When Bang and Tatsumaki arrived at the main entrance of the headquarters, they were met by a massive army of monsters. At the very front stood Gouketsu, his four eyes gleaming with malicious intent.
"We meet again, Bang." Gouketsu's deep voice rumbled across the battlefield.
"Gouketsu, you're digging your own grave." Bang lowered himself into the stance of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
The battle erupted once more.
But it did not take long for Bang to notice something strange.
Although Gouketsu's attacks carried overwhelming power, he always pulled back at critical moments. Elder Centipede created violent tremors beneath the ground, yet never truly attempted to destroy the defensive lines.
"They're stalling for time," Bang quietly muttered to Tatsumaki. "Sol must be doing something elsewhere."
Tatsumaki frowned. "Then let's crush these idiots quickly!"
Green psychic energy exploded from her body, but Gouketsu immediately retreated. The monster army also fell back in perfect coordination, maintaining a careful distance from the heroes.
Inside the command center, Sitch stared at the battlefield footage with a tense expression.
"Drive Knight, any abnormalities in other sectors?"
"None detected so far... wait." Drive Knight's mechanical eyes flickered rapidly. "Detecting faint spatial disturbances. Three kilometers southeast of headquarters."
Sitch immediately looked up. "Put that area on screen."
The monitor zoomed in on a blurry figure standing atop a tall building.
It was Sol.
He stood there casually with his hands in his pockets, looking up toward the sky as if waiting for something.
"What is he doing?" Sitch muttered, unable to look away from the screen.
The wind brushed through Sol Mirek's pale hair while his crimson eyes stared straight through the clouds, almost as though he could see beyond them. His coat fluttered softly in the breeze, yet he remained completely motionless.
"Drive Knight, analyze his movements," Sitch ordered. "Everyone stays alert. This could be another distraction."
Bang had also begun noticing the irregularities at the front lines.
Gouketsu attacked aggressively, yet continuously avoided committing fully. Elder Centipede's underground assaults lacked any real pressure.
This was obviously a delaying tactic.
"Tatsumaki, don't overextend," Bang warned as she prepared to chase after them. "Sol is moving elsewhere. We need to preserve our strength."
Tatsumaki clicked her tongue in annoyance, but her green eyes drifted toward the southeast district of the headquarters.
She could sense Sol's presence there.
"What is that idiot plotting now?" she muttered quietly, unconsciously easing her psychic pressure.
Meanwhile, atop the skyscraper southeast of headquarters, Sol's perception spread across the surrounding space like an invisible radar.
"Black Sperm," Sol spoke through the psychic link, his tone relaxed, "have your clones stir up chaos in the city center. Focus on the financial district and transportation hubs."
"Understood, Master Sol~ We're experts at causing trouble~"
Moments later, emergency alarms rang throughout the center of A-City.
Countless black liquid creatures poured out from the sewer systems. Instead of attacking civilians, they merged into grotesque shapes and rushed through the streets, spreading panic everywhere they went.
Traffic instantly collapsed into complete gridlock while civilians fled in terror.
"Report!" a staff member shouted inside the command center. "Large numbers of black liquid creatures have appeared in the city center. Transportation systems are completely paralyzed!"
Sitch slammed his fist against the control panel.
"Damn it, another harassment tactic!"
Bang's voice came through the communicator.
"Sitch, this is clearly meant to divide our attention. The assault at the main entrance has weakened significantly, and Gouketsu is retreating."
Just as Bang said, the monster forces outside the headquarters began pulling back in an organized formation. Gouketsu disappeared into the ruined streets while the underground tremors gradually faded away.
"Drive Knight, track Gouketsu and Elder Centipede's movements."
"Energy signatures are heading toward Z-City," Drive Knight replied. "Their speed is unusually slow. They appear to be intentionally exposing their location."
Tatsumaki floated beside Sitch, her green hair swaying from her psychic aura.
"Let me go after them. I'll finish them this time."
"No," Sitch rejected immediately. "This is obviously a trap. Sol wants us to split our forces."
Nearby, Genos stood beside Saitama, his mechanical eyes scanning the battlefield data continuously.
"Sensei, Senior Sol's strategy is becoming increasingly clear. He's using repeated feints and calculated disruptions to wear everyone down while forcing openings to appear."
Saitama scratched the back of his head lazily.
"So he's not actually trying to attack headquarters?"
"He is," Genos answered seriously. "But he's approaching it indirectly. It feels like he's waiting for the right moment."
In the corner of the command center, Muzan sat elegantly on the sofa, a faint smile appearing in his crimson eyes.
Through the psychic connection, he could sense the plan advancing perfectly.
Everything was proceeding according to Sol's design.
"Kokushibo, Akaza," Muzan said softly, "prepare yourselves. The next phase is critical."
Deep within the ruins of Z-City, Gouketsu and Elder Centipede arrived at the designated location. The recovery fluid supplied remotely through Gyoro Gyoro had already restored most of their injuries.
"Lord Sol." Gouketsu bowed respectfully. "The forces have regrouped as instructed."
Sol stepped out from the shadows, his crimson gaze sweeping across the assembled cadres.
Fuhrer Ugly stood nearby with a twisted grin while Gums let out low gurgling noises. Overgrown Rover remained crouched silently in the corner, and Hellfire Flame alongside Gale Wind had just arrived.
"The next operation will begin the full offensive," Sol stated casually, though every monster present felt the pressure behind his words. "The target is the Association Headquarters command center."
The cadres immediately grew excited.
Fuhrer Ugly grinned viciously. "Finally, we're getting serious!"
"But this won't be a frontal invasion," Sol added. "Your job is to create enough chaos to keep the S-Class heroes occupied, especially Tatsumaki and Bang."
His crimson eyes narrowed slightly.
"And if you encounter a bald guy wearing a cape, retreat immediately."
Hellfire Flame's body flared with heat.
"Understood, Lord Sol. We'll keep the heroes occupied."
Although none of the monsters understood why Sol specifically warned them about a bald hero, nobody questioned him.
Sol had already established absolute authority within the Monster Association.
No one dared challenge him.
Sol then turned toward Gouketsu.
"You'll lead the frontal assault, but do not breach the defenses. Elder Centipede will support from underground and create large scale tremors. Gale Wind and Hellfire Flame will harass from the flanks."
Finally, Sol looked toward the countless miniature heads formed by Black Sperm.
"Your mission is infiltration. Create panic inside headquarters, but do not kill innocent staff members."
"Understood~ I'm amazing at scaring people~" the tiny heads answered while laughing mischievously.
===
Get access to the entire catalog on Patreon, where all chapters are conveniently organized into collections.
If you prefer not to pay for a monthly membership, this is a more affordable option that gives you access to the content you want.
(Buying the collection gives you access to all chapters in it.)
Search for "_Zeph" on P@treon to get started.