Pilot

In a Comic Book Shop…

A young man named Scott McQueen was standing with his girlfriend by a table stacked with colorful comic books. He looked quite bored as he flipped through the vibrant pages, barely paying attention.

『Superheroes…』

He flipped to the next page.

『When I was a kid, they were simple. You know, the kind of guys who wore capes, fought bad guys, and always knew what was right. Comics made it clear… heroes were supposed to stand for justice, protect the weak, and fight evil. Black and white, good and bad, no in-between. It was easy to root for them because they lived by rules we all understood.』

『But now? Now that heroes are real… it's nothing like that. I mean, they still wear the costumes and save people, sure. But they're more interested in flashing smiles for the cameras, signing endorsement deals, and posting on social media than actually doing any good.

… Sigh~

『It's all for fame, power, and sponsorships. They've got their agents, their image consultants, their PR teams spinning every move like they're celebrities, not protectors. It's like the world's okay with that, though, because we eat it up.

『It's like gold… even if it's poisonous, people won't stop staring at it because it's shiny.』

The young man set down the comic book and reached for another.

For a moment, it was as if he stood alone in a completely dark world, his figure outlined by a pale shadow.

Nothing seemed to matter.

His eyes showed it clearly.

But his actions masked the aloofness he had toward the world around him.

『The worst part? No one questions it. People don't care why the hero saved the day, as long as they did it in time for the evening news.

『But that's not me. I don't need a spotlight. I don't need praise. I don't want to be adored or idolized. What I want is simple: to be the hand in the shadows, the fear in the back of someone's mind, the whisper that says "Maybe I shouldn't."

… The kind of justice that doesn't get a thank-you.

『I don't care about the money or the followers. I just want to be a tool. A weapon. Not in the spotlight, but in the dark corners, reminding people what happens when they step out of line. Let the "heroes" chase their fame. I'll be the one in the shadows, making sure the justice they're too distracted to deliver gets done.』

Scott set down the comic book and let out a heavy sigh, nearly slouching.

『Unfortunately, I don't have what it takes to stand on equal grounds with these other superheroes. So, I'll just focus on school instead…』

He glanced over at his girlfriend, who stood there pouting slightly. She was gripping the straps of her backpack, tapping her foot on the floor like she was waiting for something.

"Can we do it now?" she asked.

"Really? In a comic book store?" Scott raised an eyebrow.

"Uh-huh… you know how my body gets at certain times, and this is one of those times. I need us to do it, just a little bit."

She held the hem of her miniskirt, pressing her thighs together as a blush spread across her cute face.

"Please?"

She added, this time sounding more polite.

For a moment, Scott was reminded of his old dog, Rufus, who had passed away a few years ago. Rufus used to tilt his head and bark more softly whenever he wanted a treat, just like how she was asking now.

"Well…"

Scott crossed his arms and sighed dramatically.

"It's not like you can help it."

He shrugged right after.

『This is my girlfriend, Maya Rivera. She's eighteen, just like me, and we both go to the same high school. She's really smart but a bit shy, and she's great at physics and astronomy, just like her dad, Hiram Rivera, who's a well-known scientist at the A.E.T.H.E.R Institute.

『In her free time, she usually hangs out in her dad's research lab, where he worked on advanced experimental energy projects. One of his projects was a pulsar-powered generator.

『One night, while Maya was at the lab, something went wrong. The generator malfunctioned and exploded, releasing a huge burst of pulsar radiation. Instead of hurting her, the radiation changed her genetic makeup, mixing her DNA with the properties of a pulsar.

… SIGH~!

『After that, it's pretty obvious what happened next… she got registered with the Hero Agency, and now my girlfriend's a superhero.』

He glanced at her from head to toe.

Maya was short and petite, with light skin and big purple eyes. Her black hair barely touched her shoulders, and a few strands always fell in front of her face.

She had a slim figure, but her curves still greatly highlighted her femininity and added to her undeniable cuteness.

"Come oooonn~!"

Maya grabbed Scott's arm and gave it a sharp pull.

"Let's go already!"

She used a bit of her super strength to pull him along, and soon they left the main floor, heading through the back door that led to the restroom and the storage room.

Big Marv noticed them and shook his head.

He was the owner of the store.

"Tch, kids these days will have sex anywhere."

The chubby man, as round as a beach ball, looked very happy that he wasn't like them during his teenage years.

50 years and still a proud virgin.

It wasn't easy!

"It's like they don't realize that all this sweet romance ends in high school and that love loses its value. But you know what doesn't lose value over time?"

He held up the comic book as if it were a sacred item and stared at it with hungry eyes.

On the cover was an attractive, busty woman in a tight black and red superhero costume.

"Limited edition comics of Rope Girl!"

He brought the comic closer, kissed it, and hugged it tightly, letting out a satisfied sigh.

━ ━ ━ ━

Mmm-ahhh~ ♡♡!

Haahh~ Mmmph!

Aauuunnn~ ny~eessssss~ ♡♡♡!!

Scott and Maya were kissing passionately in the storage room, moving against the cobwebbed walls and dusty boxes.

"Mwah~♡! Ye~ssss, squeeze me more too~ ♡♡!"

"Take it easy…"

Scott's hand moved down to Maya's small, soft butt, squeezing it in a way that made her arch her back and cough out a heavy moan.

… Mmnn~ahhhhnnn ♡♡!

He massaged her butt gently, like he was kneading dough, which made Maya's body grow hotter and her skin to glow with a bright purple light.

She leaned in for another kiss, this time more aggressive. She wrapped her arms around Scott so tightly it felt like she was about to crush steel.

Scott didn't pull away; instead, he grabbed her smooth thigh, lifted it, and tightened his grip on her ass cheek.

… Humph~ ♡!

Their aggressive kissing continued for a while, but eventually, Scott felt his lungs being squeezed and pulled away, breaking the kiss.

"I can't do this anymore!"

He spoke with frustration in his voice.

