Hero Test
Damian stood in front of the massive doors of the Hero Association's assessment facility, staring up at the reinforced steel and neon-lit entrance. The place was buzzing with hopeful applicants, some stretching, others nervously chatting, and a few radiating confidence that came from years of training.
He took a deep breath. This was it. His first real step into the world of heroes.
A System That Doesn't Lie
The past few days had been a whirlwind. After defeating Scar, Damian had noticed something unsettling—his growth was unnatural. Too fast. Too efficient. He wasn't just getting stronger; he was evolving in ways that normal people simply couldn't.
The system had rewarded him, sure, but there was something beneath the surface. It wasn't just giving him power—it was guiding him toward something.
"You are now eligible for the Hero Assessment."
That notification had appeared right after his fight with Scar. He hadn't hesitated. If he was going to survive in this world, he needed to blend in. Registering as a hero was the easiest way to access more fights, gain experience, and level up without suspicion.
The First Trial: Strength and Endurance
A robotic voice echoed through the facility.
"All applicants, report to the assessment chamber."
The crowd shuffled inside, where battle arenas stretched out like coliseums, each equipped with cameras, force-measuring machines, and what looked like simulated battlefields.
"First, a strength test," a ranking officer announced. "Step forward, strike the target, and your power level will be recorded."
One by one, applicants stepped up. A muscular guy with steel-plated knuckles punched the machine, earning a solid B-rank rating. Another, a girl who manipulated electric currents, surged her power into the sensor, scoring an A-rank in raw energy.
Then, it was Damian's turn.
"Alright… Let's see where I stand."
He clenched his fist, channeling every ounce of strength he had into a clean, precise strike. The machine shuddered, numbers flickering rapidly before settling.
[C-Rank Strength Detected.]
Damian exhaled. Not bad, but not great. It confirmed what he already suspected—he had power, but it was still raw. He needed more training, more leveling up.
The Second Trial: Combat Test
The real challenge came next. A one-on-one battle to determine their actual combat abilities.
"Applicant 117, Damian Sebastian. Step into the ring."
His opponent was a tall, battle-scarred man with a spear. His stance was sharp, controlled—clearly someone who had been training for years.
"New guy, huh?" The man smirked. "Let's see what you've got."
The match started.
Damian dodged the first thrust, the spear barely grazing past his ribs. His instincts were sharp, but his body lagged slightly behind. He was quick, but not untouchable.
"If I had more speed, I could—wait."
A familiar feeling washed over him. The system was responding to his need.
[Skill Acquired: Temporal Acceleration (Lv. 1)]
"No way."
Damian's body felt lighter. His vision sharpened, and suddenly, the spear that had been too fast before moved slower.
He sidestepped effortlessly.
Then, he countered.
A clean strike to the opponent's side, sending him staggering back.
The crowd murmured.
"Did he just—?"
"That was… fast."
Damian clenched his fist. It worked. Even at Level 1, this ability gave him an edge.
But it wasn't enough. His opponent adjusted, coming in stronger. The fight stretched on, both landing hits, neither fully dominating.
In the end, Damian won by a hair, barely outlasting his opponent.
His rank? C.
Not bad. Not great. But it meant he wasn't on anyone's radar yet.
And that was exactly what he wanted.
A New Beginning
Later, as Damian walked out of the facility with his official C-Rank hero license, he couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning.
"The system is pushing me somewhere."
For now, though, he'd play along. Gain power, level up, and stay under the radar.
Because one day, C-rank wouldn't be enough.
And when that day came, the world would have no idea what hit it.