Chapter 6

Looking at the ultramodern, massive building before him, Lin Jie couldn't help but remark, "They really are rolling in money."

"Of course. The Hero Association is the product of gathering the strongest heroes in this world and the most advanced scientific technology," Xiao Zhan said as he led him into the lobby. "This is a brand-new order born from the efforts of many senior superheroes."

With that, Xiao Zhan pointed to the statues in the center of the hall.

The foremost statue was of a figure completely shrouded in a black cloak.

"I know the one in front is Zero, but who are the people behind him?" Lin Jie asked, pointing at the other statues.

"What have you been doing cooped up at home all these years? They're the superheroes who once fought alongside Zero. It's thanks to their efforts that the Hero Association exists today," Xiao Zhan said.

"Is that so?" Lin Jie thought to himself. "How come I don't remember fighting with any of these people?"

"Let me tell you, every person in these statues is an SS-Class superhero. They represent the strongest guardians of order in the entire World Federation," Xiao Zhan continued, rambling on about the backgrounds of the figures on the statues.

"Come to think of it, I always thought this was a product of the Superhero Registration Act from five years ago," Lin Jie said.

"Don't bring that up. That Act cost the World Federation a lot of superheroes."

Hearing Lin Jie mention the Superhero Registration Act, Xiao Zhan's expression changed.

What Lin Jie didn't know was that while he was holed up at home, the heroes opposing the Superhero Registration Act had clashed violently with those supporting it. In the end, the side backed by the World Government won. After all, the government had a firm grip on media and public opinion at the time, and the military also joined the conflict.

It ended with the defeat of the opposition. Many active superheroes from that time were branded as criminals afterward, and some were even thrown into prison.

"Let's just drop it," Xiao Zhan said. "We're here for your superhero qualification exam. We can't meddle in other matters."

Soon, the two arrived at the superhero registration office. After paying a certain fee, Lin Jie was led into a room.

A burly bald man was already there.

"Name?"

"Lin Jie."

"I'm asking for your superhero alias."

"Whatever," Lin Jie said.

To his surprise, the man actually wrote down "Random Warrior" on the form.

"What type is your ability? So we can run the appropriate tests," the man said.

"Chopping people."

"You kidding me? Lots of things can chop people—almost any superpower can. Be specific. Is it a superpower type or a physical technique type?"

"This..." Lin Jie couldn't quite describe it. "It's like, pick something up and swing it hard to chop."

As he spoke, Lin Jie made a chopping motion.

"Strength type, huh? You brought your own equipment?" the man asked.

"Yeah."

"Alright, follow me." The man led Lin Jie to a training room. "Enough talk. Take out your weapon. If you can last three minutes against me, I'll give you a passing score of 60. If you hold out for over three hours, I'll give you a perfect 100."

"What if... I beat you?" Lin Jie asked curiously.

"Hahaha!" The man burst out laughing. "Almost eighty percent of new registrants ask that. But let me tell you, it's impossible! You think someone without strength could be an examiner here? Let me inform you, I'm a B-Class hero with the title 'War Tank Yatan.'"

"Oh, if you're that strong, then I feel relieved," Lin Jie said.

"Now, see those one-way mirrors up there?" The man pointed to the mirrors high on the walls. "Put on a good show. Maybe some senior hero passing by will take a liking to your abilities and invite you to team up. High-level heroes often drop by here."

"Oh, I already have teammates," Lin Jie said.

"Alright, kid, enough chatter. Last three minutes, and I'll give you a passing grade."

With that, Yatan's body took on a metallic sheen. His hands transformed into two greatswords, and sparks flew from his legs. "A word of warning, kid. I'm a superhero who combines speed, attack power, and defense. Don't blame me if you get hurt."

"Don't worry, it should be fine," Lin Jie said, pulling out his Wolf Fang Club from his pocket.

"Alright, start now."

In that instant, Yatan's legs erupted with immense power, carrying a trail of fire as he charged straight at Lin Jie. Across from him, Lin Jie had only just raised his Wolf Fang Club.

