Prologue

Click! Click! Click!

Dozens of camera flashes went off incessantly.

South Korea's Rank 1 Hero.

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

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

"What do you think was the key factor in 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 red hair tied back, Han Ji-ah.

"...Missing person cases have 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 wavered ever so slightly.

"..."

But it was only for a split second.

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 ended 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.

Heroes ranked 2nd to 5th in South Korea 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, be careful with your actions 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 do you 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 words, 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."

Silence for a moment.

"...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 let them live, they'll just kill someone else!"

"We must kill them when we can!"

"...Why 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 ends here."

"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 moment of silence.

"...Hero."

She smiled bitterly.

"...What an unfitting title."