After Ryujin had been home for a while, he began to sense something… as if someone was following him. From the feel of it, it was probably just one person, though he couldn't be certain there weren't more.
He turned sharply into a deserted alley to confirm whether his tail was still on him.
And yes—soft footsteps trailed behind, keeping pace.
"Definitely not a fan," he thought, stopping abruptly. With a flick of his hand, he summoned a sword out of thin air.
Ryujin: "Well, hello there, little lady… still in the mood to have fun with me today, hmm?"
He turned with a broad grin toward a girl standing a short distance away. From appearance alone, she seemed about his age.
The girl smiled back… a wide, unhinged grin, and she carried no weapon at all.
???: "Oh, please! Beat me, darling! I love the smell of your blood!"
Ryujin blinked in disbelief."What the… is she a fan? And a sadist on top of that…?"
Ryujin: "So… who exactly are you?"
???: "Ah! Silly me~ My name's Toga Himiko, and I want to be you~!"
Her grin made him pause. It wasn't just any smile—it radiated a level of madness that made his bones twitch.
"Great… I've got a lunatic fangirl now."
Ryujin snapped his fingers lightly—a signal. In an instant, shadows and rooftop figures dropped down, surrounding Toga. Blades and short weapons were pressed to her neck before her hands were locked and cuffed.
Yet she didn't look the slightest bit afraid… still smiling like nothing had happened.
Toga: "I'm so happy! Please… hit me! Tear me apart, darling!"
One of the men holding her twitched an eyebrow."What asylum did this girl escape from…?"
Ryujin: "Knock her out. Bring her to HQ."
At his order, one of his men struck her neck with a single, precise blow, rendering her unconscious. They moved her out swiftly and efficiently, just like professionals.
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After bringing her to headquarters, the two of them now sat in the interrogation room.He was on one side of the steel table, she on the other. The surface between them reflected the image of the blonde girl sitting silently, her eyes still carrying a storm of confusion.
She seemed to have control over herself for the moment, though earlier—right after regaining consciousness—she had shown signs of a brief frenzy. It wasn't until she was given blood that she managed to calm down, at least temporarily.
Ryujin: "Toga Himiko, right? How are you feeling now?"
She lowered her head the moment he finished speaking, as if burdened by something unbearably heavy.
Toga: "I'm sorry… I… When the hunger gets too strong, I start to lash out. I try to control myself, but the more I try… the worse it gets, until I don't even know what I'm doing anymore."
The stench of garbage still clung to her, but he ignored it. From her condition, it wasn't hard to guess—she'd probably been living in it for some time.What had this girl gone through?Abandoned by her family? Left to rot?
Leaning an arm against the table, he spoke evenly.
Ryujin: "Then tell me your story."
She nodded slowly, then began to speak, while an officer with the ability to detect lies stood silently behind her.
He listened to every word. As her story unfolded, he couldn't help but think back to the day he met Midoriya. This world… still rotten, unchanged.
She spoke of pain, of wearing a mask to survive, of being forced to endure until the day everything collapsed—when her parents were murdered without reason by someone who despised what she was.
Toga: "My nature… it made me a monster. That's what everyone said."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she spoke. He rose from his seat, walked over to her, and pulled her into a firm embrace.
Even with the grime still clinging to her, in that moment, he couldn't smell it at all. All he felt was the weight of pity pressing against his chest—an urge to comfort her like a lost child in a cruel, unforgiving world.
Ryujin: "You're not at fault. You're not a monster… they are the monsters."
His voice was gentle, completely at odds with his usual rough and intimidating demeanor. She gave a small nod, her quiet sobs breaking the silence.
Ryujin: "Good… Now, before we can help you, you should take a shower, have something to eat, and change into clean clothes. Alright?"
Toga: "Okay… but… you'll stay with me, right?"
He smiled softly, running a hand through her blonde hair with care. She slowly leaned her head into his palm, like a child not wanting to be left alone.
A moment later, a female officer from the support division entered the room.
Ryujin: "I'm not going anywhere. I promise… Let them take care of you. They're good people—they won't let anyone harm you."
Toga: "O-okay…!"
The officer led her to the shower room.
Thirty minutes later, Himiko Toga stepped out, the faint scent of soap drifting in her wake. She wore the The Thumb Scout Division uniform he had prepared for her. Her once tangled hair was now tied into two rough buns; still messy, but without the blood and filth, she had a completely different kind of presence.
Toga: "Mm… I just wanted to say thank you… and sorry. I… tend to lose myself when I'm starved of blood."
Ryujin leaned back in his chair, a half-read report still in his hand. He glanced up at her, his gaze calm and cold.