This always happened.

Whenever they tried to get intimate, Maya would get carried away and lose control of her strength. His human body just couldn't keep up with her super strength.

"D-, Did I do something wrong?"

Maya's pretty eyes started to water, and her lower lip quivered like she was about to cry.

It wasn't the first or even the second time they had been intimate, only for Scott to lose interest halfway through.

Each time, she felt more and more unattractive.

Maya lowered her head and gently placed her hands on her small breasts.

"It's because I'm small, isn't it? I'm not like the other girls that guys are always fawning over, and now you've lost interest in me. I get it…"

Her voice grew quieter with each word.

Scott sighed and walked over to her, wrapping her in a tight hug. He gently pressed her head against his chest, stroking her short, black hair.

"It's not you. Well, it's you, but not for the reason you're thinking. Your breasts are perfect the way they are… even if they're tiny."

He blurted out a small laugh.

Maya's face immediately scrunched up.

"HEY!"

"Keke, I'm kidding…"

City of Heroes

Metro City.

It was located on the American east coast, and was famous for being home to many world-renowned heroes. It was often called the City of Heroes and had a population of about five million people.

… BOOOOOOM!

A huge mechanical monster was wreaking havoc in the city, firing rockets that were slicing off the tops of skyscrapers and smashing buildings into rubble with its fists.

"Raaaaaarrgh!"

"We're all gonna die!"

"Where the hell are those heroes for fuck sake!"

"I don't wanna die!"

The air was filled with loud screams as people frantically ran for cover, trying to protect themselves.

After firing round after round, the police had given up on stopping the creature and had gone into hiding themselves.

Soon, the Metro News helicopter appeared through the clouds, hovering at a safe distance from the destruction.

Hanging out of the helicopter were reporter Billy Wallson and his camera operator, James Jones, watching as the mechanical monster continued to tear the city apart.

"Did you get the shot? This is a live broadcast to the whole world, so don't lose focus!"

"Yes, sir, I've got it!"

"Great!"

The reporter cleared his throat dramatically and spoke into his microphone with full force.

[Hello, everyone! Just about 30 minutes ago, a strange, massive mecha monster, which people online are calling Titanus Magnus, showed up in the heart of Metro City!]

[This thing is over 50 meters tall, and its punches can easily tear through large buildings. I've gotten word from the Hero Agency and they've classified it as a C-rank monster!]

[No one knows where it came from or who's behind it. Most of the scientist supervillains we've dealt with in the past are either under house arrest or locked up. So, who's responsible this time? Stay tuned to Metro News for updates!]

━ ━ ━ ━

Meanwhile…

A single figure suddenly appeared at the top of the tallest skyscraper in the area, surrounded by a flash of bright yellow lightning that crackled with energy. The wind whipped fiercely around her, almost like a wild animal, as she stood there with her arms crossed, calmly watching the chaos unfolding below.

The streets were in complete chaos.

People were running in fear, scattering like ants as a giant behemoth stomped through the city.

The mechanical creature was a terrifying amalgamation of shiny steel, weaponized arms, and glowing energy cores.

… ROOOOOOOAR!!

Its eyes glowed an evil red as it easily tore through buildings, firing plasma blasts from its huge cannons.

The cameras turned and focused on the female speedster watching from above.

[Ooo, guess who just showed up to steal the spotlight? It's one of the top five hottest superhero girls in Metro City and a well-known C-rank hero, Miss Mercury!]

She was an incredibly sexy woman.

She wore a tight black and yellow bodysuit that showed off her curvy figure. The suit had a sleek, futuristic design with sharp patterns, especially around the chest, where the yellow details made her large breasts stand out.

The outfit hugged her body, emphasizing her slim waist and wide hips, giving her an athletic yet shapely look.

She also had a high-tech visor on her head, and her long brown hair was tied back into a ponytail.

"Really…?"

Miss Mercury mumbled with a frown on her face.

"Is that really all they know me for? Tch!"

━ ━ ━ ━

[Official Miss Mercury Fanpage!]

The fan page for Miss Mercury was already buzzing with excitement.

It was an online community where fans gathered to celebrate her superpowers, beauty, and impressive abilities.

Naturally, some of her followers were a bit more… focused on her shapely body than others.

…

NutLicker78] Damn, those curves could break the sound barrier!

MissMercuryPantyStrip888] Forget light-speed, I'd let her run laps around my dick!

MissMercuryFartSniffer900] The way her suit hugs her figure, especially when she's racing past. It's like watching art in motion!

Web_Man] You guys get freaky here huh…

NutLicker78] Shut your ass up, virgin!

…

It was always like this on her fan page.

━ ━ ━ ━

Miss Mercury shook her head and let out a sigh.

"Whatever… I should focus."

She pulled down her high-tech visor, and her vision adjusted quickly, stretching out and then pulling back in. She bent down into a starting position, her big butt sticking up and her eyes focused straight ahead.

『I'll just move at the speed of…』

Miss Mercury's thoughts were interrupted when she received a transmission from MegaCorp.

[Mercury, don't go faster than transonic speeds. It's a direct order from your manager.]

[W-, Wait, what──?! I can move at light speed and easily tear that mecha apart!]

[I don't care. I'm just passing along your manager's instructions. And make sure your breasts jiggle enough while running so the cameras get a good shot. We're shipping some of your erotic figurines to Japan for sale.]

[What if I refuse?]

[Ha! Like you have a choice!]

~Transmission end~

No room for arguments it seemed.

"Tch, always so annoying!"

In a flash, she disappeared from the rooftop, replaced by a streak of lightning cutting through the sky.

────KRAAAAAK~!!

The air crackled with her speed as Miss Mercury zoomed down the side of the skyscraper. She moved so fast that she was a blur, barely touching the building as she descended.

… WHOOOOM!

Suddenly, the ground shook as Titanus Magnus slammed its arm into a building, causing it to collapse with a deafening crash.

Just before the debris could hit a group of people, Miss Mercury appeared.

