01x03 - The Ever-Standing Hero

[bunniefuu]

You're zoned out.

I'm not.

Where were we?

You were saying that we've got some

information on where Firm Man's nemesis is

And then?

And then I need to

If you miss her so much,

why didn't you leave with her?

You've made your choice,

so you'll just have to achieve.

Otherwise, all of your sacrifices

will have been for naught.

So, do you grasp what it is you need to do?

I need to go defeat Firm Man's

nemesis, Wolf Girl—

No.

Break into Top Ten

and reach top rank!

You are to surpass hero

Firm Man and be in the top 10!

Wolf Girl is only a stepping

stone to our goal.

I'm going to get you out of here.

Don't worry.

Hurry, over here!

This fire is raging!

The hose isn't enough!

Captain, get us some more water!

Look!

I only had one thought at the time.

For that little girl's sake

I couldn't fall, no matter what.

That incident was sensational.

The firefighter's Trust Value skyrocketed.

Mr. Shang even stepped down as

MG management to contact him

and help him become an indomitable hero.

Following that, Firm Man defeated

E-Soul's nemesis, Magic Shadow,

and that launched him into the top 10.

Magic Shadow has launched an attack on

the city center, causing many casualties.

E-Soul is now on the trail.

The Hero Association has dispatched

heroes to the scene,

but nobody can keep up with them.

Hello? I had poor reception in

the store. Who am I supporting?

Nobody can catch up to me!

Huh?

Sorry, could you get me another cola?

After he made the top 10, he was given

an even more important mission.

Which was

Acting as the fulcrum for moving

the world's biggest boulder.

Is that really important?

The Association made a sculpture

of him out of the diamond

and erected it at the top of Hero Avenue.

It represents the will of heroes.

In every era, no matter the time or place,

people yearn for a peaceful world.

Maintaining the balance means shouldering

more responsibility and trust.

This statue is to be a declaration

on behalf of all heroes—

to protect the world,

and remain ever-standing!

We also have a special guest today!

Allow me.

This red stole then became

one of Firm Man's symbols.

We belong to the same agency.

Isn't this kind of rude?

And why doesn't Firm Man just

go after Wolf Girl himself?

First, there are many heroes,

but only one can aim for the title of X.

No need to feel bad about it.

Second, there's a reason why Wolf Girl

became such a problem for Firm Man.

According to our informants,

this is one of the entrances to Wolf Girl's den.

No wonder.

Since Firm Man is affected by his Trust Value,

he will remain standing tall forever,

but that also means he can never

bend over, let alone crawl. So

Wolf Girl's den is built underground,

and the access tunnels are a complex

maze that run under the entire city.

We've only identified one of many entrances.

It's possible other heroes already received

information and are taking action.

So why don't we wait for

her to come out and attack,

then arrest her on the spot?

If she were just a destructive,

reckless villain,

then she wouldn't deserve

the title of "nemesis."

Do you know what's more

destructive than violence?

Magic?

Imagination.

Plant an idea in the hearts of the people,

then nurture it.

It will grow like a sapling

until it blooms into a concrete thought.

Spinning a fairy tale, one that twists

the image of the ever-tall Firm Man.

This is what Wolf Girl plants

inside everyone's hearts—

a seed of evil.

The underground den is where she

prints her fairy tale books.

The big bad wolf from the fairy

tales became her embodiment.

Firm Man has never even had

the chance to fight her directly

since her first appearance.

Because her target is the image of

Firm Man in the hearts of the people.

Firm Man represents the Hero Association.

Twisting his image will also affect

the entire collective of heroes.

This must be dealt with swiftly.

I-Is someone there? I'm stuck!

In every era, no matter the time or place,

people yearn for a peaceful world.

Maintaining the balance means shouldering

more responsibility and trust.

This statue is a declaration

on behalf of all heroes—

To protect the world,

and remain ever-standing!

Okay, this concludes our

field trip for the day!

Let's say goodbye to Firm Man!

Bye-bye!

Let us give Firm Man

another big thank-you!

Thank you, Firm Man!

Firm Man, can I ask you a question?

Why does your statue not

have your red stole?

Whew. Thanks.

Apologies. I was so focused

on getting you out,

I accidentally pulled your pants—

Let's not talk about it.

Hey, Nice, you're here to

take out Wolf Girl, right?

Yes. You are?

A no-name hero. Don't worry about it.

I guess I'm not needed now that you're here.

I'm heading out.

There are many heroes, but only

one can aim for the title of X.

How is it going?

Did you find Wolf Girl's den?

I've just arrived.

Miss J!

Quick, look up my current position!

