With Ellen and Corin present, there were practically no obstacles along the way.
They reached Canvas Street without a hitch.
“Nicole, someone’s here.” Anby cautiously leaned against the wall and peeked out.
“Vision people?
Huh, no that’s…
Nekomata and Buyuan!
And there are people from Victoria Housekeeping too?
That dwarf got caught as well!” Nicole was a bit surprised.
These guys didn’t come cheap.
She stepped out on her own initiative.
“Nicole, we’re here, meow.” “That was a lot faster than we expected.
But seeing Buyuan and these two, I get it now.” Nicole turned to look at the three trailing behind.
“With Nicole’s connections, I’m sure introductions are unnecessary.
Let’s get straight to business.” Buyuan knew Nicole’s network was terrifyingly vast, so he didn’t bother with formal introductions.
“Yeah.
The residents of Canvas Street basically have no Ether aptitude, which is why we can’t just slowly lead them out of the Hollow.” Nicole’s expression turned serious.
“And even if they got out, things wouldn’t go smoothly.
There’s no way Vision would just let them leave.” Anby immediately added.
“You’ve caught Perlman.
Vision will definitely send people here.” Anby glanced at the unconscious Perlman.
“Boss Nicole, the commission documents are all written up.” Billy came over with an old lady.
“Ah!
Idol!
I knew you wouldn’t just stand by in a situation like this!” Billy flash-stepped in front of Buyuan.
“Yeah.
Both the residents here and you guys — I’ve got my reasons for coming.” Buyuan gave Billy a thumbs-up.
“Since you’re all willing to save the people here, Billy, I’ll definitely find a way to let you experience what it’s like to transform someday.” Buyuan was in fact rather fond of Billy.
Though it’d be even better if Billy could maintain a personal space.
“Really?!
Idoool!” “I told you!
Don’t get so close!” In the end, Buyuan couldn’t resist giving Billy a punch to the forehead.
“What’s with your hands behind your back?
Don’t like keeping them out front?” Ellen watched Buyuan, who kept his hands behind his back the entire time after decking Billy, and found it rather amusing.
…
“What, meow?!
Silver wasn’t taken down by you, Nicole!” Nekomata was utterly shaken.
“Ahahaha, well, about that…” Nicole awkwardly looked left and right.
“We…
we couldn’t help it, alright?
Every time we saw that sparkly look in your eyes, little kitty, even if we wanted to deny it, we just couldn’t open our mouths.” Billy scratched his faceplate in embarrassment.
“Nekomata, there’s no need to be so down.
Even without PubSec stepping in, us Cunning Hares could’ve handled Silver.” Anby also spoke up to help explain.
“We do bear some responsibility in this matter.
But…
anyway, the most important thing right now is the residents of Canvas Street.” Nicole knew they really hadn’t been upfront from the start, so she hastily changed the subject.
“We need someone who can stall the people Vision sends.
But taking down the Dead End Butcher also requires manpower.” Anby analyzed the current situation with some difficulty.
“If it comes down to it, leave the Dead End Butcher to me and Ellen.
The rest of you stay and hold off Vision’s people.” Buyuan ran the numbers on combat strength and felt he and Ellen should be enough.
“No way!
It’s too dangerous.” Anby was the first to veto it.
“Leave it to me!” Nekomata interrupted everyone’s discussion.
“I’ll take Perlman and stall Vision!” “No.
Equally dangerous.
And pointless.” Anby looked at Nekomata and rejected the proposal once again.
“No.
I have my reasons for doing this.
Truth is…
I’ve been lying to you all from the very start.” Ears drooping, Nekomata pulled a charm out of her pocket.
Inside was a photo of her and Silver together.
“As it happens, during the earlier fight, I already found my family heirloom.” Nekomata gently stroked the photo.
“I was taken in by Silver as a child and joined the Red Fang Gang.
Back then, the Red Fang Gang wasn’t what it is now.
They helped the residents of Canvas Street and took in the stray kids in the area.
But…
at some point, Silver changed.
