A true monster in every sense.

  This was Armoril’s thought toward the cyb named Genos’ master.

  Whatever lesson Kamakyuri got taught. He wanted no part in it.

  Moments after the bald monster walked off with Kamakyuri in hand, a sudden, violent tremor rippled through everything. Armoril froze in terror, uo fathom what could have caused it.

  Following the tremor, he noticed something ge from above—a shift he could never have predicted.

  An unseen force tore apart the clouds that mottled the blue sky. Said force, like a wave, untold miles wide, parted them with a ghastly speed.

  Armoril currently stared at the sky as the bald monster effortlessly carried him overhead. He had already givehe coordio the House of Evolution—there was no reason for him to tag along. Yet, the bald monster had insisted, ‘He has to e. He pys an important role important role iure.’

  What the hell did that mean?

  Unfathomable strength. Uny knowledge.

  Dr. Genus, you’ve doomed us all.

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  Meanwhile, at the House of Evolution…

  “Why? Why was our entire elite force sent out as messengers?”

  Dr. Genus stared up at a massive holographic s, his many es standing behind him. “They weren’t messengers! Tell me, what did Armoril’s report state?”

  e 33 spoke up, “He never sent one.”

  Hearing this, Dr. Genus’ mood turned somber.

  “Armoril likely told him our coordinates. All our research, everything we’ve been w on, could be destroyed if we don’t stop him.”

  “This is a serious matter.” said e 78.

  Sweat beaded enus’ face as he reached a critical decision.

  “The only option is to use our trump card.”

  “Begin preparations for the release of age Kabuto.”

  A startled uproar erupted from the crowd of es packed into the room.

  “Be calm! He will be our st resort.”

  e 33 muttered, “But…”

  “First, from the first to eighth floor, we’ll activate all our traps.”

  The holographic s dispyed the eight floors, eae lighting up in sequeo indicate its armed status.

  “If we’re lucky, they will take care of the intruders. I’m fully aware of the worst-case sario should we fail.”

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  Caspian stood outside the House of Evolution, Armoril in one hand and a boulder iher. He dropped the boulder first, its impact sinking into the stone ground. Then, he propped Armoril against it.

  “Here we are. Don’t run away.”

  Realizing his attempt at humor had earned him a deadpan stare not only Armoril, but from even Genos, he awkwardly turoward the House of Evolution.

  “It’s bigger in person. Hey Goril, where’s your underground medical facility? You’ve got one, right?”

  Armoril’s expression didn’t falter, apparently numb to Caspian’s stant surprises. “Yes. S—“

  Unfortunately, before he could fully respond, a sudden ge occurred.

  Genos, who stood beside Caspian, threw back his arms, his body lurg forward as both iion ons supercharged. A sed ter, his arms flew out, releasing the bst.

  BOOM!

  As the smoke cleared, it became visible that his attack had razed the House of Evolution, leaving no trace of its existence.

  Caspian turned his head to face Genos.

  “My man…couldn’t you have waited until he finished answering my question?”

  “I deemed it most effit to elimihem all at once, before they could resort to any tricks.”

  “Okay... Let’s hurry and find the undergrourance.”

  Caspian had never been a patient man—a truth hammered home over the past week.

  Did he really o follow the plot so closely? Why not explore this altered Earth and gather his six beauties? Why not head straight beh his house, front the Monster Association, find the Mysterious Cube down there, and speak to ‘God’? Should he deal with Garou now? As much as he admired ic Garou, the thought of mass death and time travel left a bitter aftertaste.

  Lamentably, his mind gged behind the reality of who he’d bee, trapped in cycles of worry—a phenomenon that had haunted him in his past life as well.

  “Master!”

  Caspian’s body quaked. “Huh?”

  Genos stood before him, a frowched across his face.

  “Are you alright? Your expression ed me, and you weren’t responding.”

  Caspian took a breath. “Everything’s fihere’s just a lot on my mind.”

  “If it’s something that s Master, then it must be of great importance. Please let me know how I help.”

  A soothing assed over Caspian upon hearing those words. How long had it been since he had someone show for him?

  Why am I overthinking this? How didn’t I see it soohe only limits I face are the ones I shackle myself with.

  Caspian pced his hand on Genos’ shoulder. “Thank you.”

  ¤ ¤ ¤

  Dr. Genus dragged his battered body through one of his many underground tunnels.

  After ving age Kabuto to capture the bald spe, dead or alive, Dr. Genus found himself grabbed and could do nothing but watch helplessly as Kabuto blitzed through the underground tunnels.

  It didn’t take long to spot his target standing beside that cyb.

  age Kabuto should’ve been able to hahe cyb with ease, but right before he could smash him into the wall, the pair vanished.

  The bald man reappeared behind, cyb in hand, and asked them to lead him to the bat experimentation room.

  Did that man actually possess such speed? He refused to believe it! There must be a different expnation.

  As for how that mahe information, Dr. Genus didn’t dwell on it. He was certain Armoril had spilled everything. Cowardice had always been in his nature.

  None of this mattered now.

  Ahead enus, the blindirao the bat experimentation room loomed.

  I must see it through.

  He pressed on, leaning against the cool wall for support.

  pared to my anguish back then, this physical pain I feel now is nothing.

  “What’s the hold up? Let’s g everything you’ve got.” age Kabuto’s voied from up ahead.

  Dr. Genus gri the sight of the defeated cyb. , he will deal with the bald spe.

  age Kabuto—a demon inate, the stro and most brutal creation of the House of Evolutio’s see how you, at your archaic stage of human development, fare against a mohat is the final form of artificial evolution. Or will you be the trigger for a new evolution? I ’t wait to find out!

  The bald man stepped forward. “You did well Genos.”

  age Kabuto struck a pose and said, “Oh, I see it. I see it! You’re supposed to be strong.”

  “I’m sorry to disappoint you.” Step by step, the man approached age Kabuto. “But this fight won’t be enjoyable. Your ck of humanity, your instability—it’s a shame I ’t let you live. I could overlook a ck of humanity, but instability…”

  Dr. Genus’ grin faded. He could deduce Kabuto’s greatest fw in such a short period of time. Armoril wouldn’t have been able to provide him with that level of information. There’s something off about him…

  age Kabuto chuckled, his massive figure blurring as he fshed to the far wall and vanished. In an instant, he reappeared behind the bald man, arm drawn back, poised to deliver the final blow.

  That’s it! End it now Kabuto!

  Said thoughts crumbled as age Kabuto fled backward all the way to the distant wall.

  “Hey. That’s the perfect spot. I solve two problems at once.”

  Dr. Genus cried out. “He just backed off? age Ka—”

  The caped baldy suddenly materialized in front of Kabuto, his movement so fast it seemed like teleportation.

  “Bye age.”

  Depthless strength. Illimitable knowledge. Two ideals Dr. Genus had pursued relentlessly through artificial evolutiohe pinnacle of his creation had been expunged by a single, unremarkable punch.

  Who the hell is this guy?

  “As expected of Master Caspian. I knew he would stand no ce against you.”

  Dr. Genus beheld in shock as Caspian approached, a massive turetg behind him, revealing the bright evening sky beyond.

  “I ’t let my only disciple down now, I?”

  I think I’m doh evolution.

  Caspian, with Genos trailing closely, stopped before him. His grim expression drained what little color remained in Dr. Genus’ face.

  “My Master has questions for you. Ahem or I will disable you as well.” The cyb raised his hand, palm fag outward.

  Caspian gnced backward. “Woah, Genos, I think Armave you the wrong impression of—actually, never mind…”

  The tension thied as Caspian locked eyes with Dr. Genus. “Where is she?”