I WAS The Rank–1 Hero

Chapter 54: The Faithful Turn [1]

"Ruby…?"

The first thing I saw upon opening my eyes was her.

Truly a blessing.

Holding me by my shirt, my head was rested on her lap.

Lying motionless, I gasped for air, my eyes were burning, it’s pain surging through me.

It was so painful that—

It made me clench my teeth and shut my eyes.

"Ugh!"

"Z-Zane?!"

Noticing me in pain, her grip tightened on my shirt, I could feel her hands trembled.

Her voice cracked with worry, and a sob escaped her lips.

"H-Hold on, Zane! I’m here…"

I forced my eyes open again, but my vision was hazy, a familiar purple screen hovered before my eyes—Fate’s Interface. The text on it was blurry, almost unreadable.

"Are you okay…?" Ruby’s voice trembled.

She was partially hidden behind the translucent purple interface, but I could make out the outlines of her face.

I squinted my eyes, blinking rapidly to clear my vision.

And almost instantly, the Interface vanished, and everything came into focus.

There she was—

Her crimson hair tied back in a loose ponytail, strands of her hair slipping free to frame her delicate face. Her blood-red eyes glistening with tears.

She was staring at me, her expression was a mixture of relief and concern.

How many days has it been, since I last saw her?

If my calculations were correct, then maybe two days—that’s how long we had been trapped in this Demon Continent.

"I’m fine…" I murmured.

I forced myself to sit up.

Blinking around, I noticed that both Anna and Julius were lying flat on the ground.

Their bodies were covered in green vines, which was once glowing with a greenish-yellow light when we came here. But now… the glow was gone.

Hmm?

"Wait... where’s Aria?"

I asked in a hurried tone.

"She’s fine."

I froze.

Turning my head, I found Aria, unconscious—resting on my Master’s lap.

I haven’t even sense her.

Sigh…

’At least all are safe.’ Relief washed over me.

I pushed myself to my feet, and scanned my surroundings.

I found nothing.

No movement. No sound except the faint rustling of leaves in the distance. It was just us.

Frowning, I turned toward Envy.

"Did you two come alone?"

She and Ruby exchanged glances before Envy shook her head.

"No. There were others, single rankers. Three more."

I figured as much.

The Hero Association wouldn’t send only two single rankers into the Demon Continent. At least five would be a decent powerhouse.

But…

"Where are they?"

Only Ruby and Master stood before me. The others were missing.

"We split midway to

What did she mean?

According to her, our minds were now linked through a constant flux of electrical waves.

Which meant…

She only existed inside my mind.

Her physical body was gone.

Her presence—her entire being was nothing more than a projection, an imitation of thoughts of how she once looked before.

And now, she could talk to me freely.

Inside my head.

Without anyone noticing.

Which also meant—

’Wait… so you can hear everything I think?!’

This is insane!

What about my privacy?!

As if reading my mind—which, let’s be honest, she literally did—she left a soft chuckle.

"Heeehee, relax. We won’t invade your private thoughts. And don’t worry, we won’t judge, you’re still young."

Is she serious?!

She just read my mind, and now she expects me to believe that she won’t do it again?!

Her explanation ended.

I exhaled slowly.

Behind me, I heard voices.

"Umm… Zane…?"

Both Master and Ruby were looking at me with concern.

I turned to them, forcing a small smirk on my face.

"Nothing to worry about. I was just hallucinating."

’Hey! That’s rude!’ Sera scolded, pouting.

Sera, the queen of elves, she was now floating mid air.

I ignored her pouted face, for now at least.

’Lets think about her later.’

’Correct decision, let’s first get out from this place.’

My eyebrow twitched.

’Please, Miss Sera, stop listening to my thoughts.’ I pleaded.

I held the pendent Aegis, and tugged it inside my shirt, turning to other’s, Anna, Julius and Aria on the ground I instructed.

"Master, Ruby follow my lead," my voice was serious, "first let’s find the remaining students."

Ruby and Envy both nodded.

I continued.

"We were up against a demon, and… it’s far too powerful than a fallen."

Both gulped.

A single Fallen alone were enough to evoke fear in humanity, let alone a being more powerful than that—

It’s beyond common sense.

None of the two question my decision—

Why would they be?

After all, I once was the Rank-1 Hero.

Focusing on my mind, I let the Fate’s interface appeared, and activated one of my new skill.

____________________________

★〘Ruler〙[S-Rank]

«The user exerts immediate dominance over their surroundings, making the weak willed individual submit»

«The user can enter in absolute state of calm, this allows split second decision to be made with perfect accuracy»

«The user gets restricted to mental interference, illusion, or fear based attack»

_____________________________

"Alright, let’s move."

End of Chapter.