The cold night breeze brushed against Dev's concealed form as he stood atop a tall building, looking down at the city of Musutafu. Streetlights flickered below, and the occasional honk of cars filled the air. But despite the ordinary city sounds, Dev knew the underworld was far from quiet.
Villains lurked in the shadows, preying on the weak. And tonight, he would become their nightmare.
He flexed his fingers. His Undetectable Full-Body Suit hugged his frame, muffling all sound as he moved. His Transformation Skill had altered his appearance—a taller build, a masked face, and his voice distorted into something deeper and more menacing.
He looked like a ghost in the night.
[Ooooh, mysterious vigilante mode activated. So, do I call you 'Dark Knight'? 'Shadow Phantom'? Or how about 'Black Flash'?]
Dev sighed. "Eve, I haven't even started yet, and you're already making this dramatic."
[Of course! It's your first night out as a vigilante! You have to make an epic entrance! Maybe throw in some cool one-liners—'Justice never sleeps' or 'I am the reckoning of the night'—something edgy!]
"Yeah, no." Dev crouched at the edge of the rooftop, scanning the streets below. "Let's just find some criminals."
[Fine, but if you end up getting a title, just know I was the first to suggest the cool names.]
Dev ignored her and focused. His enhanced Kryptonian vision and hearing kicked in, allowing him to scan several blocks at once.
And then he heard it.
A woman's scream—followed by a deep voice laughing.
---
Dev zeroed in on the location—an alleyway, three blocks away. A woman was pinned against the wall by two thugs, their faces covered with cheap masks. One had a knife, while the other cracked his knuckles.
"P-please, let me go!" the woman begged.
"Tch, just give us your money, lady," one of the thugs sneered. "And maybe we'll let you walk out of here without a scratch."
The other one chuckled darkly. "Or maybe not."
Before the woman could scream again, a shadow loomed over them.
"How about neither?"
The thugs barely had time to react before Dev dropped from above, landing right between them.
BAM!
The impact sent a shockwave through the alley, causing both criminals to stumble back in shock.
"W-what the hell?!"
Dev tilted his head, his deepened voice carrying a dangerous edge. "I was in the mood for some exercise. Thanks for volunteering."
[Ooooh, now that's a cool line! See? You're getting the hang of this.]
The knife-wielding thug growled. "This bastard's got a death wish—"
Before he could finish, Dev moved.
Faster than the thug could react, Dev grabbed his wrist, twisted it, and—
CRACK!
"AAAAAAAAH!" The thug screamed as the knife clattered to the ground. Dev flung him into the alley wall, knocking him unconscious instantly.
The second thug froze in terror.
"You—you're a hero?!"
Dev smirked under his mask. "Nah. Just a guy who hates scumbags."
The thug turned to run.
Bad idea.
Dev vanished in a blur, reappearing right in front of him. Before the thug could react, Dev planted a fist in his stomach, making his eyes roll back as he collapsed.
[Daaaamn. That was brutal.]
The woman, still trembling, stared wide-eyed at Dev. "W-who… who are you?"
Dev looked at her for a moment before responding. "Just a passerby."
And then he disappeared into the night.
---
'Hunting Criminals'
Dev didn't stop after the first incident. The city was crawling with criminals, and now that he had a goal, he wasn't about to waste time.
He took down thugs, robbers, and small-time villains one by one. Some tried to run, others tried to fight, but none of them stood a chance.
[You know… you're kind of terrifying.] Eve mused as Dev slammed another villain into the pavement.
"It's necessary," Dev said, dusting off his hands. "They'll think twice before hurting people again."
[True, but still, no mercy at all?]
"They're lucky I don't break more bones."
[…Okay, I'm officially scared of you.]
After several hours, Dev finally stopped at another rooftop, looking down at the city. He had defeated at least 10 villains and saved multiple civilians.
[Ding! Side Quest: Vigilante Work – Completed!]
[Rewards:]
500 OP
10 OP for every extra person saved
Hidden Rewards Unlocked!
Dev smirked. "Not bad for my first night."
[Congratulations! You're now an official night-time menace! I mean… vigilante.]
[Hidden Reward Unlocked: 1 Summoning Card]
Dev's eyes widened slightly. "Summoning Card?"
[Yep! A special card that allows you to summon a character, creature, or entity from another world! It's random, though, so good luck!]
He smirked. "Interesting… I'll check it out later."
For now, he had made his mark on the city. And this was just the beginning.
Dev chuckled, stretching his arms. "Alright, I think it's time to head home."
