Yesterday, to Caspian’s surprise, he not only found Yuta but also had the ce to save her.

  With Yuta met and rescued, he had now met half of his pursuits in person. As for the other three… There had been no information on their potential whereabouts before they appeared in the plotlihis, of course, left Caspian in a frustrating position, leading him to make a choice.

  Now that Genos was his disciple, he decided part of his ‘training,’ would involve him helping him track down the final three, as well as get an idea where Tatsumaki and Yuta, typically stayed. He already knew where Mosquito Girl was, which saved him one headache.

  He knew his behavior and fixations weren’t normal, but why care? He never saw himself as righteous or morally superior, uhose preag in social media eions. If aood in his way, well, he had a solution…

  Caspian would infenos of his task after—.

  “Master, as you promised, please go all out in our sparring match, likewise I too will give it my all.”

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  While Caspian and Genos sparred, a frustrated Yuta sat in the meeting room of the ‘cil of Swordmasters’ ba G-City. At the low table, her father, Amahare, sat to her left. Across from her was Nichirin, the cil’s head, while tht sat Kamikaze, better known by his hero alias, ‘Atomic Samurai’, apanied by his three disciples: Iaian, Okamaitachi, and Bushidrill.

  The cil members absent from the room had volunteered to patrol the city’s es.

  Today’s meeting was called in order to discuss yesterday’s events. Now that G-City had returo its previous state, it was determihat the city’s threat response had been found g.

  Nichirin crossed his arms. “Yuta, are you certain this man cimed to be a C-Css Hero, and then killed Demon-level Threat in a sirike?”

  “Yes.”

  “Tch.” Atomic Samurai interrupted. “Nonsense. A meager C-Css Hero is incapable of such strength. Besides, we already know who dealt with the monster.”

  Amahare chimed in. “My daughter would not fabricate such a tale.”

  Yuta’s lips curled faintly. Her father had always had her back, and this i proved no different.

  Hushed side versatio over the details.

  Nichirin cleared his throat, drawing in everyone’s focus. “Yuta, while I do you believe you saw this man, I believe the thick smoke and fog likely obscured the st moments before the monster’s demise.”

  After waiting to see if anyone spoke up, Nichirin tinued. “Atomic Samurai is correct. It has been firmed that King, who had been visiting G-City, defeated the monster aed right after.”

  King? This…

  Yuta couldn’t get through to them, yesterday, or today, it seemed. She would have to find this lecherous powerhouse herself.

  All those in the room, beside Amahare, clearly believed King to be responsible without a single doubt.

  Now all she had to do was leave bef—

  “Now that issue has been resolved. Let us move oopic.”

  Yuta internally sighed.

  There was a reason she never sat in on these meetings when offered the ce — they always dragged on until nightfall.

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  Does he think I won’t teach him a lesson?

  Tatsumaki had spent the entire day searg for a festival. Just as she found one and was about to reach the dy apple stand, a call came through about amospheric disturbanear Z-City Ghost Town.

  Down below her, lied a rge desote ge. Scattered across it were various signs of a ret battle.

  What could he have been fighting?

  Desding from the cloudy blue sky, her gaze naturally fell to the aftermath of the fight. Sizable scorch marks marred the makeshift battlefield, bed streaks cutting jagged paths through the terrain.

  She felt certain that Caspian was responsible for this atmospheric disturbance as well. But what kind of monster could battle him like this, given his somewhat impressive strength?

  Her eyes widened when she saw a massive se of the ge carved out to the opposite end, and even a distant mountain bore a simir fate.

  “Hmph! Is he trying to show off? He’s not the only one who ,” she muttered.

  Extending her hands, she summoned a massive vortex of psychiergy, the air around her crag with power.

  What followed was the most intetle Tatsumaki had ever had—against nature.

  Ring

  Tatsumaki stood on the ground, sweat coating every inch of her petite figure.

  Annoyed, she answered the phone. “What?!”

  “Tornado! What happened? We received reports of amospheric disturbance. Does that mean you located aed the monster?”

  “There is no monster I ot defeat. Don’t imply I could fail!”

  “Right. Great work,” the caller said. “Regarding Z-City Ghost Town, there will be a hero assig posted to iigate the area. With this sed atmospheric disturbance so close to the first, it’s imperative we uncover why such powerful monsters keep appearing and ung seemingly aimless strikes.”

  Morons.

  “I will also take part in this assig.”

  There ause oher end of the line.

  “T-Tornado, do you really o participate? It is an A-Rank Assig and—”

  “I said I’ll take part!”

