"The power to rule the world...."
Impactor repeated Batu's words as if in a trance. Soon, a grin appeared on his face.
"I see, I see. Then, to make it to the top of the world, you must climb to the top of the Hero Rankings."
Belinha nodded.
"Then I need to become more popular."
Impactor took up a piece of glass on the ground and looked at his reflection.
"It's a good thing my parents blessed me with their good looks."
"Is it me, or is this guy turning into more of an egomaniac by the day?"
Mira asked Kira, who nodded in agreement.
"More like his mask is slipping now that his familial obligations have been fulfilled. So now he can do as he truly likes."
Belinha pushed Impactor's hand down, preventing him from admiring himself.
"We already told you. The popular vote alone won't allow you to enter the Top Ten."
Impactor looked at her for a bit before speaking—
"So how much do I gotta pay and who do I need to bribe?"
"....."
Belinha stared blankly at Impactor before forming a fireball in her hand.
"Wait, wait, wait!"
Batu and Mikel had to hold her back.
"Let me go! This guy is implying I bought my rank?! This disrespect can't be overlooked!"
Belinha's eyes burned with rage as she tried to break free to attack Impactor.
"I'm not talking about you guys."
Impactor calmly spoke up.
"I'm talking about the Volcanic Emperor."
"Takeo?"
Belinha couldn't hide her bewilderment; to this Impactor nodded.
"I mean, he's Sinvula's cousin, right? Which means he's from the richest family in the world."
He pointed at Belinha.
"You guys definitely worked hard for your ranks, but I'm certain he bought his!"
".....Are you an idiot?"
Belinha spat out as Batu and Mikel released her.
"You can't buy your way into the Rankings. The Board wouldn't allow it, even if it's an Albrecht."
She lifted three fingers.
"There are three things that determine a Hero's rank: Public Vote, Societal Contributions, and overall achievements towards taking down Villains. You need to excel in all three to enter the top ranks."
"Despite his personality, the Volcanic Emperor has all three."
Mikel added.
"While Hero Ranks aren't determined by strength, he's the real deal. Someone who can take down Destructive Class Villains by himself. Someone who has the power to destroy a country."
"He's a bastard, that's what he is."
Impactor remained unimpressed.
"What's your beef with the Volcanic Emperor, Celso? You met the guy once."
Kira asked after seeing Impactor grumbling.
"He's an arrogant bastard who thinks he's all that."
"Kinda like you?"
"Please, I'm prettier."
Everyone looked at each other and shook their head.
"That fucker disrespected us and looked down on Belinha."
Impactor's eyes sharpened.
"I can't let that slide."
Belinha observed as Impactor's fists trembled as he squeezed them tightly. His face bore an expression of frustration she rarely saw.
"Ah."
That's when a thought came to her.
"You're upset that the guy you hate is stronger than you."
"Huh?!"
Impactor walked up to her.
"Stronger than who?! I could kick that bastard's ass whenever!"
"Celso, you're like a wild animal."
"Why are you suddenly dissing me?"
Belinha smiled.
"I'm talking about your instincts. You can tell how strong someone is by interacting with them for a bit. So, I know you're aware of Takeo's strength."
She poked his chest.
"You know you can't beat him and that's pissing you off. Am I wrong?"
Impactor gritted his teeth but remained silent as his face reddened.
"Aw."
Belinha floated off the ground and rubbed his head.
"I didn't know you could be so cute."
She laughed while Impactor looked away.
"Cute?"
Mikel's face was stained in confusion.
"I mean, this scene is cute."
He looked at Bojana, who wore a smile.
"It's like an owner and her Ill-mannered but sweet wolf."
"Wolf, not dog?"
Bojana nodded.
"I...I see."
Mikel looked towards the sky.
"I just want to go home and sleep."
The news of Kismet recapturing Denmark from Villains spread across the globe in a flash. They received tons of praise from the public and their fame grew. As for their fellow Heroes, the reactions varied.
"I knew they would do it."
The #6 Hero, Kenshin, had just arrived in Japan on a private jet. She had received the declaration of Belinha's claim over Denmark and was now reading the report sent to the Hero Server while exiting the jet.
"Belinha and her Kismet...Show me the limits of a true genius."
In a mansion in the town of Gladbeck, Germany. The #3 Hero, Volcanic Emperor, scanned over the report from a hologram.
"So, they saved a country by beating some nobodies."
He threw the device to the side and walked towards the window.
"What's the big the deal? They took so long to do it while I could do it in half that time by myself."
He opened the window and took a seat looking at the greenery before him. He inhaled the fresh air and wore a smile as half his body hung outside.
"Well, it's better they get to taste heaven before they fall into hell."
He stretched his hand towards the sun.
"Keep flying, Icarus."
Milan, Italy.
"See, Rui?"
Alissa was walking down the streets reading the report.
"Your daughter and her team are gonna be alright."
She threw her phone into a bin and continued walking with a smile.
"The GHF doesn't need me."
The following day, Copenhagen.
"I messed up."
Belinha was holding her head in her hands as she sat on a stone throne. She and Kismet were in a makeshift building created by Bojana.
"What's wrong, my queen?"
Impactor kneeled before her like a knight.
