Tanktop Master looked thoughtfully at the ashes on the ground, then at Tornado's unusual behavior, and finally chose to remain silent.
Tornado carefully lifted Allen with her Psychokinesis, green energy enveloping his battered body: "I'll take him to the Hero Association's medical center. You all continue searching for that Monster."
"Wait, I'll go with you." Bang took a step forward: "Allen is my disciple."
Tornado's lips pressed into a thin line. After a moment of hesitation, she nodded: "Suit yourself."
The two quickly left the alley, leaving Metal Bat and Tanktop Master to exchange glances.
"That guy is definitely hiding something." Metal Bat scratched his head.
Tanktop Master sighed: "Let's do as she says for now. We'll ask Allen when he wakes up."
...Inside the Hero Association's medical center, Allen was placed in a top-tier treatment pod, with doctors busily checking his vital signs.
"Strange." The attending physician pushed up his glasses: "His injuries are severe, but his recovery speed is unusually slow, which doesn't match his usual physical condition."
Tornado floated nearby, arms crossed, her green eyes fixed on Allen in the treatment pod: "How long until he wakes up?"
The attending physician wiped the sweat from his forehead: "At this recovery rate, it will take at least 72 hours for him to regain consciousness."
Tornado's green curls trembled slightly, her fingers unconsciously twisting her skirt. She stared at Allen's pale face in the treatment pod, the contents of the note she had destroyed replaying in her mind.
If Allen really had been injected with Monster cells, she couldn't imagine the consequences. Although she and Allen seemed to be at odds, she still greatly recognized his abilities.
"Bang." Tornado suddenly spoke, her voice much lower than usual: "You're old, go home and sleep. I'll stay here and watch over him."
The fewer people who knew about Allen being injected with Monster cells, the better. Tornado decided to send Bang away first.
Bang's hand, which was stroking his beard, paused: "Are you sure?"
"Hmph, I just don't want the Association to lose another S-Class Hero, that's all." Tornado turned her face away, her tone carrying her usual arrogance: "It's not like I'm specifically looking after him."
Bang gave Tornado a deep look, then finally nodded: "Then I'll leave him to you."
As the door gently closed, Tornado's shoulders relaxed slightly. She floated to the treatment pod, a hint of worry flashing in her green eyes. Her slender fingers pressed against the cold glass, and she murmured to herself: "Stupid Rookie, if you dare to turn into a Monster, I'll crush you with my own hands."
Her Psychokinesis meticulously examined every inch of Allen's body. Tornado's brow furrowed tighter and tighter. Indeed, Allen's cellular activity was abnormally low, but what alarmed her even more was a small, unfamiliar mass of energy slowly spreading deep within his abdominal cavity.
"Were you really injected with Monster cells?" Tornado's fingers trembled slightly. She subconsciously looked around, and after confirming no one was present, she quickly enveloped the energy mass with her Psychokinesis.
"No one can know." She bit her lower lip, a struggle flashing in her green eyes. She had seen all of Allen's efforts for the Association; he was the most diligent when investigating the Armored Monster.
It would be too regrettable for such an excellent Hero to become a pariah just because he was injected with Monster cells. However, Tornado couldn't guarantee that Allen wouldn't suddenly Monster-ify. Perhaps she should lock him in her own home?
In the corridor outside the treatment pod, Bang leaned against the wall, his aged face filled with worry. Metal Bat and Tanktop Master hurried over.
"Old man, how's the Rookie?" Metal Bat carried his bat, blood still trickling from a scrape on his face.
Bang shook his head: "The situation isn't very optimistic. Tornado is watching over him inside."
Tanktop Master looked thoughtful: "What exactly was written on that note the Monster left? And why did Tornado destroy it?"
Bang's voice was hoarse: "She must have seen something she shouldn't have."
Metal Bat irritably ran his hand through his hair: "Tsk, detective games are such a hassle. What exactly is that guy hiding?"
Just then, the treatment room door suddenly opened, and Tornado floated out, her face looking even paler than usual.
"He's fine for now." Tornado guiltily turned her face away, not daring to make eye contact with anyone: "I'm taking him back to my place."
"What?" The three exclaimed in unison.
Tornado's curls violently fluttered: "I said I'm taking him home! Are you deaf?"
Her voice held a hint of imperceptible tremor: "Anyway... anyway, the Association's medical equipment is only so-so! Allen will recover on his own."
Bang took a step forward: "Miss Tornado, Allen is my disciple. It's only right that I should take care of him..."
"Shut up, old man!" Tornado abruptly cut him off, a flicker of panic in her green eyes: "I, I'm S-Class Rank Two! What I say goes!"
Tanktop Master and Metal Bat exchanged a glance. Tornado's abnormal behavior was too obvious, but now was clearly not the time to press her.
"Alright." Bang finally conceded: "But please inform me of his condition every day."
Tornado snorted coldly, then turned and floated back into the treatment room. The heavy door closed behind her, cutting off all probing gazes.
Inside the treatment room, Tornado's shoulders finally relaxed. She floated to Allen's side and gently lifted him with her Psychokinesis.
"Stupid Rookie," she whispered, green energy gently enveloping Allen's body: "If you dare to turn into a Monster in my house, I'll throw you out of the sky!"
The moonlight outside the window streamed through the gap in the curtains, illuminating Tornado's slightly trembling fingers.
"This is... so much trouble." She bit her lower lip, her voice almost inaudible.
The treatment room plunged into darkness, all the equipment twisted and shattered. Tornado's Psychokinesis silently lifted Allen, and she left the medical center through an emergency exit. She didn't want anyone to see this, especially that meddling Bang.
The night wind rustled through the leaves. She instinctively pulled Allen closer to her. This action startled her, and she immediately frowned in annoyance.
"It's not like I'm worried about you!" She mumbled softly to the unconscious Allen: "It's just, it's just that I can't let you suddenly turn into a Monster at the Association!"
The high-altitude air currents made Allen's black combat suit flap. Tornado looked down and saw bloodstains still on his pale face. She hesitated for a moment, then gently wiped away the blood with her Psychokinesis.
"That Armored Monster bastard, daring to cause trouble right under my nose." Tornado's expression was furious: "Next time we meet, I'll definitely deal with you properly!"
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