The best heroes just want to return home, are resolute, and aren't scared by a bit of Wilderness. This one is no exception. ENJOY!
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“Blue… it’s BLUE?!”
As Jack came back, he saw the blue sky.
It wasn’t even a good blue, the shitty kind full of gray clouds, yet he didn't mind. He was back, and it felt amazing, a feeling that only got better as air filled his lungs.
“I’m alive. I’m actually alive.”
People really were meant to breathe.
Only now did he realize how soothing it was to feel oneself live. It was so calming, as if nothing in the world could possibly go wrong, as if he was finally whole.
Yet, even that calming feeling couldn’t drown the excitement that bubbled in his heart. After all that had happened in the White Plane, there was one thing he HAD to know.
‘Did it work? It should have, right?’
He approached a shaky hand to his own shadow and— PULSE! PULSE! He felt it pulse and tremble as if it couldn’t wait to play with him, and that’s when he felt it.
HIS SHADOW WAS FREAKING ALIVE!
For a solid minute, he just stood there gasping, shell-shocked, an enormous grin rapidly finding its way to his face. This could only mean one thing: it was MORE than clear!
The words escaped his mouth…
“I have a Quirk!”
“I have a Quirk!”
“I have a Quirk!”
“I have a Quirk!”
“I have a Quirk!”
…
Just saying it aloud felt surreal.
This had been out of reach all his life, but now his turn had finally come.
Even just looking at his shadow, he felt it was special. He didn’t know how exactly, but in a world of boring white, it was a glimmering dark shade that warmed his soul. But that wasn’t all.
He started trembling, remembering what had happened on the other side.
“Could it be… the entire White Plane’s in there?!”
That’s when he felt something incredible.
From inside his shadow came very familiar auras, ones belonging to nightmarish yet silly wolves, but also a stronger one coming from the friendliest eldritch monster ever.
They were still with him, ALL of them!
There was no need for tearful goodbyes. All the training he had done with them wouldn’t go to waste either, and he especially couldn’t wait to show them all to his sister— Lilly?!
“Shit. She must be dying of worry!”
He hurriedly grabbed his phone. DEAD. The thing itself was intact, but the battery had long been drained empty. This meant he had to find his way back to the Wall ASAP!
Call a ride? That was now impossible.
Go by foot? It would take a while.
Actually, what if…
Struck by inspiration, he raised a domineering hand toward his shadow, glaring so much at it that he seemed about to pop a couple of veins. Sadly, his Quirk barely reacted even then.
‘Wait, could it be that I need an incantation?’
This new Quirk of his was probably a summoning one, right? After all, the whole gang seemed to be hiding in there. Maybe he had to call out the ability instead.
He took a powerful stance, shouting….
“Let me summon you!!!!”
“Let me summon you!!!!”
“Let me summon you!!!!”
….
Only silence and awkwardness awaited him.
Yet, he wouldn’t give up that easily. Instead, he racked his brain, trying to remember all he had ever read about Summoners in the past. They were all different from one another.
Some used fancy sentences, while others only relied on a few basic words. It was also at that moment that a vivid picture suddenly came to mind, one of a Scaled Super.
‘Toothless Awaken’ That’s all she had said during the Car Chase, all the while emotionally grasping her heart. What if it was more about the emotion than the words themselves?
Crouching to touch his own shadow, he gave it his all…
“Ink Wolves, AWAKEN!”
“Ink Wolves, ARISE!”
“Wakey-Wakey!”
…
What started as a very serious call ended up as a silly one that would make any bystander chuckle, yet none of it worked. But, just as he was about to give up, he suddenly froze.
It was time to try the most cursed chant ever...
“Cheese to the first one to answer my call. Ink Wolves AR—”
He never got to finish when it happened, his shadow rumbled mightily, a patch of glowing darkness separating itself from the rest, and then morphing into a leaping Ink Wolf!
The nightmarish creature was still as horror-inducing, albeit smaller, yet that didn’t change the silly triumphant look it had on its face as it crossed the boundary with a howl.
