An alligator-headed monster froze at Sol's words, its eyes burning with anger. "What did you just say?"
Sol did not even spare it a glance. He walked straight to the center of the training ground. "I said you are too weak."
The entire area went silent.
Every monster stopped fighting. Their hostile gazes locked onto him at once.
The alligator-headed monster charged first. "You are asking to die!"
Sol did not turn around. He casually lifted his hand and struck the monster's neck with a simple chop.
Crack.
The sharp sound of bone breaking echoed as the creature collapsed, its neck twisted unnaturally.
"Anyone else?" Sol scanned the area, his crimson eyes forcing several monsters to step back without thinking.
"Arrogant brat!" a spiked monster roared, rushing forward.
Sol sidestepped easily. His hand shot out, catching the monster's wrist, then twisting it with minimal effort.
A scream followed as the arm snapped cleanly.
"All of you, attack together!" someone shouted.
More than a dozen monsters lunged at once.
Sol's smile widened, amused. His body moved fluidly through the crowd, each strike precise and efficient. In seconds, the ground was filled with groaning bodies.
He stood at the center, rolling his wrist slightly. "That is it?"
"Too full of yourself!" A six-armed mantis monster stepped forward, its blade-like limbs gleaming. "I will deal with you myself."
Sol tilted his head slightly. "Six arms? That is new."
The mantis monster attacked instantly. Six blades cut through the air at blinding speed.
Sol raised one hand.
Clang, clang, clang.
Every strike was blocked. Not a single mark appeared on his arm.
The mantis monster's eyes widened in shock.
"Fast, but not strong enough," Sol said.
He shifted to the side and grabbed one arm.
Crack.
The limb broke instantly, and the monster screamed.
"Stop!"
A massive rhino-like monster charged forward. "This is not a place where a human can act freely!"
Sol's grin widened slightly. Now this was more like it. A place where things kept coming at him without stopping.
From the side, Phoenix Man watched with growing unease. A thought crossed his mind, uninvited. At this rate, Sol might wipe out everyone here before the war with the Hero Association even began.
The fights continued.
Sol faced one opponent after another, his eyes gleaming with interest. He deliberately held back, keeping the fights drawn out just enough to observe their abilities.
"Next," he said, kicking the fallen rhino monster aside.
Phoenix Man wiped sweat from his face. "Mr. Sol, this is only a tour. There is no need to go this far…"
"Be quiet," Sol replied without looking back. "I am helping you evaluate your forces."
A bat-like monster dove from above, claws aimed at his eyes.
Sol tilted his head slightly. His hand shot up, catching its ankle mid-air, then slamming it straight into the ground.
Bang.
A crater formed as the bat monster lay motionless, its wings twitching weakly.
Sol released it and glanced toward the remaining monsters huddled in the corner. "All of you, come at once."
Three stepped forward. One spat acid, another crackled with electricity, and the last faded from sight.
Sol's expression sharpened with interest. A combination attack.
The acid came first, raining down.
He did not move. Dark red energy formed across his body, deflecting the corrosive liquid entirely.
The electric monster rushed in next, lightning surging around it.
"Too slow," Sol said quietly.
He vanished from its front and reappeared behind it, striking the back of its neck. The monster collapsed instantly.
At the same time, the invisible one moved in from behind.
Sol turned without hesitation and grabbed its wrist mid-strike. "That trick does not work on me."
Crack.
The creature reappeared with a scream, dropping to its knees.
Silence filled the training ground again.
Sol flicked the blood from his hand.
"That is enough for today." He clapped once, as if finishing a light exercise.
Phoenix Man exhaled in relief and hurried forward. "Mr. Sol, your room is ready. Please follow me."
They left the training area and walked through several dim corridors before arriving at a modest stone room. Inside were basic furnishings, a bed, a table, and a private bathroom.
"The conditions are simple. I hope you can manage," Phoenix Man said, adjusting his feathers.
Sol gave a small nod. "It is fine."
Phoenix Man hesitated before speaking again. "Mr. Sol, why did you do all that?"
Sol removed his jacket and hung it on the wall. "I was testing your strength. You claim to gather the strongest monsters. I needed to see what I am working with."
Phoenix Man swallowed. "And the result?"
Sol turned, his crimson eyes steady. "Disappointing. Aside from Gyoro Gyoro and a few executives, the rest are not even worth a warm-up."
Cold sweat formed again on Phoenix Man's forehead. "We will improve their training."
"No need." Sol waved it off. "I am not relying on your strength. I only need your information network and resources."
Phoenix Man nodded quickly. "Understood. I will have someone bring your meal."
After he left, Sol sat on the edge of the bed, reviewing the day.
He had observed multiple abilities, but none stood out. No real value, just minor progress.
Still, it passed the time.