Honkai: Star Rail — Kamen Rider!

When she opened her eyes, through the glass of the culture pod, she saw several figures nearby, each remarkably similar to herself.

Familiar faces, familiar hair… Though she did not know their names…

She could inexplicably pick out the subtle differences among them.

A strange, powerful feeling welled up in her chest: I must protect them.

And so, she learned everything she could.

Tactical deployments, resource management, personnel organization…

All of this, just to ensure their survival—to help them live safely in this world.

Every time her squad members returned safely from a mission, she felt deep satisfaction.

But all of that had been shattered in an instant.

Yunqing still remembered clearly the scene from days earlier. That crimson figure descending, bringing with it the cruelest truth.

It fell from the heavens, like a meteor crashing into their sanctuary.

Just like that, the meteor destroyed their fragile, beautiful illusion, laying bare the harshest reality.

How tragic. How cruel.

At first, Yunqing believed that the voice guiding them truly had their best interests at heart.

But on that day, she finally saw clearly the devil hidden behind the cold, mechanical voice.

Pain—pain from betrayal.

It was my immaturity that allowed this to happen.

Thus, she resolved to mature, to stand taller, to better protect her people.

"So… you simply blocked out all the voices around you?"

A sudden male voice echoed by Yunqing's ear.

?!

Yunqing startled, looking around, but she saw nothing but endless darkness.

"Haven't you noticed? The voices of those around you have long since disappeared."

"That's impossible, I—" Yunqing immediately tried to refute, but she quickly realized she had heard no other sound for a very long time.

Ever since she had fully concentrated on the battle, aside from this inexplicable voice, there had been no other sound at all.

This isn't right… Why is this happening?

Fang Jue was always the noisiest. She'd instinctively complain whenever orders were issued. Why is it silent now?

And Ling Na would always discuss tactics… Why is she quiet too?

An inexplicable dread seized Yunqing's heart. Only now did she realize she hadn't heard the voices of her companions for far too long.

"Where are you? Where have you gone?"

The fear of loss overwhelmed her. She reached out desperately but grasped nothing but emptiness.

"Where did you all go? Don't leave me behind…"

The surrounding darkness deepened, threatening to swallow Yunqing whole, drowning her in waves of nothingness.

Yet, just as the darkness was about to devour her completely, a beam of golden light suddenly broke through, cutting through the shadows.

Following this single, radiant beam, Yunqing slowly lifted her head.

"This is…"

A figure glowing brilliantly with golden light broke through the darkness above, hurtling towards her swiftly.

Behind him, those golden tendrils looked like radiant wings, sweeping away all darkness around them.

"Then… allow me to become your companion."

As though carrying this singular promise, he streaked downward, rushing toward her from above.

Watching that golden silhouette, Yunqing instinctively reached out her hand.

Is this… my salvation?

In the next instant, golden brilliance enveloped her completely.

'[Full Throttle]!'

'[Heart]!'

"HAH—!!"

Shining with brilliant golden light, Sora drove a powerful kick straight into the center of the colossal flame-wreathed figure.

Golden tendrils surged protectively around him, his radiant glow dispersing the crimson flames completely.

BOOM!

His kick connected directly with the deepest, reddest core, the origin and heart of all the flames.

Creak—

The metallic screech of twisting armor filled the air as Sora pressed forward relentlessly.

Fyrefly armor contorted violently, revealing its wearer inside.

Through the twisted gaps of armor, someone stood silently, head bowed low.

Just as Sora finally cracked the armor, that figure slowly lifted her head, seemingly sensing his presence.

Her eyes were utterly empty—only darkness dwelled there.

But the moment Sora appeared before her, a faint glimmer sparked within her lifeless gaze.

"HA!"

With a fierce shout, Sora burst straight through from the center!

Under the influence of his [Super-Heavy Acceleration], armor fragments floated gently around him. And in his arms, he carried a dazed, limp figure.

Yet none of this slowed his rapid descent, a golden comet streaking toward the earth.

Without Yunqing at the core, the Fyrefly armors that had begun fusing rapidly collapsed and scattered.

Flames dissipated, revealing the mass of unconscious Iron Cavalry soldiers piled within.

At the very center lay an empty, hollow suit.

