Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem

Savra smirked, her crimson eyes glinting. "So you came all the way here just to count devils? The Alliance really sends its dogs on the dumbest jobs."

The Hero's expression darkened. He lifted his shield, holding it close.

"Don't mock us. We're cautious, not fools. The Devil Nest is dangerous. If we don't monitor it, entire regions could fall."

The Cultivator stepped forward, his hands folded behind his back, voice calm.

"That is why we came to understand why the devils are disappearing."

Savra laughed lightly, flicking her fingers. "Is that so? Then let me save you the trouble."

She pointed toward the darkness of the Core, her smile sharp.

"You don't see devils because they're already dead. We killed them. Every single one that lurked inside."

The Beastman's eyes widened. He clenched his claws. "You… killed them? All of them?"

Savra's gaze hardened. "That's right. The Heavenly Demon Sect is the reason the devils were wiped out."

The Cultivator's brows furrowed. "Heavenly Demon Sect? I've never heard of such a group."

Savra tilted her head playfully, her crimson hair falling over her shoulder.

"Of course you haven't. We're new. But soon, we'll be the strongest sect. And the Devil Nest will be ours."

She stepped forward, fire coiling around her boots as the ground cracked beneath the heat.

"So carry this message to your leaders. Leave our home, or burn with it."

The Hero tightened his grip on his sword, raising it halfway.

"You're too arrogant. To call yourself the strongest sect—"

Before he could finish, Savra flicked her fingers.

[Flame Shackles] appeared around their necks, glowing collars of fire that burned without touching skin.

All four froze, shocked.

The Mage gasped, clutching at her collar. "This… this ether binding—!"

Savra chuckled, her crimson eyes glowing. "I already said what I wanted."

"I could burn you alive right now if I wished. But I'm not the type to waste effort on weaklings."

She waved her hand lazily. "So here's your one chance. Run back to your stronghold."

"Tell your leaders the Devil Nest now belongs to the Heavenly Demon Sect."

The flame collars vanished in an instant, leaving smoke curling in the air.

The four exchanged uneasy looks, their faces pale.

Savra turned her back on them, her jacket swaying as she walked away into the mist. "Go. Before I change my mind."

The Beastman muttered under his breath, teeth clenched. "Tch… arrogant woman…"

He looked back at the fading flames where Savra had stood, his teeth grinding together.

The Hero lowered his shield and shook his head. "She was too strong. What could we even do against that?"

The Mage rubbed her neck where the flame collar had burned moments ago.

Her hands were trembling slightly."I could barely resist. If she wanted us dead, we would already be gone."

The Cultivator stayed calm, though his face was hard.

"We can't fight her here. Not now. The best we can do is return and report the truth."

The Beastman turned to him with a growl. "Report? You want to just run back with our tails between our legs?"

The Cultivator met his glare. "Yes. Because that's the smart move, she's powerful, but she is still one person."

"The Alliance is far stronger. Once our leaders know, they will decide what to do."

The Hero nodded slowly, adjusting his sword on his back. "He's right."

"Fighting her would be suicide. At least now we know what's happening inside the Devil Nest."

The Mage exhaled, looking uneasy. "And we know her name… Infernal Demon, she called herself. And that sect she spoke of… Heavenly Demon Sect."

The Beastman spat to the ground, his tail lashing. "Hmph. Sect or not, let's see how long they last when the Alliance moves."

The Cultivator turned toward the gate, his robes swaying with each step.

"Enough talk. We've seen enough for today. Let's move before more of them appear."

The Hero and Mage followed quickly, their weapons still drawn just in case.

The Beastman lingered momentarily, looking back at the mist, then snarled and stomped after them.

The four figures disappeared into the darkness, heading back to the stronghold.

---

The four Supremes of the stronghold sat in the stone hall, their faces grim after hearing the scouts' report.

The Hero Supreme leaned forward, fingers tapping against the table.

"So it's true… inside the Core Area, a new force has appeared. They call themselves the Heavenly Demon Sect."

The Mage Supreme tightened her grip on her staff, eyes narrowed.

"And they're strong enough to wipe out the devils in the Core. That is no small feat."

The Beastman Supreme slammed his fist against the table, claws scraping across the stone.

"Then what are we waiting for? We are the Alliance!"

"How dare they speak to us with such arrogance, even telling us to leave?"

"They think they can kick us out of the Devil Nest?"

The Hero Supreme gave a slow nod."Your anger is justified."

"But we must not rush. First, we decide what must be done."

The Cultivator Supreme, who had been silent, finally shook his head. "It is not so simple as you think."

The other three turned toward him, frowning.

The Mage Supreme raised an eyebrow. "Not simple? Explain."

The Cultivator Supreme closed his eyes briefly, then spoke.

"Do you even know why the Devil Nest is filled with this corrosive ether?"

"Why can no ordinary being survive inside for long?"

The Hero Supreme frowned, leaning back. "No… I assumed it was natural."

The Beastman Supreme growled. "I never cared for the reason. Only that it was dangerous."

The Mage Supreme tapped her staff lightly.

"I have studied the flow of ether, but I do not even know the source."

The Cultivator Supreme opened his eyes again, his voice low and steady.

"The reason is the Core itself. Long ago, this place was not a nest of devils."

"It was the territory of a demonic sect. Their power and curse filled this land when that sect was destroyed. That is why the ether here is so deadly."

The hall fell silent for a moment.

The Hero Supreme spoke first. "So… this is not just a natural danger. It is a scar left behind by a sect?"

The Cultivator Supreme nodded. "Yes. And that sect had a name."

The Beastman Supreme leaned forward, his claws digging into the table. "What was it called?"

The Cultivator Supreme looked at each of them in turn, his expression grim. "It was called the Heavenly Demon Sect."