Chapter 173: They Are True Heroes
In the end, the S-Class heroes had no choice but to accept the reality: Saitama, the "One Punch Man," had used nothing but a few casual slaps to beat Solar Sperm—the creature that had effortlessly dismantled the entire S-Class—into a state of total submission, ultimately turning him into a house pet.
Feeling the hostile glares from the "maggots" around him, Solar Sperm lowered his head awkwardly.
I could literally end all of them with a single fart... being stared at with such murderous intent by these weaklings... it feels so uncomfortable...
Solar Sperm knew exactly why the heroes hated him. After all, he was the one who had nearly beaten them to death minutes ago.
After another ten minutes, the Hero Association's medical evacuation fleet finally arrived.
From a lead helicopter, Sitch, with his famously large nose, descended via a fast-rope. The moment his feet touched the ground, he began sprinting through the ruins with frantic urgency.
His eyes were wide with panic. According to Zombieman's frantic report, the S-Class was effectively wiped out—everyone was critically injured, and several were on the verge of flatlining.
Please, you guys have to be okay...
The S-Class heroes were humanity's ultimate trump card, the final bastion of hope against total extinction. If the entire S-Class fell during this crisis, humanity would follow shortly after.
However, a tiny sliver of hope remained in Sitch's heart.
Zombieman had reported that one man was notably missing from the list of casualties: King, the Strongest Man on Earth. He was reportedly holding back the mastermind of the disaster—the entity known as GOD.
As long as the legendary Mr. King is still standing, humanity will not perish. Even if every other S-Class hero falls, there is still a chance as long as HE remains!
This was Sitch's conviction, and it was the world's conviction as well.
Finally, his life-sign radar picked up a cluster of signatures. Sitch let out a cry of relief, scrambled over a jagged mountain of concrete, and shouted:
"Heroes of the Association! Are you all alright—...eh?"
Sitch froze. The medical team behind him froze.
They stared at the S-Class heroes. Every single one of them looked perfectly healthy—vibrant complexions, steady breathing, and not a single open wound in sight. They didn't look like people who had just been at death's door.
After a confusing few minutes of explanation, Sitch's shock only deepened. He felt his entire worldview being dismantled and reassembled into something nonsensical.
"Wait... so every S-Class hero was one-shotted in an instant by a monster wreathed in gold flames?"
"And then... King defeated a God, returned to the battlefield, and instantly healed every single one of you?"
"And most importantly... the monster that one-shotted you was then turned into a pet by One Punch Man?!"
The sequence of events hit Sitch's brain like a tidal wave, causing a total mental system failure.
He rubbed his large, red nose, his mouth opening and closing as he struggled to find words. Ultimately, he just let out a long, weary sigh.
Fine. I suppose that's just how strong King is. And his friend, Saitama, is apparently just as absurd. This is a win for humanity, I guess.
Realizing the crisis was truly over, Sitch took a deep breath. He looked at the tattered, blood-stained clothes of the S-Class heroes with profound respect.
He straightened his posture, his expression solemn and sincere, and bowed deeply.
"On behalf of the Hero Association and the human race, I, Sitch, offer you our most heartfelt gratitude and respect for your desperate struggle for our future!"
The corner of Tatsumaki's mouth curled up, though she maintained her tsundere persona by waving a hand dismissively.
"Hmph! A disaster of this level... I suppose I might have struggled a bit on my own. It's a good thing King was here to help. Next time there's a major problem, I'll still be the first one on the scene!"
Superalloy Darkshine had reclaimed his confidence. He struck a series of poses, flexed his restored muscles, and squatted slightly to show off his definition.
Looking at his marble-carved, glistening black physique, he flashed a blindingly confident smile:
"No matter the crisis, I will face it head-on alongside my muscles! Humanity will always have the light of hope as long as my lats can carry it!"
Flashy Flash flicked the blood off his razor-sharp blade, his long golden hair fluttering as he maintained his cool, stoic expression.
"Monster or alien, I will take their heads with my blade. That is my path. It will never change."
Throughout the entire war, Flashy Flash's record was undeniably the most impressive among the group. If he hadn't stalled the original Diamond Sperm alone for so long, the Association might have fallen before King even arrived.
Atomic Samurai stood nearby, chewing awkwardly on a toothpick. To be honest, looking back at the battle, aside from dicing up Fuhrer Ugly, he hadn't done much. When Solar Sperm arrived, he had been one-shotted before he could even blink.
But seeing everyone else dropping "cool" lines, he grit his teeth—accidentally snapping his toothpick in half.
"No matter what comes, I stand with humanity. If a monster wants to harm our world, they'll have to ask my sword first."
The other S-Class heroes followed suit, each declaring their loyalty to humanity and the Association, their voices filled with the resolve of protectors.
King watched the scene quietly, a faint smile on his face.
Beside him, the Bald Demon Saitama watched the heroes' oaths with his usual deadpan, slightly glazed-over eyes.
Solar Sperm crouched on the ground, looking exactly like a submissive chihuahua, occasionally casting terrified glances at the two "monsters" standing silently nearby.
What are these two gods thinking...? Why are they so quiet...? Don't tell me they're deciding which sauce to cook me with...?
Thinking this, Solar Sperm shuddered and subtly shuffled a few meters further away, terrified that his masters might decide on a whim to turn him into a midnight snack.
Saitama turned his head toward the tall, blond man.
"King... the things they say in their oaths are pretty unique to each of them. It matches my impression of what a hero should be."
Hearing this, King nodded. He patted Saitama on the shoulder, his voice—usually calm and imposing—now carrying a hint of genuine warmth.
"Of course it matches. Because, after all, they are true heroes."
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