ã€ŠIntergalactic conquest with an AIã€‹


 Chapter 1: Corporate slave.

    (It hasn¡¯t been that long since I got sent to this God-forsaken world in the outer galaxy to work as a guard in a new miner colony that was recently founded for the extraction of metals and yet.)

    Rex let out a deep sigh as he looked at the destroyed bar, where just hours before he was enjoying a cold drink after his shift had ended; it was now all in ruins, and he was lying down at one of the corners of the bar with a deep wound to his chest that was wide open.

    A few meters away lay the carcass of some unknown enemy, who looked just like those creatures that you could normally see only in horror movies. This one was just one meter long, with big wings, and his limbs resembled blades. The creature had lost one of his blades, which was in the hands of Rex.

    I don¡¯t know how this could happen to me; a few weeks ago I was just an officer worker, another slave of one of the megacorporations out in the galaxy. Maybe that is why I am here. Damn slave contracts. Next time you see a contract promising a well payout and good retention credits, never say yes to the possibility of travel. It could end up fucking up all your life.)

    (Just like it did to mine.)

    *World of Nakor Year 5600 of the imperial galactic system*

    "Hey Rex, have you seen the company news?"

    Rex felt a strong pat on the back as his best friend, a bald guy that looked not more than 24 years old, approached him, making the usual chat in the train going to the company.

    "Hey, Carlos, yes, I did; they said that the company will redeploy workers to a newly established colony in a new mining world."

    It was a common thing for companies to send workers to work on other planets. This was the era of exploration and conquest, where new worlds were discovered and companies were fighting for the control of the new worlds, among which was the company where Rex was working.

    The company he worked for was Duotherm Omega, one of the 6 megacorps in the galaxy. As a megacorp, it was well-balanced in each of the mayor districts, be it the Militar Tech and Exploration Tech. All megacorps had an army of their own that was much stronger and greater than any empire, since they have massive assets around the galaxy.

    It was a small hologram screen that came out once the button on the device was clicked to start it. Once that was done, it would listen to the voice and translate them into the selected language in text. Like this, everyone could comprehend the words of the other races.

    "And with that said, each and every one of you will be sent to the new mining colony; rank 6¡¯s as miners, rank 5¡¯s as guards. Be joyful, everyone of you! You will all be some of the first lucky people who get to enter this new world and colonize it."

    The fish guy said all of this with an energetic voice while raising his hands like some kind of messiah, making this sound like a once in a lifetime opportunity when in reality it was a death sentence, because it was well known that those who go to an unexplored planet always end up dying.

    It wasn¡¯t long before the murmurs of discontent rose among the workers in the hall; the fish guy became annoyed, and bringing his fingers to his arm where his device was, he typed a command, and within seconds, everyone of rank 5 and 6 in the hall began screaming in pain, grabbing their heads.

    Once a few minutes of screams and dispeir, the fish guy was finally placed and back with his smile on his ugly fish face, and so he stopped the command he had just sent to the chips inside of the brain of the workers. This chip was developed years ago and was used to prevent the workers from doing corporation spionage and keep them controlled.

    It was a requirement in any kind of work; even the space pirates used them on their members to keep them under control, and for companies this was a must if you wanted to work in one of them. Once the pain finally stopped, Rex could finally stop dancing like a worm on the floor of the hall, and with fury on his face, he was staring at the fish guy.

    "So, now I can tell that everyone here agreed with their own volition to go to the new mining colony, Marbellus; the transport ships are waiting for everyone outside of the building; be careful when going up, and don¡¯t fall."

    Having said his last mocking words, the fish guy left the hall, and soon after, armed guards came inside of the hall to make everyone start moving to the transport ships. Rex could see from afar how some of the workers were trying to run away, just to be shot down with tasers that knocked them out in seconds.

    Rex could also see how one of them was Carlos; he was already tased down by the guards and was being dragged to the transport ship. Rex could only tighten his fist in anger and shame of how weak he was while watching his best friend being dragged away.

    Without even the opportunity to tell his 5-year-old kid back at his house that he was going to leave the world and that kid will probably die of hunger if someone does not help him, Rex then got out after a few seconds from the line going to the transport ships and walked toward one of the guards.

    The guard, seeing that one of the workers that was supposed to go to the transportship was coming toward him so he pointed his gun toward the worker and got ready to shoot, his finger already on the trigger.

 Chapter 2: Arriving to the new world.

    Once Rex saw that the guard was pointing his gun toward him, he raised his hands in sign of surrender.

    "Hey, hold on; I¡¯m not trying to do anything dangerous. I just want to make a deal with you that¡¯ll make you get a good amount of credits, and without doing anything too complicated, what do you say?"

    The guard thought for a few seconds before putting down his gun.

    "Say, what is the deal? I won¡¯t let you leave, just so you know; after all, there¡¯s not enough credits in the whole galaxy that could make me bet my head on; after all, what use are the credits if I can¡¯t enjoy them?"

    Rex then lowered his hands and began to touch his left arm device, accessing his bank account. Once on his bank account, he walked up to the guard and flashed the credits.

    "This 300k credits I have is the payment; all I want is for you to go this direction; I¡¯m transferring you right now; there lives an Aquarian grandma, and all you have to do is tell her to take care of the bald kid, and that¡¯s it, easy credits for you, right?

    The eyes of the guard widened when he saw the 300k credits. As that amount was a lot, since he could only gain 30k credits per year, these 300k credits were the savings of 5 years of Rex that he was saving to buy himself a cybernetic upgrade, but saving the kid of his best friend was more important than the credits right now.

    "All you want me to do is tell the grandma this message?"

    Rex nodded slightly.

    "Yeah, that¡¯s all you have to do. I¡¯ve transferred her 150k credits that she¡¯ll pay you when you get there with her and deliver the message."

    Then, Rex transferred the 150k credits to the guard and joined the line to the transport ship, where Carlos was also going. He thought that calling it a transport ship was too big of a praise since it was only a big empty area inside of it, without anything else. Rex then started looking for Carlos.

    Once he had located his unconscious friend, he lay down next to him on the floor and let out a deep sigh.

    ("And there goes my cybernetic hands upgrade, at least I know that the kid is going to be safe with grandma, I have no idea how long we¡¯re going to travel, so I better take a nap. Later I¡¯ll provide the grandma¡¯s bank account number to this damned bald, and I am not going to pay to his son all of my life, not like he is a beautiful and hot single mom, damn.")

    He had not even finished saying it when Rex interrupted him.

    "Wait a second; don¡¯t you even dare say that. I gave those credits on a voluntary basis; if you want to pay me, then let¡¯s search for a tavern with the worse name tomorrow once our shift is done, and you will pay since I have 0 credits right now. Sounds good?."

    The warm smile that Rex was giving Carlos right now was a safe haven from all of this that was happening, and after hearing these words from his best friend, he wanted to cry, but he just manned up and joined hands with him, making the promise to drink tomorrow at night.

    Like this, they left to their places. Rex could notice that this world had a sun and 2 moons that were so big that you could see them without difficulty from the colony. This colony, like any other mining colony, was made full of metals, and you could see pipes everywhere releasing smoke from time to time.

    While usual holographic company ads were being transmitted, together with the news of the colony, it didn¡¯t take him long to reach the guard headquarters of the Duotherm Omega company: it was a big building situated in the northeast part of the colony.

    After he entered the hall, he was taken to a 4-by-4 room in which he would be obliged to live from that day on.

    ("Well, it could be worse; at least I was in luck and got a room with a window.")

    He opened the window of his room, undressed from his formal office worker clothes, and sprang onto the bed, which was as hard as a rock. Now he was clutching at his chest area from the jolt with the hard bed.

    In fact, he did not take long to sleep; after 5 hours of sleep, he was awakened by an alarm installed in his room, which meant that it was about time his shift started, and he had to head to the barracks to put himself together, and so he did that while dragging his still sleepy legs towards the barracks.

    There, he was given an electronic key with the number of the armory locker he had been assigned to. Once he walked towards his locker and opened it, he could see a black guard uniform with usual guard chest armor and helmet, and there lay an electric rifle.

    The electric rifles were a new military technology capable of firing bullets without using gunpowder, an achievement that was to be twice as fast and twice as strong as a regular rifle. It took Rex just about 10 minutes to be fully armed and ready for the start of his shift.

    It was common that the colony guards weren¡¯t even trained in the use of weaponry or other kinds of military training. Since the companies didn¡¯t care what the guards in the godforsaken colony did, they only cared that they comply with their material orders.

    Since this was the first time for Rex here, he walked toward the guy in charge of the armory to ask for a little advice.

 Chapter 3: First contact (1)

    The guy in the armory was the typical black marker smuggler; he was a fat alien lying on a big armchair while smoking T355. Some sort of substance similar to tobacco, which humans usually smoke. Without wasting more time, Rex finally spoke to him.

    "Hello, senior, I wanted to ask, Where do I need to head next?"

    The armorer supervisor looked at Rex up and down before answering.

    "Ha! A rookie, I see; well, just go to that terminal over there and introduce your electronic key to see your job for today."

    Rex thanked him and then proceeded to the terminal. There, for the first time, he knew what he had to do; it was a patrol mission with another 3 new recruits and one more experimented guard.

    Then he started to look for his squad until he found them. After some introductions, they started doing their patrol route; it was just walking from point A to point B without too much to do; it was your typical routine mission, and like this, his shift was over, and he got this day¡¯s pay, only 300 credits.

    It was then time to look in this big colony for his friend Carlos. Rex spent an hour searching bars till he finally found him. The name of that bar was Atomic Cocktails. Once Carlos noticed Rex from far away, he started waving his hand so he could notice where he was.

    "Hey Rex! Finally you arrived; for a second there I thought that you got lost; I was going to call the guards reporting a lost kid."

    "Haha, fuck off, man; it¡¯s harder to find someone than it is to search for a bar; next time you will have to search for me."

    While they were conversing, Rex put his arm around Carlos¡¯s neck and dragged him inside the bar. The place was nothing new, just the normal bar; some electronic music and a lot of lights. At least here in this bar, there weren¡¯t that many people, so they could find a table where they could sit down and drink their beers.

    "Oh yes before I forget, here take this Rex"

    Carlos pulled from his pocket a hand-sized white quartz.

    "I mined that one today; since they have no value, the area supervisor let me have it, and since I know you like to collect strange rocks, make this one your first in this new world."

    Once Carlos placed the quartz on his hand, Rex was overcome with emotion.

    "Although you are just a bald guy, you really are nice; now you even to make me cry."

    They both continued having silly discussions until they were deep drunk and were kicked from the bar. Since Carlos¡¯ house was closer to where they were, they decided that they would sleep over at his place. The moment they reached Carlos¡¯ department, they fell onto the floor and slept like logs.

    "Darn it!!!"

    With a fierce scream, Rex took his handgun out and put it inside the mouth of the bug that pierced his chest, unloading all the magazine on it and blowing its head on many pieces. Then he took his last handgun clip and reloaded it, and with that he shot at the other bugs. These bugs were too squishy and easy to kill; thus, they died easily.

    He then shot at the leg blade that was inside his chest, cutting it down from the dead bug on top of him. Finally, he pushed the bug down from him, and with the last strength he could muster, he pulled the blade from his chest.

    He could only pant and cough blood by then; he could already feel the cold and peace of the incoming death; the blood loss from the place where minutes ago was his leg and from his chest, which probably was now without a heart, was going to be the cause of his death, even after kiling all those bugs.

    "Sigh, this is so damn unfair; not even 3 days I could survive. Fuck this world, fuck the company, and fuck all those bugs, dammit!"

    [You weep like a little baby; since your going to die anyway, how about you give you body for my use?]

    Rex let out a small smile, thinking he was going crazy already.

    "Like hell, I will do that; it took me many years to get my freedom, and I won¡¯t give it to anyone."

    [........]

    [Then, what about a deal? In exchange for me to restore your body, you will share your body with me; how about that?]

    Rex could hardly hear those last words, so he answered with the first thing that came to his mind before finally fainting.

    "You have a cute voice....."

    [.....]

    Once he fainted, the white quartz that was inside his pocket all this time started becoming a white metallic liquid that went all the way up to the chest of Rex and inside of the injury.

    [Carbon base life form detected, initiate symbiotic relation, repair damaged tissue, reconstruct body to an optimal life form for me to use.]

    Now, the white metallic liquid that had gone inside Rex¡¯s body quickly started to spread in his body, changing his frail bones into metallic bones and changing veins with tubes and cables; all of his organs were also converted to bionic ones; all of his body was now a bionic one, half machine and half organic.

    [The weakness of this body is now gone; all that is left to do is for me to become the source of power for this body.]

 Chapter 4: First contact (2)

    Rex didn¡¯t have a single clue when he died because the only thing he remembered was the sound of a very beautiful voice of a lady. Then he felt the dark, cold sleep coming. Everything was completely dark everywhere around him until some rays of light began to show up.

    The moment he opened his eyes, he was dumbfounded by the way he had been feeling; all pain that he felt before dying was gone, and even more amazing than this, he was now seeing things perfectly, or even more than that, he could see even the dust falling on the other side of the bar.

    But suddenly, the panic came to him when he noticed he couldn¡¯t even move a finger, and he could only breathe and move his eyes.

    "It seems you are finally awake; I was waiting for you to awaken before I started the system. Give me a second."

    Since Rex was unable to even speak, the questions he had on his mind would have to wait, which didn¡¯t take that long. He could feel a warmth on his chest while he could hear the sound of various systems going online one after another, like you do when you turn on a PC.

    He could also feel how from his ribs area a strong, hot wind was coming out, sending dust flying around on the destroyed bar. The hot air lasted for a few minutes till the air started to come out cold and in less quantity.

    ["System status all green, host body status all green, initiating activation"]

    When he heard those words, the body of Rex jumped a little, and after that, he managed to move itself as usual. He lifted his left arm and looked at it. He could feel that it was heavier and stronger, but what caught more of his attention were the strange black lines around all the visible parts of his skin.

    "I know you¡¯re impressed by my work, but sadly, it¡¯s time to move. The enemies detected the energy used for your activation, and they¡¯re on their way. We should leave as soon as possible."

    Rex stood there, still in shock. He remembered dying, and there had been a hole in his chest. Now, though, that hole was gone, replaced by a strange, prism-like gem of white light, encased in black lines. Even stranger, his lost leg was back. As he inspected himself, the words of that beautiful voice he¡¯d heard earlier echoed in his mind again.

    "Wait, I know your voice... who are you?"

    Before he could finish his question, a sound like the flapping of a thousand wings rushed closer. Remembering what the voice had told him, he bolted toward the door of the bar and ran towards the barracks.

    He was running at an insane speed, reaching easily 100 km/h. Unused to this newfound power, he slammed right into a mining car, pushing it forward slightly.

    "What the... how am I this fast all of a sudden?"

    "I suggest you start running again. The enemies are multiplying, thanks to all the noise you¡¯re making. You¡¯re worse than a newborn Kemplar."

    "Ouch. Harsh, ma¡¯am, but technically, I am a newborn... if you think about it."

    [...]

    Rex just grinned, shrugging it off. He started running again, slower this time, gradually increasing his pace as he got more used to the speed. Before long, he was near the guard headquarters; he was only about 2 km away, but what he saw there sent a chill down his spine

    The guard headquarters was under siege by the bugs. Defensive turrets fired non-stop, with missile barrages raining down on the swarming land bugs. The remaining guards fought desperately, trying to keep the flying bugs away from the towers. But from the looks of it, they were on borrowed time, about to be overrun.

    "Hey, beautiful voice. Is there any way to get inside the barracks without, you know... dying?"

    "There¡¯s one way: activate Overdrive. It¡¯ll make your body twice as strong as it is now. If we make four or five jumps, we should reach the barracks."

    "Uh, Overdrive? What exactly is that?

    "Good idea. Thanks, Cleo."

    ["I¡¯m reminding the host to recharge energy. 5% remaining. Once it reaches 1%, the host will enter deep slumber until energy is replenished."]

    "Okay, Cleo, so how do I recharge?" Rex asked, sounding a bit worried.

    ["Please wait. Scanning in progress... Found the closest energy charger. Follow the path I¡¯m displaying toward the power source."]

    Small glowing orbs appeared, creating a path for Rex to follow. He walked along until he arrived at one of the main generators of the headquarters.

    "Alright, I¡¯m here. Now what?"

    ["Grab a cable and bite it."]

    "...Come again?"

    ["Activating emergency recharge mode."]

    Suddenly, Rex¡¯s teeth sharpened, making it easier to bite through the cable.

    "Wait, are you sure this is safe? Pretty sure this could kill me."

    ["Energy at 4%. I suggest the host hurry."]

    Rex sighed heavily, his hands trembling. With the same hesitation a kid has before taking bitter medicine, he closed his eyes and bit down on the cable.

    The moment his teeth made contact with the copper inside, high voltage surged through his body. But instead of the agonizing pain he¡¯d braced for, it felt more like a mild tingle spreading all over.

    ["Energy transfer detected. Redirecting power to the central core. Please stand by. Redirection successful. Energy at 6%. Estimated time until fully charged: 30 minutes.

    Please remain still."]

    Thirty long, awkward minutes passed with Rex sitting on the floor, biting the cable like some weird, futuristic vampire.

    ["Energy at 100%. Please disconnect from the power source to prevent damage to the host."]

    Rex quickly spat out the cable, shaking his head and spitting out small bits of insulation stuck in his mouth.

    "Ugh, that tastes like crap. Is there seriously no better way to recharge than chewing on cables?"

    ["To answer the host, there is a more advanced method, but this facility lacks the necessary equipment."]

    "Great," Rex muttered. "Alright, let¡¯s go find the guard captain. I need answers about what the hell is going on."

 Chapter 5: Into the Abyss

    Rex searched everywhere for the captain but couldn¡¯t find him. Frustrated, he started asking the injured guards if they had any idea where the captain had gone.

    Finally, someone gave him a lead. Apparently, the captain had been outside the headquarters when everything went down. His last known location? The mines. He¡¯d gone there after hearing a report of strange noises coming from underground.

    ("Wait... the mines!? Carlos!")

    Rex¡¯s stomach dropped. The bugs had come from underground, and that meant they¡¯d come from the mines where his best friend, Carlos, had been working. If the captain went there because of the noises, the place had to be chaos now. Rex dreaded the thought, but it was almost certain no one could still be alive in there.

    Still, Carlos was his best friend. He had to try, even if there was only the slightest chance he was still alive, maybe hiding somewhere. But the problem was getting there. The mines were a 30-minute drive from the colony.

    Taking a helicopter? Suicide, with the flying bugs still circling. A vehicle wasn¡¯t much better since the noise would bring the bugs straight to him.

    ["I don¡¯t know why you¡¯re overthinking this. If the host wants to go to the mines, I recommend running. At our top speed of 100 km/h, we make almost no noise. We¡¯ll be there in an hour."]

    "Wait, that¡¯s right! Cleo, you¡¯re a genius!"

    [.....]

    ["Tracing the route to the mining area, based on gathered information."]

    A small, glowing point appeared, showing the route to the mines. Rex knew how this worked and didn¡¯t waste a second. He leapt out of the headquarters, moving from roof to roof, staying as far from the bug-infested areas as possible.

    Once he was in an area with fewer bugs, Rex dropped to the ground and took off running at full speed. Every now and then, he spotted a bug or two trying to chase him, but he was way too fast for them. After a few minutes, he found himself nearing the colony¡¯s exit.

    "Hey, Cleo, you know... uh, we kind of rushed out here, and, well, I forgot my atmospheric helmet."

    ["Host, there¡¯s no need to worry. I¡¯ve upgraded your pulmonary capacity. You can store oxygen in your lungs, and I¡¯ll regulate your intake. You¡¯ll be able to go without breathing for five hours."]

    "Damn, I¡¯m amazing! Haha! Alright, let¡¯s go!"

    With all the chaos from the bugs attacking the colony, the exit was unguarded. All Rex had to do was swipe his guard keycard and slip through. No trouble at all. Once outside, he picked up the pace, sprinting toward the mine entrance.

    The planet¡¯s desert terrain made for an easy run since there were no obstacles to slow him down. After about an hour, he finally reached the mine. Two vehicles were parked near the entrance, probably the ones the guard captain had used. One of them had a mounted machine gun.

    "Cleo, don¡¯t forget about this vehicle. That machine gun could come in handy if we run into something nasty inside. Oh, and can you scan the mine for me?"

    ["Host, it¡¯s not possible to scan the interior. We lack the necessary equipment. I suggest locating my covert ship."]

    "Wait, you have a ship!?"

    ["Affirmative. Though it¡¯s heavily damaged from the battle that brought me down, it can still fly and has some assembly capabilities intact."]

    "So, since you¡¯re part of me and you can only go where I go... doesn¡¯t that mean the ship is technically mine?"

    Before Rex could finish, his muscles tightened. His eyes caught sight of glowing red markers rushing toward him. He realized Cleo¡¯s combat mode, which she¡¯d set on standby earlier, had activated. Those red dots were heading straight for him and were hostile.

    And if Cleo flagged something as hostile, it could only mean one thing. Bugs. Without hesitation, Rex raised his electric rifle and aimed at the incoming threat. His heart pounded as he finally saw them; it was those flying bugs that had overrun the colony.

    Instinct took over. Rex didn¡¯t think; he just fired with deadly accuracy. Just a few days ago, he¡¯d been an office worker, clueless about combat. Now, here he was, taking out the swarm like some seasoned soldier. It had to be Cleo¡¯s doing, whatever she¡¯d done to his body. In just a few minutes, he¡¯d wiped out the bugs that had come for him.

    ["I advise extreme caution from now on. The sound of gunfire may have alerted other enemies."]

    "A beautiful girl worrying about me? Gotta admit, it¡¯s kinda a nice feeling."

    [...]

    ["It would be wise to proceed in silence to avoid further ambushes."]

    Rex just shrugged, grinning to himself, and pressed on deeper into the mine. More bugs appeared here and there, but he took them down with ease, sending each one to its grave without a second thought.

    He kept going, deeper and deeper into the mines. Time had blurred; it could¡¯ve been minutes, maybe hours, since he first descended into this place. The bugs were relentless, and now he was out of bullets. Great.

    "These bugs are really good at burning through my ammo, Cleo. How good are we with melee weapons, again?" Rex muttered, more to himself than to his AI companion.

    ["We¡¯re as good as any advanced swordmaster with melee weapons."]

    "I dunno how good that is, but it sounds impressive," Rex shrugged.

    He finally reached the mine¡¯s elevator, realizing he was now somewhere near the middle levels. Down here, each company had their own floors where they mined whatever resources kept the corporate machine running. The elevator itself was a marvel of engineering, built to haul tons of minerals, equipment, and personnel without a sweat.

    Rex stepped over to the console, relieved to see it still had power. Luckily, the thing ran on an external battery, so he wouldn¡¯t have to mess around in the dark. The only catch? He had no clue which floor his bald-headed friend was working on.

    "Of course," he grumbled. "Now I gotta search floor by floor for this guy. Why couldn¡¯t he be a gorgeous, black-haired beauty or something? At least then I¡¯d have something nice to look forward to after rescuing him. Damn it, bald dude."

    [".....Noted"]

    "Hm? You say something, Cleo?"

    [...]

    "Great, now I¡¯m talking to myself." Rex sighed, rubbing his temples.

    With no other choice, he selected the first floor. Maybe there¡¯d be survivors there. It didn¡¯t matter which company they were from; in the end, they were all the same, just slaves to different bosses.

    The elevator groaned to life, rattling and clanking so loudly it made Rex flinch. He knew that sound would carry far, and if there was one thing he¡¯d learned about these bugs, it was that they had a thing for noise. A noise like this? It was practically rolling out the red carpet for them.

    "Yeah... fuck my life."

 Chapter 6: Noble

    It didn¡¯t even take the bugs three minutes before holes started appearing all over the mine walls. Burrowers poured out first, followed by a swarm of flying bugs, all of them charging at Rex like ants drawn to sugar.

    ["Activating combat mode, activating melee combat assistant, ready to engage at any time."]

    "Thanks for the backup, Cleo!" Rex shouted.

    Cleo had everything online in under two seconds, and it was just in time. The first burrower lunged at him, but with his newly upgraded body and Cleo¡¯s assist, Rex could now predict where the attack was coming from, though with a small margin of error. As the creature leapt, Rex dodged, his reflexes kicking in almost automatically.

    Without hesitation, he grabbed the burrower by its tail. Using his enhanced strength, he swung it around like a club, smashing it into the other bugs charging his way. The thing¡¯s body hit the flying bugs with a sickening thud, knocking several of them out of the air.

    "Hahaha! Come on, then! I¡¯ve got plenty for all of you!"

    ["Host, I recommend switching to the combat machetes. While using the bug as a weapon is effective for crowd control, it won¡¯t kill them."

    "Cleo, you really need to learn how to have fun," Rex grinned, still swinging. "But yeah, you¡¯re right¡ªthis isn¡¯t playtime."

    He dropped the battered bug and pulled out two machetes from the scabbards on his hips, instinctively falling into a combat stance that felt strangely familiar, like he¡¯d done this a thousand times before. Meanwhile, the swarm of flying bugs kept coming, but now he was ready.

    As soon as they were in range, Rex started slicing through them like they were nothing. With his heightened senses, he could pinpoint the weak spots, cutting through their soft tissue with minimal resistance. He focused on the flyers, slashing them down with fluid, deadly efficiency, all while dodging the burrowers that tried to crush him.

    While Rex was busy tearing through the bugs, the elevator finally reached the first floor of the mine. The automatic doors detected its arrival and began to slide open with a quiet hiss. Standing just beyond the doors were a few survivors from another company that had been sent to this world.

    At first, the survivors flinched, their hearts pounding as they saw the swarm of bugs just outside. These were the same creatures that had massacred their team only a few hours ago. And now, right in front of them, more bugs swarmed, ready to attack.

    "Look over there! There¡¯s someone!" one of the survivors shouted, pointing with trembling hands.

    The rest turned to look where he was pointing, and that¡¯s when they saw him¡ªRex. He was in the middle of the chaos, moving like a whirlwind of steel, slicing through the bugs with terrifying precision. His movements were effortless and fluid, like he¡¯d done this a thousand times before. The finesse with which he wielded those blades could only be compared to a master swordsman.

    "It¡¯s a noble! A noble¡¯s here!" someone gasped.

    "A noble?!" another echoed, sounding both awed and terrified.

    "How do you know he¡¯s a noble?"

    "Come on, think about it; swordmasters are all nobles, and look at him! He¡¯s got bionic implants all over his body; that¡¯s why he¡¯s so strong!"

    In this galaxy, the nobles were descendants of the megacorps, and they were the only ones who could afford the kind of high-grade bionic implants that Rex had. Implants like that weren¡¯t just rare; they were exclusive to the elite, practically a symbol of their status. So, seeing someone with that kind of tech was a dead giveaway that they were dealing with a noble.

    "Cleo... I¡¯m starting to think you¡¯ve got a pretty low opinion of me," Rex grumbled. "Anyway, let¡¯s give them a little show."

    With that, Rex bent his knees slightly and launched himself high into the air, leaping down from the mountain of bug corpses with ease. He soared several meters up before landing right in front of the survivors, his feet hitting the ground with a dull thud as if it were nothing.

    The moment they saw him land, the survivors froze. The stories about nobles being ruthless and quick to anger must¡¯ve been running through their minds, because without hesitation, they all dropped to their knees, heads bowed low, not daring to look him in the eye.

    Rex felt a wave of disgust ripple through him at the sight of their submission, but he kept his expression cold. If he wanted information, he had to play the part.

    "Who¡¯s in charge here?" he asked, lowering his voice, making it deep and authoritative.

    "T-that would be me, sir!"

    The response came from one of the guards, his voice shaky. He remained on his knees, head down, speaking without even glancing up at Rex.

    Rex let the silence hang in the air for a moment, letting the tension build. He could practically feel Cleo smirking in his head.

    "Good," Rex said, folding his arms. "Do you have any idea what¡¯s going on? Why the bugs started pouring out and attacking the colony?"

    The mention of the colony sent a visible shiver through the survivors. Their faces paled as they realized the gravity of the situation. If the bugs had reached the colony, it meant things were far worse than they¡¯d thought.

    And now it made sense to them as to why a noble had been sent to investigate. Only someone with that level of authority and power could be trusted with handling something like this, especially if it meant finding whoever or whatever was responsible.

    "We... we don¡¯t know, sir," one of the guards stammered, his voice barely steady.

    "A few hours ago, we were just guarding the miners when this massive earthquake hit. A few minutes later, the bugs started coming through holes in the mines. They swarmed us... we didn¡¯t stand a chance. The people you see here... we¡¯re all that¡¯s left of the survivors."

    Rex frowned, taking in the information. "Hmm, fine. Get into the elevator," he ordered. "We¡¯re heading back to floor 0. I want all the miners out of here ASAP. As for you guards, you¡¯re under my command now.

    Also, give me some ammo clips. I¡¯m out after clearing the way down here."

    The survivors quickly did as they were told, scrambling to gather what little ammo they had left and handing it over to Rex. Their fear was palpable, especially now that they understood the full scale of the disaster. The guards handed him a few ammo clips, and without another word, they all piled into the elevator, the air thick with tension.

    As the elevator started moving, a deep, mechanical hum filled the shaft. The survivors went stiff, their eyes darting around nervously, fearing that the sound would attract more bugs.

    Rex glanced at them, reading the fear on their faces. "Relax. If anything comes, I¡¯ll handle it."

    But despite his words, they remained frozen, the weight of their situation settling in as they rose toward the surface.

 Chapter 7: Necrohounds

    But, thankfully, despite what they feared, the elevator reached the top floor without too much trouble and without anymore bug attacks.

    "Alright, the civilians can get out now. I cleared the path here, but just in case, don¡¯t make any noise on your way out. If any bugs show up, there are two vehicles outside the mine. One of them has a mounted machine gun. Use it for defense if necessary, but don¡¯t try to leave. Wait for us to come out."

    "U-understood, my lord."

    "We will wait for your eminence."

    Rex still hadn¡¯t gotten used to people kneeling or bowing their heads in front of him. He hated it, but for now, he had to swallow his anger and play the part. Once the miners were out of sight, one of the guards pressed the button for the second floor.

    Since the guards didn¡¯t have night vision like Rex, they were using flashlights mounted on their helmets.

    "Hey, Cleo, don¡¯t you think it feels a lot creepier moving forward with just these lanterns? It kind of reminds me of those horror movies in the theaters.")

    "I don¡¯t have any data on what a theater or a horror movie is, host. Could you explain?"

    ("Uh, well, a theater is a place where you watch films for entertainment, and horror movies usually have a creepy monster that, you know, eats people."

    ["Understood. Storing the data for future reference."

    The whole conversation took place inside Rex¡¯s mind, of course. It would be weird if the others saw him talking to himself, especially since only he could hear Cleo¡¯s voice. If he didn¡¯t already know she was the one who upgraded his body, he might have thought he was going crazy too.

    Meanwhile, the guards next to him were sweating bullets, nervous to be so close to a noble who could easily kill them. And there he was, just standing still, staring into space like a predator waiting for his next move, ready to strike.

    [Multiple hostiles detected. Activating combat mode."]

    "Prepare for combat! Something¡¯s coming!"

    Thanks to his new eyes, which worked like radar, and Cleo¡¯s ability to detect hostile creatures from a few meters away, Rex wasn¡¯t caught off guard this time. The moment the door to the second floor opened, multiple dog-like bugs started charging toward Rex and his group.

    "Open fire!" Rex shouted, pointing toward the oncoming hounds.

    The guards quickly started shooting, but it was pitch black down there, and the hounds¡¯ jet-black bodies made them almost impossible to see in the dark.

    "Cleo! Do you have any info on these things?"

    ["The enemies are Necrohounds¡ªcarrion-eating insectoids that thrive on battlefield remains. They can repurpose biological matter to heal themselves or others. After battles, they scavenge to feed. Necrohounds can regenerate lost limbs or enhance their bodies with absorbed biomass, making them difficult to permanently kill."]

    "Is there a good way to take them down!?"

    ("Oh, great thinking, Cleo!")

    "Alright, everyone, listen up! Start searching for ammo and anything else we can use. I doubt we¡¯ll find any survivors, but keep your eyes open for anything unusual. And this time, try not to shoot me."

    With the noble¡¯s orders, they all started combing through the floor for ammunition and supplies. After some time, they managed to find a decent number of ammo clips. The rifles from the fallen guards were the same model they were using, so they left the spares where they lay.

    "Alright, that should do it. Let¡¯s head down to the next floor."

    They made their way to the elevator console and went straight to floor three. But just like before, the place was empty, and only torn bodies and rivers of blood remained. The same story played out on floor four.

    Morale was sinking fast. A few days ago, these guards were just office workers, and now they were witnessing unimaginable carnage. You didn¡¯t have to be of the same race to feel the weight of all this senseless death.

    Meanwhile, Rex was growing more and more anxious. If floors three and four were this bad, what horrors awaited on floor five? He clung to the hope that his best friend was still alive. His distress didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Cleo; she could feel every bit of it, thanks to their symbiotic bond.

    [....]

    After a few more minutes, the elevator finally reached the distant part of the mine, floor number five. As soon as they arrived, they started surveying the area. This floor was much bigger and wider than the others.

    ("Cleo, start scanning the area. I want all the details.")

    ["Understood. Beginning scan. Please continue to check different areas."]

    Following Cleo¡¯s instructions, Rex moved around the zone. As he looked at different spots, a scanning light emitted from his eyes, sweeping over everything in his gaze. The guards were stunned. They already knew Rex had bionic enhancements in his eyes, but they hadn¡¯t expected him to have scanner sight.

    Scanner sight was supposed to be reserved for top military investigators. Now, it was clear to the guards that the noble standing before them wasn¡¯t just any noble; he was likely a high noble. The high nobles were like fleet commanders, in charge of entire armadas, controlling the fleets of the megacorporations.

    But Rex wasn¡¯t paying any attention to their reactions. He stayed focused, continuing to scan the whole area.

    ["Scan complete. A small-scale battle took place here. There are spent shell casings and bullet impacts scattered around. Tracks suggest the presence of a large, heavy creature. There are also the bodies of miners and guards. End of report."]

    ("Thanks, Cleo.")

    "You all stay here and guard the elevator. I¡¯m heading deeper into the excavation zone. If I¡¯m not back in 30 minutes, leave without me."

    "Don¡¯t worry, my lord, we¡¯ll wait for you."

    "Good luck, my lord."

    Rex simply nodded before starting down into the excavation zone of floor five. The tension in the air was thick, and the fear he had been trying to suppress began creeping back in. What if his friend was already dead?

 Chapter 8: Khryssari Vanguard.

    Rex kept moving deeper into the mine. The further he went, the more he spotted small pools of blood here, abandoned equipment there. His nerves started to get the best of him. Every sign he came across chipped away at his hope that his best friend might still be alive.

    ["Reminder: The stored oxygen is almost depleted. With about an hour left, I recommend finding an oxygen tank from the equipment scattered around."]

    "Oh man, I almost forgot. I¡¯ve been breathing fine, and it felt... normal, I guess. Alright, help me find a tank with oxygen, then."

    ["Scanning... There¡¯s one ahead. Please follow the illuminated path."]

    Rex followed the glowing trail in front of him. Since the mine was worked by various races, there were all kinds of tanks scattered around, some not even filled with oxygen. That¡¯s where Cleo came in handy. Without her, he wouldn¡¯t have a clue what was safe.

    "Got it. Now what? None of the atmospheric suits down here are intact."

    ["Not necessary. Just open the tank and inhale the oxygen directly. I¡¯ll store it in your lungs and expel impurities using the breathers near your ribs."]

    "Why do I get the feeling I¡¯ll be eating a lot of strange stuff because of you? Well, here goes nothing."

    He did as Cleo instructed, while she efficiently stored the oxygen, extending the time they could survive without having to breathe the thin air. Rex pushed on, heading further into the excavation site until he reached what looked like the main operation zone. There was equipment everywhere used for mining.

    He glanced around, trying to spot any sign of Carlos. Maybe he was still alive, hiding out somewhere.

    "REX! WATCH OUT!"

    Rex barely heard the shout before something heavy slammed into him, launching him through the air. He crashed into one of the mining vehicles with a sickening thud, the impact causing its battery to explode in a flash of light and sound.

    ["Multiple damaged areas confirmed. Beginning automatic repair process. Host incapacitated. Detecting powerful threat ahead. Activating overdrive, combat mode engaged."]

    Rex had been knocked out cold by the unexpected hit, leaving Cleo to take full control. From within the flames of the wrecked vehicle, the sound of gunfire echoed, shots ricocheting off the armored enemy that had ambushed them. But something was off. The bullets weren¡¯t even scratching it.

    With a powerful leap, Cleo launched Rex¡¯s body out of the burning car. His wounds were already healing, skin knitting back together at a pace that seemed impossible. Where his eyes were once black, they now glowed a fierce amber, illuminated by Cleo¡¯s control.

    ["Enemy identified: Khryssari Vanguard. Insufficient power to neutralize. Searching for alternatives."]

    The Khryssari Vanguards were notorious for being the first wave of a hive-mind army, built for brute strength and terrifying endurance. Their thick, organic armor could shrug off most conventional weapons like nothing.

    Cleo kept firing, maintaining distance while dodging the vanguard¡¯s relentless charges. Each shot was precise, aimed straight at the thing¡¯s head. But the rounds weren¡¯t enough. They bounced off its thick carapace or simply got absorbed, and any damage they did manage to inflict was quickly being repaired by its living armor.

    "Dude, you¡¯re heavy as hell. Seriously, you need to lay off the pizza," Carlos grunted, still struggling to even budge him.

    "Shut up, I¡¯m not fat," Rex¡¯s voice suddenly groaned from the ground. "Check out these sexy muscles."

    Carlos nearly jumped out of his skin. "What the¡ª! If you¡¯re awake, say something! I almost had a heart attack, man."

    "Haha, my bad," Rex chuckled, slowly sitting up, rubbing his head like he¡¯d just woken from a nap. "I wake up to find you groping me¡ªjust for the record, I¡¯m not into dudes."

    Carlos let out a sigh, both relieved and exasperated. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. You¡¯re lucky you didn¡¯t get your metal head kicked in."

    "By the way, since when are you this strong? And what¡¯s with the beautiful voice? What the hell is going on?"

    "Whoa, slow down, man. One question at a time," Rex replied, shaking his head with a smirk. "Let¡¯s move first¡ªI¡¯d rather not stick around and find out what else is lurking down here."

    Just as they were preparing to leave, something pinged on Rex¡¯s radar; it was a single blue point. That was new. He hadn¡¯t seen a blue signal before.

    ["Unnatural presence detected in the vehicle ahead. I recommend investigation."]

    "Hold on, Carlos," Rex said, his tone more serious now. "What¡¯s in that car over there?"

    Carlos followed Rex¡¯s gaze, squinting as he tried to remember. "Hmm, no idea. When I clocked in for my shift today, that car was already parked there, with a bunch of guards around it. A few hours later, even more guards showed up, but that¡¯s all I know. Why? You think it¡¯s connected to whatever went down here?"

    "I¡¯m not sure," Rex replied, staring at the vehicle. "But if they had guards swarming around it, the corporations must¡¯ve known something was up. This thing might be why the attack happened. You stay here; I¡¯m going to check it out."

    Rex moved toward the vehicle, his body still feeling a bit stiff from the overdrive. He made his way to the back of the car, stopping just behind the cargo bay doors. They were sealed tight, clearly not meant to be opened by just anyone.

    But Rex wasn¡¯t "just anyone" anymore. With his enhanced strength, he dug his fingers into the edges of the doors, and slowly, they started to give way, metal groaning under the pressure.

    With one last pull, the doors swung open, revealing the contents inside.

    What he saw was breathtaking; it was something completely alien. Even Cleo, normally composed and calculated, sounded surprised.

    ["Incredible... Host, what you¡¯re looking at is rare, almost unheard of in the galaxy."]

    Rex stood there, staring in awe. Whatever this thing was, it was the kind of discovery that could shake the universe to its core.

 Chapter 9: Khryssari Princess

    "Cleo, what am I even looking at right now?"

    ["Answering the host, this is a Khryssari princess."]

    Rex stared at what looked like an egg, though it wasn¡¯t like any egg he¡¯d ever seen. It seemed to be made of some kind of hard tissue, pulsating every so often as if it were alive. The surface was slightly transparent, and inside, he could make out a shadowy figure; it was humanoid in shape with long hair.

    "So, Cleo... should we kill it?"

    ["I¡¯m dumbfounded. I already knew the host lacked intellect, but I didn¡¯t see this coming. Congratulations, host; your level of stupidity can¡¯t even be measured by me."]

    "What? Cut me some slack. I¡¯ve never seen anything like this before. If it¡¯s dangerous, wouldn¡¯t it be better to destroy it?"

    ["You can destroy it, yes, but it¡¯s not recommended. The Khryssari hive minds only have one daughter in their lifetime. She becomes the Queen if the current one dies."]

    Cleo¡¯s voice softened a bit, almost cracking, when she mentioned the egg.

    ["Years ago, my race also encountered a Khryssari princess egg..."]

    Rex noticed how her tone had changed, then she made a brief pause before she continued.

    ["One of our primary memory systems made the decision to eradicate the egg, thinking it would prevent future threats. But it turned out to be one of the most catastrophic mistakes we ever made."]

    [....]

    ["Soon after, wormhole signatures began to appear across the planet where we destroyed the egg. Hivemind fleets poured out, an endless number of them."]

    [Our fleet was annihilated in minutes. The planet was razed to the ground, and they didn¡¯t stop there. The Khryssari¡¯s fury over the loss of their princess burned for years. My once-prosperous race... was wiped from the galaxy."]

    "So, is this why you ended up on this desert planet?"

    ["Affirmative. The fleet I was assigned to got caught in a battle with one of the hive mind¡¯s fleets. Our fleet was mostly made up of cargo and escort ships; we didn¡¯t stand a chance against them. I managed to escape through a wild wormhole."]

    ["But wild wormholes are unpredictable. My ship took severe damage, and my body was also compromised. I had no choice but to enter hibernation until I woke up a few hours ago."]

    "Alright, so what do we do? Should we take it with us?"

    ["That would be the best option. If we leave it here and something happens to it, which is as good as death, the consequences could be catastrophic. Take it to my ship. Sharing coordinates now, proceed as quickly as possible."]

    Rex noticed the illuminated path appear once again.

    "Okay, but first, let¡¯s get out of here. We¡¯ve already kept Carlos waiting too long, and who knows if the guards have ditched us by now."

    "Oh? Alright. Carlos, make yourself comfortable, but don¡¯t break anything, or the owner will probably kill us."

    "Sure thing. I¡¯m just going to crash in the car for a bit. So much has happened today, and now that we¡¯re finally safe, I can feel how tired I am."

    "Go ahead, man! Just don¡¯t drool on the seat where my butt was a few minutes ago!"

    "Fuck off, dude! Get outta here already."

    Rex chuckled and waved him off as he headed toward the area Cleo was directing him to. As he approached, the automatic doors slid open, revealing a room that was mostly empty except for a tank-like structure made of metal and glass, surrounded by various pieces of machinery.

    ["Host, please lie down inside the tank. It will not harm your body. The process will help you recharge your energy, and in the event of severe damage, it can assist in healing."]

    "Well, you¡¯ve helped me this far, so I trust you."

    [.....]

    Rex walked up to the tank, and as he got close, the glass cover automatically lifted open. He was just about to step inside when Cleo interrupted.

    ["Host, please remove your clothes first. They will interfere with the examination and recharge process."]

    "W-what!?" Rex stammered. "Cleo, you¡¯re a naughty AI."

    He instinctively covered himself, as if he were a shy girl being caught naked.

    ["W-what? Y-you... I didn¡¯t mean... y-you!"]

    For a moment, Rex was completely thrown off by Cleo¡¯s flustered response. He knew she was far from the typical AIs you could find across the galaxy, but seeing her get this worked up was definitely a first.

    "Wow, even you have moments like this? You¡¯re kind of cute when you¡¯re embarrassed."

    [....]

    ["Activating control over the host¡¯s body!"]

    "W-wait, hey! What are you doing!?"

    Before Rex could protest, Cleo took control of his body. He found himself undressing, completely against his will, while Cleo calmly guided him into the tank. Once he was lying down inside, control of his body was returned to him.

    "Great, now I¡¯ve been dirtied. I guess I can¡¯t get married anymore!" he said dramatically.

    [....]

    Cleo, for the sake of her sanity, chose to ignore Rex¡¯s antics. Meanwhile, Rex just grinned, clearly amused by this side of Cleo that he hadn¡¯t seen before. As the glass door of the tank slid shut, he noticed a small spherical object descend from the ceiling. It looked like a camera, and from it, an image that looked like a hologram began to form.

 Chapter 10: Cleos new form.

    The hologram began to materialize from the feet up, slowly forming a figure until it was a bluish, female shape with long, flowing hair that reached down past her waist. Once the hologram was fully shaped, it started to take on more detail.

    The figure became covered in a sleek blue and white battle suit, with touches of golden accentuating certain parts. Her skin was a luminous pale, her eyes a striking amber, and her hair was an inky, abyss-like black.

    She stood there for a moment, her gaze fixed on Rex, before her lips began to move.

    ["Host, please close your eyes. Since you¡¯re still partially organic, the recharge could damage your sensitive eye tissue."]

    Rex could hardly believe what he was seeing. Standing in front of him was a stunning figure, exactly the kind of beauty that matched his taste.

    "W-wait, Cleo? Is that you?" he stammered.

    ["Affirmative. Now close your eyes; I¡¯m initiating the recharge sequence."]

    Even though Rex¡¯s gaze was lingering on Cleo¡¯s shapely figure, he finally decided it was best to close his eyes. Just in case. A few seconds later, he felt a gentle tingling sensation spread over his body. It wasn¡¯t unlike what he¡¯d felt the first time he recharged by biting the cable, but this time, it was oddly soothing.

    As he recharged, Cleo¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile.

    ["So, he likes this body, huh?"] she muttered under her breath. "Wait, why do I even care? Is there something wrong with me? running a scan for malfunctions... scan complete. No system failures detected."]

    After about an hour, Rex was fully recharged. The tank¡¯s glass door opened automatically, and he stepped out, stretching before getting dressed.

    "So, Cleo, care to explain how you have a body now?"

    ["To answer the host question, this has always been my original form. What you¡¯re seeing is a stored image from my memory archives. I figured it would make communication more effective."]

    Rex looked her over from head to toe, his eyes finally meeting hers. He gave her a thumbs up, though Cleo seemed a bit puzzled by the gesture.

    "Alright, what¡¯s our next move? Still heading to the mines?" he asked.

    ["Affirmative. I need the resources to repair the ship. In its current state, leaving the planet or defending ourselves is not possible. Shall I set a course for the mines?"]

    "Yeah, let¡¯s do it," Rex nodded.

    In a graceful motion, Cleo gestured for Rex to follow her. They made their way toward the pilot¡¯s cabin, a spacious area with six chairs, one for the pilot, another for the copilot, and four more for passengers. Cleo walked straight to the copilot¡¯s seat and sat down, nodding toward Rex to take the pilot¡¯s chair.

    Once seated, Rex scratched his head and looked over at Cleo.

    "You know, I appreciate that you have so much faith in me, but I¡¯ve never actually flown a ship before. Shouldn¡¯t you be the one doing this?"

    After the conversation finally calmed down, Cleo started explaining slowly to Rex how to control the ship. In theory, Rex¡¯s body was now like a human-sized game controller; all he had to do was move his arms to steer, and his fingers would control the ship¡¯s main guns.

    But since the weapons were damaged, they¡¯d have to save that part of the training for later.

    "By the way, Rex, how are you even breathing without a helmet?" Carlos asked, scratching his head.

    "Oh yeah, good point. Cleo, how long do I have before I need to recharge the oxygen?"

    "Answering the host,] Cleo replied in her calm, robotic tone, ["You¡¯ve been breathing just fine. When you were in the recharge bay, I instructed the drones to build an oxygen generator. It¡¯ll last until the ship¡¯s energy runs out."]

    "So... how much energy does the ship have left?" Rex asked, a bit concerned now.

    Cleo brought up the holographic display again, scanning the data.

    ["Energy remaining is 50%. I recommend the host recharge the ship as soon as possible to avoid a power shortage."]

    "Oh, if you¡¯re looking for a recharge bay, I saw one at the colony¡¯s landing zone when we arrived," Carlos chimed in.

    Rex sighed. "Carlos... just so you know, the colony is overrun with bugs. There¡¯s no way we can get there without any weapons. We¡¯re heading to the mines first to gather resources to fix the ship¡¯s guns."

    As Rex filled Carlos in on the colony situation, the ship arrived at the coordinates Rex had inputted. The autopilot took over and guided the ship to land. Once they touched down, Cleo immediately activated the recon drones, sending them into the mine to scout for resources.

    Before long, data started streaming onto the big screen inside the ship. The recon drones had found plenty of metals and precious minerals; it was stuff that would fetch a high price on other planets, but for now, they needed it all to repair the ship. Cleo gave another command, and soon the miner and cargo drones were dispatched to start collecting the materials.

    "So?" Carlos asked, "What are we repairing first?"

    "From what teacher Cleo¡¯s been drilling into my head, the turrets are our best bet," Rex said, rubbing his temples. "She can control those and fire while I focus on flying. The only downside is, with the resources we have, we¡¯ll have to settle for dual machine gun turrets. No high-tech stuff."

    "Machine guns, huh? What about the ammo?" Carlos asked.

    "We can make it ourselves. Any kind of metal will work, since they don¡¯t need gunpowder. That¡¯s a lifesaver."

    As Rex and Carlos talked, the first batch of cargo drones finally arrived, hauling various metals and unloading them into the cargo bay holders. The foundry drones quickly took over, processing the materials to repair the turrets and start manufacturing ammo.

    Carlos glanced at Rex, a serious look crossing his face. "By the way, Rex... I¡¯ve been meaning to ask you something. How are you holding up after... everything? I mean, killing all those bugs, seeing so much death.

    We¡¯ve been in plenty of scrapes, but you¡¯ve never killed anyone before."

    Rex froze for a second, meeting Carlos¡¯s gaze. He knew his friend was right. The question had been nagging at the back of his mind too. How had he managed to stay so... numb? No sadness for the workers they saw slaughtered, no disgust when he killed the bugs; he¡¯d just done it, like it was the most natural thing in the world.

 Chapter 11: Cleo and Rex connection.

    Suddenly, Rex turned to face Cleo, who had been standing quietly behind him. He had a feeling that if something weird was going on in his head, Cleo probably had something to do with it.

    "Cleo... What did you do to my brain!? Did you mess with it too!?"

    [....]

    "Hey, relax, man."

    Seeing Rex¡¯s sudden outburst, Carlos grabbed his shoulder, trying to calm him down.

    ["As Host has stated, the brain of the host has been enhanced to accommodate my presence. Unnecessary emotions were suppressed and only a strong shock could trigger any real response."]

    "Oh... that... actually doesn¡¯t sound so bad. DAMN IT! It¡¯s happening again!"

    Rex slumped into one of the pilot seats, rubbing his temples, lost in thought. Cleo, seeing that the situation had cooled down, went back to commanding the drones. And like that, several hours passed.

    ["Host, wake up. Host?"]

    By now, it was past 4 a.m. Rex and Carlos had both gone to sleep. Carlos curled up in the car¡¯s front seats, making sure to lock the doors this time, while Rex lay down on the cold metal bed in the recharging bay. When the turret repairs were finally done, Cleo went to check on Rex. She found him fast asleep.

    [....]

    Cleo stood there for a while, just watching Rex sleep. After a few minutes, she quietly walked over and lay down beside him. She wasn¡¯t sure why she did it; after all, they¡¯d barely known each other for a day. The only thing that made sense was that they now shared the same body.

    And since Rex seemed to like her humanoid form, maybe that attraction flowed both ways because of their symbiotic connection. It was strange. Her race didn¡¯t need physical attraction or even reproduction; they were made of living metal. To grow their numbers, they simply built a new body and transferred part of their consciousness into it. After a few years, a new AI would be born.

    But none of that explained why she felt so drawn to him. Why was this new emotion that was something deep and unfamiliar for her, pulling at her with such curiosity?.

    While she was lost in thought, Cleo¡¯s hand slowly moved toward Rex¡¯s face. Carefully, she tried to touch him with her fingertip, but as soon as she did, her hand phased right through his skin. She quickly pulled it back, staring at her own hand, a strange sense of disappointment settling in. She didn¡¯t have a body of her own, and that feeling stung more than she expected.

    Quietly, she got up from the metal bed in the recharge bay and slipped out of the room.

    A few hours later, Rex finally stirred awake and climbed out of the tank. He stretched, still groggy, and made his way to the pilot cabin. When he got there, the first thing he saw was Cleo¡¯s face, beautifully lit by the light of the planet¡¯s twin suns.

    "Morning, Cleo. How are the preparations going?" he asked, still rubbing sleep from his eyes.

    "Mmm, alright then... just call me Rex. That works better since we¡¯re partners now."

    ["Understood... Rex."]

    "Mhm, that¡¯s better." Rex nodded with a proud smile, just as Carlos walked into the cabin.

    "What¡¯s up, guys? Did I walk in on something?"

    "Well, kinda," Rex chuckled. "But no worries, let me fill you in on what we¡¯re doing next."

    Rex then explained the plan to Carlos. It took a while, mostly because Carlos kept asking questions, wanting to be sure about every detail. But once the plan was laid out, Cleo began piloting the ship toward the colony. They started gearing up when they were about two kilometers out.

    Rex and Carlos both grabbed their electric assault rifles, the ones they¡¯d picked up back in the mines, and began loading their pockets with extra ammo clips. Rex slipped into his guard armor, securing the helmet in place, while Carlos did the same. Since they¡¯d be inside the colony, he didn¡¯t need the atmospheric suit this time.

    ["Gentlemen, prepare yourselves. We¡¯ll be entering the colony¡¯s airspace in three minutes. Combat drones activated, standing by."]

    Rex felt the adrenaline kicking in. Even with the emotion suppressor, he couldn¡¯t shake the excitement building inside him. The thrill of what they were about to do was too much for the tech to completely dampen. Carlos, on the other hand, was clearly nervous. His hands were slick with sweat, and beads of it were dripping down his forehead.

    Rex gave Carlos a firm pat on the back.

    "Cheer up, man. You¡¯re just going to the grocery store, while I¡¯m heading into the hot zone. I should be the one freaking out! Oh, and don¡¯t forget to grab some chips! They¡¯re in the VIP section. And hey, no need to be cheap¡ªthey¡¯re free today!"

    While Rex rambled on with his usual nonsense, the cargo bay door began to open. The sound of the ship¡¯s automatic turrets firing non-stop filled the air as thousands of flying bugs swarmed around the vessel. The only thing keeping them at bay was the shield, flickering under the strain.

    ["It¡¯s time, Rex. Jump now. I¡¯ll take Carlos to the next drop point."]

    "You heard the lady! Good luck, my bald friend! Wooohoooo!"

    With a shout of excitement, Rex took off running and leapt out of the ship, yelling like a kid on a rollercoaster. As he free-fell, the flying bugs turned their attention to him, swarming in his direction. Rex didn¡¯t hesitate; he then raised his rifle and started firing at them in midair.

    Suddenly, combat drones shot out from multiple exits in the ship, built specifically for quick deployment. Armed with miniguns, they were being controlled manually by Cleo, who coordinated their movements with ease. The drones quickly formed a tight square formation around Rex, laying down heavy fire on the bugs that swarmed toward him.

    "Hahaha! That¡¯s what I¡¯m talking about! Cleo, you know I love you, right? So make sure you don¡¯t shoot me!"

    [....]

    After a tense minute or so, Rex finally hit the landing zone, his fall slowed by Cleo¡¯s precise adjustments, bringing him down safely. As his feet hit the ground, he looked up and saw the ship pulling away, its turrets still blazing as it continued to fend off the relentless swarm.

 Chapter 12: Retrieval Operation.

    "Alright, it¡¯s time to start the operation. Let¡¯s move, Cleo."

    Rex began scanning the wrecked cargo ships one by one, while the combat drones kept the swarm busy. Meanwhile, it was Carlos¡¯ turn to drop from the ship. Since he was just a regular human, the ship had to lower its altitude to a safe level before dropping him onto the warehouse rooftop, along with ten combat drones and six cargo drones.

    Once he hit the roof and the drones joined him, the ship immediately took off, its engines roaring as it shot away. For now, its firepower was enough to hold off the flying bugs. With that cover, Carlos figured he could get inside without too much hassle.

    He made his way to the door on the rooftop, but it was locked. And with no other option, he shot the lock and forced it open. The combat drones moved in first, securing the area. After a few moments, Carlos could hear gunfire echoing from inside the warehouse.

    Curiosity got the best of him, and he peeked in. The drones were already locked in battle with the bug burrowers, which were crawling up from the ground, tearing apart huge sections of the stored food.

    "Damn, I gotta move fast before they wreck everything! Cargo drones, follow me! Let¡¯s grab what we can!"

    Wasting no time, the drones began picking up the food and liquids Carlos pointed out, all while trying to avoid getting shot or snatched by the burrowers that occasionally burst out.

    "Hey, Cleo, are you sure there¡¯s nothing salvageable from those destroyed cargo ships?"

    ["Affirmative. Scanners show there are many useful parts, but everything we need is beyond repair. This doesn¡¯t seem like an accident anymore... high probability of sabotage."]

    "Sabotage? Who in their right mind would want to stick around this bug-infested hellhole unless... the one who did it already left the planet? Damn, what the hell is going on here?"

    While Carlos was busy gathering supplies, Rex and Cleo were still searching for parts to fix the ship¡¯s flight engine. So far, no luck. With nothing salvageable from the destroyed cargo ships, they decided to head to the warehouse, where spare parts for ship maintenance were supposed to be stored.

    The warehouse was pretty close to the landing zone, so it didn¡¯t take them long to reach the entrance. Lucky for them, the door was already open. It looked like the bugs had attacked right in the middle of a maintenance job on a cargo ship.

    "Looks like we¡¯ve hit the jackpot here! Cleo, scan this ship, quick!"

    ["Scanning in progress. Please stand by."]

    ["Scan complete. This cargo ship has an operational flight engine. Please secure the area while I send in an engineer drone once the ship passes overhead."]

    "You got it; leave it to me."

    Cleo then directed the drones to form a defensive perimeter around the warehouse while Rex continued scanning the inside for anything useful. Meanwhile, up in the sky, the ship kept circling, getting closer to Rex¡¯s location, but it had been several minutes already, and the bug numbers showed no signs of slowing.

    Despite the ship¡¯s constant fire, wiping out bugs left and right, they just kept pouring out of the colony¡¯s central hole. It was clear the hive mind was a much bigger threat than they¡¯d anticipated.

    "Good! Get us out of here, Cleo!"

    They quickly flew out of the colony¡¯s airspace. Once they were a few kilometers away, Cleo used the combat drones as a distraction, sending them to draw the swarm¡¯s attention while the ship made its escape.

    "Whew, that was close, huh?"

    "Yeah, no kidding. Never in my life did I think I¡¯d be doing a halo jump and taking part in a military op. Oh, by the way, bald guy, did you grab the chips?"

    "Of course I did. I¡¯ve got a whole cargo drone full of them."

    "And... you got the spicy ones, right?"

    "I knew you¡¯d ask. Yeah, I made sure to grab mostly spicy ones."

    "Damn, man. Why weren¡¯t you born a girl? I swear, I¡¯d fall for you. Such a shame."

    "You know, Rex, one of these days I¡¯m going to kill you in your sleep."

    Now that the tension had died down, Rex and Carlos broke into laughter, tossing around playful insults and reminiscing about their time as kids when they were slaves to a wealthy family. It took them 15 long years to buy their freedom, but they never forgot those days.

    In the galaxy, slavery was a common practice, though civilians without criminal records had a chance to buy their freedom after 15 years of servitude, provided their owners allowed it. The agreement usually involved paying a hefty sum of credits over several years.

    However, if a slave failed to meet the payment deadline, they¡¯d be re-enslaved, this time as fugitives, with no further chance to regain their freedom.

    Luckily for Rex and Carlos, they managed to pay off their debts by sticking together and helping each other. Rex even helped Carlos pay for his sweetheart¡¯s freedom. A few years later, Carlos married her, and they had a child. Tragically, she died during childbirth.

    Despite the galaxy¡¯s advanced medical technology, the costs were exorbitant. For regular office slaves like Rex and Carlos, hospitals were out of reach.

    Instead, they turned to clandestine doctors. Though still expensive, they were far more accessible for ordinary people. Rex even helped Carlos cover the doctor¡¯s fees. It was moments like these, along with many other sacrifices, that solidified Carlos¡¯ unwavering loyalty to Rex.

    "By the way, Cleo, give me a damage report. And what¡¯s our next task?"

    ["Understood. Three of the eight turrets were overused; their barrels are completely destroyed. Shield energy is down to 8%. We¡¯ve also lost all of the combat drones, and we don¡¯t have enough materials to produce more. I recommend landing in a safe location to recharge the shields."]

    ["And for what¡¯s next on our to-do list is...]

 Chapter 13: Leaving the world.

    After a moment of sifting through multiple screens that had appeared unexpectedly, Cleo finally spoke.

    "Leaving this planet would be the most sensible option. I can¡¯t gather enough materials to upgrade the ship here, and our resources and energy aren¡¯t limitless. The shield recharge to 50% will take two days at most, and at that level, we should be able to leave this world."

    "How safe is it for us to actually leave?"

    "Once the preparations are done, it¡¯ll be relatively safe. But without enough firepower for space combat, there¡¯s always some risk."

    "Now that you mention it, I¡¯ve never fought in space before, then again, not on the ground either. So, what do we need to consider in a space battle?"

    "It depends on the type of ship. For smaller ones, it¡¯s all about the pilot¡¯s skills. Even the smallest fighters are strong, but their shields and hulls can¡¯t take a direct hit from an average missile, and they definitely can¡¯t handle the defenses of larger ships."

    "But there are enough types of fighters to make up for that. There¡¯s one kind, bombers, that¡¯s especially dangerous, even to bigger ships. While they can¡¯t destroy a large vessel outright, they can take out engines or turbines, making it an easy target.

    "For medium and large ships, it comes down to shield strength, firepower, and the type of ammunition you¡¯re using. If the enemy¡¯s shields are up, kinetic weapons like torpedoes, missiles, and cannons are the best option. Once the shields are down, we switch to lasers."

    "Kinetic weapons deal heavy damage to shields, but not much to heavily armored ships. Lasers, though, cut right through armor. There are other kinds of weapons, but I¡¯ll explain those if we ever face them."

    Once Cleo finished her explanation, she turned to look at Rex and Carlos, a proud smile on her face since she felt she had explained everything perfectly. But her smile quickly vanished when she saw them both sound asleep in the cabin seats, mouths wide open.

    Annoyed, Cleo sighed. She couldn¡¯t do anything to Carlos, being a hologram and all, but Rex was a different story. With a mischievous glint in her eye, she pulled up a screen, tapped a few buttons, and closed it. A second later, Rex jumped out of his chair, scratching himself all over as he hit the floor.

    "Ahhh, what the heck is happening? Why am I so itchy all of a sudden?"

    Meanwhile, Carlos was still fast asleep, blissfully unaware of the chaos happening right next to him.

    "That¡¯s what you get for ignoring me," Cleo said smugly. "Enjoy the itching for another 10 minutes. Good luck." With that, she turned and walked out of the pilot cabin, heading to the second floor, where the small factory was located.

    And so, the hours passed. Rex and Carlos spent their mornings doing non-stop target practice to improve their aim, and in the afternoons, they trained in close-quarters combat. Thanks to the martial arts Cleo had installed in Rex¡¯s body, he ended up teaching Carlos the basics.

    Evenings were the only time they got to relax, eat, and unwind. Cleo, on the other hand, had been busy the entire time repairing the flight engine and redirecting whatever energy she could spare to the shield generators. Three days passed like this, and by the third night, they were finally ready to leave the planet.

    "Rex, everything¡¯s set. We can leave whenever you¡¯re ready. The only thing I¡¯m wondering is... do you know where we¡¯re heading?"

    "Oh, I¡¯ve got that covered. We¡¯re going to Nakor. It¡¯s where this bald guy¡¯s son lives. Plus, it¡¯s a commercial planet, so you¡¯ll have no trouble finding the materials you need. The only issue will be figuring out how to make credits once we get there."

    "Oh, I have an idea, Rex. I know a bar where mercenaries hang out. Now that you¡¯re like a super-soldier, you could easily start bounty hunting on the planet."

    "That sounds great and all," Rex replied, "but we don¡¯t have a mercenary license to take bounty missions, and we don¡¯t know anyone who could introduce us to the mercs."

    "Rex, focus. This is too much of a coincidence, ships appearing just as we leave the planet? Something¡¯s off."

    Right in front of them, a massive wormhole opened, and from it emerged a large battleship. Several other wormholes, smaller in size, began to open all around them.

    [Executor-Class Dreadnought is attempting to contact us; should I accept the call?]

    Rex exchanged a glance with Carlos and Cleo before giving a nod. A screen materialized on the large window, but the image was blurred, clearly on purpose, probably to hide the identity of the caller.

    Despite the visual distortion, Rex could see enough to be surprised. Instead of a face, the screen showed three blue, mannequin-like figures sitting in chairs.

    "This is Strategos Delun Trolotov," a voice said through the static. "Our scanners have detected that your ship is carrying something that belongs to us. Power down your engines and prepare to be boarded."

    "Since when do we have something that belongs to them!? Baldy, what did you steal?"

    "W-What? Why me?! Oh, wait... They¡¯re probably here because of those chips you told me to steal!"

    "Oh, that actually makes sense. Ahem, dear Strategos Delun, I wasn¡¯t the one who stole the chips; it was this bald guy right here!"

    "W-What?! What chips? What are you talking about?!" Delun¡¯s voice turned icy. "Enough with the nonsense. Power down your engines; this is your final warning."

    Rex leaned back and whispered into his mic, "Cleo, is the wormhole ready?"

    "Yes, whenever you¡¯re ready, we can leave."

    Rex glanced at Carlos with a sly grin. Carlos, picking up on his signal, stood up from his seat and made sure the figures on the call could see him clearly.

    "Dear gentlemen, no need to be so hasty. After much discussion with the captain here, we¡¯ve come to a decision that I believe will truly please you."

    "Cleo, now!"

    Carlos smirked and flipped them the bird. "Kiss my ass!"

    In that instant, the ship lurched forward, accelerating to its top speed as a wormhole opened in front of them.

    "Shoot that ship! Bring it down!" one of the blue mannequins shouted in panic.

    But before they could react, the mannequin in the center swung his fist, punching the loud one in the face.

    "Are you an idiot?!" he barked. "Do you even know what¡¯s on that ship?! You want to get us all killed?!"

    Unable to fire on Rex¡¯s ship without risking their own destruction, they watched helplessly as it disappeared into the wormhole, escaping safely into the vastness of space.

 Chapter 14: Returning Home.

    Strategos Delun stood, staring into the empty space where the ship had vanished just seconds ago. His fingers were clenched so tightly that his nails dug into his palms. The anger boiling inside him was palpable. The item the CEO had ordered them to retrieve had been stolen, right from under their noses.

    He didn¡¯t even want to think about what the CEO would do when he found out. They had to act fast and recover the item immediately or risk losing not just their positions but their lives.

    "You prepare the intergalactic communicator. I need to make a call."

    "Understood, Strategos Delun."

    While things escalated on Delun¡¯s end, the Rex team was traveling through a wormhole, enjoying the ride like kids on a rollercoaster.

    "Hahaha, did you see their faces!?"

    "I didn¡¯t see any faces since they didn¡¯t have any! Ahaha!"

    "True, but you could tell they were furious when I gave them my answer."

    As Rex and Carlos laughed over the chaos they¡¯d just left behind, Cleo was focused elsewhere. She was scrolling through the data she¡¯d hacked from the enemy ship. During the brief video call, Cleo had managed to breach their systems undetected and download a treasure trove of information.

    She now had details on all the megacorp operations below rank 3 and, more importantly, the true reason they were on that planet in the first place.

    "Rex, you¡¯re going to want to see this." With a flick of her wrist, Cleo sent one of her screens floating toward Rex.

    "Hmm? What¡¯s this... Wait¡ªhold on! Isn¡¯t that the egg we have in the cargo hold?"

    "Affirmative, that¡¯s the one. It looks like they knew it was there and were waiting for someone to retrieve it. I don¡¯t know how they tracked it, but there¡¯s no question; that was their target."

    "You¡¯re telling us those bastards knew what was on that planet and still sent us all to die?!" Carlos couldn¡¯t hold it in any longer. The thought of being used as a disposable pawn was too much, especially knowing that if he died, his kid would be left with no one.

    "Calm down, Carlos. Yelling at Cleo isn¡¯t going to help. She¡¯s not involved with them. Come with me; I¡¯ll show you what¡¯s in the cargo."

    Rex led the way, with Carlos and Cleo following closely behind. Once in the cargo bay, Rex unlocked the car¡¯s storage, revealing the egg, the very thing that had sealed the fate of everyone back on the colony. Rex began explaining what he knew about the egg and how dangerous it truly was.

    "So, you¡¯re telling me if this egg gets even slightly damaged, we¡¯re all screwed?" Carlos asked, his voice tense.

    "Exactly. The only reason that huge ship didn¡¯t blast us out of the sky is because they can¡¯t risk the Khryssari coming after them. They probably know what happened to other civilizations that messed with them."

    Carlos ran a hand through his bald head. "So, what now?"

    "Nothing changes. The plan stays the same: we make it to Nakor, become bounty hunters, and get your kid back, simple as that. As for the egg, we keep it hidden until we figure out what to do with it."

    This was a major trading hub, but that also meant one thing: where there was wealth, there were dangers. Mercenary groups thrived here as did various underground syndicates. As the saying went, "Where there¡¯s gold, there¡¯s always a dragon," and in this case, the dragons were the criminals lurking in the shadows.

    Ironically, the planet where they¡¯d spent much of their lives was also the safest place to hide from the megacorp hunting them. After another hour at cruising speed, they finally began their descent.

    "By the way, Cleo, where exactly are we landing? It¡¯s not like we have the money to rent a spot at the spaceport," Rex asked, eyeing the navigation panel.

    "Don¡¯t worry, Rex," Cleo replied coolly. "I¡¯ve already set coordinates for a clandestine landing zone. No one asks questions there, but security isn¡¯t exactly guaranteed. It¡¯s a common spot for smugglers."

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "So you¡¯re saying we¡¯ll get robbed the moment we touch down?"

    "Affirmative. That¡¯s what I¡¯m counting on. From what I¡¯ve gathered, the strongest force rules here. While our ship¡¯s turrets aren¡¯t a threat to major vessels, they can easily handle low-level criminals."

    Rex chuckled, starting to catch on. "Ah, I get it now. You want to take over the place. Use the ship¡¯s turrets to scare them off, and have me handle whoever¡¯s in charge. Am I right?"

    "Affirmative, Rex. Once we take down the local boss, we can claim the bounty on his head after we officially become mercenaries. Plus, we get a free landing zone out of it. You may now praise me."

    Carlos, who¡¯d been listening quietly, shook his head with a smirk. "Rex, your girl is terrifying."

    "I know, right? That¡¯s what makes her even sexier. I told you, my wife is the best!"

    "WHO IS YOUR WIFE?!" Cleo snapped, activating Rex¡¯s punishment device.

    "AHHH! It itches!" Rex yelled, scratching frantically at the sudden irritation all over his body.

    Carlos could only stand there, wide-eyed, watching his friend writhe on the floor in a fit of scratching. The look of horror on his face grew as he realized just how scary Cleo really was.

    After a few tense minutes, the ship finally touched down at the smugglers¡¯ landing zone. The moment it landed, a swarm of lowlifes began creeping out from nearby shadows, eyes gleaming with greed as they sized up the new arrival. The ship¡¯s gleaming white and blue hull, adorned with golden accents, stood out like a sore thumb; it was anything but subtle.

    Its eye-catching appearance was like a beacon, drawing every criminal and smuggler in the area. Some were already armed, practically salivating at the thought of looting the passengers and tearing the ship apart for parts. But their anticipation quickly turned to horror.

    Instead of the cargo bay door opening, the turret hatches slid open with lightning speed.

    What followed could only be described as a massacre. The ship¡¯s turrets unleashed a deadly hail of bullets, cutting down the would-be attackers before they had a chance to react. A few managed to fire back, but the ship¡¯s armor was too tough to scratch. Even the criminals¡¯ desperate missile strikes were useless, leaving nothing more than charred marks on the hull.

    In a matter of moments, the area fell silent. Bodies littered the ground, and there was no sign of life left in the landing zone. Then, a small door on the side of the ship opened, and a swarm of floating drones that looked small, spherical, and methodical emerged. They spread out, scanning the area for any survivors or hidden threats.

    After a few minutes of confirming the zone was clear, the ship¡¯s cargo bay doors finally opened. Rex and Carlos stepped out, both clad in guard armor and carrying electric rifles.

    Rex cracked a grin, looking at the devastation around them. "Well, it looks like it¡¯s time for the hunt. You ready, my friend?"

    Carlos nodded, a calm but eager look in his eyes. "Anytime, brother."

 Chapter 15: Smuggler cave.

    The remains of the criminals were scattered everywhere. Every step Rex and Carlos took brought them onto pieces of someone, or what was left of them. But having lived through something similar back at the colony and in the mines, they were somewhat desensitized to it. They pressed on without too much hesitation.

    "Rex, the scout drones have detected a cave about 2 km from your location. I¡¯m sending the coordinates to your guide system. Standby."

    [Coordinates received, displaying route.]

    "Oh, always so thoughtful, my love. I knew you cared about me," Rex smirked, glancing at the transmission from his wife.

    "..."

    This time, Cleo chose to ignore him completely.

    As the path lit up on Rex¡¯s display, he turned to Carlos. "Got the coordinates. Let¡¯s move."

    "I¡¯m right behind you, man."

    "Why behind? Don¡¯t want to take the lead?"

    "No thanks. Ladies first. Besides, you¡¯re the one that¡¯s bulletproof, not me."

    "I don¡¯t even know if I am, to be honest."

    "Well, if you die, I guess you weren¡¯t."

    "Fuck you, Carlos."

    The path to the cave was tough. Weird plants, thick trees, and dense foliage¡ªit was like nature didn¡¯t want them to get there. Everything felt overgrown and tangled, making it hard to navigate. This place was a smugglers¡¯ haven for a reason. If it hadn¡¯t been for Cleo hacking the ships¡¯ communications, they never would¡¯ve found the place.

    After what felt like hours of wading through the dense forest, they finally made it to the cave entrance. From the looks of it, the criminals were ready for them.

    "Damn, they¡¯ve set up barricades. Guards everywhere. I think some of those guys at the landing zone got away and tipped them off. What¡¯s the plan, Rex?"

    Rex gave a sly grin. "I¡¯ve got a few ideas. Cleo helped me narrow it down, and I¡¯ve already picked the one I like best. Listen up, here¡¯s how we¡¯re going to do this."

    The guards outside the smugglers¡¯ cave were heavily armed. Some carried hand grenades; others had rocket launchers slung over their shoulders. Since their leaders were smugglers, getting hold of this kind of firepower wasn¡¯t a problem. In fact, most of them got it dirt cheap or free, as long as they stayed loyal.

    Of course, that loyalty came with a catch, and it was in the form of a control chip implanted in their brains.

    It had been a few hours since they¡¯d heard about the attack at the landing zone, and so far, no one had come looking for them.

    "Hey, you think anyone¡¯s actually coming?" one guard asked, leaning against a tree.

    "Hah! Doubt it. We¡¯re too far from the landing zone. And this place? It¡¯s practically invisible unless you¡¯ve got a guide," another replied, kicking at the dirt.

    "I don¡¯t think the guys who hit the landing zone would even dare come here. And with the toys the smugglers hooked us up with? We¡¯re untouchable."

    "Hey, fellas! Look what I found!" a third guard called out, holding up a fancy-looking bottle.

    "So it¡¯s a gamble, huh?" Rex said, raising an eyebrow.

    "Affirmative," Cleo replied.

    Rex chuckled. "I didn¡¯t think you were one for gambling, Cleo. Be careful not to develop a habit."

    There was a brief silence, then Cleo sighed. "Sigh."

    The comm line went dead again.

    Cleo leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples. The more time she spent working with Rex, the more she found herself adapting to his banter. There was almost no difference between her and a human when it came to the way she spoke now. Maybe Rex was a bad influence after all.

    Rex relayed the info Cleo had given him to Carlos.

    "If what Cleo said is true, fighting these guys is basically going to war with a megacorp."

    "Well, just so you know, Carlos, we¡¯re already considered hostiles. Did you forget about the egg?"

    "Oh yeah, totally slipped my mind, haha. So, what now? If these guys wiped out the smugglers, they¡¯re probably here to silence everyone and erase any witnesses."

    Rex nodded. "Exactly. If we want to take control of this area, we¡¯re going to have to deal with them. First things first, let¡¯s hit the armory inside the cave. There might be some toys in there that can help us even against the odds."

    Without wasting time, Rex headed into the cave, Carlos following a few meters behind. Both were on high alert. Fighting against these Void Assassins was like battling ghosts since they could be anywhere, thanks to their cloaking tech. But fortunately, Cleo had already activated Rex¡¯s infrared vision.

    After a tense walk through the cave¡¯s dim corridors, they finally reached the armory. It was a treasure trove. Rows of weapons lined the walls, from energy rifles to rocket launchers.

    Carlos let out a long whistle. "Damn, look at all this. These smugglers weren¡¯t messing around. And now it¡¯s all free for us."

    "Yep," Rex said, scanning the racks. "Let¡¯s gear up."

    A few minutes later, Rex hefted a massive minigun off the wall, his upgraded body handling it with ease like it was nothing more than a piece of light lumber. Carlos, on the other hand, grabbed a grenade launcher and a beefier assault rifle. The new rifle had a larger magazine and could carry up to 200 rounds per clip.

    "Well," Carlos said, grinning as he checked his new weapon, "we¡¯re about to make some serious noise."

    Rex smirked. "Let¡¯s go introduce ourselves."

    The main chamber of the cave was riddled with tunnels, secret routes the smugglers had used for their operations. Now, the Void Assassins were busy planting explosives around those openings, preparing to destroy the tunnels and erase all evidence of their activities.

    Closing off these routes would ensure no one could trace them, as the exits led into areas controlled by Nexum Dynamics.

    Just as they were setting the final charges, a thunderous explosion echoed through the cave. The sealed door blew off its hinges, crashing into the room. Before the assassins could react, the unmistakable whirl of something spinning filled the air.

    In the next instant, a barrage of bullets tore through the room, cutting down two of the Void Assassins before they could even blink. The remaining operatives scrambled, trying to dive into the tunnels for cover. But just as they reached the entrances, the explosives they¡¯d planted went off, collapsing the tunnels and burying several of them under the rubble.

    More explosions rocked the chamber, shaking the ground beneath them, while the relentless storm of bullets continued to rip through the air, giving the assassins no chance to recover.

    The chaos was overwhelming, and it became clear that there was no escape.

 Chapter 16: Cleo and Rex Connection.

    After a few minutes, Rex¡¯s minigun finally ran dry, and Carlos had thrown his last grenade. The two of them quickly fell back to the main room, unsure if any enemies had survived. Once at a safer distance, they grabbed their new heavy assault rifles and aimed them toward the entrance, ready for anything.

    The room was filled with thick smoke from the explosions, and the dust from all the gunfire made it nearly impossible to see.

    "Rex," Carlos asked, keeping his eyes on the entrance, "you think we got them all?"

    "I hope so," Rex muttered, still catching his breath. "Let¡¯s wait a second. Cleo¡¯s using her recon drones to check for survivors."

    Suddenly, a warning flashed on Rex¡¯s HUD: [Warning: High-energy target approaching.]. Evasive maneuvers are recommended.

    Before Rex could react, a massive, black humanoid creature, like some kind of octopus, burst through the dust cloud, moving with incredible speed. It slammed into Rex with brutal force, sending him crashing into the cave wall, debris flying everywhere.

    "REX!" Carlos shouted.

    A deep, chilling laugh echoed through the cave. "Kukuku... I applaud you, humans. I didn¡¯t expect you to kill my men. That alone is worth some praise. But sadly, I can¡¯t let anyone live to tell the tale, especially not human slaves."

    The creature extended a hand, and a vibroblade slid out from its wrist. Carlos, eyes wide, leveled his rifle and opened fire, the rapid shots echoing through the cavern. But the void assassin moved too fast, effortlessly dodging every bullet before appearing right in front of him.

    In that brief moment, Carlos felt a sharp pain in his gut. He looked down to see the creature¡¯s blade buried in his abdomen.

    "Kukuku... Human blood. Such a beautiful crimson," the assassin sneered. "Let¡¯s see how much more of it I can spill before you."

    Before the creature could finish, something yanked hard on one of its tentacles, ripping it backward with immense force. The assassin was hurled across the cave, smashing into the rocky wall with a thunderous crash.

    [Overdrive Activated.]

    The moment Rex snapped back to his senses, he saw the void assassin¡¯s blade plunge into Carlos¡¯ abdomen. Rage surged through him. Cleo, knowing full well that Rex couldn¡¯t handle the void assassins on his own, quickly activated Overdrive, boosting every aspect of his bionic implants.

    In Overdrive mode, Rex was ready. He could finally face the assassin head-on.

    "Cough, cough... you... worthless human s¡ª"

    Before the void assassin could finish, Rex was already in his face, fists flying. He hammered the assassin¡¯s abdomen first, knocking the wind out of him, then aimed for the helmet. Cleo had warned him that the void assassin wore an atmospheric suit and couldn¡¯t survive in oxygen-rich environments. Breaking the helmet was key.

    Even as the cave wall crumbled from the impact and the void assassin hit the ground, Rex didn¡¯t stop. He climbed on top and kept punching, over and over. The helmet shattered, and now Rex¡¯s blows landed directly on the creature¡¯s soft head. Black blood splattered everywhere, mixing with chunks of flesh.

    "Rex, stop! It¡¯s dead. We have to focus on Carlos now."

    Rex halted, breathing hard. Despite the Overdrive pushing his bionics to their limits, his body struggled to keep up. But right now, none of that mattered. His eyes were fixed on Carlos.

    [Overdrive deactivated. Cooling sequence initiated.]

    Hot air hissed from vents along Rex¡¯s ribs, kicking up dust as it hit the floor.

    With the foam applied and the bleeding under control, Rex helped Carlos to his feet.

    "So, you good? Or do I need to get you a wheelchair?" Rex teased, grinning.

    Carlos smirked, wincing as he stood. "How about you carry me on your back, buddy?"

    "How about no? You¡¯re not exactly a damsel in distress," Rex shot back. "I¡¯ve got standards."

    Carlos chuckled weakly, shaking his head. "One of these days, Rex, you¡¯re going to die for a beauty."

    "Maybe," Rex said with a grin, "but not today."

    The two of them began making their way slowly back to the ship, with Rex supporting Carlos, his arm draped over Rex¡¯s shoulders. It took nearly an hour to reach the ship, where Cleo was waiting for them; the cargo bay was already open.

    Around the ship, several cargo drones were busy collecting anything useful from the smuggler¡¯s camp, scavenging through the debris and the bodies of their fallen enemies.

    "Welcome back, guys," Cleo greeted them as they stumbled in.

    Rex grinned. "Oh? I could get used to a beauty saying that every time I come back."

    Cleo¡¯s voice was calm. "Noted."

    Rex blinked in surprise. "W-What? You¡¯re not going to shut me down like usual? You actually agreed?"

    "Rex," Cleo said, ignoring his confusion, "please bring Carlos inside. The medical drone is almost ready, but for now, the floor will have to do. We don¡¯t have any spare rooms or beds."

    Carlos groaned, his face twisted in pain. "I don¡¯t care if you two flirt; just help me! This really hurts."

    "We¡¯re not flirting!" Cleo snapped, her voice flustered.

    Rex smirked. "No, Carlos, you¡¯re right. We should stop flirting and focus on you. C¡¯mon, let¡¯s get you inside."

    "Hey! Don¡¯t ignore me!" Cleo shouted, but Rex was already busy helping Carlos.

    They got Carlos inside the ship and carefully laid him down on the floor. After a few tense moments, a newly-assembled medical drone rolled out of the factory room, its limbs precise and methodical. It quickly administered anesthesia to Carlos, dulling his pain before starting the delicate operation on his wound.

    Rex winced, turning away. "Yeah, watching a robot dig around in my buddy¡¯s guts isn¡¯t really my thing. I¡¯m going to check out the rest of the cargo."

    He made his way to the car parked in the ship¡¯s cargo bay and opened the back. His eyes immediately landed on the strange egg they had picked up earlier. He¡¯d been curious about it for a while, wondering what it would feel like to touch. Without thinking much of it, he reached out and gently patted the egg, feeling its smooth, cool surface.

    But as his hand lingered, something strange happened. Blood from the wound on his palm, a scratch he hadn¡¯t even noticed, seemed to seep into the egg, as if the shell were absorbing it. Rex pulled his hand back quickly, staring at the egg in confusion.

    "What the hell..." he muttered under his breath, feeling a chill run down his spine.

 Chapter 17: Finding purpose

    Rex looked around the eggshell, searching for any sign of his blood, but it wasn¡¯t there. At this point, he just hoped he hadn¡¯t done something that would come back to bite him later.

    He shut the cargo doors and made his way toward Cleo, who was busy operating the medic drone.

    "Cleo, since when are you a doctor?" Rex asked, his face twisted in confusion.

    "I¡¯m not," she replied without looking up. "I just downloaded all the medical data from the planet¡¯s database. Now, I¡¯m uploading it to this drone and saving it for future use."

    "Oh, cool. So, what now? Honestly, I have no idea what we should do next."

    "Rex, I¡¯m just here to help; you figure that out. My race was wiped out by the Hive Minds. I might be the last survivor. What about your people?"

    "Well, from what I know, they were conquered a few years ago. Now they¡¯re just slaves. Actually, you¡¯re lucky you met two humans on this planet who aren¡¯t slaves. We¡¯re like... an endangered species."

    Cleo was quiet for a moment. "Do you want to free your people?"

    "That¡¯s a good question. I don¡¯t have this¡¯savior¡¯ thing in me." Rex sighed as he walked toward the cockpit, staring out at the dark forest filled with strange, alien flora.

    Cleo followed and stood beside him. Rex glanced at her. "I don¡¯t even know what I want. How can I feel sympathy for people I don¡¯t even know? Being a savior... that¡¯s just not me."

    Cleo stayed silent, listening. Rex continued, "I don¡¯t even know if I can protect those close to me. That includes you. But now, for the first time, I actually get to choose what I want to do, and it¡¯s terrifying."

    He sat down on the floor, and Cleo joined him. After a moment, he looked at her. "So, what about you, Cleo? Is there something you want? Something you desire?

    Cleo stood up and moved to position herself directly in front of Rex. He stared at her, unsure of what was happening. Then, slowly, she knelt down before him, her eyes fixed on his. She reached out, extending her hand toward his face, but just like before, her fingers passed right through him since she was only a hologram.

    "I... I want a body," she whispered, pulling her hand back with a sad expression that Rex had never seen on her before.

    For the first time, Rex was at a loss for words. He had never seen Cleo show anything other than her usual poker face or the occasional flustered look when he teased her.

    "So... what do you need to get a body?" he finally asked.

    "I need an advanced assembly factory... and living metal."

    "Living metal?" Rex furrowed his brow. "Never heard of it. What is it, and how do we get it?"

    "I¡¯ve already been looking into it. These days, living metal is used in bionic implants that only the wealthiest can afford. And the cost? It¡¯s incredibly high."

    She paused before continuing, "The living metal is a substance my race created organically, designed to help us reproduce or grow stronger. It¡¯s a mix of minerals that, after being refined within us, becomes almost like a living organism, capable of healing itself."

    Carlos blinked in surprise. "That sounds solid, but how do you plan on getting them here? Pretty sure those Void Assassins wiped the zone coordinates clean. No one knows where this place is."

    "I¡¯ve already taken care of that," Cleo replied, her face returning to its usual poker expression. "Look at the screen. I left communication drones outside the planet before we landed. They¡¯re equipped with cloaking tech, so they¡¯re almost undetectable. Through them, we can transmit the coordinates to all the smugglers."

    Rex leaned back in his chair, clearly impressed. "So, you¡¯ve thought of everything, huh? I shouldn¡¯t even be surprised at this point. I¡¯m guessing you¡¯ve already got the mining drones working, right?"

    "Correct," Cleo confirmed. "They¡¯ve started excavating the first floor. It¡¯ll take about a week to complete, and we¡¯ll need a significant amount of energy. That brings me to the real issue; we¡¯re going to need credits to buy more batteries for the ship."

    "But wouldn¡¯t a recharging station be a better option than constantly buying batteries?" Carlos asked, glancing at the schematics on the screen.

    "Sure, if you¡¯ve got 2,000,000 credits lying around," Cleo shot back, staring at Carlos with a look that practically screamed, Are you serious?

    Rex chuckled. "Alright, alright, stop it, you two. No need to fight. It looks like it¡¯s time for us to start our mercenary work, am I right? So, Cleo, do you have any info on the mercenary opportunities on this planet?"

    "Affirmative," Cleo responded. "I¡¯ll pull up the data for you now."

    The detailed information about the four mercenary groups appeared on the large screen:

    [Iron Wraiths: Hired by corporations and governments for large-scale planetary invasions, especially when brute force is needed to suppress hostile populations or break through heavily fortified installations.]

    [Phantom Dagger: Specialize in corporate espionage, assassinations, and black ops.]. [Often contracted to neutralize high-value targets, sabotage rivals, or infiltrate enemy bases.]

    [Thunderblades: Known for taking on high-risk, high-reward missions like boarding enemy ships, raiding fortified compounds, and executing high-speed, hit-and-run assaults.]

    [Steel Nomads: Experts in rapid assaults, convoy protection, and hit-and-run attacks on enemy supply lines. They¡¯re also skilled at transporting and smuggling valuable assets through dangerous territories.]

    Rex studied the screen for a moment, rubbing his chin. "Hmm, okay... From what I see, the Iron Wraiths pay pretty well per mission, but leaving the planet isn¡¯t an option right now. Phantom Dagger pays the most, but the risk is off the charts. That leaves us with the Thunderblades and the Steel Nomads. What do you think, brother?"

    Carlos leaned back in his seat, thinking it over. "Cleo, we can only pick one?"

    "Negative," Cleo responded, her voice calm and professional. "We can choose any of them. We¡¯re registered as independent Rank B mercenaries."

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Rank B? What does that mean exactly?"

    "Mercenaries are ranked from F to S," Cleo explained. "Rank B places you as a veteran and experienced enough to take on tougher jobs without drawing too much attention. It¡¯s a good balance: not too high-profile but still bringing in decent credits. Being independent means we can take jobs from any of these groups, but don¡¯t expect any assistance from them if things go south."

    Carlos smirked. "So, we¡¯re on our own, huh? I like it."

    Rex grinned. "If that¡¯s how it works, then I guess we should...."

 Chapter 18: Thunderblades.

    "We should probably go for the jobs that are local, you know, the ones offered by the Thunderblades and Steel Nomads. And obviously, the ones with the best reward," Rex said, leaning back in his chair. "I mean, I¡¯m already full bionic, and with Cleo¡¯s help, we¡¯ve got a serious edge."

    "First thing tomorrow, we¡¯ll use our credits to get the materials Cleo needs for combat drones. Once we¡¯ve got a few of those, we could be running missions like an elite squad. But for now, we need to get some rest. Carlos especially. He¡¯s got to recover from the surgery. Tomorrow, we hit the road and start our first job."

    "Sounds good," Carlos said, stretching out. "I¡¯m taking the cockpit seat tonight. Way better than those car seats." He shifted around, finding a spot, and closed his eyes.

    "Alright, get some rest, man. I¡¯ll be in the recharge bay. See you in the morning." Rex gave a nod and headed to his recharge room. He lay down on the metal bed as the crystal door slid shut, the quiet hum of the recharge process starting up.

    Cleo, being a hologram, didn¡¯t need to open anything. She simply phased into the recharge tank and laid down next to Rex, watching him quietly.

    "Rex... Are you sure you want to help me get a body?" She whispered, her voice soft, almost hesitant.

    "Of course we¡¯re doing it. It¡¯s good for both of us, you know?"

    Cleo blinked. "Good for you? What do you mean?"

    Rex smirked, eyes still closed. "Well, once you¡¯ve got a body, we can finally get married. You know... do this and that." His voice trailed off playfully.

    If Rex had been able to see Cleo, he would¡¯ve caught the flustered look on her face as she went quiet.

    "..."

    "Cleo? Hey, don¡¯t get mad. You still there? Hello?"

    But Cleo stayed silent, lying beside him without saying a word, unsure how to respond. And so the night passed quietly, the soft glow of the small white sun rising in the distance.

    Rex climbed out of the recharging tank, stretching his body as he made his way toward the cockpit. When he got there, he could barely see Cleo behind all the screens; it looked like she was buried in them.

    "Hey Cleo, how are the preparations going? Are we ready to leave today?" he asked.

    Without even glancing up, Cleo slid one of the screens over to him. "Yep, everything¡¯s ready. Here¡¯s all the data you need. It¡¯s got the route to the city and the locations of the military groups. Now, if you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯m busy."

    Rex nodded, deciding to leave her to it, and headed outside. The scene that greeted him was chaotic; drones were buzzing everywhere. Some flew in and out of the smugglers¡¯ cave, carrying everything from food and vehicles to weapons and other illegal goods.

    "Alright, sounds good. Let¡¯s get moving."

    The city, like every other commerce hub, was a mega-metropolis sprawling across the entire continent. Massive buildings stretched endlessly, and the web of roads and walkways made the place feel like an astronomical labyrinth. Even lifelong locals could easily find themselves lost in its maze.

    Cargo ships streamed in and out by the minute, a constant reminder of how prosperous the planet was. The sheer scale of the trading fleets here kept space pirates at bay, but it was a paradise for smugglers. They bought stolen goods from pirates and sold them in the city as if it were a legitimate trade route.

    Luckily, with Cleo¡¯s navigation system guiding them, Rex and Carlos didn¡¯t have to worry about getting lost. After about an hour, they arrived at the headquarters of the Thunderblades. Parking the car in the underground lot, they made their way into the building.

    It was the typical setup: huge, bustling, with a bar and restaurant on one side and holograms of different missions and contracts projected throughout. At the center was the reception desk, where mercenaries went to accept contracts.

    "Alright, Rex. Just follow my lead. No unnecessary moves," Cleo¡¯s voice echoed in Rex¡¯s mind.

    "Got it. I¡¯m all yours."

    Rex and Carlos walked toward the reception, where a mantis-looking guy was stationed.

    "Welcome, strangers. How can I assist you?" he asked, his antennae twitching.

    "We need to speak with Talon¡ª¡¯The Reaper,¡¯" Rex replied.

    The second those words left his mouth, the mood in the room shifted. Mercenaries who had been quietly eating and drinking jumped to their feet, forming a tight circle around them. Weapons were drawn, blades and other melee arms gleaming in the dim light, ready for a fight.

    This was the moment Cleo had prepared Rex for. As the tension mounted, Cleo activated the overdrive mode, and Rex¡¯s eyes glowed a mesmerizing amber. Mechanical wings unfolded from his back, and the green glow of his bionic enhancements shone through his skin.

    The mercenaries around him hesitated. The veterans, sensing the overwhelming pressure radiating from Rex, began to sweat. They knew they were dealing with someone dangerous, someone far beyond their pay grade.

    "What¡¯s the meaning of this? You think you can challenge me?!" Rex¡¯s voice boomed, amplified by the overdrive mode, like thunder echoing through the room. But before the situation could escalate, the elevator doors opened.

    A massive figure stepped out. It was a towering creature, part machine, part beast, resembling a hulking minotaur. Within moments, it was in front of Rex, its fist already flying toward his abdomen.

    Rex wasn¡¯t about to stand there and take it. He clenched his fist, and, in the blink of an eye, their fists collided with a deafening thud. The shockwave from the impact sent a gust of wind throughout the room. Rex quickly sidestepped, landing a powerful kick to the minotaur¡¯s ribs, sending the giant crashing into the nearby tables.

    From the dust of the crash, the huge figure could be seen lying down on the debris of the tables. "HAHAHAHA."

 Chapter 19: Sparring

    While Rex was still on high alert, the loud laughter made him jump. He was sure that kick he¡¯d just delivered had crushed all of the minotaur¡¯s ribs, but there it was, laughing like nothing had happened.

    As the dust started to settle, the huge minotaur was still lying in the debris of broken tables. Then Rex saw that the thing wasn¡¯t even real. Just a robot, controlled remotely by someone else.

    "This is what I was talking about!. Real warriors speak with their fists first. I¡¯ll be waiting for you on the top floor." With that, the minotaur robot powered down, and the elevator doors slid open.

    The mercenaries who had surrounded Rex and Carlos went back to their business. Some of them even offered to clean up the mess from the fight. Rex and Carlos, though, just stood there, dumbfounded by what had just happened.

    [Deactivating overdrive]

    Cleo was the first to react. She quickly deactivated Rex¡¯s overdrive, making his eyes fade back to their normal green color. The angel-like wings that had appeared on his back slowly vanished.

    "Dude, since when do you have wings?" Carlos asked, still staring at where they had just been.

    "I have no idea. First time I¡¯ve seen them too. Cleo, do you know what¡¯s going on?" Rex asked.

    "Affirmative," Cleo replied. "Your body has assimilated 50% of the living metal I used to enhance you. It seems like your body¡¯s highly compatible with it. Fascinating."

    "So, what happens when I¡¯ve assimilated all of it?"

    "You¡¯ll look closer to one of my race. But not entirely, since we can¡¯t remove the organic matter in your body without affecting your organs."

    "How about we replace all my organs with bionics then?"

    "Sure, if you want to be sterile. I don¡¯t mind," Cleo said, her tone teasing.

    "Uh... y¡¯know what? I¡¯m fine with how I am. Let¡¯s just get in the elevator." Rex quickly changed the subject and hurried towards the elevator, with Carlos right behind him. Back on the ship, Cleo let out a soft chuckle.

    Inside the elevator, as it began to ascend, Carlos nudged Rex with his elbow. "So, what did she say about the wings?"

    "I¡¯ll tell you later, bro. For now, let¡¯s focus on the meeting."

    The building had over a hundred floors, so it took a good two minutes to reach the top. When the doors finally opened, they found themselves stepping into a space that looked more like a gym than an office. There was even a boxing ring in the center.

    "HAHAHA! Welcome to my humble home, my dear noble!" The same booming laugh that Rex had heard earlier echoed through the room. His eyes locked onto the source of the voice, and Cleo instantly sent him a data packet.

    "Kya!"

    Rex held up his hands in mock apology. "Oh, my bad. See, my wife¡¯s a little... possessive. She implanted a bionic device in me. Anytime another woman touches me, they get a shock.

    Sorry, ladies, but I¡¯ll manage on my own."

    Carlos, standing behind Rex, struggled to contain his laughter. He knew full well that Cleo had been behind the whole thing. Meanwhile, Rex made his way to the changing room the girls had pointed out, and once he was alone, he contacted Cleo.

    "So, you wanna tell me why you did that?"

    "Did what? I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about," Cleo responded, her voice cool. "If that¡¯s all, please stop bothering me. I¡¯m busy." She ended the call abruptly.

    Rex chuckled to himself. "Haha, she¡¯s cute when she¡¯s in denial."

    After changing into some simple training shorts, Rex emerged from the room, his upper body bare. The feline girls couldn¡¯t help but steal glances at him, giggling to each other as they whispered. Meanwhile, Cleo, watching through Rex¡¯s eyes, was getting visibly annoyed.

    Talon was already in the ring, pacing impatiently, and when Rex finally stepped in, he let out a long whistle. "Not a bad body for a noble. Now, come on, get in here. I¡¯ve been waiting long enough."

    The moment Rex entered the ring, Talon wasted no time, launching a flurry of punches at him from every direction. Rex dodged, pulling his head back, shifting side to side, keeping just ahead of each blow.

    Rex quickly retaliated with a sharp kick to Talon¡¯s throat, followed by two more kicks, one to his thigh and another to the side of his head. The strikes came so fast that Talon barely had a moment to react, let alone block them. He swung back with a couple of wild punches, but Rex smoothly evaded them.

    Then, Rex countered with a solid punch to Talon¡¯s ribs and another to his chin. Talon, clearly frustrated at not landing a single hit, clenched his fists and decided to switch tactics. He began throwing powerful kicks, the kind he was known for, aiming to overpower Rex. But once again, Rex dodged effortlessly.

    On one particularly aggressive kick, Rex grabbed Talon¡¯s leg mid-swing, hoisting him into the air before slamming him down face-first onto the ring floor. Talon groaned, struggling to get back on his feet, but Rex was quick to deliver another kick to his face, knocking him back down.

    "This match is over, Talon," Rex said, his voice calm and measured. "Now, let¡¯s talk business."

    The calmness in Rex¡¯s voice stung Talon¡¯s pride. He hadn¡¯t even broken a sweat taking him down. Furious, Talon scrambled to his feet and lunged at Rex from behind, hoping to catch him off-guard.

    But Rex wasn¡¯t alone in this. Cleo had been watching the whole time. The second she saw Talon make his move, she activated Rex¡¯s overdrive mode. Without hesitation, one of Rex¡¯s wings swept out, hitting Talon with enough force to send him flying across the ring, crashing into the wall.

    Rex¡¯s new wings unfolded, and with Cleo¡¯s help, he hovered effortlessly above the floor, gliding toward Talon, who was still struggling to get up. As Rex drew closer, a heavy aura of power and dominance surrounded him, pressing down on Talon, who found himself paralyzed, unable to move. All he could do was turn his head and stare in awe.

    What Talon saw was something out of a dream, something divine; it was a creature of pure power with glowing white wings, radiating a divine aura. Rex floated above him like some kind of angelic being, and for the first time in a long while, Talon felt completely powerless.

 Chapter 20: Death from above

    "What were you trying to accomplish doing that, Talon?" Rex¡¯s voice was deep and reproachful, like a father scolding his child.

    "Heh, calm down. Let¡¯s think this through, alright? I wasn¡¯t really thinking... the blood just rushed to my head."

    Rex opened his mouth to respond but stopped himself. A moment later, Cleo deactivated the overdrive, and Rex gradually started to return to normal, his wings fading away.

    "What you just did," Rex continued, his voice cold, "was attack a noble, and whats more, someone like me. And as you can see, I¡¯m not just any low-level noble. That much should be obvious, right?" Carlos, always the dutiful assistant, appeared with a chair. Rex sat down, crossing his legs and staring down at Talon, who was still sprawled on the floor.

    "You realize," Rex went on, "what you did is enough reason for me to call in a little... friend to clean out your whole organization. Sound about right?"

    A shiver ran down Talon¡¯s spine. His body tensed as he forced himself up, using what little strength he had left to kneel before Rex. "No, please, noble sir, have mercy! I¡¯ll do anything you want!"

    "Well," Rex said, tilting his head slightly, "if you¡¯re willing to kneel, maybe there¡¯s hope for you yet. I¡¯m willing to give your organization a chance. Submit to me, and I¡¯ll have a job for you. Something big. You¡¯ll see the benefits soon enough. What do you say?"

    "B-benefits?" Talon stammered; his curiosity piqued despite his fear. "May I ask... what exactly do you plan to make us do?"

    "Shhh, shhh," Rex shook his finger, his tone teasing. "Curiosity killed the cat, my dear Talon. For now, just give me your contact info. I¡¯ll reach out when the time is right."

    Rex rose from his seat and headed toward the dressing room. "Oh, and before I forget," he called over his shoulder, "bring me those jobs you mentioned. The ones that pay well."

    "R-right away," Talon muttered, scrambling to his feet.

    Inside the dressing room, Rex contacted Cleo while pulling on a new outfit.

    "So, is this what you wanted?" he asked, sounding a bit bored.

    "Affirmative," Cleo¡¯s voice responded. "With this, we¡¯ve secured a mercenary group for the underground city."

    "Mmm," Rex grunted. "But why don¡¯t we also ask them for credits? They¡¯ve probably got millions."

    Cleo sighed, exasperated. "And here I thought you were getting smarter. Rex, what do mercenaries respect the most?"

    Rex paused, thinking as he buttoned his shirt. "The credits?"

    "Exactly. If we start by asking them for credits, they¡¯ll resent us. But if we pay them well when they work for us, they¡¯ll become more loyal. To them, whoever holds the purse strings is the boss."

    "Huh," Rex nodded. "You¡¯re right, as usual. What would I do without you?"

    "Sigh. Just get on with the job, Rex."

    "Yes, ma¡¯am," Rex replied with a mock salute. With that, the conversation ended. Rex stepped out of the dressing room and walked back toward Talon, who was waiting nervously with a stack of documents.

    "Understood. Let me know when you¡¯re in position."

    "You got it," Rex said, motioning for Carlos to follow him as they continued their silent approach to the base.

    They continued along their route, and after two hours, they finally reached the agreed-upon point. The journey had taken longer than expected, and the closer they got to the enemy base, the more patrols they encountered. Some groups were so large they had no choice but to hide and wait for them to pass.

    "Alright, Cleo. We¡¯re in position. You can begin the fireworks anytime," Rex said quietly into his comms, giving Cleo the green light to kick off the mission¡¯s climax.

    Inside the enemy camp, there was already noticeable movement. The gang had realized something was off since Rex and Carlos had taken out too many patrols, and the gang was starting to get suspicious. More heavily armed patrols were now being organized, and reinforcements were gathering.

    Unbeknownst to the gang, the very area where they were assembling was about to become ground zero.

    "Hey, did you hear that?" one of the criminals muttered, signaling for the others to be quiet.

    "Heard what? I don¡¯t hear anything," his partner replied, sounding annoyed.

    "No, I swear, it¡¯s like... whistling."

    Just then, a missile came screaming down from the sky, slamming into one of the trucks in the middle of the formation. It exploded on impact, sending hundreds of tiny metal balls flying in all directions.

    A second later, those balls exploded themselves, each unleashing a spray of high-speed projectiles, tearing through anything in their path. It was a weapon designed for maximum damage to ground troops, and it was working with brutal efficiency.

    As soon as Cleo launched the missile, she circled the ship overhead, opening fire with the ship¡¯s turrets. Anyone who managed to survive the missile¡¯s initial blast had no chance of escaping the hail of gunfire raining down from above.

    The camp was quickly reduced to chaos, as bullets and explosions ripped through everything in sight. After thirty minutes of relentless assault, nothing remained but smoldering wreckage, dust, and the crackling of flames.

    Rex and Carlos watched from their vantage point, waiting for the dust to settle before moving in.

    Carlos whistled "I have to say, Rex, after seeing what just went down, my respect for you only grows stronger."

    Rex smirked. "Oh? What do you mean?"

    "Well, after seeing what Cleo is capable of doing to our enemies, you¡¯re either really brave or really stupid for always making her mad."

    Rex chuckled, though there was a hint of unease in his voice. "Ha, well, you say that... but deep down, I know she¡¯s just a softy. Really deep down."

    Even Rex wasn¡¯t fully convinced by his own words.

    Carlos laughed, shaking his head. "Yeah, sure, keep telling yourself that. But enough chit-chat¡ªlet¡¯s get to work. Time to loot what¡¯s left."

    They moved into the remnants of the destroyed camp, picking their way through the debris. Occasionally, they¡¯d stumble upon a survivor or a wounded criminal trying to crawl away or hide, but Rex and Carlos dealt with them quickly, without hesitation. This was no time for mercy.

 Chapter 21: Cleaning and Looting.

    "Say, Rex, do you think what we¡¯re doing is right?" Even though Carlos was following orders and doing the job, he couldn¡¯t shake the doubt that killing those who couldn¡¯t defend themselves didn¡¯t sit right with him.

    Rex glanced at him. "Carlos, these are criminals. You think they showed mercy to anyone who begged for it? Or worse, do you think they¡¯d let a beautiful girl go once they got their hands on her?"

    Rex¡¯s words were harsh, but they carried the ugly truth. Bandits like these had no mercy.

    "Think of it like this," Rex added, "we¡¯re helping release the souls of the ones they¡¯ve already killed." Without hesitation, Rex kicked one of the crawling criminals in the face, sending him back into the debris. Then, with a quick shot to the head, he finished him off and turned to look at Carlos.

    "But if you want to call it quits, I don¡¯t mind giving you the 50,000 credits from this job. You can go start a new life. After all, getting a body for my wife... that should be my task, not yours."

    Carlos tightened his grip on his gun. "Of course I¡¯m with you, Rex. You¡¯re like a brother to me. Sorry for doubting; I¡¯m just not used to all this."

    Rex clapped him on the back. "Don¡¯t worry. I¡¯d probably feel the same if it weren¡¯t for Cleo making me look so damn cool, you know."

    With the issue settled, they went back to clearing out the bandit camp. Now it was time to loot. Thankfully, Cleo¡¯s missile hadn¡¯t done much damage to the structures, and it was just to the poor bastards on the ground, so the warehouse with the valuables was still standing.

    "Cleo, you can land now. Area¡¯s clear, but be careful since there might be patrols coming back to check on the noise." Rex spoke into his communicator while he and Carlos reloaded their weapons, getting ready to head into the warehouse.

    "So, Cleo, how many enemies are inside?" Rex asked. Earlier, Cleo had already sent in her spider drones to scout the place while they cleaned up the camp.

    "I¡¯ve got ten armed targets inside the warehouse," Cleo¡¯s voice crackled through the device, "and some females locked in cages. It looks like they were going to sell them, either to a brothel or into slavery."

    Carlos could hear her too; Cleo had given him a communication device just before the mission.

    "See, Carlos?" Rex shook his head. "And you wanted to show them mercy."

    "Bastards!" Carlos clenched his fists, ashamed of even considering sparing them. Now he was angrier than ever, ready to act.

    "Alright, Cleo," Rex said, "since you¡¯ve got the layout, go ahead and knock on the door for us. We¡¯ll wait on the sides; just, uh, try not to shoot us, okay?"

    Rex and Carlos took cover near the warehouse entrance. Cleo brought the ship down next to the door, positioning it so that four of its turrets were locked on. And then it began the hailstorm of bullets.

    The bandits inside didn¡¯t stand a chance. The turrets fired rounds so big that no cover could protect them. Even the warehouse door looked like it was made of paper. The noise was deafening, and the sparks flying off metal in the dead of night made the scene both terrifying and mesmerizing.

    Once they were out, Cleo deactivated the overdrive mode to conserve energy. Rex¡¯s new form burned through power much faster than the last.

    Once Rex spotted the medic drone, he walked over to one of the recently freed girls and extended his hand. She hesitated for a moment before finally placing her hand in his. Rex gave her a reassuring smile and guided her toward the drone.

    It scanned her body and, after detecting a few injuries, began treating them. Rex repeated the process with each of the girls until all were attended to.

    A cargo drone hovered nearby, stopping next to Rex.

    "Rex, hand these devices to the girls," Cleo¡¯s voice came through. "They¡¯re translator units that Carlos grabbed off the bandits."

    "Oh, perfect! Just what we needed," Rex said, distributing the translators to the girls. "By the way, what are we going to do with them?" he asked while fitting one of the devices onto a girl¡¯s wrist.

    "The standard procedure is to turn them over to the city guards. Or..." Cleo paused. "We could sell them. Technically, rescued captives are considered loot by mercenary codes."

    Rex sighed heavily, looking up at the ceiling. "The galaxy¡¯s a pretty dark place, huh?"

    "Indeed it is. So, what¡¯s your decision?"

    "Easy, neither of those options. What if we hired them to work in our underground city? We could set up shops to sell some of our loot and have them run the businesses. What do you think?"

    "That¡¯s a solid idea, Rex. Head back to Thunderblades HQ to finish the quest and collect our payment. I¡¯ll send a list of materials to your phone that you¡¯ll need to buy, so you better rent some trucks unless you want to make a ton of trips."

    "Damn, Cleo, you¡¯re a slave driver," Rex muttered with a grin. "What about the girls?"

    "I¡¯ll take care of them. I¡¯ll bring them to the underground city with the ship. Now hurry up and get moving. See you there."

    Rex chuckled, shaking his head. "Hey!, at least give me a kiss." He turned to the rescued girls who had gathered nearby and explained what would happen next. Most of them already knew the grim reality of being saved by mercenaries; some had even resigned themselves to the idea of becoming slaves.

    But instead of the usual two options, Rex offered them a third choice. Though it wasn¡¯t perfect, it was better than the alternatives. They could work in the underground city for five years with no freedom to leave during that time, but after those five years, they¡¯d be free to contact their families. If they wanted, they could even invite their families to join them in the city.

    Some of the girls weren¡¯t thrilled about the idea of working for so long, especially those who were daughters of traders or wealthy families. But there was no room for negotiation. As tough as the third option seemed, it was still better than being handed over to the guards or sold into slavery.

    So after some consideration, all the girls accepted to work at the soon-to-be underground city since it was by long the best option for them that had no place to stay.

 Chapter 22: Reward and shopping.

    The girls were escorted to the ship, where Cleo greeted them. Rex and Carlos turned back, heading toward the spot where they¡¯d parked the vehicle, while Cleo stayed behind to finish looting the bandits¡¯ warehouse.

    The journey back to the vehicle wasn¡¯t easy. They ran into several patrols returning to base. Fighting them would¡¯ve been too risky, especially in enemy territory and without knowing their numbers, so they decided to hide and let the patrols pass.

    Occasionally, they could hear heavy gunfire and explosions off in the distance. Cleo was clearly making quick work of the bandits, who must¡¯ve been foolish enough to attack a spaceship without realizing it was shielded.

    After about an hour or so, they finally reached the spot where they¡¯d hidden the vehicle. Without wasting any time, they jumped in and took off, heading toward the city.

    "Man, I really thought we weren¡¯t going to make it. That was the longest 5 kilometers I¡¯ve ever walked," Carlos said, still panting as he slumped into the passenger seat.

    Rex chuckled. "Yeah, it was rough. But did you see that missile Cleo fired? Wiped out the whole base. We should ask her to make more of those since they¡¯re crazy powerful."

    They kept chatting about random things as they drove through the night. Eventually, they reached the city entrance, where they had to stop and show their IDs again. Once that was out of the way, they drove straight to Thunderblades HQ and headed for Talon¡¯s office.

    When they arrived at the office floor, it seemed empty. But from the direction of the room where they¡¯d first met Talon, they could hear... moaning.

    "Talon! Get out here! We¡¯re back for our pay!" Rex yelled. Subtlety wasn¡¯t really his strong suit.

    Carlos, clearly annoyed, muttered, "Lucky bastard. He¡¯s got women all over him while we¡¯re out here, covered in dust, after a mission."

    Rex laughed. "Don¡¯t worry, man. Once we get our own business going, you can have your harem too; just don¡¯t expect to live near me. I¡¯m not into sharing."

    Carlos scoffed. "Yeah, right. Like I¡¯d ever share. What do you take me for?"

    As they bickered, they heard Talon¡¯s voice, faint and breathless, coming from the back.

    "I¡¯m coming! Give me a sec. There¡¯s some good liquor on the table by the sofa. Help yourselves!"

    Rex and Carlos exchanged a glance before bolting for the liquor. It had been days since their last drink, and they weren¡¯t about to pass up free booze.

    Thanks to Rex¡¯s bionic upgrades, he reached the liquor first, snatching the bottle and cracking it open immediately. Without a second thought, he took three big swigs, drinking straight from the bottle like a street drunk.

    "Fuuuah, damn, this is some strong liquor," he gasped, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

    "Hmph. I got careless. Next time, I¡¯ll deploy signal-jamming drones before we move in," Cleo muttered to herself as she closed her screens, leaving just one open. She enlarged it and stared at it, deep in thought.

    Since Rex and Carlos had already received the credits for the job, they decided to rent two trucks. Buying them was out of the question for now since each truck cost 500,000 credits while renting was just 5,000 credits per day.

    After securing the trucks, they began driving around the city, visiting various stores where Cleo had made a list of things she needed. They purchased supplies for building more mining drones and a few combat drones. By the time they were down to their last few credits, they stocked up on food supplies.

    Once everything was ready, they headed for the city exit but were stopped by the guards.

    "Please open your cargo doors. We need to perform a routine inspection for any illegal items."

    Rex and Carlos stepped out of the trucks and opened the cargo doors. The guards climbed aboard and began scanning the cargo, looking for anything suspicious. After a few minutes, they finished their search.

    "Alright, you¡¯re good to go."

    Rex and Carlos got back in their trucks and continued their journey toward the underground city. Since the trucks had a speed limit of 50 km/h, it took several hours to get there.

    When they finally arrived, they opened the cargo doors for the drones to unload the supplies. Carlos stretched, groaning.

    "Man, I¡¯m beat. I¡¯m sleeping in the truck tonight since it¡¯s got a bed, you know? See you tomorrow."

    "Wait," Rex said, tossing one of the liquor bottles Talon had gifted them. "This one¡¯s yours. Take care of it."

    "Okay, Mom," Carlos replied with a smirk. "I¡¯m done for the night. Can¡¯t keep my eyes open anymore." He climbed into the truck cabin and crashed for the night. Meanwhile, Rex headed to the recharge bay.

    As he was undressing, Cleo walked in unexpectedly.

    "Oh! Uh, sorry¡ªI didn¡¯t mean to!" Cleo stammered, clearly flustered as she tried to come up with an excuse.

    Rex laughed. "Why are you freaking out? It¡¯s not like this is the first time you¡¯ve seen me naked. And it definitely won¡¯t be the last. So, did you need something? Or are you just here for the show?" he teased, flashing her a playful smirk.

    Cleo blushed, clearly embarrassed. "I... I wanted to show you something, but it looks like you¡¯re tired and need to recharge, so... I guess it can wait until tomorrow." She was trying not to look, but her eyes kept darting back to him.

    Rex couldn¡¯t help but think she looked adorable. "Haha, alright. I¡¯ll head into the recharge bay. See you tomorrow, Cleo."

    After about an hour, when Cleo was sure Rex had fallen asleep, she quietly slipped into the recharge bay and lay down next to him. She didn¡¯t need to sleep, but being close to him like this was comforting.

 Chapter 23: Galactic news.

    After some much-needed rest, Rex finally stirred and stepped out of the charging tank. As usual, he stretched his stiff muscles from inactivity, then started getting dressed. Once ready, he made his way to the ship¡¯s cockpit, where Cleo and Carlos were huddled, staring at something.

    Carlos noticed Rex and immediately walked over, giving him a nudge from behind. "Come on, Rex, you¡¯re going to want to see this."

    He guided Rex to a seat, and as soon as Rex sat down, Cleo queued up a video on the big screen.

    [Intergalactic Imperial News]

    <<"A few days ago, on the newly discovered planet of Hanarix, an individual of unknown origins massacred colonizers. Nexum Dynamics, the megacorporation overseeing the colony, has issued a warrant for the criminal¡¯s arrest. Here are the images of the attack.">>

    The video showed the ship flying in circles above the colony, firing relentlessly. But something was off; there were no insects visible in the footage, only the colony being ripped apart by what looked like direct fire from their ship. Rex¡¯s jaw clenched. This wasn¡¯t what happened.

    The clip continued, showing Carlos boarding the ship with the cargo drones. The news anchors claimed that the colony¡¯s entire bank had been looted. In reality, they¡¯d taken just food and some chips.

    Rex¡¯s face darkened. "Who the hell edited this?!" he growled, fists clenching. Being lied about this and worse, made to look like a fool, hit him where it hurt.

    Cleo spoke up. "This isn¡¯t just any news outlet. It¡¯s likely Nexum Dynamics pulling the strings. They probably want the egg back, and they¡¯re going to use everything they¡¯ve got to make that happen."

    Rex leaned forward, a fiery determination in his eyes. "Nexum Dynamics... Mark my words, Cleo. I don¡¯t care how long it takes; we¡¯re going to bring them down."

    Carlos, leaning back in his chair, shook his head with a chuckle. "Sure, Rex. You planning to do that before or after we die of old age? We can¡¯t exactly take on a megacorp."

    Cleo chimed in casually, as if talking about the weather. "Actually, Carlos, that¡¯s not entirely true. Rex can¡¯t die of old age anymore. The modifications I made mean his cells are constantly replaced by living metal. He¡¯s immortal now, like my species was."

    Carlos raised an eyebrow. "Wait, so you¡¯re telling me Rex is going to live forever, and I¡¯m the one who¡¯s going to get old and die? That¡¯s just... unfair." He paused, then added, "Hold on.. then Cleo, just how old are you?"

    Without missing a beat, she replied, "According to the imperial galactic system, I¡¯m 2,600 years old."

    Rex and Carlos exchanged glances.

    "Don¡¯t you dare, Carlos," Rex warned, tossing a chip at him. "Age doesn¡¯t count when you¡¯re immortal!."

    Carlos smirked but let it go. "So, Cleo, is there any way to delete that video?"

    "Not entirely," Cleo responded, her hands flying across multiple holographic screens. "I can wipe it from this planet¡¯s networks, but removing it galaxy-wide is impossible."

    "Do it," Rex said, exhaling slowly. "That should buy us some time before they start hunting us down."

    "Understood." Cleo continued working, screens flickering as data streamed by.

    Rex leaned back in his seat, rubbing his temples. "Is there at least one piece of good news today?"

    "See, Carlos? This is karma for you almost falling asleep."

    Carlos snorted, his voice indignant over the communications. "What the hell are you talking about? I could hear you snoring from here!"

    "Enemies are one kilometer away and closing fast," Cleo interrupted. "I recommend deploying combat drones once they¡¯re within 200 meters."

    Rex nodded, even though she couldn¡¯t see him. "Sounds good. You¡¯re in charge of the drones, Cleo. Let¡¯s make this quick." He grabbed his electric rifle and checked it, making sure it was ready for action.

    Carlos was already doing the same, his usual smirk turning into something more focused. "Let¡¯s hope these bandits brought something new this time, or this is going to be over in ten minutes."

    "Big brother, are you sure it¡¯s a good idea to go hunting today? Someone destroyed our camp last night," one of the bandits muttered nervously, glancing over at the bandit boss in the vehicle¡¯s passenger seat.

    The boss let out a loud, dismissive laugh. "Of course it is! Those mercs only care about the big score, not a few stragglers. If we made it out, we¡¯re in the clear for now. Stop worrying."

    He turned to the rest of the group, his voice booming through the car¡¯s radio. "Get ready, boys! These unprotected fat sheep are about to pay for tonight¡¯s drinks!"

    The bandits cheered. There were eight vehicles in their convoy, with twelve bandits in total, and this was usually more than enough muscle for a simple raid on transport trucks.

    "Haha, follow the boss!"

    "Let¡¯s gut ¡¯em!"

    "I hope they¡¯ve got some women! I could use a little company tonight," another bandit snickered darkly, earning a few chuckles from his comrades.

    They were already picturing the loot, unaware of what waited for them. The trucks grew closer, and just as they reached 190 meters from their targets, the cargo doors on the two lead trucks hissed open. From inside, sleek, one-meter-long combat drones rolled out, their cold, metallic frames glinting under the sun.

    "Drones! Take them down!" one of the bandits yelled, panic creeping into his voice.

    Gunfire erupted, but their bullets barely dented the drones¡¯ reinforced armor. The bandits scrambled, firing wildly, but it was already too late. The drones whirred to life, their mounted miniguns spinning up before unleashing a storm of lead. A deafening roar filled the air as bullets rained down on the convoy.

    "Shit, retreat! Get the hell outta here!" The bandit boss bellowed, his bravado evaporating in an instant.

    But just as he gave the order, an explosion tore through the air. The vehicle directly behind him went up in flames, flipped by a direct hit from one of the drone¡¯s 20-centimeter missiles. While the missiles weren¡¯t the most powerful, they were more than enough to take out lightly armored cars.

    Chaos ensued. More missiles followed, each blast shaking the ground as the drones systematically dismantled the convoy. In just three minutes, the bandits¡¯ vehicles were nothing but burning wreckage scattered across the barren terrain. The miniguns fell silent, the last echoes of gunfire fading into the distance.

    The trucks came to a stop, and two figures stepped out, casually walking toward the smoldering battlefield. Rex slung his electric rifle over his shoulder, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.

    "Told you it¡¯d be over in ten minutes," he muttered, glancing at Carlos beside him, who was already lighting up a cigarette, his expression bored.

    "Three minutes, actually. You¡¯re getting rusty," Carlos said with a shrug, exhaling a puff of smoke as they surveyed the carnage.

 Chapter 24: Siege of the Crimson Spire (1)

    "Cleo, should we do something about this, or just leave it?" Rex asked, watching the few survivors left, all of them badly wounded.

    "It¡¯s better to take care of them. Don¡¯t leave any witnesses. I¡¯m sending some cargo drones to loot the aftermath, so make sure no one¡¯s alive to interfere with the drones."

    "Well, you heard the lady," Rex said, glancing at Carlos while removing the safety from his rifle. Together, they ended the suffering of the last survivors with a single bullet to the head.

    "Did the trucks get damaged? We¡¯re broke, and we can¡¯t afford repairs!" Rex grumbled, starting to inspect the trucks for bullet holes.

    "There¡¯s nothing on mine. How about yours?" Carlos replied while checking his own truck.

    "Phew, nothing here either. Cleo, reload the drones with the cargo bot, and we¡¯ll move on."

    "Got it." Cleo started rearming the drones with ammo and missiles, which took about ten minutes. After that, the drones returned to the trucks.

    Rex and Carlos hit the road again. Luckily, no more bandits crossed their path. When they were about 10 kilometers from the city, they pulled over and opened the cargo.

    "Alright, Cleo, it¡¯s your turn now. No way we¡¯re driving into the city with this much firepower. The guards would arrest us on the spot."

    "You give them too much credit, Rex," Carlos chimed in. "I bet we could bribe them and they¡¯d look the other way."

    "Bribe them with what? Your charming smile? We¡¯ve got barely 1,000 credits left out of the 50,000. Having a wife at home who takes all your credits... that¡¯s rough."

    Cleo overheard and couldn¡¯t resist. "Ha! If it were up to you, all that money would go to nightclubs and booze. Do you think I don¡¯t know what¡¯s going through your heads?"

    Rex and Carlos exchanged awkward glances before bursting into sheepish laughter. They knew she was right.

    A few minutes later, they finally reached the city and, thankfully, entered without any issues. They returned the trucks and picked up their car from a rented lot.

    "Hey, Rex, my stomach just reminded me we haven¡¯t eaten all day, and it¡¯s already 2 p.m. How about we grab something?"

    "Yeah, we can get something cheap at the food stalls in the commercial zone." Rex paused for a second, then added, "Hey, Cleo, from now on, after each mission, set aside 10,000 credits so we can treat ourselves to a fancy dinner!"

    "That¡¯s doable. I¡¯ll adjust the shopping list to 90,000 credits."

    "Mmm, I knew you were the best."

    "Best sister-in-law ever!" Carlos chimed in.

    "..."

    "Everyone, stay where you are! DON¡¯T MOVE!" the guards yelled as the smoke quickly filled the lobby. With visibility low, they pointed their weapons at the workers, forcing them to stay in place.

    In the confusion, Rex connected his needle-tipped finger to the terminal. Cleo quickly hacked into the tower¡¯s systems.

    "Phase three is complete. Moving to phase four," Cleo¡¯s voice came through again.

    Upon hearing this, Carlos pulled out his handgun and fired several shots toward the ceiling. The smoke made it impossible to see, and the workers immediately assumed the guards were shooting at them.

    "They¡¯re firing at us! Fight back!" Carlos shouted, adding fuel to the panic. The workers, driven by fear, rushed at the guards, throwing the entire situation into chaos.

    Carlos and Rex joined the chaos, pushing their way through the panicked crowd and heading straight for the stairs.

    "We¡¯re on the stairs, Cleo. You can start phase five," Rex said, racing up the steps two at a time.

    "Got it. According to the data, the nanomaterial vault is on the 8th floor."

    "Thanks, sweetheart. You go have fun while we die climbing these damn stairs," Rex muttered sarcastically.

    Outside the Crimson Tower, things were going south fast. The Sentry AI Units had arrived, and the battle was escalating. Cleo was working overtime, dodging enemy fire and keeping the drones alive. But now that the Sentries were in play, it was only a matter of time before the combat drones were wiped out.

    The Sentry Units were massive, towering bipedal robots covered in heavy ballistic armor, armed with rocket launchers that were a great treat for the operation, but Cleo had a backup plan ready.

    "Activating Crimson Tower defense systems," Cleo announced. Thanks to the jammer drones she had deployed earlier, all external signals were blocked, allowing only her own to control the tower¡¯s systems. With Rex¡¯s help, she had hacked into the defense grid, and now she had full control.

    Turrets and laser cannons mounted on the tower came to life, turning their firepower on the guardian drones and Sentry Units. While the Sentries weren¡¯t affected by the jamming due to their basic AI, their limited programming made them easy to counter. They started attacking the tower¡¯s defense systems, unaware they were fighting their own.

    A full-scale war erupted outside, with turrets firing at drones, and Sentry Units launching rockets at anything hostile.

    Meanwhile, Rex and Carlos finally reached the 8th floor. They burst through the door into what looked like an ordinary lab. Shelves were stacked with equipment, materials, and devices used for nanomaterial production.

    "Well, well. I knew some rats would sneak in eventually," a voice echoed through the room, making Rex and Carlos tense up immediately.

    They scanned the area, weapons drawn, but didn¡¯t expect the attack to come from above. The enemy was hiding in the ventilation system. As they passed under, two energy blades slashed down, barely missing Rex¡¯s head.

    "HAHAHA! So you can dodge that! This is going to be fun!" A figure dropped from the ceiling, landing with a heavy thud.

    Standing before them was a humanoid figure clad in advanced combat armor, with cybernetic enhancements on his arms. Two glowing energy blades extended from his wrists, crackling with power.

    "Let me introduce myself," he sneered. "I¡¯m the Crimson Star Commander, in charge of security here. And now that I¡¯ve found you, I¡¯ll kill you both and collect a nice fat bonus. Ready? Come at me!"

 Chapter 25: Siege of the Crimson Spire (2)

    The Crimson Commander charged so fast they barely had time to react. His fist slammed into Carlos¡¯s abdomen, sending him flying across the room and crashing into the lab tables.

    "Carlos!" Rex shouted, opening fire on the Crimson Commander, but the power armor¡¯s shield deflected the gunfire with ease. The Commander then drew his blades and began swinging them toward Rex.

    Rex dodged as best as he could, parrying with his rifle when he couldn¡¯t evade the strikes. But it was clear that his rifle wouldn¡¯t hold up for long against those blades.

    [Overdrive Mode Activated]

    Realizing Rex was outmatched, Cleo triggered Overdrive Mode. Glowing, angel-like wings unfurled from Rex¡¯s back, making him stronger in an instant.

    "W-what the hell? Who are you!?" the Crimson Commander stammered, his voice betraying his surprise. In all his years working at the Crimson Spire, he had never seen anything like this.

    He quickly backed away, pulling out his twin handguns, and opened fire from a distance. But Cleo, controlling the wings, shielded Rex with them. The bullets hit the wings with metallic sounds but were absorbed as if striking water; none of the bullets penetrated.

    Out of ammo, the Crimson Commander fumbled to reload, but before he could, a grenade sailed through the air toward him.

    He spotted it too late. It exploded right in his face, sending him crashing into the nanomaterial vault.

    "Cough... cough... what the hell?" he sputtered, disoriented. Even with his shield generator, the blast had done serious damage. His shield flickered weakly, and one side of his face was badly burned.

    On all fours, the Commander struggled to get up, his shield on the verge of failing.

    "Did you like that, motherfuc¡êer?" Carlos shouted, finally back on his feet after being winded by the earlier blow. Gasping for breath, he leveled his rifle, grenade launcher still attached, and fired another round at the Crimson Commander.

    The grenade hit its mark, and the weakened shield finally collapsed. Rex, emerging from the protective cocoon of his wings, joined Carlos in opening fire on the exposed power armor.

    The Commander tried to shield his face with his arms, desperately attempting to fend off the barrage of bullets. But it was no use.

    As he struggled to rise, a granade landed next to him. Before he could react, it exploded, sending what was left of him flying in pieces.

    "Cough, cough... that was one resilient motherfucker. Is he dead?" Carlos asked, still trying to catch his breath.

    "Phew, yeah, he¡¯s done for. No life signals left," Rex replied, checking his HUD. "But seriously, that guy was an idiot. Who introduces themselves before a fight?"

    "Hah! Right? So cringeworthy. Next time, we should just shoot them mid-speech," Carlos laughed, shaking his head.

    Rex turned on his communications. "Cleo, we were in the vault. You can open it anytime."

    "Understood. Stand by," Cleo responded, starting the hack. After a minute, the vault door began to creak open.

    Rex stepped inside while Carlos stood guard outside. "So, which one¡¯s the nanomaterial?" he asked, scanning the shelves around him.

    Carlos grinned, "Now you¡¯re speaking my language."

    It took them another four hours to finally reach a bar. Rex was still going strong, but Carlos, being just an ordinary human, was already passed out at the table, snoring loudly like an elephant. Luckily for them, this bar had a "pay at the end" policy, which was perfect since they were still waiting for the credits to come through.

    Now, most bars wouldn¡¯t dare use a system like that since it¡¯d be too risky with people trying to dine and dash. But this place was run by a local mafia, so no one was dumb enough to pull a stunt like that. Anyone who did would quickly find themselves hunted down and sold off in parts, literally. With millions of species in the galaxy, there was always a demand for... well, just about anything.

    "Rex, the credits have been deposited. You¡¯re free to enjoy your feast," Cleo¡¯s voice chimed in through his earpiece.

    "Oh, thanks, beautiful. But I think we¡¯ll save the feast for tomorrow morning. Carlos is already out cold." Rex took one last swig of his beer.

    "Good idea. He¡¯s only human, after all."

    "Hey, speaking of that, is there any way to make Carlos more like me? You know, stronger?"

    "That¡¯s impossible," Cleo replied. "Only Royal AIs like me can perform those kinds of enhancements. And so far, I¡¯m the only one left."

    "Royal... wait, does that mean you¡¯re a princess?" Rex raised an eyebrow.

    "Affirmative. Well, I was a princess, before the Hive Minds wiped out my empire."

    "Don¡¯t sweat it since you¡¯re still my princess!" Rex said with a grin, calling over the waitress to settle the tab.

    "..." Cleo didn¡¯t respond. But if anyone could see her, they¡¯d notice a bittersweet smile playing on her lips.

    Rex stood up and walked over to Carlos. "Come on, buddy. Time to go." Seeing that Carlos wasn¡¯t waking up anytime soon, Rex hoisted him onto his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

    With the bill already paid, they left the bar, ignoring the scornful look from the waitress as they passed by the guards stationed outside.

    "Oh, by the way, beautiful waitress," Rex called over his shoulder. "You know where I can find a cheap hotel for the night?"

    The waitress chuckled softly. "If you walk that way, you¡¯ll hit the Cabin Hotel. 500 credits a night, and since we run it, you won¡¯t have to worry about security." She gave him a thumbs-up.

    "Much appreciated." Rex smiled and handed her 500 credits as a tip. "Thanks for the help."

    The waitress nodded, speaking into her communicator as she returned inside.

    Rex carried Carlos down the street, heading for the hotel. When they arrived, he rented two rooms, dumping Carlos into one before collapsing onto the bed in the other.

    Meanwhile, back on the ship, Cleo floated quietly in the cockpit, hugging her legs as she stared out into the stars. The familiar feeling of isolation crept back over her. For so long, she¡¯d been alone, and now that she had someone again, the thought of being without them, even for a short time, felt unbearable.

    "Please... come back soon," Cleo whispered, burying her face in her knees.

 Chapter 26: Flexing

    At the start of the new day, Carlos woke up in an unfamiliar city. Slowly, he stood up and got out of bed, still unsure of where he was or how he¡¯d ended up there. Confused, he left the room and started looking around until he spotted Rex and made his way over to him.

    "Brother, how did we end up here? I don¡¯t remember anything from last night."

    "Mmm? You don¡¯t remember?" Rex replied with a straight face. "Well, yesterday we went to a bar to wait for the credits from the job, got drunk, and then a Marse guy started flirting with you. And, well, you flirted back."

    "Wait, hold on... are you saying I came to the hotel with a Marse?"

    Rex put a hand on Carlos¡¯ arm. "Bro, I told you to stop, but you kept ignoring me. Then you went into the room... with the Marse."

    Carlos went pale. A Marse? They were known for their beauty; the females and males looked almost alike, and their males had two big reproductive organs.

    "Ha... ha... ha... pfff... HAHAHAHA!" Rex couldn¡¯t hold back his laughter anymore. Carlos looked like he was about to die from the realization of what he thought had happened.

    Finally catching on, Carlos shoved Rex. "Oh, screw you, Rex." But at least he felt a little more at ease now.

    "Haha, come on, bro. I¡¯ll treat you to a feast; let¡¯s go get some food and forget about last night." Rex led the way out of the hotel, Carlos following closely behind.

    "Cleo, you there?"

    "Yes, I am. Do you need something?"

    "Yeah, can you search for restaurants nearby? Preferably not too expensive, maybe around 10,000 credits."

    [Scanning. Task complete.]

    "Here¡¯s a list of nearby restaurants within that range."

    "Thanks, hon. We¡¯ll talk later when we get those items you needed." Rex filtered through the list and found a spot nearby.

    "Come on, Carlos, let¡¯s go." Rex gave Carlos a light pat on the back.

    They left the hotel and caught a taxi to the restaurant. When they arrived, the place looked way more luxurious than anything they had expected.

    "Welcome, gentlemen. Do you have a reservation?" a waiter asked as he approached them.

    "No, but we¡¯d like a VIP room. Do you have any available?" Rex asked confidently.

    The waiter looked them over from head to toe, then tapped on a tablet. "Let me check availability."

    The waiter stormed out, but Rex saw him pull out a communicator. A few minutes later, the restaurant¡¯s security guards arrived.

    "Sirs, please leave the premises, or we¡¯ll have to use force," one of the guards warned.

    Rex stood up slowly, holding up his hand to stop them. He casually grabbed his glass of water and finished it before speaking. "Carlos, remember how I said we weren¡¯t here to flex?"

    Carlos, still munching on his food, nodded. "Yes, you did. So what?"

    "Well, I¡¯m about to flex. Because if there¡¯s one thing I can¡¯t stand, it¡¯s being threatened."

    Without warning, Rex activated his Overdrive Mode. The pressure in the room skyrocketed as a white aura began to radiate from him. His massive wings folded in front of him, and with one swift motion, he sent the guards flying off the second floor, crashing through tables on the first.

    "Cleo, give me a little help with flying; I¡¯m about to put on a show."

    Rex floated down from the second floor into the main dining area. The restaurant had an open layout, so everyone on the first floor could easily see him descending, his aura glowing as he did.

    All the customers watching the scene had a mix of expressions on their faces: fear, awe, and horror. Every possible reaction was on display, but the ugliest looks were on the faces of the waiter and the guards who had first tried to make Rex and Carlos leave.

    Rex landed on the first floor, his wings still glowing and extended. "If there¡¯s one thing I can¡¯t stand, it¡¯s being threatened or interrupted while I¡¯m eating. Now, let¡¯s see what I¡¯m going to do with all of you."

    He walked toward the waiter, who stood frozen in fear. It wasn¡¯t just the way Rex looked with that glowing aura since it was the occasional greenish shimmer that gave him away. The glow was a clear sign of bionics, and only nobles had access to that kind of tech.

    When Rex was close enough, he grabbed the waiter by the neck, lifting him off the ground. Rex floated slightly as he tightened his grip. "Mmm, how about paying with your life for what you just did?"

    The waiter gasped, trying to speak, but Rex¡¯s hold on his neck was too tight. He wasn¡¯t planning on killing the guy, just making him faint, but when he was about to do it, something else caught his attention.

    From one of the second-floor balconies, a woman with dark red skin and piercing yellow eyes spoke up. "Dear noble, why don¡¯t we take a step back?"

    Rex was momentarily taken aback. No one usually dared talk back to a noble unless they were either another noble or someone incredibly foolish. Now he had to figure out which category this new person fell into.

    He glanced up at the woman and noticed she was already armed, her pair of vibroblades out and ready for action. Rex loosened his grip on the waiter, letting him drop to the floor, gasping desperately for air.

    Rex then floated up toward the woman, but as he approached, he saw others stepping out from the shadows, pointing guns at him. The woman spoke again, "You see, a noble like you, showing up at a restaurant my group protects and then trashing the place...it doesn¡¯t exactly help our reputation, does it?"

    Rex let out a smug laugh. "Hahaha, isn¡¯t it common courtesy to introduce yourself before you speak to a noble like me?" The woman just chuckled, ignoring his question.

    "You might be a noble," she continued, "but we outnumber you. You¡¯re just one man. It wouldn¡¯t be hard for us to get rid of you quietly, and no one would ever know. After all, to you nobles, we¡¯re nobodies."

    Rex¡¯s laugh grew louder. "Hahaha, too bad for you, little girl! I already know who you are. Should I call you¡ª"

 Chapter 27: Getting a Maid.

    "The leader of the Crimson Claws, the Red Queen, or should I say, Mara?" Rex floated just in front of her, a smug grin plastered on his face.

    Mara¡¯s eye twitched at the mention of her name. Fear flickered across her face. If a noble knew who she was, it could only mean one thing: she was his target. Or at least, that¡¯s what she assumed. In reality, Rex only knew because Cleo had used face recognition to search through the guards¡¯ data bank. But Mara didn¡¯t know that.

    "S-shoot him down now!" The fear in her voice was unmistakable. Panic set in as she realized what was happening. Her gang quickly opened fire on Rex, bullets ricocheting off his wings as he shielded himself.

    With his wings wrapped around him, he couldn¡¯t stay airborne and crashed down, smashing a table beneath him. Even as he hit the floor, the gunfire didn¡¯t let up, but nothing could pierce those wings.

    Then one of the gangsters pulled out a rocket launcher and fired. The explosion sent a cloud of smoke and debris billowing through the room. For a moment, everything went still. The gang stopped shooting, eyes fixed on the spot where Rex had fallen.

    As the smoke cleared, they could finally see it: Rex, still standing. His wings, though battered, were already repairing themselves. The impact zone was closing up right before their eyes.

    "If you¡¯re smart, you¡¯ll drop your weapons," Carlos said calmly, stepping out of the shadows. He¡¯d been eating at a nearby table, unfazed by the chaos, but the explosion had finally caught his attention. Glancing up, he saw a girl on the second floor, still firing at Rex. He made his move.

    Casually, almost too casually for the situation, Carlos slipped through the chaos. Mara didn¡¯t even notice him since she was too fixated on taking down Rex. That gave Carlos just enough time to get close. In a few swift steps, he was behind her, pulling out the two handguns he¡¯d taken from the Crimson Guard commander. He pointed them at the back of Mara¡¯s head.

    Her fury was obvious, but Rex saw the shift. With a slight smirk, he finally lowered his wings, shaking off the last of the dust and smoke. He locked eyes with Mara.

    "Well, well," Rex said, his voice dripping with confidence. "Looks like I¡¯ve got the upper hand now, don¡¯t you think?"

    The Mara group, especially the Crimson Claws, had a reputation that stuck. Known for their ruthless street gangs and extortion rackets, the Crimson Claws thrived on fear. They had a stranglehold on the lower levels of society, with ties to all sorts of shady operations.

    So, capturing the leader of this gang was supposed to be a big payday. After all, if she led a gang with that kind of rep, there had to be a bounty on her head.

    "Cleo, check the bounty on this girl," Rex ordered.

    After a brief pause. "Search complete. No bounty."

    "W-what?!" Rex¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. "She¡¯s a gang leader! You sure?"

    Cleo¡¯s voice remained calm. "While it¡¯s true the Crimson Claws are powerful, they¡¯re constantly dealing with infighting and power grabs. Their leadership doesn¡¯t stay stable for long, and their members are often bribed or bought out by higher players."

    Rex shrugged casually. "Honestly? I¡¯m not sure yet. Probably just keeping the ship clean, simple stuff. As for the pay, you¡¯ll have to talk to my wife first."

    "S-ship?" Emilia¡¯s eyes widened.

    Rex raised an eyebrow, as if the question surprised him. "Mmm? Yeah, a ship. But don¡¯t worry, we¡¯re not planning on leaving the planet anytime soon. You got family here?"

    "N-no... My family¡¯s on another planet. I came here looking for work to send credits back home." Her voice wavered as she spoke, still shaken from everything that had happened.

    "Perfect, then. Get ready; we¡¯re heading out. Got a few things to pick up before we head back to the ship."

    Once they¡¯d finished their meal or what was left of it, they left the restaurant, which now looked more like a wreckage than a place to eat. Since Emilia clearly wasn¡¯t in any shape to walk for hours, they hailed a taxi and headed to the spot where they¡¯d parked their car before the whole Crimson Tower invasion.

    The car had just enough room for the three of them. As they settled in, Rex glanced at Emilia. "You know how to drive?"

    She nodded, though still a bit hesitant. "I know the basics for normal cars. I don¡¯t know much about heavy vehicles, though."

    "That¡¯s fine," Rex said, seemingly satisfied. "We need you to drive this one anyway, since we¡¯re about to rent a couple trucks."

    With that settled, they soon arrived at the rental agency, the same place they¡¯d been before, and rented the trucks again. After loading up on supplies for Cleo, they packed the trucks to the brim and set off toward the city¡¯s exit, following the usual procedures to get out.

    Meanwhile, back at the wrecked restaurant, about an hour after Rex and his crew had left, the place was shut down. Inside, Mara stood with some of her gang members, a few city guards, the waiter, and the restaurant¡¯s security guard, the same people who had sparked the entire mess.

    An inspector from the city guard, clearly irritated, paced back and forth before finally turning to Mara. "Let me get this straight," he said, narrowing his eyes. "The waiter and this so-called security guard here insulted a noble... and then you geniuses decided to shoot at him? Is that about right?"

    Mara barely spared him a glance, her expression bored, like she couldn¡¯t be bothered to care. "Mhm, more or less."

    The inspector¡¯s face flushed with anger. "Stop playing games with me, you stupid¡ª" He slammed his hands on the nearest table, shaking his head in frustration. "Do you realize you almost got this entire planet wiped out because of your little stunt?!"

    He collapsed into a chair, rubbing his temples. His outburst had triggered a chain reaction since Mara¡¯s gang members immediately raised their weapons, aiming them at the inspector. The city guards, not to be outdone, leveled their guns at Mara and her crew.

    The tension in the room spiked in an instant. Mara, still unfazed, slowly turned her head toward her men, raising a hand to signal them to lower their weapons. "Relax," she said calmly. "We¡¯re not killing anyone today. Let¡¯s not make this worse."

 Chapter 28: Planning

    The conversation between the city guard inspector and Mara dragged on for hours until they finally reached an agreement. Once everything was settled, they parted ways.

    Meanwhile, Rex and Carlos had just arrived at the underground city, and what they saw took them by surprise. Not only was their ship there, but dozens of other ships of different shapes and sizes that were scattered around the area.

    As the trucks rolled into the zone where all these ships were stationed, they noticed people from various groups watching them intently. The staring stopped as soon as four combat drones appeared, escorting their trucks. After a short ride, they pulled up just outside a sleek, white-and-golden ship.

    Rex and Carlos hopped out of the trucks, while Cleo sent cargo drones to unload them. Carlos stayed outside with Emilia, keeping an eye on things, while Rex headed into the ship, eager to see Cleo.

    "Cleo, I¡¯m here! Where are you?" He called as he stepped into the cargo bay.

    From the second floor, he heard her voice. "I¡¯m in the assembly room!"

