"That's enough for today."
Sol's voice returned to normal as he assessed the situation. He had already gauged the extent of his current strength. Without the ability to evolve further, continuing the fight held no real value.
Tatsumaki floated in the air, her green curls whipping violently. "Trying to run? It won't be that easy!"
Sol let out a light chuckle. "Miss Tatsumaki, are you sure you want to keep going?"
He gestured into the distance. "Your teammates are already reaching their limit."
Tatsumaki glanced over.
Metal Bat and Tanktop Master were both breathing heavily. Even Bang, though still standing firm, had beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Hmph! I can handle you alone!" Tatsumaki snapped.
Sol tilted his head slightly. "Maybe, but it wouldn't come cheap."
He raised his hand. Dark red energy seeped from the seams of his armor.
"Besides, are you certain you want to keep investigating me?"
His tone turned casual, almost playful.
"Sol is currently in my hands. If you let me leave, I'll return him safely."
Beneath the armor, the corner of Sol's mouth curved in amusement.
The black and red plating began to shift, flowing like liquid metal. The shape changed, gradually forming a slender figure. The armor receded, revealing long silver-white hair and a delicate, youthful face.
A young girl stood in his place.
This was deliberate.
With Muzan's mimicry, Sol could alter his appearance freely. If he kept disappearing every time the armored figure appeared, suspicion would only grow. Showing a different face now gave him room to maneuver later.
"This is my sincerity," he said lightly. "What do you think?"
Tatsumaki narrowed her eyes, staring at the transformed figure. "You think that kind of trick will fool me?"
Sol, in his new form, brushed a strand of silver hair behind his ear and smiled faintly. "I'm not lying. This is my true appearance. Sol is indeed with me. Let me go, and I guarantee his safety."
Bang's expression hardened, his stance unwavering. "Who are you, and why take Sol?"
Sol paused, as if thinking.
"Well… I am Psykos of the Monster Association," he said calmly. "As for Sol, I saw potential in him. I simply decided to nurture it."
Metal Bat slammed his bat against the ground. "Cut the nonsense! Hand over the Rookie!"
Tanktop Master stepped forward, holding his chest. "We're not letting you walk away."
Sol sighed softly, a trace of mock regret in his expression.
"Then we have no choice."
The black and red armor surged back over his body.
"I suppose we continue."
Tatsumaki's patience snapped. "Enough!"
She thrust both hands downward.
An immense pressure descended instantly.
This time, Sol was ready.
The crimson patterns on his armor flared as thick, blood-like psychic energy formed a barrier around him. The clash between their powers distorted the air itself.
"Your psychic power is impressive," Sol said from within the armor. "But…"
His tone shifted, light and amused.
"…goodbye."
He suddenly dropped his defense.
Using the force of Tatsumaki's attack, he propelled himself backward. At the same time, dark red energy spread behind him, opening a portal to the Infinity Castle.
"See you next time."
His figure faded into the gateway.
"Stop!" Tatsumaki moved to pursue, but Bang stepped in front of her.
"Don't," he said calmly.
"The gate is already gone. And more importantly…"
His gaze turned serious.
"We need to find Sol."
Metal Bat clicked his tongue in frustration. "Damn it. Where did they take the Rookie?"
Tanktop Master frowned. "That monster claimed Sol was with her, but we never saw any sign of him. It might have been a bluff."
Meanwhile, in a quiet alley in City Z, Sol reappeared.
He held a pen and a sheet of paper he had taken earlier, quickly writing:
Sol has been injected with Monster cells. How will you choose?
A small smile tugged at his lips.
He needed a believable reason to justify revealing more of his abilities later.
Once he finished, he tightened his grip on the paper, took a steady breath, and drove his fist into his own abdomen.
He suppressed his regeneration completely.
The impact landed cleanly.
Pain surged through his body instantly.
He coughed, blood spilling from his mouth as he collapsed onto the damp ground. His fingers trembled as they clutched the note tightly.
"That should do it."
With his communicator destroyed, he pulled out his phone and sent an emergency distress signal to the Hero Association. Then he lay still, slowing his breathing until he resembled a corpse.
By the time he woke up, all suspicion would be gone.
Elsewhere, as the heroes searched, their communicators activated.
"This is headquarters. We've received a distress signal from Sol Mirek. Location, an alley in the eastern district of City Z."
"Move!" Tanktop Master reacted instantly.
"Hope the kid didn't lose anything important," Metal Bat muttered, already heading out.
Tatsumaki shot into the sky without another word, heading straight for the signal.
Bang followed closely behind. "Hurry."
They arrived quickly.
Under the pale moonlight, Sol lay motionless in a pool of blood. His face was pale, his body barely moving. One hand was clenched tightly, something visible between his fingers.
"Sol!" Bang rushed forward, examining him carefully.
"A severe blow to the abdomen. Several ribs are likely broken."
Tatsumaki lifted Sol gently with her psychic power. "We take him back immediately."
"Hold on," Metal Bat said, stepping closer. "He's holding something."
He crouched down and pried open Sol's fingers, pulling out the blood-stained paper.
"Wait," Tatsumaki said sharply. "Let me see that."
She snatched it and scanned the contents.
Her expression froze.
The message was crude but clear.
Sol has been injected with Monster cells. How will you choose?
Her fingers tightened.
Without a word, she crushed the paper. A flicker of green psychic energy reduced it to dust.
"What did it say?" Tanktop Master asked.
Tatsumaki turned away. "Nothing important. Just a pointless threat."
Bang noticed the shift in her demeanor, but he remained silent.
"His condition comes first," he said. "We move now."
Metal Bat frowned at her. "You're hiding something."
"Enough!" Tatsumaki snapped, her voice sharper than usual.
"The only thing that matters right now is saving him."