Sleep is like a reset button for the mind, body, and soul. That is especially true when we experience anxiety. A good night's rest in a comfy bed can help wash away any worries and woes.
Of everyone in this world, King was the most experienced in that regard. Admittedly, it was a miracle the man was even alive. Despite viewing himself as an unremarkable average guy, his heart was both the hardest working organ of any human being as well as the strongest. Maybe if he could get Child Emperor or Metal Knight to build him a suit that was powered by his heartbeat, then he'd be unstoppable like his best bud!
Wait, no, King couldn't do that. He was the second-strongest hero in the world. One Punch Man's first apprentice. If he started using gadgets or tools, that would draw suspicion. Thankfully, all of S-Class was present during yesterday's disaster. Otherwise, everyone would be wondering why he didn't do anything about it himself.
On that topic, the aftermath efforts had gone very well in such a short amount of time. The aid of the Association, every hero from C to S pitching in, and Metal Knight's machines were invaluable. Heck, regarding those robots, they could keep working even when everyone else turned in for the night. That ensured City Z's citizens would have the temporary shelters they needed, preventing any person from being left out in the cold.
However, a new elephant was standing in the room. The heroes hadn't stopped chattering since King shared with them S-Class's view of the situation. That wasn't some baffling natural occurrence. There's no way it could be. Something or someone caused this, and now there was an air of animosity aimed at whoever it was. Every hero, no matter how powerful or skilled, wanted to give this mysterious menace a proper beatdown for attacking their leader despite him not being here.
Speaking of One Punch Man, how has he not learned what's happened yet? City Z's destruction is on every channel and social media outlet. The world can't stop talking about it. Shouldn't he be running across the ocean to get back here?
Well, you have Sweet Mask and Metal Knight to thank for that. The PR expert spoke with the mechanical genius about restricting the flow of information to One Punch Man's vacation home. Such a thing was easy for Metal Knight. He updated the television and radio at the location to block any incoming transmissions that referenced City Z in ANY capacity. Remember, Metal Knight built everything on the island, so he had full control over nearly every piece and part.
Anyway, with One Punch Man being kept in the dark so he could enjoy his vacation, that brings us back to King. He was already positioned by his peers in S-Class as the second-in-command for the time being. But with how he helped organize everyone during their defense against the assault, and how he was handling the recovery effort, everyone agreed that it was best if he maintained that status. As you can imagine, King was SO happy about that.
Rebuilding City Z. Managing the heroes. Answering questions and providing solutions to problems. Talking with Sweet Mask about how to address the wider population beyond City Z's citizens. Meeting with the Association higher-ups about the investigation into what transpired and who is responsible. And, most importantly, making sure that Pochi got his meals and wasn't being ignored amidst the frenzy. Hey, King promised Saitama he'd take good care of him, and no matter what, he was going to keep his word!
"Phew, okay..." King sighed as he finished getting ready for the day. After waking up, he stretched and then took a nice hot shower. While he was still mentally exhausted, physically, he was as good as he was going to get. "First, I need to get something to eat. I'll probably have breakfast here, so it'll be nice and quiet. When that's done, I'll check on Pochi. After he's taken care of, I'll gather everyone for a meeting." He listed.
With his clothes adorned and his objectives determined, King left his bedroom and entered his apartment's main space. Just like the other units, the living room and kitchen were in the same large space rather than being separated by walls. That allowed King to see into his kitchen, where he found-
"BLAST?!" King shouted in alarm, eyes nearly popping out of their sockets.
No, King's eyes weren't playing an oddly specific trick on him. There, in the middle of the kitchen, making a cup of tea, was Class-S Rank 2, Blast. The man was the very definition of imposing. In addition to his height and build, he wore a highly advanced battle suit. Combined with his spiky hair and long flowing cape, Blast was a perfect representation of a hero. It's like he jumped straight from the pages of a comic book!
"Hey, King," Blast greeted his colleague with a small wave and the same casualness as neighbors during the morning commute—even though, as King's reaction expressed, this was not ordinary. "Sorry if you prefer coffee. I like something that soothes the mind rather than jump-starting it." He said.
"..." King was frozen. Of course, it wasn't out of fear or anything similar. The ONLY time these men have met is through Saitama, and that happened ONCE. King would've never expected a one-on-one interaction with the Association's most elusive hero!
"Heh, I guess I should be apologizing for showing up like this, too," Blast acknowledged before leaving the kitchen. He carried his beverage in a white mug held in his left hand.
"...Uh..." King's brain was chugging. He didn't mean to be unresponsive; Blast being here was simply that shocking! "I...assume you want to talk about...the meteors..." He managed to say.
"Eh, sort of," Blast...confirmed? Afterward, he took a sip of his tea. "Yes, I came here because of what happened. Unfortunately, it wasn't because of the meteors themselves. I was more interested in what sent them your way." He told him.
"Oh? Is it a villain you're hunting?" King assumed. That was the leading theory as to why Blast was so absent.
"Not bad, King." Blast complimented him with a smirk. "I can't say too much about my target, but yes, it was because I wondered if they were involved." He revealed, taking another sip.
