Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 053

Unexpectedly, s-rank

The association summoned Isaac to attend an emergency strategy meeting of the Disaster Response Committee for the purpose of gathering information. The reason given by the association was, ‘Isaac’s attendance as a witness’.

‘The Disaster Response Committee.’

The name suggests politicians or professors with sharp minds, but in reality, it is the highest decision-making body in South Korea, composed entirely of S-rank heroes. This is a world where heroes control on national defense, so politicians, and businessmen cannot ignore their influence.

The government and the Hero Association say they will cooperate and keep each other in check, but if the S-rank heroes come together and insist, ‘Please do as we say’, how can even the president refuse?

‘The situation in our country seems fine.’

In the Middle East and South America, heroes are nobles, and the association leaders rule like kings. On the other hand, the hero association leader ‘God Hand’ in our country, emphasizing the spirit of noble heroes and restraining the abuse of power, can be considered a sacred leader in wild times.

So, being called there, I didn’t expect them to treat me rudely… But rather, I was more concerned about other S-ranks.

“Flame Emperor is a nobleman.”

Flame Emperor, whom I’ve met once before, is somewhat normal. Although occasionally he acts impulsively, his thought process is within the range of a normal person.

“When was I summoned?”

“This Friday.”

“A few days left.”

“Yes………. Sir. You’ll go and just… Ah, no.”

It seemed like Secretary Hwang was looking at the child left by the riverbank. She seems worried that I might act cynically in front of the committee.

‘Actually, I feel the same way.’

I’ve experienced what happens when my body gets stressed. The behavior of disrespecting Flame Emperor that day was clearly crossing the line. At that time, I couldn’t control myself.

“Excuse me Sir. Those S-rank heroes. They are strong, and they have been protecting our country for a long time. They are respected by the whole nation.”

“So what?”

“So… uh…”

The conflict between ‘Did I unnecessarily provoke them and get scolded?’

and ‘Still, it’s uneasy, so I should go and show respect.’ was evident in real-time. I understood it well through their expressions.

“Don’t worry. I won’t pick a fight when I go there.”

“Ah, no! No, it’s not like that.”

“Alright, just go and check.”

“Yes! I’ll go and check.”

Alone again, I paused for a moment, letting my body relax in the silence.

‘Tiresome.’

To prepare for the day of the meeting, I need to come up with various excuses for the next few days. I should brainstorm ideas tightly to avoid accumulating stress. I should also read a book before stress builds up.

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***

====

The first week of October, unusually chilly and moist. As autumn deepened, fallen leaves piled up on the ground, and the golden branches and leaves of red pine, oak, and maple scattered the beauty of autumn.

The wind was brisk, and the rustling of the fallen leaves passing by echoed faintly in the ears. The sky was clear and beautifully blue. However, the weather forecast hinted at raindrops in the afternoon on a weekday.

I grabbed my umbrella and, as usual, headed to the training center. There was only one place to practice martial arts and study magic engineering comfortably.

– Tock.

–

As soon as I arrived at the training room, a message arrived. It was a report from the management team stating that Hwang Man-deuk’s condition had completely recovered.

‘Good.’

No issues with his physical condition. Now, all that’s left is to handle the public opinion well. I noticed some strange movements in the communities that were gradually gaining popularity.

For example, a post like this:

[Am I the only one anxious?: I’m a mother of a 4-year-old here. Recently, I happened to see a hero fighting a monster, and he seemed not in his right mind… Eyes rolling, he pulled out the monster’s neck with an eerie expression.

But it turns out he’s a famous person, doing a lot of escort missions… Is this okay? How strong are these heroes? Fighting and losing their sanity, tearing apart living beings. Maybe those people should hunt monsters in places without humans. What do you think, everyone?”]

It was from the category of criticizing while maintaining etiquette. The problem was that this was a story that could also garner public sympathy. The number of likes was high, and positive opinions were sprinkled in the comments.

Some money-crazed guy even knew that creating such stories was a good way to attract short-term aggro. He made up stories without knowing the real situation and uploaded a video. Seeing the title ‘Shocking! A hero who kills people?’

I felt like going to the account owner and giving a strong scolding.

Of course, it’s not yet a mainstream issue, and it seems to be ignored, but issues of hero trustworthiness are areas that, if neglected, could be fatal all at once.

‘I pray that the PR team chooses wisely.’

I touched on a few points. I can’t coach the video editing direction for each task I do. Honestly, it’s not even my expertise.

– Tock, tock.

–

I gathered my thoughts and started loosening up my body when another message arrived. This time, it was from the HR team.

“Hmm…”

They mentioned the second round of new recruit interviews. Amidst my various struggles, the hiring process was progressing well. Despite not making any special efforts to attract talent, the competition ratio for resumes was 35:1. I was worrying about unnecessary things.

Originally, our clan’s activities themselves elevated its value. With an unofficial S-rank hero as the leader and a few popular B-rank heroes, along with excellent welfare, it was no wonder that both fresh graduates and experienced professionals showed interest.

“Well, let the HR team handle it.”

‘Focus.’

I cleared my mind of work-related thoughts and calmly settled down. In front of me were a potion production table and three sets of recipes for the elixir [Gentle Embrace], including ingredients like Moonlight Deer Antler.

I decided to challenge it three times precisely. If I fail, I’ll entrust the manufacturing to a professional alchemist.

‘I have to try to improve my skills.’

I copied and pasted the ingredients into the brewing machine, compressor, and mixer as indicated in the recipe. So far, so good. The challenging part was infusing magic delicately, processing the herbs, and activating the elixir again at the right timing.

