One Punch Man: Attitude Adjustment
Chapter 31: Divine Intervention
With every step taking her closer to ground level, Kathy felt an uneasiness overtake her entire body. It started as a small, nagging worry in the back of her mind after the quakes but now something almost seemed like it was making the air above feel thick with dread. Not only that, but there seemed to be a faint sound of combat in the distance that made Kathy wonder if the other Heroes were still struggling with Spade's monsters. The top of the staircase was finally visible, but that did make her feel any more safe. Her assault rifle and Bella Zera's freeze-ray strapped over the back with her revolver drawn and ready.
A few steps away from the end, Kathy swore she could hear the sound of tired breathing ahead. Without hesitating, Kathy jumped to the top of stairs and landed in a couched position to keep her aim steady. The person she heard did something similar, waiting by the open doorway to roundhouse kick the first goon who came into her view. Both parties froze, the gun barrel and spinning heel just inches away from each other. Once both knew who they were looking at, all of their worries melted into feelings of relief.
"Oh thank goodness!" Mia exclaimed as she hugged Kathy. "I thought you might have been caught in those weird explosions."
"Same here, how're you feeling?" Kathy asked with concern after seeing just how many bruises Mia had.
"Sore, but I'll be okay." Mia said, carefully checking Kathy over herself. "Any news from the others?"
Before Kathy could another, the noises from outside cut her off. The blasts they heard made it sound like someone was blasting the concrete outside with dynamite. All their time fighting together made Kathy and Mia identify each others concern.
"Nothing..." Kathy replied, her eyes fixed on the front doors for a few more seconds. "Okay, we'll call the boys and hope we find a signal. After that we have to go out and..."
"Ummm...Actually..." A weak, slurring voice as a ghostly pale body flopped onto the floor from another doorway. "I'm right here..." He said with his face still on the tile.
The girls scrambled over to Jeremy, turning him over to get a clear look at his condition. A distraught Mia let his head rest on her lap while praying that he would pull through. One of the sleeves from his hoodie was torn off and used to try and stop the bleeding, but the way Jeremy haphazardly wrapped the sleeve over the terrible teeth marks oh his shoulder was not much better than using a Band-Aid to cover a gunshot. Half open eyes and a mouth that would not fully close showed he was barely holding, most people would have passed out a long time ago.
"Jeremy, what happened?" Mia asked, realizing his cloths were literally soaked in blood.
"Big cat...and a guy with a big gun...not a good time..." Jeremy said, head starting to fall to the side.
"Hey! This is the one time you aren't sleeping on the job, you got that?!" Kathy yelled in Jeremy's face.
"I know, gotta stay up..." Jeremy replied with one slow nod. "Gotta get home..." He said before trying and failing to pull himself up.
"It's okay, we'll make sure you get back." Mia said wistfully, gently patting Jeremy's chest to comfort him. "He needs a hospital."
"I know! Just let me think." Kathy said, furious at herself for letting this happen.
As the two Heroes still standing assessed their injured fried and the situation, Jeremy's head leaned to the side again. Now facing the elevator, he noticed that there wasn't a red light over the door any more along with something else.
"Uhh...hey guys...?" Jeremy muttered, managing to lift his finger and point at the elevator. "Is...someone using that?"
Mia and Kathy quickly moved into a defensive position, besides the green light that indicated the elevator was operational there was a small arrow on a digital screen that was pointing up. Since this was the ground floor, they could only assume someone was heading their way. Mia got in front of Jeremy and was ready to protect him from anything while Kathy kept her revolver locked on whatever was going to pass through those doors. After a handful of very tense seconds, the two female Heroes were able to let out a simultaneous sigh of relief.
"Well...nice to see you to." Randal said as he faced a gun pointed at his face, acting casual despite all the visible damage on his body and face.
"Damn big guy...you okay?" Kathy asked after the first good look at Randal's face.
"Yeah...I've had worse. But not by much..." Randal said through split and swollen lips. "Kid?" He asked when he noticed Jeremy on the floor, kneeling down beside him.