Ryujin: "It's fine. I don't blame you… For now, why not get some rest? Or maybe talk to the deputy leader. I'm sure they'd be glad to help."
His words carried a neutral tone, but inside, his mind was quietly turning, gears of strategy clicking into place.
'Her abilities… they're perfect for espionage. I'm sorry, Toga… but the food you've eaten—you'll have to repay it.'
He picked up his phone and typed out a message, sending it to the newly recruited Underboss he'd just brought in. That man specialized in assassination—ideal for the task Ryujin had in mind.
Just days ago, he had spent a massive fortune acquiring numerous skills, both offensive and defensive, along with rare passive abilities, draining over a million coins. It was worth it, though—both his underground operations and front businesses were thriving.
Several of his clones had also received these skills, and according to the system's description, there was a small chance some clones could awaken random quirks unrelated to the original body. If even ten of them obtained such powers, he'd immediately form a special unit… but for now, there were only five. It wasn't time yet.
Toga's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.
Toga: "…I'm sorry for not being normal… The first time I saw you was during the sports festival on TV… My parents never accepted me… After they died, everyone turned on me—called me a murderer… I… I started to lose my mind. I became someone who dug through trash… stole blood from blood banks just to survive… and then… I saw you."
She slowly stepped toward him and wrapped her arms around him, pressing her face silently against his chest. Her cheeks flushed from the unexpected closeness. Ryujin didn't push her away—he simply placed a gentle hand on her head, stroking lightly.
Ryujin: "In that case… tell me—what did you hope would happen when you found me?"
Toga lifted her head, her eyes red and swollen from holding back tears.
Toga: "I don't know… I can't live the way I used to anymore… I need a place to hide… somewhere I can feel safe… and I feel that way… when you're close to me."
He fell silent for a moment. Her words left a faint crack in the wall around his heart. Though cold and ruthless by nature, this was something he couldn't ignore.
Toga could very well descend into complete madness in the future, her fate unknowingly tied to him.
Originally, he had planned to use her as a pawn in this game—sending her into a hero office to steal classified documents. But now… that plan might no longer be the right choice.
Ryujin: "…Don't just hope. I promise you'll be happy here… I'll be your home."
It wasn't sweet talk—it was a cold, weighty vow.
Toga: "Thank you… really… for taking me in…"
She wept quietly in his arms as he gently stroked her head. At that moment, the sharp, measured sound of footsteps echoed from the far side of the room. A woman clad entirely in black stepped in without a sound, a folder of documents in hand.
Soldat Delta 2: "I have the intel… and it's not good news — Toga Himiko is a suspect in multiple assault and homicide cases."
The moment those words left the woman's lips, the other female operative in the room moved with lightning speed. Her finger slid the pistol's safety off, and she raised the weapon, aiming straight at Toga's head without hesitation.
The girl froze in place, eyes wide, her heartbeat thundering like a ticking bomb. She knew—she had just walked into a lion's den with no way to defend herself.
She spun around, ready to run from the crushing pressure… if not for the hand that caught her wrist and pulled her back into a tight embrace. His gaze was still and unreadable—like an unexploded bomb.
But then…
"You only assaulted people… not a killer, right?" His voice was cold as he addressed the woman without letting Toga go.
"That's correct, Boss," the operative replied firmly, though her eyes never left her target. "She didn't kill anyone. Only bite and scratch marks—self-defense. Not a single victim died."
A long breath escaped into the room before he barked a low, heavy command that made the woman hesitate mid-motion.
"Put the gun down."
The operative froze for a brief moment before bowing her head and lowering her weapon slowly.
He turned back to Toga, his rough hand brushing lightly against her tear-streaked, pale cheek.
"Even if you've hurt people… it was because you had no choice. You were just trying to survive, not to truly harm anyone." His voice softened slightly, though his eyes still held the restrained glint of cruelty. "You're not a monster. You're not some lunatic like Stain, or one of those social predators in the League of Villains… You're a victim of this rotten world."
Then he leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead—the kind of tenderness a child should have received from their parents… something she had never known.
"In the end… criminals aren't born, they're made. And I won't let anyone make another one—not now, not with you."
Toga let out a quiet sob before whispering in a trembling voice, "Thank you… thank you for protecting me…"
She threw herself into his arms, clinging to him so tightly her body trembled, until everything went black—her consciousness snapping under the weight of too much crying.
He caught her before she could fall, gazing down at her unconscious form in silence.
Her quirk was strange, yet immensely powerful—the ability to consume blood and transform into anyone she desired. In the right hands, it was the ultimate secret weapon for a shadow war.