Time seemed to slow down for her as she darted between the falling rubble, quickly guiding everyone to safety in an instant.

Once the last civilian was safe, Miss Mercury skidded to a stop in the middle of the street, keeping her eyes fixed on the mecha monster.

Eheh-heeee~

Huhuhu~

Soon, she heard strange, perverted noises.

Glancing to her side, she saw a group of men staring at her with hungry eyes and salivating mouths.

Miss Mercury frowned at them.

[Mercury, don't look at your fans like they're freaks!]

After the warning, she painfully forced a smile and blew them an affectionate kiss.

… Mwah~♡

Titanus Magnus' sensors detected her presence quickly, and it turned its head to face the speedster with a loud, metallic roar.

Miss Mercury saw its chest panels open up, revealing a glowing core of energy.

────WHIIIIIIZZZ!!

Missiles shot out from its arms, heading straight for her.

But Miss Mercury was already moving.

With a burst of speed, she zigzagged through the incoming missiles, her movements quick and unpredictable.

Boom! Boom!!

BOOOM!!

The missiles exploded behind her, causing powerful blasts that shook the city, but Miss Mercury stayed untouchable, always staying one step ahead.

As she closed the gap between herself and the giant robot, she jumped onto a fallen car and launched herself into the air.

… WHOOOOOOSH!

She landed on the monster's foot and then ran up its leg, her body flashing like yellow lightning against its metal surface.

She darted across the robot's body, targeting the weak joints in its armor. Her fists moved so quickly that they seemed to blur as she delivered a series of powerful punches to its knee.

Blam! Blam! BLAM!!

BLAM────KRAAAAAAK!

Each hit made a loud crack, denting the armor and sending sparks flying.

[Mercury, you're going too fast! Slow down so the cameras can get a better view of that big butt of yours!]

[How am I supposed to fight or get promoted if I keep slowing myself down? It's making easy battles look difficult and making me look incompetent!]

[I don't care. Jiggle your tits or something, and don't go so fast that the camera misses you!]

[NO! I'm not listening to you anymore!]

[MERCURY!]

[I said I'm not listening to you anym──!!]

────KAPOOOOW!

The mechanical monster's massive fist came out of nowhere and hit Miss Mercury, sending her flying across the battlefield like a ragdoll.

She crashed into a distant building and fell unconscious.

Titanus Magnus then spread its mechanical arms and let out a deafening roar, shaking the entire area as if it were an earthquake.

Billy Wallson stood in shock, nearly dropping his mic.

But he knew he had to pull himself together and keep the public informed.

[I…]

[Mi-, Miss Mercury… is down?]

[Quick! Someone call an ambulance! Hurry! Miss Mercury is in critical condition!

[It looks like the Hero Agency may have misjudged this. Titanus Magnus might be more than just a C-rank threat! He's so strong that he was able to take down the supposedly uncatchable Miss Mercury with just one hit!]

[Ladies and gentlemen, it seems we need a B-rank hero, or even an A-rank hero! What's the Hero Agency doing at a dire time like this──?!]

Harem Streamer System!

When they were done in the back, Scott and Maya walked out with their hands clasped behind their backs, whistling innocently as if nothing had happened.

Big Marv eyed them with tired, half-open eyes.

He didn't need to see what they were doing; the loud moans were enough to clue him in.

Maya's hair was messy, their clothes were roughed up, and they both had dust and cobwebs on them.

"Maybe next time you two should get a actual room. There are plenty of cheap hotels in Metro City."

The fat man slammed his fist on the counter.

"MY STORAGE ROOM IS NOT ONE OF THEM!"

Scott and Maya quickly made calming gestures, trying to ease his anger.

"Relax, Mister Marvin…" Scott said.

"Yeah, we even helped you organize some stuff in the back, you know!" Maya added.

"You should be thankful, really."

"Mhm!" she nodded.

As they spoke, they slowly backed out of the store, their words suspiciously calm.

Big Marv glared at them with annoyance.

In fact, he was fuming.

But the moment he looked at the sexy cover of the limited edition Rope Girl comic book in his hands, he started to calm down.

Smiling to himself, Big Marv kissed the cover again.

━ ━ ━ ━

Maya and Scott walked out of the comic book store, each with a backpack on their shoulders.

The sun was setting, giving the street a warm, golden glow as they made their way down the sidewalk.

Both of them looked a little flushed.

"That was… fun."

Scott calmly said as he adjusted his backpack.

Maya bit her lip to keep from smiling too wide.

"Yeah, it… kinda was~"

She looked up at him, trying to play it cool.

"Unexpected, but… fun."

"I mean, not what we planned when we came out for comics, but hey, no complaints here."

Scott chuckled and held her slender hand as they walked.

Maya rolled her eyes, though a blush crept up her neck.

"Yeah, well, don't get too used to it. We still have to finish that debate about 3.5e and 4e."

"Right, because obviously the 4e is be—"

Scott paused mid-sentence.

His attention was suddenly caught by the large display TV in the electronics store window they were walking by. The news was playing, showing unsteady footage of something smashing through buildings in the downtown area.

"Holy crap, is that…?"

Scott trailed off and stepped closer to the screen.

Maya glanced in the same direction.

… Huh?

Her heart sunk when she saw the news broadcast.

On the screen, Miss Mercury was trapped under a pile of rubble, struggling while a massive mechanical behemoth loomed over her. The scene was pure chaos—fire, smoke, and people running for their lives.

The mech looked like it had come straight out of one of the comics they'd just been reading.

"That's downtown… we were literally just there earlier. This is insane!"

Scott's eyes widened.

Maya stared at the screen, her stomach twisting.

『No…』

Miss Mercury was in real danger, and there was no way she could just stand by and watch. But when she looked over at Scott, he was still completely focused on the TV.

『We've barely had any time together lately, with everything going on in my life as a superhero. And now, we've started having sex again, and honestly... it feels pretty good, you know? Ugh, this shit really sucks.』

Maya sighed.

