Zain had always loved superheroes.
There was something about the way they soared through the sky with their powers.
The way they used their superpowers to strike down the villains.
They were the symbols of justice, protectors of the people.
Or at least, that's what he used to believe.
It was shattered in the night where his entire left was reduced to nothing.
Zain had just finished his shift at the convenience store.
His feet were a bit aching as he walked home with a plastic bag full of instant noodles and cheap coffee.
His apartment was nothing special.
It was just a cramped one-room space barely big enough for a bed and a desk.
But still, it was his own home.
The night was also strangely quiet. No distant explosions or sirens wailing.
It was just the usual hum of the city and for once, it seems the world was in peace.
Then the screaming started.
Zain barely had time to turn to see what was happening before a shockwave knocked him.
Following it, a massive figure fell into the buildings across the street, sending shards of concrete flying.
A metal figure lay in the rubble, struggling to rise.
Zain frowned as he knew who he was. He was a supervillain and if a villain was here—
BOOM!
A second impact. Zain turned just in time to see a huge figure drop from the sky.
The moment he landed, he sent another tremor through the street.
He was Titanfang, one of the superheroes in this world.
"MOVE! MOVE!" Someone shoved past him, sprinting in the opposite direction.
More people followed, fleeing in terror as the battle raged on.
Zain hesitated for only a second before running.
His apartment was just around the corner. If he could just make it—
The ground split beneath him as Titanfang stomped, sending another shockwave.
Zain barely dodged a falling signpost as screams filled the air.
But the heroes didn't stop after hearing the screams.
They never did. They never care.
Zain's breaths came fast as he turned the corner, his apartment building finally in sight.
Relief surged through him. Just a few more steps, and he'd be safe.
Then something crashed into it.
A body was hurled through the air, smashing straight into his home.
The force obliterated the walls, turning his home into nothing but a heap of shattered concrete and twisted metal.
Zain barely had time to react before the blast knocked him off his feet.
His ears rang. His vision swam. Smoke filled his lungs, burning his throat.
Everything he had and owned was all gone.
He only laid there, dazed, unable to move as Titanfang stepped past him.
Zain reached out, coughing, trying to call for help. "P-Please…H-help...Me"
Titanfang didn't even look at him. He simply grabbed the villain's limp body and smirked.
He raised his fist triumphantly and shouted, "Don't worry, people! I've defeated the villain!"
Then he just left with the villain, leaving behind nothing but ruin.
Zain didn't move. He just stared at the destruction, his hands shaking.
Superheroes were supposed to save people, but why did it feel like they were the real monster?
---
A few days later, in front of the Hero Guild, the streets were packed with angry voices.
They were the people from the district Titanfang had destroyed in his heroic battle.
They weren't here to cheer or praise. They were here because they had lost everything.
Zain also stood among them and he didn't look so good.
He had been too close to the battle that night, too close to the devastation.
Even now, every breath felt heavy, every step a struggle. But he had nothing left to lose, so he was here.
The Hero Guild had promised compensation for the destruction, but what they gave was a joke.
Thirty percent and that was all.
Thirty percent of their homes. Thirty percent of their businesses. Thirty percent of their lives.
A man beside Zain raised his voice in exhaustion. "We lost everything because of them! And they expect us to rebuild with scraps? How is this fair?"
A crying woman also raised her voice. "Heroes are supposed to protect us! But what he does is too much!"
Clutching his son's hand, she continued. "My shop was my livelihood! My son and I have nowhere to go, and all they say is, 'Sorry, here's some spare change'."
Another protester raised his fist. "We demand justice! The heroes cause destruction and walk away like nothing happened!"
Zain clenched his jaw. He had stayed silent up until now, but he was also angry and decided to join the protest.
He stepped forward, shouting with his hoarse voice. "Where is Titanfang?"
Zain took another step, forcing himself to stand.
The shouting dimmed slightly, all eyes turning toward him. "Where is the 'hero' who caused all this? Shouldn't he be here, facing the people he ruined?"
He then frowned. "Or is he too busy celebrating another 'victory'?"
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
A man in a suit, one of the Hero Guild's representatives, finally stepped forward onto the guild's balcony.
He adjusted his glasses, clearing his throat. "We understand your frustrations. The Hero Guild has already provided compensation, and we—"
"Thirty percent," Zain cut in coldly. "You call that compensation?"
The man hesitated. "Given the scale of the battle, the guild cannot be held responsible for every incident."
"We lost homes, businesses, and families!" A woman near Zain threw a broken piece of brick toward the balcony.
It shattered harmlessly against the stone wall. "If you can't be responsible for that, then who is?"
Another representative stepped in, this one clearly more annoyed than concerned.
"Titanfang was performing his duty. A villain was stopped. Do you think heroes should stop fighting just because there are buildings nearby?"
"Yes!" someone in the crowd shouted.
"They should at least care!" another voice yelled.
Zain narrowed his eyes. "Tell me, then—what happens next time? Another hero, another battle, another city reduced to rubble?"
He looked at the people on the balcony. "Are we just supposed to accept it? Move on and be grateful we were 'only' compensated a fraction of what we lost."
The official in the suit frowned. "The system is in place to keep people safe. If we did not have heroes, villains would run unchecked. Would you rather that?"
Zain's hands clenched into fists. "Are we even safe now?"
The official opened his mouth but found no immediate answer.
Zain took a slow breath. "Titanfang didn't even look at me that night. He walked past me as I lay in the rubble. I begged for help, and he just picked up his villain and left."
His voice turned sharp, unwavering. "Tell me, Hero Guild, where was my hero that night?"
The crowd erupted.
Shouts, demands, anger. All of it aimed at the untouchable guild standing above them.
For the first time, the representatives seemed nervous. But still, they said nothing.