Chapter 84: Looks Like I Have to Move
"Ding! Congratulations to the Host for obtaining a two-star Monster Card: Snail-Man."
King calmly retrieved the Monster Card. Two-star Monster Cards were a dime a dozen in his card rack; one more or one less made no difference. Besides, Snail-Man himself hadn't displayed any special abilities. That snail shell was hard, but not very useful. In contrast, Chameleon Man's invisibility was a bit more interesting.
He opened his card storage rack and pulled up Chameleon Man's Monster Card.
Chameleon Man:
Background: A mutant created through the evolution and combination of chameleon and human genes.
Skill: Invisibility (Passive): The body's color changes along with the environment, constantly maintaining a skin tone consistent with its surroundings.
After reading Chameleon Man's description, King's eyes lit up, and a wicked thought immediately surfaced in his mind: Infiltrate and peep on Monsters (Note: female students?).
It had to be said that invisibility was one of the superpowers most coveted by humanity. Possessing invisibility allowed one to do many things they wouldn't normally dare to, such as peeping.
While King was pondering, Axel was doing the same. His expression was grave as he stared intently at the dead Snail-Man and Chameleon Man. This was abnormal, far too abnormal. King's method of killing Monsters wasn't a single explosive punch, but rather the unexpected use of tactics. This drawn-out method of killing was absolutely not King's style.
Abnormal, far too abnormal. For King to act this way, there must be a deeper meaning. What could it be?
He racked his brain. When the Monsters attacked, King first used glue to control Snail-Man, then used the glue to force Chameleon Man to reveal himself and be restrained. He pushed the enemies to the brink of death step by step. Such killing tactics were too great a contrast when applied to the domineering King. It would be perfectly normal if it were a weaker hero. Hmm, wait a minute, weak? Tactics?
His eyes lit up. Tactics! That's right, it's tactics! To King, Snail-Man and Chameleon Man were no different from ants. Yet, King had patiently toyed with the two Monsters. Why?
At first, he didn't understand, but now he had an epiphany. King had never taken Snail-Man and Chameleon Man seriously from the start. His toying with them was, in fact, to demonstrate a principle to him: as long as you have the right method, all Monsters must kneel!
That's right! As long as tactics are used properly, even if his Hunter Self-Sacrifice Squad's strength is weak, as long as they train hard and supplement their efforts with the correct tactics, defeating Demon Level Monsters, or even slaying Dragon Level Monsters, is not just a dream.
"Hey, stop zoning out." King roused Axel from his deep thoughts and issued an order to leave, "You've seen the situation. I have quite a few things to deal with and no time to entertain you. You should head back."
Playing games was out of the question. His own house had two large holes in the wall, and the inside was a total mess. In this situation, how could he possibly play games in peace?
He looked at his ruined home and secretly wondered if he should move. The floor of the second story was already broken, but that wasn't a big deal; he could just avoid going upstairs. But now, even the walls that sheltered him from the wind and rain had two massive holes. This house was no longer livable.
Let's move. Should I move to Z City and become neighbors with Saitama?
"Send me away?"
Axel's brow furrowed. He had come to seek guidance on how to become stronger. Yet, on the surface, King had not given any practical instructions. However, he knew King had just taught him a great deal. How much he could comprehend would depend on his own abilities.
"Thank you for your teachings, Mr. King."
Although King had never once admitted to teaching him, he would etch this kindness in his heart. Therefore, he bowed deeply and solemnly to King.
"Hmm?"
King looked at Axel, who was performing such a grand bow, and his face went blank. Didn't I just teach you how to play a game? It's not some incredible technique, is it necessary to be so serious? Look at him, he's about to treat me with the respect due a master.
He cleared his throat and said, "Ahem, it's a small matter. Don't take it to heart." It seems I only taught him some basic game controls that almost everyone knows, and he's already treating me like a teacher. Sigh, this kid is too honest, I almost want to bully him...
"To Mr. King, it might be a small matter, but to me, it's a huge deal. Our Hunter Self-Sacrifice Squad will never forget Mr. King's kindness. We may not be able to repay Mr. King's grace in this lifetime, but in the next, our Hunter Self-Sacrifice Squad is willing to serve Mr. King as your beasts of burden."
Axel's face was stern.
"Uh..."
King's mouth twitched. He looked at the solemn Axel for a few seconds. Bro, are you serious? My god, I just taught you how to play a game, and the kindness is as great as the heavens? You'll even repay it in the next life by being my cow and horse?
He really wanted to reach out and touch Axel's forehead to see if he had a fever. To say such baffling words, he must have burned his brain out.
Hmm, I feel guilty accepting this kind of gratitude. Better not take advantage of this fool.
King thought silently as he shooed Axel away. "I haven't done you any great kindness, and I don't need you to repay me. You should hurry back, and don't get in my way."
Suddenly, the Monster alarm in the center of M-City rang out:
"Emergency notice, emergency notice. An unidentified avian Monster has appeared in the skies over M-City. Disaster Level: Demon. Citizens are advised to stay indoors and avoid going outside..."
"Repeating the broadcast, emergency notice, emergency notice. An unidentified avian Monster has appeared in the skies over M-City. Disaster Level is Demon. Citizens are advised to stay indoors and avoid going outside..."
"Huh? Another Monster appeared? And it's a Demon Level Monster?"
King was stunned. Monsters had been appearing quite frequently in M-City recently. The successive appearance of Demon Level and above Disaster Level Monsters had caused panic and unrest among the people of M-City.
"A Demon Level Disaster Monster?" Axel was also stunned. He turned to look at the unfazed King and frowned. "Mr. King, aren't you going to check it out? You might be able to get credit for defeating a Demon Level Monster again!"
"There's nothing to see." King dismissed Axel's words. "If you want to get credit for killing a Demon Level Monster, you don't necessarily have to go find the Monster and enact justice yourself!" This kind of credit has always just fallen from the sky for me. Why would I need to go through the trouble of fighting Monsters?
"Screech~"
Just as King's voice fell, a sharp bird cry suddenly rang out from the sky. Immediately, a massive shadow dove straight towards King's house.
BOOM!
The bird swooped past, and King's house instantly became a pile of rubble.
Now King didn't have to struggle with the decision anymore. It seems he really does have to move.
"King, you killed many of my brothers and sisters! I, the Wind God Pterosaur, will never forgive you! Destroying your house this time is just a small lesson. Sooner or later, I will take your life."
It turned out the bird was none other than the missing Wind God Pterosaur.
However, although the Wind God Pterosaur's threats were fierce, after launching its surprise attack and destroying King's house, it didn't linger for even a second. With a flap of its wings, it vanished over the horizon like a routed soldier fleeing in disarray.
This kid... is also afraid that King will come to his senses and make him into chicken soup!
(end of chapter)