"Get up."
"As you wish, Your Majesty."
He got to his feet and stood at her side. Belinha said nothing more to him and sighed.
"I shouldn't have claimed Denmark... Now, I'm stuck here!"
"Well, it's not your fault, Belinha."
Batu wore a bitter smile.
"We didn't expect that the Danish Royal Family would give up their right to rule to you."
"I don't see what's the problem?"
Mira spoke up while lying down on a stone bed.
"I mean, you're officially royalty now. Denmark is officially yours."
"I don't want that! I have Kismet to lead and besides.."
She stood up and walked over to the entrance. She swung open the door.
"This is my kingdom!"
The city was still a wasteland filled with craters and scorched lands.
"You still have your subjects. Also, since you personally led the mission to save them, the Danish people will gladly accept your rule."
Mikel tried being optimistic.
"I don't want it~!"
Belinha seemed like she was on the verge of tears. Bojana silently soothed her by gently rubbing her back.
"What are you talking about, My Queen?!"
Impactor stood in front of her and gestured to the wasteland.
"This is our chance! The site for the new Kingdom of Kismet!"
He held her hand.
"With you, the legendary phoenix as our Queen!"
His eyes burned with excitement.
"We can fix this place up and then go on to conquer other countries and—Mhm?!"
Belinha covered his mouth with her hand while rubbing her temple with the other.
"I can't take this."
"What, don't like being royalty?"
"I already said I don't."
She turned her head and her eyes widened. Standing in the middle of the room was Sinvula holding a bouquet.
"Congratulations on completing your first mission."
Sinvula ignored the shock from everyone else and waved at them.
"Flowers to celebrate this win."
He threw the bouquet and Belinha caught it.
"Begonia?"
"The flower of caution and warnings."
Sinvula smiled.
"It's time for our weekly clash."
He took a step and vanished. Belinha found herself in a motionless world where only her body was moving. However, she wasn't moving of her own accord. Her body was forcibly bending inward. Her eyes dropped and Sinvula was looking up at her while his fist was embedded in her midsection. He waved at her before her world darkened.
*BAM*
An explosive noise drew Kismet's attention to Belinha.
"?!"
Eyes peeled opened when Sinvula was there instead of her. Their eyes danced around in search. That's when they noticed a half of the building they were in was gone.
"This building is better built than I expected. I swore my punch should've blown it all away."
Sinvula turned his gaze on Bojana.
*BAM*
A thundering noise forced Bojana to stumble back. However, she didn't have a scratch on her.
"...?!"
Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Batu standing in front of her, shielding Sinvula from her.
"Trying hard to live up to being the tank, huh?"
Sinvula spoke with a smirk.
"....I normally do a great job when you guys aren't involved."
Batu spoke with a strained voice. Sinvula tapped him on the shoulder.
"You will stop our attacks one day."
Batu fell to his knees with a thud. His head hung down as he no longer moved an inch while Sinvula walked past him.
"But that's not today."
The ground swelled and turned into spikes flying at Sinvula, who kept walking. The spike shattered as they hit him. Earth giants emerged wielding weapons. Behind them were hundreds of orbs of light surrounding Mikel.
"One minute."
Sinvula frowned.
"I've been here for one minute, but still it took me taking out two members just for you all to react."
Impactor and the twins flew towards him, ready to attack with everything they had. But to Sinvula—
"What a joke."
He vanished just as Impactor's fist was going to reach him. A thunderclap resounded and the giants were blown to pieces with Bojana getting buried under the rubble. The orbs burst like balloons, exposing Mikel.
"You beat some scrubs and you get lazy."
He spun around after Sinvula's voice came from behind him.
"?!"
There was no one there.
"Disgusting."
A devastating blow hit his back and forced him into the ground. Sinvula looked down on Impactor and the twins as he floated in the air.
"Disgusting."
He slowly landed on the ground and faced them with a scowl.
"Your conceitedness while being this weak disgusts me."
"Who are you—"
Impactor's face was grabbed mid-sentence.
"When the strong talk, the weak shut up and listen."
Ice covered Impactor's face. He grabbed Sinvula but he couldn't break free. The twins popped up at Sinvula's sides aiming their arms that turned into railguns.
*BAM*
The two fell to the ground with their arms in pieces and their body twitching. All of this happened without Sinvula looking away from Impactor.
"I've been hearing talks of you guys acting like kings, wanting to rule this new era I'm creating."
He smirked.
"With what strength?"
His grip on Impactor's face strengthened as the cold invading his body intensified.
"With what power?"
Impactor's struggle to break free became weaker by the second.
"You kids aren't Kings. You're just foot soldiers who got their first taste of victory."
Impactor's vision started to fade as his hands released Sinvula's wrist and swung at his side.
"None of you could withstand one of my serious attacks. Yet, you dared to relax?"
Impactor fought to keep his eyes open as his body became numb.
"Wake up from your naivety, or you'll all die a pathetic death."
With no more power left, Impactor's eyes closed and his mind faded into the darkness. Sinvula flung him to the side and looked around. Kismet were all defeated.
Time it took to decimate the entire group: - 2 minutes.
"Oh."
Sinvula flashed a vibrant smile.
"Congrats again."