A series of questions left King on the other end of the line stunned, but he eventually gathered his thoughts.
"The monster has been slain by me. I am safe now."
Beep, beep, beep...
Now it was Jess's turn to be stunned. He suddenly felt that Dark Mask was remarkably similar to one person: the S-Class Rank 7 Hero, King.
Because that was exactly how King made phone calls, often hanging up after leaving two extremely simple sentences, and their voices also seemed very similar.
"Should we call back?"
Maria was a bit embarrassed. After all, usually only S-Class Heroes dared to speak to the manager like that.
"No need. If the monster really was killed by him, then he must be injured too. He's likely recovering in a safe place right now, don't disturb him for the time being."
Jess calmed down. Judging by the situation at the scene, it really was possible that the powerful monster had been defeated by Dark Mask. Otherwise, there was no way to explain why the monster had disappeared while Dark Mask had survived.
"I will report to the higher-ups. Dark Mask's ranking will probably have to be adjusted."
—
"What did the Association say?"
Saitama was sucking on a lollipop out of boredom, while Genos was nearby diligently cleaning.
Genos had also successfully joined the Hero Association and was exceptionally promoted to an S-Class Hero due to his past combat record.
"They just asked about the situation. Don't mind them."
King didn't care much about the Hero Association, and he wasn't willing to have contact with other heroes since he was still hiding his identity.
"Sigh. It's so boring. A few days ago, I ran into someone called Speed-o-Sound something who's been pestering me relentlessly."
Genos asked, "Master, should I go and take care of him?"
"Forget it, you're annoying enough as it is."
Genos immediately volunteered, but he was instantly met with Saitama's disdain.
"Since there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
King's injuries had long since healed, and the side effects of using Fighting Spirit had also recovered after a night's rest.
For him now, time was very tight. He needed to slay a hundred monsters within two months. It was a long and difficult road ahead.
Saitama had a smug expression. "Are you leaving just like that? Haha, you must be going to do hero activities, right? Otherwise, you'll be removed from the Association's roster. I'm different. I just caught a wanted criminal yesterday."
King naturally knew that the wanted criminal he mentioned was likely that unlucky fellow, Speed-o-Sound Sonic.
"Emergency broadcast! A meteor has been detected and is predicted to crash into Z-City in half a day. Its predicted power will destroy the entire city. The Hero Association has dispatched heroes to handle it. Residents of Z-City, please evacuate immediately!!!"
King, who was about to leave, stopped in his tracks.
"Master, I have urgent business and need to head out first." A look of determination appeared in Genos's eyes.
King glanced at him, this guy was always eager to prove himself.
"Okay, stay safe out there."
Saitama didn't pay it much mind. After all, the Hero Association had already issued an announcement that they would send people to handle it, but only King knew that the intensity of this meteor disaster would exceed everyone's expectations.
Even the S-Class Rank 3 Hero, Bang, would be helpless. In the end, it was Saitama who stepped in to deal with the meteor, but the entire Z-City still suffered a heavy blow from the meteor fragments.
...
Stepping out of Saitama's home, King looked up at the sky. He could vaguely see a red light flickering, that was the meteor capable of destroying all of Z-City.
King moved through the city. Countless people were scrambling to flee toward the outskirts, causing a massive traffic jam within the city that left many people stranded.
'This can't go on. Although people will eventually evacuate, Z-City still won't escape its fate of destruction. It seems I can only request assistance from the Association.' King made up his mind.
Just as he was about to dial the phone in his hand, his movements suddenly paused, and he then pulled another phone out of his pocket.
"Hello. This is King."
"King-san?! May I ask what the matter is?" Maria was somewhat surprised.
King rarely contacted the Hero Association on his own initiative.
"I am currently in Z-City."
"What did you say? You're in Z-City?!"
Maria turned to look at Jess behind her, who immediately picked up the phone.
"King-san, what do you plan to do?"
Jess knew that King wouldn't say such a thing without reason, he must have a way to deal with this meteor crisis.
"You don't need to worry about the meteor. You just need to clean up the fragments that fall into the city after the meteor explodes. Minimize the losses as much as possible."
"You mean after the meteor explodes? Could it be..."
"Hurry and contact Metal Knight and the nearby heroes. There isn't much time left."
"But we can't get in touch with him either..."
Beep, beep, beep...
Jess's expression was quite helpless, King's words were always so cryptic.
"Jess-san, what should we do? Even if King-san really does take action to deal with the meteor, the scattered fragments can't be handled. It's too late to dispatch S-Class Heroes there now."
"King-san doesn't speak without purpose. Have Child Emperor contact Metal Knight and try to persuade him to cooperate in the cleanup of the meteor fragments. Additionally, notify all heroes of A-Class and above in the vicinity to assist with the cleanup after the meteor explodes." Jess made a prompt decision.
This time, he chose to trust King unconditionally. This was also Z-City's last glimmer of hope.
...
Shortly after, all heroes in the vicinity of Z-City received the announcement from the Hero Association.
"King? He's actually in Z-City too. The Association actually wants us to assist in cleaning up meteor fragments? They're looking down on us too much."
"It looks like King is about to make a move. But that's a meteor, is he really confident he can shatter it?"
"S-Class Rank 7, the strongest man on Earth. Let me see just how powerful your true strength really is."
For a moment, the heroes who were originally planning to evacuate all returned to Z-City, quietly waiting for the meteor's arrival
.
Whoosh!
In the sky above Z-City, a metallic figure streaked past. Genos, who was traversing the rooftops, stopped in his tracks.
"This is? S-Class Rank 6, Metal Knight!"
Genos was carrying equipment newly developed by the Doctor. At this moment, the meteor was already very close to Z-City, and the flickering red light was rapidly expanding at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"Cooperate with King to clean up the meteor fragments?"
Genos found a suitable spot to stop, put on the new weapon, and waited quietly.
By now, everyone was ready. Perhaps some didn't believe the Hero Association, but most people wanted to see how this so-called strongest man on Earth, King, would resolve this crisis.
"Now it's up to you."
King sat on a rooftop, while Saitama beside him boredly picked his ear.
"If I can get promoted, this isn't bad. Besides, this is my city. Who gave you permission to fall here?"