Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 132

Stage fright. Or maybe camera shyness. At worst, panic disorder.
I probably had at least one of those.
Looking back, there were only a few times I had openly appeared in front of the public.
Hero’s Day, the Magic Engineer Expo, and the time I annihilated a horde of monsters near S Department Store.
Isaac! Isaac! Isaac!
If I didn’t have the charisma of the ‘Bored Genius,’ I might have waved back and responded to the overwhelming cheers.
My heart was happy, but my body felt heavy.
My body and mind were out of sync.
‘Let’s just avoid any broadcasting accidents.’
The Sword Emperor and I followed the staff’s guidance to the frontmost seats. Everyone stood up to greet us.
Awe, fear, excitement.
The eyes of the handsome and beautiful people were filled with various emotions.
The excessive attention was burdensome. It was also a bit embarrassing.
The only difference between me and them was the extreme disparity in our combat abilities.
There wasn’t a single hero who hadn’t worked as hard as I did.
Determined not to get cocky just because I received the benefits of a transmigrator, I took my seat among the team members as directed by the staff.
On my left, Eun-ha and Jin-soo’s eyes sparkled, while on my right, Man-deuk and Gil-seong’s eyes gleamed.
Even after the embarrassing hug incident that day, we had exchanged messages in the group chat. Most of them were about my full support with elixirs and equipment, urging them to grow stronger.
It had been a month since we last met in person.
‘I get that they want a nice picture.’
The middle seat felt very uncomfortable.
It made me feel like I had to lead the conversation. If I didn’t, I’d look like a socially awkward loser.
Waaaaaah!
Screams erupted from the audience.
My face was captured on the giant screen. Isaac with his team members. The composition looked heartwarming at a glance.
The team members smiled and waved. The screams grew louder.
I did my best to smile. My lips barely curled up.
Waaaaaah───!
My eardrums were ringing.
Soon, famous MCs appeared on stage, and the awards ceremony began. Only then did the audience’s cheers subside.
“Hwang Man-deuk, are you confident?”
“Yes! I’m overflowing with energy!”
“…Speak quietly.”
“Oh, uh, yes!”
Hwang Man-deuk, who advanced to the finals, was challenging for the title of B-rank Hero of the Year.
Yeo Jin-soo, who entered the tournament ranked 31st in popularity, had narrowly lost to Hero Baek So-hye in last year’s semifinals.
‘It would be different if they fought now.’
I had been feeding everyone elixirs for the past month.
As a result, everyone was at 2-star level, and Hwang Man-deuk’s breakthrough gauge was nearing 90%.
Next was Gil-seong in the 80% range, followed by Jin-soo and Eun-ha in the 60% range. With enough capital, growth speed was bound to be fast.
“I’m sorry. I should have faced you in the finals…”
Jin-soo, sitting next to me, suddenly looked dejected.
I intended to cheer for Man-deuk, but this unintended side effect occurred. With the cameras rolling, such an expression could easily be misunderstood.
“Lift your head. Don’t dwell on the past and focus solely on getting stronger quickly. Your goal is to become A-rank heroes by the first half of next year.”
“Wow… I want to be an A-rank hero!”
While the other team members were stunned by the shock therapy, the ever-positive Gil-seong raised her right hand high.
Her elegant fashion was at odds with her behavior. She looked pretty, but who dressed her in a top dress? It was inappropriate for a kid.
“Put your hand down. Your armpits are showing.”
“Oh my~ Leader, where are you looking!”
“…”
My forehead throbbed.
She lifted her clothes with a mischievous expression, and it was starting to get on my nerves.
This wasn’t a variety show. I decided not to indulge her antics.
I shook my head.
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***
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The awards ceremony turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.
The dance performance by a famous idol team and the emotional singing and vocal prowess of a mid-career singer accompanied by a children’s choir rekindled my long-neglected cultural needs.
“Please give a big round of applause to Hero Hwang Man-deuk, this year’s B-rank Hero.”
