The Hero Association had been established for just over two years and was now running smoothly. The selection of heroes, the response to disasters, and the assignment of heroes to the remaining twenty-six human cities were all very well organized.
The appearance of monsters had a significant impact on human survival, and many monsters were formed when bad habits or external pressure caused genetic mutations in individuals.
Apart from this type, there were also naturally non-human races, such as the Seafolk or the Subterraneans.
As for mutated humans or robots created by other means, they posed a threat to humanity and could barely be classified as monsters. However, the cause of the first type of monster made Hyuga Mirai very curious about this world. An ordinary, very normal human could turn into a monster due to excessive stress?
Did mental abilities cause mutations in the body?
This trigger seemed abnormal. Hyuga Mirai was more inclined to believe that previous wars had drastically changed the environment, thereby altering the human body.
Moreover, humans in other worlds didn't have this concept of a limiter. Growing to a limit required external assistance, such as serums or God Tree fruits, to change one's life form and gain the chance to evolve.
Relying on trivial exercise, eating bananas, and not using air conditioning to break the limiter was practically trampling science underfoot.
No wonder Dr. Genus eventually retired to sell takoyaki. Decades of research were overturned by someone. In more mystical terms, his 'Dao heart' had collapsed, beyond recovery.
"This world doesn't even have finance. Getting the initial funds is a bit difficult. Kaguya, do you have any other methods?"
Hyuga Mirai asked the sub-AI of 18. Over eighty percent of this planet's area was inhabited by monsters. All the famous large corporations were brick-and-mortar companies. But thinking about it, with only twenty-six human gathering cities left and a small population, engaging in finance would be cutting into humanity's survival to the point of extinction.
"Money can be transferred out from dormant accounts. This would give a total of 3.7 billion yen."
Banks here periodically clean up dormant accounts, so Kaguya could only profit from accounts dormant within the last ten years.
"3.7 billion is enough for now. Also, buy me a vacant factory. And register a company to long-term acquire monster corpses, especially those from natural monster races."
Hyuga Mirai looked at the items he had brought. Although he no longer had Amenominaka, he still had plenty of portable spatial capsules, enough to build several large cities.
He just needed a legitimate identity and a company. Then he could acquire monster corpses from heroes.
It would be great if he could directly study Saitama, or that ancient monster self-proclaimed God. Unfortunately, Hyuga Mirai's current strength was somewhat weak. Besides his strong body, his power was about the same as an average S-class hero. Due to the diversity of ninjutsu, perhaps except for a few like Tatsumaki and Blast, no one could threaten him.
However, Tatsumaki's psychic powers might not be able to hurt Hyuga Mirai either. His body was a true divine body. Even if his chakra and soul were weak, his body could withstand a stellar explosion.
"If I ever encounter a cube related to God, I must study it. The monster 'Homeless Emperor' should be a good breakthrough, but I don't know if he has become a monster yet."
Hyuga Mirai thought for a moment, then instructed Kaguya, "Kaguya, collect the employee data of all companies. Record those with ugly appearances who are ostracized by their colleagues, or those who have already been fired from their companies because of job hopping matters."
"Understood, sir."
Kaguya had already taken control of several large corporations' computers and had infiltrated the Hero Association and government military networks, lying dormant. In this modern city, collecting a person's data was easy, especially for someone with such obvious characteristics as Homeless Emperor.
There were some people in this world with considerable skill, such as Child Emperor, Metal Knight, and the person behind Drive Knight. They could detect unusual traces on the network. Kaguya's ability was slightly inferior to 18's. If she moved too much, she might be discovered.
But for small matters like getting an identity, no one would notice.
After some time, advertisements for acquiring monster corpses spread across the internet. Kaguya made the ads into pop-ups. Apart from a few like Child Emperor, other heroes would frequently see these pop-ups.
Monster corpses were considered an important asset in this world. Besides the Hero Association, many companies were conducting related research.
