Azrael stood before the mountain of materials stacked high in his study, taking a deep breath before extending his right hand. He grabbed a handful and instantly refined them, watching as the pile rapidly diminished while Saitama's progress bar surged forward.
Within moments, the materials vanished completely.
[Hero for Hobby - Saitama]:
Hero: 101%
Physical: 146%
Breakthrough: 177%
Current Status: Craftable. (3/3)
Staring at the panel displaying [Craftable], Azrael exhaled in relief. This was the first time his crafting progress had exceeded requirements by such a margin.
[Loading information.]
[Saitama fell into a period of listlessness after entering society. After defeating the Crab Monster as an ordinary person, he rediscovered his childhood dream of becoming a hero and began his training.]
[After defeating Boros, Saitama returned to a peaceful life. Or perhaps, for him, every day was peaceful, regardless of monsters.]
After completing the card creation, Azrael immediately examined it, though that strange feeling washed over him once more. Now wasn't the time to dwell on it, Shiraori was still in the secret realm, facing the Four Evil Gods alone and awaiting his support.
With this thought, Azrael quickly reviewed the card information.
[Hero for Hobby - Saitama]
Rank: Sovereign
Quality: ???
Category: Creature
Skills:
[Normal Punch]: Can you withstand three years of hard work condensed into this punch?
[Killer Move - Serious Series]: When Saitama unleashes his Serious Series, you should consider your own survival.
Abilities:
[Limiter Removal]: With his limiter removed, Saitama can increase his strength infinitely. When entering combat, his strength also increases rapidly, provided his opponent is equally matched.
[Hero for Hobby]: When Saitama identifies an enemy as a monster, his attack power is significantly increased.
[Supermarket Discount King]: Saitama receives discounts on everyday items at the supermarket.
Description: I'm just a hero who plays for fun.
Bond:
When appearing with a [King] series character, the [True/False Hero] effect is activated.
When appearing with a [Genos] series character, the [Hero Mentor/Apprentice] effect is activated.
When appearing with a [Tornado] series character, the [Bald Caped Menace] effect is activated.
Activated Bond: [Bald Caped Menace] (2/2)
Bond Effect: After battling Saitama, Tornado recognizes his overwhelming strength and will provide 100% backup support, significantly strengthening her psychic abilities. As for Saitama, Tornado's psychic abilities barely register as a tickle. His defense is only slightly enhanced.
After reviewing the card information, Azrael discovered that Saitama's skills and traits were refreshingly simple. But simplicity didn't mean weakness, after all, those who underestimated Saitama were probably already six feet under.
Furthermore, Saitama's quality was unlike anything Azrael had ever seen before. The mysterious [???] designation likely resulted from the excessive materials he'd invested.
"Four Evil Gods..."
"Heh."
Azrael scoffed, then vanished from the study.
Inside the secret realm, the Four Evil Gods gazed with mounting frustration at the diminutive white-haired girl in the distance.
They couldn't leave.
Whenever they approached the secret realm entrance, she would teleport them away. They'd tried defeating the white-haired girl first before exiting, but remained unsuccessful.
With this thought, the Four Evil Gods said, "I admit you're formidable, but how long can you hold me back?"
"Your world is about to be destroyed."
As a capable subordinate of the World-Devouring Disaster, the Four Evil Gods knew the war between them and Earth was drawing to a close. In their view, Earth had no chance of victory.
However, if they could devour Earth, the loss of any secret realms would be worth it.
Faced with the Four Evil Gods' psychological assault, Shiraori remained silent, standing still without launching an attack. Neither side could gain an advantage at the moment, so there was no point in wasting energy.
Seeing her expression, the Four Evil Gods sighed helplessly, then flickered and transformed once again into four separate figures.
This time, however, they decided to focus all their strength on clearing the remaining cards present. That would make their escape easier.
Just then, a distant roar suddenly caught the Four Evil Gods' attention.
