A terrorist attack targeting the Land of Heroes.
The incident shocked the residents of Pangea, but fortunately, the damage was only severe shortly after the surprise attack began.
At first, thousands of villains launched a surprise attack, causing great damage, but even that was quickly reversed after the S-Class Hero Spiritas joined the battle.
In the end, the Villain Alliance was unable to withstand the heroes' offensive and collapsed. In the process, the heroes managed to capture several A-Class villains, such as Death Sky and Metallica.
Even though it is an alliance, its affiliated groups are usually composed of high-ranking villains.
In fact, the newly formed Villain Alliance was basically doomed from the moment it debuted.
"I heard that you were thrown at full force by Spiritas..."
And it was more than a week later that I learned the whole story.
When I regained consciousness, the first person I met was a doctor from the Hero Association.
He couldn't hide his surprise as he looked at the test results he had taken while he was unconscious.
"Looking at the test graph, all of his muscles and brain were completely melted.
Regenerating in this state… That's truly incredible vitality."
"Well, considering that the regeneration ability is independent of medical death, it's not completely impossible, but…"
Yes, it's definitely incredible that he survived flying at Mach-like speeds for a few seconds.
And to demonstrate such strength with a body that was purely enhanced by superhuman strength… ….
Where the hell did such a monster come from?
"Mr. Brad! May I briefly interview you!?"
"Please tell me how it feels to become Spiritas's helper!"
"I heard that you dealt with Death Sky, a Class A criminal! Explain in detail what happened back then…"
After the inspection was over, the reporters rushed in.
In a society where heroes are the focus, heroes who fight villains or those involved become the main targets of news reports.
Among them, I was destined to be the main character of the story in many ways.
Of all the people, the one I allied myself with was Spiritas, the protagonist of the new era, and the one who together defeated a Class A villain, so it was only natural.
"You have a Gift, but you didn't report it."
However, such a situation doesn't always make for a good story.
I wanted to avoid attracting attention, so I kept quiet and sent the reporters away, and then the investigators from the Hero Association came looking for me.
I naturally guessed what they meant.
"...Are you planning to punish me?"
Various incidents and accidents caused by Gifts.
And the birth of a villain...
The government wants to keep a tight rein on those who possess these gifts,
and it is a rule that those who have awakened their gifts must report them.
However, I am currently hiding in society under the virtual identity of Ginger Brad.
I had no intention of revealing the existence of my gifts, as I wanted to avoid unnecessary trouble, and this would be the same even if I had a hero as an acquaintance.
I simply had no choice but to come forward, as I could not overcome this situation by hiding my abilities.
"No. Well... There are some cases where gifts are hidden."
But fortunately, they did not care much about me hiding my gifts.
In reality, there are cases where the person does not even realize that the Gift has awakened,
and even if it has awakened, there are cases where it cannot be revealed, depending on the individual's circumstances.
Unless you directly cause an accident with the Gift, you won't be arrested or punished just for hiding the power, except for some annoying procedures.
"Of course, if the Gift's grade was high, I would have paid more attention to the investigation and management since the report was late, but according to what I investigated while Mr. Brad was unconscious, it seems that the power's grade is around E class."
"…Is that so?"
"You didn't know?"
"Well, I haven't personally requested an inspection since I awakened the power."
When I added a plausible lie to such a low-suspicion situation, the association officials who looked at my research nodded with somewhat smug expressions.
Rather than not being suspicious, it's more likely that they won't pay much attention to the E class. Since those who become official heroes usually start at C class, is that natural?
"But even though you're an E-Class, you've already defeated C-Class villains, so it seems like you've trained quite a bit in areas other than your skills. I value your skills and abilities greatly, so I'm making a suggestion..."
"Sorry, but I have no intention of working in the hero industry."
He answered the expected question immediately and firmly.
He seemed a little troubled, but only for a moment.
After that, they looked at the questionnaire, stared at me with serious eyes, and asked:
"...Why?"
A short question.
It's not the kind of reaction you'd expect from a normal E-class skill user, but I've already defeated an A-class skill user, not to mention surviving Spiritas' power.
On top of that, I'm being treated as a "hero" who saved another hero.
Of course, it would be a great help for the Hero Association's propaganda, so they'd probably want to bring me to their side if possible.
But is it possible to become a hero just by taking orders?
"I realized that when I lost my wife in an accident. I'm not in good enough shape to save anyone."
