The Hero Code

The next morning, Zik's mood took a hit as he checked his wallet. He'd blown through his cash faster than expected; his gym membership fees alone had been a major drain. If I'm going to keep up with training, I need a steady income, he thought, feeling the reality of his situation settle in. He needed work — and soon.

But as he thought about it, he realized that his abilities opened up a range of job possibilities he'd never considered before. For the first time, he felt confident listing them on his CV, figuring it might land him something unique. After updating his profile with Super Speed, Telekinesis, and Super Intelligence, he hit "search job" and watched as new listings flooded the screen. There were delivery gigs, security postings, even a position as a moving assistant — each one tailored to his abilities.

Then his Hero System chimed in, and to his amazement, a new notification appeared:

> New Quests Available: Job Opportunities

Each job will provide pay and experience points.

Zik's eyes widened as he realized his Hero System was treating the jobs as quests, complete with EXP rewards. He'd been struggling for so long, not knowing that work itself could help him level up. If he'd known this sooner, he might have hit Level 5 ages ago.

One quest caught his eye immediately:

> Delivery Quest: Upgrade Super Speed to Grade D

*Objective: Deliver packages across the city using Super Speed.

Reward: Super Speed Grade Upgrade, Pay, and EXP.

Excitement surged through him. The pay was decent, the experience was good, and best of all, completing it would upgrade Super Speed from Grade F to Grade D. That meant doubling his top speed — from around 45 km/h to 90 km/h. It was the break he needed.

Without hesitation, he accepted the delivery job. But before setting off, he made sure to swap out his cursed yellow shirt for something neutral. Today, he was running with every advantage he could get.

The job turned out to be fast-paced and demanding, but it was a perfect fit for his ability. He picked up each package and dashed through the streets, feeling the thrill of speed as he wove through the city, dodging obstacles with ease. The job wasn't entirely without its challenges; he ran into trouble a few times, from angry dogs to confused pedestrians who didn't appreciate him appearing out of nowhere. At one point, a guard even stopped him, suspicious of his quick movements, but Zik managed to talk his way out, brushing it off with a polite smile.

Despite the minor hiccups, each delivery pushed him closer to his goal, the thrill of moving at top speed driving him forward. With every package, he felt the strain lessening, his endurance building. And as he completed his final delivery, his system pinged with the reward notification he'd been waiting for:

> Quest Complete: Delivery Job

Reward: Super Speed Upgrade to Grade D

Zik felt a surge of energy as Super Speed upgraded, his body feeling lighter, faster, like a weight had been lifted. Grade D speed meant he could now reach around 90 km/h, twice as fast as before. The difference was staggering. He couldn't wait to try it out in training, imagining the advantages it would bring not only in combat but in everyday life.

After finishing his shift, he tested his new speed on the way home, sprinting with a renewed sense of freedom. At this rate, he thought, with Grade C, he'd be running at 180 km/h — practically a human blur. Speed was vital, not just for fighting or evading but for everything in his life. With this kind of progress, he felt he was on the right path, gaining strength, stability, and skills that would set him up for the future.

And with his new quest-based income, he knew he could finally support his training.

The days after Zik's delivery gig were packed with job searches. He knew he needed steady work to fund his training, but balancing that with school was proving harder than he'd thought. Some job listings offered tempting perks, like ability upgrades or high pay, but their hours were brutal, requiring commitments he couldn't make without letting his grades or training slip.

After passing up offer after offer, Zik finally settled on something that seemed doable: an assistant position at a local warehouse. It wasn't glamorous, but the hours were flexible enough, and the pay was decent. When he accepted, his Hero System even registered the position as a quest, offering a small stream of experience points for completing shifts. Not a bad start, he thought, ready to take on his new responsibilities.

On his first day, Zik showed up bright and early, ready to get to work. But as soon as he introduced himself to his new boss, he knew it wasn't going to be the smooth shift he'd imagined.

