Chapter 009
Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 009
Hologram Training Center.
It costs millions of won per hour to use.
However, it offers invaluable experience for heroes through realistic training scenarios.
Only the special first squad, including Hwang Man-deuk, seo Eun-ha, Gil-seong, and Yeo Jin-soo, usually undergo this training about once a month.
‘Efficiency might drop.’
but negative status effects are hanging all over the clan and its members. Sadly, the growth rate of heroes belonging to the Harmony Clan has drastically reduced.
Even after completing strenuous missions and undergoing costly training, they gain little experience. That’s why managing the stress of the members is important.
Well, for these reasons, I came to the center today instead of the headquarters.
“Ah…! Yo, you’re here. Ha, haha.”
Training observation room.
A coach hired by the Harmony Clan awkwardly greeted me. I gave a brief nod and sat down.
I’ve looked into the staff’s backgrounds a bit, and this guy was disgracefully kicked out from his previous clan for harassing trainees.
He seems mediocre in terms of skill and connections, so I plan to find a new coach within this month.
It might be a bit hard for him to find a new job, but to normalize the clan, I have no choice but to let such people go one by one.
It would be problematic if something erupted and tarnished the clan’s renewed image.
[Applying Mode]
Beyond the reinforced glass.
I saw the members raising their gear. The training was about to start.
“Here’s the curriculum.”
“Yes.”
I skimmed through a detailed report outlining the members’ one-month training schedule, objectives, and completion rates.
Basic weight training, position-specific special training, simulated disaster training, holographic combat, etc. It looked like they were carrying out standard hero training without a hitch.
‘I guess right now only Jin-soo specializes meaningfully in circuits.’
Magic Circuit Specialization.
A unique hero cultivation system for the old hands of Clan of Heroes.
In this world, heroes use ‘Magic Circuits’ developed in their neural networks to wield their abilities. Depending on their training direction, heroes can ascend entirely different magic circuit skill trees.
Think of it like skill trees in RPG games.
When this skill tree is maximized, even the name of the awakening can change.
However, if you recklessly disable ‘Auto-Training’ and fiddle with a hero’s circuit, you could waste money without being able to use it effectively in missions. Therefore, most users inevitably opt for ‘Auto-Training’.
Unless you’re a veteran who’s a master at hero cultivation, you end up missing out on various survival and attack mechanisms. Sadly, spirited light users often had to splurge 39,900 won on ‘Magic Circuit Redistribution Tickets’ while holding back tears.
[Vitality Amplification +50%]
[Berserk Trait]
[Flexibility Trait]
[Critical Power Trait]
…
…
[Mode Application Complete]
[Starting Combat]
During the time I was reviewing the concept of magic circuits, the training began.
The combat opponent is a hologram troll.
A flash of light filled the air, and something took shape like a 3D print.
Pointy fangs, bulging eyes, and a massive frame with blue skin… it was an incredibly menacing monster.
‘The visuals are really something.’
Even though it looked terrible, I opened my eyes wide.
I hadn’t seen it properly last time due to the chaos, how the members were performing.
Thump- Thump- Thump- Thump-
– Smash! –
Hero Hwang Man-deuk.
His talent is categorized as Combat Area – Transformation.
A bruiser-type hero born with the magical circuit of “Material and Shape Transformation.”
His talent is called “Beastification”.
He, who will someday grow into the king of beasts, transformed into a 3-meter-tall bear-man and took the troll’s body slam head-on.
‘Wow.’
– Smash! –
The werebear, who was pushed back while grinding against the ground, lowered his posture and charged, attempting to strike at the troll’s rear. But the troll maintained its balance with strong muscle power and flexibility, and in return, attempted to snap Hwang Man-deuk’s neck with a headlock.
– Crack! –
The sword strike that cut the troll’s Achilles tendon happened just then.
Hero Yeo Jin-soo.
Her talent is categorized as Combat Area – Physical.
