Chapter 12 - [12] This Week 2

["Take a break tonight, All Might." Nezu suggests, patting All Might's leg.]

[All Might's figure deflates, steam ebbing like seaweed, back to his standard weakened form, "Hah… sure. That sounds good." His obscured eyes peeking a blue pupil.]

'A sense of duty. Tightness grips the heart and bounds the bird's wings. Everything has been a bit too much, this hero has been through misery, been through strife, but now, they face anticipation, a rattling in the bones. They want to explode, to leap and smash the heads of the villains, to tear apart the world and have everything back to normal. They want peace. They want resolution. They want justice.'

["The police force will handle today. Take that rest." The detective nods. After a small silence, "Will you be alright?"]

[All Might warmly smiles, "I'll be fine, Tsukauchi."]

[Tsukauchi smiles back, but then sighs, "Unfortunately, I have a lot of paperwork to still do." He looks around, then back to All Might, "I'll be around when I'm done." He bows.]

[All Might also bows slightly, "Sounds good. It was nice meeting you again." At this, the detective bows again, and walks out of the room. A moment of silence fills the room. All Might looks to you, "Thank you, Young Hero Dae. Thank you for telling me."]

[You match the mood and smile slightly, "It's just what needed to be done." He nods and hums an approval.]

'What do you do now? The time for words is over.'

'You have a day to spend. Scout the underbelly of society the detective mentioned.'

'Scouting mission? Sounds fun. Let's get *wasted*. Your body yearns for substance abuse, baby. And… it's all part of the plan, man. It's easier to talk to others also drunk, *Drunk Buddies* you can call it.'

'Not to break the fun but whatever you do, do *not* get drunk. You need to be conscious to investigate. Take the last of your candy and suck it.'

'Fuck you, party-spoiler.'

[Sighing, you look over to Nezu, and pop a candy in your mouth, "Principal Nezu," and then to All Might, "Sir All Might." You stretch a little and then bow, "I'll be going, I woke up not too long ago. I need to stretch my legs." All Might and Nezu nod, lightly bowing to your goodbye, and you leave the room.]

[Leaving the room, you walk through the halls and down some stairs. Down a few flights, you reach the bottom floor and walk out of the building. Outside, a gentle breeze flows.]

'Let's do a bait and switch. Keep it efficient.'

'Oh~ Let's do some roleplay.'

'TEACH THE SCUM FEAR.'

'Don't alert the law. Keep it within the standards of society. You don't want to lose your position.'

'Let's at least be around drunks, I heard you can get drunk just being around them. *Oh* and the residual smoke. Breathe that shit in.'

'The moment you step foot out the gates of U.A., the plan had already been set. The goal: Gain influence and control over a part of the scum of society. The plan: Bait and switch. The method: At your discretion. Swap.'

☐H☐E☐L☐L☐O☐

'Swap'

♻☐SOCIOPATHY+PSYCHOPATHY+NARCISSIST☐

╰┈➤☐COMORBIDITY☐ *Image*

☐HELLO☐NEW☐GUY☐

'…you rang…'

☐I'M☐STILL☐NEW☐TO☐THIS☐

'...'

☐SOOO☐HOW☐ARE☐YOU☐?☐

'…I'm quite beautiful, Grand Tartarus…'

☐OH~☐YOU☐FLATTER☐ME☐

'…nothing less, for you, O' Grand Tartarus…'

☐HOHO☐!☐

'….your grace, I wish to proceed onto the plans…'

☐GO☐AHEAD☐

'….thank you… Grand Tartarus…'

[The frame of your skeletal system snaps and contorts. Muscle groups tighten and relax. Tendons bend and loosen. The lids above your eyes lower into complete absence.]

'…Does it hurt when you change..? These growing pains surely marker the progression of insanity… Do not… never mind, you can't either way… As long as I keep within the realms of 'humanity' I'll continue to breathe… and… The plan is quite simplistic is it not? No matter… I will do this… plan… My way.'

[You look around and take and slow breath.]

'…Let's head to where there are no heroic eyes… Where the lesser thrive...'

'The sun above marks a tick on the clock. It's around mid-day.'

'Thinking upon for location of the dregs of society, you estimate that to the west, on foot, 30 minutes away, Kurohama District works. It's the closest and has a healthy nightlife.'

'Afar, the waves of salt and rust wash over concrete platforms. Taps of black shoes march and huddle in infrastructure made for printing money. Patches of overgrown weeds; children unsupervised walking the streets; aged homes stained with darkening beige. But, the heart of civilization thrives.'

[Without prompt, you take a step and move forwards.]

'…Kurohama District. 30 minutes… but first, let's go home… lose the hand… you don't need it…'

…

'The reek of tar-smoke and salty rust. An atmosphere that gives the temperature a lower degree. You land your feet onto the streets of a small slum.'

'…Buy clothing? …Rags? Fuck off… I want it presented… handed to me… like a king…'

[The sun still bright, you arrive in a neighborhood that is slightly impoverished.]

'…inquire for assistance…'

[Ahead is an old two-floor apartment.]

'This is an Apāto. A small, two-story wooden-and-iron apartment building with cramped units. Many rooms use a raised loft for sleeping. Due to the lightweight wooden construction, insulation and soundproofing are typically poor compared to larger concrete mansion apartments.'

[The aged building stack in layers and separate in different housing units. Brick-like panels cover the ground; Trees obscure the surroundings; Leaves dot the ground and mulch; Wire is hung, and racks hold thin clothing; Pink buckets and gloves are in corners; Scraps of wood, metal, and bike parts lean against the wall and on each other; Plastic chairs huddle around a table and cigarette buds strewn the ground; Empty cans of alcoholic beverages and juice litter in piles.]

'The residents in this specific area created their own community. You believe it may be a hang out spot for industrial workers. Definitely not corporate workers.'

'You can see it. The men after a long days work, cracking open a can and smoking with their buddies. They occasionally gamble, from the slight markings not stained with soot, cards were on the table. The flooring indicates it's a highly trafficked area. This is the communities simple life. Men: Wake up, work, drink, gamble, sleep. Women: Stay in the house, clean, foster children, or work. Elder: Take up space, care for children, leech, and die.'

'…The filthy low-lives dream. You are better than… them.'

[You head inside the grounds, and head towards an entrance door. Unit 1, you knock.]

'There is a shuffling inside. A baby's cry is drowned by the walls. But the wood doesn't block much sound.'

[Opening the door, an old woman pushes her head out, loud, "Whatda Whant?!" She coddles a baby in her arms.]

'Her hunched back indicates the years toll on her youth. Short, ragged grey hair twirls into curls and bristles to the air current. Lower, her face has sagging skin, dotted freckles, and lines of wear on the eyes and cheeks. She wears a very pale pink gown with white and yellow flowers. Her pants are baggy and beige.'

'She reeks of *old*, the smell of human protein. The decrepit, molting of human skin accumulating and emanating a *musk*.'

'The baby's cry is unleased. An infantile howl in the air.'

'…nuisance…'

[The individual muscles of your face tighten and make an open wide grin with teeth, a smile, "Hello, Maam, I'd like to buy some old, men's clothing."]

[Her face frowns, the loose skin creasing more contours, "Fuck off, weirdo." She reaches with her off-hand to close the door.]

'Rude. Stop her. Quick.'

[You tense and your right hand firmly grasps onto the door edge, locking it in place, "Maam, I would… really… love, to acquire some clothing." You stare into her eyes.]

'You find fear. A spark of doubt and anxiety flicker like a dying firefly.'

[She doesn't look away, she stops rocking the baby as it continues to cry. She clenches her fragile teeth and trembles a little, "I… I'm s-sorry. Plea-please go. Just go." She tries to close the door again.]

'Her feeble strength cannot be compared to your rippling stature. The steel wires that encapsulate your sturdy frame will not budge, twitch, or bend.'

'…*sigh*, she fears you… *Good* You're God… GET WHAT YOU WANT…. You won't ask twice. Or…'

[Your face twists and the mouth hole gapes, "Ha. Ha. Maam." You shut off your face and watch her reactions, "Give me some clothing." A small crease upwards of your lips, politely, "Preferably formal... and something my size…" She trembles and sweat beads off her nose.]

'…Disgusting creature... Filthy...'

["O-Okay." She hobbles inside as you hold onto the door. She goes into a side room and puts the baby away, you hear shuffling of clothes.]

'She's alone in the housing unit. A grandmother alone, with an infant. The parents must be working. An old bag like her can't be popping babies out.'

[After a moment, she comes back with a bundle of clothing, "H-Here's whatya wanted." She hands you the clothing which you take with your left arm. She shivers and grips her hand, "Now, go."]

'…Not yet… She's done something irreparable to you, teach her… a lesson. A lesson this… hag… needs to learn.'

[You continue your lips upwards, "Maam." You open the door wider with your right hand and let go, she flinches and watches in fright as the door swings fully open.]

[You reach into your pockets, and she steps backwards, watching you. You tilt your head gently, "Maam." You take a step inside her domicile and reach her as she locks in place.]

[Inside your pockets you take out a few notes of cash and stuff it in her clenched hands, "…I need to pay you, of course."]

'The amount of money you gave is enough for multiple sets of clothing. Generous, aren't you?'

'…lesson of… reward… learned…'

[Her entire being is in shock and frozen. Your grin stiffens and you walk out of the doorway and back onto the outside.]

[You look back, "You're alone, right?" She does not respond. "Be safe." You close her door and walk away. A baby's cry drowning out.]

'…I did everything right, did I not? Ha. Ha. Ha. Whatever… I don't care anymore…'

…

[In the shadows of an alley in a tourist location, you walk with a worn white shirt that barely fits, and dark blue cargo work pants, with a jacket that is heavily torn and patched up that fits the look.]

