Allen's figure darted through the night, his black and red armor blending perfectly into the darkness.
According to his research, Tanktop Master often trained with his Tank-top Gang brothers in a dedicated gym.
"Ah~! Mm~! Harder! Keep pushing!" The gym was filled with a chorus of gasps and the air was thick with the smell of sweat.
The walls were plastered with motivational slogans from the Tank-top Gang, and in the corner, various sizes of dumbbells and barbell plates were neatly arranged.
In the brightly lit equipment area, a dozen muscular men were training with dumbbells.
A muscular man with short, light-blonde hair, built like an iron tower, stood in the center, most conspicuous.
He wore a dark blue tank top and was doing bicep curls with a custom-made giant barbell, sweat dripping down his muscular physique.
This strong man was S-Class Hero Rank 16, Tanktop Master (P.S.: When checking information, some sources say 15 and some say 16; here, we'll use the game and the second season's ranking of 16 when Garou encountered Tanktop Master).
"Bang, bang, bang."
Just then, there was a knock on the gym door.
Everyone looked over, curious who would come to the gym so late looking for them.
Could it be a Rookie wanting to join the Tank-top Gang?
"Please wait!" A Tank-top Gang member put down his dumbbell and walked towards the door.
When he pulled the door open, a figure completely covered in black and red bio-armor stood silently in the darkness, its crimson eyes glinting with a dangerous light.
"You... who are you?!" The Tank-top Gang member instinctively took two steps back.
A deep, hoarse voice came from under the armor: "Tell Tanktop Master to come out."
The gasps in the training room ceased abruptly.
Tanktop Master put down his barbell and walked over with a frown: "What's going on?"
When he clearly saw the figure at the door, his pupils suddenly contracted: "A Monster?"
Allen slowly raised his arm, covered in armor: "I heard you're an S-Class Hero who relies on physical strength.
I'd like to experience it."
Tanktop Master adopted a wary stance: "Visiting so late, I'm afraid it's not a simple spar, is it?"
He was a little confused.
It was the first time Tanktop Master had seen such a strange Monster, coming to find him late at night not to hurt people or cause destruction, but just to spar with him?
Allen didn't answer, just slowly raised his right hand and made a 'come on' gesture.
Tanktop Master rotated his shoulders: "Everyone, step back.
Let me handle this uninvited guest."
The Tank-top Gang members quickly retreated, clearing space for the two.
Tanktop Master clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking: "No matter who you are, if you dare to challenge the Tank-top Gang, be prepared to be taught a lesson!"
The corner of Allen's mouth under the armor curved slightly: "Just as I wished."
Before he finished speaking, his figure had already vanished from his original spot.
"So fast!" Tanktop Master's pupils constricted, and he instinctively crossed his arms to block his chest.
"Bang!"
With a muffled thud, Tanktop Master was knocked back several meters by the immense impact, his feet plowing two deep furrows into the gym floor.
"Such power!" Tanktop Master shook his slightly numb arms, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
Allen didn't give his opponent a chance to catch his breath and pressed forward again, though this time he deliberately slowed down so Tanktop Master could see his movements.
After all, Allen was genuinely here to spar, not to kill.
"Tanktop Grapple!" Tanktop Master roared, his muscles tensing, and he charged towards Allen with crossed arms, attempting to subdue him with brute force.
"There it is, Master's Tanktop Grapple! This move has defeated countless Monster to this day!" The surrounding Tank-top Gang members shouted excitedly.
"That troublemaking Monster is probably done for!"
Allen didn't dodge or evade, also crossing his arms to meet the attack.
"Boom!"
The moment the two immense forces collided, the entire gym shook, various training equipment toppled over, and a bit of dust fell from the ceiling.
Cold sweat trickled down Tanktop Master's forehead.
He felt as if his arms had collided with a steel wall, completely unable to budge his opponent!
"This... how is this possible!" Tanktop Master looked at the Armored Monster before him in disbelief.
"Big Brother, the situation seems a bit bad!" Tank-top Tiger was drenched in sweat.
Could Master really lose?
"Alright, little brother, prepare to bail!" Tank-top Blackhole frowned, shielding the others in front of him, ready to run at any moment.
Among the many Tank-top Gang members, Tank-top Doctor noticed something was wrong.
He looked at Allen, who was steadily gaining the upper hand, and without hesitation, immediately sent a request for support to the Hero Association.
[S-Class Hero Tanktop Master is under attack by a mysterious Monster, requesting support! Coordinates sent!]
"Now I just hope Master can hold on a little longer," Tank-top Doctor sighed helplessly.
In the arena, Allen slowly lowered his arms, adopting a relaxed posture: "Is this all the strength an S-Class Hero has?"
This remark thoroughly enraged Tanktop Master: "Don't underestimate me!"
He roared, his muscles rapidly expanding, his tank top stretched taut as if about to rip, and veins bulging on his right arm: "Tanktop--"
"Heavy Punch!!!" The Tank-top Gang members shouted in unison.
This strike carried his responsibility as the leader of the Tank-top Gang!
Tanktop Master's Heavy Punch, accompanied by a sharp sonic boom, struck towards Allen.
This punch condensed all his Tanktop power and his dignity as a hero!
"Bang!"
This punch, carrying terrifying momentum, landed squarely on Allen's armor-covered chest.
The violent attack on the armor produced a loud, metallic clang.
Allen was sent flying into the air by the blow.
"It hit! That bastard Monster is going to lose!" The Tank-top Gang members erupted in cheers, and even Tank-top Blackhole, who was hiding behind the others, stepped forward again.
Tank-top Doctor frowned.
How could such an attack on such hard armor not even produce a single spark?
This Monster was very unusual!
Tanktop Master couldn't be happy either; his expression had already turned grim because he clearly felt that his previous attack was like hitting cotton.
If the opponent was still completely unharmed, then he would have to tear his tank top to relieve the pressure on his upper body.
(P.S.: In the original work, when Tanktop Master was fighting the Dragon-Level Monster Heavy Smoker, it was described that he decided to slightly tear his tank top to relieve pressure on his upper body and maximize his lung capacity, but Flashy Flash's arrival solved Heavy Smoker, so he didn't tear his tank top.
The author saw some people in the comments confused about Tanktop Master tearing his tank top, so he specifically posted this explanation.)
(Although sometimes the author will modify a few things for the plot, most of the time the author will still consult various materials for reference and respects the original work.)
Just as Tanktop Master expected, Allen, who had endured the powerful attack, merely spun a few times in the air and completely dissipated the force.
He landed lightly on the ground, his armor surface still looking perfectly smooth.
Allen slowly raised his head, his crimson eyes fixed on Tanktop Master: "Is this your full power?"
The other party's face turned extremely ugly, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.
He looked down at his slightly trembling fists, his knuckles already red.
"This... this is impossible..." Tanktop Master muttered to himself.
His Tanktop Heavy Punch actually couldn't cause any damage to this Monster.
The Tank-top Gang members, who had just been celebrating their boss's defeat of the troublesome Monster, suddenly fell silent, their mouths agape, watching the scene in disbelief.
Seeing this, Tank-top Blackhole quietly retreated two more steps, once again shielding the others in front of him.
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