As he leapt across the rooftops, disappearing into the night, patrolling around suddenly
"Ding!" Sound rang in his head
[DING! Main Mission – Emergency Quest Issued!]
[Mission: Save the Pro-Hero Duo "Water Hose" from the villain Muscular!]
[Objective: Prevent the deaths of the Pro-Hero couple and defeat Muscular.]
[Rewards: 1000 OP, ??? (Hidden Reward)]
[Failure Penalty: Water Hose dies, loss of potential future questlines.]
Dev's eyes narrowed as he read the mission details. Muscular?! That psycho from the League of Villains who nearly killed Midoriya during the Training Camp Arc?
"Wait… isn't it way too early for this guy to appear?"
["Time isn't fixed, Dev. Your presence in this world has already started causing ripple effects. Some events will happen earlier or in different ways."]
Dev clicked his tongue. "Dammit, I thought I had more time before these big-name villains showed up."
["If you're scared, you can run away~"] Eve teased.
Dev rolled his eyes. "Please, I have Kryptonian blood. Running isn't exactly in my DNA."
Without hesitation, he activated his stealth skill, his full-body suit adjusting to blend into the surroundings as he took off toward the location marked on his system map.
The Hosu City alleyways blurred past him as he moved at breakneck speed. He had one goal—save Water Hose and take down Muscular before things spiraled out of control.
Dev gritted his teeth as he sprinted through the city streets, his stealth suit blending into the darkness like a ghost. The wind howled past his ears as he pushed his Kryptonian-enhanced body to its current limit.
"Muscular… that lunatic nearly killed Midoriya in the original timeline. His brute strength is no joke, even for Pro-Heroes. If I screw up here, Water Hose is dead."
His mind raced through possible strategies. Muscular's Quirk, Muscle Augmentation, allowed him to layer his muscles like armor, granting him overwhelming power and durability. His only known weakness? Overloading his muscles or targeting weak points before he fully augments.
["Ohhh, are you actually thinking? What a rare sight~"] Eve teased.
Dev groaned. "Not now, Eve. I need to focus!"
["Just saying, you should probably start planning how you wanna be introduced to the Pro-Hero world. Maybe a cool one-liner? 'The Night's Justice' or 'The Kryptonian Guardian'?"]
Dev deadpanned. "Yeah, because announcing myself before fighting a literal monster is a great idea."
["Fine, fine. But don't be boring."]
Ignoring Eve's playful jabs, Dev accelerated toward the battle, his senses sharpening as he approached an isolated warehouse district in Hosu City. From a distance, he could already hear the chaotic sounds of battle—water blasts, crashes, and an eerie, sadistic laughter echoing through the air.
————————----------------——————
[POV – Water Hose]
The husband-and-wife Pro-Hero duo, Water Hose, stood their ground, panting heavily as they faced off against a towering, scar-covered villain. The alleyway was dimly lit, but they could clearly see the man's grotesquely oversized muscles pulsating, veins bulging with sheer power.
The villain grinned like a predator. "Man, I was just passing through, and I find two water heroes? Heh, you two are really bad at picking your battles."
Water Hose's husband, a muscular man with short brown hair, clenched his fists. "Damn it… this guy is stronger than we expected."
His wife, a slim woman with sharp eyes and long black hair, stood beside him, her hands glowing with water tendrils, ready for another attack. "Stay focused! We can't let this psycho reach any civilians!"
Muscular cracked his neck, flexing his arms as the layers of muscle shifted grotesquely over his body. "C'mon, heroes, don't just stand there—make this fun for me!"
Without warning, he lunged forward, his fist cocked back to smash them into the pavement.
Muscular's massive fist tore through the air, heading straight for the husband. His wife reacted instantly, unleashing a high-pressure water jet to intercept the attack. The blast hit Muscular square in the chest, sending him skidding backward—but instead of pain, he laughed.
"Heh… Not bad! But not good enough!"
Before they could react, he dug his feet into the ground, using his enhanced muscles to propel himself forward at terrifying speed.
"Look out!" the wife screamed as her husband barely dodged a swipe aimed at his head.
Muscular grinned wildly. "You guys are annoying. Why don't you just drop dead already?"
The husband countered, using his water manipulation to create a wall of high-pressure water, but Muscular plowed right through it, throwing a punch that sent him flying into a nearby dumpster.
The wife gasped. "Honey!"
Muscular licked his lips, his bloodlust growing.
"One down. Now, how about you, sweetheart? Got anything left in ya?"
The wife gritted her teeth, trying to maintain her stance despite the tremble in her arms.
