Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 60: Dinner Served... with a Blade

Zain and Savra stepped into the apartment, the door closing behind them.

Inside, the warm scent of spices filled the air.

Zelia stood by the table, apron on, smiling gently.

"I made something for you both."

Savra blinked. "What’s this?"

Zelia held up a bowl with a small grin. "Zain’s favorite. Curry."

Zain’s eyes lit up. "Smells perfect."

Savra stepped closer, took a small bite. Her eyes widened.

"Mmh... this is actually good."

Zain pulled out a chair and sat down immediately.

"You’re surprised?"

Savra smirked.

"Just didn’t expect your big sister to cook better than half the Hero Cafes in CD-1."

"But still i would like it to be spicier."

Zelia smiled again.

"If you want it spicier, I can adjust it for you."

Savra raised an eyebrow. "Are you serious?"

Zelia was already moving. "Please, sit. I’ll fix yours."

She grabbed a handful of hot red peppers from the side basket.

She unsheathed a sleek carving knife strapped to her thigh.

Savra tilted her head. "You carry that in the kitchen?"

Zelia didn’t answer.

In one swift motion, she sliced the peppers into a glowing red paste.

Quick, efficient and clean.

Her hands didn’t hesitate once.

Zain looked up mid-bite. "You’ve gotten fast."

Zelia nodded.

"Thanks to that virtual war simulation. I’m better with most weapons now."

She scooped the paste into a smaller pan, stirred it into a thick curry sauce, and brought the bowl to Savra.

"Try this."

Savra tasted a spoonful. Her mouth twitched into a grin.

"Now this is what I’m talking about."

She took another bite, faster this time.

"Also—your knife work? Impressive. Less than a minute and the paste was done."

Zelia nodded.

"I’ve been practicing every day in Virtual World."

"Combat training kind of improved my housework too."

Savra laughed. "Weapon training turned you into a better cook. Go figure."

Zain, still eating, raised a hand lazily.

"As long as the curry stays this good, I support more war trauma for kitchen skills."

Zelia rolled her eyes.

"You’re the only one who’d say that with a mouth full of food."

Savra smirked. "And somehow make it sound flirty."

Zain grinned while chewing. "Everything sounds flirty when I say it."

Zelia sighed. "Don’t flirt while eating my food. It’s weird."

Zain smiled back as he kept eating.

---

The three of them had finished eating. Plates scraped clean.

Silence lingered—comfortable, but not empty.

Zain leaned back in his chair, eyes still on the door.

His voice dropped low.

"We were followed."

Savra didn’t blink.

She wiped her lips with a napkin, then nodded.

"Yeah. Two of them. From the Association."

Zain’s brow twitched. "You recognize them?"

Savra gave a sly smirk. "Probably some jealous C-Ranks."

Zain frowned. "Jealous?"

She chuckled, swirling the last bit of curry sauce with her spoon.

"Fastest rookie to B-Rank... living with me of all people? Come on. They’re being jealous."

Zain raised an eyebrow.

"So it’s envy over power and beauty?"

Savra smirked harder.

"Exactly. You’re powerful. I’m irresistible. Dangerous combo."

Zain shook his head slightly, but the corner of his mouth twitched.

"I don’t like pests sniffing around."

He stood up, chair scraping back.

Savra’s smile dropped. "Don’t kill them."

Zain looked down at her. "I won’t."

Savra narrowed her eyes. "Zain."

He leaned in, voice cool.

"I’m not going to kill them."

He straightened, turning toward the door.

"But I’ll make them wish they were dead."

Savra sighed and rolled her eyes. "You’re such a problem."

He smirked. "And you keep letting me in."

Savra muttered, "Because I like problems that know how to handle me."

Zain only sighed and went to the door.

Zelia looked up from the sink. "Where are you going?"

He turned halfway. "To the store."

Zelia blinked. "At night?"

He smirked again. "I need to get something."

She gave him a knowing look. "Be careful."

Zain opened the door, eyes sharp.

"The ones targeting me should worry about that."

The door shut behind him.

Savra leaned back in her chair.

"If he breaks them too hard, you’re cleaning the blood this time."

Zelia smiled faintly. "I’ll have warm towels ready."

---

From across the street, Eron leaned against the edge of a dim alley.

His eyes were locked on Zain’s back as he exited the apartment.

He nudged Orlin. "He’s heading out."

Orlin didn’t even blink. "I see him."

Eron straightened. "We following?"

Orlin shrugged, pushing off the wall. "Of course."

Eron narrowed his eyes. "You think just the two of us is enough?"

Orlin smirked. "Of course. He’s B-Rank but still a rookie."

"No real battle record outside of some street-level fights."

Eron scoffed. "He’s been making noise ever since he showed up."

Orlin rolled his shoulders. "Let him. Noise isn’t strength."

Eron glanced at him. "You sound confident."

"I’ve been with the Association for four years," Orlin said, tone sharpening.

"He hasn’t even been here for a month."

Eron chuckled darkly. "Right. Just a lucky bastard with powerful sponsor."

Orlin nodded. "Exactly. And somehow, he’s already living with Savra."

Eron’s fists clenched. "That part pisses me off more."

Orlin gave a half-smirk.

"Let’s tail him. See what kind of ’Heavenly Demon’ he really is when no one’s watching."

Eron stepped into the street.

"Fine by me. If he slips, we’ll be there to watch him fall."

Orlin cracked his knuckles. "Or help push him."

The two moved quietly, trailing Zain through the dim backstreets.

Zain turned a corner and slowed.

Then he stopped.

Dead still.

He didn’t look back at first. Just stood there.

Then—he glanced over his shoulder.

"I know you’re there."

His voice cut through the alley like a blade.

"Show your faces."

Orlin and Eron froze.

Eron tensed. "Shit—he noticed."

"What do we do?" he whispered.

Orlin exhaled slowly. "He’s already locked on. No point hiding."

They stepped out from the shadows.

Eron kept his hand near his weapon. "We were just passing by."

Zain turned fully now, expression unreadable.

The streetlight behind him flickered.

He didn’t look surprised. He didn’t look threatened.

Just... amused.