At this moment, King's blood boiled. His innate intimidating aura enveloped the entire block.
His actual combat power under Electric Current Propulsion had surpassed most professional heroes. Not counting Fubuki, who voluntarily stayed in B-Class as top dog, his current momentum should register at least watered-down A-Class in Hero Association assessments.
There was a common misconception about the One-Punch Man world: C-Class heroes, though they seemed like weaklings, were actually superhumans with abnormal physical abilities or special powers.
Even if they couldn't handle a Wolf-level disaster alone, they could at least stall until colleagues arrived.
This was the minimum standard for Hero Association recruitment.
Just moments ago, King had been an ordinary person who'd trained for only a week and a half.
The electric current surged, making his silhouette appear like a war god.
Thump-thump-thump...
Thump-thump-thump-thump!
THUMP-THUMP-THUMP-THUMP!
His heart pumped electricity and hot blood like a hydraulic engine, triggering his innate skill King Engine instinctively.
The heavy roar was like a sledgehammer striking a war drum. Terrifying vibrations transmitted through the ground, causing surrounding buildings to tremble.
For the first time, what propelled the King Engine to resound through the sky wasn't cowardice—but burning fighting spirit that shattered fear itself.
The change before their eyes was like killing a chicken in the beginner village and attracting the final boss. The four monsters stood dumbfounded, bodies stiffening.
Deafening drumbeats stirred blood throughout their bodies. Their senses were completely dominated by the demonic aura radiating from this man. Their monster-transformed bodies trembled inexplicably, gradually losing control.
So terrifying!
What a terrifying man...
Amidst blinding electric current, King slowly raised his head.
Electricity flickered across a face obscured by streetlight shadows, illuminating kind features pierced by scars, brightness shifting between light and dark.
Overwhelming fear crushed the hearts of the four monsters. Surging blood within them transformed into four jets erupting from their mouths, taking all life force with them.
Four bodies collapsed one after another.
"Wait a minute... why are they all dead?"
King froze. Electric light emanating from his body vanished.
"I haven't even attacked yet!"
Ten minutes later, Saitama's apartment.
"That's how it happened."
King sat before Jordan and Saitama, face pale, recounting what had transpired.
The reason he looked listless was mainly because he'd overdone it.
The bio-electric current generated initially was almost completely exhausted, causing King to regain some of his previous nerdy, decadent demeanor.
"They were killed by intimidation alone?" Saitama asked in surprise. "Were those monsters really that weak? Judging by their appearance, I thought they'd at least put up a fight!"
"Huh?" King grabbed onto something odd, asking in confusion. "Saitama, did you also encounter those monsters?"
"He's never seen anything like it." Jordan chuckled, pulling Saitama into a rear-naked chokehold from behind. "Maybe your description was so realistic, King, that he felt like he was there."
"Ah, is that so?"
King didn't think much of it, but kindly pointed at Saitama, whose face was already flushing. "Um, Saitama looks like he's about to die."
Jordan glanced down. Saitama was about to roll his eyes. He quickly released.
"Alright, alright. I forgot."
Saitama, now freed, took several breaths to recover. Completely unaware that a purple hand had reached from behind his head to catch a falling card fragment before vanishing.
He glared at Jordan, wanting to question him.
Jordan glared back.
Why are you choking me?! Lack of oxygen is uncomfortable!
Don't reveal we captured those monsters, you bastard!
The two locked eyes. Saitama finally understood.
"I have a question!"
To cover, Saitama used a primary school student-style hand-raising gesture to perfectly change the subject.
"King, can you still generate electricity? I want to try it!"
King paused, then tentatively clenched his fist. His previously depleted physical strength had slowly recovered considerably.
Definitely enough to support one electric shock.
"Should be fine... But are you sure it's alright to use electric attacks on Saitama?"
He looked at Jordan.
"Come on, come on!"
Jordan nodded, ignoring Saitama's eager expression. "It's fine. This guy's tough. Your current battery level can't hurt him."
"Then I'll proceed."
King recalled the process of first achieving Electric Current Propulsion. A long breathing sound rang out. His entire demeanor changed.
Dense crackling current generated from his palm. Then—snap—very quickly.
It instantly struck Saitama, who was watching with curiosity.
Saitama, as if hit by a Palpatine lightning blast, was enveloped in crackling current. His sparse hair stood on end.
The shocked hero only shuddered instinctively at first. But his body quickly adapted. He even curiously poked his arm, which was pulsing with electricity.
"It's tingly and numb..."
So easily defeating the monsters before wasn't something to be proud of!
Z-City Train Station.
At the bustling station entrance, King carried his luggage. Jordan and Saitama stood behind him to see him off.
"You're leaving already, King?" Saitama handed him fruit bought on the way. "Feels a bit sudden."
"I've been bothering you for a long time." King smiled gently. "If I stay by your side constantly, I'll become dependent on you during battles."
"That's true. When we encounter monsters together, we don't know how to divide them up." Saitama thought for a moment and nodded in agreement.
Good grief. Are you two dividing up jungle camps?
Jordan stepped forward and hugged King. "Once you're back, it'll be solo queue. Let's both do our best."
He leaned in, whispering. "I'm actually looking forward to seeing if King can beat Saitama after getting stronger."
King whispered back. "Hehe, that would be awesome!"
"Hey, you two. Could you speak a little louder when whispering? I can barely hear you!"
"Come to M-City when you have time. I'll treat you."
Saitama looked disgusted. "Get out of here already!"
King waved his hand. "Then I'm leaving. Jordan, Saitama—you've never beaten me in games!"
"Who would've thought King had such a cunning side?" Jordan couldn't help but sigh, watching King's figure disappear into the station. "Don't you think so, Saitama?"
"Just because you're not the one being mocked doesn't mean you can make sarcastic remarks so easily."
After his retort, Saitama nodded seriously. "Still, King's personality has changed a lot. Much more confident than when we first met."
"Of course. He's also a qualified hero now."
Jordan snapped his fingers.
"Let's go. Head back."
"Hey, why don't we use psychic powers to teleport back instantly?"
"Do you think I'm a taxi? I'm stopping by the supermarket on the way. It's a special sale day!"
"Oh right, I almost forgot! Let's hurry!"
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