The Monster legion in the distance saw Gouketsu being pinned down, causing unrest to spread through their ranks. Their assault slowed slightly as hesitation crept in.
The heroes immediately noticed the pressure easing and pushed harder. Artillery fire intensified, while energy blasts rained down more densely across the battlefield, tearing through waves of Monsters.
Inside the command center, Sitch stared at the main screen where Gouketsu remained restrained by Bang, Atomic Samurai, and Flash.
Yet instead of relaxing, his expression darkened further.
"This is going too smoothly," he muttered. "Gouketsu has been suppressed, but Sol and Black Sperm's group still haven't shown themselves. Centipede Elder is missing too…"
Before he could finish, the ground on the screen shook violently.
"What's happening?!" Sitch shot to his feet. "Drive Knight, report!"
Drive Knight's mechanical eyes flickered rapidly.
"Large scale underground tremors detected. Source located directly beneath the battlefield. Movement speed is extremely high."
The abandoned industrial district suddenly began rolling like waves.
Concrete shattered apart as enormous cracks spread across the battlefield like spiderwebs.
"Retreat! Everyone fall back!"
Bang reacted instantly, his voice filled with urgency.
He, Atomic Samurai, and Flash immediately abandoned their positions around Gouketsu and retreated at full speed.
The next second, the earth exploded upward.
Boom!
A colossal creature burst from underground, its countless legs thrashing wildly as debris and dust shot into the sky.
Centipede Elder had finally appeared.
Its gigantic body towered over the battlefield like a living mountain. Thick armored plates covered its endless form while rows of compound eyes glowed coldly through the dust cloud.
A horrifying screech erupted from its mouth.
The soundwave shook the battlefield, forcing many heroes to clutch their ears in pain.
"Centipede Elder!" Child Emperor shouted in disbelief. "It tunneled directly beneath the battlefield!"
Using the chaos from Centipede Elder's sudden emergence as cover, Gouketsu instantly rose back to his feet.
The massive wound on his back was still regenerating rapidly, but his movements were no longer restricted.
"Damn insects!"
Gouketsu roared furiously.
His foot slammed into the ground.
Boom!
The battlefield shook again as larger cracks spread outward, knocking several retreating heroes off balance.
The moment Centipede Elder surfaced, the entire battlefield changed completely.
Its mountain sized body blocked out the sky while the violent storm of dust and debris it created swept across the industrial zone.
The heroes' formation immediately fell into chaos.
"Hold the line! Regroup immediately!"
Bang's voice echoed through the communication channel.
He, Atomic Samurai, and Flash avoided another violent tremor while keeping their eyes locked on the giant centipede.
Gouketsu took advantage of the confusion and fully regained his footing.
The wound on his back continued writhing as it healed, but the killing intent in his eyes had completely returned.
"Now!" Gouketsu roared across the battlefield. "All units, attack!"
The Monster legion exploded into motion.
The hesitation from earlier vanished instantly under the combined influence of Centipede Elder's appearance and Gouketsu's command.
Roars echoed everywhere as the Monsters charged toward the fractured hero lines like a tidal wave.
"Tch, what a pain," Atomic Samurai muttered as he raised Nichirin again. "We deal with the centipede first."
Flash remained silent.
His figure blurred away instantly, circling around Centipede Elder's flank while searching for weak points.
Bang inhaled deeply before returning to the stance of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
"We cannot allow it to break through. Atomic, Flashy Flash, keep its attention. Everyone else, stop the Monster legion!"
The command spread rapidly through the communicators.
The heroes forced themselves to regroup despite the chaos around them.
Suddenly, Tatsumaki's green curls floated upward violently as her psychic power erupted across the battlefield.
Several broken elevated highway pillars rose into the air before launching toward Centipede Elder like massive missiles.
"Shut up and get back underground!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The bridge pillars smashed into Centipede Elder's armored head repeatedly, producing deafening explosions as chunks of debris scattered everywhere.
The giant centipede's head was forced backward slightly as it released another furious shriek.
For the moment, its advance had been halted.
"Nice one, Tatsumaki!"
Metal Bat roared as he charged straight back into the swarm of Monsters.
His bat swung wildly, crushing enemies apart while trying to stop the flood of Monsters from overwhelming the frontline.
Genos raised both arms as glowing heat gathered inside his palms.
Incineration Cannons erupted across the battlefield like scorching lasers, instantly turning groups of Monsters into ash.
"Sensei," Genos said seriously, "the battlefield has become increasingly dangerous. Please stay alert."
Saitama stood beside him, casually scratching his cheek.
"Oh. Things definitely got louder."
On top of a distant elevated platform, Muzan silently observed the battlefield below.
His crimson eyes remained completely emotionless.
Beside him, Kokushibo's six eyes rotated slowly while his hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
Akaza narrowed his eyes slightly as he looked toward Gouketsu.
A trace of fighting spirit surfaced briefly within his expression before disappearing just as quickly.
"Muzan!"
A liaison officer rushed over while breathing heavily.
"The frontline is under enormous pressure! Bang and the others are being held back by Centipede Elder! Director Sitch is requesting immediate support from your group!"
Muzan slowly turned toward him.
His gaze swept over Centipede Elder's colossal body and the chaotic battlefield before he replied indifferently.
"Centipede Elder's appearance only confirms that the enemy intended to ambush us from multiple directions."
His voice remained smooth and composed.
"That makes our current mission even more important. We cannot leave this position. Tell Director Sitch to endure a little longer. I trust the Hero Association's strength."
The liaison officer's face turned pale.
He wanted to argue, but Kokushibo's cold stare immediately silenced him.
Grinding his teeth, he turned and hurried back toward the command center.
Inside headquarters, Sitch's expression darkened completely after hearing Muzan's response.
"Damn it!"
He slammed his fist against the control panel hard enough to shake it.
"What exactly is that bastard planning?!"