Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 257: Starjack Was Mid-Quote

Ironstride’s boots slammed into the ground as he lowered his shield and activated [Bulwark Deploy].

A wide wall of glowing energy spread outward from the impact, blocking the path of the charging mutants.

Blades and claws smashed against the barrier, but it held firm.

"I’ll cover you," Ironstride said, feet rooted like stone.

Starjack spun both pistols and pointed to the air where another drone zipped into view.

It hovered above him, projecting his live feed across a floating screen.

He grinned. "Alright, folks."

"You’ve seen me solo. But now that Mr. Shield is here—let’s show ’em how the Starjack show really works."

His eyes lit up as [Showtime Nerve] kicked in.

His speed and aim sharpened instantly.

The mutants roared.

One of them, bulkier than the rest, charged forward with a rumbling growl and glowing veins.

It used [Savage Ram Burst], propelling itself like a battering ram at the barrier.

Ironstride braced, activating [Ironstep Anchor].

His body locked into place as the mutant slammed into him.

The impact rang out, but Ironstride didn’t move.

Starjack laughed. "Nice wall. Let me clean up."

He flicked out a glowing orb and tossed it behind the enemy.

[Spotlight Decoy] flashed, drawing one of the mutants away.

It lunged at the decoy and missed—just in time for Starjack to unload two shots into its legs.

Another mutant with long arms and stretched muscles leapt over the barrier, eyes glowing with bloodlust.

It raised both arms and activated [Flesh Lance Swipe], sending out a slashing wave of energy.

Ironstride lifted his shield and caught the strike, sparks flying.

Starjack backflipped and slid to the side. "Almost got me. Cute."

He fired three shots.

One struck the mutant’s head. It staggered.

The others aimed for its knees.

The third mutant roared and used [Venom Pulse Roar], blasting out a wave of toxic breath.

Ironstride’s barrier shimmered but held.

Starjack ducked and rolled past the cloud, holding his breath.

"Gross. Didn’t brush your teeth?"

He countered with a high-speed dash, using [Spotlight Decoy] again.

The clone baited the mutant left while Starjack rolled right and planted a shot in its chest.

Ironstride stepped forward, his armor cracking from repeated blows. But his stance didn’t break.

Behind him, civilians were still watching from windows.

His passive [Guardian’s Instinct] kicked in harder.

His eyes locked on each mutant’s move, predicting them.

"They’re getting desperate," he said.

Starjack reloaded. "Let’s make them regret showing up."

The largest mutant roared and surged forward again, wild and berserk.

Its muscles swelled, skin tearing, glowing with rage.

It slammed the ground, sending shockwaves.

Ironstride took the hit and coughed, but kept standing.

Starjack narrowed his eyes. "This one’s mine."

He dashed forward and used [Showtime Nerve] at max boost, zigzagging between strikes.

He jumped, spun, and blasted both pistols at the beast’s chest and head.

It screamed and reached out, grabbing his arm.

Ironstride shouted. "Behind you!"

The fourth mutant tried to ambush from the side.

Ironstride hurled his shield like a discus.

It struck the ambusher and knocked it back, saving Starjack.

Starjack pulled free, slid back, and raised one glowing pistol. "Thanks, wall boy."

He fired point-blank at the main mutant’s eye.

It fell, shrieking and convulsing.

The last two tried to flee.

Ironstride rushed and slammed his shield down, activating [Bulwark Deploy] again to trap them.

Starjack danced forward, flipping in the air and firing down with two clean shots.

Silence returned.

Starjack blew a kiss at the drone above, still full of energy.

"And that’s how the Starjack show ends—bang!"

Ironstride wiped the edge of his shield. "You’re a showoff."

Starjack grinned and spun his pistol once. "You love it."

Then everything stopped.

A blur of pink light flashed in front of them.

"What th—" Starjack barely got the words out before a boot slammed into his chest.

[Velvet Demon Kick]—Corrupted ether surged through the strike.

It hit both of them in a single sweeping motion.

Their eyes rolled back.

They collapsed, unconscious.

Velra landed softly, one leg still raised in a balanced stance. "Too easy."

Zain stepped out from the shadow of a wall, arms crossed and watching.

He smiled. "Nice control. Right on time."

Velra turned and bowed slightly. "Yes, Master. Should I move them?"

Zain nodded. "Take them somewhere quiet. We’re not done yet."

Velra grabbed one hero with each hand and dragged them toward a side alley, their bodies limp.

Zain glanced at the five mutant corpses still lying in the middle of the plaza.

He walked toward them slowly.

"They served their purpose," he said.

He raised one hand.

A dark crimson glow flickered over his palm. The air twisted.

The five mutants glowed—then dissolved into streaks of red light.

They shot toward Zain’s hand and vanished into him.

His body pulsed slightly. His veins lit up for a second, then calmed.

He turned toward the alley where the two unconscious heroes lay.

"Now," Zain muttered, "let’s ask some questions."

He closed his eyes for a moment and spoke inside his mind.

System, hack them.

Break through their minds. Make them speak whatever I want.

---

[Hack Initiation: Hero Interrogation]

[Targets: Garren Holt (Ironstride) | Venzil Arcor (Starjack) – Elite Rank]

[Effect: Break their minds, shut down resistance, force them to answer anything]

---

Zain stepped closer to the bodies. They twitched slightly.

Their hands jerked. Their eyes flickered behind closed lids.

Zain crouched beside them.

"Feels strange, doesn’t it?" he whispered.

"Like something crawling under your skin."

He placed two fingers on Starjack’s forehead.

"Let it in."

The twitching stopped. Ironstride’s muscles went limp.

Starjack’s mouth opened for a second, then closed.

They were quiet again.

---

[Status: Hack Complete – They will obey and speak the truth]

---

Zain stood up slowly. A faint red glow still lingered on his fingertips.

He looked down at them both, smiling.

"You’ve protected this city well," he said softly.

"But now... you’ll help me take it apart."

He turned toward the street, checked the shadows, then looked back.

"Tell me everything."

The source of this c𝓸ntent is fr(e)𝒆novelkiss