[Upon returning to Penacony, Stelle finally received a message from the Express crew. After a simple exchange confirming everyone's safety, the group decided to meet first at Clockie's statue.]
[…]
[A while ago, in the depths of the Memoria domain.]
["It's time for you to draw that blade, Ranger."]
[The charred ground cracked into a spiderweb pattern under high temperatures. SAM's gaze remained locked on the figure not far away who had been handling everything with ease—Acheron calmly used her scabbard to block every one of his strikes. The scorching flames hadn't even burned a corner of her clothes.]
[Acheron's eyes remained indifferent. She gripped her scabbard tightly and asked a seemingly unrelated question: "…Hunter, do you still dream?"]
["Do you dream of those who died because of you?"]
[SAM paused. The fierce flames covering his fists suddenly dissipated, like a signal for a ceasefire.]
——
One Punch Man.
"Aaaaaah how can this be—!!"
Genos stood at the apartment door holding bulging shopping bags and heard Saitama-sensei's earth-shattering scream from inside.
(That's Sensei's voice? Could it be…)
Through the door crack, he saw Sensei sitting cross-legged with KING in front of the TV. The two were frantically rubbing some mechanical device, their fingers almost creating afterimages as they tried to control the two small figures on the TV to fight.
(I see. KING came to find Sensei for simulated battle training again.)
(In terms of simulated battles, KING can actually suppress Sensei. This man has indeed been hiding his strength all along. However, being recognized by Sensei and doing simulated battle training with him every night is proof enough that he is no ordinary person.)
(Speaking of which… Sensei has never invited me for simulated battle training. Is it really because my strength is insufficient…)
Thinking of this, Genos felt a mix of emotions in his heart.
He had followed Sensei for so long… yet he didn't even qualify to participate in simulated battles. Was he really getting stronger?
Genos gently put down the shopping bags, not daring to disturb them. Only after Saitama finished the next match did he quietly push open the door.
"Sensei, I'm back."
"Ah, it's Genos! Why so late today? Did you encounter a monster on the way?"
"Sorry for the delay! Because while shopping, a battle between SAM, Stelle, Acheron and others appeared on the Celestial Screen, so I stopped to watch for a while. Analyzing and reviewing it along the way also took time…"
"Oh, SAM… that's the robot that can shoot fire, right?" Saitama suddenly remembered. He looked up at the Celestial Screen, where Acheron and SAM's confrontation was still ongoing. "Speaking of which, SAM's fighting style is a bit similar to Genos's."
"…Yes! So I spent a lot of time observing his combat techniques and methods." Genos looked at Saitama seriously. "However, I wanted to ask Sensei—in your eyes… where exactly is the difference between me and SAM?"
"Difference?" Saitama frowned and thought for a moment. "Probably insufficient firepower?"
"Firepower, huh…"
Genos rested his chin on his hand in deep thought. He recalled how he had previously asked Dr. Kuseno to upgrade his firepower module, yet in his only fight with Sensei, he couldn't even burn the corner of Sensei's clothes… so afterward he gave up on further upgrades in that area.
"Genos, look—"
Saitama pointed at the Celestial Screen, looking at the cool flames surrounding SAM's body that burned everything wherever he went, and said excitedly: "What I mean is, it's this kind of flame special effect surrounding the body! It's super cool! Genos, why don't you try it too?"
(So Sensei did consider my close combat situations with monsters?)
(Attaching flames to the body—for example on the fists—would indeed have advantages in actual melee fights with enemies. It's more efficient than single bursts and can also take into account a certain combat aesthetic…)
Having understood this, Genos felt enlightened.
"As expected of Saitama-sensei! I completely understand now!"
——
[A few days ago, at the Eternal Fire Mansion.]
[In a blazing ruin, Acheron's scabbard hovered in front of Duke Inferno's face.]
["…"]
[Duke Inferno looked up at the expressionless Ranger before him: "…It seems the outcome was decided long ago."]
["They are still alive, and so are you." Acheron said indifferently. "You still have a choice. Leave that music box and go."]
["Choice?" There was a self-mocking bitter smile in the Duke's voice. "The blood path of [Destruction] has never tolerated hesitation."]
["The fire demon of Fetora… even if you offer your life to that Aeon, you will not receive his favor."]
[Duke Inferno slowly shook his head: "Ranger, walking the narrow path of [Hunt], you naturally cannot understand. We come from fire, born in fire, spreading, burning, destroying, until the firewood is exhausted, leaving only ashes."]
["Burning is the life of a fire demon, from beginning to end. We are born toward death, only to embody one aspect of the universe's truth: All things are born for [Destruction]."]
["Your companions don't seem to think so. They fought for your chance to live." Acheron's tone was calm.]
["They are my children, like I once was—flames that have not yet reached white heat. They are still young, I won't blame them. But my flame has already grown hoarse, and time is short. Do you see the star of the grand banquet in the distance? I will bring the inferno there—so before that, I must cross over you."]
["Why?" Acheron was somewhat puzzled.]
["Because on the path they opened, you have walked farther than I have… [Emanator]."]
——
Marvel Universe.
"This guy is really a tough bone. He's got guts!"
Star-Lord couldn't help slapping the console, causing the Milano's navigation system to emit a protesting hum. "Although… uh, he died a bit recklessly, there's nothing you can do when you run into Acheron."
Gamora crossed her arms. Her green skin looked even deeper under the screen's glow: "So, what's your plan now? Still the same, continue searching for that planet whose name is easy to mispronounce? What was it called—Peni—"
"It's Penacony!" Star-Lord corrected her, casually stuffing the half-eaten snack beside him to Groot. "This planet is a bit hard to find—I hadn't even heard of it before, but it's fine. Retrieving its location will just take some time."
"And then?" Gamora raised an eyebrow. "How do we check into the hotel? You're not planning to do the same awkward dance in front of the front desk like when we dealt with Ronan on Xandar to attract attention so we can sneak in, right?"