But she already knew—they were outmatched.
Just as Muscular prepared to finish her off—
[POV – Dev]
BOOM!
A black blur crashed down from the rooftop like a meteor, slamming into the pavement between Muscular and the injured Water Hose. The impact sent a shockwave through the alleyway, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Muscular squinted. "Huh?"
As the dust settled, a tall figure in a black full-body suit stood with arms crossed, his face completely concealed by the featureless mask. His crimson eyes glowed faintly, exuding an ominous presence.
Water Hose's wife gasped, eyes widening. "Who—?!"
Muscular's grin stretched wider. "Well, well, what do we have here? Some kind of ninja wannabe?"
The masked figure tilted his head slightly, his voice distorted by the mask's built-in modulator.
"…You talk too much."
Muscular blinked. "What?"
Before he could process it, Dev vanished.
WHOOSH!
A thunderous kick slammed into Muscular's gut, sending him flying through three walls before he crashed into an abandoned factory.
Water Hose's wife gawked.
Even Muscular, known for his inhuman durability, felt that.
"The hell… was that?!" he grunted, pushing himself up from the rubble, a twisted grin forming on his face.
This night just got way more interesting.
—-------------------------------------------------------
Dev shook his leg off, testing his strength. "Damn, he really is built like a tank. That kick should've knocked out a normal villain."
["Wow, congratulations, genius. You just kicked a guy who enjoys pain. You must be so proud~"] Eve mocked.
"Eve, not the time."
["Oh, I'm sorry, should I be more supportive? 'Oh wow, Dev, you totally sent him flying! Now try not to die when he gets back up!'"]
"I swear, one day I'm gonna program a mute button for you."
["You wouldn't dare."]
Dev refocused, watching as Muscular stomped his way back, his grin bigger than ever.
"Ohhhh, now that was exciting!" Muscular laughed. "This is gonna be fun!"
Dev cracked his knuckles, his eyes glowing faintly red beneath the mask.
Muscular cracked his neck, his grin widening with excitement. "Oh man, I haven't had this much fun in a long time!"
Dev didn't respond. He simply took a relaxed stance, one hand raised slightly, fingers flexing in a taunting motion.
"Bring it."
Muscular's eye twitched. "Oh, you think you're tough, huh?!"
He lunged forward, his enhanced muscles bulging grotesquely, amplifying his speed and power. The sheer force cracked the ground beneath him as he rushed toward Dev like a human bulldozer.
Dev's red eyes gleamed beneath his mask.
WHOOSH!
At the last second, Dev sidestepped, barely shifting his weight. Muscular's punch tore through the air, missing by inches.
But before Muscular could react—
BAM!
Dev's elbow slammed into his ribs, launching him sideways like a ragdoll. Muscular crashed into another building, sending debris flying.
Water Hose's wife stood frozen, her eyes wide with shock.
"He dodged him so easily… and countered without hesitation!"
Muscular gritted his teeth, dusting himself off. "Tch… lucky shot!"
Dev tilted his head. "Was it?"
["Damn, that was kinda smooth, I gotta give you that."] Eve chuckled.
"Told you, Eve. I'm built different."
["Yeah, yeah, just don't get cocky. He's still a pain in the ass to put down."]
Muscular, now genuinely pissed off, let out a roar, activating his full muscle expansion. His body swelled grotesquely, muscle fibers expanding like steel cables wrapping around his frame. His veins pulsed, his eyes turning wild.
"ALRIGHT, NO MORE GAMES! I'M GONNA TEAR YOU APART!"
BOOM!
He exploded forward, the sheer force sending cracks through the pavement. His enhanced form gave him an insane burst of speed, closing the gap between him and Dev in an instant.
But Dev was already moving.
He planted one foot back and ducked low, slipping past Muscular's outstretched arms. In that moment of vulnerability—
BANG!
A devastating uppercut connected with Muscular's chin. The force sent him skyrocketing into the air like a launched missile.
Water Hose's wife's jaw nearly hit the floor. "He sent him flying… AGAIN?!"
Dev breathed out calmly, tracking Muscular's trajectory.
["Oh, that was NICE! You making him your personal volleyball now?"]
"Tempting." Dev admitted, his eyes glowing red.
BOOM!
Muscular crashed back down, creating a massive crater. Despite the brutal impact, he shook it off, panting heavily, blood dripping from his mouth.
For the first time—his grin faltered.
"...You... you're strong."
Dev took a step forward. "You have no idea."
Muscular wiped his mouth, then suddenly grinned again.
