Chapter 91 – The No-Pay, No-Perks, No-Time-Off Organization
"H-How... is this possible...?!"
The Judo Monster roared in unwilling disbelief.
His body was riddled with holes and slashes.
The once-towering, muscular frame was now a battered, broken mess!
His judo, his years of effort—
A technique that could fold an opponent like laundry—
Was completely useless against this hero?!
Sometimes as immovable as steel.
Sometimes as light as paper, dodging with ease.
The Judo Monster couldn't land a single effective move.
"Monsters don't get last words," the Masked Hero said coldly.
He snapped his leg up and kicked the air!
A slicing shockwave burst forth, cleaving the Monster's already-gashed waist in two.
The cheering crowd erupted in excitement.
"The Monster's down!"
"Mysterious Mask really is reliable!"
"Heroes are so much better than the cops!"
"I wonder what he looks like under that helmet—probably super handsome!"
The news reporter flashed a professional smile.
She began speaking to the camera:
"After a fierce battle, Mysterious Mask has defeated the Monster, demonstrating the might of the Hero Association to the cheering public..."
Out of the corner of her eye she saw a colleague off-camera signaling.
A voice crackled through her earpiece.
She kept reporting calmly while listening to the update.
She paused naturally, then continued:
"According to the latest information, a new Monster has appeared in the city. We'll keep you updated. Until a Pro Hero arrives, nearby residents should evacuate immediately..."
Mysterious Mask received the same alert from the Association.
"Mr. Mysterious Mask, another Monster has appeared five kilometers away."
"Features: tentacles, fangs protruding from the head, ringed rows of sharp teeth. Disaster level unknown."
"You're the only hero in the area. If you're able, please respond immediately!"
Without hesitation, he gave a quick wave to the crowd and raced to the new threat.
Inside Stinky Prison.
Inmates whispered among themselves:
"This city's pretty close to our prison..."
"Let's hope no Monster shows up here—dealing with one pervert transvestite is torture enough."
"The outside's no better than when I came in. Monsters pop up even more now. These heroes are useless, hahaha..."
Bam—!
The laughing inmate kissed the wall.
Fell asleep peacefully.
"I said shut it," Garou said, lowering his fist.
Silence fell over the inmates.
Unlike Puri-Puri Prisoner, who might do... things to them,
this violent maniac who threw fists without warning was terrifying in his own way.
The cell fell silent as they watched TV,
enjoying a rare moment of relaxation.
"Orochi?"
Psykos called cautiously as she returned to the hideout.
It was an abandoned mining town.
After the veins ran dry and a Monster attack, the place had been deserted.
Perfect for Psykos to use as a hideout.
An empty factory stripped of equipment served as her temporary base.
Her voice echoed through the vast space.
From the shadows, a massive figure emerged.
About six meters tall.
Its body twisted, made of serpentine, draconic segments, with a centipede-like tail.
Asymmetrical curved horns sprouted from its head; three pairs of eyes stared down.
"Psykos, where is my offering?"
She didn't answer immediately.
Behind her glasses, sharp eyes studied Orochi's condition.
Psychic Power silently coated her body.
After confirming nothing was wrong,
she frowned and tossed him chunks of Monster meat from a suitcase.
Since Orochi wasn't the problem,
where was this unease coming from?
The horns on Orochi's head twisted into tentacles, skewered the meat, and fed it into his mouth.
"...Not enough." Orochi's voice was low.
"These offerings are too weak to make me stronger."
"We don't have time for this," Psykos snapped.
She sat on her plush sofa, nervously chewing her thumbnail.
"Anything unusual while I was gone?"
"...No." Orochi stood motionless.
"I've been absorbing energy; I sensed nothing out of place."
That only made her more agitated.
If she didn't even know what was wrong, how could she fix it?!
"...We're leaving." Psykos made up her mind.
"Find a new base and start an organization to recruit Monsters. Move, now!"
Psychic Power surged,
lifting everything she deemed essential.
"Orochi, tunnel underground and follow—Orochi?"
She called again, but he didn't move.
He was staring up, as if seeing through the factory roof.
"Something's coming," Orochi said, every segment of his body tensing.
"The Monster cells inside me are screaming a warning."
"What—" Before Psykos could finish,
an even larger shadow smashed through the ceiling!
BOOM—!!
The massive body slammed into the ground!
The impact sent a violent shockwave blasting outward!
Dust erupted like an explosion had swallowed the factory.
Through the smoke, Psykos raised a Psychic barrier, face tense with anger.
"So fast... Who is it?!"
Visibility dropped to near zero.
She instinctively sent her Psychic Power outward,
trying to sense and maybe seize control of the intruder.
But the moment her power neared the crater, it was shredded by a wild, unfamiliar energy!
"Looks like I arrived right on time."
Rumble—
Lightning crackled around the figure as he stepped from the dust, pressure mounting.
"You've got to be kidding...!"
Psykos gritted her teeth, composure gone.
She stared at the titanic form that looked more monstrous than any Monster—
a humanoid body like a mythic Dragon given flesh—
the Hero Association's ultimate weapon, a unique Esper. How had he found her??
She'd been so careful.
She couldn't imagine how her trail had been discovered.
But the reason no longer mattered.
He was here—battle was inevitable!
Psykos flicked a finger.
A vial of dark-red potion drifted quietly toward her from her supplies.
Orochi's body shifted into full combat mode.
Serpentine, draconic segments writhed violently!
Aokiji swung the Hassaikai(Kanabo), the wind he summoned scattering the dust.
Crimson lightning, frost, and dragon scales—he looked even more terrifying than Orochi!
Under the wary eyes of Psykos and Orochi,
Aokiji rested the Hassaikai(Kanabo) casually on his shoulder and said:
"My organization's hiring. No salary, no benefits, no vacation."
"So—do you two want the gentle onboarding, or the violent one?"