'There's another man's scent masking your own.'

'In your new clothes, your body molds into it's habits. Where the predecessor lifted their leg, you lift your leg. When they tug on their jacket, put hands in their pockets, stretch, posture, gait, emote, aura, you mimic.'

[Looking like a worker, you walk out of the alley and into the streets.]

'A fairly collaged location. A barely two-lane street and half-alley. Tall pale walls, bricks, windows, inlets for vehicles, inlets for businesses, balconies, wires strung above, and dozens of off-neon signs advertising. On asphalt, an older-gen white car drives and slows at a stoplight. The sidewalks are part of the street, only marked with fading white paint. Electric scooters, bikes, and signposts skirt the far sides, nearly discarded but clearly used. There is an occasional resident walking shopping or in-between work, they all look at their phones. Wooden electrical posts covered in papers of missing people, advertising, culture, and propaganda. The side of restaurants, stores, and companies also carry a litter of papers for festivals, events, and services, all years ago. The sunlight still in the air, indicates that the 'life' you're looking for, hasn't started yet.'

'You spot to the side, a beacon for respite and simple goods. A blue and white signage indicating a convenience store. A location for distressed individuals to seek refuge, a place to get on-the-go foods, and a late-night spot for canned beer.'

[Spotting a convenience store, you head towards it.]

'…Let's… finish the… act…'

'Behind a standard height counter looks to be a male teen on their phone. Their eyes are focused onto the screen depicting a hero fighting off some villains, a person in the corner commentating. The messy hair, slight darkening of their eyes, faint ugly stubble, ear-bud in one ear, and slumped over posture. They are a weak, inferior Homo sapian.'

[The doors automatically open, and you head inside. The cashier behind the counter is on their phone, not paying attention. Walking further inside, you peruse the wears of this store.]

'Such degeneracy fills you with an unbridled sense of superiority over your undeserving ilk. And a sense of shame, to share a commonality of genus with the mammal.'

'Look, there, it's perfect.'

[You pick a feminine make-up kit with Midnight's likeness and a cheap plastic All Might mask. Walking over to the counter, you place the two items.]

[The cashier looks at you and takes your items.]

'He has a look of minor distain. It seems this 'individual' looks down upon workers like you.'

'You are part of the working class. A foundational piece of society. How disgraceful, shame on him. This is commerce. He should learn a thing or two from his schooling.'

'A glance at the glass display showcases a wonderous splay of holy trinkets, items that entice the kings of the world, a… Tabako… Shigaretto… Smokies… Puffs… Wands… Sticks… Tubes… Rolls… a... a goddamn beautiful pack of cigarettes.'

[The expression on your face widens into a friendly smile, "Hey, man, get me a pack of Blue Marks, Mild." Picking a lighter off a small box, "And… a lighter." You watch as the cashier scans your items. You hand him a slip of cash. They take the money, reach into a glass display taking out a pack of cigs, bags your items, and gives you your change.]

'The cashier doesn't care if you're a minor or not. They want to end their shift and go home.'

'The very loose laws of age verification muddies the water for everyday transactions. Normally, every cashier would check an ID no matter the look of age due to a Mutant or Transformation Quirk. Even your mental-age ID is very fragile in the world. It's still a highly debated topic, and questioned upon whether it's even possible, or ethical. Technicalities can still be frowned upon.'

'Monsters won't follow laws.'

[You do a brief nod and walk to the restroom.]

[In the restroom, you lock the door behind you and take a look into the pane of reflective glass.]

'That is you. Oh Dae-Gon. Or, at least the visual representation from the occipital lobe, interpreted by your cerebral cortex. That… concept of you, the empty darkness, the perceptions of many parts, is unknown. The thinking is you. Was, you.'

[You touch your face. And adjust your jacket.]

'…magnificent …even in these clothes… that's why… you need more…'

'More? I've got you handled. A little *this* and a little *that* and you'll be *perfect*.'

[Tearing the plastic sheet of Midnight's advertising smile, you rip open the make-up kit. Taking the foundation brush you matte on some dull neutral tones. Then with a makeup sponge, unevenly disperse the tones, making your face's flesh color slightly less healthy.]

[With an eye shadow brush, you add a muted gray shadow under the eyes, and with a blending brush, soften the edges. You mess with it a bit to make your eyes a little more lifeless.]

[A contour brush along the cheek bones, adding a shadow of gauntness, a very slight feeling of survival.]

[An eyebrow pencil to break the symmetrical perfection of your eyebrows. Apply a cotton pad to soften the hard lines.]

[Lip balm applied but then blotted off with some tissue paper.]

[Nearly done, a dusting of loose setting powder, evenly distributed by a fluffy powder brush.]

[And, finally, some powder sprinkled onto the hair and slightly wetted. You deeply knead your hair to be messy and look un-showered.]

'Magnifique. You look horrendous. Well… You are still a handsome hunk of man, just, a poor boy-toy-to-be perhaps.'

'Correct. Even underneath all the artificial products, you are still handsome, just more emasculated, perhaps now, more suited for an older woman's paternal instincts.'

[Using up nearly the entirety of the make-up kit, you scrap it all into your plastic bag and take out the All Might mask and cigarettes.]

'Cigarettes. You crave smokies, don't you?'

'SHUT UP. I AM IN CONTROL. I DECIDE. …be silent. I. Am. In. Control.'

[Grabbing the cigarette box you tear off the plastic and crunch it in your palm.]

[You put the crumpled box into a front pocket of your jacket and the mask pressed onto your chest, hidden inside.]

[Opening the restroom doors, you walk out and past the cashier, outside the store.]

'The blinking lights and circuits captivate the wage-slave into their cycle of lull.'

[To the side, you throw away all your trash in the assorted bins outside.]

'…now …walk.'

…

'A goulash of tangerine sprits on creeping blackberries ichor. The dark blood leaks and fills the sky transforming the day's noon to after. The ink of spring corroding with absence. A tournament of elemental titans splitting terra's troposphere into wisps of clouds leaking brimstone, fused with a titanic wave of layered brine.'

[Walking the streets of Kurohama, the lights of businesses spur on and suddenly, the district is alive.]

'You walk among prey, and predators. A foul existence is humanities beckoning, the devil whispering selfish decisions, the correct ones that muddy with morality. The horrible actions they possess are ripe with potential, it just takes an opportunity to tip the razors edge. To fall and slice your feet clean off, and crawl in the depths of the ever-expanding abyss till the blood seeps out the wounds you made so long ago. Forgotten.'

[You struggle, you've lived for 25 years and somehow you feel like you're a failure. Like, everything up to this point has amounted to nothing, and that life is no longer worth living. The only driving force is your family, at least some of them. Your mother in particular, while she may be hard on you, she's sacrificed too much for you to deny, so you must continue, to continue this life.]

'Perhaps, just maybe, you'll find your way out of the darkness, maybe find a girl, maybe get rich, maybe just make a friend.'

[You've been working since junior high to bring enough money for your family. Your father's a deadbeat, and your mother is so ill, grandma takes care of her. And, while your sister has no particular fond feelings towards you, you are a family, and family sticks together. Throughout your jobs, construction has always been your forte. The quirk you've been dealt in this life was luckily a physical amplifier, a common, but useful skill for work. A single glance at you and the site managers usually give you the job. You don't eat much, despite your size, and you don't like to talk to others to waste their time. And sadly, that may also be why your sister dislikes you.]

'You're a pushover. Even when she was bullied, you did nothing but work. When mother was sick, you did nothing but work. When dad hit mom, you did nothing but work. Work. Work. Work. You can't do anything else, that's all your good at. Work.'

'Life seems to never pick up. There doesn't seem to be a point in it all.'

[All you do is look to the sky to ponder. That's the extent of your power. You feel insignificant.]

'Like an ant. A bee. A loser. Someone who needs an opportunity. Someone who needs a chance. To prove yourself. To show that you could be different. To be a role model. But for now, you just need to work.'

[You like to wander the streets when the sky turns dark. The lights calm you and the life around you makes you feel… good. Jealous but good. You walk, and soak the chatter, smiles, and connections. You don't even have money on you, *Wait* checking in your pockets, you feel a wad of cash.]

'You forgot to leave your money, well, not your money, your family's money. After a weekends shift today, you received a pay-slip and, you guess you forgot to leave it home. Stupid, maybe you should go back.'

'Yes, go back. Or…'

[A dread made of anxiety, you contemplate deciding to turn back. This money is for your mother, your sister, but…]

'You work. Work. Work. What else? Just… *Enjoy yourself*.'

[Maybe a drink wouldn't hurt, you decide. Walking the streets past a few people, you look around for a spot to have a drink. You pat your pockets, to ensure the money's still there.]

'You've never drunken alone. Only the few times your 'friends' invited you, only to ditch you to pay for it all.'

'Maybe there? Maybe here?'

'Indecision racks your mind, and you feel worried people are looking at you weird for standing still. Maybe they think your stupid, or slow, maybe you're a creep scouting out a victim, a killer, or a, a, a-'

["Hey, man!" A friendly hand places itself on your shoulder.]

["Eek!" You finch and twist sharply to spot a man in a nice office suit.]

'Stubble on his face, with a well-worn smile.'

[You bow, "S-sorry, sir."]

["Woah, big man. No problem!" He smiles at you.]

["…" Looking down at him, you buckle into yourself.]

[Watching up at you, he speaks again, "Ahem, well, big man, I was wondering if you'd like to party!" He spreads his arms out, in a grand gesture.]

["Party?"]

[He nods, "Party!"]

["…" You just stare, unaware what to say next.]

["Uh, well, there's a party going on and I want to bring a plus one and I thought, this guy would be great." He nods towards you, "Big man, your very handsome and the girls at the club would love you!" He smirks.]

