NOVEL WEB Chapter 262: Creator X
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"If that's how you want to think about it, sure—can't say you're wrong. I do use an ability that normally only gods have access to— Creation."
Renzo shrugged casually and motioned for Saitama to sit down at the dining table. Then, with a snap of his fingers—
BOOM.
The table instantly filled with a massive feast—over a hundred different dishes, all beautifully plated and radiating mouth-watering aromas.
"Alright, dig in! Eat as much as you want. If it's not enough, just let me know," Renzo said, gesturing proudly.
"...You really make things way too convenient," Saitama mumbled, eyes glazed over as he stared at the luxurious spread. "At this point, I'm not even sure you need money. You can literally create food out of thin air. Aren't you worried you'll lose all the small joys in life like this?"
Even though he was already numb from shock, Saitama still couldn't help but complain as he looked over the delicious dishes.
It's always about comparison, huh? That's when reality hits the hardest.
The contrast between this and Saitama's usual ramen-pack life was just... brutal.
"Oh? So the 'joys of life' you're talking about—do they include fighting old ladies for discounts or trying to stretch a few coins till payday?"
Renzo grinned and teased.
Saitama: "..."
No comeback. He just started shoveling food into his mouth.
"Hmm? Is this frog meat? Damn, it's huge—and seriously good! I've never tasted anything like it!"
"Wait a sec—how is this just cabbage? It's so good! What kind of cabbage tastes like this!?"
"And whatever this grilled meat is—I don't even know what animal this came from, but it tastes like a full meal in one bite. This stuff's ridiculous!"
"Oh man, Shawarma with spicy garlic is just the best..."
---
Several hours later...
Finally, the Hero Association team showed up. They knocked on the gates of Renzo's estate and were quickly greeted by Red Queen's projection, who guided them inside with polite efficiency.
"Headquarters said the satellite feed showed Renzo-sama creating this entire estate out of thin air. And in just a few minutes, too. Totally unbelievable..."
"No kidding! If I hadn't watched it with my own eyes on the way here, I would've thought it was some kind of prank."
"Seriously, this guy's powers are god-tier. Ranking him as A-Class #2 is a joke. Honestly, he deserves S-Class—at least top three!"
"I agree, but rankings are based on achievements, not raw strength. From what I've heard, Renzo has been living low-key for over a decade like a regular guy. That kind of patience is unreal."
"Yeah, if that giant monster hadn't trashed his house and ruined his peaceful life, he probably would've stayed in hiding even longer."
The group chatted in awe and admiration as they made their way through the estate.
At the front entrance, Red Queen opened the gates and gestured politely. "Gentlemen, the master is waiting in the living room. Please follow me."
"Thank you, Lady Red Queen," they said, giving her respectful nods as they passed.
Red Queen blinked in surprise at being thanked so earnestly. As a newly formed AI, she was still learning about emotions and interactions, but... being treated with respect felt oddly nice.
"Renzo-sama!"
The leader of the Hero Association representatives stepped forward and bowed deeply. "We're from the Hero Association. First and foremost, thank you for your heroic efforts today in B-City."
"Because of your actions, B-City was saved from total destruction. On behalf of the Hero Association—and all the survivors of the city—we express our heartfelt gratitude."
He bowed again, this time even deeper.
"No need to be so formal," Renzo replied with a calm smile, waving a hand. "It's only natural to protect people when I can."
The lead representative was clearly moved. "That mindset makes you all the more admirable."
He then continued, "We'd also like to officially invite you to join the Hero Association, Renzo-sama. Would you be willing to accept?"
He then gave a brief rundown of how the Association worked and the benefits of being a registered hero.
Once the explanation ended, the whole group looked at Renzo with a mix of nervousness and hope.
Renzo thought about it for a moment and nodded. "Sure, I'll join. Go ahead and handle the arrangements."
Having official hero status would make a lot of things easier for him. Plus, he'd get access to their intelligence network. Not bad.
Of course, Renzo already had plans to build his own satellite surveillance system, but it wouldn't hurt to use both.
"Ah, thank you so much for your support!"
