Boom!
Midoriya's fist slammed squarely into the back of the seemingly unguarded Hero Killer.
The impact sent the villain staggering forward. However, before Midoriya could capitalize on it, the Hero Killer countered instantly—his blade flashing backward. Midoriya was forced to retreat, rolling across the ground to avoid being cut.
"It worked!"
Midoriya's eyes lit up with excitement.
The fact that his attack had landed meant one thing—his special training wasn't just theory anymore. It could be applied in real combat.
However, the Hero Killer lowered his head slowly, lifting the blade up in front of his face.
He looked… amused.
"—!!"
A sudden sensation of restraint surged through Midoriya's body.
As he tried to stand, his limbs refused to respond.
"What?!" Midoriya gasped.
"Just a small scratch like that activated his Quirk?!"
Only now did he notice it—a shallow cut on his arm, caused when he struck the Hero Killer earlier.
His pupils shrank in disbelief.
Ignoring Midoriya completely, the Hero Killer turned and began walking calmly toward Iida.
"You're different from the rest," he said coldly.
"You're worthy of mercy. But these two—"
Midoriya shouted in panic.
Iida's eyes widened in terror as the Hero Killer raised his blade, aiming directly for his neck.
"BIG SPITFIRE!!"
A massive magma fist suddenly erupted into the alley, crashing toward the Hero Killer with explosive force.
Faced with the attack, the Hero Killer abandoned his strike. He leapt sideways, stabbing his blade into the wall to anchor himself, narrowly avoiding the blow.
Igarashi Masata had arrived.
At the same time, Todoroki slammed his right foot against the ground.
Ice surged outward, forming a path of jagged spikes that slid beneath Midoriya, Iida, and the fallen Pro Hero, pulling all three safely away from the battlefield.
"That was close," Masata muttered, exhaling in relief.
"A little late—but not too late."
Fortunately, all three had only suffered superficial injuries. None were in immediate danger.
"Troublesome people really do show up one after another today."
Suspended on the wall, the Hero Killer licked his lips in irritation.
First Iida. Then Midoriya. Now these two—one wielding magma, the other ice and fire.
It was as if the world itself had conspired to stop him.
"Professional Heroes will arrive soon," Todoroki said calmly.
Seeing Midoriya's shocked expression, he didn't bother explaining further.
Flames condensed in Todoroki's left palm and shot toward the Hero Killer.
"You can use flames too?" the Hero Killer muttered.
With molten magma still flowing across the alley floor, there was nowhere stable to land.
He stepped on the blade embedded in the wall, kicked off, and landed lightly on the edge of a second-floor window.
"There are too many obstacles," he said quietly.
"It seems I'll have to rely on that power."
The situation was clearly unfavorable.
His greatest strength—speed and close combat—was being suppressed by the magma spreading across the ground. The paralysis affecting Midoriya and Iida was about to wear off as well.
If this continued, he would soon be facing five opponents at once.
Without hesitation, he pulled a syringe from his pocket.
His expression didn't change as he plunged it into his body, injecting the blue liquid directly into his veins.
"Stop him!" Masata shouted.
Even without knowing what it was, the intent was obvious—some kind of enhancement drug.
Given the narrow alley, Masata hesitated. His magma attacks could easily collapse the surrounding buildings.
Todoroki didn't hesitate.
Flames erupted upward, swallowing the Hero Killer whole.
"He didn't dodge?!" Masata exclaimed.
At the Hero Killer's usual speed, that should've been impossible.
Then—
"AAAAAHHHHH!!"
A horrifying scream erupted from within the flames.
Black liquid burst from the Hero Killer's body, splashing outward and instantly extinguishing the fire.
"…That looks familiar," Masata muttered, teeth clenched.
As the flames vanished, the Hero Killer's transformed body was revealed.
From beneath his armpits, two tentacles extended on each side.
The burns across his body were healing rapidly, white steam rising from regenerated flesh.
It was unmistakable.
He looked exactly like the animal-hybrid experiments Masata and Todoroki had fought the day before.
"Did the doctor's technology already get turned into a drug?" Masata whispered, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
After yesterday's battle, he knew how terrifying gene fusion could be.
And the Hero Killer was already dangerous enough without it.
"No—wait," Masata said sharply, forcing himself to stay calm.
"The doctor said yesterday that his experiments were only recently completed."
He raised his voice.
"This drug is probably a semi-finished product!"
Todoroki's eyes sharpened.
"Look at him—he's in pain. That's the side effect!"
Indeed, the Hero Killer had been standing still since injecting the drug.
His teeth were clenched. His eyes rolled slightly white. His entire body trembled.
After several seconds, he exhaled heavily.
"…This power," he said slowly, sticking out his long tongue,
"It's incredible. And it suits me perfectly."
Now standing steadily on the window ledge, he drew four knives from his back.
Each tentacle wrapped tightly around a handle using its suction cups.
He then drew two more blades into his hands.
Six knives.
A living weapon.
"Don't let him get your blood!" Midoriya shouted urgently.
"His Quirk likely paralyzes opponents by ingesting their blood! If he gets even a drop—we're done!"
Everything clicked.
"That's why he carries so many knives," Todoroki said.
"Makes sense."
"Then it's simple," Masata said, eyes narrowing.
"We keep our distance. Long-range pressure until Pro Heroes arrive."
"Blood ingestion…" Masata paused.
If that was truly the Hero Killer's Quirk—
Then this fight might be more dangerous for him than for anyone else.