'Girls? Females? R-really? The thought rises heat throughout your face.'

["G-g…girls? W-wha-what?" You stammer and slightly cover your face.]

["Buddy! You're a chick magnet, don't tell me you don't know! They're all looking at you! Of course!" He pats your shoulder.]

["…" You look around and do see some people looking at you and the man.]

["Well? What doya say, pal? Wanna p-p-p-party~?" He smiles brightly and gently pats your shoulder.]

'Why shouldn't you? This man said it himself, you'll be a plus one. And, there are girls there, maybe this was the chance you needed.'

[You nod quickly, "S-sure!"]

[The man nods, "My man! Follow me!" He walks to the side and into a fairly crowded alleyway. Squeezing through with him, you follow his path and reach a standing bar.]

'The outside has the appearance of a Tachinomiya, a small inlet inside of a building that works as a bar that serves alcohol and appetizers.'

[The man waves over the staff member serving drinks, "Hey, master, two lemon chūhai and yakitori!" The staff nods and goes into the back room.]

'This man knows his stuff. But where is the party.'

["…Wh-"]

["Big man! The party is in a bit. We need to pregame!" He leads you in, closer inside the small inlet that seems to accommodate big quirk users like yourself. You push past a few patrons and seat yourself where the man pats a stool.]

["P-pregame?"]

["Yeah, big man! Loosen up!" He rubs your back and then your shoulders. "Don't want to be nervous around the girls, right?"]

'He's right, maybe a little alcohol will let you loose and be more sociable. You've always heard that's what it does.'

'He's touching you…'

[You nod, and the man chuckles.]

[Out of the back room, the staff member places down two cups of a clear drink with a lemon slice in each, and then a platter of chicken meat on skewers.]

["Ey, big man, take a drink!" The man takes a cup and lifts it.]

[You take a cup and lift it too. He smiles and clinks the cups, "Cheers!" He downs the drink in one.]

["C-cheers!" You hesitate but put the drink to your lips. Bubbles from the carbonation pop and fizz around your lips as you take your first gulp. A tart, slightly bitter alcoholic beverage entices your taste buds. The aroma of lemon zest fills your nose and mind with refreshing clarity. The slight shock and appeal gives you courage to continue gulping. And gulping till the drink is done, leaving the lemon slice at your sated lips. The aftertaste of a lemon peel lingers.]

["Sick, big man!" He takes a chicken skewer and eats it, "Have some!"]

[You pick a slightly smaller yakitori and take a bite, careful to not chew the wood skewer.]

[The juicy meat fills you mouth with a savory grease that coats you tongue in an umami overdose. The chewy but tender meat goes down quickly, a treat you savor.]

'You only have these type of foods during your birthday or a holiday celebration with family. You feel a sense a dissonance, a shame to eat this without family, but a desire to consume more.'

[You lick your lips to savor some more flavor and smile, "Wow, that's really good."]

[He nods, "This place is the best place in the city!" He gestures to the staff worker, "Master over here trained with a famous chef back in his day,"]

'It's safe to presume the staff worker is the owner of the establishment.'

[You nod, taking in the interesting information. Nearly in awe at the accomplish owner.]

[Next to your other side, you hear a portly person talking to someone, "Haah~ Shit! It's those damn Korean's fault!"]

'That's rare. Half a percent of Koreans make up Japan. What could be the case?'

[You look and lean over.]

[The portly man sighs and complains some more, "My spot was taken! They reek of garlic so much, everyone looks over to them!" He huffs.]

[You listen but are interrupted as the man who invited you taps on your shoulder, "Big man! Don't worry about them!" He looks at you, "He runs a food stand." Whispering, "Terrible food though, I prefer the Koreans." You nod.]

[The man laughs and pats your back more, "Whereya from, big man?"]

["I'm from Kurohama, but I don't frequent around here." You look around to the unfamiliar environment.]

["Ahh, you're a local! Why didn't you say so! Let me treat you!" He raises a hand, "Master! Two more~."]

[You nod, "Are you also from around here?"]

["Ah~ Yes, born and raised in this place. Everybody knows me!" He waves out the tachinomiya and a random person raises a glass towards him, "See? I'm a bit of a celebrity around here."]

[You nod. Two more drinks are placed on the bar table.]

["Drink, Drink!" He raises his glass, as you do as well, clink your cups, and you both down the drinks. He finishes and does an exasperated sigh of relief, "Whew, that hit the spot!"]

'You agree, you're feeling really good.'

[You smile and feel better. Reaching into your pocket, you take out a crumpled pack of cigarettes and take one out. You look over, "Want one?"]

[He nods, "Big man! Of course!" He accepts the cigarette you give.]

[Taking out another cig, you hold it between your lips and put the box away. And reaching again, you take out a lighter. Thumb on the fork, you spin the sparkwheel and a small flame ignites. Lighting your cig, you reach over, and the man leans his cig in, lighting it.]

'It's a bad habit you never got over.'

[You take a drag and smoke it for a bit, then puff it out. The man also does the same, blowing smoke on the counter.]

…

[After a bit of small talk and finishing the yakitori, the man reaches into his pockets and pulls out some cash.]

'He's paying? He's taken care of you, maybe you should pay for your new friend.'

["Ah." You reach into your pocket, "I can pay, I can pay."]

[He pushes your hands back, "No, no. My treat! I pay, I pay." He hands his cash to the owner of the tachinomiya.]

'He's a nice guy.'

[You bow, "Thank you."]

["No problem, big man!" He looks at a watch you didn't notice, "Party's going to start soon, let's go!" He smiles and does a little dance, scooting past the aisle and out of the bar, "Let's go!" Waving over for you.]

…

'Crowded streets overrun with activity. Paper lanterns hung up illuminate soft orange glows, basking the walls with shadows and color. Smiles, smokes, the clinking of drinks. Laughter, conversation, and sizzling booths. A mirage of smells, smoke and steam emanating from every opening.'

'The taste of grease is still palpable.'

'You feel a rush of excitement. This is it. The thing you were missing. Fun.'

[Weaving through the streets, following the man, you pass by many people. Everyone has smiles on their faces, others have arms around others, some are smoking and talking. The alive world fills you with wonder, a feeling that you hadn't felt in a long time.]

[After a moment of time, the man you're following stops and waves you over. Quickly catching up, you reach him. He points towards a building opening. A club.]

'Away from the main road, a three-story building stands before you. Many youths hang around, in and out of the gold-like stairs leading up. Sleek, chrome and concrete, and a big sign above, glowing red neon, CLUB BLUE. A sign stationed to the side says, FIRST DRINK FREE, FRIENDLY STAFF, NO COVER. The smell is sickly sweet, blotched with engine smoke. A bouncer in front, wears a black suit and has clean slicked hair. He's built, but oddly his arms are thin.'

'Must be a Heteromorph Quirk.'

[Club Blue, the assumed place where the party will be held. You wait and follow the man.]

[The man leading you waves at the bouncer and walks past a few people and up the stairs, you follow and also walk past the bouncer, heading up the stairs.]

'It's dark. The only lights are small LED Christmas wiring along the stair floor.'

[Stepping up the stairs, the temperature rises, and a dense wave of warmth passes over you. Unable to see the man, you can only follow by the sounds of his steps.]

["C'mon big man, almost there." The man's voice excitedly sounds.]

'A smell you've never smelt before makes you slightly nauseous. Something like piss and chemical animal hair. It singes your nostrils and makes you breathe from your mouth. Skunk? You've never seen this animal, but it somehow clicks into your mind.'

'You hear thumping and music playing being muted behind the walls.'

[Walking up a few more steps, the man you follow opens a door, unleashing the loud sound of music played. Something rock and pop, something too loud that you don't really understand what they are saying. From the opening of the door, you spot colored light passing past and flashing. Sometimes seeing faded photos on the dark walls.]

["C'mon, let's go in!" The man steps to the side and holds the door open.]

[You walk up and step through the door.]

'A low ceiling, but enough for you to stand tall. Purple lights glow and fill the room with a glaze of blue and violet tints. Dark, velvet curtains hang across the walls, till reaching a bar, filled with drinks lit up by a cyan backdrop. Across the room are lounges, long red sofas bending into a semi-circle, booths separated for clients. Already, a few denizens are within, smoking, and drinking. To the other side lies an opening that has a dance floor, a moderately sized chrome space that fills with blinking colors and lasers. Many people are dancing, young individuals are there.'

["You like it?" The man smiles and closes the door behind you. "I can't live without this place!" He does a small dance and walks over to an empty booth. You're stunned, looking at the flashing lights and amount of people inside. But, you follow and sit down with him.]

["What… is this place?" You question. You've never been to a place like this before.]

'Your confidence is lowering. An unfamiliar environment is becoming a little too shocking, a little too much. Maybe you should leave?'

'No. Maybe you should. But no. All your life, you've never had these *feelings*. And it feels *good*. Like… you belong. Not forever, but at least, for today, enjoy yourself, for all the hard work. Because, tomorrow, you'll work, and work, and work, and work.'

[The man looks at your slightly frowning face, "Don't worry, big man! It's Club Blue, I know the owners of this place and we're like brothers!" You look away, he smiles, "Hey, big man." You look over at him, "Look at that girl!" He points over to a waitress.]

'A woman in a short sparkly dress and carefully styled hair walks with a sway. Her looks are unreal, a complete fantasy to nerds. It's nearly scary, how bewitching a woman could be. The massive assets proportioned correctly, but something is just scary, scary how, feminine, scary how, breedable.'

'You never felt this way before. Never in your entire life. Not even compared to a school crush, celebrity on television, X-videos on the internet. Your boner is already leaking. Hot flush covers your body and everything feels sensitive. It… it's like your entire body yearns to mate. An animalistic urge to leap over and take her right there on the carpeted floor.'

