The Red Dragon Lord is OP, but Insists on a Pop Culture Invasion!

Chapter 253: Chapter 212: The Great Superhero Career Crisis (Part 2)

"He’s not here. It seems like he’s out on some kind of mission."

DING—DING—

An old man tapped a wine glass twice with a spoon, signaling for everyone to quiet down.

He was dressed up as Alfred the butler from *Batman*. His main job was to provide logistical support for these "heroes," and he was also in charge of organizing events from time to time.

For a fee.

His real identity was the owner of an equipment shop. After meeting this group, he was shocked to discover that the bizarre equipment he couldn’t sell was suddenly in demand.

The weirder a weapon looked, the more this group liked it.

Practicality is temporary, but looking cool is forever.

So, he naturally infiltrated this group of suckers—no, I mean, *perfect customers*.

Once the tavern quieted down, the shop owner said, "Alright, let’s begin today’s main event. Let’s welcome Wolf Warrior, who will be showing us how to clean and maintain leather suits."

A Warrior wearing a wolf-head mask walked to the front. Why was he still wearing a mask at a fan gathering? Because a Wolf Warrior never takes off his mask.

He held up a tight leather suit.

"I’m sure you’ve all faced this problem. The leather suits you wear on missions start to smell after just a few uses. But if you wash them too often, they get damaged easily."

Hearing this, the roomful of heroes all nodded in agreement.

These muscle-bound men were prone to sweating, and the tight leather suits weren’t breathable. Oh, heavens, the smell was basically a walking bio-weapon.

"To solve this problem, I recommend this cleaning agent. It’s gentle, won’t harm the leather, and with just a light wipe, it leaves a fresh, fragrant scent..."

Clearly, the shop owner wasn’t the only one with his eye on this group of suckers.

After selling several bottles of the cleaner, Wolf Warrior left, satisfied. The next person to take the stage was none other than Soron.

"I’m here to demonstrate how to make a really cool entrance..."

With that, he demonstrated a whole routine of poses that showed off various muscle groups, drawing endless cheers from the burly men, who even started imitating him on the spot.

"Next up is everyone’s favorite segment: a grand discussion on the future plot development of *Batman*. As usual, whoever’s prediction is correct will receive a brand-new set of equipment."

"OOH—"

"YEAH!"

Even though the *Batman* comic was updated weekly and they could just wait to buy the new issue to find out what happens, everyone still tirelessly enjoyed speculating on the plot.

On one hand, guessing correctly gave them a great sense of accomplishment. On the other, it satisfied their craving for headcanon.

A young man who looked like a good student raised his hand to speak. He was one of the few people there whose arms weren’t thicker than an average person’s calf.

"I’ve repeatedly read all the existing *Batman* comics. From a lore perspective, Batman is Gotham City’s greatest and wealthiest noble. He controls nearly all the city’s wealth, and his actual influence is greater than even the City Lord’s."

"So?"

"So, theoretically, the best way for Batman to change the status quo in Gotham City isn’t to personally fight criminals one by one, but to use his influence to reform the system."

"Maybe he doesn’t know that?"

"According to the lore, Batman is the smartest person alive. It’s impossible for him not to know."

"Then what are you trying to say?"

The questioner’s tone was hostile. He suspected the young man was implying there was something wrong with Batman, which was the biggest politically incorrect act in their circle.

"What I mean is, there might be a curse on Gotham City. A greater dark force prevents the city from ever changing, forcing it to rely on Batman’s strength to fight back..."

The young man went on to describe his concept of this supreme dark force, speaking so convincingly it was as if it were real, leaving everyone mesmerized.

Now they were all in agreement: if the plot of *Batman* didn’t develop this way, it was definitely Zog’s fault.

Just as everyone was engrossed in listening to this "storytelling," the tavern doors were violently thrown open.

"This is bad!" The newcomer was Flame Monster. He collapsed to the floor as if he had just escaped mortal danger, panting as he spoke.

"What’s bad?" Soron asked, standing up.

"Riverfront Street! There’s a giant spider Magical Beast on Riverfront Street! It’s extremely dangerous, I can’t handle it!"

