Become Kingpin and build a hero mercenary company.

Page 9

Evan, a college student with thick glasses and greasy hair, was staring intently at the screen, his fingers flying across the keyboard at a speed that was almost blurry. His face was flushed with excitement, and his lips moved silently and rapidly, as if he were reciting the "battle manifesto" he was typing.

The screen displays a debate thread on a popular social media platform regarding the "legitimacy of the Hero Association." Evan is a staunch "anti-Association" advocate, or rather, a staunch opponent of any mainstream viewpoint. In his online career, the only way he gains a sense of accomplishment and validation is by engaging in online arguments, using sharp words and seemingly reasonable but actually sophistical logic to render his opponents speechless.

However, today, he ran into a brick wall.

A user with the ID "Logic Rock" used incredibly solid data, calm and objective analysis, and a rigorous chain of logic to dismantle and refute all of Evan's emotional attacks and flawed arguments. No matter how Evan changed his angle, how he attacked personally, or how he argued irrationally, the other party remained as steadfast as a rock, making Evan's remarks appear increasingly ridiculous and weak in the eyes of onlookers.

The tone of the comments below the post gradually shifted:

"Haha, Evan has nothing to say this time, right?"

"Logic Rock is awesome! Well done!"

"Evan, just admit it, you're just spouting nonsense for the sake of spouting nonsense."

The last highly-rated reply, like a poisoned needle, pierced Evan's most vulnerable nerve: "Meek and submissive in real life, but a ruthless fighter online? Save your breath, keyboard warrior."

The term "keyboard warrior" is like the last straw that broke the camel's back.

Evan felt all the blood rush to his head, his ears ringing, and an abnormal red glow appearing at the edges of his vision. Extreme anger, humiliation, and long-suppressed inferiority and disappointment in reality mixed together at this moment into a highly toxic catalyst, triggering a mutation factor that he himself was unaware of, hidden deep within his genes.

"What...do you know?!"

"I'm not a keyboard warrior!!"

"I am... the defender of truth!!"

He abruptly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot and filled with menacing blood vessels. He opened his mouth, but instead of a roar, he emitted visible, distorted, and foul-smelling sound waves!

This sound wave is not just a simple sound; it is mixed with countless sarcastic insults, vicious curses, distorted facts, and negative mental pollution!

“Buzz——!!!”

The first to be affected were the other customers and staff in the coffee shop.

A girl enjoying a latte suddenly changed her expression, slammed her coffee cup on the ground, and screamed at her innocent boyfriend across from her, "Were you peeking at that waitress just now?! You scumbag! You piece of trash!"

A business professional, working on his tablet, suddenly grabbed his hair in frustration and yelled at the screen, "What kind of garbage proposal is this! The client is an idiot! The boss is an idiot! The whole world is full of idiots!"

Even the barista behind the counter, who was creating latte art, froze, his exquisite swan design instantly ruined. His eyes darkened, and he muttered to himself, "Why do I have to serve others here... I should be the one being served..."

Chaos erupted instantly!

Arguments, smashing, inexplicable rage, and aggressive behavior spread like a plague through the small café. And the source of all this chaos—Evan, or rather, the "keyboard warrior" weirdo at this moment—slowly stood up.

His body didn't seem to have undergone any significant physical changes, but he was surrounded by that disturbing, emotionally manipulative, foul sound wave. He opened his arms as if embracing the chaos he had created, a twisted and satisfied smile on his face.

"Yes! That's it! Be angry! Argue! Let everyone feel this 'real'!!"

[High-intensity psychoactive energy detected near Greenwich Village/NYU! Threat level assessment: Wolf level!]

[Event Type: Emotional Mutant (Keyboard Warrior), ability to emit "filthy language light waves," causing emotional outbursts in creatures within range, possessing mental pollution properties.]

[Mission Issued: Immediately subdue the "keyboard warrior" freak, interrupt his ability release, and appease the affected public. Mission Level: Wolf-level. Reward Points: 25.]

