When Li Hua saw Fuma and his clones unleashing their finishing moves, his heart sank. This was not an attack that could be easily taken head-on. If things went wrong, his Rider Gauge could be completely drained in an instant.
But he was already surrounded—there was nowhere to dodge.
Gritting his teeth, Li Hua chose to face it directly.
He immediately pushed the Demon King Armor's power to its limit, forming a faint dark-red energy barrier over the surface of his body.
Fuma and the remaining eight clones spun their identical blades at high speed, forming rings of light. From within them, spiral, tornado-shaped energy drills shot out, carrying a pressure that seemed capable of piercing anything as they slammed violently toward Li Hua.
The energy shield Li Hua generated struggled to withstand the overwhelming attacks coming from all directions. After holding for two or three breaths, cracks spread rapidly across its surface before it shattered with a thunderous explosion.
Brave was engulfed by the destructive energy. His entire body was drowned in violently surging light, and Li Hua let out an uncontrollable cry of pain.
"Li!?" Gwen and Elena had just finished cooperating to eliminate the ninja squad. Seeing Li Hua's dire situation, they cried out in alarm, staring anxiously at Brave within the blazing light.
A moment later, Fuma's clones automatically dissipated, and the raging energy gradually settled.
Brave dropped to one knee weakly. Arc-like energy flickered across his body before it shuddered once—just before the Rider Gauge was completely emptied, he forcibly canceled his transformation.
Gwen and Elena immediately rushed to Li Hua's side, positioning themselves between Fuma and Li Hua to prevent Victor Shaw from attacking again.
Victor glanced at the utterly battered Li Hua, then lowered the blade in his hand. He had no intention of continuing the fight.
"You don't need to be so tense," Victor said calmly.
"I actually have no hostility toward you. Defeating Brave was mainly to end his Game Field so I could leave."
He continued, "As long as you don't keep pursuing me, I have no desire to cross blades with you."
The implication was clear—he hoped Gwen and Elena would not keep trying to restrain him.
With Li Hua defeated, the Game Field deployed by Brave naturally dissipated. Everyone reappeared back on the original street.
Seeing the posture of both sides, Tony immediately understood the outcome and grew even more wary of Victor.
"Let's part ways here," Victor said with a brief nod. His figure vanished in front of them.
Gwen and Elena hesitated for a moment, conflicted—but ultimately chose to let Victor go.
After all, even Li Hua, wielding the power of a Level 50 Game Cartridge, had been defeated. Even if the two of them deployed a Game Field to trap Victor, the result would only be the same—Victor would defeat them and then leave anyway.
"You three working together still weren't his match?" Tony asked in surprise as he looked at the exhausted Li Hua.
"Didn't Brave already reach Level 50?"
Li Hua let out a sigh, his expression grim.
"I underestimated him. Even if I couldn't defeat Fuma, I should've been able to delay him longer.
"If Gwen and Elena had been able to free themselves and support me, there actually would've been a chance to win."
"There's no point saying that now," Elena said with a bitter smile.
"If the two of us could also reach Level 50, we definitely could've suppressed—or even defeated—him."
"That's right. This isn't your responsibility," Gwen nodded.
"I think the priority now is to return to the Hospital and check your physical condition."
After all, Li Hua had been beaten hard enough to forcibly end his transformation—it was impossible to say whether there were lingering injuries.
Tony also spoke up.
"Since things have come to this, you should head back to the Hospital first. If Fuma takes action again in the future, we'll still have chances to lock onto him."
"…Li, go ahead and attend the exchange. Get a good one or two days of rest."
In the underground base of the Holy City Hospital, Elena spoke confidently to the hesitant Li Hua.
"Leave the Bugster Virus matters to Gwen and me."
"Li Hua," Dan Kuroto said seriously from the screen, "You're only barely able to wield the power of the Level 50 Game Cartridge.
"During your battle with Fuma from Foundation X, you over-exerted Tadle Fantasy's power and were even forced out of transformation. That placed a massive burden on your body.
"You should rest for at least two days. If your body can't handle it, the consequences could be extremely dangerous."
Li Hua nodded, then turned to Elena. "For the next few days, I'll leave the Game Disease patients to you."
"No problem," Elena replied, lifting her chin confidently.
"If Genm, Parado, those Bugsters—or that Fuma—show up again…" Li Hua was still uneasy.
"I know," Dan Kuroto interrupted him directly. "If anything really happens, we'll notify you immediately."
Li Hua nodded in agreement.
"New York–Presbyterian Hospital is the largest hospital in New York," Elena said with a hint of envy.
"They're inviting you for an academic exchange—this isn't treatment just any doctor gets. You're already pretty famous around New York."
Li Hua chuckled softly.
"That's just empty reputation. For a doctor, what really matters is medical skill and ethics."
As he spoke, he casually packed his things. After a moment's thought, he still placed the Bugster Virus stethoscope into his bag.
Afterward, Li Hua went to the Department of Surgery at New York–Presbyterian Hospital for an exchange program, working alongside the hospital's surgeons for a period of time.
At first, many of the doctors in the department didn't think much of Li Hua, this Asian surgeon. However, during an extremely complex and high-risk surgery that no one felt confident handling, he finally demonstrated his abilities.
From that moment on, the surgeons at New York–Presbyterian Hospital completely recognized Li Hua's level of medical skill, and their attitude toward him changed drastically.
"Li, your surgical technique is unbelievable," surgeon Mir Kassab whispered excitedly beside him.
"For that operation, no one in the entire department was confident. That old guy Ender dumped it on you just so he could shift responsibility.
"Who would've thought you'd finish it so easily?"
Li Hua smiled calmly.
"It's really nothing. The surgeons at New York–Presbyterian could've done it as well—"
Suddenly, as if he sensed something, Li Hua's expression changed. His words stopped halfway.
"Li? What's wrong?" Mir Kassab asked curiously.
Li Hua pointed toward an intensive care ward. "What's the condition of the patient in that room?"
Mir Kassab followed his gaze. After seeing the room number, his tone grew somber.
"ALS. Incurable.
"And it's just a six- or seven-year-old girl. Truly pitiful—she's already completely lost the ability to move at such a young age.
Li Hua's expression darkened. "May I go take a look?"
He could feel movement from the Game Disease stethoscope inside his coat.
A Bugster Virus infection…?
Mir Kassab nodded. "Of course. But…"
"You should know—there's currently no effective treatment for ALS anywhere in the world."
Li Hua nodded quietly, saying nothing.
(End of Chapter)