"Chief..." Johnson turned to face his immediate superior, his expression expectant.
Chief Bear sighed and waved his hand dismissively, "Go ahead, go ahead. I'm just the middleman — don't worry about my opinion on this matter."
"Yes, sir! Thank you, sir!" With that, Johnson signed his name on the documents Bucky had brought.
The Heroes Association, still in its early stages, was not only casting a wide net for recruitment but also actively pursuing talented individuals with generous compensation packages.
This situation left Chief Bear particularly frustrated. Orders from above had already mandated full cooperation before they'd even arrived, and since it concerned his subordinate's career prospects, he didn't want to stand in the way.
"Mr. Johnson, my task is complete!" Bucky collected the documents and handed them to his assistant, "However, according to Association protocol, you'll need to visit the Z-City branch to complete some basic professional ability tests. These will determine your hero rank, initial ranking, and other matters. I hope you understand!"
Hero testing, huh?
Johnson nodded, "No problem, that's reasonable."
"Thank you! Looking forward to working together!"
"Likewise."
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
A hero, huh?
Inheriting the golden spirit of the Joestar family, he still admired this organization. No matter how things developed in the future, those pure and noble souls within would never change.
So let's join!
That was his conclusion after speaking with Bucky, the Association executive.
Before leaving, he made a special trip to the chief's office. The exhausted Chief Bear merely patted his shoulder, told him to "do well", and shooed him away.
Johnson naturally complied.
His first stop after work was the convenience store. With his increasingly superhuman physique came a matching appetite — just as high-performance cars need more fuel, so did his body.
After restocking his household items and refrigerator supplies, he emerged with bags in both hands, nearly hidden behind the mountain of groceries.
Finding a secluded corner, Johnson decisively activated his Stand ability, sealing everything in his hands into cards. Suddenly, life's burdens felt much lighter.
Turning around, he found himself face-to-face with a harmless-looking man.
"Good evening, Officer."
Saitama, with his simple art style, smiled and greeted him while scratching his head, unaware of two precious black hairs drifting down from between his fingers.
"That thing just now." He gestured with his hand, "Was that the legendary superpower? Are you one of those legendary superhumans?"
Johnson: "..."
Pretty curious, huh? Looks like the training isn't quite there yet.
╔══════════════════════╗
║ Fantasy Card: Limiter Fragment: +1 ║
╚══════════════════════╝
Hmm, another one?
Johnson quietly pocketed the mysteriously appeared N Card and made his decision.
"Well well, so I've been discovered?"
Hearing his deliberately lowered voice, Saitama's expression grew serious, his fists clenched as he prepared for battle, "Ah, according to TV dramas, is this where you silence witnesses?"
Johnson walked closer, patting his shoulder, "Of course not! Since you've seen it, let's hang out."
"Eh?"
✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱✱
Bubble Bubble Bubble...
The red spicy oil churned violently as thick slices of discounted beef slipped into the pot one after another. Within moments, the raw meat transformed in the boiling broth, releasing an enticing aroma.
Two men sat around the hot pot, sweat beading on their brows, their burning gazes fixed on the swirling meat slices.
"It's ready!"
"Excuse me while I dig in!"
At this moment, the two men wielding wooden chopsticks resembled supreme swordsmen. As the meat reached perfect doneness, their crossing gazes sparked, and their weapons struck simultaneously.
Swoosh Swoosh Swoosh...
Like blades flashing across mountains and sea, both combatants claimed their spoils, dipping the scalding meat in spicy sauce before it vanished into their mouths.
"Hah... hah... Wow! Hot... no, spicy!"
Compared to Saitama, who was now red-faced from the heat, Johnson's movements remained elegant.
Backed by his powerful constitution, his iron teeth made quick work of the scalding meat. While his opponent desperately fanned himself and searched for beer, Johnson had already claimed the remaining slices.
"Ah... that's unfair!" Saitama watched in despair as the other consumed the last of the beef, tears streaming down his face.
"Hmph, you still have far to go in the art of hot pot, Saitama-kun!" Johnson elegantly wiped his mouth, a smug smile playing on his lips, "If you want to defeat me, there's always next time!"
"Next time? That's too kind." Saitama scratched his head, oblivious to the five or six hairs falling loose, "Being invited today was already quite a surprise. Thank you very much for treating me, Johnson."
"It's nothing, just an extra pair of chopsticks." Johnson waved dismissively, discreetly pocketing another Limiter Fragment, "Besides, you don't understand the true essence of hot pot..."
Saitama blinked, straightening his posture attentively, "Oh, what is it?"
"It's about fighting for the food!" Johnson patted his shoulder, "A hot pot without competition has no soul!"
Saitama had an enlightened expression, nodding seriously, "I see! This is the first time I've heard such a unique perspective. I've learned something!"
"Then as tuition payment, please wash today's dishes, thanks."
"...Ah, okay."
The hot pot feast lasted until late night, and it was nearly midnight when Saitama left.
Summoning his Stand, Johnson placed the newly purchased ingredients into the completely empty refrigerator, then opened the balcony doors and windows to air out the room. The cool night breeze cleared away the lingering stuffiness, making him feel refreshed.
╔══════════════════════╗
║ Fantasy Card: Limiter Fragment: x10 ║
║ Fusion Available! ║
╚══════════════════════╝
"Hmm?"
Looking at the special N Card that had actively jumped out from his deck and was floating before him, Johnson raised an eyebrow.
Although his Stand would intelligently provide various information, it had never shown much emotional fluctuation. Yet at this moment, he received feedback from his Stand containing strong emotions, and what it contained was...
Hunger!
Then let's fuse. As his will directed, ten Limiter Fragments began to glow simultaneously, overlapping and merging. When the white light dissipated, a brand new fantasy card appeared before Johnson.
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARD: Limiter Break ACT1
CARD TYPE: Special Card
RARITY: N
┌─ SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ─┐
A conceptual force born from unknown fragments, originally invisible to the eye.
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — LIMITATION RELEASE ─┐
Designate any object to break through one racial growth limitation.
╚══════════════════════╝
It appeared to be just another ordinary N Card — even the image of the bald man with lifeless eyes smiling on its face hadn't changed.
Yet when Johnson saw the card's effect, his heart skipped a beat.