Having resolved the Deep Sea King incident, Saitama became the top C-class hero.
Active heroes like Roy and Genos also shared the credit, and their rankings rose accordingly.
Saitama had already been promoted from C-class to B-class, and the Hero Association sent him an invitation, hoping he would come to their headquarters for a promotion assessment.
"Is it really necessary?"
Saitama frowned.
"If you don't want to go, then don't." Roy shrugged after receiving the invitation but promptly dismissed it.
Scratching his head, Saitama said, "I guess if I don't go, they won't promote me."
"Are you going, then?"
"Becoming a B-class hero probably means I won't have to do hero activities every week. So, going once won't hurt."
Saitama leaned in. "You're the top B-class hero now, right? Are you going too?"
"No time."
"Oh... thought I'd have some company."
"I'm visiting Dr. Kuseno with Genos today."
"In that case, it can't be helped."
Saitama sighed.
Genos added, "Saitama-sensei, I apologize, but I had made a prior arrangement with Roy-san."
"It's fine, I'm not a child."
Saitama waved it off.
The trio finalized their plans.
Watching the sports car speed away from the apartment building, Saitama couldn't help feeling envious.
"Must be nice."
He kind of wanted to drive too.
But aside from whether he could drive, the important thing was he didn't have a car.
"Still enviable as ever, with that convenient ability of yours."
The Dark Matter was just too handy.
Gazing at the cloudless sky, Saitama sighed deeply, "Kind of boring."
Meanwhile, following Genos's directions, Roy drove the sports car to a research facility.
"This is the place."
After Genos got out of the car, he led the way for Roy.
But before they took a few steps, they noticed someone standing at the entrance.
He was an elderly man with a mushroom-like hairstyle, dressed in a white lab coat.
With a gentle smile, he looked at Roy, "You must be the young man Genos mentioned, wanting to engage in academic exchange with me, right?"
"Yes, I apologize for the intrusion."
"Hehe, no problem at all. By the way, I've heard about you too." Dr. Kuseno replied, exuding a grandfatherly warmth and casualness. "How's Yumemi Okazaki, that wild girl?"
"Do you know Yumemi?"
"Though we don't exactly belong to the same circle, like-minded individuals tend to keep in touch and exchange technical ideas."
"I see."
"She's a person devoted to truth. Rarely do I see her interested in anything beyond science. But in recent months, she's mentioned your existence to me." Dr. Kuseno continued, then realized, "Oh dear, I've been rambling. Come on in, let me offer you some tea."
"Thank you for having us."
The three entered the research facility.
Dr. Kuseno was one of the top scientists in the world, specializing in human cyborgization, human engineering, mechanics, and more. He had transformed Genos from an ordinary person into someone with formidable strength, even among S-class heroes, showcasing his remarkable abilities.
However, he didn't harbor any evil intentions. Otherwise, with his skills alone, he would be a huge enemy of the Hero Association, wouldn't he?
This world wasn't lacking in mad scientists or evil scientists.
Researchers like Yumemi Okazaki and Dr. Kuseno, who didn't have any mischief in mind, were as rare as peaceful life here.
After all, the legal constraints in this world were very weak. Relying on professional heroes to maintain social order was inherently strange. People with abilities were difficult to control, and scientists who possessed powerful technology would naturally stop at nothing to achieve their goals. Many disasters above the Demon level were caused by some scientists.
Dr. Kuseno placed a cup of tea in front of Roy.
Genos declined, as he was already considered a mechanical life form.
"I heard you want to modify Genos."
"Yes."
"Do you have any ideas?"
Genos also looked at Roy, curious to see what he would come up with.
Roy replied earnestly, "I want to give Genos a drill."
"Huh?"
"Just kidding."
"Oh..."
"Besides the drill, I want to add some other things too."
"Are you really considering a drill?"
"Because spiral power has infinite possibilities... a drill is a weapon that can pierce through the sky."
"This..."
"I have some ideas. It shouldn't disappoint you. But let's not dwell on that. Personally, I think Genos's biggest weakness lies in his offense far exceeding his defense. Although his mechanical body is tougher than an ordinary flesh and blood body, it also sacrifices a lot at the same time."
"Yes, but due to material limitations, we can only achieve this extent." Dr. Kuseno nodded. "Even the alloy with the highest melting point cannot maintain its solid state and shape under Genos's full power."
"Although creating a higher melting point alloy is not impossible, it wouldn't serve much purpose."
"Anyway, shall we give it a try?"
Dr. Kuseno was willing to share Genos's design with Roy, knowing that Genos trusted him.
"Directly attempting experimental modifications on Genos might not be a good idea, right? Even though over 97% of Genos is currently a mechanically altered body."
Genos spoke up, "It's okay."
He only pursued strength, so it didn't matter what his body turned into.
Roy looked at Genos. "Tell me your story."
Genos began, "When I was 15, a rogue cyborg invaded my hometown, destroying everything and taking the lives of my family. I barely survived. To prevent the same thing from happening again, I need to become stronger. Roy-san, please help me!"
Dr. Kuseno whispered, "Genos isn't lying. I support him. He's just more radical. It would be better if he could achieve his revenge in a more moderate way."
"I've already promised to help you, so there's no need for such words."
"Thank you!"
"Anyway, let's give it a try." Dr. Kuseno suggested. "The testing ground and workshop are over here."
He led the way.
"And the instruments are all well-equipped. If you need any materials, just let me know. But manufacturing new components might take some time, right?"
"No problem. I have some killer techniques that allow for rapid work."
