Chapter 141 - Eye Of The Storm

# Memory.

Memory is like sticky sugar water that clings to you. When you close your eyes and stay still, memories resurface one by one without you even realizing it.

And that's the same for everyone.

Even heroes with powerful abilities are no exception.

'No. You can do it.'

'You owe me one this time, right?'

'...When my hero is like this, of course I had to come.'

"..."

Sometimes old memories would appear to her again in the form of dreams. Just like today.

"...It's raining."

Shin Ha-ru woke up and leaned against her bed, briefly reflecting on the memories from her past that appeared in her dream. She unconsciously muttered those words as she glanced at the window beside her.

The sky was dyed a damp gray color, with rain falling steadily.

It was the kind of weather that made it feel like something was about to happen.

"...Maybe I should go to the Association."

After dwelling on her memories while still in bed, Shin Ha-ru shook off her thoughts and got up.

Though the weather gave her an ominous feeling, it was probably just her imagination.

With that thought, she arrived at the Association and sat in her office.

A few hours later, sirens declaring a state of emergency began to sound throughout the Association.

Her ominous intuition had not been wrong after all.

***

The largest space inside the Republic of Korea Association building, the Emergency Response Headquarters.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the place was in chaos.

"Damn it! What's the current situation?"

The Control Center, a large space filled with numerous monitors and one giant screen.

The Director rushed in urgently and shouted his question.

In response, an employee sitting tensely in front of a monitor answered urgently without taking his eyes off the screen.

"...It's not good! Currently, numerous marine monsters are attacking coastal areas near major cities around the world, and their numbers are at an alarming level!"

"What about our country?"

"...It will likely be soon!"

"Damn it, why do all these incidents happen during my term?"

As the Director was lamenting his misfortune, the office door opened and Stardus rushed in.

"Director, I heard the news and came. What exactly is happening?"

To her question with a stern expression, the Director wiped the sweat from his forehead and explained.

"...A North American villain organization called Latis has declared war on the entire world. They claim that the sea is superior to land and that the sea should be expanded. They're simultaneously attacking coastal areas of major countries. And we're probably next! Have you seen these crazy lunatics!"

The Director shouted heatedly, his body trembling with anger as he spoke. When he suddenly started coughing and frantically searched for water, another Association agent pointed at the monitor and began explaining to Stardus.

"Their leader is someone called Atlas, who seems to have the ability to transform marine creatures into monsters. Currently, monsters are invading coastal areas of the American continent and Europe, and their numbers are reportedly enormous."

As he finished speaking, a video began playing on the giant wall screen.

It showed giant squids and strange creatures attacking coastal cities indiscriminately.

Seeing this, Stardus's expression grew even more serious.

...There are too many of them.

"According to North American and European Associations that are already under attack, invasions are coming from multiple directions in each country, and the damage is increasing!"

"Countries with more areas bordering the sea are reportedly experiencing larger-scale invasions!"

And from all around the Control Center came the urgent voices of Association agents.

Hearing these reports, the Director grabbed what little hair he had left, lamenting his fate as he began issuing orders.

"Haah... Damn it. Gather all B-rank and below heroes immediately, and contact Icicle to defend Busan. Shadow Walker won't be of help right now, and Stardus should wait here for a moment to see where the attack will come from before departing."

"...Understood."

Stardus replied briefly, then looked back at the situation board.

A large light blue world map displayed on the giant screen.

And on it were red dots scattered in various places.

While Asia was mostly clear, red dots were mainly blinking along the coastal areas of America and Europe. Those were probably the areas currently under invasion.

And those red dots were beginning to appear one by one further to the right as well.

"India is now also under attack!"

With the agent's urgent announcement, red dots began appearing at several coastal areas in India on the world map.

Simultaneously, urgent cries from agents began to echo throughout the Control Center.

"The Philippines and Vietnam are now under attack!"

Immediately after his words, more urgent shouts came from nearby.

"China is finally under attack too!! Attacks have begun right across from our West Sea!"

"The Japanese Association has also issued an invasion alert!!! Major city centers on the islands are reportedly under attack!"

As they finished speaking, numerous red dots began rapidly appearing on the world map.

Now there were hardly any countries bordering the sea without red dots.

The atmosphere in the Association was becoming tense with the impending battle.

"...Everyone get ready. Keep your eyes wide open and watch carefully for where the invasion begins!"

Following the Director's command, a suffocating silence fell.

Everyone began waiting tensely for the invasion that would soon begin somewhere in their territory.

Anxiously, 1 minute passed.

3 minutes passed.

10 minutes passed.

"...Damn it, why aren't they coming? Is it a time-delayed attack?"

The Director muttered impatiently, tapping his foot.

Stardus and the other agents remained on high alert.

30 minutes passed.

After about an hour had passed.

"...Something's strange."

The Association interior, which had been filled with tension until just a while ago, was now filled with confusion.

"What's the current situation?"

"Yes. Major developed countries are still under attack. Local heroes are struggling to hold them off. Japan in particular is suffering greater damage, probably because it's surrounded by sea on all sides."

"...Wait, Japan right next to us is being attacked from all directions, so why haven't we been attacked yet?"

As the Director grumbled, Stardus alone sensed something odd.

...Does it make sense that every other country is under attack, but only our country is experiencing a delayed invasion?

However, since they still didn't know what was happening, everyone remained vigilant.

10 hours passed.

"Director, the sun is setting."

"Director, Latis forces are now retreating from various parts of the world. It seems the terror attack has ended."

"...Should we just go home?"

And the Republic of Korea was never attacked.

***

[Column: Latis's Global Invasion Ends... Why Was Korea the Only Country Not Attacked?]

The world has suffered greatly.

Countless coastal nations were attacked in the villain organization Latis's global-scale terror attack.

Black smoke rose everywhere, and numerous coastal cities collapsed.

Just next door, Japan is currently reporting astronomical damages.

Many countries including the United States and European nations experienced invasions, and while they all managed to repel the attacks, they suffered significant losses in the process.

However, one strange point is that our country was not attacked.

While every country is suffering amid devastation and ruins, no unidentified marine creatures were detected in the Republic of Korea.

What could be the reason?

Though the reason is unknown, it is truly fortunate.

-Reporter Kim Hwan-seok

=[Comments]=

[Reporter, I read this to find out the reason, but you say you don't know?]

[LOL I was shocked when I saw the news thinking there was another attack, but was confused when nothing happened]

[Why is the Republic of Korea peaceful while the world is in chaos? How strange]

[What kind of luck is this LOL]

[...? What happened while I was at work?]

The invasion was over.

The terror that had swept across the entire planet for half a day ended as suddenly as it began, with all marine monsters simultaneously returning to the sea.

All that remained in their wake were destroyed cities. While Association branches worldwide were overwhelmed with reconstruction efforts,

The Korean Hero Association was simply idle.

"...I don't know what happened, but this is truly divine fortune! Hahaha, is this what young people call a 'major win' these days? Hahahahaha!"

The Director was excited about having less work, while the staff were genuinely relieved that no terror attack had occurred.

And behind them stood Stardus.

While she too breathed a sigh of relief, she felt puzzled about one thing.

...Why was the Republic of Korea the only country not attacked?

"I wonder why..."

As she pondered this,

Suddenly, a staff member's loud voice echoed through the Association.

"Director! Egostic has posted an announcement!"

"...Egostic? Why is he suddenly involved? And what announcement?"

As the Director wondered,

Stardus was already accessing the Egostream website faster than anyone else.

And there it was, a post on the announcement board:

(new!)[Egostream X Villain Alliance Partnership Announcement]

"...?"