The three Dark Knights possessed different powers: metallokinesis (control over metals), pyrokinesis (control over fire), and aerokinesis (control over wind). Kael's team arrived while other teams were running short.
Dark Knight: If you value your life, don't dare to stand in our way. It's useless. Your powers cannot par with us—we are much stronger.
Kael: Yeah? And who do you think you are to go and destroy anything you like? Nah. Me and my team stand for justice, and we will not back down in the presence of evil.
Hearing this, the three Dark Knights became furious, unleashing their attacks. Sensing the danger, Leona quickly formed a barricade around her team.
The wind user unleashed her powerful tornadoes, while the fire user attributed it to combine and form fiery tornadoes.Leona's barricade protected them, but it would not hold for long. With quick thinking, Kael pulled out an idea.
Kael: I don't know if this will work, but we have to try. Diego, once Leona cancels her barricade, stop time and drag me and Leona to the corner while—
Charlie: While I advance and take them out. Good thinking. But I don't think my speed will be enough to bypass that tornado.
Leona: I can boost you. Once we're out, I'll boost you with my ability. I think it'll be enough to get you through.
It seemed like their only option, but it was still better than having no plan at all. And then, they went out with their plan.
The moment Leona canceled her barricade, Diego stopped time as instructed. Within his rough five seconds of stopped time, he barely managed to drag both Kael and Leona to the corner. Once time resumed, Charlie took a runner-up position, and Leona quickly boosted her.
As Charlie shot herself toward them, she quickly realized the difference—her speed was faster and she even went through the tornado without any disruption or sustaining damage. As she reached them, the fire user was the nearest. She took this advantage and punched him right in the face.
Though she already had immense strength, Leona's boost made her even stronger, sending the fire user flying straight across four walls in a single punch and knocking him out.
The other two were taken by surprise by how strong Charlie was and became more cautious. Leona grew weak and couldn't boost Charlie anymore. Seeing this, the metal user tried to quickly block the path between them and Kael's team.
Diego knew he was the only one who could reach the other side and help Charlie. So he stopped time, ran as fast as he could, and slipped in through the gap before it truly closed.
Other heroes had arrived, but they couldn't do anything to get through the reinforced metal barrier. All they could do was hope that Diego and Charlie would get the job done.
Inside the barrier, the metal user trapped Charlie by locking her legs in hardened metal. As she struggled to break free, the wind user attacked, compressing the air into a blade-thin current and flinging it straight at her. The blade cut through her skin, blood spilling freely.
Diego didn't hesitate. He rushed toward the wind user, but the moment the metal user noticed him, sharp chunks of metal—shaped like knives—were hurled straight at him.
Diego wasn't shaken. He knew that even if he stopped time, he wouldn't be able to reach the wind user directly. And if he chose to attack the metal user instead, the wind user would strike Charlie again. Either way, she would be in danger.
So, as the knives flew toward him, Diego stopped time.
He grabbed several of the metal blades midair and moved closer, adjusting his position for a more accurate throw. Two seconds of stopped time remained—but it was all he needed.
He hurled the knives with all his strength and resumed time.
The blades struck the wind user across the shoulder, abdomen, torso, and thigh. They weren't fatal, but the damage was more than enough to put the wind user out of commission.
But before Diego could put up his guard, the metal user struck Diego from a blind spot, the impact snapping his head sideways and leaving him concussed.
Herald: You piece of shit! You've caused us enough trouble. Both my comrades are down because of you two. But I—Herald, Knight of the Dark Light—will put an end to you both.
With that, he began beating Diego with his fists. Dizzy and losing consciousness, Diego couldn't do anything to escape.
For the final blow, Herald summoned a massive slab of metal above Diego, preparing to impale him.
But just as he was about to strike, a voice came from behind him.
Charlie: Diego, I doubter you at first. But it seemed like are a reliable guy."
Herald froze.
The metal meant to impale Diego twisted midair and shifted to guard Herald instead. In that instant, Charlie drove her fist straight into the metal, leaving a deep dent just as Herald turned to face her.
Charlie was still bleeding. The floor beneath her was stained heavily with her blood.
