Somewhere in the Monster Association
"Excuse me. I have one question Gyoro-Gyoro-sama" Phoenix Man said to the meditating Gyoro-Gyoro as they were in a room filled with eyes. Gyoro-Gyoro was in the middle of the room with a bean bag of some sort as Phoenix Man was just in front of him
Gyoro-Gyoro: "I don't like being disturbed while meditating. What do you want to know?" Said Gyoro-Gyoro to Phoenix Man
Phoenix Man: "Why send out Royal Ripper and Bug God? If you need someone to look out for the Hero Hunter, then why did you send the two most aggressive ones?"
Gyoro-Gyoro: "Why you ask? I think they could blend quite well. If both of them see a quite nice display of Garou to the heroes, then they might just join him in killing them"
Phoenix Man: "Oh cut the crap out. There's no way they would follow your orders. They'll get too carried away and will kill Garou without a second thought. And ESPECIALLY Royal Ripper. He gets thrilled out of killing basically anything, even some of the monsters here would try to avoid him as much as possible"
Gyoro-Gyoro: "I know. Letting Royal Ripper get close to him will start the first part of his growth process that I am looking forward to"
Phoenix Man: "Um. Growth?"
Gyoro-Gyoro: "It is a test for his indecisiveness and other things. First, we need to hurt his mind and body more, until they are on the verge of breaking. I am waiting for the results of what will happen to Garou-kun now that he is experiencing fighting a 'Monster' firsthand"
Phoenix Man: "... What are you aiming for?... Gyoro-Gyoro. What plans have you got for Garou?"
Gyoro-Gyoro: "Why do you want to know?"
Phoenix Man: "No reason, I'm just curious"
Gyoro-Gyoro: "Hmm... Say, Phoenix Man. Where do you think Lord Orochi came from?"
Phoenix Man: "I have no clue whatsoever. Maybe an ancient organism?"
Gyoro-Gyoro: "Huhu... Lord Orochi was once a human, just like Garou-kun" When Phoenix Man heard that from Gyoro-Gyoro. He had an audible gasp come out from his bird mouth of his as he couldn't say anything other than to continue listening to Gyoro-Gyoro
Gyoro-Gyoro: "After an uncanny amount of failures and sacrifices, he became the ultimate being. And so calling him by 'Monster King Orochi' is only fair. Because I made him, I made, Lord Orochi"
Phoenix Man: "You... Made that?!" Phoenix Man expressed quite shockingly at the recent revelation that he had just heard about Orochi from Gyoro-Gyoro
Gyoro-Gyoro: "And, with a proper culturing, Garou-kun can be the next Lord Orochi... And only I will know how to do that. I asked Bug God to stop Royal Ripper if he goes too wild on him, if he dies, then that's all he's worth... And I'll wait for a new one to appear"
===
"I've finished searching around the surroundings, the exits blocked now. And in the past hours, no one has entered or left except for one person and that Gorilla..." A man said while standing on top of the Takoyaki store or stand with a cigarette in his hand and his coat wavering behind him by the wind
"Are the other members of the House of Evolution outside? Then this is the perfect opportunity. The command center should be in an observation room inside... Weirdos who recently moved in have backgrounds that are shrouded in mystery... Frequent shipments of large quantities of some mysterious powder, the crates we're also smelled with some substances that I cannot think of what it is. And with that evidence, my investigation matches my guess perfectly. Theirs no mistake that it's them" Zombieman mumbled to himself as he crushed the cigarette in his hand
Zombieman: "It's time, I'm going in" Zombieman said as he dropped from the roof of the Takoyaki store, and landed on the ground quietly to avoid any noise that could get him exposed
Zombieman: "Finally, I got you... I've been chasing you for the past few years, we go a long way back. The evilest organization that's trying to wipe out humanity and reshape the world... The recent occurrences made me realize they might be behind it all. But I could never catch their trail. Shibabawa's great prophecy "The Earth is in danger". The beings that are pulling the strings behind the Monster Association. They must be behind everything! There's no mistake about it!" Zombieman said and he turned to face the front of the store
Zombieman: "Today you meet your end! House of Evolution!" Zombieman said out loud for anyone Inside of the Takoyaki stand to hear
"Oh? A customer here? I'm preparing really quick so please wait for a little bit"
Zombieman: "Hmph. Do you think you could fool me? How many times did you change your hideout? This time it's even crazier, a Takoyaki stand in disguise, you think I'm stupid? I've followed your trail, you cannot escape from me this time" Zombieman said as he pulled his gun in lightning speed and aimed it towards the person that was in the Takoyaki stand
Zombieman: "And I now go by the name Zombieman, the hero with the immortal body. Does Experiment 66 ring any bell to you?" Said Zombieman as the person showed itself to him, and Zombieman couldn't believe what he saw
Armored Gorilla: "Eh? A hero who came for the House of Evolution? I hate to tell you but the House of Evolution is no more" Armored Gorilla said to Zombieman as he had his jaw dropped along with a surprised expression.
