“Hello, Heroes of the Hero Association! We thank all of you for answering the call in civilization’s time of need.”

Cash, with his slicked back hair and slightly aged eyes, stood in front of an enormous group of heroes. As they had been assigned as three groups, each underneath an S class hero, they were standing in large huddles with their group. Cash’s microphone amplified voice reached all the way to the back of the 106 heroes that had signed up. 42 B class and 64 C class heroes in tow, the Hero Association was about to begin their march toward the discovered headquarters.

“For this operation, I will remain in the Hero Headquarters and communicate with the S class heroes. If you get separated from your assigned S class, call the headquarters for our navigators to guide you back. The S class heroes- 12thranked King Ape, 18th ranked Steel Blade, and 9thranked Aurora will have full control of making decisions to adapt to the situation. They will also handle any S Ranked enemies that we come across. Your duty will be to follow any and all orders given by your S ranked captain. Any heroes that are found to disobey or ignore orders will be demoted. If the act is severe enough, we will remove your Hero’s Registration. Once the S class heroes arrive and introduce themselves, we will immediately depart. Take these few minutes to warm up your bodies- once the action begins, there’s no telling how long or how intense it will be.”

Mohawk Thug, standing with Izumi, looked around the crowd of heroes. As many of their outfits were large and extravagant, he could not get a good look. The two of them were assigned to Squad #3. Squad #3 was under the command of Steel Blade. Squad #2 was commanded by King Ape, and Squad #1 followed Aurora. As two of the three heroes had not arrived yet, Steel Blade and Aurora, the crowds were itching to meet their S class.

“Oy, he did show up, right?” Mohawk Thug asked in a concerned fashion.

“I’m not sure. I went by his house, but there was still nobody home.”

Mohawk Thug sighed. He wanted to leave Forrest in the dust in front of him due to his recent training, but he might not get the chance.

“Where’s Four Eyes then?”

“He’s in King Ape’s group.”

Mohawk Thug looked in the direction pointed at by Izumi. His eyes immediately drew to the hairy, bearded man barking primal inspiration to a crowd.

“We’re going to destroy them. Do exactly as I say! Look at these guns!” King Ape flexed his extremely muscular and long arms. However, the hair on his arms almost completely hid any visibility of his biceps.

“I’m the Alpha! Listen to me! As the Alpha’s underlings, you will be smaller alphas yourselves! Follow my lead! King Ape will guide us to victory!”

“HOO!”

The crowd chanted in unison with energy and excitement. As wildly strange as it was, these weird words filled them with a surge of adrenaline and energy. Of course, there was at least one that was not very enthusiastic. Four Eyes slipped away from his group during the loud screams once he had caught eyes with Izumi and Mohawk Thug.

“Looks like you’re having fun, eh?” Mohawk Thug teased with a grin. Four Eyes sighed.

“I feel like that idiotic Neanderthal behavior is more suited to someone like you.”

After Mohawk Thug finished arguing with Four Eyes over the obviously accurate statement, Four Eyes looked for the third person.

“Is Forrest still not in your group either?”

“Yeah, but we don’t even know if he signed up.” Izumi sighed with increasing worry.

“Who didn’t sign up?”

Forrest appeared behind Izumi seemingly out of nowhere.

“Forrest! Are you in our group?”

“Nah, I’m in Squad #1.”

“Ohhh!”

Izumi’s face turned to one of excitement.

“You get to be under the famous and beautiful Aurora. I’m under some rookie S rank that probably isn’t even older than me.”

Forrest laughed awkwardly. Izumi certainly isn’t the type to get nervous about stuff like this, considering he was thinking about such things. Forrest cleared his throat before speaking.

“Guys, I want you to know that I’m really grateful for friends like you.”

“Eh?”

The three men stared with a blank expression. Izumi, without much thought, simply returned the compliment.

“I’m grateful too. If it wasn’t for you guys, C class would be intolerable.”

Mohawk Thug, embarrassed from the sudden words, lashed out.

“Idiot, what’s with the goodbye speeches?! Quit acting like we’re going to die or something!”

Four Eyes chuckled. Mohawk Thug had been the most worried one out of them. He clearly considered Forrest a rival. Anyway, C class was rough. C class without friends to laugh with would be painfully lonely.

“That’s not what I mean.”

Forrest rubbed the back of his head as he spoke.

“What I mean is that, even though it sounds weird, I think it’s fun having people to share these experiences with. I can’t wait to join B rank with you guys.”

Izumi replied arrogantly.

“I agree. Leaving you guys too far in the dust would be boring.”

“Sound’s good.” Four Eyes pushed up his glasses.

“But wouldn’t we have to wait a while for Mohawk Thug?”

“Wha-!” Mohawk Thug yelled.

“I’ll be the one waiting for you guys!”

Forrest smiled as he looked at the three laughing as they joked. He knew, somewhere in his heart, that he couldn’t tell them what had happened during his training. He didn’t want to concern anybody over something that he himself didn’t fully comprehend. At this time, Aurora arrived and Squad #1 quieted down. Forrest, walking away from the group toward Squad #1, spoke with an extremely determined voice.

“Then, when the time comes, and we all get promoted together, I’ll buy the alcohol to celebrate.”

The three stared blankly. For people as poor as them, they got excited once again.

“Then, it’s a promise!” The three chanted in unison, not intending to let him go back on his word.

“Hey…”

Izumi spoke after a few more seconds.

“Did Forrest always look so cool?” Apparently, Forrest only looked cool when he was serious. The three just now realized that this might be the only time they’ve seen Forrest this serious. Mohawk Thug spoke with a low laugh.

“Of course. How could he be my rival if he wasn’t cool?”

Izumi and Four Eyes looked at each other blankly. Did this guy actually think his bleached Mohawk was cool? Four Eyes slipped back to his group as they had begun to leave.

“Attention.”

An extremely smooth and buttery voice spoke from the front of Squad #3. A handsome man with long, silver hair in Knight’s armor was sitting atop an ornately armored horse. The horse’s snow-white fur reflected the atmosphere given off by the young man. However, despite his elegant appearance, his eyes were cold and harsh.

“Do exactly as I say. If you disobey, I will personally punish you and have your registration revoked. If you do something to hinder the operation, I will distribute appropriate punishment. If you endanger the success of the mission at any point, I will not refrain from killing you. Am I understood?”

The entirety of Squad #3 broke out into cold sweat. This guy was clearly not to be tested! Mohawk Thug grinded his teeth at such an attitude, but dared not speak out. Izumi, on the other hand, had surprisingly been unaffected by the atmosphere. Apparently, he was still mad that he wasn’t put in Aurora’s group.

“Sir!” The crowd of heroes replied in unison.