"Hey old-timer..." Jeremy said, not sure what Randal's expression meant but it did not look someone who was impressed. "Gonna make a joke about...lending me a hand or something?"
"Did you win?" Randal asked, looking Jeremy in the eyes.
"Yeah...I did." Jeremy answered after a second of confusion.
"Good, then don't worry about the rest." Randal said. "What's going on outside?" He asked Kathy and Mia.
"Not sure, we we're gonna link up with you first." Kathy said, another blast catching their attention. "But something tells me it's not going well..."
"Only one way to find out." Randal remarked, helping Jeremy to his feet.
"Wait..." Kathy said, grabbing Randal's forearm. "What about Spade?"
"Don't worry. He's done." Randal said, giving her a reassuring nod.
The sounds of fighting coming from outside made the team of Heroes think they would be running into another pack of monsters. Instead, they only found the bodies and scattered remains of the creatures that were already killed. The main conflict seemed to be going on past the remains, near the forest were the Heroes first made their attack on Spade's compound. But to their horror and immediate worry, they found other bodies as well.
Mr. Olympian was the first, lying limp and unconscious at the left side of the front entrance. The cracked wall and C-Class Hero's shattered spine suggested he was tossed at the building with incredible strength. Tennis Tammy was next, lying face down with her racquet broken off at the handle. John Burn's was close by, positioned like he was trying to crawl towards her before passing out from the pain of two broken legs. Nordic and Bushwhacker were also together, beaten in a way that made their encounter with Randal look like a slap on the wrist. Running ahead, Mia frantically checked to see if the others were alive and sighed in relief after they each had a pulse.
"W-what happened...?" Jeremy said, hanging off Randal's shoulder.
The answer could be heard up ahead, clouds of concrete dusts were bursting into view in front of the tree line. Kathy's team found Amazoa, Crossing Guardian and Master Wing all fighting with all of their might against one new opponent...Seraph.
The A-Class duo and renowned martial artist were on their last legs, breathing heavily as they surrounded the manmade deity in a triangle formation. Amazoa's helmet was off, her long dark hair soaked in a mix of sweat of blood along with her armor and shield being covered in dents from the previous monster fights. Crossing Guardians cape was torn in half, along with patches of his costume and visible cracks on the right side of his helmet's visor. A well-timed dodge let Master Wing escape with only the left sleeve of his Tang suit being torn away.
With only a few small cuts and spots of dirt on his cloths, Seraph stood in the center like a man who had not even broken a sweat. By now, his body and mind fully adjusted to the combat training portion of Dr. Nova's education. The Heroes fighting ability was admirable, but still useless. That is why he declared his offer once for the few that were still conscious.
"My offer still stands. Become the Harolds of my divine order. The public already sees you as protectors and I give you the chance to keep doing so in the name this worlds new god." Seraph said, already speaking with a regal attitude.
As Seraph waited for his answer from the trio of fighters, Kathy and the others watched and could tell their allies were being pushed to their limits. Mia tried to run for her father, but Kathy stopped her with a firm grip on her shoulders.
"We can't just leave them! If we all fight together..." Mia tried to protest.
"Look at what's going on, he is toying with them!" Kathy snapped back. "If those three can't fight this new guy head-on, we won't do any better!"
"But my dad...!" Mia said.
"Your dad can keep him busy while we play this smart, I know it sucks Mia but you gotta believe me." Kathy said without any doubt.
"Does that mean you got a smart idea?" Randal asked, half with sarcasm and the other half with genuine hope.
Smirking in reply, Kathy lead her team around the main conflict to get set up for her plan. It was probably a hail Mary, but at this point this point they were no better options. Seraph's acute hearing let him know they were other Heroes scurrying around, likely putting together one more futile ambush. Just like the Heroes facing him now, Seraph knew they would convert after witnessing his godly strength.
"You're no god, just another fool driven mad by power!" Amaoza shouted in defiance.
"I am the one that will lead your kind, sooner or later you will understand this and convert. Otherwise, you will have to be eliminated to to ensure my rule is not opposed." Seraph said with a hint of menace.
