Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

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Volume 5 of A Certain Magical Index: Chapter 173 Exploitation by Both Sides in the Dark

It was past midnight.

There were hardly any people on the streets anymore; most students had gone home to rest. Normally, there would be a small number of people who like to come out at night and enjoy the nightlife.

But starting today, they can no longer continue living like this.

Countless guards patrolled the streets and alleys, carrying their assigned weapons, and even armored vehicles were deployed.

"I said, do we really need to go this far?"

"These are all orders from above. We're just employees; we do what we're told and don't ask any questions."

"But isn't it strange? Look, the notice says these three are the wanted persons, but they just look like a few oddly dressed guys. Is it really necessary to deploy so many of us to patrol? We even used armored vehicles and stuff..."

Two security guards were patrolling together when one of them took out three pre-prepared wanted posters.

There were three people: a boy in blue, a girl with black hair in light-colored clothes, and a man in his thirties in purple.

The guard he questioned didn't intend to say much.

"They might be people with special abilities, but let's not ask too many questions about this."

"but…"

"If the higher-ups come looking for trouble, I won't help you. Let me tell you, to survive in this city, we have to talk as little as possible, do what we're told, and try not to pry into the truth. Do you understand?"

"…Understood."

The guards continued walking deeper into the alley.

Across the street, in an empty building slated for demolition, the rooms were already abandoned, with even the windows sealed off.

Through a slightly ajar gap, one could see the security guards patrolling the streets outside.

"...Damn it, what the hell is going on?!"

Ul stepped back from the window and said with great displeasure.

"They actually sent so many people to search us... Was it really necessary to go to this extent?!"

"After all, you had the Another Build destroy the streets of their city and kill quite a few people, right? It's only natural that they'd search you."

"Stop making such sarcastic remarks. You're one of the people who's wanted!"

"What? Your tone of voice is really irritating to me. You're the one who lost, so why are you talking to me like that?"

"What...what are you saying?!"

Ul and Aura started arguing as usual.

But at that moment, two people walked into the other room.

“Swartz…”

"I thought you guys would be more mature by now, but it seems you're still just kids."

Swartz and the demon in tattered clothes entered the room together.

He calmly looked out the window and saw everything outside.

"Hmph... The people of this city are starting to search for us everywhere? This is indeed a bad situation for us."

"What's wrong with that? They're just some ordinary troops. We can just let the Otherworldly Knights sweep them away!"

Ur shouted excitedly.

Even modern military technology is practically ineffective against Another Riders.

Even if the United States were to launch countless nuclear bombs, it would be child's play compared to the power of Kamen Rider, which could overturn the entire world.

As long as they send out their alien knights, conquering a few human civilizations would be a piece of cake.

"Ur, whatever it is, you must see things clearly before you speak."

"What…?"

"You don't really think that this city called Academy City is as easy to bully as it seems, do you?"

Swartz chuckled twice, then looked at them again.

"Alright, I have some good news for you."

"Good news? What good news could there be at this point?"

"Starting tomorrow, it seems that this city will be holding a festival called the Daihasei Festival or something. At that time, countless people will come into this city from outside Academy City."

After hearing what he said, both of the Time Tribulation beings were stunned for a few moments.

"...What's the point then?"

Aura looked at Swartz with a puzzled expression.

On the contrary, it was Ur.

After thinking it over, he immediately showed a very surprised expression.

"Could it be... Swartz, you're thinking...!"

"You're quick-witted, Ur."

Swartz immediately broke into a smile.

When Ur looked down, he saw that the other person was holding a watch face in his hand.

The dial is a dark, purplish-black color that exudes a sinister aura.

"Take this and use it."

"By tomorrow, the number of people in this city will be immense, and then... it will be time for this clock face to make its appearance."

A knight possessing the power of reversed light resides within him.

Looking at the watch face in his hand, Ul began to vaguely ponder what Swartz was planning to do.

However, he knew he had no room to say anything more.

"You two should leave first. My partner and I have a lot to say."

He stood with the demon beside him, Ur and Aura looked at each other, and finally headed to the first floor.

After they all left.

