2 Hours since the resolved Sea King Incident...
The aroma inside Saitama's apartment was overwhelming—in the best possible way. Sweet soy sauce, sharp wasabi, sizzling oil, and the rich scent of grilled calamari hung in the air like a delicious fog of chaos. It smelled like a seafood izakaya had crash-landed in the middle of a bachelor pad.
At the cramped kitchenette, Genos wore a perfectly fitted apron cinched tight over his chrome-plated frame, methodically breading slices of Deep Sea King meat with surgical precision. "Master, I've calibrated the batter mix for optimal crispiness," he said with absolute seriousness.
Damian calmly chewed on a strip of sea king bicep meat. His eyes were distant, his mind clearly elsewhere. Meanwhile, Saitama… was feral.
"MMMPH—this is so damn good!" Saitama groaned mid-chew, sauce running down his chin like a waterfall. "Why does sea monster taste better than beef?! This is like… triple-discount-supermarket level good!"
Genos glanced over, deadpan. "Master… you are aware you didn't actually participate in the battle today, correct?"
Saitama stuck out his tongue. "Tch—I ran the whole way there! That's cardio. I burned calories, that counts!" He tossed Damian a lazy side-eye.
Damian didn't look up. "Hey, I thought we were playing tag. You were 'it,' remember?"
"Tch… that game was supposed to be training. I thought we were done..." Saitama muttered, slouching.
In the background, the TV blared from the corner of the room.
"In today's headlines—Z-City hero 'Sky God' once again lives up to his name…"
Saitama paused mid-chew.
The screen showed shaky smartphone footage taken by a survivor at Shelter 17. First, Genos shielding a little girl from a rain of acid. Then—Damian descending like divine retribution, launching the Deep Sea King through the shelter wall with a telekinetic blast.
Next came footage of the two heroes distributing food to survivors. Smiles. Cheers. Civilians holding warm seafood in their hands and genuine hope in their eyes.
The anchor continued: "Sky God, currently ranked S-Class Rank 12, was one of only three S-Class heroes to respond. More notably, he was the only one who resolved the Dragon-level threat completely solo. This marks his second Dragon-level resolution since his debut during the meteor crisis. His growing legend has prompted public discussion around a new name—quote—'Dragon God.'"
Saitama's eyes bulged. "Dragon God?! How do you keep getting names like that?!"
Damian chuckled into his sleeve.
Genos, flipping a crispy filet with mechanical grace, chimed in, "I already notified the Association that you were present, Master. I documented your contributions to post-battle cleanup and food distribution."
Saitama leaned back, smug. "Nice. Maybe this'll finally bump up my hero ranking...
The anchorwoman continued:
"And let's not forget the contributions of Caped Baldy, Class C, Rank 1, who assisted with evacuation and food rationing. A strong example of C-Class heroism."
Saitama's expression collapsed. "IT'S ONE PUNCH MAN! NOT CAPED BALDY!"
Damian nearly spit out his bite. Genos didn't even blink. "They continue to use your registry name, Master. Perhaps submitting a formal request for a title change would help?"
"I'm gonna make business cards," Saitama muttered bitterly.
Wiping his hands on a towel, Damian stood. "Hey Genos, how much longer on dinner?"
"Approximately thirty minutes."
"Perfect. I'm gonna hit the shower. Sure, I could cleanse myself with my biofield, but nothing beats hot water and steam."
As Genos and Saitama resumed arguing about whether soy glaze or teriyaki made for a superior marinade, Damian slipped quietly into the bathroom.
Moments later...
Steam hissed around him, water trailing down his perfectly proportioned, muscle-lined body. His sapphire eyes shimmered with crimson energy, fixed on the glowing blue interface before him.
[Main Mission Quest: Stop 2 Dragon-Level or Higher Disasters][Mission Complete – 100%]
[Reward: Multiversal Lottery Tickets ×3]
[Would you like to collect your reward? Yes or No?]
A smile tugged at Damian's lips."Yes."
The interface morphed.
[Multiversal Lottery – Tickets Available: 3]
[Would you like to try your luck? Yes or No?]
His heart pounded.
"Alright… we finally made it. Let's hope I get something useful—or awesome."
He tapped [Yes].
Poof!
