up, draped his coat over his shoulders, and turned to leave CR.

…………

"After all these years... I'm finally back..."

Tan Masamune looked at the familiar building in front of him, a nostalgic expression on his face.

Yesterday, the notification allowing him to take over the Huanmeng Group again and continue its operations was issued. After a five-year hiatus from the Huanmeng Group, which he valued most, Tan Zhengzong has finally regained control of it.

After admiring the building in front of him for a while, Tan Masamune straightened his tie and slowly stepped into the building.

After receiving the notification yesterday, he hired a professional cleaning team to thoroughly clean the company building. Although the Ministry of Health's search had left considerable damage to the building, it looked much better after the cleaning.

Tan Masamune went straight into the chairman's office. It was not much different from what he remembered, except for a few new game posters.

Tan Masamune sat down in the chairman's chair, leaned back, and closed his eyes. He was both savoring the long-lost comfort and waiting for the arrival of the person he had invited.

Tan Zhengzong didn't have to wait long. Soon, a flurry of footsteps sounded outside the door, the office door was pushed open, and seven or eight people filed in, their expressions excited.

"Shrimp Dumpling! You're back!"

Tan Masamune opened his eyes, revealing a gentle smile, and said:

"Yes, I'm back. The crimes I was accused of were proven to be committed by my unfilial son. From now on, I will continue to manage the Dream Group. Starting tomorrow, all employees will officially return to work. I hope you can pass this message on to everyone."

"Great!"

"Don't worry, shrimp dumplings! We'll definitely tell them all!"

"Everyone will be very happy! We've been waiting to get started!"

These people were all managers of the Huanmeng Group, who had always worried about the group's future, fearing its collapse and leaving them unemployed. Now, receiving Tan Zhengzong's personal promise, they were immediately overjoyed.

In fact, it's not just them; all employees of the Dream Group are the same.