Hero Association M-City Branch, Operations Room 1
The team leader, having discovered his treasure, issued instructions methodically.
"Don't report the data from this operation to headquarters. Our branch will handle it ourselves! Oh, and we also need to give our future S-Class hero in M-City a resounding hero name..."
He frowned, deep in thought, and finally typed several lines on the keyboard. A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
"Let's call him 'King'!"
Just then, the image on the big screen shook violently and went black with a sharp snap.
"..." The team leader's lips twitched. "Rayyan! What exactly happened?! Did you save the video footage from earlier?!"
"It's saved! But the drone seems to have crashed." Rayyan, a staff member, pursed his lips. "I knew this thing's reliability in actual combat was questionable."
"Shut up, you jinx!"
M-City Pedestrian Street
Jordan raised his head slightly. The drone hovering overhead was completely visible in the Mind Network's perception.
What bored person is playing surveillance...?
He launched a directed electromagnetic pulse. The EMP directly destroyed the drone's electronic components. The four rotors suddenly seized up and went out of control, wobbling and crashing headfirst into the ruins like a drunkard.
Just then, Jordan's sharp eyes noticed the words "Hero Association M-City Branch" printed on the drone before it crashed.
Ah. So it's one of ours?
Seems like I made a mistake...
He glanced around guiltily and breathed a sigh of relief when he realized the nearby surveillance equipment had been destroyed in the battle.
"We should go now, Saitama!"
"Huh? So suddenly in a hurry?" Saitama looked up at the last rays of the setting sun. "Well, it makes sense. It's almost dark."
"Why don't you stay? I'll treat you to a meal," King offered.
"Let's save it for next time." Jordan patted his shoulder. "I have a feeling we'll meet again soon."
King was taken aback. The next second, Jordan had already placed his hand on Saitama's shoulder. The two of them vanished instantly in a wave of blue light.
Z-City, No-Man's Land
Saitama set up a large pot on the gas stove, filled with octopus slices.
He'd originally wanted to share some rare fresh seafood with Jordan, but the latter refused, saying he'd rather eat instant noodles than anything from a monster.
"By the way, Jordan, why did you think so highly of that person? You even gave him your business card."
Saitama stirred the octopus slices in the pot, asking with confusion.
Jordan lay on the tatami mat in the living room, flipping through the latest city evening paper. He replied casually, "Because that person has the potential to become a hero."
Saitama thought back and couldn't see any qualities in King that matched those of a hero.
"Heh. Don't underestimate people. Even if you were to go one-on-one with him in certain competitions, you'd be utterly crushed."
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Saitama didn't believe it. His voice rose noticeably. "How did you come to such a hasty conclusion? Don't underestimate me!"
"Oh?" Jordan switched into his "good-for-nothing best at stirring up trouble" mode. "Really? I got his number before leaving. Want to give it a try?"
"Oh? Then you wait!"
Jordan took out his phone, but before he could dial, a call came in.
He checked the contact name.
Strange. Did King figure something out already?
"Hello, this is Jordan."
"Jordan! Help! Something terrible has happened!"
Hearing the panicked voice on the other end, Jordan sat bolt upright. "What happened? Did you run into another monster?"
"A monster? Uh... no, it's a hero! The Hero Association has come looking for me!"
The first thing that came to Jordan's mind was the drone he'd "accidentally" shot down. Could they be coming to demand compensation?
But after listening to King's explanation, he realized that wasn't the case at all.
M-City Downtown Apartment, 22nd Floor
With a ding, the elevator arrived.
Two men in black suits stepped out. One of them glanced at the door plate. "This should be the place, right?"
"According to the information, the gentleman lives alone year-round. This is the address."
"Okay, then ring the doorbell."
Inside the Apartment
King carefully opened the slightly damaged case of his dating simulation game disc. He breathed a long sigh of relief when he saw that the game disc—featuring a pink anime girl—was intact.
"That's wonderful! My beloved wife wasn't hurt in this accident. I was worried we wouldn't be able to rekindle our relationship! A stroke of luck amidst misfortune!"
At home, King let loose. He hugged the disc and gave it a big kiss before inserting it into the game console's disc slot.
The loading bar finished shortly afterward. A cute pink anime girl appeared on screen, her sweet voice hitting King right in the heart.
"Long time no see, Onii-chan! Did you miss Sae-chan while she was away? Hehe, Sae-chan missed Onii-chan too!"
"Oh my gosh! Sae-chan is the best!"
Just then, the doorbell rang.
As if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his head, King—whose eyes had been filled with his anime waifu—trembled and nearly threw the game controller.
"Uh... that startled me! Who could it be at this hour?!"
After calming his startled emotions, King pressed the pause button and muttered to himself as he walked to the door.
The long-awaited reunion had been interrupted. Even the timid King looked slightly annoyed.
The door opened.
The two Hero Association members in black suits took a deep breath, opening their mouths to speak, when an imposing figure suddenly appeared before them.
The room's lighting fell behind King, casting a heavy shadow across his impatient face.
Three scars running across his cheeks and a slightly furrowed brow created a terrifying visage that could stop a child from crying. Even two adults facing it felt as if a dark cloud was pressing down on them. An overwhelming aura crushed against their chests. Even the air seemed to carry a hint of rust—blood and gore.
Thump-thump-thump... thump-thump-thump...
The two men in black suits subconsciously swallowed. They felt like small boats in a storm, struggling and tossing in raging waves, on the verge of sinking at any moment.
"We are staff members of the Hero Association! Please believe us—we have absolutely no malicious intent!"
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