Chapter 364: Penacony Arc 『 Part Fifty-nine 』, The Devil in Velvet part 3
「 Upon returning to The Reverie, Stelle finally received word from the Express crew. After a brief exchange to confirm everyone's safety, the group decided to convene at the Clockie Statue.
…
Some time ago — Deep in Memory Zone
"Better unsheathe that blade now, Ranger."
The scorched earth beneath them had cracked into a spiderweb of fissures under the intense heat. Sam's gaze remained locked onto the figure standing a short distance away—a woman who seemed perpetually composed. Acheron parried his every strike with effortless grace using only her scabbard; even now, the searing inferno had failed to singe so much as a thread of her cloak.
Acheron's eyes remained distant and cool. She gripped her scabbard tight and posed a question that seemed entirely unrelated to their struggle: "…Tell me, Hunter. Do you still dream?"
"Do you dream of those who died because of you?"
Sam paused. The raging flames cloaking his gauntlets abruptly dissipated, acting as a silent signal for a ceasefire. 」
「 ..... 」
〜One Punch Man World〜
"Aaaahhh! Why?! HOW COULD THIS HAPPEN—!!"
Genos stood at the apartment door, clutching bulging grocery bags, as he heard a cry of absolute despair from his Sensei, Saitama, echoing from within.
(Sensei's voice? Could it be…)
Peering through the gap in the door, he saw Saitama and King sitting cross-legged before the television. Both were frantically mashing buttons on their controllers, their fingers moving so fast they left afterimages, desperately trying to command the two small figures fighting on the screen.
(I see. King has come to find Sensei for another bout of simulated combat training.
(To think King can suppress Sensei to such a degree in simulated warfare… that man truly hides his strength. But the fact that he has earned Sensei's recognition and engages in these nightly simulations is proof enough of his extraordinary nature.)
(Come to think of it… Sensei has never invited me to a simulated battle. Is it because my strength is still insufficient?)
At this thought, a complex mix of emotions welled up in Genos's heart.
He had followed his Sensei for so long… yet he didn't even have the qualifications to participate in a simulation. Was he truly becoming stronger?
Genos set the grocery bags down softly, careful not to disturb them. He waited until Saitama's next round concluded before gently pushing the door open.
"Sensei, I have returned."
"Ah, Genos! What took you so long today? Did you run into a Mysterious Being on the way?"
"My apologies for the delay! On the way back, the battle between Sam, Stelle, Acheron, and the others appeared on the Sky Screen. I stopped to observe for a while, and the subsequent analysis and tactical review took some time…"
"Oh, Sam… that's the fire-breathing robot, right?"
Saitama suddenly recalled. He looked up at the Sky Screen, where the confrontation between Acheron and Sam was still unfolding.
"Now that you mention it, Sam's fighting style is a bit like yours, Genos."
"…Yes! That is why I spent a great deal of time observing his combat techniques and methodology."
Genos looked at Saitama with earnest intensity.
"However, I wished to ask you, Sensei… in your eyes, where exactly lies the gap between Sam and myself?"
"The gap?"
Saitama furrowed his brow, thinking for a moment.
"I guess… you're lacking in firepower?"
"Firepower…"
Genos rested his chin in his hand, sinking into deep thought. He remembered asking Dr. Kuseno to upgrade his firepower modules previously, yet in his one and only sparring match with Sensei, he couldn't even scorch the hem of Master's clothes. Consequently, he had abandoned further upgrades in that direction.
"Look, Genos—"
Saitama pointed at the Sky Screen, watching the cool flames surrounding Sam's body—an extreme combustion that burned wherever he went. He said excitedly,
"What I mean is, I want that kind of flaming aura effect around the body! It looks incredibly cool! Why don't you give that a try, Genos?"
(So, Sensei was considering the scenarios where I engage in close-quarters combat with Mysterious Beings?)
(Attaching flames to the body—for instance, on the fists—would indeed provide a tactical advantage in a physical brawl. It is far more efficient than simple bursts and accounts for a certain combat aesthetic…)
As the logic clicked into place, it was as if a divine light had pierced through Genos's mind. He was struck by a sudden realization.
"As expected of you, Sensei! I understand completely!"
—
「 A few days ago, the Ever-Flame Mansion—
Amidst the roaring ruins, Acheron's scabbard hovered inches away from the face of Duke Inferno.
"…" Duke Inferno looked up at the expressionless Ranger before him. "…It appears the outcome has already been determined."
"They are still alive, and so are you," Acheron said indifferently. "You still have a choice. Leave that music box behind, and go."
"A choice?" The Duke's voice carried a hint of self-deprecating laughter. "The blood-soaked path of 『 Destruction 』 has never had room for hesitation."
"Fetora's fire demon... Even if you sacrifice your life for that Aeon, you won't get special treatment."
Duke Inferno slowly shook his head. "Ranger, you walk the narrow path of 『 The Hunt 』; naturally, you cannot understand. We come from the fire, born of the flame. We spread, we burn, we destroy, until the fuel is spent and only dead ash remains."
"To burn is the life of a fire demon—its beginning and its end. We are born toward death, simply to fulfill one aspect of the universe's truth: All things are created for the Destruction."
"Your companions did not seem to think so. They fought to earn you a chance to live," Acheron noted calmly.
"They are my children and, just as I was, they are flames that have yet to burn white-hot. They're still young, and I don't blame them. But my flames are already guttering; my time is short. Do you see the Planet of Festivities in the distance? I intend to bring purgatory there—and so, before that happens, I must surpass you."
"Why?" Acheron asked, somewhat perplexed.
"Because on the path THEY have forged, you have traveled farther than I have... Emanator." 」
「 ..... 」
〜Marvel Cinematic Universe〜
"Man, this guy is a tough nut to crack. He's got guts!"
Starlord couldn't help but smack the console, causing the Milano's navigation system to emit a protesting hum.
"I mean… uh, dying like that was a bit reckless, but there's not much you can do when you run into Acheron."
Gamora crossed her arms, her green skin appearing deeper under the glow of the monitors.
"So, what's the plan now? Still the same? Keep searching for that planet with the name that's impossible to pronounce? What was it, Pini—"
"It's Penacony!"
Peter Quill corrected her, absentmindedly handing a half-eaten snack to Groot.
"The planet is a bit hard to find—I've never heard of it before—but it's fine. Tracking it down is just a matter of time."
"And then what?"
Gamora arched an eyebrow.
"How do we check into the hotel? You're not planning to do a dance-off in front of the reception desk to distract them while we sneak in, as you did with Ronan on Xandar, are you?"
—