It had earned itself some CHEESE!
But with its arrival, Jack felt incredible tiredness.
It was as if he had been affected by a Greater Feebleness curse, his legs turning to jelly, his vision turning blurry, and his skull killing him so much it felt about to explode.
It was as if he had Vexoryn eating away at his brain!
Yet, he didn’t have time to recuperate that— SPLATTER! The Ink Wolf splattered into a rain of bloody ink, just like the Bunnies in the vision. DEAD!— Or close.
Out of the mess came a single Shadow Core, one that was already getting broken down by the very air of the real world, as if it had been dropped into an acid vat!
Panicking, Jack hurriedly threw it back in his shadow.
It fused back with it, the mental pressure dropping and cold sweat covering his whole body. He had expected his new Quirk to be hard to use, but wasn’t this next level difficult?!
Only now did he realize how wrong he had been. The world the Ink Wolves were used to thrive in was FAR too different! Even the System back then had made it VERY clear.
[Discovered a Plane Rule: Limited Physicality!]
[No Air! No Water! Only Mana & Suffering!]
[Enjoy Your Stay in the White Plane!]
…
Earth was different.
Here, there was air, gravity, and all the physics bullshit. This was a world so different compared to the White Plane that the wolves never stood a chance against it.
“Sigh. So I guess that’s what Shadow’s warning was about, eh?”
“Our power would be useless outside, that's what he said.”
“It’s fine. I’m sure I’ll find a use for it.”
…
Anyone else wold have regretted, anyone else would have been cursing the Heaven and themselves wondering why they hadn’t taken the System reward instead.
Jack didn’t. He grabbed his stuff and started walking.
“Judging by the Sun, the Wall’s this way!”
He was heading Back
He was heading South
He was heading Home
…
And as he did, he couldn’t help but whistle, yes, even as he braved the Wilderness. So what if he didn’t know how to use his Quirk just yet? The ‘Shadow Overlord’ was on his way.
After all, Lilly was waiting for him…
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In the wilderness, a Jeep zoomed through the terrain!
Its bright brownish-red exterior reminded one of an old apple on wheels, yet it still looked as powerful as the glowing “SV” lettering on its sides. And inside it was a team of Supers.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Or rather, a team of arguing Supers…
“Goddamn. Why do we have to do this? We’re right next to the Wall, so what if a portal opens here? Monsters will crash on it and die like bitches.”
“Yeah, but what if some poor blokes pass through at the worst moment? They’ll be eaten alive if caught by surprise. Besides, that’s not even the issue here.”
“Fucking A! Issue’s our shitty info!”
“Yeah, that guy was DRUNK!”
“Even then…”
There were four of them in the open-top jeep, the woman driving them around sneering as she saw them squabble like children. Two were vehemently complaining that this wasn’t their job.
They were wrong, but she could understand their stance.
It had all started when the Guild had received a report from a panicked Super screaming his lungs out about a Milky White Portal that kept morphing and changing color.
White, but with specs of black and red, or so he had claimed, the smell of booze all over his breath. But, he had been so insistent that the Guild had still dispatched them in the end.
Really, the whole thing just wasn’t possible…
Portals changing color wasn’t unheard of, but not like that. A white portal would become green and sometimes even blue, but that was it, a point one Super eagerly pointed out.
“Why are we even here? Red and Black’s just impossible!”
“Right. Besides, it’s not like we’ll find anything—”
“Fuck, you just had to jinx it, you bastard!”
“WHAT?! There’s actually something?”
…
They froze in shock.
In the distance was a creature of red. It somewhat looked like a man, yet there was clearly something wrong with him. It was hard to explain, but he felt WAY out of place.
Short black rod on the left, sharp spear on the right.
Young, way too young, and covered in blood?
As for the clothes, there were almost none?!
…
“Guys, am I crazy or…”
“Doesn’t feel human. Beastly somehow.”
“Think we got a ‘Shapeshift on our hands?”