Scott looked over at her.

"Maya, are you okay?"

He sounded concerned.

"Yeah, I just… I forgot, I… I'm on my period."

The words tumbled out before Maya could even think of anything remotely better.

Scott blinked, confused. "Wait, what? Just now?"

Maya cringed internally but kept a straight face.

"Yeah, it's… complicated. You know, cramps and all that. I'll just, uh, meet you back at my place later?"

Scott raised an eyebrow, clearly still puzzled but not wanting to question it.

"Alright, if you're sure, then I guess… I mean, we can pick up some, uh—"

"I'm fine!"

Maya said quickly, nervously backing away toward the alley beside the store.

"You go ahead! I'll… I'll text you!"

Before Scott could say anything, Maya bolted down the alley as her heart pounded.

She came to a stop behind a dumpster, quickly looking around to make sure no one was watching.

"Alright, clear…"

Taking a deep breath, she let potent cosmic energy surge through her.

… SHIMER!!

Her clothes shimmered and changed, with her usual hoodie and jeans transforming into the familiar violet and silver suit of Pulsar. Her short hair gave off a faint glow, and the pulsar energy surrounded her like a second skin.

"Jeez, I hope that wasn't too weird…"

Maya muttered under her breath.

… Phew~

She took a moment to collect herself before rocketing into the sky in a flash of violet light.

As Maya rose above the city, the destruction below became more visible, and the massive mech was hard to miss. So was Miss Mercury, still trapped under the huge piece of concrete, just like Maya had seen on the news.

"No time to waste…"

Pulsar said to herself before speeding toward the chaos.

Back on the street, Scott stood there, still trying to process what had just happened.

He glanced toward the alley and scratched his head.

"Her period…?"

He shook his head in disappointment.

『She could've just told me she wanted to help Miss Mercury. I would've totally understood. Now, I feel like the love interest of the superhero that nobody likes because they only show up to cause the hero stress. Damn… I really am.』

Truly, he wasn't happy with this.

He stared at the alleyway where Maya had disappeared.

"Her period… tch, what a stupid excuse."

He stuffed his hands in his pockets and glanced up at the darkening sky.

… Sigh~

The warm glow of the sunset was starting to fade, and the first flickers of the city's neon lights were beginning to ignite.

But none of it made him feel any better.

Once again, he was ditched for superhero duties.

"Guess I'm just a side character in my own damn life…"

As he stood there, his phone buzzed in his pocket.

At first, he ignored it, but then the buzzing got more insistent… longer, louder.

Finally, with a resigned grunt, he pulled it out.

A notification popped up:

[Ding! You've unlocked the Harem Streamer System!]

Scott blinked.

"What the hell?"

The screen glowed with a neon-blue hue.

It was an intricate interface he'd never seen before lighting up with flashing icons and text.

Despite his confusion, he couldn't help but read on.

[Welcome to the Harem Streamer System! You are now the future host of the world's most exciting, most interactive, and most rewarding live-streaming platform! Gather viewers, earn rewards, and—perhaps most importantly—win the hearts of the world's most beautiful heroines!]

"What… the… hell…"

Scott repeated in shock.

A pop-up appeared:

[Your streaming platform has been activated!]

[+500 Credits earned!]

[You are to put out a video in the next 24 hours or face the penalty of losing the Harem Streamer System!]

His eyes flicked over the screen.

More and more information flowed in.

[Current Stream: Off]

[Current Viewer Count: 0]

[Tier 1 Skill: Stealth Mode unlocked!]

Scott stared blankly at the list of features.

"Tch!"

The entire thing looked ridiculous—like some kind of joke or a dream. He shook his head, stuffing the phone back into his pocket without even bothering to look through the rest.

"This is… stupid."

He muttered and started walking again.

More Than a Hero’s Fame

The sky was streaked with red.

Explosions shook the city.

Screams filled the streets, and towering over the destruction was the cause: the massive fifty-meter-tall mechanical beast, stomping through the city like an unstoppable force.

Its sharp metal limbs tore through buildings, and its eyes glowed with a menacing light.

In the middle of the chaos, Miss Mercury was trapped under a huge piece of concrete.

『Ugh, fuck it all…』

Her black and yellow costume was torn and she had taken a lot of damage.

… Nghk!

She struggled to free herself.

Her super-speed was drained from trying to dodge the mech's relentless assault.

The mech's massive foot hung above, ready to crush Miss Mercury.

… PHIIIIISSSHHH!

Suddenly, a streak of violet light flashed across the sky, leaving a trail of energy behind.

Pulsar was on her way.

With a loud boom, she slammed into the ground and landed between Miss Mercury and the mech's foot. Her cosmic energy flared, swirling around her like a storm, burning with the overwhelming intensity of a dying star!

Raising her hands, Pulsar created a shimmering energy field that stopped the mech's foot just inches above her head.

『Phew… that was close…』

A relieved look appeared on her face.

Even she didn't know her own strength.

"Hang tight, Miss Mercury!"

Pulsar shouted, gritting her teeth as the sheer weight of the mech pressed down on her barrier.

"I've got you."

With a quick wave of her hand, the energy barrier surged outward, blowing off the mech's leg and making the massive machine stagger backward.

Miss Mercury gasped for breath, looking up at her savior.

"Thanks… I was almost a pancake."

She spoke the words reluctantly, knowing full well the backlash she'd get from her sponsors for being rescued by another superhero.

『It shouldn't be a problem to be rescued by another hero, but in this world… that's not how things work.』

Miss Mercury clenched her fists in frustration.

Oblivious to the female speedster's inner turmoil, Pulsar simply grinned as her eyes glowed purple.

"No problem."

Pulsar giggled softly.

"But let's get you clear of this wreckage first."

She reached down and managed to carry Miss Mercury like an egg, even with the raw star power surging through her body. In an instant, she wrapped them both in a glowing field of star energy and shot them skyward, taking them to safety on a nearby rooftop.

