Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 167: Observe THIS

Zain and Blazren walked out of the testing room.

Blazren rubbed the back of his neck.

"Your information will be updated on the Hero Association network."

"Should take less than a day."

Zain nodded. "Alright. Good."

Blazren gave him a light pat on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work. You’ve earned it."

Zain nodded again but looked thoughtful.

After a short pause, he asked, "So... if I want to become an S-Rank hero, how do I do it?"

Blazren blinked, then let out a sharp laugh.

"Heavenly Demon, you just hit AA, and you’re already asking about S-Rank?"

Zain smirked. "I want to know. Can’t hurt to ask, right?"

Blazren let out a long sigh. "You’re bold, I’ll give you that."

Zain crossed his arms. "So?"

Blazren scratched his head. "Honestly, it’s not that simple."

Zain tilted his head. "Then explain what you can."

Blazren walked a little slower as they reached the hallway near the mission boards.

"To even qualify for S-Rank," he said, "you need to go to an A-Rank Zone."

"The Hero Association only approves S-Rank promotions there."

Zain’s brow lifted. "So it’s impossible here in the B-Zone?"

Blazren nodded. "Yeah. In B-Zone, the highest you can go is AA-Rank. That’s the rule."

Zain thought for a second. "Then how do I get into an A-Rank Zone?"

Blazren frowned. "That’s the tricky part."

"Not everyone can go there," he added.

"Especially someone with a lower background like you."

Zain raised an eyebrow. "Lower background?"

Blazren nodded. "No family name. No sponsor."

"You didn’t come from one of the upper associations. That makes it harder."

Zain’s voice stayed calm. "Then how do I find a way?"

Blazren shook his head. "I don’t know."

"There’s no clear path."

"Some get invited. Some get special mission transfers. Others get noticed."

He looked at Zain seriously. "But no one just walks into an A-Zone."

Zain nodded slowly. "So I’ll have to figure it out myself."

Blazren gave him a half-smile. "Pretty much."

Zain looked down the hall, then back at Blazren. "That’s fine. I’ll find my way in."

Blazren chuckled again. "I figured you’d say that."

He gave Zain a firm nod.

"But for now, just focus on your job as an AA-Rank hero. That’s already a big step."

Zain nodded. "Yeah, I get it."

But inside, he was still thinking.

How do I move up?

How do I reach the A-Rank Zone?

His thoughts drifted to Zelia.

My sister should already be there. With Savra.

He clenched his fist slightly.

If I want to meet her again... I have to get there too.

His eyes narrowed slightly, mind working on the next step, even as he walked beside Blazren.

Then, as they reached the mission desk, something caught their attention.

They noticed a group of heroes standing around one of the central monitors.

The screen flickered with live footage from a nearby sector.

Blazren stepped forward, eyes narrowing.

"What’s going on?" he asked.

One of the younger heroes turned, pointing at the screen.

"Sir, it’s Skybrand. The AA-Rank Hero."

Blazren raised an eyebrow. "She’s in action?"

The hero nodded quickly.

"Yes, sir."

"She found a group of Heavenly Demon Sect girls in Sector BD-4."

"She’s moving in fast."

Zain’s eyes shifted toward the screen, his expression unreadable.

Blazren watched the feed for a moment.

Skybrand’s figure appeared briefly in a blur of wind and silver, cutting through the landscape like a blade.

Around her, several black-and-red suited girls were scattering into cover.

"Where’s Neuro?" Blazren asked.

Another hero replied, "He gave the order to let Skybrand handle it."

"Said it would be a good opportunity for the lower-rank heroes to watch and learn from a real AA-Rank in combat."

Blazren nodded. "Makes sense."

He turned to Zain.

"Heavenly Demon," he said, "you’re an AA-Rank now too."

Zain looked at him calmly. "I am."

Blazren nodded toward the screen.

"Then you should watch."

"See how someone like Skybrand moves. Learn how an elite handles the fight."

Zain gave a small nod. "Alright."

But his eyes didn’t match his calm voice.

As he looked at the screen, something in his chest tightened.

He saw them.

Three of the girls Velra had trained were moving between rubble and broken structures.

They were fighting back, but it was clear they were overwhelmed.

Skybrand was too fast.

Too sharp.

Zain’s jaw tightened.

He kept his arms crossed, not showing anything on the outside.

But inside?

So they’re being hunted now.

He kept his expression flat.

One of the heroes nearby spoke again.

"She already cut down one of them."

"The girl survived, but she’s not getting back up anytime soon."

Blazren spoke without looking away from the screen.

"Skybrand doesn’t play. If she’s sent in, she finishes the job."

Another hero added, "She’s too fast."

"I couldn’t even follow half her moves. She’s already outclassed them."

Zain stayed quiet, his arms crossed, but his eyes never left the screen.

He watched Skybrand move, forcing his girls to retreat step by step.

Beside him, Blazren smiled slightly, impressed.

"Good, right?" he asked.

Zain forced a small smile. "Yeah. She’s... quite skilled."

Blazren nodded. "She’s one of our best."

Zain gave a short nod. "Excuse me for a bit. Stomach’s acting up."

Blazren glanced at him. "Ah, I see. Go ahead. Toilets are down the hall."

Zain turned and walked off calmly.

But the moment he entered the restroom and shut the door behind him, his hand went straight to his pocket.

He pulled out his phone, opened the hidden comm line, and called Velra.

The line picked up almost instantly.

"Yes, Master?" Velra’s voice came through, steady and focused.

"Velra," Zain said quickly, keeping his voice low. "One of our teams is under attack."

She didn’t ask questions. "Who?"

"AA-Rank hero. Skybrand."

There was a pause. Then her voice turned colder. "Understood."

"Go save them. I already sent their location to you," Zain ordered.

Velra responded without hesitation.

"Yes, Master. I’ll head there right now."

Zain ended the call and stared at his reflection in the mirror.

His eyes burned.

No one touches his girls and walks away.