I was a hero.

Part of the Korea Hero Association.

Rank 1 S-Class.

The world called me the strongest hero.

I stopped villains, defeated monsters, and was the first to arrive whenever disaster struck.

Some called me a fool, others called me a hypocrite.

It didn't matter.

It was a job someone had to do.

And then, that day.

A monster appeared that could swallow an entire city.

Yun Se-rin, Cha Eun-ha, Min Ga-young, Lee Ga-on.

And me.

The battle was hell.

Countless people were dying, and the monster had only one weakness.

Its blackened heart.

I poured all my strength into piercing that heart.

The monster died, and the city survived.

But I fell as well.

Just before losing consciousness.

I saw a strange sight.

The four heroes looking down at me.

And the black hearts writhing in their chests.

Contempt.

Jealousy.

Guilt.

Indifference.

That was the last thing I saw before my consciousness faded.

I couldn't open my eyes, but I could hear.

People coming and going from the hospital room.

Association officials.

Citizens.

And those four women.

"So he ended up like that."

"It'll be my turn now, right?"

"It's not my fault."

No one worried about me.

The citizens were the same.

What mattered to them wasn't me, but their own damages.

Months passed like that.

With my eyes closed, I heard the true face of the world.

And I realized.

I hadn't been saving the world.

I had just been used.

The day I miraculously regained consciousness.

People cheered for the return of the hero.

But the old me was already dead.

On that day I fell with the monster.

Looking out the window of the empty hospital room, I spoke quietly.

"In this life."

"I will not save you."