As expected, the system prompt in Jack's mind rang out after the Monster's death. The ice-type ability he had just been thinking about had appeared—a pleasant surprise. From now on, whether he wanted iced cola or fresh seafood sashimi for Pochi, he wouldn't have to worry about not having ice.
"We're… we're saved!"
The Fubuki Group members collapsed to the ground as if their bones had come loose, breathing heavily in relief after their brush with death. The despair they had faced earlier in the icy world still made them feel lingering fear.
Fubuki, too, felt her entire body weak and drained. Fine beads of fragrant sweat seeped from her delicate forehead, and even her Psychokinesis—which maintained her flight—became unstable, forcing her to slowly descend to the ground. She barely supported her body, her gaze toward Jack filled with incredible shock and a hint of inquiry.
—This man… what is his background?
—Not only is his strength unfathomable, but… he's so handsome.
As the last thought emerged, a faint flush appeared on her elegant face—usually maintaining a cold and aloof demeanor. As a younger sister who was extremely doting, Fubuki was not restricted from interacting with the opposite sex. But the effort of honing her superpower and chasing her older sister's shadow had consumed so much of her energy that, as she grew up, her desire to surpass her older sister and become the strongest had become an overwhelming obsession—leaving her no time for romance.
Yet Fubuki rarely encountered a man who could make her eyes light up, and at this moment, she couldn't help but steal several more glances.
The Fubuki Group members behind her—including Three-Section Staff Lily, whose pretty face was still a bit pale after recovering—all looked at Jack with an unconscious reverence for a powerful individual.
Eyelashes and Mountain Ape supported each other, barely standing, and struggled to walk before Jack. Eyelashes, who ranked higher, cleared his throat, trying to project the steady demeanor of a seasoned hero—but his eyes held a hint of wariness and flattery he himself hadn't noticed.
"Ahem, this… friend. This Monster was first discovered by our Fubuki Group, and it consumed a lot of its stamina… Well, even if there's no credit, there's hard work."
He smiled.
"Since you were the one who ultimately defeated the Monster, you are welcome to participate in the upcoming interviews and publicity events with us. But as for the Hero Points… you see, couldn't we split them with our Fubuki Group…"
Mountain Ape nodded silently beside him. Negotiations were usually left to the eloquent Eyelashes, and he only needed to provide moral support. But he also knew that the person before them was a true powerhouse—this negotiation might not go too smoothly. Still, getting some share was always good.
"Wait a moment…"
Jack waved his hand, interrupting Eyelashes' rambling with a half-smile.
"There's no need for points. I'm not interested in those. Moreover…" He paused. "I am not a hero."
"Ah…?" ×2
Mountain Ape and Eyelashes' prepared speeches suddenly stuck in their throats. They exchanged bewildered glances.
"Not a hero?" ×3
Hellish Fubuki, watching from the shadows, her beautiful eyes suddenly lit up. She felt exceptionally excited.
She was already deeply impressed by Jack's formidable strength and handsome appearance. Now, hearing that he was not a professional hero affiliated with the Hero Association made her heart burn even more brightly.
A powerful independent individual—if she could persuade him to join the Hero Association… then her Fubuki Group…
She suppressed the fatigue from overusing her superpower, quietly adjusted her slightly disheveled dark green pencil skirt, and walked a few steps toward Jack, elegantly extending her hand.
"Sir, I am the top B-Class Hero, 'Hellish Fubuki'—the leader of the Fubuki Group. May I ask your esteemed name? And are you interested in… joining our Fubuki Group?"
Alright—after Amai Mask, A-Class Rank 1, now B-Class Rank 1 has arrived.
—Oh dear… is becoming a hero truly unavoidable?
"My name is Jack."
Jack glanced at the exquisite black-stockinged older sister before him, and out of politeness, he gently shook her slender, fair hand before releasing it.
"As for becoming a hero—I'm sorry, but I'm not interested for now."
"Ah… is that so…"
Hearing Jack's reply, Fubuki's pretty face froze. She couldn't help but feel a little lost.
—He… he actually refused just like that…!
"Fubuki—!"
Just then, a cold, crisp yet somewhat domineering female voice descended from the sky like an icicle in winter.
"If you've played enough… then hurry home!"
Simple words, yet they struck the Fubuki Group members present like a bolt of lightning. The air seemed to solidify instantly—even the light dimmed a bit. A terrifying pressure, far exceeding that of a Monster, descended with a rumble like a collapsing mountain.
Everyone looked up in alarm, only to see a petite girl wearing a black, high-slit long dress, with emerald green curly hair flowing as if in a breeze, slowly descending from the air. On her exquisitely small face, a pair of emerald green eyes coldly scanned below, carrying a coldness and majesty utterly unsuited to her age and physique.
The absolute ace of the Hero Association, S-Class Hero Rank 2—
Terrible Tornado.
"S-Sister…!"
The moment Fubuki saw Terrible Tornado, her confidence instantly crumbled. Her cool, proud expression immediately transformed into the aggrieved and unwilling look of an elementary school student seeing their dean.
Terrible Tornado didn't even look at the other Fubuki Group members—now silent and trembling—as if they were merely irrelevant background scenery. Only when her cold green eyes swept over Jack did they slightly narrow, lingering for a full two seconds.
"Hmm?"
Terrible Tornado let out a soft sound of surprise in her heart. This man… seemed a little different from the others.
But—what of it?
"Hmph…"
Then she snorted disdainfully, dismissing Jack as an unknown grunt mingling with B-Class heroes, and no longer paid him any attention.
An incomparably powerful Psychokinesis, without a word, swept up Hellish Fubuki, and the two figures flashed, streaking across the sky like meteors. A lingering command remained behind—
"Next time I see you associating with these good-for-nothings, I'll break their legs!"
Fubuki: …
Fubuki Group: ???
Terrible Tornado swept Fubuki away like a storm. The suffocating pressure dissipated with her, making the air seem fresh again.
On the commercial street, the Fubuki Group members—having survived the ordeal—finally let out a huge sigh of relief. Their faces pale, cold sweat pouring, as if they had just walked back from the gates of hell. They helped each other up, their faces still showing traces of lingering shock.
"W-Was that really S-Class Terrible Tornado-sama just now?" A young group member's voice trembled, his legs still shaking uncontrollably.
"Nonsense! Besides Terrible Tornado-sama, who else has such terrifying Psychokinesis?" Eyelashes beside him retorted irritably—but the next second he tremblingly wiped cold sweat from his forehead, clearly quite frightened.
"Sigh—no matter how many times… Fubuki-sama always acts like a docile kitten in front of her… Ahem, pretend I didn't say that."
"Fubuki-sama's strength seems to have limits, but Terrible Tornado-san's strength… is simply not in the same dimension as ours."
"Tell me about it…!"
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