Knights of the Digital World

In Japan, finding employment is difficult enough, let alone working for a large corporation like Genmura. If Genmura were to go bankrupt, most of its employees would struggle to find satisfactory jobs. Even managers might become unemployed.

Therefore, they are the ones who genuinely hope that Huanmeng Group can continue to thrive and prosper.

After pledging their loyalty to Dan Masamune, the managers left the building with excited expressions. Some of the more impatient ones had already taken out their phones and started contacting their subordinates on the way.

Dan Masamune watched this scene with a smile until the last person left, then his smile faded, his gaze turned to the window, and he murmured:

"Next, all that's missing is a phenomenal game to celebrate my return. My dear son, Kamen Rider Chronicles... have you finished it?"

The mirror on the window reflected a smiling face, so ferocious and terrifying.

(

Chapter Twenty-Seven: Amasaki Ren's Dilemma

"Parado, when are you going to stop playing?!"

Finally, Amasaki Ren lost her temper and slammed her hand on the table. Forgetting all about maintaining a gentlemanly demeanor, she pointed at Parado, who was still happily playing the game, and shouted angrily.

"Ever since you came back from your serious injury, I don't know what you've been thinking! You're either running around outside or holed up playing games! How long do you plan to play?! Dan Kuroto is still waiting for you to conquer the game and revive him! You haven't even collected all the data for Kamen Rider Chronicles yet! All you do is play, play, play!"

After finishing her tirade, Amasaki Ren was panting heavily, her hair slightly disheveled, and the fat on her face jiggling, revealing her inner rage.

Parado stared in astonishment at his partner's unprecedented expression, and felt too embarrassed to continue playing.

He put down the game console and carefully reflected on his behavior over the past few days. After their last draw with Emu (the eldest), during which they were both seriously injured, they each rested for three or four days. Then they met again.

Given the ferocity of their last battle, they decided to settle their differences through games—real games, not just cartridge games. Every day or two, they would choose a game to compete against each other. It's been almost two weeks now, and the outcome remains undecided.

Actually, Parado's gaming skills are slightly better than Emu's. However, it felt amazing to be able to play games with Emu!

Even if there are other annoying guys around, like that brat also named Emu Hojo, Poppy who interferes with Emu's (big) games, and that group of doctors... they are all tolerable as long as they can have fun playing with Emu.

Furthermore, when Emu (Dai) is playing, she often blushes and invites him to join her side. Seeing Emu (Dai) blush and shyly express her true feelings makes Parado's heart flutter a little.

Parado could never have imagined that the moral standards of the CR doctors had plummeted to rock bottom, unanimously approving a plan for Emu to persuade (or rather, seduce) Parado. Even Emu himself was eventually convinced after being persuaded in turn.

The reason why Emu (Da) blushed was not out of shyness, but simply because she felt ashamed for lying.

Parado was initially quite satisfied with his current life, but after being given a wake-up call by Amasaki Ren, he suddenly realized his complacency.

After reviewing his decadent lifestyle, Parado stood up, his face filled with regret and shame:

"I'm sorry, Amasaki Ren, I know I was wrong! I'll go collect the data to complete the chronicle right now! I'm leaving!"

Parado spoke, then walked heavily toward the door.

Halfway there, he suddenly remembered that he had made an appointment with Yongmeng (Da) to play... no, to compete in a classic fighting game, and his steps became lighter again.

As for things like collecting data and reviving shrimp dumplings...

Next time for sure!

As Amasaki Ren watched Parado run off with increasingly lighter steps, she opened her mouth, but couldn't say a word.

The only missing piece in "Kamen Rider Chronicles" is Graphite's data, but Graphite has been dead for so long. All the data is in the prototype cartridge of Ryuki Hunter Z. Where are you going to collect it?

You just want to go have fun, right?

Amasaki Ren had a lot of complaints stuck in her throat, unable to get them out. Hearing the door close, she slumped down, lowered her head, and began to withdraw into herself.

Please, please find me a different teammate. I can't carry him!

Just as Amasaki Ren was questioning her life, the sound of the door opening and closing came from the doorway again.

He raised his head with some surprise, thinking that Parado had finally realized his mistake and was ready to repent and start anew, when he saw a well-dressed man in a suit who looked somewhat like Dan Kuroto walk in with a stylish air.

"Amasaki Ren? Or rather, Lovrica? The bugster born from the dating sim 'Toki Meki Crisis' published by my Fantasy Group... right?"

Having his background exposed made Amasaki Ren a little flustered. However, the face that resembled Dan Kuroto's quickly calmed him down, and he confirmed the other person's identity:

"Dan Masamune?"

