Deep within the bowels of Z-City, in the lair of the Monster Association.
Gyoro Gyoro, the actual "shot-caller" of the Monster Association, was meeting with the model executive, Goketsu.
"How is the monster recruitment progressing?"
"It's not going very smoothly," Goketsu admitted candidly. "The massive influx of monsters from other regions into Z-City seems to have alerted the Hero Association to the anomaly here. The number of patrolling heroes has increased significantly. Many monsters were eliminated by those heroes before they could even reach us."
"The Hero Association, hm?"
In the past, heroes were a disorganized mess, beneath Gyoro Gyoro's notice. However, since its inception, the Hero Association had integrated a vast number of heroes with incredible speed. Their standardized management made the threat heroes posed to monsters grow by the day, already endangering Gyoro Gyoro's plans.
To counter them, Gyoro Gyoro had specifically renamed its organization the "Monster Association." In its mind, the Hero Association had become its most critical enemy.
"Should we target the Hero Association and strike back?" Goketsu asked.
"Of course we should!" was what Gyoro Gyoro wanted to say, but the Hero Association had grown into a behemoth that the current Monster Association couldn't afford to provoke recklessly.
Blast, Tatsumaki, and then there was Aomori, the Chairman of the Hero Association who had risen like a rocket! He was a nobody not long ago; who would have thought that in a mere half-year, he would grow into the peerless powerhouse he was today, essentially another Blast.
Those three alone were enough to uproot the Monster Association, not to mention the four other S-Class heroes, all characters that couldn't be underestimated. Therefore, the Monster Association needed more time to develop.
"We'll leave them be for now; we will make them pay sooner or later," Gyoro Gyoro said in a low voice. "The monsters easily dealt with by the heroes are just useless cannon fodder, though such senseless sacrifice is a waste."
"In that case, we shall establish the Monster Association under every city, letting our flag fly across the entire continent!"
Goketsu's pupils shrank. "That is a massive undertaking."
"For that, we need the help of two neighbors. Have the Centipede clan and the Subterraneans made their stance clear yet?"
"Elder Centipede barely escaped with his life last time and is currently convalescing. However, because of that, many centipedes in the clan harbor a deep hatred for heroes. Several have already pledged to join us against the Hero Association. As for the Subterraneans..."
Goketsu sneered. "They are still clinging to their past glory. The so-called Subterranean King was very firm in refusing to cooperate with us."
"Then there's no need to keep them around. Goketsu, take some men and drive them to the surface to cause some trouble for the heroes. As for the territory they hold, we shall take it all for ourselves."
"Understood!" Gouketsu took his leave.
Gazing upward for a moment, Gyoro Gyoro said coldly, "The final victory will inevitably be ours. I have already seen the future!"
…
Ditto had been undercover in the Monster Association for over ten days.
In this time, it had perfectly integrated into the monster community, gaining the favor of many monsters with its bold and uninhibited personality. After playing it safe for so long, Ditto finally felt like exploring the lower levels. It didn't want to go alone and planned to bring a few "meat shields" along.
"Yujiro, I want to spar with you again!" The speaker was a bipedal rhino-man named Rhino Wrestler, who loved fighting strong opponents. He was a newcomer who arrived yesterday and had been challenging every monster he met, winning a streak until he ran into Ditto and was taught a lesson. He was back for more today.
"Rhino Wrestler, why don't you fight me first? Last time I was careless; I didn't dodge," said the four-armed Awakened Cockroach. It was also a newcomer from a few days ago, arrogant and unruly until Ditto humbled it.
The three of them were the strongest beings on the top three floors, all reaching Demon-level strength.
"Fine, I'll have you as an appetizer before the main course," Rhino Wrestler patted his massive chest, completely fearless.
Once these two started fighting, it wouldn't end easily. Ditto still had its heart set on visiting the lower levels, so it stepped between them. "Why don't you both fight me together?"
Rhino Wrestler and Awakened Cockroach were stunned, feeling insulted. Flying into a rage, they charged at Ditto simultaneously.
Three minutes later, the dust settled. Rhino Wrestler and Awakened Cockroach were down on the ground.