Miss Mercury nodded her thanks, but her eyes went wide with shock when she saw the mech charging up for another attack.

"Pulsar, look out!"

Pulsar didn't waste any time.

She shot up into the sky to become a blur of purple and white light as she flew toward the mechanical monster. As she soared, the energy inside her pulsed—each heartbeat made her faster and stronger, causing the star power around her to grow until she looked like a living comet!

… WHIIIIIZZZZ!

The mech roared, firing energy blasts from its chest cannons, but Pulsar zigzagged through them effortlessly, dodging each beam.

She knew her target.

The glowing core at the center of the beast's chest!

… BOOOOOOOM!!

With a surge of speed, she shot forward, crashing through layers of steel and circuitry with a burst of star energy.

… FWIIIIIISSSHHH!

Sparks flew in all directions, and for a moment, the mecha monster seemed to shudder in confusion.

"This ends now."

Pulsar's eyes narrowed fiercely.

She concentrated her star power.

After charging up enough energy, she blasted through the mech's core and tore straight through its chest.

────KRAAAAAAK!!

The sound of metal ripping echoed throughout the city as the giant machine convulsed and its systems failed.

Titanus Magnus swayed, almost tipping over.

Pulsar shot back up into the sky and hovered just above the massive wreckage.

She extended her hands to shot out beams of light that quickly wrapped around the falling mech like glowing tendrils.

"RaaAARrrgGHhh!"

Letting out a primal yell, Pulsar lifted the entire 50-meter monster off the ground.

… VWOOOOOOSH!

To gain some momentum, she spun the massive machinery around with so much speed and force that it nearly caused a disastrous tornado.

Then, with one final, powerful throw, she hurled the mech into the sky. The huge machine shot up into the upper atmosphere, breaking through the clouds and disappearing into the vastness of space!

Pulsar hovered for a moment, watching as the stars slowly took back the remains of the mech.

"Oh, Miss Mercury!"

Her glowing aura dimmed a little as she drifted back down to the rooftop, where Miss Mercury was supposed to be. But when she landed, she was suddenly surrounded by a crowd of reporters, and she had no idea where they had all come from.

Pulsar barely had time to catch her breath before the crowd was upon her.

Reporters shoved microphones in her face, cameras flashed from every angle, and fans screamed her name from below. The rooftop was now crowded with people, many having rushed up through the emergency stairwell the moment the battle ended.

"Pulsar! How does it feel to save the city?"

"Can you comment on how you defeated Titanus Magnus?"

"Are you planning on taking a huge sponsorship deal with ArcTech?"

Pulsar blinked, overwhelmed.

Her star power had dimmed, and her glowing aura was nearly gone.

She felt… small, even though she had just hurled a 50-meter mech into space.

A shy, sheepish smile crossed her face as she awkwardly waved at the flashing cameras.

"Uh, hi, everyone…"

Before she could say more, a group of men in sharp suits made their way through the crowd.

Their presence parted the sea of reporters.

They flashed bright, corporate smiles, carrying slick holo-pads and business cards.

"Pulsar, we represent MetaVision. Have you thought about starring in a campaign for our new energy drink line?"

Another man, dressed in a sleek silver suit, jumped in.

"Infinity Corp would love to have you as the face of our new hero-tech initiative! We're offering the best rates on the market!"

Pulsar's eyes widened as more and more agents pushed through, each with offers more lucrative than the last.

It all became a blur.

Her mind swam as the crowd buzzed around her, words like "endorsement" and "campaign" smashing together to just become a mess of corporate jargon.

『What… is happening?』

She tried to stay polite, to keep that friendly smile, but it was exhausting. As she struggled to answer the rapid-fire questions, she caught a glimpse of Miss Mercury standing at the edge of the rooftop.

Their eyes met for a split second.

Miss Mercury's expression was unreadable.

Her gaze was hard but not cold.

She stood there silently, dusting off her tattered costume.

It was clear she had been through hell during the fight, but no one in the crowd seemed to care.

No reporters rushed to her side.

No agents offered her deals.

In that brief moment, Miss Mercury turned away.

She left without saying a word, slipping into the shadows as her footsteps got heavy with quiet frustration.

Miss Mercury couldn't hate Pulsar. Not really. But she couldn't help the sting of envy that crept into her heart. She didn't want to be a hero for the fame, or for the sponsors. She just wanted to be the kind of hero who was admired for something more than her body. But in this world… that wasn't always how things worked.

As she disappeared down the stairwell, Pulsar's smile faltered.

A firm hand clapped her on the shoulder, pulling her out of her thoughts.

… Hm?

She turned to see a well-dressed man in a tailored dark suit standing beside her, a professional but calm smile on his face. He wasn't like the others—he didn't shout, didn't push his way forward. He just waited until the moment was right.

"Ms. Pulsar…"

His voice was smooth and steady.

"My name is Vincent Lakewood. I represent a massive trillion dollar company officially registered under the Hero Agency. We handle the most elite heroes, those who go beyond simple sponsorships."

Pulsar's brow furrowed slightly.

"I'm not really sure I'm interested… my boyfriend would really be unhappy with me."

Vincent raised a hand, politely stopping her.

"Before you say no, hear me out. We have a very selective roster. Fortitude, Lady Fortress—powerful heroes you may have heard of."

Pulsar's eyes lit up at the mention of Fortitude. She had admired him since her early days as a hero. His strength, his dignity, the way he carried himself… it was everything she had dreamed of being.

Vincent smiled knowingly, catching her reaction.

"We think you could be a great fit. We don't just look for marketable heroes. We look for real heroes. The kind who inspire people not just with their powers, but with who they are. We don't over-commercialize. We build legacies."

Pulsar glanced back at the throng of reporters still clamoring for her attention, the agents waving contracts in her face, and the endless stream of flashing lights.

It all felt… hollow, compared to what Vincent was offering.

Her heart raced.