A box spun into existence—faster and faster—its faces flashing like a slot machine. But this time, Damian's eyes tracked it perfectly. His super senses followed every flicker of color and shape as they cycled:
Phoenix Flame... Excalibur... Mutant Gene... Mjolnir... Empty Golden Pokéball... Rick and Morty's Portal Gun... the Allspark...
The lottery box stopped.
Poof!
[Congratulations! You have obtained: The Flying Nimbus – Dragon Ball Universe]A semi-sentient golden cloud that allows the host to fly at high altitudes and considerable speeds. Light, maneuverable, and capable of long-range travel without fuel or energy depletion.
Damian raised an eyebrow.
"Huh… the Flying Nimbus?"
Steam curled around him as he examined the glowing item hovering in the center of his system screen. "I mean, that's… cool, I guess. Not like I need help flying or anything…"
He exhaled, half amused, half disappointed. "Guess not every lottery draw can be amazing."
After a brief pause, he smiled faintly."Well… maybe I'll give it to Master Saitama. He can't fly—and he'd probably love riding a golden cloud."
He tapped [Store in System Inventory].
The cloud shimmered out of sight.
[Would you like to try your luck again? Tickets Remaining: 2]
Damian nodded. "Alright… round two."
He hit [Yes].
The spinning cube reappeared, now even faster. Damian tracked every face with hyper-focus:
Infinity Gauntlet (Empty)… Kamui… Zanpakutō: Hyōrinmaru… SCP-914… Nen Training Manual… Cursed Energy Vial… Rinnegan… Magic Lamp… Philosopher's Stone… A suspiciously glowing sandwich…
"C'mon, something good—"
Poof!
[Congratulations! You have obtained: Enclosed Container of Green Kryptonite Crystal – DC Universe]
A sealed, lead-lined cylinder containing a crystalized sample of Green Kryptonite. Emits deadly radiation harmful to Kryptonians. Keep sealed unless intentionally weaponized or studied.
Damian's eyes went wide.
The blood drained from his face.
"What the—"
His body launched backward, slamming into the shower wall with a metallic thunk, knocking over every bottle in the caddy.
From the living room—
"You good in there?" Saitama called out, voice muffled by chewing.
"I slipped on soap!" Damian called back quickly, chest rising and falling.
"…Weird. I've never seen him trip in my life," Saitama mumbled to Genos.
Back in the shower, Damian stared at the glowing image.
A slowly rotating glass container of Kryptonite hovered in the center of his system panel. It wasn't physically present, but his body didn't care—every cell in his Kryptonian genome recoiled on instinct.
He gathered himself, letting out a slow breath.
He selected [Store in System Inventory] without hesitation.
Silence.
Steam wrapped around him again. The cold tile against his back offered no comfort.
He exhaled, sharp and shaky."What the hell, system? You trying to kill me?"
Even though it was virtual, the image alone had triggered a deep, primal fear—etched into every strand of his alien DNA.
He stood under the spray, mind racing.
"…Why would the system give me that?"
Until now, every mission, every reward—it all made sense. It built him up, prepared him, made him stronger.
So why Kryptonite?
He twisted the water dial to cold.
The sudden blast hit like frostbite. He didn't flinch.
"Okay. Think."
The Codex.
His genetic potential was now unlimited. His Kryptonian evolution unbound. One day, with enough solar radiation, he could become a god.
The system.
It had never failed him. It had only ever pushed him forward—carefully. Intentionally.
His eyes scanned the inventory again.
Kryptonian Escape Pod.
SCP-458: Never-Ending Pizza Box.
The Flying Nimbus... And now, Kryptonite.
Nimbus… and Kryptonite…
Then it clicked.
His eyes lit up.
His brows rose slightly, and a smirk curved the corner of his lips.
"…Oh."
Hands still dripping under the water, he pressed his palms together, eyes closing for a brief moment of reverent appreciation.
"I never should've doubted you," he whispered to the system.
He turned, stepping back under the stream. The water cascaded over his face, but the storm in his mind was gone—replaced by calm.
"This is going to suck," he muttered to himself, smirking, "but it'll be worth it."
He took one deep breath and turned back to the interface.
Only one ticket remained.
And he was ready.
Damian exhaled slowly, water cascading over his shoulders.
"Alright… last one. Let's make it count."
He tapped [Yes].
The lottery box spun again, flashing through new icons faster than ever before.
