Hearing Han Sen's question, Sharp Fang, who had been ecstatic, suddenly choked up, a troubled expression appearing on his rat-like face.
The surrounding Tiger-level Monsters also looked at each other, one glancing at the other, stammering for a long time without being able to give a clear answer.
Finally, a Tiger-level Minotaur Monster bravely said, "Replying... replying to Lord, we are usually only responsible for working and seizing territory, occasionally hearing other Monsters from other areas brag."
"But the major affairs of the Association, and the situations of the cadre Lords... we truly do not know!"
These bottom-level cannon fodder, struggling daily on the line between life and death, had limited information. How could they have the qualifications and channels to understand the movements of the Monster Association's higher-ups?
That was a domain only Demon-level and above important figures were qualified to access.
Han Sen: "..."
Sure enough, expecting this group of useless beings to provide intelligence on the Association's higher-ups was him overthinking.
However, the Minotaur Monster's answer did open up a new line of thought for him.
Besides working, they could also seize territory?
Then, accidentally eliminating one or two colleagues shouldn't be a big problem, right?
There was potential! Such an interesting team-building activity could be arranged on the schedule as soon as possible!
"Forget it."
While pondering how to cause trouble, Han Sen switched to a more practical question, saying, "Then I ask you, where do you usually get the food you give to Lord Poqi?"
"Lord, this subordinate knows!"
When this was mentioned, Sharp Fang immediately perked up and quickly blurted out, "Lord Poqi's food is mainly divided into two types! One type is large creatures caught from nearby mountains and forests, and the other is some large Monster corpses that are occasionally sent by people from above and need to be processed!"
"That scoundrel Slime Octopus used to be in charge of this. I even saw it use Monster Cells to modify the corpses, which makes the corpses exhibit Monsterification characteristics. They usually become bigger and more chewy!"
So that's how it is.
Han Sen understood in his heart; no wonder the corpses during the previous meal delivery were so huge.
"Understood. Since that's the case, then everything remains as before."
Giving Sharp Fang an approving look, Han Sen turned to his Tiger-level subordinates and commanded, "You few are responsible for hunting; increase your efforts!"
"Increase our food reserves, and select the best quality meat from them to offer to Lord Poqi!"
"Yes! Lord!" × N
The Tiger-level Monsters quickly accepted the order, not daring to be negligent in the slightest.
Fortunately, this was also a regular task assigned by the Octopus Monster before, so they were not unfamiliar with it.
One by one, these Tiger-level Monsters immediately yelled and organized their Wolf-Level Monsters, rushing into various passages in a large group to carry out their new boss's first order.
"Sharp Fang, I have a task for you."
"Lord, your subordinate is here! Please give your orders!"
After dispatching the Tiger-level subordinates he had just acquired, Han Sen looked at the rat Monster at his feet: "Go to the human city and get me some of the latest newspapers."
Sharp Fang straightened up, looking excited at being given such an important task, and squeaked, "Lord, your subordinate has no other skills, but I'm fast!"
"I guarantee the completion of the mission!"
Han Sen waved his hand: "Go."
"Yes! Lord!!"
...
...
The next day.
Han Sen sat on a chair carved from rock, a thick stack of dozens of newspapers resting on the wide armrest.
Sharp Fang was efficient, collecting a basketful of newspapers published that day in one night.
Han Sen turned to the entertainment section of the "Z City Times" in his hand, and the front-page headline was the freshly released "Weekly Hero Rankings."
Seeing that "Cyborg" Genos was not among the S-Class Heroes at the top, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Genos had not yet joined the Hero Association, indicating that the original main storyline had likely not yet begun.
Hooray!
No need to wake up and find the Hero Association invading from the surface!
Flipping further back—
"New A-Class Hero Number One, Sweet Mask, Wins First Place in Public Popularity Poll!"
As everyone knew, Sweet Mask had long personally held the number one spot in A-Class to prevent certain incompetent individuals from mixing into S-Class.
The use of the word "newly promoted" in the news also meant that he had only recently become the S-Class gatekeeper.
Flipping through the newspapers one by one, Han Sen discovered many clues among the various current events.
Until—
"Shocking! The Champion of the 21st SUPER FIGHT Martial Arts Tournament, 'Werewolf,' Exposed as an Impostor, Police Have Initiated Investigation!"
Upon seeing this, Han Sen's eyes immediately lit up.
In the manga, Saitama participated in the 22nd Martial Arts Tournament to experience martial arts techniques—definitely not for the 3 million prize money.
This event was held every six months, and the protagonist of this news report was the impostor who participated and easily won the championship—
Garou!
This meant that at this time, there was less than half a year until the first act of the main storyline, the appearance of Vaccine Man.
"Good, at least there's still plenty of room for development!"
Just then, a dull sound of footsteps echoed, and a stone Monster, looking like a laborer with a sweatband wrapped around its head, walked out of the darkness.
It dropped a seemingly heavy burlap sack in front of Han Sen, then turned and left without a word.
Han Sen: ???
He quickly realized that this unfamiliar Monster was the postman sent by Great Eyes to "deliver goods."
"Hey, don't leave! You haven't said whether you deliver once a day or once a week?"
The stone Monster remained silent, merely running away with rumbling, large strides.
Han Sen's mouth twitched; he couldn't just casually eliminate it.
What if no one delivered goods afterward?
"This guy, could it also be sharing one brain with all the global Stone People?"
While complaining, Han Sen withdrew his gaze.
With a flick of his fingertip, a gust of wind shot out like a blade!
The rope tying the bag instantly snapped, falling to the ground, revealing hundreds of deformed flesh chunks inside, pulsating and twitching like hearts!
Monster Cells!
Han Sen's eyes lit up; as expected of the S-Class Rich Woman!
With one move, it almost matched the Octopus Monster's accumulated wealth from a long time!
This freeloading...
It was truly delicious!
Without the slightest hesitation, Han Sen immediately grabbed the Monster Cells from the bag and began to convert them!
[Conversion successful! Obtained Origin Points × 10000!]
The nearly depleted Origin Points surged again, once more breaking through the ten thousand mark.
Thinking that Overgrowth could be leveled up again, Han Sen felt both excited and helpless.
Excited because his strength could undergo another explosive growth.
Helpless because leveling up SSR abilities was like a bottomless pit; even tens of thousands of Origin Points could only raise one level, and reaching max level or even evolving into the legendary UR ability was simply a distant dream.
"I can't just focus on copying SSRs, otherwise, the ability slots will eventually be filled, and they can't be deleted either."
"At that time, even if I encounter an opportunity to copy a UR ability, I might only be able to sigh in despair!"
Accepting reality, Han Sen's eyes showed contemplation.
"Appropriately, I can filter some low-rarity abilities to expand my ability pool."
"Firstly, they are easy to max out, and secondly, these abilities often have good functionality. When maxed out, they can effectively fill in shortcomings and enhance one's overall versatility."
Recalling his thoughts, Han Sen's heart stirred, and most of the newly arrived Origin Points were instantly refined!
[Consumed Origin Points × 8000, Overgrowth level increased! Lv4 -> Lv5!]
This time, his increasingly powerful body had adapted to the geometric surge in all attributes like physique and energy brought by the level-up.
The terrifying energy fluctuations gradually dissipated, the red light on Han Sen's body dimmed with each breath, his height once again increased by tens of centimeters, and the aura of a Demon-level Monster became even more profound and long-lasting.
He had become stronger again!