Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 135

Dream Dive

DRR’s bishop-level executives, Villain Disaster and Marius, had escaped.
Upon hearing the news, Association President God Hand’s face grew deeply troubled.
“I am deeply ashamed.”
Those two were hostages captured by the Sword Emperor after a relentless pursuit. While the other bishop-level villains had all fled, those two were close enough to the Sword Emperor for him to chase them down.
No one had expected the special facility that imprisoned notorious villains to be breached so easily.
With this, the association’s plan to extract crucial information from DRR, even if the hostages’ egos collapsed, had gone up in smoke.
“Is it something without a physical form?”
The video sent from the facility only captured a faint, smoky presence.
However, the facility had a history of repelling even evil spirits. It seemed likely that the faint smoke either completely blocked dark energy or had a mutation specialized for infiltration.
God Hand asked the secretary, who was analyzing the video with him.
“What do you think?”
“It doesn’t seem to be sent by DRR. They would have hurried to rescue them, not control Disaster’s mind to kill Marius. Such phenomena have been reported a few times overseas.”
“Do you think it could be the work of a demon?”
“Yes. Although it’s not certain.”
God Hand nodded at the secretary’s words. He had been thinking along similar lines.
If a villain sent by DRR had infiltrated, they would have rescued them immediately. If it were a monster or another unspecified entity, they would have killed the villains and taken their magic stones.
“It seems the unknown entity tried to plunge Disaster into despair.”
“One of the demon’s nasty traits is to slowly kill life through such troublesome methods.”
“If it is indeed a demon, its purpose was likely revenge or the absorption of negative emotional energy. This is the conclusion of domestic researchers. However, this data is based solely on ‘that demon’ from the Sword Emperor Family, so nothing can be said for certain.”
The demon of the Sword Emperor Family.
The worst entity that possessed the youngest daughter of the Sword Emperor, a hero and pillar of South Korea, and God Hand’s close friend.
Even the Sword Emperor himself and the American S-rank hero Crimson Titan had failed to purify the demon.
Thanks to this, South Korea could analyze the characteristics of the ultra-rare monster known as the demon species, but the Sword Emperor’s precious daughter never woke up.
“I still feel bitter whenever I think of that child.”
“Didn’t you ask Isaac directly for help?”
“Yes. If he steps in, perhaps this time the child might wake up. In any case, send an investigation team to the scene immediately. If we compare the coordinates of the spatial technique, we might be able to pinpoint their hideout.”
“I will move right away.”
The secretary bowed and left the room. Left alone, God Hand stroked his thick beard, lost in deep thought.
His eyes, gazing down at the city’s skyline, gleamed with the deep and cautious look of a sage.
====
***
====
Watching someone’s growth was quite a pleasant experience.
Happy people seemed to emit a kind of aura that made those around them feel good as well.
That was how I felt as I watched my team members.
‘Still.’
Now was the important end-of-month evaluation time. Smiling too much would look unprofessional. If I showed such a demeanor, their tension might skyrocket.
The first evaluator might even hug me and lift me off the ground.
“I’ve reached 3-star rank!”
Hwang Man-deuk, despite being in human form, displayed the resonance of a bear.
He had indeed worked hard for nearly a month. As soon as he absorbed the energy of one elixir, he would drink and absorb another as if it were zero cola.
‘His eyes have turned.’
I instinctively tensed my eyes, hoping it would serve as a silent warning that hugging me recklessly would not end well.
It seemed to work, as the excited bear-like Man-deuk’s shoulders flinched.
For the record, his reaching 3-star rank wasn’t solely due to elixirs. It was a reward from the Hero Tournament’s double crown sub-quest.
▷ Reward: Significant increase in the limit break gauge of affiliated heroes
It seemed the limit break gauge didn’t rise all at once but gradually increased over a week.
In Man-deuk’s case, it filled up to 100% in no time, and he reached 3-star rank while measuring his 1RM for the three major lifts.
In his excitement, he reportedly bent the barbell.
