Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 071

– Hwoong. –
The dense steam dispersed only after a while, meeting a gust of wind. The two heroes were catching their breath, clutching their chests, but steadfastly stood on both legs.
“Don’t ask me if I did it.”
“…But it seems like you just did it.”
Even in their exhaustion, Flame Emperor and Electric Guy exchanged banter. Their combination, built over a long period, was so powerful that even Aqua Shaper, dubbed the immortal villain, seemed unlikely to survive.
– Hueung. –
“Switch… h, ove, over…”
As the steam completely cleared, Aqua Shaper, sprawled on the ground, revealed himself. He didn’t look like the villain who had been fighting against the onslaught of two S-class heroes just moments ago, instead resembling his emaciated self when he first lay on the altar.
However, he was still breathing, and both heroes were drained, unable to move a finger.
– Hwaryuk! –
Nevertheless, Flame Emperor conjured a flame. A candlelight flickered on his index finger.
He staggered toward the fallen Aqua Shaper.
“Prepare to meet… your end…!”
It seemed like the long battle was finally reaching its conclusion, until something struck his face.
– Thock. –
– Thud. –
“……!”
It was a few small water droplets.
The Flame Emperor’s expression contorted greatly. He painfully took a step and hastily directed the flame of his index finger toward the fallen Aqua Shaper.
– Hwaryuk! –
The wasted Aqua Shaper burst into flames. However…
– Thock― Thudududu… –
– Swooosh… –
A few drops of rain fell, counting numerous as they turned into a downpour, cascading down like a waterfall in an instant.
– Whoosh. –
The fire extinguished. It wasn’t just a flame extinguished by the raindrops. Aqua Shaper had regained strength and cast water magic.
– Swoosh! –
Raindrops descending from the sky converged at a point, aimed directly at Aqua Shaper. He absorbed plenty of moisture from all directions, instantly regenerating his body into a sturdy, muscular physique.
“Ah…! This is fate. Well done, young hero.”
– Swish. –
– Shooshshoosh! –
“Snap!”
At Aqua Shaper’s gesture, hundreds of tiny water needles penetrated Flame Emperor’s body. His pupils shook with disbelief, as if unable to accept reality.
– Puff! –
Blood sprayed from the Flame Emperor’s body in an instant. Despite trembling, he didn’t collapse, but he looked as if he was on the brink of death, pierced through his entire body.
“Just because you stare like that, what can you do? Hehehe, just die already.”
– Squelch, squelch, squelch. –
– Ssslaaash! –
In response to Aqua Shaper’s gesture, a gigantic arm of water emerged. The massive watery fist swung forcefully, as if about to snatch Flame Emperor’s life away.
– Crack! Thud. –
Just as the Flame Emperor’s gaze darkened, seemingly ready to meet his end, a bolt of lightning shot out and collided with him. The source of the lightning was Electric Guy.
While he managed to dodge the attack thanks to being thrown aside by Electric Guy, the situation remained grim. Electric Guy himself looked pale, seemingly reaching his limit.
Aqua Shaper smirked mockingly towards the spreading water.
“Hahaha! Such touching camaraderie. What did you two oppose me for, anyway? For an honorable death? To uphold the hero’s pride?”
– Slosh – Slosh~! –
The streams of water gathered into a massive sphere. Within the downpour, Aqua Shaper seemed to exude infinite energy.
– Swoooosh! –
– Flash! –
– Krrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrash! –
The torrents of water poured endlessly, and thunder and lightning struck the atmosphere. Literally, the heavens seemed to be aiding Aqua Shaper.
– Swoosh. –
With unsteady steps, Flame Emperor staggered but eventually managed to rise, his gaze still burning with determination as he faced Aqua Shaper.
“For what………. purpose……….”
– Swish – Thud. –
He staggered into a combat stance. Faint flames rose above his shoulders and head.
“I don’t have………. such a thing……….”
– Boom! –
“Just burning brightly with vigor.”
The blazing enemy fire engulfed Flame Emperor. Like a sacrificial lamb burning its final flame, his entire body was gradually turning pale.
– Crackle! –
Yellow and white sparks filled the Flame Emperor’s side. Electric Guy, wearing a resigned smirk, staggered, and stood tall.
“What reason is there? Haha, because we were told to fight from above…… that’s why we came.”
“Haha, hahaha! How amusing.”
– Krrrrrrrrrrrrrr! –
The water sphere expanded rapidly, morphing into the form of a monstrous creature. Aqua Shaper seemed determined to finish off the two heroes with a deadly blow.
The two heroes squeezed out every last ounce of their magic, preparing for their final stand.
[Stop this at once!]
But fighting wasn’t just about fiery passion. Perhaps cold reason was the sharpest blade for purifying disaster.
Ignoring the sharp communication ringing in his ears, Flame Emperor tried to dismiss it.
“Here… we can retreat…”
– Woooom. –
– Flash! –
The bright light enveloped the two heroes at that moment. When the light disappeared, Flame Emperor and Electric Guy vanished without a trace.
“Hmm?!”
Aqua Shaper looked around in confusion, but there was no sign of them anywhere. Aqua Shaper, who had boosted the morale of the heroes, grimaced as if the heat had dissipated from his expression and clicked his tongue.
“Tsk, damn Hand, is this his doing.”
Unique magical manipulations utilizing restoration talents were something Aqua Shaper had struggled with even in his prime. It seemed like some peculiar trickery was at play once again.
