Morning sunlight filtered through the trees, slipping in through the small window where Shun lay. He sprang out of bed, eyes wide with excitement—today was special. For the very first time, a real hero squad had come through their remote village.
In the village square, a large banner had been put up:
- "Recruiting Members – A Chance to Become a True Hero!"
Villagers gathered like it was a festival. Young men with axes, wooden swords, and hopeful eyes lined up one after another. Among them was Shun, only 13 years old, yet brimming with the fiery energy of youth. His heart pounded with a pure dream—to become a hero, just like in the stories his grandfather used to tell.
Without hesitation, Shun signed the application.
Back at their humble wooden home, he burst through the door, beaming.
-"Grandpa! Brother Willin! I signed up for the hero recruitment test!"
Grandfather Thomas, sipping his tea, squinted up at him with a warm smile.
- "Is that so? Our little boy's grown up, hasn't he?"
Willin, the second oldest brother, sighed softly, a worried look flashing in his eyes. He put down the book he'd been reading and stared at Shun.
-"I won't stop you. But you know it's dangerous, right?"
- "Then why aren't you joining, Willin?" Shun tilted his head curiously.
Willin chuckled, shaking his head.
- "I'm too weak, Shun. I'm not cut out for fighting."
Shun looked puzzled. He clearly remembered—Willin had won every rabbit-hunting competition in the village for years. His aim was unshakable, his presence calm and precise. Shun blurted:
-"That's not true! I saw you shoot down three rabbits from so far I couldn't even see them! You're way stronger than most people!"
Willin's smile remained, but it carried a quiet sadness.
- "Someone has to stay home. To take care of Grandpa… and you. I promised Holland and Kiba I would."
The words struck Shun still. He didn't argue. Deep down, he understood—even if Willin wasn't by his side in battle, he was protecting them in his own way, just like a true big brother.
That evening, Shun was brimming with excitement after signing up for the hero selection. Unable to contain his energy, he dashed off to find his friends in the village to show off. As the sun dipped below the hills, casting long shadows over the familiar clearing where the village children always played, Shun arrived with a grin on his face.
-"Race me?" Shun challenged.
-"You're on!" one of the boys replied.
Shun won easily. He followed up with push-ups, long jumps, even scaling the old brick wall — beating everyone one by one with the fire of youth burning inside him. The other kids watched in awe.
Just then, a blur of brown shot past them — a monkey!
No one knew where it came from, but it snatched a ripe mango placed under the tree and took off running. Shun's eyes lit up.
-"Watch this! I'll catch it!"
He bolted after the monkey, darting through banana groves, splashing through a muddy ditch, and scrambling up the tall banyan tree. But the monkey was far more agile than he expected. It led him to a high branch, then leapt away with ease. Shun lost his footing and barely managed to cling to a branch, now dangling helplessly in the air.
Below, his friends burst out laughing:
-"Shun! Are you trying to entertain it or catch it?"
-"That monkey's playing with you, not the other way around!"
Shun gritted his teeth.
-"Damn monkey…"
At that moment, a tall figure appeared at the end of the dirt path. It was Willin — Shun's older brother. Carrying a cloth bag, he had just returned from the market near the forest. His eyes widened slightly at the sight of the gathered children… and the monkey smugly munching an apple on the branch.
Without a word, Willin picked up a small stone and casually flicked it. It flew through the air with perfect accuracy, hitting the spot where the monkey was perched. The startled creature tumbled to the ground — and in just a few steps, Willin had it by the scruff of the neck.
Silence.
Every kid's mouth dropped open. Not a single word was said. Shun stared wide-eyed, torn between admiration and jealousy. He had spent nearly an hour chasing the monkey with no success. And Willin? Barely ten seconds.
Willin looked up at his little brother, a calm smile on his face.
-"You alright, kid? Fall from up there and you're liable to break something."
Face flushed red, Shun slid down the tree, brushing dirt from his clothes and avoiding his brother's gaze. Deep inside, a strange mix of emotions churned — awe at Willin's quiet skill, but also a sharp sting of inadequacy.
That night, lying on his bed, eyes fixed on the wooden ceiling, Shun whispered to himself:
-"I have to get stronger... I won't let anyone look down on me again."
In that moment, his dream of becoming a hero — not just for the world, but to someday surpass the overwhelming shadow of his brother — began to burn brighter than ever.
The next morning, gentle sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting golden streaks across the dirt road leading to the village's central square. Shun, along with other children who dreamed of becoming heroes, had been summoned for the long-awaited recruitment trial.
All participants were divided into six rows, each row comprising twelve candidates, standing upright like young soldiers awaiting the call to arms. The examiners were none other than four renowned heroes:
Break – a formidable Tanker clad in armor as thick as fortress walls.
Miliana – an Ice Mage, her eyes cold and sharp like the first frost of winter.
Bruno – a silent Assassin, his presence as quiet and deadly as the night.
Drake – a skilled Supporter, known for saving hundreds during the Great Western War.
Shun was placed in Group 4-B. Every candidate was handed a spool of binding tape, a required item for the trial. Aside from that, they were free to choose any weapon that suited their style.
The mission was simple, yet fierce:
"In the northern forest—divided into six hunting zones matching the six rows—the one who catches the most wild hares in the shortest time will earn a place as a hero."
At once, murmurs surged through the crowd like a rising tide:
- "Wait, Willin isn't participating this year?"
-"Lucky! He nearly caught all the hares for his team last time…"
-"With the village's No.1 marksman out, we've finally got a chance!"..
Willin—Shun's second older brother—was a local legend. It was said he could analyze terrain at a glance and hit a moving target from distances others couldn't even see.
A surge of energy lit up in Shun's chest. He clenched his fists and stepped forward, raising his voice above the chatter with bold confidence:
-"I am Shun! I'll be the first to return—and I will be the one chosen as hero! Watch and witness my skill!!"
A brief silence followed. All eyes turned to him. Even the four heroes on the judges' stand looked his way.
Then... they smiled.
Not in mockery, but with a quiet amusement—like seasoned warriors watching a young flame flare up for the first time, full of pride, full of fire.
Miliana clicked her tongue.
Bruno shook his head.
Break clapped twice, slowly.
And Drake... smiled with narrowed eyes.
-"Cocky kid… but interesting."