Chapter 38: A Mature Plan

*Gimpo Airport, Korea*

A private jet had just touched down, humming softly as its engines powered off. The cabin door opened with a hiss, extending a small metal staircase to the tarmac.

The first person to step out was Edgar. He descended the stairs with a wide grin stretching across his face, the kind of grin that screamed trouble and raw excitement. The moment his boots hit the ground, he stretched his arms above his head, cracking his back loudly.

“Ahhh… Finally, we’re here. I was getting bored waiting inside that thing.”

Behind him, the next passenger appeared—Griffon. Calm, composed, and as cold as ever.

“Relax, muscle-for-brains,” Griffon said, adjusting his black sunglasses. “We’re in a foreign country. Try not to do anything stupid.”

Edgar shot him a glare so sharp it could cut steel.

“Huh? You got the guts to give me orders now, four-eyes bastard?”

Hearing that, Griffon paused mid-step. A vein throbbed near his temple.

“Say one more word, and I’ll gouge those eyes of yours out.”

“Hah? As if you could. You wanna fight right now!?”

“Oh, trust me—I’d love to. It’s been a while since I’ve beaten you to a pulp. I’d enjoy seeing you lying helpless again.”

Their auras surged instantly—Edgar’s dark purple and Griffon’s pale blue—colliding like two storms clashing above a battlefield. The ground beneath them cracked, small shards of asphalt lifting from the pressure alone.

Before they could explode into an all-out fight, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

“Stop.”

It was Ji-hye—Lightnova. Wearing a black suit, her cold eyes locked onto the two S-rankers like a hawk watching misbehaving children.

“Stop whatever you’re doing. Civilians are watching. There are children here.”

Edgar turned to her, expression twisting into annoyance, as if being scolded by someone beneath him.

Griffon exhaled.

“She’s right. We’re here to capture a villain, not start a fight.”

Edgar let out a short huff.

“Fine. I’ll let it slide this time.”

Both men walked past Ji-hye. Edgar, being Edgar, intentionally bumped his shoulder against hers as he passed. Ji-hye stumbled half a step, startled.

’What the hell was that…?

Ugh. This is already going to be a problem.’

*Hero Association Korea Branch – Conference Room*

Ji-hye sat across from Griffon, with Edgar beside him—arms crossed, face twisted with annoyance. Several A-rank heroes were also present, and at the end of the round table sat the Korean Director.

The atmosphere was suffocating.

The Director wiped cold sweat from his temples and forced a smile, though it was clear he was terrified. The combined aura of the three S-rank heroes felt like someone pressing a blade against his throat.

He cleared his throat.

“Ahem… So, the reason you two were dispatched here is because of Indigo, correct?”

Griffon nodded. “Yes. Our Director sent us because Indigo murdered a high-ranking American official.”

Before he could continue, Edgar clicked his tongue and interrupted.

“This country is pathetic. You can’t even stop one low-tier villain.”

“Edgar. Watch your tone,” Griffon snapped. “This is Korea, not America.”

“What? I’m just stating facts. This tiny country only has one S-rank hero. That should be enough to catch one weak villain—but you still fail every time.”

The Director’s face fell. Because… Edgar wasn’t entirely wrong.

Korea only had one S-rank hero. Meanwhile, the number of S-rank villains kept increasing—dangerously so. The situation was becoming catastrophic.

Many heroes had defected to the villain side after the former Korean Director embezzled hero salaries for personal luxuries. Recruitment plummeted. Hope plummeted. The Korean Hero Association was now officially the poorest in the world.

The A-rank heroes lowered their heads, unable to argue against Edgar’s harsh words.

Suddenly—

BANG!

Ji-hye slammed both hands on the table and stood up, her blue eyes icy with fury.

“Watch your mouth before I erase you from existence.”

Her aura surged, chilling the entire room. Chairs rattled. Papers fluttered like trapped birds.

Edgar stood up immediately.

“You? A rookie S-rank? Don’t get cocky. You only became S-rank a few months ago.”

This time Griffon didn’t intervene. Even he sensed this wasn’t something he could stop.

Before things spiraled further, the Korean Director stood and bowed deeply—a full 90 degrees.

“I’m sorry. This is our failure… Korea has become disgraceful due to one man’s corruption. But please—help us. We’re doing everything we can to stabilize the Association, but for now… I, as the Director of Korea’s Hero Association, beg you… Please lend us your strength. Just this once…”

Ji-hye stared at him, stunned.

She had never imagined the Director—usually firm and dignified—would bow like this to foreign heroes.

“Please…”

Griffon and Edgar exchanged glances.

After a long sigh, both sat back down—Ji-hye followed.

“Fine,” Griffon said. “We’re here for the same villain anyway.”

“So. What’s the plan?”

The Director looked at Ji-hye and gave a small nod.

Ji-hye stood and walked toward the whiteboard.

“Ahem… As someone who has fought Indigo several times, I’ve come up with a few strategies.”

She uncapped a marker and began writing.

*Plan A*

“This is the plan if Indigo doesn’t bring any of his allies. If he appears alone and takes civilians hostage, your priority is to save the hostages. A-rank heroes will focus only on that. I, along with the two S-rank heroes here, will draw Indigo’s attention.”

*Plan B*

“This plan is for when Indigo brings his companions.”

The A-rank heroes stiffened.

“As you all know, Indigo’s allies are also S-rank. Fighting them is extremely dangerous.”

She pointed at the first name.

1. Windra

“If Windra comes, the first thing you must avoid is her tornado.

Do NOT—under any circumstance—attempt to tank it. You will be obliterated instantly.”

She let that sink in before continuing.

“I’ll handle Windra. The two S-rankers will focus on Indigo. Everyone else saves the hostages. You must be fast—Plan B is high-risk.”

Ji-hye took a breath and wrote the second name.

2. Thunderwitch

“She’s the second most dangerous after Indigo. She’s extremely fast. Even I’m not confident fighting her alone.”

She looked at Edgar.

“So, Edgar will assist me against Thunderwitch. Griffon will hold Indigo back. The other heroes rescue civilians.”

The A-rank heroes exchanged frustrated glances.

So we still can’t fight…

Are we really that useless…?

“Understood,” Griffon said calmly.

Then Edgar raised his hand.

“Yes, Edgar?”

He leaned back casually.

“So… am I allowed to kill the villains?”

Silence struck the room like lightning.

Everyone froze—the Director, the heroes, even Ji-hye.

No one knew how to answer.

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