In Fuuto: Starting as a Kamen Rider 01

Page 32

As the tide of memories recedes, Saeko Sonozaki—no, Kamen Rider Metsubou—refocuses on the abandoned warehouse before her.

That cold, resolute determination perfectly matched the murderous intent surging in his chest at that moment.

Her rebirth began with that one sword strike, and will continue to be proven in countless future sword swings.

Chapter Thirty-One: The Dessert Party and the Arrival of Fear

With her determination and new beginnings, Sonosaki Saeko disappeared from Su Chen's world.

Like a poisoned dagger, she silently slid back into her sheath, awaiting the command to be drawn again.

The undercurrents in Fengdu seemed to have subsided somewhat because of her presence.

However, the other princess of the Sonozaki family, Wakana Sonozaki, was not affected at all by her sister's departure.

She remains the same radiant idol of the city, with her signature innocent and carefree smile on her face.

A call was made directly to Su Chen's private number.

"Good evening, Mr. Su Chen."

The voice on the other end of the phone was as sweet as freshly baked cotton candy, carrying the liveliness and sincerity unique to young girls.

"To celebrate the successful launch of the 'Second Wind Tower' project, I'm planning a small dessert party at the estate. I hope to invite you as my most important guest!"

Every word is filled with anticipation.

This pure passion is almost impossible to refuse.

But a meaningful smile appeared on Su Chen's lips.

His fingers tapped the table unconsciously, making a soft sound.

The host of this party could not possibly be this seemingly naive princess of the capital.

The real inviter was her father, Sonozaki Ryuhei, who had just been humiliated by her direct rejection of their collaboration.

This was yet another carefully planned test.

Or rather, it was an even more blatant exertion of pressure.

"My pleasure."

Su Chen's voice was calm and composed as he smiled and accepted the special invitation.

The party proceeded as scheduled.

The Sonozaki family manor was no longer the somber and solemn place it usually was.

Tonight, this place has been meticulously decorated like a fantasy world from a fairy tale.

Countless colorful lights twinkled, casting a soft glow on the neatly trimmed lawn.

The sweet aroma in the air almost solidified into a tangible substance.

Exquisite pastries are piled high, macaron towers are colorful, mousse cakes gleam with an enticing sheen, and chocolate fountains flow freely.

The aroma of cream and fruit blends together, making one unconsciously lower their guard.

Wakana Sonozaki was wearing a gorgeous and dazzling princess dress, the hem of which swayed gently with her movements.

She was like a happy butterfly, flitting among the elegantly dressed guests.

With a bright smile on her face, she enthusiastically introduced Su Chen to each guest.

"This is Mr. Su Chen, the future hope of our Fengdu!"

Her tone was full of admiration and pride.

Su Chen maintained a polite smile throughout, calmly handling everything.

He held a glass of champagne, occasionally taking a bite of an exquisitely designed dessert.

He chatted amiably with celebrities from all walks of life, discussing everything from business prospects to the future plans of the city.

He behaved like a distinguished entrepreneur genuinely attending a social party, showing no signs of anything amiss.

It was as if the previous confrontation with Sonozaki Ryubei was just an insignificant business negotiation.

The party atmosphere gradually reached its peak under Wakana's leadership.

Laughter and cheerful voices echoed throughout the manor.

However, at this most joyous and celebratory moment, a strange change occurred without warning.

A short, stout pastry chef in a white chef's uniform stood beside the dessert table, his face ashen.

His eyes were bloodshot as he stared intently at Wakana.

Previously, Wakana had tasted his masterpiece, but did not give it the highest praise he had expected.

Instead, they praised the work of another pastry chef.

This seemingly insignificant detail became the final straw that broke his composure.

My mindset instantly became unbalanced.

A fierce flame of jealousy and madness erupted in his eyes.

"My dessert is the most perfect!"

He roared, his voice distorted with rage.

"You guys don't understand art at all! Why don't you approve of me!"

His roar, like a bucket of ice water, extinguished the party's enthusiasm.

The surrounding guests all looked at him in astonishment.

He suddenly pulled a memory chip from his pocket.

The memory chip had a cute cake pattern printed on it.

Without hesitation, he plunged the memory chip deep into his own neck!

【Sweets!】

An ominous sound effect rang out, accompanied by blinding light.

Screams erupted from the guests, and fear instantly replaced joy.

The pastry chef's body rapidly expanded and deformed in the light.

In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a monster haphazardly piled up with cream, cookies, candy, and chocolate.

Thick syrup flowed from its body, and it held a giant candy cane in its hand.

It looks ridiculous, yet it exudes an unsettling and dangerous aura.

Dessert adulteration!

"Let me try my best creation!"

The dessert adulterer chuckled and suddenly swung his arm.

The delicate macarons, small mousse cakes, and even the heavy fondant ornaments on the table suddenly shot out like cannonballs.

They crashed against the wall, splattering shattered cream and frosting everywhere.

It hit the guests, eliciting cries of pain.

The glamorous party venue was instantly turned into a complete mess.

Su Chen's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He put down his wine glass, which made a slight clinking sound on the table.

Just as he was preparing to take action and end this farce caused by jealousy.

A force, invisible and intangible, yet carrying the immense pressure of the deep sea, surged in from all directions, engulfing the entire space.

An icy, chilling sense of fear silently enveloped everyone at the party.

This is not a physical attack.

This force acts directly on the soul, originating from the deepest tremors within.

The smiles on all the guests' faces instantly froze.

Their pupils dilated uncontrollably, reflecting the deepest, most unbearable fears of their lives.

Some witnessed the desolation of bankruptcy, some witnessed the loss of loved ones, and some witnessed the moment of being devoured by a monster.

"what--!"

The screams rose and fell, but were quickly silenced by a deeper fear.

Some people trembled all over, collapsed to the ground, and foamed at the mouth.

Some people fled in terror, only to find that no matter where they ran, the deep-seated fear followed them relentlessly.

Their spirits were easily crushed and shattered in the face of this invisible and domineering force.

On the second-floor terrace of the manor, a figure stood in the shadows, appearing and disappearing.

Sonozaki Ryubei.

He didn't even take out his Gaia Memory to transform.

It merely liberated the unique, imperial, terrifying pressure of the "fear memory".

TerrorDopant, the Emperor of Fear!

His gaze pierced through the night, past the chaotic crowd, and precisely locked onto Su Chen.

A cold and cruel smile played at the corners of his lips.

What he wanted to see was Su Chen.

Watch how this young man, who repeatedly challenges his authority, copes with the dual threat of his own absolute fear and the out-of-control dessert adulterant.

Whether they flee in disarray or collapse under the unbearable burden.

Or perhaps, show him something he anticipates, or something he fears.