The task notification from the association's app arrived on time.

In the Association's command center, Wesley frowned as he watched the surveillance footage of the strange creature, whose destructive power, though not particularly strong, had created an extremely chaotic scene. The Sandman was on patrol in another area, and this type of mentally corrupting enemy didn't seem to be the Sandman's forte.

"Issue a collaborative mission to find registered heroes with abilities like mental soothing or silencing to handle the situation," Wesley ordered.

The command center received the response almost immediately after the mission was issued.

[The hero "Meditation Master" (Rank D) has accepted the mission. Expected arrival at the scene in 3 minutes.]

The café was a complete mess. Tables and chairs were overturned, cups and plates were shattered, and the once warm atmosphere was gone, replaced by hysterical arguments and shouts. "Keyboard warrior" Evan stood in the center, reveling in the power of his "words."

Just then, the glass door of the coffee shop, which had cracked from the sound waves, was gently pushed open.

A figure walked in.

He wore the association's standard, but seemingly specially made, light gray combat uniform. He wasn't tall, even somewhat thin. He wore a simple silver mask that only covered the upper half of his face, revealing a soft-featured chin and lips. Most strikingly, he carried no weapon; his hands hung naturally at his sides, and his gait was steady, as if he were entering a tranquil library rather than a chaotic battlefield.

It was the hero "Meditation Master," who had just registered and whose ability rating was D.

His presence stood out starkly against the chaos around him.

"Keyboard Warrior" Evan immediately noticed the uninvited guest. His bloodshot eyes glared at him, and a malicious smile spread across his face: "Another one looking for a beating? Feel the 'real'!"

He took a deep breath, aimed at the meditator, and unleashed the most powerful wave of "filthy language light waves"! The distorted sound waves, carrying a visible filth, surged towards the meditator like a tidal wave. The mental pollution contained within was enough to instantly enrage or break a person with a strong will.

However, faced with this overwhelming mental attack, the meditator did not even pause in his steps.

He merely raised his right hand slightly, palm facing outward, and softly uttered a single word, his voice not loud, yet strangely piercing through all the noise:

There was no dazzling light, no burst of energy.

But centered on his palm, an invisible, gentle yet firm field of silent force spread out like ripples on water!

The filthy, negative-energy-filled sound waves, upon contact with this silent force field, melted and disintegrated as quickly as ice and snow meeting the scorching sun, and could no longer transmit any malicious information or mental interference!

"Wh...what?!" Evan's sneer froze. He stared in disbelief at how his usually invincible verbal attacks had crumbled so easily before the man in gray. "You...you blocked me?! You're stifling freedom of speech!!"

He unleashed his power even more frantically, unleashing a barrage of vile insults, twisted logic, and vicious curses.

But, it didn't work.

The meditator's field of silence was as steady as a rock, isolating him from all mental pollution. He walked towards Evan step by step, his steps still steady, his eyes, visible through the silver mask, as calm as a deep pool, without the slightest ripple.

This absolute, misunderstood, and even "ignored" silence has become the greatest attack on "keyboard warriors."

Evan began to panic. His power stemmed from the reactions of others, from the chaos he created. When his "words" failed to stir any ripples, when the other person looked at him with an almost pitying calm, he felt like a clown performing energetically on stage only to find the audience completely empty.

"Say something! Retort to me! Why aren't you saying anything?!" Evan screamed hysterically, his voice becoming chaotic and losing its previous cohesion and destructive power.

The meditation master had already walked up to him, less than a meter away.

He raised his hand again, and this time, gently touched Evan's forehead.

There was no attack, no damage.

It was just a purer, gentler, silent force, like cool spring water, that instantly washed away Evan's mind, which was filled with negative emotions and almost burning up.

All the anger, humiliation, and rage were as if gently wiped away by an invisible hand.