They all shared uneasy looks, glancing at the driver. After all, they had all seen the numerous guild notices. It wasn't because something looked human that it was!
< Don’t bring it home lest it eats your brain! >
< Don’t bring it home lest it eats your brain! >
< Don’t bring it home lest it eats your brain! >
….
Still, they had to handle it.
With its motor roaring, the jeep headed straight toward it under the careful control of its driver. As for the other Supers, they were already clenching their weapons with both hands.
“I’ll get us close. You all know the drill!”
“Yes, boss! Confirm it’s a monster, then strike!”
“Good! I want this clean. Be careful. It looks strong!”
But just as the tension was reaching its peak, IT noticed them— or rather, Jack noticed them. And soon after, a group of Supers suddenly felt really fucking silly.
He was enthusiastically waving them over.
He was even raising a hitchhiking thumb
He was also singing their Guild’s jingle
…
“Think it’s a trap? Maybe it’s an Alien that saw one of our recruitment ads?” One asked, only for the others to roll their eyes as they stopped right next to Jack.
It was something they would definitely regret…
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“P-People?!”
Jack almost jumped out of his boots!
A Jeep! This meant people, and even better a way home!
He didn’t even wait for them to be near, he started bouncing in place, raising his arms high up. He wouldn’t say no to a lift, especially for the last kilometers.
Right now, his feet were killing him, his clothes having taken a real beating during the whole White Plane arc. It had been fine while merged with Ink Wolves, but not anymore.
And as the jeep came closer, he instantly noticed the SV lettering.
SV- Steel Vanguard, a pretty popular guild
SV- Who looked like literal angels now!
SV- With an amazing guild jingle!
…
♩♫♪
Join the Steel Vanguard!
Countless heroes in our midst
Get ready, the world we’ll guard
Come and join us. Time to enlist!
♩♫♪
So what if there are portals all over?
Show them why we’re the strongest!
We’ll defeat all those motherfuckers!
They’ll all despair. We’re the fiercest!
♩♫♪
So come on and join our guild
Together, the future we’ll build!
♩♫♪
There was more, but that was all he remembered. Luckily, it was enough. He sang, his voice discordant enough to traumatize kittens, but it clearly showed them he was a friend.
With this, the newcomers’ defenses came down as they pulled over…
“Hehe, so you’ve heard of us already? Great!”
“Before that, what happened to you?!”
“Where’s your party? D-DEAD?!”
All but one shivered uneasily.
And as Supers bombarded him with questions, Jack couldn’t help but give a wry smile. Before, HE and they would have been from completely different worlds.
Yet now they were all crowding around him…
— A Knight-looking guy with a Huge Metallic Shield
— A Slender Super with dark claws for hands
— A Robe-Wearing guy with a plasma sword
Yet they were all overshadowed!
A woman, her slender body wearing the most gorgeous piece of gear he had ever seen. It was the color of the deep sea and was a mix between full-plate armor and a wizard’s robe.
It was as if that thing was part of her body rather than simple gear. Then, there was the glowing wand by her side, one that seemed made of water with magical runes swimming in it.
He could feel it; this woman was SPECIAL!
She was definitely this group’s leader by far! All she had to do was slightly raise her voice: “Enough, you all, let him breathe!” and they all scuttled away like children.
As for her, she turned back his way with a gentle smile…
“Don’t worry. We’ll bring you back to the Wall if you need. Also, take this, and this, and this. While we’re at it, let’s clean you up, shall we?” She winked, magical water appearing?!
She controlled it as if a living snake, and then— CLEAN!
As she wiped the grime off him, he felt like he had just recovered 10 years of lifespan. Yet, that wasn’t all, as she also showered with so much free stuff that he couldn’t help but gasp.
To her, it was simple, but to him, it was a LOT!
Shoes? → 40 Credits
Clothes? → 60 Credits
Underwear? → 70 credits
Becoming a walking SV Billboard? → PRICELESS!
…
Yes, the SV logo was plastered all over the things.
