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Chapter 21 - Chapter 21 ↠ Return to Z-City

In the sky, Tatsumaki's psychic gift took effect. Under the Psychic system, the mental power and soul matter forming the AT Field gradually unified, becoming a true extension of Johnson's will — as natural to control as his own limbs.

With max-level affinity amplifying his abilities, his mental power felt limitless. At last, he understood Tatsumaki's joy.

With a mere thought, a gold and red armor suit materialized like flowing nanomaterials. Brilliant jet flames burst from ports on his palms and feet, painting a dazzling stream of fire across City A's sky.

The once-invisible AT Field now displayed vivid colors under his Psychic Power. Though the Mark Armor formed by the field was purely aesthetic, it possessed all necessary functions and could be modified instantly.

Tony Stark would cry copyright infringement.

If he needed to face giant enemies, transforming the Mark Armor into a Gundam, Eva Unit-01, or an Ultra Giant would be no problem.

New ability +1, yes! Style points +100, holy fuck!

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Three days later, City Z.

Among the bustling crowds, Johnson walked out of the train station. The city lay peaceful and quiet in the twilight. He paused to admire it briefly before heading to the subway home.

On the subway, he sat with his luggage and closed his eyes to rest, the events of the past few days still vivid in his mind.

The special force that the Police Department had meticulously planned was nearly annihilated by a single Demon-level Monster. In the aftermath, many officers who participated in the training developed severe psychological trauma, requiring extended counseling before they could return to duty.

The ambitious police leadership, having witnessed the Monsters' destructive power firsthand, realized that ordinary humans stood no chance against such force. Their spirits were crushed.

A single casual strike from a Demon-level Monster had nearly crippled the entire Police Department — and there were countless disasters of similar magnitude. When compared to Dragon-level Monsters capable of destroying multiple cities, the power gap was astronomical.

As a result, the training program collapsed immediately. The participating officers dispersed, each going their separate way.

Johnson wasn't surprised by this outcome — he had seen it coming from the Department Chief's poorly concealed expression during their meeting.

"Won't you really stay, Johnson-kun? With your achievements and powerful abilities, I guarantee you could join the upper ranks and lead the entire force within six months!"

"Thank you for the offer, but I think I'm better suited for frontline work."

"Is that so... But if you return to City Z, you'll have to start from the bottom as a patrol officer. Have you really thought this through?"

"I have. I think City Z needs officers like me when necessary."

"If that's the case, I won't try to convince you further. However, each city will be establishing a Special Affairs Response Division — please don't refuse the position of Division Chief for City Z!"

"I understand."

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Following his discussion with the Department Chief, Johnson gained the position of Special Affairs Division Chief, reporting directly to City Z's Police Commissioner — though his official rank remained unchanged upon return.

During Monster disasters and other emergencies, he would have authority equal to the Commissioner, with command over all of City Z's police forces.

While Johnson didn't expect to use this authority often, the position had its perks. As Division Chief, he could set his own schedule.

He already had it planned out — he'd transfer Kyoko over as his secretary. That way, he wouldn't have to write reports himself.

Perfect!

Between Tatsumaki's dropped "Psychic 100%" and this unexpected promotion, Johnson's trip to City A had proven quite rewarding.

The Hero Association had also sent his first month's salary and activity allowances. The amount exceeded his entire year's police salary — no wonder so many people desperately wanted to become heroes.

During his two weeks in City A, while his daily fate draws yielded only basic Attribute Cards, his Stand's third ability Element Collection discovered something interesting the night before his departure.

╔══════════════════════╗

FANTASY CARD: Mysterious Cube Fragment

CARD TYPE: Special Card

RARITY: N

┌─ SYSTEM DESCRIPTION ─┐

A fragment of a divine creation, seems unstable.

┌─ PRIMARY FUNCTION — SPACE-TIME DISTORTION ─┐

Randomly travel to an unknown parallel world for a brief stay.

┌─ SECONDARY FUNCTION — RETURN TICKET ─┐

This card is consumable, with 2/2 uses remaining. Second use will return to the main world.

╚══════════════════════╝

Johnson remembered that this world's gods regularly created black cubes to contact and develop followers. Through these cubes, they could grant powers remotely — even transforming a weak Homeless into the Dragon-level Monster known as the "Homeless Emperor".

He realized he had stumbled upon something significant, and the thought sent a thrill through him.

However, this card lacked a complete black box inscription, and its function was world-traveling rather than divine communication.

A parallel world, huh? The adventurous spirit of a transmigrator stirred within him.

Since the card was only N-rarity, the effect mentioned just a brief stay. Testing the waters shouldn't be risky — worst case, he could use the second charge to return.

"Stop right there!"

"Why would I stop? Do you think I'm stupid!?"

As Johnson walked lost in thought, two figures raced through the intersection ahead, sending pedestrians scrambling.

Huh? What just went by?

His Spider-Sense caught a red and yellow figure at the last moment, white cape billowing behind — like a plate of running scrambled eggs with tomatoes.

It's Saitama!

Johnson recognized him, though he looked slightly different in his familiar costume — probably because he hadn't gone bald yet.

Locking onto the pair with his Psychic Powers, he followed their trail.

After several turns, he found Saitama in an alley, wrestling with a red Monster — a human-sized giant carrot.

"Hey Saitama, hero work?"

"Eh? Oh, it's Johnson, long time no see!" Saitama replied while struggling to pin down the thrashing carrot Monster, "Wait a bit, I'm busy! Let me deal with this guy first!"

Five minutes later.

"The costume's dirty again, it's such a pain to wash!"

Covered in carrot juice, Saitama emerged from the alley with a disgusted expression. He had broken the giant carrot into pieces and tossed them in the garbage.

Given how filthy the battle location was — and the fact that Johnson was watching — he abandoned any thought of taking the carrot pieces home to cook.

"Johnson, where have you been lately? I went by your place but no one was home."

"I just got back from a business trip to City A. Did you need something?"

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