Video Store, Li Qianqiao’s Room.
Sunlight filtered through the window, shining down on Li Qianqiao’s grinning face.
It was 10:00 AM.
Having partied a bit too hard yesterday, Li Qianqiao was still sleeping in.
He was dreaming of himself wearing the Faiz Gear, stepping triumphantly on Nineveh, holding Astra Yao in his left arm, and Hoshimi Miyabi in his right.
He let out a creepy, lovestruck chuckle.
“Hehehe~ My dear Miss Yao and Miss Hoshimi, come let me…”
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Li Qianqiao, who was just about to take things a step further in his dream, was abruptly jolted awake by the rapid knocking on his door.
He sat up and carefully checked his surroundings.
Seeing nothing out of the ordinary, he breathed a sigh of relief.
Thinking back to the final image of his dream, however, he still felt a lingering sense of dread.
“Why did a yandere Shenhe charge at me with a machete right at the best part? How did I get my wires crossed with the game next door?” Li Qianqiao muttered, utterly bewildered.
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Another flurry of knocks echoed, accompanied by Belle’s shout: “Little Li! Hurry up and get out of bed, the sun is already roasting your butt! I’m taking you out to meet the neighbors!”
“Coming! I’ll be right out!”
Li Qianqiao quickly got dressed and washed up.
The entire process took less than five minutes, leaving Belle utterly astonished.
Belle closely inspected the tidied-up Li Qianqiao, nodded in satisfaction, and smiled.
“Mhm, just as I thought. You look much more energetic after dressing up. Even though we were in a rush and you’re wearing my brother’s old clothes, it surprisingly suits you.”
She then waved her hand grandly.
“Let’s go! First, I’ll take you to meet our neighbors on the Sixth Street, and then we’ll go buy you some new clothes!”
“Thanks, Sis Belle! But why isn’t Brother Wise coming along?”
“Hmph! That stinky brother of mine instantly ran off the moment he heard we were going clothes shopping, and it’s not even for me…” Belle pouted resentfully, clearly dissatisfied with her brother’s behavior.
But in the blink of an eye, she switched back to a beaming smile, grabbing Li Qianqiao’s wrist and pulling him out the door.
“Forget about him, there’s no place for him in this house anymore! Let’s go, Little Li, I’ll let you experience the warmth of our neighbors!”
Watching this gave Li Qianqiao cold sweats.
Holy crap, going from 0 to 100 in an instant.
Women really are complex creatures.
Terrifying.
With Belle’s introductions, he quickly became familiar with the local shopkeepers.
However, Li Qianqiao felt that something was a bit off about this street…
An illegal vehicle modification shop, an arms dealer operating under the guise of a toy store, and a video store that was secretly the renowned Inter-Knot Proxy ‘Phaethon’.
Li Qianqiao concluded that Sixth Street truly was a den of hidden dragons and crouching tigers; you couldn’t survive around here without some serious skills.
……
By the time Belle and Li Qianqiao returned, it was already afternoon.
Wise was organizing videotapes and was just about to say ‘welcome back’ when he saw Li Qianqiao dragging himself in, his eyes completely hollow and dead, carrying countless shopping bags.
“We’re back, brother!” Belle greeted happily.
Wise gave a brief nod, patted Li Qianqiao on the shoulder, and sighed, looking at him with an ‘I understand your pain’ expression.
He then told Belle that Nicole and the others were arriving soon, and they should head to the garage to meet them.
Li Qianqiao watched the siblings leave in silence.
He knew the real reason he had been taken in.
Despite seeming to get along so well with the siblings, he hadn’t truly integrated into their family; there was still a barrier of caution between them.
This upcoming incident might be a great opportunity to gain everyone’s trust and make getting along easier in the future.
It seemed it was time to show off his skills!
Video Store, Garage.
Nicole and the gang had just finished discussing their plan.
Right as they were about to set out, Li Qianqiao appeared and stated that he also wanted to go into the Hollow.