Fortitude… Lady Fortress. Real heroes.

This was a strong temptation. Probably the kind Scott wanted her to avoid at all costs.

"So… what's the catch?"

Pulsar could no longer hold her excitement back.

Vincent chuckled lightly.

"No catch. Just a commitment. A commitment to be more than just a face in the crowd. To be something bigger."

Pulsar bit her lip.

She wanted that.

She wanted to be more than just a glowing hero who swooped in to save the day, only to be forgotten the moment the next big crisis hit.

『I kinda… want to matter…』

She looked up at Vincent and nodded.

"Okay. Let's talk."

"Haha, good girl!"

Vincent grinned brightly.

New Opportunities

Scott leaned against the door of his small apartment.

The dim light of the setting sun threw shadows across the cluttered living room.

He shut the door with a heavy thud and paused for a moment to gather himself.

The frustration of another letdown pressed down on him like a dark cloud. Maya had ditched him again… though this time, it wasn't just for a routine patrol or a small superhero mission.

"Her period... seriously?"

He fretfully kicked off his shoes.

His apartment was small and messy, with every surface covered in half-read comic books, action figures, and empty takeout containers.

The walls were plastered with posters of some of Metro City's top heroes—Miss Mercury, Lady Fortress, Rope Girl.

It felt ironic, given how much he was starting to resent the space they took up in Maya's life, and by extension, his own.

Scott threw his jacket over the back of a chair and headed to the bedroom, his steps slow and his mind spinning from Maya's sudden disappearance. He couldn't shake the feeling of being a sidekick… always on the sidelines of something bigger, never the center of attention.

『Guess that's what I get for dating a superhero…』

He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he pushed open the bedroom door.

The bedroom wasn't any better than the living room.

Clothes scattered everywhere, a cluttered desk with an old computer, and a single bed pushed into the corner.

He dropped onto the mattress, the springs creaking under him as he stared up at the ceiling. The faint light from the street lamps outside barely lit the room, casting a soft glow on the comic book covers he'd taped up there when he was a kid.

His phone buzzed in his pocket again.

Scott groaned and reluctantly pulled it out.

[Ding! Welcome back, Scott McQueen! The Harem Streamer System is now fully active!]

The neon-blue screen from earlier popped up again.

He stared at it, still in disbelief.

Was this some kind of prank?

Had he accidentally downloaded a virus?

The whole situation was so ridiculous it almost made him laugh, but instead, he just rolled his eyes and swiped at the screen, trying to ignore it.

But it didn't go away.

In fact, the more he tried to dismiss it, the brighter and more insistent it became.

Another notification popped up:

[First Mission: Initiate Your Heroic Stream!]

Scott raised an eyebrow. "What the hell is this?"

The screen flickered, and a new message appeared:

[Objective: Find and stop a crime in the city within the next two hours. Start your stream to gain viewers and unlock rewards!]

[Reward: Beginner's Hero Kit (Tier 1), 2,000 Credits, and a Viewership Boost]

[Penalty for Failure: System deactivation and penalty reset.]

Scott sat up.

His curiosity started to take over everything else.

His heart beat a little faster as he reread the message.

This couldn't be real. Could it?

He tapped the screen again, and another window popped up, showing a map of Metro City. The downtown area was highlighted in flashing red, signaling a crime in progress.

[Location: South Trill Street – Corporate Building 26]

[Crime Type: Armed Robbery]

"Armed robbery?"

Scott blinked, staring at the flashing red dot on the map.

Suddenly, the screen shifted, and a new panel slid into view.

[Tier 1 Gear Unlocked: Shadow Cloak (Stealth Mode Activated)]

[Skill Unlocked: Basic Parkour]

[Weapon Unlocked: Stun Baton (Tier 1)]

Scott jumped up from his bed as the items materialized in front of him.

A sleek black cloak, simple yet undeniably cool, shimmered into existence at his feet.

Next to it, two short batons with a glowing blue tips leaned against the bedframe.

"Holy… shit."

Scott whispered then bent down to pick up the cloak.

It felt real—smooth and lightweight, like it was made from some high-tech material.

He draped it over his shoulders, and the fabric fit perfectly to his body. A faint hum of energy ran through it, almost as if it were alive. As soon as the cloak settled around him, the room seemed to darken and his figure blended into the shadows.

Stealth Mode.

Next was the batons—a solid, compact weapon that fit perfectly in his hand. When he pressed the button on the side, it crackled to life, blue electricity sparking at the tip. It wasn't lethal, but it looked like it would pack enough of a punch to take down any low-level thug.

Scott stood still for a moment, letting the craziness of the situation sink in like a ton of bricks.

He was just an ordinary guy, standing in his messy apartment, now suddenly decked out in what looked like high-tech gear from a superhero movie.

It felt ridiculous, but at the same time… thrilling.

The phone buzzed again.

[Mission Countdown: 1 hour, 45 minutes.]

He glanced at the clock.

If he was going to do this, he had to move fast.

The robbery was happening downtown, not far from where Miss Mercury had been earlier.

He took one last glance at the neon-blue screen.

『It's a school night, but it's not like I have anything else to do, right? I've tried playing the vigilante before, but that was just a phase. This, though… it feels different, like it might actually be the real thing. I mean, the gears just spawned out of nowhere, and now…』

Too much thinking.

Scott steeled himself.

"Alright… time to see what this is all about."

He walked into the hallway, the shadows almost sticking to him as he moved. His cloak made him nearly invisible, and the batons buzzed quietly at his side.

He felt different.

More sure of himself, more ready for anything.

As he made his way out of the building and into the streets, his phone buzzed again.

[Streaming Mode Activated! You are now live.]

A small counter appeared in the corner of the screen.

[Current Viewers: 10… 50… 100…]

Scott's heart raced as the numbers kept going up.

Were there really that many people watching him?

Hundreds of them?

The more viewers he got, the more real everything felt.

