Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 41: Zain’s Last Trick

Zain coughed violently.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth as he leaned against the wall.

His body shaking from the impact.

How the hell did he find me that fast?

He thought, vision still blurred from the blow.

Scavratt took a slow step forward.

Claws twitching, fangs showing in a wide, predatory grin.

"Hah... Judging by that stupid look in your eyes, you must be wondering how I found you so damn fast."

Zain kept silent, his breathing ragged.

Scavratt chuckled darkly. "Before you die, let me enlighten you."

He raised a claw, slowly tracing a crack in the wall as he circled Zain like a wolf.

"You remember Mirro, don’t you? My little sniper rat. She had the same trick as you. Mirror Step."

Zain’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he still didn’t speak.

Scavratt grinned wider.

"You think I let her run around without mapping the mirrors first?"

"You think I didn’t know every single reflective surface in my turf?"

He pointed toward the now shattered mirror behind him.

"In this part of CB-2, there’s only one mirror you can exit from in a straight line."

"One that’s big enough and intact enough. You walked right into it."

Zain turned his head slightly, spotting the broken remains of the mirror he’d stepped out of.

Scavratt laughed. "Bad luck, Demon. Real bad luck."

He crouched low, claws dragging the concrete. "And now it’s time to die."

Zain coughed again, harder this time.

His legs were barely holding. Pain radiated through his side.

That one punch almost caved my ribs in...

If not for my Hard Skin ability... if I hadn’t shifted my stance—

I’d be dead already.

His hand trembled slightly as it reached into his coat.

But his eyes... were still sharp.

Scavratt grinned, fangs gleaming.

"Don’t bother reaching. You’re finished."

---

Zain looked up at Scavratt through bloodied lips—and grinned.

Scavratt narrowed his eyes. "What the hell are you grinning at?"

He stepped forward, claws twitching. "You’re one foot in the grave."

Zain chuckled, low and calm. "Don’t think I don’t have other hands."

Inside his mind, he gave the silent command.

"System. Full Body Restoration—now."

A soft glow pulsed across his skin.

His ribs realigned. Internal bleeding stopped. Bruises faded.

His breathing steadied instantly.

Scavratt’s eyes widened.

"What the—what the hell just happened?!"

Zain didn’t wait.

In a blink, Quick Step activated.

He vanished from Scavratt’s vision, appearing in a shadowed corner of the building.

Immediately, he triggered both stealth abilities:

Fading in the Dark.

Quiet Steps.

His body melted into the shadows, footsteps silent, aura gone.

Scavratt spun around. "Where are you?!"

He stomped across the room, claws swiping through the dark.

"You think hiding will save you now?!"

His nose twitched, tail lashing behind him.

"You’re more of a rat than me, you little coward!"

Zain, now fully restored and invisible within the dim light.

He crouched low behind broken crates, eyes locked on Scavratt’s movements.

The rat beastman’s tail dragged against the ground, claws tapping, sniffing the air.

Zain’s heartbeat slowed—not from fear, but precision.

Alright. He’s stronger than I thought... way stronger. Let’s check his stats one more time.

He opened his system interface again and scanned him.

---

[Name: Scavratt]

[Rank: A]

[Stats:]

[Str: A]

[Vit: B]

[Agi: A]

[Int: B]

[Low-Tier Abilities:]

[Rust Touch]

[Claw Shift]

[Mid-Tier Ability:]

[Rat Shift]

---

Zain’s jaw clenched.

"Fuck..."

No wonder one hit nearly killed me.

He’s an A-Rank now... And I’m just a C.

That’s two whole tiers above me.

He swallowed hard.

He must’ve fully activated that mid-tier transformation.

Or maybe he’s getting even stronger from rage alone...

Across the room, Scavratt’s claws dragged against a metal beam, sending out a high, sharp screech.

"You can’t hide forever, Zain! I’ll tear this place apart if I have to!"

Zain pressed himself closer to the crate, breathing through his nose, barely audible.

I can’t go head-on. Not a chance. I need something... anything.

His mind raced.

Think. Come on. You’ve killed monsters before.

You were the Heavenly Demon. You just need—one move. One reversal.

He glanced at the floating interface above his palm.

His current hack points were still the same.

He clenched his teeth.

"I need to do something. Fast."

Zain’s hand trembled slightly as he crouched deeper.

His breath caught in his throat, his heart pounding loud enough that he thought Scavratt might hear it.

"I don’t really know the price..."

His fingers hovered over the system window.

"Fuck it."

He clenched his teeth.

"Give me a Mid-Tier ability. Something for strength. I don’t care what it is—just give me power."

---

[Hack Initiation: Ability Acquisition]

[Target: Zain]

[Ability Targeted: Pure Strength (Mid Tier)]

[Effect: Grants immense physical power, allowing the user to lift, strike, and crush with force far beyond human limits. Does not include increased durability.]

[Cost Required: 10,000 Hack Points]

[Status: Hack Failed – Insufficient Hack Points]

---

Zain’s heart sank.

"Fuck."

His voice came out raw, bitter.

"To think it really costs ten thousand..."

He slammed his fist softly against the wooden crate, barely holding back the scream in his throat.

"I don’t have the points..."

I’m still too weak...

Scavratt’s voice echoed nearby, closer now.

"You breathing in there, Demon? I can smell your blood."

Zain froze.

He’s close. Too close.

Then—his eyes widened.

A new thought appeared in his head.

He remembered the scan.

Four stats: Strength, Vitality, Agility, Intelligence.

He wasn’t limited to just abilities.

What if I don’t need a new ability at all?

His fingers twitched.

What if I just... increase my stats directly?

Zain’s eyes shifted toward his system interface.

Meanwhile—

Down the corridor, Scavratt paused mid-step.

His nose twitched.

The air had changed.

His eyes narrowed.

"...You smell that?"

He turned slightly, sniffing again—twice.

It wasn’t blood.

Not smoke.

Something else.

His lips curled back.

"You’re doing something again, aren’t you?"

He growled low, dragging a claw along the stone wall as he stepped closer, step by slow step.

"I don’t know what little trick you’re cooking up now..."

The wall beside him cracked from the pressure of his claw.

"But it won’t save you."

He tilted his head, eyes glowing.

"I’ll end this before it even starts."