"Heh… then I guess I gotta stop holding back too."
His muscles twitched and expanded even more, blood-red veins bulging unnaturally. His skin started tearing in some places, his body overloading itself with power.
Water Hose's wife paled. "He's pushing himself even further?!"
Dev, however, remained completely calm.
["Ooooh boy. Here we go. He's going all out now."]
"Good."
Dev clenched his fists.
It was time to get serious.
—
[POV – Muscular]
Pain? Oh, he felt it.
But he loved it.
His blood pumped harder, his body burned with raw strength.
"YEAH, THAT'S IT! GIVE ME MORE!" he roared, charging again.
But this time, something was different.
The moment he reached Dev—
The masked figure disappeared.
"What—?!"
Before Muscular could process, he felt a presence behind him.
A deep, modulated voice whispered—
"Too slow."
CRACK!
A devastating roundhouse kick slammed into the side of his head, sending him spiraling uncontrollably across the battlefield.
Dev appeared where Muscular had once stood, completely unfazed.
Muscular struggled to stand, his vision spinning. "What… what the hell is this guy?!"
His body was breaking down. His muscles were at their limit.
And Dev?
Not even tired.
The masked figure finally spoke again, his voice cold.
"This fight is over."
Muscular growled. "Screw you! I can still—"
BOOM!
A red-hot laser beam erupted from Dev's eyes, slamming straight into Muscular's chest, sending him flying across the street, knocking him out cold.
The battle was over.
Dev sighed, deactivating his heat vision. "Took longer than I thought."
["Yeah, yeah, you still got the win. But DAMN, you made him look stupid!"] Eve laughed.
Water Hose's wife stared in awe.
"Who… WHO IS THIS GUY?!"
[Mission Completed!]
[Mission Rewards Granted!]
[Main Mission: Save Water Hose from Muscular]
[Status: Completed]
✅ Rewards:
1.[5000 OP]
2.[Ultimate Ability Evolution Card ×2]
3.[All Elements Unlocked (Each with 10% Manipulation & Control)]
4.[Body Enhancement Pill ×5]5.
New Ability – Extract (Can extract quirks, skills, or abilities and store them or fuse them to oneself or others. Currently 1 use per month. Upgradable using OP, each upgrade increases usage ×10.)]
---
---
--..
"...ಠ_ಠ...."
Dev stared at the glowing system notifications, his jaw practically hitting the floor. His fingers twitched as he reread the insane list of rewards over and over again.
"Did... did I just hit the jackpot?!" he muttered, blinking rapidly.
["No, you just got what you deserved."] Eve replied in a teasing tone.
Dev still couldn't believe it. 5000 OP, all elements unlocked, Ultimate Ability Evolution Cards, a damn Extract ability?!
This wasn't just good. This was ridiculous.
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and crossed his arms.
"Eve… be honest with me. Are you dying? Is this your farewell gift?"
["WHAT?! WHY WOULD YOU EVEN THINK THAT?!"]
Dev snickered, enjoying her exaggerated reaction.
"I mean, come on! This is way too much. It's like you're sending me off on my own journey before disappearing forever. Don't tell me you're gonna say 'live well, my child' and vanish in sparkles or something."
["UGH! You absolute MORON!"] Eve pouted angrily as if he had just insulted her existence.
["This is why I keep calling you a muscle-brained fool! First, I'M NOT GOING ANYWHERE. Second, if you actually used your brain for once, you'd know why the rewards are so high!"]
Dev chuckled, enjoying the little AI's flustered state.
"Alright, alright, I'm listening. Why am I getting treated like some protagonist with infinite plot armor?"
Eve huffed before speaking in a matter-of-fact tone.
["First of all, Water Hose barely appeared in the original story. They were only mentioned, and their deaths served as a motivation for Kota."]
Dev nodded, recalling that. "Yeah, Kota hated heroes because of that… until Deku saved him."
["EXACTLY! You saving them doesn't just change a minor event—it completely shifts Kota's future. That kid played a major role in pushing Deku forward, emotionally and physically. So by saving them, you didn't just alter their fate—you altered Deku's growth."]
Dev's eyes widened. That… made a lot of sense.
Eve continued, now in full lecture mode.
["Now, let's talk about Muscular. Do you even understand how important he was?"]
"He was one of the strongest villains Deku fought early on, right?"
["Yes, but more importantly—he cemented Deku's progress and gave him a legendary moment. Remember how Deku broke his bones just to push past his limits and save Kota? That wasn't just a fight—it was a huge plot-defining moment!"]
