This tactic for dealing with giant insect monsters wasn't original to Jordan Evans. Tatsumaki had used it in A-City.
It worked extremely well when he copied it.
The key advantage: minimal space required for body disposal. The final compressed cube could be buried anywhere. Done.
In an instant, the compressed cube took shape. "170,000-Year-Old Cicada Larva" defeated.
Couldn't get up again.
Stand ability captured the monster's dissipating soul. A purple card engraved with a howling insect fell into Jordan Evans's palm.
[Fantasy Card: 170,000-Year-Old Cicada Larva]
Type: Character Card (Mysterious Being)
A member of the Monster Insect Family. Gigantic insect-type mysterious being. Disaster Level: Demon.
Effects:
Super Suction: Prey struck by mouthparts are instantly decomposed and drained
Overgrowth: All consumed food converts to nutrients; body grows without restraint
"This is just a larva at this size." Jordan Evans shook his head. "Insects in this world mutating into monsters is genuinely absurd."
Thinking of the Centipede Elder and Centipede Sage who'd appear later, each more exaggerated in size than the last, Jordan Evans felt the long road ahead. He casually disassembled the purple "170,000-Year-Old Cicada Larva" card for attribute points.
[Constitution +10, +10, +10...]
This time, the enhancement pleasure lasted shorter, disappearing within a few breaths.
Looking back, after gaining complete spider powers, Jordan Evans's physique had reached a new level. Ordinary N-rank attribute cards no longer provided effectiveness.
Even using Demon-level monsters as enhancement materials now only provided limited boosts.
My power ceiling keeps rising!
Inside the shelter.
Thanks to various external armor and protective devices, the loud noise from the monster's attack was reduced to faint vibrations.
People trapped in the shelter stared at the ceiling that shook intermittently. Their emotions rose and fell with it.
After an unknown amount of time, the faint rumbling from outside gradually subsided.
A bored black-haired youth in the corner suddenly looked up. "Hmm? The sound outside disappeared?"
Hearing this, others quickly realized the same thing.
"It's been ages since I felt any vibration!"
"Does that mean the monster's been eliminated?"
Just as everyone discussed it, the overhead loudspeaker crackled to life.
"Breaking news: The suspected Demon-level disaster that appeared in Z-City has been dealt with by A-Rank #30, 'Super Cop.' Z-City has now returned to peace. Thank you to the hero for his contribution!"
"Breaking news..."
The Hero Association's broadcast rang throughout Z-City. Promotional advertisements appeared on large screens set up in various shelters.
On screen, Jordan Evans landed like a phantom on a hideous lizard-like monster, dressed in a sharp police uniform with rolled-up sleeves, fists burning with blue flames.
The scene shifted. All monsters Jordan Evans had defeated appeared in sequence, including the crane monster from A-City that was actually killed by Tatsumaki.
Though clearly using ordinary footage from roadside surveillance cameras, post-production restoration had enhanced every battle detail perfectly. Combined with top-tier music and editing, it gave the impression of a high-octane action movie.
"Wow! A new hero? He's so cool!"
"He can control lightning! Another esper hero!"
"That's amazing! He defeated the monster with his bare hands!"
"Of course he's strong! He debuted as A-rank!"
"Did he kill that giant insect outside the same way?"
With a hiss of pressurized air, the shelter doors swung open.
People seeing daylight again were overjoyed. Some shouted excitedly, running toward the exit. Others raised phones, filming the heroic figure of Jordan Evans beating up the lizard monster on screen.
In investor terms, Jordan Evans's popularity was rapidly monetizing. Most rescued people spontaneously became his fans.
Everyone around fled out. The black-haired youth who'd been most eager to escape was suddenly no longer in a hurry.
He looked at the hero information displayed on screen: "Super Cop: Jordan Evans." Slowly standing, he stretched. "Oh, it's Jordan. Well done."
Suddenly his expression changed. He reached out, covering his stomach.
"Something's wrong! My stomach's rumbling. I need to find a toilet immediately."
He dashed past the crowd, rushing through the shelter exit.
"Oh dear! What a strong wind!"
"Who pushed me just now? How rude!"
A gap parted in the crowded people. The black-haired youth's figure sped away through it at superhuman velocity.
In the sky, Jordan Evans also heard the Hero Association's broadcast.
"So the official hero name's finally confirmed as 'Super Cop'?" Jordan Evans pondered for a moment, then accepted it. "Anyway, it's better than that cringeworthy 'Thunderbolt.' At the very least, it sounds better than 'Bald Cape Man.'"
A figure sprinting below caught his attention. Familiar old tracksuit. Superhuman speed.
"Isn't that Saitama!"
Just as he prepared to descend and say hello, the guy plunged headfirst into a relatively intact public restroom in the ruins.
Jordan Evans immediately withdrew all mental energy spreading outward, fearing reception of pungent psychic information.
Having not seen him for a few days, he'd originally planned to grab a meal together. Changed his mind now.
"Let's do it next time."
For Saitama's timeline, they'd just eaten hot pot together yesterday anyway.
But as it turned out, some things were simply unavoidable.
"Jordan, over here!"
Just as he turned to fly away, Jordan Evans froze.
How is this guy already finished?
"What a coincidence..."
After landing, Jordan Evans observed Saitama's hands from a distance.
Very clean.
That meant he hadn't washed them.
Jordan silently took two steps back. "By the way, what were you doing in the shelter?"
"Well, it's a long story..." Saitama was taken aback, expression somewhat embarrassed.
He would never reveal he'd been trapped in the shelter and unable to escape, preventing him from fighting the monster.
It would be especially embarrassing for Jordan, who knew he was striving to become a hero, to find out.
"Let's not talk about that then." Jordan thought of the Limiter Fragments that had disappeared from his deck, deciding to extend an invitation. "I'm planning to have a barbecue on my balcony tonight. Want to come?"
"Hey, barbecue?" Saitama seemed interested, scratching his head. "Didn't we just have hot pot yesterday..."
With precise telekinesis, Jordan caught a Limiter Fragment that had suddenly formed. He remained calm. "My treat today. So, you coming or not?"
"I'm in!"
Jordan pointed toward the restroom. "Then go wash your hands."
"Ah, you noticed... Actually, I was just in a hurry. I'm usually very hygienic!"
Saitama's expression froze.
"But is washing hands really that important?"