The Hero Association Headquarters building in City A.
Twelve high-ranking Association officials sat around a conference table.
"Licenseless Rider maintains C-Class Rank 1," a staff member in a suit reported to the Hero Association executives, looking at the document in his hand.
"Alright, contact him immediately," a switchboard operator sighed quietly, recording the information.
"Seriously, why doesn't he want to be promoted to B-Class?" a bald executive complained.
"Then let's move on to the next topic."
"For the 55th Hero Rating Test, the total number of participants was 11,684, an increase of 22% from the previous session," a female executive wearing glasses reported on the work situation.
Everyone in the conference room smiled upon hearing this data.
"It's too early to be happy; a large number of participants but low quality of Heroes will still be meaningless in the end," the bald executive poured cold water on everyone in the conference room.
"This year's testing process must be more stringent, and furthermore, we should re-evaluate the rank of A-Class Hero Allen," the bald executive said, looking at William, the blonde supervisor, who was the one who discovered Allen.
William pushed up his glasses: "You all know about the recent events, right? The Dragon-Level disaster in City Z."
"According to the on-site report, Allen, Bang, and the Bald Cape Hero jointly prevented the meteorite from falling."
William pulled up the surveillance footage, "Allen enveloped most of the meteorite fragments, which reduced the widespread damage to City Z."
"Now, some people have already changed his title to the Z-City Watchman," William paused after speaking, then took out a USB drive and inserted it into the computer.
"And just yesterday, this Z-City Watchman completely destroyed the House of Evolution Base, which the Association had been secretly observing, leaving no trace behind."
William pulled up the surveillance footage, pointing at the screen and saying, "According to the on-site investigation, the entire Evolution House Base was compressed into powder. This destructive power has already far exceeded A-Class and even the level of some S-Class Heroes."
"So I propose promoting Allen to S-Class Hero Rank 17," William's sharp gaze swept over everyone.
"I agree," the bald executive was the first to raise his hand.
"His strength has indeed reached S-Class standards; S-Class Heroes are for the capable."
Other executives also voiced their support. The female executive with glasses added, "According to the data, Allen's public approval rating in City Z is as high as 87%. Promoting him to S-Class will indeed help improve the Association's image."
William nodded with satisfaction: "Then it's a unanimous vote. Let's discuss other issues next."
The smile on his face instantly disappeared, and his expression became serious and solemn: "Just last night, a massive energy fluctuation suddenly emanated from the outskirts of City Z."
"Many citizens in the city were also awakened by this huge energy while sleeping peacefully. This is also one of the reasons why I need to immediately promote Allen to S-Class Hero; doing so will also help us calm the public."
William pulled up the satellite image, pointing at the bottomless giant pit on the screen: "According to energy detection, this energy has reached at least Dragon-Level disaster status."
"Our investigators also found some unknown dark red substance residue at the scene, which has extremely strong corrosive and mental polluting properties."
He pushed up his glasses, his tone heavy: "Preliminary judgment indicates that this may be a newly emerged Dragon-Level Monster."
The bald executive frowned: "Why has City Z been so eventful lately? First the meteorite, then the House of Evolution, and now a Dragon-Level Monster has appeared."
The female executive with glasses spoke up at this moment to remind everyone: "Don't forget our previous speculation."
William immediately looked at her: "You mean? Is someone really secretly forming an association for Monster?"
"Exactly," the female executive with glasses nodded.
"I suspect this energy fluctuation is a warning from them to us."
"Perhaps they want to completely occupy City Z as their paradise," William shared his speculation with everyone.
"Bang!" The bald executive slammed the table in anger.
"Darn Monster Association! I think these Monster are declaring war on us!"
William took a deep breath: "In any case, we must strengthen City Z's defensive capabilities. After Allen's promotion to S-Class, let him be responsible for the alert work in City Z's No Mans Land."
"This mission to investigate the mysterious Monster will also be entrusted to him. Arrange another S-Class Hero as his companion so they can assist each other if they encounter the mysterious Monster."
He looked at the old man sitting silently at the corner of the long table: "Chairman Sitch, I'm counting on you to coordinate with Allen."
Chairman Sitch slowly opened his eyes and nodded: "I understand. I'll notify him after the meeting."
"If there are no other matters, then the meeting is adjourned," Sitch suppressed the urge to yawn, looking at everyone.
Meanwhile, at the Hero Association City Z Branch lobby.
Allen and Genos arrived at the registration desk, and a staff member enthusiastically handed them a form.
"You can take the Hero test after filling this out," the staff member said.
After Genos diligently completed the form, he was led to the testing venue.
Allen waited in the reception room for Genos to finish his test, feeling a bit bored by the long wait.
"Ding! Ding! Ding!" Just then, Allen's phone suddenly rang.
He took out his phone from his pocket and saw it was a number from the Hero Association.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Allen, this is the Hero Association," a clear female voice came from the other end of the phone.
"In view of your excellent performance recently, the Association has decided to promote your Hero rank to S-Class Hero Rank 17."
"And the Association has an important mission to entrust to you."
Allen instantly became excited: "A mission? What level of Monster?"
The switchboard operator on the other end was stunned. Shouldn't he be more concerned about being promoted to S-Class Hero first?
The switchboard operator paused, then continued, "It's like this: regarding the investigation mission in City Z's No Mans Land."
"According to intelligence, that might be the source of frequent Monster appearances. As a Hero residing in the No Mans Land, you are most suitable to carry out this mission."
"We have detected unusual energy fluctuations in City Z recently. Please come to the Hero Association Headquarters building to collect confidential information."
"The specific situation still requires your on-site investigation. After completing the mission, the Association will provide a generous bonus."
"Okay, I understand," Allen hung up the phone, a hint of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Abnormal energy fluctuations that could alarm the Association meant that the opponent was likely a Dragon-Level Monster, or at least a Demon-Level. It was perfect, as he recently needed energy-rich substances for his Asura Mode evolution.
This mission came at just the right time!
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