BACK TO PRESENT
Black Mentis blinked once—sharp, controlled—as the memory snapped out.
His reflection stared back at him from the elevator doors: blank mask, cold glow, no hint of the storm boiling under the armor.
His fingers flexed once.
A low growl vibrated under his breath.
"…I'll make you all pay for this."
Too quiet for the cameras. Too deadly to be misunderstood.
The elevator chimed.
DING.
He stepped inside.
The doors slid shut, slicing his reflection in half
But behind it, his eyes burned.
He didn't know how long he'd have to keep playing this game.
But one day soon, he would stop pretending.
And when that day comes… there'd be no script.
Only reckoning.
Black Mentis walked through the hallway, his expression unreadable, barely acknowledging the cluster of new heroes gathered near the reception area. The receptionist, a poised woman with a crisp, professional demeanor, was in the midst of explaining the ranking system to the wide-eyed recruits.
"Alright, listen up," she began, her voice steady and authoritative. "HeroCorp's ranking system is divided into several tiers, each representing a different level of skill and achievement."
One of the new heroes, a young man with spiky hair, raised his hand. "What's the highest rank?"
"The highest rank is SSS," the receptionist replied. "This is an exclusive designation reserved for the foremost hero in the organization. This individual has showcased unparalleled prowess and achieved remarkable feats. Currently, that spot is held by Black Mentis."
The recruits' eyes widened as they glanced around, half-hoping to catch a glimpse of the legendary hero. Black Mentis, already halfway down the hall, kept walking, uninterested in the adulation.
"Following SSS," the receptionist continued, "is Rank SS, which includes the second-best hero. These are individuals who have proven themselves exceptional and garnered high respect for their capabilities."
A woman with bright blue hair nodded thoughtfully. "And what about the rest of the ranks?"
"Ranks S, ranging from positions 3 to 10, comprise the elite tier," the receptionist explained. "These heroes are renowned for their extraordinary skills and significant contributions to society's protection and well-being. Their names resonate far and wide, inspiring others with their courage and dedication."
Another recruit, a muscular man with a serious expression, leaned forward. "What about heroes who are not in the top 10?"
"Heroes ranked 11 to 30 are classified as Rank A," the receptionist said. "These individuals have formidable abilities and have gained prominence for their heroic endeavors, though they haven't yet reached the upper echelons of recognition. Each Rank A hero is further segmented into A-1 to A-30."
"And then?" a petite woman with glasses asked, jotting down notes.
"Rank B includes heroes numbered 31 to 50, designated from B-1 to B-50. These heroes are skilled and integral to maintaining peace and order, though they may still be on the journey to attaining higher levels of proficiency and acknowledgment."
The spiky-haired young man chimed in again. "What about the rest?"
"Rank C encompasses the 51st to the 100th hero, with designations from C-1 to C-100," the receptionist answered. "These heroes are capable but have yet to achieve significant recognition. They often serve as the backbone of the hero organization, diligently working to protect and assist society."
"And finally, we have Rank D," the receptionist concluded. "This rank designates heroes numbered from 101 to 200, with designations from D-1 to D-200. These individuals are typically newer or less experienced heroes who are in the process of honing their skills and working towards establishing their names within the hero community."
As the recruits absorbed the last of the briefing, Black Mentis reached the door to Richard's office.
He paused—only a second—jaw tight behind the mask. Then he breathed out once, slow, and pushed the door open.
((Thanks for reading this chapter, if you enjoyed it, please leave a comment, I could use suggestions, feedback or ideas. If you want to support me. Then I accept red stones or gifts etc… it keeps me motivated, plus with enough support your OC could appear in future arcs just dm their info))