"I originally just wanted to use the Hero Association's system to search for monster traces. Didn't expect such an unexpected discovery."
After reading through the emails, Jordan chuckled. A hint of coldness flashed through his eyes.
"It really is, as you said, quite interesting indeed."
Even through the walkie-talkie, Anzu could sense the ice behind Jordan's voice. She sat up straighter. "Section Chief, do we need to report these things truthfully?"
"Collect them first. Keep everything within our Special Affairs Section. Don't leak anything yet." Jordan pocketed his phone. "We'll need this when it's time to deal with those parasites."
After ending the conversation, Jordan handed the walkie-talkie to F-boy for storage and counted on his fingers.
"Of the five monsters I acquired, three are Tiger-level, but only two are actually usable. Combined with the three Wolf-level monsters Saitama captured, that should be enough."
"The plan proceeds as scheduled."
He glanced toward D-City, activated his psychic powers, and vanished.
Only his voice remained, gradually dissipating in the air.
"Good luck, blond guy with three scars."
Z-City, No-Man's Land.
Night fell. A gust swept up withered leaves beside the green belt, the sound faintly mournful.
King unconsciously hunched his shoulders, feeling as if countless eyes watched him from the darkness.
Thump... thump-thump... thump-thump-thump...
The quiet street filled with a fast-paced rhythmic sound, gradually becoming deafening.
King decisively activated the King Engine. His pace quickened, covering several blocks in the blink of an eye.
Huff... huff... huff...
Finally, a vehicle drove past on the distant road. King found a place to set down the trash and took a moment to wipe his sweat.
Looking back at the unusually peaceful abandoned district under streetlights, King murmured, "Strange. Am I being too sensitive?"
A cool, slippery sensation touched his neck.
King's muscles tensed instantly. Cold sweat appeared on his forehead.
He looked down. A forked tongue thick as rope protruded from behind him, attempting to wrap around his neck.
Thump-thump-thump-thump! Thump-thump-thump-thump...
The King Engine, which had just quieted, roared to life again. Chills ran down King's spine. His mind went blank.
What do I do, what do I do!
Neither Jordan nor Saitama are here!
I'll be killed by the monster immediately!
His Adam's apple moved instinctively. The tongue, stimulated, suddenly stopped—then tightened abruptly.
Suffocation and pain struck simultaneously. King's eyes bulged. All the blood rushed to his head.
Am I going to die?
What a shame. In the end, I didn't take the step Jordan mentioned...
As consciousness began fading, King instinctively grabbed the still-tightening, slippery tongue and pulled hard.
Snap.
The pressure on his neck eased. The tongue in his hand severed in two, wriggling and twitching like a freshly killed fish.
King heard pitiful screams from behind—like a stray dog kicked in the groin—but he seemed not to hear at all.
He dropped the severed tongue. Looked at his bulging forearm. Dull eyes gradually ignited.
"No... I've become stronger!"
Turning around, he saw a bizarre creature with a lizard's head and dog's body, cursing and howling incoherently.
Though it couldn't speak human language, it was definitely a monster.
"Awooo!" (Damn human!)
"Awoooooo!!" (How dare you tear off my tongue!)
"Awooo? Waaaaah..." (Why are you staring at me like that? Don't come any closer!)
After meeting King's gaze for three seconds, the lizard-dog's arrogance transformed into fear. It took several steps back.
"Waaaaah..." (What are you guys doing! Come out and help...)
Four pairs of eyes lit up in the darkness, accompanied by howls and wails.
"Stop arguing, you piece of trash!"
"I was living the high life in A-City, then got inexplicably dumped in this godforsaken place surrounded by country bumpkins like you. It's really—"
"I'm hungry. Humans... food!"
King remained remarkably calm as strange figures gradually gathered around him.
The psychic power Jordan had left in his body only provided internal awareness. It couldn't enhance combat ability.
In other words, King had just used his own power entirely.
"The key to achieving Electric Current Propulsion lies in willpower."
"Strong emotions easily fuel strong willpower. The best way to eliminate fear is to face it!"
"King, you can do it!"
Jordan's words echoed in his ears, gradually transforming into King's own voice.
A faint blue arc flickered at his fingertips. Weak light flashing and disappearing. Gradually transforming into crackling current coiling around his arm.
The electricity traveling from arms to entire body brought slight tingling. King could feel this current was like part of himself—he'd never controlled it so naturally before.
Muscles energized by current visibly swelled, giving his already powerful physique a sense of overwhelming strength.
Electric Current Propulsion achieved!
"Jordan is right. I can become stronger through my own efforts. Even monsters aren't invincible to me now! Electric Current Propulsion—ten thousand volts! Hah!"
King's sudden hot-blooded anime energy stunned the five Wolf-level monsters attacking him. His bio-electric currents emitted dazzling light and burst from his body.
In an instant, lightning pierced the air.
The lizard-dog monster was caught off-guard. Struck by the bolt. It let out a trembling howl and collapsed on the spot. The smell of burnt meat immediately filled the air.
The lizard-dog monster that had licked King—its dog-life was now completely over.
The remaining four monsters froze.
Is this person... a hero?
We're just the lowest-level Wolf-class monsters!
Aren't human heroes who can wield lightning a bit too difficult?
With a single decisive strike, King's confidence coalesced into real lightning, piercing the darkness.
He took a deep breath. Dazzling electric light flashed around him, maximizing the stimulation from electric current.
King's physical abilities surged once more. Doubling. Tripling. Reaching peak only when intensity increased nearly fourfold.
His originally fitted black knit sweater stretched taut, transforming into a tight-fitting battle suit. Bulging muscles pulsed with electric arcs. Like a tiger pouncing on prey, he exuded visual tension bursting with masculine hormones.