"Useless." Muzan cast a cold glance at him before turning to Kokushibo. "Keep watch. Report anything unusual immediately."
Kokushibo gave a slight nod. His six eyes rotated in unison as he scanned the surroundings with unwavering focus.
Akaza clenched his fists, his fighting spirit rising. "I want to fight that strong one."
"Fool." Muzan's voice sharpened. "You? Even the aftershock from that power last night would crush you."
Akaza lowered his head, unwilling to argue, though the fire in his eyes remained.
Gyokko retreated into his pot, only his eyes visible. "Lord Muzan, do we really have to wait until midnight? Why not go find Lord Ancestor now?"
Muzan replied coldly, "Lord Ancestor's command is absolute. If he said midnight, then we wait until midnight."
Silence fell. The demons dispersed into hiding, each waiting for night to fully descend.
Meanwhile, atop the Hero Association headquarters…
Tatsumaki hovered in the air, her green curls swaying gently in the evening breeze. She glanced sideways at Sol, only to find him staring at the distant sunset.
"Hey, rookie," she said suddenly, her tone quieter than usual. "Are you really fine?"
Sol shifted his gaze to her. "Hm? What do you mean?"
Tatsumaki turned her face away, a faint blush creeping onto her ears. "That thing inside you. Do you feel anything strange?"
Sol pretended to think for a moment. "Not really. Although…"
"But what?" She turned back quickly, tension clear in her eyes.
Seeing her reaction, Sol gave a reassuring smile. "Sometimes I feel a bit of heat in my abdomen. Probably just the wound healing. I should be able to take missions again soon."
Being watched every day was a hassle. Moving alone would make things much easier for him.
Tatsumaki's hair flared instantly. "No! You think I'll let you run around before you're fully healed?"
She floated closer and poked his chest. "Don't forget your situation. What if you suddenly turn into a monster?"
Sol stepped back slightly, raising his hands. "I said almost healed…"
"Quiet." A trace of unease flashed in her eyes. "Until we're sure there are no monster cells left, you're not going anywhere."
She turned sharply, her hair swaying. "Now come with me. We're going to the mall."
Sol looked at her stubborn figure, then reached out and took her hand, activating his analysis ability. If he had to stay close to her, he might as well study her powers.
Tatsumaki froze the moment their hands touched. She pulled away as if shocked, her face turning red. "What are you doing? Who said you could touch me?"
Sol raised his hands again. "I just wanted you to fly me. I'm still injured."
"S-stupid!" Her ears turned bright red as green energy wrapped around him. "If you want to fly, just say it. Don't get handsy!"
Her telekinesis lifted them into the air. She deliberately made the flight uneven, causing Sol to sway up and down. When he grabbed onto her clothes for balance, a faint smile flickered across her lips before she quickly suppressed it.
"Don't grab my clothes."
Sol sighed. "You won't let me use telekinesis, and you're shaking me around. What else am I supposed to hold onto?"
"If we're getting dizzy, we might as well both suffer."
"Hmph." She tried to sound annoyed, but still slowed down slightly. Her gaze drifted to his hand gripping her outfit. "Why are you holding so tight…"
The golden light of the sunset bathed them both. Sol noticed the faint pink tint on her ears and loosened his grip slightly.
"Then I'll let go?"
"You wouldn't dare!" Her telekinesis tightened immediately, pulling him closer. "If you fall, I'm not saving you."
A small smile appeared on Sol's lips as he let her carry him across the sky. At the same time, he examined her abilities.
[Talent Ability: Matter Manipulation]
[Evolution Condition: Defeat Tatsumaki]
[After evolution: The host can compress air, create invisible barriers, and manipulate objects. Prolonged use consumes stamina, with effectiveness depending on both the original owner's and the host's mental strength.]
[Talent Ability: Precise Control]
[Evolution Condition: Gain Tatsumaki's sincere approval]
[After evolution: The host can sense espers, manipulate airflow within enemies, and achieve finer telekinetic control.]
Sol clicked his tongue inwardly. Two abilities, yet already overwhelming. Her strength came down to one thing, her raw stats were simply on another level.
"What are you staring at?" Tatsumaki turned away, clearly flustered. "Keep looking and I'll rip your eyes out."
Sol chuckled, playing along as he looked elsewhere. "Can't help it. You're too eye-catching."
"Save that nonsense for someone else." Her ears turned even redder as she sped up again, making him sway more violently.
Sol grabbed onto her clothes again, earning a satisfied snort from her.
"Hey, take it easy," he said.
His fingers accidentally brushed against a small patch of exposed skin on her upper thigh.
Tatsumaki trembled, her control slipping for a moment as they spun midair.
"Idiot! Why are you touching me?" she snapped, struggling to stabilize them, her face completely flushed.
Sol raised a hand innocently. "That was an accident. You're overreacting. If you weren't shaking me around, I wouldn't need to hold on."
"Quiet." She shot him a glare, though her speed noticeably decreased.
From the corner of her eye, she stole a glance at him, her thoughts in disarray.
This rookie always managed to throw her off balance. He was just a newly promoted S-Class, yet somehow, he made her more concerned than she cared to admit.
Milestone
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