Lunchtime at School
Yoonso: "Okay, hear me out. What if we invent a backpack that refills itself with snacks?"
Jihan: "Yoonso, that's literally just called 'buying more snacks.'"
Yoonso: "No, no, I mean, like, a backpack that generates them! Using… science!"
Jihan: "You mean theft?"
Yoonso: "Ugh, no! A totally legal, super cool, totally-not-stealing snack generator!"
Before Jihan could respond, a large, muscular man in a ridiculous cape appeared in front of them, slamming a folder onto their lunch table.
Hero Recruiter: "Congratulations, boys! You've been selected for the Future Hero Program! Welcome to the League!"
Yoonso: "…Huh?"
Jihan: "…What?"
Hero Recruiter: "We've been monitoring you two for a while! Your skills, your intelligence, your ability to think outside the box—it's all very impressive!"
Yoonso: "Wait, wait, wait. You were watching us?"
Jihan: "What skills? We spent all morning trying to make a paper airplane that would fly backward!"
Hero Recruiter, flipping through pages: "Exactly! Innovative thinking! Problem-solving! You've got real potential! And now, you're officially part of the League's Future Hero Program!"
Yoonso, leaning in: "Okay, but… what's the pay like?"
Hero Recruiter: "It's not about the money! It's about justice!"
Yoonso: "Right, but what's the salary of justice?"
Jihan: "And do we get free lunch?"
Hero Recruiter, hesitating: "Uh… well, there's a food budget…"
Yoonso, nodding: "Okay, Maybe"
Jihan: "Me too."
Hero Recruiter: "Great! Your training starts tomorrow!"
Yoonso: "Nice! Who's our mentor?"
Hero Recruiter, flipping a page: "Ah yes, you'll be under the guidance of one of the most powerful villains—uh, I mean, heroes—we've ever… uh… rehabilitated!"
Yoonso: "…Come again?"
Hero Recruiter, coughing: "Meet your mentor… Sir Necromantis!"
Yoonso: "f-f-fantastic..."
Jihan: "…WHAT?!"
Necromantis' Office…
Necromantis: "Wait. I agreed to what?"
Greta, holding a clipboard: "You signed the paperwork."
Necromantis: "I never sign paperwork!"
Greta: "I forged your signature."
Necromantis: "…Why?"
Greta: "It's good for your taxes."
Necromantis, sighing: "Great. Now I have two kids running around, thinking they're heroes, while I'm stuck teaching them… what? Evil? Morality? How to fill out tax reports?"
Greta: "Don't give them ideas. Just make sure they don't blow anything up."
Necromantis: "Fine. But if they ask me to do a heroic speech, I'm quitting."
Greta: "Noted."
Back at Yoonso's House
Yoonso: "Mom! I got a job!"
Mom, barely looking up from her phone: "Cool, how much does it pay?"
Yoonso: "…I forgot to ask about that part."
Mom: "You're just like your father."
Coming Home
Jihan walked down the street, clutching the "Future Hero Program!" brochure, which was covered in silly pictures of heroes posing dramatically. He felt incredibly cool. He was about to become a superhero!
As soon as he stepped into his house, he decided to make his grand announcement.
Jihan: "Family! I have an important—"
Before he could finish, a quiet but firm voice interrupted him.
???: "You must keep this a secret."
Jihan froze. He slowly looked around the living room, but there was no one there except his little sister, who was glued to her phone, and his grandmother, knitting socks.
Jihan: "Who said that?"
Grandma, without looking up: "What?"
Little sister, not raising her head: "Are you talking to yourself again?"
???: "Don't try to find me. Just know this—superheroes keep their identities secret."
Jihan, swallowing nervously: "Okay… cool. But why?"
???: "Because if your enemies find out who you are, they will come after your family."
Jihan: "Oh… WHOA."
Grandma, tilting her head: "Are you feeling alright, dear?"
Jihan, nodding quickly: "Yeah, just… suddenly realized how dangerous the world is."
???: "You'll have to get used to it."
Jihan: "Wait, who are you?"
But the voice fell silent.
Jihan, frowning: "Great. Now I have a mysterious voice in my head."
Little sister, shrugging: "Congrats, you've officially lost it."
Jihan sighed, lowering his head and muttering to himself.
Jihan: "What a first day on the job…"