Red logo all over black clothes, the entire thing making him feel like he had joined an E-Sport team solely judging by the colors, and yet he didn’t mind it one bit. It was AMAZING!
As soon as he put it on, he felt the fabric wriggle to adjust to the perfect size. It felt as if his entire body was being softly hugged, and yet he still had ample movement range.
Even his gnards felt like they were in Heaven! It was so damn comfortable that he closed his eyes as he had the feeling of being reborn completely!
‘This is life. I’m moving up in the world.’
‘Breathe, live, and enjoy it all.’
‘Soon, I’ll be home too.’
…
He sighed contentedly, thanking his luck.
It was only a few moments later that he was brought back to his senses, feeling the weight of their questioning gazes. They wanted to know what had happened to him.
Yet, they didn’t push him either, their leader reassuring him.
“Take your time, and tell us slowly if needed.”
They were well-intentioned.
They were well-intentioned.
They were well-intentioned.
…
Yet for all their care… They were bound to be hella surprised!
The more Jack shared his story, the more baffled they became. It was FAR from the tragic tale of a lone survivor they had expected, so much so that they all exclaimed in shock.
“What?! You went into the Wilderness alone?!”
“You’re telling me you solo cleared a portal?!”
“Shouldn’t you be in school or something?!”
“H-How old are you again? Eighteen?!”
…
This was unreal, even for a White Portal! It was still a portal in the end! As for daring to solo-clear one, most would have waited until they graduated to do it in the first place!
Daring to do so on the first month of school was suicidal!
After all, learning one’s Quirk took time and efforts. Thus, in their eyes, he suddenly looked like a monster, something that would have been ludicrous had they known better.
Learn His Quirk? → What Quirk?
Confident Enough? → Desperate Enough
Strong Enough to Do It? → Training from Hell!
…
Sadly, they DIDN’T know better.
Their leader didn’t hesitate, grasping his hands excitedly.
“Jack, right? Let me formally invite you to join Steel Vanguard! We have the best training facilities, a chef always on retainer, and top Quirk Development programs!”
As the ones behind stared shellshocked at how straightforward she seemed, Jack understood her perfectly. From the little info she had, he showed GREAT potential.
Yet, he knew. It was all FAKE!
‘It won’t be long before they ask me to show my Quirk’.
What would he do then? Summon exploding wolves that would self-destruct on spawn? In fact, he could already picture himself painting an entire guild in ink.
“AWOOOO- SPLATTER!”
“AWOOOO- SPLATTER!”
“AWOOOO- SPLATTER!”
…
He wouldn’t just be refused; he’d be banned!
Yet, even if they didn’t actually mind it, perhaps HE would. One’s guild wasn’t just where one worked, but one’s entire affiliation and path of growth after Super Schools!
What if it didn’t exactly suit him? What if there were better options? Besides, he wasn’t in a rush to join a Guild directly. He was still a Legendary-U student, even as a Support.
In that split second, he weighed the pros and the cons.
Right now, he wasn’t in a hurry to join anything.
He also had new ideas for making money.
…
He’d first politely reject her, making sure not to burn any bridge, then he’d slowly figure out what this new Quirk of his was, and only then would he choose.
Without hesitating, he opened his mouth…
“Thanks for the offer but—”
“HERE!”
She never let him finish. Before he could even realize what was happening, she had slipped a magnificent key inside his hand, one that seemed to be made of living ice?!
[Ding! Successfully Obtained SV Key!]
[Officer’s Proof of Recognition!]
[Keep it Close to You!]
…
As the system chimed, he froze. This item was magical?! Just the fact that it was good enough to trigger the System’s reply was amazing in itself.
Then there was the key itself. Soft yet hard to the touch, cool yet warm at the same time, all the while emitting gentle Mana that seemed to hide a destructive force.
“W-What is this?! Could it be—”
“A seal of approval, the highest I can give.” The woman replied with a smile, especially as she heard the small stutter in his voice. She then gleefully continued.