Swartz turned around and calmly looked at the figure in front of him.

"So, sir... what do you think about those guys from earlier today?"

"What is it?"

"Should I remind you? It's about Zi-O, Geiz, the ones you lost to..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Swartz vaguely sensed a sharp aura in the air.

Perhaps his words had angered the demon.

However, he remained relaxed and at ease, maintaining a calm smile as he quietly observed the other person.

"What are you planning to do? How are you going to deal with those two guys?"

"I have my own methods."

The demon glanced at him and continued.

"In the end, I was never really a combat-oriented class, but that doesn't hinder my plans for the future."

"Those two guys are indeed strong, but they can never see through my true nature and essence. As long as that remains clear, they will never be able to defeat me."

"I see. You really have foresight... I hope your plans will go even more smoothly in the future."

Swartz bowed respectfully, a cold feeling rising in his heart.

'Once Zi-O and Geiz have wiped you guys out, it'll be my turn to reap the rewards.'

"Well then, I have other plans to make... Please excuse me for leaving now."

Watching Swartz slowly walk away, the demon's mind was filled with all sorts of complex thoughts.

'...This human is right, those two guys are much stronger than I thought.'

However, just as it said, as long as the true nature of this demon has not been seen through, it is meaningless no matter how powerful that guy called Zi-O is.

He had already thought everything through.

"If they see through my identity and are able to defeat me, then I'll go all out."

He spoke in a cold, sinister tone.

"...Let this world, along with all of them, be destroyed."

(The author had something to do this morning, so the update is a bit late and less frequent. I hope you can understand. I'm very sorry!)

Volume 5 of A Certain Magical Index: Chapter 174 Ur and Aura's Ordinary Day

The annual, seven-day-long, super-large-scale sports festival of Academy City.

This is the Daihasei Festival.

Now, it's not just the people within Academy City who are enjoying this festival; countless people from outside Academy City are also coming to enjoy everything here.

However, that wasn't something to celebrate for the three people in front of them.

"The more people come, the greater the danger will be."

A huge crowd of people.

Gates walked among them, and if he hadn't been walking close to Wozniak and Yan Ming, he probably would have easily gotten lost in the crowd.

With his hands behind his head, Gates was thinking about this with a sense of urgency.

"Those Time Jackers are probably still plotting something somewhere, but for the next few days, so many people will be sneaking in... Sigh, I really don't know what to say."

"Even if you're unhappy about it, it's no use. We can't just send all these people who finally have the chance to visit this city back home because of the excuse of 'protecting your safety,' can we?"

Woz said with a hint of helplessness.

Only Yan Ming remained silent throughout, never uttering a discouraging word, nor did he speak recklessly because countless people had entered Academy City and caused chaos.

"Look at that guy, I really admire him, he can always stay so calm no matter what."

"I don't panic easily when things happen, which is my greatest strength as a demon king."

"Uh... but I think the current situation is enough to make him panic, isn't it?"

Woz paused for a moment, then looked towards Yan Ming.

Before anyone knew it, three familiar figures were already standing beside Yan Ming.

"So you're going to participate in the Daihasei Festival too, huh!"

"...I have no intention of participating in this kind of activity."

"Are you kidding me! This is an event that involves all the schools in Academy City, how could you not participate? Skipping without permission is a violation!"

"If that's what you think, then so be it."

"Huh?! What kind of tone is that?!"

"Hey Bilibili! There are so many people here, could you please watch your tone of voice?"

"You too! Anyway, let's meet properly on the battlefield!"

"What battlefield! That's just a sports competition between ability users..."

"Touma? Who is this short-haired guy? Explain yourself!!"

…The three people surrounding Yan Ming—Misaka Mikoto, Kamijou Touma, and Index—started arguing amongst themselves.

Considering that the ability to stop time would be mercilessly erased by Imagine Breaker, Yan Ming quickly retreated to Gates and Woz's side, pulling them away from the scene as much as possible.

"Uh, my Demon King..."

"If you see these guys again, remember to run as far away as possible."

It seems that even someone who is a demon king sometimes finds certain people troublesome...

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