Chapter 173: They Are the True Heroes
In the end, the S-Class Heroes had no choice but to accept the fact. The 'One-Punch Man', Saitama, had used just a few slaps to force the Sun Sperm—who had easily annihilated them—to its knees and subdue it as a pet.
Feeling the unfriendly gazes of the surrounding insects, Sun Sperm lowered its head awkwardly.
It could wipe them all out with a single fart... Being stared at with such murderous intent by these weak, pathetic insects... felt so uncomfortable... Sun Sperm, of course, knew why the heroes held such great hostility towards it. After all, it was the one who had beaten the heroes into critical condition.
After waiting another dozen or so minutes, the Hero Association's rescue team finally arrived at the scene.
At the helicopter, Sitch, with his prominent nose, personally rushed to the scene. The moment he descended via the rope, he hurriedly dashed through the ruins.
His eyes were filled with anxiety. According to the report from Zombieman, the S-Class Heroes were all severely wounded, with several even in critical condition, hovering on the brink of death at any moment.
You must not be in any danger... The S-Class Heroes are one of humanity's greatest trump cards, the last hope for humankind in the face of crisis.
If even the S-Class Heroes were to suffer a complete defeat in the face of such a severe crisis, then humanity's destruction would not be far behind.
However, Sitch still held onto a sliver of hope in his heart.
After all, according to the report Zombieman could provide, the severely wounded S-Class Heroes did not include The Strongest Man on Earth, King. The other party seemed to have been continuously holding back the mastermind behind this crisis, the entity known as 'God'.
"As long as the legendary Mr. King is still here, humanity will not be destroyed. Even if all the S-Class Heroes fall, humanity will still have hope for survival!"
This was Sitch's attitude towards King, and it was also the world's attitude towards King.
Finally, the life-detection radar picked up signs of living beings. Delighted, Sitch struggled to climb up a towering pile of rubble and shouted ahead:
"Everyone from the Hero Association, are you all right... Huh?"
Sitch was stunned. The large group of rescue personnel who followed him up were also stunned.
They watched as the S-Class Heroes, each glowing with health and walking steadily, showed no signs whatsoever of being severely injured.
After some explanation, Sitch was even more shocked. He felt as if his entire worldview was being shattered and rebuilt.
"Huh? What do you mean all the S-Class Heroes were instantly one-shotted by that Monster engulfed in flames?"
"And what do you mean King, after defeating God, immediately returned to the scene and healed all of you?"
"And also, what the hell do you mean the Monster that one-shotted you has been subdued as a pet by the 'One-Punch Man', Saitama?"
A series of events flooded Sitch's mind like a burst dam, causing him to short-circuit for a moment.
He rubbed his reddened, prominent nose, looking somewhat hesitant. He opened his mouth as if to say something but ultimately closed it again.
Forget it. Perhaps this is just a testament to the strength of The Strongest Man on Earth, King, and the 'One-Punch Man' he introduced is also incredibly powerful. This is a good thing for humanity.
Knowing the crisis had been resolved, Sitch took a deep breath and looked solemnly at the S-Class Heroes in their tattered clothes, his eyes filled with admiration.
He straightened his posture, his expression serious and earnest, and bowed deeply:
"For fighting so desperately for the future of humanity, I, Sitch, on behalf of the Hero Association and all of humankind, express our most sincere gratitude and respect to you!"
Tatsumaki's lips curved into a faint smile, though on the surface she still waved her hand impatiently:
"Hmph! A disaster of this level... I might not have been able to handle it alone. Luckily, this guy King was here to help. Next time there's a major problem, I will still be the first to arrive!"
Superalloy Darkshine had regained his confidence. He flexed his fully restored muscles, raising his arms and half-squatting.
Looking at his sculpted, rock-like muscles gleaming with a dark, glossy sheen, his face beamed with a confident smile:
"No matter what crisis humanity faces, I will face the difficulties together with my muscles, ensuring the flame of hope for humanity never goes out!"
Flashy Flash flicked the sharp longsword in his hand, his golden hair floating around his cold, handsome face:
"No matter what Monster it is, I will use the blade in my hand to sever its head. It has always been this way, and it will never change."
Throughout the entire battle, Flashy Flash's performance could be said to be brilliant.
If he hadn't single-handedly held off the enemy's strongest, Diamond Sperm, for so long when the five Monster Cadres attacked, the Hero Association might have already been defeated.
Atomic Samurai stood awkwardly to the side, a toothpick in his mouth. Honestly, looking at the whole battle, apart from fighting the Fuhrer Ugly, he basically had no notable achievements to speak of.
Even when he later faced Sun Sperm, he was instantly one-shotted, not even having time to react before being critically wounded.
But seeing everyone around him making grand declarations, he couldn't help but clench his teeth, accidentally biting through the toothpick in his mouth:
"No matter what problems arise, I will always stand on humanity's side. If any Monster wants to harm humanity, they'll have to get past the sword in my hand first."
The other S-Class Heroes also expressed their stances one after another. Without exception, they all firmly stood on the side of humanity and the Hero Association, using their own words to declare their belief in protecting humanity.
Sitch watched this scene with heartfelt relief, feeling his eyes grow a bit moist. He lifted his sleeve to wipe them.
These were the S-Class Heroes, the true pinnacle of the Hero Association, the vanguard protecting humanity, the real heroes who face danger head-on!
King watched this scene quietly, a faint smile on his face.
As for the Bald Demon King, Saitama, he watched the heroes' pledges alongside King with somewhat vacant eyes.
Sun Sperm crouched on the ground, looking exactly like a lapdog, occasionally stealing timid glances at the silent duo.
What are these two big shots thinking... Why aren't they saying a word... Could they be thinking about how to finish me off... At this thought, Sun Sperm involuntarily shivered, subtly inching a few meters further away, afraid the two big bosses might one day, in a bad mood, decide to make a meal out of it.
Saitama turned his head and looked at the tall, blond man beside him. He was one of the few opponents Saitama had found since becoming invincible, and also his good friend.
"King, the words they said in their pledges are so full of personal character. It really fits my impression of heroes."
Hearing this, King nodded, patted Saitama's shoulder with a smile, his usually calm and steady voice tinged with amusement:
"Of course it fits. After all, they are the true heroes."