"Oh, no wonder Yumemi Okazaki, that girl with high standards, holds you in such high regard. Alright, let me see what you can do."
Thirty minutes later.
Roy emerged holding several capsule-like objects.
Genos looked puzzled. "What are those?"
"Its not done yet. These things can't be operated with your current body."
Equipping his arms with nanosuit handgear, which could be called technical gloves, and donning a helmet on his head, which could be called a genius helmet, Roy approached Genos and pushed him onto his back.
"It might feel a bit itchy."
With a click, countless tools materialized from the technical gloves.
"J.A.R.V.I.S., activate the Engineering Assistance Program."
[Yes, sir.]
In an instant, Genos felt his consciousness blank out, as if his body no longer belonged to him.
"Incredibly precise, using this system to replace the nervous system?"
Roy marveled as he worked.
"Learned something new."
Though he was a cyborg, in reality, the techniques could also be applied to fully mechanical life forms, it just posed a bit more of a challenge with artificial intelligence.
But for Roy, it was a minor issue.
Another thirty minutes passed.
The modifications were complete.
Genos snapped out of a terrifying state where he couldn't move or perceive anything and felt as if eons had passed.
"How do you feel?"
Hearing Roy's voice. Genos blinked, feeling disoriented. "Um, it feels... not much different, actually."
"That's expected. I've just added some new things to your body, not given you a complete upgrade. But once the active metal cells spread throughout your body, they'll enhance your hardware."
Genos noticed Roy tinkering with something behind him, but out of trust in Roy, he didn't move.
"This was just an experiment of mine, Genos. You're my guinea pig now."
"As long as I gain strength, it doesn't matter."
"Is that so? Alright, we're done." Roy said. "Now let's head to the testing ground and see how it performs, so I can gather some data."
"Okay!"
Genos dashed off eagerly.
"Aren't you going to follow to see how it goes?"
Dr. Kuseno asked Roy.
"I have a rough estimate in my mind. No need to rush."
Dr. Kuseno walked up beside Roy. "Masterful craftsmanship."
"What?"
"The equipment you're using is excellent. In terms of efficiency, it might be 1000% of what we have."
"Thank you."
"This is part of a complete set of equipment, isn't it?" Dr. Kuseno asked as he watched Roy retrieve the nanosuit.
"Yes."
"It's not just simple disassembly and reassembly, then."
"It's particle recombination."
"That's truly... astonishing."
"Did Yumemi mention it to you?"
"Haha, you mean your special constitution? She was vague about it. If possible, I'd like to see it with my own eyes."
"Of course."
A white mist appeared in Roy's palm.
"Oh, is this the God particle?"
"Is that what you call the Dark Matter?"
"Hehe, yes." Dr. Kuseno chuckled. "In our circle, many people hold a sense of distrust towards the God particle. It's just a playful term."
"I don't care what it's called. The fact remains the same. It doesn't change according to anyone's will."
Dr. Kuseno nodded. "Indeed."
Undoubtedly, the Dark Matter was a power that would excite any researcher.
Not to mention that it could be defined as any known substance, various rare materials could be obtained in unlimited quantities... as long as you didn't mind anemia.
And the Dark Matter could even define new substances... although it would be constrained by cognition and imagination, making them difficult to define.
But there was no denying that the Dark Matter was a power where the benefits outweighed the costs.
Roy's use of the Dark Matter was still insufficient.
He could only define the Dark Matter as known substances and use it to produce various alloys and artificial materials.
Although he could produce super alloys and materials beyond the current era's standards, it wasn't enough.
"The current Dark Matter can only be called convenient. The so-called God particle is far from it."
"So, you want to use your Dark Matter to define it as an undefined state of contradiction?"
"Yes, I call it Full Metal, but I haven't succeeded."
"Interesting. Well, I'll assist you. Later, I'll provide you with my research results in digital form."
"Thank you, Dr. Kuseno."
"No need to be polite. I don't know what extent I can help you. Did that girl, Yumemi Okazaki, participate? Even she couldn't complete it. All I can offer is some insignificant assistance. I hope my research can give you some inspiration, consider it your reward for helping Genos."
"Even so, thank you."
"Just being talkative. Roy-san, why are you so eager to pursue this?"
"What do you mean?"
"Undoubtedly, if you succeed, you'll gain almost limitless power. At that point, will anyone have the ability to stop you? I can't make that judgment. Don't worry, I'm not trying to stop you. Besides, I'm not a hero myself. I think it's only a matter of time before you can successfully create Full Metal. I just want to know."
Dr. Kuseno's expression was serious, which puzzled Roy.
Neither Yumemi Okazaki nor Genos had asked why Roy was so eager to learn technology and develop his abilities.
And Roy hadn't thought much about it.
But now that Dr. Kuseno mentioned it, whenever he mastered a new technology or learned new knowledge, his strength visibly increased.
He didn't like fighting or destruction.
But objectively speaking, apart from Saitama, there were few who could match his strength.
Perhaps the terrifying Tornado or the legendary Blast might have the power to defeat him.
The factors of victory and defeat were complex, making it impossible to be certain.
To unfamiliar people, the strengthening of strength wasn't just an indifferent matter of increased physical strength but a power to change the world.
It would inevitably create a sense of threat.
Dr. Kuseno's inquiry undoubtedly sought reassurance.
But...
"Why ask?"
"Because I've seen too many talented scientists go astray."
"Well, you don't have to worry."
Dr. Kuseno was puzzled.
"Because I'm not a scientist. The reason I engage in this is simply because my abilities demand it."
"Then what are you?"
"If I must be labeled, then... Professional Hero."
***
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