"Was it?" King asked.
"No, which is a good thing," Blast answered. "However, those that are responsible are powerful. Even without confronting them directly, I can confirm that they're not to be taken lightly." He informed him.
"Oh," King reacted, looking off to the side for a moment. "Well...um...if it wouldn't be too much trouble, could you-"
"Nope. Sorry." Blast cut him off, much to King's disappointment. Then again, it was expected. "I can't hang around here for too long. I need to get back to what keeps me busy. I just wanted to give you some peace of mind that the culprits behind City Z's destruction, while strong, are nothing that all of you can't handle." He explained. "Well, maybe one of them is..." He muttered while bringing the mug back to his lips.
"Huh? What was that?" King questioned, thinking he heard something.
"Hm? I didn't say anything," Blast said after finishing his tea. To keep King from pressing that, he continued to speak. "Anyway, before I go, I wanted to ask how you're doing," He added.
"R-Really? Me?" King inquired while pointing at himself.
"Yeah. I know how stressful Saitama's job is. I figured it wouldn't be easy for you, especially after that catastrophe." Blast explained as he went back to the kitchen to rinse out the mug.
For a second, King did nothing. Then, he slowly approached his dining table and sat down.
THUD
"IT'S SO SCARY!" King shouted. Yet, it was muffled since he pressed his face against the tabletop. "Everyone's freaking out, as they should! From the civilians to the heroes, it's a madhouse! And while the others help me out to rein it all in, I'm still the one being looked at as a leader. When I go down there, I don't know WHAT is waiting for me or WHAT I'm going to say and do..." He ranted.
"Hmm..." Blast hummed in contemplation as he returned to King. Upon reaching him, he gave the poor guy a pat on the back. "During times of crisis, people need distractions. It's not solely to keep their minds off of the tragedy, though. Think about it: what are the people going to do while all of you work? Sit around, watch videos on their phones, play card games, and do anything else they can think of to keep from being bored. So, if you want to make things easier for yourself, give the people, both heroes and civilians, something to fixate on." He advised.
"...Yeah...that makes sense..." King agreed as he raised his head. "There's always concerts and special events that are done for relief efforts." He recalled.
"Exactly. Sweet Mask is a performer, so there's an idea. Oh, and hey, Silver Fang's a martial artist. Maybe you could arrange some cool fights between skilled combatants. Be they professional heroes or just talented warriors, nothing gets people excited more than controlled violence." Blast suggested.
"True!" King exclaimed, eyes filled with hope. "Thank you, Blast. Seriously. This is going to help me out a ton!" He carried on, making Blast smile.
"Don't mention it," Blast responded before heading toward the exit. "I'll be sure to keep you updated if anything changes. If nothing does, I don't know when I'll see you next." He said.
"Got it." King replied with a nod.
With that, Blast left the apartment, leaving King alone to regain his composure. However, it didn't take long for it to be shattered as a realization struck him.
"CRAP! I SHOULD'VE ASKED FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO ATTACKED US!" King yelled as he bolted from his seat. "BLAST! WAIT!" He called out, even though, in his heart, he knew that mysterious man was already gone.
Meanwhile, At The House of Evolution...
Doctor Genus and Zombieman. I'll be the first to say it: this was an even worse pairing of individuals than Zombieman and Flashy Flash. Although, as strange as it is to claim, these two might have a better working relationship. Look, S-Class is essentially held together by the strong arms of Saitama and the finest duct tape money can buy.
Ahem. Where were we? Ah, yes, creator and creation. Doctor Genus and Zombieman were inside the House of Evolution. The duo had snuck away from the apartment complex before anyone was awake. The men agreed to let Mosquito Girl and Kombu Infinity rest. Regarding the young Seafolk in particular, there was lingering concern about how they'd handle the Deep Sea King's resurrection.
The plan was to sit the fishy monarch down in a room with Zombieman. Melee combat, firearm proficiency, excellent investigative skills, and equal proficiency as an interrogator. If anyone could crack this disgraced ruler open like an oyster, it'd be the immortal hero. Better yet, there was no need to conduct a civil interrogation, meaning every method and tactic, including the violent ones, were allowed. Plus, if it got too bad, Doctor Genus could fix it with ease.
"...Hey," Zombieman broke the silence. These men haven't said one word to each other since they left the apartment building. Right now, they were walking through the corridor that led to the combat training room.
"Yes?" Dr. Genus replied.
"So...uh...I've been meaning to talk to you about something." Zombieman confessed.
"Go on," Dr. Genus urged, having no issues.
"When you reached out to us, you said you wanted to help One Punch Man figure out how he became so strong," Zombieman recalled.
"I did." Dr. Genus confirmed, remembering as well.
"Well, I was...wondering..." Zombieman began, getting quieter. "Have...you made any progress?..." He asked.
