Prologue

Click! Click! Click!

Dozens of camera flashes went off incessantly.

South Korea's Rank 1 Hero.

Kang Eun-sol, the 'Saint of Silver,' waved at the reporters with a bright smile.

"Hero Kang Eun-sol! Please look over here!"

"What do you think was the key to the success of this villain suppression operation?"

"There has been recent controversy regarding excessive force; could you give us a comment on that?"

Despite the pouring questions, she answered each one calmly with an unwavering smile.

And then.

One reporter raised her hand.

A rookie reporter with her red hair tied back, Han Ji-ah.

"...The number of missing person cases has been steadily increasing over the past few months."

"...Anxiety is growing among citizens that this might be related to villains. How does the Hero Association plan to respond?"

For a moment.

Kang Eun-sol's smile flickered ever so slightly.

"..."

But it was only for an instant.

Soon, as if nothing had happened, she wore a gentle smile again.

"The Association is also keeping a close eye on the matter."

"We will take responsibility and investigate to the end so that citizens can live in peace."

"You do not need to be overly anxious about unconfirmed rumors."

It was a perfect answer.

The press conference concluded with applause, and Kang Eun-sol entered the Hero Association building, leaving the reporters' gazes behind.

The moment the elevator doors closed.

Her smile vanished without a trace.

---

Conference Room.

South Korea's Rank 2 through Rank 5 heroes were already seated.

Kang Eun-sol sat down quietly and looked around at everyone.

"...A warning has come down from the higher-ups."

"...Public perception of us hasn't been good lately."

"...Everyone, watch your behavior from now on."

A moment of silence.

Cha Do-yoon chuckled.

"...I don't think you're in a position to worry about others."

Kang Eun-sol's gaze turned toward Cha Do-yoon.

"...What does that mean?"

"Well."

"It's just funny hearing that from the person who causes the biggest accidents."

Thud!!

Kang Eun-sol's hand slammed onto the conference table.

"...Watch your mouth, Cha Do-yoon."

Cha Do-yoon smirked mockingly, but in the end, he couldn't meet her eyes.

Kang Eun-sol turned her gaze.

"...Kwon Tae-hyuk."

"...I heard you seriously injured the junior heroes again."

Kwon Tae-hyuk replied calmly.

"...If they are weak, they get hurt."

"...That is all."

"...That is no excuse."

A brief silence.

"...I will be careful."

It was a short reply.

Next was Seo Ha-rin.

"...Seo Ha-rin."

"...A report came in that you executed surrendered villains on the spot."

Seo Ha-rin jumped up from her seat.

"They are villains!"

"If we leave them alive, they'll just kill someone else!"

"We have to kill them when we can!"

"...How is that wrong?"

"...Quiet."

The conference room froze again.

"Stopping villains is a hero's duty."

"But you are crossing the line."

"...Make sure no more controversy arises."

Seo Ha-rin gritted her teeth and bowed her head.

"...Understood."

Finally, Kang Eun-sol looked at Yoon Ga-eul.

"...Yoon Ga-eul."

"...Nothing to say?"

Yoon Ga-eul was silent for a moment.

"...Nothing."

"...I'm sorry."

With that one sentence, she bowed her head again.

"...The meeting is over."

"Everyone, return to your duties."

The conference room doors closed one by one.

Kang Eun-sol was left alone in the large room.

She looked down out the window.

"..."

A brief silence.

"...Hero."

She smiled bitterly.

"...What an unfitting title."