Allen took out his communicator, tapped the screen a few times with his fingertip, and dialed the Hero Association's dedicated line.
"This is Allen. I have completed the preliminary investigation into the Zenil Building attack," Allen's voice was calm, betraying no emotion.
"Based on the traces at the scene and eyewitness descriptions, the attacker was indeed the Armored Monster who previously appeared at the gym, calling himself Ashura."
The sound of keyboard typing came from the other end of the communicator, as the operator on the other end quickly recorded: "Understood, Mr. Allen. The Association has compiled the intelligence. Thank you for your investigation."
Allen nodded: "Okay, please notify me of any new developments at any time."
After hanging up the phone, Allen sat on the edge of the bed, flipping through the notebook Silver Fang Bang had given him. He lingered on the page describing the Exploding Heart Release Fist, his finger gently tracing the scribbled handwriting.
If he modified the fist technique, it might complement the Asura Mode.
Just then, the communicator rang again. Allen pressed the answer button: "Hello?"
"Mr. Allen, this is the Hero Association Headquarters," an unfamiliar male voice came through.
"An emergency meeting will be held at the Headquarters tomorrow at 10 AM. Please be sure to attend."
"Okay, I'll be there on time," Allen hung up the phone, a slight smile playing on his lips.
It seemed the plan was going smoothly. The Hero Association had been completely led by the nose, and Zenil had also started to take the bait. Next, he only needed to add fuel to the fire at tomorrow's meeting.
Allen lay on the bed, closing his eyes. Tomorrow would be an important day, and he needed to conserve his energy.
The next morning, Allen stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the collar of his black combat suit. The sunlight outside was just right, shining on his calm face.
"It's time to meet those Association higher-ups," he murmured softly.
When he opened the door, Genos was still hanging clothes in the hallway: "Good morning, Senior! I heard you're going to attend the Association's emergency meeting?"
Allen nodded: "Yes, regarding that Armored Monster, the situation is getting more and more serious."
A flicker of worry crossed Genos's mechanical eyes: "Please be careful, Senior."
"Don't worry," Allen patted Genos's shoulder: "I know what I'm doing."
He used Psychokinesis to fly to the A-City Hero Association Headquarters. As soon as Allen walked into the lobby, he felt a tense atmosphere.
Staff members hurried about, conversing in low voices, and when they saw him, they cast admiring and reverent glances.
"Mr. Allen!" A female assistant quickly greeted him.
"The meeting is about to begin. Please follow me."
She led Allen through a long corridor to a spacious conference room. Many S-Class Heroes were already seated around the round table, including Silver Fang Bang, Tanktop Master, and Metal Bat.
"Teacher Bang," Allen nodded to Silver Fang Bang and sat in the empty seat beside him.
Silver Fang Bang stroked his beard: "How is the Armored Monster you've been investigating recently?"
Allen lowered his voice: "The situation is more complicated than imagined."
Just then, the conference room door was thrown open, and Tornado floated in, her green curly hair moving without a breeze: "Hmph, it's just a Monster, is it really necessary to make such a fuss?"
She floated in front of Allen, glaring at him, and poked his chest with her finger: "Rookie, why haven't you caught him yet."
Allen calmly met Tornado's gaze: "This Monster is very cunning, only engaging in brief skirmishes before leaving each time he appears."
"Hmph, I still have to make a move," Tornado snorted coldly, then turned and floated to the empty seat beside Allen.
The meeting officially began, with Chairman Sitch standing in front of the projection screen: "Everyone, according to the latest intelligence, this Armored Monster, calling himself Ashura, has successively attacked an S-Class Hero and a bodyguard of Mr. Zenil."
The projection screen displayed a simulated image of the Armored Monster, its black and red bio-armor gleaming with a metallic luster under the lights.
"It's worth noting that he always stops short of killing, seemingly testing the strength of the Heroes," Sitch pushed up his glasses, reiterating Allen's previous speculation.
"We suspect this may be a reconnaissance operation by the Monster Association."
Tanktop Master raised his hand to speak: "I can attest that the Monster's strength is indeed very high, but he definitely didn't go for a killing blow."
Metal Bat urged impatiently: "Hurry up, I still have to take my sister shopping today."
"Quiet," Sitch tapped the table.
"The current problem is that this Monster is clearly targeting S-Class Heroes, and we need to formulate a response plan."
Tornado interrupted impatiently: "What's there to discuss? I can handle it alone!"
Allen interjected at the opportune moment: "I believe we should strengthen communication between S-Class Heroes. Once the Monster's tracks are found, we should immediately support each other."
"That's a good suggestion, we can act in groups," Silver Fang Bang nodded in agreement. Being in a group with Allen could also deepen their master-disciple relationship and allow him to supervise whether he was practicing Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
Just then, the conference room door was pushed open again, and Zenil, accompanied by several shareholders, stormed in.
"Heroes, I think you need to explain yourselves!" Zenil's face was grim.
"Why do we spend so much money sponsoring the Hero Association, yet we can't even guarantee our own safety?"
Sitch quickly stood up: "Mr. Zenil, please calm down..."
"Calm down?" Zenil slammed the table in anger.
He pointed at Allen and roared: "That Monster broke into my house! What good are you Heroes for!"
Tornado's green curly hair began to float: "Hey, baldy, watch your tone."
Zenil was startled and took a half-step back by Tornado's aura, but quickly regained his composure: "I demand that S-Class Heroes be immediately dispatched to protect my safety 24 hours a day!"
"Him!" He continued to point at Allen, sneering inwardly.
You didn't want to be my personal bodyguard, did you? Now you can't refuse. A mere newly promoted S-Class Hero has no connections in the Association, how dare he defy his orders?
Allen stood up, his voice calm but unyielding: "Mr. Zenil, the duty of a Hero is to protect the entire city, not to be someone's private bodyguard."
"You!" Zenil's face turned ashen. He hadn't expected the other party to still dare to refuse his proposal.
Zenil yelled in exasperation: "Don't forget who's paying your salaries!"
The atmosphere in the conference room instantly became tense.
Sitch quickly tried to smooth things over: "How about this, we will strengthen patrols around the Zenil Building."
"Not enough!" Zenil gritted his teeth, veins throbbing on his forehead.
"I want that Armored Monster's head! If not, then send people to protect us shareholders!"
Allen narrowed his eyes: "We will deal with the Monster and won't let you worry anymore."
"If there's nothing else, please leave. We are discussing the Armored Monster."
Zenil laughed in anger: "Good, very good! It seems the Association needs to reconsider its funding allocation!"
With that, he and the shareholders slammed the door shut as they left.
The conference room was silent. Sitch sighed: "Allen, you were a bit impulsive. The situation is far more complex than we imagined: the Armored Monster, the Monster Association, and pressure from shareholders..."
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