THE SHADOW OF A HERO

The engine of the flying car hummed softly as we glided through the bright blue sky toward the city market. The wind rushed past my ears, and for a moment, I enjoyed the peace… until someone appeared floating beside us on a strange flying scooter-like vehicle.

“Hey… Buddhist! Where are you going?”
Digangto shouted, struggling to keep his balance.

This was Digangto—a big guy, round as a pumpkin but kind as a panda. His superpower? Unlucky Power.

Yes, you heard right.
Unlucky Power.

If he touched you, his bad luck transferred to you, and then you were finished. Enemies who fought him didn’t get defeated—they got destroyed by pure, brutal unluckiness. Trip on nothing, get hit by a falling building, lightning on a sunny day—anything could happen.

Very dangerous. Very funny. Very Digangto.

“Bro… we’re going to the market for shopping,” I shouted back.

“Bro, can I touch your car?” he asked with pure innocence.

I panicked.
“NO—NO—NO! Means NO! I know exactly what will happen if you touch it!”

He shrugged sadly. “Okay bro… bye.”

“Bye bro!”

He zoomed away, and I sighed in relief. If Digangto touched the car, the whole market might collapse before we even reached it.

The moment we landed, the girls jumped out.

The Super Market was huge—like a futuristic mall mixed with a magical shopping kingdom. Neon lights, flying delivery drones, hologram posters—everything.

“Buddhist… please give us a gadget machine to carry our many things,” Serdihun said sweetly.

I knew this was coming.

“Okay…”
I activated my wrist computer.

A blue hologram sparked, and a machine appeared—like a floating robot trolley.

“HV Machine ready—can carry large amounts of items,” I said proudly.

“Thank you soooo much!” all three girls said at once.

We entered the clothes section—with 60% sale. The thing is… this entire section was for women only. I had no business being there. But here I was—following three queens on their shopping adventure like a lost servant.

They grabbed clothes like hungry monsters discovering treasure.
Every dress. Every color. Every style.

The HV machine started overflowing like a mountain of fabric.

They went inside the trial rooms, leaving me outside like a bodyguard.

After a few minutes, they came out together.
And what I saw made me freeze.

“Buddhist… how am I looking?” Alir asked.

“Buddhist… how do I look?” Serdihun asked.

“Buddhist… how do I look?” Serdihun 2 asked.

I stared… and then burst into uncontrollable laughter.

All three were wearing the same princess gown—sparkling, royal, elegant—and none of them realized until they saw each other.

Their faces turned red.

Then they ran back inside screaming.

I was still laughing.

After a few minutes, they returned in normal clothes.

“Let’s go to a restaurant,” Alir said, trying to hide her embarrassment.

“Yeah,” everyone agreed.

“Yeah,” I followed like a loyal soldier.

We sat down inside a beautiful glass-walled restaurant. Lights shimmered. Soft music played. Robot waiters glided around.

The girls ordered food like they were feeding an entire army.

When the food arrived, they started eating happily. I felt peaceful.

Then suddenly—

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The restaurant TV flashed with breaking news.

“A giant monster has entered the town! Citizens are evacuating! Three heroes are already on site—trying to stop the creature!”

A massive beast appeared on the screen—towering, monstrous, thick armored skin, glowing eyes.

A true disaster.

“Woah! Monster in the town!” Alir shouted excitedly.

Inside my heart:
Yes… it’s show time.

“Wait a minute, I’ll be back. I need to wash my hands,” I said casually.

The girls continued eating, unaware of what I was about to do.

I walked calmly into the washroom…
closed the door…
and looked into the mirror.

A grin stretched on my face.

The moment I had been waiting for.

I tapped my watch.

“Code: Kemp Omega. Activate.”

The lights flickered. The mirror cracked. The entire washroom shook.

A surge of dark energy burst from the bracelet—wrapping around me like living shadows. My clothes dissolved into black and red armor. My eyes glowed bright crimson. My aura expanded like a storm.

Boots formed. Gloves locked. Chest plate sealed.
A cape of shadows spread behind me.

My heartbeat synchronized with power.

Boom. Boom. Boom.

Hero of darkness.

Hero of the unknown.

Hero Kemp.

The Master of Heroes.

“Time to end this.”

In the town, chaos ruled.

People screamed and ran. Cars flipped. Buildings shook. The giant monster roared, smashing everything in sight.

Three heroes stood before it—struggling to push back.

Fighter planes shot missiles. Tanks fired nonstop.

Nothing worked.

The monster advanced.

“Fall back!” the captain shouted. “We need more support!”

The ground trembled. Smoke covered the sky.

Then…

Everything went silent.

A wind blew—cold, heavy, powerful.

A dark figure dropped from the sky like a meteor.

BOOOOOOM!

A shockwave exploded across the battlefield. Dust flew everywhere.

People shielded their eyes.

The smoke slowly cleared…

And there I stood.

Black and red armor glistening.
Red eyes glowing like burning stars.
Aura swirling like a deadly storm.

People gasped.

“WHO IS THAT!?” someone shouted.

“Is he a villain?” another whispered.

“No… look at his symbol…”

Fear transformed into awe.

The soldiers stepped back. Even the monster froze for a second.

I lifted my head slowly.

And said, in a deep echoing voice:

“I am Hero Kemp…
The Master of Heroes.”

The ground cracked beneath my feet as I dashed forward—

Straight toward the monster.

The war for the city had begun.