Kamen Rider Zi-O, Dimensional Descent

Page 587

"Regardless, let's report the results to the association first..."

Volume 10, One-Punch Man: Chapter 463 Becoming a Hero of the Hero Association?

"The Hero Association has confirmed that the large-scale battle that occurred near City A yesterday was indeed caused by the Silver Mask, which is classified as a Dragon-level threat."

"The Hero Association also stated that large-scale destruction caused by the Silver Mask has recently occurred in various cities, and asked all citizens to pay attention to their safety."

"If you discover any suspicious circumstances, please be sure to call the Hero Association to report them."

A new day, as always, begins with watching the news on TV in the morning.

Yan Ming, Gatesworth, and the other two sat in the room, eating breakfast while digesting the new information.

"The Silver Mask...?"

While thinking about related matters, Yan Ming glanced at the other two.

What do you think?

"What else can we think? Of course, it sounds jarring no matter how you look at it!"

"Indeed... no matter how you look at it, descriptions like wearing a silver mask and silver armor are very familiar to people like us."

It sounds a lot like the name of a Kamen Rider.

However, it could just be a misunderstanding. After all, there are people who fight while wearing masks in this world, so it's more accurate to say that this situation is quite common.

However, seemingly out of a premonition, the group remained concerned about the events reported in the news.

"Since you care so much about it, let's go take a look together."

Yan Ming said this immediately and stood up.

"That's true, my Demon King."

"Anyway, we're just on standby and have no idea what will happen next, so let's investigate all the things that are worth noting one by one."

Woz and Woz both agreed.

Since that was the case, the three of them decided on at least their morning itinerary, and after a quick packing, they immediately headed out.

but.

"Excuse me…"

Just as Yan Ming and his group stepped onto the street, three people suddenly appeared from a nearby alley.

"Is it Mr. Shilun Yanming, and Mr. Mingguangyuan Gates and Mr. Woz?"

Upon hearing this, the three of them couldn't help but look at each other.

The three people in front of me were all dressed in black suits and wearing sunglasses, giving off the feeling of men in black from a mysterious organization in a science fiction movie.

However, Yan Ming had basically already guessed their identities.

"They must be from the Hero Association."

"Huh...?"

"They came specifically to find us, probably to get us to join the association and become official heroes."

Yan Ming had said everything they wanted to say before they could.

The three officials were stunned for a moment before they quickly came to their senses.

"Uh...yes, that's how it is..."

"Well, since you, Mr. Shilun, are so clear about this, our work will be much easier."

The two officials continued.

"As you said, the Hero Association wants you to join us."

They actually came knocking on our door...

Gates and Wozniak couldn't help but think this way, but Yan Ming took it all for granted.

'After all, I deliberately left them clues back then.'

The cameras... If it were Yan Ming, he should be able to include all the nearby cameras in the time rewind range, but a small number of cameras captured the scene before the rewind and successfully transmitted the images to the Hero Association.

This was something Yan Ming secretly did after considering that there might be some official institutions in this world.

Rather, if even such an obvious point cannot be noticed, then it means that the so-called Hero Association is nothing more than that.

"The Hero Association?"

Just then, some familiar voices came from the side.

They all turned to look, and two people were coming down the stairs.

Saitama and Genos, of course.

"Oh! You're from the Hero Association!"

"Eh? May I ask who you are...?"

"What, you don't even know the teacher's name?"

"No... even if you say that..."

"That's nothing, Genos. I'm telling you! If I join you guys and become an official hero, my fame will definitely increase to some extent, right?"

"Uh…"

Just as the two officials were somewhat at a loss, Saitama leaned closer and suddenly became very serious.

"I'm a man who's interested in becoming a hero, but unfortunately, my abilities over the past three years haven't been enough to make others aware of my activities. So... if I become an official hero, then people will know about my heroic deeds, right?"

"So that's what you were thinking...! I see! As expected of a teacher!"

Clap clap—Genos clapped excitedly beside him, while Saitama maintained his self-assured, cool demeanor.

