Being a Hero isn't for just anyone. A true Hero isn't some brute who wields power blindly.

First, a Hero must learn courage—the wise, calm kind. Never become a weapon, destroying without restraint.

Of course, a Hero isn't simple either. Raw power means nothing without knowing how to use it right. If that’s all you have... you’d have no right calling yourself a Hero before an ordinary person trained in first aid.

So really, a Hero’s just a firefighter and cop combined. Though medical skills? Those vary.

As for saving people...

"SO SCARY—"

Zeming sprinted back like a shadow, two children slung over his shoulders.

*Why do these things still find me?* he thought. *I quit being a Hero ages ago.*

He’d only gone out for groceries. He never expected this—his situation was already terrible enough.

"WAAAAH! I want Mommy!!"

"G-goo... so scary..."

"It’ll be okay! Almost there!!"

Trapped between their wails, he still pushed to run faster. He had time—just enough before that colossal foot stomped down. The road behind him shattered into dust. Fighting without transforming? Impossible. He’d be exposed instantly.

One slap from the monster sent a car flying. Its mere breath nearly blew a person off their feet.

Its size needed no explanation—nearly three stories tall. Not a giant beast, but its destructive power? *My god. Help.*

BOOM-BOOM-BOOM—

SCREEEECH—

"Why’s this thing so FAST?!"

Defying its bulky frame, the monster raced like a speeding sedan, closing in on Zeming in seconds.

Those thick, elephantine legs pounded the pavement at terrifying speed. *Seriously?!*

One misstep, and Zeming would be crushed to paste. Being ordinary was hard enough—but now, carrying two kids while fleeing a monster? Unfair.

"HURRY UP!" Elusa shouted from afar. This utter helplessness felt absurd.

"I’m coming! Cut it out—I’m already sprinting!"

If he didn’t suppress his power, Zeming would’ve unleashed it already. *Imagine—a normal guy chased by this thing. Must I shoot like a comet too? Being ordinary is exhausting.*

Finally! At the last second, Zeming reached safety. He tripped face-first, but Elusa caught the children before they hit the ground.

"Safe... safe~~~"

Zeming gave a thumbs-up from the dirt.

*Grocery shopping leads to this now?*

"Not bad speed," Elusa remarked, her opinion of her brother-in-law shifting slightly. She watched soldiers and police forming cordons. *We’re safe.*

"Just... daily training with your sister pays off."

"Eira really is dedicated..." Elusa paused. "Anyway, it’s not our problem anymore. Let’s go."

"What?"

Zeming looked up. Soldiers had sealed off both sides. Police stretched barricades. Trucks carrying personnel arrived instantly. And tanks—*overkill* tanks.

"Talk about fast response?"

"I called them. Had to protect nearby residents." She lowered her phone.

"Many calls?"

"One."

"What *are* you?!" *Are all military folks monsters too?!*

"They’re just extras. The real stars are over there."

She pointed. The Heroes’ stage had begun.

Heroes descended like gods.

A woman in red leather—slim but fierce—shattered a boulder with a single kick mid-air.

*Bloody 89. Battle Heroine... A powerhouse?*

A frail-looking man unleashed tentacle-like arms, catching cars the monster hurled. His free tentacles coiled around the turtle-monster’s shell.

*Weirdly impressive...* Zeming envied that ability.

A steel-skinned man stood firm as a living shield. His hardened body deflected debris like a tank, unscathed.

"ROOOOAR!"

The turtle-monster barely flinched under the tentacles. Instantly, chaos erupted.

It broke free, charging forward. Its crushing weight shook the earth like an earthquake.

The steel man lunged, arms wide. He braced against one massive leg, muscles coiling low. With a guttural "HRRRK—!", his frame hardened—veins stood out sharply, radiating raw power.

His boots sank into the soil. Roaring, he heaved the entire monster off the ground and hurled it skyward.

The tentacle-man ensnared it mid-air. A corrosive *hiss* sizzled where his tendrils touched the shell.

Molten cracks spread across the turtle’s armor. It shrieked in agony.

"People like *that* get to be Heroes? They’re no different from villains."

Even Elusa sounded surprised.

"No difference. As long as the power works, anyone can wear the Hero title now."

Zeming’s voice was flat.

Exactly. Everyone watched like it was a show. These days, "entertaining" was all that mattered.

"You envy those with Supernatural Power."

In a way, she was right.

"Eh. I’ve got Eira. That’s enough."

"Don’t feed me sickening flattery." Elusa shot him a glare.

"No flattery! I mean... those tainted Heroes? None compare to my Eira."

"Tainted? Explain." Her eyes narrowed.

"Must I spell it out? Heroes basking in cheers, drunk on victory—they never see it. The crowd watches death, loss, lives shattered. All they crave is the *thrill* of seeing victims saved."

Zeming looked down.

"So it’s just... good theater." Elusa watched the cheering crowd, weighing his words.

"Exactly. Eira’s different. They perform. She *saves*. Even if some started with good intentions—they never asked what a Hero truly is. Eira saves. To me, she’s no circus clown playing for applause."

"Eira... my sister. Is she truly that exceptional?"

"I don’t know your feelings. But I know this: Eira is a true Hero."

Heroes had rotted. The untainted few now defined what a Hero should be.

True strength lay in the original self. True radiance shone from the farthest distance.

But perhaps... it was right before his eyes.