This unexpected alliance placed the African branch at a complete disadvantage.
In its confrontation with Noxus, the African branch had already lacked top-tier combat power.
It only had the S-Class Hero Yugi Mutou, Garen (War God Ryze), and the B-Class Hero Child Emperor... Strictly speaking, he should count as a top-tier hero—after all, with Wakanda as an ally, obtaining thousands of tons of Vibranium to build the "Vibranium Brave Giant" mech should not have been a problem.
However, Noxus possessed two Dragon-Level combatants and nine Demon-Level combatants.
Although the African branch's Dragon-Level (**) combatants could barely contend with them, the gap in Demon-Level (B-Class) combat power was enormous, making effective restraint impossible.
T'Challa, the Black Panther enhanced by the Heart-Shaped Herb, was roughly equivalent to a C-Class Hero. With the latest Black Panther suit, he could barely reach the initial Demon Level and would probably be able to fight Draven to a draw.
**
Although Draven was a ranged combatant, even Wakanda, with its cutting-edge technology, had been suppressed without any ability to fight back. "Then who should be sent to support them?"
The Monster Association had at least one Super-Dragon-Level (S-Class) member and twelve Dragon-Level (A-Class) members. Although they were scattered across the world, dispatching just two or three Dragon-Level Disasters would be enough to turn the situation on the African battlefield around.
Although Yugi Mutou was an S-Class Hero, he was not omnipotent and could not support every front at once. "I hate to admit it, but the League of Heroes truly cannot spare any additional combat power right now." "This is not something one or two ordinary heroes can solve. We need at least S-Class-level strength." "Tornado of Terror's whereabouts are unknown, and Koro-sensei is busy preparing Hero Academy matters." "The only S-Class Heroes currently free are King and me." Sosuke Aizen adjusted his glasses and analyzed the situation calmly.
Most of the League of Heroes' main forces had been dispatched across the world to serve as branch directors. Only Yatogami Tohka and Hulk remained at headquarters. After expanding globally, the shortage of combat power had become increasingly obvious. If the African branch director had not been an S-Class Hero, Noxus would likely have crushed it long ago.
"This plan won't work." Li Chen shook his head and rejected the proposal to deploy an S-Class Hero. Sosuke Aizen had to remain at headquarters and coordinate the affairs of the seven branches. His importance far exceeded that of the African branch. Even if he personally intervened, the situation would be difficult to settle quickly if Noxus adopted delaying tactics.
As for King, he was a special case. With the Mark VII suit gifted by Iron Man Tony Stark and Child Emperor's technology, he had solved the energy problem. Against ordinary disasters, he was practically invincible, but against an opponent at the initial Dragon Level, gaming skills would be useless.
Yet this guy's luck was unbelievably good. He always somehow "picked up" achievements of defeating Tiger-, Demon-, and even Dragon-Level Disasters. According to him, whenever he went out to buy fighting games, a purple rift covered in densely packed eyes would inexplicably appear beside him, its edges decorated with pink bows. Then a flash of white skirts would pass, and the monster's remains would fall from the sky.
The moment the trash cleanup ended, the rift silently closed as though it had never existed.
King would stare at the mottled bloodstains on his uniform in distress, only to be spotted by passing citizens. People automatically imagined the heroic sight of him wiping out a group of monsters alone—just look at all that blood as the best proof!
No matter how the man himself explained, the public took it as the humility of a strong man. In this age of information **, King's legend spread like wildfire: terrifying strength that instantly killed monsters, a perfect record of protecting cities without a single casualty, noble character that never claimed credit... Even the title "Strongest Man on Earth" spread without prompting among both civilians and monsters.
"This luck is simply absurd." Li Chen could neither laugh nor cry as he read the latest report. They were clearly battlefield wreckage dropped at random, yet they happened to land near King every single time.
"Stay at headquarters." He rubbed his temples and adjusted the deployment. "It's time to recruit new heroes."
His energy point balance showed 1.3 million—global branches had contributed generously this month. Before drawing cards, Li Chen did not forget his little luck ritual: "Let me borrow some of King's good fortune..."
System notifications flashed one after another:
[D-Class Hero · Grey Wolf, Inventive Genius (with family members Red Wolf and Little Grey)]
[B-Class Hero · Nine-Tailed Enchanting Fox]
[XX-Class Hero · Flashing Blade Kizaru]
[XX-Class Hero · Philosophy Master Billy]
[System Notification: Successfully summoned C-Class Hero—Yan Lingji]
The current lineup was decent enough: two **, one B-Class Hero, one C-Class Hero, plus Grey Wolf, whose scientific research abilities were exceptional.
Li Chen directly assigned Grey Wolf to the laboratory to put his talents to use. In any case, the League of Heroes currently lacked nothing but places to spend money, with trillions of dollars sitting unused. Come to think of it, Grey Wolf's family was rather pitiful too. They had lived for most of their lives without ever tasting mutton.
This all-around genius was incompetent at nothing except catching sheep. He was also a good family man. Thinking of this, Li Chen felt he should send this Mr. Wolf some premium lamb to let him try something new. "But this still isn't enough..."
He had not drawn the S-Class Hero he wanted. Relying on the current lineup alone truly would not be enough to change the African battlefield. Kizaru was a professional slacker; sending him to work would definitely result in a discount on performance. Billy had a decent work attitude, but Li Chen somehow felt that headquarters would be filled with philosophical vibes in the future.
As for Fox and Yan Lingji, from a man's perspective, they were indeed exceptionally charming. "Still not enough people..."
"Boss?"
"It's nothing. I was just too absorbed in thought." Li Chen came back to himself.
This lineup certainly had distinct personalities: one ** hero who loafed around, one B-Class Hero obsessed with philosophy, but it was still far from what he had expected.
