This World is too Cruel to Men – Chapter 537

Yoonseo’s prediction was spot on.

Naturally, not only the Korean Hero Association, but also the headquarters, which had obtained the information through stealthy channels, were exchanging stories about the Another Ones.

“First of all, please take note that this information has not yet been officially reported.”

“Whether it’s reported or not, at this point, shouldn’t we pressure the Korean Hero Association to get this information? At least, that’s what I think.”

“Regarding that matter, it’s been concluded that we should give the Korean Hero Association some more time.”

“Sigh…! The headquarters has really become soft. No, have they actually retreated?”

“We’re not retreating; we’re just being flexible. The truth is, Korea is practically the only one suffering damage from that suddenly appeared peculiar entity, right? They’re likely having a chaotic time as well.”

“I just don’t like this attitude of turning a blind eye to their situation. That’s what I’m saying.”

“So?”

“Huh?”

Was it that I couldn’t grasp the intent behind their words in that moment?

Since the meeting called under the name of urgency began, the woman with a fierce expression who had been pouring out complaints all along wriggled her notably thick eyebrows compared to the others seated around her.

Whatever the case, the person who elicited such a reaction from the woman seemed entirely indifferent to her response.

“Are you suggesting we take this opportunity to impose sanctions on the Korean Hero Association?”

“If necessary, we should.”

“How? Are we really talking about erasing the Korean Hero Association’s name from the records?”

“As I said just now, if it’s necessary, we will proceed with it.”

“Oh, this Mitchell… you haven’t changed a bit, have you?”

Whether it was admiration or sarcasm was hard to tell, but for a moment, the woman who spoke had a serious look on her face.

“Seeing you casually spit out words that sound absolutely crazy to anyone listening is quite something.”

“…Have you finished your words?”

“Of course not! Please wake up, Mitchell. It’s not the 2000s anymore.”

Perhaps it was pitiful witnessing an old colleague and current rival still stuck in the swamp of past glory.

She let out a deep sigh, as if genuinely feeling that way.

It was needless to say that Mitchell’s eyebrows twitched once again.

“Speaking of which, Gemma, you sure haven’t changed your annoying ways since ten years ago.”

“I’m not being annoying; I’m being realistic.”

With a clear assertion regarding her identity, Rachel continued with a serious look.

“Listen well, Mitchell. The moment we impose sanctions on the Korean Hero Association, they’ll choose a solo path without a second thought.”

“Hah? Korea? That can’t be right.”

“Of course, if you’re thinking of the Korean Hero Association you remember, then it wouldn’t make sense. But it’s different now.”

The former chairman of the Korean Hero Association was exceedingly cooperative, even to the point of being grateful to the headquarters and our order in the U.S.

In contrast, the current chairman, known for holding a long-term reign, seemed to lack such tendencies, which was the common opinion among the external cooperation team that handled such matters.

In simple terms, while they appeared obedient on the surface, the core wasn’t quite the same.

But to impose sanctions simply because they were a bit late in sharing information?

Wouldn’t that make them think, “Oh? This is a bit annoying?”

In the worst-case scenario, that annoyance could boil over, prompting the Korean Hero Association to say, “Fine, do what you wish. I’ll do things my way.”

“And the moment that happens—”

We might witness the worst crisis since the foundation of the association.

A mass exodus of member countries.

In fact, one could hardly dismiss this possibility as mere speculation.

This was especially true given the unsettling movements of several nations recently.

Countries like China and Russia, or India—places where sheer numbers are never lacking.

Even the movements of Japan and several Southeast Asian countries heavily influenced by Japan were also quite alarming.

While not explicitly aggressive, they nonetheless had a somewhat obvious undertone.

Thanks to that, the heads of those working in the external cooperation team were metaphorically exploding, and yet here comes an incident ripe enough to be dubbed a “case” in such a scenario?

The moment things flowed that way, a large-scale exodus among member countries in Asia, where the influence of the headquarters was relatively faint, could happen without a doubt.

The team members from the external cooperation department might even collectively resign and declare their escape.

Maybe realizing that the existing methods were no longer viable, the Another Ones unveiled a weapon that was absolutely lethal from humanity’s perspective, which might very well have been drawing near.

We must do everything we can to prevent that from happening.

Thus, I calmly spoke about the emerging possibilities, but did the person still stuck in the past glory have eyes and ears planted everywhere?

The competitor who had been loudly insisting on imposing sanctions on the Korean Hero Association suddenly zipped up.

Thanks to that, we managed to prevent the Korean Hero Association from becoming the first to take a step forward at the crosswalk.

And now that the worst-case scenario had been avoided, it was time to get to the main point.

“Specific information will undoubtedly come to us once the chaos within the Korean Hero Association settles, but what’s truly important is, shouldn’t we discuss why we all gathered here today?”

Yes, ultimately, the key point was indeed that.

Originally known as the Giant Monster Task Force, this collective passed through the U.S. Hero Association to earn the grand title of the World Hero Association headquarters, which could be seen as the establishment’s original purpose.

We gathered here today to talk about just that.

As soon as I brought up the topic, the competitor who had been squabbling earlier, as well as those who had been maintaining a watching stance, suddenly became serious.

Of course, they understood why.

If there was only one commonality among the diverse members present here, differing in work, appearance, and even ethnicity, it was their extreme hatred towards the Another Ones.

In fact, upon reflection, it might have been only natural.

After all, the very group that now serves as the foundation of the World Hero Association headquarters, the Giant Monster Task Force, was originally formed by people who had suffered losses at the hands of the Another Ones.

And that sentiment had not changed, even now that the name had shifted from the Giant Monster Task Force to the World Hero Association headquarters; everyone was genuinely committed to eradicating the Another Ones.

However, just when it seemed that those targeted were being eradicated fairly well, they unexpectedly drew out the sword of monsterization.

The headquarters was naturally startled, having launched an ambitious plan to invade Heogye, the Another Ones’ world, utilizing the strength of all the branches around the globe, which would inevitably consume vast amounts of resources and manpower.

In a state of panic, they were desperately searching for ways to render this initiative void when intelligence from Korea regarding the enemy’s production base arrived.

Naturally, everyone was itching to hear more.

“Is there really anything to think about? Let’s proceed as we always have.”

“What do you mean by ‘as we always have’?”

“What else could it mean? Naturally, overwhelming firepower and clear annihilation.”

Perhaps other places were different, but the headquarters had the strength to turn that into reality.

And now—

“…Is it possible? The Another Ones must be defending it fiercely.”

“So what? In front of her power, they’re nothing but ants.”

Among the heroes affiliated with the headquarters, she was there.

The current number one in hero power ranking and the strongest hero in the world.