In the center of the judges' panel, Atomic Samurai was looking expectantly towards the arena.
"It's exciting to see Master Gawain make a move again."
Mr. Bang, shall we begin?
"It's over..."
Bang smiled, his eyes narrowing, and sure enough Puri-Puri Prisoner was sent flying backward and crashed into the ruins in an instant.
The next moment, accompanied by a restless roar, nearly a third of the ruins were completely destroyed.
"Aaaaaah!"
"Such a powerful attack! It's impossible to even see the speed of the punch!"
"What terrifying power! Even Monster would have a hard time unleashing such an attack!"
"No wonder he's one of the founding members who wanted to establish the Hero Association!"
"No wonder he dared to stand up and challenge everyone in the world; he's at least at the level of a Dragon-level Monster!"
"How terrifying!!!"
Amidst the roar of the crowd, Gawain smiled and glanced around.
"Everyone!"
He suddenly spoke.
"The Hero Association is, of course, an association that recruits strong individuals to become heroes."
However, the Hero Association does not encourage strong individuals to willingly throw their lives away!
I'm not standing here today to use my power to attack you!
What I want to tell you is that even if you join the Hero Association, you don't necessarily have to do things like the heroes in the comics, risking your life for the future!
The Hero Association will not only include those who join today, but also the ever-emerging tide of a new era in the future.
Most importantly, no matter what, you all have me and others standing behind you who can protect you heroes!
Therefore, after joining the association, if you encounter a battle that you, as an individual or group, cannot resolve...
So please remember, everyone, defeat does not mean you are not worthy of the title of hero, nor is dying a heroic death the only choice for a hero!
In the future, if you encounter a force that you cannot resist when facing Monster or evil humans...
When you can't believe in yourselves, why not believe in me, who stands behind you, and in other capable seniors who are standing before you?
The Hero Association is indeed an association that creates heroes and protects them!
But I want you all to know.
The Hero Association is also an association that protects heroes!
Therefore, we welcome everyone to take on the upcoming challenges and join us.
As for the challenge... I hope you can see the small gap between me and you, and take me, standing in the ring, as seriously as possible!
You are welcome to take on the challenge, or you can ask for advice.
But do not insult me, and even more so, do not harass me like he did!
At this point, Gawain's expression turned slightly cold.
The ordinary people in this world are not ordinary people. They are constantly threatened and oppressed by Monster, making them very vulnerable to saying or even doing things that would kick the heroes when they are down.
So, if you want to become the World's Strongest idol hero, then you absolutely must not live like Superman!
Living like that would lead to being swept up by the masses and losing oneself!
Gawain certainly wouldn't become Homelander.
But at least...
The impression Gawain should give to the public is at least that of someone who hides his Homelander from the public eye!
Following Gawain's words, Superalloy Darkshine pondered for a moment, then shook his head with a sheepish grin.
"Forget it, let's stop fighting. With that kind of power and speed, I really don't see any chance of me winning."
That Puri-Puri Prisoner had about the same muscles as me, but he couldn't even take a single punch.
Based on this, it seems there's really no chance for me.
I think I should just seriously join the Hero Association!
With that thought in mind, Superalloy Darkshine slunk away from the arena and headed towards the registration area.
A few days ago, he was fighting in underground boxing rings. Just when he was about to reach the required number of consecutive wins, he was inexplicably beaten up by Atomic Samurai from the Council of Swordmasters.
This beating made his boss a fortune, but it ruined his career.
He not only owed his boss a mountain of debt, but he also borrowed a considerable amount of extra money to bet on himself winning...
In short, Superalloy Darkshine is extremely short of money, which is why he plans to fight in the arena.
Although they can no longer fight in the arena, joining the Hero Association at least provides them with a stipend and a bonus after defeating Monster.
Furthermore, if he could become familiar with people like Gawain, Bang, and Atomic Samurai within the association, his former boss might not be able to demand additional high-interest loans from him.
Even if I could lick that super-sized butt and chin of Agoni properly.
