Chapter 337: Chapter 38 – Who... Are You?
"No wonder you’re ranked seventh among the S-Class heroes, KING. You’re really calm under pressure."
"K-Knowing that is enough," KING stammered.
As the sound of the rumbling ’King Engine’ echoed in his ears, Ron looked at KING—who was clearly terrified but still putting on a tough front, trying to appear strong and intimidating. It was all a bluff.
Ron couldn’t help but find it amusing.
Maybe I’ll tease him a little...
KING glanced at the absurdly handsome silver-haired boy in front of him, and a small wave of relief washed over him.
Looks like this guy didn’t come here specifically to pick a fight with me. Thank goodness...
"Uhm... are you frustrated about not finding a worthy opponent?" Ron asked casually.
KING looked at the still-glowing arcade screen, assuming Ron was referring to the game. He nodded. "S-Something like that, yeah."
Ron smiled. "Then, why don’t I be your opponent?"
"Oh, sure! I’m pretty good at—"
"In a game? No, no, that’s not what I meant."
"...Huh?"
KING looked at Ron, confused.
Then he saw them—those mismatched eyes, one gold, one blue, both slit like a beast’s. They glowed with a sinister, otherworldly light.
In the very next instant, KING’s mind went blank.
———
A crimson world.
When KING came to, he found himself standing on the surface of a blood-red sea. Above him loomed a gigantic blood sun, covering half the sky, casting everything in an eerie scarlet hue.
KING blinked in disbelief, dumbfounded.
Wasn’t I just playing games at the arcade? Where the hell am I?!
He pinched his cheek.
Ouch. Not a dream...?
Suddenly—
The sea trembled.
KING lost his balance and landed on his butt with a loud thud.
His hand brushed against something hard. He looked down—
A skeleton.
For a moment, his mind went blank. Then his face turned deathly pale.
"YAAAAAAHHHHH!"
He sprang to his feet like a startled deer. Looking down again—
Beneath the blood-red sea, countless bones—endless, sun-bleached, hollow-eyed skulls and skeletal remains—floated just below the surface. It was as if the entire sea was filled with them.
Gulp.
KING’s pale face was drenched in sweat. His legs trembled. His ’King Engine’ roared louder than ever, trying to hide the sheer panic in his heart.
What the hell is this place...?!
"Ha! Just this and you’re already scared?"
A playful voice echoed through the scarlet sky.
Then—
With a thunderous rumble, the sea erupted.
A mountain of bones rose from the depths, shaking the blood ocean violently.
KING stared, eyes wide.
At the peak of the rising bone mountain, seated on a throne carved from white skulls, was the silver-haired boy.
Ron sat cross-legged, chin resting on one hand, gazing down upon him.
Behind the throne, the massive blood sun cast a hellish glow over the scene.
Under the sky dyed red, atop a throne of bones, the silver-haired, heterochromatic boy looked down with a smile—like a demon king ready to bring ruin to the world.
"S-Class Rank 7 Hero. The Strongest Man on Earth. KING!" he said.
"My name is Ron."
"Come. Fight me with everything you’ve got."
He pointed.
From the heavens, a long spear made of bone came crashing down, planting itself in the ground before KING with a thunk.
KING stared blankly at the sight.
Opponent?
He meant this kind of opponent?!
Not a game?!
His legs buckled. His heart pounded like a jackhammer.
I’m just a regular guy with terrible luck—how am I supposed to fight something like this?!
No freaking way!
Never before had he felt such despair.
"You’re not going to make a move?" Ron asked with a chuckle. "Well then, I won’t hold back."
He threw a punch.
Before it could land—
KING’s eyes rolled back, and he collapsed with a thud, completely unconscious from fright.
———
Back at the arcade.
Ron crouched beside the fallen KING, whose eyes were rolled back in his head.
He poked his cheek.
"Passed out already? That was even faster than I expected."
He glanced at his parfait cup.
Already empty.
"Well, that was a fun little detour. Got some laughs, finished my parfait... Guess I’ll go hang out with Saitama now."
He placed the empty cup beside KING and stood up, strolling out casually.
———
Z-City, Abandoned District.
Saitama’s apartment.
Ding-dong.
"I’m coming."
Saitama opened the door.
Standing there was the silver-haired boy, who gave him a small wave. "Yo."
Saitama stared at him for a moment, then scratched his shiny, polished bald head, looking puzzled.
"...Who are you?"
———
Inside the apartment.
"EHHH?! You’re that Ron-kun?! Seriously?!"
Saitama practically jumped in surprise.
Genos also looked utterly stunned at the silver-haired teen sipping tea calmly at the table.
This guy... this guy is Swordmaster Ron?!
He did resemble Ron, but...
"This isn’t just plastic surgery... this is next-level stuff," Saitama muttered.
"My situation’s a little special," Ron explained, setting down his teacup. "After the battle with Boros, I suffered severe injuries. This appearance is the result of a rather unique recovery process."
"It’s... a bit of a personal secret, so I won’t go into detail."
"Anyway, I just came to let you guys know—I’m still the same Ron as before. If you still consider me a friend, then treat me the same as always."
After his words sank in, Genos looked at Saitama.
Saitama was silent for a beat, then nodded with uncharacteristic seriousness. "Got it."
But that serious look only lasted a second before his usual easygoing demeanor returned.
He took a sip of tea, then smiled at Ron. "Anyway, I’m just glad you’re okay. After that day, you disappeared, and I was kinda worried."
He got up and walked toward the fridge.
"To celebrate Ron-kun’s safe return, let’s eat some cake. It’s from the discount aisle at the supermarket, but still—cake’s cake!"