“With this, you can become an SV member with no test nor question asked, and you can always access the Guild facilities no matter what. What do you say? Not a bad deal, right?”
She beamed, knowing she had succeeded in swaying him!
First, she’d get him to the guild, and once he made friends there, it would be incredibly easy to convince him to join afterward. It was the perfect plan, one he couldn’t possibly refuse!
This was ALL the PROS without any of the CONS!
“Alright, I’ll visit for sure. You guys have Medipods, right?”
He innocently asked, the guys in the back happily chiming in, not knowing the demon they had just voluntarily invited into their guild! No, right now, they were all smiles.
“Hehe, of course, we have medipods!”
“We’re Steel Vanguard, not some fourth-rate Guild!”
“Exactly, we’re third rate, you see! We ain’t some chumps!”
“Bastard, who are you calling third rates?! We’re growing FAST!”
…
What should have been a celebration for a potential new recruit quickly devolved into yet another argument, one that continued even as they reentered the jeep.
Jack sat in the back, right in the middle of his benefactors.
Then, a second later, they were gone, with a BANG!
SKREEE! A Jeep accelerated through the Wilderness. No, accelerated was an understatement. She was going so fast that her team members were about to lose their lunch!
Yet, she didn’t stop just yet, her cyan eyes transfixed on him.
He wasn’t showing any discomfort?!
He wasn’t even squirming in place?
He was just chilling there?!
…
In fact, Jack barely noticed it.
Compared to Sharky, she was a Saint, so he spent most of the ride small-talking his "colleagues," whose eyes were about to burst from seeing how fine he was.
He learned a bit about them.
The knight was Iron Aegis, the dark-clawed guy Night Talon, the plasma sword guy was Starblade, and the only one that mattered, their boss, was called Tidecaller.
He etched their Super names into his memories. He couldn’t wait to be back home to share it all with Lilly. Hell, he would have told her right now if she answered her damn phone.
He borrowed one from the crew, but it just rang endlessly…
UNKNOWN NUMBER!
UNKNOWN NUMBER!
UNKNOWN NUMBER!
….
She had probably ignored it.
Sighing, he focused on the road, and it didn’t take long for them to reach the Wall. It was as massive as before and as sturdy, yet this time, he couldn’t help but find it strange.
‘I’ve been on the other side, and I’m coming back in one piece.’
It didn’t take too long to pass it either.
Steel Vanguard was no Valor on the priority list, but they were soon ushered through gates large enough to fit literal gundams and on their way again.
So fast, in fact, that it didn’t take long for it to be his stop, a familiar deteriorating sign appearing, one that was almost as comforting to him as shocking to them!
< Exit 42 — 69th Avenue >
< Warning: Lower Level District!>
< Grimrock Prison Nearby. NO HITCHHIKERS!>
“Wait, you live in this dump?! How’s that possible?!” They had expected him to be a rich young master or at least live somewhere half-decent, but it was far from reality.
And as they pulled into the shittiest residential district ever, this point only got more obvious. Yet, that didn’t stop Jack from eagerly getting off.
“Thanks for the ride, you all. I’ll definitely visit!” — your medipods.
“Hehe, no problem! A shame we never found that White portal, but it was a shitshow anyway, so there’s no point even looking for it.… WHAT?!”
A certain Knight looked around, perplexed, realizing that everyone around him was staring at him like at an idiot. Yet, a second later, he finally realized what he had missed.
“WAIT, what if the portal we've been searching for was the portal he cleared?!”
“Can’t believe it took you so damn long!”
“It’s obviously the one he cleared!”
…
Jack stood there as they left, still bickering.
Interesting crew, one that he’d definitely meet soon, but also one that he didn’t give a damn about right now. He simply entered his own place, his eyes darting everywhere.
A second later, he saw her. Cute and vivacious, she was sitting right at the table with her eyebrows furrowed as she did her homework. Yet, she instantly jumped up.
“J-Jack?! You’re back, you’re finally BACK?!”
That he was, finally…