Inside the stand
Dr. Genus: "Heh. What a surprise. Who would've thought the famous S-class hero Zombieman would be a specimen from the House of Evolution" Said Dr. Genus to Zombieman as they were sitting in front of each other with a table in the middle. The tension was there, but not quite enough for both of them to really express anything, well, maybe except for Dr. Genus
Dr. Genus: "I remember experiment 66 quite well. The only successful specimen for my immortality series, an excellent specimen who partially recked my facility and left without a trail. It has been 10 years, I figured that you would have your revenge against me soon, but now a hero... You have changed quite a bit in that time, it is quite unexpected"
*Stomp*
Zombieman stood up and planted one of his feet onto the table. Grabbing his axe and arching it back. Dr. Genus immediately started to sweat nervously 'First the cyborg guy, and now him, what have I gotten myself into' He thought
Dr. Genus: "You're going to kill me? That's fine, with the House of Evolution gone. I had nothing left to continue my plans. I don't mind to die"
Zombieman: "How was the House of Evolution destroyed anyways? As long as you're still alive, then you could rebuild it as many times as you want. Why did you stop?" Zombieman said to him as Armored Gorilla, who was watching from the sides, could only let the two go at each other, and if he probably does anything to disrupt their "Reunion". Then he could get an axe in the head and probably some gunshots in the body
Zombieman: "Aren't you going to tell me? Answer me Dr. Genus!" Shouted Zombieman to Dr. Genus
Dr. Genus: "... About some time ago. Suddenly, he appeared in front of me. I saw a force much stronger than any artificial evolution.
I did all of my research. It was insignificant in comparison to what he was able to obtain. The individual I'm referring to is... He was able to go past his limiter... Unless he received it from another source, which I doubt it" Zombieman brought his axe back and removed his leg on the table. He didn't really know what Dr. Genus was talking about unless it has anything to do with the destruction of the House of Evolution... Who's gonna tell him?
Zombieman: "Limiter?"
Dr. Genus: "It doesn't matter how much work you put in. There is a limit to how much a person can grow. Too much power imposes obligations on the wielder, causing problems. They could turn into a raving, mindless beast. That is why God designed every living thing to have a range of development that protects their own sanity and survival. A Limiter is a device that restricts growth. He had, however, pushed himself to the point where he had overcome his limitations and eliminated his limiter" Said Dr. Genus to Zombieman
Zombieman: "So you're saying that someone who broke his limiter, was able to destroy your facility singlehandedly? Is there someone out there that managed to get such power?"
