The faint light of dawn filtered through the broken windows of Warehouse 7B, illuminating the chaotic scene of unconscious bodies and Li Wei's solitary figure. The Aegis trial was over; the corrupt "hero," The Vigilante, lay defeated. Li Wei had freed the civilians, their faces marked by horror but with a spark of gratitude that ignited something new in his heart.
"Commander, the neutralization mission for 'The Vigilante' has been completed. Civilians are being evacuated to a Democratic Protection Zone in this universe," Aegis reported, its voice unwavering. "However, instability in this sector is greater than anticipated. 'The Vigilante's' records indicate a connection to the 'League of Villains.' Their operational leader, 'Tomura Shigaraki,' is an Alpha-Level threat."
Li Wei adjusted his armor's gloves. Shigaraki. The name resonated with a palpable darkness. He had read about him in the world's archives that Aegis had provided. The disciple of the legendary All For One, a being with the power to disintegrate everything he touched, and a mind twisted by hatred. This was no fallen hero. He was the embodiment of anarchy.
"Shigaraki," Li Wei murmured, his eyes fixed on the screen displaying an image of the villain. "He's the chaos Thanos created, but concentrated in one man. We need to confront him."
"Commander, the 'Solitary Trial' protocol has concluded," Aegis interrupted. "Combat against Shigaraki without Helldiver support, without stratagems, and with base equipment results in a 0.000001% probability of success. Your death is almost certain. I suggest reevaluating deployment."
"No," Li Wei responded firmly. "I saw it already. The depravity of The Vigilante, the way he manipulated people like Lin Jian. Shigaraki is the root of that darkness. We cannot allow his nihilism to spread. Super Earth cannot ignore a threat of this caliber."
The conviction in his voice was palpable. The battle against The Vigilante had given him renewed confidence in his own abilities, but it had also ignited a flame of purpose beyond mere survival or personal revenge. He had seen the corruption behind the heroic façade, and now, he wanted to eradicate the source of the chaos.
"Understood, Commander. Proceeding with Helldiver deployment and the preparation of orbital support and stratagems. Your decision to confront an Alpha-Level threat with maximum firepower is logical, given the circumstances."
Li Wei smiled, a somber smile that held no joy, but a deep determination. "Good. Let them prepare for the fist of democracy."
The Hunt for Nihilism: After Shigaraki
The Fortress of Justice loomed over Deika City. Now, it operated without stealth. Helldiver deployment ships and Super Earth vehicles launched into the air, their presence a visible declaration for heroes and villains alike.
"Commander, Aegis trackers have identified several key locations used by the League of Villains. The epicenter of their activity is centered in an old factory for modified Quirks heroine, on the outskirts of the city. Shigaraki is there," Aegis informed.
"Deploy assault Helldivers, Elite Soldiers, and heavy vehicles," Li Wei ordered. "I want the APCs to establish a perimeter around the factory. Tanks, suppressive fire on the defenses. Helldivers, with me, direct assault."
Li Wei donned his Helldiver armor, now with all its active upgrades. The weight of the rifle in his hands felt different—familiar and powerful. This wasn't a personal duel; it was war.
The assault on the factory was brutal. League of Villains soldiers, many with dangerous Quirks, tried to defend the perimeter. But they met the unstoppable war machine of Super Earth. 'Liberator' Tanks pulverized barricades with their plasma cannons. 'Patriot' APCs deployed squads of Elite Soldiers, who advanced methodically, their energy weapons cutting down villains.
First-Person Account: The explosion of an Eagle Airstrike pulverized a League of Villains sniper tower. I ran through the smoke and debris, my Helldivers beside me, an unstoppable wall of steel and fire. A villain with a fire Quirk launched a blaze. I blocked it with my Energy Shield, the heat scorching. Then, my Helldivers responded, their rifles pulverizing the enemy. This wasn't the fear I felt seeing Lin Jian. This was justified wrath, the cold fury that fueled justice. I wasn't saving a child; I was tearing down an ideology.
Encounter with the League of Villains:
Li Wei and his assault team stormed the factory. The interior was a labyrinth of rusted machinery and vials of strange liquids. The stench of chemicals and fear was palpable. The remaining villains, more powerful and desperate, awaited them.
Spinner, with his gecko Quirk, lunged with his giant knife-sword. Li Wei dodged him, and a Helldiver with a Flamethrower forced him back. Toga, her transformation Quirk active, tried to get close, but the Helldivers, trained in ranged combat, held the line. Dabi, with his blue flames, was a dangerous combatant.
Li Wei faced Dabi, blue flames engulfing him. He activated his Personal Distortion Field to deflect the extreme heat. The combat was a dance of evasion and counterattack. Dabi, furious at the ineffectiveness of his flames, unleashed a massive burst. Li Wei, in a risky move, lunged forward, using a Plasma Grenade to create a smoke screen and temporarily blind Dabi.
"Helldivers, flank advance! Contain these villains, but the objective is Shigaraki!" Li Wei ordered, his voice amplified by his helmet.
"Commander, Shigaraki has been detected on the lower level, in what appears to be a control chamber," Aegis reported.
Li Wei felt the adrenaline surge through his body. This was the moment. The final confrontation in this world, before he could move on to the next. The anger that had been the basis of his survival had now become the fuel for his interdimensional crusade.