He started chasing wealth and power — things far beyond a little place like Canvas Street.
So I left the Red Fang Gang too.
Until I heard on Inter-Knot that you Cunning Hares had killed Silver.
I secretly tracked you down and watched you for a long time.
In the end, I decided to take revenge.
No matter what, Silver was my benefactor.” Nekomata turned her gaze towards Nicole.
“Wha…” Nicole looked at Nekomata in surprise.
“But then I saw how you were willing to run around like crazy in the Dead End Butcher’s territory for a little girl.
Willing to stay and help the residents of Canvas Street.
I hesitated.” Nekomata’s voice grew choked.
“It’s only now that I find out Silver wasn’t even killed by you.
And all this time, I’ve been trying to get you all killed.
I’ve made my resolve!” Nekomata suddenly grabbed Perlman and ran out of Canvas Street.
“Nekomata!” Nicole and Anby moved to chase after her but were unexpectedly blocked by Buyuan.
“Buyuan!” “Alright, alright.
Victoria Housekeeping has eyes over there.
I just got word — PubSec is already concealed nearby too.
Nekomata won’t be in any danger.
And she must be drowning in guilt right now.
Better to let her go.
At least she’ll feel a little better inside.” Buyuan gently shook his head at them.
“Come on.
Since someone’s already gone to stall Vision, what comes next is the most important part.” Belle also understood the situation and spoke up, ready to lead everyone to the final boss.
“Fine.
Then let’s go meet this notorious Ethereal.” Hearing Buyuan’s explanation, Nicole relaxed.
Following Belle, the group moved swiftly through the Hollow.
“In a moment, Ellen and I will take point.
Anby and Corin, protect the Proxy.
Nicole and Billy, provide supporting fire from the sides.” Buyuan looked at the giant creature sprawled on the ground ahead as if sleeping and quietly laid out the tactics.
“Wait!
You and me on point?
Nom you stay here with the Proxy.” Ellen was the first to veto this.
“Today, I’m the master.
Ellen has to listen to me.” Buyuan knew he couldn’t persuade Ellen, so he charged out on his own.
A crimson horned beetle flew in from the horizon and landed in Buyuan’s hand.
Buyuan completed his transformation mid-charge.
“HENSHIN!” “Cast Off!
Change Beetle!” Kamen Rider Kabuto, making his entrance!
“This is..!” Ellen was shocked, but quickly collected herself and followed.
In her roaming state, Ellen’s speed was equally astonishing.
“ROAR!” The commotion caused the slumbering giant to lurch upright with a furious roar.
It hurled a massive street sign like a javelin.
The whistling wind sounded like the horn of death itself.
Ellen leapt to the left.
Buyuan stayed in place, raised his arms, and took the attack head-on, directly hugging the pole.
“Hmph!” Ellen let out a cold snort.
Her blade, wreathed in frost, cleaved straight into the Dead End Butcher, which couldn’t pull free.
Before the shattered ice shards had even dissipated, an Ether sphere — condensed from Ether energy — slammed violently into the Dead End Butcher and expanded.
Buyuan immediately let go, pulled back, drew his Kunai Gun, and added to the damage.
Billy also opened fire without restraint, unleashing a torrent of suppressive fire.
“ROAR!” The Dead End Butcher was driven back repeatedly.
Its rage, as tangible as fire, transformed into Ether energy and began to swell.
“Its Ether energy is activating.
It’s entering phase two on its own.” Buyuan warned everyone to be careful.
An invisible shockwave blasted the surrounding dust and smoke away.
Before them stood a monster with four arms, its body now swollen a full size larger.
The Dead End Butcher roared and charged forward with terrifying speed.
Its massive arm came smashing straight down, but was successfully blocked by Buyuan.
“Miss Anby…
if you’re uneasy, you can go up and help.
Corin…
can protect Miss Proxy just fine.” Corin noticed Anby’s hand gripping her blade hilt so tightly it had gone pale.
“Don’t worry, Corin is very strong.
Anby, go if you want to.” Belle also spoke up.
“Thank you.
