Chapter 7: Not A Fight
"Oh, Saitama, you're here too."
"Hey, King. What're you doing here?"
"I'm here to visit Tanktop Master. He's an S-Class hero that was hospitalized from a monster."
"Huh. I'm here for Mumen Rider. I saw in the newspaper he and a bunch of other heroes were also attacked by a monster, so I came to visit." Saitama said, and he raised his hand holding a plastic bag. "I also brought some bananas."
"That's nice. Hmm, I didn't bring anything for Tanktop Master."
King's right hand glowed, and a fruit basket coalesced from the glow.
"...Man, I'm jealous."
"Thanks for the compliment."
[Inside the hospital...]
"What a coincidence. The two of you are in the same room." King said.
"King? What are you doing here?" Tanktop Master asked.
"Well, I heard you were defeated by a monster. You usually don't hear news about S-Class heroes being defeated, so I thought I'd come to hear from you." King said, placing the fruit basket by Tanktop Master's side.
"Saitama, you came to visit." Mumen Rider smiled. "I'm happy."
"Hey. I'll put the bananas here." Saitama greeted, placing the bananas by the bedside.
He then plucked one and ate it.
"Those aren't for him?" King asked.
King then took out a bunch of grapes from the fruit basket, and placed them on an empty tray that was nearby.
"Here." King then placed the tray of grapes by Mumen Rider's side.
"Thank you, King." Mumen Rider thanked.
"Anyway, did the both of you lose to the same monster?" King asked.
"Yeah. But it wasn't a monster. It was a human." Mumen Rider added.
"Hm?"
"Yeah. He's the so-called 'Human Monster'." Tank Top Master added. "He's Silver Fang's disciple, Garou."
"Silver Fang's disciple?" King raised an eyebrow. "So he practices the Water-Stream Rock-Smashing Fist."
"Yes. Silver Fang raised a monster." Tanktop Master said. "He repelled, nullified, and redirected all my attacks."
"No matter how powerful your attacks, if you can't hit him, they're useless."
"Well, duh." Saitama chimed in.
"And since he can read your moves, he can counter your attacks with your own power to double the damage. His focus on vitals and joints is quite dangerous. If you get hit, you'll rapidly lose your ability to fight back."
"Monsters usually rely solely on their brute force to cause widespread damage. However, he's different. He relies solely on techniques designed to break down humans."
"In other words, he knows how to deal with heroes."
"Hmm. What's his motive, again?" King asked.
"I'm not sure. But if we don't stop him soon, then the number of his victims will only grow. A human hunting heroes under the banner of a monster... it's a huge problem that would threaten public safety. We can't let him run freely... if only I could get back on my feet soon."
"A Hero Hunt? So he's attacking specifically heroes?" King asked.
"It seems to be that way, yes."
"Then it should be fine. He'll eventually run into strong heroes he can't beat- like Watchdog Man, Atomic Samurai, or Tatsumaki." King shrugged. "As long as he's focused on heroes, he'll be taken in sooner or later."
"...I suppose you're right, King. He can only go so far against other real monsters, like Tatsumaki, or yourself." Tanktop Master said.
"Hmm. Well, get better soon, Tanktop Master." King said.
[Another hospital ward...]
"Yo, you're from the old man's place... Champon, right? I came to visit." Saitama said.
"It's Charanko! Do I look fine to you?!"
"Hey, Saitama, who's that- huh. He looks beat up." King remarked, as he walked into the room.
"K-K-King! W-why are you here?!" Charanko exclaimed. What was the Strongest Man on Earth visiting him for?!
"I was going to go back, but Saitama said there was someone else he wanted to see." King said. "So I came with."
"Yeah. I heard you got dragged into the whole Hero Hunt thing. I feel sorry for you." Saitama said.
"Wait, wasn't Garou only targeting heroes? Why'd he target you?" King asked.
"Actually, he didn't target me. I challenged him to a 1v1..."