Born with a simple yet destructive magical circuit that allows her to train her “Swordsmanship” to the extreme, she’s a melee skirmisher.
Her natural talent is “Way of the Sword.”
‘Jin-soo is doing great!’
My fists clenched with power. My heart was filled with heat.
The marvelous sight of a relatively small human facing off against a gigantic monster was awe-inspiring in itself.
– Thump.
–
The quick sword of the boy, who would later be called the Sword Saint, brought down the troll.
– Bang! –
Immediately after, a single bullet lodged into the troll’s head.
At the beginning of the bullet’s trajectory was Hero Gil-seong, who barely passed 150 cm, loading his sniper rifle that was even bigger than himself.
‘That guy has the most unique setting.’
His talent is categorized as extremely rare: Combat Area – Realization.
A long-range pure damage dealer who embodies the high technology of the ancient civilization ‘Terra’, which exists in science fiction.
His natural talent is ‘Aspirant’.
Hero Gil-seong, who aspires to the mysterious female hero ‘Magical Girl Lirika’ appearing in his dreams, will soon copy her technology as well. His magical bullets consecutively targeted the troll’s weak points.
– Bang! Bang! Smash! –
“Krurum… Krraa!”
The troll, which had momentarily lost consciousness, restored even its brain functions due to its outrageous regenerative abilities.
The battle was suffocating.
‘Guys, hang in there!’
I wholeheartedly cheered for the members in my heart. I wanted to shout orders, ignoring all decorum.
– Smash! –
– Slash! –
– Boom! –
While the half-human, half-beast Hwang Man-deuk was using his massive body to stop the troll’s charge, Yeo Jin-soo’s sword cut through its blue flesh, and Gil-seong’s explosive bullets stuck into its blue skin and exploded.
A scorching combo attack unleashed upon the monster.
And yet it held on, thanks to its robust vitality and persistent regenerative ability.
Though the training room was filled with noise, the battle had reached a deadlock.
– Roar.
–
It was several dozen seconds later that it was the turn of the supporter who had been closing her eyes in the far back, hero Seo Eun-ha.
‘Good timing.’
The troll, which boasts tight skin and regenerative abilities, has to be taken down by concentrating explosive damage in a short period.
Otherwise, if you fight carelessly, you’ll just waste stamina and be devoured by a troll that’s in the same condition as 10 minutes ago.
[Seo Eun-ha used ‘Radiant Surge’.]
[The heroes’ combat power has temporarily skyrocketed.]
Hero Seo Eun-ha.
Her talent is categorized as Combat Area – Manipulation.
She’s a healing and buff-type supporter who uses a special power called ‘Radiance’, allowed only in her family.
Her natural talent is ‘Sacrifice’.
She emits dazzling radiance at the cost of her own strength, selflessly empowering her teammates.
– Crack! –
– Zap-zap-zap. =
= Boom! =
The members wrapped in brilliance exhibited a performance that surpassed multiple levels.
The troll, whose limbs were pinned by the gigantic teddy bear, fully exposed itself to the dealers’ attacks. Its strong arms and legs were severed and dismembered, and its organs burst due to the explosives.
Kuhhh…
Swoooosh.
The troll collapsed to the ground. Its blue-skinned body seemed drained of life, slowly disintegrating into light and vanishing.
Soon after, a monotonous announcement indicated the end of the training.
[You have defeated the monster.]
[Combat has ended.]
“Hoo, they all fought well, didn’t you? Haha, hard work pays off.”
The coach subtly praised his own contributions. After calming my excitement, I casually agreed with him and then asked about Yeo Jin-soo.
Specializing in magical circuits wasn’t something that could be attempted at any time.
“How has Jin-soo been doing these days?”
“Ah… are you talking about Yeo Jin-soo? As you can see, yes. He’s lighter on his feet, and his reflexes are much better than when I first saw him—”
“I meant to ask about Jin-soo’s mental state.”
“Ah! He’s adapting well. I heard he’s been attending the hospital regularly. However, he has sometimes shown symptoms of panic attacks during training. About once a month. But even that has improved. Haha.”
