Chapter 310: Chapter 11: A Challenge at the Udon Shop
The udon shop was bustling with people.
"Table for two. What would you like to order?"
"Two bowls of udon, please."
"Got it. It’ll just be a moment."
Blizzard, seated across from Ron, picked up her glass of water, casually glancing toward the table where Genos sat.
"Just as I thought... That’s the new S-Class hero—the Demon Cyborg."
Then her gaze shifted to the bald man sitting opposite him, a flicker of doubt in her eyes. "And that guy sitting with him... Who is he? He looks like a complete idiot. Is he a hero too?"
At that moment, Saitama had just finished his iced water and was crunching on the remaining ice cubes out of boredom.
He really did look kind of dumb—completely out of sync with the vibe of everyone else around him.
Ron took a sip of water and casually said, "Don’t judge him by appearances. He’s actually really strong."
"Strong? That bald guy is strong?"
Ron nodded.
Blizzard looked utterly unconvinced.
Genos had already noticed her glances. He turned slightly, frowning. "That woman... she’s Hellish Blizzard, the top of B-Class. What’s she doing here?"
"What’s up, Genos?"
Saitama glanced over.
Genos quickly turned back. "Oh... it’s nothing."
Blizzard stole another glance at the two, then leaned forward and asked Ron in a low voice, "Hey, do you think I could recruit him into the Blizzard Group?"
"Not happening. Why would an S-Class hero work under a B-Class?"
Ron rested his cheek on one hand, his tone completely casual.
Blizzard blinked. "But you just said—"
"Everything has its method. If you think just talking will win him over, be my guest and try."
Blizzard fell silent for a moment, then took a sip of water.
Suddenly—
"Excuse me, we’d like to take the challenge."
That one sentence drew every eye in the shop.
All heads turned toward the bald man in the yellow jumpsuit and white cape.
Following Saitama’s gaze, Ron’s eyes landed on a poster on the wall.
[Challenge: Mega-Spicy Jumbo Udon Bucket — Reward: 50,000 Yen. Fail and pay 10,000 Yen.]
"You guys really want to try that?" the shop owner crossed his arms and looked seriously at Saitama and Genos. "I’m warning you now—our extra spicy udon is no joke. Most people can’t handle it."
"No worries, no worries."
"Is that so... I’ll get it started then."
From the side, a man’s voice joined in.
"Sounds fun. Count me in too."
Saitama, Genos, and even the staff and customers all turned to look at the source—the speaker was none other than Ron.
Two schoolgirls caught sight of him and instantly went starry-eyed.
"Oh my god, he’s so handsome!"
"He’s gorgeous!"
The shop owner walked over to Ron’s table. "You two want to take the challenge too?"
Blizzard quickly waved her hands. "No, not me."
"Just me," Ron replied.
The owner nodded. "Understood."
He turned toward the kitchen and shouted, "Three Mega-Spicy Jumbo Udon Buckets!"
"Got it!"
Soon—
"Three Mega-Spicy Jumbo Udon Buckets, coming up!"
The three steaming, hellishly spicy udon bowls were brought out and placed in front of the challengers. The aroma alone was scorching.
Blizzard winced just from the smell.
"Can people actually eat this? Is this even safe? Why are you even doing this? Is it for the money or something?" she asked Ron, visibly baffled.
"Money?" Ron snapped apart his chopsticks. "Not really. I’m not exactly short on cash."
He took a bite, savoring it. "I just like trying new things. Plus... I really enjoy spicy food."
Saitama, encouraged by Ron’s participation, looked back at his own udon bucket. "Feels reassuring to have someone else joining in. Let’s do this, Genos. One-on-one."
"Yes, Sensei!"
Both men picked up their chopsticks and dove in.
All eyes in the shop were on the trio.
Saitama’s face contorted with pain, turning bright red—he looked like he might breathe fire at any moment.
Genos had his head down, slurping up noodles like a human vacuum.
Ron, meanwhile, began sweating from the forehead, occasionally stopping for water.
Soon his own glass was empty. He reached out and grabbed Blizzard’s glass, which she had barely touched.
"Hey, that’s mine—"
Before she could finish, Ron had already tilted the glass back and gulped it down.
Blizzard looked at the three of them and sighed, holding her forehead.
"Men really are idiots."
The three challengers kept eating.
The shop owner looked increasingly anxious, almost like he was hoping they’d give up.
Blizzard pulled out her phone and quickly searched up the bald guy beside the Demon Cyborg.
"Saitama... Hero alias: Caped Baldy. Hero rank... C-Class? C-Class?!"
She stared at the screen in disbelief. "Why would an S-Class hero hang out with a C-Class?"
The challenge was nearing its end.
"Is that guy okay?"
"Who?"
"The bald one."
Saitama, nose streaming spicy noodles, slumped over.
"I... I’m done. You’re up, Genos..."
Ron followed shortly after, setting down his chopsticks, drenched in sweat.
"I’m at my limit too. This spice level is insane... It’s not meant for human consumption."
Blizzard rolled her eyes. "You think? That stuff clearly wasn’t made for humans."
"But it looks like someone can finish it."
Ron’s eyes drifted toward Genos and Saitama.
Blizzard followed his gaze.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp—"
Genos had picked up the udon bucket and was literally pouring it into his mouth.
The shop owner stared, horrified.
Genos turned toward him, exhaling steam. "Huff... that counts as finishing it, right?"
"Uhh..."
The owner just stood there, spoon in hand, frozen.
"You see? That’s an S-Class hero for you," Ron remarked.
"Yeah... but he’s a cyborg," Blizzard muttered.
Just then—
The door to the shop opened.
"Welcome to—"
The shop owner’s greeting died in his throat. Upon seeing the newcomer, his eyes widened in shock.
Other customers reacted the same way, disbelief written all over their faces.
"Wait... isn’t that—"
"You’re Genos, right?"
Genos and Saitama turned at the voice.
Blizzard also looked over and blinked in surprise.
The newcomer hadn’t noticed her. His gaze was fixed on Genos, and he smiled.
"I’m Sweet Mask, the top of A-Class. I need to have a word with you."
Saitama, still slumped over the table, blinked. "Top of A-Class?"
"It’s Sweet Mask!"
The two schoolgirls squealed in excitement.
"No way! It’s really him!"
"Whoa whoa whoa!"
An older lady looked like she was going to faint from joy.
"Why would Sweet Mask, the top of A-Class, show up here?"
Blizzard glanced sideways at him, her expression thoughtful.
"He must be here for the Demon Cyborg..."
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