Chapter 81: Explosion
The dim alley was silent, save for the rustling of stray cats digging through trash cans. This silence was soon broken by the sound of hurried footsteps.
The sausage-mouth man's heavy steps passed a trash can, startling a black cat that had been scavenging. The cat hissed, leaped over his head, and landed on top of a wall, looking down on him.
The man paid no mind to the black cat that had just foreshadowed his fate, his heart swelling with joy as he ran.
He had thought he was finished, but he hadn't expected the first Pro Hero on the scene to be such a greenhorn, announcing his presence from so far away, as if he were afraid the criminal wouldn't know he was coming.
If it had been All Might, Endeavor, or one of the other top-ranked heroes, he probably would have been too scared to even move. But what gave an unknown hero like this the confidence to think his name alone could intimidate a villain?
While his Quirk was powerful, having shaken him off the wall, the man's own speed was far superior. As long as he didn't run into any other Pro Heroes, he had plenty of time to escape.
Once he was clear, he would find those career burglars he knew. All the personal information he had on this woman would be more than enough to get them interested. He might only get a sip of the soup, but as long as he could make that lying woman pay, he would be completely satisfied.
The sausage-mouth man unconsciously broke into a hideous grin, which looked utterly ridiculous on his swollen face.
Although someone behind him was shouting and giving chase, the distance between them was only growing larger. It was clear this Pro Hero didn't have a hunter's ability to track a scent. As long as he got out of this alley and mixed in with the crowd, he would vanish like a dragon in the sea.
Closer, and closer! The sausage-mouth man could already see the colorful lights of the main street and the countless pedestrians walking by. He was ecstatic and quickened his pace.
Suddenly, a tall shadow appeared at the exit of the alley, blocking his path. It was as if something alive was on the person's upper body, constantly flickering.
He instinctively looked up, and his face filled with panic. It was... the Number Two Pro Hero, Endeavor!
Endeavor stood with his arms crossed, looking down at him with an emotionless expression, as if he were mocking this desperate, fleeing criminal.
The sausage-mouth man grit his teeth and sped up, charging straight at Endeavor. He could already see the dawn of his escape. At this point, even if All Might himself were standing in his way, he wouldn't turn back.
With a single leap, the man's leg shot down while his other leg bent at a ninety-degree angle, spinning his body. He became a high-speed tornado, flying straight at Endeavor.
If he just takes one step to the side, I can use my Nine Heavens Thunderous Twin-Foot Kick again and escape!
But Endeavor's actions disappointed him.
"Just a low-level thug. And they still needed me to come for support. The Pro Heroes in All Might's city really are pathetic."
Endeavor let out a cold snort. He uncrossed his arms and met the man's kick with a punch wreathed in roaring flames. In an instant, his whirlwind kick was shattered, and he was blasted back into the alley.
The sausage-mouth man had not anticipated this. He spat out a mouthful of blood and slammed hard against the wall.
I really... I really overestimated myself, didn't I? That's Endeavor. And I actually thought I could escape from him. What a fantasy...
Watching Endeavor's powerful, flame-covered body approach, exuding an icy cold despite the heat, the sausage-mouth man instantly prostrated himself, pressing his head to the hard ground. "I... I surrender! Please, don't hit me again!"
According to the rules for Pro Heroes, they were not allowed to attack a criminal who had surrendered. They could only restrain them and wait for the police, or transport them to the station themselves.
Even Endeavor had to follow this rule. He snorted in disgust. "The thugs in this city have no backbone. Pathetic creatures, struggling to survive under All Might's shadow."
Although his words were demeaning, Endeavor did not attack again. He just stood to the side, watching him coldly.
The sausage-mouth man secretly breathed a sigh of relief. As expected. As long as I surrender, the Pro Heroes won't execute me. Even if those "old-timers" who fight to the death look down on me, at least I got out of this without any more injuries.
Besides, all I'm guilty of right now is robbery. The most I'll get is ten years. With my body intact, I can even brag to the other inmates that I was the one arrested by Endeavor himself. Maybe I can even become a boss in prison!
Just as he was starting to plan his new life behind bars, he suddenly felt a strange sensation inside his body, like bloating from bad gas. His stomach puffed out, as if it were about to burst.
The sausage-mouth man felt incredibly uncomfortable in his kneeling position, but he didn't dare move, afraid that Endeavor, who was watching him, would think he was about to launch a sneak attack and hit him again in retaliation. That would be a terrible loss.
But his stomach was so bloated... his chest, his neck, his head... his entire body felt like it was swelling.
Endeavor stared coldly at the surrendering criminal. Although he was disgusted by his immediate surrender, he remained vigilant. He had lost count of the number of enemies who had pretended to surrender only to counterattack.
Seeing the man begin to tremble all over, Endeavor had a bad feeling. Don't tell me... he's about to attack me? Endeavor went on high alert.
The sausage-mouth man couldn't take it anymore. Trembling violently, he lifted his head and looked at Endeavor, trying to say something. But all that came out was a horrific, silent scream.
"Endeavor-senpai!" Yo Shindo, the Vibrating Hero, finally caught up. Seeing that Endeavor had already taken care of the enemy, he had an excited expression on his face. "I'm really sor—"
"Watch out!"
Before Shindo could finish his last word, he saw the flame-bearded hero rush toward him. He had no time to react before Endeavor tackled him to the ground.
Shindo's gaze went past Endeavor, and he saw the person he had been chasing. His target was standing up, his body contorted, one hand reaching out toward him as if begging for help. Like that famous painting, The Scream, his mouth was stretched wide, but no sound was coming out. All Shindo could see was a bright light beginning to pour from his throat.
In an instant, Shindo felt as if the world had gone silent. The sausage-mouth man, as if performing a silent play, knelt on the ground, clutching his throat with an exaggerated expression. And then—
His body exploded.
There was no smoke. There was no sound. Like a ball that had suddenly been punctured, his body swelled, and in a blinding flash of light, he simply disappeared.
"En-Endeavor! Did you see that!? That guy exploded!" Shindo's mind seemed to freeze for two seconds before he shouted, "He just exploded right in front of us! Without a sound!"
"I saw it."
Endeavor was already on his feet. His expression was unchanged, but his trembling fists betrayed the fact that his mind was not as calm as he appeared.
He walked over to the spot where the sausage-mouth man had just exploded. A complete set of clothes and a watch lay neatly on the ground, as if their owner had just placed them there to go streaking.
It only harms the human body, but leaves the clothes completely intact? This reminded Endeavor of a girl he had once met abroad. The poison on her arrows could completely melt a person but leave their clothes untouched. The current situation was remarkably similar.
Endeavor picked up a wallet and a phone from the pile of clothes. He suddenly turned and asked Yo Shindo, "Who sent the distress signal this time? Did you see them?"
"I remember that this person was robbing a very beautiful woman. If I had been any later, she might have been harmed." By now, Shindo had regained his composure. He looked at the woman's photo in the wallet Endeavor was holding. "That's right, that's the victim. This must be her wallet and phone. And..."
"Finish your sentence," Endeavor said, annoyed by his hesitation.
Shindo collected himself and recalled, "Before I arrived, there was a boy with her, standing in front of her to block the criminal. He seemed to be wearing... a U.A. High uniform."
❃❃❃
⤑ Show your support with Power Stones!
⤑ Unlock a Bonus Chapter every time we hit 400 Power Stones!
❃❃❃
♕ Get early access to 30+ advanced chapters on Patreon!
🔗 https://www.pat-reon.co-m/c/Hollowborn
(Just remove the hyphen (-) to open the link!)
💬 Enjoying the story? Drop a review!
Your support really helps the series grow—thank you!