By the following morning, news of Vincent’s victory had spread throughout the entire Hero Agency.
Nobody could quite believe what had happened.
An unlicensed Rank 1 Superhuman, someone who had spent years cleaning training equipment and running errands, had somehow defeated Derek Blackthorne, a licensed Rank 2 Hero whose combat abilities were considered among the best of the agency’s younger members.
Naturally, the incident became the most popular topic of conversation among the employees.
"I watched the whole thing yesterday. Vincent actually knocked Derek unconscious with a single punch!" a young employee exclaimed excitedly, leaning toward his colleagues as they gathered near the staff cafeteria.
"You’re exaggerating," another employee replied skeptically, shaking his head. "Derek is Rank 2. There’s no way someone with Vincent’s pathetic Energy Signature could defeat him in a fair fight."
"I’m telling you, I saw it happen!" the first employee insisted, lowering his voice when two licensed Heroes passed nearby. "Derek was beating him badly, but Vincent somehow managed to turn things around. You should have seen everyone’s faces when Derek collapsed!"
Similar conversations were taking place throughout the building, although the reactions varied considerably.
Some employees secretly admired Vincent for finally standing up against Derek’s bullying. Others considered his actions reckless, believing that challenging a licensed Hero was practically professional suicide.
The Heroes themselves were considerably less enthusiastic.
For them, the incident was an embarrassment.
A licensed Hero losing to an unlicensed employee reflected poorly on the agency’s reputation, especially when that employee was widely regarded as one of the weakest Superhumans in the building.
Unfortunately for Vincent, management had already taken notice.
Vincent arrived at the agency shortly before nine that morning.
Although the healer had treated most of his injuries the previous afternoon, his body still felt sore whenever he moved too quickly. Fortunately, a night’s rest had restored his depleted Flux Energy, leaving him considerably more comfortable than he had been after the fight.
More importantly, he had barely slept because of his excitement.
The Villain Assimilation System.
Even now, Vincent found it difficult to believe that he possessed something capable of granting him additional superpowers.
After testing Impact Amplification in his apartment, he had spent nearly an hour examining his Status Window and considering the possibilities.
However, he had eventually forced himself to stop.
There were still practical matters requiring his attention, and the incident with Derek was unlikely to disappear simply because Vincent had awakened an extraordinary ability.
His suspicions were confirmed almost immediately.
"Vincent, management wants to see you," the receptionist informed him as he entered the lobby.
She looked unusually uncomfortable, glancing toward the security officers standing near the elevators. "They’ve scheduled a disciplinary hearing in the executive conference room. You’re supposed to report there immediately."
Vincent studied her expression before nodding slowly. "I figured something like this would happen. Did they mention what the hearing is about?"
The receptionist hesitated, clearly reluctant to involve herself further. "Only that it concerns yesterday’s incident. Vincent, you should be careful. Derek’s already been upstairs for almost an hour."
Vincent thanked her and headed toward the elevators.
As he ascended toward the executive floor, he considered what he intended to say.
He had defended himself against an assault witnessed by dozens of people. Surely, even the agency’s management couldn’t completely disregard that fact.
At least, that was what he wanted to believe.
When the elevator doors opened, Vincent stepped into a luxurious corridor decorated with expensive artwork and framed photographs of the agency’s most successful Heroes.
He had cleaned this floor countless times.
Yet this was the first occasion he had been summoned here as anything other than an employee performing maintenance duties.
A secretary directed him toward the conference room at the end of the corridor.
Vincent knocked twice before entering.
Inside, three senior executives sat behind a polished conference table. At the center was Director Marcus Halden, a stern-looking man in his late fifties who oversaw the agency’s daily operations. Beside him sat the head of personnel and a senior administrator responsible for Hero affairs.
Derek was seated comfortably opposite them.
His jaw showed faint traces of swelling, but otherwise he appeared perfectly healthy.
The moment Vincent entered, Derek’s lips curled into a mocking smile.
"Well, look who finally decided to show up," Derek remarked, leaning backward in his chair. "I was beginning to think our little troublemaker had run away after realizing what he’d done."
Vincent ignored the provocation and turned toward the executives.
"Director Halden, I was informed that you wanted to speak with me about yesterday’s incident," he said respectfully, remaining standing beside the empty chair.
"Sit down, Vincent," Halden instructed, gesturing toward the chair without returning his greeting. His expression remained cold as he opened a document resting before him. "We have received a serious complaint concerning your conduct during yesterday’s training session."
Vincent sat down, already feeling that something was wrong.
"According to the complaint submitted by Hero Blackthorne, you became aggressive after receiving ordinary work instructions and proceeded to physically assault him without provocation," Halden continued, examining the document. "He further claims that you deliberately targeted his head, causing injuries that required medical treatment."
Vincent stared at the director incredulously.
