All the heroes watching the livestream of the turtle-like monster turned their heads when the Federation's announcement echoed through the speakers.
"All heroes are to report to Point G-17. Codename: Tortus Petra. Confirmed hardening-type ability. Category 2 threat."
Every hero in training rushed out immediately—except the ninja, General Titan, and Allen.
Allen stepped out of the ring, passing by the silent ninja, who had been staring at him without blinking.
"Category 2… same as the one from the other day. Pardon me—where is Point G-17 located?"
He asked politely, snapping the ninja out of his daze.
"It is in—"
"You may come with us. Easier than giving you directions. Wait by the entrance."
The ninja nudged Titan in the back and responded before the general could finish. When Allen left toward the entrance, Titan turned to him.
"What was that about, Shinobi?"
"Do you remember the Gigax Leo incident? That Category 5 monster even the upper ranks could not face?"
"I remember… The heroes from City A took too long to arrive. By the time the Federation's envoy reached the scene, Gigax Leo had already been annihilated—along with the entire southern district of City F."
Titan grimaced slightly. Shinobi continued.
"The one who defeated it was terrifyingly strong. Crushed Gigax Leo with a meteor."
"I know that part. But do we have anything on this person?"
Titan's tone turned grave. Shinobi nodded.
"My brother managed to breach their database. He recovered several images and some video. The one who killed Gigax Leo was a man wearing a yellow suit, wielding a hammer. His face was obscured, but I noticed faint particles of light drifting from his hands."
"And what about the upper ranks?"
Shinobi shrugged.
"My brother found proof that they exist, but nothing else. No records of movement. No credentials. Nothing… as if they had vanished completely."
With that, Shinobi and Titan ended the discussion and headed outside. Rejoining Allen, they set off toward Point G-17.
---
Point G-17 was the place where Allen's old apartment building had once stood. Returning there stirred a quiet nostalgia within him.
Tortus Petra towered nearly ten stories tall. Its skin and shell were a deep, earthen brown. It advanced slowly, yet every step crushed entire trees and shook the ground with a dull tremor.
Dozens of heroes assaulted the creature at once. Tortus Petra did not even bother retaliating—its hide and shell were so unbelievably sturdy that it felt nothing.
Allen observed the monster with a steady, serious gaze. But a Category 2 so slow was hardly an obstacle; to him, it was no different from a Category 1.
"Will this be counted for the examination?"
Shinobi nodded. Allen smiled, and his staff manifested in his right hand with a flash.
"Then let us test things with the Emotional Prism. Though I doubt I will need the Topaz against something this weak."
He slotted the transparent stone—the Emotional Prism—into the hollow pommel. His tracksuit dissolved into shimmering white fabric.
Shinobi fell silent behind him. From the back, Allen was indistinguishable from the yellow-suited man who had slain Gigax Leo.
"Neutral Emotion Weapon."
The staff reshaped into a sword as Allen leapt, springing high onto the turtle's enormous shell.
"Lesser Star Slash."
Before the blade could strike, jets of liquid burst from the shell's grooves, blasting Allen off balance. His sword cut only air as he slid helplessly down the steep curve of the shell.
After falling nearly seven stories, he stood again with only mild back pain.
"Good thing I keep the other four stones on me… or I would be pulp right now."
Sniffing his sleeve, Allen smirked at the turtle.
"So that was liquid? Then I shall use the Ruby of Passion."
---
Shinobi hurled shuriken and kunai whenever he found an opening, all while catching injured heroes as they fell off the monster.
"How goes it, War General?"
"Do not call me that. Is anyone missing?"
"I believe everyone is accounted for. Use your ability and crush that Category 2. Is it not getting hotter?"
Shinobi glanced around—some heroes had dislocated bones, others bled from various wounds.
"We are missing the one undergoing the examination."
Titan grumbled loudly, ripping off his jacket and shirt.
"Where in the hell is he? And why is it so hot?"
Both Shinobi and Titan, as well as all remaining heroes, turned toward Allen—who was now levitating before the massive turtle.
Allen centered his staff and flicked a red gemstone into the air. It shattered mid-flight. The crimson dust spiraled into the Emotional Prism embedded in the staff's handle, and the temperature surged dramatically.
"Change of Style."
A pillar of crimson flames engulfed Allen. As the fire receded, it revealed a new suit—deep, blazing red.
"Passion Knight Style."
Allen placed a hand on his chest and bowed lightly toward the turtle.
"My apologies, Sir Turtle. It is my duty to safeguard the lives of the innocent."
He gripped the staff in his right hand.
"Weapon of Fiery Passion."
The staff ignited in fierce red flames, reshaping into a double-headed axe. Allen raised it above him.
"Minor Star Burning Slash."
He brought the axe down upon the turtle's shell. He barely needed strength—when the creature's liquid met the blazing heat of the axe, it combusted instantly. Flames surged across the entire shell. Allen delivered one final horizontal strike, cracking the shell and letting fire flood into the creature's interior.
A thunderous explosion followed.
Shinobi trembled—not with fear, but realization. Titan trembled as well, but for a different reason: the overwhelming strength Allen had just displayed.
Shinobi, however, had discovered the truth.
He had found the man who defeated Gigax Leo.