Be careful.” With a single explosive step, Anby charged forward.
After Buyuan blocked the heavy, forceful hammer-arm strike, Ellen and the others didn’t let the opportunity slip.
Powerful firepower poured onto the Dead End Butcher.
Seeing its blow blocked, the two arms behind the Dead End Butcher suddenly swung up and hammered into the ground.
The massive tremor sent dust surging in all directions.
Buyuan felt the figure before him shift its aim.
“Careful!
It’s switching targets.” Buyuan watched the Dead End Butcher retarget onto Ellen.
Just as he was about to Clock Up, he heard Anby’s voice.
“Leave it to me, Buyuan.” The green figure was swift and agile.
A blade wreathed in electric arcs clashed against the Dead End Butcher.
After the clash, Anby was sent flying backwards, but she adjusted herself midair, drove her blade into the ground, and skidded to a stop.
“Sharknado!” Instantly, shattered ice flew wild.
The shears in Ellen’s hands, accompanied by a freezing gale, drove the Dead End Butcher back.
Nicole’s Ether cannon energy had also finished condensing once more.
Another Ether sphere shot straight at it.
Buyuan, meanwhile, was waiting for the right moment.
His strongest output was the Rider Kick, but that was clearly an execution move.
He still needed to whittle down the Dead End Butcher’s condition further.
He had to find an opening to deal a devastating blow.
Anby also seized the moment and slashed fiercely.
But one of the Dead End Butcher’s arms blocked it abruptly, while another arm reached out to grab her.
Just as Ellen was about to provide support, Buyuan moved first.
“Opportunity!” Buyuan activated Clock Up.
“Clock Up.” Time gradually slowed.
Buyuan pulled Anby out of the attack range.
Gauging his stamina consumption, he pressed the button on his belt once more.
“Avalanche Slash.” “CLOCK OVER.” As time resumed its flow, countless blade slashes streaked across the Dead End Butcher, leaving it visibly weakened.
“What just happened?” Ellen looked stunned, but quickly figured it out.
She’d read that novel.
It was that Clock Up.
Ellen seized the chance and charged in once more.
Under everyone’s combined assault, the Dead End Butcher was gradually driven to the brink.
“ROOOAAARRR!” Under the threat of death, the Dead End Butcher’s Ether activity reached its peak.
It seemed resolved to stake everything on one desperate gamble.
‘It’s targeting me?
Perfect.
I’ll send you on your way.’ Watching the Dead End Butcher’s desperate last stand, Buyuan was actually much more at ease.
“Buyuan!
Watch out!” Ellen and the others urgently called for him to dodge.
“In front of a Kamen Rider, low HP means death.” Buyuan turned his back to the Dead End Butcher.
“One.” “Two.” “Three.” “RIDER KICK!” Dazzling special effects accompanied the lightning wreathing his foot.
Buyuan reappeared, now facing his original direction.
Behind him, flames raged wildly.
As the flames gradually faded, the Dead End Butcher returned to its deactivated state and began dissolving into Ether particles.
“And that’s job done.” Buyuan removed the Zecter, armor dissolving into particles.
“It’s the legendary law of certain victory!
The Rider Kick!
As expected of my idol!
That kick was even cooler than Starlight Knight!” Watching Kabuto’s signature gravitational kick, Billy completely lost all resistance.
“How’s that, Ellen?
I told you I was impressive.” Buyuan looked at the clearly drained Ellen and moved to support her.
“Thanks for the hard work today.
Sorry, I forgot to bring candy.
Need me to carry you on my back while you sleep for a bit?” “I really want to refuse, but…
sorry for the trouble.” Ellen’s eyelids were already fighting each other.
Buyuan hoisted Ellen onto his back and walked towards Nicole and the others.
“Don’t worry, it’s the signature high burst, high consumption of shark Thirens.
She’s just exhausted.
A little sleep and she’ll be fine.” Buyuan reassured everyone’s worried looks.
“Come on.
Nicole, didn’t you already contact Belobog Heavy Industries?
This time, it’s our turn to strike back!”
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