The Hero Code

The next morning, Zik set out on his usual run, breathing in the crisp air as he jogged through the familiar streets. His daily quest kept him in shape, but today he had something else on his mind. As he rounded a corner, he spotted a figure up ahead — Leo, the same kid he'd defeated in the school face-off. Zik felt a pang of embarrassment as he remembered how he'd taunted him after the win. Leo hadn't deserved that, and Zik knew he needed to apologize, but every time he thought of what to say, the words felt clumsy, awkward.

Without really planning to, he sped up, keeping a few paces behind Leo as he tried to work up the nerve. Just catch up, say something, he told himself, but every time he got close, his stomach twisted. So instead, he found himself just… following, unsure of his next move.

As he shadowed Leo, he began noticing the details of Leo's day that he'd never paid attention to before. Leo didn't take the usual path to school. Instead, he wove through back alleys, moving with a steady determination that caught Zik's attention. When they reached the older part of town, Leo finally stopped at a modest little house — paint chipped, windows cloudy, the kind of place that seemed to sag under the weight of time and wear. Outside, two elderly figures, who could only be Leo's parents, sat on the worn porch, their clothes neat but faded, faces creased with the quiet struggles of life.

Zik watched as Leo approached them, handing over a small envelope. From where he stood, Zik could make out the faintest smile on his mother's face as she patted Leo's shoulder, her gratitude subtle yet unmistakable. His father nodded, giving Leo a steady look of pride before taking the envelope.

Leo didn't linger. He gave his parents a small, reassuring smile before heading off again, this time to a nearby market, where he helped an elderly vendor unload crates, stacking them with a practiced efficiency. Zik could tell that this wasn't a one-time thing. Leo was working, probably juggling jobs as he made his way to school, earning what he could to help his family get by.

Zik felt something heavy settle in his chest as he watched. He'd always assumed he knew Leo — a kid like him, just focused on training, trying to rise through the ranks. But he hadn't realized how much Leo was carrying outside of that. The weight of responsibility wasn't something Zik had ever really felt. Sure, he had his own challenges, but his life was his own to shape. Leo's wasn't. Leo was fighting for more than himself, for a family that clearly depended on him, day in and day out.

As Leo moved to his next job — sweeping the front of a small repair shop — Zik's mind replayed the face-off, his taunts, and the pride he'd felt after winning. It seemed hollow now, meaningless. Leo's resilience went beyond any training; it was rooted in something deeper, in a strength that came from necessity and sacrifice. And that hit Zik harder than he'd expected.

He continued to follow at a distance, watching as Leo moved from task to task without complaint, not a hint of resentment in his expression. He was patient with the people he worked for, polite even when they handed him the smallest bills, each payment clearly meant for his family more than himself.

By the time Leo finally turned toward the path to school, Zik had seen enough. He felt a strange sadness, one that lingered in the quiet, filling the spaces between each breath. He didn't feel pity for Leo, exactly. It was something deeper — respect, maybe. Leo's life was harder than anything Zik had imagined, yet he shouldered it with dignity, without bitterness. Leo was stronger than he'd ever given him credit for, and he realized that, in many ways, Leo was the kind of person he wanted to become.

Zik turned away, deciding against catching up. Apologies, he realized, couldn't change the past, couldn't erase the way he'd acted. But he could learn from it. He could carry this day with him, a reminder of the strength that comes not from abilities or powers, but from responsibility, resilience, and a quiet kind of courage.

Not knowing what to say or how to apologize for the way he'd acted, Zik paced in his room, his mind racing. Leo was strong and steady, facing the weight of his life without complaints, without letting it harden him. The more Zik thought about it, the more he respected him, and the more he wanted to make up for his own thoughtless behavior.

Then it hit him: the Sixth Hero Code — Feed the poor. As someone who'd often scraped by himself, he knew that a simple gesture, like someone buying him a sandwich, could make all the difference. That's it, he thought. I'll get him something decent to eat. It seemed straightforward, practical, and a small way to make things right.

He headed to the nearest bakery and picked out a sandwich, paying with a few carefully counted coins. But as he held it in his hands, ready to find Leo, he felt a nagging doubt. Leo worked hard, sure, but he didn't just need a sandwich. He deserved something that would last, something that would support him through those endless days of work and training. Something meaningful.

That's when Zik's eyes drifted down to his worn-out training shoes — old but sturdy, with reinforced soles. They'd served him well, and he knew they could be crafted into something better, something that might actually help Leo. He would use his Crafting skill to turn the materials into a pair of upgraded shoes, maybe even something with an F-grade ability, if he got lucky. The idea excited him; it was a chance to put his skills to good use, to make something truly valuable.

Back in his room, Zik got to work. He dismantled the old shoes piece by piece, carefully separating the materials. Using Telekinesis, he sped up the process, stacking each component neatly as he disassembled it. The worn leather, the padded sole, the reinforced toe — he would repurpose it all, and maybe, just maybe, the shoes would gain an ability that would help Leo in his daily grind.

