Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 100

The chieftain Timberlord took Isaac and his party to an open space on the outskirts of the stump. Unlike other places where the vegetation was dense, this place was just bare ground.
When the chieftain stood in the center of the open space and waved his hand in the air, the densely packed branches grew from all directions, creating a huge semicircular arena.
“The one I’m bringing out has an unusually violent temperament. I’m warning you, your summoned spirit might be destroyed, so be prepared.”
“Of course. Let’s not bother each other over trivial matters.”
The chieftain’s lips curled into a cold smile.
‘Even though I need your help, I can’t let you remain arrogant forever.’
No matter how awakened they were, he was the master here. That’s how the hierarchy worked. It would be easier to control them if they were properly subdued.
The small world was a land of monsters. The very few ethereals were nothing but luxurious prey.
‘It has arrived.’
– Kurrurung. –
– Bang! –
The sandy ground of the open space split open, and a hulking figure with a menacing face appeared from within.
“Where is my opponent!”
It was Bark, a great warrior of the clan who had mutated to a level almost equivalent to an emperor among Lords. Like the chieftain, he had transformed into a fully human form, exuding a tyrannical negative energy like a frenzied monster.
“Bark, you will fight that ethereal’s summoned spirit. Don’t be too complacent. The opponent is an awakened one’s summoned spirit.”
“An awakened one?! Chieftain, where is the awakened one? All I see are mere five-star prey.”
“That human is the awakened one. There is a wager on this match, so you must give it your all.”
“What? No matter how I look at it, that thing doesn’t look tasty… Well, understood. Hey! Hurry up and bring out your summoned spirit. Why are you dawdling in a safe place!”
– Saaa! –
A massive amount of negative energy swirled from the great warrior Bark. It seemed he intended to respond to the duel without transforming back to his original form.
“Brother, it might be better to run away now. If we combine our strength, it wouldn’t be impossible to break through the encirclement.”
Yoho, who had become significantly more cautious, murmured. If she had known the Screaming land was such a place, she would never have embarked on this journey.
Is there any point in grabbing the elixir of immortality when we are already captured in their hideout?
‘Aren’t you uneasy? This place is a den of monsters.’
However, the leader of the expedition remains relaxed throughout. Does he really plan to negotiate with the wood giants?
Isaac, with his arms crossed, responds flatly.
“Why take the easy way?”
Isaac’s stubbornness is firm. His blue eyes are merely dim, his mind so calm it borders on boredom. It’s a problem when someone is too transparent.
‘Does he have some kind of trick up his sleeve?’
An awakened one who finds everything bothersome. Yet his personal power is enough to purify a near-Emperor-level evil spirit in a single stroke. Furthermore, he seems to have profound depths of strategy.
Even in this absurd deal, he must have his reasons, but it feels like walking barefoot on thin ice.
“What a reckless fool.”
– Uuuuuuuuuung───! –
However, with just one step from Isaac, the situation reverses. The negative energy seething from heaven and earth loses its place and is pushed back, replaced entirely by the presence of a single person.
“Kwaaaaaaaaaa!”
A mature black tiger, with wings spread wide, roars, shaking the world. The great warrior Bark, who had retreated a step, sees his emotion change from surprise to joy in his eyes.
“Kahahaha! Come!”
– Whoosh. –
– Slam! –
Gunggi front paw collides with the thick fist. The atmosphere, stained with the awakened one’s mana and the negative energy of nature, rings loudly, and a beat later, the shockwave explodes.
– Bang! –
– Ziiing. –
A pink barrier unfolds. Yoho uses her magic to protect the heroes.
– Bang! –
Soon, the second strike of the monsters crosses.
– Crash! –
Third strike. Fourth strike. And then the fifth!
– Slash. –
The chest of the great warrior Bark is stained with blood. As if shrouded in the crimson aura of a demon, Gunggi ferocity becomes visible.
The power of the attack, bolstered by the absorption of the highest-grade spirit core, surpasses the might of the legendary mutated great warrior Bark.
“How dare a mere beast!”
– Crunch. –
Bark’s body twists and enlarges. His muscular form instantly grows to a giant over 10 meters tall, with tree trunks and roots winding around him, forming a solid full-body armor.
– Slash! –
– Bang. –
The relentless onslaught of Gunggi and the giant aimed to take each other’s lives. As the successive shockwaves caused the tree trunks encircling the open space to fall and scatter, the expression of the chieftain Timberlord subtly darkened.
“Khehe! Come! This is my full power!”
– Rumble. –
The giant’s stomp caused the area to quake. Trees and the earth, along with the fresh wind, infused strength into the giant’s back and shoulders. This was TerraBark, the great warrior Bark’s original finisher, which fused three attributes to transform into mysterious brute strength.
“How brutish.”
But as Isaac chuckled softly,
– Flash! –
Gunggi shrouded in a purple mist, lunged its fangs towards the side of the great warrior Bark, who was dynamically thrusting his fist.
– Crunch! –
“Graaah!”
– Whoosh. –
– Thud. Thud. Thud! –
His neck was bitten.
– Snap! –
The central nervous system was crushed entirely. His body was flung around, and soon even the excruciating pain faded. When he came to, he saw the chieftain looking down at him.
“Guh, guh… Ugh…”
Could it be that the great warrior of the clan was defeated by a mere summoned spirit?
