Smoke condensed into a physical form, Enenra's head melting into a tar-like waterfall, each drip repeatedly producing smoke that gradually spread throughout the carriage.
Rikuo swung his Blay Rouzer at it, but Enenra's torso was like a non-Newtonian fluid, hardening upon impact. The stronger the force, the stronger the rebound. During the slash, "water" permeated into the Kamen Rider armor's hand, where it seemed to short-circuit, emitting electrical sparks.
"This isn't smoke? It's more like, water?"
Within the tar-like "smoke," countless human faces continuously floated and intertwined, accompanied by bursts of sinister laughter.
"Joker, do you dare to use lightning? If you do, the lightning will spread throughout the entire carriage!"
Rikuo could only hack desperately, reducing the speed at which the smoke enveloped them. His armor also began to shatter, with electric flashes constantly flickering.
"Kamen Rider, the opponent seems to have lost its mind control ability; the unconscious people have woken up! Keep it up!"
Sumita Mana's voice came through, and it wasn't just her. There were also people who had just woken up; or those who wanted to help; or parents shielding their children; or just ordinary people.
"Keep fighting, Blade."
"You absolutely cannot lose, we're all counting on you!"
Cheers came from behind him, but unfortunately, he wasn't Tiga, unable to transform into his shining form; nor was he Dyna, without a cheering form; however, he could enter an awakened state of resolve.
'I suddenly feel like saying a chuunibyou line.'
"I cannot fall, because behind me are the lights of a million homes!"
Rikuo assessed the situation, empowered by 2 of Hearts.
'Now that it's condensed into water, the humanoid dark cloud outside can be definitively confirmed as its derivative. Losing its original characteristics? Does that mean it possesses the abilities of two Undead Cards? But the current situation is that physical attacks are ineffective after it transforms into water, and the remaining elemental attack, lightning, would harm ordinary people.'
Rikuo finished organizing the information, and his eyes lit up; the answer was already before him.
"Since it's water, then it's afraid of plant absorption. I thought 7 of Hearts was just taking up space, but now it's useful!"
Rikuo pulled 7 of Hearts - Bio Plant (Ability: Creates vines for lashing and binding; Ap: 1600) from the Blay Rouzer card slot and swiped it into the Blay Rouzer.
[Bio.]
"Wood Release: Deep Forest Emergence!"
Rikuo threw the Blay Rouzer forward, embedding it in the seat in front, and then released vines from his hands towards Enenra's main body in the toilet cubicle. Instead of utilizing the vines' natural binding characteristics, he specifically enhanced their plant growth attribute, instantly filling the entire cubicle with vines. All the surrounding water vapor was also completely absorbed.
"Let's see how you survive this time. One last strike!"
Rikuo sprinted towards the toilet, picked up the Blay Rouzer embedded in the seat, and swiped 6 of Spades - Thunder Deer (Ability: Supplements the next attack with electricity; Ap: 1200).
[Thunder!]
The deer-shaped phantom merged into his chest armor, and the Blay Rouzer became covered in constantly flickering blue lightning. With a powerful downward slash, the vines snapped one by one, and Enenra, drained by them, gradually dissipated in the lightning.
Rikuo threw out a blank card, then thought for a moment and took out another to check the situation. Sure enough, when the first Undead Card flew back, Enenra only half-dissipated. Only after throwing out the second blank card to seal it did it completely disappear.
"Although the situation was complicated, should I say the harvest was pretty good? And there were no casualties. Unfortunately, the people who were previously controlled were most likely devoured."
Rikuo looked at the two Undead Cards in his hand: 9 of Clubs - Smog Squid (Ability: Supplements the next attack with smoke; Ap: 2000), and 7 of Clubs - Gel Jellyfish (Ability: Transmutes body into organic fluid to reduce damage; Ap: 1400).
"They're both functional, but the consumption is too high."
Rikuo put away the Undead Cards and looked at the surrounding crowd.
"After the battle, did the pain relief from adrenaline just disappear?"
Rikuo sat on a nearby seat, wanting to catch his breath. The battle wasn't long, but it was exceptionally intense, putting immense pressure on both body and mind.
"Blade, are you alright? Do you need me to contact a hospital?"
Although Sumita Mana didn't have time to watch the news because of her idol career, she already knew the Kamen Rider's name was Blade from the cheers around her.
Sumita Mana tried to help Rikuo up, but he waved her off.
"I'll just sit for a bit, no need to contact a hospital. My partner should be arriving soon."
Rikuo looked at the people he had protected, each one completely unharmed, and a smile appeared on his face beneath his mask.
'Kiryu Sento-senpai was right; seeing the people you've saved really does make you happy.'
Rikuo just sat quietly, and the crowd he had saved also just watched him silently, not leaving.
But, arriving even faster than the rescue, were the reporters.
"Mr. Blade, could we interview you about your stance? Are you affiliated with government, or are you employed? If employed, could we ask what your employment fee is?"
Seeing the continuous influx of reporters at the station, Rikuo's scalp tingled.
"I am not part of any organization, nor am I employed by anyone. I am just a passing Kamen Rider."
Rikuo saw Sakiko arriving at the entrance, the Blue Spader parked beside her.
'But how do I get out in this situation? I can't exactly hit reporters, can I? It would be even more troublesome if Sakiko's disguise was removed in the chaos.'
Just as Rikuo was troubled by his current state, someone beside him stepped forward.
"Please don't disturb Blade. Can't you see he's distressed?"
"That's right, he's a hero who saved others, yet you guys, who only leech off popularity, keep asking him questions and won't let him rest."
"Let's work together to drive away these annoying reporters!"
Amongst the chaotic reporters, an organized group of people emerged. They vigorously pulled away the surrounding reporters, carving out a path through the commotion.
Suddenly, a small figure stood before Rikuo. It was the little girl who had been protected by her parents earlier.
She was probably five or six years old, wearing a light pink dress. Her eyes were red, as if she had just cried, but now she had a brilliantly radiant smile.
"This, for you."
She held out her hand, a crinkled fruit candy resting in her palm.
Rikuo paused.
"Mommy said... when it hurts, eating candy makes it feel a little better."
Her voice was soft, seeming insignificant amidst the noisy crowd. But Rikuo heard it clearly.
He took the candy and gently ruffled the little girl's hair.
The fruit candy was slightly damp from the sweat in her palm, but it was still clearly strawberry flavored.
"Thank you."
After saying that, Rikuo stood up and walked towards the train door.
'If one expects a reward, then it cannot be called justice. Sento-senpai wasn't entirely correct. Justice can still have its rewards.'
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