Before the Week’s End

Shadow Ring forced her nerves under control. Preventing unnecessary scrutiny took priority now.

This became harder when the Demon Cyborg Genos said, 'your kind.' Not only had he seen through her disguise, but his open hatred for women shocked her.

Why did that bell-covered girl escape his scorn?

The answer struck her instantly. He painted her as the enemy so he could despise her gender without drawing backlash. With that realization, she bumped Genos to the top of her culling list.

But now wasn't the time for fighting. Right as the gray-eyed girl tensed, a group approached from the hotel. Among them were Lightning Max and Sneck — two A-Class Heroes who could verify her identity. Their presence brought momentary relief.

Her relief shattered when a dark-brown blur shot past, slamming the heroes unconscious.

"Awakened Cockroach."

Shadow Ring glared down at Genos and asked, "Have you fought this monster before? What are its weaknesses?"

"Someone like you stands no chance alone…"

She held back her urge to cut him down.

"…but with my help, you can be useful. I cannot move my lower body, so you'll need to help me up."

"Two A-Class Heroes down." Awakened Cockroach halted further up the road, surveying them. "Two nobodies, an A-Class, and a wounded S-Class. Answer me, heroes — do you hate cockroaches?"

Shadow Ring sensed immediate danger studying the six-armed humanoid cockroach. At least a Demon-level threat.

Too well-informed. My name isn't one that resounds in the Hero Association. How did a monster gather such intel?

The silver-bell girl turned back. "Even a monster recognizes you. I apologize for accusing you. Oh, I'm Lin Lin by the way." She smiled.

Shadow Ring gave a curt nod before shifting focus to the man beside Lin Lin — tall, wearing a navy-blue martial arts uniform lined with star-shaped buttons.

"I expect a handsome reward from the Hero Association for doing their job for them." He smirked at Lin Lin. "If I can take care of this bug, will you go on a date with me?"

LIn Lin blushed and nodded. "B-Be careful, Suiryu…"

"Hah! No need to worry about me." Suiryu stretched, strolling toward the grinning Awakened Cockroach.

"Are all ninjas incompetent? Help me up. Suiryu will need my help soon."

Shadow Ring had endured enough. "Do you believe being an S-Class Hero allows you to hate women openly?"

"Hate women? Why do you people continue to spout nonsense when in my presence?"

"What do you mean 'you people?'"

"I—"

Lin Lin interrupted. "Please don't argue! We must cooperate."

She and Genos groaned.

"Fine."

Shadow Ring hauled him up, looping an arm around his waist.

"To save my master's brother-in-law requires sacrifice. You'll need to carry me in your arms."

He expects me to carry him like a princess?!

Shadow Ring exhaled through her nose but complied, lifting Genos in a princess carry without comment. A hero's duty sometimes required undignified acts, and this fell squarely in that category.

She adjusted her grip, focusing on the task rather than the absurdity of the situation.

"The ease with which you lifted and now hold me shows that your strength is above average, given your stature. You might prove useful after all." Genos noted, looking toward Suiryu, who drew closer to Awakened Cockroach.

"What is our strategy?" asked Shadow Ring.

"We wait."

Her eye twitched. "Then why am I holding you now?"

"Silence, ninja. Focus on the battle."

Shadow Ring's training to remain calm frayed. I'll cull you before the week's end.

¤ ¤ ¤

Black Sperm descended further into the Monster Association base's depths, chasing the arrogant human who had looked down on him. The violent tremors rattling the base's foundations drew him downward like a beacon. Each step carried him closer to the source of those earth-shaking impacts.

He entered a square chamber and froze. "Gums..." Or rather, what remained of Gums splattered across every surface. Acidic fluids had melted deep trenches into the floor, pooling in craters that still hissed.

Gums, you deserved better. Killing him can also be considered me avenging you.

Black Sperm continued his pursuit with an added purpose.

¤ ¤ ¤

Gyoro Gyoro hovered before a mine cart tunnel, its entrance carved into a colossal sideways skull with tracks piercing the left eye socket.

I've almost caught up.

Gyoro Gyoro emerged from the opposite end of the tunnel into a cavern where the rock walls arched upward on both sides, forming a semicircle.

What could they want here?

Ahead, the cavern bore evidence of chaotic passage — massive, ragged holes punched through not just the walls but also the floor. Stone dust still drifted in the disturbed air.

Killed Fuhrer Ugly. Kidnapped Manako. Used the carts. They know our layout and capabilities. Their power and knowledge cannot be underestimated. Are they the 'Clairvoyant'?

Gyoro Gyoro's focus sharpened as distant vibrations thrummed through the stone. Every second mattered now. With a surge of psychic energy, she accelerated in the vibrations' direction.

¤ ¤ ¤

"Where the hell is it?!" Caspian's fist obliterated another section of tunnel wall, sending rocky shrapnel flying. Debris scattered all around them as Manako clung desperately to his shoulder, her tiny fingers hooked into the dark fabric of his clothing. Each earth-shaking impact made her entire body vibrate with terror.

As it turned out, the Monster King wasn't his target at all. This lunatic sought something called a 'Mysterious Cube.' A term that meant nothing to her but seemed to consume Caspian's every recent thought. He moved with terrifying single-mindedness, treating the entire Monster Association base as his personal excavation site.

Caspian suddenly stopped. His head tilted upward, that familiar, manic gleam returning to his eyes before Manako felt his muscles coil beneath her.

"No…" she murmured. The single word carried the weight of impending misfortune as she felt Caspian's muscles coil beneath her.

Her worst fears materialized in a heartbeat. Caspian waved his hand upward, unleashing a strong invisible force. Massive chunks of stone fractured, immediately beginning their free fall.

"Gya!" Manako's 'Multiple-Purpose Eye-Light' came to life, producing a respectable amount of light.

To her shock, a turquoise aura coated the airborne stone chunks, enabling them to levitate in the air, but her eye shifted focus to a deep violet-colored cube with a metallic luster floating amongst the debris.

"I finally found you," Caspian said in concurrence with another male voice Manako recognized.