Turning, they saw a figure in a comical yellow bodysuit sprinting towards them at incredible speed.
"..."
Surprise crossed the Four Evil Gods' faces.
Of course, they could tell the newcomer was a powerhouse of their own caliber.
Before they could react, the yellow figure had already reached them.
A moment later, a red-gloved fist struck the Four Evil Gods' chest, their bodies as imposing as mountains.
Boom!
One of the four giants' eyes instantly bloodshot, and with its mouth wide open, it flew backwards into the distance.
Seeing this, the Four Evil Gods were instantly horrified. It was the first time they had encountered such a bizarre being.
"What the hell?!"
Without hesitation, the other three giants launched their attacks at Saitama, three separate strikes instantly engulfing the yellow figure in explosions.
The giant that had been sent flying returned to rejoin the other three. He rubbed his chest with lingering fear, feeling that the blow had nearly cost him his life.
"I can't split up any further."
Having transformed into four giants, the Four Evil Gods' defenses had been significantly reduced. If they maintained this state, the newly emerged warrior could easily defeat them one by one.
With this thought, the four giants merged into one, transforming back into the Four Evil Gods' original form.
As the smoke cleared, Saitama was unharmed, only his yellow tights slightly soiled.
He scratched his cheek, gazing at the distant giant, and couldn't help but mutter, "Weren't there four?"
Hearing this, the Four Evil Gods wondered if this terrifyingly powerful being was deceiving them or if they were truly clueless.
"Forget it," Saitama abandoned the thought and simply took his stance. "Serious, "
Seeing this, a chill settled over the Four Evil Gods' massive body.
"What's going on?!"
They immediately attempted to use their strongest defenses to block the incoming attack.
However, at that moment, Saitama paused and ran back in the direction he'd come from.
"???"
This strange behavior confused the Four Evil Gods for a moment. They remained alert until Saitama disappeared from their perception.
The Four Evil Gods looked at Shiraori in the distance and said in a strange tone, "Is that your companion?"
As soon as they asked this question, they realized something and grinned. "It looks like something unpleasant is happening outside the secret realm."
Saitama's strange behavior made the Four Evil Gods realize that something unusual must have happened outside.
After hearing the Four Evil Gods' words, Shiraori remained silent.
Seeing this, the Four Evil Gods didn't take it seriously, but they secretly made a decision: to fight tooth and nail to escape the secret realm.
After all, such a good opportunity was too good to miss.
Outside the secret realm, after sending Saitama inside, Azrael quietly waited. He believed that with Saitama's help, the Four Evil Gods wouldn't cause much trouble.
Unless the World-Devouring Disaster arrived.
But the problem was, even if he didn't kill the Four Evil Gods, they might still arrive. Azrael wasn't one to waver, since he couldn't advance or retreat, he might as well give it a try.
Beside him, Lucian and Fujimaru looked peculiar. They hadn't expected Azrael to create a second Sovereign-tier card in such a short time. After all, Lioren only had one Sovereign-tier card until his death.
Moreover, based on their previous experience, the Sovereign-tier card the young man beside them had created was incredibly powerful, not just a filler card.
At that moment, Lucian asked, "Azrael, how's the situation in there?"
"It should be fine. We can take care of the Four Evil Gods in the next two days."
Lucian and Fujimaru breathed a sigh of relief, but then a sense of unease welled up in their hearts.
A Sovereign-tier secret realm could be suppressed just like that? Even when Lioren was still alive, that secret realm in Shudoria had been suppressed for years.
Just when Lucian and the others thought everything was secure, Azrael's expression suddenly changed. He immediately used Kaenken Rekka to transform into a Kamen Rider.
The next moment, a spinning chakram appeared out of thin air and shot towards Azrael's location.
Ding!
Violent sparks flashed as Azrael managed to catch the chakram in front of him.
Just then, a deeply resentful voice echoed through the air.
"Azrael!!"
It was Motian.
Azrael hadn't expected this madman to actually abandon the Sovereign-tier demon in Mughal territory and come seeking revenge on him.
