There was movement in the darkness, someone was there!
Hans's eyes turned razor-sharp, his mind clearing instantly as he shifted into full alert.
"Sharp senses."
A cold, raspy voice echoed from the shadows, accompanied by the faint scraping of chitin. A tall, muscular green figure slowly stepped into view.
"No wonder Big Eye speaks so highly of you. Seems that kid's taste in talent hasn't changed."
[Monster: Bug God]
[Disaster Level: Demon (High)]
[Ability 1: "Bug Body (SR)"] – A body with monstrous power and speed, capable of high-speed movement and close combat.
[Ability 2: "Iron Carapace (SR)"] – A durable exoskeleton providing near-impenetrable defense.
[Ability 3: "Molting Release (SR)"] – After molting, grows six new arms and wings; the armor sprouts spikes, turning the whole body into a living weapon.
[Ability 4: "Six-Armed Barrage (SR)"] – A flurry of devastating punches in the molted state, powerful enough to shred steel.
Even without the system display, Hans knew exactly who this was.
The Bug God, a Demon-level powerhouse of the Monster Association who once fought alongside the Royal Ripper to capture Garou. He was among the most dangerous of the demon-level fighters and could even transform.
In the original story, after transforming, he was obliterated in one slap by "Superalloy Darkshine," the strongest human hero beneath Saitama.
Still, that didn't change the fact that Bug God stood near the peak of demon-level power.
"Bug God," Hans said coldly, seeing that the monster hadn't attacked right away. "What are you doing in my territory?"
"Oh? So you recognize me. That saves time."
The Bug God tossed the heavy sack on his shoulder to Hans's feet. It hit the ground with a dull thud; something inside wriggled faintly.
"Evil Eye asked me to deliver this to you. Also said, 'Don't kill all the small fry yet, they're still useful to me.' Something like that."
He cracked his neck and clenched his fists, the muscles under his shell bulging.
"And as your senior… I'm here to teach you the rules."
A predatory glint lit his compound eyes as murderous intent poured off him.
"Don't thank me yet. It might hurt a little. Try not to die too fast."
Hans glanced at the trembling bag. He already knew what was inside.
Monster Cells.
By his count, it was this week's batch.
'So Psykos hadn't forgotten her promise. That made things easier.'
"Rules, huh?"
Hans scoffed. The red magma-like lines across his spiked black armor lit up, heatwaves scattering dust as his suppressed power erupted, an aura that surpassed the usual demon level!
"In this place… my rules are the only ones that matter!"
The Bug God paused mid-step. Sparks crackled between his scythe-like mandibles.
"Heh… interesting."
SHH!
A sharp sonic crack split the air as a green blur launched forward, slicing through the darkness straight toward Hans!
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion followed as black and green fists collided, shockwaves splitting the stone walls of the vast cavern.
Dust surged. Both fighters were thrown back by the impact.
But while the Bug God only stumbled two steps before regaining balance, Hans skidded backward, gouging five shallow craters into the rocky ground before stopping.
A single clash, and the difference in power was clear.
CRACK!
The Bug God was about to compliment his junior's strength when his expression froze. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw it: his armored forearm, the one that met Hans's punch, had split open!
A moment later, the pain hit, sharp and burning.
'Impossible. My shell was tough enough to withstand attacks from weaker Dragon-level monsters!'
'And now, it cracked from just one exchange with a newcomer!?'
"How… how is that possible!?"
"You tell me, old man."
Hans shook his tingling arm and sneered beneath his jagged black visor.
"Ever heard of Thorns Armor?"
The black spikes across his body glowed faintly metallic as his armor expanded, venting streams of teal energy. His vitality surged, flooding into his muscles like fire. Behind him, a phantom of a colossal beast flickered into view.
[Overgrowth.]
[Beast's Body.]
[Swift Wind]
One by one, his SSR buffs ignited, his aura skyrocketing again, already exceeding demon-level limits. His form blurred and vanished!
The Bug God's arrogance evaporated. Every instinct screamed danger.
BAM!
He barely managed to block a lightning-fast strike from the left with his elbow. His counterkick hit nothing but a fading black afterimage!
BAM BAM BAM BAM BAM!
Punches, knees, elbows, grabs, kicks, headbutts, a relentless flurry of basic attacks chained into a brutal combo, amplified by inhuman speed and strength!
The cavern filled with the thunder of flesh meeting flesh, the crunch of shattering carapace, and the hiss of air splitting apart.
Hans's assault had no finesse, just raw stats and aggression.
Within ten rounds, the Bug God went from holding his ground to becoming nothing more than a living punching bag.
His arms shattered, his armor splintered, his chest caved in from a vicious knee strike.
Hans's uppercut sent the Bug flying, and before he could even fall, a shoulder-charge slammed into him midair.
The impact was like being hit by a train. The Bug God's massive 2.3-meter frame blasted into the cavern wall and embedded deep inside it like a crushed Bug.
RUMBLE!
The ground shook. Rocks crumbled.
Hans's territory endured yet another "small earthquake." The monsters nearby didn't even flinch.
Since their new boss took over, these tremors had become a daily occurrence.
Honestly, they'd be more worried if the ground didn't shake for once.