"Impressive. As expected of you. You actually discovered it from the mass-produced cartridges and directly created the hidden legendary Rider within the game—the power of Cronus," Huanmeng said in an admiring tone.
"But the power of Cronus isn't so easy to control. Originally it was meant to be a one-time special treasure that players could obtain, giving them the capital to fight against the Game God.
Although you were able to gather Bugster viruses and manufacture the game cartridge yourself—skipping the process of clearing the game—the damage and burden on the user become far greater.
Unless the user possesses complete antibodies, meaning antibodies for every type of Bugster virus, it's impossible to truly control Cronus's power."
"Mr. Dan?!" Li Hua and the others looked toward Dan with concern.
Dan breathed slightly heavily. Dark blue electric arcs occasionally flickered across his armor as he spoke:
"That's correct. I fused the power of every type of Bugster virus in the game, and only then did I create the Kamen Rider Cronus game cartridge.
Normally, a player would only gain the right to transform once they cleared every level of the game and collected the corresponding cartridges dropped by defeated Bugster monsters.
But don't forget— I was the first person in the world infected with the Bugster virus, and I possess the original antibody."
As he spoke, he raised his hand and condensed a giant cyan energy fist, smashing it toward Genm.
Genm didn't move.
However, the Game God beside him swung the blade in his right hand, drawing a dark-gold halo that neutralized the attack.
The Game God raised his blade and said:
"So you are the legendary Rider who came to challenge me…
Cronus."
"In the rules of this game, Cronus is the only opponent capable of threatening the Game God. At the same time, the Game God is the only boss capable of defeating Cronus. I wonder which side will prove stronger." Huanmeng stepped aside, speaking with interest.
At this moment, the Game God had already clashed with Cronus—Dan's transformed form.
Every collision of their attacks carried terrifying power. Enormous energy shockwaves spread wildly outward, causing the surrounding void to tremble violently.
"This power… it's even stronger than before. It's completely beyond us. Compared to this, the fight earlier felt like child's play. Is this the true power of the Game God?!" Li Hua said with a complicated tone as he watched the Game God fight at full strength.
"And this still isn't even the complete form of the Game God…" Elena said, somewhat discouraged.
"We can still level up too. Level 50 isn't enough—we'll keep upgrading," Gwen said optimistically.
"Based on normal game settings, the Game God, as the final boss, should be a max-level monster—and one whose stats exceed those of max-level players," Victor sighed.
"If we still had the strength to fight alongside Cronus… maybe we could defeat the Game God right now," Li Hua said unwillingly.
Cronus, transformed from Dan, displayed power equal to the incomplete Game God. Every clash between them ended with their attacks canceling each other out.
"Cronus truly is my greatest enemy. In that case, witness my final move!" the Game God shouted.
He raised his divine blade, releasing endless dazzling light like a sun, transforming into a blazing falling star that charged toward Dan.
Dan activated the Player Driver.
A golden mechanical clock dial appeared beneath his feet.
He spun and swept his leg, the clock's hands rotating a full circle along with the motion.
"Final Strike!"
Cronus's lightning-charged finishing kick met the Game God's attack head-on.
Golden and green energy clashed violently, refusing to yield. Streams of energy burst outward, forming dazzling trails of light.
Then Dan pulled out another game cartridge and pressed the button.
"Heal. Recovery."
A gentle white light emerged, temporarily suppressing and weakening the Game God's power.
The golden energy immediately fell into a disadvantage.
Cronus's power instantly overwhelmed the Game God.
A giant mechanical clock halo appeared beneath him, sealing the Game God in place.
"We won!" Elena shouted excitedly, pumping her fist.
"Incredible—you actually defeated the Game God," Genm said with a click of his tongue, seemingly unconcerned that the Game God had lost.
"But you still cannot truly unleash Cronus's full power. Right now you've only temporarily sealed the Game God.
As the game continues, the Game God will eventually break the seal. And when that happens… what appears will be the complete form."
Elena froze, clearly struggling to accept it.
At that moment, with the Game God sealed, the game domain began to dissolve.
Dan suddenly convulsed as electric arcs burst uncontrollably across his body.
The Cronus cartridge automatically popped out of the Player Driver, and Dan immediately reverted from his transformation.
Gwen rushed toward the Cronus game cartridge floating in the air.
But a white shadow flashed past—
Someone grabbed it before she could.
"Ark, what are you doing here?" Genm asked when he saw the newcomer seize the cartridge.
Ark let out a low, hoarse laugh.
"Zaia Enterprise cooperated with you and provided assistance. It's time to collect our payment."
"The Cronus cartridge isn't something an ordinary person can use," Genm sneered.
Ark didn't seem concerned.
"The Foundation already knows that. What's required is complete antibodies, correct?"
"You actually found a human with complete antibodies?!" Dan exclaimed in shock.
Ark chuckled softly.
"Of course. With the Foundation's technological capabilities, we can cultivate a user who possesses complete antibodies.
And we must thank you for that, Mr. Dan—for creating the Cronus cartridge for us."
"What exactly do you want?" Dan asked angrily.
Ark waved his hand dismissively.
"The foundation has no ill intentions. Through various means, we merely wish to explore and control the true fundamental secrets of the world.
Research and control of the Bugster virus is one of the key paths.
The game cartridges and drivers you developed have greatly attracted the consortium's attention."
"How boring," Genm snorted before turning into light and leaving.
"Since we have obtained the Cronus cartridge, I shall take my leave as well," Ark said with a nod toward Dan before transforming into a streak of light and disappearing.
Thus, the Cronus game cartridge fell into the hands of Foundation X.
The next time Cronus appears, it will naturally be the emissary of Foundation X.
Author's Note
"Cronus" can be translated as Kronos (the father of Zeus).
It can also be translated as Chronos.
Considering the ability to control time, the primordial god Chronos might actually be the more fitting name.
So the idea is:
When transforming with the Player Driver, it is Kronos.
When the consortium uses the Bugster Driver, it becomes Chronos.
(End of Chapter)