While reviewing Bang's information on her phone with help from an IT colleague, Lanie couldn't help but gasp.
Could this small elderly man really be such a powerful fighter?
When she saw the test results, she instantly became his fangirl, "Amazing! Master Bang, what incredible technique!"
Bang nodded with satisfaction, clearly pleased with the young lady's reaction.
This old man still had his charm!
But when he glanced at Johnson, his face fell. What was that brat spacing out about?
After all his effort, the boy wouldn't even spare a glance.
Indeed, Johnson wasn't paying any attention to the exasperated old man — his focus was entirely on a purple card in his hand.
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARD: Flowing Water Breathing Technique
CARD TYPE: Ability Card
RARITY: SR
┌─ SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ─┐
The fundamental breathing technique of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — WATER BREATHING ─┐
Through a special breathing method, enhance physical strength and water force, greatly strengthening attack power and speed, capable of deflecting and weakening enemy attacks.
╚══════════════════════╝
Johnson: ?
After Saitama, a second target for resource farming had appeared.
But something puzzled him — weren't the Fantasy Cards supposed to be in egg form during the upgrade phase? How could they still have energy to cause trouble?
Summoning a tangible deck of cards in his hand, Johnson suddenly understood: his Stand had completed its evolution and awakened new abilities.
That explained everything!
Before, it had been like this:
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARDS
┌─ STATS ─┐
Destructive Power: E
Speed: E
Precision: C
Development Potential: A
Durability: A
Range: C
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — CARD MASTERY ─┐
Grant objects a "card" concept, creating Fantasy Cards and controlling their power.
┌─ SECONDARY FUNCTION — DESTINY DRAW ─┐
Can randomly draw one fantasy card per day, draw attempts accumulate.
┌─ RANK ─┐
C-Rank: Equivalent to normal human capability.
╚══════════════════════╝
But now that evolved, the panel changed some things:
╔══════════════════════╗
FANTASY CARDS
┌─ STATS ─┐
Destructive Power: D [↟]
Speed: D [↟]
Precision: C
Development Potential: A
Durability: A
Range: B [↟]
┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — CARD MASTERY ─┐
Grant objects a "card" concept, creating Fantasy Cards and controlling their power.
┌─ SECONDARY FUNCTION — DESTINY DRAW ─┐
Can randomly draw one fantasy card per day, draw attempts accumulate.
┌─ TERTIARY FUNCTION — ELEMENT COLLECTION ─┐ [NEW!]
Randomly collect supernatural element fragments within ten meters to create Fantasy Cards.
┌─ RANK ─┐
C-Rank: Equivalent to normal human capability.
╚══════════════════════╝
Receiving feedback from his Stand, Johnson learned the results of this version update.
The biggest change was Fantasy Cards' awakening of its third ability — a passive collection feature added to the existing active card creation. For this to work, supernatural element drops needed to appear within ten meters of him, with probability being random like Destiny Draw.
Images of powerful heroes and monsters flashed before Johnson's eyes, until they transformed into... large, woolly sheep waiting to be harvested.
Slurp!
The sheep pen would no longer have just lonely Saitama — tears of joy rolled down Johnson's cheeks.
Besides the new Stand ability, Fantasy Cards' stats had improved. Power and Speed rose from the practically useless E-rank to D-rank, and range increased one tier to B-rank.
Though still rather weak. The range increase made sense, since the third ability's element collection had a maximum range of ten meters, counting as a ranged skill.
But what use was increased power and speed — surely he wouldn't materialize the Stand just to throw it at people?
Unable to figure it out, Johnson shook his head and dismissed his Stand.
Only to face a displeased old face — Bang.
"Hey, Johnson my boy, do you have some problem with this old man's performance?"
Seeing the situation turn unfavorable, Johnson triple-denied, "I didn't, I'm not, don't say that."
"Then you..."
Just as Bang was about to question further, he saw the young man pat his chest and froze, his eyes nearly popping out.
What did he see?
In mere seconds, a familiar aura mysteriously arose from the young man before him — the aura of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist!
How is this possible!?
The old man's pupils trembled, then his eyes filled with burning passion.
Forget uncut jade — this is pure gold!
"I tried imitating your breathing method from earlier, Master. Are there any problems?" Johnson asked with an apologetic smile.
Though this would expose him completely, the little old man wasn't a bad person, and making another friend wouldn't hurt. Besides, Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist was too good to pass up!
Of course, becoming his disciple was impossible, absolutely impossible! Otherwise, wouldn't he end up in the same generation as Genos?
HuffHuff...
Being a martial arts master, Bang quickly composed himself. Experience told him that taking on disciples wasn't something to rush.
Coughing twice, he resumed his previous master's demeanor and said with a smile, "Your imitation is very good, no problems at all. You must come visit my dojo sometime, so we can discuss this in more depth."
Johnson seized the opportunity, "Sure thing, no problem!"
"Now it's your turn, Johnson-kun."
"Then please excuse my poor performance." Johnson flexed his fist and turned to the drooling blonde bombshell, "Um, Miss Lanie… If I accidentally break something, I won't have to pay for it, right?"
Lanie was taken aback, but a staff member chuckled and said, "Don't worry, we have plenty of testing machines. It's fine even if you break one."
"That's good."
Johnson nodded, and as he spoke, his eyes suddenly turned silver-white, with blue spiritual flames wrapped in a lightning cloak manifesting around his body.
✱ Heart of the Tempest ↠ Secret Art: Lightning Release Chakra Mode! ✱
Taking a half step back and pivoting, terrifying power exploded from his twisting waist. His lightning-wrapped right hand left an afterimage as it struck the testing machine's pad!
BOOM—
A violent burst of air sent Lanie's skirt, the staff member's lab coat, and Bang's beard flying backward. The three stood motionless — not by choice, but because they were paralyzed by electricity.
The testing machine, supposedly able to withstand direct attacks from Demon-level monsters, now lay as a pile of sparking metal garbage embedded in the wall twenty meters away.
The staff member who moments ago thought Johnson was just bragging twitched his mouth, nearly crying.
Even if you don't have to pay, you didn't have to actually break it!
Lanie came to her senses, her eyes shining. An Esper and a martial arts master — recruiting two powerful fighters in one day was an absolute jackpot.
Bang's thoughts were written plainly on his face: So this kid is also an Esper — this makes taking him as a disciple even harder!
"Mr. Johnson, perfect score..."
The examiner stiffly announced his score as Lanie hurriedly led both men to continue testing.
No matter what, these two had to be secured today!
Johnson and Bang didn't disappoint the Association, breaking records in every test category starting with the strength assessment.
Jump rope, high jump, weightlifting, side jumps, 1500-meter sprint — one superhuman record after another was documented, thrilling everyone watching the tests.
"Ace heroes! We're about to have our own ace heroes in Z-City!"
"That's right! And not just one, but two aces!"
"I'm reporting to headquarters right away!"