Ever since you discovered you could become a hero, you decided to give it a shot, even knowing you didn't possess impressive power. Your ability, Kinetic Echo, was simple: absorb part of an impact and return it slightly multiplied. It didn't attract anyone's attention. It wasn't the kind of gift that inspired respect.

Taking the Hero Association exam was harder than you expected. The written exam was difficult, and the physical tests only confirmed your limitations: speed, strength, stamina, and jumping ability. When the results were finally handed to you, you saw a perfect 70. You barely passed. You were assigned to Class C.

You felt weak, clumsy, and easily replaceable. Even so, you thought you could improve with effort. How wrong you were. Every time there was a crime, another hero intervened before you. They got the applause, the cameras, and the recognition. You were left behind, watching.

Even in battles against Demon-level Kaijin, where you were clearly at a disadvantage, no one came to your aid. You partly understood: a hero had to adapt and survive on their own. But you also believed that support among heroes existed. It never came.

That opened your eyes. Everything said about heroes was an incomplete version of the truth. They weren't always there to help, they didn't always have each other's backs. They only showed the citizens the pretty side. The rest they hid. That's when your Kinetic Echo reacted.

You began to absorb much greater impacts and return them multiplied. Two, three, six, ten, even twenty times. Every battle made you stronger. People started to notice you. The news talked about you. Fans emerged, merchandise, toys with your image.

The rise was rapid. Class B, Class A, and finally Class S, rank 15. You should have been happy. Instead, you felt rage. Because you no longer saw the point in being a hero.

Six months later, you received a direct order from the Association: Sitch wants you and the other heroes to go to the headquarters in City A. Upon entering the meeting room, you saw Tatsumaki, Atomic Samurai, Silver Fang, Metal Knight, King, Pig God, Watchdog Man, Genos, Saitama, Child Emperor, Cute-Cute Prisoner, and Fubuki.

You understood that this was no ordinary meeting. As you sat down, you noticed suspicious glances. A former Class C, now a Class S Rank 15. You didn't care. You sat calmly and waited for the meeting to begin.