In the police car.
Starting the ignition, Kaito Joestar's expression was slightly bewildered. With a lift of his hand, a white-quality N Card appeared from nothingness. The card face showed a dead-eyed bald man smiling carelessly.
This was the first time Kaito had encountered such a situation; gaining a Fantasy Card just from a close-range encounter. "Did I activate my Stand ability just now? I don't know!"
If it were any other Monster, there'd at least be a BOSS battle first, and he'd have to actively collect the dropped rewards himself. Attributing everything to Saitama's special nature as the world's chosen one, Kaito finally had time to examine the card in his hand.
[Fantasy Card: Limiter Shard]
[Card Type: Special Card]
[Rarity: N Card]
[Description: An unknown shard from an unknown origin.]
[Effect 1: ???]
[???]
Kaito: ?
Seeing the question marks on the card, Kaito was also full of questions. He knew about Limiters. In the original work, the technological villain Dr. Genus explained it as one of this world's fundamental rules.
Due to differences in power between species and individuals, there's a limit that can't be eliminated no matter how much effort is put in. This allows various organisms to grow without losing their species' survival consciousness and rationality. This growth limit is called the Limiter.
In simpler terms, some S-Class Heroes are born with talents far exceeding ordinary people, meaning a larger Limiter. For example, Child Emperor's genius brain, Tatsumaki's Superpower, and Bang's martial arts talent. When humans transform into Monsters due to a change in species, it's equivalent to resetting a new Limiter. The only creature that maintained its human form and successfully removed its Limiter was Saitama.
As for the "Limiter Shard"… This automatically generated N Card, and its functional feedback from the Stand, didn't mention its purpose at all. Produced by Saitama, Kaito didn't believe it would be a useless card. So he'd just throw it into his card deck to gather dust for now.
Anyway, the Fantasy Cards library has no quantity limit, so even if Kaito throws in all sorts of random things, he doesn't feel any pressure.
The chance encounter with Saitama was just a small interlude in his work, but a strange sense of crisis arose in Kaito's heart. The Monster disaster, which others talked about with dread, became a precious resource that might not regenerate in his eyes.
Even if the bald guy came, that would... Cost more money!
A month passed.
This month, Z City didn't experience any large-scale disasters above Demon-level. However, Wolf-level and Tiger-level Monsters emerged one after another like bamboo shoots after a spring rain.
Onion Monster, Sausage Monster, Mailbox Monster, Toilet Monster... These Monsters, mutated from common items, were being harvested again and again, stimulated by who knows what. While collecting these 'crops,' Kaito seriously suspected these Monsters were probably being used for Saitama to level up.
It seems... he was the one stealing the Monsters.
Through his efforts in responding to calls (drawing cards) during these days, Kaito's main body strength improved by a small step. It's just a pity that drawing cards doesn't depend on luck but on destiny, and even a handsome guy like the reader can't control it.
Limited by the drop rate, he's still on the path of solidifying his basic attributes, which, in a way, is the same thing a certain future bald man is doing.
At the same time, Kaito noticed faint glances always seemed to be directed at him during his recent patrols. But when he actively activated his Spider Sense to search, he couldn't find where the owner of the gaze was hiding. No discovery meant no dangerous presence around, but Kaito still secretly heightened his vigilance.
Others might not know, but he was well aware that the Monster Association's headquarters was underground in Z City. It was inevitable that he'd be targeted due to his frequent activities recently.
But developing, it's not shameful. Recently, the Hero Association's momentum has been on the rise; when it comes to being high-profile, they're the regular hot search topic. With them as a fallback, Kaito expressed that he wasn't afraid at all.
Police Station.
"Kaito-kun, Director Tanaka wants to see you."
"Me?" Kaito, who was just finishing a report, was startled and looked up at the young policewoman with flushed cheeks. "Do you know what it's about, Akari?"
"I don't know," Akari paused, tapping her lips with her slender index finger, blinking her large eyes as she tried hard to recall, "A few guests arrived at the Director's office early this morning; it's probably related to them?"
"Guests... Alright, I understand."
The young policewoman left, swinging her ponytail. Kaito also put down his work, got up, and walked towards the Director's office at the end of the corridor.
"PCZ9527 reporting."
"Come in."
Three men in suits sat on the sofa opposite the Director. The moment Kaito entered, three gazes simultaneously turned and scanned him from head to toe, making him want to frown.
"Director, you called for me?"
"Mm." Seeing the three guests' gazes across from him growing hotter, Director Tanaka couldn't help but cough twice, signaling the three to come back to their senses. "This is our excellent officer, Kaito-kun. For the matter you mentioned, you can directly ask for his opinion."
"Ah?"
Hearing the displeasure in his Director's tone, Kaito was a bit dumbfounded. What do you mean ask for my opinion? Director, are you just pushing your own officer out without explaining things clearly?
"Yes, thank you for the introduction!" The three men in black suits stood up in unison, well-trained. The one leading them thanked Director Tanaka and proactively approached Kaito. "Mr. Kaito Joestar, it's an honor to meet you! I am an executive from the Hero Association's Z City branch. You can call me Bucky."
"Hello..."
"We came here presumptuously to invite you to join the Hero Association and become our professional hero—of course, becoming a hero won't affect your primary job. You just need to cooperate with our publicity in your spare time, and we've already confirmed this with Director Tanaka! We're confident we can make you Z City's... Oh no, the most popular ace hero in the entire association!"
Suddenly cued, Director Tanaka rolled his eyes: "Wait, I didn't agree. Of course, if you can convince Kaito-kun, I won't interfere."
So it was someone from the Hero Association, Kaito understood in his heart. In a modern city with surveillance everywhere and everyone carrying a phone, it wasn't that easy to remain completely hidden. No wonder Director Tanaka was so displeased; he'd always had a bad impression of this private organization that encroached on their territory.
However, with official involvement and endorsement, the Hero Association's growth was a foregone conclusion, and he could do nothing about it. Kaito nodded, suddenly understanding where the inexplicable feeling of being watched these past few days came from.
So he was being watched by subordinates!
Ah, no wonder Spider Sense didn't react.
After thinking for a moment, Kaito responded: "Since that's the case, I'd like to understand in detail the duties and obligations of becoming a hero, if that's possible?"
The association executive named Bucky nodded repeatedly: "No problem! We've brought all the information. We can find a place to discuss it in detail."