When Jason entered the changing room, like the other applicants, he was given a wristband similar to those used in bathhouses. Each wristband corresponded to a storage locker for personal belongings.
According to Hero Association rules, no equipment was allowed during the test. Male applicants could only wear the provided shorts.
Female applicants were allowed an additional sports tank top.
Women were always a minority among heroes. For today's recruitment, most of the participants were… frankly, beasts.
The changing room was filled with bodybuilder-level musclemen flexing massive chests and discussing their training routines.
The atmosphere grew increasingly intense.
Testosterone levels in the room were seriously off the charts.
Jason ignored all of it and calmly removed his shirt.
"Huh? That kid…"
From a corner of the room, a low voice sounded the moment Jason took off his shirt.
Tall frame, perfectly balanced muscle lines, an exaggerated V-taper. This steel-like physique was the result of multiple attribute cards stacking together, having almost nothing to do with Jason's actual training.
An elderly man with sharp eyes suddenly widened them.
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect proportions. Visible martial talent. This boy is a rare piece of uncut jade."
Hiss.
Jason suddenly felt a strong Spider-Sense warning.
He turned slightly and noticed an elderly man smiling kindly at him from behind.
Then, just like everyone else, the old man casually removed his shirt.
Underneath was a body carved like granite, packed with terrifying muscle definition.
Jason: !!
"Damn, that old guy!"
Someone nearby shouted in shock.
Forget young competitors, why did a seemingly ordinary old man from the park have such ridiculous muscle density?
His gentle smile combined with that body made for an extreme sense of contradiction.
Has the world gone insane?
Jason recognized him instantly.
Silver Fang, Bang.
One of the future S-Class heroes. A martial arts master who once stood at the peak of the world. A top-tier combatant of the Hero Association.
Jason nodded slightly in acknowledgment.
He stored his belongings in the locker and walked with the others toward the testing area.
Bang also walked on the other side, occasionally glancing at Jason with intense interest.
That burning gaze gave Jason a headache.
Considering this old man's habit of taking on students, the headache got worse.
Martial arts meant suffering. Why suffer when you can cheat?
No thanks, no thanks.
The testing facility was divided into multiple zones.
First came standard measurements like height, weight, vision, and lung capacity. After recording the data, Jason soon saw Lani waiting for him at the strength test room entrance.
"Officer Jason, please come with me."
Jason nodded and followed.
Just then, Bang's voice came from behind.
"Excuse me, young lady. May I join you as well?"
"Ah…"
Lani turned around, surprised to see the muscular old man standing there with a strangely cheerful smile.
"This gentleman is…"
Before she could explain, Jason spoke up.
"He is a martial artist. Master Bang."
"A martial artist?"
"Eh? You know me?" Bang blinked.
Both Lani and Bang looked confused.
Jason nodded calmly.
"Yes. I've had the chance to witness Master Bang's Flowing Rock Crushing Fist before."
He casually demonstrated a few movements.
Bang broke into a sweat.
Although the gestures looked convincing, he could immediately tell the young man had no real martial foundation.
"Master is too kind. I'm just an ordinary old man running a dojo."
Jason leaned closer and whispered.
"I also happen to know a few things about your past achievements when you were younger."
"Hmm?"
Bang's eyes sharpened slightly, a faint killing intent surfacing.
"You know too much, kid."
Then he coughed awkwardly, slightly embarrassed.
"Cough… the past is the past. No need to bring it up. What's your name, young man?"
"Jason. I'm a police officer."
"Jason, huh. If you have time, come visit my dojo. It's not far from Z City."
"Sure. I'll visit when I have time."
Meanwhile, Lani, who had been left behind, finally caught up in her high heels.
"Please follow me. There is a separate testing room over here."
Bang's eyes lit up.
"No need to queue? Perfect."
Jason glanced sideways.
Old man, aren't you a little too casual?
They were led to a machine resembling the front of a train.
Lani explained the situation to a confused staff member, clarifying why one tester had turned into two.
Jason and Bang looked at each other.
"Who goes first?" Bang asked.
"You first, Master. I'll watch."
Bang nodded without hesitation.
He stepped forward, loosened his arms, and adjusted his stance.
Before meeting Jason, Bang had only been mildly interested in the Hero Association. He joined partly to help ordinary people, and partly to observe whether the organization was as good as it claimed.
Hero rankings and such meant nothing to him.
But now, things were different.
He wanted to show this young man what true martial arts looked like.
Standing bare-chested before the machine, Bang lowered his center of gravity.
His white hair and beard swayed without wind.
One hand rose, the other rested behind his back.
His hands traced smooth circular arcs through the air, like flowing water in Tai Chi.
Then, in an instant, he struck.
"Flowing Rock Crushing Fist!"
In that moment, Jason's Spider-Sense activated.
Time seemed to slow.
Jason clearly saw every detail of Bang's movement. It looked effortless, but it contained the pinnacle of martial technique in this world.
Minimal motion.
Maximum output.
A flawless technique, like a wild goose leaving no trace.
Bang!
His fist struck the padded target.
A compressed burst of air exploded outward.
The staff only reacted a moment later, eyes widening at the display.
The screen above the machine began flashing rapidly.
"9… 9… 9!"
"Whoa! Nine hundred ninety-nine kilograms of force! No, it exceeded the machine's limit!"
"This result… Master Bang, strength test: PERFECT SCORE!"