Starting with Firefly, Speedrunning the World — Section 43

"And we, the Stellaron Hunters, went against the current, hunting down and collecting these dangerous things."

Of course, Firefly did not mention how they used Stellarons to achieve some of their own goals.

Still, although the Stellaron Hunters' actions might carry a certain degree of danger or destructiveness, they were not purely evil.

They set rules to protect certain individuals. In short, they were complex and multifaceted.

"So that's what the Stellaron Hunters are?!"

They sounded like chivalrous warriors traveling the universe, hunting down and containing those dangerous Stellarons.

Stellarons could destroy worlds.

That was truly terrifying!

Kurama Neon's expression suddenly changed. Since Firefly and the others were Stellaron Hunters and had come to Earth, didn't that mean...

"Firefly, does a Stellaron exist in our world too?"

"Um... yes."

Originally, there had not been one, but Firefly thought of the sealed Stellaron within her.

Now, there was.

"What?!"

Kurama Neon was startled. This world actually had one too.

Something as dangerous as a Stellaron!

"You don't need to worry. Under normal circumstances, this Stellaron won't cause any trouble."

"It has already been sealed."

"Rather than worrying about the Stellaron, you should be more worried about Desire Grand Prix Operations. When the finale game begins, they will initiate a doomsday countdown."

"If they aren't stopped, the world will be destroyed all the same."

The Stellaron was in her hands. As long as Firefly did not take it out, there would be no danger.

Unless things truly reached an extreme point, and she had no choice but to take out the Stellaron and blow up with them, destroying everyone together!

Doomsday Mode

"The Stellaron has already been sealed? That's good!"

After learning about the dangers of Stellarons, Kurama Neon was still somewhat worried.

But since it had been sealed, there presumably would not be any major problems.

Only...

"What is this finale? Doomsday?"

The people from Desire Grand Prix Operations were going to destroy this world?

The news made her nervous. Wasn't the Desire Grand Prix a reality show? Though it was a reality show run by people from the future, destroying the world was far too outrageous.

"That is very likely."

"When the Kamen Rider reality show ends in this world, Desire Grand Prix Operations will use the entire world as the price for a doomsday finale."

"These people from the future have never cared whether this world lived or died. They have destroyed more than one world, so we must stop them."

Firefly seemed to have no doubt that once the Statue of the Goddess of Creation had little Creation power left, Desire Grand Prix Operations would squeeze every last bit of value out of her.

Before leaving, they might even stage a doomsday game—the finale of this season for the people of the future, with this world as the stage.

Then they would move on to another world and continue the new Desire Grand Prix.

Starting a new season.

That was what they had done in the original story as well. Suel, the original founder of Desire Grand Prix Operations, had always catered to viewers who enjoyed excitement and destruction.

"They're absolutely awful!"

"They'd destroy the world over something like this!"

After learning about the finale's doomsday mode, Kurama Neon was furious. Using the world as a stage to entertain themselves was one thing, but they even intended to destroy it.

That was simply too vile. It absolutely could not be allowed.

"They're people from the future, yet they use their advanced technology to destroy the past. I can't understand it!"

They had come from the future and returned to the past, yet instead of helping the people of the past, they wanted to destroy them. Kurama Neon could not understand.

"In that case, they can no longer be called human. They are merely data-based lifeforms."

"Besides, the people of the future are separated from this era by far too much time. It's like people today returning to prehistoric times and facing primitive humans or dinosaurs."

"In that situation, would they still care?"

Firefly understood the thoughts of those people from the future very well.

They might once have been human, but from the moment they abandoned their physical bodies, they became fundamentally different! They never regarded the humans of this era as their own kind.

Moreover, in the eyes of many people from the future, the world's destruction was inevitable.

If that was the case, then it made no difference whether it was destroyed sooner or later. Nor did it matter whether it was destroyed by others or by their own hands!

"But I still can't accept that."

Listening to Firefly, Kurama Neon roughly understood what those people from the future were thinking, but she would never approve of it.

"Our world isn't theirs to decide. We have to drive them—the Desire Grand Prix Operations—out of our world. So... is there anything I can help with next?"

Kurama Neon looked utterly serious.

She had already joined Firefly and the others, so she had to do something for this world too. She wasn't talking about saving the world or anything—at the very least, she should do what she was supposed to do!

"Uh, for now, Neon, just stay as you are. We'll let you know if we need anything."

After thinking about it, there didn't seem to be anything Firefly needed Kurama Neon to help with.

Firefly only had one thought: as long as Kurama Neon did not become her enemy or draw her blade against her, she did not need anything else from her.

As for the location of the Desire Grand Prix, it was no longer that important now that Firefly had obtained the Vision Driver.

"Just that? All right, then."

That answer immediately deflated Kurama Neon. Just staying as she was...

She had wanted to do more.

"If possible, please keep the Stellaron Hunters and what we discussed today confidential. It's not suitable for other people to know yet."

Thinking of something, Firefly still gave her a reminder.

Even if others found out, the impact would not be that great. She could handle it.

But it was still best not to let too many people know. That would be more beneficial for her.

"Don't worry. I definitely won't go around telling people."

Hearing Firefly's words, Kurama Neon patted her chest and promised. Something as secretive as the Stellaron Hunters— even if Firefly had not reminded her, she would not casually tell anyone.

With their conversation more or less finished, Kurama Neon finally got up from the living room and headed to her bedroom.

There were still some things she had not put away, and since she had not been here for several days, she needed to tidy up as well.

However, not long after, Kurama Neon's voice suddenly rang out loudly.

"Ah!"

"Y-you, who are you?!"

"..."

"Firefly, why is there another person in the house?!"

Along with her shout, Kurama Neon hurriedly ran out, pointing at Herta, who had just appeared. She looked utterly confused.

She did not remember there being any other residents here. It had clearly only been her and Firefly. She had only been gone for a few days, yet there was suddenly another beautiful girl in the house?

"Oh, I forgot to introduce her. This is Herta."

Only then did Firefly realize it. She had talked too much with Kurama Neon earlier and forgotten to tell her about Herta.

Previously, Herta had been dormant in the system space, but now she had been staying outside.

"Herta? When did she get here?"

Looking at the Lolita-clad girl before her, Kurama Neon felt that something was a little strange.

For some reason, she also felt slightly uncomfortable inside, as though someone was about to steal her favorite toy.

"Probably... these past few days..."

"These past few days, huh."

Exactly while she had been away.

"Hello, Miss Herta."

"Um... I'm Kurama Neon. It's nice to meet you."

Countless thoughts ran through her mind, but Kurama Neon still put on an enthusiastic front.

However, Herta's reaction left her stunned.

"I know."

Herta glanced at Kurama Neon and responded only with that before ignoring her and turning away to attend to her own business.

As an artificial intelligence, she was quite capable when it came to handling other matters, but she did not possess even basic human social etiquette.

"Huh?"

Herta's reaction left Kurama Neon dumbfounded, and for a moment, she did not know what to say.

"Sorry, Neon, don't mind her. I forgot to mention it—Herta isn't human. She's a puppet with artificial intelligence."