"Wooooooo… Mom, where are you?"
Thick black smoke rose from the ruins.
Amidst the rubble, a little girl in a short skirt stood trembling, her face covered by her hands. Her body shook uncontrollably.
She couldn't comprehend what was happening.
Just minutes ago, she had been living happily. But in the blink of an eye, her city was destroyed, and her parents were nowhere to be found.
For a young girl who had never experienced such horror, she was lost, not knowing what to do.
Standing there, sobbing softly, was the only thing she could manage.
But she didn't realize that a tall figure had silently approached her from behind.
A massive, menacing hand reached out toward her small frame.
From afar, her petite body looked no bigger than that palm.
Veins bulged ominously from the Vaccine Man's right arm as it extended toward the girl.
"Die!" he growled.
His hand clenched, preparing to crush her.
At that crucial moment, two figures flashed into view.
One figure blocked the Vaccine Man's massive hand with his left hand, while the other swiftly scooped up the little girl, carrying her to safety.
"Looks like I made it in time," Yami breathed with relief.
If he hadn't saved the girl, he didn't want to imagine the wrath he'd face later—Goddess Hephaestus would never forgive him!
Thankfully, everything went smoother than anticipated.
Not only that, but someone he'd been eager to meet had arrived at the scene. Things were about to get very interesting.
As Yami glanced at the bald-headed figure nearby, a smirk crept across his face.
"Who are you!?"
The Vaccine Man's tone seethed with irritation as his assault was interrupted by two humans. Blue veins bulged across his skin, his patience waning.
"I'm just someone who steps in when things go wrong," Yami replied casually.
Then, turning his attention away from the Vaccine Man, Yami called out to Saitama, who was standing in the distance, striking a dramatic pose.
"Hey, how about letting me handle this guy? I promised someone I'd take care of him myself."
Hearing this, Saitama laid the little girl gently on the ground and stood up.
His shining bald head practically glowed under the light, highlighting his distinct appearance.
Yami couldn't help but be amused. He'd never seen a head that smooth—it really did look like an egg.
"Oh, you're talking to me?" Saitama asked. "Sure, go ahead. I don't mind if you want to take the first shot."
"After all, I'm just a hero for fun."
Saitama's laid-back attitude didn't surprise Yami. He wasn't driven by the desire to fight but simply by a longing for a worthy opponent, someone who could reignite the thrill of battle he once felt.
"Thanks. I'm Yami, by the way. Nice to meet you."
"Ah, hello. I'm Saitama."
The two exchanged pleasantries as though they weren't standing in the middle of a war zone.
This nonchalant behavior only further enraged the Vaccine Man.
The self-proclaimed "Incarnation of Planetary Consciousness" couldn't tolerate being ignored by two mere "bugs."
"How dare you?!" the Vaccine Man roared. "I'll crush you both!"
Enraged, he launched another attack.
But Yami, who had been casually chatting a moment ago, vanished in an instant. He reappeared standing firmly atop the Vaccine Man's giant fist.
"Why so angry? Don't you know that disrupting others is rude?" Yami taunted.
"Die, insect!"
The Vaccine Man swung his free fist at Yami, but Yami effortlessly dodged the blow, positioning himself several meters away.
The skirmish lasted only a moment, with neither side landing a meaningful strike.
The Vaccine Man's frustration grew as he realized his attacks were having no effect.
Still, he wasn't overly concerned. To him, Yami was just a slightly more resilient bug—not someone who could truly challenge him.
"You're stronger than the usual insects I've crushed," the Vaccine Man admitted grudgingly. "But that's all you are."
He continued, his voice booming: "Human destroys the environment and wastes resources, and so, I—the Vaccine Man—was born!
"The Earth is a living organism, and you humans are nothing more than bacteria, infecting it.
"In order to cleanse the Earth of you pests and the civilizations you've built, I was created, born of the planet's will!"
The Vaccine Man laughed cruelly.
As he spoke, his body began to change, growing larger and more menacing. His aura intensified, transforming him into something even more monstrous.
Now, he truly resembled a devil.
"And you think you can stand against me, the Earth's apostle? Humans are nothing but insects to be crushed!"
"Die, pests!!!"
The Vaccine Man's roar came from the depths of his soul. His eyes glowed red, filled with unbridled malice. He looked like a demon emerging straight from the pits of hell.
But Yami's expression remained unnervingly calm.
His right hand began to glow with a golden light.
"Are you done talking?" Yami asked, his voice steady. "If you're really the planet's will incarnate, then this planet must be pretty pathetic. Stop embarrassing yourself."
With that, the Sword of Promised Victory(Excalibur) was summoned into Yami's hand.
In one swift motion, he leaped forward, his figure intertwining with the Vaccine Man's.
A sharp, clear sound rang out.
In an instant, the Vaccine Man's left arm was severed, sent flying through the air before crashing to the ground, leaving a deep crater.
Corrosive blood sprayed from the wound, hissing as it hit the ground, steam rising with the acrid smell of chemicals.
Yami observed the scene, mildly surprised.
"Did you actually manage to deflect it? You really surprised me~"