The first time he crafted them, though, they didn't turn out as he'd hoped. They fit well enough, but they lacked that spark, the boost that would make them truly useful. Determined, Zik dismantled them and started again. He repeated the process, focused on every detail, carefully layering each piece, visualizing the shoes in his mind as something resilient, something that could stand the test of hard work.

Each time he finished, he inspected the shoes, hoping for an ability. But attempt after attempt, he was met with the same disappointment. He'd spent hours now, pouring every bit of patience and skill he had into the task, refusing to give up. The cursed yellow shirt probably wasn't helping, but he ignored that thought, too. This was something he needed to get right, and he wouldn't settle for anything less than perfect.

He tried over a hundred times, and as he hit attempt number one-thousand, his fingers aching, a faint glow sparked as he assembled the final piece. Zik's system pinged with a notification:

> Craft Complete: Stamina Shoes (F-Grade Ability: Endurance Boost)

Description: Reinforced shoes that offer increased comfort and durability. Grants minor endurance boost for long periods of physical activity.

Zik grinned as he held the shoes in his hands, feeling a mix of relief and pride. They were simple, but they carried something more than just comfort. The Endurance Boost ability would help Leo withstand the long hours he spent working and training, and Zik couldn't think of a more fitting use for his new Crafting skill.

The next morning, Zik found Leo by the school entrance, waiting alone. He approached slowly, feeling a nervous energy in his stomach but also a deep sense of purpose. He held out the sandwich first, offering it as a peace token.

"Hey, Leo," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. "I, uh, wanted to say I'm sorry for how I acted the other day. I didn't… I didn't see the full picture."

Leo looked at him, a little taken aback but quiet. Zik then handed over the shoes.

"These… these are for you," he said, his words coming out awkwardly but earnestly. "I know they're not much, but they've got an endurance boost. Thought they might help with, you know, everything you do."

Leo stared at the shoes for a moment, then looked up at Zik, a small, grateful smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Thanks, Zik," he said softly, taking the shoes in his hands. The sincerity in his voice was all the acknowledgment Zik needed.

As he walked away, Zik felt a warmth settle in his chest, different from the thrill of winning a fight or leveling up. This was deeper, a satisfaction that came from doing something right, something beyond himself. For the first time, he felt like he was beginning to understand what being a hero truly meant.

As Zik walked home, he felt a quiet happiness settle over him, a warmth that spread deeper than any thrill from a victory or a quest reward. Helping Leo, even in that small way, had lifted something inside him. The idea of being a hero had always been about power, skills, and recognition, but today, it felt like something more — something that filled a part of himself he hadn't even realized was empty.

For so long, Zik had been focused on leveling up, on becoming stronger and faster, on finding ways to stand out. But seeing the gratitude in Leo's face had reminded him of something simple yet profound: being a hero wasn't just about strength. It was about making a difference, no matter how small. And somehow, knowing he'd helped Leo made his own struggles feel lighter.

As he walked down the familiar streets, he glanced around with fresh eyes, noticing things he'd usually overlook. The older man across the street, setting up his market stall. The woman carefully guiding her child over a puddle. A dog barking excitedly at passing strangers. Each of them, he realized, was part of a bigger world — a world he wanted to protect and support, just like he had for Leo.

This wasn't just about being seen or admired; it was about living up to a standard, to the Hero Codes he'd once thought of as mere rules. Today, he understood them a little more deeply. Don't Waste, Feed the Poor — they were more than just words. They were a reminder to look out for others, to give back, and to find purpose beyond himself.

He wasn't perfect, far from it, but that didn't matter. He felt closer to his dream than he ever had, a sense of fulfillment replacing his old need for recognition. He was still growing, still learning, but today, he'd taken a step that no level-up or new ability could give him.

And with that, Zik knew he wanted to keep moving forward, not just to become stronger, but to become the kind of hero who could make a real difference.

As Zik strolled along, basking in the glow of his small victory, a sudden thought hit him like a bolt of lightning.

School!

He froze mid-step, his eyes widening as he realized he'd completely lost track of time. He was supposed to be in class, probably well into first period by now. Panic flared up, and he shot a glance at the sun rising higher in the sky, confirming his worst fear — he was late. Really late.

Without another second to lose, he took off, activating Super Speed as he sprinted back toward school. The wind whipped past him as he dashed down alleys, cutting corners and weaving through the early morning crowds with precision. His mind, still buzzing from his interaction with Leo, now sharpened into pure focus as he pushed himself to make it in time.

He barely noticed the people turning to watch as he streaked past, his reinforced boots gripping the pavement with every stride. His legs burned, but he didn't care; he'd already missed enough school as it was, and this was not the day to add another tardy to his record.

Skidding around the final corner, he saw the school gates up ahead, his heart racing not just from the run but from sheer adrenaline. He slowed just enough to avoid crashing into the entrance, slipped inside, and dashed down the hallways to his classroom, breathless but grinning.

He slid into his seat just as the bell rang, earning a few curious glances from classmates but, thankfully, no questioning from his teacher. Sitting there, catching his breath, Zik allowed himself a small smile. Maybe he was still figuring things out, still learning what it meant to be a hero. But today, he'd made a start. And for now, that was enough.