"What? Why?" King said. "You're not strong enough to defeat him, though?"
"...I know that! But I still need to face him! As a member of the same school, I had to face him, in the name of the top disciple of the Water-Stream Rock-Smashing Fist!"
"...You're the top disciple?" King asked. "Wait, really? Does Silver Fang not have any other disciples?"
"Yeah. After Garou went on a rampage, everyone else quit the dojo."
"...Man, that's sad." King said. "Wanna get stronger?"
"Eh?"
"While I'm not on very close terms with Silver Fang, the fact that his top disciple is this weak makes me feel bad for him." King said. "So, if you'd like to get stronger, I've a few ways to help you."
"Wait, really?! O-Of course! I want to be stronger!"
"Alright. So, I've two methods for now. The first one's faster, but it's excruciatingly painful."
"...What's the second method?"
King snapped his fingers, and a small portal opened. King then took out an ornate jade ring from the portal.
"An ancient martial artist from another world sealed his soul into this ring."
The hand that was holding the ring started glowing in a golden hue, then it slowly faded away.
Then, the apparition of a dignified middle-aged man wearing old and ostentatiously decorated eastern robes burst forth from the ring.
"Hahahahaha! Free at last! That monster of a westerner must've finally-"
"Yo."
"Eeeeeeeeeek!"
"I'm still here. Want to earn your freedom?"
"Eh? Didn't you say you were sealing me away forever?"
"That was hyperbole. Anyway, teach this kid martial arts and make him stronger. And don't even think about getting into any shenanigans. If I even get an inkling that you've used this kid to commit crimes or do anything untoward at all, I'm not sealing you away."
"I'm erasing you."
"G-g-got it! This kid will be the most accomplished and respected martial artist of the age!" The figure bowed to King.
"Here." King tossed the ring to Charanko. "He'll be your tutor for the time being."
"Woah!" Charanko caught it with his unbroken hand.
"Right. Work hard, kid." King waved, and left.
"...I'll go too. Rest well, Chashu." Saitama picked up his bunch of bananas, but he plucked one for Chashu before leaving.
"It's Charanko!"
[Outside the hospital...]
"...How did you get a ring with the soul of a martial artist from another world in it?" Saitama asked.
"I'm well traveled." King shrugged.
"...Ok."
Saitama and King then continued walking.
"...Say, King."
"Yeah?"
"You know any more martial artists?"
"I do, but why do you ask?"
"I'd like to try fighting a strong martial artist."
"...The martial artists I know probably won't be able to last long against you, Saitama." King deadpanned. "And the ones that might last long enough to make it enjoyable are quite busy."
"...Aww."
"...You want to go sparring again?"
"Yeah!" Saitama perked up. "Well, I was just interested in martial arts in general, but I'm not saying no to a spar!"
"Alright, sure. Why the sudden interest in martial arts?"
"Well, I just wanted to know what martial arts is all about."
"That really depends on who you ask, I think. To me, martial arts is about using your power more effectively."
"Really? How does that work?"
"For example, let's say the punch of an ordinary person without any training has a power of 1. When he punches someone, it'll land with the average effectiveness of 1, sometimes more, if he lands a lucky hit."
"But with martial arts, he can use that same punch with the power of 1 with a lot more effectiveness, say, around 3 or 5."
"Oh, so it's about fighting smart?" Saitama asked.
"It's what I'd say martial arts is, but most martial artists would probably have a lot more to say about it." King shrugged. "I don't particularly use martial arts, anyway."
King then had an idea. "Well, if you wanna really see how some other martial artists fight, you could watch a martial arts tournament. I hear the 22nd Super Fight at C-City is happening soon. If you get a ticket, you could watch them fight."
"Huh, that sounds interesting... wait, how much is the ticket?"
"...I'll spot you, Saitama." King sighed.
"Oh, sweet. Thanks, King."
"Anyway, wanna spar?"
"Yeah!"
[Somewhere else...]
