"Ding. Exchange successful. Steel Armor evolution complete."
Sol Mirek's body shuddered violently as black and crimson keratin erupted across his skin. The bio-armor spread like a living organism, layering itself over his muscles, crawling up his limbs, and finally sealing over his face.
He clenched his teeth, refusing to make a sound.
Every inch of his skin felt as if it were being torn apart and rebuilt. The armor fused seamlessly with his body, pulsing faintly with heat.
Sol stepped in front of the mirror.
The man reflected there barely resembled his former self. His entire body was wrapped in black-red armor etched with glowing crimson patterns that shifted subtly with each breath. Under the light, it carried a metallic sheen, yet moved with the flexibility of living flesh.
"Steel Armor evolution complete. The host may manifest or retract the armor at will."
With a thought, the armor receded like a tide, vanishing beneath his skin. Sol touched his arm. It felt completely normal.
Yet he could feel it.
The boost to his physical strength was enormous. Combined with his original foundation and Asura Kabuto's raw physique, Sol's body alone had reached mid Dragon-level territory, even without techniques.
Power surged through him, restless and violent.
If he did not release it, sleep would be impossible.
Sol left the rental house and headed toward a barren stretch of land far from the city. No buildings. No people.
Perfect.
He inhaled deeply. Veins bulged across his arms as his muscles tightened to their limit.
"Demon Back, activate."
"Asura Mode, activate."
Bone cracked as his frame expanded. Dark red patterns bloomed across his skin. His eyes turned blood-red, white vapor pouring from his body. The demonic visage on his back twisted into a more vicious shape.
Sol raised his right arm. Power condensed so densely that the air warped around it.
He drove his fist into the ground.
Boom.
The wasteland collapsed as if struck by a falling star. Nearly a kilometer of land caved in, forming a colossal crater. Shockwaves tore outward, splitting the earth and uprooting ancient trees dozens of miles away.
When the dust finally settled, Sol stood calmly at the bottom of the pit.
"Not bad," he muttered. "A normal Dragon-level monster would not survive that."
He extended his hand and activated his psychokinesis.
Dark red energy poured out, thick and viscous, spreading across the crater floor like liquid blood. Functionally, it felt no different than before, despite its disturbing appearance.
Sol crouched and touched the residue. Nothing special happened.
"So it's just cosmetic," he sighed. "What a waste."
He straightened. "Time to head back. Tomorrow, I register Genos."
Deactivating his forms, Sol turned and left the wasteland.
Deep underground, within the Monster Association.
A woman with long blue hair removed her glasses, preparing to sleep, when a violent tremor rippled through the caverns.
"This power…" Psykos froze.
A small pink eyeball with wings fluttered into the air, flying toward the source of the disturbance under her control.
Moments later, Gyoro Gyoro hovered above the massive crater. Psykos's eyes gleamed.
"Dragon-level. Without question."
Gyoro Gyoro descended, its tentacles brushing against the dark red residue on the ground.
The instant contact was made, the pink creature burst apart.
Psykos stiffened.
Violent emotions and overwhelming energy surged from the residue alone. Even remnants carried destructive intent.
Her lips curled into a grin.
"If this power joins us…"
She immediately issued orders.
"A new Dragon-level entity has appeared. Dispatch reconnaissance monsters. Focus on the suburban areas of Z-City."
The next morning, Sol stretched as he stepped out of his room, completely unaware of the attention he had drawn.
"Good morning, Senior."
Genos stood rigidly at the doorway.
"You're early," Sol said, amused.
"I arrived two hours ago to avoid delaying your schedule," Genos replied seriously.
Sol rubbed his temple. "You're going to give me wrinkles. Come on."
They boarded the subway toward the Hero Association Z-City branch.
Inside the train, whispers spread. A small boy clutching a hero booklet ran up to Sol, eyes shining.
"Z-City Watchman. Thank you. You, Silver Fang, and Caped Baldy saved the city from the meteor."
Sol blinked. "That name stuck already?"
He crouched and accepted the booklet. "What's your name?"
"Snot-Nosed Brat."
Sol paused briefly. He recognized it.
He smiled and hooked pinkies with the boy. "Then grow up strong. We'll protect Z-City together."
He signed the booklet and scribbled his number beside it.
"If you ever see a weird old man with two sharp silver tufts of hair, call me. I'm his senior brother, Damien. Tell him I'm looking for him."
The boy nodded fiercely.
Genos watched quietly, curiosity flickering, but he did not ask.
The train stopped.
Sol stood. "Alright. Let's make you official."