The man barely looked up from his clipboard, giving Zik a dismissive once-over before muttering, "Great. Another kid. Let's hope you can actually do the work." He scoffed, flipping through the paperwork, and added, "Don't waste my time like the last one. I don't have patience for screw-ups."

Zik felt his jaw tighten, irritation bubbling up. Who does this guy think he is? He knew the man didn't know him or what he was capable of, but the sneer in his tone made Zik feel like he was back at square one, fighting for respect. Still, he kept his mouth shut, reminding himself of the Fourth Hero Code: Don't insult. He'd read it a hundred times — heroes were supposed to lead by example, to show respect, even when none was given.

But as the shift went on, his boss's behavior grated on him more and more. The man barked orders nonstop, his voice sharp with impatience as he insulted nearly every move Zik made.

"Can you be any slower? Do I have to teach you how to carry a box?" he snapped as Zik moved a stack of crates. "Honestly, it's like they're sending toddlers to do a man's work these days."

Zik clenched his fists, forcing himself to stay calm. Every instinct in him wanted to snap back, to put this guy in his place, to show him that he wasn't some clueless kid. Don't insult, he reminded himself, trying to stay grounded in the code he'd committed to. But the words were beginning to feel empty, useless against the relentless stream of scorn.

At one point, as he lifted a particularly heavy box, his boss walked over, shaking his head in mock disappointment. "You're struggling with that?" he said, voice dripping with contempt. "Pathetic. They're hiring weaklings now."

Zik felt his patience snap. Why am I even here, taking this from him? he thought, the frustration flaring up, his fingers twitching with the urge to use his Telekinesis to shove the man back, just a little — just enough to remind him that Zik wasn't helpless. But he stopped himself, remembering the quest rewards and the Hero Code. He was here to prove himself, not to stoop to this guy's level.

At the end of the shift, Zik was exhausted, both mentally and physically, from holding his tongue. He'd managed to get through the day without breaking, but his mind was still racing with frustration, and his hands shook as he clocked out. Just as he stepped outside, his Hero System chimed:

> Quest Complete: Work Shift

Reward: +20 EXP

The reward felt hollow. He'd earned it, but he felt as if he'd barely held onto his pride through the day. A notification followed, almost like an answer to his frustration:

> New Quest: Stand Up Without Insult

Objective: Set boundaries respectfully.

Reward: +30 EXP

Zik took a deep breath, reading the quest over twice. He could feel the system pushing him, challenging him to keep to the code while still respecting himself. Tomorrow, he wouldn't just hold his tongue. Tomorrow, he'd stand his ground without sinking to his boss's level.

The next day, Zik showed up at the warehouse with a different mindset. He'd spent the night thinking about his quest and replaying yesterday's interactions in his head, imagining how he could handle things without losing his cool. His system was practically daring him to find a way to hold his ground without sinking to insults. Stand Up Without Insult. It sounded simple, but he knew he'd have to work for it.

He took a deep breath and headed inside, determined to give it another shot.

His boss was waiting by the main loading area, tapping his foot impatiently. The man glanced at Zik, barely giving him a second look before snapping, "Oh, great. The kid's back. Hope you're planning to do some real work today."

Zik kept his expression steady, biting back the initial retort that almost slipped out. He felt the sting of the insult, but he wasn't going to let it get to him this time. Instead, he nodded and got to work, moving the boxes and stacking them as efficiently as he could.

It wasn't long before his boss found another reason to chime in. "Can you even handle this? You're slower than my grandmother. Maybe next time they should send someone who knows how to do actual work."

Zik paused, letting the words sink in. He could feel the familiar frustration building, the urge to defend himself, to snap back. But he remembered his quest. Set boundaries without insult. It was the test he'd been preparing for.

He turned to his boss, steadying his voice before he spoke. "Look, I'm here to do my best," he said calmly, meeting the man's gaze. "But if you want me to be faster, clear instructions would help more than the commentary."

His boss raised an eyebrow, caught off guard by the directness. "Excuse me?" he said, his tone sharp, almost challenging.

Zik held his ground. "I'm here to work, but constant insults don't help anyone. Just let me know what needs doing, and I'll do it."