"Tch, a guy at this level. He won't even last five seconds," War Tank Yatan thought disdainfully, swinging his greatsword at the man before him.

At that moment, Lin Jie's hand speed suddenly accelerated. The Wolf Fang Club came crashing down toward Yatan's head at lightning speed.

"You think an attack like that will work on me?" A mocking smile curled at the corner of Yatan's mouth. One of his hands instantly transformed into a massive alloy shield.

The next second, the Wolf Fang Club collided with the alloy shield. A tremendous shockwave reverberated through the entire training room.

A chilling sensation spread across Yatan's face. He slowly opened his eyes.

"Where am I?" Yatan looked around in confusion, then glanced at his surroundings. "The training room? Right, I was testing a new recruit."

"Finally remember?" A beautiful silver-haired girl stood beside Yatan.

"Miss Dong? What are you doing here? What happened to me?" Yatan asked in surprise. He tried to stand, but after several attempts, he couldn't get up. He then realized his entire body was trembling uncontrollably.

"Figured it out?"

"I was... defeated? By that kid? I only remember we just started fighting... and then I... I... can't remember? What happened, Miss Dong?" Yatan looked at her in confusion. "You were watching, weren't you?"

Miss Dong nodded. "I saw it."

"Tell me, what happened after we clashed?" Yatan asked. "Why can't I remember anything after that?"

"Because there was nothing after that. He struck once, and you fell."

"You... are you saying that rookie took me down in a single blow?" Yatan said in disbelief.

Miss Dong simply nodded. "He's strong. At minimum, his strength is A-Class."

"Where is he now?"

"Two hours ago, since we couldn't wake you, someone else took him to the written exam."

"Is that so? I was unconscious for over two hours? I never thought there'd be someone this strong. Thinking back on how I acted, I really was a clown." Yatan slumped where he sat. "You didn't come here just to watch me get one-shot, did you."

"No."

At the written exam venue, Lin Jie was staring at the questions in front of him.

'Why do you want to become a superhero?'

"So I don't get beaten up by my little sister," Lin Jie wrote.

'Q: As a superhero, what is our primary mission?'

"Uh... kill people, kill monsters."

'As a superhero, what kind of image should you present to the public?'

"Whatever works. So annoying, I swear."

'What should you do when encountering a criminal holding a hostage?'

"Kill them as fast as possible."

'What is the most effective method when facing a monster?'

"Kill it."

'When facing someone from another world...'

"Kill them."

'When facing extraterrestrial life...'

"Kill them."

'When you...'

"Kill them."

'...'

"Kill them."

Looking over the entire sheet filled with "kill them," Lin Jie nodded in satisfaction and turned to the last question.

'Write about your heroic philosophy.'

After thinking it over, Lin Jie picked up his pen and wrote: "Hero? I stopped wanting to be one a long time ago. Because I don't know—is everything I do really justice? Can it truly be called heroism?"

After handing in his paper, Lin Jie waited for his results.

"How'd you do?" Xiao Zhan came over and asked.

"Huh? Full marks on the practical, 13 points on the written. Total 113. Barely passed," Lin Jie replied.

"As expected, being uneducated is terrifying. If your written score had passed, you could've jumped straight to C-Class, since I recognize your strength," Xiao Zhan said. "But this works out. If my assistant's rank surpassed mine, wouldn't that be embarrassing?"

"..."

"By the way, let's go listen to a lecture. There's a B-Class superhero giving one today," Xiao Zhan said.

"Oh? Let's check it out. I feel like my way of thinking is out of sync with modern superheroes."

"Then let's go. By the way, how was your practical examiner?"

"Pretty decent. He reminded me of a lot of things I needed to know, and he went easy on me during the fight."

If Yatan had heard that, he would've definitely cried. He hadn't gone easy at all—he simply never got the chance to use his full power before being one-shot.

"Miss Dong, here is the exam paper you requested." A butler-like figure handed a test sheet and documents to the silver-haired young woman before him.

Miss Dong looked over the exam paper. After a moment, she muttered to herself: "Lin Jie, is it? He should be someone who can be put to use."

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