Chereads / Cosmic Janitor / Chapter 10 - Cosmic Janitor

Chapter 10 - Cosmic Janitor

(Katsuo POV)

Three weeks had passed since I arrived in this bizarre, hybrid world of Terraria and DC. During this time, I had stumbled upon my predecessor's loot and former base, a treasure trove of powerful items and gear. However, out of respect for the fallen warrior, I decided to leave it untouched. It felt wrong to simply take what he had worked so hard for.

Instead, I focused on making my own way. To my surprise, not a single boss had spawned naturally during my time here, so I took matters into my own hands. I spent two days meticulously crafting a "mechanical worm," an item that would summon the formidable Destroyer. It was time to put my skills to the test.

As I held the mechanical worm, a sudden tremor shook the ground beneath me. The message "Vibrations from deep below..." echoed ominously in my mind. I couldn't help but grin madly, the thrill of the impending battle coursing through my veins. Finally, a worthy challenge.

I donned my crimson Madara armor, feeling the enchantments of speed and power coursing through my body.

My Adamantine Tachi gleamed in the eerie light, ready to be put to the ultimate test. With the mechanical worm in hand, I stepped out into the open, my senses on high alert.

The sky above darkened, and an unnatural silence fell over the land. Then, with a deafening roar, the ground split open, and from the depths emerged the Destroyer, a colossal mechanical serpent covered in glowing segments and bristling with laser turrets. Its metallic body stretched out endlessly, writhing and coiling with menacing intent.

I activated Shunpo, my form blurring as I darted towards the massive creature. The Destroyer's segments began to glow ominously before unleashing a torrent of lasers. With my enhanced speed, I weaved through the deadly beams effortlessly, closing the distance to strike at the monster's vulnerable joints.

My Tachi flashed, slicing through the air with precision as I landed a series of powerful blows on the Destroyer's segments.

Each strike caused the mechanical beast to shudder, sparks flying from the damaged areas. However, the Destroyer was relentless, its sheer size and power overwhelming. It thrashed violently, attempting to crush me with its colossal body.

I used Earth Manipulation to create barriers, deflecting its attacks while positioning myself for counterstrikes. Summoned Swords flitted around me, launching in coordinated attacks to further damage the Destroyer's segments. The battle was intense, the air filled with the sounds of clashing metal and energy blasts.

As the fight dragged on, I noticed the Destroyer's movements becoming more erratic and its segments showing signs of critical damage.

I saw my opening and unleashed a Judgement Cut, a devastating slice that severed multiple segments at once. The Destroyer roared in agony, its body convulsing as it struggled to maintain cohesion.

With a swift motion, I activated Rapid Slash, my blade a blur as it tore through the remaining segments. The Destroyer's defenses crumbled under the relentless assault, and with one final, powerful strike, I drove my Tachi through its core, causing the mechanical monstrosity to explode in a spectacular burst of light and shrapnel.

Breathing heavily, I stood victorious amidst the wreckage of the Destroyer. The thrill of the fight still hummed in my veins, and a sense of accomplishment washed over me. I had proven my strength in this strange new world, but I knew this was just the beginning. More challenges awaited, and I was ready to face them head-on.

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(Batman POV)

As the strange sensation prickled at the edges of my consciousness, I immediately knew something was amiss. With a quick glance around the room, I could see that my fellow members of the Justice League felt it too. Without a word, we mobilized, each of us ready for whatever threat may come our way.

We arrived at the location swiftly, our senses heightened and our resolve unwavering. But as we surveyed the scene before us, we were met with a sight that caught us off guard. Instead of the expected chaos and destruction, we found a lone figure standing amidst a collection of mechanical parts, his crimson armor gleaming in the dim light.

The man seemed unfazed by our presence, his posture relaxed yet poised for action. His hand rested casually on the hilt of a sheathed blade at his waist, a silent promise of the danger he posed. There was a confidence about him, a sense of quiet strength that demanded respect.

I stepped forward cautiously, my cape billowing behind me as I approached the stranger. "Who are you?" I demanded, my voice steady despite the uncertainty gnawing at me. "What is your purpose here?"

The man regarded me with a steady gaze, his expression unreadable. "I am Katsuo," he replied, his voice carrying a hint of steel beneath its calm facade. "I have come seeking challenges worthy of my skill."

I studied him carefully, noting the determined set of his jaw and the intensity in his eyes. There was something familiar about him, something that tugged at the edges of my memory. But before I could press further, Wonder Woman spoke up from beside me.

"What brings you to this location, Katsuo?" she asked, her voice carrying the weight of authority.

Katsuo shifted slightly, his gaze sweeping over our assembled group. "I sensed a disturbance, a signal of impending danger," he explained. "I came to investigate, prepared for whatever threat may arise."

Superman stepped forward, his eyes narrowing in scrutiny. "You're not from around here, are you?" he observed, his voice tinged with suspicion.

Katsuo met Superman's gaze evenly. "No, I am not," he admitted. "I hail from another world, one where challenges abound and strength is revered above all else."

As the conversation unfolded, I couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Katsuo than met the eye. His presence here, his demeanor, his abilities—all of it hinted at a deeper mystery waiting to be unraveled. But for now, we had more pressing concerns to attend to.

