Starting with the Decade Driver, Messing with School Beauty

Apart from differences in strength,

Native and Worm also exhibit significant distinctions in their habits.

Native generally fixate upon a mimetic target and rarely deviate from it, living consistently in the guise of that chosen form.

Though this may seem cruel to the victims,

for the vast majority of individuals, Native poses no harm.

However, Worm is different.

Worm, driven by its preferences, capriciously selects mimetic targets.

It may even assume several different mimetic identities within a single day.

This poses a colossal threat to humanity.

Hence, it is imperative to eradicate Worm.

As for why Worm pursues Native,

there is no explanation in the narrative of the conflict.

It inexplicably hunts Natives throughout the cosmos.

Qing Mu speculates that it might be due to the overwhelming power Native acquires after metamorphosing into a worm.

Therefore, Worm seeks to eliminate the threat posed by the Native clan.

Qing Mu is uncertain whether Si Mu before him has completed its transformation into an adult worm.

If it is still in its larval stage, that’s manageable.

But if it has become an adult Native,

dealing with it would be quite challenging.

Seemingly aware of Qing Mu’s thoughts, Si Mu smiled and said, “Rest assured, I harbor no ill will towards humanity. You need not regard me as an enemy.”

Qing Mu also smiled, though it was a sardonic one. “Perhaps you bear no enmity towards humanity, but your very existence is an error in the eyes of humanity. I believe you understand that.”

To Qing Mu’s surprise,

Si Mu appeared to concur with his statement, nodding in agreement:

“I understand. This planet ultimately does not belong to us. For the creatures of this planet, we are intruders, occupying their living space and posing a threat to the lifeforms here. However, we have no other choice. We could not continue to stay on our home planet and had to scour the cosmos in search of a new habitat.”

“Well, I didn’t come here to listen to your explanations. I know more than you might think. You don’t need to tell me. What I want to know now is why you’ve come to find me.” Si Mu appeared excessively enigmatic, and Qing Mu didn’t want to get drawn into their narrative too easily.

So, he got straight to the point.

“There are too many people here; it’s not ideal for conversation. Let’s move somewhere with fewer people. What I’m about to tell you should be to your advantage.”

“Alright, if you’re not afraid, follow me.”

Qing Mu turned and headed towards a nearby grove of trees.

Si Mu followed, neither hurriedly nor slowly.

Once they reached the secluded grove,

Si Mu began to explain the reason for seeking out Qing Mu.

It turns out that the identity Si Mu currently assumes was not acquired by eliminating its previous owner but was, in fact, given to it by the real Si Mu before disappearing. The imposter Si Mu originally had a different identity, that of a close friend of the real Si Mu. Fearing pursuit by Worm, the imposter Si Mu developed an advanced Knight system that could accelerate the abilities of the true Si Mu, hoping to utilize the real Si Mu’s strength for protection.

The real Si Mu did not disappoint, tirelessly defeating various Worm creatures for an extended period, safeguarding the imposter Si Mu. However, not too long ago, an immensely powerful Worm attacked, overpowering the real Si Mu and nearly annihilating the imposter Si Mu. To ensure the imposter Si Mu’s escape, the real Si Mu sacrificed himself, bravely facing the enemy.

As of now, the real Si Mu remains missing, his fate uncertain. The real Si Mu had family and friends. To look after them, he asked the imposter Si Mu, during their escape, to mimic his identity and carry on living in his place.

After hearing this, Qing Mu furrowed his brows and asked, “So, are you seeking my help to protect yourself or to rescue your friend?”

“Neither,” Si Mu shook his head. “I’ve come to find you to learn about the power you used to defeat that Worm. I observed your battle with it, and your abilities are highly unusual. They seem entirely different from Worm’s abilities, like another category of power. This has given me significant inspiration. If I can thoroughly study your abilities, I might develop even stronger powers to combat Worm.”

Due to their limited strength, Native beings took a different path – the path of technological advancement. Otherwise, in the world of Kabuto, Natives wouldn’t have been able to assist humans in developing the Knight system to combat Worm. Si Mu clearly possessed formidable technological abilities, capable of single-handedly creating a Knight system potent enough to oppose Worm. This left Qing Mu astounded.

Listening to Si Mu’s words, Qing Mu didn’t immediately commit but instead took a moment to ponder. “If I assist you, what benefits will I receive?”

“As a token of gratitude, I will share with you my research findings when the time comes,” Si Mu responded without hesitation.

Qing Mu continued, “I require an upfront deposit.”

Si Mu inquired, “What kind of deposit do you want? Money? No problem, name your price, and I can provide it.”

“No, I don’t want money,” Qing Mu shook his head. “I want the Knight system you are currently developing.”

A Knight system developed by Natives, capable of combating Worm, especially a Kabuto-style system with Clock Up capabilities. Qing Mu was currently struggling with the limitations of his Faiz Accel Form’s acceleration. If there was a chance to obtain a Kabuto-style Knight system with enhanced acceleration, Qing Mu wouldn’t let it slip through his fingers.

“You want the Knight system I’m currently developing?” Si Mu seemed puzzled. “But it appears that your current abilities are stronger than the Knight system I’m developing. What use would you have for the Knight system I’m working on?”

Qing Mu’s formidable display of combat prowess when effortlessly dispatching the Worm yesterday left Si Mu hesitant.

Si Mu couldn’t fathom why Qing Mu, possessing such formidable power, would be interested in the Knight system he was developing. Naturally, Qing Mu couldn’t reveal his true intention to obtain a Kabuto-style Knight system, so he came up with a casual excuse.

“Well, you don’t have to worry about it. Just consider me a collector of interesting things. I have a fondness for intriguing items. If you’re willing to gift me the Knight system you’re currently developing, I’ll agree to cooperate with your research and allow you to study my abilities.”

“I currently have two first-generation prototypes in my possession. If you don’t mind, I can give both of these first-generation prototypes to you. However, I must caution you that the power of these two prototypes is somewhat unstable, so you’ll need to be careful when using them.”

First-generation prototypes. Hearing this, Qing Mu recalled the KickHopper Zecter and PunchHopper Zecter used by the Hell Brothers in the world of Kabuto.

In the world of Kabuto, the Rider systems were categorized into three generations. The first generation included the KickHopper Zecter and PunchHopper Zecter used by Yaguruma Sō and Kagami Arata, respectively. These were experimental prototypes with incomplete functionality, lacking even the ability to initiate Full Throttle.

The second generation included the Kabuto Zecter used by Tendō Sōji, TheBee Zecter used by multiple Riders, Sasword Zecter wielded by Goda Takeshi, and the Drake Zecter used by Kazama Daisuke. At this stage, Rider systems had reached a more mature and stable state, with all the essential features fully functional.

The third generation consisted of only one Rider, Gatack Zecter, used by the enigmatic warrior Gatack. As a Rider with the highest base data, Gatack Zecter’s performance was unparalleled, living up to the name of a war god.

Si Mu’s offer of first-generation prototypes certainly intrigued Qing Mu, considering their unique and experimental nature.