"That’s not what happened," he replied, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Derek ordered me to lift equipment beyond my capabilities, and when I refused, he shoved me into a rack and slapped me across the face. Everyone in the training hall witnessed it."
Derek immediately scoffed, folding his arms across his chest. "Don’t twist the story, Vincent. I was conducting a training exercise, and you deliberately challenged my authority. You attacked me first, remember?"
Vincent turned toward him, his expression hardening. "You physically assaulted me before I threw that punch. Are you seriously going to pretend otherwise when there were dozens of witnesses?"
"Enough," Halden interrupted sharply, raising one hand before Derek could respond. "Vincent, regardless of whatever disagreement occurred, you must understand that physically attacking a licensed Hero is an extremely serious offense."
Vincent slowly turned back toward the director.
Something about those words bothered him.
"Director, are you saying that because Derek has a Hero License, he’s allowed to assault ordinary employees without consequences?" Vincent questioned, leaning forward slightly as he searched the older man’s expression.
Halden’s face darkened.
"That is not what I said," the director answered coldly. "However, licensed Heroes are valuable professionals whose responsibilities and privileges differ from those of ordinary support staff. Your actions have created a situation that could damage the agency’s reputation."
Vincent felt his stomach sink.
There it was.
The agency’s reputation.
Not the assault.
Not the bullying.
Certainly not the fact that Derek had attempted to seriously injure him during what was supposed to be a routine training session.
The only thing management seemed concerned about was protecting its public image.
"Then review the security footage," Vincent suggested, refusing to abandon the matter without attempting to defend himself. "The training hall has cameras. You can see exactly what happened and determine who started the confrontation."
The head of personnel exchanged a brief glance with Halden before clearing her throat.
"We have reviewed the available reports," she explained, carefully avoiding his suggestion. "Unfortunately, regardless of the circumstances leading to the confrontation, your decision to engage in physical combat violated the agency’s employee conduct regulations."
Vincent stared at her.
"You reviewed reports," he repeated slowly, emphasizing the distinction. "But did you actually watch the footage?"
Neither executive answered immediately.
Derek, meanwhile, appeared thoroughly entertained.
"Come on, Vincent. Stop embarrassing yourself," he remarked with a smug grin. "You got lucky yesterday, and now you’re acting like you’ve accomplished something incredible. Just apologize and accept your punishment before you make things worse."
Vincent looked at Derek for several seconds before returning his attention to the executives.
He finally understood.
This wasn’t an investigation.
The decision had already been made long before he entered the room.
Halden closed the document and folded his hands across the table.
"Management has decided to resolve this matter internally," the director announced. "You will issue a formal apology to Hero Blackthorne, accept a disciplinary warning, and forfeit one month’s salary as compensation for the disruption caused by your actions."
Vincent remained silent.
One month’s salary.
For defending himself against someone who had assaulted him.
"And naturally, any further misconduct will result in immediate termination," Halden added, apparently interpreting Vincent’s silence as acceptance. "Considering the seriousness of your offense, I believe this is an extremely generous resolution."
Derek smiled triumphantly.
"You heard the director," he said, gesturing toward himself with obvious satisfaction. "Go ahead, Vincent. I’m waiting for my apology."
Vincent lowered his gaze toward the polished conference table.
For several moments, he said nothing.
His thoughts drifted toward the years he had spent working at the agency. He remembered arriving on his first day, filled with excitement despite his disappointing Energy Signature. He had believed that surrounding himself with professional Heroes would help him learn, improve, and eventually obtain his own Hero License.
Instead, he had become everyone’s errand boy.
He had endured insults, unreasonable demands, and countless humiliations because he feared losing the only opportunity he believed he had.
But yesterday, everything had changed.
He had defeated Derek.
And more importantly, he had awakened the Villain Assimilation System.
For the first time in his life, Vincent possessed a genuine opportunity to become stronger.
Why should he continue wasting his future in a place that treated him like garbage?
"Vincent, we’re waiting," Halden reminded him impatiently, tapping his fingers against the table. "Do you accept management’s decision?"
Vincent slowly raised his head.
The fear and hesitation that had accompanied him into the conference room were gone.
Instead, an unfamiliar sense of determination settled over his expression.
"No, Director Halden," Vincent replied calmly, meeting the older man’s gaze without flinching. "I don’t accept your decision."
Derek’s triumphant smile faltered, while the three executives exchanged displeased glances.
Halden leaned forward, his voice becoming noticeably colder. "I suggest you think very carefully about what you’re saying, Vincent. Refusing to cooperate will only make your situation worse."
Vincent stood up from his chair.
He looked at the director, then at Derek, before allowing a faint smile to appear on his face.
"Then you won’t have to worry about disciplining me anymore," Vincent declared, his voice steady and unmistakably clear. "Because effective immediately, I’m resigning from this agency."