Hero’s Child C20

Chapter 20

Uichan’s heart pounded violently, for reasons he couldn’t quite name.
Was it because there was a chance Noah might be the father of his children?
Or because he was a hero—one of the rare, righteous ones left in this chaotic age?

Whatever the reason, standing by and watching wasn’t an option anymore. Once he made up his mind, hesitation lost its place.

“Jack, I’m going to borrow your ability for a moment.”

“What? No, you damn brat! What the hell do you think you’re doing?! That monster’s on par with me—what could you possibly—”

Before Jack could finish, Uichan placed a hand on his arm, copying his power in an instant, and sprinted forward. Jack swore and moved to chase him, but something massive burst from the rubble behind him, slamming him to the ground.

Jack spun around, narrowly dodging the blow, only to see a goblin standing there—half its head blown away, yet still grinning hideously.

“Where do you think you’re going? You and I have unfinished business.”

“God, you persistent bastard. Want me to crush the rest of that head too?”

Growling, Jack’s muscles bulged grotesquely as he charged, the ground trembling beneath his steps. He needed to end this fast—then he’d go after Uichan.

Meanwhile, Uichan ran, following the splattered trail of blood that led to the far side of the wrecked arena. There, he saw Noah—barely holding his ground against a swarm of goblins.

His entire body was battered, torn and bleeding. One eye was squeezed shut, blood dripping down his cheek, and his uniform was soaked crimson.

“Don’t come closer! I’m fine—get the civilians out first!”

Sensing someone’s presence, Noah shouted without even looking. He was surrounded—ten goblins, at least. And behind them, villains with shotguns firing wildly into the smoke.

He was fighting alone, hopelessly outnumbered. The other heroes were no better off—busy rescuing civilians and holding the perimeter against incoming enemies. Chaos consumed everything.

Thud! The wind dome above them shuddered violently, dropping a few meters. A bullet tore through Noah’s thigh, blood streaming down his leg. The moment his defense wavered, the goblins lunged, blades raised to cleave his skull in two.

“Noah!”

Uichan’s voice cut through the roar. He charged in, using Jack’s power, and with one swing of his fist sent three goblins flying. Their bodies smashed through debris like ragdolls.

Snatching up a fallen axe, Uichan planted himself in front of Noah, raising it defensively.

“Noah, are you alright?”

“Hah… Uichan… hyung?”

Noah’s chest heaved as he turned his head, catching sight of that familiar figure standing between him and the monsters. His eyes widened—then he reached out, gripping Uichan’s shoulder and pulling him around.

“You shouldn’t be here—it’s too dangerous! I’ll handle this, just go!”

But Uichan shook off his hand. Behind Noah, another goblin raised its weapon. Without hesitation, Uichan threw the axe—its blade buried deep into the creature’s forehead with a wet crack.

He knew it wouldn’t hold; goblins regenerated too quickly. But it bought them seconds. He grabbed a broken steel bar from the ground, holding it like a spear.

“How long do you need?” he asked sharply.

Noah blinked, confused, even as he slashed through another enemy. His arm brushed Uichan’s shoulder as he spun, whispering through his teeth, “What are you talking about?”

Uichan’s voice was steady. “I’ll hold up the dome for you. But I can’t maintain it for long. How long will it take you to clear them out? No—how many seconds do you need?”

For a moment, countless words flickered across Noah’s face—shock, protest, disbelief—but they all faded quickly. He was smart enough to understand. Uichan had copied his wind ability earlier in the waiting room.

Their eyes met. Can you handle it? Noah’s gaze seemed to ask.

Uichan nodded once.

“…Thirty seconds,” Noah finally said.

“…”

“Thirty seconds will be enough. Can you last that long?”

“If not,” Uichan muttered, gripping the steel tighter, “I’ll make it enough.”

Even with Noah’s power copied, Uichan’s output was barely half the original. That meant every second mattered.

“Give me your hand.”

Without a word, Noah offered it. His palm was torn and bloodied, covered in small cuts and burns.