『Nah, this shit better be for real…』

He clenched his teeth, gripping the baton tighter as he headed toward South Trill Street.

This was it.

His first mission.

His first stream.

His first step toward becoming the type of hero he'd always dreamed of being.

━ ━ ━ ━

Meanwhile…

Maya walked down the quiet streets at night

The glow from the streetlights reflected in her violet eyes.

The city had calmed down after the big fight with Titanus Magnus, but she could still feel the rush of adrenaline in her body.

Her dainty fingers touched the sleek business card Vincent Lakewood had given her earlier, and she pulled it out of her pocket. The card caught the soft light as she read the silver letters for what felt like the hundredth time.

"Vincent Lakewood, Hero Agency…"

Maya's heart raced at the thought of it.

『Fortitude… Lady Fortress…』

She had looked up to them for years.

Real heroes, not just famous faces like so many others.

Vincent's words echoed in her mind: "We don't just look for marketable heroes. We build legacies."

A part of her wanted to run to Scott and tell him the news, excitedly sharing the opportunity.

But she knew she needed to hold back.

Scott had always been cautious about the corporate world.

He had seen how it changed even the best heroes, turning them into brands instead of real protectors. He often told her that fame could be dangerous, a double-edged sword, and that the more successful she became, the less control she would have over her own life.

That was why he was always careful about her rising popularity, even when she tried to reassure him that she wasn't in it for the money or the fame.

But this was different.

This was her chance to be more than a fleeting name, more than just "the girl who glows like a star."

Fortitude was the epitome of real heroism.

To be counted among heroes like him…

It was too much to resist!

Maya sighed as she turned the corner, her footsteps softly tapping on the pavement.

Scott's apartment was just a few blocks ahead.

She smiled at the thought of having a key now.

『Kekeke, I'm slowly becoming more than just his childhood friend turned girlfriend. I might even become his wife one day… no, no I shouldn't jinx it, you know?』

She loved visiting his place; it felt comforting and personal.

It was simple—not flashy at all, with a worn-out couch and bookshelves filled with old, dog-eared comics.

Scott had always appreciated the simpler things in life.

The real things.

He was different from most people in her world.

When she reached his building, she quickly unlocked the door and stepped inside. The familiar smell of cedarwood hit her right away—Scott's cologne still lingered in the air, but there was no sign of him around.

『Odd…』

Maya closed the door behind her, flicking on the light and walking through the small living room.

"Scott?"

There was no answer.

Still holding the card, she walked into the bedroom and couldn't help but smile at the sight of the rumpled sheets.

『Tee-hee! He never makes his bed…』

She plopped on the bed and stared up at the ceiling.

『Sigh~ I wonder what Scott will say…』

She knew his expression would change; his face would tighten and his eyes would narrow in that quiet, thoughtful way he always had when something bothered him. He would likely sit her down and talk about integrity, about not selling out, and how the world didn't need another corporate hero.

『But what if this is my chance to be different? Yunno, prove him wrong, maybe?』

Her heart raced with joy at the idea of being in the same league as Fortitude, training alongside him, and becoming more than just Pulsar, the rescue hero.

Vincent had offered her something she didn't even realize she wanted… a chance to be remembered for more than just her powers.

『But Scott…』

Maya closed her eyes.

She pictured him coming home and laughing gently as he teased her about using the key like she owned the place.

She imagined curling up in his arms and whispering everything to him—about the fight, the mech, and Vincent's offer.

『How does he sound again… Oh!』

She cleared her throat and forced a mean face.

"AHEM! You know how this ends, Maya. I've seen it too many times. They chew you up and spit you out. You're better than that, babe."

She giggled softly after.

『I don't want to disappoint him. But I also want to matter.』

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully.

『Just one meeting…』

She could always say no. She wasn't signing her soul away—she was just exploring her options. Right?

Rolling over, she pressed her face into Scott's pillow and deeply inhaled his scent.

The bed was comforting, familiar.

First Stream

Scott's heart raced as he jogged through the softly glowing streets of Metro City.

His cloak trailed behind him and merged with the shadows, while the batons at his side buzzed softly with energy.

He took a quick look at his phone.

The counter on the screen was climbing higher.

[Current Viewers: 200… 400… 600…]

He swore under his breath.

This was happening.

People were actually watching him.

Strangers from across the world had somehow stumbled onto his stream, and now they were glued to their screens, waiting to see what would happen next.

Scott adjusted the mask over his face, a plain black fabric that covered most of his features, making him look a bit like the street-level vigilantes he admired as a kid.

But he couldn't decide whether to feel excited or scared.

The pressure was real, but what worried him more were the comments pouring in on the side of the live stream.

[Yo, who's this guy? Discount Batman? LMAO!]

[Bro's about to trip and faceplant in the first five minutes]

[Bruh, you actually think you can do this? LMFAO!]

[Who the hell is this guy?]

[Oh great, another wannabe hero ( 　ﾟ ,_ゝﾟ) 10 bucks says he eats it on his first try]

[Bro looks like he raided a Halloween store]

[This is pathetic. I'm not tipping shit.]

[Wait, why does this cloak low-key look fire though?]

[I hope he fails so bad]

Scott winced.

This wasn't what he had expected at all.

He imagined people cheering for him.

『They're roasting me alive… shit, I knew it… this was such a stupid idea, and on a school night? Come on!』

As he scrolled through the chat, his thoughts scrambled,

He was trying to keep up with the flood of comments that came in faster than he could read.

[Why does his mask look like a 5-dollar knockoff?]

[Is this for real? (゜-゜) This has to be a prank. I'm not sending a dime until he actually does something.]

[Watch him get bodied by some random thug in 3… 2…]

Despite the hate, a few positive comments trickled in, but they were quickly drowned out.

[Blud might actually be onto something… keep it up!]

[Alright, he's kinda cute under that mask, though. Anyone else think so? (;° ロ°) No? Just me? Kyaaaaah~]

[I dunno, guys, I'm here for it. Let's see where this goes]

Scott's throat tightened as he reached the corner of an alley and leaned against the brick wall to catch his breath.