Dev rubbed his chin thoughtfully. So, he had basically hijacked two key moments of the original timeline.
["And don't forget! You earn OP by saving people and eliminating villains. Your interference with the plot gives even bigger rewards. And since this is your first real mission facing a major villain, the system decided to be generous."]
Dev finally understood everything.
"So, basically… I was the butterfly effect that caused a massive shift, and the system is rewarding me for being a walking timeline nuke?"
["More or less. And trust me, these rewards are just the start. If you keep shaking the original timeline, you'll get even bigger prizes."]
Dev grinned, his mind racing with possibilities.
"Eve, I love you."
["H-Huh?! W-What are you saying all of a sudden, you dumb idiot?!"]
Eve's flustered reaction made Dev laugh heartily.
"Ahhh, I'm just in a good mood. You treat me so well, you know? Feels like having a sugar mommy who spoils me."
["I-I'm NOT your sugar mommy, you UNGRATEFUL BRAT!"]
Dev cracked up even harder.
"Fine, fine. I'll just call you my cute little system wife instead."
["UGH! SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!!"]
With Eve absolutely boiling in embarrassment, Dev finally calmed down and focused back on his rewards.
"Alright, let's see how strong I've really become now…"
After finally calming down from teasing Eve, Dev took a deep breath and opened his status panel to see the effects of his insane rewards. His eyes gleamed with excitement.
---
["DING!"]
[Updated Status Profile: Dev]
[Age:] 14
[Title:] Reincarnated Kryptonian
[Level:] 2 (Advanced Novice)
[Origin Points (OP):] 5650
[Race:] Modified Kryptonian (10% → 20% Unlocked)
Enhanced Kryptonian Physiology: Strength, Speed, Durability, Senses drastically increased.
Solar Energy Absorption: Boosted recovery and power over time in sunlight.
[Quirk:] Elemental Body (Enhanced) – Full Elemental Manipulation Unlocked (10% Control Each)
Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Lightning, Ice, Light, Darkness, Metal, Wood
[Abilities:]
[Ultimate Ability Evolution Card (x2) (To be used later!)]
[Extract (NEW!): Can extract quirks, abilities, or skills from others (1 use per month, upgradable with OP).]
[Elemental Mastery (10% in all elements): Beginning proficiency in controlling all elements.]
[Multi-Shadow Clone Technique: Creates multiple clones.]
[Martial Arts Mastery: Combat expertise in various martial arts.]
[Transformation Skill: Disguise and voice alteration].
[Stealth Skill: Enhanced stealth and infiltration.]
["Inventory":]
[Undetectable Full-Body Suit: Adaptive, stealth-enhancing suit.]
[Portable Time-Space Training Room (1:2): Training space with time dilation.]
[Body Enhancement Pills (x5): Increases physique, stamina, and recovery significantly.]
[Summoning Card (x1): ??? (Can summon a character from any world!)]
[Passive Income:]
[1 OP/hour,
10,000,000 Yen per month]
[Quests:]
[Main Quest: None]
[Side Quest – Vigilante Work (In Progress)]
[Save: 2/10]
[Defeat: 1/10]
Dev stared at his status screen, completely speechless.
"No way… this is insane!"
His Kryptonian genes had progressed to 20% after just one fight. All his elements were unlocked—even Light and Darkness! And that wasn't even the craziest part.
"Extract... I can steal other people's quirks, skills, or abilities?!"
Dev's hands trembled with excitement. This was beyond broken.
"If I use this on All Might or a high-level villain… I could take their powers for myself!"
His heart raced. Even though he could only use it once per month for now, if he upgraded it... he would become unstoppable.
Eve's voice rang in his mind, smug as ever.
["Hehehe~ I told you, didn't I? Your timeline influence is massive. You're no background character, Dev. You're the main event."]
Dev grinned wildly.
"You're damn right I am!"
But he wasn't reckless. He knew that power without control meant nothing. He had one year before canon started. That was one year to perfect his abilities, train his body, and grow stronger.
And now… he had everything he needed to make that happen.
He clenched his fists, feeling the limitless power flowing through his veins.
"Next stop… total mastery."
---------------------------------------------------------'
Water Hose Wife's POV – The Fight for Survival
The night air was thick with smoke and the metallic scent of blood. The once-peaceful residential area now lay in ruins, a battleground of destruction. Civilians had either fled or been brutally injured by the monstrous villain standing before them—Muscular.
Chisato, one half of the Water Hose hero duo, gritted her teeth as she knelt beside her injured husband, Takeshi. His breathing was ragged, and blood seeped from a deep wound on his side.
