The Nobody Hero
"Alright, let's summarize the situation."
"Y-yes, sir...!"
Lee Seoha's shoulders visibly hunched at the heavy voice of the Korean Hero Association president. It would have been weirder if a mere B-rank hanger-on like her wasn't tense, sitting alone with the guy she only ever saw on the news.
"No need to be so tense, Nova. The investigation's already wrapped up."
"Th-that's true, but... Ah, yes! I'll do my best!"
"Heh, goodness."
The president chuckled heartily, as if to ease her nerves, then continued in a softer tone.
"Anyway, the villain group that ambushed the escort yesterday calls themselves Deviant, and the man who seemed to be their leader introduced himself as Sigma, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
As soon as the president got to the point, Seoha's dazed expression sharpened into focus.
"All the CCTV, including the black boxes, went dead, so we couldn't get a clear look at their faces or builds. But you and the other escort teams reported getting hit by villains that looked like animals armed with mechanical devices. Circumstantially, it has to be the same group."
"They attacked other teams besides ours?"
"Yes. He showed up alone, overwhelmed every hero, checked the container contents, and vanished."
Deep wrinkles furrowed the president's brow.
"We expected him to be strong since he took down A-rank heroes, but knocking out an S-rank in one hit—and walking away unscathed from a max-power strike? And there aren't just six more like him... Hah..."
Seeing the president sigh, Seoha recalled Flare collapsed in a pool of blood. Fortunately, her life wasn't in danger, but her condition had been so critical she was still hospitalized. Hearing she'd be discharged within the week made Seoha think of visiting—maybe bring her sister Ha-eun along.
"For now, we won't leak the news about Flare going down. If word gets out that villains who can drop an S-rank showed up in droves, the public will panic."
"A wise decision, sir."
"Right. And... that goes for you too."
"..."
Seoha swallowed hard, her face saying the moment had arrived.
"The Oparts from that escort—they're bound to you now?"
"...I'm sorry, President."
"No need to apologize. If anything, it's a relief they didn't fall into villain hands."
As the president said, an Opart in villain clutches would be catastrophic. The stronger ones were best strictly isolated, but if circumstances didn't allow, smashing them or letting a hero use them was preferable.
"Honestly, I couldn't believe it at first, but you transformed and showed us that power firsthand. No denying it now."
"Ahaha..."
Seoha gave an awkward laugh, remembering her demo transformation with the Core Relic in front of the officials.
"Normally, we'd reclaim it, but it still won't come off?"
"I'd like that too, but it won't budge at all."
Seoha shook her head, showing off the black metal bracelet embedded with a blue gem on her wrist. At that moment, a sharp voice echoed in her mind.
'Hmph, you're the first compatible host I've found in ages—think I'll let you go that easily? Want rid of me? Bring someone cooler than you!'
"Nngh... It says it'll let go if I bring another compatible host."
"Hmm, can't hear it myself, but it has a will of its own. Core Relic Stella, was it? Boosting a B-rank like you straight to S-rank or beyond. If the villains had snatched it, we'd be in deep trouble."
The president eyed the Stella on her wrist with keen interest.
"Anyway, the government and Association have decided to entrust it to you for the time being."
"I-is that okay?"
"What choice do we have? It picks its own master. Force it off, and it'll just rot in a lab corner. Better with a hero like you—we always welcome more strong heroes."
Only after his firm endorsement did Seoha's face brighten.
"That said, we need research on it, so drop by the Association occasionally for data scans."
"Of course! Just call, and I'll be there anytime!"
"Mm."
The president smiled contentedly at her eager reply.
No matter how much I scoured the breaking news and articles, there was nothing about what I wanted to hear.
The headlines were all about wrecked facilities and the Association patting themselves on the back. I slammed the tablet down and clawed at my hair.
"──Why the hell is there no mention of Nova?!"
SNS and communities turned up zilch on her too. She was the only hero who stood her ground against our kitties till the end while the others dropped or fled. They hound celebrities' private lives with paparazzi for pointless details, but skip Nova's heroics entirely? Unbelievable.
"No way the media just glosses over this. Must be the Association? Those bastards are jealous of our Nova's spotlight and buried it!"
"As if."
Makina chimed in with a pathetic look, munching potato chips from the side.
"Think about it. You fried all the CCTV and black boxes—no evidence. Then some no-name B-rank turns Opart into a transformation and chases off villains who one-shot an S-rank? Who'd buy that? Even I'm still wrapping my head around it—good luck selling to the public."
"Gah, was being too thorough the problem? And don't call her a no-name!"
"Did I lie?"
Her sticking out her tongue and crunching chips pissed me off, but I had no comeback. I'd nuked the surveillance to avoid showing myself to anyone but Nova, but it backfired—her rep stayed buried.
To make Nova this world's true protagonist, she needs not just lucky breaks and power, but the fame to match. Me yelling "Our Nova's the protagonist!" all day won't convince the masses. To them, she's still some "Was there a hero like that?" B-rank nobody they'd have to database-search.
Like hell I'd let the girl I picked as protagonist get that treatment.
"Heh, need evidence, huh?"
I'm an introvert who hates crowds—cameras especially—but to shove it in Tanaka-kun's face, I'll play the clown gladly. Not like I'm squeezing into some embarrassing tights yelling about justice. Acting like the maddest bastard alive? I can manage.
"Alright, let's show the public proper. Nova the hero stopping Villain Sigma and Deviant."
"Figures, villain suits your face. Born for it."
"Shut it."
This brat always yaps about my looks. Wanted to flick her forehead, but she'll suffer plenty on the next plan, so I'll let it slide.
"Okay then, Makina. Next plan—urgk...!"
I was about to declare it confidently when a bizarre sensation drained all strength from my body. Vision spun, I lost balance, and face-planted on the cold floor.
"J-Jinwoo! What's wrong?! Hey!!"
Maybe from our time together, she ditched her chips the second I dropped, frantically checking me. Her pale face and teary worry was cute—I'd pet her head if I could, but not even a finger twitched.
"Ugh... Overdid the powers, huh."
Made sense on reflection. Core Relics plus Resonating animals to spy on Nova nonstop. I'd held out this long—miracle.
Wanted to plot the next round, but my body's wrecked. Forced rest it is.
"Anyway, I'm crashing. Handle the rest."
"The rest? What?!"
Wanted to explain calmly to her confused face, but no time. At my limit, the powers auto-released.
Ziiiiiing──!!
"Wh-what... Guys, why... Kids?!"
Resonance snapped—the freedom-hungry Core Relics broke free. Predictable chaos.
"Gyaah! Why the rampage?! Calm down!!!"
House turned into pandemonium—worse than hell. Heh, but I reinforced the windows with shatterproof glass ahead, so no escapes.
Probably.
"Waaah! You jerk, Jinwoo!! How am I supposed to handle them alone!!!"
Sorry, Makina. Quick nap, then back. You've done it once in the capsule—twice ain't hard.
Her screams faded as consciousness slipped away, pulling me into deep sleep.