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"So what you mean is…"
In the third meeting room, Fang Mo looked at the tall black-skinned beauty in front of him and asked, "Do you think the way the doctor participates in the competition is unfair?"
"Exactly," she replied.
The black-skinned beauty... well, it could also be said she was an armored gorilla, as she indeed wore an expression of deep discontent. "The doctor is a hero who fights with his own intelligence, while we are merely his weapons. Why doesn't the association allow us to take the physical tests?"
Yes, that was precisely the reason for the scene just witnessed.
After Fang Mo's initial inquiry, he concluded roughly the same.
Due to the unique examination rules of the Hero Association, the operators could not substitute for Doctor Genus in the physical tests, resulting in very poor scores for the doctor.
And how bad were they?
On Saitama's side, because he completely flunked the written test, he ended up ranked 338th in Class C, which was the very bottom rank in the original story.
And Doctor Genus fared even worse.
He was directly ranked 339th in Class C by the Hero Association.
Of course, the reason was well substantiated. Although Doctor Genus had a high IQ and scored perfectly on the written exam, his physical test results were disastrous; passing was practically a miracle.
But this was exactly what the armored gorilla was most dissatisfied about.
After all, whether it was the previous House of Evolution or the bizarre Tower of Babel that came later, they had always promoted a core concept: the capability of teamwork.
The combat strength of modified beings, coupled with Doctor Genus' adjustments and intelligence, was their core strategy for fighting.
But the Hero Association's assessment only allowed the doctor to participate alone, which was like confiscating a surgeon's scalpel and then forcing him to perform surgery. How is one supposed to handle that?
Surely they wouldn't expect the doctor to use a great sword for surgery?
"Hahaha."
When Fang Mo heard the armored gorilla's explanation, he couldn't help but laugh a few times before he started to console her, "I thought it was something serious, just a ranking issue, huh? I thought they were harassing you."
"…The ranking issue is quite serious, okay?"
The armored gorilla sighed helplessly, "You've already been designated as an S-class hero, so of course, you wouldn't care about these things. But you must know, the Hero Association's requirements for C-class heroes are very strict."
"Exactly."
The small Ground Dragon wearing a safety helmet also seemed somewhat dissatisfied, "The doctor has a lot of research to do, how could he possibly patrol outside every day?"
"Hey, it's nothing."
Fang Mo waved his hand nonchalantly, "Look at Saitama over here, he's also C-class, and you guys should know his strength. Even he isn't saying anything."
"No, actually I'm quite upset too…"
Upon hearing this, Saitama also couldn't help but speak up, "Just because of such a thing, it would be too embarrassing to make a fuss."
"Truly Sensei, possessing a commendable demeanor."
Upon hearing this, Genos immediately showed a look of admiration: "But don't worry, sensei, with your strength, you will surely surpass me in the rankings soon."
"I hope so."
Even after hearing Genos' consolation, Saitama still wore a tragically sorrowful expression.
"Doctor, you also must cheer up."
Seeing Genos' gesture, the armored gorilla seemed to realize something and turned to the despondently miserable Doctor Genus to say, "The rankings and such, we'll quickly climb up too."
"…I don't really care about the rankings at all."
But after hearing his subordinate's reassurance, Doctor Genus couldn't help but rub his forehead with a headache and said, "I'm worried about you two. It's absolutely not allowed to strike at other heroes, and doing so might get us arrested…"
"But Doctor, it was he who spoke rudely first."
The Ground Dragon said innocently, "We were just discussing politely, but he slandered you as only having the strength of the tail-end of C-class…"
"Oh, you don't understand."
Before Genos could say anything, Fang Mo suddenly laughed, "Being at the tail-end of the rankings, for some reason, usually means hiding one's true strength. We won't talk about the far-off ninja world, just take a nearby example. Look at Saitama, he's also at the tail-end… You know what level he's at, right?"
