#709 The Otherworldly Superhero is Complete

It’s me.

I’ve made progress.

In this world, I’ve striven hard and crossed seas to find the indispensable factor to create a superhero that will be loved even fifty years from now.

As I thought, a superhero needs to have a distinct quirk.

There’s generally some design motif that serves as its base.

I traversed fields, mountains, even oceans, searching for clues for several hours.

At last, I found a lead.

A marine spirit, Kraken, whom I’ve previously had friendly interactions with, reminded me that there’s an elder spirit of a giant crab with a tough shell in this world.

A crab.

It seemed like a good idea.

It’s tough and appears strong, and it’s even been a motif for a Sunday morning superhero a few times.

Therefore, the crab could be the top candidate for the otherworldly superhero world I’m aiming for!!!

With that said, I went off to meet the crab himself (?). We hit it off without a hitch and managed to secure his cooperation. 

His name is apparently Mr. Desmask, the giant crab elder spirit.

Huh? No? You prefer just Desmask?

Okay.

Not to get too sidetracked, but I’m starting to crave miso soup with crab.

Upon immediately returning to the farm, I had Platy extract Desmask’s life essence.

It’s just like donating blood and doesn’t significantly affect his health.

We then combined it with the traditional transformation potion and put a lot of thought into making it look marvelous.

“...It’s done!”

Now, can this make me transform into a superhero?

Whether it’s a success or not will become clear in the following experiment!

* * *

At the experimental site, a surprisingly large crowd has gathered.

Starting with Platy, Maelga the elf, Edward the dwarf, and Sir Desmask, I mean, Desmask, all those who had cooperated in creating the transformation belt are present.

Individuals such as Sensei and Veil, involved due to circumstances, along with others like the orc, goblin, and other elves, have gathered out of curiosity.

And, of course, my children, Junior and Norito.

After all, this project was started to please them.

Take a good look...at your father’s heroic figure!!!

“Trans...form...!”

First, I say the magic words out loud. 

No matter how much time passes, this line will never change.

Then, there’s also that iconic movement of slowly crossing the hands.

In my hand is a test tube.

Inside it is the transformation potion that Platy had concocted, mixed with the life essence provided by Desmask.

With great vigor, I thrust it into my belt buckle...

Clunk!

And the transformation begins!

The potion spreads throughout the belt, envelops my body, reacts with Desmask’s life essence, and morphs me into a unique shape entirely different from the black bodysuit from the other day.

This is the true form I have been seeking.

Isn’t this something that might just actually appear on a Sunday morning TV show?

And the finished form I attained after that entire process...

Actually looks genuinely cool.

“Woaaaaaaaaaaaaah! So coooooooooooool!!!”

Enthusiastic cheers erupt, mainly from the male spectators.

Mhm, this is a chic and very superheroic look indeed.

I was worried I might look like a crab monster instead, but that’s not how I turned out.

Of course, my superhero figure has a subtle crab-like design.

My chest and shoulders have some sort of armor, and as a tokusatsu superhero, I might be a bit heavily armed.

“Hm... Hyah! Hah!”

I thrust my fists as if to confirm the sensation of my transformation.

Whoosh! Swoosh! The sound of the air being split roars.

Huh? Isn’t my punching speed faster than I thought?

“My transformation potion is perfect! Your punching power has been significantly enhanced now that you’ve transformed!’

For real?!

I tried quantifying my punching power using the Hand of Supremacy...

Punching Power: 10T.

Those were the numbers it gave me.

“...”

I tried a test jump, and without a run-up, I easily leaped about 35m vertically.

Yipes, I’m so high up...!

...No! 

My physical abilities soared across the board just because I transformed?!

Kicking Power: 20T?!

Running Speed: 100m/5 seconds?!

They’re just like random figures an innocent little kid would think of!

To test things out, I grappled with Letasreit.

“Guooooooooh!!!”

“Hunryaaaaaaahhhhh!!!”

“Gahhhhhhh! I give up, I give up, I give up!!!”

Even if it was only for a few seconds, I managed to match Letasreit blow for blow?!

What incredible strength this is!

“This is the effect of my potion! I am the world’s greatest witch, after all, it’s only natural that my concoctions are the best!!!”

Isn’t this a regular hero at this point?!

My intention was simply to create a harmless plaything for the kids to enjoy. Surely, they’d be taken aback by something like this...!

“Dad, so cooool...!”

Perhaps not.

My Junior gazes at me with sparkling eyes like nothing I’ve seen before.

My younger son, Norito, still seems unable to fully comprehend what’s happening and looks on blankly.

But to be seen with such admiring eyes by my eldest son...!

As a father... I...! I...!

“All right, how about Daddy shows off his special move!!!”

“Allow me to assist, desumasu!”

With the giant crab, Desmask, joining in, we activate a fused move that merges man and crab!

First off, I jump, landing atop the pincer of our friend, the mighty crab, Desmask. Elevated further by his pincer, I ascended into the sky with a second leap!

Twisting and turning mid-air, I soar higher and higher until gravity lent its might to my descent, culminating in a meteor-like kick!!

I didn’t have a specific target, so the sand of the beach took the brunt of it, scattering beautifully and leaving a spectacular crater behind.

“Whoaaaaa! That was fricking coooooooooooool!!!”

I found myself startled by the power I’d unleashed. 

Good heavens, what have we crafted this timeeeeeee?!

“Weeeeeeeeeeeh! I’m so happy you’re making such a ruckus using my essence desumasuuuuuuuuuuu!!!”

Besides me, our giant crab friend is weeping tears of joy.

...Well, if he’s that pleased, so am I...!

“So cool, Dad! Wowww!”

My son, Junior, is clearly thrilled by my heroic display.

That was the ultimate goal, so I’m glad...!

“Mmrh...! I can’t let Master hog all of Junior’s admiration!”

Veil butts in, competitive spirit kindling!

“Okie-dokie! I’ll share my life essence too! And the one to transform using that power will be you, Junior!”

This dragon has a cunning plan to make Junior himself transform, to win his admiration!

“Come on, let’s prepare another belt for Junior! I’ll take responsibility and make him transform!”

“No.”

“Aww!!!”

Platy stops Veil and her plans.  

“No matter how proud I am of my creation, the output was higher than anticipated. It’s dangerous. We can’t let three-year-old Junior use it. It’s too extravagant for a toy.”

As expected of Platy.

She managed to stop the rampant Veil brilliantly, securing our son’s safety.

And so, an otherworldly superhero was born, and I successfully earned the admiration of my children.

All’s well that ends well, I suppose.