The game fields of Snipe and Fuma expanded simultaneously. Under the control of the two, they violently clashed and collided, erupting with an intense and tremendous force within the void.
The original structure of the game field was torn apart and destroyed. Cracks like shattered space spread throughout the surroundings, as if the entire game world were on the verge of collapse.
Otto narrowed his eyes as he watched the virtual game world crumble, yet he showed no intention of intervening.
"You really are reckless—using such a method to collapse the game world. Aren't you afraid that the massive out-of-control energy released by the destruction of the game field you're standing in will injure you?"
He shook his head lightly.
"I still have important research to conduct. I won't risk my life here, so I'll take my leave."
Without hesitation, Otto's body became indistinct and faded away, leaving the game field.
As the structure of the virtual game world collapsed, the Bugster monsters—whose source was the virtual game field—immediately stopped moving, their bodies gradually turning translucent.
In the end, the entire game field was covered in cracks like a shattered crystal ball, then exploded apart with a thunderous crash. The Bugster monsters instantly dissipated completely.
Those inside the game field bore the brunt of the tremendous power released by the tearing and collapse of the domain.
Rampaging energy surged in from all directions, pressing down on them like the falling heavens.
"Damn it… this power—we can't hold on for long!" Elena gritted her teeth and spoke.
The Rider Gauge bars of the Kamen Riders plummeted at a speed visible to the naked eye.
At the critical moment, teleportation circles beneath their feet lit up. In a flash of light, they were transported back to the underground base of the Holy Capital Hospital.
"Phew… I almost thought I was done for back there."
Elena gasped for breath as she undid her transformation and looked at Dan Kuroto on the screen.
"Dan, couldn't you have teleported us back a little earlier? Our Rider Gauges were just about to hit zero!"
Dan Kuroto smiled helplessly. "There was no other choice. When the game field collapsed, the Bugster virus inside it completely went out of control and ran rampant.
"At that moment, opening a teleportation circle wasn't as easy as usual. I already moved as fast as I could."
Gwen reached out and held Elena's arm. "No matter what, we made it back safely.
"And by destroying the virtual world's game field and successfully clearing the game, the patients infected with the Bugster virus should now be out of danger."
Victor immediately went to the medical pod where Emily lay, eager to confirm his daughter's condition.
Li Hua silently walked over to the instruments, checked them, and then said,
"Mr. Shaw, please rest assured. The Bugster virus has been cleared. Your daughter is no longer in danger."
Victor let out a sigh of relief, but then seemed to think of something. His expression changed.
"Then what about my daughter's ALS? What's her condition now? Do you have any way to treat it?"
His voice was filled with hope.
Although the immediate threat of the Bugster virus had been resolved, the little girl's ALS was still an incurable disease. Conventional medical methods were completely powerless against it.
"Dan, didn't you say before that by using the power of the Bugster virus, it should be possible to cure this little girl's terminal illness?"
Elena's gaze shifted as she looked toward Dan Kuroto.
Hearing this, Victor trembled slightly and immediately turned to Dan Kuroto.
"If you have any way at all, please—please try to save Emily."
Dan Kuroto gave a somewhat helpless smile.
"What I said was… theoretically speaking."
"As long as there's hope, no matter what needs to be done, I'll do it," Victor said urgently.
"…Alright."
Dan Kuroto sighed softly and explained, "The Bugster virus possesses extremely miraculous powers. It can materialize the fictional settings, items, and beings of a corresponding game into reality.
"ALS is indeed an incurable disease in the real world as it stands now.
"But the game world contains countless possibilities. I could design a Doctor-type game that can cure any disease."
"You can do that?!" Elena's eyes widened in disbelief. "By that logic, if you wanted any kind of artifact with any function, you could just design a game and use the Bugster virus to make it real?!"
Dan Kuroto laughed dryly.
"You're oversimplifying things. If it were really that easy, wouldn't I be an omnipotent creator?"
"So there are limits to this method," Li Hua said thoughtfully.
Dan Kuroto nodded. "To realize a game using the Bugster virus, you must cultivate a sufficiently powerful corresponding type of Bugster virus in order to materialize the game's settings.
"At the same time, you need to collect enough data—otherwise, you can't control the Bugster virus at all.
"And finally, you need a user with sufficient willpower, faith, and aptitude to activate the game cartridge."
"Just like the game cartridges we use?" Gwen said, understanding dawning on her.
"Exactly." Dan Kuroto snapped his fingers.
"I'll be the one to use this Doctor game cartridge!" Victor said urgently.
Dan Kuroto smiled and shook his head. "No need to rush. This game cartridge is still just a concept—it hasn't even been designed yet.
"I understand how you feel, but no matter how anxious you are, it won't help right now."
Victor calmed down slightly upon hearing this. After taking a few deep breaths, he asked,
"Mr. Dan… how long will this game take to complete? And how do we do it?"
Dan Kuroto pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, then said,
"Completing the game requires sufficient data and a sufficient quantity of Bugster virus. I can design the game first, but to actually realize it…"
"In other words, we need to defeat and eliminate enough Bugster monsters to collect data and Bugster virus," Li Hua interjected directly.
"That's right."
"Mr. Shaw don't worry—leave this to us." Elena patted her chest and promised confidently. "We'll definitely complete this Doctor game and cure your daughter.
"Treating Bugster virus patients and fighting Bugster monsters is our responsibility to begin with. This will also let us gather Bugster virus samples and game data for Dan's Doctor game."
Victor nodded lightly. "I'll help as well."
"Mr. Shaw, you mean…?" Li Hua asked, intrigued.
Victor looked gently at his daughter in the medical pod and smiled calmly.
"I want to join you—to fight the crisis caused by the Bugster virus.
"For Emily… and also to prevent the Bugster virus from causing even greater casualties among ordinary people.
"People who possess Bugster virus antibodies and can use the power of game cartridges should be quite rare. Since I have this ability, I should do something with it.
"Otherwise, if Yue'er ever finds out in the future, she'd probably be disappointed in me as her father."
"With Mr. Shaw willing to help us, we couldn't ask for more," Elena said, clearly excited.
With Victor joining, their overall strength would greatly increase. Coupled with her successful mastery of Level 50 power, Elena felt that even facing Bugsters like Genm or Parado head-on wouldn't be completely hopeless.
"Mr. Dan, what do you think?" Li Hua asked, turning to Dan Kuroto.
Dan Kuroto smiled lightly. "This is a good thing. Of course I agree."
And so, Kamen Rider Fuma officially joined the Holy City Hospital, standing together with Brave, Snipe, and Lazer to confront the Bugster threat.
(End of Chapter)