Live A Hero Chapter 4 Episode 9: Screams of a City of Twenty Million

The giant Monster's invisible tentacles steadily reach into the city, scattering smaller Monsters as they go. The rain of merciless destruction and terror causes flames to flare up, which then amplifies the sounds of the panicking citizens' screaming and scrambling footsteps to escape. Gammei is trying to fight off the monsters in one area, and he asks in frustration what's going on with monsters constantly spawning in and buildings being crushed by something he can't see. Barrel tries to keep the citizenry calm as he says there's still space for them in refuges, saying they don't need to rush to them.

Furlong calls out to Barrel that something is coming from behind him, but the warning is too late as Barrel ends up eating an attack that knocks him over. When he gets back up, he says his ribs might be broken. Furlong gets angry at this and moves to shoot with his hose, but Victom tries to stop him saying it'd just waste energy to shoot at random. There's still people in the upper levels of the buildings, so Victom says Furlong can go for revenge after saving them as he prompts him to follow along. Furlong snaps out of it a second later and says he understands.

Barrel apologizes for getting incapacitated, but then he yelps in surprise when he sees some threads on him. This turns out to be Maculata's doing, and she says she's using that in place of a corset. She can't actually use it to heal him, but as a makeshift cast it'll help him fight at least. Barrel cheers at this, almost claiming it doesn't hurt at all before admitting it still does, but it does help a lot with mobility now. Maculata sternly tells him to go to a hospital after everything is done with and says he should think of her strings as emergency, temporary first aid. Barrel thanks her, then asks her to help them out with fighting. Maculata agrees, saying she's not a lady who'd stand for constantly losing. Gammei says he's going with them too since he needs to punish the monsters for hurting his cute kouhai.

Over in the park area, Kyoichi is battling it out with monsters there, covering for the evacuation of children among others fleeing to shelters. He swears to not let them lay a finger or whatever on them, but Toshu points out that the monsters seem endless as he asks where they're coming from. Shouen says they'll be tired out by the onslaught if it continues, and he suggests cutting the monsters off at their source.

More monsters pop up to Kyoichi's surprise and frustration, and they spawn in close enough that they'll ambush him like a chump. A voice however intervenes by narrating that the monsters suddenly freeze in place, and Subaru reveals himself as he prompts Kyoichi to destroy them while they're open. Kyoichi quickly does so, and after the monsters are eliminated Shouen asks Subaru about his presence there. Kyoichi thanks Subaru and compliments his way with words, but Subaru scoffs it as cheap flattery. He points out that he can't spam that ability all the time, and right now all he can do is stall for time so people can get back on their feet. Kyoichi smiles and says he'll make full use of that. Toshu says he can't see a way to win, but they can't give up either so he rallies the heroes there to continue fighting. 

Over at the beach area, Gomeisa is attempting to talk the monsters down and ask why they're doing all this. This has no effect as one jumps to attack him, but Kirsch jumps in with one of her martial arts moves to save him. Gomeisa thanks her in surprise, and Kirsch is incredulous as she tells him to keep his guard up. At the very least, the monsters popping up there don't seem the type to listen, so Kirsch tells Gomeisa to focus on defending the civilians and himself.

Gomeisa says he will, though he still seems upset about fighting. Procy tells him he's too nice, even if it is one of his good points. But for now he tells him to harden his heart before he gets himself killed. Hisaki is there too as he comments on that being a badass line straight out of some movie. Procy isn't amused as he says Hisaki should lend some of his sensibilities to Gomeisa, then asks if he's done with that mecha he's so proud of. Hisaki says it's good to go now thanks to Procy, though he does wish he could've had another ten minutes for it. He swears to do his best so that people who aren't good at fighting won't need to fight. Procy is amused by that and says it's go time. Hisaki, Kirsch, and Gomeisa all respond back affirmatively and ready themselves to keep the fight up.

Scene then shifts to your end as you point out how there's harsh battles going on everywhere and the city is turning into a mess. Mokdai agrees as he says that's how it looks like from a quick glance at all the livestreams going on, and he suggests it'll be like that everywhere else. Akashi is dismayed at everyone's home city getting turned upside down like this. Huckle says he's gotten reinforcement requests from the agency's allied offices, and counting the ones still outstanding instead of cancelled now there's 13 of them. Everyone must be running shorthanded, and even heroes who were already in a battle before things turned to hell have sent out calls for help.

Ryekie gets frustrated at the destruction going on and says the team should get in and help too. He admits that he's not sure one extra team fighting will actually amount to anything, but he feels it'd still be better than not fighting. Sui agrees with him saying that since Maculata is fighting out there, then she needs to help too. Crowne gets her car started and says it's good to go, so you guys should hurry and get back to the city before the highway interchange gets closed off.