"...I'm bored." Tatsumaki said to herself. She had just crushed a monster while patrolling, and it didn't even take the least bit of effort on her part.
"I wonder if King's free to go out later." Tatsumaki said as she took out her cellphone.
While she usually either ate alone or with her sister, King was someone she could tolerate. Actually, that was doing him a disservice. Tatsumaki actually liked King. He was competent, no-nonsense, and dealt with threats efficiently. Not to mention, he had great taste. She never liked fried chicken, but King introduced her to this one place that actually made her rethink her stance on that.
Dialing King, Tatsumaki hoped he would be free. There was this place Fubuki recommended, and she wanted an excuse to go. Inviting King there seemed like a way to kill two birds with one stone.
"Hello, King?"
"Oh, Tatsumaki. What's-"
KRAKOOOOOOOM
"-up?"
"...Uh, is this a good time, or-"
"Oh, no, it's fine. I'm just sparring with-"
THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
"-Saitama. What did you-"
SKRKKKKKKKKKKKKKKK
"-need?"
"...I was going to ask if you wanted to go out for dinner."
"Oh, sure. I'll see if Saitama's up for it, too."
"The baldy? Can he even afford to come with?" Tatsumaki joked.
"I'll cover for him if he can't. Where do you wanna-"
ZWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEM
"-go this time, Tatsumaki?"
"I was thinking of this new fusion restaurant. It's pricy, but I heard from my sister that it's good."
"Pricy, even for you? I'll definitely have to cover for Saitama. Right, I'll wrap up here, then."
"Mhmm. I'll send you the location later. By the way..."
"Yeah?"
"What's that noise in the background?"
"Oh, I'm sparring with Saitama. He wanted me to try something new, so I've been using some-"
WOOOMWOOOMWOOOMWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM
"-rather flashy attacks. He seems to be having fun, so I think I'll keep it up for a little while longer. We'll get there in a bit, Tatsumaki."
King then hung up.
"...Battle junkies." Tatsumaki shook her head.
[Some time later, a new fusion restaurant in City M...]
"You're here." Tatsumaki said. "And the baldy, too."
"Don't call me baldy." Saitama said, a tick on his forehead.
"Alright, alright, we're here for food. Let's not get into a fight." King said.
"Hmph. Anyway, this place is quite pricey, don't go broke ordering food, baldy~"
"Why you-" Saitama wanted to continue, but then realized what she said.
"...Pricey? How pricey?"
Tatsumaki floated the menu over to Saitama.
Opening the menu, Saitama's eyes bulged.
"U-uh, K-King, I don't think I'll be eating here, man."
"It's alright. I can cover for you." King waved it off.
"I'm serious! Look at the price tag, man! Who charges 1,800 yen for a salad?!" Saitama pointed at a menu item.
"Don't get the salad, then." King shrugged. "As long as we eat our fill, and the food's good, I don't particularly mind the price tag. As long as it's not an unreasonable price, it's fine with me."
"You're the one with the misconception of fine dining, King. That place you talked about last time is a famous tourist trap- only rich idiots and clueless people go there." Tatsumaki added. "For this place, the other dishes are reasonably priced, but the signature dishes are quite pricey."
Saitama paled, as he got to that section.
"Well, how much is it?" King asked.
"...King. This steak is almost worth as much as a week of my food expenses."
"...The last time I had food over at your place, it was hotpot with cabbage and bear that you hunted yourself. I'm going to guess a week's worth of food for you isn't exactly a lot." King deadpanned.
"You hunt for your own food?" Tatsumaki raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah. Bear meat's pretty good, you know?" Saitama said.
"...Let's just go in. I'm covering for you anyway, Saitama." King shrugged, before walking in.
Saitama hesitated for a moment, before following King into the restaurant.
[A reserved table in the restaurant...]
"So, baldy-"
"Stop calling me baldy already!"
"Fine, jeez. Can't take a joke?"
"The joke's been old for a few years for me."
