Galactic Pirate, codename: Spider.
An existence extremely unique, who committed countless atrocities across the galaxy from the very first time he appeared.
Including but not limited to: hijacking IPC cargo trains, extorting planets for immense sums of credits, murdering hostages...
A Moltler Giant Spider capable of swiftly crawling through the cosmos, combined with a mechanical body that could block signal interference.
Nobody knew who had combined these two things together and remodeled it.
The only known fact was that this half-organic, half-mechanical body made it an especially notorious existence even among the IPC's bounties on galactic pirates.
The IPC had repeatedly attempted to hunt down Spider, determined to eradicate it and uphold the will of Preservation.
Yet, Spider always slipped away silently through their encirclement.
After numerous pursuits that consumed significant resources, Spider finally disappeared from the galaxy.
Though a few years later, whispers of its reappearance drifted from the galaxy's edge.
However, because of the extreme distance, the IPC adopted an observational stance toward Spider's re-emergence.
The IPC was aware that various minions gathered around Spider, forming a pirate gang to ravage nearby star systems.
But IPC's current policy was merely to continue observation, waiting until a guaranteed strike was possible.
Spider also knew this and periodically concealed its body to avoid IPC's pursuit.
However, it never anticipated a problem this time around.
All its underlings had been wiped out by some unknown existence.
Not a single survivor, nor even a single ship left behind.
Its pirate fleet, assembled at great cost and effort, had simply vanished like this.
How could it accept that?
Thus, Spider reappeared once more, returning this time for revenge.
It would avenge its subordinates. It would avenge all the years it had spent building its empire!
It would deliver a final apocalypse upon that so-called Kamen Rider.
...
"But, honestly… this body doesn't even seem that threatening…"
Sora stared at the intel Felice had pulled up, rendered speechless by Spider's various attributes.
What's wrong with you guys at IPC? How'd you get repeatedly played by something like this?
"Under normal circumstances, yes. But Spider has certain special abilities," Felice clarified, continuing to pull up more information. "The Moltler Giant Spider can weave webs across the galaxy. In Spider's case, it evolved into something that disrupts planetary magnetic fields."
"It once used this exact method when extorting a planet for massive amounts of credits."
Quietly weaving a magnetic web in space. By the time anyone noticed, it would be far too late.
The planet's magnetic field would become chaotic, making everyone on the planet feel their organs jumping wildly in their bodies.
Even planetary destruction wasn't impossible.
Even after evacuation, the planetary magnetic field wouldn't automatically restore itself.
In the end, the IPC had to collaborate with the Intelligentsia Guild, expending tremendous efforts to finally stabilize the planet again.
"But even after stabilization, Spider had already caused immense casualties."
Upon hearing these words, Sora's eyes sharpened instantly.
"For ordinary people, a chaotic magnetic field merely means endocrine disorders and organs shifting around inside."
"But for wounded patients or anyone with fragile health, it's practically a death sentence."
Those who were already ill or injured weren't stable to begin with—adding magnetic chaos on top of that was unquestionably fatal.
Precisely for this reason, Spider had a blood debt numbering easily in the hundreds of thousands, if not millions.
"Sometimes I even wonder if he's walking the Path of Destruction or something," Felice muttered uneasily.
How else could a creature be this terrifying?
Sora fell silent for a moment before asking Felice directly, "Does IPC have any countermeasures planned?"
They had already broadcast the alert, surely IPC wouldn't just let this spider freely roam through space?
"Let me check," Felice quickly searched for updated information.
Finally, she discovered another announcement:
[IPC has contacted the 'Mechanical Aristocrat' Screwllum and formulated a resolution.]
"And then...? That's it?" Sora flipped through repeatedly, unsure.
But among all this intel, no other detailed information was included.
Meaning, aside from IPC announcing that they'd formulated a solution, everything else was left blank.
Hey, seriously? What's the meaning of this?!
Feeling uncertain, Sora kept digging.
"Seems like that's it," Felice eventually confirmed after a bit more searching.
Having worked inside IPC before, she naturally knew exactly how things went internally.
Factions within were fiercely competitive. Performance metrics were brutal—one slip, and you risked demotion or a pay cut.
Otherwise, why would she have dropped her previous job immediately after Anna made such a simple suggestion?
