Our protagonists were quietly at home, talking and drinking water. Sebastián turned on the TV, and a piece of news that seemed surreal to them was being broadcast.
—Reporter: Breaking news, mutants have just appeared and have claimed they were sent by the "Master" to eliminate a group that has been defeating the bosses. We advise everyone to stay indoors for safety.
With that said, the reporter moved on to another topic. Sebastián felt intrigued, wondering who this "Master" of the bosses could be. Suddenly, the house shook. Sebastián stepped outside and saw what looked like a human, but quickly realized it was something different.
—Mutant: Good afternoon. I've come to destroy you for defeating the bosses the "Master" sends. And besides, more mutants will come to face you—but first, I'll tear you to pieces.
—Sebastián: Mutants? I thought they only existed in comics. But if you've come to defeat us, then I'll fight you first.
The mutant lunged toward Sebastián with great force, fist ready. Sebastián closed his eyes, then opened them again—now his "joy" emotion was in control of his body. The mutant's punch landed on Sebastián's chest, but he didn't take any damage.
—Mutant: Wait… how did you withstand my punch?
—Sebastián (Joy Mode): The reason is simple: I'm stronger than you, and hitting me is pointless.
Sebastián delivered a punch, sending the mutant flying backward. At near-light speed, he caught up to him and delivered a flurry of blows. The mutant died after just a few strikes.
—Sebastián: Too weak for me. Now I'll go tell the others.
But before he could take a step, another mutant appeared out of nowhere and kicked him in the stomach. Sebastián barely moved from the impact.
—Sebastián: Trying to catch me off guard?
Sebastián grabbed the mutant by the neck and, with his other hand, pierced his stomach—killing him instantly.
—Sebastián: Pathetic.
He turned and left, messaging the others. Kiro was the first to see the message; he left the house and headed to the city. He walked through restaurants, cafés, and homes, but found no mutants.
—Kiro (thinking): Could it be true that mutants exist, or is it just Sebastián's imagination?
Looking back, Kiro saw a man with flames in his hand—clearly a mutant. The mutant raised his hand and launched a fire attack. Kiro reacted instantly and dodged.
—Kiro: Seems Sebastián was right. Get ready, mutant—I'll defeat you.
—Mutant: We'll see. But first, let me introduce myself: I'm Dilan.
—Kiro: I'm Kiro. Remember my name.
Kiro dashed forward, striking at Dilan. Dilan dodged the first blow, but the second connected, making him cough blood. Without mercy, Kiro struck again.
—Kiro: Serious punch.
Upon impact, Dilan's eyes turned white, and his body was flung kilometers away. With his last breath, Dilan unleashed a massive fire attack. The blast shook buildings, caused an earthquake, and set nearby structures ablaze.
—Kiro: Burning buildings with one attack? Seems they always end up destroyed.
Suddenly, the fire attack exploded, its blast radius covering 20 kilometers. Kiro's body began to burn.
—Kiro: Damn it! This fire is burning me!
With no other choice, Kiro showed an emotion—a smile. The smile created a powerful air current, blowing away debris and extinguishing the flames. He stopped smiling, returning to his serious face.
—Kiro: When I show an expression or emotion, a powerful air current is created, with a strong force behind it. That's why I usually keep a serious face and tone.
Elsewhere, Worh was walking through a calm city, couples strolling hand-in-hand. A mutant spotted him entering a café and followed. Sitting near a window, he watched Worh order coffee and bread. Noticing the stare, Worh clenched a fist and approached.
—Worh (whispering): Let's go outside and settle this.
—Mutant: Fine, let's go.
Outside, they faced each other.
—Mutant: I'll introduce myself first. I'm Leslie, and I've come to kill you on the Master's orders.
—Worh: I see you're a woman—but you're different.
—Leslie: I suppose so. But I'll give you a quick death.
—Worh: You talk about killing me quickly, but it seems you don't know who I am.
Leslie charged, but Worh jumped back and slammed the ground, shattering part of it. Leslie lost balance, and Worh took the chance to punch her in the stomach. She spat blood but quickly recovered, using her mutant powers to grow plants that bound Worh's arms and legs. She approached and began striking him.
The air grew heavier as she attacked, but seeing her blows had little effect, she calmed herself, focusing on one massive strike. Worh yawned, unfazed—until purple energy burst from Leslie's hands in a double-fist strike. It was too late to dodge.
The blow shook the entire country, destroying every building and killing the population. France was gone.
Worh was gravely injured—half-blind, burns covering his arms and legs, coughing blood. Leslie lay unconscious. Struggling to his feet, Worh threw debris onto her body, crushing her further. She awoke, exhausted, unable to move.
Sensing her struggle, Worh returned, smashing the rubble with one punch. She looked up into the face of a severely injured Worh.
—Worh: You destroyed all of France just to kill me? Now you've gone too far—I'll kill you myself.
Leslie tried to crawl away, but Worh grabbed her neck.
—Worh: Die!
Before he could crush her throat, a black shadow pushed him aside and carried Leslie in its arms. In the blink of an eye, a knight in white armor stood before him.
—Unknown: We'll meet again in the future—when you and your friends are stronger.
In another blink, the knight vanished. Worh wondered who he could be—perhaps one of the bosses, or someone with incredible speed. Shaking off the thought, he left.
Elsewhere, Sone was fighting a mutant named Bing Neh, winning with ease thanks to his training. He leapt into the air, curled into a ball, and pierced through the mutant's body. Landing, he reverted from his ball form—the mutant's body now had a gaping hole. Taking a deep breath, Sone sprinted at thirty times the speed of sound, the result of his training.
Worh was hospitalized for weeks. Kiro, Sebastián, and Sone stayed at home. Worh now knew he had to train. Kiro suggested training with Sebastián the next day, and Sebastián agreed. He asked Sone, who also accepted.
In France, construction began again—cranes clearing debris, other nations sending aid to help the country recover quickly.