Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 147

The United States is different from South Korea. While South Korea emphasizes harmony and cooperation with colleagues, the U.S. is rooted in strict individualism. This also applies to the hero industry.
They do not exploit individuals for the achievements of their squads or clans. Moreover, their communication tends to be egalitarian and friendly, regardless of rank.
“What did you say?”
However, it was hard to respect blatant racial slurs as part of American culture. The approaching individual, standing at 190 cm, was quite handsome and possessed a four-star level of magical energy—strong enough to challenge for S-class status in South Korea. Additionally, the heroes flanking him were each at the three-star level.
“Oh~ sorry. Can you pretend you didn’t hear that? It was a slip of the tongue.”
“What do you want? We don’t know you.”
Hwang Man-deuk, representing the group, spoke up, his expression showing clear displeasure. He found it hard to accept that an American hero would provoke foreign heroes in a café frequented by civilians.
“It’s understandable you don’t know me. I’m Rapid. Vanguard is our leader.”
“Vanguard…!”
Vanguard was the second strongest hero in the U.S., closely trailing The One. However, he was also infamous for his twisted personality, matching his genius-level talent. It seemed likely that Rapid, being part of Vanguard’s clan, shared similar unorthodox views.
“Why the long face? You must have expected that heroes like us wouldn’t just sit back quietly, right?”
“What exactly are you talking about? What’s your purpose in approaching us?”
Whoosh—
Crackle!
A sharp wave of magical energy emanated from Rapid. His outburst sent tables and chairs flying into the walls, shattering glass cups and scattering shards everywhere.
Rapid’s excessive behavior caused not only Hwang Man-deuk but also Yeo Jin-soo and Gil-seong to harden their expressions.
“You guys bragged that your leader is stronger than our American awakened ones. So, I’m responding to your provocation. The big shots can deal with each other, and we can play at our level.”
There wasn’t a trace of heroism in Rapid’s grinning face. In truth, his malicious behavior was driven by Vanguard’s orders. With Vanguard’s protection, Rapid didn’t have to worry about U.S.-Korea relations. Even if he caused a major incident, Vanguard would clean up the mess.
As the second-ranked hero in the U.S., Vanguard was beyond the control of the government or the Hero Association. In fact, the association was more eager to cover up his crimes just to keep him on their side, maintaining America’s high status. American citizens even praised Vanguard for being bold and manly. Despite having assaulted and killed fellow heroes and civilians, most of his actions were seen as delivering justice to villains.
Vanguard’s popularity stemmed from his ability to address issues that the law couldn’t handle. At this point, the Korean government and heroes, who were deceitfully trying to create a star like Isaac to gain diplomatic advantage, were seen as villains.
“Disappointing. Is this the American hero spirit?”
“Less talk, more fists. We’ll set the rules as we go. There’s a top-notch training center just 10 minutes away in Washington.”
At Rapid’s continued provocation, the team members exchanged glances, silently agreeing on something. Hwang Man-deuk then spoke firmly.
“Lead the way. I assume you’ll cover the taxi fare?”
“Hahaha! Of course. So, you monkeys can understand reason.”
“Let’s see if you can still talk like that after my fists land on you.”
Although there was a significant difference between four-star and three-star levels, Hwang Man-deuk had a secret weapon: customized gear made by Isaac and the ability to enter a berserk state. More importantly, he couldn’t tolerate the arrogance of a foreign hero any longer. They were Isaac’s personally trained members.
They had been fortunate to receive special benefits under an irregular leader. Now, it was time to prove their worth through their skills.
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Hotel Rosewood Washington, D.C.
Banquet Hall. VIP Room.
“I can’t listen to this any longer.”
The atmosphere, which was supposed to be a pleasant dinner, had turned icy. As The One and Sword Emperor discussed Isaac’s achievements and the internal situation of DRR, hero Vanguard abruptly stood up and left the room, his face contorted in anger. Seizing the opportunity, The One broached a sensitive topic.
“I apologize! That guy has a twisted sense of justice. He’s been agitated since earlier, thinking Isaac has been deceiving us about his rank.”
“Deceived? For what reason?”
“Well, regardless of the reason, he does appear to be at a five-star level. In my opinion, it might be a good idea to demonstrate your true abilities at least once.”
“I see.”
“Ah.”
Sword Emperor finally understood the source of the uneasy feeling he had sensed from the American awakened ones. It was understandable that they might be confused. Normally, Isaac only exuded the aura of a five-star hero. Even Sword Emperor himself had believed Isaac to be a five-star hero who hadn’t reached full awakening until he saw Isaac unleash his true power. He had overlooked the possibility that Isaac’s overwhelming presence might lead to misunderstandings.
‘This is my oversight.’
The One might have been suffering alone over this issue, especially since the accusation of deception came from a long-time friend.
At that moment, Queen, the third-ranked awakened hero in the U.S., who had been silent for a while, spoke calmly.
“Tomorrow is the summit. We believe that Korea has exaggerated your rank, Isaac, to gain a diplomatic advantage. We request that you immediately resolve our doubts.”
“Hahaha. I thought Isaac’s prowess had already been proven in his duel with me.”
Queen and Sword Emperor had known each other for nearly 30 years, introduced by The One. It felt like just yesterday when she was a B-class hero, and Sword Emperor had been genuinely happy for her when he heard she had become a full-fledged awakened hero.
