Villain Retirement

Chapter 254: The Symbol

"Holy shit."

"What in my demonic ancestor's titties is that!?"

Murmurs, whispers, and screams all scattered around parts of New York, almost assembling to make an orchestra that only sang chaos. Everyone that was near or had a view of the Hero Association Tower had their mouths agape, most of them had their phones up, pointing at the big metal box that was floating in the air.

At first, those who were near the Tower all panicked as they saw a huge part of the building separating and breaking away from it; they thought that their worries were finally materializing– a villain has finally targeted the Hero Association Tower.

And they, who just happened to be near the Tower, were the ones to pay the price. But seeing as not even a single speck of dust dropped from the building and nothing ever happened even after a minute except for the giant metal box separating, their worries disappeared– replaced by enough curiosity that it made them excited.

And so, they all just thought that it was some sort of gimmick of the Hero Association; or that the Hero Association was actually some sort of aircraft or a defense system right in New York. If it was… wouldn't that mean they were now the safest city on the planet?

The people all had their different theories and thoughts as to what was happening, and since they were all streaming what was happening live, the entire world was slowly joining them. But even with almost millions of opinions, only a few really mattered and only a few truly know what was happening.

Those that were inside the so-called metal box.

"W… what the!?"

The participants that were already too tired to even move as they used up all of their stamina trying to lift up the cute metal cubes, all stood up in shock– using whatever remained of their strength to immediately cling to the nearest wall or stick themselves onto the floor.

How could they not, when the sky was suddenly in front of them?

They all know that the building and the testing hall were made in some sort of top-secret material from the government. They also knew how strong it supposedly was. And so, for them to see one of the walls ripping open, the only thing most of them could really do was pray for their lives.

There was, perhaps, only one person that was calm throughout the entire people of New York– Riley Ross. As was the case since the start, he was still standing on his spot even as the gigantic wall in front of him disappeared.

And it wasn't only his face that was calm– his clothes, his hair, unmoving even as an onslaught of gale entered the hall. There were already a series of claps as the clothes of the other registrants snapped with the wind, almost being blown away by its violent gusts.

Some of them seemed to be screaming, but their screams were being drowned by the gale. Soon, however, their hall seemed to be starting to descend. Their relief was not allowed to materialize, however, as the hall stopped as it descended to the same level as the Hero Association's rooftop.

And finally, Riley's feet started to move; his steps, taking him towards the ledge. The others could only shiver as they saw him; imagining what it would be like if he were to fall from this frightening height.

"!!!"

And their fears did gasp as they saw Riley stepping out of the ledge– contrary to their fears, however, Riley just continued to walk; his steps unhindered as the air itself welcomed his feet.

"This Hero Association Tower."

And through all the thundering noise the wind created, Riley's voice still traveled for some reason– letting everyone in the testing hall and observation deck hear his words.

"How can this building claim that name when it does not even have the very thing it represents as its symbol?" Riley then said as he faced the others; his eyes, gazing at the registrants one by one and even traveling towards the people that should be hidden in the observation deck.

"Do you not agree, fellow registrant?" Riley then focused his eyes on the only remaining registrant that seemed to still have her wits around her, No. 11. She was currently carrying No. 24, who was still unconscious despite the thundering noise bombarding the hall, by the neck.

"W… what?" However, was the only word she could mutter. She was a bit perplexed, however, as she was suddenly able to hear herself normally.

"Do you not agree that the Hero Association Tower should not be called its name because it does not have the very symbol it stands for?" Riley repeated his question; this, however, made No. 11 even more confused.

But perhaps it was because of her mild stupor, she answered Riley.

"S… symbol?" She stuttered, "What… what symbol?"

"Who, No. 11."

And with those words, Riley floated away from the hall and into the air; hovering above the rooftop of the Hero Association Tower. He then pointed his palm downward, causing the rooftop to compress, as if ironing it and causing all the ventilation and other machinery on it to flatten.

He then stretched his arms to the side, instantly splitting the already ruined testing hall in half.

"!!!"

The others desperately used their abilities to try and stay afloat as the floor they stood on was ripped apart; but soon, they found that they did not need to do so as they were floating on their own.

The only thing they could really do was watch as the floor beneath them slowly slid away; their eyes, almost shooting out from their sockets as the height caused their entire bodies to almost vibrate.

"..." Tempo and V, who belonged to the people that were now floating in the air, could only look at each other and sigh.

"Why… why aren't you doing anything!?" One of the men from the superhero agencies screamed, violently pointing his fingers at Tempo as the saliva showering from his mouth also remained floating.

"Do what, exactly?" Tempo sighed, "Their test is still ongoing, I would hate to impede on government activities."

"You–"

And before anyone else could complain, a loud– No. A deafening screech thundered in the air as what was once the testing hall started to almost liquefy as it started to veil the rooftop of the Hero Association Tower.

Everyone besides V covered their ears; even those that were on the ground did so as the scratching in the air whispered through their bones. The metal hall now looked like jelly– or perhaps clay as it started squirming on top of the tower.

And soon, this clay rearranged itself; causing the whistle coming from it to almost deafen those who were unfortunate enough to be near it. Some, even starting to cry from the uncomfortable sound.

"M… make it stop!" One of the registrants screamed… her words, however, were drowned by the clanging and screeching that persisted in the air.

And very soon, a silhouette could be seen forming from this giant metallic clay– a human. Or perhaps it was better to say…

…that it turned into the shape of an alien.