Inside the Chairman's Office at Hero League Headquarters,
Aiden Cross sat in his rotating chair, calmly sipping a cup of strong coffee.
On the holographic display before him, the Deep Sea invasion of New York played in real time.
Exactly as predicted, Garou had turned on the Avengers at the critical moment, crushing the combined efforts of Captain America, Black Widow, and Hawkeye.
Government reinforcements had been intercepted by the Deep Sea King himself. Three full regiments—almost completely wiped out.
New York was now frighteningly defenseless.
Only scattered police patrols remained.
"Heh… naïve fools."
Aiden watched the Avengers' collapse without the slightest ripple of emotion.
Without Thor and Tony Stark, and with only Hulk as their true pillar of strength, they never stood a chance against hundreds of thousands of Deep Sea creatures.
Even after desperate resistance, they had barely eliminated a few thousand Wolf-level monsters.
A drop in the ocean.
People were dying every second.
Aiden felt nothing.
They were not his people.
When the Avengers were formed, the U.S. government had publicly slandered the Hero League and ordered all unregistered heroes to leave New York.
So Aiden granted their wish.
Every Hero League member had been withdrawn.
Now he watched quietly to see how they would survive without the League's protection.
"Let's see how long you last."
He closed his eyes.
Unless the government came begging, he would not interfere—even if New York burned to the ground.
Right now, something else mattered more.
Summoning.
The Hero League was strong.
But not strong enough.
Garou's evolution. Hidden monsters. Future invasions.
Chitauri. Dormammu. Dark Elves.
And above all—
Thanos.
If the Infinity Stones were ever gathered, Earth would be finished.
"Random summon."
The Chairman's Ring activated.
Ding! C-Class Hero summoned — Black Swordsman.Ding! C-Class Hero summoned — Crimson Sniper.Ding! C-Class Hero summoned — Ken (SS Ghoul State).
Aiden nodded.
Solid results.
Ken, once evolved, could easily reach B-Class strength.
Then the final slot erupted with brilliant golden light.
Ding! B-Class Hero summoned — Jeanne d'Arc.
Aiden smiled faintly.
Silver armor. Cross-stitched cloak. Blue eyes. Golden braid. A war banner held high.
The Heavenly Maiden of France had descended as a heroic spirit.
Her B-Class rating reflected her miracle-grade defense, not a lack of power.
"Luck's good. Let's roll again."
Ding! C-Class Hero summoned — Armored Titan.Ding! C-Class Hero summoned — Mirrorblade Sage.
Aiden leaned back, satisfied.
This draw had been excellent.
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