Chapter 144: Disaster Beyond Dragon-Level!
"What is this?"
The Monster King, Orochi, sensed changes within his body. He had believed he had reached his limit, that his potential was exhausted, and that breaking past his limiter was impossible. But now, his cells were undergoing transformation once more!
By repeatedly approaching death and then surpassing it, one could break their limiter and push their limits further.
This was the method of breaking the limiter in One Punch Man. Of course, such a thing didn't exist in reality.
It was somewhat similar to unlocking the genetic lock, but far superior. The genetic lock couldn't be opened indefinitely, whereas this ability allowed one to adapt until it became a permanent state.
The most representative examples were Phoenix Man and Garou.
In the One Punch Man remake, Phoenix Man demonstrated an ability to resurrect himself repeatedly, evolving each time he was reborn. He even showed the power to revive the corpses of others—though Chang Wei didn't consider that true resurrection.
Aside from Garou, Phoenix Man was also one of Chang Wei's targets. Even if this form of immortality had its flaws, the possibility that the Divine Light Virus could absorb and evolve it was intriguing.
Now that Orochi realized he had the potential to evolve, he immediately devoured a massive amount of super monster cells.
With no immediate threat of death and his power reaching the peak of Dragon-level—possibly beyond—Orochi could no longer find a sufficient danger to push himself further. Thus, he had initially planned to halt his evolution. If not for Gyoro Gyoro's intervention, he might have launched a direct assault on the Hero Association headquarters.
Gyoro Gyoro suggested arranging a battle for him against the Earth's strongest man, King. A duel with no interference from other heroes or monsters—only through such a battle could he take another step forward.
Now, feeling the possibility of further evolution, the threat of death once more, Orochi plunged headfirst into the process.
He had been through it countless times before, so he was well-versed in the experience.
After three days, Orochi completed his evolution, his body shrinking considerably. However, he didn't immediately turn against Psykos to seize her power. Instead, he chose to remain hidden.
The presence of the superheroes from the Hero League pressured him. Moreover, the battle between the strongest hero, Chang Wei, and the cosmic monster Boros made Orochi aware that he couldn't act recklessly. Thus, he now craved a fight against Chang Wei!
Chang Wei had become his new target.
"So, you've gotten stronger. The question is, how much stronger?"
Keeping a close eye on Orochi, Chang Wei observed him retreat and conceal himself within a pile of flesh. Throughout the entire process, Gyoro Gyoro remained oblivious. She was too arrogant, believing herself to be Orochi's master and that he was merely a tool. What she failed to realize was that Orochi was only using her.
Seeing this, Chang Wei decided it was time to act. He ordered the Hero League to declare war on the Monster Association and to encircle its headquarters.
—
"Emergency alert! Emergency alert! A massive number of monsters have been discovered underground in District 11! According to our investigation, they identify themselves as the Monster Association. Their ranks include multiple Dragon-level and Demon-level monsters, as well as an overwhelming number of Tiger-level and Wolf-level threats. The disaster level has been classified as beyond Dragon! Citizens are urged to evacuate District 11 immediately!"
"Repeating: Emergency alert! Emergency alert! A massive number of monsters have been discovered underground in District 11! According to our investigation, they identify themselves as the Monster Association. Their ranks include multiple Dragon-level and Demon-level monsters, as well as an overwhelming number of Tiger-level and Wolf-level threats. The disaster level has been classified as beyond Dragon! Citizens are urged to evacuate District 11 immediately!"
The Hero League's announcement sent shockwaves through the populace.
"What? The Monster Association?"
"Monsters are actually forming an organization?"
"Multiple Dragon-level and Demon-level threats? That's terrifying! I remember that Dragon-level monsters can destroy entire cities, and Demon-level ones can annihilate them!"
"Humanity only has eleven cities left—excluding District 0. Doesn't this mean the Monster Association has the potential to wipe out human civilization? No wonder it's classified beyond Dragon! This might even be a God-level disaster!"
"Can the Hero League handle this?"
Panic spread as people saw the news.
—
"A disaster beyond Dragon-level, huh? So this is the Monster Association Haragiri mentioned?"
Atomic Samurai gazed at the severed corpse of a monster before him.
Haragiri had arrived a few days later than in the original story. After consuming super monster cells, he displayed incredible strength. Unfortunately, he encountered the worst possible opponent—Atomic Samurai.
As long as an enemy wasn't truly immortal, Atomic Samurai had the ability to one-shot Dragon-level threats.
Despite Haragiri's transformation and his newfound power, which placed him at mid-to-high Dragon-level, he was instantly cut down.
"Master, what should we do?"
Iaian asked. They had passed the Hero League's evaluation and officially become superheroes. However, except for Iaian, the others had been classified as B-rank heroes.
With both arms intact, Iaian was capable of slashing Demon-level threats. In fact, Chang Wei believed that if Iaian faced Deep Sea King, his performance would likely surpass Genos's.
Had it not been for Sweet Mask preventing a large number of A-rank heroes from advancing to S-rank, Iaian would already be an S-class hero.
"Of course, we fight."
Atomic Samurai clenched the toothpick in his mouth. He hadn't joined the Hero League as a superhero, but that didn't mean he wouldn't deal with monsters.
In truth, he was just waiting for an invitation from the Hero League—but to his frustration, it never came. Damn Hero League! Then again, he had heard they weren't lacking in powerful members.
—
"This battle definitely needs me. After all, this is a disaster beyond Dragon-level!"
Tornado of Terror, after seeing the news, immediately flew out of her villa.
"Without me, those Hero League guys don't stand a chance. They'll be wiped out for sure."
—
"This is bad... I never thought monsters could unite like this..."
One by one, the former S-class heroes began heading toward District 11—the location of the Monster Association's headquarters, formerly known as City Z.
Even Watchdog Man, who had lost his home city of Q, made a rare move. With no city left to protect, he finally took action.
This S-class hero, whose art style was eerily similar to Saitama's, had long been suspected of being a monster himself—perhaps a canine-headed humanoid monster. Rumors even suggested that he had the ability to instantly eliminate Dragon-level threats.
After all, any monsters that appeared in City Q never even had a chance to report back before they were obliterated, making City Q one of the safest places in existence.
The level of protection Watchdog Man provided for City Q was absolute—no monster could cause any meaningful destruction within his territory. The only other figures who could maintain such a vast area's safety were Metal Knight, using a massive automated army, or Tornado, using wide-range psychic barriers.
(Support me and read ahead on Patreøn: patreøn.com/craxxtranslation. Thanks for your support! Don't forget to send Power Stones—300 Power Stones = +1 bonus chapter!)