Within the video conference room of the Heroes Association Washington branch, a select group of individuals that included Association President Gregory were seated in discussion.
And their talk was broadcasted live worldwide to governments, Heroes Association branch leaders, and prominent guilds.
“Currently, the undead attacks happening across the globe are the work of Wurgen Kruger—or, to be precise, the replicas of himself that he created.”
Gregory’s tone was heavy, his gaze focused on the camera broadcasting to the world.
“It has been revealed that Wurgen Kruger has attempted to mass-produce replicas possessing the same powers as himself to dominate the world. The current situation is a result of some issues that arose during the process, which caused the replicas to spiral out of control and wield their powers recklessly.”
The expressions of the attendees grew grim. While Wurgen’s plan of world domination was already terrifying enough, the idea of a Perfect One losing control struck them even deeper.
Whenever an A-rank hero went berserk, a town was destroyed. When an S-rank hero went berserk, they destroyed an entire city....What would happen if a Perfect One went on a rampage?
Thankfully, the Association had responded quickly, successfully halting the advance of the undead. However, that was just for now; no one could predict what kind of catastrophe would unfold if more time passed.
“What's the status of the other Perfect Ones?” asked the muscular monk Tenzin, abbot of the Muren Monastery.
Expecting the question, Gregory calmly responded, “The Visionary is restrained by Heaven Eye. The Pilgrim is being suppressed by Puppeteer. The Emperor of Ascension is being checked by Tuner. Both the Sacred Craftsman and Trailblazer have declined to cooperate. As for the Seeker... she remains out of contact.”
“So, in short, we have nobody that could help us out right now.”
“Yes. We cannot receive any help from the Perfect Ones this time.”
The somber expressions of not only Tenzin but all the other attendees deepened. Every single person in the room was well aware only a Perfect One could stop another Perfect One. But... if none of them were available, who else could stand up to the rampaging monster?
Would we have a chance if we assembled all S-rank heroes?
If all the high-ranked heroes are killed by him, it would leave an enormous gap in our forces...
Why are the Perfect Ones always busy at the most important moments...
Those restrained by the Ten Evils aside, it was incomprehensible why the Sacred Craftsman and Trailblazer always refused to act during humanity’s crises. If they were ordinary high-ranking heroes, public condemnation and even forced conscription would have long been considered.
But they weren’t—Perfect Ones were treated as entirely separate entities who couldn’t be forcibly mobilized, lest any misstep bring about even greater disasters.
With no solution in sight, the atmosphere grew heavier and heavier until a voice finally broke the heavy silence.
“Have you contacted Lee Se-Hoon?”
Aaron Meyers’s voice was composed.
While bringing up a first-year student during a discussion on how to stop a rampaging Perfect One seemed out of place, if that student in question was Se-Hoon, the context changed.
As the only individual capable of wielding multiple powers of Perfect Ones in existence, a person skilled enough to participate in the elimination of the Ten Evils, he was more than qualified. Moreover, as Wurgen’s implicit successor, he could arguably be considered the most reliable figure in such a crisis.
“We have, but he is unable to leave Babel right now.”
Another disappointing response. The mood in the room grew even gloomier.
...Is there truly no other solution?
Having confirmed once again that they had only one option left, Gregory finally brought it up.
“The UD Group has proposed a solution for us.”
Stunned, the attendees turned toward Gregory, who glanced at a staff member standing nearby. Prompted, the staff member immediately displayed a video on the monitors in front of each attendee.
It was footage showing investigators from the Special Operations Division battling undead creatures as they pushed through a thick, black mist. Before long, they encountered an undead creature emitting darkness from its entire body.
The investigators got into position, defending against its attacks while approaching closer and closer. Then, at a certain point, a person protected by the investigators suddenly dashed forward and extended their hand.
A sigil appeared on the undead’s forehead, halting its attack. The darkness pouring from its body halted as well, and soon, the surrounding mist dissipated completely.
“The footage you just saw was taken at one of the Danger Zones where an undead army had appeared. The Special Operations Division and UD Group cooperated, successfully subjugating one of Wurgen’s replicas.”
“As I’ve been told, even though the replicas use Wurgen Kruger’s powers, at their core, they are still ordinary undead. Therefore, as you’ve just seen, subduing them is possible as long as you successfully enslave them.”