"Hmph. So, Saitama. How was my sister's group?"
"Your what?"
"Didn't you join the Blizzard Group? My sister, Fubuki, is the leader of that group."
"Oh, yeah, them." Saitama said.
He then took a sip from the glass of water on the table.
"They asked me to take temporary leave."
"...Wha?" Tatsumaki tilted her head sideways after taking a while to process that.
"Temporary leave? Why?" King interjected, looking up from the menu.
"Well..."
[Flashback...]
"Well, welcome to the Blizzard Group, Saitama." Fubuki introduced. "We have a lounge here for most members to relax while not on duty, we've a training room downstairs, and a snack bar over there if you need anything."
"Woah, it's a pretty nice place. A lot nicer than the clubs I went to while I was in high school."
While a part of Fubuki felt indignant that her base was being compared to a high-school club, she kept it to herself, as Saitama was a potential S-Class powerhouse- no, he was absolutely a future S-Class hero! Even King volunteered to raise him straight to S-Class! They had to do everything and anything to keep him in the Blizzard Group!
"Miss Fubuki! There's a Tiger-level threat that appeared somewhere nearby!" A young Blizzard Group member announced.
"Thank you, Lily. Blizzard Group, prepare to leave!"
As the formerly relaxing members of the Blizzard Group in the lounge area prepared themselves, Fubuki eyed Saitama.
"Now we'll get to see what you're really made of." She thought.
...
...
...
"I took care of it." Saitama said, his fist smoking.
"...Ah, thanks, Saitama." Fubuki said absentmindedly.
"A lot of us would've had to work together to take down that monster... but then Saitama comes in and just punches it once?! T-This is a little too exaggerated, isn't it? It's more impressive than even some current S-Class heroes!" Fubuki yelled in her mind.
"Uh... so how do we report the contributions?" A Blizzard Group member asked.
At that, Fubuki sighed.
"Well, seeing as Saitama did all the work, we'll have to give Saitama all the credit."
At that, the rest of the Blizzard Group groaned. It wasn't like they could argue- Saitama literally killed it with one punch!
"M-Miss Blizzard! A Demon-level threat is wreaking havoc in the nearby city!" Lily announced again.
"Well, no time to waste, then! Let's move!" Fubuki said, trying to shake off Saitama's overwhelming power from her mind. She knew Saitama was going to be strong... but not this strong!
Anyway, now that they had him, at least they could have an easier time fighting the Demon-level threat later!
...
...
...
"Okay, now what?" Saitama asked, fist smoking.
"..." "..." "..."
"E-Even a Demon-level threat..." It was taking quite a lot for Fubuki to not scream in indignance. Taking down a Demon-level threat would've been a massive boost to the Blizzard Group, but very clearly, this wasn't the work of the Blizzard Group at all! Saitama punched it and it exploded! Again!
It's like it wasn't a fight for him at all!
"...T-the contributions..."
At that mention, every single member of the Blizzard Group (apart from Saitama) cringed internally.
"I-It'll all go to S-Saitama..." Every syllable of the words she said hurt her inside. Even more so for the other Blizzard Group members.
"Why do you guys look so down in the dumps? We took out the threat, didn't we?"
Saitama's words only served to hurt them further.
What 'we', it was all HIM!
"If Saitama's the one doing all of the work, the contributions would all go to him, and the Blizzard Group won't be recognized at all! We won't even be known as a group with an S-Class member like the Tank Top Army, we'd just be known as a group that's latched onto an S-Class!"
With that thought, Fubuki made a decision.
"S-Saitama..." Fubuki placed a hand on his shoulder, also supporting herself from falling over at the same time.
"Could you take temporary leave of a few days? The Blizzard Group might need a while to... acclimate to new circumstances."
"Oh. Okay."
[Flashback End]
"I dunno, we took out two monsters, but they seemed really down for some reason." Saitama said at the end.
"...Yeah, I suppose I should've seen that one coming." King sighed.
