"Demacia—Justice!"
A colossal golden greatsword gathered in the sky, brimming with overwhelming might.
Nearly all of New York could see the awe-inspiring strike.
Not far from the city, out in the quiet suburbs, stood a ranch untouched by the Deep Sea creatures.
Crack—
Sensing a familiar power, a towering man with a build rivaling Gareth Ironblade's crushed a chunk of steel in his hand without realizing it.
He wore pitch-black heavy armor and a blood-red cape. A scar ran across his right eye. Beside him rested a massive, jet-black battle axe.
Every inch of him radiated the aura of a hardened soldier. Ordinary people would find it difficult even to speak under the oppressive force of his presence.
Darius, the Hand of Noxus.
Gareth Ironblade's sworn rival.
He had arrived in this world as a "boss" summoned alongside the Tornado of Terror through Aiden Cross's special summoning, a general of the Noxian legion.
As the embodiment of Noxian strength, no one in the empire was more fitting than Darius, a commander tempered by countless battles.
In Noxus, there was no distinction between noble and lowborn. With enough strength, anyone could rise to the top.
Darius had once been a mere commoner. Through sheer power and endless battlefield achievements, he climbed from obscurity to become the Hand of Noxus.
His axe had split open the bodies of countless enemies—and not a few Noxians as well.
He never doubted the justice of his actions. Once he raised his axe, he never hesitated. He showed no mercy to anyone.
On the battlefield, he was the embodiment of iron-blooded resolve.
He had fought dozens of wars against Gareth Ironblade, the commander of Demacia. Their victories were evenly split.
Darius had assumed that after arriving in this new world, he would never again face his old rival.
Now it seemed the feud between Demacia and Noxus would continue here.
"So… Gareth Ironblade made it to this world as well?"
"Brother!"
The cabin door swung open as a man who looked strikingly similar to Darius strode in.
He wore flamboyant attire and carried two spinning axes.
Draven—the Glorious Executioner, Darius's younger brother.
"What is it, Draven?"
"The commander has finished surveying this world. The summons has been issued. Noxus's conquest of this world is about to begin!"
"So the war begins…" Darius rose to his feet, lifting his axe. "Gareth Ironblade, I hope you can bring me some amusement once again."
Though the Noxian legion thrived on war, they were never reckless. Intelligence always came first.
After arriving in this world, they had not launched an immediate assault. Instead, they spent time gathering information.
Only now, after confirming their understanding of this world, did they prepare to begin their conquest.
"Where is our first target?"
"A place that appears poor… but hides extraordinary secrets."
Draven unfolded a world map and pointed to a location in eastern Africa.
The name of the country there was unmistakable—
Wakanda.
At the Hero Association headquarters, inside the president's office.
President Aiden Cross was leisurely playing a game of chess with Aizen.
Though Aizen was new to the game, his extraordinary intellect allowed him to grasp its essence quickly. He and Aiden Cross were locked in a fierce, even match.
It likely wouldn't be long before Aizen could completely outplay him.
"That power… Has Gareth Ironblade already dealt with the Deep Sea King?"
"The battle has reached its conclusion."
Aizen placed his final piece down with a faint, wry smile.
His general had been checkmated by Aiden Cross's chariot.
"With no need for A-Class or higher heroes to intervene, this operation should have provided enough merit for many heroes to rise to ranks matching their strength."
"Once the Deep Sea King falls, the remaining fodder should be easily handled by Jeanne d'Arc."
"Oh, right. Aizen, have you noticed where Annie went?"
Aiden Cross gazed out the window calmly.
Nearly all B, C, and D-Class heroes had been deployed.
Yet Annie, who possessed B-Class strength—was nowhere to be seen.
Even now, as the battle neared its end, there was no sign of her.
"Annie? If it's her… she should be here."
"Oh? That place?"
Following Aizen's finger, Aiden Cross narrowed his eyes.
The location pointed to 177A Bleecker Street, Manhattan, New York.
An ordinary address on the surface.
But Aiden Cross knew its true identity.
The New York Sanctum.
"The Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One…" Aiden Cross smiled faintly. "Aizen, I'll leave the cleanup to you."
"Boss, are you heading there?"
"Yes. I'll pay a visit to one of this world's top powers… and bring back that mischievous Annie while I'm at it."
"Please allow me to accompany you."
"No need. The Ancient One is strong, but not enough to threaten me now." Aiden Cross's lips curved upward. "Besides, after this battle, there will be many matters requiring your wisdom."
"Thank you for your trust, Boss."
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