---

S-Class Hero, Demon King Jeong Ha-yul.

S-Class Hero, Alchemist Park Seol-hwa.

A-Class Hero, Taebaek Guild Leader Lee Ha-yoon.

A-Class Hero, Association Head Jeong Ho-min.

S-Class Awakened One, Lee Ha-yan.

A-Class Awakened One, Jeong Gyeoul.

Not long after Park Seol-hwa arrived, the Taebaek Guild joined in, forming an incredible lineup.

Even if a Behemoth-like extinction-level monster appeared again, the Korean Hero Association’s head office had gathered enough firepower to take it down.

“To exaggerate a bit, we could probably go destroy a country.”

“…Jeong Ha-yul alone could handle one country.”

“Uh… aren’t you all busy?”

“I’ll follow Gyeoul wherever you are.”

“…That’s not what I asked.”

If Park Seol-hwa comes here, the potion supply will be cut off.

Not just the recovery potions we’ve been using non-stop at the Academy, but there are even rumors of potions that cure hair loss.

‘There’s even a potion that boosts stamina…’

Honestly, isn’t Park Seol-hwa the richest person in the world?

I wish I had a practical ability like alchemy.

What even is telekinesis?

At the S-Class level, you can use magic to lift objects like telekinesis or apply intangible force.

Sure, the efficiency is different, but the fact that I can mimic it at all proves my ability is basically trash.

Look at alchemy—no one can replicate it.

Even those with production abilities in the magic category are still struggling to figure out how to make potions.

Abilities should be rare, valuable, and profitable like that…

“Gyeoul, are you daydreaming again?”

“…No, not really.”

Lately, if I think for too long, Hayan interrupts.

Normally, I’d let it slide, but today there’s a camera!

I’m probably the only one here who’s worried about the camera.

Everyone else seems used to filming.

Why am I the only one struggling?

“By the way… what are all these people doing here…?”

Park Seol-hwa is staring at me with sparkling eyes.

Lee Ha-yoon is busy fiddling with her phone, going in and out, making calls.

Lee Ha-yan is idly playing with her magic power.

Jeong Ha-yul is lounging in her chair, doing nothing.

Jeong Ho-min exchanged greetings and then went back to his desk, seemingly working.

A few words, then silence.

A few words, then silence.

Is this broadcast really okay?

Looking at the production team, they’re smiling contentedly.

Are they not worried about ratings?

Broadcasting stations are the most sensitive to ratings, so if they’re not worried, it means we’re pulling in ratings even if we do nothing.

Well.

Looking at the people gathered here…

Park Seol-hwa, who’s hard to see outside of press conferences.

Jeong Ha-yul, too busy with work to film.

Lee Ha-yoon, who only appears for work-related interviews.

Lee Ha-yan, the 6th and youngest S-Class Awakened One in Korea.

And me, the youngest Awakened One in the world.

Just one of us could boost ratings, but there are five of us here.

It’s like Yoo Jae-suk, Kim Tae-hee, Song Hye-kyo, Jun Ji-hyun, Shin Se-kyung, and Park Min-young all gathering to film a variety show.

But… even they would try to get screen time.

Are we really okay doing nothing?

If this is how it’s going to be, just let Hayan and Hayan-Gyeoul do a duo…

***

The Hero Association’s underground houses a prison for dangerous villains.

Villains who are no different from common criminals are handed over to the police, but those with the ability to escape are still managed directly by the Association.

A special elevator in one corner leads to their confinement, with floors B1 to B5 categorized by danger level.

Among them, only three are imprisoned on B5.

One is ‘Fox Mask,’ who attacked Hanam Starfield.

By rank, he should be on B4, but as a villain holding a director position in the world’s worst villain group, Crime Pub, he was moved to B5.

Another is the ’12th Apostle,’ recently defeated by Kim Bong-du and captured by Jo Se-hee.

By rank, he should also be on B4, but being an apostle of the Satan Church landed him directly on B5.

The third is ‘S-Class Awakened One Lee Cheol-jin,’ a spy sent from North Korea to assassinate the president, though this hasn’t been publicly disclosed.

He happened to run into Jeong Ha-yul while on a mission in Cheorwon and was arrested on the spot, so not a single news article was published.

It’s just treated as a ghost story among soldiers.

B5 villains are restrained with magic-suppressing devices made by Park Seol-hwa.

It’s a prison with no regard for human rights, cramming men and women together.

Thus, B5 remains a secret prison known only to the Association.

Villains of this level are usually transferred to the prison with news of their death.

Their identities are completely erased.

As a result, those imprisoned on B5 are left to rot here forever.

*Thud thud—*

“That was close… Good thing I drained some life force beforehand. I almost lost my legs.”

Fox Mask, sensing someone’s presence, went out to greet them with a hopeful face.

“Did Crime Pub come to rescue me?”

“No, I got captured too.”

“…I see.”

As Fox Mask, disappointed, turned to go back, Lee Cheol-jin pushed past him.

“A new face, huh? I’ve got a great plan. Wanna hear it?”

“…A great plan?”

“Don’t listen, he’s just a crazy guy spouting nonsense.”

“…?”