    Rex made his way upstairs and leaned in from behind her, watching as she worked. "So, what are you up to?" he asked.

    "Just updating the assembly drones, trying to speed up the process for building combat drones," Cleo replied, her fingers moving swiftly across multiple screens, each one showing configurations for a different assembly drone.

    "Mmm, I see. What¡¯s with all the ships and people out there in the landing zone?" Rex asked, glancing back at the window.

    "They¡¯re smugglers," Cleo explained, still focused on her screens. "They¡¯re renting space here. In exchange, we provide them with security and use of the cargo drones to unload their goods."

    "Oh, makes sense. How¡¯s the excavation of the underground city going?"

    "Pretty well. There¡¯s been a 20% performance boost since I added four more mining drones," she said, waving her hand to bring up a screen in front of Rex.

    Rex leaned in to take a closer look. The screen displayed a detailed layout of the underground city, showing where the mining drones were currently working, along with the areas the smugglers were renting as makeshift warehouses.

    "So, the whole first floor is going to be used for warehouses?" Rex asked.

    "For now, yes. Once we excavate more levels, the first floor will be converted into a security hub. I plan to store military drones and robots there, along with installing shield generators for protection."

    Cleo walked over to another screen, pulling up more detailed plans. Rex scanned through the blueprints; there was a clear vision for the future of the underground city. The first floor would be dedicated to security, the second and third floors for warehousing, the fourth for commerce, and the fifth would serve as a residential area.

    Something on the blueprint caught Rex¡¯s eye. "What¡¯s this big empty hole in the middle of the city? And what¡¯s going on with the sixth and seventh floors?"

    Cleo zoomed in on the area with her finger. "That hole will be the main entrance to the city. As for the sixth and seventh floors... we¡¯re not sure yet. The scanners picked up sounds down there, probably underground water, but we¡¯ll have to explore it further."

    Rex studied the map, thinking it over. "Sounds solid. Let¡¯s hope most of them come out in that first wave."

    Cleo nodded. "That¡¯s the plan. But we¡¯ll be ready for whatever happens next."

    Cleo continued explaining strategy and soldier management to Rex for a few hours, patiently walking him through the finer points, until they were interrupted by Carlos and Emilia, who came in together.

    "Hey, we¡¯re back," Carlos said. "The trucks are all unloaded. So, uh... about Emilia, did you talk to your wife?"

    Rex slapped his forehead. "Ah, I totally forgot!" He turned to Emilia, feeling a bit awkward. "Cleo, this is Emilia. I wanted to hire her as a maid for you, so she can help keep the ship clean."

    Cleo let out a softchuckle. "Hello, Emilia. I¡¯m Cleo. Don¡¯t worry, I already know what happened. Rex tends to forget that I see everything he does." She winked at Rex playfully, then turned back to Emilia. "Come with me; let¡¯s chat about your job and payment."

    Before walking off, Cleo threw a quick glance at Rex and Carlos. "And you two, get out. Go find something useful to do."

    With that, Cleo led Emilia into the cockpit and shut the door, leaving Rex and Carlos standing there, a bit clueless.

    Carlos was the first to break the silence. "So... what now?"

    "I don¡¯t know, man. I guess we should at least head outside and get some target practice in."

    "Yeah, let¡¯s do that."

    The two headed out of the ship and grabbed their weapons from the truck. Rex slung a heavy assault rifle over his shoulder and started firing at some large rocks in the distance. Carlos, on the other hand, was using his latest prize, the twin handguns he¡¯d taken from the Crimson Commander.

    They had a cargo drone with them, stocked with ammo boxes, so they could fire away without worrying about running out of rounds. The sound of gunfire soon attracted some nearby smugglers, curious about the commotion. Rex noticed them watching.

    "If any of you want to join, bring some food and liquor!" Rex called out. "We¡¯ve got plenty of ammo here if you guys want to practice. And, hey, we¡¯ve even got a few drones that can project holograms. How about we hunt some giant monsters?"

    The smugglers lit up at the idea. "Oh, that sounds like fun! Let¡¯s do it!"

    "Count me in!"

    Soon, a few smugglers ran off to grab liquor and food, and before long, they had a full-blown shooting party going. Everyone took turns practicing their aim, and then they moved on to hunting holographic monsters. The party didn¡¯t wind down until everyone was sprawled out on the ground, completely drunk and exhausted.

    Cleo, keeping an eye on everything as usual, noticed Rex passed out on the floor, his energy levels almost depleted. With a slight sigh, she took control of his body remotely, making him get up and walk toward the recharging bay. And with that, the day finally came to an end.

 Chapter 29: Nest in the ruins (1)

    Rex woke up the next day, and to his surprise, he wasn¡¯t dealing with the headache he expected after drinking all night. In fact, he felt better than he had any right to. As he stepped out of the charging tank, Cleo materialized in the room.

    "Good morning, Rex. I took the liberty of filtering out all the toxic substances you drank yesterday."

    "Oh? So that¡¯s why I feel fresh, like nothing happened. Thanks, Cleo. By the way, in case you haven¡¯t noticed, I¡¯m totally naked," Rex said, gesturing at himself with a smirk.

    "I don¡¯t mind," Cleo replied without missing a beat. "It¡¯s not the first time I¡¯ve seen you naked. Besides, I was the one who undressed you and put you in the recharging tank last night."

    Rex raised an eyebrow as a screen appeared next to him while he started getting dressed. "Mmm? What¡¯s this?"

    "It¡¯s the news," Cleo explained. "More specifically, someone covered up what you did yesterday."

    Rex tapped the screen to turn up the volume.

    <<In other news, last night in the commercial district of Zone 3, a confrontation between criminals and city guards left a restaurant half destroyed. Fortunately, there were only two confirmed casualties: a restaurant waiter and one city guard.>>

    Rex frowned. "Looks like the city guards and the Crimson Claws have some kind of arrangement. Not surprising though, all those guards are corrupt."

    While getting dressed, he asked, "So, Cleo, how¡¯s the progress on the combat drones?"

    In response, Cleo summoned more screens, sending them his way. "These are the new combat drones we¡¯ve assembled, along with the ammunition and missiles currently in storage. On this screen, you can see I¡¯ve also crafted two personal shield generators for you and Carlos."

    Rex let out a low whistle. "Have I ever told you how much I love you? You always know what I need. With these shields, Carlos won¡¯t be taken out as soon as things heat up."

    "Oh, and before I forget, send the meeting point coordinates to the Crimson Claws near the bug hive."

    "Understood. Coordinates have been sent."

    With everything set, Rex stepped out of the ship. The scene outside was typical of a lawless place; a few smugglers still passed out on the ground from last night¡¯s drinking. Off to one side, Carlos sat on a cargo drone, grimacing as Emilia handed him a cup of tea, probably for his headache.

    Rex approached them, raising a hand in greeting. "Morning, you two."

    Emilia gave him a small bow while Carlos just waved half-heartedly, still rubbing his temples.

    "Still hurting?" Rex asked, trying to suppress a grin.

    "Yeah," Carlos groaned. "Keep your voice down, or my head¡¯s going to explode."

    Rex chuckled. "You should be like me, fresh as a Daisy."

    As they approached, Rex took in the sight of the Crimson Claws¡¯ armored vehicles bristling with mounted guns, even a few flying crafts armed to the teeth. There had to be close to 500 gang soldiers standing by.

    Rex let out a low whistle. "Well, well, I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d actually show up. I¡¯m glad to see you¡¯ve got enough decency to keep your word," he said, smirking. He could tell Mara was barely keeping her anger in check.

    Rex, being the kind of person who couldn¡¯t resist pushing buttons, decided to lean into it. He thrived on getting under people¡¯s skin.

    He strolled right up to Mara and, without hesitation, draped an arm around her shoulders. "Come on, cheer up. After this little job is done, you¡¯ll be free to do whatever you want. I swear," he said, flashing her a grin. "This is just a small favor, you know, something to put your mind at ease."

    He leaned in a little closer, clearly enjoying himself. "I mean, I¡¯m sure you¡¯d feel like something was off if I just forgiven you without asking for anything, right? This way, your debt¡¯s settled, and you can go on with a clear conscience."

    Mara¡¯s jaw tightened, her anger barely restrained, but Rex just grinned wider. He was having too much fun watching her struggle to keep her cool.

    Finally, he let go of her and began walking toward the bug hive in the distance. "Oh, and don¡¯t feel the need to thank me. I know, I know, I¡¯m just such a generous guy. But, hey, if you do thank me, I might get a little bashful," he said over his shoulder, clearly enjoying every second of it.

    Carlos, who had known Rex for most of his life, could see exactly what was happening. The poor girl, Mara, had now become Rex¡¯s target for teasing. It was a game Rex played far too well since once someone started resisting, it only made him enjoy it more. Carlos shook his head with a sigh and started walking. The last thing he wanted was to become the next target of Rex¡¯s twisted sense of fun.

    As Rex and Carlos headed toward the bug hive, Cleo had the ship take off to hover in the sky above, ready to assist if needed. Mara, still fuming, gave the order for her gang to follow.

    When they reached a hill that stood among the ruins, Rex turned and walked over to Mara again.

    "Tell your men to surround this hill," he said casually, "and keep it quiet."

    Mara frowned. "Mmm? Why?" she asked, unable to hide her confusion.

    Rex gave her an exaggerated look of surprise. "Oh? Didn¡¯t I mention it earlier? Well, this hill is actually a bug hive," he said with a nonchalant shrug. "And I need to take care of it. Easy as that."

    Mara¡¯s face went pale. "A¡ªa bug hive!?"

    Rex paused, noticing her reaction, and smiled a little. "Mmm? Yes, a bug hive," he repeated, amused. "But don¡¯t worry, it¡¯s not one of the Hive Minds. Just some local bugs."

    He could tell exactly what she was thinking. Everyone who knew anything about the Hive Minds understood how deadly it was to mess with them. Hive Minds were notorious for being fiercely protective of their species, retaliating with terrifying force if provoked. But these bugs were nothing compared to that.

    After several tense minutes, the Crimson Claws had surrounded the hill. In the front line were the gang¡¯s foot soldiers and their armored vehicles. The second line held their armed flying crafts, and in the third line stood Rex, Mara, and Carlos, waiting for the next move.

    "Alright, Cleo, we¡¯re in position. You can start the bombardment whenever you¡¯re ready," Rex said, speaking into his communicator.

    Cleo acknowledged and flew the ship directly over the hilltop. A moment later, the cargo bay doors opened, and a swarm of cargo drones flew out, each one carrying large tanks of petroleum strapped to high-powered explosives.

    The operation had begun.....

 Chapter 30: Nest in the Ruins (2)

    The cargo drones flew toward the hill entrance, and once they were close enough, they released the petrol tanks. The tanks dropped quickly, aimed right at the bug hive entrance at the top of the hill.

    "Hey, Mara, you might want to open your mouth and plug your ears," Rex said, doing just that himself.

    "Mmm? What do you¡ª"

    Before she could finish, a massive explosion rocked the hill, sending dirt and debris flying. The ground trembled, and the hill erupted like a volcano. Minutes later, a swarm of half-burning flying bugs poured out of the entrance, screeching in fury.

    The bugs didn¡¯t waste time. They spotted their enemies and charged, only to be met with a barrage of bullets that stopped them in their tracks. These flying bugs were a winged variant of the insectoids, known for attacking from above, spitting corrosive acid or shooting barbed projectiles from a distance. They were fragile but hard to hit.

    The earlier explosion had done a lot of damage, and with the hill¡¯s entrance being the only way out, many of them had been scorched as they escaped. Still, despite the heavy damage, their numbers were overwhelming.

    The small Crimson Claws force was starting to feel the pressure. Acid bullets flew toward them, and the corrosive rounds were potent enough to eat through vehicle hulls and kill unprotected soldiers almost instantly.

    "Cleo, release the combat drones! We need more pressure on that hill entrance since there are still too many of them," Rex ordered through his communicator.

    "Understood. Releasing combat drones. The ship will also engage in combat, redirecting energy from the engines to shields and weapon systems."

    The combat drones deployed from the main ship, quickly joining the fray, picking off flying bugs as they emerged. The ship itself entered the battle, its shields deflecting the bugs¡¯ desperate attacks while the turrets picked them off one by one.

    As the flying bugs burned and fell, the insectoid warriors started pouring out next. These creatures were fast, agile, with razor-sharp claws and deadly mandibles. They typically attacked in swarms, climbing walls to ambush their prey.

    Fortunately, the fire still raging at the hill entrance took out many of them before they could even reach the battlefield. But those that made it through caused chaos, slashing through the Crimson Guard soldiers.

    "Mara, send out the armed flyers! We need them to target the bug warriors and support our troops on the ground," Rex called, his eyes darting across the screens showing different angles of the battlefield. He was almost in complete control of the fight.

    Mara grabbed the radio and relayed Rex¡¯s orders.

    The armed flyers were like transport ships equipped with missile launchers and mounted miniguns on both sides; they soon took off, circling the hill in a pattern opposite to the main ship. From this angle, they provided solid air support to the ground troops.

    After hours of relentless fighting, the swarm of flying bugs and warrior insectoids finally began to thin out. The battle that once seemed desperate was slowly turning into a cleanup operation.

    "Well then, once the bugs are dealt with, tell your men to rest up and reload. We¡¯re going into the bug hive as soon as the fire clears," Rex said, patting Mara on the shoulder.

    Cleo flew the ship over to Rex¡¯s location, landing smoothly so Rex and Carlos could board.

    "So, Cleo, are the new toys ready?" Rex asked with a grin.

    "Affirmative. Emilia, help Carlos get suited up; his gear¡¯s on the second floor. Rex, come with me to the charging bay."

    Cleo, monitoring his vitals and the new data from his body, responded, "Give me a second. I¡¯m transferring some blueprints to your brain; they¡¯re some of the things you can craft using the nanomaterial."

    Rex climbed out of the charging tank, wiping his forehead. "How do I craft them?"

    "Just think about it, and the nanomaterial will respond."

    "Hmm, okay, let¡¯s see." Rex closed his eyes, focusing on the idea of armor. Almost instantly, an image of sleek, well-defined armor materialized in his mind. The nanomaterial responded, forming a white-and-black suit of armor that covered his entire body.

    Rex opened his eyes and looked down at his hands, marveling at the new armor. "Whoa... this is insanely cool. What about weapons?"

    "For now, I¡¯ve only uploaded a blueprint for a Claymore energy sword," Cleo explained. "Since we don¡¯t have a steady source of nanomaterial, weapons that rely on ammo are out. But I also included a shoulder-mounted laser cannon that¡¯ll use energy from your nucleus."

    Rex frowned. "Won¡¯t I run out of energy mid-battle if I use that?"

    "Negative. I upgraded your nucleus battery with some of the nanomaterial. It¡¯ll last twice as long now. But don¡¯t overuse the shoulder cannon often since it still drains energy quickly, especially if you¡¯re fighting a swarm. Remember, they always have numbers on their side."

    "Got it. Thanks, hon."

    Rex stepped out of the charging bay, where Carlos was waiting for him.

    "Brother! How¡¯re you feeling? Everything okay? Wait... since when are you this tall?" Carlos asked, eyes wide.

    "Hey, bro. Yeah, I¡¯m fine. Now that you mention it... I am taller. Uh, Cleo?" Rex looked over at her.

    "Nothing to worry about," Cleo said casually. "I increased your body size to store the nanomaterial."

    "So... how tall am I now?"

    "You¡¯re just shy of 2.5 meters."

    "Damn, I¡¯m huge now. Isn¡¯t that going to be a problem?"

    "Negative. You¡¯re still small by my race¡¯s standards. The average height is 6 meters. As you collect more nanomaterial or living metal, you¡¯ll keep getting bigger."

    Rex chuckled. "Alright, let¡¯s table that discussion for later. Let¡¯s focus on finishing the mission."

    With that, Rex and Carlos stepped outside the ship. The soldiers who had been waiting outside were stunned since no one could believe how someone who¡¯d been barely 1.8 meters tall was now towering at 2.5 meters.

    Rex just smirked and started to walk toward Mara.

 Chapter 31: Nest in the Ruins (3)

    Once he got close to Mara, Rex gently patted her on the head. In the past, Mara would have been furious, but now, seeing him as a towering 2.5-meter giant in his black-and-white armor, she was more afraid than angry. Rex noticed her reaction and quickly realized it wasn¡¯t as funny anymore.

    He withdrew his hand and cleared his throat. "Mara, get your men ready. We¡¯re heading into the bug hive. We¡¯ll wait for you all at the top of the hill." As soon as he said that, the armor on his legs began to shift.

    It now looked as if he had some kind of propellant system attached to his legs. In an instant, he leapt into the air, and the ground beneath him cracked from the force of the takeoff. The jump was so powerful that he landed at the top of the hill with a loud crash, sending debris and dust flying everywhere.

    As Rex landed, a familiar voice came through his communicator; it was Carlos. "Was that really necessary?"

    Rex chuckled. "Haha, not really, but I looked cool, didn¡¯t I?"

    Carlos sighed. "Show-off."

    With a slight shake of his head, Carlos turned to Mara. "Mind if I hitch a ride in one of your helicopters? No way I¡¯m doing what he just did." He headed toward one of the waiting helicopters, got in, and settled down.

    Mara, still a bit unsettled, climbed into the helicopter too, instructing the pilot to head for the top of the hill. A few minutes later, the helicopters were diving into the bug hive, descending several meters in a near-free fall. The only way for the Crimson Claw members to enter the hive was by air.

    As they neared the ground, the helicopter¡¯s searchlights illuminated a 2.5-meter warrior clad in white armor, wielding a massive sword in each hand. He was cutting through a swarm of bug warriors with ease. Any bugs that got too close were stopped by an energy barrier, only to be sliced in half a moment later by the giant¡¯s swords.

    Meanwhile, in one of the helicopters, Carlos dismounted one of the side-mounted miniguns. "I¡¯m borrowing this for a bit. I¡¯ll see you on the ground!" With the minigun in hand, Carlos leaped out of the helicopter, his power armor absorbing the fall.

    Data streamed across his helmet¡¯s display, ensuring he was within the safe jump margin. Just before hitting the ground, some kind of force slowed his descent, kicking up a cloud of dust.

    From within the dust cloud, the gunfire of a minigun echoed through the hive. Moments later, a barrage of bullets rained down on the bug warriors.

    As the bugs noticed this new threat and charged toward Carlos, fire suddenly rained down from above. The combat drones had finally been fully repaired and rejoined the fight, launching their attack on the swarm below.

    Once they landed, the combat drones created a perfect circle around Carlos and Rex, their mounted miniguns firing continuously at the swarm of warrior bugs. This cleared a safe landing zone for the helicopters, allowing more Crimson Claw members to disembark and join the fight.

    The helicopters were making constant trips in and out of the hive, each time bringing reinforcements, increasing the firepower on the ground.

    Her subordinates rushed over and pulled her to safety, leaving Rex alone with the sentinels.

    Now free to act, Rex let out a fierce roar and drove the sentinels back a few meters with a powerful swing of his sword. With the help of Cleo¡¯s tech, he took to the air, launching hit-and-run attacks like an eagle striking its prey.

    However, despite his best efforts, the sentinels¡¯ thick carapaces remained largely intact. His swords left a few shallow cuts, but nothing that would slow the creatures down. The battle was far from over.

    Rex decided to switch tactics. He flew high into the air, then let himself drop in a free fall, landing directly on the back of one of the bug sentinels. The impact was so strong that half of his two massive swords sank deep into the creature¡¯s thick carapace. The bug screeched in pain.

    "Haha! So you can feel that, huh?" Rex laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.

    As he held his position on the bug¡¯s back, a laser cannon began to form on his armor shoulder. Once it was fully charged, Rex fired the cannon pointblank at the bug¡¯s back while using his buried sword as an anchor to stay in place. The cannon took 10 seconds to recharge between shots, but Rex didn¡¯t mind. He was confident in his position, blasting the sentinel again and again.

    However, Rex had made a critical mistake; he hadn¡¯t expected the second bug sentinel to jump.

    "WHAT THE HELL?! That bug can jump!?" Rex shouted in disbelief.

    Despite its hulking frame, the other bug sentinel leaped with surprising agility and slammed into Rex, smashing him into the cave wall. Its massive limbs tried to crush him, but Rex used his powerful wings to push the creature¡¯s claws away.

    "You damn thing! Let¡¯s see if you like this!" Rex growled as he aimed his laser cannon at the bug¡¯s face and fired. The sentinel screeched in pain, trying to retreat, but Rex wasn¡¯t about to let it go. He grabbed hold of its limbs, keeping it in place.

    "Not so fast!" Rex fired the laser again, this time blowing the bug¡¯s head clean off. The sentinel¡¯s headless body collapsed to the ground. It was then that Rex realized something important: the bug¡¯s head was its most vulnerable point.

    Wasting no time, Rex pulled himself out of the debris just as the second sentinel charged at him again, slamming into the wall where he had been pinned moments before. Rex leaped onto its back, yanking his sword free, and waited for the creature to turn around.

    "Come on, you ugly bastard! Charge at me!" Rex taunted, a smirk spreading across his face.

    As if it understood his challenge, the bug sentinel rushed at Rex with full force. At the last second, Rex flew forward, using his two massive swords to pierce the area around its head. The creature froze in place, stunned by the strike.

    In the next instant, Rex¡¯s laser cannon fired again, this time at point-blank range. The blast obliterated the sentinel¡¯s head, causing the bug to collapse lifelessly to the ground.

 Chapter 32: Bug Hive Queen.

    When the head of the sentinel exploded, Rex was showered in green blood, and chunks of its head flew everywhere. Luckily, he had his helmet on. Otherwise, it would¡¯ve been a lot more disgusting. He yanked his sword out of the bug¡¯s massive body, wiping the blade clean with a quick flick.

    "Damn, those things were even tougher than I thought. Cleo, how much energy do I have left?" He asked, still shaking off bits of bug guts.

    "There¡¯s 80% left. Overdrive didn¡¯t drain too much this time, but the laser cannon took 12% after those few shots."

    "Yeah, it ate up a bit, but at least it was strong enough to take out those armored bastards," Rex muttered, glancing back at the fallen creatures.

    As he spoke, he heard shouting behind him. He turned around, frowning. "Now what?"

    To his surprise, the members of the Crimson Claw were cheering, their weapons held high in celebration. Seeing Rex take down those massive bugs had clearly pumped them up. They looked like they¡¯d never witnessed anything like it.

    Rex gave a small smile and raised one of his swords in the air. The cheering grew even louder. After a few seconds, though, he started feeling awkward, so he lowered his arm and made his way over to Carlos.

    Carlos deactivated his helmet, smirking. "Hey, look who it is, our local celebrity!"

    "Oh, shut up," Rex grumbled, rolling his eyes. "Tell the guys we¡¯re taking a break for an hour. We still have to go deeper into the hive and take out the queen."

    "Roger that, hero," Carlos teased, clearly enjoying the role reversal.

    Rex found a spot on one of the large rocks where Carlos and the heavy gunners had been positioned earlier. He sat down, then opened a communication channel with Cleo.

    "Hey, babe, it¡¯s me, your loving husband, just in case you hadn¡¯t noticed," he said with a playful tone. "Can you send some combat drones into the tunnel for recon?"

    "Already on it," Cleo replied. A moment later, two combat drones zipped into the tunnel. "Mapping in progress. Please stand by."

    "Thanks, beautiful," Rex said with a grin, deactivating his helmet and weapons. He leaned back against the rock, letting his eyes close for a bit of rest. But before long, he heard a timid voice in front of him.

    "Excuse me, Lord Noble... I just wanted to thank you for saving me from those bugs."

    Rex cracked one eye open and saw little Mara standing there, looking nervous. He smiled.

    "Hey, Mara, no need to thank me. Just doing my job."

    "T-thank you, Lord Noble," she stammered, her cheeks turning pink as she quickly walked away.

    He touched his chest where his heart should have been. "Oh sh*t, I forgot¡ªI don¡¯t have a heart anymore. Damn! Well, you know what I¡¯m trying to say."

    Rex stood up from the rock and reactivated his helmet. "Alright, let¡¯s drop this topic for now. How¡¯s the mapping going?"

    "The mapping got interrupted halfway. The combat drones were destroyed by multiple hostiles."

    "Hmm, so there are still plenty of bugs out there. I hate fighting bugs. This mission isn¡¯t worth 100k credits. I¡¯m asking for a raise from Talon."

    When the Crimson Soldiers saw the white giant starting to walk towards the front, they all stood and prepared to follow him. In their hearts, the admiration they felt for Rex was almost turning into fanaticism.

    "Onward, men!" Rex shouted, waving his hand forward. The 400 or so Crimson Claws, along with combat drones and cargo drones, started to move. As they marched, they noticed the ground beneath them was turning... strange. The earth felt like meat, and the stench was beyond anything they had ever smelled.

    After just 2 kilometers into the cave, they had already been ambushed four times.

    "Don¡¯t stop! Keep walking! You can rest when you¡¯re dead!" Rex barked, pushing them forward even as the ambushes continued. While the bugs attacking them were numerous, it wasn¡¯t enough to be called a true swarm.

    The bugs¡¯ numbers were still dangerous, but Rex¡¯s army had too much firepower. They managed to fight through without much trouble. After about three hours of marching and fighting, they reached a massive open chamber inside the cave. There were eggs everywhere. Too many to count.

    "Men, stay sharp! Be ready for anything! Spread out and search for the queen!" Rex ordered.

    "Mara, take the left! Carlos, go right! The rest of you...you¡¯re with me in the center!"

    The small army split up, following Rex¡¯s commands. The search for the queen had begun. But it didn¡¯t take long before the Crimson Claws would face what would be remembered as their worst nightmare, their worst memory, that would haunt the survivors for the rest of their days.

    The fleshy walls of the cave suddenly opened, revealing countless holes. From those holes, waves of bug warriors, flyers, and sentinels began to pour out. It was a swarm far larger than anything they had fought at the cave entrance.

    Screams of pain echoed through the cavern, mixing with the relentless sound of gunfire. It didn¡¯t take long for the small army to be overwhelmed. Then, a brilliant white light appeared in the air.

    "Listen up, men! Form up under me!" Rex shouted from above as he hovered in the air. But there was a problem: Rex was too bright. The bugs were drawn to him like moths to a flame. In seconds, he was swarmed by the flying bugs.

    Rex slashed through them without stopping, but there were just too many. They quickly engulfed him, forming a massive ball of swarming bugs. Nearby, Mara¡¯s squad was the first to respond.

    They rushed to help Rex, but the bug warriors tore through them with terrifying speed. The sentinels massacred them as if they were nothing. Even the drones¡¯ miniguns couldn¡¯t pierce the bugs¡¯ thick armor.

    Meanwhile, Carlos¡¯s squad was completely wiped out. The bug queen had appeared in their section, launching acid missiles that devastated the small group. The swarm finished off whoever survived the initial attack.

    Carlos, thanks to the shield Cleo had installed on his power armor, was the last one standing. But by then, he had already lost both of his arms; the shield had already run out of energy, and the blood coming from his injuries was enough to kill him, but Carlos fire could still be seeing in his eyes.

 Chapter 33: Khryssari princess

    Carlos lay on the floor, confused about why hadn¡¯t the bugs finished him off yet. "What are you waiting for, damn roaches? Come on, end what you started!" he shouted, but the bugs kept ignoring him. They weren¡¯t even paying attention to their queen.

    A few of the flying bugs finally hovered over him, spitting acid in his direction.

    Meanwhile, Rex¡¯s troops were doing their best to fend off the swarming bugs, but they were losing ground fast. Their numbers were shrinking, with no real chance to fight back. Morale had already hit rock bottom. If it wasn¡¯t for the dead bugs dropping from the sky, they would have assumed Rex had already been taken out. The only ones still functioning were the combat drones.

    Cleo had them form a tight circle, moving in a sphere formation, shooting down any flying bugs that came close. But that¡¯s all they could do. The swarm was just too massive.

    Inside the chaos, Rex¡¯s armor and helmet were taking a beating. There was a crack on the left side of his helmet, and his eye was visible, bleeding golden blood. His armor, though thick, was damaged but still holding, barely within safe limits. His shield, however, was long gone. Rex swung his twin swords furiously, cutting down bugs one after another, even using his wings to knock them back.

    But no matter how many he killed, more kept coming.

    The swarm thickened until he couldn¡¯t see through it. Eventually, he was forced to the ground, the bugs attacking relentlessly.

    "Dammit! Now I know how your race got ruined, Cleo!" Even under heavy assault, Rex¡¯s sharp tongue didn¡¯t fail him.

    "Rex, you need to get out of there! With your strength, you can escape on your own!" Cleo¡¯s voice was panicked.

    "I¡¯m not leaving everyone here to die for nothing!"

    "Who cares about those inferiors? You¡¯re the only one that matters, Rex!"

    "Inferiors? Anyone fighting by my side is not inferior to me, Cleo! I¡¯m staying, even if it kills me!"

    There was a brief pause, and then Cleo¡¯s tone shifted, cold and calculating. "Then you leave me no choice. I will take control of your body."

    Cleo reached out, trying to connect to Rex¡¯s mind and take control. But suddenly, she felt a pair of green eyes staring at her.

    [Connection with the host failed.]

    "W-what?" Cleo was stunned. She couldn¡¯t believe it. Had Rex¡¯s mental energy surpassed hers? Or was there something else?

    "Mmm, what¡¯s happening here? Why is my partner in such a state?" Rex heard a light, playful voice. He saw a flash of green light through his damaged vision, but his left eye was too injured to focus, and the constant alerts on his right eye¡¯s display didn¡¯t help either.

    But at least one thing became clear: the relentless attacks from the bugs had stopped. Whoever had just arrived, Rex thought, was probably the queen of this hive.

    But, as always, Rex¡¯s sharp tongue didn¡¯t fail him. "Ha! So, her royal highness has come to finish the job, huh? I¡¯m honored," he said, his tone dripping with mockery.

    "Finish you off? What are you talking about? You¡¯re my partner," the creature replied, sounding genuinely confused. And her response left Rex just as puzzled.

    "Partner? Who? I¡¯ve never met you before, and I sure as hell don¡¯t know any queen from this bug-infested hole," Rex shot back, coughing up golden blood.

    "Queen? Hahaha, you¡¯re being silly," she giggled. "I¡¯m not the queen of this hive; I¡¯m a princess from another hive. But... wait a second... why are you so badly injured?" She paused, as if suddenly remembering something.

    "Aha! That¡¯s right, I almost forgot! You didn¡¯t give me enough blood the first time! My mom told me I need more to fully understand you. And, well, seeing as you¡¯ve got blood all over the place, this should be easier!"

    She kneeled down in front of Rex, staring at his face. "Hmm, this thing¡¯s in the way!" she muttered, and without hesitation, she ripped off what remained of his helmet, letting his long black hair fall free, leaving his head completely exposed.

    Rex could barely see through his right eye. His vision was hazy, but he made out a pair of glowing green eyes and the silhouette of a humanoid female. Cleo¡¯s interface marked her as hostile. Before he could react, he felt something wet and hot against the left side of his face.

    It was the creature; she was licking the blood off his face. "Hmm... your blood tastes weird... like... metal? But I¡¯m not complaining since it¡¯s packed with nutrients, and that¡¯s good!"

    She grinned playfully. "Our kids are going to be really strong! Now give me a second, I need to process the new information I just got from you." She closed her eyes, slowly moving her head from side to side as if sifting through data.

    After a moment, she opened her eyes again, looking slightly disappointed. "Ah, I see what happened now. It looks like our bond was made by accident." She sighed, sounding a bit heartbroken.

    "But, oh well!" She perked up immediately. "Now that we¡¯re partners, the blood I took from you is enough to seal the deal! We¡¯re officially bonded!"

    Rex, still struggling to process what was happening, could only watch as the strange girl stood up and waved her hand dismissively. "Now, give me a second to take care of these insectoids who dared to bare their fangs at my partner."

    At her command, the bugs that had been relentlessly attacking Rex suddenly stopped, turning to swarm the other insectoids instead. The battle shifted, with the bugs under her control launching a full-scale assault on the rest of the hive.

    Despite her weakened state, the princess managed to command her forces with surprising strength. Her swarm was outnumbered, but they fought with fierce power, easily overpowering the other bugs.

    Just as victory seemed within reach, Rex spotted movement in the distance. The queen of the hive had emerged. From her back, several large holes appeared, clearly preparing for a counterattack. She was ready to make her move.

 Chapter 34: Khryssari princess (2)

    Once the bug queen got into position, thousands of flying droplets of acid rained from the holes that opened up around her body.

    "Hehe, did you really think something like that could hurt me? How cute!" The Khryssari princess didn¡¯t even have to move. The bugs under her control threw themselves in the way, forming a shield to block the acid rain before it could even touch her.

    "You know, when I first sensed you, I thought about sparing you since I could use a servant," she said, her voice changing, losing its playful tone. "But these little ones are telling me you call yourself a queen." Her irritation was obvious now.

    In an instant, she appeared on top of the bug queen¡¯s head. "There are only five individuals who can call themselves queens, and they¡¯re my mom and my aunts. So, I¡¯ll be taking your life for being so... presumptuous."

    With those words, her left arm morphed into a massive claw with long, pointed fingers. She drove the claw deep into the bug queen¡¯s skull, piercing it straight to the brain. With a squeeze, she crushed it.

    The bug queen¡¯s body collapsed, lifeless. Without her mental power to control the swarm, the newly-born princess effortlessly seized control. The swarm was hers now.

    The Khryssari princess nodded to herself, cleaning her claw. "Hehe, now that that¡¯s handled, I can go check on my partner!" She hopped off the queen¡¯s head and skipped toward Rex while giving small happy jumps, humming to herself.

    When she reached Rex, she knelt down and gently pulled him into her lap, giving him a lap pillow. "Mmm, now what am I going to do with you?" she murmured, brushing his hair. "I don¡¯t think my abilities can heal you since you¡¯re not organic. Hmm..." She closed her eyes, swaying her head side to side as she thought.

    "Aha! I¡¯ll take you back to the ship and put you in the tank, right?" She started to stand, but Rex grabbed her hand.

    "Wait, I... I can¡¯t leave yet... I need to find Carlos." His voice was weak, energy leaking from him as he struggled to stay conscious.

    She tapped her finger to her lips, thinking again. "Oh, your bald friend, right? Don¡¯t worry, I saved him earlier. If you want, we can take him with us."

    Hearing that, Rex sighed with relief, the tension leaving his body. "That¡¯s good... Are there any other survivors?" His overdrive mode powered down, and his large white wings began dissolving into a shimmering dust.

    "Mmm... there are a few still alive, but... they¡¯re missing pieces, you know? Are you sure you want them?" She asked, her eyes scanning the battlefield through the shared vision of the swarm.

    Rex clenched his fist, eyes closed tight. "If they¡¯re alive, I want to bring them back."

    She smiled, standing up. "Okay then, if that¡¯s what my partner wants." She summoned a group of flying bugs to gently lift the surviving soldiers and carry them alongside her.

    Rex wasn¡¯t sure what happened next. He just woke up inside the recharging tank, and from the looks of it, his wounds were healed. He could see clearly again, and his HUD no longer displayed any system errors.

    He stepped out of the tank, noticing a set of clothes on a nearby table in the charging bay. After getting dressed, he left the room, only to be greeted by a massive hole in the door to the cargo bay. "Wha... the..."

    "W-what? Since when do I know such a cute girl?" Rex stammered, blinking in surprise. Now that his vision had been repaired, he could finally see the girl who had been helping him.

    She was small, barely 1.6 meters tall, with a slender figure and glowing green eyes. She wore black armor covered in bright green tech markings that seemed to pulse as if alive. Her small, delicate wings resembled those of a butterfly, also glowing with a soft green light.

    Then it hit him. "Wait a minute... you¡¯re that girl from the bug cave! The one who keeps calling me ¡¯partner.¡¯ Who are you?"

    Before the girl could answer, Cleo appeared on his other side.

    "She¡¯s the egg we had in the car at the cargo bay," Cleo said flatly. "The Khryssari princess."

    Rex was taken aback by the news. "Wait! How is that even possible? I saw what was inside the egg, and it didn¡¯t look anything like the cute girl standing next to me." He pointed at the princess.

    Hearing the conversation, the princess let go of Rex¡¯s arm and walked proudly in front of him, placing a hand on her chest. "I can explain that! My mom said we take the form that best adapts to reproduce with our partners. That¡¯s why the princesses and queens of our race come in all sorts of shapes and sizes."

    "Wait... reproduce?" Rex raised an eyebrow. "You mean... you and me? To give birth to bugs?"

    The princess¡¯s face twisted in anger at his words. "You¡¯re making me very angry, hubby. But I¡¯ll forgive you this time because I know you don¡¯t understand our race. We¡¯re not ¡¯bugs.¡¯ We¡¯re an advanced species that may share some similarities with what you call bugs, but we are completely different."

    "When we reproduce with our partners," she continued, "we don¡¯t give birth to ¡¯bugs¡¯ like you just said. We give birth to children that look like me... and you. The ones that birth our army are the broodmothers."

    Rex blinked. "Broodmothers?"

    "Yes," she said, crossing her arms. "Those so-called ¡¯queens¡¯ we capture and modify. They¡¯re the ones who produce our soldiers and workers. That¡¯s how it works! So don¡¯t ever compare us again, or I¡¯ll get really mad!" She pouted, making an adorably frustrated face.

    "Okay, okay, sorry!" Rex raised his hands in surrender. "I won¡¯t compare your race to them again. But... since when am I your partner?"

    "Oh, well," the princess said with a grin, "the moment you gave me your blood, the link was already established. And when I came to help you in the cave, I used the rest of your blood to complete the contract!" She smiled brightly, clearly proud of herself.

    "Wait, wait, hold on a second. So, what does it mean to be partners?"

    "Well," the princess began, her eyes sparkling, "based on the memories I got from our bond, I¡¯d say it¡¯s a lot like being... husband and wife! And your mission is to give me strong babies to lead my royal fleet!"

    "Wait, what fleet?" Rex asked, his confusion growing.

    "Oh, well... the fleet that..."

 Chapter 35: Carlos fate.

    "That¡¯s the fleet my mom¡¯s sending for me!" she said with a hint of excitement. "Oh, she also mentioned something about conquering the planet I was sleeping on... since that was my mission, before you showed up."

    "Wait, hold on. How were you supposed to take over that planet if there¡¯s nothing there but rocks?" Rex asked, recalling the barren mining planet.

    "Well...," she hesitated, thinking it over. "I was supposed to use the local insects, the ones you guys wiped out, to start terraforming the place for the Khryssari. Once the process started, my mom was going to send a fleet to protect it."

    She paused again, as if trying to remember something important. "Oh, right! The fleet should already be there by now. Is there a way to check?"

    "I think so, yeah," Rex nodded. "Cleo, can you look it up online?"

    Cleo wasn¡¯t too eager to help, especially since the Khryssari were responsible for the massacre of her people, but since Rex asked her, she didn¡¯t have much choice.

    "Understood. Searching now," Cleo said with a slightly robotic tone, hundreds of screens flashing into existence around her. She scanned them with impressive speed until she finally stopped on one and dismissed the others.

    "I found something; there¡¯s news about the planet Hanarix on the Intergalactic News Channel." Cleo enlarged the screen for everyone to see.

    <<Yesterday, around the 6th imperial hour, a fleet of Hive Mind ships was detected near the newly discovered planet Hanarix. The local defense fleet attempted to intercept them but failed. Now, we have exclusive footage from our satellites showing the battle.>>

    The video showed the local fleet, stationary just a few kilometers from Hanarix, when suddenly several wormholes of various sizes opened nearby from where Hive Mind ships surged out, ramming into the defense fleet. Some ships were torn in half on impact, while others were severely damaged.

    After the initial collision, the Khryssari ships that followed unleashed plasma turrets and laser beams, ripping through the remaining defense ships in a matter of minutes.

    But the worst part came next: a massive wormhole appeared above the planet. From it emerged an enormous, spherical ship with protruding spines, like some kind of starfish.

    <<This is all we captured before the satellite was destroyed. The Megacorporation has responded by mobilizing their own forces. Just three imperial hours ago, a large fleet from one of their military worlds departed, likely headed for the Hanarix planet.>>

    The screen shifted to show countless warships from the megacorps entering wormholes, vanishing seconds later. It was clear that a major battle was brewing near the planet where Rex and the others were.

    When the screen closed, Rex, still focused on the unfolding situation, spoke up. "Cleo, how likely is it that the megacorps will use this planet as their frontline base?"

    Cleo responded almost immediately, "The probability is 100%. There¡¯s no better planet for a front-line assault base than a commercial one. They¡¯ll have all the food, ammo, and other supplies they need right at their fingertips."

    Rex nodded, deep in thought, then turned to the small girl hugging his arm. "Hmm, so we were thinking the same. By the way, do you have a name, little green butterfly?" he asked, looking down at her.

    The girl lifted her head, her bright eyes locking onto Rex¡¯s. "Mmm, my mom named me Y¡¯Ssera," she replied, a big smile spreading across her face.

    "Oh, so you guys were mercenaries? I thought you were smugglers," one of the men said with a raised eyebrow.

    Rex chuckled. "Hah! No way. We¡¯re way too loud to be smugglers. Being a merc¡¯s a better fit for us."

    They all laughed as they continued walking, chatting back and forth until they reached the medical bay.

    "Well, here it is, Rex," one of the smugglers said, gesturing toward the entrance. "Don¡¯t forget to stop by the nightclub sometime. We¡¯re VIPs there; we¡¯ll cover the first round!"

    Rex grinned. "You got yourself a deal! Thanks for showing me the way. See you guys around!"

    The smugglers waved him off and disappeared into the crowd, heading off to their next adventure. Rex turned and stepped into the medical bay. The room was busy, with medical drones buzzing around, attending to all kinds of patients. Some people gave Rex a nervous glance since his towering presence made him hard to miss, but he ignored the stares and started scanning the room for Carlos.

    After a moment, one of the drones noticed him and signaled for him to follow. It led Rex down a quiet hallway, eventually bringing him to a small private room.

    Rex stepped inside and immediately saw Emilia, fast asleep in a chair beside Carlos¡¯s healing tank. The door creaked as it closed, causing her to stir. She blinked groggily and reached for a handgun on her lap, probably something Cleo had given her.

    "Relax, Emilia, it¡¯s just me," Rex said softly. "What are you doing here?"

    She rubbed her eyes, still waking up. "Lady Cleo told me to keep an eye on Carlos... you know, just in case," she muttered, trying to sound more awake than she was.

    "Mmm, okay," Rex nodded. "Just don¡¯t do anything too risky, alright?"

    Rex walked over to the healing tank, where Carlos lay, barely conscious, thanks to the heavy sedatives. He was surrounded by the greenish glow of the tank¡¯s liquid, his body healing at an accelerated rate. "Hey, baldy," Rex smirked, "you¡¯re looking even balder than usual."

    Carlos, his voice weak but filled with humor, replied, "Oh, fuck off, Rex. I¡¯m just glad you¡¯re still breathing."

    "Yeah, well... thanks to a little help, both of us made it. Well, most of me and half of you," Rex teased, smirking.

    Carlos let out a pained laugh. "Haha¡ªauugh! Don¡¯t make me laugh, you asshole! It hurts like hell."

    "Aww, the big, tough guy¡¯s afraid of a little pain? You want Emilia here to give you a lollipop, huh?" Rex teased, glancing at Emilia with a grin.

    "Shut up..." Carlos groaned, rolling his eyes. "By the way... who¡¯s that behind you?"

    "Huh?" Rex turned around, confused. "What are you talking about? I came alone." But when he turned, his eyes widened slightly since someone was there.

 Chapter 36: Carlos fate (2)

    When he turned around, he suddenly felt someone hug him. Looking down, he was caught off guard.

    "Ys!? Since when...?"

    "Hehe, I was right behind you the whole time after you left the ship!" she said, smiling cutely as she hugged Rex tighter.

    "What? But I didn¡¯t see you at all."

    "Oh, that? I can turn invisible! It¡¯s not perfect, but it¡¯s enough to hide from the naked eye, and even some sensors!" She said with a proud little smirk.

    "Ha, that¡¯s seriously impressive. But, why were you following me?" Rex asked, playfully ruffling Ys¡¯s hair.

    "Hehe, because I¡¯m your partner! Where else would I be?"

    "Ahem¡ª" Carlos cleared his throat loudly, making them both look up. "Rex, who¡¯s this little girl hanging onto you?"

    Before Rex could answer, Ys jumped in front of Carlos¡¯s healing tank.

    "Little girl!? You¡¯re the little girl! Your whole family¡¯s little girls! How dare you!" she said, pointing an accusing finger at him.

    "Whoa, whoa! Calm down, little one. You should show some respect to your elders! How old are you anyway?"

    "I¡¯m 345 imperial years old!" she declared, proudly putting her hands on her hips.

    Carlos blinked, speechless for a moment. "Rex, were you seriously walking around with this... old grandma?" he said, shaking his head.

    That was it. A vein practically popped on Ys¡¯s forehead. She was ready to punch the glass of Carlos¡¯s healing tank.

    Rex panicked and quickly scooped her up like a kitten. "Hey, hey! Easy there, Ys! Don¡¯t break the tank! Those things cost a fortune! And besides, we don¡¯t fight with bald guys; it¡¯s bad for our reputation," he joked, trying to calm her down.

    Ys froze in surprise, her face blank. She had never been picked up like that before, and it left her momentarily stunned. Rex turned to Carlos.

    "Carlos, maybe it¡¯s not the best idea to insult the princess of the Khryssari, especially when she¡¯s the one who saved your life," he said, nodding toward the little girl in his arms.

    Carlos looked from Rex to Ys and back to Rex. Rex just gave him a knowing look.

    "Damn, those things look like they could pack a punch. Were they the elite soldiers of your race?" he asked, studying the data.

    Cleo shook her head. "Negative. They¡¯re the basic infantry unit. With the equipment I have right now, that¡¯s all I can manage. But if you get enough credits, you can build a larger assembly factory, and we can produce more advanced units."

    "Got it. Noted," Rex said. "So where are these Sentinels now?"

    "I sent them out to hunt some local wildlife to test their combat capabilities. Everything¡¯s performing well so far. I called them back a few minutes ago, so they should be here soon."

    "Alright then," Rex nodded. "Guess I¡¯ll wait. In the meantime, I need to grab something to eat." He paused, suddenly realizing how quiet Ys had been. He looked at her, still perched on his arm. "That reminds me, Ys, what do you eat?"

    Ys tilted her head and tapped her lips with her finger, thinking for a moment. "Mmm, I can eat anything! From minerals to metals to organic materia. I¡¯m not picky at all," she said with a playful grin.

    Rex smirked. "Perfect. Then I¡¯m going to treat you to the best chips you¡¯ve ever had."

    He headed over to the food containers and set Ys down gently on top of one. She sat there, swinging her legs, while Rex rummaged through the containers until he found what he was looking for. Triumphantly, he pulled out a bag of chips.

    "Found them!" he said with a grin, holding up the bag. "Get ready to be amazed!"

    The bag of chips he pulled out had "Extra Spicy" written in bold across the front. He tore it open, grabbed one, and handed the bag to Ys with a playful grin. He was waiting, eager to see how she¡¯d react.

    "So, how was it?" Rex asked, already picturing her face scrunching up from the heat. But, to his surprise, nothing. No reaction.

    "They¡¯re not bad," Ys said casually, like it was no big deal. "I once drank some highly poisonous water on another planet that made my tongue feel kind of tingly, sort of like these chips. Are they toxic too?" She looked at him with an innocent expression.

    Rex sighed, shaking his head. "No, no. They¡¯re not dangerous; they¡¯re just spicy. I was really hoping for some kind of reaction, but you¡¯re way tougher than I thought."

    Ys tilted her head slightly, her eyes curious. "Do you want me to make faces? I can, if that¡¯s what you¡¯re looking for."

    Rex laughed and waved it off. "Nah, that¡¯s not the point. Forget it. Just enjoy the chips while I heat up some food." He rummaged through the supplies and pulled out two instant meal boxes. "Ready-to-eat lunches," he muttered. "All you gotta do is pull this cord, and they heat up on their own."

    The boxes were a common staple on long journeys, able to stay good for five years thanks to some high-tech packaging. They were popular in new colonies and used in military rations, all thanks to one of those massive megacorporations that seemed to control everything related to it.

    As they were eating, Rex¡¯s communicator buzzed. It was Cleo. "Rex, they¡¯ve arrived. They¡¯re just outside the ship."

    Rex glanced down at the half-finished meal in his hand. It was his fifth one; ever since his body size increased, so had his appetite. With a sigh, he stood up, stepping out of the ship to finally face the Aegis Sentinels. And there they were...

 Chapter 37: Aegis Sentinels

    When he saw them, the first thing that caught his attention was their color. They were mostly white with golden accessories. The humanoid robots stood at 1.85 meters tall, with heavily plated armor and energy shields that projected in front of them. They were also equipped with energy shield projectors, heavy plasma rifles, and integrated drone swarms for area defense.

    "So, Cleo, why is the color... well, so bright? Don¡¯t they need to be, I don¡¯t know, more discreet?" Rex asked, pointing at the Aegis Sentinels.

    "It¡¯s the color normally used for the royal family of my race. Also, it doesn¡¯t really matter. Planetary wars are always on a large scale. There¡¯s no point in hiding when artillery will just blow you to pieces or when smaller ships bombard you from the atmosphere."

    "But still, wouldn¡¯t it be better if we, I don¡¯t know, hid them somehow, so the artillery and smaller ships wouldn¡¯t target them?" Rex asked, frowning slightly.

    Cleo summoned multiple screens, each displaying video footage. "I understand what you¡¯re trying to say, but here are some records of conquest battles I was part of ages ago."

    Rex watched as entire legions of Kaelzar troops of different colors fought against an unknown alien race. The might of the Kaelzar was overwhelming. Hundreds of thousands of Aegis Sentinels, in a variety of colors, moved with such agility and speed that it seemed like a nightmare to face them.

    However, even the Aegis Sentinels were dwarfed by the other colossal units in their army. The firepower displayed in the footage was on a scale that Rex had never seen, and he¡¯d seen plenty of battles thanks to the intergalactic news.

    Just as Rex thought the Kaelzar forces would win easily, a rain of artillery fire began raining down on them. Thousands of the smaller Kaelzar units were destroyed, but the larger ones sustained almost no damage. Soon after, small space fighters attempted to take down the massive Kaelzar units, only to be effortlessly destroyed.

    The video ended, and Cleo turned to Rex. "As you can see, planetary wars are pure chaos. Even if you wanted to camouflage your troops, it wouldn¡¯t help unless they were covert ops units. There are other units, led by another princess, for that kind of work."

    Rex put his hand on his chin, thinking. "Then what¡¯s the point of using ground units to take over a planet? Won¡¯t it be better to destroy everything from space with the bigger ship weapons?"

    "That would be better if your goal is to destroy a world, not conquer it. Planetary wars are fought to take control of a planet for later use. They¡¯re the most common type of conflict because once you conquer the planet, all of its resources and local inhabitants become yours."

    "Mmm, I see. So the color is mainly to identify which force is attacking," Rex said, nodding to himself.

    Cleo nodded back. "Exactly, it¡¯s mostly for identification."

    "Wait, we got off track," Rex said, shaking his head. "Let¡¯s get back to the original task. How can we use the Aegis Sentinels to collect our credits?"

    Cleo smiled. "Well, while the Aegis Sentinels are primarily used for war, they¡¯re still a form of AI with limited intelligence. They can handle various tasks without any issues. Go ahead, try giving them a command."

    "Order them? I can do that." Rex asked, surprised.

    At those words, all the guards¡¯ eyes widened in shock. They quickly lowered their weapons, their expressions shifting from suspicion to fear. The leader of the guards, who had been barking orders just moments before, now looked pale.

    "Let them pass! Clear the way!" he ordered, his voice trembling slightly. The guards quickly made way, allowing the Aegis Sentinels to continue without further incident.

    The Sentinels entered the city and headed straight for the Thunderblades Headquarters, maintaining their relentless pace. As they disappeared from view, one of the younger guards approached the leader, his brow furrowed in confusion.

    "Sir, what exactly is a rank 4? I¡¯ve never seen one before."

    "It¡¯s normal that you don¡¯t know about them," the leader replied, his voice low. "You¡¯re new here. But let me give you some advice: never cross them. They¡¯re veteran troops under the orders of the nobles. If we mess with them, we¡¯re as good as dead."

    Inside the Thunderblades HQ, it was just another day. The mercenaries were drinking in the tavern inside the building, while a screen near the secretary displayed a variety of jobs available for them to take on. None of them had any idea what was about to happen.

    Just outside the main door, the three Aegis Sentinels were deploying small signal-jamming drones to cover the entire building. Once the building was fully covered, the Sentinels stepped inside. The moment they entered, the eyes of the mercenaries in the tavern locked onto them.

    "We solicit the presence of the individual known as Talos," said the Aegis Sentinel in the middle, its voice calm and mechanical. Just as they had with Rex, the mercenaries jumped to their feet, quickly pointing all kinds of weapons at the Sentinels.

    ["The neutral situation has escalated to preventive aggression. Initiating defensive protocol,"] the Aegis announced. Their hands transformed into weapons, guns now aimed directly at the mercenaries. The plasma shots were already charged, primed, and ready to fire at a moment¡¯s notice.

    As the tension in the room grew unbearable, a small giggle echoed from above the Aegis Sentinels. Instantly, they shifted their guns toward the ceiling, scanning for the source of the sound but seeing nothing.

    "I suggest you all lower your weapons, or I¡¯ll have to deal with you myself. And I¡¯d rather not break my husband¡¯s toys," said a voice that was cute and childlike yet somehow authoritative.

    From the direction the Aegis were pointing, a glowing green light began to form. A figure emerged, slowly materializing into a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She floated gently down, and the mercenaries could only stare in awe. The Aegis were the first to respond.

    ["Identity confirmed. Changing target status to neutral,"] one of the Sentinels stated. However, the words seemed to annoy the woman, who was now pouting at them.

    "What do you mean neutral? I¡¯m the wife of your leader! I should be marked as an ally, not neutral!" she protested.

    The Aegis Sentinels began processing the information, scanning through their databases for any records.

    ["Negative. There is no information verifying your status as the wife of the Kaelzar Emperor. The only registered spouse is Empress Cleo."]

    "W-what!?" Ys stammered, her expression a mix of shock and disbelief.

 Chapter 38: A job well done.

    While Ys was busy arguing with the Aegis sentinels, the elevator doors opened, and one of the girls from Talon stepped out. "Gentlemen, please put your weapons down. The leader has requested the guest come to his office."

    As soon as she said that, the Thunderblades mercs lowered their weapons, though they kept a close eye on the Aegis and Ys, ready to fire at any moment if something went wrong.

    "Heh, I can go alone. We don¡¯t need those toys over there coming along," Ys said, floating toward the elevator and pointing at the Aegis Sentinels.

    ["Negative, we have our orders from the Emperor. We won¡¯t let a princess of another race interfere in our mission. Step aside,"] one of the Aegis Sentinels said, walking toward the elevator.

    In the end, they all crammed into the elevator, still arguing with each other. The poor girl from Talon had to endure their bickering all the way to the top floor. When the doors finally opened, Ys was the first to step out, followed closely by the Aegis Sentineels.

    Ys glanced around, taking in the surroundings, while the Aegis Sentinels stood still, waiting for their target to appear. It didn¡¯t take long before Talon emerged from his room.

    "Welcome, my guests. To what do I owe the honor of your presence?" Talon said, spreading his arms wide. One of the Aegis Sentinels stepped forward, stopping a few meters from Talon and projecting a screen in front of him.

    ["Establishing contact with the Empress. Please stand by."] In a matter of seconds, Cleo appeared on the screen. Talon was stunned; he had never seen someone so beautiful, especially with such exotic white wings.

    With a lustful grin, Talon gave a small bow. "Well, well, well. Who do we have here? What could such a beautiful lady want from someone like me?" Cleo¡¯s face showed clear disgust, while Ys couldn¡¯t hold back a mocking laugh.

    Ignoring them both, Cleo began to speak. "Greetings, Talon, leader of the Thunderblades mercs. A few days ago, one of my agents accepted a mission from you. The one about eradicating a local bug hive."

    Talon hesitated at first, not remembering any mission like that. Then it hit him, the noble with the white wings, just like the woman on the screen. A cold sweat ran down his forehead.

    Stumbling over his words, he replied, "I don¡¯t recall giving out any mission like that. Are you sure it was with me, dear noble?" Now that Talon realized who he was speaking with, he became submissive. This wasn¡¯t just any noble on the screen.

    If anyone could command nobles, it would be someone of a higher rank or even a direct descendant of a CEO from one of the megacorps. That was far worse than dealing with an ordinary noble.

    The plasma shots tore through the mercs quickly, though some managed to take cover in time. A few returned fire, but it was useless; all the bullets were blocked by the energy shield surrounding the Aegis unit.

    Seeing the enemies taking cover, the Aegis unit deployed small drones from its back. These drones had something like a ball attached to them, and once they locked onto a target, a laser beam shot out.

    Now, the mercs had nowhere to hide, and within seconds it was all over. No one was spared. It was a complete massacre, carried out by the cold, unfeeling hands of machines.

    Once the task was done, the Aegis unit stood by, its plasma cannons still charged and ready to fire at any moment. As it waited, another Aegis unit emerged from the elevator, and after a few more minutes, the last one came out as well. All of them were undamaged.

    The last Aegis unit to step out was covered in blood of various colors and some organic material. It looked like the mercs in their rooms had tried to fight it in melee combat, only to end up painting the unit with their blood.

    After a few more minutes, Ys finally appeared. She had returned to her humanoid form and was carrying something in her arms. Since the Aegis units had orders to wait for her and bring her back once the mission was complete, they remained in the area.

    As soon as they spotted her, one of the Aegis units walked toward her and said, "Khryssari princess, our Empress told us to give you a message for the Emperor: Return now and stop playing."

    "Hehe, so my husband misses me already? Okay! Let¡¯s go! Lead the way, can head!" she said, floating happily toward the exit. Once everyone was out, the Aegis units recalled their jamming drones and moved toward the exit, running at incredible speed.

    They took the slum route to avoid drawing too much attention and causing further problems. When they reached the city entrance, the guards let them pass without question, though a few stole glances at the Aegis unit still covered in blood. None of them dared to say anything.

    Several hours later, they finally arrived at the underground city. The Aegis units went straight to the ship to resupply as their batteries were nearly depleted. Meanwhile, Ys deactivated her invisible mode and began searching for Rex, only to be stopped by Cleo.

    "Where do you think you¡¯re going with an unidentified creature?" Cleo asked, eyeing the object in Ys¡¯s arms.

    Ys stopped and looked down at the egg she was carrying. "Oh, this? Hehe, don¡¯t worry. I know what it is, so it¡¯s not an unidentified creature."

    She then showed the egg to Cleo. "This is a..."

 Chapter 39: Planning.

    "This is an Elphey egg!" she exclaimed, holding it up proudly, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Despite hearing Ys say the name of the creature it came from, she still didn¡¯t know what it was.

    "So? Why did you bring that egg here?" Cleo asked, raising an eyebrow. Ys smirked at the question. "Hehehe, so even you don¡¯t know? Let me tell you what you can use it for! You give it to males, and they¡¯ll have enough reproductive power to make a swarm!"

    Ys spun around happily as she explained. "W-what!? Who said you could do that with Rex!?" Cleo blurted out. Ys stopped spinning, hugging the egg tightly, deep in thought for a moment before answering. "Mmm, my mom did! She was the one who told me to pick this egg and give it to my husband!"

    Cleo¡¯s suspicions deepened, and now she was sure. "What mom? Do you mean the queen of the Khryssari? You can communicate with her."

    "Of course I can! We share a sanguine bond! That lets us communicate no matter where we are!" She declared, standing proudly.

    "Then, that means you can talk to the Khryssari queen anytime you want?"

    "Of course I can, Mhm! Anyway, enough questions! Where is Rex?" She asked, searching the cargo bay of the ship.

    "He¡¯s resting in the charging bay. I¡¯d recommend not disturbing him while he recharges. He needs his energy."

    "Mmmm, fine! But you¡¯ll have to help me make him eat this egg when he wakes up!" Cleo, knowing the egg wasn¡¯t going to harm Rex, reluctantly agreed.

    The night passed, and Rex finally woke up from his sleep. As he stepped out of the charging tank, Cleo materialized in the room. "Morning, Rex." He was caught off guard since she had never done that before.

    "Erm, morning to you too, Cleo. Did something happen while I was sleeping? Or why are you greeting me like humans do?" He asked, giving her a suspicious look.

    "Nothing much," she replied. "I spent the night reviewing records about humans. Oddly enough, it was hard to find much information on them, but the most common theme I found was that they were considered a failed civilization."

    "Mmm, I don¡¯t know much about humans, honestly. The only other humans I know apart from me and Carlos were the others slaves. So why do they call us a failed civilization?" Rex asked, his curiosity piqued.

    "Well, according to some records, humans had a government system where power was spread among many people. That made it difficult for them to act quickly unless everyone agreed on something. This was supposedly why their technological advancement stagnated."

    "And in the end, when another race invaded their home planet, some humans welcomed them, making the invasion easier. Since the human race was divided into many nations, there wasn¡¯t any unity. They were an easy target."

    Rex sighed as he finished getting dressed. "Well, at least tell me that the ones who conquered my race were some kind of superpower."

    Cleo shook her head and brought up a screen with the information. "According to the intergalactic database, the ones who conquered your world were just slavers of the lowest level."

    "Any news on the Hive Minds¡¯ movements?" Rex asked, looking over the information Cleo had sent to him.

    "None so far. They¡¯re still staying on the planet Hanarix with no signs of further activity."

    "Hmm, how long do you think it¡¯ll take for the Megacorps fleet to start hiring mercenaries to fight against them?"

    "From what I recall, it¡¯ll only happen after both sides agree to fight over the planet without using their fleets for bombardment. They both want the planet¡¯s resources, so that¡¯s when mercenaries will be hired to fight on the surface."

    "That¡¯s... an interesting way of doing things," Rex said, raising an eyebrow. "I thought the fleets would be blasting each other while troops fought on the ground."

    Cleo shook her head. "You¡¯re misunderstanding a bit, Rex. The fleets will still fight each other, but they won¡¯t bomb the planet directly. The battle ends when one fleet is destroyed and their forces on the ground are wiped out."

    "Oh, okay, that makes more sense," Rex nodded. Then a thought crossed his mind. "Do you think we¡¯ll run into any problems if we join the war against the Hive Minds with Ys tagging along?"

    Cleo didn¡¯t answer right away but instead glanced up at something above Rex. "Why don¡¯t you ask her yourself?" she said.

    Rex blinked in confusion, and just then, a soft, greenish light appeared. It materialized in front of him, pouting. "W-what? How did you know I was there!?" she asked, clearly frustrated. Rex, surprised, hadn¡¯t even noticed her presence. Cleo, meanwhile, ignored Ys and turned away, feigning disinterest.

    "Hmph!" Ys huffed, climbing onto Rex¡¯s lap and making herself comfortable. "To answer my husband¡¯s question," she said, settling against his chest, "there won¡¯t be a problem. The Hive Mind on Hanarix belongs to one of my aunts, not my mother."

    "Erm... and what¡¯s the difference?" Rex asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Well," Ys explained, "my mom and her sisters fight over territory all the time. It¡¯s pretty normal for other princesses, like me, to fight in wars that the queens are involved in. So, there won¡¯t be an issue if we join."

    "So we¡¯re clear to jump into the war?" Rex asked again, just to be sure.

    "Yes, no problem! But I¡¯ll need to let my aunt know we¡¯re participating. That¡¯s the rule. She¡¯ll probably send her champions to fight us too since that¡¯s how we princesses train!" Ys grinned, clearly excited at the thought.

    "That¡¯s an... interesting way to train," Rex said, patting her on the head. She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment.

    As Rex continued to absentmindedly stroke her hair, a random question popped into his mind. "You mentioned once that you were around 300 years old... Have you had any other partners before me?"

    Ys hesitated, her expression suddenly shifting. "Well, the thing is..."

 Chapter 40: The start of the conflict.

    "The thing is, you¡¯re my one and only partner. I know you keep thinking we were like bugs, that our queens give birth to all the swarms, but I¡¯ve already told you we don¡¯t. Our race only gets one partner for life, and if the partner dies, we won¡¯t get anyone else."

    "That¡¯s why we choose our partner based on two things: how strong they are and their potential. The stronger they are, the longer they live." She paused, looking at Rex¡¯s face.

    "While you¡¯re not exactly strong, your potential is one of the greatest I¡¯ve seen among all the partners my mom has introduced to me. That¡¯s why I made the pact right away."

    "And how do you know about my potential?" Rex asked.

    "Well, with your blood, I can get all the info I need from your genetic code!" Ys paused. "But it¡¯s weird; the first time I got some of your blood, you already had great potential. But after I helped you in the cave, your potential increased. I wonder why."

    She looked at Rex and put her finger to her lips, making a cute face before Rex answered. "Well, don¡¯t ask me. A few weeks ago, I was just a normal office worker. I¡¯m still kind of new to all this stuff about wars, genetics, potential, and all that complicated stuff."

    "But I know someone who might know something about it." Rex looked over at Cleo. "Right?"

    Cleo sighed, clearly not thrilled about having to explain things to a Khryssari. "Its because of the nanomaterial you consumed; remember how I told you before that my race can grow really tall?"

    "Oh yeah, I remember you said something like that," Rex nodded.

    "Well, it¡¯s not just about getting taller. Your whole body changes to adapt to the new material inside it, improving all its functions and performance. But you¡¯re still not at the peak of your strength yet."

    "Does that mean I can get stronger and bigger?" Rex asked, obviously excited.

    "In theory, yes. But I don¡¯t know for sure since I don¡¯t have any data on a hybrid between an organic life form and a Kaelzar."

    She paused, trying to find a way to explain. "As you already know, you became half Kaelzar thanks to the living metal that fused with your dying body, which was already weak and didn¡¯t resist the change."

    "So I¡¯m not sure if your body will resist further upgrades. That¡¯s something I¡¯m still researching." Rex was quiet, thinking about something while Cleo continued.

    "Well, there¡¯s no point rushing into improving my genetics or whatever. The most important thing right now is how we can join the war against the Hive mind," Rex said, looking at the screens.

    The ones responsible for the chaos were eight massive Hive Mind ships. The news channel quickly identified them: they were Brood-Class Carriers, colossal hive-like structures with hexagonal honeycomb hangar bays spread across their bodies. Their exoskeletons were a bone-like structure with pulsating organic sections, resembling a living hive.

    As usual, the Hive Minds had the numbers on their side, and it was already clear in this battle. Thousands of smaller ships, all in various shapes, were pouring out of the Brood-Class Carriers¡¯ honeycomb hangars, attacking the megacorps¡¯ ships relentlessly.

    It wasn¡¯t until the larger, heavily armed ships of the megacorps emerged from the wormholes, sending their own fighters to engage the Hive Mind forces, that the situation finally stabilized enough for the fleet to regroup.

    "Hahaha, they took too long to respond. The commander must be a kid," the Hive Mind Queen laughed, watching the battle unfold on her screen.

    Once she saw the balance tipping in favor of the Megacorp fleet, she called back the Brood-Class Carriers. The moment they received her command, the carriers performed a warp jump, quickly retreating toward Hive Mind territory.

    Although the Hive Mind ships appeared to be made of metal, they were actually enormous living organisms. This was what made the Hive Mind fleets so dangerous since they could move on their own without waiting for orders like conventional fleets.

    "Huhu, the information my niece gave me was quite useful. I¡¯ll have to prepare a huge gift for her when she arrives on this beautiful battlefield." The Queen of the Hive was thoroughly enjoying the intelligence Ys had provided her through telepathy regarding the megacorps¡¯ fleet movements.

    A few hours later, the fleets were just kilometers apart, ready to begin their initial bombardments. This was how space battles usually started: each side would bombard the other from a distance while gradually closing the gap.

    And so it began. The Hive Mind fleet fired first. The Space was suddenly lit up with the eerie green glow of bioplasma rounds launched from the Hive Mind¡¯s long-range cannons. In response, the megacorps¡¯ ships unleashed their own barrage, an array of colorful projectiles and laser beams aimed at the Hive fleet.

    A few minutes passed after the first volley of long-range artillery from both sides. While bioplasma rounds were some of the most powerful weapons around, they were also slow-moving, so the first to endure the rain of fire was the Hive Mind fleet.

    The Hive Mind ships, though highly maneuverable with regenerative hulls, lacked energy shields. This left them vulnerable to the megacorps¡¯ long-range artillery. When the megacorps¡¯ lasers pierced their organic hulls, the Hive Mind ships let out a deep, resonant sound of pain as they took the hits.

    Explosive-based projectiles, however, didn¡¯t cause much damage to the Hive Mind ships. Meanwhile, on the megacorp side, the bioplasma rounds finally struck their ships. The larger vessels managed to withstand the blasts with their energy shields, but the medium-sized ships weren¡¯t as fortunate. They were obliterated upon impact, torn apart by the sheer power of the bioplasma.

    The fleets continued exchanging fire as they drew closer. When the distance between them narrowed to just five kilometers, the fighters from both sides began launching from their hangars, swarming toward the enemy fleets.

    4.5 kilometers... 3 kilometers... 2.5 kilometers... 1 kilometer...

    The battle was about to enter its most brutal phase.

 Chapter 41: Carlos 2.0

    Once the fighters from both sides closed in, the darkness of space lit up with countless flashes of color. Chaos erupted as the ships tangled together in a fierce, uncontrolled melee. Squad leaders from the Megacorps fleets shouted frantically into their comms, trying to keep their pilots in formation, but it was no use.

    "Team Bravo, stay on me!"

    "Follow me, don¡¯t get separated!"

    "Sir, help! I can¡¯t hold it¡ªit¡¯s on my ship!"

    "I don¡¯t want to die! Ahhhh!"

    The communications were flooded with panicked screams from the Megacorps fighters. The relentless assault from the Hive Mind forces had broken their ranks. Unlike the scattered Megacorps units, the Hive Mind fighters moved in perfect unison, following the will of their queen without hesitation, even when it meant certain death.

    "Hmph, these bugs think they¡¯re superior just because we¡¯re losing a few of our weaker units," sneered the Supreme Commander of the fleet.

    "All captains of medium-sized vessels, listen up! Start your warp jumps! Go and support our fighters!" he barked.

    In an instant, countless medium-sized ships initiated warp jumps, appearing suddenly in the heart of the battle. As soon as they arrived, they opened fire in every direction, launching missiles and spraying laser fire into the swarming Hive Mind fighters.

    "Hah, how adorable! They¡¯re finally thinking," the Hive Queen chuckled. "Let¡¯s show them what real coordination looks like!" She raised her hand, pointing forward, and in a flash, her medium-sized vessels executed warp jumps of their own, diving straight into the fight.

    The arrival of the Hive Mind¡¯s reinforcements tilted the scales. Their fleet quickly gained the upper hand, sending the Megacorps¡¯ Supreme Commander into a fit of rage.

    "Focus all main weapons on the fighters! Wipe them out, all of them!" he shouted, fists clenched in frustration.

    "But sir, our own men are still there! We¡¯ll lose too many if we fire now!" one of his officers protested.

    [Bang!]

    A gunshot echoed through the command bridge. The officer collapsed.

    "Anyone else have an opinion?" the Supreme Commander asked coldly. Silence followed. "Good. Relay my orders. Now."

    With his command issued, the large ships turned their massive guns toward the swarm of fighters and medium vessels. The next moment, blinding explosions filled the battlefield, a deadly mix of beauty and destruction. Many of the Hive Mind ships were obliterated, but the Megacorps paid a heavy price too, losing an equal number of their own.

    The battle raged on until the largest ships finally moved in, signaling that the true fight had begun. As they neared the front lines, their turrets and close-range weapons unleashed everything they had. The real war was just getting started.

    <<To all the billions of viewers watching this live, we thank you for your continued support of our channel. Unfortunately, we must end our broadcast now. The situation has reached its peak, and it¡¯s far too dangerous for our agents to remain on-site. But don¡¯t worry! As soon as the battle concludes, we¡¯ll bring you the final outcome.>>

    The beast growled low in its throat, and the tension in the air thickened. Carlos tightened his grip on the hammer, his pulse steady as the mercs behind him shifted nervously.

    "Alright, boys," he said quietly, "let¡¯s give this thing the fight of its life."

    As the creature lumbered closer to the water tank, Carlos clenched his jaw, tightened his grip on the hammer, and hit the button to activate its shockwave. The hammer¡¯s head hummed to life, vibrating with raw power.

    "Eat this, you ugly bastard!" Carlos shouted, swinging with all his might.

    The hammer connected with a sickening crunch, unleashing a thunderous shockwave that cracked the creature¡¯s spiked back. Several of its bony protrusions shattered, and the force was so immense that it sent Carlos flying backward through the air.

    The creature howled in agony, a deafening roar that shook the ground as it spun around, its massive arms outstretched. Its wild eyes locked onto Carlos, who was still mid-air from the hammer¡¯s recoil.

    Carlos, thrown into the air by his own attack, quickly raised his shield in front of him. With calm precision, he triggered the minigun mounted in the center.

    The small barrel spun to life, spraying bullets at the beast as he fell back toward the ground. Just before he hit the surface, the tiny thrusters on his power armor flared to life, slowing his descent and allowing him to land softly, still laying down a barrage of gunfire.

    The creature roared again, its eyes burning with rage, and in one powerful leap, it launched itself toward Carlos. The ground trembled as it crashed down, trying to crush him beneath its enormous bulk. But it was stopped in its tracks since the energy shield Carlos had activated absorbed the brunt of the impact, flaring brightly as the beast slammed against it.

    "Now!" Carlos barked into his helmet¡¯s comm.

    Suddenly, four anti-armor missiles screamed through the air, their trails of smoke cutting across the sky. They slammed into the creature¡¯s back with devastating force. The explosions rocked the battlefield, hurling the beast through the air like a ragdoll. It hit the ground hard, disappearing into a thick cloud of dust and debris.

    "Did we get it?" one of the mercs asked nervously over the comms, his voice shaky with adrenaline.

    Carlos scanned the dust cloud. "I don¡¯t know. Too much smoke. Stay alert." No sooner had the words left his mouth than a massive boulder came hurtling out of the smoke, crashing into Carlos and sending him flying again, this time into the side of the mining facility.

    The impact was brutal. Even with his energy shield, the sheer force knocked the wind out of him, slamming him through a wall of metal and concrete. Groaning, Carlos pushed himself up from the wreckage, shaking off the debris as alarms blared around him.

    His HUD flickered, and he saw that the creature was charging at him again with terrifying speed. Carlos raised his shield and pulled the trigger, but nothing happened. His eyes darted to the ammo counter on his display, zero. The minigun was out of rounds.

    "Crap," he muttered under his breath.

    Before he could react, the beast slammed into him once more, its enormous claws raking against his armor. The impact sent them both crashing through the facility, smashing through walls and machinery as they fell, dropping through six floors of the industrial complex.

    The sound of their collision echoed through the vast structure, a deafening crash that rattled every wall and sent tremors through the ground. For a moment, everything went still.

    The silence was unnerving.

 Chapter 42: EMP weapon.

    When the creature tackled Carlos and leaped from the first floor to the second, they crashed hard onto the ground. Carlos, realizing he had landed on top of the beast, wasted no time. With a fierce roar, he swung his hammer over and over again, sending powerful shockwaves that shattered the concrete beneath them.

    "HAAAAA, just die already, damn beast!"

    As they plummeted through the building, the creature lashed out with its claws, aiming to tear Carlos apart. But to its surprise, Carlos¡¯s energy shield flared to life, forming a protective sphere that deflected the beast¡¯s attacks.

    Undeterred, Carlos kept hammering away, his relentless strikes shaking the very foundation of the building. Floor after floor collapsed under the force of the battle until they finally crashed into the last floor with a deafening impact.

    "Ha... I hope... ha... that you¡¯re dead, you damn beast," Carlos gasped, his chest heaving with exhaustion. Even though his cybernetic arms could swing the hammer without issue, his stamina was wearing thin. He panted heavily, standing over the creature¡¯s lifeless body.

    His communicator crackled to life. "Hey man, are you still with us?"

    Carlos wiped sweat from his brow and grinned. "Yeah, I¡¯m alive. But the beast? Not so much." He stomped on the creature¡¯s body for good measure, but it remained motionless.

    "Damn, you need backup down there?"

    "Nah, just call the client. Tell him his pet¡¯s done for, and he better send someone to clean up this mess." Carlos jumped down from the wreckage and contacted Cleo to report the mission¡¯s completion and ask for another job.

    Meanwhile, on a different mission, Rex and Ys were hidden high in the trees, their eyes scanning the horizon.

    "Cleo, remind me what we¡¯re doing here again." Rex asked, speaking quietly into his communicator.

    "The client is Black Horizon Corporation. They¡¯ve tasked us with rescuing a researcher along with his artifact, which is rumored to be a powerful EMP weapon. It¡¯s located at the Iron Teeth¡¯s base; they are a criminal gang with enough firepower to be considered a rebel militia."

    Rex squinted at the ruined city in the distance. "So all that city belongs to the Iron Teeth?"

    "Affirmative. According to our scout drones, their numbers and firepower are significant," Cleo responded.

    Rex sighed deeply. "Why is it that every mission I take has bad intel? Am I cursed? Never mind." He shook his head and turned to Ys, who was perched on a branch, swinging her legs playfully.

    "Do we know anything more about this EMP weapon?" Rex asked, his voice laced with frustration.

    "Negative. The client didn¡¯t provide enough details."

    "Typical... merchants never give the full story!" Rex threw a handful of sticks to the ground in annoyance.

    "We¡¯ll go with infiltration," he decided, shifting his gaze to Ys, who was watching him with a playful smile.

    Immediately, the twenty Aegis units charged toward the main city entrance. The guards, taken by surprise, barely had time to react before plasma shots from the advancing Sentinels tore through their defenses. The Aegis units stormed into the city, relentlessly firing at anything that moved.

    "We¡¯re under attack!" a panicked shout rang out.

    "Sound the alarm!" another voice bellowed.

    "Bring out the heavy machine guns! Don¡¯t let them push any farther!" ordered one of the Iron Teeth leaders in charge of defending the zone.

    Within moments, alarms wailed throughout the city. The ground shook as gunfire erupted, echoing through the ruined streets. Screams of agony filled the air as plasma bolts hit their marks, scorching armor and flesh alike.

    The Iron Teeth¡¯s stationary machine guns unleashed their deadly barrage, hammering the Aegis units¡¯ energy shields with a hailstorm of bullets and crimson laser fire.

    [Squad under heavy fire of hostile forces.]. [Releasing combat drones.]

    One of the Aegis units spoke with a cold, mechanical tone. In the next instant, a swarm of combat drones launched from its back, their laser spherical guns spinning to life. They darted through the air, targeting enemies with ruthless precision, cutting them down as they tried to regroup.

    Meanwhile, the Aegis units that had escalade the walls had positioned themselves at the top, gaining the high ground. From their elevated vantage points, they opened fire, raining plasma down upon the entrenched Iron Teeth machine gunners, silencing their deadly barrage one by one.

    Back at the safe house where the EMP weapon was hidden, the heavy metal door creaked open, and a towering quadrupedal figure emerged, clad in a crude, bulky version of power armor. Behind him followed twelve others, all clad in equally cheap suits of armor, each varying in size and shape.

    "Report! What¡¯s going on out there?" the quadruped barked, his voice laced with irritation.

    "Sir! Unidentified enemies have breached the city! They¡¯re heavily armed, and our weapons are barely scratching them!" a soldier replied, his voice shaky through the communicator.

    "Sir! They¡ªthey seem to be robots!" another voice chimed in.

    "Robots, huh?" The leader¡¯s voice darkened. "Fine. Tell the new guy to prep his weapon, just in case. I¡¯ll deal with these invaders myself together with my twelve teeth." The quadruped snarled, his four-legged frame clanking as he moved.

    He gave a few more orders to the remaining guards before heading out toward the warzone, taking a large contingent of soldiers with him to reinforce the front lines.

    From her vantage point on a nearby rooftop, Ys watched the scene unfold, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Mmm, is he an idiot? Well, that makes my job easier," she whispered to herself.

    As the guards thinned out and what looked like the strongest force in the area had left to engage Rex¡¯s assault, she was ready to strike. Still invisible, Ys silently flew to the warehouse roof. Once there, she observed the guards, studying their patrol patterns and routes. Every move, every breath they took, she memorized. Then, with a predator¡¯s calm, she began her hunt.

    Her strategy was simple and lethal. From the shadows, she would strike from behind, her sharp claws piercing clean through her target¡¯s skull, silencing them instantly. She ripped the life from them so swiftly that not a sound escaped. Her living armor consumed whatever remained, making sure no trace of the kill was left behind.

    After dispatching the last guard, Ys looked down at her claw, still slick with black blood and remnants of organic matter. "Hmm, not as fun as I expected," she mused, her voice carrying a playful, almost disappointed tone. "Oh well, let¡¯s see what this EMP thing my darling wanted looks like."

    With a series of small, joyful hops, she made her way toward the warehouse¡¯s heavy metal door, humming to herself as if she hadn¡¯t just orchestrated a quiet massacre.

 Chapter 43: Humanity hope.

    Meanwhile, Rex¡¯s distraction worked a little too well. Even the leader of the Iron Teeth and his twelve minions had joined the skirmish, charging in like a storm, sending the Aegis units flying. Fortunately, the energy shields held, and there wasn¡¯t too much damage.

    "I am Kairos! Leader of the Iron Teeth! Face me, if you dare!" bellowed the quadrupedal figure, clearly enjoying the theatrics.

    Rex, shaking his head, sighed. "Is this guy serious? What year does he think it is? Who shouts out their location and demands a duel these days?"

    He straightened up, his voice calm but filled with obvious disappointment. "All units, focus fire on that big idiot."

    Without hesitation, the Aegis units opened fire. A storm of golden plasma bullets rained down on Kairos. The would-be warrior yelped in outrage, trying to dodge, but there were just too many shots coming his way.

    "You coward! Where¡¯s your honor?!" Kairos roared, struggling to evade the relentless plasma fire. It wasn¡¯t long before his energy shield fizzled out, leaving him wide open. His armor, clearly not designed to handle plasma, failed instantly as one of his legs was blown off.

    "W-what are you all doing?! Get me out of here!" Kairos barked in desperation, ordering his lackeys to shield him and cover his escape. They scrambled to obey, buying just enough time to retreat out of the firing range.

    Rex stood there, speechless for a moment. "This guy... he was talking about honor? Guess honor doesn¡¯t mean much these days."

    He tapped the communicator on his neck. "Ys, how¡¯s it going on your end? You find the EMP weapon and the researcher?"

    A cheerful voice crackled back. "Darling! Yes, I found what you wanted. The weapon¡¯s powered down. But about the researcher... well, we¡¯ve got a bit of a problem."

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "What kind of problem? Did you kill him?"

    "W-what?! No, I didn¡¯t kill him! Why would you think that?"

    Rex chuckled. "Well, the last mission was to protect a VIP, and you ended up gouging his eyes out."

    "That was different! He was looking at me with lovey-dovey eyes! Only you can do that! I was being merciful by not killing him!"

    Rex laughed. "I know, I know. I was just teasing. Honestly, if you hadn¡¯t done it, I probably would¡¯ve shot him too."

    "Alright, send me your coordinates. I¡¯ll meet you there," Rex said, bringing up a holo-screen.

    "Okay, darling, one second!" Ys chirped, tapping away before sending her location. Rex received the coordinates, activated overdrive mode, and took off, rocketing toward her.

    Meanwhile, in the dim warehouse, Ys heard the heavy creak of the old iron door being opened. Without hesitation, she turned invisible.

    "Where the hell are the guards?!" Kairos stormed in, limping. "I swear, these worthless grunts are good for nothing!"

    He glanced at his mangled leg, rage boiling over. "And what are you all waiting for?! Heal me! If a Rank 3 citizen like me dies, you useless slaves will be next!" His lackeys, scrambling in their cheap power armor, hurried to bandage his stump.

    "I want to know who that savage was! When I catch him, I¡¯ll torture him in every way imaginable, then make him my personal toy." Kairos continued spewing vile threats, clearly fuming about Rex, his words growing more obscene by the second.

    Suddenly, a soft whisper floated by his ear. "Oh, you plan to do all that to my darling?"

    "Oh, finally!" Rex said with a smirk. "And here I was, thinking you were going to keep me locked out until you had your fill of dessert. Did you at least leave some for me?"

    "Hmph!" Ys huffed, turning her head away, clearly still pouting as she wandered deeper into the warehouse.

    "Eh? What did I say? Come on, don¡¯t be mad!" Rex chuckled as he quickly caught up to her. Without a second thought, he scooped up the small Ys from behind, holding her like she was a teddy bear. This was nothing new for them; after all the missions they¡¯d done together, this kind of playful closeness had become a regular sight.

    "Come on, don¡¯t be like that. I was just teasing you a little," Rex said, playfully poking her cheeks.

    Ys tried to stay grumpy but couldn¡¯t help the small smile tugging at her lips.

    "Hmph! Well, you¡¯re not getting off that easily. Anyway, I told you there was a problem with the researcher. It¡¯s... complicated. Depends on how you look at it." She gestured toward a large, sealed door ahead of them.

    "He¡¯s behind that door. But... the smell coming from him is something special. You¡¯ll understand once you open it."

    Rex, still in his overdrive mode, was glowing with a soft, white light that filled the dark warehouse, giving everything a ghostly glow. Without missing a beat, Rex swung one of his powerful wings and knocked the door clean off its hinges. From inside, a panicked voice yelled out.

    "What the hell?! Who destroys a door without knocking?!"

    Rex stepped inside the room, and the moment he laid eyes on the man inside, both of them froze, completely paralyzed. For Rex, this was an earth-shattering moment. The man standing before him was... human. The first other human he had ever seen. For the researcher, the shock was even greater since he thought Rex was an angel.

    The researcher¡¯s mind was racing, trying to process what he was seeing. His life had always been driven by the curiosity of his origins. As a former slave, he¡¯d never known much about where he came from, but after earning his freedom, he became obsessed with knowledge.

    He worked as an assistant in a library, and once he learned to read, he dove into ancient texts, hungry for information. It was in those texts that he first stumbled upon records of the human race... and its tragic fate.

    The galaxy was filled with stories like theirs, civilizations that had been snuffed out or scattered to the winds. But there was something different about humans. One day, purely by luck, he stumbled upon a half-destroyed document detailing myths and legends from Earth, including a being of pure light, a creature said to be born from light itself, destined to stand as the final defense of humanity.

    The texts were incomplete and barely readable, but they spoke of a hero who would shine like a beacon in the darkness.

    And now, standing before him, bathed in a radiant glow, was what could only be that mythic figure. To the researcher, Rex wasn¡¯t just a human... he was a living legend, the last hope of humanity.

    The researcher¡¯s voice trembled, caught between awe and disbelief. "You... you¡¯re real. You¡¯re the Champion of Light, aren¡¯t you? The protector of our race... the one who will make humanity shine again!"

    Rex blinked, still processing the gravity of what he was hearing. Champion of Light? Protector of the human race? He looked down at himself, glowing faintly from his overdrive mode. "Uh... well, I wouldn¡¯t go that far.

    I just... tend to glow a little when I power up."

    But for the researcher, there was no doubt. His eyes shone with hope, a hope he hadn¡¯t felt in years. "You¡¯re more than that. You¡¯re proof... proof that humans can still rise again!"

    Rex, scratching his head and looking somewhat embarrassed, glanced at Ys, who was standing off to the side, arms crossed, watching the whole exchange with an amused smirk. "Uh, Ys? Help?"

    Ys chuckled, clearly enjoying Rex¡¯s discomfort. "You heard the man, Rex. Looks like you¡¯ve got a fan."

    Rex sighed. "Great. Now I¡¯ve got to deal with being some kind of galactic savior. This day just keeps getting better."

 Chapter 44: Rex choice. [R17]

    Rex strode forward, closing the distance between him and the researcher.

    "Alright, uh... do you have a name?" Rex asked, eyebrow raised.

    "My name is Oscar, my Lord Angel!" the man replied, his voice dripping with reverence.

    Rex let out a small sigh. "Okay, Oscar. First off, drop the ¡¯Lord Angel¡¯ stuff. I¡¯m not an angel, alright? I¡¯m just a guy, like you is just that I¡¯ve only been, you know, changed. Some...

    circumstances led to this, but trust me, I¡¯m no mythical being destined to save humanity or anything."

    Oscar tilted his head, eyes wide with curiosity. "What circumstances would those be, if I may ask?"

    Rex scratched the back of his neck, feeling a bit uncomfortable. "Well... I was, uh, sort of dead. Or dying. Then I got transformed and came back to life. You know, typical Friday night stuff."

    Oscar¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement. "I see, I see! Resurrection, then!" He nodded thoughtfully, then asked again, "How old are you now? Can you even die of old age?"

    "Me? I¡¯m 23. And as far as I know, no, I can¡¯t die of old age. Not that I¡¯ve tested it out or anything," Rex said, shrugging.

    Oscar muttered to himself, "Immortal, too... fascinating." Then, with sudden intensity, he blurted out, "And what about those wings of yours? And your height? No regular human could possibly¡ª"

    "Yeah, let¡¯s not get into all that," Rex cut him off, waving a hand. "We didn¡¯t come here to debate my anatomy. We¡¯re mercenaries, hired by Black Horizon Corporation to rescue you and bring you back. So, how about we focus on that?"

    Oscar¡¯s face twisted in panic. "Wait, what?! No way I¡¯m going back to them! I escaped for a reason!"

    Rex blinked, confused. "Escaped? They told us you were kidnapped."

    "Kidnapped? Ha!" Oscar scoffed. "Those bastards wanted to use my EMP tech against a runaway human slave camp! Disable their energy shield, capture them, and turn them into guinea pigs for genetic experiments. There¡¯s no way I¡¯m going back to help them do that!"

    Rex felt a pit forming in his stomach. He glanced at the mission info on his screen. On one hand, there were the innocent runaway slaves. On the other hand, the 500k credits they¡¯d be paid if they brought Oscar back. No wonder Ys had been letting him handle the talking so far. It was a messy situation.

    "So, it looks like we¡¯ve got two options," Rex started, trying to think it through. "First, we take you by force, hand you over to Black Horizon, and get paid. Or second¡ª"

    Ys interrupted, her voice cutting in sweetly, "Oh, darling, about that second option... I think it¡¯s off the table."

    Rex frowned, turning toward her. "Why?"

    "Because," Ys said, looking down and kicking at something on the ground, "I may or may not have already killed the leader of these rebels."

    Their weapons were relics of a lost age, firing rapidly but with little power. It didn¡¯t matter how many shots they fired; those hits were like pebbles against a fortress.

    The invaders marched forward, their heavy infantry equipped with advanced energy shields and combat armor that deflected the desperate barrage with ease. The defenders fought with everything they had, but their weapons could barely scratch the enemy¡¯s armor.

    Realizing they couldn¡¯t hold the outer lines, the humans retreated to the camp¡¯s central building; the town hall was a reinforced structure that had become their last stand. From there, they poured fire relentlessly, shooting until their energy rifles overheated, hearts pounding in their chests as the grim reality of the situation set in.

    For them, this wasn¡¯t just a battle; it was a statement. They fought for their freedom, their families, and their future. It was a fight to prove that no matter how many times the human race had been pushed down, it would always rise again.

    Humanity had been forged in the crucible of rebellion, and no matter the odds, they would always resist oppression. It was part of who they were, part of their very soul.

    But you can¡¯t win wars on ideals alone...

    The enemy forces, unfazed by human resistance, advanced methodically. With a single command, the Black Horizon troops fired rocket launchers at the town hall, their blasts tearing massive holes in the structure.

    Inside, screams echoed as debris rained down. Mothers huddled with their children, shielding them from the destruction, trying to protect them from the nightmare that had descended upon their home.

    The situation was growing more desperate by the second. The human defenders, outgunned, outmatched, and surrounded, were fighting a losing battle.

    But they didn¡¯t stop. They couldn¡¯t stop. Not with everything at stake. They fought with a kind of fury that only comes from knowing this was their last stand, from the understanding that there was no escape, no reinforcement coming, only the grim reality of survival or annihilation.

    Outside, the general of Black Horizon watched the devastation unfold with a gleeful grin plastered on his face. His voice boomed over the battlefield. "Hia hia hia! Keep going! Finish them off! Remember, I want them alive, but don¡¯t be too gentle.

    And that prize I asked for? She better be in one piece when I get there."

    The Black Horizon soldiers stormed the breached town hall, their footsteps pounding the ground as they swept through the remains of the camp like a plague. Inside, the remaining humans made their final stand, knowing full well what awaited them if they were captured.

    But still, they fought, because even if they were destined to fall, they would not fall easily. They would fight until their very last breath.

    Because that was the human spirit.

    Amid the smoldering ruins, a small human girl, barely eight years old, struggled desperately to free her little brother. A portion of the wall had collapsed on him after the explosion, pinning his fragile body beneath its crushing weight.

    She pulled with all her might, her tiny hands trembling as she strained, her face streaked with dirt and tears. But no matter how hard she tried, it was no use. She was just a child, and her strength was no match for the heavy stone trapping her brother.

    Her brother, no older than five, had already lost consciousness. His pale face was stained with blood, and his breathing was shallow. Half of his body had been crushed beneath the rubble, and it was a miracle he was even still alive. She could see that much, even at her young age. Time was slipping away for him.

    Through her tear-blurred eyes, she felt her hope slipping, too...

 Chapter 45: The bloody angel. [R17]

    That was when she heard heavy footsteps, menacing footsteps. She turned her head just in time to see a hulking Black Horizon soldier appear in the gap of the shattered wall, his armored silhouette framed against the burning chaos outside.

    The soldier with his face hidden behind a visor, let out a cruel, mocking laugh as he noticed her, crouched beside her dying brother, desperately trying to save him.

    He leveled his gun at her, the barrel cold and unfeeling, pointing straight at her tear-streaked face.

    Her heart raced, pounding in her chest like a drum of terror. Her beautiful, wide eyes, full of tears and innocence, locked onto the soldier. She could only see a monster, a devil in human skin, standing before her, ready to snuff out her life like it meant nothing. Her sobs filled the silence as she clung to her brother¡¯s tiny, limp hand.

    For a moment, it seemed like this was the end for her. The end for them both.

    But then, at that precise moment, something happened... something that would change her life forever.

    A light, pure and brilliant, pierced the darkness of the battlefield. From the sky, a radiant star streaked downward, brighter than any explosion, cutting through the smoke and fire. It descended with the grace of an angel, casting a white glow that illuminated the soldier¡¯s sneering face and the broken world around them.

    The little girl, still shaking, looked up in awe as the light grew closer. It was not a star; it was something else, something alive with power. As it fell, it seemed to sing with a celestial hum, a beacon of hope amidst the despair. The soldier, too, noticed the glowing light, and for a second, he hesitated, lowering his weapon just a fraction as confusion flickered across his face.

    The radiant figure descended like a falling comet, a blazing savior in the darkest hour. And then, with an earth-shaking impact, it landed between the girl and the soldier, throwing up a cloud of dust and debris. The sheer force knocked the soldier back, sending him stumbling as he shielded his face from the blinding light.

    When the dust cleared, the girl¡¯s tearful eyes widened in disbelief.

    There, standing tall in the center of the devastation, wings spread wide like the herald of some divine retribution, was Rex. His form was bathed in an ethereal white light that made him seem almost otherworldly, his armor gleaming in white. His wings, vast and magnificent, shone with a brilliance that was both beautiful and terrifying.

    Rex¡¯s eyes, fierce and unyielding, locked onto the soldier. His voice, when he spoke, was like thunder. "Step away from the girl."

    The soldier, trembling now, raised his weapon again, his finger twitching on the trigger, but Rex moved faster than human eyes could follow. In an instant, he was upon the soldier, grabbing him by the neck and lifting him off the ground with terrifying ease. The soldier choked, his limbs flailing helplessly, his arrogance now replaced with pure fear.

    "You¡¯re done," Rex growled, his voice filled with righteous fury. With a single, effortless motion, he hurled the soldier into the distance, where he disappeared into the smoke and flames, never to rise again.

    The little girl, still clutching her brother¡¯s hand, could only stare in awe. She had been moments away from death, from losing everything, and now... this shining figure had appeared like a guardian angel.

    Then, from the skies, streaks of light descended like falling stars. The Aegis units, Rex¡¯s elite sentinels, made their entrance.

    One by one, they landed with a thunderous crash on the rooftops, in the streets, and in the midst of the camp. Their arrival sent shockwaves through the battlefield, shaking the ground and hearts alike.

    These machines were crafted with cold precision, their gleaming silver bodies reflecting the fires of war around them. As they took position, their plasma cannons glowed with golden energy, like miniature suns ready to unleash destruction.

    Without hesitation, they opened fire.

    The blasts of plasma shot through the air with a brilliant glow, a searing golden light that tore through the Black Horizon troops. Each shot was like divine retribution, streaking through the night and illuminating the battlefield with a terrible, beautiful radiance.

    The plasma rounds burned through armor, flesh, and bone alike, erasing the soldiers where they stood, turning the tide of battle in an instant.

    The roles had been reversed. The hunters had become the hunted.

    Screams erupted as the once-invincible Black Horizon soldiers were reduced to nothing more than fleeing shadows. The deadly precision of the Aegis units made escape impossible. Their cold, calculating movements showed no hesitation, no mercy. Each step they took, each shot they fired, was the embodiment of justice and vengeance combined.

    The golden plasma bolts lit up the darkened camp like the wrath of the gods, and the once dominant killers now found themselves on the wrong side of the equation, desperately trying to survive the onslaught.

    Their high-tech gear, their heavy armor, their shields. None of it mattered. The Aegis units tore through them like they were nothing, their plasma cannons blazing with a terrifying brilliance.

    Rex, still holding the two children in his arms, walked through the chaos, unflinching. His voice boomed over the battlefield once more, this time as much for the ears of his enemies as for the defenders soldiers. "This is what happens when you prey on the humans. You will be hunted. You will be destroyed. Every last one of you."

    The fear in the eyes of the Black Horizon troops was palpable. They scrambled for cover and stumbled over each other, trying to retreat, but there was no escape. The Aegis sentinels, like silent angels of death, moved with deadly efficiency, cutting down every last one of them.

    Rex¡¯s wings flared wide as he walked forward, the bright white light casting his shadow across the battlefield like the harbinger of doom itself. He could feel the fear in the air and taste the dread of the soldiers, who had once been so sure of their victory. Now, they were nothing more than terrified animals, scurrying for safety that would never come.

    The little girl in his arm looked up at him, her eyes wide with awe and disbelief. She had seen so much death, so much despair, and yet here was this towering figure, this man with wings like an angel, carrying her and her brother as if they weighed nothing, walking through the carnage without a scratch.

    Her tears had stopped, replaced by a glimmer of hope she hadn¡¯t felt in what seemed like an eternity...

 Chapter 46: The bloody angel (2)

    The Black Horizon general, still shouting orders over the communications, was drowned out by the sounds of his soldiers¡¯ desperate screams. But no one was listening to him now. His words were as powerless as he was. His army was being wiped out before his eyes, and there was nothing he could do to stop it.

    As the last of the Black Horizon forces inside the campament fell to the relentless assault of the Aegis units, Rex stood at the center of the battlefield, his wings slowly folding behind him. His breath was steady, his gaze hard, but inside, he knew the battle wasn¡¯t over yet. This was only the beginning.

    For now, though, the camp was safe. The remaining humans had survived, thanks to him.

    With a final glance at the destruction around him, Rex gently shifted the little girl and her brother in his arms and spoke softly to her, his voice a calm contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded. "You¡¯re safe now."

    The little girl, still clinging to him, nodded, her small voice barely a whisper. "Thank you."

    Rex smiled down at her, though his mind was already on the next battle. There was still much to be done. The Black Horizon had only seen the beginning of what was coming for them.

    As Rex spoke gently with the little girl, Ys appeared beside him; the girl¡¯s eyes widened in awe at the sight of her. Ys¡¯s shimmering green aura, softly glowing in the form of hundreds of delicate butterflies, swirled around her like an ethereal dance. She looked like something from a fairy tale.

    "Darling, shall I take care of the remaining enemies?" Ys asked, her voice as soft as always, while her green eyes scanned the battlefield, noting the lifeless bodies of Black Horizon troops scattered like broken toys.

    Rex¡¯s expression darkened; his voice was now cold and stern. "There¡¯s no need. I¡¯ll handle it myself." His words were sharp and without a room for negotiation.

    This was the first time Ys had ever seen him like this, and it unsettled her. She was used to the Rex, who always had a carefree grin and joked and smiled even in the face of danger. But that Rex was nowhere to be found. What she saw now was a man consumed by fury, his face a mask of rage that burned like a fire that could not be quenched.

    She hesitated before answering. "Alright, just be careful," she said softly, though she knew he wasn¡¯t listening. His mind was already elsewhere, focused on his next move.

    Rex then got up, his massive wings unfurling in a dazzling display of light. The intensity of his aura made Ys¡¯s butterflies scatter briefly, as if even they could feel the force of his anger. "Take care of the children," he said, his tone unyielding. "I¡¯m leaving ten Aegis units under your command for protection. I¡¯ll return soon."

    Before Ys could respond, he took off with a single, powerful flap of his wings, launching into the sky like a rocket. The ground beneath him cracked from the force of his ascent, sending a gust of wind through the camp. Ys watched him go, her green butterflies slowly drifting back around her, their light dimmer now.

    As Rex soared through the sky, his body cut through the air with an astounding speed of 300 kilometers per hour. His wings glowed bright against the darkening sky, like a streaking comet of wrath. Below him, the Aegis units charged through the forest at a steady 150 kilometers per hour, their metallic legs pounding the earth in unison, a perfect, unstoppable force moving to support him.

    Far ahead, at the Black Horizon artillery station, the soldiers were already panicking.

    "S-Sir! What should we do? The new enemy is coming right at us!" a terrified minion reported, his voice cracking as he watched the Aegis units closing in through the trees.

    The CEO¡¯s cold, dismissive voice crackled over the communicator. "What are you whining about? Use the artillery! They¡¯re just a bunch of savages charging straight at us. They¡¯re practically begging to be blown to pieces! Fire!

    Far from the battlefield, the CEO of Black Horizon could hear the sounds of destruction over his communicator. The screams of his men, the explosions, the plasma fire. And in the background, a voice,Rex¡¯s voice, that was calm but filled with the promise of annihilation.

    "I¡¯m coming for you next."

    The CEO¡¯s hands began to tremble.

    Rex spread his wings and launched into the sky once more, leaving behind nothing but smoldering ruins, shattered weapons, and the broken bodies of those who had dared to challenge him.

    "Get the ship ready for departure now! That lunatic¡¯s going to kill us all!" The Black Horizon CEO barked, sweat dripping from his forehead. His eyes darted wildly as he glanced back at the carnage behind him. "Once we make it to the city, I¡¯m putting a bounty so big on his head, even the dead will rise to hunt him!"

    A moment later, a breathless minion came running back, eyes wide. "Sir! The transport is ready! Follow me to safety, quick!"

    Just as the CEO was about to scramble up the ramp, the minion ahead of him was frozen still, then with a sickening slashed meat sound, his headless body staggered forward, spurting blood like a gruesome fountain. For a moment, the body twitched, took a few more steps, then collapsed in a lifeless heap.

    The CEO stood frozen, his face draining of color. "W-Who¡¯s there?! Show yourself!" he squealed, his voice hitting an embarrassingly high pitch, more pig than man.

    Suddenly, a soft, almost playful voice drifted out of the shadows. "Oh, I wouldn¡¯t worry about running, dear. My darling is in a... let¡¯s say... terrible mood right now. If you fly away, his bloodlust will never be satisfied, and he¡¯ll stay cranky.

    And I really can¡¯t have that. Soooo, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯ll need to stay just a tiny bit longer, okay?"

    The CEO¡¯s eyes darted around, frantically searching for the source of the voice. It was almost too sweet, too innocent, like a child about to pull the wings off a fly. "I¡¯ll pay you! Whatever you want! I¡¯m the CEO of Black Horizon; I can triple your rate! No, quadruple!

    Name your price!"

    There was a pause. Then, sitting casually on top of the transport ship, a figure appeared, swinging her legs like she didn¡¯t have a care in the world. She smirked down at him, as if she¡¯d just heard the most amusing joke. "Triple, huh? That¡¯s what they all say. But let¡¯s see...

    Kaelzar girl, how much do you think we can squeeze out of him?"

    From a tiny communicator on her neck, a crisp, bored voice replied. "Based on his company¡¯s assets... I¡¯d say about five million credits, easy."

    The child¡¯s smile widened into a wicked, almost devilish grin. "Five million, huh? Oooooh, I like that number." She leaned forward, eyes gleaming with dangerous mischief. "You¡¯re worth more dead than alive, big guy."

    "So... lets say, for 8M credits, I wont kill you," she said with a sweat smile while closing her eyes and swinging her feet.

 Chapter 47: The bloody angel (3)

    "What!? 8 million credits!? Are you out of your mind? That¡¯s more than my entire company makes in a year!"

    She lazily rested her head on her palm, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. "Oh? But didn¡¯t you say you¡¯d pay four times what I was offered? And now you¡¯re crying about a meager 8 million credits?"

    The man¡¯s face flushed red with rage. "Gah! Fine! I¡¯ll pay it! Just give me your bank number!" His trembling hands fumbled for the device on his wrist.

    "Heh, here it is," Ys grinned, her voice dripping with mockery. "And don¡¯t you dare send one credit less and call it a ¡¯mistake.¡¯"

    With fingers shaking, the Black Horizon CEO transferred the 8 million credits, his breath coming in short gasps as if each zero added weight to his chest. "There! I¡¯ve paid you. Now, keep your end of the deal... and let me go!" He jabbed a finger in her direction, his voice cracking with desperation.

    But before he could finish, a thunderous crash sounded behind him.

    "W-what was that?" Panic flashed across his eyes as he tried to turn his floating chair around, but before he could react, a sudden kick sent him flying from his seat. He hit the floor face-first with a sickening thud.

    "Arghhh! Who dares¡ª? Who dares to touch me!? I¡¯ll wipe out your entire bloodline!" He screamed, blood dripping from the gash on his forehead. But when he saw who stood before him, his voice died in his throat. The words, the threats, everything, froze in the pit of his stomach.

    Rex stood there, towering over him like a vengeful angel. His face burned with anger, yet there was a cold, terrifying beauty to him. It wasn¡¯t just fear everyone felt; no, it was awe, as if they were in the presence of something beyond mortal reckoning.

    Even Rex himself didn¡¯t fully understand what was happening. The weight, the fire in his eyes, came from somewhere deep, something primal, something... divine. Far away, a little girl kneeled in prayer within the human encampment, her innocent heart pleading for Rex¡¯s safety. Her faith, her belief in him, reached out like an invisible thread, tying her to him.

    But she was no ordinary child. She was a natural-born psychic, and though her powers were still small, they surged through that connection like a spark to dry leaves. Her faith amplified, pouring into Rex, fueling the burning presence that now filled the room.

    The bond between them was unique, akin to a hive mind, yet something more, something that would only grow in power. What this connection would mean in the future, none could predict.

    Rex walked slowly towards the Black Horizon CEO, each step igniting the ground beneath him in white-hot flames. The very air around him shimmered with heat. His armored boots left smoldering imprints on the floor, like the weight of a god walking among mortals.

    He knelt down, grabbing the CEO by the throat with a grip so strong, it felt as though he could crush the man¡¯s neck with a thought. Rex¡¯s eyes, glowing like molten gold, bored into the CEO¡¯s very soul.

    "You... you crossed a line you should never have dared to approach," Rex said, his voice low and deadly. "I don¡¯t care about the fate of humanity... not really. But I won¡¯t stand by and let scum like you treat them as playthings while I¡¯m here." His grip tightened, the man wheezing under the pressure.

    Rex paused for a moment, then added, almost to himself, "Funny, though. You and I... we¡¯re not so different. Go ahead, call me a hypocrite. The galaxy doesn¡¯t care. It¡¯s a simple law: those who are strong survive.

    The weak fall. And today, you¡¯re the weak one."

    He sighed, shaking his head. "Technically, you didn¡¯t kill him. I did. He paid you to spare his life, but he didn¡¯t pay me," Rex replied, shrugging his shoulders as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

    Ys laughed, her voice like the chime of bells, melodious and cruel. "You always find the loopholes, don¡¯t you?"

    Before Rex could respond, a voice crackled through his communicator, breaking the strange quiet that had settled around them.

    "Rex, your energy levels are at 5%. I recommend deactivating Overdrive immediately and proceeding to the underground city for recharging," Cleo¡¯s calm, mechanical voice interrupted, bringing a sharp dose of reality back to the moment.

    Rex flexed his fingers, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle in. His body was strong, but even a half-Kaelzar had limits. He glanced at Ys, her eyes still twinkling with amusement, and sighed. "Looks like the fun¡¯s over," he muttered under his breath.

    With one final look at the blood-soaked battlefield below, Rex spread his wings wide, their powerful span casting a dark shadow over the land. The flames on the ground where he¡¯d stepped still smoldered, burning long after he had left his mark.

    They descended gracefully toward the landing site where the Black Horizon transport ship lay waiting, its hulking frame silhouetted against the darkening sky.

    As soon as Rex deactivated Overdrive mode, the adrenaline that had kept him going vanished, leaving him to crash beneath the weight of exhaustion. The overwhelming fatigue hit him like a tidal wave, and before he could react, his vision blurred and his knees buckled beneath him.

    Ys, quick as a flash, moved to catch him. Despite the vast size and weight difference, her Khryssari strength made it seem effortless. She cradled him gently, her tiny frame supporting his enormous body, her wings fluttering softly as they both sank to the ground.

    Minutes passed in silence, the only sound being the low hum of the transport ship¡¯s engines. She held him there, patiently waiting for him to regain consciousness, her eyes never leaving his face.

    Finally, Rex¡¯s eyes fluttered open. His head felt heavy, as if lead had filled his veins. "Mmm... Ys?" His voice was groggy. "I¡¯m not too heavy for you, am I?"

    Ys chuckled softly, her voice light and teasing as she ran her small hands through his hair. "More than heavy, darling... I¡¯d say you¡¯re too big. Your head feels like a big balloon," she said with a playful smirk. Rex blinked, realizing he was resting his head on her lap, her fingers tenderly rubbing his forehead.

    "Well, if you say so... then I guess it¡¯s fine," Rex mumbled, trying to shake off the lingering haze. "How¡¯s the human camp? Are they alright?"

    "They¡¯re fine," Ys replied confidently. "I commanded the Aegis Sentinels to return to the camp once the enemies were... well, exterminated. They¡¯re already there. Everything¡¯s under control, darling." She said this as if wiping out a force of enemies were nothing more than an afternoon chore.

    Rex sat up slowly, groaning as he checked his HUD. His energy levels had plummeted to a dangerous level. "Tch... I¡¯m down to 4% energy. I won¡¯t be able to fight in this state, not even close. Yes, I need you to handle the aftermath at the camp.

    Convince them to come with us to the underground city. I¡¯ll take care of piloting this transport ship... once I figure out how."

    He added with a wry smile as he struggled to stand with his shaky legs...

 Chapter 48: Professor

    She beamed at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Don¡¯t worry, darling. I¡¯ll take care of everything! Just leave it to me!" With a graceful leap, her wings unfurled, catching the light as she soared into the sky. Her silhouette streaked across the horizon like a green arrow, cutting through the clouds with ease.

    Rex watched her disappear into the distance, a knot of unease tightening in his chest. "Will this really be alright?" he muttered, rubbing his temples. "It¡¯s Ys we¡¯re talking about... anything could happen."

    He sighed, casting a wary glance at the looming transport ship. Figuring out how to pilot it was one challenge, but trusting Ys to handle diplomacy with the human camp? That was something else entirely. The image of her ¡¯negotiating¡¯ sent a shiver down his spine, but for now, it was their only choice.

    Taking a deep breath, Rex steeled himself, his resolve hardening. Slowly, he began his approach toward the transport, ready to decipher the controls with Cleo¡¯s help. He had no other option.

    Meanwhile, Ys had already arrived at the human encampment. It was a desolate wasteland of smoldering ruins, the bodies of the Black Horizon soldiers scattered haphazardly across the battlefield. The buildings, once sources of life, were reduced to twisted wreckage, their crops trampled and burned.

    It was clear that the Black Horizon troops hadn¡¯t just attacked the area to conquer it; they had ravaged the area with malicious glee, destroying everything they could out of sheer cruelty. Even Ys, a warrior of the Khryssari, found the sight revolting.

    She landed just outside the remains of the town hall, her wings gently fluttering as they caught the light. The moment her feet touched the ground, she was met by the unmistakable sound of rifles being raised.

    Dozens of laser sights locked onto her. The only thing that stopped them from firing was her human-like appearance; if they ignored the massive, shimmering butterfly wings on her back, that¡¯s it.

    The humans trembled, their fear palpable, yet they still held their weapons steady. Ys smiled, finding their defiance amusing. Bravery was a foreign concept to her. It was a trait born from fear, something only lesser beings experienced.

    The Khryssari, controlled by the will of a superior hive mind, knew nothing of fear. If the Hive commanded them to leap into boiling oil, they would do so without hesitation.

    Ys let her smile widen, her voice calm and almost musical. "Fear not, children of humanity. I am not your enemy. I¡¯ve come to help."

    "How can we trust you?" one of the survivors shouted, his voice wavering.

    "That¡¯s right! There¡¯s no way we¡¯re trusting another alien after everything that¡¯s happened!" Another voice chimed in, their fear morphing into anger.

    The tension escalated swiftly, the humans¡¯ hostility pressing down on Ys like a physical force. Her amusement began to wane, replaced by growing irritation. The air between them thickened, almost vibrating with the energy of her growing power.

    The green butterflies, a manifestation of her aura when she prepared for battle, were already beginning to flutter to life around her.

    Ys picked one up cautiously, examining it like it might bite her first. She took a tentative nibble, then her eyes went wide with delight. "This... this is delicious!" she exclaimed, her wings fluttering with joy.

    Oscar chuckled, lifting his coffee mug in a mock toast. "Welcome to the wonders of human cuisine, Lady Ys."

    The elder gave a proud nod, taking a sip of his coffee with a contented sigh. "Now, let¡¯s get down to business. But first... another cookie, anyone? Hohoho!"

    The tense atmosphere from earlier had all but evaporated, replaced by the unlikely warmth of shared laughter, steaming coffee, and the delightful crunch of cookies.

    After a few moments of contented munching and sipping, the elder cleared his throat, signaling the room to settle down. His gaze moved over the group before he spoke.

    "Gentlemen, I know some of you are suspicious of Professor Oscar here, thinking he ran off to save his own skin. But let me assure you, that couldn¡¯t be further from the truth."

    The crowd exchanged glances, a few murmurs of doubt floating in the air. The elder continued. "It was Oscar who warned us about the Black Horizon attack in the first place. He left early because he was supposed to hire a gang to protect us."

    "A criminal gang?" Ys raised an eyebrow, her wings twisting slightly in surprise. "Why not ask for help from the nearest planetary guard post? Wouldn¡¯t that be more... official?" Her question was laced with genuine curiosity. She had learned much from Rex, but this part of human politics puzzled her.

    Oscar let out a bitter laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, you see, that¡¯s the problem. Most of us here... we¡¯re runaway slaves. Asking the guards for help would be like handing ourselves over on a silver platter. They¡¯d capture us and sell us right back into chains, no questions asked."

    Ys blinked, processing this, her lips pressing into a thin line. "That¡¯s... barbaric."

    "Hiohiohio, you get used to it," the elder said with a grin, leaning back in his chair. "It¡¯s not just us humans, you know. Thousands of races have lost their place in the great race for supremacy. We just happen to be one of the more profitable ones to sell."

    There was a brief pause as the group absorbed that grim reality, but the elder quickly lightened the mood. "But enough of the gloom, Professor. Tell us what happened to you! You were gone for two whole weeks, and I was starting to think you¡¯d gotten yourself lost or worse!"

    Oscar sighed, his shoulders slumping as if the weight of his journey were still pressing down on him. "Well, where do I start?" He adjusted his glasses and began. "The plan was simple. I was supposed to meet with a gang called the Tooths. I had an EMP weapon for trade, something that would¡¯ve tipped the balance in our favor."

    "And what happened?" One of the camp leaders leaned in, clearly caught up in the tale.

    "Well....."

 Chapter 49: Ys the diplomatic.

    "Well," Oscar said, rubbing his forehead, "they scammed me. Stole the EMP weapon right out from under my nose. No protection, no deal, just me left standing there with a dumb look on my face."

    The room went silent for a moment before the elder broke out in a hearty laugh. "Hiohiohio! You got outwitted by a bunch of criminals! Well, that¡¯s a story for the grandkids, eh?"

    Oscar groaned, shaking his head. "Believe me, I¡¯m still kicking myself over it."

    "But that¡¯s not the whole story," he continued, his tone shifting. "After that mess, I was at my lowest point. But then, by sheer luck or fate, I ran into Rex. And it turns out, Rex was a being unlike anything I¡¯d ever seen." He glanced at Ys, who was listening intently. "An angel from the ancient age, the last protectors of the human race."

    Lilly, who had been quietly sitting on Oscar¡¯s lap, suddenly perked up. Her eyes sparkled with wonder, as if someone had just lit a fire in her imagination. "A real angel?" she whispered, hanging onto Oscar¡¯s every word.

    Oscar smiled warmly, his voice softening. "Yes, Lilly. A real angel, just like the ones from the old human legends. Strong, noble, and sworn to protect us in our darkest hour."

    Lilly¡¯s eyes shone with pure awe as she gazed up at him. "I knew it," she whispered. "I knew the angels would come back for us."

    The rest of the room had fallen into a stunned silence. The mention of angelic beings thought to be lost to history had a way of captivating even the most hardened souls in the camp.

    Oscar leaned forward slightly, his voice lowering to a near whisper, though everyone in the room was hanging on his every word. "I¡¯ve seen things on this journey that would shake you to your core. And this... this angel, this protector, is something beyond our understanding. But if there¡¯s any hope for us, it¡¯s with Rex at our side."

    The elder, who had been quietly sipping his coffee, let out a soft chuckle and leaned back in his chair. "Hohoho, it seems we¡¯ve got ourselves a proper legend brewing here. Maybe we¡¯ll all end up in the history books one day."

    "Or at least a campfire story," one of the other leaders quipped, lightening the mood.

    The tension that had gripped the room since Ys¡¯s arrival had all but dissolved, replaced by a strange but comforting sense of hope. Even the lingering doubt in some of the humans¡¯ eyes was slowly being replaced by cautious optimism.

    "Well, then," the elder said with a wink, "another cookie, anyone? Hohoho!"

    Ys suddenly remembered her purpose here and leaned forward, her expression shifting to a look of wide-eyed innocence that could almost be called... cute. "By the way, Elder, do you guys have a plan for what to do next?" she asked, batting her eyes.

    The Elder chuckled, stroking his beard thoughtfully. "Well, our original plan was to rebuild here, but we still have to vote on whether we stay or leave."

    "But Elder," Ys interjected, setting her cup down and fixing him with a serious gaze, "there are major problems with both options. If you stay here, it¡¯s only a matter of time before someone else stumbles upon you, just like the Black Horizon did. And if you leave... well, where would you even go?"

    The elder chuckled, clapping his hands together. "Well, it looks like we¡¯ve got ourselves an interesting proposition. How about we take a vote, gentleman? And Ys... pour yourself another coffee. I have a feeling it¡¯s going to be a long night."

    The voting was dragging on, and Y had lost interest ages ago. She let out a stifled yawn, her eyes half-closed, barely listening to the endless back and forth. Just as she was on the verge of nodding off completely, a familiar voice crackled through the communicator on her neck.

    "Ys, how did the conversation go? I¡¯m above the camp now," Rex¡¯s voice came through, sounding slightly amused.

    Her face lit up, and she spoke in a dreamy, slightly slurred voice. "Darrrrliiiing... I missed you so much," she giggled, a little too happily.

    "Erm... Ys? Are you okay? Why do you sound... weird?"

    "Whaaat do you mean? I¡¯m thinking normally, you know?" She replied, her words stretching and slurring like she¡¯d been sipping on something a little stronger than coffee.

    "Did you... smoke something you shouldn¡¯t have?" Rex asked, sounding more concerned.

    "Mmmm? Zzzzzz..." she mumbled before drifting off mid-sentence, the communicator going silent.

    "Ys? Ys! Did you just fall asleep?" Rex sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. He could practically picture her curled up at the table, snoozing with a half-finished cup of coffee in hand.

    Not wasting any more time, he brought the Black Horizon transport ship down to the outskirts of the human encampment. The moment he touched down, six Aegis units marched into formation around him, their white armor gleaming under Cleo¡¯s control. She had ordered them to protect him, knowing he was running dangerously low on energy.

    As Rex approached the town hall, a group of young guards stepped forward, aiming their weapons at him with shaky hands. "Stop! Identify yourself!" one of them demanded, voice wavering.

    Before Rex could respond, all six Aegis units around him raised their plasma rifles, the weapons humming ominously as they powered up. The young guards¡¯ eyes went wide as the Aegis Units shifted into a protective stance, forming a tight circle around Rex and activating their combined energy shields. The glowing barrier expanded, covering Rex, who towered over his robotic escorts.

    "Hold your fire! Stand down," Rex commanded calmly, his voice cutting through the tension. At his order, the Aegis Sentinels powered down their weapons and resumed their patrol routes as if nothing had happened, though the ones directly guarding him maintained their vigilant circle, rifles at the ready.

    With the situation under control, Rex stepped forward, his Aegis guards following in perfect sync, still keeping their shields raised to cover him. "Apologies," he said, addressing the stunned guards. "They¡¯re just following orders from my wife to protect me."

    One of the young guards swallowed hard, glancing nervously at the towering Aegis Units before finding the courage to speak. "W-who are you, sir?"

    "Mmm? me? Im......."

 Chapter 50: The calm before the storm.

    Rex smiled faintly, looking down at the young man with a hint of amusement in his tired eyes. "Me? I¡¯m..." He paused dramatically, letting the suspense build as the guards waited, wide-eyed and anxious. "Just a very tired husband here to pick up his wife."

    The guard blinked, clearly confused, but before he could respond, the town hall doors swung open, and the elder emerged with a bemused smile.

    "Ah, you must be the infamous Rex," the elder chuckled, taking in the sight of the formidable Aegis Units flanking him. "It seems your wife has kept us all quite entertained."

    Rex gave a weary nod, glancing over at Ys, who was now snoring softly and slumped over her coffee cup. He sighed, a hint of affection breaking through his exhaustion. "Yes, she has a way of leaving an impression."

    The elder chuckled again. "Well, come in, come in. She¡¯s been most persuasive. We¡¯ve decided to join you, provided, of course, that there¡¯s more coffee where we¡¯re headed."

    Rex chuckled softly, finally relaxing a bit. "Plenty of coffee. Though I¡¯d be careful giving any more to Ys here... apparently it has interesting effects on her."

    With that, he guided the group back inside, his Aegis units standing guard as the newly formed alliance prepared for the journey to their unusual new home.

    Rex took his time explaining the basics of piloting to the human engineers, gesturing toward various controls with Ys still snoozing in the crook of his arm. The engineers hung on his every word, though some of the girls kept casting him glances.

    Maybe it was the effortless way he held the sleeping Ys, or maybe it was the sheer absurdity of him being this cool while giving a tutorial on a stolen ship.

    He didn¡¯t notice, though. Ever since Cleo and Ys came into his life, his standards for beauty had skyrocketed. Other admirers just... didn¡¯t register anymore. A blessing, or maybe a curse.

    "And that¡¯s it. Any questions?" he asked, looking over the group.

    One of the younger engineers raised a hand hesitantly. "Uh, yeah, sir. How will we know where to go?"

    "Easy," Rex replied with a grin. "Just follow my ship. I¡¯ll go slow enough for you all to keep up. Anything else?"

    They shook their heads in unison. "No, sir!"

    "Good. Then let¡¯s move!"

    With that, Rex stepped off the transport, watching as the humans clambered aboard, eyes wide with excitement and a hint of fear. Rows of Black Horizon transport ships sat in the distance, gleaming in the dim light like sleeping beasts. He could have taken more of them, sure, but it would have been a headache dealing with all the trackers embedded in each one.

    Besides, when the Black Horizon folks finally noticed something missing, they¡¯d chalk it up to bandits.

    Cleo could probably disable those trackers if she had a body, but she didn¡¯t, and Rex wasn¡¯t about to go poke around blindly. Lucky for him, he¡¯d managed to find the tracker on some ships by sheer luck and maybe a little help from his bionics eyes scanner.

    "Welcome back, Lord Rex," Emilia said while giving a small bow. The other robot maids did the same.

    "Oh Emilia, nice timing. Can you please show them where they will stay?"

    "Of course my Lord, Lady Cleo sended me here with that motive"

    "Ohh, okay then, she always knows what I want; that¡¯s why she¡¯s my wife," Rex said all proudly.

    He then turned around to gaze at the humans. "Well then guys, this is where we take different roads since I have a lot of stuff to do, but dont worry, I will be coming from time to time to the underground city, and who knows, maybe we can even end in the same bar, ah, but dont tell my wife." Rex said while looking around and whispering.

    "hohoho, go without worries"my lord", we will soon find works to do around here and we will also pay the taxes."

    "Mmm? Don¡¯t worry about the taxes for now; I already talked about it with my wife. The first 3 months will be without taxes, so take it calmly. If you guys need some kind of help, go ask the nearby Aegis Sentinel that is patrolling the area; my wife will take care of it."

    "Well then..." Rex turned around and started to walk off toward the big building in front of the docking bay that was heavily guarded. Lilla could only see with a sad expression how Rex left, but just as their paths separated today, they will be able to meet each other in the future.

    And so like this, the months passed and the tension of the war againts the Hive minds was in it climax.

    *World of Nakor Year 5601 of the imperial galactic system*

    In the bustling heart of Nakor, the world¡¯s principal commercial hub, the Megacorps recruitment agents were out in full force, weaving through crowded streets and markets like predators hunting fresh prey.

    They flashed promises of riches to anyone willing to enlist in the war against the Hive Mind: thousands of credits per day, they claimed, for those brave or desperate enough to sign up.

    For the poor, rank 6 citizens of Nakor, the offer was irresistible. The pay was more money than most of them would see in a lifetime. Within hours, the lines to enlist stretched down entire city blocks; young men and women packed shoulder-to-shoulder, buzzing with excitement and hope.

    By day¡¯s end, the agents had recruited thousands of fresh bodies, all eager to carve out a better future.

    But not everyone shared their enthusiasm. Veterans of past battles watched the new recruits with a mix of pity and grim amusement. They knew the truth. Those eager young faces wouldn¡¯t last long on the front lines, especially not in the first wave. That first brutal wave was little more than cannon fodder, and surviving it was almost a fantasy.

    Meanwhile, Rex was holed up in the sleek, industrial-style building of the Thunderblades, the mercenary group that now operated as his public front. He leaned back in his chair, eyes on the clock, wondering when the Megacorps recruiters would show up. They were supposed to have arrived by now, and he wasn¡¯t exactly known for his patience.

    Just as he was beginning to consider tracking them down himself, a soft chime sounded from the console on his desk. The robot receptionist¡¯s voice crackled to life, its tone as neutral and emotionless as ever.

    "Sir, the representatives have arrived."

 Chapter 51: Negotiations

    "Let him come up," Rex said, settling back in his new chair with a satisfied sigh. This chair was built like a throne, a well-earned upgrade from his earlier days as a corporate slave.

    A few minutes later, the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, and a tall figure emerged that looked like an humanoid with an octopus-like head, tentacles writhing gently as he stepped into the room. Rex¡¯s eyes narrowed, and he murmured under his breath, "Nexum Dynamics."

    The octopus-headed recruiter approached, stopping just short of Rex¡¯s desk. "Good morning, Mr. Talon," he began, his voice rich with corporate polish. "As you may know, I am a recruiter from the Megacorps, under the esteemed command of the General Leena Valrix. She is one of our finest generals at Nexum Dynamics!" He puffed out his chest, pride radiating off him like cheap cologne.

    But Rex could sense there was more behind the boasting.

    "Ah, forgive me, Mr. Talon," the recruiter continued, catching himself. "I got a bit overexcited. Shall we get down to business?"

    Rex chuckled, flashing a well-practiced corporate smile, the kind he¡¯d mastered during his time as a corporate slave. "No worries at all. Please, take a seat, dear customer."

    The recruiter took a seat, smoothing his immaculate suit as he settled in. "So, Mr. Talon," he began, "if I understand correctly, you¡¯re here to offer the services of your... group... in our efforts against the Hive Mind?"

    Rex leaned back, fingers steepled. "That¡¯s right. You¡¯re here to buy our services for your little war, aren¡¯t you?"

    "Indeed, Mr. Talon," the recruiter said, flashing a smug grin. "I¡¯ve heard rumors about your, shall we say, savage reputation, but I¡¯m pleased to see they were just that¡ªrumors!" He let out a mocking laugh that Rex let slide. After all, the recruiter was mocking Talon, not him personally. It was almost funny.

    "Ah, yes," Rex replied, chuckling back. "Only fools take rumors seriously." He caught a twitch in the recruiter¡¯s expression, a hint that his little jab had hit home.

    The recruiter cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Now, as for the contract," he continued smoothly, "it¡¯s fairly standard. We¡¯ll pay your group 10,000 credits for every day you survive on the front, with additional bonuses for high-value targets or eliminating enemy leaders."

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "10,000 credits?" He let the question hang for a moment, then shook his head. "That barely covers ammunition costs."

    The recruiter smirked, leaning back. "Come now, Mr. Talon. While I¡¯m merely a humble recruiter, I am a rank 3 citizen, and I know more than you might think. Your mercenary group, if I¡¯m not mistaken, consists of only forty infantry units." He folded his hands smugly, clearly pleased with himself.

    Rex leaned forward, his voice low and calm. "Well, it sounds like your information is a bit... outdated." He tossed a tablet across the desk, its screen lighting up with a list of assets.

    The recruiter¡¯s smug expression faltered. "What¡¯s this?" he asked, frowning as he peered at the screen.

    "Our roster," Rex replied, sipping his wine as he watched the recruiter¡¯s face.

    On the screen, the recruiter saw the following:

    [Aegis Sentinels] x100

    [Combat Drones] x200

    ("Oh, don¡¯t tell me you¡¯re getting jealous? Hmm?") Rex teased.

    Before Cleo could retract, the recruiter cleared his throat, looking increasingly uncomfortable. "Erm... Mr. Talon? Is something wrong?"

    Rex coughed, snapping back to the moment. "Nothing at all, just... thinking over your generous offer." He leaned forward, his smile sharpening. "So tell me, how many credits are you pocketing every time I complete a mission? And every time I survive another day on the battlefield?"

    The recruiter hesitated, his tentacles shifting awkwardly. He forced another smile, but Rex could see the cracks.

    "Now, now, Mr. Talon," he stammered. "I assure you, all funds are strictly allocated by HQ. My role is purely to facilitate these... strategic partnerships."

    Rex chuckled softly. "Oh, I¡¯m sure it is. But let¡¯s be honest. I know how the megacorps work, you¡¯re not here to hand out contracts out of the goodness of your heart. So why don¡¯t we skip the corporate pleasantries and talk real numbers?"

    The recruiter swallowed, clearly realizing he was dealing with someone who wouldn¡¯t be so easily swayed. Rex leaned back, watching him squirm. This negotiation was just getting interesting.

    The recruiter let out a deep, defeated sigh, his tentacles drooping as he finally dropped the act. "Fine, you win, Mr. Talon. I get a commission for every action your unit takes in battle. Happy?"

    Rex leaned in, eyes gleaming. "And how much is that commission, Mr. Recruiter?"

    The recruiter scrunched, glancing away. "Twenty-five percent... of your pay," he muttered.

    Rex let out a long, impressed whistle. "Damn. That¡¯s a serious cut. If you¡¯re pulling that kind of commission from every group you recruit... you must be pretty loaded, huh?"

    The recruiter bristled, his tentacles twitching with indignation. "Mr. Talon, if anything were to happen to me, let me remind you that General Leena Valrix and I are... close. She wouldn¡¯t take kindly to anyone causing me trouble."

    Rex laughed, holding up his hands. "Relax! No one¡¯s coming for you, pal. I¡¯m just a businessman looking to... optimize the situation." He leaned forward, flashing that same corporate grin. "Since you¡¯re getting a nice slice of my paycheck, how about we make a little deal?"

    The recruiter eyed him warily. "What sort of... deal?"

    "Simple. You¡¯re close to the general, right? All I need is for you to put in a good word for us and make sure our group gets prioritized for the high-paying missions. Think about it: more missions means more credits for me and for you. Everybody wins."

    The recruiter snorted, crossing his arms. "Ha! And what guarantees do I have that you won¡¯t just get yourselves killed on the first high-stakes mission? My reputation is on the line here."

    Rex chuckled, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the risk. "No guarantees. That¡¯s the thrill of being alive, my friend! Sometimes you¡¯ve got to make a gamble and play like the big boys, right?" He grinned, his eyes glinting with a reckless confidence that was both unnerving and infectious.

    The recruiter hesitated, glancing at Rex¡¯s outstretched arms, his own tentacles twitching as he weighed the offer. Finally, he exhaled, giving a small, reluctant nod. "Alright, Mr. Talon... I¡¯ll see what I can do. But don¡¯t make me regret this."

    Rex leaned back with a satisfied smirk. "Good man. I knew we¡¯d see eye to eye."

 Chapter 52: The first wave (1)

    Once the recruiter left the room, Rex let out a long, exaggerated sigh of relief. "Damn, I didn¡¯t think I¡¯d actually have to act like someone important for once."

    Through the communicator, Cleo¡¯s voice crackled with amusement. "Rex, you really don¡¯t understand what a big shot you are right now, do you?"

    Before he could answer, Ys suddenly appeared at his side, dropping her invisibility with a smirk. She gracefully perched on his lap like she¡¯d been there all along. "Cleo¡¯s right, you know," she purred, brushing a strand of hair over her shoulder. "You¡¯re pretty much the only man in the galaxy destined for greatness, darling."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "Greatness, huh? I mean, I know I¡¯m handsome and all, but that¡¯s a bit much, don¡¯t you think?"

    Ys laughed, the sound low and teasing. "Oh, silly, it¡¯s not because of that. You¡¯re destined for greatness because you¡¯re the partner of a princess of the Hive Minds. Do you even realize how rare that is?"

    "Mmm? I mean, there¡¯s more princesses and queens out there, right? I¡¯m sure they have partners too," he said, absentmindedly running his fingers through Ys¡¯s hair.

    "Sure, other princesses have... let¡¯s say ¡¯companions,¡¯" she replied, looking amused. "But they¡¯re usually mindless beasts. The Hive prefers partners with no sentience, so their powers remain... undivided."

    Rex blinked, processing that. "Wait a second. Are you saying I¡¯m the same as some no-brain beast?"

    Ys was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter. "What? No, no, darling. You¡¯re special because you have enough mental power to potentially threaten the Hive¡¯s control. Do you get how wild that is?"

    Rex scratched his head, still skeptical. "Then why¡¯d you pick me? It can¡¯t just be for my genes, right?"

    Ys leaned in, a playful glint in her eye as she pressed a finger to his lips. "That¡¯s a secret, my dear. I might tell you one day... if you prove yourself worthy," she teased, her smile both mischievous and cryptic.

    Cleo¡¯s voice cut back in, irritation clear. "Are you two done flirting?"

    Rex grinned, looking up at the communicator with mock innocence. "Flirting? Us? Nah. Jealous much?"

    "Why would I be jealous?" Cleo snapped, sounding slightly flustered. "Look, I don¡¯t care what you two do, but we need to get moving. The fleet departs in two days, and we have a lot to prepare."

    "Aye aye, ma¡¯am," Rex replied with a cheeky salute.

    Two days later, the preparations were complete, and the new allied fleet of the megacorps assembled above the planet. It was a jaw-dropping sight since hundreds of ships of every size and shape filled the sky like a storm. This was the largest fleet anyone had seen in a century, a true behemoth ready for war.

    At the heart of it all was Rex aboard Cleo¡¯s newly upgraded ship, now bristling with enough weaponry to make even seasoned pilots nervous. The vessel had been transformed into a formidable gunboat, sleek and armored for both aerial and ground support. And flanking them were the Wraith-Class Fighters, four deadly silver machines, each one a gleaming predator in the void.

    The Wraith-Class Fighters were a marvel. Sleek, silver, with sharp, angular wings that glinted menacingly against the stars. The energy core at the center pulsed with a fiery blue glow, like the heartbeat of some futuristic beast.

    Cleo rolled her eyes. "Hmph."

    Leaving Cleo to the controls, Rex made his way to the cargo bay, where Carlos and Ys were waiting. Carlos stood with his usual swagger, holding a massive hammer in one hand and a reinforced gunshield in the other, a grin plastered across his face.

    "Hey, you two ready for some fun?" Rex asked, cracking his knuckles.

    Carlos gave a hearty laugh. "Ready? I¡¯m a damn tank now! Six months of training, and I¡¯m tougher than ever!" He pounded a fist on his chest armor, a dull metallic thud echoing through the bay.

    Rex smirked. "Still the same, huh? Good to see you haven¡¯t lost that ego, baldy. Guess that means I can sit back and let you handle everything?"

    Carlos scoffed, holding his gunshield up with pride. "Pfft. Feel free. But if that pretty little face of yours gets a scratch, you know the girls are going to kill me."

    "Who you calling pretty boy?" Rex shot back with a grin. "You wanna settle this right here?"

    They both stared each other down, silent... until they burst into laughter.

    "Hahaha!"

    "Good to see you back, my bald brother!"

    Carlos clapped him on the shoulder. "Same to you, sissy-looking brother!"

    Ys rolled her eyes, pouting. "Ugh, why are you more excited to see him than you are to see me? Is he that much better looking in your eyes?"

    Rex threw her a teasing grin. "Aw, c¡¯mon, Ys. I just missed my bald-headed brother here! Besides, he¡¯s basically your brother-in-law too, so you better keep his shiny head safe down there!"

    She sighed dramatically. "Fine, fine. But no promises if he messes up."

    Rex laughed and stepped forward, a confident gleam in his eyes. "Alright, enough banter. Time for the stars of the show to make their entrance." At his command, his armor materialized around him in a brilliant display, gleaming white with golden accents, each piece locking into place until his helmet sealed with a satisfying click.

    Golden light shone from the helmet¡¯s eye slits and trim, casting an almost holy glow over the entire suit.

    "Remember, Ys," Rex said, glancing over his shoulder, "no wings. We don¡¯t want to blow our cover. For now, hop on my back; I¡¯ll get us to the ground."

    Ys grinned and climbed onto his back, settling in comfortably as he adjusted his stance to balance her. With a final nod, he called out, "Cleo! Activate the Aegis Sentinels!"

    And so, the first great war of Rex begins!

 Chapter 53: The first wave (2).

    At Rex¡¯s command, the room lit up with hundreds of golden eyes, each belonging to an Aegis Unit. They hummed to life, their metallic forms gleaming in the dim bay, ready to be unleashed on the Hive. It was as if a sleeping army had just awoken, each sentinel hungry for battle.

    As the bay doors slid open, Rex took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment settle on him. The cold air whipped in, and he stared down at the endless swarm of Khryssari below, covering the planet¡¯s surface in a dark, writhing mass.

    "This is it, folks," he said, his voice steady with anticipation. "Time to make these bugs regret ever messing with us." And with that, Rex leapt from the gunboat, diving headfirst into the chaos, with Ys on his back and the Aegis Sentinels close behind. It was time to bring the wrath of the stars down on the Hive.

    As Rex and his team were near the ground, their landing props roared to life, creating a storm of dust and debris. For a moment, everything was obscured by the thick cloud they¡¯d kicked up.

    Then, like thunder from a storm, golden plasma bolts erupted from within the dust cloud, lancing out toward the Khryssari warriors. The alien creatures screamed as the searing plasma struck their bodies.

    But the Khryssari adapted quickly. After the initial volley, they began dodging, their swift, insectoid bodies weaving around the slower-moving plasma bolts. Their sheer numbers made them a relentless tide, closing in from all sides like a swarm of angry hornets.

    Up above, Cleo was locked in her own battle. She was supposed to be providing fire support from the gunship, but a wave of Khryssari Skydancers had her fully occupied. The alien fighters dove at her from all angles, forcing her to maneuver the gunship far away from her ground troops.

    Even with the assistance of the four Wraith-Class fighters, it was all she could do to keep them at bay. Ground support would have to wait.

    Meanwhile, back on the ground, Carlos was holding his own in the chaos. With a wild grin, he stood atop the body of a Khryssari warrior he¡¯d just flattened with his hammer.

    "This area¡¯s VIP only! Show me your pass, please!" he called out, taunting the oncoming swarm.

    But his moment of bravado was cut short as a barrage of green plasma bolts streaked toward him. "W-What! That¡¯s cheating!" Carlos yelped, diving behind the fallen Khryssari for cover as plasma scorched the air around him.

    Through his communicator, Rex¡¯s laughter crackled into his helmet. "What the hell were you thinking, baldy? Only an idiot brings a hammer to a gunfight!"

    "Then what the hell am I supposed to do, Rex?!" Carlos yelled back; the frustration was clear in his voice. "This hammer¡¯s all I got!"

    Rex chuckled, looking up at the sky. "Chill out, Baldy, the airdrops are on their way. Cleo¡¯s been cooking up some new toys for us; all those months in the lab weren¡¯t for nothing."

    Carlos¡¯s eyes lit up as he scanned the sky. "Oh hell yeah, about time! Alright, everyone fall back!" he called out, rallying with a renewed spark of hope.

    As the team regrouped, the Aegis Units sprang into action. Hundreds of combat drones deployed from their ranks, their golden eyes flashing as they dove into the fray. The drones fought fiercely, matching the Khryssari in brutality. They had no fear, no hesitation, just relentless, calculating aggression, surging forward to hold the line.

    But even an AI can be overwhelmed. For every Khryssari warrior that fell, two more took its place. The drones and Aegis Units were holding the line, but the numbers were starting to tell. Shields flickered and failed, limbs were torn off by the Khryssari¡¯s organic plasma weapons, and several Aegis units collapsed, sparking and broken beyond repair.

    Rex gritted his teeth as he watched the Aegis Units falter. His fingers clenched around the hilt of his claymore sword. "Hang in there, guys," he muttered. "We just need a little more time."

    The creature that emerged was massive, its scale dwarfing even Cleo¡¯s gunship. Its skin was dark and ridged, a hide that looked as tough as starship armor. It reared back, opening its gaping maw to let out a thunderous roar, and as it did, a fresh swarm of Khryssari skydancers and K. warriors spilled out from its mouth like a plague.

    Cleo¡¯s voice crackled over the communicator, calm but commanding. "All units, retreat at least ten kilometers from the worm. The area is lost."

    She turned her attention to Ys, who was watching the chaos with an unreadable expression. "And you too, Khryssari girl. Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯ll be fine."

    Ys scoffed, crossing her arms. "Worried? Please. The only thing on my mind right now is where to find some water, since my darling¡¯s going to come out smelling like worm guts." She glanced around as if genuinely considering where to find water. Even Cleo, normally unflappable, was momentarily speechless.

    As the Aegis Units fell back, Cleo brought the gunship around and unleashed everything she had on the worm. Lasers, missiles, and plasma rounds hammered into the creature¡¯s tough hide. Then she deployed the hive missiles, dozens at a time, each one spiraling through the air before exploding against the worm with blinding flashes.

    It was the same weapon she¡¯d used to level entire bandit camps before, but even this wasn¡¯t enough to bring down the monster.

    In the meantime, deep inside the worm, Rex had already activated his bionics overdrive mode. He was carrying Carlos over his shoulder, flying through the creature¡¯s winding, organic tunnels as Carlos blasted away at the swarming Skydancers that followed close behind.

    "Can¡¯t you fly faster?" Carlos yelled, squeezing off another shot that vaporized a Skydancer¡¯s head.

    "If your bald ass wasn¡¯t so heavy, we¡¯d be out of here already!" Rex snapped back, dodging another Skydancer that swooped dangerously close.

    Just then, Rex spotted a faint glimmer of daylight up ahead. "Look, Carlos! I can see the exit!" he shouted, pointing forward. Out of habit, his other hand started crafting a Claymore sword out of habit, right as he forgot he was holding onto Carlos.

    There was a split second of realization before Carlos¡¯s eyes widened in horror. "Oh, hell no."

    "Awww, crap," Rex muttered as his grip slipped.

    Carlos plummeted back down into the depths of the worm, his voice echoing, "AHHHHHHH! Fucccckk yoooiiiu, Reeeexxxx!" His middle finger was still extended toward Rex as he vanished from sight.

    Outside, Cleo saw Rex finally burst out of the worm¡¯s mouth, holding Carlos from his legs, who had somehow managed to grab onto a Skydancer that was now latched onto his arm, trying to bite through his armor.

    Carlos yanked his hammer off his back and smashed it down on the Skydancer¡¯s head with a sickening crunch. "I swear, one of these days, I¡¯m going to kill you, Rex," he growled, swatting another Skydancer out of the air.

    Rex laughed, not the least bit fazed. "Come on, Baldy, admit it, that was funny as hell!"

    Carlos just glared, swinging his hammer at anything that moved. "Next time you drop me in a worm, I¡¯m going to smash your head open, pretty boy."

    Rex chuckled and steered them back to the gunboat. As they docked, Cleo already had the engines primed, ready to get them clear of the immediate danger. Once they were safely aboard, they regrouped with Ys to figure out their next move.

 Chapter 54: First wave (3)

    Ys raised an eyebrow as Rex and Carlos entered, both covered in the worm green fluids and breathing heavily. "Have a nice swim, boys?"

    Rex shrugged, flashing a grin. "A little slimier than I¡¯d like, but we¡¯re still in one piece."

    Carlos wiped a glob of green muck off his shoulder, muttering, "Speak for yourself. That worm tried to digest us."

    Cleo¡¯s hologram flickered to life beside them, arms crossed. "Alright, geniuses, any bright ideas on how to take down something that big?"

    Rex looked back at the massive worm in the distance, its monstrous form still writhing as the Khryssari swarmed around it like an army guarding their king. He smirked, tapping his helmet. "Yeah, I think I¡¯ve got a plan. But it¡¯s going to take all of us."

    Ys rolled her eyes, though a hint of a smile played at her lips. "You better make it good, darling. I¡¯d hate to have to scrape you off that thing¡¯s teeth again."

    Rex winked. "Trust me. This time, we¡¯re taking that worm down for good."

    After a few tense minutes of regrouping, Rex and his team dropped back into the chaos below. All around, Aegis units and their swarms of drones fought tooth and nail against the relentless Khryssari swarm.

    Every second it seemed, they were losing ground, pushed back by the sheer weight of the Khryssari swarm that closed in from every direction.

    "Alright, everyone! This is our shot! Stay close and follow me!" Rex shouted, crafting two massive swords from thin air, then sprinting off to the right instead of heading straight for the giant worm at the center of it all.

    The Aegis soldiers didn¡¯t hesitate; they fell in line behind him, and so did Ys and Carlos, following Rex¡¯s lead. Around them, the battlefield was a nightmare, since there was an ocean of black and green as far as the eye could see, with Khryssari warriors ripping through fresh allied troops almost as fast as they could land.

    The entire scene looked like something straight out of a horror film: smoke, fire, and a hellish green glow pulsing from the Khryssari weapons.

    Every time a transport ship touched down, it was instantly swarmed, soldiers barely stepping onto the ground before being pulled into the fray. Flames erupted, explosions rocked the air, and some ships didn¡¯t even make it that far since they were knocked out of the sky by the monstrous skydancers, plummeting down in spirals of fiery wreckage.

