The Hero Code

Brimming with excitement about his new Crafting ability, Zik decided it was time to take things up a notch. Even if his ability was still at Grade F, he wasn't about to let that stop him. He'd dreamt of having his own super suit for as long as he could remember, something that would make him stronger and help him stand out. But with no access to high-end materials or fancy equipment, he'd have to get creative.

He thought back to the Fifth Hero Code: Don't Waste. It was about making the most of what you had, respecting resources, and valuing the small things that often went overlooked. Inspired, he decided to gather every piece of old, worn-out gear he had. Torn gloves, a cracked wrist guard, broken straps, even scraps of fabric he'd saved from old clothes — anything with even the slightest potential was fair game.

He cleared space in his room, laid out the items, and began taking each one apart. Bit by bit, he disassembled each piece, breaking them down into usable raw materials. Just as he was getting the hang of it, his system chimed with a new notification:

> New Skill Unlocked: Dismantle

Level 1 (Grade F): Allows disassembly of items into basic raw materials.

The process sped up as he got into a rhythm, carefully taking each item apart and sorting the materials. Then, an idea struck him: What if I used Telekinesis to dismantle everything at once? He focused, using his telekinetic abilities to pull at the seams, zippers, and straps. To his surprise, it worked far better than he'd imagined, breaking down the items with precision and speed.

> New Skill Unlocked: Auto Dismantle

Level 1 (Grade F): Enhanced dismantling speed when combined with Telekinesis.

With Auto Dismantle, Zik found himself flying through the work. In minutes, he'd reduced his clutter into neat piles of raw materials, organized and ready for crafting. As he surveyed the collection, he felt a rush of satisfaction — it was more than he'd expected, and for the first time, it felt like he could truly build something from the ground up.

Next came the creation process. Zik's plan was to combine his abilities for maximum efficiency. He activated Super Intelligence, envisioning the design and construction methods he'd need. Then he added Super Speed to let his hands work faster, guiding materials into place with Telekinesis, while his Crafting ability guided the assembly.

The synergy between his abilities was exhilarating. His mind processed the steps quickly, his hands moving in precise, practiced motions, each item coming together almost effortlessly. Just as he completed the first piece, he felt a familiar chime from his system:

> New Skill Unlocked: Auto Produce

Level 1 (Grade F): Assemble items from raw materials quickly when using multiple abilities simultaneously.

Limitations: Quality capped by raw materials' grade.

With Auto Produce, Zik found he could focus on a mental blueprint of each item, and the materials seemed to fall into place, assembling almost on their own. The process was quick, smooth, and surprisingly efficient. He worked tirelessly, disassembling and reassembling, his thoughts fixed on the vision of his own makeshift super suit.

As he crafted, he remembered reading about a hidden perk online: with enough raw materials and luck, there was a small chance an item might inherit a random F-grade ability. It wasn't guaranteed, but the possibility made every piece he crafted more exciting, as if each item might hold a hidden surprise.

Keeping the Don't Waste hero code in mind, Zik poured every last scrap into his creations, letting no piece go unused. Gloves, reinforced boots, a utility belt, padded bracers — he crafted each piece carefully, adding small reinforcements and patches where needed. The materials might be low grade, but they were his, crafted with his own hands.

Hours later, Zik finally stepped back to examine his work. His new suit wasn't flashy, but it had function, every piece carrying a purpose. He slipped it on, feeling the weight and strength of each item, and a notification appeared:

> Quest Complete: Resourceful Creation

Reward: +50 EXP, Luck Boost for crafted items

Crafting has leveled up! Now Level 2

With a grin, Zik moved around in his suit, feeling the support from each piece. It might not be Grade A, but it was his. And if luck was on his side, maybe he'd discover a hidden ability or two in the pieces he'd crafted.

For the first time, he felt like a true hero, equipped with tools of his own making, ready to take on whatever lay ahead.

After hours of hard work and focus, Zik finally stood before his makeshift super suit. It wasn't flashy or made of high-tech materials, but it was his creation — crafted with a mix of Crafting, Telekinesis, Super Intelligence, and a whole lot of patience. He felt a surge of pride as he examined each piece, noting the subtle details he'd added and wondering if any had inherited the rumored "ability boost."

Taking a deep breath, Zik began examining each item individually.

Super Suit Components:

1. Reinforced Gloves

Material: Thick fabric with reinforced leather padding along the knuckles.

Function: Provides additional protection for his hands in combat, absorbing some impact and improving grip.

Special Property: Enhanced Grip (Random F-grade Ability) — Boosts his grip strength slightly, making it easier to hold onto objects and resist disarms.

2. Padded Bracers

Material: Multiple layers of fabric and leather strips, with extra padding along the forearm.

Function: Offers basic protection against hits and minor projectiles. It also helps deflect smaller objects.

Special Property: Deflect (Random F-grade Ability) — Minor chance to deflect low-grade projectiles, adding a bit of luck in tight situations.

3. Utility Belt

Material: Durable fabric with several compartments for small tools, gadgets, and materials.

Function: Allows him to carry essential items, like spare materials, tools for repairs, or anything else he might need on the go.

Special Property: None, but it's an excellent asset for quick fixes and carrying small crafting components.

4. Reinforced Boots

Material: Layered rubber with shock-absorbent padding and reinforced soles.

Function: Improves balance and absorbs impact, allowing him to run or jump with less strain on his legs.