'Hold back! Warning! That's a *CRIME*! You can't be a criminal! HOLD BACK!'

["Hehe~" He giggles, "You want to fuck her, right?" He does a crude finger motion and points to your crotch, "Everybody does!" He sighs in remembrance, "I hear it's her quirk, freaky it is, but what I-… people would do to just get a taste… Whoo~" He chuckles.]

[You look over, "She works here? Why?"]

'You feel bad for her. Is she being exploited? These stinky men all lusting over her, how horrendous. Maybe you could help her.'

[The man looks at you for a bit, staring into your eyes, his friendly demeanor slightly dampening, "Hey, big man. Sometimes it's better to not know those types of things, right?" He seems utterly serious, but he perks up again, "Besides~ who cares about that? Just enjoy the view, big man." He relaxes into his chair and raises his hand.]

'Really? Maybe, but maybe you can help her. Does she need help, probably? Why would she be here in the first place?'

[You can't help but ask, "Has anybody tried… to, you know…." You fidget with your fingers, trying to get across the message.]

[He smirks and exhales through his teeth, "Bah, many times. But this establishment is connected to some, 'influential' folk, so they're dealt with." He wiggles his fingers in the air, still trying to grab the attention of a waiter.]

'Influential folk? Probably bad people. Gangs, hoodlums, maybe Yakuza? Scary! But… she's in trouble!'

[You take a look around.]

'Looking at other booths, you notice patrons involved in their own conversations, all except for one booth. In the corner, three threatening looking guys are looking around, drinking a glass of something like whiskey. They all wear the same black suit, the left wears red underneath and the other wears blue, and- *Wait* they're looking at you! Abort!'

[You hurriedly look away as you catch the gaze of some scary men. You take a breath as your heart races.]

'The man in the middle has tattoos! Scary!'

'Oh god! What is going to happen! Did you do something wrong! They looked at you, right into your eye! What if they, what if they-'

[A waiter appears, and your friend talks to them, "Ah, man, can I have a beer?" he looks over to you, which you shakily nod, "Two beers." He does a peace sign and smiles at the waiter. After the waiter leaves, your friend looks at you, "What's wrong?" he tilts his head.]

["Ah. Uh. Nothing. I'm just a little new to this."]

["Haha! Don't worry, big man! I know the owners, one call and we'll be treated like royalty!" He chuckles and lounges in the sofa.]

'Perhaps you're too paranoid. Yes, you're just being paranoid. How silly.'

[You take a deep breath and also sink into the leather sofa.]

'The atmosphere is nearly intoxicating, maybe it's not so bad.'

[After a moment, the waiter appears, in his hand is a tray, with five items. Two cups, two beers, and one very expensive-looking bottle.]

'What's that? It looks extravagant. Isn't that not what we ordered?'

[Your friend next to you questions, "Hey? What's that extra bottle?"]

[The waiter sets down the tray and lays out the cups and drinks, he says calmly, "A gentlemen sent this as a gift." The waiter glances at you.]

'What? What! He… HE looked at YOU. WHAT! What does this mean!?'

[Your friend laughs, "Gift! How amazing!" He takes the bottle and looks at it.]

[Sweating, you look behind you, at the scary men you saw before.]

[There, the one man in the middle, is staring at you and smiles, slowly waving his hand. The other two are missing.]

'FUCK! FUCKFUCKFUCK! WHAT! What does this mean!? What does this mean!?'

[Sweat does not drip from your face. But, your body shudders. You slightly dissociate.]

'What do you do! Maybe… maybe if you return the bottle? But that might be rude! Maybe… maybe if… maybe…'

[Your friend opens the expensive bottle and pours a cup.]

'You feel a shatter in your heart. Your fate is sealed. Whatever happens next is unknowable.'

'You knew you should've never came here. Stupid, stupid!'

[You fidget and your friend pours you a cup, "Hey, big man, cheers?" He look quizzically, "What's wrong?"]

["Uh… -umm. Em, uh, what, what do we… do?" You purse your lips and warm your hands.]

["Do what?" He thinks for a bit and then looks at the bottle, "Oh~ Don't worry big man, happens all the time. Remember? I'm a bit of a celebrity." He raises his cup.]

'Maybe? Is that why? Yes, yes. 100 percent, that must be it. Of course. Of course.'

[You calm your heart and chuckle, taking the glass your friend poured.]

'Haha, how stupid you feel. Damn, that scared you. Just chill. Your friend will take care of it.'

[Clinking his glass you take a drink, and it pours down your throat.]

'It's strong and does down like water. It feels like it burns your throat. Like pure vodka. What was that? You don't know what good alcohol taste like, was this it?'

[You look over at your friend who clicks his tongue and hisses in enjoyment, he smiles and looks at you, "How was it!"]

'You guess it was good?'

["Uh, yeah! It was good!"]

[He smiles and pours you another drink while the cup is still in your hand, "This stuff is top-shelf!" He fills your cup. He then pours his cup, and lifting it, he clinks your drink, "Cheers!"]

'Never has a cup been so heavy, your own mental weight adds pounds to the liquid sloshing inside the glass.'

[You hesitate, but down the drink.]

'The liquid goes straight down faster than water. The heat from your stomach boils and warms your face.'

[You place the glass down, but your friend leans over to pour another drink. Quickly you alert him, "H-Hey, I think I'm…" He finishes pouring your glass.]

["Hm?" He pours himself another glass too, emptying the expensive bottle. He takes your glass and hovers it to your hand which you instinctively grab. He smiles and raises his own glass, "Cheers!"]

["H-hold on-" Your friend downs the drink whole, as the glass is still pouring down his throat, he taps your leg and points at you.]

'What do-'

[You sip the glass and gulp slowly, the ethanol searing your tongue and making you nearly gag, slowly, the liquid goes down and seeps into your stomach fluids.]

[Coughing a bit, you wipe your mouth.]

'You feel bile nearly coming up. It's a sharp nauseous feeling. It's not pleasant.'

[You forcefully place the cup down, "I think I'm done here."]

'You shouldn't be here any longer.'

[Your friend whines, "Whaaat?" He leans back, "What's up with you?"]

'…Perhaps you're in the wrong, but you should go.'

[You lean forward to stand up-]

[Suddenly, a hand pushes you back down.]

'What.'

[Two large men one wearing red and the other blue, stand in front of your booth, the red one pushed you back onto your seat.]

'It's them!'

[The blue one points to your friend, talking to the red one, "This the guy?" Your friend shocked, drops his glass and gasps.]

[The red one nods, and the blue one picks up your friend. Your friend struggles, and tries to yell, but a hand covers his mouth. ]

'WHAT.'

[Swiftly, the blue one lifts your friend, he looks at you and hauls him away.]

'Say something! Something!? BUT… but!'

[You squirm in your seat, watching this occur. The red one staring at you, "Don't. Make. It. Messy." He cracks his knuckles.]

'…'

[You silently shiver in your seat.]

[After a few seconds, they leave as they came. They scooped up your friend and left without anything else.]

'…'

[You just sit there, dumbfounded.]

'…'

[You gaze at the glass your friend dropped.]

'…you're a coward! DAMMIT! You should've done something! But…'

[At that moment, the waiter shows up, "Sir, your check." He hands you a receipt and stands there.]

["…A-ah, yes…"]

'Two beers, right?'

[You take out ¥2,000, and hand it over.]

'That should pay for it all, a beer is around ¥500.'

["Sorry sir, but that's not enough for the drinks." He waves the two ¥1,000 yen papers.]

'What?'

["O-oh, sorry." You hand over another ¥1,000 yen.]

'That was embarrassing.'

["Sir, that's still not enough." The waiter puts down the ¥3,000 yen, and points to the receipt in your hand.]

'Huh?'

[Looking down, the receipt totals to, ¥121,000 yen.]

'That's insane! It must be a misunderstanding!'

["Oh!" You tap your forehead, "The…" looking at the name of the bottle, "Magnum Special Club Bottle… was gifted by…" You look over and the scary people who gifted you the bottle are gone. "Um… They don't seem to be there, but I was gifted it. My friend can…" You look over to the empty seat.]

[The waiter sighs, "Sir, can you pay or not? I'll call the police if not."]

'Police! No!'

["Ah! Uh!" You search into your pockets and take out ¥8,000 yen, "Ah… T-That… that's all I have…" You look at the waiter who looks at you like you're some bum. "Don't… Don't you remember?" You stand up, and point at the bottle, "YOU gave me that bottle!"]

[The waiter scoffs, "Sir, please remain calm." He sighs and checks his watch, "If you can't pay, I'll report you to the police."]

'You can't pay. You don't have the money. Maybe your friend!'

[You perk up, "Ah, maybe my friend can! He said he was friends with the owner!" You point to the empty seat, "But he was taken away!.. Shouldn't you call the police on that or something?"]

[The waiter scoffs again, "Trust me, if that happened, we would've seen it." He looks at you up and down, "What's the name of that 'friend' of yours." Putting emphasis on *friend*.]

'The waiter is judging you! He… He thinks you're some poor homeless person! Your friend can help, right? His name should at least clear things up, and then you can search for him later. His name… his… name?'

["…" You freeze and lock up. The waiter looking at you, judgingly.]

'You never got his name.'

["Sir?" The waiter looks at you, nearly ready to report you.]

'…'

["…Ah. Ahh. Awhhh." Words cannot formulate. Your mind is hemorrhaging, and things start to blur.]

["I'm calling the authorities." The waiter turns away.]

'NO!'

[You lunge and fall on your knees, and grab his pant leg, "P-Please! I'll pay you! I'll pay you!"]