Therefore, monster corpses were very valuable. However, Hyuga Mirai raised the price of monster corpses by thirty percent, and live ones were even more expensive. This should attract some monsters.
After seeing this news, many heroes noted the location. Although the Monster Association also collects monster corpses, the prices offered by Future Capsule Company were not as high.
Moreover, live monsters were more valuable, almost more lucrative than several months of work at the Hero Association.
"Lady Fubuki."
Lily of the Three-section Staff, holding a notebook, quickly ran to Hell's Fubuki. With a joyful expression, she said, "Lady Fubuki, good news. A new company is acquiring monster corpses, and the prices are very high, almost the highest among all companies."
"A newly established company... That much?"
Fubuki hadn't paid much attention at first, but after seeing the monster collection prices above, she widened her beautiful eyes. They were so much higher than the Hero Association and other companies. And if she caught a live monster, wouldn't the Fubuki Group's dedicated official car be within reach?
"Ahem, it seems this company is indeed very wealthy. We can try to cooperate with them. Lily, you did well. Eyelashes, do you have any information on monsters recently?"
"Not at the moment, Lady Fubuki, but we are paying attention."
Before Eyelashes could finish, the city's monster warning broadcast sounded. Then the Hero Association announced the location and disaster level of the monster.
"Lady Fubuki..."
Upon hearing the broadcast, the members of the Fubuki Group all looked at their leader.
"Heh heh, it seems like fate. Just as we saw this advertisement, a monster shows up."
Fubuki straightened her fluffy coat. Hearing that the monster's disaster level was only Tiger level, she felt there was nothing to worry about.
"Let's go, Fubuki Group!"
Fubuki's only fear now was that someone else would take the monster. Although it was only a Tiger-level monster, if captured alive, it would be worth one-fifth of the extended official car she wanted to buy. If they captured three Tiger-level monsters alive, plus the Fubuki Group's previous savings, they could first get a major asset for the Fubuki Group.
Soon, the Fubuki Group arrived at the scene. Hell's Fubuki, worried that other heroes might take the monster, flew there directly using her psychic powers.
"Such an ugly monster. Today, you will contribute to the rise of the Fubuki Group!"
Fubuki saw the monster rampaging through the vegetable market and snorted coldly. Then she directly used her psychic powers to twist the limbs of the Tiger-level monster below.
"Long live Lady Fubuki!"
The Fubuki Group members, who had just barely arrived, saw the monster subdued by Fubuki and cheered loudly. Fubuki enjoyed the praise. She landed gracefully from the air, barely suppressing a smile, and waved her hand, saying, "It's nothing. Go check the monster quickly!"
She had just thought about quickly earning the Fubuki Group's extended official car, so she had struck a bit hard. If the monster didn't survive until it was sold, the Fubuki Group would lose big.
Then, several Fubuki Group members went to check the monster. After confirming it was fine, they tied it up securely.
"Lady Fubuki, it's ready. Next, we just need to send it to this company's address. It's conveniently in the neighboring city. It will take only three hours to deliver."
Eyelashes checked the next vehicle to City A. They were quite lucky; the next one was leaving in just an hour.
Hell's Fubuki also felt very lucky. She chuckled, "Since that's the case, let's set off. We can also inspect the company on the way."
Just as the Fubuki Group was about to move, several Hero Association members arrived from afar. Seeing the already-tied wild boar monster, and that it was captured alive, they happily said to the Fubuki Group, "Thank you very much. You even packaged the monster. We'll take it from here."
"Hey, hey, this isn't for you. Today, we're selling this monster to another monster-acquiring company."
Mountain Ape stood in front of the Hero Association members and directly stated the monster's purpose.
The Hero Association members looked stunned and said somewhat anxiously, "Mr. Mountain Ape, Miss Fubuki, if you sell it to the Hero Association, you'll not only get hero points but also a cash reward."
