I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

On the same day, on a remote island near Vanilla City, Aquadore.

With huge tidal waves slamming against the edge of the cliff and tall trees shrouding the area, the only light came from the distant city, filtering through countless leaves above, casting a yellow web of light over a small hut.

Walking up to the hut was a lady with blonde hair and a purple outfit. Her elegant movements and the rhythmic thumping of her heels on the wet grass below created a soft cracking sound.

Standing in front of the wooden door, she knocked twice.

—Knock Knock.

"Who do I seek?"

A voice called out from inside.

"The universe," the blonde-haired lady replied.

—Creak.

Shortly after her response, the door creaked open, revealing a hooded man standing within.

"So, it's you, Wisdom," the hooded man said, pointing toward a direction deeper inside.

"Come this way."

Wisdom gave a silent nod and entered the hut.

From the outside, it looked like a cramped little shelter, barely spacious enough for one. But once inside and deeper within, it revealed itself to be a three-story structure descending underground.

At this moment, following the events of the Auction House, Wisdom had been summoned to report on her mission.

Wisdom worked for an organization known as <Dusk>, a clandestine syndicate operating from the shadows with the sole aim of dismantling law and order in every kingdom ruled by the current regime.

She had joined this group after the Hero Association betrayed her, stripping her of everything she had built. In time, she came to believe that the Hero Association was the true harbinger of chaos, hiding behind a mask of justice while orchestrating the world's downfall.

Forgery, corruption, mass murder, the Hero Association had its hands in every major catastrophe the world had endured. Or so <Dusk> had told her.

After being shown certain classified evidence, and having found herself entangled in one of their dark schemes, she eventually believed it. Besides, the pain she endured three years ago was real enough. Every time she tried to recall it, her heart throbbed with heat and itchiness. Call it trauma or instinct, she didn't care anymore.

"We're here," the hooded man said.

They had arrived before a large, ancient-looking door. He placed his hand on its surface, and a white light glowed from his palm. The ground rumbled beneath them.

—Rumble.

To Wisdom's surprise, the stone door began to rise with a slow, grinding sound.

It continued for several seconds before the path fully opened. The hooded man gestured forward.

"Please."

Wisdom stepped inside slowly.

As she crossed the threshold, she noticed the hooded man had vanished. Instead, she now stood in a grand chamber, facing five unfamiliar figures around a circular stone table.

This was her first time meeting them.

The <Five Great Order> of <Dusk>. The shadowy figures who controlled nearly all operations in the <Underworld>.

In this world, the <Underworld> was a realm where all criminal syndicates gathered. They had established a set of rules for their operations, and every gang and organization connected to the <Underworld> was bound to follow them.

Straightening her posture, Wisdom gulped before presenting herself in front of the council.

Wariness instantly flashed across her face. Just by looking into their eyes, she could tell, that they were leagues above her.

But just as she stepped forward into their full view, a gentle yet commanding voice echoed in her ears.

"Don't worry, dear. We mean no harm."

Wisdom's head snapped toward the voice, to the left corner seat at the round table. When her eyes met the speaker's, they widened with disbelief.

Seated in that chair was a woman around her age. Her red hair cascaded elegantly down her back, and the overwhelming aura surrounding her made one question whether she was even human.

The figure was unmistakably familiar.

A face Wisdom had seen countless times in the news.

She was none other than Seena Ashborn, the third heir of the Ashborn House—and the current Vice President of the Hero Association.

The realization hit Wisdom like a bolt of lightning. Her face flushed with fury, her heartbeat quickened, and painful memories of betrayal resurfaced.

But Wisdom wasn't reckless. She wouldn't act on impulse. She knew better.

Seena met her glare with a composed smile and raised a hand.

"You may harbor some malice toward the Hero Association," she said gently, "but believe me when I say this… I'm someone who mostly wants them ruined."

Wisdom's brows furrowed.

Wants them ruined?

That's what she heard, right? If so, then… maybe she could trust her.

A helpless smile tugged at the corner of Wisdom's lips.

Seena pursed her own lips, studying Wisdom from head to toe before a gentle smile bloomed.

"Can you guess why we summoned you here so suddenly?"

"...Yes." Wisdom nodded without hesitation.

Seena's smile faded slightly at the response.

"Oh?" she said, intrigued. "You're as sharp as the rumors claim."

