Orphnoch

"Kiba, according to what you said, Orphnochs are actually a new species evolved from humans. In my eyes, they are just another form of humanity."

"I think so too. Orphnochs and humans are not incapable of peaceful coexistence; both sides have the foundation for it."

Wasn't this just like Agito? They were also evolved humans, yet possessing power had caused a portion of the powerful Orphnochs to lose their way.

Therefore, the Orphnochs of Smart Brain simply wanted to use their power to rule the world, no different from dictators in human history.

It was just that the individuals instigating the war possessed superhuman power.

Looking at Kiba Yuji, who wanted to realize the ideal of coexistence between humans and Orphnochs, Hozer ruthlessly shattered his naivety.

"Kiba, although I admire your thinking, this ideal of yours is impossible to achieve."

"Why!"

Kiba Yuji couldn't accept this. He had thought Hozer would agree with him.

Well, Hozer did sympathize, he just believed it was unfeasible.

"Because the power is unequal."

"Power... is unequal?"

"Yes. Although Orphnochs evolved from humans, dividing them into two species is not wrong. Currently, there are only slightly over two thousand humans left in the world, while the rest are Orphnochs. They hold more military power and more living resources. A single large purge could wipe out all of humanity. Once that happens, only Orphnochs will remain, and humans will be gone. How will you achieve this ideal then?"

The brutal truth left Kiba Yuji somewhat dazed. Osada Yuka looked at him worriedly, also finding it strange why the usually talkative Kaido Naoya was so quiet right now, and couldn't help but look over.

"Naoya, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing, I found him too noisy, so I just held him back."

Seeing his small action discovered, Hozer immediately released his restraint on Kaido Naoya.

"You bastard!"

Kaido Naoya, who had been controlled like a puppet, was furious. The moment he was freed, he transformed directly into his Snake Orphnoch form, throwing a punch at Hozer's shoulder.

Before Kiba Yuji and Osada Yuka could stop him, Hozer didn't even lift a finger. With just a glance, telekinetic power surged, restraining Kaido Naoya once more.

"This is the inequality of power. I represent the Orphnochs, and he is a human. I don't know why Smart Brain hasn't completely wiped out the remaining humans—perhaps to increase the population of their species or something—but in reality, you never stood a chance of resisting."

Hozer looked toward Kaido Naoya.

"Calm down. You can speak. Once you've calmed down, let me know."

"..."

"Naoya."

"Fine, I get it. I won't attack again."

The telekinesis receded, and Kaido Naoya reverted to his human form. Although he still looked at Hozer with annoyance, he obediently walked behind Kiba Yuji, making no further aggressive moves.

"Hozer, I still want to try."

After a moment of confusion, Kiba Yuji raised his head, his eyes fixed on Hozer with determination, a fire seemingly burning within them.

"Suit yourself."

The necessary advice had been given. Hozer had never considered himself a savior. The situation of humans in this world was dire to the extreme, unless...

Parting ways with Kiba Yuji's group, Hozer walked toward a human resistance base on the other side of the slums.

The soldiers guarding the outside were knocked out by currents discharged by Hozer. He walked unhindered all the way to the door of the largest tin shack.

His purpose in coming here was to meet the only Kamen Rider Kaixa in the human resistance, a user named Kusaka Masato.

During his conversation with Kiba Yuji's group, Hozer discovered they didn't particularly like this person either.

According to Kiba Yuji, ordinary humans couldn't use that belt, whereas any Orphnoch could.

This restriction... made it hard not to overthink.

At the same time, the term "Kamen Rider" caught Hozer's attention.

He had basically confirmed that the worlds of Godai Yusuke and Tsugami Shoichi were also Kamen Rider worlds, and he was constantly traversing space-time tunnels to land in worlds that all had Kamen Riders.

Thus, it could be understood that the space-time containing these countless Kamen Rider worlds was one region, while his original world was another.

And within both regions, there were countless parallel worlds of a similar nature.

Hozer had originally planned to return to his old world to take a look once he gained a certain level of power, but given the current situation, the difficulty of returning was likely higher than anticipated by more than just one level.

His thoughts wandered slightly until Hozer pushed open the door and was snapped back to reality by a loud shout.

"Who are you?"

The sound of guns cocking echoed in his ears. Hozer regained his composure and looked at the people in the room.

A girl wearing a gray coat and shorts, looking slender and cute, must be the Sonoda Mari Kiba Yuji had mentioned. Beside her was Keitaro Kikuchi, who didn't look particularly bright.

As for the group pointing guns at him, the leader was a young man with a fierce gaze and a white band wrapped around his forehead. If he wasn't mistaken, this was Mizuhara.

A rebel officer with a very strong and impulsive personality, who frequently argued with Sonoda Mari.

Hozer paid no heed to these guns, spotting Kusaka Masato sitting lazily behind the crowd in an instant.

Nothing else; only he was the most relaxed and confident here.

And this state, most of the time, appeared in the strong.

In a crowd of ordinary people, even if they all had guns, a Kamen Rider was undoubtedly the strong one.

Everyone here, except for Kusaka Masato who looked slightly better, had pale faces and thin bodies. No need to look at other aspects; this point alone was enough to know their lives were not easy.

"Kusaka Masato?"

"Are you looking for me?"

"Yes, I heard you are Kamen Rider Kaixa."

"An Orphnoch?"

"No, I have no ill intent. I just came to take a look."

The armed crowd: ...

There are guards outside, yet you silently pushed the door and walked in. Who would believe you have no ill intent?

Moreover, what place is this? Look at the clothes on your body. Do you dare say you're not an Orphnoch?

Ignoring the crowd's hostility, Hozer walked up to Kusaka Masato and extended his hand.

A handshake?

Kusaka Masato's gaze lowered, but not wanting to lose momentum, he also reached out his hand.

The two briefly shook hands, and Hozer took the opportunity to probe his body.

After letting go, he immediately understood why Kusaka could transform.

Orphnoch cells. There were Orphnoch cells in Kusaka Masato's body, which explained why he could use the Kamen Rider belt that only Orphnochs could operate.

And with such a restriction, unless Hozer also absorbed this type of cell, he wouldn't be able to use the Kaixa belt.

However, with three transformation devices currently in his pocket, Hozer didn't think much about the Kaixa belt.

Having learned Kusaka Masato's secret, Hozer prepared to leave. Mizuhara was about to shout to stop him, but the figure before them suddenly vanished without a trace.

This bizarre occurrence startled the crowd, who immediately searched the surroundings, but in vain.

"That guy is definitely an Orphnoch! How could an ordinary person do that? We've been exposed!"

Although Mizuhara's attitude displeased Sonoda Mari, his words made sense.

Only an Orphnoch could do such a thing, so their location was no longer safe.

Thus, after a brief discussion, they decided to change locations immediately, but right at that moment, Kiba Yuji's group arrived.