I resolutely placed the Moonlight Deer Antler into the manufacturing machine and took a deep breath.

‘Let’s begin.’

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***

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[Manufacturing has failed.]

[Manufacturing has failed.]

[Manufacturing has failed.]

“…”

This is not an easy task. Each time I wasted expensive materials, I became more humble by the second. Although I seemed to understand it theoretically, the practical application was not as simple.

‘It’s okay. If it were easy, there wouldn’t be a significant difference between a master and a novice.’

… Self-justification with a reasonable basis doesn’t seem to work well. The gloomy mood doesn’t seem to improve. It’s time for a moment of wisdom.

“Maybe it’s not even at the level of a potion.”

Three vials containing a murky green liquid, like a pseudo-toxic substance, felt like a heavy weight on my chest.

“Grwwolll…!”

Gunggi with eyes meeting mine, growled softly. Look how quickly it caught on to resemble its owner. I won’t let this one go.

‘Should I just throw it away?’

– Bzzt.

–

[Trash Elixir of Mixture]

▶ Category: Potion Elixir

▶ Grade: Common

▶ Description: Expensive ingredients were used, but it seems to have no effect.

▶ Effects: Unknown. Caution for indigestion, caution for food poisoning.

…… It’s a confirmed failure.

Even though I worked hard on making it, Calling it trash on the information window is a harsh fact to face.

‘Let’s forget about it.’

Let’s focus on Harvesting Fist training.

I stored various crafting tools, including the production table, in my inventory and swept them away from my sight.

– Swoosh.

–

– Thud.

–

– Sssruck.

–

– Hoo.

–

One by one, I practiced the imagery training of ‘using magic’ diligently. I briskly threw punches and kicked.

Especially, the movement I focused on practicing was ‘Field Path Treading’, which allows me to leap a long distance in a single breath. If I continue to repeat and master it, someday it might save my life.

‘Channel magic in a belt-like form around the lower body and forcefully roll the foot forward.’

– Thud, thud, thud.

–

I repeated the same movement several times. Compared to the intense training the team go through, this wasn’t even considered practice. Those kids must have repeated simple movements thousands and tens of thousands of times.

After thoroughly refining the basics in this unpredictable way, and then tirelessly training the utilization of talent, only then will it be time to apply it in real situations and be called a ‘hero’.

“Hoo…”

I was completely drenched in sweat after an hour. If someone saw Isaac doing this, what reaction would they have? Amazement? Maybe they would laugh it off as something insignificant. Or… they might plug their nose and be horrified.

‘One last thing.’

Clearing away unnecessary thoughts, I closed my eyes and imagined using magic for the final time.

That tingling sensation in the chest. Like controlling the itch, I concentrated my mind, moving the mysterious power to my right arm and dispersing it.

‘Here we go.’

– Wooooooong. –

As soon as I activated the Final Finish, an infinite sense of satisfaction surged. Every time I moved the mysterious power around the chest, there was a subtle trembling or a sensation as if tiny parasites were moving, felt around the chest area.

‘Maintaining this sensation.’

– Squish. –

I gripped the low-grade magic stone in my right hand, now depleted of magic power. Magic stones could be recharged. However, the efficiency during recharging was about ten times lower than when extracting magic power.

‘Theoretically, if I inject 100mps, it should become a fully charged low-grade magic stone.’

– Squish! –

A surge of power entered my right hand. It didn’t seem like the power strengthened due to magic, just as if I clenched it with my own strength.

‘This isn’t the feeling.’

– Swoosh.

–

– Pah! –

– Chwaack! –

“Krrreeaaargh!”

The sensation of the entire body’s power disappeared into the air, then reappeared from a distance, tearing through the air for an extended period. Everything was under my control. If only magic power would listen to me like that.

‘Move a bit.’

– Wooong…

–

There was potential. Just now, a faint blue light sparkled on my right forearm. Controlling magic seemed to be a completely different concept than applying strength to the arm with intent.

– Beep beep beep beep! –

My head felt like it was burning, overclocking as if suffering from tinnitus. My head was rotating beyond its limits, attempting to understand and execute the ‘control of magic power’.

‘Shut it down.’

The overloaded head screamed in agony. It was a strange pain, as if neurons were burning, when my head, overwhelmed, tried to comprehend and execute the ‘control of magic power’ beyond its limits.

– Wooong! –

Immediately after feeling a sensation as if worms were wriggling inside my right arm, the magic stone vibrated loudly.

“Uh, uh.”

– Peeeeeeew! –

– Crack! –

“Cough, cough.”

A pungent smoke pierced through my throat and nose. Waving my hand to dispel the smoke, I commanded Gunggi to swing its front paw.

– Thwack! –

The smoke vanished in an instant.

– Wooong… –

The incredible sense of fulfillment vanished in an instant, leaving an empty chest filled with the usual lethargy.

“Krrang?”

Gunggi now a baby tiger, clung to my leg. It seemed to be asking if I was okay. Now, I could somewhat read Gunggi’s intentions.

“It’s okay.”

“Krkreeng, kreeng.”

This time, it seemed to be thinking, ‘The servant guy is not hurt, so there’s no need to worry about starving.’

‘Well, that’s that.’

I took a moment to calm down and reflect on the recent events. Approximately, a massive amount of magic power flowed through my right hand into the low-grade magic stone, and the stone couldn’t withstand it, exploding.

It didn’t seem like the explosion was due to my strength becoming insanely powerful. If that were the case, it should have crumpled inward, not exploded outward.

‘If I can apply this…’

The scent of money lingered in the air.