Phantasm to the Populace

Two dull days passed.

"Although Z-City was able to avoid total destruction, the city was still devastated, with the effects of the meteor fragments visible everywhere."

In the apartment, Genos sat facing Caspian, his expression pensive as the TV played in the background.

"Master, are you certain what you said about Drive Knight is true?"

Caspian, leaning against the wall, answered. "No. Honestly, I'm not sure if telling you this so soon was the right call."

"No, this information is crucial," Genos replied. "'The Organization' you mentioned, and Drive Knight's potential connection to them, gives me a genuine lead. It's likely they created 'The Rampaging Cyborg,' who destroyed my family and town."

"Even if that's the case, you need to fight as much as possible and keep upgrading yourself. Also, don't neglect training your willpower. Right now, you're far too weak to face them."

I'm definitely not going to mention Doctor Kuseno's future death to him. There's no point. For one, he would definitely lose himself to rage and go after Drive Knight and 'The Organization.' But more importantly, I won't let Doctor Kuseno die. I'll make sure that old man's dreams come true. Not just his… The more happy endings I can create for others, the better.

Caspian, pleased with his line of thought, returned his focus to the present.

Genos nodded, clenching his fists. "I understand. I promise I will keep a level head and won't throw my life away. You and Doctor Kuseno have done so much for me. I would never squander that."

"A good mindset to have. By the way, did our ranking go up at all?"

"Yes, we did. I went for S-Class Rank 17 to 16." Genos' countenance brightened. "Master, you shot up from C-Class Rank 342 to C-Class Rank 11."

"Rank 11? I guess some people noticed me running around killing monsters... Who got credited with destroying the meteor?"

"Metal Knight. The Hero Association claimed his missiles had a delayed effect that shattered it."

"What a joke. Is part of the public making him out the be the villain for the partial destruction of Z-City, at the very least?"

Genos shook his head. "Not that I've seen. Actually, the consensus is one of praise and understanding."

"Of course…" Caspian stood and walked toward the hallway.

"Master, are you going out?"

"No… I'll let things calm down a bit more before I venture around Z-City." Caspian entered the kitchen. "I just want something to eat. Also, we'll be taking a trip in a soon. It'll be a great training opportunity for you."

"Wherever you go, I'll follow."

"And this may be coming out of left field, but…" Caspian stuck his head through the kitchen's peek-through window. "…about Wavygyaza. Once we wrap up this upcoming trip, I think we should start investigating the Neo Heroes if we hope to find her sooner."

¤ ¤ ¤

Peals of thunder roared above J-City as thick storm clouds gathered, casting a shadow over the entire city.

Master told me to rush toward the elevated energy levels the moment I detect them. I must be ready

Genos stood atop the roof of a towering building, the empty briefcase that once held his prototype cybernetic upgrade lying discarded beside him.

Yesterday, Caspian had sent him to J-City to face a Mysterious Being called the 'Messenger of the Seafolk' — an ugly, bipedal octopus-like monster wearing a toga. While the fight wasn't particularly difficult, Genos treated the creature as a serious threat, pushing himself to avoid underestimating his foes as he had done in the past.

Genos reflected on his master's prophetic abilities. It was as if Caspian could see the timeline of events unfold in his mind, planning his moves accordingly. Genos had heard of others with the ability to foresee the future, like Shibabawa, but he was certain that not even someone as renowned as her could match Caspian's skill.

When the Hero Association called him today, Genos was already a step ahead. He had arrived before they even reached out. Now, all he had to do was watch for two key changes: the elevated energy signals and the moment the rain starts to fall.

Less than a minute passed before he detected the energy signals he had been waiting for.

It's time!

Genos launched himself from the building at top speed, his body a blur as he darted from one rooftop to the next. His mind was focused solely on one goal: to reach his destination before the first raindrop fell. He wouldn't fail!

In mere moments, he spotted something.

SMASH!

A massive, naked, muscular figure rocketed past, shattering through the edge of a building and streaking into the distance. That must have been Puri-Puri Prisoner.

Genos raced forward, his eyes locked on the towering seafolk monster and a feminine man standing beside it. He landed beside the man with a burst of speed, instantly drawing the attention of both. They turned in unison, their gazes sharp and assessing as they took in the newcomer.

"You're the Deep Sea King, I assume?"

"Who's asking?" He tilted his head, his mouth cracking into a jagged grin.

Genos ignored the question, turning his gaze toward the figure beside him. "And you're my master's ninja stalker—'Jack-o'-Lantern Panic.'"

¤ ¤ ¤

"Mumen Rider went in?" asked Jinzuren, a staff member of the Hero Association.

Busho focused on the computer screen, hoping the call would be answered. "Yes. I couldn't stop—Mumen Rider?!" Busho's hand landed on his earpiece. "What's your location? This is beyond you. The monster even took out an S-Class Hero! We need to assemble a subjugation squad."

An unknown man's voice sounded from the other end of the line. "An S-Class Hero was defeated? Something's not right here. There shouldn't be a monster there…"

Busho had no idea what the man was muttering about, but he urgently asked, "Who is this? Where's Mumen Rider?"

There was a brief silence on the line.

"You're Busho from the Hero Association, right?"

How did he know his identity? No, that detail wasn't important right now.

"Yes. Who are you? Give me the owner of that cell phone right now!"

"This is the hero Caspian."

"Caspian?"

Countless questions burned in Busho's mind. This man, Caspian, was a mystery. Reports from multiple cities described someone matching his appearance, obliterating monsters with a single punch, feats no C-Class hero should achieve. Why did he vanish immediately after each battle? If all reports had been verified, such power would have catapulted him into A-Class at the least.

But the oddities ran deeper. 'Caspian' wasn't even his legal name. Birth records listed him as 'Saitama'—an utterly ordinary man with an unremarkable life. Three years ago, around the time of the Hero Association's founding, he had vanished. Beyond his registered addresses, there were no traces, no records of his existence. Then, out of nowhere, he had resurfaced, wielding a strength that defied the Hero Association's fitness tests and left them unable to evaluate his true power.

What had happened in those missing years? And why the alias?

"You're C-Class, Rank 4." Busho had to learn what this man was capable of. "Are you sure?"

Caspian answered. "It went up again... Yes. Send me the coordinates. It's down-pouring here."

Busho glossed over Caspian's file on the computer screen for what was probably the 100th time.

He's become a phantasm to the populace. Defeating monsters in a single strike and disappearing at a speed that leaves them unsure if what they saw was even real. I'd stop any other C-Class Hero, but this man is different…

Busho looked toward Jinzuren.

Jinzuren nodded. "This may be our chance to see how strong he truly is."

Busho brought his hand to his earpiece. "Caspian, I'm sending you the location. Head there immediately."

"On my way."