Hero For Lust

At the moment, Caspian reflected on the day's events as he wandered through a battle-scarred wasteland. It was one of many he'd crossed, each a grim testament to the widespread devastation plaguing this world.

But even these bleak surrounding couldn't bring down Caspian's mood.

Dr. Genus had confirmed Armored Gorilla's answer: Yes, Mosquito Girl was in an underground medical facility.

As Dr. Genus led the pair to her, Caspian noticed the strange glances directed his way but chose not to question them.

With Genos, he decided it was best for him to see Mosquito Girl now as to ease him into her existence. The two would eventually have to interact and get along. At least, that was Caspian's hope.

After navigating several tunnels, they reached the medical room. Upon entering, Caspian felt a pang of guilt at the sight before him. Her current state was his doing, even if it had been necessary to save her. She lay on a hospital bed, surrounded by machines and tubes, her once blood-red skin now restored to its original tone.

Genos displayed no negative reaction upon seeing her. In fact, he remained completely silent, his expression unchanging the entire time.

Dr. Genus assured Caspian that she would make a full recovery and even promised to find a solution for her reliance on blood. Pleased with Dr. Genus's being quick on the uptake, Caspian informed him of several pieces of information that would benefit him in the future.

Afterward, Caspian headed out of the medical facility with Genos.

His departing words to Dr. Genus informed him of the injured Armor Gorilla aboveground.

After exiting the tunnel, Genos departed immediately after a simple farewell.

Watching Genos' figure fade into the distance, Caspian couldn't shake the gut feeling that the timeline's alteration had caused an unseen deviation in his relationship with Genos…

Returning from his recollection, Caspian kicked his foot across the reddish, cracked earth.

"Where's an interesting new monster for me to mess with?"

ROAR!

His eyes darted to the sky, locating a dark, military-esque aircraft flying overhead.

"Hmm?"

¤ ¤ ¤

If one flew above the clouds, they could observe a small floating object.

In reality, that 'object' was a pretty, petite woman.

Ring

A cellphone enveloped in green aura floated out from an unknown location beneath her form-fitting V-neck black dress.

"What is it?"

"Tornado, have you discovered the potential Mysterious Being that caused the atmospheric disturbance in Z-City Ghost Town?"

Tatsumaki clenched her small fists. "What do you mean?! It's been five minutes! And what's this about 'potential'? Didn't you say I'd get to face a Dragon-level Threat immediately?"

"You must find it before it annihilates a populated city! Search everywhere! Go beyond Z-City Ghost Town to the surrounding barren wastelands!"

The caller from the Hero Association hung up.

"Hmph! Who does he think he is, wasting my time with this wild goose chase?"

Tatsumaki, eager to end this annoyance quickly, shot down below the clouds toward a distant wasteland. With her incredible speed, she arrived at her destination in mere moments.

"A waste of my precious time. I'm going to have a serious talk with him once I return."

Soaring through the sky, she scanned the cracked earth below. To her surprise, the setting sun reflected off something in the distance.

When she caught up to the reflection, her annoyance and disappointment rose in unison.

A baldy in a one-piece jumpsuit out here?

Tatsumaki flew down in front of the man, stopping him in his tracks.

"Hold it right there! Why are you out here by yourself?"

The bald man didn't respond. Instead, his eyes glided up and down her body.

Could this bastard…

"Are you deaf?"

The man looked her dead in the eye and smirked, which rubbed her the wrong way.

…be mocking my size?!

Before she could teach this boiled egg a lesson, he responded.

A dumb smile adorned his face. "You're the S-Class Hero…um—Oh! I remember 'Tiny Twister of Trepidation!'"

Tatsumaki snapped.

"That's it headlight!"

Her mood soured the moment she was assigned this monumental waste of time. Now, some fool who couldn't even remember her name and had the audacity to mockingly eye her body dared to waste more of it. She'd make certain he learned a harsh lesson.

Floating in the sky, Tatsumaki extended her hand, her emerald-green psychic aura wrapping around the man below.

This is what you get!