The Association rep practically lit up with joy, though his voice was still a little nervous as he continued, "Also, um, just so you're aware—the Association has currently placed you at A-Class Rank 2, with the hero title Creator X."
"Also, you can change your title after becoming S Hero," he chuckled awkwardly, "with your strength, just a few more rescue missions and a couple powerful monster takedowns and you'll probably shoot straight to S-Class."
Before the guy could keep rambling, Renzo raised a hand and cut him off with a relaxed smile. "You don't have to be so anxious. I don't really care about rankings. Being a hero isn't about what number someone assigns you. Just focus on doing the right thing—that's all that matters."
"I've looked into the Hero Association's ranking system before. Honestly, being placed at A-Class Rank 2 with just this one incident? That's already more than generous. So no need to keep apologizing."
"If you guys have missions in the future, just let me know—either directly or through Red Queen. If I'm free, I'll help out."
Sure, having an S hero rank makes things easier. But A? That's still not a big deal.
"Whew…"
Hearing Renzo speak so calmly and sensibly, the rep finally let out a huge breath of relief. "We're honestly honored to have someone like you join the Hero Association!"
"Here's a phone assigned by the Association. It'll help us reach you quickly if something comes up—or you can use it to reach us."
"If there's nothing else, we won't keep bothering you today. Take care!"
With that, the team made a quick, clean exit.
. . .
"Renzo! Hurry up and get back to the game! Who came here anyway?"
Saitama shouted from the other side of the room, mashing buttons on a controller as he focused on the giant screen in front of him.
The VR game they'd been playing was technically still in beta, so the experience wasn't fully polished yet—but it was still fun enough for Saitama to get hooked.
Renzo walked over, gestured casually, and summoned another controller from across the room into his hand. "Those guys were from the Hero Association."
"Seriously, Saitama, how long have you been a hero? Don't tell me you've never even heard of them?"
Eyes locked on the screen, Saitama shook his head. His fingers were already moving at blinding speed on the controller. "Hero Association? Never heard of it. No one's ever invited me or anything."
"Well, I'm not really into that stuff anyway."
"I told you before, didn't I? I'm just a hero for fun."
"Not for fame, not for recognition—just because I want to be. Because it feels right."
Yeah, that was always how he saw it.
He still remembered what it felt like—being powerless, watching innocent people get slaughtered by monsters, unable to do a thing.
And then that first time… the time he threw everything he had into saving a child. That sense of accomplishment, of purpose—he never forgot it.
Renzo nodded, a subtle, knowing smile flashing across his face before he casually added, "You really are a true hero, Saitama."
"Honestly, though, I figured you might be interested in joining the Association."
"Once you're in, your rank determines your monthly pay. They calculate it based on your monster kill count, popularity with the public, mission success rate, and so on."
"Right now, as an A-Class Rank 2, my base salary's already in the millions."
"Given your strength, I don't doubt for a second that you'd make it to S-Class. That kind of rank gets you a monthly paycheck in the tens of millions."
"Even low-tier C-Class heroes make over 100,000 a month."
"Hey, Saitama! Your character stopped moving!"
Renzo turned, smiling slyly at the suddenly frozen figure beside him.
Saitama's hands had stopped. His eyes were locked forward. Then slowly, very slowly, he turned his head toward Renzo with a ghostly expression.
"…Wait. What did you just say? S-Class gets how much a month?"
Renzo kept smiling. "At least ten million. Probably more depending on your performance and popularity. Keep the public happy, clean up monsters, show up to work—it only goes up from there."
"T-T-Ten...."
"…Ten million a month…"
"No No No No NOOO! My hundreds of millions of yen—GONE!!"
Saitama's whole face twisted in horror as the realization hit him.
Three years.
Three years as a hero.
How much money had he missed out on?
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
With a blood-curdling scream, Saitama blasted out of the room like a human missile, leaving behind nothing but a gust of wind and pure regret.
Renzo didn't even flinch. He just sat back down and kept playing his game, perfectly calm.
FWOOOSH!
Three seconds later, Saitama slammed back into the room at blinding speed, grabbed Renzo by the shoulders, and growled, "TELL ME. HOW DO I JOIN THE HERO ASSOCIATION!?"
.
.
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