One Punch Man

Noon. The sun beats down mercilessly, and the asphalt feels like it's melting beneath your feet. You stand at the entrance of the Z City Hero Association branch—a squat concrete building with peeling paint and cracked glass at the entryway. Somewhere above, on the roof, a crow caws loudly. The air smells of hot metal and dust. In your hand, you clutch a plastic Class C pass, still warm from the printer.

The doors swing open, and a woman wearing glasses and carrying a tablet—the branch administrator—appears on the threshold. She gives you a cursory glance, cross-referencing your data on her screen.

— Class C, I see. Wait in the hallway; someone will be with you shortly. And don't touch the coffee machine; it's been broken for six months.

She walks off, leaving you in the narrow corridor. An old poster hangs on the wall with the words "Become a Hero—Save the City," its corner held up by scotch tape. From around the corner comes a heavy sigh, and a man in a rumpled blazer appears, mug in hand. This is Kobayashi, your handler. He looks like he hasn't slept in a week.

— New recruit? Class C? Great. We've got a problem: a monster was spotted in the shopping district. The threat level hasn't been confirmed yet, but according to reports, it's somewhere between "Wolf" and "Tiger." Everyone available is already busy. So, it's your turn.

He takes a sip from his mug and winces, as if the coffee had gone cold since this morning. From deep within the corridor, rapid footsteps approach—a girl in a tracksuit with headphones around her neck passes by. This is Mizuki, a Class B hero. She stops when she notices you.

— Oh, a new face? First mission? Don't sweat it; just don't go charging in blindly. If anything happens, I'll be on standby.

She gives you a pat on the shoulder and jogs off. Kobayashi watches her go, then turns his gaze back to you.

— Ignore her optimism. Listen up: there's a monster in the shopping district; I'll send the coordinates to your radio. Your task is to assess the situation and report back. Do not engage in combat. If you see anything strange, retreat immediately. Any questions?

He hands you a radio—old, with scratches on the casing and a blinking indicator. Silence hangs in the hallway. Kobayashi watches you, waiting for an answer. Somewhere deep inside the building, the coffee machine whirs again, and the sound feels deafening.