Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

"Although you and Meikoin Gates are still left, those are minor issues that can be resolved gradually."

That's right, we'll solve it gradually.

However...

With a malicious glare at Woz, a deep purple energy flow appeared on Swartz's hand.

"Now that you have lost your original master, then... this is undoubtedly the best time to get rid of you!"

A dazzling, powerful light suddenly burst forth from Swartz's fingertips.

The radiance transformed into an energy arrow, instantly piercing towards Woz.

In a critical moment, Wozniak simply used his scarf to deflect the beam of light.

But at this moment, a new figure reappeared in front of Swartz.

A cloud of black mist rose up, and then the mist transformed into the figure of a young girl, naturally the girl named Ringo.

She stared coldly at Woz, her entire body surrounded by a purplish-black watch strap, transforming into a dark red form.

"Ghost!"

"It would be incredibly easy to deal with you since you don't have the ability to transform. Today is your death anniversary."

Being able to eliminate one of Zi-O's henchmen at this time would be a very good thing for Swartz.

"go to hell."

The alien Ghost charged forward without hesitation.

This is different from ordinary Another Riders. Although Woz possesses the powerful strength to suppress Another Riders with his physical body alone, he has no way to deal with this enemy who has become extremely strong.

One-hundredth of a second later, Woz's loyal follower will fall to the ground covered in blood, completely lifeless.

—Would it?

BOOM—!!

Instantly, an incredible and terrifying power erupted from Woz's entire body.

"what?!"

In an instant, Swartz's expression turned to utter astonishment.

Because of the aftershocks of that force—the enhanced Ghost was actually blasted away!

Regardless of whether it was in a spirit form or not, after being attacked, the alien Ghost's body kept flashing blue sparks. Its body had been severely attacked and it simply could not continue to withstand the attack.

Swartz couldn't help but stare in shock at the source of the injury.

Golden light enveloped Woz's entire body.

"When...when did you become so strong?!"

In Swartz's understanding, no matter what time period Woz was in, even after transforming, he shouldn't have such a huge power fluctuation.

What exactly happened? No…

Ultimately, in terms of sheer power, this was completely unlike any energy that Swartz had ever seen Woz possess.

Enveloped in golden power, Swartz vaguely saw that the opponent's figure had become invisible and unseen.

"What exactly are you...?"

Uncontrollable questions spilled from his mouth.

"Who exactly are you?"

no respond.

"Woz" slowly raised his hand, and the whole world seemed to be compressed, gradually transforming from a normal dimension into a very strange state in front of Swartz.

No... this is no longer the time to confront this kind of guy head-on!

"Tsk!"

Although he was eager to uncover the truth, Swartz had no desire to take any risks.

He ordered the alien Ghost to unleash a barrage of attacks in their direction, which barely countered the golden light emanating from Woz before the two of them quickly retreated.

When Woz looked ahead again, there was no trace of anyone there.

His expression returned to calm as he caught the book that was slowly floating in mid-air, and the golden light dissipated.

"...They ran away."

A completely different way of speaking than usual.

A golden glint flashed in Wozniak's eyes as he unfolded the book in his hand and carefully examined the contents.

"...As expected of my Demon King, just as I thought, we will soon defeat our opponent and leave that place."

The book records everything that happened to Yan Ming at this very moment.

Even the actions of Yan Ming and Gates, who are not part of this world's history, were recorded by Woz.

"It seems I don't need to worry about anything; I can just continue to do my job well."

"Don't reveal any further power."

So, Woz waved his hand, wrapped the scarf around his body, and disappeared from the spot.

"…Um?"

In a place far removed from this world, beyond countless worlds.

Belial, a powerful being who was one of the kings of demon leaders, immediately invoked the god.

"This feeling, I always feel..."

In that brief moment—

"It gives me a very familiar feeling..."

------------------

Darkness swallowed everything around it.

When Yan Ming came to his senses, it was as if the whole world had turned into boundless darkness, and he had been plunged into darkness as well.

