Honkai: Star Rail — Kamen Rider!

Zieltworth.

Known as the pure white medical planet, it was also called the Cradle of Rebirth.

This place was like a cradle granting second chances at life. Anyone could gain a second birth here.

But now, the cradle was engulfed in flames of war.

Gigantic weapons fired civilization-destroying beams and missiles toward the silvery-white figures weaving through the sky.

Yet, even these cataclysmic strikes couldn't touch the shimmering white warriors.

They dodged as effortlessly as mosquitoes maxed-out on agility points, deftly guiding missiles into one another.

Even beams strong enough to vaporize bodies were evaded by the narrowest margins.

Weapons capable of unleashing mass destruction in interstellar warfare were utterly useless against these figures.

And behind them stood the one known as Nokiribi.

At this moment, Nokiribi towered before Hoshigaki Sora.

The massive figure loomed like an impenetrable wall, filling the entire field of vision.

Dark crimson flames burned over the armor, seemingly filled with countless voices screaming and mourning in anguish—a profoundly sinister sight.

The Iron Cavalry "Fyrefly" Armor series granted Nokiribi extraordinary advantages, a towering vanguard frame, heavy assault weaponry, incredible agility suited for rapid strikes…

Such powerful advantages concentrated into a single suit were previously unthinkable.

Because those behind the scenes would never allow the Fyrefly Armor—no, would never allow these suicide warriors—to wield something this effective.

They feared rebellion, terrified these armors might turn on them. Thus, every advantage was deliberately split across multiple suits.

Even if combining their strengths would eliminate the universe-plaguing Swarm more effectively, they refused.

Why choose ease, when they could throw more disposable lives at the problem? To those decision-makers, these warriors weren't lives at all—

Just numbers produced solely for suicide missions against the Swarm.

This perspective hadn't changed at all, even after hundreds of Amber Eras.

They remained trapped either within fabricated illusions or reduced to experimental hosts after capture.

That was precisely why Nokiribi had chosen this path.

Facing Nokiribi now was a suit of pure white armor, a minimalist sun emblem etched upon its chest.

"Are you really planning to challenge me with that armor?" Nokiribi asked incredulously, sizing up Sora standing before him.

"With the output of your suit, you can barely achieve a tenth—no, even a hundredth of mine."

Nokiribi regarded Sora's armor carefully. At maximum power, Sora's Kamen Rider Ixa could just barely destroy and permanently kill a True Sting.

Yet Nokiribi's suit achieved that feat effortlessly, even in its most basic attacks.

Ixa's peak energy output scarcely reached even one percent of his own armor's capacity.

"You're just rushing to your death," Nokiribi stated flatly, as though simply observing a fact.

Sora's response, however, was far simpler.

"Hmph." He chuckled lightly, eyes calmly gazing at the towering, imposing armor without fear.

"Who can say something's impossible without even trying?"

Even if the difference in power was immense, Sora wasn't someone who'd give up without at least attempting the challenge.

The anchor-shaped faceplate slowly unfolded, revealing crimson eyes beneath.

Grasping [Ixa Calibur] tightly, Sora crouched slightly, preparing himself.

"Hotaru, is that really you? Once I knock you down, everything will become clear."

In the next instant, strength surged through his legs. Sora launched forward as a streak of silver-white brilliance, racing through the corridor.

Seeing Sora's charge, Nokiribi lowered their massive frame slightly, as if sighing.

Then they counterattacked, meeting Sora's silver-white rush head-on.

Conventional logic dictated that such an immense figure would inevitably move slowly.

But Nokiribi's armor defied all expectations—its colossal body moved with astounding speed.

Yet, when confronting Sora's charge, Nokiribi reached out not with a clenched fist, but an open hand, aiming to catch Sora.

The motion was swift, but still predictable to Sora.

In fact…

An open hand? Aren't they underestimating me too much?

In an instant, Sora recognized countless flaws in Nokiribi's posture.

With that many openings, using just a palm to restrain him was pure arrogance.

So, he decided to play along.

Facing the approaching crimson iron claw, Sora neither dodged nor retreated, rushing headlong forward.

It looked as if he were recklessly seeking death.

Yet, right before impact, Sora abruptly stomped on the ground.

CRACK!

The floor fractured beneath him as he vaulted upward, landing deftly on the corridor wall.

Then, pivoting again, he stomped down on Nokiribi's outstretched arm.

Nokiribi never imagined Sora could maneuver this adeptly in mere moments.

Unfortunately, such acrobatics had limited utility.

Nokiribi instantly understood Sora's intent—using their body weight to destabilize them through their hand.

But this Fyrefly Armor had withstood assaults from the Swarm. Sora's weight was trivial, insignificant against its strength.

Though Sora used his arm as a springboard, they'd placed themself directly within reach of Nokiribi's other hand.

The armor didn't sway even slightly, instead swiftly countering Sora's attack from above with its free hand.

If that blow landed, the fragile Ixa Armor wouldn't withstand the tremendous impact.

A strike capable of tearing apart True Stings—even without its full force—was beyond Sora's ability to withstand.

Yet, this was precisely what Sora intended!

As the second hand came rushing from the side, Sora once again kicked off its open palm!

Using the force to propel himself, he landed neatly against the opposite wall.

Now, Nokiribi's arms were crossed, briefly immobilized, unable to immediately counterattack.

And thus…

"Never underestimate human ingenuity!"

Using every aspect of his environment was exactly how he intended to overcome strength with strategy.

Hearing these words, Nokiribi quickly turned—only to find a crimson blade descending toward him.

As the sword approached, flames erupted from Nokiribi's body, engulfing them completely.