Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 58: A-Rank or Bust!

Zain and Stoneclaw walked through the main gates of the Hero Association.

The lobby went quiet.

Several heroes turned. Conversations dropped.

A few frowned, some whispered.

But everyone looked when they saw the two corpses being dragged behind them.

Blood-stained. Burned. Clearly executed.

One of the guards blinked in surprise.

"Those are—wait... are those Blast and Blunt?"

Zain tossed down a blood-crusted ID card.

"Not anymore."

The guard looked at the bodies again, then waved over staff.

"Get forensics. Now."

Two white-coated workers rushed over with containment gear.

Zain stepped back, letting them haul the bodies away.

Once the IDs were confirmed, the clerk gave a quick nod.

"Confirmed... both B-Rank fugitives. You’re cleared."

Zain turned without a word. Stoneclaw followed.

They made their way straight to Savra’s office.

When the door opened, Savra was already on her feet.

She looked at Zain, eyes narrowing.

"The hell’s wrong with you?"

Zain stepped in, calm. "What?"

Savra walked around her desk, crossing her arms.

"Didn’t I tell you? Try not to kill."

Zain smirked. "They were too weak."

He shrugged. "Too easy to kill."

Savra sighed and rubbed her forehead.

"You’re a damn headache, you know that?"

Zain leaned on the edge of the desk.

"You sent me to eliminate them. I did. I just skipped the paperwork."

Before Savra could fire back, Stoneclaw suddenly spoke up.

"Miss... may I withdraw from the test?"

Savra blinked. "What?"

She stepped forward. "What are you saying? You already passed."

Stoneclaw nodded slowly. "I know. But it was mostly him."

He motioned toward Zain.

"I helped at first, sure. But let’s be honest..."

"The Heavenly Demon finished everything."

"And after seeing how even regular B-Rank villains fight—" he paused, exhaling.

"I started thinking about what comes after."

Zain raised an eyebrow, silent.

Stoneclaw’s voice dropped a little.

"I’ve got two kids. Still young. I... I don’t want to die before they grow up."

"Being a C-Rank hero’s safer. I’ll still do my part, just not at that level."

Savra watched him carefully, then nodded.

"If that’s what you want."

Stoneclaw smiled with relief. "It is."

Savra stepped back.

"Then I’ll process the paperwork. You’re off the promotion list."

He gave a respectful bow. "Thanks, Miss Savra."

Then he turned to Zain.

"...And thanks. You reminded me what B-Rank really means."

Zain didn’t smile. He just nodded once.

"Stay alive for your kids."

Stoneclaw gave a final nod and walked out of the office.

The room fell quiet again.

Savra leaned back against her desk, eyes still on Zain.

"So. What were you telling him?"

Zain crossed his arms, still half-sitting on the edge.

"That he was too soft."

Savra raised an eyebrow.

Zain continued,

"He’s got power. Good instincts too. But he hesitated. Almost let Blast run."

Savra sighed and walked around to the front of her desk, resting one hand on it.

"I see. No wonder it took him so long to even try for promotion."

Zain nodded. "Strong, but... too kind."

Savra glanced at the door Stoneclaw had walked through.

"He probably could’ve been B-Rank years ago if he had more edge."

Zain chuckled faintly. "Maybe. But sometimes it’s not a bad thing."

Savra looked at him.

Zain stood up and walked toward the window, hands in his pockets.

"This world’s full of killers. Bastards. People like me."

He glanced over his shoulder.

"Guys like Stoneclaw? They remind people what a real hero’s supposed to be."

Savra smirked. "Look at you. Getting all philosophical."

Zain grinned. "Just saying. Doesn’t mean I’ll start holding back."

Savra chuckled under her breath. "Didn’t think so."

Then her expression shifted.

She crossed her arms and tilted her head slightly.

"But seriously. Why do you keep going that far?"

Zain raised an eyebrow. "That far?"

Savra nodded.

"You don’t just win. You demolish. You know those corpses caused a stir."

"Heroes are whispering. You’re getting a nasty rumor trailing behind you."

Zain smiled like he was being complimented.

"Then it’s working. Let the villains talk. If my name alone makes them hesitate... that’s exactly what I want."

Savra frowned. "Still. There’s a line, Zain."

Zain waved a hand. "Yeah, yeah. Let’s get to the point, shall we?"

Savra narrowed her eyes, but let it go.

She walked over to her desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out a thin badge box.

"Fine. Then here."

She flipped the box open and held it up.

A silver-plated badge gleamed inside.

"Congratulations. You’re now a B-Rank Hero."

Zain smirked, took the badge, and clipped it to the inside of his coat without a word.

Savra shook her head. "No speech? No thanks?"

Zain raised his chin. "Thanks. Now I want to be tested for A-Rank."

Savra blinked. "What?"

Zain frowned slightly. "What?"

Savra stepped forward, jaw tightening.

"You just got promoted to B-Rank two minutes ago."

Zain shrugged. "So?"

"You’re serious?" Savra narrowed her eyes.

"Completely."

She sighed. "You can’t."

Zain frowned. "Why not?"

"Because you don’t meet the requirements."

Zain crossed his arms. "Of course I do. I beat Scavratt, didn’t I?"

Savra’s brow twitched. "He was B-Rank."

Zain shook his head.

"He was, yeah. But I pushed him too far. He went all in—used his Mid-Tier to the limit."

"His speed, his strength, everything jumped. I’m telling you, that wasn’t a B-Rank fight. That was A."

Savra’s arms lowered slightly. "...You think he evolved mid-fight?"

"Not just think. I scanned him."

She blinked. "You what?"

Zain waved it off.

"Doesn’t matter how. Point is—he crossed the threshold. His stats went up. His ability pushed him past B. I still won."

Savra stepped back, thinking.

"If that’s true... it’s possible. Some villains jump tiers when pushed near death."

"Mid-Tier abilities can amplify their core strength."

Zain leaned in slightly. "So?"

She looked at him. "Even if I believe you, the system doesn’t."

Zain frowned again. "Why not?"

Savra exhaled.

"Like you just said—Scavratt had a Mid-Tier ability."

"That’s one of the key traits of an A-Rank. And you..."

She pointed at his chest, "don’t."

Zain paused.

"...Wait, what?"

"You need a Mid-Tier ability. That’s standard."

"Physical strength, kills, or even fame alone isn’t enough."

"If you want A-Rank, you need to awaken or acquire one."

Zain frowned hard.

"So all this power, and the damn badge comes down to a tier label?"

Savra didn’t blink.

"That’s how the Association measures threat level. If you want the upgrade—you play by their rules."

Zain’s jaw tightened.

He looked away for a moment, then muttered, "Fine."

Then he looked back.

"I’ll get one."

Savra raised a brow. "You sure?"

Zain smirked. "Don’t blink. It’ll happen fast."