"It's not an illusion." Allen shook his numb arm, a smile playing on his lips. "Want to go again?"
Allen grinned, sweat dripping down his chin. "Maybe your punches got lighter."
"How is that possible!" Saitama scratched his bald head, a hint of confusion in his deadpan eyes. "I clearly used the same force as before."
Allen felt the power surging within him. While the Armored Monster form was powerful, it wasn't something he could openly display yet. Now, he was gaining true power that he could use freely, belonging entirely to him.
"Saitama-kun, again!" Allen took a fighting stance, his eyes burning with even greater battle intent.
Saitama excitedly rubbed his hands. "Alright! But…" His stomach suddenly rumbled.
"Ah, I'm a little hungry."
Genos immediately straightened up. "Teacher, I'll prepare dinner!"
"Wait." Allen stopped Genos. "I'll cook tonight. Consider it a celebration for our reunion."
Saitama's eyes instantly lit up. "Really? Allen-kun's barbecue is super amazing!"
The three left the rooftop and went into the apartment. Allen skillfully tied on an apron and began preparing ingredients. Saitama sat at the dining table, resting his chin on his hands, like a large dog waiting to be fed.
"Allen-kun, you've been away for so long this time, did you run into any trouble?" Saitama suddenly asked.
Allen's hand, which was cutting vegetables, paused. "Sort of. There are some complicated matters with the Hero Association."
"Oh…" Saitama nodded, half-understanding. "Do you need help?"
"Not for now." Allen poured the chopped vegetables into the pot.
"I can handle it myself."
Genos stood by, carefully observing Allen's every move. "Senior, do you need my help?"
"No, just sit and wait," Allen said without looking back.
Soon, the aroma filled the entire apartment. Saitama's nose twitched repeatedly, and his deadpan eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"It's ready." Allen placed the last dish on the table.
"Let's eat."
"I'm digging in!" Saitama eagerly grabbed his chopsticks and began to eat heartily.
"Mmm! So delicious!"
Genos took a bite, a hint of surprise flashing in his mechanical eyes. "Senior's cooking is indeed excellent."
Allen smiled and served himself a bowl of rice. The three ate dinner in comfortable silence, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.
"Oh, right." Saitama suddenly looked up.
"Allen-kun, your strength has improved a lot now."
Allen swallowed his food. "It's alright, still a big gap compared to Saitama-kun."
"No, no, no." Saitama shook his head.
"Your performance just now was already very impressive, especially that recovery ability…"
Genos interjected, "Senior's recovery ability is indeed astonishing, it's beyond the scope of normal humans."
Allen put down his chopsticks and said lightly, "It's a special ability, I suppose."
"That's really enviable," Saitama said enviously.
"If I had that ability, I wouldn't have to worry about baldness. Maybe my hair would grow back as soon as it fell out."
Genos: "…"
Allen: "…"
After dinner, Saitama and Genos voluntarily cleaned up the dishes. Allen offered to help, but was politely refused on the grounds that he had cooked.
"Allen-kun, when are we going to spar again next time?" Saitama asked, lying on the sofa and rubbing his round belly.
Allen dried the last plate. "Anytime, but I might be quite busy recently."
"Oh…" Saitama sounded a little disappointed. "Then let's talk after you're done."
After tidying up, Allen checked the time. "It's getting late, I should head back."
"Is Senior leaving?" Genos stood up.
"I'll see you out."
"No need." Allen waved his hand.
"I can go back by myself."
Saitama got up from the sofa. "Next time, remember to bring some sale items!"
Allen smiled and nodded. "Definitely."
Leaving Saitama's apartment, Allen walked along the streets of Z-City. The night wind brushed against his cheeks, bringing a touch of coolness. His figure seemed quite lonely in the quiet night.
Allen often felt that he didn't belong in this world, sometimes falling into a state of low spirits.
[Invincible Defense evolving, current progress 37% (Cannot proceed with the next evolution until the host has fully completed the current evolution)]
"Looks like it will still take some time…" Allen murmured to himself.
"Ding ding ding! Ding ding ding!"
He pulled out his phone and found several missed calls, all from Tatsumaki.
"Oh no…" Allen then remembered that he had promised Tatsumaki he would return early.
He quickly called back, and it was answered on the first ring.
"Allen! Where have you been!" Tatsumaki's voice exploded from the receiver.
"Didn't you say you'd be back tonight!"
Allen held the phone a little further away. "Sorry, I got delayed by something."
"If you're going to be late in the future, just tell me. I'm not some kind of demon, I'm very…" Tatsumaki's voice noticeably softened.
"You're what?" Allen keenly caught something.
"Nothing!" Tatsumaki's voice suddenly became quieter.
"Just hurry back!"
"Okay, I'll be there soon." Allen hung up the phone. Looking at Tatsumaki, who was always worried about him, the chill that had just risen in his heart was completely dispelled.
He used Psychokinesis to speed up, flying towards A-City.
Neon lights on both sides of A-City's streets flickered in the night. He arrived at an ice cream shop and bought an ice cream to take back.
Turning a street corner, Allen suddenly stopped. His nose twitched slightly, catching a familiar scent—the smell of a demon.
Following the scent, he saw Muzan standing at the entrance of a nearby alley, his crimson eyes faintly visible in the darkness.
"Lord Ancestor." Muzan bowed respectfully, his voice very low.
Allen frowned. "Didn't I tell you all to avoid associating with me as much as possible? Why are you looking for me?"
"Your subordinate has important information." Muzan cautiously looked around.
"We discovered an organization called the Monster Association. They seem very interested in the Hero Association, especially in you, and they've also tried to recruit us."
Allen narrowed his eyes. "Continue."
"They've sent people to monitor the Hero Association, especially S-Class Heroes." Muzan's voice carried a hint of excitement.
"Your subordinate believes this is an opportunity, we can…"
"Don't act rashly." Allen interrupted him.
"Continue to help the public, and wait for my instructions."
Muzan lowered his head. "As you command."
His figure silently disappeared into the darkness. Allen adjusted his collar and continued towards the apartment.
His thoughts, however, drifted to the Monster Association. It seemed Psykos had already noticed him. This was both a risk and an opportunity.
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