Clap clap clap clap clap.
Man-deuk, who had finally defeated the favorite Baek So-hye, lifted the silver trophy high as this year’s B-rank Hero.
“To my clan members who helped me get here. And my colleagues, and my beloved grandmother who raised me with a bent back…”
If Man-deuk hadn’t won, he wouldn’t be enjoying this moment. He wouldn’t have noticed the congratulatory stage or anything else.
Seeing a hero I had nurtured receive public acclaim was more thrilling than I had imagined.
It seemed I had a knack for management. Man-deuk mentioned my name last.
“…And. To my respected Leader Isaac. I… I was really a worthless guy. But you took me in, despite my shortcomings… and helped me become a proper hero… sniff.”
No way? Is he crying now?
Aaaah.
Sounds of sympathy came from the audience, and the giant screen showed my face.
‘That crybaby.’
If you’re really grateful, end your speech coolly and neatly.
I pretended to watch the stage calmly.
“Sniff. Sniff. Sniff.”
The screen also captured Gil-seong sobbing, Seo Eun-ha sniffling, and Jin-soo’s teary eyes.
I wondered if our clan’s image would be okay.
“…I’m sorry. I promise to continue showing my best in everything I do. Thank you!”
Clap clap clap clap clap.
Intermittent cheers and applause erupted.
Man-deuk walked towards us with a proud stride. What was so great about a hero who cried during his acceptance speech?
His face looked like a large dog expecting praise from its owner.
“Crybaby?”
“Uh. S-sorry!”
“Tsk, well done.”
“Hahaha, thank you!”
If Hwang Man-deuk had faced Baek So-hye last year, he might have lost. Hero Baek So-hye’s sword was elegant yet sharp.
But she couldn’t defeat our Hwang Man-deuk, who had been guzzling various elixirs for a month.
The power of the elixirs was immense.
Luckily, there was no such thing as a doping test in this industry.
“The pop opera singer who moved the world, who even made it to the Billboard charts…”
The next congratulatory performance began.
After the performance, the popularity award and rookie award were presented.
As expected, the rookie award went to our Harmony Clan’s first squad.
Fortunately, the team members didn’t shed tears this time.
After another congratulatory performance, the special award was presented.
Another performance followed, then the merit award was given.
This pattern continued until the first part ended, and a break was given.
Sitting quietly and watching the performances was quite enjoyable. It would have been perfect if my face hadn’t kept appearing on the giant screen.
“Senior! It’s an honor to meet you.”
“I always respect you.”
“I’m Hero Green Knight! I will follow your example and become a great hero!”
The walk back from the restroom was a parade of handshakes and encouragement. I could understand B and A-rank heroes, but even Flame Emperor, Yoho, and Poker Boy acted like fans meeting a star.
I’ve heard so many shouts of “handsome,” “love you,” and “thank you” from the audience that it no longer embarrassed me.
“We will now begin the second part!”
Grand classical music played, and the sequence of performances and awards repeated.
From the symphony orchestra to surprise stages prepared by heroes, it was a feast for the eyes and ears.
After the Best Squad Award and the Guardian of Peace Award were given, the thrilling battles of the A-rank heroes concluded with the ‘A-rank Hero of the Year’ award.
Now, only one award remained. The highest honor of the Hero Tournament, the World Class, which only S-rank heroes could receive.
Embarrassingly, I already knew who would receive the World Class award.
‘Stay calm. Keep it simple.’
I used my mental technique to calm my mind.
As long as I didn’t cause a broadcasting accident.
Doo doo doo doo doo doo!
The giant screen displayed the faces of the S-rank heroes. Each time the focus landed on a hero, the MC provided additional commentary.
The screen finally stopped on my face.
“Hero Isaac! Congratulations!”
There was a tradition for S-rank heroes receiving the World Class award.
They had to perform a prepared act when going up to receive the award.
You could easily find related videos.
