The warm lights of the convenience store were left behind as Lin Mo and Saitama's figures stretched long and thin under the streetlights on the cool street.
The night wind carried a hint of chill, ruffling Saitama's slightly comical white cape.
"Speaking of which, that store clerk was really enthusiastic," Saitama said, his words muffled as he took a bite of a freshly bought meat bun.
"It's my first time being asked for an autograph so formally; I feel a bit embarrassed."
Lin Mo carried a plastic bag full of snacks, which swayed gently with his steps, making a rustling sound.
He smiled, not responding.
He himself couldn't tell how much of that "enthusiasm" was directed at his title as "The Strongest Man on Earth, Mr. KING," and how much was out of respect for the hero profession itself.
"But, Mr. KING, the way you paid was really cool," Saitama added, his tone very sincere.
"Next time there's a big sale at the supermarket, let's go together again. I'll definitely remember to bring my wallet then."
"Alright," Lin Mo replied briefly.
For him, it didn't matter who paid; after all, by now, they were no longer short of money.
The two walked side by side, crossing an intersection.
The surrounding pedestrians gradually thinned out, with only a few vehicles passing by, and the city's hustle and bustle settled into the deep night.
Just as they were about to turn into another street, a figure blocked their path.
It was a woman, dressed in a black long dress with a high slit, her dark green curly hair looking a bit disheveled in the night wind.
She was still covered in some dust, the edges of her beautiful skirt were even torn, and her face showed unconcealed fatigue and paleness.
Her emerald green eyes had lost their usual sparkle, staring blankly into the distance, filled with an undeniable confusion.
It was Hellish Blizzard.
On both sides of the street, traces of battle were still clearly visible.
Twisted guardrails, cracked ground, and Monster remains scattered everywhere.
Saitama clearly didn't recognize her. He just looked at the Monster corpses strewn about, then at her, and asked very naturally:
"Ah… do you need help?"
Hellish Blizzard heard the movement and slowly turned her head.
Her gaze was first drawn to that extremely conspicuous, reflective bald head under the streetlight.
"You are… the newly promoted S-Class Hero 'Caped Baldy'?"
Hellish Blizzard exclaimed in surprise.
She was deeply impressed by this mysterious bald man, whose battle record was unclear but who had soared like a rocket from the bottom of A-Class and quickly risen to S-Class.
The Hero Association's data on him was scarce, only stating that he possessed immeasurable destructive power.
But soon, her gaze was drawn to the tall figure behind Saitama.
The man who, simply by standing there, exuded an unfathomable oppressive aura—s-class rank 6, the strongest man on earth, Mr. KING.
——————
Not long ago.
The Monster Association's Do-S attacked this city, using her mind-controlling whip to capture the entire Blizzard Group, turning them into puppets to attack Hellish Blizzard.
Her older sister, Terrible Tornado, sensed Hellish Blizzard was in danger and descended from the sky, taking control of the battle with absolute power.
But after the rescue, came Terrible Tornado's disdain.
"Ganging up is something only weaklings need to do!"
"Your strength belongs only to you; these small fry will only be a burden!"
"Give up your B-Class Hero club, Hellish Blizzard!"
Terrible Tornado's words, as sharp as knives, still echoed in Hellish Blizzard's mind.
Again and again, they tore apart the self-esteem and beliefs she had painstakingly built, leaving them in tatters.
Her "Blizzard Group," which she had always been so proud of—a way of survival that united all B-Class Heroes to counter stronger threats—seemed so ridiculous and vulnerable in the face of her sister's absolute power.
She was lost.
Was she really wrong?
Was forming the "Blizzard Group" and uniting companions a dead end from the very beginning?
She couldn't get an answer to this question from anyone.
Most A-Class Heroes were lone wolves who looked down on her organization; B-Class Heroes couldn't understand her predicament of being B-Class rank 1 yet unwilling to advance.
And her sister was the root of this problem.
After much thought, perhaps only one person in the entire hero world could stand at the same, or even higher, pinnacle as her sister and give her an answer.
That was Mr. KING.
A man who belonged to no faction, who stood at the pinnacle of all heroes by his own strength, and was hailed as "the strongest man on earth."
His strength was something even Terrible Tornado had to acknowledge, and even felt a faint sense of dread towards.
His words must carry weight.
"Mr. KING."
Hellish Blizzard took a deep breath, bowed slightly, her voice carrying a barely perceptible tremor.
She didn't spare Saitama another glance, her entire attention focused on Mr. KING.
"I have… a question that I absolutely must ask you."
"Oh?" Lin Mo withdrew his gaze from the Monster corpses and turned to look at her.
He could feel the intense fluctuations in her emotions.
"Thump… thump… thump…"
Lin Mo's heartbeat, which was the terrifying "Emperor Engine" to the outside world, faintly echoed on the quiet street.
The sound wasn't loud, but it struck Hellish Blizzard's heart like a heavy hammer, adding a sense of gravity to the tense atmosphere.
Hellish Blizzard felt a tremendous pressure envelop her.
In front of this strongest man on earth, she felt that all her pride, and even her inner confusion, had nowhere to hide, seen clearly by those deep eyes.
She bit her lower lip, finally pouring out the long-held confusion in her heart:
"Mr. KING, relying on companions, forming one's own team… is this behavior truly… meaningless?"
Her voice grew softer and softer, filled with self-doubt.
"I have always believed that an individual's power is limited. Even heroes need the support and cooperation of companions to deal with various complex situations."
"So, I established the 'Blizzard Group,' hoping to unite everyone's strength…"
She looked up, her emerald eyes glistening with moisture, stubbornly looking at Mr. KING: "So, I want to ask you, Mr. KING."
"As someone who stands at the pinnacle of all heroes, do you also believe that only one's own strength is the only true thing?"
"Is the path I have insisted on… wrong from the very beginning?"
This was a heavy question; it challenged Hellish Blizzard's foundation as a hero.
Saitama, listening beside them, only half-understood. He scratched his bald head and whispered to Lin Mo:
"Is she asking if it's better to team up or solo in a game?"