The 12th Apostle was baffled by the two lunatics bickering as soon as she arrived.

“You brat! Don’t insult me, who came down to this den of reds under the Great Leader’s orders!”

“I heard you got caught by Jeong Ha-yul the moment you stepped on South Korean soil. In one second.”

“Shut your mouth!”

Fox Mask believed Crime Pub wouldn’t abandon him and expected a rescue operation someday.

But how many years has it been?

Just as he was starting to think this couldn’t go on, Lee Cheol-jin once proposed an escape plan.

– I’ll break your limbs, so throw off the restraints and get me out.

Fox Mask examined the restraints closely, but they couldn’t be removed just by breaking limbs.

At least, they’d need to be severed.

– Breaking won’t work, they need to be cut.

– Then I’ll cut them for you.

– Are you insane? I’d rather cut your limbs.

– What! You brat!

The negotiation fell apart, and Fox Mask waited for Crime Pub to rescue him, while Lee Cheol-jin waited for a new prisoner to arrive.

And now, the 12th Apostle had arrived.

“Just hear me out. I’ve got a solid plan, alright?”

“…What is it?”

Lee Cheol-jin explained his plan to sever one limb, promising wealth and power to live comfortably after escaping.

“Forget that… are you sure the suppression will be lifted?”

“Of course! Once one restraint is off, the magic suppression will lift!”

“Hmm… really?”

Seeing the 12th Apostle’s positive reaction, Lee Cheol-jin excitedly continued, even spitting as he spoke.

“…Gross.”

“…Sorry.”

Normally, such rudeness would warrant instant death, but he had to hold back, trembling.

Without her, escape would be impossible.

“I’d rather have that handsome guy over there cut me.”

“…Seriously?”

“Of course. If it means escaping.”

Fox Mask, listening from afar, also showed interest.

If there’s a chance to escape, staying silent would mean he’s not even a real villain.

“I’ll talk to Crime Pub and get you a director position. It’s just a title, but you’ll live comfortably even if you’re disabled.”

“No thanks, I can regenerate anyway.”

“…What?”

“I can regenerate lost limbs. You know Jang Gil-yong? I copied his ability.”

“Copied his ability? What do you mean…?”

“Enough talk, let’s start. If we’re late, he might scold me… or maybe that’d be good?”

“…”

Even with just a few words, the 12th Apostle’s madness was palpable.

Fox Mask, looking disgusted, turned away.

Lee Cheol-jin wanted to escape as soon as possible.

The Apostle wanted Fox Mask to cut her, but Fox Mask wasn’t keen.

Even among villains, it’s common sense not to associate with such a lunatic.

Who knows what she’s planning?

She might kill Fox Mask and Lee Cheol-jin the moment the suppression lifts.

But after a few days, Fox Mask was the one to speak up.

Whether she kills me or I rot here, it’s the same.

Fox Mask steeled his resolve.

“Get ready, this will hurt.”

Even with magic suppressed, their bodies are trained to the limit. Tearing off limbs bare-handed was no issue.

*Crunch—*

The Apostle’s left arm was torn off.

“Haah!”

“…?”

Fox Mask stepped back.

“More, more! Hurry! Haaah! One limb isn’t enough to restore my magic!”

“What’s wrong with this lunatic?”

“…She’s not normal.”

But it was true that her magic hadn’t returned.

The moment the restraints were off, magic flow should’ve been felt, but there was no change.

*Crunch—*

Fox Mask tore off another arm.

“Haah! Yes! So good!”

“Damn, this feels so gross.”

“…I think I’ll stay back.”

Still, no magic.

*Crunch—*

Left leg.

*Crunch—*

Right leg.

Only after all limbs were torn off did the Apostle’s magic begin to surge.

“Haah… now share your life force with me.”

“…What?”

“I need to regenerate my limbs to escape, right? Don’t worry, I won’t die.”

You can’t fully trust a crazy woman, but it’s better than nothing.

What’s the point of life force if I’m stuck here forever?

“Will an arm do?”

“I’d prefer somewhere else.”

The Apostle blatantly stared at Fox Mask’s crotch, causing a noticeable bulge.

“…I’d like to give it, but I have a feeling I’d die if I did.”

“…Really?”

The Apostle, secretly hoping, licked her lips in disappointment.

Fox Mask and Lee Cheol-jin then offered their arms.

The Apostle lightly bit them, absorbing their life force.

“Haah!”

“Haah!”

As she moaned and trembled, her limbs regenerated.

“Phew… that’s it.”

“Great! Let’s get out of here!”

The Apostle, watching them rush to remove their restraints, had another thought.

‘…Can’t I just escape alone?’

She briefly considered whether freeing them would be a hindrance, but the thought didn’t last long.

This is the Association’s infamous internal prison.

Freeing all the villains floor by floor and causing chaos would be the most advantageous for escape, and these two are the best at causing chaos.

“Wait a bit, once my magic fills up, I’ll free you. Then we’ll release all the villains as we go up.”

“I was going to suggest that. It’ll increase our chances of success.”

“I thought you were crazy, but your head’s working fine.”

All this happened while the Avengers-like heroes were having tea in the Association head’s office.

 

---