Tanktop Master stepped forward, one hand pressed against his chest. Fear still lingered in his eyes, yet he forced himself to stay composed. Even wounded, he wanted the truth behind the mysterious monster.
"Mr. Sol Mirek's analysis makes sense, Ms. Tornado. Why don't we follow his suggestion for now?"
"Shut up."
Tornado's emerald curls lifted as if stirred by invisible currents. She shot Tanktop Master a sharp glare before turning her piercing gaze on Sol.
"Since you sound so certain, prove it."
Sol merely shrugged, hands tucked into his pockets. "I'm offering a suggestion. Whether you take it is up to you."
Tornado let out a cold huff. "Fine. I'll be watching."
She rose into the night sky, cape fluttering behind her.
Before disappearing into the darkness, her voice echoed back. "If you're wasting our time, I'll head to Z-City personally."
Tanktop Master wiped sweat from his forehead. "Sol, you've got guts talking to her like that."
Sol smiled lightly. "She agrees with me. She just hates admitting it."
Tanktop Master gave a thoughtful nod. "That monster was strange. He could have beaten me easily, yet he held back."
"That's exactly what bothers me." Sol crouched and studied the fractured pavement, as if inspecting every crack. "If he wanted to test an S-Class hero, he wouldn't have stopped short. Holding back suggests intent. The Monster Association is planning something."
The surrounding staff recorded every word. Tanktop Master added details from the fight, describing the monster's speed and precision.
Sol stood. "Did he have any distinct features?"
"Black and red armor," Tanktop Master replied after a pause. "Crimson eyes. Deep voice."
Sol nodded and pretended to jot everything down. "I'll report this to the Association. You should rest for a few days. I doubt that monster is finished."
Tanktop Master clenched his fists. "If he returns, I'll defeat him."
Sol patted his shoulder with an easy grin. "That's the spirit. Call me if you need anything."
After giving the staff a few final instructions, he left.
On his walk home, Sol felt unusually satisfied. The evening had unfolded exactly as intended. He had tested his own strength and nudged the Hero Association into acknowledging the looming threat of the Monster Association.
His communicator rang.
"Mr. Sol Mirek," the operator said, "based on your report, the Association will increase coordination among the S-Class heroes. Additionally, Ms. Tornado will temporarily relocate from Z-City to A-City on standby."
Sol's lips curved upward. "Good. I'll continue investigating. We'll crush their plans before they take root."
After ending the call, he checked the time. Close to midnight. His Asura Mode progress had risen by eleven percent. A productive night.
One thousand five hundred meters underground, Psykos observed through Gyoro Gyoro, concealed in the shadows outside a gym. The pink, fleshy body with six writhing tentacles waited patiently for the staff shift change.
When the opportunity came, Gyoro Gyoro slipped inside and made its way to the monitoring room. A staff member slept face-down at the desk.
Psykos smirked. Corruption within the Hero Association remained convenient.
She replayed the footage of the black-and-red armored monster battling Tanktop Master. Her eyes gleamed with fascination.
The monster's raw physical strength overwhelmed an S-Class hero known for brute force. It had not even used the corrosive substance from the crater. The restraint made it even more intriguing.
"Perfect," she whispered, fingers brushing the desk.
If she could secure that monster, she could mold him into something even greater than Orochi.
The footage shifted to show Sol and Tornado arriving late to the scene. Psykos adjusted her glasses, a cold smile forming.
"The Hero Association is more foolish than I thought."
This was no newborn creature. The combat style showed familiarity with hero tactics. It was likely a transformed hero.
That explained the restraint against Tanktop Master.
After reviewing the video, Gyoro Gyoro quietly exited and returned to the Monster Association headquarters.
In the dim underground chamber, Psykos paced with growing excitement. She activated the control panel and accessed the Hero Association database.
To possess such strength and knowledge, the individual must be S-Class.
If she could turn one of them, victory would tilt in her favor.
"Human grappling techniques," she muttered as profiles filled the screen.
Her eyes lingered briefly on Sol Mirek and King.
"No. Not them."
Sol's fighting style did not match, and King relied on intimidation rather than physical technique.
Her gaze moved downward until it stopped.
Silver Fang, Bang.
"Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist," Psykos murmured. "A martial art that uses flowing force."
She replayed the battle in her mind. The armored monster had deflected strikes with similar principles.
Slender build. Martial arts mastery. Located in Z-City. Absent from the scene.
All variables aligned.
Her glasses reflected a cold glint.
There was only one logical conclusion.
Silver Fang Bang was the armored monster.
===
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