The air in the café was rich with freshly ground beans and the warm sweetness of just-baked pastries—comfort itself.
Tucked in a quiet corner of the city, the café was one of Lin Mo's few sanctuaries.
It was also his favorite place since crossing into this world: everyone minded their own business.
He'd ordered snacks and drinks and was waiting for Saitama—he'd picked this spot specifically to avoid rabid fans interrupting them.
Saitama hadn't arrived yet. The lava cake and strawberry parfait still misted with cool air. Lin Mo, meanwhile, was locked on his laptop, fingers rattling the keys.
"On the first page of the Book of Sages, the prophecy reads… 'When night devours the last light, tofu sealed in absolute frost shall become the holy instrument of judgment.'"
"Hmm… Using frozen tofu as the final weapon—is that a bit much?" he muttered.
"Eh, this isn't meant for the masses. I'll write what makes me happy." He shifted in his chair and dove back into fantasy.
He didn't know a killing intent was quietly coiling beneath the calm.
Not far away, a man with a scar slashing his face and gold-rimmed glasses watched Lin Mo from the corner of his eye.
He was the team leader of the Good Day Group's elite unit, "Night Owl." Codename: Professor.
"We're a top-tier kill team. Even pro heroes aren't a problem. Hit from a blind spot, then finish with a single strike."
Using a mic in his collar, he issued commands to his scattered team.
"Remember the plan. Team A creates a distraction from his blind spot. Teams B and C rush from both flanks with custom alloy blades. One strike, kill. Don't give the King Engine time to spin up!"
He calculated fast. "The fact that he came to such a quiet place is good. Easier extraction…"
"Entrances and exits are sealed. This is the moment."
He took a deep breath, smothered his nerves, and slowly lowered his newspaper. The café air seemed to freeze.
At that split second, Lin Mo, eyes still on his screen, spoke—softly, but every team member heard him.
"Brought quite a crowd, didn't you? How foolish. No matter how many times, how many men—the result won't change."
Lightning shot through Night Owl's collective spine.
We've been made!? The Professor's pupils pin-pricked. Cold sweat soaked his shirt.
How? Did he sense our killing intent? Is this the realm of S-Class!?
Lin Mo's hands never paused. He'd just written that line for his game's hero, and was rather pleased with the vibe.
"Yeah, the hero should grow stronger the more he's outnumbered. Unfazed before armies—that's cool…"
The Professor stared at Lin Mo's back and re-assessed. "No… from his posture, he hasn't pegged everyone's position."
He smirked suddenly. "I get it—he's worried about collateral damage. That's our advantage…"
Just then, King's voice again—
"Let me show you what true despair is…"
Lin Mo took a long pull on his drink. "This line with the final boss KO CG will be hype."
"I even toned down the final numbers so Saitama won't get stomped."
His melon soda was running low, so he stood to get a refill—walking right past the Professor's table.
"He's on the move!"
Hearts leaped into throats. The Professor felt ice shoot up his spine; sweat ran down his temple.
He knows my position! And he's walking straight at me!
Muscles coiled; his hand gripped the knife under the table.
One step. Two steps. Lin Mo drew closer. Just as the Professor considered flipping the table, Lin Mo breezed right past him and went to the counter.
"Whew…" The Professor sagged, strength pouring out. His back was soaked.
"What? No more melon soda?" Lin Mo eyed the empty dispenser, disappointed.
The cashier bowed slightly. "One moment, sir. We have more in the back—I'll fetch it."
She jogged through the rear door.
To Night Owl, the scene meant something else entirely.
"He sent the staff to the back to take shelter!?"
"He's… he's set to engage… That bastard King!"
Fear spread through the squad. Finally, the long-haired killer lurking near the restroom couldn't take it.
"Damn it! Everyone's quaking! Even the Captain!" he raged internally.
"What's there to fear? It's just King! If I take him out here, my name will thunder through the underworld. My status will soar!"
Ambition beat fear. Madness glinted in his eyes. He shot to his feet and turned—ready to blitz King's back—
Only to find that King had somehow already turned around, calm eyes staring at him through lens-less frames.
Crushing pressure slammed down. His earlier bravado evaporated, leaving only terror.
"Damn… it's… the King Engine! This is bad…" His leaden legs wouldn't move.
Lin Mo, meanwhile, was baffled. Why is this guy blocking the restroom? Guarding the door?
Wait… the "excited" look—don't tell me he's a fan?
He adjusted his lens-less glasses, surprised. That's bad.
If he realizes I'm a regular here, I'll never have peace again.
The long-hair saw the hand-to-glasses motion and, from his angle, took it as the prelude to an attack.
He gritted his teeth and went all in, reaching into his jacket to draw his custom gun.
Lin Mo saw the reaching motion and looked enlightened.
"Ah! I knew it," he thought. "He's pulling out a notebook and pen for an autograph!"
No way. Absolutely not. If I sign here and make a scene, other customers will notice. Then this sanctuary is gone!
Lin Mo moved instantly.
He strode forward, and before the man could pull the "autograph book," Lin Mo clamped his hand over the reaching wrist and lowered his voice, sincere as he could make it:
"Today… can you pretend you didn't see me?"
-------
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