34-25

Chapter 25 

While Lee Jinwoo and the rankers were clashing... 

The so-called "strongest" superpowered individuals from each country, including Sword Saint, gathered in one place. 

“....” 

Lena (Sword Saint) of Korea 

“So... why were we called here?” 

Takeda of Japan 

“The authorities are clamoring for my quick return....” 

Sao of China 

[First, I want to thank you all for accepting our invitation.] 

“Haha, how could I refuse such an invitation?” 

Jessica of the United States 

Glance  

“Well, a few did decline, though.” 

She meant those from “Germany” and “Russia” and other countries. 

For unavoidable reasons, they refused to attend. 

[Let’s get straight to the point, since you’re all busy and time is short.] 

[Do you know why you have superpowers?] 

“...I was taught it was a ‘gift from God.’” 

The others generally nodded in agreement. 

[That’s right. That’s what we were taught, because we didn’t have the means to uncover the true source of superpowers.] 

“....” 

[After years of research, the World Government discovered an astonishing secret just a day ago.] 

Murmur, murmur  

  A secret? 

  Incredible... 

“...What is it?” 

[But first, you must promise one thing. You must never reveal what you learn here. Only those who agree may access this secret.] 

“Hmph, who would be foolish enough to refuse?” 

[...Very well. This way, please.] 

Whir  

A portal opened before their eyes. 

[This is another world managed by the World Government, a special space designed so no one can peer inside.] 

[Think of it as an upgraded version of the ‘subspace’ each country was given.] 

Without a hint of suspicion, the rankers stepped into the portal. 

A testament to the trust the World Government had built with them. 

“This is...” 

What they saw upon entering was a sea of holograms. 

Not just dozens or hundreds, but thousands, tens of thousands. 

And at the center, surrounded by countless holograms, stood an old man. 

“...Welcome. I serve, however humbly, as the head of the World Government.” 

“I have no name, so call me whatever you wish.” 

[07:34] 

Ninja ran through the endless space, thinking. 

‘...A pointless struggle.’ 

She knew Lee Jinwoo was faster than her. 

But she couldn’t let go of her obsession with speed. 

It was a taboo that bound her. 

As a child in her “ninja village,” she was an ordinary person. 

Not better or worse than anyone else. 

In a village that prized speed, she was neither fast nor slow. 

She recalled her past. 

As a child, she found happiness in little things. 

Laughing, chatting, playing pranks with friends. 

But one day, her life was destroyed. 

A burning village. Acrid smoke... 

And a man at the center of it all. 

‘Bertor of Collapse’ 

Leader of the Villain Union, the one who wiped out the “ninja village” about ten years ago. 

She was the only survivor of that massacre. 

From that day, she became obsessed with speed. 

‘I have to get revenge on him.’ 

Since then, she trained relentlessly, focused only on revenge. 

Then, someone from the World Government approached her. 

  We need your power. 

The World Government opposed the Villain Union. 

She thought she might meet Bertor if she joined them. 

She was alone; he was the leader of a villain group. 

The information gap and numbers were against her. 

But she knew the difference between courage and recklessness. 

For revenge, she’d join hands with anyone. 

So she joined the World Government and, recognized for her strength, rose to a mid-level manager position. 

  Go to Korea. Bertor is there. 

She learned Bertor’s location. 

She went to Korea, managing the Association there under the cover identity “Ninja.” 

She insisted on the “Ninja” persona, hoping Bertor would come to her first. 

She wanted to tell him: “You didn’t finish the job that day. That’s why you’ll die.” 

But even after three years, she couldn’t find Bertor... 

Instead, she encountered the new villain, Lee Jinwoo. 

Though unofficially ranked #2, she held back her true power to avoid attention. 

She was confident she could beat Sword Saint anytime, and had the skill to do so. 

She also cross-dressed for similar reasons. 

At first, she scoffed at Lee Jinwoo’s power. 

‘...Just don’t get hit, right?’ 

She prided herself on being the fastest. 

Since “that day,” she’d never slacked in her training. 

She was ordinary, so she worked herself to the bone. 

The ninja village had geniuses, but they were all killed by Bertor. 

She was ordinary, but she had to become stronger than the geniuses. 

With the World Government’s support, she became much stronger than before, but for some reason, she never felt she could beat Bertor. 

So she had to get even stronger. 

Even if by “unfair” means. 

...That was the real reason she challenged Lee Jinwoo. 

She was confident in her speed, but Lee Jinwoo was someone she couldn’t even react to. 

A monster in both body and superpowers. 

Maybe he could help her break through her limits. 

This match was a “test.” 

She was sure Lee Jinwoo was faster than her, 

But she had to be careful. 

She knew about his “trait-enhancing” power. 

It was a chance to further strengthen her own [Super Speed]. 

She’d heard there were minor side effects... 

But she didn’t care. 

She’d sell her soul to the devil if it meant killing Bertor. 

Grab  

“Got you.” 

The time she was caught: 

[04:30] 

‘...As expected.’ 

She was right. Even though she now had to give everything to Lee Jinwoo, she smiled. 

“Got you.” 

Hehe, Ninja, you’re mine now! 

Feeling her shoulder, there’s no way this is a man’s shoulder. 

How many women’s bodies have I touched by now? 

But Ninja seemed a bit off. 

‘What’s up...’ 

Ah, this one! She lost the bet but is smiling! 

[...Now make me stronger.] 

“Huh?” 

What’s she saying? 

[...I know.] 

[Your power is to strengthen women...] 

[...I’m yours now. Hurry up and strengthen me...] 

“Uh... Sorry, but I don’t need to do that yet.” 

[...What?] 

“You need to be a great spy for the Association first.” 

[....] 

Ninja looked dumbfounded, as if she’d never considered this. 

“....” 

I never imagined Ninja wanted this. 

We sat in silence for a long time. 

“...You’re here.” 

But Ninja still seemed off. 

“...Jinwoo-nim, forgive me, but Ninja is...” 

“I don’t know either. She’s been like this ever since I said I wouldn’t use the spray.” 

“....” 

[My plan...] 

She stuck a note to her forehead and trudged off. 

It was a shock for Han Ji-young, who’d only seen Ninja before the bet. 

“Let’s hear your story now.” 

[...Yeah, I should talk now.] 

So Han Ji-young and I listened to Ninja’s past for about an hour. 

“Bertor destroyed your home, and you need power for revenge?” 

[Yes.] 

“...Is he that strong?” 

[Do you know Bertor?] 

“Well, I met him recently...” 

[He was really in Korea...] 

For Ninja, who’d doubted the World Government, this was good news. 

At least, while she was with them, they hadn’t lied to her. 

Well, now Ninja is officially my property. 

I expected a little resistance, but seeing her open up about her past, she seems to have made up her mind. 

“But... why don’t you talk? Trauma?” 

[Yes.] 

[Trauma and a vocal cord injury, both keep me from speaking.] 

“Hm, so how will we communicate...” 

  Maybe it’ll be hard to use her as an informant for real. 

[...I use carrier pigeons for distant contacts.] 

Ninja looked like she really didn’t want to talk, but still shared her opinion. 

Even if it’s just a verbal contract, Ninja seems to have some other kind of binding. 

[Hmph, don’t take our words lightly. Once we say something, we always keep it.] 

She must have seen my doubt on my face, because she added that, a bit sheepishly.