The attendees stared at Gregory in disbelief.
“...Is this enslaving process something anyone can perform?” Inoue Ryuuma asked, skeptical.
“So that’s why you needed one of Kruger’s sons... quite the troublesome requirement.”
At Ryuuma’s mutter, the mood subtly shifted. It was unnerving to everyone that only a Kruger could stop the rampage of Wurgen's replicas.
“We had our investigators that were proficient in necromancy give it a try, but they all failed. Only those with the Kruger bloodline... or someone with a soul similar to Wurgen Kruger can synchronize and successfully enslave them.”
“Hmm. Then will Wurgen Kruger return to normal if all the replicas are subdued?”
“...Wurgen Kruger is already dead.”
A chilling silence fell.
“D-did you just say he’s dead...?” stammered the attendee that asked the previous question, seeking confirmation.
“The cause of the rampage stems from the collapse of Wurgen Kruger’s sense of self. Even if all replicas are subdued, only the fragments of his powers will remain. There’s no possibility of his revival.”
No one dared to speak.
A Perfect One was dead—the implications of that surreal statement sent ripples through the minds of everyone present, each of them realizing how drastically it would reshape the world.
“For now, the Demon Force seems to just be observing how the situation will play out. We cannot predict when or how they might act. That is why, from this point forward, we will cooperate with the UD Group, prioritizing dangerous areas near populated zones....”
Gregory swiftly outlined a suppression plan, and the attendees, having fully grasped the gravity of the situation, raised no objections and accepted it without hesitation.
With that, the Association’s emergency assembly concluded, and all forces began mobilizing alongside members of the Kruger family. The situation was moving into a new phase. Yet one person remained unmoving, even after hearing everything.
Standing before his desk, Richard replayed the contents of the meeting in his mind with a conflicted expression.
“The President is dead...”
It was an unbelievable claim, but considering that the undead in Gehenna had also gone berserk, it wasn’t an impossible one.
Given that those were all under Wurgen’s direct control, if they, of all undead, had gone berserk, it could only mean that something had happened to their master.
I remember how he told me about this when I was first assigned here...
Recalling Wurgen’s words from the past, Richard bit his lip.
Should I do something about this?
Although Gehenna had been subdued without casualties, thanks to the help of Babel, the outside world remained in chaos. To quell the crisis quickly, someone who could enslave the replicas—a member of the Kruger family—was needed.
If I contact the Heroes Association, they’ll probably immediately assign me to a task force.
Thinking over it some more, he finally decided that staying idle wasn’t an option. Helping in any capacity was the right thing to do, without a doubt.
So, with that thought, Richard took out Gregory’s business card and his phone.
But as he dialed the number, he hesitated. He knew making the call was the right course of action. Yet something was holding him back.
At first, he thought it was because he feared being labeled a traitor by Se-Hoon. However, after thinking about it again, he quickly realized that wasn’t the reason.
He wouldn’t say such a thing.
Se-Hoon was the type who would even welcome the opportunity to secure the fragmented powers, making acting quickly the better choice in every way.
But Richard still couldn’t bring himself to join the suppression operation.
“Damn it... I’m not some angsty teenager.”
Frustrated by his own indecisiveness, Richard ran a hand through his hair, chewing on his lip before finally steeling himself.
With the number finally typed in, he was just about to call Gregory—
A calm voice called out from behind him.
Startled by the unexpected presence, Richard spun around to see Eun-Ha.
“D-Dean Ryu? How did you...?”
“I asked the Chairman to teleport me here. Also...”
Cutting straight to the chase, Eun-Ha pulled out an envelope from inside her coat and held it out to Richard.
“This is a letter Lee Se-Hoon asked me to deliver to you.”
Isn’t he still trapped in the Tower of Heroes?
Seeing the puzzled expression on Richard’s face, Eun-Ha added more details calmly. “He said you’d understand everything once you read it.”
Although still unsure, Richard took the envelope and carefully unfolded the letter inside.
If you’re reading this, it means Wurgen has already taken advantage of my absence and created a huge mess. I’ve got a lot of words I’d like to vent right now, but I doubt there’s much time for that. Instead, I’ll share a strategy you can try until I get there.
First, identify the main body’s location...