"The tail-end…"
However, Fang Mo's comment seemed to sting Saitama, as he visibly paled: "I am a C-class tail-ender…"
"So what should we do now?"
The armored gorilla asked, "This guy has already been knocked out by me, when he wakes up… he'll probably tell the high-ups at the association, right?"
"Or… should I just bury him underground?"
The Ground Dragon suggested.
"Stop it, you two." Doctor Genus clearly became even more distressed and turned to Fang Mo, "Fang Mo, do you have any good ideas?"
"Oh, that's simple."
Fang Mo smiled carelessly, "Just leave this matter to me."
After saying that, he walked forward a few steps, then reached out and touched the brow of Snake Fist Sneck with his finger. Lower realm energy was activated, and instantly healed the other's injuries.
And Sneck, after all, was an A-class hero.
His combat awareness was quite strong.
In the next second, his entire body suddenly jolted, and then he immediately leaped up from the ground, retreating several steps in panic: "You… you actually attacked a fellow hero of the association?"
"Attack?"
Fang Mo looked puzzled, "What attack?"
"…Hm?"
Sneck seemed puzzled as well, as he instinctively touched his body, finding no pain anywhere, as if the injuries he had suffered earlier were just illusions.
"What's going on here?"
Seeing this, Sneck was a bit confused.
But he soon noticed the hole in the ground and the obvious damage to his clothing, and quickly understood: "No, it must be that you healed me, but even so, you attacked me, and that's a fact… The association does not allow internal conflict among heroes!"
"So, what are you going to do?"
Fang Mo asked.
"I'm going to report this incident to the association's upper echelons." Sneck said angrily, "Those who attack their comrades have no right to be heroes!"
"You make a good point,"
Fang Mo nodded slightly, stroking his chin, "But would you like to guess why I was called to the meeting room alone just now?"
"…Hm?"
Sneck's expression froze.
Yes, during the physical test earlier, he had seen Fang Mo's performance, clearly showing that he was S-class material… so he had just gone to negotiate terms with the association's high-ups?
"Speaking of which."
While Sneck was unsure how to respond, Fang Mo suddenly spoke again, "You practice Snake Fist, right?"
"Ah… yes."
Sneck nodded subconsciously.
"Then, take this."
As he spoke, Fang Mo casually pulled out a yellow apple: "Find a place to eat it later, and you'll achieve enlightenment, evolving Snake Fist into Dragon Fist."
"…What is this?"
Sneck took the golden apple with some confusion.
"Snake Fruit."
Fang Mo said, then summoned Steve.
Following his thoughts, Steve pulled out a set of green armor from his backpack, and Fang Mo caught it as it materialized, shimmering with a bluish luster.
"This is for you, too."
Fang Mo said, handing over the armor.
"…What is this now?"
Sneck was utterly bewildered; the other party kept giving him things, but just from the looks of it, he knew it was nothing ordinary, so he instinctively took it.
But as soon as he touched it.
He was immediately shocked by the feel of the armor.
This set of armor was not the hard plate armor type, but rather seemed like scale armor, made not of metal but of nail-sized scales, glistening and cool to the touch, like the scales of some cold-blooded animal.
"Oh, this thing."
Facing Sneck's astonished expression, Fang Mo waved his hand nonchalantly, "Made from Naga scales, just an apprentice set from Twilight, consider it a compensation for your snake skin suit."
Indeed, Sneck's suit was actually made of snake skin.
If he remembered correctly.
It should be from a snake monster.
"This…"
Hearing Fang Mo say this, Sneck was obviously a bit dazed, but he also knew this set of equipment was much better than what he was wearing: "So, what are you saying…?"
"Don't worry about it, I just have a special fondness for snake monsters… snake armor,"
Facing Sneck's questioning.
Fang Mo simply waved his hand nonchalantly, "Oh, by the way, since we're on the topic of snake monsters… snake armor, why don't you just drop the matter with my people, okay?"
"I see."