Zombieman: "...Yes. From what I can tell, he didn't have to pay or sacrifice anything to get such monstrous powers. The first time I saw him, he was enjoying himself, even after defeating the strongest warrior, in my research, with no difficulties at all. His expression alone told me that he has been enjoying fighting with his powers for god knows how long" He said
Zombieman: "... Non-sense" Said Zombieman as he sat down again
Zombieman: "It's the side effect of all those weird experiments you do day in, and day out that made your brain break down. To think that the one who created me was such an insignificant being. It is quite disappointing, Dr. Genus" He said as he looked Dr. Genus in the eyes
Zombieman: "Even I know quite a few monstrous ones for how they disregard the limits of their ability. A person who wields power beyond that of a monster without becoming one is called a hero" Zombieman exclaimed
Dr. Genus: "...He is, undoubtedly, a whole nother level from us or any living being or creature that has existed. Humans become monsters as a result of a desire to transform into something else as a result of bad habits, a complex, or a fit of frustrated rage. They begin to morph as a result of an aberration in their cells caused by their surroundings. Others, like my specimens, are created using the power of chemicals. There have also been countless instances of nonhuman life forms turning into monsters as a result of pollution. THEY, on the other hand, transform into wholly different beings who have nothing to do with releasing their constraint. In a larger sense, you may label the seafolk who invaded City J or the aliens who emerged in City A monsters. But they were already-intelligent beings, so to speak, the natural enemies of humanity" Dr. Genus said as he breathe in again to catch some air, and then moments later, he started to speak again
Dr. Genus: "The heroes who hold enough strength to challenge them were born with the potential to be so powerful, and eventually acquired their power via talent or hard work. Others, like you, have gained exceptional talents via mechanizing their bodies or through human experimentation. However, some people, like myself, may have been born with a genius intellect or Esper abilities. But Saitama, if I recall correctly, was different. An "Ordinary" birth, an "Ordinary" existence, no "Extraordinary" potential, simply an "Ordinary" individual. That's for certainly not someone from another universe. He pried open the door to his boundaries and broke his limiter only via his own effort" He said as both Zombieman and Armored Gorilla listened to what Dr. Genus had said, and they were quite surprised of this "Saitama" person
Dr. Genus: "He who has progressed beyond the limits has power that defies logic... It makes me giggle just thinking about how stupid my own objectives were. You might meet him one day; he's also a hero, though I'm not sure what class he belongs to. I do know that he's registered with the Hero Association. Is there anything else you'd like to know more of, Zombieman?" Said Dr. Genus to Zombieman. He could tell that he had something else that he wants to know just by seeing Zombieman gritting his teeth
Zombieman: "...Why Takoyaki?"
Dr. Genus: "After the destruction of the House of Evolution, I found an octopus tentacle that was also the last experiment in the facility, and the experiment that it went through was regeneration, and I presume you know what happened from there on"
===
Somewhere in an empty park
Royal Ripper: "Gyoro-Gyoro gave us orders to observe you closely, Garou. We were supposed to see if you fit with us monsters" Royal Ripper said while approaching Garou with Bug God following behind. Garou swiftly removes the bandages that we're wrapped around his hand, stretching them a little bit for the expected fight that he's going to experience with the two monsters. Tareo had quieted down a little, though he is still nervous and on the verge of crying again
Royal Ripper: "Are you really a monster, Garou? Or are you just a pervert that screams "I'm a monster". You think you could become one of us?"
Garou: "Huh, talking like you're some hot yaoi guy. I'm the one who's disappointed in your sloppiness"
Royal Ripper: "Then kill that brat" 'Huh? Why does he need to kill me? I don't understand' Tareo thought when he heard what Royal Ripper said to Garou
Bug God: "We both watched you help that child out, Garou. And that's not good. You must kill him! If you really want to be with us then you must become us! Leave you're humanity and become a monster!"
Royal Ripper: "And we also don't need half-assed monsters either. Children must die too, that's what the Monster Association is all about. You're just some anti-hero at best. Maybe you let your guard down, but are you really of use to us?"
