Do You Need Power?
"Get lost, human."
"I... I can't..."
The mysterious lion villain had appeared out of nowhere, turning this bridge into hell in an instant. Overwhelmed by its sheer power, Nova trembled in terror. The predatory aura gleaming from the beast's eyes wasn't just a physical threat—it felt like it was crushing her very soul.
But even so, she didn't back down. The S-rank hero Flare, whom she'd thought invincible, had already been defeated. Heroes stronger or more experienced than Nova, even her reliable senior Spark, had long since fled. She didn't blame them. That monster wasn't something anyone could fight with human logic.
So even if she ran, even if she failed the mission, no one would condemn her. Fleeing with death breathing down her neck was closer to a creature's instinct.
Yet Nova forced strength into her shaking legs and held her ground stubbornly.
"Heh. You're shivering like a leaf, but you're trying to protect the Opats? Risking your life for a hunk of metal?"
"Opats or whatever... that doesn't... matter."
Right now, the escort target meant nothing to Nova. No matter what was inside that metal container or how valuable it was, it was lighter than dust compared to what she had to protect in this moment. There was only one thing that mattered to her.
"Ugh... it hurts..."
"Save me..."
"Huff... huff..."
It was the safety of the injured scattered across the ground from the earlier bombardment. Thankfully, no one seemed to have died instantly, but with crushed legs or impaled by debris, they couldn't move. Nova was the only one left to protect them. If even she turned away, that merciless lion's claws would surely crush these fragile lives.
"A hero... can't abandon the people they have to protect...!"
"Kuh... kuheheh! Kahahaha! You? Protect those?"
As if it found the idea absurd, the lion let out a scraping, metallic laugh. Its massive mechanical mane vibrated faintly, emitting a chilling metallic screech. The lion wore an expression of cruel delight, savoring the torment of its prey before the kill.
"Fine, then. Let's see how long your pathetic convictions hold up."
With that, the lion swung its forepaw. A fist larger than Nova's head tore through the air, shooting toward her in an instant. She dodged almost on instinct, jerking her head aside. But it was the same strike that had sent an S-rank hero flying—one so powerful that even without direct contact, the mere wind pressure sliced across her body like a blade.
"Kuh!"
It barely grazed her, yet the shock rattled her organs. What kind of unreasonable power was this? Nova lost her balance for a moment and scrambled to recover, but it was too late.
"Ah..."
Facing the massive fist hurtling toward her again, Nova realized she couldn't dodge. Reflexively, she crossed her arms into a guard. Dodging the first attack had been a miracle; she couldn't hope for luck twice.
BOOM──!
An impact impossible for flesh produced a deafening roar. Like Flare before her, Nova's body launched into the air. The shock pierced to her bones, her vision flashing white.
But unlike the others, she didn't fly off the bridge. Instead, she slammed into the container cargo behind her and didn't go far.
"Kuhuk...!"
A single blow. Her guarded arms hung limp, bones shattered beyond sensation. Her body felt like lead, refusing to move. Something on her head had split open—hot liquid trickled down, staining her vision red. No, even before that, the world spun, her sight blurring.
This was far worse than the wrestler-masked villain from before— incomparably more severe.
Thud──.
Thud──.
The lion approached slowly. The grating scrape of metal on asphalt sounded like the footsteps of the grim reaper. Nova sensed death closing in.
"Gotta... protect the people..."
Nova mumbled through the blood pooling in her mouth. The lion sneered at her concern for others even in this state.
"But here's the thing. There are no humans left here for you to protect."
"...What?"
Nova rolled her trembling eyes, scanning around. It was baffling. The people who'd been writhing in agony moments ago were gone. As if they'd never existed, vanished like smoke, leaving only screams and the scent of blood.
Did the villain do this? Terror surged, but the lion's next words were crueler.
"The ones you thought you were protecting abandoned you and fled. What a pitiful, foolish hero."
Nova blanked out for a moment, but soon a strange relief filled her chest. No resentment, no betrayal—just gratitude.
...Everyone got away safely. Thank goodness.
Some had crushed legs—how they'd vanished without a trace in that instant defied logic. But with her head swimming from blood loss, Nova was satisfied that no one else had died.
Hehe... Jina-unnie. I... I held out till the end...
As if mocking Spark's words that B-ranks like them could do nothing, Nova's blood-smeared face curved into a faint smile. Pride swelled in her: she'd held the field after an S-rank fell. Her body was wrecked, not even a finger twitching, but in this moment, she felt more heroic than anyone.
"You're a weird one. Laughing on the brink of death. Are you insane?"
Unable to comprehend, the lion mocked her. Its massive shadow loomed, swallowing Nova whole. She'd steeled for death, but now, on the verge, regrets crashed like waves.
Why am I so weak? I wanted to get stronger. Strong enough to save more people, to cure Ha-eun's illness completely.
Oh right... if I die, what happens to Ha-eun?
Heroes who died on duty got massive condolence payments for their families. That should keep Ha-eun from being evicted from the hospital for now. But could her sister survive this harsh world alone?
Sorry, Ha-eun. I promised we'd go to the aquarium once you're better. Looks like this worthless sister can't keep it. Sorry... so sorry...
I don't want to die...
The lion raised its heavy forepaw high. Nova breathed raggedly but met its eyes to the end.
I want to live...! I want stronger power...!
Her desperate yearning for life peaked.
FWOOOOOSH──!
From the dented container behind her, a blinding light erupted, searing the eyes.
"──?!"
The lion halted its attack, recoiling. The light from the cold metal pile writhed like a living thing, enveloping Nova. A pillar of holy radiance pierced the chill bridge.
No time for questions. A dry, mechanical voice echoed not just in Nova's mind, but deep in her soul.
『──Do you need power?』
It wasn't mere hallucination—a procedural query. Nova clung to her fading consciousness and answered instinctively.
"Yes. Power to defeat villains, to protect everyone."
The voice shifted tone, grumbling reluctantly.
『......Haa. Honestly, you're severely lacking as a compatible user. But fine, that look in your eyes passes muster.』
"...Huh? What was that...?"
Nova mumbled blankly, but the voice cut her off irritably.
『Nothing. Shut up and accept it. Synchronization with you is complete!』
> Compatibility confirmed.
> Core Relic-Stella startup protocol initiated.
With that declaration, the Opats—the Core Relic—inside the container vibrated wildly, reacting.
Whiiiirrr──!
A vortex of dazzling light engulfed the entire bridge. Nova's scream drowned in the thrill of energy surging through her. Her broken arms cracked back into place, wounds sealing without trace. The pain squeezing her heart vanished; her blurry vision sharpened impossibly.
It felt like every cell in her body was reborn. Stunned by the unfamiliar yet immense power coursing through her, Nova stared at her hands.
"...My body?"
As Nova reeled from the sudden change, the lion watching from afar vibrated its mane and burst into booming laughter.
"Kahahahaha! This is surprising! To think a weakling like you would be chosen by a Core Relic!"
"Core... Relic?"
Nova repeated the unfamiliar term blankly. Come to think of it, that voice had called itself a Core Relic—the true name of the Opats in the container?
But no time for reverie.
Grrrrr.
The lion bared its teeth, growling low. The earlier mockery gone, it burned with fighting spirit. Its massive mechanical paw scraped asphalt, sparking flames.
"Let's see how strong that Core Relic has made you. I'll test you personally! Don't disappoint me!"