Fang Mo had made his point very clear, and even if Sneck was somewhat slow, he got the hint. But to be honest, as an adult, he still knew how to choose, so he sighed, "Alright, I understand what you mean, I also played a part in this incident… I shouldn't have spoken about him that way, so let's just let it go."
"Hey, look, I've also joined the association, so from now on, we're brothers."
Fang Mo smiled, "Whenever you feel like charging to S-class, just give your brother a shout, and I'll give you an enchanted snake fruit to directly evolve you into a true Dragon…"
"…I'll take your word for it."
Sneck smiled awkwardly, truly not understanding what the other was talking about, but it seemed like a good thing.
But for some reason.
His martial artist's intuition kept reminding him not to get too close to the other party.
After thinking briefly, Sneck decided to follow his instincts, so after a few polite words, he quickly found an excuse to leave the meeting room.
"Alright, that's settled."
After handling this troublesome matter.
Fang Mo turned around and signaled to the people behind him with an OK gesture: "Alright, let's pack up and go home, we've been busy all day, and it's almost dinner time."
"Oh, it's time to eat."
At the mention of eating, Doctor Genus got a bit excited.
"Saitama-sensei," Genos turned to the dispirited Saitama and said, "Let's go home and eat, too."
"I'm sorry… I'm not really hungry."
Saitama said sorrowfully.
"Then come eat at my place." But unlike Saitama, Fang Mo's mood was quite good, "Let's celebrate tonight with a barbecue."
"Oh, then let's go!"
Hearing this, Saitama seemed to suddenly perk up.
"Sensei, you…"
"Uh, I suddenly feel hungry again…"
After this farcical incident, the group quickly returned home. This time, thanks to coordinates, Ancient One directly helped open a portal.
So the journey back was almost completely time-saving.
And after they got back.
Fang Mo indeed hosted a barbecue for everyone.
Due to the characteristics of the MC ingredients, everyone ate until they were greasy, especially Saitama and Doctor Genus, who shamelessly overate again.
Soon after dinner ended.
Saitama bid everyone goodbye and quickly took Genos back to his own apartment.
As for Fang Mo's side.
His work had just begun.
Since the armored gorilla had also voluntarily taken Chemical X, Fang Mo designed a combat suit for him, taking into account his style of fighting with big, sweeping movements, Fang Mo directly gave him a full-body heavy armor, along with a large shield.
But inside the armor… there was just a tactical vest.
The key was breathability.
Having already designed the Ground Dragon's operator suit, this time Fang Mo also roughly figured out the operators' clothing style, which was to cover up where necessary, and the rest could be casually exposed.
With this unique approach, Fang Mo solved the armored gorilla's equipment in just a few hours.
After that.
Fang Mo also specifically looked for Ancient One.
Having previously caused a stir at the exam site and accidentally driven a bunch of people mad, Fang Mo simply delegated the task of treating these people to Ancient One, since he really didn't want to clean up after himself, it was too troublesome.
And after hearing Fang Mo's explanation, Ancient One also calmly expressed her opinion.
"Sometimes I really think, maybe it would have been better to just be smashed to death at the beginning."
There was no helping it, since Ancient One's character was very kind, and she really couldn't bear to see ordinary people suffer at the hands of dimensional demons, so even though she knew Fang Mo was causing trouble for her, she had to reluctantly accept it.
In any case, under Fang Mo's meticulous arrangements.
The Ancient One was out early and back late for the next few days.
As for himself, he was contemplating how to "recruit" operators for the Tower of Babel.
After all, this wasn't a game, where tons of beast-eared girls would actively come forward wanting to join the organization, so this was just another headache for Fang Mo.
However, just a few days later.
The Hero Association suddenly contacted Fang Mo, stating that his hero name had been decided and asking him to review it.
Hearing this, Fang Mo was naturally very happy.
But when he opened the email and saw the words "Source of All Evil," his face instantly darkened.
"Damn it, who the hell came up with this name for me!"