"Thank you, but not this time. The Fubuki Group will hand over future monsters to you. Forget it today."
Fubuki flicked her hair, then said to Mountain Ape, "Let's go, Mountain Ape."
With Hell's Fubuki stepping in, the Hero Association members didn't dare to press further. Who didn't know that Fubuki's older sister was the second-ranked S-class hero, Tatsumaki? Offending her would make even the Hero Association's executives nervous.
A live Tiger-level monster was also a rare monster specimen. Few people chose to capture monsters alive in the past. But since Fubuki refused, these Hero Association members could only report it upward.
Then, the Fubuki Group escorted this Tiger-level monster to the location of Future Capsule Company in City A.
City A. Future Capsule Company was opened near the suburbs. It had roads but was sparsely populated.
Monsters had frequently appeared here in the past, so many people had moved away. Therefore, Kaguya had bought up the entire nearby area, and it was very cheap.
When the Fubuki Group arrived, the Tanktop Army had just left with joyful expressions. The two groups met at the entrance of Future Capsule Company and clicked their tongues at each other in mutual dislike.
The Tanktop Army included heroes from S-class down to C-class, making it a relatively strong hero group within the Hero Association. They had also clashed with the Fubuki Group over monster extermination in the past, but the Tanktop Army never got the better of those conflicts. Without Tanktop Master stepping in, none of the remaining Tanktop Army members were a match for Hell's Fubuki.
Despite the conflicts, some members of the Tanktop Army couldn't help but glance at Hell's Fubuki's impressive figure when they saw her. Her long, form-fitting skirt didn't reveal anything, but the eye-catching S-shaped curve was exceptionally beautiful.
After the Fubuki Group entered Future Capsule Company, they immediately saw a robot come forward to receive them. However, Fubuki wasn't very patient and asked directly, "Where's your boss?"
"The boss will be down shortly. Please have a seat here."
The reception robot led Fubuki and her group to another reception room and served them tea. "Please have some tea."
After the robot put down the tea, Hyuga Mirai walked in.
"Welcome, everyone. I'm Hyuga Mirai, the owner of Future Capsule Company. You must be the Fubuki Group, ranked first among B-class heroes. I just went outside and saw the Tiger-level wild boar monster that appeared this morning. I didn't expect you to capture it so quickly."
Hyuga Mirai said with a smile. His words earned him considerable goodwill from Hell's Fubuki. She sat up a bit straighter and said with a light smile, "It's nothing. Just a Tiger-level monster. If we encounter a Demon-level monster, we might be able to capture it for you too, Mr. Hyuga."
"Haha, then I'll look forward to your next visit, Miss Fubuki. Here is the company's detailed price list for monster acquisition. Please take a look, Miss Fubuki."
After speaking, Hyuga Mirai handed Hell's Fubuki a monster report. It had detailed descriptions of various monsters: natural monsters vs. acquired monsters, ability-type monsters vs. brawler-type monsters, humanoid monsters vs. beast-type monsters. Each had a different price, but all were much better than the Hero Association's.
"According to our company's pricing, the price for that Tiger-level wild boar monster outside is 6.7 million yen. Miss Fubuki, do you have any questions?"
Hell's Fubuki looked at the computer Hyuga Mirai handed her. It listed the wild boar monster's classification, ability description, and even its approximate weight, finally arriving at this price.
"No problem. The price is very reasonable."
Hell's Fubuki barely contained her joy. It was nearly double the Hero Association's price. It seemed she would have to capture monsters alive and send them here in the near future. As for hero points, those could wait. The Fubuki Group's official car was the most important thing.
Then, Hyuga Mirai handed over a contract and smiled, "Then the deal is done. Miss Fubuki, leave a bank account, and the money will be transferred within half an hour. By the way, Miss Fubuki, would the Fubuki Group be interested in a long-term cooperation with Future Capsule Company, just like the Tanktop Army?"
(End of chapter)