"Regardless of your origins, Katsuo," I said, my tone firm, "we appreciate your assistance in this matter. We may have need of your skills before the night is over."

Katsuo inclined his head in acknowledgment, a faint smile playing at the corners of his lips. "I am at your service, Batman," he replied, his words carrying a quiet determination that belied his calm exterior.

With that, we turned our attention back to the task at hand, the mystery of Katsuo and his purpose here still lingering in the air. Whatever challenges lay ahead, I knew we could face them together, as allies united in the pursuit of justice.

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(Katsuo POV)

As I stood amidst the members of the Justice League, I couldn't help but cringe inwardly at the cheesy act I had just pulled off. "A seasoned warrior seeking challenges worthy of my skill," I had claimed, as if I were auditioning for a role in a bad action movie. But hey, sometimes you gotta play the part, right?

As they held a meeting with me as a guest, I felt the weight of the lasso of truth wrapped around my hand, like a cosmic lie detector waiting to expose my every fib. Taking a deep breath, I decided to ditch the dramatics and just tell it like it is.

"I am not a seasoned warrior," I admitted, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of the situation. "I'm Katsuo, but let's be real here – I'm just a guy who got sucked into this crazy world from another dimension. No fancy titles or heroic backstories, just your average Joe trying to figure out how to survive in a world where giant robots and alien invasions are a regular Tuesday."

I could see the skepticism on their faces, mixed with a hint of amusement. Wonder Woman raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying my shtick. "And what exactly do you hope to achieve here, Katsuo?" she asked, her tone dripping with skepticism.

I shrugged, unable to suppress a grin. "Honestly? I'm just here for the adventure," I replied. "I mean, where else am I gonna get to hang out with a bunch of superheroes and fight giant monsters? Beats sitting at home binge-watching Netflix any day."

Superman chuckled, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Well, you've certainly come to the right place for adventure," he said, flashing me a reassuring smile. "Just try not to cause too much chaos while you're here, okay?" I gave him a thumbs up.

Just then Batman ever so skeptical, spoke.

"So, Katsuo," Batman pressed, his voice as steely as his gaze, "what exactly are your intentions here? And don't try to feed me some story about being a lost traveler – I know there's more to it than that."

I swallowed nervously and decided to go for the honest-yet-quirky approach. "Alright, Batman, you got me," I began, trying to keep a straight face. "The truth is, I've been tasked with a... special mission here in your world."

"A mission?" Batman's eyebrow arched skeptically. "And what, pray tell, does this mission entail?"

"Well, it's a bit of a fixer-upper job," I said, leaning into the absurdity of it. "You see, I've been sent to, um, 'cleanse' this world. It's kind of my thing, you know? Taking out the trash, tidying up the place – all within my skill set."

Batman didn't look amused. "Cleansing the world?" he repeated, his tone darkening. "And what exactly does that mean, Katsuo? Are you here to bring justice, or do you have more sinister plans?"

I raised my hands in mock surrender, trying to lighten the mood. "Whoa, whoa, nothing sinister, I promise," I said quickly. "I'm not here to pull a supervillain move or anything. Think of me more like a cosmic janitor – here to help clean up the mess."

Superman, standing nearby, let out a small chuckle. "A cosmic janitor, huh? That's a new one."

Batman remained stoic. "I'll be keeping a close eye on you, Katsuo," he said, his voice cold and unwavering. "If I catch wind of any nefarious activities, you can bet I'll be coming after you."

"Understood, Batman," I replied with a nod, doing my best to look serious. "I'll do my best to prove myself to you and the rest of the Justice League. Just give me a chance, okay?"

Wonder Woman crossed her arms, giving me a scrutinizing look. "And how exactly do you plan to 'cleanse' this world?"

I shrugged, trying to appear nonchalant. "Well, you know, by taking out the bad guys, stopping any apocalyptic threats – the usual hero stuff. I'm basically here to make your lives easier."

Green Lantern smirked. "Sounds like you've got it all figured out. Just don't get in our way, alright?"

I nodded enthusiastically. "Deal. And if you ever need an extra hand or someone to grab coffee, I'm your guy."

Aquaman raised an eyebrow. "So, you're saying you're a glorified errand boy with a sword?"

I couldn't help but grin. "Hey, someone's got to do the dirty work. Might as well be the guy who's good at it."

As the meeting wrapped up, I couldn't help but feel relieved. The tension in the room eased slightly, but I knew I had a long way to go to earn their trust. Still, I figured it could've gone worse – at least I hadn't been thrown into a cell or anything.

As I walked out, I couldn't resist a parting shot. "By the way, Batman," I called over my shoulder, "next time you're having a tough day, just remember – even cosmic janitors need a little job security."

Superman chuckled again, shaking his head. "You've got a lot of nerve, Katsuo. Let's hope you can back it up."

I gave him a thumbs-up. "You bet. And hey, if nothing else, I promise to keep things interesting."

Batman watched me with those intense eyes of his, but I caught the faintest hint of a smile on his lips. Maybe, just maybe, I was starting to grow on them.