Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 165: Not Mad, Just Burnt

Blazren pointed at a tall black machine with a glowing surface.

"Just put your hand here," he said.

"It’ll scan your body and detect how many mid-tier abilities you have."

Zain stepped closer. "How does it show the result?"

Blazren crossed his arms.

"Simple. If the machine glows white, that means one or two mid-tier abilities."

"Green means three or four. Blue means five or more."

Zain raised an eyebrow. "So blue is what I need to pass?"

Blazren nodded. "That’s right."

Zain looked at the scanner, then placed his hand on it without hesitation.

The machine let out a soft hum.

Energy ran along his arm and up through his shoulder.

A moment later, a bright blue light flashed across the screen.

Blazren watched closely. Then he nodded again.

"Blue. You passed."

Zain smiled. "That was easy."

Blazren turned to him. "You’ve got the requirements. But now I’m curious."

Zain tilted his head. "Curious?"

Blazren nodded.

"Why didn’t we use this machine back when you became an A-Rank hero?"

Zain shrugged. "Yeah, good question. Why not?"

Blazren explained, "Because back then, we didn’t need quantity."

"For A-Rank, we look at how well your mid-tier abilities work in combat."

"Not how many you have."

Zain nodded. "I see."

Blazren added, "But for AA-Rank, we care about how many abilities you’ve awakened."

"It shows your growth and your range in battle."

Zain lowered his hand from the scanner. "Makes sense."

Blazren looked at Zain again, his voice firm.

"Alright. With your stats and your abilities confirmed, you passed the first test."

He stepped away from the machine and turned toward the center of the room.

"Now comes the second test."

Zain raised an eyebrow. "Second test?"

Blazren nodded. "Combat test."

Zain smirked. "So, where’s my opponent?"

Blazren pointed at himself. "Me."

Zain blinked. "You?"

Blazren smirked back. "Of course."

Zain laughed a little. "You sure? You’re just an A-Rank, right?"

Blazren nodded. "Yes, I’m A-Rank on paper."

He stepped forward, cracking his knuckles.

"But that’s because I haven’t awakened enough mid-tier abilities."

Zain tilted his head. "So what’s your point?"

Blazren stared at him. "My stats—strength, speed, endurance—they’re all AA-Rank level."

Zain’s smirk faded slightly.

"Oh."

Blazren walked to the center of the room and took a stance.

"I’ve trained for years. I’ve led raids, survived more missions than most."

"You want to prove you’re AA-Rank?"

He pointed to the mat.

"Then come at me."

Zain stepped forward, now interested.

"Alright, old man. Let’s see what you’ve got."

---

Blazren stood in the center of the arena, arms crossed, waiting.

The heat from his body was already rising slightly, small waves of warmth moving through the air.

Zain walked in from the opposite end, hands in his pockets, a smirk on his face.

"Well, old man," Zain said, cracking his neck.

"Do you want to start this fight, or should I?"

Blazren rolled his shoulders and stepped forward.

"Come, you scoundrel. Let’s see if you can back up that new rank."

Zain chuckled. "Fine. Here I come, old man."

He dropped into a loose stance.

His muscles tightened under his coat. His frame grew firmer, heavier.

Blazren grinned. His fists lit up with low, flickering flames.

"Good. Show me that AA-Rank punch."

Zain dashed forward suddenly, closing the gap with speed.

His eyes locked, reading Blazren’s slight shoulder twitch, predicting his opening strike.

Blazren didn’t flinch.

He raised one fist and launched a quick, flame-covered punch straight for Zain’s chest.

Zain didn’t dodge. He blocked with his forearm.

The heat singed the sleeve, but the impact didn’t push him back.

"Tough little brat," Blazren muttered.

Zain twisted his hips and threw a punch right at Blazren’s side.

Blazren blocked, but the sheer power from Zain’s strength made his boots slide backward on the floor.

"Hah," Blazren grunted. "That one had weight."

Zain stepped in again, another heavy punch aimed at his shoulder.

Blazren ducked under and activated Heat Skin.

His body glowed red for a split second.

Zain’s next strike hit, but the heat pushed back, softening the impact.

Zain leapt back. "Not bad, old man."

Blazren’s body flared up now.

His Flame Body activated.

Flames burst around him, coating his arms and shoulders.

His presence burned hotter.

"You’re not the only one who can hit hard," Blazren said.

Zain grinned. "Then bring it."

Blazren dashed forward this time, fists blazing.

He swung wide, and Zain ducked under the first punch.

But the second clipped him in the ribs.

The fire burned into his side, making him grunt.

Zain clenched his fist and countered with an uppercut.

Blazren caught it with one hand.

But the force made him bend his knees.

They both backed off.

Breathing steadily.

The fight had only started.

Blazren stood tall, fire dancing across his arms.

His flame body burned steady now, giving him a glowing aura of heat.

He looked at Zain and gave a half-smile.

"You’ve really grown, Heavenly Demon," he said, voice rough but proud.

"Come on then. Show me more."

Zain grinned. "Gladly."

Without waiting, he rushed forward.

From his back, two black and red energy wings burst out.

Blazren’s eyes narrowed, but he didn’t step back.

Zain raised his fist and punched hard toward Blazren’s chest.

Blazren blocked with both arms crossed, flames flaring on contact.

The force pushed him two steps back, but he held steady.

"Not bad," Blazren muttered.

Zain didn’t stop.

He threw another punch, then a kick.

The strike combinations came fast and powerful.

Blazren dodged left, then raised his hand and threw a straight jab.

Flames shot out from his fist, lighting up the space between them.

Zain ducked, then jumped into the air, wings spreading wide.

He kicked downward, aiming for Blazren’s shoulder.

Blazren caught the kick with one arm, the flames on his body rising hotter.

Zain twisted mid-air and landed behind him, using the wings to keep balance.

Blazren turned and threw another flaming punch.

Zain met it with his own fist.

The clash sent a shockwave across the room.

"Still standing?" Blazren asked.

Zain smirked. "You haven’t knocked me down yet."

"Then I’ll try harder," Blazren said.

He stepped forward, flames roaring now.

Zain charged again, and the two clashed in the center of the arena, fists colliding again and again.