"You… I—what…?"
Haruko just stared at him.
In less than an hour, she'd nearly been eaten alive by a demon-level monster… and now she was standing in front of someone who literally walked out of a lightning strike.
Her brain couldn't keep up.
The young man smiled, easygoing, like none of this was strange.
"Name's Yunze," he said, offering his hand. "People usually call me the Thunder God. Just got here, so… go easy on me."
Haruko hesitated, then reached out and shook his hand.
"Sato Haruko… Hero Association operator. Wait—are you the one who fell just now?"
"Fell?" Yunze tilted his head. "Nah. That crater was created by me."
He scratched the back of his head, looking slightly awkward.
"Sorry. Might've overdone it."
From high above, he'd already sensed both Haruko and the eel monster. Once he realized the thing wasn't human, he'd wiped it out without a second thought.
Only now did it occur to him—what if it hadn't been that simple?
Haruko shook her head quickly.
"It's fine! That thing wasn't registered—it was definitely a demon-level threat. It almost ate me, so… seriously, thank you."
"No big deal."
Yunze waved it off like it was nothing.
Strong, calm, and weirdly humble.
Haruko found herself staring a second too long.
Definitely a high ranking hero, she decided.
Then something hit her.
"Oh! You said you just got here, right? You don't have a place to stay?"
She clapped her hands together, suddenly energized.
"You can stay at my place! I'll show you around the city too."
Yunze blinked.
…That was fast.
She's inviting me over already? Is everyone here like this?
"Wait, no—I didn't mean it like that!" Haruko's face turned red instantly. "I just meant—you know—like helping out!"
"…Right."
Yunze relaxed.
Carefree, then.
"Appreciate it," he said. "I actually don't have anywhere to go."
Lightning flickered around him, forming a faint set of steps as he climbed up from the crater and stopped beside her.
"Lead the way."
"I—yeah. This way."
Under the night sky, arcs of electricity lit their path like a glowing bridge as they walked side by side.
About thirty minutes later, a B-Class hero known as "Knight" arrived at the scene.
"…Where is everyone?"
He looked around at the wreckage, veins popping.
"Haruko, I swear—if this is another false alarm—"
Z City, Xindong District. Haruko's apartment.
In the kitchen, Haruko was busy cooking, sneaking glances toward the living room every few seconds.
Yunze was sprawled on the couch, flipping through channels like he owned the place.
…Why does everything he does look cool?
The way he leans back. The way he sits. Even the way he moves his hand—
Haruko rested her chin in her palm, completely distracted.
Yeah. Definitely perfect.
Meanwhile, Yunze was staring at the table.
Pork ribs. Beef stew. Braised pork. Roast chicken.
Actual meat.
His eyes watered.
Life on the Sky Island had been peaceful—beautiful views, fresh air, endless fruit…
But no meat.
Not once.
For ten years.
"…I'm saved."
He grabbed a piece of fried pork and took a bite.
His entire body froze.
Then—
"—This is amazing."
He didn't even bother holding back. He tore through the food like he was possessed, barely pausing between bites.
Across from him, Haruko watched, completely absorbed.
"…Even the way he eats looks good…"
Yunze snapped his fingers in front of her face.
"Hey. You still here?"
She blinked.
Right. Reality.
Her face turned red almost instantly.
What was she even thinking just now?!
She quickly looked away and fanned herself, trying to recover.
"So—uh—where are you registered?" she asked casually. "As a hero, I mean. I don't think I've seen you before."
Yunze didn't even look up.
"I'm not a hero."
He took another bite like it didn't matter.
Haruko froze.
"…What?"
That hit harder than the lightning earlier.