I Am a Hero With A Hundred Abilities-Chapter 5: Ch 4. Guardian initiative

Ethan stepped out of the hover taxi, his gaze lingering on the sleek, futuristic house before him.

It was nothing like what he had expected. The exterior was constructed from smooth, reinforced meta-glass that shimmered under the artificial streetlights, reflecting the soft glow of hovering street drones.

The structure's design was both clean and modern, its sharp edges accentuated by glowing blue lines tracing along the building's frame.

Beside the entrance, a security panel blinked to life, scanning his face before the door slid open with a soft, mechanical hiss.

As he stepped inside, he couldn't help but be amazed. "Was the old me from a rich family or something?" he muttered, his eyes drinking in the high-end interior.

The floor was covered in sleek, polished tiles that reacted to his footsteps, emitting faint pulses of blue light beneath him.

The sitting room was spacious, featuring a large meta-screen mounted on the wall, a black leather couch that looked both stylish and comfortable, and a transparent coffee table embedded with holographic display capabilities.

The air was perfectly conditioned, adjusting to his presence without a sound.

Moving deeper into the house, Ethan explored its various high-tech features.

The bathroom and toilet were equipped with state-of-the-art fixtures—automated water temperature controls, self-cleaning functions, and even a mirror capable of displaying real-time news updates.

The kitchen was equally impressive, stocked with voice-activated cooking appliances, a smart refrigerator, and a sleek countertop capable of generating holographic recipe displays at a single command.

Then he found the two bedrooms. One glance was enough to tell him which belonged to him and which was his sister's.

His was slightly messy, with a few scattered clothes and an empty energy drink can left on the desk, while his sister's was pristine, every item in its place.

As he stood in the doorway, a thought crept into his mind. "If these two rooms belong to me and my sister... where are my parents staying?"

His frown deepened as possibilities raced through his mind. Had something happened to them? Were they simply living elsewhere?

Before his thoughts could spiral any further, his phone vibrated in his pocket.

Pulling it out, he saw a notification—an encrypted file from the previous Ethan.

[Personal Data File – Ethan Cross]

With a tap, he opened the file, eager to uncover the details of his predecessor's life.

Minutes later, Ethan leaned back, exhaling slowly. He now had a much clearer picture of the old Ethan's past.

First and foremost, his parents were dead. That much, at least, he could relate to.

In his previous life, a mugger had taken them from him. Here, however, they had been killed by a powerful villain's rampage.

Yes, this world had villains—individuals who, after awakening their abilities, chose to use them for personal gain rather than for the protection of humanity.

They sowed chaos, destruction, and suffering wherever they went.

That loss had been the driving force behind the old Ethan's determination to become a hero.

He had already lost his parents once, and he had vowed never to stand by while others suffered the same fate.

If he could prevent even one tragedy, it would be worth it.

Another crucial revelation in the file was that becoming a hero was a choice, not an obligation.

Even those who developed an Aether Factor at sixteen were given the option to awaken or not.

The Hero Association had implemented this system deliberately.

While Dread Beasts remained a constant threat, forcing people to fight could lead to resentment, rebellion, and even more villains.

It was better to allow only the truly willing to step forward.

Ethan's sister had developed an Aether Factor as well, but she had chosen not to awaken.

The file didn't provide much detail on her reasoning, but he respected her decision.

As for the house, the answer lay in something called the Guardian Initiative.

A program created by the Hero Association, it provided accommodation and financial support to young individuals who developed an Aether Factor and chose to become heroes.

It served both as a recruitment strategy and as a means of ensuring that those willing to fight had the resources to do so.

With all this newfound information, Ethan felt more grounded in his new reality. He wouldn't be stumbling through this life completely blind.

His next course of action was clear—he needed to head to the Hero Association.

While applying to different clans, he had also signed up for an E-Rank mission. Unfortunately, with so many low-ranking heroes scrambling for assignments, he had been placed on a waiting list.

It had taken three days, but he had finally been assigned a task.

And now, there was no turning back. Rejecting a mission at this stage meant a fine, and he couldn't afford to waste credits.

The Guardian Initiative only provided support while heroes were in the academy and for two months after graduation—after that, they were expected to fend for themselves.

The Hero Association provided resources, but it didn't hold anyone's hand. If he wanted to survive, he needed to start earning his way.

After grabbing a quick meal—leftovers his sister had stored in the fridge—he placed the dishes into the automated washer and grabbed his jacket.

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Stepping outside, he hailed another hover taxi. The sleek vehicle glided to a smooth stop in front of him, its doors sliding open. He climbed in and gave the driver his destination:

City X - Hero Association HQ.

The vehicle lifted off the ground, its engines humming as it sped toward the heart of the city.

****

The City X Hero Association HQ was an awe-inspiring sight. A massive skyscraper, its exterior gleamed with reinforced glass and metal, reflecting the neon glow of the futuristic skyline.

A giant, glowing "X" was embedded into the structure—a symbol of heroism and duty.

All around the building, heroes in battle suits moved in groups, some reviewing mission details on holographic interfaces while others adjusted their weapons.

Massive energy swords, high-tech firearms, and floating drones were common sights.

The atmosphere buzzed with activity—this was where real heroes operated.

Ethan took a deep breath and walked through the large, automatic doors.

Inside, the interior was just as grand—high ceilings, sleek marble floors, and glowing holo-screens displaying mission updates, hero rankings, and reports of recent Dread Beast attacks.

He approached the front desk, where a woman stood behind the sleek, futuristic counter.

She was tall and elegant, her platinum-blonde hair styled into a sharp bob.

Piercing blue eyes regarded him with professional detachment. Her form-fitting navy uniform bore the Hero Association insignia on her chest.

A sleek, holographic interface hovered above the desk, casting a cool blue glow onto her perfectly manicured fingers.

As he stepped forward, she looked up, offering a polite yet neutral nod.

"How can I help you?" she asked, her tone smooth and professional.

Ethan didn't hesitate. "I'm here to accept the mission I was assigned."

For low-ranking heroes, missions had to be formally accepted in person to ensure they fully understood their objectives before deployment.

The woman nodded and tapped the holographic screen in front of her. "Name?"

"Ethan Cross."

Her fingers moved swiftly over the interface, pulling up his details. After a moment, she read them aloud to confirm:

"Ethan Cross, age 18, Rank E. Assigned mission: 'Hunt and Cleanse.'"

Ethan listened as she continued.

"Target: Lesser Dread—Gobkar."

Ethan frowned slightly. Gobkar?

"Mission details: A Gobkar den was recently destroyed, and the Black Pit in the area has been sealed. However, some Gobkars managed to escape into the nearby forest. Your task is to eradicate any remaining threats before they can regroup and form a new den."