[The waiter swats your hands and looks down upon you, "And how are you going to do that!?" The waiter scoffs loudly, "If you want to pay, take a loan or something!" He takes another step away.]

'Loan? Loan! You can pay that off easily, you just need to get out of this situation, now.'

[You nod your head, "Yes! Loan, loan. I can take a loan!" Still on the ground, head facing the floor.]

[The waiter sighs, clicking his tongue, "Then follow me."]

'A chance!'

["Yes… Yes, thank you, thank you." You stumble and get up.]

[Following the waiter, you shiver and pace slowly as he goes into a staff room.]

[You take a glance around and see no one looking at you as you head inside.]

'A dimly lit room with pictures of women cheering plaster all over each other. The room is a concrete hall and leads to stairs going up, the third floor. It's empty, only you and the waiter is here.'

☐Artificial Series☐

╰┈➤☐SUPER REGENERATION☐

{HALF LIGHT}

{PHYSICAL INSTRUMENT}

["Is that where I can get a loan?" You speak slowly.]

[The waiter slows but continues walking, "Yeah…" he sighs, "For such a big dude, I'd think you'd have a spine."]

["How many people are there between you and them?"]

["Hm? Just me and maybe around 5…" He continues walking.]

[You place your fingers onto your face.]

{PAIN THRESHOLD}

{HAND/EYE COORDINATION}

'Beads of dark viscous oil pearl and drip as your fingers pierce and fillet into the folds of skin. Methodically, the fingers cut a flap all around the facial skin-mask and a layer is peeled as sinew and fat sticks the bonds. With precision, the entirety of the face is gaped, ripped out like a pelt, and as the sides are starting to bubble in new skin, you reach into your jacket and take out a mask. Before your face can heal, you pressure the mask onto your raw face. After a second, the mask seals and merges with flesh, growing around and using the plastic as its skin barrier. With the remaining crimson sappy skin blob in your hand, you ball it in your palm.' 

[The waiter facing away, "Hah, I forgot to ask, but what's your name?" His body turning to face you.]

[Under lipless words, "Tenō."]

["Tenō?" he turns and sees you, halting his steps, "Huh? What's that mask?"]

'Darkness obscures…'

[You take a step forward, "Take a good look." Continuing your steps till right. Next. To. Him.]

[HORROR.]

[You firmly clasp his mouth before he screams, nearly crushing his mandible into his skull. Stuffing the ball of your face flesh into his mouth, gagging him. You lean over to whisper right into his ear, "Shhhhhhh."]

[His arms flail and punch your arms, kicking and skidding the floor. He slobbers and gags as the taste of iron burns his taste buds.]

[You face him and show teeth under the All Might mask's smile, "It's fine now. Why? Because I am here…" Blood leaking from your mask's eye holes.]

[The waiters eyes tear up and he shakes uncontrollably, pissing himself.]

[Quickly, you wrap around him and place him into a standing chokehold. And slowly, one… struggle, two… snot and spit, three… he's out cold.]

[Dropping him to the floor you rip a piece of his clothing and wipe your arm of his snot and tears. And, another piece to wipe any blood stains on your mask and neck.]

'…Finally. Let's… play to our… heart's… content…'

[Lifting your shirt, you plunge your hand into your chest. A foreign but familiar feeling of wriggling tightness. Breaking past the ribcage, you grab hold of your heart, incredibly slowly beating, with surgical nature, you squeeze every aorta artery, every major artery, and surrounding veins. As the skin and bones start to regrow, you pinch off every blood vessel and yank a beating heart out.]

'Calm yourself… panic… does no magic…'

[Intense tightness and gasps for breath, a muted sense of foreboding, but you hang on, and slowly, your chest closes up and the red blotches disappear.]

'If you lose consciousness, Super Regeneration won't be active.'

[With a calm exterior, you stand tall and flex, tearing some parts of your jacket. Instantly, bile and pints of blood vomit out of your mask's mouth onto the chest of the unconscious man. Bits of rib bones, foreign matter, and alcohol spill onto the body and after a deep breathe, everything clears up.]

'…I …am …Tenō. Voices of the void... Come… Witness me…' *image*

'The symbol of heroism is plastered onto the bloodied pulp of your face. A dying heart in your hand.'

'The aching pains dissipate, and the frame of your sculpted gait erects tall.'

'This entire idea was bogus, and in the end worked out. And, that bogus, was fun. The acting was spectacular.'

'Lingering moments of toxicity fade, a great monumental memory for us all.'

'THE SYMBOL OF PEACE ON YOUR FACE IS INDICATIVE OF YOUR PROWESS. GO. ACT IN STEAD OF ALL MIGHT. BE HERO OF KUROHAMA AND THEN THE WORLD.'

'LET'S TEAR THEIR ORGANS OUT AND MAKE THEM SPILL BLOOD!'

'Beyond. False taxes and printers litter the floor. Papers of blood-money fill cabinets and the monsters lay on top, resting like dragons beneath their horde. A king sits on their throne as pride bows below.'

'The waiter will be knocked out for a bit. Do what you will.'

[Picking up the knocked-out waiter you tuck the heart into the chest coat. Hoisting him up you grapple his front to prepare the battering ram.]

[With an eerie gaping mouth hole, your teeth chatter with exuberance.]

[You run with his body.]

[Step, step, step, up the stairs and then, Boom, through a door, unconscious man first.]

'White light peers through, nearly blinding you. Five unknown men to the right turn to face you.'

[You yell, "Fucker nearly bit me!" You toss the body out forward of the door, away from the men, in the corner near some shaded windows.]

["Who the fuck are you!" A man yells. You take a glance over.]

'To your right. Four men sit in leather chairs, facing a singular wooden desk, where a lion-man sits. Shouting was the lion-man, the head honcho. Lion-man, Number 1. Squid-arms, Number 2. Rubber-arms, Number 3. Normal-Looking, Number 4. Blade-hand, Number 5.'

'They take notice of your mask.'

[Number 5, Blade-hand speaks, "What did you do!" He stands as everyone also jumps up.]

'Lion-man is doing an ocular pat down onto your skill level.'

[You spread your arms out wide, "Brothers!" You do a flamboyant bow and curtsy, "I am here!" You then double-thumb point towards yourself, "I will be your new boss!" Your pearly teeth chatters with excitement, "Welcome your new boss, Numbers!"]

'They do not listen to your role call. They look over to Number 1, Lion-man.'

'THEY WILL SUBMIT!'

[You yell, ANGER and FURY, "YOU WILL SUBMIT!!" Running, you leap, and your body engorges and bulks, "WITNESS!"]

[They flinch and yell back in defiance. They back and flair their quirks.]

[The…

#1 Lion-man stands tall and unsheathes their claws;

#2 Squid-arms lashes their tentacles and wave them around like whips;

#3 Rubber-arms coils their arms into a spring and locks it for a decimating punch;

#4 Normal-looking yells and sound mutes;

#5 Blade-hand juts his blade hand farther and aims it to your path.]

'RIP AND TEAR.'

'RUN THROUGH!'

[Your cochlea no longer oscillates, everything becoming silent.]

'#4, noise cancellation. Works for both of us. Emitter quirk.'

[Running through the office, straight towards #1 Lion-man, an extended hand blasts forward and smashes right into your head and splits it's knuckles open onto your mask. The hand liquefying and sucking back into #3 Rubber-arms.]

'#3, amorphous upper limbs. Hybrid quirk.'

[You take another step. From #2, whip-like tentacles lash and slap your shoulder, and pincers dig and hang onto your flesh. And after another step, the tentacles bounce and lash downwards, dragging the pincers through your body, from upper neck to the lower left calf.]

'#2, Gonatus Onyx species of squid limbs. Sharp as a razor. Mutant quirk.'

[The tentacle retracts to gain more momentum as you step again, #5 Blade-hand running towards your sprint's direction and pierces straight through your neck, redirected off your cervical vertebrae as you continue running past.]

'#5, massive gauntlet daggers. Metal and flesh. Mutant quirk.'

[Your neck flops and hangs on a column of spine as you continue pouncing onto #1 Lion-man.]

'For as long as you stay awake, you will never falter, never slow, never stop.'

[Right in front of the lion-man, he swipes and claws your chest apart through and lops off your right arm.]

'#1, Lion head and arms. Large body, nearing 7'. Mutant quirk.'

[With your left hand you shove it into #1 Lion-man's mouth and lodge it down into the throat till the hand, forearm, upper arm, and left shoulder.]

'You could rip his stomach out his mouth. Turn him inside out.'

[Silently laughing madly, you feel the Lion-man's jaw close and tear into the shoulder.]

'You've been in pain longer than there has been organisms on Terra. It's boring without it.'

[Yanking, you tear and peel away your body as strands of sinew and muscle sieve through the teeth's gaps. Your entire cut arm trapped in the esophagus.]

'Choke on it.'

[#4 Normal-looking stops yelling and sound resumes, revealing your cackling armless body suddenly regrowing near-instant.]

'Flesh is no longer a limitation. The future is limitless!'

[The lion-man heaves as he gags on your arm.]

'DECLARE EXISTENCE!'

[Teeth gleaming, you turn back to face the Numbers, "WITNESS!"]

'#4 is afraid. Seems like the newest.'

[#4 Normal-looking heavily breathing, takes another breath and yells again, muting sound.]

'#5 is approaching.'

[You run back and leap towards #5 Blade-hand.]

[His blade-hand shimmers with your blood and he swings it, slicing your chest open, but soon resealing. You bite your tongue and spit it through the mask's mouth hole into #5's eyes.]

[White teeth stained in red, you chatter and slap #5's head, quickly flipping his entire body over and smashing his head onto the floor.]

'#3 attacks.'

[#3 Rubber-arms coils and launches another punch onto your head, tearing your neck seams flopping your head backwards, but your spine keeps it together.]

