Sol moved.
His figure vanished from where he stood and reappeared in front of Fubuki in an instant.
"What?"
Before she could react, Sol's hand struck cleanly at the side of her neck. The blow was precise, controlled. Fubuki's vision blurred, then everything went dark as she collapsed.
A notification appeared in Sol's mind.
Psychokinesis evolution conditions met. Evolve now?
Matsuge and Yamazaru stared at their fallen leader, stunned into silence.
Sol flexed his fingers and gave them a casual smile that did not reach his eyes. "You two want a turn?"
They shook their heads so quickly it was almost impressive. Scrambling to lift the unconscious Fubuki, they retreated in panic, disappearing down the corridor as if chased by a demon.
Saitama scratched his head. "Was that necessary?"
Sol shrugged. "We were about to miss the supermarket discount."
Saitama's expression dimmed slightly. "That sale ends soon."
"It's fine. If we hurry, we can still make it."
"And if we don't?"
A faint spark of mischief flickered in Sol's eyes. "Then we improvise."
He selected Psychokinesis evolution on the interface.
Psychokinesis evolving. Current progress: 10 percent. The next stage cannot proceed until the current evolution is complete.
The sensation was subtle, a faint itch inside his head, like static brushing against his thoughts. Nothing dramatic, at least not yet.
They stepped outside, ready to head to the supermarket.
Then the sky darkened.
A massive shadow swallowed Z City.
Sol looked up.
A meteor tore through the atmosphere, dragging a blazing tail behind it. It roared as it descended, radiating destructive force that pressed against the city like a physical weight.
Sol and Saitama stood in the middle of the street, gazing upward.
"Ah. A meteor," Saitama said calmly, as if commenting on the weather.
Heat washed over Sol's face. He narrowed his eyes. The timing felt wrong. Was his presence affecting events? A butterfly effect should not pull a meteor off course.
Unless something else was at play.
A piercing alarm echoed across the city.
The Hero Association broadcast followed immediately.
Emergency evacuation notice. Disaster level Dragon. The situation is critical. Please evacuate immediately. Estimated impact in 65 minutes. The meteor will completely destroy Z City. Leave the area and seek shelter at a safe distance.
Panic erupted.
People flooded the streets.
"Run! It's going to hit!"
"Mom, where are you?"
"Don't push, my child is here!"
Inside supermarkets, customers abandoned their carts and rushed for the exits. Shelves toppled. Cashiers fled without closing registers.
Traffic collapsed into gridlock. Horns blared endlessly. Some drivers abandoned their vehicles and ran.
Residents poured out of buildings clutching pets, suitcases, and whatever valuables they could carry. Others fled with nothing.
Z City descended into chaos.
Some fell in the stampede and were trampled by those behind them.
Others stopped running altogether. Exhausted, they chose to remain, spending their final hour in silence rather than fear.
At the local Hero Association branch, staff scrambled to evacuate documents.
"Take all essential data, now!" the blonde supervisor shouted, sweat pouring down his face.
"We've contacted Metal Knight and Silver Fang," an operator replied. "They're attempting interception."
On the street, Sol and Saitama remained still, untouched by the panic around them.
"Let's head to the association branch," Sol said, patting Saitama's shoulder before sprinting off.
Inside the building stood , known as Silver Fang. His hands were clasped behind his back as he stared up at the approaching meteor through the window. His expression was grave.
He turned as Sol and Saitama entered.
"Why are you two still here? Everyone else has evacuated. This branch is empty."
Sol stepped beside him, smiling lightly. "You're still here too."
Bang's gaze returned to the sky. "This meteor can erase Z City. Its trajectory shifted unexpectedly."
He exhaled slowly. "I am powerless against something like this. You two should take your loved ones and leave."
"You're not evacuating?" Sol asked.
Bang's eyes softened slightly. "I will not abandon the dojo passed down through my lineage."
He stepped diagonally, his stance shifting with fluid precision. Blue energy shimmered faintly around him as he assumed the posture of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
"Do you understand this technique?" he asked quietly.
There was no reply.
Bang turned.
The hall was empty.
He sighed and looked back out the window. The meteor's shadow now covered most of the city.
"Those two…"
He shook his head. "I hope they survive."
Meanwhile, Sol and Saitama leapt between buildings, searching for the optimal interception point.
Sol stood at the edge of a skyscraper, staring up at the burning mass descending from the heavens.
A mechanical roar split the sky.
Massive combat drone approached the meteor, unleashing a barrage of missiles.
Explosions bloomed across the meteor's surface, but it barely faltered. It continued its descent.
"As expected," Sol muttered.
"I'll handle it," Saitama said.
"Wait," Sol started, but Saitama had already jumped.
He shot upward toward the meteor.
Sol clenched his jaw.
He remembered what would follow. Even if Saitama shattered it, the fragments would devastate the city. And instead of gratitude, Saitama would receive blame from those who survived.
Sol closed his eyes.
Psychokinesis was only ten percent evolved. Incomplete. Unstable.
But it was enough to try.
He needed to control the falling fragments after Saitama destroyed the core.
"Calm yourself."
Bang's voice sounded behind him.
Sol opened his eyes to see the old master standing there, beard fluttering in the heated wind.
"Your mind is wavering," Bang said quietly. "In crucial moments, you must remain composed."
"There is no value in fearing failure before it arrives."
Sol exhaled slowly, steadying his breathing.
Above them, Saitama approached the meteor.
And the sky burned.