"Jordan, Bang said you got into a fight in A-City today and didn't even call me..."
Saitama's tone was serious, almost accusatory, but his eyes remained fixed on the beer bottles scattered across the table.
"Absolutely not!"
Group activities weren't recommended. Bringing Saitama along would just create chaos.
"Ah, it was nothing major." Jordan snapped out of his thoughts, watching the old man chuckle while adjusting his drinking posture. He grabbed the bottle Bang had offered. "I'll drink this first as respect."
"That's what I like to hear!" Saitama slapped his thigh. "Come on, King, Bang, everyone together."
"Together, then."
King, who'd been cooking meat in the spicy hot pot, wiped sweat from his brow and raised his glass alongside the smiling martial artist.
F-boy, looking fierce but acting entirely domestic, phased out of Jordan's body and skillfully gathered a mountain of plates and bowls before heading to the kitchen.
The sight of that tall, reliable purple figure overwhelmed Jordan with emotion. The tough man nearly shed tears.
You've worked hard, my other self.
Without you, this household would collapse.
The housekeeping expert worked tirelessly. The originally chaotic living room became spotless in minutes.
This guy seemed to have gained experience beating up monsters after returning to the OPM world. His speed stat showed signs of automatic leveling.
Jordan remembered his Stand had always possessed Growth Potential: A.
The user's own strength was so overwhelming that the Stand's development had been neglected. Ridiculous.
Since that was the case, he'd cash in the fragments that had already met fusion conditions tonight.
F-boy: You're welcome.
[Fantasy Card: Limiter Fragment] ×83
Fusion Requirement: 80 Limiter Fragments
Holding the thick stack of N-rank cards, satisfaction welled up inside him. Jordan couldn't help but smile.
Saitama's hair loss rate was accelerating, but Jordan's fragment collection speed hadn't slowed at all.
Anyone else subjected to F-boy's high-intensity Element Pickup assault would've been skinned alive by now.
It also helped that Saitama had been eating well lately.
Before meeting Jordan, a banana counted as a nutritious meal.
After meeting Jordan, they gathered every three days for meat-heavy hot pot feasts.
Despite lacking the mentally taxing cycle of starvation and abundance, Saitama's growth rate hadn't slowed. If anything, it had accelerated.
His reckless, unorthodox fighting style still resulted in injuries during battles, to the point where he was reluctant to wear the classic battle suit the clothing store owner had given him.
Not a major problem. Once he went completely bald, nothing would hurt him anymore.
While F-boy washed dishes, Jordan gathered chakra and exhaled a controlled gust of Wind Release.
The lingering hot pot smell vanished instantly. Everyone felt the convective vortex sweep through, leaving the air fresh and clean.
Indeed, improving quality of life was the correct application of ninjutsu.
Bang had finished drinking and switched to tea, entering health-preservation mode. King, with moderate appetite and alcohol tolerance, had excused himself to the restroom. Upon returning, he'd accepted Bang's invitation to join the tea-tasting group. The two discussed expensive tea brands, conversation flowing smoothly.
Drunk Saitama lay sprawled on the floor, having given up on thinking. Before long, a snot bubble rose and fell with his breathing.
The guests haven't even left yet and he's already passed out?
How shameless.
Recalling the grudge of being forced to drink at dinner, Jordan snapped his fingers. Telekinetic power forcibly sat Saitama upright.
The hero blinked, looking confused.
Huh? How did I wake up?
"It's gaming time. Want to play a few rounds?"
Jordan switched the TV to the console, and exciting character selection music blared. Saitama jumped.
Isn't this just the prelude to daily torture?
Now he was completely awake.
Saitama glanced at the controller that had been shoved into his hand, then looked at Jordan and unexpectedly shook his head.
"Hey, what's with the head shake?" Jordan asked
"Our skill levels are about the same. What's the point of two scrubs fighting?"
How is this two scrubs fighting? You're clearly the one who loses the most.
Under Jordan's piercing gaze, Saitama remained unmoved. "Only by challenging the strong can one grow stronger. King! I challenge you!"
King, who'd been enjoying his conversation with Bang, turned around in surprise. Meeting Saitama's burning eyes, he immediately switched into his area of expertise.
"Huh? Are you really sure about this, Saitama?"
When a scrub who loved games met a world-class prodigy, an epic battle was about to unfold.
Bang readily gave up his seat to Saitama, then settled in behind them to watch. Characters were selected in less than a second. The battle began.
The old man stood with hands clasped behind his back, studying the screen intently.
Saitama called King a "strong person" just now. Is this some new training method?
Curiosity piqued, Bang focused on the match.
Suddenly finding himself with nothing to do, Jordan glanced at the three gathered around the TV. Boredom set in immediately.
I was the one who suggested gaming first!
At that moment, F-boy solemnly wiped his hands and returned to Jordan's side.
The Stand went intangible, avoiding physical contact.
A sense of ritual.
Fine. You win.
After shuffling the thick stack of white-bordered cards, Jordan stood and walked to the balcony.
Pointing at the stack of Limiter Fragments, F-boy synchronized perfectly with him. The fusion began.
Stepping onto the balcony under cover of night, Jordan casually released a force field to protect Saitama's apartment.
As the last fragment burned away, a brand new fantasy card crystallized from converging light.
[Fantasy Card: Limiter Break ACT4]
Card Type: Special Card
Rarity: R (Blue)
Description: Formed from the fusion of unknown fragments, this is conceptual power made manifest.
Effect 1: Restriction Removed
Designate any target to break through one racial growth limit.
Effect 2: Controllable Breakthrough
Choose a specific attribute of any target to break through racial growth limitations.
Effect 3: Limit Deployment
Designate any target and randomly gain a new extraordinary ability.
Effect 4: Limitless Evolution
Gain one unit of "Evolutionary Power." Choose one extraordinary ability for transcendent evolution, resulting in a completely new ability or qualitative upgrade. Can be used continuously until exhausted.
As usual, the new Limiter Break had been upgraded by half a tier. Saitama's dead-fish-eyed, bald-headed grinning face remained the card art. The only change was the background color shifting to dark blue.
The newly added effect introduced a new concept: "Evolutionary Power."
Simply put, it was used for upgrading abilities.
If Evolutionary Power remained after the designated ability had been upgraded, it could be applied to other abilities.
Conversely, if Evolutionary Power ran out before completing an upgrade, he'd have to wait for the next Limiter Break.
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