The dimensional jump was a flicker of lights and a hum of energy, leaving behind the emotional turbulence of his home world. Li Wei, in his Helldiver armor, found himself alone in the deployment compartment of the Fortress of Justice.
"Commander, we have arrived in the orbital space of World 2: My Hero Academia," Aegis's voice resonated in his helmet. "The dimensional anomaly on the asteroid near the asteroid belt has stabilized, serving as an anchor point for this universe. Detecting a high population density and advanced urban structures on the planet. Alert status: Yellow."
Li Wei observed the screen. A vibrant planet, full of lights and futuristic structures. But beneath that shine, he knew darkness lurked. Corruption, the hypocrisy of "heroes" that Lin Jian had embodied so perfectly.
"Primary mission evaluation: Expose and dismantle a corrupt 'hero' organization, known as 'The Brotherhood of Light,' operating under the facade of justice while conducting illegal experiments and oppressing citizens with 'dangerous' Quirks. Their leader, 'The Watcher,' has been identified as a former high-ranking hero with a subtle mind-control Quirk."
"Aegis," Li Wei interrupted. "This mission will be different. No one comes with me."
"Directive anomaly, Commander. Solo deployment is contrary to Host security protocols and drastically reduces the probability of mission success. Your current Commander Level, Level 3, does not unlock the ability to act as an Alpha-class Helldiver unit without support." Aegis's voice held a nuance of disapproval, as close to frustration as an AI could sound.
"This isn't just any mission, Aegis. It's a test," Li Wei said, his voice firm. "Lin Jian humiliated me, made me feel useless, disposable. Always surrounded by his bodyguards and his lackeys. I need to do this alone. I need to face this kind of evil, one-on-one, to prove to myself that I am not that Li Wei from before."
Aegis's silence was longer this time. "Understood, Commander. I recognize the psychological component of this directive. However, I must warn you that your survival probabilities are reduced to 7% without Helldiver support. You will not have access to stratagems or direct orbital support. Your Helldiver armor will be your only protection, and your rifle will be limited to its base configuration."
"I accept the conditions," Li Wei replied without hesitation. This was not a tactic. It was a visceral need. The shadow of Lin Jian and the Lin mansion loomed over him. He needed to burn it with the light of his own determination.
"Accessing Host request. Unlocking 'Solitary Trial Mode'. Relocating insertion point to minimize initial exposure. Teleporting Host to Deika City, abandoned industrial sector."
A slight hum filled the compartment. Li Wei felt the familiar sensation of decompression and then the tightness of space curving. Cobalt blue light enveloped him, and an instant later, the cold, metallic air of Deika City's abandoned industrial sector hit him.
He found himself in a narrow alley, between rusted factory buildings and empty warehouses. The stench of corroded metal and industrial dust filled the air. The city, vibrant and noisy in the distance, seemed like a world apart. Here, the darkness was more palpable, graffiti covered the walls, and the shadow of illegality felt denser.
Li Wei raised his arm. The Helldiver rifle felt light, stripped of its upgrades. His armor, once a fortress of advanced technology, was now simply a resistant exoskeleton. There was no tactical radar, no direct connection to stratagems. He was alone.
"Commander, you have been successfully inserted. Intelligence reports indicate that 'The Brotherhood of Light' uses this industrial sector for its covert operations. Detecting Quirk signatures nearby. Proceed with caution," Aegis's voice was a mere whisper in his mind, the only connection he had left.
Li Wei took a step into the alley. The silence was almost deafening, broken only by the constant drip of a broken pipe. His senses, honed by survival on Earth-199999, were on high alert. Every shadow, every sound, was a possible threat.
This was his battlefield. Not for glory, but for personal redemption. To prove to himself that the weak and oppressed Li Wei had died. That the Li Wei who now rose was a warrior, forged in the fire of despair, capable of facing any threat, even without the help of his army.
A metallic creak echoed from a nearby warehouse. Li Wei tensed his muscles, his rifle pointing towards the darkness. The confrontation with this world's corruption was beginning. And he would face it alone, one man against an organization, against his own past. The test of solitude.