One-Punch Man: Boros, the Universe Overlord

Perhaps he had been suppressed by this false identity for too long, or perhaps it was because on this earth, only this equally absurd alien could understand human speech, he continued:

"I really, it's just so inexplicable, okay? So many times, probably dozens of times, those weirdos look like biological weapons, baring their teeth and claws as they rush at me. I was so scared I couldn't move, my legs were as weak as noodles, and I thought I was about to be trampled into mincemeat."

Then, with a "whoosh," it happened so fast! I felt something flash around me. When I came to my senses, the monster that had been trying to eat me just moments before... and then, I don't know what happened, with a "whoosh," the monster exploded! The monster just inexplicably exploded and scattered all over the ground.

Do you know what? Minced meat flying everywhere! Sometimes red and white splattered all over me! Do you know how much psychological trauma this causes for an ordinary person like me with extremely low stress tolerance? Every time, I'm so scared my heart feels like it's going to explode, and it takes me three days to recover!

He was very excited, gesturing with his hands to indicate his name: "Then I was inexplicably regarded as a hero by the passersby who hadn't run away. After it happened a lot, Sitch and the others from the Hero Association came to my door, insisting on giving me the codename 'The Strongest Man on Earth'."

"Do you know how exhausting it is when headquarters assigns me weirdo missions, and I have to rack my brains to find excuses to refuse? I'm completely out of excuses! Sometimes I really have no choice, I'm forced into a corner, and I have to grit my teeth and go. Even though I look fierce, I'm also very vulnerable inside, and I need to be protected too!"

"I tried to explain it. I told the people at headquarters that I had no fighting ability and was powerless, but they thought I was just being modest."

At first, many people wanted to challenge me, but I told them to go ahead, I'm just an ordinary person and I won't fight them. Then they imagined saying things like, "I have the heart of a strongman and disdain fighting," or "Don't you even deserve my attention?" and other nonsensical things, before leaving with looks of admiration. It was so frustrating! I was the one who wanted to run away!

King took a deep breath, as if to expel all the pent-up frustration of the past few years. His eyes became complex, carrying a hint of weariness and helplessness born from a profound understanding of the world.

"Later I figured it out, got used to it, and got too lazy to explain anymore. After all, this hero identity has indeed brought me a lot of convenience. At first I wanted to try to explain, but now I really have to pretend that I'm strong. At least in this world, many people feel at ease because of me being the 'strongest man on earth.' I anonymously donate most of my monthly salary and bonuses to disaster areas and projects, just to buy peace of mind."

He paused, his voice lowering, tinged with a self-deprecating laugh, his eyes revealing a deep sense of powerlessness: "I'm clearly more afraid of death than the average person, the kind who'd crawl into bed even during thunder, yet I bear the title of the strongest hero. In the end, I'm nothing more than a lazy good-for-nothing who craves comfort."

Reluctant to leave the conveniences provided by the Hero Association, enjoying a high monthly salary and a life of comfort; yet unable to shoulder the responsibilities of a hero, always praying for miracles when faced with danger, lacking even the courage to step forward and fight. This contradictory mindset of wanting to enjoy glory yet being afraid to take risks sometimes makes it difficult for me to even face myself.

"However, you are different, Boros." King slowly turned his head, looking directly at the alien visitor beside him.

"Although you feel ashamed, in my opinion, the name 'Azure Sky Overlord Fist' is really cool, even better than my code name. It's very classy and suits you very well."

I saw clearly the punch you threw at that monster; it was filled with anger, right? I can sense that although you have a ferocious face that inspires fear, even looking like a villainous boss, deep down you truly yearn for peace and beauty. Seeing all this devastation and ruin, you feel anger and sadness, don't you?"

Upon hearing these words, Boros, who had been writhing in agony on the sofa, pounding his chest in self-reproach for his ill-advised naming mistake, suddenly froze. He seemed to have been paused, slowly ceasing all his lamentations and complaints.

At this moment, the man in front of me, who played a comedic role and even somewhat of a plot device throughout the original anime, was radiating a unique kind of brilliance.

Boros opened his mouth, his throat moved, as if he wanted to say something in rebuttal or to show off, but the words stuck in his throat. In the end, he didn't say anything, just stood there in a daze, a complex look flashing in his single eye. He remained silent for a long time.

In truth, King didn't fully understand the truth. Boros's inner turmoil and struggle were far more intense than they appeared. From the moment he arrived in this world, he witnessed firsthand the Vaccine People wreaking havoc.

The feeling was completely different from watching cartoons on a TV screen in my previous life. Through the screen, I could only feel that the special effects were cool and the plot was exciting.

But when the real tragedy unfolded before his eyes, and he witnessed the scene that resembled a living hell, the impact was devastating. Everywhere were mangled bodies, screams of agony echoed from the ruins, and blood stained the streets. This double bombardment of sight and sound caused Boros immense psychological trauma.

To put it bluntly, if he were still in his previous life with the same fragile body of an ordinary person, just as King said, he would have vomited, wet himself in fear, and suffered a mental breakdown long ago due to extreme fear and physical discomfort!

