The atmosphere in the recreation room fell into an eerie silence.
If Saitama's previous defeat of Flashy Flash had shocked the S-Class Heroes, then KING's casual victory over Saitama in the game at this moment gave them a new understanding of the phrase "strongest man on earth."
On the monitor, the giant golden letters "YOU WIN" contrasted sharply with KING's unperturbed face.
On the other side, Saitama, who had just been full of bravado and claimed he would show Mr. KING his "true strength," was now slumped on the sofa, looking utterly defeated, the controller slipping from his hand.
"Ho... how could this be... my combos... my ultimate moves..."
Saitama mumbled to himself, his eyes hollow.
He had been completely dominated by Mr. KING from start to finish in the fighting game he knew best.
"Your moves are too direct, lacking variation."
Lin Mo calmly put down the controller. He picked up the half-finished cup of warm fruit milk beside him—a trophy he had just won from Saitama.
Hmm... the taste wasn't bad.
"Every attack's intention is too obvious. Although your reaction speed is very fast, it's completely within my predicted range."
These words, spoken in a calm tone, exploded like a bombshell among the surrounding S-Class Heroes.
"Predicting... Teacher's reaction speed?!"
Genos quickly recorded notes beside them. "Mr. KING means he can fully predict and stay ahead of Teacher's reactions?"
"You've got to be kidding me?" Tanktop Master wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and said,
"That bald guy just completely crushed Flashy Flash's speed! In a game, he was perfectly predicted by Mr. KING?"
"This is a complete and utter crush (crushing defeat)." Atomic Samurai's voice was low and solemn. His three disciples behind him didn't dare to breathe.
As a master swordsman, he could see the intricacies of it more clearly than anyone.
"From beginning to end, that guy named Saitama didn't gain even the slightest advantage. All his attacks, all his intentions, seemed to be within KING's predictions."
"This isn't a gap in operational skill; this is... a crushing defeat in terms of realm."
Bang, who had been observing carefully, said, his cloudy old eyes gleaming with unprecedented light:
"In martial arts, there are sayings like 'listening to discern position' and 'mind and eye as one.' But what Mr. KING displayed completely surpassed these."
"The moment Saitama-kun's thought arose, Mr. KING already knew the outcome. Therefore, no matter how fast or how strong he is, it's meaningless before Mr. KING."
Bang's words made all the heroes present gasp.
Insight into intentions! Precognition!
"KING's precognitive ability is already this terrifying..."
Recalling KING's previous predictions about the meteor crisis and the alien invasion, everyone couldn't help but gasp.
The expressions on their faces went from shock, to horror, and finally to a kind of natural realization.
They even started to imagine: the so-called ultimate BOSS was just a codename!
KING and Saitama's discussion and battle just now was a secret strategic simulation on how to defeat a certain powerful monster!
The bald guy named Saitama was responsible for execution, and KING was the commander who formulated the strategy!
"No wonder... no wonder Mr. KING always appears at the most crucial moments to end those Dragon-level disasters..."
"So, the roar of the Emperor Engine isn't just a deterrent, but also the sound of his brain simulating the future?"
"Too terrifying... This man, what heights has he truly reached... Perhaps we have never truly understood him."
Lin Mo, naturally unaware of the S-Class Heroes' imaginings, looked at Saitama, who had turned a despondent gray on the sofa. He patted his shoulder helplessly and comforted him:
"Hey, don't be so down. It's just a game, right? You're so good at fighting monsters; it's normal not to be good at this."
"No... it's different..." Saitama looked up, his eyes hollow, filled with existential doubt.
"Fighting monsters is boring; I finish them in one punch. But games... I... I've practiced so hard for so long, why..."
Looking at Saitama, who was genuinely distressed by his game loss, Lin Mo was speechless.
What else could he say?
He could only silently sigh in his heart: Perhaps Saitama-kun truly has no talent for fighting games.
— — — — — —
Night, deep as ink.
On the wooden corridor of the hot spring inn, only a few dim night lights emitted a faint glow in the silence.
All was quiet, save for the chirping of insects from the distant mountains.
Lin Mo lay on the soft tatami, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.
The carbonated drink he had at dinner still seemed to churn in his stomach, and the cloying sweetness in his mouth wouldn't go away, making him incredibly agitated.
Finally, he decided to get up and go to the vending machine in the courtyard to buy a can of cold, sugar-free oolong tea to wash away the sweetness in his mouth.
He quietly slid open the shoji paper door, put on his geta, and walked towards the courtyard under the moonlight.
The night wind was much cooler than during the day, brushing against his cheeks, carrying the unique fresh scent of vegetation after rain, which slightly calmed his agitated mood.
The vending machine stood alone in a corner of the courtyard, its faint light piercing the night, making it look somewhat solitary.
However, as Lin Mo approached, he found a gigantic, mountain-like shadow standing before the light.
The figure was too burly; the outline of its muscles was still clearly visible in the dim light, like a perfect work of art carved from obsidian.
Its distinctive, gleaming dark skin, however, reflected a cold and dull luster under the moonlight.
It was S-Class Rank 11, Superalloy Darkshine.
At this moment, he was a different person from the "shining" hero who usually maintained a confident smile and wanted the whole world to admire his perfect muscles.
He just stood there quietly, head bowed, his broad back appearing somewhat desolate.
The moonlight stretched his massive shadow long, and that shadow was filled with an indelible sense of loneliness and isolation.
He just stood there, neither inserting coins nor selecting a product, just staring blankly at his blurry reflection on the vending machine's glass panel, as if confronting a soul he didn't want to face.
Lin Mo lightened his steps, but the "clack" of his geta on the stone slab was exceptionally clear in the silent night.
The giant black shadow trembled violently, like a startled beast, and rigidly turned around.
💎 Power Stone Bonus: Every 100 Power Stones = +1 Extra Chapter
🌟 5-Star Review Bonus: Every 5 (5-Star) Reviews = +2 Extra Chapters
💬 Comment Speed-Up: If any chapter reaches +10 Comments = The Next Chapter Will Be Released Faster!
🔥 Want to Read Ahead? If you want to read advanced chapters, check out my buymeacoffee(.)com/Oyunbozan