"Everyone, let's not waste any more time."
Agoni's voice was deep and commanding. "According to the great prophet Shibabawa's prediction, Earth is about to face an unprecedented crisis. The alien invasion was just the beginning — a greater threat is still on its way."
He stepped toward the projector and brought up a set of data.
The screen flickered to life, displaying a curve graph of monster appearance frequency over the past three months. The red line rose almost vertically — a terrifying sight to behold.
"The situation is worse than we anticipated," Agoni continued, pointing at the graph. "Our conventional hero recruitment methods can no longer keep up with the rising tide of threats. We must… find another way."
As soon as he spoke, a low murmur rippled through the conference room.
An elderly executive couldn't restrain himself. "Chairman Agoni, do you mean…?"
"What I mean is…"
Agoni suddenly slammed his palm on the table. The crisp sound cut through the chatter like a whip.
"Starting today, the Hero Association will establish the Earth Defense Special Unit. Its members will include, but not be limited to — gang members, serious offenders, and underground fighters. Anyone with the ability to battle monsters can receive a special pardon!"
The words exploded like a bomb.
Executives exchanged horrified looks; a few even shot up from their chairs.
"This… this is madness!" a female executive cried out. "You're letting criminals fight for the Association? They'll tear the city apart!"
"We are not turning them into heroes," Agoni replied coolly. He took a small remote and a metallic collar from his pocket. "This is an explosive collar invented by the Child Emperor. Once fastened, it cannot be removed. Those who disobey will be… eliminated."
After he spoke, he clapped his hands once.
Three figures entered the room — each wearing an orange prison uniform and an explosive collar.
"This is A-class fugitive 'Jack the Ripper'. He wiped out an entire gang family overnight. This is 'Poison Scorpion' Marina, who used biochemical weapons to poison half a street. And this one — 'Meat Grinder' Brock — a legendary underground champion, imprisoned for beating a wealthy magnate to death…"
As Agoni introduced them, the executives' expressions darkened further. These were infamous murderers, their reputations soaked in blood and terror.
"And now," Agoni's voice rose, "we will repurpose them. They'll stand on the front lines — against monsters!"
The Child Emperor added at just the right moment, "My calculations show that hero casualties often occur due to unclear intelligence during crises. These… special 'consumables' can fill that gap."
Agoni turned toward the window, gazing down at the slowly rebuilding A-City. "This afternoon, I'll hold a public address in Central Plaza to announce the formation of the Earth Defense Special Unit. Over five hundred elite criminals and gang members from prisons worldwide will be present."
He turned back, eyes glinting dangerously. "You can either support this plan… or submit your resignation now."
Silence blanketed the room. No one dared to object.
M-City
Kaito returned home with Crossbow S and Hei Tong Sikes. The moment he opened the door, a sharp voice greeted him.
"You got this question wrong again!"
Fubuki stood on the other side of the coffee table, clutching a stack of papers. Her emerald eyes burned with fury. "I just taught you this yesterday! What's the first rule of the Hero Code?"
Mosquito Girl knelt by the table, pink hair falling over her shoulders as she bit the end of her pencil nervously. "Um… pro–protect citizen safety…?"
"Wrong!"
Fubuki slammed the table, making the teacups jump. "The first rule of the Hero Code is 'Do no harm to innocents'! Yesterday, your answer was 'Drain all the monsters attacking humans dry!'"
On the sofa, Nunchaku Lily slumped lifelessly, her sky-blue streaks dim and disheveled. Her unfocused eyes and heavy sighs said it all — she hadn't slept a wink thanks to the 'night activities' next door, and now she'd been dragged in as a teaching assistant.
Thump!
Kaito dropped the tightly bound Crossbow S onto the floor.
The rope marks along her form only accentuated her figure. Her black leather outfit strained against her chest as she glared furiously up at him.
The three women turned toward the noise simultaneously.
Fubuki's eyes flicked from Crossbow S's bound, curvaceous form to the blue-haired schoolgirl hanging onto Kaito's arm — her expression darkened immediately.
She must've been out of her mind last night to let this guy bring Mosquito Girl home.
And now—after getting a taste of that—he was bringing another woman home today?
And one of them was a female monster dressed so shamelessly?!
"King! You—" Fubuki's anger surged, but her voice suddenly faltered as her gaze landed on the blue-haired girl's face.
Her emerald eyes widened, lips parting in shock.
"Sy… Sykes?"
Kaito felt the girl in his arms—his so-called Unlucky Bag—freeze instantly.
Before he could react, Fubuki rushed forward, closing the distance in a heartbeat. She seized Hei Tong Sikes by the shoulders and cupped her face, inspecting her intently.
"It really is you!" Fubuki's voice trembled, excitement spilling out uncontrollably. "These glasses… this hairstyle… Oh my god! Where have you been all these years?"
During their student days, both had been members of the Psychic Research Association—Fubuki as president, Sikes as vice president.
Back then, Sikes had been passionate, loyal, and brimming with ideals. Together, they fought side by side to crush the rogue ESP organization known as Invisible Hand.
But ideological differences eventually drove them apart.
Now, standing face to face after so many years, Fubuki's expression was a mixture of nostalgia and disbelief.
Sikes nervously pushed up her round glasses, eyes flickering uncertainly. "I… I…"
Fubuki didn't wait for her to finish. Her expression hardened, and she turned her glare toward Kaito.
"You don't have to say it! I already know!" she snapped. "You saw her on the street, thought she was cute, and abducted her, didn't you?!"
Kaito rubbed his nose, thinking that—for once—he really couldn't argue his way out of it.
"Haha, well…" He gave a strained laugh and smoothly changed the subject, nudging the squirming Crossbow S at his feet with his toe.
"Mosquito Girl, this one's under your command from now on."
Mosquito Girl, still dazed from the brutal study session earlier, looked up blankly. "Huh?"
"I protest!"
Crossbow S lifted her head, her long golden hair tumbling wildly around her furious face. "I am a Queen! How dare you make me subordinate to a lowly maid!?"
Kaito's eyebrow twitched.
He turned to Mosquito Girl. "Where are the things I asked you to buy before I left?"
Mosquito Girl's cheeks instantly flushed red. Her fingers nervously twisted the edge of her maid apron. "They're… they're all in your bedroom…"
"Good."
Without another word, Kaito bent down, hoisted Crossbow S effortlessly over his shoulder like a sack of rice, and said, "Mosquito Girl, come with me."
As he walked past, Crossbow S threw a teasing glance at Fubuki, her lips curling into a sly smile.
"Your man's got good taste, doesn't he? He knows what kind of woman's exciting~"
Fubuki's face turned an impressive shade of green, her aura flaring so sharply the air seemed to tremble.
Before she could explode, Kaito's palm landed sharply on Crossbow S's rear.
"Quiet down. You'll have your chance to scream later."
The door to the bedroom slammed shut.
A moment later—
"Wait! What are these— Ow!"
The muffled voice echoed from behind the door.
In the living room, Fubuki, Lily, and Sikes all froze—three faces gradually turning various shades of red
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