Desolate Era - Book 38, Chapter 4 - A Graceful Departure

“Heroes killed my parents. Now I wear the mask of one. Until I can bury them all.”At seven years old, Hernan Vale watched his parents — two powerful heroes — brutally executed in their own home by the very people they trusted most: the legendary super-team known as the Zodiac 13.They thought he was dead.They made sure the world blamed villains.They covered their tracks.But Hernan survived — and never forgot.Ten years later, under a false name, Hernan enters the prestigious Hero Academy, hailed as a prodigy. To the world, he’s a rising star. To his classmates, he’s charming, calm, unstoppable.But inside?He’s a weapon. Waiting. Smiling. Counting names.As he trains to become a licensed hero, fights real villains, and rises through the ranks, Hernan plays the long game — earning the trust of the Zodiac, learning their routines, studying their weaknesses. One by one, he’ll bring them down.And this time, he won’t hide in the closet.But the deeper he goes, the more blood he spills — the more he wonders if he’s becoming worse than the monsters he’s hunting.And when love, loyalty, and lies collide, Hernan may have to decide:Will he save the world like they think he will...or finish burning it down?

Song Haotian, an old man with dementia, was deserted by his children. This kind of news was common on the Internet. However, such an insignificant event actually led to a series of events.

Song Haotian’s adopted daughter made false claims about him in order to be selected for a talent show. The netizens cyberbullied the old man in order to protect their idol. Just when the netizens thought this case would end satisfactorily with the adopted daughter winning, an unexpected scene played out.

The head of East Asian Chamber of Commerce, the elder of an ancient martial arts clan, the beautiful CEO of the world’s most powerful security company, the head of the nation-renowned Chinese Medicine Association, and many other families and factions were involved in the case due to the false claim.

Later, the netizens finally found out the true identity of Song Haotian and how powerful he was. However, it was too late now.

“Beast Forge? What the hell is that?”He thought while walking out of the alley. The streets were almost empty, with only the homeless wandering around, picking up anything valuable that was dropped. He walked over to join them, still thinking he needed to do this to survive. But as he bent down, a black screen appeared in front of him, with white text displayed on it.[Beast Forge system activatedUser successfully registeredScanning user... doneUser has not awakened, cannot use Beast Forge.Analyzing for possible solutions.... doneMission: Run 10 km before 00:00Reward: Force awakeningFailure: Loss of the Beast Forge systemWill you accept this mission: YES/NO]

Host: What is your dream?Lv Xiaobu: To eat and do nothing, to do as I please.Host: Then how did you become the world's richest man?Lv Xiaobu: How would I know? You ask a spendthrift how to make money? Really! I want to go back to sleep.Host: Please don't...Lv Xiaobu: Tip, five thousand.Host: Kneeling and sending off Young Master Xiaobu, may Young Master Xiaobu rule the world forever!Lv Xiaobu: Wahahaha!