So many heroes suddenly received

the same intel after she's been hiding forever.

This could be

a trap!

Your current position is

The top of Hero Avenue!

This scarf was given to me back

then by a girl about your age.

Quick, get out of here!

Everything's okay. Don't you worry.

We finally meet again, Firm Man.

Let her go!

I've prepared everything for this moment.

I'm the one you want to destroy!

The girl has nothing to do with this!

No! What I want to destroy is that!

I want the statue that represents

heroes to come down forever.

I believe

You understand what I mean.

Where are the other heroes?

Where have they gone?

Are you okay? Any injuries?

Don't hold out for help. The other

heroes have their hands full, too.

Put down the statue or give up on the girl.

Make your choice!

Who is that villain? That's too cruel!

So to protect the egos of

those so-called "heroes"

You're going to neglect a living,

breathing person right in front of you?

Let go! Let go!

It's Nice! Nice is here!

Nice! Go save the child, quickly!

She will not k*ll the child.

She also isn't here to destroy the statue.

Her real goal is to have you fall.

Or, more accurately,

to have you let go of everything.

Because she

is the girl that you risked

your life for in that fire

and the one who gave you the red stole.

Why is this happening?

It's not you that she hates.

It's what you shoulder.

These fairy tales that tarnish your image all

tell the story of the real you in her heart.

It's okay. Don't worry.

I'll be right here.

I won't go anywhere.

We also have a special guest today!

I'm sorry. I can't bend down right now.

Allow me.

This—Huh? What are you drawing?

Firm Man.

This is Firm Man?

Mhmm.

Hey, guys, look! She says this

is Firm Man she's drawing!

Firm Man is supposed to be

strong and unyielding!

No! He actually cries!

And tells jokes! He's a gentle person!

Who are you kidding? Liar!

Is that the one who keeps

talking smack about Firm Man?

She claims to have been saved by him!

No way. She's a well-known liar.

Why would you believe her?

Exactly. How could Firm Man

possibly be that weak?

There's something wrong with her.

She just wants to tarnish

Firm Man's reputation.

Enough

Enough!

Bring him back to me

Mr. Firefighter!

I'm sorry

I'm sorry

How did you manage to persevere in the

raging fire and hold up the beam?

I only had one thought at the time.

For that little girl's sake

I couldn't fall, no matter what.

Mr. Firefighter

I'll help you! You can do it!

It's you

who gave me the faith and

courage to persevere.

Mommy! Mommy!

Where is he?

Go, Nice! You can do it!

Go, Nice!

You can do it! Go! Nice!

That's right! This is a livestream

here on Hero Avenue!

Nice is holding up the

statue all by himself!

Go, Nice, go!

Go! You can do it! Go!

Hang in there, Nice!

Nice! Nice!

A miracle It's a miracle!

His Trust Value has surpassed Firm Man

He's in the top 10 of the Hero Association!

Now I finally know

just how heavy this stone is.

Last week at the Hero Association Mall,

Nice's rescuing of Firm Man propelled him

into the top 10 of the Association.

The legend of Firm Man concludes here.

Arriving at Hero Tower, Floor 10.

I thought you were coming

the day after tomorrow.

They told me to move out

tomorrow night at the latest.

Oh, no, I'm not trying to kick you out.

I'm just joking with you.

What, your ranking got higher,

but your reflexes got slower?

I think this is the first time

I've seen you smile so happily.

All thanks to you.

What are your plans after giving

up the persona of Firm Man?

Of course, the first thing is to lie

around and relax for half a month.

So, Firm Man's wish was to lie down.

It was everyone's wish for me

to remain ever-standing.

But my life became filled with

awkward, painful situations

One big bad wolf

Two big bad wolves

Three big bad wolves

I once held onto the belief that

it was the price of being a hero.

Now I know that I was a fool.

Actually, I have similar troubles, too.

For example

My OCD-induced perfectionism is worsening my anxiety.

I shouldn't rain on your parade.

Different times, different roles.

No doubt you're moving to this floor

because you've thought it over

and made a decision.

I'm actually—

All right, I have dinner plans with friends.

Feel free to look around and

get familiar with the place.

I'm actually not Nice.

No matter who you are, just be yourself.

I actually don't really

know what I want yet.

But I do know very well what I don't want.

What about you?

Have you found the direction

your heart desires?

Dear citizens!

To celebrate Nice's new top 10 ranking,

I've decided to reveal something about him!

Moon!

Hey, isn't that Moon?

Isn't she supposed to be dead?

Who is this God Eye person?

As you can all see, Moon isn't dead.

Everything about Nice was

carefully planned and faked!

And I

will tear apart his disguise, bit by bit!