“Why? It’s extremely dangerous inside a Hollow.” Wise questioned, confused by Li Qianqiao’s request.
Belle nodded in agreement.
Li Qianqiao had anticipated their rejection and merely smiled faintly.
“I know what you two are thinking, Brother Wise, Sis Belle. And I know my own value. But since you chose to take me in, I should respond in kind.”
“I want to truly integrate into this family and do what I can to help. I know how to fight, and I can protect myself!”
Li Qianqiao looked directly into Wise’s eyes, his gaze filled with determination.
Wise was taken aback and fell silent, while Belle seemed unsure of what to say.
The members of the Cunning Hares implicitly took a slow step back, silently grabbing their metaphorical popcorn to watch this massive family drama unfold.
A moment later.
“Alright. I agree.”
“Brother!” Belle was surprised, not understanding why Wise made such a decision.
“Belle, since A-Qiao has stated he wants to become our family.” Wise looked at Belle, then turned to Li Qianqiao, “Then the most basic foundation of family is unconditional trust, isn’t it?”
Belle paused for a second before realizing what he meant.
“So, go on. Come back home early.” Wise smiled.
Belle walked up to Li Qianqiao, patted his shoulder, and teased playfully, “Little Li, stay safe. You wouldn’t want your dear older sister to lose her little brother, right?”
“Haha, I’ll be careful, Sis Belle.” Li Qianqiao was amused by Belle’s classic anime-trope dialogue.
“Ahem!” Nicole’s loud cough interrupted the trio, drawing three pairs of eyes.
“While I’m thrilled you guys have a new member, don’t forget we still have a commission to complete. Time is Dennies!”
Nicole’s reminder made them feel a little sheepish.
After preparations were complete, Li Qianqiao hopped onto his motorcycle, taking Eous and the Cunning Hares into the Hollow.
Soon after successfully entering the Hollow, the group chatted as they navigated the ruins.
Li Qianqiao noticed that Belle’s voice coming from Eous was starting to lag.
It looks like the hacker has already started invading the system.
But Belle and Wise can handle it.
Next up is that massive electricity hog…
(Fairy).
Thinking about how the Proxy’s electricity bill was about to skyrocket, Li Qianqiao felt a headache coming on.
Forget it, better focus on the present.
I’m guessing a huge swarm of Ethereals is about to show up.
“ROAR——!”
“Ethereals! Prepare for combat!” Nicole yelled.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Belle and Wise were currently facing a massive crisis: the HDD had actually been hacked.
Faced with the intruder’s aggressive attitude, the two were nursing a serious problem.
Seeing the video file the unknown hacker presented, Wise had no choice but to obediently hit play.
…
Li Qianqiao and the Cunning Hares were currently surrounded by a pack of Ethereals.
Facing so many enemies, they had to be on high alert.
“Hey! Is this really the right way?!” Nicole shouted at Eous while repelling an Ethereal.
Facing Nicole’s question, Eous gave no response.
Li Qianqiao stared at the Bangboo.
Looks like it’s already been taken over.
“This is weird. Ever since we entered the Hollow, she hasn’t acted like she’s guiding us at all.” Nicole blocked Eous’ path.
“Hey, did you run into some kind of—”
“Nicole, watch out!” Li Qianqiao shouted.
1 — 0 — 6
BURST MODE!
Three energy beams rapidly shot out, instantly killing the Ethereal sneaking up behind Nicole.
“Oh my… Thanks! I’m super curious about that phone of yours, but the Ethereals are multiplying. Protect the Proxy first!” Nicole called back in gratitude.
Seeing the Ethereals flooding in—at least fifty of them—Li Qianqiao’s expression grew solemn.
I didn’t see this many in the game?!
It seems it was finally time!
“Nicole, Billy, Anby! You guys take a breather. Leave these to me!”
“But…”
“Don’t worry. After all, I am a Kamen Rider!”