City M, like nearly every other city it had the basics, shopping centers, restaurants, parks, and etcetera to keep it's populace entertained and happy. But unlike most Cities this one in particular had a big name S class hero to not only draw in tourists, but to also keep the populace excited and happy to be living there. Now there were some examples such as this one, whether it be Watchdog Man or the world's strongest hero One Punch Man, it was safe to say that in terms of popularity he was right behind Saitama at a solid second place spot. And this was honestly for a good number of reasons to be fair, not only was it due to his S class status but it was also how he treated people, unlike most S class heroes who barely interact with the populace and in some instances can be pretty full of themselves, this hero was humble, kind, and helpful even when it wasn't a massive threat, all in all he was a stand up guy.
But it admittedly also had to do with the fact he was known as One Punch Man's sidekick, though anyone who actually had their facts checked would know he wasn't just some tacked on addition to the caped baldy's visage, he was one of his best friends and closest allies. If somehow you haven't figured out who this amazing center of attention was who lives in City M, it was none other than the S class hero known simply as King. And even though he was nowhere near as strong or amazing as One Punch Man, though to be fair no one else is really, he still could hold his own against a villain or two and rise to the occasion when someone needed him. Unfortunately however this was quite rare, as due to his well known status as One Punch Man's "sidekick" very rarely did ANY crime at all happen in City M, as they not only dreaded dealing with the man who was so close to the world's strongest hero, but they also feared if they should fight him they would incur said strongest hero's wrath.
But this was not always the case of course, as someone would think themselves clever enough, strong enough, brave enough, or just quick enough to do whatever it is they wanted to do without getting caught by King. Such as right now, where in the middle of the city's shopping district a rather unusual man was causing trouble for the crowd of people minding their own business, unaware that one such person at the edge of the crowd was the very hero he needed to avoid.
"GYUHAHAHA!" The man chortled aloud as he lashed his long tentacle like tongue in the air in front of him "i AM THE MAN WHO LOVES REPTILES SO MUCH I TURNED INTO A REPTILE, TONGUE STRETCHER!" He exclaimed proudly as he focused his attention on one particular woman "YOU! BEAR MY CHILDREN!" He commanded as he sent his tongue forward in a spring coil like fashion "NONE OF YOU CHICKS WILL GET AWAY!" He added as he made fairly disgusting sounds to accompany his action.
"What the hell is that?!" A person questioned as they all watched in horror the scene unfold before them.
"Not even five grown men can subdue him!" Another exclaimed, as the very men who tried to stop him were on the ground exhausted.
"NOOOOOO!" The woman cried out in fear as she ran from him, tears falling from her eyes.
Just as it seemed this woman would be wrapped in this disturbed creature's grasp, his tongue was suddenly grabbed in mid flight which not only saved the woman but also caused him a good deal of pain.
"HEY!" He exclaimed angrily as he looked to see who dared to do such a thing "WHO DO YOU THINK YOU-" He began to say only to stop instantly the moment he saw who it was.
Although the man was now a half human half reptile hybrid and his blood cold just like that of a normal reptile's, he felt it and his body become freezing as a pair of glaring eyes stared right through him. Piercing like the finest daggers, intimidating like an angry predator, and powerful like a locomotive, the heart stopping glare currently fixed to his person belonged to none other than King. But while he could see that it was King immediately due to the situation he was now in, it took the crowd of bystanders a few seconds to be certain as to who their savior was, as King was wearing a hoodie and cap. Which to be fair he was known to do from time to time, in order to avoid commotion.
"Wait a minute, that's King!" A man exclaimed as smiles came to all of their faces.
"Yeah you're right it is him!" Another agreed as the crowd began to reform around the two of them.
"PLEASE KICK THAT DISGUSTING CREATURE'S ASS KING!" Someone shouted earning a resounding yeah from the crowd.
If his tongue was not being gripped by the other then the man would've surely dropped to his knees and tried to beg for mercy, but as King continued to just stand there with his appendage in his grip, the man feared that this would be his final moment on Earth. But thankfully King was not the kind of hero to kill someone for just being a jerk, though he was going to be certain he learned his lesson before this was over, hence why before he spoke he pulled the man towards him with his tongue, causing him a bit more pain and bringing him closer.
"Listen." He said as the other was but a few feet away now "I'm not going to kill you, but if you ever do something like this again I won't go easy on you, understand?" He asked.
"Y-Yesh, of course!" The man replied as countless beads of sweat trailed down his head.
"Good, now apologize to the woman you were about to assault, and we'll be done here." King told him as he pointed to her with his other hand.
"I-I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you miss!" The man apologized "A-And to all of you too!" He added looking around at the crowd.
"Go lick lick in hell you pervert." The woman said coldly, as she looked down at him with the most disgust filled gaze she could possibly muster.
Keeping his grip on the other's tongue for just a few seconds more to make sure he learned his lesson, King not then released his tongue but walked over to him and wiped his hand off on the other's clothes.
"Remember, if there's a next time, it won't be so easy to get away." He warned him, before walking away once he had dried his hand completely.
Unable to keep himself from fainting out of fear and shock, no one paid the worm of a man anymore attention as they were all focused on King.
"That was amazing King!" "Did you come here because you sensed a Monster?" "The monster just fainted! is that some kind of super power?" "No that's just King's pressure!" "Look at his face, he's pissed! make a path for King!" "H-How can I become as strong as you?" "I've fallen in love with you~" Were just a handful of the dozens upon dozens of things the people were saying as they swarmed around him.
"No I was just shopping." He answered as he made sure to answer their questions "And I'm not angry." He assured them, though with his expression it was hard to believe.
"What's that noise?" A man asked as he could hear something that resembled a drum being beaten.
"Don't you know? that's the King Engine, it's the sound that plays whenever he's about to fight, some people say that any monster who hears it doesn't come back alive." Another man explained to him.
"I'm in a hurry, can you move aside?" King asked suddenly, causing them all to adorn looks of worry.
"Are we causing trouble for mister King?" "We're sorry!" "Everyone make a path for King!" A few voices in the crowd said, just before they all stepped aside.
Giving a small smile and a wave of appreciation to them as he went on, he could feel them watching him walk away until he turned a corner and was out of sight. And the very moment he saw that he was alone and wouldn't be approached by anyone, King breathed a heavy sigh of relief as he leaned against the wall of a nearby building.
"Holy hell that was intense..." He sighed as he put his free hand to his chest "How the hell does Saitama make it look so easy?" He wondered as he did his best to calm down.
Though he wasn't a coward anymore like when he first met Saitama, King still had moments where the intensity and danger of a situation got the better of him. But he was getting pretty damn good at putting on a straight face despite his inner nervousness, now all he had to do was figure out a way to make his heartbeat not echo out from his body, which admittedly always did weird him out a little. At any rate, once he got control of his breathing and his heart was back to it's normal rhythm, he straightened back up and continued on his way.