“I see.”
I was conflicted. Could Yeo Jin-soo keep up with high-intensity training aimed at specific magical circuits?
‘It’s demanding, but the returns are high.’
Yeo Jin-soo is a hero by default, suffering from depression and panic disorder.
He witnessed his parents being victimized by monsters during his childhood, had a miserable youth in an orphanage, discovered his talent, and debuted as a pro-hero at just 14.
If raised well, there’s no better melee dealer.
I should at least start building up the theory.
Our eyes met through the reinforced glass. Yeo Jin-soo’s trembling shoulders. He quickly looks away.
I suddenly want to boost his self-esteem.
‘I will nurture you diligently.’
I looked forward to Yeo Jin-soo’s awakening, a melee hero with high potential, and handed an old book to the coach.
The book was an easily accessible Buddhist scripture, but Yeo Jin-soo, who has a high understanding of ‘swordsmanship’, had gained enlightenment from it.
“What is this?”
“It’s a scripture. Coach, please have Yeo Jin-soo read this instead of weight training.”
“Eh? Weight training is fundamental… Ah, Ahh! Yes! I will do that.”
The coach was about to question me but hastily corrected himself. He probably mistook me for a quasi-S-ranked hero and accepted it as if I had a higher purpose.
It’s a bit awkward, but at least he’s not digging into it.
***
Sip.
Returning to my office and heading to the dressing room, I took a long sip of coffee. Soon, my head cleared, and I felt refreshed.
I feel invigorated. With some time left before the next schedule, I opened a proposal sent by the PR team.
The content production company is Hama Studio.
The PR team and the director there brainstormed the idea together.
The studio director seemed eager to work, so how’s the quality going to be?
[Harmonious Hero Life]
The program name was written in large letters on the first page of the file.
Looking at just the title, it seemed to be a light, everyday entertainment product.
It’s a sort of reality drama, showing the heroes in an accessible and friendly manner, which is the trend.
But then, something’s strange.
The proposal, which I thought would be filled with mundane content, had the scent of an unfamiliar documentary.
The harsh training regimens, the relentless work schedules, an uncertain future, and the incessant issues with obsessive fans and haters…
‘These people.’
I realize they are serious about depicting a realistic life of a hero.
Shaking my head at the thought that they’re just recklessly throwing out ideas because it’s not their money at stake, I recognize their sincerity upon seeing the next page.
‘What’s this sense of challenge?’
The proposal is filled with the strong conviction of an experienced dreamer who intends to break away from typical hero reality shows that only show the glamorous and pretty sides, aiming to touchingly portray the professionalism of the cast members.
This wasn’t even solely created by that director over there, it likely went through some editing by the head of the PR team. And yet, this is the proposal they came up with…
“This is something.”
Now I see why Hama Studio has been struggling financially.
For now, let’s only take on HMV’s request and find a compromise on the reality show content over time.
– Knock knock. –
While deeply considering the potential success of the documentary-style reality show, someone knocked and entered the office.
The man was nearly 190 cm tall, wore glasses, and had neatly combed hair using pomade.
“It’s my first time meeting you in person. It’s an honor! I am Attorney Han Gil-tae.”
“Yes.”
The business card he politely handed over read ‘Han Gil-tae, senior Attorney at Woo Sung Law Firm.’
Woo Sung is a legal advisory firm for the Harmony Clan.
Incidentally, just last week, this was the place that was consulted about how to legally harass those who had expressed discontent towards the clan, like Seo Eun-ha.
Although they might seem indifferent now, they must have been quite surprised when their client’s attitude changed 180 degrees at the time, they accepted my request.
Anyway, now that a reliable ally has arrived to persuade the troubled members, let’s postpone the matter of the content and proceed with the scheduled agenda.
“Shall we go down right away?”
“Yes!”
Hero Seo Eun-ha.
Today, we must resolve the legal dispute with her.