For a tense moment, his boss stared at him, clearly not used to anyone standing up to him without firing back with attitude. Zik felt his pulse quicken, but he kept his posture steady, refusing to let his nerves show. After what felt like an eternity, his boss scoffed and looked away, muttering something under his breath, but he didn't insult him again. Instead, he just pointed to the next stack of boxes with a curt nod, his focus on the work rather than the commentary.

As Zik turned back to the task, he felt his Hero System ping, a warm surge of accomplishment filling him.

> Quest Complete: Stand Up Without Insult

Reward: +30 EXP

Bonus: Confidence Boost — You've gained a temporary increase in focus.

The reward felt real this time, like he'd earned more than just experience points. He'd set a boundary, shown respect for himself, and stuck to his code without sinking to his boss's level.

The rest of the shift went smoother than the day before. His boss still wasn't exactly friendly, but the insults were fewer, the tension noticeably lighter. Zik finished his tasks, clocked out, and walked away with a sense of pride he hadn't felt before. He'd managed to stand up for himself, to live by the hero code even when it wasn't easy.

As he left the warehouse, he couldn't help but smile. He might not have super strength or be the fastest in his class, but he was learning what it truly meant to be strong. And in the end, he knew that strength would take him further than any power alone ever could.

As Zik walked home, his thoughts were buzzing. Reaching Level 6 and unlocking a new ability slot was a huge milestone, and it opened up a world of possibilities. He considered all the traditional options — Invisibility, Enhanced Reflexes, even Energy-based skills — but none felt quite right. What he really needed was something to support him both in and out of combat. After all, he'd been scraping by, struggling with school, training, and trying to fund his ambitions with small, draining jobs.

Then an idea struck him: Crafting. He'd heard of abilities that allowed users to create superpowered items — armor with enhanced durability, gloves that improved grip strength, boots that absorbed shock. Crafting was rare and incredibly practical. With it, he'd have the power to design items for himself and others, whether to improve his fighting, help with training, or even sell for much-needed cash.

But unlocking a new ability wasn't as simple as picking from a list. Abilities needed a foundation, something real to spark their potential. If he wanted to unlock Crafting, he'd have to make something himself, to put his focus and creativity to the test. The thought excited him. He'd never tried anything like this, but he felt driven, like he was on the verge of discovering a new way forward.

---

That night, Zik dug through his room, gathering bits of fabric, pieces of leather, scraps of old equipment — anything he could find. After hours of trial and error, he decided on a simple project: a reinforced bracer that could provide a bit of protection for his forearm. He sat at his makeshift workbench, organizing his materials, and got to work.

At first, he struggled, unsure of how to cut or layer the materials effectively. But he kept at it, imagining what the bracer would need in a fight — flexibility, durability, maybe even pockets to slide in extra padding. The process felt strange but calming, like every stitch and fastening was bringing him closer to something new.

As he tightened the last strap, Zik held the bracer up, turning it in his hands. It was rough around the edges, but he could see the potential in it. He slipped it onto his arm, feeling the slight weight of his own creation. Just as he adjusted it, he felt a surge of energy course through him, and his Hero System pinged with a notification:

> New Ability Unlocked: Crafting

Level 1 (Grade F): Basic crafting of items with minor protective and enhancement properties.

Zik's face broke into a grin. He'd done it. Crafting was his, an ability that wasn't just about fighting but creating something that could give him a real edge — and maybe even bring in money. He could design gear that boosted his skills or even sell his creations to fund his training.

He started sketching ideas on paper, planning new projects that could enhance his other abilities: gloves with extra grip for Telekinesis, a lightweight cloak to improve his Stealth, or reinforced shoes for Super Speed. The possibilities seemed endless, and for the first time, he felt a sense of freedom beyond his abilities.

As he finally lay down to rest, his mind filled with ideas and possibilities. This wasn't just another ability; it was the foundation of something greater — a way to shape his future on his own terms. And he knew that this skill, as humble as it seemed now, could grow into something that would set him apart.