On the streets of New York—
People were still immersed in the aftershock of survival.
The sight of hundreds of nuclear explosions happening at once—
Was something no ordinary person could ever forget.
And the majestic city of Camelot summoned by Mash—
Had left countless people in awe.
"Finally… got it."
Just after finishing his "supervision" of Lucian—
King hurried straight to a nearby game store.
Today—
Several new releases had dropped.
As an S-Class (fake) hero of the Hero Alliance—
His salary was more than generous.
One hundred million dollars a year.
Buying a few games?
Nothing.
He could buy the entire store if he wanted.
Of course—
He wore a hood.
Otherwise—
With his current fame—
He'd be surrounded instantly.
"King! Is that King?!"
On the street—
A child suddenly ran out—
Pointing straight at him.
Even with his face hidden—
He was recognized.
For King—
This was a nightmare.
Right now—
All he wanted—
Was to go home and play:
"Total War: Three Kingdoms"
And the dating sim—
"Heartbeat Sisters (Limited Edition)"
That anticipation—
From purchase to playing—
Was unbearable.
But reality—
Was cruel.
"Where's King?!"
"That guy in the hood!"
"I saw the three scars—it's him!"
In an instant—
The crowd surged.
King was surrounded—
Completely.
Center of attention.
Top-tier treatment.
And yet—
He wasn't happy at all.
This level of social interaction—
Was way beyond a shut-in's limits.
"King! Please sign this!"
"How can I become as strong as you?!"
"Give him space! He's busy!"
"King is so cool!!"
…Should I just summon the Mark VII armor and fly out…?
King quietly placed his finger on his wrist device.
One tap—
And the armor would assemble in one second.
"You idiots! Move aside!"
The child shouted loudly.
"King is on his way to hunt monsters!"
"If you delay him, people might die!"
"Ah—right!"
"Sorry, King!"
"Please go ahead!"
The crowd instantly cleared a path.
King blinked.
…What exactly did they misunderstand?
But—
This worked.
Now he could finally go home—
And play his games.
"King! I'm your fan!"
"Can you carry me on your back?"
"…Huh? I… uh…"
"I'm also interested in the games in your bag! Can I come play too?"
Ignoring King's refusal—
The child ran toward him happily.
And then—
The King Engine roared.
During the previous war—
King had received a random enhancement.
His King Engine—
Had become even more terrifying.
Invisible pressure—
Comparable to a real S-Class hero.
"…?!"
The child froze.
Trembling.
"S-s-sorry?! Why are you entering combat mode?! I'm just a kid!!"
"…You should stay away from me."
King spoke slowly.
"It's better for you to find another hero."
Inside—
He was panicking.
The bag—
Contained his dating sim.
If people found out—
That the legendary King—
Was just a hardcore otaku—
His image—
Would shatter instantly.
His heartbeat—
Accelerated.
To others—
That was the activation of the King Engine.
Meaning—
King was preparing to fight.
"No matter how you beg… it won't work."
"The more you hope… the more hopeless it becomes."
"…!"
The child—
Now less than one meter away—
Started shaking violently.
Its true form—
Was a wolf-level shapeshifting monster.
It had disguised itself as a child—
To get close to King—
And take his head.
Fame—
In one move.
That was the plan.
But now—
It felt something else.
Death.
Absolute death.
"…He saw through me…"
"…I'm too close…"
"…I'm going to die…"
Its breathing became heavy.
Fear—
Overwhelmed it.
Its transformation—
Began to collapse.
The child—
Melted.
Turned into a puddle—
Of mud-like flesh.
Bones—
Collapsed inward—
Piercing its own core.
Instant death.
"…???"
King stood there—
Stunned.
What… just happened?
Why did that kid turn into… sludge?!
"AMAZING!!"
"He saw through it instantly!"
"He killed it without even moving!"
"That must've been psychic pressure!"
"King is unbeatable!!!"
The crowd erupted.
Cheers.
Worship.
Admiration.
King—
Face calm.
Inside—
Total chaos.
I JUST WANTED TO BUY GAMES.
WHY DID A MONSTER TURN INTO MUD.
WHAT IS GOING ON.
"…Let's just go home."
Clutching his bag tightly—
King walked away.
Silently.
Leaving behind—
A legend that grew even bigger.
And a mystery—
That even he didn't understand.
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Read Chapters ahead: [email protected] / KaiOynx