Chapter 58: What Saitama Lacks
"Hmph, two more pathetic worms have arrived." The Fear Dragon Man glared contemptuously at King, who was hovering in the air. "A bothersome wingless fly." Then, pointing at Saitama, it scoffed, "And a bald mole rat."
King raised an eyebrow. "Hmph, simultaneously provoking the two strongest men in the world? Who gave you the courage? Was it Liang Jingru?"
"I am the Fear Dragon Man, evolved from human elites into the fearsome Armored Dragon! My scales are incredibly thick and hard. Not even a rocket cannon could harm a single strand of my hair. I... am the invincible Armored Dragon Lord, one of the great generals meant to assist Doctor Genus in ruling the world!"
The Armored Dragon swept its gaze over the unresponsive King and Saitama, then erupted in fury. "You two actually... actually show no respect for me! You foolish humans... you deserve to die! You deserve to die!"
It angrily swung its tail, which was like a giant iron hammer, at a hundred-meter-tall building nearby. With a thunderous roar, the building's midsection was instantly hollowed out. Without its support, the building quickly toppled like a stack of blocks, section by section crumbling into rubble and dust.
The ground vibrated as large clouds of dust rose, appearing from afar like a burgeoning mushroom cloud.
"Tsk tsk, that destructive power definitely qualifies as a Demon-level monster."
King sighed in surprise after witnessing the Armored Dragon's destructive capability. Judging by the Armored Dragon's strength, if it were allowed to wreak havoc for half a day, M-City would undoubtedly be utterly destroyed.
"Go to hell, you two ants..."
The Armored Dragon's coarse voice bellowed as its tail fiercely swung horizontally towards Saitama.
*Boom!*
A single punch passed through. Shredded meat flew everywhere. The Armored Dragon had successfully gone to its doom, now squatting and eating its meal in some corner of hell.
Saitama shook his gloves, frowning slightly in complaint. "Guess I'll have to wash my gloves again when I get home."
"..."
King stared at the pile of shredded meat, speechless. He knew Saitama was strong, but he never expected him to be so monstrously powerful. In the blink of an eye, the self-proclaimed "invincible Armored Dragon" became a pile of rotten flesh, scattered all over the ground. Alas, he wondered if it considered the hard work of the cleaning staff.
"Ding! There is a convertible Monster Card nearby. Please proceed to convert it, Host."
The System's prompt sounded just in time.
King lowered himself and touched the shredded meat.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a three-star Monster Card: Armored Dragon."
"As expected, it was a Demon Level Disaster Monster."
According to the System's criteria, a three-star Monster corresponded to a Demon-level monster. Of course, this was just his conjecture, because Vaccine Man was initially only classified as a Demon-level monster by the Hero Association, but the System gave him a four-star Monster rating.
Therefore, the System's comprehensive evaluation of Monsters and the Hero Association's comprehensive evaluation of Monsters were not the same thing; both had their own considerations.
*Ding-a-ling-ling!*
Just as King was curious about the System's Monster evaluation method, his phone suddenly started ringing persistently in his pocket.
"Hello, this is King. Who is this? The Hero Association? Oh, you need me for something? You want to entrust me with eliminating the Demon-level monster on M-City's main street? Oh, no need to pick me up, I'm already on M-City's main street. Also, that Demon-level monster is already dead... No, I didn't kill it. It was someone named Sai... Huh? You understand? What do you understand? I haven't finished speaking yet! What do you mean, thank you for my outstanding contribution to M-City? I said the monster wasn't killed by me, you've got it wrong! I'm not being humble, the one who killed the monster was that person named... Huh? You understand again? I..."
King patiently prepared to explain the situation clearly. However, whenever he mentioned that the monster wasn't killed by him, Sitch, who was on the other end of the line, would always interrupt him with phrases like, "I understand," "I get it," "I know," "I'm clear," "I understand you." After several consecutive interruptions, he hung up the phone in a fit of pique.
"Saitama, don't leave. I want to ask you something."
After hanging up, he saw Saitama attempting to forcefully dry his gloves and prepare to leave. He hastily stopped him and asked, "What do you usually lack the most?"
Alas, this time he would definitely take credit for Saitama's achievements again. He felt a little embarrassed, but couldn't explain it clearly. He could only send him some urgently needed items as a thank you afterward.
Saitama unconsciously replied, "I lack hair."
"Huh?"
King stared intently at Saitama's shiny bald head, suddenly enlightened. "That's right! You lack it so obviously, yet I failed to see it!"
"Huh?" Saitama immediately felt something was off after speaking. He scratched his face and quickly changed his words, "Oh, I mean I lack houses." No, that's not right. Currently, all the houses in M-City's Ghost Town belong to him: villas, apartments, small buildings, and even... unused land. In reality, he doesn't lack houses to live in.
"Saitama, I understand your plight. Don't worry, I already know your needs."
King gave Saitama an "I understand, I get it, I know, I'm clear, I understand you" look. He began to ponder what gift to send Saitama. Hair growth liquid? Hmm, that doesn't seem like a bad idea.
...
M-City.
Hero Association Headquarters, Command Center.
"What?! Demon-level monster eliminated by Mr. King?!"
"That's great! I knew it! With Mr. King in M-City, how could monsters run rampant? See? The monster just showed up for a short while, and Mr. King took care of it."
"Long live King! Hahaha, Mr. King is indeed the Strongest Man on Earth! He kills monsters without any hesitation!"
After Sitch informed the Command Center staff that King had eliminated the Demon-level monster, everyone immediately rejoiced. For the Hero Association, God Level Monsters were non-existent, and Dragon Level Monsters were rarely encountered. Therefore, Demon-level monsters were relatively frequent and extremely dangerous powerful monsters. The Hero Association often worried about eliminating Demon-level monsters. It was precisely because of the existence of Demon-level monsters that S-Class Heroes were established, specifically to eliminate Demon Level and above monsters.