These guys! They're all such freaks!

"So, what should we do next, my Demon King?"

"That goes without saying."

Yan Ming responded as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

"Let's go and meet that place called the Hero Association first."

————————————————————

So the group went to the Hero Association together.

The enormous building that came into view was, no… it could even be called a fortress.

At the same time, the interior space felt incredibly spacious, although the overall lighting was rather dim.

It looks quite avant-garde no matter how you look at it.

Rather than a simple building, it's more like a secret base from a tokusatsu drama.

"Then please come this way. Before we can confirm your hero status, you will first need to undergo a test within the association."

"Test? Do you mean a physical fitness test or something like that?"

"Physical fitness tests are only part of the hero assessment; there is also a written test to assess mental abilities."

In places like the waiting area, the association has thoughtfully prepared instruction manuals on precautions for heroes.

Yan Ming also opened the manual and began to learn more about the organization's contents.

S-class heroes, A-class heroes... then B-class and C-class heroes.

There are roughly three hero categories, and within each tier there are different position rankings. Generally speaking, the higher the position, the stronger the hero is.

"That's why that woman named Fubuki is so obsessed with rankings and stuff."

Rank B, first place, title: Hell's Blizzard.

A tall, familiar figure was etched on a page of the manual, behind whom were the subordinates known as the Blizzard Group.

However, Yan Ming only glanced at the familiar figure once more before quickly continuing to read.

"…Um?"

However, some major problems arose when it came to the S-class.

For example--

Why is the first position empty?

"No, rather than saying it's empty, it's actually because we can't find any pictures of that person."

There are a total of sixteen active S-class heroes, and the number one ranked person is called Blast.

However, there were no related pictures; only a pure black silhouette was placed on it, making it as eye-catching as a mystery.

Even if Yan Ming didn't recognize the other S-class heroes, he had seen their pictures when he ate at the restaurant earlier, which shows just how famous these S-class heroes are in this world.

Second in S-rank, Trembling Tornado... The image shows a green-haired little girl dressed in black who doesn't even look half her height.

But the actual age displayed is close to thirty...?

Aside from these, some of the S-class heroes resemble delinquents, while others have the style of chivalrous swordsmen.

Some are not even human; they are undead zombies, looking like elementary school students, or overweight like otaku, and men wearing large white dog suits...

"This really is a place full of eccentric people."

"Haha, the association often gets teased like that too. The S-class heroes are all quite unique..."

The staff member responsible for explaining said this, but then he noticed that Yan Ming's expression had changed.

They seemed to have become even more silent.

"...Excuse me, what's wrong?"

For a moment, he wondered if he had surprised or angered the other person.

"Do not."

However, Yan Ming quickly shook his head.

Then he pointed to a part of the picture.

What does "four-part" mean?

"Oh, this refers to the 'Four Divisions,' one of the highest-ranking and sponsoring organizations of the Hero Association."

At this point, the staff member's expression gradually became complicated.

"Well, how should I put it... this organization is shrouded in mystery. We lowly staff members have absolutely no idea what the so-called 'Four Divisions' are. All we know is that they suddenly appeared in the Hero Association a year ago."

"A year ago?"

"They hold the same status as Mr. Agni, the top sponsor. However, no one has actually seen any members of this organization called 'The Quarter.' They are only known to be sponsors of the Hero Association and are also referred to as 'The Quarter' or something similar among the higher-ups."

Four parts...one-quarter.

After carefully considering all of this, Yan Ming immediately had a plethora of ideas and thoughts in his mind.

"I understand. Thank you for your help. Please help us prepare for the test."

"Huh—? Do we have to do it now? We can rest a little longer..."

"There's no need, it'll be over soon anyway."

The test will end soon...?

After leaving the bewildered staff member behind, Yan Ming put the booklet back on the table and left the room.

Wozniak and Gates were waiting for him outside the door.

"How are your preparations going, you two?"

"The testing can start anytime, right?"

Saitama and Genos went to take the test first, but because the three of them were chosen by the official team, their tests were conducted separately.

However…