The unicorn-like monster was nothing extraordinary. Its only noteworthy trait was its ability to escape—a survival mechanism that barely kept it in the ranks of fifth-level beasts.
Drake Myers found himself reminiscing about other, more formidable monsters. The beasts from One Punch Man came to mind—clumsy but powerful adversaries, and the kind that brought heroes into the mix. The idea of tagging along with Saitama, the bald powerhouse, and scavenging victories in his wake sounded far more thrilling.
In contrast, the world of Kaiju No. 8 felt... quaint. Its monsters weren't particularly strong, but the advanced surveillance technology in every corner was suffocating. Drake longed for freedom—untethered and untracked.
This particular unicorn monster posed little threat, though its teleportation abilities piqued Drake's interest. Perhaps, by defeating it, he could acquire that power—a useful trick for getting out of sticky situations.
Monsters in this world were ranked:
C-level: Small fry—child-like creatures with limited combat potential.
B-level: Mature, formidable monsters capable of giving seasoned fighters trouble.
But for Drake, none of this mattered. Calm and composed, he focused on locating the beast's core—its weakness. Like striking a snake in its vulnerable spot, he intended to dispatch the creature quickly and cleanly. Anything less would risk retaliation, and in a fight, hesitation was fatal.
The unicorn's fatal weakness lay in its horn, the source of both its power and life force. It was a tricky spot to target, hidden beneath layers of natural camouflage. Fortunately, this beast was still in its growth phase. If fully matured, its teleportation alone would have made containment a nightmare for the Defense Force.
Armed with a simple steel rod, Drake moved with agility and precision, weaving through the battlefield like a dancer. Each strike from the rod generated enough recoil to aid his movement, keeping him one step ahead of the monster's sluggish counterattacks.
Elsewhere, the scene was being monitored.
Captain Mina Chikushima leaned closer to the live drone feed, her sharp eyes tracking Drake's every move.
At the same time, Kikoru Shinomiya, still fuming and injured, called her butler, Saevisu, for backup. With her fury tempered into determination, she began making her way toward the heart of the battle.
The Defense Force members had ceased fire, their focus shifting to the lone young man dominating the battlefield. Each attack he unleashed seemed impossibly effective, his every move precise and deliberate.
From her position among the ruins, Kikoru caught a glimpse of Drake, steel rod in hand, standing atop the thrashing unicorn. The monster's movements had slowed considerably, rendered powerless against his relentless offense.
"Is this guy even human?" Kikoru murmured, her voice tinged with awe.
To fight a monster up close without sustaining so much as a scratch—what kind of reflexes, strength, and speed did that require? And his weapon of choice? A plain steel rod. It was both absurd and terrifying.
At the Defense Force base.
Vice-Captain Hoshina stood before the monitor, his usually relaxed demeanor replaced with a focused intensity.
"This fighting style... It's unlike any martial art or family tradition I know," he remarked, his eyes narrowing. "And yet, every strike is calculated and devastatingly effective. He's human—there's no question about that. But could he have had some extraordinary encounter?"
Captain Chikushima nodded thoughtfully. "With his displayed abilities, he's a perfect candidate for the Third Unit. We'll need to evaluate his liberation power."
Hoshina, whose liberation power ranked at 86%, relied heavily on his battle suit for enhancement. Drake's raw effectiveness without such support was, frankly, staggering.
"This kid... he's incredible," Mina murmured. "But is he really just human?"
"I'll investigate thoroughly," Hoshina assured her. "We'll know soon enough."
Back on the battlefield.
Drake's steel rod struck the monster's skull with a resounding crack. Though the impact left a deep gash, it wasn't enough to deliver a killing blow. The weapon, ultimately, wasn't up to the task.
The unicorn roared in agony, unleashing a sonic wave that shattered nearby buildings. Defense squad members dropped to their knees, clutching their ears in pain. The weaker among them collapsed unconscious.
Drake, his heightened senses overwhelmed, staggered mid-air as the sound disoriented him. Taking advantage of his vulnerability, the unicorn lunged, ramming him with full force. He was flung through the air, landing hard amidst the rubble.
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