#211 The Power of Bonds
Pulling the Siren down to the surface hardly made her an easy opponent. If anything, the real fight was just beginning.
[Kyaaaaak-!]
The enraged Siren let out a monstrous screech and swung her leg. Boom! The sand on the beach cratered deeply.
With her wings immobilized by White Knight and Piero, and her song-based mental attacks blocked by Hive Master, the Siren's remaining weapons were her two legs and her water manipulation.
"Dodge!"
"Climb on!"
Led by Valencia, the Hero Association president, and Tough Guy, the melee heroes evaded her strikes and latched onto her legs and body. They swarmed her like a colony of ants hunting an insect far larger than themselves, attacking from every angle.
"Haaah!"
And among them was Ice Queen. Her deepened ice powers created frozen platforms in midair with every swing of her hand. She bounded up the icy steps toward the Siren's head, circling wide behind her nape to condense her chill. It was her ultimate technique: Ice Wrath. She was unleashing her finisher right from the start—a wicked(?) resolve indeed.
"Ice Ray..."
With her preparation complete, she aimed her Ice Wrath at the Siren's nape.
Whoosh!
"Kyaa?!"
But before she could, a massive waterspout erupted from the sea and engulfed her. Caught off guard by the surprise attack, she plummeted helplessly, her ultimate arcing harmlessly into empty sky.
It was Ice Queen's miscalculation—underestimating the Siren. After all, the creature had wielded both song and waterspouts simultaneously from the start. With that much cold gathering at her nape, it would have been odd if she hadn't noticed.
"Be careful."
"Thank you... Huh?"
Someone caught the falling Ice Queen. Assuming it was one of the heroes, she started to thank him—until the voice in her ear and the firm arms around her felt strangely familiar.
"Y-You...!"
Looking up, Ice Queen gasped. Her rescuer was none other than Steel Armor.
"'You'? We've already settled on that? I prefer 'darling' or 'Master,' myself."
Steel Armor scratched the back of his head, seemingly embarrassed.
"..."
Ice Queen stared at him in utter bewilderment.
*****
"That's the problem with the Hero Association! Why no gratitude at all? Even magpies repay kindness, you know!"
"Pardon?"
This guy—no, this woman?
"Look! You're just 'yeah, yeah'-ing me right now! While I'm talking! You haven't listened to a word I've said, have you? Cheeky brat..."
Oh, wait—no.
"Ahem! You're not a kid, sure, but still! When someone's speaking, you need to respond properly and listen attentively—not half-ass it!"
Oh right, she's the last survivor of the Gumiho clan. Parents are all dead, huh?
Phew! Almost dropped a dad joke there.
"Ahem!"
"???"
"???"
"????"
"????"
Gumiho tilted her head at me. So I tilted mine back at her. When she leaned the other way, I mirrored her.
"What... were you just talking about? And what's this about you saving the president?"
Huh? She doesn't know?
"What are you on about? I saved your president from dying."
"So how exactly did you save him?"
"What? You really don't know? He didn't tell you?"
"..."
No response. Guess he really kept it quiet.
This old man—no, this bastard? Didn't mention something this huge?
Fine, I'll spill it. He can verify with Valencia. Once they know it's true, my favorability will skyrocket. Hell, she might even offer her body as thanks. Sweet!
"So..."
I opened my mouth to explain.
"Kyaa?!"
"Huh?"
A familiar scream. I turned—there was Ice Queen, struck by a waterspout and falling.
"Fuck!"
Fire shot from my eyes. That Siren bitch dared touch my woman?! I can tolerate her coming at me, but my girl? No fucking way.
"You're dead, you shit!"
"Wha—wait—"
I bolted like a bullet, leaving Gumiho behind. Popcorn break must've recharged me—power surging.
"Gotcha!"
I snagged Ice Queen just before she hit the sea. Damn, I'm cool.
"Be careful."
"Thank you... Huh?"
Ice Queen thanked me sweetly. Usually a prickly cat, but now she seemed tame.
"Y-You...!"
She looked up, eyes widening behind her ice mask. Ice Queen called me... "you."
"'You'? We've already settled on that? I prefer 'darling' or 'Master.'"
Master's better. Call me Master, Ice Queen!
"What the hell are you babbling?!"
"..."
Heroes shut up after help, huh? Typical. But she's mine, so forgiven.
"You hurt anywhere?"
"Uh..."
The yeller went silent, cheeks flushing. Hurt after all?
"Your cheeks are red. You sure you're okay?"