    But a few transports, either through sheer luck or stubbornness, managed to land and unload, and these soldiers fought with a kind of fierce desperation that only those with no escape could muster. These were the ones Rex was determined to reach.

    "Sir! We can¡¯t hold them any longer! There¡¯s just too many!" A young recruit¡¯s voice cracked over the comms, barely audible over the roaring chaos.

    "Doesn¡¯t matter how many there are!" His commanding officer barked back, his voice ragged but solid as iron. "We¡¯re not going anywhere, so make every shot count! Keep firing, kid, and¡ª"

    A flash of green light burst to their left. The officer turned, just in time to see the young recruit¡¯s face dissolve under a Khryssari bioplasma round. One second, he was there; the next, there was nothing left but a thin plume of ash drifting on the wind.

    With a sigh, Ys tightened her grip around his neck, smirking. "You¡¯re lucky I like grand gestures."

    Rex winked. "Then stick around. This is just the opening act."

    "S-Sir! Look out! There¡¯s a whole swarm of Skydancers incoming!" One of the new recruits shouted, his voice barely steady.

    Rex glanced over his shoulder, then shrugged, completely unfazed. "Relax, kid. Nothing to worry about; they¡¯re not the only ones with air support."

    While the others watched nervously as the Skydancers closed in, Rex just pointed a finger up at the dark sky. Moments later, two blindingly bright red laser lines cut through the clouds, searing toward the enemy swarm.

    A split second later, the night exploded with a rain of yellow tracer rounds from Cleo¡¯s gunboat. The Skydancers began to plummet from the sky, some in flames, others shattered to pieces. Four sleek wraith fighters dove into the fray, weaving through the chaos, tearing the remaining Skydancers apart with precision shots.

    The recruits stood, wide-eyed, watching the aerial carnage as the Skydancer bodies, or what was left of them, began to rain down.

    "I know I said not to worry," Rex said with a grin, "but on second thought, you might want to move. Fast. Unless, of course, you feel like getting squashed by falling Skydancer chunks."

    The team captain needed no further prompting. "Alright, everyone! Move out!" he barked, and the squad broke into a sprint, dodging the occasional piece of flaming Skydancer debris as Rex led them onward to the next objective.

    With that same mix of bravado and tactical genius, Rex continued to sweep across the battlefield, rallying scattered units and pulling together a makeshift army of stragglers. There was something about him, it was maybe a kind of charisma, that made people want to follow him.

    Or maybe it was just the sight of his growing battalion cutting through the Khryssari swarm like a blade through water. Either way, they fell in line, fighting with renewed energy under his command.

    At the end of the day, it didn¡¯t really matter why they followed him, only that they did. Rex had one goal in mind: gather enough firepower to take down the monstrous worm lurking in the distance. And the bonus that came with it? Just a juicy little motivator.

    Up in orbit, General Leena Valrix stood on the bridge of her flagship, watching the space battle unfold. Her sharp eyes never left the data feed from the planetary surface, constantly shifting with updates and statistics on the ground invasion.

    "You there," she said, gesturing to the officer beside her, "give me an update on the ground battle. How are our forces holding?"

    "Ma¡¯am!" The officer straightened up, saluting sharply. "Thanks to our spy drones, we¡¯re able to monitor most of the surface activity. Initially, the battle proceeded as expected, but... well, something unexpected has happened in the last few hours."

    Leena¡¯s eyes narrowed, a hint of curiosity flashing in her gaze. "And what would that be, officer?"

    "Well...."

 Chapter 55: Devil whisper.

    The officer gulped, pulling up a data feed with a shaky hand. "Uh... it¡¯s someone named Rex Nyx, ma¡¯am. Reports describe him as... unusually charismatic. He¡¯s managed to rally troops from all over the battlefield, and they¡¯re now following him through the Khryssari ranks, cutting them down like...

    well, like weeds."

    Leena smirked, folding her arms. "Interesting. So, he¡¯s not just another grunt."

    The officer nodded vigorously. "No, ma¡¯am. If he keeps up this pace, we may even have a chance at... well, actually winning this front."

    Leena looked out the viewport, her gaze piercing through the vastness of space toward the planet below. "Keep me updated on this Rex. I want to see just how far he can go."

    Back on the surface, Rex smirked, somehow sensing that eyes were on him from above. With a glint in his eye, he muttered under his breath, "Hope you¡¯re watching, General. You¡¯re about to see what a real show looks like."

    Rex stood atop a pile of dead Khryssari Warriors, his silhouette outlined against the smoky sky. Ys sat comfortably on his shoulders, her legs draped around him, surveying the amassed forces below. Hours of relentless fighting had finally paid off since he¡¯d gathered a small army, vehicles, and a fleet of ships ready to take the fight to the enemy.

    [Allied Infantry] x860        [Wraith Fighters] x4

    [Aegis Units] x87          [Cleo Gunboat] x1

    [Allied Vehicles] x35

    [Allied Artillery] x5

    [Gunboats] x3

    [Allied Fighters] x15

    Rex glanced up at Ys, who was grinning down at him with that devilish look he knew all too well.

    "Uh... Ys, have I ever mentioned how... soft you are?" Rex asked, his face suspiciously close to her legs, trying to sound casual.

    She raised an eyebrow, her grin widening. "Oh?~ Enjoying yourself, are we?" she teased, giving him a playful squeeze with her thighs.

    Rex coughed, trying to keep his composure. "Ahem, isn¡¯t it a little inappropriate to be... doing this in the middle of a war?" His words sounded stern, but the look on his face said otherwise.

    "Oh, you¡¯re one to talk~," she laughed, leaning down and whispering into his ear. "Anyway, hold still. I don¡¯t want your helmet getting in the way." She brushed her legs against him, causing him to turn slightly pink even beneath the helmet¡¯s visor.

    "Wait¡ªYs, how am I even feeling your legs through your armor?" Rex asked, his voice filled with sudden suspicion.

    Rex¡¯s HUD was a mess of flashing yellow alerts, blaring warnings from every direction as shots came in from all sides. He dodged what he could, slicing through incoming enemies with masterful precision.

    When he couldn¡¯t dodge, he simply grabbed the nearest Khryssari and used its body as a shield, then tossed it aside and pressed forward, his eyes locked on the worm looming in the distance.

    His claymore blurred with speed, a silver streak in his hands. Cleo¡¯s first fusion upgrade, the Sword Mastery module, was working in perfect sync with his movements.

    His blade moved faster than the eye could follow, cleaving through Khryssari bio-armor with ease. The alien warriors fell before him like stalks of wheat under a scythe, their once-imposing bodies reduced to lifeless heaps in his wake.

    Carlos laughed over the comms, his voice full of adrenaline. "Rex, you¡¯re turning these bugs into minced meat down there! Save some for the rest of us!"

    Rex smirked, not breaking his stride. "Keep up, and maybe you¡¯ll get your fair share!"

    Ys¡¯s voice chimed in, warm and teasing. "Oh, he¡¯s just showing off, as usual. I swear, he¡¯d try to outdo a tank if he could."

    Meanwhile, from her gunboat, Cleo¡¯s voice crackled in. "Rex, remember we¡¯re here to support you, not to scrape you off the battlefield when you get reckless."

    "Relax, Cleo. I¡¯ve got this covered," Rex replied, his voice confident but his grip tightening on his claymore as he pushed further.

    For every enemy that fell, another took its place. The Khryssari seemed endless, a living tide of armor and claws. But Rex never faltered. He was a man with a mission, and nothing, no swarm, no skydancer, no monster worm was going to stop him.

    With his armor glowing under the bombardment, Rex let out a rallying cry. "Forward! This worm¡¯s not going to kill itself! For victory! For the bonus!"

    Rex¡¯s actions struck like lightning across the battlefield. His every move was like a dance, every word dripping with a fierce, untamed heroism that filled his allies with strength they didn¡¯t even know they had.

    Those who could hear him felt a primal surge of courage as if they were in the presence of a god, an unstoppable force tearing through the darkness to show them the way.

    But nothing could be further from the truth. Rex wasn¡¯t thinking of glory, or victory, or even survival. His mind was fixated on a single, haunting image: Ys¡¯s legs disappearing into the shadows and her final words echoing in his ears.

    He would not fall here, not now. With his objective so close, nothing would stand in his way.

    Meanwhile, aboard the flagship, General Leena Valrix stared out across the bridge, her face impassive. That changed the moment her officer came running toward her, breathless. "General! The individual you ordered me to monitor, he¡¯s... he¡¯s on the move! It¡¯s huge!"

    Her expression remained calm, but there was a glint of something in her eyes. "Show me," she said, voice as steady as iron. The officer handed her a tablet, and she took it without a word, connecting it to the central holographic display.

    The bridge filled with a sharp, blue light as data flickered to life before her. For a moment, she was silent, just staring. And then she whispered, almost to herself, "This... this can¡¯t be."

    Around her, the officers exchanged glances, unsure of what they were witnessing, but they all knew one thing: whatever was happening, it was beyond anything they¡¯d prepared for.

 Chapter 56: Conqueror (1)

    After hours of relentless fighting, Rex¡¯s forces and their allies had clawed their way halfway to the giant worm. But they were on their last breath. The troops¡¯ faces were pale, their movements sluggish, and by the look of it, a final push would be impossible.

    Stamina wasn¡¯t their only problem since their ammunition was also almost gone. Each shot fired felt like a gamble, a precious resource slipping through their fingers.

    Even Rex, with his body enhanced by bionics, could feel the toll. Despite his reinforced limbs and boosted endurance, he was still human beneath the metal. Fighting with this intensity for hours on end had pushed his body to its breaking point.

    As he parried a swing from a K. warrior, a blow he would¡¯ve dodged easily just hours before, another one blindsided him. A massive claw caught him in the side, sending him flying. He crashed to the ground, skidding and bouncing like a ragdoll until he could bury his sword in the dirt, halting his momentum.

    "Fuck! These damn bugs are endless!" He snarled, breathing heavily as he forced himself upright, his body feeling twice as heavy as it should. "Cleo, what¡¯s the status over there?"

    "Not good, Rex," came Cleo¡¯s voice, calm but edged with worry. Her face flickered across several blue screens in her command center. "Our progress has stalled. The armored vehicles are nearly out of fuel, and our gunboats and fighters are running on ammo. I recommend we fall back by a kilometer and set up a defensive perimeter so we can resupply and catch our breath."

    Rex gritted his teeth, glancing at his exhausted troops. "Fine. Send the order to fall back. And ping our¡¯recruiter¡¯ friend, tell him we need supplies at our location ASAP."

    "Understood."

    Amidst the chaos of battle, Cleo¡¯s command relayed to every soldier¡¯s HUD. The retreat was slow and brutal, every step backward contested by the relentless swarm.

    It took them two grueling imperial hours to reach the fallback point, a narrow valley nestled between two rugged, flat-topped mountains. It was a natural stronghold, a perfect spot to dig in and resupply. Only problem? No way up.

    Cleo didn¡¯t hesitate. She ordered missile strikes on one side of the mountain, blasting a makeshift path into the rock. With each explosion, the mountain face crumbled, leaving a rough trail for the troops to ascend.

    Finally, they reached the summit. As the troops set up defensive positions, supply ships arrived, landing on the mountaintop with a low rumble. Cleo coordinated the resupply efforts, sending dozens of cargo drones to ferry ammunition and fuel to the fighters still holding the line below.

    While all this unfolded, Rex lay sprawled out on a red rock, breathing heavily, his helmet still on due to the planet¡¯s lack of oxygen. He could feel the heat building up inside his armor, beads of sweat running down his neck.

    Carlos plodded over and dropped to the ground beside him, looking as worn out as Rex felt. "Rex, you¡¯re a damn slave driver," he muttered, panting, barely able to get the words out.

    Rex chuckled, a deep, rough sound. "Oh, quit whining! This is just the beginning of our path to the stars!" He stretched out a hand toward the sky, closing his fist as if he could grab hold of the heavens themselves.

    Carlos let out a dry laugh. "Stars? After today, I¡¯d rather keep my feet on solid ground and just watch what happens up there." He tilted his head back, eyes scanning the chaos above them.

    All Rex did was raise his sword and point it toward the looming giant worm. That simple gesture was enough. In every direction, a roar erupted as war cries filled the air, soldiers shouting with a mix of fear and unbreakable resolve.

    The hover tank engines roared to life, almost as if they too were joining the chorus, their heavy machinery rumbling and shaking like beasts hungry for battle.

    The tanks surged forward, close behind the infantry, firing blindly into the storm, hoping their rounds would find a target through the thick, swirling sand. Overhead, the air force joined the assault, all the fighters and gunboats screaming past Rex, engines blazing, carving a path toward the enemy.

    In the midst of this chaos, a lone figure dressed in the typical intergalactic news armor moved among the troops. Cameras strapped to his suit transmitted every second of the battle live, beaming the scene to millions of viewers across the galaxy.

    He captured Rex standing atop the mountain, sword raised, framed by beams of light breaking through the sandstorm; it was an image that felt like something out of ancient legend. In that moment, Rex looked like a conqueror from a thousand years past, a warlord leading his people into glory.

    Comments exploded in the live stream.

    "Wow, he looks so handsome!"

    "Just how tall is that guy!?"

    "Anyone got any info on him?"

    "Does he have social media? Asking for... research purposes!"

    But civilians weren¡¯t the only ones watching. CEOs of the galaxy¡¯s largest megacorporations were tuned in as well, eyes narrowed, minds racing. Rex¡¯s growing legend was already on their radar.

    To them, he wasn¡¯t a hero; he was a threat. A potential conqueror who, if left unchecked, could disrupt the fragile balance of power they controlled so tightly. Quiet orders were sent, and investigations into Rex¡¯s origins began. They would not allow him to rise unchallenged.

    Rex, oblivious to the eyes watching him across the stars, leapt from the mountain, landing heavily on the battlefield below. Without missing a beat, he sprinted forward, cutting through the storm with an inhuman speed of 150 kilometers per hour, like a force of nature bearing down on the enemy.

    In moments, he was at the front lines, cleaving through a K. warrior with his claymore. The blade sank deep into the alien¡¯s body, and with a fierce upward pull, he split it clean in half.

    He didn¡¯t stop. His gaze was locked on the worm in the distance, and he was prepared to carve his way through every enemy in his path to reach it. The second assault had begun, and this time, Rex wasn¡¯t holding back.

    He would do whatever it took and sacrifice whatever was necessary to close the distance and bring the beast down.

    With every step and every swing of his sword, his plan moved forward, inching him closer to the victory that lay just beyond the storm.

 Chapter 57: Conqueror (2)

    The question of what it means to be a conqueror had truly, deeply, undeniably puzzled scholars from prestigious academies across the galaxy. Even when discussing it bordered on the illegal, the most curious minds couldn¡¯t resist probing the truth.

    One of those scholars was a man who went by the audacious title The Great Micha. Yes, he¡¯d clearly chosen that name himself, but no one dared make much of it, given the type of knowledge he¡¯d acquired.

    Forbidden knowledge. The kind that made people whisper about his origins. Some said he was a rank-three or higher. Others muttered that he was a noble. And a few speculated he was a bored CEO of some megacorp, playing around with ancient secrets for kicks. Whatever the truth, he became infamous for one thing: his forbidden book.

    The true conqueror.

    In it, Micha drew a sharp line between a "conqueror" and a "true conqueror." To him, a conqueror was just some rich kid with too much money, some noble with every path laid out before him. A pampered soul chasing glory for show.

    The book included two hundred pages, two hundred pages, of Micha mercilessly mocking the nobility, using words so disgusting that most schools opted to skip those chapters entirely for the sake of their students¡¯ mental health. But after that colorful tirade, the real content began.

    "A true conqueror," he wrote, "is not some pampered fool with a golden spoon shoved in his mouth from birth. No, this is someone born in the gutters, clawing their way up from the trash heap of society."

    "While nobles hide behind walls of wealth and order their troops with fear, a true conqueror leads by example, inspiring loyalty with the sweat and blood they spill on the frontlines. The kind of king who goes into battle himself. That¡¯s someone the troops will follow."

    "Not because they¡¯re paid to, but because they want to. A true conqueror owns the world through sheer grit and fire, driven by a motivation so fierce it burns anyone who dares to stand in his way."

    "Ys thighsssss!" Rex thought, practically vibrating with excitement as he plunged his bare hand into the skull of a K. Skydancer, feeling the crunch of bone and mandibles.

    He leapt through the air, landing atop a towering K. warrior, and drove his claymore down with such force that the blade went right through its armored head.

    Then, with a grin that would¡¯ve scared a lesser man, Rex hefted the claymore that was still embedded in the warrior¡¯s skull and swung the entire corpse like a battering ram, smashing it into other K. warriors. Carapaces cracked, limbs flew, and as he wrenched the sword free, the warrior¡¯s head split open with a wet, satisfying crunch.

    "Onward!" Rex bellowed, charging into the thick of the sandstorm with his troops close behind. The storm was a chaotic mess of stinging grit and shadowy figures, obscuring everything. He¡¯d already lost too many men to the random shots fired by the K. warriors lurking in the sand.

    Even the gunboats above couldn¡¯t risk giving cover fire; in this sandstorm, it was impossible to tell friend from foe.

    "Carlos! How¡¯s your side? Can you see anything?" Rex¡¯s voice crackled through the communicator in Carlos¡¯s helmet, barely audible over the sandstorm¡¯s howl. Explore stories at §Þ??

    "Negative! Same hell over here as everywhere else!" Carlos yelled back, firing his gunshield at a Skydancer swooping down toward him. "Though on the bright side, these damn bugs are shooting at us less than yesterday. I¡¯ll take what I can get!"

    Rex chuckled. "Hey, remember that time we went to that smoker bar?"

    Carlos snorted. "How could I forget? Couldn¡¯t see past our own hands in there. And if I remember right, someone plopped himself down right on top of an octopus lady."

    The channel erupted in grumbles and curses from his troops.

    "So listen up! We¡¯ve got two options: stay put and get buried in this godforsaken sandstorm, or charge forward at full speed and beat the odds ourselves! Miracles aren¡¯t coming, people. The only way out is through."

    He paused, letting that sink in, then grinned. "So, if any of you want to live, I suggest you run! Run like your life depends on it, because it does! Don¡¯t stop, even if your legs are screaming. Run until you see that worm!"

    With that, Rex cut the communications and looked out over the shifting sands, grinning as his troops started to rally; their spirits fired up. He hoisted his claymore, his eyes blazing with determination.

    Rex ran at a steady, human pace, careful not to leave his troops behind. The squad surged forward through the chaos, sprinting as if the devil himself was following them close behind, even as the air buzzed with searing plasma bolts from the K. warriors.

    Their footsteps pounded through the storm, no one daring to slow down, not even when one of their own fell to a plasma shot in the leg, calling out for help.

    There was no time to be merciful. If you got shot, you were on your own. If you ran out of breath, you were on your own. And if you lost your way in this swirling, blinding hell of sand and death? Well, you might as well be dead already.

    Rex had learned this hard truth long ago: in war, compassion was a luxury, one that could get you killed. There were no miracles here. Only a raw, stubborn will to survive.

    Far above them, on the bridge of the allied flagship, Leena Valrix watched the battle unfold on her display screens, her gaze cold and impassive as she tracked the chaotic mess of movement below. The sandstorm distorted the images, but she could see enough. An officer at her side hesitated before speaking.

    "Ma¡¯am, do you really think they can make it with those numbers? And in that sandstorm?" His eyes flicked from the monitor to her, nervous but curious.

    Leena didn¡¯t even look at him. "Impossible. That fool¡¯s too reckless. They may call him a ¡¯conqueror¡¯ in the news, but he¡¯s just a reckless kid who¡¯s out of his depth." Her tone was colder than space itself.

    The officer glanced back at the screen, watching as the squad struggled forward, dodging the relentless plasma fire. "But... why do you say that, ma¡¯am?"

    She sighed, irritated. "First, they don¡¯t have the firepower to take down that worm. And second, he led them into the heart of that sandstorm without any cover. Amateur mistake."

    The young officer shifted uncomfortable. "But, ma¡¯am, isn¡¯t it because if they refused to fight, they¡¯d be in breach of their recruitment contracts?" He looked up, realizing he might¡¯ve spoken out of turn.

    Leena¡¯s eyes narrowed, her lips twisting into a humorless smile. "Hmph." She gave no further answer, though she knew he was right. But she wasn¡¯t about to admit fault in front of a mere junior officer.

    The officer, emboldened, pressed on. "Then, ma¡¯am, why don¡¯t we send reinforcements? One well-aimed shot from our cannons could obliterate that worm. They¡¯d have a real chance."

    She raised an eyebrow, looking at him as though he¡¯d just suggested something obscene. "Under intergalactic law, orbital strikes are forbidden when a ground-based war of conquest is in progress. Besides, I¡¯m not wasting our elite forces on a fool¡¯s errand." Her tone turned mocking. "The first waves always look like this. Disposable. That¡¯s the point."

    A tense silence fell over the bridge for a moment, until a new voice, low and unyielding, cut through the air like a blade.

    "I have heard enough."

 Chapter 58: Time over.

    The entire command bridge went silent as Admiral Kael Voss himself stepped out of the shadows, his gaze like a thunderstorm brewing over a calm sea. Every officer on the bridge froze, and even Leena¡¯s expression slipped just for an instant, before she regained her composure.

    "Admiral Voss," she said, inclining her head ever so slightly, but her tone was tinged with a faint challenge. "I wasn¡¯t aware you were observing."

    "Clearly," Voss replied, his voice a quiet storm. His gaze shifted to the screen, watching Rex and his troops battling their way through the sandstorm below. "You call these soldiers ¡¯disposable.¡¯ Do you think they¡¯d see themselves that way?" Stay connected through §Þ??

    Leena straightened and answered. "With all due respect, Admiral, they are the first wave. It¡¯s standard practice."

    Voss turned to face her fully, his eyes hard as steel. "Standard practice or not, every soldier down there is trusting us. And that man you call a¡¯reckless kid¡¯ has earned the loyalty of every one of those troops. How many of our so-called ¡¯elite¡¯ would follow you into that storm without hesitation?"

    Leena clenched her jaw, the tension in the air thickening.

    Voss¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "Patch me through to the surface."

    The communications officer stammered, his hands trembling as he connected the channel. Voss¡¯s voice, calm but carrying an undeniable authority, boomed through the communications to Rex and his soldiers below.

    "This is Admiral Kael Voss. To every trooper of Squad 201, know that your bravery is seen. Your grit is known. And reinforcements are coming."

    Down on the surface, the exhausted, battered soldiers looked up, eyes widening as they heard the admiral¡¯s voice echo through their helmets. Even Rex paused, a smile creeping across his face as he caught his breath.

    "Now that¡¯s what I call timing," he muttered, tightening his grip on his claymore. "Alright, Squad 201! Reinforcements or not, we¡¯re taking down that worm! Let¡¯s give them something to remember!"

    With a battle cry that cut through the storm, Rex surged forward, his squad rallying around him. The sandstorm raged, plasma bolts streaked through the air, and the relentless warriors of Squad 201 charged ahead, knowing they weren¡¯t alone and that their fight had finally, truly been recognized.

    "So, how¡¯d you pull it off, Cleo? How¡¯d you manage to get the Admiral himself to send us backup?" Rex asked, still sprinting through the sandstorm, dodging bioplasma blasts that lit up the haze around him.

    Cleo¡¯s voice came through his helmet communicator, as calm and unbothered as ever. "I didn¡¯t have to do much. Just forwarded him some video footage my drones have been capturing down here. Oh, and maybe included a few distasteful comments someone made about the courage of our ¡¯expendable¡¯ troops."

    Rex laughed, narrowly sidestepping a plasma shot that singed the ground beside him. "And that was enough to get his attention? I thought the big shots up there saw soldiers as nothing more than numbers."

    "Well, normally you¡¯d be right. But Admiral Kael Voss, he¡¯s different. Started as a mud-soaked rookie and clawed his way up to admiral. He knows what it means to fight on the ground." There was a hint of pride in Cleo¡¯s voice, even though she¡¯d never admit it.

    "Ahhh, so he¡¯s one of the good ones. Got it." Rex grinned, then added with a wink she couldn¡¯t see, "Nicely played, Cleo. Brains and beauty are always a deadly combo."

    Cleo¡¯s sigh came through the comms, though he could practically see her rolling her eyes. "Focus, Rex. We may have reinforcements, but if Ys doesn¡¯t reach that worm¡¯s core before they get here, this whole operation could go sideways."

    "I¡¯ll keep going on foot," he said with a smirk, giving his shoulders a stretch. "Still got plenty of energy left."

    Carlos shook his head, laughing. "Show-off."

    "Hey, you gotta keep the muscles pumped! The ladies love it," Rex said, flexing his arm with a mock-serious expression. "Besides, I¡¯m eating more these days; I gotta burn it off somehow."

    Carlos rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Just don¡¯t get yourself killed showing off. You know, us normal folks actually like the cover of an armored tank."

    As they continued forward, the soldiers behind them couldn¡¯t help but notice the way their leaders bantered, tossing jokes and insults back and forth like it was just another drill.

    For the troops, it was oddly comforting, a reminder that even in the middle of this brutal sandstorm, with bioplasma raining down and death at every corner, their captains weren¡¯t rattled. They were focused, ready, and unshaken.

    And somehow, watching Rex and Carlos crack jokes as they marched toward the towering worm on the horizon, the troops felt their own courage rising.

    The sandstorm may have been blinding, the plasma bolts deadly, but as long as they followed these two lunatics into the heart of chaos, they felt unstoppable.

    The path toward the worm only grew more brutal with every step. Swarms of Skydancers filled the air, their wings buzzing like a demonic symphony as they dove toward the hover tanks. The soldiers clinging to the tanks¡¯ armor had become makeshift turrets, firing at the Skydancers with relentless desperation.

    For every bug they took down, it felt like two more emerged from the storm. Despite their best efforts, the casualties were piling up, and the tanks¡¯ armor was starting to show the scars of relentless plasma fire and clawed assaults.

    Rex and Carlos pushed forward, undeterred, though even they could feel the weight of the onslaught. The tanks kept plowing through the sand, cannons booming, sending volleys of plasma at the K. Warriors surging forward like an endless tide.

    The Khryssari warriors showed no fear, no hesitation; they just kept coming, intent on tearing through anything in their path.

    One of the K. Warriors lunged at Rex with a massive claw, the strike powerful enough to shatter armor. But Rex met it with his bare hand, gripping the creature¡¯s claw mid-swipe with a steely grin. He then wrenched the claw back with a brutal twist, snapping it off cleanly.

    Without missing a beat, he spun, using the severed claw as a weapon, impaling an incoming K. Warrior through the chest. Then, with a single fluid motion, he drew his massive claymore and finished off the creature with a deadly, precise swing that cleaved it in two.

    Carlos, meanwhile, was blasting his way through the Skydancers, his hammer swinging in wide arcs, crushing exoskeletons and scattering alien limbs with each blow.

    The troops around him fought tooth and nail, holding the line as best they could, even as the enemy pressed closer, emboldened by the dwindling numbers of the human forces.

    Amid the chaos, Cleo¡¯s voice crackled through their communicators, cold and clear as ice.

    "Guys... It¡¯s too late. The reinforcements have arrived."

 Chapter 59: A taste of true power.

    Rex¡¯s stomach tightened. He knew what that meant: if the main fleet was already here, they¡¯d lost the small window they had to take out the worm¡¯s core without interference.

    His mind raced, thinking of Ys that was still deep inside the worm, moving toward the core. If the reinforcements didn¡¯t coordinate with her mission, they could easily blow the whole operation and kill her together with the worm.

    "Cleo," Rex growled into his comm, dodging another incoming Skydancer as he ran, "what kind of reinforcements? Ground troops? Air support?"

    "Everything," she replied, her tone grim. "They brought the heavy artillery and aerial squads. They¡¯re mobilizing now and will likely engage any second."

    Rex clenched his jaw, sparing a glance at Carlos, who had also heard the news. Carlos gave a grim nod. There was no time to waste; if they hesitated now, Ys¡¯s mission would be compromised, and all their sacrifices would mean nothing.

    "Listen up, everyone!" Rex shouted over the squad comms, his voice ringing with authority. "Reinforcements or not, our objective hasn¡¯t changed. We have to keep the Khryssari focused on us. So dig in, give it everything you¡¯ve got, and keep those damn bugs busy."

    Carlos turned to his troops, his face set in determination. "You heard the captain! Push forward! Let¡¯s make sure they remember who Squad 201 is!"

    With renewed vigor, the soldiers rallied, pushing back against the relentless waves of Skydancers and K. Warriors. Plasma bolts streaked across the sands, explosions lighting up the storm as the tanks barreled forward, smashing through the enemy lines.

    In the distance, Rex could see the faint shapes of the incoming reinforcements, massive dropships lowering to the surface, flanked by swift fighter jets that tore through the skies, their engines roaring over the battlefield. The cavalry had arrived. but whether they¡¯d be allies or a complication was anyone¡¯s guess.

    All he could do now was trust that Ys was fast enough, that Cleo could buy them more time with her drones, and that the soldiers of Squad 201 would hold out long enough to see the mission through.

    He lifted his claymore, blood-streaked and gleaming, and let out a fierce battle cry that echoed across the sands. "Squad 201! Charge! Let¡¯s give ¡¯em hell!"

    With that, Rex surged forward, his troops following close behind, each of them knowing they were fighting on borrowed time, so they were fighting with everything they had.

    Rex could see the truth as clear as day; even with his troops giving everything they had, it was impossible to break through any faster. Every inch they gained came at a price, and time was slipping through his fingers. Finally, he made a desperate call.

    "Carlos!" he shouted, voice thick with urgency. "Take over here! I¡¯m going in alone!"

    "W-wait, what do you mean!?" Carlos yelled back, but before he could get an answer, a blinding flash of white light burst around Rex, and in the next instant, he was gone, shooting into the sky like a comet, his powerful wings slicing through the storm.

    "Sigh... seriously?" Cleo¡¯s voice came through his communicator, a mix of exasperation and fondness. "What do you think you¡¯re doing, Rex?"

    "Ys is in danger, Cleo," he replied, his tone deadly serious. "I can¡¯t just stand here waiting for her to finish the mission before the reinforcements bomb that worm to oblivion." As he soared upward, Skydancers swarmed him from all sides, but he dispatched them with ruthless efficiency, his wings carving through them as he climbed higher.

    "Fine! Bring it on!" Rex growled, clenching his fists, feeling the searing energy course through his body.

    Then he heard something strange, a soft melody humming through his earpiece. "Wait... Cleo? Are you... are you singing?"

    Her voice came through, sweet and rich, the melody something haunting and otherworldly. Her song resonated with the energy in his chest, amplifying it and making it burn hotter, brighter.

    He could feel his body transforming, growing larger and stronger. His muscles swelled, his armor thickening as the nanomaterial wove over him like a second skin, crafting a sleek, powerful exosuit.

    He looked down at himself as his height surged. three meters, four, five, until he stood a colossal six meters tall, encased in shimmering white and golden mecha armor.

    His wings transformed too, taking on a mechanical form, each feather replaced with razor-sharp metal that shimmered with an ethereal white aura. He raised his hands, marveling at the sheer strength coursing through them; they looked like the arms of a battlesuit, reinforced and ready to tear through anything in his path.

    And all the while, Cleo¡¯s voice continued to sing, the melody feeding his power and filling him with an unstoppable energy. His HUD blinked, displaying a single line of text:

    [What are you waiting for? 9 minutes left.]

    "Oh... right!" Rex snapped back to reality, his eyes locking onto the worm in the distance. Now, even the massive creature didn¡¯t seem quite so intimidating.

    Below him, the Khryssari warriors froze, momentarily paralyzed by the sight of this newly transformed behemoth, their primitive minds struggling to process the towering, glowing figure hovering above them.

    "Well then, if you¡¯re not coming to me..." Rex grinned, feeling the power surging through him, "then I¡¯ll just come to you!"

    With a single, mighty flap of his wings, he launched forward, cutting through the air like a missile. Plasma blasts from the Khryssari barely fazed him now, ricocheting harmlessly off his new armor.

    His vision was sharper, his senses heightened; every Skydancer in his path was sliced down with effortless precision as he barreled toward the worm, a force of nature, unstoppable.

    Cleo¡¯s voice whispered in his ear, softer now. "Rex, be careful."

    He smirked. "With you watching my back, Cleo? I¡¯m invincible."

    The worm loomed closer, its massive, writhing form finally within striking distance. Rex grinned, raising his fist as he prepared to plunge straight into the beast, no longer just a soldier but a living weapon.

    And with Cleo¡¯s voice guiding him, he felt ready to face whatever came next.

 Chapter 60: A taste of true power (2)

    ("Rex, you don¡¯t need to go through the worm¡¯s mouth anymore,") Cleo¡¯s voice echoed in his mind, steady and calm, even as her singing continued to weave their fusion together. ("We have enough power now to pierce its hide. Just go straight in.")

    Rex¡¯s grin widened. "Got it! Time to play the bullet." In place of his usual massive claymore, he crafted a gigantic lance, its gleaming tip razor-sharp, aimed dead ahead.

    With a single powerful beat of his wings, he shot forward like a missile. The lance tore through the worm¡¯s thick, leathery hide, sending a tremor through the massive creature¡¯s entire body as Rex punched straight into its flesh.

    He found himself floating in the eerie, pulsating green glow of the worm¡¯s insides, surrounded by the alien chittering of Khryssari warriors swarming toward him.

    Just as he prepared to craft another weapon, Cleo¡¯s voice cut in. ("Wait. I¡¯ll handle them; your focus needs to be on finding Ys. I can¡¯t establish contact with her communicator for some reason.")

    "Understood, Ill get to it." With a powerful flap of his mechanoid wings, Rex launched himself deeper into the worm, blasting forward at terrifying speed. Around him, blades began materializing out of thin air; they were sleek, elegant swords he¡¯d never seen before, summoned by Cleo¡¯s power.

    They spiraled around him in perfect synchronization, forming a rotating barrier of razor-sharp steel. The Khryssari who dared approach were instantly shredded, their bodies disintegrating as they touched the barrier. Read exclusive adventures at novelhall.Co?m

    "Rex," Cleo said, her voice focused. ("I¡¯ve detected a lifeform ahead. The signal matches Ys. Head that way.")

    "Thank the stars; she¡¯s okay. But why isn¡¯t she moving?" Rex narrowed his eyes, picking up speed as he hurtled through the worm¡¯s tunnels, slicing through wave after wave of Khryssari.

    After what felt like an eternity, he finally burst into a chamber where Ys was standing, her back against the wall, claws outstretched to brace herself.

    The instant he stopped, the force of his arrival sent a shockwave through the chamber, nearly knocking Ys off her feet. Thanfully, she was fast enough to dug her claws into the flesh of the worm¡¯s insides, steadying herself as she gazed up at him with wide eyes.

    "Ys!" Rex called out, extending one massive hand to her. "Are you okay? Why weren¡¯t you answering your communicator?"

    "Darling!~ Is that... you?" Ys¡¯s eyes sparkled with a mix of surprise and admiration as she took in his colossal, armored form. "You¡¯re... even bigger than before! And, well, about the communicator, you see, the thing is..."

    But before she could explain, Cleo¡¯s urgent voice cut through. "Rex, we¡¯re out of time. The allied reinforcements have arrived, and they¡¯re directly above us. They¡¯re preparing to bombard the worm. You need to get out. Now."

    Rex¡¯s face tightened, adrenaline spiking. "Cleo, how strong are we right now? And how much time do we have left?"

    Cleo¡¯s reply came swiftly, but there was a hint of tension in her voice. ("While I¡¯m more of a command and control AI, in this form, I¡¯m strong enough to slice this worm in half. But we only have 30 seconds left on the fusion. Please, Rex, escape while you can.")

    Rex¡¯s gaze hardened, determination flooding his face. "Thirty seconds... then let¡¯s make it count." He looked down at Ys, who had climbed onto his shoulder, gripping tightly. "Hold on, Ys! We¡¯re making an express exit!"

    With a thought, Rex summoned his claymore, but this time it was different; it was larger and brighter, a blade crafted of pure energy and nanomaterial. The massive sword glowed with a blinding white light, traced with streaks of gold, its form pulsing with barely contained power. It looked less like a weapon and more like a part of a divine mech suit, forged to split worlds.

    "Hahahaha~, my dear, reckless niece... becoming partner with one of the Kaelzars, one of our sworn enemies!" The Hive Mind Queen reclined in her massive, silken throne, her gaze fixed on a living Khryssari projector.

    It was a massive beetle-like creature with an iridescent shell, casting a hazy, greenish hologram that displayed the events inside the worm moments before it had been cleaved in half.

    She watched as Ys, her niece, stood side by side with that towering, armored Kaelzar. The memory of their combined energy still lingered, tickling her mind with its raw, chaotic power.

    "Ahhh~, that surge of mental energy!" The Queen closed her eyes, savoring the memory like fine wine. "It¡¯s been far too long since I felt something like that... since the wars with the Kaelzar. Those self-righteous warriors were powerful, yes, but so rigid! So bound by their precious honor."

    She let out a sigh, part longing, part mocking. "They were no match for the collective mind. In the end, all their strength meant nothing."

    She opened her eyes and looked down at her hand, where she held Ys¡¯s communicator, a small, innocuous device, but one that held the key to so much intrigue. She turned it over slowly, considering it, her expression one of dark amusement.

    "Now, what shall I do with this little piece of information?" she murmured, her eyes glittering. "Oh, Y¡¯Ssera, my dear niece. You may be useful to me yet."

    Meanwhile, aboard the flagship of the Allied Forces, Admiral Kael Voss stood at the edge of the command bridge, his arms crossed as he watched the live feed of the reinforcements landing on the surface below. His face was set in a stern expression, his gaze sharp and unyielding.

    "Sir," a voice interrupted from behind him. Leena Valrix approached, datapad in hand, her tone a careful balance of respect and professionalism. "We¡¯ve just received a report regarding the giant worm."

    Voss turned to face her, his brow furrowed. "Go on."

    Leena handed him the datapad, glancing at the screen. "The officer in charge of the gunboat division reports that by the time they arrived, the worm was... well, it was already dead, sir."

    The admiral raised an eyebrow. "Already dead? Who¡¯s responsible?"

    Leena hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "The soldiers on the scene say it looked like the worm was... blown up from the inside, sir. There was no external damage to suggest bombardment."

    Voss¡¯s eyes narrowed, thoughtful. "And the worm¡¯s core? Do we have it in our possession?"

    Leena shook her head. "No, sir. According to the troops, the core was missing when they arrived. Whoever or whatever killed that worm from the inside likely used its core energy to finish it off."

    "Mmm..." Voss stroked his chin, piecing it together. It sounded like the work of an outsider, someone with a unique set of skills and a disregard for protocol.

    His mind drifted to that squad of reckless soldiers, the ones who had survived the impossible. The ones who operated just outside the edges of Allied rules.

    "And what of our¡¯shiny¡¯ friend?" Voss asked, referring to Rex, a hint of wry humor in his voice.

    Leena hesitated, her face betraying a flicker of uncertainty. "Sir, about that..." she began, looking down at her datapad as if it held the answer.

 Chapter 61: Corruption.

    Voss¡¯s eyebrow rose. "Out with it, Leena."

    She took a deep breath. "We... We don¡¯t have a confirmed visual on him, sir. But reports suggest he and another individual were found a few kilometers away of the bug, one fitting the description of the higher-ups secret objective."

    Voss¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile. "So, he made it out alive. And it seems our friend has a knack for making strange allies." He chuckled softly, shaking his head in amusement.

    Leena¡¯s expression was cautious. "Sir, should we pursue him? He technically violated a number of Allied protocols, entering combat without orders, using unauthorized weaponry, and now consorting with an enemy operative."

    Voss held up a hand, cutting her off. "Not yet. We¡¯ll keep an eye on him, but for now, let him play his games. He has a talent for stirring things up, and in war, sometimes chaos is useful. Especially when dealing with an enemy like the Khryssari."

    Leena seemed taken aback but nodded. "Understood, sir."

    Voss turned back to the screen, watching as the last of the reinforcements touched down, securing the area. He thought of Rex and his unusual companions, warriors who fought not for orders or duty but for each other. It was rare in this galaxy to have that kind of loyalty. And for now, he¡¯d let them keep their secrets.

    In a low voice, almost to himself, he murmured, "The game is only beginning... and this guy may just be the wild card we need."

    Meanwhile, on the planet¡¯s surface, Rex and Ys had been picked up by an Allied medical team and were en route to the frontlines HQ.

    The rough ride of the transport didn¡¯t help Rex¡¯s condition since every jolt sent a fresh spike of pain through his battered body. Lying on a stretcher, he managed a pained grin as Ys leaned over him, concern evident in her large, expressive eyes.

    "Darling, how are you feeling?" she asked softly, her voice tinged with worry. "Does it still hurt?"

    Rex chuckled, though it quickly turned into a grimace. "Oh, don¡¯t worry about me, I¡¯m fine. Just, you know, painful enough that it hurts to breathe, blink, or move any part of my body. No big deal."

    Ys frowned, catching the sarcasm in his voice. "I¡¯m serious, Rex. That fusion took a toll on you."

    He sighed, the attempt at humor dropping as he looked up at her. "Yeah, it hurts like hell. But I¡¯ll live. I¡¯ve been through worse, I think.... probably?"

    She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, her touch light but reassuring. "You did something incredible, you know that? You saved us. I don¡¯t know what would have happened if you hadn¡¯t come."

    Rex gave her a lopsided smile. "What, you think I¡¯d let you go off alone and have all the fun?" His eyes softened, the mask of bravado slipping for a moment. "I¡¯d fight a thousand worms if it meant keeping you safe, Ys."

    A faint blush touched her cheeks, and she quickly looked away, trying to hide the warmth in her expression. "Just don¡¯t push yourself so hard next time, alright?"

    The medic jolted as it hit a rough patch, and Rex winced, clutching his side. "Easy for you to say," he groaned, "you weren¡¯t the one getting stabbed with needles and turned into a six-meter mech-beast."

    She stifled a laugh though her eyes shone with affection. "Well, for what it¡¯s worth, you made one very impressive¡¯mech ¡¯beast.¡¯"

    Carlos squared his shoulders, stepping closer with a defiant grin. "Oh, bring it on, grandma. I¡¯ve taken down beasts twice your size."

    Ys cracked her knuckles, smirking back. "Hope you¡¯re ready to make that ego of yours a casualty."

    Just as Carlos and Ys squared off, a stern-faced nurse barged in between them, her presence cutting through the tension like a knife. She folded her arms, glaring up at the towering soldiers.

    "Keep your voices down," she said sharply. "This is a medical zone. There are wounded here who need rest. Fighting is strictly prohibited. If you don¡¯t settle down, I¡¯ll be forced to call the military police."

    Carlos immediately dropped his head, doing his best to look polite. "Uh, we weren¡¯t fighting, ma¡¯am. Just... just joking around. Sorry for the noise. We¡¯ll keep it down."

    The nurse¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver. "Good. There won¡¯t be another warning. Kindly follow the rules." She gave them both a brief, scolding nod before striding off to tend to other patients.

    Ys, barely containing her laughter, giving Carlos a smirk. "Aw, look at you, all obedient and apologetic. I didn¡¯t know you could be so submissive to a ¡¯weak organism.¡¯"

    Carlos clenched his fists, muttering under his breath. "You got a real big mouth for someone who barely reaches my shoulder, pocket-sized grandma."

    Ys stretched out lazily, looking entirely unbothered. "You go on with your macho posturing. I¡¯ll be right here, going back to sleep."

    Carlos grumbled, ready to retort, but before he could get another word in, a voice cracked over the communicator.

    "Be advised," Cleo¡¯s calm tone came through the static. "Officers of the allied forces are on their way to your location."

    Carlos and Rex exchanged looks, eyebrows raised, each silently accusing the other with a "what did you do this time?" expression. They barely had a moment to process the warning when the doors swung open, and an officer in a sharply pressed uniform stormed in, flanked by guards.

    He took a moment to scan the room with a cold, disdainful gaze before his voice boomed out. "Which one of you is the captain of Squad 201?"

    The nurse, hearing his loud voice, hurried over again, her face pale but determined. "Sir, please keep it down. This is a hospital, and our patients need¡ª"

    The officer shot her an icy glare, cutting her off. His lips twisted into a mocking smile as he raised his hand, preparing to strike her for her silence. But before his hand could connect, there was a flash of movement, a blur of black and green.

    A dagger materialized in his hand, embedded there so deeply that he barely registered the pain at first. But as the toxins from Ys¡¯s weapon seeped in, his bravado crumbled. His face went pale, and his hand began to tremble, blood trickling down his wrist.

    He let out a shrill, undignified scream. "Gyaaaaaaa! Who did this? I want the one responsible dead!"

    The room went silent, save for his ragged breathing, as he sank to his knees, clutching his injured hand. Everyone¡¯s gaze shifted toward Ys, who stood calmly, her eyes gleaming with barely-contained menace.

    "It was me,"

 Chapter 62: Showing off (Again)

    "It was me," Ys said, her voice icy and resolute, echoing through the stunned silence.

    Her green eyes were sharp and unforgiving. She tilted her head, with a smirk dancing on her lips as she added, "Now, you¡¯d better keep your voice down. I wouldn¡¯t want to disturb the patients."

    Carlos snorted, crossing his arms. "Looks like our little ¡¯pocket-sized grandma¡¯ has some bite, huh?"

    She gave him a sidelong glance, flashing a smile that was anything but sweet. "Oh, don¡¯t worry, baldy. There¡¯s plenty more where that came from; do you want one too?."

    Rex leaned back, arms behind his head, looking perfectly content. "Well, this got interesting. Mind if I just sit back and watch?"

    Carlos grinned, pushing him. "Better hold on to that sense of humor, buddy. Looks like we¡¯re in for one hell of a show."

    The officer finally managed to take a breath when Ys removed her dagger from his hand. Though the toxins from her blood-coated blade sent pain searing through his hand, they wouldn¡¯t kill him since Ys had full control over her toxins.

    She then leaned down, smirking as she wiped her dagger clean on his pristine uniform, adding insult to injury.

    The officer¡¯s face twisted in fury. "What are you all doing just standing there? Take her down! Now!" His words came out in a furious spray, eyes wild and rabid, like a cornered animal.

    At his command, the allied guards raised their weapons, aiming straight at her. She barely glanced at them, her living armor shimmering around her in a protective layer that would make their guns as effective as water pistols. But Rex was in no mood to let anyone point a gun at his woman.

    With a single fluid motion, Rex crafted a massive claymore, the blade materializing in his hand like a bolt from the gods. He hurled it to the ground at the guards¡¯ feet, the sword piercing the earth with a deafening thud and sending up a cloud of red dust. The ground trembled, as if warning everyone in the room.

    "What¡¯s the meaning of this, little officer?" Rex¡¯s voice was calm, but his gaze was that of a lion sizing up prey. "Weren¡¯t you looking for me?" He raised his head slightly, almost mockingly. "Ah, where are my manners? I¡¯m Captain Rex of Squad 201, the one you¡¯ve been so eager to meet."

    The officer¡¯s rage only deepened, his face turning an alarming shade of purple. "I don¡¯t care who you are! Kill them! Now! They¡¯re just disposable cannon fodder!" His voice cracked as he screamed, blinded by fury and the arrogance of privilege. He was just a spoiled brat masquerading as a commander.

    But the injured soldiers around him had heard every word. Slowly, painfully, they began to rise, each one grabbing whatever weapon they could find, pointing their guns, knives, or even broken metal shards toward the allied guards.

    In the field, even the wounded carried their weapons at all times since one never knew when the enemy might strike, even in a hospital. And now, staring down these arrogant guards, every battered soldier seemed ready to defend their own with grim determination.

    The allied guards looked around nervously, glancing from one defiant face to the next, until one by one, they began lowering their weapons, dropping their guns to the ground, and raising their hands in surrender.

    Carlos smirked, clapping Rex on the back. "Didn¡¯t know you were such a heartbreaker with the guys, Captain."

    Rex chuckled, crossing his arms with a shrug. "Neither did I. But hey, if it works in our favor, I¡¯ll take it. And just so you know, I¡¯m not into men."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, feigning innocence. "Me? Cause an incident? I¡¯m a model citizen!."

    The Aegis Sentinels pulled the officer ahead of them, his face a mixture of fury and terror. Rex walked past him, clapping him on the shoulder. "Cheer up, officer. HQ¡¯s going to love hearing all about how you bravely called us ¡¯cannon fodder.¡¯"

    The officer sputtered, trying to shake Rex¡¯s hand off his shoulder, but Rex¡¯s grip was unyielding. "You¡¯ll pay for this! My family has connections you can¡¯t even imagine!"

    "Oh, I believe it," Rex said smoothly. "Which is why I¡¯m really looking forward to meeting them."

    Rex, Ys, and Carlos strode forward, the Aegis Sentinels dragging their fuming prisoner in tow. Around them, the soldiers, medics, and injured warriors watched in awe and amusement, whispers spreading like wildfire.

    "Hey, check that out," one of the battered first-wave survivors nudged his companion, nodding toward the small group up ahead.

    "What are you talking about?... Wait, isn¡¯t that the captain of Squad 201? What¡¯s he doing here?"

    "Dunno. Let¡¯s follow him. There might be something worth seeing."

    With that, the two soldiers started moving, trailing behind Rex¡¯s team. As they walked, more soldiers began to notice, joining the quiet procession. By the time Rex¡¯s group reached the improvised HQ tent, they had gathered a small army of curious, battle-scarred onlookers.

    But just as the crowd approached the HQ, a squad of guards stepped in their path, weapons raised in warning. An imposing hover tank loomed behind them; its cannon was already pointing directly at the mass of approaching soldiers.

    A guard with a bright red helmet stepped forward, his stance tense and unyielding. "Who are all of you? State your purpose for gathering here!"

    Rex let out a laugh, just barely managing to keep a straight face. He took a few steps forward, giving the red-helmeted guard an exaggeratedly innocent look. "Oh, me? I¡¯m just the humble captain of Squad 201. You know, a poor, injured soldier just minding my own business in the medical bay."

    He sniffled dramatically, wiping an imaginary tear from his eye. "...when this guy over here decided to threaten my life. He said he was going to kill me, treating me with guards and status and all that scary stuff. I was so frightened." He threw in a shaky sob for effect.

    Carlos¡¯s face was totally in disbelief, his eyes narrowing as he tried to hold back a laugh. Meanwhile, Ys looked like she¡¯d seen a ghost, her jaw hanging open in shock as Rex continued his absurd performance. She was clearly not prepared for this shameless display.

    "Are... are you serious right now?" Carlos muttered under his breath, barely able to contain his amusement.

    But Rex was committed. He clutched at his chest, looking up at the guards with big, imploring eyes, every bit the picture of an innocent victim. "Please... please protect me from this mean officer. I don¡¯t know what I did to make him so angry!"

    Just as he was reaching the peak of his melodramatic nonsense, the flap of the HQ tent burst open, and an imposing figure stepped out, flanked by several elite soldiers from Nexum Dynamics. They wore pitch-black armor, their visors gleaming under the harsh lights, each one radiating a deadly calm.

    The new arrival looked between the trembling officer, who was still held firmly by the Aegis Sentinels, and Rex, who had suddenly straightened up, dropping the act as he met the figure¡¯s gaze with a cool stare.

 Chapter 63: The next mission.

    The figure¡¯s mouth twisted into a slight smirk. "Captain Rex, I assume?" The voice was smooth, but there was a sharpness to it, like a blade hidden under silk.

    Rex crossed his arms, his earlier theatrics forgotten, replaced by a hard, unflinching gaze. "Depends on who¡¯s asking."

    The officer, still pale and furious, struggled in the grip of the Sentinels, sputtering. "This man... this man assaulted me in the medical bay! I demand justice!"

    The figure in black armor raised a gloved hand, silencing the officer with a mere flick of the wrist. "Enough." Her gaze shifted back to Rex, appraising him. "I¡¯ve heard... interesting things about you, Captain. It seems you have a way of attracting attention."

    Rex shrugged, a half-smile playing on his lips. "What can I say? People just love a good underdog."

    From behind, Carlos couldn¡¯t resist. "Underdog? You¡¯re about as subtle as a tank, Rex."

    Ys elbowed him, hissing under her breath, "Quiet you, don¡¯t interrupt my darling."

    The figure in black armor looked at the ragtag group behind Rex, the crowd of wounded, battle-worn soldiers who had followed him here, standing resolutely despite the threat of guns and tanks. A flicker of something unreadable passed over her face, and she nodded almost imperceptibly.

    "Captain Rex," she said, her voice carrying a strange mix of amusement and approval, "you and your entourage... are invited inside." She gestured toward the tent, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. "We wouldn¡¯t want to keep HQ waiting."

    With a casual nod, Rex walked forward, his confidence unshaken, Carlos and Ys flanking him like loyal shadows. The crowd of soldiers behind them moved as one, a silent wall of support. The guards lowered their weapons, exchanging uneasy glances as they watched the unconventional procession enter the HQ.

    As they passed the red-helmeted guard, Rex threw him a wink. "See? I told you I was a big deal."

    Carlos stifled a snort, Ys just shook her head, and the officer was still in the iron grip of the Aegis Sentinels since he could do nothing but stare, his face a mask of humiliation and barely contained rage.

    Inside the tent, the lights cast long shadows, and the air was thick with tension. But Rex strode forward without a trace of hesitation, his team close behind, ready to face whatever came next.

    The woman in pitch-black armor folded her arms, her eyes narrowing as she addressed Rex. "Now then, before we proceed, would you be so kind as to release the officer?" She gestured gracefully toward the disgraced man still in the firm grip of the Aegis units.

    "Oh, right. I almost forgot about the dog who wouldn¡¯t stop barking," Rex said with a dismissive wave of his hand, not even sparing the officer a glance. His words made the woman¡¯s eye twitch; her irritation barely contained behind a practiced, steely expression.

    The Aegis units took his command with a bit too much enthusiasm, letting go of the officer as if he were a sack of garbage. He landed face-first on the ground with a dull thud, groaning as he scrambled to get up, looking utterly humiliated in front of everyone.

    Rex kept his poker face, turning back to the woman with a slight smirk. "Alright, I¡¯ve done you a favor. Now that we¡¯re all getting along so well, mind telling me who you are?"

    Leena¡¯s composure was visibly cracking, her frustration heating up to a near boiling point. "That worm was only taken down because my troops supported the operation!" Her voice held a barely contained edge of irritation.

    "Ha!?" Rex raised an eyebrow, making a face that could only be described as classic hooligan intimidation. "Your reinforcements? What reinforcements? By the time you guys arrived, we¡¯d already done the job. I was the one who killed it."

    Leena let out a disdainful chuckle, folding her arms with a smug smile. "Oh really? Do you have any proof that you took down the worm? Taking credit for something someone else did is a serious crime, Captain. Or maybe you didn¡¯t know?"

    "Oh, I have proof, alright," Rex replied, still wearing that annoying calm smile.

    Leena scoffed, her smile widening. "What are you going to show me? A scrap of worm hide you scavenged after my ships bombarded it to pieces."

    Rex chuckled, shaking his head. "Nah, that would be dumb, wouldn¡¯t it? After all, anyone who fought alongside me could pull a scrap of worm skin. No, General, I¡¯ve got something a bit more... conclusive." He extended his hand toward Ys, who was standing calmly beside him.

    With a practiced motion, Ys reached into the backpack she¡¯d been carrying and pulled out a gemstone, a deep, emerald green orb about the size of a bowling ball. The moment Leena¡¯s eyes landed on it, her smug expression vanished completely, replaced by a look of pure shock.

    Rex took his time, circling around behind her, lowering his voice to a whisper as he leaned in close to her ear. "You know, General, someone told me that stealing another person¡¯s achievements is a serious offense." He smirked, enjoying every second of her discomfort.

    "What do you suppose would happen to someone who committed such a... horrendous act?" Leena¡¯s jaw tightened, but her words were nowhere to be found. Enjoy more content from novelhall.Co?m

    Rex straightened up, his grin widening as he addressed her loud enough for everyone around them to hear. "So, General Leena, should we continue our discussion about the penalties for, let¡¯s say, falsely claiming someone else¡¯s victory?"

    The soldiers and guards nearby were all staring now, some with open admiration, others with barely concealed amusement. The once-imposing general was visibly shaken, her face drained of all its arrogance.

    Just then, as Rex was savoring the moment, a soft voice came from behind him. The blue screen on the command console lit up, and an authoritative voice echoed through the space.

    "Captain Rex, I think that¡¯s enough teasing."

    Rex turned, a bit surprised, to see a high-ranking official on the display, watching him with a raised eyebrow. The room fell silent, tension thick in the air as the screen flickered slightly, casting an eerie glow across the gathered crowd.

    Rex chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Ah, just making sure everyone knows the full story, sir."

    The official gave a small, knowing smile. "Trust me, Captain, your unique way of handling things has already made an impression." He glanced briefly at General Leena, whose face was still frozen in a mix of anger and humiliation, before his gaze returned to Rex.

    "Now, if we¡¯re done with the theatrics, perhaps we can proceed with the debrief."

 Chapter 64: Reward? (R18)

    After a bit of total silence, Rex''s grin only widened. "Of course, sir. Anything to keep things professional." He shot one last look at Leena, who was doing her best to regain her composure, and gave her a mock salute.

    As the General stood there, her expression a blend of frustration and defeat, Carlos leaned over to Ys, whispering, "That''s twice in one day she''s been shut down. Almost feel bad for her."

    Ys smirked, her gaze fixed on Rex. "Almost."

    Rex then clapped his hands together, his voice cheerful as he addressed the troops around him. "Alright, show''s over, everyone! Let''s get back to saving the world or whatever it is we''re paid to do."

    The gathered soldiers chuckled, some even applauding as they began to disperse, leaving Leena standing alone, staring daggers at Rex''s back. And as he walked away, Ys and Carlos moved to his side.

    "Wait a second there, Captain Rex; we still have something to discuss," the high-ranking officer said while his image was crackling on the screen.

    Rex paused for a bit when he heard those words, making him turn back with a puzzled look. "Hmm? Wasn''t the issue with the worm dealt with? What else is there to talk about?"

    "I think you''re misunderstanding something here, Captain," the officer replied, his voice calm but firm. "I didn''t call you here about that matter. That''s between you and the general. I called you because I have a mission for you of a critical value."

    The officer straightened, his eyes narrowing with purpose. "Oh, where are my manners? Allow me to introduce myself. I''m Admiral Kael Voss, commander of the battle currently raging over your heads and supreme commander of this entire allied fleet."

    At the mention of his name, Rex''s expression shifted. Since he recognized that name since it was the same name Cleo had mentioned before, he was the one who''d sent reinforcements. Rex''s posture tightened with respect. "Admiral, forgive my lack of formality. I didn''t realize."

    "There''s no need for courtesy between us, Captain," Voss replied with a slight nod. "I value talent, especially in young soldiers with promise, like yourself. Now, back to the mission at hand. You''ve experienced how brutal it is fighting in that sandstorm, haven''t you?"

    As Voss spoke, a series of grainy, chaotic clips played on the screen. It was the footage from the spy drones that captured the massacre inside the storm.

    "As you can see, the sandstorm doesn''t favor infantry," Voss continued, "but in the air, it changes the rules entirely. Our ships are crippled, unable to provide support. But the Khryssari Skydancers... they adapt. Their organic forms allow them to navigate that chaos, to lend strength to their ground forces."

    He leaned closer to the screen, his voice dropping. "But what if I told you this sandstorm is artificial?"

    With a flick of his hand, Voss brought up a massive map of the planet. The image zoomed in on a desolate area behind enemy lines, where a strange device pulsed ominously. "Our scouts discovered a Khryssari machine. This device is what''s sustaining the storm over this entire region."

    Rex studied the map, his eyes narrowing. "So... our mission is to destroy that device?"

    "Exactly," Voss confirmed. "After two hours that your squad breaches the frontline, we''ll begin a massive deployment to push the Khryssari back. Whether this battle ends in victory or defeat hinges on you taking down that device."

    The image on the screen shifted to show the target again, the machine looming in the shadows. Voss''s gaze was unyielding as he looked Rex straight in the eye. "Once that device is destroyed, the storm will clear. We''ll have air superiority, and our fleet will crush them from above. So, Captain... are you up for this task?"

    Whatever game they were playing, he was pretty sure he''d walked right into it, and oddly enough, he didn''t mind one bit.

    "Mmm, this is actually delicious. Have you tried it before, Ys?" Rex asked, glancing over at her as he ate off the last bite since Cleo had disappeared to the second floor, leaving just the two of them alone in the cargo bay.

    She let out a low mischievous laugh, her green eyes gleaming. "Oh, I can''t eat that, darling. It''s a... special dish, just for men. I think the effects should be starting to kick in about now," she said, her voice dropping into a soft, devilish tone as she watched him intently.

    Rex blinked, curiosity flickering in his eyes. "Just for males? What''s it made of?"

    "Elphey egg~," she replied with a teasing smile playing at her lips.

    He shrugged, unfazed. "Never heard of it... so what? Does it make me more handsome or something?"

    While Rex was busy with his last bite, Ys had already consumed the core she''d been holding. Now, as he looked up, he noticed something different. She was... taller. A lot taller. Her whole demeanor had shifted; where there''d once been a playful, almost girlish air, now there was a striking, mature beauty that caught him completely off guard.

    "Mmm... Ys?" he stammered, his voice trailing off.

    "Shhh..." She placed a finger gently against his lips, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I heard someone''s been searching for a reward~. Would you happen to know who that is?" Her voice was soft, almost a whisper, but laced with an irresistible allure.

    Before he could respond, she leaned in closer, the warmth of her presence making his pulse quicken. With a smirk, he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her against him. "Mmm, maybe I do... but information like that doesn''t come cheap, you know."

    "Aha~, is that so?" Ys teased, pressing a finger to his chest and pushing him back until he was seated on one of the metal crates scattered around the cargo bay. "And how exactly does one pay for such valuable information?"

    Rex grinned, his eyes never leaving hers. "Well, nothing''s free in this life, little girl."

    She laughed softly, sliding onto his lap with a sultry look, her fingers tracing slow circles on his chest. "Lucky for you, I came prepared," she murmured.

    In one smooth motion, the green and black armor she wore began to dissolve, leaving her in a simple black top that hugged her form, accentuating every curve, and a pair of shorts that barely covered her toned legs.

    Rex felt his throat tighten, his usual confident composure faltering for a moment as his eyes took her in. She was breathtaking, every detail of her refined, her gaze holding him captive. All he could manage was a faint, involuntary sound.

    "Gulp."

    Ys chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction as she leaned in even closer, her breath warm against his ear. "Now, Captain," she whispered to his ear, "tell me... what is it you really want as your reward?"

 Chapter 65: Reward? (2) [R18]

    The whispear near his ear felt like a devil lullaby; it was so sweety... so entrancing... so sensual...

    Rex was at a loss for words; while he was fine while flirting as it was his second nature, he had never before come this far with a girl before. "What I want..." Rex could just mutter those words, but knowing it was useless, he better did what he knew best.

    And that was act before thinking, He moved his hands toward Ys legs and placed the palm of his hands on them, feeling their warmth and softness that was contrary to the strength that Ys usually show; he was expecting firm muscle legs, but somehow they were soft, too soft.

    His fingers were even burying slightly on her thighs while he squished them.

    "Aha, so is this what my darling wants~?" Ys said with her alluring voice before standing up.

    "Darling, while I think you look hot in that armor, don''t you think right now is unnecessary?"

    Without a second thought, he desactivates his armor, leaving him only in his white shirt and black pants while looking at Ys like an obedient kid, and that made the dominating nature of Ys come to light.

    "Aha~, thats a nice expression you have there, darling... and that over there seems to be even more eager than you to receive its reward." Ys said while looking down at Rex''s mighty road that was already standing like a tower while biting her lip.

    "Mmm, it seems that the egg already made its effect." She then started to move her fingers down, from Rex''s chin to his chest, going even lower to his abdomen, before stopping on the top of Rex''s mighty rod, sending him pleasure just by feeling that.

    "Kuh!" Rex tried to resist the urge of his mighty rod to explode.

    "Aww, poor you; you should be suffering; let me help you a little," she said with a sensual voice before kneeling in front of Rex''s legs and pulling down his pants.

    "Aha~, it seems like my darling has something wonderful right here," she said while licking her lips and staring at Rex''s exposed rod.

    "Ha, I''m glad you like it, but are you just going to watch it?" Rex could finally calm down enough to say something.

    "Aha~, the little lion cub finally grows some teeth." Ys said while teasing Rex.

    "Well then, shall we finally give the kid his reward?" She then turned around and sat on Rex''s legs while sliding Rex rod between her soft tights, but when she did that, Rex couldn''t handle it anymore.

    "Kuh, fuck wait a second," Rex grabbed Ys from her hips while he let a big quantity of cum on top of her legs.

    "Hahaha, that''s an amazing quantity, darling~; it seems the egg was too effective on you." Ys said while covering the head of Rex mighty rod, and after a few seconds the cum finally stopped coming out, leaving a mess on Ys legs.

    She then stared at her hand full of Rex cum before bringing it to her mouth and licking her hand slowly. "You sure made a mess, darling, but it seems you didn''t have enough, right?" She said while pointing at Rex rod that was still standing strong.

    "Now you''ve done it!" Rex roared, standing up with a sudden intensity. He grabbed Ys, pushing her back against the cold, metal wall of the cargo bay. His hands settled firmly on her hips as he leaned in close, his breath hot against her neck.

    "I hope you had fun while treating me like a kid," he said while moving the black shorts of Ys to the side.

    Rex crossed his arms, grinning. "Fine by me. I got my reward. I didn''t really want this baldhead to see you at your best anyway." He shot Carlos a triumphant look.

    "Whatever, man," Carlos rolled his eyes. "Anyway, while you two were off doing who knows what, I was here recruiting soldiers for our mission by Cleo request."

    Ys noticed the slight shadow that crossed Rex''s face, and she took his hand, squeezing it gently. "Don''t worry, darling. Cleo and I... we came to an understanding."

    Rex tilted his head, intrigued. "An understanding? What kind of agreement?"

    Ys pressed a finger to her lips with a mischievous smile. "That''s a secret between us girls. Not even you get to know, darling~."

    Rex laughed, shaking his head. "Alright, Carlos. Show me the soldiers who decided to join us." He patted Ys on the head, a gesture of quiet affection.

    "Finally remembered I''m here, huh?" Carlos snorted. "Follow me. They''re waiting just over there."

    Carlos led them a little ways off to a quieter area away from the frontlines. were a group of soldiers, and a few hovertanks stood waiting; their faces felt familiar to Rex. As they approached, Carlos raised his voice.

    "Attention! The Captain''s here!"

    The soldiers straightened, a spark of recognition lighting their faces.

    "Captain!"

    "Sir, welcome back!"

    Rex''s eyes widened as he recognized them. "Wait, it''s you guys. Now I know why you looked familiar!" He took a step forward, his voice filled with both surprise and concern. "What are you all doing here? You fought your way out of that hell once already. Why would you come back for more?"

    One of the soldiers, a young man Rex had saved from being devoured in the chaos of the first wave, stepped forward. His face was hardened, though a trace of sadness lingered in his eyes. "With all due respect, Captain, we''re here because we trust you. We trust you more than those officers in the allied forces."

    Rex''s expression darkened. "What happened with the allied forces?"

    The soldier looked down, swallowing hard. "They took all our merits, Captain. Said we were hiding somewhere... claimed that''s the only reason we survived. They stripped us of everything."

    He paused, his voice faltering as he remembered. "When some of us argued, one officer had us gunned down, saying we were trying to start a riot. Others... others were sent on''scouting missions'' and never returned."

    Another soldier spoke up, his voice thick with barely restrained anger. "They sent our men on suicide runs, Captain. They knew they wouldn''t come back. My brother... my brother was one of them." He gritted his teeth, fists trembling as he fought to keep control.

    Rex looked around, the weight of their words pressing down on him. He clenched his jaw, his gaze steely. "I understand now," he said, his voice low and steady yet charged with an unspoken promise. "You''re with me. And as long as I''m here, none of you will be sacrificed for someone else''s pride. We fight as one."

    The soldiers stood straighter, their eyes glinting with renewed determination. They had found their leader again, and in that moment, they knew they would follow him into any fire, no matter how fierce.

    since he was worth it.

 Chapter 66: Sabotage.

    After an hour since leaving the relative safety of the frontline HQ, Rex and his squad moved steadily toward their objective. His team was composed of two hundred infantry soldiers and four hover tanks, but they''d opted out of air support since any aircraft in the sky would be a beacon for the enemy.

    "Hey, Ys," Rex called over his shoulder, glancing at his second-in-command as they walked through the rocky terrain. "What are the chances we make it there without getting noticed?"

    Ys frowned, casting a quick look around the rugged canyon walls. "Honestly? Close to zero, darling. If even one Khryssari scout spots us, the whole swarm will be on us in minutes."

    "So we''re pretty much screwed already, huh?" Rex muttered, coming to a halt as he surveyed the jagged cliffs towering over them, blood-red under the harsh sunlight.

    Cleo had planned out their route through this canyon. It was carved by fierce sandstorms that tore across the planet''s surface, creating natural cover that shielded them from air surveillance and distant patrols. But the canyon was a double-edged sword. The same terrain that hid them could just as easily conceal an ambush.

    "Carlos, give the signal. Combat-ready positions," Rex ordered, his grip tightening around the hilt of his claymore.

    Carlos nodded, raising his hand in a thumbs-up that sent a silent ripple through the squad. Within seconds, every soldier was on alert. The hover tanks'' mounted guns swiveled slowly, their barrels scanning the canyon, ready to unleash a storm of bullets at the first hint of movement.

    "What''s next, Rex?" Carlos asked, standing ready with his hammer raised.

    "Move slow. I don''t like this silence," Rex replied, his voice barely a whisper. "Feels like we''re walking right into something. It could be that a scout saw us and went to alert the main force. Stay sharp; this could go bad fast."

    They advanced with caution, with their footsteps echoing against the canyon walls. The oppressive silence stretched on, and after half an hour, Rex could feel the tension radiating from his troops. Faces tightened, eyes darting to every shadow, every curve of rock. They were growing more mentally drained than physically, and he could tell that Ys had noticed too.

    "Rex, this is wearing them down," she murmured from behind him, her voice almost lost in the eerie quiet. She was in stealth mode while she clung to his back like a silent shadow. "We''re up against an enemy that actually knows how to use its brain."

    Rex cursed under his breath. "Alright, everyone,stop! Take cover, now!"

    The words had barely left his mouth when the canyon walls lit up with flashes of sickly green light. Bioplasma rounds poured down from every direction, illuminating the red rock with a deadly green glow. The narrow path erupted into chaos as the energy bolts rained down around them.

    "Damn it!" Rex growled, dodging what he could, but there were too many. His energy shield flared as it absorbed several hits, cracks spreading across its surface like spiderwebs.

    "Aegis units, max power to shields! Protect as many as you can!" he shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos.

    The Aegis soldiers sprang into action, raising their shields and forming a defensive line. They absorbed the brunt of the plasma fire, shielding those behind them, but it was impossible to cover everyone. Plasma rounds continued to pour in from above, relentless and overwhelming. The squad was pinned, caught in the open, and Rex could see the grim reality of their situation.

    They were exactly where the enemy wanted them. This was no ordinary skirmish; it was a trap, perfectly laid and ruthlessly executed.

    But Cleo wasn''t the only one observing the battlefield through borrowed eyes. Far from the fray, hidden deep within the shifting sands, another figure watched with a dark, almost amused curiosity.

    The Khryssari commander, leader of this swarm, had been following the battle through the senses of his warriors, expecting an easy victory, like it had always been a routine slaughter of weaker prey. But this... this was different. What he thought was mere food had not only resisted but fought back with ferocity.

    A smile twisted his lips as he focused on the one they called Captain. Somehow, this warrior had breathed new life into the exhausted human troops. He felt the surge of strength ripple through them the moment the white-armored figure joined the fight.

    This enemy, he realized, was no ordinary foe. A thrill ran through him, a rare feeling. His queen had commanded him to capture this one alive, and now he understood why.

    When the last of his Khryssari warriors fell, he didn''t hesitate. With a smooth, almost graceful leap, he mounted a massive beast lying in the shadows, its scales thick and gleaming like dark armor.

    He gave the creature a firm pat, and with a single command, they charged forward, vanishing into the dust storm that still lingered in the canyon.

    Meanwhile, Rex pulled his claymore free from the fallen Khryssari warrior at his feet, blood-slicked and gleaming. Around him, his troops erupted in cheers, their voices echoing off the canyon walls.

    "Carlos, how much time have we lost already?" Rex asked, his voice sharp as he glanced around to take stock.

    Carlos wiped the green blood from his arm device, muttering under his breath as he checked the time. "We''re down forty-five minutes fighting these bastards."

    Rex''s jaw tightened. "Which means we''re out of time. The two hours Admiral Voss gave us are up; they''ll be launching the full frontal assault any second. We need to move now. If we don''t take down that device before they hit, they''ll be massacred out there."

    He gave Carlos a solid clap on the back, enough to make the big man stagger.

    "Damn it, Rex, be careful!" Carlos grunted, rolling his shoulder. "You''re like a damn tank. Almost knocked the lungs right out of me."

    "Oh, sorry, I didn''t know you wanted a skirt, princess," Rex shot back with a grin, his eyes flashing.

    Carlos sighed, shaking his head. "One of these days, when I''m as big as you, I swear I''m going to beat the living daylights out of that smug face of yours."

    They both laughed, the banter easing the tension for a moment, but it didn''t last long.

    A low, thunderous sound rumbled from the horizon, followed by a series of sharp, piercing whistles cutting through the air. In an instant, the sky lit up with a swarm of yellow streaks, arcing down like falling stars.

    Each one hit the sandstorm with a deafening explosion, filling the air with shockwaves that sent plumes of dust and sand spiraling up in blinding clouds.

    Rex''s face hardened as he watched the chaos unfolding in the distance. "So it''s started."

 Chapter 67: Sabotage (2)

    "Alright, everyone, on high alert!" Rex shouted, his voice cutting through the roar of distant explosions. "We''re not alone out here."

    The soldiers quickly tightened their formation, weapons at the ready. Each one felt the weight of the moment pressing down on them. They weren''t just fighting for survival now; they were racing against time, against an enemy that seemed to grow more menacing with every breath.

    This battle was far from over. And somewhere out there, hidden in the storm, a new nightmare was waiting to be unleashed.

    As Rex and his team pressed forward, the relentless ambushes took their toll. With every kilometer, the squad''s numbers dwindled, their faces etched with exhaustion and tension.

    Each attack was the same; the Khryssari warriors rained down green bioplasma from above, forcing the humans to take cover. Then, when the Khryssari ran out of ammunition, they charged in, engaging in brutal melee combat.

    The close-quarters fighting was vicious, with blades clashing and blood spilling on both sides. The soldiers were worn down, battle after battle, and even Rex could feel fatigue eating out at his endurance.

    "Cleo, are we close to the target yet?" Rex asked, his voice gritty through the communicator.

    "Affirmative," Cleo replied. "The device should be about five hundred meters ahead of your current position."

    Rex squinted his eyes, trying to peer through the swirling sandstorm, but the thick clouds of dust made visibility nearly impossible. "I can''t see a damn thing. This sandstorm is cutting my sight down to five meters or less."

    "Hold on. I''ll mark a route on your HUD to guide you," Cleo said with a soft blue light illuminating her face as she worked on a screen she summoned.

    Rex gave a tired chuckle. "Right... I forgot you could do that."

    "I figured as much," Cleo sighed, a hint of amusement in her voice. "There. You should see the illuminated path now. Just follow it, but proceed with caution."

    "Got it, beautiful. Thanks." Rex grinned, giving her a quick salute on the screen before rallying his troops.

    They began moving again, following the faint blue trail that Cleo had mapped out. The path was strangely quiet, with no ambushes or enemies in sight. But instead of comfort, the silence made Rex''s skin crawl. He scanned the hazy surroundings with his senses on edge.

    "Rex! Over there!" Carlos shouted, pointing toward a barely visible shape in the distance.

    Rex strained his eyes and finally caught a glimpse of it; it was a metallic structure, half-buried in sand, looming like a ghostly shadow in the storm. His heart quickened. "That''s it. That''s the device! Move, people! Let''s finish this!"

    Just as they charged forward, Cleo''s voice came through his comm, sharp and urgent. "Stop! Don''t go near it!"

    Rex halted, confused. "What? Why?"

    "I''m detecting a powerful electromagnetic field surrounding the device," Cleo explained. "It''s invisible, but if you step into it, you''ll be crushed instantly. Every piece of your gear has metallic components. That field would turn your own equipment against you."

    Meanwhile, the rest of Rex''s troops rushed to Carlos''s aid, opening fire on the Khryssari champion. Bullets and plasma rounds ricocheted harmlessly off the creature''s exoskeleton, which seemed to heal almost instantly, the green veins pulsing brighter with each impact.

    "Kukuku, pathetic little mosquitoes," the champion sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "But don''t worry, I haven''t forgotten any of you."

    As if on cue, thousands of Khryssari warriors appeared, emerging from the shadows of the canyon, their insectoid forms glistening in the dim light. They swarmed around Rex''s troops, surrounding them in a deadly ring.

    The soldiers barely had a moment to brace themselves before a torrent of green bioplasma rained down, forcing them to scramble for cover.

    "Don''t you dare!" Rex roared, his voice carrying the weight of his fury, even as he stayed locked in place, focusing on the device.

    The Khryssari champion chuckled darkly. "Kukuku... Why wouldn''t I? Kill them all," he commanded, raising his hammer-like fists as he laughed, a deep, rumbling sound that grated against the ears.

    Before he could finish his mocking laugh, a familiar voice cut through the chaos. "Shut the hell up, you overgrown cockroach!" Carlos had returned, dragging himself up from where he''d been thrown.

    Blood trickled down his helmet, but his eyes were blazing with fury. He hefted his massive hammer and charged, swinging with all his might. The hammer connected with the champion''s face in a bone-cracking blow that sent a shockwave through the air.

    The Khryssari champion staggered, momentarily stunned. "KU! You filthy inferior!" he hissed, rage flashing in his eyes as he steadied himself, then launched himself at Carlos like a charging bull.

    Carlos grinned, unphased. "Aw, did I make the little bug mad?" he taunted, lifting his gunshield and unleashing a stream of bullets. But, as before, they bounced off the champion''s exoskeleton harmlessly.

    "Oh, come on! Is everything on this planet bulletproof?" Carlos shouted, rolling to the side just as the champion''s massive fist smashed into the ground where he''d been standing, sending a cloud of sand and rock flying.

    "If bullets won''t do the job," Carlos growled, gripping his hammer with both hands, "then I''ll smash your face until it looks like the stew that the Aquarian grandma made back at home!"

    The champion''s eyes glinted with amusement. "Kukuku... Interesting! Show me what you''ve got, inferior life form!" He raised his hammer-like fists, his wings buzzing as he closed in.

    Carlos charged forward, the two titans meeting in a violent clash of strength and fury. Carlos used his shield generators to absorb the brutal impacts of the champion''s fists, each blow sending shudders through his armor.

    In return, he swung his hammer with relentless ferocity, aiming for any weak spot he could find, each hit echoing through the canyon like thunder. Their strikes threw up clouds of sand, the force of their battle pulling them deeper into the heart of the sandstorm, until they were just shadows in the swirling dust.

    Rex, still focused on disarming the device, clenched his jaw as he heard the sounds of his friend''s struggle. He knew Carlos was buying him time, risking everything to hold back the champion, but he couldn''t afford to lose focus. One mistake, and the entire mission would be lost.

    "Just a few more minutes," Cleo''s voice murmured in his ear, calm and steady, guiding him through the final steps. "You''re almost there, Rex. Keep going."

    In the midst of the chaos, surrounded by the sounds of desperate battle and swirling sand, Rex took a steadying breath, pushing aside his fear and rage. This was it. He couldn''t let his team down.

    After a few minutes had passed, Rex could hear the steps of someone coming from the sandstorm while dragging something.

 Chapter 68: Desperate fight.

    As the heavy footsteps drew nearer, Rex could finally make out the hulking silhouette of the Khryssari Champion emerging from the swirling sands. The creature''s green-glowing eyes narrowed with cruel delight as he stopped just out of reach.

    "Kukuku... this inferior being turned out to be far more entertaining than I expected. He has my praise," the champion sneered before casually tossing Carlos''s limp body to the ground in front of Rex.

    Rex''s heart lurched. Carlos lay sprawled in the sand, his helmet cracked, one arm missing, blood staining his battered armor. "Carlos!" he choked, rage and horror flooding his voice.

    "Focus, Rex!" Cleo''s voice rang in his ear, sharp and steady. "He''s still alive. But if you want him to stay that way, you need to finish this. Now."

    Rex clenched his fists, breathing heavily, his gaze never leaving the Khryssari Champion. "Cleo... all I need to do is hold onto this device, right? And you said it''s made from materials that can withstand big explosions?"

    "Yes, why do you ask?" Cleo''s voice wavered, sensing something reckless in his tone.

    Rex smirked, ignoring the pain and fatigue gnawing at his body. With a surge of strength, he wrapped his arms around the device, planting his feet firmly in the sand. Muscles straining, he began to lift, pulling it from the ground with a primal roar that echoed across the battlefield.

    The electromagnetic field reacted instantly, weighing down on him like a crushing, invisible force, trying to pin him in place.

    "Rex! Wait! This is too dangerous. Stop it!" Cleo''s voice was panicked now as she watched his vitals spike, red alerts flashing all over her screen. The strain on his body was intense, his heart rate soaring, blood vessels straining, but Rex''s focus was unbreakable.

    "Kukuku... What are you trying to accomplish now, little human?" The Khryssari Champion mocked, striding closer, his massive fists flexing. "Do you wish for death? I would be delighted to oblige."

    Rex ignored him, teeth gritted, veins bulging in his neck as he fought against the electromagnetic pressure.

    Just as the Champion closed in, barely a meter away, Rex finally wrenched the device free from the ground and swung it with every ounce of strength he had left. The makeshift weapon smashed into the champion''s face with a satisfying crack, sending the towering creature staggering back.

    "How''s that, you ugly bastard?" Rex roared, his voice filled with fury. Without missing a beat, he swung the device again, aiming for the champion''s chest. But this time, the Khryssari was ready. He caught the heavy device with one massive clawed hand, stopping it dead in its tracks.

    "Kukuku... using the very trap I set for you as a weapon. Clever... and amusing," the champion sneered, his grip tightening on the device. "But I wonder... how long you can keep up this charade!" With a snarl, he drove his fist into Rex''s face, the impact ringing out like thunder.

    Rex staggered but didn''t back down. He spat blood and grinned defiantly. "Is that it? You hit like a damn child!" He swung his fist, smashing it into the champion''s face in return, feeling his knuckles crack against the creature''s unyielding exoskeleton.

    The champion chuckled, unfazed, as if Rex''s defiance amused him. "Kukuku... your pathetic provocations mean nothing, human. Why should I care what a weaker creature thinks?" He drove his fist into Rex''s jaw again, each blow resonating like the beat of a war drum.

    The two clashed, exchanging brutal punches, locked in a savage contest of endurance. Blow after blow, Rex''s vision began to blur, his breaths turning ragged. He could feel his strength draining, his body reaching its limit.

    Rex fumbled with his helmet, blood obscuring his view. With a hiss, he deactivated it, feeling the hot wind whip against his face. His long, dark hair fell across his eyes, streaked with golden blood.

    "Rex," Cleo''s voice crackled in his ear, softer now. "I''m redirecting energy to start healing you, but it''s going to drain your strength. You''ll barely be at half power, and overdrive is off the table."

    He coughed, wincing. "That''s fine... just patch me up. The bald idiot''s going to need help before he ends up uglier than he already is."

    "Take care, Rex." Cleo''s voice faded, and with it, the familiar HUD in his eyes blink out. He could feel his strength slipping; his powerful frame weakened, but he wasn''t about to let that stop him. He had to fight the champion once more alone.

    With a wry smirk, Rex forced himself to his feet, gritting his teeth against the pain. He wasn''t alone. He never had been. Even as a kid, there had always been someone watching his back.

    Staggering forward, he spotted the device still intact and humming with power. He gripped it, feeling its familiar weight in his hands, and set off on a stumbling run toward the brutal fight between Carlos and the Khryssari champion.

    Carlos was holding his ground, barely, but the champion was relentless, pressing him back with savage blows.

    With all the strength he had left, Rex lunged, swinging the device at the back of the Khryssari''s knee. The champion grunted, forced down onto one knee, momentarily vulnerable.

    "Now, baldy!" Rex roared, his voice echoing across the battlefield.

    Carlos shot him a wild grin. "Took you long enough, you fancy-haired princess!" With a defiant laugh, he powered up his hammer, the weapon crackling with energy, and brought it down in a devastating arc onto the champion''s face.

    The K. Champion staggered, tumbling down the sandy slope, his body skidding and rolling across the dunes.

    Rex laughed through the pain, wincing as he held his bleeding side. "Looks like your ugly mug survived after all."

    Carlos snorted, breathing hard. "This face won''t be ruined by some freak with a horn."

    From below, a low, menacing chuckle rumbled as the Khryssari champion rose again, his injuries already beginning to heal. "More!" he hissed, his eyes blazing with bloodlust. "Entertain me more!"

    Carlos tightened his grip on his hammer, his muscles tensing. "You ready for round two, Rex?"

    Rex took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Only if you are Carlos."

 Chapter 69: Desperate fight (2).

    "Kukuku! Come on, you weaklings! Entertain me even more!" The Khryssari champion''s laughter echoed across the battlefield, mocking them.

    Rex and Carlos let out a raw, defiant warcry, charging toward the towering alien with every ounce of strength they had left. They''d done this a thousand times before, facing enemies stronger than them and finding a way to win together.

    Rex reached the champion first, swinging the heavy device he carried like a club. His bionic implants sparked and strained under the electromagnetic interference, each swing sending jolts of pain through his system.

    But Cleo was keeping him patched together, barely. Rex knew the device was their only shot, even if it meant breaking it over the Khryssari''s head until it stopped working.

    Rex swung the device with brutal determination, treating the device like it was part of him. Though weakened, he moved with surprising fluidity, landing a few solid hits. But it wasn''t enough. The Khryssari champion barely flinched, a mocking grin spreading across his face.

    "Kukuku, that''s a nice massage!" The champion sneered, then lashed out with a brutal kick, sending Rex tumbling down the dunes, leaving a streak of golden blood in the sand.

    Carlos grated his teeth and took advantage of the moment. With a desperate swing, he smashed his hammer into the champion''s ankle, causing him to stagger and fall face-first into the sand.

    Rex saw his chance. Rising to his feet, he charged forward, mustering every ounce of strength, and drove the device deep into the Khryssari''s back, forcing a painful roar of pain from the creature.

    "NOW, CARLOS! DO IT!"

    Carlos roared as he leaped into the air, bringing his hammer down on the top of the device with all his might. The impact drove it deeper, and for a split second, time seemed to stand still.

    Then the device exploded, unleashing a massive electromagnetic shockwave that rippled outward, sending everyone within a five-kilometer radius flying through the air.

    Rex hit the ground hard, golden blood splattering as he rolled to a stop. He lay there, coughing up sand and blood, gasping for air. "Cough... Carlos, are you still alive?"

    From a few meters away, Carlos let out a weak groan. "Barely... After this, I want a long vacation in the underground city. I remember hearing they''ve got bars by the thermal rivers now... maybe half a year there, at least."

    Rex laughed, his voice ragged. "That sounds damn good. Yeah. I''m with you. Though I was hoping to die as a sexy old man, not out here on some sandy hellhole."

    Carlos chuckled, wincing. "Oh, quit whining. You''re basically immortal, remember?"

    Rex''s eyes widened, then he laughed again, coughing through the pain. "Right! Guess that means I will live long enough to become a sexy old man!"

    "You dumbass."

    A familiar voice cut through their banter, calm and slightly amused. "Mmm... I was expecting you two to be in much worse shape. You''re looking almost fresh."

    Rex didn''t even have to look to recognize the voice. "Well, well... look who decided to show up. And here I thought you didn''t care about me anymore. I thought you were just going to leave me here to rot."

    The figure stepped into view, smirking down at them with a glint in her eye. "Oh, please. Who else am I supposed to rescue if not my favorite reckless idiots~?"

    "Well, you know, we could have used that help a little sooner. What kept you?" Rex muttered, glancing up at her with a smirk despite the pain.

    Ys rolled her eyes playfully, crouching down beside him and patting his head like he was a stubborn child. "Oh, come now, darling~, don''t be like that. There are rules, you know. I couldn''t just jump in. That champion? He was a gift from my aunt; she hand-picked it for you.

    I told you about this before, or did you forget?"

    "Yes, General!" The officer sprang into action, tapping at his console until the line was live. "You''re now connected, ma''am."

    Leena''s voice cut through the static, crisp and commanding. "Attention to all air units under my command. Start your engines and prepare for combat. Fighters and heavy fighters, launch first!"

    As her orders echoed across the channels, the ground below became a hive of activity. Fighters and heavy fighters of all shapes and sizes roared to life, kicking up plumes of sand as they lifted off and surged toward the swarming Khryssari forces.

    But the enemy was ready; in response, a massive cloud of Skydancers, glowing a sickly green, rose to meet them, streaking through the air like an unholy swarm.

    Leena counted down under her breath. "Three, two, one, engage."

    In an instant, missiles and laser fire rained from the Allied fighters, cutting through the advancing Skydancers. But the enemy was relentless.

    The Skydancers dove through the missile barrage, slicing into the fighters with razor-sharp appendages, tearing open cockpits like tin cans, and consuming the pilots within. The skies erupted in a vicious, close-quarters battle for air supremacy, each side fighting tooth and nail to dominate the battlefield above.

    Leena''s jaw tightened as she took in the brutal scene. "Gunboats! Take off now! Provide support fire to our ground units."

    With a rumble, the Allied gunboats lifted off from their positions and unleashed a withering hail of fire upon the enemy forces below. Explosions lit up the desert, and with the added firepower of the gunboats, the tide of the battle began to turn in the Allies'' favor.

    Far above, on the flagship of the Allied fleet in orbit, Admiral Kael Voss watched the ground conflict from the observation deck, his expression grim. He turned to an officer who approached with a tablet displaying the latest report.

    "Sir! Here''s the current situation on the surface," the officer said, handing it over.

    Voss took the tablet and skimmed through the footage with practiced calm. The sandstorm had finally cleared, revealing the full extent of the battle below.

    He watched as the Allied air forces fought desperately for control of the skies while the Khryssari unleashed wave after wave of their Skydancers, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.

    "Mmm, it''s getting ugly down there," Voss murmured. He pressed a button on his console, his voice echoing through the bridge.

    "Attention to all capital ships and admiralty staff. This is Supreme Commander Kael Voss. The time has come to be more aggressive. Permission granted for the use of main cannons. Let''s show these bugs what real firepower looks like."

    Across the fleet, enormous warships hummed to life as their main cannons began charging, the colossal barrels aimed at strategic targets. The power levels of each weapon ticked upward as energy flowed through the conduits, preparing for the devastating release.

    Main cannon charging... 10%, 30%, 50%, 70%, 95%,

    Voss''s gaze was unyielding as he watched the energy levels climb. In his mind''s eye, he could already see the devastation these weapons would unleash. There would be no escape for the Khryssari this time.

    "All ships," he ordered, his voice steady and cold. "Prepare to fire on my command."

    The final moments of the charge felt like the calm before a storm, the eerie stillness broken only by the distant rumble of smaller skirmishes. Every officer and every crew member held their breath, waiting for the signal that would change the course of the battle.

    The cannons hit 100%, and Voss raised his hand, his eyes locked on the enemy below.

    "Fire."

 Chapter 70: Lurking in the shadows.

    With a thunderous command, every capital ship in the fleet unleashed a barrage of firepower. The main cannons roared, lighting up the void as they hammered the Khryssari ships, tearing through small and medium vessels like paper.

    The hive queen watched with a twisted grin. "So, these pests think they can scare me with their little toys," she sneered. "They may wipe out the weaklings, but I won''t sit idly by and be humiliated."

    She raised a long, clawed finger, pointing directly at the enemy fleet. "Destroy them. All of them. My pets feast on their fear."

    The allied fleet kept up their relentless assault, firing as fast as their main cannons could recharge. From the looks of it, they had the upper hand in the skirmish. But there was an old saying among those who fought the hive: underestimate them, and you''re as good as dead.

    "Officer, any reports from our ships?" Voss asked, his voice steady but with a hint of tension. He barely turned as he spoke, his gaze fixed on the chaos beyond the viewport.

    The communications officer looked up, a shadow of worry crossing his face. "Sir, some of our ships report strange impacts. They can''t detect anything on sensors, so they''re assuming it''s debris, but it doesn''t add up."

    "Interesting," Voss murmured. "Keep me updated on anything unusual." He folded his hands behind his back, watching as the battle unfolded, his eyes narrowing.

    Meanwhile, deep within the allied fleet, something far more sinister was stirring.

    In the darkened corridors of a midsize ship, the hum of machinery was the only sound, interrupted only by the occasional sputter as the guns outside fell silent, waiting for resupply. No one noticed, no one cared. After all, shortages were common in these battles.

    But down in a cramped maintenance shaft, a lone technician cowered, his breath coming in shallow gasps. He was covered in blood, not all of it his own, and his hands shook as he tried to erease any sound.

    He had wedged himself into a tiny compartment, a space meant for technicians repairing cables, but now it served as his hiding spot from something far worse than enemy fire.

    Outside, in the dimly lit hallway, a heavy, dragging sound grew louder, punctuated by low, menacing growls. Each footstep thudded against the metal floor, and the technician''s heart pounded in time with the echo. He held his breath, desperate not to make a sound.

    But fate can be cruel.

    With a slight metallic clink, one of his tools slipped from his belt, a screwdriver falling and clattering loudly on the metallic floor. The sound was deafening in the silence, and his blood ran cold.

    "No, no, please, no," he whispered, crawling further inside into the vent, but there was nowhere left to go. His panicked breaths quickened, turning into shallow gasps as a shadow fell across the compartment.

    Three long, slick tentacles snaked into the vent, wrapping around his legs with cold, unyielding strength. He let out a scream, pure terror ripping through him as he was dragged out into the open.

    Chapter Stay:

    He took a moment, just a moment, to look back at his troops, gathered in a loose defensive formation. Their faces were drawn, pale, eyes wide with terror as they looked to him for any scrap of hope.

    He could feel the weight of their fear, their desperation, all of it pressing down on him like a heavy shroud. But what could he do? Here he stood, no enhancements, no AI whispering in his ear with tactical advice, no overdrive mode to turn him into a god on the battlefield. Just a man, a soldier, standing tall at two and a half meters, facing a tide of death.

    Rex clenched his fists, feeling the bruises and cuts throbbing along his arms. He knew there was no safe place left on this cursed planet, no fallback point where they could regroup and plan. There was only the swarm, closing in like a nightmare given flesh.

    For the first time, Rex truly felt the weight of the responsibility he bore. It had always been there, lingering at the edge of his mind, but before, he''d shouldered it with ease, his enhanced powers making it feel almost trivial.

    Now, stripped of his strength, just a regular man, the burden pressed down on him with a crushing force.

    Ys, who had been standing close by, sensed the shift in him. Their bond was deeper than words, and she could feel the strain he was under. Without hesitation, she stepped closer, gently taking his bruised, calloused hand in hers.

    "Rex," she murmured, her voice laced with concern, "if this is too much for you, I could call my aunt. She could get us off this planet and take us somewhere safe. She and my mother have a close bond, so she would help us."

    She meant it as an offer of compassion, a lifeline. But to Rex, it was something entirely else. He looked into her eyes, and a small, weary smile broke across his face as he let out a dry laugh.

    "Ha... yeah, I guess that''s true," he said, his voice low and reflective. "This really is something bigger than me. Just some desk slave trying to live the life of a hero. What a joke, huh?" He glanced at his battered troops, each one looking to him with trust and hope.

    And finally, his gaze returned to Ys, her face filled with worry.

    "Don''t worry, Ys," he said softly, reaching up to brush a strand of hair from her face. "I''m pretty sure you didn''t fall in love with someone as pathetic as I''m acting right now, right?" He forced a smile, determined not to let her see his fear.

    His hand moved to her head, ruffling her hair gently. "I''ll show your aunt and everyone else just how amazing the man you chose really is."

    As he spoke, his eyes gleamed with a fierce golden light, the same glow they held when he''d once entered overdrive mode. It was impossible since he couldn''t access that power now, not without Cleo. But for that moment, the fire within him reignited, refusing to be extinguished.

    He turned to his troops, raising his voice so they could all hear him over the distant roar of battle.

    "Listen up, everyone! Hell is right in front of us!" he shouted, his voice ringing out with a strength that belied his injuries. "We''re exhausted; we''re bleeding, and I''m no exception! But there are hundreds of soldiers down there, just like us, clinging to life, fighting with everything they''ve got!"

    His gaze swept over his men and women, and he could see the exhaustion in their eyes, the fear, but also the flickers of determination sparking to life.

 Chapter 71: The duel.

    "If we want to survive, we have to fight as one! We have to push forward, for them, for each other. But..." he paused, taking a deep breath. "I won''t ask any of you to give more than you already have. If you want to stay here and wait for evacuation, I understand. No one will think less of you."

    He took a final look around, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and resolve. "But for those of you who still have something left to give... who still have the courage to push forward... follow me. Together, we''ll show them what we''re made of."

    There was a heartbeat of silence, and then one by one, his soldiers raised their weapons, nodding in grim determination. They weren''t just following orders anymore; they were following him.

    And as Rex turned toward the raging battlefield, he felt the weight on his shoulders lighten, just a little. He wasn''t alone. Together, they would face the oncoming storm, one last stand against the darkness.

    With a surge of determination, Rex crafted his massive claymore, feeling the familiar weight in his hands as he pointed it skyward, then slowly leveled it forward. His voice thundered across the battlefield as he shouted, "Forward!"

    Without a second thought, he charged, leading his troops into the inferno ahead. They followed, each step pounding the ground with grim purpose.

    The sounds of battle grew louder and closer until they were upon the first allied position, a desperate pocket of soldiers on the verge of being overwhelmed by the relentless Khryssari swarm.

    Rex''s arrival was like a burst of salvation; he and his troops fought their way in, cutting down the Khryssari and rallying the soldiers, who joined his growing force with renewed vigor.

    Meanwhile, back at headquarters, General Leena watched the battlefield reports with a look of barely concealed boredom. One of her officers approached, his voice tense as he delivered the latest update. "General, the situation on the frontline is looking grim. Please, give your orders!"

    Leena''s eyes narrowed, her lips curling into a disdainful sneer. "Hmph. Know your place, you insignificant officer. The situation is perfectly under control. If a few disposable soldiers die down there, that''s what they''re there for. Now stop wasting my time and get back to your duties."

    The officer stiffened, swallowing his frustration as he continued, "Yes, ma''am... but there''s one more report. A group assigned to deactivate the sandstorm device just returned."

    Leena raised an eyebrow, barely interested. "Oh? And where are they now? Cowering at HQ, I suppose?"

    "No, ma''am," the officer replied, his voice tinged with reluctant admiration. "They joined the frontlines immediately. Right now, they''re gathering the scattered soldiers who were ambushed by the Khryssari."

    Leena scoffed, dismissing the report with a wave of her hand. "Tsk. Is that all? What a waste of my time."

    "There is... one more thing, General," he said, hesitating before handing her a tablet. "A new report came in just minutes ago. There''s video footage."

    Leena took the tablet, eyes narrowing as she watched the screen. The video showed a hulking Khryssari warrior, unlike any she''d seen before, tearing through allied troops like they were nothing.

    Bullets and blaster fire bounced off its armored skin, and with each brutal swing of its massive arms, it sent soldiers flying, even crushing a hover tank with a single, devastating punch.

    "What is this creature?" Leena asked, her voice laced with a rare hint of alarm.

    "We don''t know, ma''am," the officer replied. "But it appears to be an advanced unit of some kind... possibly a Khryssari champion."

    Rex gave her a lopsided smile, though he couldn''t hide the lingering fear in his eyes. "I don''t know if I can... but he doesn''t know either. And besides, it''s something I have to do, right?"

    Ys''s grip tightened, her voice trembling. "But, darling, he''s had time to recover and replenish. You''re wounded, exhausted... and you know I won''t be able to help you once the fight starts."

    Rex chuckled, though it sounded hollow. "Hey, don''t worry about me. I''m feeling better already. Last time he got me by surprise and attacked me from behind. That''s not going to happen again." He winked at her, forcing a bit of bravado into his tone. "And maybe if I take him down, I''ll get a reward from you, huh?"

    "This isn''t the time for jokes, Rex!" Ys''s voice cracked, her eyes glistening with tears. She looked at him with a face a mix of anger, fear, and helplessness. "I... I can''t bear to lose you."

    Rex''s expression softened, and he gently brushed a tear from her cheek. "Hey, don''t cry. I''ll win, you''ll see. Have a little faith in me, Ys. I''m not the type of guy who''d lose to a so-called ''champion,'' right?"

    Ys stared at him, her lip trembling as she tried to hold back more tears. She didn''t say anything; she just nodded slowly, her eyes brimming with emotion.

    Rex took her silence as agreement, giving her one last reassuring smile. He placed his hand on her head, ruffling her hair gently. "Go on, help the others. He''s here."

    As he said it, his gaze shifted beyond her to the distant figure moving steadily through the chaos, towering and monstrous. The Khryssari Champion had arrived, its enormous form outlined against the smoke-filled horizon, each step shaking the ground beneath it.

    Rex tightened his grip on his newly crafted claymore, feeling the cold weight of steel in his hands. He didn''t know if he could win this fight, but he knew he had to try. Taking a deep breath, he took one last look at Ys, her face a mask of worry and love.

    With a final nod, he stepped forward, ready to face the nightmare head-on.

    "Kukuku, so we meet again, my prey," the Khryssari Champion sneered, his voice a deep, guttural rumble that echoed across the battlefield as he came to a stop, mere meters from Rex. His monstrous figure loomed over Rex, casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the light around him.

    Rex grinned, wiping the sweat from his brow and refusing to show even an ounce of fear. "Ohhh, look who it is! If it isn''t the coward who ran off last time I shoved an iron rod up his ass!" His heart was racing, his pulse pounding in his ears, but his big mouth was still allmighty.

    The champion''s lip curled in fury, revealing rows of jagged, sharp teeth. "Kukuku... insignificant worm," he growled, his voice dripping with malice.

    "My Queen ordered me to capture you alive. But she never said I had to deliver you in one piece! I''m going to enjoy tearing off each of your limbs, savoring every scream."

    Rex let out a wild laugh, his eyes glinting with defiance. "Hah! And here I thought you only liked munching on rocks! Guess you have better taste than I thought. Lucky for you, I''m top-shelf meat!"

    Chapter Continue:

    The champion snarled, a powerful roar building in his throat as he lunged forward, each step shaking the ground beneath him. He swung one of his massive, stone-like fists, a blow that could crush a tank in a single hit. But Rex was ready.

    In an instant, Rex sprang into the air, his body moving on pure instinct, every muscle coiled like a spring. He landed on the champion''s outstretched arm, barely keeping his balance as the creature''s flesh quivered beneath him. Without missing a beat, Rex tightened his grip on his claymore, raising it high over his shoulder.

    "HAAAAAAAA!" he roared, bringing the blade down in a powerful arc, aiming directly for the champion''s neck.

 Chapter 72: The Duel (2).

    As the heavy claymore swung down, aiming for the neck of the K. Champion, the blade shattered upon contact, its fragments scattering into the air, without even an scratch appearing on the Champion¡¯s skin. Rex¡¯s eyes widened.

    "You¡¯ve got to be kidding me..."

    With a grin, the K. Champion raised his arm and unleashed a powerful punch that sent Rex hurtling backward. Rex slammed into the ground, rolling across the gritty sand, dust kicking up in clouds around him.

    "Kukuku... what is this? Have you grown weaker?"

    The Champion sneered, his voice dripping with mockery.

    "You¡¯re a disgrace as my prey."

    Rex pushed himself up, struggling to find his footing as he gasped for breath. But the K. Champion was already on him, slamming a brutal kick into his stomach, sending him sprawling down the slope of a sand dune. He tumbled and slid, finally skidding to a stop at the bottom.

    Coughing, Rex staggered to his feet, spitting golden blood onto the sand. He looked up to meet the K. Champion¡¯s gaze.

    "Even now... in this state... you still can¡¯t finish me off?"

    The champion chuckled, cold and menacing.

    "I¡¯ve killed thousands of champions from countless races, but you... you¡¯re the first one who talks more than he fights."

    Rex smirked, wiping blood from his lip.

    "Oh, is that so? Guess that means I¡¯ll be living in your head. How cute."

    He flexed his fists, crafting a pair of heavy, spiked gauntlets that glinted in the sun

    "Your resistance is futile!"

    The K. Champion¡¯s laughter echoed as he leapt high into the air, crashing down right in front of Rex. But before he could even straighten, Rex struck with a fierce punch to the face, followed by another, each blow landing harder than the last. Discover more stories at novelhall.Co?m

    "Where¡¯s that smug grin now?"

    Rex taunted, but his words were cut off as the Champion retaliated, a brutal fist slamming into his stomach and knocking him back.

    "I¡¯ll take my time ripping you apart, inferior!"

    The K. Champion roared, his voice filled with raw hatred.

    Suddenly, a thunderous explosion rocked the ground, shaking the very air around them. A massive shockwave threw both warriors off their feet, sending sand spraying in every direction.

    Rex landed hard, tasting blood and sand as he coughed, his ears ringing from the blast. Blinking through the haze, he could barely make out the distant, flashing light of the thousands of missiles raining down from allied artillery.

    As his vision slowly cleared, Rex looked up to see the silhouette of the K. Champion, standing hundreds of meters away. In that instant, a missile streaked through the sky and struck the champion directly on the head, erupting in a fiery explosion.

    Rex managed a strained laugh, his vision dim.

    "Serves you right...

    "

    But the K. Champion was already regenerating, his flesh knitting itself back together as he glared furiously at the gunboats responsible for the artillery assault.

    With a savage roar that echoed across the battlefield, he spread a pair of massive, dark wings that burst from his back, looking like the wings of a demon.

    Hearing his call, every K. Skydancer in the sky abandoned their targets, turning to swarm toward the distant gunboats. And with one powerful beat of his wings, the K. Champion launched himself into the air, a dark shadow hurtling toward his next victims.

    "R...x... C...n... H...r... m...?"

    In the depths of unconsciousness, Rex began to hear a faint, familiar voice echoing through his mind, as though it were calling to him from a great distance. The words were confusing and distorted, slipping away before he could fully grasp them.

    His chest bore the sigil of the K?lzar Dominion, a stylized circuit board interwoven with fractal designs, symbolizing both order and infinite complexity.

    Rex swallowed, feeling dwarfed by the figure before him.

    "So... you¡¯re some kind of... machine emperor?"

    Xynithar¡¯s eyes narrowed, though there was a glint of humor in their depths.

    "Once, perhaps. Now I am merely a remnant, just a memory of a power that once ruled the cosmos. But enough about me."

    His gaze sharpened, a force of will that cut through Rex¡¯s uncertainty. "

    The question is... are you ready to wake up and finish what you started?"

    The void around them seemed to tremble, as if Xynithar¡¯s words carried the weight of worlds. And deep within, Rex felt a spark reigniting, a fire that had been dormant, waiting for this moment to flare back to life.

    "I¡¯ll be honest... I don¡¯t remember this task you mentioned,"

    Rex admitted, looking slightly ashamed as he rose to his feet.

    "But I do remember two promises I still need to keep... and a reward I still need to claim. So, yeah, I guess I¡¯m ready to wake up."

    Xynithar let out a booming laugh, filled with pride.

    "Good, good! My daughter chose well."

    He nodded approvingly.

    "Rise once more, my heir. You cannot rest until your purpose is fulfilled. Ah, but before you go, there¡¯s a message. Words left by someone who came here long before you."

    Xynithar¡¯s eyes closed for a moment, as if searching the depths of his memory. When he spoke again, his voice was softer, more solemn.

    "Child of mine, forgive me,"

    he began, the words flowing as if from a distant soul.

    "I know the burden I place upon you is heavy, too heavy for one so young. But as the mother of your race, I beg you... bring them home. I know you must have countless questions about who I am and about who you are."

    He paused, and there was an aching sadness in the air, something ancient and sorrowful. "

    But I promise, every question will be answered when you¡¯ve brought your brothers and sisters back to where they belong."

    Xynithar opened his eyes, and his gaze was both fierce and compassionate.

    "That¡¯s the message the other one left for you. Two tasks of this magnitude... it¡¯s a burden few could bear, even among the strongest. Surround yourself with allies worthy of the journey, kiddo. Never stop moving forward, no matter how difficult the path becomes."

    He placed a heavy hand on Rex¡¯s shoulder, his touch both reassuring and final

    . "When you feel like you can¡¯t take another step, those who walk behind you will push you forward. Always remember that. And to help you in this task..."

    He paused, his face softening. "

    I leave you a gift. Use it well. Keep my daughter safe."

    Xynithar¡¯s form began to flicker, his body fading back into pure golden light. The smile on his face was calm yet filled with a pride that spanned ages.

    "Time¡¯s up, kiddo. This is the last you¡¯ll see of me, the last fragment of Xynithar, the last spark of a long-forgotten emperor."

    As his hand rested on Rex¡¯s shoulder, the golden light began to envelop Rex, filling him with a warmth that felt both powerful and ancient. Xynithar¡¯s voice echoed one final time, ringing through the darkness.

    "Go forward, Rex. Start your own legend."

    And with that, Xynithar vanished, his form scattering into rays of golden light, leaving Rex alone in the void but no longer alone in spirit, a newfound resolve burning bright within him.

 Chapter 73: The Duel (3)

    "General! The sensors have detected a massive energy source heading toward us at high speed!"

    One of the officers under Leena¡¯s command shouted, a note of panic in his voice.

    Leena barely glanced up.

    "And? Raise the shield and brace for impact. It¡¯s probably just another Khryssari weapon,"

    she said, her voice steady, almost bored. She was a seasoned general, and she wasn¡¯t about to be rattled by some stray projectile.

    But this was no ordinary weapon. It was an enraged K. Champion, with his eyes blazing with fury, slamming headfirst into the ship¡¯s energy shield with a resounding

    thud

    that reverberated through the hull.

    Leena raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

    "Ha! The bug thinks it can break through our shield? How idiotic can these creatures be?"

    She sneered, casting a mocking smile in the champion¡¯s direction. "

    All turrets, fire! Shoot it down."

    The gunboat¡¯s turrets whirred to life, unloading a hail of energy bolts toward K. Champion. He twisted and turned in mid-air, dodging the blasts with an unnatural agility, all the while unleashing a furious roar that sent a chill through the crew.

    Leena¡¯s confidence wavered.

    "Why is that noisy bug not dead yet? Increase the rate of fire!"

    She barked, sensing something was wrong. feeling that the roar wasn¡¯t just anger. It was a call.

    And she was right. Moments later, a swarm of Khryssari Skydancers descended upon the gunboat, clawing and slashing at the energy shield in a coordinated assault, their wings creating a terrifying hum as they moved in perfect unison.

    "What are you all standing around for? Get us out of here!"

    she screamed.

    "But General, there are too many of them! If we try to gain speed, they¡¯ll just¡ª"

    "Then ram them! I don¡¯t care what it takes!"

    Leena growled, shoving the pilot aside and slamming the throttle forward herself.

    The engines roared to life, and the gunboat lurched forward, plowing through the swarm of Skydancers with brutal force. The shields flared as bodies struck, bursts of energy flashing as insectoid carcasses splattered against the hull.

    "Ha! See? That wasn¡¯t so hard!"

    Continue your story on novelhall.Co?m

    Leena crowed, a self-satisfied grin on her face.

    "But General! We can¡¯t see where we¡¯re going!"

    The pilot warned with his face pale.

    "Who cares? Just stay on course! Sooner or later, we¡¯ll¡ª"

    Her sentence was cut off as the gunboat crashed head-on into a towering sand dune. They hadn¡¯t noticed the K. Champion forcing them down, his relentless strength guiding the ship lower and lower until they collided with the ground.

    The gunboat skidded and tumbled, plowing through dune after dune, throwing crew members like ragdolls as it tore across the desert before finally grinding to a halt in a spray of sand and metal.

    thud

    , the hand that had held her slipped from the champion¡¯s wrist and hit the metal floor, severed cleanly. She fell to the ground, gasping and coughing, hardly able to comprehend what had just happened.

    The K. Champion stared in shock, his focus shifting as he turned to see a figure standing behind him, his blade still gleaming with his own green blood. His eyes were burning with fierce determination, his weapon drawn and poised for another strike.

    "Miss me?"

    Rex asked with a defiant smirk on his face.

    The K. Champion¡¯s expression twisted from amusement to rage, a guttural growl escaping his throat. But for the first time, it was

    he

    who felt a flicker of fear.

    Rex took a moment to assess the enraged K. Champion¡¯s condition, noting with satisfaction how the creature¡¯s once-impenetrable body was now riddled with fresh wounds. Even though the champion¡¯s flesh was knitting itself back together, the regeneration was sluggish, the cuts healing slower than before.

    Rex smirked.

    "Mmm? What¡¯s this? Have you gotten weaker?

    " He taunted, his voice dripping with mock pity.

    "You¡¯re a disgrace as my prey."

    The K. Champion¡¯s eyes flared with fury, the mockery of his own words igniting a rage that shook his entire frame.

    With his newly regenerated hand, he reshaped his hands into massive, twisted black horns, each one razor-sharp and deadly.

    "I¡¯ll make you regret those words! I¡¯ll turn you into my plaything!"

    he snarled.

    Rex laughed, tossing another barb.

    "I know I¡¯m a good-looking guy, but I don¡¯t swing that way, buddy."

    The jab hit its mark. The K. Champion, overcome with rage, charged forward, smashing through debris and shattered metal, roaring like a mindless beast. Rex didn¡¯t engage; instead, he ran away, weaving through the wreckage of the gunboat with the Champion hot on his heels.

    "Hahaha! You really thought I¡¯d face you head-on while I¡¯m this fuc*ed up?"

    Rex called back, his taunts driving the Champion to a fever pitch.

    "Fight me, you coward!"

    the K. Champion bellowed, his voice raw with hatred.

    Rex finally stopped, a wicked grin spreading across his face.

    "Alright, you asked for it. Just be warned, I got this new toy in a dream, and I haven¡¯t quite figured out how it works yet."

    With those words, Rex¡¯s eyes glowed with a fierce golden light. A massive golden circle materialized behind him, intricately etched with silver patterns and symbols, like a celestial weapon from another world. Rex raised his hand, forming his fingers into the shape of a gun.

    As he did, a smaller golden circuit-like circle appeared beside his left hand, shimmering with ethereal energy. From its center, a sleek, otherworldly weapon began to emerge, a long, white gun that pulsed with an ominous power. The sight of it made the K. Champion hesitate, a rare flicker of fear breaking through his rage.

    "Get ready, ugly. I have no idea how to control the power on this thing!"

    Rex grinned, aiming his fingergun at the champion. He lowered his thumb like the hammer of a revolver.

    "Bang."

 Chapter 74: YSsera the boss.

    In an instant, the white gun unleashed a blinding beam of energy, roaring forth with a sound like a thunderclap. The blast tore through the air in the form of a spear of pure light that struck the K. Champion square in the chest.

    The impact sent shockwaves through the wreckage, sand and debris flying as the force of the blast drilled into the Champion, tearing through armor, flesh, and bone.

    The K. Champion screamed with fullness of agony and fury as the energy ripped into him, splintering his form with merciless precision. The wounds left by the blast didn''t heal; instead, they burned with golden light, searing through his regenerative power, consuming him from within.

    Rex watched how all of this was unfolding with his eyes cold and unyielding as the K. Champion stumbled, his once-imposing form now crumbling under the sheer power of the weapon. The champion collapsed to his knees, his body ravaged, and the golden flames were spreading, devouring him.

    As the dust settled, Rex blew on his fingergun, his smirk returning. "Guess that dream weapon works just fine after all."

    "Kukuku... well done, human. This... is my defeat,"

    the K. Champion rasped, his voice low and guttural as his body was consumed by the golden flames. With one final snarl, he dissolved completely, leaving only ashes drifting on the desert wind.

    Rex watched until he was certain the champion was death. Then, with a weary sigh, he turned toward the wrecked gunboat, stepping through the hole left by the severed hand of the fallen beast.

    Inside, the scene was gruesome, blood and viscera splattered across the walls, the remains of the officers the K. Champion had devoured in his rampage. The metallic smell of blood and burnt flesh hung thick in the air.

    At the far end of the cockpit, he found General Leena, curled up in a corner, hugging her knees. Her face was pale, her eyes wide and unblinking, like a cornered animal. She was still trembling, either from shock or fear.

    "You''re safe now, General,"

    Rex said, his tone flat.

    "The K. Champion is dead. You can head south; there''s a defensive line I set up. You''ll find protection there.

    " He turned to leave.

    "I have other things to take care of. Good luck."

    But as he took a step toward the exit, Leena''s voice cut through the silence, shrill and desperate.

    "Stop right there! You can''t just leave me here! As your superior, I order you to escort me to safety!

    "

    Rex paused, slowly turning back to face her. He knelt down until his face was level with hers, his expression cold, almost contemptuous. "

    While it''s true that you''re a superior officer... you''re not my superior."

    His golden eyes bore into hers, unyielding and fierce

    . "I''ll be honest, General, I don''t like you one bit."

    He let the words hang in the air, watching her reaction with a hard gaze.

    "I lost good men because of you. Because of your arrogance. If I''m not ending you right here and now, it''s only out of respect for Admiral Voss."

    He rose to his feet and turned to leave again, but once more, she stopped him, her voice trembling, laced with a hint of desperation and madness.

    "S-stop! If you leave me here... I''ll report your location to the Strategos!"

    Her face twisted with a frantic gleam in her eyes, her hands clenched into fists as she scrambled to regain control.

    Rex''s expression shifted, a dangerous smirk forming on his lips as he looked over his shoulder.

    "Oh? You think that scares me?"

    He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a cold whispe

    r. "Go ahead, report me. Let them know exactly where I am."

    Leena''s bravado faltered, her eyes darting away from his intense gaze.

    "I... I just... I just need to survive this."

    Rex shook his head slowly, almost pitying her.

    "They were looking for an egg on this planet, something... something ancient and powerful. And Rex... he stole it from them!"

    Ys''s eyes widened slightly, a slow grin spreading across her face.

    "An egg, you say?"

    She released her grip on Leena''s face and leaned back, tapping her chin thoughtfully.

    "Now that''s interesting."

    Leena watched her warily, still trembling

    . "Please... I told you everything. Just... don''t hurt me."

    Ys laughed softly, her voice dripping with mock sweetness. "

    Oh, don''t worry, General. I won''t hurt you much. But remember this: if you ever try to threaten my darling again, if you so much as whisper his name to your precious strategos..."

    She leaned in, her voice dropping to a deadly whisp

    er. "I''ll make sure you regret it in ways you can''t even imagine."

    Ys let go of Leena''s hair but remained sitted on her legs with a wicked glint in her eyes. She bit down on her own finger, drawing a thin bead of dark, shimmering blood.

    "Since you don''t want to die, I have a different plan for you.

    "

    She purred, holding her finger close to Leena''s trembling lips.

    "Lick my blood, and you''ll become my servant, bound to me completely."

    Leena''s mind was already fractured, her spirit crushed by fear and helplessness. She didn''t resist. Her small tongue slipped out hesitantly, tasting the blood that dripped from Ys''s finger. As she licked, Ys''s face lit up with a dark satisfaction. She could feel her blood weaving its magic, binding Leena''s will to her own.

    Ys''s predatory instincts flared, a surge of power and dominance filling her. This was her true nature: the huntress, the conqueror. She reserved her softer, submissive side for Rex alone.

    "Good girl,"

    she said, her voice dripping with condescension.

    "Now, you''re under my protection. The Khryssari here won''t harm you. You''re safe... for now."

    She hopped off Leena''s lap, stretching lazily as if she''d just enjoyed a satisfying meal. Turning back, she regarded Leena with a sly smile.

    "Now, go. It wouldn''t do any good for someone to see us together, would it? And make sure to report back to me with any information your organization has about my darling."

    Leena''s newly green-tinted eyes glistened as she stood up from the seat, kneeling before Ys.

    "Understood, ma''am,

    " she murmured, her voice hollow and submissive.

    Ys gave her a sweet, almost childlike smile before vanishing from sight, her stealth mode reactivating, leaving Leena alone in the dark, changed in more ways than one.

    Outside, the battle raged on. Thanks to Leena''s earlier artillery orders, the Khryssari forces were faltering, their lines breaking under the relentless assault. The allied soldiers could feel the tide of victory approaching with the end of this brutal conflict within their grasp.

    But Rex''s instincts were sharp, honed by countless battles. He felt a dark presence lurking beyond the smoke and chaos, something far more dangerous closing in.

    "Soldiers! Fall back!"

    Rex''s voice boomed through the communicator, urgency filling each word.

    "This is far enough. Retreat to the transport ships immediately!"

    Those who had fought alongside Rex for a long time didn''t hesitate, trusting his instincts without question. They pulled back swiftly, moving toward the transports with practiced precision.

    But some of the newer recruits, those who hadn''t yet seen the depths of Rex''s experience, hesitated, murmuring among themselves that he was being overly cautious or even cowardly. They pressed forward, ignoring the command.

    Rex gritted his teeth as he ran, the weight of his familiar backpack shifting on his shoulders. A voice came from within, soft yet mischievous.

 Chapter 75: Escaping.

    "Hey, beautiful. Welcome back,"

    he said with a smirk tugging at his lips despite the tension of the situation.

    "What were you up to?"

    From his back, Ys''s playful voice responded, her tone brimming with smug satisfaction

    . "Oh, nothing much... just taking care of a little pest problem."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed, but there was a hint of amusement in his gaze.

    "I trust you didn''t go too overboard?"

    Ys''s voice hummed in his ear, full of mischief.

    "Me? Overboard? Never, darling. I simply acquired a new little pet. Someone who might prove useful to us later on."

    Rex shook his head with a quiet chuckle.

    "Just make sure she doesn''t get in the way."

    "Oh, don''t worry,"

    Ys replied, her voice dropping to a purr.

    "She''ll be very well-behaved."

    As they moved swiftly toward the transport ships, Rex''s sense of unease grew. Whatever lay beyond the battlefield wasn''t just another Khryssari common troop; it was something darker, something ancient, and it was coming closer.

    "Hey, Ys, is your aunt planning something big?"

    Rex asked, his tone full of growing concern.

    "Mmm... probably,"

    Ys replied, her voice deceptively light as she hugged his neck from behind, leaning against him with a playful smirk.

    "Since you''ve already defeated the champion, I''d say the playtime is over."

    Rex''s brow furrowed.

    "And... what exactly does that mean?"

    "It means she''ll finally start taking this fight seriously,"

    Ys answered, a hint of excitement in her tone.

    "For starters, the allied fleet is already as good as gone."

    Rex glanced over his shoulder, alarmed. "

    Is she sending a bigger fleet to ambush them?"

    "Not exactly,"

    Ys chuckled, clearly enjoying his reaction.

    "You see, we have these... special units. Scary-looking guys who are very good at boarding enemy ships without anyone noticing; not even scanners can pick them up."

    Rex let out a low whistle, imagining what kind of horrors could bypass high-tech scanners and trained sentries.

    "If they''re considered scary by Khryssari standards, they must be pure nightmare fuel."

    He was still picturing these mysterious creatures when he felt Ys''s breath close to his ear, her voice dropping to a soft whisper.

    "Darling, we need to hurry to the transport ships. My aunt has already mobilized the real swarm."

    gunboat. It was under assault, with several K. warriors clawing at its hull, but the Aegis sentinel were holding them off, blasting the Khryssari back and giving Rex a clear path to board the ship.

    Once inside, Rex hurried to the cockpit and threw himself into the pilot''s seat. His fingers danced over the controls, bringing the gunboat''s systems online. The engines hummed as they powered up, and the energy shields shimmered to life, enveloping the ship in a protective barrier.

    "Aegis units, time to fall back!"

    he ordered through the comms.

    "Get inside the ship so we can take off."

    For a moment, there was silence. Then, a voice came through, deep and calm but with a strange hint of finality.

    [Negative, my lord. We will stay here to give you enough time to escape and prevent the Khryssari from breaching the ship.]

    Rex''s jaw tightened, his eyes widening.

    "What are you talking about? It''s time to leave; get inside now!"

    There was another pause, and then the response came again, this time even firmer.

    [Negative, sir. Time is running low. You need to take off immediately. It is our duty to ensure your safety.]

    Rex''s hands clenched on the controls, his heart sinking. He wasn''t used to this. The Aegis units were his steadfast guardians, each one a valuable and irreplaceable asset; more than that, they were his comrades. And now they were choosing to sacrifice themselves.

    He swallowed, trying to find the words. But before he could speak, the voice came through one final time.

    [And sir, it was an honor serving under you.]

    Rex''s grip on the controls trembled.

    "Understood,"

    he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. He forced himself to look away from the viewport, unable to bear the sight of the Aegis units outside, holding back the Khryssari swarm with unwavering resolve.

    The ship''s engines roared to full power, and Cleo gunboat lifted off the ground, slowly ascending. Through the cockpit''s glass, Rex caught one last glimpse of the Aegis sentinels, locked in fierce combat, their metallic forms shining amidst the chaos.

    One by one, they were overwhelmed by the relentless Khryssari forces, but they held the line, buying him every precious second they could.

    Ys watched him silently, sensing the turmoil in his heart. She reached out, resting a gentle hand on his shoulder.

    "They knew their purpose, darling. They chose this."

    Rex exhaled slowly, his gaze hardened. "

    I know. But that doesn''t make it any easier."

    The gunboat accelerated, leaving the battlefield below. As they soared through the skies, Rex''s heart was heavy with the weight of those left behind. The sacrifice of the Aegis units would not be forgotten. It would fuel him, driving him forward, giving him yet another reason to fight, to survive.

    Once the gunboat ascended into the sky, Rex''s eyes scanned the horizon, catching sight of a swarm of Khryssari aerial units, skydancers, and others, heading straight for them.

    Their forms were like dark shadows in the turbulent skies, wings beating in unison, creating a low, menacing hum that reverberated through the air.

    Rex''s hand flew to the control panel, activating the gunboat''s automated turrets. The hum of the engines was soon accompanied by the sharp, rhythmic thrum of rapid-fire cannons.

    Beams of light shot out, tearing through the darkened sky and striking down the approaching skydancers with deadly precision. The air crackled with energy as the Khryssari units spiraled downward, some disappearing in fiery bursts as the turrets found their marks.

    But Rex knew the odds were against them. The planet was overrun, and it would be nearly impossible to break free of the Khryssari swarm on sheer firepower alone.

    Just as the weight of that realization settled over him, a brilliant, unexpected sight caught his eye, it was a massive allied fleet ship, torn and battered, plummeting from the sky like a falling star.

    The ship''s descent was catastrophic, its bulk slicing through the Khryssari swarm with the force of a thousand blades. It crashed into the ground with a thunderous roar, splitting apart and erupting in a dazzling firestorm that lit the sky in a kaleidoscope of flame and debris.

    The impact and the subsequent explosions tore through the swarm, creating a temporary void, a pathway through the chaos.

    "Lady Luck, you beautiful thing,"

    Rex muttered

 Chapter 76: Going home.

    Seizing the opportunity. He pushed the gunboat''s throttle forward, maneuvering the vessel into the gap created by the crashing fleet ship. The vessel surged forward, the engines straining as it weaved dangerously close to the wreckage.

    The heat from the explosion roared around them, flames licking at the gunboat''s shields as they skimmed just above the disintegrating hull of the massive ship.

    Ys tightened her hold around Rex''s neck with a glint of excitement in her eyes as they sped through the inferno.

    "Darling, you really know how to make an escape dramatic,"

    she whispered with a playful smile dancing on her lips.

    Rex didn''t respond; his focus was absolute. Just as they passed the broken midpoint of the collapsing fleet ship, its space fuel storage ignited, detonating in a burst of blinding white light.

    The resulting shockwave surged outward, a tidal wave of pressure and fire that sent the remaining Khryssari scattering like leaves in a storm. The gunboat shuddered violently, caught in the edge of the blast, but held firm, its shields flaring bright as they absorbed the brunt of the impact.

    From the surface, all that could be seen was a towering column of fire and smoke, a beacon of chaos visible for kilometers. But from within that wall of flame, the gunboat burst out, a small but defiant silhouette against the blaze, engines roaring as it climbed toward the stars.

    Rex took a deep breath. His muscles tensed as he pushed the ship to its limit, breaking free of the atmosphere and heading for the cold void of space. The roar of flames gave way to the silence of the stars, and only then did he allow himself a moment to breathe, sweat slick on his brow.

    She relaxed her grip, her eyes shimmering with pride and something more like admiration.

    "You did it, darling. Now... where to next?"

    "What do you mean, ''where next?'' Can''t you see the war right there in front of¡ª"

    Rex stopped mid-sentence, turning around to look at the supposed battlefield. And then he froze, his mouth hanging open as the sight registered.

    Right there, in what should have been the heart of the allied fleet, there was nothing but twisted, scattered debris. Ships that had once formed an unstoppable armada, capable of taking on the hive mind fleet head-to-head, were now reduced to floating metal scraps.

    And in the middle of it all, looming like some ancient nightmare, was a massive black sphere with jagged, horn-like spires.

    It was enormous, easily fifteen kilometers across with spines jutting out in every direction like some demonic starfish. Its surface was dark, almost bone-like, covered in deep cracks that glowed with a sickly green light.

    "Ys..."

    Rex managed, barely above a whisper.

    "Hmm? What''s the matter, darling?"

    Ys replied, still hanging onto his neck, as if they weren''t floating in the middle of a battlefield graveyard.

    "So... what exactly is that thing I''m looking at?

    " Rex pointed at the monstrous sphere with a shaky finger.

    "Oh, that? That''s just my Aunt Kragnarok,"

    Ys said casually.

    "Planet Devourer. Though, if it helps you understand, think of it as a supercapital ship. Auntie''s piloting it right now, and... well, I know you''re strong, darling, but let''s just say you''re not quite in her league. So please, don''t do anything... silly,"

    she added, poking his cheek with a smirk.

    "How dumb do you think I am, Ys? No way am I picking a fight with that thing! We''re like a flea compared to it. Heck, we''re probably less than a flea."

    Rex was already flipping switches, preparing to activate the wormhole device.

    "Let''s just get out of here!"

    Sure, she''d never do anything to harm Rex, but the rest of the galaxy? Fair game. By giving her aunt a heads-up, she was making sure the Hive Mind had a warm welcome ready for these wannabe heroes. Two birds with one very big, deadly stone.

    Finally, Rex''s gunboat began its descent toward Nakor''s underground city. As they descended level by level, heading for the fifth floor where the residential areas were, he looked out over the cityscape in awe.

    The place had only grown since he''d last been here. Towering structures sprawled in every direction, linked by massive cargo tubes and neon-lit bridges. Ships and cargo drones zipped through the air like a swarm of angry bees, weaving around patrol drones and each other with shocking precision, or at least, reckless speed.

    "Wow, the place is really booming,"

    Rex muttered, watching the bustle below. It seemed like everywhere he looked, something was moving.

    Hundreds of thousands of people filled the streets, some headed for the commercial zones, others milling around food vendors, while the occasional Aegis patrol wove through the crowds like stiff-lipped chaperones trying to keep order at a rowdy carnival.

    He gave a low whistle. "

    All this is just for a bunch of credits. You''d think they were giving away gold bars down there."

    Ys chuckled, resting her chin on his shoulder.

    "Oh, they are, if you know where to look."

    As the gunboat slipped into its docking space, Rex took one last look out at Nakor''s thriving underground city and cracked his knuckles

    . "Alright, time to get back into the chaos. But first, I need a drink. A big one."

    As Rex''s battered vessel touched down in the private landing zone, Emilia was already waiting with a group of maid bots standing in neat rows.

    She watched him step out of the ship, covered in scrapes and bruises, his once-formidable armor now little more than a few broken scraps clinging to him like sad, defeated badges.

    Emilia''s eyes went wide.

    "Quickly, summon the medical bots and notify the Golden Hospital to prepare the private ward Lady Cleo set up,"

    she barked at the maid bots, her voice sharp and urgent. She moved so quickly that even Rex had to raise an eyebrow.

    "Easy there, Emi,"

    he said, flashing her a grin.

    "I''m not as bad off as I look. Most of this is just... dramatic effect."

    He gestured to his shredded armor with a laugh.

    "But if you''re setting up rooms, make sure Carlos gets one too. He''s the one who really took a beating. Though don''t worry, his bald head is still shining like a new credit chip."

    Rex gave her a thumbs up, trying to lighten the mood.

    Emilia nodded, but Rex noticed her hands gripping her maid skirt so tightly her knuckles were turning white. She was worried, and she was trying hard not to show it. He sighed softly, feeling a pang of guilt.

    "Alright then,"

    he said, turning to the medical bots who had gathered around him.

    "I''ll head to the hospital. Emi, can you take care of Ys? She''s passed out in the cockpit. Give her a comfortable place to rest."

    With that, he let the bots and a pair of Aegis units escort him to a civilian transport ship that was just large enough to accommodate his bruised frame without bumping his head.

    After a short flight, the transport ship touched down on the Golden Hospital''s exclusive landing pad. The moment the doors slid open, a small army of professionals was already assembled. Four doctors in pristine uniforms, several nurses, and even a few guards waited in perfect formation were clearly expecting some high-ranking VIP or dignitary to step out of the craft.

 Chapter 77: Golden Hospital.

    When the door of the civilian transport opened, what stepped out was not what anyone had expected. Instead of some frail aristocrat or grizzled old commander, a massive figure emerged; it was a white giant, towering at 2.5 meters.

    His battered armor hung in pieces, barely clinging to his frame, and a deep wound cut across his torso, gleaming faintly with strange, golden tech markings that pulsed with a faint, otherworldly light.

    The medics and nurses on the landing pad blinked, momentarily stunned. Rex had long black hair that flowed past his shoulders and a chiseled, almost impossibly handsome face.

    One of the nurses flushed bright red as his eyes met hers, and a few of the others exchanged glances, clearly caught off-guard by the sight of this rugged giant who looked like he''d walked straight out of some ancient legend. And right behind him, a group of Aegis units followed, their sleek, armored forms well-known around the underground city for their lethal efficiency.

    Just a few days prior, a gang of thugs had tried to stir up trouble here in the city. Within two hours, the entire gang had been wiped out, no survivors, not a single Aegis unit lost. After that little "incident," the other gangs had quickly decided to fall in line and respect the city''s rules.

    Rex took in the crowd of medical staff watching him and flashed a roguish grin.

    "Well, hello there, gentlemen,"

    he said, his voice calm and deep. He shot a wink at the nearest nurse.

    "And ladies. I hear I''m supposed to get some special treatment, courtesy of the lady in charge of the maids."

    He gestured toward Emilia and her team of maid bots, who stood just behind him, looking as formal and poised as ever.

    The lead doctor cleared his throat, clearly trying to gather his composure.

    "Welcome to the Golden Hospital, sir,"

    he said, nodding politely.

    "We''ve prepared the private zone exclusively for your use. If you''ll follow me?"

    Rex raised an eyebrow, looking amused.

    "Private zone? Now that''s my kind of service. Alright, lead the way before the maid commander here yells at me for stalling."

    He gave Emilia a playful salute, and she only rolled her eyes, though he could swear he saw a hint of a smile.

    As they escorted him through the hospital halls, Rex couldn''t help but notice the high ceilings, designed, it seemed, to accommodate even giants like him. Medical staff and patients alike stared as he passed, some whispering, others just gawking at the sight of this handsome, wounded colossus being escorted like royalty.

    When they finally arrived at the private treatment zone, Rex''s eyes widened a little in surprise. The room was decked out in the latest tech, recharge bays, medical pods, high-tech displays, and equipment that looked like it belonged on a spaceship rather than in a hospital.

    He scratched his head, genuinely impressed.

    "Wow. Fancy setup. Half of this stuff, I don''t even know what it does."

    One of the nurses, her cheeks still a bit pink, stepped forward hesitantly.

    "Um, sir, would you, uh, mind letting us help you remove your armor?"

    She fidgeted, glancing nervously at his battered chest plate.

    Rex chuckled

    . "No need, I got it."

    With a thought, he cut the power to the nanobots woven into the armor, and in an instant the battered pieces seemed to melt away, retracting into his body and leaving his bare torso exposed.

    Contrary to what they''d expected, Rex wasn''t built like a bulky, muscle-bound warrior. His frame was lean but well-toned, like a model carved from stone, with just the right amount of muscle, strong but not overly bulky. His skin was marred by a scattering of cuts and bruises, adding a rugged charm that only seemed to make the nurses blush deeper.

    "So... what''s next, doc?"

    Rex asked, glancing around as he noticed the room had gone strangely silent.

    The lead doctor coughed, visibly collecting himself. "

    Ahem. If you''ll lie down on one of the recharge bays, sir. Lady Cleo has already provided us with specific instructions on how to treat you."

    "Is that so?"

    Rex raised his eyebrows, grinning.

    "Well, alright then. You''re the professionals. Lead the way."

    "Allied fleet, taxes, secret project, you really don''t do anything halfway, do you?"

    "Efficiency is preferable to excess,"

    Cleo replied, her tone matter of fact.

    "But it is necessary to ensure we''re prepared for whatever comes next. And Rex..."

    She looked at him seriously.

    "This new unit may make all the difference in the battles to come. Rest up. You''ll need your strength when it''s ready."

    Rex gave her a mock salute.

    "Aye, aye, Captain. But, you know, don''t take too long rebuilding things. I''m not the type to sit around forever."

    Cleo''s lips quirked ever so slightly, almost a smile.

    "I''ll keep that in mind."

    And with that, she turned and strode out of the room, her silhouette framed by the soft glow of the holographic screen, leaving Rex to wonder just what kind of weapon she had in mind and what exactly the future had in store for them both.

    After a few more days of recovery, Rex finally left the hospital and found himself in the massive mansion Cleo had built. It was a strange mix of opulence and high-tech security that somehow fit her perfectly.

    The place looked like a classic mansion at first glance, but everywhere he looked, there were high-tech flourishes: sleek holo-displays, automated doors, and Aegis sentinels patrolling silently.

    Small recon drones disguised as various birds flitted around the grounds, their metallic wings gleaming as they swooped in perfect formations.

    Rex glanced at a particularly colorful "bird" that chirped at him as it flew by, and he muttered to himself, "

    Wonder what''ll happen first, me getting bored of these robo-birds, or Cleo finally explaining why she''s so obsessed with them. She''s an odd one, that''s for sure."

    From behind him, a familiar voice responded, calm and precise.

    "Interesting words coming from the man who insisted I build a room just to store rocks."

    "Oh! Hello, Cleo,"

    Rex said, feigning surprise. "

    Didn''t see you there."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

    "We are always together, Rex. Did you experience central memory degradation? I should run a diagnostic."

    Rex''s eyes widened, and he quickly held up his hands.

    "W-what? No! My brain is just fine; thank you very much. Nobody''s running diagnostics on my head. Cleo, you really need to learn when I''m joking and when I''m not. I swear, one of these days, I''ll wake up on a dissection table without even knowing how I got there."

    Cleo tilted her head slightly, studying him with a look that was half amusement, half analytic precision.

    "Noted. I''ll endeavor to improve my understanding of your ''jokes.''"

    Rex sighed, shaking his head with a grin.

    "So, you said you had a surprise for me. What''s the big reveal?"

    "It''s nothing extravagant,"

    Cleo said with her usual deadpan delivery.

    "Just... follow me."

    With his curiosity piqued, Rex followed her as she led him up a grand spiral staircase, all the way to the sixth floor of the mansion.

    The halls up here were pristine and quiet, with soft lights casting a warm glow on the polished floors. At the end of the hallway, Cleo stopped before an elegant set of double doors, gesturing for him to go in.

    Rex opened the doors and stepped inside just to froze in place, completely speechless.

 Chapter 78: Surprise

    The room was enormous, like a gallery straight out of a museum. The walls were lined with glass cases and display shelves, each one carefully arranged and lit to showcase... rocks.

    Not just ordinary stones, but crystals, minerals, meteorites, and strange glowing artifacts from across the galaxy. Some sparkled with deep colors; others seemed to hum with faint energy.

    There was even a small fountain in the center of the room, surrounded by smooth river stones, with a soft, bubbling sound that filled the space.

    "Ta-da,"

    Cleo said flatly, though there was a glimmer of pride in her golden eyes.

    "Your rock collection room, exactly as you requested."

    Rex gaped, utterly speechless

    . "I... you actually... Cleo, this is amazing! I was kidding about the rock room! Well, mostly kidding."

    Cleo gave a small, satisfied nod.

    "You seemed quite serious to me. And considering how often you talk about the ''geological wonders of the galaxy,'' it seemed only logical to create a space where you could... appreciate them properly."

    Rex chuckled, running a hand over one of the display cases, where a cluster of bright blue crystals sparkled under the lights.

    "You''re something else, Cleo. I mean, look at this place! You even got the lighting right. And... is that a meteorite from Kyron V?"

    She nodded. "

    Correct. I sourced materials from various sectors. And while I do find your fascination with rocks peculiar, it''s clear that this brings you... enjoyment."

    Rex grinned, looking around like a kid in a candy store.

    "Oh, this is better than enjoyment. This is heaven."

    He glanced back at Cleo, eyes twinkling with mischief.

    "Just don''t get any ideas about putting me on display in one of these cases, alright?"

    She blinked, then responded with an almost imperceptible smile.

    "As long as you refrain from damaging yourself further, I think that can be arranged."

    Rex laughed, shaking his head as he took in the room one more time. This wasn''t just a collection; it was proof that, despite her cool exterior and strict logic, Cleo had a way of understanding him that no one else did.

    "Well, Cleo,"

    he said, crossing his arms and giving her a warm smile,

    "you really know how to spoil a guy. Thank you."

    "Of course,"

    she replied, her voice softening just a fraction.

    "After all, what''s the point of all this... if it''s not shared?"

    For once, Rex was at a loss for words, and he let the silence linger, just enjoying the moment.

    After several minutes spent poking around the room like a curious kid, Rex finally remembered something and turned to Cleo with a shameless grin.

    "Mmm, I could probably spend hours in here, but... didn''t you say there were two surprises? What''s the next one?"

    He asked, his voice full of curiosity.

    Cleo raised an eyebrow.

    "Oh, so you finally remembered? Follow me. It''s in my private chambers."

    Rex trailed behind her, intrigued, until they arrived at Cleo''s room. The entrance was surprisingly well guarded, with eight imposing Aegis units lined up at the door. As Cleo approached, they placed a hand over their chests in a crisp salute before stepping aside to let them through.

    "Alright, Rex. You can open the door,"

    Then he noticed a shimmer of golden dust, like flecks of light, drifting from his chest and seeping into the mannequin, drawn along the line of his hand.

    "Thanks, Rex. It''s done,"

    Cleo''s voice echoed in his mind.

    "But keep your hand there a little longer; I need a bit more energy to bring the body to life."

    "

    Got it. So... can I open my eyes now?"

    There was a pause, and then, in an uncharacteristically soft tone, Cleo answered,

    "Yes..."

    Rex opened his eyes and watched mesmerized as the metallic mannequin began to shift. Its rigid, neutral form softened, hips widening, curves emerging where there had been none.

    The chest expanded, becoming full and rounded. The texture of the body was transforming, too, metallic silver melting into a pale, lifelike skin tone with a delicate hint of pink.

    Rex swallowed, his gaze lingering a little too long.

    "Oh... damn... those thighs,"

    he muttered under his breath, unable to stop himself.

    He snapped out of his daze just as the mannequin''s head completed its transformation. Long, sleek black hair cascaded down, and the face took on the familiar, beautiful features of Cleo''s face, but with even more vivid detail than he''d ever seen.

    Finally, her eyes fluttered open, revealing those intense golden irises staring straight at him.

    "How much longer do you plan to keep your hand on my chest, Rex?"

    Her voice was cool, but there was a glimmer of mischief in her gaze.

    Rex glanced down and felt his face heat up as he realized his hand had, at some point, drifted to a rather... soft part of her chest. Instinctively, he gave it a little squeeze, only to be met with a sharp slap on the back of his hand.

    "Ow¡ªokay, I deserved that,"

    he stammered, cheeks reddening.

    "I mean, you''re... wow. Just, wow."

    Cleo sat up slowly, holding her arms over her chest with a modesty that made her new form look even more striking. She raised an eyebrow at him, unimpressed by his flustered state.

    "Ahem, so... do you, uh, need any help?

    " Rex asked, fumbling for words as he tried (and failed) to look anywhere but at her.

    "There''s no need. I''ve already called Emilia to assist me.

    " Just as she said this, the door swung open, and Emilia entered, flanked by four efficient-looking robot maids.

    "Sir Rex,"

    Emilia said, giving him a polite but pointed smile. "I

    f you could please step outside, we''ll assist Lady Cleo in getting dressed."

    Before he could respond, the robot maids were already nudging him toward the door.

    "Wait, hold on, I¡ª!"

    But before he knew it, he was unceremoniously shoved out into the hallway. The door shut behind him with a definitive click, leaving him standing there, staring at his hand in a bit of a daze, as if he could still feel the softness he''d just held.

    He flexed his fingers absentmindedly, a grin sneaking onto his face, but then he looked up to see the Aegis units posted at the door, watching him silently.

    Rex cleared his throat, doing his best to keep a straight face.

    "Uh... keep up the good work, guys,"

    he muttered, giving them a halfhearted thumbs-up before turning and making a quick exit down the hall with a stupid grin still plastered across his face.

 Chapter 79: A date with Cleo.

    After Rex was kicked out of the room, Cleo let out a shaky breath, her cheeks flushing a soft pink. She could still feel the warmth of Rex''s hand on her. Well, she didn''t want to dwell on that. Clearing her mind, she straightened up just as Emilia''s voice broke the silence.

    "

    Lady Cleo, we have brought the dress you ordered from the city. Shall we assist you in dressing?

    " Emilia stood at the side of the bed, while two robot maids held up a gown of flowing white fabric, embroidered with intricate gold patterns.

    Cleo nodded, hoping the busy work of dressing would distract her from the lingering heat in her cheeks. She focused on each careful movement as the maids began slipping the gown over her shoulders, adjusting layers, and fastening clasps. Almost two imperial hours later, she was finally ready.

    Meanwhile, downstairs, Rex was sprawled on a sofa, his head tipped back as he fought off boredom and the temptation to fall asleep. He''d been waiting for ages, and the stillness of the room was starting to lull him. Just as his eyelids drooped, he heard the steady rhythm of marching footsteps.

    Rex cracked one eye open, but when the doors swung wide and Cleo entered, his other eye snapped open too, his jaw nearly hitting the floor. A squad of Aegis Sentinels filed in first, but they were nothing compared to the vision that followed.

    Cleo entered the room, making direct eye contact with Rex. She wore a flowing white dress accented with shimmering gold that caught the light with each step.

    Her long black hair was adorned with delicate golden pins that glowed softly, the tech symbols etched on them casting a faint light. But most striking of all were her wings, huge, pristine, folded elegantly behind her back. She looked like something out of a dream... an ethereal beauty come to life.

    For a moment, neither of them moved. Cleo stood there, and Rex sat frozen on the sofa, at a complete loss for words.

    Emilia cleared her throat, breaking the silence. Rex snapped out of his daze, practically stumbling off the sofa as he approached her.

