"I Reincarnated in Boku no Hero but They Forgot to Give Me a System"

Chapter 36 — Ambush on the Road

The next day, Aoi was on his way to the company, riding in a sleek black car with Midnight. The windows were tinted, the engine purred softly, and the interior was silent except for the faint hum of the city outside. Mirko and Ryuko had left earlier that morning on separate missions, leaving the three of them to handle their own responsibilities.

Kai and Midnight were seated in the back seat. Midnight had crossed one leg over the other, leaning slightly toward Aoi with a sly smile on her lips. Her gaze was locked on him with amusement and intent.

— So... how's our little lovestruck boy doing now that Mirko isn't around?

Aoi turned to face her. Her face was full of playful malice, the kind that told him she wouldn't let up unless he responded smartly. He already knew the game. If he showed even the slightest bit of shyness, she'd keep poking fun at him.

He took a deep breath and replied with surprising calm:

— Well... I'll admit I miss Rumi. She makes things feel more lively.

Midnight blinked, taken aback by how easily he said it. Then she laughed softly, shaking her head in mock disappointment.

— You could've at least blushed a little. It's not even fun when you answer so naturally...

Aoi chuckled, resting his head back against the seat.

— I'm just honest. That's how I am. What can I say?

The mood was light and teasing, but that peaceful moment lasted only a few seconds.

Suddenly, Aoi's Haki flared up with a sharp warning. A strange sensation washed over him—an intense thermal signature, much hotter than any ordinary hero's presence. It was laced with killing intent, rage, and a singular focus on him. The air in the car grew heavy, as if something terrible was about to happen at any second.

His instincts screamed at him.

Without hesitation, Aoi reached out. With one arm, he pulled Midnight close. With the other, he unleashed his flame—not as an attack, but as a rope of energy, snaking forward to wrap around the driver's waist and yank him back.

Then, with a burst of strength, Aoi kicked the car door with all his might. The reinforced metal door blasted off its hinges.

He leapt out of the car, holding Midnight in his arms. The world spun for a moment. Then, with a deafening crash, the car behind him was split cleanly in two by a massive strike, the engine erupting in flames and shrapnel.

Sparks flew into the sky. Smoke filled the air.

Aoi landed on the pavement, skidding slightly, before setting Midnight down and turning to face the threat.

Ahead, two figures emerged from the heat haze. One of them had a mutated arm—a grotesque transformation that turned his entire forearm into a giant gleaming blade. The other had scaly skin, claws, and a predatory posture that immediately reminded Aoi of a velociraptor. His narrow eyes locked onto Aoi with wild hunger.

The blade-armed man took a step forward, grinning with confidence.

— Pleasure. Name's Blade. That over there's Reptor. We're bounty hunters. And someone paid a hell of a lot to see you dead... or captured. So, how about you come along quietly?

The tension in the air thickened.

Midnight quickly stood in front of Aoi, positioning herself as a shield between him and the attackers. Her eyes were sharp, and her voice carried authority.

— You're not taking him anywhere. The only place you're going is behind bars!

Blade laughed maniacally, tilting his head as if to mock her.

— The bounty's only for the boy. Which means... I get to do whatever I want with you. And honestly? My blades haven't tasted blood in a while.

He looked at her slowly, the corners of his lips stretching into a sadistic grin.

— So, heroine... care to help me fix that?

Midnight didn't flinch. She tightened her stance and turned slightly to glance at Aoi over her shoulder.

— Stay behind me. A lot of people will hear that explosion. Reinforcements will be here soon.

Reptor, who had remained silent until now, let out a low growl that quickly escalated into a guttural, predatory laugh.

— Then all I have to do is kill you... and grab the kid. We'll be filthy rich.

As he spoke, his body began to shift grotesquely. Bones cracked. Muscles bulged. His skin changed color, darkening as rough scales formed across his body. His eyes narrowed, slitting like a reptile's, and his teeth elongated into serrated fangs. His fingers stretched and curled into claws, his entire form morphing into something more monstrous by the second.

He looked less like a man now—and far more like a predator from the age of dinosaurs.

Aoi's breath caught in his throat as he watched the transformation.

> I knew I'd become a target the moment I showed my face in public... but I didn't think it would happen this fast.

The wind whipped through the broken road, carrying with it the scent of burning oil and scorched metal. The battle hadn't started yet, but the war drums were already pounding in Aoi's ears.

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