When the waiting room door opened, Louis was instantly surrounded by a flash of red light—and then he vanished.
In front of him appeared a floating interface filled with images of random people from the One Punch Man world.
[ Player L.K, please choose your appearance for this world. ]
Unlike the safe zones, where the system gave players random looks, in the main stages players could choose their own appearance.
Louis didn't think too long. He picked a face that looked slightly above average, with a hint of fierceness—a look that would fit his future plans perfectly.
Next, another screen appeared, asking for his name.
Louis smirked.
"If there's a King, then why not an Emperor?" he thought.
He entered the name "Emperor" as his identity for this world.
[ Identity confirmed. ]
[ Good luck. ]
The next second, Louis was transported into a completely new world.
It was midday, and the sun shone brightly above a noisy, chaotic city. But beneath the light, panic filled the streets.
Everywhere Louis looked, people were running in terror.
Cars crashed into one another, and many drivers had abandoned their vehicles and fled on foot.
"Help!"
"It's a monster! A monster!"
"Run! Save yourselves!"
"My daughter—where is my daughter?!"
The air was full of screams and desperate cries. Fear and chaos spread like wildfire through the crowd.
Louis blinked, slightly surprised. He hadn't expected to face this kind of disaster right after arriving.
At that moment, the system voice returned:
[ Player L.K, please choose your faction:
1 — Heroes
2 — Monsters ]
He didn't hesitate. Louis chose the Hero faction, since he had already prepared his plan for this world.
[ Please complete at least one main mission if you wish to return to the real world. ]
[ Player L.K, regardless of your mission, you may stay in this world for up to three years—one year for each main mission. However, if you are participating in a major event within this world, you cannot return to the real world until the event ends, even if you have already completed a mission. ]
[ Dying in this world, or failing to complete a main mission in time, will result in the loss of one life. ]
Louis listened calmly. His expression didn't change—he was fully prepared.
He turned his gaze toward the direction of the screams and saw a huge monster rampaging through the street.
It looked like a massive cockroach, attacking anyone nearby. As it smashed through cars and buildings, it laughed madly:
"Hahaha! You filthy humans! You don't deserve to live! Go to hell—all of you! Hahaha!"
To this creature, humans were worthless insects, no different from trash.
Louis thought for only a brief moment before making his decision.
He reached into his system inventory and pulled out a small violet-colored stone. As he gripped it tightly, a surge of power exploded within him—rising higher and higher, with no sign of stopping.
The sensation was thrilling, almost intoxicating, but Louis controlled his excitement and focused on his target.
In the next instant, he disappeared from where he stood.
Meanwhile, not far away, a young boy tripped while trying to escape and fell to the ground.
The cockroach monster noticed him immediately. With a cruel grin, it charged forward. To it, it didn't matter whether its victim was young or old—as long as it was human.
"No! Help me! I don't want to die!" the boy screamed.
The monster's claws were only a meter away when—
someone suddenly appeared out of nowhere, standing protectively in front of the boy.
The newcomer's fist flashed forward.
The monster's eyes widened. There was no time to react.
BOOM!
A deafening sound echoed through the air as the cockroach monster was blown apart into pieces.