His hands shook as he tried to work the interface on his phone, desperately looking for a way to mute the chat. But no matter what he did, the flood of comments kept coming.

One viewer had even taken the liberty to start a poll:

「How long before he messes up?」

✢ 5 minutes: 64%

✢ 10 minutes: 21%

✢ Won't even make it to the scene: 15%

---

"Great..."

Scott muttered, rubbing the back of his neck as his eyes scanned the map.

The red flashing dot signaled a robbery that was now only two blocks away, but his anxiety was starting to eat away at him.

『Alright, Scott… get it together. You wanted this.』

He adjusted his cloak, took a deep breath, and despite the pounding in his chest, he tapped the microphone button. He let his voice reach the hundreds… no, thousands of people watching now.

"Uh, hey… everyone. I see you're all, uh… yunno, enjoying yourselves, right?"

Scott's voice came out way shakier than he wanted.

The chat exploded with laughing emojis.

[(>▽<) BRO IS SCARED OUT HIS MIND!!]

[Wow, real hero material right here XD]

[Go home, little man. Leave this to the damn pros!]

[Blud is NOT Rope Girl （ ;¬＿¬) at all…]

[Bruh, is this guy serious right now (o_O) ?]

[This is cringe. He's gonna die, LMAO!]

[I'm here for it （￢з￢）]

Scott grit his teeth.

Focus.

He raised his voice, doing his best to sound more confident.

"Alright, look. I know this might look… ridiculous. And yeah, I get it. I'm just a guy in a mask with some batons, but…"

A small moment of hesitation.

"…I'm about to stop a crime. Like, right now."

More comments poured in:

[Yeah? Where's the cape? I thought heroes were supposed to be flashy and sh#t]

[Get to the action already! We're not here for speeches]

[Yo, I bet he gets bodied and logs off crying. Someone clip that when it happens!]

[Hell yeah! Finna slap it up on Instashare!]

A deep breath.

"Look, if you're here to see me fail… you're gonna be really disappointed yunno."

Scott tried to play it cool, even though every nerve in his body screamed at him to shut off the stream and forget this whole mess.

"This isn't some joke, alright? I'm here to do something."

For a split second, there was a pause in the chat… a lull, as if people were actually waiting to see what he'd say next.

Scott noticed it, and he seized the moment.

"I mean, come on, we've all seen the big guys, right? Flashy costumes, massive explosions. But what about the people who get stuff done in the shadows? What about the guy who takes out the thugs before the cameras show up?"

He paused for a second.

"That's who I am."

A few comments of encouragement surfaced:

[Wait… he kinda has a point.]

[Lowkey, I'm staying just to see where this goes.]

[Okay, okay, keep going, mask guy!]

But, of course, the trolls weren't far behind.

[Someone give this dude an Oscar for that monologue, lmao I almost died fr]

[Bro's out here giving a TED talk instead of fighting crime.]

[Sounds like someone's jealous of Miss Mercury]

[When's the fuckin' big fail happening? (¯―¯ ٥) I need a good laugh before bed…]

[I give him five minutes before the cops swarm him]

[Doesn't he know Miss Mercury's patrolling this area? RIP.]

[Wait, why does this low-key feel kinda real?]

Scott chuckled despite himself, shaking his head.

"Jealous of Miss Mercury? Nah, you guys got it all wrong. I'm about to be the guy she can't stop talking about."

His phone pinged again.

The counter shot up—1,000 viewers!

His chest tightened at the number.

『No backing out now…』

The robbery was happening just up ahead at a corporate building. Scott could see the faint flashes of red and blue from police lights reflecting off the glass.

They hadn't gone in yet, probably waiting for backup.

『Perfect…』

This was his chance.

With one last look at the chat, Scott took off running across the street, crouching low as his cloak blended into the shadows.

His heart raced in his chest, but the rush of adrenaline made him feel alert and focused.

[Yo… wait… did he just go invisible?? (⚆ᗝ⚆)]

Another notification appeared.

[Ding! 1,500 Viewers! You've unlocked Gadget Glove (Tier 1) and Invisibility Band (Tier 1)]

Scott grinned under his mask as the chat exploded.

[HOLY SHIT DID YOU SEE THAT?]

[Wait, this guy might actually pull this off…]

[I still bet he screws up, but this is fun to watch!]

Scott gripped the batons in his hands as he reached the entrance of the corporate building.

He could hear the muffled shouts of the robbers inside, and for a split second, all the loud noise from the stream faded into the background.

It was just him, the batons, and the thugs.

『This is it…』

Time to prove everyone wrong.

━ ━ ━ ━

Inside the corporate building…

The group of robbers moved with great confidence.

Their outfits were sleek and tight, looking nothing like what you'd expect from a regular heist crew.

They were decked out in high-tech gear: metallic visors that glinted in the light, gloves that buzzed with energy, and boots made for quick movement.

Together, they had an almost alien look about them.

One of the robbers held up a tech silver egg.

He grinned with some mischief and shouted.

"Alright, watch and learn, boys! This ain't your grandma's piggy bank!"

He tossed the egg into the middle of the room. It landed on the floor with a gentle thud and then exploded in a burst of bright light, changing into a glowing spatial container that floated above the ground.

… Zuuuuuuu~!

It pulsed with energy.

"Now that's what I call a bag drop!"

"That's some sick shit."

"Hehehe, the boss always delivers!"

They began tossing in bags filled with cash and high-tech gadgets as if they were giving out candy. Each bag vanished into the container with a satisfying whoosh, the glowing portal eagerly swallowing up their loot.

As they stuffed the last of the bags in, one of the robbers turned to the group and asked, "Did anyone remember to bring the getaway vehicle?"

Silence • • •

A few of them shook their heads though.

"Brilliant plan, genius. We're just going to float away on our invisible cloud of stolen cash?"