Chapter 32: Knight 555 World – The Mission: Eliminate Kageyama Saeko

In the Grand Palace of Zeno, a familiar sight played out yet again.

Every time Jack opened the Thug System Group Chat, he would find messages flooding in from members all across the multiverse, all asking the same thing:

> "When will the next mission appear?"

As the leader of the Thug Group, one might think Jack had control over such things. But in truth, the timing of the missions wasn't up to him. It was dictated by the mysterious Employers of the Heavens, powerful beings across different worlds who had their own reasons for issuing quests.

Still, Jack couldn't help but feel a little excited when a new mission notification finally popped up.

> Ding! A new mission has been issued!

Jack raised an eyebrow with interest. "Huh? A new mission? I wonder who the employer is this time… and which world they're from."

Without hesitation, he accepted the task.

> "Mission accepted."

A projection appeared before him, flickering into motion like a cinematic scene. In the image, a young woman dressed in white was desperately running through a darkened urban area. Behind her, a monstrous creature gave chase, its twisted form gaining on her with every step.

Jack's eyes narrowed. "Wait a second… these two look familiar."

He dug through his memory. As he stared at the fleeing girl and the creature behind her, the realization hit him like a thunderbolt.

"That's… Yuka Nagata from Kamen Rider 555! And the monster chasing her—that's Kageyama Saeko! One of the Orphnochs!"

Jack couldn't believe it. Memories of watching Kamen Rider 555 as a kid flooded back. He had been deeply moved by Yuka's character—gentle, kind, and tragically beautiful. She had become a fan-favorite in the real world, with many calling her the "ultimate waifu."

But her end had always left a bitter taste in Jack's mouth.

She died unfairly—powerless and hunted. After being experimented on by humans, Yuka lost her Orphnoch powers and was no longer able to defend herself. That left her vulnerable, and Kageyama Saeko hunted her down.

Her death had become a turning point in the story. Her partner and close friend, Yuji Kiba, had always stood for coexistence between humans and Orphnochs. But Yuka's demise convinced him that humanity was beyond redemption. He fell into darkness, becoming one of the main antagonists later in the story.

Jack remembered it vividly.

Yuka, cornered and helpless.

Yuji, overcome with rage and grief.

Takuya, the beach guardian, meeting his end at Yuji's hands.

It was a tragedy that had always stuck with him.

But now… things could change.

Unexpectedly, Yuka Nagata had become an Employer. She had sent out a distress call through the Heavens, triggering a new mission in the Thug Group. And the mission was clear:

> "Save Yuka Nagata and eliminate Kageyama Saeko."

At this moment in the scene, Yuka was running out of strength. Her breathing was ragged, her steps unsteady. She had just enough remnants of her Orphnoch experience to survive this long—but it was only a matter of time before Saeko caught up.

Eventually, Yuka stumbled into a narrow alleyway and collapsed behind an old man holding a cellphone. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked at her device, desperately trying to send one last message before the end.

And then, just as all hope seemed lost…

A voice echoed in her mind.

> "It looks like you're in danger. Do you need help?"

Yuka froze. The voice was warm, calm, and completely unexpected.

"Who… who's there?" she asked, breathless.

> "I am someone who can help. You're being hunted, and I can assist you."

"Help… me?" Her voice trembled.

> "Yes. I can help you escape—and stop the one chasing you."

Her heart pounded in her chest. "Can you really save me?"

> "Only if you truly want to be saved."

Yuka closed her eyes, thinking of her friends, of Yuji, of all the pain she had endured. "Yes! I want to live!"

> Ding! Mission confirmed. Save Yuka Nagata and defeat Kageyama Saeko.

---

Back in the Zeno Palace, Jack smiled as the system processed the mission.

Taking down Kageyama Saeko wasn't going to be a big challenge—not for the Thug Group.

While Orphnochs were powerful within the Kamen Rider 555 universe, in the grander multiversal scale, they were fairly weak. Members of the Thug Group included warriors like Goku, Saitama, Whitebeard, and even beings like Beerus and Madara. Compared to them, an Orphnoch was no more threatening than a mid-level mob.

But this time, Jack wasn't planning to assign the mission to anyone else.

Krillin's recent power-up had sparked something in him. Watching the once sidelined human join the ranks of the strong had reminded Jack of something important:

He wanted to fight too.

He wasn't just a system administrator or mission dispatcher. He was the leader of the Thug Group. What kind of leader had never taken on a mission himself?

Besides, back in his original world, Jack's luck had always been miserable. He could never win a raffle, never pull a rare item from a gacha draw. But now, in this strange world governed by fate, he had been chosen—wasn't that proof that his luck had changed?

So, this time…

> "I'll handle this one personally."

The moment Jack accepted the mission, a glowing portal opened in front of him. Without hesitation, he stepped through it and vanished.

---

If the Grand Priest or King Zeno had been around, they might've complained.

All the members of the Thug Group had been eagerly waiting for a new mission. And now, the long-awaited opportunity had finally arrived—only for their leader to snatch it up himself before anyone else could react.

How shameless!

But Jack didn't care. He was ready.

---

555 World – Urban Outskirts

Yuka's breathing was shallow. She hid behind a tree, her back against the rough bark, trying to steady herself.

Footsteps echoed closer.

"I almost feel sorry for you," came a voice like velvet soaked in venom.

From the shadows stepped Kageyama Saeko, her cold eyes locked onto Yuka. Her Orphnoch form shimmered faintly in the dim light. Though her words sounded sympathetic, her tone was anything but.

"You had the chance to join us," Saeko sneered, "but you chose the wrong side. Look where that got you."

Yuka didn't respond. There was no point.

She had once believed in peace, in cooperation between humans and Orphnochs. But after everything that happened—the experiments, the betrayals—what was left?

Saeko stepped forward, raising a clawed hand.

"This is the end."

Yuka closed her eyes.

And then—

BOOM!

A shockwave blasted through the trees, knocking Saeko backward. Dust exploded into the air, and a new figure stepped out of the portal that had opened behind Yuka.

Jack stood tall, his coat fluttering in the sudden gust of displaced air. His eyes glowed faintly with power.

Yuka blinked in disbelief. "You… Who are you?"

Jack gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm here to help."

Saeko snarled, rising to her feet. "Another human? Do you want to die too?"

Jack cracked his knuckles. "Let's find out."

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