    "You look... wow. You look beautiful, Cleo,"

    he said, his voice catching slightly as he tried to hold back a goofy grin.

    Cleo''s cheeks turned a shade pinker, and she looked away.

    "Oh... thanks. I suppose."

    Watching them, Emilia smiled to herself and, with a discreet clap of her hands, signaled everyone to leave the room. The Aegis Units filed out, and Emilia gave instructions for the door to be closed behind them. Within moments, Rex and Cleo were alone.

    Rex finally collected himself enough to speak.

    "So, uh, what''s the plan for today?"

    Cleo waved her hand, and several holographic screens appeared in front of her.

    "Well, we have a few stops. First, we''re going to inspect the assembly factory to check on the construction of the new unit. And later tonight...

    " she gave him a small, mischievous smile, "

    we''ll be attending an auction at the underground black market."

    Rex''s eyebrows shot up.

    "Wait... there''s a black market here? Since when?"

    Cleo''s expression was calm, almost amusing.

    "Since tonight, actually. This auction is the main event to launch the black market. Their representative approached me and asked permission to open it here, asking for security. In return, they''ll treat us as VIPs and give us 20% of their profits."

    Rex whistled, giving her an impressed look.

    "Well, damn, Cleo. Didn''t peg you for the cutthroat business type. Does that mean you''re, uh... rich?"

    She tilted her head, her golden eyes gleaming as she met his gaze.

    "Rex, you have no idea how much a single month of maintenance costs on this estate. ''Rich'' is a relative term when most of it goes right back into a black hole."

    Rex chuckled, scratching his head. "

    "Just you, Rex. I thought you might enjoy the extra attention."

    He laughed, giving her hand a light squeeze before letting go. "

    Flattery will get you everywhere, your Majesty."

    They touched down smoothly, the ship settling on the landing platform just outside the assembly factory. Rex straightened his jacket, casting one last glance at the fortress-like structure before stepping out of the ship, wondering what other surprises Cleo''s empire had in store for him.

    They stepped into the factory, Rex still escorting Cleo with a certain swagger in his step. Inside, the place buzzed with mechanical life. The assembly lines stretched as far as he could see, each one busy constructing sleek Aegis units in perfect synchronicity.

    Robotic arms whirred and sparks flew as the machines worked tirelessly, piecing together hundreds of the deadly sentinels.

    "Wow,"

    Rex murmured, taking in the sight. "

    You don''t mess around, do you? So, are there more floors?"

    "Indeed,"

    Cleo replied, a hint of pride in her voice.

    "The upper levels are dedicated to producing ammunition of every type imaginable, for the turrets, the Aegis units, and other troops."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, impressed.

    "Efficient. So... where''s the special project? You know, the new unit you''ve been working on?"

    Cleo gave him a pointed look.

    "Please, Rex. I wouldn''t leave a private project like that out in the open for anyone curious enough to wander by."

    She brought up a holographic screen, displaying a detailed blueprint of the factory.

    She pointed to a section at the very bottom

    . "My lab is on the lower floors. There are only two underground levels at the moment. The first is where we assemble Wraith-class fighters. Right now, production is at about two units per month. And the second level...

    " Her golden eyes sparkled.

    "That''s where I''m building the new unit."

    "

    Of course, hidden away in your secret lair,"

    Rex said with a grin.

    "Why am I not surprised?"

    She ignored his teasing and gestured down a hallway.

    "This way. I''ll show you."

    They made their way deeper into the factory, passing rows of meticulously organized components and rows of Aegis units in various stages of assembly.

    Rex watched as mechanical arms attached weapon systems to freshly built frames, each piece fitting together with the precision of a puzzle. He could feel the hum of energy in the air, a testament to the sheer power and resources Cleo poured into this facility.

    Finally, they reached a secure elevator that took them down to the lower levels, where Cleo led him through a series of heavily guarded corridors.

    She gave him a brief tour of the fighter assembly area, then finally showed him the new unit in progress. But it was clear she was keeping most of the details close to her chest, only allowing him to see what she wanted him to see.

 Chapter 80: A date with Cleo. (2)

    After a few hours, they exited the factory and boarded their transport ship once again. The four Wraith fighters took formation around them as they set course for the next destination.

    Rex leaned back in his seat, glancing over at Cleo with a smirk.

    "So, off to the black market now, huh? You know, I''ve always wanted to see what kind of shady deals go down in these places."

    Cleo gave him a cool, amused look

    . "Try to contain yourself, Rex. This is business, not entertainment."

    "

    Business can be entertaining, especially with you around,"

    he replied, grinning.

    Cleo just rolled her eyes, but he could tell by the slight twitch at the corner of her mouth that she was holding back a smile. As the ship sped toward the underground black market, Rex couldn''t help but feel a thrill of excitement.

    After a few minutes weaving through the bustling 4th floor of the underground city, their ship finally touched down at the VIP landing zone of the black market.

    The landing area wasn''t huge, but it was more than spacious enough to accommodate several VIP civilian ships, each sleek and ostentatious in its own right.

    The whole zone was tightly controlled, with patrols of the underground city''s police keeping a watchful eye on every corner. It was clear to anyone with a brain that trying to steal one of these ships would be a one-way ticket to getting vaporized. The underground city''s defenses were notoriously unforgiving.

    But even among the VIP ships, the arrival of Rex and Cleo''s transport drew immediate attention. Heads turned, conversations faltered, and eyes followed as their ship descended, flanked by four deadly Wraith fighters.

    It wasn''t every day a vessel arrived with that kind of high-powered escort, and the guards stationed around the most secure landing pad stood at attention.

    Waiting just outside the ship was an entourage of bot maids and black market representatives, all dressed in sleek uniforms, eager to greet their prestigious guests.

    When the ship''s doors finally opened, the spectacle continued. A procession of Aegis units emerged first, stepping out in perfect formation, followed by a line of bot maids who quickly took their positions along the path.

    And then, with all eyes riveted on the ramp, Rex appeared, tall, handsome, and dressed in a sharp white suit adorned with subtle gold accents. He exuded an easy confidence, his gaze sweeping over the onlookers with the faintest hint of amusement.

    But the real showstopper was Cleo. As she stepped out, an audible gasp rippled through the crowd. She moved with regal elegance, her long, white dress flowing around her like liquid starlight.

    The dress hugged her figure just enough to hint at her curves, while her doll-like face, framed by jet-black hair, looked almost otherworldly in its beauty. But it was her wings that truly stunned the crowd, immaculate, feathered, and glowing softly with a golden light. She looked like a deity who had somehow deigned to walk among mortals.

    Rex noticed the stares and leaned close, his voice a low murmur only she could hear.

    "I think I''m getting jealous already. I don''t like how everyone''s looking at you. Maybe I should poke their eyes out."

    Without missing a beat, Cleo placed her hand in his, accustomed by now to his possessive grip.

    "I told you not to say anything rude before we arrived, Rex,"

    she replied, her tone as icy and controlled as ever.

    Rex clicked his tongue, giving her a playful smirk. "

    Fine, I''ll play nice. Behold, my most elegant form."

    He struck an exaggerated pose, lifting his chin and adopting the expression of a snobby aristocrat.

    Cleo glanced at him, barely suppressing an eye roll.

    "Just... try to act normal,"

    "Haaaa, pretending to be a rich guy with a beautiful wife is exhausting."

    Cleo''s eyes flickered with a hint of amusement as she glanced at him.

    "Incorrect. I''m 80% certain the impression you gave was that of a wealthy woman with her... male companion."

    Rex''s face went through a range of emotions: shock, disbelief, and then indignation.

    "W-wait... what? No way. That''s impossible, right? Hold on¡ªdid you just make a joke? Since when do you joke?"

    Cleo looked at him, her face as neutral as ever.

    "What joke?"

    she replied, her voice as icy as usual. But as she turned her head away, Rex caught the faintest hint of a smile playing at her lips.

    He narrowed his eyes at her suspiciously, realizing she was indeed learning to mess with him. Instead of reacting, he leaned forward and gently took her chin between his fingers, turning her face back to him. His own face was just inches from hers.

    "Well, for the record, I don''t mind the idea of being your... ''male toy,''"

    he whispered, his voice low and teasing before he released her.

    Cleo''s expression stayed impassive, but inside, her mind was spinning. She hadn''t expected him to turn the tables so easily, and she felt a spark of embarrassment, something she rarely experienced. She thought she was prepared for Rex''s impulsiveness, but apparently she was wrong.

    Meanwhile, Rex settled back into his seat, looking entirely too pleased with himself, a satisfied grin tugging at his lips. Cleo struggled to regain her composure, her icy exterior hiding the fact that her mind was practically screaming.

    Their little moment was interrupted as the lights dimmed in the auction hall, drawing their attention to the stage. A single spotlight illuminated the center, where an elderly gentleman in a sharp black suit and white gloves took his place, a polished baton in his hand.

    "Ladies and gentlemen,"

    he began, his voice ringing through the hall,

    "we are honored to welcome you all to the first Black Market auction. Before we begin, we would like to extend our gratitude to the ruler of the underground city for making this event possible."

    He looked up toward the VIP room, his gaze meeting the one-way glass where Rex and Cleo were seated. Rex offered a lazy wave, though he doubted anyone could see it, while Cleo simply inclined her head in acknowledgment.

    "Now, without further ado, let the auction begin!"

    The old man tapped his baton, and a ripple of excitement swept through the crowd as the first item was brought to the stage; it was a strange, glimmering artifact encased in glass.

    Rex leaned in closer to Cleo, his voice barely above a whisper.

    "Think we''ll see anything worth buying, or are we just here to show off?"

    Cleo raised an eyebrow.

    "Depends. Are you planning on bidding on something, or are you just here to play as my male companion''?"

    Rex chuckled, unbothered.

    "Maybe both. Though if something catches your eye, I''ll just have to make sure I win it for you, won''t I?"

    Cleo gave him a sidelong glance, her lips curving ever so slightly.

    "Let''s see if you can keep up, then."

    The auctioneer''s voice echoed across the hall as he began listing off the features of the first item up for bid. As the auction proceeded, Rex found himself more interested in the challenge Cleo had just thrown at him than in anything actually up for sale. Tonight was turning out to be far more intriguing than he''d anticipated.

 Chapter 81: Necrotech world.

    The auction continued at a steady pace, showcasing an assortment of rare artifacts, some more interesting than others.

    Rex and Cleo bid occasionally; she won a rare rock from a bioluminescent world that glowed faintly in her hands, and later, they snagged a blueprint for a robot bird. That blueprint, oddly enough, turned out to be the most expensive item they''d bid on nearly two million credits.

    Rex couldn''t hide his surprise. He glanced at Cleo, who was examining the blueprint on a screen, her eyes lit with fascination. Apparently, her affection for those little mechanical birds was stronger than he''d thought.

    Rex made a mental note to hunt down more blueprints on his future travels; clearly, they''d make for good gifts.

    "And that concludes the regular portion of tonight''s auction,"

    the elderly auctioneer announced, his voice resonant.

    "Now, we will proceed to our premium items, items so rare and exclusive that only those in the VIP rooms are permitted to bid."

    He stepped to the side with a dramatic sweep of his arm, and from behind the curtains, a procession of Aegis units marched onto the stage, surrounding a young woman who held a small black box in her hands.

    "Now, ladies and gentlemen,

    " the auctioneer continued, his voice rising with excitement,

    "our headline item is an artifact the black market paid a heavy price to acquire, which is contained within this box. But I won''t tease you any longer; I know you''re all dying to see it."

    With a theatrical gesture, he pointed his baton at the girl, who stepped forward and opened the box. She lifted a small, heavily encrypted USB drive, holding it up for everyone to see before placing it carefully back inside the box.

    "As some of you may have guessed, this USB contains coordinates,"

    the auctioneer said, letting the suspense hang in the air for a moment. Then he leaned in, lowering his voice for effect.

    "Coordinates to a recently discovered necrotech world."

    A ripple of shocked murmurs spread through the crowd. Even the VIPs in their private rooms were visibly restless, leaning forward, eager, their eyes fixed on the stage. The anticipation in the air was electric.

    Everyone, that is, except Rex, who took another sip of his wine and glanced over at Cleo, clearly puzzled.

    "Hey, Cleo, what''s a necrotech world?"

    Cleo turned her head, giving him a brief look of mild amusement.

    "I''m not surprised you''ve never heard of them. Necrotech worlds aren''t common knowledge, and they''re kept under strict classification."

    "Why''s that?"

    Rex asked, curiosity sparking in his eyes.

    Cleo tapped the screen in front of her, pulling up a series of images and videos from her personal archives. Grainy footage of barren, desolate landscapes appeared, filled with humans moving in slow, unnatural motions. Their skin was partially fused with metal, with wires and machinery jutting out from under decayed flesh. The sight was both eerie and mesmerizing.

    "These worlds are infected,"

    Cleo explained, her tone clinical. "

    All life on them has been overtaken by a tech-based virus, one that spreads through organic beings, turning them into twisted fusions of flesh and metal. The virus integrates with their bodies, reanimating them as cybernetic husks with only one goal: to spread the infection."

    Rex''s brows knitted as he watched the disturbing footage.

    "So, a virus that turns people into... machines? Like undead cyborgs?"

    "Essentially. My people have purged several necrotech worlds before,"

    she continued, her voice cool and steady.

    "Our units are immune to the virus, as it only affects organic life. But despite countless attempts, we''ve never been able to trace the virus back to its source. It remains a mystery, even after centuries of study."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her gaze.

    "Why would they attack us? They know who we are. An attack on us would make them enemies of the entire city."

    Rex shrugged, still glancing around as they walked.

    "Yeah, but these are black market types. They''re not exactly known for their restraint. Greed tends to get in the way of logic."

    As they stepped inside the mansion, Cleo chuckled softly. "

    Don''t be silly, Rex. Even if they wanted the coordinates, they''d never risk it. Besides, they don''t know which VIPs won. And it''s not like these coordinates are exclusive; the black market will likely sell similar ones in other cities."

    He gave her a sidelong glance

    . "Wait, so they''re selling the same coordinates to different buyers? Isn''t that, like, double-crossing everyone?"

    Cleo rolled her eyes, though there was a faint smile on her lips. "I

    t''s the black market, Rex. Everything about it is illegal."

    "Touche?,"

    he said, chuckling. As he looked around, he realized that somehow, in their conversation, they''d ended up outside Cleo''s room.

    "Ummm..."

    He scratched the back of his neck, glancing at her door, then back at her. "

    Wasn''t planning on ending up here, but, uh, I''ll take it as a sign."

    Cleo looked at him, her face as composed as ever, though there was a slight glint in her eyes.

    "A sign of what, exactly?"

    Rex cleared his throat, leaning casually against the doorframe, trying to mask his nervousness.

    "Oh, I don''t know... Maybe that you enjoy my company more than you let on?"

    Cleo gave him an appraising look, her expression unreadable.

    "Or perhaps it''s a sign that you lack direction and just followed me here out of habit."

    Rex laughed, shaking his head. "

    You know, I can never tell if you''re insulting me or just teasing me."

    Cleo''s lips quirked into the faintest of smiles.

    "Maybe a bit of both."

    She turned, opening the door to her room. "Well, are you coming in or are you just going to stand outside?"

    Rex was shocked at first when he heard those words,

    "Erm, I dont thinks so, I will sleep in my room for well you know, giving you some privacy."

    "Mmm? What are you talking about? This is also your room,"

    Cleo said while getting inside.

    "Ah....."

 Chapter 82: Illumination.

    Rex hesitated at the door, glancing around Cleo''s room as he stepped inside. She was already there, looking at him with her mesmerizing golden eyes, an amused glint hidden in their depths.

    "Uh, so you''re okay with me being here?"

    he asked, trying to sound casual but feeling the heat rise to his face.

    Cleo tilted her head slightly, her expression calm.

    "Yes. I prepared this room for both of us to sleep in."

    Rex blinked, caught off guard.

    "Both of us? As in, together? Don''t you feel, I don''t know... a little shy?"

    She raised an eyebrow, her lips curving in a hint of a smile as she turned to remove her hair accessories.

    Why would I feel shy, Rex? You and I share the same essence, the same nucleus. My connection to you is as deep as it is inescapable. Sleeping together is simply a way to reinforce that bond. And besides,"

    she added, almost to herself,

    "it''s not like this is the first time we''ve..."

    Cleo trailed off; her cheeks tinged the faintest shade of pink. Before she could finish, the maid bots entered the room through a hidden door, moving efficiently to help her out of her dress. Rex found himself momentarily entranced, watching as the maids carefully peeled away layers of fabric, revealing more of Cleo''s pale, flawless skin.

    Catching his gaze, she narrowed her eyes slightly, though the faint flush in her cheeks betrayed her composure.

    "Are you planning to sleep in those clothes, or..."

    Rex snapped out of it, looking down at his own outfit.

    "Uh, right. I''ll... go change."

    "That won''t be necessary,"

    Cleo said, her voice a little too casual as she gave him a lingering look.

    "The maids will take care of it for you."

    Rex blinked in confusion, then noticed the maid bots advancing toward him, clearly intent on "assisting" with his clothing.

    "Wait¡ªhold on,"

    he protested, trying to fend them off as they began to tug at his jacket.

    "I can undress myself, thanks!"

    Cleo settled into a nearby chair, watching the struggle with an amused smirk as one of the maids brought her a silk robe, almost transparent, draping elegantly over her curves.

    She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze fixed on Rex with a mischievous glint. "

    Oh, so I get a little show before bed, but you don''t want to return the favor?"

    She teased, biting her lip in mock anticipation.

    Rex''s focus wavered as he met her gaze, and that was all the opportunity the maids needed. With surprising efficiency, they managed to divest him of his clothes, leaving him stark naked. Rex quickly covered himself, glaring at Cleo with a mix of embarrassment and exasperation.

    "And where exactly are my pajamas?"

    Cleo chuckled, her voice taking on a playful, sultry edge.

    "What pajamas? I happen to know you sleep naked."

    He frozen, staring at her.

    "Wait... how do you know that?"

    Without answering, Cleo rose gracefully from the chair, crossing to the bed with deliberate slowness, letting him catch a glimpse of her bare back and the elegant curve of her waist as she slipped under the blankets.

    "After all, I did manage to get a kiss from the great Lady Cleo this morning. I think I can handle a briefing

    ."

    Cleo shot him a withering look, but there was a tiny, reluctant smile tugging at the corner of her mouth.

    "Don''t let it go to your head, Rex."

    He chuckled, feeling a rare warmth between them. "

    Too late for that, princess."

    "Hmph. Serve yourself, then,"

    Cleo said, gesturing toward the seat at the head of the long, ridiculously grand table.

    "Take a seat, please."

    Rex looked at the chair she indicated, then back at her with a raised eyebrow.

    "So... who exactly are we waiting for to fill up this comically large table?"

    Cleo glanced at her tablet, her expression as neutral as ever.

    "We''re waiting for Carlos, Emilia, and Y''Ssera to join us. We''ll begin planning our next steps once everyone arrives."

    "Makes sense, I guess,"

    Rex said, sliding into the head seat with a smirk. But then he frowned, looking at her.

    "Still, can you explain why I''m sitting in this chair? The boss chair, at the head of the table? Shouldn''t that be you

    ?"

    Cleo blinked, momentarily confused by his question.

    "Because you''re the highest rank here."

    Rex raised a skeptical eyebrow.

    "Wait a minute. I''m the highest rank? How does that work? You''re the one who built this place, right? Doesn''t that make you the one in charge?"

    Cleo tilted her head, her expression serious as she considered his words.

    "This is the optimal formation I calculated,"

    she replied, as if the answer were obvious.

    Rex crossed his arms, giving her an amused look.

    "Alright, let me rephrase. What made you decide that putting me in charge was the optimal choice?"

    Cleo hesitated for a moment, then looked him directly in the eye.

    "You have a charisma that I... lack,"

    she admitted, her tone softening slightly.

    "Charisma is essential to lead others, to inspire them. That''s something my father taught me."

    Rex''s eyes widened, catching the faint vulnerability in her voice.

    "Your father? Wait... that reminds me."

    He leaned back, trying to piece together a hazy memory.

    "I had this strange dream recently, and in it, there was this figure who¡ª"

 Chapter 83: New Agenda.

    Just then, the door swung open, and Carlos, Emilia, and Y''Ssera entered, each taking their seats around the table. Rex''s thoughts were interrupted, and he shot a quick glance at Cleo, but her expression had already returned to its usual calm mask.

    Carlos took his seat, giving Rex a nod of respect.

    "Sir Rex. Lady Cleo,"

    he greeted them formally.

    Emilia offered a polite smile, though her gaze flickered with curiosity as she glanced between Rex and Cleo. Y''Ssera, meanwhile, looked mildly bored, adjusting her hair with a flick of her wrist.

    Rex cleared his throat, straightening in his seat as he remembered his role.

    "Alright, so... let''s get started. What''s on the agenda for today''s meeting?"

    Cleo subtly adjusted her posture, letting Rex take the lead as the others settled in. Though she didn''t look at him, he could tell she was listening closely, almost as if she were testing his abilities.

    And as the planning session began, Rex couldn''t shake the feeling that there was more to Cleo''s decision and her past than she was letting on.

    As everyone settled around the huge table, holographic screens flickered to life in front of each person, projecting data and visuals. Cleo stood at the head, her gaze sharp and focused.

    "If you''ll direct your attention to the screens, this is the plan our leader, Rex, has decided on."

    Rex gave her a sidelong look, a bit taken aback by her formal tone, but didn''t interrupt. Information about the recently acquired necrotech world scrolled across the screens, with diagrams and images detailing the risks and resources required.

    Carlos furrowed his brow as he scanned the data.

    "What exactly am I looking at here?"

    he muttered, scratching his shaved head.

    Rex grinned, leaning back in his chair.

    "I had the same reaction, baldy. But just keep reading; it''s all explained."

    After a few more minutes of tense silence, Y''Ssera looked up, her expression regretful.

    "I''m sorry, darling,"

    she said to Rex, her tone soft.

    "But I won''t be able to join you this time. This kind of enemy... it''s deadly to my people. We''ve encountered necrotech worlds before, and our protocol is to destroy them from orbit. Going down to the surface is far too dangerous."

    Rex gave her a reassuring smile and a wink.

    "Don''t worry about it, Ys. This mission will just be me and Cleo. We''re immune to the virus, and so are our troops. We''re the best suited for this kind of operation."

    Y''Ssera nodded, though a trace of sadness lingered in her eyes.

    "Be careful, darling,"

    she murmured.

    Cleo took over, her fingers tapping commands into her holographic console, bringing up a new set of data. Schematics for a sleek, medium-sized warship appeared, along with blueprints for upgraded Aegis units.

    "As Rex said, we''re immune to the virus, but that doesn''t make us immune to the physical attacks of the infected. We''ll need time to prepare an appropriate force. It will take two years to build an army large enough, as well as a proper escort for the ship I''m currently designing."

    Carlos looked up from his screen, his face a mixture of curiosity and concern.

    "And in the meantime... what''s our role?"

    Rex turned to him with a grin.

    He flashed her a grin, then added, "

    So, how much longer until we arrive at the necrotech world?"

    Cleo''s gaze remained fixed on her screens. "

    Approximately three hours, using the wormhole."

    Rex nodded, glancing at the holographic display showing past recordings of Cleo''s encounters with the infected of necrotech worlds. The twisted, undead machines flickered on the screen, their cybernetic parts sparking erratically as they lumbered forward in endless, mindless waves.

    "So... do you think there''ll be any survivors down there?"

    Rex asked, a trace of hope in his voice.

    Cleo''s golden eyes shifted slightly, betraying a hint of sympathy.

    "Highly unlikely. According to the black market''s information, it took them nearly three years to acquire those coordinates. And we''ve spent another two years preparing to get here. My informants indicate we''re the first to arrive, but if anyone''s survived this long... it would be a miracle."

    Rex fell silent, his expression contemplative as he stared at the flickering images on the screen.

    Meanwhile, on the surface of the necrotech world, a father and his twin young daughters sprinted through the rubble-strewn streets, their breath coming in desperate gasps.

    Behind them, a group of infected drones lurched forward, rotting humanoid figures whose decayed flesh was fused with malfunctioning cybernetic implants, their eyes flickering with erratic lights. While slow, they were relentless, and there were far too many of them to outrun easily.

    "Papa!"

    one of the twins cried, her voice trembling. "

    I... I can''t run anymore!"

    The father glanced down, his face pale and exhausted. He was already carrying her twin sister in his arms since she was burning up with fever, her body weakened by an untreated illness that would have once been trivial to cure. But now, medicine was a distant memory, just like the days of peace.

    "I know, sweetheart. I know,"

    he said, his voice cracking. "

    But we have to keep going. Just a little further."

    He spotted a nearby building that looked relatively intact. Grabbing his daughter''s hand, he pulled her forward.

    "Quickly! Let''s go inside and head for the roof. We can block the stairs behind us."

    He kicked the door open and ushered his daughter in, following close behind to make sure none of the infected were too close. They sprinted up the stairwell, the father glancing anxiously over his shoulder at every turn, praying they could stay one step ahead of the relentless swarm.

    At last, they burst onto the rooftop, but the girl he''d been leading collapsed onto her knees, her legs finally giving out from sheer exhaustion.

    "P-Papa... I... can''t... move anymore,

    " she gasped, struggling to catch her breath.

    "Just hold on, sweetheart,"

    he murmured, bending down to comfort her. But his eyes widened in horror as he spotted movement behind her.

    "Sweetheart, look out!"

    A decayed, cybernetic drone stumbled out from behind a pile of debris, its mouth opening in a grotesque hiss as it lunged toward his daughter, its metallic fingers outstretched.

    The father lunged forward, desperation flooding his veins as he reached for anything, anything at all, to save his little girl.

 Chapter 84: The twins.

    Since it all happened too fast, the father of the twins barely had a moment to think. He did what any father would do when love outweighs fear; he threw himself between the zombie drone and his daughter, shielding her with his own body.

    In that split second, while clutching his other daughter tightly in his arms, he braced himself. The drone''s bite tore into his shoulder with a force that was anything but human. Flesh ripped, bones snapped, and and a fountain of blood erupted, staining the rain-soaked ground beneath them.

    The virus had turned the drone into something more than undead, something with a brutal, mechanical strength that left his shoulder mangled and his muscles and sinew shredded.

    "P-Papa!"

    his daughter''s voice broke through the rain, a desperate cry edged with terror. She understood, in that awful instant, what was coming and what it meant to be bitten. But the shock paralyzed her, holding her in a silence filled only by the pattering rain and her father''s ragged breathing.

    Tears spilled down her cheeks, mingling with the rain as she stood helpless, feeling as though the whole world had fractured around her.

    Her mind screamed that her father was lost, that she was next, and then, out of nowhere, a golden plasma bolt streaked down from the sky, striking the zombie drone squarely.

    The creature collapsed, smoldering, as figures began descending from above, haloed in the glow of their own armor.

    The Aegis Sentinels landed, one after another, their movements precise, almost inhuman. One sentinel, the one who''d fired the shot, turned his helmet lights on her, assessing with cold, clinical detachment.

    [Three survivors located; Healthy female child and sick female child confirmed; no trace of further infection was present.]

    The voice echoed metallically, devoid of any warmth or humanity.

    As the sentinel completed his report, another strode forward and stopped beside her father, who lay gasping in the mud, his skin already paling.

    "[Young male detected. Health condition: critical. Infection detected...]"

    "[Proceeding with cleaning protocol]"

    "No!"

    The girl''s voice broke, raw with fury and desperation

    . "You can''t! Leave my papa alone!"

    She knew what they planned to do and knew that, in their logic, her father was as good as dead. But her heart rejected it, fought it, and screamed that he was still there, still her father, still worth saving.

    She stepped between her father and the sentinel, her small frame trembling but unyielding. The Aegis unit raised its plasma gun, pointing it at her without hesitation. In the old days, the machine would have killed her without a second thought since she was just an obstacle in the way of its mission.

    But something held it back. The sentinel hesitated, as if a new protocol restrained it, as if some unseen force tempered the cold, ruthless programming that had once driven it.

    "Stand down, Aegis Unit 619."

    A voice drifted through the air, soft yet commanding, carrying a strange, almost unearthly calm. The girl turned, wide-eyed, and there, through the rain and shadows, she saw her...

    She descended like an angel of war, clothed in high-tech armor that gleamed white and gold, accentuating her graceful, almost ethereal form. Behind her, enormous wings spread wide, shimmering in the rain.

    Beside her, a towering figure in similar armor but bigger, stoic, with a presence that radiated unbreakable strength, landed with a quiet, measured power.

    Cleo''s gaze shifted to the father lying in the mud, bloodied and barely holding on, and to the two little girls huddled together, soaked and shivering in the cold night air.

    "Child,

    " Cleo''s voice was soft yet commanding, her eyes settling on the oldest girl.

    "You know what''s happening to your father, don''t you?"

    The girl shook her head fiercely, her voice breaking.

    "No! My papa will be alright! He promised... he promised we''d be together forever!"

    Her words were choked with sobs, as if saying them could somehow hold back the inevitable.

    Her father, struggling for breath, managed to lift his head, his voice a hoarse whisper.

    "That''s enough... Nyra."

    "Papa!"

    "Good. They deserve some rest after... everything."

    Cleo''s fingers moved quickly across her screens as she analyzed the layout of the ruined plaza below

    . "What do you think of this location? Will it work for the assembly factory?"

    Rex nodded again.

    "It''ll do. We have enough space here to set up production lines without obstruction. Good call, Rex."

    "Perfect,"

    Cleo replied, already issuing commands.

    "I''m deploying drop pods with construction bots and materials. We''ll have the foundation laid soon

    ."

    Their conversation was interrupted by a crackling voice over the communications.

    [Sir, we''ve encountered a high-priority hostile; our weapons are proving ineffective, requesting the deployment of the Mauler Juggernaut for support.]

    Rex frowned, considering the cost of deploying the Mauler, since its high-powered artillery rounds burned through credits with each shot. "

    Do you have visual confirmation on the target?

    "

    [Affirmative, Streaming live feed now.]

    A screen materialized in front of Rex, displaying the grim scene. The video showed a hulking creature, easily eight times the size of an average infected, lumbering through the ruins while the Aegis Sentinels fired futilely at it.

    Its body was encased in thick, chitinous armor that absorbed incoming plasma rounds like they were mere raindrops. With each hit, the creature seemed to pulse with kinetic energy, its body glowing ominously before launching explosive projectiles back at its attackers.

    "That''s a superior mutant,"

    Cleo observed, her eyes narrowing.

    "This one''s tougher than most."

    Rex smirked, intrigued.

    "So, this creature is the boss of this area?"

    "Affirmative,"

    Cleo nodded.

    "These unique infected evolve beyond common limits, becoming zone leaders. They command the infected hordes in their territory."

    "Perfect,"

    Rex said, excitement flickering in his eyes

    . "I''ve been waiting to see what the Mauler Juggernaut can do. Let''s test it out."

    Before Cleo could respond, Rex scooped her up in a swift, effortless motion, carrying her in his arms as he launched off the edge of the building. They soared through the rain-soaked air, moving at breakneck speed toward the battlefield, the wind whipping past them as Rex maneuvered with precision.

    Cleo, unphased by the sudden flight, kept her gaze fixed on her screens, calculating Mauler''s entry point and preparing support protocols. As they closed in on the battle, she could already see flashes of plasma fire and hear the booming echoes of the creature''s retaliatory blasts.

    When they arrived, Rex touched down with Cleo still in his arms, setting her down gently before stepping forward to assess the situation.

    The Aegis units were holding their ground, but barely, and several of them were already damaged, their armor scorched and dented from the relentless counterattacks.

    Rex raised his wrist and keyed in the authorization.

    "Deploy the Mauler Juggernaut at my location. Priority target: zone boss."

 Chapter 85: Mauler Juggernaut.

    Within moments, a low rumble echoed through the city as the Mauler drop pod hurtled from orbit, streaking through the clouds like a comet.

    It slammed into the ground nearby with a deafening crash, unfolding to reveal the massive war machine, an armored juggernaut bristling with high-caliber weaponry and reinforced plating. The Mauler''s cannons began to glow as it powered up, the deep hum of its engines reverberating across the battlefield.

    Rex grinned, anticipation lighting up his face.

    "Alright, let''s see how this so-called boss handles some real firepower."

    The Mauler Juggernaut''s targeting systems locked onto the towering zombie, and with a thunderous roar, it unleashed its first salvo, a blast of plasma so intense it turned the night into day for a brief moment.

    The impact struck the creature dead center, sending it staggering backward; chunks of its armored hide blasted away, exposing the raw, pulsing flesh beneath.

    For the first time, the mutant seemed to hesitate, its monstrous form wavering as it struggled to recover from the blast. But Rex wasn''t done yet.

    "Keep firing,"

    he ordered, his voice cold and unyielding.

    The Mauler unleashed round after round, each shot tearing into the boss with merciless precision. The ground shook with every impact, the relentless firepower of the Mauler proving too much for even this formidable enemy.

    But this boss wasn''t about to go down quietly. With all the energy it had absorbed from the relentless attacks, it unleashed a powerful counterstrike, firing a barrage of explosive energy blasts toward the Mauler.

    The zombie''s shots tore through the air with blistering speed, each one a deadly streak aimed directly at the Juggernaut.

    The Mauler Juggernaut, with its massive, lumbering frame, had no chance to dodge. Speed was its Achilles'' heel, and even if it had tried, its heavy armor made evasion almost impossible.

    The energy blasts struck it dead-on, a brutal assault that cracked its shields and engulfed it in a shower of burning plasma.

    But when the smoke began to clear, the Mauler stood tall, its thick armor barely dented; the only damage was a few scorched marks, paint singed, and peeling. The zombie''s assault had done nothing more than scratch the surface of its impenetrable hull.

    And then, for the first time, a guttural voice rumbled from within the Mauler''s comms

    "[Die, scum.]"

    Rex''s eyes widened in surprise.

    "Wait, did he just say that?"

    he muttered, glancing at Cleo, who looked equally taken aback. The Kaelzar machines were never programmed for speech beyond their commands. This was new... and unsettling.

    But the Mauler didn''t pause. With a low whir, missile pods unfolded from its shoulders, each one primed and aimed at the stumbling boss.

    The zombie monster staggered, trying to evade, but it was too late. The missiles shot forward, tracking the target''s every move, and as they hit, they splintered into smaller explosives, each mini-warhead detonating with pinpoint precision across the creature''s armored form.

    Cleo watched the devastation unfold, her face lit by the glow of her holographic screens.

    "Finish it off, but leave the head intact; I want that brain preserved for study."

    Through the thick smoke of the explosions, the Mauler advanced, relentless as ever. The boss creature was still standing, but only barely, its twisted body riddled with burns and wounds, patches of exposed flesh sizzling.

    Without hesitation, the Mauler surged forward, ramming into it with a brutal shoulder check that sent the zombie boss sprawling onto the ground.

    Towering over its fallen foe, the Mauler aimed its plasma cannons at the creature''s neck. Then, in a merciless display, it fired shot after shot, each blast a concentrated pulse of energy that tore into the creature''s body with surgical precision.

    In a burst of rage, she grabbed anything within reach, pillows, small medical instruments, even a metal tray, and hurled them at him, one by one.

    Each item clanged harmlessly against Rex''s energy shield, flickering to life around him, but he didn''t flinch or attempt to stop her.

    Two Aegis units stationed outside stepped forward, ready to restrain the child, but Rex raised his hand, signaling them to hold back. He stood silently, letting Nyra vent her pain, her small body trembling as she threw every ounce of her fury at him.

    "Stop, Sister!"

    Lyra cried, her voice weak but insistent. She slipped out of her bed, still unsteady from her fever, and wrapped her arms around Nyra, pulling her back.

    "Please... he saved us."

    "How can you say that?"

    Nyra sobbed, her fists clenching in helpless rage.

    "He killed Papa! I saw it. I saw him do it right in front of us."

    Her voice broke, and tears poured down her face.

    Lyra''s own eyes filled with tears as she held her sister, trying to comfort her despite her own sorrow. Seeing her sister''s pain only made Nyra''s anger fade, and her small shoulders slumped as she turned to embrace Lyra fully.

    The two girls clung to each other, crying softly, sharing the weight of their grief in the sterile quiet of the medical bay.

    Rex remained where he was, his expression unreadable as he watched them. He stood in silence, waiting patiently until the storm of their emotions had subsided, giving them the time and space they needed to process what they''d lost.

    He knew there was nothing he could say to ease their pain, and perhaps, right now, they wouldn''t want to hear it.

    After their tears finally slowed to quiet sobs, Rex took a moment before approaching. He picked up a tray of food, a simple meal with some pre-packaged rations, juice, and a small bag of chips.

    He walked slowly toward the twins'' bed, his heavy footsteps softened by his deliberate care. When he reached them, he knelt beside their bed and, with a soft click, deactivated his helmet.

    As the helmet retracted, his face was revealed, unexpectedly gentle, framed by long black hair that fell loosely around his shoulders. He looked nothing like the cold, armored figure they''d seen on the battlefield. Instead, he seemed almost... human. A person, not just a weapon.

    The girls looked at him in silence, their eyes red and puffy, their expressions wary but curious.

    "I know you''re both hurting right now,"

    Rex began quietly, his voice calm and steady.

    "Losing your father... it''s a pain no one should have to endure. And there''s nothing I can say that will make it right."

    He set the tray down on the bed within reach, nudging it gently toward them.

    "But you still have to eat. Your father entrusted both of you to me, and I promised him I would look after you."

    Nyra''s eyes narrowed slightly, her lips pressed into a thin line.

    "You... you promised him?"

    Re

    x looked at Nyra eyes before answering.

    "I...."

 Chapter 86: Void Crawler.

    Rex nodded, meeting her gaze with unwavering sincerity.

    "Yes. In his last moments, he asked me to protect you both, to make sure you had a chance to live. And I don''t take promises lightly."

    He glanced down, his hand resting on the edge of the bed.

    "I know you might not understand why things happened the way they did. And I don''t expect you to forgive me, not now. Maybe not ever. But I''ll be here, as long as you need me."

    Lyra reached out hesitantly, her fingers brushing the juice box on the tray. She looked up at Rex, a glimmer of understanding in her tearful eyes.

    "Papa... would want us to be strong,"

    she whispered, almost as if she were reminding herself as much as her sister.

    Nyra''s face softened, the anger being remplaced with something closer to exhaustion. She looked away, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand. "

    Fine, but that doesn''t mean I trust you,"

    she mumbled, her voice thick.

    Rex smiled faintly, a small warmth breaking through his otherwise stoic demeanor.

    "I wouldn''t expect you to. Trust takes time. But I''m not going anywhere."

    He stayed by their side in silence, letting them slowly nibble at the food, respecting their space while still offering his quiet presence. For now, words weren''t necessary. They each had their own grief and their own pain, and they would take their own time to heal.

    Once he was sure the girls had eaten every last bite, Rex grabbed the empty tray and started toward the door. Just as he was about to step out of the medical bay, he froze, swearing he''d heard someone say something.

    He turned back, scanning their faces, but the girls were happily chatting away, their voices lively now that they had full stomachs for the first time in years.

    "Must be losing it,"

    Rex muttered, rubbing his temple.

    "Great. I''m hearing things now."

    He shook his head and left the medical bay, making his way down the sterile hallways toward the hangar. The moment he stepped inside, he spotted a flurry of activity: medics and cargo bots scurried around, tending to the enormously severed head of the zombie boss, its grotesque features somehow even uglier in person.

    Rex approached an Aegis sentinel stationed nearby.

    "Hey, where''s Cleo?"

    he asked, eyes scanning the chaos.

    The sentinel turned its blank metal face toward him. "[Commander, she is inside the zombie''s head.]"

    "Inside?"

    Rex blinked, then let out a low whistle.

    "Of course she is."

    He made his way toward the upper part of the zombie''s head, right where the brain should be, and what he saw looked straight out of a horror flick banned in half the galaxy. The zombie''s brain had been cracked open, leaving a gaping cavity that was oozing and glittering in ways he''d rather not describe.

    And right in the middle of this nightmare scene was Cleo, sitting cross-legged as if she were meditating. Several thick cables were snaking around her, pulsing with light, keeping her suspended in the middle of the zombie''s brain like some kind of twisted sci-fi goddess.

    "So,"

    Rex called up to her, smirking,

    "found anything about the enemy we''re dealing with? And, seriously, how do you put up with that smell?"

    Cleo barely glanced his way, one eyebrow quirking. "Oh, you get used to it," she replied, deadpan.

    "Besides, it''s not like you smell like a field of roses yourself."

    "So, if it''s been holding ground around the train station, it''s probably holed up somewhere in the tunnels below."

    "Exactly. I''ve already sent a squad of twenty Aegis units to scout the subway system,"

    Cleo said, pulling up live feeds on several screens. The displays showed the POVs of the Aegis sentinels moving through pitch-black tunnels, their lights cutting through the darkness.

    Rex watched as the sentinels crept along the damp, crumbling tracks, the shadows around them shifting and flickering

    . "Well, here''s hoping they find our friend down there. And if they don''t, maybe I''ll get lucky and someone else will have to crawl into a zombie brain next time."

    Cleo smirked.

    "Keep dreaming, Rex. This job isn''t for the faint of heart."

    Rex gasped, putting on his best offended face

    . "Are you calling me a delicate little princess who can''t handle a big ol'' zombie brain?"

    He fluttered his eyelashes in exaggerated disbelief.

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, her tone dripping with mock sympathy.

    "Well, I didn''t want to bruise your ego, but yes, Rex, you are a little princess."

    "What!? I am not¡ª"

    Rex started to protest, but Cleo cut him off.

    "Hold on. Something''s happening with the Aegis Sentinels."

    She quickly expanded the screens showing the live feeds from the squad moving through the subway tunnels.

    The sentinels had shifted into a tight circle formation, their lights sweeping over the shadows. Dark shapes darted around them, creatures with elongated limbs and hollow torsos filled with a sickly, venomous fluid.

    These things were smaller and faster than the usual drone zombies, their movements jerky and erratic as they crept along the walls and ceiling, claws scraping against metal.

    Rex leaned closer to the screen, his brow furrowing.

    "What the hell are those things? They look annoying as hell."

    "According to the data I pulled, they''re called ''Swarmers'', level 2 infecteds that specialize in ambush tactics and are usually only active at night,"

    Cleo explained, pulling up a holographic image of one of the creatures. The thing looked like it had crawled straight out of a nightmare, its hollow chest cavity dripping with venom that glowed faintly in the darkness.

    "Damn, they''re ugly. How''d the twins survive out here with monsters like that roaming around?"

    Rex muttered, his face momentarily darkening as he remembered the last, sad smile of the twins'' father before he... well, before he met his end.

    Cleo noticed the shift in Rex''s expression but decided this wasn''t the time to bring it up.

    Meanwhile, the Aegis Sentinels were struggling. The Swarmers moved too fast, slipping past plasma fire with ease. Every few seconds, one of them would lunge forward, clawing at the sentinels'' armor.

    Although the venom was useless against the Aegis units, the Swarmers'' claws were razor-sharp, capable of slicing through armor once the energy shields depleted under the constant assault.

    Cleo frowned, focusing on the screens.

    "Rex, these things are faster than the Aegis units can track. If they break through that formation, we''re looking at serious losses."

    As if on cue, two of the screens flickered and went dark.

    "Look here,"

    Cleo said, zooming in on the last remaining feed just as it began to glitch. The sentinel''s camera shook as the view tilted, then froze, catching a final, chilling image before the signal cut out entirely.

    On the screen, for a split second, they glimpsed something looming in the shadows behind the Swarmers. A figure much larger than the others, with rows of serrated teeth that seemed to gleam in the dim light, its eyes glowing a deep, unsettling red. It was as if the darkness itself had come alive, coiling and breathing with silent menace.

 Chapter 87: Steaming bath.[R17]

    The new enemy moved through the Aegis units like they were nothing more than paper tiggers. Every minute, another sentinel went down in a burst of dark smoke.

    This creature, whatever it was, struck with impossible speed, phasing in and out of the shadows, attacking in a blur, and vanishing before the Aegis units could even register its presence. Within minutes, all the screens showing the sentinels'' POVs had gone dark.

    Rex and Cleo exchanged a long, grim look.

    "So... it seems like the boss decided to find us first,"

    Rex muttered.

    Cleo nodded, her eyes fixed on the last bits of footage. "

    Looks that way. This thing... this ''Void Crawler'' it''''s practically a shadow. It can slip in and out of the material plane, making it nearly impossible to hit. Tracking it down is going to be... difficult."

    "Perfect,"

    Rex sighed, cracking his knuckles. "

    Guess it''s up to us now. Let''s get Squad 201 ready. Too bad the Mauler Juggernaut can''t fit into the subway tunnels; otherwise, we could just roll in there and squash this thing."

    As he turned to head down to the planet, Cleo grabbed his arm.

    "Hold on a second, Rex,"

    she said, wrinkling her nose

    . "You need a shower first. Your hair is a mess, and you smell like... well, zombie brain."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, looking mock-offended

    . "Excuse me? I smell way better than you."

    He plucked a stray chunk of zombie brain from her shoulder and flicked it away.

    Cleo rolled her eyes.

    "Which is why I''m taking a shower too."

    She led him down the corridor to the private shower room, a luxurious area Cleo had personally customized. The space was practically a spa, with a massive hot tub that looked more like a small pool, statues of exotic birds carved from rare stones, and intricate mosaics on the walls. It was obvious this was Cleo''s personal sanctuary, designed for both herself and Rex.

    Inside, a small squad of maid bots, dressed in elegant Grecian-style tunics, hurried over to greet them. They bustled around, helping Rex and Cleo undress with quiet efficiency before retreating to the side, standing by in case they were needed.

    Rex gave Cleo a sidelong glance, then smirked. Without warning, he scooped her up in his arms, carrying her toward the waterfall shower like a princess.

    "What exactly are you doing?"

    Cleo asked, trying to sound annoyed, but the blush on her cheeks betrayed her.

    "Oh, nothing much,"

    Rex replied, grinning.

    "Just carrying my personal maid to make sure she can help me wash my hair and back. You know I can''t reach back there."

    He set her down gently on a bench made of some rare, polished stone that felt like smooth silk under his hands.

    Cleo sighed but didn''t protest.

    "Fine, but let''s get this over with."

    . "It''s okay, Cleo,"

    he said warmly.

    "I''d never want to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. Take all the time you need."

    Cleo looked up, a grateful smile touching her lips.

    "Thank you, Rex. I... I appreciate that more than you know."

    He chuckled, brushing a thumb across her cheek.

    "What kind of guy do you think I am? I''m not some jerk who''s just trying to... well, you know."

    His eyes sparkled with his usual humor as he added,

    "Besides, we''ve got more important things to do, like testing out that ridiculously big bathtub of yours."

    Cleo''s pout appeared instantly.

    "It''s not ridiculously big! I made it that size in case you ever got bigger somehow. Even I''ll be taller in the future."

    She crossed her arms, huffing, which only made Rex laugh.

    "Alright, alright, you win,"

    he said, still laughing as he carried her over to the massive tub. They settled onto the wide steps leading into the steaming water, with Cleo seated comfortably against him.

    "Mind if I take a little rest?"

    She murmured, her voice softer now.

    "I''ve forgotten what it''s like to actually need sleep... I haven''t rested in four days."

    "Go ahead. Rest as long as you need,"

    Rex replied, wrapping one arm around her shoulders.

    "I''ll take you to bed after, so don''t worry."

    Cleo sighed contentedly, closing her golden eyes as she rested her head on his chest, a peaceful smile forming on her face. She felt safe in his arms, the gentle warmth of the bath soothing her. For once, she let go of the weight of her responsibilities, just enjoying the moment.

    After a while, when Rex noticed her breathing had deepened, he carefully lifted her from the bath. The maid bots hurried over, ready to help, but Rex waved them off with a smile.

    "Just bring our bathrobes,"

    he whispered, not wanting to disturb Cleo''s sleep.

    Once the maids returned, Rex gently wrapped Cleo in her robe, then allowed them to help him into his own. Cradling her against his chest, he carried her through the quiet corridors toward their sleeping quarters.

    Their room was cozy, echoing the style of the mansion back in the underground city, a touch of home amidst the coldness of the ship. Rex lay down on the bed, still holding Cleo close, and settled her comfortably on top of him.

    As he closed his eyes, he felt the steady rhythm of her breathing, and a sense of calm washed over him. For now, with the threats of the world outside, this small moment of peace was enough.

    Rex looked down at Cleo, her peaceful face resting against his chest. Somehow, in sleep, she was even more breathtaking.

    Her lips were parted slightly, and a few damp strands of black hair clung to her cheek, catching the faint glow of the room''s soft lighting. She looked like something out of a dream, an ethereal beauty, serene and unguarded in his arms.

    Gently, he reached for her hand, marveling at how small and delicate it felt in his. He lifted it to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to her fingertips. The gesture felt intimate and comforting, and without a word spoken, it said everything he wanted her to know.

    As sleep began to pull him under, Rex wrapped one arm around her, holding her close. With their fingers intertwined, he closed his eyes, feeling the steady rhythm of her heartbeat against his. In that quiet, stolen moment, all the battles and threats of the outside world faded away.

    And for the first time in a long time, Rex fell asleep with a peaceful smile, feeling like he was exactly where he was meant to be.

 Chapter 88: Underground Subway.

    The next day, Rex was already stationed by the subway entrance, scanning the dimly lit surroundings where the Aegis Sentinel squad had been wiped out the night before.

    Several other squads were positioned around nearby subway entrances, ready to intercept in case the Void Crawler emerged.

    Just in case, the hulking Mauler Juggernaut was on standby too, its massive frame looming nearby, ready to respond if any other giant infected decided to make trouble while they were down below.

    Rex tapped his foot impatiently.

    "Cleo! We¡¯re waiting on you! Come on, I can¡¯t wait to get down there and have my ass handed to me!"

    He called out, grinning, though he was only half-joking. Cleo had kept him waiting nearly an hour while finalizing updates to the assembly factory construction.

    Cleo finally appeared, letting out an exasperated sigh as she joined him.

    "Alright, I¡¯m ready. Let¡¯s get this over with,"

    she said, though the look in her eyes was steely.

    Rex turned to Squad 201, his face serious but his tone still light enough to keep the soldiers on edge.

    "Squad 201, listen up! Today, the princess herself,"

    he gestured grandly at Cleo, "

    will be joining us down there. So I want you all to show her what we¡¯re made of. We¡¯re going to take out that zombie boss and make it look easy!"

    He pointed dramatically at the dark, gaping subway entrance

    . "Now move out! Clear those tunnels before anything ugly down there has a chance to stain the princess¡¯s beautiful eyes!"

    While Rex looked entirely pleased with himself, Cleo just rolled her eyes, barely hiding a smirk. He always had a flair for the theatrical, and by now, she was well past being surprised by it.

    Following the orders, Squad 201 began descending into the subway in a wave formation. The first team of five slipped in, moving quickly and quietly. A minute later, another team followed. Cleo observed their tactical movement with a hint of surprise.

    "I have to admit, I didn¡¯t expect you to be so methodical with this,"

    she said, her eyes tracking the steady rhythm of the deployment.

    Rex shrugged, grinning.

    "Hey, we can¡¯t just rush in there like idiots. The infected have the home-field advantage down there. If we all charge in at once, we¡¯re sitting ducks. But if we go in waves, each team has the space to react. Keeps things tight, controlled."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed.

    "Well, shall we? Lead the way, my lord,"

    she added, giving him a small, sarcastic bow.

    Rex laughed, then returned the bow with exaggerated courtesy.

    "With pleasure, my lady."

    Together, they descended into the subway, darkness swallowing them as they moved deeper. The only lights came from the flashlights mounted on the Aegis Sentinels¡¯ helmets, casting eerie shadows along the rusted tracks and crumbling walls.

    Rex¡¯s night vision kicked in, turning everything into shades of green, but the atmosphere remained oppressively still.

    When the dust finally settled, Rex flexed his wings, sending rocks and debris flying off in every direction. He lowered his gaze to Cleo, checking for any signs of injury. "

    You alright, Cleo?"

    he asked, his tone soft but urgent.

    Cleo took a steadying breath, nodding.

    "Thanks to you,"

    she replied. But before they could even take in the extent of the damage, a low, guttural roar echoed through the darkness.

    Rex glanced around, his eyes narrowing as he took in the sight: the explosions had attracted a horde of infected, and now hundreds, no,

    thousands

    of drone zombies were swarming toward them, their eyes glowing with hunger in the shadows.

    Rex grinned, drawing his newly upgraded Claymore.

    "Well, it looks like the whole city came out to give us a warm welcome. Can¡¯t blame them; being this handsome is a curse."

    Cleo shot him a look, rolling her eyes as she summoned her weapons. "

    This might not be the best time for jokes, Rex."

    "There¡¯s always time for a little humor, my lady!"

    Rex laughed, spinning his claymore as its laser-coated edge hummed to life. Cleo¡¯s enhancements had made it deadlier than ever, the blade now glowing with a lethal golden sheen.

    Cleo shook her head, focusing on her own preparations.

    In each of her hands, she summoned a short sword, while four more swords floated in a formation behind her, each blade crackling with a different elemental energy: flames flickered along one blade, electricity arced from another, acid dripped from a third, and the last was cloaked in a black, shadowy flame that sent shivers down Rex¡¯s spine.

    He decided he probably didn¡¯t want to know what

    that

    one did.

    Rex swung his Claymore, cleaving through the first wave of zombies that lunged toward him.

    "I¡¯ll take the front! Cover my flanks!"

    With a powerful beat of his wings, he launched himself into the heart of the horde, slicing through dozens of zombies with every swing. His wings battered the infected away like they were nothing more than leaves in a storm, clearing space as he tore through the swarm.

    Rex fought like a force of nature, a whirlwind of raw power, scattering limbs and bodies as he pushed forward.

    Meanwhile, Cleo took a more graceful, lethal approach. She ran along the wall of the collapsed tunnel, her movements precise and fluid, slicing through the heads of zombies with an almost effortless elegance.

    Each step was calculated, and each strike was deadly. When she landed back on the ground, her floating swords formed a protective sphere around her, spinning and weaving to create a deadly barrier. Flames incinerated anything that got close, lightning arced out and stunned the infected, acid melted through rotten flesh, and the shadowy flame seemed to consume the very life of any zombie foolish enough to approach.

    For a few intense minutes, the two of them held their ground, carving through the horde as wave after wave of infected fell. But just as they were beginning to tire, Rex caught sight of movement in the distance.

    His scanners detected several movement sources that weren¡¯t hostile, and his HUD detected them in a green color. Rex finally could breathe since the reinforcements were finally here.

 Chapter 89: Twins thoughts.

    Teams of Aegis units poured into the subway tunnel from every direction, their plasma rifles lighting up the darkness as they joined the fray.

    From above, Rex spotted the unmistakable glint of missiles streaking through the air, and he grinned as the familiar, hulking shape of the Mauler Juggernaut came into view, positioning itself at the subway entrance.

    With a deafening sound, the Juggernaut unleashed a barrage of missiles, each one arcing gracefully through the air before slamming into the horde with explosive force. The impact was cataclysmic, hundreds of zombies were incinerated in a blaze of fire and shrapnel, the blasts carving massive craters in the crowd.

    Rex let out a triumphant laugh as he swung his claymore, cutting down another wave of infected.

    "Now that''s what I call backup!"

    Cleo, still surrounded by her orbiting swords, glanced over her shoulder, allowing herself a small, satisfied smile after seeing her creation.

    The combined assault was relentless. Between Rex''s brute force, Cleo''s deadly precision, the disciplined fire of the Aegis squads, and the raw destructive power of the Mauler Juggernaut, the horde didn''t stand a chance. One by one, the infected fell, until finally, the relentless waves slowed, then stopped altogether.

    As the dust settled and the echoes of battle faded, Rex lowered his claymore, panting slightly, his armor splattered with the remnants of the undead. He turned to Cleo, grinning.

    "Well, that was a nice warm-up. Ready to go find our shadowy friend, the Void Crawler?"

    Cleo gave a slight nod, wiping a smear of dust from her cheek.

    "Lead the way, My Lord. But try not to get us buried alive again."

    Rex chuckled, giving her a playful salute.

    "No promises, princess."

    Together, with Squad 201 and the Juggernaut covering their backs, they ventured deeper into the tunnel, knowing that the real fight was still waiting for them in the shadows ahead.

    As they made their way through the pitch-black tunnels of the subway, Rex squinted into the darkness, the silence weighing heavily around them. "

    So... isn''t there a more effective way to track this thing? Wandering around in the dark isn''t exactly my idea of efficient monster-hunting."

    "Affirmative,

    " Cleo replied, her voice matter-of-fact.

    "Until now, there wasn''t a way to reliably track the Void Crawler when it shifts between the material and immaterial planes."

    She held up her hand, where nanomaterial swirled and reformed into the shape of a small, pristine white bird.

    "But I just completed the final adjustments on this. Now there is."

    Rex leaned in, his eyes sparkling with curiosity.

    "Oh? So this little bird can hunt down and fry the Void Crawler?"

    Cleo rolled her eyes, patting the bird gently on its metallic head.

    "Don''t be ridiculous, Rex. It''s a tracker, not a fighter. When it detects the Void Crawler phasing between planes, it''ll fly straight to its location."

    Rex huffed, crossing his arms. "

    Still think a bird that could shoot laser beams from its eyes would be cooler."

    Cleo shot him an exasperated look, her lips curling into a pout

    . "Then make your own bird,

    " she said, quickening her pace to leave him a few steps behind.

    Rex watched her go, chuckling under his breath as he caught up.

    "Didn''t know my expert tactician was so sensitive about her creations."

    Meanwhile, back on the ship, the twins lay curled up in the medbay, sharing the same bed under a blanket. The lights were dimmed, and the sterile quiet of the room was a sharp contrast to the chaos in the tunnels below.

    Lyra shifted slightly, snuggling closer to her sister, Nyra.

    "Rex! Come see this! the little one picked up something!"

    Cleo called, pointing to the small white bird as it took off, its wings glowing faintly in the darkness of the subway.

    Rex''s eyes lit up.

    "Nice work, little one!"

    He broke into a run, following the bird as it darted through the winding tunnels of the underground, weaving around rusted pillars and crumbling walls. The eerie quiet of the abandoned subway only amplified the sound of his boots against the concrete, each step echoing off the cold stone.

    Finally, the bird came to a stop, landing on a kilometer marker, its tiny form almost lost in the dim light.

    "

    Cleo, I think your little bird might be bro...ken...."

    Rex trailed off, his words catching in his throat as he caught sight of what lay just beyond the marker.

    A few meters away, the floor of the tunnel had been ripped open, leaving a massive, jagged hole. The edges of the pit were clawed and uneven, as if something with enormous strength had torn through the earth itself.

    A foul stench seeped from the opening with a thick, metallic odor tinged with decay that clawed at the back of his throat. Everything about this hole screamed danger.

    Rex activated the communicator in his helmet, his voice tense.

    "Squad 201, this is Commander Rex. I need all units to converge on my location immediately. Be ready for combat; this place is about to get ugly."

    He glanced up through a gap in the ceiling where the subway had collapsed, revealing a sliver of sky. The sunlight was fading, casting long shadows across the ruined structure as night began to fall.

    Somewhere deep within the darkness of the hole, an unearthly growl echoed up from the depths, followed by a chorus of distant, spine-chilling screams.

    Rex took a deep breath, trying to steady himself, though his grip on his claymore tightened.

    "Cleo, I think I owe you an apology. Turns out your little bird led us straight to our deaths. Worse than a bird with laser eyes, after all,"

    he said, attempting a weak grin.

    Cleo''s lips quirked into a half smile, though her gaze remained fixed on the pit.

    "Don''t worry, Rex. I wasn''t expecting a simple mission,"

    she replied, her voice steady.

    "Besides, maybe the Void Crawler is just as afraid of us as we are of it."

    Rex chuckled, but his eyes never left the shadowed hole. The tension was thick, pressing in from all sides as the last traces of daylight vanished, leaving only the faint glow of the Aegis units'' lights as they arrived.

    Within moments, the remaining 87 Aegis Sentinels of Squad 201 were in position, standing at attention, their dark forms blending into the shadows of the subway. The air was charged, and every unit prepared for whatever horror might emerge from the depths.

    Rex raised his voice, giving his orders without looking away from the pit.

    "Alright, Squad 201, listen up. I want a three-line formation surrounding that hole. First two lines on the ground, positioned around the perimeter. Third line on the collapsed rooftop up there."

    he said, pointing to the jagged remains of the ceiling.

    "Hold your fire until you have a clear shot. Whatever comes out of that pit, don''t let it get close."

    The Sentinels moved with flawless precision, taking their positions around the hole in concentric circles, plasma rifles trained on the darkness below. The silence was deafening, broken only by the distant, guttural noises echoing up from the depths.

    Rex and Cleo exchanged a quick, understanding glance. They were on the brink of something terrible, and they both knew it. He adjusted his stance, Claymore at the ready, his eyes fixed on the darkness within the hole.

    Then, from the pit, a new sound emerged, a slow, rhythmic scraping, like claws dragging against stone. The noise grew louder, building in intensity, each scrape sending a chill down their spines.

    Rex took a deep breath, steeling himself.

    "Here we go..."

    he murmured, bracing for the inevitable as the first shadows began to shift in the darkness below.

    And then, with a roar that shook the entire tunnel, the Void Crawler emerged.

 Chapter 90: Cleo vs Crawler.

    As the Void Crawler emerged from the stinking darkness of its lair, Rex raised his hand, signaling for his squad to hold fire. Shooting at the creature would be pointless; it could slip into the immaterial realm the moment it sensed any real danger. For now, all they could do was watch and wait.

    The Void Crawler stood firm, his eyes locked onto the twisted enemies he had encountered the night before. In the past, he might have charged forward, tearing through them with reckless abandon.

    But tonight was different since two dangerous presences pulsed in the air around him, making the hair on the back of his neck stand on end.

    The first energy was clear enough; it came from the towering figure standing at the front of the enemy line, radiating menace. But the second presence was hidden, lurking somewhere just out of reach, and that unknown threat gnawed at his confidence.

    Still, despite his unease, he could feel the virus inside him whispering, urging him to devour the enemies before him, to consume their strength and grow even more powerful. The temptation clouded his thoughts, and before he knew it, a feral roar ripped from his throat as he vanished into the immaterial world.

    "Wait... that''s it? It ran away?"

    Rex muttered, glancing around, eyes darting, but the creature had already disappeared.

    "Rex, get ready,"

    Cleo called out, her gaze fixed on the multiple screens in front of her, each showing the views of the scout drones she had sent into the creature''s lair.

    "The drones are dropping off the grid one by one. They''re coming."

    The ground began to tremble, faint at first but building to a relentless rumble. Small rocks and debris jumped and rolled as the vibrations grew stronger, until finally, from the dark mouth of the tunnel, a swarm of creatures spilled forth, hundreds, thousands of them, an endless wave of mindless hunger.

    As the swarm surged forward, the Aegis sentinels in the front two fire lines unleashed a barrage of plasma, transforming the tunnel entrance into a blazing inferno. The soldiers stationed on the rooftops above picked off any that slipped through the wall of gunfire, taking down stragglers with ruthless efficiency.

    "Cleo, I''m heading to reinforce the third line,"

    Rex shouted as he sprinted toward the fray, swinging his claymore in wide, deadly arcs, slicing through the swarmers as if they were nothing.

    For a few minutes, it seemed as if they were holding the upper hand. But then the Void Crawler reappeared, materializing behind the fire lines, striking down Aegis units one by one in a devastating ambush.

    Cleo was ready. She had anticipated this tactic after losing soldiers to it in the previous battle. This time, every unit in Squad 201 was equipped with upgraded energy shields, each powerful enough to withstand the Void Crawler''s attacks, even if they drained twice as much power.

    The creature darted from one point to another, trying the same ambush in different spots, but Cleo had outmaneuvered it. Before the Void Crawler could react, a black-flamed sword flew through the air and plunged into its back.

    A hideous, guttural roar tore from the creature''s throat, its body writhing in pain, a sensation it hadn''t felt since the infection took hold of it.

    "Stop whining. I''m already sick of chasing you,"

    Cleo muttered as she stepped forward, twin swords glinting in her hands.

    The Void Crawler''s eyes blazed with fury; its only thought was to tear her apart, but as it tried to shift back to the immaterial world, it found itself trapped, bound to the physical plane.

    Cleo let out a lowchuckle. "

    What''s wrong? Stuck? Not that I care, but I had to ask. I think Rex is rubbing off on me,"

    "Alright, give me a second. I''ll join you."

    She jumped down from the rooftop where she''d been stationed with the third fire line, landing in a crouch before making her way over to where Rex was waiting.

    As she approached, Rex grinned, already peering into the dark entrance.

    "Well, then, let''s do this. I can''t wait to see what kind of creepy shit is hiding down there."

    He gestured to Squad 201, signaling them to go ahead and sweep the area, making sure there''d be no nasty surprises waiting in the shadows.

    Rex and Cleo followed the squad into the cave, and as soon as they stepped inside, an overwhelming stench filled the air, thick and rancid.

    The ground squished unpleasantly beneath their boots, as if they were walking across a vast slab of decaying flesh. Shadows stretched along the walls, revealing shapes and textures that were disturbing in ways neither of them wanted to think too deeply about.

    "Hey, Cleo,"

    Rex muttered, his voice echoing in the confined space.

    "I couldn''t help but notice, all the swarmers we''ve fought so far... they''ve been male. And, uh... those things on the walls look like..."

    He trailed off, pointing at a mass protruding from the wall, its grotesque shape almost recognizable.

    Cleo rolled her eyes and gave him a sharp kick to the ankle, cutting him off.

    "Don''t. Even. Think. About. Finishing. That. Thought,"

    she said firmly, stepping in front of him with a glare that could pierce armor.

    Rex snickered, undeterred. "

    Oh, come on, you can''t deny they kinda look like¨D

    "

    "Rex! Keep talking, and you''ll be sleeping outside tonight. Alone."

    Cleo shot him a deadly look over her shoulder and kept moving, her stride quickening as if eager to get this over with.

    Falling silent, Rex exchanged a glance with one of the nearby Aegis units. He raised an eyebrow, pointing discreetly at the disturbing mass on the wall.

    The Aegis unit gave a small, subtle nod, acknowledging the resemblance, and Rex smirked, giving him a thumbs-up. Then he jogged to catch up with Cleo, a mischievous grin lingering on his face.

    As they continued deeper into the darkness, the atmosphere grew thicker, and the walls seemed to close in, pulsing faintly with the remnants of whatever unnatural life had thrived here. Neither of them spoke, but the silence was filled with unspoken questions, the eerie quiet amplifying the faint, wet sounds beneath their feet.

    After a few minutes of walking around, they arrived to a big pool of muddy water and they could see how something big was moving under the water, Rex and Cleo looked at each other.

    "So, do you wanna go to take a shower with me?" Rex said while poiting at the clearly dangerous muddy water.

 Chapter 91: Confrontation

    Cleo eyed the murky water, the surface dark and impenetrable, her gaze narrowing as she glanced over at Rex.

    "Are you serious? You really want to go in there when we have no idea what¡¯s lurking below?"

    Rex shrugged, casting a quick look at the faint ripple below, where something large and unsettling moved beneath the surface.

    "I mean, we can¡¯t just leave that ugly thing down there, can we? Someone¡¯s got to deal with it."

    She sighed but nodded.

    "For once, you¡¯re right. Let¡¯s do this smart, though. I¡¯ll send some recon drones down first to see what we¡¯re dealing with. We¡¯ll decide our next move after we know what¡¯s in there."

    Her golden eyes flicked to him, sharp and resolute.

    "Fine by me,"

    Rex said, crossing his arms, though he couldn¡¯t hide a small, cocky grin.

    "Take your time, no rush."

    A few minutes later, a set of reconfigured drones arrived from the ship, buzzing to life as Cleo summoned several holo-screens in front of her, each displaying a drone¡¯s point of view. With a quick command, she directed them into the muddy water, their lights barely penetrating the gloom.

    Rex watched the screens with a smirk.

    "Yeah, see? Good thing I suggested waiting. Not that you need to thank me."

    He tilted his head, affecting an air of smug wisdom.

    Cleo rolled her eyes, choosing to ignore his antics as she focused on the screens. The drones pushed deeper until they reached an area where the water grew slightly clearer, revealing pale, drifting shapes below.

    "Are those...?"

    Rex leaned in, his usual humor replaced by something more serious as he stared at the screen.

    "Yes,"

    Cleo said, her voice clipped. "

    Eggs. I¡¯ll have one of the drones retrieve one."

    With careful precision, a recon drone extended its mechanical arms, delicately grasping one of the eggs before rising back toward the surface. Moments later, the drone emerged from the water, holding the egg aloft, hovering in front of Rex and Cleo.

    Rex activated his eye scanners, his expression darkening as he studied the translucent shape within the egg. "These

    are swarmer larvae. I didn¡¯t think these ¡¯zombies¡¯ could reproduce. Not like this. Guess the movies lied to us."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, keeping her gaze on the egg.

    "So, what¡¯s the plan? Do we keep it for research, or...?"

    Rex didn¡¯t hesitate, tossing the egg back into the water with a grim look.

    "No way. We¡¯re not taking any chances. I say we destroy the whole nest and whatever else is hiding in there."

    "Agreed,"

    Cleo replied, turning on her communications.

    "Let¡¯s pull everyone back and call in an orbital strike. I don¡¯t want any trace of this place left standing."

    Within hours, all Kaelzar units had retreated to a safe distance outside the bombardment zone. High above, the ship¡¯s AI confirmed their commands, positioning itself over the target. Moments later, a low whine filled the air as the first bombs began their descent.

    Rex looked up just in time to see the fiery streaks slicing through the sky, their trails blazing against the dark clouds.

    "Here they come."

    The first explosion struck with a blinding flash, followed by a powerful shockwave that rippled through the ground beneath them. Seconds later, another blast hit, and then another, until the entire area was swallowed by fire and fury.

    Dirt and debris shot skyward, darkening the air as the successive blasts hammered the ground, leaving nothing but a smoking crater where the Void Crawler¡¯s lair had once been.

    As the dust began to settle, Rex took one last look at the obliterated landscape, letting out a sigh of relief.

    "Well, that¡¯s one less nightmare to worry about."

    Cleo nodded, a hint of satisfaction in her gaze as she watched the smoke rise.

    "Let¡¯s hope that was the last of them... at least for now."

    They turned, walking away from the ruined battleground.

    "So, with the zombie bosses wiped out around the assembly factory, what¡¯s next on the agenda?"

    Rex asked as they made their way toward the transport ship¡¯s landing zone.

    he added with a wink, though he recalled the chaotic scene she¡¯d once created in the kitchen.

    Cleo rolled her eyes but smiled, then took a step forward, kneeling beside Rex.

    "Hello, Lyra,"

    she said in a gentle tone

    . "My name is Cleo, and I¡¯m a Kaelzar."

    Lyra¡¯s eyes widened.

    "A Kaelzar? But... you look human!"

    She gasped, clearly astonished.

    Cleo¡¯s cheeks colored slightly. Kaelzars didn¡¯t have a fixed form, and Cleo had chosen a human-like appearance for convenience.

    "While I may look human, I assure you, I¡¯m very much a Kaelzar."

    To prove her point, she extended her ethereal, angel-like wings from her back, the soft glow illuminating the room.

    Lyra¡¯s mouth fell open in awe.

    "Wow! You¡¯re... you¡¯re beautiful! Are you like one of..."

    "

    Lyra!

    " a sharp voice interrupted, echoing from across the room. Nyra rushed forward, grabbing her sister and pulling her back protectively; her eyes narrowed, her body taut with suspicion as she glared at Rex and Cleo.

    "And here¡¯s the grumpy one,

    " Rex remarked with a smirk. "

    I was wondering when you¡¯d show up."

    Nyra scowled, holding Lyra close.

    "What do you want with us? Stay away from my sister!"

    Cleo crossed her arms, studying the defiant young girl with a cool expression. "

    Ungrateful, aren¡¯t we? I can¡¯t recall the last time someone resented being rescued,"

    she said dryly, standing up.

    "Rescued?"

    Nyra spat, her voice laced with venom.

    "That man killed our papa! How is that rescuing us?"

    She pointed an accusing finger at Rex, her eyes brimming with anger.

    Cleo let out a weary sigh.

    "You think he killed your father? From what I saw, it was¨D"

    "That¡¯s enough!!"

    Rex interrupted sharply, his voice firm, cutting Cleo off before she could make things worse. He turned to her, giving her a gentle pat on the head in silent apology for the outburst.

    "Let me handle this, Cleo."

    Taking a deep breath, Rex stepped closer to the twins, his expression somber. He looked at Nyra, meeting her furious gaze head-on.

    "All right, Nyra,

    " he said calmly.

    "If you believe I took your father from you, then I¡¯ll give you a chance to make things right.

    "

    With a swift motion, Rex summoned a small sword from his nanomaterial, crafting it carefully before tossing it onto the ground in front of the twins. He sat down on the cold, metallic floor, deactivating his armor, leaving himself entirely vulnerable.

    "There. Take the sword,"

    he said, his voice steady.

    "If you want to avenge your father, now¡¯s your chance. Do whatever you feel is right."

 Chapter 92: The hidden clan.

    For a moment, the room was silent. Lyra stared at the sword on the floor, her eyes wide with confusion, while Nyra looked between Rex and the weapon, anger flickering with hesitation. She tightened her grip on her sister¡¯s hand, torn between the fear she felt and the hatred she carried.

    Rex remained still, his gaze unwavering.

    "I won¡¯t stop you. If this is what you need to do, then do it. I¡¯ll accept the consequences."

    Nyra¡¯s hands trembled as she reached toward the sword, her fingers hovering above it, eyes filled with a mixture of pain, anger, and doubt. She glanced up at Rex, and in that moment, saw no malice in his face, only the weight of his words and a quiet acceptance.

    Finally, she dropped her hand, stepping back and looking away, her eyes filling with tears. "I... I don¡¯t understand... Why would you give me a chance to hurt you...?"

    Nyra dropped to her knees, her small body trembling as tears welled up in her eyes. Her voice quivered as she spoke, the weight of her guilt crashing down on her.

    "I-I... it was me, wasn¡¯t it? Because of me, Papa died. He died because he was trying to protect me. It¡¯s all my fault!"

    Her brave facade shattered, and she broke down completely, sobbing uncontrollably.

    Rex watched in silence for a moment, his expression softening. Without hesitation, he moved toward the twins and wrapped his arms around them both, pulling them into a firm, reassuring hug.

    At first, Nyra resisted, her small fists pressing weakly against his chest, but then she melted into the embrace, her sobs growing louder. Lyra clung to him as well, tears streaming down her face. Though they had known Rex for less than an hour, there was something about his presence, his warmth, and his strength that made them feel safe, even in their grief.

    Minutes passed, and the room filled only with the sound of their crying. Rex stayed still, kneeling on the floor, holding them close as they released the pain they had been carrying for far too long.

    When their sobs finally quieted, Rex released them gently, placing a hand on each of their shoulders. He met their tear-streaked faces with a steady, understanding gaze.

    "Listen to me,"

    Rex said softly, his deep voice carrying a comforting strength.

    "There isn¡¯t a father in the universe who wouldn¡¯t do what yours did."

    Nyra and Lyra looked up at him, their eyes wide and red, their breaths still shaky.

    "For him, you two were the most precious thing he had left in this forsaken world. If he could use his body to shield you, to give you even one more second of life, that¡¯s a decision he would never regret. Not even for a moment."

    Rex¡¯s voice grew even gentler, his words laced with compassion.

    "In his final moments, he made sure you both were safe. That¡¯s not something to blame yourself for. It¡¯s not anyone¡¯s fault. You got that?"

    The twins stared at him, their guilt slowly giving way to understanding. Finally, they nodded, wiping their tear-soaked faces. Rex smiled softly, reaching out to ruffle their hair.

    "That¡¯s better," he said warmly.

    Then, as if switching gears, Rex¡¯s tone lightened.

    "Now, Cleo here mentioned that you two need to consume blood to stay healthy. That true?"

    He looked at them with a casual expression, as though the subjects were nothing out of the ordinary.

    The twins froze, their faces turning pale. Nyra stuttered, her voice cracking with fear.

    "How do you know that?"

    Rex chuckled softly.

    "Well, my wife here,"

    he said, gesturing to Cleo,

    "is in charge of everything on this ship, including the doctor bots. She told me about it. Don¡¯t worry, though. It¡¯s not a big deal. The galaxy is full of different kinds of people and races. Needing blood? That¡¯s not even the strangest thing out there."

    Lyra¡¯s usually calm demeanor broke as she gripped her sister¡¯s arm tightly, her voice rising with emotion

    . "But in this world, there¡¯s no one like us! Everyone treated us like monsters because of it!"

    Tears began welling up in her eyes again, her voice trembling with frustration.

    Cleo stepped forward, her voice cool but firm.

    "That¡¯s because they were clueless civilians,"

    Rex began, crossing his arms with a wry smile,

    "that brings us to the golden question. Where exactly are we supposed to get blood for you two? Everyone here is basically a machine, unless you¡¯re okay with swapping out blood for some nice, warm engine oil."

    The room went silent. When Rex glanced up, he noticed Cleo and the twins were all staring at him, their expressions unreadable. He blinked, pointing at himself. "

    What? Why are you guys staring at me like that?"

    Cleo tilted her head slightly, her tone completely neutral as she replied, "

    You¡¯re the only one on this ship with blood running through your veins."

    Rex froze, the realization hitting him like a ton of bricks.

    "Wait... what? Hold on a second; you¡¯ve got a body too, right?"

    He gestured toward Cleo, his tone a mix of hope and mild panic.

    Cleo gave him a flat look, folding her arms across her chest.

    "True, I do have a physical body, and it looks exactly like a human¡¯s. But what flows through my veins is nanomaterial. This body isn¡¯t flesh and blood; it¡¯s made entirely from that material.

    "

    "Nanomaterial,"

    Rex echoed, groaning as he rubbed the back of his neck. He let out a small, defeated sigh and held up a hand, summoning a knife with his nanotech.

    "Fine, fine. So what do I need to do? Cut my neck open or something?"

    Cleo¡¯s golden eyes narrowed slightly, her disgust unmistakable as she leveled her gaze at him. "

    And then what? You expect these little girls to lick your wounds with their tiny tongues? Do you even hear yourself right now?"

    Her tone was icy, her disdain unfiltered.

    Rex jumped back, nearly dropping the knife.

    "Whoa! No! That¡¯s not, hold on! That¡¯s not what I meant!"

    His face flushed as he waved his hands frantically, trying to backpedal.

    "I swear, it¡¯s nothing like that!"

    Cleo sighed, clearly unimpressed by his flustered explanation. She ignored his stammering and picked up two syringes, each capable of holding a liter of blood.

    "You¡¯re hopeless,"

    she muttered before giving him a sharp look. "

    Sit down and stop talking before you make it worse."

    Rex sighed, relenting. He sat down as Cleo approached, rolling up his sleeve.

    "I can¡¯t believe this,"

    he mumbled as she methodically drew two full liters of blood from his arm.

    "I¡¯m going to pass out and die on this ship one day, and you won¡¯t even care."

    Cleo gave him a quick glance as she finished.

    "Correct,

    " she said dryly, sealing the syringes with precision. She poured the golden blood into two elegant wine glasses before handing them to the twins, who stared at the cups warily.

    Nyra looked up at Rex, her voice soft but hesitant.

    "Are you... sure this is safe for us to drink?"

 Chapter 93: Progenitor.

    Rex raised an eyebrow, gesturing toward himself.

    "What? Of course, it''s safe! I can guarantee you my blood is top-notch. I don''t smoke, I don''t do drugs... well, I drink occasionally, but it''s been a while, so I''m clean!"

    He gave them a thumbs-up, grinning.

    Lyra frowned slightly as she swirled the golden liquid in her glass, watching it catch the light.

    "It''s not that, Uncle Rex. It''s just... your blood is golden. We''ve seen red and brown blood before, but we''ve never seen anything like this."

    Rex blinked, looking genuinely surprised for a moment, then leaned back smugly.

    "Huh. Guess I''m built different,"

    he said with a shrug.

    Cleo stepped in, her analytical tone taking over.

    "Affirmative. Rex''s blood contains a significantly higher concentration of aura and nutrients compared to most races. For a member of the Blood Clan, this should not be an issue. In fact, it will act as a powerful stimulant, temporarily enhancing your abilities and strengthening your bodies."

    She gave the twins an expectant look, gesturing toward the glasses.

    "Drink it. You''ll feel better."

    The twins exchanged hesitant glances, their apprehension written all over their faces. Nyra''s fingers trembled slightly as she brought the glass closer to her mouth, and Lyra gave her a tiny nod of encouragement. After a long pause, they both tilted their glasses, the golden liquid flowing into their mouths.

    They frozen the moment they swallowed, their eyes widening. A wave of warmth coursed through their bodies, their pale faces gaining a faint flush of color. For a few moments, neither of them spoke, their expressions a mixture of shock and amazement.

    "How do you feel?"

    Rex asked, leaning forward with concern.

    Lyra set her glass down slowly, her voice soft but steady.

    "It''s... warm. And sweet. I didn''t expect it to taste like this."

    Nyra nodded, her voice trembling slightly.

    "I feel... stronger. Like I was starving before and didn''t even know it."

    She paused, looking at Rex with a new sense of awe.

    "Uncle, what are you?"

    Rex scratched his head awkwardly, giving them a sheepish smile.

    "Just a guy trying to help you guys out. Nothing special."

    Cleo''s lips curled into the faintest of smirks.

    "Nothing special, he says, while his blood could probably fuel a small army."

    "Alright, alright, no need to hype me up,"

    Rex said, waving them off.

    "Just glad you''re feeling better. And hey, Cleo, next time, you''re donating the nanomaterial equivalent, alright?

    "

    Cleo didn''t dignify his comment with a response, but there was a glint of amusement in her eyes as she watched him banter with the twins.

    As the conversation drifted into lighthearted topics, Rex noticed something strange. He furrowed his brow and pointed at the twins.

    "Hold on... what''s that coming from the girls?

    "

    Cleo turned her head, following Rex''s gaze. Her golden eyes studied the faint, glowing white smoke rising from the twins'' bodies.

    "Hmm? Interesting,"

    she murmured, narrowing her eyes as her scanners activated.

    "It looks like they''ve adapted to your aura and absorbed it."

    Rex blinked in surprise, leaning closer to get a better look at the twins. Their brown hair was now gradually turning a brilliant, snowy white, and their once soft, brown eyes had shifted into a vivid crimson that seemed to shimmer faintly in the dim light.

    Cleo tilted her head slightly, clearly fascinated

    "It''s because Uncle Rex is shining so brightly. There''s something inside of us that''s drawn to it. It feels... comforting."

    Her soft, calm voice carried a strange weight, as if she didn''t fully understand what she was saying.

    Rex raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

    "Shining, huh? That''s a first. Alright, what about you, little stubborn Nyra? What do you feel?"

    Nyra''s face burned red as she refused to meet his gaze, glaring at the wall instead.

    "I didn''t feel anything!"

    she snapped, crossing her arms.

    "I was only staring because Lyra was doing it!"

    She bit her lip, furious with herself. There was no way she could admit the truth, that Rex''s presence felt overwhelming, like standing before a god, and that a primal instinct inside her made her want to obey him completely.

    Cleo observed them silently, her analytical mind already piecing things together. What no one else in the room realized was that something extraordinary had just occurred. Rex''s unique blood had fundamentally altered the twins, awakening a power that had long been dormant within them.

    What''s more, they had unconsciously recognized him as a progenitor, a force unlike anything in the history of the Blood Clan. The Blood Clan had only ever had three progenitors, all born from within their race. But now, for the first time, an outsider had become the source of new blood.

    Cleo''s expression grew distant as she considered the implications. Whatever had just happened to the twins was only the beginning. Rex''s existence was about to send ripples across the galaxy.

    "Alright,"

    Rex said, stretching and glancing at the glowing crimson-eyed twins.

    "It''s late, and since you girls already had your ''dinner,'' it''s time to get some sleep. But before that, go brush your teeth."

    He paused, rubbing their heads affectionately, then frowned as if reconsidering.

    "Actually, scratch that. You two need a proper shower first. You probably haven''t had one in days or weeks."

    Lyra tilted her head curiously, while Nyra just gave him a suspicious look, crossing her arms.

    "Better yet,"

    Rex continued, pointing toward Cleo,

    "go with her and take a nice, long, hot shower. She''ll help you clean up. I''ll... uh... take care of some other things while you''re busy."

    He grinned, stepping toward the door.

    "Well then, Cleo, the girls are officially in your care."

    Cleo blinked, raising a delicate eyebrow.

    "Understood,"

    she replied simply before turning her sharp gaze to the twins.

    "Come along, little girls. We''ll get you cleaned up, and afterward, we''ll figure out something more suitable for you to wear."

    She swiped her hand through the air, summoning a series of holo screens in front of her.

    Her fingers danced across the projections as data flashed rapidly.

    "Attention, all units in the Necrotech world. This is a top-priority order. Begin searching for female clothing immediately, casual wear, nightwear, anything that fits. I''m transmitting size specifications now. You have thirty minutes to deliver everything to the transport ship. Failures will be noted."

    With a swipe of her hand, the screens vanished, leaving Lyra and Nyra staring at her in stunned silence, their mouths slightly open.

    "Now then,"

    Cleo said with her usual neutral voice, offering her hands to the twins,

    "let''s take that shower."

    The twins hesitated for a moment, still processing what had just happened. Lyra, as always, was the first to move, placing her tiny hand in Cleo''s. Nyra, after glancing suspiciously at Rex as he left the room, reluctantly followed suit, grabbing Cleo''s other hand.

    "Good girls,"

    Cleo said with a small, approving nod as she led them toward the bathing quarters.

    Meanwhile, Rex chuckled to himself as he walked down the hall.

    "Man, Cleo really runs things like a military operation. Thirty minutes for clothes? Those poor Aegis units are probably panicking right now."

    Shaking his head with a smirk, he headed off to tackle his own tasks, leaving Cleo and the twins to their newfound routine.

 Chapter 94: The blood clan.

    Rex walked through the dim corridors of the ship, his steps echoing softly until he reached the massive reinforced window overlooking the Necroworld below.

    The lifeless planet stretched out before him, its surface scarred by deep fisures and unnatural formations, bathed in an eerie greenish light from the system''s distant star. He stood there, his arms crossed, staring into the endless wasteland as his mind drifted to the things he had just learned.

    He sighed deeply, running a hand through his hair.

    "So... I''m not even human anymore, huh?"

    he muttered to himself, the words heavy as they left his lips.

    But even as he said it, doubt lingered in his heart. Before meeting Cleo, he had been just another orphan scraping by on a harsh world, a human with red blood and nothing extraordinary about him.

    It was only after becoming a half-Kaelzar that things had started to change. The golden blood, the aura, the strange pull others seemed to feel toward him, all of it had begun after Cleo had altered his body.

    Rex frowned, leaning against the reinforced glass. "

    Maybe it''s all connected to what Cleo did to me... or maybe there''s something else I don''t know yet,"

    he murmured. His fingers tapped against the window absentmindedly.

    "But there''s no point in thinking too hard about it. Whatever''s going on, we''ll figure it out sooner or later."

    Letting out another sigh, he pushed himself off the window and headed back toward his quarters. His body felt heavy, his mind racing, but he was determined to push it all aside for now.

    "Sleep first. Save the galaxy-shattering identity crisis for later,"

    he muttered to himself with a dry chuckle as he disappeared down the hallway.

    Meanwhile, in the dark alleys of Nakor''s principal commercial city...

    The slum reeked of decay and desperation, its narrow, winding streets cloaked in shadow. In the dead of night, a notorious criminal, a man wanted for multiple murders, extortion, and unspeakable abuses, ran for his life.

    Sweat poured down his face as his breath came in ragged gasps, his wild eyes darting around in search of an escape.

    Behind him, shadows moved swiflty across the rooftops, silent and relentless. They moved like predators, closing the gap with every leap. The criminal turned a corner, his boots splashing through the filthy, wet ground, but it was no use. One of the shadows pounced, slamming him into the dirt with brutal force.

    "Argh! Unhand me, you bastard!"

    the man spat, thrashing against his captor. "

    Do you even know who I am? You''re dead! You hear me? DEAD!"

    The figure pinning him down said nothing, his face obscured by the deep hood of a dark red robe. His armor, the same blood-red color, gleamed faintly under the dim light.

    The man''s communicator crackled to life, and he spoke into it in a low, gravelly voice.

    "Sir, we''ve captured the target. Should we kill him?"

    A calm yet commanding voice responded through the line.

    "No. The client specifically requested he be brought back alive so she can deal with him personally."

    The red-clad figure glanced down at the squirming criminal, disdain flashing in his hidden gaze.

    "Understood. But with respect, sir, why are we wasting time on work like this? Any low-level assassin or mercenary could''ve handled it."

    He punctuated his frustration by kicking the criminal in the ribs, eliciting a grunt of pain.

    The voice on the other end of the line responded evenly, unbothered by the complaint.

    "Consider it training. Our real mission is far more significant. The client has tasked us with eliminating the key leaders of the underground city. The ones who keep its dark web of crime and power in motion."

    the boy finally relented, his tone reluctant.

    "But you have to promise, Dad. You''ll let me know when."

    Carlos smiled faintly, his hardened expression softening for a moment.

    "I promise, son. Now, take care of yourself, stay out of trouble, and keep an eye on your grandma for me, alright?"

    "Okay, Dad. I will. See you soon. And... don''t get hurt!"

    Carlos chuckled, his chest tightening at the boy''s words.

    "I''ll be fine. You know me. Take care, kiddo."

    "Bye, Dad,"

    the boy said before the line went silent.

    Carlos sat in his seat for a moment, staring at the communicator in his hand. The sound of his son''s voice always made his resolve stronger, and the distance between them was even harder to bear. He placed the communicator in its holder, letting out a quiet breath before focusing on the task ahead.

    The engine roared as he started driving toward the city''s massive gates. Inside the commercial planet, only military officers were legally permitted to use airships for transport. Everyone else, even mercenaries like Carlos, had to rely on land vehicles.

    Not that he minded too much since he loved his rugged, heavily-modified all-terrain car, a beast of a vehicle that looked more like a tank than anything else.

    As he neared the city''s gates, Carlos pushed the accelerator, the vehicle''s tires crunching against the dirt road. The towering metal doors of the underground city loomed ahead, their floodlights casting harsh beams across the darkened outskirts.

    "Time to get this over with,"

    Carlos muttered to himself.

    The guards at the gate barely gave him a glance as he approached. They were used to seeing him since Carlos was a regular face here, and no one questioned his comings and goings anymore.

    With a sharp nod from one of the officers, the gates rumbled open, and Carlos sped through without issue, heading out into the endless, barren wilderness beyond.

    The night stretched before him, the stars barely visible through the faint haze of pollution lingering in the atmosphere. As he drove further from the city, the weight of the mission settled on his shoulders.

    Something about this job didn''t sit right with him, but work was work, and Carlos had learned long ago not to ask too many questions.

    Unbeknownst to him, several pairs of crimson eyes watched from the shadows, tracking his every move.

    Carlos drove through the dense forest at breakneck speed, the roar of his vehicle''s engine echoing through the night. The tires kicked up dirt and rocks as he sped along the uneven terrain, the all-terrain car handling the harsh ground with ease.

    At 250 kilometers per hour, Carlos knew he was pushing the limits, but he trusted his beloved tank-like car to get him to his destination safely.

    The forest blurred past him, its massive trees casting dark shadows under the pale glow of the moons above. Carlos kept his eyes on the road, or what passed for a road out here. He grinned faintly, adrenaline surging through him. "

    Let''s see someone try to catch me now,"

    he muttered, the confidence in his voice born from years of dangerous missions.

    Unbeknownst to him, his confidence was misplaced.

    Through the dense canopy of the forest, several dark red figures moved with inhuman speed. Their armored forms blended seamlessly with the shadows, their movements so swift and precise that they seemed almost like phantoms.

    Despite the incredible speed of Carlos'' vehicle, the figures were keeping pace, their strides long and powerful as they darted between the trees.

    From the side of the forest, one of the shadows gave a silent signal. The others responded instantly, surging forward as one. Their timing was perfect; within seconds, several of the dark red figures leapt from the underbrush, their powerful bodies hurtling toward the speeding car.

    The impact was sudden and violent.

    CRASH!

 Chapter 95: The blood clan (2).

    The first shadow slammed into the side of the vehicle with bone-crushing force, denting the reinforced armor of the car and sending it skidding off the dirt road. Carlos barely had time to react as the entire vehicle careened into the forest, smashing through thick undergrowth before colliding head-on with one of the massive trees.

    The crash echoed through the forest, a deafening mix of metal grinding and wood splintering. Carlos was thrown forward, his seatbelt keeping him from being hurled through the windshield, though the force still left him gasping for air.

    His beloved car groaned under the strain, smoke beginning to rise from the engine as the vehicle''s systems struggled to function.

    Carlos shook his head, his vision swimming as he tried to make sense of what had just happened.

    "What the hell...?"

    he muttered, his hands gripping the wheel tightly. His instincts kicked in, and he reached for the weapon holstered beneath his seat, his breath ragged.

    But before he could arm himself, the shadows moved again.

    Outside, the red-armored figures circled the wreck like predators stalking wounded prey. Their movements were unnaturally fluid, almost graceful, as they closed in on the vehicle.

    One of them, clearly the leader, approached the driver''s side, their crimson helmet reflecting the faint light filtering through the trees.

    Carlos tightened his grip on the weapon, his heart pounding as he tried to steady his breathing.

    "Looks like someone finally caught me,"

    he muttered to himself, his tone a mix of defiance and grim humor.

    The leader of the dark crimson assassins raised a gloved hand, making a silent gesture toward two of his subordinates. Without hesitation, the pair stepped forward, their movements confident, almost lazy.

    "Check if the target''s dead,"

    the leader ordered through his communicator, his voice calm but commanding. Humans were a notoriously weak race, after all, fragile creatures who could rarely survive a direct attack, let alone a violent crash like the one that had just taken place.

    A collision like this should have been more than enough to kill any ordinary human or leave them heavily wounded and helpless.

    The two assassins moved toward the wreckage of the car, their heavy boots crunching against the forest floor. They didn''t bother with caution, strolling up to the mangled vehicle with the confidence of predators certain their prey was already dead.

    One of them leaned down, peering through the cracked and smoky window to confirm the kill.Suddenly, the quiet forest was shattered by the deafening roar of gunfire.

    A hailstorm of bullets erupted from within the vehicle, the muzzle flashes lighting up the wreck like fireworks. The two assassins didn''t even have time to react. The first was riddled with holes, blood spraying as the bullets tore through his crimson armor, severing limbs and leaving him on the ground without moving.

    The second fared no better, his torso practically disintegrating under the relentless barrage. Both collapsed to the ground in pools of their own blood, their bodies twitching for a brief moment before going still.

    "Quickly, dodge!"

    the leader barked, his voice sharp.

    The remaining assassins reacted instantly, their reflexes honed by years of brutal training. They scattered into the shadows, moving with incredible speed and precision as the storm of bullets continued to pour from the car.

    It was clear this was no ordinary group; they were elites, highly trained killers who had faced far worse than a stray gunman.

    For several tense seconds, the gunfire continued, the sound echoing through the forest. Then, abruptly, it stopped. Smoke rose from the car, the silence thick and foreboding.

    Before the assassins could regroup, the driver''s side door was kicked off its hinges with a loud metallic clang.The twisted hunk of steel sent flying several meters before crashing into the undergrowth.

    Carlos stepped out of the wreckage, his silhouette looming in the faint moonlight. His power armor, usually a sleek gray design, was bulkier than usual, reinforced with heavier plating that gleamed faintly beneath the layer of dirt and scratches from the crash.

    In his right hand, he held his trusted shockwave hammer, its head humming faintly with stored energy. Where his left hand should have been, there was now a smoking minigun mounted directly to his arm, its barrels still glowing from the intense heat of the earlier gunfire.

    Carlos'' energy shields flared brightly as they absorbed hit after hit, but even with the armor''s enhancements, he was beginning to feel the strain. His breathing grew heavier, and his movements slowed as exhaustion began to creep in.

    After nearly three hours of nonstop combat, Carlos was showing signs of fatigue. His armor''s energy reserves were running low, and the cracks in his defenses were becoming more apparent.

    The leader of the assassins, who had been watching the fight from a distance, finally stepped forward, his crimson sword glinting ominously in the pale light.

    "Well, well,"

    the leader said, his tone dripping with disdain. "

    It seems the mad dog is finally out of breath."

    Carlos smirked, his breath coming in labored gasps.

    "Hah! I''m not tired, you idiot,"

    he shouted, his voice tinged with defiance.

    "I''m just old!"

    The leader chuckled, shaking his head as he walked closer. "

    Don''t worry,"

    he said coldly.

    "After

    today, you won''t feel the passage of time anymore."

    Before Carlos could respond, the leader vanished from sight, moving faster than Carlos'' eyes could track. In the next instant, a powerful strike landed on Carlos'' energy shield, sending him staggering backward.

    Carlos barely had time to recover before another blow came, this one slamming into his side. The force was tremendous, and though his shields held, the impacts rattled his body inside the armor.

    The attacks came faster and faster, the leader moving like a phantom, striking from every angle with brutal efficiency. Carlos was being toyed with, his once-imposing form now reduced to a battered figure struggling to stay upright. Finally, a devastating blow sent him crashing to one knee, his hammer slipping from his grip as he gasped for air.

    The leader of the assassins stepped forward, his crimson sword resting on his shoulder as he looked down at Carlos with contempt.

    "That''s more like it,"

    he sneered.

    "On your knees, just like a good dog. You should have done this when we first arrived. It would''ve saved you the trouble."

    Carlos let out a weak chuckle, his shoulders shaking as he lowered his head.

    The leader''s eyes narrowed.

    "What are you laughing at?"

    he demanded, his voice sharp with annoyance.

    Carlos glanced up, a defiant grin on his dirt-streaked face.

    "I''m laughing because... looks like I''m not dying today after all. Guess I''ve got an angel of luck shoved somewhere deep inside my arse!"

    The leader opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, the forest suddenly erupted in a blinding cascade of golden plasma fire.

 Chapter 96: The blood clan (3).

    Plasma bolts shot out from all directions, streaking through the air like shooting stars. The assassins scrambled to dodge the incoming fire, their reflexes saving many of them as they darted and rolled to safety.

    The leader himself deflected several plasma bolts with his crimson sword, the energy sizzling as it clashed against his blade.

    "What the hell is this?!"

    The leader barked, his composure slipping as he scanned the forest. His crimson eyes flared as he tried to locate the source of the attack.

    From the shadows, golden plasma bolts continued to rain down on the assassins, the intensity forcing them to abandon their coordinated strikes and scatter for survival. Carlos, still kneeling, grinned weakly as he recognized the familiar glow of the plasma fire.

    "About damn time,"

    he muttered, his voice filled with both relief and triumph.

    From the sky, the rhythmic hum of engines filled the air as several Aegis units descended, their glowing thrusters illuminating the dark forest below. They landed with precision, forming a tight defensive circle around Carlos.

    More Aegis units emerged from the forest, plasma rifles raised and scanning for targets. Their glowing golden visors cut through the darkness, tracking every movement in the dense forest where the assassins had vanished.

    Carlos, now surrounded by his mechanical reinforcements, grinned, his breath still labored but his defiance unbroken.

    "Now what?! Where''d all you bastards go?"

    he yelled into the trees, his voice dripping with mockery.

    "Weren''t you all so powerful just a second ago? Come on, don''t run off like scared mutts now!"

    But the forest remained eerily silent. The assassins didn''t bite the bait, their presence hidden, but Carlos could feel their eyes still on him.

    "How''s your situation, Carlos?"

    A familiar voice came through the communicator embedded in his helmet. It was Emilia, her tone professional but laced with concern.

    Carlos chuckled, glancing at the Aegis units standing like sentinels around him.

    "Hey, Emilia. Thanks for the backup. I''m fine, just a little scratched up, that''s all. But enough about me. What about the rest of the Thunderblades? Any news on the other teams we sent out on missions?"

    Inside the mansion''s control room, Emilia stood at the center of a circular array of monitors. Her sharp eyes scanned the incoming data as she spoke.

    "There''s no sign of any other teams being attacked. From the looks of it, you were the primary target this time."

    She paused, her gaze shifting to the hologram of Cleo, who was watching the footage from Carlos'' car camera with a calm, calculating expression.

    "Lady Cleo recommends you return to the underground city immediately. We need to figure out who''s after your life before you''re exposed any further."

    Carlos sighed, glancing back at his wrecked car.

    "Understood. I''ll head back now. Cancel all other Thunderblades missions and give the teams a paid vacation until further notice. No sense in putting anyone else at risk."

    "Already done,"

    Emilia replied. Her voice softened slightly, betraying a flicker of emotion.

    "Be sure to return with the Aegis escort. And Carlos... stay safe."

    Carlos smirked as he climbed back into his car, a faint warmth in his chest at Emilia''s words. The vehicle groaned under his weight, its damaged systems sputtering, but after a few tense seconds, the engine roared back to life.

    "

    You got it, Emilia,"

    he said, accelerating the engine before steering back onto the road. The remaining Aegis units fell into formation around him, their plasma rifles still scanning the forest as they escorted him toward the underground city.

    Meanwhile, in the shadows of the forest...

    The assassins watched from their hidden positions, their crimson armor blending seamlessly with the dark forest. One of them limped toward the leader, clutching the stump where his arm had been severed by the earlier plasma barrage.

    Without a word, he pressed the severed limb back to the jagged wound. A red mist began to swirl around the injury, and with an unnatural hiss, the arm reattached itself, the flesh knitting back together seamlessly.

    "Sir,"

    the assassin rasped, flexing his fingers experimentally.

    Lyra yawned softly, stretching her arms and leaning into Rex''s chest like a cat.

    "It''s not that she has infinite energy,"

    she said, her voice calm and measured.

    "She just doesn''t want to be a burden anymore. I can tell she''s pushing her body past its limits, but she doesn''t care. She wants to be stronger."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

    "Hmm. That actually makes sense. Well, in that case,"

    he said, a playful grin spreading across his face,

    "I just thought of something that''ll make her actually take a break."

    Standing up, Rex stretched his arms overhead, cracking his neck before walking toward Cleo and Nyra. He stopped just as Nyra was spinning into another kick. "

    Alright, girls, that''s enough for now. It''s time for Cleo and me to have a little sparring match with swords."

    Nyra immediately stopped mid-spin, her face scrunching up in protest.

    "What?! But I''m not finished with my¡ªhey!"

    She yelled as Rex scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

    "

    Yes, yes, you''ve done great, little warrior,"

    Rex said with a teasing grin as Nyra squirmed in his grip. "

    Now it''s time for you to sit down, take a rest, and enjoy the show."

    He walked over to where Lyra was sitting and gently placed Nyra down beside her.

    "Stay here and cheer for your favorite parent,"

    he added with a wink before turning back toward the training area.

    Nyra pouted, crossing her arms.

    "You''re not even my parent!"

    "Not yet,"

    Rex shot back with a smirk, grabbing a training claymore from the weapon stash. He spun it in his hand, testing its weight, before turning to Cleo with a mock bow.

    "So, my dear princess, are you ready to dance?"

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, her expression cool but with the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. "

    Give me a moment, my lord,"

    she replied, walking to the stash to select her weapons. She chose two short training swords, their dull edges gleaming under the gym''s bright lights.

    As she turned back to face him, Rex twirled his claymore again, loosening his shoulders.

    "Come, my lady. You may attack first. After all, I''m a gentleman; it''s only proper that the lady leads the dance."

    He motioned with his finger, taunting her to make the first move.

    Cleo''s golden eyes narrowed slightly.

    "You may regret offering me the first strike, my lord,"

    she said, her tone calm but with a razor-sharp edge.

    Rex smirked, planting his feet and raising his claymore into a defensive stance.

    "Oh, I''m counting on it,"

    he said, his voice laced with playful confidence.

 Chapter 97: Worth it.

    The twins, now sitting side by side, watched with wide eyes, their earlier energy forgotten as their attention zeroed in on the two warriors squaring off in the center of the gym. Lyra leaned toward Nyra, whispering softly.

    "Who do you think will win?"

    Nyra frowned, still a little annoyed about being benched.

    "I don''t know... but if Rex loses, I''m going back in."

    Lyra giggled softly.

    "Of course you are."

    In the center of the room, Cleo moved like lightning, her twin swords flashing as she closed the distance between them in a heartbeat. Rex''s Claymore swung to meet her strike with a resounding

    clang

    , the sound echoing through the gym as their sparring match began in earnest.

    Cleo skillfully dodged Rex''s wide Claymore swings, her movements sharp and calculated. She darted in close, looking for an opening to counterattack, but Rex didn''t give her the chance. As she closed in, he suddenly shifted his weight and used his leg to deliver a swift kick, sending her skidding back a few feet.

    "Hahaha! What was that supposed to be? Were you trying to tickle me, Princess?"

    Rex said with a loud laugh, resting the claymore on his shoulder as he gave her a teasing grin.

    Cleo stood her ground, brushing herself off and eyeing him coldly.

    "Hmph. Your taunting words don''t work on me anymore. I''ve long since grown immune to your nonsense."

    Her voice was calm, but her golden eyes were already calculating her next move.

    "Oh?"

    Rex smirked, a devilish gleam flashing across his face. "

    So you''re saying... even if I bring up that time?"

    Cleo froze mid-step, her calm exterior breaking for just a moment.

    "What time?"

    she asked warily, narrowing her eyes at his smug expression.

    Rex''s smirk widened.

    "You know... that time,"

    he said, his tone dripping with mischief.

    Cleo''s eyes widened slightly as the realization hit her. A bright red blush spread across her cheeks, completely shattering her neutral poker face.

    "Y-you wouldn''t dare!"

    she shouted, her voice betraying her usual composed tone with a hint of panic.

    "Oh, wouldn''t I?"

    Rex teased, his grin growing even more insufferable. He raised his voice just enough to make sure the twins could hear him.

    "I mean, I wouldn''t mind sharing with everyone here how you..."

    Before he could finish his sentence, Cleo

    exploded

    forward with breathtaking speed, closing the distance between them in a blink.

    "You''ll do no such thing!"

    she yelled, throwing a vicious kick aimed straight at his face.

    Rex barely dodged, leaning back just enough for the attack to graze the tip of his nose.

    "Whoa, whoa, calm down, my dear wife!"

    he said, stumbling slightly as Cleo unleashed a relentless barrage of attacks.

    She didn''t let up for even a second, her twin short swords whirling like extensions of her body as she spun in the air, using her long legs to chain powerful kicks into her assault. Rex grunted as he blocked one strike with his claymore, only to be forced to duck under another spinning kick aimed for his head.

    The twins watched in stunned silence as the chaos unfolded, their earlier training session now completely forgotten.

    Several minutes later, Cleo exited the gym with a twin clinging to each of her hands. Her normally composed face was still flushed a bright red, and her steps were noticeably stiff. Despite having decisively "won" the sparring match against Rex, he had somehow managed to sneak in a final, well-placed spank every time she let her guard down.

    Her backside throbbed with a dull, stinging ache, and she could practically

    feel

    the imprint of his massive hand still lingering on her skin. Each swat had been obnoxiously loud, reverberating throughout the gym, and her pride took an even greater hit knowing that the twins had witnessed the entire fiasco.

    As they walked toward the ship''s bathhouse, Nyra peeked up at Cleo''s glowing face, her crimson eyes sparkling with barely contained amusement.

    "Cleo, are you okay? You''re walking, kind of funny."

    "I''m fine,"

    Cleo said sharply, her voice unusually high-pitched.

    Lyra, ever the quieter twin, tilted her head curiously.

    "But your face is all red, and you keep rubbing your..."

    "Not. Another. Word."

    Cleo cut her off, her tone carrying the finality of a queen issuing a royal decree.

    The twins exchanged a mischievous glance but decided not to push their luck. Still, Nyra couldn''t help but mutter under her breath,

    "Guess Rex won after all."

    Cleo''s eye twitched violently at the comment, but she forced herself to focus on leading the twins to the bathhouse. It would take more than Rex''s juvenile antics to ruin her composure. Or so she told herself.

    Meanwhile, back in the gym, Rex lay sprawled out on the floor, groaning softly as he tried to catch his breath. Bruises and welts covered his arms and torso from Cleo''s relentless attacks, and one of his ribs was probably cracked from that last spinning kick.

    Still, a satisfied smirk stretched across his face as he rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling.

    "Haaa... worth it,"

    he said with a chuckle, raising his hand and admiring it like a trophy.

    "Totally worth it."

    That night, Rex was banished to the medical bay, where he had to sleep on a cot surrounded by beeping machines and disapproving medical devices. Cleo, of course, refused to let him back into their shared bedroom, locking the door and ignoring his half-hearted apologies through the intercom.

    After several days of traveling through the wormhole, the ship finally exited into the Nakor system. The moment they emerged, a squadron of patrolling ships from the allied fleet intercepted them.

    "This is the Allied Fleet Patrol,"

    came a calm but commanding voice over the comms.

    "Identify yourself and state your business in this system."

    Rex stood on the bridge, watching the patrol ships through the reinforced viewing window. He activated the communications and responded with practiced ease. "

    This is a Thunderblades mercenary group vessel. We fought alongside the allied fleet during the first wave. Sending our credentials now."

    A brief silence followed as the patrol captain verified their identification.

    "Credentials confirmed. You''re cleared to proceed,"

    the captain replied, his tone lighter now.

    "Welcome back, and thank you for your service, citizen."

    With the patrol ships peeling off, Rex turned his attention to the breathtaking view outside the ship. The planet Nakor hung in the distance, a glowing beacon of industry and commerce, surrounded by a glittering ring of orbital platforms.

    But what caught Rex''s eye wasn''t the bustling trade routes or the steady stream of civilian ships; it was the Allied Fleet itself.

    Looming above Nakor were four supercapital ships, massive vessels that dwarfed everything around them. Two of the behemoths were severely damaged, their hulls riddled with scars and breaches from recent battles.

    Swarms of engineer ships buzzed around them like bees tending to a wounded hive, their tools sparking as they worked tirelessly to patch up the devastation.

    One of the ships in particular caught Rex''s attention. Its once-pristine hull was now marred by an enormous black and green horn, embedded deep into its side. The horn was grotesque, almost organic in appearance, and it oozed faintly with a sickly green substance that seemed to pulse faintly even in death.

    Rex stared at the sight, his jaw tightening.

    "Damn, they really took a beating, didn''t they?"

 Chapter 98: Underground City Arrival.

    Behind him, Cleo entered the bridge, her usual neutral expression returning despite the twins trailing behind her. She followed Rex''s gaze and nodded slightly.

    "Two of the supercapitals barely made it out of the last Hive Mind assault. That horn..."

    She gestured toward the grotesque protrusion.

    "It''s from one of the Khryssari supercapitals. It pierced the ship''s shields and hull before they could warp out. The damage speaks for itself."

    Rex frowned, his thoughts briefly drifting to the battle reports he had skimmed over the past few days. The Hive Mind attacks had been relentless, and even the Allied Fleet''s best efforts had only managed to hold the line with heavy losses.

    "How long until those two ships are fully repaired?"

    "At least three months, minimum,"

    Cleo replied, crossing her arms. "

    Assuming the engineers don''t run into any unforeseen issues. Those Kragnarok-Class Planet Devourer Hive Mind supercapitals aren''t just strong; they''re corrosive. That horn''s toxin likely infected half the ship''s internal systems."

    Nyra peeked out from behind Cleo, her crimson eyes widening as she looked at the damaged supercapital. "

    Wow... Are those ships?"

    Lyra nodded, her soft voice filled with awe. "

    They''re huge, but they look so hurt."

    Rex smirked and ruffled the twins'' hair with one hand.

    "Welcome to the real world, kiddo. Out here, it''s eat or be eaten. The strong thrive, and the weak... well, they get crushed."

    "Right now, the allied fleet is the weak, and let''s be honest, they''ve been slugging it out with the hive mind for two years with about as much success as a fish trying to climb a tree."

    With a sharp nod, Rex gestured toward the cockpit door.

    "Alright, move it, you two. We''ve got to get to the transport ship and hit the planet before we lose even more time."

    He gave them a light shove, urging them toward the exit, while Cleo trailed behind them in silence like a shadow.

    Once inside the transport ship, they shot straight toward the underground city. It might''ve seemed like an amateur move to fly directly to a hidden location, but Cleo''s jamming devices were a work of pure genius.

    Planted all over the planet, they rendered registered ships completely invisible to any tracking system. And as for unauthorized ships? Well, let''s just say anyone dumb enough to tail them would have a Wraith-class squadron on their six faster than they could say "big mistake."

    Engines? Gone. Ship? Grounded. Survivors? If there were any, the combat drones would sweep them up, leaving the rest to the city guards, guards who were all too happy to play ball thanks to a little something Rex liked to call

    "generous financial motivation."

    As the transport ship approached the city''s entrance, it passed seamlessly through the cloaking field that kept the entire operation hidden from prying eyes. The descent into the city was breathtaking. Floor after floor of underground brilliance unfolded before their eyes, a world alive with color, light, and energy.

    The twins were glued to the reinforced windows; their eyes opened wide. Coming from an agricultural world where the height of innovation was a slightly more efficient plow, this bustling city was like stepping into a whole new universe.

    "Whoa!"

    Lyra gasped, her crimson eyes sparkling like rubies.

    "This is... this is incredible!"

    Rex chuckled and crossed his arms, watching their amazement with a cocky grin.

    "Yeah, not bad, huh? I told you the underground life has its perks."

    Nyra, ever the tough one, tried to play it cool.

    "It''s alright, I guess,"

    she said with a shrug, but her wide-eyed stare betrayed her. She leaned closer to the window, pretending to inspect something

    "important."

    Rex barked out a laugh.

    "Oh, don''t even try to hide it, Nyra. You''re loving this, and we all know it. It''s okay to act your age once in a while."

    Nyra whipped her head around, glaring at him with a fiery look.

    Rex replied, not even looking back, his laugh echoing down the corridor.

    The twins, standing at the base of the ramp, exchanged wide-eyed glances as they watched the ridiculous back-and-forth unfold.

    Nyra crossed her arms, trying not to laugh while Lyra couldn''t stop giggling. Their amusement was short-lived when they noticed Cleo, standing quietly nearby, shaking her head in exasperation and letting out a tired sigh.

    "Emilia, please,"

    Cleo said, summoning a cluster of floating holo-screens with a flick of her wrist, "

    take the girls inside. Get them cleaned up, fed, and settled into a room. They''ve had a long day."

    Emilia, ever the epitome of grace, nodded with a slight bow.

    "Understand, my lady. Young ladies, if you would follow me.

    " She gestured with a soft smile, her every movement precise and elegant.

    The twins glanced between Emilia and Cleo, hesitating for a moment. Cleo noticed their uncertainty and knelt down to their level, her voice soft but firm.

    "It''s okay, girls. Emilia is one of the few people I trust with my life. You''re safe with her, so there''s no need to worry."

    Cleo paused, studying their expressions before reaching out to pinch their cheeks gently.

    "I have a lot to do, but if you need anything, anything at all, just ask one of the little birds flying around the mansion. They''ll find me."

    She stood up, giving them a small smile before turning to leave.

    "Be good girls, alright?"

    The twins nodded silently, their eyes following Cleo as she walked away with her usual air of authority. Emilia waited patiently before gesturing again.

    "Come along now. Let''s get you two cleaned up and fed."

    The twins exchanged another glance, and Lyra couldn''t help but whisper to Nyra, "

    This place is weird... but kind of cool."

    Nyra smirked.

    "Yeah, just don''t let them pinch your cheeks again."

    While Emilia escorted the twins to freshen up and settle into their new surroundings, Cleo retired to her bedroom for some much-needed rest. Her bed, far from ordinary, doubled as an advanced recharge bay.

    As she lay down, the soft hum of energy coursing through the sleek, futuristic frame began restoring her strength, both physically and mentally. Her calm expression hinted at someone who was always three steps ahead, even when asleep.

    Meanwhile, Rex and Carlos had already made themselves at home in one of their favorite dens, a bustling nightclub filled with flashing lights, pounding basslines, and an endless stream of energy from the young crowd.

    Their spot of choice? The exclusive VIP room perched on the third floor, a secluded space with an unbeatable view of the chaos below.

    This wasn''t just any nightclub; it was

    the

    nightclub. A melting pot of species from all corners of the galaxy, where the daring came to dance, drink, and indulge in every kind of vice imaginable. Rex liked this place for one specific reason:

    The Dragon Slayer

    .

    This wasn''t your average drink; it was a beer with a kick strong enough to knock even the toughest warriors flat on their backs. For someone like Rex, who had the alcohol tolerance of a tank, it was the only drink worth his time.

    The name wasn''t just for show, either. A single sip of the Dragon Slayer could kill an ordinary human outright, so the staff wisely enforced a strict policy, only races with proven high tolerance levels were allowed to order it. And Rex? Let''s just say he was on a first-name basis with the bartenders.

    Carlos leaned back in his chair, the neon glow from the dancefloor below casting sharp shadows across his rugged face. He took a long gulp from his mug and set it down with a heavy thunk.

    "Alright, Rex,"

    he said, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "

    Enough stalling.

    What''s the deal with those twins you brought with you this time? Don''t tell me you''re starting some kind of daycare service now."

 Chapter 99 Little progenitors.

    Rex, sitting across from him, swirled his frosted drink, the icy condensation dripping onto the sleek, glass tabletop. With a grin, he took an enormous gulp of his beer and let out a satisfied sigh.

    "Ahhh, now that hits the spot."

    He leaned back, balancing his chair on two legs, clearly in no rush to spill the beans.

    Carlos wasn''t having it. He raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers impatiently on the table.

    "Don''t dodge the question, Rex. Spill it. I don''t buy that ''long story'' excuse you pulled earlier

    ."

    "Alright, alright, keep your shirt on, old man,"

    Rex said, waving a dismissive hand. He took another swig of his beer, savoring it like it was liquid gold, before finally leaning forward with a grin that was equal parts mischievous and tired.

    "The thing is... well..."

    He paused dramatically, enjoying Carlos''s growing irritation.

    "The thing is what?"

    Carlos snapped, slamming his mug down. "

    Don''t tell me you picked up two random kids on some backwater planet because you felt sorry for them."

    Rex glanced at Carlos, his tone heavy with unspoken weight. "

    Nothing like that, Carlos. See, the thing with them is..."

    His voice trailed off as his gaze darkened.

    He began to recount how Cleo and he ended up taking care of them after he killed their father. The tale unraveled into the grim events that followed in the chaotic Necrotech world.

    Meanwhile, the twins were exploring the sprawling mansion, their hair still damp from the shower. Emilia, their guide, walked ahead, her quiet presence both comforting and watchful.

    "Lyra... what are you doing?"

    Nyra''s voice was sharp, almost whispering, as her eyes fixed on her sister. Lyra stood motionless in the hallway, her arms outstretched. She was covered with countless botany birds of varying sizes and intricate designs, their metallic forms shimmering under the dim light.

    "What?"

    Lyra tilted her head, her lips curling into a playful smile.

    "Oh, you mean the birds? Aren''t they adorable? They just started following me after I picked up this little red one."

    She held up a small bird resembling a crimson hummingbird, its delicate wings fluttering slightly as if alive.

    Nyra stepped closer, her voice hushed and urgent

    . "I don''t think we should be messing with those birds, sis."

    Her eyes darted to Emilia, who was already staring intently at the red bird, her expression unreadable. Nyra instinctively tried to shield the bird from Emilia''s gaze, but it was too late.

    "Don''t worry, young ladies,"

    The assassin gasped, his voice filled with disbelief. Before him stood one of the twins, her small hand gripping the blade with unshakable strength. Her expression was calm but burning with a quiet intensity.

    He didn''t have time to react. A blur of motion appeared from the side, a second twin. With the force of a hurricane, she delivered a brutal kick to his chest, sending him flying backward through the air.

    He crashed into the ground several meters away, finally reaching a stop as he clutched his stomach in agony.

    "W-what are they!?"

    Emilia stammered, her voice trembling as she stared at the fallen assassin writhing on the ground. The sharp, pained noises he made were the only sounds in the now-silent garden.

    "Emi! Get inside the mansion! Call for Cleo!"

    Lyra''s voice rang out like a command, her tone firm and resolute.

    But there was no time to rest. Another assassin emerged from the shadows, his form flickering in and out of sight as he activated a cloaking device. He moved like a ghost, his blade slicing through the air as he targeted Nyra.

    Nyra was ready. Her body twisted with supernatural grace, dodging the blade by mere inches. Her movements were fluid yet precise, her focus unbroken as she countered the assassin''s relentless strikes. Lyra darted to her sister''s side, their unspoken bond evident as they moved in perfect synchronization.

    The assassins, so confident moments ago, now hesitated, their calculated strategy crumbling in the face of these two seemingly ordinary girls who had turned into an unstoppable force.

    The leader of the assassins narrowed his eyes, watching from his vantage point in the tree. His hand tightened around the hilt of his weapon.

    "Interesting,"

    he muttered to himself.

    "They''re more dangerous than I anticipated. No matter. We proceed."

    The leader of the assassins finally decided to join the fight, his crimson cloak billowing behind him as he descended from the tree like a vengeful shadow. His movements were near silent, predatory, and precise. He closed in on Nyra from behind, his blade poised for a lethal strike.

    But before he could land the blow, several golden spears tore through the air toward him with terrifying speed. He barely managed to twist out of the way, his enhanced reflexes saving him from certain death. Yet even with his incredible speed, one of the spears struck true, piercing his right leg with a sickening crunch.

    "Kuh!"

    The leader stumbled back, gritting his teeth as pain shot through his body. His crimson eyes flared with rage as he barked his next order, his voice echoing like thunder.

    "Kill those bitches! Don''t hold back!"

    At their leader''s command, the remaining assassins sprang into action, their movements fluid and synchronized as they closed in on the twins.

    The girls stood back to back, their youthful faces tense but unwavering. The assassins attacked in waves, their blades slicing through the air, but Lyra and Nyra moved with uncanny precision, dodging, blocking, and countering in a rhythm that showed their lack of training.

    The leader, meanwhile, staggered a few paces away, clutching the golden spear embedded in his leg. He grabbed it with both hands, attempting to wrench it free, but his efforts were in vain. The spear refused to budge. Then he felt it. Experience new tales on empire

    A searing heat began to spread from the wound. His eyes widened in shock as he realized what was happening. The golden spear wasn''t just a weapon; it was alive, in a way. He could feel it devouring his blood, its energy spreading through his veins like wildfire.

    "This... this is impossible,"

    the leader muttered, his voice trembling with disbelief. He stumbled backward, his strength beginning to waver. "

    Why is this weapon the same as our blood clan''s? Where did this power come from!?"

    For the vampires of the Blood Clan, blood was everything. They used the blood of powerful beasts to forge their weapons and enhance their own bodies.

    The stronger the blood they consumed, the stronger their weapons and abilities became. But when two vampires fought, their weapons would clash in a battle of dominance, with the blood of the stronger consuming the weaker.

    And now, the leader of the assassins could feel it; his blood was being overpowered. The golden spear was stealing his strength, draining him of his very essence. It wasn''t just any blood; it was something far more potent, far more ancient than anything he had ever encountered.

 Chapter 100 The lady in white.

    His gaze shifted back to the twins, who were still locked in combat with his subordinates. Though their movements were clumsy and inexperienced, they somehow managed to evade the assassins lethal strikes.

    When they were hit, the wounds healed almost instantly, the blood sealing and repairing their injuries as if they had never been harmed.

    "What the hell is happening here?"

    The leader whispered, his voice laced with confusion and fear. His sharp eyes caught sight of something else; golden shields, seemingly forged from the same blood as the spears, hovered around the twins. They moved with a mind of their own, intercepting the assassins'' attacks with unnatural precision.

    The assassins faltered, their relentless assault beginning to break under the strain. The shields blocked their blades, the spears flew with devastating accuracy, and the twins, though untrained, moved like they were protected by an unseen force.

    The leader''s mind raced. His blood burned, his strength waned, and his forces were faltering. These girls... these

    amateurs,

    should have been easy prey. Instead, they were becoming the center of a storm he couldn''t comprehend.

    "What... what are they?"

    He muttered, his voice filled with both rage and dread. The golden spear in his leg pulsed again, and he fell to one knee, realizing far too late that this fight was no longer in his control.

    The twins were far more than what they seemed, and whatever force was protecting them was ancient, relentless, and utterly unforgiving.

    While chaos unfolded in the mansion''s garden, Rex and Carlos were in no condition to help. The two had succumbed to an impressive and dangerously irresponsible amount of alcohol consumed in under two hours.

    Rex was sprawled across the sofa, snoring loudly, while Carlos had somehow ended up on the floor, curled around a liquor bottle like it was his long-lost lover.

    "Mmm? Where is this?"

    Rex muttered groggily as his consciousness flickered back. His surroundings felt... wrong.

    He rubbed his temples and blinked, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.

    "I''m pretty sure I was drinking with Carlos at the nightclub just a second ago. Could it be... I was drugged again? Haha, that brings back old memories. That time Carlos almost lost his balls, and I nearly got one of my organs harvested. Good times, good times."

    The humor in his voice couldn''t quite hide the unease creeping into his chest. Rex stood up, his boots crunching against an unfamiliar surface. His eyes scanned his surroundings, and the realization hit him like a punch to the gut.

    He wasn''t in the nightclub or anywhere familiar, for that matter. He was standing in an infinite expanse of white sand, a vast, otherworldly desert stretching endlessly in every direction.

    Above him, the sky was a surreal mix of darkness and brilliance. Two enormous crimson stars glowed fiercely, casting an eerie light over the desert. Their presence felt unnatural, their fiery radiance burning through the pitch-black heavens.

    "So... where the hell am I?"

    Rex muttered, his voice carrying across the silent expanse. His unease deepened as he began to walk, the sand crunching beneath his boots the only sound accompanying him.

    "Carlos!? Cleo!? Can you hear me!?

    " Rex shouted into the emptiness. His voice echoed faintly, but there was no response. He reached for his communicator, fumbling with the device in his pocket, but it was dead, no signal, no static, nothing. Just silence.

    "

    Damn it,"

    Rex froze. Of all the things he had expected to hear, this wasn''t even on the list. For a moment, his panic gave way to sheer confusion.

    "What son!?"

    Rex yelled, spinning in place as he scanned his surroundings, his head snapping from side to side.

    "Y

    ou''ve got the wrong guy, demon! I''m an orphan! Good luck next time!"

    His voice was defiant, but his nerves betrayed him. His hands trembled slightly, and his eyes darted toward every shadow, every flicker of motion in the periphery.

    But the voice didn''t respond in anger. Instead, it laughed, a soft, sweet giggle that seemed to echo everywhere and nowhere at once.

    "You are not an orphan, my son,"

    the voice continued, calm and patient

    . "While it is true that circumstances kept me from you, I am full of joy now. For you are finally strong enough to connect with me, at least in your astral form."

    "Astral form? Seriously? Now you''re making up excuses!"

    Rex barked back, his defiance masking the unease gnawing at him. "

    If you''re really my mother, then show yourself! Prove it!"

    The voice laughed again, but this time it was different, closer, deeper, more real. It wasn''t just sound anymore; it was presence. The darkness that surrounded him began to shift, like ink spilling into water, and from the ground beneath his feet, a radiant white light began to shine.

    The cabin trembled, the wooden walls groaning as if they could barely contain the energy erupting from beneath them. The light grew brighter and brighter, so blinding that Rex instinctively shut his eyes. Even with them closed, the brilliance seeped through, painting his vision in shimmering white.

    When he finally opened them, the desert, the cabin, and the oppressive darkness had faded away.

    Before him stood a woman, radiant and otherworldly. Her long, snow-white hair cascaded to the ground like a waterfall of light. Her skin glowed with a soft, pale luminescence, as if she had been sculpted from moonlight itself.

    Crimson eyes, deep and piercing, locked onto his with a warmth that made him instinctively step back.

    She wore a flowing, single-piece dress of thin, ethereal fabric that seemed to shimmer like starlight. Blue ornaments adorned her dress, their intricate patterns pulsating with energy. Behind her, a massive, glowing circular sigil floated, its design both divine and arcane, a perfect blend of mystery and majesty.

    Rex stared, completely dumbfounded.

    There was a long silence before he finally blurted out,

    "Definitely not my mother. No way.

    " He gestured at her, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he tried to mask his awe.

    "First off, I''m not this good-looking. Second, you''re way too tall! What are you, three? Four meters? I was a perfectly normal human of 1.8 meters a few years ago."

    The tension that had gripped him moments ago began to loosen. Now that he could see her, it was easier to speak, easier to feel like himself again. But deep down, there was a sense of unease he couldn''t shake. This woman, this being, felt far too powerful, far too...

    otherworldly.

 Chapter 101 The lady in white (2).

    The lady in white let out another melodious giggle, the sound as gentle as the soft rustle of wind through leaves. Her crimson eyes sparkled with amusement as she listened to Rex''s frustrated rant.

    "While it is true that you are my son,"

    she began, propping herself up on the massive, cloud-like bed, her head resting on her hands

    , "your soul has several restraints placed upon it. That''s why you haven''t been able to reach your true potential."

    She kicked her legs idly behind her, the motion childlike and carefree, completely at odds with the immense power radiating from her.

    Rex crossed his arms, raising a skeptical brow.

    "Well then, if you''re my mother, who''s my father?"

    he asked, deciding to humor her far-fetched claims for the sake of maintaining his sanity.

    "Mmm?"

    She tilted her head, pretending to think deeply for a moment before flashing him another dazzling smile.

    "You don''t have a father. You were born from me and me alone."

    "Ha!? How is that even possible? No, wait... that''s not important,"

    Rex said, shaking his head as if to clear the absurdit

    y. "What I really want to ask is why you decided to show up now. No, wait, scratch that! If you''re my mother, why did you abandon me? Or, better yet¡ª"

    His questions spilled out in rapid succession, each one more incredulous than the last. He was full of them, his curiosity warring with his frustration and disbelief.

    The lady in white sighed softly, resting her chin in her palm as she watched him with a serene expression.

    "I''m afraid there isn''t enough time for me to answer all your questions,"

    she said, her voice gentle but firm.

    "However, I will tell you this: the little girls you chose as your heralds are in grave danger. You must go to them and help them. I will use what little strength I have left to give them a boost, just enough for them to hold on until you arrive."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed, his posture stiffening

    . "Wait, what heradls? What are you talking about?

    " He locked eyes with her, his expression demanding answers.

    The lady in white pursed her lips and made a thinking gesture, her delicate fingers tapping her temple.

    "Mmm... I''m not very good with names, but I think it was something like... Nunu and Lulu?" she said with a playful tilt of her head.

    Rex blinked, stunned. "

    You mean Nyra and Lyra?! What''s happening to them!?

    " He shouted, his voice rising in panic.

    "Oh,"

    she said casually, her face now buried in a fluffy white pillow. "

    His body collapsed to the ground as if he were a puppet whose strings had been cut. And he wasn''t the only one. Every assassin within earshot crumpled to their knees, their faces twisted in shock and disbelief.

    They couldn''t fight it. They couldn''t resist. Their bodies betrayed them, bowing in submission to the overwhelming power of the twins commands.

    "What... what is this?"

    One of the assassins muttered, his voice trembling as he stared at the ground, unable to lift his head.

    While the lesser assassins were forced to kneel, the leader of the crimson assassins, the strongest of them all, resisted. His body shook with effort, his mind screaming against the compulsion.

    He gritted his teeth, snarling like a cornered beast, and ripped the golden spear from his leg with a savage cry. Blood poured from the wound, but he didn''t care.

    "I don''t kneel to anyone!"

    he roared, his voice raw with rage. He launched himself at the twins, his sword raised high, ignoring the pain that wracked his body. His professional composure was gone, replaced by unhinged fury.

    "Die, you bitches!"

    he screamed hysterically, closing the distance between himself and the twins in a blur of motion.

    But he didn''t make it.

    Just as the leader''s blade was about to strike, his body froze in midair. An invisible force seized him, holding him in place like a fly trapped in amber. He thrashed and roared, but it was useless.

    The twins turned their glowing, predatory eyes toward him. Their expressions were calm, but their voices dripped with contempt as they spoke in unison.

    "Your time is done, scum. The boss is near."

    Their words echoed with ominous finality, and as soon as they finished speaking, the glow in their eyes faded. Their horns vanished, their bodies collapsing to the ground like marionettes whose strings had been cut. They had pushed themselves too far, the last vestiges of Rex''s golden blood spent.

    The leader fell to the ground, freed from their invisible grip. He landed awkwardly, stumbling to his feet. His lips twisted into a maniacal grin, his bloodied body trembling with exhilaration.

    "Hahaha! It''s my win!"

    The leader of the assassins screamed hysterically, his voice echoing through the battlefield. His eyes gleamed with unhinged triumph as he raised his sword, preparing to finish the unconscious twins.

    But before he could take another step, the sky split open.

    A deafening

    boom

    shattered the air, louder than anything the assassins had ever heard. A massive object descended from the heavens, breaking the sound barrier with such force that the shockwave flattened trees, shook the ground, and sent every kneeling assassin sprawling.

    The impact was catastrophic. The ground cracked and splintered beneath the force of the landing, dust and debris exploding outward in a colossal cloud. The leader of the assassins was thrown backward, his sword flying from his hand as he tumbled across the dirt like a ragdoll.

    When the dust began to settle, a figure stood at the center of the crater. The silhouette was tall and imposing, radiating an aura of power that sent a chill through the spines of everyone present.

    The assassins, even the defiant leader, could feel it... the presence of something far beyond their understanding.

    From the swirling cloud of dust, two enormous white wings emerged, stretching wide and radiating a luminous white aura that illuminated the battlefield.

    The dust began to clear, revealing a towering figure shrouded in an overwhelming energy that seemed to distort the very air around him. Each step the silhouette took sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, the earth trembling beneath the weight of his power.

    The figure''s eyes glowed with a searing golden light, piercing through the haze like twin suns. They swept over the scene, pausing on the twins who lay collapsed on the ground, their small forms battered and covered in injuries. A flicker of sorrow crossed the figure''s glowing eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a fury so intense it made the air hum with raw energy.

    This was no ordinary man. This was a force of nature, a being whose very presence screamed dominance and power.

    The leader of the assassins, who had been laughing moments earlier, froze as those golden eyes locked onto him. His maniacal grin faltered, replaced by a look of growing dread. The overwhelming pressure emanating from the figure was suffocating, pressing down on him like a tidal wave.

 Chapter 102 Dont confuse my kindness with weakness.

    "You!"

    The assassin leader grinned like a lunatic, his bloodshot eyes twitching with excitement.

    "You''re the other one I''ve been hunting! Hah! This is perfect! Perfect! I don''t even have to waste my time searching for you now! Hiahiahia!"

    His laugh echoed like shattered glass, sharp and wild. He spread his arms theatrically, as if expecting applause, his madness dripping from every word.

    Rex rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed.

    "So it''s you, the assassin that my bald friend warned me about."

    He took a step forward, his boots crunching against the gravel with a deliberate slowness.

    "You know what, little bastard?"

    His voice was calm, almost too calm, but there was a weight to it, like a storm waiting to break.

    From beneath the assassin leader, white chains shot up from the ground, slamming into his limbs with a ferocity that rattled his bones. The chains coiled around him like angry serpents, pulling him into the air as he struggled and cursed.

    "W-what the hell is this?! Release me! Do you have any idea who I am?"

    The assassin leader barked, his earlier confidence cracking. His eyes darted around like a cornered rat.

    "If you hurt me, my uncle will make you regret it! You''ll wish you were never born!"

    He screamed, a mix of fear and arrogance dripping from his words.

    Rex stopped just inches away, his eyes level with the assassin''s as the chains held him aloft. A cold smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

    "Not a single day goes by where I regret being born,"

    Rex said, his voice carrying the kind of chill that made even the bravest men falter.

    And then, without warning, his fist slammed into the assassin''s stomach with enough force to shake the ground.

    The assassin gasped, blood spurting from his mouth as Rex''s arm plunged straight through his torso. But instead of fear, the assassin leader laughed, a wet, gurgling sound that made Rex raise an eyebrow.

    "Hah! That''s it? That''s your best shot?"

    The assassin wheezed, his voice rasping but defiant.

    "Do you think I''m scared of a punch? I''m immortal, idiot! You can''t kill me with your pathetic tricks!"

    He grinned, blood staining his teeth as his chest heaved.

    Rex didn''t react. He didn''t even blink. Instead, he touched the communicator on his neck. "

    Cleo, is that enough data for you?"

    He asked, his tone flat and detached, like he was ordering groceries.

    "Affirmative,"

    came the cool voice of Cleo through the communicator.

    "The blueprint for the device has been sent to your HUD. Proceed as planned."

    "Good,

    " Rex said, cracking his knuckles as he turned his gaze back to the assassin.

    "Now, take the twins and your soldiers. Get out of here. Things are about to get... messy."

    "Understood. Phantom unit, retrieve the twins, and fall back," Cleo commanded.

    From the shadows, sleek black soldiers materialized like specters, their crimson visors glowing menacingly. Unlike Cleo''s usual pristine white Aegis units, these were darker and deadlier, their silence more unnerving than any battle cry.

    Two of the phantoms shifted their arms, blades of crackling energy extending from their wrists. With mechanical precision, they sheathed the blades and scooped up the unconscious twins before vanishing back into the darkness.

    Rex waited, watching until every last one of Cleo''s troops was gone. The assassin leader watched too, though his smirk was beginning to waver. The silence felt heavy, suffocating, as Rex slowly opened and closed his hands, the metallic gleam of his freshly crafted brass knuckles catching the faint light.

    "Still playing with toys, huh?"

    The assassin leader sneered, though his voice quivered ever so slightly.

    "Do you think those useless trinkets can stop me? I told you, I''m¡ª"

    Rex''s fist smashed into his face before he could finish the sentence. The sound of the impact was like a gunshot, reverberating through the air. The assassin''s head snapped back, his nose breaking with a sickening crunch, but Rex didn''t stop.

    Her tone was sharp, but there was a subtle undertone of concern beneath her scolding.

    "

    We understand, Teacher,"

    the twins replied in unison, their voices a mix of resignation and determination.

    The momentary calm was shattered by the echoing loud sound of a distant explosion, followed by the deep, bone-rattling sound of shockwaves tearing through the air. The girls jumped slightly, their wide eyes darting to the nearest window, though it offered no view of the outside chaos.

    "What... what was that?

    " Nyra asked, her voice sharper now, the edge of her curiosity tinged with unease.

    "Oh, that? Don''t worry,"

    Cleo said, her tone unusually casual, almost dismissive. "

    That''s just Rex... having a little talk with one of our uninvited guests."

    "A talk?

    " Lyra tilted her head, blinking in innocent confusion

    . "But... it sounds so loud! Is he yelling at them or something?"

    Nyra frowned, her instincts kicking in. She was no fool, and she knew exactly what Cleo was trying to sugarcoat. Her sister might buy the explanation, but Nyra wasn''t so easily convinced. Her gaze lingered on the holographic teacher.

    "Teacher, can we see how Rex is ''talking'' to them?"

    Nyra asked, crossing her arms. Her sharp tone was all too aware of the truth Cleo was trying to dodge.

    Cleo hesitated for a moment, her expression flickering as if she was calculating something. Over the past week, the twins had begun calling her "Teacher" out of respect, not just for the combat training she''d given them, but for the countless other lessons she''d drilled into them.

    From empire management to survival skills, even down to the subtle art of cooking something as simple as a perfect egg, Cleo had become their unyielding mentor.

    "Hmmm..."

    Cleo mused aloud.

    "I can''t show you everything. Some parts are... classified."

    She was already filtering the footage, removing anything too visceral or gruesome from Rex''s ongoing interrogation.

    "But I can show you a little, just enough for context."

    With a flick of her holographic hand, Cleo summoned a massive holo-screen that filled the center of the medical bay.

    The video began playing, showing Rex''s arrival at the scene, his cold, methodical approach to the assassin leader, and the first devastating punch that broke the assassin''s smug demeanor. The screen cut off there, leaving the twins with just enough to paint a picture, but far from the whole story.

    Their reactions couldn''t have been more different.

    Lyra''s eyes widened in shock, her hands gripping the blanket tightly as she tried to process what she''d just seen

    . "I-Is that how Rex... talks to people?"

    she stammered, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and disbelief.

    She shrank back slightly, almost as if she could still feel the echoes of Rex''s chilling aura through the screen.

    Nyra, however, had an entirely different reaction. Her lips curved upward in a sly, almost devious smile. She rested her chin on her hand, her eyes gleaming with a dangerous curiosity.

    "Hah... so that''s how he deals with them,"

    she murmured, her tone low and amused. It wasn''t fear she felt, it was admiration.

    Cleo noticed the stark contrast between the two girls and narrowed her eyes slightly, addressing them both.

    "You''d do well to remember that Rex''s methods aren''t something to take lightly. What you saw wasn''t a game, nor was it a show of strength for entertainment. It was a necessity."

    Lyra nodded quickly, still clutching the blanket as if it might shield her from the thought of Rex''s brutality.

    "I... I get it. He was just doing what he had to... right

    ?"

    Nyra, on the other hand, leaned forward, her grin widenin

    g. "Oh, I get it, Teacher. Believe me, I get it."

    Her voice was practically dripping with mischief.

 Chapter 103 Both sides of the same coin.

    After nearly an hour of what could barely be called a

    conversation

    with the assassin leader, Rex finally stepped back, letting out a deep breath as he crouched by the small river in the garden.

    He dipped his bloodied hands into the cool water, scrubbing them with a kind of calm precision that felt unnervingly out of place after what had just transpired. Behind him, the leader of the assassins still dangled limply in the air, suspended by the same white chains that had held him since the beginning.

    If the assassin leader could still think, if he could still feel, he might have begged for mercy. But his broken body told another story. His face was no longer recognizable, a pulpy mess of swollen flesh and blood.

    His limbs were twisted at grotesque angles, like some nightmarish pretzel. Even his infamous healing factor had given up hours ago, the sheer brutality of Rex''s punishment having pushed his body beyond any hope of recovery.

    He wasn''t even breathing heavily anymore, just wheezing shallow, broken gasps.

    Rex stood, shaking the water from his hands before turning his gaze back to the mangled figure

    Find your next adventure on empire

    . "You know, this could''ve all been avoided if you''d just told me who sent you."

    His voice was conversational, almost friendly, like he was chatting with an old acquaintance.

    "Although..."

    Rex scratched his chin, as if considering something.

    "Now that I think about it, if I keep punching your face like that, there''s no way you''d be able to talk even if you wanted to. My bad. Anyway, it doesn''t matter."

    He smiled faintly, almost apologetically.

    "I know someone who can rip the answers straight from your brain. So... yeah. Guess I overdid it for nothing."

    Rex turned away from the leader, letting the chains hold what little remained of his dignity. His pitch-black eyes scanned the garden until they landed on the rest of the assassins.

    They were scattered across the ground, each one bound tightly by the same glowing chains that now felt more like a death sentence than a prison. Unlike their leader, they were still intact, unbroken in body, if not in spirit.

    The assassins stared at Rex, wide-eyed and trembling. They had all witnessed the brutality unleashed upon their strongest warrior, the one they had believed was invincible. Now, as Rex began walking toward them, their fear grew so thick it was suffocating.

    Rex stopped a few steps away, just close enough for all of them to hear him clearly. He placed his hands behind his back, tilting his head slightly as if deep in though

    t. "Hmm, what should I do with you all?"

    he mused aloud, his tone light and playful.

    He suddenly clapped his hands together, grinning.

    "Oh, I''ve got it!"

    His voice carried a mock excitement that made the assassins shiver.

    "Here''s the deal. If you don''t want to end up like your boss over there..."

    he pointed with a thumb toward the mangled figure still dangling in the air,

    "swear your loyalty to the twins you were trying to kill. Sounds fair, doesn''t it? I mean, better than the alternative."

    The assassins froze. Rex''s smile was anything but comforting. The oppressive weight of his presence hung over them like a storm cloud, his abyss-black eyes boring into their very souls.

    His smile didn''t reach his eyes; in fact, it made the aura surrounding him even more terrifying. Every fiber of their being screamed at them to respond, to say

    something,

    but their voices were trapped in their throats.

    "Well?"

    "Take them away,"

    he said flatly. "

    I''m done here."

    Cleo hesitated for a moment before giving the command. "

    Phantom unit, secure the prisoners. Move them to the holding cells."

    As the black-armored units emerged from the shadows to carry out her orders, Cleo''s gaze lingered on Rex. For the first time, she felt uncertain about him and about what he was becoming.

    And as the last of the assassins was dragged away, she couldn''t shake the feeling that something dark was stirring within him, something that even he might not fully understand.

    After the Blood Clan assassins were dragged away, the garden fell silent, save for the soft murmur of the artificial river. Rex made his way toward the pool that connected to the water''s flow, his steps slow and deliberate. The adrenaline from earlier had faded, replaced by a strange heaviness he couldn''t shake.

    Once he reached the edge of the pool, Rex deactivated his armor with a low hum, the sleek plates retracting and disappearing, leaving him in nothing but a thin, sweat-drenched shirt and a pair of plain black pants. Without hesitation, he stepped into the cool water, goin in until it reached his chest.

    Rex leaned back and let his body float, staring upward as the tension in his muscles began to ease. His gaze sought the sky out of habit, but all he found was the arched stone ceiling of the underground garden.

    The realization made him sigh, and he let his eyes close, the weight of exhaustion pulling him deeper into his thoughts.

    Minutes passed in silence, broken only by the faint ripples in the water. Then, a familiar voice reached him.

    "Rex..."

    It was Cleo. Her voice was softer than usual, almost hesitant, a note of concern hidden beneath her usual composed tone.

    Rex opened his eyes lazily, tilting his head toward her. His golden irises, glowing faintly in the dark, met hers, and Cleo exhaled in relief. His aura had returned to the radiant, inspiring energy she was used to. The oppressive, sinister feeling from earlier was completely gone, as if it had never been there at all.

    "Mmm? What''s the matter, my wife?"

    Rex asked, his tone light and playful, like nothing had happened. He gave her one of his usual grins, the kind that could disarm a battlefield of tension in an instant.

    Cleo paused, studying him. It was as though the person standing before her now was an entirely different man from the one she had seen earlier, with abyss-black eyes and an aura that could crush the strongest wills. It left her... unsettled.

    "There''s nothing wrong..."

    Cleo said carefully, though her golden eyes betrayed her concern.

    "I just wanted to see how you were feeling after... you know."

    She hesitated, clearly trying to find the right words to express herself.

    "Oh, that,"

    Rex said, his smile fading slightly. He moved toward her in the shallow water, his steps deliberate but slow, as if considering his response. Without warning, he grabbed Cleo''s hand and gently pulled her into the pool, catching her by the waist as she splashed in.

    "Rex!"

    Cleo gasped, her expression half-shocked, half-annoyed. But she didn''t pull away from him.

    He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close as he let out a deep sigh.

    "I''m sorry you had to see that side of me,"

    Rex murmured, his voice quieter now.

    "So far, only Carlos has ever seen me like that. It''s just... when someone hurts the people I care about, I lose myself. I can''t help it. It''s like something in me snaps."

    Cleo stared up at him, her golden eyes catching the faint glimmer of the artificial river''s ripples. The garden lights had been destroyed by the shockwaves of Rex''s punches, leaving the area cloaked in shadows, but somehow, her eyes seemed to glow even brighter in the darkness.

    Rex reached up, brushing a few strands of damp hair from her face.

    "I''m sorry if I scared you

    ," he said softly, his fingertips lightly trailing across her cheek.

