A day had passed since Boros faced the first defeat of his life. After sailing through space for centuries, he had finally come across an opponent he couldn't even touch. Even with 'Meteoric Burst,' he discerned he wouldn't have been able to nd a single blow on that minuscule creature.

  Yet, it wasn't the kind of battle he had longed for. Fighting an opponent who didn't fight back felt like sparring against empty air. Still, Boros was a being of his word. He would follow Caspian, trusting that he would get to face off against exhirating opponents. The prophecy hadn't failed him, he just needed to be patient. And patience was something he had mastered over his long, relentless existence.

  He could admit it, this pnet, 'Earth,' was one of the few out of countless he had visited that stirred even the faintest flicker of interest within him. It had many unique qualities, from the peculiar ways its inhabitants spent their time to the concepts of 'Mysterious Beings' and 'Heroes.'

  The more he learned, the more the prophecy resonated in his mind. He could sense countless Mysterious Beings scattered across this pce called 'Z-City Ghost Town,' particurly beneath their very feet. In fact, Boros believed several of the lifeforms lurking below might provide him with at least a modicum of entertainment, likely more than any other pnet he had encountered. Earth seemed to be teeming with opponents unlike any he had ever encountered, as though an unseen hand had guided them all here.

  Boros had even mentioned this dense concentration of lifeforms below to Caspian, and that's when he learned of a group known as the 'Monster Association.' Apparently, it would still be some time before they made their move. Boros had considered heading down there right away, but Caspian suggested a slightly different idea. One that he now eagerly awaited.

  This will be a suitable pce for leisure. Boros thought, surveying the modest room he now occupied. It was one of many in the apartment building beside Caspian's.

  "Lord Boros," Dark Matter Gunner spoke up, his tone deferential yet nervous, "these rooms are far too cramped for you. W-We should remove the walls and ceiling to make it more comfortable."

  Boros remained silent. He had rarely spoken to Dark Matter Gunner over the numerous years, mostly issuing orders or inquiring about the status of pnets they were invading directly through Geryuganshoop. Now, in this unfamiliar situation, he realized he would need to adjust. Small talk wasn't exactly something he had practiced during his long, solitary travels atop his throne.

  "A fine idea. No need to be nervous around me. But why do you still call me 'Lord Boros?' The Dark Matter Thieves have disbanded."

  "I… Have we really disbanded?" Dark Matter Gunner asked.

  Boros paused, considering for a few moments, when a brilliant idea came to him.

  He struck his golden armor, his sharp teeth gleaming as he grinned. "Yes. But now, the 'New Dark Matter Thieves' will rise. We will recruit Caspian and Little M, along with the many unique beings Earth has to offer. Once we do, no other group will stand in our way."

  "An excellent idea, Lord Boros," Dark Matter Gunner said, his body beginning to tremble. "I know that this isn't reted to what you said, but… could you please call me 'Gunner' from now on?"

  Boros' eye widened before he let out a deep ugh. "Gunner it is. Come, we can deal with this another time. For now, we must find literature about this world. Knowledge will aid us in forming the New Dark Matter Thieves here." With that, he turned to leave.

  "Certainly, Lord Boros," Gunner said, chasing after him, a newfound confidence in his voice.

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  Another day passed. For Caspian, it was uneventful, and he remained blissfully unaware of Boros’ pns for the New Dark Matter Thieves.

  But for a sharp young man with piercing blue eyes and bck hair, dressed in a long white b coat and rectangur gsses, the day was far from uneventful.

  "Where is my Caspian!?"

  Dr. Genus stood under the icy-blue lights of the basement beneath the House of Takoyaki, his gaze fixed on an unstable Mosquito Girl pacing in the far corner. The open area of the basement was littered with scattered pieces of highly durable metal, various shapes and lengths meant to test and help her acclimate to her newfound capabilities. Yet, the solid, non-hollow metals, designed to withstand immense force, y crushed and twisted like aluminum foil under her strength.

  Mosquito Girl, cd in a long white gown that Armored Goril had brought back the same day Caspian first visited the b, paused her restless movements. She bent down, grabbed the rgest, most durable pilr-like piece of metal, and stood straight up, hugging it tightly against her body. Her fingers sank into its surface as if it were cy, the metal groaning in response.

  Given that less than an hour had passed since she awoke, she will need more time to acclimate her mind. As the flood of new stimuli overwhelming her senses is too much to process all at once. Without a stabilizing factor to ground her, she could remain in this state for an entire week straight.

  Dr. Genus adjusted his gsses and took a deep breath. "Do not worry. I have contacted Caspian, and he is on his way."

  “Really?!” Mosquito Girl’s excitement surged as she hugged the pilr-like piece of metal even harder. The central portion of the metal fttened, causing the upper half to colpse backward and sm into the lower half. The impact echoed through the basement like the booming crack of a gunshot.

  He flinched at the noise before turning toward the basement steps.

  "What happened? Is everything okay?" Armored Goril, dressed in a rge gray hoodie, appeared at the foot of the stairs. "S-She's awake?"

  "Yes. She is just in the process of adjusting."

  Armored Goril stared past him toward the crushed hyper-durable metal scattered across the floor. "Adjusting…"

  "Indeed. How did the delivery go?"

  "Good. Here are the two account cards," Armored Goril said, pulling out two sleek bck cards and handing them over. "Like you asked, one for you and the other for Caspian."

  "Caspian!"

  Armored Goril jumped at Mosquito Girl's sudden cry. She now sat atop one of the fallen pieces of metal, fidgeting restlessly.

  "A-Are you sure she's going to be alright?"

  "Of course," said Dr. Genus as he slipped the two sleek bck cards into his b coat's inner pocket. "Things are looking up. With funding no longer an issue, we can expand this basement, upgrade our equipment, and add deeper levels. Even greater is the fact we have the pinnacle of evolution as our backer."

  Armored Goril nodded wordlessly, though his unease was palpable. His gaze remained locked onto Mosquito Girl, his silence speaking volumes.

  Dr. Genus could guess what he was thinking: Was Carnage Kabuto's blood really such a good idea?