The Bugster monster dodged a few shots from Kamen Rider Sniper, then struck its staff-like weapon against the ground. A flash of light burst out, and numerous humanoid monsters appeared, their heads shaped like turkey-shaped icons, materializing from illusion into reality.
"Fuck—what the hell are those things supposed to be?!"
Tony Stark had originally wanted to refute their implication that he was useless.
Are they joking? Who am I?I am Tony Stark! A great genius, inventor, entrepreneur, philanthropist!And yet these two people actually dared to treat him like a burden.
But before he could even speak, he saw the Bugster monster summon those minion-like creatures out of nowhere, and he couldn't stop himself from cursing aloud.
"How the hell are these monsters appearing out of thin air? What's the principle behind it? Do they not need to obey the Law of Conservation of Energy?!"
For the first time in his life, Tony felt as if his brain wasn't enough to process what he was seeing.
While Tony stood stunned, Li Hua and Elena had already engaged the Bugster monster and the summoned mobs in combat.
"Jarvis, scan those two armored people and those monsters. Record every bit of data and analyze it."
Watching each monster get knocked down by the two Riders and dissolve into glowing particles, Tony's curiosity only grew stronger.
They appear out of thin air—and disappear the same way. Completely irrational.
"Yes, sir." Jarvis replied, and immediately began scanning and recording.
"These two sets of armor look pretty advanced… Who made them? Based on what principles?"
Tony watched Li Hua and Elena effortlessly defeat more than half the mobs and begin surrounding the Bugster monster. He roughly estimated Brave and Sniper's combat capabilities, mentally comparing them to his own Iron Man armor.
Looks like they can't fly. That's a huge weakness. Compared to my Iron Man armor, they're nowhere near as versatile.
Tony thought confidently.
"But why does that thing that looks exactly like a plastic toy gun have such insane firepower? Are those laser rounds? Energy rounds?"
"What's the power source? Don't tell me it's based on Arc Reactor tech. But nobody on Earth besides me could possibly master the Arc Reactor."
"And that gun clearly doesn't have any external energy supply. So the power source must be built inside it."
"But the gun's size is no different than a regular toy blaster. It shouldn't be able to hold a large energy battery. So what technology is providing power?"
"Could their energy system actually be more advanced than my miniaturized Arc Reactor?"Tony muttered in disbelief.
"And that toy sword—those are energy waves? It can't be sword aura, right? That only exists in fantasy novels and games."
"Or did the designer deliberately create attacks that look exactly like video game effects?"
The more Tony watched, the more absurd the Riders' combat style seemed, and he tried desperately to explain it using real-world science.
As for the monsters… he didn't even know where to begin. Their designs looked like something straight out of a fantasy game bestiary.
"Sir, based on scanning results, I have collected and analyzed their data. However, there is no usable information."Jarvis sounded genuinely puzzled.
"Spectral and infrared analysis cannot categorize these monsters at all. They don't seem to be biological entities."
"And the armor materials worn by the two armored individuals are also completely unknown."
"Spectral scanning can't identify them? Are they made from entirely unknown elements?"Tony frowned slightly. Looks like I'll need to acquire a sample to study later.
"No useful information at all?"
"However, based on visual analysis, their designs strongly correspond to character designs from many video games."After a brief pause, Jarvis presented a rather bizarre conclusion.
Tony raised an eyebrow."You mean they walked out of a video game?"
"Given that no matches can be found in any database, we cannot fully rule out the possibility that they originate from another world."
"Parallel world theory cannot be definitively disproven. A world with aesthetics similar to video games may indeed exist."
"However, it is also possible that someone with extremely advanced technology and special materials deliberately created Riders and monsters modeled after video game characters. Although the method and technology remain unknown."
Jarvis analyzed calmly.
"So these two armored people—what characters are they supposed to be from?"Tony asked, speechless.
"Based on appearance, they match protagonists from shooter and fantasy adventure games."
"Additionally, the health bars and controller button symbols visible on their chest armor further confirm game-themed origin."
Jarvis projected captured images for Tony.
"So whoever created these systems… is very likely a hardcore gamer. Or a game developer."Tony murmured thoughtfully.
Parallel worlds aside—for now he didn't consider that realistic.
While Tony analyzed everything, the battle neared its end.
