Hero Hack: Reversing Heroes and Raising Harem-Chapter 260: No Files. Just Gossip.

Zain and Velra moved quietly through the hallway.

The building looked like a training office, but the deeper they went, the quieter it became.

They entered a small side room.

It had glowing lights, a few work desks, and one big terminal in the center.

Velra stepped forward. "Give me a moment, Master."

She sat at the terminal, fingers dancing across the screen.

Lines of ether code blinked and moved.

Her eyes narrowed as she worked through firewalls and permission locks.

Zain crossed his arms and watched. "Did you find her?"

Velra frowned. "Not yet."

She clicked a few more times, then leaned back and shook her head.

"No mention of Zelia. Nothing on Savra either."

Zain’s brow tightened. "Are you sure?"

Velra nodded. "I searched the main Hero Forge database."

"All student records, trainer logs, access lists. Their names aren’t there."

Zain moved closer. "What about other sectors?"

Velra tapped a few more commands. "Already tried."

"No hits?"

She looked at him and shook her head again.

"No. Not even aliases that match their energy signature."

Zain fell silent.

Velra continued. "There are only a few possible reasons."

Zain tilted his head slightly. "Speak."

"One," Velra said, "they’re using fake identities that don’t match anything we know."

"Something high-grade, hidden even from sector-level scans."

Zain raised an eyebrow. "Possible. What’s the second?"

Velra turned in her chair. "They’re not in Hero Association territory at all."

Zain’s gaze darkened. He started pacing slowly.

"If they’re not here, and if they’re not in the Brood... then where?"

Velra shrugged lightly. "Hard to say. A-Zone has many factions. Some aren’t even on maps."

Zain paused. "Skyreach isn’t the only power here."

Velra nodded. "There are rogue lands, black market strongholds, even floating ruins hidden by illusion sectors."

Zain exhaled slowly. "So we’re still chasing shadows."

Velra only nodded, "For now, yes."

Zain clenched a fist. "damn it."

Before Velra could reply, footsteps echoed from the hallway beyond the room.

Zain’s head snapped toward the sound.

Velra moved instantly, grabbing his arm and pulling him into a dark corner beside the file cabinets.

"Hide," she whispered.

"We can’t let them see us. They’ll ask too many questions."

Zain nodded and crouched beside her.

The room was silent, only the soft hum of the computer left running.

Two heroes stepped into the hallway outside.

Their voices carried just enough to reach Zain and Velra’s ears.

"Hey," one of them said. "Did you hear the news?"

The other scoffed. "What news? More mutants escaping again?"

"No, bigger. The Flame God Cult... they’re back."

Zain’s eyes narrowed. Velra leaned forward slightly, listening closely.

"What? That cult? I thought they got wiped out a while ago."

"That’s what I thought too. But a new leader showed up. Came out of nowhere."

"Where from?"

"Apparently... she just returned from the lower zones. Training or something."

"And the Association let that slide?"

"Not just that... she brought someone with her. A fighter."

Zain focused. His breath was still.

The first hero continued. "They call her the Sword Demon."

"What kind of name is that?" the second hero muttered.

"No idea. But get this—no one survives if she draws her blade. That’s the rumor going around."

The hallway went quiet for a few seconds before the second hero spoke again.

"Well... sounds like we’ve got more trouble coming."

"Yeah. Just what we needed."

The footsteps faded as the two heroes continued down the corridor, voices lowering with distance.

Zain stepped out from the shadows, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

Velra followed, brushing dust off her gloves.

"So... the Flame God Cult is back, huh?" she said.

Zain looked at her. "You know about them?"

Velra nodded. "Of course, Master."

"Back when I visited this zone as a child, there were rumors about them. Loud ones."

She leaned on the desk beside them and crossed her arms.

"They weren’t a large group, but every single member was dangerous."

"No weaklings. They were all Royal-class, or at least close. Strong. Ruthless."

Zain narrowed his eyes. "And yet they fell?"

Velra nodded again. "Yeah. No matter how strong they were, the Hero Association was still stronger."

"Bigger. More organized. Their numbers and control were on another level."

She glanced out the small window, watching the peaceful city street below.

"The Flame God Cult’s old leader... he was powerful."

"Too powerful for his own good. Got arrogant."

"Thought he could challenge the Apex Guardian himself."

Zain’s eyebrow twitched. "He challenged Averak Kyros?"

Velra smirked, but it was cold. "Yeah. Big mistake. He lost. Badly."

"And after that, the whole faction was wiped out."

Zain crossed his arms. "Wiped out, huh..."

Velra nodded again. "That’s what everyone thought."

"The cult wasn’t just strong. They were fanatics. Believed in flame as divine power, saw destruction as purity."

She moved closer to Zain and lowered her voice.

"They weren’t just warriors. They were believers. That’s what made them dangerous."

Zain tilted his head. "And now they’ve returned."

"Looks like it," Velra said.

She stepped beside him, watching his expression. "So what are you thinking, Master?"

Zain crossed his arms and smirked. "The timing’s too perfect."

"Just returned after a few months. Flame-related powers. Brought someone from the lower zones."

Velra’s eyes widened a little. "You think the new leader is Savra?"

She paused. "And the one called Sword Demon... Zelia?"

Zain’s smirk didn’t fade. "I don’t know yet. But it lines up."

"Savra always liked grand titles. And Zelia... she’s always been sharp."

Velra leaned closer. "It would make sense."

"After all, Savra was fascinated with your power. She wanted to grow stronger."

"What better way than to rebuild a cult under her rule?"

Zain gave a slow nod. "Even if it’s not them, it’s still a lead."

He turned toward the exit, cloak brushing against the wall.

"Hints are better than nothing," he said. "And if it is them... then they’ve been busy."

Velra smiled. "So, the Flame God Cult?"

Zain looked over his shoulder, eyes glowing faintly. "Let’s make them our next stop."

Velra followed with a grin. "As you wish, Master."

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