Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan

Become Overpowered CEO of Hero Clan – 017

Harmony Clan Headquarters.

CEO Office.

Feeling physically and mentally drained, I glanced at the documents piled on my desk.

‘I need to reduce my working hours.’

Signs of caffeine addiction were starting to show. I’ve been feeling unwell since yesterday. I’m also having difficulty sleeping at night.

This is probably the cost of relentlessly pushing my stress-prone body for a month.

‘Let’s minimize hands-on work and just steer the direction.’

After all, health should be the top priority.

Unfortunately, I haven’t yet completed the quest to extend my lifespan, but I think I’m just one step away from solving it.

Despite having rescued hundreds of citizens and producing a clean music video, not to mention fostering ethics within the company and publicly supporting victims of school violence, it’s absurd that our clan is still labeled as a ‘black company’.

“Hmm.”

But I still have things to do. Can’t let my guard down and end up in a mess.

Sigh.

I skimmed through two documents on my desk.

The reports that Secretary Hwang hurriedly brought in contained HMV’s two-day performance and budget-related documents for the variety show ‘Harmonious Hero Life’.

“Good.”

[Awaken.]

The views for our first HMV were quite respectable.

The director from Hama Studio might be stubborn, but his skills are top-notch. Considering the quality of the MV produced in such a short period, I think we can expect up to 5 million views in a month.

Papabam!

On a whim, I played the MV on a hologram screen.

Skipping the monotonous intro, I went straight to the highlights where the members were active.

“It’s great even upon re-watching.”

Members battling a disguised villain.

Though there was some CG enhancement, the sight of our members counteracting the villain’s attacks and striking back had a primal romanticism.

Especially when Hwang Man-deuk, after transforming back, throws the final punch—the visuals are rather striking.

It radiates the fervent spirit of a hero fighting for justice beyond the screen.

(Awaken- Awaken-)

“Ah.”

The video panned over to me, isaac.

My limbs went stiff. Even if I appear in the video, they portrayed me as some sort of idol for heroes.

I did approve the plan considering the marketing effect, but focusing on a nobody like me feels both awkward and somewhat unethical.

Peeit—

I don’t think I’ll watch this MV from start to end again.

I abruptly turned off the video and reviewed the budget documents.

“Hmm.”

The per-episode production cost for the variety show is 30 million won, with a total of 6 episodes planned. If it does well, we’ll continue, otherwise, we’ll need to pivot and find a new direction.

‘That’s a lot.’

A production budget of 180 million won.

Surprisingly, it’s not a huge burden for Harmony Clan. We have around 20 heroes, not counting the first squad, who are diligently working.

It feels odd but also worrying, signing a contract for hundreds of millions when just a month ago I was a newbie employee.

‘I’ll be either the host or a judge.’

The director will probably cut out the parts where I look awkward, but the stubborn personality of the director is a little concerning.

‘Still.’

If we can bend the director’s obsession with documentary-style variety shows just a little, a good end result is highly probable.

After all, we’ve already verified their skills with HMV production.

“Is it already this late?”

It seemed like lunchtime, the streets outside became busy.

With a heavy sigh, I felt the ground sinking at the thought of handling my packed afternoon schedule.

Today was the day I decided to focus on leveling up my skills, which I had postponed due to work.

After checking my appearance, I drove to the Omakase restaurant I had reserved. Delicious food is a big help for stress management.

[The taste is fantastical.]

[Stress is reduced.]

[Body and mind feel healthier.]

After enjoying an expensive meal that spewed out various positive messages, I arrived at a museum in a mountainous area.

“Ah, finally.”

Clear sky and sunshine.

The scent of fresh grass seems to clear my mind.

I reluctantly stretch my tired body and take out a glowing stone from my inventory.

The reason I endured a strenuous four-hour drive was for this very thing.

「Unique Magic Stone – Spectral Arts」

▶ Category: Magic Stone, Unique Magic Stone

▶ Grade: Hidden Piece

▶ Description: A magic stone imbued with a Lord’s power, it looks absorbable.

▶ Effect: Extracts souls from corpses to serve as minions.

Spectral Arts.

I obtained this Hidden Piece from the Rift Boss.

“oo”

Woosh.

As I bring it close to my chest, the Unique Magic Stone resonates loudly and is absorbed into me.

[You have absorbed the Unique Magic Stone ‘Spectral Arts’.]

Unique Magic Stone.

A unique material in Clan of Heroes where an equipped character can absorb it to acquire special skills.

The secret behind this Unique Magic Stone would be unraveled much later, and I wonder if I can survive until then.

[An unknown power surges.]

[You have acquired the combat skill ‘Spectral Arts!’]

“It’s easier than I thought.”

Absorbing the Unique Magic Stone was no big deal.

I thought I would at least feel some unique pain or nausea.

I sighed and headed towards the museum’s main entrance.

‘Who knew that Snowball from back then would come back like this.’

About three years ago, a ranking acquaintance I naturally became friends with in Clan of Heroes once complained like this:

▶In Season 1, man. What? If I had just found ruins early on, I could have instantly hit the top rank. You guys would have been buttering up to me the whole season.

That was the day I discovered the unasked-for drinking habits of a cyber acquaintance. Anyway, the reason why I’m recalling this person’s story is because he had acquired the Hidden Piece ‘Spectral Arts’ during Season 1.

I just listened to the old guy vent back then, thinking how difficult his life must have been to complain like this to us. But in retrospect, it turns out that enduring his drunkenness was a godsend today.