Therefore, eliminating a Demon-level monster was a huge victory for the Hero Association, worthy of everyone's joy and celebration.
"Maria, immediately broadcast the news of King eliminating the Demon-level monster worldwide."
After waiting for the staff to quiet down, Sitch immediately gave the order to publicize King's achievements. Firstly, it was to clear King's past "monster-feeding" rumors. Secondly, it was to stabilize public morale. And thirdly, of course, it was to help the Hero Association boost its reputation and solidify public trust.
"Yes, Director."
Maria received the order.
"Hey, Sitch, have you found any Dragon Level Monsters?" Tatsumaki marched into the Command Center. "I already said, if it's not a Dragon Level Monster, I won't make a move! Hmph, those Demon-level monsters, other S-Class fellows can solve them, right? Why do you always bother me? Seriously, are you raising that bunch of pigs for nothing?!"
"Tatsumaki, great! You're finally here!" Sitch's eyes lit up when he saw the complaining Tatsumaki, and he said joyfully, "Tatsumaki, a large group of Fear Dragon Men has appeared in M-City, and urgent assistance is needed! I hope you can rush to M-City as quickly as possible to assist King, and together, eliminate all the Fear Dragon Men!"
"Let *me* assist M-City?" Tatsumaki's interest was immediately piqued when she heard it was M-City, where King was located. "King hasn't dealt with those pathetic worms yet? Hahaha, you're killing me! He still claims to be the Strongest Man! What? He can't even solve a few pathetic worms? Is he fit to be the Strongest Man? Hmph, he might as well call himself the strongest braggart!"
"Well... Tatsumaki, Mr. King just killed a Demon-level monster." Sitch didn't refute Tatsumaki's words but instead aimed straight for Tatsumaki's weak spot. "According to our understanding, there are still four monsters above Demon Level in M-City, and one of them *might* have the disaster strength to become a Dragon Level Monster."
Tatsumaki had been complaining all day about wanting him to help elevate Demon-level monsters to Dragon Level. Although he wasn't sure why, he knew Tatsumaki was eager to kill Dragon Level Monsters. So, he told a lie, saying that a potential Dragon Level Monster might appear in M-City. In reality, according to his original estimation, those five perfected Fear Dragon Men at most only had Demon Level Disaster strength and did not possess the conditions or time to become Dragon Level.
"What?! M-City has a monster that *might* become Dragon Level?!" Tatsumaki put her hands on her hips and shouted, "Why didn't you say so earlier?! Damn it, I must not let King get there first!"
A green glow flashed around her body, and she sped away, leaving behind a lingering remark: "Sitch, quickly prepare a plane for me to M-City! Remember, I want the fastest supersonic jet! Don't try to fob me off with those broken-down planes, or else I'll smash the Headquarters when I get back!"
"..."
Looking at the furious Tatsumaki, the staff in the Command Center were speechless. This young lady truly gave them a headache!
...
M-City.
Seaside.
Two men stood on the beach. One was older, wearing a white lab coat, with a head of silver hair, an aged and wrinkled face, and eyes filled with wisdom and... madness.
The other man was younger, looking to be in his twenties, with a hint of excitement and hesitation on his youthful face.
"Hassard, go! The ocean is your future home! When you truly become a Sea Dragon, the entire ocean will be your private garden, for you to command!" The old man looked at the young man with doting eyes. "Don't you love the ocean? Now is your chance! As long as you inject the Fear Dragon gene serum, you can immediately transform into the ancient oceanic overlord—the Sea Dragon! By then, all marine life will be yours to manipulate and devour! You will become the new master of the ocean—the Sea King!"
The young man hesitated, "Dad, I... I'm a little reluctant to leave you."
"A man's aspirations are everywhere! Besides, we won't be unable to see each other later. When your old man becomes the Tyrant King Dragon and dominates the land, we'll turn this beach into our meeting place. We can see each other every day then, so there's nothing to be reluctant about."
The old man soothed the young man's anxious heart. "Go quickly! I've already given you the key to fulfilling your dream of owning the ocean. The rest is up to you. I believe my son will not disappoint me."
"Dad, don't worry! It won't be long until I become the true master of the ocean! By then, I'll come back to find you. You... must be on time for our rendezvous!"
The young man walked step by step towards the ocean, constantly looking back, full of reluctance. Finally, under the old man's wave, he resolutely leaped and plunged into the ocean.
*Roar!*
Half a moment later, a thunderous beast roar echoed from beneath the ocean. The calm sea surface suddenly surged with waves, and giant waves crashed against the shore, as if a tsunami was upon them.
*Whoosh!*
In an instant, an ancient giant beast broke through the sea. Its entire body leaped and emerged from the water like a porpoise. Its body was long and cylindrical, about twenty meters long. Its four limbs were fin-shaped, short, thick, and powerful. Its tail reached half the length of its body, broadly flat and vertically oar-shaped, with expanded bony vertebrae both above and below the caudal spine, making it extremely strong. Its overall appearance resembled a giant plesiosaur with fin-like limbs.
Swimming through the vast ocean, it was as awe-inspiring as a ferocious sperm whale!
"Father, wait for me!"
The old man waved goodbye to his departing son. "Hassard, keep going! The ocean will definitely be your world!"
Thank you to reader 20171006095859543 (I don't even know if this string of numbers is correct) for the tip! Also, there's only one chapter today. Hmm, you can hit me, but don't hit my head. Don't hit either the top or bottom ones.
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(end of chapter)