Evan's bloodshot eyes quickly faded, returning to their original brownish hue. The foul sound waves surrounding him completely dissipated. He stared blankly at the meditator wearing a silver mask, then at the surrounding mess of customers who were gradually recovering from their emotional breakdown and looking equally bewildered, as if waking from a dream.

"What...what did I do?" he murmured, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, falling into a coma. The mutation was lifted.

The soothsayer withdrew his fingers, not even glancing at the unconscious Evan, and instead turned his gaze to the surrounding crowd who were still in shock but gradually regaining their senses. He didn't speak, but simply released that gentle, silent energy field once more, like a mother comforting a frightened child, helping everyone to completely calm their turbulent emotions.

Soon, the association's support vehicles and the police arrived and began handling the scene and wrapping up the work.

After completing the simplest record-keeping, the meditation master left quietly, just as he had come, concealing his merit and fame.

[Mission "Subduing the Keyboard Warrior" complete! Reward points of 25 have been credited to the hero "Meditation Master's" account.]

[Hero "Tranquilizer" First Mission Performance Evaluation: Excellent. The handling of this specific type of threat was flawless, with zero collateral damage. The Association's versatility in responding to threats was demonstrated.]

Inside the command center, Wesley looked at the report and nodded slightly. The Association's hero pool was gradually expanding, with various abilities complementing each other, which undoubtedly greatly enhanced the Association's responsiveness.

Meanwhile, videos and discussions about the "keyboard warrior" incident and the "mindfulness master's" perfect restraint began to circulate online. People realized once again that the "monsters" the Hero Association deals with are incredibly diverse, and that the association itself possesses unexpected specialists capable of handling all sorts of monsters.

The "Mindfulness Master's" debut was understated yet stunning. He suppressed extreme "noise" with absolute "stillness".

The association's wings have quietly grown stronger through a series of seemingly small but precise tasks.

Chapter 18: The Newcomer Makes His Debut: "Silence is Golden"

Outside the trendy cafe in Greenwich Village, which had just experienced an unconventional uproar, police tape was still in place. Police were maintaining order, while association support staff efficiently cleaned up the mess inside and carefully lifted the unconscious instigator—"keyboard warrior" Evan—onto a dedicated quarantine transport vehicle.

The crowd had not completely dispersed; they pointed at the coffee shop, discussing amongst themselves, their faces still showing shock, but even more so, curiosity and amazement at the brief and peculiar exchange they had just witnessed.

"Did you see that? That guy in the gray clothes just said 'Quiet,' and that madman went silent!"

"That was amazing! I felt like a bomb had gone off the moment he looked at me."

"His name seems to be... 'Meditation Master'? That's so cool!"

"The association really has all sorts of people; they can even handle this kind of psychological attack..."

Amidst the murmurs, a figure dressed in a light gray association uniform and wearing a silver half-face mask quietly emerged from the shadows beside the café. It was the rookie hero who had just completed his mission—"The Mind Master." His steps remained steady, his aura restrained, as if he had merely done something insignificant.

He ignored the curious, grateful, or inquisitive glances directed at him and walked straight to an inconspicuous dark sedan parked by the roadside, bearing the association's logo. This was standard transportation support provided by the association for its field heroes.

However, just as he opened the car door and prepared to get in and leave, an untimely voice rang out behind him, carrying a deliberate provocation and a condescending tone.

Hey! You over there! The one wearing a mask!

The meditator paused slightly, but did not turn around.

A group of street-style, slick-looking young people pushed through the crowd and walked over. The leader was a young man with dyed green hair and a lip ring. He was holding a mobile phone and seemed to be live-streaming.

"Hey! This is the association's new 'hero'? He doesn't look that great!" The green-haired youth pointed his phone camera at the psychiatrist, his tone exaggerated. "What happened in there just now? I heard you took care of that lunatic without even lifting a finger? You didn't use hypnosis or some shady methods, did you?"