  “…Uood. We will send you the details shortly. Would you like us to dispatch the aircraft?”

  Tatsumaki enveloped herself in a glow of psychiergy, slowly asding into the sky. “No need. I’ll fly myself home today,” she replied, a hint of pride lighting up her face.

  Click

  She ehe call and gnced between two distinct points ierrain below.

  Her efforts had paid off. Beside Caspian's devastating strike y aical replica—except hers was slightly rger in every measurable way.

  Let’s see if you’re still so coow.

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  “I had a feeling you liked udon.”

  “Yes, I’m not very picky.”

  The sun had set by the time Caspian and Genos finished sparring and made their way to a small udon shop.

  “Well, I’m also kinda low on funds—actually,” Caspian smirked. “I still have enough left from my rookie crushing.”

  Genos lurched forward. “What? Did someoempt to crush you, Master?”

  “No worries. It was just our seminar teacher looking out for me. He even rewarded me afterward.”

  “To even reward you after his defeat. I may have misjudged him.”

  “Maybe… How about we get twe bowls of udon, my treat?”

  Genos nodded.

  Caspian recalled that Sweet Mask is likely to arrive soon. Leaning in closer, he whispered. “Oh, by the way Genos, you’re about to have your very own rookie crushing experience.”

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  What an ugly pce.

  Sweet Mask stood outside the location given to him over the phone.

  Sliding open the wooden door, he stepped inside.

  “Wele?! Huh?”

  There you are.

  Sweet Mask tinued forward, wearing the fake smile he knew best.

  There, ahead of him, seated at a table, was the person he was looking for.

  “You must be Genos.”

  Genos looked at him. “And you Sweet Mask, A-Css Rank 1.”

  Hmm… He already knows of me. No matter.

  “I’d like to talk to you.”

  Shuffle

  “It’s Sweet Mask!”

  “He’s seous!”

  The udon store ers started fawning from behind.

  “Talk? I already know why you’re here.”

  Sweet Mask felt the rare tinge of surprise. Is there some piece of information I’m missing about him?

  “Please wait here, Master. I’ll hahis,” Genos said as he stood up from his chair. “Let’s go. This will allow me to digest my food better than walking.”

  Sweet Mask smiled. That’s right. Fall in line, I’ll inform you of the other expectations a hero must follow in a moment.

  He turned around, Genos in tow, but came to a sudden halt when an unknown voice reached his ears.

  “That mask you wear is pretty sweet.”

  Sweet Mask’s yellow eyes turned bloodshot as he snapped back toward the speaker. A tal tasteless py on words? Who is this baldy?

  The baldy stared straight at him with a smug smile.

  “Genos, why didn’t you introduce me to your friend?” Sweet Mask asked, f his murderous emotions back.

  “My apologies.” Genos puffed out his chest. “This is Caspian, my master.”

  Master?!

  Caspian remained seated, his expression unged. “That was a bit too revealing, wasn’t it, Mask? Are the cracks beginning to show?”

  Sweet Mask’s thoughts spun into a chaotic mess. How could he possibly know?

  Before he could snap, a hand nded on his shoulder.

  “Is everything okay? We should take care of this now.”

  “Y-Yes, you’re right.” Sweet Mask ran his hand through his light-blue hair, while his eyes remained on Caspian, filled with baleful i.

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  A couple minutes after Genos and Sweet Mask left the udon shop, Genos reappeared at the entrance, frowning.

  Caspian paid for their meals and approached Genos.

  “Well, how did the rookie crushing go?”

  Genos shook his head. “He wao do no such thing. I have not the slightest clue what he wanted from me. He asked several odd questions about you and the in a hurry.”

  Caspian chuckled to himself. He hoped Sweet Mask was losing his mind at the moment. If this didn’t grasp Sweet Mask’s attention, then he would have to resort to an alterhod.

  “Why did your odd phrasing affect him so much?”

  Caspian patted Genos on the bad said, “Unc that on your own will be a form of training. Speaking of training, there’s an important matter I o discuss with you. Let’s head home first. You pnned on moving in tonight, right?”

  “Master, your knowledge and fht are sed only to your strength.”

  “Right... Don’t fet to pack your own toothbrush.”

  “I will not!”

  Before the two could leave, several ers ran up to them.

  “Excuse me!” a teenage girl called out. “You’re both friends with Sweet Mask, right?” She extended her arm. “ I shake your hands?”

  Caspian smiled. A pleasant ge.