One Punch Simulator

The Strongest Troubles

Something was wrong.

It wasn't from the monsters roaming around, or the terrified fans screaming. No, Sweet Mask knew there was something greater coming for him. Something worse than the monsters.

He glowered at the blood on his hands, and the corpses of monsters at the feet. He was infuriated. How dare those monsters interrupt his show, and put the lives of his fans in danger. They were innocent people.

He became even more infuriated thinking about what was coming for him.

Whatever's out there, I'm not going to let it hurt my fans or anymore innocent people, he thought.

He slipped backstage, determined to put an end to it all. He approached his manager, who was on the phone, speaking in a hurried tone.

"Keep an eye out," Sweet Mask told him. "Something bad is coming."

His manager stared at him. "What do you mean, Sweet Mask-sama?"

"The monsters weren't the end of it," the hero said. "I can tell."

His manager frowned, hanging up on whoever he was talking to. "Well, um, that reminds me... a hacker of some kind was bad-mouthing you on a lot of online forums..."

"I'm not concerned about that," Sweet Mask said, scowling. "Make sure all the security cameras and trackers are on. I'm getting to the bottom of this."

His manager nodded, preparing to call a different person. Sweet Mask frowned, turning away from him. He walked down the hallway, past crew members and security.

"Sweet Mask-sama!" a man wearing a security jacket ran up to him. "Where are you going?"

"I have to deal with something," the hero replied, seriously.

"What do you mean?" the man asked.

"Get everyone evacuated," Sweet Mask assured him. "I can handle it."

The man nodded, racing off. Sweet Mask continued walking, fists clenched. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something. A figure of some kind.

I knew it, he thought. He sped over to it, but it was gone. He looked left and right, but there was nothing.

He frowned, and continued looking around. He took a few steps, getting further and further away from the crowd of people. He saw a few flashes of something lurking behind the walls, but every time he checked, there was nothing there.

Is it taunting me? He thought. Hmph. It can't hide from me forever.

He made a stride forward. A small room with a half-open door caught his attention. There was someone in there.

He opened the door, and clearly saw a figure standing in the room. He took another step, but it disappeared.

He scowled, holding up his hands. "Show yourself. I won't play your little game of hide and seek anymore."

He felt a presence behind him. He turned around. His eyes narrowed.

"Of course," he said, coldly. "It's you."

Ayano Aishi gave him an innocent smile. Sweet Mask eyed the knife in her hand.

"I knew it from the start," he spat. "You're not a hero at all, are you?"

"It's true," Ayano admitted, sneaking her knife back into her pocket. "I'm behind all of the deaths. I was the one who killed the aliens on that spaceship. I'm the one you're looking for." She smirked. "What are you going to do now, Sweet Mask-sama?"