Chapter 91
Chapter 91
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 91
Chapter Title: Union's Turmoil
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Wake up!
🔔 Ding!
Louise turned off the TV in the hospital room.
No matter what channel she flipped to, it was all the same content.
Critics bashing the Union. Defenders standing up for the Union.
The villains had launched a massive attack and wave of terrorism.
Countless people had died or been injured in the process.
Yet that part was quietly getting buried.
"That's the situation outside. All day yesterday and today. The Union's crumbling, the villains are trying to divert attention to the Union. They're at each other's throats—total chaos."
Louise set down the remote and approached the bed in the hospital room.
"How's your body feeling, Yuna?"
"I'm fine. No major injuries. Honestly, I could discharge right now, but I don't know why they're holding me until tomorrow."
"Probably orders from the higher-ups. In times like these, having heroes injured fighting villains in hospital beds makes for a good image. If you leave right away, it'll spark unnecessary rumors."
Seo Ha-eun must be swamped with the Holy Knight incident.
Jin Seo-ah would prioritize the attack on her family's company first.
For those reasons, Louise had come to visit Kang Yuna.
"The world's in an uproar over the Union."
"Yeah. Everyone's talking about it."
"It's that shocking."
Louise unconsciously bit her lip.
The Union wasn't without its problems.
As a gathering of people, it had faced all sorts of controversies.
There were plenty similar to Korea's power-trip scandals.
Even so, the reason opinions were split now...
Because it was the Union. Despite everything, it was still the 'Union'.
Back in the early days when Ability users first awakened.
Nations around the world faced unprecedented crises from monsters.
They conscripted Awakened indiscriminately.
It was an era of barbarism where nothing was set in stone.
'My grandfather said it felt like Hitler had been resurrected.'
It was the Union that protected the Awakened back then.
It kept nations from intervening in the fight against monsters.
It allowed Awakened to make subjective judgments with their own powers.
Later, it worked to give them the new name of 'heroes'.
The Union's efforts for heroes didn't stop there.
It provided all sorts of conveniences and support so they wouldn't suffer hardships.
Just look at all the companies sponsoring heroes now.
It was the Union that practically begged to make that happen.
Beyond that, support for heroes with permanent disabilities.
Pensions and such for fully retired heroes.
Heroes who protected world peace and citizens' safety.
The Union became the global organization supporting those heroes.
That's why, from people's perspective, the Union existed for good.
It wasn't misunderstanding or misconception—it was a rational conclusion built on clear experience.
'Even when problems arose within the Union, people still supported it. And the Union showed efforts to clean house internally.'
That's precisely why this incident was heating up so intensely.
Union supporters cried out that they must keep believing.
If they disappeared, it'd only benefit the villains.
Every organization has corruption somewhere.
So cut out the rot instead of destroying the whole thing.
Watch and wait rather than excessive attacks.
On the flip side, Union skeptics raged that its true colors had been revealed.
The limits of an organization unchecked by nations were exposed.
A place that once served heroes had become one exploiting them.
This wasn't something to fix—it needed a complete overhaul.
We could always build a new Union!
"What do you think, Louise? About this whole thing."
"The issue with S-Rank Hero Holy Knight can't just be glossed over. Simply... um, how do you say this in Korean? So..."
"You mean it's ordinary?"
"Ah, yes. Thanks, Yuna. The word just slipped my mind. If it were some average hero, maybe, but Holy Knight wielded massive influence in Korea's hero world all this time. And for the Union to have intentionally covered it up? That makes it even bigger."
It was a total mess. Especially here in South Korea.
The country that came to mind first when you thought 'hero'.
The Union absolutely had to maintain its influence here.
Trust could recover with time even if some was lost.
But lose everything, and it'd collapse completely.
"...Louise? Look at this for a sec."
Kang Yuna, checking articles on her phone, held it out.
"Korea Hero Association statement. The Union may have faults, but expulsion from Korea is a completely different matter. It's essential for heroes... Hmm..."
Was that really from the heart?
Or were they saying it after taking something behind the scenes?
The Union had fallen so far that even such suspicions arose.
It could no longer command its former overwhelming trust.
There was only one way to break through the current situation.
The Union and its supporters had to save the world.
'And conveniently, the villains are suddenly causing massive chaos.'
She didn't want to believe it, but it was possible.
Louise thought that as she tapped another article.
"Look at this, Yuna. Other heroes are coming out criticizing the Union now too."
"It won't cause a split among heroes, right?"
"...Unfortunately, I can't say for sure."
Some heroes preferred operating under national command.
Others followed the Union more.
It wasn't just Korea. Louise's home country, England, was the same.
Not just those two. It was a problem everywhere.
The Union had sown so many seeds.
The Hero Academy alone was more than half Union-owned.
Not to mention all the hero-related businesses were Union's.
Nations permitted it since the Union footed the bill.
It was great at first. They managed, Union paid.
But eventually, more pledged loyalty to the Union than the nation.
'People naturally side with whoever gives them what they want.'
Until now, the Union seemed like justice incarnate, so no issue.
But with problems surfacing, things would change.
Thud!
"...Oh."
This wasn't from the Smiling Man.
It was Yushin's exclamation. And quite genuine at that.
'This is surprising.'
The Black Woman's Go skills were somewhere between pro and amateur.
She knew sharp moves but often tripped over her own plays.
Especially when attacks failed, she'd panic.
Yushin had poked those weaknesses to win before.
But today was different. Her offense stalled, yet she didn't crumble.
Instead, she keenly assessed the board and responded with even sharper plays.
"Boss."
"No talking during the game."
"Did something good happen?"
"Something good..."
Of course, Yushin easily blocked the Black Woman's assault.
With her at a disadvantage again, the Black Woman cooled her head and replied.
"These past few days have been quite entertaining, haven't they? The Union's getting thrashed by the public. Heroes fighting among themselves. It's so enjoyable, my Go game's sharper for it."
"I see!"
"Though some idiots ruining the mood with untimely antics are annoying. Can't ruin this delightful play by moving carelessly now."
Wise choice. No gain for the Clan to act now.
They might turn the Union's arrows on themselves.
Just hold out a bit, and they'd fracture and burn on their own.
"It's not far off now."
"..."
"When their divisions peak. When people question heroes' existence. Then they'll finally realize. That the order sustaining the world comes from overwhelming power. Not that flimsy justice nonsense, which can always be dirtied—but power's logic endures."
Don't forget. This woman was a villain too.
Paths might align temporarily, but not forever.
When they diverged, she'd be a major headache.
Should I take her out now? He pondered briefly.
"Why no reply?"
"Ah. It wasn't what I expected."
"Not what you expected?"
"When you said 'not far off', I took it as your defeat wasn't far off?"
The Black Woman's face twitched slightly.
"What do you...?"
"The game's decided. Hahaha!"
Thud!
Seeing Yushin's move, the Black Woman's face froze.
She checked, double-checked, but no. It was hopeless.
She lost. Again. Utterly, despairingly lost!
"You're a real piece of work. If it were hopelessly far, I might not even think it. But just as it seems catchable, you pull away. Think I've closed in, and you widen the gap. No villain's this wicked."
"What a harsh thing to say. Do you know what they call me these days? Not villain—Dark Hero!"
"...Dark Hero? What nonsense. You, a hero? Ridiculous."
"Right? I'm shocked too! Hahaha!"
Oh dear, Boss. That's not even trendy anymore—you should know!
I might switch jobs soon!
Then I might not be able to tell you? Hahaha!!