Chapter 026 - New Missions

I am born with power. I am healthy and strong, at least by ordinary standards. I thought I knew how to use my strengths, but now I am second-guessing myself. No! Instead, I will be more willing to learn from anyone who can teach me–to be as strong as this monster in front of me.

Suddenly, the blood of the monster splashes around. This monster said he was previously an ancient sword, thrown by its owner due to rust. He's called Strike Sword, and now, his primary weapon has become nothing but pieces of a broken blade on the ground.

"If you are a sword that cuts through anything, I wonder what my fist is called?!"

It's the hero hunter. He was already in the middle of a battle with the Strike Sword when we arrived. It didn't take long before Garou was already winning. He is even taunting the monster about him being a higher being because the monster claimed his strike can't be blocked except if the opponent is a god or a demon.

Garou's fist flew at the monster, then impacts its flesh with a satisfying meaty smack. His arm extends beyond the monster's burly chest and appears behind it.

I cringe. The monster opens its mouth with rows of jagged teeth that gleam like polished steel. Yet, instead of defending against Garou, it's at the end of its life.

"Garou, stop killing the monster in such a brutal way!" I scold.

"Ah, you are there?" he taunts. "Since when?"

"Since you are in the middle of the battle with that monster."

And again, Garous's fist hits the beast's flesh with a wet slap. This time, nothing comes out of the creature but a dull thud.

"What's wrong with killing this monster? Aren't you going to kill it, too?"

"But...it would be bad for our reputation as heroes… if people see us killing a monster like that."

He sneers at me. "Thankfully, I am not a hero!"

As if making a point, he hits the monster harder. "I don't need to be as hypocritical as you do!" he screams.

Having no idea how to stop him, I flinch every time his fists connect with the monster's flesh. And then, the beast falls down.

"Ha! Finally, you fell! You bastard! Strongest strike sword, you say?!"

I cover my mouth. I thought the hero hunter doesn't kill, but I am seeing a mutilated body of a monster now.

"You are dead meat now!"

At least, that is true. This is the first time I saw a monster die so brutally.

From above us, helicopters hover. Garou groans. "Better escape now," he says. "Before the Association catches me."

"But how about this monster?"

"Just say you killed it!"

He pulls his hood to cover his face. Then, he rushes away from the scene as if someone is chasing after him. I groan in exasperation, and when the Heroes Association's employees arrive, I am ready with an alibi.

"No one else here besides me. I was just walking when I heard that there is a monster attacking the city."

The two men look at each other. One of them asks: "What happened? How did you kill it?"

"With my tornado," I lie.

They exchange looks. "Are you sure?"

"Yes."

One of them nods. "We'll take care of this then."

"Thank you."

When I walk away from them, I breathe a sigh of relief. Now, at least, that's done.

*****************

"Fubuki, wake up," comes Saitama's voice.

I cover my eyes with my arms, but I can hear him opening the curtains to let the sunlight in. The breeze blows into the apartment. It is as gentle as a soft caress on a lover's cheek.

Lover? I giggle in delight. Maybe Saitama and I can be lovers soon.

"Hey, Fubuki, wake up. Lily has been here since an hour ago."

I remove my arm from my eyes and open them. Saitama is peering at me. His face is serious. He looks like he wants to say something.

"What is it?" I smile.

What does he want to tell me? Is this the time when he tells me how much he loves me? Or maybe he will ask to get married right away.

No! Stop thinking about marriage! We are not ready yet!

"Um... You see, Fubuki," he stammers. "You can't use my pillow. Use your own."

I bolt upright. Lily is looking at me, amused. "Heeya, Miss Fubuki~~ Good morning!"

She has her hands full of food. She must have been preparing breakfast while waiting for me to wake up.

I clear my throat. I hope I didn't do any weird gestures. "Good morning, Lily." I look at the food she is carrying. "You cooked?"

"Yes." Lily smiles happily. "Just toast and eggs, though."

I stand up and walk toward her. I take one piece of toast and eat it. It tastes great! I have the desire to put some eggs on another part of the bread. But first, I need to wash up.

"Did you only come here to cook?" I ask.

"Nope! There is a new mission that arrived earlier."

"What is it?" I ask.

"We are going to guard a wealthy man. However, most Blizzard members are busy with their missions. There are also queued-up items on them. Which means you are the only one free."

"That's fine. I can guard a man."

"The man requested to have two guards. One woman and one man," she says. Her eyes shift to Saitama, and she adds, "The pay is half a million yen."

"Half a million yen?! That's enough to buy a house, and I won't worry about money anymore!"

"You are exaggerating," I remark. And to Lily, I ask, "When?"

"Today."

"What's the rush?"

"There will be some high-stakes deal tonight, so the client wants to meet you today."

I look at Saitama. He is already in front of the cabinet. "What are you doing?"

"Getting my hero costume."

"If this is guarding someone and tonight will be high-stakes, I doubt they will let you wear your hero costume."

But the real reason is that, his clothes are so old-fashioned that we might be turned away instead. And so, I walk towards his cabinet. I grimace as I rummage through his clothes. His shirts and shorts are horrendous!

"Why do you only have such awful clothes? Open up some other drawer or something!"

"That's all I have," he replies.

"Can't you buy better clothes?!"

"It's not like I'm rich or anything."

I take a heavy sigh. "Lily," I order. "Get some freshly washed clothes from Blizzard men."

"Roger!" Lily says and runs off.

"Hey! I don't need that!" he complains.

"Don't worry," I assure him. "I am sure those men won't mind."