Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem

Near the core of the Devil Nest, a massive black wall rose like a barrier.

It divided the Core Zone from the Inner Zone. The wall was built as a stronghold.

Countless formations and sealing marks shone faintly on its surface.

Inside the fortress hall, four figures sat around a round stone table.

Each one carried a heavy pressure that even other Supremes outside the room dared not breathe too loudly.

These were not normal Supremes.They were the Top Four Supremes, the guardians of the Devil Nest.

Even Averak, the Apex Guardian of Skyreach, or Krovath, the Serpent Overlord of the Beastkin, were not as strong as these four.

---

The Hero Supreme broke the silence."Strange. The devils in the Core have grown fewer these last months. Patrols report less activity."

The Beastman Supreme gave a sharp laugh, his fangs showing. "Good. Fewer devils, fewer problems. Let them die out."

The Cultivator Supreme slowly opened his eyes. "Or perhaps… this is not good news. Balance never breaks for no reason."

The Mage Supreme tapped her staff against the ground, eyes narrowing."I agree. This feels too calm. Before a storm, there is always silence."

The Hero Supreme frowned and leaned forward. "You think they're preparing something?"

The Mage nodded slightly. "If the corrosive ether is dwindling, the devils cannot feed. What do starving devils do? They eat each other."

Her voice was steady, but the meaning made the others tense.

The Beastman Supreme slammed a clawed hand against the table.

"Bah! Even if they eat, what then? They'll just die faster. Without ether, no devil can stay strong."

The Cultivator Supreme shook his head."No. If they devour one another, the strongest will rise above all."

"One devil, swollen with power, carrying the strength of many. Like an insect jar… where only one remains in the end."

The table fell silent.

The Hero Supreme's grip tightened on his weapon. "…If such a devil is born, it would be beyond what we've faced before."

The Mage's eyes glowed faintly. "Exactly. If that happens, even this wall will not stop it."

The Beastman Supreme leaned back, still unconvinced. "The chance is low."

"Ether is less now. A supreme devil needs endless ether to grow. Without it, they cannot reach that stage."

The Cultivator Supreme lifted his hand, drawing a circle in the air with his finger. "Perhaps. But even one chance in a hundred is enough to destroy a world."

The Hero Supreme exhaled slowly. "Then what do we do? Wait? Or act first?"

The Mage tapped her staff again. "We send groups to investigate."

"If devils are only feeding to survive, leave them. But if a stronger one is truly forming…"

Her voice dropped. "…we move before it matures."

The Beastman Supreme finally nodded. "Fine. Let the scouts go. If they return with proof, we strike."

The Hero Supreme stood and looked out into the darkness of the Core.

Shapes moved faintly inside, shadows of massive devils lurking just beyond sight.

"Then it's decided. Watch the Core. If a storm is coming, we will be ready."

---

The four Supremes ended their talk, and orders were given. A group was soon gathered at the wall.

There were four members in the scout team.

Each came from a different power: one Hero, one Mage, one Beastman, and one Cultivator.

They stood before the gate that led into the Core Area.

The Hero adjusted his armor straps."So, we only watch, right? No fighting unless forced."

The Mage raised her staff and nodded. "Yes. We are eyes, not blades. Report back, nothing more."

The Beastman stretched his thick arms, claws scratching the stone. "Hmph. Watching is boring. If I see a devil, I'll tear it apart."

The Cultivator folded his hands behind his back, calm and steady. "Restrain yourself. If you fight carelessly, the mission will fail."

The gate rumbled as runes lit up.

Black mist spilled out from the cracks, carrying the stench of acid and decay.

The four stepped forward.

The Hero glanced at the Beastman."Stay close. We go as one group."

The Beastman snorted but walked beside him. "Fine. But if something jumps at us, I take first blood."

The Mage shook her head. "Focus. The Supremes want information, not trophies."

The Cultivator looked at the mist that spread along the ground. "Do not forget!"

"Inside here, the ether itself eats flesh. Use your barriers. Do not lower them for even a breath."

They entered.

The air changed the moment they crossed the gate. The corrosive ether pressed against their skin like needles.

The Hero lifted his shield, its surface glowing. "Barrier's holding. How's yours?"

The Mage raised her staff. A dome of light spread around her. "Stable."

The Beastman growled, forcing his muscles to harden. "Hurts, but I can take it."

The Cultivator sat down for a moment, touching the ground with his palm.

"The land here… it is different. Devoured. Even the soil is hollow."

The Hero scanned the dark horizon."Let's move. We search for signs, tracks, corpses, anything strange."

They started walking deeper into the Core.

Their footsteps echoed faintly in the silence. Not a single devil had attacked yet.

The Beastman frowned, his ears twitching. "Too quiet. Where are they?"

The Mage's eyes glowed faintly. "Something has changed. The devils are not hunting like before."

The Cultivator narrowed his eyes. "Then we must be ready. If they hide, they hide for a reason."

The Hero crouched suddenly, holding up a hand. "Wait. Look here."

He brushed the dirt aside with his gauntlet. "Footprints."

The Beastman stepped closer, sniffing the air. "Not devil tracks. These belong to people."

The Mage narrowed her eyes. "People? No one should survive this deep."

The Beastman grunted and pointed toward the Cultivator. "The scent… It's close to you. Smells like cultivators."

The Cultivator's expression darkened."You're saying someone from my side has entered the Core?"

The Beastman straightened, crossing his arms. "That's what my nose tells me."

The Hero stood, hand tightening on his weapon. "If true, this changes everything. No one outside should even know how to last here."

The Cultivator frowned deeper and turned toward the trail. "Then let's move."

"If cultivators truly came here, I must see it with my own eyes. This event may be tied to them."

The Mage lifted her staff, light spreading across the ground to reveal more tracks leading deeper into the mist.

"Whoever they are… they went further inside. And not long ago."

The Hero nodded firmly. "Then we follow. But carefully. If they can survive here, they may not be ordinary."

The four exchanged quick glances, then stepped into formation and began to follow the trail.