Heroes Return

"Mhm!" Thirteen nodded repeatedly after hearing Dave's words.

"You guys continue." Seeing Thirteen nod, Dave walked over to Xiao Zhan, who had just stood up not far away.

Then the man-eating plant continued to try to bite Thirteen, while Thirteen continued to resist the man-eating plant's big mouth with his hands... but the sound was indeed much quieter.

“It’s much quieter now.” Ivan said, looking at Loki. “Alright, now let’s continue this exciting battle in the rain! Ahahaha! I’m all fired up, ahahaha!! Get ready for my Blood-Burning Cosmo Explosion Punch! Ahahaha!! I love this name.”

As he spoke, Ivan prepared to deliver a heavy blow to Rocky, who had already lost the ability to move, but this time Ivan's raised fist did not fall.

It wasn't that Evan didn't want to throw the punch, but that he simply couldn't bring himself to do it. Just as Evan raised his fist, a fear that seemed to be etched into his very soul suddenly overwhelmed his entire body.

It wasn't just Ivan who felt this way; everyone present felt it. Torus, who had been lying on the ground, suddenly opened his eyes and looked around when he sensed this feeling, as if he had sensed something that terrified him deep down.

At this moment, Torus completely disregarded his injuries and frantically looked around. He didn't even react when he saw Ivan holding Loki to the side; he just kept looking around, turning around and looking at his surroundings.

"This familiar feeling! What is this feeling that seeps into my soul? What is coming? Ah!! Ahhhhh!!!!" Torus began to look around frantically and scream incessantly, his pupils contracting.

As an SS-class hero, Torus possesses an incredibly resilient will. He fears almost no enemy and is prepared to die at any moment. However, he still couldn't hide his shock at what was about to appear. Unlike any ability that amplifies primal human fear, this fear stemmed genuinely from the sheer power of the unknown. Even Torus, with his iron will, was momentarily overwhelmed by this impending sense of power, finding it hard to breathe.

Loki's previously dazed mind returned to normal at this moment. Unlike Torus, Loki's entire body stiffened when he sensed this terrifying aura.

Deep in his memory, he seemed to recall that power, that power that made him tremble—what was coming? Something was coming! That feeling deep within the consciousness of many resurfaced once more; it was a feeling that emanated from the soul, inexplicable, yet simply known.

At this moment, Dave also felt this sensation. His obese body immediately hid under the table. Although he didn't know what was coming, the terrifying feeling made him feel uneasy all over.

Even Xiao Zhan, who was wrestling with Dave, instinctively felt a powerful force about to arrive, like the deathly silence of the day before the apocalypse. Xiao Zhan sat motionless on the ground, large beads of sweat dripping from his face.

For Xiao Zhan, this was a feeling he had never experienced before. It was hard to describe. Although there was no mental pressure or aura of intimidation, everyone could feel it, as if his soul was sensing something powerful.

I can't quite put my finger on it, but I just know something's coming.

"Thirteen! You...you...you're amazing...what did you summon this time?" Xiao Zhan said to Thirteen with difficulty.

At this moment, Thirteen had been released by the man-eating flower. The man-eating flower beside him had lost its ferocity; its petals were completely closed, its thick leaves protecting its petals, and its whole body was trembling.

Thirteen was also trembling. At this moment, he felt suffocated. He kept looking around with a serious expression, and he didn't even hear what Xiao Zhan said.

……

The fighting both outside and inside the building fell silent at this moment, as if time had stopped.

At this moment, all the plants behaved just like those on the rooftop, as if the end of the world was about to befall them. Each plant curled up in a very human-like manner.

The superheroes stopped attacking at this moment. Each of them reacted differently. Some stood there blankly, some looked around frantically, and some trembled uncontrollably.

The members of the Muscle Alliance were almost all huddled together. Although they didn't know what had happened, everyone felt an indescribable pressure, as if some powerful person was about to descend.

At this moment, Dong Xiaoye was also looking around blankly, trying to find the source of this feeling.

On a helicopter in the distance, a group of reporters were speechless.

……

On the rooftop, Evan's body was still trembling. He finally recalled the fear and insignificance that had once filled him with that sentient being.

"Haha! Haha!... Haha ...

On this rooftop, where everything seemed to stand still, Evan's laughter sounded particularly jarring.

"Hahahaha!! There's no mistake! You appeared! You really appeared! Hahahahaha!!! I didn't expect this game to successfully lure you here again, hahahaha!! This feeling, this feeling that makes my whole body stiffen! Hahahaha!! That's right! This is exactly the feeling I wanted, you finally appeared! I waited for you in prison for five years! You really didn't die! You really appeared. Hahahahahaha!!!!"

Ivan was trembling all over when a clap of thunder sounded in the sky.

Long Shao, who was tied up like a dumpling, had a bright golden light in his eyes, but soon his eyes were replaced by trembling.

That feeling was getting closer and closer at that moment.

"Hahaha!! You've finally arrived."

