Siren's Heart Showdown (5)
'No matter how much life doesn't go according to plan, this is a bit much.'
It was only natural for an S-rank hero to be here. But an S-rank villain—no, a rising powerhouse like Steel Armor, who was riding high on a wave of fame? That was overkill.
High Fog summoned the mysterious monster that lived within his fog. It was a hideous, grotesque beast, but it followed him like a loyal dog adoring its master.
High Fog ordered the monster to attack Steel Armor, and it obeyed faithfully. The monster's leg lashed out at Steel Armor. Its massive bulk made it incredibly slow, but the battlefield was shrouded in fog anyway. No one had noticed the monster's attacks until now.
'How the hell?!'
But Steel Armor dodged the monster's assault with ridiculous ease. Once could be chalked up to luck, but two, three times in a row? That wasn't luck anymore.
As much as he hated to admit it, Steel Armor could maintain his senses perfectly even inside the fog. And it wasn't just Steel Armor grating on High Fog's nerves.
'What the hell is that guy?'
A ghost had appeared out of nowhere, wandering through his fog. Unlike Steel Armor, who navigated straight toward the Siren's Heart even in the mist, the ghost seemed heavily affected by it, circling aimlessly without finding its way.
From High Fog's perspective, that was at least a small mercy.
'Hm?'
Soon after, something infuriating happened.
"-------------"
The ghost opened its mouth and exhaled. Then, astonishingly, the fog began to freeze, slipping out of High Fog's control. The ghost was carving out its own domain right inside his territory.
'.....'
There were too many threats to handle. His wife, Steel Armor, Tough Guy and the other A-rank heroes, and now this ghost.
'Fine. Let's end this.'
After a moment's deliberation, High Fog made his decision. No more headaches dealing with them one by one—he'd lure all these bastards into one spot.
High Fog parted the fog to guide the ghost toward the Siren's Heart. He also pulled back the mist enveloping Tough Guy.
Moments later, the four converged around the Siren's Heart: High Fog, Steel Armor, Tough Guy, and the ghost. Whoever won here would claim the Siren's Heart.
*****
'Face! Show me your face!'
I wanted to see the woman's face, but unfortunately, her entire body was transparent, hiding her features. Still, I was certain she was a woman from the feminine curves of her body. That slim waist and wide hips couldn't belong to a man.
'Why does she get all the special effects?'
Even without a breeze, only her hair fluttered dramatically. She hovered slightly off the ground like a real ghost, her long skirt swaying down to her ankles.
"I won't hand over the Siren's Heart. Not to you damn villain scum."
Tough Guy glared at me and the other two with a hardened expression, declaring his intent. First Jenaraider, now Tough Guy. Seeing two S-rank heroes treat the Siren's Heart with such gravity made me realize it held more significance to them than I'd thought.
"I couldn't care less about that crap. Clear this fog first."
The ghost woman replied indifferently to Tough Guy, then shot High Fog a glare. In Dark City, High Fog was a villain everyone knew—and everyone knew he controlled fog. She clearly realized this unnatural mist was his doing.
"....."
High Fog silently glared at me and the other two. One person and one ghost, technically? Anyway, was it my turn to speak?
"I'll be taking the Siren's Heart. Hand it over quietly, and there won't be any bloodshed."
Negotiation fundamentally requires a foundation of overwhelming force. Even the great negotiator Gandhi based his demands for gold on absolute power to develop India, right? Refuse Gandhi's merciful offer out of greed for gold, and you'd see your city in flames. Life's worth more than gold, after all. Don't ignore Gandhi Armor's proposal!
"Shut your trash mouth!"
"The Siren's Heart is mine. Don't get greedy."
"Just fuck off. Make a wrong move, and I'll kill you."
"....."
Tough Guy, High Fog, and the ghost woman spoke in turn. Had they teamed up? Oh, wait—one of them was my dad, so no. Still! Why gang up the second I open my mouth?! Why pick on me?!
"No time to waste, so how about we get moving? Whatever the outcome, let's wrap it up quick and head home to rest."
I unfolded my arms and said,
"The rules are simple."
"Rules?"
"No touching the Siren's Heart during the fight. Only the last one standing gets to claim it. Simple rule—no one should have trouble understanding. If anyone breaks it, that bastard... er, that person gets attacked first."
"""....."""
"Then let's start."
I told them the rules and attacked the guy on my right—High Fog, my dear old dad.
In some popular comic full of dreams and hope, there's a character who uses fiery fists. But that's not true fire fists. Only someone like me qualifies as real "Fire Fists," right?
Dad! Forgive this unfilial son!
*****
As I attacked Dad, the ghost lady floated into the air. Tough Guy, the opportunist, stayed put.