Garou: "Tch, go home brat while you still can" He said to Tareo, though he can't move. He's too nervous to stand up. Garou notice it too as he turned around to look at him
Garou: "Oy! You idiot! I said get the hell out of here!" Garou said as Tareo looked at him, but still he couldn't stand up and do anything
Garou: "GET UP!" Garou shouted as that woke up Tareo. Standing up from the ground immediately. Though Royal Ripper took the chance and rushed at the standing and scared Tareo. Aiming his sword arm straight to the kid. Garou saw it just in time as he stopped it with his hand, surprising Royal Ripper. Garou lifted Royal Ripper up and kicked him right in the stomach, sending Royal Ripper behind Garou's direction, though Royal Ripper managed to land safely by using his sword arm
Garou: "Get the hell out of here" He said again to Tareo as he started to run for his life. Now Garou was left with Royal Ripper who was behind him and Bug God who was beside him
Royal: "Too late now, you're an enemy"
Bug God: "And you call yourself the Hero Hunter yet you couldn't kill a single one. As I thought, a weakling"
Garou: "You're attitude pisses me off" Garou said as he readied his stance. Royal Ripper and Bug God took that as a sign as both of them charged straight at Garou
As both of them were about to close in. Garou threw a punch towards Bug God as he hit him in the stomach. But right after that, Royal Ripper came and slashed Garou's arm as he was forced to bring his fist back 'Shit!' Garou thought, but Royal Ripper didn't stop there. He continued to slash his arm sword towards Garou at a surprisingly fast rate. Garou manages to dodge every single one, though Bug God charged in behind Garou, he saw him in time as both of his hands glowed a bright blue aura as he deflected Royal Rippers slashes towards Bug God as it him head-on. Garou maneuvered away from them after that
Garou: "Heh" He smirked to himself, though Bug God recovered from that much faster than he had anticipated as he launched a punch towards Garou's side. Garou barely manages to block it with his knees, though he was knocked back in the air as he hit an electric wire or something that was connected to an electric pole, or was it a utility pole? I'm dumb.
Garou: "Ah fuck!" He groaned out as he was electrocuted by the wires, which I don't think you could get electrocuted that quickly, or maybe he broke the wires? Garou immediately got away from the wirings as he charged straight to Bug God and Royal Ripper with an attack ready. Royal Ripper and Bug God also charged at Garou
*Dramatic Boom*
The three of them clashed as the area around them was destroyed. Bug God and Royal Ripper jumped back away from Garou '... Okay, they're not on the same level as the old shithead. I can take them on' Garou thought
Bug God: "Who could've thought a mere human could stand this long against us..."
Royal Ripper: "And it's 2 on 1, and not to mention that is us here who are fighting you, you're quite good. But here I thought I could get some more playtime with this, but I guess playtime is over. Now we start again but for real this time"
Garou: "Sure sure, go real. I don't give a shit about it. You'll not going to hit me anyways, I've seen your moves" Garou said as suddenly, the three of them heard something coming. Garou turned around and saw a very familiar monster jellyfish with a sobbing Tareo trapped in his slimy tentacles or something
Bug God: "Sludge Jellyfish? What are you doing here?"
Sludgy: "I've got some personal business to deal with this guy. And I've been waiting for this moment to piss him off" He said 'Wait... This one is from that time with Metal Bat?!'
Garou: "Oy you ugly ass monster! Let the shitty brat go!" As Garou finished saying that to the jellyfish monster. Royal Ripper appeared behind him and launched a sword strike to his back. Garou manages to lean his body forward as he dodged Royal Rippers' strike, though Bug God appeared beside him as he punched Garou in the stomach, blood came out of his mouth. Royal Ripper launched a few strikes to Garou as it hit him, and as he was about to launch more. Bug God came in and stopped him by holding back one of his sword arms
Bug God: "Hey, we're not supposed to kill him"
Royal Ripper: "Even if you say so, he is probably dead. You said it way too late Bug God, hehe"
*Thud*
Garou dropped into the ground in a pool of his own blood
Royal Ripper: "Phew, now that's dealt with, let's go home, we'll be great friends, Tareo-chan~" He said as the four of them left to the Monster Association, leaving Garou's body behind.
===
"The seal that I have applied will not hold on for too long. Even if I can re-seal him, I know he won't let me do that this time around. I need his help if I have any chance of sealing him for good. If he manages to obtain enough power, then he could break out and start to take over again. And when that time comes, I need him there in order to fight with me" A mysterious being said...