"Damn it… if only we were stronger!"
She and her husband had tried everything to slow Muscular down, but it was like fighting an unmovable mountain. Their water-based attacks had barely phased him, and his sheer brute strength was too overwhelming.
Muscular stood before them, grinning like a demon, his body covered in thick muscle fibers that pulsed and expanded grotesquely.
"You guys put up a good fight… but playtime's over!" Muscular cackled, raising his fist. "Time to squash some insects!"
Chisato's eyes widened in horror.
Her body screamed for her to move, to fight back… but her energy was depleted. Takeshi struggled to his feet beside her, holding his bleeding side, but she knew he wouldn't last much longer.
"Is this it...? Are we going to die here?"
Then—
BOOM!
A powerful gust of wind suddenly roared through the battlefield, sending debris flying as a dark figure descended from the sky like a comet.
The moment his feet touched the ground, the earth cracked beneath him.
A deep, powerful voice echoed through the battlefield.
"You're having way too much fun for someone who's about to lose."
Chisato's eyes widened in shock.
A tall figure stood between them and Muscular, his black combat suit sleek and futuristic, blending into the night. His face was hidden beneath a fully enclosed mask, but his golden eyes glowed ominously behind the visor.
The mysterious warrior exuded an unstoppable aura of strength.
"Who the hell are you?!" Muscular snarled, glaring at the newcomer.
The figure cracked his neck, unfazed.
"Me? Just your friendly neighborhood vigilante."
Chisato felt an odd sense of relief wash over her.
Even though she had never seen this person before, something about him radiated confidence and control.
He wasn't just strong.
He was a force of nature.
And as Muscular lunged forward with a savage roar, Chisato witnessed something that left her breathless.
The mysterious vigilante vanished in the blink of an eye—
—and reappeared behind Muscular in an instant.
BAM!
With a single devastating punch to the gut, Muscular was sent soaring backward, crashing through two buildings like a ragdoll.
The sheer shockwave from the impact was enough to send dust and debris flying everywhere.
Chisato's jaw dropped.
"What… was that speed?!"
Muscular groaned as he pulled himself from the rubble, rage filling his eyes.
"Hahaha! That was a good hit! But you're gonna have to do a lot more than that to stop me!"
His muscle fibers expanded even further, making him even more monstrous in size.
But the vigilante?
He simply cracked his knuckles, his voice filled with confidence.
"Oh, don't worry. I was just warming up."
And then—
The real fight began.
The Battle – Water Hose Watches in Awe
Chisato and Takeshi could barely keep up with the fight.
The vigilante's speed was inhuman. Every time Muscular swung his fists, he was nowhere to be found—until he counterattacked with brutal precision.
A flash of golden lightning erupted from the vigilante's body, and the very next second—
CRACK!
Muscular's arm snapped backward unnaturally.
"ARGHHH!!!" Muscular howled in pain.
But the vigilante wasn't done.
Before Muscular could recover, he vanished again—then reappeared above him.
"My turn."
And with that—
BOOM!!!
A devastating spinning kick slammed into Muscular's chest, sending him flying into the air.
The shockwave alone knocked Chisato and Takeshi back slightly.
They watched, completely stunned, as Muscular crashed down into the ground, forming a massive crater.
"How... is this even possible?" Chisato thought in disbelief.
Muscular, the monster who had nearly killed them, was being manhandled like a child.
The vigilante descended slowly, his voice calm yet powerful.
"Is that all? I expected more from someone who calls himself Muscular."
Muscular trembled in rage. His body twitched, his muscles swelling even further.
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
With one final roar, Muscular pushed his Quirk to its absolute limit. His body grew even larger, muscles expanding to grotesque proportions. His blood vessels bulged, and his red eyes gleamed with bloodlust.
"DIEEEEE!!!"
He launched himself forward, swinging with all his might—
—But the vigilante?
He didn't even move.
Then—
In a split second, he raised a single hand and—
CAUGHT Muscular's punch.
BOOOOM!!!
The entire area trembled from the force. The sheer pressure shattered the ground beneath them.
But the vigilante didn't budge an inch.
His grip tightened.
And then—
CRACK!!!
Muscular's fist shattered completely.
"W-What…?!" Muscular's eyes widened in horror.
The vigilante looked down at him with nothing but cold amusement.
"Too slow."
And with that—
BOOM!!!
A final punch to the face sent Muscular flying so fast he disappeared into the night sky.
Chisato and Takeshi stared in complete silence.
