The City of Superheroes (prologue)

Johnny observes another cadaver, this time pale and bluish, which appears highly unusual compared to the common corpses he's accustomed to examining. As his eyes scrutinize the macabre details, a recent news story crosses his mind: the death of the famous superhero, Fungoid.

He recalls the headlines in the newspapers and the stories circulating in hero and villain circles. Fungoid, an enigmatic and mysterious hero whose powers were related to fungi and bioluminescent organisms, was found dead in strange circumstances. His pale bluish skin was a striking feature, a result of his unique powers.

Johnny examines the cadaver in the morgue, his eyes narrowing as he observes the strange fungi infesting the hero's body. It's something he has never seen in his career as a medical examiner, something sinister and disturbing.

Driven by intense curiosity and compelled by the peculiar nature of the fungi that didn't kill the hero in life, he decides to extract one of them for a closer study. Carefully, he uses precision instruments to remove one of the fungi from the hero's body, intending to examine it on a laboratory slide.

As he observes the fungus under the microscope, he notices something truly astonishing. The fungi seem to have a unique and complex structure, with bioluminescent characteristics emitting a dim, mysterious light. Johnny can't help but marvel at the adaptability of these organisms, which apparently coexisted within the hero's body without causing harm.

Continuing his analysis, Johnny realizes that the fungi have an unusual composition. They don't resemble any known fungal organism and appear to possess properties that defy the laws of biology. He's intrigued by the possibility that these fungi might have had a symbiotic relationship with the hero, providing him with unique powers or protection.

With a significant sample of mysterious fungi in hand, Johnny decides to conduct an unusual experiment. He takes a sample and releases it onto a laboratory rat, observing with fascination and apprehension what would occur. Within seconds, the fungi begin to spread and envelop the rat's body at an alarmingly fast rate.

The rat starts to convulse and behave abnormally as the fungi wrap around and penetrate its tissues. The transformation is impressive and horrifying. The rat, now a pale, lifeless-eyed creature, resembles a zombie. It moves in a disoriented and lethargic manner, as if under the fungi's control.

Johnny is horrified to witness that the fungi have turned the rat into a kind of fungoid zombie. The scene is terrifying, and he immediately takes drastic measures.

With a panicked expression, Johnny triggers the incinerator in the morgue. High, intense flames consume the rat and the fungi within seconds, as the smell of burning and smoke fills the space. He watches the destruction with a sense of collapse, fearing that the fungi might spread or cause even more significant harm.

What he has just witnessed is chilling, and Johnny realizes he's dealing with something far beyond his understanding. The curiosity that drove him to investigate the fungi is now accompanied by a sense of imminent danger. He knows he must be cautious and proceed with extreme prudence in seeking answers about these mysterious organisms.

After a few hours of work...

Johnny wraps up his workday in the morgue. However, as he exits the building, he is startled by a deafening explosion echoing through the city. His instincts lead him toward the chaos unfolding in the streets of Megalopolis.

Arriving at the scene of the explosion, he witnesses a scene that seems to have been ripped directly from an epic anime showdown. Before his eyes, the hero in the red cape, the one who killed his son, is engaged in a fierce battle against the most formidable villain the world has ever seen.

The two titans, hero and adversary, are cloaked in superhuman powers and abilities, casting energy beams and causing destruction in their wake. Buildings around them are reduced to rubble, and civilians run in terror, seeking safety.

Johnny is momentarily paralyzed, observing the battle unfolding before him. The conflicting emotions he has carried since his son's death haunt him once more. He doesn't know what to do, for the person he most wants to confront is there, engaging in a battle of apocalyptic proportions, leaving him feeling powerless in the face of such a monumental conflict.

The villain in technological armor and the hero in the red cape continue to exchange powerful blows, but it's clear that both are on the brink of exhaustion. The villain's armor is in tatters, emitting sparks and smoke from its damaged parts. The hero, on the other hand, is wounded and fatigued, his red cape torn and dusty.

The crowd around watches with anxiety, but Johnny can see in their faces an expression of fear and uncertainty. The battle between the hero and the villain is cataclysmic, and the devastation left in its wake is staggering.

The battle rages on, and as the heroes and villains exchange mighty blows, many of the local civilians are caught in the midst of the conflict and suffer the consequences. Buildings are destroyed, cars are sent flying through the air, and chaos reigns.

Johnny, watching a chaotic scene unfold before his eyes, can't help but let out a maniacal laugh that escapes his lips. His laughter echoes amidst the chaos, capturing the attention of those nearby. The unexpected and eerie sound of his laughter contrasts with the destruction around, creating an even more sinister atmosphere.

The villain in the technological armor, even in the midst of the battle, briefly turns to look in Johnny's direction, surprised by the sudden manifestation of madness. He doesn't fully understand what's happening.

The crowd, already stunned by the epic battle between the hero and the villain, is now also baffled by Johnny's strange behavior. Some start whispering to each other, concerned about the presence of the mysterious man who seems to have gone mad amidst the chaos.

Johnny, however, pays no mind to the reactions around him. He continues to laugh maniacally, a mixture of laughter and despair. He goes on laughing, and people back away from him, fearing he's gone insane in the midst of the destruction. While he laughs, he thinks to himself, "So, even gods can bleed..."

The idea that the superheroes and supervillains, who were adored like gods, aren't invulnerable, begins to take shape in his mind. He realizes that, just like any person, they too have weaknesses and limitations.

Johnny's maniacal laughter draws the attention of the hero in the red cape, who looks at him with curiosity and concern. He senses that something is happening to Johnny, but is too occupied with dealing with the villain to get distracted.

While the battle continues, Johnny keeps laughing, his laughter echoing in the midst of the chaos. He knows this is his opportunity to explore the weaknesses of these "gods" and seek justice for his son in a way he never imagined before.

Johnny leaves the scene of the battle behind, his maniacal laughter fading as he moves away from the chaos. He feels an illumination, a clarity about how he should confront the "accursed mutants," or as some call them, gods.

He realizes that, just like any human being, these superheroes and supervillains have weaknesses, desires, and motivations that can be exploited. They are not invulnerable, and, although they may appear god-like to many, they are just powerful beings with their own flaws and vulnerabilities.

As he walks through the city streets, with a determined look on his face, Johnny begins to devise a plan to face the "gods" head on, using his intelligence and knowledge as his greatest weapons. He is willing to challenge those who seem untouchable and will stop at nothing in his quest for revenge.