Fubuki followed behind Johnson, speaking confidently.
"Hero teams are different, though. The diversity of team members can attract fans with varying interests, and by working together they can repel stronger monsters. Even during periods without hero activities, they can stay in the public eye through team member interactions.
This means team members can gain much more attention than solo heroes, bringing tremendous benefits to both fan base growth and hero rankings... Hey, would you slow down a bit!"
"It's time to go home, Miss."
Fubuki frowned and stopped in her tracks as Johnson's voice came from ahead.
"I'm not like you. I work two jobs every day and it's exhausting, so I won't be joining your Blizzard Group or whatever it is."
Fubuki wanted to curse.
Other police officers worked overtime until late at night, yet he skipped work at noon and still had the nerve to say he was tired?
Thinking about how her first recruitment attempt had failed, she couldn't help but clench her fists.
"I won't give up!"
"Suit yourself. I'm going home to sleep."
After turning two corners and sensing that Fubuki hadn't followed, Johnson breathed a sigh of relief.
That woman alone wasn't difficult to deal with, but behind her was an ultimate sister-complex green-haired loli!
Following the principle of avoiding trouble whenever possible, having Fubuki give up on her own was undoubtedly the best outcome.
A running figure huffed and puffed as it passed in front of Johnson, then shortly backed up, wiping sweat away with a towel.
"Good evening, Johnson."
"Oh, Saitama. Out for a night run?"
Saitama jogged in place, nodding, "I found a part-time job during the day, then had hero activities after work, so today's training got delayed. I won't keep you — need to get back to my run."
Johnson casually obtained a "Limiter Fragment" card and waved, "Alright, keep it up."
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The next day.
"Chief, we've received reports from citizens in the West District. The train station is under monster attack!"
"Got it. I'll head there right away."
Johnson hung up the phone, drank the last of his coffee, left a bill on the table with the coffee cup on top, and shot up into the sky.
"Mommy, look! It's Superman!"
"Sweetie, that's our Z-City hero, Super Cop."
"Huh! The one having breakfast here just now was a hero?"
"Damn it! The cup used by Super Cop is mine! Don't fight me for it!"
"That plate is mine!"
The waiter, pushed ten meters away by the swarming fans, was on the verge of tears. "You guys... the tip was for me!"
At the train station.
A high-speed air current tore through the clouds, leaving a distinct trail in the sky and arriving above the train station in the blink of an eye.
Below, a giant durian covered in spikes with human limbs was rampaging in the fruit street outside the train station.
"What right do humans have to slaughter fruits? Fruit lives matter too! Muahahahaha! I am the 'Durian Monster' who has awakened with a consciousness of resistance! As the nemesis of all fruits, you damned humans can all die! Die!"
In the sky, Johnson's mouth twitched at the sight.
While preaching about fighting for fruits, the monster's massive body was crushing other fruits in the store to pulp. Its body, covered in its "comrades' blood", emitted an enticing aroma.
A monster's logic truly defied understanding.
Perhaps because the durian monster lacked intimidation, many onlookers were simply durian enthusiasts. The citizens weren't particularly panicked; while shop owners fled for safety, others excitedly held up their phones, taking photos and videos.
Some were even discussing whether a durian-turned-monster could continuously produce fresh durian flesh — and if so, they'd want to capture one as a pet.
Just listen to that. Was that even human talk?
Johnson was embarrassed for them. Just as he prepared to descend and end this farce, a cold female voice reached his ears.
"Hell Storm—"
A psychic gale rose from nowhere, sweeping up debris and rebar from the monster's destruction. The tornado gained power as it formed, suddenly surging forward and enveloping the startled durian monster.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
Debris accelerated by Psychic Power to bullet-speed became lethal weapons, piercing through the monster's thick woody skin and embedding deep inside.
"Aaaaah—"
A miserable scream echoed from within the blue hurricane. As the hell storm gradually subsided, a rich durian aroma wafted through the street, making the nearby children nearly drool.
Durian Monster, deceased. Age: ten minutes.
Johnson's Stand ability passively captured the disappearing monster's soul, and a Monster N-Card materialized in his hand. This expired dog food had little value, so he casually tossed it into his card library, planning to collect a batch before breaking them down for enhancement.
Since Fubuki had taken out the monster first, Johnson didn't want to appear and compete for the spotlight — he hadn't actually done any work.
Having obtained the monster card, he prepared to leave immediately.
Just then, a cool female voice reached Johnson's ears, "Super Cop Johnson, I won this time!"
Below, Fubuki stood before the citizens surrounded by cameras. While skillfully handling reporters' questions, she used her Psychic Powers to transmit a message to Johnson with a hint of pride.
"If you don't want to lose your chance to appear before the public in the future, then obediently join the Fubuki... Group..."
"Heh, women." Johnson chuckled, shook his head, and flew away without hesitation.
Seeing the figure in the sky become a black dot and disappear, Fubuki's smile froze. She took a deep breath to calm herself down.
I, Fubuki, won't give up so easily! Just you wait!
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Several days passed.
Z-City had become the safest city; monsters were pulverized the moment they appeared by a certain non-resident psychic hero who rushed to each scene.
Even Saitama, upon meeting Johnson, couldn't help but remark that public security seemed much better than before.
Johnson hadn't been a bottom-tier C-Class hero since his debut and had never worried about attendance rates. Fubuki's only goal was to demonstrate her power while competing for achievements and media exposure.
Unfortunately, she chose the wrong opponent for her strategy. Johnson was happy to slack off, arriving only to collect the monster souls before leaving, never giving her a chance to speak.
Indeed, freeloading once feels good, but freeloading continuously feels even better.
After half a month, even Fubuki herself was confused.
This guy would arrive at the scene every time but never take action, hovering in the sky like an overseer hired by a capitalist, making her feel as if she were working for him.
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T/N: Favorite, comment and save to your library of best reads in the world, thank you for reading this far!
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