In 2019, black ice flowers descended upon the harmonious human world. No one knew this was merely a harbinger of the apocalypse! The ice flowers transformed into terrifying monsters, attacking humans, destroying cities, and wiping out humanity! People called these monsters Apostles.
Yet in this grim environment, superhumans began to emerge among humanity. As Earth’s first superhuman, White Sunflower naturally shouldered the duty of saving the world. He annihilated countless Apostles, rescuing humanity from the brink of destruction. With unstoppable force, he swept across every corner of the globe.
A year later, the invading Apostles were completely wiped out. But for certain reasons, during his later missions, White Sunflower destroyed not only Apostles but also countless human homes and lives. His destructiveness and terror were seared into humanity’s memory. Thus, after the Apostles’ annihilation, the World Government ordered White Sunflower’s arrest. They feared not his power, knowing he retained humanity and a single weakness. After the world found peace, the superhero who had saved humanity vanished from sight.
By 2025, five years had restored the world’s vitality. More superhumans emerged, reshaping the global order. The World Government established the Hero Organization. Nations dissolved, replaced by eleven major regions. Not all superhumans were benevolent; many schemed to plunge the world into chaos. But under the Hero Organization’s might, they could only lurk in shadows, waiting to strike.
Unknown to all, the Apostles—absent for five years—reappeared. Black ice flowers pierced the atmosphere once more, heralding the apocalypse anew!
"Apostle sighting in the Pacific Region!"
"Black ice flowers have descended again!!"
"All personnel, enter Code Red alert! Notify all Meta Ability users for immediate support!"
"North American Region requires support!!! North American Region requires support! Repeat, North American Region requires support!!"
Inside the World Government’s joint headquarters, clamorous voices filled the air. Alarms from detectors frayed nerves. Intelligence from around the globe left them restless.
"Damn it, shut up already! Can’t you all be quiet for once!!"
It was hard to imagine such crude words from a young girl’s mouth. She sat at the conference room’s center. Her light blue short hair rested quietly behind her. Dressed in a black dress, her petite frame seemed doll-like. Yet this adorable girl was the Hero Organization’s strongest member today.
"So what if it’s a damn Apostle Invasion? Haven’t we prepared for years for this? What are you all scared of, hell!"
As one of the first superhumans and among the modern era’s strongest, she had the right and power to speak thus. The girl, known as the Thorned Rose, sneered at the invasion.
"Hero Headquarters, dispatch five S Rank Heroes to the North American Region! Five more to the Pacific Region! You damn well know our strength now—we’re not the weak humans of old!"
She seethed at their fear. Humanity’s power had leaped forward, yet they trembled. Such pitiful weakness ran deep in their bones.
"But even so, Apostle numbers are incalculable! We must take every precaution!"
Xi Haolihai, head of the Pacific Region, spoke in the vast control room. His words ignited panic below. The invasion had been expected, but not so suddenly—not in this peaceful era!
"It’s not just Apostle numbers. Hero Headquarters lacks heroes. Villainous superhumans grow bolder. S Rank Heroes are scarce. Without measures, disaster strikes!"
They only faced these truths in crisis. The girl thought disdainfully—and roared.
"You know righteous heroes dwindle. Is it not your fault, you incompetent leaders? Now you scramble for solutions? Reflect on your failures!"
No one dared oppose her. Not just her status, but her overwhelming power silenced them. Under her authority, the room fell quiet.
"Good. Now listen. Hero Headquarters is strong but short on personnel. You know why."
Her voice was cold and low. Her icy gaze swept the crowd. She snorted. "The Apostle Invasion brings turmoil. If Hero Headquarters weakens, villains will seize the chance. We need stronger people!"
"Stronger people... but S Rank Heroes are hard to find."
A man below sighed helplessly. Many superhumans existed, but few reached S Rank.
"So—you forgot how we imprisoned White Sunflower?"
Her words jolted them awake.
"Clones?"
"Exactly! Everyone knows White Sunflower’s strength. The fear he instilled remains vivid. But clones from his cells—power nearly equal to his, or at least our level—serving us without emotional baggage? Our strength would leap forward!"
"But, Mira-chan, White Sunflower’s arrogant. And what we did..."
"That was then. Damn it, five years passed. A grown man won’t dwell on the past. And stop calling me Mira-chan!"
"If we ask for his cells, he’d never agree."
"Are you all damn idiots? He’d slap us away and tell us to get lost."
"Mira-chan means... like last time...?"
The man stammered, head bowed.
"That’d cause resentment. Forget it—you wouldn’t understand. Lilith, bring her in. And stop calling me Mira-chan!"
"Yes, yes... you’re troublesome."
The Asia-Pacific head, a beautiful woman with long black hair, smiled wryly. Her loose neckline hinted at cleavage. She walked to the entrance and brought in a waiting girl.
Crimson hair flowed to her waist. Resolute amber eyes met the crowd. A face so stunning it might envy goddesses now flushed under their stares.
"So—can I trouble you with what comes next?"
Mira rarely showed gentleness, though her tone stayed stern.
"Yes... I’ll do my utmost to persuade White Sunflower!"
The girl nodded firmly, without hesitation.
If White Sunflower were here, he might recall her—the Fox Maiden he saved before his imprisonment in the Abyssal Prison. The girl he’d forced the government to protect with his power.