“How’s the dark transforsmation training going?”
“Ah! It’s still incomplete. It seems to activate when I get angry! I’m increasing my proficiency by watching videos of injustice that I can’t stand!”
Oh, my eardrums.
His usual diaphragmatic breathing technique seemed to be particularly effective today.
Well, seeing him so excited made me feel pleased too.
‘He looks like he’s dying to brag.’
It seemed he had acquired another transformation skill upon reaching 3-star rank. I’d have to give a good reaction when I saw it in action next time.
‘He’ll soon be able to activate the third major circuit.’
Man-deuk’s level was 60, the highest among the members. Thanks to this, he had 60 magic circuit points and could soon activate the core major circuit [Beast’s Instinct], along with [Mountain] and [Throbbing Heart].
Beast’s Instinct was a conditional major circuit that activated during the ‘dark transformation’ state, significantly enhancing Man-deuk’s lacking attack power.
He was only 2 points short. He’d be able to activate it once he leveled up twice more.
“You’re doing well. We’re discussing your equipment setup with the management team. Keep up the good work.”
“Yes, sir! I will serve with loyalty!”
Is that loyalty? Isn’t the correct answer to do your best? Whatever. Just enjoy your excitement to the fullest. Now is the best time for you.
“Hehe. Hehehehe.”
The next person was twisting their body.
Unfortunately, Gil-seong had also reached 3-star rank. Just now, during hologram combat training.
“Are you happy?”
“Hehe. Hehehehe. Oh, I don’t know.”
Every time Gil-seong’s shameless behavior crossed the line, I grew a bit more.
I couldn’t let myself be drained by such embarrassing cuteness forever.
“Such a lax attitude. Do you not want new equipment?”
“Gasp! No, I’m sorry.”
Even her exaggerated posture of standing at attention had the vibe of a comedian.
While Man-deuk had been a strong hero from the start and Yeo Jin-soo was well-balanced, Gil-seong’s power only exploded once she had a certain level of setup.
Gil-seong’s core major circuits included [Watcher’s Eye] and [Dreamer], and she had already activated Dreamer. She was also close to activating her third major circuit, [Mastery].
Although she was 5 points short, leveling up 5 times wouldn’t take long. Considering the cost of the elixirs and equipment provided, it was worth it.
‘Even just Dreamer is quite powerful.’
Thanks to the effect of Dreamer, Gil-seong could significantly synchronize the stories of her sci-fi dreams with the real world.
While it was a somewhat ambiguous description, it was taken directly from the circuit’s explanation. Some items and circuits in Clan of Heroes were notoriously vague in their descriptions.
In simpler terms, it meant her DPS increased by over 20%.
‘Once she activates Mastery, she’ll be unstoppable.’
On the other hand, Mastery was a circuit I was convinced to use the moment I read its description.
「Mastery」
▶ Classification: Magic Circuit ⇨ Major Circuit
▶ Description: Drastically amplifies the hero’s skills.
▶ Effect: Increases all action speeds and weapon proficiency significantly. Additionally, all projectiles are doubled.
This wasn’t ambiguous at all. It was a circuit meant to be used without question. While the increased action speed and weapon proficiency were impressive, the doubling of projectiles was an absurd effect.
It meant firing one bullet would result in two bullets, and launching an eight-missile barrage would result in sixteen missiles.
‘But its location is problematic.’
The circuit’s position was on the left wrist, which was of no help to a ranged dealer. I couldn’t count how many points I wasted just to activate one major special circuit.
Therefore, Gil-seong needed ‘unique equipment’ tailored to her activated major circuits to truly unleash her absurd potential.
Unique equipment referred to gear with peculiar effects, similar to unique magic stones.
Sometimes, they were inferior to legendary or even heroic-grade weapons, but depending on how they were used, they could exhibit far greater power. That was the nature of unique-grade items.
Once she activated [Mastery], she would be unstoppable, and with the right unique equipment, she would go berserk.
“Your circuits extend differently from typical ranged dealers, spreading through your chest, head, and left side.”
