"Yamashiro, the one hundred billion yen bill will be delivered to the Yamashiro Family tonight as promised."
Momobami Kirari's leisurely words sent chills down Yamashiro's spine.
One hundred billion!
In front of the Hundred Devouring Families, this kind of debt couldn't simply be denied. And now that he had caused such a loss, Yamashiro dared not imagine what would become of him within the family.
Driven to utter terror, Yamashiro lost all reason.
He screamed, attempting to lunge at Kirari.
But in the next second, a female bodyguard behind Momobami Kirari pinned him to the ground.
His hands were twisted behind his back, and a knee pressed hard into his spine.
"Ah!"
Yamashiro let out a miserable cry.
His bloodshot eyes locked onto Kirari as he shouted hysterically.
"You set this up!"
"You had a way to save yourself but led me into the trap on purpose!"
As Yamashiro howled, a trace of delight curled at the corner of Kirari's lips.
"A trap?"
Her lips curled further into a mocking smile.
"I gave you two choices. You could've gambled that I wouldn't be killed."
"If you won, your debt would be erased and you'd even earn an extra billion."
"If you lost and I died, there was still a good chance the debt could be dodged."
"But you chose to believe I'd die."
"Because in that moment, you couldn't wait to see me dead. Your hatred for me had already overpowered your fear of the debt—overpowered any rational thought!"
Kirari looked down at the increasingly pale Yamashiro. Her cold yet stunning face was filled with satisfaction.
"Gambling doesn't create anything. It's an act of constant loss. Only those who enjoy the risks can see the truth."
"What a pity, Yamashiro—you don't seem to be enjoying it at all."
Her words echoed through the hall. The rest stood frozen, a chill spreading through their hearts.
This woman—so casually cruel—had completely taken control of Yamashiro's psyche and lured him into an irreversible decision.
The current head of the Hundred Devouring Families was truly terrifying.
Kirari's disdainful gaze finally drifted away from Yamashiro.
Those raised in noble families received elite education from birth. But to her, the word "elite" was far too overused.
Only those who remain calm in the face of absolute crisis can be considered true elites.
Clearly, this Yamashiro fell far short of that standard.
Her beautiful eyes shifted slightly, pausing on Shinomiya Kaguya, before settling on Iino Miko and Yuki.
The Shinomiya and Momobami families were both part of the conglomerates backing the Hero Association and had agreed not to harm each other.
Kirari found that somewhat regretful.
She would have liked to test the Shinomiya heiress.
As for Iino Miko and her overwhelming sense of justice—too immature.
But Yuki, with her capable and cunning demeanor—she was far more interesting.
"Pity... if only you were a student of Hyakkaou Academy..."
Kirari's eyes flickered as she looked at Yuki.
At the same time, the latter was also sizing her up.
"Silver hair, big thunder, black stockings and long legs... damn, this woman hits all my brother's weak spots!"
"And she even brings in cash!"
Yuki thought silently.
To the others, Yamashiro's misfortune wasn't their concern.
After the last of the Paradise Group's thugs had been knocked unconscious, the atmosphere in the hall finally began to relax.
Then, as a hunched figure entered the room, everyone's eyes lit up and they rushed over.
"You're S-Class Hero Bang, the Silver Fang, aren't you?"
"Thank you for rescuing us, Master Bang!"
"My father's been a fan of yours for years..."
For the wealthy elite, building ties with powerful individuals was second nature.
Bang, as an S-Class hero, was someone rarely seen in person.
Now that the chance was here, of course they seized it.
Yet Bang looked at them in confusion.
"Why are you all still here? Haven't you evacuated?"
His voice stunned everyone.
"Master Bang, what do you mean?"
Seeing their puzzled faces, Bang frowned.
"You didn't receive the evacuation notice?"
Then he suddenly realized—he hadn't heard any emergency alerts since arriving here.
"Master Bang, it seems the Paradise Group jammed the local signal..."
Only then did Bang understand.
"..."
He sighed, pointed at the ceiling, and said solemnly.
"A meteor has gone off course and is headed straight for this city."
Silence filled the hall.
After a long pause, a trembling voice finally broke the stillness.
"M-Master Bang, you're joking... right?"
Bang glanced at him and replied calmly.
"If you want to know, just look from the rooftop."
With that, he reported the situation to the Hero Association while heading upstairs.
The others stood frozen for a moment, then rushed to the roof.
From their vantage point, the surrounding buildings were empty.
Looking out, they could see jammed streets as people fled the city in panic.
Looking skyward, a small, flaming dot grew larger and larger.
"The Association estimates it will impact in five minutes."
A boy collapsed on the ground, his eyes blank.
They couldn't even get a phone signal—calling for help was impossible.
Even if fighter jets were scrambled, five minutes wouldn't be enough.
Shinomiya Kaguya's elegant face was now filled with dread.
She pulled out a cube similar to Kirari's and entered a command.
At Hero Association HQ...
