"Mr. Jordan, this is a project the association has been planning for quite some time. Because it involves your vital interests, that's why I'm disturbing your rest so early." Lanny gestured at the folder. "Please take a look."
"You said it's important, so of course it's not a problem."
Jordan nodded, set down his coffee cup, and picked up the document. His eyes quickly locked onto the most eye-catching words.
"Yes. Due to escalating monster incidents, the association's operations officers have identified numerous existing problems and decided to create a special sequence in addition to the existing A, B, and C-Classes..."
As Lanny explained the plan, Jordan understood immediately.
Ah. So it's this.
The establishment of S-Class.
To date, the association's hero rankings were still based on popularity, battle record, and community contribution over actual combat power. This was the most scientifically sound ranking method reached through extensive internal discussions.
Most battle record verification required heroes to self-report their achievements. Only a small number of records verified by the public and media were directly calculated into a hero's ranking points.
The overly simplistic certification mechanism had created problems. Players who found the process troublesome or didn't care about rankings remained at low levels, while heroes who accidentally discovered monster corpses and claimed credit—or who simply loved the spotlight—could advance rapidly.
If you encountered someone like Saitama who had a built-in "street person" debuff, even if caught on camera and recorded, he'd be ignored for various reasons. At best, he'd get to pick up the scraps.
Similar incidents were commonplace. The unspoken rule of "whoever discovers it first gets all the credit" had become industry standard.
Seeds of unethical conduct slowly sprouted in the shadows.
However, truth always surfaces eventually. What is false can never become true.
As more and more powerful monsters appeared, many top-ranked heroes were exposed like waterlogged sponges being squeezed dry.
It took several heroes working together—sometimes over a dozen—to defeat a single Demon-level monster. Seemingly powerful and popular heroes suddenly died in combat. Some heroes were even exposed for faking their battle records entirely.
Similar situations occurred one after another, with a disturbing trend of escalation.
The Hero Association wanted to nurture a strong and reliable reputation among the public. This kind of news was not what they wanted to see.
Therefore, while internally rectifying and strengthening hero admission criteria, a special project was put on the agenda.
Heroes with outstanding achievements in defeating monsters and possessing remarkable combat abilities, but who weren't widely known to the public, would be given priority attention. Together with truly powerful and popular heroes, they would form a completely new ranking system.
That is—
"...In conclusion, this is why I brought you here." Lanny's expression was earnest. "Because the resources and exposure allocated to S-Class heroes far exceed those of other categories, not everyone likes being a public figure. There have been recent cases where some heroes were unwilling to join S-Class. Therefore, headquarters requires us to send formal invitations to all selected heroes, allowing them to make their own decisions."
So what you're asking is?
"Of course I'd choose to join! It's an incredible opportunity. After all, the benefits alone are double those of A-Class!"
Upon hearing Jordan's answer, Lanny's entire body relaxed visibly. The motion was quite eye-catching.
"That's wonderful!" Lanny stood and extended her hand. "Mr. Jordan, I'm honored to inform you that you will become one of the Association's first S-Class heroes, ranking second!"
They shook hands. Lanny's grip was firm despite her excitement.
"This is already the limit of my efforts. Headquarters has higher hopes for 'Blast,' who has left an amazing record, as the number one S-Class ace." She squeezed his hand apologetically. "But in my heart, you are the strongest hero!"
"Huh. They ranked me second in S-Class?"
For no apparent reason, a simple-looking green-haired woman appeared in Jordan's mind. Petite. Arrogant. Disrespecting everyone except Blast.
Considering Tatsumaki's personality, he immediately sensed incoming trouble.
"Miss Lanny, you've done exceptionally well." Noticing Lanny's slightly flushed expression, Jordan released the blonde woman's soft, smooth hand and gently patted her shoulder. Her emotions calmed somewhat. "Now, is there anything else I need to do?"
"Oh, yes! I need you to sign the new agreement." Lanny had recovered her professional demeanor. She bent down to flip to the document's final page. "This is your S-Class Hero Certificate. The agreement is in duplicate, so please sign here and here. Of course, don't worry—the S-Class Hero agreement has almost no restrictions. You just need to help when humanity needs you or when the association requests assistance."
Jordan nodded and signed his name on the document. "Of course. It's what I should do."
"Please keep this S-Class dedicated communicator safe." Lanny handed him a sleek device. "It can contact you via satellite even in places without network access."
Lanny carefully gathered the documents, clutching them to her chest. Her face was flushed—whether from excitement or something else—making her exceptionally alluring. She extended her small hand to Jordan again, tilting her head back with a radiant smile.
"Mr. Jordan, S-Class Rank #2 'Super Cop'—I look forward to your continued support in the future!"
The two hands, one large and one small, clasped together again.
"Pleasure working with you."
Streets of Y-City
"Bullying the weak is not the act of a man!" A commanding voice echoed across the street. "Even if you've mutated into a monster, it's still unforgivable!"
A silver-white figure flashed with incredible speed.
"Water Flow Rock Smashing Fist—Whirling Wind Slashing Iron Finger!"
The two-headed monster committing violence in the street watched helplessly as a hole the size of a basketball was torn through its chest. It let out a wail and collapsed.
Fifty meters away, a sprightly old man with silver hair appeared on the sidewalk. He glanced at the young people celebrating and taking pictures around the monster corpse, flicked dust from his sleeves, turned, and walked forward with hands clasped behind his back.
His originally straight back hunched over after a few steps as his muscles relaxed, making him look like an ordinary old man taking an afternoon stroll.
"Found him! That's Mr. Silver Fang!"
"Please wait a moment, Bang-san!"
"Hmm?" Bang's ears twitched. He stopped and turned to see two young men in black suits, sweating profusely, rushing toward him. "Did you come here specifically to see me?"
The physical condition of young people these days is truly abysmal. You can tell at a glance they have no talent for martial arts.
As Bang pondered this, he thought of another tall figure with some regret.
That brat hasn't come to ask me for drinks in ages. I bet he's been eating and drinking with that other buddy of his all the time.
"Bang... Bang-san..."
"No rush, young men. I'm not going to run away." Bang smiled warmly, watching the two approach while panting heavily. "So, what do you two want from me?"