Lin Jie felt utterly uncomfortable under Winter Xueer's unblinking stare.

"Don't tell me you're not normal either?"

"I'm not like them," Winter Xueer said calmly. "I just suffered some mental stress. A few days at the mental rehabilitation center will fix me. Don't worry."

"Phew! Then I'm relieved," Lin Jie said.

"Oh, by the way, Lin Jie," Winter Xueer suddenly hugged his arm. "I've realized you're truly the man I want. After we get back, let's make a baby."

"..." After a long internal struggle, Lin Jie gritted his teeth and said, "You should join them at the mental rehab center for a couple of days too."

"Is that wise? This chance might not come again, you virgin," Winter Xueer teased him.

"No problem! Our style is lewd but not vulgar, sleazy but dignified," Lin Jie said, his teeth practically bleeding. "For something like this, we should wait until you're fully recovered. Otherwise, I'd feel guilty. If you insist, let's sign a contract. We'll make a baby after you're out."

As he spoke, a pen and paper appeared in his hands.

"Tch, boring man. No wonder you're still a virgin," Winter Xueer said, releasing his arm. "You've missed your chance."

"... I shouldn't have overthought it."

...

The next day, H City's News Daily headline read: "On the Immense Mental Stress of Super Heroes: Several of Our City's Super Heroes Enter Mental Rehabilitation Center for Therapy."

This story not only made the news but also sparked explanations from a slew of experts and professors.

"Looks like my workload is increasing again," Lin Jie sighed. "I really want to know what kind of training they went through."

...

That afternoon, a giant lizard-man appeared on the streets of H City.

"Prepare to face our justice!" Shishen struck a powerful pose in front of the lizard-man, while his teammates blasted energetic music behind him.

Just as the atmosphere heated up, a spike mace appeared above the lizard-man's head, and he collapsed instantly.

"That bastard again!" Shishen cursed, glaring at Lin Jie's retreating back.

The next day, a group of super criminals appeared in H City. Just as Shishen and his team were ready to perform, the criminals were all taken down. By the time Shishen snapped out of it, Lin Jie was already walking away, carrying his spike mace.

"That bastard!" Shishen fumed in his talent agency office, sipping coffee angrily. He turned to his agent. "Who's the next criminal?"

"No one's willing to take the job anymore," the agent said helplessly.

"Aren't those guys mercenaries who work for money?" Shishen asked, puzzled.

"Word has spread throughout H City's underworld," the agent explained. "A 'Mallet Hero' has emerged in the cleanup squad. He never speaks, just attacks on sight. And he's incredibly powerful. No one dares take jobs in H City anymore."

"That bastard again!" Shishen growled. "Fine, I'll personally hire a powerful guy to fight that mallet wielder. I want him humiliated! Then we'll step in to clean up the mess."

"That's a good idea. It'll teach him a lesson," the agent said excitedly.

While H City's main heroes were absent, Lin Jie was forced to help Xiao Zhan and the others with the team's daily activities. Unbeknownst to Lin Jie himself, he had unconsciously slipped back into his old style as Zero.

Under his iron-fisted suppression, H City's crime rate plummeted by eighty percent. Rumors spread about a powerful "Mallet Hero" in H City.

Naturally, Lin Jie's habitual style drew resentment from many heroes. Criminals were often taken down before heroes could even make their entrance. It was like in a game, when you're about to unleash a big move to secure a kill, someone jumps in and steals it, not even giving you an assist.

Shishen was the worst victim of Lin Jie's monster-stealing. If Lin Jie had said something after stealing the kill, it might have been bearable. But Lin Jie just walked away without a word, as if mocking those who desperately show off in public.

Thus, Lin Jie earned the nickname "The Silent Mallet" in H City.

"Alright, I'll contact the B-rank criminal, Butcher, to deal with him," the agent told Shishen. "I guarantee he'll be humiliated this time."

"I'm counting on you," Shishen said excitedly.

That evening's news headline read: "Shocking News: D-rank Hero Mallet Hero Defeats B-rank Criminal Butcher in One Hit – A Rare Case of Rank-Breaking Solo Kill."

Below it was an expert analysis: "Well... this incident was actually a very special coincidence. After all, our ranking system is rigorous, and Butcher's strength is undeniable, as shown in his past records. Secondly, Mallet Hero's victory was due to multiple factors, such as terrain favoring his movements, Butcher's physical condition that day, and so on..."