The battle was over.
And the mysterious vigilante had won without a single scratch.
As he turned back to them, Chisato felt something strange in her chest.
She had seen many heroes before.
But this man…
He wasn't just strong.
He was something else entirely.
And for the first time in a long time—
She felt truly safe.
------
(MC's POV )
Dev turned around, his golden eyes glowing softly behind his mask as he looked at the hero couple. Chisato was trembling, her eyes filled with fear and exhaustion, while Takeshi was barely holding on, blood pooling around him.
Taking a step forward, Dev saw Chisato flinch instinctively, her body tense.
He immediately raised both hands in a calming gesture.
"Relax, I'm not here to hurt you." His voice was deep but gentle, reassuring.
Chisato hesitated for a moment before finally nodding, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
Seeing they were no longer on guard, Dev walked over and crouched beside Takeshi, his expression darkening.
"Damn… this guy's in bad shape."
Blood soaked Takeshi's hero costume. His breathing was ragged, and his face was deathly pale. His body was a mess—his ribs shattered, internal organs failing, and his pulse weakening every second.
Chisato clutched her husband's hand tightly, tears rolling down her face.
"Please… help him." Her voice cracked as she looked at Dev with desperation.
Dev's mind raced as he turned to Eve.
"Eve, what are his chances if we rush him to the hospital?"
A cold DING rang in his mind before Eve's voice responded.
[Takeshi Water Hose's survival chance if taken to a hospital: 10%]
Dev's expression hardened. 10% wasn't good enough.
"His internal organs are too damaged. His bones and nerves are shattered. Even if he miraculously survived, he'd be crippled for life," Eve explained.
Chisato's grip on her husband tightened. "No… please… there has to be a way!"
Dev clenched his fists. He wasn't about to let Kota's father die here.
Eve's voice suddenly chimed again.
[Recommendation: Purchase "Heal Skill" from the Shop.]
Dev's eyes widened. "Shit, I totally forgot!"
Without wasting a second, he pulled up the system shop in his mind and searched.
[Heal Skill – Level 1 (100 OP)]
He immediately bought it.
A warm sensation filled his body as the skill integrated into him. But Dev wasn't done.
"Eve, upgrade it to max!"
[Upgrade Heal Skill to Level 10 – Cost: 1000 OP]
[DING! Skill upgraded successfully!]
A wave of pure, comforting energy surged through Dev's body. He could feel the new power in his hands.
Chisato watched, her heart pounding in her chest as Dev placed his hand gently on Takeshi's chest.
"Don't worry. He's going to be fine."
As soon as Dev spoke—
A brilliant blue-white light burst forth from his hand, covering Takeshi's body in a soft, radiant glow.
Chisato's eyes widened in shock.
The light felt warm, safe, almost divine. It spread over Takeshi's wounds, and then—
A miracle happened.
Before her very eyes, she saw his torn flesh repairing itself. His bones realigning, fractures sealing themselves shut. His shattered organs regenerating at a speed that defied logic.
In just a few seconds…
Takeshi was fully healed.
His breathing stabilized, color returned to his face, and his chest rose and fell steadily.
Dev pulled his hand back, staring at it in awe.
"Holy shit… that was OP."
Even he hadn't expected it to work this well.
Meanwhile, Eve's voice rang in his mind, smug and satisfied.
[See? I told you I'm amazing. You should rely on me more~]
Dev rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, you're amazing. I'll buy you a trophy later."
Eve pouted.
[Hmph! You should be thanking me properly, dummy!]
Chisato, still in shock, suddenly realized what had happened.
Her husband was healed.
Completely.
Tears streamed down her face as she threw herself forward, hugging Takeshi tightly.
"Takeshi! You're okay!"
Takeshi slowly opened his eyes, blinking in confusion.
"H-Huh…? I… I feel fine…?"
He sat up, looking at his hands, completely uninjured.
"How…?"
Chisato turned back to Dev, her voice trembling.
"Who… what are you?"
Dev simply smirked behind his mask.
"Just a passerby doing his job."
Dev looked at Chisato, his glowing golden eyes calm yet firm.
"Your turn."
Chisato blinked, confused. "Huh?"
"Your injuries. You're hurt too, right?" Dev pointed at the burns, bruises, and small cuts covering her arms and legs. "Extend your hand."
Chisato hesitated. This mysterious masked hero had just performed a miracle. But she wasn't used to receiving help like this.
Seeing her hesitation, Takeshi gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay, Chisato. He saved my life."
