Chapter 1: Instant Death Gate!
[System Note: Please turn off your brain and enjoy the adrenaline rush.]
BOOM!
A deafening explosion tore through his eardrums. Kenji struggled to open his eyes, his mind a chaotic mess.
What... what happened?
He looked around. It was a scene straight out of an apocalypse. The city was reduced to rubble; broken buildings were piled up like jagged mountains of concrete and steel.
"What is going on..."
The moment the words left his mouth, Kenji realized something was wrong.
Since when did my voice sound so deep and baritone?
In the next second, memories flooded his mind like a tidal wave. Kenji instantly understood the situation, and the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
I've been isekai'd into the One Punch Man universe? And I've become the so-called "Strongest Man on Earth"—King?!
Looking at this scenery... don't tell me...
An ominous feeling gripped his heart. Not only had he transmigrated as King, but he had also woken up right in the middle of a destroyed city. There was only one scenario that started like this.
Crunch.
The crisp sound of debris being crushed came from behind him. He turned his head stiffly, his face turning green with terror.
It really is him!
Standing behind Kenji was a purple humanoid creature, three meters tall with bulging muscles. It stood atop a pile of ruins, its scarlet eyes scanning the destruction with a look of satisfaction.
With two long antennae on its head, it looked suspiciously like a knock-off Piccolo from Dragon Ball.
Dragon-level Monster: Vaccine Man!
Kenji broke out in a cold sweat. His heart began to pound violently against his ribs. A deep, rhythmic thrumming sound erupted from his chest, sounding like a high-performance engine revving up.
DOOM... DOOM... DOOM...
This was King's special trait—the "King Engine." His heartbeat was naturally loud, and when he was nervous or terrified, it became deafening, audible from hundreds of meters away.
Hearing the unique sound, Vaccine Man finally looked down and saw Kenji frozen in place. The monster clenched his fist.
"To think a human actually survived!"
Before Kenji could even react, Vaccine Man launched into his villainous monologue, dumping a wall of text onto him:
"Listen well, human! I am Vaccine Man, the incarnation of the Earth's Will! You humans are nothing but maggots polluting the planet's environment! I represent the Earth in passing judgment upon you! I will exterminate all humanity and allow this world to be reborn!"
As he spoke, Vaccine Man grew increasingly agitated. A brilliant sphere of energy began to form in front of him, aimed directly at Kenji.
The energy ball rippled like water, glowing with a blinding light that illuminated the apocalyptic ruins. Destructive power condensed within it.
It wasn't that Kenji didn't want to run—he physically couldn't. The overwhelming pressure of a Dragon-level monster, combined with his own internal terror, made his legs feel like they were filled with lead. He couldn't take a single step.
Where is Saitama? Why isn't he here yet?! Caped Baldy, save me!
Just as death seemed inevitable, a cold, mechanical voice rang in Kenji's ears.
[Ding! System loaded successfully. Congratulations, Host. You have received a Newbie Gift Pack.]
[The Newbie Gift Pack contains one random ability. The strength of the ability is completely random. Do you wish to draw now?]
Draw! Draw it now!! Hurry the hell up!!!
Kenji screamed in his mind, terrified that a second's delay would be the end of him.
He didn't know what ability he would get, but right now, it was his only Hail Mary pass.
Despite his internal panic reaching critical levels, Kenji's face remained stoic. His sharp, angular features and naturally intimidating glare—the famous "King Face"—struck a nerve in Vaccine Man's fragile ego.
"You... you aren't afraid of me? You're just a measly human, don't get too cocky! I will grind your bones to dust and purge every last human germ from this planet!"
Vaccine Man increased his energy output. The single sphere multiplied into dozens, each one growing larger than the last.
But those few seconds of delay were all Kenji needed.
[Ding! Newbie Gift Pack opened.]
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Eight Inner Gates (Gate of Death) Physique.]
[Description: You possess the power of Might Guy in his "Gate of Death" state. Restriction Removed: This power is now your permanent base state and will not consume your life force.]
Huh?!
Surprise flashed through his mind, followed immediately by a violent, torrential heat erupting from within. Energy surged through his limbs and bones, instantly remodeling his tall but formerly weak body.
Vaccine Man sensed the sudden shift in the human's aura. His scarlet eyes narrowed in seriousness. A sense of oppression he had never felt before washed over his soul.
This human... he suddenly feels stronger...
But so what! I am the incarnation of Earth's Will! How could I be afraid of a single human!
Suppressing his unease, Vaccine Man waved his hand violently. The dozens of energy spheres behind him fired off at breakneck speed.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The moment they touched the ground, massive explosions erupted. The destructive energy blanketed the area for hundreds of meters, turning everything into scorched earth.
Looking at the blackened crater below and seeing no sign of the human, Vaccine Man let out a disdainful snort.
"Hmph. A lowly human daring to shine against the Will of the Earth."
But then, his antennae twitched. He sensed something. His eyes widened as he whipped his head around.
Behind him, Kenji was standing there, completely unharmed, staring at his own hands in a daze.
In the 0.1 seconds before the energy balls exploded, Kenji had subconsciously moved to dodge. The speed he unleashed shocked even himself.
Is this the speed of the Eighth Gate?
Interesting. That had to be at least Mach 10, maybe more.
Seeing that the human was still alive, Vaccine Man felt an unprecedented rage boil over. Veins bulged across his purple skin.
He didn't hesitate. He instantly activated his Second Form. His humanoid body swelled massively, transforming into a hulking monstrosity nearly a hundred meters tall.
His scarlet pupils flickered with murderous intent amidst the dust, his sharp claws and fangs gleaming with a terrifying cold light.
"MAGGOTS OF EARTH! JUST DIE ALREADY!!"
Facing the raging Vaccine Man, Kenji slowly lowered his center of gravity, assuming a punching stance.
He could feel the explosive power inside him, the endless flow of Qi and blood. He took a deep breath.
"Since I've already tested the speed... it's time to test the power."
Vaccine Man in his berserk state was at least a "Dragon+" threat level. He was the perfect punching bag to calibrate this new strength.
Violent energy surged through Kenji like a tide. Every muscle fiber was primed and ready.
Kenji launched himself forward.
He shot out like a cannonball, the ground beneath his feet detonating instantly. Spiderweb-like cracks spread rapidly across the bedrock from the sheer force of his launch.
His eyes sharpened. Facing the gaping, foul-smelling maw of the roaring monster, Kenji threw a punch.
There was no ear-piercing sonic boom. No flashy special effects. No shouted anime move name.
Just a punch.
BOOM!!!
An invisible shockwave exploded outward from the point of impact. The terrifying air pressure blasted away the surrounding smoke, dust, and ruins, clearing a massive circle in the cityscape.
Vaccine Man's scarlet eyes widened to the point of bursting. His gaze was filled with utter disbelief as he looked down at his own body.
"This... how is this possible..."
That single punch had shattered Vaccine Man's defenses completely. The raw, violent force had pulverized his flesh, leaving a massive, gaping hole in his colossal torso.
Pain finally registered in his brain, suppressing his rage with cold, hard logic. His scarlet eyes cleared up.
Something is wrong! I can't beat him!
However, the moment that thought appeared, it was already too late.
Kenji flickered, instantly teleporting right in front of Vaccine Man's face. That fist, which looked so tiny compared to the monster's giant body, rapidly expanded in Vaccine Man's vision.