Sol Mirek moved swiftly through the night, his figure blending seamlessly into the darkness as black and red biological armor covered his body.
According to the information he gathered, Tanktop Master frequently trained late at night with members of the Tanktop Gang at their private gym.
Loud voices echoed from inside the building.
"Ah, keep pushing! Harder!"
The gym was alive with intense training sounds, the air heavy with sweat and effort. Motivational slogans filled the walls, all dedicated to the Tanktop philosophy. Dumbbells and stacked barbell plates were arranged neatly along one side of the room.
Under bright lights, more than a dozen heavily built men trained relentlessly.
At the center stood the most eye catching figure.
A towering man with short blond hair and a body built like solid steel lifted a specially made oversized barbell. Sweat rolled down his arms as muscles flexed with every movement.
S Class Hero Rank 16, Tanktop Master.
A sudden knock sounded at the entrance.
Bang. Bang. Bang.
Training gradually stopped as everyone turned toward the door.
"Someone coming this late?" one member muttered.
"Maybe a rookie wanting to join us."
"Please wait," a Tanktop Gang member said, setting down his weights before walking toward the entrance.
The moment he opened the door, he froze.
Standing outside was a figure wrapped entirely in black and red bio armor. Crimson eyes glowed faintly within the darkness.
"You... who are you?" the man asked, instinctively stepping back.
A deep voice came from beneath the armor.
"Call Tanktop Master out."
The entire gym fell silent.
Tanktop Master placed his barbell aside and walked forward, frowning slightly.
"What's happening?"
The moment he saw the armored figure clearly, his expression sharpened.
"A monster?"
Sol slowly raised his armored arm.
"I heard you're an S Class hero who relies on physical strength. I want to test that strength myself."
Tanktop Master adopted a guarded stance.
"You show up this late asking for a fight. I doubt this is just friendly sparring."
Truthfully, he was confused. Monsters usually attacked civilians or destroyed cities. One showing up simply to challenge him was unusual.
Sol gave no explanation. He simply lifted his hand and gestured forward.
Come on.
Tanktop Master rolled his shoulders.
"Everyone step back. I'll deal with this guest."
The Tanktop Gang quickly cleared space, forming a wide circle around them.
Tanktop Master cracked his knuckles.
"No matter who you are, challenging the Tanktop Gang means accepting the consequences."
Beneath the armor, Sol smiled slightly.
"Perfect."
Before the word fully left his mouth, he vanished.
"So fast!"
Tanktop Master reacted instantly, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
Bang!
The impact thundered through the gym. Tanktop Master was forced backward several meters, his feet carving deep marks across the floor.
He steadied himself, arms slightly numb.
"That strength…"
Surprise flashed across his face.
Sol immediately moved again, this time slowing his motion deliberately so his opponent could follow.
He truly intended to test strength, not end the fight instantly.
"Tanktop Grapple!"
Tanktop Master roared as his muscles tightened and he rushed forward, arms crossing as he attempted to overpower Sol through sheer force.
"There it is!"
"Master's Tanktop Grapple!"
The surrounding members shouted excitedly.
"That monster's finished!"
Sol did not dodge. He mirrored the motion and met the attack head on.
Boom!
The collision shook the entire gym. Equipment toppled and dust drifted down from the ceiling.
Cold sweat appeared on Tanktop Master's forehead.
It felt like crashing into an immovable steel wall.
He could not move his opponent even an inch.
"How… is this possible?"
Behind him, Tanktop Tiger wiped sweat from his face.
"Big brother… this looks bad."
Tanktop Blackhole frowned and quietly moved in front of the others.
"If things go wrong, prepare to run."
Among them, Tanktop Doctor noticed the growing imbalance immediately. Without hesitation, he sent an emergency request to the Hero Association.
S Class Hero Tanktop Master under attack by unidentified monster. Requesting immediate support. Coordinates attached.
He lowered the communicator with a worried sigh.
"Please hold on, Master."
At the center of the gym, Sol slowly relaxed his stance.
"Is this really the strength of an S Class hero?"
The words ignited Tanktop Master's anger.
"Don't underestimate me!"
His muscles swelled as power surged through his body. Veins bulged along his arm while his tank top stretched tightly across his frame.
"Tanktop…"
"Heavy Punch!" the Tanktop Gang shouted together.
Carrying the pride of both hero and leader, Tanktop Master launched forward. The punch tore through the air with a sharp sonic crack.
All his strength was condensed into that single strike.
Bang!
The blow landed directly against Sol's armored chest, producing a loud metallic impact.
Sol was launched upward into the air.
"It connected!"
"We got him!"
Cheers erupted across the gym.
Even Tanktop Blackhole stepped forward again, confidence briefly returning.
Only Tanktop Doctor remained uneasy.
There were no sparks, no visible damage.
Something felt wrong.
Tanktop Master himself already understood.
His expression darkened.
That punch felt like striking empty air wrapped in steel.
High above, Sol rotated once before landing lightly on the ground. The surface of his armor remained completely flawless.
He slowly lifted his head, crimson eyes locking onto Tanktop Master.
"Was that your full power?"
Sweat formed along Tanktop Master's forehead.
He looked down at his trembling fists, knuckles reddened from the impact.
"This… can't be…"
His strongest attack had done nothing.
The cheering Tanktop Gang fell silent, shock replacing confidence as realization spread through the room.
Quietly, Tanktop Blackhole stepped backward again, positioning himself in front of the others just in case things turned worse.