"What happened to you?"
At Hero Association headquarters, Bang suddenly stood up, staring at Metal Knight before him with a serious expression.
Currently, Metal Knight's armor had been deformed. In the previous battle, he had indeed underestimated his opponent and didn't bring his best equipment.
Metal Knight's strength entirely depended on the equipment he wore; theoretically, his potential was the greatest because he could continuously update and research stronger weapons and equipment.
"That monster was no match for me, I almost died there. Conservative estimate is Dragon level, combat power no less than Elder Centipede, possibly a new Monster Association member."
Metal Knight rotated his neck stiffly, producing strange metallic grinding sounds. His tone of speech was filled with humiliation and anger. How long had it been since he became S-Class, he had never met an opponent that made him feel afraid.
"But don't worry, I've already sent a distress signal. Tatsumaki just received that signal, by now the problem should be resolved."
Bang stared at Metal Knight for quite a while, then said slowly: "You fled from battle?"
Metal Knight was stunned for a moment, moved his neck unnaturally, then snorted: "Can this be called fleeing? That monster's power was too terrifying. Even if you went, you'd definitely struggle. I didn't bring my newest weapons; if I didn't leave then, most likely I would have died there. The Hero Association would lose an S-Class hero because of it."
Bang didn't care about the dissatisfaction in his tone, he only asked in a heavy voice: "I'm just asking you, did you flee from battle?"
Metal Knight was instantly angry and said: "Yes, I fled, so what? In that situation, if I didn't leave, most likely I would have died. A human who doesn't think of himself will be destroyed by heaven and earth. Should I sacrifice my own life for that group of ordinary people?"
As soon as this sentence was uttered, the entire room became dead silent. Everyone stared at Metal Knight with strange gazes.
Metal Knight realized the impropriety of his words, but he still stubbornly didn't retract them.
This was what was in his deepest heart, just never spoken until now. Even within the Hero Association, quite a few thought like him, but for the sake of justice (morality), no one dared say it openly.
The original purpose of establishing the Hero Association was to help civilians clean up monsters in this world and restore peace. If within the association itself there were people who thought like this, then the Hero Association would be in name only.
"Metal Knight, are you aware of what you're saying?" Child Emperor sat in his chair, pressing the school bag in his lap while staring at Metal Knight flatly.
"Hahaha, Metal Knight, there are some things that shouldn't be said carelessly..." Atomic Samurai appeared to casually stroke his sword sheath, but with a strange tone of speech.
The gazes of all the heroes present turned cold. Some were truly angry and felt disgusted with Metal Knight's words, there were also those who felt called out because they had the same thoughts but didn't dare express them. Metal Knight's words made them feel ashamed as well as angry.
Metal Knight looked around, realizing he had become the target of attack, then laughed slightly: "Why? Am I wrong? If my life is threatened, can't I flee? Should I die there for those ants?"
"Ants?" The meeting room door suddenly opened. The bespectacled man (association official) walked in and stared at Metal Knight flatly.
"The purpose of the Hero Association's existence is to protect civilians. You abandoned civilians and fled—that's actually not a big problem, but your mistake is that you are a Hero Association hero, and moreover an S-Class hero. Abandoning civilians for personal safety; if this becomes public knowledge, the Hero Association's reputation will be destroyed! The people will no longer trust us!"
As an association executive, the bespectacled man felt dissatisfied with Metal Knight's actions.
He knew well Metal Knight's strength; even with his current equipment, he most likely wouldn't die facing that monster, at most only severely injured. As long as he sent a help signal and waited for other heroes to arrive, that monster could definitely be killed.
"What? You're all blaming me?!" Metal Knight's tone sounded strange, he slowly surveyed everyone.
The bespectacled man's tone softened slightly: "We're not blaming you. I just want to inform you, something like this cannot be repeated. I don't want this kind of situation to happen again in the future. This is a major blow to the Hero Association's reputation."
"A joke!" Metal Knight's metal mask appeared increasingly wrinkled, faintly showing a strange facial expression: "I just want to survive, what's wrong with that? You blame me? On what basis? I don't believe you all wouldn't save yourselves if in that situation."
Bang said flatly: "That is our responsibility!"
"Responsibility?" Metal Knight laughed uproariously with arrogance and wildness, his voice thundering: "You're all extraordinarily noble, only I'm selfish!"
The heroes fell silent without words.
"Fine, starting today I'm leaving the Hero Association. A selfish person like me doesn't deserve to be a Hero Association member!" Metal Knight said coldly.
The heroes were shocked. The bespectacled man immediately said: "Don't do that, Metal Knight, calm down. We didn't mean it like that. The Hero Association needs you!"
Bang also frowned: "Metal Knight, don't be impulsive. This isn't a small matter."
Superalloy Darkshine said in a mocking tone: "Wow, his ability isn't much but his emotions are huge. If you're so great, why were you beaten until you ran like a wild dog earlier? Only dare to be fierce in your own kennel? Leave the association? You're scaring me!"
Metal Knight laughed from anger: "Scaring you? I'm not just talking."
He suddenly turned around, fire sprayed from his feet, and he directly flew out of the building.
The bespectacled man became panicked: "Metal Knight, don't be impulsive..."
The reason Metal Knight was at rank 6 in S-Class wasn't just because of his strength, but also because of his terrifying research ability and his control over his self-made metal forces. It could be said, he alone was an army. In terms of support capability, he was even equivalent to Tatsumaki.
However, right as Metal Knight flew to the building's exterior, a great force suddenly struck his body. He was instantly flung back inside, crashing into the building wall until it shattered and raised billowing dust.
Everyone was shocked and turned. Two figures levitated in the air, staring coldly toward Metal Knight. They were Tatsumaki and Fubuki who had just returned.
"Is the Hero Association a place you can come and leave as you please?"