The dust is still settling around the crater when I realize something.
If those two monsters came sniffing around this meteor just minutes after I landed, then others will too. Stronger ones. Smarter ones. And not just monsters.
The Hero Association loves investigating "anomalies." a meteor flying in from the sky, probably weird energy readings, and a weird creature emerging from it.
I am definitely an anomaly.
I glance around the fractured buildings of City Z. Its all rubble of course. There's no one else yet, but I can already sense faint light signatures flickering at the edge of my perception, heroes maybe? citizens? Drones?
I dont know, but i should definitely move.
I slip into the nearest alley. Each movement makes a faint clink sound, because of the whole being made of crystals thing. I keep my pace low, close to the shadows, avoiding the open streets.
City Z's outskirts are a maze of empty alleys and tilted walls, perfect for hiding. I cling to the shadows, hopping from one corner to another, senses sharp for any bright energy spike.
Then, ahead, a tall metal fence blocks the alley. Rusted chain links stretch between two collapsing brick walls. It's easy enough to solve.
I raise a hand, swipe down, and my claws tear through the metal. The fence caves inward with a soft whine, and I step through, slipping into another dark lane.
Hurt my claw a little bit though, I really dont like that, I should be able to claw through steel like butter when im fully charged up hopefully.
At the end, a manhole cover gleams under the faint light of a cracked streetlamp. I wedge my claws under the edge and lift.
Im thankful I cant smell, or else I probably wouldnt even consider staying down here.
I lower myself down into the hole, claws clinking against the ladder rungs, until I land on solid concrete.
The tunnel is wide enough for a truck to crawl through, I can dash through comfortably. Written in faded paint along the wall are the words:
CITY D SEWER SYSTEM POINT A6
City D, wait so if im on the edge of city D right next to city Z, doesnt that mean im pretty close to Saitama? I should probably get as far as I can from him, dont wanna deal with all that.
Well if im staying here then I should probably have a base, ill search for somewhere to rest, but i obviously cant just collapse in the middle of the sewer system whenever I wanna rest.
The wall markings are helpful, arrows, numbers, faded letters. I can navigate it pretty easily, this place must have been built when monsters weren't as much of a problem, although I can tell it isnt very well maintained, but I guess the city Z problem affects surrounding areas.
I move quickly, dashing through intersections, glancing down each tunnel. The farther I go, the dimmer the lights get, until I finally notice a section where the concrete has caved in.
A collapsed wall. Dry on the inside.
Curious, I peer through the gap. There's a faint flicker of light, weak, but alive.
Something's in there.
I crouch and slip inside. The air feels different, warm but not stale, somethings been breathing here. The light belongs to a small, hunched figure gnawing on a scrap of garbage. A rat person. Skin gray, eyes yellow, teeth jagged.
It freezes when it sees me, squeaks, and tries to bolt.
Too slow.
I grab it by the throat and I dont even hurt it, i just drain. The creature's light flickers, struggling, then bursts. Energy streams into me, a thin, weak flow thats barely enough to tingle. The body turns to dust, leaving only a faint afterimage.
It was barely even a snack, must have not even been a tiger level threat.
Still, it feels pretty good to absorb stuff, its like scratching an itch if that makes sense, I glance around the space, its a wide chamber, dry floor, broken pipes on one wall. It's secluded, cornered, and quiet. Perfect for a hideout.
I mark it in my mind: two dashes east, one north of Point A6.
I step into the center and test the ceiling height tall enough to stretch comfortably. I crouch down, then stand again.
The sounds I make here dont echo, so I wont be heard by someone if I make a noise, granted as long as they arent that close.
But if I want to survive, I'll need more energy. This place seems nice but I dont wanna stay weak.
I turn toward the exit and follow the tunnel until I find another vertical shaft with a ladder. The faint light of the surface glows from above.
Up I go.
The moment I push the cover aside, sound floods in, im close to a busy street it seems.
I peek out.
Construction vehicles line the street, cranes, loaders, repair trucks. Workers in helmets are directing traffic, while a single hero skates in circles around them, electricity flickering from his wheels.
Rollerblades, wearing a gas mask and holding lightning batons? I know who that is!
Lightning Genji.
I remember him. The electric skater dude, there was that whole scene in the anime where he fought these 2 monsters that also had electricity powers so he couldn't harm them, but hes an A-class so pretty strong, I dont know how powerful I am compared to hero's yet so Ill stay away.
He's guiding the workers through debris cleanup. Thats odd, some buildings look like theyve been torn up by a tornado.
What could have possibly happened tha-
Oh yeah! I forgot, City D is the same city where marugori and his scientist brother attacked, he destroyed a good bit of the city with a swipe of his hand if I remember correctly.
Which means… the city's still in recovery, but it seems pretty patched up, and the giant damage to city D happened a few days before Genos met Saitama, and assuming that the house of evolution came after them both a week later, and it looks like the cities been rebuilding for a week and a few days or so ...
I crouch there for a long moment, the noise of trucks and shouting workers drowned out by my thoughts.
Im early, the house of evolution should be attacking Saitamas house now or real soon.
Hm, I remember the house of evolution slug guy was an esper, maybe I should absorb him to increase my psychic ability.
So much options, I guess ill decide later, time to slip back in the sewers and think for a bit longer ... damn I really wanna be able to speak. Well, hopefully i'll get to very soon.
Just need to absorb 1 more being ...