Chapter 13: This Timeline Doesn't Feel Right...
Hm?
Saitama slowly lowered the bowl filled with premium beef and cast his gaze upon the box sitting beside Kenji.
"Fighting games? Do you play fighting games too, King?"
Kenji maintained his smiling expression, looking for all the world like he harbored absolutely no ill intentions.
"Yeah, I play fighting games. But my skills might be a little rusty... I probably can't beat you."
Hearing this, Saitama's eyes instantly lit up. He shoveled the remaining beef into his mouth in a few bites, switched off the hotpot, and clenched his fist with renewed motivation.
"That's perfect! I happen to be a Fighting Game God who has mastered the art of combat. Let me teach you what true fighting game skills are!"
In his daily life, Saitama felt an unbearable emptiness because he was too strong. He constantly yearned for an opponent who could give him a thrilling battle.
In fighting games, however, Saitama had a dual desire: he wanted to spar with strong players, but he also wanted to crush weaklings to feel a sense of accomplishment.
Hearing Saitama's ambitious declaration, the corner of Kenji's mouth twitched uncontrollably. He almost burst out laughing.
No... can't laugh yet... hold it in a little longer...
Five Minutes Later.
The two sat in front of the console. The screen displayed the character selection interface of a popular fighting game.
Saitama chose a towering, muscle-bound behemoth wielding a giant spiked club—a character that screamed raw power.
Kenji, on the other hand, chose a petite, delicate-looking "loli" character with twin tails and little bells tied to the ends of her hair, assuming a boxing stance.
Seeing the massive size difference between their characters, Saitama gripped his controller tightly, a confident and cocky expression on his face.
"King, you're not very good at picking characters, are you? My guy clearly looks way stronger than yours. Watch me one-shot you in seconds!"
FIGHT!
The battle began. Saitama started mashing the attack button furiously, completely clueless about combos, his mind filled only with thoughts of offense.
The muscle-bound giant he controlled swung the spiked club relentlessly, but every swing was dodged or blocked by the petite girl on the other side with exquisite precision.
When he was backed into a corner, Kenji's eyes sharpened. His two fingers danced across the controller at lightning speed, inputting a complex sequence of commands in an instant.
On screen, the little girl leaped into the air. A precise, unbreakable combo chain followed. The muscle giant couldn't move an inch and was stun-locked until his health bar hit zero.
K.O.
Saitama: "......."
He sat there, dumbfounded. He couldn't believe he had just been 100-to-0'd without landing a single hit.
Kenji turned his head with a gentle smile. "Play again?"
Saitama was clearly unconvinced. He slapped the floor in frustration, his eyes burning with seriousness.
"Of course we're playing again! That was just beginner's luck! Watch me destroy you in Round 2!"
Round 2...
Round 3...
Round 35...
Staring at the blood-red "KO" on the screen, a vein popped on Saitama's smooth head. His entire body turned a shade of red, a clear sign that his blood pressure was skyrocketing.
"AGAIN!"
Saitama screamed, sounding on the verge of a mental breakdown. He was panting heavily, staring death at the screen.
Kenji remained relaxed and breezy. Seeing Saitama's utter despair, he helplessly released one hand from the controller, leaving only a single finger on the buttons.
"How about this? I'll play using only one finger. As long as you can beat me once, I'll pay for all your beef for the next month."
"Really?!"
Saitama, who had lost all reason from being beaten so many times, was instantly reinvigorated. His eyes shone as he grabbed his controller.
"King, you're way too arrogant! Only one finger? Watch me crush you!!"
Round 75...
Watching his muscle-man get kicked to death by the little girl yet again, Saitama fell to his knees in frustration, letting out a wail worthy of a shonen protagonist.
"ARGHHHHHHHHHHH!!"
Kenji yawned, grabbed a nearby cola, took two sips, and shook out his right hand.
Pressing buttons with just one finger for so long actually makes it kind of sore.
Round 108...
"I quit."
Saitama threw down the controller, his face ashen. He collapsed onto the floor with a dull thud, looking utterly hopeless.
He hadn't won. Not even a single round!
Even when Kenji used only one finger, he still beat Saitama into a state of autism. He didn't want to play anymore.
Kenji himself was struggling to keep it together. He knew from the original series that Saitama sucked at games, but he didn't expect him to be this bad.
It's fine if you're bad, but why do you only mash the punch button? The kick button, dodge, and block buttons exist for a reason!
Saitama was depressed. He didn't even read his favorite manga. He just lay on the couch and turned on the TV.
"Recently, a massive swarm of mosquitoes has appeared in City Z. Many animals in the outskirts have been drained into dried husks. This has been classified as a disaster. Citizens are advised to minimize outdoor activities."
"Mosquitoes?"
Just as Saitama was bored enough to change the channel, a faint buzzing sound reached his ears.
Bzzzz...
Within two seconds, the buzzing grew louder. He turned his head and saw a mosquito land on his hand, trying to pierce his skin with its proboscis to suck blood.
Without hesitation, Saitama slapped his arm. An invisible shockwave erupted with immense force.
Smack!
Just as he thought the mosquito was dead, the familiar buzzing sound returned. The mosquito flew out from between his fingers, completely unharmed.
Under Saitama's gaze, the mosquito slowly landed on his face, preparing to feast again.
Saitama: "......."
He had just been tortured for 108 rounds in the game, and now he couldn't even slap a single mosquito? Veins popped out all over Saitama's face, looking like twisting worms. His frustration and rage reached their peak.
He slapped his own face hard, leaving a bright red handprint. His eyes turned murderous.
Smack!
In the next second, the mosquito wobbled out from between his fingers again. The buzzing sound seemed to mock him.
"DAMN IT!!!"
Saitama's body turned into a blur. His speed was so fast he created multiple afterimages, frantically clapping at the mosquito that danced around him.
However, after a chaotic flurry of activity, the mosquito remained untouched. Flapping its wings and carrying its annoying buzz, it flew toward the balcony.
"Don't run, you bastard! Where is my bug spray?!"
Watching Saitama put on his "Mask of Pain," Kenji sipped his cola leisurely and smacked his lips.
Looks like the plot is moving forward again.
But... this timeline feels a little off, doesn't it?