[Time: 08:15 AM][Location: Construction Site – 1km from U.A. West Gate]
The morning air was crisp. The dew on the steel girders hadn't evaporated yet.
Reiji sat perched on top of a stack of H-beams, his legs dangling over the edge. He wasn't wearing his hero costume. He wore his standard U.A. gym uniform, modified with black tactical gloves and combat boots.
He checked his HUD.
[Map Scan: Active.][Target Detected.][Distance: 200 meters. Closing fast.]
"Right on time," Reiji muttered, closing the system window with a thought.
He didn't feel nervous. He felt the cold clarity of a raid leader waiting for a mob spawn.
Below him, the sound of footsteps crunched on the gravel.
"And here we are, La Brava!" a theatrical voice echoed. "The final hurdle! Just past this construction zone lies the holy land of heroism!"
"Gentle! Wait!" A female voice squeaked. "The camera isn't focused yet!"
"Haste makes waste, my dear! We must be swift!"
A man in a white trench coat leaped over a concrete barrier. He moved with a strange, bouncing gait, propelling himself off the air as if it were solid ground.
Danjuro Tobita (Gentle Criminal).
Reiji watched him bounce. The physics engine of this world was being manipulated by the villain's quirk, creating elastic surfaces out of thin air.
'Elasticity,' Reiji analyzed. 'High mobility. High defense. Zero offensive pressure if he can't touch you.'
Reiji stood up on the beam.
"You're going the wrong way."
Gentle froze in mid-air, landing awkwardly on an invisible platform. He looked up.
"Oh?" Gentle adjusted his collar. "A student? This far out from the main campus?"
He squinted.
"Ah. It is you. The tea enthusiast."
Reiji hopped down, landing silently on the gravel ten meters in front of them.
"The festival starts in forty-five minutes," Reiji said, checking his watch. "I have a sound check at 09:30. I don't have time for a prolonged boss fight."
Gentle sighed, shaking his head.
"Arrogance. It seems to be a common trait among the youth today." Gentle swept his cape back. "You think because you ambushed me once, you can stop me? I have studied your movements, Kurobane Reiji."
Gentle tapped the air.
WOBBLE.
The air around Reiji shimmered.
"Gently... Trampoline!"
The ground beneath Reiji turned rubbery instantly. Reiji lost his footing as the floor bounced him upward.
"You rely on solid ground for your martial arts," Gentle declared, launching himself forward. "If you cannot stand, you cannot fight!"
Gentle aimed a palm thrust at Reiji's chest.
It was a good strategy. Against a normal brawler, removing their footing was a checkmate.
But Reiji wasn't a brawler anymore. He was a Player.
'Disruption of equilibrium detected. Compensating.'
Reiji didn't try to find his balance. He inhaled deeply, channeling his Spirit Energy into his vocal cords. He recalled the vibration of the music room. The frequency of the air.
[Skill Activated: Banshee Scream (Rank E).]
Reiji opened his mouth.
He didn't shout a warning. He unleashed a focused, concentrated blast of sonic distortion.
SCREEEEEE—!
It wasn't just noise. It was a physical drill made of sound waves.
The sound hit the elastic barrier Gentle had erected for defense.
Usually, a punch would bounce off. But sound requires a medium to travel. The elastic air was the medium.
The vibration traveled through the barrier, amplifying as it went.
WUB-WUB-CRACK.
"GAAAAGH?!"
Gentle clutched his ears, his eyes rolling back. The vibration bypassed his external defense and hammered directly against his inner ear and semicircular canals.
His equilibrium shattered.
The elastic air ripple faltered. The "Trampoline" effect on the ground vanished.
Reiji landed on solid earth.
[Status Effect Inflicted: Vertigo.][Defense Penetration: Successful.]
"Your quirk reflects force," Reiji said, dashing forward. "But it transmits sound perfectly. Thanks for the amplifier."
Reiji closed the gap in a blink.
[Style: Sub-Zero.][Skill: Flash Freeze.]
He didn't punch. He touched Gentle's chest.
Ice spread instantly, freezing the villain's coat and locking his arms to his torso.
"Capture complete," Reiji stated.
He reached for his capture tape.
"NO! GENTLE!"
La Brava, who had been hiding behind a concrete pipe, screamed.
She wasn't holding the camera anymore. Her eyes were glowing a deep, intense pink. Tears streamed down her face.
"I won't let you fail! Not again!"
[Warning: High Energy Signature Detected.][Source: La Brava.][Quirk Analysis: Love.]
"Gentle is the coolest person in the world!" La Brava shrieked. "I LOVE HIM!"
Hearts made of pink energy erupted from her body, rushing into the frozen Gentle.
CRACK-SHATTER.
The ice encasing Gentle exploded.
Steam rose from his body. His muscles swelled slightly. A pink aura flared around him, blowing the dust away from the construction site.
Reiji skidded back, shielding his face.
[System Alert: Enemy Buff Detected.][Gentle Criminal Stats Updated.][Speed: +300%.][Strength: +200%.][Defense: +200%.]
Gentle stood up. His eyes were glowing pink. The vertigo was gone, replaced by a surge of fanatical power.
"La Brava..." Gentle whispered, looking at his hands. "Your love... it truly is the greatest power."
He looked at Reiji. The playful gentleman was gone. Now, he looked like a Raid Boss entering Phase 2.
"You were right, Kurobane," Gentle said, his voice echoing with power. "We don't have time for games."
He tapped the air.
BOOM.
He moved so fast Reiji's eyes barely tracked him.
Reiji raised his arms to block.
BANG!
Reiji was launched backward, crashing through a stack of wooden pallets.
[Damage Taken: 450 HP.][Block Proficiency: Moderate.]
Reiji rolled to his feet, dusting off his shoulder. He spat out a little blood.
"Finally," Reiji smirked, his eyes glowing violet. "A proper challenge."
[Combat Mode: ENGAGED.][Objective: Neutralize the Power-Up.]
"Let's dance, Gentleman."
End of Chapter 128.
_________________________________________________________________________
🔥 Hey legends! Quick updates! 🔥
💥 Can't wait for the next chapter? Good news—ALL advance chapters are available on Patreon for just $5! No more waiting, just pure binge-reading goodness! 🚀
👉 patreon.com/cyci07
✨ Power Stone Challenge! ✨
If we hit 100 power stones, I'll drop 2 bonus chapters! Let's see if you guys can make me suffer! 😂
💬 Enjoying the story? Leave a review and let me know your favorite moment so far! It helps the novel grow and reach more readers!
Thanks for all your support—you guys are awesome! ❤️