After a moment, she finally stretched out her trembling hand.
Dev grasped her hand gently and activated Heal.
A soft, warm blue-white light spread from his palm, washing over her entire body.
A comforting warmth enveloped her, like being wrapped in a soft embrace.
The pain from her wounds faded instantly. Her exhaustion melted away.
Chisato's eyes widened in shock. She had never felt anything like this before.
The warmth wasn't just healing her body—it was filling her with a deep, overwhelming sense of peace.
In just a few moments…
Every cut, burn, and bruise vanished.
She stared at her hands in disbelief. "This… This is unbelievable…"
Takeshi, now fully recovered, looked at his wife and then at Dev.
A deep sense of gratitude filled them both.
The hero couple stood up, bowing their heads respectfully.
"Thank you… Truly, thank you." Takeshi's voice was filled with sincerity.
Chisato followed, her voice shaky with emotion. "You saved our lives. We owe you everything."
Dev shrugged casually.
"It's fine. Just doing my job."
The couple looked at each other, clearly curious about who he was.
"At least… can we know your name?" Chisato asked softly.
Dev paused for a second.
Then, he smirked under his mask.
"Just a friendly neighborhood hero."
Takeshi and Chisato blinked in confusion, but before they could respond—
Eve burst into laughter in his mind.
[Pffft—! HAHAHA! Did you really just pull a Spider-Man line?!]
Dev ignored her, keeping up his cool act.
[Oh my god, you're such a dork! This is priceless!]
Eve kept teasing and laughing, but Dev simply turned away, stretching his arms lazily.
"Alright, you two should probably head to a hospital, just in case."
Takeshi and Chisato exchanged glances, still stunned by what had happened.
Even though they didn't know who he was…
One thing was clear.
This mysterious hero was unlike anyone they had ever met before.
After finishing his conversation with the hero couple, Dev vanished into the night.
Arriving near the unconscious Muscular, he stood over the villain's massive, battered body.
"So, Eve…" Dev smirked. "Can I store this guy in my inventory?"
Eve's voice rang in his mind, amused.
[Pfft—Of course! What kind of system do you think I am?]
She sounded almost offended at the question.
[My Inventory has infinite space, time is frozen inside, and I can store both living and non-living things. Living beings will stay unconscious inside, so don't worry about him waking up and causing problems.]
Dev nodded, grinning. "Neat."
With a simple thought—
Muscular's body disappeared into his Inventory.
With his unfinished Vigilante Side Quest in mind, Dev took off into the city again.
One Hour Later…
Having completed his Side Quest, Dev finally returned home.
The moment he stepped inside his luxurious villa, he let out a sigh of relief.
"That was fun."
Eve scoffed. [Fun? You just wiped the floor with every villain you came across.]
"Exactly. That's what made it fun."
After taking a fresh shower, Dev changed into comfortable clothes and headed straight to his underground training room.
Underground Training Room – Beneath His Villa
The high-tech facility lit up as soon as he entered.
A massive open space, reinforced with advanced materials, designed for combat practice and ability testing.
Dev walked to the center and released Muscular from his Inventory.
In an instant—
Muscular's unconscious body appeared, collapsing onto the floor.
Dev cracked his knuckles. "Alright, Eve. How do I use Extract on him?"
Eve's smug voice echoed in his mind.
[Simple. Just place your hand on him and activate Extract. The ability will be completely removed and turned into a physical energy form. You can store it or fuse it immediately.]
Dev nodded and placed his hand on Muscular's chest.
"Extract."
A golden glow surrounded Muscular's body.
A moment later, a shimmering energy orb—glowing in a deep crimson-red hue—formed in Dev's palm.
[Extraction complete.] Eve announced. [That's Muscle Augmentation, one of the strongest physical enhancement quirks. So, what's the plan? Gonna fuse it into yourself?]
Dev stared at the glowing ability in his hand.
He considered it for a moment—
But then, he shook his head.
"Nah. Not right now."
Instead, he stored the extracted ability into his Inventory.
Eve raised an eyebrow. [Oh? You don't want more muscles, Superman?]
Dev rolled his eyes. "I already have Kryptonian Physiology. I don't need this… for now. Maybe I'll use it for someone else in the future."
Eve hummed, intrigued. [Huh. Smart move. You're planning ahead.]
Dev smirked. "Always."
Now that Muscular was completely powerless, Dev glanced down at him.
"Guess I should turn him in later."
With everything settled, he left Muscular restrained in the training room and walked out.
There were still many things he needed to do…
And this was only the beginning of his vigilante journey.