"I almost believed it myself. No wonder they're called experts," Lin Jie remarked.

"What's an 'expert beast'?" Lin Mumu asked curiously.

"Those TV analysts who explain things to deceive ordinary people," Lin Jie said. "Your sister Lin might become one of them someday."

"Will Sister Lin become an 'expert beast' too?" the little girl tilted her head.

"Not necessarily. It depends on her future choices," Lin Jie replied.

"Ah, brother! That's you!" the little girl exclaimed excitedly, watching Lin Jie's video on TV. "Brother is so amazing! I want to be like you and use that mace to defeat all enemies."

"..." Lin Jie couldn't help but imagine a scene: the little girl holding a giant spike mace taller than herself, whacking a monster repeatedly. The next day's news headline: "Female Mallet Hero Defeats Another Monster..."

"Mumu, that thing isn't suitable for girls," Lin Jie said. "How about this: someday, I'll teach you to use a blood-dripping blade."

"Okay!" the little girl said happily.

"It's about time to feed Doudou," Lin Jie said, pulling out a few packs of Spicy Strips. "Doudou" was the dog they adopted a few days ago.

"Okay, feed Doudou! Feed Doudou!" the little girl happily followed Lin Jie. They walked to the Xiao Building. Since Xiao Zhan had gone straight to the mental rehab center after returning, Lin Jie had to take care of Doudou himself these days.

Just as they reached the entrance, a person wearing a hat and sunglasses, completely hiding their face, grabbed Lin Jie.

"I knew you'd be here," the person said.

"Who are you?" Lin Jie asked, looking at the suspicious figure.

"Let's talk," the person said.

"Mumu, go upstairs and feed Doudou first," Lin Jie said, handing the Spicy Strips to Lin Mumu. Then he turned to the person. "I've taken down quite a few people lately. Are you here for revenge?"

"Neither. Come with me," the person gestured. "It's too crowded here. Let's find a quiet place to talk alone."

"What a hassle," Lin Jie sighed. "I hate this mysterious stuff the most."

And so, the two arrived at an ecological park that was usually deserted.

"Alright, what's this about?" Lin Jie said. "We can't keep little Mumu waiting too long."

The person then removed their hat and sunglasses, revealing their true face.

"Ah! You're that Shishen who hired criminals to beat yourself up," Lin Jie said, looking at the face that made countless girls scream.

"Are you mocking me?" Shishen's expression turned hostile.

"So why did you bring me here alone?" Lin Jie asked.

"I want to know what it takes for you to stop," Shishen said.

"Stop what?" Lin Jie asked curiously.

"Don't play dumb with me!"

"I really don't understand what you're talking about," Lin Jie said.

"Then I'll be blunt!" Shishen said. "What will it take for you to stop targeting me?"

"Have I targeted you?" Lin Jie said, puzzled. "I don't recall targeting you."

"Stop playing dumb!" Shishen was completely enraged. "Every time we hire super criminals, you show up and take them down! Isn't that targeting me?"

"What? You mean those super criminals appearing near you were all hired by your company?" Lin Jie seemed to understand.

"Now you have nothing to say!"

"Well... I just got into the habit. Old habits die hard," Lin Jie said.

"You dare say it's just habit? I suggest you stop now," Shishen said, staring at Lin Jie.

"I never specifically targeted you," Lin Jie said. "I just defeat criminals when I see them. After all, that's my job now, isn't it?"

"So you refuse to stop," Shishen glared at Lin Jie. "If you want to take this cutthroat competition to the end, I, Shishen, will oblige."

"What's this 'cutthroat competition'? Do super heroes need to compete? Shouldn't this be a public service job?" Lin Jie realized his worldview and this handsome guy's were in completely different worlds.

"You pretentious bastard!" Shishen said. "All those achievements you've made lately should have been mine! Mine!"

With that, Shishen charged at Lin Jie, his fist glowing with energy as it swung towards him.

"If you want cutthroat competition, let's fight!" Shishen said, launching a flurry of attacks at Lin Jie. "We're both D-rank! The loser gives up being a hero."

"This guy's worldview is messed up," Lin Jie muttered while dodging Shishen's attacks.

By now, Lin Jie had lost patience. He casually punched the man in the stomach, and Shishen collapsed to his knees, clutching his belly.

"How?" Shishen said incredulously. "How could you see through my moves?"

...