The Monster Aspires to Be a Hero!

Thankfully, when I opened my eyes, my parents weren’t by my side.
My legs were bandaged, but there was no cast.
My body could move to some extent, with an IV line attached to my arm at most.

It’s my power.
Yeah, thanks to that.

As I slowly looked around, I saw some people approaching me.
They had bandages or gauze on parts like their foreheads or arms.

“Really… thank you so much.”
“Thank you.”
“Thank you!”

It was then that I realized who they were.
The 8 passengers who had been on the bus.
It didn’t seem like anyone was seriously injured.
They were probably waiting for me to wake up, thinking I would recover quickly since my injuries weren’t severe.

“No… it’s… okay.”
Feeling a bit bashful, I scratched my head.
Everyone praised me, saying I was like a hero.
I shook my head and said the hero on the bus had helped, otherwise it would have been difficult.
It was probably true.
If he hadn’t popped the tires and applied the brakes, my strength alone might not have been enough to stop it.
But despite my words, people praised me even more fervently.
It felt like the fervent praise of a cult leader’s followers.
I’ve never been to a cult, but I imagine it would feel similar.
…It was embarrassing.
The heat rising in my chest flushed my face.
For some reason, I felt like tears might spill, so I bowed my head.
It was a foolish thing I did.
Acting on that vague feeling that I could do it.
There was someone with Telekinesis ability, and only 10 people including me on that bus.
It might have been simpler if the Telekinesis user had just flung everyone out and flipped the bus instead.
Thinking rationally, a much more sensible plan comes to mind.
The absent hero might be having similar thoughts now with a cleared head.
So this isn’t something deserving of such praise…

But this warm praise and encouragement made me want to indulge in it a bit longer.
Ah… I’ve realized it.
I’ve become aware of the truth I tried not to notice and turned away from.
I wanted to become a hero.
That’s all there was to it.
From when I was an 8-year-old kid 15 years ago, I haven’t changed at all in that regard.
I just couldn’t overcome the wall of reality with my abilities.
So I ran away from it.
And even as I ran away, I should have moved forward properly onto a different path, but the attachment remained, making me constantly look back.
No matter how far I tried to move forward, there was always a scene that would resurface, like it was branded on the inside of my eyelids.
The scene of Forst defeating monsters and saving people.
And…
‘Jinwoo, thank you… You really were like a hero!’
That scene kept tugging at my collar.
Asking if this was really okay.
Asking if I wouldn’t regret it.
I forcibly shook off that hand and ran away.
I went from an 8-year-old kid to a 23-year-old adult.
Nothing changed from back then, except my head got bigger and my excuses multiplied.
Out of 100 people, not even 1 makes their childhood dream come true as an adult.
So as an adult, I just found reality.
I consoled myself with such plausible words.
But my body was honest.
Out of attachment, I took that part-time disposal job. For self-satisfaction, I volunteered at the hospital.
That desire I had suppressed inside, called aspiration, was vented out in that way.
I believed it would gradually become familiar as I aged.
But it didn’t.
I simply, purely, wanted to become a hero.
Just like that scene I had witnessed… I just wanted to become a hero.
The awesome kind of hero that rescues people in crisis.
Until now, I never had that kind of ability.
I was someone with only the disgusting ability fitting of the derogatory nickname ‘Mr. Preservative’.
But now, it’s different.
I’ve gained the power to save at least 9 people.
It’s not a normal ability.
It’s the power of a monster that appears without warning all over the world, causing countless casualties.
And yet, even with this body, I…

The hospital I was admitted to was the same one I had the phone call with earlier.
When I said I might as well check on the patients here since I came this far, the doctor looked slightly awkward yet touched and nodded.
I went upstairs and briefly looked over the soundly sleeping patients.
It seems there are no CCTVs inside the patient rooms here either.
Checking the clock on the wall, it was past 6pm, so there didn’t seem to be any more visitors coming.
Then…

Will it be alright?
What will?
If I eat these humans, there could be problems.
I know.
The phenomenon of all the admitted patients being discharged en masse from Buwon Hospital had occurred.
If the same thing happens here, coupled with my abilities and today’s events, it could cause an uproar.
But I have no choice.
Are you really sure?
…I have to do it.
Superpower Syndrome is a disease where people gradually die.
If I neglect it out of self-preservation, someone might die today or tomorrow.
I didn’t want to turn a blind eye knowing that.
It’s quite scary when an educated, knowledgeable one has conviction.
The monster spouted something that sounded like a line from a comedy show and used its ability.
Whenever this thing used its ability, it felt like I was in a hazy dream-like state.
So I didn’t know exactly how it ‘ate’.
…I should have remained ignorant, honestly.
It formed a mouth on the palm of my right hand and stuck out its tongue.
Then it placed it near the patient’s mouth and slid its tongue right in.
Since we shared the same body, I could vividly feel the sensation.
I could feel the tongue forcing its way in and exploring the patient’s body.
It was a revolting sight that made me shudder and feel nauseous.
I’m searching for an uncondensed core.
It said that in a somewhat serious tone, likely wanting to claim this creepy act wasn’t out of some depraved desire.
I understand the intention, but still…
Isn’t this kind of like a tentacle porn?
It’s a tongue.
No, I mean…
It’s a tongue.
Unexpectedly, you’re an amusing one.
The monster ate with a seriousness akin to medical professionals performing a procedure.
It was quite different from when it ravenously ate in a somnambulistic state before.
It’s not a bad thing for you either.
What is?
Me growing stronger means you grow stronger too.
There might not be only positive aspects though.
For example, if this thing ends up forming a core in my body, wouldn’t I really become a monster?
I’m not that stupid either. Kuhuhuhuhuh.
After absentmindedly staying still for a bit, my right hand arbitrarily withdrew from the patient’s mouth.
The patient’s lips were slightly moist with drool.
Kinda gross.
To borrow your expression, it’s a medical procedure.
You bastard…
While watching out for other nurses’ gazes, I inserted the tentacle into the patients’ bodies.
The monster said it would control the absorption amount with some tact.
It explained that if I repeated this act here once every three days, the patients could awaken relatively naturally without drawing too much attention, even if some suspicion arose.
Maybe there would be slightly less suspicion that way.
But still, um…
That’s enough.
Yeah, let’s stop for now.

