The warm, fragrant steam of curry rice filled the training hall, a comforting aroma that clung to the air like a gentle embrace. Snek, known to his disciples as Edward, moved with practiced grace, his hands mimicking the movements of a memory, a warmth that settled deep in his chest. Snek's curry… he thought, a wave of nostalgia washing over him.
A legacy, a testament to a bond forged in hardship and respect. He could almost hear the man's booming laughter, the gentle ribbing, the meticulous instructions as he ground the spices, the scent of them a heady mix of comfort and power.
His twenty-five disciples, a motley crew of aspiring heroes, devoured the meal with unabashed glee. Their faces, smeared with the golden curry, beamed with pure, unadulterated joy.
"Sensei, this is the best curry ever!" twelve-year-old Nobita exclaimed, his mouth full, his eyes wide with delight.
"Yeah! Even better than the stuff from the market!" another student, a wiry girl named Hana, chimed in, her chopsticks moving with lightning speed.
Edward smiled, a genuine warmth spreading through him. "I'm glad you like it. It was Snek's recipe, you know."
A hush fell over the table, a moment of reverence for the legendary hero whose memory still lingered in the hall. The laughter and chatter resumed, a comforting cacophony that chased away the lingering shadows of their rigorous training. These moments… he thought, a quiet satisfaction settling over him. These are the moments we fight for. These are the moments that make it all worthwhile.
But even as he savored the warmth of the moment, a familiar itch stirred within him, a restlessness that hummed beneath his skin. The call… it always comes.
The insistent buzz of his phone shattered the peaceful atmosphere, a jarring intrusion. He glanced at the caller ID – the Hero Association. A knot tightened in his stomach, a mix of apprehension and anticipation.
"Duty calls," he mumbled, excusing himself from the table with a quick, apologetic smile. "I'll be right back."
He retreated to the hallway, the sound of their laughter fading behind him.
"Snek here," he answered, his voice crisp and professional.
"Snek, it's Sitch," the hurried voice replied, brimming with confidence. "We have a situation – a good one! We've been observing your performance. The Hero Association is offering you a promotion. A-Class."
A-Class? he thought, his heart skipping a beat. Tougher opponents, bigger challenges… more orbs. He glanced back at the training hall, the laughter of his students now carrying a new significance. Responsibility… expectations…
"What's the situation?" he asked, his voice betraying a hint of excitement.
"Tiger-level threats in F-City," Sitch explained. "Near you. Unusual activity. Honestly, Snek, we wouldn't have called if we weren't sure you could handle it. This is practically a formality. Neutralizing these threats solidifies your promotion. A test, yes, but one we're confident you'll ace. Afterwards, come to Hero Association headquarters in A-City. Formalities regarding your promotion."
A-Class… he thought, the words echoing in his mind. This is my chance. My test. And Sitch, it seems, already knows the outcome.
"Understood," he said, his voice firm. "I'll handle it."
He hung up the phone, a surge of adrenaline coursing through him. Tiger-level threats… near my home? I have to go. Protect my students. Protect the city.
He rushed back to the dining room, his face a mask of determination.
"Kids," he announced, his voice ringing with urgency, "something's come up. I need to go out on patrol. Stay here, stay safe. I'll be back as soon as I can."
They looked at him, their eyes wide with a mixture of concern and understanding.
"Be careful, Snek-sensei," Nobita said, his voice filled with worry.
"I will," he replied, offering a reassuring smile. "And I'll bring back some extra dorayaki if I have time."
He donned his specially crafted beast-hide suit, the familiar weight of it settling on his shoulders, a symbol of his strength and resolve. Tonight, I'll fulfill a different promise: to rise to the challenge, shield my students, and finally achieve A-Class status. And, if I'm lucky, maybe, just maybe, I'll get a few attribute points out of it. And, of course, the orbs. S-Class isn't just a dream; it's a goal, a destination I'm determined to reach. And the orbs are the key.
He left the house, his heart pounding in his chest. The shopping district, once a vibrant hub, was now a scene of devastation. Shattered storefronts and overturned vehicles lay scattered like broken toys.
Seven insectoid monstrosities remained, their chitinous carapaces gleaming under the flickering streetlights. Two, larger and more menacing, pulsed with raw power – Tiger Level threats. The others, Wolf Level, were still formidable, a swarm of armored beetles twitching their antennae.
This is significantly more dangerous than I anticipated, he thought, his gut clenching. The orbs… the power they promise… but survival comes first.
He focused, channeling the Snake Biting Style, a martial art that emphasized precision and agility over brute force. Against these heavily armored foes, finding weaknesses is key.
The Tiger Level mantises, colossal and razor-limbed, moved first. One lunged, its forelimbs blurring in a strike that could cleave a man in two.
He sidestepped, the air whistling where its blades had passed. Pop. A smaller orb than expected erupted from a Wolf Level beetle as he crippled its leg with a precise strike.
"Hiss!" The other mantis screeched, and the beetles swarmed, a chaotic flurry of chitin and buzzing wings. He became a whirlwind, dodging and weaving. Pop. Another orb, this time from a beetle whose head he'd severed.
Ding! You Pick 1 Agility
Ding! You Pick 1 Strength
Ding! You Pick 1 Endurance
The surge of power… familiar… but the Tiger Level mantises pressed in, their attacks relentless. Smarts over strength is key.
Using the shattered market stalls as cover, he lured the mantises into a narrow alley, creating a bottleneck. The less agile beetles struggled to keep up. One mantis lunged, and he ducked, using its momentum to slam it into the rubble. Pop. Another orb.
Ding! You Pick 1 Strength
Ding! You Pick 1 Agility
The trapped mantis screeched in fury, its razor-sharp limbs flailing wildly. This is my chance. He focused, channeling his newfound strength and agility. He lunged, a blur of motion, his Snake Biting Style finding its mark. Pop. The final orb, twice the size of the others, appeared.
Ding! You picked up 1 lifespan
I feel younger… he thought, a surge of vitality coursing through him. The leaderless, panicked beetles were easy prey.
He dispatched them with ruthless efficiency, each strike precise, each orb fueling his growing power. The shopping district was silent, save for the crackling embers and the hum of power surging through him.
He pulled out his phone and dialed Sitch. "The threats have been neutralized," he reported, his voice hoarse but steady. "I'm ready for my promotion."
"Excellent work, Snek," Sitch replied, his voice filled with admiration. "We'll see you at headquarters tomorrow. Congratulations, A-Class Hero."
He hung up the phone, a wave of exhaustion washing over him. But beneath the weariness, a sense of accomplishment bloomed.
I faced the challenge, and I emerged victorious. I proved myself worthy of the A-Class rank, and I gathered a wealth of orbs, bringing me one step closer to my ultimate goal.
The shopping district lay in ruins, but the city was safe. He turned and started the long walk home, the smell of burnt metal and the lingering scent of curry mixing in the night air.