In Z-City's downtown district.
Loris quickly brought Shinji to a place similar to "Akihabara." The entire street was lined with shops selling novels, manga, gas, and other rchandise that catered to otaku culture.
"You're actually interested in this kind of stuff?" Shinji was a little surprised.
So she had started showing signs of turning into an otaku without him even noticing?
"Is it not allowed? I just want to buy so manga. I read a little bit once by chance and thought it was pretty fun." Loris answered casually.
"I see. Then I guess you'll want to check out the shoujo manga section." Shinji rubbed his chin. Like many girls, she might be into those big eyes and flowery background manga then.
Just then, a commotion broke out on the street not far away.
Shinji's eyes imdiately shifted in that direction, where he saw the figure of a monster.
"Hahahaha! Because I love reptiles so much, I've mutated into the Long-Tongued Lord! All of you will bear my children!"
As the monster's shrill laughter echoed, Shinji finally got a clear look at it.
Its body was still humanoid, but its head had turned into sothing like a gecko's or chaleon's. A long tail extended behind it, and its tongue was abnormally long.
Its physique was much stronger than that of a normal human. Even five or six grown n together couldn't stop it.
"Run for your lives!"
Once people realized this wasn't sothing ordinary humans could handle, they scattered in panic.
Especially the won, since they were the ones the monster was fixating on.
"Humph, think you can run? Won, all of you stay right here!" The monster's tongue shot out in a spiraling attack toward one fleeing woman.
Just as it was about to catch her, a figure suddenly appeared behind it.
"Uh..."
Sensing sothing wrong, the long-tongued monster instinctively turned its head, and was imdiately frightened. "Wah! You scared to death!"
"..."
The newcor said nothing. All the monster could hear was a loud, powerful sound, like the roar of an engine.
Then it saw that stern, intimidating face, marked with three scars running from the hairline down to the corner of the mouth. At that mont, realization dawned.
That face... definitely not ordinary!
Although the long-tongued monster hadn't quite placed him yet, it understood that this man was dangerous. He seed strangely familiar, but the na just wouldn't co to mind.
"Ah! That man over there... isn't he [KING], the one they call the Strongest Man on Earth?!"
"Whoa, it's KING! Incredible! He's here to save us!"
"This is the legendary strongest hero?! I finally get to see him in person!"
As soon as KING appeared and was recognized, the fleeing crowd stopped running. Instead, they gathered behind him, chanting his na.
"KING!"
"KING!"
Each shout struck the monster like thunder, terrifying it until its legs gave out.
"S-s-so sorry for causing trouble, everyone! I sincerely apologize!!"
The long-tongued monster dropped to its knees in a full prostration, trembling as it begged KING for rcy.
The crowd, however, wasn't willing to let the creature off. They all begged KING to finish it off. But what they didn't realize was that KING himself was panicking inside.
Even though he looked calm, hands tucked casually in his pockets, in truth he was too scared to even move.
The so-called "Emperor Engine" was nothing more than his wildly pounding heartbeat, the sound of being terrified beyond reason.
The Long-Tongued Monster, perhaps even more frightened than KING, or simply unable to withstand the pressure, collapsed unconscious on the spot.
Soon after, KING was completely surrounded by people.
'Why… why did it turn out like this?'
KING was at a total loss.
Bystander A: "Mr. KING! Did you sense the monster's aura and rush here right away?"
KING: "No… I was just out to buy sothing, and happened to pass by…"
Bystander B: "Look at KING's face! He's angry! Don't block his path!"
KING: "No, I'm not angry…"
Bystander C: "KING! KING!"
More and more people closed in around him. As a reclusive, socially anxious shut-in, KING only grew more nervous.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His heartbeat thundered louder, so loud the people around him could clearly hear it.
"It's here! The KING Engine!"
"The strongest man alive has entered battle mode! They say no monster has ever survived after hearing that sound. Could there be another monster nearby?"
"No, it's us who've caused trouble for Mr. KING! Quickly, make way!"
Fearing his wrath, the crowd hurriedly opened a path for him.
"What's going on over there? Looks so noisy."
Loris looked in the direction of KING and the Long-Tongued Monster, but without Shinji's absurd level of perception, she couldn't see clearly.
"Nothing much. Just a little commotion." Shinji replied casually.
Still, despite his words, his gaze lingered for a mont in the direction KING had gone.
…
Once free from the crowd, KING's expression finally relaxed a little. He clutched his still-racing heart and let out a long sigh of relief. He had nearly died of nerves just now.
He pulled his cap with the big "K" on it lower, slipped on an extra hooded jacket, and covered up as much as possible to avoid being recognized.
Then KING hurried into a video ga store, quickly picked out the title he wanted, and rushed to the counter.
"That'll be 5,800 yen."
"Thank you for your purchase. Please co again."
KING grabbed his new ga and briskly headed ho.
"Phew, finally got it. I'm so excited, can't wait to play…"
What he held was the newly released limited edition of Heartbeat Sisters, a romance simulation ga.
He quickly slid it into his jacket pocket. If anyone noticed, it would be too embarrassing. But just then, a huge figure stepped into his way.
KING slowly looked up. Before him stood a heavily armored robot, clad in dazzling plating and draped with a regal fur-trimd cape. The kind of machine that looked like it had been fueled with a massive animation budget.
"I am G4, a machine god created by the Organization."
The armored robot introduced itself, then stated its purpose bluntly. "You are KING, the strongest hero. I am here to kill you."
"The Organization…?"
Learning that this towering robot had co to erase him, KING was once again so terrified that his "Emperor Engine" roared to life. Yet outwardly, he remained calm, hands still in his pockets, as if G4 was beneath his notice.
"You… know that I am KING, the strongest man alive…?"
KING's face was steady, but his heart felt like it might leap out of his chest. He emphasized his title, hoping it might be enough to scare his opponent off. And if luck wouldn't work, he was so fucked.
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