"We'll see about that!" Crossing Guardian said with conviction.
With perfect symmetry, the pair of A-Class heroes moved in to attack from opposite sides. Their eyes couldn't catch Spade's hands as he effortlessly grabbed the blade of Amazoa's sword and Crossing Guardian's axe. No matter how much they tried, neither could pull their weapon away but this did leave Seraph's arms occupied. Seeing a chance, Master Wing ran and jumped forward to knock Seraph out with a flying kick to the face.
Still holding the blades between the tips of his fingers, Spade bent backwards like a contortionist and watch Master fly right over him. With that done, a simple twice of the wrist was enough to shatter the weapons being used against him. Both shocked, Crossing Guardian was the first to pushed back dozens of feet across the power plant with a simple tap the of the godly figures palm on the Heroes broken chest.
Being second gave Amazoa just enough time to use her shield, this left a clear handprint in the center of the middle and also shattered the bones in her shield-bearing arm but the amazon managed to stay on her feet as she slid back. Pushing past the pain, she did a full pin to give her limp arm enough momentum to throw the shield. Once again, Seraph caught the shield with only his fingers inches away from it hitting his face. He used the shield the slap away Amazoa's attempt to tackle him, making her crash through the security fence and also one of the nearby tree. The metal shield was bent in half from the impact, Seraph tossed it away and still had enough time to avoid sidestep Master Wing striking from behind. Quickly turning around, Master Wing expected a counter attack but was only met with an inquisitive stare.
"Hmm...rather impressive." Seraph said, arms crossed behind his back. "And yet there's mention of you in Hero registry, I wonder how many others could suffice as my Harolds if the Heroes refuse to comply."
"Doesn't matter...I won't be one of them." Master Wing said, using breathing techniques to get his second wind faster.
"What a shame...and yet...?" Seraph said, head tilting to the said as file from the Associations roster played out in his photographic memory. "Class B-Rank 43, Lady Crane...you have a clear resemblance. A parental bond I assume, no doubt the one who taught her the art of combat. If you surrender now and serve me I will promise she will not harmed."
Those words took away any sense of composure the martial artist had left. He already new there was only one option left, but now there was absolutely nothing holding him back.
"That..." Master Wing said softly, getting into a horse stance again. "Is the last thing you will ever regret."
Like before, Master Wing crossed his arms and used his well-trained lungs to enhance his strength. But this was much more than before, a last resort that was dangerous to use in the most healthy circumstances. It was the technique that managed to give the infamous brothers Bang and Bomb a hard time before managing to overcome. It was also used the night Master Wing threw away everything he believed to satisfy a primal need for revenge.
Puzzled, Seraph watched the humans body begin to change dramatically. Muscles expanding twice their size with Master Wing's skin appearing to be on the verge of tearing. A visible vacuum from his breathing, the exhaled air was hot enough to look like steam. The whites of his eyes became blood red as he also started bleeding from the nose. Closing his eyes, Master Wing had to focus everything he had left to push his body to a life-threatening limit.
"Ten...Thousand..." Master Wing bellowed in-between deep breaths, his pupils shifting to a golden color. "Talons!" He screamed while shifting his feet.
With a sonic boom, Master Wing moved with speed that could match many S-Class heroes. Attacking from every direction, his slashes and kicks were wild but also precise. Moving fast enough to cut the hair and any nearby tree in half, the technique allowed him to create five afterimages. Any impact made with the ground left rubble all around them as Master Wing without any restraint.
Even with all this, Seraph was still able to evade. Some of the strongest people on earth would have trouble keeping up with Master Wing's movements, but to the self-declared god he was just moving in slow-motion. Having to occasionally duck his head and lift up his legs, he took this as an opportunity to study the way Master Wing was able to significantly increase his strength for a final assault. After thousands of attacks, his fascination with the technique took Seraph's mind out of the battle for a fraction of a second. With enhanced speed, it was enough time for Master Wing to cut with two clawed fingers across Seraph's chest. Two green lines appeared on Seraph's chest and then disappeared just as quickly.