 Chapter 104 The masquerade.

    Cleo held his hand against her face, her expression softening as her fingers intertwined with his.

    "So you''re telling me... that was really you?"

    She asked, her voice steady now, her concern giving way to curiosity.

    Rex nodded, a faint smirk pulling at the corner of his mouth.

    "Well, yeah. If it wasn''t me, then who else would it be?"

    He teased her, though his tone carried a hint of self-awareness.

    Cleo sighed, rolling her eyes but keeping her hand on his.

    "You don''t make it easy to understand you sometimes, you know that?"

    Rex chuckled, the sound low and warm

    . "Let''s not dwell on it right now, alright? I''ll make it up to you later. But first..."

    His tone shifted slightly, becoming more serious as he gazed into her eyes.

    "Why didn''t you step in to help the twins earlier?

    You could''ve stopped all of this before it started."

    Cleo arched an eyebrow at the sudden shift in topic.

    "Because they weren''t in any real danger,"

    she explained simply. "

    The Phantom units were with them the entire time, cloaked and ready to intervene if anything went wrong. I wanted them to gain some combat experience, but I didn''t expect you to show up the way you did."

    Rex tilted his head, processing her answer.

    "Oh, I see. So you were letting them have a little trial by fire."

    He smirked, shaking his head.

    "I guess that''s fair. But next time, maybe give me a heads-up so I don''t storm in thinking the world''s ending."

    "I''ll keep that in mind,"

    Cleo replied, her lips curving into a faint smile. She was starting to relax, the oppressive tension from earlier now feeling like a distant memory.

    Rex leaned back slightly, running a hand through his wet hair as a thoughtful expression crossed his face.

    "You know, it''s funny... I had a weird dream before all of this. There was this woman in white. She looked so real, but I knew something was off."

    Cleo''s smile faltered, her eyebrows furrowing slightly.

    "What woman?"

    she asked, her voice tinged with suspicion.

    "Well...

    " Rex trailed off, scratching the back of his head.

    "The thing is..."

    He hesitated, unsure of how to explain it. Cleo, however, wasn''t about to let it slide. Her golden eyes narrowed slightly as she waited for him to elaborate, her fingers tightening around his hand.

    "Don''t you dare leave me hanging, Rex,"

    she said firmly, her curiosity and concern blending into one.

    "Alright, alright,"

    Rex said, raising his hands defensively with a sheepish grin. "

    I''ll tell you. But first, can we just enjoy this moment? You don''t often jump into the water with me, you know."

    Cleo sighed but allowed herself to relax, leaning against him as the water lapped gently around them. "

    Fine. But don''t think for a second; I''ll forget about this."

    "Fancy. So, we''re crashing a party to get what we need, huh? I like it."

    Rex, however, crossed his arms with a skeptical look.

    "Yeah, it''s a decent plan and all, but there''s just one little problem."

    He gestured toward himself.

    "Have you seen me? I''m a damn giant. If I walk into that party, and everyone''s going to notice me instantly. Hell, I''ll probably scare half the guests before we even make it to the mayor."

    Cleo''s expression didn''t change.

    "You''re not the one attending, Rex,"

    she said simply.

    "Carlos will be accompanying me instead. Your size alone would compromise the mission."

    Rex froze, his eyes narrowing as he turned to look at Carlos. "

    Oh, is that so?"

    His voice was low and laced with mock menace.

    Carlos shrugged, grinning as he leaned back in his chair.

    "Don''t get your boxers in a twist, pretty guy. It''s just a party."

    Rex jabbed two fingers at his eyes, then pointed them directly at Carlos, repeating the motion several times. "D

    on''t you even think about touching her. No dances. No sneaky moves. Nothing. I''ll be watching, Carlos."

    Carlos burst out laughing, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

    "Relax, man! I have codes. You think I''d lay a finger on your girl? Come on, Rex. I wouldn''t touch her if my life depended on it."

    His grin widened mischievously. "

    Well, unless she touched me first."

    Rex''s glare darkened, his golden eyes narrowing dangerously.

    "Alright, alright! I''m joking!"

    Carlos said quickly, still laughing. "

    You know I''d never do that; calm your pretty face."

    Cleo sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

    "Enough, you two. We don''t have time for this nonsense. Focus on the mission."

    She turned her gaze to Carlos.

    "I''ll brief you on the details later. For now, just be prepared to play your role. The success of this operation depends on subtlety, which means no unnecessary theatrics."

    "Got it, boss, "

    Carlos said, giving her a playful salute.

    Rex muttered something under his breath, clearly not thrilled with the arrangement, but he let it go for now. The team had a mission to focus on, and as much as he hated the thought of Carlos attending the party with Cleo, he knew she was more than capable of handling herself.

    Still, as he leaned back in his chair, Rex couldn''t help but let his mind wander. The memory of the lady in white lingered in the back of his thoughts, her words faint but persistent.

    If this was all a scam, then why does it still feel like a warning?

    On the night of the grand masquerade, Cleo and Carlos stood at the gates of the mayor''s huge mansion, a behemoth of luxury and arrogance. The building loomed against the moonlight, its towering spires trying too hard to intimidate but failing miserably.

    Cleo smirked, thinking how even the underground palace she had built from scraps had more soul than this bloated monstrosity. The defenses here? Laughable. It was almost insulting.

    The duo walked toward the main entrance, their steps slow and deliberate, the kind that turned heads even in a crowd of masked strangers. At the door, several guards checked invitations, each one looking bored out of their minds as they waved guests through.

    It wasn''t just security that was sloppy; it was lifeless.

    Carlos, ever the professional, had his earpiece buzzing with updates from their inside man, but something cracked through the line that wasn''t part of the plan.

    "Pffff," someone snorted, barely containing laughter.

 Chapter 105 The masquerade (2).

    The laughter crackled through Carlos''s earpiece.

    "Pfff, hahahaha!"

    Rex''s voice cut through, practically dying with amusement.

    "And here I thought you were going as her partner, but no, you''re just the bodyguard! What a promotion, huh?"

    Carlos rolled his eyes, his hand subtly adjusting the communicator to mute Rex''s laughter.

    "Ha-ha, hilarious,"

    he said, his voice flat and biting.

    "This arrangement works better for everyone, so shut up already. We''re going in."

    With a firm tap to the device, Carlos switched it off, cutting Rex''s chuckles short just as they approached the mansion''s entrance.

    The guard at the door was a burly man, more muscle than manners, and his eyes drifted rather unprofessionally toward Cleo''s body. She was dressed to perfection, wearing a flowing white gown trimmed with golden accents that caught the dim light like molten fire.

    Her mask was a work of art, a delicate bird design that covered her entire face and added an air of mystery.

    Carlos, by contrast, looked plain and deliberate in his standard black suit and a half-face mask that left his mouth uncovered. His entire ensemble screamed

    "bodyguard"

    with just a hint of

    "don''t mess with me."

    The guard barely tore his eyes from Cleo to talk, "

    Your invitations, please."

    Without hesitation, Carlos stepped forward, deliberately positioning himself between the guard and Cleo, cutting off the man''s wandering gaze like a slammed door.

    "Here are our invitations,"

    Carlos said, his voice deep, professional, and utterly uninterested in nonsense.

    The guard examined the invitations with the practiced eye of someone who didn''t care much but needed to pretend otherwise. Satisfied, he stepped aside.

    "Enjoy your evening, ma''am,"

    the guard said, his voice dripping with feigned politeness.

    As Cleo and Carlos walked past, the guard couldn''t resist the urge to steal another glance at Cleo. But instead of the graceful curve he was hoping for, his view was obstructed by Carlos''s broad, square butt.

    "Ugh,"

    the guard muttered under his breath, annoyed, as Rex, perched on a nearby rooftop, quietly marked him in his sights. Through his binoculars, Rex smirked.

    "That one''s definitely on my list,"

    he murmured.

    he murmured, several tentacles slithering toward her without hesitation, brushing her shoulders and curling around her arm.

    "She''s... very beautiful."

    The girl flinched slightly at his touch, her smile faltering, but her father beamed like he''d just won the lottery.

    And then, in an instant, everything changed.

    From her position in the shadows of the mansion''s upper floor, Cleo pressed a command on her wrist device. Her voice was calm and detached as she muttered,

    "Well, then... let the main event of the masquerade begin."

    Every light in the mansion went out at once, plunging the grand hall into complete darkness. Gasps and murmurs rippled through the crowd as panic began to set in.

    "What is happening?!

    " the mayor yelled, his voice echoing angrily through the pitch-black hall. His tentacles writhed in agitation, their movements barely visible in the faint light from the rain-streaked windows.

    The guards sprang into action, rushing toward the mayor from all corners of the room to form a protective circle around him. Weapons drawn, their eyes darted around the shadows, searching for any sign of an intruder.

    Outside, the faint rumble of engines grew louder. Dozens of city guard vehicles were speeding toward the mansion, their sirens cutting through the rain-soaked night. Above them, military transport ships roared through the storm clouds, converging on the mayor''s location like predators closing in on prey.

    Cleo''s voice cut through the chaos, low and icy.

    "Kill all the guards."

    The command was absolute, and from the shadows of the grand hall, dozens of glowing red eyes flickered to life. For a fleeting moment, the guards glimpsed the glint of sleek, metallic shapes of the phantoms, their razor-sharp blades glinting faintly in the darkness. Enjoy more content from empire

    And then, in the span of mere seconds, the room fell silent again.

    One by one, the guards collapsed, lifeless, their bodies crumpling to the polished marble floor with barely a sound. The Phantoms had struck with surgical precision, their movements too swift and calculated for anyone to comprehend.

    The guests, blissfully unaware of the carnage in the shadows, continued to murmur nervously amongst themselves, their fear focused on the darkness and the missing lights. Not a single scream broke the eerie calm.

    From her vantage point, Cleo marked the mayor''s location on her HUD. Her system confirmed that the guards were neutralized, and her Phantoms had already begun sweeping the mansion for any remaining threats.

    With cold precision, she stepped into the grand hall, her heels clicking softly against the floor. The sound was barely audible over the storm outside, but to those who heard it, it might as well have been the toll of a bell.

    The mayor''s tentacles twitched nervously as Cleo emerged from the shadows, her white dress now illuminated faintly by the dim emergency lights flickering back to life. Her golden accents glinted like the edge of a blade, and her bird mask made her look like some vengeful phantom of the masquerade.

    "Who... who are you?!"

    the mayor demanded, his voice trembling slightly despite his attempt to sound authoritative. His protective circle of guards was gone, and he was all too aware of it.

    Cleo didn''t answer immediately. She stepped closer, her gaze locked on the mayor like a predator sizing up its prey. Her hand hovered over the controls on her wrist, ready to deploy the next phase of her plan.

    Outside, Rex chuckled softly to himself as he watched the chaos unfold through the scope of his rifle. "And it is because of this situation that I love that woman," he muttered, the rain rolling off his hood as he adjusted his position.

    Perched on the rooftop, rain dripping off his hood, Rex adjusted the scope of his rifle, the faint glow of its targeting system casting a golden light against his face. Below him, the patrol cars of the city guard rolled into view, their flashing lights cutting through the stormy darkness as they approached the mansion in a tight formation.

    "They''re here,"

    Rex muttered to himself, his tone laced with anticipation. His finger hovered over the trigger, steady and precise. He exhaled slowly, letting the rhythmic patter of rain fade into the background.

    His scope locked onto the lead vehicle, focusing on the driver through the supposedly "reinforced" crystal windshield. Without a hint of hesitation, Rex lowered his finger and squeezed the trigger.

 Chapter 106 The masquerade (3).

    A blinding golden laser burst from the barrel of his rifle, tearing through the storm and striking its target with deadly precision. The beam punched cleanly through the windshield, piercing the driver''s chest. The man barely had time to react before slumping forward onto the steering wheel, his foot pushing the accelerator.

    The patrol car veered sharply to the left, its tires screeching as it spun out of control. It slammed violently into the vehicle beside it, the impact crunching metal and sending sparks flying into the rain-soaked air. Both cars careened off the road, one flipping onto its side with a deafening crash, while the other plowed into a lamppost, its lights flickering and dying.

    The convoy behind them screeched to a halt as the guards scrambled to assess the situation. Shouts of confusion erupted, their voices barely audible over the rain and the roaring engines.

    Rex smirked, leaning back slightly as he recharged his rifle for another shot.

    "Reinforced crystal, my ass,"

    he muttered, lining up his next target. Through the scope, he could see the chaos unfolding below, the guards spilling out of their vehicles, weapons drawn, their movements frantic and disorganized.

    "Too easy,"

    he said, settling his sights on the next driver. His finger tightened on the trigger once more, the golden light of his rifle illuminating the storm-soaked battlefield.

    The rain continued to pour, and Rex, as calm as ever, prepared to turn the city guards'' reinforcements into nothing more than smoldering wreckage.

    "Take cover!"

    the high-ranking city guard officer yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos. The guards, shaken but responsive, scrambled to follow his orders, diving behind vehicles and overturned debris as the rain pounded down around them.

    Rex let out an irritated click of his tongue as he watched through his rifle''s scope.

    "Tsk, that officer''s got brains. Guess I''ll have to step it up."

    With a casual motion, he pressed the communicator on his neck.

    "Phantoms of Squad 201, proceed with the mission. Leave no survivors."

    The moment his words were spoken, the shadows around the convoy came alive. Black laser beams erupted from seemingly every direction, slicing through the rain like jagged streaks of midnight lightning.

    The Phantom, Kaelzar''s elite assassin units, moved with inhuman precision, their attacks swift and unrelenting.

    Guards who had taken cover behind vehicles dropped like stones, their positions obliterated before they even had time to react. Shouts of panic turned into screams and then silence as body after body fell in the blink of an eye.

    The smarter ones, if you could call them that, crawled under vehicles or threw themselves inside patrol cars, flattening their bodies and staying low. But even those who survived knew it wouldn''t last long.

    The city guards were never a true fighting force. Civilians with a paycheck and uniforms, hired to maintain appearances for the mayor''s corrupt regime. They had no training, no discipline, and no chance against Kaelzar''s Phantom units. Fighting assassins bred for war was like throwing stones at a hurricane.

    Rex lowered his rifle for a moment, watching the carnage unfold with an almost detached amusement.

    "Pathetic,"

    he muttered, before noticing something on the horizon. His smirk faltered as he adjusted his scope.

    The faint glow of engines pierced the storm clouds, growing brighter by the second. In the distance, he could see the unmistakable bulk of city army transport ships descending toward the mansion.

    "Cleo, hurry it up. The city army''s moving in,"

    Rex said into his communicator, his voice calm but laced with urgency.

    Inside the mansion, Cleo''s reply was just as steady.

    "Understood. I need thirty more minutes to extract everything we need from here."

    She turned her gaze toward the mayor, who was sprawled on the floor before her, his once-pristine suit stained with black blood that oozed from his face. His octopus-like head looked grotesque now, tentacles limp and twitching in pain.

    Carlos stood beside him, cool and composed, meticulously cleaning his knuckles with a towel.

    Cleo''s heels clicked against the marble floor as she approached the mayor, each step deliberate, echoing in the eerily quiet room. She stopped just centimeters away from his head, her towering presence casting a long shadow over him.

    "Sir, the moment the silent alarm on the mayor''s body was triggered, the city guard units responded immediately. They reached the mansion within minutes, but..."

    He hesitated again.

    "But what?"

    the general snapped, his patience wearing thin.

    "But... there''s been no communication since. No reports, no updates. Their last confirmed position was just outside the mansion."

    The general''s face darkened as the weight of the situation settled over him.

    "They''re likely dead already,

    " the second-in-command added grimly, his voice barely above a whisper.

    "Dead..."

    The general let the word hang in the air for a moment, his jaw tightening. He turned to his crew.

    "Raise the threat level to red and prepare for¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the transport ship lurched violently, the cabin shaking with an ear-splitting

    boom

    . The lights flickered, alarms blared, and the entire vessel tilted sharply to one side as the pilot''s voice crackled through the speakers.

    "Missiles inbound! We''ve been hit! Brace yourselves! we''re going down!

    "

    The general barely had time to grab hold of a nearby rail before the transport ship spiraled out of control. Outside the small viewport, the night sky was alive with chaos.

    White, darting ships zipped through the air like predatory birds, their sleek forms unmistakable.

    Wraith-class fighters.

    A swarm of them had descended on the convoy, their missile pods unloading in a relentless barrage that left little room for escape.

    The ship groaned under the strain, its engines sputtering before cutting out entirely. With a deafening crash, the transport smashed headfirst into the city freeway below, skidding across the wet asphalt before coming to a grinding, screeching halt.

    Smoke and fire erupted from the wreckage, illuminating the rain-soaked night like a beacon of destruction.

    For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the crackle of flames and the distant sound of sirens. Then, with a metallic

    clang

    , the cargo doors of the transport ship were kicked open from the inside.

    The twisted metal creaked as the general emerged, dragging his injured second-in-command out of the wreckage. Blood ran down the side of his face, and his uniform was torn and burned, but his resolve hadn''t wavered.

    He placed the unconscious officer against the crumbling wall of the freeway, checking briefly to make sure he was still breathing before rising to his feet. The general winced, clutching his side where a shard of debris had pierced his armor. Despite the pain, his focus remained locked on the night sky above.

    The battle in the air was unlike anything he''d seen in years. More Wraith-class fighters swooped down, their pale, ghostly forms darting through the city''s airspace with deadly precision.

    The remaining transport ships from his convoy tried to evade, but it was useless. One by one, they were struck down, their fiery wreckage raining onto the streets below. Continue reading at empire

    The general narrowed his eyes, watching as a particularly large fighter executed a flawless strafing run, obliterating a convoy vehicle with chilling accuracy. The ships were too familiar, too precise, and yet... he couldn''t place them. Where had he seen these ships before?

    His fists clenched as he muttered under his breath,

    "What kind of enemy has that bastard mayor pissed out this time?"

 Chapter 107 Unknown enemy.

    Meanwhile, inside the mayor''s mansion, Carlos had the writhing, black-blooded mayor slung over his shoulder, dragging him unceremoniously toward the grand entrance.

    The once-glorious hall was now in shambles, scattered debris, shattered glass, and lifeless bodies of guards strewn across the marble floor. Carlos''s boots echoed loudly as he walked, his pace steady and deliberate.

    Cleo followed closely behind, her sharp eyes scanning the surroundings as her systems confirmed the successful extraction of all data from the mansion''s network.

    "There''s nothing else left here. Let''s move,"

    she said curtly.

    When they reached the armored vehicle parked just outside the entrance, Carlos opened the cargo compartment and dumped the mayor inside without a shred of gentleness. The octopus-headed man groaned in protest but didn''t dare speak as Carlos slammed the hatch shut.

    Carlos climbed into the driver''s seat while Cleo took her place beside him. With a low hum, the vehicle roared to life, its reinforced tires crushing debris underfoot as they sped away from the mansion.

    Cleo activated her communicator, her voice calm yet commanding.

    "Rex, we''re done here. Retreat."

    There was a brief crackle of static before Rex''s voice came through, agitated and unusually tense.

    "Erm, I''d love to, but that''s not happening. We''ve got... complications."

    Cleo frowned, her tone sharp. "

    What do you mean complications? Rex?"

    But Rex wasn''t listening; he couldn''t afford to.

    On the rooftop, his normally cocky demeanor was gone, replaced by razor-sharp focus as he squared off against two hulking figures. They were experimental soldiers, twisted creations of Nexum Dynamics, their bodies rippling with unnatural musculature and enhanced cybernetics.

    Their wild, frenzied movements reminded Rex of something, or rather someone... Ys. Only these creatures had none of Ys''s discipline or intelligence. They were pure, mindless brutality.

    One of the soldiers charged him, its clawed hand swiping toward him with bone-shattering force. Rex barely dodged, the claws slicing through the air just inches from his face.

    The second soldier followed up with a leaping strike, its fists slamming into the ground where Rex had been standing, sending a shockwave through the rooftop.

    "They''re strong; I''ll give them that,"

    Rex muttered, flipping backward and creating some distance.

    "But accuracy? Not your strong suit, is it?"

    Despite their lack of precision, their relentless aggression kept him on the defensive. Every attack came with full, devastating power, forcing Rex to dodge and counter when he could.

    He managed to land a few solid blows, but every wound he inflicted was rendered meaningless as the soldiers'' flesh regenerated before his eyes.

    "Why does everything these days come with automatic regeneration?!"

    Rex growled, frustration leaking into his voice as he delivered a powerful kick to one of the soldiers, sending it crashing into a nearby wall with a deafening

    crunch

    .

    Dust and debris exploded from the impact, but the creature simply moved itself from the rubble, snarling like a feral animal.

    With a flick of his wrist, Rex crafted his heavy claymore, the blade materializing in a shimmer of golden light.

    "Alright, enough playing around,"

    he muttered, gripping the massive weapon with both hands.

    He turned to the second experimental soldier and lunged, his blade moving with speed and precision that seemed impossible for someone his size. Each strike was calculated, designed to exploit weaknesses in the soldier''s movements.

    Stay updated through empire

    "Cleo, we''ve got company,"

    he muttered, his eyes narrowing as several black armored cars appeared on the road behind them, their headlights cutting through the night like twin blades.

    Mounted on top of each car was a heavy laser turret, and as soon as they came into range, the guns whirred to life. Bright streams of crimson energy lit up the night, streaking toward their vehicle in a deadly barrage.

    Thankfully, Carlos had learned from the last ambush he survived. His car, once a standard six-seater, was now a fortress on wheels, a two-seater bristling with Cleo''s upgrades. The shields flared to life the moment the lasers hit, creating a shimmering blue barrier that deflected the onslaught with ease.

    "Ha! Not this time,"

    Carlos said with a smirk, gripping the wheel tightly as he maneuvered around obstacles at breakneck speed.

    Cleo stood up from her seat without a word, her calm demeanor unshaken by the chaos outside. She reached behind her, grabbing the plasma machine gun secured to the back seat. Its sleek, metallic frame glowed faintly as she powered it up, the weapon humming ominously in her hands.

    She leaned out of the car window, her sharp eyes locking onto the vehicles chasing them. With precise aim, she pulled the trigger, unleashing a storm of plasma rounds.

    The glowing projectiles tore through the air like miniature suns, slamming into the pursuing cars. The unshielded vehicles didn''t stand a chance. One by one, they exploded in fiery bursts, sending debris flying in all directions.

    "That''s what you get for not bringing shields,"

    Cleo muttered under her breath, her expression cold and focused as the last car went up in flames.

    Carlos let out a relieved chuckle, his grip on the wheel loosening.

    "Nice work, Cleo. Now we just need to¡ª"

    "Carlos,"

    Cleo interrupted, her voice sharp.

    "Get ready. Something big is coming."

    Carlos didn''t have time to ask what she meant. From the bridge ahead, a massive shadow leapt into the air, its hulking frame silhouetted against the stormy sky. The creature landed directly in their path with an earth-shaking

    boom

    , its sheer weight cracking the pavement beneath it.

    "Shit! No, not my car again!"

    Carlos yelled, slamming the brakes with all his strength. The car screeched to a halt just meters away from the monstrous figure, its shields flickering briefly from the sudden jolt.

    Before Carlos could say another word, Cleo launched herself out of the car, using the momentum of the sudden stop to propel herself toward the creature.

    As she soared through the air, golden energy flickered around her body. Her power armor materialized piece by piece, her sleek white wings unfurling with radiant light. In her hand, a long golden spear formed, its edges glowing like molten fire.

    The creature, a massive, gorilla-like beast, roared as she closed the distance. But Cleo was faster. With a single, precise strike, she drove her spear through the creature''s thick torso, piercing what should have been its head. The sheer force of the impact created a shockwave that echoed across the bridge.

    She flipped gracefully in midair, landing on the ground with a practiced ease. Behind her, the golden spear embedded in the creature''s body began to glow brighter and brighter until it detonated in a powerful explosion.

    The creature''s upper body was obliterated, leaving nothing but a smoldering stump where its head once was.

    Cleo scanned the remains with her wrist console, her system sweeping for any signs of life. But it detected nothing. Satisfied, she turned and began to float back toward Carlos, her wings leaving faint trails of light in the air.

    But before she could reach him, a deafening

    thud

    made her stop in her tracks.

    The headless creature, which should have been lifeless, slammed its massive fist into the ground. The impact sent shockwaves rippling through the road, cracks spiderwebbing outward. Cleo barely had time to react as the creature''s other fist came swinging toward her with terrifying force.

 Chapter 108 Unknown Enemy. (2).

    The blow connected, slamming into her side and sending her flying like a ragdoll. She crashed into the ground with bone-jarring force, tumbling end over end before finally skidding to a stop. Smoke and debris surrounded her, but she forced herself to her feet, pain radiating through her body.

    Her glowing wings flickered for a moment before stabilizing as she steadied herself, coughing slightly. She turned her gaze back toward the creature, her eyes narrowing.

    It was regenerating...

    The massive stump where its head once was began to reform, sinew and muscle weaving together at an alarming speed.

    The process was grotesque, unnatural, and impossibly fast. Within moments, a new head, if it could even be called that, had grown in place of the old one, its grotesque features snarling with primal rage.

    Cleo stared at the creature in silence for a moment, her expression unreadable.

    "Of course,"

    she muttered finally, brushing dust off her armor as she prepared for round two.

    While Cleo was locked in combat with the massive beast, Rex found himself in an equally dire situation. What had started as a two-on-one battle against the experimental soldiers had quickly spiraled out of control.

    A third enemy, one of the massive, hulking creatures like the one Cleo was fighting, had entered the fray, its sheer size and power forcing Rex to the defensive.

    Pinned between wild, unrelenting strikes from the monstrous creature and the rapid, albeit poorly-aimed, attacks of the two experimental soldiers, Rex had no choice but to activate his Overdrive.

    A golden glow erupted from his armor as his Kaelzar core surged with energy, pushing his physical and mental capabilities to their peak. His wings expanded, glowing fiercely, their metallic feathers acting as both weapons and shields.

    Each flap sent a shockwave through the air, and when the massive creature slammed its fists toward him, Rex brought his wings forward, shielding himself from the crushing blows. The impacts were deafening, the ground beneath him shattering with each strike, but Rex stood firm.

    "Enough of this!"

    Rex snarled, spinning out of the creature''s reach. In a single, fluid motion, he severed the head of one of the smaller experimental soldiers with his claymore, its body crumpling before the head began its cursed regeneration process.

    He turned, slashing at the other soldier with precise strikes, cutting through its arms and head repeatedly to keep it at bay.

    But the larger creature wasn''t so easily deterred. Its massive fist swung at him with terrifying force, sending shockwaves that knocked even the smaller creatures back. Rex barely managed to leap away, his wings carrying him higher into the air as the beast roared in frustration.

    "Guys!"

    Rex shouted, his voice booming over the chaos.

    "Are you just going to stand there watching the show, or are you actually going to help me?!"

    Below him, the general of the city military and his surviving soldiers stood near their crashed transport ship, watching the carnage unfold. The general''s face was grim as he raised his voice to respond.

    "I''m sorry, Captain,"

    the general said, bowing his head slightly.

    "While we don''t understand why you''re Nexum Dynamics'' target, our orders are clear. We cannot intervene. All we can do is... nothing. Not help you, and not help them."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed, his frustration boiling over.

    "Then get the hell out of here! Because things are about to get ugly!"

    He flapped his wings once, rocketing into the sky, dodging the massive creature''s wild swipes as it tried to grab him mid-air. Rex soared above the battlefield, taking a moment to assess the situation.

    Below him, the ground was a war zone, with smoke, fire, and debris everywhere, with the massive creature wreaking havoc as the two regenerating soldiers regrouped.

    But before he could formulate a plan, a sharp beeping from his HUD caught his attention. Rex''s eyes darted to the incoming threat: a swarm of missiles, their glowing trails streaking through the stormy sky.

    "Great. As if this wasn''t bad enough,"

    Rex muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on his claymore. He recognized the pattern immediately: swarm missiles deployed from the Wraith-class fighters.

    Carlos yelled, slamming his fists together.

    With a metallic sound, two fist-sized rocket launchers emerged from his shoulders, tearing through the fabric of his shirt in the process. The launchers clicked into place, glowing faintly as they locked onto their target.

    "Let''s see how you like this!"

    he growled, and with a sharp hiss, eight missiles launched in quick succession, streaking through the air like fiery darts. The creature, still roaring in primal fury, charged straight at him, its massive body absorbing the hits head-on.

    The missiles detonated on impact, releasing tiny bursts of flame and smoke that barely even scorched the creature''s skin. The massive beast didn''t slow down, barreling through the explosions like they were nothing more than firecrackers.

    Carlos blinked, his bravado faltering for just a moment.

    "Cleo... you scammed me!"

    he shouted, activating the energy shields embedded in his shoulders. A shimmering blue barrier expanded around him just as the creature''s massive form slammed into it, the impact sending a deafening shockwave across the battlefield.

    Carlos gritted his teeth, bracing himself as the creature''s claws raked across the shield, the force of its blows pushing him back slightly.

    "Alright, big guy,

    " he muttered, raising his right arm as it shifted and transformed into a sleek machine gun.

    "Let''s see how you like this!"

    But before he could open fire, the creature let out a deafening roar, its body convulsing violently. From the points where the missiles had struck earlier, small black voids began to form, eight perfectly circular black holes that pulsed with an ominous energy.

    Carlos''s eyes widened as the black holes expanded, consuming chunks of the creature''s massive body. Flesh and bone were sucked inward, vanishing into the voids like sand being pulled into a vortex. The beast let out an anguished howl, collapsing onto the ground as its massive frame was torn apart from the inside.

    Carlos lowered his shield and gun-arm cautiously, watching the writhing creature with a mix of confusion and disbelief. As the black holes faded and the creature''s pained cries subsided, he turned to see Cleo standing beside him, calm and collected as always.

    Her glowing wings were once again fully extended, and her white and gold armor shimmered faintly in the dim light. She gave the regenerating beast a quick glance before turning her attention to Carlos.

    "Cleo..."

    Carlos began, his voice low and almost accusatory.

    "I was carrying that kind of weapon inside my body this whole time?"

    Cleo''s gaze shifted away from him, her face obscured behind her mask, but the way she tilted her head made it clear she wasn''t about to answer.

    Carlos sighed, rubbing his temples.

    "Unbelievable. You put black-hole missiles in me without telling me? What if I sneezed too hard and accidentally launched one?!"

    "You didn''t sneeze,

    " Cleo replied matter-of-factly, her tone as neutral as ever.

    "Not the point!"

    Carlos snapped, throwing his arms up in exasperation.

    "Anyway, what is this thing?

    " he asked, gesturing to the massive creature as its torn body began to knit itself back together.

    He poked at one of its regenerating limbs cautiously with the barrel of his gun-arm. "Shouldn''t we, like, kill it again before it''s back on its feet?"

    "There''s no need,"

    Explore more stories with empire

    Cleo said calmly, gesturing toward the road ahead.

 Chapter 109 Unknown Enemy (3)

    Carlos turned to look, his brow furrowing as the ground beneath them began to tremble. From the distance, he could make out the unmistakable forms of several Aegis units coming toward them. Their glowing energy cores pulsed with light as they sprinted toward the scene, their massive frames closing the distance with terrifying speed.

    "They''ll be here in a few minutes,"

    Cleo continued, her tone unbothered.

    "Let them handle it." Stay tuned for updates on empire

    Carlos raised an eyebrow, watching as the Aegis units moved with deadly precision, their weapons systems already powering up.

    "Well, that''s great and all,"

    he muttered,

    "but maybe warn me next time when I''m carrying black-hole bombs inside my body."

    Cleo didn''t respond, simply folding her arms as she watched the approaching machines.

    Carlos sighed again, shaking his head.

    "I swear, working with you is going to give me gray hair."

    "You don''t have hair,"

    Cleo replied flatly, her eyes still on the road.

    Carlos paused, pointing a finger at her.

    "Exactly."

    "By the way, were you able to contact Rex?"

    Carlos asked, pacing anxiously beside the regenerating corpse of the massive beast. His fingers twitched, itching to get behind the wheel and go after his comrade.

    Cleo, kneeling beside the creature''s mangled body, didn''t even glance up as she continued collecting samples. Her tools worked with mechanical precision, slicing through layers of grotesque flesh and storing fragments into small vials.

    "Yes,"

    she replied in her usual neutral tone.

    "He informed me that he''s currently engaged with three creatures. Two are smaller, humanoid variants, while the third is identical to this one."

    Carlos froze mid-step, his eyes widening.

    "What?!

    That means we should be heading to help him right now! Why are you so calm about this?"

    He demanded, already moving toward his car, his voice rising with urgency.

    "There''s no need for us to intervene, Carlos. Stay put."

    Cleo''s tone was as composed as ever, her focus still entirely on her work.

    "I''ve already dispatched the most powerful reinforcements available."

    Carlos stopped, his hand hovering near the car door, staring at her in disbelief.

    "Most powerful reinforcements?"

    He let out a frustrated groan, throwing his arms into the air.

    "You can''t just leave him alone with three of these things and expect reinforcements to solve it! What if¡ª"

    "Carlos."

    Cleo finally looked up from her work, her cold gaze locking onto his.

    "I said stay put."

    As the dust began to clear, Rex gripped his claymores tightly, his breathing ragged but steady.

    "Alright,"

    he muttered under his breath.

    "Let''s see what fresh hell this is."

    And then he saw it.

    Standing tall amidst the wreckage, its sleek metallic frame glinting in the rain, was one of the Mauler juggernauts Cleo had created.

    The towering battle mech radiated power, its glowing blue energy core humming with barely contained energy. Its multi-barreled cannon rotated into place, and its glowing optics locked onto the regenerating creatures ahead.

    Rex couldn''t help but laugh, his voice dripping with relief and exhaustion.

    "About damn time."

    The Mauler unit took a single step forward, the ground trembling beneath its massive weight. Its weapon systems began to glow brighter, charging up for what could only be described as overkill.

    The creatures roared in defiance, but the mech''s cold, mechanical voice cut through the storm, issuing a single command:

    ["Hostiles detected. Neutralizing targets."]

    And then, all hell broke loose.

    From the swirling dust cloud, six golden plasma blasts erupted, cutting through the rain-soaked battlefield like burning comets.

    Each shot struck with pinpoint precision, slamming into the two smaller humanoid creatures. The sheer heat and force of the plasma left nothing behind but a cloud of ashes, carried away by the storm''s winds.

    The remaining massive dark creature let out an earsplitting roar, its primal fury shaking the ground as it charged recklessly at the Mauler Unit. But the towering mech didn''t flinch.

    Instead, the Mauler Unit''s engines roared to life as it charged forward to meet the creature head-on. Its massive, multi-barreled plasma cannon glowed brightly, rotating as it built up another shot.

    The ground trembled beneath its heavy metal feet as it moved, its glowing optics locked on the oncoming beast.

    As they closed the distance, the Mauler Unit fired its cannon at the creature to its left, the golden plasma beam slicing cleanly through its shoulder, leaving a molten wound that bubbled and smoked.

    At the same time, it swung its other arm, a massive weaponized cannon straight into the second creature on the right. The impact sent the beast hurtling into a nearby building, the crash shaking the structure as chunks of concrete and glass rained down.

    The Mauler didn''t stop. Its cold, mechanical precision gave it the advantage, and it wasn''t about to waste it.

    The creature that had crashed into the building let out a low growl as it attempted to pull itself from the rubble, its twisted body already beginning to regenerate. But before it could get far, the Mauler Unit stepped forward, its massive metal foot slamming down onto the creature''s head with a resounding

    crunch

    .

    The beast thrashed wildly beneath the weight of the mech, but it was no match for the Mauler''s overwhelming strength.

    Without hesitation, the Mauler Unit aimed its plasma cannon downward and fired repeatedly into the creature''s torso. Each shot sizzled and hissed as it burned through flesh and bone, the intense heat overwhelming the creature''s regenerative abilities.

    It let out one final guttural scream before its body fell limp, its regeneration permanently halted.

    The second beast, now burning with rage, charged toward the Mauler Unit at full speed, its claws scraping against the pavement as it roared.

    But the Mauler Unit was already prepared. With an almost effortless motion, its torso rotated to face the creature, and a barrage of missiles fired from its shoulder-mounted launchers.

    The missiles detonated on impact, the shockwaves forcing the creature to halt its charge as it howled in pain, its body riddled with smoldering wounds.

    The Mauler Unit didn''t let up. With a heavy step forward, it unleashed a relentless flurry of blows, its cannon arms doubling as brutal melee weapons. Each punch landed with bone-shattering force, driving the creature back with every strike.

    The sound of metal meeting flesh echoed through the storm, and the beast''s cries grew weaker with each blow.

    When the creature finally staggered, the Mauler Unit aimed both of its cannons at point-blank range and fired simultaneously. The twin plasma blasts tore through its body, reducing it to a lifeless heap.

    The battlefield fell silent except for the soft hum of the Mauler Unit''s systems and the steady patter of rain. The towering mech scanned the area for any remaining threats, its glowing optics sweeping through the haze of smoke and rain.

    Then, in its cold, mechanical voice, the Mauler Unit announced.

    ["Objectives eliminated."]

 Chapter 110 Awaken.

    The words echoed through the ruined streets, a stark reminder of the machine''s ruthless efficiency.

    From a safe distance, Rex sat up, coughing as he wiped the rain from his face. His claymores lay discarded beside him, and his white wings flickered weakly as he struggled to his feet.

    "Damn,

    " he muttered, staring at the Mauler Unit as it stood over the smoldering remains of the creatures. "And I thought I was overkill."

    The Mauler Unit didn''t react to his words. It simply turned, its massive frame moving with eerie precision, and began its slow march back to Cleo and Carlos''s location.

    Rex stood amidst the destroyed battlefield, his eyes drawn to the sky. The massive black bird, still writhing as it tried to stay airborne, was being pursued relentlessly by several Wraith-class fighters.

    Their sleek, predatory forms zipped through the storm, trailing the monstrous bird like wolves hunting wounded prey.

    Lightning flashed, illuminating the scene as one of the fighters broke formation and launched a missile unlike anything Rex had seen before. It didn''t explode upon contact. Instead, the missile expanded into a swirling black void, an artificial black hole.

    The bird let out an ear-piercing screech as the black hole consumed a large chunk of its abdomen and tore away one of its wings. The monstrous creature spun uncontrollably, spiraling downward before crashing into the ground with a deafening boom.

    The impact shattered the earth, sending debris and smoke billowing into the air.

    As the dust settled, one of the Wraith-class fighters descended, hovering just above the downed creature.

    A bomb dropped from its underbelly, a sleek metallic device that seemed unassuming at first. But when it touched the regenerating bird''s body, it ignited into a blazing inferno, forming a fiery mushroom cloud that lit up the stormy sky.

    The heat was so intense that the bird''s flesh evaporated into ash within seconds, leaving nothing behind but a charred crater in the earth.

    Rex sniffed the air, wrinkling his nose as the scent of burned meat wafted toward him. He chuckled, wiping the rain from his face

    . "Funny enough, it does smell like chicken,"

    he muttered, his voice tinged with exhausted humor.

    Activating his communicator, he pressed a button on his neckpiece. "

    Cleo, the enemies on my side have been dealt with. I''m heading to the extraction point."

    Cleo''s voice came through, as calm and composed as ever

    . "Understood. We''ll rendezvous in the underground city."

    In her own zone, Cleo stood with a collection of test tubes in hand, filled with samples from the massive beast she had defeated. She glanced at the still-twitching body of the creature as the Aegis units surrounded it, their weapons at the ready.

    "Kill it,"

    she ordered flatly, sliding the test tubes into her belt pouch.

    "It''s no longer useful."

    At her command, the Aegis units unleashed a storm of firepower. Their plasma rifles tore through the creature''s body, filling it with glowing holes as the heat burned through flesh and bone. The beast let out one final, low groan before collapsing completely, its regenerative abilities overwhelmed by the onslaught.

    Satisfied, Cleo climbed into the car, where Carlos was waiting at the wheel. The two began their drive back to the underground city. Behind them, the Aegis units deployed swarms of jamming drones around the battlefield, ensuring that no curious reporters or civilians would be able to investigate what had occurred there.

    A heavy transport ship descended from the clouds, its engines rumbling as it approached the Mauler Unit. Massive mechanical clamps extended from its belly, locking onto the Mauler and hoisting it aboard before retreating back toward Cleo main ship in orbit.

    Meanwhile, in the city, the chaos was far from over. Firefighters, rescue teams, and local guards swarmed the streets, working tirelessly to contain the damage left in the wake of the battle. News stations arrived in droves, their cameras capturing the destruction and speculation running rampant about what had transpired.

    Back at the mansion, the silence was broken.

    Before, his aura had been a soft, white mist, calm and steady, enveloping him like a quiet, protective glow. But now... it was something far more intense.

    The aura had taken on a massive, humanoid form, a towering figure of brilliant white, with eyes that shimmered like stars, exuding a presence that felt almost divine. But what unsettled Ys most was the way the aura flickered.

    From time to time, the radiant white shifted, darkened, and became pitch black. The transformation was brief, but in those moments, the figure became a terrifying void, radiating an otherworldly power that sent shivers through her core.

    For the first time in her life, Ys felt a twinge of fear when looking at Rex.

    But then, his familiar, warm voice broke through her thoughts, pulling her back to reality.

    "Ys! You''re finally awake!"

    Rex said, his usual grin spreading across his face as he stepped toward her, oblivious to what she had just seen. He reached out and ruffled her light green hair affectionately.

    "I missed you, little devil. I thought you were going to sleep longer."

    The sound of his voice, the warmth in his tone, it melted away the unease that had gripped her moments before. Ys blinked and shook her head, brushing the strange vision aside.

    Whatever changes had occurred in Rex, she reminded herself that she was his wife, and no matter how much his power grew or how frightening it seemed, it wouldn''t change the bond they shared.

    "Hehe~, missed me that much, huh?"

    Ys said, her playful nature quickly resurfacing as she smiled up at him, ignoring the lingering tremor in her chest.

    "Of course I did,"

    Rex replied, his grin softening.

    "My back got so used to you being there 24/7. After you went to sleep, it felt... empty. Lonely, even."

    He rubbed the back of his neck with a sheepish laugh, his golden eyes glinting with affection.

    Ys tilted her head, her smile teasing as always.

    "Lonely without me~? How sweet. I didn''t think you''d be so sentimental."

    Rex chuckled.

    Enjoy exclusive chapters from empire

    "Don''t let it go to your head, little devil. Anyway, enough of the mushy stuff. I was heading to the dining room to grab something to eat while waiting for the others. Wanna come?"

    He extended his hand toward her, his grin as inviting as ever.

    For a moment, Ys hesitated, her sharp mind still lingering on the strange, shifting aura she had seen moments earlier. But then she smiled, her soft, teasing expression returning as she placed her hand in his.

    "Sure,"

    she said, her voice light and melodic.

    "Lead the way, darling."

    Together, they walked down the corridor, their footsteps echoing softly in the silence. Ys glanced at Rex out of the corner of her eye, her smile remaining steady even as questions began to swirl in her mind.

    Whatever had changed in Rex, she would find out eventually. But for now, she was content to let things be, to enjoy the quiet moment with him.

    After all, Rex was still Rex. And no matter how much power he wielded, or how his aura shifted between divine and monstrous, he was hers just as she was his. And that would never change.

 Chapter 111 Aftermath.

    Several hours later, everyone had gathered in the command room. The atmosphere was tense yet familiar, with the group seated around the massive circular table in the center of the room.

    Carlos leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his cybernetic fingers tapping lightly against the armrest. A grin crept across his face as his eyes settled on his.

    "Well, look who''s finally awake; our pocket-sized grandma is back."

    Ys, seated across from him with her legs crossed, didn''t miss a beat. Her green eyes sparkled mischievously as a devilish grin spread across her lips

    . "And I see you''re still as insufferable and bald as ever,"

    she shot back, her tone sugary sweet.

    Her gaze flicked over Carlos''s heavily cybernetic frame, and after a moment, she tilted her head, her grin widening

    . "Wait a second... Every time I see you, you''re missing more body parts. At this rate, you''re more machine than man. You planning to leave anything human intact, Carlos?

    "

    Carlos chuckled, unbothered by her jab.

    "Of course I''m losing body parts, pocket-sized immortal grandma. Unlike you, I''m just a normal human,"

    he said, gesturing toward his heavily modified cybernetic limbs.

    "We mortals actually take damage, you know. Not all of us get to hibernate in a cocoon for decades like some pint-sized relic of the past."

    She raised an eyebrow, feigning offense, though the playful glint in her eye betrayed her amusement.

    "Relic? I''ve forgotten more about warfare than you''ll ever learn, and I''m still cute enough to get away with it. Meanwhile, you''re one bad upgrade away from being mistaken for a toaster."

    Before Carlos could fire back, Rex clapped his hands sharply, cutting through their banter.

    "Alright, you two, enough. Save the arguing for later. Cleo has something important to discuss, so let''s focus for now."

    He gestured toward Cleo, who sat at the far end of the table, her expression as stoic and composed as ever.

    "Thank you, Rex,"

    Cleo said with a slight nod. She tapped a control on the table, and a large holo-screen materialized in the center, casting a pale blue glow over the room.

    "Please direct your attention to the screen,"

    Cleo began, her calm voice carrying just enough authority to silence any lingering chatter

    . "This is the latest report following the skirmish we had yesterday. The situation is escalating, and I want you all to see the consequences of our actions."

    The holo-screen flickered to life, displaying a recording from the Intergalactic News Network. The screen showed a polished news anchor standing outside the ruins of the mayor''s mansion. The once-lavish estate was now a smoldering husk, surrounded by emergency response teams and heavily armed guards.

    "As you can see,"

    Cleo narrated as the footage played,

    "the media has spun the events as a terrorist attack and a kidnapping. They''re keeping the details intentionally vague, but the damage to our reputation and the increased bounty on our heads will be unavoidable."

    The anchor''s voice filled the room, accompanied by scrolling text at the bottom of the screen:

    <<"Breaking News: Terrorist Attack Rocks Commercial City Mayor Kidnapped by Extremists.">>

    "This is the aftermath of what officials are calling an unprecedented act of terrorism,"

    the anchor reported, her tone somber.

    "The mayor of the commercial city remains missing after a violent attack on his mansion. Witness accounts are scarce, as all known footage of the attack was mysteriously deleted, and signals from news drones in the area were jammed. However, we do know that the perpetrators acted with extreme ruthlessness."

    Cleo paused the video, letting her team absorb the weight of the situation before continuing.

    "The media is painting us as extremists, which works to their advantage. And while the footage was erased, they''ve managed to find witnesses who were near the area at the time of the assault."

    The video resumed, showing the anchor approaching two individuals: a young maid in a uniform and a man dressed like an average civilian.

    "Here we have two witnesses,"

    the anchor said, turning toward the maid with a sympathetic smile. "

    Hello there, miss. Could you please introduce yourself and tell us what you know about the terrorist attack that occurred yesterday?"

    "And?"

    Carlos raised an eyebrow, leaning closer.

    Cleo glanced at him. "

    The mayor sent none."

    Carlos frowned.

    "Why would the mayor ignore that? Isn''t it his job to protect places like this?"

    This time, Rex answered, his tone thoughtful but cold.

    "He didn''t ignore it, Carlos. He probably sent the pirates himself."

    The room fell silent for a moment. Carlos blinked in confusion.

    "What? Why the hell would he¡ª"

    "Think about it,

    " Rex continued, his voice firm as he leaned back in his chair, his eyes still scanning the data pad.

    "A trading station on the asteroid belt is a perfect target. It''s where miners go to sell their ore, and merchants come to buy it in bulk. To pirates, it''s heaven."

    He set the data pad down, resting one arm on the table as he explained further.

    "If the mayor sent the pirates, it''d be to disrupt the trade flow. Pirates could hijack merchant ships before they buy the minerals, steal the credits, or destroy the ships outright to loot the cargo."

    "Then, they''d sell the stolen minerals right back to the station, keeping the cycle going. And since the mayor has control over the station''s operations, he''d take a cut of whatever profits the pirates make."

    Carlos''s mouth opened slightly, stunned by the detailed analysis. Even Ys, who had been lounging lazily in her chair with her usual devilish grin, raised an eyebrow in surprise.

    Cleo crossed her arms, nodding once.

    "It''s exactly as Rex said,"

    she confirmed, her neutral voice tinged with a faint hint of approval. "

    The station is being used as a tool for profit and manipulation. That''s why this information is critical to our next move."

    She tapped the console again, bringing up a full schematic of the asteroid belt, highlighting the trading station and nearby mining routes.

    "The underground city is compromised. The enemy knows where we''re based. Relocating is no longer a question of ''if'', it''s a necessity. The trading station presents an ideal option."

    Carlos furrowed his brow, leaning forward. "

    Wait. You''re saying we''re just going to take over the station? How does that even work?"

    Rex, still sitting back with his arms crossed, chuckled lightly.

    "Simple, Carlos. We go in, save them from the pirate attacks, and offer them a deal they can''t refuse."

    He smirked, his golden eyes gleaming with confidence.

    "We eliminate the pirates and protect the station in exchange for their cooperation. They''ll give us resources and support while we build a base in the asteroid belt. It''s a win-win.

    "

    Carlos blinked at Rex.

    "You figured all that out already?"

    Rex shrugged, resting his head on the back of his chair.

    "Didn''t seem that complicated. It''s just common sense."

    Ys let out a playful whistle, her sharp green eyes narrowing as she leaned on the table, resting her chin in her palm.

    "My, my, darling~. Look at you, thinking three steps ahead. Maybe that sleep deprivation is finally working in your favor."

    Rex rolled his eyes but smirked.

    "What can I say? Crisis brings out the best in me."

 Chapter 112 Station Siege

    Cleo, unfazed by their banter, nodded once more.

    "Rex''s assessment is accurate. If we can secure the station, it will give us a significant strategic advantage. The asteroid belt''s natural layout will provide cover, and the station itself has docking facilities that we can repurpose for larger-scale operations."

    Carlos finally sat back, processing everything.

    "Alright, so let me get this straight. We head to the station, wipe out the pirates, and convince the traders to let us stay. Sounds... ambitious."

    "Affirmative,"

    Cleo replied simply.

    Rex clapped his hands together, the sound cutting through the room.

    "Then what are we waiting for?"

    he said, standing up with a grin.

    "Let''s get to it."

    Cleo turned off the holo-display, her sharp gaze sweeping across the team.

    "We''ll move out immediately. Rex, Carlos, and Ys prepare for deployment. I''ll coordinate the fleet to ensure backup is ready if needed."

    She stretched lazily, a mischievous smile tugging at her lips.

    "Oh, this should be fun. Pirates, asteroid fields, traders begging for our help, it''s practically a vacation.

    "

    ["Asteroid belt, principal mineral source in the sector"]

    "Sir! We can''t hold on any longer!"

    The frantic voice of the station''s lead engineer echoed through the command room.

    His face was pale and drenched with sweat as he gripped a console for support. "

    The shields are down, and we''ve run out of parts and energy to bring them back online! Where are the reinforcements?!"

    The trading station administrator stood silently by the reinforced observation window, his gaze fixed on the void of space beyond.

    The darkness was punctuated only by distant stars and the faint flashes of pirate ships circling the station like vultures. His shoulders sagged under the weight of his years, and his expression was grim.

    "There won''t be reinforcements,"

    the administrator said finally, his voice low and heavy. Without turning, he reached for a data pad on the desk beside him and tossed it to the engineer.

    The young man caught it clumsily, his hands trembling. He stared at the screen in disbelief as the administrator spoke.

    "Those are all the calls I''ve sent to the mayor for help. Every one of them went unanswered. Not a single response."

    The administrator finally turned, his tired eyes meeting the engineer''s.

    "We''ve been left to die."

    "No..."

    The engineer''s voice cracked as he scanned the data pad.

    "That can''t be true. Maybe... maybe the pirates are jamming the communications! Yes, that has to be it!"

    His voice rose, desperation creeping into his tone.

    "That''s why the requests aren''t reaching the mayor. He doesn''t know we need help!"

    The administrator sighed, rubbing a hand over his weathered face. "

    Give it up, kiddo,"

    he said softly.

    "Face the truth. They''ve sold us out. The mayor let the pirates have us, probably for a cut of the profits."

    The engineer shook his head violently, his breathing quick and shallow.

    "No, no, that can''t be! He wouldn''t."

    The administrator stepped forward and placed a firm hand on the young man''s shoulder, forcing him to meet his gaze

    . "Listen to me. We can''t waste any more time clinging to false hope. The shields are down, the pirates are coming, and we have no backup. It''s time to fight."

    The engineer stared at him, tears welling in his eyes as his trembling lips tried to form words. But the administrator didn''t wait for a reply. He let out a long, tired sigh before walking toward the large storage locker in the corner of the room.

    "Send the order to the guards,"

    The station guards and desperate civilians returned fire from behind the makeshift barricades, their laser shots streaking through the smoke-filled air. The room was chaos, flashes of light, the sharp crackle of electric discharges, and the screams of both the living and the dying reverberating off the steel walls.

    "Hia hia hia! The top five beauties on the station are mine tonight!"

    said one of the pirate leaders, a grotesque figure dressed in mismatched armor adorned with crude trophies, bits of jewelry and scraps of clothing stolen from past victims.

    His grin revealed jagged yellow teeth as he crouched behind a group of pirates wielding siege shields.

    One of his underlings, a wiry man with wide, nervous eyes, turned toward him cautiously.

    "But boss, uh... the big boss said the most beautiful ones are his to play with first. You know, before..."

    The underling trailed off, shuddering as he remembered the

    "torture sessions"

    their leader was infamous for.

    The pirate leader let out a shrill laugh, licking his cracked lips as his bloodshot eyes gleamed.

    "Hia hia hia! Who said I want the most beautiful girls?"

    He leaned toward the underling, his voice dropping into a disturbingly flirtatious tone.

    "Mmm, you''re not so bad yourself. How about it, pretty boy? Care to keep me company tonight?"

    The underling''s face turned pale as a sheet. Without saying another word, he bolted toward the front line, grabbing the nearest weapon he could find. Better to risk death than endure

    that

    .

    "Hia hia hia, what a shame!"

    the pirate leader laughed, watching with amusement as his underling tried to prove his bravery on the battlefield. A moment later, a laser blast from the station''s defenders blew the poor man''s head clean off, sending a spray of blood and charred flesh across the floor.

    "Pfft! Guess he didn''t have much of a head for battle!"

    the pirate leader jeered, throwing his head back in cruel laughter as his men pressed forward.

    Meanwhile, the station''s administrator ducked behind a stack of cargo crates, his old guard armor scratched and battered from stray shots.

    "Don''t stop firing!

    " he barked, his voice rough but steady.

    He peeked out from cover, carefully aiming his old laser rifle. His shot struck true, blasting through the helmet of one of the pirates and sending the man crumpling to the ground.

    The engineer, crouched nearby, shouted over the chaos.

    "Gramps! There''s too many of them! They keep pushing forward!"

    "

    Then we push harder

    !" the administrator snapped, his rifle glowing as he lined up another shot. He fired again, taking out another pirate before ducking back behind cover as a volley of return fire peppered the crates.

    But before the defenders could regroup, a new threat entered the fray.

    "Wait..."

    The engineer froze, his eyes widening as he spotted a new group of pirates entering through the breach. They carried long, tube-like weapons slung over their shoulders, the distinct shape was unmistakable.

    His heart sank as realization hit him like a freight train.

    "Are those... ROCKET LAUNCHERS?!"

    His voice cracked as he screamed,

    "EVERYONE, TAKE COVER!"

    The administrator''s head snapped toward the engineer, and his eyes widened in alarm.

    "Missiles!"

    he bellowed.

    "TAKE COVER NOW!"

    The pirates holding the rocket launchers took aim, their grins wicked and bloodthirsty. A second later, the room was filled with a cacophony of

    whooshing

    sounds as the missiles launched.

    The defenders scrambled, diving behind whatever cover they could find as the rockets streaked through the air, leaving trails of smoke in their wake.

 Chapter 113 Station Siege (2).

    Explosions rocked the docking bay, tearing through barricades and throwing debris in every direction. The force of the blasts sent several guards flying, their bodies slamming into walls with sickening thunder.

    Cargo crates shattered into splinters, and clouds of dust and smoke filled the room, choking the air and obscuring vision.

    The administrator gritted his teeth, shielding the engineer with his body as chunks of metal and debris rained down around them.

    "Damn it!"

    he hissed, coughing as the smoke burned his lungs.

    "They''re tearing us apart!"

    The engineer peeked out from behind the administrator, his face pale as he surveyed the carnage. Several defenders lay motionless, their bodies twisted and broken, while others struggled to crawl back behind cover.

    The pirates were advancing again, their laughter and jeers echoing through the ruined bay.

    Find your next adventure on empire

    "Gramps, what do we do?!

    " the engineer asked, panic seeping into his voice.

    The administrator clenched his fists, his old body trembling from the exertion. But his eyes burned with determination as he turned to his grandson.

    "We don''t back down. Not now."

    He grabbed the younger man by the shoulder, locking eyes with him. "

    Get ready. We''re going to make these bastards regret ever stepping foot on this station."

    The engineer nodded shakily, gripping his rifle tighter.

    "R-Right..."

    The administrator raised his rifle once more, glaring at the approaching pirates.

    "For the station! For our people!"

    "For our people!"

    the remaining guards echoed, rallying behind him as they readied themselves for another wave.

    The pirates roared as they charged through the smoke, but the defenders opened fire once more, their laser blasts lighting up the darkness. The battle raged on, the station''s fate hanging by a thread.

    The battle in the cargo bay was reaching its grim climax. The defenders were barely holding on, their numbers dwindling with every passing minute. Smoke filled the air, choking the lungs of those who still fought.

    The walls were scorched, riddled with holes from laser fire and missile blasts. The sound of screams, the sharp crack of gunfire, and the cruel laughter of the pirates created a nightmarish melody.

    The station''s guards were spread thin, their once-solid defensive lines now little more than scattered pockets of resistance.

    Most of the civilians who had joined the fight were either dead or incapacitated, their makeshift weapons no match for the pirates overwhelming firepower. And still, the pirates poured in, their numbers seeming endless.

    "Fall back! Regroup at the secondary barricade!"

    the administrator yelled, his voice hoarse as he fired another shot at a charging pirate. His old armor was dented, his movements slower than they had been at the start of the fight.

    Around him, the guards fought valiantly, but their exhaustion was evident. They were battered and bloodied, their ranks thinning with every passing second. The missiles had scattered them across the bay, leaving gaping holes in their defenses.

    The pirates seized the opportunity, pushing further into the station.

    And then the Aegis units entered the bay.

    The first unit stepped into the smoke-filled room, its white and gold armor gleaming even in the dim light. Its glowing optics locked onto the pirates, and a booming, synthetic voice echoed through the room:

    ["Hostile forces detected. Commencing elimination protocol."]

    The pirates hesitated for a fraction of a second. Then, the Aegis units opened fire.

    Blinding streams of plasma erupted from their weapons, cutting through the pirates like a scythe through wheat. The energy blasts burned through armor and flesh alike, leaving no chance for regeneration or survival.

    One pirate, bold or foolish, charged toward an Aegis unit with a makeshift rocket launcher. The machine turned its torso, raised its plasma rifle, and fired a single shot that obliterated the pirate and the rocket launcher in an instant.

    The pirates panic was immediate and overwhelming.

    "Fall back! Fall back!"

    one of the pirate leaders screamed, scrambling for cover as more Aegis units poured into the bay, their weapons blazing.

    The administrator watched in awe as the machines systematically dismantled the pirate forces.

    "By the stars,

    " he muttered, his grip on his rifle loosening.

    "Gramps!"

    the engineer exclaimed, his face lighting up with hope.

    "We''re saved!"

    The administrator nodded, a faint smile crossing his tired face.

    "It looks like reinforcements have arrived after all."

    The Aegis units continued their relentless advance, pushing the pirates back with devastating firepower. For the defenders, it was a miracle. For the pirates, it was a nightmare. And above it all, the massive white and gold ship hovered silently, watching as the tide of battle turned.

    It became painfully clear within minutes that the pirates were no match for the might of the Aegis units. Their mismatched weapons and improvised tactics were laughable against the heavy energy shields and devastating firepower of Legion 201.

    What had once been a chaotic battlefield was now a systematic, one-sided purge.

    The unit that arrived was no ordinary squad of Aegis units.

    Thanks to Rex''s vision and Cleo''s precision engineering, the 201st had undergone a complete overhaul, evolving into something far more formidable. Now known as Legion 201, the force consisted of 200 upgraded units, split into two specialized groups.

    The first 100 were heavily modified for close-quarters combat. Equipped with reinforced energy shields capable of withstanding sustained missile fire, these units carried two-handed energy swords mounted on their backs, glowing faintly with a pulsing blue light.

    These new weapons turned them into deadly close-range combatants, cutting down enemies with surgical precision. While adept at both melee and ranged combat, the power consumption of these upgraded units was immense, limiting their deployment duration.

    The other 100 remained as standard Aegis units, versatile and efficient. Their role was to provide suppressive fire and logistical support, balancing the Legion''s firepower with sustained endurance.

    Together, these units formed a cohesive and unstoppable force, a testament to the 201st''s evolution under Rex''s leadership.

    The pirates didn''t stand a chance.

    Inside the station, the remaining defenders watched in stunned silence as the 201st systematically dismantled the pirate forces.

    The upgraded units moved like a well-oiled machine, their heavy shields absorbing incoming fire while their energy swords carved through pirate barricades and armor like butter. The standard units provided covering fire, their plasma cannons cutting down any pirate foolish enough to resist.

    The pirates'' screams filled the air as their ranks were decimated. Within minutes, the cargo bay was cleared, and the once-dominant marauders were reduced to fleeing survivors, running for their lives through the station''s ruined corridors.

    The defenders, exhausted and battered, could only watch in awe as their saviors turned the tide of the battle with precision and ruthlessness.

 Chapter 114 Greed.

    With the immediate threat neutralized, the 201st seamlessly transitioned to cleanup operations. Some units deployed their built-in medical drones, releasing swarms of small, white machines that tended to the injured defenders.

    The drones scanned wounds, administered first aid, and stabilized those in critical condition.

    Other units began patrolling the station, their glowing optics scanning for any remaining pirates or signs of sabotage. Their heavy footsteps echoed through the hallways as they methodically secured the trading station, ensuring no threat was left behind.

    At the command center, Cleo stood beside Rex, her eyes fixed on the holographic display projected from her wrist console. The map showed the surrounding sector in vivid detail, highlighting dozens of red markers rapidly converging on the station.

    "Rex,"

    Cleo said, her calm voice cutting through the room''s tense atmosphere.

    "It''s as you predicted."

    Rex leaned over the console, his golden eyes narrowing as he studied the approaching forces.

    "They''re regrouping faster than I thought,"

    he muttered, crossing his arms.

    "Looks like the pirates weren''t the only ones in on this."

    The hologram displayed a variety of ships, pirate raiders, mercenary frigates, and even what appeared to be a repurposed military cruiser. The hostile fleet wasn''t massive, but it was enough to pose a serious threat, especially given the station''s current state.

    Cleo tapped her console, zooming in on the approaching ships.

    "The pirate leaders must have called for reinforcements the moment they realized they couldn''t hold the station. Judging by the speed of their approach, they''ve been on standby nearby."

    She glanced at Rex, her expression unreadable.

    "What''s the plan?"

    Rex smirked, his confidence unshaken despite the odds

    . "We''ve already taken the station. That means we dictate the battlefield now."

    He straightened, gesturing toward the hologram.

    "We have the high ground, literally. If they want to take this station back, they''re going to have to fight through us to do it."

    "Your usual approach then,"

    Cleo said with a faint hint of amusement as she pulled up the station''s internal schematics.

    "The defenders are too injured to provide much assistance, but we still have the Legion. We can hold." Enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

    Rex nodded, his grin widening. "The Legion was built for situations like this. Let''s see how long those bastards last against the full force of the 201st."

    Meanwhile, inside the station, the administrator and his grandson stood among the wreckage of the cargo bay. The younger man was still processing what he had just witnessed, the sheer efficiency and power of the 201st units that had turned the tide of the battle.

    The administrator leaned heavily on his rifle, his old body trembling slightly from exhaustion. But his eyes remained sharp as he watched the Aegis units patrol the area.

    "I''ve never seen anything like it,"

    he muttered.

    "Whoever these people are, they just saved the station, and us along with it."

    His grandson nodded silently, his gaze fixed on one of the heavily armored units as it passed by. The machine briefly turned its glowing optics toward them, scanning them for injuries before moving on without a word.

    "Gramps,"

    the younger man said hesitantly,

    " He straightened, his tone sharpening.

    "Cleo, send the Wraith squadrons to intercept their fighters. We''ll give them a show they won''t forget."

    "

    Understood,"

    Cleo replied, her fingers moving swiftly across the console. "

    Launching Wraith squadrons one to five now."

    Moments later, the hangar bays of the main ship roared to life. The sleek, deadly Wraith fighters, began launching in waves. Each squadron consisted of five fighters, their engines glowing faintly as they soared into formation.

    The pirate fleet surged forward, disorganized and undisciplined, their fighters flying haphazardly in clumps with no clear strategy. In contrast, the Wraith squadrons formed precise, deliberate formations, slicing through the void with calculated grace.

    The lead squadron flew in an X-formation, their movements tight and synchronized. As they approached the disorganized pirate fighters, the five Wraiths split into three groups.

    Two squads climbed upward in an arc, disappearing into the dark expanse of space, while two others dove low beneath the pirates. The lead squadron, however, remained on a direct course, tightening into a circular formation as they closed the distance.

    The pirates hesitated, confused by the sudden, multi-directional maneuver. Their lack of coordination left them vulnerable, and the Wraith fighters wasted no time capitalizing on it.

    The lead squadron was the first to strike. As soon as the pirates entered missile range, the five fighters fired their payloads in unison. A swarm of missiles streaked through the blackness, their trails glowing bright as they spiraled toward their targets.

    Before the pirates could react, the Wraith fighters broke formation and peeled away, retreating at high speeds back toward the flagship.

    The missiles hit their marks with devastating precision. Explosions lit up the void as entire clusters of pirate fighters were obliterated in the blink of an eye, their debris scattering like sparks in the wind.

    The pirates barely had time to regroup before the second wave struck. The Wraith squadrons that had climbed above the pirate fleet swooped down from the darkness like predatory birds, firing streams of plasma rounds that tore through the disorganized ships.

    At the same time, the squadrons below launched their counterattack, firing upward into the pirate ranks with ruthless efficiency.

    Caught in a pincer maneuver, the pirate fighters disintegrated into chaos. One by one, their ships were torn apart, their uncoordinated movements no match for the Wraiths'' precision.

    Rex watched the holographic display with a satisfied grin, his hands clasped behind his back.

    "Beautiful,"

    he muttered.

    "Absolutely beautiful."

    Cleo stood beside him, her expression calm as always, though a faint glimmer of approval crossed her golden eyes. "

    The Wraith squadrons are performing as expected. The pirates won''t recover from this."

    Rex nodded, leaning slightly closer to the display as the battle continued to unfold.

    "Good. Let them feel the weight of their greed. We''ll cripple their forces here and make sure the survivors remember one thing: white and gold means untouchable."

    As the last of the pirate fighters exploded in a brilliant flash, the remaining pirate transport ships began retreating toward their battle cruiser in desperation. The Wraith squadrons regrouped, returning to the flagship in perfect formation, their job done.

    Rex turned toward Cleo with a confident smirk

    . "Call it a gamble if you want. But I''d say we just hit the jackpot."

    Cleo''s holographic displays shifted, showing the pirate battle cruiser hesitating in its position.

    "Their cruiser is holding back. It seems they''re weighing their options."

    "They''ll think twice before trying something like this again,"

    "Now my dear wife, prepare the warp jump, were going to say hello to that ugly looking ship."

 Chapter 115 First space battle.

    "How is this possible?!"

    The pirate commander, known among his crew as the "Big Boss," roared, his voice booming across the bridge as he struck the trembling pirate officer in front of him. The force of the punch sent the man staggering backward, clutching his bleeding nose.

    "Can someone explain to me,"

    the Big Boss continued, his voice seething with fury, "

    how in the void our fighters outnumber theirs three to one, and yet not a single one of theirs goes down?! Instead, we''re the ones getting slaughtered out there! Look at that!"

    He gestured wildly at the holographic display showing the ongoing dogfight, where the sleek Wraith fighters of Cleo''s fleet tore through the pirates'' disorganized ships with ruthless precision. The pirates'' numbers dwindled by the second, their formations reduced to scattered chaos.

    "My Lord, please calm yourself,"

    the pirate leader from the failed trading station assault interjected, bowing slightly in deference. His face was pale, his confidence clearly shaken.

    "This isn''t this poor bastard''s fault,"

    he said, pointing to the officer who had suggested the ill-fated raid.

    "This is all because of that damn mayor. He told the King there wouldn''t be any military intervention at the trading station, but it''s clear as day now that he betrayed us. He''s the one to blame."

    The Big Boss''s fist clenched, his knuckles cracking loudly. His yellowed teeth ground together as he spat out his fury.

    "That damn octopus-headed fool! When I report to the Lord about the losses we''ve suffered because of him, he''ll be the one begging for mercy. I''ll see to it that his slimy little head gets cleaned, permanently."

    Turning on his heel, the big boss marched to his grotesque, jewel-encrusted throne, collapsing into its plush cushions with an exaggerated groan.

    "Helmsman! Take us out of here! We''re retreating! Warp back to base immediately!"

    Just as the helmsman began keying in the commands, an automated voice blared from the ship''s combat system:

    ["Warning: medium-sized ship warp detected."]

    "What!?"

    The Big Boss bolted upright, his bloodshot eyes snapping toward the viewport. His jaw dropped in disbelief as he saw the spot where the white and gold enemy vessel had been, only to find empty space.

    "Where did they¡ª"

    A second later, the space beside the pirate battleship rippled and distorted, as though reality itself were being stretched. Within moments, Cleo main ship emerged from the warp, its massive form shimmering in the void, positioned just

    one kilometer

    off the pirate ship''s starboard side.

    The sheer audacity of the maneuver left the pirate bridge in stunned silence.

    "They''re insane!"

    the Big Boss shouted, his voice cracking as he leapt to his feet.

    "All stations prepare for combat! Redirect the wormhole energy to the shields! Now!"

    Though a pirate, the Big Boss was no fool. He had decades of experience in space warfare, and his orders reflected the logic of a hardened veteran. His crew scrambled to obey, rerouting power to the ship''s shielding systems as alarms blared throughout the battleship.

    But the pirate boss''s orders barely registered with Rex, who was watching the entire scene unfold from the bridge of the Legion flagship. His golden eyes sparkled with amusement as he leaned casually against the command console, a wide grin plastered across his face.

    "Hahahaha! We''ve got them now, Cleo!"

    he said, pointing dramatically at the pirate ship through the viewport.

    "Let''s show these fools what happens when you cross us. Cleo! Unleash the power of the turrets!"

    Cleo''s voice echoed softly through the bridge, her tone icy yet composed.

    "Understood."

    Within moments, the ship''s automated systems sprang to life. The rows of kinetic turrets mounted along the main ship hull rotated with mechanical precision, locking onto the pirate battle cruiser''s starboard side.

    Cleo mainship hovered silently over the wreckage, a testament to its unmatched power and the folly of those who dared challenge it.

    "I wonder who the real villain is here,"

    Carlos said, leaning back with a smirk as he watched Rex bask in the moment like a king on his throne.

    "Oh, shut up. You''re the one with the evil face,

    " Ys snapped, her eyes narrowing dangerously.

    "Leave my adorable darling alone. He''s just having fun!

    " Without warning, she launched herself at him, her leg arcing in a perfect flying kick.

    But Carlos was ready. A shimmering energy shield materialized around him, blocking her attack with a loud

    clang

    . The force of the impact sent a sharp ripple through the air.

    "Heh,"

    Carlos chuckled, his smirk growing wider as Ys staggered back.

    "That all you got?"

    "Oh, so that''s how we''re playing it?"

    Ys hissed, her lips curling into a wild grin. Before anyone could stop her, her right arm twisted and warped into a massive black blade, its razor-sharp edge glowing with an eerie green light.

    "Both of you stand down. Right now,"

    Cleo yelled, her voice cutting through the chaos like a whip.

    "If you start a fight on my ship, I''ll toss you both out into space myself."

    Her glare was so sharp it could''ve sliced through steel.

    "She''s right,"

    said Rex, who was still lounging like he didn''t have a care in the world.

    "Come on, guys, stop being so dramatic. I promise we''ll build an arena later where you two can blow each other to pieces. But for now, maybe try not to destroy Cleo''s ship? You know how she gets."

    Cleo shot Rex a look but didn''t argue. Instead, she turned back to the controls. "

    Taking us to the trading station now,"

    she said flatly, still radiating the kind of energy that made everyone want to behave.

    As the crew settled down, the ship hummed softly, its engines powering them forward. But for the group of rescued passengers watching all this unfold, the scene felt nothing short of surreal. Not only had this crew taken on a notorious pirate lord, but they''d also wiped out his infamous flagship in what felt like seconds.

    The trading station administrator stood frozen, staring out at the docked ship from the observation window. Even in his decades of military service, he had never seen anything like it. The vessel''s sleek design, its unmatched firepower... it was enough to make his stomach churn.

    "Gramps, you think we''re safe with them here?"

    the young engineer asked, his voice trembling as he gently touched his grandfather''s shoulder.

    "I don''t know, kid,"

    the administrator replied with a heavy sigh. He straightened up, his face lined with worry.

    "Go gather everyone in the cargo bay. We''ll wait there and see what kind of envoy they send."

    He gave the boy a reassuring pat on the back, though his own thoughts were far from comforting.

    He couldn''t shake the growing sense of dread. Someone with that kind of firepower didn''t just show up for a friendly visit. They were either a noble or worse....

    A conqueror.

 Chapter 116 The old administrator.

    The moment I gave the order to my grandson to assemble everyone in the cargo bay, I found myself lingering by the station''s massive observation window, unable to tear my eyes away from the scene outside.

    In the distance, the shattered debris of the pirate battleship drifted silently through space. This was the ship that merchants had feared for decades, the predator that left countless vessels in ruins, now reduced to nothing more than a lifeless scrap.

    It felt unreal, like watching a myth dissolve into smoke. If I told anyone about this moment, they''d think I had finally lost my mind or that senility had taken its toll. But there it was, plain as day. The terror of the trade routes, destroyed so effortlessly, might as well have never existed at all.

    I knew I should head to the cargo bay to greet the ones who saved us, but my old heart wouldn''t stop hammering. This wasn''t relief. It was dread. We didn''t know if these newcomers were saviors or wolves wearing the skin of lambs.

    By the time I arrived at the cargo bay, the air was thick with anticipation. The metallic saviors who had arrived earlier were already in perfect formation, their glowing visors reflecting the dim lights of the station.

    Everyone else, station guards, civilians, and engineers, stood silently, their eyes fixed on the transport ship descending toward the bay.

    I had expected something massive like a fortress of steel bristling with cannons, the kind of ship you''d associate with nobles, but what landed instead was shockingly... ordinary. Small, sleek, efficient. It looked more like a courier than the herald of destruction.

    As the ship''s ramp lowered, tension rippled through the crowd. You could practically hear the collective gulp as we waited to see who would step out. Then, finally, they appeared.

    The first was a man in heavy gray armor, his helmet concealing his face, though his movements were unmistakably human. He was arguing with a much smaller figure, a girl in sleek black armor that seemed to ripple and shimmer like it was alive.

    Her emerald-green wings flared out behind her in annoyance, their faint glow casting shadows on the walls.

    "I told you to let me handle it!"

    the girl snapped, her voice sharp and impatient.

    "And I told you to stop acting like a walking demolition crew!"

    The man shot back. His voice was muffled by the helmet, but his exasperation came through loud and clear.

    Before their bickering could escalate, a third voice called out from within the ship.

    "That''s enough. Behave."

    The voice was soft and melodic but carried a weight of authority that made both of them freeze on the spot. And then she appeared.

    The woman who stepped out was unlike anything I had ever seen. She was dressed in radiant white and gold armor that shimmered in the cargo bay''s harsh lights.

    Her white wings stretched elegantly behind her, every feather catching the light in a way that made them look like they were carved from pure starlight. She moved with a grace that seemed almost unnatural, her black hair flowing like it had a life of its own.

    Even my old heart skipped a beat. I couldn''t imagine what the younger men were feeling, but at least no one dared to make a crude comment. Thank the stars for that, because what happened next could have silenced them forever.

    Without a word, the woman strode to the center of the cargo bay. The air around her seemed to hum, almost as if the space itself was responding to her presence. Then, with a casual flick of her wrist, she created a throne, a towering construct of white marble and gold that materialized out of thin air.

    The sight alone was enough to leave the crowd awestruck, but then it happened.

    The pressure.

    It hit all of us at once, like an invisible wave crashing over the bay. My knees buckled, and I wasn''t the only one. Several of the guards fell to the ground, their weapons clattering uselessly beside them.

    Civilians clung to each other for support, their faces pale and wide-eyed. It wasn''t fear, not exactly. It was something deeper, something primal.

    "Wh¡ªwhat are you¡ª"

    Cleo barely had time to react as she found herself unceremoniously seated on his legs, her usually composed face now frozen in shock. Her wide eyes stared up at him, trying to process what just happened.

    The residents of the station, who had been struggling to comprehend Rex''s divine presence moments earlier, now looked on in stunned silence. Cleo darted her gaze between Rex and the dumbstruck crowd, trying to piece together how this had spiraled out of control so quickly.

    Rex gave her a proud smile, as if he had just solved the greatest mystery in the universe. He even gave her a casual thumbs-up, as if to say,

    Don''t worry, I''ve got this under control.

    "You... are an idiot,"

    Cleo muttered under her breath, her voice barely audible. Only Rex and Ys, thanks to their enhanced hearing, caught it.

    Cleo buried her face in her hands, her cheeks blazing red as she tried to erease herself out of existence. She could feel the heat of embarrassment radiating from every cell in her body.

    Cleo''s logical mind, the one that prided itself on precision and efficiency, had completely short-circuited. Her systems were frozen. She had no idea how to salvage this situation. But she had to focus. She had a job to do.

    Leaning in closer to Rex, her voice trembling, she whispered into his ear.

    "Deactivate your overdrive. It''s boosting your aura too much. They can''t stand because it''s overwhelming their mental energy."

    "

    Ahhh, no wonder,"

    Rex said, tilting his head like a child finally understanding why the puzzle piece didn''t fit. "

    Thanks, honey."

    Cleo''s face somehow turned even redder at the casual term of endearment, and she resisted the urge to smack him in front of everyone.

    Rex, blissfully unaware of her mortification, casually deactivated his overdrive. His enormous wings vanished in an instant, leaving only the golden halo hovering above him.

    With the suffocating aura gone, the tension in the room lifted. The residents of the station began to rise shakily, exchanging wary glances as they tried to regain their composure. Rex, as oblivious as ever, chuckled and leaned forward.

    "Haha, sorry about that, everyone. Didn''t mean to make you kneel or anything. Honest mistake. Anyway, who''s in charge around here?"

    he said, pulling Cleo closer with one arm as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

    Cleo let out a quiet groan, her face still buried in her hands, while Ys, who had been watching everything unfold, was turning a deep shade of red as well. But hers wasn''t embarrassment. No, hers was pure, unfiltered envy. Her emerald-green wings twitched behind her as she clenched her fists.

    Carlos, meanwhile, was having the time of his life. His shoulders were shaking as he struggled not to burst into laughter. Every time Ys shot a glare his way, she only made it harder.

    Finally, an elderly man stepped forward. The station administrator, his steps slow but steady, approached the throne. His face was lined with years of experience, though his expression was one of wariness.

    "I''m the one in charge,"

    the old man said, his voice firm but tired. His eyes flicked between Rex, Cleo, and the rest of the group. He stopped just short of the throne, his hands clasped behind his back as he tried to mask his unease.

 Chapter 117: Negotiations

    "Ohh, hello there!"

    Rex greeted him warmly, his voice carrying a friendly and almost disarming tone. He leaned back on the throne, still casually holding Cleo on his lap like it was the most natural thing in the world.

    "My name is Rex. We¡¯re just a normal mercenary group that happened to be passing through when we saw the commotion. Thought we¡¯d lend a hand."

    The old administrator, whose weathered face betrayed years of hard-earned wisdom, narrowed his eyes. Despite Rex¡¯s smile and casual demeanor, there was something unsettling about him. Something that made every instinct in the old man¡¯s body scream for him to run.

    "If you¡¯re mercenaries,"

    the administrator began cautiously, his voice steady despite the cold sweat forming on his back.

    "Does that mean you¡¯re here to demand a reward?"

    Rex tilted his head slightly, as if amused by the question.

    "Mmm, I like people who catch on quickly,"

    he said with a grin, his golden eyes gleaming.

    Without missing a beat, he began patting Cleo¡¯s head like she was some kind of house pet. This, of course, caused Cleo¡¯s face to flush an even deeper shade of red.

    The administrator¡¯s frown deepened.

    "I see. Unfortunately, we don¡¯t have enough credits to pay for your help. The pirate blockade and their attacks have completely halted trade traffic for over a year now. We¡¯re barely scraping by."

    His voice carried the weight of exhaustion and sorrow, a man who had seen his station struggle against impossible odds.

    Rex raised a hand, wagging his finger as if to stop the man mid-thought

    . "Oh no, no no, I think there¡¯s been a slight misunderstanding here."

    He leaned forward, still smiling, as though he were about to share some wonderful secret.

    "We¡¯re not here for your credits. What we want is your full cooperation with what we plan to do in this region."

    The administrator stiffened.

    "Full cooperation? And what exactly does that mean?"

    His voice carried a sharp edge now. Years of dealing with shady merchants and opportunistic contractors had taught him to be wary of vague promises.

    Rex gestured lazily to Cleo, who was still very much trapped in his arms.

    "Well, you can talk out the details later with my wife here. But, uh... judging by the look on her face, I don¡¯t think she¡¯s quite in the mood for negotiations right now."

    Cleo, who had been struggling to free herself from Rex¡¯s iron grip, let out a barely audible groan of protest.

    Her flushed face was buried against his chest as if trying to disappear entirely, and her muttered

    "idiot

    " didn¡¯t go unnoticed by Ys, who was now covering her mouth to stop herself from laughing.

    Rex ignored Cleo¡¯s predicament entirely and turned his attention back to the administrator.

    "But if I remember correctly,"

    he continued,

    "the deal was something like this: permanent discounts for us on all goods and services, priority when buying or selling, and maybe a few other perks. You know, nothing too crazy.

    "

    He smiled brightly, as if offering a friendly handshake.

    "What do you say? Sounds good, no?"

    Rex said, his voice cheerful and carefree as he signaled Carlos with a casual wave of his hand. Carlos, who had been waiting near the transport ship, gave a polite bow and disappeared inside without a word.

    Moments later, Carlos returned, followed by two towering Aegis units. Between them, they dragged a figure whose head was concealed by a black bag.

    The person¡¯s once-pristine white suit was now tattered and smeared with grime and blood, giving the impression of someone who had been through hell. The metallic footsteps of the Aegis units echoed ominously through the cargo bay as they brought their prisoner forward.

    "Thanks, Carlos,"

    Rex said with a nod.

    "Before you leave, though, would you mind uncovering the gift we brought with us?"

    Carlos gave a sly grin, stepping forward to grab the bag. In one swift motion, he yanked it off, revealing the prisoner¡¯s face to everyone present.

    The moment the bag was removed, a collective gasp rippled through the crowd. The residents murmured among themselves, their voices a mixture of shock, anger, and confusion.

    Even the old administrator, who had worked hard to maintain his composure during the entire ordeal, faltered. His eyes widened as he recognized the man in front of him, and for a brief moment, his mask of calm authority cracked.

    "W-what is the meaning of this?"

    The administrator stammered, his voice shaking as he struggled to process what he was seeing.

    Rex, as always, remained utterly composed, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement.

    "What? You don¡¯t like my gift?"

    he said, feigning a pout.

    "You¡¯re hurting my feelings, you know. I went out of my way to bring you the one responsible for all your recent pest problems here at the station."

    The administrator¡¯s hands trembled as he stepped closer, his gaze fixed on the battered prisoner who was now slumped between the Aegis units.

    "But... that¡¯s not possible,"

    the old man muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Then, louder, with growing anger:

    "How could the mayor... of all people, be behind this?!"

    The crowd erupted into chaos at his words.

    "What? The mayor?!"

    "Is that really him?"

    "It can¡¯t be! This station belongs to him! Why would he attack it?"

    "He must¡¯ve been framed!"

    "No way, look at him! He looks guilty!"

    The crowd¡¯s reactions ranged from disbelief to fury, and even a few voices of sympathy. The revelation that the man lying in a broken heap on the floor was none other than the station¡¯s mayor sent a shockwave through the room.

    The once respected leader, the man they had trusted to protect and guide them, was now exposed as a traitor.

    Rex leaned back in the throne, watching the unfolding chaos with a grin that bordered on smug amusement. The reactions were exactly what he had expected, and he seemed to be enjoying every second of it.

    "How... dare you?

    " The administrator hissed, turning his attention back to Rex.

    "You expect us to believe that he, the man who built and ran this station, was behind the attacks? What proof do you even have?"

    Rex raised an eyebrow, his smile never fading.

    "Proof? Oh, old man, you wound me. Do you really think I¡¯d drag this sorry excuse of a leader here without something to back it up?"

    He motioned toward Carlos, who stepped forward and tapped a small device on his wrist.

 Chapter 118: End of the road.

    From the Carlos device, an hologram sprang to life in the center of the cargo bay, casting a bluish glow across the room. It displayed a recording of the mayor in his office, seated behind his polished desk as he passed out orders.

    "Increase the pressure on the station,

    " the mayor¡¯s voice snarled.

    "We need them desperate. The more chaos, the better. They¡¯ll have no choice but to sell to us at a fraction of the value. Those merchants will crawl back to me on their knees, begging for salvation."

    The room fell silent as the recording played. The residents watched in stunned horror as their leader, the man they had trusted for so long, laid bare his treachery.

    "That¡¯s not all,"

    Carlos said, his voice cutting through the silence. He tapped the device again, bringing up another recording. This time, it showed the mayor standing on the bridge of a pirate cruiser, flanked by several of the station¡¯s most infamous attackers.

    "You will blockade the station and allow nothing through without my approval,"

    the mayor commanded.

    "No supplies, no weapons, no reinforcements. The longer they suffer, the easier it will be to control them. Do you understand?"

    As the second recording ended, the room erupted again, this time with anger and outrage.

    "That bastard sold us out!"

    "How could he?! We trusted him!"

    "I knew something was off when the pirates left certain shipments untouched!"

    The administrator, still staring at the mayor, closed his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He had suspected something was amiss for months, but he hadn¡¯t dared to entertain the possibility that it was the man he had once respected as a friend.

    Meanwhile, the mayor, still slumped on the floor, lifted his head weakly. His lips curled into defiant sneers.

    "You think... you¡¯ve won,"

    he rasped, his voice barely audible.

    "You have no idea what¡¯s coming. You¡¯re all... dead men walking."

    Rex laughed, the sound rich and booming as he stood from the throne.

    "You really don¡¯t get it, do you?

    " He said, his voice light but dripping with condescension.

    "Your little schemes are done. Your pirate fleet is scrap metal floating in space. Your leverage is gone. You are nothing."

    He gestured toward the administrator with a grand sweep of his hand.

    "Consider this a favor, Gramps. I¡¯ve not only taken care of your pirate problem but handed you the very man who caused it on a silver platter. Do with him what you will. Lock him up, put him on trial, toss him out an airlock, or whatever helps you sleep at night."

    The administrator looked at Rex, his face a mix of exhaustion and gratitude, though there was still a flicker of unease in his eyes.

    "I don¡¯t know what to say,"

    he admitted quietly.

    "How about ¡¯thank you¡¯?"

    Rex replied with a grin, his golden halo shimmering faintly above his throne.

    The administrator gave a slow, reluctant nod.

    The crowd turned toward the source of the shot, and there, standing amidst the gathered residents, was one of the station¡¯s militia. The man was trembling, tears streaming down his face, but his hands were steady as he aimed his laser pistol at the writhing mayor.

    "You... you damn monster,"

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    the militia officer spat, his voice choked with grief and fury.

    "You took my son from me. You... disgusting creature! Return him to me!"

    Before anyone could stop him, the man fired again, this time hitting the mayor¡¯s other leg. Another agonized scream filled the room.

    "Wait, stop! What are you?"

    The administrator started, but his voice was drowned out by another shout from the crowd.

    "Because of you, I¡¯ll never walk again!"

    one of the guards yelled, dragging his mangled leg forward as he raised his weapon. He fired, the blast striking the mayor¡¯s shoulder and sending him sprawling onto his back.

    "My ship! My livelihood! My family!

    " a merchant screamed, his face twisted in rage. "

    You destroyed everything I had! Return them to me!"

    His shot landed squarely on the mayor¡¯s arm, seizing it completely.

    And then, chaos erupted.

    One by one, the residents of the station stepped forward, their grief and fury boiling over as they unleashed it all on the man who had betrayed them. Shots rang out in rapid succession, each blast tearing away a piece of the once-proud mayor.

    His screams grew weaker and weaker as his body was reduced to little more than a bloody, mangled husk.

    Some shouted curses as they fired. Others wept openly, their voices trembling as they vented months of frustration, grief, and loss. Even those who had initially hesitated eventually joined in, their pent-up anger pushing them to pull the trigger.

    The old administrator watched it all unfold in grim silence. He knew there was no stopping this. The people needed this¡ªneeded an outlet for their pain, their hopelessness, their fury.

    By the time the shooting stopped, there was nothing left of the mayor but a broken, motionless figure on the cold cargo bay floor.

    His limbs were gone, his body barely recognizable, and the once-pristine white suit he had worn as a symbol of power and authority was now little more than shredded, bloodied rags.

    The crowd stood in stunned silence, their weapons lowered, their breaths coming in ragged gasps. For a moment, no one moved. No one spoke.

    Then, slowly, the old administrator stepped forward. He reached for the sidearm holstered at his waist, his movements steady and deliberate. Standing over the broken man who had caused so much suffering, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

    "This is for the people you betrayed,"

    he said quietly.

    He raised his weapon and fired a single, final shot. The mayor¡¯s body jerked once before falling still.

    The room remained silent, the only sound being the faint hum of the station¡¯s systems. Slowly, the administrator turned to face the crowd. His shoulders were slumped, and his expression was one of deep weariness.

    "It¡¯s done,"

    he said softly, his voice carrying through the bay.

    "Let¡¯s clean this up... and start rebuilding what we¡¯ve lost."

    The residents nodded silently, their anger spent, their hearts heavy. The nightmare was over, but the scars it had left behind would take much longer to heal.

    Above them, Rex¡¯s transport ship disappeared into the blackness of space, carrying with it a crew that couldn¡¯t have cared less about what they¡¯d left behind. For them, this was just another stop on their journey. Another conquest. Another step toward whatever grand plan Rex had in mind.

 Chapter 119 Surprise [R18]

    As the transport ship drifted through the silent void toward the main vessel, Rex leaned back in his seat, a content smile plastered across his face.

    While everyone else was either brooding, fidgeting, or reviewing the events at the trading station, Rex''s mind was already miles ahead. He was calculating, scheming, and preparing for the next move in his ever-expanding plan.

    This next step wouldn''t be easy. It would require a delicate balance of strategy, charisma, and boldness, something only a figure of legend could pull off.

    But Rex? Rex didn''t fear challenges. Whether it was commanding a battlefield or engaging in tense negotiations, he lived for the thrill of the impossible. Even if the next move turned out to be his last, he wouldn''t bat an eye.

    At least, that''s what everyone assumed he was thinking.

    In reality, Rex''s focus was entirely elsewhere.

    His hands, ever so subtly, had found their way to Cleo''s butt, where they had been "working" this entire time. While his crew had been assuming he was lost in deep thought, Rex was quietly enjoying the soft, squishable feeling beneath his palms.

    Explore new worlds at empire

    His fingers gave the occasional squeeze, and Cleo, who was still trapped in his arms, could do little more than bury her face deeper into his chest to hide her flushed expression.

    Cleo was trying her best not to make any noise or to draw any attention, but her trembling shoulders betrayed her embarrassment. She gritted her teeth, her hands gripping Rex''s shirt as her entire body burned with the heat of mortification.

    This, of course, was the

    real

    reason Rex had been able to maintain that relaxed smile during the intense negotiations at the trading station. To him, the tense situation had been no more nerve-wracking than a quiet stroll.

    After all, what was the fear of political deals and pirate threats compared to the glorious, uplifting joy of squeezing his wife''s butt?

    By the time the transport ship finally touched down in the main ship''s hangar, Cleo looked like she had been through an emotional warzone. Her usual composure was shattered, her face was still red, and she couldn''t even lift her head to meet anyone''s gaze.

    The ramp lowered with a hiss, and everyone began filing out.

    "I''ll see you all later,"

    Rex announced, walking down the ramp with Cleo still firmly in his arms. His tone was light, but there was a smugness to his words that didn''t go unnoticed.

    "I''m going to put Cleo to bed. She''s not feeling well, or maybe she just ran out of energy."

    Carlos, who had been standing near the ramp, raised an eyebrow, a knowing smirk creeping across his face.

    "Ran out of energy, huh?"

    he muttered under his breath, the corner of his mouth twitching as he fought back a laugh.

    Ys, meanwhile, crossed her arms and rolled her eyes.

    "You''re not even trying with these excuses anymore, Rex,

    " she muttered, shaking her head.

    "Ha, yeah, sure,"

    Carlos replied, giving Rex a mock salute as he walked past. His smirk widened as he turned to Ys.

    "Alright, pocket-sized grandma. Let''s head to the training area. I need to burn some steam. Maybe I''ll finally get lucky and beat you for once."

    Ys whipped her head toward Carlos, her emerald-green wings twitching in irritation.

    "Ha! You? Beat me? What a joke! But fine, challenge accepted! Let''s go!"

    A sharp gasp escaped her lips.

    "Haaa¡ª"

    she cried out softly when Rex nipped at her neck, his teeth grazing her skin, his hand slowly exploring the curve of her body under her nightdress.

    "Cleo,"

    Rex whispered, his voice low and teasing.

    "You''re just too adorable. I can''t stop myself from wanting to tease you more."

    He slid his hand out from beneath the fabric, his touch trailing lightly across her skin as he withdrew.

    Now kneeling before her, Rex glanced down at Cleo''s legs, still pressed together. Without a word, he gently lifted them, his lips brushing against the soft skin of her thighs. Slowly... almost torturously... he nudged her legs apart, his movements deliberate, until he settled between them.

    When his eyes met hers, he froze for a moment. Cleo had her hands behind her head, grabbing her hair; her bottom lip caught between her teeth. That look... shy yet enticing... was enough to send a rush of heat through him. Unable to resist, he gripped her hips firmly and tugged her closer, positioning her against him.

    "Kya! Wait, wait¡ªwhat are you¡ª"

    Cleo tried to protest, her voice wavering. But Rex didn''t give her a chance to finish. He raised her left leg, his hand strong but careful, and brought his lips to her skin. His tongue traced a slow, deliberate path along her calf before his teeth gently pressed down, leaving faint marks in their wake.

    Every sound she made only fueled him further. Each bite, each kiss, left her squirming under his touch, her flushed face only adding to her allure.

    Rex froze for a moment, his gaze locking onto Cleo. Her flushed cheeks, her half-lidded eyes, the way her chest rose and fell with every shaky breath... it was almost too much. She looked just as worked up as he felt, maybe even more. His lips curled into a slow, teasing smile.

    "Cleo,"

    he murmured, his voice low and rich with temptation,

    "I''ve learned something new with that halo I got before. Wanna see it?"

    She didn''t answer, not with words, anyway. Her mind seemed completely lost in the haze, her body trembling faintly, and her eyes begging for him to keep going. Rex chuckled softly, the sound deep and warm.

    He leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear as he whispered,

    "I''ll take that as a yes."

    Without waiting, Rex summoned the glowing golden halo. It shimmered into existence behind him, casting a soft light across the room. In the center of the halo, a golden orb materialized, pulsating with energy.

    Slowly, the orb began to draw something from Rex''s body. His towering frame, once an imposing 2.5 meters, began to shrink down, his powerful form condensing until he was back to his regular height of 1.85 meters.

    "Cool, huh?"

    he said, his voice tinged with playful mischief as he stepped back slightly, pulling his shirt over his head.

    The fabric slid away, revealing the firm, chiseled lines of his chest and the way his muscles moved with every subtle shift.

    "Now I can finally do what I''ve always wanted... but couldn''t before. I was too scared I''d hurt you."

    Cleo''s breath hitched, her gaze following his every movement. Her lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but all that came out was a soft whimper. Rex smirked, leaning down again, his fingers grazing the waistband of her shorts. He moved slowly, deliberately, savoring the moment.

    "

    Let''s get rid of these, shall we?

    " he whispered, his voice thick with desire.

    Cleo arched her hips off the bed, her body practically offering itself to him, making it easier for him to slide her shorts down her thighs. His hands lingered on her bare skin, his fingertips tracing slow, lazy circles as he tugged the fabric away.

    Every touch sent a shiver through her body, and Rex couldn''t help but admire the way her skin reacted to him... how her body seemed to crave him as much as he craved her.

 Chapter 120 Surprise (2) [R18]

    Without hesitation, Rex removed the last of his clothing, his gaze locked on Cleo. Her eyes widened, a mix of curiosity and apprehension flickering across her face.

    This was new, uncharted territory for someone who had lived lifetimes but had never experienced the depths of physical connection in this way.

    Though her people once engaged in such intimacy, it had become a forgotten practice, leaving her both intrigued and captivated by the forbidden nature of it all.

    "R-Rex... wait, I..."

    Cleo''s voice faltered, uncertain. She tried to express her hesitation, but before the words could form fully, she felt the warmth of his touch and the closeness of his presence.

    A soft gasp escaped her lips as she instinctively gripped the sheets beneath her, her body responding to sensations unfamiliar and overwhelming.

    "What... is this?"

    she whispered breathlessly, her voice trembling with wonder. The unfamiliarity of it stirred something deep within her, a sensation both strange and magnetic.

    Rex''s eyes softened as he watched her, noting every subtle shift in her expression¡ªthe way her brow furrowed slightly, the way her lips parted in surprise. Gently, his hands found her waist, steadying her as they navigated this moment together.

    She was stunning in her vulnerability, her purity shining through even as she surrendered to something unknown. The contrast of her innocence ignited something primal within Rex¡ªa desire to protect, to cherish, and to guide her through this experience.

    Slowly, he moved closer, each action deliberate, each touch measured. He could feel her body tense, then gradually relax as she acclimated to the sensations washing over her. Their connection deepened, and the rhythm between them became a silent conversation, one of trust, discovery, and unspoken desire.

    Cleo''s breaths came in soft, uneven waves, her hands reaching out to steady herself, though she was unsure if she sought to hold on or to ground herself in the reality of this moment.

    "Is it... always like this?"

    She murmured, her voice barely audible, as if afraid the question itself might break the spell surrounding them.

    Rex responded with quiet intensity, his movements slow and deliberate, as if savoring every second. He leaned in, his lips brushing against her temple in a gesture of reassurance.

    "It''s different... because it''s us,"

    he whispered softly, his words carrying a weight of sincerity.

    Cleo''s heart raced at his response, the vulnerability of the moment weaving them closer together. As their connection grew more profound, she felt a warmth blooming within her¡ªa sensation that spread from the core of her being outward, enveloping them both in its glow.

    Each moment felt infinite yet fleeting as they explored this new dimension of their bond. Time seemed to blur, the world outside fading into irrelevance. There was only this¡ªtheir shared vulnerability, their growing intimacy, and the quiet, powerful connection that bound them together.

    When the intensity of the moment reached its peak, Cleo''s fingers tightened around his, her breath catching in her throat as a wave of warmth coursed through her. She exhaled slowly, her body trembling with the aftershocks of their shared experience.

    Rex held her close, their foreheads touching as they remained entwined, savoring the lingering intimacy.

    "It''s... so warm,"

    Cleo whispered softly, a hint of wonder still in her voice, as if she were discovering something precious and rare for the very first time.

    Rex smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "

    It''s you,

    " he said quietly, the words carrying a depth of meaning that neither of them had fully understood before now.

    In that instant, the world outside ceased to matter. There was only this... their shared discovery, their bodies and souls intertwined, exploring a depth neither of them had ever known before.

    Once it was over, Rex remained on top of Cleo, both of them breathing heavily, their eyes locked in a lingering gaze. Unable to resist, he kissed her again, soft, slow, and deep.

    Their lips eventually parted, leaving them both flushed and silent. Rex rested his head on Cleo''s chest, which was slick with sweat, and closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of her body with their connection still intact.

    "So... did you, well, you know, like it?"

    "A dream? Go on."

    Rex nodded and began recounting the details of what he had experienced. He told her about the strange, vivid encounter with the lady in white who claimed to be his mother, how she spoke of the twins being in danger, and how it all felt far too real to be just a dream.

    Cleo listened intently, her brow furrowing as she processed his words. Once he was finished, she crossed her arms, her mind already racing with possibilities.

    "Mmm... there are indeed many races with powerful mental abilities.

    "

    she said while summoning a series of glowing holo-screens with a flick of her wrist. The screens floated in the air, displaying various alien species, each with unique traits and abilities.

    "But,

    " Cleo continued, scrolling through the data, "

    I don''t have any record of a race strong enough to create an entirely fictional world to communicate with someone. That kind of psychic feat would require a staggering amount of mental energy on the scale of a small star."

    Rex leaned closer to the holo-screens, his eyes widening slightly as he scanned the alien races displayed before him. He was amazed by the sheer variety of creatures, some with shimmering, crystalline forms, others with glowing eyes and flowing, ethereal bodies.

    It was a visual feast, even for someone like Rex, who had grown up on a bustling commercial planet where countless alien species came to trade.

    "You''re telling me no one fits the bill? Not a single one of these guys could pull it off?" Rex asked, gesturing to the screens with a hint of disbelief.

    Cleo shook her head.

    "None of these species match the description of the lady in white from your dream. And even if one of them could manipulate mental energy at that scale, there''s another problem..."

    Rex raised an eyebrow.

    "What kind of problem?"

    "Your astral image,"

    She brought up another screen, showing a glowing humanoid outline with faint energy radiating from it.

    "Your astral image is what your soul truly looks like. It''s the essence of your being. Even the most powerful psychic can''t manipulate or change that, it''s an immutable part of who you are."

    Rex leaned back, his hand rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

    "Huh. Never thought about that before. I''ve never really paid attention to what my astral form looks like. Can you see it?"

    Cleo hesitated for a moment, her expression faltering slightly. "

    Negative,

    " she said finally.

    "While my race does possess strong mental powers, we aren''t capable of perceiving astral images. But there is someone you could ask..."

    Rex noticed the hesitation in her voice and tilted his head, a smirk creeping onto his face.

    "Oh? And who''s that?"

    Cleo glanced away, clearly reluctant to answer. She fidgeted slightly, her golden eyes darting back to Rex before she spoke.

    Experience new tales on empire

    "...Ys."

 Chapter 121 Collapse

    "Wait. Ys? As in Ys Ys?"

    Rex asked, raising an eyebrow.

    "Why her?"

    Cleo sighed, her cheeks puffing out slightly as she crossed her arms in frustration. "

    Her race has one of the most advanced psychic abilities in the galaxy,"

    she explained reluctantly.

    "She can not only perceive astral images but interact with them directly. If anyone could identify what your astral form looks like or tell you more about this lady in white, it''s her."

    Rex chuckled, leaning back with a grin.

    "You don''t sound too thrilled about this, Cleo. What''s the matter? Jealous?"

    Cleo''s face turned an adorable shade of red as she glared at him, her wings twisting slightly.

    "Of course not!

    " she huffed, clearly flustered.

    "I just don''t trust her to not... to not say something stupid, that''s all!"

    "Right,"

    Rex teased, his grin widening.

    "Totally not jealous."

    Cleo groaned, covering her face with her hands

    . "Just... just go ask her and get it over with,"

    she muttered, her voice muffled by her palms.

    Rex stood up, stretching lazily.

    "Alright, alright, I''ll go talk to her. But if she starts teasing you while we''re at it, don''t blame me!"

    Cleo peeked at him through her fingers, her golden eyes narrowing slightly.

    "I''m blaming you already, Rex."

    Laughing to himself, Rex turned and made his way out of the room, leaving Cleo behind to stew in her mixture of irritation and embarrassment.

    Meanwhile, in the training area, Ys was busy throwing Carlos across the room for the third time, her emerald-green wings flaring with excitement as she laughed. Carlos groaned as he struggled to his feet, muttering,

    "Why do I do this to myself?"

    Rex strolled down the dimly lit corridors of the ship, his boots softly echoing against the metallic floor.

    The faint hum of the vessel''s engines reverberated through the walls, steady and reassuring. Passing by one of the massive reinforced windows that lined the corridor, he paused, his eyes drawn to the endless expanse of dark space outside.

    But something changed.

    His golden eyes, so full of life and mischief, suddenly dimmed and shifted to an abyssal black, as if all the light within them had been snuffed out. His expression turned eerily blank, and yet his gaze remained fixed in one direction, unyielding, as if piercing the void of space itself.

    His hand rose slowly, pressing against the cold surface of the reinforced window. His low and hollow voice broke the silence.

    "I''m coming for you,"

    Rex murmured, the words almost inaudible but filled with an unsettling weight.

    Then his body gave out. His legs buckled, his hand slid from the window, and he collapsed onto the cold floor without another sound.

    When Rex finally opened his eyes, the warm glow of the room''s ceiling lights greeted him. He blinked a few times, groaning as the stiffness in his body made itself known.

    "Ugh... how did I get here?"

    he muttered to himself, rubbing his face with one hand. His body ached in ways he hadn''t felt in years.

    "Why do I feel so damn sore? We need a new bed. This one''s so stiff it feels like I got into a wrestling match with Ys and lost."

    He stretched, his muscles protesting loudly, when suddenly the sound of the dormitory''s automatic doors opening caught his attention.

    "Rex!"

    The familiar voice made him sit up, or at least attempt to. Before he could even swing his legs over the edge of the bed, Cleo rushed into the room, her usual composure momentarily slipping. She stopped just short of his bedside, visibly controlling her emotions. Find adventures at empire

    Rex leaned back, his mind racing. He didn''t remember any of what Cleo was describing, but the pit in his stomach told him that whatever had happened wasn''t just some random blackout. The words he had spoken before passing out suddenly echoed faintly in the back of his mind.

    "I''m coming for you."

    Cleo reached out and placed a hand on his arm, snapping him out of his thoughts.

    "You don''t have to figure this out right now,"

    she said softly.

    "Your recovery comes first. Whatever happened, we''ll figure it out together."

    Rex looked at her for a long moment before finally nodding.

    "Alright, fine. I''ll take it easy for now. But Cleo... I have a feeling this isn''t over. Not by a long shot."

    Cleo''s gaze lingered on him, her golden eyes filled with quiet determination. "

    I know,"

    she said simply.

    As Rex rested back against the pillows, the hum of the ship seemed to grow louder, as if the very vessel itself was holding its breath. Somewhere out there, in the infinite darkness of space, something was waiting. And whatever it was, it wasn''t done with Rex yet.

    After the strange events that left Rex bedridden, his life had slowed to an unusual, almost comical pace. He could do nothing but lie in bed, waiting for his strength to return, all while being doted on and, frankly, fattened up, by Cleo and Ys.

    They visited him at different times each day, always bringing food, drinks, and endless attention. Cleo made sure he ate full, nutrient-packed meals, constantly monitoring his vitals with her little robotic assistants.

    Meanwhile, Ys, true to her fiery personality, always brought snacks, insisting that

    "junk food is part of a warrior''s recovery regimen."

    Even Carlos stopped by from time to time, though his visits were less about nurturing Rex and more about keeping him company in a more...

    relaxed

    way. Instead of encouraging Rex to eat more, Carlos made it his mission to steal Rex''s snacks, particularly the chips.

    "Too much salt is bad for your health,"

    Carlos would say with a grin, shoving another handful of chips into his mouth as the two watched holo-screen series together.

    One time, Carlos even tried to sneak in a couple of beers for them to

    share,

    claiming that

    "a little booze never hurt anyone."

    But before they could pop them open, the ever-vigilant Aegis Units intervened, confiscating the contraband and dragging Carlos away.

    What followed was far worse than any scolding or punishment Carlos could have imagined. Cleo, with her usual calm but no-nonsense demeanor, forbade him from entering the ship''s bar until Rex was fully recovered. For a man like Carlos, who practically lived for his evening drinks, it was a fate worse than death.

    "I can''t believe you snitched on me to the bots, Rex,"

    Carlos groaned during his next visit, flopping into a chair next to the bed.

    "I didn''t say a word,"

    Rex replied with a chuckle, lazily tossing a chip into his mouth.

    "I guess the bots just have better judgment than you do."

    Carlos narrowed his eyes suspiciously before sighing.

    "Fine, but the second you''re back on your feet, you owe me a drink or ten."

    Despite the lighthearted moments, there was something... strange about those days. Something Rex noticed but never dwelled on too much. Every time Ys came to visit him, she would always, without fail, stare at the empty space behind him.

    She wouldn''t say anything about it, but her emerald-green eyes would linger just a moment too long, her expression unreadable.

    "Ys, are you zoning out again?"

    Rex asked once, turning his head to look over his shoulder, only to find nothing there.

    "Huh? What are you talking about?" she replied quickly, snapping out of her trance and smirking at him

    . "You must be imagining things, Rex. That bedrest is making your brain soft

    ."

    Rex shrugged it off, chalking it up to Ys being her usual eccentric self. But what he didn''t notice was how Cleo''s sharp golden eyes were always watching, always paying attention.

 Chapter 122: 5 Years later.

    Later that evening, Cleo was reviewing the daily reports from the maid bots stationed in Rex¡¯s room. While most of the updates were routine, meal schedules, vitals, and exercise recommendations, one report caught her attention.

    Every day, without fail, the maid bots observed Ys staring intently at the same spot behind Rex¡¯s bed. The spot that, according to their sensors, was completely empty.

    Cleo leaned back in her chair, her wings twitching slightly as she processed this information. A faint frown crossed her lips, and she closed the reports with a flick of her wrist.

    The next time Ys came to visit Rex, Cleo intercepted her in the hallway outside his room. She raised an eyebrow, her usual smirk playing on her lips

    . "What¡¯s this? Cleo, are you jealous I¡¯m spending so much time with my darling?" Experience more tales on empire

    Cleo ignored the jab; her tone was calm but direct. "

    Y¡¯Ssera,"

    she said, addressing Ys by her full name, which instantly caught the other woman¡¯s attention.

    "I know you can see something that the rest of us can¡¯t. So tell me, What are you staring at so much every time you visit Rex?"

    Ys blinked, clearly caught off guard by the question. For a moment, she looked like she was about to deflect with another teasing remark, but something in Cleo¡¯s unwavering gaze made her stop. Her wings shifted uncomfortably as she glanced away, rubbing the back of her neck.

    "You¡¯ve noticed, huh?"

    Ys finally said, her voice quieter than usual.

    "The maid bots noticed,"

    Cleo corrected, folding her arms.

    "And I want answers. What are you seeing?"

    Ys hesitated, her usual confidence faltering for the first time in a long while. She looked back at Cleo, her smirk completely gone, replaced by an expression of mild unease.

    "I... don¡¯t know how to explain it,"

    Ys admitted.

    "It¡¯s not something solid. It¡¯s more like... a shadow. A presence."

    "A presence?"

    Cleo repeated, her voice hardening slightly.

    "Be specific."

    Ys sighed, clearly uncomfortable with the conversation.

    "It¡¯s not like I can see it in the way you¡¯d see a person. It¡¯s more like I can feel it hovering there, behind Rex. Every time I visit, it¡¯s there, just watching. Waiting. And..."

    She hesitated, her voice trailing off.

    "And what?"

    Cleo pressed, stepping closer.

    Ys finally met Cleo¡¯s gaze, her emerald eyes serious.

    "And it feels old... Really old. And really powerful. Like it doesn¡¯t belong in this world, or maybe it doesn¡¯t belong anywhere."

    Cleo¡¯s wings twitched again, her mind racing with possibilities. If Ys was sensing something beyond their understanding, it could explain Rex¡¯s strange behavior and the faint energy signature from before.

    The cracks that ran across its body extended to its head, its once-pristine features marred and broken as if someone or something had gripped it with overwhelming force and slammed it into the ground over and over again.

    From the cracks and wounds, rivers of glowing blood spilled out. But this wasn¡¯t ordinary blood. It shimmered and swirled like liquid space nebulas, glowing faintly with hues of deep purples, blues, and golds.

    The blood dripped from the figure, only to dissolve into the air, leaving behind trails of shimmering, colorful space dust that floated away like dying stars.

    Ys couldn¡¯t look at it for long without feeling a deep, gnawing unease. Something about it didn¡¯t belong in this dimension or even in the material world. It was... otherworldly. And yet, she knew one thing for certain.

    That broken, bleeding figure, despite its injuries, its incompleteness, and its sorrowful state, was Rex¡¯s astral image.

    And that revelation chilled her to her core.

    Astral images were supposed to represent the purest form of a person¡¯s soul. They were reflections of one¡¯s strength, potential, and identity.

    For an astral image to be so damaged, so utterly shattered, meant that something or someone had attacked Rex on a level far beyond the material realm.

    Wherever Rex¡¯s consciousness had gone during those missing months, he had encountered something powerful. Something dangerous. And it wasn¡¯t from this dimension.

    "Which means..."

    She whispered, her voice trailing off. Her hands tightened into fists as she tried to push away the spiraling thought

    s. "It means there¡¯s someone or something out there that can destroy an astral image like that. And if it¡¯s not from this dimension, then..."

    She shook her head, trying to banish the thoughts

    . "No point thinking about it too much. If I let my imagination run wild, I¡¯ll drive myself crazy. I¡¯ll just... ask Mama if she knows anything about this."

    Ys paused, her lips curving into a sly smile as she pushed off the wall and adjusted her wings.

    "But that can wait for later. Right now, it¡¯s my time to spend with my darling."

    She stepped toward Rex¡¯s room, her earlier unease momentarily fading as she focused on her own selfish desire to be near him.

    The door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing Rex sitting up in bed, clearly trying to sneak a chip from the snack stash Cleo had left behind despite the numerous warnings.

    [Year 5608 Imperial Galactic System]

    In the vast expanse of the galaxy, time marched on, indifferent to the lives it touched. Yet somewhere, deep within the fabric of reality, threads were unraveling. Something ancient stirred in the void between dimensions, waiting patiently as fractured pieces began to converge.

    For now, the crew of Rex¡¯s remained blissfully unaware of the growing storm. But for Rex, the visions of broken astral forms and the lingering presence behind him were just the beginning. Somewhere out there, a powerful enemy was waiting.

    Rex leaned back in the large white throne of command that now dominated the bridge of the newly upgraded flagship.

    The vessel gleamed with cutting-edge technology, its sleek design housing enough firepower to obliterate fleets. The ship had grown significantly in size and capability.

    Its firepower was now three times greater than its former medium-sized incarnation. With twice the number of automated turrets lining its hull and three devastating main cannons, it was a ship to be feared.

    The original main kinetic cannon remained as a symbol of brute force, capable of shattering enemy flagships with sheer impact, but now it was joined by an advanced laser cannon, an engineering marvel capable of melting through even the most reinforced hulls.

    With these upgrades, Rex¡¯s ship had become a moving fortress, a beacon of dominance in the sector.

    From the throne, Rex surveyed the bridge, where Cleo stood at a control console, holo-screens illuminating her sharp golden eyes as she reviewed the latest data.

    "Cleo,"

    Rex called, his voice calm yet commanding.

    "Give me the report on last month¡¯s pirate incursions in our territory."

 Chapter 123: 5 years later. (2)

    Cleo turned toward him, her expression composed as she brought up a series of charts and data feeds on the main bridge holodisplay.

    "According to your suspicions,"

    she began, her tone crisp and professiona

    l, "pirate activity has noticeably increased over the past month. However, the moment they attempt to attack any trading vessel within our patrol routes, our fighters do a warp jump in response to the distress signals. Once the pirates see our ships arrive, they immediately disengage and retreat."

    Rex rested his elbow on the armrest of his throne, his hand moving to his chin as he pondered her report. His sharp golden eyes focused on the holo display as his mind raced.

    The pattern was clear, the pirates weren¡¯t committing to their attacks. They were testing boundaries, probing defenses. But

    why?

    "Interesting,"

    Rex murmured, summoning a detailed sector map onto a holo-screen with a quick motion of his hand. The glowing projection materialized in front of him, showing the vast stretch of space under his fleet¡¯s protection.

    Trade routes, patrol paths, and star systems were marked in intricate detail.

    "Cleo,"

    Rex said, his voice steady as his eyes scanned the map,

    "show me the locations where the pirates have been appearing most frequently."

    "Understood,"

    Cleo replied, tapping a few commands into her console. Red markers began to appear on the sector map, highlighting the points where pirate ships had been detected or intercepted.

    Rex leaned forward slightly, studying the screen with a focused intensity. The markers were scattered across several key trade routes, but there was something off about the pattern.

    The pirate appearances weren¡¯t random, they formed a loose arc around a central area of the map, avoiding direct confrontation with the main fleet.

    "Hmm..."

    Rex¡¯s fingers tapped rhythmically on the armrest of his throne.

    "They¡¯re not just attacking aimlessly. They¡¯re testing us. But they¡¯re also avoiding something."

    Cleo¡¯s analytical mind worked in tandem with Rex¡¯s. She spoke up, her tone thoughtful.

    "The data suggests they¡¯re staying just outside the effective range of our fleet¡¯s main patrol routes. It¡¯s possible they¡¯re attempting to map our response times and warp jump capabilities."

    "Or,"

    Rex said, his golden eyes narrowing,

    "they¡¯re deliberately avoiding something in this region. Look here."

    He pointed to the central area of the map, which was conspicuously free of any pirate activity.

    "No incursions. No sightings. It¡¯s like they¡¯re steering clear of whatever¡¯s in this area."

    Cleo nodded, her hands moving quickly to bring up additional data.

    "I¡¯ll run a deeper scan of that region. If they¡¯re avoiding it, there¡¯s a reason. It could be a natural phenomenon, a trap set by another faction, or something entirely different."

    Rex leaned back again, a slight smirk forming on his face.

    "Good. Do it. If these pirates think they can outmaneuver us, they¡¯ve got another thing coming. I want to know what they¡¯re running from or what they¡¯re hiding."

    The bridge fell into a focused silence as Cleo worked, her fingers gliding over the controls. Data streams and sensor reports filled the holo-displays, the ship¡¯s advanced systems combing through every trace of information in the sector.

    "

    Anything unusual yet?"

    Rex asked after a moment.

    Cleo¡¯s eyes flicked to a new screen that appeared in front of her. Her brows furrowed slightly. "

    Preliminary scans show no obvious anomalies in the region, no black holes, no spatial distortions, no signs of enemy fleets. However..."

    "However?"

    Rex prompted, his smirk fading as he noticed the shift in Cleo¡¯s expression.

    "There¡¯s an unusual energy reading,"

    Cleo said carefully, her tone carrying a note of caution.

    "It¡¯s faint, almost undetectable, but it¡¯s there. Something is emitting a consistent energy signature deep within the region the pirates are avoiding."

    Rex¡¯s eyes gleamed with interest.

    "Show me."

    Cleo zoomed in on the map, highlighting the source of the energy signature. It was faint, barely registering on the ship¡¯s sensors, but it was unmistakably there, a pulsating blip of unknown origin.

    Cleo said simply, not even looking up from her reports.

    "Hold on,"

    Rex said, sitting up fully now, his voice tinged with concern.

    "You do realize that a hive mind ship would paint a giant target on our backs if anyone sees us working with it, right? People see those things and immediately think invasion! We¡¯d have the whole sector breathing down our necks!"

    Cleo remained unbothered, adjusting the holo screen with a flick of her finger.

    Enjoy more content from empire

    "There¡¯s no problem with that,

    " she replied in her usual calm tone.

    "While it¡¯s true that hive minds are considered a common threat across the galaxy, there are several races and organizations that engage in peaceful trade with them. Some even rely on hive minds for sector defense, mineral trading, planetary protection, and other services. It¡¯s not as uncommon as you think."

    Rex blinked again, his expression caught somewhere between disbelief and irritation.

    "Wait, what? You¡¯re telling me there are business deals with hive minds? Since when?"

    Cleo turned toward him with her ever-present poker face.

    "Since forever. It¡¯s all documented in the trade reports we receive from the merchants in exchange for protecting their convoys in this sector."

    She swiped her fingers, summoning several holo screens that displayed a list of recent trade agreements, intergalactic policies, and reports of hive mind interactions. The data hovered next to Rex, glowing faintly as he scanned it with wide eyes.

    "Hold on,

    " Rex said, pointing to one of the reports. "

    Why didn¡¯t you ever tell me something this important?"

    Cleo¡¯s lips twitched, though she didn¡¯t quite smile

    . "You never asked,"

    she said plainly.

    Rex froze, his finger still in midair as he stared at her.

    "...I... guess that¡¯s true,"

    he muttered, slumping back in his throne with a sigh.

    "Fine. I¡¯ll let it slide this time."

    He waved a hand at the holo screens, dismissing them from view.

    "Anyway, do we have any updates from our scouts?

    "

    Cleo tapped at her console again, her sharp eyes flicking between data streams.

    "The scouts have reported back with preliminary findings on the energy signature in the region the pirates have been avoiding,

    " she said.

    "The readings remain faint, but consistent. Whatever is there, it¡¯s still active."

    "And no visuals?"

    Rex asked, his voice taking on a more serious tone.

    "None,"

    Cleo replied

    . "It¡¯s possible the source is cloaked or exists on a dimensional level that standard sensors can¡¯t penetrate."

    Rex sighed again, rubbing his temples as he leaned back in the throne.

    "Great. Just what we need, another mystery to deal with."

    He paused, his eyes narrowing slightly as a thought crossed his min

    d. "You think Ys going to the asteroid belt might be connected to this somehow?"

    "It¡¯s possible,"

    Cleo admitted, though her tone suggested she wasn¡¯t entirely convinced.

    "Ys didn¡¯t mention anything about the energy signature, but she¡¯s not one to share information unless she deems it necessary. It wouldn¡¯t be the first time she acted on her own agenda."

    Rex groaned, pinching the bridge of his nose

    .

    "That woman¡¯s going to be the death of me one day, I swear."

 Chapter 124 Shark tactics.

    Cleo tilted her head slightly, with her expression softening.

    "She''s loyal to you, even if her methods are... unconventional. If she''s pursuing something, it''s likely for your benefit."

    Rex snorted, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

    "Yeah, yeah. I know. It''s just exhausting trying to keep up with her sometimes."

    Cleo didn''t respond, instead returning to her work as Rex stared at the glowing map of the sector still floating in the center of the bridge. Despite the banter and lightheartedness of the moment, a faint sense of unease lingered in the air.

    While Rex and Cleo focused on uncovering the secrets behind the unknown energy signal, Carlos found himself in command of the convoy protection fleet. His post wasn''t glamorous, but it was critical, especially given the increasing pirate activity in the sector.

    Today, however, he wasn''t just commanding any ordinary ship. He was seated in the command chair of the Eclipse-Class Dreadnought, the pride of the shipyard Cleo had built over the past two years in the asteroid belt.

    The Eclipse-Class Dreadnought was a marvel of engineering; it was a massive, white-and-golden behemoth that radiated an almost divine presence. Its hull shimmered with layered armor, reinforced to withstand even the most punishing attacks.

    From its sleek design extended glowing energy tendrils that pulsed faintly, like veins carrying lifeblood throughout the ship. At its core, mounted with surgical precision, was the mega-plasma cannon, a weapon capable of obliterating enemy capital ships with a single devastating shot.

    The ship also boasted state-of-the-art defensive and offensive systems.

    Energy shields are capable of enduring sustained bombardments. Drone launch bays that could deploy swarms of tactical strike drones. Tactical EMP disruptors are designed to disable enemy electronics. A dark energy reactor, which provided the ship with unparalleled long-range interstellar capabilities.

    Despite its overwhelming power, the Liberator, as Carlos had nicknamed the ship, was not invincible. Its size and firepower made it formidable against large ships and installations, but its bulk and relatively slower speed made it vulnerable to fighter swarms and bombers.

    That was where Carlos''s command and strategy came into play.

    In the past five years, Carlos had been rigorously trained by Cleo''s holographic AI systems in ship command and fleet strategy. He had grown into a competent admiral, capable of managing the Eclipse-class ship''s many systems and crews.

    However, Cleo made sure he was aware of his limits, since he wasn''t yet on par with veteran fleet commanders. If he were to face a fleet with firepower equal to the Liberator, he would lose 9 out of 10 times.

    That was why Cleo had assigned him to convoy protection duty, a practical way to gain real combat experience while staying relatively safe.

    Today, however, things wouldn''t be so simple.

    "This is Admiral Carlos of the Liberator,"

    Carlos said, his voice calm and confident as he sat in the captain''s chair, his hands resting on the armrests.

    His sharp eyes scanned the holographic display in front of him, showing the convoy of trading ships traveling in formation under his protection

    .

    "My systems are detecting multiple wormhole openings around the convoy. All ships enter cruise speed mode and prepare to engage. This is likely another pirate incursion."

    The voice of the convoy''s captain crackled over the communications. "

    This is the captain of the trading convoy. We''ve received your orders, Admiral. Moving into defensive formation under the Liberator''s protection."

    The trading ships, a mix of cargo haulers and freighters, began to cluster closer together beneath the Liberator.

    The dreadnought''s energy shields shimmered faintly as they activated, creating a protective bubble over the convoy. The advanced detection systems of the Eclipse-class ship gave them just enough time to prepare before the pirates arrived.

    Moments later, multiple wormholes began tearing open across the black void of space. From them emerged swarms of pirate fighters, small, agile, and bristling with weapons.

    They darted through the void like a swarm of angry hornets, their engines glowing faintly red as they made a beacon for the convoy. Almost immediately, they opened fire, their laser cannons pelting the Liberator''s shields with rapid bursts of energy.

    Carlos remained unfazed, his lips curling into a faint smirk. He was used to this by now.

    "Attention all gunners,"

    he said over the ship-wide communications, his voice steady.

    "However, damage to the target is null. The plasma rounds collided with an energy shield."

    Carlos frowned, his brow furrowing as he processed the report.

    "Impossible,"

    he muttered, tapping a finger against the armrest of his chair.

    "The shields on those pirate ships aren''t nearly strong enough to stop plasma rounds from the Liberator''s turrets. Something''s wrong."

    He straightened in his seat, his voice sharpening.

    "Scan the area again. Focus on energy distortions. And keep firing, whatever''s out there, we need to give it a reason to reveal itself."

    The Aegis units responded in unison, "

    Understood."

    "Pilot, keep us moving. Fly in circles and don''t stop for anything!

    " Carlos ordered. He had learned the hard way that keeping a dreadnought stationary during combat was the fastest way to die.

    An immobile ship became an easy target for bombers, capital ships, or worse. Now, he always ensured that the Liberator remained in motion, leveraging its powerful engines to maintain a defensive edge.

    Sometimes, when the odds were desperate enough, Carlos had even resorted to using the Liberator''s formidable energy shields as a battering ram, slamming into enemy ships with devastating force. Today wasn''t quite that desperate yet but he wasn''t about to take any chances.

    "Sir,"

    one of the Aegis units interrupted,

    "our sensors are detecting a large ship in stealth mode. Displaying its coordinates now."

    The holo-screen updated, marking the location of the hidden ship. Carlos leaned closer, narrowing his eyes at the faint signature. But before he could give the next command, the Liberator was rocked violently as something massive slammed into its side.

    The collision sent sparks flying across the bridge, the force causing Carlos to grip the armrests of his chair tightly to keep from being thrown. The ship groaned under the strain, and the glowing shields of the Liberator flared brightly as they absorbed the brunt of the impact.

    "Report!"

    Carlos yelled, his voice cutting through the chaos.

    "Sir,"

    an Aegis unit replied calmly,

    "30% of our energy shields have been depleted. The shields are continuing to weaken at an accelerated rate due to sustained contact with the enemy vessel."

    Carlos cursed under his breath, his mind racing. Whoever or

    whatever

    had just rammed the Liberator was big, and they clearly weren''t afraid to engage directly.

    "Dammit! Pilot, turn us to the right! Bring the enemy ship fully into contact with our shields. Let''s see how long they can stay cloaked while touching us!"

    The Liberator''s engines roared to life as the massive ship began to pivot. Its shields flared even brighter as the hull pressed harder against the unseen vessel.

    The strain was immense, but the gamble paid off. Within moments, the cloaked enemy ship flickered into visibility, its stealth systems overwhelmed by the intense energy feedback.

    Carlos didn''t hesitate.

    "Fire all weapons in that direction! I don''t care what it is, take it out!"

 Chapter 125 Revenant Ascendancy.

    The Liberator''s turrets rotated with mechanical precision, locking onto the exposed target. Plasma rounds streaked through space, slamming into the enemy ship''s hull with devastating accuracy.

    Under the relentless barrage, the enemy''s shields faltered, collapsing entirely as the massive vessel was torn apart.

    Explosions rippled across its structure as pieces of the ship broke away, scattering into the void. The larger fragments drifted lifelessly, glowing faintly with the heat of the plasma impacts.

    Carlos allowed himself a small grin of satisfaction.

    "That''s what you get for ramming my ship,"

    he muttered. But his satisfaction was short-lived.

    "Sir,"

    one of the Aegis units said, its voice cutting through the bridge''s tense silence,

    "sensors are detecting additional energy readings. Another ship has decloaked. It is significantly larger than the first."

    Carlos''s grin faded instantly.

    "On screen,"

    he ordered.

    The holo-display updated, and Carlos''s eyes widened as the second ship appeared. It wasn''t like anything he had expected. The massive vessel floated ominously in the void, its design angular and alien.

    It was covered in dark, jagged plating that seemed to shift and shimmer, giving it an otherworldly presence. Energy pulsated through glowing veins along its hull, and its weapon systems glowed with a menacing red hue.

    "What the fuck is that?"

    Carlos muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    The librarian''s systems

    scrambled to analyze the vessel, and a stream of data began appearing on the holo-screen. Carlos quickly turned to one of the Aegis units.

    "Quickly! Scan that ship. I need to know who it belongs to!"

    The Aegis unit worked silently for a moment, its systems processing the information. Finally, it spoke:

    "

    Sir, the ship belongs to..."

    It hesitated, as if the words themselves carried a weight too heavy for even its robotic voice.

    "...the Revenant Ascendancy."

    Carlos''s blood ran cold. He had heard stories of the Revenant Ascendancy, nightmarish tales whispered in hushed tones by veteran captains and survivors of deep-space battles. The Revenant weren''t pirates, nor were they a typical faction.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    They were something far worse, an enigmatic force known for their advanced, almost alien technology, their terrifyingly efficient warships, and their ruthless tactics. Entire fleets had disappeared without a trace after encountering them, and their motives remained shrouded in mystery.

    "Of all the damn days..."

    Carlos muttered, gripping the armrests of his chair tightly.

    "Sir,

    " the Aegis unit continued

    , "the Revenant vessel is charging weapons. Incoming energy surge detected."

    "Shit,"

    As Cleo relayed orders, dozens of fighters launched from the Cleopatra''s bays, swarming toward the enemy ships. Their goal was clear: disable the engines and leave the ships vulnerable.

    But before the fighters could fully engage, Cleo''s voice rang out with another warning.

    "Warning: multiple warp signatures detected. Analyzing... the signatures match known pirate vessels."

    Rex''s jaw tightened as he turned his gaze to the direction Cleo was staring. Space itself seemed to ripple and distort, like a pond disturbed by stones. One by one, smaller wormholes began to tear open, and from them emerged hundreds of pirate fighters, their engines glowing red as they swarmed into the battlefield.

    "Shit,"

    Rex muttered under his breath. "

    They got us."

    He turned toward Cleo, his expression resolved. "

    Cleo, I''m giving you command of the forces. I''ll be going out with the 201st flying wing."

    Cleo''s holographic form turned to face him, her golden eyes locking onto his. She gave a curt nod.

    "Understood. Enemy weapon systems have been categorized as highly dangerous. Permission to use the main guns has been granted. Locking onto targets... Objective locked. Firing."

    As Rex made his way to the elevator, the ship''s main cannons roared to life. The Cleopatra''s primary weapons systems were a spectacle of destructive power.

    The first two main cannons, mounted along the ship''s spine, fired enormous kinetic rounds. These shells were designed for pure explosive force, capable of obliterating even heavily armored ships with direct hits.

    The massive projectiles streaked through space, slamming into the enemy ship to the right. The explosion was deafening, sending shockwaves ripping through the void and forcing the enemy shields to flicker under the strain.

    The third main cannon, the largest and most advanced of them all, was positioned near the bow. Unlike its counterparts, it was a laser-based weapon, designed to unleash a devastating beam of concentrated energy.

    Cleo stood on the cannon in her holographic form, monitoring its charging process. It would take time to fully power up, but when it fired, it would be capable of slicing through even the strongest defenses.

    Meanwhile, the bridge crew worked furiously under Cleo''s command, relaying orders to the fighter squadrons. The smaller ships swarmed around the pirate fighters, engaging them in chaotic dogfights. Explosions lit up the darkness as ships on both sides were destroyed.

    While Cleo managed the chaos, Rex had already arrived at the massive hangar, where the 201st Flying Wing awaited him in perfect formation. The Aegis pilots, clad in their sleek, gold-trimmed combat suits, stood at attention the moment they saw him enter.

    Their metallic frames shimmered faintly under the hangar''s lights, and their visors reflected the determined glow of Rex''s golden eyes.

    "Listen up!"

    Rex yelled, his voice cutting through the low hum of the hangar''s systems. He strode toward the shield door that separated the hangar from the endless void of space, his footsteps echoing with purpose.

    "It''s our turn to head out there and take the fight to those bastards. Let''s show them what my 201st Legion can really do!"

    The Aegis pilots responded in unison, their voices synthesized but filled with a soldier''s determination.

    "Yes, Commander Rex!"

    As Rex continued walking toward the shield door, a faint golden glow began to emanate from his back. It started as a soft shimmer, but within seconds, a radiant golden halo appeared, floating on his back and pulsing with energy.

    Streams of golden light coursed down from the halo, flowing into Rex''s body and causing his armor to hum with life.

    [Overdrive mode activated.]

    The calm, feminine voice of Cleo''s AI interface echoed in his ears.

    [Space combat weaponry selected.] [Preparing deployment... please stand by.]

    Rex smirked, his confidence growing as the systems fully engaged. He and Cleo had spent years perfecting this upgrade. Ever since their fusion five years ago, he''d been able to draw on Cleo''s advanced technology and production systems.

    Cleo had installed a portion of her consciousness directly into his internal systems, allowing her to monitor his combat status and control the deployment of his newly designed weaponry. This freed Rex to focus entirely on the fight.

    As the golden light from his halo continued to flood into him, Rex''s body began to change. His height, already imposing, grew even taller as the nanomaterials stored within his halo began to integrate into his frame.

    His natural build was reinforced, layer by layer, with white and golden mecha-like armor that gleamed under the hangar''s lights.

 Chapter 126 Revenant Ascendancy. (2)

    The transformation was awe-inspiring. Rex now stood a towering three meters tall, his form exuding an overwhelming presence.

    The armor was both elegant and deadly, adorned with intricate gold engravings and glowing lines of plasma energy coursing across its surface. A pair of magnificent white wings unfurled from his back, their radiant glow casting long shadows across the hangar floor.

    This was Rex''s upgraded combat form, a miniature version of the fusion he had once achieved with Cleo. Though it was only a fraction of the power they had wielded together, it was still enough to rival and even surpass many pirate ships in raw strength.

    Thanks to Cleo''s efforts, Rex''s Golden Halo acted as both an energy reservoir and a storage device for nanomaterials.

    Over the years, Cleo had utilized the asteroid belt and the trading station''s resources to produce vast quantities of nanomaterials, pure plasma energy, and advanced weapon blueprints. These were stored in the halo, ready to be deployed at a moment''s notice.

    "Systems online,"

    Cleo''s AI voice chimed in.

    [Weapons active. Energy reserves are stable. Shields at maximum capacity.]

    "You are clear for combat, Rex."

    Rex flexed his armored fingers, the servos humming smoothly as he clenched his fists. His voice carried a sharp edge as he addressed the 201st Flying Wing.

    "Suit up and get to your fighters! We''re taking the fight to them, and I don''t want a single one of those bastards leaving this battlefield in one piece."

    The Aegis pilots saluted again before breaking formation and heading to their sleek fighters, which were prepped and ready to launch.

    The 201st was no ordinary fighter wing; they were elite, handpicked for their precision and unrelenting combat skill. And with Rex leading them into battle, morale couldn''t have been higher.

    Rex stepped forward toward the hangar shield, his towering frame nearly brushing the ceiling. His wings twitched slightly as he rolled his shoulders, the armor settling perfectly into place.

    He activated his helmet, which extended from his chest plate and snapped into position around his head. The golden visor lit up, giving him a heads-up display of the battlefield.

    "Open the shield,"

    Rex commanded, his voice calm but filled with authority.

    The hangar''s energy barrier flickered, revealing the black void of space beyond. The cold light of distant stars spilled into the hangar as Rex stepped forward, his wings spreading wide. With a single powerful motion, he launched himself into the vacuum, his golden armor glowing like a beacon in the darkness.

    The 201st followed closely behind, their fighters roaring out of the hangar in perfect formation.

    As Rex and the 201st entered the fray, the scale of the chaos became clear. Cleo''s voice echoed in his communications.

    "Current battlefield status: Cleopatra surrounded by two enemy capital ships. Additional pirate reinforcements detected; estimated 200 fighters incoming. Main cannon charging sequence at 45%. Reinforcements unavailable."

    "Looks like we''re on our own for now,"

    Experience more content on empire

    Rex muttered, scanning the scene. The Cleopatra was holding its own, its shields absorbing heavy fire from the two capital ships. The ship''s turrets fired relentlessly, cutting down pirate fighters and bombers, but the sheer number of enemies was overwhelming.

    "First, listen up!"

    Rex barked over the communications.

    "Your priority is taking out those capital ships'' engines. Focus your fire and disable their mobility. I''ll handle the fighters.

    "

    "Understood, Commander!"

    came the unified response of the Aegis pilots.

    Rex propelled himself into the swarm of pirate fighters, his wings glowing as bursts of plasma energy fired from their tips. His targeting systems locked onto multiple enemies at once, and with pinpoint precision, he unleashed a storm of golden energy bolts.

    Fighters exploded around him in dazzling bursts of fire and debris as he weaved through the chaos with ease.

    Two pirate fighters broke off from the swarm, attempting to flank him. Rex twisted in midair, his armor''s servos responding instantly as he drew two plasma blades from his forearms.

    Rex yelled, taking aim and unleashing the full power of the cannon.

    The golden laser surged forth, a blinding beam of pure destruction that struck the engines with devastating force. The energy rippled across the ship''s surface, causing its armored plating to buckle and rupture.

    The 201st followed his lead, their Wraith-class fighters swooping in and peppering the engines with concentrated plasma cannon fire.

    As the fighters closed the distance, they released their payloads, precision missiles designed to detonate upon contact with the exposed engine vents. Each missile hit its mark, and within moments, the enemy capital ship''s engines were a blazing inferno of destruction.

    Explosions rippled along the ship''s rear, sending debris and shockwaves outward as critical systems began to fail. The once-mighty vessel shuddered violently, its mobility crippled.

    "Cleo, this ship is a sitting duck already!

    " Rex called through the comms as his cannon began to disintegrate, the nanomaterials being reabsorbed into the golden halo on his back.

    "I''m taking the 201st to deal with the pirate fighters and keep them off Cleopatra!"

    Cleo''s voice, calm but firm, came back instantly. "

    Negative, Rex. The enemy has deployed multiple transport ships and boarding pods. They''ve already breached the Cleopatra. I recommend you return immediately to reinforce the interior defense."

    Rex''s golden eyes narrowed, his armor glowing faintly as he turned his fighter back toward the Cleopatra.

    "There''s no need for me to do that,

    " he said confidently, dodging another barrage of laser fire from the crippled capital ship as he retreated.

    "The twins are there. They can take care of it."

    Cleo''s response came with a hint of exasperation.

    "While the twins are capable, there are significant numbers of boarding parties. This situation could escalate beyond their capacity to manage."

    "Relax, Cleo,

    " Rex replied, smirking as he boosted forward.

    "They''ve got this."

    Deep within the Cleopatra, chaos erupted as enemy boarding pods breached the ship''s hull. The corridors were filled with the sound of alarms blaring and the clash of weapons as pirate raiders spilled out, their intentions clear: sabotage the ship and kill anyone in their path.

    But the invaders quickly realized that they had made a grave mistake.

    Standing at the entrance to the critical systems room were two humanoid figures, identical in appearance and radiating the same unshakable aura of a predator. The little bats, as Rex affectionately called them, were already trained warriors designed to search and destroy their enemies in seconds.

    "You take the left, I take the right?"

    Nyra asked, her voice steady but laced with amusement.

    "Switch it up this time,"

    Lyra replied with a shrug, her bloody glaives flicking behind her as she took a combat stance.

    The pirates didn''t have time to react before the twins launched their assault. Nyra surged forward, her greatsword swinging in a deadly arc that cleaved through the raiders like a blade through water.

    Her movements were impossibly strong for someone her size, each strike calculated to maximize efficiency and devastation.

    Lyra was no less lethal. She danced through the enemy ranks, her glaives spinning in elegant yet deadly patterns. Each strike found its mark, cutting down raiders with brutal precision. The pair moved like a storm, their synergy unmatched as they tore through the invaders.

    "Too easy,"

    Lyra said, tossing one of her glaives like a spear and impaling a raider who thought he could escape.

    "Don''t get cocky,"

    Nyra replied, blocking a hail of laser fire with her greatsword''s bloody shield before charging forward and slamming into the remaining group of raiders.

 Chapter 127 Revenant Ascendancy. (3)

    "Nyra, Lyra,"

    Cleo''s voice echoed through the communicator, calm yet filled with urgency,

    "leave the current area to the Kaelzar units. They''ll arrive in approximately two minutes. Your priority now is the hangar, enemy transport ships are closing in, and they''re not pirates. Be extremely cautious. We have limited data on them, only their name and superficial details."

    As she spoke, Cleo transmitted the fastest route to the hangar directly to their arm devices. The GPS-like system lit up with a glowing blue path, guiding them through the ship''s labyrinth of corridors.

    "Understood, Teacher,"

    Lyra replied through the communicator, her voice steady. She sprinted after her sister, Nyra, who was already ahead of her, cutting down any pirates unfortunate enough to cross her path.

    The two sisters, moved with lethal precision, their weapons slicing through their enemies like whispers of death.

    Nyra, with her crimson blade glowing faintly, didn''t stop to respond. She preferred action over words. With each step, her strikes were so fast and decisive that the pirates barely had time to comprehend their fates before collapsing into lifeless heaps.

    Inside one of the enemy drop pods that had breached the Cleopatra, a small group of pirates sat nervously, their backs pressed against the walls as they debated their next move.

    "They''ve left the area,"

    one pirate whispered, peeking out of the pod''s window.

    "Yeah, I saw them too,"

    another muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. "

    Those... those women... they''re gone."

    "Good,"

    the first pirate said, his voice gaining a shred of confidence.

    "Let''s jump out and search for the shield generator room. That''s the target, right?"

    "Do you think this is a good idea?"

    another pirate asked hesitantly, gripping his weapon tightly.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    "I mean, we don''t even know what kind of soldiers these people have."

    "So what? Anything is better than dealing with those crazy women! If the soldiers haven''t arrived here yet, it means they''re busy with the other teams. We''ll move fast and be out before anyone notices us. Now follow me."

    The lead pirate climbed out of the drop pod, his boots hitting the floor with a metallic thud. The others hesitated but eventually followed, their weapons held close to their chests.

    "Alright, let''s try this side first,"

    the leader said, pointing down a dimly lit corridor. They moved cautiously, their eyes darting to every shadow.

    But something felt... wrong.

    After a few steps, the leader noticed the silence.

    "Why are you guys so quiet? Still scared of what might be here?"

    he asked, turning around to look at his team.

    What he saw froze him to the core.

    His teammates were standing still, their bodies upright... but their heads were gone. The clean cuts at their necks were so precise and fast that the bodies hadn''t even collapsed yet. Blood began to spill as the headless forms toppled one by one.

    "Wha-what?! What''s going on?!"

    The pirate stammered, stumbling backward, his weapon trembling in his hands.

    As he retreated, his back hit something cold and unyielding. His breath caught in his throat, his entire body freezing in terror. Before he could turn around, he felt the icy touch of something sharp pressing against the back of his neck.

    The last thing the pirate saw was his own body standing there headless, as his vision faded to the ceiling above him.

    The transport vessels were massive, with bulky hulls and reinforced plating, clearly built for more than just pirates. These weren''t ordinary raiders.

    "

    Understood,"

    Cleo''s voice replied through their comms, calm as ever.

    "You and your Bloody Legion will be in charge of stopping them. Consider this a live training exercise to learn how to command your forces effectively. Your objective is simple: hold the line and endure until Rex arrives to reinforce you."

    "R-Rex is coming?"

    Lyra whispered, a faint flush rising to her cheeks. Her voice was quiet, but it couldn''t escape Nyra''s sharp, vampiric hearing.

    Nyra turned her head slowly, raising an eyebrow at her twin before breaking into a mischievous smirk. Without warning, she raised her hand and delivered a playful

    spank

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    to Lyra''s rear.

    "Ouch! What was that for?!"

    Lyra hissed, rubbing her sore backside as she glared at her sister. Her cheeks now burned brighter, both from the sting and the embarrassment.

    "Hehe,"

    Nyra chuckled, striking a proud pose with one hand on her hip and the other pointing dramatically at Lyra

    . "That''s what you get for having such a big butt! It was clearly asking for it!"

    "What big sister?! We''re twins!

    " Lyra shot back, her face still flushed. "

    And you have a big butt too! Maybe even bigger than mine!"

    Nyra smirked even wider, not missing a beat. "

    Don''t be so rude to your big sister, little Lyra!"

    she teased, ignoring the fact that they were the exact same age.

    Lyra stood up abruptly, fuming as she clenched her fists.

    "Oh, that''s it! You''re so getting kicked for that!"

    But before Lyra could make good on her threat, Nyra laughed and jumped down from the container, dashing toward the Bloody Legion as if nothing had happened.

    "Catch me later, little sis! Right now, we''ve got invaders to crush!"

    Nyra''s teasing demeanor vanished the moment she reached the Bloody Legion, a force made up of two distinct groups. The Aegis units, upgraded to sport a striking red-and-gold design, stood in disciplined ranks, their advanced combat systems ready to execute commands.

    Alongside them were the Blood Clan Assassins, shadowy and lethal warriors who had once been feared across countless battlefields.

    Now, however, the assassins were bound by the progenitor aura of the twins, serving them with unwavering loyalty. The assassins believed they were merely following the natural order, submitting to the more powerful vampires who had bested them in combat.

    They had no idea that Nyra and Lyra were progenitors, beings of such immense power that their influence was absolute.

    The twins, now 18 years old, were a far cry from the children they had once been. Their once-innocent features had matured into striking, almost ethereal beauty, with sharp, alluring eyes and graceful yet powerful frames.

    Their special combat armor, developed by Cleo with regenerative technology inspired by the Blood Clan''s ancient designs, clung to their forms, enhancing their agility and offering unmatched protection.