He couldn’t help but almost laugh, anticipating Queen’s reaction when she witnessed Isaac’s true capabilities. She was like a well-raised daughter to him.
“Respected Sword Emperor, we are heroes responsible for America’s future. We must follow proper procedures.”
“Ahem. So they say, Isaac. Would you be willing to reveal your power to them?”
“It’s not a difficult request.”
“Thank you. Then, where should we do this?”
Sword Emperor’s straightforward response caused The One’s usually calm eyes to waver for a moment. He had expected Sword Emperor to reveal the truth and propose some cunning plan, like collaborating with the U.S. to deceive about Isaac’s rank to force DRR’s early surrender. But what was this confident attitude?
Could it be that Isaac wasn’t just a five-star hero, but an awakened one, or even beyond that—a true irregular?
A sly smile spread across Sword Emperor’s face, unaware of the turmoil he was causing in The One’s mind. The certainty that Sword Emperor and God Hand were employing a risky diplomatic strategy was rapidly crumbling.
‘If what they say is true…’
The man before him could easily contend with DRR’s leader Morpheus and even the rulers of the underworld. The birth of such an absolute being meant that not only East Asia and North America but all of humanity could finally be free from the fear of monstrous threats. However, that was merely humanity’s wish. How could a hero surpassing the awakened stage be born overnight when there were only six awakened individuals in the entire world?
“The One?”
“…There’s a state-of-the-art training center nearby. Isaac, I’ll guide you there.”
Though The One still believed they might be boasting, his gaze towards Isaac had noticeably grown heavier.
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The world is filled with all kinds of hypocrisy. Pretending to be kind, just, generous, and sympathetic. The rule of law, built over a long history, still leaves behind unreasonable precedents.
Vanguard was a symbol of opposition and defiance, a rebel and outsider in modern society. His world was dark, negative, and simultaneously stained with a clear sense of justice. He harbored a distinct resentment towards the hypocrisy, pretense, and systemic injustice embedded in society.
He walked his own path, believing that even if his direction was somewhat rebellious, it was justified in itself.
“The world condones, and I reject.”
Even when his voice was stifled by absurdity, Vanguard conveyed his message through actions. His drive came solely from within himself. He held a cynical attitude towards injustice, a contemptuous view of law and order, and resistance to all forms of social governance.
“I will strip away the false masks.”
Justice, to him, was something to define and execute on his own terms. He chose to exist as a shadow between light and darkness, never yielding, acting according to his own rules and principles. Even in the darkness, Vanguard’s unique light shone brightly.
“I walk my own path.”
This often led to clashes with the world. His ideology was powerful but often misunderstood or rejected. Nevertheless, he steadfastly upheld his own sense of justice. This was the legacy of Vanguard, the so-called villain hero.
Having lost his parents to black criminals as a child, he became an extreme racist, and over time, he applied the same prejudice to Asians. Vanguard was a violent and unconventional hero.
Boom!
“Ugh!”
He saw his subordinate, the hero Rapid, being knocked down. Gritting his teeth, he couldn’t accept that a mere three-star hero, even if the opponent was a dark hero, had defeated Rapid, a four-star hero. And to make matters worse, this three-star hero was one of Isaac’s protégés.
Isaac was a villain who dared to bluff against America.
“All of you, come up here.”
Vanguard entered the public training arena and made his declaration. Despite the many onlookers, he was unfazed. His eyes already glinted with a hint of madness.
“Huff… Huff… Va-Vanguard… sir?”
“I won’t say it twice. I’ll take on all four of you at once. Consider it an honor to gain combat experience against an awakened one.”
Wooooong!
An overwhelming pressure radiated towards the Asian heroes, the four members of the Harmony Clan’s first squad. They trembled and fell to their knees, unable to withstand the oppressive force. The fear of imminent death if they disobeyed left them no choice but to step onto the arena.
“Va-Vanguard, sir! You can’t do this.”
A training center employee tried to stop him, but was flung back by an invisible force, crashing into the wall.
Thud!
“Ah!”
Anyone who obstructed his judgment of justice was removed. The center’s heroes didn’t dare to intervene, knowing all too well how ruthless Vanguard could be.
“Hey, I think there’s a huge misunderstanding here!”
“It’s too late, Gil-seong. Let’s try to hold out for a bit. The captain will be here soon.”
“Don’t touch my brother. I will seriously cut you.”
Two of the girls shouted nonsense, while the still-growing kid who had taken down Rapid, the dark hero, stood in front of them. They were filled with hypocrisy, pretending to care for each other and fight against injustice. Such people shouldn’t be called heroes.
He would crush them so thoroughly that they would never dare to challenge America again.
“Good stance. Remember, this is all part of your training, so don’t hold any grudges.”
Wooooong—
Rumble!
A formidable amount of magical energy concentrated in Vanguard’s right hand. The audience squeezed their eyes shut.
Swoooosh—
Boom!
Compression—Expansion.
Space-time shrank and then explosively expanded due to Vanguard’s talent, directed straight at the Harmony Clan members. At that very moment, as the young swordsman’s blade was about to flash like lightning—
Swoosh—
A dark shadow intercepted the attack. The writhing shadow silently swallowed the spear-like air pressure Vanguard had launched.
Ssshhh.
Black smoke swirled in the air, and from within it, a young man with blue eyes emerged. The handsome youth, Hero Isaac, stood in front of the squad members and spoke in an emotionless voice.
“Do not hold a grudge either. This is all part of the training.”