Yami wasn't in a rush to enter the new world. After all, the Moon Festival was just around the corner. Since Goddess Hestia was so eager to participate, waiting a little longer wouldn't hurt.
This delay also gave Yami some time to strategize about the world of "One Punch Man," particularly on how to defeat the Bald Devil, Saitama. If he could accomplish this, the evaluation from the real-life time travel simulation would undoubtedly be sky-high. Saitama, as a being favored by the world, is immensely powerful, and defeating him would have a profound impact.
However, defeating Saitama is no simple task. Since his human limiter was removed, Saitama's strength increases day by day. With each passing moment, he becomes stronger than the day before, even without training or battling. This is what makes Saitama truly terrifying—a being at the pinnacle of power in the world of "One Punch Man."
In theory, Saitama has no upper limit. Given enough time, he could effortlessly grow to a level capable of destroying planets, galaxies, or even the entire universe. While others may break through their own limits, like Garou, Yami wasn't concerned about them. With his current strength, even if all the members of the Heroes Association united, they likely wouldn't pose a challenge.
Saitama, however, was a different story. Yet, it was unlikely that Saitama would attack him without cause. Still, Yami wanted to test himself against Saitama, to see if he could defeat this overwhelming force. To prevent any unforeseen complications, he decided it was wise to bring Goddess Hephaestus and Goddess Hestia along for support.
So, Yami decided to take it easy for a few days, especially since the Moon Festival was imminent. As for the Moon Goddess Artemis, who was set to appear at the festival, Yami had no interest in her. Even though she was renowned for her beauty, her divine body and powers had been swallowed by Antares. There was nothing Yami could do to save her. If they were to meet, it would likely be millennia before any meaningful encounter could take place. Thus, Yami had no intention of getting involved.
Even though Antares, with its godlike power, could threaten world destruction, could things really unfold as Yami anticipated?
Time passed quietly, and Orario remained calm. However, the peace was disrupted when news about Sanjō Haruhime leaked, causing a stir. All of Orario soon knew about the Fox girl from the Ishtar Familia, who possessed magic that could temporarily boost others' power levels. Consequently, many flocked to Happy Street, including powerful adventurers from various familias, all eager to learn more about Haruhime.
Even Finn from the Loki Familia was among them. This situation greatly annoyed Goddess Ishtar. She had no idea who leaked the information, but now she had to deal with the covetous eyes of countless rivals. Happy Street became a place of unease.
Meanwhile, the instigator of all this, Goddess Hephaestus, was enjoying a leisurely time. Sales of the Hephaestus mobile phone were skyrocketing, dominating the market in Orario. Though it didn't have many functions, its novelty captivated both adventurers and gods alike. The ability to make long-distance calls without leaving home further solidified its popularity, slowly becoming an integral part of daily life.
Merchants from outside Orario were desperate to purchase and resell the phones worldwide, though the lack of widespread base station technology meant many basic functions couldn't be used. Still, this didn't deter their enthusiasm, leading to significant profits for the Hephaestus Familia. This wealth made Finn, the leader of the Loki Familia, envious. Such easy money could fund countless expeditions, but as members of an exploration-focused familia, they lacked the technology to replicate Hephaestus' success, leaving them to watch enviously from the sidelines.
Meanwhile, Artemis had crossed mountains and seas to reach Orario once more. It wasn't her first time in the city, but its towering walls and bustling streets still evoked a sense of wonder. However, she wasn't here for sightseeing.
Antares had broken free from its seal. If she didn't act quickly, the world would be in grave danger. With this in mind, she hurried to begin her mission.
Inside the Ganesha Familia, Artemis's attention was drawn to the sound of leather boots echoing on the floor. A figure approached, and she turned to see a familiar face.
"Rare to see you in formal attire. I was wondering who might be visiting, but I didn't expect it to be you."
"It's been a while, Artemis," Hermes greeted, breaking the silence.
"Indeed, Hermes," Artemis replied, her expression showing a hint of disdain. "You're as frivolous as ever."
As one of the three virgin goddesses who cherished chastity, Artemis had little love for the gods of the upper world, especially those like Hermes, who appeared noble but were detestable beneath the surface. If not for the urgency of the situation, she wouldn't have sought out Hermes at all. He embodied everything Artemis disliked in a god.
"Hey, we're old friends, no need to be so harsh," Hermes protested, trying to lighten the mood.
But Artemis remained unmoved, her expression still cold. "I don't have time for jokes, Hermes. I had Ganesha contact you because there's a very urgent matter that requires your assistance."
"It's about Antares."