Tough guy

The Omega Driller goes upward, the group is intending to reach for the supposed place on the surface with signs of life discovered. This could mean there are people living up there, perhaps it's a village or a small town. As the huge drill erupts from the underground, they see a huge tent at the front.

"Let us see if they're survivors or not."

"I agree with you, young Chella. We must make sure they aren't bandits."

"If anything happens, I will electrocute them."

"Just try not to do the friendly fire."

Chella, Nova and Gilbert get out and enters the tent, armed. Once they enter, they see many people gathering around a fireplace. Those people notices them and start freaking out until Chella speaks up, saying she and her companions don't mean harm. The crowd calms down. One of them approaches Chella with a curious look.

"Who might you be? Do you want something from us?"

"Excuse us, we're travelers. Do all of you live in this tent?"

"Not really. We once lived in a town but the bad people chased us off."

"You people were robbed of your homeland? Where is it?"

"About 5 kilometers from the North, but I advise you not to come there."

"HA! What could a bunch of greedy barbarians do?"

"If would've been as simple if they truly were like you said."

Nova's question is answered with a doubt on the sheriff's face. Chella is worried that they might end up dealing with another superhuman. Much to her worry, the sheriff continues sharing his story. She and her friends may already know that this is a big trouble.

"Everyone of them fights with a spear like a barbarian. On top of that, their leader is like a monster. Back when my men and I were trying to drive of those lunatics but the moment their leader stepped up in the front line. He drew in the surrounding earth and morphed into a 3-meters tall rock beast with spike on its head and back. Guns and bladed weaponry dealt no damage. Someone hit it with an RPG but the cracks on its body covered themselves almost immediately."

"That strong? This is in completely contrary to what we had to deal with the other day."

"I had to admit though, Noelle. Even he was already a problem to deal with."

"Guess me and Chella are just newborns in comparison. Still, that pile of rock might lose in terms of speed."

"She's right gramps, we just need to do something about the shell. That's the only hard part."

"Positive, aren't you both? I also agree though."

"I'd be grateful if you could drive them off, travelers."

The sheriff shows his gratitude at the group's offer to have his people reclaim their home. Chella and CO camp somewhere away from the huge tent and eat instant noodle for dinner as they gaze at the sky.

After having instant noodles for dinner, Chella's group sleep inside Omega Driller. When morning comes, they venture into the Northern town mentioned by the sheriff. Arriving at the place, they see bandits patrolling around the gate way. Chella and CO. whisper among themselves getting off.

"Hey! Who are you? This is our turf, get lost!"

"Yeah, you at least have to pay some fees to get in."

"We're just cleaners tasked to rid this place...of trashes like you!"

Nova stomps the ground and electrocutes the guardsmen. Some other ones notice and raise the alarm, warning the entire place of intruders. Men from all corners of the town go to the front gate with their weapons in hand.

"Chella, time to put your body to work."

"You be careful, Nova."

"Me and Bit will try our best to support you kids."

Some men throw their spear at Nova but the Omega-Driller blocks off the barrage of spears with its huge side. Nova rushes forward then attack each of her enemies one by one with a yoyo strapped with wires. This allows her to transmit electric currents through the yoyo itself to her unfortunate foes. Gilbert stands above the Omega Driller and uses his trusted rifle to take down those afar. Meanwhile, Chella with high focus is able to evade attacks and even steals her enemy's weapon. She fights well for someone who was" yes to learn any martial arts.

Chella's team successfully drive off the enemies from the front gate. They proceed to the center of the town only to be greeted by an unknown voice.

"You did a number on my boys there, but I'm afraid you won't win this game."

From the dark comes out a man wearing brown jeans and a cape made out of fur. The fallen men seems to have gained some hopes on their side as they see him. They all called him aniki, must be a big boss. The man introduces himself as Ryoga the Rock then congratulates Chella and CO for making this far.

"I hope you can entertain me. I'd love to see how far you could withstand at least."

The earth surrounding him suddenly crawling its way to his body, as if it is merging with his mass. His side and height increase as his flesh becomes covered in a seemingly thick layer of rocks. Spikes grow out from his head and backs. In a video game, this would be called a golem. Ryoga leaps in the air and is attempting to hit Chella with a punch. She drags her body to the right before his punch hits the ground but the impact is still able to knock her meters away.

""CHELLA!!""

"What happens to the prowess you showed my boys earlier? Was that all you could do?"

"Sorry, you hit me quite HARD there."

"What a funny chick you are."

Chella and Ryoga continue interacting with she dodging and him attacking. She lures him into a storehouse containing explosives. As he leaps up in order to land another attack, she rushes pass him resulting him attacking explosive barrels.

"Yay, she did it."

"No, Noelle. Look!"

Coming out of the smoke is the Ryoga golem with cracks on his body but they heal quickly at the next moment, surprising Chella's group. Omega-Driller charges forward into Ryoga but he just blocks it off with his earthly hands and throws it away.

"Gaaaahhhhhhhhh! I'm so dizzy..."

"Grandpa!"

Gilbert being inside the vehicle has hid mind spinning in circles at the moment. Nova tries to electrocute him through the ground but it does little to no damage to him. Ryoga doesn't pay attention to her and charges at Chella. Chella in the current state could only keep dodging as she can't do anything helpful with her ability in a fight with someone this strong.

Nova has only one option remain, which is to use the Omega-Driller to invoke her secret weapon. With Gilbert out of commission, Nova gets in the vehicle and inputs some commands on the control board.

"Miss Nova, are you going to use... it? Maybe it could work."

The drill on the front slowly shifts into a cannon as Nova grabs the handle firmly with her hands and begins channeling electricity into it. Chella uses her mind to communicate with Nova.

[What are you doing?]

[Chella, please buy me some times. I'm going to use the cannon to destroy that thick armor of his.]

[Very well, I trust you on this one.]

Chella distracts Ryoga away from noticing his behinds as she keeps him fixated on her. She dashes into a weapon storehouse and grabs a missile launcher.

"That thing is good, but it won't do much harm for me though. Girl, why don't you join me? Our boys could use a cheerer here."

"Shut up! The only thing I'd cheer for is your death."

"Wazzat? You would be with me on my deathbed? I like you more now."

"Grrr... Looks like your numskull is thick as well as your armor."

"Bwahaha! Oh you... nice mouth and nice body as well."

Chella rapidly shoots missiles at Ryoga but trule to his words, it isn't effective much. Though this creates an opportunity for Nova to try out her weapon which she installed into Omega Driller, it would take a while to complete charging.

"Hey rockhead! I have a question for you."

"If it's something I know, I could answer but you must accept my invitation afterwards."

"I know where you're going with this and I won't comply. Your mind is transparent for me."

"So that's why you were able to dodge me. Are you wondering if there are any others with powers like us, or should I say: Apexes?"