"So... so strong. That punch possessed the beauty of pure power. I'd give it a 100!"
"As expected of my, Awakened Cockroach's, rival for life. This time, I lose!"
After the two monsters admitted defeat, Ditto shook its head, grabbed them by their collars, and walked toward the downward path. "I want to meet the other powerhouses of the Monster Association. Come with me."
Feeling the strength in Ditto's grip, they didn't dare say no and nodded in agreement.
Walking down the established stairs, the three encountered several monsters with powerful auras, but the number of monsters decreased accordingly. With three Demon-level monsters walking together, few dared to cause trouble. They made it to the tenth floor in one breath.
However, as soon as they entered the tenth floor, they were blocked by someone.
"Oh, unfamiliar faces. Are you all newcomers?" said a monster covered in bandages with blade-like arms. "I am Royal Ripper. If you want to pass, show me your strength."
"Royal Ripper?" Sensing the horrifying murderous intent from the monster before them, Ditto and the others held their breath.
"Such a powerful aura... are you a Dragon-level monster?" Awakened Cockroach asked in surprise. Due to the Hero Association's heavy publicity, many monsters had also taken to using the "Dragon, Demon, Tiger, Wolf" rating system.
"Dragon-level, Demon-level... who cares about that!" Royal Ripper was clearly the ill-tempered type. His gloomy eyes darted between the three before settling on Ditto. "You seem a bit stronger than them. Come, fight me!" he said fanatically.
'Why is everyone in the Monster Association a battle maniac?!' To avoid exposing its true strength, Ditto didn't want to fight this formidable-looking guy and scrambled for a way out.
"What's wrong? You don't even have the courage to fight?" Royal Ripper brandished his blade arms, exuding an overbearing pressure.
'Not good, I might have to run.' Just as Ditto was about to retreat, a heavy footstep echoed behind Royal Ripper. The other two heard it as well and looked behind him.
"This footstep is..." Royal Ripper lowered his arms and turned around to see a burly giant.
"Goketsu!"
"Call me Gouketsu-sama." Gouketsu's four crimson eyes stared at Royal Ripper, casting a shadow of death over him. "Royal Ripper, didn't I warn you not to lay a hand on Demon-level monsters? They are the fighting force of the Monster Association."
The arrogant Royal Ripper slowly lowered his head. "Yes. It won't happen again."
"Get lost. If there is a next time, don't blame me for being unkind."
Royal Ripper didn't dare talk back and fled dejectedly.
The previously sharp and aggressive Royal Ripper didn't even dare to argue in front of Gouketsu. This scene completely redefined the understanding of Ditto and the other two. It was clear just how terrifying an existence Goketsu was.
"You three, you've come at the right time." Goketsu's gaze fell on them. "There's a mission that requires you. Follow me."
"Yes!" Without wasting a second, the three responded in unison.
"Very well."
Goketsu then led them to a spacious cavern where many monsters had already gathered.
"Your mission today is to invade the Subterraneans and drive them out of the underground!"
"Whoo!"
Amidst a chorus of monstrous howls, all the monsters rushed toward the Subterranean territory. There was no strategy; Goketsu didn't care for it. Since they had the overwhelming advantage in strength, they would simply crush them.
Ditto immediately realized this was a rare chance to show off. It ran to the front and soon encountered the strange-looking Subterraneans.
"E-Enemy attack!"
A Subterranean lookout had just sounded the alarm when he saw his companions being turned into meat paste one by one by a red-haired humanoid monster. The Subterraneans, who had always lived peacefully underground, had never seen such a brutal scene. Overcome with terror, their courage vanished, and they scrambled to flee. Before he could run a few meters, a massive force struck from behind, and with a sharp pain, his consciousness plunged into eternal darkness.
Ditto was like a tiger among sheep, easily taking down enemies with single punches. Under its lead, the monster army was invincible. The Subterraneans' will to resist crumbled instantly, and they fled wailing.
The Subterranean King had four arms, each holding a sword, looking distinct from the other Subterraneans. Amidst the surging crowd of fleeing Subterraneans, he was as conspicuous as a firefly in the night, immediately catching Ditto's eye.
