Douluo Dalu Kamen Rider Ohma Zio

Dai Mubai's Room

He sat on the edge of his bed, shirtless, breathing heavily. Sweat clung to his skin, despite the cool night air. He had been training ever since he returned—striking the dummy in the corner of the room over and over again until his arms were sore.

But it wasn't enough.

He hadn't moved.

When that creature appeared—when it stared them down—he froze. No matter how much he told himself it was instinct, the reality was clear.

He had hesitated.

He had failed.

"I'm supposed to be the oldest. The one they rely on," he muttered.

He struck his fist into his palm hard enough to bruise.

"That won't happen again."

Those beasts... they weren't like the usual ones.

He replayed the battle in his mind—the vicious coordination of the shadow-type spirit beasts, their strange intelligence, their merciless strikes.

If it hadn't been for Tang San's traps... or Li Wei's summons...

His brows furrowed. Tang San's always been reliable, but Li Wei... he's grown too fast.

That thought gnawed at him more than it should. It wasn't just power. It was the way Zhu Zhuqing had glanced at Li Wei during the battle. The way she stood a little closer to him after.

Is she...? No, I'm overthinking it. He sighed and rolled onto his side, but the thought refused to leave. Maybe for the first time, Dai Mubai wasn't sure he was still ahead of the pack.

---

Zhu Zhuqing's Room

The candle was out.

Only moonlight lit her room.

She stood near the window, back straight, arms folded behind her. The air was cool, but her blood still ran hot with frustration.

Her breathing was calm. Too calm.

She hated this feeling—being powerless. The fear she'd buried beneath layers of training had clawed its way to the surface again when the beast appeared.

She had thought she was ready.

She had thought she could stand beside him—beside Mubai. But seeing the real him here make her disappointed. Will she be able to escape from this fate. Or she will perished.

But when she had watched Li Wei step forward, watched him protect Xiao Wu without hesitation, while she stood there—

A tightness gripped her chest.

"I won't be left behind," she whispered.

Then, softer: "Not again."

I should have died.

The thought came quiet and sudden. That moment when the shadow beast had lunged for her throat, when her body had frozen—

—and Li Wei had appeared, his BuffRide card sparking like magic, shielding her with a barrier of light.

She touched her chest lightly. The warmth of that protection still lingered in her memory.

A soft smile? Me? She shook her head, amused at herself. Maybe I can depend on him.

But then her thoughts darkened. The Star Luo Empire... the royal family wouldn't accept weakness. Or outside interference. Unless... unless he's from Spirit Hall or something just as strong.

She laughed under her breath. What nonsense.

---

Ning Rongrong's Room

The room was lavishly neat, every item in its place. The bed was fluffed, the desk polished, the window slightly open to let in the scent of flowers from the garden below.

But the girl inside was anything but calm.

Rongrong stared at her hands. Pale, soft, still trembling.

She had cast her buffs. She had done her part. And yet… it hadn't mattered.

I was useless.

That thought gnawed at her like a parasite.

"I'm a support-type. I know that. I've accepted that."

But watching the others fight, watching them throw themselves into danger while she stood at the edge—

She bit her lip hard, drawing blood.

"I won't be a burden. I'll be someone they need. Someone they rely on."

Lying on her side, facing the cold wall, Ning Rongrong's expression was unreadable. Her Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda felt heavier tonight as she looks at it.

I was afraid.

The confession echoed in her mind. For all her pride, for all her training, fear had gripped her heart more times than she cared to admit.

But when that strange armored Rider—what did Li Wei call it? G-3?—stood between her and that beast, something shifted.

What is this feeling?

She curled tighter under her blanket. I don't know what to call it... but I want to be stronger. Not just a support. For them... and for myself.

---

Oscar's Room

Oscar lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling with his arms behind his head. He hadn't bothered to light a candle. The darkness suited his thoughts.

His fingers flexed slowly, still tingling from the aftermath of his spirit consumption.

He had tried. He had.

But in front of that beast, even his best sausage wouldn't have made a difference.

"Being food support is supposed to be a good thing," he muttered. "But what's the point of feeding people who are about to die?"

The words were bitter, but true.

He sat up suddenly.

No more jokes. No more laughing it off.

He'd start training harder tomorrow.

No. Tonight.

---

Outside, in the Courtyard

The academy was quiet, bathed in moonlight.

Soft footsteps moved across the stone path.

Li Wei stood alone near the training field, looking up at the sky.

Somewhere behind that moon, truths were waiting to be uncovered. Secrets buried deep in spirit beast bloodlines, hidden even from the Spirit Hall.

He didn't know what role he played yet.

But if that creature had anything to do with Xiao Wu—he'd find out. Whether the creature is the same group as that Veil Envoy or just being control, he need to ascertain it.

Unlike the creature, the Veil Envoy able to think so it will be more dangerous. He still remember the place that he got trap.

And next time…

He'd be ready.