He was crushed by an overwhelming sense of disgrace. Just once more. If only he could fight once more. He would never lose so disgracefully again. O guardian tree, grant me strength…
“Tut-tut-tut, you could have easily won.”
That was the last memory of the great warrior Bark.
– Whoosh—thud. –
With a light gesture from chieftain Timberlord, the corpse of the wood giant was flung toward Isaac and his group.
“Since you killed it, do as you please.”
“I happen to need a high-grade wood attribute magic stone. This is convenient.”
“Hmph! As promised, I’ll give you one elixir of immortality, but you must leave the Screaming land immediately. And Isaac, I don’t want to be known as a chieftain who ignores the death of his subordinates. This time, fight me. Considering how violently you acted, you won’t refuse, will you?”
‘Damn. This is ridiculous.’
Isaac, now in a moment of clarity, cursed inwardly. He hadn’t expected that Gunggi would kill the great warrior in less than a minute. It seemed the highest-grade spirit core had already been fully absorbed.
“I told you, I don’t do duels. If it’s a fight to the death, that’s another matter.”
“Are you mocking me! Don’t think you can weasel out with such sophistry!”
– Rumble. –
A tremendous amount of negative energy gathered in the grasp of chieftain Timberlord, its force directed squarely at Isaac. He nearly lost consciousness but managed to hold on through sheer willpower.
“Wait. If you truly wish for a duel, give me some time.”
He needed to buy time, no matter how absurd his claims might sound.
“Hmph. You easily defeated my subordinate, but you’re afraid to face me?”
“This is for your sake as well. I’ve strengthened my spirit through a violent training method. As a result, when I use my power, I can only utilize its full force.”
“That’s why you need time? Your logic is weak!”
“Calm down. If you genuinely want a duel, I’ll try to temporarily suppress my strength through meditation. That’s why I need time. Don’t be swayed by personal feelings. Think carefully. We are in a cooperative relationship. Soon we’ll have to face a Tier 2 Eaglemaw. It wouldn’t do for either of us to be severely injured.”
It felt like there was a smell of blood in the air. His brain must have been working so hard it was on the verge of burning out.
The fierce light in chieftain Timberlord’s eyes softened a bit.
“Your words are nonsense, but I’ll wait just this once.”
“Six hours should suffice. However, I might fail to suppress my power. If that happens, I won’t object to the duel.”
“Haha! If you try to avoid the duel again, I won’t hesitate to take the lives of your subordinates. Instead of your five-star ones… yes, I’ll take the lives of those who came with you on that flying machine.”
Chieftain Timberlord’s gaze shifted to the members of the Harmony Clan.
– Gasp! –
The one- and two-star members felt like they were suffocating under the Emperor-level chieftain’s murderous intent, but with Yoho and Flame Lord’s help, they managed to steady themselves.
Isaac, having bought some time, responded boldly.
“That won’t happen.”
Dealing with monsters was never easy. They were fundamentally selfish, quirky, and filled with the belief that promises existed to be broken.
“I’ll see you in six hours! Not a minute more!”
“I’ll remember that.”
Not foolish enough to stay in the monster’s lair unnecessarily, the heroes each summoned their levers and rested in place on their vehicles.
The heroes, stealing glances at Isaac, were filled with awe and admiration.
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***
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Several hours later.
– Uuuuuuuung. –
Isaac sat in the cockpit, deep in contemplation, holding a sword. The hilt of the sword bore the emblem of a red demon instead of a blue dragon, and the intricate silver decorations on the scabbard had disappeared, leaving it plain.
The members, not wanting to disturb their leader, sat quietly resting. Even the usually lively Gil-seong refrained from speaking.
In the Screaming land, one and two-star heroes could do nothing but hide behind the S-rank heroes for protection. Today’s experience would be invaluable for them, impressing upon them the truth that only those with great power could hope to survive.
– Uuuuuuuung. –
Isaac’s sword, the transformed Karna Blade, vibrated again. There was undoubtedly a significant change in his weapon.
“I see.”
A small fire spirit fluttered before him, constantly sparkling as it communicated with Isaac. He occasionally nodded, and as the six-hour deadline approached, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
====
***
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Soon after.
Chieftain Timberlord summoned Isaac with a thunderous call filled with negative energy. Beside the chieftain stood a champion-level Ligro Giant holding a wooden box containing an elixir of immortality.
Isaac emerged, declaring that he had failed to control his power through meditation. The chieftain scoffed and ordered him to engage in the duel regardless.
However, when Isaac unleashed his magical energy and gripped his sword, the chieftain’s attitude changed immediately. His face paled, and he abandoned the duel. Thus, the confrontation between the awakened and the emperor ended before it even began.
The chieftain asked Isaac to withdraw his energy, but Isaac remained expressionless. Unable to bear it, the chieftain eventually acknowledged Isaac as his superior, but Isaac’s aura persisted for several more seconds.
– Whoosh. –
Just before Isaac retracted his energy, a flame shot from his body towards Yoho. She calmly absorbed the flame into herself.
– Uuuuuuuung. –
Even after Isaac withdrew his power, the Karna Blade in his hand emitted a resonant hum. Strangely, the sword’s form had changed slightly, with the demon’s image on the hilt becoming more grotesque.