"Haa…" Saitama let out a long breath and dropped onto the slightly worn tatami with a plop. The supermarket discount flyer sat in the most obvious spot on the small tea table, with tomorrow's egg and milk deals circled in red pen. That "big promotion" with the aliens in New York (that's what he preferred to call it) was finally over. It had been a bit noisy, sure, but the result was clean enough. He picked up the flyer and started calculating what time he'd need to head out tomorrow to snag the freshest discounted items.
But the world never stayed quiet for long.
Right when Saitama was studying the bargain list and debating whether to try the new curry-flavored instant noodles, his old flip phone rang at the worst possible time, the ringtone a monotonous "beep-beep."
"Hello?" Saitama pressed answer, his tone carrying mild annoyance at being interrupted mid–discount research.
"Saitama." A low, hoarse, highly recognizable voice came from the other end—it was Nick Fury, director of S.H.I.E.L.D. "Sorry to interrupt your… rest time."
"Director Fury?" Saitama blinked. "What's up? I'm looking at tomorrow's discounts."
Fury seemed used to how Saitama talked and went straight to the point. "After the battle of New York, Earth's energy field has become extremely unstable. Our monitoring stations worldwide detected at least seven abnormal, extremely high-intensity energy fluctuations in the last 48 hours. The locations are scattered and show no pattern—deep in the Sahara, the Siberian tundra, the Amazon rainforest, even the Pacific trench."
"Oh? More aliens?" Saitama's voice barely changed, like he was asking whether eggs had gone up in price again.
"We can't confirm the source or nature." Fury's tone was grave. "These readings are unprecedented—ancient, chaotic, and filled with… malice. We tried sending a team to the nearest fluctuation point in the Sahara, but all instruments failed, and the team lost contact. We need your strength, Saitama. Only you can serve as the 'insurance' we need against an unknown threat."
Saitama's eyes were still on the flyer—right on the bold words: Buy-One-Get-One-Free Eggs.
He went silent for a few seconds, like he was weighing which mattered more: discount eggs or saving the world.
"…Alright." He finally spoke, with a faint, reluctant sigh. "Guess the discount eggs will have to wait. Send me the location."
"Thank you for your cooperation, Saitama." Fury's voice loosened a fraction. "Detailed coordinates and equipment will be delivered to your position immediately. First target: deep in the Sahara Desert."
Saitama hung up and sighed. He carefully folded the discount flyer and slid it into a drawer. Then he stood, walked to the window, and looked at the distant construction cranes rebuilding the city.
Peaceful days really were a luxury.
Meanwhile…
Beneath the scorching, boundless golden sea of sand in the Sahara, in a corner modern civilization had never touched, a well-equipped private archaeological team—guided by local escorts—was excitedly clearing an ancient ruin whose entrance had just been revealed by a rare sandstorm. A massive stone gate stood half-open, exposing a deep, lightless darkness within.
The expedition's professor leader ran his hand over the twisted, ferocious relief carvings on the stone, his eyes blazing with fanatic excitement.
"Look at these symbols! They've never appeared in any known civilization! We may have discovered evidence of a prehistoric super-civilization!" he shouted.
(End of Chapter)
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