As if to echo Ivan's words, a person wearing a black coat appeared in everyone's sight. From the moment he appeared, everyone involuntarily looked at the figure floating in mid-air.

This figure was the source of the trembling that made everyone present tremble.

The newcomer's face was shrouded in black mist, and he held a black longsword in his hand, which was now emitting a crimson light, as if it wanted to wipe out all souls.

At that moment, everyone understood the identity of the newcomer, even though he was not wearing that black cloak.

But no one dared to question his identity.

He floated to the rooftop of the building in full view of everyone, looking down at the others on the rooftop.

"I can't believe you actually showed up! Zero... Hahahaha!! Our game can begin again." Ivan looked at Lin Jie in the sky and burst into laughter: "I've spent five years preparing a grand gift for you! Hahahaha!! Dave! Dave!"

As he spoke, Ivan began calling Dave's name. But after calling twice, Dave did not respond at all.

Lin Jie, on the other side, wasn't paying attention to Ivan's words. He merely glanced at the crowd on the rooftop and the numerous heroes below, sighing inwardly, "Sure enough, I still don't really like using this identity anymore. Sigh! Why is it that the fake one gets cheers and fervent worship wherever he goes, but when I, the real one, appear, it's always a dead end?! Do you know how embarrassing it is when I never appear in front of everyone and there's no one to talk to?! Is it because I'm not wearing that cape? No, even when I wore the cape before, it was still a dead end!!! Why is that?! I feel like I'd get more enthusiastic cheers if I were just playing the 'Club Man'!!!"

……

-------------Chapter Dividing Line---------------

Lin Jie remained silent, standing quietly in the air. He looked down at the people on the rooftop below, while they, in turn, looked up at Lin Jie, who stood in mid-air, speechless.

Xiao Zhan sat bolt upright, staring at the figure shrouded in black mist in the sky. He was trembling violently, his mind screaming, "Zero zero zero zero zero!! This person is Zero!! This is definitely Zero!! I I I I I!! Why am I so scared!!! I'm a hero!! I'm on the same side!! What have I done before? Ah! What am I thinking!! Right, haven't I always admired Zero? Haven't I always wanted a chance to talk to him? At least I should get an autograph!!!"

Xiao Zhan roared inwardly. He had always admired Zero and hoped to fight alongside him. But now, the real Zero appeared, floating before him and quietly looking down at him.

The rain seemed to slow down, but in fact, it wasn't that the rain slowed down; rather, the moment felt incredibly long to everyone.

Xiao Zhan really wanted to rush up and talk to his true idol. He also wanted to ask Zero why he wanted to be a hero. He wanted to ask if the Sword of Judgment was really called the Sword of Judgment as rumored. However, he opened his mouth but couldn't make a sound. He had opened his mouth slightly but couldn't even hum a soft groan.

It was only at this moment that Xiao Zhan realized that his previous belief that he was moving towards Zero was a complete joke. His past idea of ​​fighting alongside Zero was just a dream. Only now, having truly met Zero, did he understand that the real Zero had reached a point where even walking up to him and speaking to him required immense courage and perseverance.

Simply walking up to him and saying a word to him is an almost insurmountable test.

Xiao Zhan wasn't the only one who shared the same thoughts. Thirteen, standing to the side, was also quietly watching the man suspended in the sky. The carnivorous plant beside him was trembling and clinging to Thirteen's body.

This time, Ivan is in deep trouble. Thirteen is certain that the person in front of him is the legendary one who broke the Book of Revelation, and his power has reached an unbelievable level.

"Is this the power to defy fate?" Thirteen looked at Zero in the sky, his heart churning with turmoil. At that moment, he didn't even care about a carnivorous plant hugging his waist. Similarly, Thirteen had many questions for Zero! In fact, everyone in this world harbored this absolute doubt about Zero.

Thirteen also wanted to shout at the person in the sky: "How can I break free from fate! I'm willing to give everything to break free from fate!" The answer was right in front of him, but at that moment, Thirteen felt an overwhelming sense of self-loathing.

The reason was simple: the living answer was right in front of him, yet he couldn't take a single step forward, couldn't utter a single word, couldn't utter a single sentence. Thirteen hated himself for this, like a weak mortal looking up at a high, mighty god. Just standing there, he couldn't even utter a single word, let alone muster the strength to take a single step towards this being he was looking up to.

This was truly a hopeless situation; hope was right before his eyes, yet he despairingly discovered that he couldn't take even half a step towards it.

This feeling spread through the hearts of everyone present.

The moment Torus saw the figure floating in the sky, he knew it was Zero. He finally recalled the awe he felt watching Zero fight from afar, back when Torus wasn't yet an SS-class hero. At that time, he was utterly helpless in Zero's battles.

Later, he achieved SS-rank strength and believed he was capable of fighting alongside Zero. However, Zero disappeared. Then the Law Wars began, and at that time, Torus even hoped that Zero could stand up and express his views to all the heroes.

