Chapter 429 - Side Story. Lily Of The Valley (3)

# Hero Association

In a world of superhero fiction where villains run rampant daily, the Hero Association holds quite an important position.

In most countries, the Association wields power similar to the government, and in some countries, the Association is even more powerful than the government.

Of course, that was the story when heroes and villains were active.

[[Breaking News] US Hero Association's authority officially reduced... White House declares 'The era of heroes is over' causing controversy]

Now that all heroes and villains have lost their abilities and become ordinary people.

The Hero Association has suddenly become treated as a burden that just drains tax money without doing anything. People wonder what they're even doing now that they have nothing to do.

Naturally, the Association pushed back against this.

[International Hero Association Director delivers tearful 90-minute speech... 'This is too harsh for heroes who risked their lives for their countries']

['There are still plenty of villains committing terrorism.'... Hero Association's continued existence to be decided today, May]

Their claim that they had worked so much for their countries and that this treatment was too harsh for national contributors seemed quite reasonable.

If only it hadn't been revealed how much salary the heroes were taking, including their life support...

[(First report) Mass layoffs of heroes across the US]

This was the result.

Garbage collectors exist because there are people who throw away garbage.

'Don't move, A-class villain Uncoming! You're already surrounded! Surrender!'

'Okay, I understand. I'll just turn myself in...'

'...??'

Villains who developed meta-awareness after losing their powers realized how pathetic they had been overnight and were either captured or rehabilitated. It was Earth's blessing.

...However, as a result, most Associations had to undergo severe restructuring. Many heroes became unemployed. Those who risked their lives to protect their countries now protected them simply by being fired without needing to risk their lives - isn't that quite a good thing?

Of course, there are quite a few heroes who lost their sense of self overnight and fell into depression... but let's talk about that later.

Anyway, the Hero Associations of many countries collapsed this way.

Except for one country in East Asia.

"Oh, Mr. Egostic, you're here?"

"Everyone, Mr. Egostic is here!"

Korean Hero Association Headquarters.

When I appeared there after taking the elevator, the place instantly became bustling with people who recognized me.

"Haha. Hello everyone."

When I waved my hand, the employees waved back, welcoming me quite warmly.

They were all elites who remained after severe restructuring, with only a few left.

...For some reason, they seemed like my fans.

So I entered the Association with confidence.

And when I appeared on the top floor, the Director greeted me with a sour expression.

"Egostic, you're finally here? It's been almost 3 months."

"Haha, yes. I've been busy in my own way."

"...I'm not sure if I should believe that."

Looking at the Director who sighed while saying that, I just smiled.

Why is a former villain like me entering the Association and having such a friendly conversation with the Director?

The story goes back to 3 years ago.

'So you're... what?'

'I am Egostic.'

'...Hmm, hmm. Right. Are you here to surrender? Well, there are already many villains who came to surrender, so go downstairs and wait in line. We're busy right now.'

3 years ago.

A few days after the power loss incident, the Director spoke so casually to me when I stormed into the Association wearing a mask. While elegantly sipping a cup of coffee.

'But you see, my powers didn't disappear.'

Click.

Yes. He had been speaking casually.

Until I snapped my fingers and made guns float in the air.

And seeing that sight, the Director.

'Pffft'

He dropped his cup and spilled coffee from his mouth.

It was a natural reaction. This is now a world where all powers have disappeared. Normally, there shouldn't be anyone like me with powers remaining.

'Well... the guns were a joke. Here.'

Clap.

When I clapped my hands, most of the guns fell back to the ground.

And so, after completely establishing dominance, I smiled behind my mask and said:

'Now. Are you in the mood to talk?'

And.

That was the beginning of my relationship with the Association.

After the era of powerlessness arrived, most heroes and villains lost their abilities. Therefore, most ordinary people believed that everyone's powers had disappeared.

But only I, who knew the precedent of this power loss incident, was different.

This power loss occurred solely because the 'Sun God' was annihilated. Therefore, I could deduce that those whose powers were not influenced by the Sun God would not lose their abilities.

Notable examples include Stardus, myself, the Moon Priestess...

'But wait, Stardus's powers didn't disappear either, right?'

'No... how did you know that?'

So I took a shot, and sure enough, I was right.

Then it was smooth sailing.

After that day, I revealed everything to the Director.

The fact that I became a villain for Stardus's sake, that I knew all the remaining villains in this country.

And that I was willing to help.

'...You want me to believe that?'

