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Dan sheathed his sword and looked up at the castle's upper floors.
"Three down. One to go. Everyone… I'll avenge you."
He'd barely taken a step toward the stairs when a crushing pressure slammed down on him. Even transformed, he almost buckled.
"Who dares trash my castle like this?"
The voice was deep, smooth, magnetic. From the spiral staircase above, a tall blond vampire descended—noble attire pristine, red cape draped over his shoulders.
The sight of him made the killing intent beneath Dan's mask boil again.
"Oh? Another one in strange armor. Interesting… so you must be a friend of that Erik fellow?"
Dan didn't waste breath. He revved his engine, summoned his sword, and lunged straight at the vampire—Vlad.
Vlad's lips curved into a cold smile.
"So impatient. Is this how young people behave now?"
He lifted one hand, and the crushing force returned, even heavier.
Dan dropped to one knee with a grunt, sword biting into the floor to keep him upright.
"Dan! This guy's stronger than anything we've fought before!" Krim warned.
"So what? I don't care what he is—he dies today!"
Roaring, Dan forced himself upright with sheer willpower.
"If I don't take him down, how can I face the ones we lost? Come on, Wild Chaser!"
A black miniature car flew into his hand. He slammed it into his belt.
"Drive! Type Wild!"
A beam of light crashed down. The heavier, bulkier Wild Armor took shape, letting him stand firm against the pressure.
"Come here, Rumble Dump!"
An orange construction-type car dropped into his hand.
"Tire Koukan! Rumble Dump!"
He hefted the massive drill-weapon and charged.
"What fascinating technology," Vlad mused, dodging easily while his eyes roamed over Dan's armor.
"Stand still! I'm trying to punch you here!"
The drill spun at high speed. Dan swung hard, but Vlad tilted his head aside with infuriating calm—until he realized Dan's free hand was already on the dial.
The engine screamed. Dan's punch exploded forward with sudden, brutal speed.
The drill tore past Vlad's face, carving away a chunk of flesh.
Vlad's composure shattered. With a snarl, he slammed his palm into Dan's chest.
Dan skidded back, boots carving deep grooves in the stone floor—but the Wild Armor held.
Clutching his bleeding face, Vlad roared, rage twisting his features.
"You filthy pest—you've just made me angry!"
Dan gave him a cold smirk.
"A monster should act like a monster, not pretend to be some gentleman."
"You're dead! I'll tear you apart!"
Vlad transformed into his vampire beast form. Dan blinked in surprise.
"…The hell? Green-hat king?"
He shook it off.
"No—still not as bad as him."
"DIE!"
Vlad's bat form lunged, a massive suction pulling Dan toward him.
Dan revved the engine, using the pull to rocket forward.
"Fine—let's go!"
"Finishing Move! DriRumble—!"
The Rumble Striker's drill spun like a maniac as Dan threw a punch straight at Vlad.
Vlad didn't hesitate—he punched back.
Thud!
The impact was like an explosion, sending both of them flying backward.
Dan barely had time to regain his footing before Vlad was already in his face.
"Die!"
Vlad's palm shot forward. Dan threw up his arm to block.
Clang!
The blow shattered the Rumble Striker instantly, scattering into motes of energy.
"Damn it! Hook and Wrecker, get over here!"
Dan reached out as if to summon another Shift Car, but Vlad didn't give him a chance. He stepped in and slammed an elbow right into Dan's chest.
"Ah!"
The cry tore from Dan's throat as the blow launched him off his feet.
"I'm not done yet!"
Vlad's speed was terrifying—he was on Dan in midair in a heartbeat, kicking upward with crushing force.
Dan felt a sickening jolt down his spine, like it might snap in two. If it weren't for the insane defense of his Wild form, that kick would've killed him outright.
Before he could recover, Vlad followed up with a brutal downward punch, not giving Dan a single second to breathe.
"Die, you piece of trash! This is the difference between you and me!"
Boom!
Dan's body slammed into the stone floor hard enough to crack it like a spiderweb.
"Dan! Are you alright?!"
Krim's voice was full of worry.
Dan struggled to get up, his whole body screaming in pain, like it was about to fall apart any second.
"You've burned through too much stamina. You can't beat him like this!"
Hack, hack!
Dan coughed twice, sharp and ragged.
"Krim… what are you talking about? I'm still standing—don't start talking like I've lost."
"But the Wild form isn't enough against him."
"Yeah?"
His voice was barely more than a tired rasp, but Dan still forced a grin.
"Then I'll just use another form."
Somehow, there was suddenly a small blue Shift Car in his hand.
"That's… Formula?! No, Dan! In your condition, using Formula could kill you!"
Vlad actually looked surprised to see him getting up again—he hadn't held back at all, and yet the kid was still moving.
"If I don't use it, I'll die anyway."
Dan slotted the Formula Car into his brace.
"So please, Krim… run one more lap with me!"
"Dan!"
Krim's voice cracked. In his mind, Dan was still just a kid—hell, before this summer, that's all he'd been. But even with his heart aching, he still shouted the words.
"Start your engine, Dan!"
"Start your engines!"
Hen… shin!
Dan pressed the Formula Car.
"Drive! Type Formula!"
The Wild armor broke apart, replaced by sleek blue plates snapping into place like a Formula One car taking shape. Two pairs of racing wheels locked onto his arms.
"Heh… so you just changed colors. You think that'll help? Die, you little rat!"
Vlad roared and charged again.
"Dan, finish this fast. Your body won't hold out long in Formula form."
"I know!"
With a burst of power, Dan's feet hit the ground—and his body blurred into a streak of blue.
"....."