The two arrived at the B-Class Hero lecture hall. It was already packed with Super Heroes. Not long after Lin Jie and Xiao Zhan found seats, a jet-black muscular man appeared at the podium.

"Hello everyone, I’m your instructor. I probably don’t need to introduce myself—I’m fairly well-known in H City," the man said.

"Who is he?" Lin Jie whispered to Xiao Zhan.

"A B-Class Hero named Black Gold," Xiao Zhan replied. "I’ve heard his body’s hardness matches alloy."

"Why are all the Super Heroes I meet today muscle-bound guys?" Lin Jie said. "I expected to see beauties in tight suits."

"There used to be many," Xiao Zhan explained. "But after recent incidents, wealthy businessmen and officials hired most female heroes as bodyguards."

"What? Why not hire muscle-bound guys?" Lin Jie couldn’t help asking.

"Would you choose a capable, beautiful female bodyguard or a highly skilled brute?"

"Oh… I get it," Lin Jie nodded.

They fell silent, listening to Black Gold’s lecture. Five minutes later, Lin Jie drifted off to sleep.

He didn’t know how much time passed before someone shook him awake. Groggy, he opened his eyes to a pitch-black face inches away. Startled, Lin Jie instinctively jumped back.

"You’re the first to sleep in my class. Seems you’re confident in your experience," Black Gold said.

"Well, I’m somewhat confident," Lin Jie replied.

"Really? Then answer a few questions."

"Go ahead."

"What’s your first move against a powerful monster? Especially an unknown one."

"I chop it down in one strike."

"And against an unknown dark force? Say, investigating their crimes?"

"I cut down the entire force directly."

"What if rescuing someone?"

"I cut down the enemies directly."

"What if they take hostages?"

"I cut them down before they threaten me."

"Besides cutting people down, what else can you do?" Black Gold’s expression twisted.

"Nothing. I only know how to cut people down," Lin Jie said.

"You’re really… really…" Black Gold’s face shifted dramatically. "Good! I admire you. You’re a real man."

"Huh?" Lin Jie was dumbfounded.

"It’s childish, but your method is fastest," Black Gold said, giving a thumbs-up. "I thought the same once—just defeat all enemies. The Association overcomplicates things. You’re new, right? Confident in your strength?"

"I’m fairly confident. I’ve always felt strong."

"Then use your specialty. If you’re good at cutting, just cut," Black Gold told him. "I believe in your growth, kid. Go back to sleep."

"Oh."

"This is acceptable?!" The room stared in astonishment.

"What’s our job as Super Heroes?" Black Gold returned to the podium. "Discover evil, find evil, strike down evil. Simple. Manly. The great hero ‘Zero’ did exactly that. He never sought fame—he just did these three things."

Listeners showed varied expressions—some attentive, others dismissive.

Unbeknownst to Lin Jie, after class, Miss Dong appeared in the empty classroom.

"What do you think of him?" Miss Dong asked.

"He’s decent. I couldn’t believe he took down Yatan in seconds," Black Gold said. "But he’s not the type to suck up to the president."

"Good."

"Still, the Dong Family and Ouyang Family have ties. Your actions might anger Dong’s higher-ups…"

"None of your business. Focus on your job," Miss Dong said.

...

Before the hall’s statue, Lin Jie studied ‘Zero’s’ figure. "No matter how many times I look, it doesn’t feel like him."

"Same here. This statue doesn’t match the Zero I knew," Xiao Zhan said.

As they pointed at it, a shout cut through the air.

"Quit being a hero! If I see you on duty again, we’ll beat you every time!"

"Oh?" Lin Jie turned to see three men surrounding a bespectacled guy.

"This…" Glasses Bro said weakly. "I didn’t mean to."

"‘Didn’t mean to’? After stealing our spotlight?" the leader snarled. "You worthless trash—if not for running errands, we’d never keep you. No gratitude, yet you steal our thunder?"

"But if I hadn’t acted, those criminals would’ve escaped…"

"Let them run! Better than a lackey outshining us. Makes us look weak."

"Letting them go harms ordinary people. Many would get hurt."

"Ordinary people? Good! More chaos means another capture—and another achievement."

...

Hearing this, veins bulged across Lin Jie’s forehead.

"Process your withdrawal from the Hero Association now," another man said. "Or we’ll beat you every time we see you! You damn Glasses Bro."

"No. Not that," Glasses Bro stood firm. "You’re not heroes at all."

A punch slammed into his face, knocking him down. A boot stomped on his head.

"We’re heroes! Recognized by the World Government," the leader said. "What makes a hero? A dead idiot like Zero?"

Now Xiao Zhan’s forehead veins popped too.

"Zero’s no idiot," Glasses Bro gasped underfoot. "He’s a true hero. Nothing like scum like you."

"That’s why he’s stupid. If I were Zero, I’d be king by now," the man boasted. "All his work benefited others. Heh, died without a trace."

"Zero isn’t dead!" Three voices rang out.

Lin Jie drew his Spike Mace, stepping forward. "Beating Glasses Bro is one thing! Insulting Zero? I won’t tolerate this."

"Well said," Xiao Zhan joined him, dual pistols drawn. "Harming Glasses Bro is forgivable. Insulting Senior Zero? Unforgivable."

"Can you two consider my feelings?" Glasses Bro muttered below.

"Tch, two E-Class heroes meddling?" the leader sneered. "Know who we are? The D-Class Super H City Golden Triangle!"

"D-Class impressive?" A gentle-looking青年 approached—the third voice. "How about we chat alone?"

The Golden Triangle recoiled like they’d seen a ghost.

"Shenjing Guitiao!!!" one cried.

"Swaggering earlier? I’m E-Class too—come at me," Shenjing Guitiao said. "Beating Glasses Bro is bad enough. Insulting Zero?!"

"Consider my feelings!"

"We were wrong! We won’t dare again!!" They fled. One tripped, front teeth knocked out, but scrambled up and ran.

"Impressive, bro!" Lin Jie said.

"Nothing special. Few here aren’t scared of me. Five years E-Class," Shenjing Guitiao replied. "You’re the first in three years to talk normally."

"No friends then?"

"That’s hurtful. I have friends." He showed his phone—an anime girl waved on screen.

"Huh? You play this game too!" Lin Jie pulled out his phone.

"How empty are you two?" Xiao Zhan sighed.

"You don’t understand a damn thing," Lin Jie said. "You’ve never felt watching Magical Girls alone at midnight."

"Exactly!" Shenjing Guitiao grinned. "You like that manga? I have the full figure set."

"Really? Show me!"

"Sure…"

...

They chatted eagerly.

"Let’s team up!" Lin Jie said. "I’ve never clicked with a guy like this."

"Really? Five years a Super Hero—you’re the first to ask," Shenjing Guitiao said.

"No problem. Xiao Zhan won’t object," Lin Jie said. "Right?"

"Absolutely. Anyone who scares D-Class heroes with one word is welcome," Xiao Zhan agreed.

"Alright. I’m in. Teammates now," Shenjing Guitiao said.

"By the way, what’s your ability?" Xiao Zhan asked.

"Oh. Bad luck."

"?"

"I make everyone near me indiscriminately unlucky," Shenjing Guitiao explained. "I’m a famous jinx here. But you don’t care—you’ll be my friend. Don’t die on me."

"..."

Xiao Zhan quickly retreated to Glasses Bro’s side. Lin Jie turned and slapped himself hard. "That’s for being mouthy!!"