"Ah, now that I think about it, I raise my daughter alone..."
Whether it's for justice or for a cause, or by using money or status to curry favor with someone.
In the end, going to the battlefield is something that can only be done with one's will.
"The reason I came forward at that time was to save my daughter. And the reason I went to the Land of Heroes at that time…"
"I went there because the hero who had left his daughter in my care because he was busy with work asked me to go."
Since I understood those circumstances and psychology, I didn't hesitate to lie.
However, I also cleverly mixed the truth to induce sympathy and understanding.
"…I understand your feelings, but I still cherish my daughter. At least until she becomes independent, I want to stay by her side."
Yes, because if you become a hero, you can't help but neglect your family.
This is something none other than the employees of the Hero Association would know best.
"If you say so… I understand. Let's pretend the current offer wasn't made."
The employee who reluctantly accepted said goodbye and left his place, and in the end, I was left alone in the hospital room again.
Probably no one will come to visit me anymore. Having finally let go of my worries in silence, I looked at the window and muttered calmly.
"What is the boss doing now?"
Three years after the collapse of the organization.
That was enough time for me to get used to lying.
***
After about two weeks of treatment and investigation, with the permission of the Association, I managed to get some time to return to society.
Naturally, in response to a sincere request, I decided to minimize my existence as much as possible.
At best, an anonymous citizen helped an S-class hero save the children... ...Well, the only rewards I got were full payment of the medical expenses and a brave citizen award.
Still, I was very lucky that my identity was not revealed, I thought as I left the hospital.
"Ah, Mr. Brad, you're here."
A middle-aged man in a trench coat had just come out to greet me at the entrance.
The warm impression I could see through his glasses was something I remembered.
James Hart.
A hero of the class known as Ronin Blade in the hero community.
"Mr. James? Why are you here..."
"Because your daughter is with Nella."
"...Aha."
That's right.
Since that day, Boss has been under the direct protection of the Association.
I was a little anxious, but I had no doubt that Boss would be able to handle the situation well, since he was wiser than I was.
Judging by the fact that he approached me casually, there shouldn't have been any problem.
"I'll take you to your daughter in my car."
"Ah, yes. Please take care of me..."
I accepted the favor and got into his car.
Although he was a famous hero, the car he was driving had an old-fashioned appearance, just like the Polaroid I had entrusted to him before.
Does he prefer such boring things?
"Bo- How is Moa?" ###################
No, instead, I should ask about Boss first.
"Yes, it was dangerous at the time of the incident, but the child's mind was strong, so she recovered from the shock very quickly."
"Ah, haha. How lucky."
Strong… ….
Well, what happened back then probably wasn't dangerous for her.
It's not an empty phrase, she was a very bold person, even when it came to her own death.
Even if she had become weak, she was a being who saw the world from a different perspective than humans, so she couldn't help but be insensitive to her own threats.
If I hadn't introduced myself, she would have accepted her own death lightly.
Or he would have used his powers while paying a "price".
"How is Nella…?"
The next thing I asked was about his daughter.
"At first, I was very scared. But now, her condition has improved."
"How lucky."
Well, it must have been very scary for a 7-year-old child to be at the center of a terrorist attack.
Maybe this incident will remain as a trauma. I thought that for no reason… ….
"If Moa wasn't here, I would still be in despair."
"...."
"Your daughter took care of Nella while she was under protection. Thanks to her,
Nella is much better now."
"Oh, yes. I see."
You stayed by Nella's side while I was away?
You certainly got along well with Nella while you were at the amusement park,
but it was surprising that you helped the girl who was in shock recover.
Maybe… ….
The boss really came to consider that child as his true friend?
"Mr. Brad."
Just as I was starting to worry, James, who was turning the steering wheel, called my name.
In a voice that was heavier and more serious than before.
"I'm sorry for this incident. Just because I selfishly wanted to make a friend for my daughter, I ended up putting someone precious to you in danger."
Yes, it must feel wrong.
As much as I didn't expect it to happen, as a hero, I ended up putting someone I cared about in danger.
If I hadn't had the gift of immortality, his daughter, me, and the boss would have all lost our lives on the spot.
Of course, in the end, everyone was safe, and I also had a lot to hide, so I didn't want to blame him.
"You don't have to blame yourself so much. This incident wasn't your fault, Mr. James…"
So, I tried to comfort him with some obvious words and let it go.