With that, Seraph knew he was done observing. Without even seeing what happened, Master Wing was knocked out from a single tap on the back of his neck. Falling on his side, his unconscious body began to shift back into his regular physique.
"Well done." Seraph said, glancing down at the tears in his shirt.
A moment later, Seraph's ear perked to footsteps on the edge of the tree line. The last of the Heroes, either hiding or hoping they can catch him off guard with the forest as their cover. Being benevolent, Seraph decided to walk towards the footsteps and present his offer.
"I can understand the desire to resist, your history tells me it's simply part of your genetic makeup." Seraph declared assuredly. "Humanity fears what it cannot destroy out of fear you will suffer the same, but I have been conceived to make sure you will always be safe. Help me do this, or I will be forced to kill you."
Seraph waited in front of the forest, standing as if he was waiting for an army to come out and bow before him. Instead, it was just one young man in blood soaked clothing. Leaning against the tree he peeked out from to keep himself on two feet.
"Greetings my child, have you come to be the first among my Harolds?" Seraph asked with open arms.
"Oh yeah...sure am..." Jeremy said sluggishly. "Here's a present...your highness..."
Reaching into his hoodie pocket, Jeremy took out his gift and underhand tossed it towards Seraph. He knew it was a trap, but Seraph's mind showed him another file as the gift flew into his hand. His suspicion confirmed as he grasped the can of spray-paint.
"I see..." Seraph said, not even flinching as a blue smoke-bomb blew up directly in his face. "You must be Tagger."
The sound of fingers clicking triggers made Seraph spring into action, using his hands to deflect a barrage of bullets coming through the smoke. With the little time they had, Kathy and the others made it to the Bulldog to restock. Kathy took another assault rifle and Randal was big enough to handle her belt fed, heavy machine gun. In the few seconds Seraph spent blocking their, the sound of a roaring engine came from his left side. Turning his head just enough to see the Bulldog racing his was, Seraph left an opening for one of Randal's bullets to blow a chunk out of his side. There was no pain, but Seraph focusing on being shot again allowed the Bulldog to completely run him over. Mia cringed in the driver seat as she felt the wheels go over someone's body.
Most of Seraph's bones were crushed, but his regeneration abilities set them back into place. Most of them were good as new as brought himself up to on knee, but something stopped him. An intense and instant sensation of cold as he his entire body was frozen was the feet up. Kathy did not stop there, using the freeze-ray she confiscated from Bella Zera to catch Seraph in an iceberg shaped prison.
"We did it...?" Mia said after parking the Bulldog and coming out to see Kathy's handiwork. "We did it!" She cried out while jumping with joy.
"Bout time." Randal said after a very tired sigh. "I'm gonna pass out for a week after this..."
"You and me..." Kathy said, laughing until a cracking sound left her absolutely terrified. "Both..."
Everyone's vision locked on ice, seeing a few cracks before the entire thing exploded into shards. In the midst of their shock, Seraph's body finished healing and he turned his attention to the one by herself. Scared for her life, Mia tried to run back to the Bulldog but was grabbed from the side by her neck. Lifting her a foot off the ground, Seraph got a closer look at Mia's face.
"As I thought, you are his daughter." Seraph said serenely.
Mia was paralyzed with fear from Seraph's cold stare and iron grip. Kathy and Randal looked at each other, both hoping the other would have an idea that could would give them a chance.
"Mia...?" Jeremy said, standing up straight as he realized what was going on.
"Kid!" Randal yelled, seeing a familiar look on Jeremy's face. "Don't!"
"Jeremy!" Kathy shouted, but he was already gone.
Not thinking straight, Jeremy had tunnel straight ahead to Seraph. His one good hand clenched into a tight fist as he did a full sprint towards the person who was trying to hurt Mia. Feeling pity and seeing the boy was on his last legs, Seraph felt no need to strike. He simply stepped back at the right time, stuck out his other arm and let Jeremy's own momentum down the rest. Running face first into Seraph's forearm, Jeremy's body dragged for a few feet before he was left unconscious and half-way buried in the ground.