"Yes, it's me. But you should call me President. I've rejoined the Dream Group. As a Bugster born from the Group's game, you are also an important asset to the Group. You should show respect to me, the leader. Calling me by my first name is too impolite."

Tan Zhengzong remained calm, pulled up a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and acted as if he were no outsider.

Amasaki Ren tidied her hair and clothes, making sure she didn't look so disheveled, before standing tall and saying:

"Alright, Mr. President. State your purpose. I hope it's not some trivial excuse. Let me make it clear beforehand, I'm in a very bad mood right now. I can't guarantee I won't do anything to you. After all, I'm a Bugster, aren't I?"

Compared to his role as president of the Genmu Group in the original story, Amasaki Ren is now much more single. Since Dan Masamune already knew his identity, Amasaki Ren simply used that as leverage as well.

"Heh, Mr. Amasaki Ren, there's no need for you to be so hostile towards me. There shouldn't be any conflict between us... I won't beat around the bush, my purpose in coming here is very simple, I just want to ask one question, is 'Kamen Rider Chronicle' finished?"

Dan Masamune did not take Amasaki Ren's threat to heart and asked with a calm smile.

"...What does this have to do with you?"

“I told you, Mr. Amasaki Ren, there is no conflict between us, and you don’t need to be so hostile towards me. In fact, we can completely benefit each other.”

You need distribution channels for "Kamen Rider Chronicles," and I need a great game to prove my return. It's a win-win situation—everyone gets what they need, isn't that great?

So, Mr. Amasaki Ren, can you tell me the truth now? If you're facing any difficulties, I won't hesitate to help.

Dan Masamune's words left Amasaki Ren silent for a long time before she finally spoke:

"Now the Chronicle is only missing one piece of data: Graphite's data. Graphite has been defeated, and all the data should be stored in the Ryuki Hunter Z Prototype cartridges. However, those prototype cartridges have been seized by the government, and we can't retrieve them."

“I see, I understand. I’ll bring the cartridge in about two weeks. However, I also need to see your sincerity in cooperating—the Chronicle Administrator cartridge must be handed over to me.”

Old Tan stood up, looked down at Tianqi Lian who was about to speak, raised his right hand and waved to stop him, saying:

"No need to rush to answer. You have two weeks to think it over. Perhaps my son left you some message. But according to the information I found, he's already dead, isn't he? Think about it carefully."

Old Tan patted Amasaki Ren on the shoulder, put his hands in his pockets, and slowly left the room, leaving Amasaki Ren sitting there, looking conflicted.

Chapter Twenty-Eight: Amasaki Ren's Decision

When Parado returned after a day of fun playing games with Emu (the older one), he saw Amasaki Ren sitting at a table with her head down, and on the table was the Kamen Rider Chronicles administrator cartridge.

"Hahaha, Amasaki Ren, I'm sorry, I didn't get anything today. But it's okay, tomorrow, tomorrow I'll definitely..."

Parado chuckled knowingly and began to give a perfunctory reply.

Instead of slamming her fist on the table in anger at Parado's nonchalant attitude as usual, Amasaki Ren looked up, her bloodshot eyes flashing, and tapped the table, saying:

“Parado, Masamune Dan came to see us today—about Kamen Rider Chronicles.”

"Oh? That guy Dan Kuroto was right after all. Dan Masamune really did come to us for cooperation. How did your talks with him go?"

Parado became interested and sat down in front of Amasaki Ren.

Amasaki Ren closed her eyes and rubbed her face. She buried her head in her hands and said in a muffled voice:

"Not good. We don't have the initiative. Without Graphite's data, the Kamen Rider Chronicle can never be completed. Masamune Dan said he could help us, on the condition that we hand over the Administrator's cartridge to him."

"You agreed?!" Parado's voice rose. "Dan Kuroto said it himself, the administrator's cartridge is absolutely not to be handed over!"

Parado has always been a fun-loving person, willing to do anything for his own interests. He had even considered what would happen if he gave the cassette tape to Dan Masamune.

However, Parado is currently enjoying playing games with Emu (the older one) every day and is incredibly happy. Giving the cartridge to Dan Masamune would only disrupt his current life. Therefore, Parado almost didn't hesitate to bring up Emu's "last words," wanting to give Amasaki Ren a wake-up call.

“I know I didn’t agree. Tan Zhengzong also knew I wouldn’t agree so easily, so he gave me half a month. In half a month, he will get the Graphite data. At that time, we will need to give him an answer…”

Amasaki Ren still covered her face with her hands and spoke softly.