'There is a slight delay between his liquification of limbs.'

[This time, before he can recoil his hand, you grab it and HULK it towards you, launching his entire body arm-first flying towards you.]

'Behind.'

[As this occurs, your backside is slashed open as #1 Lion-man still choking, slices your back with 5 long deep streaks carving out your kidneys and fracturing your spine, making you lose control of your legs.]

'You stumble but still grasp the reigns.'

[Still holding on the stretchy arm, you swing it as you fall and fling #3 across the room and slamming into the wall.]

[Before your body hits the floor, your legs regain control and step forward in a crouch.]

'#2 attacks. Brace.'

[#2 Squid-arms fwips his extending long arms over your back and whips it back through along the full length, side of your spine coming out through your left shoulder nearly lopping the entirety off and shattering your left scapula.]

[Wiggling your body, you shake rapidly and compressing your legs, leap your body mightily forwards at #2 Squid-arms.]

[#4 Normal-looking coughs and sound resumes, your sharp screech ringing their ears.]

'YOUR LUNGS TEAR WITH A WAR CRY!'

[#2 Squid-arms flinches and turns away from you, guarding with his arms.]

[Your launching body smashes into #2 and he topples over, you on top.]

[Breathing heavy, you lean down and with a regrown tongue, lick his face through the mask hole.]

[Your massive, heavy body overpowers his struggling attempts.]

[#4 Normal-looking collapses and whimpers looking towards you in horror and #1 for any guidance.]

[#1 Lion-man chokes and claws at his throat, scrambling around, knocking trinkets and papers around, eventually tipping over his desk and falling over, slobbering, suffocating.]

[With a great hug, you squeeze #2 Squid-arms till he squeals and gags. Extinguishing the air in his lungs.]

[Releasing, you stand back up, fully repaired, and walk over to #4 Normal-looking and loom over him.]

[Absolute terror washes as sweat runs down his face, pissing his pants.]

[You lunge and retract, faking him out. He flinches and seizes, passing out.]

[Taking a heathy breathe of metallic air, your teeth chatter and you lick your bloody gums.]

[Stepping over to #1 Lion-man, who's tensing and silent, slowly gagging, over his fallen desk, you walk over and crouch to where his sight is.]

[You wave and he pathetically attempts to claw but just weakly raises it and drops.]

[You lean in reeeeeeeally close, close enough that his eyes see your blood-stained teeth, "You will submit." Reaching, your right hand goes into #1's mouth. You feel inside and grasp your detached left arm's shoulder bones.]

[Humming a lovely tune, you tug and in one go, fully slime it out, the entire arm of a 6'7" man slopping out. The middle finger contracted onto the dead hand.]

[#1 coughs and gasps for air, sucking in oxygen like gallons of water. Grinning with your open teeth, you slap him with your bitten off left arm. Dragging it across his mane.]

'Stain the golden mane with your blood. Marking your dominance.'

[Jumping and humming a tune, you hop around and do a jig.]

'Perhaps the party was the friends we made all along.'

["P-p-p-party!" You cheer. Grabbing the desk and sitting it up and setting up the chairs around.]

["P-p-p-PARTY!" You yell and point at #1, grabbing him by the scruff.]

["W-w-wait wait wait!" #1 Lion-man yells.]

["Party?" You tilt your head and lift his entire 7' body up.]

["Kch- bastard!!!" He winces.]

[You nod, "Party!" And then sit him down on a chair.]

["P-p-p-party!" You grab #2 Squid-arms groaning on the floor and lift him up like a sack.]

[You chuckle, "Party!" And sit him down on a chair.]

["P-p-p-PARTY!" You grab #3 Rubber-arms laying on the floor edge near a wall and lift him up by his arm. He jolts.]

["Stop!! STOP!!!" #3 Begs for mercy.]

[In a playful tone, "Party!" And sit him down on a chair. He struggles and before he gets up, you push your finger right into his sternum, creaking his ribs from the center. He gags in pain and retreats back into his seat.]

[#1 Lion-man coughs up phlegm and speaks in a deep raspy voice, "…You, sick fuck."]

["P-p-p-paaaaaaaarty!" You grab #4 Normal-looking unconscious slumped over on the floor and lift him up like a cat.]

[Easily placing him on a seat, you look at #5, sprawled on the floor.]

["Party, PARTY, party!" You scoop #5 and swoop him into a chair.]

'The stage is set! The five Numbers appear before you, their king!'

[You rub your hands and leap up onto the desk, "Brothers! Again!" Spreading your arms wide open like a group hug, "I am here!" You then double-thumb point towards yourself, "I will be your new boss!" Your pearly teeth chatters with excitement, "Welcome your new boss, Numbers!"]

["…"] x5

[You go silent and stare at them.]

'WORMS. DEFORM THEM. TWIST THEM INTO ABOMINATIONS. STUFF THEM INTO A BOX. TORTURE THEM FOR ALL THEIR LOWLY EXISTENCE.'

'…Hold, dear Half Light. I hold the reigns, shut it…'

[You sway and dance like a ballerina, then you hop down. Clapping your hands you walk over to the end of the room where the still unconscious waiter lays.]

'The sound of your clapping awakens the slumbering Numbers.'

[You laugh, a creaky, hearty laugh, removing your face-ball gag from the waiter's mouth, crush it into gore. And then cackle, with a sound of struggle, taking your heart out of the coat.]

[Turning the waiter away, you extend and stretch, walking back over to the desk.]

[Jumping up, you stand proud and pose as you land on top.]

'Everyone is now awake.'

[You do a performative cough, gathering everyone's weary gaze.]

[#1 Lion-man heaves, "You fucking…"]

'You fucking killed him.'

[You drop the heart, everyone's eyes tracking it's down fall.]

["…"] x5

["Welcome your new boss, Numbers!" You curtsy with your torn down jacket.]

[#4 Normal-looking acting first, whimpers and stammers, "B-b-boss, we-welcome, b-boss!"]

'Compliant. Newbie. Still a horrendous human filth.'

[#1 Lion-man growls.]

'Defiant? Fix him later. He'll be your house cat.'

[#5 Blade-hand grunts.]

'Abstinent. He'll sway soon.'

[#2 Squid-arms huffs and under his breath, "W-welcome boss…"]

'Fear-based. He'll learn that it's justified. Warp it into worship.'

[#3 Rubber-arms groans and slurs his speech, "Welcome…boss."]

'Still groggy. Going with the flow.'

[#1 Lion-man growls again, towards #2 and #3.]

'The lion's pride is faltering.'

[You continuously tilt your head to the sides, "Now, now, don't fight." Your body shifts and pops, bones creaking and dislocating. Your bulked form slowly relaxing.]

'Rescind the beast. Rest your body, the mind now works.'

["Do not fret, my Numbers!" You point towards #4, #2, and #3. "The defectors, 1 and 5, will be slaughtered, like lambs." You raise your head and take in a deep audible sniff.]

'Just a threat, you won't kill. But, you'd be willing to stuff them into a box for decades.'

[#1 Lion-man yelps, "Ah! Boss! Boss! I- Shit, I… I'll-… I welcome you, boss."]

'He's flustered.'

[You tilt your head in surprise, "Oh?" You then exaggeratingly, look over at #5 Blade-hand.]

[#5 hesitantly scoffs, "S-shit." He shakily sighs, "Y-yeah, yeah, I get it. Welcome… boss."]

[You clap loudly. Echoes reverbing off the walls.]

'WONDERFUL. THE WORMS HEAR YOU. IT BRINGS MASCULINE TEARS TO YOUR EYES!'

[Tears of joy leak out of the eye holes of the All Might mask, mixing with your blood, dripping a pink streak of liquid down your mask and onto the desk.]

[Still clapping as loud as you can, you cheer, "AMAZING!" After a few more claps, you completely stop and hop down.]

'Break their mental and spirits. The plan requires absolute obedience.'

["Now… after such an exciting night! WE NEED to celebrate!" You look at the fallen heart and slap it apart, splitting it into pieces of giblets. You raise a piece, "I heard heart is a delicacy!" Putting it into your mask hole, you consume it. Humming a tasty tune, you dazzle your hands, "WOW! How DELECTABLE! Maybe… I should acquire some more." Your eyes trace among the men, their bodies locking up and sweating profusely. You snap out of it and chuckle, "Nooo~ I couldn't, my Numbers!"]

'Your heart meat is absolutely delicious. Maybe you should farm yourself for produce? Or is that just the Narcissism talking?'

[You take 5 pieces of heart giblets in your hand, "Now… consume thy flesh and you shall be reborn as a son of GOD! A NUMBER! Under GOD!" You present your palm with the pieces of heart, "CONSUME!"]

[The room goes silent, and they stare. Eyes flickering between themselves and away. They don't seem to follow.]

'They hesitate. Hesitate? Nonbelievers? NONONONONONONONONONONONONONONONOTHATCANTBETHATCANBETRUEEYOUCANTBELIEVETHATITCANTBETRUTHERESNOWAY!NOWAY!NOWAY!AHHHH!'

["N-no?" You voice falters. Your other hand clenches, fingers piercing through your palm, blood spilling to the floor, "no…" Your head slumps.]

'Maybe… it was… all for naught… just… erase-'

["I'll do it!" #4 Normal-looking raises his hand.]

'Smart decision, boy. Who knows what *they* would've done. Under the 'original purpose', they'd get *creative* with disposal.'

'…shut it…'

["WONDERFUL!" You pep your step and jazz your bleeding off-hand, which instantly heals.]

["NUMBER 4, NORMAL-LOOKING MAN, Take thy flesh and be a NUMBER! Under GOD!" You present your flesh.]

