Hero For Lust

Caspian's taunting had led to a chunk of the Z-City Ghost Town getting razed. Thankfully, he managed to push her even further, angering her to the point where he thought she might faint. This allowed him to lure her out of the city and into the desolate gorge where he and Genos had once sparred.

He hoped by pushing her mind to its limits through trying to kill him, she could increase her psychic powers. Sadly, he couldn't tell if she grew stronger himself and would have to wait until he could watch her battle someone else in the future before he could determine the outcome. Though he gathered they would likely need to battle many more times before any genuine changes in her strength blossomed.

Caspian currently floated on his back above the clouds, wrapped in her emerald-green aura, the vast expanse of sky stretching endlessly around him. To his side, Tatsumaki flared her psychic output to its absolute limit, her energy blazing like a star.

"Concede!" Tatsumaki closed both of her hands. "Haha! How does it feel? The weight of a continent pressing on you from all sides?"

If Caspian told her the truth, that he felt as though she had tucked him snugly into bed, he worried she might drag them up into space.

"Who would've guessed that 'The Ghost Town Monster' was just a cute little psychic?"

Tatsumaki clenched her hands to the point her arms shook. "You think I'll get worked up whenever you want? I won't."

"What are those white things under that dress? You really need to wear sexier underwear when you're around me."

Caspian's body flew toward Tatsumaki as he allowed himself to be dragged closer to her. When he spotted her gritting her teeth, he flashed her a grin.

"My, my. Didn't you just say that you wouldn't get worked up?"

"I'm not!"

Caspian decided it was time to wrap this up. He repositioned himself midair, turning until his stomach faced the ground far below. Then he began swimming through the air toward her with deliberate motion.

"No way! How can you possibly be moving under this pressure?!"

As Caspian drew ever closer to Tatsumaki, he said, "I came here to steal, and I intend to keep my word."

Tatsumaki showed a rare look of uncertainty, her eyes darting about.

He questioned why she didn't just attempt to send him rocketing downward.

An answer outside of his predictions welcomed him.

Tatsumaki used her greatest speed to arrive before Caspian's face, where she pressed her soft, small lips into his.

How he wished for this moment to never end.

Sadly, it lasted for less than a breath, after which she retreated backward.

"Haha! Look at that stupid expression on your face. I win! As if I'd let you steal my lips first!"

Caspian could admit his defeat here. But after watching Tatsumaki strike a victorious pose with one hand pressed against her chest and the other held out, he understood she had acted without thinking things through and now the shock of her actions rippled out from within her.

He held his tongue and observed the myriad emotions that passed across her face.

Tatsumaki lowered her arms, the once smug expression she had turned indifferent. "…Right. I have to be a good example. How could I allow myself to be so weak? I shouldn't expect anything from anyone, even you."

The past never gives up its hold…

He wished to reach out to her, but his meteoric descent had begun.

As he plummeted, he watched her turn into a green streak as she sped away.

It was time for him to make a choice: should he catch up to her, or let her go for now?

The closing of Caspian's eyes, as he knocked into the depths of the earth, spoke to the latter.

¤ ¤ ¤

Genos waited restlessly in the apartment as rays of sunlight spilled into the room from the open balcony.

He had detected Caspian's presence days ago, along with the emergence of an incredibly powerful monster. Genos rushed to the location as fast as he could, but by the time he arrived, both his master and the unknown threat were long gone. In their wake lay utter devastation. Left with no other option, he returned to the apartment to wait. Against an opponent of this level, he knew he would only be a hindrance at the moment.

Later that same day, Caspian had finally texted him. The message contained several details, but what troubled Genos most was Caspian's statement — he wouldn't be returning until...

Genos made his way to the balcony and peered into the blue. "Today is the day."

Up there, far above him. Lay a strange spot in the sky.

Genos pulled out his phone. "Hmm? A call from the Hero Association. This must be about—"

"Hello?"

A man's voice echoed. "Genos. Report to the Z-City Hero Association Building immediately."

"Understood."

The line went dead before Genos could ask any follow-up questions.

Knowing the urgency, he grabbed a dark briefcase from the corner of the room before leaping off the balcony.

"Master... Even after reading your message, as a hero, I must give it my all—no matter what."

¤ ¤ ¤

Bang had been standing inside the Z-City Hero Association Building, waiting to see if any heroes would show up.

How many actually would? This industry had only grown more selfish as time passed.

Swoosh

Bang looked up as the automatic doors slid open, revealing a young man stepping inside with a briefcase in hand.

"Ah, you would be Genos?" Bang raised his hand, holding up two fingers in greeting. "My name is Bang. Nice to meet you."

"I'm here to test myself against the meteor." Genos said as he turned to face him.

Bang's eyes widened for a split second before narrowing. "You've already been informed?"

"My Master has already informed of the critical details."

"Your Master…?"

Bang scrutinized Genos. Who could his master be? Had he met him before?

A piercing, loud siren reverberated throughout Z-City.

"Attention! This is an announcement from the Hero Association."

Bang turned and closed his eyes. "People are sure to panic."

"What are you going to do, old man?"

"I have a name you know? Call me Mr. Bang."

Bang walked away, but when no further response came, he turned back.

"He left… I'm interested to learn of young Genos' Master. Perhaps he will make an appearance today."