That was the Director's initial response, but later, due to my actions, he had no choice but to acknowledge me.

After all, I stopped the terrorism and helped capture several other villains.

That's how the Association and I became friends. Good, good.

And in a world where all heroes lost their powers.

The Korean Hero Association, which had the only hero with remaining powers, became the center of global attention, but that's another story.

"....."

Well. If I were to talk about my choice now, the reason I cooperated with the Association was simple. It was like after-sales service.

Most villains lost their powers, but some villains were still threatening. Specifically, villains who didn't rely on powers. Notable examples include Weapon Maker who just makes weapons well, Monkey Spanner whose subordinates are more frightening, the Moon Church Leader who survived as the Moon God's avatar... and so on.

In other words, my job is to exterminate these villains who survived like cockroaches even after the power loss incident.

Originally, I had planned to infiltrate the global villain organization Kathedal and deal with World Class entities, even handling the creations of the divine being known as the Sun God... but well. When a man draws his sword, he must cut something, right?

So I was helping the Association.

Ah. Of course, work-life balance is important, so only occasionally, when I wanted to.

Right now, being with Seo-eun is more important.

Anyway, back to the present.

I asked the Director, who was giving me a disapproving look for showing up only once every 3 months.

"So, is Stardus not here now?"

"Stardus? I believe she's gone to track the sewers where Crocodileman lives..."

"I see. Then please contact me when she returns. I'll see you then."

"You always do as you please... Fine. Don't say more. I'll contact you, so just make sure you answer."

"Understood. Then..."

With those words, I was about to leave the room.

...Of course, after asking what I wanted to ask.

"Oh, and Director. Have you found any new clues about the Han Group?"

"...Unfortunately not."

"I see."

Right. Still nothing, as expected.

After asking the Director everything I wanted to ask.

I was passing through the corridor to return to the Association headquarters. I had something to check.

That's when a voice called out to me from the other side.

"Huh? Mr. Da-in?"

Turning my head at the call, I smiled when I saw the person walking toward me.

"Hello, Ms. Su-bin. Have you been well?"

"Ahaha. Yes, hello Mr. Da-in. I'm doing well, thanks to you."

The name of the woman who called me was Lee Su-bin.

She had long brown hair and a kind impression.

We were already acquainted because I was the one who placed her in this Association.

'Brother. This person will definitely be necessary for our plan.'

The day after the supernatural ability loss occurred, amidst all that confusion, I had punished some people who were causing terrorism using my name. And among those people, Seo-eun recommended this person named Su-bin, saying she was quite a good talent.

Therefore, she was originally supposed to be part of my villain alliance 'Egostream'... but with the supernatural ability loss incident, such an organization became unnecessary, leaving her somewhat adrift.

Still, not wanting to waste such talent, I recommended her to the Director, and she became an employee here.

After that, I heard she was a computer science graduate? Based on that knowledge, she's been doing well as quite an ace in the Association.

Anyway, I had a brief conversation with Lee Su-bin about various things.

"So Ms. Su-bin, have you been doing well lately? The Association seems to be getting peaceful."

"Hehe. Yes, thanks to you. But there are still quite a few uncaught villains, so we're all working hard."

Maybe because she entered the Association through me, we're quite close. We even had a meal with Seo-eun last time.

Anyway, we had various conversations, and Su-bin asked about Seo-eun's well-being. Such everyday conversations continued for a while.

Then, Lee Su-bin smiled and asked me:

"By the way, Mr. Da-in. Have you found a partner lately?"

"A partner? Haha, no. I haven't thought about that yet."

I've been busy raising Seo-eun, so I haven't had time...

Oh. Thinking about it that way, it might be a bit sad?

Anyway, as I answered with a somewhat sad smile.

Ms. Su-bin smiled as if to say "is that so," and then.

She suddenly threw quite an unexpected question at me.

"Really? Then Mr. Da-in, would you like to try a blind date?"

"What?"

Hmm. A blind date. Really unexpected.

I didn't expect to receive such an offer after coming to this world.

I thought about it for a moment while choosing my words.

***

At that same time.

[Really? Then Mr. Da-in, would you like to try a blind date?]

Thud.

In Egostic's house, underground secret laboratory.

Seo-eun, who was eating a sandwich while naturally eavesdropping on the Association through the screen.

She unknowingly dropped the bread she was eating onto the keyboard when she heard the voice coming through the screen.

"Su, Su-bin unnie..?"

What is she saying...