Yoshiori speaks up to slow everyone down, reminding the party that they came to the outskirts of the city to go look for Exio. Ryekie isn't able to come up with a response to that to his regret, but Monomasa tells Yoshiori to stop. He reminds him that you guys are primarily heroes and are therefore obligated to help in times of emergencies. They don't have the right to force you guys to help them when normally you'd have little to do with them. Melide just hangs her head dejectedly in silence.

You express concern for Melide and apologize. Yoshiori attempts to argue but just yells about how they don't know where Exio is. Another voice drops into the conversation saying they wanna know where he is too, and everyone turns to look at Crowne in surprise thinking she said that. Crowne quickly denies having said anything, and Crowne Alter draws everyone's attention to their location as they offer to modify everyone's ears so they can hear them.

Crowne is shocked to see Crowne Alter, who is noted to look like her but carries a totally different vibe. Crowne Alter is sitting on the highway wall smiling eerily as they look down on everyone, and Yoshiori recognizes them upon seeing them. Crowne Alter is mildly surprised to see Yoshiori still alive, then comments in annoyance that he's as tough as he looks. They're also surprised to see Melide and Monomasa still kicking, though they say they don't care that much about them. Both stay mostly silent as they glare with hostility, and you either express surprise at how nasty or ask if that's really Crowne.

Yoshiori demands to know what happened to Exio from Crowne Alter or else. CAlter asks or else what and asks if Yoshiori wants his ass beat in like they did to him earlier. He gets pissier at this, and CAlter sighs about how Exio macguyvered an escape plan to get away to who knows where. Akashi picks up on this and asks if Exio is still alive. Mokdai says that seems to be the case, though he's not sure yet if this is a good thing. CAlter says it isn't as they call Mokdai a pig as they came here to put the kibosh on him. They reason that Exio must not have run to hide with you guys given your ignorance of his situation. Look at that goddamn bitch wasting time they don't have to spare.

Mokdai is actually really hurt at being called a pig, and Sui is concerned since it looks like he's about to burst into tears. Yoshiori says he's had enough of Crowne Alter talking shit about Exio, and it's way past time for them to get hit for that and for trying to off him. Monomasa agrees with Exio. CAlter is mildly amused and asks if they're gonna fight with That Thing again, creating a ball of light in their hand and throwing it like a pokeball. In response, Shadowmonster or whatever Procy jumps out from behind the wall and stands before the party.

Ryekie is shocked at seeing Not Procy. Huckle says it does look like him, but he turns to exchange a glance with you before nodding. You also sense what's up and declare the Not Procy to be a Monster that just resembles him. Crowne Alter says Monster Procy was made so that it would never attack them, then taunts the party about killing it if they can if they want to ask them anything.

Yoshiori is mad as he accepts the challenge, and Monomasa says he fully intends on forcing Crowne Alter to tell them what happened to Exio. The two look to Melide, who silently nods back as she casts a white light on them to transform them. Once they're suited up, they charge at Monster Procy and attack. Monster Procy just swats Yoshiori's bullets away and bumps Monomasa's rubber arm to the side. Yoshiori grits his teeth at the attacks failing, but he reminds himself he can't give up when Monomasa yells out a warning to him.

Yoshiori is caught by surprise as Monster Procy practically teleports behind him and swings back its hammer before batting him into the sky. Monomasa retaliates by stabbing a thorn into its center, and he says he got a reaction this time as he moves to follow up. Crowne Alter snorts as they raise a hand towards Monster Procy and make a grabbing motion. This causes the thing to start absorbing the thorn to Monomasa's shock, and Monomasa starts yelling in pain as a sizzling sound starts burning up.

Melide calls out to Monomasa, who falls to his knees from the pain. Yoshiori has fallen back to the ground by this point, and the impacts have rocked him to the point that he's finding it hard to stand. You are shocked at how strong Monster Procy is and say they can't win against it. Crowne Alter laughs about the two being pussies and taunts them, asking if they're done already. Monster Procy then goes over to Yoshiori to go beat on him with its hammer some more.

Ryekie reaches his breaking point and calls to you and Huckle, saying you guys should help them. Huckle is surprised at this given that the city is in a state of emergency, but Ryekie argues that he can't abandon a comrade right in front of him being wailed on. Melide is surprised that Ryekie would refer, so Ryekie repeats himself saying he sees anyone he's fought alongside with even once as a comrade. Anyone hurting his comrades is going to get his knuckles in their face.

Mokdai is inspired to join in on the fight, and Akashi follows behind saying he can't leave them be even if he's not sure you guys stand a chance. Sui is surprised, but she takes a moment to compose herself and chooses to join since she's a hero too. You are glad at this and ready yourself too. Huckle agrees to join in too, but he reminds everyone to pace themselves since there's still more to come, and you call out everyone's transformations.

