---
The whole world was talking about him.
On every screen, in every newspaper, on every social platform, the name **"Chaos Harbinger"** was echoing nonstop. The event experienced by the residents of the nation **"Virenze"** wasn't just an ordinary criminal incident; it was a **live show** watched by millions across **the continent of Erona**, which houses the most advanced countries in the world. The news spoke of the terror that this mysterious villain planted in the heart of **"Ostium," the industrial capital of the nation**, where the "Astoria Grand Hotel" witnessed one of the most insane hostage operations in recent years.
But what shocked everyone the most wasn't the meticulous planning, the live broadcast, or the fact that the authorities failed to stop him... it was those **extra five seconds.**
Analysts, journalists, superpower experts, and even ordinary internet users were all asking the same question:
**"Why?"**
**"Why did he give her extra time to save everyone?"**
**"Did he feel pity? Was he testing her? Did he just want to make it more dramatic?"**
Every news channel was analyzing the footage from every possible angle, anchors sitting in front of screens displaying scenes from the broadcast, slowing down the footage, circling the timer, replaying the hotel explosion scene over and over.
**"Notice here, before the counter hits zero, we clearly see the timer suddenly jumps to five extra seconds! This is no coincidence, he was controlling everything from the start!"**
**"This means he never intended to kill the hostages... but he wanted them to believe he would, why? Was he testing Star Weaver?"**
**"The most dangerous thing here is that he wasn't caught, not even tracked! How did he manage to hack all security systems and broadcast the event live without being shut down? Are we facing a villain with extraordinary electronic skills?"**
While the headlines topped every news outlet, the comments on social media were even crazier:
- **"For God's sake, this man is insane!"**
- **"I hate this bastard! How can he psychologically torture people like this?!"**
- **"I don't understand, is he just a chaotic villain or does he have a real goal?"**
- **"Who bets he's just a rich guy with psychological issues?"**
- **"Oh, Star Weaver was amazing! That girl is a true hero!"**
- **"I just want to know the reason for those five seconds... he didn't have to add them, but he did!"**
- **"Maybe he wanted to test her? Maybe he wanted her to succeed?"**
- **"Oh no, could this be some kind of 'mind game' between them?"**
- **"Whatever it is, I want him caught, this man is extremely dangerous!"**
But Daniel, sitting on his couch in his hideout, was only reading the negative comments.
**"What a vile scumbag, I hope he burns in hell!"**
**"This filth deserves public execution!"**
**"How haven't they caught him yet? Are the heroes asleep?!"**
"Damn..." Daniel muttered, placing his hand over his eyes, feeling a headache. "They loved the show too much to the point of cursing."
Risa, who was lounging in a swivel chair next to him, her feet propped up on the table, munching on chips while watching the comments with delight. "Oh, wonderful! You've become the city's number one enemy in less than a day!"
"This isn't funny..."
"It kinda is, honestly."
"What are we going to do now?"
"Me? Nothing. You? Enjoy being Erona's most hated villain."
"I'm going to sleep."
"Sweet dreams, Mr. Chaos."
Elsewhere, Star Weaver was waking up from her bed in **Stardius Hospital**, the city's largest hospital for heroes. Her body was still aching, but thanks to advanced medical technology, she had fully recovered in just one day.
She wasn't happy.
She was angry.
The moment she stepped out of the hospital room, cameras lined up before her, journalists shouting their questions, flashes going off nonstop.
**"Star Weaver! How did you feel confronting the Chaos Harbinger?"**
**"What do you think of his actions? Do you believe he's deranged or has a plan?"**
**"How do you explain the addition of five seconds before the explosion?"**
**"Do you plan to face him again?"**
But she didn't answer any question, walking straight out of the hospital, where another hero was waiting for her.
**Wind Warder, an A-Class hero, Mistress of the Winds.**
She was a tall woman with short sky-blue hair and sharp turquoise eyes. Standing at the edge of the building, arms crossed, before taking Star Weaver's hand and swiftly lifting her into the air, carrying her away from the journalists.
"Oh, don't worry, this isn't a kidnapping, just helping you out a bit."
Moments later, she landed her on the roof of the **Global Heroes Tower branch in Ostium**, one of dozens of branches scattered worldwide, with the headquarters in **Niwafion**, the great western nation.
As Star Weaver entered the main hall, she was greeted by dozens of heroes and investigators, some clapping, others smiling.
"Great job out there, you saved everyone!"
"You were amazing, I didn't expect you to get them all out!"
"Even top-ranked heroes wouldn't have succeeded in that situation, well done!"
Though their words weren't her goal, though she didn't fight for recognition, she felt something warm in her heart.
But the anger didn't fade.
She turned to Wind Warder, her eyes ablaze. "Where's the leader?"
"In the meeting room, he wants to talk to you."
She walked briskly toward the room, where the branch leader sat in front of a giant screen displaying all the latest reports.
"Are you alright?" he asked seriously.
"I'm fine, but that bastard—"
"We know, the Chaos Harbinger, the villain who baffled everyone."
"There's one thing for sure." She clenched her fist tightly. "He's not just a madman, he wants something specific... he wants me."
The leader looked at her intently. "You think he's targeting you personally?"
"Not think, I'm sure. Everything he did was connected to me, the messages, the theatrics, the hotel, even the extra seconds..." She bit her lip. "I'm the one who needs to catch him."
Wind Warder placed a hand on her shoulder, concern in her eyes. "But Star, there were children among the hostages... this isn't just an ordinary villain."
"I know." She took a deep breath. "But he's not someone you'll be able to handle. He can't be caught with your usual methods, can't be tracked, can't even stop his live broadcasts, he's a hacker, possessing technology we know nothing about."
Silence reigned for seconds before the leader smiled slightly. "Well then, it seems you've found your arch-nemesis."
Star Weaver felt something strange in those words, but she ignored it.
She had one mission now.
**To capture the Chaos Harbinger... at any cost.**