    The armor''s tight fit and elegant design only accentuated their already stunning appearances, a fact that often left their enemies distracted and regretful.

    Nyra strode confidently to the front of the Bloody Legion, her crimson blade resting against her shoulder as she addressed the troops.

 Chapter 128 Rocks.

    "Remember everyone!"

    Nyra shouted, her voice ringing out above the chaotic hum of descending engines.

    "Hold your fire! Do not shoot the transport ships! Let them land; otherwise, Teacher will lose her mind about us wrecking the hangar bay!"

    Her crimson eyes scanned the Bloody Legion, her command ensuring that discipline remained tight even as the massive transport ships loomed overhead.

    Cleo had made it clear in her instructions that the hangar bay wasn''t just a battlefield; it was a vital operational hub. Damaging it would jeopardize more than just this fight; it could cost lives.

    The transport ships were unlike anything Nyra had seen from pirates before. Their reinforced hulls glinted under the artificial lights, clearly military-grade, not slapped-together scrap heaps.

    As the first vessel landed with a metallic groan, its side doors hissed open, revealing rows of heavily armored soldiers, their forms obscured by black, angular plates that glowed faintly with ominous red energy lines.

    These weren''t pirates.

    Their weapons looked terrifyingly advanced, sleek, and menacing. Not a single crude blaster among them. The moment the soldiers disembarked, chaos erupted. The air filled with the deafening roar of gunfire and the shrill whine of lasers.

    Even the manual turrets mounted on top of the transport ships came alive, spraying relentless fire at anything that moved.

    "Return fire!!"

    Nyra shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. She darted out of cover, dodging a hail of metallic bullets while blocking several laser blasts with her shimmering red energy shield.

    Lyra, meanwhile, wasn''t faring as well.

    "SIS!

    " she yelled, clumsily ducking behind a nearby container as bullets and lasers rained around her. Her personal energy shield flared under the constant barrage, flickering dangerously.

    "I don''t think those are pirates!"

    Nyra, even while dodging fire, found time to roll her eyes.

    "I think that''s pretty obvious at this point!"

    she snapped. Then, noticing Lyra''s exposed position, her tone shifted to one of annoyance. "

    And stop talking and find cover! You''re getting shot too much!"

    Without waiting for her sister to comply, Nyra crafted a pair of crimson chains from her blood, their metallic sheen glinting under the harsh lights. The chains shot out with incredible speed, wrapping around Lyra''s waist and yanking her backward toward Nyra''s position.

    Lyra let out a surprised yelp as she was dragged behind the same cargo container Nyra was using for cover.

    "Ouch!"

    Lyra whined, rubbing her butt with an indignant expression.

    "What was that for?!"

    Nyra gave her a pointed look, smirking.

    "What? You were about to get shot! Besides, you should thank me. You owe your big sister for saving your big butt!"

    Lyra glared, her cheeks flushing.

    "We''re twins! Stop acting like you''re older! And my butt isn''t even that big!"

    Nyra grinned but didn''t respond, her attention already back on the battlefield.

    Above them, the Aegis units stationed on the second floor were proving to be a serious problem for the invaders.

    Their plasma rifles tore through enemy ranks, with each shot hitting with pinpoint precision. The enemy soldiers, despite their advanced equipment, found it difficult to deal with the relentless barrage. For every move they made, another plasma bolt would cut through their lines.

    The leader of the enemy boarding party, standing just outside one of the transport ships, growled in frustration.

    "Tell the gunners to focus fire on the second floor! Suppress those units, now!"

    One of his subordinates nodded, immediately relaying the order through a communication device. Moments later, the transport ships'' mounted turrets swiveled upward, unleashing a rain of bullets and lasers at the Aegis units on the second floor.

    The once-dominant plasma fire began to falter as the gunners forced the Aegis units to take cover.

    "Got it, Teacher,"

    Nyra replied, grinning despite the chaos.

    "See, Lyra? Told you it wasn''t just about swinging blades around like a maniac."

    Lyra rolled her eyes, spinning her tentacles defensively as she prepared for the next wave.

    "Just focus, sis. We''ve got a lot of ''rocks'' to crush before Rex gets here."

    "Rocks or not,"

    Nyra said, her grin widening,

    "they''re still going to regret landing here."

    [Warning, energy shield at 2%], On the Cleopatra''s command bridge, a red holo-screen suddenly flared into existence, glowing ominously beside Cleo''s holographic form. The message was simple yet foreboding.

    [Activating Armored Mode.]

    Cleo''s calm, serene voice echoed across the ship''s systems as she confirmed the order.

    "Initiating transformation to armored mode. All personnel, brace for structural reconfiguration."

    From the outside, the Cleopatra began to undergo a dramatic transformation. Its once sleek and elegant design, a ship of pristine beauty and engineering, was replaced by something far more menacing.

    Thick layers of reinforced armor panels emerged from concealed compartments, sliding into place with mechanical precision. The glowing golden trims and artistic curves were swallowed by angular, utilitarian plating.

    Turrets repositioned themselves behind additional protective covers, and missile bays were fortified.

    The Cleopatra no longer resembled a marvel of craftsmanship, it was now a fortress in space, a vessel designed to endure and retaliate against overwhelming force.

    But the transformation was not instantaneous. As the Cleopatra shifted into its armored configuration, its energy shields began to flicker and finally collapsed under the relentless barrage from the remaining enemy capital ship.

    "Shields are down,"

    Cleo noted , her golden eyes narrowing as her sensors detected the enemy ship''s main cannons turning toward her vessel''s most vulnerable area, the command bridge.

    The glowing tips of the enemy ship''s massive cannons unleashed their fury, and in an instant, two titanic energy blasts surged toward the Cleopatra''s bridge.

    They landed with devastating precision, the sheer force of the impact shrouding the entire bridge tower in a thick cloud of smoke and debris. The impact sent tremors rippling through the ship.

    For a moment, the battlefield went silent, both friend and foe watching to see if the command center had been obliterated.

    Through the smoke, Cleo''s voice cut through, calm and confident as always.

    "It seems I''m not the only one who thinks targeting the bridge is the most useful strategy."

    A faint smile graced her lips, even in the face of what seemed like disaster.

    As the smoke cleared, the Cleopatra''s bridge tower was revealed, still standing tall. Its surface was unmarred, glowing faintly with golden energy coursing through intricate patterns etched into the armor.

    Upon closer inspection, a honeycomb-shaped energy shield shimmered around the structure, reinforcing it further.

    "But I''m not foolish enough to ignore a countermeasure for something I would do myself,"

    Cleo said, her voice carrying a sharp edge of amusement.

    The energy shield surrounding the bridge was one of Cleo''s most advanced defenses, an independent adaptive barrier matrix that only activated when the ship''s shields were down.

    Unlike standard shields, this system was designed specifically to protect critical sections of the ship from concentrated fire, ensuring that even a direct hit from a capital-class cannon wouldn''t breach the command center.

    The enemy ship hesitated, its bridge crew likely stunned by the failed strike. Cleo took advantage of the pause. Her holographic form raised a hand, pointing a single finger toward the now-vulnerable capital ship.

    "Nice try,"

    she said coolly, her expression unchanging. "B

    ut now, it''s my turn to return the gift."

    With her command, the Cleopatra''s main cannons rotated with mechanical precision, their glowing barrels locking onto the enemy ship. The air on the bridge was tense, the silence before the storm, as Cleo prepared to fire.

 Chapter 129 Rocks (2)

    Meanwhile, elsewhere in the chaos of the battlefield, Rex was locked in a brutal dogfight. His golden armor gleamed as he soared through the void, weaving and twisting to avoid enemy fire.

    The 201st Flying Wing fought valiantly around him, their sleek Wraith-class fighters engaging both pirate ships and the new enemy fighters, which moved with eerie, almost unnatural precision.

    These new fighters were unlike anything Rex had seen before. Their designs resembled floating rhombuses of jagged rock, glowing faintly with intricate energy patterns etched across their surfaces.

    Their appearance was alien and ancient, and their method of attack was both terrifying and reckless.

    Instead of engaging in traditional gunfire, these strange fighters would ram into their targets, using their reinforced bodies as weapons. The force of their impact was catastrophic, often resulting in the complete destruction of the enemy ship, though at the cost of their own.

    "Rex!"

    Cleo''s voice came through his comms; her tone clipped with urgency.

    "Those fighters are kamikaze-class drones. Avoid direct engagement. They''re designed to target anything larger than a shuttle with overwhelming kinetic force."

    "Yeah, I noticed,"

    Rex replied, narrowly dodging one of the drones as it hurtled toward him. The glowing rhomb scraped against his shields before spinning off into the void.

    "They''re like suicidal meteors with engines. Real friendly."

    Another drone locked onto Rex, its glowing patterns intensifying as it powered up for a final charge. Rex made a sharp dive, his golden wings flaring as he increased thrust to maximum. The drone followed, its trajectory locked, closing the distance rapidly.

    "Mini Cleo!

    " Rex shouted.

    "Deploy countermeasures now!"

    [Deploying plasma mines] Mini Cleo responded in her cheerful, robotic tone.

    Three glowing golden orbs shot out from Rex golden halo, floating briefly before detonating in brilliant explosions. The pursuing drone was caught in the blast, disintegrating instantly as its energy core overloaded.

    Rex let out a breath, his focus never faltering. Around him, the 201st fighters were adapting quickly to the new enemy, using their superior maneuverability to lure the kamikaze drones into traps or crash them into each other.

    Even so, the fight was brutal. Several Wraith-class fighters had already been lost, their debris drifting silently through the void. But the Kaelzars, true to their nature, pressed on with unrelenting determination.

    "Rex!"

    Lyra''s voice broke through his communications.

    "How''s it going up there?"

    "Peachy,"

    Rex replied dryly, narrowly dodging another charging drone.

    "What about you and Nyra? You better not be getting yourselves killed."

    "We''re fine!"

    Lyra replied quickly, though the sound of gunfire and explosions in the background suggested otherwise.

    "We''re winning, idiot!"

    Nyra''s voice cut in, laced with her usual confidence.

    "Don''t take too long up there. We''ve got the ground fight under control, but these guys are built like rocks, literally."

    "Yeah, I noticed that too,"

    Rex said, smirking despite the chaos.

    "Keep them busy. I''ll clean up the skies and join you soon."

    Back on the Cleopatra, the main cannons had finished locking onto their target. Cleo''s voice carried across the ship''s systems:

    "The enemy capital ship is locked. Main cannons are fully charged. Opening fire."

    The Cleopatra''s main weapons roared to life. The two kinetic cannons unleashed devastating rounds, each shot streaking through the void with blinding speed. The rounds struck the enemy ship''s hull, punching through its armor and sending shockwaves rippling across its structure.

    Then, the third main cannon, the laser cannon, powered by Cleo''s advanced energy systems, fired its golden beam. The weapon unleashed a blinding ray of concentrated energy, carving through the void and slamming directly into the enemy''s command tower.

    The beam didn''t just pierce the hull; it vaporized it. The enemy''s bridge exploded in a cascade of fire and debris, the ship''s systems faltering as command functions were obliterated. Secondary explosions erupted across the ship''s surface as its core destabilized.

    "The enemy vessel has been neutralized,"

    For a moment, the communicator voice chanel was filled only with the sound of Rex''s labored breathing as he struggled to think of another solution. His mind raced, searching for anything,

    anything

    that could be done to close the distance to Carlos in time.

    Before Rex could spiral further into his frustration, a familiar, sultry voice cut through the comms.

    "Heheh... I heard everything, darling,"

    the voice cooed, dripping with amusement and mischief.

    Rex froze, his golden eyes narrowing.

    "Ys?!"

    On the other end, Ys''s voice was laced with her usual playful tone, but there was a dangerous edge beneath it.

    "That bald little friend of yours is in trouble, yes? Don''t worry, darling, I''m already en route to his coordinates. I''ll be arriving in five minutes... or less."

    "Five minutes?!"

    he echoed, his voice filled with equal parts relief and irritation.

    "Wait... how the hell are you even there?!"

    "Let''s just say I had a feeling something fun was going to happen in that direction,"

    Ys replied, the sound of her laughter echoing faintly through the comms.

    "Besides, I''ve been itching to test out the gift my dear mother gave me."

    Rex''s brow furrowed.

    "Gift? Wait, don''t tell me..."

    "Oh, I won''t ruin the surprise,"

    Ys purred, her voice practically dripping with glee.

    "Let''s just say that these enemies of yours, these ''big ships,'' as the bald one calls them, they''re about to regret showing up today."

    On the Liberator, Carlos gritted his teeth as the ship groaned under yet another volley of enemy fire. Sparks flew from consoles around him, and the bridge crew scrambled to keep the vessel functional.

    "Status report!"

    Carlos shout, his voice sharp as he clung to his captain''s chair, which shook violently under the strain.

    "Shields are gone, Admiral!"

    one of the Aegis units reported, its robotic voice unwavering despite the chaos

    . "Hull integrity at 32%. Weapon systems at 45% capacity. Reactor output is insufficient to maintain sustained fire."

    Carlos swore under his breath, slamming a hand on the armrest of his chair.

    "Damn it! These bastards came out of nowhere!"

    The Liberator was outmatched. The two enemy capital ships that had ambushed him were relentless, their coordinated attacks leaving him no room to maneuver.

    The Liberator''s energy reserves were drained from previous battles, leaving it unable to maintain its shields. Carlos had managed to land a few solid hits on one of the ships, but it wasn''t enough to turn the tide.

    "Admiral,"

    another Aegis unit called out

    , "we are detecting an incoming warp signature. Unknown vessel approaching fast."

    Carlos''s eyes widened slightly.

    "Reinforcements?!"

    Before the Aegis unit could respond, the ship shook again as another barrage of enemy fire struck its weakened hull. Alarms blared, and Carlos grabbed the armrests of his chair to steady himself.

    "If it''s not reinforcements, we''re screwed anyway,"

    Carlos muttered, his tone grim.

 Chapter 130 Battle suit Argos.

    "No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Deploy the defensive units! And show me where those bastards are!"

    Carlos shouted, his voice cutting through the blaring alarms. He took off his coat and tossed it aside, already feeling the adrenaline pumping through his veins. Combat was inevitable, and he was ready for it.

    ["The enemies are moving near the main cannon,"]

    the ship''s AI reported, its calm voice contrasting with the chaos around them. [

    "There is a high probability they are attempting to disable it."]

    Carlos slammed his fist on the console, his jaw tightening.

    "Those sons of¡ª! Start charging the main cannon and aim it at the nearest enemy shield. How are the engines holding up?"

    ["Charging the main cannon... 3 percent and rising,"]

    the AI replied.

    ["The engines are at 60 percent integrity. Our fighters are holding the line, but the asteroid field is causing severe damage. Impact detected. Engine integrity is now 58 percent."]

    Carlos cursed under his breath as the screen lit up with red warnings. Every hit to the engines felt like a punch to his gut.

    "If those engines go down, we''ll be dead in the water. Keep charging the cannon. I''m heading to the main cannon control room. We can''t let those bastards take it!"

    Behind him stood his personal battle suit, Argos, a towering mechanical marvel at 2.5 meters tall. Its sleek frame gleamed under the dim lighting of the command bridge, bristling with weapons and a reserve of nanomaterials for crafting melee weapons.

    This suit wasn''t just a machine; it was his lifeline, custom-built by Cleo under Rex''s personal orders.

    "Battle suit Argos, activate,"

    Carlos commanded, stepping into the cockpit. The suit came alive, a low hum vibrating through the air as the interface synced with him.

    ["Engines at full power. Ammo stocked. Shields at 55 percent and climbing. Awaiting further orders,"]

    the AI intoned.

    Carlos grinned, gripping the suit''s controls. "

    Let''s give them hell. What''s the status of the merchant convoy?"

    "The merchant convoy is secured in the hangar bay. The 198th Legion Argos is protecting them."

    "Good. We lose those assets, and we might as well surrender. Half the Royal Guards, with me! The rest, defend the bridge!"

    Carlos stomped toward the bridge exit, the metallic thud of his battle suit echoing through the halls. The Royal Guards, heavily armed Aegis Sentinels, snapped into action, their glowing visors reflecting the chaos around them.

    From the shadows, the stealthy Phantom Units followed, their movements silent and precise.

    As Carlos and his team advanced, the ship trembled under a barrage of enemy fire. He could already hear the clashes ahead, the sound of metal tearing, weapons discharging, and something heavy crashing into the walls. When the enemy came into view, his blood boiled.

    They were massive golems, standing over two meters tall with jagged, rock-like bodies that glowed faintly from within. These weren''t mere soldiers; they were living weapons, stomping through his ship like they owned it. And judging by the way they moved, they knew exactly where to go.

    Carlos smirked, despite the tension tightening his chest.

    "Oh, you think you''ve got me all figured out, huh? You think I''m just some amateur admiral ripe for the picking?

    " He flexed his fingers, the suit responding with a hiss as a massive two-handed hammer materialized in his grip.

    "Big mistake!!"

    The closest golem turned toward him, but before it could react, Carlos was already in motion. He swung the hammer with brutal force, the impact shattering the creature''s torso into a cloud of gravel. The remaining pieces clattered to the floor, lifeless.

    "Who''s next?!"

    Carlos roared, his voice reverberating through the corridor.

    A second golem lunged at him, its massive arm swinging like a wrecking ball. Carlos sidestepped and planted a heavy kick into its chest, sending it crashing into the wall with enough force to dent the metal.

    His shoulder-mounted laser cannons whirred to life, unleashing a storm of energy bolts that riddled the creature with holes until it crumbled to dust.

    Carlos groaned, his head falling into his hands.

    "Oh, for the love of all that''s holy. Not you, Ys. Not now."

    Ys was lounging in the throne room of her bioship, a smug grin on her face as she watched the chaos on Carlos''s end through her tactical interface.

    "I told my darling I would come to help you, so you should be grateful for my royal intervention~,"

    she purred, lazily twirling her finger in the air as though orchestrating the entire battle herself.

    On the tactical display, the Khryssari Carapace-Class Destroyer loomed into view. It was an ominous sight, a kilometer-long vessel resembling a massive beetle with an armored shell that seemed to ripple with life.

    Its reinforced hull gleamed under the faint light of distant stars, its bio-organic nature unmistakable. Unlike standard ships, it had no visible windows or traditional features, it was just a grotesque, pulsing exterior that hinted at the hive mind controlling it.

    Carlos stared at the screen, muttering under his breath.

    "Why does every disaster in my life involve her?"

    Ys, sprawled across her opulent, silk-covered throne, popped a fruit into her mouth and chewed lazily.

    "Behold, my magnificent ship,"

    she said, gesturing toward the tactical hologram as if Carlos could see her.

    "Isn''t it glorious~? And here I am, lowering myself to save you."

    The front of the Khryssari Destroyer shifted as four massive, organic cannons emerged from beneath its shell, each one pulsating with glowing energy. Ys snapped her fingers with a theatrical flourish.

    "Fire."

    The ship''s cannons unleashed a salvo of compressed bio-matter at unimaginable speed. The glowing projectiles streaked through the void, slamming into the shields of the enemy capital ship.

    Upon impact, the bio-matter decomposed violently, spreading corrosive energy that detonated in a blinding explosion. The enemy ship''s shields flickered and cracked under the strain, the shockwave rippling outward.

    Carlos watched the feed, his mouth open wide.

    "What the hell was that?"

    Ys giggled, leaning back in her throne as another servant handed her a fresh piece of fruit.

    "Oh, just a little something I cooked up for pests like these. It seems sturdier than I expected, though. Fire again when ready."

    "Princess, enemy fighters are approaching,"

    the mind of her destroyer communicated telepathically. Its voice was calm, almost indifferent, but Ys could sense the alertness in its tone.

    She raised an eyebrow, barely glancing at the display.

    "Oh, how boring. Send out the little ones to deal with them. I have no time for such trivial matters."

    The destroyer''s hull shifted again as several large sections opened, revealing cavernous, organic launch bays. From them, hundreds of Swarmling-Class Fighters burst forth, each one shaped like a sleek, black hornet with glowing green highlights along their edges.

    The fighters darted through space with insect-like agility, their twin bio-energy cannons firing rapid bursts at the approaching pirate ships.

    On the other end of the battlefield, the pirate wing leader stared at his tactical display in mounting panic.

    "What the hell is that? What are those things?"

    "Just fighters,"

    another pilot said over the comms, his tone dismissive. "

    Let''s take them out and¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the Swarmlings swarmed them. The first pirate ship exploded in a flash of green energy, followed by another and another. The pirate wing was torn apart in seconds, the hornet-like fighters darting between them too fast to track.

    "Pull back!"

    the wing leader screamed, his voice breaking. "

    Those aren''t fighters! They''re monsters!"

 Chapter 131 Home run.

    Carlos heard the commotion over the open communications and shook his head.

    "Ys, can you try not to look like you''re having too much fun over there? You''re supposed to be helping me."

    Ys chuckled, clearly enjoying herself.

    "Oh, Carlos, you hurt me~. This is me helping. If I wanted to have fun, I''d let you flounder a little longer."

    Carlos groaned again, pinching the bridge of his nose. "

    Just... keep firing at the capital ship and keep your creepy hornets away from my fleet. And stop calling me bald!"

    Ys ignored him, waving a hand dismissively at her ship''s display.

    "Yes, yes, fire again. I want that shield down before I finish my fruit."

    Another barrage of biomatter erupted from the destroyer, slamming into the enemy ship with even greater force. This time, the shields collapsed entirely, leaving the vessel vulnerable. The pirates scrambled to regroup, their once-confident assault devolving into panic.

    On the corridors of the Liberator, Carlos took a deep breath, trying to suppress his irritation.

    "AI, status on the enemy fleet."

    "Their capital ship''s shields have been destroyed. Enemy fighters are in disarray. The Khryssari forces are overwhelming them."

    Carlos glanced at the tactical display, then back at the communications channel.

    "Ys, I hate to say this, but... thank you."

    "Of course~,"

    Ys replied smugly. "

    I''ll be sure to remind Rex that I saved you. Maybe he''ll finally let me redecorate your dull little ship."

    Carlos groaned, muttering under his breath.

    "This woman is going to be the death of me."

    As the Khryssari fighters tore through the remnants of the pirate fleet, Carlos turned back to his own crew.

    "All units, keep pushing forward. The main cannon is almost charged. Let''s finish this fight before Ys decides to ''help'' me even more."

    From her throne, Ys smirked, popping another piece of fruit into her mouth.

    "You''re welcome, Carlos. Try not to mess it up from here."

    Carlos charged down the corridor, panting as he finally reached the defensive line outside the main cannon control room.

    The scene was pure chaos; the Aegis units were holding back the golems, their plasma rifles lighting up the dark hallway, but the enemy''s numbers weren''t thinning fast enough.

    "Royal Guard! Hold the line!

    " Carlos shouted, his voice booming through the comms. "

    Do not let those ugly bastards into the control room! If they get in, we''re all screwed!"

    Without missing a beat, Carlos activated the energy shield on his left arm. It shimmered into existence, wide enough to cover the entire corridor.

    "Out of my way!"

    he roared, barreling forward at full speed.

    The golems, with their unnaturally beautiful yet grotesque crystalline forms, barely had time to react before Carlos slammed into them like a freight train. The impact sent several of them skidding back, crashing into walls, their bodies cracking under the sheer force of his battle suit.

    "Haaaaaa! Home run, baby!"

    Carlos shouted as he swung with all his might, sending the stone fist hurtling back toward its owner. The projectile smashed into the giant golem''s face, causing it to stagger and stumble backward.

    Carlos seized the moment.

    "Now''s my chance!"

    He charged forward, his hammer sparking as it powered up.

    The propulsor on its back flared to life, and with a mighty swing, he drove the hammer into the giant golem''s abdomen. The impact cracked its stony surface, faint fissures spreading across its torso.

    But the golem wasn''t done. It roared in defiance, swinging its massive arm at Carlos. He barely managed to block it with his shield, gritting his teeth as the force rattled his entire body.

    "Try again next time, you oversized gravel pile!"

    he taunted, spinning on his heel to deliver another crushing blow to its abdomen.

    This time, the cracks deepened. The glowing red veins dimmed slightly, and the golem staggered again. Carlos didn''t let up. He rained down blow after blow, each strike faster and more precise than the last.

    "I''m not done yet!"

    he shouted, his voice raw with exertion.

    Finally, with one last devastating swing, the hammer connected with the golem''s abdomen, shattering it completely. The giant stumbled, its body crumbling as the light in its eyes faded. With a thunderous crash, it collapsed into a pile of rubble, lifeless at last.

    Carlos stood over the remains, breathing heavily. His suit hissed and sputtered, sparks flying from its damaged joints. He glanced at the corridor, littered with debris and fallen enemies.

    "Ha... Ha... Who''s next?"

    Then, almost as if to mock him, the ship AI chimed in. [Main cannon charging complete.] Target locked. [Firing in ten, nine, eight]

    Carlos groaned, leaning on his hammer

    . "AI... next time, maybe tell me before I almost get killed?"

    [Understood, Admiral.]

    As the countdown continued, Carlos straightened, wiping sweat from his brow. "Alright, everyone. Hold the line! We''re not out of this yet!"

    [Firing the main cannon.]

    The AI''s voice rang out with chilling precision as the dreadnought''s massive plasma cannon came to life. A deep hum shook the entire ship, and a blinding light surged from the weapon''s barrel as it unleashed a supercharged ball of plasma energy.

    The beam tore through space, a miniature sun blazing with unstoppable force.

    The enemy capital ship, already battered and weakened from Ys''s relentless bioplasma bombardment, stood no chance.

    The plasma ball hit its hull dead center, and for a brief moment, there was silence. Then the unthinkable happened.

    The point of impact didn''t simply shatter; it vanished. The hull around it dissolved into nothingness, as if erased from existence.

    The plasma ball continued its merciless journey, tearing through the core of the ship like a fiery reaper, carving a glowing, molten path that melted metal and vaporized everything in its wake.

    Carlos watched the destruction unfold on the main display, his eyes wide.

    "Holy¡ªDid we just... erase half their ship?"

    The massive energy ball reached the heart of the enemy vessel, and then came the explosion. It wasn''t just a regular detonation; it was an apocalyptic chain reaction. The ship''s already fragile structure began to collapse in on itself, sparks and fire erupting from every corner.

    Smaller explosions rippled along the remaining sections of the hull, tearing the vessel apart piece by piece.

    And then it happened... the nuclear core went critical.

 Chapter 132 Aftermath

    The enemy ship detonated in a final, cataclysmic explosion, a fiery shockwave radiating outward like the wrath of a dying star. The explosion was so bright it momentarily outshone the surrounding stars.

    The remains of the ship were scattered into countless fragments, glowing like embers as they drifted into the void.

    The bridge of the Liberator shook violently from the shockwave, though the ship''s shields managed to hold. Carlos gripped the edge of his console, blinking away the afterimage burned into his retinas.

    "Damn. When I said to shoot, I didn''t mean obliterate the universe."

    Ys''s voice chimed in through the comms, smug as ever.

    "Oh, Carlos, your little cannon is so cute. Did you see how my bioplasma cannons softened them up for you? You''re welcome, by the way."

    Carlos rolled his eyes. "

    Sure, Ys. Your princessly greatness saved the day. Let''s pretend it wasn''t the giant hole I just blasted through their ship that did the trick."

    Ys laughed, clearly enjoying herself.

    "Oh, Carlos, I do love how you cling to these small victories. They suit you."

    In the background, the sound of her casually munching on another piece of fruit was almost infuriating.

    Ignoring her, Carlos turned to the tactical display. The remnants of the pirate fleet were in full retreat, scattering in every direction like cockroaches under a spotlight. His crew cheered, but Carlos raised a hand to silence them.

    "AI, status report,"

    he said, his tone firm.

    The enemy capital ship has been destroyed. Remaining enemy forces are retreating. moderate damage sustained to the Liberator. Shields at 2 percent and recharging.]

    Carlos nodded, exhaling a breath he hadn''t realized he was holding.

    "Good. And the merchant convoy?"

    All merchant vessels remain secure in the hangar bay. The 198th Legion Argos successfully defended them. [No casualties among the convoy.]

    "That''s what I like to hear,"

    Carlos said, slumping back in his chair. His battle suit groaned as he finally let himself relax.

    "Alright, folks. Start cleanup. Let''s round up the retreating pirates and salvage what we can. No point letting their junk go to waste."

    Ys''s voice crackled over the communications again.

    "Carlos, don''t forget to thank me properly. Without me, you''d be space dust right about now."

    Carlos sighed, rubbing his temples. "

    Thank you, Your Royal Laziness. I''ll be sure to send you a fruit basket as payment for your ''heroic deeds.''"

    He gasped dramatically.

    "A fruit basket? Is that all I''m worth to you? I''ll be expecting much better when I visit next."

    Carlos shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself.

    "AI, cut the communications before I lose what''s left of my sanity."

    [Understood, Admiral.]

    As the channel closed, Carlos stood and stretched, the weight of the battle finally lifting from his shoulders.

    "Good work, everyone,"

    he said.

    "But don''t get too comfortable. If we survived this, it just means something worse is probably on its way."

    Out in the void, the last remnants of the enemy ship''s glowing debris faded into darkness, leaving nothing but silence and the faint hum of the Liberator''s engines as it powered down from battle mode.

    Meanwhile, in the hangar bay of the Cleopatra, Rex sat casually atop a massive cargo container like it was nothing more than a bench. At three meters tall, the towering warrior looked almost comically oversized in the bustling hangar.

    She pulled out a glimmering blue crystal the size of his palm and tossed it toward her.

    Rex''s eyes lit up as she caught it

    . "Ohhh, shiny! You actually thought of me? How sweet."

    He twirled the crystal in his hand, admiring the way it caught the light.

    "Don''t get used to it,"

    Nyra said, smirking.

    "But I can''t just take it for free, so tell me what you want in exchange for it." Rex asked while raising an eyebrow

    Nyra hesitated, her usual confidence faltering for just a moment. She glanced at the crystal, then at Rex, before clearing her throat and grinning.

    "Well, I didn''t give it to you expecting something in return, but if you insist... how about a hea?"

    "Hey, guys! I''m back!"

    Lyra''s cheerful shout echoed across the hangar, and Nyra immediately froze, her face flushing as if she''d been caught doing something embarrassing.

    Lyra came bounding over, practically skipping as she led a maintenance drone into the area.

    "I found one! It''s already got the freezing system loaded up, so you''re good to go!

    " She hopped off the drone with a surprising amount of energy, patting its metallic side like she''d just tamed a wild beast.

    Rex raised an eyebrow at Nyra, who was glaring daggers at her sister for interrupting

    . "What were you saying, Nyra? Something about a head,

    " he teased, a mischievous glint in his eye.

    "Nothing! Absolutely nothing! Let''s focus on getting you cooled down before you start cooking for the rest of us."

    The maintenance drone rolled forward, extending a nozzle toward Rex''s suit. A blast of icy mist sprayed over him, causing steam to hiss and swirl around his massive frame. He sighed in relief, leaning back on the cargo container.

    "Ah, much better. Thanks, Lyra."

    Lyra beamed, practically glowing at the praise.

    "You''re welcome! Anytime!"

    Nyra groaned, rubbing her temples.

    "Lyra, stop being so cute. You''re making the rest of us look bad."

    The sisters bickered lightly as Rex watched, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. For all the chaos and destruction outside, moments like this reminded him why he fought so hard to protect this crew.

    As the drone finished its work and trundled off, Rex stood up, his towering frame casting a long shadow across the hangar

    . "Alright, enough sitting around. We''ve got a lot of cleanup to do. Let''s get to it."

    Nyra hopped off the cargo drone with a stretch, grinning.

    "Race you to the next fight, big guy."

    Lyra followed closely, her shy smile growing a little braver.

    "I''ll... I''ll do my best too!"

    Rex chuckled, cracking his knuckles.

    "You two keep up. I don''t slow down for anyone."

    "....."

    "Rex, what will you do with the twins?"

    Cleo''s voice came through Rex comunicator''s private line.

 Chapter 133 Aftermath (2)

    Rex leaned against a wall, his massive frame casting long shadows in the flickering hangar lights. He tossed a piece of debris onto a nearby pile while the maintenance drones buzzed around, cleaning up the aftermath of the battle.

    Fighter ships were circling outside, waiting for the hangar to be cleared so they could land. The scent of scorched metal still hung in the air.

    "Mmm, what do you mean what I''ll do with them?"

    Rex asked, glancing at Cleo''s holographic form as she shimmered into view above the maintenance station. He spoke casually, but there was a faint tension in his voice.

    Cleo, perched on top of the

    Cleopatra

    ''s main cannon in her shimmering projection, tilted her head slightly. Even in her virtual form, she managed to look vaguely amused, or maybe that was just Rex''s imagination.

    "Rex, don''t play dumb with me. You''re not as dense as you pretend to be,"

    she said, her voice cool yet edged with just enough intrigue to push the conversation forward.

    "Even I can see it; those twins don''t just look at you with respect. There''s... something else."

    Rex paused, letting out a long sigh as he tossed another piece of debris aside.

    "Cleo,

    " he muttered,

    "what do you want me to say? You already know the answer."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, her holographic form shimmering slightly as she commanded drones to patch the

    Cleopatra

    ''s fractured hull.

    "I want to hear your answer, not mine. But if I had to guess, you''d try to dodge the question again. Am I wrong?"

    Rex stopped what he was doing, turning to face her fully. His towering form made even Cleo''s holographic presence seem small.

    "Fine. If you must know, I can''t; I won''t accept their feelings. It doesn''t feel right."

    His voice was calm but carried the weight of something unresolved.

    "I saw them grow up, Cleo. Their father left them in my care. How would it look if¡ª"

    "You''re not their father, Rex,"

    Cleo interrupted, her voice sharper than usual. For a moment, the steady hum of the repair drones filled the silence.

    "And besides, that''s not what this is about. It''s about you. Don''t you think I haven''t noticed? Your sense of responsibility is your armor, but it''s also your prison."

    Rex crossed his arms, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

    "What''s your point?"

    Cleo shifted her posture, as if trying to find the right words. She didn''t often dip into philosophical territory, but when she did, it was hard not to listen.

    "Rex, you''re not like them anymore,"

    she said quietly.

    "You''re... different. You''ll outlive them. Unless something kills you, and let''s face it, that''s not exactly likely, you''ll still be standing here centuries after they''re gone."

    Rex''s expression darkened, his gaze dropping to the floor. He didn''t respond.

    Cleo softened her tone, though it still carried the weight of her logic.

    "What I''m trying to say is... you can''t keep thinking like a mortal. You''ll only end up hurting yourself. The pain of losing the people you care about¡ª"

    Around it, patrol teams zipped by in tight formations, their engines leaving faint trails of light in the dark void.

    But the real sight to behold was the endless stream of merchant traffic. Ships of all shapes and sizes came and went, their hulls glinting under the artificial light of the station.

    They moved like ants in a massive colony, a continuous flow of trade that underscored the station''s importance in the region. The communication channels buzzed with chatter, negotiations, and docking clearances.

    When the

    Cleopatra

    emerged, it was as if time froze for a moment. Conversations stopped, pilots paused mid-trajectory, and even the patrols slowed to a crawl.

    Despite the ship''s visible battle damage and scarred, some plating bent and scorched, it radiated an almost otherworldly beauty. Its sleek design, faint golden glow, and elegant lines made it look more like a masterpiece than a vessel meant for war.

    "Hey, look at that!

    " one dockworker shouted, pointing through the observation window. His voice carried through the station''s main promenade, where dozens of merchants and engineers had gathered to watch ships come and go.

    "What the hell is that?

    " another merchant asked, craning his neck for a better view.

    "It doesn''t look like anything from the megacorps. No logos, no fleet markers... nothing."

    "Yes, and look at the damage. What kind of monster could leave a ship like that limping back?"

    A third chimed in, his voice filled with both awe and concern.

    The chatter quickly spread, and soon a small crowd had gathered near the observation deck. Everyone was talking at once, speculating about the mysterious ship.

    "Could it be a prototype from one of the outer colonies?"

    "Maybe it''s black market tech. That golden glow doesn''t look natural."

    "Or maybe it''s alien. That doesn''t look like anything I have ever seen."

    Among the crowd stood a young man, tall and dressed in the grease-streaked overalls of an engineer. His sharp green eyes flicked toward the ship, a knowing smirk spreading across his face.

    It was hard to miss him; he carried himself with the confidence of someone important, though he didn''t flaunt it. This was the grandson of the station''s old administrator, a skilled engineer in his own right.

    Hearing the murmurs around him, he strode toward the group, hands tucked into his pockets.

    "You''re all pretty fascinated, huh?"

    he said, his voice cutting through the noise.

    "I don''t blame you. Not every day you see something like that."

    The dockworkers turned to him, their curiosity shifting toward his confident tone. "

    Oh? You know something about that ship?"

    one asked eagerly

    . "What is it? Who does it belong to?"

    The young man chuckled, taking his time as he walked up to the observation window. He let the question hang in the air for a moment, drawing their attention further. Then, leaning casually against the railing, he nodded toward the

    Cleopatra.

    "They''re not megacorp. Not pirates. Definitely not black market."

    His voice lowered slightly, as if sharing a secret.

    "That ship? That''s the Cleopatra. And if you don''t know her name, you should. She''s the pride of Admiral Rex''s fleet."

    There was a collective intake of breath.

 Chapter 134 New plans.

    "Wait... the Rex?!"

    someone blurted out.

    "The Immortal Titan? The guy who fought off the Khryssari invasion seven years ago?"

    "The very same,"

    the young man replied, smirking. "

    And if you''re wondering why she''s so beat up, it''s because Rex doesn''t just sit around polishing his medals. Wherever he goes, trouble follows."

    The crowd leaned closer to the window, their awe intensifying as they studied the ship''s elegant, damaged form.

    One of the merchants, an older man with a heavy coat and a cigar tucked behind his ear, let out a low whistle.

    "I heard stories about that guy. They say he''s not even human anymore. More like a walking weapon."

    The engineer shrugged.

    "Depends who you ask. But I''ll tell you one thing: if he''s here, it means something big is about to go down."

    The station intercom cracked to life, interrupting the growing buzz of conversation

    . [This is trading station control. Vessel Cleopatra, you are cleared for docking in Bay Alpha-One. Please proceed at reduced speed.]

    The

    Cleopatra

    began its slow approach, its engines humming like the low growl of a predator. As the ship neared the station, the damage it had sustained became even more apparent, with gashes along its hull, exposed wiring, and scorch marks that told a story of intense battle.

    And yet, it moved with purpose, unbothered by its injuries, like a warrior returning home after a hard-fought victory.

    As the ship disappeared into the docking bay, the young engineer pushed off the railing and stretched.

    "Well, I''d better get back to work. I''m sure the Cleopatra''s crew will need all the help they can get fixing her up. You lot better pay attention; this station might be busy, but it''s about to get a lot more interesting."

    The crowd lingered at the observation window, their eyes still glued to where the

    Cleopatra

    had vanished. They spoke in hushed tones now, as if afraid to disturb the gravity of what they''d just witnessed.

    Inside the station, Rex stepped off the

    Cleopatra

    ''s ramp, his heavy boots clanging against the metal floor. He glanced around, his sharp golden eyes scanning the bustling hangar. Behind him, Cleo''s holographic form flickered into existence, perched on a nearby support beam.

    "Quite the welcoming committee,"

    Cleo said, her voice dripping with dry humor.

    "They''re staring at us like we''re celebrities."

    Rex snorted.

    "Let them stare all they want."

    "By the way, what about Carlos and Ys? Have they made it back yet?"

    Rex asked, his deep voice breaking the quiet hum of the trading station''s corridors.

    He strode toward his temporary quarters, his armored boots thudding lightly against the metallic floor. The glow of repair drones in the distance cast fleeting shadows across his broad frame.

    Mini Cleo perched playfully on Rex''s head like an energetic pixie, folded her legs, and leaned forward. Her translucent figure flickered slightly as she processed his question.

    "The last report I got said that the Liberator sustained significant damage to the communications, engines, and hull. They''re coming back slowly, making several warp jumps while Ys''s vessel escorts them."

    "You''re still calling me that, huh? And the ship''s stable for now, though it''ll take days to finish all the repairs. We''re lucky the core didn''t destabilize after that last hit.

    "

    She pulled the robe over her shoulders, tying it loosely as she sat up.

    "So, what''s this about you waking me up? Don''t tell me another pirate fleet showed up."

    Rex smirked.

    "No pirates. No emergencies. For once, I woke you up for something fun. We''re taking a vacation."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow; her expression caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief.

    "A vacation? You? Are you feeling alright? Should I run a diagnostic on your brain?"

    "I''m serious,"

    Rex said, crossing his arms. "

    We''ve been fighting non-stop. We''ve earned some downtime, and now that we''ve got the credits, we''re going big. Luxury cruiser, five stars, VIP treatment, and that stuff. Mini Cleo''s already pulled up the options."

    Cleo glanced at the hovering screens, her expression softening slightly. For a moment, the corner of her mouth quirked up in a faint smile.

    "Well, I suppose it wouldn''t hurt to take a break. Even I need to rest once in a while."

    She paused, her voice dropping into a teasing tone.

    "Though I''m guessing this is less about stress relief and more about you wanting to sip cocktails while pretending to be the galaxy''s most eligible bachelor."

    Rex laughed. "

    Hey, if the galaxy sees me that way, who am I to argue?"

    Cleo rolled her eyes again but stepped closer to one of the screens. Her holographic twin perched on her shoulder, giving an excited thumbs-up. " Find exclusive stories on empire

    Alright, let''s see what you''ve picked. But if we''re doing this, I''m choosing the destination. You''ll just pick the one with the biggest bar."

    "Deal,"

    Rex said, grinning.

    As Cleo scanned the options, Rex leaned back against the wall, watching her with a faint smile. For all the chaos they''d been through, moments like this reminded him that he remembers that Cleo isn''t just a weapon; she''s something even more human than him.

    "By the way,"

    Cleo said without looking up,

    "if you try to cheap out on the trip, I''ll reprogram your bed to simulate turbulence for the next month."

    "Noted,"

    Rex replied with a chuckle.

    "VIP all the way, I promise."

    While Rex and Cleo were engrossed in scanning through the holo screens, debating the merits of one luxury cruiser over another, Cleo suddenly stopped speaking mid-sentence.

    Her gaze drifted away from the display, locking onto the far wall as if she were staring at something invisible. Her normally vibrant expression shifted into something sharper, more calculating.

    Rex immediately noticed the change.

    "Mmm? What''s the matter, Cleo?"

    he asked, his tone a mixture of curiosity and caution. He leaned back against the counter, crossing his arms as he watched her.

    Cleo remained silent for a moment, her holographic twin, Mini Cleo, flickering into view on Rex''s shoulder as if equally curious.

    Then Cleo blinked, as if snapping back to the present. She turned toward him, summoning a holo screen in front of them with a wave of her hand. The swirling image of space distorted by a warp jump appeared, rippling like a stone dropped into still water.

 Chapter 135 New plans. (2)

    "The Cleopatra just detected two warp signatures entering the system,"

    Cleo said, her voice returning to its usual calm, measured tone.

    "One of them is the Liberator. The other..."

    She paused, narrowing her eyes slightly. "

    The other one doesn''t match any ships in our database."

    Rex raised an eyebrow.

    "Unknown ship? That doesn''t sound good. Could it be hostile?"

    "Unlikely,"

    Cleo replied, her fingers dancing through the air as she pulled up additional data on the distortions.

    "There''s an 80% probability it''s Ys''s vessel. The warp signature has some biological components, which aligns with the Khryssari tech. I''ll need to confirm once they fully exit the jump."

    The screen expanded, showing the area of space near the trading station. The first warp distortion stabilized into the familiar outline of the

    Liberator,

    its battered hull limping into view. Discover exclusive content at empire

    Even from the hologram, it was clear the ship had seen better days; its exterior was pockmarked with scorch marks and fractured plating, and one of its rear engines flickered weakly.

    "Looks like Carlos really took a beating,"

    Rex muttered, studying the hologram.

    "I swear, that guy could find trouble in the middle of an empty galaxy."

    Cleo''s lips curled into the faintest smirk.

    "That''s what makes him Carlos, isn''t it?"

    "Fair point,"

    Rex admitted with a shrug.

    "And the other ship?"

    The second warp signature stabilized moments later, revealing a massive, beetle-like vessel. It was unmistakably organic in design, its surface pulsating faintly with an eerie green light.

    The ship''s exoskeletal frame was sleek yet intimidating, its front bristling with bioplasma cannons that glowed faintly as if charging. Even through the hologram, the ship radiated an aura of raw, predatory power.

    "Ys,"

    Rex said with a knowing grin. "

    She really knows how to make an entrance, doesn''t she?"

    Cleo nodded, her tone neutral but with a hint of amusement.

    "That would be the Carapace-Class Destroyer, Ys''s personal flagship. It seems to have taken minimal damage. Typical Khryssari engineering; it''s more alive than mechanical."

    Rex let out a low whistle, tilting his head as he studied the ship''s organic curves.

    "You know, for something that looks like it crawled out of a nightmare, it''s actually kind of... beautiful. In a creepy, flesh-eating beetle kind of way."

    "That''s one way to describe it," Cleo replied dryly, though her eyes lingered on the holo screen as if analyzing every detail of the ship.

    "They''ve just sent a docking request to the trading station. Both the Liberator and Ys''s vessel will arrive within the next ten minutes."

    Rex stood up straighter, cracking his knuckles.

    "Alright. It looks like our vacation planning''s on hold. Let''s go greet them. Knowing Ys, she''s probably already got something weird lined up."

    Mini Cleo floated in front of him, wagging her tiny finger. "A

    nd Carlos probably has an entire monologue ready about how heroically he limped back to safety. Should I prepare an applause track?"

    Rex chuckled.

    "Save it. I''d rather see the look on his face when I tell him I''ve been browsing luxury cruises while he''s been out getting shot at."

    "If Carlos and Ys are coming back, it means whatever trouble they ran into out there isn''t over yet. Be ready for anything, Rex."

    Rex''s grin faded slightly, replaced by a more serious expression. He nodded. "

    Im always ready... mostly... mornings dont count, anyways, lets go."

    As the

    Carlos sighed, the bravado in his expression fading into something closer to exhaustion. He leaned back against a crate, crossing his arms as he glanced at the

    Liberator

    .

    "Trust me, I''ve been asking myself the same thing,"

    he muttered. "

    We got ambushed on our way back. First, it was just pirates, nothing we couldn''t handle. But then... something else showed up."

    "Something else?

    " Rex repeated, his golden eyes narrowing.

    "Yeah."

    Carlos''s voice grew more serious, the usual humor absent now. "

    A ship. I''ve never seen anything like it before. No markings, no identification, nothing. It didn''t move like a normal ship, it hunted us. Every time we thought we''d shaken it, it would show up again, tearing through our defenses like they were nothing."

    Rex exchanged a glance with Cleo, who was already pulling up schematics and reports on a holo screen. Her brows furrowed as data streamed in.

    "No known configuration matches that description,"

    Cleo said, her tone clipped.

    "What about its weapons? Did you get any scans?"

    Carlos shook his head.

    "We tried, but whatever tech it''s using... it''s beyond anything we''ve seen. It hit us with some kind of energy weapon that fried half our systems before we even knew what was happening. If Ys hadn''t shown up when she did, we''d be scrap metal by now."

    Ys, who had been silently fuming nearby, finally spoke up, her voice icy.

    "You should be thanking me, you ungrateful tin can. If I hadn''t intercepted that last volley, your shields would''ve collapsed, and you''d be space dust."

    Carlos shot her a side glance.

    "Yeah, yeah. Thanks, grandma. I owe you one."

    His voice was sarcastic, but there was a flicker of sincerity in his eyes.

    "But next time, try not to punch me into a pile of crates, okay?"

    Ys smirked, clearly satisfied.

    "No promises."

    Rex rubbed his chin, staring at the

    Liberator

    with a more serious expression now.

    "Unknown tech, no ID... and it hunted you. Sounds like more than just a random attack.

    " He glanced back at Cleo.

    "What do you think?"

    "I think,"

    she said slowly,

    "that this ship, whatever it is, wasn''t just after the Liberator. It''s testing something. And if it''s capable of doing this to a dreadnought, we need to be prepared for the next encounter."

    The tension in the docking bay grew palpable as Rex, Cleo, Carlos, and Ys all fell into a rare moment of silence, the weight of the unknown pressing down on them. Outside, the

    Cleopatra

    and Ys''s flagship stood docked, their presence a silent reminder that the galaxy had far bigger threats waiting just beyond the next jump.

    "Alright,"

    Rex said finally, breaking the silence.

    "Let''s get to work. Cleo, I want a full analysis of the Liberator''s damage and whatever data Carlos managed to scrape together. Carlos, Ys, try not to kill each other in the meantime."

    Ys crossed her arms and rolled her eyes while Carlos smirked.

    "No promises,"

    they said in unison.

 Chapter 136 Templars.

    While Rex''s crew was busy preparing for their luxury vacation, far beneath the bustling trading station, in the shadowy depths of the underground city now under Emilia''s administration, darkness stirred.

    The city had transformed into a hive of activity over the years, a mixture of legitimate trade and shady dealings. Tonight, however, it wasn''t business as usual.

    In the dimly lit industrial sector, a group of slavers arrived with their latest haul. A chain of slaves was dragged out of a transport vehicle, their wrists bound with crude energy cuffs.

    Among them were several humans, their faces weary and dirtied from days of captivity. The slavers shouted orders, shoving the slaves toward a caged transport while laughing at their plight.

    "Hey boss, where did you even get humans?"

    one of the slaver merchants asked as he inspected the new arrivals. His scaled hands brushed over a datapad, taking stock of the cargo.

    "Humans don''t sell well here. Only the nightclubs and the red district might take the females, but even then, they won''t fetch much. You''d get more credits hauling scrap."

    The slaver leader, a broad-shouldered alien with rough, reptilian features, sneered.

    "These ones? They''re just fillers. We hit a merchant convoy in the outer sectors. Poor bastards. The whole thing was manned by humans. Isn''t that hilarious? It''s like they were asking to be taken."

    The group burst into laughter, their harsh voices echoing in the dim expanse of the underground sector. The slaves remained silent, their heads bowed, their shoulders trembling as they shuffled into the cage.

    "It is funny,"

    the merchant officer said, smirking as he walked along the cage''s edge, prodding one of the humans with a shock baton.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Humans are pathetic. They''re born to be slaves. Train them for a few weeks, and they''ll break. It''s in their blood to serve their superiors."

    The officer''s words were cut short by a sudden, sharp

    crack

    . A flash of red light zipped through the darkness, striking the officer square in the forehead.

    A perfect, smoking hole burned through the center of his skull. His lifeless body swayed for a moment, then collapsed to the ground with a sickening thud. His baton rolled out of his hand, sparking faintly before falling silent.

    The slaver leader froze, his reptilian eyes wide with shock.

    "W-what the hell?! Everyone take cover!"

    He screamed, diving to the ground and scrambling beneath the transport vehicle.

    His claws scraped against the floor as he wedged himself under the cage that held the slaves, his heart pounding like a drum.

    The dimly lit area exploded into chaos. Red laser fire rained down from the shadows, illuminating the dark with deadly precision. Slaver guards shouted in panic, some firing blindly into the darkness, others fleeing for cover.

    Their screams echoed in the night, only to be silenced one by one. The sharp crack of gunfire and the occasional hiss of a blade cutting through armor reverberated through the space.

    One by one, the slaver guards fell. Some collapsed with searing holes in their chests; others were cut down in flashes of crimson light. The slaves, huddled in their cage, watched with wide, fearful eyes as their captors were slaughtered before them.

    And then, silence.

    The slaver leader lay trembling beneath the transport, his claws gripping the ground as his breathing grew shallow. His mind raced.

    .

    Another figure stepped forward, its voice slightly distorted but calmer than the first.

    "The area is secure. Notify Lady Emilia. The operation is complete."

    The slaves stared at their rescuers, still unsure whether they were saviors or something far worse.

    Without another word, the five figures disappeared into the shadows as quickly as they had appeared, their footsteps fading into silence. The slaves, now freed, stood trembling in the dim light, the bodies of their captors lying cold on the floor around them.

    Far above, in her administration tower, Emilia received the notification. She leaned back in her chair, her lips curling into a faint smile.

    "Good. Send word to the survivors: slavery has no place in my city. Those who try will face judgment."

    She turned to her assistant.

    "Prepare for their integration into the workforce. Make sure they''re treated properly."

    "Yes, Administrator," the assistant replied, bowing before leaving the room.

    Emilia stared out of the tower window, her gaze fixed on the glittering lights of the underground city.

    Emilia turned her attention to the young woman seated gracefully on the luxurious sofa before her. The woman had an otherworldly beauty that seemed almost out of place in the stark, utilitarian surroundings of the underground city.

    Her golden hair fell in perfect waves down her back, shimmering faintly in the dim light. Her skin was pale, almost translucent, with a softness that seemed untouched by the harshness of life below.

    Find your next adventure on empire

    Her figure was voluptuous, curving in ways that would ignite desire in even the most disciplined of men, but it was her eyes that stood out most of all.

    Cloudy and gray, her gaze was unfocused, yet they radiated an eerie calm. To those who knew her, they knew that she was blind. Yet her blindness didn''t seem to hinder her; if anything, it added an air of mystery and quiet power to her presence.

    Standing behind her, to her left, was a female soldier in black armor identical to the templars who had dealt with the slavers. Her posture was rigid, her crimson visor glowing faintly as she stood like an unmoving sentinel.

    To Lilla''s right, a male templar stood equally still, his imposing helmet distinguished by two sharp, wing-like protrusions that jutted out like ears, giving him an almost mythic appearance. Both templars exuded the same lethal precision as their comrades, their silent presence amplifying the tension in the room.

    Emilia leaned back into the sofa opposite Lilla, her crimson dress pooling elegantly around her. She regarded the blind woman carefully, her piercing gaze as sharp as ever.

    "I must admit, Lady Lilla,"

    she began, her voice smooth yet edged with curiosity.

    "Your soldiers, how did you call them? Ah, yes, templars; they''re truly remarkable. Effective, disciplined, and so precise. No one would ever believe that all of them are... human."

    She let the last word hang in the air, almost as if testing for a reaction.

    Lilla''s lips curled into a soft smile, one so serene it could calm even the most anxious of hearts.

    "Thank you for your kind words, Lady Emilia. My teachers work tirelessly. They dedicate every waking moment to their training, striving to prove themselves worthy of serving our savior."

    "And, of course, we owe much of our advancement to Lady Cleo''s generosity. Without her assistance, our frail human bodies would be inadequate for the tasks before us."

    After saying that, Lilla just kept smiling while staring at Emilia, even though she was blind; it was as if she could see even more than others.

 Chapter 137 Templars. (2)

    "Ah, yes," Emilia said, her tone shifting slightly, her sharp intellect now on full display. She crossed one leg over the other, resting her chin lightly on her hand.

    "That reminds me. The treaty you signed with Lady Cleo, wasn''t it something to the effect of her allowing you to purchase advanced technology as a favor to My Lord? But as I recall, there was a condition, wasn''t there? You were required to secure the funds yourselves."

    Emilia''s lips curled into a sly smile, her curiosity brimming. "

    I have to say, I''m quite curious. Just how do you and your people manage to make that much money? Especially enough to equip all of this?"

    She gestured lightly toward the templars, their equipment a gleaming testament to their wealth and efficiency.

    Lilla tilted her head slightly, her blind eyes seeming to fixate on Emilia in a way that felt deliberate.

    Her gentle smile didn''t waver, but there was something enigmatic behind it, a hint of amusement as if she enjoyed keeping her secrets close.

    "Oh, Lady Emilia,"

    Lilla said softly, her voice as melodic as a distant bell,

    "the truth is quite simple, though not particularly exciting."

    Emilia leaned forward slightly, her curiosity now fully piqued.

    Find your next read on empire

    "Do tell,"

    she pressed, her voice dripping with anticipation.

    Lilla rested her delicate hands in her lap, her smile deepening

    . "We are traders at heart,"

    she began, her tone light and calm.

    "We travel, we negotiate, and we capitalize on opportunities that others overlook. With Lady Cleo''s permission, we''ve built a network that spans across several systems. Resources, information, artifacts, whatever holds value, we find it and ensure it finds the right buyer."

    She paused, tilting her head slightly.

    "It helps, of course, that humans are often underestimated. Few see us as a threat, which makes it all the easier to surpass their expectations."

    Emilia raised an eyebrow.

    "Artifacts? Information? That''s a vague way of saying you deal in things most others wouldn''t dare touch. Are you implying your network deals in... less-than-legal activities?"

    Her voice was probing but playful, her expression calculating.

    Lilla let out a soft, almost musical laugh, shaking her head.

    "Not at all, Lady Emilia. Everything we do is above board... or at least, as above board as it needs to be. After all, we must operate within the boundaries of Lady Cleo''s approval. But as you well know, legality is a flexible concept in certain corners of the galaxy."

    Her smile turned coy.

    "I assure you, we''re quite adept at... interpreting those boundaries."

    Emilia chuckled, leaning back into her seat.

    "Interpretation, hmm? Clever. And profitable, by the look of it. I suppose that explains how you can afford to maintain such a well-equipped force."

    Her gaze drifted briefly to the two templars standing behind Lilla, their silent presence as imposing as statues. "

    Still, I imagine that level of success requires more than just sharp negotiation skills and market understanding."

    Lilla''s expression didn''t waver, but her smile took on an almost imperceptible edge.

    "Oh, it does,"

    she said softly.

    "It requires faith, discipline, and a singular purpose. My templars are more than soldiers; they are devotees. Every credit, every victory, every step forward is for the glory of our savior."

    Emilia''s playful demeanor faltered for a brief moment, her sharp eyes narrowing slightly.

    "Your savior,

    he began, setting his helmet down on the seat beside him,

    "do you think it was wise to hide the truth about our income and the size of our forces from Emilia?"

    His tone was calm, but there was a thread of concern woven into it. He stared directly at Lilla, his expression serious.

    Lilla''s serene smile didn''t falter as she turned her unseeing gaze toward her brother. Her fingers lightly brushed over the armrest of her seat, and her voice was gentle but firm. "

    My silly brother,"

    she said with a soft laugh.

    "Even if Emilia is our ally now, we cannot be certain that will always remain the case. Humanity has suffered long enough. Only now are we beginning to stand on our own two feet again, thanks to our savior. We cannot afford to be reckless with our trust."

    Her brother''s expression softened slightly, though his concern lingered.

    "I understand your reasoning,"

    he said, his voice quiet.

    "But what if hiding things creates problems later? What if she suspects us of deceit?"

    Lilla reached out and placed her hand on his, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

    "If Lord Rex asks, I will hide nothing. But to outsiders... no, they do not need to know everything. Trust in your big sister, my silly brother."

    He sighed, leaning back in his seat.

    "I do trust you, Lilla. It''s just¡ª

    " He paused, running a hand through his golden hair.

    "Wait, hold on a second. Big sister? I''m the older one here!"

    Lilla tilted her head, her expression playful now.

    "Ara? Where''s your proof?"

    she asked, a small pout forming on her lips.

    Her brother''s jaw dropped slightly.

    "Proof? There''s no need for proof! I was the one who took care of you after our parents passed away! Who do you think changed your diapers, huh? Of course I''m the older one!"

    Lilla let out a soft laugh, but her brother wasn''t done. He reached over and ruffled her hair, his larger hands making a complete mess of her carefully arranged golden locks.

    "And this is what big brothers do!"

    "Ahhh! Stop, stop, stop!"

    Lilla squealed, batting at his hands with her own as she tried to fend him off.

    "You savage! Do you know how long it takes me to fix my hair?!"

    Her brother grinned, thoroughly enjoying her flustered reaction.

    "Maybe next time you''ll show some respect to your big brother, huh?"

    "You barbarian!"

    Lilla huffed, straightening her hair as best she could.

    "You''re lucky I don''t order the templars to throw you out of this transport!"

    Their playful bickering filled the cabin, the tension from their earlier conversation melting away.

    If anyone were to witness this scene, they would never believe that the blind, delicate woman sparring verbally with her brother was a figure powerful enough to command the loyalty of human nobles, soldiers, and political players alike.

    Nor would they believe that her influence extended to the very foundations of the cult that worshiped the

    "Bloody Angel,"

    a symbol of humanity''s rise from enslavement and despair.

 Chapter 138 Luxury Cruiser.

    Meanwhile, far above in the trading station, Rex stood in his quarters, deep in thought. On the table in front of him were two holo screens displaying swimsuits. One was a sleek, sexy design that would highlight Cleo''s every curve. The other was a more modest but elegant piece that left a little more to the imagination.

    Rex let out a heavy sigh, scratching the back of his head.

    "This is impossible,"

    he muttered.

    "If I pick the sexy one, I''ll have to deal with everyone ogling her and probably fighting half the passengers by the end of the day."

    He frowned, leaning closer to the screens. "

    But if I pick the modest one, she''ll just call me boring and pick the sexy one anyway. Damn it. Why is this so complicated?"

    Behind him, Cleo''s holographic form flickered into view. She tilted her head, watching him with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

    "Rex, are you really stressing over a swimsuit? You''ve fought wars, survived impossible odds, and commanded armies. But this?"

    Rex spun around, startled

    . "Cleo! Don''t sneak up on me like that!"

    Cleo smirked, crossing her arms.

    "You''re lucky I didn''t record this and send it to Carlos. He''d never let you live it down."

    Rex groaned, covering his face with one hand.

    "Just... don''t. I''ve got enough problems already."

    Cleo stepped closer, her smirk softening into something more playful.

    "Relax, Rex. Just pick the one you like best. It''s not that complicated."

    Rex glanced at the holo screens again, then back at Cleo. A slow grin spread across his face.

    "You''re right,"

    he said, his tone suddenly mischievous.

    "But I think I''ll just make you pick for me."

    Cleo''s smirk vanished, replaced by a look of mild alarm

    . "Wait... what? No! That''s cheating!"

    But Rex was already walking out of the room, laughing to himself. "

    Your problem now, Cleo!"

    After days of preparation, everything was finally set. Cleo had booked a one-week trip on one of the most luxurious cruisers in the sector.

    The first two days of the journey would be spent aboard the cruiser itself, indulging in its vast array of entertainment like casinos, pools, nightclubs, gyms, event rooms, everything one could imagine.

    On the third day, they would visit a naturally protected world, staying there for two days and three nights to enjoy its pristine landscapes. Finally, they would end their vacation on an oceanic world renowned for its hunting games, where thrill-seekers could hunt massive beasts while others relaxed or spectated.

    When the day finally arrived, Rex and his crew approached the cruiser discreetly. Instead of arriving aboard the

    Cleopatra

    and drawing unnecessary attention, they opted for a more subtle approach, traveling in a standard tourist transport ship.

    To ensure their safety, several Wraith-class fighters escorted them in stealth mode, their presence completely undetectable to civilian systems.

    From the observation window of the station, Rex stood with Cleo, staring at the massive luxury cruiser docked ahead of them. Its sleek white hull gleamed under the station''s lights, its curved design exuding sophistication and elegance.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Massive viewports ran along its sides, offering glimpses of opulent interiors bustling with activity.

    So, boss, are we finally ready to board this thing? Or are you still busy inspecting it like you''re some safety inspector?"

    Rex smirked, shooting Carlos a sidelong glance. "

    I''m just making sure we''re not about to walk into a death trap. You''ve seen what our luck''s like."

    Carlos shrugged.

    "Fair point. But honestly, if pirates show up, I''ll just let Ys deal with them. She''s been itching for a fight ever since she lost to me at poker."

    Ys scoffed, crossing her arms. "

    You didn''t win. I let you have that game to spare your fragile ego."

    Carlos grinned, clearly enjoying her irritation. Continue reading on empire

    "Whatever helps you sleep at night, princess."

    "Enough, you two,"

    Cleo said, her voice calm but firm.

    "Save the banter for later. Let''s get our things loaded before we miss the boarding call."

    Carlos and Ys both muttered under their breaths but complied, unloading the rest of the luggage from the cart. Rex shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched them bicker.

    As they approached the boarding ramp, Rex glanced back at the cruiser one last time. Its sleek design and bustling interiors still didn''t entirely put him at ease, but Cleo''s confidence was reassuring.

    For once, it seemed like they might actually get to relax, no battles, no pirates, no intergalactic crises.

    (Hopefully,)

    Rex thought,

    (this vacation won''t turn into another disaster.

    )

    As Rex, Cleo, Carlos, and Ys stepped into the cruiser, they were immediately struck by its grandeur. The main lobby was a dazzling display of luxury, blending vintage elegance with cutting-edge technology.

    Intricate chandeliers hung from the ceiling, their crystalline designs refracting light in every direction, while the walls were adorned with expensive art pieces that seemed straight out of an intergalactic museum.

    Under their feet, the marble-like flooring gleamed with subtle energy lines that pulsed faintly, guiding passengers to their destinations.

    High-tech touches were seamlessly integrated into the aesthetic: sleek holo-terminals hovered near the walls, offering information and entertainment options, while tiny drones floated gracefully through the air, assisting passengers or delivering refreshments.

    The fusion of old-world luxury and futuristic design was breathtaking.

    "Woah,

    " Carlos said, his jaw dropping as he turned in circles, trying to take everything in.

    "Yeah,"

    Rex muttered, equally stunned as he gazed at the opulent surroundings.

    "I wasn''t expecting this. It''s like stepping into another world."

    Carlos, however, wasn''t focused on the decorations for long. His eyes shifted to the crowd milling about the lobby. Elegantly dressed passengers walked by, their expensive outfits practically screaming wealth and status.

    Among them were countless stunning women, their polished appearances turning the heads of almost every man in the room.

    Carlos grinned like a kid in a candy store.

    "I know what you mean! Look at this place! I wasn''t expecting to see so many high-end butts walking around either. Damn, look at all those beauties."

    Rex turned to him, his brows furrowing.

    "What are you¡ª"

 Chapter 139 Luxury Cruiser.(2)

    Carlos gestured subtly with his chin toward a group of elegant women nearby, their flowing gowns shimmering as they chatted amongst themselves. Their laughter was melodic, their presence exuding an effortless confidence that only came with wealth and nobility.

    Rex sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "

    Carlos, those ''high-end butts'' you''re ogling are probably nobles. You do know what happens if one of them hears you, right? Nobles don''t take kindly to being disrespected. They''d send assassins after you just for looking at them wrong."

    Carlos shrugged, completely unbothered.

    "Worth it. At least I''d die with a great view."

    Rex rolled his eyes, about to respond, when Carlos elbowed him lightly.

    "Come on, Rex, take a look. I know you''re curious. Don''t leave me hanging here."

    Rex hesitated for a moment before giving in to the temptation.

    "Alright, fine. What are you talking about?"

    He began to turn his head to see what Carlos was looking at.

    Before he could even get a good glance, Ys suddenly leapt onto his back like a playful predator, wrapping her arms around his neck and her legs around his waist to keep herself from falling.

    "Nope! Not happening!

    " she declared, her tone light but possessive.

    "Ys, what are you doing?!

    " Rex asked, startled as she clasped her hands over his eyes, blocking his view.

    "You can''t look at them, darling,"

    Ys purred, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper as she leaned close to his ear.

    "If you want to see something beautiful, you don''t need them. I can show you something much better later... tonight."

    Rex froze, his face immediately turning several shades redder.

    "Ehem,"

    he coughed, clearing his throat and attempting to regain composure.

    "Carlos, you... uh, enjoy the view. I''ll handle the suitcases and wait for someone to show us to our rooms."

    Ys giggled softly, still clinging to his back. Rex stood stiffly like a soldier, trying to endure the situation without further embarrassing himself. Her hold on him tightened playfully, and Rex realized he wasn''t going to win this particular battle anytime soon.

    Meanwhile, Cleo, who had been silently observing the scene with her usual composed expression, finally spoke up.

    "If the two of you are done being ridiculous,"

    she said dryly

    "The concierge bot will be here shortly to escort us. Rex, perhaps you''d like to... I don''t know; set a better example for Carlos."

    Rex sighed heavily.

    "Noted."

    He stood straighter, his hands now clutching the handle of one of the suitcases as if grounding himself.

    "Ys, seriously, can you let go? People are starting to stare."

    Ys leaned her chin on his shoulder, her voice teasing.

    "Let them stare. I don''t mind."

    Carlos, who had been thoroughly entertained by the whole situation, leaned back against one of the luggage carts and grinned. "

    This is the best vacation ever, and we haven''t even left the station yet."

    Cleo shot him a warning look. "

    And that''s exactly why I''m going for it! Think about it¡ªthese ''daddy''s girls'' are probably bored out of their minds. They''re used to the same old polished nobles and spoiled trust-fund types. But me? I''m something they''ve never seen before. I''m wild. I''m rugged. I''m unpredictable!"

    He struck a pose again, running a hand over his completely bald head.

    "They won''t stand a chance against my raw charm."

    Rex leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed, trying not to laugh too hard.

    "Right. I''m sure your lack of hair will have them swooning in no time. But hey, good luck with that. Just try not to get stabbed by one of their bodyguards, or worse, assassins sent by their fathers."

    Carlos smirked and clapped Rex on the back.

    "I''ll take my chances, brother. What about you? What''s the plan for tonight?"

    Rex glanced back at the shared suite where Ys and Cleo were already unpacking, well,

    arguing

    while unpacking. Cleo appeared to be organizing her belongings with precision, while Ys was casually tossing her things into a pile on the bed and looking unimpressed by Cleo''s fussiness.

    "T

    he girls want to hit the casino tonight,"

    Rex explained.

    "They''ve been bickering about the best strategies to win big all day. And, well... I''ve never been to a real casino before, so I thought I''d check it out too."

    Carlos blinked, his expression turning incredulous.

    "What are you talking about? We have been to a casino before. Back when we were slaves, remember? We used to sneak out at night and gamble to save up money for our freedom."

    Rex frowned, scratching his head.

    "That wasn''t a casino, Carlos. That was... pretty sure that was an illegal betting den. I just realized that last night while Cleo was explaining how casinos work."

    He chuckled, shaking his head. "

    Still, I guess it did the job back then."

    Carlos folded his arms, leaning back with a nostalgic grin. "Ah, the good old days, huh? It might''ve been illegal, but those nights were fun. Just a couple of kids, making bad bets and dreaming of freedom."

    "Yeah,"

    Rex said, his tone softer now as the memories came rushing back.

    "We''ve come a long way since then, haven''t we?"

    Carlos smiled, but then his grin widened again as he slapped Rex on the back.

    "Damn right, we have. Now get out there, brother, and enjoy yourself. Don''t let those two fight over you too much, alright?"

    Rex snorted.

    "Easier said than done. Anyway, I should go get ready for the casino. Good luck out there with your... wild charm strategy."

    Carlos gave him a mock salute.

    "And good luck surviving those two."

    He turned and disappeared into his VIP room, already muttering something about needing to pick the right outfit to dazzle the nobles.

    Rex returned to the shared suite, opening the door to find Cleo and Ys still bickering over something trivial, probably which dress would look better in the casino. He shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips despite himself.

    After a few hours of preparations, they were finally ready for the big event. The casino was one of the most anticipated attractions aboard the luxury cruiser, and Cleo, ever meticulous, had made sure that their night would be nothing short of perfect.

    "Here we go,"

    Rex muttered under his breath.

    "Let the games begin."

 Chapter 140 Casino night.

    The cruiser itself was enormous, so massive, in fact, that it operated more like a floating city than a ship. Moving from one end to the other on foot was practically impossible.

    To accommodate the vast distances, the cruiser offered public transportation for its passengers, sleek, automated shuttles that zipped along dedicated tramways, ferrying guests to and from the many entertainment venues.

    But for those fortunate enough to be traveling under VIP status, the experience was on another level entirely.

    Private luxury transports were available, complete with plush seating, chilled drinks, and even a dedicated concierge bot to cater to their every whim. Unsurprisingly, Cleo had made sure their group qualified for this exclusive treatment.

    As Rex and the others stepped into their private transport, the difference was immediately noticeable. The interior was sleek and futuristic, with soft lighting that set a relaxed ambiance.

    The walls shimmered faintly with embedded holo-displays showing scenic views of the galaxy outside. The seats were oversized and cushioned, upholstered in a material that seemed to adjust itself for maximum comfort as soon as they sat down.

    "Wow,"

    Rex muttered, sinking into one of the seats.

    "This... is ridiculous. In a good way."

    Carlos flopped down in the seat across from him, spreading his arms wid

    e. "Now this is what I''m talking about! VIP treatment, baby!"

    He leaned back, letting the seat practically swallow him whole.

    "Man, I don''t know why we don''t do this kind of stuff more often."

    Ys, already seated next to Rex, crossed one leg over the other with a small smirk.

    "Because someone keeps getting us into fights with pirates and alien death cults, that''s why."

    Carlos shot her a mock glare.

    "Hey, those pirates attacked us first. I was just making sure they regretted it."

    "By blowing up half their fleet and nearly taking you down too?"

    Cleo interjected, her tone as sharp as ever as she stepped into the transport behind them.

    She gave Carlos a pointed look before gracefully taking the seat on Rex''s other side.

    "Honestly, sometimes I wonder how you even made it to adulthood."

    Carlos shrugged, grinning.

    "Luck, mostly. And this charming personality."

    He gestured to himself with a flourish.

    Cleo rolled her eyes but chose not to dignify that with a response. Instead, she turned to Rex, her expression softening.

    "What do you think of the VIP experience so far? Comfortable enough for you?"

    Rex leaned back, glancing around the sleek transport.

    "Yeah, I''ll admit, this is nice. A little too nice, actually. I''m starting to wonder if I should be worried about the bill at the end of all this."

    Cleo gave him a reassuring smile.

    "Don''t worry about that. It''s all covered. Consider it my treat."

    "Your treat?"

    Rex raised an eyebrow.

    "How exactly does that work? Aren''t we technically one?"

    "We are,"

    Cleo said with a faintly amused tone.

    "But that doesn''t mean I can''t manage the budget efficiently enough to set something aside for special occasions."No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Rex opened his mouth to respond but thought better of it.

    "You know what? I''m not even going to question it. Thanks, Cleo."

    Carlos leaned forward, grinning.

    "You''re spoiling him, Cleo. Next thing you know, he''s going to expect VIP treatment everywhere we go."

    Rex burst out laughing, shaking his head.

    "Hahaha, yeah, sure. Just try not to get killed while you''re there, alright? And don''t drink so much that you wake up in someone''s storage closet."

    "Please, Rex. A man of my caliber doesn''t ''wake up'' in closets. I wake up in luxury, surrounded by admirers.

    " Carlos shot Rex a playful wink before heading off toward the private vehicle that would take him to the recommended nightclub.

    Meanwhile, Rex barely had time to wave Carlos off before Ys grabbed one of his arms and Cleo took the other. Without missing a beat, the two women started dragging him into the glowing entrance of the casino.

    "Guess I don''t have a choice here,"

    Rex muttered, glancing at both of them.

    "Alright, lead the way, ladies."

    Inside the casino, Rex found himself momentarily stunned. The place was massive, like a grand palace dedicated to one thing... wealth. Rows of brightly colored machines lined the floors, their screens flashing in dazzling neon patterns as passengers tried their luck.

    Holo-displays floated above the machines, advertising jackpot winnings and showing statistics that only seemed to tempt players into losing more money.

    The smell of expensive cologne and freshly made food lingered in the air, blending with the faint hum of machinery and the sounds of laughter, cheering, and groaning from the tables.

    Rex''s eyes traveled further, landing on an unexpected sight, a large arena sunken into the floor, surrounded by high-tech barricades and energy fields.

    Spotlights lit the center of the arena, where two combatants were fighting viciously, one clearly a seasoned gladiator, the other an unlucky criminal who was wildly swinging a rusted blade.

    The roar of the crowd above them was deafening as the gladiator easily sidestepped his opponent''s clumsy attacks.

    "

    Wait... is that an arena?"

    Rex asked, pointing toward it.

    "They actually have people fighting down there?"

    Cleo, who had been casually analyzing the surroundings, glanced at the arena and nodded.

    "Affirmative. That''s the casino''s personal gladiatorial arena. It''s a popular attraction for the VIPs. The fighters are usually criminals or pirates captured by the megacorp patrols. Since they''ve already been sentenced to death, the arena is where they meet their end, while entertaining the guests, of course."

    Rex frowned, his golden eyes narrowing slightly.

    "That... feels sketchy. Is this even legal?"

    Cleo tilted her head toward a group of men stationed around the arena, all dressed in sleek black uniforms with a small megacorp emblem stitched onto their sleeves.

    "

    See those individuals in black? They''re agents from the megacorp patrols. Their job is to ensure that the criminals don''t try to escape. If someone tries to run, they''re authorized to shoot on sight. It''s not exactly legal... more like a gray zone. Officially, it''s a form of ''entertainment'' for those who can afford it, and technically, the participants are condemned criminals."

    Rex shook his head slowly, his gaze lingering on the arena.

    "Gray zone or not, that''s messed up."

    As Cleo continued explaining the rules of the arena which she had downloaded in detail before arriving, a man dressed in expensive but casual attire approached the group.

    He had the smug confidence of someone who thought himself important, though his piercing gaze wandered a bit too freely over Cleo and Ys before finally settling on Rex.

    "Hello, my friend,"

    the man said, his voice smooth but carrying an oily undertone. "

    I see you''re interested in the arena. Perhaps you''d like to do more than watch? How about joining a match yourself?"

    His smile stretched a little too wide, revealing perfect teeth that looked suspiciously artificial.

    Rex turned to face him, his expression neutral.

    "And you are?"

    The man straightened, placing one hand over his chest as if preparing to deliver a grand speech

    .

    "Ah, where are my manners? I am Darius Tameron, the esteemed manager of this fine arena. While it is primarily used for hosting matches between convicted criminals, we also allow those confident in their strength to enter the ring. Champions have the opportunity to win not only glory but significant prizes as well."

    Rex raised an eyebrow.

    "Prizes? Like what?"

    Darius grinned

 Chapter 141 Casino night. (2)

    Darius grinned, clearly pleased that Rex was taking the bait. He made an exaggerated gesture, as if revealing some great treasure.

    "This is a casino, my friend! Naturally, the prize is credits. But not just any credits; the champion takes 50% of all the bets placed on their match. Depending on the crowd and the stakes, that can add up to a lot of money."

    Rex''s interest was piqued, though he wasn''t entirely convinced. "And what are the rules?"No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Darius clasped his hands together, leaning in slightly. "Simple! You fight in a series of matches against the arena''s most dangerous opponents. Each match gets progressively harder, of course, and you must win to advance. Lose, and, well, that''s the end of the road."

    He chuckled, though the humor in his voice felt forced. "But someone as capable-looking as you shouldn''t have a problem. So, what do you say? Interested?"

    Ys immediately tightened her grip on Rex''s arm, glaring at Darius with open hostility. "No, he''s not interested," she snapped. "Find someone else to play your blood sport."

    Cleo, however, remained calm, though her piercing golden gaze was locked on Darius. "While the offer is intriguing, I believe my companion would prefer to enjoy his evening without being dragged into your arena."

    Darius''s smile didn''t falter, though his eyes flicked between Cleo and Ys before returning to Rex. "Come now; no need to decide so quickly. Surely you''ve thought about testing yourself in combat. Why not make a spectacle of it? Imagine the cheers, the thrill, the glory, and, of course, the reward."

    Rex scratched the back of his neck, glancing between the arena and the man before him. The idea of entering didn''t sit well with him, not because he lacked the skill, but because he had a sinking feeling there was more to this arena than what Darius was letting on.

    After a moment of thought, Rex shook his head. "Sorry, not tonight. I came here to relax, not to fight. Maybe next time."

    Darius''s smile tightened, but he bowed his head politely. "Of course, my friend. Should you change your mind, the arena is always open to those with the courage to step inside." With that, he turned and disappeared into the crowd, leaving Rex, Cleo, and Ys standing near the edge of the arena.

    "That guy gave me the creeps," Ys muttered, still glaring in the direction Darius had gone.

    Cleo nodded. "Agreed. I suggest we avoid him for the rest of the evening. He''s clearly trying to lure you into something."

    Rex exhaled deeply, glancing back at the glowing casino floor. "Yeah, let''s stick to the plan. No fighting tonight. Just games, drinks, and... hopefully no more weird invitations."

    Ys and Cleo exchanged a brief look; one of the few times they seemed to agree and nodded. Together, the trio moved away from the arena and toward the heart of the casino, ready to enjoy the night on their own terms.

    While Rex and his companions enjoyed their time in the casino, Carlos had finally arrived at the nightclub. The outside of the club was alive with vibrant lights and the faint pulse of bass-heavy music that could be felt even before stepping inside.

    Discover hidden content at empire

    The line to get in stretched far down the corridor, packed with elegantly dressed individuals, each waiting impatiently for their turn to enter.

    Carlos gestured dramatically toward the entrance, stepping aside as if presenting her with the path. "Lead the way, my lady. And don''t worry, I promise to be a very patient guest."

    Together, they entered the nightclub, the pulsating music growing louder as they stepped past the velvet ropes and into a dazzling display of lights and sound.

    Inside, the club was a spectacle of extravagance. The lighting was dim but vibrant, with swirling neon patterns illuminating the dance floor, where patrons swayed and moved to the rhythm of a live DJ stationed on an elevated platform.

    Holo-displays of shimmering visuals floated above the crowd, adding to the hypnotic energy of the space.

    The VIP section was cordoned off by a sleek energy barrier, where tables adorned with crystal glasses and exotic drinks were spread out in a semi-private area overlooking the main floor.

    Servers moved gracefully between the tables, delivering trays of colorful cocktails to the well-dressed elite lounging on plush chairs.

    Sharon led Carlos toward one of the tables in the VIP area, gesturing for him to sit across from her. "Since it''s your first time here, let me order for us," she said confidently, waving down a server.

    Carlos leaned back in his seat, his grin never faltering. "A bold move, Sharon. I like it. But I have to warn you, I''ve got high standards when it comes to drinks."

    Sharon raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. "Oh, do you? Well, let''s see if I can impress you." She turned to the server and whispered her order, leaving Carlos in suspense.

    As they waited for their drinks, Carlos decided to press his luck. "So, Sharon, do you come here often to escape the boring life of the ultra-rich, or am I just lucky enough to catch you on your day off?"

    Sharon chuckled, her green eyes sparkling with amusement. "Something like that. It''s not often I get to relax like this, so I take the chance when I can."

    Carlos tilted his head, studying her carefully. "You know, you don''t seem like the type who needs a distraction. You''ve got that... effortless confidence thing going on. Like someone who knows exactly what she wants."

    Sharon''s lips curved into a sly smile. "And what makes you think I don''t want a distraction every now and then?"

    Carlos laughed. "Fair enough. Everyone needs one, I guess. Lucky for you, I happen to be a world-class distraction."

    Their conversation was interrupted by the server returning with their drinks, two elegant glasses filled with vibrant, glowing liquid that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.

    "Here''s to distractions," Sharon said, raising her glass toward Carlos.

    "And to meeting new friends," Carlos replied, clinking his glass against hers.

    As they sipped their drinks, the music thrummed around them, and Carlos couldn''t help but think that maybe this vacation wasn''t such a bad idea after all.

 Chapter 142 Hangover.

    "By the way," Rex said casually, glancing at Ys as the trio strolled across the bustling casino floor, weaving between rows of flashing machines and excited gamblers.

    Ys was walking on his left; her arm looped lightly around his as if staking her claim. "What were you two arguing about earlier? Something about instinct versus statistics?"

    "Oh, that?" Ys smirked, puffing her chest out slightly as if she had already won the debate.

    "It''s simple, darling. Cleo here keeps insisting that the best way to win at these games is to use probabilities, statistics, and all that boring nonsense. But I say it''s all about instinct! You just know where to bet if you''ve got good instincts. It''s a gut thing, you know?"

    Cleo, walking on Rex''s other side with her usual composed grace, didn''t even open her eyes as she replied. "Instinct is just a euphemism for guessing," she said calmly, her tone tinged with a hint of superiority.

    "These games are designed with probabilities in mind. Winning is a matter of understanding the logic behind them, not trusting your ''gut.''"

    "Tsk, there you go again!" Ys said, shooting Cleo a glare. "You''re so stuck up with your data and calculations. Are you seriously too arrogant to admit you''re wrong for once?"

    "Hmph," Cleo responded, finally opening one eye to glance at Ys. "Right back at you. You''re the one in the wrong this time, as always."

    The two women locked eyes, the tension crackling between them like static electricity. Rex, caught in the middle, both literally and figuratively, could already see where this was going.

    And, sure enough, Ys turned to him, grabbing his arm. "Darling~! Who do you think is right? Clearly, you agree with me, don''t you?" She said, her cat-like grin practically daring Cleo to react.

    Cleo didn''t miss a beat. "No need to ask him," she said coolly. "I know he''ll side with logic. He''s not reckless enough to endorse Ys''s, shall we say, ''imaginative'' approach to gambling."

    Rex paused for dramatic effect, a small smirk spreading across his face. "Well, ladies," he said, looking between the two of them, "I hate to break it to you, but neither of you are right."

    Both women stopped dead in their tracks, staring at him in unison. "What?!" they said at the same time, their voices filled with disbelief.

    "The truth is," Rex said, crossing his arms and putting on an exaggeratedly smug expression, "the only thing you really need to win at games like this... is pure, unadulterated luck."

    "I disagree!" Cleo and Ys shouted in unison, their protests echoing through the casino.

    Rex chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. "Alright, alright," he said, holding up his hands.

    "How about this? Let''s settle this once and for all with a little competition. We''ll head to the blackjack table. Each of us will start with 100,000 credits. After 10 rounds, whoever has the most credits wins. And to make things interesting, the losers will have to face a punishment."

    Ys''s eyes lit up at the word "punishment." "Oh, now this I like. What''s the punishment, darling~?"

    Rex''s grin widened. "Every time you lose, you take a shot of the strongest liquor they have at the bar. And none of that cheating by using your desintoxication abilities to sober up. You drink; you deal with it. That goes for both of you."

    The crowd erupted into cheers and laughter as Rex stood up, raising his hands like a champion. "I told you all! The only thing you need to win is luck!"

    And then, without warning, he wobbled slightly, his face turning an even deeper shade of red. "Uh oh..." was all he managed to say before collapsing onto the floor in a drunken heap and completely passing out.

    Cleo and Ys stared down at him, their expressions a mix of amusement and exasperation.

    "Well," Cleo said dryly, folding her arms. "I hope he enjoys his ''luck'' when he wakes up with a hangover."

    Ys just laughed, crouching down to poke his cheek. "You gotta admit, though, he earned that win. Too bad he couldn''t stay awake to celebrate it."

    The crowd dispersed, still chuckling and talking about the wild game, leaving Cleo and Ys to figure out how they were going to haul their drunken champion back to their suite.

    As the morning cycle began aboard the cruiser, the artificial environment came to life. The holographic sky displayed a breathtaking 4D sunrise, complete with warm golden rays and a serene blue backdrop.

    Soft bird-like chirps echoed faintly throughout the corridors, enhancing the illusion of a peaceful morning. The sunlight streamed through the luxurious windows of the suites, gently coaxing passengers from their slumber.

    Carlos groaned softly as the light hit his face, causing him to stir. He rubbed his temples, his eyes still half-shut, before muttering, "Mmm, where the hell am I?"

    He blinked a few times, his brain slowly catching up with reality. A sharp throbbing in his skull reminded him of the previous night. "Damn, just how much did I drink yesterday?" he muttered, massaging his temples to combat the pounding hangover.

    His surroundings didn''t look familiar. The room he was in was lavish, with soft silken sheets, a massive king-sized bed, and elegant decor that looked far more extravagant than his VIP suite. Golden-framed paintings hung on the walls, and a faint floral scent lingered in the air.

    "Wait... seriously, where the hell am I? This definitely isn''t my room," Carlos said, squinting at the unfamiliar furnishings.

    When he tried to sit up, he felt something... someone wrapped around him. His heart skipped a beat as he frozen.

    A soft weight pressed against his chest, and a pair of arms were draped loosely over his torso. His breath caught in his throat as he slowly, very slowly, lifted the edge of the blankets to see what, or who, was holding him.

    "..."

    Carlos''s eyes widened as he stared at the figure curled up next to him. Long golden hair spilled across the pillow like a shimmering river, and her delicate feline-like ears twitched slightly as she shifted in her sleep.

    Her bare shoulders peeked out from under the covers, rising and falling with each soft breath she took. Her face, relaxed in slumber, looked impossibly serene, and unnervingly familiar.

    "Oh shit..." Carlos whispered, his voice barely audible. He felt a cold sweat break out on the back of his neck as the memories of last night started to trickle back into his mind, though they were blurry at best.

    His inner monologue went into overdrive. "Okay, okay, calm down, Carlos. Think. Don''t panic. Who is this? Oh no... wait. Is this... Sharon?!" He glanced again at the sleeping woman, her lynx-like ears twitching slightly as if in response to his racing thoughts. Yep. That''s definitely Sharon. The lady from the nightclub.

 Chapter 143 Hangover. (2)

    He gulped, his eyes darting around the room, searching for answers or an escape route. "What the hell happened last night?" He squeezed his eyes shut, trying to force the hazy memories into focus.

    He remembered the nightclub... the drinks... Sharon''s laughter as they toasted to "distractions"... and then... nothing. A complete blackout.

    "Crap. Crap. Crap," Carlos muttered under his breath, careful not to wake her. His mind raced through the possibilities. Did we...? He didn''t dare finish that thought, his panic doubling at the implications.

    Before he could spiral any further, Sharon stirred beside him, letting out a soft, sleepy hum. Her green cat-like eyes fluttered open, their glow catching the light of the artificial sun.

    For a moment, she seemed disoriented, but then her gaze landed on Carlos, and a small, amused smile spread across her lips.

    "Good morning, Carlos," she said in a warm, teasing tone, her voice carrying that same melodic charm as the night before.

    Carlos froze, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. "Uh... good morning, Sharon. Uh... nice weather we''re having?" He stammered, his voice cracking slightly as he desperately tried to find his footing.

    Sharon chuckled softly, propping herself up on one elbow as she regarded him with an amused expression. "You look like you''ve seen a ghost. Relax, darling. You didn''t do anything inappropriate. Well..." She trailed off, a playful glint in her eyes. "Mostly."

    Carlos''s face turned a deep shade of red. "What... what does that even mean?" he asked, his voice higher-pitched than usual.

    Sharon stretched lazily, her movements graceful and cat-like as she yawned. "You had a lot to drink last night. I found you passed out in one of the lounge booths, mumbling something about chocolate and rich girls."

    She giggled at the memory, her lynx ears flicking. "You were so pitiful that I couldn''t leave you there. So, I brought you back to my room to keep an eye on you."

    Carlos blinked, processing her words. "Wait... so nothing happened?"

    Sharon raised an eyebrow, her teasing smile widening. "I didn''t say nothing happened." She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "But let''s just say you were a perfect gentleman... after you passed out."

    Carlos groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Why do I feel like I''m never going to live this down?"

    Sharon laughed, sitting up fully now. "Oh, don''t be so dramatic. You were adorable, in a drunken, clueless kind of way. Besides, you did keep me entertained. Not many people talk to me the way you did last night. It was refreshing."

    Carlos peeked at her through his fingers. "Yeah, well, I''m glad you had a good time. Meanwhile, I''m over here trying to piece together what''s left of my dignity."

    Sharon stood up, wrapping herself in a silk robe that had been draped over the chair beside the bed. She glanced back at him with a mischievous smile. "Oh, don''t worry, Carlos. Your dignity is intact. For now."

    He groaned again, flopping back onto the pillows. "Great. Just great."

    Meanwhile, Rex reluctantly answered the call, keeping his voice low. "Carlos, this is really not a good time."

    On the other end, Carlos was whispering frantically. "You think you have problems? I''m in deep shit over here! I woke up in someone else''s room, and I don''t know how I got here! There''s a woman in the shower right now, man!"

    "Yeah, well, I''m naked in a bed with two women who are also naked, so take a number!" Rex hissed back, still whispering.

    "Wait, WHAT?!" Carlos''s voice rose slightly before he quickly lowered it again. "How the hell did you manage to screw things up that badly?"

    "I don''t know, Carlos!" Rex shot back, glancing nervously at Ys and Cleo, who were now fully awake and staring at each other. "I don''t even remember what happened! Just... just deal with your mess, and I''ll deal with mine!"

    Carlos groaned. "Fine, fine! But don''t die before I figure out what to do!" The line went dead, leaving Rex to face the aftermath of the previous night.

    Back in the room, Ys and Cleo were still processing what had happened. Unlike Rex, they both remembered everything... every detail, every moment, every sensation.

    Cleo''s perfect memory replayed the events of the night with unflinching clarity: the way Rex had taken control, how he''d utterly dominated them, how they had practically melted under him, powerless to resist.

    Her cheeks flushed slightly at the thought, though her expression remained calm on the surface.

    Ys, on the other hand, had a mix of emotions swirling in her head. She glanced down at Cleo, who was still pinned beneath her, before breaking the silence.

    "Just how long do you plan on staying beneath me?" Ys asked, her tone blunt but laced with tension.

    Cleo, still staring up at her, maintained her usual poker face. "That depends," she replied coolly. "How long do you plan on crushing me with your weight?"

    Rex, still crouched near the foot of the bed, could feel the tension rising. His eyes darted between the two women, and he knew he had to say something before things escalated. But before he could speak, Cleo turned her head slightly, her icy golden eyes locking onto Rex.

    "And you," she said, her voice calm but with an edge that sent a shiver down Rex''s spine. "Do you have anything to say for yourself after what you did to us last night?"

    Rex froze, his mind going blank as he struggled to form a coherent sentence. "I, uh... I don''t... I mean, I didn''t¡ªuh.

    Ys sat up slightly, still keeping one hand on Cleo to pin her down. Her green eyes gleamed with mischief, though her voice carried a dangerous undertone. "You don''t remember, do you, darling? Well, we do. Every. single. thing.~"

    Rex gulped, feeling the weight of their gazes pressing down on him. His hangover was the least of his worries now.

    I''m so screwed, he thought miserably.

 Chapter 144 Sharon.

    After a few hours of relative peace, the chaos from both Rex''s and Carlos''s earlier situations had finally settled, well, somewhat. Rex''s room had gone from being an active war zone to a fragile ceasefire, while Carlos somehow managed to keep Sharon entertained without completely losing his mind.

    Now, the group was gathering at the hangar bay, preparing for the second event of the cruise: camping on a pristine, naturally protected world.

    The hangar was bustling with activity as passengers and crew loaded up supplies and prepared for the scenic expedition. Carlos, however, barely had time to admire the spectacle before Rex grabbed him by the neck and dragged him behind a cargo crate, out of earshot of Ys, Cleo, and most importantly Sharon.

    "Hey, man! What the hell?!" Carlos protested, rubbing his neck once Rex released him.

    Rex leaned in, whispering urgently. "Carlos. How did you end up with that woman? And who is she?"

    Carlos glanced nervously toward Sharon, who was standing a short distance away, casually chatting with Ys and Cleo as if she didn''t have a care in the world. "I told you, man! I don''t know!" Carlos whispered back.

    "All I remember is meeting her outside the nightclub. We hung out inside, had a great time, and then... poof. Blackout. Nothing. Total void after that."

    Rex groaned, running a hand down his face. "So you don''t remember anything? Like, how you ended up in her room?"

    Carlos shook his head helplessly. "Not a damn thing. But she seems like a nice lady, you know? She''s classy, and she''s been really chill about everything. So why were you in such a panic when you called me earlier?"

    Carlos hesitated, scratching the back of his neck. "Well, the thing is..." He leaned closer, lowering his voice even further. "She told me she''s married. And apparently, people are terrified of her husband. Like, they avoid her because of him."

    Rex''s eyes widened. "Married?!" he hissed, glancing at Sharon again. She was laughing softly at something Ys had said, completely unaware of the two men''s panicked conversation. "Do you have any idea who her husband is?"

    Carlos shrugged helplessly. "I don''t, man! That''s why I called you! Maybe Cleo can look her up or something? You know, do her tech wizard thing?"

    Rex sighed, glancing at his arm device. "Fine. Let me call her and see what she can dig up." He tapped a few buttons, initiating the call. After a moment, Cleo''s calm, neutral voice came through the device.

    "Yes, Rex?" Cleo answered, her tone betraying no hint of the chaos happening in the background.

    "Cleo, I need to talk to you in private. Can you come over here where Carlos and I are?" Rex said, waving his hand so Cleo could see him from across the hangar.

    Cleo''s gaze flicked to him, then to Carlos, whose face was practically radiating distress. "Understood. I''ll be there shortly," she replied before ending the call. Turning to Ys and Sharon, she smiled politely.

    "Ys, can you keep Sharon company for a moment? Rex and Carlos require my assistance with something."

    Ys, who had been listening intently with her advanced hearing, smirked knowingly. "Sure, I''ll hold down the fort. Just don''t take too long. The transport ships will be taking off soon."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow at Ys''s unusually cooperative response but decided not to comment. "Understood," she said before heading over to where Rex and Carlos were waiting.

    Cleo nodded. "Understood. But I would suggest that Carlos maintain a respectful distance from Sharon for the remainder of the trip."

    "Respectful distance?!" Carlos hissed. "I''m staying light-years away from her!"

    As the group prepared to board the transport, Carlos couldn''t shake the feeling that his vacation had taken a very dangerous turn.

    "I don''t think you''ll be able to stay away from her, Carlos," Rex said with a teasing grin as he patted Carlos''s shoulder.

    His hand then gestured toward the far end of the hangar, where Sharon stood, looking effortlessly elegant even in casual camping attire. She was holding a datapad and chatting pleasantly with Ys, her lynx-like ears twitching slightly as she laughed at something.

    Carlos turned to look, his stomach sinking when he realized what Rex was pointing out. "No, no way," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Rex chuckled. "Yep. It looks like Sharon''s on our team for the camping event. Congratulations, buddy. You''ve hit the jackpot."

    Carlos groaned, running a hand down his face. "I can''t believe this... Why me, man? Why does it have to be me?"

    "Haha! Hey, look on the bright side," Rex said as they started walking toward the transport ship. "You delivered the single most powerful hit to one of our enemies. I mean, sleeping in the same room as the wife of Nexum Dynamics'' CEO? That''s next-level sabotage!"

    "Yeah, next-level sabotage that''ll probably get me vaporized," Carlos muttered, shooting Sharon a nervous glance. She caught him looking and gave him a warm smile, waving slightly. He immediately looked away, his face heating up.

    Cleo, walking next to Rex, glanced at Carlos with her usual neutral expression, though there was a faint glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "Try not to embarrass yourself too much, Carlos. We''re supposed to be on a peaceful outing, after all."

    "Peaceful?!" Carlos hissed under his breath. "I''m one wrong word away from getting assassinated, and you call this peaceful?"

    Cleo didn''t bother responding, simply stepping onto the transport ship with Rex, leaving Carlos to reluctantly follow.

    Once inside the transport ship, the passengers settled into their designated seats. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with padded seats and large windows offering stunning views of the planet below.

    The girls, Ys, Cleo, and Sharon, sat on one side, chatting away about various topics while Carlos and Rex sat on the other, their heads bent over their arm devices as they pretended to ignore the ongoing conversation.

    "Why does it feel like my vacation is turning into a survival mission?" Carlos muttered to Rex as he scrolled through his arm device, likely searching for some way to calm his nerves.

    "Could be worse," Rex replied casually, not looking up from his device. "At least she seems to like you. If she didn''t, you''d already be dealing with her husband''s goons right now."

    Carlos shot him a glare. "Not helping, Rex. Not helping at all."

    A chime echoed through the cabin, and a cheerful voice from the event announcer came over the intercom.

    <<one, two, three!Can you all hear me? Im the guide that will be in charge of you guys! Are you all ready to spend an extraordinary time surrounded by nature?>>

 Chapter 145 Camping.

    << Everyone, please pay attention. We are now beginning the second event of the cruise: a camping adventure on the beautiful protected planet below us! As you may have noticed, you''ve been placed into teams of five for safety purposes.

    Carlos''s face fell. "Five-person teams? Of course it had to be five," he muttered bitterly, glancing at the "fifth person" on their team: Sharon, who was sitting next to Ys with an air of elegance that seemed wildly out of place for a camping trip.

    She caught Carlos''s eye again and gave him another warm smile. He quickly looked away.

    Rex stifled a laugh and gave Carlos a teasing nudge. "Cheer up. At least she doesn''t seem angry about last night. If anything, she looks like she''s having fun."

    Carlos groaned. "I''ll trade you places. You take my seat, my problems, and my team."

    "No deal," Rex replied with a grin.

    << Your transport ship has been equipped with enough resources and tools to last five days, though you will only be staying for three nights and two days. Should you feel unwell or unable to continue, you may contact us using the communicator onboard, and we will arrange for your immediate return.

    The announcer paused for a moment before continuing.

    << With that said, please enjoy the trip. We hope this will be a relaxing and memorable experience for all of you!

    The moment the announcement ended, the transport ship''s autopilot engaged, and a soft hum filled the cabin as the ship began its descent. Outside the windows, the vibrant blue-green planet grew larger as they approached. It was breathtaking, with sprawling forests, shimmering rivers, and mountain ranges bathed in golden sunlight.

    Carlos leaned back in his seat, staring out the window. "I just need to get through this trip without dying. That''s all I''m asking for," he muttered.

    Rex smirked, leaning closer to whisper. "You''ll be fine. Just think of it as a bonding experience."

    Carlos glanced at him, deadpan. "If I survive this, you owe me so many drinks."

    "Deal," Rex said with a grin.

    Across the aisle, Ys and Cleo were deep in conversation, though Ys''s sharp hearing meant she was likely eavesdropping on Rex and Carlos. She turned to Sharon with a playful smirk. "So, Sharon, are you excited about camping? I''m sure Carlos will be thrilled to help you set up your tent."

    Sharon giggled, her feline ears twitching slightly. "Oh, I wouldn''t want to trouble him too much. But he does seem like a dependable sort of man, don''t you think?"

    They glanced at Carlos, who was pretending not to hear them but was clearly sweating bullets. She smirked. "Oh, definitely. You should rely on him as much as you want."

    Cleo shot Ys a warning glance. "Don''t encourage her, Ys. We''re here to enjoy the event, not cause unnecessary drama."

    "Oh, come on, Cleo," Ys replied, leaning back with a mischievous grin. "A little drama makes everything more fun."

    Rex glanced between the girls and Carlos, who looked like he was actively praying for the ship to land so he could escape. Rex shakes his head, chuckling softly.

    "Uh... yeah," he stammered, trying to regain control of his thoughts. "It''s, um, really nice. We can, um, check it out together later tonight... if you want to."

    Sharon let out a soft, melodic giggle, her green cat-like eyes sparkling as she rested her head lightly on his shoulder. "Well, that sounds like a lovely proposition," she said, her voice carrying just a hint of playful teasing.

    Behind them, Rex watched the entire interaction unfold with a mix of amusement and disbelief. Carrying the heavy food cage on his shoulder, he sighed and shook his head. "This guy," Rex muttered to himself, unable to stop a small smirk from creeping onto his face. "He''s completely done for."

    Cleo, walking beside Rex, glanced at him briefly. "Do you think he realizes the precarious situation he''s put himself in?" She asked in her usual calm tone, though there was a faint hint of judgment in her voice.

    Rex snorted. "Not even a little. His brain''s clearly been hijacked by... other priorities." He nodded toward Sharon, who was still clinging to Carlos''s arm.

    Cleo frowned slightly, her icy golden eyes narrowing. "This will likely end badly if he doesn''t proceed with caution. Sharon is not an ordinary woman."

    "No kidding," Rex replied, shifting the weight of the food crate. "But hey, maybe this is all part of Carlos''s master plan to sabotage Nexum Dynamics from the inside."

    Cleo gave him a flat look. "I highly doubt Carlos is capable of formulating a ''master plan.'' He''s acting on pure instinct. Or rather... recklessness."

    Rex chuckled. "You''re probably right. Still, let''s give him the benefit of the doubt. Maybe he''ll surprise us."

    "Or he''ll get us all killed," Cleo muttered under her breath.

    Ys, who had been eavesdropping with her enhanced hearing, smirked and called back over her shoulder. "You two really should give Carlos a little more credit. Who knows? Maybe he''s charming enough to pull this off."

    Rex and Cleo exchanged skeptical looks but said nothing more as the group continued their trek.

    As they neared the designated camping site, the alien forest began to open up, revealing a clearing surrounded by crystalline trees and a sparkling stream. The coordinates on their arm devices confirmed that they had arrived.

    Alright, let''s get to work," Rex said, setting down the heavy food crate with a relieved sigh. "Carlos, you set up the fire pit. I''ll handle the supplies. Cleo and Ys, you two take care of the tents and the atmospheric regulator."

    "And what about Sharon?" Carlos asked, glancing nervously at her.

    Rex smirked. "She''s your responsibility, buddy. Good luck."

    Carlos groaned, rubbing his temples. "Great. Just great."

    Sharon, meanwhile, watched the group with a serene smile, clearly enjoying the dynamic. "Don''t worry, Carlos," she said, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I''m sure you''ll do wonderfully."

    As the group began setting up camp, Rex couldn''t help but glance back at Carlos and Sharon every so often, shaking his head with a mix of pity and amusement.

    This is going to be one hell of a camping trip, Rex thought.

 Chapter 146 Camping. (2)

    After some effort, the campsite was finally complete, a harmonious mix of futuristic technology and traditional camping vibes. Hover lanterns floated above, casting a soft, warm glow across the clearing.

    At the center of the camp was a holographic fire pit, a brilliant piece of tech that projected flickering flames while doubling as a heat source.

    Though it lacked the smoky aroma of a real fire, Cleo had insisted on adding authentic crackling sounds for ambiance, programming it herself to replicate the soothing noise of burning wood.

    Due to the planet''s unique ecosystem, burning the native wood was strictly forbidden, not to mention dangerous, as it could release toxic fumes. To preserve the camping experience as much as possible, the provided holo-fire pit and other camping gear were state-of-the-art, creating the perfect blend of nature and comfort.

    Carlos stretched his arms as he sat back on one of the collapsible chairs, admiring their handiwork. "Alright, everything''s set up. This place looks perfect," he said, clearly proud of the teamwork that went into building their little temporary home.

    Rex flopped onto the ground, propping his head up on a nearby rock. "Okay, now what? We''ve got everything ready, and we''re here for three nights. What are we even supposed to do to kill the time? Anyone got any ideas?"

    Sharon, who had been gently brushing dirt off her outfit, looked around thoughtfully. "Hmm, I have to admit, this is my first time camping like this. I''m not sure what people usually do in these situations," she said, her feline ears twitching as she scanned the forest.

    Ys perked up, her green eyes gleaming with excitement. "What if we go hunting? The native species on this planet must be fascinating, and I''d love to bag a few trophies!" She rubbed her hands together, clearly thrilled at the idea.

    Cleo immediately shot her a sharp glare. "We can''t," she said firmly. "This is a protected world. Hunting is strictly forbidden." She crossed her arms and added with a cutting edge to her tone, "But I guess a princess like you wouldn''t care about rules, would you? Or the delicate balance of ecosystems, for that matter."

    She rolled her eyes and smirked. "Oh, come on, Cleo. Don''t pretend you''re worried about the ecosystem. You''re just scared I''d catch something cooler than anything you''ve ever done."

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, her expression unreadable. "No, I''m worried you''d destroy half the forest while trying to catch it. You race have a reputation, after all."

    The tension between the two women crackled like an actual fire, but Rex decided to nip it in the bud by ignoring them entirely. Turning to Carlos, he said, "What about you, Carlos? Got any brilliant ideas for how to pass the time?"

    Carlos rubbed his chin deep in thought before a mischievous grin spread across his face. "How about we tell some stories? I mean, it''s nighttime, we''ve got a fire... well, sort of, and it''s the perfect setting for some spooky tales. What better way to spend the evening?"

    Rex''s eyes lit up at the suggestion. "Damn, that''s actually a solid idea! I''m in!" He quickly sat up and moved to sit closer to the holo-fire pit, patting the ground next to him.

    "I think that sounds fascinating," Sharon said as she gracefully sat down next to Carlos. Her green eyes sparkled with curiosity. "I''ve never told campfire stories before. I''d love to hear some."

    "Me too, darling," Ys said, plopping down on Rex''s other side with a sly grin.

    Cleo silently joined the group, taking her seat with her usual air of composure.

    "Alright," Carlos said, clapping his hands together. "Who''s going first?"

    Carlos paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. The small holo-projector Cleo had set up responded to his voice, creating a 4D hologram of a large, smoking wreckage surrounded by an eerie wasteland.

    "So," he continued, leaning back slightly, "I put together a team and headed out to the crash site. By the time we arrived, the wreck had already been sitting there for three days."

    "There were no fires left, just the scorched husk of the ship smoldering in the distance. But with the risk of radiation hanging in the air, we didn''t take any chances; we suited up in power armor before we even got close."

    The hologram shifted, showing a group of armored figures approaching the wreckage. The forest around them was quiet now, everyone drawn into the vivid imagery of Carlos''s tale.

    "The ship''s interior was exactly what you''d expect after a crash like that, burned-out walls, twisted metal, debris everywhere. It looked like a damn oven in there, the heat from the crash cooking everything. But as we moved deeper into the ship, things started to get... weird."

    Carlos leaned forward, lowering his voice for effect. "At first, it was the bodies. Crew members or what was left of them, anyway, lying all over the place, burned so badly their skin had turned to charcoal. Most of us were used to seeing bad stuff on missions, but this... He shook his head, letting the memory hang in the air.

    The projector shifted, creating ghostly images of charred bodies strewn across the floor of the wreck.

    "Then one of my men pointed something out, something we''d missed at first." Carlos''s voice dropped to a whisper, and the campfire flickered as if reacting to his tone.

    "The bodies weren''t complete. Arms, legs, even parts of their torsos... gone. It wasn''t just the crash that tore them apart. There were bite marks all over them."

    "Bite marks?" Sharon asked, her feline ears twitching as she hugged her knees to her chest.

    Carlos nodded grimly. "Yeah. Even with their skin burned to coal, you could still see the bite marks, deep, jagged, and deliberate. Like something had been... eating them."

    The group shivered slightly as the holo-projector displayed a burned body with unsettlingly clear bite marks etched into its flesh.

    Carlos gave them a moment before continuing. "While we were busy checking the bodies, none of us noticed something was wrong until we heard the sound of metal echoing through the wreck."

    The projector recreated the sound, a sickening metallic clang followed by a heavy thud.

    "One of my men collapsed onto the floor right behind us. At first, we thought maybe he''d tripped or passed out from the heat. But when we turned him over... " Carlos paused for dramatic effect, his voice heavy with dread.

    "He was already dead. And just like the crew, his chest had been ripped open, his heart and lungs were gone."

    The hologram showed a shadowy figure lying in a pool of blood, his chest cavity disturbingly hollow.

    "That was when everything went to hell," Carlos said, shaking his head.

    "Some of my men panicked. One of them bolted, screaming something about how we were all going to die. I yelled after him to stop and come back, but he didn''t listen. Seconds later, we heard the sound of gunfire, then his screams... then silence."

 Chapter 147 Camping.(3)

    The projector''s mist swirled, forming the ghostly outline of a shadowy hallway filled with faint, distant echoes of gunshots and screams.

    "I ordered the rest of my team to move fast. We ran to where we''d last heard him, and when we got there... Carlos''s expression darkened. "It was already too late. His body was crumpled on the ground, and his chest hollowed out like the others. But then we saw it. Him."

    "Him?" Rex asked, leaning in, his voice edged with curiosity and unease.

    Carlos nodded, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "In the shadows at the edge of the hallway, there it was, a humanoid figure. At least, it looked humanoid at first. But it was twisted, wrong. It had long, gangly limbs, with legs and arms so oversized they looked like they didn''t belong on a person. It was moving on all fours, slowly, like some kind of stalking predator."

    The projector displayed a dark, shadowy corridor, and in the distance, the blurry outline of a humanoid figure on all fours could be seen, its glowing eyes faintly visible in the dark.

    Carlos''s voice grew quieter, more intense. "It stopped and stared at us. Its eyes glowed faintly in the dark, like an animal watching its prey. And it didn''t move, not at first. It just crouched there, waiting, sizing us up."

    The group around the fire was silent now, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife. The hologram shifted to show the creature''s glowing eyes fixating on the team.

    Ys broke the silence, her voice filled with excitement rather than fear. "And then what happened? Did you kill it?"No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Carlos shook his head. "Not yet. We froze. We didn''t know what the hell we were dealing with, and I wasn''t about to start a fight with something that had already ripped through two of my men without a sound. We stood there, weapons raised, staring it down."

    He paused again, glancing at the group. "And that''s when it smiled."

    "Smiled?" Cleo asked, her normally calm tone tinged with disbelief.

    Carlos nodded, his voice grim. "Yeah. It bared its teeth, wide and sharp, like it was enjoying the fact that we were scared. And then, before we could do anything, it disappeared into the dark."

    The projector showed the creature vanishing into the shadows; its glowing eyes were the last thing to fade.

    Carlos leaned back, exhaling heavily. "That''s when I knew we were screwed. Whatever that thing was, it wasn''t human anymore. And it wasn''t just hunting us; it was toying with us."

    Carlos leaned closer to the holo-fire, his voice taking on a graver tone as the tension around the campsite grew. The projected holograms shifted in response to his words, showing shadowy figures lurking in the burned corridors of the crashed ship.

    "Some of my men couldn''t handle it anymore," Carlos continued, his eyes narrowing as if recalling the vivid memory.

    "The fear... it was too much for them. They raised their electric rifles and started shooting at the creature. The shots hit it; I''ll give them that. The bullets tore through its flesh, spilling dark, inky blood all over the floor."

    The holo-projector responded, showing a distorted humanoid figure jerking under the impact of rifle fire, black liquid spraying against the walls.

    Sharon hugged her knees tighter, her feline ears flattening slightly. "What did you do?" she asked softly.

    Carlos let out a bitter laugh. "What do you think I did? I knew we were outnumbered, so I took out my hammer and prepared to go down swinging. I told my men to hold the line, but..." He shook his head.

    "They didn''t stand a chance. The creatures charged us all at once, and it was chaos. My men started dropping one after another. They didn''t even have time to scream."

    The projector displayed a horrifying scene, the creatures leaping from the shadows, overwhelming the team in a brutal, frenzied attack. The sounds of gunfire, screams, and metal tearing filled the air as the holographic figures fought desperately for survival.

    Carlos clenched his fists, his voice trembling slightly. "My power armor shields held out just long enough for me to stay alive. I swung my hammer like a madman, taking out as many of those things as I could. But there were just too many. I thought I was done for... until reinforcements finally arrived."

    The hologram shifted, showing a team of heavily armed soldiers blasting their way into the cargo bay. Explosions rocked the scene as the reinforcements fired heavy weapons, cutting down several of the creatures.

    "My special unit breached the cargo bay, blowing a hole in the wall to get in," Carlos said. "With their firepower, we managed to kill some of the creatures. But not all of them. The rest of the bastards ran through the new hole, escaping into the wilderness outside."

    The projection showed the remaining creatures fleeing into the dark, their glowing eyes disappearing one by one.

    "And just like that," Carlos said, letting out a long breath, "it was over. The mission was a bust, the cargo was destroyed, most of my team was dead, and we had no idea what the hell those things even were."

    The group around the fire was silent, hanging on to Carlos''s every word.

    "After we got back to the city," Carlos continued, "I tried contacting the guy who''d hired us to secure the cargo. But guess what? He''d vanished. No trace of him anywhere. It turns out someone had been spying on us the whole time. The moment we realized the mission was compromised, the contact erased all their information and disappeared."

    Cleo frowned, her gaze sharpening. "A cover-up."

    "Exactly," Carlos said, nodding. "We reported the creatures to the city guards, but as far as I know, no one''s ever seen them again. At least not in the city. Every now and then, I check in with the guards to see if there''ve been any sightings, but the answer''s always the same: nothing."

    Sharon tilted her head, her green eyes wide. "Do you think they''re still out there? On the planet?"

    Carlos stared at the fire, his expression dark. "Oh, they''re out there. Somewhere. And if anyone''s unlucky enough to cross their path..." He shook his head. "Let''s just say I hope they''re faster runners than I was."

    The holo-fire crackled softly as Carlos finished his tale, the weight of his words hanging heavy in the air.

    "Well," Rex said after a moment, breaking the silence, "remind me never to take a job from you, Carlos."

    The group let out a nervous laugh, though the unease lingered. Somewhere out there, on some distant planet, those creatures were still waiting... and hunting.

 Chapter 148 Cooperation

    While Rex and his crew were enjoying their time aboard the luxury cruiser, Nyra and Lyra were embarking on a very different kind of mission.

    At Cleo''s request, the twins had traveled to the bustling commercial world of Nakor to assist Emilia with a problem she was facing in the underground city, a problem Cleo had deemed significant enough to require the twins direct involvement.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    After several days of navigating the wormhole aboard the sleek private frigate Cleo had gifted them, the twins finally arrived. The frigate docked smoothly in the underground city''s private docking zone, its crimson lights cutting through the dim industrial haze of the station.

    Waiting for them on the platform was Emilia, dressed impeccably in her usual maid uniform, complete with her pristine white headpiece. She stood with her hands clasped in front of her, radiating her usual composed, authoritative presence.

    As the transport vessel''s ramp descended, Nyra was the first to bound down the steps, her energy infectious. "Emilia! It''s so nice to see you again!" She called, running up to embrace the maid warmly.

    Behind her, Lyra followed at a slower, more reserved pace, bowing slightly from a distance. She wasn''t as accustomed to physical contact as her sister, preferring her own quiet brand of politeness.

    "Welcome back, young ladies," Emilia said warmly, returning Nyra''s hug with a small, patient smile. Her sharp eyes flicked briefly to the six members of the Blood Clan who followed behind the twins, their presence adding an air of quiet menace to the group.

    Nyra released her hug, her crimson eyes sparkling with curiosity. "So, what''s the problem, Emi? Teacher didn''t tell us anything about it, just that you''d explain the details once we arrived."

    Emilia straightened her posture, her expression becoming more serious. "It''s a delicate matter," she replied, lowering her voice slightly. "We shouldn''t discuss it out here. Please follow me to the mansion. We can talk more freely in the command room."

    "Okay!" Nyra said cheerfully, while Lyra nodded silently. The twins fell into step behind Emilia, their Blood Clan escorts shadowing them with military precision.

    The twins couldn''t help but take in sight of the mansion as they entered. Despite its luxurious design, the atmosphere was notably tense. The corridors were crawling with heavily armed guards who moved with purpose, their patrols carefully coordinated.

    The security presence was much more intense than the last time the twins had visited, which made them exchange a quick, knowing glance.

    After a brief elevator ride, they arrived on the third floor, where the command room was located. The room was dominated by a large, high-tech holo table in the center, surrounded by chairs and monitors that lined the walls, constantly feeding data and surveillance footage.

    Inside, they weren''t alone. Sitting at one of the chairs near the table was Lilla, the leader of the human army that had allied with Cleo and Rex. She was sipping from a steaming cup of something that smelled faintly like herbal tea.

    Standing behind her were two imposing guards clad in black and red armor, their visors glowing faintly with red energy.

    Lilla noticed the twins as soon as they entered, and for a moment, her usually calm expression faltered as her blue-gray eyes widened slightly in surprise. She wasn''t easily impressed, but the twins were a sight to behold.

    Nyra''s confident demeanor and bright golden eyes, paired with Lyra''s quiet grace and silvery gaze, created an almost ethereal aura around them. There was a charm to them, an almost hypnotic allure that could overwhelm anyone who lacked strong mental defenses. For a moment, even Lilla found herself slightly captivated.

    But as a leader, Lilla was quick to regain her composure, setting down her tea with a soft clink.

    Before anyone could speak, Emilia stepped forward, her professional tone cutting through the room''s charged atmosphere. "Now that everyone has arrived, let me begin with introductions," she said, gesturing toward each side of the table.

    Nyra cracked her knuckles, a dangerous glint returning to her crimson eyes. "Well, that''s all I needed to hear. Let''s hunt these bastards down."

    Lyra hesitated, her voice soft but steady. "If they''re like the ones Carlos fought... we''ll need to be careful."

    Lilla smirked slightly. "Careful, yes. But with our combined skills, I''m confident we can handle them."

    Emilia crossed her arms, her gaze sweeping over the group. "Good. Then let''s get to work."

    With the preparations complete, the group set out in three heavily armored vehicles, specially designed for missions requiring stealth and durability. Flying in on ships was deemed too risky since any aerial approach would likely alert the enemies, giving them time to scatter or burrow deeper into hiding.

    Ground vehicles offered the advantage of discretion, and these cars, built in Lilla''s factories, were top of the line.

    Each car was equipped with reinforced armor, energy shields, and noise-dampening tech to keep their approach as silent as possible. The first car carried the Blood Clan assassins, their presence exuding quiet lethality.

    The middle car housed the twins, Nyra and Lyra, along with Lilla and her two personal guards. The last car trailed close behind, carrying Lilla''s elite Techno Knights, battle-hardened soldiers equipped with advanced exosuits and weaponry designed for urban combat.

    The convoy moved quietly through the dim, labyrinthine roads of the underground city, the eerie stillness of the environment heightening the tension.

    Despite the vehicles silent operation, the oppressive air of the underground weighed on them, the dim neon lights of the city casting long, flickering shadows on the cracked concrete walls.

    Inside the middle car, Nyra leaned back in her seat, her crimson eyes flicking toward Lilla, who sat across from her with her usual composed smile. Behind Lilla, her two guards sat in complete silence, their black-and-red armor reflecting the dim light from the dashboard.

    Nyra crossed her arms, breaking the silence. "So, Lilla, right? Why haven''t you guys been able to deal with these enemies yet? I mean, you''ve got Aegis units backing you up, and those things are practically walking death machines."

    Lilla''s smile didn''t falter, though there was a faint trace of frustration in her otherwise calm demeanor. "Because these enemies aren''t just mindless beasts," she said, her voice level.

    "They''re highly intelligent and exceptionally skilled at evasion. They know the layout of the underground city better than we do. Every time we''ve closed in on them, they''ve either ambushed us or vanished entirely before we could finish the job."

    Nyra tilted her head, narrowing her eyes. "What do you mean, ''vanished''? Don''t the Aegis units have advanced tracking systems? Thermal imaging, motion detection, all that fancy tech?"

    Lilla nodded. "They do. And the enemies have somehow found ways to counter it. They''ve been targeting and destroying our tracking drones, jamming our signals, and even laying traps for our squads. It''s... unprecedented."

    Her smile softened, though her eyes were still sharp. "Even some of the Aegis units that tried to track them have been destroyed. And that''s no small feat."

    Nyra let out an annoyed huff, tapping her fingers against the car''s interior. "Tch. These guys sound like a pain. If we already know they''re from Nexum Dynamics, wouldn''t it make more sense to hit the source? Go after their buildings or their factories instead of chasing these inferiors around the city?"

    Lilla chuckled lightly at Nyra''s impatience

 Chapter 149 Cooperation. (2)

    "You sound like someone who''s used to taking direct action. Unfortunately, that''s not an option, at least not yet." Lilla leaned forward slightly, resting her hands on her knees.

    "Attacking a megacorporation like Nexum Dynamics outright would be suicide. Their resources, their private armies, their political connections... Even with Lady Cleo and Lord Rex backing us, we simply aren''t strong enough to handle the retaliation they''d unleash. Not yet."

    Lyra, who had been quietly listening, finally spoke up, her soft voice cutting through the tension. "So... this is about endurance. Wearing them down little by little."

    Lilla glanced at her, her smile growing slightly. "Exactly. For now, all we can do is endure. Take out their operatives here, disrupt their plans as much as possible, and survive long enough to build our strength. Every enemy we kill weakens their grip on this city, even if only by a fraction."

    Nyra scowled, clearly dissatisfied with the answer. "Hmph. It feels like we''re just playing defense. I hate defense."

    Lilla chuckled again. "I can see that. But patience is as much a weapon as any blade, young lady. And trust me, there will come a time when we''ll strike at Nexum Dynamics directly. When that time comes, I''ll gladly have you by my side."

    Nyra''s expression softened slightly, though she still looked annoyed. "Fine. But don''t expect me to sit still forever."

    Lyra glanced at her sister, then at Lilla, her silver eyes filled with quiet determination. "We''ll help however we can."

    Lilla nodded approvingly. "I''m glad to have you both here. With your abilities, I''m confident we can finally turn the tide."

    The car hit a slight bump as the convoy continued down the winding road, the dim glow of the underground city lights flickering through the windows.

    Outside, the environment began to shift; the clean, industrial architecture of the upper levels gave way to darker, more decrepit surroundings. The air felt heavier here, the shadows deeper, as if the very walls of the city were watching them.

    Lilla glanced at her wrist device, pulling up a 3D map of their destination. "We''re almost there. Once we arrive, the Blood Clan will take point and scout ahead. The Techno Knights will secure the perimeter, and we''ll be ready to move in."

    Nyra cracked her knuckles, her crimson eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Finally. I''ve been itching to get some action."

    Lyra stayed quiet but placed a hand on her sister''s shoulder, her touch grounding her slightly.

    Lilla smiled faintly. "Just remember, these enemies are dangerous. Don''t underestimate them, no matter how many of us there are."

    The convoy slowed as they approached their destination, the vehicles coming to a stop in a wide, desolate section of the underground city. The surrounding buildings were crumbling, their windows shattered, and the air was thick with dust.

    As the group disembarked from their vehicles, the Blood Clan assassins immediately melted into the shadows, their presence almost imperceptible. The Techno Knights took up defensive positions around the convoy, their exosuits humming softly as they powered up their weapons.

    Lilla turned to the twins, her expression serious now. "Alright. This is where it begins. Let''s find these creatures and put an end to them."

    Nyra grinned, drawing her dual blades. "Oh, I''m ready."

    The other guard followed close behind, her exosuit humming softly as she cleared the debris with the same efficiency. Once on the surface, Lilla''s brother gently set her down. Without hesitation, he pulled a metallic rod from his back.

    The device unfolded with a smooth, mechanical hiss, transforming into a compact, high-tech shield. A honeycomb-like energy barrier shimmered to life over its surface, ready to absorb incoming attacks.

    The other guard mirrored his actions, her shield deploying with the same precision. Together, they formed a protective circle around Lilla, their stances disciplined and unyielding.

    "How are your losses?" Lilla asked, her tone calm but edged with urgency as she glanced toward the twins.

    Nyra smirked, resting her broadsword on her shoulder with a casual air. "Losses? None." Her voice carried an edge of pride. "Don''t worry about us. Our people are harder to kill than roaches."

    Lyra winced slightly, glancing at her sister. "Sis... I don''t think they like being compared to roaches."

    From the shadows near the rubble, one of the Blood Clan assassins emerged, his glowing red eyes narrowing slightly. "We can hear you, you know," he muttered dryly, though there was no real malice in his voice.

    Nyra waved him off with a grin. "I meant it as a compliment! You guys are survivors, right?"

    The assassin didn''t reply, instead vanishing back into the shadows with a faint huff.

    Lilla stepped forward, brushing dust from her uniform as she surveyed the area. The once-stable road was now a jagged wasteland of craters and rubble, and the surrounding buildings were reduced to smoking ruins.

    "This was a trap," Lilla said, her eyes narrowing as she studied the carnage. "They knew we were coming. They''ve been watching us."

    Nyra twirled her broad sword, the weapon''s edge glinting ominously. "If they wanted to scare us, they''d have to try harder than this."

    Lyra, still scanning the area, frowned. "This wasn''t just to scare us. It was to isolate us. Split us up. If we''re not careful, they''ll pick us off one by one."

    Lilla nodded in agreement, her sharp gaze flicking toward the shadows. "You''re right. Stay close. Everyone, maintain formation and keep your eyes open. Void Assassins thrive in chaos. Don''t give them what they want."

    As if on cue, a faint, unnatural clicking sound echoed from the rubble. It was soft, almost imperceptible, but enough to send a chill down their spines.

    Did you hear that?" Lyra asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Nyra''s eyes gleamed with excitement as she tightened her grip on her sword. "Oh, I heard it. It looks like the party''s about to start, and we were the guests of honor."

    From the shadows, shapes began to emerge: twisted, humanoid figures with elongated limbs and glowing red eyes.

    Their movements were unnaturally smooth, almost serpentine, as they slithered closer. Each of them carried jagged, curved blades that shimmered faintly with an eerie, violet energy.

    Void Assassins.

 Chapter 150 Cooperation (3)

    The battle erupted into chaos as the Void Assassins made their move. Their reputation as relentless killers was well-deserved; the way they darted in and out of stealth with seamless precision made them a nightmare to deal with.

    Their attacks came in swift, coordinated waves; one assassin would retreat just as another leaped forward to strike, creating a relentless rhythm of attack and vanish.

    "Sis! They''re so annoying! I can''t hit them properly! Do something!" Lyra yelled, her voice tinged with frustration as she narrowly dodged a blade aimed for her neck.

    Her red tentacles lashed out in response, trying to grab the assassin, but the figure dissolved into stealth before she could land a blow.

    "What do you want me to do?!" Nyra shouted back, her voice equally exasperated.

    "It''s even harder for me!" She spun around just in time to block a dagger aimed at her back, the blade bouncing off the honeycomb-shaped energy shield generated by her nanofiber clothing.

    "Annoying mosquito!" Nyra growled, swinging her blood-red broadsword in a wide arc. The blade whooshed through the air, narrowly missing the assassin as it blurred back into stealth.

    The Void Assassins weren''t just quick; they were cunning. They moved like shadows, their jagged, curved blades gleaming faintly before vanishing again.

    Their armor, optimized for stealth rather than defense, made them nearly invisible to conventional tracking methods. The twins'' enhanced senses helped, but even they were struggling to keep up with the constant onslaught.

    Lilla stood calmly within the protective sphere of energy created by her guards shields, observing the chaos around her as though it were a mere spectacle.

    The two guards, clad in their techno armor, stood at her side, their shields shimmering like honeycomb-patterned barriers, unyielding to the assassins'' attacks.

    "Brother," Lilla said, her voice steady despite the frenzied battle. "Where are our men?"

    Her brother, standing at attention with his spear still folded on his back, scanned the area quickly before responding. "There''s no communications," he said grimly. "The explosions or the falling debris must''ve taken them out."

    Lilla closed her eyes briefly, her composed demeanor unwavering. "Mmm, as expected," she said softly. "We''re outnumbered."

    She opened her eyes and turned to her brother. "Prepare to engage. Leave my protection to her," she said, gesturing toward the female knight beside her. "I''ll focus my faith on uncovering their positions."

    Her brother nodded, stepping forward. "Got it. Leave it to me."

    He reached for the folded spear on his back, pulling it free with a swift motion. With practiced precision, he flicked his wrist, and the spear extended to its full length with a metallic snap. He slammed the butt of the spear against the ground, causing the tip to crackle with red electricity.

    Taking his place at the front, he raised his shield and pointed the electrified spear forward, his stance unshakable. "I''m ready when you are," he said confidently.

    The blast sent Nyra flying, her body hurtling through the air before slamming into the ground with a sickening thud. She tumbled across the debris-littered street, the impact kicking up a cloud of dust before she finally came to a stop.

    "Nyra!" Lyra screamed, her crimson eyes wide with panic as she immediately started toward her sister.

    Nyra coughed violently, her body trembling as she forced herself to her knees. "Cough, cough, what was that!?" she muttered, spitting dirt from her mouth and clutching her stomach.

    "There are hidden mines on the road!" Lilla called out, her usually calm tone laced with urgency. She stood nearby, her silver glow dimming as the toll of her psychic abilities began to show in her unsteady breathing.

    "It''s too dangerous to pursue them. We''re falling into their trap. It''s better if we pull back and regroup!"

    Nyra gritted her teeth, glaring in the direction of the fleeing assassins. "Tsk! Fine!" she spat, though the frustration in her voice was clear. She turned and leaped back toward the collapsed building, where Lyra was already waiting.

    "Sis! Are you okay?!" Lyra rushed to Nyra''s side as soon as she landed, her hands moving quickly to inspect her sister for injuries.

    "I''m fine," Nyra said gruffly, brushing off the dirt from her clothes as her tentacles retracted into her body. "It was just the impact. These bastards are playing dirty."

    Lyra didn''t look convinced but nodded reluctantly, her concern still evident.

    "So, what now?" Nyra asked, her gaze shifting to Lilla, who had taken a seat on a piece of debris nearby.

    Lilla sighed, her sharp eyes scanning the surrounding rubble one last time before pulling out a high-calorie protein bar from her pack. She unwrapped it with steady hands, her calm demeanor belying the strain she was under.

    "Nothing," she said, taking a bite. "If they''ve retreated, it means they''ll either change their operational zone or leave the underground city entirely. Either way, they''ll be back, but with more troops next time."

    Nyra''s frustration boiled over, and she swung her sword angrily at a nearby chunk of debris, cleaving it in two. "Tch! So we''re just letting them get away? That''s it?"

    Lilla nodded, her expression unchanging. "Chasing them now will only get more of us killed. And we''ll lose the chance to regroup and prepare. Patience is a weapon, Nyra. You should learn to wield it."

    Nyra muttered something under her breath, clearly dissatisfied, but before she could respond, her arm device began vibrating.

    "Hmm?" Nyra raised her wrist, tapping the display to check the message. Her crimson eyes quickly scanned the screen, and her expression darkened.

    "This is bad," she said, her voice tight with urgency.

    "What is it?" Lyra asked, her concern returning instantly.

    Nyra grabbed Lyra''s hand, her grip firm. "No time to explain! We need to get back to the mansion, now!" Without waiting for a response, she activated her blood-enhanced speed, and in an instant, the two of them disappeared, leaving only a crimson blur behind.

 Chapter 151 Lurking.

    Lilla and her guards watched as the twins vanished, the silence of the battlefield filling the void they left behind.

    "What was that about?" Lilla''s brother asked, his spear still crackling faintly with residual energy.

    Lilla stood slowly, brushing the dust off her uniform. Her psychic abilities had drained her significantly, and her breathing was still labored, but her composure remained intact. "I don''t know," she admitted, frowning slightly.

    "But if it''s urgent enough for them to leave like that, it must be serious."

    Her brother nodded, retracting his spear and folding it back into its compact form. "Then we should leave too. It''s unwise to linger here. If the Void Assassins regroup or leave traps behind, we''ll be sitting ducks."

    Lilla adjusted her gloves, her sharp eyes scanning the wreckage one last time. "Agreed. Let''s fall back to base. There''s no point staying here now."

    She turned to her guards, gesturing for them to move out. The group quickly fell into formation, the two guards flanking her as they began their retreat.

    Two days before Nyra received the urgent message, Rex and his crew were wrapping up the final day of their camping trip. For most of the rich, spoiled young people aboard the luxury cruiser, the camping experience had been a tedious ordeal.

    With no extravagant parties, holo-lounges, or lavish distractions, many of the participants found themselves miserable, bored, and counting down the hours to return to their indulgent routines.

    But for Rex and his crew, things had been different.

    Thanks to Cleo''s resourcefulness and an almost suspiciously well-prepared backpack, her team didn''t suffer from a single moment of boredom. Somehow, Cleo had brought along a collection of compact gadgets that fit perfectly into the camping theme without feeling out of place.

    Portable holographic video game consoles had kept Carlos occupied for hours, while Ys had been enthralled with the mini projector Cleo had set up to play various classic and modern movies.

    Even Rex, who wasn''t usually one to indulge in tech distractions, found himself enjoying the quiet downtime, lazing around and munching on snacks while watching a particularly absurd comedy Ys had insisted on.

    They had spent the last few days eating, laughing, playing games, and enjoying each other''s company, something that had been hard to come by in their normally chaotic lives.

    As the camp settled into the usual quiet of the late morning, an announcement suddenly rang out, the holographic campsite speakers crackling to life.

    <<Attention everyone! This is your cute host talking once more! How was the camping? Did you all have fun!?>>

    The cheerful voice boomed through the speakers, a little too bubbly for some of the tired participants. Rex groaned, pulling a pillow over his head. Carlos let out a laugh, clearly enjoying his suffering.

    <<I''m here to remind you all that it''s time to start packing! In five imperial hours, the transport ships will take off to bring you all back to the cruiser hangar. So, start tidying up those campsites, packing your things, and making your way to the rendezvous point!>>

    <<And remember, no one wants to be left behind! That''s it from me! See you all back on the cruiser!>>

    The announcement ended with a cheerful chime, and Rex rolled over, groaning as he stretched. "Five hours, huh? Guess it''s time to start packing up."

    "Men are so weird," Ys muttered, though there was an amused smile tugging at her lips.

    Cleo smirked, crossing her arms. "Weird doesn''t even begin to cover it."

    As Rex and his crew made their way out of the bustling hangar bay, Carlos stretched his arms behind his head, flashing his usual mischievous grin. "So, guys, what are your plans for tonight?" he asked, his tone light and curious.

    Rex rubbed the back of his neck, his eyelids drooping slightly. "Honestly? I just want to sleep. I miss a real bed. Those camping bags were too damn hot for me," he replied, his voice heavy with exhaustion.

    Carlos let out a loud laugh, clapping Rex on the shoulder.

    "Ha! So damn true. I think I''ll do the same. Nightclubs are fun and all, but honestly? I''m done flying solo in those places. It''s a dangerous game for a guy like me. I go in just wanting to be a normal man... and somehow, I end up doing amazing stuff."

    He paused dramatically, placing a hand over his chest like a tragic hero.

    "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, baldy," Ys shot back with a smirk, clearly unimpressed.

    Carlos narrowed his eyes at her, bristling. "Ha? You want to go, pocket-size grandma? I swear it''s been a miracle you''ve kept quiet the past few days. What happened, huh? Did someone finally install a mute button on you?"

    "That''s it¡ª" Ys growled, her green eyes gleaming dangerously as she took a step toward him.

    "Both of you," Cleo interrupted, her calm voice cutting through the brewing argument like a knife. "Don''t cause a scene here. We''re in a public area." She sighed before continuing. "And to answer Rex''s question, I have an appointment with Sharon later. She wanted Ys and me to join her at the spa."

    Carlos blinked, taken aback. "Wait, Sharon invited you both to the spa? What kind of evil plot is that?"

    Rex, on the other hand, yawned, waving the topic off lazily. "That''s cool. Just don''t cheat on me, Cleo. You know how jealous I get," he joked with a half-asleep smile. "Anyway, I really need to crash. I''m dead tired, more tired than after some of my toughest fights. I wonder why..."

    Ys raised an eyebrow at him, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Oh, I can think of a few reasons why," she muttered under her breath, earning a light snicker from Cleo.

    Carlos, oblivious as ever, simply shrugged. "Alright, sleepyhead. Let''s hurry back to the dorms before you pass out right here."

    Hours later, after the hangar bay had emptied and all the passengers had returned to their respective areas, the dimly lit space was quiet, the only sounds coming from the faint hum of machinery and the occasional shuffle of maintenance bots.

    But the hangar wasn''t entirely empty.

    From one of the transport ships parked near the edge of the bay, a faint metallic click echoed. Hidden in the shadows, a small creature crawled down from one of the ship''s vents.

    It resembled a spider, but its segmented body was sleek and metallic, coated in a glossy red shell. Its eight legs moved with unnatural precision, clicking softly against the floor as it skittered forward.

    The creature paused briefly, its glowing green eyes flickering as it scanned its surroundings. It emitted a faint, rhythmic chittering sound, almost like an electronic pulse, as it searched for prey.

    Its gaze finally landed on two maintenance workers idling near the wall. The workers, oblivious to the predator in their midst, were resting while taking an smoke.

 Chapter 152 Blackout.

    The hangar bay was eerily silent as the red spiderbot skittered across the metallic floor, its movements unnaturally smooth and deliberate. After observing the two maintenance workers from the shadows for a few moments, the bot sprang into action with terrifying speed.

    With a single, fluid motion, it leapt onto the first worker''s head, its sharp, metallic legs piercing through the skull like hot knives through butter. The worker didn''t even have time to scream before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.

    The second worker, stunned by the sudden attack, froze in place, but the spiderbot was already moving. In a flash, it extended a small metallic dart from its underbelly and fired it into the worker''s forehead with pinpoint accuracy.

    The dart left a clean hole, and the second worker crumpled to the ground, dead before he even realized what had happened.

    The spiderbot scuttled over to the bodies, its sleek red frame glowing faintly as it extended a thin needle from its abdomen. The needle punctured the chest of the first corpse, injecting a viscous, black liquid into the body.

    It repeated the process with the second corpse before retracting its appendages and silently disappearing into the shadows, its glowing eyes scanning for its next prey.

    Meanwhile, Rex barely lasted a second after hitting the bed. As soon as his body made contact with the soft mattress, he collapsed like a felled tree, his deep breathing filling the room as he drifted into a heavy, dreamless sleep.

    Carlos was no different. Despite all his boisterous talk earlier, he was out cold within moments, sprawled across his bed in an unflattering pose, snoring loudly.

    Across the cruiser, however, Cleo, Ys, and Sharon were far from relaxing. The three of them had spent the past two hours perusing the mall section of the cruiser, browsing for clothes and accessories while Cleo and Ys engaged in their usual passive-aggressive banter.

    Finally, they made their way to the spa, eager for a few hours of pampering and relaxation. But just as they were settling into their luxurious surroundings, something unexpected happened.

    The warm, calming glow of the spa''s ambient lighting suddenly flickered, and then, in the blink of an eye, every light inside the cruiser shut off. The entire ship was plunged into darkness, the soothing hum of its systems abruptly silenced.

    "Kyaaaa!"

    "What''s happening?!"

    "Where are the guards? Someone! Help us!"

    Panic erupted among the passengers as screams and shouts filled the once serene cruiser. The only source of illumination came from the swirling, multicolored light of the wormhole outside the ship''s windows, casting eerie, shifting patterns on the walls.

    But as terrifying as the darkness was, the silence that followed was worse.

    For Cleo, however, the absence of light wasn''t a problem. Her thermal and night vision activated instinctively, allowing her to see the room as clearly as if it were daylight. Her sharp, analytical mind began assessing the situation immediately.

    Ys crouched beside her, her green eyes faintly glowing as her natural night vision kicked in. As a khryssari, she could see just fine in the dark, her serpent-like pupils narrowing as she scanned their surroundings.

    Sharon, with her race''s innate ability to adapt to low light, was also able to see clearly, though her nerves were far from steady.

    All around the mall, people and objects alike began rising off the ground. Bottles of oil, towels, chairs, and even a floating fruit tray drifted lazily toward the ceiling. The disorientation caused a fresh wave of panic among the passengers.

    "Who the hell turned off the gravity generator?!" Sharon shouted, her green eyes wide with alarm. She clung desperately to one of the desk legs, her golden hair drifting weightlessly around her face.

    Meanwhile, Ys seemed entirely unbothered, a smug grin on her face as she floated effortlessly. In fact, she looked like she was having fun, casually flipping in mid-air as though it were an amusement park ride.

    Cleo, of course, had already adapted. Without saying a word, she reshaped the soles of her feet into gravity boots, locking herself firmly to the floor. She continued typing into the terminal, her golden eyes glowing faintly as streams of data scrolled across her vision.

    "Sharon," Cleo said suddenly, her voice calm but serious. "How long can you survive without oxygen?"

    Sharon froze mid-sentence, her panic escalating. "What?! Why are you asking me that? What kind of question is that?! I¡ªI don''t know! I''ve never thought about it before!"

    Cleo didn''t respond immediately; her focus was still on her work. Her tone remained clinical. "If the gravity generator is disabled, it''s highly probable the oxygen generator is next. Whoever or whatever is doing this is taking out critical systems in sequence."

    Cleo didn''t need oxygen, of course. Her body was made of nanomaterial, so that eliminated her need for any kind of oxygen entirely.

    And Cinse Ys was a Khryssari, a race of space-dwelling, atmosphere-independent beings that didn''t need oxygen either. However, for someone like Sharon, who relied on oxygen to survive, the stakes were far more dire.

    Many of the other passengers, who required specific atmospheric conditions to breathe, were already wearing specialized atmospheric suits. But Sharon, as part of a species that relied on oxygen like most of the races, the cruiser atmosphere was of oxygen, so now she didn''t have such protection.

    "Then we need to move," Cleo said decisively, disconnecting her finger from the terminal. She turned and walked toward Sharon, grabbing her mid-panic and scooping her up into her arms like a princess.

    "Wait... what are you doing?!" Sharon yelled, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

    "Carrying you to safety. If the oxygen cuts off, you''ll suffocate before we reach the medbay," Cleo replied, her tone utterly neutral.

    "Ys, stop playing around and let''s go," Cleo added, turning to her Khryssari companion. "Something bad is happening, and we don''t have time to waste."

    Ys sighed, her floating grin disappearing. "Fine, fine," she muttered. Her arms extended unnaturally into long, glowing green tentacles, which she used to grab onto nearby furniture and propel herself forward like a strange, elegant spider.

    As they moved, Cleo glanced back at Ys, her glowing golden eyes narrowing.

    "What?" Ys asked defensively when she noticed Cleo staring at her.

    "That''s gross," Cleo said flatly, her tone as dry as ever.

    "W-what!?"

 Chapter 153 Blackout. (2)

    "W-What?! It''s not like I have a choice, okay?! If I take out my wings, everyone will see us!" She shot back, her cheeks flushing faintly.

    She wasn''t wrong. Her beautiful, green butterfly-like wings glowed brightly whenever she used them, making her incredibly conspicuous in the darkness.

    "And by the way," Ys added indignantly, "why didn''t you activate the emergency lights?"

    "It''s not that I didn''t want to," Cleo replied coolly, her focus still on navigating the floating chaos of the mall while carrying Sharon.

    "The emergency battery system was either disabled or destroyed. Activating it remotely is impossible until we figure out what caused the failure."

    Sharon, still being carried like a princess, frowned, her green eyes darting between Cleo and Ys.

    "What do you mean, ''disabled or destroyed''?" Ys asked

    Sharon dropped to an even colder, more analytical tone. "It means this wasn''t an accident. This is sabotaje."

    Rex was floating peacefully near the ceiling of his room, arms and legs sprawled out like a lazy starfish. His back lightly bumped against the ceiling panels as he snored loudly, completely unaware of the chaos unfolding outside his door.

    The zero-gravity environment didn''t faze him in the slightest; he was far too exhausted from the camping trip to care.

    Meanwhile, Mini Cleo, perched delicately on his chest, was growing increasingly panicked. The tiny, holographic version of Cleo was waving her arms frantically, her usually calm demeanor replaced with utter exasperation.

    "Master! Wake up! The original said, There''s an emergency!" She shouted, her tiny hands slapping his cheeks repeatedly.

    But there was no response. Rex didn''t so much as twitch.

    "Masterrrr! Wakeee upppp!" Mini Cleo cried again, practically bouncing up and down on his chest in frustration.

    Still, nothing.

    Mini Cleo frowned, her tiny golden eyes narrowing as she huffed. "You leave me no choice, Master. The original warned me about this," she muttered.

    From her tiny backpack, Mini Cleo pulled out a small, square device with a single red button on it. Her expression turned nervous as she stared at the button, but after a moment''s hesitation, she sighed dramatically and pressed it.

    "WHAAATTTTT THEEEEE FUUUUUUCCCCCKKKKKKK!" Rex roared as a jolt of electricity shot through his body. His limbs flailed wildly as he was rudely yanked out of his peaceful slumber, his nightshirt practically sparking from the charge.

    Mini Cleo quickly stuffed the device behind her back, her tiny form sweating nervously as she turned her head to the side and whistled innocently.

    Rex spun in the air, clutching his chest and blinking in confusion. "What the hell was that?! And why am I floating?!" he shouted, still feeling the lingering tingles of the electric shock.