"What's there to think about? No matter how long it takes, the answer will be the same."

Parado sneered.

"Parado! This is not the time for you to throw a tantrum!" Amasaki Ren finally lowered her hand and shouted angrily.

"If we don't cooperate with Masamune Dan, the Kamen Rider Chronicles might never be completed! Wouldn't all our efforts be wasted?! Can you accept that outcome, Parado? At least I can't!"

Parado, feeling intimidated by Amasaki Ren's imposing presence, looked somewhat embarrassed and whispered:

“There’s always another way…Didn’t Dan Kuroto say that if we hand over the Administrator’s cartridge, we won’t be able to stop the power of the US at all, and we’ll just be at their mercy? In any case, I don’t think we should hand over the cartridge.”

"Heh, perhaps... Parado, we still have half a month. If you can complete the game and revive Dan Kuroto within these two weeks, then everything will be handed over to him to make the decision again. If you can't, I will side with Dan Masamune and exchange the game cartridge for completion."

I've made my decision, and you don't need to try to persuade me anymore. I've had enough of worrying about this game every day, and then having to worry about what kind of trouble those CR people will cause. It's too tiring, too tiring! That's it!

Amasaki Ren lost interest in continuing the conversation. After telling Parado her decision, he put away the cassette tape and went to rest.

Ren Amasaki would be excellent as an executor. However, he's a bit of a stretch as a decision-maker. In the original work, it was Parado, not him, who was the decision-maker for the Bugster team.

However, despite also being influenced by the butterfly effect, Parado's maturity level is significantly lower compared to the original work, remaining at a rudimentary stage of simply enjoying himself. He's far from being a decision-maker; he doesn't even know what he should do next.

Unlike the original story, where Parado witnessed humanity's arrogance and hostility towards Bugsters, personally betrayed Emu, and viewed "Kamen Rider Chronicles" as a "game to destroy humanity," he was methodical in his actions and ruthless when killing players. That was a truly qualified decision-maker.

Parado watched Amasaki Ren's departing figure, sat in his chair in a daze for a long while, and finally pulled out a phone, muttering to himself:

"This seems like a lot of trouble. I'll just call Emu..."

…………

"...Okay, I got it. Okay, sure, no problem, let's play that game next time, I have no objection. Okay, thank you, Parado. That's all for now, okay, let's schedule another time, call me then. Okay, goodbye."

Emu (the eldest) put away his phone, looked at the CR members, and said:

"Parado provided intelligence that Masamune Dan has located their location and is preparing to use the Ryuki Hunter Z Prototype Gacha as a bargaining chip to trade with Ren Amasaki for the game 'Kamen Rider Chronicle' and its administrator Gacha. The time is in half a month."

"The government officials are really incompetent! Tan Zhengzong has only been out of prison for a short time, and they've already found him! They've been investigating for so long and still haven't found anything! In the end, it's just that they don't take it seriously!"

Cheche pouted unhappily, clearly having a lot of complaints about the government.

“I’ve also identified three or four possible locations. We’ll check them one by one over the next few days and then we should be able to pinpoint the target. However, with Parado providing the intelligence, it doesn’t matter where they hide.”

"What we should be focusing on now is the deal between Dan Masamune and Amasaki Ren. Mr. Hinata Kyotaro previously told me that Dan Masamune had submitted an application to retrieve the prototype cartridges, arguing that they were important assets of the Genmu Group."

Without evidence of a direct link between these prototype cartridges and the Collapse Source Virus, the chances of the application being approved are high. Just like when Dan Masamune applied to take over the Genmei Group. Even if the Ministry of Health tries its best to delay, it can only delay for a maximum of half a month. Everything has been planned by Dan Masamune! Damn it!

Fei Cai said angrily.

The prototype cartridge contains the data of his lover, Momose Koki, and is her only hope for resurrection. Handing over the prototype cartridge would mean handing over Momose Koki's life to Dan Masamune, leaving her to be manipulated at his mercy—something Hiiro cannot tolerate.

"The cartridge itself isn't the key; the key is the data inside it... I think we might ask Xiaoxing. He's been researching for so long; perhaps he's made some new discoveries."

Seeing Hiiro's angry expression, Taiga knew exactly what was going on. Momose Koki's death was also a source of psychological trauma for Taiga. However, he was more composed than Hiiro, getting straight to the point and offering his advice.

"That makes sense. Let's go find Xiaoxing!"

Fei Cai nodded and walked towards the door first, with the others quickly following.

Now, all they can do is hope that Xiaoxing will do his best.

After all, he already has the hairstyle of a strong person, so hopefully he can also have the strength of a strong person!