"He's HUMAN! A HUMAN!"
"Not some weird octopus creature!"
"And definitely not Master Roshi, Demon King Piccolo!"
"Do you even understand what I'm saying?!"
Garou roared, veins bulging, eyes bloodshot.
Even with his memory shattered—
The fear of that bald man remained carved into his soul.
No matter how the image changed—
That terror never faded.
"Alright, alright. We understand. Go on."
Garou took a shaky breath.
"I'm the Hero Hunter. I've beaten Hawkeye, kicked Captain America around, took on an entire SHIELD squad—elite agents, high-tech weapons—"
"And with just my Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, I crushed them all!"
Ragnar glanced at Grand Oculus.
Then tapped his temple.
This guy… is he mentally okay?
Grand Oculus nodded slightly.
Broken—but still usable.
"And then…" Garou continued, trembling,
"I came out of the sewer… and ran into… that bald guy…"
His emotions spiraled—
Anger. Fear. Confusion.
"And then—bam! He knocked me out in one hit!"
"…Pfft—"
Grand Oculus almost laughed.
Barely holding it in.
This story—
Was ridiculous.
"What are you laughing at?"
"I just remembered something funny."
"What funny thing?"
"I can beat B-Class heroes."
"…Pfft—"
"What about you?!"
Garou snapped toward Ragnar.
The towering monster crossed his arms calmly.
"I can also beat B-Class heroes."
"…SO WHAT?! I'M NOT JOKING!"
Both monsters were shaking slightly—
Trying not to burst out laughing.
Because to them—
Garou's story sounded like pure nonsense.
Like the ramblings of a delusional kid.
"HEY!!!"
"Alright, let's get serious," Grand Oculus said, wiping imaginary tears.
"This bald man—what level of hero is he?"
"…It's not about level!"
Garou clenched his fists.
"He's the kind of guy that's hard to describe… His head is like a boiled egg, fists like sandbags, blank expression—almost cute—"
"But he hits too fast. I couldn't even see his face clearly…"
"…!"
Ragnar suddenly shivered.
A strange chill ran down his spine.
One punch…?
No way.
He was a Dragon-level threat.
Even Monster King Orox couldn't kill him in one blow.
…Probably.
Maybe three hits.
"You okay?" Grand Oculus asked.
"…Just a bad feeling."
"Enough," Grand Oculus waved it off.
"Garou, stop your delusions. You need rest."
"…You're really pushing it."
Garou's voice dropped.
Cold.
Dangerous.
"I've tolerated you long enough."
"I can beat B-Class heroes."
"So what? Soon I'll beat TEN!"
His tone grew harsher.
Unstable.
Something inside him—
Was changing.
Grand Oculus sighed.
Talking to him logically was pointless.
"Garou, we are highly trained monsters. We won't get one-shot."
"Unless you're just too weak."
"…Then join us."
"When we find that bald man—we'll notify you."
The invitation was deliberate.
Garou—
Was a perfect recruit.
A seed worth cultivating.
"…No thanks."
Garou turned to leave.
"But if you ever meet that bald guy…"
"Be careful."
"…He's dangerous."
"Bring more Dragon-levels."
"…Is he a coward?" Ragnar muttered.
Garou stopped.
"…What did you say?"
"Nothing," Grand Oculus quickly intervened.
"You must've misheard."
"…Tch."
Garou clicked his tongue and walked forward.
He needed to leave.
Now.
He wasn't strong enough—
Not yet—
To face Dragon-level monsters head-on.
"Wait."
Garou paused.
"What now?"
Ragnar stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.
"I've decided."
"I don't like your attitude."
"If you won't join us—"
"I'll beat you to death right here."
"Ragnar! Stop!" Grand Oculus snapped.
This wasn't the plan.
Garou would come around eventually—
No need to force it now.
"Too late."
Ragnar grinned viciously.
"I've wanted to smash this arrogant brat for a while."
Garou turned.
A savage smile spread across his face.
"Perfect."
"I've been wanting to crush your skull too."
His stance shifted.
Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist—FULL FORCE.
Despite his battered body—
He gathered every ounce of strength.
And then—
Something awakened.
A burning sensation.
A threshold—
Breaking.
This fight…
Will push me further.
Beyond my limits.
Dragon-level…
I'm stepping into it.
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx