A Hero's Special Training Day (2) — Training. — I'll Teach You How to Use Your Powers.
Villain No. 13's words left Club flustered. The sheer absurdity of it was beyond comprehension. Training? A villain training her, a hero? And how the hell would he even do that? It was ridiculous, infuriating.
What the hell was this guy even saying?
But No. 13 continued with a straight face, no hint of a joke. "From the start, Club, you've barely been using your powers properly. Your mana control is sloppy too. No idea where you learned it, but you're the first hero I've seen handling mana that crudely."
"...Tch...."
She wanted to snap back, to argue. If this were the old Club, she'd have flung a coin at his skull and stormed out in a huff. But not now. She couldn't harm him or defy his orders. No choice but to listen.
"...So? You're going to teach me how to use them right?"
That grumbled retort was the most rebellion she could muster. No. 13 nodded eagerly in response.
"Of course. Why point it out if I wasn't going to? I'll completely overhaul your power usage in a single day."
He boasted with overflowing confidence. Club couldn't fathom his intentions or verify his claims—she could only shoot him suspicious, wary glares.
And so, their slightly altered day began. Training with No. 13 commenced.
"That's all for the briefing. Any questions?"
In the 7th Squad base of the Hero Association, the conference room buzzed faintly as the squad's heroes sat around a massive table, ears tuned to Captain Rahe's steady voice from the head seat.
Today's agenda was critical: a dangerous villain organization recently escalating to direct assaults on heroes.
The villain group Lesserat. Designated A-rank threat. Not just the 7th Squad—headquarters had mobilized other units too, all on high alert for their hunt. Fresh intel had just come via the hotline to HQ.
"As I explained, that's the overview."
"We've pinpointed several Lesserat hideouts and identified key members."
"The 7th will link up with the 3rd and 5th for a sudden raid."
"I'll detail the op now—memorize your roles, and manage your condition carefully."
Rahe's calm yet weighty tone drew solemn affirmations from every participating member.
Lesserat was a perilous bunch. In this nation slowly reclaiming peace, everyone agreed they'd become a real threat someday. Prophecy-specialized Awakeners at HQ had foretold it, and investigations since had unearthed mounting evidence and proof.
Yesterday evening, they'd locked down several strongholds, including their main base. Not just locations—they'd uncovered plans for an escape via smuggling ship tonight.
Ideally, they'd wait, refine forces and plans for a perfect strike. But the enemy wouldn't oblige.
Thus, the 7th and other ready squads mobilized the very next day to hit the sites.
P City, adjacent to the sea—its port container yard. Amid towering stacks of heavy containers, gunfire, shouts, and clashes of violence echoed everywhere.
Officially a freight loading firm, this spot had been exposed by sharp Hero Association minds as a hub for illegal imports and exports. Big operation, brazenly fronted as legit trade... right near the capital region.
Spade, on site, sighed involuntarily. Bold or brainless?
"—Can't tell if you're clever or just stupid, huh? Get it?"
"Guh... urgh...!!"
Her casual lament made the villain before her gnash teeth in rage. Hands braced on the ground, he summoned sharp ice spikes from his palms, lunging at her like a barrage to shred flesh.
Spade scoffed pityingly at the ferocious assault, then stomped—her steel-reinforced boot sole shattering the ice cluster in one go.
Krunch!
That was it. One kick turned his full-power strike into worthless trash.
"Surrender."
"...!"
"Or I'll just beat you senseless and drag you off."
"Fuck... heroes... HERRROOOES!!!"
Prone, he pounded the concrete with frail fists till they bled—anger at Spade and the raiding heroes outweighing the pain.
He should be grateful, though. The heroes were scattered, each tackling Lesserat goons. If he'd faced Check or Coco instead... it'd have been brutal.
She's at least kindly urging surrender.
Be thankful to me.
Not that it'd convince him.
Step... step... Spade advanced on the villain, still spawning shaky ice pillars. He glared bloodshot eyes, firing ice chunks or toppling pillars to intercept—but krunch! Crash! They crumbled harmlessly against her enhanced body.
Wrong matchup for him. Fine ability for petty crime, useless against higher tiers.
Spade knew another ice-user Awakener—their storms were disaster-level, untouchable even reinforced. Worlds apart from this hack.
"That's your limit with half-assed power, villain. Face it and surrender. ...I don't wanna get rough."
Step... Towering over him like vermin, Spade repeated:
"You're Lesserat's leader, right? Surrender quietly."
Crack. Mana-charged stomp spiderwebbed the concrete. Defy me, and your skull cracks like this.
The villain glared up resentfully. "No way... no way this happens... no..."
Incomprehension etched his face—at failing to block her, at heroes steamrolling them.
"This... this is Captain Rahe's power."
"Beyond an A-rank like you—the ultimate ability... so why...?"
What the hell? Claiming kinship to revered Rahe over ice? Just because? Equating himself to the true strongest hero?
"No point talking. You're deranged."
His baseless arrogance killed Spade's patience for parley. Break limbs, drag like luggage. Yeah. Club's kidnapping had her pissed anyway—time to vent.
As she closed in—
Chill...!
"...?"
A spine-tingling shiver. Neck prickling, hairs standing. No time to think—she looked up.
Whiiirrr!!
Splat...!
Gloved hand snatched the incoming round.
"What...?!?"
Instinct alone; reason lagged. Her grip burned fiercely.
Sniper...!
Unclenching her spasming fist, a spent rubber bullet dropped. Mana-free hand would've shredded. Still, the impact was monstrous.
"...!"
Spade leaped behind a container stack, footfall cratering another rubber round into the ground.