Before my fist connected, Dad dissolved into fog and vanished. Then the pillar-like leg that had attacked me in the mist multiple times came crashing down from above.
The mystery monster wasn't targeting just me. It struck at the airborne ghost lady and the watchful Tough Guy too. Indiscriminate assault.
But the monster's attacks failed against us. Its leg passed right through the ghost lady's body—only to crumble into dust itself. The monster took the damage instead.
Pierced through her torso, the ghost lady was unscathed.
Woooooooong-!
A ship horn-like wail echoed from afar—the monster's scream after losing a leg.
"Muscle!"
Tough Guy's body swelled massively. More precisely, his muscles ballooned like balloons. With his hands in a pinching grip, he swung his arm full force at the descending leg.
"Hammer!"
Bam-!
In a clash of tiny human versus colossal monster, the little guy won shockingly. The monster's leg snapped sideways.
Woooooooong-!
Losing two legs in an instant, the monster screamed again.
What did I do? Thud-! Dodged. The leg was so slow it was yawn-worthy—I could've tap-danced around it.
Nice! Feeling pumped!
'That bastard, though.'
Dodging the leg, I eyed Tough Guy. Despite the rules, he hadn't budged from the Siren's Heart.
'This won't do.'
Tough Guy had to move. That way, Mom—lurking for her chance—could snag the Siren's Heart.
I couldn't take it myself. The Hero Association needed to believe High Fog and Hazel Fox stole it.
They didn't know the villains' real identities or homes. Even if they swiped it, no way to track them.
But if I took it? Next day, heroes would swarm the Skull Head Group.
So, let those two steal it—then I'd smack 'em from behind and reclaim it.
'Perfect.'
My plan, but flawless nonetheless.
'Ahh... scary! What a monster I am!'
I wasn't a Lü Bu brain in Zhuge Liang's body. I was Lü Bu's body with Zhuge Liang's brain. Not just a sexy bod, but a sexy mind too. From today, I'm not Steel Armor—I'm Sexy Armor.
"Hup!"
To help Hazel Fox, I dodged the monster and closed in on Tough Guy.
"Ma! Hammer time!"
"... Come on!"
As I charged, Tough Guy bit his lip and stepped forward.
"Muscle!"
His muscles ballooned again. Pinching hands from below, he swung upward.
"Hammer!"
Bam-!
"Kuh?!"
My fist met his. Sharp pain raced from my knuckles upward. Despite pain resistance, it intensified.
Tough Guy was one of the Hero Association's prized S-rank heroes. But—
"Grk!"
I was stronger. I got pushed back in that clash because his strike hit low. Tough Guy reeled, staggering five steps with his body shaking violently.
"Uwaaaah!"
"Uwaaaah!"
We charged simultaneously, diving into a manly brawl—like my fight with White Knight, pure fisticuff frenzy.
Right now, we were the ultimate macho men. No defense, just relentless offense.
I smashed his shoulder; he countered to my side. I stomped his knee; he uppercut my jaw.
The breathless slugfest lasted three minutes.
'Fuck?'
Shockingly, Tough Guy outclassed even White Knight—the supposed strongest hero—in close quarters. White Knight would've slowed by now; Tough Guy showed no signs.
'B-breath...!'
My lungs burned to the brim. Three minutes of nonstop fury? Expected.
But Tough Guy looked fresh, still going strong.
"Puha!"
I exhaled first. My whole body deflated.
"Haat!"
Waiting for that moment, Tough Guy pounced like a beast. He grabbed my right leg, yanked, and shoved my torso with his shoulder, disrupting my balance.
"Huuuuh!"
He twisted viciously to snap my leg. His iron grip held firm—no shaking it off.
'You fucker? Steel Skin!'
Protect the leg first—skill activated.
Kiiing-!
Skin turned steel; no more twisting. Defense success—my turn.
'Your turn.'
I seized his ankle with both hands and crushed.
"Grrrrr!"
His bulging muscles resisted, but muscle's muscle. My brute force blackened the flesh purple-to-black. One full twist—crunch-! Ankle dangled loose.
"Guh! Grraaah!"
Tough Guy was a beast. I'd have screamed bloody murder. He just clenched his jaw, stifling groans.
Then, mustering all his might, he tried snapping my leg.
Grrrr-!
"Kraaaah!"
Realizing it failed, he pulled a wild card: tensed his leg and snapped his own ankle in my grip.
Spun around and mounted me.
"Ah, fuck!"
A dude! A jacked dude straddling me! Gross as fuck!
"Muscle!"
Tough Guy clenched both fists high.
"Pound!"
And hammered down mercilessly.