"Sadly, I've been far too busy to tackle that subject. I've been monitoring my creations and their progress to becoming heroes. Then, this whole business with the Deep Sea King fell onto us. As if that weren't enough, the universe decided to throw all of our plans into the trash by leveling City Z. I don't know when I'll start my research into One Punch Man, with his consent, of course. The earliest estimate would be when he returns from his vacation, and things have, hopefully, calmed down." Dr. Genus answered.
"That's fair. Life has been crazy lately..." Zombieman sighed. "What about theories? Do you have any of those?" He pressed.
"I do, but I'm curious as to why you're so interested." Dr. Genus responded. "Unless such inquiry is going to get me shot, at which point I will not say more." He added, making his companion sigh again.
"I promise my safety is on. We're not friendly with each other, but I'm passed the phase of being ready to drop you at a moment's notice." Zombieman told him.
"Huh, noted," Dr. Genus said, genuinely surprised by this development. "Well then, may I know why you want to learn about my theories?" He inquired.
"Plain and simple, I'm...feeling insufficient," Zombieman admitted, even though it pained him to do so. "I can shrug off anything. Cool. That's useful. I'm also good at fighting and skilled with weapons. But if I have to throw hands, I'm not hitting that hard nor will I be the best at it. I want to be better so I can do more for the team and in general. As it stands, I'm suited for support at best. I wouldn't be able to hold the line or save the day. Yesterday is a perfect example. Had I been there, I would've only been able to help get civilians into the shelters. I would've been useless against the meteors." He explained.
"Most of S-Class assisted with that," Dr. Genus mentioned, hoping to lift his spirits a little.
"Sure, but they still surpass me. Honestly, even someone like Puri-Puri Prisoner is better. The main reason he's at the bottom of our rank is that he's in jail and doesn't get as much done. But if we were to go toe-to-toe, unless I'm allowed to shoot him in the head, the guy's going to lay me out like a welcome mat. Hell, seeing how thick his muscles and bones are, I'm convinced the bullet would flatten against his temple." Zombieman argued.
That compelled Doctor Genus to stop, which made Zombieman do the same. You could see the gears turning in the doctor's head, but his face expressed uneasiness.
"...Here's our biggest hurdle, Zombieman," Genus started. "I made you. That is important because I know what your limitations are. One Punch Man, every single time he's ever been asked about his strength, has provided the same story. There have never been any inconsistencies or indications that he is lying. The Association thoroughly examined him and concluded there were no enhancements or augmentations whatsoever. Based on this, the minimum conclusion that can be reached is that One Punch Man somehow exceeded what was realistically achievable for himself. To simplify that statement, it would be like if he suddenly started flying because he jumped enough times to make his body do it. That's what I'm getting at. So, with that logic, we would need to push you passed your hypothetical limitations. However, I designed you with the idea that there's nothing you can't handle. I could put you in a literal meat grinder, and you'd always come back from that. If we were to try and replicate One Punch Man's transformation with you, it would be indescribable. You would need to endure so many tests and experiments as we explore entirely unknown territory. It may very well be impossible to even replicate the result that is the world's strongest hero. Are you truly willing to commit time and effort to something that might not have a reward?" He described, ending with a question.
"Yes." Zombieman's reply was instant. He had already thought long and hard about this decision before this conversation. "Genus, if we cannot improve me in the same way One Punch Man improved himself, then I will give you my permission to alter me. This isn't some half-hearted pursuit for greater power. I NEED to be better. Otherwise, I'm going to become a burden for everyone, including the people I'm supposed to be mentoring. I can't let that happen." He insisted.
Doctor Genus was both impressed and moved by Zombieman's resolve. Merely looking into the man's eyes showed an unwavering passion. No amount of risks and disappointments would keep the undead hero from this path.
"...Can we save this for when both of our schedules are more flexible?" Dr. Genus requested.
"Of course." Zombieman accepted.
With a surprisingly sincere exchange between these two finished, they resumed walking. A minute later, they reached the entrance to the combat room. Yet, when the doors were open...
"HELP ME!" The Deep Sea King was running as fast as he could at the now open exit. "HE'S OUT OF HIS MIND! HE'S-"
BANG
THUD
Like a quickdraw, Zombieman unholstered his magnum and put a bullet between the monarch's eyes. Unfortunately for the Seafolk, this ammunition was custom-made. No matter how good your regeneration might be, a fatal shot would put you down no differently than a normal human.
"Sorry. I didn't want him near us." Zombieman apologized, speaking to Doctor Genus.
"Trust me. I would've done the same if I had your gun," Dr. Genus remarked before looking away from the corpse. "I'm amazed you're still at it, Sub. I figured you'd be out of torture methods by now." He said.
"I'm older than humanity. My knowledge is deep." The Subterranean King responded as he walked over. He also deactivated his blades of magma.
"Hmph, just like this guy's hypocrisy," Zombieman commented while observing the growing pool of blood beneath the body.
"Oh, believe me, sir, you've seen nothing," The Subterranean King told him.
Following that, the trio left the combat room with the corpse in tow. The Subterranean King easily carried it in his arms. Having seen how much the Deep Sea King now feared him, Zombieman asked if he'd like to assist with the interrogation. If the Subterranean King could smile, it'd be spread across his face.