Soron quickly made a mental comparison of their combat power. ’A spider Magical Beast, no matter how big, has a pretty low power ceiling. Not dangerous. I can handle it completely.’

"In that case, this is a job for High Tower Hero!" Soron declared with righteous indignation.

He made sure to flex his quadriceps as he spoke.

"High Tower Hero, do you need our help?"

"No need. I am more than enough! I’m afraid you’d all be in danger." Soron waved his hand nonchalantly.

’Actually, what he was thinking was, ’Don’t any of you dare steal my spotlight! There aren’t enough villains to go around as it is. Now that a somewhat impressive-sounding spider Magical Beast has finally shown up, this is obviously the stage for me, High Tower Hero!’’

Soron took the High Tower Hero’s Armor from his ring, slipped into it in a flash, and immediately teleported to Riverfront Street.

’Today is the day I, High Tower Hero, will become famous in a single battle!’

Soron’s plan was perfect, and he was so excited that he teleported right in front of the spider Magical Beast without getting a good look at what kind of spider Magical Beast it actually was.

"Your reign of evil ends with me..."

Soron’s voice was full of power as he began to shout the line, but it grew softer and softer as the enemy before him came into focus.

This was a little different from what he’d expected. Flame Monster had only said it was a spider Magical Beast; he hadn’t mentioned that the spider’s upper body was humanoid.

The difference between the two was immense.

A spider Magical Beast topped out at a dozen or so levels. This thing in front of him was a Spider Elf!

Beneath his expressionless mask, beads of cold sweat broke out on Soron’s forehead.

’I can’t sense this Spider Elf’s power level, which means she has to be at least Legendary.’

And while he was also Legendary, his major was the Defense School. It was more than enough for bullying knife-wielding thugs, but against a Spider Elf of the same level, it wasn’t very effective.

He could probably protect himself, but his damage output was severely lacking.

’You’re a perfectly fine Spider Elf, so what are you doing in Twin Tower City instead of staying in the Dark Nether Realm?’

’Don’t you know that Twin Tower City’s combat strength is at its peak right now? Not only is there the Three-headed Ancient Dragon, but also the many elders of the Mage Guild.’

’Even if you’re Legendary, do you really think you can leave once you’ve shown up?’

’Maybe I should slip away and go get backup.’

’This kind of job would be most efficiently handled by Zog. The speed at which the Spider Elf dies would be directly proportional to the price he quotes. If I can’t find Zog, Furin would also work.’

’Right, it’s decided.’

Soron made up his mind and prepared to flee.

But who would have thought that at this very moment, a child’s voice would reach his ears.

"Wow, it’s High Tower Hero! You can definitely defeat this big monster, right?"

The voice was filled with adoration.

Soron looked back and saw a child who looked to be only seven or eight years old watching him from a short distance away, his eyes shining as if he were looking at his idol.

And Soron was an emotional person.

He began to struggle. Should he go get backup, or should he risk it all?

Survival or saving face, that was the question.

At this moment, another unexpected development added a heavy weight to the "saving face" side of the scales in Soron’s mind.

From behind a distant wall, a camera poked out, along with a young woman holding a microphone, reporting live from the scene.

"Double Tower Magic Vision Station, this is Double Tower Magic Vision Station. As you can see, our reporter is broadcasting live for you. A Spider Elf has suddenly appeared on Riverfront Street, but so far, no major conflict has broken out.

"And just moments ago, High Tower Hero, the righteous vigilante from recent urban legends, also appeared on the scene. Can he defeat this formidable foe? Let’s wait and see. This station will continue to bring you coverage..."

Soron felt like crying. ’Do these reporters have to be so dedicated? Two Legendary-level beings are facing off, and they have the nerve to be broadcasting live.’

’How much is Zog paying them to risk their lives like this?’

————————

Meanwhile, at the Zog Group Headquarters, Zog, who was enjoying his afternoon "fat otaku happy water" while watching the Magic Vision, spat out a mouthful of soda.

Just as he’d thought, when a Dragon doesn’t want trouble, trouble is sure to find him.

’What the hell is going on?’

’Why is Roline facing off against some weirdo in a spandex suit, looking like they’re about to fight?’