Although it was a space shrouded in darkness, he could indeed feel as if he were touching the ground.

"Is it an alternate dimension, different from the normal dimension?"

It feels like you can breathe here, and the temperature is similar to that of a normal space. The only difference is that it's opaque.

Yan Ming could not sense any light, and he couldn't even see his own five fingers.

However, this state of affairs did not last long.

Then, in a very short instant.

The dark world was instantly reshaped and transformed into vibrant city streets.

"here it is…"

What unfolded before him was a familiar city.

There were airships hovering in mid-air, and automated cleaning robots roaming the streets. Most of the citizens were students, both male and female.

"Academy City?"

Yan Ming stood on the street, looking around with some surprise.

Whether predicting the future or observing the past, he could find no information to prove that this place was not Academy City.

No…no, it shouldn’t be that simple.

First, Yan Ming noticed that although the people around him were no different from those in Academy City, however—

Several pedestrians completely ignored Yan Ming's presence, walking straight past him and disappearing from his path.

It's like I'm a virtual projection.

"Hmph... It's most likely a trick by that Swartz, but it's definitely not something he's capable of doing."

It's neither the power of Another Decade nor the ability of any known Another Rider... Could it be the work of a demon who teamed up with him?

Just as Yan Ming was pondering this, the world's attention seemed to shift to one person.

"From today onwards, you are a member of our Academy City."

All the voices faded away as if receding, leaving only one sentence in Yan Ming's ears.

The streetscape changed, eventually transforming into the view in front of a luxurious house.

A boy with brown hair stood there, probably only seven or eight years old.

The boy looked confused, while some brightly dressed men and women smiled at him and spoke gently to him.

"But... Uncle and Aunt Researchers, haven't I already been a member of this city for a long time?"

"No, Kakine-kun, that only means you've simply moved into this city."

The bespectacled man chuckled, stroking his head.

"Now that you've joined our family, you'll be able to truly be considered a part of this city by working with us to do things that benefit all aspects of it."

"is that so…"

"That's right, you are a hero of our Academy City, practically our indispensable savior!"

"Don't say that, I'm very shy..."

The brown-haired boy scratched his head somewhat embarrassedly.

Yan Ming, however, clearly saw that both the man and the woman had unpleasant smiles on their faces.

The scene shifts again.

"here it is…?"

"From today onwards, Kakine-kun, this will be where you live."

Empty facilities, a massive research institute.

Looking bewildered, Kakine Teitoku followed the two people who brought him inside. He saw the adults having a heated discussion and also saw many children of similar age to him.

"These people will be your companions from now on, so you must get along well with them."

"But Auntie, Uncle...where will you go next?"

"Don't worry, Kakine-kun. We'll come to visit you every now and then. And remember to listen to the researchers!"

Without giving the other party a moment to react, the man and woman left under the boy's gaze.

"So, the amount will be the same as previously arranged, right?"

"Yes, yes, it's very kind of you two to find such great material for us."

In the shadows, the researchers handed over the pre-prepared cards containing a large sum of money to the man and woman.

"In exchange, we'll take the child."

"Materials for a Level 5 Level 5 Esper in Academy City... How exciting!"

"Hehe, it's nothing! Making so much money from just one kid is a real windfall for us!"

"That's exactly what I mean. I hope they can find us again in the future. We love making big money by trading lost children!"

So the boy was sold.

In the boy's hazy understanding, his future living environment would completely transform into this research institute.

…But this was not the kind of place he had imagined.

"What are you going to do to my friends? They're already so badly injured!"

"No! Don't come any closer! A superpowered person? I... I really don't have that kind of talent!!"

"Ah...no, don't die...you can't use them all as experimental subjects just because you want to use me!"

"Why... do you all have to pursue things like superpowers?!"

Year after year, the childhood spent in the research institute has become everything that the boy has experienced up to this point.

The images kept flipping in front of Yan Ming, and the boy witnessed everything.