Turning back to his captive, it was evident that Lady Crane was showing much hostility. Her legs failed as she tried to kick, by Seraph's arms were long enough to make that difficult. The skin on his arm was torn and healed repeatedly from the young woman scratching him. It was odd at first, but then pieces started to come together. Similar age, a sudden burst of emotion from seeing one another harmed, willingness to try even the most futile attempt to change their fate; just a primitive human need to protect their mate. With only the slightest amount of added pressure, Mia's oxygen was completely cut off. Seraph's piercing eyes stared as Mia faded and fell unconscious, to show kindness he tossed her next to the young man so they could either join him or perish together.
"You son of a...!" Kathy screamed, raising the freeze-ray now that she a fair shot. "No...no..." Kathy muttered, the freeze-ray in pieces less a millisecond later thanks to Seraph picking up a rock a flicking it with his thumb.
"Dammit..." Randal said through clenched teeth, know they had only one option left. "Run!" He yelled at Kathy.
Seeing a boulder shaped chunk of concrete nearby, Randal kicked the debris like a soccer ball. It came flying at Seraph's face, who simply put up an open palm and let the projectile shatter. The oldest of the Heroes was no longer in his sight, but he could easily hear him coming and block him attempt to punch from the side with just two fingers. No matter how hard he tried to push, Randal fist could not make Seraph's hand budge.
A gunshot echoed throughout the open area. Seraph easily caught the bullet between the tips of his index and middle fingers, turning his head to see Kathy with her Winchester rifle. Growing tired of dealing with such things, Seraph flicked the bullet towards her faster than gunpowder was able to propel it. Shock took over Kathy's mind, not fully understanding what happened until she started to feel weak. Looking down in horror, Kathy realized Seraph landed a perfect shot through her right side. Straight through, no shrapnel, no organ damage and with just enough blood-loss to hopefully help Kathy see the error of her ways.
To his surprise, Seraph could feel more pressure on his hand. Randal looked like he planned to rip Seraph in half, shouting as he pushed with all of his might an actually managed to make the fingers bend slightly. A moment of admiration was replaced with Seraph pushing back, the force made Randal arm flail behind him. One more tap on the elderly humans abdomen was enough to make the large figure dropped to his hands and knees. Once again impressed, he watched the Hero try so hard to stay awake and keep up the meaningless fight.
"Come on...not now..." Randal groaned to himself, arms and legs ready to buckle at any moment.
"Your determination is admirable, but there's nothing more you can do." Seraph said, offering his hand. "Join me, or be the first Hero to fall in my ascension."
In an odd turn of events, Seraph was certain he was starting to hear the human laugh through his painful groans. Here he was again, beaten by something on a whole different level that had no problem with rubbing that face in his face. It was hard to tell if he was in better or worse shape back then, but last time he could at least say he was fighting something more than twice his size.
"You know what..." Randal said, barely able to lift his head. "I'll take make chance in hell."
"So be it." Seraph said with a soft sigh, lifting his foot over Randal's head.
That was when the laughing stopped and Randal took whatever time he had left to wonder just two things. Would help come for the others in time and if there was enough good done to make all this Hero nonsense worth it.
"Wait..." Seraph said, hearing something approaching fast. "What is...?"
The impact was like an explosion from a mortar strike, creating a massive cloud of dust around the figure who jumped from miles away. Seraph stepped away from Randal and towards the new being, who arrived with an aura that the new-born deity could not ignore. The loud crash gave Randal a small jolt of awareness. Still in no condition to move, he could only watch as the dust settled to reveal something that made his jaw drop.
"No fucking way..." Randal whispered in total disbelief.
There he was. Same bald head, same clueless expression but this time he showed up with a really cheesy looking costume. Yellow tights, red gloves with matching boots that belonged on an indy show wrestler, the same went for his belt and a white cape that looked like it could be used as a bedsheet. Looking around at all the damage before meeting eyes with Seraph, the bald man scratched his head with confusion.
"So...are you that Spade guy they talked about?"