The boss hauled itself out of the wreckage, clearly ticked off, its eyes glowing menacingly.
A low rumble vibrated through the street, starting softly like an engine trying to start deep underground. Dust trembled. Loose pieces of metal shook. The few windows that were left shattered, tiny cracks spreading across them.
Riko and Luna froze in place.
"That… wasn't the wind," Luna said quietly.
Riko gulped. "Nope. That's him alright.
The pile of debris a short distance away began to move. It was slow, heavy, and threatening. A piece of a collapsed storefront lifted slightly, then crashed back down as something huge pushed upward from beneath. Smoke and dust rolled out in thick waves.
Then, a massive hand burst out of the rubble.
It slammed onto the broken pavement, its claws carving long gashes into the cracked asphalt. The sound was like a mix of a roar and static, like the monster was breaking reality just to stand up.
The boss pulled itself completely free.
Its body rose slowly and powerfully, pieces of metal sliding off its shoulders. Its whole body was shaking, not because it was hurt, but because it was so angry that you could feel the heat radiating off it. The monster's eyes, which had been a dull red, were now burning like hot lava, glowing brighter every time it blinked.
Luna took a step backwards. "Oh, come ON! Didn't your super punch send it flying into a building? Shouldn't it be gone?!"
Riko didn't say anything. He could feel the air getting thick, almost shimmering around the monster as the glow in its eyes got more intense. It felt like staring into two super-hot furnaces, burning with anger.
The boss roared.
But this roar was different – deeper, sharper, and with a digital sound to it. It echoed strangely, with distorted fragments that seemed to lag behind the original sound. The shockwave slammed down the street, kicking up debris and tiny shards that stung Riko's face.
Then the transformation started.
Riko watched, holding his breath, as the monster's body changed beneath its torn skin. Thin lines spread across its shoulders, glowing like cracks in hot metal. The lines widened, stretching, as something metallic pushed through from underneath.
"Riko…" Luna said, her voice shaking, "tell me that's not what I think it is."
"Yeah," he said quietly. "It's evolving."
The monster screamed – not in pain, but almost like it was excited. Its skin peeled back, revealing shiny metal plates that looked like jagged armor. The plates clicked into place, covering its chest, arms, and back. Sparks flew as new pieces pushed through the flesh.
A new row of curved metal spikes rose from its back, glowing from the inside. Its arms got thicker, and its veins were replaced with glowing tubes. Its claws grew longer, turning into sharp blades.
Its face changed last.
The jaw stretched open, and the bone was replaced with a reinforced metal hinge. The eyes burned brighter, turning into sharp slits. A plate grew over its forehead, giving the monster a mechanical look that made Riko's stomach churn.
The whole transformation happened in seconds, but it felt like forever.
Luna gave a small, scared laugh. "Why does it have armor now? Why does the monster NEED ARMOR?!"
Riko stepped slightly in front of her, even though his legs felt weak. He was still tired from the Ultra Hit, and his arms were still shaking.
The boss looked at him.
Not past him.
Not around him.
At him.
And its gaze was colder than before – less like an animal, and more calculating.
"Riko," Luna whispered, "we need to run."
He wanted to agree.
He really did.
But the person on the rooftop was still there, watching silently. Riko felt like running wouldn't help. Whatever that person wanted, they weren't going to let them escape.
And now the boss – its upgraded form cracking the street with every step – lumbered toward them, angrier than ever.
Riko raised his fists.
"I don't have another crazy punch in me," he muttered, "but if it wants to go again, I'll—"
The monster charged at him.
Its first step dented the ground. The second step cracked it. The third step sent pieces of asphalt flying like bullets. It was faster now, much faster. Every move was smoother, stronger, and more controlled.
Luna yelled, "MOVE!"
Riko pushed her aside as the monster swung an armored arm across the street. The blow smashed a row of parked cars, sending parts flying. If Riko hadn't moved, he would have been hit.
He slid across the pavement, barely managing to stay on his feet. His arms and legs felt heavy.
The boss turned its burning gaze toward him.
Riko's arm-screen suddenly flickered back on, glitching.
Luna gasped. "Oh, thank GOD – it's working again!"
"Yeah," Riko said, "but it doesn't look good."
The screen flickered again, getting brighter. Symbols flashed across it, like debris falling from a building – red, orange, blue, all mixed up and messed up.
Then –
It stabilized.
A new warning appeared, the letters so bright they seemed to vibrate against his skin.
ELITE CLASS BOSS EVOLVED.