Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 242: Kicked Offline

Neuro pulled himself up, legs shaky. His left hand pressed his cracked visor.

[Neurolink Recovery Buffer] kicked in.

His balance returned slightly. He breathed in short, sharp bursts.

Velra stood ten meters away, arms at her sides, one foot angled forward.

Her body swayed gently, like she was dancing with the wind.

"You’re slowing down," she said. "Your perfect timing’s off."

Neuro’s voice was calm. "Your kicks... have layers."

He stepped forward. Barely a second passed.

Velra moved in fast.

Neuro activated [Phantom Cut], slicing toward where she should be.

But she didn’t dodge.

She stepped into it, letting the blade graze her ribs. Blood flicked out.

At the same time, her knee smashed into his chest. [Velvet Demon Kick].

The poison laced into it slid under his armor.

Neuro dropped to one foot, stabbing his sword into the ground to stay up.

"Why?" he asked. "Why take a direct hit?"

Velra spun once, brushing dust from her leg.

"Because you still think this is about precision."

She stepped forward. Her eyes pulsed with energy.

"The real fight," she whispered, "starts after you land the hit."

Neuro blinked. His screen flashed:

[System Delay: Corrosion Detected]

[Reaction Speed Debuff: Confusion Active]

[Neural Input Conflict]

He staggered forward, then to the left. His foot missed its mark.

She raised her leg again — [Velvet Demon Kick] — but only tapped his side. freewёbn૦νeɭ.com

Not enough to drop him. Just enough to keep the poison moving.

Neuro swung wildly. She bent backward, dodging by inches.

"You’re not analyzing anymore," she said. "You’re reacting. Guessing."

His voice came slower. "...You overloaded the system..."

Her grin widened. "No."

"I infected it."

He tried to backstep. His knees buckled.

He stabbed his sword into the ground again.

"Your kicks," he said.

"Too many effects at once. Poison. Confusion. Energy disruption."

She walked slowly toward him.

"Took long enough for the poison to pass your suit filters."

She circled him like a predator.

"Your fancy core’s clean... but not immune. You fought like I was a data puzzle."

She stopped in front of him.

"I’m not data."

Her leg snapped up — [Velvet Demon Kick] — into his side. His arm went limp.

"I’m chaos."

He tried one last input. [Cognitive Slice].

The sword moved a few centimeters. Then stopped.

His visor dimmed. His arms dropped.

She crouched beside him. "Still awake?"

He blinked. Slowly. "Still processing..."

Velra leaned close to his ear. "Let me help."

She touched his cheek, and ether spread across his visor like cracks in glass.

[Velvet Demon Ether] triggered one last surge.

Neuro slumped. His systems shut down.

Zain raised one hand from the sideline. "That’s enough."

Velra stood and turned away from Neuro’s downed body.

"Fun fight," she said. "But he talked too much."

The battlefield was quiet again.

Velra stepped back toward Zain, calm and proud.

Neuro was still on the ground, eyes dim, systems shut.

Blazren walked past him.

He didn’t stop. Didn’t speak. His suit sparked faintly with heat.

Zain waited in the center. His coat moved with the breeze.

His arms were behind his back. His eyes locked on Blazren.

They stopped three meters apart.

Blazren’s voice was low but firm. "Zain... Why?"

Zain said nothing.

"You didn’t need to do this," Blazren said.

"You were strong. You passed the tests. You had the power to help people."

Zain tilted his head slightly.

"You were a hero."

Zain chuckled once. "No."

Blazren’s eyes narrowed. "Yes. You were."

"You saved cities. You fought back against gangs. You protected the weak."

"I was testing the system," Zain said. "I was learning how broken it is."

Blazren stepped closer. "Then why not fix it from the inside?"

"I’m not a mechanic," Zain replied. "I don’t patch trash. I throw it out."

Blazren clenched his fists. Steam hissed from his gauntlets.

"You call killing heroes ’cleaning’?"

Zain shrugged. "I only kill the ones who hide behind justice to feed on power. You know they exist. You’ve seen them."

"Then expose them," Blazren said.

"Take them to the court. Make the system stronger."

Zain finally looked him in the eye.

"I am not a hero," he said. "I am not a villain."

He raised one hand and pointed to his chest.

"I am the Heavenly Demon. I was that long before I ever wore a hero badge."

Blazren’s jaw tightened. He looked down for a moment.

Then he looked up.

"You say that like it means something good."

Zain smirked. "It means truth. It means control. It means power."

Blazren shook his head.

"No," he said.

"It means you lost yourself."

He raised his hand and activated his suit’s combat sync.

Flame lines traced across his arms and shoulders.

"If you won’t come back..."

He stepped into a stance.

"Then I’ll fix you."

Zain’s smirk stayed.

"I’d like to see you try."

The wind blew harder.

The ground between them cracked.

Round two was about to begin.

---

Blazren stepped forward. His eyes burned with focus.

Flame surged through his suit as he activated [Blazing Mane Shift].

Fire wrapped around his arms, shoulders, and back.

His mane lit up like a wild blaze. His claws glowed red-hot.

Heat poured from his body. The ground under him sizzled.

Zain didn’t move.

He reached behind his back and drew his sword—thin, dark, sharp.

No glow. No aura. Just steel.

Blazren didn’t wait. He charged.

Each step scorched the ground.

Zain raised his blade. One hand. Calm.

Blazren swung first—a heavy claw swipe, fast and burning.

Zain blocked it clean. One motion. No step back.

The flames licked at Zain’s coat. He spun the sword around and slashed.

Blazren ducked low, fire trailing from his shoulder. He spun with a counter-punch.

Zain leaned back just enough. The claw missed his nose by inches.

Steel met flame again. Sparks flew.

Zain’s coat ripped slightly. Blazren’s arm burned brighter.

They clashed again. And again. And again.

No abilities. No words.

Just pressure and raw power.

Each strike tested the other in this burning arena.

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