Chapter 56: Then I'll Just Become an S-Class Hero.
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Kihara learned from Minami Yume that once you become a registered hero under the Hero Association, you gain access to past accident records. This system exists so heroes with special abilities can uncover monsters hidden behind so-called "incidents."
So, the two of them headed to the association in Q-City to register as heroes.
Becoming a hero wasn't complicated. All you had to do was pass the entrance exam, which consisted of two parts: a physical test and a written exam.
Thanks to Eirin Yagokoro, Kihara's physical body had been stabilized to a level that could barely withstand rifle bullets. If he wanted to get stronger, he'd have to take her special medicine.
But those "special medicines" from that woman… let's just say, anyone who knows, knows. He had no desire to turn into some bizarre experiment. Since he couldn't improve his raw strength, he had no choice but to grind his combat skills instead.
After completing both tests, the results came out quickly.
As expected, Kihara was ranked as a C-Class hero, placed at Rank 233.
The Hero Association ranks heroes from highest to lowest as S, A, B, and C.
Based on his physical ability alone, Kihara should've made it into B-Class. Unfortunately, his written exam dragged him down badly. His answers basically screamed:
"My girlfriend is the most important thing. If monsters don't mess with me directly, I won't bother with them."
That kind of attitude didn't exactly scream "protector of humanity," so he got placed into C-Class.
Kihara didn't really care about rankings anyway. As long as he could access the accident records, that was enough. Otherwise, he'd much rather stay home and "treat" problem girl Minami Yume.
I mean… just looking at those black-stocking legs all day wouldn't be a bad life.
"Did you pass?" Minami Yume asked expectantly.
"Yeah. C-Class."
"That's amazing! Let's go check the archives about my sister's accident!"
"Let's go."
She excitedly dragged him into the association library—only to be immediately shut down.
"I'm sorry," the librarian said flatly. "Mr. Kihara's rank is insufficient to access those records."
Yume's face flushed red as she slammed the counter.
"I thought all heroes could access the files! Why is there suddenly a rank restriction?!"
The librarian adjusted his glasses.
"A few years ago, too many C-Class heroes recklessly chased credit by investigating incidents linked to Tiger-level monsters. Casualties skyrocketed. So the association imposed rank restrictions."
Her voice trembled.
"Then… what rank do we need?"
The answer came like a death sentence.
"S-Class clearance."
"S… Class…"
Yume staggered as if struck by lightning.
She had come so close to the truth, only for fate to slam the door in her face again.
Kihara gently steadied her from behind.
"Then I'll just become an S-Class hero," he said casually. "It's not like there's no way up. Why look like the world's ending?"
His tone, as if becoming S-Class were as easy as drinking water, immediately irritated the librarian.
The man sneered.
"S-Class heroes aren't children playing pretend. They are humanity's strongest defenders. Their power is beyond imagination."
He looked Kihara up and down.
"And you? What makes you think you can just become one?"
Kihara's expression turned cold.
"If you weren't association staff, I'd have already punched you."
"Oh? Think becoming a hero makes you special?"
Kihara didn't bother responding further. He simply took the dazed Yume and left.
By the time they got home, she had already recovered her usual lazy demeanor, lying on the sofa scrolling through her phone.
"Miss Minami, don't you have school?"
"Nope. Finding out the truth about my sister matters more. And… just call me Yume."
"Alright. Then handle your own lunch. I'm heading out to kill some monsters."
Yume shot upright like a spring.
"Wait—you're serious? You're actually going to hunt monsters just to rank up?"
"What else?" he replied. "I already promised you, didn't I?"
A warm feeling quietly spread through her chest.
It had been a long time since she felt… important to someone.
"…Then be careful," she said. "And don't use that rider armor if you can help it."
"Why?"
She pulled up a photo on her phone.
"Look. I saw this while waiting for your test results. There's a bounty posted by an S-Class hero—Tatsumaki, the 'Tornado of Terror.' She's offering a huge reward for any information on a black-armored rider."
She glanced at him meaningfully.
"Sounds familiar, right?"
"…Yeah."
"Do you have a grudge with her?"
"We've never even met. You're the first person to see that armor."
"That's… weird."
"Instead of worrying about that," Kihara said lightly, "you should practice cooking. At least make sure you don't starve while I'm out."
Without waiting for her reply, he walked out.
Even without using the Faiz armor, Kihara wasn't helpless.
His enhanced body allowed him to use acceleration mode even without transforming. Combined with his Phantom Sword ability, he could still fight effectively.
Q-City was too safe—no monsters to hunt.
So he headed straight to Z-City.
After all, beneath that city lay the headquarters of the Monster Association.
In Z-City, monsters popped up like weeds after rain. You could run into several just by taking a walk.
Honestly, Kihara almost felt bad for the residents.
"Imagine living on top of a monster spawn point…"
He smirked.
"If I reported this to the Hero Association… would they actually believe me?"
Then he shrugged.
A C-Class hero like him didn't exactly have credibility.
As he entered Z-City, panicked civilians ran past him.
"Run! There's a monster!"
"Wow," Kihara muttered, amused. "What a welcoming city. Free achievements the moment I arrive."
He stored his motorcycle in his dimensional bag and walked straight against the fleeing crowd—toward the monster wreaking havoc in the distance.
Three weeks later.
The once lowly C-Class Rank 233 hero, now known as "Crimson Rider," had risen into B-Class, climbing steadily with momentum toward A-Class.
Standing once again in the Q-City library, Kihara looked at the same librarian who had mocked him before.
Now, he spoke calmly:
"I'm a B-Class hero now."
He paused, eyes cold.
"So tell me… what are you?"
The librarian said nothing.
He just stood there—silent, pale, and filled with regret.
.....
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