May the Next

After navigating down numerous stairways, Boros, Reptera, and Raptora ended up in an expansive square chamber. A chamber occupied by a single monster busy consuming a large lamelliform-type monster without a single care in the world.

"I-It's the Executive, Gums." The younger sister Raptora tugged at Boros' left hand.

Reptera, who followed behind the two, pulled her sister back. "Come stay at my side. And Boros, if you can take care of him, then maybe I'll a—"

Boros raised a gold gauntleted hand, his armor catching the bright overhead light. "Conditional affection offers me no enjoyment. If your affection hinges on my actions, it is as hollow as your sister's is genuine."

Gums swallowed the last portion of the monster and pivoted toward the trio, stretching its lipless maw wide — revealing shreds of flesh wedged between its teeth.

"Another biter." Boros advanced, extending out his arm.

Gluttony drove Gums to charge, its bulk barreling forward before clamping down on the extended arm. Metal shrieked against teeth, the impact echoing through the chamber.

"Boros!" Raptora's worried cry brought him a pleasant sensation, but this glutton deserved no drawn-out fight.

He flicked his wrist upward, driving one of Gums' teeth up through its palate. As the monster reeled, his free hand pierced through its swollen belly, pinning the rotund mass in place.

Acidic fluids gushed from the gaping wound, flooding the flat, crosshatched stone below. The corrosive tide ate through the floor, toxic vapors coiling upward as it carved smoldering trenches. Even so. This potent acid failed to tarnish Boros' lustrous golden armor.

"May the next Executive be worth more than a swift execution. Die forgotten, Gums."

¤ ¤ ¤

The mine cart rattled along the rails, Manako gripping its edges while Caspian lounged in front of her, treating the entire ride like a roller coaster. His unpredictable demeanor left her with an uncomfortable feeling.

Without warning, the cart plunged downward, wheels shrieking against metal as it banked a sharp curve. To the right, a jagged rock face. To the left—

"We reached the underground gold veins. I should come back here later."

Manako barely processed his words before multiple gargantuan insectoid miners turned and scuttled toward them.

"Yeah, I'm not getting out of the cart."

What happened next defied even her wildest imagination. A single dismissive snort from Caspian obliterated the creatures into shrapnel, their remains falling onto a lower rail line like hail.

He's too strong… Manako doubted her original belief on there being an S-Class Hero aiding him.

Her eye dilated as they entered a compact tunnel — smaller mining bugs peered from crevices on either side, their scythe-like mandibles stretching out. But the genuine horror awaited once they passed through to the other side: the tracks ahead sheared off, revealing a lightless chasm in between.

"We'll need momentum." Caspian rose, inhaled, and—

Manako whipped around just as his exhale shredded the pursuing horde of insectoid monsters. The cart rocketed forward, launching over the abyss. Her scream echoed as they slammed onto intact rails on the other side, making her sharp teeth rattle while also nearly sending her over the edge.

Caspian settled back. "Manako."

"Y-Yes!?" she answered, covered in nervous sweat while trying not to pass out.

"Keep giving good directions and I'll put in a good word with Boros. I think you'll do well in the New Dark Matter Thieves."

"Sure thing!" Manako could only agree. His strange behaviour and absurd strength quelled her prior thoughts of trying to end this man's life. She would wait and let the Monster King deal with him.

Caspian raised his index finger. "Ah, it almost slipped my mind, but keep the indirect lighting to a minimum once we get there."

"Eh?"

¤ ¤ ¤

Tatsumaki flew through S-City in a great mood. Not only did she get to punish that mouthy idol in a satisfying way, but afterward she got to see Fubuki, Yuta, and Suiko's excellent teamwork pay off. To her faint surprise, the other Blizzard Group members proved themselves not completely useless.

She then observed Fubuki chasing Yuta with mild curiosity before shrugging it off. After confirming their safety, she turned her attention to hunting the remaining monsters.

And currently she streaked through the cityscape, her flight path carving emerald trails across the skyline. From this vantage point, she scoured myriad rooftops and alleyways until movement caught her eye — a revolting red centipede heading through an alley, its carnivorous plant companion traveling beside it.

Tatsumaki spread her arms and then clapped a single time. The two monsters, Junior Centipede and Venus Flytrap, crushed into one another before exploding into a gory shower of insect parts and plant matter.

Below, tentacles exploded from a manhole cover as Senior Centipede erupted from underground, its light-blue armored lower body scraping against the pavement.

"I will… avenge my junior…"

"No." Tatsumaki flicked her finger straight up, shooting the centipede into space. The manhole cover became her hammer next, slamming down onto Rafflesidon again and again until its shrieks faded and its pulped remains oozed across the pavement.

She wouldn't waste any more time. The quicker she ended this monster invasion, the better. Partly because she needed to be ready for a certain 'plan' when the opportunity arose, and partly to ensure her sister and the others stayed safe once she had to leave.

Tatsumaki ascended higher into the sky as Elder Centipede burst forth through the earth, his gargantuan form winding through the city. Resulting in an immense amount of damage.

Rage burned through her — not at the destruction, but at this insect daring to attack Blast years ago. Worse, Caspian had revealed its entire existence now served to only to get revenge on Blast.

"Guaah!"

She twirled her index finger, twisting Elder Centipede's body like a wet rag being wrung out. "Join the other one." With another flick, she launched the spear-shaped creature into space to greet its smaller counterpart.

"Today keeps getting better." Tatsumaki withdrew her phone, checking a map that displayed a blinking crimson dot moving away from C-City. "Hey! Where do you think you're going? That isn't part of the 'plan!'"