"I should use a targeted summon." Li Chen did not choose the riskier special summon. Since he had more than 1.3 million energy points in hand, it was better to play it safe.
In his impression, there were neither too many nor too few S-Class Heroes. "Targeted summon: Reinhard van Astrea."
[System Notification: Summoning Reinhard requires 1 million energy points. Adding the Dragon Sword "Reid" requires 1.2 million points.]
This knight, hailed as the "Strongest Sword Saint," was practically a model of perfection. Even on his days off, he would voluntarily help civilians, forming a sharp contrast with someone like Kizaru, who slacked off at work. He strictly followed the code of chivalry, and every word and action exuded gentlemanly grace. He possessed more than fifty Divine Protections and was said to be able to gain new ones at any time. The price was indeed steep, but considering his value, the energy points were well spent! "Confirm summoning Reinhard, with Dragon Sword Reid included."
As his energy points were rapidly consumed, Li Chen's account balance plummeted to just tens of thousands.
He had returned to his cash-strapped days.
Fortunately, the seven branches generated considerable profits, and energy points from killing monsters flowed in every day.
"There's already a solution for Africa. What about the other issues?"
"Quite a few cross-branch matters and authority requests requiring headquarters coordination have piled up."
"Handle all of them today."
"Understood. Hashirama Senju, director of the Oceania branch, reports that overbreeding of kangaroos and rabbits has caused ecological imbalance..."
"Have him decide how many to keep. The rest can be ** shipped to China by sea, or Chinese food enthusiasts can be recruited to carry out ecological eradication. Contact Li Yun, director of the Asia branch, directly and have him assist with approval."
Problems like this were not difficult at all. Chinese food culture was enough to resolve the overpopulation of any edible species.
The key was for the Oceania and Asia branches to cooperate.
As long as headquarters issued the order, cooperation would naturally fall into place.
"Li Yun, director of the Asia branch, reports that the Tushan faction in China has expressed interest in cooperation."
"Have Li Yun make preliminary contact first. I'll personally travel to China later for detailed negotiations."
When Li Chen had established the Asian headquarters in Shanghai, he had already anticipated the possibility of coming into contact with Tushan.
From a certain perspective, Tushan was a rational force that could be won over.
"Li Yun also reports that an alternate-dimensional space called 'Gensokyo' has been discovered in the waters near Japan. Its administrators, the Dragon God and Yukari Yakumo, are seeking cooperation."
"Handle it according to the previous plan."
Gensokyo's request for an alliance meant another force that could be united.
Forming alliances with Tushan and Gensokyo would bring nothing but benefits to the League of Heroes.
"Ulquiorra, director of the Arctic branch, discovered Void creature larvae appearing on the ice plains and requests instructions."
"Void invasion is happening this soon?"
"Order Ulquiorra to capture samples and hand them to Grey Wolf for research."
"At the same time, notify every branch to heighten its alert. Classify Void creatures as a Super-Dragon-Level threat, with priority above Noxus and the Monster Association."
Drawing on his extensive experience, Li Chen deployed each task with ease.
Earth remained fraught with dangers today.
New York, League of Heroes headquarters.
Inside the chairman's office, Li Chen and Sosuke Aizen were speaking quietly when a vast psychic force suddenly swept across the globe. Their conversation abruptly stopped, and they exchanged a glance.
The League of Heroes' base was enveloped by a mysterious force field. The psychic force could not penetrate it and simply diverted around it.
"The psychic intensity is abnormal." Aizen narrowed his eyes slightly.
Li Chen looked out the window, his voice low. "Professor X activated the Brainwave Amplifier? With his abilities and that machine, he could reach quasi-S-Class... Is he searching for the missing Magneto?"
Before he had finished speaking, a blinding halo suddenly lit up in the distant sky.
"The situation is worse than expected." Li Chen spoke gravely. "Apocalypse has probably awakened—he has controlled Professor X and is mobilizing the world's nuclear weapons systems."
If all the warheads detonated at once, the entire planet would be reduced to ashes.
"Immediately order every branch into combat readiness and intercept all **." Li Chen gave the order decisively.
"Understood." Aizen rose and calmly walked toward the communications terminal.
In an instant, the enormous League of Heroes machine began operating at full speed.
--
On the streets of New York.
The crowds looked up at the ** formations rising into the sky, and terrified screams erupted one after another. Nuclear weapons, the ultimate instruments of destruction created by humanity—every one of them was capable of causing a Demon-Level disaster. Yet at this moment, the number of warheads filling the skies above North America was enough to erase the entire continent from the map.
"God! Who pressed the launch button?!"
"Where are the League of Heroes? Their headquarters is right here!"
To the residents of this city, the League of Heroes was a mythic guardian. Even before a rain of death that blotted out the sky, countless people still believed—the heroes in capes would hold up the heavens.
--
Atop the New York Sanctum.
The Ancient One gazed at the ** trails streaking across the sky and gently shook her head.
She firmly believed that the League of Heroes was fully capable of stopping these hundreds of **. "Master Ancient One, what happened?"
"Nothing. Continue practicing, Annie." The Ancient One withdrew her gaze from the window and said gently, "Doctor Strange, focus. You are currently the slowest student." "Compared to magical geniuses like Annie and me, the gap is simply too vast. Besides, my hands are injured. I simply cannot precisely control magic formations." "No, Doctor Strange. You possess extraordinary magical talent, and the problem with your arms is not serious." Looking at the successor who would one day inherit the title of Sorcerer Supreme from her, the Ancient One shook her head slightly and offered calm encouragement.
To be honest, with the emergence of the League of Heroes, the future had become difficult to predict.
Perhaps letting Annie inherit the title of Sorcerer Supreme... would be the better choice?
The thought flashed through the Ancient One's mind and vanished.
Before you continue