High above the sky, the psychic talent inherited from Tatsumaki began to take effect.
Under the telekinetic system, Jason's mental energy and the soul-based substance that formed his AT Field gradually merged into one unified force. It no longer felt like two separate powers, but a true extension of his will, moving as naturally as his own limbs.
With maximum affinity, his psychic energy felt boundless. For the first time, he truly understood what it meant to wield power like Tatsumaki.
With a single thought, a suit of armor formed around him.
Gold and crimson interwove like flowing nanomaterial, spreading across his body in an instant. Brilliant jets of flame burst from his palms and the soles of his feet, leaving behind a dazzling trail of light as he streaked across the sky above A-City.
The once-invisible AT Field now manifested with color under the influence of his psychic power. The armor resembled a Mark-style suit in appearance, but it was far more than just a shell. Every function was intact, and it could be modified in real time, reshaped instantly according to his needs.
If necessary, he could even expand it into something massive. A giant mech, a humanoid war machine, or even a towering figure of light would all be possible.
A new ability gained.
Style points increased.
Three days later, Z-City.
Stepping out of the train station, Jason blended into the bustling crowd. The city at dusk felt calm and peaceful, almost deceptively so. He paused for a moment, taking in the scenery, before heading toward the subway that would take him home.
Inside the train, he closed his eyes and rested, the events of the past few days replaying vividly in his mind.
The special task force the police headquarters had carefully planned was nearly wiped out by a single Demon-level monster.
After that incident, many of the trainees suffered psychological trauma. Some would need long-term counseling before they could return to duty.
The upper ranks of the police, once full of ambition, had personally witnessed the overwhelming destructive power of monsters. The realization hit hard. Ordinary humans simply could not compete with such forces.
A single attack had nearly crippled the entire training program. And Demon-level threats were far from rare. Compared to Dragon-level disasters that could erase entire cities, this was only the beginning.
The conclusion was inevitable.
The program was canceled on the spot.
The trainees packed up and returned home.
Jason was not surprised. He had already seen it coming from the strained expression on the Director's face during their meeting.
"Are you sure you don't want to stay, Jason? With your achievements and your psychic abilities, I can guarantee you a position in upper management within six months. You could lead the entire force."
"Thank you, sir. But I think I'm better suited to fieldwork."
"You would be starting from the bottom again in Z-City. Are you certain?"
"Yes. Z-City needs someone like me when it matters."
"…Very well. Then I won't push further. However, each city will soon establish a Special Affairs Division. The position of Chief in Z-City is yours. Please do not refuse."
"I understand."
…
After that conversation, Jason returned with his official rank unchanged, but with a new title added.
Chief of the Special Affairs Division.
He would report directly to the Z-City Director, and in emergencies involving monster threats, he could even take command of all police forces in the city.
It was authority on par with the Director himself.
He did not particularly need that level of power, but it had its advantages.
For example, he could assign his own tasks.
Jason had already made up his mind. Once he got back, he would transfer Akiko to his department and make her his secretary.
That way, he would never have to write reports himself again.
Perfect.
Between the SSR ability card from Tatsumaki and his unexpected promotion, this trip to A-City had been incredibly rewarding.
There was more.
The Hero Association had already sent his first month's salary, along with bonuses from several missions. The amount made him pause.
It was more than what he earned in an entire year as a police officer.
No wonder so many people wanted to become heroes.
During his stay in A-City, his daily card draws had mostly yielded basic stat cards. However, on the night before his return, while wandering the city, his Stand's third ability, Element Collection, had picked up something far more interesting.
[Fantasy Card: Black Cube Fragment]
Type: Special Card
Rarity: N
Description: A fragment of a creation belonging to a god. It appears unstable.
Effect 1: Spatial Distortion
Allows random travel to an unknown alternate world for a short duration.
Effect 2: Return Ticket
Consumable item. Uses remaining: 2/2. The second use returns the user to the original world.
Jason recalled that in this world, a certain god created black cubes to contact and empower followers. Once chosen, even an ordinary person could instantly rise to terrifying levels of power.
This fragment was incomplete, but still…
An interdimensional travel tool.
Even for him, that was exciting.
A different world.
The curiosity of a traveler stirred within him.
The description mentioned only a short stay, so the risk seemed manageable. If things went wrong, he could simply use the second charge to return.
Just as he was thinking
"Stop! Don't run!"
"Why wouldn't I run? Do I look stupid to you?"
Two figures dashed past the intersection ahead, causing a small commotion among pedestrians.
Jason blinked.
What was that just now?
At the last moment, his Spider Sense caught a flash of red and yellow, followed by a fluttering white cape.
It looked like a running plate of scrambled eggs and tomatoes.
…Saitama.
Jason suddenly realized.
For some reason, seeing him in full costume felt unfamiliar. Probably because he still had hair.
Locking onto both figures with his psychic sense, Jason followed.
After turning a few streets, he found Saitama in an alley, wrestling with a strange monster.
The creature looked like an oversized carrot, nearly as tall as a person.
"Hey, Saitama. Busy with hero work?"
"Huh? Jason? Long time no see!" Saitama pinned the struggling carrot monster to the ground and waved back. "Hold on, I'm a bit occupied. Let me deal with this first!"
Five minutes later.
"My clothes are filthy again. Washing this is such a pain."
Covered in carrot juice, Saitama walked out of the alley with a look of mild disgust. The giant carrot had been snapped into pieces and tossed into a trash bin.
He briefly considered taking some home to cook, but decided against it.
Jason was watching, after all.
"Jason, where have you been lately? I went to your place, but you weren't there."
"I was on assignment in A-City. Just got back. What did you need me for?"