The Class That Cried Werewolf

48 - Fight or Protect? Why Not Both?

-3rd Person POV-

With his rank firmly among the top ten Japanese pro heroes, Gang Orca's presence here was nothing short of formidable. The menacing and ruthless persona he could exude and the sheer bulk of his figure radiated an aura of strength that could intimidate anyone, even fellow heroes.

Now, Gang Orca and his contingent of henchmen advanced swiftly, the rhythm of their march growing louder as they closed in on the first aid station. There was hardly a moment to strategize. Tatsuya's muscles tensed, his stance low as he braced himself, instinctively sliding into a combat-ready position. His eyes narrowed, assessing the fast-approaching threat with a sharpened focus.

"Get everyone to safety!" Shindo's voice rang out as he dashed past, determination etched in his expression.

"Shindo, wait!" Tatsuya called, his voice laced with urgency. The reckless move caught him off guard, and he felt an instinctive need to intervene.

But Shindo didn't stop, merely throwing a glance over his shoulder. "Do it! Get them as far away from the villains as possible!" he repeated, his tone leaving no room for hesitation.

Tatsuya's jaw clenched as he looked wary between the oncoming threat and the scattered civilians. He wanted to believe in Shindo's abilities but doubted whether the Ketsubutsu student's tremor attack would do much to their opponent. The tactic might scatter the henchmen but against a pro hero of Gang Orca's caliber? That was another matter entirely.

Shindo positioned himself several yards away from the first aid station, crouching with his hands pressed to the ground, determination gleaming in his eyes. "I'll start hammering away at the henchmen at one-second intervals," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible over the mounting tension as he activated his Quirk.

Cracks splintered outward in an intricate web, spreading with fierce momentum across the field. The tremors increased, lifting chunks of rock and debris, causing the henchmen to stumble as they lost their footing on the unsteady ground.

"Weren't expecting that, were you?" Shindo's grin flashed with confidence, his energy exuding a cocky thrill as the impact rippled through his foes.

But his victory was short-lived. A chilling shadow fell over him as Gang Orca loomed, unaffected and unimpressed by the tremors. The orca-like pro was upon him in an instant, his menacing stare unwavering.

"Nice try," he growled, voice vibrating with a sinister calm just before he unleashed an ultrasonic wave straight into Shindo's face.

The powerful sound reverberated at a brutal pitch, and Shindo's eyes rolled back as his body went limp, dropping onto the fractured ground with a hollow thud, his expression vacant. The sight left the other examinees frozen with shock, each painfully aware of the raw power that had just been displayed.

"A single rear guard to hold us back? You've underestimated me," Gang Orca announced, his voice deep and resonant. His tone was almost scolding, as if mocking the examinees' attempt to resist, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the scene, daring any of them to step forward and prove themselves.

Gang Orca turned his imposing form toward the examinees scrambling to get the injured away, his heavy footsteps sending vibrations through the ground with each menacing step. His intense gaze swept over them, calculating, as a smirk curled on his lips. Frozen in fear, the bystanders instinctively shrank back, but his instincts flared just as he took another step forward. A faint shift in the air—a nearly undetectable rush from his right—signaled an incoming attack.

Gang Orca pivoted around, ready to unleash another ultrasonic blast toward the threat. But before he could fully turn, the attacker darted in low, diving beneath his outstretched arm in a swift, agile movement. The pro hero's eyes narrowed, catching only a fleeting glimpse of dark hair and fierce determination as his opponent closed the distance instantly.