Chapter 340: Chapter 41: Just in Time
Genos and Sweet Mask Amai had long been at odds. So when they crossed paths this time, the tension instantly ignited into a full-blown street brawl.
After several rounds of upgrades, Genos’s strength had advanced even further. Meanwhile, the power Sweet Mask Amai displayed was enough to make anyone take notice.
Their figures flickered rapidly across the street, streaks of lightning and sparks lighting up the surroundings, each punch bringing gusts of wind in its wake.
As the fierce battle continued, the street beneath them gradually fell apart.
Saitama glanced over a few times but quickly lost interest. Carrying his groceries, he turned and casually walked back toward his apartment building.
"Genos, don’t forget to come back early."
Mid-air, Genos turned his head and nodded. "Yes, Sensei."
Sweet Mask Amai lunged into the air, a sharp sidekick hurtling straight at Genos.
Genos twisted mid-air, his palm lighting up with concentrated energy.
"Incineration Cannon!"
BOOM!!!
—
Meanwhile, Ron had already arrived at King’s place.
The two sat side by side, each holding a game controller, deeply immersed in the new game King had just bought.
"King, even though your actual combat power is about as threatening as an ant, I have to admit—your gaming skills are seriously impressive."
"Heh, not bad yourself, Ron."
"Lend me the game after you’re done with it."
"Sure thing."
—
After leaving King’s place, Ron strolled down the street.
Beep beep beep.
His phone buzzed—it was a call from Fubuki.
He answered and brought the phone to his ear. "Hey there, little Fubuki. What’s up?"
"I’ve told you a million times! Don’t call me that!"
Fubuki’s voice blasted through the phone, clearly flustered. Ron could easily picture her red-faced and annoyed on the other end.
"Okay, okay, little Fubuki. I promise not to call you that anymore, little Fubuki."
"Y-You...!!"
"Alright, I’ll stop teasing. So what’s the matter? Don’t tell me... you missed me?"
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"...Actually, I ran into a bit of trouble. If you’re not busy, could you come over?"
"Sure."
"The location is—"
"No need. I already know where you are. I’ll be there in a flash."
Fubuki froze. "...Huh?"
Ron said nothing more. His foot stomped down.
BOOM!
The ground beneath him shattered.
Under the stunned gaze of passersby, he shot up into the sky like a missile, soaring a hundred meters high before blasting off in a single direction.
—
At that moment, in City C.
On a coastal dock scattered with shipping containers...
A terrifying humanoid creature, covered in glowing green slime, stalked forward along the shoreline. Every step it took left sizzling acid burns on the ground behind it.
"So you’re the ones they call the Blizzard Group? Hah! If only you’d been a little faster, you might’ve killed me before I completed my evolution."
"But now... my final form is complete. No one can stop me anymore."
The monster’s eerie voice rang out across the dock as it declared its intent to slaughter the members of the Blizzard Group hiding nearby.
"Once I’m done with you... I’ll exterminate the rest of humanity and achieve ultimate evolution!"
B-Class heroes Eyelashes, Mountain Ape, and Lily crouched in the shadows with their weapons, cold sweat dripping from their brows as they stared at the approaching creature.
It had been terrifying enough before its so-called evolution. Now that it was in its mature form, how powerful was it really?
"There you are!"
The green-skinned creature suddenly shrieked.
With a thunderous stomp, it launched itself into the air like a bolt of green lightning and struck down toward the nearest Blizzard Group member.
The unlucky target had no time to react—he was impaled through the chest in an instant and killed on the spot.
"Water Ripple!"
Eyelashes cried out in horror.
Mountain Ape’s eyes burned with fury as he lunged at the monster.
Their movement triggered a full-on response.
The rest of the Blizzard Group—over a dozen members in black suits—rushed forward in unison, launching a coordinated assault.
"W-Wait! Stop!"
Fubuki cried out.
VMM!
The creature vanished from where it stood.
In the blink of an eye, it reappeared behind Mountain Ape, claws slashing straight for the back of his head.
"One down..."
Just when death seemed imminent—
"Get lost!"
Fubuki’s voice rang out with force.
Her psychic power erupted.
The monster’s movement froze for a brief second.
A whirlwind of slicing air erupted around it, cutting toward its green frame like a storm of blades.
Mountain Ape barely managed to roll away in time.
"While Lady Fubuki has it restrained—attack now!"
Lily shouted to the others.
The Blizzard Group members quickly snapped out of their shock and raised their firearms, opening fire.
SWISH!
The creature slashed through the wind with a single claw.
The incoming bullets split in mid-air like paper.
Its glowing green eyes fixed on Fubuki.
"You’re fast... but still far too slow."
"Impressive ability. It’s a shame you’re not strong enough."
"You seem to be their leader. In that case... I’ll start with you."
As it finished speaking—
Two pairs of green insect wings burst from its back. With just a slight flap, it stirred the air into a violent current.
And then—it vanished.
Fubuki’s heart seized with dread.
That thing—now clearly some kind of mutated insect—reappeared behind her in eerie silence, its horrifying jaw opening wide, filled with razor-sharp teeth. It lunged for the back of her head.
"Time to eat..."
"Lady Fubuki!!"
Lily and the others screamed in panic.
But just then—
The insect froze.
Its twisted face contorted into a look of sheer terror.
"When... when did you—?"
Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Standing behind the insect—
Was a silver-haired teen in sunglasses.
No one had seen him arrive.
His right hand was held out in a claw-like grip, firmly pressing down on the creature’s head.
CRACK!
The creature’s skull exploded in his grip.
Its green blood never even had time to splatter—it froze instantly under a burst of icy air, shattering with its body into a small pile of frosty green shards.
Ron looked at Fubuki and smiled.
"Yo. I made it just in time, didn’t I?"
Fubuki stared at him, stunned, her heart fluttering with an unfamiliar emotion she couldn’t name.