He’ll have new scars after this, Uichan thought grimly.

Even heroes didn’t heal overnight. Bones didn’t mend instantly, limbs didn’t regrow. Humanity had evolved countless powers, but never true regeneration. Healing was a luxury—most “healers” could only accelerate recovery or close shallow wounds.

A serious injury could end a hero’s career. And yet here Noah was—his eye half-ruined, bleeding, and still standing tall.

Uichan clasped his hand tightly. The goblins were regrouping, preparing to charge again.

“Reverse,” Uichan whispered.

A spark flared where their palms met. Electric-blue light erupted between their fingers, pulsing through Noah’s body. His damaged flesh began to knit together, the bruised tissue regenerating, bone resetting, and the blood-clouded eye clearing with sudden clarity.

Within seconds, his injuries vanished—his body restored as if time itself had turned backward.

A sharp sting shot through Uichan’s abdomen, but it passed too quickly to dwell on. Noah flexed his newly healed hand, strength returning.

“Go,” Uichan urged.

Their gazes locked—steel meeting storm. It was time.

Noah nodded. “Just hold on a little. I’ll finish this quickly.”

Uichan only nodded back. Then he released the copied power.

The wind surged. His version of Noah’s ability was softer, more fluid—but no less powerful. The invisible air roared to life beneath the dome, lifting and holding it aloft once more.

As Noah released his own control, the full weight of the structure slammed down onto Uichan’s shoulders. His vision blurred, his breath hitched.

It felt like the sky itself was crushing him. His veins screamed. Every muscle burned.

So this… this is what Noah’s been carrying all along.

He gritted his teeth. Across the field, Noah turned, fists clenching, the air exploding around him as he unleashed a hurricane.

Fwoooosh—!

The storm expanded with terrifying speed, swallowing the entire arena. The ground trembled as the wind grew denser, fiercer.

Those caught in its path—villains and heroes alike—were swept up into the air. Yet the wind moved with strange intelligence: allies were cradled gently, set safely aside, while enemies were ripped apart midair like paper.

The hurricane burned crimson, dyed by the blood of its victims.

CRACK—!

Uichan, trembling beneath the collapsing dome, looked around desperately. If Jack had been caught in the storm, it’d be a disaster. But then he spotted him—a massive figure curled up in a corner, unharmed but shaking like a leaf. Relief washed over him.

All that remained was to endure.

But the weight pressing down grew heavier, almost unbearable. Sweat poured from his forehead, his vision swam, and his knees began to buckle.

He wanted to let go—to throw it all down and breathe again. But just as his strength finally gave out—

Someone’s arm wrapped around his waist, steadying him. The crushing weight vanished all at once. He gasped as air flooded his lungs again.

“What—what the…”

“What do you think?”

A low chuckle brushed his ear. Uichan lifted his head in shock.

“I told you I’d be right back.”

Noah stood before him, hair tousled, wind swirling around his frame. His green eyes gleamed softly beneath the shifting light, curved into a gentle smile.

Uichan tilted his head upward—then froze.

Above them, the crimson hurricane had taken control of the dome, pushing it higher and higher until it pierced through the ceiling. The swirling vortex connected sky and earth in one immense pillar of light and wind.

Everyone who looked up was left speechless.

The world seemed to bend beneath the force of it. Noah’s hurricanes had always been formidable—but this… this was something else. Vast, feral, divine.

He had ascended.
When an esper reached the absolute limit of their power, they sometimes underwent a metamorphosis—a rebirth beyond human bounds. People called it transcending the extreme.

That was what was happening now.

Uichan watched the raging storm above and then looked back at the man standing before him. Noah’s green eyes glowed with exhilaration and heat, tempered by an unfathomable calm.

“Hyung… Uichan-hyung.”

Noah’s large hand moved forward, wrapping around Uichan’s back and pulling him into a steady, wordless embrace.

Uichan stiffened, caught completely off guard, unsure why the young hero suddenly held him so close.