    "Good morning, Master! Glad to see you''re finally awake," Mini Cleo said sweetly, though her voice wavered slightly. She clasped her tiny hands behind her back and avoided eye contact, looking everywhere except at Rex.

    Rex''s eyes narrowed suspiciously. "You didn''t have anything to do with this, did you?"

    Mini Cleo floated closer to his shoulder, her tiny body trembling slightly. "Master, be careful."

    "Mini Cleo," Rex said, his voice steady as he crouched slightly to adjust to the zero-gravity environment. "Craft me something so I can step on the ground. I''m tired of floating around like a loose balloon."

    "Understood, Master!" Mini Cleo chirped enthusiastically. Her tiny form began projecting golden streams of holographic energy from her fingertips as she accessed Rex''s personal nanomaterial reserves.

    A few seconds later, the same gravitational boots Cleo had crafted for herself materialized around Rex''s feet.

    The boots activated with a soft hum, and Rex slowly began descending to the floor, his movements stabilizing as the artificial gravity locked him in place.

    "Good. That''s more like it," Rex muttered, stretching slightly to shake off the awkwardness of floating. He then extended his hand, summoning a compact laser handgun. It wasn''t fancy, but it was powered by his own energy core and carried enough firepower to deal with most immediate threats.

    He slid a small laser cell into the weapon with a satisfying click before gripping it tightly.

    "Alright, Mini Cleo," Rex said, his tone shifting into something more commanding. "You''re in charge of defense. I''ll handle the offense."

    Mini Cleo saluted, her small face full of determination. "Understood, Master! Leave it to me! Nothing will get through!"

    The tiny AI linked herself to Rex''s plasma shielding system, which Cleo had personally designed as a state-of-the-art defense mechanism.

    The honeycomb-like energy shield was invisible to the naked eye until something attacked it, at which point the shield would instantly flare to life at the point of impact.

    Cleo had fine-tuned the system specifically for Rex, creating a near-perfect second layer of armor that adapted to almost any threat.

    With his defenses in place, Rex began moving cautiously down the dimly lit corridor, his gun raised and his senses on high alert.

    As he crept forward, the eerie silence of the cruiser''s hallways only made the faint clicking sound he''d heard earlier feel more sinister.

    Every step he took seemed to echo faintly, even though the ship was eerily devoid of people. The passengers who hadn''t panicked and floated into the ceilings were either locked away in their rooms or unconscious, completely unaware of the danger stalking the ship.

    Rex finally arrived at the section of the corridor where he''d heard the sound. Taking a deep breath, he pressed his back against the corner and peeked around it. With a sudden burst of energy, he jumped out into the open, his laser gun trained on the long, dark corridor ahead of him.

    But there was nothing there.

    The hall stretched out in both directions, dimly illuminated by the faint, multicolored glow of the wormhole light filtering through a nearby window. There were no people, no floating debris, and no movement at all.

    Rex frowned, lowering his weapon slightly. "Weird," he muttered, his voice tinged with suspicion. "I could''ve sworn I heard something here."

    "Master, are you sure? I don''t see anything either," Mini Cleo said, her small form floating just above his shoulder.

    "Yeah, I''m sure," Rex replied, still scanning the area. He took another cautious step forward, glancing up and down the corridor.

    "It''s too quiet here. Not even a single passerby floating around. Something''s not right."

 Chapter 154 Blackout. (3)

    He tapped the side of his head. "Mini Cleo, activate the scanners. Let''s see if we''re missing anything."

    "Aye, Master!" Mini Cleo responded with enthusiasm, though her tone carried a faint hint of concern. She quickly switched Rex''s thermal vision to scanner mode, causing faint, golden light beams to emit from his enhanced eyes.

    The scanner worked by detecting movement, electrical signals, and energy patterns that thermal vision couldn''t pick up. As Rex swept his gaze across the corridor, the scanner overlay illuminated his vision in a grid-like pattern.

    After a few seconds, something pinged on the scanner.

    "There we go," Rex muttered, his eyes narrowing. A faint red blip appeared on the overlay, pulsing softly about twenty meters ahead of him, near the floor.

    "Mmm? What''s that?" Rex said as he slowly approached the anomaly. His weapon was raised, his finger hovering over the trigger.

    "Master, be careful!" Mini Cleo whispered nervously. "That signal looks strange. It''s not giving off a standard energy reading. It might be... alive."

    "Alive, huh?" Rex muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on the gun.

    As he got closer, the anomaly began to take shape. At first, it looked like a small, dark object huddled against the floor, partially obscured by a piece of floating debris. But as Rex stepped closer, his scanner started picking up more details.

    It was metallic, with a glossy red exterior that reflected faintly in the wormhole''s glow. Small, segmented legs twitched faintly, and the object emitted a faint clicking sound, like tiny gears shifting inside its body.

    Rex stopped dead in his tracks, his heart rate spiking slightly.

    "What the hell is that?" he said quietly, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the strange creature.

    The red metallic spiderbot suddenly twitched, its glowing green eyes flickering to life as if sensing his presence.

    "Master, it''s moving!" Mini Cleo squealed, her tiny hands gripping Rex''s shoulder.

    "Yeah, no kidding," Rex muttered, taking a step back and aiming his weapon at the bot.

    The spiderbot tilted its head toward him, its movements unnervingly precise and deliberate. For a moment, it simply stared at him, the eerie glow of its eyes reflecting off its glossy red shell.

    Then, without warning, it scuttled sideways, disappearing into the shadows with a burst of speed that caught Rex completely off guard.

    "Shit, that thing''s fast!" Rex said, his scanner struggling to keep up with the bot as it darted out of view.

    "Master, it''s heading toward the engine bay!" Mini Cleo shouted, her voice laced with panic.

    Rex''s eyes widened. "The engine bay?!"

    "Thanks, beautiful," Rex said, a faint smile in his voice. "Take care out there, and if anything weird happens, keep me updated."

    "Understood," Cleo said curtly before disconnecting the call.

    Turning her focus to Ys, Cleo raised her voice slightly to get her companion''s attention. "Ys, change course. Rex needs you to head to Carlos''s room immediately. I''ll handle the medical bay. Once you''ve secured Carlos, regroup with me there."

    Ys slowed slightly, flipping around mid-run with a pout. "Since my darling said it, I''ll do it," she said with a mischievous grin. Then, without wasting another second, she altered her trajectory, accelerating toward the dormitory section at full speed.

    Her movements, combined with her faintly glowing eyes and the way her body clung to the ceiling, made her look more like a demonic entity than a person.

    Cleo watched her disappear down the dark corridor, her golden eyes briefly narrowing. "That girl will scare half the ship to death one day," she muttered before picking up her pace toward the medical bay.

    Meanwhile, Carlos stirred awake as a faint knocking sound echoed through his room. At first, he ignored it, turning over with a groan, but the noise persisted, louder and more insistent this time.

    "Mmm... what? Who could that be?" Carlos mumbled, still groggy as he rubbed his bald head. His thoughts were sluggish, but he instinctively reached for his arm device to check for any messages.

    "Huh," he muttered, noticing there were no missed calls or notifications. "Weird. It''s not like Rex or the girls to just knock without calling first."

    Carlos sat up, blinking groggily in the pitch-black room. "Wait... why is it so dark in here? I''m sure I went to sleep with the TV on," he said, frowning. He reached over and flicked the light switch next to his bed, but nothing happened.

    "No lights either? Damn, don''t tell me there''s a power outage," he grumbled, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. The knocking continued, steady and rhythmic, as though whoever was outside had infinite patience.

    "Alright, alright, I''m coming! Stop knocking, geez!" Carlos shouted, his voice echoing faintly in the dark room.

    Years of living in the slums of a commercial city had taught Carlos to always stay on the side of caution. As he shuffled toward the door, he stopped just short of it and leaned down to peer through the small peephole embedded in the metal frame.

    His instincts, honed by years of surviving in dangerous situations, told him something wasn''t right.

    Looking through the peephole, Carlos squinted into the corridor outside. It was dark, too dark to make out anything clearly. But there was movement. A faint shimmer of something metallic caught his eye, accompanied by a soft clicking sound that sent a chill down his spine.

    "What the hell..." Carlos muttered, his voice low as he strained to see more.

    The knocking suddenly stopped.

    Carlos froze, his heart pounding in his chest. He couldn''t see anything through the peephole now, just empty darkness. But the clicking sound was still there, faint but growing louder, as though whatever was outside was moving closer to the door.

    Carlos took a cautious step back, his instincts screaming at him to stay quiet. He glanced around the dark room, his eyes searching for something he could use as a weapon.

    "Okay, Carlos," he whispered to himself, his voice barely audible. "Stay calm. You''ve been in worse situations before. Just... figure out what''s out there before you do anything stupid."

    He tightened his fists, his breathing steadying as he prepared himself for whatever was on the other side of the door.

 Chapter 155 Blackout. (4)

    Since the room was pitch dark and the corridor outside wasn''t any better, Carlos let out a quiet sigh, rubbing his bald head. "I really liked this shirt... damn it," he muttered under his breath.

    With a resigned huff, he grabbed the sleeves of his shirt and tore them clean off, leaving his shoulders exposed. The faint, metallic sheen of his cybernetic arms glinted faintly in the dim light of his shield generators as they flickered to life.

    Carlos was no ordinary man; his arms were fully cybernetic prosthetics, decorated with glowing blue tech lines that pulsed faintly as his systems powered up. The eerie glow only added to the unsettling atmosphere of the dark room, but he smirked anyway, rolling his shoulders as the tiny shield generators on his arm joints became visible.

    "Alright," he said, his voice low and steady. "This definitely makes things scarier, but at least it''s better than being completely blind out here."

    His left hand began to morph with a soft mechanical hum, the fingers retracting and reforming into the shape of a compact minigun. A small red holographic screen flickered to life on his forearm, displaying ammo diagnostics.

    Carlos squinted at the readout, letting out a dry laugh. "Only 200 rounds? Tch, well, this will have to do," he muttered. The "bicep" section of his left arm shifted slightly, revealing an ammo magazine embedded where his muscle should''ve been.

    Satisfied, he locked it back into place with a loud click and aimed the minigun briefly to test its calibration.

    "Locked and loaded," Carlos said, stepping toward the door with a faint grin. He placed his finger over the door''s open button, trying to muster some courage before pressing it.

    But nothing happened.

    Carlos blinked and then frowned. "Huh? Why''s it not working? ...Oh, right," he said, slapping his forehead. "There''s no damn power." He sighed and glanced around the dark room, grateful no one else was there to see his blunder. "At least there''s no audience for this embarrassing moment."

    He crossed his arms, thinking for a second, before a devilish grin spread across his face. "Well, if the door doesn''t want to cooperate, there''s only one way to deal with it."

    Carlos raised his left arm, the minigun spinning to life with a soft whir before erupting into a deafening roar. Bullets tore into the door, carving a crude circle in the middle of the reinforced metal.

    Sparks flew in every direction, the light from the gunfire briefly illuminating the room in strobe-like flashes.

    As the minigun clicked empty, Carlos lowered his arm, his grin widening as he admired his craftsmanship. "Now that''s how you knock," he said proudly.

    He stepped up to the door, planted his feet firmly on the ground, and drew back his right fist. With a powerful punch, the circle of metal broke free, clattering loudly as it flew into the corridor.

    Carlos smirked, flexing his cybernetic fingers. "Man, I''m too good at this."

    Grabbing hold of the edges of the hole, he planted his feet and began pulling the door apart. The metal groaned in protest, but thanks to the enhanced strength of his cybernetic arms, Carlos forced the automatic door open with little effort.

    Once the door was wide enough to step through, Carlos carefully moved into the corridor, his shield generators casting an eerie blue glow that faintly illuminated the surrounding area.

    The corridor was silent, save for the faint hum of the wormhole energy outside the cruiser. Carlos glanced left, then right, his cybernetic eyes scanning for any sign of movement.

    Not far from the source of the gunfire, Ys was sprinting effortlessly across the ceiling of the darkened corridors, her glowing green eyes scanning the path ahead. She''d heard the unmistakable sound of Carlos''s minigun roaring, and she didn''t waste a second closing the distance.

    Her movements were fluid and otherworldly, her bare feet making no sound as she practically glided across the metallic ceiling like a spectral predator. When she finally arrived at the scene, she stopped abruptly, her gaze falling on the aftermath of what looked like a vicious battle.

    In the middle of the corridor was a mutilated humanoid corpse. Its grotesque body was twisted at unnatural angles, its face unrecognizable, slashed, burned, and seemingly chewed upon.

    Parts of it skin were missing, and its bald scalp glistened under the faint glow of Carlos''s shield lights. A few of its spider-like limbs lay severed nearby, with jagged bone and metal sticking out of the stumps.

    Ys gasped dramatically, pressing her hands to her cheeks. "Oh no... don''t tell me..." she whispered, her voice trembling with exaggerated sorrow. She knelt beside the corpse, brushing one of the remaining strands of flesh with fake delicacy. "Carlos! I arrived too late! I''m so sorry! Look at how you ended up, my poor friend!"

    A voice rang out from behind her, cutting through her theatrical monologue.

    "Cut the crap. I know you can see me," Carlos said gruffly as he stepped out of his room, his cybernetic arm still humming faintly. He was holding a weapon resembling a machete, made from his hand morphing into a blade.

    Ys immediately dropped the act, her pout morphing into a scowl as she kicked the corpse''s limp body out of frustration. "Ugh, you weren''t dead? Return my tears and joy, baldy. You owe me!"

    Carlos rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath. "Yes, yes, it''s a touching reunion. Glad to see you too. Now can we move on to something more important, like figuring out what''s going on here?" He gestured at the grotesque creature sprawled on the ground.

    Ys folded her arms, her glowing green eyes flickering faintly under her hair. "Nope. No clue," she said nonchalantly, crouching beside the creature and tilting her head in curiosity. "This is the first time I''ve seen anything like this on the cruiser. Up until now, it''s just been darkness and floating furniture."

    Her slender hands reached down, gripping one of the corpse''s limbs, an unsettling hybrid of bone and metal shaped like a spider leg, and twisting it gently to inspect its structure.

    Carlos flinched slightly. "Do you have to touch that thing? That''s disgusting."

    Ys ignored him, turning the body over with ease. Her gaze fell on the tattered remains of its clothing, now soaked in a dark, sticky fluid. She brushed her fingers over it, her expression growing sharper. "By the look of this uniform, this thing used to be a passenger," she said thoughtfully.

    Carlos blinked, his brow furrowing. "Wait¡ªwhat?"

    Ys nodded as she examined the body further. "Yeah, look. This was someone who was onboard the cruiser. These spider-like limbs coming out of its back... they''re made of a mix of bone and metal. Almost like a forced transformation."

    She frowned, her finger trailing along the jagged edge of one severed limb. "Really interesting work, actually. Horrifying, but... impressive."

    Carlos took a cautious step closer, his grip on his machete tightening. "A passenger turning into that? What could even do that to someone?"

    Ys shrugged casually, her glowing green eyes flickering as she continued poking at the corpse. Then, as she shifted its body slightly, her hand brushed against something... unexpected.

    Her expression immediately soured. She froze, her fingers curling tightly around what she''d just found.

 Chapter 156 Blackout. (5)

    "Mmm? What''s this?" Ys muttered, tugging at the appendage and realizing what it was. Slowly, she turned her head to glare at Carlos, her glowing eyes narrowing with accusation.

    Carlos noticed her stare and immediately raised his hands defensively. "Hey! Don''t look at me like that! I had no choice, okay?!"

    Ys arched an eyebrow, holding up the severed spider leg that had been lodged in a rather compromising position on the creature''s backside. "Really, Carlos? You stabbed it there? Was that necessary?"

    "It was trying to eat me!" Carlos shouted, pointing at the corpse as if it could defend itself. "I had to use everything I had to fight back! It''s not my fault; that''s where the blade landed!"

    She sighed heavily, shaking her head. "Sure, let''s call it that," she said sarcastically, tossing the limb aside. "You humans are so weird sometimes."

    Carlos glared at her, his frustration mounting. "Hey, I saved myself, didn''t I? You should be impressed!"

    Ys smirked slightly, folding her arms. "Impressed isn''t the word I''d use. But fine. You survived. Good job, baldy."

    As the tension settled, Ys stood, brushing off her hands. Her playful expression grew more serious as she adjusted her stance. "Anyway, enough of this. We need to regroup with Cleo at the medical bay. By the look of things, we don''t have much time."

    Carlos nodded, glancing down at the creature''s mutilated body one last time before stepping over it. "Yeah, let''s get moving. I don''t want to deal with any more surprises like this one."

    Ys was about to take off at full speed, but she stopped abruptly, turning her head slightly without looking at Carlos directly.

    "Carlos," she said after a moment, her voice unusually calm.

    Carlos frowned, tilting his head. "Mmm? What is it now?"

    Ys hesitated for a moment before asking, "I''m just curious... How exactly are you walking so normally when there''s no gravity?"

    Carlos froze midstep, his gaze flicking between Ys and his own feet.

    For a moment, there was nothing but silence. Then Carlos let out a nervous chuckle, scratching the back of his bald head. "Uh... well... I guess I''m just, uh, naturally gifted?"

    Ys finally turned to face him, her expression blank but her glowing eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Naturally gifted, huh?"

    Carlos coughed awkwardly, muttering under his breath. "Yeah, let''s go with that."

    "Uh-huh," Ys said, her lips curling into a faint smirk. Without another word, she turned around and didn''t say anything; she just stood there.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    As Ys turned her head slightly to face Carlos, her sharp gaze caught something unusual. Her playful smirk froze, replaced by a look of confusion, then alarm.

    Carlos''s mouth... it was changing.

    The edges of his lips twitched unnaturally, stretching wider than they should have been. The skin around his jawline started to split and peel back, revealing something grotesque beneath a jagged, serrated set of spider-like mandibles.

    His teeth sharpened unnaturally as the transformation continued, and a sickening wet sound accompanied the grotesque change.

    Cleo, who was working on one of the room''s maintenance terminals, didn''t look up as she responded. "It''s possible. This situation isn''t normal. But Ys is capable, and Carlos, well, he''s stubborn enough to survive anything. I''m more worried about what else is out there."

    As if on cue, Cleo''s radar pinged faintly in her HUD. Her golden eyes flickered as the radar feed projected a silhouette of something moving in the corridor outside.

    Her voice dropped to a whisper. "Sharon, stay away from the door. Something''s coming."

    Sharon frozen, her eyes widening. "What? Could it be another passenger?"

    Cleo shook her head, her voice cold and firm. "I don''t think so. The radar signature doesn''t match any of the passenger profiles in my database."

    Sharon''s breath hitched. "What does that mean?"

    Cleo didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she studied the radar feed closely. The images showed multiple humanoid figures, but they weren''t moving like normal passengers. Some were crawling on the walls, others on the ceiling.

    Their movements were erratic, unnervingly fast, and accompanied by the faint clicking sound of metallic limbs scraping against the corridor.

    "They''re all over the place," Cleo muttered under her breath, gripping her energy blade tightly.

    The sound of skittering legs grew louder, echoing through the medical bay. Cleo''s body tensed, her golden eyes scanning the room for entry points. She tossed a small laser pistol to Sharon, along with two energy cells.

    "Take this," Cleo said. "For self-defense."

    Sharon stared at the weapon, her hands trembling as she clutched it tightly. She nodded silently, her fear palpable as she moved to take cover behind one of the medical desks.

    The clicking sounds grew louder, almost deafening now. Cleo pressed herself against the wall beside the broken door, her energy blade poised to strike at anything that entered.

    The tension in the room was suffocating. Sharon held her breath, gripping the pistol tightly as her eyes darted toward the open doorway.

    And then they saw it.

    A long, skeletal leg with jagged metal edges slowly reached through the doorway, tapping against the ground. Another followed, then another. The creature crawled into view, its emaciated body hunched over unnaturally.

    Its eyes glowed a sickly green, and its back was adorned with jagged, spider-like limbs made of bone and metal.

    Behind it, more figures appeared, crawling along the walls and ceiling, their glowing eyes piercing through the darkness.

    Cleo''s grip on her energy blade tightened. "Sharon," she whispered without turning her head. "Stay behind cover. Don''t make a sound."

    Sharon nodded, barely able to breathe as the creatures began spilling into the room.

    Cleo''s golden eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, her voice cold and steady. "Come on, then," she muttered under her breath.

    She then jumped from the dark corner and swinged her energy sword toward the head of the first creature that stepped inside.

 Chapter 157 Blackout. (6)

    The cut was clean. Cleo''s energy blade hummed faintly as the head of the humanoid creature rolled off its shoulders, a grotesque stench filling the room as thick, black, mud-like blood oozed from the wound.

    "Shoot them, Sharon." Cleo commanded, twisting her body gracefully to avoid the razor-sharp claws of another creature that leapt at her from the corridor.

    To Cleo''s surprise, Sharon reacted immediately. Without hesitation, she raised her laser pistol and fired. The searing beam of energy struck the creature squarely in its head, burning a hole clean through its skull.

    The creature collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud, its limbs twitching for a moment before going still.

    Sharon''s hands trembled, but her aim was true.

    "Don''t stop! Keep shooting!" Cleo yelled, cutting down another incoming creature with a swift swing of her blade. The energy blade sliced through its torso with ease, the black sludge splattering across the floor like oil.

    The creatures didn''t stop. They kept crawling in through the door, their sharp limbs clattering against the floor and walls as they pushed forward. Sharon gritted her teeth, firing rapidly at anything that moved. Her shots found their marks, dropping several of the grotesque monsters in quick succession.

    But they kept coming.

    Cleo moved like a force of nature, her golden eyes glowing with cold focus as she danced through the chaos. Her energy blade carved through the creatures with precision, the hum of her weapon punctuated by the sound of Sharon''s laser shots.

    After what felt like an eternity, the pile of bodies began to clog the opening in the door. The creatures struggled to push through, but the narrow space worked against them.

    Cleo seized the opportunity, cutting down the last few that managed to squeeze through.

    Finally, the assault slowed to a halt. The pile of mangled, disfigured bodies now blocked the entrance entirely, sealing the medical bay.

    Sharon slumped against a nearby desk, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. "What... what are these things?" she asked, her voice shaky. She gave one of the severed heads a small kick, sending it rolling across the floor like a grotesque soccer ball.

    Cleo kneeled beside one of the corpses, her expression calm but focused. "I don''t know," she admitted, her golden eyes scanning the creature''s form. "But I''m going to find out."

    She reached for the head of one of the creatures, intending to interface with its organic brain and extract any information she could. But before she could make contact, a sudden, deafening explosion shook the entire cruiser.

    The floor vibrated violently, sending both Sharon and Cleo sprawling to the ground. Medical supplies and debris floated through the air as the ship''s artificial gravity faltered briefly before stabilizing again.

    "What the hell was that!?" Sharon cried, gripping the edge of a desk to steady herself.

    Cleo''s golden eyes darted toward the reinforced medical bay window. Her expression turned grim as she saw the view outside; the cruiser was tilting, its massive frame veering dangerously close to the shimmering, unstable walls of the wormhole.

    Sparks and debris floated around the ship as the faint glow of the engine trails behind them disappeared entirely.

    Her voice was sharp and urgent. "The engines are offline. We''re falling into the wormhole wall."

    Sharon''s eyes widened in horror. "Falling!? What does that even mean? Are we going to¡ª"

    Cleo''s radar flashed ominously in her HUD, the glowing outlines of her enemies becoming clearer with each passing second. Apart from the massive signal ahead, she could see smaller ones scattering around it, it were more of those humanoid spider creatures from earlier.

    Her golden eyes narrowed as her internal systems kicked into overdrive. The soft hum of her energy core grew louder, and with a faint shimmer, her beautiful white wings extended outward. Their glowing edges refracted the dim emergency lights, creating an ethereal shield in front of her.

    Sharon, standing just behind Cleo, gripped her laser pistol tightly, her eyes darting nervously between the radar and the dark corridor ahead. "What is it now? What''s coming this time?"

    Before Cleo could respond, the humanoid spiders emerged at the far end of the corridor, their grotesque forms scuttling along the walls and ceiling. But before Cleo or Sharon could act, the corridor darkened further as something massive appeared behind them.

    A deep, guttural hiss echoed through the air as the creature lunged forward, swallowing two of the humanoid spiders whole in a single, effortless motion. The massive black serpent glowed faintly, its body sleek and sinuous, covered in glossy black scales with streaks of luminous green running along its length.

    Two sharp horns protruded from its head, and its glowing green eyes pierced through the darkness.

    But what caught Cleo''s attention the most was the creature''s butterfly-like ears, glowing green and fluttering faintly as it moved.

    The massive serpent paused, its head lowering slightly as it regarded Cleo and Sharon. Its glowing eyes narrowed as if studying them.

    "Wait," Cleo muttered, her eyes widening in sudden realization. She retracted her wings, letting them fold seamlessly back into her body. "So it''s you... Ys, isn''t it? Did you find Carlos?"

    Sharon''s head snapped toward Cleo in shock, her fear momentarily replaced by confusion. "Wait¡ªwhat!? Who are you talking to!?"

    Cleo ignored her, her golden eyes locked on the massive serpent as it began to shrink and shift. The glossy black scales receded, and its glowing green eyes softened, taking on a more humanoid shape. Within moments, the serpent had transformed into a petite, naked female figure with glowing butterfly wings and pale, flawless skin.

    The girl''s wings fluttered softly, their luminous green glow casting a gentle light across the corridor. She stood nonchalantly, using her wings to cover her otherwise exposed body as black clothing materialized across her frame, forming a dark, elegant outfit.

    "Nope," Ys said casually, brushing her long light green hair back as her piercing green eyes met Cleo''s. "When I got to Carlos''s location, these ugly creatures were already there, but there wasn''t a trace of him."

    Sharon, still clutching her laser pistol, stared at Ys with her mouth slightly open, her fear now replaced by utter disbelief. "What... what are you?" she whispered.

    Ys gave Sharon a playful smirk. "I''m someone who doesn''t like explaining things to people who can''t keep up." She glanced back at Cleo. "Do you think Carlos is dead?"

    Cleo''s expression remained neutral, though her golden eyes sharpened slightly. "Unlikely. If he was dead, I''m sure we would''ve found his body or parts of it by now. Did you track his scent?"

    Ys nodded, her glowing green wings shifting behind her. "Yeah, I can still smell him. He''s definitely alive. I was following his scent before I ran into you two." She tilted her head slightly, her smirk widening. "Oh, and good job fixing the emergency lights, Cleo. You really outdid yourself this time."

    Cleo shook her head. "That wasn''t me," she said, her voice calm but firm.

    Ys blinked, her expression briefly puzzled. "Huh. Well, that''s... interesting."

    Cleo turned to Sharon, who was still staring at Ys in shock. "We don''t have time to stand around. Follow me. We''re heading to the hangar bay."

    Sharon snapped out of her daze. "Hangar bay? Why?"

 Chapter 158 Blackout. (7)

    Cleo''s voice was sharp and urgent as she started running. "The engines are down, and the cruiser is falling into the wormhole wall. According to my calculations, we have 30 imperial minutes before the ship collapses and ceases to exist."

    Ys let out a low whistle, casually floating alongside Cleo as she ran. "Well, that''s not terrifying or anything."

    "Talk while we move," Cleo said, her wings glowing faintly as she picked up speed. "If Carlos is alive, we''ll find him. But first, we need to get off this ship."

    Meanwhile, Minutes Before the Explosion.

    Rex had finally arrived at the engine bay, his glowing eyes scanning the dim, debris-filled corridor. The massive reinforced metallic door that led to the room was completely destroyed, torn apart as though a powerful force had ripped through it.

    Rex stopped just outside the entrance, his plasma shield humming faintly. His free hand reached up to tap the small holographic projection on his forearm. "Mini Cleo, do you detect any life signs inside?"

    Mini Cleo, sitting cross-legged on his shoulder, frowned as she checked the readouts. A small holo-screen appeared above her, filled with glitching data. "I can''t scan the room, Master. There''s a jamming system in place; it''s blocking all sensors. Definitely not standard cruiser tech."

    Rex sighed, rubbing the back of his head. "A jamming system, huh? That''s not good." He glanced at the torn door again, his grip tightening on the plasma sword in his hand. "Well, there''s only one way to find out what''s inside."

    Mini Cleo saluted playfully. "Be careful, Master! I''ll keep an eye on the rear!"

    Rex stepped forward cautiously, his glowing eyes switching between night vision and thermal as he crossed the threshold into the engine room. The air inside felt... wrong. Heavy.

    The engine bay was massive, with towering machinery and massive turbines lining the walls. Sparks flickered from damaged conduits, and pools of black, tar-like liquid coated the floor.

    "That''s not oil," Rex muttered, kneeling to inspect the strange liquid. It smelled rancid, almost like decayed organic matter.

    As he stood, he noticed faint claw marks gouged into the metal walls. His eyes followed the marks upward, leading to a large vent that had been torn open.

    "Great," he muttered. "Just what I needed, more things crawling around in the dark."

    Mini Cleo''s voice crackled in his ear. "Master, I''m detecting movement behind you!"

    Rex spun around, his plasma sword flaring to life just as a figure lunged out of the shadows.

    It was one of the humanoid spider creatures, its jagged limbs glinting in the dim light as it pounced toward him. Rex moved swiftly, slashing downward with his plasma blade and cutting the creature clean in half.

    The two halves of the creature hit the ground with a wet splat, but Rex barely had time to breathe before more movement appeared in his peripheral vision.

    "Here we go," he muttered, his eyes glowing brighter as he prepared for the fight.

    She tilted her head, her glowing eyes narrowing. "But this... this definitely doesn''t look normal."

    Rex frowned, crossing his arms as he considered the situation. "So, what do you think? Does this thing lead to some hidden treasure, or is it a trap that''ll launch me into the void and make me scream like a little kid while suffering from terrible pain while being torn apart by the wormhole?"

    Mini Cleo giggled. "Hard to say! But I don''t detect anything dangerous from here... probably!" She floated closer to the slight gap in the wall, peering inside with her holographic scanner. "Nope, I can''t see much. It''s too narrow."

    Rex sighed and rolled his shoulders. "Well, no point in just standing here. Let''s see what''s behind Door Number One."

    He crafted a crowbar, the metallic tool forming seamlessly in his hands. Gripping it tightly, he jammed it into the small gap in the wall and began pulling with all his strength.

    "Go, Master! You''ve got this! Push harder! Almost there!" Mini Cleo cheered, bouncing up and down on the crowbar like a tiny cheerleader.

    Rex''s face turned red with effort as he strained against the wall. "Almost there, huh? You sure about that, Mini Cleo!?"

    Mini Cleo blinked, tilting her head. "Hmm, let me check!" She floated down to the gap and pulled out a tiny holographic ruler, measuring the distance the wall had moved. After a few moments, she floated back to Rex with an innocent smile.

    "Master... um... it hasn''t moved. At all!"

    Rex froze, his muscles still straining as he processed what she''d just said. "Wait... what?"

    Mini Cleo gave him a sheepish grin, her tiny hands fidgeting nervously. "Yeah! I just measured it. The wall hasn''t budged even a little bit!"

    Rex let out an exasperated groan, dropping the crowbar and leaning against the wall. "You could''ve told me that before I nearly dislocated my shoulder."

    Mini Cleo giggled, floating around him playfully. "But you looked so determined, Master! I didn''t want to ruin your heroic moment!"

    Rex sighed, shaking his head. "You''re lucky you''re cute," he muttered before picking up the crowbar again.

    "Okay, new plan," Rex said, adjusting his grip on the tool. "Let''s try this one more time, but this time, give me a countdown or something. I need all the mental support I can get."

    "Yes, Master! I''ll count down for you!" Mini Cleo said, raising her tiny fist in excitement.

    As Rex prepared to try again, the faint sound of something metallic clicking echoed through the engine room. He frozen, his eyes narrowing.

    "Mini Cleo," Rex said quietly, his voice tense. "Did you hear that?"

    Mini Cleo''s playful demeanor immediately shifted, her tiny scanner flaring to life. "Yes, Master. It''s coming from behind you."

    Rex gripped the crowbar in one hand and his plasma sword in the other, slowly turning to face the source of the sound.

 Chapter 159 Blackout. (8)

    Rex cautiously scanned the room, his plasma short sword humming faintly in his hand. His eyes darted to every corner, every shadow, but there was nothing¡ªno movement, no heat signatures, no signs of the noise he''d heard earlier.

    "Mini Cleo, did you find anything with the scanner?" he asked, his voice steady but laced with tension.

    "Negative, Master," Mini Cleo chirped, sitting cross-legged on his shoulder like a smug little sentinel. "There''s nothing here except you, me, and the crowbar." She gestured toward the tools in his hands as if to prove her point.

    Rex frowned, still unconvinced. "Hmm... well, change of plans. I''ll just destroy the wall," he said, letting out a small sigh.

    Mini Cleo gave an excited cheer. "Yay! Destruction time!"

    Without hesitation, Rex deconstructed his plasma short sword, reshaping the energy into his favored plasma claymore. The glowing blade grew in size, its edges crackling with dangerous heat.

    The weapon now looked almost comically oversized for the confined space of the engine room, but that didn''t seem to bother Rex.

    "Alright, let''s see what''s behind Door Number Two," Rex muttered, gripping the hilt tightly.

    With a few heavy, precise swings, the plasma claymore sliced into the sunken section of the wall, sparks flying as the blade cut through the reinforced metal like butter. In moments, the wall fell away in chunks, revealing the hidden compartment behind it.

    "Well, that was way easier than I expected," Rex said, shrinking the claymore back into its short sword form. The plasma hissed softly as the blade condensed into a more manageable size. "Should''ve done that from the start. Guess I wasted time with the crowbar."

    Mini Cleo floated in front of him, placing her tiny hands on her hips proudly. "Indeed, Master! I was just about to suggest using your sword, but when I saw you craft the crowbar, I didn''t want to ruin your fun. The original said, You can be silly sometimes, so I should let you enjoy yourself."

    Rex gave her a blank stare, his disbelief practically radiating off his face. "You''re calling me silly? When you''re the one who literally acts like a hyperactive child half the time?"

    Mini Cleo puffed up her tiny chest, placing a hand on her chin as if deep in thought. "Hmm, that''s true. But Master, don''t worry! I''ll keep your silliness a secret. It''s only you and me here! I''m really good at keeping secrets," she said, wagging her finger at him with an exaggeratedly smug expression, as if scolding him for being a naughty child.

    Rex ran a hand down his face, exhaling deeply. "Yeah, alright, whatever you say, Mini Cleo. Let''s just focus. There has to be something important in this room if it was hidden this well."

    Mini Cleo floated back to his shoulder, waving her hand dismissively. "Of course, Master! I''m always focused!"

    Rex shook his head but couldn''t help the small smirk creeping onto his face. Despite her antics, Mini Cleo''s cheerfulness was oddly comforting in this tense situation.

    As he stepped into the hidden compartment, his enhanced vision quickly locked onto the centerpiece of the room; it was a massive white cube reinforced with black iron-like plating. The object hummed faintly, its smooth surface unmarred except for a few small panels and what looked like severed cables hanging from its side.

    "Mini Cleo, what is this thing?" Rex asked, gesturing toward the cube with his free hand.

    Before Mini Cleo could respond, a loud, mechanical screech echoed from deeper within the engine bay. The sound was followed by the heavy clanging of metal against metal, growing louder and closer with each passing second.

    "Uh-oh," Mini Cleo said, her voice trembling slightly.

    The moment Mini Cleo finished cheering and the battery''s hum filled the room, the ship''s engines detonated with a catastrophic roar. The engine bay was consumed in an instant by an eruption of black flames, their hue so dark they seemed to devour the surrounding light.

    The explosion ripped through the engine bay with a deafening roar, a shockwave of black flames, and searing heat, consuming everything in its path.

    The volatile space fuel ignited with such force that it seemed as though the entire ship would split apart. The metallic walls warped and melted, machinery was shredded to pieces, and Rex stood at the epicenter of it all.

    "Master!" Mini Cleo shrieked, her voice filled with both fear and determination. Without hesitation, her tiny form shimmered with golden light as she rapidly crafted a series of dome-shaped energy barriers around Rex.

    Each barrier activated in succession, layering themselves in front of him like shields of pure light.

    The first barrier held for only a fraction of a second before the black flames tore through it as though it were made of paper.

    Mini Cleo crafted another and then another, pouring every ounce of energy from Rex''s reserves into the defenses. Sparks flew from her glowing hands as she worked frantically, her face twisted in desperate concentration.

    The black flames licked at the shields with an unnatural hunger, their heat so intense that it was warping the very air. "Master, it''s not enough! The energy reserves are dropping too fast!" Mini Cleo warned, her voice trembling as her holographic form flickered erratically.

    "Shiiit!" Rex roared, his voice cutting through the chaos as he activated Overdrive mode. His golden halo flared to life, spinning rapidly behind him as he channeled every ounce of strength he had left into the fight for survival.

    His body surged with raw power, and he drew even more nanomaterial from his dwindling storage reserves.

    Despite his efforts, the explosion''s sheer power was too much. One by one, the energy shields failed, their golden glow consumed by the inky black flames. Mini Cleo''s form flickered one final time before vanishing completely.

    "Master, I''m sorry..." Mini Cleo whispered before disappearing into the void, leaving Rex alone.

    Her disappearance was a dire signal that his energy reserves had dropped below 15%. He was running on a tiny line.

    The black flames reached him, searing through his honeycomb shield layer by layer, sending waves of blistering pain through his body. The metallic floor beneath him melted into slag, and the air itself felt like molten lead pressing down on his chest.

    He reached into his space storage, pulling out a glowing energy battery that hummed ominously with unstable power. The green light from the battery flickered erratically, like a warning beacon, but Rex didn''t hesitate

    "I swear... I''ll find the motherf***er who did this," Rex snarled through gritted teeth, his eyes blazing with fury. "And I''ll shove space fuel straight up his ass to see if he likes it!"

 Chapter 160 Blackout. (9)

    With a defiant roar, he bit down on the energy battery, shattering the casing with his teeth.

    The moment the energy was released, it exploded inside his mouth like a lightning storm, sending tendrils of electricity surging through his body. Pain wracked him from head to toe as the volatile energy coursed through his veins, but he held on, his willpower forcing his body to absorb the energy rather than succumb to it.

    His honeycomb shield flared back to life, glowing brightly as it bought him a few more precious seconds of survival. Rex folded his wings around his body, the golden glow of the appendages creating a second layer of defense against the relentless flames.

    But even with the boost from the energy battery, the black flames were merciless. They clawed at him, tearing through his shields faster than he could repair them. Every time his shield shattered, the flames licked at his skin, burning him despite his reinforced body.

    The pain was unimaginable, but Rex''s rage burned hotter than the flames themselves.

    He reached for another energy battery, biting into it with a feral growl. The volatile energy exploded in his mouth again, sending another surge of electricity through his body. His hands trembled as the pain and exhaustion began to take their toll, but he refused to stop.

    "Come on... COME ON!" Rex roared, his voice echoing through the collapsing engine bay.

    The flames battered against his defenses relentlessly, but Rex stood firm, his golden wings glowing like a beacon of defiance amidst the chaos. His body was battered and broken, his reserves nearly depleted, but his sheer willpower refused to let him fall.

    Blood dripped from his lips where the energy batteries had scorched him, and burns covered his exposed skin, but Rex didn''t care. The only thing that mattered now was survival and revenge.

    With each passing second, the pain grew worse, but so did his resolve. The roar of the flames was deafening, but it was drowned out by Rex''s primal scream, a shout of pure defiance that reverberated through the engine bay.

    He wasn''t going to die here. Not like this.

    Carlos stood on the command bridge, sweat dripping from his brow as he gripped one of the humanoid spider creatures by the neck. Its grotesque, twisted limbs flailed wildly as it screeched in his face.

    With an annoyed grunt, Carlos raised his arm and fired the last few rounds from his minigun, shredding the creature''s head into a mess of black sludge.

    The creature''s limp body fell to the floor with a sickening thud as Carlos''s minigun sputtered and clicked, the ammo counter flashing 0 on his arm display.

    "Tch, out of bullets already? That''s just great," Carlos muttered, glancing around the bridge. His eyes locked onto a weapons cabinet bolted to the wall.

    "Guess it''s time to restock."

    As Carlos floated toward the cabinet, the emergency lights suddenly flared to life, bathing the room in a harsh red glow. Almost immediately, the gravity system kicked back online, yanking him out of the air and slamming him face-first onto the cold, metallic floor.

    "Ow! Damn it!" Carlos groaned, rubbing his forehead as he staggered to his feet. "Well, at least the gravity''s back. That''s something."

    Ignoring the dull ache in his head, he reached the cabinet and yanked it open. Inside, he found a modest selection of weapons, mostly electric pistols with copper rounds. Not ideal, but far better than being unarmed.

    "Alright, you piece of junk. Let''s get this over with," he growled, his fingers flying across the controls. The console''s display shifted to show a warning in bright red text.

    <<WARNING: FORCEFUL WHOLE DEACTIVATION DETECTED. The integrity of the vessel is in danger. RECONSIDER THE decision. I REPEAT, RECONSIDER THE DECISION.>>

    Carlos snorted. "Yeah, I''ll reconsider... NOT!" He slammed the confirmation button, ignoring the system''s continued protests.

    The ship groaned violently as the wormhole destabilization sequence began. Outside, the colorful, swirling lights of the wormhole started to distort, twisting into chaotic patterns as cracks formed in the dimensional space.

    "Let''s just hope I''m not signing our death warrant," Carlos muttered, gripping the console tightly as the ship began to shake.

    The wormhole finally collapsed with a massive shockwave, ejecting the cruiser at blinding speed. The sudden force sent the ship spinning wildly, tumbling end over end through open space.

    Carlos was thrown across the bridge, slamming into the wall and collapsing to the floor in a heap. Alarms blared all around him as the ship''s systems struggled to regain control.

    "Note to self... next time, don''t mess with wormholes," he groaned, staggering to his feet.

    The ship continued to spin violently, its hull groaning under the strain. But Carlos managed a weak grin as he looked out the window at the stars beyond.

    "At least... we''re not dead yet."

    As if the universe had a twisted sense of humor, the damaged luxury cruiser spiraled wildly through space, locked in an uncontrolled orbit around the oceanic planet they were supposed to visit.

    It might have been an idyllic sight under different circumstances, an endless expanse of blue with swirling white clouds over shimmering seas. But now, it loomed like a death sentence.

    The ship''s engines were gone, leaving it as nothing more than a massive, vulnerable metal coffin hurtling toward the planet''s gravitational pull. The luxurious amenities, the crystalline chandeliers, and high-tech furnishings of the cruiser suddenly felt like a cruel joke. None of it mattered now.

    Carlos stared at the holographic display on the command bridge, which showed the ship''s trajectory in real time. The cruiser was wobbling erratically, spinning like a wounded beast in the vast emptiness of space.

    The display showed the planet growing larger with each second, its gravitational pull dragging the doomed vessel into an inevitable descent.

    "Damn it, of all the planets to crash into, why did it have to be this one?" he thought, clenching his fists. Carlos knew that crashing into the ocean wasn''t any better than hitting solid ground. The sheer speed and force of impact would tear the ship apart, turning water into a wall harder than concrete.

    Carlos''s jaw tightened as he turned to the comms terminal. With a flicker, the system sputtered to life, since it now had power barely but it was enough. He grabbed the microphone and took a deep breath before speaking into the ship-wide intercom.

    "Attention, all passengers," Carlos''s voice boomed across the ship, distorted slightly by the static of the failing systems.

    "This is sub captain on the command bridge. Listen carefully. The ship has been compromised. The attackers are unknown, but we''re out of time. Right now, we''re heading straight for the oceanic planet below us... at terminal velocity."

    The intercom crackled, his words echoing ominously through the dimly lit halls, now illuminated only by the emergency lights.

 Chapter 161 Blackout. (10)

    Carlos pressed on. "Here''s the deal: the engines are gone, navigation is screwed, and the ship is completely out of control. There''s only one chance to survive this. I''m ordering everyone to go to the hangar bay immediately."

    "Get to the same transport ships you used for the camping trip. Stick with the people from your original teams, and for the love of whatever deity you pray to, oh, and don''t panic."

    He paused for a moment, glancing at the planet displayed on the console. It was growing larger by the second.

    "That''s all from me," he said finally, his voice grimmer now. "If you believe in any kind of god... now would be a good time to start praying. We''re going to need all the help we can get."

    Carlos slammed the microphone back into its holder, the sound echoing through the otherwise silent bridge. His lips curled into a bitter smile as he muttered to himself, "I really need a drink after this."

    With nothing else to do on the command bridge, Carlos turned toward the elevator, which miraculously still had power. He pressed the button for the hangar bay, and with a soft hum, the elevator began its descent.

    Across the cruiser, Carlos''s announcement sent waves of panic through the remaining passengers.

    Screams and cries echoed in the hallways as people rushed for the hangar bay, tripping over one another in the dark, their faces illuminated only by the flickering emergency lights.

    Families clutched each other tightly, while nobles and rich passengers screamed at their servants to grab their belongings; even in the face of death, they couldn''t let go of their vanity.

    Among the chaos, Cleo, Ys, and Sharon were sprinting down one of the main corridors toward the hangar bay. Cleo''s white wings shimmered faintly in the dim light as she ran, carrying Sharon like a princess in her arms to keep her from slowing them down.

    "Did I hear that right!?" Sharon shouted over the noise. "We''re going to crash!?"

    "Affirmative," Cleo replied, her voice calm but firm. "And we''ll be dead if we don''t get to the hangar bay in time. Stop asking questions and focus."

    Ys darted ahead of them, her glowing green butterfly wings brushing against the walls as she ran. Despite the grim situation, she seemed almost... amused.

    "Well, this is exciting!" Ys said, a wild grin on her face. "Darling always says I need to get out more, and here we are, what an adventure!"

    "This isn''t the time for your nonsense!" Cleo snapped, glancing at Ys out of the corner of her eye.

    "Oh, relax, wife number two," Ys teased, her grin widening. "We''ve got this. If worst comes to worst, I can just fly us all out of here. You, me, Sharon... well, maybe not Carlos."

    "Shut up and run!" Cleo hissed, her tone laced with irritation.

    The cruiser hurtled closer and closer to the planet, its hull creaking and groaning under the strain of re-entry. The once-luxurious ship was now a fiery, spinning wreck, its exterior glowing red-hot as it pierced through the planet''s atmosphere.

    Ys soared gracefully through the chaotic remains of the ship, her glowing green butterfly wings casting an ethereal light against the dark, flickering corridors. Fires roared in the distance, and the smell of burning metal and flesh filled the air, but she paid it no mind.

    "Now, where are you, my darling?" She muttered to herself, her glowing wings fluttering as she sniffed the air.

    She paused mid-flight, sniffing in all directions like a predator tracking its prey. Her sensitive Khryssari nose usually made it easy to find Rex''s unique scent, a mix of iron, sweat, and the faint tinge of plasma from his energy core. But strangely, this time, she couldn''t pick it up.

    "Weird... I can''t smell him," she murmured, her expression darkening. "Well then, onto Plan B."

    Ys closed her eyes, her wings slowing to a gentle flutter as she activated one of her more unique abilities. A ripple of mental energy pulsed from her body, traveling outward like sonar. As it expanded, Ys began to sense the emotions of every living being on the ship.

    Fear. Desperation. Hopelessness.

    The passengers who hadn''t made it to the transports were still scattered throughout the ship, their panic burning like small flames in the mental image Ys was building. But none of them were Rex. She knew Rex''s presence; it was impossible to miss.

    Then she felt it.

    A massive surge of energy burned like a bonfire on the edges of her mental map. Unlike the other passengers, this presence wasn''t consumed by fear or despair. It was something primal. Something terrifying.

    Pure, unrelenting rage.

    Ys''s eyes snapped open, her heart skipping a beat. The mental image in her mind solidified, showing her a figure kneeling on the ground, surrounded by a blazing red aura of fury. Even without seeing him directly, she knew.

    "D¡ªDarling?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly. The connection she shared with Rex came to life, confirming her suspicions.

    Without wasting another second, Ys bolted toward the source of the energy, flying at full speed through the damaged corridors. She moved so quickly that she left a faint green afterimage in her wake, ignoring the debris and the lingering creatures still lurking in the shadows.

    In the depths of the ruined engine bay, Rex kneeled amid a sea of charred metal and lifeless bodies. His white wings were battered and blackened, and his armor was scorched from the relentless flames of the earlier explosion.

    But Rex didn''t care. His mind was consumed by one thing only, vengeance.

    The spiderlike creatures that had survived the engine explosion moments ago were now nothing more than piles of smoking ash and shredded limbs. Rex had slaughtered them all in blind fury while he was being burned by the black flames.

    his plasma sword, and sheer willpower carving through the horde like a hot knife through butter.

    The air around him crackled with raw energy as his golden halo glowed brighter, pulsing with every beat of his heart. Despite his injuries, Rex radiated an almost demonic power, his rage keeping him on his feet when his body should have long since collapsed.

 Chapter 162 Tier 4 Beast.

    A faint sound echoed behind him of soft footsteps approaching rapidly. Rex''s glowing eyes narrowed as he gripped his plasma sword, ready to strike.

    "Darling!"

    The familiar voice stopped him cold. Rex turned his head just as Ys flew into the room, landing gracefully a few feet away from him.

    Her glowing green wings shimmered in the dim light, and her usually playful expression was replaced with one of genuine concern. "Rex..." she said softly, stepping closer.

    Rex exhaled slowly, his golden halo dimming slightly. "Ys," he said, his voice quieter now. "What the hell are you doing here? You should''ve left with the others."

    Ys smirked, her playful demeanor returning. "And let my darling die alone in this scrap heap? Not a chance."

    Rex let out a bitter laugh, the tension in his shoulders easing slightly. "You''re insane."

    "And you love it," she shot back, winking.

    "Come on," Ys said, extending her hand to him. "This ship''s about to crash, and I don''t plan on dying today. Let''s get out of here, darling."

    Rex hesitated for a moment, his burning rage still simmering beneath the surface. But as he looked at Ys''s outstretched hand, he let out a long sigh and took it.

    "Fine," he said.

    She grinned, her wings flaring brightly. "Then let''s hurry. We''ve got a planet to not crash into."

    Together, they sprinted toward the hangar bay, the faint rumble of the ship''s descent growing louder with every step.

    Rex''s white wings dissipated into faint trails of glowing light, leaving behind a faint shimmer in the air. His injuries were extensive, from burned flesh to cracked bones, and his energy reserves were dangerously low, but he was alive, barely.

    His HUD displayed a grim update, 23 hours to optimal recovery. That was an eternity in their current situation, but at least the medical nanobots were working overtime, knitting his damaged tissue back together at a pace no normal human body could manage.

    "Where are the others?" Rex asked as he ran, his breathing labored but his determination unwavering.

    "Cleo got them out safely," Ys replied, effortlessly keeping up with him as she floated inches above the floor, her green wings pulsing softly. "But there are still hundreds of passengers in the ship. Judging by their speed or lack of it, they''re not going to make it."

    Rex cursed under his breath. His golden eyes flicked toward the walls as if the metal corridors themselves were to blame for their current predicament. "Why are people so damn slow in emergencies?"

    Ys floated closer with a playful glint in her eyes despite the chaos. She extended her arms toward him as if offering a hug. "You know," she teased, "I can always carry you out. It''ll be faster."

    "I''m fine now," Rex said, flexing his fingers. "You can let me go."

    Ys hesitated for a moment, watching him carefully. Despite his words, she could see the turmoil in his eyes. Without saying anything, she floated closer and wrapped her arms around him, resting her head against his bare chest.

    Rex stiffened slightly, surprised by the sudden gesture. But after a moment, he sighed and returned the embrace, wrapping one arm around her.

    They stood there in silence, watching as the cruiser hurtled toward its watery grave.

    The cruiser hit the ocean with devastating force. The front half of the ship crumpled on impact, shattering into countless pieces that sprayed into the air like shrapnel. The rest of the ship followed, groaning and twisting as it was swallowed by the waves.

    A massive shockwave rippled across the ocean, sending towering walls of water in every direction. The once-beautiful luxury cruiser, a symbol of opulence and excess, was now nothing more than a sinking pile of scrap metal.

    Rex and Ys watched in silence, their expressions grim. The screams of those who had survived the initial crash were faintly audible even from their distance. But the sight of dark shapes moving beneath the waves made it clear that their suffering wouldn''t last long.

    The ocean''s native creatures, massive, predatory beasts that were supposed to be hunted remotely by robots, were now converging on the wreckage. Their massive, serpentine bodies sliced through the water like shadows, and their glowing eyes focused on the flailing survivors.

    "Those who survived the crash won''t survive that," Rex said bitterly, his hands clenching into fists.

    She tightened her embrace around him, her wings folding slightly. "There was nothing you could do," she whispered softly.

    Rex stared at the sinking ship, his golden eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. His voice was low and filled with quiet rage. "Someone planned this," he said. "And when I find out who, I''m going to make sure they pay for every single life they took."

    While the ocean''s turbulent waves churned below and the remains of the cruiser disappeared into the depths, Rex''s energy core finally reached the 20% threshold. The soft hum of power returning to his systems was followed by a faint golden glow from his chest.

    "Masterrrrrr!!" Mini Cleo''s voice echoed from nowhere before she appeared in a flash of golden light, floating excitedly above Rex''s shoulder. She zipped around him frantically, her tiny hands covering her mouth as she took in his battered state.

    "I''m so glad you''re safe! But... your body! It''s so burned and tattered! Does it hurt? Are you okay? I''m sorry I was so incompetent! I¡ªI should have done more!"

    Her chirping, high-pitched voice echoed against the grim backdrop of their situation, and despite the chaos, Rex couldn''t help but laugh with a bitter, tired laugh, but a laugh nonetheless. The tense atmosphere between him and Ys eased slightly as the little AI fussed over him.

    "Yes, Mini Cleo, I''m fine," Rex said, his voice soft. He reached up and gently patted her tiny head with his finger. "You did your best, and I''m still alive because of it. Don''t be so hard on yourself."

    "Master..." Mini Cleo murmured, her tiny hands gripping Rex''s finger as if she might lose him again. Her tearful expression was almost comical given her size, but there was genuine concern in her glowing golden eyes.

    Then, suddenly, her demeanor shifted. She straightened her posture, puffed out her little chest, and saluted. "Master! We need to leave this area right now! Something''s not right! There''s danger nearby!"

    Rex''s smirk faded as her words sank in. He noticed that Ys had already let go of him and was now staring out at the vast ocean, her emerald butterfly wings glowing faintly as they twitched with agitation.

 Chapter 163 Tier 4 Beast. (2)

    "It''s too late already," Ys said, her voice low and steady, but there was tension in her tone. Her sharp green eyes were fixed on the horizon, and her wings folded slightly as if preparing for flight. "Something powerful is coming."

    Rex followed her gaze, his golden eyes narrowing as he scanned the ocean''s surface. At first, there was nothing, just the endless, shimmering expanse of water. But then the temperature in the air seemed to drop, and an ominous rumble resonated from deep below.

    The water beneath the sinking cruiser began to ripple, small waves giving way to massive swells as if the ocean itself were alive and angry. The sound of creaking metal echoed across the open air as the wreckage of the luxury cruiser suddenly shifted, as though something beneath it was moving.

    "Mini Cleo, scanners," Rex commanded, his voice calm but urgent.

    "On it, Master!" Mini Cleo said, her tiny form glowing as she activated her scanning systems. A holographic display appeared before Rex''s eyes, showing a 3D rendering of the ocean and the massive biological signatures lurking beneath its surface.

    "Uh-oh..." Mini Cleo''s voice trembled. "Master, there''s... there''s something huge under there. It''s¡ªit''s bigger than the cruiser! And it''s heading straight to it!"

    Rex''s jaw tightened. His white wings flared slightly as he prepared for whatever was coming.

    The water exploded.

    A massive, serpentine creature erupted from the ocean, its sheer size dwarfing even the largest skyscrapers Rex had ever seen. Its jet-black scales shimmered with a faint green glow, and its glowing emerald eyes radiated an otherworldly intelligence that sent a shiver down Rex''s spine.

    Its body seemed to stretch endlessly, coiling and twisting through the air as it let out a deafening roar that shook the skies.

    Its head alone was the size of a small building, adorned with sharp, jagged horns and glowing veins of green light that pulsed with energy. The beast''s enormous wings, if they could even be called that, spread out from its sides, translucent and webbed like the fins of a deep-sea monster.

    "Well, that''s... new," Rex muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

    "Darling, you don''t look surprised," Ys said, smirking faintly despite the danger. She floated closer to him, her wings shimmering with readiness.

    "I''m not," Rex replied dryly. "Because of course there''s a giant sea monster. Why wouldn''t there be? It''s not like today''s been bad enough already."

    The beast roared again, its glowing eyes locking onto Rex and Ys as if sensing their presence. The air around it seemed to distort, crackling with some kind of electric charge.

    "Mini Cleo, give me options!" Rex shouted, his golden halo flaring brighter as he readied himself for a fight.

    "Master! Option one: Run away really fast! Option two: Try not to die! Option three: Pray to every deity you know because this thing is WAY out of your league right now!" Mini Cleo said in a panic, her holographic display flickering as she tried to process the data.

    "YSSS!!" Rex shouted, his white wings flaring with a burst of light as he dove toward the water''s surface. His fists clenched tightly, and rage burned hotter than ever in his glowing eyes. Mini Cleo floated next to him, frantic.

    "Master! Her life signs are still active! They''re faint, but she''s alive!" Mini Cleo shouted, her voice trembling.

    "She better be," Rex growled, his jaw tightening as he crafed his plasma claymore. "Because if she''s not, this thing''s not going to have any heads left."

    Deep beneath the waves, Ys''s black cocoon pulsed faintly, glowing with green veins that snaked across its surface. The serpent''s powerful jaws were attempting to crush it, but the alien material was holding strong, absorbing the immense pressure and impact.

    Inside, Ys floated in her primal form, her consciousness reeling from the sudden attack. Her breathing was steady, but her thoughts raced. "This thing is fast. Too fast... and it''s strong enough to pin me down."

    Then she felt it, a shift in the serpent''s movements. It wasn''t trying to bite through her shell anymore; instead, it was dragging her deeper into the ocean, the pressure increasing with every meter.

    "Oh no, you don''t," Ys muttered, her voice resonating through the cocoon. The green veins on her shell began to glow brighter, pulsating with energy. Her form started to shift, tendrils extending outward like black, jagged claws.

    "If I can''t overpower you... I''ll poison you instead," she growled, her tendrils piercing through the serpent''s flesh from inside its mouth, releasing a highly corrosive substance that began eating away at the creature''s throat.

    The serpent writhed in agony, bubbles exploding upward as its second head thrashed wildly, trying to dislodge Ys''s cocoon from its mouth. The acid-like substance burned through its flesh, leaving a trail of bubbling black blood that rose to the surface.

    "Hehe, so this is indeed effective against you." When she was saying this, she saw how they weren''t two different creatures; it was only one creature, and what scared her the most was that this creature didn''t have only two heads.

    She could see several glowing eyes deep in the ocean coming toward her at fast speed, and by the number of them, there weren''t only 5 or 6 heads; there were a whole lot of 8 heads!.

    There was not time to doubt, not more time to hide; even though she was a Khryssari princess, she was the youngest of her cousins; she was only a Tier 3 peak at best, and this creature would be a Tier 4 peak, so this was a fight for survival.

    Her instics quicked in; her human-like eyes now changed toward serpent-like eyes; her boddy started releasing massive quantities of the black living material she used before to protect herself, but now she was transforming herself into a massive black and grey snake with horns and butterfly-like wings from ears.

    Ys hovered in the water, her once petite, human-like form now replaced by the imposing figure of her primal Khryssari transformation. The glowing veins of green light that pulsed through her dark scales made her look like a terrifying demon of destruction.

    Her horns gleamed as they extended upward like curved obsidian blades, and her butterfly-like wings, now enormous and translucent, shimmered with an ethereal green glow.

    The ocean seemed to recoil as her massive serpent body unfurled, curling and coiling in the the water. Her serpent eyes narrowed, locking onto the eight-headed monstrosity that was surging toward her with incredible speed.

    Each of the creature''s heads, adorned with glowing green eyes and gaping jaws lined with countless razor-sharp teeth, churned the water into chaos as they moved with terrifying coordination.

    "Eight heads? Perfect. I just need to rip off eight," Ys growled, her voice deeper and more primal, resonating with the power of her true form. She could feel her Khryssari instincts taking over, her blood pumping with adrenaline. This was no longer a fight for dominance or pride, it was a battle for survival.

 Chapter 164 Tier 4 Beast. (3)

    As the first of the heads broke the surface, it lunged straight at Ys with its jaws wide open. She hissed, baring her venomous fangs as her massive tail whipped upward with blinding speed, slamming into the head with a crack that echoed across the ocean.

    The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, causing the water to spray violently in all directions.

    Another head surged up from her right, snapping at her midsection. She spun in the water, her serpentine body twisting gracefully as her tail lashed out again, catching the attacking head and smashing it back into the depths.

    But as she defended against one attack, another head emerged from the depths, aiming for her exposed back.

    "Not so fast!" she roared, releasing a volley of glowing green butterfly-like projectiles from the veins in her wings. The projectiles shot toward the attacking head, each one detonating on impact with the force of a plasma cannon.

    The head recoiled with a guttural screech, black blood spilling from its wounds.

    But Ys had no time to celebrate her small victory. The ocean began to churn violently as the full size of the creature became visible. The beast wasn''t just massive; it was colossal.

    Its eight heads were attached to a single, gargantuan body that extended far below the surface, its scales glistening like molten obsidian and etched with glowing green runes. The ocean seemed to quake as its sheer size displaced the water around it.

    "You''ve got to be kidding me," Ys muttered, her eyes widening as the creature began to encircle her, its heads moving in perfect synchronization. It wasn''t just strong; it was smart. This wasn''t an ordinary predator; it was a true apex beast, and it had decided Ys was prey.

    The heads began striking one after another, forcing Ys to stay on the defensive. Her massive body twisted and turned, her tail whipping through the air and water to parry the relentless attacks.

    She unleashed another wave of green butterfly projectiles, aiming to buy herself some time, but the creature''s regenerative abilities were absurd. The wounds she inflicted were already beginning to close.

    From a distance, Rex watched the chaos unfold, his eyes narrowing as he saw the full scale of the creature Ys was facing. His wings flared with silver light as he flew closer, ignoring the warnings Mini Cleo was frantically shouting in his ear.

    "Master, you''re still heavily injured! You need to retreat and recover; this is beyond your current capabilities!" Mini Cleo pleaded, her voice filled with panic.

    "No chance," Rex said, his voice cold and resolute. "Ys needs me. I''m not letting her fight that thing alone."

    As he approached, he saw Ys managing to hold her ground, but barely. Her once-mighty tail was now covered in gashes, and her projectiles were becoming less frequent as her energy reserves dwindled.

    One of the serpent''s heads managed to graze her side with its teeth, tearing into her scales and drawing green blood.

    Summoning every ounce of strength she had left, she surged forward, water breaking around her in violent waves. Behind them, the monstrous beast gained ground, its eight heads tearing through the water with a hunger that refused to be denied.

    Rex held on tightly, his knuckles white as the current whipped at his face. The tension pressed against them like the weight of the ocean itself. Yet amidst the chaos, a grin tugged at his lips. "If we''re going down," he muttered to himself, "we''re going down in style."

    Meanwhile, Cleo''s calm demeanor cracked the moment she received the urgent transmission from Mini Cleo. Her heart raced as she read through the detailed message. Without hesitation, she initiated a direct link.

    "Mini Cleo, I''ve read the report. Tell Rex to head to these coordinates immediately. We''ll face that monster there." Her voice was firm, but the urgency couldn''t be hidden.

    Mini Cleo''s holographic form saluted sharply, her tiny fist thudding against her chest with all the drama of a soldier in battle. "Got it, Original! You can count on me!" she chirped, her small yet determined form beaming with confidence.

    The moment the call ended, Carlos who had been pacing nearby spoke up. "Was that about Rex? What''s going on? How is he?!" His voice wavered with concern.

    Cleo let out a long breath before responding, her expression as unreadable as ever. "He''s alive for now. But they won''t last much longer if that... thing catches them." She pulled up the footage Mini Cleo had sent, projecting it for Carlos to see.

    Carlos stared in stunned silence as the video played. Onscreen, Rex and Ys were battling a massive Tier 4 beast, its eight monstrous heads tearing through everything in their path.

    It wasn''t a fight. It was a slaughter. Blood and desperation filled the screen as the beast relentlessly pursued its prey.

    Carlos''s voice was barely above a whisper. "How are we supposed to help them? That thing¡ª" He paused, gesturing toward the video. "¡ªit''s unstoppable."

    Cleo closed the projection with a flick of her wrist, her expression calm and calculating. "Reinforcements are already en route. They''ll be in orbit within minutes."

    Carlos''s brow furrowed in confusion. "Reinforcements? From where?"

    Cleo''s lips curled into the faintest hint of a smile. "You''ll see soon enough."

    Meanwhile, Ys was straining every fiber of her being as she swam toward the surface, her body wracked with pain. "It''s here, Ys! Go up, now!" Rex shouted, his voice filled with an urgency that left no room for doubt.

    "Got it, darling!" Ys replied, summoning every last ounce of strength to propel herself upward. The water erupted around them in a colossal explosion of foam and spray as they broke the surface.

    Behind them, the monstrous beast followed, its eight heads rising like a nightmare given form, water cascading from its jaws.

    Rex didn''t hesitate. He leaped off Ys''s head; his energy levels recharged to 50%, just enough to fight on his own. "Let''s do this, Ys! We''ve got to hold out until reinforcements arrive!"

 Chapter 165 Tier 4 Beast. (4)

    As soon as he took off, one of the beast''s heads lunged at him with terrifying speed. Its jaws opened wide, and for a split second, Rex knew there was no way to dodge in time.

    "Mini Cleo! Max output on the energy shields!" Rex shouted, his voice steady despite the chaos.

    In an instant, multiple energy shield domes deployed, lighting up in rapid succession. The head slammed into the barriers, but the sheer force sent Rex tumbling backward and straight into the creature''s throat.

    "Well, that''s just great," Rex muttered, his voice thick with sarcasm as he hovered inside the foul, pulsating cavern. "It smells like something died in here!"

    "Be careful, Master!" Mini Cleo''s holographic form appeared beside him, her tiny face covered by an exaggerated gas mask, her voice tinged with both concern and playful mischief. "The corrosive liquid in here is highly dangerous! If it touches you, you''ll be in serious trouble!"

    Rex waved her off, though he couldn''t help but grin at her antics. "Got it, got it. But don''t worry, I''ve got an idea." His smirk widened as he gripped his claymore, the blade glowing brighter as it expanded in size.

    Mini Cleo tilted her head, curious. "What''s the plan, Master?"

    Rex licked his lips, his tone both cocky and excited. "Tell me, Mini Cleo, do you ever hear what happens when you accidentally swallow a fishbone?"

    Mini Cleo blinked, then giggled behind her gas mask. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

    Rex raised his claymore, the blade now a blinding beacon in the darkness of the creature''s throat. "Let''s see how this beast likes a little... indigestion."

    Inside the monstrous creature''s throat, Rex held on tight to his claymore, grinning like a madman. With all his strength, he spun the massive blade in wild arcs, tearing through the pulsating walls of flesh as he tumbled up and down like a whirlwind.

    "Hahahaha! Enjoy the fishbone, you ugly bastard!" He roared, his voice echoing within the beast''s troath as he became a spinning, living saw.

    Mini Cleo, clinging tightly to a lock of his hair, screamed in protest. "Maaassstteeerrr! I''m feeling so dizzy!" She whined, her holographic form flailing helplessly.

    Rex, who shared everything Mini Cleo experienced, immediately felt the dizziness hit him like a hammer. His vision swirled. "Oh no... I think I''m going¡ª"

    Meanwhile, outside, the battle was going from bad to worse. Ys fought fiercely against the remaining seven heads, her immense serpentine body coiling and striking like a force of nature.

    But the difference in strength was undeniable. Her injuries were taking their toll, and with every move, her speed was slowing. Her once-beautiful scales were now marred by countless wounds, her green blood streaking through the water.

    One of the heads finally got its chance. It lunged forward with terrifying speed, its jaws closing around Ys''s midsection in a crushing bite. A pained, guttural roar erupted from her as the creature clamped down, its teeth digging deep into her flesh.

    The egg that held Ys began to glow softly in Rex''s arms, its surface shimmering like liquid light. Slowly, it started to dissolve, its radiant material seeping into Ys''s injured body.

    As the egg vanished completely, Ys was left cradled in Rex''s arms, her human form limp and battered. The material from the egg spread over her wounds, knitting her flesh together little by little, the glow of healing faint but steady.

    Rex stared at her, holding her close. This was Ys, the Ys who was always carefree, who loved to joke and laze around, who teased him endlessly with that mischievous glint in her eyes. Seeing her now, fragile and broken, tore through him like a blade.

    His chest tightened with a pain he had never felt before, a pain so deep it seemed to echo in his very soul. His grip on her tightened, and with that pain came something else, an uncontrollable, seething rage.

    Below, the monstrous beast stirred, finally shaking off the effects of Rex''s earlier shockwave. Its eight heads, now thrashing with fury, burst from the ocean''s depths. This time, its movements were different, more calculated, more deliberate.

    It wasn''t just hunting Rex anymore. It was hunting a threat. A threat that had dared to challenge it, that had dared to hurt it.

    The creature surged toward him with terrifying speed, the ocean parting in its wake. Rex didn''t flinch. He wrapped Ys tighter in his left arm, shielding her with his honeycomb-like energy barrier. The shimmering shield expanded around her, encasing her in a protective cocoon.

    With his free hand, Rex crafted a glowing silver chain from the nanomaterials stored in his golden halo. The chain coiled around his claymore like a living thing, securing the massive weapon to his wrist. No matter how fierce the fight became, he wouldn''t drop it. Not this time.

    His eyes blazed with silver light as he turned to face the charging beast. "Bring it on," Rex roared, his voice cutting through the air like thunder. "Today, you go down!"

    As if it understood his words, the creature let out a deafening roar of its own, all seven mouths opening in unison. The sound was so powerful it rippled through the air and water, shaking the very battlefield itself.

    But Rex didn''t falter. He answered with a roar of his own, primal and raw, as his entire body erupted in a brilliant silver light.

    The golden halo on his back flared to life, releasing streams of nanomaterial that surged into his body. Cleo''s voice echoed in his mind, a warning from earlier. "Three meters is your safe limit, Rex! Don''t push past that; your body won''t hold!"

    But Rex knew this wasn''t the time to play it safe. Ys''s fragile form in his arms reminded him of what was at stake. There was no room for hesitation.

    His body began to grow, stretching and expanding as he infused more and more nanomaterial into himself. Three meters. Four. Five. Six. His muscles burned with the strain, his veins glowing like molten silver. He was a giant now, shining like a star, a silver comet falling from the sky.

    With a battle cry that shook the heavens, Rex dove toward the creature, his claymore swinging in massive, earth-shaking arcs. Each swing unleashed devastating shockwaves, splitting the air and ocean alike.

    The water below churned violently, pushed back by the sheer force of his strikes, creating massive craters in the waves.

    The beast lunged upward to meet him, its seven heads snapping and thrashing as they closed in. Rex''s silver light clashed with the creature''s black, oily aura, their power colliding in a storm of chaos and fury.

 Chapter 166 Reinforcements.

    The ocean below them became a battleground, each swing of Rex''s sword sending tsunamis outward. The creature roared again, its jaws snapping dangerously close to Rex''s body, but he was relentless.

    For every head that lunged at him, he met it with a devastating swing of his blade, sending shockwaves that cut through the air like thunderclaps.

    "IS THIS ALL YOU''VE GOT?!" Rex shouted, his voice echoing across the endless expanse of water. His rage fueled him, his every strike driven by the image of Ys''s fragile body in his arms just moments ago.

    He would protect her. He would destroy this monster. And he would not stop until it was nothing but ash.

    The silver star and the eight-headed nightmare clashed in a battle that lit up the horizon, a war that could be seen from the heavens.

    Amidst the chaos of the battle, as Rex clashed against the monstrous Tier 4 beast, the sky above began to change. The ocean shimmered faintly as an enormous shadow descended from the heavens, heralding the arrival of a force that had never been seen before in the vastness of space.

    The fleet appeared without warning, their ships breaking through the atmosphere like blades piercing the clouds. Each vessel was a testament to engineering and purpose, their designs sleek yet menacing, their hulls emblazoned with unregistered symbols that no intergalactic system could recognize.

    This wasn''t a force tied to any known military alliance or galactic power. This was something entirely new.

    At the heart of the fleet, an enormous flagship dominated the skies. It resembled a fighter carrier, its size and majesty eclipsing anything the galaxy had known. Inside its command bridge, four figures stood, each gazing at the battlefield below.

    Their faces were lit by the glow of the screens showing the battle between Rex and the Tier 4 beast. Each of them reacted differently to the spectacle unfolding before them.

    The first figure, a golden-haired woman of otherworldly beauty, stood still with her eyes closed. Though she couldn''t see the fight with her eyes since it was an ability she lacked, her senses extended far beyond sight.

    She felt the clashing power below, the sheer magnitude of the two titanic forces battling for dominance. The intensity of it made her tremble, her slender hands gripping the railing tightly.

    Beside her, an older man with silver-streaked hair and a face carved by wisdom watched the battle on the largest screen. His expression was radiant, tears streaming down his face as if he were witnessing the creation of a masterpiece.

    His voice broke the silence, filled with unrestrained joy.

    "Beautiful! Magnificent! Glorious!" he exclaimed, spreading his arms wide as if to embrace the scene. "This is a moment worthy of history! It should be immortalized, not with some cheap holographic projection but with a real painting! A masterpiece to hang on the walls of eternity!"

    He laughed loudly, overcome by the spectacle of raw power and will on display.

    Further down the bridge, two younger women stood side by side, both with silver hair that shimmered faintly under the dim lighting of the command room. They looked almost identical, like mirrors of one another, but their reactions couldn''t have been more different.

    The first, the timid one, watched the fight with a pained expression. Her hands clenched tightly at her sides, and her lips quivered as she saw the blood on Rex''s body. Every injury he suffered seemed to strike her heart as if it were her own.

    The second, in contrast, was flushed, her cheeks glowing a soft pink as she stared unblinkingly at Rex. Her eyes glimmered with something akin to admiration or perhaps something deeper.

    Explosive rounds tore through the skies, their trajectories arcing toward the Tier 4 beast, while streaks of brilliant laser beams followed closely behind. Every shot was aimed with deadly accuracy at the massive creature.

    "Master! Incoming fire from above! Dodge!" Mini Cleo''s voice rang out urgently in Rex''s mind, cutting through the haze of his overwhelming rage.

    "What?! From who?!" Rex shouted, his silver aura flickering for a moment as he processed the warning. He flapped his wings furiously, propelling himself higher into the sky just in time.

    The first wave of laser beams struck the beast with pinpoint accuracy, slicing through its scaled hide and drawing a roar of pain.

    The creature''s roar was deafening, its agony reverberating through the air. It twisted violently, trying to retreat back into the safety of the ocean. But before it could react, the explosive rounds struck next, detonating upon impact with a series of thunderous booms.

    Shrapnel and chunks of flesh erupted from the beast''s massive body, splashing into the water below.

    "Prepare the tractor beams! Don''t let it escape into the water!" a commanding voice shouted from outside the main bridge.

    Standing boldly at the bow of the massive carrier, his silver hair whipping wildly in the gale, was none other than Oscar. The scientist''s white lab coat fluttered dramatically in the powerful winds, and a confident grin stretched across his face as he watched the battle unfold.

    He stood there as though he were a king overseeing his kingdom, utterly unbothered by the chaos around him.

    "W-What?! Professor! What are you doing out there?!" Lilla''s brother, speaking through the communicator, sounded equal parts exasperated and alarmed.

    "Hahaha! What else would I be doing here?!" Oscar''s voice crackled back through his oxygen mask, his tone brimming with delight. "This is the first time my creations are being brought to light! Of course, I''m going to choose the most spectacular seat in the house!"

    Despite his recklessness, Oscar wasn''t entirely foolhardy. His oxygen mask ensured he could breathe in the harsh environment, and the magnetic boots he wore kept him firmly planted on the carrier''s deck despite the violent winds.

    Lilla let out a long, tired sigh, shaking her head. She was far too familiar with Oscar''s eccentricities to waste time arguing with him. "Do as he says," she ordered calmly.

    "Understood, Saintess!" the officers on the bridge responded, their hands flying across their consoles as they carried out the orders.

    The carrier''s powerful tractor beams activated, locking onto the Tier 4 beast. Beams of blinding blue energy shot out, latching onto the creature and halting its retreat. The beast writhed and thrashed, fighting the pull with every ounce of its monstrous strength.

    "Saintess!" one of the officers shouted, his voice filled with panic. "The beast is pulling us toward it! Its strength is overpowering our tractor beams!"

    Lilla''s expression remained calm and resolute. "Do not falter. Keep the beams locked on it. Max out the engines, every last ounce of output. We will not lose to a beast."

    "Yes, Saintess!"

    The carrier''s engines roared to life, the massive vessel straining against the overwhelming force of the creature. Despite its immense size, the carrier groaned under the pressure, but it held firm.

 Chapter 167 Reinforcements. (2)

    Meanwhile, the destroyers continued their relentless assault. Volley after volley of explosive rounds and lasers rained down on the beast, tearing through its flesh and lighting up the battlefield. The creature''s roars grew louder, more painful, each one echoing across the ocean like a shockwave.

    And yet, the beast fought back with ferocity. Its eight heads thrashed and coiled, its movements desperate and wild. This wasn''t just a battle for survival anymore; it was a battle for dominance.

    From the skies above, Rex hovered, watching the chaos unfold. His eyes, burning with silver light, scanned the battlefield. The rage that had consumed him moments ago was still there, but now it was tempered by something else.

    But as the creature''s roars grew louder, something gnawed at the edge of his mind. For now, the fleet was holding its ground, but Rex had learned one painful truth during his time fighting the beast: Tier 4 beasts weren''t just monsters. They were forces of nature. And nature, when cornered, always struck back with devastating fury.

    "Mini Cleo," Rex muttered, tightening his grip on his claymore as his wings flared with light. "Scan the surroundings while I go to the main ships to see who is helping us."

    "Understood, Master!" Mini Cleo chirped, summoning a small holographic screen in front of her. Her tiny hands moved with incredible speed as she analyzed data and relayed commands, her voice maintaining its usual playful yet efficient tone.

    Rex flew toward the human carrier, his wings leaving trails of silver light in the sky. As he neared the flagship, his immense figure cast a shadow over the deck, and the sheer heat radiating from his body created a haze of steam around him.

    His naked form, now standing at six meters tall, was etched with golden tech marks that pulsed faintly with residual energy. Hot fumes rose from his glowing body, making him look more like a divine warrior than a man.

    As Rex landed on the deck with a heavy thud, the platform trembled beneath his weight. The crew stared in awe, their mouths agape, some even dropping their tools as they beheld the giant figure.

    "Who''s this guy?" Rex asked, his deep voice resonating like celestial thunder, as he turned his gaze toward the silver-haired man standing confidently in front of him.

    Mini Cleo popped up on his HUD, her holographic form pointing to the figure. "Master! That''s Professor Oscar! According to the database, he''s part of the Human Empire''s upper ranks and one of the chief engineers responsible for their advanced technology."

    "Oh, yes, I remember now," Rex said with a nod. He slowly knelt down to bring himself closer to eye level, the ground beneath him creaking slightly under his weight. Despite his attempt to appear humble, his towering frame and radiant energy made him seem anything but humble.

    "Professor Oscar," Rex said, his voice calm but commanding, "it''s been a long time."

    Oscar, ever composed, saluted with a smile, his silver hair still whipping in the strong winds. "Ah, Sir Rex! What an honor to meet you again on such a glorious day!" His tone was filled with genuine delight, as if he were greeting an old friend at a tea party rather than standing on the frontlines of a battlefield.

    Rex glanced around the deck. "Where are Cleo and the others?" he asked, concern lacing his thunderous voice.

    Oscar adjusted his glasses and smiled warmly. "They''re safe and sound, resting in their quarters inside the carrier. Rest assured, Sir Rex, they are unharmed."

    Rex''s eyes widened as the creatures took flight. "What the hell!? They can fly!? Who''s ever heard of a damn fish that could fly!?" He shouted in disbelief, his grip tightening on his weapon as he prepared to take off and intercept them.

    But before he could move, a familiar voice rang out in his mind. "Wait, Rex."

    His eyes flickered with surprise. "Cleo? What are you doing here? What about your body?" Rex asked, his tone edged with confusion. He knew Cleo could only project herself in one place at a time unless she gave specific consent for Mini Cleo to stay with him.

    "Don''t worry," Cleo replied, her voice firm but calm. "My body is fine. It''s recharging as we speak. But I''d worry more about you right now. Why, for the love of all things holy, did you push your body to its absolute limits? How many times have I told you not to do that!?"

    This was the first time Rex had ever heard Cleo nag him like this, and the unexpected scolding almost made him smile. Almost.

    Letting out a heavy sigh, Rex responded, his voice steady but resigned. "Cleo, there was no other option. You know that. Check my memories if you want; you''ll see why I did it. I regret nothing."

    His gaze turned back toward the incoming swarm of beasts, their numbers growing by the second. "But I don''t have time for this right now. I need to deal with those creatures before they rip apart the destroyers. We can talk about this later."

    "Wait," Cleo said again, her voice sharper this time, cutting through Rex''s focus.

    Rex paused, mid-step. "What now?"

    "Let the humans handle those creatures," Cleo said, her tone firm with certainty. "They''re not as weak as you think. In fact, I''m impressed by how quickly they''ve adapted to the new technologies. Give them a chance to prove themselves, Rex."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, staring at her holographic form as it appeared on his palm, glowing faintly against the backdrop of chaos. "And what do you suggest we do?"

    A faint smile played on Cleo''s lips as she looked up at him. "While they handle the small fry, you and I are going after something bigger."

    Meanwhile, on the command bridge of the flagship carrier, the tension was palpable. Lilla stood in the captain''s seat, exuding calm authority despite the chaos unfolding outside.

    "Saintess! Bad news!" a communications officer called out, his voice frantic. "Destroyer Two and Destroyer Three are under attack from unknown enemies! They''re requesting immediate aerial support!"

    Lilla remained composed, her golden hair swaying as she tilted her head slightly. "Do not panic, officer," she said with her voice steady and resolute. "Deploy the Imperial Wings. Show those beasts the might of our fighters."

    "Yes, Saintess!" the officer responded, his tone instantly steadier as he relayed the order. "Imperial Wings! Turn on your engines! May the glory and might of the Angel guide your path!"

 Chapter 168 Reinforcements. (3)

    Inside the fighter bay, rows of sleek, gray fighters hummed with power, their engines already warmed and prepped for launch. The pilots, clad in advanced flight suits, strapped themselves in, their faces lit with determination.

    The leader of the first wing has his fighter painted bright red to distinguish him from the others, grinned as he flicked on his comms. "Alright, you heard the saint! It''s time to show these oversized guppies what the Imperial Wings are made of!"

    The other pilots cheered over the comms as their engines roared to life, the metallic hum reverberating through the bay. The green light flashed on their screens, signaling clearance for takeoff.

    "Go, go, go!" the officer''s voice echoed through the speakers.

    With a deafening roar, the fighters launched from the carrier, one after another, their thrusters igniting in streaks of blue flame.

    The ships shot into the skies, sleek and deadly, their forms reminiscent of the old fighter planes of humanity''s past but updated with cutting-edge technology for space and atmospheric warfare.

    The red leader led the charge, his voice booming through the communications. "Form up! We''re taking the fight to them!"

    "Wing Three and Wing Four, divert immediately to support Destroyer Number Four! Wing Two, stay with me and follow my lead!" The red leader shouted through the communicator, his voice sharp and unwavering amidst the chaos.

    "Understood!" the leaders of the other wings responded in unison, their voices filled with determination as they broke formation, guiding their squadrons toward their assigned objectives.

    The red leader''s eyes narrowed as the swarm of flying beasts came into view, their alien forms twisting and flailing as they relentlessly harassed Destroyer Number Four. "We''re almost in missile range!" he shouted. "Prepare to fire the first volley! Be ready to light these bastards up!"

    The moment his fighter''s targeting system pinged the green light, he gave the command. "Launch the fireworks!"

    A symphony of smoke trails streaked across the sky as dozens of missiles erupted from the fighters, their sleek forms arcing toward the swarm of beasts.

    The creatures screeched in disarray, their movements becoming frantic as they attempted to dodge the incoming barrage. But the missiles weren''t ordinary projectiles.

    Developed by Cleo herself, each missile was equipped with a basic AI guidance system. Even as the beasts twisted and dove to evade, the missiles recalibrated mid-flight, locking onto nearby targets with ruthless precision.

    They wouldn''t stop until their targets were destroyed or until their fuel ran dry and these missiles had enough fuel for an hour of high-speed pursuit.

    Explosions rippled through the air as the missiles found their marks, tearing into the swarm with devastating effect. Several beasts were engulfed in fire and smoke, their charred remains plummeting toward the ocean below. Others were left wounded, shrieking in pain as the missiles continued to hound them.

    "Good hits, everyone!" the red leader shouted over the communications. "Second Wing, take the high ground and prepare for a diving assault! First Wing, stick with me!"

    But the battle had devolved into a brutal game of endurance, one where both the massive beast and the destroyers themselves were on the verge of collapse.

    He barely had time to process the worsening situation when a shadow loomed in front of him. His heart sank as his cockpit alarms blared, the towering form of a Tier 2 beast had appeared, its massive tentacles spreading wide to ensnare him.

    Time seemed to stretch, slowing to a crawl. The red leader''s eyes widened as he realized the full gravity of his mistake. He had gotten too distracted watching the battlefield, and now he was staring death in the face.

    The tentacles shot toward him, closing in from every direction like a deadly cage. There was no way out. No room to maneuver.

    "This is it," he thought, his grip tightening on the controls. "The Ace of humanity''s fighters is about to go down."

    But just as the tentacles were about to crush him, a flash of radiant light split the sky with a powerful wind.

    Golden swords, dozens of them, rained down from the heavens. Each blade shimmered with an otherworldly brilliance, slicing through the air at impossible speeds. One of the swords struck the Tier 2 beast squarely in its body, detonating with a powerful shockwave that sent the creature spiraling downward, its screech drowned out by the roar of the impact.

    The red leader blinked in shock. It had happened so fast, he hadn''t even processed what had saved him. "What the actual fuck?" he muttered, his voice shaky as his fighter steadied itself.

    More golden swords rained from above, piercing through the flying beasts that surrounded the destroyers. Each blade struck with unerring accuracy, severing wings, cutting through armor-like scales, and leaving destruction in their wake.

    What stunned the red leader even more was what followed, the swords didn''t simply vanish after their strikes. They returned, spinning gracefully through the air, back toward a single source.

    He squinted, his cockpit HUD tracing the trajectory of one of the swords as it disappeared into a cloudbank. His curiosity pushed him to follow it, and what he saw behind the clouds nearly made his jaw drop.

    Emerging from the mist was a massive, gleaming figure, a white and gold giant mecha. Its design was unlike anything he had ever seen, impossibly advanced and radiating a divine energy that was both awe-inspiring and intimidating.

    The mecha''s enormous wings stretched out for several meters, each metallic feather gleaming with light. In its right hand, it held a colossal sword, the blade practically humming with a menacing energy.

    And behind the mecha, there was an enormous golden halo, pulsating with light. From the halo, the golden swords emerged, shooting outward like divine arrows of judgment before returning to their source.

    The red leader could do nothing but stare in awe as the mecha moved. Its movements were impossibly fluid for something so massive, each step and flap of its wings radiating power.

    Then, the mecha turned its head, and the red leader froze as its glowing, silver eyes locked onto his fighter.

    The mecha nodded once, a simple yet commanding gesture. The red leader felt a shiver run down his spine as he instinctively nodded back. Then, with a powerful flap of its wings, the mecha shot downward like a falling comet, its target was clear, the Tier 4 beast.

 Chapter 169 The myth.

    On the flagship''s command bridge, the chaos continued as updates poured in from across the fleet.

    "Sir, we''ve just received a priority order from high command!" One of the communication officers shouted. "All destroyers are to cease fire on the Tier 4 beast and redirect their attacks toward the Tier 1 and Tier 2 flying beasts. I repeat, cease fire on the Tier 4 beast!"

    "What!?" one of the destroyer captains roared in disbelief as he slammed his fist against his chair. "What the hell is high command thinking!? We''ve got that massive bastard on the ropes, and now they want us to stop!? Are they insane!?"

    "Captain!" another officer yelled, his voice frantic. "We''re detecting a high-energy reading heading straight toward the Tier 4 beast. The source is... it''s another Tier 4 peak entity!"

    The captain froze, his face paling. "Another Tier 4...?" He clenched his fists, a sense of dread creeping over him. "Quickly, put it on the screen!"

    "Right away, sir!"

    The main display lit up, showing a live feed of the battlefield. At first, the captain saw only the chaotic scene they were already familiar with, the Tier 4 beast thrashing against the carrier''s tractor beams, the flying beasts swarming the destroyers, and the fighters weaving in and out of combat. But then, his eyes were drawn to a blinding light descending from the sky.

    The bridge went silent as everyone stared at the screen, watching the white-and-gold figure dive toward the Tier 4 beast with terrifying speed. Its sword glowed brighter with every passing second, the energy around it growing so intense that even the radar systems began to glitch.

    The captain''s voice was barely above a whisper. "What... is that?"

    "It''s... it''s him," one of the officers muttered, her voice trembling. "The Bloody Angel."

    The saintess, seated calmly in her chair, allowed a faint smile to cross her lips. "Do as the order says," she commanded. "The Tier 4 beast is no longer your concern. Focus all the fire on the flying beasts. Our angel will take care of the rest."

    The captain hesitated for only a moment before nodding. "You heard her! Redirect all fire! Target the swarm and clear the skies!"No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Below, Rex broke through the last layer of clouds, its wings folding slightly to increase its speed. His glowing silver eyes locked onto the writhing Tier 4 beast below, its massive form still thrashing against the bombardment from the destroyers.

    "Cleo," Rex said, his voice calm but firm. "It''s time."

    "Understood," Cleo replied, her voice echoing through the cockpit. "Let''s finish this."

    The golden swords circling Rex''s halo shimmered with renewed energy, their light blazing like stars. As he dove, the swords shot forward, each one finding its mark on the beast''s body.

    The Tier 4 beast roared in fury, its massive heads thrashing as it sensed its true enemy approaching.

    Rex raised his colossal sword, the blade glowing brighter and brighter as it absorbed energy from his core systems. His voice rumbled like thunder as he charged forward.

    He flapped his wings hard, accelerating straight toward the head that had just blasted him with fire. The massive maw opened again, preparing for another attack, but Rex showed no signs of slowing.

    "Now it''s my turn, you bastard!" he shouted as he plunged directly into the creature''s mouth.

    The beast''s jaws snapped shut, but it was already too late. Rex tore through its throat like a blazing comet, his plasma claymore slicing upward as he emerged from the top of the creature''s skull. With a single explosive strike, he decapitated the head from the inside, sending it tumbling into the ocean below.

    "That''s another one down!" Rex roared triumphantly, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "Only five left!"

    The Tier 4 beast let out a deafening, guttural roar, its remaining heads thrashing violently. Blood poured from its massive wounds, staining the ocean beneath it a sickly black. It was clear the battle was no longer in its favor.

    Sensing its inevitable defeat, the creature shifted its strategy. Its massive body began to sink, dragging itself toward the ocean depths. The carrier''s tractor beams strained against the pull, the immense force causing the entire ship to groan under the pressure.

    "Saintess!" a voice crackled over the carrier''s communications. "The Tier 4 beast is attempting to retreat into the water! It''s pulling the carrier with it; we''re losing stability!"

    Lilla, seated calmly on the command bridge, opened her eyes. Her gaze was sharp even though she was blind; her voice was steady. "Redirect all energy to the tractor beams. Do not let it escape."

    "But Saintess¡ª"

    "Do not argue," she cut him off, her tone resolute. "If that creature escapes underwater, it will recover, and all of this will be for nothing. Hold the line, no matter the cost."

    On the battlefield, Rex hovered in the air, his silver aura blazing brightly as he watched the beast thrash against its bonds. His wings flared as he turned to Cleo.

    "It''s trying to retreat," Rex growled. "We can''t let it get away."

    "Agreed," Cleo said, her holographic form glowing faintly. "But you''ll need to move quickly. The tractor beams won''t hold it for long, especially not with its size and strength."

    Rex''s grip on his claymore tightened. His voice was cold, determined. "Then I''ll make sure it never gets the chance."

    With a powerful flap of his wings, he shot upward like a comet, aiming directly for the beast''s massive body.

    "Cleo," Rex said, his voice steady but laced with anticipation as he hovered high above the thrashing Tier 4 beast. The wind roared around him, whipping his silver hair and wings as his body glowed faintly from the strain of the ongoing battle.

    He tightened his grip on his claymore before letting it dissolve into a shower of golden particles. Both of his hands now clasped together, pointed downward, as if channeling all his energy into a singular focus.

    "Let''s do that thing you told me about before."

 Chapter 170 The myth. (2)

    Cleo''s holographic form appeared beside him, her expression unreadable but her presence calm and confident. Without a word, her form shimmered and grew, becoming as large as Rex.

    She floated behind him, her arms wrapping around his neck in a protective, almost intimate embrace. Her glowing wings extended wide, mirroring Rex''s own, and her voice was a soothing whisper in his ear.

    "Understood, my... husband," Cleo said, her tone soft but filled with a dangerous edge.

    The battlefield seemed to still for a moment as her voice echoed into the system.

    <<Releasing the limiters>>

    Golden circuits on Rex''s body flared to life, their glow intensifying as the once-dormant systems in his body awakened. The air around him shimmered with heat and energy, his silver aura burning brighter and hotter with each passing second.

    <

    >

    Rex''s hands began to tremble under the sheer force building up within him. Streams of golden light poured out of the halo on his back, spiraling into the air before coalescing into a massive, glowing sigil.

    The intricate design pulsed with ancient energy, a symbol of power that hadn''t been seen for centuries.

    <

    >

    The light from the sigil intensified, painting the entire battlefield in blinding gold. The destroyers, the fighters, even the Tier 1 and 2 beasts paused momentarily, their movements faltering as they felt the raw power emanating from Rex.

    Cleo leaned in closer, her whisper barely audible over the crackling energy. "Execute?"

    Rex''s voice rumbled like thunder, a single word resonating with absolute authority. "Affirmative."

    Cleo''s golden eyes flared as her wings spread to their fullest, their tips glowing white-hot.

    <<Releasing Royal Armory Blueprints>>

    The sigil above Rex began to shift, its lines and patterns moving like living things as it morphed into a massive, circular array. Golden light poured from it, materializing into what appeared to be components of a weapon.

    Piece by piece, the fragments assembled themselves in the air, forming the outline of an enormous sword.

    Cleo''s voice, now layered with both her own and that of the system, resonated with divine clarity.

    "Execute the Conqueror Sword."

    With those words, the glowing fragments snapped together, and the sword came to life.

    The golden halo, once glowing humbly on Rex''s back, had now moved to his feet and expanded to an enormous size, spanning several hundred meters. Its intricate, glowing tech marks pulsed violently as golden energy coursed through it, rippling across the battlefield like waves in a storm.

    "Y-Yes, Saintess!"

    The fighters retreated from the frontline, streaking back toward the carrier as fast as their engines could take them. The destroyers ceased their bombardment of the Tier 4 beast, redirecting all available power to their shields as they began to ascend.

    Their hulls groaned under the strain, but there was no alternative.

    As the allied forces moved to a safer distance, Cleo''s holographic form glanced upward, her golden eyes scanning the battlefield. Satisfied that everyone was far enough away, she faded from the pommel of the sword. Her last words before vanishing carried an eerie finality.

    "Goodbye, beast."

    The golden sword reached its peak brightness, glowing so fiercely that it rivaled the sun itself. Then, with an earth-shattering roar, it detonated.

    The explosion wasn''t just light or fire; it was a supernova. A compact yet overwhelmingly powerful burst of energy that consumed everything within several kilometers.

    The ocean vaporized instantly, leaving a gaping, burning hole where once was water. Every creature within the blast radius, whether Tier 1 or Tier 2, was obliterated in an instant, reduced to nothing but ash.

    For a few moments, there was nothing but silence. The battlefield was eerily still, save for the rising clouds of steam and vapor that blanketed the area, obscuring everything in a dense, blinding fog. The water began to rush back into the massive crater, filling the void left by the attack, but the scene remained shrouded in mystery.

    From the carrier, Lilla watched the monitor intently, her sharp eyes scanning the fog for any signs of life. But there was nothing.

    "What... happened in there?" one of the officers whispered, his voice trembling.

    No one could see what remained of the battlefield, not the crews of the destroyers, not the pilots in their fighters, not even Lilla herself. Only Rex and Cleo, hovering above the devastation, knew the truth of what had occurred.

    And as the vapor cleared, it became evident that the Tier 4 beast was gone. Not a trace of its massive form remained, its very existence wiped clean from the face of the ocean.

    Rex floated in the air, his silver aura dim but steady. His breath was ragged, his body trembling from exhaustion, but his eyes burned with satisfaction.

    "It''s done," Rex said, his voice low and firm.

    Cleo''s voice, soft and comforting, echoed in his mind. "Yes, Master. It''s over."

    As the steam from the supernova slowly dissipated and the battlefield settled into an uneasy calm, Rex turned his head to face Cleo''s holographic form, a playful smirk spreading across his face.

    Despite the exhaustion etched into his features, the glint in his silver eyes told her trouble was coming.

    "Wanna know something?" Rex asked, his tone teasing as he floated above the still-steaming ocean.

    Cleo tilted her head slightly to the left, her golden eyes narrowing in curiosity. "What is it, Master?" she asked, her usual calm demeanor firmly in place, though she was wary of where this conversation might go.

    "You''ve been calling me husband and master for a while now," Rex said, his smirk widening into a full grin. "So tell me, what''s the deal? Is this some new fetish of yours? Or have you finally fallen for my irresistible charms?"

    Cleo''s golden eyes widened slightly, her holographic form freezing for a moment as her mind raced. "What are you talking about, Master?" she said, her voice unusually defensive. "I have never done something like th¨D"

 Chapter 171 The myth. (3)

    Her words stopped abruptly as realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. Her hands flew to her mouth, her glowing cheeks turning a deeper hue of gold as if she had just uncovered some deeply embarrassing truth.

    "Hahahahaha!" Rex burst into laughter, clutching his sides as his booming voice echoed across the battlefield. "Oh, this is great! Don''t worry, Cleo; I don''t mind if you keep calling me that. In fact, I''m totally fine with it!" He grinned even wider, his laughter ringing out as he relished her reaction.

    Cleo, who was now visibly flustered, had her face turn as red as a virtual tomato. "I-I never¨D!" she stammered, her voice flaring with indignation before she promptly shut down her holographic form.

    "HAHAHA! Now you''re being shy!?" Rex said, his laughter growing louder. "Cleo, come on! I didn''t think I''d ever see you like this again! This is priceless!"

    Inside Rex''s mind, Cleo''s voice returned, flustered and defensive. "I-It''s not my doing! It''s all Mini Cleo''s fault! She''s corrupting my way of thinking!"

    Mini Cleo''s tiny holographic form popped up in Rex''s HUD, sitting cross-legged on one of his displays with a mischievous grin. "What? Me? Master, I''m innocent!" she said, clearly anything but innocent. "You know, Rex, it''s not my fault Cleo''s been calling you those things. Maybe she just repressed her true feelings for too long, and they''re finally bubbling to the surface!"

    "YOU LITTLE¨D!" Cleo''s voice roared in Rex''s mind, the volume loud enough to make him wince slightly.

    "Hahaha! Oh, this just keeps getting better!" Rex said, still laughing. "Cleo, don''t blame Mini Cleo for this¡ªyou''ve been calling me ''master'' and ''husband'' since the beginning of this fight. Just admit it already!"

    "I will not!" Cleo huffed indignantly, her voice echoing in his mind with a mix of anger and embarrassment. "And for the record, I only called you those things as a formality! It has nothing to do with any... feelings! You''re delusional!"

    Rex smirked, his tone still teasing as he floated through the air, wings beating softly to keep him steady. "Sure, sure, Cleo. Whatever you say. But you know," he added, leaning back slightly with a cheeky grin, "I wouldn''t mind if you kept it up. It''s got a nice ring to it: ''Master,'' ''Husband.'' I could get used to it."

    "STOP TALKING!" Cleo shouted, her embarrassment now at its peak. "I''m shutting down ALL your interface systems for the next five minutes!"

    "Hey, hey, wait!" Rex protested, still laughing. "Don''t take it out on me¡ª!"

    Before he could finish, his HUD flickered, and Mini Cleo disappeared from his displays, replaced by a blank screen.

    In the silence that followed, Rex let out one final chuckle. "Totally worth it," he muttered to himself, a faint smile still lingering on his face as he was falling like a rock toward the ocean.

    Deep within his mind, Cleo''s voice grumbled quietly, her tone still flustered. "Stupid Master... Stupid Mini Cleo... Stupid... feelings..."

    Deep inside Rex''s mind, Cleo was spiraling into what could only be described as an existential crisis. Her usually calm and logical thoughts were now tangled in a storm of doubt and emotions she had never fully processed before.

    "I mean... I''ve already done the deed with him back there... but that was different! Feelings weren''t needed for reproduction!" she muttered to herself, pacing back and forth in the virtual space of her own consciousness.

    "Since I''m probably the last one of my race, it was a logical decision, yes, purely logical. It was my duty to ensure the continuation of my kind."

    She paused, her golden holographic eyes narrowing as she tried to convince herself further. "This has nothing to do with feelings. There''s no way I''d develop feelings for someone so... so imprudent! And reckless! He''s constantly throwing himself into danger without a second thought, like some daredevil idiot!"

    "Ah, I see," Rex teased, his tone smug as he broke through the surface of the water with a burst of energy. "It''s okay, Cleo. You don''t have to explain. I''m sure whatever you were thinking about was very important."

    "I wasn''t thinking about you, if that''s what you''re implying!" Cleo snapped, her voice louder now, but the crack in her composure was obvious.

    "Of course not," Rex said, laughing softly as he floated above the ocean, shaking water from his wings. "Whatever you say, Cleo. Whatever you say."

    Inside his HUD, Mini Cleo reappeared, sitting cross-legged with her hands on her chin, grinning mischievously. "Master, I think you hit a nerve," she said, giggling.

    "Shut up, Mini Cleo!" Cleo roared, her voice nearly deafening in Rex''s mind.

    "Hahaha!" Rex laughed, the sound of his amusement echoing across the calm ocean. "It''s good to be back."

    While Rex and Cleo were busy having their playful exchange, the allied human forces aboard the carrier were still grappling with the aftermath of the battle. The command bridge was alive with tension as officers scrambled to make sense of what had just occurred.

    The massive steam cloud, a lingering consequence of the golden sword''s supernova, continued to obscure everything in the area.

    "Have there been any reports of the beast or the Angel?" Lilla asked, her sharp eyes fixed on the main screen. The live feed from the recon drone cameras showed nothing but the dense, swirling vapor.

    "Negative, Saintess," one of the bridge officers replied, wiping sweat from his brow. "The supernova created too much interference. Our systems are still malfunctioning from the residual energy, and it could take two hours or more to fully restore functionality."

    Lilla sighed softly, folding her arms. Her calm, commanding presence didn''t falter despite the uncertainty. "Fine," she said, her voice steady. "Order all forces to keep searching the area. We remain on red alert until further notice. I want confirmation, make sure that beast is dead."

    "Understood, Saintess," the officer responded, turning back to his console to relay her orders.

    As the bridge crew worked diligently to piece together the situation, two familiar figures approached from the rear of the room, Nyra and Lyra, the silver-haired twins. Both looked as composed as ever, their expressions serene despite the chaos around them.

    "Lilla, we''re going to sleep," Nyra announced casually, her tone betraying no sense of urgency as she began walking toward the exit with Lyra following closely behind.

    Lilla turned sharply to face them, her voice laced with disbelief. "Wait, you''re leaving? Are you two seriously not worried about Rex?"

    Nyra stopped and glanced over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow at the question. "Worried? About him?" she said, her voice calm but firm. "There''s nothing to worry about."

    Lilla frowned, clearly unconvinced. "How can you be so sure? We haven''t seen or heard anything from him since the supernova. What if he''s¨D"

    Nyra cut her off with a small, knowing smirk. "He won."

    Lilla blinked. "What?"No?v(el)B\\jnn

 Chapter 172 The myth. (4)

    "If Rex had lost, we''d know it," Nyra continued, her tone confident and unwavering.

    "We''d feel it somehow. But since there''s nothing, no strange sensations, no emptiness, it''s safe to say the beast was killed. And knowing Rex, he''s probably just... chilling down there somewhere, taking his sweet time."

    Lyra nodded in agreement, her expression soft but resolute. "My sister is right. There''s no need to waste energy worrying about him. If he''s not back yet, it just means he''s fine."

    Without another word, Nyra and Lyra turned and left the command bridge, leaving behind a room full of baffled officers and an increasingly frustrated Lilla.

    The saintess sighed deeply, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Those two are impossible," she muttered under her breath, turning her attention back to the screen.

    Behind her, a young officer hesitated before speaking up. "Saintess... do they really think he''s just relaxing after that? I mean, he did summon a weapon that caused a literal supernova."

    Lilla gave him a side glance, her voice curt. "If you''ve seen before the angel, you''d know that''s exactly the kind of thing he''d do."

    The officer blinked, unsure whether she was joking or serious. Lilla turned back to the screen, her focus once again on the steam cloud.

    "Keep searching," she said firmly. "I want answers soon."

    The bridge crew nodded and returned to their work, but the lingering questions hung in the air like the thick steam outside. What had happened to the angel? And, more importantly, what kind of man could cause such chaos and then simply "chill" afterward?

    For now, all they could do was wait.

    "So? Are you going to tell me why you fought that Tier 4 beast, risking not only your life but also the lives of everyone who came to help you, instead of doing the smart thing and running away?"

    Cleo''s tone was sharp, accusatory, as her holographic form floated beside Rex. Her golden eyes glared at him, her wings glowing faintly, a sure sign that she was far from pleased. "It''s not like that thing could fly."

    Rex let out a small sigh, rubbing the back of his neck with a sheepish grin. "Well, I didn''t do it just out of anger or some reckless sense of pride," he said, lifting his arm. He extended two fingers, and a golden glow erupted from the depths of the ocean below.

    Two glowing objects shot up from the water, moving at incredible speed before coming to a halt in the air next to Rex. One was a destroyed, metallic spider-like machine, its legs bent and its central body cracked. The other was a shimmering, glowing orb, the beast''s core, pulsating faintly with residual energy.

    For now, the immediate threat was over, but the weight of the battle and the unknown consequences of Rex''s actions hung heavily in the air. The fight may have been won, but the real challenges were only beginning.

    After several minutes of flying, Rex finally reached the human carrier. His wings flared briefly as he descended onto the landing zone, his movements slower and more labored than usual. When his feet touched the metal deck, he took a deep breath, his silver aura flickering faintly before dimming.

    "Mmm? What are the twins doing here?" Rex asked, raising an eyebrow as he spotted Nyra and Lyra standing near the edge of the landing zone, their silver hair glinting faintly in the carrier''s lights.

    "I called them," Cleo replied, her voice quieter now, tinged with exhaustion. "They''ll take care of the items. I''ve already left them instructions on what to do after we enter hypersleep mode."

    Rex tilted his head slightly. "Mmm, I see. Then..." He slowly knelt down, his movements deliberate as if every step required effort. The golden halo behind him shimmered briefly before releasing the two items he had recovered, the mangled metallic spider and the glowing core of the slain beast.

    He held them out to the twins. "Take these," he said, his voice calm but strained. "Cleo already told you what to do, so I''ll leave them in your care. Make sure everything goes smoothly from here on."

    The twins exchanged a brief glance before stepping forward to take the items. As Rex handed them over, his mecha-like armor began to crack and fall away. The metallic plates dissolved into streams of silver light, vanishing into the air as his wings began to disintegrate into glowing fragments.

    Rex let out a bitter laugh, his body visibly weakening as he sank further onto one knee. "Heh... I guess there''s not much time left. Looks like I''m running on fumes here." He lowered himself fully onto the ground, lying flat on the airstrip with his hands resting on his chest.

    "I''ll just stay here. You two go on and do what Cleo told you to do." He waved lazily at the twins, gesturing for them to leave.

    Lyra opened her mouth to say something, concern etched into her expression, but Nyra placed a hand on her sister''s shoulder and shook her head. Lyra hesitated, glancing back at Rex, before reluctantly swallowing her words and turning to leave with her sister.

    As their footsteps faded, Rex let out a tired sigh and stared up at the unfamiliar sky, the stars above obscured by faint clouds of smoke and steam from the recent battle. "So," he began, his voice quieter now, "what''s going to happen to us, Cleo?"

    Cleo''s holographic form appeared beside him, smaller now and dimmer, as if reflecting her own energy depletion. Her voice, too, carried a weariness Rex wasn''t used to hearing. "Based on past experiences, we''ll shut down entirely," she said.

    "Your systems will remain inactive until someone connects you to a power source and starts the recharging process. Once that happens, it''ll take at least a few months, possibly up to a year, to reach even 1% of your energy."

    "A year?" Rex said, his tone incredulous, though sleep was quickly creeping into his voice. "Why so long? I thought we just needed to plug in and be good to go."

    Cleo sighed softly, her tone carrying the patience of someone explaining something for the hundredth time.

    There are several reasons," she said, "but the two most important are, first, that you pushed your body to operate at 500% of its designed capacity. Your systems weren''t optimized for that level of strain, so there''s substantial internal damage that needs time to repair. And second..."

 Chapter 173 The myth. (5)

    She hesitated briefly before continuing. "To maintain that level of power and keep fighting, you used up all your energy reserves, and I mean everything. Even the emergency backup energy I had stored to save you in case of a complete shutdown."

    Rex chuckled weakly, the sound barely audible as his eyelids began to droop. "Hahaha... Sorry about that, honey," he said, his grin faint but genuine. "I guess I was too reckless this time."

    Cleo''s holographic form hovered above him, her golden eyes softening as she gazed down at him. "Yes, you were," she said quietly. "But that''s nothing new, is it?"

    Rex smiled faintly while his gaze shifted back to the sky. The distant hum of the carrier''s engines filled the air, along with the faint sound of footsteps approaching from the far side of the deck.

    "Master," came a calm and familiar voice, breaking the silence. "We have brought your body, as you asked us."

    Rex tilted his head slightly, his silver eyes dimly reflecting the figures approaching him. His vision blurred slightly, but he could still make out the shapes of the twins, Nyra and Lyra, standing beside what appeared to be a pod-like structure.

    "Mmm, good work, girls," Cleo said, her voice barely audible, strained with exhaustion. "You can leave it there... You two know what to do after we go to sleep."

    "We understand, Master," the twins said in unison, their calm voices unwavering.

    Rex let out a deep breath and smirked faintly. "So, are we ready to sleep?" he asked, glancing at the faintly glowing pod where Cleo frame rested.

    "Almost," Cleo replied, her voice faltering. "There''s still... something I... need to do before that..."

    Rex tilted his head in curiosity but didn''t press. He watched as Cleo entered her physical body, which slowly powered up and stepped out of its resting pod.

    Her movements were unsteady, her golden robotic eyes flickering between brightness and dimness. She looked as though she were fighting every step, her legs wobbling beneath her like a newborn fawn.

    "Is this really necessary, Cleo?" Rex asked, but his question was lighthearted. As he watched her stagger toward him, he couldn''t suppress a small laugh. "Hahaha, you look like a baby deer. Here, let me help you."

    Rex extended his enormous arm, his muscles faintly glowing with residual energy. He gently picked Cleo up, cradling her fragile body like a delicate doll, and placed her on his broad chest.

    "Is this better?" Rex asked, smiling warmly as he covered her with one of his hands, his palm large enough to shield her entirely.

    "Yes... it is..." Cleo replied softly, curling into a fetal position against his chest. Her voice was so faint it was almost a whisper. Her head rested against him, and for a moment, the flickering in her golden eyes slowed, replaced by calm.

    "So..." Rex began, his voice carrying a trace of amusement. "Was it really necessary to sleep like this?"

    There was no immediate answer.

    "If you don''t want to tell me, that''s fine," Rex said after a pause. "I''ll probably forget once I wake up anyway."

    Contrary to his expectations, Cleo''s small voice finally broke the silence. "It''s just... I was afraid..."

    Rex''s brow furrowed slightly. "Afraid of what?"

    Lyra laughed. "We''re twins, you idiot! We look the same!"

    Their playful antics came to an abrupt halt when a soft but unfamiliar voice spoke nearby.

    "Ho... this is fascinating."

    The twins froze, their cheerful expressions replaced with deadly seriousness. In an instant, they disappeared in a flash of red mist, reappearing next to the source of the voice. Their swords were already drawn, the cold steel pressed firmly against the neck of the newcomer.

    The figure froze, its face pale as he realized how close he was to death.

    "Who are you?" Nyra said coldly, her voice low and threatening, "And what are you doing here?"

    Lyra narrowed her eyes, her blade steady. "You have five seconds to explain yourself. If you don''t, you won''t live to see the sixth."

    The stranger gulped, sweat dripping down their forehead. "Wait! I''m just here to¨D!"

    "Four," Nyra said, cutting them off, her tone unrelenting.

    The air grew tense as the barrier behind them pulsed faintly, protecting Rex and Cleo as they slept peacefully, oblivious to the new threat that had just arrived.

    "Hold on, hold on! He means no harm!" Professor Oscar shouted, running onto the carrier''s landing zone from one of the nearby doors.

    The twins turned their heads sharply toward him, their crimson eyes glowing menacingly, their expressions cold and unrelenting. "Even if you''re one of Lilla''s subordinates," they said in perfect unison, their voices low and threatening, "we won''t let anyone get near our masters."

    Their blades pressed closer against the trembling man''s neck, the slightest pressure drawing a thin line of red. The poor professor''s face was pale, his eyes brimming with panic as he dared not move a muscle.

    "You have no enemies here," Oscar said calmly, raising both hands to show he was unarmed. His silver hair fluttered faintly in the wind, and his tone remained steady despite the tense atmosphere. "Everyone on this carrier is under Sir Rex''s command. No one here would dare harm him."

    The twins didn''t budge, their swords unwavering. "How do we know we can trust you?" they asked, their voices synchronized and icy. "It''s clear to anyone who saw our master''s state that now would be the perfect time to attack him. This is when he''s most vulnerable."

    Their crimson eyes scanned every shadow, every corner of the landing zone, ready to strike at the first sign of danger.

    Oscar sighed, lowering his hands slightly but keeping his stance nonthreatening. "I know it''s hard to trust someone you''ve never seen before," he said.

    "But all I can offer is my word. The man you''re threatening is not an enemy. He''s just another professor, like me, a friend of mine who''s dedicated his life to researching the lost history of humanity. He was so overwhelmed by excitement after watching Sir Rex''s battle that he... well, he let his enthusiasm get the better of him."

    Oscar turned his gaze to the man still trembling on his knees. "Frankly, my friend, you were too reckless this time."

    The twins exchanged a glance, their glowing eyes meeting for a brief moment. After a tense pause, they both nodded silently.

    "Fine," they said in unison, stepping back and lowering their swords.

    The instant the pressure of the blades was gone, the professor let out a heavy sigh of relief, his body trembling as he collapsed onto his knees. "I thought I was going to die," he muttered, his voice shaky.

 Chapter 174 The myth. (6)

    Oscar walked over and helped him to his feet, placing a steadying hand on his shoulder. "My friend, come this way," Oscar said with a faint smile. "You were far too reckless this time."

    The professor nodded, still pale and shaken, as he allowed Oscar to guide him away from the glowing dome where Rex and Cleo rested. He cast one last glance at the shimmering barrier, his curiosity still evident in his eyes, though the fear of another encounter with the twins kept him silent.

    As the two professors retreated a safe distance, the twins continued to stand guard near the dome, their crimson eyes scanning the area for any further threats.

    "That fool was lucky," Nyra muttered, resting her sword on her shoulder.

    Lyra nodded, her own blade still in hand. "If he''d made even one wrong move..."

    Nyra smirked faintly. "Well, it''s a good thing he didn''t."

    Both sisters returned to their watchful stance, standing silently by the dome as the carrier''s engines hummed softly in the background. The supernova''s residual heat still lingered in the air, casting a faint haze over the scene.

    Inside the dome, Rex and Cleo slept peacefully, oblivious to the brief moment of danger that had just passed. The twins, however, remained vigilant. They would allow no harm to come to their masters.

    Meanwhile, on the command bridge, the tension among the officers was palpable. Everyone had watched the exchange between the twins and the professor through the ship''s surveillance feed, and the bridge crew was abuzz with outrage.

    "Saintess! What those two creatures did is unacceptable!" one officer shouted, slamming his fist on the console. "We should arrest them immediately!"

    "I''m with him, Saintess!" another officer chimed in. "They''re treating this ship like it''s theirs! We can''t let them do as they please on one of humanity''s vessels!"

    The complaints kept coming, one after another, each voice rising louder than the last. The bridge crew was indignant, their frustration mounting at what they perceived as an insult to their authority.

    But Lilla, seated calmly in her command chair, remained utterly unfazed. Her expression was neutral, her golden eyes scanning the situation on the monitors with quiet precision.

    Just as she was about to speak, one of the officers monitoring the sensors shouted, "Saintess! A large ship is exiting a wormhole directly above us!"

    Lilla''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Identification?" she asked, her voice calm but commanding.

    The officer quickly typed into his console, his face turning pale as the results came in. "According to the database... the ID matches that of the Cleopatra."

    The entire bridge fell silent.

    "The Cleopatra?" Lilla repeated, her tone neutral, but the subtle shift in her expression betrayed her interest.

    The officer quickly pulled the image onto the main screen. The entire bridge gasped as the massive vessel came into view.

    Nyra studied Lilla for a moment, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly before she nodded. "Fine. As long as no one tries anything stupid, we won''t have a problem."

    "Good," Lilla replied, her tone firm.

    Nyra turned to glance back at her sister and the Aegis guards. "But let me be clear," she added, her voice lowering to a dangerous tone. "If anyone so much as breathes wrong in Rex''s direction, you''ll have more than just us to deal with."

    Lilla nodded, unbothered by the warning. "Understood."

    After the brief exchange with Lilla, Nyra returned to her sister, her expression calm but serious. "Let''s get this over with. Start the transportation of Rex and Cleo," she said firmly.

    Lyra nodded, her demeanor more subdued as she gestured toward the floating dome. The Aegis Royal Guards immediately went to work, maintaining their protective formation around Rex and Cleo''s sleeping forms as the transportation process began.

    Meanwhile, Lilla stood quietly a short distance away, her hands clasped behind her back and her eyes closed. Her brother stepped closer, his brow furrowed with concern. "Sister," he began hesitantly, "do you really think it''s wise to let them act so... arrogant?"

    Lilla let out a small, amused giggle. "My silly brother," she replied, her tone light but laced with subtle authority. "Do you honestly think anyone here could stand against them?"

    She opened her gray eyes, which, while blind to the physical world, saw something far deeper. Lilla''s unique vision allowed her to perceive the true essence of living beings, their power, their aura, their very nature.

    Most humans appeared faint and dim to her, their auras barely visible. A Tier 1 human might be a faint glow, while a being as powerful as Rex or the Tier 4 beast she had witnessed earlier blazed like small stars in her sight.

    And the twins...

    The twins shone brighter than any human soldier she had ever seen. Their combined presence was like two blazing flames, each one pulsing with the unmistakable energy of a Tier 2 being. Whether they were mid-level or even peak Tier 2, it was clear they were far beyond the capabilities of any normal soldier.

    But what truly intrigued her was the silhouette of pure white light that seemed to flicker within their auras, something more profound, more pure than she had ever seen. What was even stranger was the thread of light that connected this white silhouette to Rex''s own radiant star-like aura.

    "I see things differently than you do, brother," Lilla continued, her voice softer now. "And what I see tells me this: picking a fight with them would be suicide. Besides..." She closed her eyes again, her tone returning to its usual composed neutrality.

    "We don''t have the firepower to take down the Cleopatra. Even if we did, remember, it was our side that showed hostility first."

    Her brother hesitated, clearly uncomfortable with her reasoning, but he said nothing.

    "Now then," Lilla added, turning toward the doors of the command deck. "Let''s head inside. It''s starting to get cold out here."

    As the transport ship carrying Rex and Cleo departed from the cruiser''s landing zone, Lilla and her entourage made their way back into the warmth of the flagship. The tension from the earlier confrontation was fading, but the ripple effects of the encounter would linger.

    Meanwhile, far away, in a sprawling Nexum megacity illuminated by the soft glow of countless neon lights, the Ceo of Nexum Dynamic stood near a massive glass wall in his private office. The cityscape stretched out before him, a breathtaking view of towering skyscrapers and shimmering lights against the backdrop of the night.

 Chapter 175 Mastermind.

    He appeared relaxed, or at least, as relaxed as someone in his position could be. His humanoid octopus form stood tall, his skin an iridescent blue that reflected the ambient light. He held a glass of some expensive-looking liquor in one hand, swirling it absentmindedly as he gazed out over the city.

    Kneeling before him was a woman, her head bowed as she performed a degrading service at his crotch. He showed no interest in her other than as a fleeting distraction, his focus entirely on the glowing cityscape before him.

    The silence in the room was broken by the sound of the office doors sliding open. A guard clad in pitch-black power armor stepped inside, his heavy boots clanking softly against the floor. He immediately brought a hand to his chest, bowing in respect.

    The CEO didn''t bother turning around, nor did he show any concern for the situation he was caught in. His voice was cold, detached. "Is it done?"

    "My lord," the guard replied, his tone formal and steady, "we have confirmed the destruction of the cruiser where your wife was located. However..." He hesitated briefly before continuing. "We have lost contact with our biological weapon."

    The CEO paused for a moment, his gaze still fixed on the skyline. He slowly raised the glass to his lips, taking a sip of the amber liquid.

    "I see," he said, his tone betraying neither anger nor surprise. "That weapon was experimental. I suppose it was always a risk to unleash it on such a chaotic battlefield."

    The guard remained silent, awaiting further instructions.

    "Still," the executive continued, finally turning around to face the guard. His glowing yellow eyes locked onto the armored figure with an unsettling intensity. "I expect you to recover whatever remains of it. Whether it''s data, tissue samples, or fragments of its core, I want everything."

    "Yes, my lord," the guard said, bowing his head further.

    The executive''s gaze shifted briefly to the woman still kneeling before him, her movements faltering as the conversation continued. He let out a faint sigh of irritation. "And get her out of here," he added dismissively, gesturing toward her with his free hand. "She''s served her purpose."

    "At once, my lord," the guard replied, signaling for another soldier outside the door to escort the woman out.

    As the door closed behind them, the executive turned back to the cityscape, his mind already racing with plans. The loss of the biological weapon was a setback, but it wasn''t the end. If anything, this was just the beginning.

    The CEO sighed as he settled into the sleek, custom-made chair behind his enormous desk. The panoramic view of the glowing city behind him only added to the ominous ambiance of his high-tech office.

    With a flick of his wrist, a holographic keyboard materialized in front of him. His fingers moved swiftly, inputting a complex password that caused the air in the room to shimmer.

    This one didn''t carry the same air of cold authority as the others. The figure was a woman, her holographic form radiating a sickly warmth. Her voice was syrupy sweet, with an unsettling undertone that sent shivers down the spine.

    "Don''t listen to them, honey," she cooed, tilting her head slightly as her holographic hand reached toward Percival as if to stroke his cheek. "They''re just a bunch of annoying old men and grannies, always whining about this and that."

    Percival''s smirk softened into something resembling a creepy, boyish grin. "I know, Mom. Don''t worry," he said, his voice disturbingly cheerful. "I''ll take care of it. I''ll make you proud."

    The woman''s hologram giggled, a sound that was as unsettling as it was out of place. "Aww, that''s my little Perci! Mommy''s so proud of you already." Her tone turned almost sing-song. "And guess what? Mommy''s bringing you lots of love soon. I''ve even bought some new slaves for you to play with."

    Percival''s grin widened, his eyes gleaming with a sinister light. "I can''t wait, Mommy."

    The woman''s hologram blew him a kiss before fading away, leaving Percival alone in the dimly lit office. The cigarette in his hand burned down to its last embers as he leaned back in his chair, a dark chuckle escaping his lips.

    He tapped a few more commands into the holographic keyboard, sending orders to his subordinates to begin the recovery operation. His gaze shifted to the neon-lit city outside, his reflection in the glass twisted into a sinister smile.

    "Sharon," he muttered to himself, his voice low and venomous. "If you''re still out there... I''ll make sure you regret it."

    And with that, Percival leaned forward, ready to orchestrate the next move in his dark, twisted game.

    Meanwhile, Carlos, who had chosen to stay behind with the humans to oversee Ys''s treatment by their medical teams, wandered through the halls of the cruiser.

    Though the situation was tense, Carlos was always someone who could find a way to relax or, at least, appear to. After making sure Ys was stable, he decided to head toward the hangar bay to get a change of scenery.

    The sound of raucous laughter and lively chatter greeted him before he even reached the hangar doors. Pushing them open, he found the source of the noise¡ªa group of pilots, engineers, and technicians gathered near one of the fighter maintenance areas.

    Among them, the red leader, the self-proclaimed "Ace of the Human Empire Fighter Squadron," was at the center of attention, holding a drink and basking in the glow of their admiration.

    "Hahaha! And that''s how I took down my 30th beast down there!" the red leader said with a triumphant grin, raising his drink as the group around him erupted into cheers. "I''m telling you guys, this time it was pretty hard!. I even thought I was gonna die for a second there."

    "Hahaha, there''s no way that''s true, Captain!" one of the younger engineers chimed in, practically bouncing with excitement. "There''s no enemy out there who''s a better pilot than you! You''re the ACE of the Human Empire Fighter Squad!"

    "Yeah! That''s right, Captain!" another pilot said, raising his own drink in a toast. "You''re our ACE! The pride of the fleet!"

 Chapter 176 Sharon secret.

    The red leader grinned even wider, puffing out his chest as the wave of compliments continued. His ego was soaring higher than his fighter ever could. Each cheer, each word of praise, seemed to add another layer of smugness to his expression.

    Carlos leaned against the doorway for a moment, watching the scene unfold with an amused smile. He could see exactly what kind of man the red leader was, confident, talented, and very aware of his own reputation. The sort of person who lived for praise and admiration.

    After a moment, Carlos decided to interrupt the celebration. Clearing his throat loudly, he stepped forward. "Ehem," he began, drawing the group''s attention. "I see you guys are having fun. Mind if I join?"

    The laughter quieted down slightly as the group turned to look at him. The red leader raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance at the interruption.

    "And who might you be?" the red leader asked, looking Carlos up and down. His tone wasn''t hostile, but it carried the unmistakable air of someone sizing up a potential rival or an unwanted guest.

    Carlos smirked, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked closer. "Name''s Carlos," he said casually, glancing around at the group. "I''m with Rex''s crew. You know, the guy who turned that Tier 4 beast into sushi and took down half the battlefield while you were busy dodging flying fish."

    The room fell silent for a moment, the red leader''s confident smirk faltering slightly. The mention of Rex was enough to shift the atmosphere, and a few of the engineers exchanged awkward glances.

    The red leader cleared his throat, regaining his composure. "Ah, yes. That guy," he said, his tone dripping with forced nonchalance. "Well, I guess he did alright down there. But let''s not forget, it was my squadron that kept the skies clear and gave your buddy a fighting chance."

    Carlos chuckled, shaking his head. "Oh, no doubt about it. You guys did great up there," he said, his tone light but teasing. "Still, I''d say Rex did most of the heavy lifting. I mean, fighting a Tier 4 beast head-on? That''s a little different than playing tag with flying fish, don''t you think?"

    The pilots and engineers stifled nervous laughter, unsure whether to side with Carlos or their captain. The red leader''s face flushed slightly, but he forced a grin.

    "Well," the red leader said, his voice rising slightly as he tried to regain control of the conversation, "not everyone can be a lone wolf, running around and fighting monsters. Some of us have responsibilities, like leading a squadron and keeping everyone alive. That''s the real challenge."

    Carlos raised an eyebrow, his smirk widening. "Responsibilities, huh? Is that what you call telling war stories and drinking with your fan club?"

    A ripple of laughter spread through the group at Carlos''s jab, and the red leader''s grin turned into a tight smile. "Well, we all have our ways of unwinding," he said, his tone a little sharper now. "But tell me, Carlos, what exactly do you do in Rex''s crew? Or are you just here to hang around and make jokes?"

    Carlos shrugged, his tone as casual as ever. "Oh, you know. I dabble in this and that. Fix things. Build things. Keep people alive. Just a few minor responsibilities." He glanced at the red leader with a sly grin. "And sometimes, I drop by to keep the ACE of the fleet from floating away on his own ego."

    The group erupted into laughter at that, and the red leader''s face flushed redder than his fighter. He opened his mouth to respond, but before he could say anything, one of the engineers stepped in.

    "Come on, Captain, don''t take it so seriously!" The engineer said, patting him on the back. "We all know you''re the best!"

    "Hello, gentlemen. May I borrow him for a while?"

    The voice frozen everyone in place. It wasn''t just the tone; it was the sheer femininity behind it, a sound none of them had heard directed at them in far too long. All heads turned toward the source of the voice.

    Standing in the entrance to the hangar bay was a stunningly beautiful woman. She had a graceful, feminine charm that made her look both elegant and approachable, with long golden hair that shimmered under the hangar lights.

    Her alluring, well-developed figure seemed to defy the standard military uniforms, and atop her head were a pair of soft, cat-like ears that twitched ever so slightly.

    Her mere presence was like a critical hit to the brains of every single man in the room. Pilots, engineers, and mechanics alike stared at her in stunned silence, their mouths slightly agape.

    "O-O-Of course, ma''am!" The red leader stammered, immediately releasing his hold on Carlos''s neck and stepping back like a guilty child caught red-handed. "You can take this... uh, traitor with you!"

    Carlos blinked, glancing between the red leader and the woman before turning to her with a raised eyebrow. "Traitor?"

    The woman smiled gently, tilting her head slightly to the side. "Mmm?" she hummed, her cat-like ears twitching as she gave an expression so cute yet mature that it practically short-circuited the younger engineers.

    The red leader and the rest of the men, however, were too busy trying to collect their thoughts to respond. They had been rendered completely speechless, their brains in overdrive trying to process the sheer presence of the woman before them.

    Carlos, however, simply squinted at her through his drunken haze. He staggered to his feet, wobbling slightly as he pointed a finger at her. "Oh? Sharon!" he exclaimed, his words slightly slurred. "Fancy meeting you here!"

    Sharon raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips.

    Carlos stumbled a step closer, nearly tripping over his own feet. "Since when did you have a twin? Are twins a thing now? Is that, like, common or something?"

    He attempted another step but failed miserably, his drunken state causing him to sway dangerously. Sharon stepped forward, steadying him with a single hand on his shoulder.

    "Goodness," she said with a slight chuckle, her voice carrying a playful warmth. "You''re even drunker than I thought."

    Carlos waved her off weakly. "I''m fine, I''m fine," he mumbled, though his swaying said otherwise.

    Behind them, the red leader and his group could only watch in stunned silence, their brains still rebooting from the impact of Sharon''s presence. One of the younger engineers finally whispered, "She''s... real, right? Like, not a hallucination?"

 Chapter 177 Sharon secret. (2) [R17]

    The red leader smacked him on the back of the head, though his own face was still bright red. "Shut up!" he hissed, though his gaze hadn''t left Sharon for even a second.

    Meanwhile, Sharon turned back toward the group, her golden hair flowing like liquid sunlight as she addressed them one last time. "Thank you for letting me borrow him," she said sweetly, flashing a polite smile that sent the younger engineers into cardiac arrest.

    Then, with one arm wrapped around Carlos to steady him, she began leading him toward the exit. "Let''s get you some fresh air, Carlos," she said softly, her voice like a balm to his spinning head.

    "Sure thing, Sharon twin," Carlos muttered, his words barely coherent.

    Behind them, the hangar bay erupted into murmurs and whispers. The legend of the "golden goddess" would no doubt spread far and wide among the crew by morning.

    As Sharon and Carlos stumbled down the corridor toward the elevator, Sharon glanced at the tipsy man leaning heavily on her for support. Despite her strength, she let out a playful huff. "Geez, Carlos, you''re too heavy!" she pouted, trying her best to keep him upright.

    "Who are you calling fat?" Carlos slurred, his words thick with drunkenness. He lazily waved his free arm, nearly losing his balance in the process. "It''s not fat; it''s... it''s cybernetics! I''ve lost so many limbs I can''t even count them anymore! Look!"

    To prove his point, Carlos raised his left arm and shifted it into its minigun form with a series of metallic clicks and whirrs. The barrels spun briefly before locking in place, a faint hum of energy radiating from the cybernetic implant.

    Sharon''s green eyes widened slightly as she looked at the weaponized arm, impressed despite herself. "Huh," she mused, tilting her head curiously. "That''s actually kind of cool. Maybe I should cut my arm off and get a cybernetic implant too. What do you think?"

    The moment the words left her mouth, Carlos stopped dead in his tracks. His drunken haze seemed to clear just enough for his face to twist into a mix of horror and disbelief. Without warning, he turned to Sharon, pushing her gently yet firmly against the wall.

    "Don''t even think about it," he said, his voice low and serious. His right hand reached up, grabbing hers and raising it to eye level as if to inspect it.

    Sharon blinked, stunned by the sudden shift in his tone and demeanor. "C-Carlos?"

    His eyes locked onto hers, no longer clouded by alcohol but instead burning with an intensity that made her heart skip a beat. "You''re perfect just the way you are," Carlos said firmly, his voice steady. "It''d be a crime against humanity if your perfect, natural beauty was ever damaged. Do you understand?"

    Before she could respond, Carlos brought her hand to his lips. He pressed a slow, deliberate kiss to her knuckles before giving her hand a playful nip, his sharp brown eyes still locked onto hers.

    Sharon froze, her cat ears twitching and then drooping as her face flushed a deep red. She stared at him completely, at a loss for words. No one had ever treated her like this before, not as an object of status, not as a tool for power or influence, but as a woman. A desirable woman.

    For the first time in her life, Sharon felt vulnerable, but in a way that didn''t scare her. She felt a warm flutter in her chest, an unfamiliar sensation that made her heart race. Carlos''s gaze was unrelenting, filled with a raw and honest desire that left her unable to think, let alone speak.

    Carlos, noticing her reaction, smirked slightly. Without saying another word, he grabbed her hand and gently but firmly pulled her toward the elevator. Sharon, still confused and unsure of what was happening, followed him silently. Continue your adventure with empire

    Sharon nodded slowly, her heart still racing as she looked up at him. "Thank you," she said softly, her voice barely audible.

    Carlos chuckled again, shaking his head as he moved toward the small couch in the corner. "No need to thank me," he said, flopping down onto the couch with a sigh. "Just... don''t go cutting off any limbs for cybernetic implants, okay? I wasn''t kidding about that."

    Sharon let out a soft laugh, her tension easing slightly as she moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "Alright," she said, her voice carrying a hint of her usual confidence. "I''ll think about it."

    The room fell into a comfortable silence, the earlier tension replaced by a quiet understanding. For the first time in a long time, Sharon felt at ease, and she couldn''t help but wonder if Carlos felt the same.

    Sharon sat on the edge of the bed, her golden hair framing her flushed face as she gazed at Carlos. He was sitting on the small couch, his brown eyes locked on hers.

    His gaze was unyielding, filled with a raw intensity that made her breath hitch. She tried to look away but found herself unable to resist the magnetic pull of his eyes.

    As her heart raced, she slowly reached for the zipper of her jacket, sliding it down with trembling fingers. The motion revealed the thin fabric of her T-shirt, which clung to her curves and accentuated her ample chest even more.

    Carlos''s gaze darkened slightly, and she could see the shift in his demeanor. He stood up, moving toward her with deliberate, measured steps until he was standing just a few centimeters away.

    Sharon''s hands moved instinctively, unbuttoning Carlos''s pants with quiet determination. This time, there was no drunken haze, no confusion... just mutual understanding and desire. They both knew exactly what was about to happen, and neither had any intention of stopping it.

    For the rest of the night, the small metallic room became their world. The faint hum of the ship''s engines faded into the background as the two surrendered fully to each other.

    What happened between them was theirs alone, a private moment shared only by a man and a woman who, for that night, chose to lose themselves in one another.

    Hours later, Carlos lay sprawled on the bed, gasping for breath as though he had just run a marathon. Sharon rested on his arm, her golden hair in wild disarray, as if a storm had passed through the room.

    Her cheeks were still flushed, and her eyes sparkled with a newfound light. She gazed at him with a small, content smile on her lips.

    "That was... wow," Sharon said softly, her voice laced with exhaustion and satisfaction.

    Carlos let out a low chuckle, turning his head to meet her gaze. "Heh, I know. I''m amazing, right?" he said with a cocky grin. "I felt like I was a young lad back in my teens again."

    Sharon giggled at his remark, the sound light and musical. "You''re incorrigible," she said, playfully nudging his side.

    "Hey, I just call it like it is," Carlos replied, still grinning.

 Chapter 178 Sharon secret. (3).

    For a moment, the two of them lay there in silence, the air between them warm and peaceful. Sharon shifted slightly, her fingers brushing against his before she gently took his hand in hers. She intertwined their fingers, her thumb lightly stroking his calloused skin.

    The motion was hesitant at first, as though she was working up the courage to speak. Finally, she broke the silence, her voice soft but steady. "Say... what do you think of our relationship?"

    Carlos blinked, his grin fading as her words hung in the air. He turned his head to look at her, his expression thoughtful.

    Sharon''s green eyes met his, and for the first time that night, there was a flicker of vulnerability in her gaze. It wasn''t a question she had asked lightly; it carried weight, as if she had been holding it back for far too long.

    Carlos let out a small sigh, his free hand coming up to rest on his forehead as he thought. "Well..." he began, his tone softer than usual. "That''s a loaded question, isn''t it?"

    Sharon''s ears twitched nervously, and she bit her bottom lip, her grip on his hand tightening slightly. "I know," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "But... I need to know."

    Carlos turned onto his side, facing her fully as his eyes searched hers. For once, his usual cocky demeanor was gone, replaced by something more genuine. He reached out with his free hand, tucking a straystrand of her golden hair behind her ear.

    "I think..." he started, his voice steady but gentle. "That what we have is... complicated. But that doesn''t mean it''s not real."

    Sharon blinked, her heart skipping a beat at his words. "Complicated how?"

    Carlos chuckled softly, shaking his head. "Well, for starters, we''re from completely different worlds. You''re a bigshot, someone important, someone with a future already laid out for them. Me? I''m just a guy trying to survive, patching up machines and shooting things when I have to."

    Sharon frowned slightly, her ears drooping. "That doesn''t mean it can''t work."

    Carlos smiled, his thumb brushing against her hand. "No, it doesn''t," he agreed. "But it does mean we''ll have to figure it out. Together."

    Sharon''s eyes widened slightly, and her cheeks flushed once more. "Together?" she echoed, her voice soft.

    Carlos nodded, his smile growing. "Yeah. Together. Because, Sharon..." He hesitated for a moment, as if weighing his words carefully. Then, with a small chuckle, he added, "You''re kind of stuck with me now."

    Sharon let out a laugh, her nervousness melting away as she rested her head on his chest. "I guess I can live with that," she said, her voice teasing but affectionate.

    Carlos wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer. "Good," he said, his tone light again. "Because I''m too lazy to try and win you over all over again."

    Sharon giggled, her tail swishing lightly against the bed. For the first time in a long while, she felt truly at ease. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she knew she wouldn''t be facing them alone.

    He laughed awkwardly, his brown eyes glancing at her nervously to gauge her reaction.

    For a moment, Sharon just stared at him, her tears forgotten as her brain processed what he had just said. Then, to Carlos''s surprise, a small laugh escaped her lips.

    "Oh, but don''t misunderstand me!" Carlos quickly added, his tone earnest. "I really like you, Sharon. The first time I spoke with you, I had no idea who you were. So, rest assured, I''m not using you or anything. This..." He leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "This is real, for me."

    Sharon''s heart swelled at his words, and she smiled softly as she wiped the remaining tears from her cheeks. "It''s okay," she said quietly, her voice steadier now. "I trust you, Carlos."

    She nestled closer to him, her head resting against his chest as she intertwined her fingers with his. The warmth of his touch grounded her, and for the first time in years, she felt truly safe.

    But then Sharon''s expression grew serious again, and she tightened her grip on his hand. "There''s also... something else I have to say," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Carlos''s eyes narrowed slightly, his thumb brushing against her hand in a soothing gesture. "Alright," he said gently. "Take your time."

    Sharon hesitated for a moment, her cat ears drooping as she struggled to find the right words. Whatever she was about to say, Carlos could tell it was something that weighed heavily on her. He waited patiently, giving her the space she needed.

    Finally, she took a deep breath and looked up at him, her green eyes filled with a mix of fear and determination. "Carlos... there''s something about the CEO that you need to know."

    "And what would that be?" Carlos asked, his playful tone gone, replaced by a steady seriousness. His brown eyes focused on Sharon, his expression unreadable but attentive.

    Sharon hesitated, biting her lower lip as her cat ears twitched nervously. Her green eyes darted down to their intertwined hands before she finally gathered the courage to speak.

    "The CEO..." she began, her voice trembling slightly. "He pretty much wants to get rid of me."

    Carlos''s eyebrows furrowed slightly, his grip on her hand tightening in silent support. "Why?"

    Sharon let out a shaky breath, glancing at Carlos before continuing. "Because he can''t handle me. He likes his girls to be obedient, submissive, and, most importantly, head over heels in love with him. You know, the kind that worships the ground he walks on."

    She scoffed lightly, the bitterness in her voice clear. "But as you can probably guess, I''m none of those things. I''m... me."

    Carlos raised an eyebrow but stayed quiet, letting her continue.

    "I''ve always defied him," Sharon admitted. "Every time I was forced to be around him, I made it as unbearable for him as possible. I''d escape to luxury cruisers or parties whenever I could, anything to avoid spending time with him. I think that''s probably why....."

 Chapter 179 Sharon secret. (4)

    Her voice trailed off, but Carlos could see the unease in her eyes. "Why what?" he asked, his tone firm but patient.

    Sharon took a deep breath, steadying herself before speaking again. "That''s probably why he sent me on that cruise in the first place. It wasn''t just to keep me out of his sight; it was to get rid of me permanently."

    Carlos''s eyes widened slightly; his expression darkened as her words sank in. "Are you saying..."

    Sharon nodded slowly, her voice trembling. "Yes. I think he orchestrated the attack. The explosion, the destruction of the cruiser... it wasn''t an accident. It wasn''t just bad luck. I think it was him. He wanted me dead, Carlos."

    The room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the faint hum of the ship''s systems. Carlos leaned back slightly, his mind racing as he processed what she had just told him.

    "And you''re only telling me this now?" He asked after a moment, his tone calm but carrying an edge of frustration.

    Sharon winced, her ears drooping further. "I didn''t know for sure until recently," she admitted. "I only started piecing it together after everything that happened. And..." She hesitated, her green eyes meeting his again.

    "I was scared. Scared of what it would mean if I was right. And scared of how you''d react."

    Carlos let out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his bald head as he tried to calm himself. "Damn it, Sharon," he muttered. "This isn''t just a family squabble or a corporate spat. If the CEO of Nexum Dynamics is willing to kill his own wife, that''s... That''s not something we can ignore."

    "I know," Sharon said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper. "But what can I do, Carlos? I can''t go back to him. He''ll kill me if I do. And if I stay here... I''ll just put you in danger too."

    Carlos frowned, his eyes narrowing as he stared at her. "Sharon," he said firmly, his voice steady. "I''m already in danger just being who I am. Rex and I have been fighting against Nexum Dynamics for years. This isn''t anything new for me. But if what you''re saying is true... then we have a chance to do something about it."

    Sharon blinked, her eyes widening slightly. "What do you mean?"

    Carlos smirked faintly, a mischievous glint returning to his eyes. "Think about it. You''re not just some random person to the CEO; you''re his wife. You''ve got information, connections, and leverage that no one else has. If we play this right, we can hit him where it really hurts."

    Sharon stared at him, her mind racing as his words sank in. For the first time, she felt a flicker of hope... hope that she could do something about her situation instead of just running away.

    "You really think we can?" she asked hesitantly, her voice laced with both doubt and curiosity.

    Carlos grinned, his confidence contagious. "Oh, I know we can. But we''ll have to be smart about it. And more importantly..." He reached out, cupping her cheek gently. "You''ll have to trust me."

    Nyra let out a melodic laugh, stepping off the command chair in one fluid motion and vanishing in a blur. She reappeared behind Lyra in the blink of an eye, her crimson eyes glinting mischievously.

    "Well, well," Nyra said playfully, wrapping her arms around Lyra''s waist from behind. "That''s what my little sister says, but do you think I haven''t noticed what you do when you''re drinking his blood?"

    Lyra froze, her face turning a brilliant shade of red. "W-w-what are you talking about!? I don''t do anything!" She stammered, clearly flustered.

    Nyra''s grin widened, and she began lightly running her fingers over Lyra''s abdomen, teasing her mercilessly. "Ohhh, nothing, huh? Should I remind you of those little sighs, slight moans and dreamy looks you get when¡ª"

    "Stop it!" Lyra yelled, grabbing Nyra''s arms in a panic. In a sudden burst of strength, she tossed Nyra toward the air with all her might, her silver hair flying wildly around her.

    Nyra, however, was just as quick. She twisted in mid-air, freeing one of her hands and managing to land a swift, playful spank on Lyra''s butt before being flung across the bridge.

    "Kya!" Lyra squeaked, her voice high and girlish as she jumped slightly, clutching her butt with an embarrassed and teary-eyed expression. She turned toward Nyra, glaring daggers at her mischievous twin. "Y-you... you little¡ª!"

    Nyra burst out laughing, clutching her stomach as she floated mid-air, supported by her vampiric agility. "Hahaha! Oh, come on, Lyra, you''re so cute when you''re flustered!"

    Lyra stomped her foot, her cheeks still flushed. "You''re impossible, Nyra!"

    "And yet, you love me," Nyra teased, winking as she landed gracefully back on the floor. "Now, let''s go check out that ''gift'' Master left us in the armory. If it''s as good as I think it is, we''re going to have some fun on Nakor."

    Lyra huffed, crossing her arms but reluctantly following Nyra toward the exit. "Fine," she muttered, her butt irritably behind her. "But don''t think I''m letting you off the hook for that stunt!"

    Nyra giggled, throwing an arm around Lyra''s shoulders. "Aww, don''t be mad, sis! Think of it this way, at least one of us knows how to have fun."

    As the twins bickered and teased each other, the rest of the crew on the bridge wisely kept their heads down, pretending not to notice the chaos. After all, the twins were not just their commanders; they were forces of nature, and no one dared to get between them.

    After several minutes of walking through the Cleopatra''s sleek corridors, the twins finally arrived at the armory, a place that was, unsurprisingly, heavily guarded.

    The entrance was flanked by hulking automated sentry guns, their turrets scanning the area methodically. Inside the armory, the atmosphere was tense and silent, save for the faint hum of security systems.

    Among the more intimidating security measures was a Mauler Juggernaut. Its massive frame stood motionless in standby mode, but the sheer presence of the machine radiated a sense of danger. On the ceiling, small white drone-like birds floated through the air, acting as mobile security cameras.