Compared to the company's ruthless conditions, managing Sora's affairs was far simpler!
So simple, in fact, that she felt a faint sense of happiness rising within her!
It was as if she'd rediscovered the meaning of work.
"Understood. Then I'll be counting on you in the future," Sora nodded to Felice. "If there's nothing else, you should leave now. This place could become dangerous."
"Eh? But what about you?" Felice hadn't expected Sora to say that.
"I need to finish up my business here first." Sora rose from his seat, deciding he'd go discuss matters with everyone else.
Spider was approaching too quickly, making it impossible for the planet's inhabitants to evacuate in time.
Thus, he had no choice but to confront Spider head-on.
No, rather, it was time to offer Spider as a sacrifice to the heavens!
Before leaving, Sora turned back toward Felice.
"If you have time, could you reserve tickets to Tartaro for me? For two hundred thirteen people—handle it however you see fit."
"As for things here, you don't need to worry too much. Just leave early and head somewhere safe."
Sora waved a hand, turning to leave without further words.
Felice sat there blankly for a long moment, before finally realizing what had just happened.
He'd advised her—a mere employee—to leave this dangerous place, while intending to stay himself.
This subtle sense of contradiction left Felice feeling oddly confused.
Normally, shouldn't they either leave together, or the subordinate stays behind?
Why would this boss refuse to escape from danger instead?
"Maybe I actually found a good boss this time."
Felice smiled slightly, carefully tucking away the contract signed by both of them.
...
Robin walked through the hospital corridor, surrounded by panicked people.
IPC had broadcast the news to all terminals across this star system, throwing everyone into panic upon hearing the news.
Yet strangely enough, the patients they'd transferred here earlier remained completely calm.
Those patients, like Robin herself, seemed abnormally calm—perhaps due to having experienced similar crises not long ago.
Robin had come this time because the planet's administrators had specifically contacted her:
Whether the scheduled concert should proceed as planned.
"Given Spider's current speed, it'll likely arrive exactly on the day of your concert."
Comparing the IPC's projected route and date, the timing matched up perfectly.
Thus, the administrators pleaded earnestly with Robin: "There's still time for you to evacuate this planet safely if we cancel the concert now."
If the concert was canceled, these ordinary people would have enough time to flee the planet.
Yet Robin hadn't given them a clear reply yet. "I'll let you know shortly."
She continued step-by-step toward her destination—the room where the children were staying.
No doubt Sora would be there as well.
If that person was still here, the outcome was practically predetermined from the start.
"Just a mere Galactic Pirate! When facing the Children of Starfire, he'll definitely flee in terror!"
"Let the light of the Children of Starfire illuminate the whole universe!"
"Ohhh!!" echoed excited cheers from the room, sounding lively and completely unaffected by outside news.
Robin paused briefly outside, then a faint smile crossed her face as she knocked lightly and stepped inside.
"Sister Robin!"
Seeing her arrival, the children excitedly surrounded her.
And she brought the news the children most wanted to hear: "The concert will be held as scheduled! You all better come and cheer me on properly!"
"Yay!"
"Then let me teach you the cheer rhythm now—I'd better see you all there!"
Robin, as usual, quickly joined them in playful laughter.
After everything finished, she waved goodbye to the children alongside Sora.
"Alright, spit it out. What's your reason for staying this time?" Robin suddenly asked the moment they rounded the corner.
"Don't you know? Dreams are meant to be protected and fulfilled."
"My own dreams have long since been worn smooth by this universe. But I can still protect these children's simple wishes."
Sora gazed steadily at her. "Isn't it the same for you?"
"We're both heroes protecting dreams now."
Robin stared back, strange feelings swirling inside her.
But abruptly, Sora's serious expression broke into a sly grin: "Besides, since you're also staying, you can't scold me this time!"
The sudden mood shift plunged them briefly into silence.
Robin's original expression slowly softened into calm resignation.
"Of course you're exactly this type of person."
Shaking her head with a sigh, she began walking away.
"Eh?! What do you mean? Don't speak in riddles!" Sora hurriedly chased after her.
Yet Robin didn't respond directly, lips curving slightly upward despite her exaggerated sighs.
So much for someone's so-called worn-down dreams.
When you spoke those words, hadn't you already formed a brand-new dream?