Its former occupant, Yunqing, now rested securely in Sora's arms as they carved a long trench across the ground.

She remained stunned, just barely having regained consciousness, still uncertain of what had just transpired.

But the slowly disintegrating mass behind her, and the man holding her tightly while breathing heavily, told her everything she needed to know.

Someone had saved her.

Someone had chosen to rescue her—a manufactured tool who had known only betrayal.

"Aren't… aren't you one of Serus' men?" Yunqing murmured blankly.

But immediately she realized her question was foolish. Serus would never show compassion. If this man saved her, he couldn't possibly belong to Serus.

Then… who exactly was he?

"Of course not."

"Then… who are you?"

"Someone who wants to be your friend. Nothing more."

Sora gently placed Yunqing onto the ground. Immediately, the effects of [Super-Heavy Acceleration] took hold of her, rooting her in place.

"Wait here for a moment—I'll be right back."

Yunqing watched, bewildered, as Sora soared back into the sky, carefully catching and lowering each unconscious comrade safely onto the ground.

Staring at his figure as he moved, Yunqing found herself oddly drawn to the strange armor encasing his form—particularly those two horns on his head.

I wonder what they feel like… I really want to reach out and touch them…

A strange anticipation blossomed quietly in her heart.

---

"I never thought… he'd actually manage it."

Yingzhu stared, utterly astonished, watching as Sora gently placed each unconscious Iron Cavalry soldier onto the ground.

With this, the battle had officially ended—119 Iron Cavalry soldiers against Sora alone.

And Sora had emerged completely victorious.

Moreover, Yunqing was the only Iron Cavalry still conscious by the end. All the others had fallen unconscious.

It was a thoroughly overwhelming victory, dispelling any lingering doubts.

A result no one could have imagined before the battle began.

Of course, Yingzhu had considered from the start the possibility of Sora's victory, and had even thought it likely.

But never did she imagine he would achieve it so effortlessly, so completely.

These 119 Iron Cavalry soldiers could annihilate swarms numbering thousands. Yet now, they couldn't even match Sora alone.

Though his victory involved the special slowing field he'd deployed, only once had they managed to corner him—and just barely.

Just one moment of real danger, meaning he'd practically dominated the entire fight.

But this wasn't a bad thing.

Watching Sora's powerful form, Yingzhu felt unprecedented peace in her heart.

The stronger Sora was, the more likely he could fulfill the goal he'd set. If he kept moving forward…

"Maybe… you really can accomplish what you promised."

But her own decision might not represent everyone else's.

"Yet one last obstacle still remains."

The one who shattered their beautiful illusion. The one who embodied all the cruelty their people had suffered from past to present.

Nokiribi.

Yet even if Sora ultimately fell to Nokiribi, Yingzhu's decision was clear.

"Even if everyone else rejects you, I'll stay by your side."

Through actions alone, Sora had proven he deserved their trust.

He had declared he'd fight alone, and he truly did so, boldly confronting the entire Iron Cavalry force on his own.

Because of that, even if Nokiribi led most of their people away, Yingzhu and Chenyu would surely remain by Sora's side.

Moreover, others were watching this battle closely as well.

"Let me witness your gallant fight once more," Yingzhu whispered, feeling an excitement she hadn't experienced in a long time.

She even considered recording this scene, to broadcast it across the galaxy later. Surely then, Sora's name would become widely known!

---

After carefully tending to each unconscious Iron Cavalry soldier, Sora found the source of the chaos.

A dark crimson cicada-like device embedded in an armor's hand—its ominous hue immediately reminded him of his previous, painful mistake.

So it's just you left.

He grasped the device carefully.

However, unexpectedly, this seemed to activate it.

Within the [Super-Heavy Acceleration] field, the cicada-shaped device suddenly burst into flames, carrying Sora straight upward!

In mere moments, it flew over a hundred meters, delivering him directly to the platform atop the tower.

There, a girl with dark crimson hair calmly awaited him.

"It's been a long time, Hotaru."

Breaking free of the cicada device that brought him, Sora stepped onto the platform.

The cicada circled once before landing softly in the girl's hand.

"If you've come to stop me, there's nothing more we need to say."

Flames engulfed her, and a towering, familiar figure emerged from within them.

Sora faced Nokiribi.

Second round.