"Hey! You, the King of Little Brothers up ahead! Do you dare stop and fight me!"
In this situation, only a ghost would dare stop. Hearing Ditto's shout, the Subterranean King ran even faster.
In less than half an hour, the battle ended with an overwhelming victory for the Monster Association. Ditto's heroic figure in battle was witnessed by all the monsters, making it the undisputed MVP of the fight. Even Goketsu was full of praise.
Afterward, the Monster Association occupied the Subterranean territory. The homeless Subterranean King, leading a group of wounded remnants, escaped into a sewer.
"My King, where shall we go now?"
The Subterranean King thought for a moment. "We go up. To the surface. We are the true masters of the Earth; it is time they returned our territory to us."
"Great idea! Let's do it!"
In their memory, humans were weaklings not worth worrying about.
...
"Cheers!"
In a bright, spacious room, three people sat on the floor around a hotpot filled with meat and vegetables.
"Ahh…" Mumen Rider finished the carbonated drink in his cup and let out a long breath. Looking at Saitama across from him, he said enviously, "Saitama, this house is great. A two-story detached house with a pretty big yard."
"Isn't it?" This hit Saitama's sweet spot, and he said excitedly, "I spent many days running around different places before I found this high-quality, low-priced house. By the way, I bought it in full."
"In full?!" Mumen Rider was shocked. "Was the bonus that much? It seems the Chairman really values you."
Glasses also cast an envious and jealous look, while not forgetting to stuff a large piece of meat into his mouth.
"Actually, it wasn't that much. The owner was in a rush to sell, so the price was incredibly low." Saitama waved his hand with a nonchalant air, but his irrepressible expression betrayed his pride.
"I see. Aren't you lucky?"
"The house is good, but the location is a bit remote. This is basically the suburbs, right?"
"It's fine. For groceries, there's a supermarket not far away. If all else fails, I can run to a place 10 kilometers away."
"Hmm," Mumen Rider picked up a meatball and put it in his bowl, saying thoughtfully, "Recently, many monsters have appeared in Z-City. You should be more careful living alone."
"Yeah, I've definitely encountered more monsters while running than before, but fortunately, they are all types I can handle." Saitama scooped up a lot of seaweed and stuffed it into his mouth, saying muffledly, "If I can't beat them, I'll call you guys to save me."
"If there's a monster even you can't handle, Saitama, it's useless to call us. Just call headquarters directly."
Mumen Rider and Glasses were improving fast, but they were still far behind Saitama. Now that they lived together and looked out for each other, they felt that the life of a professional hero was quite relaxed and enjoyable. Influenced by Glasses, Mumen Rider had also begun Saitama's "balding" style of training.
Amidst their laughter and conversation, there was a sudden BOOM! The wall was smashed open, and several black humanoid creatures walked in through the gap.
"We are the Subterraneans. People of the surface, your doom is at hand! Pre—"
The rest of the words were never spoken because it was instantly killed by a punch from the furious Saitama. Visible flames of rage burned on him as Saitama roared, "I don't care who you are! This is the house I just bought! Pay me back for my wall, you bastard!"
In a state of pure rage, Saitama charged out of the gap, punching everyone he saw.
"Saitama is pretty scary when he's angry," Glasses said.
"Yeah. Let's go help too; it looks like there are a lot of them." Mumen Rider stood up.
"Okay!"
The two ran out of the gap and found the streets and alleys filled with Subterraneans. Saitama was nowhere to be seen, but from the Subterraneans constantly flying into the air nearby, they knew Saitama was safe for now.
"So many. I need to call for backup." Glasses immediately sent a message to headquarters via his smartwatch.
Mumen Rider looked at the situation and said, "Let's go save people first. Leave the enemies to Saitama."
"Yeah, I guess Saitama needs a way to vent right now."
Twenty minutes later, with the cooperation of reinforcing heroes, they finally brought all the Subterraneans under control.
"Whew." A panting Saitama sat on the knocked-out Subterranean King and let out a long breath. After such a hearty battle, his anger had subsided quite a bit.
"Dammit! I just bought a house, spent all my money, and now I have to fix the wall. Looks like I'll have to tighten my belt again."
Saitama's face slumped.