Meanwhile, at the Hero Association headquarters, the operations command room was also closely monitoring everything.
A giant screen displayed real-time footage of the city.
“Report! ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ has been successfully subdued by the unknown superpowered individual!”
“No, it hasn't been defeated… this is just the beginning.”
Kikuchi Gen Asaki, the female commander-in-chief seated at the center of the command room, said with a serious expression.
The next second.
As expected.
Before anyone could fully react.
“Black Rhinoceros Beetle” moved!
However, it didn't launch another attack as anticipated.
Instead, it wildly swung its massive scythe-like forelimbs, ferociously digging into the ground beneath it!
“Rumble——~!”
The hard asphalt pavement, the reinforced concrete structure of the underground parking lot…
Under the relentless digging of “Black Rhinoceros Beetle,” which resembled an earth-moving machine, they crumbled like paper, easily torn apart!
The massive deep pit extended downwards at a visible rate, rubble, soil, and construction debris were flung into the air, raining down on the ground like a downpour.
Observing the actions of “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” on the screen.
The atmosphere in the command room instantly became tense, everyone fixated their eyes on the screen, afraid to miss any detail.
Several less experienced staff members in the operations command room looked at each other, their faces filled with confusion.
“What’s it trying to do?” A young staff member couldn't help but exclaim, his voice filled with anxiety.
The more experienced Kikuchi Gen Asaki, on the other hand, kept her sharp gaze locked on the screen, her brows furrowed, a sense of foreboding creeping into her heart.
“Black Rhinoceros Beetle”’s actions made her uneasy.
Based on her knowledge of this monster that had destroyed countless cities and caused countless casualties within a month, she knew it wouldn't do anything pointless.
Kikuchi Gen Asaki said in a low voice: “It must be planning a counterattack against that superpowered individual!”
Her voice was laced with an undeniable certainty.
‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ possesses the ability to move quickly underground. If we let it escape into the underground, it will be even harder to deal with!
“Immediately contact the heroes nearby and inform that superpowered individual of this situation!” Thinking about it, Kikuchi Gen Asaki decisively issued the order.
…
Unfortunately.
At the bottom of the pit.
“Squeal——！！！”
“Black Rhinoceros Beetle” let out a sharp, piercing roar, and those huge, lantern-like eyes flashed with fierce light!
It plunged its massive body into the deep pit, disappearing without a trace in the blink of an eye!
“Damn it! It’s escaped!”
One of the staff members in the command room exclaimed.
However.
As the commander-in-chief, Kikuchi Gen Asaki remained unfazed by “Black Rhinoceros Beetle”’s escape.
Her gaze remained fixed on the screen, a hint of determination in her deep eyes.
“Don’t worry, ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ is like a regular rhinoceros beetle, it’s inherently combative, eager to engage in battle with strong opponents.”
“Except for ‘Tatsumaki’, the second-ranked S-class hero, whom it deliberately avoids.”
“Even when facing ‘Bang’, the third-ranked S-class hero.”
“Black Rhinoceros Beetle” has never chosen to burrow underground and escape.”
“It’s intelligence may not be high, but its combat instincts are incredibly sharp.”
“It must have realized it was at a disadvantage on the surface and has chosen a more favorable way to counterattack.”
As she spoke, Kikuchi Gen Asaki opened the communication channel.
“Bang, how is the situation on your end? Have you reached the city?”
Her calm and collected voice echoed through the communication channel.
The other end of the communicator fell silent for a moment, followed by a voice that was both old and full of energy: “This old man has already reached the edge of the city and is on his way to the location of ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’.”
“Good, ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ suddenly went underground, it’s probably trying to ambush that superpowered individual.”
Kikuchi Gen Asaki said with a serious tone: “Although that superpowered individual is powerful.”
“But ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ has burrowed underground to fight, giving it the advantage. You need to get there as soon as possible to provide support!”
“Superpowered individual?”
“Someone who can handle ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ alone, their strength must be at least S-class.”
“When did the Association recruit a new S-class hero? This old man has no idea?” Bang’s voice carried a hint of confusion.
“It’s not a hero from the Association, it’s an unidentified superpowered individual.”
“Based on the information we have, he’s a student at a high school in this city.”
“Although we don't know why a normal high school would have a superpowered individual.”
“But according to the surveillance footage, he possesses extremely powerful telekinesis, he could even lift ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ into the air!”
“Oh?” Bang’s voice held a hint of surprise.
“He can use telekinesis to lift ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ directly?”
“It seems this superpowered individual’s strength is not to be underestimated.”
“Don’t worry, this old man will arrive at the scene as soon as possible, and we’ll fight together.”
“I’ll leave it to you, Bang.”
After giving her instructions, Kikuchi Gen Asaki turned off the communicator, took a deep breath, and refocused her attention on the giant screen in front of her.
“Connect to satellite monitoring.” Kikuchi Gen Asaki ordered in a low voice.
“Yes!” A staff member immediately tapped on the keyboard, bringing up a clearer picture.