Special Property: Shock Absorb (Random F-grade Ability) — Reduces impact when landing from jumps or falls, boosting his agility when using Super Speed.

5. Lightweight Cloak

Material: Lightweight synthetic fabric, easy to move in and blends with shadows.

Function: Adds slight camouflage, pairing well with his Stealth ability.

Special Property: None, but enhances Stealth by helping him blend into low-light environments.

Zik took a deep breath, the excitement of testing his new suit mixed with a twinge of nervousness as he tugged on his cursed yellow shirt beneath it. The shirt had a reputation for bringing trouble, but he was ready to face whatever came his way. His new equipment felt surprisingly comfortable, each piece fitted to his needs and giving him a sense of confidence he hadn't had before.

He set off down the city streets at a brisk pace, using Super Speed to weave around corners and dash between alleys, testing the grip on his reinforced boots and the flexibility of his bracers. The city blurred around him, and Zik could feel the surge of energy with each step. For once, everything seemed to be going smoothly.

But, as always with that cursed yellow shirt, trouble found him soon enough.

Turning onto a busy street, Zik nearly collided with a hero — a tall, broad-shouldered man in crimson armor, his stance firm and alert. The man's eyes narrowed, immediately locking onto Zik with a suspicious glare.

"You there!" the hero called out, his voice carrying an authority that stopped Zik in his tracks. "What are you doing, running around like that? Your… attire looks suspicious."

Zik held up his hands in defense, trying to explain. "Wait, this is just a suit! I'm a trainee. I swear, I'm not here to cause trouble."

But the hero wasn't buying it. With a swift motion, he raised a hand that crackled with energy, sending a blast toward Zik. He barely dodged in time, the shockwave brushing past him and making his heart race.

"Villains always have excuses," the hero sneered, advancing. "I won't let you get away."

Zik's pulse quickened as he assessed his options. He couldn't take this guy head-on; he'd have to rely on speed and evasion. Without another word, he turned and sprinted down the nearest alley, using Super Speed to put some distance between them. But the hero was quick, hot on his trail as he followed Zik through alleyways and across side streets.

Desperate to create a distraction, Zik glanced around, looking for something he could throw into the hero's path. His mind flickered to Telekinesis, but as he tried to lift a stack of crates nearby, they barely budged under his control. He needed to push his ability harder, to use it in ways he hadn't yet tried.

Just then, a notification appeared in his field of vision:

> Upgrade Quest Unlocked: Telekinetic Mastery

Objective: Use Telekinesis to create an effective escape route in a live pursuit.

Reward: Telekinesis Upgrade to Grade D

Zik's eyes widened. The upgrade was possible, but only if he could harness his Telekinesis under pressure, with a real threat at his heels. Gritting his teeth, he refocused, determined to rise to the challenge.

The hero was closing in fast, his footsteps echoing through the alley as Zik scanned his surroundings, looking for anything he could use. He reached out with his mind, locking onto a pile of metal trash cans. Focusing harder than he ever had, he willed them to topple, feeling his Telekinesis straining as he forced the objects to shift. They tipped over with a loud crash, spilling across the alley and forcing the hero to stumble to a stop.

But it wasn't enough. Zik pushed forward, mentally grabbing onto everything he could — broken crates, loose stones, old metal scraps — and sent them scattering in every direction, creating obstacles in the hero's path. The effort left him dizzy, but he pressed on, feeling his control sharpen as he forced his limits.

The hero dodged most of the debris, his anger evident as he growled, "You think you can stop me with junk?" He threw another energy blast, narrowly missing Zik, who ducked just in time.

I need more control, Zik thought desperately. This isn't enough.

Channeling every ounce of focus, he locked onto an old, rusted dumpster just ahead. He could barely budge it before, but now, with the upgrade quest pressing him, he found himself pushing past his usual limits, pouring all his energy into moving it. Slowly, inch by inch, it began to slide, blocking off the alley completely.

The hero skidded to a stop, momentarily trapped behind the dumpster. In that precious second, Zik felt a surge of energy ripple through him, his system pinging with a new notification:

> Quest Complete: Telekinetic Mastery

Reward: Telekinesis upgraded to Grade D

Zik felt a rush of power as his Telekinesis strengthened, granting him better control and increased range. With his upgraded ability, he lifted a few more obstacles from nearby and sent them into the hero's path, reinforcing the blockade he'd created.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Zik turned and bolted down the street, his Super Speed carrying him swiftly away. His heart pounded as he zigzagged through alleys, the hero's angry shouts fading in the distance. The upgrade had sharpened his control, giving him a better handle on his surroundings as he used every bit of the cityscape to his advantage.

Finally, after what felt like hours, he slipped into a dark alley and activated Stealth, blending into the shadows. He held his breath, listening as the hero's footsteps grew faint, eventually disappearing altogether.

When the coast was clear, Zik let out a long sigh, feeling a mix of relief and exhilaration. He'd completed the upgrade quest under pressure, and his Telekinesis was stronger for it. For once, the cursed yellow shirt had brought him a challenge he was able to meet head-on.

As he made his way home, his mind buzzed with excitement. He'd survived the pursuit, upgraded his Telekinesis, and tested his suit in a real-life scenario. It hadn't been easy, but he was learning that every challenge — even those brought on by bad luck — was a chance to grow stronger.