After receiving Bang's report, Commander Sekingar was stunned.
"The signal was jammed by the Paradise Group... so they missed the alert?"
If it had been ordinary civilians, it would've been unfortunate but tolerable.
But these were elite heirs, including members from major sponsor families...
Even if some families could afford to lose one or two heirs, the loss of so many would cause a major stir.
"No wonder we got that top-priority distress signal..."
Just then, a comms officer reported.
"Armored Gorilla and Metal Knight have arrived!"
Commander Sekingar rubbed his temples.
He didn't have high hopes that the heroes could stop the meteor.
This disaster was meant to be handled through evacuation, not confrontation.
No one had expected a meteor of this size to change course so erratically.
As if guided by a god.
"Turn the plane around. Send Tornado of Terror to the site."
"And the Ancient King awakening at Demon-level threat?"
"Intercept the meteor first!"
"Unfortunately, Miss Tornado may not arrive in time..."
Sekingar stared at the screen where the meteor, wreathed in flame, continued to fall.
"We have to try."
"Y-Yuki..."
Iino Miko clutched Yuki's arm, her face pale.
Even top students were powerless in the face of such a disaster.
Yuki glanced at her signal-less phone and whispered.
"..."
Then, something struck her.
She reached into her inner pocket and took out a flawless white feather.
Looking at it nervously, she remembered what Kuzeha had told her—if she kept this feather close, he could always sense her state.
Even in danger, he'd rush to her aid.
"But… can even he stop a meteor?"
Just as that thought formed—
A familiar voice echoed in her mind.
"Yuki, you can believe in your brother."
Yuki froze.
Then she looked at the feather in her hand, astonished.
"Brother?"
"This feather lets us talk directly?"
Kuzeha's light laughter rang out in her mind.
"Didn't I say? As long as you wear it, I can sense everything."
Yuki tilted her head and reflexively replied.
"So... when I sleep, bathe, or… use your photo to cast spells… you sensed that too?"
"You really are the ultimate siscon!"
Kuzeha sighed.
Even with a meteor coming, she could still joke like this.
"So, where are you now?"
"Turn around."
This time, the voice came not just from her mind—but from behind her.
The feather in her hand glowed faintly. She turned her head.
Kuzeha stepped through space and appeared right before her.
"Brother?!"
Yuki lit up with joy and threw herself into his arms.
Caught off guard, Iino Miko was dragged down with her.
Kuzeha quickly wrapped an arm around Yuki's waist.
Iino instinctively grabbed onto him.
Looking up, she saw his handsome face and warm smile.
Feeling his hand on her waist, her heart skipped a beat.
"A-Ah… th-thank you!"
Like being shocked, she pulled away from him.
Then, seeing Yuki's blissful face in Kuzeha's arms, she blinked in confusion.
She didn't recall seeing this boy earlier…
And—
"Suou-san, is he your brother?"
Yuki nodded halfway, then quickly shook her head.
"He's my childhood friend. You could say… the boy next door!"
They had to stick to the cover story!
"I see..."
Iino Miko's gaze moved between the two of them.
Judging by their looks… they did look like siblings.
Nearby, a half-cybernetic man leapt onto the rooftop.
Moments later, a jet-powered robot landed on the adjacent building.
Everyone gasped.
"The new S-Class Hero Armored Gorilla!"
"And Metal Knight, ranked sixth!"
"Plus Silver Fang, ranked third..."
"Three S-Class heroes—maybe there's still hope?"
Bloodless faces lit up with hope.
Yuki turned to Kuzeha, curious.
"Brother, can they do it?"
Kuzeha looked up at the plummeting meteor.
With its size, it would level the city on impact.
And the shockwave might even hit Tokyo and Chiba.
This level of power wouldn't kill someone like Bang…
But there was no way these heroes could destroy or stop it.
"They can't."
He said calmly.
If it had been Tornado, ranked second, there might have been a chance.
"So, in the end, it's up to you to save the world!"
Yuki gazed up at him, eyes shining.
From childhood, Kuzeha had never broken a promise to her.
If he said it—she'd believe it, no matter how absurd.
"Saving the world is a bit much. I'm no messiah."
Kuzeha chuckled.
"True!"
"Messiahs work for free..."
"We're orphans from the slums. If we're helping others—we're getting paid!"
Yuki muttered.
Then her eyes sparkled with an idea.
"Brother, how about one hundred billion yen?"
"Surely it's worth at least that much!"
Kuzeha looked at her strangely.
"One hundred billion per job" sounded… oddly like something else.
Seeing his look, Yuki gave him a mischievous smile.
"Just wait and collect the money, okay?"
Then she looked across to the silver-haired girl in black stockings.
Momobami Kirari noticed Yuki's gaze.
Seeing the boy beside her, Kirari's eyes narrowed.
She had never seen him before at today's gathering.
As Yuki approached, Kirari's sharp gaze turned watchful.
Read advance chapters on: patre on.com/Bored_Mortal