"...What the hell, Fubuki?! Of all the things... I try to get you away from those weaklings, you pull more weaklings in! I pull a favor to get King to send you an actually strong person, and you send him away?!"
"Er, Tatsumaki, your ESP." King pointed out.
At that, Tatsumaki realized that in her (extreme) annoyance, she had accidentally lifted up a few things from the table they were seated at; even the nearby tables were lifted up.
"...Hmph."
Tatsumaki then willed the floating items to go back to their original positions (gently, she wasn't a boor).
"Well, things don't always go according to plan." King said. "We can try something else, later."
"What plan?" Saitama asked.
"It's nothing." King waved it off. "Anyway, I noticed there's a tasting menu. I don't particularly see anything that catches my fancy on the menu, so I think I'll go with that."
"Same." Tatsumaki responded. "But I'll have an extra order for dessert. I heard their take on apple fritters is pretty unique."
"Apple fritters?" King looked at the dessert section of the menu. "I don't see it."
"Look for 'Les Pommes d'Eden'."
"'Eden's Apples'... ah, I see it."
King squinted his eyes.
"...Those are apple fritters?"
"By definition, yes."
"...Huh."
"I'll get this... duck soup thing."
King and Tatsumaki found what Saitama was referring to. It was a duck consommé... that happened to be the cheapest item on the menu. Both King and Tatsumaki gave Saitama a look.
"...Fine, I'll just have what you guys are having." Saitama sighed.
"That's more like it." King gave a thumbs up.
"Look, I just don't wanna impose-"
"I already said I was going to pay for you; it's not like it'd break the bank for me." King shrugged.
"Hey, baldy." Tatsumaki piped up. "If you don't wanna worry about money, just jump to S-Class. The pay's good, you know?"
"...I didn't become a hero to get paid, pipsqueak."
"Pipsqueak?! Why you-"
"Settle down." King interrupted. "I'd say that's a fair jab, Tatsumaki. You've only been calling him 'baldy' so far, him calling you 'pipsqueak' seems like a fair trade."
At King's words, they weren't fighting, but there was still an atmosphere to them.
"...Look, make up, you two." King sighed.
"...I'll stop calling you baldy if you don't call me pipsqueak again."
"Deal."
[1 hour and 15 minutes later...]
"That was a pretty good meal." King said, as they left the building.
"Right? Fubuki recommended it, so it was obviously going to be good." Tatsumaki said. "Pricy, but pretty worth it, I'd say."
"I'd still rather go to one of my other usual places, but this place isn't bad, either. Maybe once in a while is good." King said. "What do you think, Saitama?"
"...The food was really good." Saitama responded. "But it wasn't 'two months of groceries' good."
"Oh, come off it. You weren't even the one paying!" Tatsumaki said.
"It's fine. I don't often spend money anyway. I don't mind." King waved it away.
"Anyway, I'll be going, now." Tatsumaki waved, before floating up in the air with her ESP and flying off.
"...I feel like she should be wearing something less revealing down there." Saitama commented.
"Meh, it's her choice." King shrugged. "Anyway, I'm going out for a walk. What about you, Saitama?"
"I think I'll head back. Need to water my cactus."
"...I don't think you need to water those very often, Saitama." King deadpanned. "Anyway, if you're going back now, you can go through here."
King motioned for Saitama to follow him into the nearby alleyway. King then snapped his fingers and a portal appeared.
"This'll take you to outside your apartment, Saitama."
"...You know, the more I hang out with you, the more I'm jealous of your powers, dude."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Saitama then walked through the portal, and once Saitama was through, King closed the portal.
Stretching his back, King decided to go on a walk.
Now that he was alone, he could really take a look at his surroundings. Bright neon signs, taverns, game parlors... red lights...
"...Now that I think about it, how did Fubuki come to know about this place, anyway?"
"And more importantly... what was she doing in the entertainment district?"
