In N-City, a sudden mist surged across the clear sky, and countless citizens fell to the ground one after another.
"Alert! A monster has been detected in N-City! Preliminary estimates suggest a threat level of Demon or higher! Citizens, please evacuate immediately!"
A sharp siren blared, and the crowds on the streets instantly fell into chaos. However, any citizen touched by the black mist collapsed into a coma.
"Humans are the greatest cancer on Earth! My mission is to make you all fall into a deep slumber!"
A tall, humanoid monster appeared, with black mist continuously pouring from his body and spreading in all directions.
"I just came here to film a commercial. I didn't expect to run into a monster. Hasn't it been a bit too frequent lately?"
A man with blue hair appeared before everyone, looking at the monster with cold indifference.
"Great, is that a hero?!"
"Look! That's Sweet Mask!"
"Wonderful! He's a super popular idol! I can't believe I get to see him in person!"
"Should I ask him for an autograph later?"
"Quick, film it! If it's him, a mere monster is nothing! I want to capture the cool scene of Sweet Mask killing the monster!"
The surrounding citizens quickly recognized Sweet Mask's identity, many of them being his fans. Many young girls screamed frantically. If the monster wasn't still there, they would have rushed him long ago.
"You are a hero?"
The Demon-level monster, Mist Man, had a calm gaze, but his attack struck instantly.
Boom!
With just one strike, the monster's head was pierced. Sweet Mask expressionlessly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the blood from his hand.
"Only of this level? However, compared to that man, I am still far too inferior."
A figure appeared in Sweet Mask's mind—the one who stepped forward at the most critical moment for all the heroes and handled four Dragon-level monsters in an instant. Since that day, this scene had left an indelible impression in his heart.
"Aaaah! Sweet Mask is so handsome! I want to marry him!"
"Sweet Mask, can you give me an autograph?"
"He's even stronger than the rumors say, killing a monster in one blow."
"But there have been many negative rumors about the Hero Association lately. I heard a hero actually turned into a monster, it's unbelievable."
"True. Now that even the heroes who protect the citizens are becoming monsters, I think the world is coming to an end."
Seeing Sweet Mask easily kill the monster, the surrounding citizens breathed a sigh of relief. However, aside from the adoring fans, most people were still deeply worried. After all, the frequency of monster appearances was getting higher, and the Hero Association, which people had always been proud of, seemed unreliable. The future looked bleak.
"All justice must be executed, and all evil must be destroyed promptly. I will not allow any cowardly existence to become a hero."
Bloodshot veins appeared in Sweet Mask's eyes, he had always been brooding over Dark Mask's Monsterization.
To fall so low as to side with monsters for the sake of power—such a person disgraced the name of a hero and must be hunted down and exterminated.
"I see. So this is the power of a hero?"
"What?!"
Just as Sweet Mask was about to leave, the voice of the monster came from behind him again.
Mist Man, who should have been dead, had now completely recovered from his injuries. Terrifying mists burst from his body, surging frantically in all directions.
"Oh no! The monster is alive again!"
"Damn hero, why didn't you finish it off? Is the Hero Association really unreliable after all?"
"Someone save me!"
Screams of agony rose one after another.
This time, the mist was not just for knocking people out. It was highly corrosive, instantly turning dozens of people into skeletons.
"Damn it, this guy is constantly evolving!"
Sweet Mask realized the monster before him was not simple.
Just as he was about to charge, the mist enveloped him.
"It actually has such strong corrosiveness!"
Sweet Mask felt his body being constantly corroded by the mist, but he possessed extremely strong self-healing abilities. Back when they were subjugating the Monster Association, he hadn't died even after being torn in half by Black Sperm.
"No, my face!!!"
Under the effects of the mist, cracks began to appear on Sweet Mask's face, and pieces began to fall off, revealing disgusting skin.
'No! I can't let them see!'
There were still many citizens nearby, and some were even recording videos, risking their lives. If the citizens saw his true face, the reputation and popularity he had accumulated over time would be ruined.
'I'll just pretend to collapse. Once the monster has killed them all, I'll strike.'
Sweet Mask was in a panic and prepared to feign defeat and fall.
"Aaaah! Help!"
"No! I don't want to die! Hero! Where is the hero?"
"Is anyone coming to save us? Is there a hero here?"
Screams for help rang out continuously, but Mist Man seemed to enjoy the feeling of slaughtering humans and did not kill them all at once. Instead, he used the mist to trap the crowd, preventing them from escaping, intending to slowly torture them to death.
'No, if this continues, the citizens will die!'
Sweet Mask fought an intense mental battle. His face had now completely transformed into a hideous monster, a sight that would make anyone shudder.
If he acted now, even if he killed the monster, his appearance would be broadcasted. He would become a pariah and lose everything he currently possessed.
'If it were him..."
That tall figure appeared in Sweet Mask's mind again. No matter the time, the deafening King Engine would strike fear into all monsters.
Powerful enough to suppress all evil—isn't this the path of a hero that he had always pursued?
Bang!
Sweet Mask broke free from the mist's restraint, his figure appearing before Mist Man like a phantom.
"I am a hero!!!"
Boom... Boom...
Mist Man's body was instantly riddled with holes, unable to recover, and he collapsed heavily to the ground.
"Huff..."
After dealing with the monster, Sweet Mask panted heavily.
The surroundings were silent for a moment before screams erupted.
"Aaaah! Who is this ugly freak?"
"Damn it, is this Sweet Mask's true appearance?"
"Where is my idol? Is this disgusting thing really him?"
"Sweet Mask is actually a monster! This appearance is nauseating, how dare he call himself a hero?"
"We must expose this animal!"
Countless curses rained down, and many people even threw trash at Sweet Mask.
Thud... Thud...
Sweet Mask ignored the crowd throwing things and walked toward the outskirts of the city on his own.
After finally leaving the crowd behind, a figure blocked his path.
"Are you here to subjugate me?" Sweet Mask's eyes were dull, as if he had accepted his fate.
However, the next voice caused his pupils to shrink and his heart to jump.
"Hey, you are the most handsome hero I have ever seen."
(End of Chapter)
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