Early morning, in a rental apartment in Tokyo.
Sunlight struggled to squeeze through the thin curtain gap, casting a bright line on the floor.
A week had passed since the miraculous experience of being chased by two metal spiders in the Mirror World and then awakening Arceus.
You Hong stood in front of the somewhat water-stained bathroom mirror, meticulously adjusting his brand-new dark blue suit.
The clothes fit well; the fabric wasn't top-tier, but it was the kind he used to gaze at longingly in store windows, never daring to buy.
The young man in the mirror had neatly combed black hair, sharp eyes, and a newfound composure, along with a hint of barely perceptible excitement.
A week ago, he was an unemployed youth worried about his next meal. Now, he wore a respectable suit and was about to embark on a new life.
He smoothed the last wrinkle on his collar, looking at himself in the mirror, but his thoughts involuntarily drifted back to that life-changing moment—
...
On the desolate street of the Mirror World, the platinum-white Kamen Rider Arceus de-transformed, revealing You Hong's face, which still held shock and bewilderment.
Arceus's figure, radiating Holy Light, did not immediately vanish but hovered quietly in the low air, its eyes, containing galaxies, fixed on You Hong.
A grand, calm voice echoed deep within his Soul, its tone peaceful, devoid of any emotion.
"Transmigration, You Hong."
You Hong shivered, "You... You know me? Arceus?" He looked up, staring blankly at the Creator God before him.
Facing this legendary Creator God, even if the other party was nominally his "contracted beast," he couldn't muster any sense of being a "master."
"Consciousness link. Your Soul transcended the space-time barrier and accidentally resonated briefly with a fragment of My consciousness," Arceus's voice was calm and unruffled, like stating an objective fact.
"Perceiving your life was on the verge of collapse, I borrowed the 'Law' of this world to condense this vessel of power—the card deck and belt you possess."
"So... everything was due to Your Helping Hand?" You Hong murmured, his fleeting sense of being a "chosen one" instantly deflated.
But to be alive was the greatest blessing! "Then... where are You now?" he asked cautiously.
"The crisis is resolved, and the link is weakening. My consciousness fragment will return to its Origin and cannot remain in this realm for long."
"Leaving?" You Hong's heart sank.
Although he knew this great God couldn't really be his personal enforcer, the thought of his powerful ally leaving before he'd even warmed up to him brought an instant wave of disappointment.
"Then... what about later? Will Your consciousness return? For example, when I need to summon You for a fight?"
Arceus's massive head seemed to move slightly, the golden cross-wheel structure radiating a mysterious halo.
"Though the link is weak, a bond has formed. In the future... perhaps. The answer lies within the 'variables' you create."
An ambiguous answer.
Before You Hong could fully grasp the philosophically charged riddle, Arceus's voice spoke again:
"As a parting gift, I bestow upon you an 'identity' recognized by this world, to facilitate your journey within it. Use this power wisely, and also use... your ability to change 'destiny.'"
As soon as the words fell, Arceus's colossal figure began to become ethereal, like a reflection in water, slowly dissipating, finally transforming into a pure platinum-white stream of light that merged into the platinum card case in You Hong's hand.
In the center of the card case, the cross-wheel symbol flickered faintly, then returned to calm. Held in his hand, it still had a heavy metallic feel, but the vast consciousness within it had indeed vanished.
"Identity? What identity?" You Hong was stunned, looking down at his worn backpack.
He remembered that before he was hit, it only contained a few pathetic resumes, a pen, and a wallet.
He unzipped his backpack and reached inside to feel around.
His fingertips touched something hard and metallic. He pulled it out in confusion.
A small, dark blue notebook with a golden cherry blossom emblem and several prominent Japanese characters printed on it—Police Officer's Notebook.
"Huh? Police Officer?" You Hong was completely bewildered.
He opened the notebook; inside was his photo, name: You Hong; affiliation: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department, Patrol Division.
The moment his finger touched the cold plastic cover of the police ID, a clear stream of information, like an activated program, surged directly into his mind:
【Identity Granted: World Anchor Confirmed】
Transmigration You Hong, arrived in the world of "Kamen Rider Ryuki."
Acquired legal identity in this world: Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer.
Identity Description: Provides basic social connections, information channels, and convenience for actions.
Note: This identity is recognized by the world's rules. Upon arriving in a new world, an initial identity matching that world's background will be automatically acquired. Information reception complete, You Hong stood frozen on the spot.
Police Officer? Him?
A unlucky guy who was unemployed right after graduation? Became a Police Officer?
But the ID felt real, and the information in his mind was incredibly clear.
A Police Officer identity!
Investigating cases, questioning, and engaging with incidents all had a legitimate reason.
It couldn't be more perfect!
The immense joy dispelled the disappointment of Arceus's departure.
He couldn't help but clench the police ID, feeling its cool touch, and an unprecedented sense of security surged through him.
"Arceus... no, Creator God, Your gift truly understands me!" You Hong couldn't help but grin.
...
The memory ended, and the young man in the crisp police uniform in the mirror widened his smile even further.
A week was enough time for him to initially adapt to this identity.
The work of a Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer was not easy—patrolling, handling neighborhood disputes, writing reports—but it was stable, provided meals, and most importantly—he came into contact with the city's truest pulse, and also saw vague reports of "bizarre disappearances" and "mysterious attacks" hidden beneath the calm metropolis.
Kido Shinji... Akiyama Ren... Shiro Kanzaki... The curtain of the Mirror World had not yet opened, but it didn't matter, because now, he was no longer just an anxious spectator on the other side of the screen.
He was Kamen Rider Arceus, with the Creator God's card case hanging on his belt.
He was Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Police Officer You Hong, possessing the identity to legitimately intervene in events.
He picked up the police cap from the table, placed it squarely on his head, his eyes under the brim sharp and full of anticipation.
The image of the Police Officer in the mirror was handsome and confident, a stark contrast to the You Hong of a week ago.
You Hong gave himself an incredibly brilliant smile in the mirror.
"This time," he murmured softly, his voice quiet but with an undeniable determination, "it's my turn to define a perfect life!"