Herald: Oh… you've taken me completely by surprise. But it would've been better if you'd stayed still.
His gaze flicked to his watch.
Charlie: That's a nice watch you've got there. Let me break it for you—so you won't be able to look at it again. And by that, I mean…breaking your face.
Herald stared at her in astonishment before laughing.
Herald: You're an interesting person. I'd like to know your name and all. But I'm short on time, and I have places to be. Besides…
His eyes narrowed.
Herald:...you're bleeding all over too.
Charlie knelt down as Herald resumed-
Herald: Your punch earlier was weak. It only managed to dent my metals. Do you really think you can defeat me with so little power?
Herald coated his fist in metal and swung at Charlie. But instead of retreating, Charlie launched a punch straight toward his head at incredible speed.
It was so fast that Herald's eyes widened.
Herald: S-She's fast! What kind of ridiculous speed is that?!
Before he could react, Charlie grabbed his wrist.
Charlie: Upon closer inspection, good grief… what an ugly watch. Now you won't have to worry about it anymore—because your face is gonna end up even uglier."
In the next instant, Charlie unleashed a flurry of punches at blinding speed.She named it Astral Barrage.
Her battle cry echoed through the battlefield as her fists crashed into Herald again and again. Finally, she landed one last, devastating blow that sent Herald flying straight into his own barrier—punching a hole clean through it.
Charlie collapsed immediately after, her body giving in to blood loss.
Seeing what had happened, Kael and the others rushed toward them. Leona and the other available healers quickly treated both Diego and Charlie.
Moments later, they regained consciousness.
Cheers erupted across Nexus-5 as the other heroes celebrated their victory.
That night, Nexus-5 celebrated their success in stopping Herald and his team. The World Hero Association (WHA) formally congratulated them, stating that they were genuinely impressed that Nexus-5 had managed to stop three Knights of the Dark Light, especially considering the low success rate of such missions.
As a reward, the WHA increased their ranks.
Kael was promoted to Rank 5,
Diego to Rank 99,
Leona to Rank 32,
and Charlie to Rank 14.
Cheers erupted as everyone congratulated Charlie and Diego for their performance. However, Charlie made it clear that without Kael's plan and Leona's support, she might not have defeated Herald. She also personally apologized to Diego, admitting that she had judged him unfairly—and acknowledged that, in the end, it was Diego who saved her.
Though Charlie was known to be prideful, she was also the kind of person who refused to take credit that wasn't hers. Her respect toward her team grew that night, and the bond between Nexus-5 strengthened. Their parents, watching from afar, were proud of what they had accomplished.
Later, Kael finally received what he had requested—a prototype glove designed to nullify his powers.
He felt a wave of relief, knowing that he could now touch things without fear or hesitation. Kael showed the glove to his friends, and they all agreed that it was pretty cool.
Deep beneath Z City, the Knights of the Dark Light gathered.
After hearing about the incident that occurred at the World Hero Association facility, it became clear that they had underestimated the Heroes of the Light. The atmosphere in the underground chamber grew tense as discussions broke out—questions were raised about what step would be best to approach and ultimately conquer the WHA.
From the throne at the center of the chamber, their leader finally spoke.
???: As I suspected, we underestimated the Light's vessels this time. They are growing stronger—but so are we. What does our supervisor propose?
The supervisor stepped forward-
Supervisor: From the information we've gathered, it appears that the Light has revealed its most dangerous trump card. In my opinion, we should divide and conquer. Eliminate the weak first, turn their own against them, and I am certain victory will be ours.
The leader leaned back slightly.
???: A trump card, huh? If I recall correctly, he possesses the capability to neutralize me. Do the others accept this strategy?
One by one, the Knights answered in unison.
Dark Knights: Yes, my Lord. We accept.
???: Then, as our supervisor suggests—we divide and conquer, and reclaim the position that was always meant to be ours.
With that decision made, the Knights marched out of the chamber.
Left alone, the leader remained seated, lost in thought.
This time, he thought, slowly but surely, we will attain victory—and restore the land to how it once was supposed to be.