48, 49, 50!
Done. Drink some water and take a break.
Don't push yourself too far.
Oof, it's a cute girl!
She looks so young!
Can she even move that thing?
I've had it with this stupid, superficial world!
Twenty-eight years have passed since the Downfall incident.
In those twenty-eight years, though we've all received protection from these so-called heroes,
we've also been exposed to the heroes' conflicts.
We've even suffered disasters brought about by those conflicts.
Only through correct guidance can we truly achieve better order.
That is why I want to become X.
Mom... Mom!
I... I...!
I wanna be a hero when I grow up!
Oh?
Oh, my goodness!
You are just too cute!
Come here, Lily. Say it again, this time to the camera.
I-
I wanna be a hero when I grow up!
Hey, Lily. Come look at the video I took of you when you were young. So cute!
Mom, I'm 16 already. Stop calling me "cute".
What! My daughter looks pretty!
Everyone loves you! As your mother, I should be your number one fan.
Come here, Lily. Say it again, this time to the camera.
I wanna be a hero when I grow up!
If I go out like this to help people, I won't be made fun of for my appearance!
I'm Hero Loli! Defender of justice! Destroyer of evil! Let's go!
Ow!
That's your punishment for picking on Da Xiong!
Tiger, you okay?
What'd she shoot you with?
Loli, where'd you get that weapon?
I found a lab in the basement at home.
I just modded some stuff I found!
Hey, why won't this thing come off?
I call this the Kowtow Crossbow.
Tiger, what are you doing?
I don't even know!
My head feels heavier and heavier! I can't raise my head!
Not only can you not remove it,
the end of the arrow also gets heavier!
That forces you to bow down and apologize!
Now's the chance! Give it to me!
Right now? A-Are you sure?
I'm sure!
You're finally gonna do it!
Loli!
I actually bully Da Xiong all the time just to get your attention.
You're just too cute!
I've been too shy to give you this letter.
Now's finally my chance!
Huh?
Loli, your invention is amazing.
Even Tiger bowed down to you!
Can I really not be a hero just because I'm cute?
Huh? Well, now I know why you're dressed like that...
I-I think...
Do appearances really matter that much to heroes?
I, uh... I think...
What do you think?
I think you really are cute!
If you don't match people's idea of a hero,
maybe it's just not something you can force...
Oh, yeah!
Da Xiong, not you, too...
No!
The weather report said it'd rain today, so I brought an extra...
...umbrella.
Where's the justice in this?!
Being cute is a flaw?!
If I get pegged as some cute, helpless little girl because of my appearance,
then I'm just going to become weaker and weaker!
How will I be able to chase my own hero dream like Queen is doing?!
Maybe I'll just cut my hair short and be a little tomboy.
Why should I give in?! I like long hair! I like pink!
What's wrong with being short?! Why do I have to change myself?!
I need to find a way to be pretty and strong!
FOMO has officially ended their partnership with Hero DJ Shindig.
Hero DJ Shindig reached the top in the ranking tournaments fifteen years ago,
but his performance has stagnated since.
Lily, what are you doing, heading down to the lab again?
I'm going...
to design a battle suit for myself!
I'll create a whole new hero persona
and shatter the negative image people have of me!
It's him again?
Th-There's a creep following me!
Creep!
Wait! I'm here to protect you. I'm a hero.
You're... a hero?
I'll explain later. Stay behind me.
Hello? I'm in the 54th District, in Bagel Alley on Third Avenue.
We're being attacked by some weird guy! We need a hero here!
Damn creep! Get lost!
What... happened to him?
No idea. I just hope he doesn't show up again.
Why am I always being followed by weird people?
Are you all right? Looks like the transducer's been hit.
I'm okay. Thanks. That guy was really strong. Why was he following you?
Maybe you should get the HAC to investigate.
I should be the one thanking you.
I didn't expect to see such a cute girl underneath that hero suit.
I'll take my leave.
I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like that. I was just...
I didn't expect to see such a cute girl underneath that hero suit.
I think you really are cute!
Oof, it's a cute girl!
If you don't match people's idea of a hero,
She looks so young!
maybe it's just not something you can force...
Can she even move that thing?
What are you guys doing?!
It looks like she's inherited your genius.
She was doing all of this by herself.
We were both too neglectful.
We just kept treating her like a child.
Dad!
I didn't think you'd create all these messy inventions.
I was too focused on my work.
I didn't even notice what my own daughter was up to.
You've never watched over me!
Don't start interfering now!
This has gone far enough. I won't let you take any more risks!
These things I brought home to do some research with...
I never expected you to do dangerous things with them.
I've already cleared out the basement.
What right do you have to take away the fruits of my labor?!
Not to mention, I just want to help people! What do you mean, dangerous?!
Do you think all those weapons and equipment are just some make-believe toys?!
Da Xiong! What are you looking at?!
Put that away!
Yes, Professor Luo.
Da Xiong, don't touch my stuff!
Stop your insolence!
If you're really interested in your little toys,
then come and work properly at the Glimmer Lab.
I'll put in a special application for you.
I can take you and Da Xiong there for a tour next week.
And I'll get all of your things stored at the warehouse.
Welcome to the Glimmer Lab!
The Glimmer Lab has been conducting scientific research
and development in various fields since Year 16, with great results!
The lab is divided into different areas according to confidentiality levels.