As Richard read through Se-Hoon’s detailed letter, his eyes gradually widened. The strategy was so detailed that it was as if Se-Hoon had seen the future.
Did he know exactly how the President would act from the start?
He had thought he had a decent grasp of who Se-Hoon was, but it seemed he had underestimated the man known as Lee Se-Hoon yet again.
Finished reading, Richard handed it to Eun-Ha.
“It says to show this to you as well, Dean Ryu.”
Taking it, Eun-Ha silently skimmed the letter before fixing her gaze on Richard.
“What are you going to do?”
Would he follow the plan Se-Hoon outlined, or would he continue observing the situation and side with the Heroes Association? The former option meant he would be solely responsible if the unexpected occurred. The latter, while less appealing, offered a safer path toward resolving the crisis.
Yet, despite standing at a crossroads, Richard quickly decided on a path.
“I’ll follow Se-Hoon’s strategy.”
With the letter arriving at just the right moment, there was no question about the direction he should take.
“Then let’s get moving. The others have already gathered,” Eun-Ha said with a nod, displaying her satisfaction.
Then, before Richard could ask who the “others” were, his surroundings abruptly shifted to the central plaza of Babel.
And once his vision cleared, Richard saw the group that had gathered before him.
“Man, this is exhausting...”
Luize and Amir, looking visibly drained, were muttering under their breath while Sung-Ha was clicking his tongue at them in disapproval. Their bickering hinted that their behavior had been going on for some time, creating a tense atmosphere.
Taken aback by the scene, Richard hesitantly asked, “Surely... it’s not just these three?”
“Four, including myself,” Eun-Ha replied.
Richard’s expression turned blank. They were on their way to face a Perfect One of all people, and their team consisted of one S-rank hero and three students? Even if those three were extraordinarily skilled, to any outsider, their composition would look like a death wish.
“There are a few more candidates, but they haven’t finished their tests yet. Would you prefer to wait for them?”
“No... Let’s just go as is.”
According to the letter, Se-Hoon had instructed Eun-Ha to deliver it only once they had sufficient forces. That was why, rather than waste time waiting, Richard thought it seemed wiser to act before the situation worsened.
“One last time, Chairman.”
Again, the air around them began to ripple and distort as the teleportation magic activated. Seeing the phenomenon, Luize infused her mana into Hati.
The choker around her neck transformed into an iron mask, completing her armament. Prepared, Luize focused intently on the space wrapping around them like a compressed spring,
I need to time this well.
Under normal circumstances, Ludwig could’ve easily teleported them to Europe. But with his mana divided between maintaining the connection to the Tower of Heroes and defending Babel, he could only establish the spatial connection, leaving the exit point to Luize.
I need to get us as deep as possible.
The closer they landed to their target, the fewer enemies they’d have to fight on the way. Determined, Luize sharpened her senses and peered into the destination beyond the rift.
Now suddenly on the rooftop of an unknown building, Richard grimaced at the nausea welling up inside him. The sudden stop was so jarring that it felt like his organs had been shoved to one side.
Suppressing the sickness, he looked up and froze.
Stretching out beyond the horizon was a sea of darkness, dotted with skyscrapers resembling gravestones. Among them were a few familiar structures, making it clear where they were.
Is this... Frankfurt?
Once a city transformed into a gleaming hub of development by the UD group, it was now just a swamp of darkness.
Still dazed, Richard soon spotted the source of the calamity: a massive black pillar.
The ominous column towered like another Tower of Heroes, spewing darkness that cascaded down to the ground, spreading and consuming everything. It gave off an overwhelming presence, making Richard drip cold sweat down his face.
If we’d waited another day...
Judging by the speed of the encroachment, if things had progressed just a little longer, it likely wouldn’t have been just Frankfurt, but all of Europe that was consumed by the darkness.
“This is as far as teleportation could take us,” Eun-Ha noted. “Let’s get started. Is everyone ready?”
There was no turning back now. Richard nodded, signaling his resolve.
Likewise, the rest of the team exchanged determined glances, prepared to move.
But a voice suddenly echoed from behind them, accompanied by the sound of footsteps. Stopped, the five of them turned to see a group arriving: Julia and the reinforcements sent by the Association.
Immediately, Richard’s face hardened—he recognized the unmistakable tension in their demeanor.
“I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to turn back.”
Julia’s voice was ice cold.