Josh's eyes widened in shock at Captain Radiant's offer. The words hung in the air, echoing the silent question he'd carried for so long. His mind flashed back to a time when he was coldly rejected, deemed unsuitable because he lacked a metagene and the means to artificially acquire one. Now, the chance to become a hero was being handed to him on a silver platter by Captain Radiant himself, one of the most famous and powerful S-Rank heroes on the planet.

  He found his voice, a mixture of disbelief and awe. "I… I'm honored, Captain Radiant," he stammered, "but… why me? Why this offer?"

  Captain Radiant's gaze was steady, his expression both understanding and encouraging. "Aside from the fact that you've proven yourself powerful enough to hold your own against C, B, and even A-Rank super-villains," he explained, "I believe you deserve the chance to do more with your life than spend your days under constant protection or in hiding. Especially now that Black Hold has resurfaced. The Hero League could use someone with your talents, Josh."

  Josh looked away, a conflict of emotions swirling within him. He admitted, mostly to himself, "It feels like I have no choice but to live a life as a superhero."

  Captain Radiant gently corrected him. "You do have a choice, Josh. You could still live a normal life, under a different identity and in a different place, as you already know.” He then eyed Josh. “But that’s only if you really want that.”

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  Josh considered the offer. He could have a normal life. A safe life. But then he looked at Sasha, her face a mixture of hope and trepidation… He knew what that choice would mean. He wouldn't be able to see her again. And then there were his parents.

  His dad stepped forward, placing a reassuring hand on Josh's shoulder. "I understand, son," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "If you want to live a normal life… after what happened to your mother and me, I understand why you'd want that. But you also have the chance now to be an actual hero, Josh. To save people, to inspire them, to help those who have suffered at the hands of people like Black Hold. You have the means to do that now…”

  His mother nodded in agreement, her eyes filled with love and a quiet pride. "We don't want you to do something you feel you have to do, Josh," she said softly. "We just want you to do what you want to do.”

  Josh fell silent, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He thought of Alleran, of the long and arduous journey he had undertaken to become a hero, to defeat the Dark Lord. He remembered the faces of those he had saved—the elves, dwarves, goblins, oni, beast-men, and humans—their expressions of gratitude and relief. He had seen that same look again, here, on Earth, even on the face of someone like Blue Lock, a flicker of satisfaction and relief when Josh had given him the chance to defeat Steel Titan. He thought of what might have happened if he hadn't.

  His gaze shifted to Sasha, who offered him a small, encouraging smile. One who said she would support him, whatever he chose. He took a deep breath, the conflicting emotions within him finally coalescing into a single, unwavering resolve. He looked at Captain Radiant, his eyes clear and determined.

  “Alright," he said, his voice firm and resolute. "I accept."