Chapter 370

Returning to Pinokangni, Xing finally received a message from the train crew; after briefly exchanging greetings that everyone was safe, the group decided to first gather at the statue of the Clock Boy.

……

「「One moment ago, in the depths of the memory realm. 」」

「「You should draw that sword, wanderer. 」」

The scorched ground cracked into a spiderweb pattern under the high temperature; Sam's gaze locked firmly on that figure not far away who always handled things with ease—Huangquan calmly blocked each of his strikes with her scabbard, and now the scorching flames couldn't even burn a corner of her clothing.

Huangquan's eyes remained faint, she tightly gripped her scabbard, and asked a seemingly unrelated question: "…Hunter, do you still dream?"

"Do you dream of those who died because of you?"

Sam paused for a moment, the flames covering his fists suddenly dissipating, like some kind of cease‑fire signal.

——

One-Punch Man.

Ahhhh how could this be——!!

Jenos stood at the apartment door holding a bulging shopping bag, hearing from inside the teacher Qiyu's voice that could be described as utterly horrifying.

(The teacher's voice? Could it be……)

Through the door crack, I saw the teacher sitting cross-legged in front of the TV with KING, the two frantically rubbing some kind of mechanical device, their fingers almost rubbing out afterimages, trying to manipulate the two little figures inside the TV to fight.

(So that's it, KING has come again to the teacher for simulated combat training.)

(In simulated combat, KING actually manages to suppress the teacher; this man indeed has been hiding his strength all along. Yet being able to earn the teacher's approval and train with him every night itself proves he's not ordinary.)

(Come to think of it… the teacher has never invited me to simulated combat training; it must be because my strength is insufficient……)

Thinking this, Jenos couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Having followed the teacher for so long…… yet he doesn't even have the qualification to participate in simulated combat—has he really been getting stronger?

Jenos gently set down his shopping bag, not daring to disturb. Only after Qiyu finished the next round did he gently push open the door.

"Teacher, I'm back."

"Ah, it's Jenos! Why are you so late today? Did you run into a monster on the way?"

"Sorry for the delay! On the way shopping, I happened to see Sam, Xing, Huangquan and others fighting on the sky screen, so I stopped to watch for a while. Analyzing and reviewing the battle along the way also took time……"

"Oh, Sam…… is that the fire‑spitting robot, right?" Qiyu suddenly recalled, he looked up at the sky screen, which happened to still be showing the standoff between Huangquan and Sam, "Speaking of which, Sam's and Jenos's fighting styles are somewhat similar."

"……Yes! So I spent a lot of time observing his combat techniques and style." Jenos looked earnestly at Qiyu, "But I want to ask, teacher, in your eyes…… where exactly does the gap between me and Sam lie?"

"Gap?" Qiyu furrowed his brow and thought for a moment, "Probably just insufficient firepower."

"Firepower……"

Jenos rested his chin on his hand, sinking into thought, recalling how he had Dr. Kusaneno enhance his firepower plates; yet in his only spar with the teacher, he couldn't even scorch the teacher's hem…… so afterward he gave up on further upgrades in that area.

Jenos, look——

Qiyu pointed at the sky screen, gazing at Sam's flames that wrapped around his body, the ultimate blaze that burns wherever it goes, and said excitedly: "What I mean is, we want that kind of flame effect that coils around the body! It's super cool! Jenos, why don't you give it a try?"

(So the teacher did consider my close‑combat situation with monsters, huh?)

(Attaching flames to the body—for example, on the fists—would indeed be advantageous in actual combat when grappling with an enemy, more efficient than a jet‑like spray, and it could also maintain a certain combat aesthetic……)

Having understood this point, Jenos felt as if enlightened, suddenly realizing the truth.

"As expected of Teacher Qiyu! I now fully understand!"

——

"A few days ago, at the Eternal Flame Manor."

"In a sea of blazing ruins, Huangquan's scabbard hovered before the Netherflame Duke's face."

……

"The Netherflame Duke lifted his head to gaze at the expressionless wanderer before him: '…It seems the outcome was already decided.'"

""They're still alive, and so are you." Huangquan said indifferently, "You still have a choice. Leave that music box, then go.""

""Choice?" The duke's voice carried a hint of self‑mocking bitter smile, "The path of 【Destruction】's blood has never tolerated hesitation.""

""The fire demons of Tefite… even if you offered your life to that star god, you would not gain his favor.""

""The Netherflame Duke slowly shook his head: 'Wanderer, you walk the narrow path of 【Hunt】, so you cannot naturally understand. We come from fire, are born of fire, spreading, burning, destroying, until the firewood is exhausted, leaving only a ground of ashes.'""

""Burning is the fire demon's life, beginning and end. We are born to die, merely a facet of enacting the cosmic truth: all things are born for 【Destruction】.""

""Your companions seem not to think so; they have fought to give you a chance to live." Huangquan said calmly."

""They are my children, just like I once was—still un‑fiery sparks. They are young, I won't blame them. But my fire has grown hoarse, time is running out. Have you seen the distant star of the grand gathering? I will bring purgatory there——so before that, I must surpass you.""

""Why?" Huangquan asked, somewhat puzzled."

""Because on the road they have opened, you have gone farther than I…… 【Envoy}.""

——

Marvel Universe.

"This guy is truly a tough nut, so brave!"

Star Lord couldn't help but slap the console; the Milan's navigation system protested with a buzz, "Although…… uh, it's just that he died a bit rashly, but running into Huangquan leaves no choice."

Gamora crossed her arms, her green skin appearing even deeper under the screen's glow: "So, what's your plan now? Or keep it unchanged, keep searching for that planet whose name is easy to mispronounce? What's it called, Mi——"

"It's Pinokangni!" Star Lord corrected, casually shoving the half‑eaten snack in his hand into Groot, "This planet is a bit hard to find—I'd never heard of it before, but no matter, looking it up at most takes a little time."

"Then what?" Gamora raised an eyebrow, "How are we to check into the hotel? You wouldn't plan to, like when dealing with Ronan on Xandar, awkwardly dance in front of the reception to draw attention so we could sneak in, would you?"