Zaydas, who quickly changed his outfit using Demonic Power, teleported and appeared in front of the insectoid, kicking it in the face with its four forward-facing antennae that served as eyes.
"Bang!"
The impact was absurd. The insectoid's resistance was high, but even so, it was sent flying toward the ground.
The force of Zaydas' kick created shockwaves. The helicopter became unstable, but the pilot still managed to regain control.
"Booom!"
A resounding sound echoed—even louder than before—as the insectoid's body crashed into the ground.
Weighing at least one ton, the impact was strong enough to crack the asphalt into a web-like pattern.
Furiously flapping its wings, the insectoid took flight. With all four eyes locked onto Zaydas, it dashed toward him at extreme speed.
"Lightning Kick." Zaydas murmured softly.
Lightning crackled around his right foot. Spinning in midair, his rotation gained momentum, and just as the insectoid was about to strike, Zaydas activated [Thought Acceleration], predicting its movements. He dodged, bringing his foot down at an angle, striking the insectoid's head once again.
"BANNG!!!"
This time, the impact was even more intense.
Along with the shockwaves, the collision unleashed a storm of lightning, crackling like a thunderstorm. The electrical sounds became even more terrifying as the insectoid's body was engulfed in lightning.
"Whoosh!"
Sent hurtling back to the ground, its speed was so high that a loud, wind-tearing sound echoed.
"BOOOOM!"
Upon impact, unlike before, the ground didn't just crack like a spiderweb—this time, a full crater formed where the insectoid's body crashed, green blood oozing from various wounds.
At least three of the insectoid's legs appeared to be broken, and one of its "arms" was bent in a strange direction.
Green blood dripped from its mouth.
However, although it previously seemed to possess only super speed and strength, Zaydas now realized that this insectoid also had super regeneration.
Appearing before the insectoid, he conjured a flash of light and used 'Fenrir'.
For now, he couldn't let anyone know that he was using 'Fenrir.' So far, Supergirl was still hunting for the culprit behind the disappearance of the Silver Perverted Villain.
No abilities were acquired. But it wasn't as if he had gained nothing.
[Announcement: It is now possible to mimic the [Insectoid]!]
Hard to get excited about that...
Even if a little disappointed, he could only sigh and teleport away from the scene.
As for damage control, that was something the government would have to handle. At that moment, there was nothing he could do. He even tried scanning with [Mana Perception], but all the humans attacked by the insectoid were already dead.
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The next morning, while eating breakfast, Zaydas saw the news about the tragedy in Kyoto.
The recorded death toll was 194 people.
The reason so many people were in that area was because of a festival that had taken place nearby, and they were attacked by the Insectoid.
The images shown were blurred. Even with the mosaic effect, the scenes were extremely graphic.
The victims' families were in despair, demanding divine punishment for the villains.
Then, the reporter talked about the hero who appeared and killed the Insectoid.
Among the victims, a hero who had just graduated from hero school died trying to save people. He suffered the most, being mutilated into nine pieces by the Insectoid. He was called [Radiant Hero] because of his bright smile and light-related powers.
However, for a rookie hero to face an Insectoid with the power of a Third Awakening (Third Phase) monster, it was practically impossible to come out victorious.
After all, not everyone was like Superman, who, upon graduating from hero school, was already strong enough to defeat powerful monsters.
As he listened to the praises—and even the regrets that he hadn't arrived a little earlier—he turned off the television after finishing his meal.
After receiving a message early in the morning, he replied. Then, after brushing his teeth and changing clothes, he left.
...
At a coffee shop, Zaydas walked in.
"Welcome."
Nodding, he walked toward a table where a girl wearing a hood was sitting. She waved at him.
"You came." She said in a monotone voice.
"Well, I wasn't expecting to get an invitation from you this early." Zaydas pulled out a chair and sat across from her. "So, should I call you Supergirl or Kara?"
Pulling back her hood, she said, "Kara is fine."
"Oh? Is this a date?" He smiled with interest.
"W-What? N-No..." She stammered as she denied it.
"It's not? What a shame..." He said, pretending to be hurt.
Kara became even more flustered, waving her hands around, but soon she took a deep breath and noticed that he was smiling. She then puffed out her cheeks.
"Ugh, you... Seriously..." She seemed like she wanted to say something, but only words that expressed her current emotions came out.
Zaydas extended his hand, and the waitress came over. After ordering a cappuccino, he said, "I presume that if this isn't a date, then you must want my help with something, am I right?"
"Yes, that's right." Kara nodded.
Reaching out, he grabbed her hand on the table, holding it firmly enough that she couldn't pull away even when she tried.
"Okay, I reluctantly accept marrying you."
"God, can't you be serious?" She pouted. "And what's with that 'reluctantly accept marrying you' thing? In your eyes, am I not good enough?"
"Oh? You want to be good enough for me?" Zaydas narrowed his eyes, making them look even more almond-shaped.
"I-I didn't say that!" She shouted, standing up and slamming her other hand on the table. Luckily, Zaydas had reinforced it so it wouldn't break.
Meanwhile, the other customers looked in her direction, making her blush even more with embarrassment. She apologized and sat back down.
Whispering, Kara said, "How dare you embarrass me!?"
"Huh? That's a strange thing to say." Zaydas replied with an innocent expression. "You were the one who reacted so strongly and embarrassed yourself. I simply analyzed and summarized what you were trying to convey with your words."
"You must have tricked plenty of girls by saying things like that, huh?" She narrowed her eyes but made no further effort to pull away the hand he was holding.
Her beautiful eyes were locked onto his, full of accusation.
At that moment, the waitress arrived and placed Zaydas' cappuccino on the table.
Letting go of Kara's hand, he noticed that she seemed surprised—maybe even a little disappointed?
Smiling slightly, he took a sip of his drink. Placing the cup back on the table, he intertwined his fingers near his chin and spoke.
"To answer your previous question." Zaydas said to her. "It's not that you're not attractive enough for me. Quite the opposite—you're very beautiful."
She blushed at his words.
He continued, "However… there's something you're missing."
"Something I'm missing?" She looked confused.
"Yes, that's right." He said. "You're missing me in your life."
"I see, then… Wait!" She realized a few seconds later that she had almost been tricked by him again and felt an intense urge to punch him when she saw his cheeky grin.
"Haha, don't look at me like that." Zaydas said. "I was just joking. Honestly, your reactions are adorable."
"Am I some kind of entertainment for you?" She asked, her gaze hardening.
"If I had to choose between yes and no, the answer is yes." He replied.
"Can I punch you?" She asked threateningly.
"No, but if you want to give me a kiss, I'll reluctantly accept." He answered, making her anger flare up once more.
Kara's chest rose and fell as she took a deep breath and sighed. Calming herself, she asked, "Zaydas, why do you do this to me?"
"I thought I already answered that question." Seeing her get upset again, his expression became slightly more serious. "If I had to say… it's because I like teasing you."
"I figured that much, but I don't understand why you like teasing me so much." She said.
"Isn't the answer obvious?" He smiled. "It's because I'm interested in you."
A deep, obvious blush spread across Kara's face. She lowered her head and fell silent.
"Let me think about it!" Leaving those words behind, she suddenly rushed out.
"..."
'Didn't she have something important she wanted to talk to me about?' He thought, but then he smirked. 'Hehe, let me think about it, huh...'
Even after teasing her for so many minutes, she still said that.
Finishing his cappuccino, he left with a smile after paying the bill.
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