'BOOM!'
A violent shockwave suddenly tore through the disaster shelter, making the entire structure groan and tremble.
'Crack! Crack, crack!'
The ground where the meteor-like figure had landed caved in beneath the impact. Cracks spread rapidly outward like a spiderweb, stopping just short of the children who had been shouting moments earlier.
The kids stared blankly at the scene, unable to react. And they weren't the only ones.
The entire shelter, which had been filled with deafening chants just seconds ago, fell dead silent. Everyone stood frozen, staring ahead as the dust slowly began to settle.
"Ugh..."
The enormous Mysterious Being lay embedded in the ground, sprawled inside a crater filled with dirt and broken stone. A foot was planted firmly on the Deep Sea King's head.
Standing atop him was a young man who slowly raised his gaze. Calm, dark eyes. Simple clothes chosen for ease of movement. He wasn't particularly tall, but his posture was straight and striking.
His face was one anyone could recognize simply by visiting the Hero Association's official website and checking the S-Class roster.
No one here failed to recognize him. And no one could contain their excitement.
Because the person they had called for had truly come.
"OOOOOOOOOOOH...!"
A deafening cheer erupted, practically shooting through the roof. The roar was so powerful that the air itself seemed to shake, and even the shelter began trembling again.
Fang Li himself was startled by the sheer volume. He looked around in surprise as people cheered with tears in their eyes.
"What is going on?"
Naturally, Fang Li had no idea what had happened here before his arrival. After settling things with Sonic, he had rushed over at full speed. When he reached the air above the shelter, he had suddenly heard an astonishing chant rising from inside, and the name they were chanting was unmistakably his Hero Name.
He had no idea why, but he still rushed in immediately, attacking the Deep Sea King just as the monster was about to strike the children. Beyond that, Fang Li knew nothing.
He certainly didn't know that, thanks to Sylvia's words and his perfectly timed arrival, his image in the hearts of J-City's citizens had instantly grown larger than life.
It was a remarkable coincidence.
Still, although Fang Li was confused, what he needed to do hadn't changed. His voice rang through the shelter.
"Everyone, get away from here!"
His tone was calm, but loud enough for everyone to hear.
"The Mysterious Being isn't dead yet! If you don't want to get caught in the fight, move!"
That snapped the cheering crowd back to reality.
"Q-Quick! Get away from here!"
"Kids! Come over here!"
"Hurry!"
The adults seemed to forget how paralyzed with fear they'd been moments ago, hurriedly retreating while calling to the children.
"The Hero is here!"
"He'll defeat the Mysterious Being!"
"Yeah!"
The children looked at Fang Li with pure admiration before being led away by the adults.
It seemed like a lot had happened, but in reality, the entire process took only a few moments.
Almost as soon as the civilians had backed away, Fang Li felt it. The massive body beneath his foot suddenly twitched.
"ROOOOAR!"
The next instant, accompanied by a low growl, a huge arm tore through the air again. The fist came swinging toward Fang Li with a terrifying gale behind it.
But Fang Li was already moving.
'Whoosh!'
His figure blurred, vanishing on the spot.
'BOOM!'
The powerful punch struck nothing, producing a thunderous blast.
At the same time, the Deep Sea King slowly climbed to his feet, stones and dirt rolling off his body. He turned his bloodshot eyes forward.
Fang Li stood there as though he'd been in that exact spot from the beginning, calmly meeting the Deep Sea King's gaze.
The air seemed to freeze.
Watching from a distance, the citizens of J-City couldn't help gulping nervously.
The Deep Sea King kicked aside chunks of stone and pushed through the loose earth as he stepped out of the crater.
"I see." He chuckled darkly. "So you're in a hurry to be killed, too?"
An astonishing murderous aura poured from his body.
"That's right..." His voice was filled with cruelty. "I think I'll start with you."
The frozen atmosphere exploded.
"I'LL KILL YOU!"
Every muscle in the Deep Sea King's body bulged alongside his surging murderous intent. There was no doubt about it, he was about to go on a rampage.
Unfortunately for him, his grand display lasted only an instant.
"Shut up..."
Those were the last words the Deep Sea King would ever hear.
'SHING...!'
A flash of steel appeared.
Cold. Sharp.
"Flashing Scabbard - Seven Nights Curtain!"
A slash moving at godlike speed transformed into a streak of silver light, instantly filling the Deep Sea King's vision. The last thing he ever saw was a brilliant white blade of light cutting across space directly toward him.
'SCHLIK...!'
With the sound of flesh being severed, his body was cut cleanly in two.
Blood sprayed into the air.
"...!?"
Everyone watching stared with wide eyes.
'Tap.'
Fang Li stood where he was, looking as though he hadn't done anything at all. A crescent-moon dagger rested in his hand as he looked coldly ahead.
'Thud.'
The Deep Sea King's severed halves separated neatly and crashed to the ground, staining the earth with the blood of the Sea King.
Silence. Absolute silence.
Everyone stared at the scene.
Then their faces slowly flushed with excitement.
"OOOOOOOOOOOH...!"
The next second, cheers once again shook the heavens. And this time, they didn't stop for a very long while.
...
At the same time, some distance away from the shelter, two figures stood on the rooftop of a nearby building.
Through the section of ceiling the Deep Sea King had smashed apart earlier, they watched Fang Li standing amid the citizens' cheers.
One of them spoke.
"Let's go."
The speaker was bald.
The other was an extraordinarily handsome cyborg. His reply was simple.
"Yes, Teacher."
And with that, the two of them left. But before departing, the bald man glanced back one last time and muttered,
"What an interesting guy..."
(End of Chapter)
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