The hulking corporate enforcer moved suddenly, his massive frame surging forward with surprising speed.
The sheer weight of his augmented body caused the ground beneath his feet to crack, the vibrations reverberating through the narrow alley as he charged.
Rebecca and Pilar scrambled to arm themselves, somehow producing another light machine gun and a pair of Shingen submachine guns.
Pilar took position behind the light machine gun, bracing against its recoil, while Rebecca gripped both submachine guns tightly, her fingers white-knuckled on the triggers.
Both unleashed their firepower in a desperate attempt to slow Murakami down, the alley once again erupting with deafening gunfire.
But Ethan knew the truth—they were wasting their ammo.
Murakami didn't even bother pretending to block the onslaught this time.
Fully revealing his cybernetic form, he plowed through the barrage with an almost casual disregard for the incoming bullets.
Sparks flew as projectiles ricocheted harmlessly off his armor, and with every step, he closed the gap between himself and Ethan.
Ethan's chest tightened as the distance between them dwindled. He could see his death coming—an unceremonious end beneath Murakami's massive boot.
If it had been just him, Ethan might have resigned himself to his fate. But now, Rebecca and Pilar were caught in this nightmare alongside him, and he couldn't stand the thought of dragging them down with him.
Especially not Rebecca.
He had already mourned her death once in another world, and the thought of seeing her die again ignited a fire deep within him.
For the first time since arriving in this cyberpunk dystopia, Ethan felt an overwhelming, primal desire to survive.
And then, something extraordinary happened.
Time seemed to slow, the chaotic sounds of the alley fading into a dull hum. In the eerie silence, Ethan's mind was suddenly filled with a crisp, cold, mechanical voice.
[Detecting host's intense desire to survive. Activating Role-Playing System…]
[Role-Playing System activated successfully. Initializing role assignment…]
[Congratulations! Host has been assigned the role of "Demon Cyborg" Genos from One Punch Man!]
[Generating role-play interface…]
A flood of information surged into Ethan's mind, accompanied by a glowing panel that seemed to appear out of thin air:
• Host: Ethan
• Role: Demon Cyborg Genos
• Abilities: Life Detection, Scanning Eye, Mechanical Martial Arts, Jet-Propelled Kick, Incineration Cannon
• Role Progress: 10% (Progress increases the closer host's actions align with the original character.)
In that moment, Ethan felt a rush of energy coursing through his broken body. Pain faded, replaced by a sensation of power and renewal. His damaged organs were rapidly replaced with advanced mechanical components, and his flesh and bones transformed into something far stronger.
His body wasn't just healing—it was evolving.
A few seconds later, Ethan came back to life completely.
He glanced down at himself, his eyes widening briefly as he realized the extent of his transformation.
His golden hair glowed faintly under the dim light of the alley, and his now golden irises reflected a cold, mechanical clarity.
His body had been entirely replaced by sleek cybernetic components, gleaming with metallic precision. He had become a cyber-enhanced warrior—a perfect blend of man and machine.
Time snapped back to its normal flow, and Ethan found himself standing motionless, his expression cold and detached.
In front of him, Murakami charged forward like a beast unleashed, his every step shaking the ground beneath them.
But Ethan—now embodying the persona of the Demon Cyborg Genos—knew exactly how powerful he had become.
What once seemed like an insurmountable foe now felt laughably insignificant. With his newfound strength, the towering corporate enforcer wasn't even a challenge.
Ethan shifted his weight slightly, his golden gaze narrowing as he extended his right arm. Energy surged into the palm of his hand, condensing into a blinding orb of raw power.
The oppressive killing intent radiating from him was palpable. Murakami faltered mid-charge, his bravado replaced by dread as a chill crept down his spine.
His expression twisted into one of terror, unable to comprehend how Ethan had transformed so drastically in mere moments.
Murakami froze in place, his instinct for survival overriding his aggression. His thoughts scrambled for answers, for any semblance of an escape.
Panic consumed him as he began to backpedal, even preparing to plead for his life.
But Ethan didn't give him the chance.
The energy in his palm erupted, unleashing a golden wave that surged down the alley like an unstoppable tide.
The light consumed everything in its path, the roar of its destructive force echoing through the cityscape.
When the glow finally faded, all that remained of Murakami was a faint trace of blackened ash scattered along a scorched path.
[Congratulations! Justice executed successfully. Role-Playing Progress increased to 15%.]
[Note: At 30% Role-Playing Progress, the host will unlock the second form of Demon Cyborg Genos.]
The system's crisp voice resonated in Ethan's mind. The realization struck him: if he wanted to grow stronger, he would have to embody the role of Genos with precision and purpose.
A faint smile played on Ethan's lips as he considered his new reality.
The idea of portraying Genos in a world as chaotic as Cyberpunk 2077 seemed oddly fitting.
While Genos wasn't the strongest in the One Punch Man universe, his later forms had placed him near the top tiers of power. If Ethan could reach those heights, even Arasaka wouldn't stand a chance against him.
But for now, his thoughts were interrupted by movement behind him.
Ethan turned, spotting Rebecca and Pilar attempting to sneak away quietly. They froze the moment his golden gaze locked onto them, their faces breaking into awkward smiles.
Rebecca scratched the back of her head nervously, her usual confidence noticeably shaken.
The sight of Ethan's revival, his transformation, and the devastating power he had unleashed had clearly rattled both of them.
For a moment, Rebecca and Pilar exchanged glances, their instincts telling them to put as much distance as possible between themselves and this newly "dangerous" individual.