"Huh? That voice just now sounded human. Why do I only see an egg?"
The Beast King's tone was full of doubt; he was so tall he had to look straight down, so all he could see was a round, talking egg.
The next words were clearly annoyed:
"Hey! Who're you calling an egg! I'm Saitama, the guy you're looking for!"
The Beast King crouched, finally noticing the person under the "egg," and was a little surprised.
"So you're human! I thought the egg could talk—almost mistook you for an Egg Monster!"
Saitama's cheek twitched; his eyes turned even colder.
What's with this oversized lion, insulting me as an egg the moment we meet—mocking my bald head, huh?!
Seeing the human look miffed, the Beast King shrugged, baring sharp fangs, eyes full of amusement.
He lifted a paw and rubbed Saitama's shiny scalp, crimson beast-pupils brimming with mockery.
"Angry? Doesn't matter. As long as you're Saitama, that's enough. Doctor wants you alive.
Choose: come quietly back to the Evolution House, or I hack off your limbs and drag you there?"
Yet the Beast King failed to notice Saitama's simply drawn face turning sharp and serious…
Meanwhile, at the roadside.
A silver-armored, gorilla-like creature stood there; beside him, a mole-shaped monster.
The Mechanical Gorilla scratched its head, emitting clanking electronic tones.
"Beast King… Doctor said covert action… yet he charges straight onto a human street to hunt!"
The mole-shaped monster—Ground Dragon—twitched his whiskers, narrow eyes full of disdain.
"Who cares? These old-model humans are nothing. This way's faster—target found already."
"Guess… you're right."
Mechanical Gorilla said no more; the method was certainly efficient—target spotted almost immediately.
Still, an ominous feeling grew stronger inside him.
The unease began affecting his circuits; he took two deep mechanical breaths to calm himself.
It'll be fine… Beast King is the Evolution House's strongest after that monster; this should be easy.
Just then, the fleeing crowd slowed, noticing a bald head blocking the fearsome monster.
Some Hero Association watchers recalled something, pointing at Saitama in shock.
"I remember! That baldy's the new S-Class Hero—Caped Baldy!"
"What? That C-looking guy is actually S-Class?"
"Who cares how he looks—he'll beat that monster for sure. Go, Caped Baldy!"
"Yeah! Caped Baldy, you got this!"
Hearing "Caped Baldy" over and over, veins bulged on Saitama's forehead.
Sensing the rising crowd fervor, the Beast King grew interested.
"Caped Baldy? Hilarious yet fitting—bald head, ugly white cape, hahaha!"
"But…" His grin vanished, bloodlust surging as he raised razor claws high.
"Seems you won't come quietly. Fine—I'll rip off your limbs and drag you back like a dead dog!"
Beast God Rending Sky Claw!
The gleaming claws slashed down, fierce enough to tear Saitama apart.
As the blow neared, Saitama suddenly panicked:
"Don't wreck my clothes, jerk!"
A furious punch shot out—no fancy effects, no heroic lines, just a simple fist landing on the Beast King.
The next instant, the towering body exploded into chunks of meat; two scarlet eyeballs plopped out, rolling to Saitama's feet.
The crowd erupted in praise.
"An S-Class Hero for a reason—killed that monster in one punch!"
"Caped Baldy is awesome! I'm voting for you the moment I get home!"
"Long live Caped Baldy!"
"I used to think bald heads were ugly, but now they look kinda cool!"
At that comment, everyone turned to the speaker.
Round face, stubble, short hair, chubby, white socks—basically the full checklist.
Saitama had been enjoying the praise—until it was all "Caped Baldy," killing his mood.
And when that stereotypical guy spoke, cold sweat poured down Saitama's back.
Is this what they show online…? He didn't dare think further or stay longer.
His eyes swept the crowd, hunting for an escape route.
Suddenly his gaze fixed somewhere, puzzled.
By now, Mechanical Gorilla and Ground Dragon were stunned, minds blank.
The Evolution House's No. 2, Beast King, obliterated with one punch?!
Damn that Doctor—what target did he give us!
When Saitama's eyes turned their way, the pair nearly fainted and bolted instantly.
Mechanical Gorilla sprinted off, his armor boosting him around the corner in seconds.
Ground Dragon simply dug straight down, fleeing through an earth tunnel.
Seeing the two would-be accomplices run at a mere glance, Saitama finally saw his chance to slip away.
Hey! Got it!
…
(End of Chapter)
[Throw some stones]