Without hesitation, he scooped her up and carried her toward the VIP suite, decorated with exquisite detail, as though prepared for a princess.
He laid her gently on the bed, watching as she smiled faintly even in her sleep, and whispered with a sly smile,
"Now I know exactly what to do with you… my dear."
He kissed her forehead once more, then turned and left the room.
Outside, he glanced at the clock—it was late.
It was time… to use his power again.
Summoning a fresh clone, he split into multiple bodies at once.
Each one bore its own will—But none could resist their fate.
They lived for one purpose, and one purpose only:To serve their master.
For those who harbored betrayal toward their sovereign… there was no place in existence.
"Find sword masters. Find weapons instructors. Find those who can teach the art of killing like a soldier. Pick only the very best. Pay whatever it takes."
The great battle was drawing near… he knew it well, for his instincts had never been wrong—And this time, they screamed louder than ever before.
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Morning of a new day.
The sky was a dull, murky gray, as if it might rain—but it didn't. The wind drifted lazily, as though trying to warn of something creeping closer. He turned on the TV as usual; the voice of a female announcer came through the black screen, its flickering images spilling across his room.
Female announcer (cold, flat tone):
"At present, an organization calling itself The Thumb has launched attacks and gone on a rampage across multiple prefectures—Yamanashi, Kanagawa, Gifu, and Nagano—without any prior warning. If members of the public encounter any suspicious individuals, they are advised to flee immediately without hesitation."
He sat on the sofa, watching without any visible reaction—as if the news on screen belonged to another world. But in truth, it was his world… one he had pushed into the abyss himself.
It wasn't surprising it had made the news. They had only just begun to speak of it, even though the plan had already been set in motion the previous night, when a heavy fog had settled and the city lights had died all at once in the blink of an eye. He had deployed over five thousand operatives—both Agents and Scouts—who had been lying in wait in the shadows for days.
Most of those he had sent were not ordinary people—they were clones, prepared to do whatever it took to spread chaos.
Heroes? They no longer mattered. They weren't obstacles—they were simply proof of our courage.
If anyone dared to stand in the way…
…we would grind them into dust, let their blood seep into the earth until even insects licked it up in bewilderment.
After finishing the news, he went to pick up Momo and Mina from their homes.
We headed to a nearby café for breakfast before going to school.We ate something simple—just bread with jam and hot tea.
After that, we entered the classroom as usual, ignoring the usual nagging of the bespectacled robot-boy.
Before long, everyone was seated as Aizawa-sensei walked in, wearing his usual scowl—though the atmosphere around him felt more serious than before, as if he had something important to announce.
Aizawa: "Alright, it's time for summer break. But it wouldn't make sense for you to just relax all month."
Kaminari: "Don't tell me…"
Aizawa: "During the summer break, we'll be having a training camp in the forest!"
He finished with his usual sardonic smile. The class erupted in cheers of excitement. He thought briefly of the "scout camp" he once attended—it had been utterly worthless.
Kirishima: "Awesome!!"Ashido: "Curry!"Kaminari: "Fireworks!"Tooru: "Test of courage!"Mineta: "Hot springs!!"
The classroom atmosphere was brimming with energy—laughter, playful shouts, and teasing echoed all around, as if everyone had collectively decided to forget the grim news and tension outside, if only for a moment.
But he… sat silently, watching it all as though it were a scene in a play in which he had no part to perform. His mind still lingered on the plans from the previous night.
Aizawa swept his gaze over the students and spoke in his flat tone.
Aizawa: "Quiet down, you troublesome kids!"
He activated his Quirk, instantly silencing the room.Ryojin chuckled under his breath, amused by their childish attitudes. Still, Aizawa continued speaking.
Aizawa: "The exam will have both written and practical components. Don't forget to train both your body and your mind."
He paused, letting the tension build, before adding something to stir them further, his eyes scanning the entire class.
Aizawa: "And for those who fail… you'll be living through hell—right here in summer school."
With that, homeroom ended, and he walked out, leaving the class on the verge of chaos.
Especially those with poor grades—they could only panic.What else could they do?
Intelligence is something earned, not something you're born with.
If you're lazy, don't blame anyone else—you made that choice yourself.
Ignorance is not the reason life fails.
