Chapter 179: Respect for

Ye Xuan didn’t even turn his gaze, only flicked his hand casually backward.

“Hum!”

The space shuddered under unbearable strain, and the three figures vanished instantly from their spot.

When vision cleared again, biting cold wind laced with snow and ice struck their faces; the majestic Kunlun Mountains stretched endlessly to the horizon, their ancient peaks blanketed in eternal snow.

Though the King’s Drama never showed King Demons’ ability to do this, for King Demons, who commands time and space, shifting locations was nothing but trivial.

“Come back, Woz.”

The calm command carried undeniable authority.

“Yes, Demon King.”

Woz bowed deeply, his form dissolving into a stream of data that returned to the watch face.

Atop the snowy peak now stood only the black-and-gold armor, its crimson compound eyes gazing down at the magenta rider, the churning sea of clouds bowing beneath King Demons’ feet, as if all heaven and earth echoed the will of the supreme king.

“Is it really still necessary to continue?”

Kamen Rider Decade’s eyelid twitched slightly—not from fear, but because this being who casually shifted space and summoned Woz to celebrate him didn’t look at all like a “weakened” King Demons.

Meanwhile, he himself, as Kamen Rider Decade, had been stripped of power more than once.

If they truly fought, wouldn’t he get utterly crushed?

“What, scared?”

The same question came again from Ye Xuan’s mouth.

“A little.”

To everyone’s surprise, Kamen Rider Decade nodded, his tone more honest than ever before.

If Ye Xuan had been even slightly more modest, he’d have gritted his teeth and charged—but summoning Woz to celebrate, casually shifting space? He had zero confidence.

“.”

This time it was Ye Xuan who fell silent, utterly unprepared for Kamen Rider Decade’s sudden surrender.

Where’s the boldness you had in your youth?

Where’s the authority you showed when you scolded Tokiwa Sougo on the King’s Drama set?

Just gone like that?

But he himself didn’t know what to say either—after all, his original intention really was to recreate King Demons’ scene of one punch, one boss.

How isn’t “The Destroyer of Worlds” a boss?

In another movie, he was the head of the Shocker organization.

But since Kamen Rider Decade didn’t want to fight, he’d have to try another way—and fortunately, that way was quite interesting.

“Then fight him.”

Ye Xuan suddenly raised his hand and snatched a magenta watch from thin air.

“In the Rider world, you’re unique—no matter who summons you, whether King Chronos or King Demons, only you will appear.”

“But this King Demons armor I wear isn’t from your world.”

Ye Xuan offered a knowing smile.

Kamen Rider Decade was unique in his Rider world; no parallel counterparts existed, so even if summoned by King Chronos or King Demons, it would still be him.

But he was different—this King Demons armor was a manifestation of the Rat Talisman’s power; though it possessed identical abilities to King Demons, its core essence still belonged to the Rat Talisman.

The one he summoned was still Kamen Rider Decade—but not the one standing before him.

Kamen Rider Decade’s pupils shrank sharply:

“Hey, you’re not thinking…”

Ye Xuan pressed the central button on the watch.

【Decade (Diji)!】

A torrent of magenta energy surged forth, coalescing into form upon the snow; when the light faded, another figure stood stunned in the center—wearing a black suit with a pink shirt underneath.

The newly appeared Kamen Rider Decade looked around in confusion, until his gaze landed on the King Demons before him and…

“Hm?”

He stared at the Kamen Rider Decade before him, frowning deeply.

He’d encountered many Riders traveling through dimensions, stolen from many—but never once had someone stolen his identity.

Now, someone dared to steal it right to his face?

Utterly backwards.

The face beneath the armor of the original Kamen Rider Decade was a masterpiece of shock.

He actually summoned another me?!

But aren’t you just a little too sadistic?

Because I refused to fight you in King Demons form, you just summoned another me to fight him?

“Was the purpose of summoning me because of this guy?”

The new Kamen Rider Decade turned toward King Demons, speaking casually, then glancing sideways at the magenta armor.

“You could easily handle him, right?”

“I don’t think a fake could pose any threat to you.”

“Fake?”

The Kamen Rider Decade beneath the armor snapped back:

“Who are you calling a fake?”

After seeing another version of himself, this guy instantly assumed the other was the counterfeit?

Never once considered he himself might be the fake?

So arrogant it made him furious!

“What, upset I called you a fake?”

The new Kamen Rider Decade sneered.

“A pirated copy doesn’t deserve to be mentioned alongside the original?”

“Still, you even copied my voice perfectly—how hard you must’ve worked, pirated gentleman.”

“Click!”

Veins bulged on Kamen Rider Decade’s forehead—this fake not only turned the tables and claimed to be the real one, but dared to be this insolent?!

