"Careful. This monster's defense is extremely tough, and its strength is enormous."
Still embedded in the wall like a human sculpture, Tony Stark shouted a warning.
In truth, the Electric Pull-Cord Monster's advantages weren't limited to raw strength and speed after monsterization.
His boxing skills were just as deadly.
If someone got dragged into close-quarters combat, only fighters on the level of Captain America or Black Widow could hope to suppress him with technique alone.
Even then, the gap in physical attributes wasn't something skill could fully bridge.
Even Captain America, whose physique represented the absolute human limit, possessed barely one-fifth of the Electric Pull-Cord Monster's raw strength.
"Seraphina, I'll support you."
Mash Shieldheart leapt down from above, her entire body clad in heavy black armor.
A shield-shaped Noble Armament rested firmly in her grasp—she was already in full combat mode.
When it came to defense, Mash was among the very best.
Once her Noble Armament was fully released, she could withstand even Ultra-Dragon–level attacks.
"No need," Seraphina said calmly, rolling her wrists as crisp cracking sounds echoed.
"Today, I'll personally send him to meet Michael."
Since this monster prided himself on boxing…
She would crush him exactly where he was strongest.
"One-on-one?" the Electric Pull-Cord Monster laughed.
"Even if you brought another person, I wouldn't be afraid. But refusing help earns my respect. Come on—I'll spare your life at the end!"
"Spare me?" Seraphina replied flatly.
"How arrogant."
She placed one hand on the holy white oak cross and drove it violently into the ground.
A pale blue glow spread outward, instantly forming a circular domain nearly a hundred meters wide.
Divine Fist — Foundational Secret: Mental Drive
By anchoring the heavy weapon into the ground, a combat domain was formed, massively boosting movement speed, attack speed, and jumping power.
"Divine Fist—Diving Gut Punch!"
With her speed explosively amplified, Seraphina clenched her left hand into a fist and vanished.
Only an afterimage remained where she stood.
A crushing fist wind slammed straight toward the monster's face.
A support-class Paladin…
using the combat techniques of the Blue Fist Ascetic.
As expected, every support carried the soul of a damage dealer.
"So fast?!"
The Electric Pull-Cord Monster didn't dodge. He raised his right fist to block.
Bang!
Seraphina's blue-glowing fist smashed into his boxing glove.
The glove exploded instantly.
The monster didn't budge an inch—but the force transmitted through his arm like a paralyzing shock.
His entire body locked up, unable to counterattack.
"Diving Rising Punch!"
Her fist drove upward with brutal force, smashing into his jaw and launching his massive body five meters into the air.
Hundreds of tons of power, condensed into a single point, detonated directly on his chin.
If not for his monstrous physique, his entire head would have exploded.
"Diving Straight Punch!"
Seraphina leapt after him, channeling power into both fists and striking simultaneously.
In an instant, the Electric Pull-Cord Monster was blasted backward like he'd been hit by a speeding train, flying dozens of meters away.
Seraphina pursued relentlessly.
It was clear—unless she personally sent him to meet the First Cleric Michael today, she wasn't stopping.
"Oh… my God," Tony muttered, staring in disbelief.
"What the hell am I looking at?"
Who could imagine that a blonde girl could possess such terrifying physical strength?
The Electric Pull-Cord Monster had crippled the fragile Mark V armor with a single punch.
And yet this woman was overpowering him barehanded—pinning him down and grinding him into the floor.
If one of those punches had landed on Tony himself, the Mark V would've disintegrated instantly—and he'd be dead on the spot.
A chill ran down his spine.
Tony silently marked Seraphina as absolutely untouchable, completely abandoning any earlier thoughts of flirting.
Getting lightly tapped on the chest by those fists was not a joke.
"Iron Man," a calm voice said,
"how long do you plan on playing wall decoration?"
Walking down through the air as if descending invisible steps, Aiden Cross approached.
His ability allowed him to wield the powers of every Hero League member—and elevate them by one full tier.
The stronger the Hero League became, the more terrifying Aiden Cross himself grew.
After all, a chairman needed overwhelming power to keep everything under control.
By now, nearly everyone had fled.
The once-luxurious Stark restaurant was completely empty.
"Hey… lend me a hand," Tony said awkwardly.
"I'm kind of stuck."
"Tch."
Aiden Cross shook his head lightly.
Condensed spiritual energy formed into a tangible hand, hooking forward.
Under an irresistible pulling force, Tony was yanked free from the wall.
"Thanks," Tony said, disengaging the Mark V armor.
The suit was critically damaged and completely unusable.
Portable armor was convenient—but defense clearly needed improvement.
This time, he'd been saved.
Next time, he might not be so lucky.
"Hey," Tony said suddenly, looking at Aiden Cross and the others.
"You're with that blonde girl, right? Interested in working for Stark Industries? The pay will absolutely satisfy you. My CEO could use some exceptional bodyguards."
Thud—
A headless corpse was hurled inside.
Holding the Electric Pull-Cord Monster's severed head in one hand, Seraphina Dawnshield leapt back in from outside.
It seemed she had successfully achieved the feat of tearing a monster apart barehanded.
[Ding — Hero League System Notification]
Member 'Seraphina Dawnshield' has slain Tiger-level Disaster 'Electric Pull-Cord Monster'.
Energy Points gained: 9 (Chairman gains 90).
Based on a monster's strength, defeating them granted varying amounts of energy points—extremely valuable within the Hero League.
The distribution ratio, however, was brutally exploitative.
One to nine.
Tiger-level disasters generally yielded between ten and ninety-nine energy points.
"…Never mind," Tony said stiffly.
Aiden Cross smiled faintly.
"Well then, Iron Man—won't you invite us to your villa for a proper chat?"
"If you want to," Tony replied after a pause,
"that's no problem at all."
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