Chapter 150: The Monster Invasion

At the same time.

In Seoul, South Korea.

Fire could be seen everywhere.

Buildings were burning, while the sky had turned dark from the thick smoke.

Down on the streets, civilians were running for their lives.

They were being chased by strange biological creatures.

One of the children suddenly fell to the ground.

His leg was injured.

His mother immediately rushed over to help him, but one of the monsters was already standing right in front of them.

It was a monkey-like monster with eagle wings.

Its eyes were glowing red as it prepared to attack.

The mother immediately shielded her child.

The child looked terrified and was about to cry.

But just as the monster was about to attack, Lightnova arrived.

She sliced the monster apart with her light sword.

She also looked exhausted.

Her face was covered in sweat, but she continued fighting.

"Hah... Hah... Are you two alright?"

She asked the mother and child.

After they nodded, Lightnova responded.

"Good. Then get out of here quickly. There’s a military base on the other side. You’ll be safe there."

With that, Lightnova immediately flew away at incredible speed.

’What is actually happening? Why did these monsters suddenly appear and start attacking civilians?’

She thought as she flew.

She looked down and saw Floral also fighting against the monsters with her flower-based powers.

She looked exhausted as well.

’Tch... Everyone is already overwhelmed. The other heroes don’t look like they can keep fighting either. They just keep coming...’

Several hours before the monsters appeared.

Ji-hye entered her office as usual.

She greeted her fellow heroes with a smile.

’Lately, Indigo hasn’t been showing up much. Where is he? What is he doing? What other crime is he planning?’

All of those thoughts crossed her mind.

She entered her workspace and sat down in her chair.

"Hah..."

She let out a long sigh.

Just then, Kyung-Mi entered her room while carrying a cup of tea.

"You look troubled. What are you thinking about? This isn’t like you."

"Ah, Kyung-Mi. No... It’s just that I’ve been starting to feel bored lately."

Kyung-Mi placed the cup of tea on Ji-hye’s desk.

"Bored? Do you want to fight?"

"Of course not! I mean..."

Seeing Ji-hye’s expression, Kyung-Mi seemed to understand.

"Ah... You mean you want to meet your rival? That Indigo guy?"

Hearing that, Ji-hye’s face turned slightly red.

"W-what are you talking about!? Of course not!"

"Heh~ I get it. Every time you come back after meeting him, you always tell me about how he helped you do this and that."

Hearing that, Ji-hye froze in embarrassment.

"U-ugh..."

Just then, they noticed black clouds beginning to approach outside the window.

"Hmm? Strange. My weather reminder said there wouldn’t be any rain or cloudy weather today."

Kyung-Mi said.

"Hmm..."

Kyung-Mi glanced at Ji-hye.

"What’s wrong?"

"...Kyung-Mi... Don’t you... feel it?"

"Feel what? What do you mean?"

’Strange... Kyung-Mi is an A-rank hero, but even so, she should still be able to sense it. This amount of energy is enormous.’

"Something’s wrong..."

Ji-hye turned toward Kyung-Mi.

"Are Yoon Ha-jin and Choi Yu-jin still in Seoul?"

"Yeah. They just went to a restaurant to eat."

"Contact them immediately. I’m going to the director."

Ji-hye said as she stood up from her chair.

"H-hey! At least tell me what’s happening!"

"I’m not completely sure either, but I can sense a massive amount of energy approaching from the direction of those black clouds."

"Energy? If that’s the case, I should be able to sense it too, but I don’t feel anything at all."

"...I don’t know. Just do what I asked. This is only a precaution, just in case."

"Alright."

At a five-star restaurant.

This was where Ha-jin and Yu-jin were having a meal together.

"Ummm! It’s been so long since I’ve had good food in Seoul..."

Yu-jin said while chewing.

Ha-jin calmly ate her meal.

Neither of them had any idea what was happening outside.

Just then, several people could be seen running past the window beside their table.

Ha-jin noticed them and looked toward the window.

"Why are they running?"

Yu-jin also turned toward the window.

"Strange..."

Yu-jin’s phone suddenly rang.

She immediately reached into her small bag and took out her phone.

When she saw the caller’s name, Yu-jin looked slightly surprised.

It was Kyung-Mi.

She answered the call.

"Unnie? What’s wrong?"

Yu-jin asked.

Kyung-Mi’s voice came through the phone.

"Yu-jin! There’s a problem! Get back to headquarters immediately!"

"H-huh?"

Yu-jin turned toward Ha-jin.

She stood up and began summoning her sword.

Ha-jin was still looking toward the window.

Outside, strange monsters were beginning to appear and approach.

"Hello? Yu-jin! Can you hear me?"

Kyung-Mi asked through the phone.

However, Yu-jin looked toward the window.

"Uhm... Unnie, I don’t think we can get back to headquarters right away. Monsters have appeared here. We’ll call you later!"

After saying that, Yu-jin hung up.

Just then, one of the monsters suddenly jumped through the window, shattering the glass.

It happened to be right beside the table where Yu-jin and Ha-jin were sitting.

"Yu-jin!"

"I know!"

At the South Korean branch of the Hero Association.

Inside the director’s office.

"Hmm... This still isn’t clear, but are you sure?"

The director asked.

"Of course! I can feel their energy! There are so many of them! Hundreds—no, even thousands!"

"..."

The director hesitated for a moment.

Just then, the door opened.

Kyung-Mi entered the room.

"Ji-hye! There’s a problem! Yu-jin and Ha-jin are fighting the monsters!"

Hearing that, the director slammed his hand onto the desk and stood up.

"Send a message to every hero in the other regions. Tell them to gather in Seoul!"

Hearing the director’s direct order, Ji-hye looked relieved.

"Understood!"

Ji-hye and Kyung-Mi said simultaneously.

Back to the present.

In the middle of a Seoul city street.

Ha-jin, or Sword Ink, was beginning to grow exhausted.

The swings of her sword were no longer as sharp as they had been at the beginning.

"Ugh... They just keep coming..."

She said as she slashed one of the monsters.

Beside her, Floral was using her powers, causing lotus flowers to grow from the asphalt.

The lotuses captured the legs of the monsters approaching them.

But they didn’t merely restrain them.

They also released a deadly poison. Once a monster was caught, all of its energy and life force were absorbed by the lotus.

Floral’s face looked exhausted.

Her face was covered in sweat.

Her hands had become stiff from continuously using her powers.

"When will the reinforcements arrive...? I’m almost out of energy..."

Floral said as she slowly collapsed toward the ground.

Fortunately, Sword Ink caught her before she fell.

"Hang in there. Reinforcements will arrive soon..."

Above them, Lightnova could be seen flying at incredible speed.

But suddenly, she was struck by an attack.

Her body immediately plummeted and crashed hard onto the asphalt.

"Ugh... What was that...?"

She looked up.

A massive mutated bird was flying above her.

Not just one, but dozens.

"You want to fight me in the sky? Fine... I’ll take you all on!"