Zain was now going toward the area near the border of CD-1.
He moved quietly, avoiding lights and going toward an abandoned area.
He looked down at the two unconscious villains he would be hiding here.
Zain led them to a small room inside an abandoned building.
After breaking the lock with ease, he dragged Splinter and Knuck inside and laid them down.
"Sleep tight, bone freaks. Don't worry, I'll come pick you up soon."
He dusted off his hands and relocked the room with a new chain before going back to his home.
After arriving home, he glanced toward the window of his home—no lights on.
"Good. She's still asleep."
He then quietly went back inside the house through the window he'd left open.
Once in his room, Zain stretched and let out a long breath.
"Still night… Might as well rest before I hand them in."
He sat on the bed as he slowly lowered himself onto the bed.
But as he lay staring at the ceiling, his mind was already racing.
"Once I get C-Rank, I'll have better access. More resources… and more targets."
His expression darkened slightly.
"Next, I need information. Villain groups, black markets… anything that can feed me Hack Points."
His eyes narrowed.
"The stronger they are, the more points I'll get."
Finally, a small grin tugged at his lips.
"Looks like I'll be climbing ranks fast."
And with that thought, he let his eyes close and drifted into sleep.
---
Next morning, Zain quickly came downstairs, stretching his arms after a late-night fight.
He entered the kitchen where Zelia had already set out a plate of warm toast, eggs, and a cup of tea.
She looked over her shoulder and gave him a smile.
"Morning. Eat something before you go running off again."
Zain sat down, picking up the toast casually.
"You really don't need to wake up this early for me, you know."
Zelia smirked.
"And let you starve? What kind of big sister would I be then?"
She walked over and sat across from him.
"Just… make sure you're careful, okay? Those two guys… they looked dangerous. Even from a distance."
Zain took a sip of tea, then gave her a confident smirk.
"Don't worry, Sis. I'll be careful."
He stood up, adjusting his coat.
"I've got a good feeling about today."
Zelia eyed him curiously.
"You're acting weirdly confident lately. What are you up to?"
Zain turned around with a chuckle, waving over his shoulder.
"Just being productive. I'll be back before dinner."
---
He made his way back into the abandoned building near the border.
Pushing open the rusted door, he entered the small room he'd sealed.
And there they were—Splinter and Knuck, still slumped on the floor and unconscious.
Not even a twitch.
Zain grinned.
"Still sleeping like babies. Good."
He walked over and crouched down next to them.
"Now… time to hand you in. My little secret, locked up until the paperwork's ready."
He stood back up, stretching his arms.
"Let's go make me a C-Rank hero."
---
Zain was dragging both bone brothers toward the border.
They were tied and bound behind him like sacks of trash.
The border guard, standing with a rifle, narrowed as he looked at a mysterious person.
His expression instantly shifted to alarm, raising his hand in a warning.
"Hey! Stop right there!"
"State your name and purpose!"
Zain didn't flinch.
He stopped calmly, straightened up, and called back.
"Name's Zain. D-Rank Hero. Just doing my job."
The guard blinked in surprise.
"D-Rank…? Hold on. ID, please."
Zain stepped forward, pulled out his Hero Association ID, and handed it over.
The guard quickly scanned it, then relaxed as he handed it back.
"Alright, you're legit. Sorry about that—protocol and all."
Zain waved it off.
"No worries. You're just doing your job."
But then the guard's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Wait a minute… you're the flame kid from yesterday, right?"
Zain smirked.
"That's me."
The guard let out a low chuckle.
"Wow… to think you're already catching villains. Didn't expect that so soon. You were really something."
Zain gave a casual nod.
"Thanks for the praise."
The guard's eyes dropped to the two unconscious men.
"So… who are these guys?"
Zain replied without hesitation,
"Knuck and Splinter. Heard of them?"
The guard's eyes widened.
"Wait—those two?! The bone freaks?"
"Damn, they've been giving us a headache for weeks! Always slipping away, attacking people at night."
He looked genuinely impressed.
"Can't believe you caught them solo. You really saved us a lot of trouble. Thanks, man."
Zain nodded once more, shifting the weight of Knuck's body a little.
"Just doing what I signed up for. Now, mind if I pass through? Gotta hand them over to the Association."
The guard straightened and quickly stepped aside.
"Of course! Please, go ahead. And sorry again for the delay."
Zain smirked as he walked past, dragging his prize behind him.
"No problem. Just another day on the job."
---
Zain dragged the two unconscious Bone Brothers through the gates of the Hero Association.
Inside, a few heroes passing through the main hall glanced briefly at him.
Then they looked away without a word.
This kind of thing wasn't rare.
Heroes dragging in villains was just another Tuesday.
Zain, unfazed by the lack of attention, made his way straight to the front desk.
The receptionist—the same girl from yesterday—looked up from her terminal.
Her bored expression shifted to slight surprise.
"Welcome back. What can I help you with today?"
Zain flashed his usual smirk.
"Just turning in these two for the hunting test. Thought I'd finish the paperwork and move up a rank."
Her eyes dropped to the two bodies behind him, recognizing them.
"Wait… these are—"
She blinked, then glanced back at Zain.
"You hunted down two C-Rank villains… for the test?"
Zain shrugged casually.
"Why stop at one?"
She blinked again, her fingers pausing over the keyboard.
"You just registered yesterday."
Her voice was tinged with disbelief now.
"And you're already handing in a duo of wanted criminals?"
"Most D-Rank heroes don't even come back with anything their first week."
Zain chuckled softly.
"Guess I'm not most heroes."
The receptionist sat back, impressed.
"Right… please return to the hunting test room like before. The officer will want to see this herself."
Zain gave her a polite nod.
"Thank you. Then I'll be on my way."
And with that, he turned and resumed dragging the defeated villains down the familiar hallway.