“Exactly! As expected, Leader, you knew all along?!”
That was my mistake.
She must have felt a sense of incongruity all this time, and I was only explaining it now. To be precise, it wasn’t a mistake but rather a failure to even consider that I needed to brief her on this.
I was a former ranker who played Clan of Heroes as a mobile game. When reconfiguring the activation route of magic circuits, I perceived it as playing a virtual reality game.
When adjusting a game character’s stats, you don’t go through the process of telling them, ‘I increased your strength. You should be stronger now.’
“Of course, I know. I reconfigured it that way.”
“What?!”
Her reaction, as if she had been betrayed by a trusted ally, was quite shocking to me as well.
I hurriedly added an explanation.
“It was for your future benefit. You must have felt like you were growing but still felt frustrated, only to suddenly feel much stronger at some point, right?”
“Exactly! The circuits kept increasing, but it was strange. The bullets should have been getting stronger, but it felt like I was just getting better at swinging the gun like a club!”
It was understandable for her to react that way since I had configured the left-side circuits, which increased melee attack power, for a ranged dealer. I felt quite sorry for her.
I lacked delicacy. She must have felt uneasy on her own.
“Anyway, trust me. I’m looking for the optimal equipment suited for you. Look forward to it.”
“Yay~! Leader, you’re the best!”
Her enthusiastic double thumbs-up alleviated some of my guilt.
Next up was the young swordsman, Yeo Jin-soo. It was clear from his expression that he was feeling down.
He hadn’t reached 3-star rank yet. Of course, Seo Eun-ha was also still at 2-star rank, but he was likely more concerned about falling behind.
“Why the long face?”
“I feel like I’m still lacking. But I’ll reach 3-star rank soon!”
“Feeling inadequate? That might make Eun-ha next to you feel awkward. Aren’t you both 2-star?”
“Oh, oh, oh! No, that’s not it. Sorry, sis…”
Jin-soo’s pitiful eyes conveyed that he didn’t mean it that way, causing a mischievous smile to appear on Eun-ha’s lips.
“Oh my! I’m such a failure. Boohoo. Still stuck at 2-star.”
“Oh, oh, oh! No, no. It’s okay. I’m sorry!”
Eun-ha’s teasing ended with her hugging the middle school boy tightly, calling him cute.
Jin-soo, clearly flustered, kept asking if she was really okay.
‘Jin-soo has good balance.’
The positions of his major special circuits were stable.
[Extreme Pleasure] and the newly activated [Nimble Footwork] were located on the left side of his body, where small circuits effective for melee dealers were concentrated, while [Meditation], effective for casters, was located in the head area.
Jin-soo’s slower growth was largely due to his age. Being young, he was still emotionally immature. His innate design also came with many depressive penalties.
While his physical abilities and magic circuit balance were good, his mental aspect was weak.
‘He’s improved a lot.’
Compared to the time when he trembled at the mental attacks of evil spirits, his growth was remarkable.
I couldn’t wait to see Jin-soo in the form depicted in his awakening illustration.
Sword Saint Yeo Jin-soo. A top-tier melee dealer born after arduous nurturing. Seeing the grown-up Jin-soo would be immensely satisfying.
‘It’s a matter of time.’
For now, it was crucial to build emotional stability for Jin-soo. There was nothing to critique in terms of performance or physicality.
“Eun-ha, you have somewhere to go with me after the schedule.”
Unfortunately, I had to inform Seo Eun-ha, the last evaluation target, of an assignment instead of giving feedback.
With God Hand and the Sword Emperor’s trip to the U.S. being moved up, the mission scheduled for next week was also moved up.
It was a mission the Sword Emperor had earnestly requested. I was personally taking on the task of rescuing the Sword Emperor’s youngest daughter, a request made by Eun-ha’s father over half a year ago.
Given my current abilities, I could purify the demon alone without needing to train Man-deuk and Eun-ha into S-rank heroes.
“Where to?”
“Sword Emperor Family.”
The team members simultaneously gasped.