Amidst the pouring rain, Aqua Shaper suddenly soared into the air. In his right hand, the Dragon’s Fury was clenched. He roaring towards the world.
“Bow down, creatures of the peninsula! Tremble in fear, weep!”
– Boom! –
Shockwaves of water scattered in all directions. The damp earth trembled dangerously, seemingly prostrating itself before his might.
“I, Aqua Shaper, have returned!”
– Kwaaaaah! –
– Rollllllll… –
The gigantic water monster slammed into the lake bed. Earthquakes shook the ground, massive amounts of soil were upturned, and the park’s vegetation collapsed.
– Thud. –
He raised the Dragon’s Fury once again, intending to unleash his royal decree. Having even seized control of ancient royal tombs, he feared nothing. Even if the great hero, ‘Sword Emperor’, were to appear, he was confident to retreat from the scene.
– Flash. –
– Crackkkkk! –
Lightning struck, thunder roared. The sky still seemed to bless Aqua Shaper.
“…Hoo.”
As he was about to activate the Dragon’s Fury, he suddenly crossed his arms. The faint figure of a human caught his attention when lightning struck.
Step by step.
Someone walked fearlessly. The man in the black suit raised his head emotionlessly, gazing sharply at Aqua Shaper in the sky.
‘It was already bothering me.’
Aqua Shaper detected no magic from the man. However, wearing a hero suit and coming this far meant he was indeed a hero.
“Are you fearless or just stupid? Chick, look for a reason why I should spare you.”
– Swooosh. –
Aqua Shaper outwardly ignored the man but inwardly remained wary. He might be the association’s wildcard, stepping in for the two S-class heroes.
‘But amidst this downpour, I am invincible.’
Aqua Shaper was confident he could withstand even the combined assault of Sword Emperor and God Hand. Negative energy simmered throughout his body, and the killer’s heart thirsted for slaughter.
– Crackkkkk. –
Heavy thunder crashed down upon the earth.
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– Swoooosh. –
The rain poured like a waterfall. The dry lake bottom flooded, and the wet bodies shivered with cold. It was a miracle they had arrived here safely. I had almost been crushed by the shockwave, my bodies nearly breaking apart.
‘Why am I here?’
Perhaps a sense of hero’s duty emerged in the conversation. Maybe wanting to display authority in any way possible, since I was treated as a special being.
[Thank you. Please hold on]
At that moment, God Hand’s voice whispered in my ear. The voice coming through the communication was hoarse, as if worn out. It seemed like his lifespan was being excessively depleted, for some reason.
‘They are risking their lives.’
That’s what being a hero was about.
Even if it meant risking life and limb for the survival of the vast majority, even if bones were broken and lives were endangered, warriors who faced disasters head-on, whether seen or unseen, bravely fighting against them, were truly worthy of being called ‘heroes’.
“It seems I’m suited for the worst jobs.”
– Crackkk. –
– Swoooosh…. –
– Splash! –
The sky flashed, thunder echoed.
From Aqua Shaper, who absorbed the incessant rainfall, waves of negative energy emitted, revitalizing his skin.
‘It’s too late for regrets now.’
Whether it was the earnest plea of the chairman or the determination of the S-class heroes, my heart was aligned with them.
Right before my eyes stood the villain Aqua Shaper.
‘There’s no room for complacency. It’s better to provoke a big finishing move.’
If the needles of rain aimed at Flame Emperor were launched, it would be instant death. Only by engaging in a head-on battle with the Final Finish did I have a chance of winning.
‘Let’s start by bluffing.’
It was likely that Aqua Shaper, having obtained the Dragon’s Fury from a ancient underground tomb, had declared himself king and manipulated the royal tombs. And many of the ancient artifacts shaped like scrolls contained secrets leading to the Rift, one of the higher dimensions in the Other World.
“Hand over that scroll first. It’s not something suitable for the likes of you.”
“…Do you know the true purpose of the Dragon’s Fury?”
The reaction was beyond expectation. Aqua Shaper seemed extremely interested in the function of the scroll.
He descended to the ground. The approaching figure seemed much larger, emitting a presence unlike any encountered before.
‘Don’t be afraid. If you underestimate me here, you’ll die instantly.’
Cold sweat dripped down his back. His trembling hands clenched into fists.
‘Think. Think of a way to survive.’
– Beep! –
The headache intensified, ringing in my ears. Exerting extreme concentration, my mind sifted through countless scenarios to select the most rational course of action.
As I hesitated, Aqua Shaper threatened.
“You’re lucky. Tell me the secret of the Dragon’s Fury now. You might not know, but I might show mercy.”
“You’re mistaken. Then prove yourself. If you can win in one blow, I might consider your request.”
– Swoosh! –
In an instant, a chilling wave of negative energy surged out, causing a tingling sensation on my skin. It was a close call. My expression almost twisted in pain.
‘It’s time to reveal my momentum.’
Aligning with Aqua Shaper’s fierce negative energy wave, I activated my Final Finish. If I continued not to emit any magical power, the other side might also lose interest.
[Used Final Finish.]
[The next attack is enhanced with the power of a ‘Finishing Blow’.]
A low hum resonated from somewhere in my body. Aqua Shaper’s complexion changed instantly.
“So, you had hidden cards up your sleeve! Very well. Let’s settle this right now!”
The downpour gathered behind Aqua Shaper. The water spheres gradually increased in size until, suddenly, they formed the shape of a giant made of water.
‘His macho temperament is apparent.’
Luck was on my side, allowing me to create the scenario I desired, but the real battle was about to begin.