Just from this alone, it was clear who the fake was!

“You bastard, exactly what—”

Before Kamen Rider Decade could finish, the “new Kamen Rider Decade” suddenly brightened his eyes—somehow, the magenta driver was already fastened to his waist, cutting him off mid-sentence.

“I’m just a passing Kamen Rider.”

“Remember this!”

“Henshin!”

【KAMENRIDE!】

【Decade (Diji)!】

Several phantom images flashed into existence; torrents of energy surged forth—and when the light faded, two identical Kamen Riders stood facing each other on the snowy peak.

But…

“Who the hell asked you who you are?!”

Kamen Rider Decade shouted, pointing his Card Sword directly at the other.

You’re acting like “I’m just a passing Kamen Rider”? Who asked for your backstory?!

I wanted to ask, “When the hell are you going to face reality”?

The more he thought about it, the angrier he got; his fists clenched, his face beneath the armor burning with rage.

No.

Just hearing “I’m just a passing Kamen Rider” from a pirated version made him furious.

Even if it was another version of himself, right now he only wanted to punch it.

He couldn’t beat King Demons—but surely he could handle a pirated copy of himself?

Let this bastard see the difference between the real thing and the fake!

“Hah!”

Kamen Rider Decade lunged forward, his Card Sword slashing down in a direct strike—the “new Kamen Rider Decade” seemed to have anticipated it, swinging his own sword to meet it.

“Clang!”

The moment the two Card Swords collided, blinding sparks exploded across the snow.

“Pirated copies are always pirated copies—did you really think stealing my power somehow lets you stand against King Demons?”

“The title ‘Destroyer of Worlds’ isn’t something just anyone can earn.”

The new Kamen Rider Decade sneered, tone laced with disdain.

Still, he was slightly surprised by the opponent’s strength—his power was evenly matched.

“You really dare say that.”

“Anyone who doesn’t know would think you can actually beat King Demons!”

Kamen Rider Decade scoffed—Swalz, who stole his power, had only received one kick.

“At least I’m better than you!”

The new Kamen Rider Decade swung his sword again, attacking.

Two crimson figures clashed fiercely atop the snowy peak, sparks from their sword collisions blooming like fireworks.

Not far away, a black-and-gold throne had silently materialized behind Ye Xuan; he leaned back lazily, fingers tapping the armrest, his crimson compound eyes glinting with amusement.

Kamen Rider versus Kamen Rider, Kamen Rider Monotaro versus Kamen Rider Monotaro.

This battle stirred memories in him of a cartoon he once watched called “Divine Weapons Children,” specifically the fight between Nan Gong Wen Tian and his shadow.

Identical people, identical power, identical techniques, both capable of transforming into different forms.

Even their personalities were the same.

In combat experience, neither held a clear advantage over the other.

Who would win—he could not guess.

Of course, if he wished, he could use the power of Feng Mo to see the future directly, but that would be far too boring.

Meanwhile, on the streets of Hangcheng, a girl walked slowly, her right eye—wine-red—half-lidded, curious as she surveyed her surroundings.

She wore a black school uniform jacket, a dark blue pleated skirt revealing a stretch of black tights that accentuated her slender legs; her waterfall-like bangs concealed half her face, her lips pale as newly bloomed cherry petals, her skin so white it seemed nearly translucent, glimmering like pearl under the sunlight.

She radiated a devilish charm that could capture a man with just a single glance.

Passersby unconsciously slowed their steps; men’s gazes clung to her, then hastily looked away when she turned her head slightly; women instinctively stole extra glances—some frowned, some stared blankly—but none could fully tear their eyes away.

She simply strolled on, a faint, unreadable curve on her lips; though aware of the stares, she paid them no mind, as if long accustomed to such attention.

“Strange, yet somehow familiar speech—it seems to come from Daya, perhaps?”

She murmured softly, her voice barely audible even to herself.

“So I’ve come to Daya? But why can I understand their language?”

“No, it’s not just Daya—I’ve arrived in an entirely different world.”

Clear as day, she heard the whispered words of those nearby who secretly watched her.

“That girl looks just like Toki Kyouko—is she a cosplayer? Could she really be Toki Kyouko?”

“She really does look like her, but if there were a cosplayer this convincing, we’d surely have heard of her by now—and she’s wearing that classic Sakura school uniform.”

“Too bad she’s not in her spirit form outfit—that’s the one I think looks best.”

“No, no, that’s not the point! Do you think she might actually be Toki Kyouko?”

“Probably not—no anime character has ever appeared in reality so far.”

“What about the Deep Sea King?”

“Is a weirdo even counted?”

“.”

(End of Chapter)