Dust still lingered in the air as the massive doors of the Heroes Association slowly opened.
The echo of Kaelen and Kaelven's arrival hadn't fully settled yet.
The crater outside…
The shattered stone…
The sheer impact of their presence—
It was intentional.
Not arrogance.
A statement.
Footsteps.
Calm.
Unhurried.
Kaelen walked in first.
Axiomfall resting quietly at his side.
Eyes forward.
Unbothered.
Beside him, Kaelven stretched his shoulders like he just finished a warm-up instead of shaking an entire facility.
"…Nice place," Kaelven muttered, glancing around. "Bit stiff though."
At the end of the hall—
A man stood waiting.
Hands behind his back.
Smile composed.
June Agustus.
"Welcome to the Heroes Association, Kaelen."
Kaelen didn't stop walking.
Didn't bow.
Didn't acknowledge authority.
"It's all good."
A pause.
"Where are the heroes?"
Silence.
For a split second—
June's smile didn't change.
But something behind his eyes did.
Look at him…
Not even acknowledging me.
No respect.
Then—
…It's fine.
You've already stepped into my plan.
June gestured toward the upper levels.
"They're waiting upstairs."
Kaelen walked past him.
Kaelven followed, hands in pockets.
"…This guy smells weird," Kaelven muttered under his breath.
Kaelen didn't respond.
But he heard it.
The doors opened.
Seven presences.
Seven pressures.
Seven different worlds of power gathered in one room.
The moment Kaelen stepped in—
BOOM.
Their auras surged.
Not subtle.
Not welcoming.
Oppressive.
Crushing.
Testing.
Space itself felt heavier.
Air thickened.
Pressure dropped like gravity had multiplied.
Kaelven blinked.
"…That it?"
He stood there.
Unmoved.
Untouched.
Kaelen?
He exhaled slowly.
Then—
Dragonic Pressure.
The air shattered.
A crushing force erupted outward—not violent, but absolute.
It collided with their combined aura—
CRACK.
The pressure canceled.
Balanced.
Neutralized.
Silence.
Then—
A man sitting like royalty leaned forward slightly.
Smiling.
"Welcome to the Heroes Association, Kaelen."
He stood.
5'11.
Black short hair.
Crimson eyes that carried both calm and calculation.
Slim.
Controlled.
Dangerous.
"I am Hades."
A pause.
"The one who leads this group."
Kaelen looked at him.
Measured him.
Then—
A crouched man stood up, stretching slightly.
Short brown hair.
Sharp brown eyes.
5'10.
"To cancel out all our auras like that…"
He grinned.
"…that's impressive."
"I'm Denma."
A man leaning against the wall spoke next.
Tall.
6'0.
Long black hair.
Silver eyes.
A sword rested at his side.
"…Kimotsu."
His tone was flat.
But his gaze?
Sharp.
A laid-back figure lounging across the table lazily raised his hand.
Green short hair.
Green eyes.
5'7.
"…Gene."
A girl sitting beside Hades crossed her legs slightly.
Tall.
Silver hair.
Blue eyes.
"I'm Gina."
Another girl stepped forward.
Short pink and blue hair.
Bright eyes.
5'8.
"Faith."
Then—
The quiet one.
By the window.
She turned slowly.
Purple hair cascading down her back.
Deep ocean-blue eyes.
Flawless.
Still.
Observant.
"…Jess."
Her gaze lingered on Kaelen.
Longer than the others.
Tension
Kaelen looked at all of them.
Then—
"…Nice to meet you."
A pause.
"Now why am I here?"
June stepped forward.
"You are the first hero of humanity."
He gestured toward the group.
"They are heroes from different regions."
"They rose shortly after you."
A pause.
"And because you are the first…"
His eyes sharpened slightly.
"…you must prove why you remain number one."
Silence.
Kaelen didn't hesitate.
Didn't think.
Didn't entertain it.
"I don't have to prove shit."
The room froze.
Denma grinned wider.
Kimotsu's eyes narrowed slightly.
Faith blinked.
Gene chuckled.
But Hades?
He smiled.
"Then defeat me."
A pause.
"In a challenge."
His crimson eyes locked onto Kaelen.
"Win… and everyone here will recognize you."
Jess's eyes shifted.
Slightly.
Toward Hades.
…That wasn't part of the plan.
She glanced at Kimotsu.
He doesn't know either.
Kimotsu remained silent.
But his grip on his sword tightened slightly.
June stepped forward again.
Smiling.
"Agreed."
Kaelen looked at Hades.
Then spoke.
Calm.
Cold.
"I'll take your challenge."
A pause.
"But make no mistake…"
His eyes sharpened.
"If I find out you're plotting against me…"
Silence deepened.
"…your death will be spectacular."
Even the air seemed to flinch.
Kaelven leaned slightly toward Kimotsu.
Eyes narrowing.
…That guy is as strong as me.
Kimotsu glanced back.
…Interesting.
Behind them—
June smiled.
Subtly.
Eerily.
Soon…
I'll have your body.
Your power.
Your structure.
You'll be the perfect specimen.
But—
Kaelven frowned slightly.
"…Something's off."
He didn't know what.
But his instincts?
Screaming.
They moved outside.
A wide open training ground.
Massive.
Reinforced.
Built for destruction.
Everyone stood at a distance.
Watching.
Kaelen stepped forward.
Calm.
Centered.
Across from him—
Hades.
Relaxed.
Unbothered.
A quiet tension filled the space.
Kaelen slowly unsheathed—
Axiomfall.
The blade gleamed.
Alive.
Hades lifted his hand.
Then—
Touched his forehead.
And smiled.