As I tried to leave the hospital, a nurse told me to be careful since reporters had come and it could get tiring.
Wondering why reporters would suddenly show up, it seemed to be because of that bus incident today.
Come to think of it, I had done something straight out of a movie a little while ago.
The pants I was wearing had gone beyond vintage into rag status, and my top was completely shredded.
Fortunately, I had tossed that tattered top onto the bus, so the smartphone and wallet inside were unharmed, which was a relief.
When I tried to pay for the treatment at the hospital, they said it had already been paid for.
They even had a change of clothes prepared for me.
It was thanks to the consideration of the hero who had been on the bus.
Ah, this is what a hero is, this is humanity!
Feeling grateful, I changed clothes, pulled a cap low over my head, and left through the hospital’s back door.
There were some reporters there too, but not many, and since there were other people leaving the hospital too, they didn’t pay attention to me.
I was going to take the bus but ended up deciding to walk home after recalling today’s events.
It was already night in Seoul in February after 7pm.
The night sky was clear without a single cloud, yet not a single star was visible – the signature Seoul night sky.
I blankly looked up at the night sky, and suddenly thought of my father and took out my phone.
I called my father, and after not too long, the phone connected.

Hello?
“Ah, dad. It’s me.”
What’s the matter? Are you still in pain somewhere?
“Ah, that… you know…”
Whew.
I took a deep breath and slowly opened my mouth.
“Can I… try to become a hero again?”

-…
From the other end of the phone, I heard my father swallowing his breath, as if holding it.
It’s not unreasonable.
The last time I had expressed my desire to become a hero was in the winter of my 2nd year of middle school.
After being mocked with the nickname ‘Mr. Preservative’, I had given up on that aspiration since then.
My mother had also hinted that she hoped I would pursue a more stable path rather than such a dangerous one.
When I got into the business administration department of a decent university in Seoul, both of my parents were genuinely delighted.
Whenever I maintained a GPA above 4.2 and received scholarships, they said they were proud of me.
But now I’m saying I want to try being a hero.
My grades are decent.
I’ve built up a reasonable level of specs that can be prepared while attending university.
From general specs like TOEIC, Korean History, and Computerized Accounting, to club activities like volunteer work.
Still, it might feel a bit lacking compared to other job seekers.
That’s why I prepared for the NCS and did so quite diligently.
Perhaps… if I just graduate like this, I could get a decent job.
For a son like that to pursue the risky path of being a hero…
They definitely wouldn’t react positively.
As I tensed up expecting that, I heard what sounded like a relieved exhale.

Go for it.
“Huh?”
If you were born a red chili pepper, you might as well try being a pickled radish too!
My father said that, instructing me to keep it a secret from mom for now, told me to take care of myself, and hung up.
I blankly stared at the disconnected phone.
Can I… really try again?
Is it not too late yet?
I pocketed my phone and started walking again.
The wall of reality was tall, and the hero atop it was so dazzling I couldn’t look straight at it.
So I had to run away from it.
Simply running away seemed too pathetic, so I made all sorts of excuses.
The more I did, the more miserable I became, but I had to keep doing it.
But now, I don’t need to anymore.
I know.
I’m no longer fully human now.
If this secret is exposed, I might be sold off to some research facility and become a human experiment subject.
And yet, I want to become a hero.
I don’t want to keep lying to myself anymore.
Someone might still mock me, calling it ‘chuunibyou’ or saying I’m delusional.
Let them laugh if they want.
Living by constantly worrying about others’ gazes and laughing it off is now stale to me.
Rather than deluding myself by saying I’m an adult and keep looking back with regret, it’s better to be mocked.
It’s not like I’ll get crushed and turned into a tomato ketchup smoothie anyway!

The bus stop near my home was a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
Without starlight or moonlight, only the fluorescent lights from shops and neon signs illuminated the dark street.
And yet, it felt as bright as midday.
It was so bright that my stinging eyes were tearing up.
It felt like spotlights were converging on me from all directions.
As if cheering me on, saying you can do it.
Yeah. I can do it.
I may be a monster, but I want to become a hero.
I will become a hero!
I swore it like that.