A blond beside the buzz-cut stepped up, jabbing a finger at the glasses man's nose:
"What do you know? What are you? You think you can guess Lord KING's thoughts?"
"Why did Lord KING carry him at the end? Respect! Recognition! You cowards who only talk after the fact will never get it!"
Blond grew hotter, flecks of spit hitting the man's face.
"I… I didn't… I just think…"
The glasses man panicked. He hadn't expected a few complaints to draw such a nasty group of zealots.
"Think?" Buzz-cut sneered, stepping in.
"Does Lord KING need you to 'think' about anything he does? The ones he acknowledges— even an ordinary man— are a thousand times nobler than garbage like you who shivered in the shelter and came out to pontificate!"
"You— how dare you insult me!" the glasses man cried, fierce only in voice.
"Insult you?" A flash of menace crossed the buzz-cut's eyes. "I'm going to beat you."
He swung; his fist thudded into the man's belly.
The glasses flew from his face, tracing an arc and smashing on the ground.
He doubled up, dropping to his knees, dry-heaving— too stunned even to scream.
Shocked cries rose and people leapt back, opening a wide ring.
The other two youths dove in and started kicking the downed man and a few loudest parrots without mercy.
"That's for your filthy mouth! For insulting a hero!"
"Question Lord KING's judgment? Tired of living?!"
"Remember this! Whoever Lord KING acknowledges is someone we must respect! What kind of dog are you to yap here?!"
Fists and feet fell like rain; screams and pleas filled the air.
Those men who'd held forth now huddled on the ground, rolling, unable to resist.
The violence chilled those still glowing with relief.
They stared at the three crazed youths; no one dared step in.
It was twisted worship: in their hearts KING was no longer just a hero.
Their excuse for violence sounded righteous—defending a hero's dignity, guarding KING's will.
But in truth, they reveled in the thrill of "acting for heaven," venting their existence with violence, as if they'd gained the power to judge others.
At last Association staff maintaining order noticed; several B- and C-Class heroes rushed over and forced the crowd apart.
"Stop! What are you doing! Brawling here?!"
The three stopped grudgingly.
They straightened their KING tees, looked at the bruised men on the ground with no remorse— only the victor's thrill and scorn.
Buzz-cut spat near them, then swept the ring with a warning:
"Listen up! Lord KING saved us! Unlicensed Rider is a brave man Lord KING acknowledged!"
"Anyone who dares use your filthy mouths to insult them— ends up like these losers!"
With that, he marched off with the other two under the crowd's fearful eyes.
The ruckus settled; many looked at the unlucky men on the ground with complicated eyes.
——
Meanwhile Lin Mo, in a special Association armored car, knew nothing of what had happened after he left.
The cabin was very quiet, only the steady engine hum.
The windows were one-way. He could see the ravaged streets and shaken people, but they couldn't see him.
The isolation relaxed him a little. He leaned into the soft seat, closed his eyes, and tried to slow his still-pounding heart.
He'd planned to ride this car home directly.
But plans never keep up with changes.
"Bzzz… bzzz…"
His special communicator buzzed. The screen lit with an unexpected name—"Child Emperor."
S-Class No. 5, the Association's brain— a ten-year-old genius.
Lin Mo hesitated, then took the call.
"Hello? KING?" came the boyish voice, still slightly childish but speaking fast with excitement.
"It's me," Lin Mo's voice stayed steady, rich.
"Great! I saw the broadcast. As expected of Uncle KING! I knew a mere Demon like Deep Sea King was nothing to you!"
Child Emperor praised without reserve. "By the way, are you free now? I've got something great that urgently needs you to help test!"
"I'm… very tired now," Lin Mo chose the most direct and truth. "I just finished a big fight; I need rest."
"Don't!" The boy's tone turned urgent.
"This thing is important! If it works, it'll be a milestone for us— for the Association!"
Lin Mo wasn't moved; he just wanted to go home. Milestones? The Association's future?
Say no to chicken soup— starting with me.
"Sorry, I'm not in shape today. Next time."
Seeing the refusal, the boy shifted tactics.
In a heartbeat his tone flipped 180 degrees— from cool scientist to wheedling kid.
"Pleeease, Uncle KING" The drawn-out, sugary whine came through the comms, raising Lin Mo's goosebumps.
"…Speak normally."
"Pleaseee~" he continued in that syrupy voice.
"I don't have any data on Uncle KING yet. Uncle KING is the best pretty please"
Cold sweat beaded Lin Mo's brow; he could picture Child Emperor with a lollipop and puppy eyes.
Is the kid from the other precinct like this too…
Powerless under the barrage of "Uncle KING's the best" and "Only you can," Lin Mo finally yielded.
"…Send the address," he ground out.
"Awesome! I knew Uncle KING was the best!" Child Emperor cheered and sped up.
"I've sent it to your car's nav— Y City, Seventh Research Institute! I'll be waiting!"
Lin Mo sighed and told the driver, "Change destination— Y City, Seventh Research Institute."
"Yes, Lord KING," the driver answered, setting the route at once.
-------
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