As the former president of the Commercial Alliance, with Agoni's wealth, his debt of over ten million is probably nothing to him.
Many others shared the same idea as Superalloy Darkshine; they all left the arena area and headed neatly towards the registration area.
The differences between people are mostly apparent now; those who came for the money will likely leave the ring at this point.
Of those who remained...
They come either for power, or to gain knowledge, experience, and pursue a higher level of understanding.
Such a person would never miss a ring battle.
As for the rest...
Aside from those who were just there for the spectacle, everyone else was genuinely there for the sake of justice and heroism!
Looking at Gawain standing on the stage, a masked man in the audience took a deep breath.
"Although I don't know the extent of his sense of justice, his strength is truly astonishing!"
I must join the Hero Association. Only the Hero Association can help me realize the path of justice in my heart!
Hero!
No matter what, I must become a hero!!!
Because becoming a hero would likely be the most beautiful compliment I've ever received in my life!
Meanwhile, in the audience...
After most of the money-minded people left.
The remaining few individuals with stronger auras couldn't help but exchange glances.
A kid carrying a baseball bat chuckled and shook his head.
"Haha, what amazing power! I won't go up on stage and embarrass myself!"
But if I don't go on stage, does that mean the rest of you won't dare to go up and fight?
If I don't play, I'll sign up!
So, is there anyone else who has signed up?
As he shouted, the other people with stronger auras all glared at him with displeasure.
After a glance, a person with long blond hair and an exceptionally handsome appearance slowly walked onto the arena.
Looking at this person's long golden hair and metal armor, someone in the audience couldn't help but say something.
"There's actually someone who dares to go on stage!"
"That's... that's that thug!"
"The terminator of the Ninja Village!"
"I heard he killed everyone in the Ninja Village and completely destroyed Ninja Village!"
That's amazing!
"It's him!"
In front of the television, a purple-haired man couldn't help but widen his eyes!
He will never forget the man who stepped onto the stage at this moment!
As one of the 44th generation disciples of the Ninja Village, he was the same classmate of the person on the stage!
Only...
That guy on stage, upon graduation, used his unparalleled speed and strength to wipe out all the Ninja Village instructors, fellow students, staff, and village elders in one fell swoop!
As for his reasons for doing this...
He said it was for justice and to end the evil of the Ninja Village!
Thinking back to this, the man in front of the television gritted his teeth.
"Even if the Ninja Village's methods are a bit old-fashioned and cruel, those were still our classmates who lived with us!"
"I, Speed-o'-Sound Sonic, will get my revenge on you sooner or later for my mentor and classmates, Flashy Flash, big brother!"
If only the people on stage could hear what Speed-o'-Sound Sonic was saying on TV.
He would definitely emphasize that again with utmost seriousness.
"I am Flashy Flash!"
Flashy Flash explained this to Gawain was somewhat confused.
Because the meaning of Flashy Flash originally meant Flashy Flash...
So does this mean it's exceptionally sparkly?
Do you like light that much?
You and Borsalino must have a lot in common, right?
With a slight smile, Gawain nodded and said.
"I understand, Flashy Flash. Well then... you go first."
"Understood, Mr. Gawain."
Flashy Flash nodded seriously, then drew his longsword from his waist with one hand, before switching to holding it with both hands at his sides.
Holding his sword, Flashy Flash smiled slightly and continued.
"What I am most proud of is my dazzling speed."
But... even with that speed, it's still hard for me to see your movements clearly.
Therefore, I'm afraid I'm not qualified to challenge you, but even so, I still want to see your strongest speed and moves, rather than watching you practice on me just to save face!
"Let me see the gap between us, let me understand my own strengths and weaknesses, so that I can better uphold justice in the future!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Flashy Flash twirled his longsword, and his entire body transformed into a flash of light, instantly appearing beside Gawain.
At the same time, Gawain reached out and grabbed Flashy Flash's breastplate.
"Oh well!"
With a brief reply, Gawain frowned and suddenly tightened his grip on Flashy Flash's right hand!
In the distance, the Puri-Puri Prisoner shook his head as he got up from the ground.