"I-I'm fine... More importantly, let go."
"Oh? Right."
I set her down. She turned away, shoulders heaving with deep breaths.
"Anyway, you're out."
"What?"
"Too dangerous. Fall back."
"...No."
"What?"
Her blush gone, she glared up fiercely.
"I'm a hero. Can't run from a monster."
"...Yeah?"
Her seriousness killed any snark. That's my girl.
"Team up then?"
"Team up?"
"Yeah. Villain Steel Armor and Hero Ice Queen join forces against a public enemy. Not the first time villains and heroes allied... call it a temporary pact? Thoughts?"
"..."
"Right now, a monster who could kill thousands matters more than me being a villain. You'd have it easier with my help. Might even take her down without casualties."
"I..."
After hesitating, Ice Queen answered. I smiled at her reply.
*****
[Kyaaaaak-!]
Boom!
"Grahhh!"
"Damn it!"
Monsters were monsters indeed. Grounded, the Siren was still devastating. Each leg swing hurled sand skyward and gouged the earth. And without flight, her waterspouts from the sea hit harder than before.
"Aaaah!"
Flame Witch, blocking one, screamed as she poured her powers into the fire spirit Ifrit.
"Heh heh heh."
"Gale winds!"
In the sky, White Knight and Wind Line provided air support.
Heroes clung to the Siren, but her massive size offered endless targets.
"Haaah!"
"Full power!"
"We end her here!"
Melee heroes doggedly attacked. Flung by kicks, they bounced back like weeds.
From afar, they looked like ants assaulting giant prey. But the Siren was no prey—she was the predator.
[Kyaaaaak!!!]
"Grahhh!"
Boom!
"Dmitriiiii!!!"
One hero failed to dodge a kick. The Siren trapped him like a soccer ball, then slammed him down. An A-rank body enhancer, but he couldn't withstand her force and weight. Crushing pressure pulverized his bones and organs.
Dmitri was the first casualty.
Furious heroes pressed harder, but their blows barely scratched her—her long feathers blocked most.
"Ngh?!"
"Grahhh!"
Heroes fell one by one. Fewer fighters meant greater burden on the rest.
"Damn! Haaah!"
As bloodied comrades dropped, Valencia roared, attacking fiercer. Experienced, he deployed Siren-specific tactics, positioning heroes perfectly. It worked—but not enough. The Siren exceeded his expectations.
She had to. Twenty years ago, Valencia was just B-rank, experiencing her terror indirectly.
"Valencia, watch out!"
"Hm? Gahk?!"
Snapping to Tough Guy's shout too late—
Crunch!
"Grrrrr!"
The Siren's foot snagged him, squeezing like she meant to pulp him. His 10-level body enhancement held—for now.
"No!"
"President!"
Heroes moved to save him—but someone was faster.
"Everyone, move!"
"Huh?"
Crackle!
A black shadow wreathed in lightning brushed past, striking the leg hard. Heroes thought Jenaraider—but he stood dazed behind.
"Steel... Armor?"
Jenaraider muttered in disbelief at the savior.
Yes—Steel Armor, lightning-clad, rescuing the president.
"Grrrr!"
"Oh, sorry. But you're S-rank—hang in there!"
Seeing Valencia sizzle from his own lightning, Steel Armor apologized awkwardly.
"You trying to kill the president, bastard?!"
"Sorry!"
Ice Queen, firing ice spikes from afar, yelled. He apologized to her too.
"What the..."
"Why's Steel Armor here...?"
Heroes panicked, baffled by the infamous S-rank villain's presence—and aid.
"Gyagyagyah!"
Grabbing one of her four-pronged feet, Steel Armor heaved with weird grunts. Astonishingly, the leg lifted—with Valencia still gripped.
"Grrrh! Bend... already!"
Crack!
[Kieeeek-!]
The foot didn't just open—it snapped. Pain-wracked, the Siren screamed and released Valencia.
"Catch, Ice Queen!"
"You maniac!"
Ice Queen yelled as he tossed the president like luggage by the scruff—but she formed an ice slide, catching and sliding him to safety.
[Krrrh...]
"Heh heh."
The Siren glared murderously. Steel Armor laughed fearlessly.
"Round two, right? Big bro's got a shocking surprise for you. You'll love it to death."
Crackle! Zap!
Sparks flew from him. Grinning wickedly behind his mask, he bellowed:
"Go! My heroes! Love! Faith! Hope! Show that freak the power of our bonds!"
"..."
"..."
No hero moved.