Three years ago, Flame Emperor rode a flame dragon around the stadium before landing on the stage like a falling meteor. Four years ago, Yoho transformed into a nine-tailed fox and created an illusionary flower garden on the stage. Five years ago, Electric Guy conjured thunder and lightning in a clear sky and shot lightning at himself, creating a performance that made it seem like the Thunder God had descended.
‘I was asked to do it, so I can’t refuse.’
The World Class award for that year went to the hero who achieved the greatest feats.
Just the sight of such a hero making a grand entrance could be a great source of strength for the people.
To finely control my skills, I activated my Final Finish and slowly stood up.
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***
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Perhaps the strongest hero in history.
The man who miraculously subdued Emperor-class demons and magic soldiers in an instant.
Recalling the miracles he had shown that day, the Sword Emperor’s gaze also focused on Hero Isaac.
‘I will see with the eyes of my heart.’
He had climbed to this point solely through his obsession and enlightenment with the sword. Even when his palms blistered and his wrists swelled with inflammation, he never stopped training.
For his collapse would mean despair for everyone.
‘Show me. Show me where your power comes from.’
Only those who have reached the summit can see the view from the top. The Sword Emperor knew how blue and vast the sky was from there.
The sky was high.
So high that even from the peak of a towering mountain, it was unreachable. No matter how hard one tried to fly, no matter how desperately one stretched their arms.
The sky remained the sky.
Swish.
But perhaps someone had already reached the sky that no one else could touch.
The blue-eyed young man, Hero Isaac, who was rising to his feet, was captured in the Sword Emperor’s gaze.
‘I will see it.’
Even the smallest hint would suffice.
If he could just see how the harmony of heaven and earth reacted when Isaac unfolded his magic, if he could grasp even a fleeting moment of enlightenment.
Perhaps he could once again leap towards the sky from the lofty peak. Perhaps he could attempt it, no matter how reckless.
Rumble!
And finally, the Sword Emperor saw it.
The true height and vastness of the sky.
“……!”
The world crumbled.
The common sense he knew twisted and shattered.
He couldn’t comprehend it. He couldn’t understand it. That was the realm of the incomprehensible. So don’t even dare to look at it.
The earth and sky seemed to scream that at him.
“Aah.”
In that fleeting moment, he despaired and felt dejected several times. And then he resigned. What remained was pure awe and fear.
As he slightly tilted his head, he saw the faces of the heroes still looking at him with expectant eyes.
‘Is it visible only to me?’
He was a world unto himself.
A deep, dark father of the abyss.
Swish.
A thick darkness brushed past.
Wherever the Dark Lord stepped, a handful of darkness grew. It etched itself into his footprints and slowly began to engulf the surroundings.
Swoosh―.
His friend seemed unable to see the truth, so the Sword Emperor muttered blankly.
“My old friend. He is not a being at the pinnacle of awakening.”
Next to him stood the Association President, God Hand. His eyes were also shaking violently. He had seen the whitened gaze of the Sword Emperor.
What had made him like that? What had he seen?
“What do you see? Tell me.”
The Sword Emperor. One of the only four awakened beings in the world. An old friend of God Hand and the sharpest sword protecting peace.
Having reigned at the pinnacle of the world for a long time, he had noticeably aged.
“He has already touched the sky.”
Swoosh!
Pitch-black darkness unfolded.
Shadows billowed and spread, laying a thick carpet of beautiful, rippling black clouds.
The darkness that drove away the late evening swallowed the starlight embroidered in the sky. The twilight night sky was replaced by a pitch-black night.
Whoosh!
The shadows, entwined with all sorts of physical particles, roiled as if they were on fire, then slowly returned to where they had come from, neither too fast nor too slow.
God Hand belatedly realized that this mysterious phenomenon was a kind of show orchestrated by Isaac.
It was more shocking than it was flashy.
The dark shadow realm he had unfolded covered the entire stadium and was retracted in an instant.
As if to say he could take or protect all life here.