His companions also joined in the jeering:

"Exactly, hiding your face like that, are you too ugly to show your face to people?"

"Are the requirements for joining the association so low now? I feel like I could join too!"

"Hey, hero, show us your abilities! Let us see what you've got!"

Some onlookers frowned, but no one stepped in to stop these guys who were clearly looking for trouble and trying to gain attention. The police were still focused on handling the scene.

In the live stream, the chat became active because of the hot topic of "new heroes from the Hero Association." Some people condemned the thugs, while others joined in the commotion, enjoying the spectacle.

Faced with this sudden, malicious verbal provocation and the spotlight, the therapist remained with her back to them, her hand resting on the car door without trembling. No one could discern her expression beneath the silver mask.

Seeing that he ignored him, the green-haired youth assumed he was a coward and became even more arrogant. He took a few steps forward, almost touching the meditation instructor's back, and shouted into the phone camera, "Look, everyone! This is what you call a hero! A complete coward! He doesn't even dare to fart! I think the association is just..."

His words stopped abruptly.

He wasn't interrupted; he simply couldn't make a sound on his own.

He opened his mouth wide, trying to speak, but only managed a series of gasping sounds like a broken bellows. His face instantly filled with terror and disbelief. He pointed futilely at his throat, then at the meditator's back, his eyes filled with horror.

His companions also noticed something was wrong and were about to question him when they found themselves in the same situation! It was as if several people were being choked by an invisible hand at the same time, and could only make comical and terrified silent movements, making the scene extremely bizarre.

Only then did the meditation master slowly turn around.

His gaze calmly swept over the panicked thugs who were unable to speak, finally settling on the live-streaming phone in the green-haired youth's hand. Through the lens, countless netizens saw those calm, unwavering eyes hidden beneath the silver mask, eyes that seemed to see through everything.

He showed no anger, no contempt, and not even the slightest emotional fluctuation.

He simply spoke that word again, softly, to the camera, or rather, to the few "silenced" provocateurs and everyone watching:

This time, there was no invisible force field spreading.

But that absolute, unquestionable sense of "stillness" was clearly conveyed through the lens.

The rapidly scrolling chatter in the live stream, brimming with a mix of emotions, momentarily froze. Many people who were typing instinctively stopped, as if their voices had been silenced by those calm eyes.

The thugs were frozen in place as if under a spell, forgetting even to struggle in vain, their eyes filled only with fear.

The meditator ignored them and offered no further explanation to the camera. He opened the car door, got in, and the dark sedan smoothly started, merging into traffic and disappearing at the end of the street.

Only when the car was completely out of sight did that invisible, suffocating force seem to vanish suddenly.

"Cough cough cough!!"

"I can speak now!"

"What...what just happened?!"

The thugs gasped for breath, as if they had just been rescued from drowning, their faces filled with lingering fear. The green-haired youth frantically checked his phone and throat, glancing in the direction the psychiatrist had left, his eyes now devoid of their previous arrogance, replaced only by deep apprehension.

Online discussions about "meditation therapists" and this brief conflict instantly erupted.

The Silent Deterrence! A First Look at the Abilities of the Rookie Hero "The Mindfulness Master"!

Faced with provocation, he used only one word!

This is real class! Compared to some of those blustering masked vigilantes...

"The Qualities of an Association Hero: A Combination of Ability and Character!"

The video clips were widely shared, and the phrase "silence is golden" almost became synonymous with "the meditator." He didn't engage in fierce battles, dazzling special effects, or even utter a single superfluous word. He won over a great deal of goodwill and awe simply with his mysterious and powerful field of silence and his almost indifferent calm in the face of provocation.

This restrained yet powerful image stands in stark contrast to the stereotypical image of overly lively, even talkative, street heroes (like the guy in the red and blue bodysuit).

Fisker Building, Command Center.

Wesley watched the rapidly escalating online discussion with a satisfied expression. He pulled up the "mind trainer's" file.

Hero Codename: Serenity