It was a live image transmitted from a satellite, and in the center of the image was the location where “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” disappeared.
From the satellite’s perspective, it could clearly be seen that.
The previously flat street had now become a giant pit.
The red dot marking “Black Rhinoceros Beetle”’s exact location appeared on another screen, flashing.
It showed that “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” was moving rapidly underground, heading towards a specific direction.
“‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ is moving deep underground!”
“Our monitoring equipment will soon be unable to track its exact location!”
At this moment, a staff member hurriedly reported.
“No good! ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ is heading… towards the city center!”
Another staff member noticed something, his face turned pale, and he exclaimed in alarm.
“What?!”
Kikuchi Gen Asaki’s face also changed dramatically upon hearing this, she exclaimed in shock.
If “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” was truly heading towards the city center, the consequences would be unimaginable!
The city center is densely populated. Once “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” launches an attack there, it will cause unimaginable casualties!
“What is it trying to do?”
“Why is it leaving the superpowered individual alone and heading towards the city center instead, when it has always been so eager to fight?”
Could it be…
Its target is not that superpowered individual.
But something else?
“Wait… is it trying to seek revenge against Bang?! ”
At that moment.
A thought flashed in Kikuchi Gen Asaki’s mind.
“Bang is the S-class hero closest to the city center.”
“And ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ was severely injured by Bang before, it must hold a grudge against him…”
Even if “Black Rhinoceros Beetle”’s intelligence is low, the instinct for revenge is deeply ingrained.
It was almost killed by Bang’s attack, this must have been etched into its memory.
Now that it has returned, it might be seeking revenge against Bang!
The more Kikuchi Gen Asaki thought about it, the more likely her guess seemed to be the truth.
However, as she grabbed the communicator and prepared to inform Bang about this, she was interrupted by a cry from a staff member.
“What?! What’s happening?!” Kikuchi Gen Asaki asked urgently.
“Black Rhinoceros Beetle’s movements… have completely disappeared!”
The staff member’s voice was tinged with panic, “It… it has completely burrowed deep underground… it has escaped!”
“What?!” Kikuchi Gen Asaki was stunned, her voice filled with disbelief.
“How is this possible?! ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ is inherently combative, how could it escape so quickly?!” Kikuchi Gen Asaki exclaimed in disbelief.
“But… the satellite surveillance really can’t find any trace of ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ anymore.” The staff member said with a long face, “It’s like… it vanished into thin air…”
Kikuchi Gen Asaki frowned, her heart filled with confusion.
The unusual behavior of “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” made her realize that something wasn’t right.
Based on her knowledge of “Black Rhinoceros Beetle,” it wouldn’t escape without reason.
Could it be… that “Black Rhinoceros Beetle” is deliberately hiding?
But why would it do that?
What is its ultimate goal?
A series of questions swirled in Kikuchi Gen Asaki’s mind, but she couldn’t find the answers.
At that moment, Bang’s voice came through the communicator again:
“Hello? Can you hear me? This is Bang.”
“Yes! Bang, ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ was heading towards your location, it’s likely targeting you, be careful!”
Kikuchi Gen Asaki said urgently, trying to warn Bang.
“What?!”
Bang was clearly surprised by this information, but quickly regained his composure.
“I understand, I’ll be careful.”
At that moment, a violent shaking sound came from the other end of the communicator, accompanied by Bang’s slightly bewildered voice: “What’s going on? Is there an earthquake?”
“Earthquake?!” Kikuchi Gen Asaki was startled and immediately asked: “Bang, how are you? Did ‘Black Rhinoceros Beetle’ appear?”
“Wait…”
“This doesn’t seem like an earthquake… it’s the ground… the ground is rising?! The voice from Bang sounded a little strange.
“What?!”
Kikuchi Gen Asaki was startled upon hearing this: “What do you mean the ground is rising?!”
Before Kikuchi Gen Asaki could ask further.
“Boom boom boom——！！！”
Another violent shaking sound came through.
This time, even Kikuchi Gen Asaki, who was far away at the Hero Association headquarters, could clearly feel the tremors coming through the communicator.
“No good! Bang, what happened on your end?!” Kikuchi Gen Asaki hurriedly asked anxiously.
“I don’t know…”
“The ground is rising continuously… I feel… I feel like the whole city is floating!”
Bang’s voice was filled with gravity.
“What?! The whole city is floating?!” Kikuchi Gen Asaki was stunned, her mind went blank.
How is this possible?!
The whole city… how could it float?!
“Quick! Connect to the satellite monitoring! I need to see the situation where Bang is!”
When Kikuchi Gen Asaki finally snapped out of her daze.
She immediately ordered the staff member loudly.
“Yes!” The staff member didn’t dare delay, immediately bringing up the satellite monitoring image.
…
The next moment.
An image that was enough to make anyone incredulous appeared on the screen.
It showed.
In the satellite monitoring image.
The foundation of the city where Bang was located was like a giant platform.
It slowly peeled away from the earth, beginning to slowly rise towards the sky!