Hero Fantasy Ch1

A.N. The name is not decided yet, so I'm just giving it a basic name for now.

....




“Ninety-F-ive…”

“Uh… Ninety-Six.”

“Ninety…. Seven…”

“Damn it…. Ninety Eight”

“Ninety Nine…”

“Hundred!!!”

Seth Cage collapsed on the ground, trying to catch his breath.

"That... seems to be the limit," he muttered somewhat helplessly. His eyes went to the wall, where posters of various Heroes could be seen.

Halo, Miss Nightshade, Quantum Quake, and many others. A sigh escaped his lips. 'It's nowhere near enough,' he thought, looking at his powerless hands.

This was not a normal world. Due to the appearance of a mysterious force called z-energy, which appeared around a few centuries back, over 60% of the world's population have awakened supernatural abilities.

These abilities vary from person to person. It can range from a simple cooking talent to an ability which can destroy cities. Naturally, in this world, there are those who try to abuse these powers and those who try to prevent it, that is, Villains and Heroes.

So, like any other normal teenager, Seth also wanted to have powers… and become a villain.

Well, not really a full on villain, but he doesn't want to be some righteous freak in spandex sacrificing himself for others either. He just wants power.

Too bad though, he was 16 already, and he hadn't awakened yet. Which means, there's a high chance he'll stay a normal human in this life.

"Damn it... it sucks..." He murmured. Being an ordinary human in a world full of superhumans really did suck. Awakening gives you access to Z-energy. So, no matter which talent you awaken, it also gives you other passive benefits, like prolonging your life, immunity to diseases, better physical abilities... etc.

Any other person might be okay with it, but Seth was... different. He had memories of his previous life, where he lived in a different world. That world wasn't much different than this one. Except, there was no Hero Association, and no Zetta-Humans. Everyone in that world could only dream of having superpowers.

That's why it's even more regretful for Seth, who values Superpowers even more than others, and has always fantasized about having one.


"Seth, it's time for breakfast!" Came his mother's voice from outside, causing a smile to appear on his face. Well, if there's one thing he has in this life that he could never have in his previous life, it would be 'parents'.

"I need 5 minutes, mom!" He yelled back, not listening to her grumbling reply as he went to take a bath. He was currently drenched in sweat due to his workout. If he tried to have breakfast in this condition, that woman would have thrown him into the bath herself.

There was a rule in his family. Everyone needs to be present at Breakfast. Well, his parents are busy folks, working at the Hero Association, so breakfast is the only time the three of them can be together.

That's why, when he came out of his room five minutes later, dressed in his uniform, his parents were still waiting for him.

"What took you so long?" Asked his mother, slightly peeved. Her deep-set blue eyes gave him the impression that she was analysing him. She had sharp features, and her black hair was currently tied in a tight bun. She was dressed in office attire.

Seth just shrugged. "I overslept," he replied casually, pouring himself some milk.

Zara narrowed her eyes. "Your hands are shaking. You don't have any strength in them. And even after taking a bath, you're still sweating. Just say you were once again exercising half to death, Seth."

Seth sighed while eating his sandwich. "Mom, do you need to scrutinize everything?"

Being the Deputy head of the Strategic and Analytics Department of the Hero Association already at the age of 41, she was not someone you wanted around yourself if you had secrets to hide.

Seth knew it the hard way. One time, he had come out of his room one fine morning after hiding away the R-18 poster of the Frost Queen, and his mother had casually nodded at him, saying masturbating once in a while is healthy.

The embarrassment still causes him to convulse sometimes after recalling the memory.

"You know she can't help it, buddy. It's related to her superpower. But trust me, I know your pain," said his dad, looking at him like a comrade fighting the same war.

His dad, Leo Cage, was a tech geek with a slight penchant for mischief. Of course, due to Zara he is rarely able to get away with it. Like Seth's mother, he also works at the Hero Association, but in the Tech department, and his superpower is Technomancy, making him able to have a degree of control over all technology. He has warm hazel eyes hidden behind a pair of rimless glasses and brown hair which are always in a mess.

Zara gave Leo a stare which shut him down before turning to Seth. "You should stop pushing yourself so hard. Why are you doing all this? Working out daily, getting combat training, tinkering with your dad's tech... Do you want to be a Hero?"

