CHAPTER 191 KING

CHAPTER 191 KING

My reconnaissance finally paid off. After a couple of days watching the large Hero Association building I finally found him. He wore baggy clothes, a baseball cap, and a mouth mask, but I knew it was him. My Increased Vision buff made it easy to see though we were so far away from one another. Jumping off the side of the building I landed easily. Joining the crowd I made my way over to him as he walked toward the Hero Association.

“King,” I whispered. The big man stiffened. Seeing me out of the corner of his eye I flashed him a big smile. “Thought so. Keep walking.” The large man slowed down. I could hear the thump of his heart loudly in my ears. The King Engine was starting.

“Calm down, I am here to talk,” I said. The Engine didn’t slow. “I was at the location where you supposedly slayed that giant the other day.” His heart rate increased, growing louder as we walked closer to the black sleek exterior of the Hero Association. “Interesting thing though. You didn’t touch the giant.”

“I didn’t say I did,” he said quickly. “They keep putting words in my mouth.”

“You didn’t deny it though,” I retorted. He didn’t have an answer for that. “I saw who beat that giant. It wasn’t you.” I let that sink in for him. Letting him think up bad scenarios that could happen. I assumed he took the acclaim because the Hero Association paid him. A Neet at heart, he spent his days playing video games. I doubted he wanted to get a job so stuck it out as the supposed strongest hero.

King had the uncanny knack for attracting bad things. Time and time again whenever Saitama beat something, King was there. I suspected it was his own superpower. One he didn’t know about, but didn’t have any proof from the manga. Last I had read was just after the Monster Association had been beaten.

“I don’t really care why you let yourself get credit,” I told him. His eyes widened as he continued to sweat. He stopped walking, staring at me. “But if you get credit. I want some too.”

“Like what?” He asked.

“They claim you’re the strongest hero. We both know that’s not true, but you provide hope to people, so I don’t plan to prove that you aren’t. No, I want you to tell them I am your disciple.”

“My what?!” He asked, his voice barely muffled by the mask.

“Disciple. I want you to tell people I am your student, as you pass along the torch of the strongest hero,” I said. “It would draw attention away from you. People would challenge me before going for you. And I could skip up some ranks in the Hero rankings if people thought you personally endorsed me.”

“Why would you want that?” He asked.

“To save time,” I said. “I am strong, and could start out as a C-Rank like everyone else. But I want to rise up the ranks. I will act as your meatshield. You just have to introduce me. That’s it. It’s a win-win for you.” His heart rate had lowered, but it was still loud in my eardrums. “Or do you want it to come out that you’ve been taking credit for someone else’s work?”

“Was-was it you?” He asked. “Did you beat him?”

“No, there is someone much stronger out there. Working in the shadows. Protecting people because he finds it fun. Not for the acclaim and money that we are going for,” I said.

“Who?”

“Does it matter?” I asked. “He will appear soon enough.”

King studied me for a time. Eventually he asked, “Are you sure you want this? It’s a pain in the ass most of the time.”

“Oh I’m sure,” I said and the quest popped up.

One Punch Man Quest 2:e a Hero

Rewards:

Berserker Mode

“Oh I know. I think I recognized you from TV, right?” I asked. I didn’t of course. I knew her from the manga.

“Oh yeah? Can’t say I’ve been on TV in a while. I used to be an athlete,” she admitted. “But...I quit that.”

“You still look quite athletic to me,” I said, eyeing her up and down she had a nice rack. Unashamed with her near nude attire she smiled widely at me.

“You were the star of the show out there,” she said. “I saw that vertical leap you did. How did you get so strong?”

“Training,” I said. I was hitting on a girl, I wasn’t about to give King any credit. “Lots and lots of training. All leading to becoming a hero.”

“Crazy,” she said with a smile. “I’ve been doing it for fun. It was only recently that I decided to become a hero.” The door opened to let someone in. It was another man I recognized. Black hair, angular face, he wore what looked like a snake skin suit. Or did snakes have scales? I thought on that as he talked.

“Congratulations on passing the Hero Testing,” the man said. “I am Class A-Rank 44 hero Biting Snake Fist Sneck.” His hands whipped around striking a pose. Neither Mizuki or I reacted. He stayed like that for a moment then dropped his hands.

Coughing he recovered quickly. “Mizuki, you were granted Class C-Rank 15 based off your test. Most every hero not...fast tracked,” he said looking at me. “Will be a part of Class C for at least a little time. You will be required to patrol. Beating villains in the assigned area near your residence. If you go too long without beating anyone your rank will drop. Eventually you may be pushed out completely.”

“Oh no,” Mizuki said, sitting up stiff backed as she stared wide eyed at him. Her chest pushed out I couldn’t help but side eye it.

“Weston!” The man said, slapping the podium as he stared at me. “Since you are riding in on the coattails of your supposed teacher, King. You have already been promoted to Class B-Rank 2.”

“King, no way, that’s amazing,” Mizuki said. I blushed, more out of shame. Despite what I thought, I wasn’t as easy going as Saitama. It annoyed me for King to get some of the credit for the hard work I had put in over the years.

“Don’t get cocky,” Sneck spat. “You will still be required to patrol, Weston. If you slack off you can be kicked out just as easily.” I nodded, ignoring his attitude. “You will be notified if your rank increases by drones or other methods. These are your Hero phones. We will assign you work if any pops up in your area...”

He droned on becoming more professional as he read from a piece of paper. He left me with one piece of advice though. “Be careful out there. Many people will want to test the disciple of King. There are plenty of heroes out there that will be upset at you for bumping them down the list.”

“Whatever,” I said boredly as my quest finished, and a new one popped up.

One Punch Man Quest 2: Complete

Become a Hero

Rewards:

Berserker Mode

One Punch Man Quest 3:

Reach Class A

Rewards:

Weakness Eliminato