Class ranking, from highest to lowest:
Momo Yaoyorozu – 4.00
Tenya Iida – 3.95
Katsuki Bakugo – 3.91
Shoto Todoroki – 3.84
Izuku Midoriya – 3.78
Ryujin Kazuma – 3.76
Tsuya Asui – 3.65
Kyoka Jiro – 3.58
Mashirao Ojiro – 3.57
Minoru Mineta – 3.50
Mezo Shoji – 3.44
Koji Koda – 3.36
Ochako Uraraka – 3.25
Fumikage Tokoyami – 3.21
Eijiro Kirishima – 3.19
Toru Hagakure – 3.10
Kirido Sato – 3.07
Hanta Sero – 3.03
Yuga Aoyama – 2.95
Mina Ashido – 2.87
Denki Kaminari – 2.86
Mina & Kaminari: "We didn't study at all!!"
The funny part? Their reactions were completely different.Mina cried in despair, while Kaminari panicked outright.
Kaminari: "Between the sports festival and the internship, I didn't study at all!!"
Yeah… probably spent the nights playing games or watching adult movies…
Tokoyami: "Actually, we've all had a ton of work to do."
He conversed with Koda and Sato, genuinely concerned, because they weren't exactly strong academically either.
Mineta: "It's probably going to be tough, haha… especially with the practical exams coming up too."
The purple-haired one was unexpectedly clever. Despite his rough personality, he was smart. Making it into the top 10 meant he was doing better than half the class.
Mina: "And I thought you were one of us!"
Kaminari: "You traitor!!! Who even wants this kind of thing anyway!?"
Mineta: "I dunno… maybe it's the world, probably something like that."
He responded to both of them with a tone of mild contempt.
He turned to see others, noticing Ochako walking over to Izuku, asking him to tutor her—whether at her home or at Midoriya's, depending on the situation.
Ochako: "Umm… Deku-kun, can you teach me? Haha, I'm kind of bad at studying…"
Izuku: "Of course! I'll tutor you until you're at the top of the class! And don't call yourself bad—you're smart enough for me."
Ochako: "Deku-kun…"
They stared at each other, enjoying their little private moment.
Until everyone else started teasing them, making smacking noises with their lips about the newly-formed couple.
One of them stuttered, while the other seemed to drift off, lost in thought in the classroom.
Asui: "But if we're talking about the smart couple, it's probably Iida-chan and Momo-chan. Though… I don't really think Kazuma-chan is that good at studying."
Iida: "Yes, I agree with what Tsuya-chan said!"
Ryujin sat quietly, saying nothing, just offering a small smile.
That surprised those close to him. Normally, he would be chatty or teasing someone, but today… he was far too calm, even absentminded.
Momo had planned to walk over and say hi, but the teacher for the next class arrived just in time.
Perfect timing—everyone settled down, and the lesson continued peacefully.
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Momo's Perspective
Ryo was walking ahead with his group of nine people, but he walked normally today—not teasing or acting like he usually does. He even seemed a little absentminded. I didn't know what was troubling him at the moment, but his expression was far too neutral. It clearly showed that he was deep in thought. I had no idea what it was about, but I really wanted to help.
I reached out and held his hand. That caught his attention. He smiled back, and his expression returned to normal, but I knew he was hiding something. That wasn't good at all—keeping things hidden like that.
Mina walked over and held the other side of Ryo's hand. After that, we ordered our food and sat down. Not long after, some kids from Class 1-B came over to greet us.
Ryujin's Perspective
"Hey, how's it going, Kazuma?"
I turned to see Neito Monoma from Class 1-B.
Monoma: "I heard you fought a Hero Killer… how did it go? I saw the video of you—honestly, you nearly scared me!"
Monoma: "By the way… why are you so quiet today?"
He asked, along with the others who were paying close attention. Because today, I really was quiet.
So… what now? Do you want to know why I'm quiet?
[Global Mission: World Annihilation Phase I has begun]
The sky has not yet turned blood-red, but the scent of fire and charred bones seeps through the wind. Borders are no longer mere lines—they are ropes slowly strangling people, and no one can escape.
Beings far beyond the rank of "Player" have emerged from the shadows of history, long unrecorded.
Occupied Operation Zones
Northern Asia
South Korea, China, Mongolia, Russia, TaiwanBy the Fallen Kingdom – King Neral II (The Tyrant)
He rules.His throne is scorched earth.His footsteps echo in those who encounter him.And his gaze is a sign of the end.He issues orders—because every life knows the fear that follows.
He is the king crowned in ashes,His sacred chalice filled with blood, loyal to the Tyrant.
And wherever he goes—the cities remember only that he is their overlord.
Southern South America
Argentina, Uruguay, Chile, Paraguay, PeruBy the Dreamspawn Association – Dreamspawn (Overlord of the Void)
They do not invade with tanks or soldiers.They come in the form of sleepwalkers,In the form of whispers in pillows,In the name of dreams that should never be dreamed.
