At the small shop in front of the school, MANG GA LIN walked up the overpass, carrying several cans of alcohol. He popped open a can of Tiger beer, took a sip, eyes hollow, brow furrowed in thought.
ZHONG KUI RIDER rode his bike slowly toward him, stopping and silently sitting beside MANG GA LIN.
ZHONG KUI RIDER smirked:
"Finally buying Tiger, huh?"
MANG GA LIN sighed, clutching the can, voice hoarse:
"You think… if I had confessed… earlier… would things… be different?"
ZHONG KUI RIDER shook his head gently, his gaze filled with warmth and helplessness:
"Maybe. Sometimes, fate just likes to toy with people. Not every wish comes true."
MANG GA LIN gripped the can tighter, voice low and desperate:
"Five… years… all five years of youth… destroyed by those so-called gods!"
From the shadows, STAR SAINT slowly emerged, exuding a cold aura, eyes like cutting blades.
STAR SAINT:
"Is it ready?"
A strange figure quickly raised a driver. With a wave from STAR SAINT, the figure vanished immediately.
STAR SAINT:
"The time has come."
He strapped on his driver. Cold light burst from his waist:
"TIM HONG TRANSFORM DRIVER!"
In an instant, STAR SAINT transformed, radiating an oppressive aura that suffocated the air itself.
The Next Day: Memories and Confrontation
MANG GA LIN woke in his room, walking to CHIN YI XIN's room. He gently opened a drawer and found a small box. Inside was a photograph.
MANG GA LIN (thought):
"Eh… she… how could she…?"
Suddenly, the alarm blared. His heart tightened, and without hesitation, he dashed out and jumped onto his bike, speeding forward.
Before leaving the base's scrapyard, a familiar yet heart-stopping voice rang out:
MANG GA LIN:
"YI… XIN… YI XIN?"
STAR SAINT stood ahead, eyes deep, radiating both temptation and pressure:
"I won't disguise myself anymore. Give up being a Constellation Guardian, and I can revive those you care about… including DOCTOK.CHIN and your current body."
MANG GA LIN froze, inner turmoil raging, hands trembling slightly.
ZHONG KUI RIDER and HEART RIDER arrived urgently, eyes cold, riding their bikes beside him.
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Who are you?"
Both drew their drivers, ready for battle:
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "ZHONG KUI TRANSFORM DRIVER!"
HEART RIDER: "SHAM TRANSFORM DRIVER!"
Pressing the buttons, light exploded:
ZHONG KUI RIDER: "Transform!"
HEART RIDER: "Transform!"
ZHONG KUI RIDER shouted: "GUANWU HOLY!"
HEART RIDER growled: "RIDER UP! SHAM! GANJIN FORM!"
They drew their weapons, charging forward.
STAR SAINT ascended, his presence like a violent storm. The two riders barely avoided hitting the silently watching MANG GA LIN, their weapons slamming heavily to the ground.
ZHONG KUI RIDER panted: "Oi… what's with you?"
MANG GA LIN exhaled softly, slowly pulling out his driver, inserting the STAR RIDER Card:
MANG GA LIN: "Transform."
"STARS UP! STARS RIDER!"
STAR RIDER held his constellation sword, eyes resolute, standing beside ZHONG KUI RIDER and HEART RIDER.
Betrayal and Chaos
In the next moment, STAR RIDER swung his sword violently at ZHONG KUI RIDER—
ZHONG KUI RIDER shouted: "Oi! What are you doing, lanjiao!"
The blade struck again, hitting HEART RIDER.
HEART RIDER trembled: "Oi… you wouldn't…"
Three consecutive strikes from STAR RIDER knocked HEART RIDER down, forcing her to de-transform.
ZHONG KUI RIDER gritted his teeth, quickly switching to NAZHA Form, while STAR RIDER switched to ARIES Form.
STAR RIDER raised the RAM BLADE, slicing through ZHONG KUI RIDER's NAZHA wheels of wind and fire.
ZHONG KUI RIDER fell, STAR RIDER discarded the RAM BLADE, pulling the driver lever.
STAR RIDER coldly: "RIDER! READY!"
ZHONG KUI RIDER pressed the button:
"RIDER!"
The two riders leapt, kicking out shockwaves that collided with STAR RIDER.
"LET'S FINISH THE DANGER!"
"RIDER MAXNI ATTACK!"
A massive explosion swept the scene. ZHONG KUI RIDER de-transformed, rolling to the ground.
MANG GA LIN slowly landed, de-transforming from STAR RIDER, eyes fixed on STAR SAINT.
STAR SAINT calmly said:
"Alright… it seems you've made your choice. Come."
MANG GA LIN didn't hesitate, slowly standing and following STAR SAINT away.
ZHONG KUI RIDER winced in pain, sitting on the ground. HEART RIDER rushed to support him:
ZHONG KUI RIDER, gritting his teeth: "Oi…"