A silver-haired beauty with an elegant aura sat in an office at H City’s Hero Association headquarters.
Winter Witch glared at the man before her. “Why alter the attack report? Black Hand was confirmed as a B-rank threat. Surveillance footage proves the Shishen Family did nothing.”
“Let it go, Miss Dong,” the man said. “The criminal’s caught, isn’t he?”
The man was Ouyang Rui, president of H City’s Hero Association.
“That’s not the point,” Winter Witch pressed. “Why credit the Shishen Family with the victory?”
“You still don’t understand, do you?” Ouyang Rui leaned back. “Heroes today are celebrities. Public image matters. The Shishen youth have popularity and growth potential—perfect for the masses.”
“That doesn’t justify manipulating hero rankings.”
“A trivial adjustment.” Ouyang waved a hand. “I’m merely giving popular heroes opportunities.”
“I disagree.”
“No one cares about your opinion.” Ouyang’s voice turned icy. “As long as I’m president, you won’t meddle in these affairs.” He clearly dismissed the conversation.
“This isn’t what a hero should be.”
“That’s *your* fantasy.” Ouyang sneered. “Heroes like ‘Zero’ are obsolete. We must monetize Super Heroes. The Association’s duty is to regulate them—and build a profit chain from their deeds.”
“This isn’t heroism.”
“Don’t preach your hero dreams to me!” Ouyang slammed his palm on the desk, looming over her. “Someone like ‘Zero’ couldn’t survive today. And don’t forget—you only reached B-rank because you’re from the Dong Family. Without that? I’d have crushed you long ago. Now get out and rethink your stance.” He gestured toward the door.
Winter Witch silently exited, fists clenched. *The hero I want to be… isn’t this.*
…
At Lin Jie’s apartment, he and Xiao Zhan watched news coverage on TV.
“Damn it! Is there no justice?!” Xiao Zhan jabbed at the screen. “This is a cover-up! Blatant favoritism!”
“Calm down,” Lin Jie said.
“Calm? Black Hand was *our* kill! The report credits the Shishen Family!” Xiao Zhan fumed. “Even the Hero Association’s playing dirty now!”
“Relax.”
“How can I relax? The Shishen brats just lay there—they *coasted* to victory!”
“Says the guy who also coasted.”
“I’m different! Without me, they’d be dead!”
“Shut up! Can’t you see I’m studying?!” Lin Wan’s voice cut from her room.
“Your sister’s impressive,” Xiao Zhan muttered. “Grad school, aiming for a doctorate…”
“Yeah,” Lin Jie sighed. “Good luck marrying her off.”
“GET OUT, BOTH OF YOU!!”
…
The next day, Lin Jie reluctantly arrived at the top floor of Xiao Tower.
“Took you long enough, partner!” Xiao Zhan popped up from behind a workbench.
“That’s… nauseating,” Lin Jie deadpanned.
“Perfect timing! Check my latest gear. I’ll get you a set too—ace your hero registration exam easy.”
“Exam?” Lin Jie blinked.
“Of course! Physical tests, written exams, even a thesis.”
“Sounds like my high school finals.”
“Focus! Behold—” Xiao Zhan whipped out a pistol.
“A gun?”
“Do I look *that* shallow?” He aimed it at himself and pulled the trigger. Wind blasted his hair. “It’s a hairdryer! Intimidates enemies *and* keeps my style flawless mid-battle.”
“…” Lin Jie stared at the windswept hair. “Does it actually help in fights?”
“Intimidation! Image is everything for Super Heroes. Look at the Shishen Family—pure eye candy. You *must* stay camera-ready.”
“Right.” Lin Jie eyed another pistol. “This one a hairdryer too?”
“Nah. This shoots conditioner.” Xiao Zhan grinned. “I’ll name them Ebony and Ivory.”
“Tintin’s gonna hunt you down for that.”
“Now check this!” He held up a button. “360° holographic cam. Records our heroic deeds from every angle—perfect for promoting Xiao Tech.”
“Post that footage, and you’ll go broke.”
Lin Jie’s gaze shifted to a pair of steel forks on the table.
“Sharp eye! My Plasma Stain-Remover Fork 2.0!” Xiao Zhan beamed.
“What’s it *do*?”
“Removes stains! Version 1.0 only handled dust. This erases *any* grime—oil, blood, you name it. Keeps you *and* your enemies spick-and-span!”
“How obsessed are you with looks?!” Lin Jie roared.
“Which explains your single status!” Xiao Zhan wagged a finger. “This is a looks-driven world. Hot guys get forgiven for anything—girls scream for them. Even villainesses in anime survive if they’re pretty and show a shred of kindness. Ugly villains? Dead by episode three.”
“…You’ve got a point.”
“Kid, it’s not effort—it’s genetics.” Xiao Zhan tossed him oversized sunglasses. “My latest invention.”
“What’s it do?”
“Video calls between us. Streams movies, e-books… and holds one terabyte of *seeds*.” He winked.
“Seriously?” Lin Jie returned the knowing look.
“Dead serious.”
“I respect you, partner.” They shook hands.
“What gear should I get you?”
“Just the shades. I’ve got my own.” Lin Jie pulled out his spike mace.
“How do you hide that thing?”
“4D pocket.”
“Bull. Even the World United Academy hasn’t cracked spatial tech. But this mace… rare material. Let me analyze it?”
“No.” Lin Jie gripped it tighter. “Thankfully I didn’t sell it years ago. Otherwise I’d be stuck with joke weapons like your stain forks.”
He recalled his second year as a NEET, forced to sell loot on street corners to survive…
…
“Only 998! Take home a genuine Dragon-Slaying Saber!” Lin Jie held the blade toward a passerby.
“Yeah, right. Prove it’s real.”
“Well…”
“Make up better lies.”
“Fine! 998 for the saber—*and* I’ll throw in an Excalibur!”
“Too pricey.”
“How about this? Snowdrift Mad Blade—798! Comes with a Holy Grail Sword!” He flourished a sword and saber.
“Meh. Design’s weak.”
“This one then? Ancient Longquan Sword—698! Plus a legendary Juque sword forged by Ou Yezi!”
“Nice design…” The customer’s eyes locked onto an ornate bow. “But *that* one’s stunning.”
“Keen eye! Starlight Tears Bow—premium grade. 1,998. Includes a Demon Spike Mace free.”
“My girlfriend’ll love the bow. Skip the mace—it’s huge. I’ll take it.”
“Deal!”
After payment, the customer suddenly stared past Lin Jie—at four ancient swords floating behind him.
“Those look intriguing…” He reached toward them.
“Don’t touch! They’re display-only—!” Too late.
The man’s fingertip vanished before contact. Blood sprayed. Screams tore through the alley.
“Told you not to touch!” Lin Jie yelled over the shrieks. “Those are the Four Swords of Immortal Slaying! They erase gods, demons, *air*—and you poked them! No medical bills on me!”
“What’s happening?!” City inspectors in uniforms rushed into the alley.
“Inspectors! RUN!” Lin Jie scrambled to pack his wares.
