CRACK!
The sky above H City shattered like glass.
A blinding aurora burst outward, sweeping across the entire city in an instant.
"WHIRR—! BOOM!"
In the next second, all the micro-drones that had been recording the battle disintegrated mid-air, crushed under the force of Fenric's shockwave.
…
A City — Hero Association Headquarters
Inside the grand conference room, the display screen suddenly went black.
The high-ranking executives stared at it in confusion.
"Huh? What's going on? Why did the feed cut out?"
"It must've been the shockwave from his punch— it destroyed all the recording drones!"
"The punch wind alone did that?! Those drones are made of high-density alloy!"
"That's… godlike strength. Can a human even possess that kind of power?"
"Hey, forget the drones! Didn't you see? That monster — the Elder Centipede — regenerated again!"
Someone laughed lightly. "Regenerated or not, it doesn't matter. Against someone like that man, even if the Centipede comes back ten times, it'll still die ten times!"
The fear that had filled the room moments ago began to fade, replaced by astonishment and reverence.
Another voice added, "I just wonder… can he really destroy it completely?"
"I believe he can," said one official quietly. "To be honest… I'm starting to think that man might be a god sent to save humanity."
The room buzzed with conversation.
With the video feed gone, their curiosity grew even more intense. Every eye eventually turned to the man seated at the head of the table—Mr. Agoni.
"Mr. Agoni," a government officer asked respectfully, "can you tell us who this hero really is?"
Agoni's expression softened into a proud smile.
In truth, his heart was pounding with excitement. He had never imagined that the man known as Mundo would turn out to be this powerful — powerful enough to annihilate what humanity once considered unstoppable!
At this point, if anyone dared say Mundo wasn't the number-one S-Class hero, Agoni would fight them himself!
Such a trump card—such a being—was the very glory of the Hero Association!
Agoni could already see the future.
After today, when this battle became known to the public, the Hero Association's status would soar beyond imagination. It would no longer just be an organization — it would become a symbol of hope for all mankind!
The appearance of Mundo was nothing short of a gift from heaven!!
"Cough!"
Agoni coughs to ease his excitement. He rose to his feet, voice firm and dignified.
"Everyone," he declared, "the man who defeated that monstrous Kaijin is the very hero who once saved my grandson. The reason I founded the Hero Association… is because of heroes like him!"
He paused dramatically, his words resonating through the room.
"My hope," Agoni continued, "is that through the Hero Association, more heroes like him will rise — to protect humanity from the horrors that plague our world!"
The statement hit home. The executives looked at one another, their expressions shifting from skepticism to respect.
By framing it this way, Agoni had subtly bound Fenric's name to the very foundation of the Hero Association. From this day forward, Fenric and the Association would be inseparable.
Anyone who spoke of heroes would also speak of the man who felled the Elder Centipede with a single punch.
The government officials exchanged serious looks. Moments ago, they had viewed the Hero Association as a trivial private organization. But now, with such a being involved, none of them dared take it lightly.
Even if the Association only had one hero—that one—who in the world would dare defy it?
Agoni had just secured humanity's strongest backing!
…
Moments Later
Just as the room filled with praise and flattery, the doors burst open.
An assistant rushed in, pale and breathless.
Agoni's expression darkened. "Who allowed you to interrupt a meeting like this? Such rudeness!"
"I-I'm sorry, President," the assistant stammered, but continued urgently, "something huge just happened outside! Someone appeared at the entrance of the building… carrying the head of a Gigantic Centipede!"
"What?!"
Agoni froze, stunned.
The rest of the room erupted in gasps.
In mere moments, realization dawned on everyone.
The monster had been defeated by that man!
And now—he had brought its head back himself!?
But wait—H City was more than thirty minutes away by plane!
It had been less than five minutes since the screen went dark.
Such speed… was terrifying beyond reason!
Agoni slammed his palms on the table. "Quick! Let's go welcome him!"
He practically sprinted from the room, so excited that even if his ancestors had risen from the grave, he wouldn't have moved faster.
The other executives wasted no time, following right behind him.
After all, they were about to meet the man who had just saved humanity!
…
Outside the Hero Association Headquarters
When they arrived at the main entrance, they were met with chaos — but not from panic.
Crowds of citizens had already gathered.
And there, lying in the plaza before the building, was something enormous.
A gigantic severed head, the size of a house.
Its exoskeleton gleamed dark green, its massive mandibles frozen in a death snarl.
The head of the Elder Centipede.
"Holy Cow… what kind of monster is that?!"
"It's enormous! Look at those teeth!"
"I think I heard that H City was destroyed years ago by a centipede monster like this… Could this be the same one?"
"It's bigger than my entire apartment complex…"
"The monster's terrifying—but the man who killed it must be even scarier!"
"Is he here to become a hero too?"
The crowd was abuzz, filled with awe and disbelief.
Then someone shouted, "Look! It's Mr. Agoni, the rich founder of the Hero Association!"
"Yeah, and those behind him—those are top officials! They're all here to welcome that man!"
…
Agoni rushed ahead, his face lit with exhilaration as he spotted Fenric standing beside the massive head.
There he was—calm, composed, and radiant beneath the sun.
A true hero!
"Mr. Mundo!!"
Agoni hurried forward and bowed deeply, his voice trembling with excitement and respect.
"You've done it! You've truly saved us all. Thank you—for protecting humanity!"
His words echoed through the plaza.
For a moment, the world seemed to stand still—then, like a wave, the entire crowd erupted in thunderous cheers.
"OOOOHHHH!!!"