Seth paused eating his sandwich as he looked down at his plate. "No... not really. I don't want be a Hero. But, I still might join the research division."

Seth really didn't want to be a Hero. He just wanted to be powerful. So, since Hero Industry had the best technology, he figured he'd go there and find ways to enhance himself further.

His mom immediately shot him down.
"No, young man. I've told you before. You are not going to the Hero Association!"

His dad also nodded somewhat helplessly. "It really is a rotten place. The higher you go, the more filth you'd find."

"Oh come on, how bad can it be? I just need to learn—"

"No means no, Son."

Seth sighed. He knew his mom wouldn't budge when she uses 'son'.

"You guys are so controlling..." He grumbled. In this situation, even if he did miraculously awaken, his parents would just have him sit in an office and do desk work. "Let me live in my own apartment already," He muttered, picking up his backpack and leaving. His frustration was a bit assuaged to see his parents' hurt expressions.

He knew it was immature, but hey, he was 16. Having memories of his previous life didn't miraculously make him mature. It's like how seeing someone's life on tv doesn't make it your life.

Seth was a normal human, unlike his awakened parents. He might actually die of old age earlier than his parents. He was just venting his bitterness.

"Well, I'll apologize later," he decided as he alighted his school bus.

But he didn't know, that this was the last conversation he could have with his parents.

That night, after he had returned after his classes and combat lessons, he waited for his parents. Just when he was thinking of calling them, a call unexpectedly came to him instead.

"Mr. Cage, your parents have been in an accident. Please come to the hospital immediately."

Seth's mind zoned out.
"... What?"

…

The car ride was the most frustrating journey Seth had ever come across. His head was pounding throughout the whole journey, wondering how it could have happened.

He was taken to the city hospital's ICU ward, where dozens of agents were standing guard. Holding high positions at the Hero Association, his parents safety was a matter of National Security.

It was then did he finally saw some familiar faces. "Aunt Lyra!" He called out. Lyra was a family friend who also worked at the Hero Association.

A beautiful dark-haired woman in her early thirties turned around. She had pale skin and a willowy figure. And currently, her face was stained with tears.

A wave of chilling foreboding washed over Seth as he noticed many other people crying.

"No way…" he murmured, walking towards the ICU. People made way for him as they noticed him. No one stopped him as he entered the ward. Inside, he didn't see his parents connected with various machines, trying to fight for their lives. No, he only saw two bodies covered with white sheets.

When he slightly uncovered the sheets, Seth's eyes blurred. his head pounded like a drum.

His parents were dead. Again. Even in this life. Seth felt like there wasn't much to live for anymore. A pair of hands embraced him and he realized it was aunt Lyra.

"How…? How did it happen?" He asked Lyra, his voice still tinged with disbelief.

Aunt Lyra also worked in the Hero Association. She must know what happened.

"The report says… It was an accident. Their car crashed when they were returning home. They stopped breathing before they could be brought here," she replied, hugging him tightly. "I'm sorry Seth."

Something inside Seth burst upon hearing that. And he realized it was anger. Outrage. It CAN'T be a car accident. The car his parents ride is the one that was personally modified by his dad. Not to mention his dad is a responsible driver. They couldn't have died due to a mere "accident".

Seth was anguished. But, at the same time, he was furious. It couldn't be an accident. Someone was at fault here. Someone other than his parents. Someone with means powerful enough to smash that reinforced vehicle.

A flame of fury lit up inside Seth. His vision swam.

Suddenly, Lyra looked at Seth in alarm. "Seth! Your eyes…"

Right now, a peculiar phenomenon was happening in Seth's eyes. His irises were glowing with multiple colors, like a spectrum. Soon they settled into an angry red, glowing faintly in the dimly lit room.

He had awakened his ability. But Seth paid it no heed. He couldn't care at all. Without the presence of those two people, wasn't everything meaningless?

An uncontrollable desire rose up inside him. To find whoever was behind rose up, and take away everything from all those who are involved. Just like they had done to him.

"Whoever it is. They'll have to pay," he swore, his eyes burning red.

…