But Zero disappeared. Five years later, Torus saw Zero again! The real Zero! Only then did he realize with sorrow how ridiculous his past thoughts had been.

Zero stood there quietly, motionless, without exuding any aura whatsoever.

But his soul trembled incessantly. He knew Zero was a superhero who had protected Earth countless times, yet his instincts trembled uncontrollably. Forget about approaching the person before him; he wasn't even running away; he was only holding on by sheer willpower.

It was only then that Torus realized how ridiculous these so-called SS-class enemies were! He was also horrified by Ivan's actions! Ivan had actually fought such an enemy no less than five times. If it were him, he would have completely lost the will to fight the moment they met.

At the same time, Torus realized just how ridiculous the Superhero Registration Act was for a hero like Zero. To expect a godlike being to be subject to the supervision and control of mortals was utterly laughable. Any status or power was a joke to someone like him.

Rocky struggled to his feet, looking up at the being he once revered.

Like everyone else, he had countless things he wanted to talk to Zero about.

Their purpose in coming to H City was to investigate Zero's whereabouts. But when they actually met Zero in person, they realized they had all made a mistake, a huge mistake. Zero could never take sides, nor could he care about these things, because these things could never bind Zero.

He really wanted to go up and talk to Zero, but he couldn't bring himself to take a step.

They couldn't take a single step.

Even though Zero in the sky wasn't releasing any pressure or aura, he simply couldn't move. Like Torus, people of their strength possessed strong instincts and premonitions. The stronger they were, the more intense this feeling became, and Rocky was no exception.

In the past, Rocky was confident he could fight any opponent, even one stronger than himself.

But when facing Zero, Rocky was surprised to find that his instincts were simply calling out to him, "Run! Get out of here! Run as far away as you can! This is a man more terrifying than any disaster."

……

There was no excitement whatsoever. Everyone felt as if a heavy stone was pressing on their hearts. They showed none of the reactions one would expect when meeting a true hero, and they couldn't even muster a hint of jealousy.

It was as if they weren't facing a superhero at all, but Death itself! Death, the god of death who held their lives in his hands!

Lin Jie watched the people below quietly, and it felt as if a long time had passed in the world.

In fact, he had been floating here for more than ten seconds, but the reaction below made Lin Jie feel very embarrassed. Yes, embarrassed!

"I'm your hero, I've come to the rescue! You should at least give me some reaction! Do you know how awkward it is for me to stand here in the air like this? Didn't you know you've been looking for me the whole time? And Xiao Zhan and Shisan over there, didn't you always admire me? You kept saying you admired me, that you were my admirers and all that, but now that I've appeared, you should at least give me some reaction!"

You guys were all kneeling down when that knock-off appeared, weren't you? Now that the real deal has come to your rescue, why are you all so unresponsive? I've been standing here for over ten seconds! Say something already!! I even had my pens ready for autographs!

A symbolic shout of encouragement would be fine! But how am I supposed to get out of this mess? Do you all think I'm the fake one? This is so embarrassing! Oh well, no one can recognize my face anyway…

Speaking of which, that knock-off was actually more handsome than me in person…

Just as Lin Jie was filled with comparing himself to the fake one, a burst of maniacal laughter rang out.

"Hahahaha!!!" Ivan looked up at Lin Jie above him and laughed loudly, "You're really alright! Zero! I never thought that the game I played when I was bored could bring you out of there, it's amazing! Hahahaha!! This is the feeling! That fake one can't compare at all! This feeling!! Hahahaha!!"

Ivan laughed wildly as he looked at Lin Jie: "As expected, only you can give me this feeling! This powerful and despair-inducing feeling!! Ahahahahaha!! It's truly an irresistible despair!!! Ahahahahaha!! As expected, only you in this world can have fun with me! Ahahahahaha!! But it's perfect timing, I've prepared a nice gift for you to celebrate our reunion after five years, ahahahahahaha!!"

As he spoke, Evan walked over to Dave, who was lying under the table.

"Finally, someone recognized me. Sure enough, this scoundrel can still recognize me." Lin Jie breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Just then, Ivan grabbed the trembling fat man and shouted at him, "Dave! See that? The real Zero has arrived, ahahaha!! He's alive!! Ahahahaha!!"

“Look, look… I see it…” Dave stammered to Evan.

“It’s time to unleash the gift we’ve been preparing for five years,” Evan said, looking at Dave.

"Ok."

As soon as Dave finished speaking, his skin began to peel off, revealing a plant-like structure beneath it, devoid of any flesh or blood.

As Dave's skin peeled away, his entire body began to grow larger and larger, with numerous green branches sprouting from his body...

Chapter 25

As his body grew, Dave transcended human form, his entire body expanding uncontrollably, his legs transforming into tree trunks. Roots sprouted from his feet, their massive tendrils enveloping the entire building. With Dave's continued expansion, a colossal tree grew from the top floor of the building.

At that moment, the entire building seemed to be covered by a giant umbrella.