She chuckled softly. In Wisdom's eyes, she didn't see fear or hatred.

She saw madness.

"Now then," Seena continued, "can you tell us what went wrong with your previous mission?"

Wisdom nodded and began recounting the events of that night at the Auction House, everything she saw. The red-haired man. The black-haired girl. The pointy-eared little girl. She held nothing back.

All five members of <Dusk> listened with interest. Some murmured among themselves, while others remained silent.

Due to the shadows cloaking the room, Wisdom couldn't clearly see their expressions. But she could sense it, this topic held their utmost attention.

After she finished speaking and a brief silence passed, Seena finally said:

"We're now certain the red-haired man was none other than Nightmare."

"Nightmare?" Wisdom echoed.

"Yes." Seena confirmed with a nod.

Wisdom recalled a recent viral news report. Just a few weeks ago, the legendary hero Glory had been slain brutally, by a man who calling himself Nightmare.

At first, she didn't believe anyone could kill the Rank-3 Hero. But after watching the video clip… she was convinced. Nightmare was on the same level as the Single Rankers.

"His fighting style perfectly matches your description," Seena added.

Wisdom lowered her head, ashamed and frustrated. The mission had been entrusted to her directly by <Dusk>.

"I'm sorry," she murmured, gaze fixed on the floor.

"Haha." Seena chuckled lightly. "Don't worry. We didn't summon you here for scolding or punishment."

I'm not? Wisdom tilted her head slightly.

"We have a special mission for you," Seena said. "And among all our options, we believe you're the perfect candidate."

"Why?" Wisdom asked before she could stop herself. "Didn't I already fail you?"

But she had to ask.

Seena didn't hesitate even for a second. Her voice was calm, unwavering.

"Believe us, all members of the <Five Great Order> chose you specifically."

Wisdom blinked, eyes flickering to the other four figures seated in silence, hidden in the shadows of the round chamber.

All of them… chose me?

She swallowed her nerves and asked, "What do I have to do?"

"It's simple," Seena replied, her gaze piercing. "We want you to search for a God."

"Huh?!" Wisdom flinched.

God? Did I hear that right? Her thoughts spiraled in confusion.

Gathering her courage, she took a small step forward.

"Umm… c-can you elaborate, please?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.

"Pfttt," Seena chuckled. "Don't worry. You have a lot to learn. And we'll personally teach you everything."

As soon as she said that, the lights above the five figures flickered to life. One by one, the shadows receded, and the faces of the <Five Great Order> came into full view.

Wisdom's breath caught in her throat.

Her entire body tensed, a shiver crawling down her spine.

"Wha—"

Her voice cracked.

How…?

She recognized them. Every. Single. One.

People she never imagined seeing together in the same room. People who were thought to be dead, missing, or simply untouchable.

She was completely at a loss for words.

…

At that same moment, far away, when Zane lost consciousness—

…

I found myself once again standing in the middle of the endless, ruined city.

It was familiar. Lonely.

"Where is she?" I muttered, scanning the broken skyline.

The air was heavy with dust, and the gray remnants of stone statues crumbled beneath my feet as I walked. I moved forward, stopping at the base of a massive, half-destroyed temple.

"She must be in here…"

This was Nathalia's doing again. She had pulled me into another of her dreams.

I sighed.

"I swear, she has the weirdest way of calling for a meeting."

I climbed the crumbling stairs, muttering under my breath.

"She could've at least told me beforehand."

Somewhere in reality, Anna and Aria were probably panicking. Their faces flashed in my mind, especially Anna's.

To be honest… it was kind of fun seeing her all worked up.

"Zane!?" I imitated her voice with a smirk.

"Pfttt…" I snorted and stepped into the temple.

The ceiling had collapsed in parts. At the center, the grand white statue of an unknown god loomed above me, frozen in time.

"Hello?" I called out.

Weird.

Last time, I found her praying in front of that very statue. But now, she was nowhere to be seen.

Then, a soft and familiar voice reached me.

"Master Nathalia is not coming today."

I spun around.

A white-haired girl with piercing red ruby eyes stood silently at the corner.

"Lilith?" I said, startled.

What was she doing here?

She took a graceful step toward me, bowing slightly in greeting.

"Sir Paradox. I have a message for you."

I listened, waiting for her to finish.

"He is coming," Lilith said calmly.