Shiraishi Shin strolled forward at an easy pace. When the fireball was almost in his face, he simply lifted his right hand, back of the hand toward the sphere, and flicked it with the knuckle of his middle finger.
The fireball shattered into countless tiny sparks that scattered behind him, as though they were nothing more than special effects for his entrance.
"W-what?!"
The Lava Dopant's eyes bulged. That blast had held every ounce of his strength, yet it had been broken as if it were nothing. His earlier suspicion hadn't been wrong—this man was terrifyingly strong.
Watching the black-and-green Kamen Rider approach, the Lava Dopant felt so crushed by the pressure that he could barely move. He bit his tongue to force his petrified body into motion, roaring as he swung a thick black fist, as though shouting could erase fear and close the gap between them.
Shiraishi Shin stopped. When the punch came, he caught it casually in his left palm. "3.2 tons of force. For an ordinary person that's a one-way ticket to the ICU, but to me it's lighter than a feather."
He clenched his right fist and slammed it into the Lava Dopant, green special effects exploding from the impact.
Ugh!
A single punch left the Lava Dopant feeling like he was about to meet his ancestors. After all, Cronus's strike power is a dimensional blow to nearly every other Kamen Rider.
Being too strong robbed Shiraishi Shin of any thrill; it was like playing an action game with every cheat activated—one-shotting mobs stops being fun after the first few times.
Hence his hope that future Rider Systems would be a bit weaker... Alas, a system this mighty was its own sort of trouble—it made his eight years of training look downright foolish.
"Hey, Kamen Rider—stop!"
A voice rang out. Shiraishi Shin ignored it, punched the Lava Dopant flying again, then finally glanced sideways.
A girl with golden hair, a slim figure, pale skin, and light-blue eyes was being held by a dinosaur-headed Dopant. A red ribbon was tied in her hair.
(Image Chitoge)
Tears shimmered in her frightened eyes; her body trembled, yet she tried to look calm.
"Oh my God, why am I so unlucky? I've only been in Japan a few days. I just wanted to shop alone, and now I'm trapped in some sci-fi nightmare. Jesus, Amaterasu, Buddha—somebody save me!"
Chitoge Kirisaki was born in Japan, the daughter of an American father and a Japanese mother. At seven she'd moved to the States, returning only a couple of days ago.
Tomorrow she would transfer to a new school, so today she'd gone shopping, sending her bodyguards away—she wasn't some helpless girl. Gifted with natural athleticism and trained in martial arts, she could handle three or four grown men without trouble.
She'd simply wanted to enjoy Japan on her own. Who knew a quick trip to the restroom in Chōrunfa Mall would strand her in a monster movie?
She'd needed extra time because of her period; by the time she finished, the place was deserted except for a monster and an armored warrior on the ground floor.
Before she could run, a tyrannosaurus-headed creature seized her. Was Japan always this exciting? This stuff only happened on TV.
Evil monsters, righteous heroes—straight out of science-fiction.
The Tyrannosaurus Dopant glanced at the writhing Lava Dopant—her boyfriend—and snarled, "Didn't you hear me tell you to stop?"
(Image Tyrannosaurus Dopant)
Shiraishi Shin folded his arms, arrogantly. "Do you answer every stray cur that barks?"
"Agh! Please shut up! I'm the hostage here! Aren't heroes supposed to save people?"
Of course Chitoge only screamed inwardly, terrified this lunatic would provoke the monster into killing her.
Swallowing her rage, the Tyrannosaurus Dopant said, "Fine. You're a Kamen Rider, right? Detransform, or I'll kill her."
Chitoge looked at the armored figure with desperate hope, having no idea what a Kamen Rider was.
Shiraishi Shin remained unimpressed. "You grabbed her. Why would I compromise for a stranger? Think any random hostage can sway me? How have you survived this long being so naïve?"
Detransform?
Ridiculous. That would leave him helpless; he wouldn't gamble his life for anyone. Besides, threatening the Time God Cronus inside his own Game Field was pointless.
Within the field he could darken the sky, summon rain, halt time, even rewind it.
Chitoge pleaded, "Help me, please! I don't want to die!"
"Hush."
(Image)
"Hush."
Shiraishi Shin raised a finger to his lips. "When judgment falls, the scene must stay solemn."
Hearing that, Chitoge's heart flat-lined. Clearly this Kamen Rider was insane; today would be her last.
Goodbye, Dad. Goodbye, Mom. I'll miss you in heaven.
"Damn you! Then I'll bet you'll stop me!"
With a snarl the Tyrannosaurus Dopant drove her sharp claws toward the hostage's heart. Chitoge screamed and shut her eyes.
[Pause!]
Shiraishi Shin pressed the A and B buttons on his driver. Everything inside the field froze as though someone had hit pause on a video.
Except for Shiraishi Shin, the Lava Dopant halfway to his feet, the Tyrannosaurus Dopant poised to stab, and the resigned Chitoge were all motionless.