"...over there! Look, one of our great heroes is also here! Even they need time off, see?"
"Hmm?" King looked to the source of the voice. It was a short, fat man with two women by his side.
"Good evening, King! Didn't expect to see a hero here!" The fat man said, extending a handshake. "Director Zeimeet, of the Heroes Association."
"Good evening." King reciprocated, shaking his hand.
"Eh~ so even heroes take time off!" One of the women said. "Do you wanna come to our establishment?"
"No thanks." King rejected. "I just came here to meet with Tatsumaki."
"Eh?! Tatsumaki was here, too?!" The other woman exclaimed. "Where is she?! I'm a fan!"
"She just left. We were having dinner, earlier."
" " "Eh!?" " "
"Yeah. There's a fusion restaurant down there, the food's quite good." King responded.
"...King was having dinner with Tatsumaki?" "I can't believe it! Two S-Class heroes meeting outside of work!"
"A-ahem! Now, now, maybe it was just a meeting over some good food." Director Zeimeet coughed. "Perhaps they were discussing some joint heroic activities..."
"No, it wasn't hero work. It was just for leisure." King responded.
" " EH?!" " The two women with Director Zeimeet squealed.
Director Zeimeet himself mildly panicked, as he realized what might happen with this line of conversation.
"A-ahem! Girls, well, while I'm sure this is all very interesting, let's get a move on, shall we? No need to bother-"
"Woah-ho! What a surprise~" A cocky young man's voice came from behind them.
"Hmm?" King looked up to see a young man with white hair that spiked up in two prongs.
"S-Class Hero, King! I will hunt you!"
At that, the young man threw a punch at King, who promptly caught it.
"Ack! What's happening!" Director Zeimeet was knocked onto his rear from the sudden conflict.
"Kya! a fight!" "Wait, look, that's King!" "Someone's picking a fight with King!" "Run away! If King gets mad, we're all screwed!" The people in the entertainment district, upon noticing the fight, ran away screaming.
"...Who're you?" King raised an eyebrow.
"I've had my fair share of fan interactions... but getting attacked? That's a first. Not to mention..." King looked at the young man's fist.
"He's quite strong."
"I am Garou, the Hero Hunter!" The young man exclaimed.
"The Hero Hunter?! That's the one that took out Tank-Top Master!" Director Zeimeet said.
"He took out an S-Class!?" "Uwah! I'm scared!" The two women squealed.
Garou launched a flurry of attacks, which were being effortlessly blocked by King.
"You're the Hero Hunter? Small world. I was just at the hospital earlier today to meet with Tank-Top Master."
"And you'll join him soon!" Garou chopped at King's neck.
Blocking it with one hand, Garou stepped back in surprise.
"That chop would've knocked out Tank Top Master... You blocked it with just one hand?"
"Just because you took down Tank Top Master, doesn't mean you could take me down." King said nonchalantly. "Still, I suppose I should take you in."
King raised his hand.
"KNE-"
"Woah, there! Don't wanna be too hasty, King~" Garou jumped back, towards Director Zeimeet. "Don't wanna squash this guy together with me, now would you?"
"Ah! Don't do it, King!" Director Zeimeet yelled. He watched that video. He knew what King could do. The last thing he wanted was to be squashed together with this upstart kid!
"...Clever." King said, impressed at his quick thinking. "Still..."
King then turned his open hand into a closed fist.
Appearing behind Garou, King punched him into the air.
"You three should run." King told the director, and the two girls that were still here. "I can handle this myself."
"Ah, yes! Let's go!" The director quickly dusted himself off and started running away, with the two girls following him. "W-wait up, Mr. Zeimeet!" "Don't leave meeee!"
Garou then landed with a backflip. Spitting out a mouthful of blood, Garou stared at King.
"...Now that the peanut gallery isn't in the way... shall we, King?"
"Go ahead."