▶Ruins, what? Were there ruins content in Season 1? I don’t think so.

▶No, not that. What? I was the first to get the ‘Hidden Piece’. That’s who I am. Me.

▶Ah, spectral Arts? I was super envious back then. It caused quite a stir, remember? People were saying the game was trash that favored veterans, leading many to leave.

▶ Hehehe! Those were the days.

Anyway, the theory of that boozing old man went like this:

▶Spectral Arts, you see, extracts spirits from ‘corpses’ to control, right? But the concept of a corpse is surprisingly broad. It can be bones, fossils, even stuffed animals.

The range of ‘corpses’ that could be used for Spectral Arts was bug-level broad, as long as it wasn’t fully decomposed, you could control it.

▶What pisses me off is that I didn’t know that back then. This game is like that, you lose if you don’t know. Knowledge is power. Anyway, when I found out. That, what was it? Lost Ridge? Forgotten Ridge? Something like that. There was a statue on the lowest floor…

So, if he had used Spectral Arts on the statue guarding the entrance to a certain hellish boss zone available in Season 1, he would have gained unparalleled combat power instantly. The statue closely resembled a high-level monster that appeared in Season 2.

The ranking old man actually tried using Spectral Arts on that statue and confirmed that he could control the powerful spirit that came out of it.

While it might seem silly for a man over forty to sulk over a game, if he had actually implemented this strategy from Season 1, the benefits in real-money value would have been immense.

[Northern Mountain Monster Museum]

A rugged sign is prominently displayed at the entrance.

In reality, you don’t have to go far to find a monster’s remains, just a four-hour drive away, you can find the bones of a high-level monster.

It’s right here, at the Buksan Monster Museum.

‘Of all places.’

Even on a weekday afternoon, the place is bustling. I just saw a group that looked like kindergartners heading into the entrance.

They’re even wearing the epitome of kindergarten uniforms, little yellow chick outfits.

Well, that won’t significantly interfere with my use of spectral arts. It’s just awkward if someone recognizes me, that’s all.

“Adults are 5,000 won.”

“Yes.”

Wearing casual clothes, a deeply pulled-down hat, and even sunglasses, I calmly paid for the entrance ticket.

‘Might as well have a good look since I’m here.’

Sometimes exploring places like this can help manage stress.

‘Wow.’

As I walked a little further in, I was greeted by the arthropod category.

The monster ‘Argione’ with Iron armor stretched its wings wide to welcome visitors, its body length exceeding 5 meters.

It looked like a giant stag beetle with sharp horns.

Beyond that was ‘Iron Mantis’, another creature nearly as massive as Argione.

In this world, these monsters that used to maul and shred both humans and animals have become taxidermized attractions.

Human survival skills must be extraordinary.

The kindergartners in front of me innocently admiring the large monster models.

I joined in their reactions, but only in my heart.

“Teacher! Do heroes fight these things?”

“Of course~ They even fight monsters much bigger than these!”

“Really?!”

“Woah!”

I couldn’t help but feel a bit proud. Though just for show, I was also a real hero.

Several of these kids might grow up to chase their dream of becoming a hero.

The profession of hero is so popular that there are 3-4 aspiring heroes coming out every year, whether they have the talent or not.

That also means the system for nurturing heroes is well-established.

‘Grow up strong and unharmed, kids.’

The next building featured the mammal category, some models even included slight movements and sound effects.

Models and taxidermies of monsters resembling ferocious versions of tigers, lions, and bears gave an atmospheric touch that blended well with the old-fashioned museum.

[You feel refreshed.]

[Stress has slightly decreased.]

‘Getting out every once in a while, is nice.’

Maybe because I’ve just been lying around on a chair or bed watching videos. A month’s worth of this exotic outing seems to be helping me manage my stress well.

After briefly going through various monster skeletons and plaques, I moved on to the much-anticipated ‘Guardian Creatures’ themed section with a lighter heart.

[Guardian Creatures are known for their strong tendencies to protect specific individuals or spaces. They share the common characteristic of having their genes artificially manipulated. They are thought to have been created to serve as minions or guardians for higher intelligence beings in the otherworld…]

‘So, they say.’

Honestly, the classifications made by scholars about this creature or that creature didn’t resonate with me.

To me, they all looked like horrific abominations.

The monsters I plan to control with my spectral arts are no different.

‘There it is.’

The centerpiece of the theme section.

[Gunggi – The Desperate Beast]

The model’s skeleton gave off an immense sense of mass. Restored, it looked like a black tiger with wings.

It was written that 50 years ago, this monster almost toppled a nation.

I had my staff research laboratories and museums all over the country, and this guy turned out to be the one with the highest estimated level.

The well-preserved corpse was sold in parts at a high price, and the bones were agreed to be displayed here at the Buksan Museum.

A plaque next to the restricted area detailed the battle against Gunggi and the status of the S-rank heroes who defeated it very meticulously.

Tap tap tap,

“Wowwwwww….!”

“So cool!”

The energetic kindergartners ran in, naively expressing their admiration.

Soon after, a person who looked like their teacher came in and quietly told them not to run indoors.

‘Let’s wrap this up quickly.’

The noisy environment was affecting my stress levels. It’s not that I dislike the kids, but if 20 of them this age gather, it could be deafening.

Swoosh.

‘Spectral Extraction.’

I reached out toward Gunggi’s massive skeleton and quietly extracted its specter.

Grrrrrrr…..