Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem

The deeper they went, the heavier the air became.

But it didn't slow them down.

Thanks to Zain's ether barrier, both Zelia and Savra moved like normal again.

Their breathing had calmed, and their energy was steady.

Velra, as always, showed no signs of discomfort.

Soon, more devils appeared.

There were six of them.

They crawled out from behind broken rocks and jagged cliffs.

Their eyes glowed red, and thick scales covered their skin.

Their claws scraped the ground, and the mist around them twisted like smoke.

Zain watched quietly. "They're True Royal Rank," he said. "Still manageable."

Velra smiled. "Then we'll take care of them."

Savra stepped forward, flame building around her arms. "Let's make it quick."

Zelia unsheathed her sword, the blade humming softly. "I'll handle the left side."

The devils didn't wait. With a loud roar, they charged.

Zelia moved first.

She vanished in a blink with [Phantom Step], appearing behind one of the devils.

Her sword sliced downward with [Severing Blade Slash], cutting clean through its back.

The creature didn't even have time to react before falling to the ground.

Another devil lunged at her, but she spun and struck with [Piercing Demon Edge], stabbing it right through the eye.

It dropped instantly.

Meanwhile, Savra stood her ground. She flicked her fingers.

[Flame Invocation]

Flame bolts burst from her hands, rapid and wild.

They hit the devils in front of her one after another.

One tried to resist, but she activated her next ability.

[Sacred Flame Rite]

A glowing red circle lit up beneath her feet. Her flames burned brighter, hotter.

The devils screamed as the fire melted through their scales.

They twisted and fell, rolling on the ground before turning to ash.

Velra walked slowly toward the last two devils.

One of the devils rushed her with a growl.

She didn't dodge.

She simply raised her leg.

[Velvet Demon Ether] coated her boot with a pink and black glow.

She kicked once.

Crack!

The devil flew backward, hitting the rocks with a loud crash.

Its body twitched, then stopped moving.

The last devil tried to attack her from behind.

Velra spun, her leg swinging low, then high.

[Velvet Kick Spiral]

The second devil was launched into the air and hit the ground hard.

It groaned but tried to stand.

Then it froze.

Its limbs shook.

Its claws dropped.

Velra tilted her head. "Oh, right. My ether's still poison-based."

The devil fell over and was paralyzed.

Zain stood at the back, arms crossed, watching the whole fight.

He didn't need to move.

Not yet.

"These devils are still too weak," he said quietly. "We haven't reached the real threat."

Velra returned to his side, brushing dust off her jacket. "Still fun to stretch a bit."

Savra came back with flames still flickering on her hands. "They burn easily."

Zelia cleaned her blade. "No injuries."

Zain looked at all three of them. "Good. Let's keep moving."

They stepped over the fallen devils and walked deeper into the mist.

So far, the True Royal Rank devils were no challenge for them.

But Zain knew that this was just the beginning and something stronger was waiting beyond the fog.

---

The group kept moving deeper into the Inner Zone.

Zelia walked with her sword out. Her eyes scanned everything.

Velra stayed close to Zain, her steps light and casual, but her body ready.

Savra moved with slow confidence, flames flickering at her fingertips.

Then… the mist shifted.

The wind stopped.

Something stepped forward from the shadows.

A new devil.

This one looked different from the others. Bigger. Taller.

Its arms were longer, claws sharper.

Thick scales covered its entire body like armor.

Its eyes glowed bright red, and its aura felt like a wall pressing down on them.

The moment the devil appeared, the ground under its feet cracked.

A deep, heavy presence spread through the air.

Zelia narrowed her eyes. "This one… It's different."

Savra frowned. "It's pressure… It's crushing."

Velra raised an eyebrow. "This must be one of the strong ones."

Zain stepped forward slowly. He looked at the creature without blinking.

He smiled.

"So this is a Supreme Rank devil."

The girls didn't say anything, but all of them stayed ready.

Then Zain turned his head slightly and spoke.

"Let me handle this one."

Zelia took a step forward. "Are you sure?"

Zain nodded. "I want to show you something."

Velra smirked. "Show us the power of a Supreme?"

Zain looked at the devil again. "Exactly."

The devil roared, its voice shaking the air.

Zain didn't flinch.

He raised his hand.

[Heavenly Demon Ether] surged out from his body like a black and red storm.

The energy wrapped around his arms and formed two sharp swords.

The swords glowed with a deep crimson light, humming with raw force.

Zain gripped both weapons tightly.

Then he vanished.

A burst of air exploded behind him as he rushed forward.

The devil raised its claws to strike, but Zain was already there.

He swung his right sword fast.

Clang!

The blade clashed with the devil's scales, sending sparks flying.

Zain didn't stop.

He moved around to the devil's side and struck again with the second sword.

This time, a thin cut appeared on the devil's arm.

Blood sprayed, black and steaming.

The devil roared and slammed its claw down.

Zain jumped back, sliding across the ground, then dashed forward again.

He spun mid-air and slashed both blades at once.

[Twin Demon Slash]

The devil screamed in pain, its chest now marked with two long cuts that glowed from the ether inside the wound.

Zain landed on his feet and looked up at the creature.

"I told you," he said calmly. "Let me show you the power of a Supreme."

The devil roared again and charged.

Zain didn't move back.

He smiled and stepped forward to meet it.

Behind him, the girls watched.

Velra crossed her arms. "He's enjoying this."

Savra laughed lightly. "He's showing off."

Zelia nodded. "And he has every right to."

The battle wasn't over, but it was clear that Zain wasn't the same.

This time, he was the one leading the fight. And he was just getting started.