"But there's more I want to tell you."
James didn't just apologize, but interrupted me as if he still had more to say.
I was speechless at that moment, wondering why.
As soon as the traffic light stopped, James buried his face in the steering wheel and whispered with difficulty:
"…Thank you. For protecting my daughter."
A contrast to the apology he had made earlier.
"Huh?"
I didn't understand the words for a moment, so I made a blank expression.
"For saving my daughter... For having a friend who could fill my absence... For giving me this opportunity... I can't express my gratitude in a thousand words."
"Mr. James. Wait a minute..."
"You are my hero."
"..."
"Even though you rejected the association's offer, even though you didn't get the opportunity to be noticed by the world due to the circumstances... Still, I know what you did there. At least to me, you are a hero without any shame."
The traffic light changed and the stopped car started moving again.
At that moment, a smile appeared on the face reflected in the rearview mirror.
There was no doubt in that face turned toward me. If this was acting, then it meant that he was a natural actor.
At least in terms of what was visible.
The feelings he expressed toward me were, without a lie, sincere gratitude.
"Why are you like this? If what I just said was a burden to you..."
"No, it's nothing."
Was it the emotion I felt when I heard those words?
I quickly turned my gaze out the window, in case my true feelings were revealed.
"It's just that this is the first time I've heard something like this."
"Ah, I see."
James also seemed to think I was burdened, so he didn't say anything else and focused on driving.
I thought it was lucky that he backed down, though.
Hero, calling me that is something I can't defend, no matter how false it may be.
But let's not think about that for now.
If the gratitude and distorted evaluation I have now are reciprocated beyond a shadow of a doubt, they will be used as weapons against me.
As I suppressed the knot in my stomach like that, I suddenly realized that I felt a sense of foreboding in the landscape outside the window.
"This is..."
It was an unfamiliar yet familiar place.
I haven't seen it in person, but I've probably heard about it on TV news or the internet.
"Shells Town. You've probably heard of it, right?"
"...Yes, a few times."
Shells Town.
It was a residential area created by the association in an area adjacent to the center where the Hero Association was located, a residential area that the association had been managing for several years.
They said that they would generally allow heroes or relatives of heroes to move here.
In other words, this place, just like the Land of Heroes, is a place that I can call "enemy territory."
"Is Moa here?"
"Yes, we're temporarily protecting her here. And..."
A place where vehicles were queuing to enter. When I felt nervous about the strict surveillance at the pass, James began to look at me, raising his glasses.
"I heard that the association is considering issuing a permit for Mr. Brad to move here."
"...Huh?"
Issuing a residence permit.
Are you trying to drag me here?
"Of course, Mr. Brad said that he rejected the association's offer, so this offer
must be a great burden. Even though I am so busy with work that I can't take care of my daughter, I can perfectly understand Mr. Brad's desire to take care of his family."
The seriousness in his eyes.
His voice also carries considerable weight. As if he were speaking from his own experience.
"But villains are persistent. They don't forgive anyone who interferes with their work, and that means the remaining people who escaped this incident may also target those involved."
Yes, this isn't a suspicion.
It's just an extension of the gratitude he showed me before. He's giving me advice out of genuine concern for me and the boss.
"I won't ask you to join the association, but I think it would be good to get a residence permit to protect the two of you."
However, if you don't get it, you might regret it…
Is it just my imagination that I feel a strange sense of threat in words that imply such a meaning?
… No, it's okay.
The other person doesn't suspect me.
To him, I'm just a father who loves his daughter.
Since he saved my daughter's life in exchange for so much prejudice, he would never suspect me.
"Yes, for now… I should go, for Moa's sake."
So, let's pass without shame for now.
If you want to hide a tree, go to the forest.
In fact, passing through like this can help hide my identity and that of the boss.
"If we enter Conchas, we will become neighbors."
James, who smiled contentedly, raised his glasses and handed his ID to the guard at the pass.
After that, he looked at the contents with serious eyes and saluted, then stepped on the accelerator and started heading towards the entrance of Conchas.
"Please, please take good care of my daughter in the future."
I wondered if the tension I felt would show.
I smiled, even with a frown, and held my breath silently as I looked at the skyscrapers outside the window.
"...Yes, I will."
The enemy's position, which should have ended as a one-time move.
"Please take good care of me in the future."
Realizing that this had led me to a life not so short of time.
EP1. END