When Hans asked his question, the previously overjoyed Fang suddenly froze, an awkward look spreading across his rat-like face.
The nearby tiger-class monsters glanced at each other, mumbling under their breath but unable to come up with any proper answer.
Finally, one bull-headed tiger-class monster mustered the courage to speak.
"R-Reporting, sir. We usually just do the work and fight for territory. Sometimes we hear other monsters brag about stuff from different areas…"
"But big matters about the Association, or news about the executives… we really don't know anything!"
They were nothing but low-level cannon fodder, struggling to survive each day. With such limited access to information, how could they possibly know anything about the upper echelons of the Monster Association?
That kind of knowledge was reserved for the big shots above Demon-level.
Hans: "…"
As expected, expecting useful intel from this bunch of trash was wishful thinking.
Still, the bull-headed monster's answer gave him a new idea.
Aside from working, they also fought over territory?
Then if a few "colleagues" accidentally got killed in the process, it probably wouldn't be a big deal, right?
'Interesting. Sounded like I have a fun team-building activity to plan for soon!'
"Forget it."
While considering how to stir up trouble, Hans switched to a more practical question.
"Then tell me this, where do you usually get the food that's offered to Lord Pochi?"
"Sir, I know that one!"
At the mention of food, Fang perked right up and eagerly answered,
"Lord Pochi's food mainly comes in two kinds! One is big creatures we catch from the nearby forests. The other is large monster corpses that sometimes get sent down from above for us to 'process!'"
"That slime octopus bastard used to handle that job. I even saw it using 'monster cells' to modify the corpses, giving them monster-like features. It usually made the meat bigger and chewier!"
'Ah, that explained it.'
'No wonder the corpse from the earlier delivery had been so huge.'
"Got it. Keep things the same as before."
Hans gave Fang an approving nod, then turned to the tiger-class monsters and ordered,
"You guys will handle the hunting; step up your efforts!"
"Stock up on more food. Choose the best meat to offer to Lord Pochi!"
"Yes, sir!" ×N
The tiger-class monsters immediately obeyed, not daring to delay.
Luckily, this was a routine job previously assigned by the octopus monster, so they were familiar with the process.
They shouted orders to the wolf-class underlings, forming teams and rushing off through the tunnels to carry out their new boss's first command.
"Fang, I've got another task for you."
"Sir! I'm here! Please give the order!"
Once the tiger-class ones were gone, Hans looked down at the rat monster by his feet.
"Go to the human city and bring me a few of their latest newspapers."
Fang straightened his back, eyes gleaming with excitement at being given an important mission.
"Sir, I may not be good at much, but I sure can run fast!"
"I'll get it done, guaranteed!"
Hans waved him off. "Go."
"Yes, sir!!"
.....
The next day.
Hans sat on a rock-carved chair, with a thick pile of dozens of newspapers stacked on the wide armrest.
Fang had done well; he'd collected a whole bundle of freshly printed papers overnight.
Hans flipped through the Z-City Times, turning to the entertainment section. The front headline showed the latest "Weekly Hero Rankings."
Seeing that the S-Class list didn't yet include "Demon Cyborg" Genos, he let out a sigh of relief.
'So Genos hadn't joined the Hero Association yet. That meant the main story hadn't started.'
'Nice!'
No need to wake up and immediately find the Hero Association smashing their way in from the surface.
Flipping further.
Breaking: Newly promoted A-Class hero "Amai Mask" takes first place in the public popularity poll!
Everyone knew Amai Mask held the top A-Class spot to keep any unworthy heroes out of S-Class.
And since the news called him "newly promoted," it meant he'd only recently taken that position.
Reading through the rest, Hans found several clues hidden in various current events.
Until, Shocking! Champion of the 21st Super Fight Tournament, "Wolfman," exposed as an imposter, police investigating!
At that, Hans's eyes lit up.
In the manga, Saitama joined the 22nd Super Fight Tournament, definitely not for the 3 million yen prize, of course, to experience martial arts firsthand.
Since the event was held every six months, this meant the current story was only about half a year before Vaccine Man's appearance, the very start of the main timeline!
"Good. I still have plenty of time to grow stronger."
Just then, a series of heavy footsteps echoed through the cave.
From the shadows emerged a burly stone monster, sweatband tied around its head, carrying a large burlap sack.
It dropped the bag at Hans's feet without a word, then turned to leave.
Hans: "???"
He quickly realized that this must be the courier sent by Little Eye.
"Hey! Don't go yet! At least tell me, do you deliver daily or weekly?"
The stone monster didn't answer, only stomped away with rumbling steps.
Hans's mouth twitched. He couldn't just kill it, either.
What if no one came to deliver things after that?
"This guy… maybe he shares one brain with all the world's other stone men?"
Grumbling, Hans turned his focus back to the bag.
He flicked his finger, sending a blade-like gust slicing through the air,
Snap! The rope tying the bag split cleanly, spilling its contents onto the ground: over a hundred pulsating, fleshy lumps that throbbed like hearts.
Monster Cells!
Hans's eyes lit up. As expected of the rich lady on top of the list, her gifts almost matched what that octopus had stockpiled for years!
This… this soft meal smells so good!
Without hesitation, Hans grabbed the bag of Monster Cells and began converting them.
[Conversion successful! Obtained 10,000 Source Points!]
The nearly depleted points bar surged up again, breaking past ten thousand.
Thinking about how he could now upgrade "Overgrowth" again, Hans felt both excitement and frustration.
Excitement, because another explosive power-up was coming.
Frustration, because leveling SSR abilities was a bottomless pit; ten thousand points barely increased a single level.
Reaching max level or evolving into a UR ability was still a distant dream.
"I can't just focus on SSR copies forever," he muttered.
"Otherwise, all my ability slots will fill up, and they can't even be deleted. Then, if a UR ability shows up, I'd just have to watch it slip away."
Recognizing reality, Hans's eyes grew thoughtful.
"I should mix in some low-rarity skills, too. They're easier to max out and often have useful functions. Once maxed, they'll patch my weaknesses and make me more well-rounded."
Having made up his mind, Hans refined most of his newly gained Source Points.
[Consumed 8,000 Source Points, "Overgrowth" leveled up! Lv.4 → Lv.5!]
A terrifying surge of power filled his body.
His enhanced physique easily adapted to the massive spike in energy and attributes.
The scarlet glow on his skin dimmed as the violent energy settled, and his frame shot up by several dozen centimeters.
The aura of a Demon-level monster now rolled off him, deeper, stronger, and far more dangerous than before.
He'd grown stronger again!