At that moment, Motian laughed maniacally. "Hahahaha!!!"
"Azrael! You've come to this! Your Sovereign-tier card is suppressing the Sovereign-tier demon in the secret realm right now, right?"
The Mughal Empire's Sovereign-tier Lore Cardian felt incredibly elated. He hadn't originally planned to seek revenge on Azrael, but who knew a Sovereign-tier secret realm would suddenly appear in the Empire of Aetherlight?
This made him abandon his previous agreement with Edley and head straight for Azrael.
As for what to do with the newly emerged Sovereign-tier demon after Azrael's death? It was none of his business.
Thinking of this, Motian's face lit up with a sinister smile, and he said to Azrael, "Come on, choose."
"Recall your card to protect yourself, or sacrifice yourself for those inferiors, weaker than ants."
In just a few days, Azrael faced the same choice as Motian. Motian's choice was to directly recall Brahma to protect himself.
Unfortunately, Azrael didn't have just one Sovereign-tier card.
Perhaps Motian hadn't expected him to create a second Sovereign-tier card in such a short time.
Just as Motian glared at Azrael with malice, he saw him gaze back with an icy coldness.
Azrael narrowed his eyes slightly. "Motian."
"If you want to die so badly, I'll grant your wish."
Hearing this, Motian curled his lips in disdain. "How dare you be so stubborn?"
"I can, "
He hadn't finished his words when he was interrupted by a yellow figure suddenly bursting out of the secret realm.
Motian's eyes widened in disbelief.
"Serious Punch!"
The next moment, a terrifying fist wind suddenly filled the sky, tearing the clouds apart and leaving a long white streak across the heavens.
Boom!
As the main target of the attack, Brahma didn't even have time to react before half of his body was shattered.
"Instant?!"
Lucian and Fujimaru stared at the scene in astonishment. They hadn't expected such a dramatic turn of events.
Normally, wouldn't a clash between two Sovereign-tier Lore Cardians be a battle that would devastate entire regions?
You see, when Motian first appeared, the two were even prepared for most of the Empire of Aetherlight to be wiped out.
Unbeknownst to them, Motian had already been entangled with the Sovereign-tier demon within Mughal territory for a long time before coming to Azrael. Therefore, his current condition was actually quite poor.
Saitama, on the other hand, was naturally in perfect condition after being newly created.
Elsewhere, Motian stared blankly at the bald figure staring coldly at him, swallowing subconsciously.
A moment later, hysterical cries echoed across the sea.
"How is this possible?!"
"Azrael! How could you create a second Sovereign-tier card!!"
"And... and..."
Motian's face twisted, feeling like a clown.
"Fake. It's all fake!"
"I don't believe it!"
Azrael's simple words sent Motian completely over the edge.
"Oh, you think I'm you?"
The Mughal Empire's legendary Lore Cardian, who had wielded power for over a decade, bristled. A deep sense of humiliation washed over him, nearly driving him mad.
"Azrael!!!"
A frantic Motian summoned all his cards.
But facing Saitama's unreasonable, Sovereign-tier power, all his actions were futile.
Soon, all of Motian's cards went on cooldown.
Just as Azrael was about to strike the final blow, a voice suddenly appeared on the scene.
"Mr. Azrael, there's no need to kill everyone, right?"
It was Edley.
However, his presence did not stop Azrael.
Azrael casually twisted Motian's neck, then looked at Edley in the distance.
"It's just right that you're here, so I don't have to look for you again."
At this moment, Edley's eyes were gloomy. He never expected that he was just a step late and Motian was already dead.
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but curse in his heart: Waste.
But when he saw Saitama kill Brahma with a single punch, Edley's eyes couldn't help but flicker.
To be honest, he already regretted offending Azrael, but reconciliation was obviously not an easy task.
Slowly, a huge ring-shaped mechanical structure appeared in the sky.
Edley was ready to take action.