Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 47: Heartfelt Apology

In the dim glow of her apartment, Savra sat on the edge of her sofa.

One leg crossed, fingers absently tapping against her knee.

She stared at the closed curtains, the untouched cup of tea on the table.

"Scavratt..." she muttered.

Even among the Hero Association, he made B-Rank heroes cautious.

And Zain had gone after him alone.

It had already been a day.

Her jaw tightened slightly.

"Damn it, kid... don’t you dare die on me."

Then—

A soft whisper of air behind her.

The shimmer of a mirror rippling.

Savra blinked.

Before she could turn—

"Miss me?"

She jolted upright, eyes wide.

Zain stood behind her, arms folded, expression unreadable.

"How the hell—?!"

She turned quickly, hand already reaching for the small blade hidden in her sleeve.

She then stopped as she saw his smirk.

"You—how can you be here?!" she asked, still catching her breath.

"You weren’t even in this building—how did you—?"

Zain took a few steps forward, voice low.

"I have my ways."

Savra’s eyes narrowed—then softened.

A small smile tugged at her lips.

"You’re here..." she said slowly.

"That means you did it, huh?"

Zain didn’t answer immediately.

He looked away.

His eyes darkened.

Savra straightened, smile fading.

"...He was too strong?"

Zain shook his head, eyes narrowing.

"No. I almost had him."

He clenched his fists.

"But someone interfered. Some bastard showed up and saved him last second."

Savra’s brows lifted. "Someone else?"

Zain nodded slowly.

"A man. Fast. Calm. Way too calm. Might’ve been A-Rank or higher."

He paused.

"He had beast-shifting traits. I caught a glimpse of wolf-like legs under his cloak."

Savra leaned back slightly, absorbing that.

"...Wolf shift, huh," she murmured.

"That’s rare. And dangerous."

But then she tilted her head, letting the tension break a little.

"Well. Lucky he didn’t attack you."

Zain gave a dry exhale, almost a bitter laugh.

"Yeah. I was completely drained when he showed up. Couldn’t even lift my arm."

Savra raised an eyebrow. "But even so..."

She crossed one leg over the other and smirked lightly.

"You managed to push that rat—Scavratt—into a corner."

She gestured to him with a flick of her fingers.

"Not even most B-Rank heroes have managed that. And you’re still..."

Her tone shifted, teasing again.

"...just a C-Rank hero."

Zain didn’t respond at first.

But then he smirked.

"C-Rank, huh..."

He turned to face her directly, his eyes glinting with something sharper than before.

"I want to be retested."

Savra blinked, eyebrows lifting slightly.

"I’m serious," Zain continued.

"After everything I’ve done, I’m way past that rank now. I’m ready for B-Rank—or higher."

Savra’s smile slowly widened.

She leaned back on the couch, arms folding beneath her chest.

"Well, after defeating Scavratt—or nearly killing him, anyway—yeah..."

She tilted her head, eyes scanning him from top to bottom.

"You might’ve earned it."

Zain smirked. "More than earned it."

Savra tapped her fingers once against the sofa.

"Alright then, Heavenly Demon," she said with a grin.

"We’ll go to the Association tomorrow morning. I’ll vouch for you."

Zain nodded.

"Good."

Then his tone shifted.

"...What happened to my sister? Zelia."

Savra’s expression softened.

"She’s still asleep," she said gently.

"Hasn’t woken up once since you brought her back."

Zain frowned slightly.

"I see..."

Savra continued, "The experience must’ve hit her harder than you thought."

"Getting kidnapped by Scavratt—especially someone like him... it’s not easy to shake off."

Zain didn’t respond.

He just turned, quietly walking to the door of Zelia’s room.

He pushed it open.

Inside, Zelia lay curled in the blankets, sweat on her forehead, her breathing shallow but steady.

Zain stared at her for a long moment.

She looked so fragile.

Too fragile for the world he lived in now.

Then he whispered, barely audible.

"...I’m sorry, Zelia."

He opened his system.

"System," he murmured, eyes cold but heart heavy.

"Hack my big sister Zelia. Make her sleep tight tonight... refreshed in the morning."

"But..." his voice dropped lower, sharp and determined.

"...while she sleeps—throw her into a full year of brutal combat simulation. Make her learn to fight, survive, and kill."

"Slip in just one day of encouragement—one good memory with me—after thirty days of hell."

---

[Hack Initiation: Dual-Layer Virtual Conditioning]

[Target: Zelia]

[Effect 1: Induce deep, restful sleep tonight and full mental/physical refreshment by morning]

[Effect 2: While sleeping, immerse in one year of virtual brutal battle experience – survival, combat, endurance training]

[Effect 3: After 30 days of simulated combat, insert one dream sequence filled with warmth, encouragement, and a happy memory shared with Zain]

[Time Compression Ratio: 1 Year Virtual = 1 Night Real]

[Cost Required: 1,000 Hack Points]

[Status: Executing...]

---

Zain sat at the edge of her bed, brushing a strand of hair away from her face.

"...You can’t live like this anymore. Not in my world."

"I’ll make you strong, Zelia. Even if it breaks my heart to do it."

He stood up slowly and turned.

Savra was at the door, leaning against the frame.

Her eyes narrowed with curiosity.

"...What are you doing?"

Zain looked back, face cool and unreadable.

"Nothing," he said. "Just... wanted to check on my sister."

Savra smiled, stepping closer.

"I see. Then come to our bedroom."

Savra’s fingers lingered on Zain’s chest, slowly tracing the edge of his shirt.

She leaned closer, her breath brushing his jaw.

"You’ve been hunting, bleeding, killing..." she whispered, voice sultry.

"You deserve something softer tonight."

Zain’s eyes narrowed with amusement, that familiar dark grin pulling at his lips.

"Didn’t know that you were so generous."

Savra slid her hand down to his belt, tugging lightly.

"Only to heroes I like."

Zain tilted his head, stepping in, their bodies almost touching.

"Then you must love me by now."

Savra laughed—low, wicked, and full of heat.

"I haven’t decided if I want to kiss you, break you, or ride you until you beg."

Zain smirked.

"Why not all three?"

Savra’s eyes flared with interest.

"Now you’re speaking my language."

She grabbed his collar and pulled him toward the hallway.

"Come on, Heavenly Demon. Let’s see if you fight as hard as you flirt."

Zain followed, chuckling darkly.

"You’ll need stamina to keep up."

Savra looked back, grinning as she kicked the bedroom door open.

"Please. I train B-Ranks. You’re just my warm-up set."

Meanwhile...

Zelia, deep in sleep, suddenly screamed in her dream.

Virtual mud, pain, and blood flooded her senses.

Her training had begun.

And her brother?

He was in the next room, making Savra scream for entirely different reasons.