The crowd went rabid after Clayman finished his sentence.
"Says you! You called him a mean name!""You're a hypocrite!""That's fat-shaming, loser!"
Clayman burst a vein from their replies.
At that point, it was now a contest of who could scream at each other louder.
Clayman stomped his feet on the ground, creating a massive earthquake that shut everyone up. "Don't you dare call me a hypocrite! You guys are the losers that lick heroes' asses—
One of the heroes in front of him stopped him. "How about you stop screaming like a toddler and face us heroes instead?!" The hero, who was wearing a karate attire, took a defensive stance and shouted.
"I, B-class hero, rank 35, Karate Kid, will take you down!"
. . .
Clayman tilted his head. Even without a face, he looked a little confused. "Aren't you like... a middle-aged dude? And isn't that name from—
"S-shut up! I just wanted to pop up on the search bar so I could get some popularity points! It's a common tactic used by every hero!" the hero retaliated.
. . .
Is everyone even taking this seriously? Ferris questioned with a poker face.
. . .
Clayman went silent before raising his left hand. "Very well. Thank me later, because you'll be popular on the internet by tomorrow." He clenched his fist—except his pinky finger.
Karate Kid exclaimed in anger, "Hey! Take this fight seriously, will you?!"
Clayman shrugged.
"You're a B-class hero and I'm a Dragon-level villain. I'm not the kind of beast that would go all out against a mere rabbit."
Quite honorable. Ferris raised one of his brows, questioning if this person was even a villain. Especially since he still didn't detect any killing or murderous intent from Clayman.
Karate Kid clicked his tongue. "Fine! My blessing allows me to react at high speeds. You won't—
Poke.
In a flash, Clayman blitzed the B-class hero and went behind Karate Kid before poking his pinky finger and launching the hero into a nearby jewelry store, breaking the display glass in the process.
The crowd screamed in terror.
"Kyaaaa! He killed him!" someone shouted.
No, he didn't.
I've had my fair share of duels with other strong people. That wasn't a blow that carried the killing intent needed to kill someone. Ferris crossed his arms.
"Any more?" Clayman looked at the other heroes menacingly, but surprisingly, the heroes did not back down. "Big balls, huh? I'll crush 'em good—
"Please don't do that..."
A woman's voice came in from the distance. Ferris immediately turned his poker face from before into a face of disbelief.
It was either that this was his first day in a new body, or that he was too ingrained with that 100-dollar bill he received. But he immediately slapped himself for not remembering and recognizing her!
The man making fun of Clayman before stepped out from the crowd and into the streets, then screamed.
"Holy shit! It's the S-class hero!"
Layley Argyle
S-Class Hero – Rank 7:
Firefly
Blessing:
Saṃsāra
"I'm your biggest fan! Notice me!" All of a sudden, the man ripped his shirt off to reveal a limited edition Firefly fan T-shirt underneath.
He continued screaming into the night sky. One could mistake him for a barking and howling dog.
No one is normal... Ferris lampooned.
"Finally, I was waiting for you. Now—" Clayman suddenly tightened his muscles, revealing a complex weave of highly defined fibers that constantly twitched and pumped.
Firefly appeared and was walking in the center of the street, still in the same clothes Ferris once saw her in.
"Wait a minute... why are you wearing a college uniform?" Clayman eased a little.
Layley laughed. "It's busy being a hero. I had to cram my classes into the midnight." She then stopped a good distance in front of Clayman.
Clayman shook a little. "Classes in the middle of the night... the world is too cruel. But regardless...
"Let's settle the score!"
He went into a combat stance and released a massive essence wave—and something that Ferris was expecting.
What a powerful lust for blood! With his highly trained instincts, it felt as if he was being ripped apart from the highly focused aura.
So this is the strength of a Dragon-level villain...
***
Felix peacefully stuffed his mouth in the cafeteria along with other knights.
Beside him, Yaromech was also near finishing his plate. "Felix, fetch your teacher more grub," he showed him his empty plate and dirty utensils.
Felix only glared at him.
"Tsk, I didn't teach you bloodlust," his teacher pouted and sucked on the fork that still had some meaty bits.
Slam!
The gentle giant that he once hugged to survive the night suddenly appeared at the cafeteria doorway with a lively expression.
"Brothers and sisters, I have brought good news!" He raised a scroll and jumped high into the air.
He then slammed on top of Felix's table.
Why on my table specifically...
"Ahem." He unfurled the scroll and gathered everyone's attention.
"This report just came through today. It states that..."
