This technique for dealing with giant insect monsters wasn't Johnson's original creation; Tatsumaki had used it before in A-City. Now copying it proved highly effective.
The key advantage was disposal efficiency — the resulting small cube could be buried anywhere and considered dealt with, taking up minimal space.
In an instant, the monster was compressed into a cube. The 170,000-Year-Old Cicada Larva was defeated, never to rise again.
Johnson's Stand ability captured the monster's dissipating soul, and a purple card etched with the howling insect beast fell into his hand.
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARD: 170,000-Year-Old Cicada Larva
CARD TYPE: Character Card — Monster
RARITY: SR
┌─ SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ─┐
A member of the monster insect family, a giant insect-type monster with a Demon-level disaster rating.
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — SUPER SUCTION ─┐
Prey struck by its mouthparts will be instantly broken down and drained dry.
┌─ SECONDARY FUNCTION — EXCESSIVE GROWTH ─┐
Any consumed food becomes nutrients, allowing its body to grow endlessly without limitation.
╚══════════════════════╝
"Such a massive body and it's still just a larva — the way insects mutate into monsters in this world is truly ridiculous."
Johnson thought about the Elder Centipede and Sage Centipede who would appear later, each with more exaggerated proportions than the last. Feeling the weight of his responsibilities, he casually decomposed the Monster purple card to use for attribute points.
╔══════════════════════╗
║ Constitution +10, +10, +10... ║
╚══════════════════════╝
"Huh?"
This time, the satisfying feeling from the point allocation was brief, disappearing after just a few breaths.
Johnson recalled that after gaining complete spider superpowers, his physical capabilities had reached a new level, making regular N-Grade Attribute Cards ineffective.
Now it seemed that even Demon-level Monsters as enhancement materials provided only limited strengthening benefits.
Yare yare, the grind just got harder.
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Inside the shelter.
Thanks to the armor and protective devices installed outside, the tremendous noise from monster attacks was reduced to mere faint vibrations.
The people trapped inside stared at the occasionally trembling ceiling, their emotions rising and falling with each vibration.
After some time, the rumbling from outside gradually ceased. A bored black-haired young man in the corner suddenly looked up, "Hm? Did the noise outside stop?"
Hearing this, others quickly realized the same thing.
"It seems so!"
"It's true, we haven't felt any vibrations for a while!"
"Does that mean the monster has been eliminated?"
While everyone was discussing, the overhead broadcast began announcing:
"Breaking news: the suspected Demon-level disaster that appeared in Z-City has been repelled by A-Class Rank 30 'Super Cop'. Z-City has now returned to safety. We thank the Hero for his contribution!"
"Breaking news..."
The Hero Association's broadcast echoed throughout Z-City, and promotional advertisements appeared on large screens inside each shelter.
On screen, Johnson wore a smart, crisp police uniform with rolled-up sleeves. His fists blazed with azure flames as he struck a hideously-faced Lizard Monster with phantom-like speed.
Next, the scene changed to showcase various monsters Johnson had defeated, including the A-City Crane Monster — which was actually eliminated by Tatsumaki.
Though the promotional footage clearly came from ordinary street surveillance cameras, post-production technology had restored sharp details of every battle moment. Combined with top-tier music and editing, it gave viewers the feeling of watching an action-packed blockbuster.
"Woah! Is that a new Hero? He's so cool!"
"He can control lightning — another superhuman Hero!"
"So powerful, defeating monsters with his bare hands!"
"Of course! He debuted directly as an A-Class Hero, so he must be strong!"
"I wonder if that giant insect outside was killed the same way?"
Shhh—
With the sound of an airlock, the shelter doors opened.
The people, seeing daylight again, were overcome with immense joy. Some excitedly ran toward the exit, while others raised their phones to capture images of Johnson pummeling the Lizard Monster on screen.
In the sponsor's words, Johnson's popularity was rapidly monetizing — most of the rescued citizens spontaneously became his fans.
While everyone rushed to leave, the black-haired young man who had initially seemed most eager to exit now lingered behind.
He watched the screen displaying "Super Cop Johnson's" Hero information, slowly stood up, and stretched, "So it was Johnson, he did a great job."
Suddenly, his expression changed as he clutched his stomach.
"Something's wrong! My stomach can't hold on — I need to find a bathroom quickly."
With that, he zipped through the crowd, becoming the first to rush out of the shelter exit.
"Wow! What a strong wind!"
"Who pushed me? How rude!"
A gap opened in the crowded mass as the black-haired youth sped away.
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
In the sky, Johnson also heard the Hero Association's broadcast.
"So my official Hero name is 'Super Cop'?" He pondered for a moment before accepting it, "At least it's better than that chuunibyou 'Lightning Max', and definitely better than 'Caped Baldy', hmm..."
A figure sprinting below caught his attention — familiar worn-out tracksuit, superhuman speed.
"Isn't that Saitama!"
Just as he thought of greeting him, he watched as the guy dove into a relatively intact public toilet amid the ruins.
"Uh..." Johnson immediately withdrew all his psychic energy that had been spread outward, fearing he might pick up some unpleasant sensations.
He had initially wanted to invite the guy for a meal after not seeing him for several days, but now he reconsidered.
"Maybe next time."
Besides, from that guy's perspective, they'd just had hotpot together yesterday.
But as it turned out, some things can't be avoided.
"John—son—I'm... right... here~"
Just as he turned to fly away, Johnson's body froze.
This damn guy — had he trained his bathroom speed too?
"What a coincidence..." Johnson landed, carefully observing Saitama's hands from a distance.
Hmm, very clean. Too clean. Which meant he hadn't washed them.
He silently took two more steps back, "By the way, why were you in the shelter?"
"Well, it's a long story..." Saitama froze, his expression growing somewhat embarrassed.
Being confined in a shelter with no way to escape, unable to fight monsters — this was something he would absolutely never admit.
Especially to Johnson, who knew about his heroic aspirations — it would be too humiliating.
"Let's not talk about that." Johnson said, thinking of the "Limiter Fragment" that this future baldy always drops and that had once cleared out his card inventory, "I'm planning to have a barbecue on my balcony tonight. Want to join?"
"Eh, barbecue?" Saitama scratched his head, looking tempted, "But didn't we just have hotpot yesterday..."
Psychically catching a suddenly materialized Limiter Fragment card, Johnson maintained his composure, "Today it's my treat. Just tell me if you're coming or not."
"Sure, sure!"
Johnson pointed toward the bathroom, "Then go wash your hands."
"Ah, you noticed... Actually, I was just in a hurry. I'm usually very hygienic!" Saitama's expression stiffened, "But is washing hands really such an important thing?"
✱✱✱
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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