Prime Encounter

In the multi-function hall on the seventh floor of the Hero Association headquarters in City A, dozens of figures bustled about, seemingly discussing something.

"I am Sekiguchi, director of the Hero Association's Prophecy Emergency Countermeasures Group."

A loud voice drew everyone's attention. Sekiguchi, standing on the stage, looked at the crowd with a calm gaze.

"First, I want to thank you all for responding to our summons."

"I will repeat myself: the Hero Association will not pursue the crimes you have committed or the dealings you have engaged in. This is not a trap we have set."

"The heroes present are merely my bodyguards."

Sekiguchi's gaze shifted to the individuals standing beside him.

"Hahaha, heroes? Let me kill a few for fun."

"A bunch of trash. Why don't we just occupy the Hero Association headquarters right now?"

"You're right. Recently, we've only heard news of heroes being defeated by monsters. Moreover, City A has already been destroyed by monsters. This all highlights the incompetence of the Hero Association!"

The hall instantly erupted in chaos, with a group of people starting to clamor wildly.

"Wanted criminals, top assassins, even escaped convicts. What exactly does Sekiguchi want by gathering all these people at headquarters?"

A man dressed as a magician, wearing a black eye patch, suddenly spoke.

"Who cares what their plans are? A bunch of trash criminals dare to show their faces in front of us so brazenly. They must be tired of living."

A gruff voice came from the burly man next to him, his face showing a hint of disdain.

"If there's any suspicious behavior, just burn them all to ashes."

A young man in green spoke with a calm expression, seemingly unconcerned by the clamoring crowd below.

"A-Class Rank 7, Magic Hand. A-Class Rank 5, Heavy Tank Underwear, and A-Class Rank 6, Azure Flame."

"With bodyguards like these, it's enough to suppress ordinary Demon-level monsters."

Wu Di looked at the three heroes, but his expression was very serious, as the crowd below was not just ordinary criminals.

"Hey, newcomer, relax. They aren't monsters. We represent the Hero Association, and dealing with these people is a piece of cake."

"If you're nervous, just watch from here. I can crush them all by myself."

Azure Flame, seeing Wu Di's expression, mistook it for nervousness and spoke to reassure him.

"These three top A-Class heroes are comparable to S-Class in terms of combat power. As for the new B-Class Rank 5, Wu Di, it's rumored he also has a record of defeating Dragon-level monsters."

"With these four here, no fool would dare to act presumptuously."

Sekiguchi was not worried about the crowd at all. With these heroes present, even Demon-level monsters would struggle to survive.

"Well then, I will now get straight to the point."

"Wait a moment!"

A voice suddenly rang out, and Sonic suddenly stood up.

"This gathering is to deal with the prophecy of the Great Prophet Shibawa, and therefore, you are indiscriminately accepting criminals to join the human defense war, regardless of good or evil, right?"

Sonic sneered as he looked at a flyer he had somehow obtained.

"I don't want to play your hero make-believe game. B-Class Wu Di, after I'm done with Saitama, you're next."

Sonic's gaze towards Wu Di was filled with anger, but he then turned and left.

"Is what he said true? Are you really going to accept the help of these scoundrels for the sake of power? Is this the Association's decision?"

Azure Flame's angry voice rang out, not even bothering to stop Sonic, who had left without permission.

"That's right. Now all of humanity must unite to overcome this crisis. The current number of heroes is far from enough."

"As long as you defeat monsters, the Association will pay you accordingly."

Sekiguchi's voice echoed throughout the hall. The heroes beside him had already heard enough.

"Save it. When the critical moment comes, these trash won't be of any use."

"Who are you calling trash?"

Boom! A blond man who stepped forward was sent flying by a punch from Heavy Tank Underwear.

"That's right, because they have no conviction."

Several heroes stepped forward simultaneously. Sekiguchi was at a loss for what to do at this moment.

"Hey, is the legendary God-level disaster about to descend? What this uncle said is right. With this bunch of trash, it's impossible to defeat monsters, and heroes are no exception."

With long silver hair and an extremely arrogant expression, Wu Di felt his mood involuntarily become excited when he saw this person, but he quickly suppressed it.

"Huh? Who are you?"

Sekiguchi looked at the man below with a blank expression. Daring to speak so arrogantly in front of so many heroes was simply courting death.

"My name is Garou. I admire monsters and have defeated countless dojos. Do you want to come at me together?"

Garou's lips curved into an evil smile, and he mockingly waved his hand.

"That's enough. You can leave now."

Sekiguchi said impatiently, in his opinion, this person was probably out of his mind.

"Leave? Is this how the Hero Association treats its guests?"

"I've made up my mind. Evil must prevail, trash must be punished, and the slaughter party is about to begin!"

Garou's eyes showed a bloodthirsty killing intent, and Sekiguchi silently took off the microphone.

"Gentlemen, I apologize, but it's time to work. Get him out of here!"

"My pleasure."

Magic Hand was the first to rush out, swinging his magic staff.

Bang—In just one round, Magic Hand's neck was firmly gripped by Garou.

"Die!"

A massive figure appeared behind Garou. Heavy Tank Underwear threw a heavy punch, but it only hit an afterimage.

"Hey, old man, your conviction isn't firm enough!"

Garou taunted. At this moment, Heavy Tank Underwear discovered that one of his arms had been twisted into a pretzel, and then he was swept to the ground by Garou with one leg.

"Hahaha, quite impressive!"

"I told you these heroes are all trash. Well done, keep it up!"

The crowd below was enthusiastic and heckling, but Garou slowly turned around.

"Huh? What are you trash talking about? You're going to die too."

"What did you say? Brat."

"Aren't you on our side?"

"Heroes always arrive late, monsters always make their move, and you are humans, I am a monster. Of course, I will hunt you all down!"

Garou showed a proud expression.

"How dare you call yourself a monster! I'll incinerate you right now!"

Boom—A flame shot out from Azure Flame's hand, and Garou's figure disappeared in an instant.

Just as Garou was about to break Azure Flame's arm, a strong gust of wind struck.

Bang—Caught off guard, Garou was repelled, and Azure Flame was saved by Wu Di.

"You?"

Azure Flame was sweating profusely. If Wu Di hadn't intervened just now, he would have been either dead or crippled.

"Oh? It seems the Hero Association isn't entirely trash. Finally, someone worth looking at has arrived."