Damian narrowed his eyes, tracking each image with razor-sharp focus:
Tenseiga… Sacred Jewel Shard… Ebony Blade… Death Note… Devil Bringer Gauntlet… Omnitrix Prototype… Stormbreaker… Chakram of Xena… Eye of Agamotto…
"Come on…"
Poof!
The box disappeared, and in the center of his system screen, a sleek, black katana appeared, hovering in place with ominous grace.
Its curve was elegant. Its edge shimmered faintly, vibrating with contained energy. Crimson wrappings coiled around the hilt like ceremonial bindings, and the guard resembled a cracked obsidian ring.
A system message unfolded beneath it:
[Congratulations! You have obtained: The Adamantium Muramasa Blade – Marvel Universe]
A masterfully crafted katana forged from pure Adamantium and imbued with supernatural qualities:
• Adamantium Alloy – Indestructible. Cannot be dulled, broken, or melted.
• Anti-Healing Properties – Wounds caused by this blade resist all forms of regeneration, magic, and cellular repair.
• Supernatural Edge – Capable of slicing through nearly any substance: matter, energy, magic, or curse.
Damian let out a low whistle. "Now that's a sword."
He admired it in silence for a moment—then tapped [Collect Reward] instead of storing the system inventory.
A soft hiss filled the bathroom as a square-shaped rift opened in the air above his system screen, glowing faintly. From within, the blade began to descend, rotating slowly on a cushion of light.
The moment it touched his palm, he felt it— something so sturdy he was unsure if he could damage it. The power coiled like a sleeping dragon in the steel.
"This thing could probably slice a planet in half," he muttered and turned towards the mirror.
Then—SHNK!
With just the slightest motion, the blade accidentally sliced straight through the shower curtain like it was rice paper. The upper half fluttered pitifully to the floor.
"…Oops."
Before he could react—
Click.
The bathroom door creaked open.
"Hey, did you fall again in there—OH MY GOD," Saitama blurted, freezing in the doorway.
Damian slowly turned his head.
Steam drifted around him. The Muramasa Blade shimmered faintly in one hand.
He was also, very much, naked.
Saitama's eyes dropped… then widened."…Whoa. Your sword is huge…"
Damian raised an eyebrow. "You mean this sword?" he asked dryly, lifting the katana slightly.
Saitama blinked. "OH! Y-Yeah! Yep. Definitely meant the one in your hand!"
Damian snorted and shook his head.
He tapped [Store in System Inventory], and with a flicker of light and a quiet hum, the blade vanished from his grasp, distorting back into his inventory.
Reaching for a towel, he added casually, "Yeah… we're gonna need a new shower curtain."
Saitama, still stunned, nodded. "Dude… that was cool. Where'd you even get that sword?"
Damian, quick as ever, replied, "Oh, that? I've always had it. Just forgot it was in my inventory. Kinda cluttered in there. Figured I'd finally take it out for a look… forgot how sharp it was."
He shut the water off.
Saitama backed out of the bathroom, calling over his shoulder, "Genos! You gotta check out Damian's sword!"
From the kitchen:"Umm… what sword? And why are you in the bathroom?" Genos replied, clearly concerned.
Cut to – Hero Association Headquarters – Private Briefing Room
The room was dim and silent, the only sound the low hum of surveillance projectors embedded in the walls. A massive curved monitor cast a pale glow, cycling through compiled footage—every known instance of the S-Class hero known as Sky God.
The screen flickered from one clip to the next:Damian stopping a meteor with a single gesture.Shielding civilians mid-air from acidic monster bile.Effortlessly slicing off monster limbs and handing out meat to survivors.Hovering above the Deep Sea King like a divine figure, cloaked in lightning and storm.
Every person he saved. Every monster he killed. Every impossible feat—compiled and catalogued with precision. No failures. No hesitation. Only results.
Standing before the screen was the Hero Association Director, arms crossed tightly, his eyes narrowed in focused thought.
Beside him stood Blast, S-Class Rank 1.
His dark, spiked hair cast jagged shadows beneath the light. His black-and-gray armored suit pulsed faintly with subtle energy lines. He didn't speak. Didn't blink. Just observed.
The footage paused on a final shot—Damian hovering above Shelter 17, eyes glowing red, cloak rippling in the rainstorm, a god descending in judgment.
