Chapter 363

This matter passed quickly.

Ordinary days continued for a while.

In the following days, Luo En, after exchanging contact information with Xiang Qiyu and Genos, visited Xiang Qiyu's home in the uninhabited area several more times.

Because he always brought high-grade ingredients each time he came, Xiang Qiyu's attitude toward him grew steadily better.

As for Chuixue.

Luo En secretly aided Chuixue many times, resolving several monsters that Chuixue Group could not handle alone, and the credit naturally went to Chuixue and Chuixue Group.

Chuixue Group's reputation in Z City grew ever larger.

Calls from the Hero Association to promote Deep Sea Chuixue to A-Class Hero grew stronger, but all were rejected by Chuixue.

…………

One day.

Luo En received a text message from Xiang Qiyu.

"Luo En, Genos made a big pot of potato stew—it's delicious. Want to come over and try some?"

Immediately after, he received a text from Chuixue.

【I'm off today and am at the **High-Class Hotel in Z City. Want to come? Considering how much you've helped me, I'll treat you. PS: The French cuisine here is definitely better than ramen!】

Luo En thought for a moment and replied to Chuixue with a text.

…………

Inside the private dining room of the **Grand Hotel.

Chuixue, dressed in a green evening gown, sipped premium wine, elegant and noble, with attendants standing respectfully on either side.

But this atmosphere of elegance vanished the moment Chuixue read Luo En's text.

"I have no interest in French cuisine. Xiang Qiyu invited me over for potato stew. Want to come?"

Chuixue widened her eyes and slammed her fist on the table: "Huh?! Potato stew? That junk can compare to this high-class cuisine?"

"Unbelievable! I even booked this a full week in advance!"

……

Even so.

But when Luo En arrived at Xiang Qiyu's doorstep, Chuixue was already there.

"W-why are you staring at me like that? I just came to invite the two of you to join Chuixue Group!"

Chuixue, cheeks slightly flushed, brushed her short hair behind her ear and turned her face away from Luo En's gaze.

True hunger.

The door opened.

Xiang Qiyu, seeing Chuixue beside Luo En, frowned slightly in surprise.

"You again? You've come again to ask me to join your Chuixue Group, right? Let me say this upfront…"

Chuixue held up the gift box and said seriously to Xiang Qiyu: "Join Chuixue Group today, and I'll give you twenty kilograms of special-grade beef."

"I'll join."

Xiang Qiyu did not hesitate at all—he answered firmly and decisively.

…………

Inside Xiang Qiyu's small home.

Xiang Qiyu, Genos, Luo En, and Chuixue sat around the table, eating steaming hot potato stew and grilled special-grade beef brought by Chuixue, while watching TV.

The TV host was reporting news about recent monster appearances and hero activities across various cities.

Genos looked at Xiang Qiyu and said: "Teacher, haven't you done any hero work for several days now?"

Xiang Qiyu thought for a moment: "Hmm… I guess not."

"Teacher, this week has only two days left."

Genos reminded him.

Xiang Qiyu sighed helplessly: "True, but when I want to find monsters, I can't find any—yet when I don't want to, they keep popping up one after another."

"Don't worry, Xiang Qiyu. Now that you've joined Chuixue Group, you won't have this problem anymore."

Chuixue ate a piece of meat and said: "As leader of Chuixue Group, I'll help you."

Genos froze, then turned to Xiang Qiyu: "Teacher, you joined Chuixue Group?"

Xiang Qiyu rubbed his bald head sheepishly: "She said if I joined, she'd give me twenty kilograms of special-grade beef… I just couldn't resist the temptation."

"Teacher…"

Luo En took a sip of wine, pulled his gaze away from the darkening window, and smiled at Xiang Qiyu: "Monsters. They've arrived."

The three froze.

Immediately, the TV host's urgent voice blared:

【Ladies and gentlemen, breaking news: A group calling themselves the Deep Sea Clan has landed in F City, Z City, C City, and other locations. Some heroes have already been dispatched. All citizens who hear this evacuation notice must proceed immediately to the nearest shelter. Repeat: proceed immediately to the nearest shelter.】

The TV screen showed a Deep Sea monster rampaging through the city, battling heroes.

Xiang Qiyu stood up, slammed his fists together, his eyes alight with delight.

"Perfect timing!"

16, it started raining

"We are the messengers of the deep sea. We represent the will of this Earth. All who defy us shall die."

"Do you see? This is the power of the Deep Sea Clan! Not only the ocean, but the land too must belong to us!"

A giant octopus monster, with sharp fangs and thrashing tentacles, wreaked havoc across the city as crowds screamed and scattered in panic.

"And you, insignificant humans, will be consumed as my food!"

Just as it was about to swing its tentacles and slam them into the crowd on the street, a figure burst out violently from midair.

"Lightning—Flying Kick!"

A flash of light, and that figure severed a tentacle in a single strike.

The people around saw this scene and were instantly overjoyed.

"Ah! It's Flash Max!"

"An A-Class hero, wonderful! We're saved!"

"Go get 'em, Flash Max! Take that thing down!"

Flash Max looked at the massive octopus monster before him, listened to the cheering crowd around him, brushed his thumb across the tip of his nose, and the corner of his mouth curved up into a confident arc.

"Leave it to me."

……

On the other side.

The Deep Sea Tribe landed on the city in large numbers through a beach.

Just as the people were panicking in the face of the Deep Sea Tribe army.

A figure descended from the sky, a long spear in hand like a bamboo shoot, spinning as it thrust toward the group of Sea Tribe.

"Giant Whirlwind Poison Sting!"

The A-Class Rank 10 hero Poison Sting has arrived!

……

【A large number of monsters have appeared in J City, calling themselves the Deep Sea Tribe, attacking people on sight. Several A-Class heroes are currently engaging them, but they appear to be having a very hard time. Please send reinforcements from the Hero Association as soon as possible.】

【Notice from the Hero Association: the disaster level for this incident is 'Tiger.' Citizens are advised not to approach the scene.】

……

The sky was overcast with dense clouds.

After hearing the TV bulletin, Saitama and Genos left home and were now speeding along the highway toward J City.

"How much longer until J City?"

"Should be almost there, but there's still no movement at all. Sensei, I'll go on ahead first. I'll notify you the moment I arrive."

As Genos spoke, his speed suddenly surged.

"Ah, hey!"

Saitama watched as Genos vanished into the distance in an instant.

At the same time.

The broadcast sounded once again.