I WAS The Rank–1 Hero-Chapter 163: Act 1: The Unlucky One

Handing me the towel, Ruby sat across the sofa from where I was sitting.

"Here, wipe your hair dry."

"Mhm."

Running towards her kitchen, she peeked her head from the door.

"Hot chocolate?"

"It’s fine." I waved my hands.

"Hot chocolate it is." She insisted.

Well, I forgot one thing. She was stubborn.

"Sigh, alright."

As she was busy preparing the hot chocolate, I looked around the room.

"..."

It was the same as the original timeline.

’It’s surprising that she was the headmistress in this world too.’

Was her dream to always become the headmistress?

’I don’t think so.’

Maybe it was the Hero Association that forced her to take this role.

Now that I think about it… If I was powerless in this version, then who was the Rank-1?

Surely it wasn’t some nobody.

"Wait…" Murmuring, I thought for a second.

"Don’t tell me it’s justice."

He was ranked 2 in my real timeline, so it’s possible that he’s ranked 1 here.

A shiver ran down my spine.

’He was powerful, no doubt, but at the same time he was creepy.’

I never liked him a bit.

He always challenged me to a duel—with swords. And every time, I beat him. So he’d come back with something even more ridiculous, some shitty challenge pulled out of nowhere.

There was this one time at the Hero Association, and he challenged me to a thumb fight!

Yes, a literal thumb fight.

[’Hope, I’ve trained my thumb specially for you, let me put it to the test.’]

That day, I had a nightmare.

’Fuck that creepy bastard!’

It was a good thing I died.

"Haaah…"

I feel tired.

Tilting my head toward the window, I watched the weather grow rough.

Rain poured relentlessly, thunder roared above, and the sky lit up with the occasional spark.

’Is the world going to end or what?’ I chuckled.

My mood was getting brighter.

Today was Saturday. My Nova classes were only half-day.

Mom and Dad would be worried if I didn’t reach home soon.

And knowing Ruby, she wouldn’t let me off until the weather settled down.

Clicking on my wristband, I sent my parents a text—telling them I wouldn’t be coming home today because of the weather and that I’d be staying in one of Nova’s dorms for the night.

As I wandered inside my thoughts, Ruby appeared, holding two steaming cups.

"Hot! Hot! Hot!"

She rushed over to the table, set both cups down, and then sat, crossing one leg over the other.

"Here. Oh, by the way…" Her gaze lingered on me. "What’s your name?"

Picking up the cup and taking a sip, I answered.

"Zane Skylark, Headmistress."

"Ah!" Her eyes widened, shifting to a sorrowful look.

I pretended not to notice.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking.

"I… um, I think I understand now. Why you were in pain."

I stayed silent.

She picked up her cup, took a small sip, and spoke in a gentler tone.

"She was kind. Always helping others, always pushing forward…"

A soft smile curved on her lips as her eyes became slightly moist.

"It hurts… that she had to go through something like that."

I looked down at my cup as the steam rose, brushing against my nose.

Gripping it tightly, I spoke, firm and low.

"Was she killed?"

"Huh?"

She flinched, caught off guard.

"Wh—What are you talking about?"

"Exactly what you heard, Headmistress. Why did Nova hide her mission report? Why was her death classified? Why did—"

"Stop." Her tone sharpened.

"Who told you this?"

My eyes focused on her face.

"Hm… What will it change?"

I continued.

"She’s no more. None of them told us the reason for her death… You said she was kind, then… Then can’t you at least show her this favor of kindness?"

I found myself pleading now.

She went quiet, as if searching for the right words.

Surely, I was not blaming her.

Her eyes darted to my face, and even though I could see her eyes quivering, I didn’t let it bother me.

"Zane, right?" she murmured. "There are things in this world that are better left hidden."

’I knew it.’

They were hiding something.

I had had enough. How much more do I need to endure?

In my old world, they treated me like a tool, then tossed me aside. Not just me, but everyone else. To them, it was all about power and fame.