"Ugh, what did I eat? I'm so dizzy... Ugh!"
Just as she was feeling dizzy, the Puri-Puri Prisoner, who had just gotten up, was hit in the face by a flying Flashy Flash from Flash!
Boom!
Smoke and dust rose everywhere.
The ruins, which had just been destroyed, were immediately hit by another wave of damage.
This time, however, the Puri-Puri Prisoner didn't get dizzy!
Although it hurt a lot, looking at the exceptionally handsome and radiant young man lying on top of me made me feel like I could do it again.
"Ah, what a handsome young man! I can't wait to do something with you!"
"Get out of here, you gay bastard! Aa..."
In the distance, amidst the gasps of countless spectators, Bang gently patted Atomic Samurai on the shoulder!
"Go and stop those two young men; they're both very talented."
"I understand. I'll also let them see what I'm capable of."
Atomic Samurai leisurely rose, slung his sword over his shoulder, and walked toward Flashy Flash and Puri-Puri Prisoner.
At the same time, before the audience could finish their discussion, another figure appeared on the stage!
At this moment, in the House of Evolution, in front of the television.
Dr. Genus watched the person taking the stage and silently broke out in a cold sweat.
"I was a bit careless; the Hero Association's prestige is actually terrifyingly strong."
In that case, no matter how hard that guy tries, he can only try his best to avoid being judged as the loser.
Only...
With that kind of destructive power, even he wouldn't be able to hold out for long, right?
It seems I'll have to approach this with the mindset of potentially losing that guy along with the extra R&D funding...
Just as Dr. Genus was pondering, the man who had just stepped onto the stage nodded to Gawain.
"Zombieman."
He briefly introduced himself, then expressionlessly picked up the axe in his hand.
After a brief silence, the Zombieman finally couldn't help but speak to Gawain, flicking his hand axe lightly.
"Kill me."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Zombieman swiftly swung his axe at Gawain, causing Bang to frown involuntarily.
"It's strange. He seems like a very calm person, but his playing style is so uncalm."
Moreover, his axe strike... lacked any skill whatsoever; his movements were as stiff as a dead person's!
He has absolutely no chance of challenging Gawain, so what kind of confidence gave him when he went on stage?
Kill him?
Is this someone who desperately wants to die?
I see!"
Just as Bang was muttering to himself, the Zombieman's axe was already aimed at Gawain's head.
Gawain narrowed his eyes thoughtfully as he watched the Zombieman, who was much slower than Flashy Flash and Puri-Puri Prisoner.
Is he desperate to die?
But this person seems to be someone who can't die, right?
If that's the case, was his desire to die simply to exhaust his physical strength, or was it for some other reason?
After all, if I remember correctly, this guy was supposed to be an experiment from the House of Evolution, right?
Test subject... experiment... controlled... no freedom?
Could it be...???
While pondering, Gawain casually grabbed the Zombieman's wrist.
After realizing his wrist was being gripped, the Zombieman looked at Gawain without any emotion and said softly.
"That's it, kill me..."
Boom!!!
Gawain's right fist slammed into the Zombieman's head, and amidst a spray of blood and brain matter, the Zombieman's head became a bloody mess left on the ring!
Bang, sitting on the judges' panel, was startled!
"What's wrong? Why has Gawain suddenly become so irritable!"
Damn, does this guy have the ability to influence people's minds?
Could all of this be a deliberate tactic used by someone to undermine the Hero Association...?
Etc!"
Suddenly, Bang looked toward the ring in shock.
Just as the audience below the stage was screaming in terror at the Zombieman's death, the Zombieman had actually grown a second head!!!
The Zombieman gently turned his neck, looked at Gawain, and frowned slightly.
"My task is... at least not to be defeated in front of you."
But you... please... kill me!
It's not just about killing me... killing me alone is far from enough.
You're a hero, right?
If that's the case, then destroy me.
It completely and utterly destroyed me, leaving no trace.
Destroy every single one of my cells.
Destroy every part of my existence.
That was a help to me.