He purposely held his breath, but it only made Felix slightly more annoyed since this was his table.
"Due to the prophecy coming soon, all kingdoms and empires have agreed to a cooperation treaty! All races have agreed to work together! All the dragons have agreed to provide their support!"
It's as if everyone went into a frenzy, that the cafeteria suddenly erupted into chaos.
Yaromech had his mouth agape. "No way... Are you for real, the dragons?" He turned his attention to Felix, who had a confused expression.
"Jeez, are you from the countryside?" Yaromech said, covering his mouth as if Felix harbored a disease.
The dragons are beings that are much older compared to the other races. Even the long-lived society of elves were a mere child race in their eyes.
Hyper-intelligent and hyper-powerful. They were as close as the gods themselves. They were the protectors of their planet.
If they happened to fancy a mansion's courtyard, the kingdom that harbored the mansion now belonged to the dragon!
If they were building a nest, and the location just happened to house a great city, then that city must defect and serve the dragon!
That's how much authority they had.
And they were the same beings who had agreed to cooperate with the lesser species of this world.
"That's what a dragon is." Yaromech pointed his fork at his student who seemed to be out of space. "um... Felix?"
A dragon, huh? Could I beat it... Felix sucked on his spoon in deep thought.
His teacher began to worry. "If you're thinking what I'm thinking, then it's stupid."
"Why?" Felix asked.
"You see, only 1st Layer Knights can match a dragon's power... and there has never been one for over a thousand years. Even the Empire's greatest knight is at the mere 3rd Layer," Yaromech sulked.
"Watch me, I'll make you proud." Felix dashed his head away.
"This punk..." His teacher gripped the fork he was holding.
***
These are the dragons of this world!
The fanboy continued cheering. "She's gonna do it! She's gonna do it, I'm so lucky!"
The crowd also cheered, supporting the blessed presence of an S-Rank hero.
Suddenly, Firefly raised her right arm toward Clayman.
A mix of teal and blue flames appeared out of thin air and wrapped around her forearm to reveal a strange silver device with a long slit in the center.
The crowd cheered even more, leaving Ferris dumbfounded.
Could it be that this body is a fan of hers? As much as I want to remember how her blessing worked, I can't.
It's as if his body wanted to experience that dopamine rush once again, like rewatching his favorite movie all over again.
After the device was revealed, she quickly did a cool pose!
. . .
And another cool pose!
And another!
The crowd loves it!
. . .
That's more embarrassing than me kneeling! Why does everyone like it... Ferris pressed his lips together, but his body couldn't help but think.
It is cool, though.
The symbol of a hero—just the presence alone made everyone's worries vanish in an instant.
A true knight.
Layley raised her left arm up high. The flames appeared and converged to form a glowing card that depicted a blazing firefly.
I feel like something crazy will happen. He couldn't help but redden his cheeks in excitement.
Suddenly, Firefly slid the card into her gadget. Sparks and flames appeared, and a piercing screech echoed in everyone's ears.
. . .
TRANSFORM!
Flames erupted around Firefly, covering her entire body in a blaze that seemed to roar in fury.
But there was one thing Ferris was curious about. Clayman didn't attack during her transformation... There must be more to this than I thought.
But regardless of the truth behind this—
Damn it, I wish I was that cool. Ferris clicked his tongue.
The flames dispersed, revealing an iron mecha with insect motifs.
She was now only a bit shorter than Clayman.
Golden streams of fire smoothly and elegantly danced through the crevices of the suit, giving her a certain aura that could inspire millions at first glance.
Along with her display—
Such power... But will it be enough to defeat the dragon?
A robotic voice emerged from the suit. "Let's take this elsewhere."
And then—
They disappeared.
Ferris sighed. As expected. There's no way I could even perceive them in this body.
It took me 19 years to become a 1st Layer Knight. And I barely defeated Jörmungandr.
And these dragon-level villains are at least close to 1st Layer Knights.
How long will it take me? To return to my old strength?
Ferris clenched his fist. No, my old strength isn't enough.
Something beyond the 1st Layer veil—a single period that represents the heart itself.
While in thought, Nuriel suddenly noticed the dark streets glowing in an orange hue.
He looked up to see a shooting star coming near his direction.
Boom!
Firefly emerged victorious, holding the severed head of Clayman in display toward the crowd, who were completely speechless.
Half a minute.
That was 30 seconds.
It only took Firefly 30 seconds to defeat Clayman!
Ferris's heart sank. I've overestimated myself...
She's a...
Monster.