The Director finally broke the silence. "You've seen everything. Every clip we've got. What's your take?"
Blast didn't look away from the screen.
"…Promote him."
The Director raised an eyebrow. "To where?"
"Rank 2."
"You're certain?"
Blast gave a slight nod. "His abilities are unmeasurable. His telekinesis alone surpasses Tatsumaki's. And if I'm ever gone... I'd trust him to protect this world."
The room fell quiet again as the screen resumed in the background, replaying Damian's feats in slow motion.
"…Agreed," the Director said softly.
Cut to – Saitama's Apartment – Nightfall
The front door creaked open.
A gentle Knock-knock...
"Yo."
King stepped inside, calm as ever, holding two overloaded bags of snacks in one hand and two boxes of brand-new controllers in the other.
Saitama's eyes lit up mid-bite, his mouth full of freshly fried Sea King filet. "Oh snap! You brought the controllers!"
King nodded solemnly, as if delivering sacred relics. "Figured it's time to reclaim my title."
Saitama pointed a greasy chopstick at him. "You mean I'm reclaiming the title."
King raised a brow. "We both never had the title."
They turned simultaneously… and sneered at Damian.
Damian, lounging on the couch with one arm behind his head, didn't even look up. "You guys battle first. I'm sitting this tournament out."
Both Saitama and King froze, looking betrayed.
"…Lame," Saitama muttered, already snatching a controller. But then he grinned. "Actually… perfect. Now I might actually win."
"We'll see," King said, already unboxing. "While you two were fighting sea monsters, I was grinding ranked matches. They released Sky God as a downloadable character… He's kinda busted."
Saitama's eyes narrowed, snapping back to Damian. "We'll see about that."
Damian's Inner Thoughts
Lying comfortably on the couch, Damian opened his system interface. The translucent blue screen flickered into view before him.
He scrolled to his newest addition.
The Adamantium Muramasa Blade.
His radiant eyes narrowed with quiet awe.
"Not just a god-tier weapon… but one I'm sure I'll need in the next world..."
He tapped the item, studying its stats again. Indestructible. Anti-healing. Able to cut through magic, matter, and curse alike.
A blade of legend… and it was his.
His gaze drifted to the next two entries in his inventory.
The Flying Nimbus.
Enclosed Container of Green Kryptonite.
His smirk faded.
"Okay, System… I get it."
"You're not just throwing me loot. You're giving me the tools—the path."
"This is going to be hell. But I accept your challenge."
He exhaled slowly, his jaw tightening with resolve.
"Time to get rid of my Kryptonite weakness."
Damian's gaze lingered on the glowing inventory panel for a long moment, thoughts heavy with purpose. But the sound of rapid-fire button mashing and dramatic anime voice lines from the TV tugged at his attention.
He glanced back over his shoulder.
King was laser-focused, eyes narrowed, fingers moving with mechanical precision. Saitama, on the other hand, was practically melting into the floor, gripping the controller like it betrayed him.
On screen, King's chosen character—Sky God—unleashed a ridiculous combo of mid-air slashes, followed by a glowing telekinetic shockwave that launched Saitama's fighter across the screen.
"AGAIN?!" Saitama yelled, voice cracking. "That move is so broken!"
"You picked the guy with no mobility," King replied flatly.
Genos stood off to the side, arms crossed, analyzing the match with perfect posture. "Master, I warned you. Sky God is currently rated S-Tier. Very few counters exist in the current patch."
Saitama's eye twitched. "I hate patch notes."
Damian smirked, sitting up slightly, resting his arm behind his head as he watched the chaos unfold.
King launched another special—Sky God's signature meteor-burst finisher—and Saitama's character exploded off-screen with a comically loud KO.
Saitama stared blankly at the "DEFEAT" message. "This game's rigged."
Damian chuckled.
"Looks like I'm still beating you, Master Saitama… even without playing."
Saitama huffed. "Yeah, yeah. We'll see how training goes tomorrow!"
But before he could grab another controller, Damian sat up fully, his tone shifting slightly.
"Actually, Master… I'll need to take the next couple of days off from training. There's something I need to do."
The room quieted for just a moment, as both King and Saitama glanced his way with curiosity.
Damian's expression had changed—calm, but focused. Determined.
To be continued…