After all, Dan Kuroto had intentionally arranged a relatively weak Bugster for the two Riders to practice with and gain combat experience.
Just like leveling in a video game: early monsters are always easy experience feeders. Only after gaining skills and levels do stronger elites appear.
Dan was certainly thoughtful in this design.
Thus, both Brave and Sniper outclassed the Bugster, and with two versus one, the result was a total beatdown.
"Critical Finish!"
After clearing the mobs, the two Riders seized an opening, forced the Bugster into a stun state, and unleashed their finishers simultaneously—two Rider Kicks directly to the face, destroying the monster completely.
"GAME CLEAR!"
Pixel-style light panels appeared around them, accompanied by game-clear sound effects.
"Jarvis, record the cartridge designs in their hands and the graphics on those screens."
Seeing the finishing move and the digital victory screens, Tony instantly sensed the cartridges were important items and ordered Jarvis to capture everything.
Tony stepped forward as the dust settled, helmet faceplate opening.
"So, you two game-character-looking friends—who exactly are you? And what were those monsters?"
Li Hua and Elena glanced at each other.
"We're just doctors treating patients. Passing-through Kamen Riders."
[They did the thing.gif]
Originally, they had planned to leave immediately, but at that moment a transmission from Dan Kuroto came through the Rider communication system, so they stopped and answered Tony.
"Doctors? And what does 'Kamen Rider' mean?" Tony asked.
"Masked Rider. Riders with masks."
"Masked heroes, huh? Sounds cool."
Tony nodded.
"But why 'passing through'? … Never mind, that's not important. Can you tell me what exactly those monsters were?"
"Passing-through Riders" was specifically instructed wording from Dan Kuroto.
They might not fully understand, but to them, they were doctors first. Transforming into Riders was only to eliminate game disease and save patients. Being Riders was more like a part-time side role.
So describing themselves as simply "passing through" fit perfectly.
Li Hua nodded slightly.
"Those monsters were created when a virus from the virtual network world infects a human."
"No one knows when or where the virus first appeared, but it has the ability to materialize virtual game entities and imagined monsters into the real world."
"We call this the Bugster Virus. The symptoms caused when humans are infected are called Game Disease."
Tony's eyes flickered as he spoke thoughtfully:
"So the kid just now was infected with this virus you mentioned? He developed Game Disease, and the monster appeared due to viral outbreak."
"Then who are you really? Some secret government division?"
"And a virus that turns imagination into reality? That's absurd. It's completely unscientific!"
As a world-class physicist, Tony couldn't help but complain about the ridiculous setup.
Elena shrugged.
"We aren't related to the government. You should know that if the U.S. government created our equipment, it would have immediately been deployed to the military."
"And if the government had such technology, as the CEO of Stark Industries—their largest weapons supplier—there's no way you wouldn't know about it."
"We fight only to cure patients and eliminate Game Disease."
"We reacted just like you at first—we didn't believe any of it. But reality is more convincing than any theory."
"Fair point. If the military had gear like that, they'd definitely come to me to optimize it."Tony nodded, casually praising himself again.
"So if someone gets infected and doesn't get treated—what happens? Is it contagious? How does it spread? And where did your armor systems come from?"
"If the virus isn't cleared, the infected person will eventually convert into pure digital data and disappear from reality."
"The monster will become a full-fledged Bugster and replace the person completely."
"As for contagion, the virus cannot spread between humans through physical contact."
"Transmission happens through video games and network usage."
Li Hua explained, but intentionally avoided revealing the origin of the Rider Systems.
Tony wanted to continue questioning—
"Per our boss's instructions, that's all we're allowed to tell you. Perhaps we'll meet again."Li Hua and Elena cut him off after receiving a signal.
A glowing teleportation circle appeared beneath their feet, light flared—and they vanished.
"Oh? Like a teleportation circle from a video game? Mr. Game and Ms. Game must be returning to their world?"
Tony whistled.
"This should be some kind of spatial transfer technology."
Jarvis commented seriously.
Tony paused, then spoke lightly:
"Jarvis… have I ever told you that you have absolutely no sense of humor?"
"Fifty-six times. Including this time, fifty-seven, sir."
Tony was speechless for a moment, then waved his hand.
"Let's go home. And notify Stark Industries logistics to clean up this scene."
"Yes, sir."