Dreamspawn stitches human bodies into the landscape,Building cities from the bones of dreamers,And calls it "home."
On some nights—the entire city awakens at once,With a single cry:"We are the reality the world dreamed of before it forgot itself."
Northern Europe
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, IrelandBy the Garlean Federation (Mad Blade Demons)
A land that believes "lack of faith is sin."Swords are scriptures,Blades are words,And blood is a prayer.
Their soldiers chant prayers for their swords,Marching with iron feet.They believe that gods die on the battlefield,And they are the heirs of the Mad Blade's spirit.
Mercy is a curse.Gentleness is a disease.They have no pure hearts—only the blades they cling to.
Southern Africa
Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, EswatiniUnder the Wings Organization (Blessed Knights)
They do not fly—they fall.Exiled angels with burnt wings.Every feather lost is a city destroyed.
They communicate through storms.Their words are explosions in the sky,And their presence casts no shadow—for even the light dares not shine.
The Wings are the scourge of awakening,Judgment from above no one asked for.They do not soar for freedom,But to hunt.And every sky they dominate—will become the last sky you ever see.
[Alert]
"Currently, North America, Central America, and Australia remain locked—Players are not yet strong enough to enter."
If any area is "cleared" by a Player, that land becomes theirs instantly.No promises, no governments, no morals—only the word "victory" can plant a flag in the soil.
"If a Player fails or neglects their duty, neighboring nations will be continuously invaded until they are claimed as their own."
Sigh… just like that. He's thinking about what to do next.
And more importantly—
Ryujin: "Your countries are so weak, getting invaded like that… I'm in another world, damn it! Keep it simple for me, or else… you idiots!!!"
Ryujin: "Nothing much, I'm just thinking about the exams, that's all."
He tilted his head and spoke casually.
Monoma: "Not really believable, huh?"
Ryujin: "Ah, whatever, you yellow-haired fool!!"
He flashed a wide grin, shocking everyone around him with the sudden change in his demeanor.
Then someone from Class 1-B walked over.
Kendo: "Anyway, everyone looks up to you after fighting Stain. You're amazing, like—'I'll make sure you write your death letters before my bullets find you!'"
She mimicked him, making me laugh out loud.
Ryujin: "Perfect. This will get you more fans, you know?"
He said that and grinned widely, causing everyone at the table to shake their heads.
We chatted a little about the exams, before Kendo mentioned that we'd be fighting robots, just like the seniors did over the past years. Everyone else was so excited they could barely contain themselves.
Kaminari: "But how are we supposed to handle the theory part!?"
Ryujin: "I know how. I can help."
He walked over to Momo, then hugged her for everyone to see, saying to her:
Ryujin: "Mo-chan, help us… help us out of our stupidity."
Momo playfully hit my head again, but this time I patted her back, making the single guys jealous. Then the two who were watching spoke up:
Mina & Kaminari: "Yao-Momo!!! Goddess! Lady Aphrodite! Goddess of Love, please grant us your wisdom!"
They shouted Momo's name over and over, making her blush. Even Ryujin laughed at Momo's embarrassment before getting his cheek pinched by her once more.
After that, we talked a little more before scheduling our study session at Momo's house for the coming weekend.
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The Fallen Crown – The Second King, Nera
"He was buried with his own shadow, and over time, that shadow grew to consume him from within..."
A Legend That Collapsed
In ancient times, when China's lands were not yet vast, there existed a kingdom that never appeared on any map. The people only knew its ruler as "Nera" (内拉)—though that was not his true name.
He was the tyrant king, a sovereign of few words, whose mere presence made others kneel in awe of his power.
He was neither human nor demon—but rather… something left behind by the gods when they lost faith in humanity.
When he first fell—struck through the chest by the sword of a hero—his kingdom was reduced to a black desert. Yet before his extinction, he implanted the "Second King" within himself, like an egg inside his own body, waiting for the day to hatch again in the era when the world would be at its weakest.
Now… he has awakened.
Appearance of King Nera
His former body was enormous—around four meters tall, skin like cracked burnt stone, reeking of smoke and iron.
The new body he embedded within himself has awakened: standing only 180 centimeters, with snow-white skin devoid of blood flow.
His face bears scars, reminders of the moment he was struck down by the hero.
Every word he speaks carries authority, as if commanded by the subconscious itself.
Followers of Nera
They wear ordinary clothing, but bear the unmistakable symbol of a torch, representing their will to incinerate all in accordance with the king's purpose.
They speak one language—Chinese.
Nera's Goal
To create a second kingdom upon this world.To erase the history of the current world.