Inside the control room, the atmosphere felt suffocating, as though the air itself had weight.
A damp, stale scent lingered, mixed with the violent presence of Monsters. Yet, despite their usual unruly nature, the executives were unusually restrained. Eyes of every shape and size were fixed on the massive central figure, Gyoro Gyoro.
Heavy footsteps echoed through the passageways. Something scraped along the floor. Wings buzzed as they cut through the air.
One by one, the Monster executives arrived and silently took their places.
Ugly President was the first to speak. He patted his bloated belly, his narrow eyes shifting around the room.
"So, Gyoro Gyoro, you called us here in a rush just for that newcomer? The same guy who stole the spotlight at the stadium today?"
There was a faint edge of jealousy in his voice.
Gums said nothing. Its massive, slimy jaws opened and closed slowly, producing a grating sound that made the ears ache. Thick green saliva dripped onto the floor, eating into it and leaving small pits.
Black Sperm looked completely at ease. Its body flowed like liquid metal, shifting constantly. It split into several smaller heads, each scanning a different direction.
"Well now, someone seems quite bothered by Mr. Sol," it said with a mocking tone. "Did his performance make you nervous, President?"
"What did you just say?!"
"Enough."
Gyoro Gyoro's deep voice cut through the tension. Its giant eye swept across the room as it operated the control panel.
Screens flickered to life.
Footage from Z-City Stadium appeared, showing the earlier battle. Other displays showed fragmented images from Monster assault teams, their final moments filled with chaos. Each one told the same story, precise ambushes by the Hero Association, ending in near total destruction.
"I did not summon you here because of Sol's performance," Gyoro Gyoro said, its tone colder than before. "I called you because of a series of coincidences. Coincidences that are far too precise to ignore."
The giant eye turned toward them.
"Our teams moved under strict secrecy. Their routes and timing were known only to us. Yet they were intercepted almost simultaneously by elite heroes. The losses were catastrophic."
The screen shifted again.
Sol stood alone in the stadium, facing multiple powerful heroes. His movements were effortless. Instead of killing them, he guided their attacks, refining their skills as if the battle were a lesson.
"And at the same time, Sol remained at the center of attention," Gyoro Gyoro continued. "He drew in the strongest heroes, occupied them completely, and displayed power far beyond our expectations."
A brief silence followed.
"But when viewed together, these events appear less like coincidence and more like design. The Hero Association's timing, our losses, his position in the stadium. It aligns too perfectly."
The room grew heavier.
"How did the Hero Association know? Why were our forces destroyed while he held their strongest fighters in place? Is this truly chance?"
Black Sperm's many faces merged into one, its tone losing some of its playfulness.
"Now that is interesting."
"You are suggesting," it continued, "that our new ally might be a spy? Or perhaps someone playing both sides?"
"Impossible."
Gouketsu's deep voice filled the room as he stepped forward. His massive frame blocked part of the entrance, his single eye scanning the others.
"Sol's strength is overwhelming. If he wanted to destroy us, he would not need schemes."
His tone carried certainty, along with something else, a subtle respect.
"He also stayed behind to cover my retreat."
Through Gyoro Gyoro, Psykos noted the shift in his attitude. The protectiveness in his voice was clear, though she chose not to address it directly.
"Gouketsu, you were with him," Gyoro Gyoro said. "What did you observe?"
Gouketsu paused briefly.
"Sol is powerful. Beyond measure."
"He showed dissatisfaction with my assistance, as if it were unnecessary. Aside from that, nothing stood out."
He deliberately left out the details of what had truly happened. Something about it felt wrong to reveal.
"Oh? Nothing else?" Gyoro Gyoro's eye rotated slowly. "Before your arrival, he fought numerous heroes alone. The battle appeared intense, yet he held back. He did not aim to kill them. In fact, he seemed to guide them."
"After you joined him, the situation deteriorated. The plan was exposed, yet he escaped without difficulty."
Its voice sharpened.
"This raises a question. Did he anticipate the failure? Or was the failure itself part of his intention?"
Gouketsu's expression hardened.
"You are questioning his loyalty."
"I am stating possibilities," Gyoro Gyoro replied calmly. "The ambush is real. Our losses are real. And Sol is the largest unknown factor. We need to determine whether he is an ally, or a threat waiting for the right moment."
Ugly President snorted.
"Then test him. Find a chance and attack together. That will settle it."
Black Sperm laughed.
"Brilliant idea. You can go first. We will watch."
Gums let out a low, wet sound, clearly unimpressed.
"Woof."
Rover barked twice from the corner.
Gyoro Gyoro interrupted before the argument could escalate.
"A direct attack would be foolish. What we need is observation. Careful probing."
Its eye glinted with a cold light.
Meanwhile, Sol moved through the underground tunnels of Z-City.
He walked at an easy pace, as though he had all the time in the world. He made no effort to hide his presence. The faint patterns beneath his skin flickered with energy, casting a subtle glow in the dim corridors.
The pressure alone was enough.
Low-level Monsters pressed themselves against the walls, avoiding his path entirely. None dared meet his gaze.
A few Wolf-level Monsters that had been fighting moments earlier dropped to the ground the instant they sensed him. They remained frozen until he passed.
Sol glanced at them briefly, amused.
"So lively a moment ago. Guess I ruined the mood."
He continued forward, hands in his pockets.
Soon, he reached the entrance to the main control room.
A natural arch of massive stone framed the doorway. From within, voices overlapped, and powerful auras clashed against each other.
Sol did not slow down.
He stepped inside.
The room fell silent.
Gyoro Gyoro's massive eye turned toward him. The other executives followed, their gazes locking onto him instantly.
Ugly President froze mid-motion.
Gums stopped chewing.
Black Sperm's many faces went still.
Even Rover lifted its head, letting out a low sound.
Suspicion, hostility, curiosity, and caution filled the air.
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