Garou threw himself into the fight with intense vigor. Every blow, every strike, he put his all into it. Of course, he had to remember to reposition himself. Every time it looked like King was about to use his ability, he would quickly move out of sight to strike from another direction. He bet that King needed line of sight to use his power. It seems like it paid off.
As he kept fighting, he moved faster. His senses were sharper. His movements more efficient. His everything was devoted to the enemy in front of... him?
Was King... yawning?!
"What's the big idea, King? You think you're so strong you can yawn in the middle of a fight?" Garou said, perching atop a light fixture.
"What fight?" King raised an eyebrow. "This?"
"It's not a fight."
Suddenly, King disappeared.
Garou felt a hand on his shoulder. A chill went up his spine.
"I'm just entertaining some kid who's got too much energy."
Turning around to punch King in the face, Garou cracked a wide grin at the sensation of his hit landing...
...and it fell back down upon realizing that King didn't even bother to block that punch. Not a hair on his head even seemed slightly out of place.
"Come on, then. Use up all that energy."
"GRAH!" Garou threw himself at King with more strikes. How dare he insult him like this?! His strikes were capable of breaking apart boulders- his technique could allow him to deflect all attacks and redirect them with his own power-
-which would be useful if King even threw an attack!
As it was, King was literally just standing there, taking his strikes!
Who was he, Superalloy Darkshine?!
After a short while, Garou backed off. King didn't lose any worse for wear at all! He didn't even look the least bit changed from before they started fighting!
"Stop."
Suddenly, Garou couldn't move. King leisurely walked towards him, and he couldn't move a muscle! What the heck- he could've gotten him without hurting that director earlier!
"Those were some good hits. I'll give you credit for that. Now, let's see how you take one."
And Garou's world spun.
For a few seconds, he couldn't even tell up from down. That was, until-
*BASH*
-he landed in a pile of trash.
"...That's enough for today, I think." King sighed. "You should get the point by now. Just because you were strong enough to take down an S-Class hero, doesn't mean you're strong enough to take down all the S-Class heroes."
King then walked towards Garou, who was still reeling from the punch.
"You know, I was having dinner with Tatsumaki earlier. If she was still here, you wouldn't even have the chance to fight back."
"The only reason I let you attack at all is because I was in a good mood."
King squatted down, then patted Garou on the shoulder.
"You're only young once, so I'll let this slide. Go home, take a nap, and find something else to do with your time. If fighting's your hobby, maybe go after monsters instead of heroes."
King stood back up, and stretched.
"Well, this was a fun distraction. I'll be going, now."
As Garou blinked away the haziness, he could only recognize King walking away.
...Was he really that weak? That King couldn't even be bothered to 'take him in', like he said he would, earlier?
After defeating Tank-Top Master, he thought that he could finally step foot into King's domain, but-
-he was treated like some kid. Like some child throwing a tantrum.
Garou coughed up more blood, and glared at King.
"This humiliation... I swear, I'll pay it back, King!"
With that thought, Garou fell unconscious.
[At a hostess bar...]
As the three of them entered the establishment, Director Zeimeet stopped to catch his breath.
"Hah! Hah! That was close! I know King said it wasn't a fight, but that was dangerous!" Director Zeimeet said. "He even tried to take me hostage!"
"How dangerous!" One of the girls said. "Still, good thing King was there!"
"Eh? Director Zeimeet! What a pleasure to see you! Have you come back to enjoy our services?" A well-dressed man appeared.
"Mr. Yokuo! Listen! We just met the S-Class hero King earlier!" One of the women said.
"Eh? S-Class Hero King?!" The well-dressed man exclaimed. "Why didn't you try to rope him into the establishment?!"
"We tried! But then someone tried to attack us!" "Yeah, yeah! Good thing King was there! We took the opportunity to run away while King took care of him!"
"Really?" The well-dressed man said, before turning to see Director Zeimeet heaving, catching his breath. "Are you okay, Director Zeimeet? Do you need us to call more heroes to back up King?"
