Recognized Hero

Chapter 2: Unwanted Disciple

Hours passed, yet Saitama did not find a single clue about the preparator of that bomb. He was disappointed, but he didn't have much to do about it. The sun was high, it was already noon. His bald head shined as he walked, and some passersby stared at him with awe, he was already very popular, yet the man himself doesn't know it.

He helped people without much thought, he could care less about fame and fortune—actually, he could use a little fortune right now. He was a little low on cash, just a little. The things he could buy with an endless amount of money continued to amaze him.

'Maybe I should start charging money from the people I save?' He considered it. Although the idea seems appealing, it wasn't like him to suddenly demand money from the people he saves. 

"Sigh, I'm going home."

Saitama managed to go home uneventfully. No encounters with monsters and the bomber that threw a bomb straight at him. The thought of his house exploding into rubble felt unpleasant. Because it was the only cheap apartment he could afford, besides, he already felt a certain kind of attachment to the apartment he calls home.

Lunch was quickly prepared and Saitama ate his food quietly. Quietness filled the room yet this strange atmosphere did not bother Saitama, he was already used to being alone, and he never had any legitimate friends before. Heck, his high school friends didn't even bother calling him once to catch up with each other.

The television was opened once more and Saitama browsed the channel for something to watch, it didn't take long for him to find something he like.

"On today's topic, we'll be announcing market sales and discounts for you to enjoy!"

Hearing the broadcaster's words quickly piqued Saitama's interest. Lately these days, he rarely finds stores that offer discounts or had sales. This was also the reason he's been feeling down for the past few weeks. Everything he bought felt expensive... Even though they were the normal prices.

Saitama watched the show eagerly as he patiently waited for them to announce the sales. As they announce it, he watched seriously and engraved all of it in his mind. "There's a sale today!" He practically yelled because of his excitement. Saitama went out with his favorite hoodie with 'boobs' printed over the front. He made sure to waste no time and left.

As he left his flat, the topic on the television changed. "Sales aside, we have received urgent news. A large number of mosquitoes have appeared in City-Z..."

...

Whoosh!

Something went past Saitama with extreme speed. He didn't seem to notice as he was too occupied by something else. 'The sale today said 30% off...' Something landed near him, this finally got his attention as he turned behind. All his anxiousness disappeared.

Behind, what he saw was a mummified body of a person... What was stranger was its clothes didn't look affected by the passage of time. 'Wait, how did it even get here?' He approached the body and looked at it. 'Meh, it's none of my business. But I should probably get this guy buried.'

He took out his flip phone and dialed something.

"Uhuh... Yeah."

"Sir, you do realize that City-Z has been alerted of a mosquito outbreak right?" The person on the phone said.

"Wait, what do you mean by that?" This seems to open something in Saitama's mind as he looked around the City. The usual bustling of people and opened stores were nowhere to be found.

"Oh, okay." He closed his phone and put it back in his pocket. Saitama scratched his cheek and realized something. This was bad... What about his sale!?