His body should've been flung across the earth…

Instead, his body only oscillated apace. "Abababababa…"

Tatsumaki's eyes narrowed. He's enduring it?! Why isn't it working…? What is this guy?

"Is this really all the 'Tiddly Tornado' can do? I expected you to be more than a glorified, vibrating massage chair."

"Die!"

Enraged, she shot forward, reaching the baldy in a fraction of a second. Grabbing the top of his head, she slammed him face-first into the ground. Without pause, she flew off, dragging him through the earth and leaving a deep trench in their wake.

Let's see if you can run that mouth of yours now.

"Hey, this is bad for my scalp!"

"Shut it!"

Tatsumaki glanced down, her eyes widening as she saw the man. His head faced toward her, a calm smile stretching across his face.

"Are you having fun yet?"

His words brought her to a stop as she released him from her grasp.

Fun? Was she having fun?

Besides Blast, Tatsumaki believed no hero or monster could resist her powers. Yet, here in the middle of nowhere, stood someone who could.

"I'll take that smile as a yes." The unfazed man brushed dirt from his yellow jumpsuit. "Right then. Are you going to go all out, or what?"

Tatsumaki scoffed and pointed into the distance. "Hmph! Just because you're a little strong, you think you're my equal? Ridiculous. But I'll offer you a glimpse. So, don't blame me if you die."

Rumble

Following her finger, a distant mountain rose.

Tatsumaki grinned and said. "If you beg for forgiveness, I may let you off the hook."

"Quit stalling pipsqueak."

"…"

¤ ¤ ¤

Sweat poured down Tatsumaki's face.

The hell is this…

No matter what Tatsumaki tried—dragging, dropping, even drilling him deep into the planet's crust—the bald freak of nature remained effortlessly unharmed.

This feeling… Was this what it meant to have fun? She had never faced an opponent like such as him, and it awakened emotions she'd long buried.

It was as if this man knew precisely how to provoke her, and for a while, his words genuinely enraged her. However, over time, she started to enjoy it. He gave her the chance to test herself, to push beyond her limits in a way no one else ever had.

Tatsumaki brought her hand to her lip. I'm actually smiling...

Crumble

The baldy emerged from the unknown depths of the planet she plunged him into.

Tatsumaki could no longer maintain her levitation and landed on the ground.

"Don't push yourself too hard. Though I wouldn't mind carrying you home."

"Shut up! You bald pervert! I don't need your concern."

She only noticed his perverted nature after unleashing hell on him. Those glances she had mistaken for mockery were, in fact, filled with lust. No one had ever dared to ogle her before, and the realization stirred something unfamiliar within her.

The man surveyed the cataclysmic state of the wasteland and remarked, "No need to be so upset. You know I'm not your enemy, right?"

Tatsumaki crossed her arms, her piercing gaze fixed on him. "Are you sure about that? Not that it's any of your business, but I was sent here to investigate an unusual atmospheric disturbance."

The man only chuckled in response.

But it made her firmly believe in her suspicions: he must be the Mysterious Being the Hero Association had sent her to find.

Tatsumaki pondered, grasping for an excuse—not that she'd ever admit to it.

"Our fight isn't over," she declared, hands planted on her shapely hips. "Until I'm sure you're not a threat, I'll find you when I feel like it, and fight you. So, be grateful."

The man raised his clenched fist. "Come find me anytime. I enjoy being around you."

At this time, she didn't understand the significance behind her heightened heartbeat.

With the same carefree attitude she found him, he walked off.

Tatsumaki called out, "Hold it! Not that I care or anything, but what is your name?"

"Caspian," he replied, before his walking speed turned abhorrent, carrying him out of sight in several breaths.

"Caspian…"

Ring

Tatsumaki guided her phone to her ear. "What do you need?"

"Tornado! Do you know how many times we've tried to call you? What happened? We have received many massive energy readings. The last one broke the meter. I assume you've dealt with the Mysterious Being?"

"I've handled the situation. Can you come pick me up?"

"Good work! The aircraft is on route. Say, you sound like you're in a good mood. Was the Mysterious Being that strong?"

Tatsumaki smiled toward the burnt orange horizon. "Pretty strong."