From Zero to Headline

Adam charged straight forward, stomping on the ground with full force.

"Why is he doing that? That's just slowing him down… Shouldn't have gotten my expectations high. In the end, he is an E-class sidekick," a police officer muttered.

Adam kept going. The villain laughed, seeing Adam stepping with so much force.

"Are you trying to intimidate me? …How cute."

The monster swung a massive fist down, aiming for his head.

BOOM!

With an explosion, Adam was in the air—higher than the villain.

The ground where Adam stood exploded, launching pieces of debris in all directions.

The police ducked but kept their eyes locked, trying to assess what just happened.

When the smoke cleared, Adam was still in the sky, almost at the villain's stomach level.

With everything he had, Adam punched the villain's stomach.

BOOM!

Once again, the sound echoed in the air.

A heavy impact shook the air, sending out a small shockwave. The villain stumbled back a few steps.

The crowd, the officers, the media—their jaws hit the floor.

Did he just—actually make him move?!

An officer rubbed his eyes, making sure he was seeing things right.

Adam fell to the ground, his arm still throbbing. He had collected the impact of his last punch too.

It burned through his body, aching, screaming.

His ability—Impact Storage.

He could absorb force and store it—but the pain remained as long as he didn't release it.

And right now? His entire arm felt like it was on fire.

Adam was always bad at tolerating pain. Ironically, his hero name was Endure.

But right now, all the pain in the world seemed exciting to him. Is this what an adrenaline rush looks like?

The villain wiped his stomach, his smile disappearing.

"…That HURT."

Adam was still on the ground, so seeing the opportunity, the villain reached with both of his arms, hunching his back—

Creating a sphere to trap him.

Adam's mind raced. No space. No exit. No time.

Then make space.

Release.

BOOM!

He punched at the ground, launching himself up.

But Adam wasn't done.

He twisted midair.

His body rotated—positioning himself right below the villain's head.

His fist clenched.

He still had impact left.

Use it.

A single, devastating punch—straight to the top of the villain's neck.

BOOOOM!

The villain's neck stretched like rubber before completely being torn away from his body. Blood gushed out everywhere, tainting everything red.

The media hurriedly covered their cameras to avoid broadcasting the gruesome scene.

Adam collapsed on the ground, his arms and legs turning blue. He had tolerated so much pain that his veins exploded from storing too much energy.

Officers rushed in.

"Someone call the medical squad!" one of the officers from earlier shouted.

The rescue team also jumped in to save the kid stuck under rubble. The kid's legs were messed up, but due to his young age, recovery was possible.

"You were the coolest hero there," an officer said, hugging him.

Adam didn't respond. His body was motionless.

"Don't die right now, Keep yourself awake. This is just the beginning. You said you were E-class, right? Well, the whole world saw what you can do. I bet you'll get a promotion," the police officer said, tapping his face continually to keep him awake.

The medical staff finally arrived, putting Adam on the stretcher and taking him away.

Adam's eyes were faintly open, absorbing what was happening around him.

It looks like I actually beat him. Maybe pain isn't that bad… I don't feel anything right now…

Adam's vision blurred as he lay on the stretcher, sirens echoing around him. His body was numb. His arms felt disconnected, his legs barely responding.

Blood soaked his tracksuit.

The paramedics spoke in urgent whispers.

"His vitals are dropping—pulse weak!"

"Muscle tissue is torn apart—we're losing him!"

Adam felt something cold press against his skin. Needles. Tubes. Machines beeping.

Everything felt so unreal, like it was all a dream.

I guess this is how I go out… At least I got to be cool in my final moments… I'm feeling tired. Maybe I'll sleep…

Someone was screaming.

Stay awake! Stay awake!

But it was hard for Adam to make out what they were saying.

Wow… I didn't think I'd get this injured. Maybe that's why I'm E-class… Adam thought, chuckling to himself.

"Hey, we can't let you just leave. You're a celebrity now."

These were the last words Adam heard before a green light engulfed his body.

I feel… warm.

Adam rose up, all the fatigue and tiredness leaving his body.

He looked at himself—completely healed.

As if nothing had happened.

Adam looked around. He was in a hospital. But the doctors were nowhere to be seen.

Instead, a handsome man with long blonde hair and blue eyes stood in front of him.

Adam's jaw dropped. Not because he didn't know the person standing in front of him—but because he did.

He had seen that face on billboards and commercials countless times.

The person standing before him was S-Class Hero Lifeline.

Adam blinked. Rubbed his eyes. Pinched himself.

This has to be a dream. No way this is real.

"Lifeline…" Adam muttered.

"Adam Vance, hero name Endure. Your recent performance has caught everyone's attention."

Lifeline scrolled through his phone, reading an article aloud.

"The footage of you fighting has already gained over 300 million views in just 48 hours on MeTube. Just look at these juicy comments," he said, tossing the phone to Adam.

48 hours? I've been out cold for more than two days… That didn't feel like two days, though.

Adam opened the comments.

"Bro went from E-Class to 'EXISTENTIAL THREAT' in 10 seconds."

"Imagine waking up, thinking it's a normal day, and then getting deleted by an E-rank sidekick."

"Villain: 'You can't hurt me.' Adam: Hold my broken arm."

"That punch had more plot development than my favorite anime."

Wow… People are praising me. Adam thought, scrolling.

"You've been trending on Y for two days straight," Lifeline said, grinning.

Adam smiled, but—Lifeline suddenly spat on his lap.

"Your disgusting performance has caused a very huge loss."

Adam froze, shocked. The person he admired was acting completely different from what he imagined.

"I was starring in a movie. It was gonna be released next week," Lifeline said bitterly, "but because of you, its hype has completely died out."

Why is he getting angry… over something so trivial?

"The Hero Association is also being accused of not grading heroes fairly. They have 221 legal cases filed against them by various D and E-class heroes."

Lifeline suddenly punched Adam in the face.

"I would have killed you right now if I had permission to."

Adam rubbed his cheek. "What did I do…? I was just doing my duty as a hero!"

"Tomorrow, you'll be interviewed. The whole world will have eyes on that. They'll ask you questions about the Hero Association. I want you to answer all of them positively."

Lifeline lightly tapped his cheek.

"Do I make myself clear? …I saved your life, so you better help us out here," he said, exiting the room.

Adam was breathing heavily, trying to calm himself.

But then—Lifeline appeared again.

"Oh, and by the way—there's been a demand for a class reassignment exam. You can do whatever you want, but if you end up in S-Class…"

His blue eyes darkened.

"I'll come to kill you."

Then, he was gone.

Adam crashed onto the bed, covering his eyes with his arm.

Just a couple of days ago, my life was completely boring. Now, so much is happening at once.

His mind was spinning. Everything felt so unreal.

I can't think straight right now. Maybe if I sleep, it'll all sink in…

With a bit of tossing and turning, Adam finally fell asleep.