Chapter 189: Close Protection
Cosmetics Tower.
Downstairs, Satoru Suzuki stopped his bicycle and locked it properly before stepping into the building.
The receptionist inside seemed to have been waiting for him. The moment she saw him enter, she hurried forward to receive him.
"Please follow me. Miss Natalie has already given instructions."
"Then I'll trouble you."
Satoru nodded politely and followed her.
The two entered a nearby elevator.
After the receptionist pressed the floor button, the elevator began to rise.
For a short while, there was only silence inside.
But the receptionist finally could not hold back. She turned around, took out a piece of paper and a pen, and looked at him with bright, expectant eyes.
"Mumen Rider, I'm your fan. Could you please give me an autograph?"
Looking at the paper and pen she held out, and then at the excitement on her face, Satoru hesitated for a moment before finally giving in.
He took the pen and left his signature.
At the same time, he felt a little troubled.
After all, he had never become a hero for adoration or fame.
Being sought after wherever he went was something he still could not get used to.
The elevator eventually reached the top floor.
The receptionist led him out with visible satisfaction.
They passed through a high tech corridor and soon arrived at the core area of the floor.
There, Satoru finally met his employer.
Miss Natalie.
She wore a magnificent qipao, and her snow white hair fell all the way to her waist. Her face was beautiful, but from the corners of her eyes down to her chin were two strange surgical stitch marks that gave her an uncanny air.
When Natalie saw Satoru arrive, she walked toward him with a smile.
"You finally arrived. I'll be counting on you for my safety from now on."
Facing his employer's trust, Satoru replied solemnly, "Thank you for trusting me."
Nearby, the A Class Hero Golden Ball felt the corner of his mouth twitch.
How am I, an A Class Hero, being treated worse than someone from B Class?
Could these two have some kind of special relationship?
Natalie then turned to the receptionist and said, "You may leave now."
"Understood."
The receptionist immediately returned to the elevator and left.
Golden Ball, who had been waiting for a long time, stepped forward and asked with concern, "Since Mumen Rider has also arrived, could Miss Natalie tell us why you need our protection?"
"Of course."
Natalie did not refuse. She spoke frankly.
"You should both know that I am a pioneer in the field of anti aging. Despite my appearance, I am actually eighty years old."
After hearing this, Satoru and Golden Ball were not particularly surprised.
The woman before them was a public figure. They naturally knew this information already.
Seeing their reactions, Natalie continued.
"Recently, I am about to achieve a new breakthrough in the field of anti aging, but this has also attracted covetous eyes."
Her expression became calmer, but the unease in her eyes did not completely disappear.
"The A Class criminal Joker has set his sights on my research results."
"He threatened to kidnap me and force me to perform anti aging surgery on him. He also left a note saying he would capture me within a week."
Hearing this, Golden Ball understood the situation.
"That really is a bit troublesome."
Seeing another hero sound so cautious, Satoru could not help asking, "Is this Joker very strong?"
Since Satoru clearly did not know, Golden Ball patiently explained.
"His strength itself isn't that impressive, but he is notorious for being cunning and overconfident."
Golden Ball crossed his arms.
"He is skilled in disguise. Before making a move, he always leaves a note to mock his target."
Hearing this, Satoru gained a basic understanding of Joker.
Natalie then spoke with a worried expression.
"It is already the second day. I will have to ask both of you to protect me closely. As for compensation, I will certainly not treat either of you unfairly."
"Rest assured. Leave it to us!"
Golden Ball answered with a confident smile.
The greasy aura of a middle aged man was practically overflowing from him.
Natalie had no better option.
S Class Heroes were not people one could simply hire with money. With her status, being able to hire one A Class Hero as a bodyguard was already the limit.
As for Mumen Rider, he was a hero she had noticed during the Deep Sea King incident.
She had specifically requested him to come, hoping he would be equally useful.
After sighing softly, Natalie said in a calm and expressionless voice, "Then I'll leave it to the two of you."
After saying that, she turned around and returned to her research, leaving Satoru and Golden Ball standing there.
This was Satoru's first escort mission, so he was somewhat at a loss.
Fortunately, Golden Ball stepped in.
"Don't be so nervous."
He spoke casually, even joking a little.
"Just act as if you're at home. Joker usually acts at night, and always at the final moment. There's no need to worry too much for now."
"Is that so, Golden Ball senior?"
Satoru did not fully understand, so he could only look toward this experienced senior.
That address of senior seemed to immediately make their relationship a little closer.
Golden Ball leaned over, put an arm around Satoru's shoulder, and began gossiping.
"So, how strong are you really? I heard even the Deep Sea King, who defeated the S Class Hero Puri Puri Prisoner, was beaten by you."
Regarding this question, Satoru answered very decisively.
"The Deep Sea King was not defeated by me alone."
Golden Ball did not care too much.
He had not personally seen the video, but there were indeed many people in the Association saying Mumen Rider only defeated the Deep Sea King by relying on some trick.
Besides him, there seemed to be someone called Caped Baldy who was being insulted even worse.
Golden Ball felt that such matters were not important.
However, he still needed to prepare properly.
"Then try to stay behind me if anything happens."
Golden Ball took out his communicator.
"If you encounter Joker, contact me immediately. I'll appear right away."
"Thank you, senior."
After saving the number, Satoru replied with a smile.
Under those repeated calls of senior, Golden Ball completely lost his bearings.
Inside the building, after the two discussed their roles, Golden Ball would guard the top floor while Satoru would be responsible for patrolling the perimeter.
Time passed until nightfall.
There was still no sign of Joker.
It was not until Natalie stopped her work that she brought the two heroes back to her manor in the center of City Z.
Even though it was already late at night, Satoru was still patrolling near the manor alone.
Inside the sword, Asuramaru could not help criticizing him.
"What can you watch by wandering around like this? Get closer to your employer. I'll remind you when Joker appears."
"Is that so? Then thank you very much, Asuramaru."
As he spoke, Satoru turned around and returned to his dormitory on the first floor of the manor villa.
He was only one floor away from Miss Natalie.
Golden Ball also lived in one of the bedrooms on the second floor.
Like this, the two followed Natalie through her daily work and rest.
Seven days passed in a flash.
Everything remained peaceful.
But all three of them understood.
The night of the seventh day was the most dangerous.
When night fell, darkness enveloped the luxurious manor.
Golden Ball stood on the roof of the villa, his gaze sweeping across the surroundings like an eagle's.
Even the slightest rustle of leaves would catch his attention.
As for Satoru Suzuki, he had been arranged inside the villa's large reception hall, providing close protection for Miss Natalie.
.....
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