Each project has a designated person in charge.
This is where I work— the experimental warehouse.
Wow!
It's called a warehouse,
but it's really a piece of land ripe for free study!
Are all of the things stored here no longer worth researching?
Not everything!
For example, I know there's something here that you'll really like.
This!
What... is this? Huh?
I took a look at your blueprints the other day.
Mhmm.
So you want to create super armor?
Yeah! Yeah!
Well, this was just completed in secret not too long ago.
It will surely become...
the godly mecha armor of your ideals!
What's with that disgusted look?!
Um, no! I think... it's all right!
Loli... Never thought you'd be one to lie to save another's feelings.
To each their own, right?
Mechanical armor is supposed to look like this!
Da Xiong, you've brought someone new to look at your masterpieces again?
Wang Nuonuo! Stop it with your sarcasm!
I know it's been put into storage, but I believe that gold will glitter forever!
Well, it wasn't just the old-fashioned design.
Your MCU and IMU didn't pass, either.
So, for now, it's only useful for guarding the warehouse and scare off a few people.
Isn't that why I brought someone to help?
You're...!
So the genius inventor Da Xiong was talking about was you?
That armor you were wearing that night... did you design and build it yourself?
No wonder you could tell right away that the transducer was busted. You work here!
Yup! Professor Luo had me transferred here to help Da Xiong manage the warehouse.
This is great! Now I've really got good helping hands!
This is great!
Now you two can help me build my ultimate iron-blooded warrior!
Don't get ahead of yourself.
What kind of metal is this?
It's highly malleable, but it's got such a hard texture.
I found it in my dad's lab. It looked like junk.
All thanks to them,
the redesign is going a lot faster than expected.
The transducer's output is fixed, too.
Thank you for the new design.
You've shown me that power and beauty really can coexist.
You can think of it as repaying you for saving me.
So... if you're this talented, why are you working in a warehouse?
Actually, my first job after graduation was at the lab reception desk.
Huh?
Sometimes, people's first impression of you trumps your resume,
and it affects your interview, too.
My name's Wang Nuonuo.
I majored in electronics and my minor is in industrial design.
My goal is to create technologies that'll span generations.
Technologies that will bring a better future.
What a beautiful young lady.
You don't look like an electronics major.
Oh, that's right. Isn't the admin hiring a receptionist?
Why don't we let her try that?
Yes.
We'll have you start with a basic position so you can acclimate to the environment.
Reception is our guests' first interaction with the Glimmer Lab.
You'll be greeting guests with utmost hospitality.
This is no simple task.
Encountering something like that at a scientific lab boasting research and study
is peak irony.
Luckily for me, though, I met Professor Luo.
My dad?
Yup. If not for your dad that day,
I might still be the person greeting you with a wide smile at the front.
Greetings. All guests at the laboratory are required to have an appointment.
May I ask with whom you might be in contact?
What the hell is HR doing?
An elite graduate with electronics and industrial design under your belt,
and they've put you at the reception desk?
This is your resume, right?
Hello, Professor Luo! Yes, this is my resume.
Are you interested in working with me?
Really? That'd be amazing!
Thank you so much for this opportunity!
So he's keen on caring for others,
but I doubt he'd notice if his own daughter were to take apart his house.
No way. Professor Luo's such a nice person.
Forget it. I don't even know how many times I see him in a year.
You? How's your relationship with your father?
He passed away when I was three.
I'm sorry. I didn't know.
It's all right. That's why, even though you two don't see each other all that often,
it's still something I envy.
Okay, enough chatting. Hydrate and let's be on our way!
We'll be close to completion tomorrow.
Nuonuo, do you think you could...
take me out for a drink?
Cheers!
I haven't had a beer in so long.
I asked you to take me out for a drink.
Why'd you order a cola for me?
Nuh-uh! You're not of age yet!
Hmph. I just wanted to experience work life.
You can experience it vicariously through me.
I'm warning you, though. I really can't hold my liquor.
I'm scary when I'm drunk.
Wait! Let's take a photo before you get drunk, then.
All right. Glasses up!
Hey, there seems to be someone outside watching us!
Where? It isn't the same creep from last time, is it?
Loli, where are you going?
He's gone too far!
The more weak and passive we are,
the more these creeps are going to keep pushing our boundaries!
You're drawing...
Just like last time, we're going to fight back!
Show him who's boss and scare him off!
Come on! Let's declare war on him together!
Yell it with me! Damn creep, get lost!
D-Damn creep, get lost...
Damn creep, get lost!
If you keep yelling, security's gonna think you're the creep.
Isn't that Wang Nuonuo?
What's up with her?
This is your resume, right?
What the hell is HR doing?!
An elite graduate with electronics and industrial design under your belt,
and they've put you at the reception desk?
Okay, okay! Now I know how scary you are when drunk.
Wait, you're an elite graduate?
Let's go and a our goal!
Hey, we're back at the lab so you can rest up!
We're not here for you to keep—
Loli!
You must become a hero.
You're going to declare war on all those who have negative impressions of us.
Show them what we're made of!
Yes. Of course!
Who's this? It's the middle of the night!
Hello? Speak up! Who's this?
Huh? What, another drunk guy?
Hey, who're you?
Looks like no one remembers me anymore. Let us reminisce in joy, then!
Stop right there! What're you going on about...
Ladies and gentlemen! Let the party... begin!