Crowne Alter laughs about you guys wanting to join in and get your asses kicked in, and they taunt you guys by asking you at least keep her awake through this. Ryekie says this is their only chance to gloat before he makes them regret it all. Monomasa is surprised at Ryekie coming to help, then feels ashamed of himself. Akashi says it's CAlter who should be apologizing instead of him. CAlter laughs some more at this as they say your brains must've gone to mush, then dares you guys to beat Monster Procy. Ryekie accepts the challenge as he leads the party on, and the episode battle begins as Crowne gets grits her teeth at the proceedings. More story happens after that.

After the battle, the story picks back up towards the end where the party's attacks eventually causes Monster Procy to fall apart and disappear. Akashi cheers about defeating it, but you stop him and say it's not over yet. Akashi is shocked when Monster Procy reforms slowly itself, as is Mokdai as he says the thing revived itself. Ryekie is aghast as he says that should be impossible. Crowne Alter says it should normally melt away instead of revive, but they remind you guys that they are here too. As it turns out, Monsters are also affected by the power of an Observer looking at them just like heroes and villains are, and CAlter says Justice should know that too.

Ryekie curses Crowne Alter, and Sui is taken aback as she says the battle will never end at this rate. CAlter says she's right, pointing out that while you do have a powerful "authority" as an Observer, it's heavily unrefined. If you could sharpen it a bit more into something usable, you guys might be able to actually stand a chance against them. But then again CAlter says they don't give a shit about how well trash grows and cackles.

You get frustrated at your lack of skill, and Akashi gets offended on your behalf. Crowne Alter starts showing some irritation as they call Akashi by his full name and say he's always been bullheaded. They then comment that in their timeline, Akashi was more like a dumb husk after they killed you in front of him. Akashi is shocked by this while you are taken aback, and Monster Procy goes on to smack him. Mokdai yells to Akashi, and CAlter laughs at you guys for falling down already until a quake interrupts them.

The giant Monster at Mt. Fuji roars an earsplitting yell that shakes your eardrums, making you flinch in pain. Melide notices and asks if you can hear something in surprise. Crowne Alter clicks their tongue about having to cut things short the way things are going, commenting on the timing of things getting all weird and clustered together. They then comment on needing to gank Exio already and leave before everything flips it shit inside out.

Just before Crowne Alter moves to jump away, Crowne calls out to them to stop. CAlter actually does decide to stick around a moment longer to hear out anything Crowne has to say. Crowne says there's tons of questions she wants to ask, but she decides the first thing to settle is if CAlter actually is her. CAlter refuses to answer, emphasizing that they don't want to tell Crowne in particular. Crowne attempts to stop CAlter from leaving again, but CAlter gets irritated as they say they hate seeing how Crowne acts like a man but keeps her feminine emotions inside. This shocks Crowne and prevents her from saying anything further, so CAlter finally slips away. Monster Procy disappears too.

You note in resignation or frustration that Crowne Alter got away, and Yoshiori gets up mad that CAlter kicked his ass twice now. Akashi asks if he's okay since he's so beat up, so Yoshiori says he is somehow. He's more embarrassed that you guys saw him failing to do much of anything despite trying so hard. Monomasa says you guys know Exio is alive at least, but it's not the greatest of news right now. Monomasa then thanks you guys for stepping in to help. Yoshiori follows suit, scratching his cheek in embarrassment. You either say it's nothing or ask if he's blushing, and B gets Yoshiori mad as he denies he is, threatening to throw down over it.

Huckle asks the three if they have any ideas where Exio would go when he escaped. Melide says they don't since he'd probably avoid going anywhere he'd be found. Mokdai points out that he is dealing with an enemy who would actually invade his hideout, and Sui says it'd take tons of effort to find him now. That's not factoring the city being on fire and under attack yet either.

Ryekie decides to suggest to the three to have them help you guys fight the monsters in the city if they don't know where Exio is. While they do that, you guys will help them look for Exio along the way. It'd be better to have more people for both things after all, though he'll accept it if they say no. Monomasa thinks aloud that they have no leads to finding Exio, and if they're going to search the city then fighting monsters would be unavoidable. Yoshiori thinks on Ryekie's offer and says it's not a bad idea, noting that fighting is easier with you guys. He also wants to repay you guys for helping them out and keeping Monster Procy from beating them down even worse. Melide is surprised at them, but she agrees with the suggestion too. You nod or promise to find Exio, and B gets an extra line of Melide nodding and thanking you.

Huckle sums up that everyone is going to fight against the Monsters and look for Exio at the same time, asking if everyone agrees. Team Parallel Flight responds affirmatively, though Crowne looks preoccupied. Huckle asks if she's in on the plan, snapping her out of her thoughts as she agrees, though still distracted. Huckle starts to say he doesn't know what Crowne Alter meant when they said what they said, but Crowne says it's fine as it wasn't that bad. She then prompts everyone to get in the car since it'll be faster than going on foot, so Huckle lets the subject drop and says they'll be counting on her to drive. The party gets in and gets going towards the city, and the episode ends with the giant monster roaring again in the distance.