Chapter 020
The invisible low pressure descended over the street, and two elementary school students who had been chasing each other suddenly froze in place. Their wide, innocent eyes fixed on the strange man dressed in black and white before them, their expressions shifting quickly into fear.
"Mother!!" both children screamed in unison as they turned and fled, tears running down their faces. Saitama's clenched fists trembled for a brief moment before he exhaled slowly. His body shifted back to its normal state from the heavy monochrome aura he had just released, his expression soft and harmless once again.
"Well," he muttered quietly to himself, "let's just eat an egg rice bowl today."
---
Back in City A, Tatsumaki had been moments away from crushing a grotesque monster with an irritating voice when she suddenly stopped, her brows furrowing as she turned her gaze toward the horizon.
"Who is there?" she demanded coldly.
As a psychic herself, she had immediately recognized another presence in the air. She shifted her eyes toward the source, expression sharp and unwelcoming.
"It doesn't matter who I am," Joshiro said as he approached, unfazed by her hostility. He gestured toward the crane-like monster below, its massive form trying to reattach its dismembered body parts. "The trouble isn't over yet. There are still civilians that need to be rescued."
"…Long-winded," Tatsumaki snapped. Her gaze flickered briefly to the chaos below before she gave an exaggerated snort. "Fine. I'll deal with that trash down there without your interference."
From the ground came the monster's rasping laugh, a grating metallic screech.
"Creak, creak… little pest, you must have done this! Let's see how I deal with you!"
Tatsumaki's expression darkened instantly. Her small fingers glinted with emerald light as she raised her hand. "Your voice is irritating," she said flatly. "Disappear."
Her psychic power surged outward, the sheer density of her energy enveloping the sky and solidifying into an invisible barrier that covered the entire battlefield. In an instant, it slammed downward with crushing force. The crane-shaped monster twisted violently in panic, but with no chance to resist it was flattened into broken flesh and blood as though caught within a colossal press. Black liquid sprayed across the ruins until Tatsumaki redirected her power, contracting it into a single point. Within seconds, the creature's remains were compressed into a seamless metallic hexahedron that fell uselessly to the ground.
Joshiro extended his hand calmly and absorbed the monster's lingering spirit into a card, its surface flashing before it sealed into his collection. As he watched Tatsumaki clap her hands with pride, he only shook his head briefly at her arrogance. "I'll focus on the rescue," he said before descending toward the destruction below.
---
"Ah…" Tatsumaki exhaled softly as her gaze followed him. The devastation beneath came into view; shattered buildings and civilians stranded within the ruins filled the landscape. For someone used to fighting monsters head-on, the sight was a reminder of the other half of the battle she rarely acknowledged. Still, without hesitation she raised her hand and allowed her psychic field to spread outward again.
Transparent energy barriers wrapped carefully over those trapped inside the debris. Dozens of citizens floated safely out from broken corridors and collapsed rooftops before being lowered gently onto the ground. In the center of the ruins, Joshiro was employing his own telekinesis to do the same, and when his eyes caught the emerald glow descending alongside his, he allowed a small smile. Whatever her attitude might have been, she was undeniably helping.
Together, their combined efforts freed hundreds of survivors. Uninjured civilians spontaneously rallied to assist in carrying the rescued toward clear ground. Soon after, units from the Hero Association and emergency response teams arrived to organize the recovery. The operation stretched well into the night until the last traces of danger were cleared from the area.
Joshiro released a tired sigh as he set down another survivor. The prolonged use of psychic power had left his body heavy and drained.
"You've lasted longer than I expected," a voice remarked sharply beside him.
He looked up to see Tatsumaki descending slowly, bathed in the glow of her own power. Her tone was dismissive, but her words carried an acknowledgement that was rare.
"You say that," Joshiro replied evenly, "as though this were effortless for you."
"Hmph. For me, it is nothing troublesome." Tatsumaki crossed her arms, lifting her chin as if daring him to disagree.
"Of course, Ms. Tatsumaki," Joshiro said with calm deference. "For someone like you, it must feel trivial."
Her lips curled faintly with satisfaction at his response. "Joshiro, right? I heard from Sitch that you're registered with the Association as well."
"Yes," Joshiro nodded. "I've only been active for a short time. Consider me a newcomer among heroes."
"Huh… modesty is boring," Tatsumaki muttered before turning away. The green aura surrounding her rose and lifted her back toward the sky. "Do your job well."
Joshiro watched her leave before lowering his gaze, preparing to resume his work among the ruins. Then, a sudden glimmer broke through the night sky. From where Tatsumaki had vanished, a single golden light descended, coalescing before him into the form of a glowing card. His hand lifted instinctively, psychic power wrapping tightly as it landed gently in his grasp.
His pupils narrowed as he read the inscription across the surface:
[Fantasy Card: Super 100%]
[Card Type: Ability Card]
[Rarity: SSR]
[Introduction: The pinnacle of human psychic talent, drawn from the unmatched power of Tatsumaki.]
[Effect 1: Psychic Born – Maximum affinity with telekinesis and superpowers, with faster activation, improved recovery, and reduced energy consumption by 90%.]
[Effect 2: Master of Force Fields – Freely construct and control energy barriers with heightened speed and strength.]
[Effect 3: Psychic Tempest – Amplifies large-scale psychic techniques, doubling their destructive output.]
[Effect 4: Overload State – Release psychic power instinctively and push beyond natural limits.]
Joshiro stared at the gleaming surface in silence. The realization of what it meant took a moment to sink in. He tightened his grip and pressed the card against his chest, feeling the flood of power surge within as his psychic field roared once again to life. Without a word, he turned back toward the sky and launched upward into the night.
PS GOALS: 150 PS= 5-10 extra chapter on an update.
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