They didn’t care about anyone.

It was all a facade. The heroes, the rankers, the government—they were just pretending to be in our favor. But in reality...

They were the real demons.

I let out a deep sigh and stared at her.

"Markus Bloodstone, was it?"

"Huh?" Her gaze wavered, her cup nearly falling.

"What did you say?" She pretended not to know.

I kept my cool and simply answered.

"Is he the one you’re this scared of, Headmistress Ruby—or should I call you Pride?"

In a mere instant, I found myself staring at a blade pointing at my face.

"Who are you?" Ruby resolute.

Ignoring the blade pointed at me, I took another sip from my cup and gave her a piercing look.

"Didn’t I tell you who I am?"

"Why did you call me with that name?" She demanded. "Answer me!"

’Scary.’

"Are you not?" I stood up to match her level.

Her blade was still pointed at me.

"Ruby Oliver, age 20, abandoned at a very young age. Adopted by the Hero Association and treated as a tool. Are you not her?"

This time, she was bewildered.

"How… How do you know all this?"

’I know everything about you.’

"You asked to hear my problems, right?" I smiled, giving her my answer. "I’m doing it now."

Ruby narrowed her eyes.

"You’re not making any sense to me."

"I know, that’s why I want you to hear my problems first."

Now, it was my turn to explain.

"What’s there to know? You knew about my identity and my past. Are you a stalker?"

"Eh?" Her deduction startled me. "What did you say?"

"Stalker."

"Why?!"

This is ridiculous.

"I knew about all of you because you’re the one who told me."

The blade in her hand shook near my throat.

"The more you speak, the less sense you make. When did I ever tell you? We just met!"

Taking a deep breath, I calmed my voice.

"Look, I know this may sound ridiculous, and you may call me a madman… The truth is, I was not from this timeline."

"..."

She blinked.

"Did you hit your head?"

Her expression shifted to pity. "Ah, it must be because your sister’s death is too much for you, I understand now."

"No! Believe me, please."

"How would I believe it? At least make it logical!" She seemed frustrated.

"Look, I can point out stuff only you know, things you yourself shared with me… in my original timeline."

"Oh?" She tilted her head, her voice laced with mockery. "Then please, go ahead. Let me hear my secrets."

Alright, what should I tell her now? I have several secrets that only I and Ruby know of.

Recalling, I piece out a few secrets.

"The first secret, you like white chocolate."

"..." Her gaze narrowed. "Stalker."

This girl, I didn’t know she was this much of a—

"Sigh," I let out a defeated sigh.

Maybe I’m doing it wrong.

This time, I seriously thought about the conversation I and Ruby once had, the time when I confessed to her.

What was she like? What did she feel… I recalled it again. Her warm hug, those sly grins, and those teasing eyes…

Thinking back, I notice how lucky I was to have her.

Looking at her intense glare, I said in a calm tone.

"Despite wielding this much power, you’re someone who never misuses it, no matter how much pain the Hero Association caused you in your childhood. You were once lonely, but as a guardian, you got Master Envy at your side. She was a sadistic devil, I tell you! Haahaa…"

"But she was someone who looked out for you, who even you trusted."

I saw her eyes flicker and lips part in amazement.

I continued.

"You never said your dreams to me once, but I can guess what you truly wanted the most."

She never said it. But, as her only friend and maybe life partner, I can somehow tell.

"What do I want?" She whispered.

A smile tugged at my lips as I spoke.

"Family."

"..."

Looking at me with wide eyes, she tried to say something, but her voice stuck.

And just by a glance, I can tell that I hit the nail.

The things that I just told you were something even she didn’t share. She never once told me about her dreams.

Time paused as her gaze loomed at my face.

Lowering her blade, she broke the silence.

"You told me you’re from another timeline? That you and I were close?"

I nodded.

She continued.

"And also, that I shared all my secrets with you?"

She was onto something. But, not thinking hard, I nodded.

Ruby directly asked.

"Was I in love with you?"