As Christian was climbing back up he stopped. Impending danger. A feeling that if he now got out of the hole something bad would happen. Something was waiting for him up there.

'No. This time I won't be scared' Christian thought. But little did he know, he should have absolutely been scared. He was met with his managers furious eyes as he got to the ledge. Christian fell back down to the bottom of the hole 'This is it then. This is how I die'

"YOU ARE FIRED!"

That was how christian lost his last job. After packing his stuff and leaving the store Christian took a last look at the place he had worked for a full two weeks before already being fired.

 Walking trought the streets Christian stopped to admire the hero academy's trial building in the park at the center of the city. It was not as tall as the building surrounding the park, but it impressed in many more ways. Its clean white walls reflected the evening sun and the hero association's logo shined above the front doors. 'It really is a place suitable for the future heroes' Christian thought. There was just one thing that ruined the illusion of a perfect facility, a slanted roof full of white tiny spots. Seemed like birds really liked to aim for the building. Still he would have really wanted to visit the place, maybe even try being a hero once again, but considering he started to fight against monsters almost a dacade ago he would be older than most of the other students. Even when most of the students were already adults, Christian would be at least five years older than them. He looked even older with his unshaved face.

 Leaving the skyscrapers behind Christian wandered around until midnight. He wouldn't get tired from day like this. He had stayed awake for days fighting, skin full of cuts and vains full of poison from the monsters. Still a bench on a sidewalk under a bridge looked like the perfect place to rest his bones. The dim light over the place created like a bubble detached from the rest of the world. Christian laid down on the wooden bench. Hands behind his head and feet on the armrest he closed his eyes.

 Only the slight electric humm from the light broke the silence. It was very easy to notice someone approaching. So when Christian heard heavy steps from the darkness, he immediatly bounced back on his feet. A low growl slowly approached him. The steps grew louder and the light started to flicker. The horrifying face of a... kind old man appeared on the edge of the light.

 "What are you doing outside at this hour young man? It gets dangerous at night doesn't it" The old man entered completely into the light with a small dog following closely behind. At least the growl got its source, but how were his steps so loud.

  "I'm fine, but should you be walking around here. I'm afraid that your tiny companion won't be that big of a help if monsters decide to attack." Christian sat back down.

 "You don't have to worry about this old man. I have my ways" With these words the old man continued his walk into the darkness with the same heavy steps he had arrived with.

 Christian shook his head. Maybe I should go with him to make sure he stays safe. But as he stood up his foot somehow sank into the ground. A trail of deep footsteps had appeared on the ground. Seems like there was no need to worry. Christain laid back on the bench, now he could finally get the sleep he needed.

 Christian dreamed of the times, when he fought against monsters with his friends, smiling from ear to eat while their swords slashed through monsters and punches destroyed buildings swarming with enemies. The parties after successful day of monster hunting and eating and drinking in fancy restaurants paid with the governments money. The pay for saving the world multiple times was really high, even comparable to elite athletes and CEOs. In the end non of that mattered the moment Christian swung his sword for the last time killing the last living original monster he lost everything. His friend disappeared, he was thrown out of his home, even his sword was put into a museum. He turned into a legend of the past. He lost his place in the Society of Heroes.

 Another miserable start to even more miserable day came and he had to go search for another miserable job, nothing he did could ever compare to the highs he experienced while working as a professional hero. Hopefully this time he would survive a little longer and maybe even get a place to live, at least for some time. While searching for a newspaper to look for hiring jobs he stumbled across a group of students sitting outside a café talking about becoming a hero.

 "The building is right here in the city we should at least try"

 "But what if they don't let me in. I don't want to embarrass myself"

 "I think it's worth it. I heard they would even give you an apartment right outside the academy, even when your not studying"

'I've decided' Christian came to the conclusion that becoming a hero would be his next step to being part of society once again.