After all, he was just an ordinary otaku, and had never seen such a real battlefield. But the physical attributes of this "Boros" were ridiculously strong, and its physiological structure was extremely special. It did not experience the kind of nausea and dizziness that would occur during stress reactions. This contradictory feeling of wanting to vomit but not being able to, and wanting to feel dizzy but not being able to, made him feel even worse. He could only desperately try to distract himself by playing games and worrying about codenames, trying to use noise to cover up the lingering image of that ruin in his mind.

The air seemed to solidify at that moment, and the silence, mixed with understanding and helplessness, lasted for a long time.

Boros seemed to have figured something out, a relieved smile flashing in his large, single eye. He slumped back onto the sofa, his tone carrying a hint of empathy:

"King, now that you mention it, I suddenly realize... we're actually quite similar. We wear the strongest exteriors but harbor the most cowardly hearts. In the end, we're just ordinary people, and we should just do what we can."

The two looked at each other in silence. After a moment, King relaxed, a smile appearing on his face. He skipped the heavy topic, casually pointed to the game controller, and raised an eyebrow, saying, "How about a couple of rounds?"

Boros was taken aback for a moment, then confidently said, "Damn, afraid of you? I'll give you a handicap with one hand!"

Both of them walked confidently toward the game console.

"Hey King, you just said the nickname 'Heavenly Overlord Fist' is really cool and suits me perfectly, is that true?"

"Of course I'm lying! Seriously, that's incredibly lame! I was so embarrassed when I first heard it."

"Go to hell!"

"Hey, hey, hey, talking is one thing, but actually doing it is another! And could you please tone down that armor? Those thick spikes are so sharp, you've worn several big holes in my sofa from lying on it, buddy! This is genuine leather, it's very expensive!"

........................

From inside an old house, faint roars of Boros could be heard, startling nearby birds into taking flight and scattering in all directions.

"Damn it, I just spent money to buy three S-class heroes—Silver Fang, King, and Atomic Samurai—and you, a Mumen Rider, wiped them out in one hit? And you even said it was a one-versus-three victory?"

"Seriously, is this game designer an idiot? The S-rank hero we paid for is so weak, while this Mumen Rider is so strong. Is he a fan? Seriously, doesn't he care about balance at all?"

"This has nothing to do with balance, Boros. In this game, S-tier heroes that you buy with real money are definitely stronger than regular heroes, so I never choose heroes above B-tier when I play this game."

"Impossible, absolutely impossible."

"With my reaction speed and mental calculation ability, you think you can kill me instantly? You think you can take on three opponents at once? Absolutely impossible."

"It must be a problem with the hero mechanics. Come on, let's play another game with the same hero."

Crackle, crackle.

Boros unleashed a torrent of furious attacks at the game controller, roaring in anger.

KO Perfect

A clear, melodious female voice rang out.

Inside the enormous game display, Boros stared blankly at the screen. The two sides had identical game characters, three of whom were already lying on the ground, while the other side hadn't even lost a single drop of health.

"It's fake, it's all fake, it can't be! How could someone with my reaction speed beat me in seconds? This is not scientific." Boros began to question the world.

On the other side, King put down the controller, put his hands behind his back, turned away from everyone, and sighed with the loneliness of a master:

"Boros, you almost took down one of my heroes with three S-rank characters, which is impressive. But you have no chance of winning with the same characters. There's a unique hidden SS-rank hero in the gacha pool, Blast, which you can guarantee to get with 10,000 pulls. Do you want to try pulling it out?"

Boros was furious upon hearing this. "You big-eyed, thick-browed brat, you're quite the show-off! You've really pulled it off this time!"

"Come on, this crappy game isn't for me. Let's play a shooting game or a racing game. I'm not bragging, but with my reaction speed, you'd be dead the moment you see me in a shooting game, you know? And in racing games, I'd consider it a loss if you could even see my taillights."

The King remained silent, only smiling.

Boros was furious and determined to avenge his previous defeat.

Half an hour later...

Boros has once again fallen into questioning the world...

Who am I? Where am I? (⊙o⊙)?

Cast aside all impossibilities, there is only one truth.

Could it be?

Am I really just a noob who only has stats but no real skill?

King patted Boros, who had already taken off his armor and put on a shirt, and said:

"Boros, you are really strong. Your strength is much greater than that of professional players. You can go to an online platform to see how you play. It's not that you're bad, it's just that I am the strongest. Even the strongest are just the threshold to meet me."

"Pfft," Boros said, one hand on his chest, the other pointing at King, as he looked up to the sky and sighed, "Why was I born when King was born?"

King sighed and said, "I figured you'd be staying with me for a while. We definitely won't be able to play together, so I ordered you the same My Heroes online game console as me. It should arrive this afternoon, and then you can play online with other people."

"Is it really so, Godfather?"

"Seriously, play mine before your game console arrives. I'm going downstairs to pick up a package."

"Hmph, you think you can bribe me with a little favor? King, you wait, I'm going into seclusion to practice online. When I've mastered my skills, I'll take your dog's head and make you bow down in submission, to avenge today's humiliation." Boros's eyes burned with the flames of revenge.

"Godfather, could you order some cola and potato chips while you're at it?"

…………