E-Rank or SSS-Rank: I Awakened a Skill That Shouldn't Exist-Chapter 96: Who Is The Fire God?

Chapter 96

Lord Tech departed not long after, his figure vanishing with the same cool confidence he had arrived with.

Aiden, on the other hand, was still grinning like he’d just won a lifetime supply of praise. In record time, he’d gone from "random side character" to "Hero Brother-in-Law™"—a title he was already mentally engraving onto a golden plaque.

"My goal to become the Number One Hero is on track," he muttered to himself, striking a ridiculous pose.

The earlier commotion had finally settled down... for about five whole seconds.

Then, the crowd roared again—cheering a different name this time.

"Blazer! Blazer!"

Han and the others turned toward the source of the noise. Aiden squinted, then blinked. "Oh no," he muttered. "It’s one of those ’I-don’t-need-a-shirt-because-I’m-hot-literally’ types."

Through the parting crowd strode Blazer, a well-known A-Class Rank 5 hero. His fiery red hair flickered like live embers, surrounded by dancing flames that curled naturally around his body like a living cloak. His steps radiated confidence—or maybe arrogance.

Xin leaned toward Rin. "Why are so many big shots showing up today of all days?"

Rin just shrugged. "Don’t look at me. I’m not a fan. That guy’s all heat, no chill."

Blazer walked straight toward Silver Wing, eyes locked like a missile. His intense flame-wrapped figure drew everyone’s attention. And then he asked in a gravelly, demanding tone:

"Where is the Fire God?"

Silver Wing blinked but said nothing.

He didn’t need to. Blazer’s tone said it all—he wasn’t asking out of curiosity. The title Fire God clearly rubbed him the wrong way. Hard to blame him. If you’d spent your whole career mastering fire just to be overshadowed by a calm-faced teenager, you’d probably be salty too.

"I think you’re looking for him," Rin said, pointing casually at Han—who, at that moment, was distracted by a nearby vendor selling spicy grilled lizard meat.

Blazer didn’t waste time. He stomped right over to Han.

"You. You’re the so-called Fire God?" he asked, his tone like a volcano on the verge of eruption.

Han turned slowly, still chewing on a skewer. His expression didn’t change—calm, unreadable, and utterly unbothered.

He didn’t particularly like the title "Fire God," but at this point, it had stuck harder than dried gum under a desk.

"You don’t deserve it," Blazer scoffed, crossing his arms. "If you think you’re better with fire, then prove it. Fight me."

His voice echoed through the area, loud enough to hush the crowd.

"I challenge you to a duel."

People gasped.

Blazer stood tall, ready for drama. But Han... just stared at him. Blankly. As if he was watching a loading screen.

Seconds ticked by.

Han had already activated his analyzer. Within moments, he had Blazer’s full data—and the results were disappointing.

Han sighed softly.

"Sorry," he said, finally. "You’re not worthy to be my opponent."

Silence.

The entire plaza seemed to freeze.

People stared, slack-jawed. Had Han just rejected an A6 hero to his face? Was this kid insane or just that confident?

Blazer clenched his jaw, a muscle twitching near his eye. Everyone expected him to snap—to launch an inferno right then and there.

Instead, he scoffed—loud and theatrical.

"You’ve got bark, kid," he said. "But no bite. Just pray we never meet in the arena. If we do, you’re finished."

And with that, he spun around and stormed off, flames crackling in his wake like an angry bonfire at a failed BBQ.

Han simply returned to his skewer, unbothered, chewing in peace.

Just when things were beginning to settle, another voice sliced through the air, smooth and mocking:

"Well, well... looks like our little birdie did come home after all."

The group turned once again, tension sparking back to life.

Silver Wing’s eyes narrowed immediately.

He recognized them.

Walking toward them was a girl with flowing blue hair that shimmered like the ocean under sunlight. Her bright smile was anything but innocent. Beside her walked a calm, sharp-eyed young man with short black hair tinted faintly with blue—silent, poised, dangerous.

"That’s Elexa and Balon," Silver Wing said quickly to Han. "They go by the hero names Terrifying Princess and Stealth King. Class A—Ranks 2 and 3."

Han simply nodded, sizing them up as they approached.

Elexa’s cheerful gaze landed on Han, clearly assessing him. "So this is the Fire God?" she said, almost to herself. "He’s so... young."

Her smile faltered slightly. Rumor or not, she found it hard to believe this quiet teen was supposed to be one of the most dangerous flame users alive.

Well, there was only one way to find out.

With a flick of her wrist, a bolt of blinding blue electricity shot out from her fingertips—fast, sharp, aimed not at Han...

...but at Xin.

It happened in a blink.

But Han was faster.

In one smooth motion, his hand caught the bolt mid-air, blue lightning sizzling in his palm. Then, in the next instant, he disappeared from where he stood.

When he reappeared, his hand was clamped around Elexa’s neck.

His once calm face had vanished, replaced by a cold, terrifying stare.

"You attacked my sister," he said, his voice low and deadly. "If I hadn’t reacted in time, she’d be hurt."

Elexa gasped, shocked not just by his speed—but by the sheer killing intent pouring off him like an avalanche.

Balon’s body moved on instinct, two daggers sliding silently from the void into his hands—ready to strike.

But then he froze.

To his right, Ronan was already in position, sword drawn and steady, gaze blank and unreadable. To his left, Aiden’s arms had morphed into deadly clawed limbs, eyes narrowed like a predator. The temperature was plummeting fast—Laura was glowing faintly, ice forming around her fingers.

Surrounded.

Outmatched.

Elexa’s eyes widened as Han’s grip tightened just slightly.

"Don’t ever try to harm my family again," Han said, his voice like a glacier cracking. "Next time, you won’t walk away."

He looked at her coldly, and Elexa stumbled back, coughing—eyes locked on him in disbelief.

This wasn’t a rumor.

This wasn’t a title.

This was the Fire God—and he was very real.

To be continued...