'Dark-brown hair. Square face. Black suit with a white dress coat under. Some stubble. Looks like a standard father. Mix of Japanese and something foreign, probably Polish.'

[Slowly taking a piece of your heart, #4 hesitates, gulps dryly, and swallows it whole. After a second, he coughs but keeps it inside.]

[Your tongue licks the blood on your teeth, "You don't need to chew, just swallow. Hehe~."]

'As long as your blood and flesh is inside.'

[You present the heart giblets to the group.]

'ROLECALL!'

["NUMBER 5, BLADE-HAND MAN, Take thy flesh, and BE a NUMBERRRR! Under GOD!" You sing-song, presenting your hand.]

'Black slicked-back hair. Long, skinny face. Black suit with a striped white and blue dress coat under. Clean shaven. Looks like a scummy salesman. His blade hand seems to be permanently unsheathed, he can only extend or retract it to the base-state. Looks pure-Japanese.'

[He sighs and quickly picks a small piece and swallows it.]

'He doesn't seem to be as disturbed. Probably lick your shoes if ordered.'

["NUMBER 3,3,3,3,3! RUBBER-ARMS MAN, Take thy flesh and be, be, be a NUMBER~! Under GOD!" You radio-DJ voice, presenting your hand.]

'Messy blonde hair, dyed blonde, some white frosted tips. Gaunt face. Black suit with a white dress coat under. Clean shaven. Looks like a sailor, an older man. Looks pure-Japanese.'

[He heaves quick breaths and shaking, his arms stretch and grabs a piece and hanging the flesh over his mouth he releases it and swallows it whole. Gagging, but it stomachs.]

["NUMBER 2! SQUID-ARMS MAN, Gonatus Onyx~, Take thy flesh and be a NUMBER! Under GOD!" Presenting your hand.]

'Sea-weed colored and layered hair. Gaunt, sparkly-freckled face. Black suit with a dark-blue dress coat under. Clean shaven. Has blocky eyes, black square pupils. Definitely has some Squid Mutant features, probably Japanese.'

[He gasps, "W-wait, you know!"]

[You flip your blood-soaked hair, "Of course, Number 2, I am a merciful GOD! I care for all life! Even marine!"]

[#2 gasps again, "I- I'll follow you!" Tears down his blocky eyes, he grabs a piece and eats it like jerky.]

["N-n-n-n-n-NUMBER 1! LION-MAN, Take thy flesh and be a NUMBER! Under GOD!" Presenting your hand.]

'Lion head with a dark brown mane and lighter fur. Muscle-dense lion face, Mutant-feature. Black suit with a black dress coat under. Mane, scraggly and has blood stains from you. Looks like a biped lion-man with the strength of a lion, and eye-glint of a human. Looks like an African lion and has a tail out his pants.'

[#1 growls, and… after a bit of hesitation, he swipes the last of the giblets and gulps it in one chew.]

[You adjust an imaginary tie and tap an invisible mic connected to a stand, "Attention, Numbers!" You cover your face with a hand, "PEOPLE ARE LOST! THEY ARE LAMBS!" Swishing your hand outwards pointing out to the window blinds, "We must save them…" Putting your hands together like shackles, "They are bound by societies rot! Forgotten like trash!" Breaking the imaginary shackles, "Free them! Rehabilitating them to GLORIOUS PURPOSE!" You reach for the skies like grasping for a cloud.]

[#1 deeply grumbles, "You're insane."]

[You snap back and stare at him, Clamping your hands mimicking his mouth. "Meh meh meh meh. YoU'rE iNsAnE~. Meh meh meh meh" mocking him.]

[#1 sighs.]

[You stop and seriously speak, "No, #1, I am not insane. I'm having fun in a miserable world. Like you, taking advantage of sheep, you feed on the terror of innocents. I am not the insane one, the one harming humanity is. To be a hypocrite to one's own humanity is 'insane'."]

'You are a *hypocrite*. As long as it's you, it's alright with you.'

'Of course it's 'alright with you,' it is *you*.'

[Hands behind your back. "I just want to provide a safe haven for lost individuals with maladaptive quirks…" You raise both hands and snap with a nice click, "And, a loan shark business is perfect!" You twirl, "You have so many beholden debted to you, eyes and hears in the underbelly of society are everywhere!"]

'The famous beggar's sect. The information network for everything. Your own little version is ripe for the taking.'

[#1 raises an eyebrow, "…that is interesting. But… what about money?"]

'A bubbling vat of acid foams. He's stalling for time to recover. He's merely entertaining you.'

[You tap your temple, "Money? Do you have money?"]

[He looks around, "…Yes, but that's for the business."]

[You show your teeth, "So, I'll just take over the other businesses! If you have money, they must also have money!"]

[He grumbles, "That! That won't work! You'll hemorrhage funds! Ruining everything!"]

'It's his true response.'

[You wag your finger, "Nuh uh."]

[He gasps in shock, "Wuh…"]

'…let's… try a… different… method…'

'Is this our hecatomb? I'll entertain the thought. See you later, brochacho.'

'We pay the price since greater rewards are ahead. We gamble, but the results are pre-determined prominence. Salutations.'

'Woe is I. The moon glows bright over our stage tonight! Mine soliloquy naught be lengthy for we are to achieve greater purpose, dear audience. Fade to black.'

♻☐ENCYCLOPEDIA+RHETORIC+DRAMA☐

╰┈➤☐DEMAGOGUE☐ *Image*

'There is purpose to our words, let's be creative. Emotions carry weight, history carves deep in biology, and truly, logic is lost in the mess of conversation. People assume that consciousness is complex but that is a hegemonic narrative, the brain is. It's an inhibitor for the ecstasy ridden layer of dimension bleeding between existence. We clear the rain, wipe the shields and show reality, reality, the reality of reality, for reality is merely reality. Comprehend, fratellino?'

[Your entire demeanor shifts, "#1, You just won't make money by loan sharking." You walk over, he leans forward facing you, but as you press closer, he leans back and shrinks into his seat, "You just. Won't. Make. Money. Loan. Sharking. Get it? Comprehend, #1?"]

'#1's paw-like hands clench.'

[You smile and stand straight, "Your lives are under my command."]

'Under control of the Quirk Factors within your very blood. I, Logic, have a theory on manipulating one's Vestige to attacking another's Vestige. You took over an Artificial Vestige, why not a real one, at least, it should be possible to parasite them, lingering in their own Quirk Factors. The Logic in this is the very nature of Quirks, once the Quirk Factors are removed, the Quirk itself disappears, insinuating a location. Like how consciousness is unknown: a heart can be removed, and thought can be made, but if the brain is removed, thought cannot be made. Ergo, Quirks derive from the Quirk Factors. Example: a Quirk can be singularly located in the arm, removed, the individual loses their Quirk, but the removed arm still contains the Quirk Factors. There have been old case studies of grafting Quirk Factors onto patients, and they've been successful, at the cost of brain death, which is why it's now considered breaching international crimes against humanity. But, something you've read, others looked past upon, is the Nutrition of Quirks. Case reports on starving Quirk holders, show a weak Quirk like being able to produce water from the fingertips, but, very interestingly, when properly fed and recovered, the Quirk 'strengthens' now able to shoot water beams from the fingertips. The quirk didn't simply 'power-up' it *stabilizes* back to its original Quirk Factor homeostasis. This implies that Quirk Factors consume nutrition and energy, meaning that if some Vestige can linger in the energy, it can travel and *affect*. And, this would only work if: One, the Quirk Factor is consumed; Two, the consumed Quirk Factor has a Vestige; Three, the Vestige is conscious. The greatest evidence is Deku being able to inherit All Might's strength, from eating All Might's hair, DNA. That is the theory. Now, you're a mix of every title of Quirk, your entire body is filled to the brim with Quirk Factors, an eternal-producing engine is within you. In the pieces of heart you provided, flesh and blood, more importantly, blood, blood containing the genes of Quirk Factors. Liquid will quickly be digested and spread. All that is left is to harness it. Expectation are low, but that is all that's required for now.'

'…like Sunday mass… they will continue to consume… the flesh of man and God.'

'AN OVERWHEMLING AUTHORITY BECKONS THE VERY DEPTHS OF REALITY. CONTROL. GRASP AND HOLD. SHOW. YOUR. AUTHORITY.

'By remotely attacking their Quirk Vestige, you can alter their perceptions, outwardly unaware, unless they can somehow communicate with their own vestige, like yourself.'

[Moving your hand, you aim it at #1, and focusing, grasp the air, snapping at invisible threads.]

'UNDER MY AUTHORITY. FEEL PAIN.'

["Ugh!" #1's jaw clenches, "ERGGG!" Veins bulge his skin reddens. #1 starts violently shaking and rocks the chair, silently gasping in pain, eyes unfocused, his entire body tensed and rigid like stone.]

'…It works… It. Actually. Works…'

'What he feels is as if he had two Quirks simultaneously. A hemorrhaging brain, like splitting his hemispheres apart with calloused hands. Peeling an orange apart.'

'The intense pain he feels may supercharge his Quirk's limits, ergo the vestige may become too strong, use sparingly.'

'UNDER MY AUTHORITY. RELEASE PAIN.'

["Kuah!" #1 relaxes and an immense relief washes over.]

'…That is the extent… but enough… for absolute control…'

'This new technique deserves the title, *Gu Heart*. An ancient Chinese technique of insects in a jar, Gu poison. It is now your own, Gu Heart. From the very flesh you give, authority takes hold.'

[You flair and pose, extending your arms, "Behold. #1, from now on, any." You show an open hand, "Any." Moving closer, open hand right in front of his face, "Any! Insubordination will be met with…" You clench the hand into a tight fist, #1 flinches, "ORDER." You face #2, "COMPLIANCE." You face #3, "SUBMISSION." You face #4, "COMMAND." You face #5, "DEVOTION." You linger on the words, and then standing tall, shout, "AFFIRMATIVE?"]