"N-no need, thank you." Director Zeimeet said. "King said he could handle it himself. Since he's an S-Class hero, he should be fine."
"Eh? What's going on?" More hostesses appeared to see what the commotion was.
"'Oh, right! Girls! Big news!" One of the two girls exclaimed loudly. "King was having dinner with Tatsumaki earlier!"
" " " " " " " EH?! " " " " " " "
Director Zeimeet finally caught his breath, but upon hearing the exclamation, his heart stopped (figuratively).
"It's true! King himself admitted it earlier! He was having dinner with Tatsumaki earlier at a restaurant nearby! He even said it wasn't for hero work, it was for leisure!"
"Eh?! Really? That's big news!" "Woah, hero romance?" "I wonder what their kids would be like..." "I need to tell the other girls!" "Uwaaah! It should've been meeeeee!"
Hearing the girls chatter excitedly, Director Zeimeet paled. The news was going to spread wildly. There was no way to keep this under wraps, now.
"...I'm going to need to make a call with the board, later. We need to take control of the narrative before this gets out of hand."
[Omake: A Different Approach]
"...So, kid. What's your name?" The apparition from the jade ring asked.
"My name's Charanko."
"I see. So, do you have any experience with martial arts?"
"Well, I'm the top disciple of the Water-Stream Rock Smashing Fist!"
"...I'm going to assume you're the 'top disciple' because you're the only disciple, correct?"
"...Yeah."
"...Hmph. It must be some second-rate martial art, then."
"Woah- hey! Take that back! The Water-Stream Rock-Smashing Fist is one of the most advanced martial arts in the world! It blends offense and defense into a perfect-"
"Right, right, that's enough of that. I'll just read your memories and work from there."
"Wha-"
Charanko's eyes lolled upwards as the apparition entered Charanko's forehead.
Seconds later, the apparition came out of Charanko's body. Charanko regained his consciousness.
"...You weren't exaggerating. That Master Bang is a top-rate martial artist."
"Damn right! W-wait, you read my memories!? T-that means..." Charanko shuddered as the implication hit him.
"Relax. I wasn't interested in the rest of your memories. All I did was check your martial record."
"My what?"
"Your martial record. It's the record of your body's martial arts experience. I also saw what happened when you fought the former top disciple... Garou, was it?" The apparition said. "That boy's a genius, through and through. You'll have your work cut out for you if you want to surpass him."
"...It doesn't matter! As the top disciple of the Water-Stream Rock-Smashing Fist, I have to- in the name of the school!"
"Well, you're in luck. This exalted one is the Absolute Martial Emperor- with me guiding your growth, you'll be the greatest martial artist in this world!" The figure declared proudly.
"Woah, really?! Oh- wait, by the way, I heard from King that you're a martial artist from another world. How'd you meet King?"
"...Let's not talk about that monster of a westerner. Still, 'King'? I never figured him for royalty."
"What? No, he's not actually a king, his hero name is King, because of his immense power to defeat demon-level threats effortlessly, he's given the hero name 'King' to show that he's the king of heroes!"
"I see." The apparition said. "Anyway, it seems that this world's martial arts focuses on external arts. This Water-Stream Rock-Smashing fist is an external art comparable to my own Imperial Dominator Path, so I'll shelve teaching that for now."
"See? The Water-Stream Rock-Smashing Fist is amazing!" Charanko said, puffing up his chest with pride.
"...Why are you so proud? You're barely a beginner."
That deflated Charanko.
"Well, it's not like I can't do anything for you now. Despite the high level of the Water-Stream Rock-Smashing Fist, it seems that you don't have any internal arts at all. Well, if you want to improve quickly, learning internal arts will quickly have you improve leaps and bounds."
"Internal arts?" Charanko repeated.
"Yes. With a good internal art, even an amateur like you has a chance at catching up to that Garou." The Absolute Martial Emperor said.
With that, he took out multiple books.
"Tell me, kid... ever heard of cultivation?"