Blast arrived from his hyperspace gate in a crouched pose, arms crossed tightly in front of his face and legs crossed beneath him.
"Oh. What a relief, I made it in time…" he said as his feet touched down on the tracks of a mining railway.
Did I?
He surveyed his peculiar surroundings. A hill of caved-in stone to his right and a few meters away… a cyclopean midget hugging the leg of a person clothed in an obsidian-colored ninja uniform, behind the pair, the curved tunnel walls and tracks that continued until they went out of view, speckled with what seemed to be the remains of some large creature.
Blast lowered his shades. "You haven't accepted the deal yet, right?" His eyes fixed on the 'Mysterious Cube.'
"Are you a hero?" The ninja asked, tilting his head.
"You are holding it without knowing, huh?" Blast held out his hand. "Let me have it."
The ninja lowered his arm, holding it in the palm of his head before underhand throwing it to Blast across the several meter gap.
His physical strength is far above the average human. I don't detect any Divine Power radiating off of him…
Blast upon catching the cube deployed a skill he had honed over many hours, spinning it on the tip of his finger. "This cube is somewhat of a communication.
If you come into contact with it, a rift will open in the fabric of space, letting you communicate with him. I've been going around collecting these scattered things from all over. It's kind of a hobby."
"'Blast! It's you Blast!'"
"Wah!" cried the one-eyed runt.
His eyebrows raised. He didn't even flinch from 'his' vociferation.
"Heh." Blast tossed up the cube, pressing his index finger and thumb together, generating a small hyperspace gate. "Sorry to barge in while you were in the middle of something."
"The Rank 1 Hero Blast, it's an honor to meet you."
"Yeah. And you're…"
The ninja shook his head. "Where are my manners? I'm the C-Class Hero Charanko."
Only a C-Class?
"I see. What are you doing so far underground?"
"GPS broke." answered Charanko.
Blast couldn't infer if he was joking or not, as only his plain eyes were visible.
"More importantly. Why are you keeping this monster around? Doesn't seem like it's your prisoner either…"
Charanko pressed down on one of the monster's horns with his index finger, causing its eye to shine. "Both a guide and flashlight. She's really handy."
"I-I tend to light up when I'm surprised."
Blast didn't have time to waste on some trivial monster and said, "Whatever." He then clenched his hands into fists and slammed them together. Energy glowed first from the circle on the back of his gloves, then it flared, forming an infinity symbol before generating a larger hyperspace gate around him.
"The flow of time here is slower than out there. Better get out quick. Come over here and I'll bring you to the surface."
Charanko raised his arm, index finger pointed straight down at the monster. His following words left Blast with an inexplicable feeling, causing his hyperspace gate to fade away.
"I'm sorry Blast, I'm afraid I can't do that."
Charanko then touched his index finger and thumb together and said, "Tell him I sent you."
"What!?"
Blast's eyes shot wide open when he saw a hyperspace gate materialize beneath the monster, sending it away before it could make a sound.
Is he one of 'God's avatars? He can't be, there's not a sliver of divine power in his body.
"Who or what are you?" Blast asked, his surprise turned stern.
Charanko rubbed his hands together. "I have a few questions I have to ask. So, do you have eight or nine other members in your 'Earth Defence Force?'
Don't answer yet. Do three of your squadmates match these descriptions: A busty black-haired scrying elf? Actually, before we're finished today, I'll need her contact information. Not for me, but for my friend, the strongest individual in the world.
You see, I like to find ways to stave off boredom and I've remembered that matchmaking is highly entertaining. Not surprising, as I've always loved Fire Emblem Awakening. I believe the two of them will hit it off and you know he deserves an other-dimensional knockout like her as his wife.
Then there's Beast Prince. Not much to say about him. Seems a little too arrogant.
And now I arrive at King Boris. I have a good friend of the same race, but my friend is superior.
I've prattled on long enough. Why bother getting her contact information when I can force her to leave her post to come help you?"
Blast tried to reel in the biggest shock he's had in quite some time. Charanko knew the descriptions of three of his squadmates and the names of two of them. But he wouldn't get a fraction of a second to collect himself.
"I can just add more energy." Charanko slammed his knuckles together. Instantly a hyperspace gate appeared expanding for tens of meters until it enveloped Blast as well.
How much energy can his body output!?
"Let's go to the surface."
The pair flashed into existence in a dry and cracked wasteland, Z-City a fleck on the horizon.
"I'm uncertain what you ar—"
"I am Charanko."
"…"
Blast couldn't risk having someone like this running around. If Charanko were to become 'God's' avatar… How many members of his 'Earth Defence Force' would be sacrificed in the battle?
He couldn't risk it. First, he would seal Charanko away in a pocket dimension and then uncover his identity.
Blast used his greatest speed and generated a hyperspace gate above and below the motionless ninja before pressing his palms together. "'Shut!"
The two hyperspace gates collided, leaving behind a thin line of energy that faded to nothing in the following instant.
Before Blast could release a sigh of relief, a sound and sight he couldn't believe reached his ears.
"Hmph."
In front of him, a hyperspace gate split open with a crackling outcry. Lightning coiled around its rim. From the blinding core, a shape floated up, crouched low, with arms and legs crossed.
Blast's mind raced as Charanko landed in front of him.
"I'd say it's time for you to contact her. No worries, I won't put too much strength into it." Charanko looked down at the ground, pulling back his clenched fist. "'Killer Move: Serious Series, Serious Punch!'"
Blast reeled backward. "T-This energy!? This is bad! The Earth will be shattered!"