["YES!"] x5

["SAY YOUR NUMBERS IN ORDER!"]

["O-ONE!"]

["TWO!"]

["…THREE!"]

["F-FOUR!"]

["FIVE!"]

'UNDER MY AUTHORITY. FEEL AWE.'

[You order, "AGAIN!"]

["ONE!"]

["TWO!"]

["THREE!"]

["FOUR!"]

["FIVE!"]

'UNDER MY AUTHORITY. FEEL UNITY.'

[You yell, "WHAT ARE YOUR NUMBERS!"]

["ONE!"]

["TWO!"]

["THREE!"]

["FOUR!"]

["FIVE!"]

'UNDER MY AUTHORITY. FEEL DEVOTION.'

[Looking to the Numbers, "You're names are Numbers. I'll refer to you as I always have been. AGAIN! NUMBERS!"]

["ONE!"]

["TWO!"]

["THREE!"]

["FOUR!"]

["FIVE!"]

[Hands behind your back, "I AM TENŌ, YOUR LEADER. GREET ME WITH YOUR NAMES!"]

["ONE!"]

["TWO!"]

["THREE!"]

["FOUR!"]

["FIVE!"]

[Raising a fist, "I AM TENŌ, YOUR LEADER. SAY MY NAME!"]

["TENŌ!"]

[You look around, watching your Numbers stare at your radiance, "I, your glorious leader, Tenō, greet you, Numbers." You look at #1, "ONE! Say yes!"]

["YES!"]

["TWO!"]

["YES!"]

["THREE!"]

["YES!"]

["FOUR!"]

["YES!"]

["FIVE!"]

["YES!"]

[You clap, "Wonderous. Glorious purpose will find us all." Hand over your heart, "Numbers! Repeat! Glorious Purpose!"]

[They put their hands over their heart, "Glorious Purpose!"]

["Repeat! Glorious Purpose!"]

["Glorious Purpose!"] x5

["Repeat! Glorious Purpose!"]

["Glorious Purpose!"] x5

[You take a deep breath and do a lower-the-tone hand motion, "With great responsibility, comes great power. I will unite Kurohama and then spread our influence throughout all of Japan. You Numbers will be an army of respect and merit. All, villains, heroes, and civilians, will know we are mediators, a party that isn't on any side. We are Japan. We are the people. And we are Numbers! AFFIRMATIVE?"]

["YES!"] x5

["We will be tens, hundreds, thousands, tens-of-thousands. We will be everywhere. We will be an army of magnitudes unfounded in modern history. And we will demand respect, authority, and power! AFFIRMATIVE?"]

["YES!"] x5

["Dear Numbers, this day marks the grand beginnings of our Glorious Purpose. We will accumulate, we will grow, and we will take over all of Japan! AFFIRMATIVE?"]

["YES!"] x5

[You yell, "WHAT ARE YOUR NUMBERS!"]

["ONE!"]

["TWO!"]

["THREE!"]

["FOUR!"]

["FIVE!"]

[Hand over your heart, "Glorious Purpose!"]

["Glorious Purpose!"] x5

'In front of you are your soldiers, Numbers. While some still hold their regards, they will at least continue to follow. As long as you give them a reason, they will comply.'

'Of course, people won't fall into devotion instantly. It will take time, repetition, stress, and results.'

["Alright." You hover your hand over to #1, "You will continue operations. But will hold off the Loan Shark business. Show me your documents."]

[#1 calmly sighs, "…Alright." He stands up and walks around the desk and behind, in a locked cabinet he unlocks with a key in his mane, takes out a tray of papers.]

[You walk over and stand next to #1, "Let me take a look, you can sit back down." He nods, sighing again, and sitting back down.]

[You peruse the papers. Flipping through, one-by-one.]

'Eleven notes of individual borrowers. Simple ledger of: Initial amount, Interest rate, Payment dates, and Outstanding balance. There are dated notes of: Late, Warned, and On time. Two documents of tracking: Rivals, Borrowers, and even the Numbers. One ledger of cash flows, very simple and crude, some mistakes you easily find. And lastly, cover-up papers, a few documents of Club Blue. Reading over the Club Blue documents, you find that its doing better than the Loan Shark business, and you find the information on every employee and accounting of supply and services. Some interesting data are the quirks of every individual, the one that catches your eye is the female worker you saw previously, reading: Triss Cheek | Quirk: Demoness | Transformation | Can turn into a succubus, drawing lustful desire. The more desire felt, the stronger he gets. In a small note: After facing severe backlash from society, he feels safer in the club. Expose him if he decides to leave.'

[You look up from the documents, "The club is doing well, I'll make a few notes and adjust some of the cash flow in order to simplify the data organization for accuracy." You nod over at #1, which he stammers a bit but sighs and then nods back. Picking a pen from the floor, you write some notes to the side. After a few moments, you order the papers back into a stack and lay it on the tray, then back into the cabinet. Sitting into the boss's chair, you adjust and rest your head on your hands, facing the Numbers, "#1, the Loan Shark business is simply not a reliable source of income. It's best used for leverage. These ledgers are pressure tools to pry into what we want, to obtain what we desire through an admission of subservience." The numbers gulp and focus on your words. You continue, "If this continues, you're business, both the club and loan, will be consumed by a larger entity. It not the police. Police won't care, they haven't and won't any time soon. It's rivals." #1 nods.]

'The Numbers' gaze lightens. A fragment of competence enters their perception of Tenō. Perhaps, you aren't an insane tyrant, but a calculating lunatic, a strong calculating lunatic.'

[You attempt a smile behind the face-fused mask, "I'll take care of them."]

'A shudder of fear. Chills. What you said was as if fact, predetermined. And they feel it, that your declaration is absolute. Like it was already done. An interesting feeling.'

[Tapping the desk, "The rivals on the watchlist, was that all of them?" #1 nods.]

'2 rivals, Black Flower Finance, and Tenka Trust. Equally sized, one has connections, but its negligible.'

[On the desk, you draw a line with your finger, "We'll consume them Sunday. Both, one after the other in a blitzkrieg. We barge in, decimate, 'recruit', then conquer, repeat. April 21, starting with Black Flower, then Tenka Trust." You look at the expressions on their faces.]

'You knew it. Although attempted to be hidden, a hidden sense of excitement. A thrill. A powerful ringleader to take responsibility and lead to glory. They want action, they've been too docile with the club.'

[You tap again on the desk, "For any concerns, one sweep will assure the other companies don't flee or call for help. With the combined numbers, we'll recruit more people under the name of Numbers, then more, and more. Till we amass a small army to continue our consuming wrath." You see #2, #4, #5 visibly smile, #1 holds back, and 3 nods.]

[You point at #1, "This is an investment. I will not take over. I will not reduce your domain. I merely direct. I'm giving you an opportunity for power and dominion over Kurohama." #1 thinks for a bit and then nods his head, a small smirk on his face. You continue, "#1, start to find a location for storing our army. A warehouse to rent, at first. Our goal is to accumulate Numbers, so we'll use our beholden, borrowers, as Temp-Numbers for our activities. Over time, we'll pick up lost people without purpose, run-aways, and near-villains. Funding supplies and housing for troops is imperative, these simple things are needs that can attract many people. As we consume more businesses, we'll start earning more revenue than big corporations."]

[You clench your fist, "I've memorized every client and personnel, on Saturday, I'll be meeting everyone and assimilating them to our cause. This means them and anyone they are associated with. If a beholden works for a construction company, we'll take it over. If a beholden works for a docking company, we'll take it over. If a beholden doesn't work, we'll make them and their family. We will amass Numbers beyond police or hero control. The Numbers are hostage-takers, and the hostages themselves. Remember my previous words, we are the people, we are Japan, we are Numbers."]

'Awe. Not derived from your Authority, from the very audacious claims. Crazy. But… if you really do it. It will work.'

[You raise your hand into a fist, "We are Numbers!"]

["YES!"] x5

["Alright, remember your names, and when I come back, have a warehouse in mind. I'll be back. And, do note, I have all your information's memorized as well. If anyone deserts, everyone will be punished, so keep check on each other. I can also track you with my Quirk, so don't think I won't." They all nod.]

'You can't but you could just do it the old-fashioned way, detective-style.'

[You stand and bow, "Numbers, Grand Tenō bids you farewell. Expect my arrival. Ciao." You walk by, "Oh, wait, is there any spare clothing?" #4 points to a closet.]

…

[In the hall, wearing a full black suit, you tear off the mask.]

'You wear #1's spare suit. It's size fits well due to #1's own large stature. You do have a tail hole in your pants, but it's covered over with a suit flap.'

'Snazzy, baby.'

[Your skin creeps and grows back, your face returned back to normal, without makeup. You put back on the mask and head out.]

'…job done…'

'Swap'

'You still have school tomorrow. Better sleep early.'

'First Notice: Your Super Regeneration consumes Quirk Factors, while you'll never run out, it's just something to document. Super Regeneration accelerates healing by many magnitudes, it will only regenerate after consciously activated. The Super Regeneration is indiscriminate, it will grow flesh over debris, and fuse with inorganic matter if not careful. Organs will be misplaced and not corrected unless forcefully by clearing space. Super Regeneration does collect minor debris in the stomach to be expelled. Idea: Break your bones, Wolff's Law. Progressive stress and microfractures. Plan: Train with classmates, become a punching bag. The Sports Festival is on May 6th.'

'Second notice: The agreement between Elysium and Tartarus has been broken… by Elysium. The Recycling of Systems have been anomalous. Since then, the standards of present and past have been changing. Intentions unknown. Continue as normal. Adjourned.'

…