Story Breaker

(14 years before the main story)

Surrounded once again by books about heroes in my family's library, I immersed myself in stories of various kinds of heroes. I read about those who failed as well as those who succeeded in their goals. I explored heroes who were weak or strong, those who sacrificed themselves for the greater good, and even heroes who were seen as villains. I encountered regressor heroes, isekai'd heroes, and reincarnated heroes. I adored all these stories, reading them early before school and late into the night until it was time for bed. I dreamed of becoming a hero and a savior for all, not just the weak and innocent.

Before I was born, a huge disaster happened all across the world that caused multiple towers to sprout across the globe. Within these towers were calamities which were beings who were monsters that yearned for destruction and death. With the appearance of these towers, almost everyone was given a system known as "The Command System." With the system also came "Skills" which are unique powers of an individual that allowed humanity to survive. The people who climb these towers, and protect humanity are known as "Saviors."

The stories I've read about that time almost a hundred times are my favorite type of story. I idolize these saviors, and I wanted to be one of them to make my dream of becoming a hero come true. Yet, unlike everybody else, I lacked the command system and skills, even though everyone said I couldn't be a savior; I refused to give up on my dream, even though I was hurt by the truth.

After reading these books again and again, I slowly drifted into a deep sleep. When I opened my eyes, I was lying on top of a grassy field that had clear skies, where ivory blossoms were slowly drifting down from a massive golden tree filled with the same ivory blossoms above me. Confused, I quickly stood up and looked around at the endless fields and clear skies. The air was filled with a sweet scent around the entire area, with this golden tree I was standing in front of being the only thing different. I walked up to the tree out of curiosity and touched its bark, which felt oddly smooth.

Suddenly, I heard a voice call out to me from above the tree, "Child, do you still wish to become a hero?"

I looked upwards and saw a man lying against the big branches of the tree. His long, whitish sky-blue hair flowed down from his pale face. He had piercing red eyes that were locked on me, and his white kimono with a dark blue design of a dragon drooped down onto the branches he was lying against. Intimidated slightly, I took a step back.

The man spoke once again in a softer and calmer tone, "Child, it's alright. Do not be afraid... I am someone who will make you a savior, so you can achieve your dream.."

'This has to be a dream but.. Maybe I could see what it's like to be one..'

I would take a deep breath before looking back at the man, "Please... help me become a hero.."

The man smiled gently, "I am Kojiro... The 7th █████ ███████, ███████ of █████████ will grant you your wish, Kim Taejune.."

Kojiro paused for a moment after introducing himself, "It seems I cannot tell you my title yet... Oh well.." Kojiro would sigh before gently dropping a golden flower at me.

Still confused about what he said, suddenly the golden flower landed on my head, and then immediately I felt my body become heavy; my eyes slowly closed as I felt something land next to me and catch me as I fell. I slowly drifted once again into a deep sleep.