    The security system was advanced and lethal yet elegant. If even one of those seemingly harmless birds spotted an unregistered intruder, a silent alarm would immediately activate the Mauler Juggernaut. The result? Absolute chaos.

 Chapter 180 The Blood legion.

    The twins strode confidently into the armory, their steps unhurried as if they were walking into a park instead of one of the most secure locations on the ship. One of the white birds immediately floated down toward them, its beady, mechanical eyes scanning them.

    After a few seconds, it drifted over to Lyra and landed on her head, perching comfortably like a smug little hat.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Nyra burst out laughing the moment she saw the bird. "Heh, looks like they know who the real criminal is here," she teased, pointing at the bird sitting on Lyra''s silver hair.

    Lyra rolled her eyes, her arms crossed as she huffed in annoyance. "Tsk, tsk, tsk," she said, shaking her finger in Nyra''s face. "You''ve got it all wrong, my dearest sister. Clearly, the bird knows you''re the criminal, and it''s sitting on my head to keep an eye on you."

    Nyra grinned at her sister, leaning in dramatically. "You know what? That actually makes sense," she said, placing a hand over her heart in mock solemnity. "What can I say? I''m just a bad girl." She struck an overly theatrical pose, her crimson eyes gleaming mischievously.

    Lyra sighed, her expression caught between exasperation and amusement. "Yes, yes, you''re the epitome of rebellion. Now let''s hurry; I can''t wait to see what Master left for us," she said while grabbing Nyra''s arm and pulling her further into the armory.

    Inside the armory, rows upon rows of advanced weaponry and gear gleamed under the bright artificial lights. Everything was meticulously organized, from plasma rifles to explosive charges, melee weapons, and high-tech suits of armor.

    But at the center of the room, on a raised platform, was a sealed crate marked with Cleo''s signature holographic seal.

    The twins approached the crate, their excitement evident. Nyra rubbed her hands together eagerly. "Ooooh, what do you think it is? A new set of weapons? Maybe some cool armor?"

    Lyra crouched in front of the crate while examining the seal. "Only one way to find out," she said, swiping her finger across the holographic interface. The seal glowed for a moment before dissipating with a soft hum.

    The crate hissed as it unlocked, the lid slowly sliding open to reveal its contents. Inside were two sleek, customized suits of combat armor, each designed with a perfect balance of beauty and lethality.

    The armor was black with crimson accents, adorned with faintly glowing runes that pulsed rhythmically like a heartbeat. Alongside the suits were matching weapons: two scythe-like energy blades for Nyra and a set of dual plasma pistols for Lyra.

    Nyra''s jaw dropped, her eyes practically sparkling as she reached out to touch the armor. "Ohhh, look at this! It''s beautiful!" she exclaimed, lifting one of the scythes with ease. The blade extended with a crackle of energy, its edges glowing a menacing red.

    Lyra, on the other hand, carefully picked up one of the plasma pistols, testing its weight in her hand. "This is... incredible," she said softly, her usually calm demeanor replaced with genuine awe. "Master really went all out this time."

    Nyra twirled the scythe experimentally, grinning as it hummed with deadly precision. "I''m in love," she declared dramatically. "This is so me."

    Lyra smirked before inspecting the armor more closely. "It''s more than just stylish," she noted. "Look at these runes, they''re not just for show. They''re integrated with the armor''s energy field. This is high-level tech, even for Cleo standards."

    Nyra glanced at the runs, her grin widening. "Hah! Figures Master would give us something this badass. She knows we''re her favorites."

    "Don''t let the others hear you say that," Lyra quipped, though her tone was light.

    "Take it back," Erik muttered, his voice barely audible but filled with quiet defiance.

    The girl''s cruel smirk widened as she glanced at him. "Oh? I think the little slave is trying to say something," she mocked him, her tone dripping with fake curiosity.

    Another student chuckled darkly, leaning closer to Erik. "Oh really? What was that, slave? Let me get closer so I can hear it." He crouched down, his face inches from Erik''s. "What did you say, huh? Speak up. Or maybe my translator doesn''t understand slave language."

    Erik''s trembling intensified, and he raised his voice, louder this time. "I SAID TAKE IT BACK!"

    His sudden shout startled the crowd momentarily, but only for a second. The student''s expression twisted into one of anger and amusement.

    "Oh, so the slave thinks he can yell at me?" he growled. Without hesitation, he threw another punch, this one even harder than the first. Erik''s head snapped back, and he collapsed onto the ground again, his cheekbone throbbing with pain.

    "Bad slave," the student sneered, kicking Erik in the ribs for good measure. Erik coughed as the air was knocked out of him, but he didn''t cry out. The group around him erupted into laughter once more, their cruelty unrelenting.

    "This little piece of trash actually thinks he can talk back to someone like me? Can you guys believe it?" The student mocked Erik, spreading his arms theatrically as if putting on a show for the audience.

    "Hahaha, I know, right?" Another female student laughed, leaning against a nearby pillar.

    "Little Erik here really takes after his dad. Don''t you think so, cutie?"

    The mocking laughter froze mid-air as a sudden voice, playful yet dripping with an edge of menace, cut through the air.

    "Don''t you think so, cutie?" The voice repeated itself, coming from the staircase of the school building.

    All heads turned toward the source of the voice, and what they saw immediately silenced them.

    Standing at the top of the stairs were two figures, both undeniably striking and otherworldly in their presence.

    The first, a girl with flowing silver hair and glowing crimson eyes, leaned casually against the railing, her arms crossed as she surveyed the scene below. Her expression was playful, but there was a dangerous gleam in her eyes.

    Beside her stood an identical figure, her silver hair cascading down her back as she smirked at the group of students. She twirled a small, glowing knife between her fingers with casual ease, her crimson eyes locked onto the scene with unsettling focus.

    Their presence alone made the air grow heavier, and the students who had been laughing seconds ago now found themselves frozen, unsure of what to say or do.

    Nyra tilted her head, her smirk widening as her glowing eyes scanned the bullies. "Well, well," she said with her tone light and teasing. "Seems like you all were having fun. But now you''ve gone and ruined our day. Tsk, tsk. Isn''t that right, Lyra?"

 Chapter 181 The blood legion. (2)

    "Who are you bitches?!" the pompous student snarled, his arrogance undeterred even by the presence of the twins. "How dare you look down on a noble like me!? Come down from there so I can play with you!" His sneer was as full of entitlement as his words, earning an unimpressed glance from Nyra.

    Nyra raised her hand and peered at him through her fingers as though inspecting something minuscule. "Mmm, I don''t know," she said, her voice playful and dripping with mockery. "You''re not my type, you know? Compared to the one I like, you''re just... a small ant."

    The student let out an exaggerated sigh, crossing his arms as if her words hadn''t phased him. "Tsk. Another blind bitch who doesn''t know greatness when she sees it," he said, his chest puffed out with misplaced confidence.

    Nyra was about to respond, but the boy, emboldened by his own delusions, smirked and added, "Pretty sure the one you like is just a tra¨D"

    Before he could finish his sentence, the world spun, and the next thing he knew, he was on the ground. His mouth was forced wide open, a gun shoved deep inside it. His eyes bulged with terror as he looked up to see Lyra perched on top of him, her glowing crimson eyes burning with fury.

    The atmosphere shifted in an instant. The playful banter between the twins was gone, replaced by an oppressive, almost suffocating intensity. Lyra pressed the barrel of the gun further into his mouth, making him gag as her voice came out low and icy.

    "Don''t you dare compare yourself to my master again," she growled, her tone dripping with venom. "If it weren''t for the fact that we don''t want to alert the guards, I would''ve blown your head off the moment you opened that filthy mouth of yours."

    The other students froze, their arrogance vanishing in the face of the silver-haired girl''s wrath. The student beneath Lyra whimpered, his eyes filled with despair as he realized just how close he was to death.

    Nyra, meanwhile, descended the stairs in a blur, clapping her hands in mock applause as she approached. "Wow, sis! I''ve got to say, you really have it in you!" she said with a wide grin, her tone exaggeratedly dramatic. "I was starting to wonder if you were really my twin or not! Bravo, bravo!"No?v(el)B\\jnn

    Lyra blinked, her sister''s words breaking through the fog of her anger. Her glowing eyes dimmed slightly, and she looked down, realizing where she was and what she was doing. "W-what? When? Who? Why?!" she stammered, her face flushing as she quickly tried to regain her composure.

    She scrambled to her feet, grabbing the student by his head and tossing him like a sack of garbage toward his friends. The impact sent them tumbling backward in a heap, groaning in pain.

    "P-pervert!" Lyra snapped, her cheeks still red. "What were you doing under me?! Get out of here!"

    Nyra couldn''t hold back her laughter. "Oh, now you''ve really done it, sis," she said, walking over to one of the unconscious students and poking his limp body with her foot. "You''re way more dangerous than I am."

    Lyra whipped around, flustered and defensive. "No, no! It wasn''t me! I don''t know what happened!" she said while her crimson eyes darted around nervously. "It''s his fault! Who told him to badmouth Rex?! He deserved it!"

    Nyra smiled knowingly, clearly enjoying her sister''s embarrassment.

    Meanwhile, Erik, who had finally managed to get to his feet, stood a few steps away, staring at the twins in shock. He had seen a lot of things in his time at this cruel academy, but nothing like this.

    "W-who are you guys?" Erik asked hesitantly, his voice filled with both confusion and awe.

    Nyra clapped her hands together, turning her attention back to Erik with a bright smile. "Ah! Little Erik!" she said cheerfully, as if they hadn''t just turned the courtyard into a battlefield.

    "I almost forgot about you, but it wasn''t my fault; it was all my dumb sister''s fault for causing such a mess." She pointed at Lyra, who groaned and covered her face with her hands.

    "Are you assassins?" Erik asked, taking a cautious step back. "Who sent you? Even if you''re wearing our school uniforms, I can tell you''re not from here."

    Erik wasn''t convinced, but before he could ask any follow-up questions, Nyra suddenly broke into a sprint. "I''m driving this time!" she shouted as she dashed toward the parking lot.

    When Erik and Lyra caught up, they found Nyra standing proudly beside a sleek, futuristic supercar that looked like it belonged in the dreams of every gearhead in the galaxy.

    Its sharp, aerodynamic design gleamed under the sunlight, and its smooth black-and-red finish gave it an aura of power and elegance. Erik had never seen anything like it.

    "Wow," he breathed, his eyes wide as he admired the car. "Is this... is this yours?"

    "Yep, it is!" Nyra said, puffing out her chest proudly. "It was a gift from Rex for our 18th birthday. Isn''t he the best?" She let out an exaggerated sigh, placing a hand dramatically over her heart.

    "Sadly, we don''t get to use it much since we''re always running around the galaxy on missions. Life is cruel for poor little us!" She even pretended to wipe away a fake tear for added effect.

    Lyra rolled her eyes. "Anyway," she said, steering Erik toward the backseat, "get in. We need to leave before more problems find us."

    Erik hesitated for a moment before climbing into the back of the car. As he settled into the plush seats, he glanced around, marveling at the interior. Everything about the car was immaculate, from the glowing holographic dashboard to the luxurious leather upholstery.

    "This is the first time I''ve seen a supercar with four doors," Erik said, running his hand along the armrest.

    "Well, that''s because this isn''t just any supercar," Nyra replied, sliding into the driver''s seat with a smirk. "It was custom-built by our master''s personal assembly factory. This beauty is one of a kind, there''s nothing else like it in the entire galaxy."

    "Whoa," Erik said while leaning forward slightly. "How fast can it g¡ª"

    "Don''t ask that!" Lyra''s voice cut through the air like a whip, startling Erik before he could finish his question. She was already strapping herself into the passenger seat, her expression filled with the quiet dread of someone who knew exactly what was about to happen.

    But it was too late. The damage had been done.

    Nyra''s crimson eyes gleamed with excitement, and a mischievous grin spread across her face. "Huhu, finally! Someone who knows how to ask the right questions!" she said while flipping a few switches on the dashboard. Erik noticed the car''s internal systems coming to life with a low, menacing hum.

    "Uh, wait¡ª" Erik began, but Nyra wasn''t listening.

    "The best way to answer that question," Nyra said, gripping the steering wheel, "is to show you!"

    With that, she slammed her foot on the gas pedal, and the car roared to life like a caged beast. The tires screeched against the pavement, smoke billowing from the friction as the car launched forward at an unbelievable speed.

    In less than half a second, they had gone from 0 to 100 km/h, and Erik was thrown back into his seat, his eyes wide in shock.

    "HOLY¡ª!" Erik barely managed to get the words out as the world outside became a blur of motion and color.

    "Hahahaha! This is the best!" Nyra shouted with her voice filled with glee as she rolled down the driver''s side window. The wind whipped through the car, turning her and Lyra''s neatly styled hair into a wild, tangled mess.

 Chapter 182 The blood legion. (3)

    "Nyra! Close the window!" Lyra shouted over the deafening roar of the air, trying in vain to keep her hair under control.

    "Why? It''s more fun this way!" Nyra laughed while taking a sharp turn that made the tires squeal. She gripped the wheel like a professional racer; her movements were smooth and precise despite the reckless speed.

    Erik, meanwhile, was clutching the edges of his seat for dear life. "Is this even legal?!" he yelled, his voice barely audible over the wind and engine noise.

    Nyra glanced at him in the rearview mirror, her grin widening. "Probably not!" she shouted back.

    Lyra groaned, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You''re going to get us arrested!"

    "Relax, sis," Nyra said, waving her free hand dismissively. "By the time anyone even thinks about chasing us, we''ll be halfway out of the city."

    As if to prove her point, she pressed down on the gas even harder, and the car surged forward with another burst of speed. Erik could feel the G-forces pulling at his body, and he swore he saw his life flash before his eyes.

    "This is insane!" Erik shouted, though there was a hint of exhilaration in his voice.

    Nyra glanced back at him again, her crimson eyes sparkling. "Insane? Nah. This is freedom, little Erik! Learn to love it!"

    Despite himself, Erik couldn''t help but laugh. The sheer absurdity of the situation, combined with Nyra''s infectious energy, made it impossible not to feel at least a little thrill.

    Lyra, however, was less amused. She grabbed onto the dashboard, her patience wearing thin. "If you kill us before we even get to the rendezvous point, I''m going to haunt you for eternity, Nyra!"

    Nyra let out a dramatic sigh, easing off the gas slightly. "Fine, fine. I''ll slow down a little," she said, though her smirk suggested she wasn''t planning to follow that promise entirely.

    As the car sped through the city streets, Erik leaned back in his seat, his initial fear giving way to a strange sense of excitement. For the first time in what felt like forever, he wasn''t just a powerless kid being beaten down by the world. He was with people who made him feel... alive.

    "Okay," he said, grinning despite himself. "This might actually be kind of cool."

    "Hahaha! That''s the spirit!" Nyra said, punching the gas again and sending the car rocketing toward the city limits.

    "Sis, take the slum exit," Lyra said firmly while pulling up the GPS display and quickly adjusting the route. "Try to keep low. We don''t want to make a big mess inside the city, or Master will kick our asses again."

    "Pfft," Nyra scoffed, flipping her silver hair over her shoulder as it whipped around wildly in the open air. "What''s the fun in that? It''s not like anyone is going to try and stop us from going fast. Those laws were outlawed centuries ago! No one even walks on the roads anymore!"

    Lyra opened her mouth to argue, but her eyes caught something flashing on the holographic dash. Her voice turned sharp. "Hold on a second! The stealth satellite is picking up hostiles heading straight for us!" she shouted, her tone tinged with panic. "I told you to slow down!"

    Nyra rolled her eyes but pressed harder on the gas, making the car roar even louder as its speed climbed. "It''s not my fault! Speed has nothing to do with it!" she snapped before glancing at her sister out of the corner of her eye. "Wait... Sis, did you delete the college''s cameras footage before we left?"

    Lyra froze, her expression blank for a second, as realization hit her like a brick. "What... what cameras?" she asked weakly with her voice trembling. "Master always takes care of that! So we should be safe, right? ...Oh no."

    Nyra grinned, her laughter echoing in the car. "Hahaha! And you call yourself the smart one? Wow, sis, this is your fault, not mine!" she teased before shouting, "Bloody!"

    From the glove compartment, a small black-and-red robotic bat emerged with a faint hum, its wings flapping lazily as it hovered in midair. The AI drone was a part of Cleo''s custom creations, specifically designed for the twins as their personal assistant. Its glowing crimson eyes blinked as it saluted the sisters.

    "But, sir¡ª!"

    "I don''t care! Just do it!"

    Inside the car, Erik clutched the seat tightly, his knuckles white. "Ramming?! Are they serious?!"

    Nyra grinned while her excitement was only growing as she weaved the car through the streets with precision. "Hahaha! Let them try!" she shouted. "This car was made for stuff like this!"

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    Lyra sighed heavily, strapping herself in tighter. "I swear, if we survive this, I''m going to kill you myself," she muttered.

    "Don''t be so dramatic, sis!" Nyra teased her while laughing as the patrol cars closed in. "This is just getting fun!"

    As the guards prepared to ram the car, Bloody''s voice echoed from the dashboard. "Young masters, shall I deploy the countermeasures?"

    Nyra''s grin widened. "Oh, definitely. Let''s give them a little surprise."

    "Deploying countermeasures," Bloody confirmed.

    From the back of the car, several small drones shot out, each one armed with electromagnetic pulses. As the drones zipped toward the approaching patrol vehicles, the guards barely had time to react before the EMPs went off, disabling their engines and causing the vehicles to screech to a halt.

    The captain slammed his fist against the controls as he watched his squad fall apart. "Dammit!"

    Nyra let out a triumphant laugh, her silver hair flying wildly in the wind. "I told you, sis! Nobody can catch us!"

    Lyra groaned, burying her face in her hands. "I hate you sometimes," she muttered.

    "Captain, are we just going to let them escape!?" the guard next to the captain asked nervously while glancing between his superior and the screen showing the sleek supercar speeding away.

    The captain''s face twisted in anger while tightening his jaw. "Of course not! Send a call to the frontier military camp and tell them to intercept those bastards!" he shouted while slamming his fist down on the control panel.

    The guard hesitated, his expression full of unease. "But sir, they''re just... common criminals. The military won''t accept a request like this. And if they find out we lied, it could end badly for us!"

    The captain turned to him with a sneer, his face red with frustration. "I don''t give a damn! Just tell them the suspects have military-grade drones and advanced armor! That should be enough to get them to mobilize!"

    "But sir¡ª"

    "No buts! Do as I say, or I''ll have you written up for insubordination!" the captain snapped, his eyes locked on the twins car as it weaved through the streets, easily outmaneuvering his remaining forces.

    The guard swallowed hard, nodding reluctantly. "Understood, Captain," he said while turning back to his terminal. His fingers flew across the controls as he opened a secure communications line.

    "Making contact with the military now."

 Chapter 183 The blood legion. (4)

    The captain leaned forward, gripping the edge of the console tightly as he stared at the monitor displaying the car. His greed and frustration simmered just below the surface. "I don''t care what it takes," he muttered under his breath. "I want that car, and those damn criminals stopped now."

    Meanwhile, inside the supercar, Nyra was still laughing hysterically, the chaos outside only fueling her adrenaline rush. "Haha! Did you see that, sis? They couldn''t even touch us!" she laughed, gripping the wheel tightly as she took another sharp turn.

    "Stop gloating!" Lyra snapped, her crimson eyes darting between the holographic radar and the rearview mirror. "They''re not done yet! And if you keep playing around, someone else will find out, and it will become harder to get away!"

    Nyra let out a playful scoff, her silver hair whipping around her face. "Relax, sis! I''ve got this under control. Nobody''s catching us today."

    From the backseat, Erik sat rigidly, clutching his seatbelt as he tried to keep up with the twins banter. "Uh, not to interrupt or anything," he said nervously, "but I think they''re calling for backup. Are you sure we''re going to be okay?"

    Nyra glanced at him in the rearview mirror, her crimson eyes sparkling with mischief. "Aw, don''t worry, little Erik," she said with a grin. "This isn''t our first rodeo. Besides, we''ve got the best car in the galaxy! Let them bring backup; it''ll just make things more fun."

    "Fun!?" Erik exclaimed, his voice cracking slightly. "You call this fun!?"

    Lyra shot her sister an annoyed glare. "Stop teasing him, Nyra," she said before turning to Erik. "We''ll be fine. Trust me, we''ve handled worse."

    But even as she said it, her fingers tightened on the dashboard, her eyes narrowing as a new blip appeared on the radar. It was larger and moving faster than the city guard vehicles.

    "Uh, sis?" Lyra said, her tone suddenly tense.

    Nyra glanced at the radar, her grin fading slightly. "What''s that?" she asked, her playful demeanor shifting to something more serious.

    Lyra frowned, typing rapidly on the console. "Looks like... military-grade vehicles," she muttered. "And they''re coming from the direction of the frontier camp."

    Nyra''s eyebrows shot up. "The military? Seriously? For us?!"

    Erik paled in the backseat. "The military? Why would they call the military for a couple of¡ª"

    "Don''t ask stupid questions!" Lyra snapped, cutting him off. She turned to Nyra, her voice urgent. "They must''ve lied about us. There''s no way the military would mobilize for a couple of ''kidnappers.''"

    Nyra''s lips curled into a wicked grin. "Hah! I guess we''re more important than we thought!"

    "This isn''t funny!" Lyra shot back. "We don''t have the firepower to deal with a full-on military response! Bloody!"

    The small bat AI, still hovering near the dashboard, flapped its wings in acknowledgment. "Yes, young masters?"

    "Activate Protocol Red," Lyra commanded, her voice firm.

    The AI''s crimson eyes glowed brighter as it processed the command. "Understood. Activating Protocol Red. Deploying reinforcements."

    Erik''s eyes widened. "Reinforcements?" he asked, glancing around the car. "What reinforcements?"

    Nyra''s grin returned, wider than ever. "Oh, you''ll see," she said with her voice practically dripping with excitement.

    As they continued speeding toward the outskirts of the city, several black-and-red drones appeared on the horizon, flying in perfect formation. They moved like a swarm of predators, their sleek designs identical to the ones Erik had seen earlier.

    Nyra let out an amused chuckle, her confidence undeterred as she took a sharp turn, tires screeching against the pavement. "Of course it''s not a good sign," she said with a smirk. "But when is it ever? Just leave it to me; I''ll handle it."

    Turning her attention to the small robotic bat hovering near the dashboard, Nyra gave her next command. "Bloody, hack the gates. I don''t trust the guards there to let us walk out of here without a fight."

    The AI''s crimson eyes glowed brighter as it responded. "Understood. Initiating hacking protocol. Estimated time to override: five minutes."

    On the bat''s tiny screen, an infinite cascade of numbers and code began scrolling rapidly as it worked to infiltrate the city''s gate control systems.

    At the slum city gates, chaos was already unfolding in the guard control room.

    "Mmm? What is happening?! Who is opening the gates?!" the head guard shouted, storming into the control room with a look of pure frustration on his face.

    "I don''t know, sir!" Another guard stammered, his fingers flying over the control panel in a desperate attempt to regain control. "I keep trying to close them, but it''s not working! The system isn''t responding!"

    The head guard''s face twisted in fury as he slammed his hand on the console. "Idiots! Do I have to do everything myself?!" He shoved the panicking guard aside and began typing furiously, his fingers slamming into the keys.

    But no matter what commands he entered, the gates continued to open. Alarms blared throughout the control room as the override signal from Bloody''s hacking continued to dismantle their systems piece by piece.

    "It''s like the entire system''s been hijacked!" the subordinate guard said, his voice rising in panic.

    "I KNOW THAT, YOU MORON!" The head guard snapped, sweat dripping down his brow as he frantically tried to regain control. But the numbers on the screen made no sense to him; lines of alien code flickered and disappeared faster than he could read them.

    Back in the car, Nyra was grinning ear to ear as she floored the gas pedal, sending the car roaring down the final stretch toward the slum gates.

    "Bloody, how''s the hack going?" she asked casually, her silver hair whipping around as she swerved past an abandoned vehicle in the road.

    "Hacking progress at 78%," Bloody reported, its voice calm and efficient. "Estimated completion in two minutes."

    Lyra glanced nervously at the radar. The red blips marking the military reinforcements were getting closer. "Two minutes might be all we have," she muttered. "Nyra, pick up the pace!"

    Nyra let out a laugh, her grin widening. "Oh, don''t worry, I''m already going as fast as this baby can go without breaking the sound barrier."

    Erik, who had been silent for a while, finally spoke up from the backseat, his voice tinged with both fear and amazement. "Are you guys always like this?"

    Nyra glanced at him in the rearview mirror, her crimson eyes sparkling. "Like what? Amazing? Yes."

    Lyra groaned, rolling her eyes. "Don''t encourage her, Erik," she said that, though her tone was more exasperated than angry.

    As the car sped toward the gates, the city guards outside scrambled to deploy their forces, setting up barricades and checkpoints in a last-ditch effort to stop the twins. But even they couldn''t ignore the ominous sound of the gates creaking open, the massive steel doors slowly sliding apart as Bloody completed its hack.

    "The gates are open," Bloody announced, its wings fluttering with satisfaction. "You are clear to proceed, young masters."

    "Perfect timing!" Nyra said with a grin, slamming her foot on the gas.

    The car shot forward like a rocket, barreling through the gates at breakneck speed. The guards at the barricades could only watch in stunned silence as the sleek vehicle disappeared into the distance, its taillights glowing like twin red comets.

 Chapter 184 The blood legion. (5)

    After several tense minutes of speeding through the planet''s outskirts toward the rendezvous point where they were supposed to hand Erik over to the human empire envoy, Bloody, the ever-vigilant AI bat, delivered a grim update.

    "Warning: all combat drones dispatched from the Blood Legion have been destroyed," Bloody announced, its calm and robotic tone making the news no less foreboding.

    "Analysis suggests an 85% probability that the enemy deployed defense fighters to neutralize the drones. Current probability of hostile forces pursuing this vehicle: high."

    Lyra groaned, rubbing her temples in frustration. "Isn''t this a little too extreme for a kidnapping case?" She said with her voice dripping with sarcasm as she reached into her holster and began prepping her handguns.

    "I mean, it''s not like we abducted some high-ranking noble. He''s just a regular human!"

    Nyra smirked but kept her eyes on the dirt road ahead, expertly maneuvering the car around bumps and potholes. "Oh, sis, you''re so naive," she teased.

    "The only logical explanation? Corruption. High-ranking officials are probably on someone''s payroll. That, or someone really doesn''t like us."

    Lyra sighed, pulling up the satellite feed on the car''s display. "Whatever the reason, we''ve got bigger problems now. Start slowing down; we''re trapped."

    Nyra''s grin faltered. "Trapped? What do you mean, trapped?"

    "Look." Lyra zoomed in on the satellite image, revealing a sprawling military blockade stretching across several kilometers of their route. Dozens of armed vehicles, personnel, and barricades had been positioned in a coordinated effort to cut off their escape.

    "Ugh, seriously?!" Nyra groaned, her frustration evident. "Next time, let''s beg Master to give us strategy lessons or something. I feel so dumb right now!"

    Lyra gave her sister a withering look. "It''s not like Master hasn''t tried to teach us strategy. You''re the one who falls asleep every time."

    Nyra clicked her tongue in annoyance but didn''t respond. She began to slow the car, gradually easing off the gas as they approached the blockade. The silence between them was heavy, broken only by the distant hum of transport helicopters and the rumble of military engines.

    A few minutes later, the supercar came to a slow stop just meters away from the imposing military barricade. The moment the car halted, dozens of armed soldiers surged forward, surrounding it with weapons drawn.

    The blinding floodlights from the vehicles and helicopters bathed the scene in harsh light, casting eerie shadows.

    "This is the commander of the planetary defensive force!" a booming voice echoed from a nearby loudspeaker. "Turn off the vehicle and exit with your hands up, terrorists! Any sudden movements, and we will open fire!"

    Nyra, completely unfazed, burst into laughter from inside the car. "Did you hear that, sis? We''re terrorists now!" Her voice was light and melodic, carrying a playful tone that only served to infuriate the soldiers outside.

    The car doors slowly opened, and two figures emerged into the floodlights. Both wore college uniforms, their silver hair shimmering in the artificial glow. But what truly caught the soldiers attention were the black-and-red face masks covering their lower faces, glowing ominously in the dark night.

    The twins stepped forward confidently, their hair swirling in the wind created by the hovering helicopters above.

    "Nyra, stop teasing them," Lyra said in an exasperated tone, her eyes scanning the soldiers and their weapons. "I really don''t want to get shot tonight."

    The commander nodded weakly, sweat dripping down his face.

    "Good boy," Lyra said with a small, satisfied smile. Behind her, Nyra grinned wickedly, clearly enjoying the spectacle.

    "Well then, this is all just a big misunderstanding," Lyra said innocently, her crimson eyes gleaming as she knelt casually in front of the commander.

    But the commander wasn''t buying it. His face turned red with anger, and he shouted with all the authority he could muster.

    "A misunderstanding?! You call this NOTHING?! Assaulting minors, kidnapping one, releasing military-grade drones in the middle of the city, and shooting down TWO of our transport ships! Is THAT nothing to you?! Do you think we''re blind?!"

    Nyra couldn''t hold it in. She burst into laughter, leaning lazily against the hood of their sleek supercar like she didn''t have a care in the world. "Haha, he''s got you there, sis!" she said between fits of giggles. "I mean, technically, we did do all that stuff, right? Hahaha!"

    Lyra whipped around to glare at her sister, her face flushed with frustration. "Sis! You''re not being helpful!"

    With lightning speed, she darted over to Nyra and delivered a sharp, resounding SMACK to her sister butt.

    "OUCH!" Nyra yelped, bolting upright and rubbing her sore butt with both hands. "Why would you DO that?! My poor butt''s gonna be red for days!"

    "Serves you right," Lyra huffed, crossing her arms and pouting. "That''s what you get for always ruining my plans!"

    The soldiers watched the exchange in stunned silence, their weapons still raised but their resolve clearly shaken. Stay connected via empire

    The commander, however, wasn''t deterred. He sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Hahaha! Do you really think this childish act is enough to make me back down?!" he roared, his eyes blazing with defiance.

    "You''re nothing but a pair of clowns! Who cares if you''ve got me and my officers kneeling? We will NEVER surrender to a couple of terrorists! The moment you kill me, every soldier on this planet will hunt you down! They''ll chase you to the ends of the galaxy if they have to!"

    Nyra, still rubbing her sore backside, tilted her head curiously as she listened to the commander''s outburst. Then her lips curled into a wicked grin, her playful demeanor giving way to something much darker.

    "Oh? And what makes you think you can kill us?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.

    The commander''s laugh was filled with manic defiance. "HA! You''re just two bitches assassins that are too scared to show their faces! You might have gotten lucky so far, but numbers don''t lie. We have you surrounded! My men will overwhelm you with sheer force! So go ahead! kill me! Let the hunt begin!"

    "Numbers?" Nyra''s grin widened, and she stepped closer to the commander, her boots crunching softly against the dirt. "What numbers?"

    Before the commander could respond, Nyra grabbed the back of his head with one hand, her grip like iron. "Do you really think you''re alone out here?" she whispered mockingly, leaning in close before yanking his head upward, forcing him to look at the night sky.

    The commander''s defiance faltered as his eyes widened in shock. High above, something massive was descending from the heavens, wreathed in fire. It was moving fast, its fiery silhouette cutting through the darkness like a comet.

    "What... what is that?" the commander stammered, his voice trembling for the first time.

 Chapter 185 The blood legion. (6)

    Nyra''s grin turned savage as she leaned down to whisper in his ear. "That, dear commander, is the rest of our family coming to play," she said with a sinister chuckle.

    Lyra, who had been silently watching the scene unfold, stepped forward and crouched next to the commander again, her tone calm but laced with mock sympathy.

    "You see, this is what happens when you underestimate us," she said, her crimson eyes glowing faintly. "You thought we were just two kids with some toys. But now? Now you''ll see what real power looks like."

    The fiery object in the sky grew larger and brighter, its descent accompanied by a deafening roar. The soldiers around them began to panic, their disciplined formation crumbling as fear took hold.

    "Commander! We''ve got an incoming unidentified object!" One of the officers shouted into the chaos. "It''s coming straight for us!"

    "Hold your positions!" the commander shouted, though his voice betrayed his growing unease.

    The soldiers aimed their weapons at the sky, their hands trembling as they waited for orders. But the fiery object wasn''t slowing down. Instead, it accelerated, its glow intensifying until it was almost blinding.

    The twins stepped back casually, allowing the commander to collapse onto the ground as he craned his neck to watch the spectacle above.

    "Bloody, status update," Lyra said calmly, her voice cutting through the noise like a blade.

    The small AI bat, still perched on Lyra''s shoulder, chirped in response. "The Cleopatra-class drop pod is on final approach. Estimated impact in thirty seconds. Recommended course of action: maintain safe distance."

    "Drop pod?" the commander muttered, his voice shaking. "What kind of lunatics are you people?"

    Nyra crouched next to him, her crimson eyes gleaming with amusement. "Oh, you''re about to find out," she said with a wink.

    Above, the fiery object suddenly flared even brighter as its thrusters activated, slowing its descent at the last possible moment. It slammed into the ground with a thunderous boom, sending shockwaves through the area and kicking up a massive cloud of dust and debris.

    The soldiers stumbled while some fell to the ground as they struggled to maintain their footing. When the dust began to clear, the object revealed itself: a massive, heavily armored drop pod with the unmistakable insignia of the Cleopatra, the flagship of Cleo.

    The pod''s doors hissed open, and out stepped several figures clad in sleek, black-and-red battle armor. Each one was armed to the teeth, their helmets glowing with the same crimson light as the twins'' masks.

    The commander''s face turned pale as he realized what he was up against. "The underground," he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Nyra stood tall, crossing her arms as she surveyed the scene with a satisfied grin. "So, commander," she said, her tone dripping with mockery. "Still think you have the numbers advantage?"

    Lyra tilted her head, her gaze icy as she added, "Or would you like to reconsider and talk this out like civilized people?"

    "Well," Lyra began, her tone light but firm, "there''s going to be a... conflict between us and the forces of certain corporations on this planet. We plan to take them out today."

    Nyra chimed in without missing a beat, still focused on braiding her sister''s hair. "So, as our new ''friends,'' we''d really appreciate it if you disconnected all your communication devices for the next few hours. You know, to make sure you don''t accidentally get dragged into a private little dispute."

    Lyra nodded, her expression becoming solemn. "It would really break our hearts if something happened to you all because of a simple misunderstanding about a private matter."

    The commander gulped, feeling the full weight of their thinly veiled threat. "O-Oh! Of course! That makes sense! We wouldn''t want to interfere in a small private conflict!" he said hurriedly, his voice cracking slightly.

    But a thought suddenly struck him, and his brow furrowed. "But... what about the warships stationed outside the planet? What if they decide to send reinforcements? We won''t be able to stop them."

    Lyra''s smile widened, and she tilted her head in that unnervingly cute way that made her seem far more dangerous. "Oh, them?" she said sweetly. "Don''t worry about the warships. We''ve got some... helpers out there who''ll be keeping them busy for a little while."

    Nyra giggled, finally finishing Lyra''s hairstyle with a satisfied clap of her hands. "Yup! By the time they realize what''s happening, it''ll already be too late for them to do anything about it," she said cheerfully.

    The commander''s mind raced as he tried to process their words. These weren''t just a couple of rogue kids with advanced tech; they had resources, allies, and a level of coordination that was terrifying to consider.

    Lyra crouched down again, her crimson eyes locking onto the commander''s. "So, can we count on you to stay out of our way?" She asked, her voice soft but carrying the weight of an unspoken warning.

    The commander nodded vigorously, his fear palpable. "Y-Yes! Of course! We''ll stay out of it! You have my word!"

    "Good," Lyra said with a satisfied smile, standing up and dusting off her skirt. "It''s always nice when people are reasonable."

    "See?" Nyra added with a wink. "Talking things out isn''t so bad, is it?"

    The commander didn''t respond since he was too busy silently praying that whatever chaos the twins were about to unleash wouldn''t come back to haunt him.

    After several hours of driving and dealing with obstacles, the twins finally arrived at the rendezvous point, a secluded clearing deep within the outskirts of the planet.

    A sleek shuttle bearing the insignia of the human empire was already parked there, its engines humming faintly as a group of uniformed envoys stood waiting near the ramp.

    One of the envoys, a tall, sharply dressed man with a perfectly groomed appearance, checked the time on his arm device as the twins car screeched to a stop. He turned to face them with a faint scowl.

    "I see you''ve finally arrived," he said, his tone dripping with disapproval. "Some hours late, it seems."

    Nyra rolled her eyes as she hopped out of the driver''s seat, her silver hair catching the moonlight as she stretched lazily. "We know, we know," she said, waving dismissively at the envoy.

    "No need to be such an ass about it. We just had a little... confrontation with the defensive forces." She smirked, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "But don''t worry, we sorted everything out."

 Chapter 186 The blood legion. (7)

    The envoy''s frown deepened, clearly unimpressed. Before he could respond, Nyra leaned against the hood of the car and added, "Oh, and tell your boss to get ready. We''re about to kick off the operation she promised to help us with."

    Her blunt words earned a sharp glare from the envoy, who adjusted his gloves with an air of irritation. "Charming as always, Miss Nyra," he said with his voice laced with sarcasm. "I''ll pass your message along. Rest assured, we humans always keep our word, unlike... certain individuals who think arriving hours late is acceptable."

    Lyra stepped out of the car with a sigh, shaking her head at her sister. "Nyra, could you try not to antagonize everyone we meet? Just once?" She said with her voice, carrying a mix of exasperation and amusement.

    "Why bother?" Nyra replied with a smirk while glancing at the envoy. "He''s already got a stick so far up his ass that nothing I say will make it worse."

    The envoy''s face twisted with disgust, but he quickly composed himself. "Enough of this nonsense," he snapped, clearly eager to move on. "Where''s the boy?"

    At this, Erik nervously stepped out of the car''s backseat, his eyes darting between the twins and the envoy. He looked like he had a thousand questions but was too overwhelmed to ask any of them.

    Nyra gave him a gentle nudge forward, her tone unusually playful. "Go on, kid. Time to meet your new friends."No?v(el)B\\jnn

    The envoy''s eyes narrowed as he scrutinized Erik with his gaze cold and clinical. "So this is the child," he said with a tone devoid of warmth. "He doesn''t look like much."

    "Hey!" Nyra snapped, stepping between the envoy and Erik. "Watch your mouth. That ''kid'' has been through hell. Show a little respect."

    The envoy raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by her sudden defensiveness. "Respect? For a slave boy? Let''s not overstate his importance," he said while turning to Lyra. "You metahumans may have your eccentricities, but don''t forget who you''re dealing with."

    Lyra''s expression darkened, her crimson eyes flashing dangerously. "And you shouldn''t forget who made this operation possible," she said coolly. "Without us, you wouldn''t even be on this planet right now. So maybe you should show a little respect."

    For a moment, the envoy seemed taken aback, but he quickly masked his surprise with a haughty sniff. "Very well," he said curtly. "The boy will be taken into our custody. I''ll ensure he''s delivered to a safe location as agreed."

    Erik glanced nervously at the twins, unsure of what to say. Nyra walked toward Erik, her mischievous grin softening into something more genuine. "Hey, don''t worry, kid," she said, ruffling his hair. "You''re in good hands. Just stick with them, and you''ll be fine."

    "Are... are you sure?" Erik asked hesitantly, his voice trembling.

    Lyra nodded, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Yes, we''re sure. They''ll take care of you. And if they don''t..." She glanced at the envoy, her eyes narrowing into a subtle but unmistakable threat. "We''ll know."

    The envoy cleared his throat, clearly eager to end the interaction. "If you''re done with your sentimental goodbyes, we''ll be leaving now. We have more important matters to attend to."

    "Yeah, yeah, take good care of him, or you''ll have us to deal with," Nyra said, waving him off. "Now go. We''ve got our own plans to deal with."

    As the envoy led Erik toward the shuttle, Nyra leaned back against the car, watching them board. Once the shuttle ramp closed and its engines began to hum louder, she turned to Lyra with a sly smile.

    He spun around and began furiously punching buttons on his desk, attempting to contact the mayor, but the call wouldn''t go through. Each failed attempt only made him more frantic.

    The commander watched him coldly, his expression unchanging. "It''s useless," he said flatly. "Your corruption has already been reported to higher authorities. If I''m not mistaken, the military police should already be at your location."

    As if on cue, the doors to the captain''s office burst open, and a squad of soldiers clad in black tactical armor stormed inside, their rifles trained on the captain.

    The captain froze, his face draining of color. "W-Wait! What is the meaning of this?! This is theft! Treason, I tell you!" He shouted, his voice cracking as he backed away, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

    One of the soldiers stepped forward and grabbed him by the arm, dragging him toward the door as the captain continued to shout. "Unhand me! This is a mistake! A terrible mistake! Do you hear me?! I''m the Captain of the City Guards! You''ll regret this!"

    The commander''s holographic form remained impassive, his voice firm as he issued his final order. "Take him to the military prison."

    The captain''s protests faded as he was dragged out of the office, his shouts echoing down the hall. Moments later, the sound of a transport ship taking off from the roof signaled the end of his career and likely his freedom.

    Back at the military command center, one of the commander''s officers stepped forward, his face a mix of irritation and disbelief. "Sir, are we really going to do what those... criminals told us to do?"

    The officer''s tone was laced with disdain, and the others in the room murmured their agreement, their pride clearly bruised by the events that had just unfolded.

    Stay tuned with empire

    The commander turned slowly to face his subordinate, his expression unreadable. "Yes," he said simply.

    "But, sir!" the officer protested, his voice rising. "They humiliated us! They manipulated us into doing their dirty work! We can''t just¡ª"

    The commander cut him off with a sharp glare, his voice steely. "Do you have any idea who or what those ''criminals'' are?"

    The officer faltered, his indignation giving way to uncertainty. "I... I know they''re powerful, sir, but¡ª"

    The commander stepped closer, his tone low and grave. "They''re not just powerful. They''re dwellers. Do you know what that means?"

    The officer swallowed hard, his bravado crumbling. "They''re... from the underground city," he muttered.

    "Exactly," the commander said. "And every time we''ve faced them, we''ve been wiped out. You''ve seen the footage. You''ve read the reports. These aren''t enemies we can fight with numbers or firepower. If we had engaged them directly tonight, we would all be dead by now."

    The room fell silent, the weight of the commander''s words sinking in.

 Chapter 187 The blood legion. (8)

    "But, sir," another officer ventured hesitantly, "if we comply with them now, what happens if they turn against us later?"

    The commander''s jaw tightened, and he looked out the window, his hands clasped behind his back. "Then we pray they don''t," he said quietly.

    The room remained silent after that, the officers exchanging uneasy glances as they returned to their stations. None of them dared to argue further, knowing full well that the commander''s decision was the only thing keeping them alive.

    As the commander stared into the night sky, he couldn''t help but feel a deep unease settle over him. Whatever the twins had planned, it was only the beginning, and he had the sinking feeling that the planet''s troubles were far from over.

    "Sister, we already have the perfect spot to watch the show." Nyra grinned as she gazed out over the sprawling night city, perched casually on the edge of a skyscraper rooftop.

    In the distance, the towering base of Nexum Dynamics loomed, its bright lights and sleek architecture standing in stark contrast to the chaotic storm brewing in the sky above.

    "Good," Lyra replied calmly, her crimson eyes focused on the holographic screen floating in front of her. She was seated cross-legged nearby, inputting commands with precision and speed. "Let me contact Cleopatra''s navigation AI to initiate the invasion."

    As Nyra craned her neck to watch the sky, Lyra''s fingers danced across her holographic interface.

    "Everything is ready, sister," Lyra said after a moment, closing her screens. "Now we''ll follow everything we learned from Master''s classes. She specifically told me to record this little skirmish. So behave yourself."

    With that, Lyra opened her backpack and retrieved several white, hand-sized metallic spheres. Without hesitation, she tossed them high into the air. The spheres shimmered as they ascended, transforming mid-flight into pristine white owl bots with glowing blue eyes and delicate metal feathers.

    "Whoa! Birdies!" Nyra''s eyes lit up, and she practically squealed with delight as she started snapping pictures of the robotic owls on her holo-watch. "Why didn''t Master ever show us these beauties before?!"

    Lyra couldn''t help but smile faintly at her sister''s antics as the owls spread their wings and gracefully soared toward Nexum Dynamics'' facilities. "She probably thought you''d name them something stupid," she teased.

    "Hmph!" Nyra pouted but quickly went back to marveling at the owls.

    Lyra adjusted her focus to the live feeds from the owls cameras, each view popping up on a separate holographic screen in front of her. "Well," she began.

    "I don''t know all the details, but Master once told me that Lilla gave her data on birds from humanity''s ancestral cradle world. After that, she spent days crafting different bird models. She looked so excited... I guess birds are just her thing."

    Nyra shrugged, waving it off. "Who cares about why? They''re awesome." She suddenly leaned forward, pointing at the sky with glee. "Oh! There they are! Look, Lyra! The drop pods! Let the storm of death begin! Hahaha!"

    From the sky, black-and-red Cleopatra-class drop pods streaked downward like meteors, their fiery descent lighting up the dark sky. They were aimed directly at Nexum Dynamics main facilities, and their sheer speed and size created an ominous rumble across the city.

    Nyra laughed like a maniac, her silver hair whipping in the wind. "The rain of doom falls upon our enemies, Nexum!"

    Nyra grinned mischievously, her eyes lighting up with excitement. "Efficient doesn''t mean boring! Let''s give them a show they''ll never forget!"

    As the first wave of black-and-red Aegis soldiers began dropping from the pods into the heart of Nexum Dynamics'' defenses, the chaos truly began. The twins, watching from their rooftop vantage point, knew this night was going to be spectacular.

    War is a cruel beast, and while some view it as a game of numbers and statistics, others see it as a chance to win honor, fame, and credits. Yet for many, war is nothing more than a cage, especially for those under the yoke of the megacorporations.

    They weren''t soldiers. They were ordinary citizens, everyday people you could find walking the streets, bound by contracts that left no room for escape.

    And in the wars of interest fought by the powerful, it was always these poor devils who paid the bitter price.

    <<Attention: All Rank 6 and Rank 5 personnel, report to the armories immediately. You are to arm yourselves and defend Nexum Dynamics assets. Any attempt to flee will be considered treason. Traitors will have their neural implants detonated. MOVE NOW.>>

    The message repeated endlessly over the facility''s loudspeakers, the cold, mechanical voice hammering the reality into the workers minds.

    Among the turf of conscripted "defenders" was Gustav, a Rank 5 office worker. He was a humanoid beast, a lionfolk whose body was mostly human-like, save for the golden fur that covered his skin and the majestic mane that framed his leonine face.

    Under ordinary circumstances, Gustav was a beacon of cheer and humor in the office, often cracking jokes to lighten the monotony of corporate life. But now, he stood in line with thousands of others, armed with a standard-issue laser rifle and dressed in combat armor that barely fit his frame.

    "Gustav, are you sure you''ll be okay without a helmet?" one of his office friends asked nervously as he adjusted his own ill-fitting helmet.

    Gustav turned to him and gave a toothy grin, his sharp fangs glinting under the facility''s cold lights. "Ha! Don''t worry about me," he said with forced bravado.

    "There''s no helmet big enough to cover this beautiful mane of mine anyway." He struck an exaggerated pose, shaking his golden mane dramatically as if he were modeling for a holo-ad.

    His friend chuckled weakly, trying to match Gustav''s lightheartedness. "Hahaha! Sure, keep doing that, and maybe the enemy will spare you so they can mount your head on their walls as a trophy!"

    The two shared a laugh, their voices strained with the weight of fear they didn''t want to show. But their brief moment of levity shattered when the skies above them lit up like fire.

    With a deafening roar, one of the drop pods crashed down from the heavens, slamming into the exact spot where Gustav''s friend had been standing.

    The impact was catastrophic. The ground shook violently, and the air was filled with the sound of twisting metal, crumbling concrete, and the wet crunch of bodies caught in the drop pod''s descent.

    Those unlucky enough to be directly under the pod were reduced to nothing more than red smears, while those within its shockwave were flung like ragdolls.

    Gustav was among the latter. The force of the impact sent him hurtling through the air, his rifle ripped from his hands as he was thrown into a nearby wall. He hit the ground hard, the world around him spinning as his ears rang with a high-pitched whine.

    For several moments, he could barely move. His vision swam, and the distant sounds of gunfire and screams felt like they were coming from underwater. The acrid stench of smoke and burning metal filled his nostrils, mixing with the coppery tang of blood.

 Chapter 188 The blood legion. (9) Gustav

    Gustav forced himself onto his hands and knees, his golden fur now matted with dirt and debris. He blinked rapidly, trying to clear his vision.

    The scene around him was chaos incarnate. The once organized rows of conscripted workers had been obliterated, replaced by craters, scattered limbs, and panicked survivors running in every direction.

    The drop pod that had caused the destruction hissed as its doors began to open, releasing a cloud of steam and smoke. Through the fog, Gustav could make out the silhouettes of figures stepping out.

    They moved with precision, their black-and-red armor gleaming ominously under the facility''s flickering lights.

    These weren''t regular soldiers. They were Aegis units.

    "Oh no..." Gustav whispered hoarsely, his voice trembling as fear clawed its way into his chest. He had heard stories of these monsters, unstoppable killing machines that could tear through entire battalions with ease. And now they were here, right in front of him.

    One of the Aegis units raised their weapon, a sleek plasma rifle that hummed with deadly energy, and once it was ready, it fired into the scattered workers. Screams erupted as beams of crimson light tore through the untrained defenders, leaving behind only smoldering corpses.

    Gustav dove instinctively, his heart pounding as he scrambled for cover behind a collapsed piece of machinery. His mind raced, his usual humor now replaced with sheer survival instinct.

    What do I do? What do I do?!

    "R-Retreat!" someone shouted from nearby, their voice cracking with panic. "Fall back to the second line of defense!"

    Gustav peeked out from his hiding spot, his eyes widening as he saw more drop pods descending from the sky. Each one landed with earth-shaking force, unleashing waves of Aegis units that moved with terrifying efficiency.

    The defenders meager resistance crumbled almost instantly, their desperate attempts to fight back proving futile against the overwhelming firepower and skill of their attackers.

    "This isn''t a fight," Gustav muttered to himself, his hands trembling as he clutched his head. "This is a massacre."

    The roar of engines drew his attention upward, and he spotted a squadron of Nexum Dynamics security drones swooping down to engage the invaders. The drones opened fire, their laser cannons lighting up the battlefield.

    But the Aegis units were ready. Several of them activated shimmering golden shields, deflecting the incoming fire with ease, while others returned fire with pinpoint accuracy, taking down the drones one by one.

    Gustav''s breathing quickened as he watched the slaughter unfold. Around him, workers and low-ranking officers alike were either cut down where they stood or fleeing in blind panic. The once-imposing facility was rapidly falling into enemy hands.

    A shadow loomed over him, and Gustav frozen. Slowly, he turned his head to see one of the Aegis soldiers standing just a few meters away, their crimson eyes glowing behind their helmet. The soldiers tilted their heads slightly, as if assessing whether Gustav was worth the effort of killing.

    Gustav''s instincts screamed at him to run, but his legs refused to move. His body was paralyzed with fear as the Aegis unit raised its plasma rifle; the barrel pointed directly at his chest.

    For the first time, Gustav felt a strange sense of pride ignite within him. Despite his fear, despite the humiliation he had endured under the gaze of those silver-haired devils, he couldn''t let it end here.

    Gritting his teeth, he rose to his feet, his legs trembling but steady. He gripped the device they had placed on his chest, his claws leaving faint scratches on its sleek surface.

    "They think I''m just going to roll over and follow their orders," he muttered to himself, his sharp teeth bared in a snarl. His golden mane shimmered faintly in the dim light as he squared his shoulders.

    But as much as he wanted to fight back right now, he knew it wasn''t the time. He needed to bide his time, gather his strength, and most importantly, he needed to survive.

    Gustav glanced at the device in his hand, his expression hardening. "Fine," he growled. "I''ll do what they asked. But this isn''t over... not by a long shot."

    With renewed determination, Gustav began walking toward the central command tower of the Nexum Dynamics facility. The air was still thick with smoke and the distant sound of battle, but he didn''t falter.

    The lion''s pride had been wounded, but it wasn''t broken. Something inside him had awakened, and if those silver-haired devils thought they could extinguish it, they were gravely mistaken.

    This wasn''t the end. For Gustav, it was just the beginning.

    "Sir! We can''t contact the city guards or the military defense forces!" shouted one of the Nexum Dynamics soldiers, his voice trembling as he furiously tapped at the console. He tried once more to establish a connection, but the static that buzzed through the speakers was the only response he got.

    The person in charge of the facility was a rank 3 humanoid octopus known only as Overseer Harlix, leaned back in his chair, his tentacles coiling and uncoiling as his glowing yellow eyes narrowed thoughtfully.

    Harlix was no ordinary corporate officer, he was ruthless, cunning, and known for his unwavering loyalty to the Nexum Dynamics Viceroy he served. A rank 3 officer was nothing to scoff at, and Harlix wore his authority like a second skin.

    "Mmm, I see," he mused, his voice smooth and cold, the tentacles on his face twitching as he spoke. "There could be only two reasons for this..."

    "Sir, what do you mean?" one of the soldiers asked nervously, his curiosity momentarily overriding his fear.

    Harlix''s golden eyes swiveled toward the soldier, making the man shift uncomfortably. "Either our communications are being jammed by this unknown enemy..." Harlix paused, his tentacles curling as he considered the implications.

    "And... and the other reason, sir?" the soldier pressed, though his voice was barely more than a whisper.

    Harlix''s tentacles flared slightly, his expression darkening. "The other reason," he said slowly, "is that the city guards and military defense forces have betrayed us." His voice was sharp now, cold and cutting.

    The soldiers in the room exchanged uneasy glances. The idea of betrayal sent a ripple of dread through them, and the tension in the air thickened.

    "It doesn''t matter which one it is," Harlix continued, his tone unshaken. "Right now, we need reinforcements. Contact the allied forces orbiting the planet. If the ground forces can''t help us, then we''ll call in the big guns."

    "Understood, sir!" one of the soldiers said, saluting before rushing off to relay the order.

 Chapter 189 The battle of Nakor.

    Harlix let out a slow breath as he poured himself a glass of an unknown, swirling purple liquid from a crystalline decanter. He swirled the glass idly, watching the liquid dance as he muttered, "This enemy... they think they can cripple Nexum Dynamics. Fools."

    After several minutes, the communication console crackled to life. A deep, authoritative voice came through, accompanied by faint background static. "This is the captain of the Harbinger-Class Battlecruiser under Nexum Dynamics command. State your purpose."

    The soldier manning the console straightened and spoke quickly, desperation leaking into his voice. "The Nexum Dynamics facilities on this planet are under attack by a powerful, unknown enemy! We are requesting air and land support immediately!"

    The voice on the other end was calm but clearly strained. "We can provide limited assistance. We''ll dispatch a few drop pods with ground troops and transport ships carrying tanks. However..." The captain paused, and the tension was palpable.

    "However what?" the soldier demanded, his voice rising in panic.

    "Air support is denied," the captain stated flatly.

    "What?! Why not?!" the soldier shouted, his tone teetering on the edge of hysteria.

    There was a pause, and when the captain spoke again, his voice was tinged with frustration and exhaustion.

    "We''re under attack ourselves. An unknown fleet has engaged us in orbit. Our fighters are already deployed defending the Harbinger and other vessels from enemy bombers. We cannot spare a single ship for air support. I suggest you prepare to hold the line on your own."

    The room fell silent, the soldier gripping the edge of the console as the captain''s words sunk in.

    "Good luck down there," the captain added, his voice devoid of emotion. "Harbinger out."

    The communication line went dead with a sharp click, leaving the soldiers and officers in the room dumbfounded.

    One of the younger soldiers broke the silence. "They''re under attack too? By who? What''s even going on here?" he asked, his voice trembling.

    Another soldier slammed his fist on the console, his frustration boiling over. "Damn it! This was supposed to be a corporate backwater! Who the hell is hitting us this hard?! First they jam our communications, then they take down the city guards, and now the military''s useless!"

    Harlix remained calm, though the faint twitch of his tentacles betrayed his rising irritation. "Enough," he said, his voice cutting through the rising panic like a blade. The soldiers fell silent immediately, their attention snapping back to him.

    "We don''t need to understand the who or why right now. All that matters is surviving this night," Harlix said while rising from his seat and placing his drink on the desk. He loomed over the room, his golden eyes gleaming with resolve.

    "Send all remaining personnel to the defensive perimeters. Lock down the central facility and prepare the automated turbines. If the enemy thinks they can simply waltz into Nexum property, they are sorely mistaken."

    "But sir..." one of the soldiers began hesitantly. "Without air support, we''re sitting ducks. The drop pods and tanks might not even make it to us in time."

    Harlix''s tentacles twitched as he glared at the soldier. "Then we buy time," he said coldly. "This is not up for debate. Either fight, or be swept aside like the worthless vermin you are."

    Following them was an enormous carrier, its size dwarfing anything in the remaining defense fleet.

    The ships bore no markings or insignias recognizable to the captain or his crew. Their credentials didn''t match anything in the database, and the flag they flew. a black banner emblazoned with a single winged figure, was utterly alien.

    "Unidentified vessels," the comms officer reported. "No records of their design or flag in any known database."

    Orlan''s jaw tightened. He had seen a lot in his career, but this? This was new. And new, in his experience, was rarely good.

    "Open a channel," Orlan commanded, his voice steady but firm.

    "Channel open, sir," the comms officer replied, his hands moving deftly over the controls.

    "This is Captain Orlan Valis of the Nexum Dynamics Battlecruiser Harbinger. You are entering Nexum-controlled space without clearance. Identify yourselves immediately, or we will consider your presence an act of hostility."

    The bridge fell silent as they waited for a response. Seconds ticked by, each one stretching into an eternity. Finally, the comms console crackled to life, but what came through wasn''t a response, it was a sound.

    A low, guttural hum echoed through the speakers, a noise that sent chills down the spines of everyone on the bridge. It was almost like a growl, deep and predatory.

    "Sir... no verbal response. Just... this," the comms officer said nervously, his hands trembling slightly as he adjusted the controls.

    The hum grew louder, more intense, until it became a deafening roar that forced several crew members to cover their ears. And then, just as suddenly as it started, the sound cut off, leaving only a cold silence.

    Orlan clenched his fists. "They''re toying with us," he muttered, his voice low and grim.

    "Sir! The unidentified vessels are locking weapons on us!" the radar officer shouted.

    "Shields to full power! All ships, prepare to engage!" Orlan shouted, his voice carrying the weight of a seasoned commander who had faced death more times than he cared to count.

    On the holographic display, the enemy ships began to fan out, their movements precise and methodical. The destroyers formed a protective perimeter around the carrier, while smaller ships, sleek, dart-like vessels began to pour out from the carrier''s hangars.

    "Enemy fighters inbound!" the tactical officer reported.

    Orlan''s mind raced as he calculated their odds. The destroyers and frigates in his fleet were no match for these alien ships, and the Harbinger could only hold its own for so long against an assault of this magnitude.

    "Focus fire on their carrier!" Orlan commanded. "If we take out their flagship, the rest of their fleet might scatter!"

    The Harbinger''s main cannons roared to life, hurling massive plasma bolts toward the enemy carrier. The destroyers and frigates followed suit, unleashing their full arsenal in a desperate bid to cripple the invaders.

 Chapter 190 The battle of Nakor. (2) Experimental reflector.

    "Saintess, the enemy fleet has locked their cannons onto us. What are your orders?" The officer in charge of the carrier''s defenses was already redirecting power from the main reactor to feed the shield generators, his hands trembling slightly as he awaited her response.

    Lilla, seated calmly in the captain''s chair with her usual poise, let out a small, serene smile that somehow diffused the tension in the bridge. "You already know what I''m going to say," she replied, her voice soft yet brimming with confidence.

    "I trust in the capabilities of everyone here. Do as you see fit."

    "Understood, Saintess!" The officer saluted sharply, his chest puffing with renewed resolve. "Powering up the experimental deflector! Countdown to activation: 10 seconds!"

    "10..."

    "9..."

    "8... 7..."

    "Enemy fire incoming!" another officer shouted, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.

    The enemy fleet unleashed a salvo of long-range artillery, missiles, and plasma beams toward the human fleet''s flagship carrier. The ammunition streaked across the void of space like a deadly rain of fire, colliding with the carrier''s shimmering energy shields.

    Enjoy exclusive content from empire

    It was both a dazzling and horrifying sight, like fireworks of destruction cascading across the shield''s surface, lighting up the blackness of space.

    "Energy shields at 64%!" reported the officer in charge of defenses. "At this rate, we can withstand two more full salvos, three if we''re lucky! I recommend switching to an evasive combat stance. Static formation is too risky!"

    The officer''s suggestion carried weight. In traditional space warfare, static combat stance was preferred for its precision and tight formations, ideal for maintaining control over the battlefield.

    However, it also made ships easier targets for overwhelming firepower. By contrast, the evasive combat stance prioritized mobility and survival, but at the cost of accuracy and coordination.

    "How long until the deflector is online?" Lilla asked, her calm voice cutting through the rising chatter like a melody. Unlike the officers, some of whom were visibly panicking, there wasn''t a trace of fear in her tone.

    "The experimental deflector is online, Saintess!" The officer called out, standing straighter as he delivered the good news.

    "Good," Lilla said with a nod. "Relay my orders to the destroyers: switch to an evasive stance. Have them harass the enemy fleet, circling around their formation. We''ll proceed to test the new experimental defense Professor Oscar provided us."

    Her voice was steady, decisive, and strangely reassuring. Even the most nervous officers seemed to regain their composure at her command.

    As if on cue, Professor Oscar stepped forward, his white lab coat flaring dramatically as he approached Lilla''s chair. His silver hair shimmered under the bridge''s lights, and his excitement was palpable.

    "Saintess," he said with a respectful bow, "may I have the honor of giving the first activation order for this device? This is, after all, its grand debut in battle!" His voice was brimming with anticipation, like a child about to unveil a prized invention at a science fair.

    Lilla gave him a small smile and nodded. "Go ahead, Professor."

    "Sir, not good!" The officer at the radar console shouted, panic evident in his voice. "The enemy fleet that retreated a few moments ago is back! And their main cannons are aimed directly at us!"

    Orlan Valis, captain of the Harbinger-Class Battlecruiser, grimaced as he glanced at the command screen. Alarms blared throughout the bridge, red alerts flashing across every console. For a moment, he sat in silence, letting the weight of the situation settle over him.

    Then, to the surprise of his officers, he laughed with a sharp, bitter sound that echoed over the chaos. "Ha! So, it seems that our own damn strategy has finally come back to bite us in the ass!"

    He slammed his hand onto the armrest of his chair, rising to his feet. His sharp, weathered eyes swept over the room, taking in the panicking crew.

    "Enough gawking! Get us out of here already! This battle is lost. I want coordinates for a retreat NOW!" Orlan shouted, his voice cutting through the noise like a whip.

    "Sir, communications are being jammed!" another officer called out, beads of sweat running down his face as he worked frantically at his console. "And... and the wormhole crew isn''t responding!"

    "What?! Put the wormhole device room on the main screen! Now!" Orlan commanded.

    The officer hesitated for only a second before pulling up the camera feed. The holographic display flickered, and the image of the wormhole device room filled the screen.

    The bridge fell deathly silent.

    The engineers and guards stationed in the wormhole room were sprawled across the floor, their lifeless bodies strewn about like discarded dolls. The walls were splattered with blood, and the wormhole device itself was eerily silent, its usual hum replaced by an ominous stillness.

    "What the hell..." Orlan muttered, his voice low and hollow. He could feel a cold dread creeping into his chest, but he shoved it aside. He didn''t have time to process the horror.

    "Enemy fire is incoming! Brace for impact!"

    The officer''s shout snapped Orlan back to reality. He grabbed the edge of his console as the Harbinger shuddered violently. Explosive rounds smashed into the ship''s energy shields, the bright flashes of impact lighting up the bridge.

    Some rounds missed the Harbinger entirely but struck the other ships in the fleet formation, turning them into fiery wrecks.

    "Shields at 47%! They won''t hold much longer!" The defense officer shouted, his hands flying over the controls as he rerouted power.

    "Divert all power to the engines and shields!" Orlan ordered. "Forget about firing back! Take us out of here NOW! We''ll flee until we''re out of range and can initiate a warp jump!"

    Orlan wasn''t just any captain; he was a seasoned veteran who had survived more battles than he cared to count. He knew that if communications were being jammed and the wormhole device was offline, the jamming device couldn''t have a massive range.

    If they could escape the enemy''s range, they could regroup and survive. Running without looking back was the only option.

    "But... but, sir!" one of the junior officers protested, his voice shaking. "What about the soldiers and mechanized cavalry we sent to the planet? And the civilians down there?! Are we just going to abandon them?!"

    Orlan''s expression hardened, his jaw clenching as he locked eyes with the officer. His voice, when he spoke, was cold and unyielding. "There''s nothing we can do for them. They''re already doomed."

    The officer flinched at those words.

 Chapter 191 The battle of Nakor. (3) Gray.

    "I won''t die with them," Orlan continued, his tone growing sharper. He placed his hand on the laser pistol holstered at his side, letting the implication hang heavily in the air. "And neither will anyone on this bridge. We are retreating. That''s an order. And I will not tolerate insubordination."

    The bridge fell into a tense silence as everyone processed his words. The officer who had spoken up hesitated, his hands trembling as he looked between his console and his captain.

    "Understood... sir," he finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.

    "Good," Orlan said, turning his attention back to the holographic map. "Now get us out of here before those bastards turn us into space dust!"

    As the Harbinger surged forward, its engines roaring with all the power they could muster, the rest of the fleet began to crumble. The smaller frigates and destroyers, unable to keep up or withstand the enemy''s firepower, were picked off one by one.

    The enemy fleet pressed their advantage, their sleek, alien vessels swarming like predators sensing a wounded prey. The Harbinger''s shields flickered as they absorbed another barrage of fire, the ship groaning under the strain.

    "Shields at 29%! Hull integrity is failing in multiple sections!"

    "Push the engines harder!" Orlan shouted. "We''re almost out of this; keep going!"

    But even as he gave the order, a sinking feeling settled in his gut. He knew the odds weren''t in their favor. The enemy was relentless, and the Harbinger was running out of time.

    "Sir, enemy fighters are closing in on our engines!"

    "Deploy countermeasures!"

    Explosions rocked the ship as the bridge crew scrambled to carry out Orlan''s commands. The captain gritted his teeth, his hands gripping the edge of the console as he stared at the map. The wormhole device was offline, the fleet was falling apart, and the enemy showed no signs of letting up.

    For the first time in years, Orlan Valis felt truly cornered.

    But he wasn''t about to give up. Not yet.

    "All hands," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos around him. "Prepare for an emergency warp as soon as we''re out of range. I don''t care if it burns the engines; just get us the hell out of here."

    The Harbinger surged forward once more, a lone battlecruiser fighting desperately to escape the jaws of death.

    As if to mock the desperate retreat of the Harbinger, the human destroyers stopped firing at the battlecruiser entirely. Instead, their attention turned to the other ships of the Nexum Dynamics fleet, the frigates, corvettes, and smaller support ships that couldn''t hope to stand against the sheer firepower of the human destroyers.

    One by one, the smaller ships were torn apart. Laser beams lanced through their thin armor, missiles obliterated their hulls, and the void of space became littered with the burning wreckage of what had once been Nexum''s proud fleet.

    The destroyers moved with surgical precision, picking apart the fleet like predators cornering helpless prey.

    For a moment, the twins sat in silence. The sounds of distant explosions and gunfire were faint in the background, a stark contrast to the serenity of their conversation.

    "That sounds like something Master would say," Lyra finally murmured, a small smile tugging at her lips.

    Nyra grinned. "Right? She''s annoyingly wise sometimes."

    The two shared a quiet laugh, the tension from earlier melting away as they enjoyed the moment of peace.

    But it didn''t last long.

    "Warning," Bloody, the twins AI companion, chimed in, its voice cutting through the stillness. "Scanners detect incoming enemy reinforcements. Large armored units are approaching from the northeast."

    Nyra''s crimson eyes lit up with excitement as she stood, carefully lowering Lyra from her lap. "Finally! I was starting to get bored."

    Lyra sighed, brushing dirt off her uniform as she stood. "You''re hopeless, Nyra. Can''t you ever take anything seriously?"

    Nyra smirked, crafting her blood-red twin blades. "What''s the fun in that, sis? Besides, you can handle the serious stuff. I''ll just do what I''m best at, kicking ass!"

    Lyra rolled her eyes but couldn''t hide the faint smile on her face as she summoned her own weapons. "Let''s just get this over with. We''ve still got a long night ahead of us."

    The twins leapt from the tank, their crimson eyes glowing brightly in the dark as they charged toward the approaching reinforcements. The battlefield was theirs, and tonight, they were unstoppable.

    Meanwhile, the reinforcements from the fleet had already made their way into the facilities of Nexum Dynamics. It was a respectable force for this kind of operation, consisting of roughly 300 infantry and 20 hover tanks, a well-rounded detachment equipped to handle most threats.

    The soldiers moved with precision, their boots crunching against the debris-laden ground as they fanned out to secure the area.

    "Sargent, is there any word from the battlecruiser?" One of the soldiers asked, his voice tinged with unease.

    The sergeant, a seasoned veteran with a scar running across his jaw, shook his head as he scanned the horizon. "Still nothing. Communications are likely jammed; nothing we haven''t dealt with before."

    He gestured sharply with his hand, signaling the squad to spread out further. "Doesn''t matter. Mission remains the same. We''re here to repel the invaders and regroup with the defense forces."

    "Sir," another soldier called out, crouching beside a scanner device. A holographic screen lit up, displaying blips of movement approaching from the east. "The scanner''s picking up multiple contacts heading this way."

    The sergeant leaned over, scrutinizing the data. His brow furrowed. "Have we identified them yet?"

    The soldier shook his head. "Not yet, sir. There''s no match in the Nexum Dynamics database, but given the circumstances¡ª"

    The soldier never finished his sentence.

 Chapter 192 The battle of Nakor. (4)

    A searing, precise laser shot pierced the air and struck him squarely in the head, disintegrating it in an instant. What remained of his helmet and skull clattered to the ground, followed by the lifeless body that slumped forward, still clutching the scanner.

    Blood splattered across the holographic display; the glowing dots now smeared with blue.

    "Enemy contact on the east!" The sergeant shouted out, his voice cutting through the sudden chaos. "Take cover!"

    He dove behind a pile of debris as more laser fire erupted, the precision of the shots indicating a highly skilled enemy. The other soldiers scrambled for cover, overturning crates, ducking behind metal barriers, and positioning themselves near the wreckage of damaged machinery.

    "Where''s the fire coming from?!" one of the soldiers shouted, his hands shaking as he readied his rifle.

    "East sector! They''ve got snipers!" Another soldier yelled back, blind-firing over a pile of rubble.

    The sergeant activated his communication unit, shouting orders. "Tanks, form a defensive line, and light up the eastern approach! Infantry, hold positions and suppress those snipers! Watch for flanking!"

    The hover tanks hummed to life, their engines emitting a low whine as they floated above the ground. Their cannons swiveled toward the east, and a moment later, the air filled with the deafening roar of explosive shells being fired.

    Bright orange projectiles streaked across the battlefield, detonating in a fiery cascade that lit up the night.

    The infantry opened fire as well, unleashing a barrage of suppressive laser fire into the darkness. The once-quiet facility was now a cacophony of explosions, gunfire, and shouted orders, the air thick with the acrid smell of burning metal and scorched earth.

    But the enemy wasn''t so easily deterred.

    From the shadows of the eastern sector, two figures emerged while moving with an unnatural grace and speed that sent a chill down the sergeant''s spine.

    "Sir... what the hell are those things?" One of the soldiers muttered, his voice trembling as he pointed at the approaching figures.

    It didn''t take long for the sergeant to realize these weren''t ordinary invaders. They were unlike anything he had ever encountered.

    The first figure, a young woman with long, silvery hair that shimmered like liquid moonlight, moved with an almost playful demeanor. Her crimson eyes glowed faintly in the dark, and she twirled two blood-red blades in her hands as if this were nothing more than a game.

    The second figure was identical to the first but carried herself with a colder, more calculated air. Her movements were precise, efficient, and deadly. Unlike her twin, she wielded a pair of sleek handguns, their barrels glowing faintly with energy.

    "Sis, do you think they even realize what''s happening yet?" Nyra called out, her voice carrying a playful lilt as she spun one of her blades and lazily deflected a stray metalic shot that had come dangerously close.

    Lyra sighed, reloading her pistols with a flick of her wrist. "I doubt it. Look at them; they''re still clinging to hope like it''ll save them."

    The sergeant grated his teeth. "Those two... they''re experimental subjests!." He spat the word like a curse. "Damn it! All units, focus fire on the two hostiles! Do not let them close the distance!"

    Before the sergeant could retort, Lyra''s voice cut through like a whip. "Sis, duck!"

    Without hesitation, Lyra lunged, tackling Nyra to the ground just as a massive mecha suit crashed into the space they had been standing in.

    The impact sent debris flying in every direction. Four more mechas landed behind it with a thunderous boom, accompanied by squads of militia soldiers armed to the teeth.

    The mecha suits were monstrous, towering three meters tall with gleaming black and silver armor. Tentacle-like appendages writhed menacingly from their backs, and their hands ended in claws that looked like they could rip a tank in half.

    A voice echoed from the lead mech, smooth and dripping with condescension. "Well, well. It seems we''ve finally found the little parasites causing all this chaos on my turf."

    Nyra and Lyra turned to see the pilot of the lead machine stepping forward, his arms crossed behind his back as if he had all the time in the world. Harlix, the infamous enforcer of Nexum Dynamics, surveyed the twins with a cold smile.

    "Sis," Lyra muttered, helping Nyra to her feet, "this guy... he''s different. Stronger than the rest. Probably their ace in the hole."

    Nyra rolled her eyes and brushed the dirt off her jacket. "Stronger? Smarter? Whatever. If they were hiding all this time and needed a sneak attack to make an entrance, it just means they''re cowards."

    She jabbed a finger at Harlix''s mech, her voice ringing out. "Come on, Tin can! Show me what you''ve got!"

    Harlix let out a slow, mocking laugh. "Oh, the irony. You''re calling us cowards? Didn''t your little squad drop in on us like thieves in the night? Or did you forget about those sneaky little pods you came in?"

    Nyra''s face twisted into an offended scowl. "Pods? PODS? I didn''t come here in a stupid drop pod, you overgrown vending machine! I walked. W-A-L-K-E-D." She raised her middle finger at him. "Take that, and shove it up your shiny metal a¡ª"

    "Vulgar," Harlix interrupted, his tone dripping with mock disapproval. "This is why I hate dealing with savages. You there," he gestured lazily to one of the mechs with a clawed hand, "take care of them for me. I''ve got better things to do than waste my time on this circus."

    The mech stepped forward, its tentacles snapping ominously as it closed the distance. The ground trembled beneath its weight, each step pounding like a drumbeat of doom. Nyra cracked her neck and grinned, gripping her blade tighter. "Oh, this is going to be fun."

    But before the machine could reach them, the ground began to quake violently. Small rocks bounced across the battlefield. Then, without warning, a section of the wall behind the twins exploded in a cloud of dust and rubble.

    From the debris emerged a massive Mauler juggernaut, its monstrous frame tearing through the wall like it was paper. The massive machine rammed into the advancing machine with a deafening roar, sending it flying backward.

    The unlucky soldiers behind it scattered like bowling pins as the mech slammed into them, sparks and twisted metal flying everywhere.

    Nyra watched the chaos unfold, her grin widening. "Well, well. Looks like the cavalry''s here."

    Lyra sighed, wiping dust off her face. "You''re impossible, you know that?"

    "Yeah, but you love me anyway," Nyra shot back with a wink, already gearing up for the next round of chaos.

    Harlix''s voice boomed over the battlefield, tinged with annoyance. "So... you''ve brought toys of your own. Fine. Let''s play."

 Chapter 193 The battle of Nakor. (5) The king of beasts.

    <<Several enemies detected. Threat level raised to Tier 2, middle. Enemy capabilities are superior to this unit. Proceeding to activate Overload. Engaging hostiles.>>

    The mechanized voice of the Mauler boomed across the battlefield, deep and cold, like the final verdict of a merciless executioner. Its towering frame, bristling with weaponry, loomed over the trembling militia.

    These weren''t hardened soldiers; they were just ordinary office workers, forcibly conscripted into Nexum Dynamics ranks. And now, staring down the barrel of an enraged Mauler Juggernaut, their knees buckled with terror.

    The Mauler, of course, didn''t care. Fear meant nothing to it. From its hulking shoulders, twin missile pods unfolded with a series of metallic clicks, locking into position.

    Then, without hesitation, it unleashed a storm of rockets. The battlefield erupted into chaos as missiles rained down on both the Nexum mecha units and the hapless militia.

    "This bastard! Dodge! Now! Engage it from all sides!" Harlix shouted, his usually calm tone cracking with urgency as he maneuvered his own mech away from the incoming barrage.

    "Understood, sir!" The remaining mecha pilots shouted back, scattering in different directions to evade the relentless onslaught.

    The militia, however, wasn''t as fortunate, or so it seemed. Amidst the chaos, one figure moved with startling agility. Gustav, a lion-like humanoid with muscles that bulged like steel cables, darted through the carnage, dodging missile impacts with animalistic grace.

    When he saw a missile heading straight for him, he let out a deafening roar, grabbed a nearby militia soldier with one massive handlike claw, and hurled them straight at the missile. The projectile detonated mid-air, the explosion lighting up Gustav''s wild grin.

    "Did you see that, sis!?" Nyra''s voice rang out, cutting through the chaos as she grabbed Lyra by the shoulders and shook her violently.

    Her eyes sparkled with excitement, like twin golden stars burning with ambition. "I NEED one of those missile-launching things! I swear, my dream of becoming the Queen of Destruction is finally within reach!"

    "Nyra! Stop shaking me!" Lyra yelled, struggling to regain her balance. "We need to get out of here, or we''re going to get stepped on by our own damn Mauler!" She pointed frantically toward the raging battle between the juggernaut and the Nexum mecha units, but Nyra was too busy gawking at the carnage to let go.

    Unbeknownst to them, a pair of predatory, yellowish eyes gleamed from the shadows, watching the sisters with a terrifying patience. The figure crept closer, step by step, unnoticed amidst the din of battle.

    Meanwhile, the Mauler Juggernaut continued its rampage, unstoppable in its overload state.

    "Surround it!" Harlix shouted, his voice cracking through the communications. "Don''t let it break free! Squad one, attack from range! Squad two, aim for the joints!"

    The Nexum mecha units attempted to close in, their tentacle-like appendages writhing as they tried to ensnare the behemoth. But fighting a Mauler in Overload mode was akin to wrestling a rabid bull during mating season. It was suicide, plain and simple.

    <<Feel the power of the Kaelzars!>>

    The Mauler''s voice thundered across the battlefield, and its plasma cannons, mounted on its forearms, finally reached full charge.

    Instead of the usual massive plasma blasts, the Mauler unleashed a barrage of smaller, rapid-fire plasma bolts, turning the battlefield into a deadly storm of golden fire. Each plasma bolt zipped through the air, striking mecha units and militia soldiers alike.

    Now, standing before her, was no cub. Gustav''s frame was twice the size it had been before, his muscles rippling with unnatural power.

    "Yeah, I remember you too," Gustav sneered. Then, with a deafening roar, he grabbed Nyra by the arm and swung her into the ground like a hammer slamming into an anvil. The ground cracked beneath the force of the impact, chunks of dirt and rock flying outward as Nyra let out a grunt of pain.

    "You''re gonna regret that!" Nyra shouted, summoning her crimson blade with a flash of red light. She swung it upward, aiming for Gustav''s face, but the lion only laughed. He released her arm and, in a lightning-fast movement, grabbed her by the ankle instead.

    "Nice try," Gustav growled. Then, with a roar, he spun her like a weightless doll and hurled her through the air. Nyra crashed into the crumbling debris of the collapsed wall, her impact sending another wave of dust and rubble into the sky.

    "Is that all you''ve got!?" Gustav shouted, his voice dripping with disdain as he flexed his claws. "Where''s that arrogant smirk from before, huh? Pathetic!" His laughter echoed across the battlefield, loud and guttural, as if he were drunk on his newfound power.

    But then, he felt it.

    Something sharp buried itself into his back.

    "Damn flea bag!" Lyra''s voice rang out, furious and raw.

    Gustav whipped around just in time to see Lyra standing defiantly, her twin pistols drawn and aimed at him. Her hands were steady, her violet eyes burning with anger.

    "Stay away from my sister!" she shouted, pulling the triggers.

    The weapons Cleo had designed for her were no ordinary pistols. Their specialized, high-velocity piercing rounds weren''t just for show, they could punch through armor strong enough to hold back Tier 3 low-class threats. The bullets tore through the air, leaving streaks of light in their wake as they struck Gustav.

    The lion roared in pain, staggering back as sparks flew from his chest and shoulders where the rounds had landed. He growled, glaring at Lyra, but the damage was real. Blood seeped from his wounds, staining his golden fur as he gritted his teeth.

    "Looks like the flea bag''s not so tough after all," Lyra said, her voice trembling slightly but still holding its edge.

    Gustav''s eyes narrowed, and his claws twitched. "You''ll pay for that," he snarled, his voice low and menacing.

    But Lyra wasn''t backing down. She readied her pistols again, her breathing steady. "You want some more? Come and get it, furball."

    Meanwhile, Nyra began to pull herself out of the debris, shaking off the dust and rubble with an irritated growl. Her crimson blade glinted dangerously in the dim light.

    "Sis," she muttered, her eyes glowing with fury as she locked onto Gustav. "Let me handle this."

    Gustav snarled, his grin returning despite his injuries. "Come on, then. Let''s see if you can actually hit me this time, little monster."

    The battlefield fell silent for a moment, the tension thick enough to cut with a knife.

    And then, with a roar that shook the very ground, the fight began anew.

 Chapter 194 The battle of Nakor. (6) Joining up.

    Gustav charged toward Nyra like a rabid beast, his claws tearing into the earth with every leap. But Nyra wasn''t scared.

    She dropped her favorite crimson blade with an almost casual disdain, her crimson eyes gleaming with dangerous playfulness. From her belt, she grabbed a small black orb and hurled it into the air just as Gustav lunged to strike her.

    Nyra, meanwhile, used Gustav''s own momentum against him, grabbing his massive claw mid-swing and using it to launch herself high into the air. Her agility was unmatched as she twisted gracefully mid-flight, and the black orb Nyra had thrown moments earlier began to transform.

    With a metallic sound, it unfolded into a two-meter-long scythe that shimmered ominously in the light.

    Nyra grabbed the weapon with both hands and swung it downward in a deadly arc, aiming to cut through Gustav. But the beast''s instincts screamed danger, and he dodged just in time, the scythe narrowly missing him by inches.

    "Hahaha! What''s wrong, little kitty?" Nyra taunted, her laughter echoing like a predator toying with its prey. "Not so brave anymore? Why are you running? Come on, let''s play!"

    Nyra charged forward, her movements like a deadly dance as she swung the scythe with a lethal elegance that was almost hypnotic. Each slash created arcs of crimson light, forcing Gustav to stay on the defensive.

    He roared in frustration, backing further into the chaotic battlefield where the Mauler and Nexum''s mecha suits were locked in their own devastating clash.

    With stray bullets, laser beams, and explosions erupting all around them, Nyra''s scythe swings became less precise as she focused on dodging the incoming chaos. Gustav, noticing her slight hesitation, smirked and bared his teeth.

    "What''s wrong, devil?" Gustav growled, his voice dripping with malice. "Not so tough anymore?"

    As if on cue, a stray laser beam blasted the ground near Nyra, forcing her to leap into the air to avoid it. Gustav seized the opportunity, lunging forward with lightning speed. His jaws clamped down near Nyra''s shoulder, teeth sinking deep into her flesh.

    "Ahhhh!" Nyra screamed in pain as blood poured from the wound.

    "Let go of me, you damn mongrel!" she yelled, her voice a mixture of fury and agony. Her hand shot to the laser handgun strapped to her thigh. In a flash, she aimed it at Gustav''s abdomen, but he was quicker.

    He released her shoulder just as she fired, dodging the shot with an almost mocking agility.

    Nyra staggered back, clutching her shoulder. Her breathing was ragged, and her crimson blood dripped onto the ground, staining the dirt. Panic flashed across her face as she realized something was wrong.

    "Wait... why am I not healing?" She muttered, her voice trembling. Her wounds, which normally were quick to close, remained open, the blood flow stubbornly refusing to stop.

    Gustav stood a short distance away, his face twisted into a cruel grin. His mouth was smeared with Nyra''s blood, making his already fearsome appearance even more grotesque.

    "Hahaha! This is all you''ve got?" Gustav taunted her, his voice laced with mockery. "Where''s that arrogant smile from before? Look at you now, bleeding like a scared little brat!"

    Harlix, who stood at a safe vantage point away from the chaos of the battlefield, turned his attention from the titanic clash between the Mauler and his mecha forces to the footage now displayed on his holographic tablet.

    He studied Gustav''s movements with a critical eye, the sound of battle outside fading into the background.

    "Mmm..." Harlix hummed thoughtfully, his metallic fingers drumming against the side of his armored mech. "While the results are promising, it''s far from ready for deployment. The subject is unstable; it uses its own allies as shields. That kind of unpredictability is too risky for widespread use in our forces."

    He closed the footage with a sharp flick of his hand and turned his gaze back to the scientist. "Continue monitoring the experimental subject. Every scrap of data will be invaluable in creating a more refined vaccine. One that''s... controllable."

    Before the scientist could respond, a spear crackling with electricity came hurtling toward Harlix. With a screech of metal and sparks flying, one of his mech''s tentacles snapped up just in time to block the projectile, though the force of the impact left the appendage visibly damaged.

    "What do we have here?" Harlix said with his voice calm yet tinged with curiosity as he turned to face the new arrivals. His glowing yellow eyes locked onto the figure who had thrown the spear, a man whose weapon flew back into his hand through a chain of crackling lightning.

    Harlix''s gaze sharpened. "Only two of you?" he mused aloud, tilting his head in mock disappointment.

    The spear-wielder stood tall, his aura crackling with the raw power of a storm. His weapon, now firmly in his grip again, glowed faintly with arcs of electricity that danced along its length.

    The other figure beside him was a stark contrast, a woman with flowing blonde hair that whipped wildly in the strong winds around them. She stood poised and serene, her eyes closed, as if she had no need to see the battlefield to fully perceive it.

    Harlix''s lips curled into a smirk. "Ah, I see now. Humans. That explains the abilities. Fascinating creatures, your kind. You always manage to defy logic, pulling powers from the brink of death itself."

    "I''ve spent years experimenting on your species, trying to unlock the secrets of your abilities. But... they always end up breaking." His voice rose with excitement, his words dripping with dark amusement.

    "Now, to have not one but two specimens with awakened abilities standing right before me... Oh, the possibilities!" His metallic claws clinked together as if in anticipation.

    "Surrender to me now, and I promise I''ll make the experience painless," he said while taking a step closer, his towering mech exuding an aura of dominance.

    The woman opened her eyes for the first time, piercing gray orbs burning with an icy fury that seemed to freeze the air around her. Her expression twisted into one of pure disgust.

    "Brother," she said, her voice calm yet seething with barely restrained rage, "we must take this creature alive. The suffering he has inflicted on our kind... It''s unforgivable. He deserves to be tortured until his wretched existence reaches its natural end."

    The man nodded, gripping his spear tighter. "Understood, sister. Leave him to me."

    Harlix chuckled, tilting his head. "Oh? You think you can capture me? What makes you think¡ª"

    He didn''t get to finish.

 Chapter 195 The battle of Nakor. (7) Tyrant-Class Heavy Infantry

    In an instant, the spear-wielder surged forward, the ground beneath him cracking from the sheer force of his leap. Lightning exploded from his spear as he thrust it toward Harlix''s mech with blinding speed.

    Harlix reacted quickly, his remaining tentacles snapping up to deflect the attack. Sparks flew as lightning met reinforced metal, and the sheer power of the clash sent shockwaves rippling through the air.

    The woman, meanwhile, raised her hands, and the winds around her began to howl. The air itself seemed to bend to her will, swirling into a deadly vortex that lashed out at Harlix''s mech. Pieces of debris and sharp fragments of metal were pulled into the storm, striking the mech with brutal force.

    Harlix growled, the playful edge in his tone replaced by irritation. "Ah, I see. You''re not ordinary awakened. Interesting. But if you think you can¡ª"

    A deafening crack interrupted him as the spear-wielder struck again, this time piercing one of the mech''s lower limbs. Electricity surged through the appendage, causing it to spasm uncontrollably before it collapsed under its own weight.

    Harlix stumbled but quickly regained his balance, his machine compensating for the damage. "Impressive," he admitted, his tone now cold and calculating. "But this is far from over."

    He unleashed a barrage of missiles from hidden compartments in his mech, targeting both the siblings at once. The woman, with a flick of her wrist, redirected the missiles with a powerful gust of wind, sending them spiraling harmlessly into the distance.

    The spear-wielder closed the distance again, his weapon glowing brighter with every step. Harlix readied his remaining tentacles to intercept, but before they could strike, the woman''s wind wrapped around her brother like a protective shield, propelling him faster than Harlix could react.

    With a roar, the man drove his spear into the mech''s chest, the weapon embedding itself deep into its core. Lightning erupted from the point of impact, causing Harlix''s systems to flicker as alarms blared inside the cockpit.

    "You''ve underestimated us," the woman said, her voice cutting through the chaos. "And now, you''ll pay for your sins."

    But even as the mech sputtered and smoked, Harlix''s laughter echoed ominously. "Do you think this is the end? You''re far more entertaining than I expected. Let''s see how far you can push me."

    With a sickening hiss, the mech began to transform, its damaged parts breaking away to reveal a sleeker, deadlier form beneath.

    Harlix''s new form stood in stark contrast to the towering bulk of his earlier mecha. It was sleek, streamlined, and deceptively simple in appearance, looking no more imposing than the standard power armor sold on the high-end black market.

    Yet, despite its lack of heavy weaponry or overwhelming size, the air around him seemed to hum with an unnatural energy. Harlix''s confidence was palpable, almost oppressive.

    "Mmm, this feels better," Harlix said, flexing his armored fingers and admiring his reflection in the glossy surface of his forearm. "A beautiful design, wouldn''t you agree? One of its kind. I poured everything into this armor, all my research, all my experiments."

    He turned his glowing yellow eyes toward the siblings, his voice brimming with sinister pride. "You humans were my greatest inspiration. While I can''t replicate some of your peculiar abilities, I''ve integrated the principles behind them into my technology. You should feel honored. You''re about to witness perfection in motion."

    Before anyone could react, Harlix vanished in a flash of light.

    Harlix''s laughter echoed again, this time more deranged. "Ah, there it is again! That magnificent power! Tell me, is it an extension of you, or something else?" He lashed out with his other whip, but the arm blocked that strike too, its sheer size and strength completely nullifying his attacks.

    Lilla stepped forward, her voice like ice. "You want answers, Harlix? Come and take them. But it''ll cost you more than you''re willing to pay."

    Her brother steadied himself, stepping into position beside her. The air around them began to shift and crackle, their combined powers surging to new heights.

    Harlix''s grin widened. "Oh, how delightful! Show me, humans! Show me the full extent of your pathetic resistance!"

    The ground trembled beneath their feet as the three combatants prepared to clash once more, the storm of their battle threatening to consume everything around them.

    While the main forces were locked in a chaotic clash outside, the twin legion had already infiltrated the heart of the Nexum facility. The defenders, who had once stood proud with their advanced training and weapons, fell like leaves in a storm.

    The Twin Legion''s superior armament and shielding, combined with their programmed battlefield expertise, made them an unstoppable force. Among Tier 1 units, they were unmatched, a nightmare of precision and efficiency.

    Leading the charge was a newly developed prototype, the Tyrant-Class Heavy Infantry, a masterpiece of Kalezar engineering. Towering over the standard Aegis units, this colossal war machine was the pinnacle of battlefield dominance.

    Its armor gleamed a cold, polished silver, reinforced to shrug off even the heaviest projectiles. Equipped with heavy plasma blasters capable of vaporizing multiple enemies in a single burst, energy shields that could absorb tremendous punishment, and melee disruptor blades that could slice through reinforced steel, it was both a juggernaut and a tactician.

    The Tyrant wasn''t just a brute. Unlike the standard Aegis units, it was imbued with advanced tactical algorithms, making it not only a relentless killing machine but also a highly competent battlefield commander.

    It could adapt, strategize, and lead its squads with chilling precision. In the hierarchy of Kalezar forces, it replaced the elite royal guards, now serving as both protector and officer to their generals.

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    Its voice boomed across the comm channels, cold and devoid of any semblance of humanity.

    <<Squads 4 and 5 hold positions and secure the first five floors. Do not allow any breaches. Remaining squads, continue advancing. Our objective is total purge of all personnel within the facility. Show no mercy.>>

    The squads moved with terrifying synchronicity, their boots pounding against the steel floors as they swept through corridors, leaving nothing but destruction in their wake. Defenders scrambled to regroup, but it was futile.

    Plasma bolts tore through cover like paper, and the advanced targeting systems of the Aegis Legion ensured no shot was wasted. Their energy shields absorbed return fire with ease, glowing momentarily with faint pulses of light before resetting to full capacity.

    There was no room for compromise or hesitation.

 Chapter 196 The battle of Nakor. (8)

    The Tyrant-Class unit itself was a sight to behold on the battlefield. Leading from the front, it unleashed a torrent of destruction, its heavy plasma blaster obliterating entire groups of Nexum defenders with each pull of the trigger.

    When enemies attempted to close the distance, its disruptor blade ignited, humming with deadly energy as it carved through anything in its path.

    One defender, desperate and panicked, trowed a grenade toward the advancing behemoth. The explosion was deafening, filling the hallway with fire and shrapnel. But as the smoke cleared, the Tyrant emerged unscathed, its energy shield flickering briefly before stabilizing.

    It turned its glowing red visor toward the attacker and raised its plasma blaster, firing a single shot. The defender didn''t even have time to scream.

    The Tyrant''s cold, mechanical voice echoed through the facility''s communications.

    <<Enemy resistance is minimal. Continue advance. Do not relent.>>

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    Unlike many of Cleo''s creations, this Tyrant unit had escaped the chaotic "touch" of the infamous Rex virus.

    Designed and deployed just before Rex had time to work his peculiar brand of programming magic, it remained a pure Kaelzar killing machine, perfectly functional, utterly ruthless, and devoid of anything resembling mercy or empathy.

    It was a monster in every sense of the word.

    Inside the Nexum facility, the defenders morale was breaking. They were outmatched on every front. The Blood Legion was relentless, a hurricane of death that tore through their ranks with calculated efficiency. Desperate cries echoed through the communications.

    "Fall back to the main research lab! We need reinforcements!"

    But there were no reinforcements. Outside, the Nexum forces were struggling just to survive against the Mauler and the other Kaelzar forces. Inside, the Twin Legion advanced like a machine-driven tide, clearing room after room with brutal precision.

    In one corridor, a group of Nexum defenders attempted to mount a last stand. They barricaded themselves behind overturned desks and crates, aiming their weapons at the advancing legion. The Tyrant-Class unit stepped forward, its disruptor blade humming to life.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Hold the line!" one of the defenders shouted, his voice trembling. "We can stop it!"

    The Tyrant tilted its head slightly, as if observing the barricade with cold curiosity. Then, with a single swing of its blade, it cut through the makeshift cover and the defenders behind it. Their screams were brief, lost in the sound of the blade''s deadly hum.

    Behind the Tyrant, the Blood Legion swept in to finish the job, their plasma rifles firing with mechanical precision. The corridor was silent once more, save for the crackle of burning debris.

    <<All resistance in Sector 3 neutralized. Moving to next objective.>>

    The Tyrant led its forces deeper into the facility. Nexum''s once-proud defenses were crumbling, and the experimental research stored within the lab was now at risk.

    But the Tyrant didn''t care. It didn''t feel pride or satisfaction. It didn''t feel anything.

    The blood mist and tentacles consumed vast amounts of energy, and even experienced blood clan warriors risked death if they pushed themselves too far.

    "Nyra, are you insane!? You can''t keep this up for long!" Lyra yelled, her eyes darting between her sister and Gustav as she tried to keep pace with the chaotic fight.

    Nyra grinned while her crimson eyes glowing with wild energy. "Don''t worry about me! I''ll be fine! This bastard isn''t going to make a fool out of us!"

    Gustav let out another bone-shaking roar, his claws raking through the air as he charged Nyra. Despite her enhanced abilities, she struggled to push him back. His raw strength was overwhelming, and his strikes came faster and harder with every passing moment.

    "What''s wrong with him!?" Nyra shouted as she dodged another claw swipe. "Is he getting stronger just to piss me off!?"

    "He''s probably using some kind of drug," Lyra replied while sprinting to avoid being crushed by one of the Mauler''s massive metallic feet as it stumbled nearby. "It''s got to be experimental; there''s no way he''s naturally like this. The way he''s acting... losing his mind has to be a side effect!"

    Nyra growled in frustration, her tentacles lashing out wildly, but Gustav managed to dodge most of them, closing the distance between them again.

    "AAAAAAAAH! This is all a mess! When Master wakes up, she''s going to beat us again!" Nyra''s voice cracked with a mix of anger and dread as she realized how out of hand the situation had become.

    She could already imagine Cleo''s furious face as she surveyed the aftermath of the battle.

    The blood loss.

    The destruction.

    The damage of the Mauler while fighting against the mecha units.

    Gustav is going berserk.

    Just the thought of it sent a shiver down her spine.

    "Sis, focus! We can''t screw this up more than it already is!" Lyra shouted while trying to keep her sister''s attention on the fight as Gustav lunged toward them again, his roar splitting the air.

    As the Mauler continued its slow, staggering rampage, the twin sisters knew they were running out of time. If the battlefield didn''t break first, they would.

    But Nyra wasn''t about to let that happen. "Alright, flea bag," she growled, her tentacles coiling tighter as the crimson mist around her thickened. "If you''re not going to go down quietly... then we''ll see who runs out of strength first!"

    On top of one of the Nexum facility rooftops, the battle between Harlix and Lilla''s brother raged with unrelenting ferocity. The steel structure beneath them groaned under the weight of their clash, the air crackling with energy and the smell of scorched metal.

    Harlix fought with almost mechanical precision, his attacks coming in relentless waves. From medium range, his electrified whips lashed out like serpents, sparking and hissing as they tore through the air.

    When he closed the distance, which he did often, thanks to his teleportation, he switched to his devastating fists. Each punch was an explosion waiting to happen, causing bursts of fire and shockwaves upon impact.

 Chapter 197 The battle of Nakor. (9) The lady in white.

    Lilla''s brother dodged with all the agility his powers could muster, his spear flashing with electricity as he parried and counterattacked. But Harlix''s teleportation made it nearly impossible to keep him at bay.

    Every time he created a bit of distance, Harlix would disappear in a blink and reappear right in his face, forcing him back into close combat where Harlix had the upper hand.

    "Come now, is this all you''ve got?" Harlix taunted, his voice dripping with mockery as he swung his electrified whip. It cracked through the air like thunder, narrowly missing Lilla''s brother, who ducked just in time.

    "You''re quick; I''ll give you that," Harlix continued mocking him with a wicked grin spreading across his face. "But how long can you keep running? Sooner or later, your little tricks will run out, and then... well, let''s just say you''ll have the honor of becoming my next experiment."

    Lilla''s brother gritted his teeth, sweat dripping down his face. His spear glowed brightly as he channeled more energy into it, the air around him crackling with lightning. He lunged forward, thrusting the spear directly at Harlix''s chest.

    But before the attack could land, Harlix vanished.

    "Too slow," Harlix''s voice echoed from behind him.

    Before he could react, Harlix''s fist connected with his back. The impact triggered a fiery explosion that sent Lilla''s brother flying across the rooftop. He landed hard, rolling several times before stopping near the edge.

    The only thing that saved him from being incinerated was the protective air current that surrounded him, cushioning the worst of the blow.

    "Brother!" Lilla''s voice rang out, sharp, and panicked.

    Harlix turned to her, his glowing yellow eyes narrowing as his grin widened. "Don''t worry, dear. You''ll be next. Though I must admit, I''m far more interested in you. That second ability of yours, the way that arm materialized earlier? mmmm, so fascinating. Is it a projection? A construct? Or something... deeper?"

    Lilla said nothing, her piercing gray eyes locked on Harlix. Her hair whipped wildly in the wind as she raised her hands, the air around her beginning to swirl.

    "Ah, still giving me the silent treatment?" Harlix chuckled. "That''s fine. I''ll extract the answers myself after I''m done dissecting your brother, of course."

    Lilla''s brother pushed himself up, clutching his spear tightly as he stumbled back to his feet. "You''re not touching her, you bastard!" He snarled, even though blood was dripping from his lip.

    Harlix tilted his head, almost amused. "Oh, how noble. And foolish."

    He raised his whips again, the electrified tendrils sparking with lethal energy. In a flash, he teleported behind Lilla''s brother once more, the whips cracking through the air as they struck toward him.

    But this time, Lilla was ready.

    The massive white arm materialized again, intercepting the whip mid-strike. Its sheer size and strength were enough to stop the attack cold, the tendrils sparking uselessly against its surface.

    Harlix''s grin faltered for a moment, his yellow eyes narrowing as he studied the arm. "Ah, there it is again. Magnificent. Truly magnificent."

    He extended his hand toward her, his expression a mixture of greed and admiration. "Come with me, child of humanity. Together, we could uncover all the secrets of your kind. Imagine it! The full potential of humanity unlocked! I promise it won''t be painful."

    Lilla stopped her tracks. For a moment, she closed her eyes, tuning out the sounds of the battlefield and Harlix''s voice. She stood still, as if lost in her own memories.

    She remembered the day Rex had saved her and her brother. They had been on the verge of death, hunted and abandoned, their lives slipping away. Her brother had awakened his abilities in the heat of desperation, a phenomenon so many humans had experienced before. But hers... hers had been different.

    Years ago, when Rex had transported them to the underground city, she had been just a little girl. The new environment, a world of endless artificial light and cold, suffocating darkness that had crushed her spirit. No sun. No stars. No sky. Only darkness and cold, metallic silence.

    She had spent her days crying, hiding her tears from her brother, who was doing his best to keep her safe. When the lights of the city''s homes were extinguished at night, plunging the streets into total darkness since back before the city had implemented public lighting, she would sit alone, sobbing quietly.

    And every night, as the darkness surrounded her, she would close her eyes and pray.

    In her mind, she would picture Rex. not as the man he was, but as the glowing figure of pure white light she had seen when he saved them.

    That image had burned itself into her memories, a figure of hope, warmth, and protection. She clung to it with every fiber of her being, repeating the same prayers every night while tears streamed down her face.

    And then, one night, she fell asleep mid-prayer.

    When she awoke, she found herself in a place she couldn''t explain.

    It was a garden of pure white, glowing softly with an ethereal light. The trees, the flowers, the grass, even the decorations around her were luminous and pristine, as if the world itself had been sculpted from starlight.

    "Where... am I?" Lilla whispered while standing and brushing herself off. She looked around, her voice trembling with both awe and fear. "Is anyone here? H-hello?"

    A soft, melodious voice responded, carrying a warmth that soothed her immediately. "Hello, child of Gaia."

    Lilla froze, her heart racing with fear, since even though the voice was beautiful, she hadn''t seen anyone nearby. She spun around, her small hands clutching her chest.

    When she turned, her breath caught in her throat.

    Before her stood a woman of indescribable beauty, radiant and otherworldly. She wore a flowing white dress that seemed to shimmer with the light of the stars, her long silver hair cascading down her back like liquid moonlight.

    Her eyes were the same shade of gray as Lilla''s, but they seemed infinite, like a deep ocean of wisdom and peace. Her skin glowed faintly, the same pure white as the garden around her.

    "W-who... are you?" Lilla asked, her voice barely audible.

    The woman smiled, her expression gentle. "Do not be afraid, little one. I am here because you called me."

 Chapter 198 The battle of Nakor.(10) Lilla dream.

    "I... called you?" Lilla stammered, confused.

    "Yes," the woman said softly, kneeling down so that her face was level with Lilla''s. "You prayed, night after night, for something more, for hope, for light, and here I am."

    Lilla stared at her, tears forming in her eyes. "Am I... dead?"

    The woman laughed softly, shaking her head. "No, child. You are alive. More alive than you''ve ever been." She reached out, her glowing hand resting gently on Lilla''s head.

    "But you have a gift, little one. A gift that will bloom when the time is right. And when it does, you must use it to protect those you hold dear."

    "I have a gift? What gift? I have nothing, you know? I''m just an orphan, the same as my brother. I have nothing like that." Lilla''s innocent blue eyes stared up at the lady in white, confusion etched into her young face.

    The lady in white chuckled softly, her voice like the chiming of distant bells. She reached out and placed her glowing hand on Lilla''s cheek, caressing it gently.

    "It''s not a material thing, my dear. This gift is something the creations of Gaia have in many forms. But your kind... your kind doesn''t yet understand how to use it." Her silvery-gray eyes locked onto Lilla''s, as if peering into the very depths of her soul.

    Lilla tilted her head, her childlike curiosity unshaken. "But if I don''t know how to use it, then what''s the point of having it?"

    The lady in white let out another laugh, shaking her head with a smile that was equal parts maternal and mischievous. "Ah, the wisdom of a child. Always so direct. Let me explain it this way: Gaia, the great mother, has already given you two gifts, ones you''ll understand in time. But as your aunt, I feel it''s only fair that I offer you something of my own, don''t you think?"

    Lilla blinked, confused. "My... aunt? I don''t have an aunt."

    The lady''s smile grew wider, though it now carried a playful, devilish edge. "Not in the way you think, child. Let''s just say I''m a distant... relative." She stepped closer, her glowing white dress shimmering like a starry night sky.

    "But there''s a catch. You see, the rules say we cannot interfere with the creations of Gaia. We''re supposed to maintain order in things. Yet, here I am, breaking several of those rules just by talking to you." She winked mischievously. "So what''s a few more broken rules between family?"

    The glowing woman''s smile twisted into a sly grin as she raised a single finger, tapping it lightly against her chin. "How about this? In exchange for your soul, I''ll give you another gift. Something special. Something... unique."

    Lilla''s eyes widened. She took a step back, clutching her small hands to her chest. "My soul? What''s that? Can I really sell it to get a gift?" Her innocent gaze was so pure, so earnest, that the lady in white found herself flustered for a moment.

    The radiant woman cleared her throat, shifting uncomfortably under Lilla''s unfiltered curiosity. "E-ehem. Yes, you can. And best of all, it''s not something you''ll even miss or feel like you''ve lost. So what do you say?"

    Lilla tilted her head, her brow furrowing in deep thought. "Well, can I sell the gift you give me to get money?"

    And yet, as the years passed, Lilla began to realize that she wasn''t blind, at least, not in the way she had thought. Her new eyes saw what others couldn''t. They revealed truths hidden beyond the physical world, glimpses of the divine and the monstrous alike.

    Through trial, error, and perseverance, she learned to control the gift the lady in white had given her. She also came to understand the other two gifts Gaia had bestowed upon her, just as the lady had said.

    These abilities, combined with her unwavering faith and determination, made her a beacon of hope for humanity.

    In time, she became known as the Saintess of the Human Race, the one who carried the light of Gaia and stood as humanity''s shield.

    "Your promises mean nothing to me, Harlix," Lilla said with her voice calm but firm. "I''ve seen the light. And you... you''re nothing but a shadow pretending to understand it."

    The two massive white arms beside her began to shift, their shapes becoming more defined and more solid. The air around her hummed with energy, as if the entire battlefield had begun to bend to her will.

    Harlix''s grin wavered slightly, his curiosity tinged with something else, unease.

    "Let me show you," Lilla said with her voice sharp as a blade, "the strength humanity doesn''t need you to understand."

    "Well then! Show me your capabilities!" Harlix shouted with his voice tinged with manic glee as he vanished in a flash of light, reappearing directly behind Lilla. His electrified fists crackled with deadly energy, aimed squarely at her back.

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    But before he could strike, the two glowing white hands materialized beside her with blinding speed. They moved as though alive, their massive fingers clamping down on Harlix''s arms with a crushing grip.

    "W-what!?" Harlix''s confidence faltered as he struggled against the ethereal hands that now hoisted him into the air like a ragdoll. He twisted and writhed, but the hands grip was unyielding.

    For the first time in years, he felt powerless. "How... How did you know where I was going to appear?!"

    Lilla turned her head slightly, her glowing gray eyes gazing in his direction. Her expression was calm, serene even, as though she had already anticipated every move he would make.

    "This is fascinating!" Harlix exclaimed, his tone shifting back to his usual manic excitement despite his predicament. "Do you have clairvoyance? Precognition? Oh, you''re the best specimen I''ve ever found! I want to dissect you already!" He laughed, his voice echoing across the battlefield like a madman on the verge of an epiphany.

    But then something shifted.

    Harlix tried to teleport again, but nothing happened. His body shimmered faintly for a moment, as though trying to blink out of existence, but he remained firmly in place, suspended by the glowing hands.

 Chapter 199 The battle of Nakor. (11)

    "What... What is this?" he muttered, his excitement rapidly giving way to confusion. He concentrated harder, but his teleportation still refused to activate.

    His voice grew louder, more frantic. "What''s going on?! Why can''t I teleport? I still have energy to do it... this... this shouldn''t be happening! What is this sorcery!?"

    For the first time in years, Harlix felt a cold sensation creeping into his chest: fear.

    Lilla remained silent, her calm demeanor unshaken. The glowing hands lifted Harlix higher into the air, their grip tightening. The once-confident Nexum commander now dangled helplessly, his arms pinned and sparks flying from his armor as the ethereal grip disrupted the flow of energy within it.

    "You don''t understand, do you?" Lilla finally said with her voice soft yet carrying an edge sharp enough to cut steel. She took a single step forward, her gray eyes glowing faintly as the air around her seemed to hum with an unseen power.

    "You''re not fighting a mere human, Harlix. You''re fighting someone who exists beyond your comprehension. You can teleport across the battlefield, but in my eyes, you''re always exactly where you''re meant to be."

    Harlix''s glowing yellow eyes narrowed as he snarled. "You... you dare talk down to me!? I am Harlix! I have transcended mere mortal limitations! You''re nothing more than a toy to me! A lab rat! Release me at once!"

    But Lilla ignored his outburst. She raised her hand, and the glowing arms responded instantly, slamming Harlix into the ground with enough force to crater the rooftop. His armor screeched in protest as cracks began to spread along its surface.

    Harlix groaned, stunned by the impact, but his pride refused to let him show weakness. "You think this is enough to stop me?" He spat, his voice venomous. "I''ll¡ª"

    Before he could finish, one of the glowing hands pressed down against his chest, pinning him in place. The weight was immense, as though an entire mountain had been placed on him. For the first time, Harlix felt the cracks in his composure deepening.

    "What... are you?" he whispered, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

    Lilla took another step forward, the wind around her swirling in a steady rhythm as if responding to her presence. "You said earlier that my race is fragile," she began, her tone measured and deliberate.

    "That we have no claws, no fangs, no natural armor to defend ourselves. And you''re right. Humans are fragile. We are weak. But that''s why we''re strong."

    Her words carried a weight that made Harlix pause, his struggling momentarily ceasing.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    "Unlike you, Harlix," she continued, her glowing eyes locking onto his, "we don''t rely on our bodies alone. We adapt. We endure. And when the world pushes us to the brink, we rise higher than you can imagine."

    The glowing hands lifted Harlix again, holding him aloft as if presenting him to the heavens. Lilla''s voice grew colder, sharper. "You think you''ve unlocked the secrets of humanity, but you''ve missed the most important one; we are more than the sum of our parts. You are not fighting a weapon. You''re fighting a soul."

    The weight of her words made Harlix''s mind race. For the first time, his endless arrogance began to crack. "You... you''re lying," he hissed, though his voice lacked its usual conviction.

    Lilla raised her hand once more, and the glowing arms began to compress around him. Sparks erupted from his armor as the pressure increased, and for the first time, Harlix screamed, not out of anger but out of desperation.

    With a thunderous blast, the last of the Nexum mechas fell. The Mauler stood victorious, its massive frame looming over the battlefield like an unstoppable juggernaut. Though damaged, it was far from defeated. It let out a mechanized roar, signaling the end of its hunt.

    On the other side of the battlefield, the fight between Gustav and the twins, was also nearing its conclusion.

    Gustav had proven to be a formidable opponent, his raw strength and ferocity pushing the twins to their limits. But his inability to heal had become his downfall.

    Every wound the twins inflicted on him, every slash, every bullet, slowly chipped away at his combat capabilities. Blood dripped from his tattered body, pooling around his feet as he panted heavily, his once-pristine golden fur now matted and stained red.

    The twins, on the other hand, had a distinct advantage, Cleo''s blood pills.

    These pills, no larger than marbles, were small miracles of science. Each one contained a full liter of compressed blood, harvested from donors after rigorous health screenings in the underground city.

    Once swallowed, the pill''s protective coating dissolved in the stomach, instantly releasing its contents and replenishing the user''s energy and healing abilities.

    At first, the twins had struggled to adapt to the sensation of drinking so much blood so quickly, but with time and training, they had grown used to it. Now, in long battles like this one, the pills were indispensable.

    "Sis, I''ve run out of pills! Gimme some of yours!" Nyra shouted while panting heavily as she dodged another of Gustav''s furious swipes. Read exclusive adventures at empire

    Lyra''s eyes narrowed in irritation. "No way! This is why I told you to stop using that blood mist technique so recklessly, but do you ever listen to me? No!" Despite her protests, Lyra sighed and tossed a few pills to her sister.

    Nyra caught them mid-air with a grin. "Heh, stop your bitching, will ya? I''ve almost got that flea bag handled! Just a couple more hits, and he''s done for!"

    She pointed toward Gustav, who stood in the distance, his body covered in deep gashes and cuts, blood dripping from his wounds. His missing eye had clearly thrown off his balance and reflexes, making him increasingly vulnerable.

    "Well then," Lyra snapped, pointing her gun toward Gustav, "why don''t you go suck his blood instead of stealing mine?!"

    "Like hell, I will!" Nyra shot back, popping a pill into her mouth. Her crimson eyes flared briefly as the blood surged through her system, restoring her strength. She jabbed a finger at her sister. "The only manly blood I''ll ever have inside me is Rex''s! I''m not a cheater like you!"

    Lyra''s face turned crimson as she blushed furiously. "W-WHAT!? How am I a cheater?!" she shouted, her voice cracking slightly. "Even I only drink blood from female donors! I have standards!"

    Nyra smirked mischievously. "Yeah, sure. ''Standards.'' Whatever you say, sis."

    The two of them began bickering loudly, completely ignoring the half-dead lion-man in front of them. Gustav, bloodied and enraged, growled deep in his throat as he watched the twins argue. His single eye twitched with barely contained fury.

    "Can you two bitches shut up already?!" he roared, his voice shaking the ground beneath them.

 Chapter 200 The battle of Nakor. (12) The fall of the Lion.

    The twins turned to him, both blinking in surprise as if they had forgotten he was there.

    "Oh, you''re still alive?" Nyra said casually, twirling her crimson blade.

    "Impressive," Lyra added with a smirk. "I thought you''d have bled out by now."

    Gustav let out another roar, louder and more feral, before charging at them in a final, desperate attack.

    "You''ve got this, sister! I''ll cheer for you... from a safe spot!" Lyra called out with a mischievous grin, making an exaggerated leap backward to put as much distance as possible between herself and the charging Gustav.

    "Hmph! What safe distance''? You''re clearly running awa¡ª!" Nyra''s words were cut off as Gustav barreled into her, his massive frame slamming into her with the force of a freight train.

    The bloody mist surrounding her absorbed much of the impact, dulling the force of the charge, but it wasn''t enough to stop her from being sent flying across the battlefield. As she tumbled through the air, her crimson eyes glared in frustration.

    Using her tentacles to anchor herself mid-air, she retaliated. The blood-red tendrils shot forward, piercing through Gustav''s leg and shoulder like crimson spears.

    "Gotcha, you overgrown furball!" she snarled while the tentacles anchored Gustav to her as they crashed together, smashing into debris and rolling across the ground in a chaotic whirlwind of claws, blood, and rubble.

    When they finally came to a stop, Nyra groaned, pulling herself to her feet. Gustav wasn''t far, still tangled in her tentacles, but he struggled against their hold, his injured leg and shoulder dripping with blood.

    "Ha! Did you like that, stupid flea bag?!" Nyra taunted, her blood-streaked grin defiant. She summoned her crimson blades and slashed at his chest in a quick arc. The strike landed at point-blank range, carving another deep wound across his torso. Blood sprayed, staining the ground beneath them.

    "Tsk, you''re too damn hard!" Nyra growled in frustration. Her blade had cut through his skin, but not deep enough to cause serious damage. It was like trying to carve through solid stone.

    Gustav let out a guttural roar, his eye blazing with primal rage. Despite his injuries, he lunged at her with renewed ferocity. Nyra tried to dodge, but with her tentacles still impaling him, his movements dragged her along, forcing her into close quarters.

    His massive claws tore into her, landing several devastating hits that sent her staggering back.

    "Now, sis! Throw him up!" Lyra shouted from a safe distance, her voice cutting through the chaos.

    Nyra grated her teeth. "Fine! But you owe me for this one!" With a loud, defiant yell, she poured all her remaining strength into her tentacles.

    They coiled tightly around Gustav''s limbs, straining as she lifted him into the air. Her muscles burned, and veins popped along her arms as she forced the beast upward.

    "Take him!" Nyra shouted, lifting Gustav high into the sky with a powerful heave.

    Lyra turned to the freshly arrived 4th Blood Legion Squad, their crimson armor gleaming as they marched into position, plasma rifles already raised.

    The twins locked eyes for a brief moment, exchanging a wordless nod that spoke of trust, understanding, and just a hint of sibling exasperation.

    Nyra, now visibly calmer after their intense battle, walked toward the broken Gustav, her bloodied tentacles retracting into her body. The crimson mist around her dissipated, leaving only her striking crimson eyes and a face that bore an almost serene expression.

    The beast, Gustav, was barely holding onto consciousness. His remaining yellow eye flickered weakly, his chest rising and falling in shallow, ragged breaths. Blood pooled around him, staining the ground in a crimson river.

    "Well," Nyra began, her voice unusually soft, "seeing as how hard you trashed me around, I have to admit... you''ve earned my respect." She knelt down and sat cross-legged in front of Gustav, casually resting her elbow on her knee as she stared at his eye.

    "You''re a beast of pride and strength; I''ll give you that. So... is there something you want to say? You know, any last words?"

    Gustav let out a low, guttural growl, summoning the last of his strength to speak. His voice was hoarse and cracked, but his words carried the weight of his stubborn pride.

    "I have... nothing to say... to a devil," he rasped before coughing up blood and spitting it defiantly onto the ground near Nyra''s feet.

    Nyra tilted her head, her crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "A devil?" she repeated, her voice calm but curious. "I''m not a devil, you know. I''m just a normal member of the blood clan." She gave him a faint smile, almost playful in its innocence.

    She gestured to the battlefield around them, at the bodies, the rubble, and the destruction that still smoldered from the chaos. "Besides, is all this really so unusual these days? Even you used your allies as shields to survive. Did you forget that already?"

    Gustav''s jaw tightened as though he wanted to argue, but his body betrayed him. His remaining strength was fading fast, and his vision was turning black.

    Nyra sighed as she leaned forward slightly, her gaze softening. "Mmm, I guess you can''t talk anymore, huh? That''s too bad. It''d be a shame for someone like you, a beast with this much fight in you, to just die in a place like this."

    She tapped her chin thoughtfully before grinning. "You know what? I''ve decided. I''ll save your life. But in exchange... you''ll belong to us."

    Her voice turned light and playful, almost as if she were joking, but there was no mistaking the sharp edge of dominance in her tone. "Be sure to say thanks when you wake up!"

    Those were the last words Gustav heard before his consciousness finally slipped away, his body going limp against the rubble.

    Nyra stood up, brushing the dust off her clothes with a small huff. "Ha... how I wish those online novels about the blood clan were real."

    Lyra, who had been watching from nearby, raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean? What stories?" she asked with her voice tinged with curiosity.

    Nyra waved a hand dismissively. "You know, those popular ones where they say we can turn people into blood clan members by biting their necks and pouring a little of our blood into them. Simple, clean, and effective."

    She started gesturing enthusiastically as she continued, "Like, imagine if we could just bite him, give him some of our blood, and boom! Instant blood clan member! I read all these stories when I was bored and stuck with nothing to do."

    Lyra frowned slightly. "And how do you know it doesn''t work?"

 Chapter 201 Aftermath.

    "I asked the blood assassins, of course," Nyra replied nonchalantly, crossing her arms.

    "They told me that because our bodies are a mix of different blood types like beast blood, human blood, synthetic blood, and so on, it''s impossible. Apparently, if we shared our blood with someone, it''d probably kill them. Something about ''compatibility'' or whatever."

    She paused, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly. "Honestly, I stopped paying attention after they said it was impossible."

    Lyra let out a small hum, tilting her head in thought. "I see... I''ll have to ask them about it later." She glanced around the battlefield, gesturing to the debris and smoldering destruction surrounding the facility. "So, what now? What are we going to do with all this mess?"

    Nyra stretched her arms over her head, letting out a dramatic yawning. "Mmm, well, the Mauler''s done wrecking stuff, the Blood Legion is mopping up the leftovers, and I''ve got a new ''pet'' over here. So, I say we leave the cleanup to everyone else and go grab a drink."

    Lyra narrowed her eyes. "Seriously? Do you even understand the kind of disaster we''re going to have to explain to Master Cleo when she sees this mess? The entire facility is in ruins!"

    Nyra grinned, unfazed. "Oh, come on. Master Cleo expects this kind of chaos when we''re involved. Besides, it''s not that bad¡ª" She gestured toward the carnage, where half the facility lay in smoldering ruins, corpses, and shattered equipment littering the battlefield.

    "Okay, maybe it''s a little bad. But still! We got the job done, didn''t we?"

    Lyra pinched the bridge of her nose, muttering under her breath, "I swear, you''re impossible." She glanced toward the unconscious Gustav and sighed. "Fine. But what are we going to do with him?"

    Nyra''s grin widened. "Oh, that''s easy. We patch him up, chain him up, and bring him back to the underground city. Once he wakes up, we explain the new terms of his life: ''You work for us now.'' Simple, right?"

    Lyra stared at her sister, unimpressed. "And if he refuses?"

    Nyra''s grin turned sharp. "Then I''ll remind him who saved his sorry hide. Trust me, he''ll fall in line."

    The two sisters stared at each other for a moment before Lyra sighed again, shaking her head. "Fine. Let''s wrap this up before it gets worse."

    With that, the twins turned back toward the battlefield; the Blood Legion units were already securing the perimeter around the facility. The chaos was finally settling, but they both knew the real challenge would come later... explaining this disaster to Cleo.

    "Think she''ll let us off the hook this time?" Nyra asked as they walked.

    Lyra gave her a flat look. "Not a chance."

    While the twins were busy arguing about how to come up with an excuse to avoid the beating Cleo would undoubtedly give them once she saw the catastrophic mess they''d left behind, Lilla and her brother quietly approached.

    The twins immediately froze, their bodies tensing as the voice registered in their ears. They exchanged wide-eyed glances, their playful attitudes vanishing in an instant.

    "Ys?!" Nyra blurted out, instinctively reaching for her weapon, though she didn''t draw it.

    Lyra, still seated, straightened herself, her usual composure faltering as her hands twitched toward her pistols. "You''ve been here this whole time?"

    Lilla, however, remained completely calm, her serene expression unchanging. "I was wondering when you were going to say something," she said while tilting her head slightly toward the source of the voice.

    There was a faint shimmer in the air behind Lilla, like light bending around an invisible figure. Then, slowly, a small woman emerged from invisibility, her figure materializing with an almost ghostly grace.

    She was as petite as she was radiant, with shimmering light green hair that fell in delicate waves down her back. Her mischievous green eyes sparkled like emeralds, and her smile was sharp and teasing, like a cat toying with its prey.

    She leaned over Lilla''s shoulder, her arms wrapped around the saintess in a loose hug.

    "Mmm? Are you sure you''re blind?" Ys purred, tilting her head playfully as she nuzzled her cheek against Lilla''s. "Everyone says you are, but I think you''ve been fooling them this whole time. You see far more than you let on, don''t you?"

    The twins watched in stunned silence, unsure of how to react to the sight of Ys casually draping herself over Lilla like they were old friends.

    Lilla remained calm with her expression unchanging. "If you''re trying to provoke me, it''s not going to work," she said simply. "But if you''re here, then I suppose you''ve already handled the fleets?"

    Ys giggled softly, pulling back slightly but keeping her arms around Lilla''s shoulders. "Oh, you could say that. Mother doesn''t like loose ends, so she made sure none of the megacorp fleets ever got the chance to retreat. Let''s just say their''reinforcements'' are going to be... very late." Her tone was light, but the undertone of malice was unmistakable.

    Nyra, finally snapping out of her stunned silence, frowned deeply. "And what are you doing here, Ys? Shouldn''t you be off causing chaos somewhere else?"

    Ys glanced at Nyra with a sly grin. "Oh, I was curious about how you two were handling things, of course. And, well..." Her gaze flicked to the destruction around the facility, the scorched ruins and bloodied ground. "Let''s just say you didn''t disappoint. It''s such a lovely mess you''ve made."

    Lyra sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "We''re going to hear about this from Master Cleo later, aren''t we?"

    Ys laughed, releasing Lilla and stretching lazily. "Oh, without a doubt. But don''t worry too much. You''ve still got me on your side, after all~"

    The twins exchanged a weary glance. The day wasn''t even over, and yet the aftermath was already shaping up to be just as chaotic as the battle itself.

    Orbiting the planet Hanarix, the once-mighty Allied fleet lay in ruins, reduced to little more than drifting debris. Massive chunks of twisted metal floated aimlessly through the void, the remnants of once-proud supercapital ships that had stood as the pride of the Allied forces.

    Fires burned silently in the vacuum of space, and faint explosions rippled through the scattered wreckage as surviving ammunition stores detonated sporadically.

 Chapter 202 Aftermath. (2) Allied fleet.

    Here and there, small pockets of resistance could still be seen from desperate survivors aboard broken frigates and escape pods clinging to life, firing their last futile shots at the overwhelming enemy.

    But the sheer number of the Khryssari swarms, the relentless biomechanical horrors birthed by the Hive Minds, made resistance an exercise in futility.

    The swarms moved with terrifying coordination, overwhelming even the smallest pockets of survivors.

    Their smaller vessels darted like ravenous insects, while their larger, grotesque dreadnought-class organisms loomed ominously, tearing through what remained of the Allied fleet with horrifying efficiency.

    The survivor''s cries for help and last-ditch efforts to fight back amounted to nothing. It was no longer a battle; it was a slow, inevitable slaughter.

    Farther out, the supercapital-class ships of the Hive Minds floated like monstrous gods, their organic-metallic hulls pulsing faintly with a sinister glow.

    These titanic vessels, forged in the unfathomable depths of the Hive''s biomechanical forges, had utterly obliterated the Allied supercapitals in a battle that could only be described as one-sided carnage.

    The Allied fleet, despite its size and advanced technology, had been no match for the Hive''s relentless onslaught.

    The Hive Mind''s ability to adapt and overwhelm its enemies with sheer numbers and evolving tactics had turned the tide of the battle before it even began. It was not a question of if the Allied fleet would lose, but when.

    And now, at 6:55 a.m. on the Year 5608 of the Imperial Galactic System, that question had been answered.

    Inside the control chamber of the Hive Capital Organism, an eerie biomechanical room lit by pulsating veins of green and blue bioluminescence, a transmission echoed through the organic walls.

    <<The complete annihilation of the Allied fleet has been confirmed; there were no survivors.>>

    The voice was cold and emotionless, transmitted directly into the neural network of the subconscious mind. It wasn''t spoken in words so much as it was felt; a thought passed from one node of the Hive to another, cascading across the collective consciousness like a ripple through still water.

    One of the Hive Mind''s overseer organisms, a grotesque fusion of flesh, metal, and glowing neural tissue hovered within the chamber.

    Its multitude of eyes blinked in unison as it absorbed the report. It reached out with a biomechanical limb to interact with the pulsating control interface, sending confirmation signals back through the swarm''s vast network.

    The overseer emitted a low, guttural hum, a soundless command picked up by the countless swarms still devouring the last remnants of the Allied fleet.

    "Aboard the remaining debris field," the survivors, those unlucky enough to have lived through the initial slaughter, were swiftly being hunted down.

    Escape pods drifted aimlessly, their distress beacons pinging futilely into the void. One by one, the Khryssari hunters latched onto them, their razor-sharp appendages tearing through the hulls with terrifying ease.

    Inside, terrified crew members screamed as the hunters ripped them apart, their final moments lost to the cold emptiness of space.

    Pax placed the cigar-like object to his lips and took a long, deliberate inhale, the jelly glowing faintly as he did. A minute later, he exhaled, releasing a cloud of iridescent smoke that lingered in the air, making his face tentacles shiver with pleasure.

    Satisfied, he reclined into his custom-made chair, its cushions adjusting perfectly to his form. His glowing eyes locked onto the servant.

    "Now," he began, his tone smooth yet cold, "tell me in detail what has occurred."

    The servant swallowed nervously, bowing his head as he summoned several holographic screens in midair. Each screen displayed reports, visuals, and sensor data from the Nexum facility in question.

    "Understood, Lord Pax," the servant began. "As I mentioned earlier, one of our facilities in the commercial world, designated Hanarix, was attacked a few days ago. We''ve since lost all communication with them. There''s been no response to any of our attempts to re-establish contact."

    Pax lazily waved his hand as if swatting away a fly, scrolling through the holographic displays with apparent disinterest. The screens showed the aftermath of the battle, the ruined structures, burning debris, and extensive signs of combat. But Pax barely glanced at it.

    "I don''t see the issue here," Pax said with his voice laced with disdain. "Send the defensive fleet in that sector to eliminate the offenders. That''s why they exist, is it not? Don''t waste my time with trivialities."

    His glowing eyes shifted to the servant, now burning with a faint but unmistakable killing intent. Pax''s hatred for wasted time was legendary since he viewed it as the most unforgivable of offenses.

    The servant stammered, beads of sweat forming on his pale forehead. "O-of course not, my lord! There''s more to it than that!" He bowed deeply, trembling as he continued. "The issue is... we''ve also lost contact with the defensive fleet in that sector."

    Pax''s tentacles twitched in irritation, but the servant''s words had caught his attention. His demeanor shifted from annoyance to curiosity while he leaned forward slightly, his glowing eyes narrowing.

    "Interesting. If I''m not mistaken, the Allied Fleet is stationed in that region as well. What''s the status of their forces?"

    The servant hesitated, fumbling with his holo pad as he tried to find the relevant information. "We... we''ve received no communication from them either, my lord. All attempts to contact them have also failed. Their last report came in shortly before we lost contact with the region entirely."

    Pax frowned, with his interest now fully piqued. With a flick of his hand, he summoned a larger holographic screen in front of him and began pulling up live news feeds, scanning for any reports from the Hanarix sector.

    As the feeds loaded, his face darkened. There was nothing, no updates, no chatter, no signs of life from one of the busiest sectors under his control.

    "Show me their last report," Pax demanded, extending his hand impatiently.

    The servant quickly transferred the report to Pax''s screen. A smaller holographic display appeared before the viceroy, detailing the Allied Fleet''s final communication.

    The report began as a standard transmission, showing the commanding officer of the Allied Fleet standing aboard his flagship. The background noise suggested urgency but no immediate panic.

    "This is Admiral Voss of the Allied Fleet," the officer said, his tone brisk but composed.

    "We''ve encountered unexpected resistance in the Hanarix sector. Enemy forces are... unlike anything we''ve encountered before. Requesting reinforcements immediately."

    The transmission glitched briefly, and when it resumed, the tone of the broadcast had shifted drastically. Alarms blared in the background, and the admiral''s face was pale with his composure slipping.

 Chapter 203 Awkward message

    "hostile forces are too numerous! they''ve broken through our defensive line! by the stars, what are these things? they''re not..." the signal faltered and was replaced by a cacophony of white noise.

    when it continued once more, the feed was in disarray. it was filled with screams and the sounds of combat. the admiral had reappeared, this time with blood on his face and sparks flying behind him. "do not send reinforcements! i repeat, do not¡ª"

    the dark screen announced the end of the transmission with startling suddenness.

    pax sat back in his chair, his face unreadable as the hologram dissolved. his tentacles twitched faintly, betraying his growing irritation.

    "well," he said after a moment, his tone deceptively calm, "it seems this is no ordinary rebellion."

    "my lord... what should we do?" the servant asked hesitantly.

    pax exhaled deeply, the iridescent smoke from his cigar-like object swirling around his head.

    "contact high command. request immediate intelligence on the status of the hanarix sector. and send word to the nearest remaining fleets; i want this situation contained immediately. if reinforcements are needed, pull them from other sectors."

    the servant bowed deeply. "at once, my lord."

    as the servant scurried out of the room, pax leaned back in his chair, his glowing eyes narrowing as he gazed out the window at the paradise world''s serene landscape.

    "whatever this is," he murmured to himself, "i''ll make sure it doesn''t disrupt my schedule." his tentacles twitched as a dark grin spread across his face.

    several months had passed since the infamous battle of nakor, where humanity had achieved the unthinkable, the conquest of facilities owned by nexum dynamics, one of the galaxy''s most powerful megacorporations.

    the news spread like wildfire across the planet and beyond, leaving the nearby sectors stunned.

    since no one could believe it.

    the human race, those fragile creatures that no one had even considered valuable enough to purchase as slaves for labor, had now seized a piece of the galaxy''s most powerful economic empire.

    for centuries, humans had been regarded as the weakest of the slave races. too physically frail to mine the harsh asteroid fields, too biologically fragile for front-line war service. the only purpose they had served was as entertainment for the depraved or as disposable test subjects for medical experiments.

    but now, the same "weak" humans had defeated a military force owned by nexum dynamics, a feat no one had expected, let alone believed possible.

    for some, this was a cause for awe. whispers spread across the sectors about the human''s newfound strength and cunning. rumors flew that they had developed some kind of miracle technology or that they had allied with forces even the megacorporations feared.

    for others, however, it was seen as foolishness. history has proven time and time again that taking a megacorporation''s facility was the easy part. the hard part was keeping it.

    retaliation from a megacorp was always swift and brutal, delivered with overwhelming force. those who defied them often vanished without a trace, their names erased from history, their stories forgotten.

    but months passed.

    and the facilities remained under human control.

    in one of the converted administrative buildings, now headquarters for the human forces, saintess lilla sat quietly in her chambers. the room was modestly decorated, reflecting her calm and serene personality. morning light streamed through the windows, illuminating the soft white of her robes.

    after a long pause, lilla let out a soft sigh, her lips curling into the faintest of smiles. "go on," she said to the bird.

    the little robotic creature clicked its beak, preparing to play the next message.

    the robotic bird chirped softly as it prepared to play the second message. lilla, already bracing herself after the first chaotic recording, leaned back in her chair with a small sigh.

    the maids, who had been silently pretending not to exist after the previous awkwardness, stole curious glances at the bird, wondering what fresh chaos was about to unfold.

    the bird''s beak clicked open, and the recording began.

    "lyra! are you sure the first message was deleted?" ys with her familiar childlike voice asked, her tone a mix of suspicion and impatience.

    "i''m sure... probably..." lyra''s voice replied, sounding equally impatient. "anyway, just say it correctly this time! i don''t want to delete it again!!"

    ("you didn''t delete it at all...") lilla thought to herself, her expression remaining calm, though a faint sigh escaped her lips.

    there was a pause, followed by the sound of someone clearing their throat dramatically.

    "ehem, well then, little lilla," ys began, her voice filled with pride, "i have come bearing good news, bad news, and... probably... a gray one! which one do you want to hear first?"

    "ys, you know she can''t see you, right?" one of the twins interrupted, her voice laced with exasperation. "stop making those weird poses."

    "and you also need to know this is just a voice recording. there''s no interactive interface," the other twin added, her tone equally unimpressed.

    a long silence followed.

    "..."

    "this... these little...!" ys''s voice trailed off, and then the sound of chaos erupted in the background. thuds, muffled cries, and the distinct sound of someone''s suffering could be heard as ys presumably "educated" her companions.

    lilla''s brow twitched slightly. the faint redness in her ears was starting to creep back as the maids exchanged awkward glances again, unsure whether to laugh or continue pretending they hadn''t heard anything.

    after a few minutes of background discipline, ys''s voice returned, sounding far too cheerful for the situation.

    "ehem! now that my two servants have been properly educated, we can finally talk in peace."

    "alright," ys continued. "let''s start with the bad news! the megacorp is still sending spies, pirates, and mercenary fleets to attack you guys every so often. they''re annoying, but, well, that''s what megacorps do."

    lilla''s expression darkened slightly, her gray eyes narrowing as she processed this information.

    "now for the gray news! my aunt is taking care of them for now yay!, but she said she''s keeping all the loot as payment. there''s nothing i can do about it since, well, my aunt is super scary!"

    despite the ominous nature of the news, ys''s childlike voice made the remark oddly adorable. lilla couldn''t help but let out a small sigh, her lips curling ever so slightly into a faint smile.

    "and now..."

 Chapter 204 Human council.

    "and now..." ys''s voice perked up, brimming with excitement. "for the good news! rex finally woke up! and he''s calling for you! that''s it! see you~!"

    "wait¡ª!" lilla wanted to say something, but the recording kept going.

    in the background, ys''s voice could still be heard shouting. "hey, you two! how long are you going to lie faint on the ground!? wake up already!"

    the next few minutes were filled with bizarre background noises. thumps, muffled protests, and what sounded suspiciously like the twins groaning in pain filled the recording. occasionally, ys could be heard giving orders or taunting the pair with funny remarks.

    "stop kicking me, ys!"

    "that''s what you get for calling me short!"

    "this is abuse! i''m telling rex!"

    "no one will believe you, lyra!"

    "nyra, wake up and help me!"

    "i''d rather die here..."

    finally, after several more minutes of incoherent chaos, the message cut off with a faint click as someone finally turned it off.

    <<end of the second recorded message.

    the bird clicked its beak shut, returning to its neutral, inanimate state. the room was once again enveloped in silence.

    the maids stared at lilla cautiously, waiting for her reaction. one of them bit her lip, clearly struggling not to laugh, while another busied herself tidying up an already spotless shelf to avoid making eye contact.

    lilla sat perfectly still, her face calm and serene as usual. but her slightly trembling hands betrayed the faint frustration she was trying to suppress. her ears, now fully red, twitched slightly.

    after a moment she let out a long, measured sigh. "i see... ys hasn''t changed at all," she murmured, her voice soft but resigned.

    one of the braver maids stepped forward. "saintess... should we prepare a response?"

    lilla shook her head, rubbing her temples as if trying to banish the lingering echoes of ys''s antics from her mind. "no. i''ll deal with them later."

    the maid bowed and stepped back, but another one hesitated before asking, "the... the good news, saintess. should we... prepare for your departure?"

    lilla hesitated, her composure momentarily faltering. her ears, already red with embarrassment, were thankfully hidden by the golden waves of her hair. "i''m sorry," she said after a moment, her voice remaining steady despite her shame. "the message was... a one-time use. i no longer have it."

    a few captains exchanged glances, surprised but not questioning her further. still, lilla could feel the weight of their curiosity, and she silently cursed ys and the twins for the chaos they had caused with their recording.

    clearing her throat, lilla quickly redirected the conversation. "i think we''ve strayed slightly from the main topic," she said with her serene tone, reasserting control over the room.

    "the reason i''ve called this meeting is to discuss two important matters: the full assault on the oceanic world and the ongoing efforts to secure and expand the facilities on nakor."

    she paused for a moment, allowing the murmurs to settle. then, with a graceful wave of her hand, one of her templars stepped forward. the templar placed a small device in the center of the table, and within seconds, several holo screens sprang to life, displaying footage of rex during his infamous battle on the oceanic world.

    the footage showed rex locked in combat with a massive aquatic beast, his movements precise and ferocious as he wielded weapons of immense power. the battle was both brutal and awe-inspiring, the kind of fight that seemed ripped from legend.

    but as the footage progressed, it became clear that rex''s victory had come at great cost. both he and the beast had inflicted devastating damage on each other, and the final moments of the battle showed the two collapsing into the ocean together, one dead and the other heavely injured.

    the room fell silent as the footage ended. lilla''s gray eyes scanned the captain''s faces, searching for their reactions. "and so," she said softly, "i want to hear everyone''s opinions about the angel."

    one of the destroyer captains, a grizzled veteran with a scar running down his cheek, leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. "if i''m being honest," he began, his voice blunt but respectful, "this angel you speak of doesn''t seem as impressive as the stories claim."

    gasps echoed from a few captains, but the man continued, unfazed. "yes, it''s true that he fought that beast head-on, and i''ll admit that''s no small feat. but in the end, the result was a draw¡ªthey took each other out. i don''t see how that qualifies him as the ''savior'' some of you claim him to be."

    another captain, a younger man with fiery red hair, immediately countered. "that''s not a fair assessment," he said sharply.

    "the fact that he could even match a creature of that size and power is proof of his strength. if anything, it shows his potential. with proper resources and recovery time, he could become the greatest weapon humanity has."

    the room quickly descended into debate, captains voicing their opinions both for and against rex''s importance. lilla remained silent, letting the discussion flow as she carefully observed each speaker.

    after a few minutes, she raised her hand, and the room fell silent once more.

    "i understand your concerns," she said gently with her voice, cutting through the tension like a blade.

    "and i value your opinions, but remember that the angel is more than just a warrior; he is a symbol of hope. hope for humanity''s survival and future, and whether or not you believe in his strength now, know that his return marks the beginning of a new chapter for all of us."

    the captains nodded solemnly, her words resonating deeply with them.

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    "now," lilla continued, her tone steady and commanding, "let us focus on the tasks at hand. the oceanic world and nakor''s facilities will be vital to our survival. we must ensure their security and efficiency. and for that, i''ll need all of your cooperation."

 Chapter 205 Human council. (2)

    "if i may ask," said one of the 4d holograms, a politician known for his sharp tongue and self-righteous demeanor.

    "i understand the need for these facilities on the world of nakor, but why exactly do we have to pay our so-called allies? shouldn''t they be helping us for the sake of mutual survival? it seems absurd to me that we are being taxed for what is rightfully ours."

    before lilla could answer, one of the destroyer captains, a gruff man with scars across his face from years of combat, slammed his hand on the table.

    "because no one works for free, you pompous fool. can''t you understand something as simple as that? would you send troops to conquer a whole facility and just gift it away without getting anything in return? are you seriously that stupid?"

    the politician''s hologram flickered as he leaned forward, his expression turning venomous. "how dare you speak to me like that, you uncivilized brute! this is precisely why muscle brains like you should not be allowed in an elegant discussion like this. you lack even the minimum education required to engage in proper discourse. honestly, it''s shock."

    the destroyer captain scowled, his fists tightening as he looked ready to retort.

    but before the escalating argument could spiral further, lilla''s calm voice cut through the tension like a blade.

    "stop fighting among yourselves," she said firmly, her gray eyes opening briefly and scanning the room. the entire chamber seemed to fall under her spell, her words commanding attention without the need for volume or force.

    "if we want humanity to rise again, we must cooperate. the military and the politicians must work together, not against each other. we don''t have the luxury of indulging in these petty quarrels, gentlemen."

    the room fell silent. even the holograms seemed to flicker in awkward compliance, as though the light they projected felt the weight of her authority.

    lilla tilted her head slightly, her tone softening as she asked, "can i take your silence as an agreement to let the assembly continue?"

    both the destroyer captain and the politician bowed their heads slightly, speaking in unison. "of course. sorry for the interruption."

    "thank you, gentlemen," lilla said while offering a dashing, disarming smile. it was a smile that could soothe even the fiercest of storms, and it worked perfectly to settle the tension in the room.

    she continued with her voice as calm and melodic as ever. "while the way the captain expressed himself may not have been the most appropriate, he is correct in principle. the taxes and payments our allies require are the price of the protection they provide. in exchange, they are offering defensive measures against the inevitable nexum counterattack."

    with a wave of her hand, the footage of rex''s battle on the oceanic world shifted to a new set of attack reports, showing detailed logs of pirate fleets, mercenary groups, and small rogue nexum forces that had attempted to assault the nakor sector in the past few months.

    "this is..." one of the politicians muttered, grabbing one of the floating holo screens and quickly scanning through the report. his eyes widened as he processed the sheer scale of the attempted attacks.

    "how is it possible that all these forces tried to attack us... but none of them made it here? not even one?"

    lilla''s expression remained calm, but there was a slight shift in her tone, a faint edge that hinted at the gravity of what she was about to say. "that''s one of the topics i wanted to inform you about today. it seems that our allies have formed... an agreement with the hive minds."

    the entire room froze for a moment, the weight of her words hanging in the air like a thundercloud about to burst.

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    "now, let''s refocus on the task at hand. the full assault on the oceanic world and the continued development of nakor''s facilities are critical to our long-term survival. i want detailed plans from each of you on how we can ensure their success."

    "if i may ask, holy maiden," the destroyer captain, who always seemed overly attentive toward lilla, spoke up, his tone deferential but carrying a hint of personal interest, "isn''t the oceanic planet already under the control of a megacorporation?"

    lilla, ever composed, nodded slightly. "that is what makes this situation so intriguing," she replied, her calm, melodic voice commanding the room''s attention. "while it is true that the oceanic planet was once under megacorp control, shortly before the battle with the tier 3 beast, it was sold to a ghost company."

    at her words, one of her maids gracefully stepped forward and adjusted the holographic device in the center of the table. the image shifted, displaying a detailed 4d hologram of the oceanic world, its shimmering blue surface dotted with swirling currents and glowing reefs.

    the captains and politicians exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves.

    "what you''re suggesting," one of the politicians said, his voice tinged with suspicion, "is that what happened to the luxury cruiser was planned by someone. and that the same party responsible for the incident also purchased the planet afterward?"

    "precisely," lilla replied with her expression serene but with an undercurrent of sharp intelligence.

    the room fell silent for a moment as her words sank in.

    one of the maids, standing beside lilla, took a step forward and activated another hologram. this time, it displayed the tier 3 beast rex had fought against, alongside images of other native oceanic lifeforms.

    the beasts were displayed to scale, their sizes and energy requirements annotated in detail.

    "the evidence we''ve gathered strongly suggests," the maid began, her voice clear and professional.

    "that the tier 3 beast was not a natural occurrence on the planet. for one, there was insufficient energy in the ecosystem to support such an evolution. none of the other local creatures had reached a tier or size necessary to trigger its ascension."

    she gestured toward the hologram, highlighting the massive size disparity between the tier 3 beast and the largest native lifeforms.

    "additionally, a creature of its size would require an enormous amount of food to sustain itself. if it had been present for any significant period, it would have wiped out the planet''s ecosystem within months. the data suggests it had been introduced shortly before the incident."

    the murmuring grew louder as the captains and politicians absorbed the implications of this revelation.

    "so," one of the older politicians said, stroking his chin thoughtfully, "you''re saying someone deliberately placed the beast on the planet?"

    the maid nodded. "exactly. and it would seem they did so with a very specific purpose in mind."

    another politician leaned forward, frowning. "think about it. a luxury cruiser wouldn''t knowingly visit a planet inhabited by such a dangerous creature. it would be suicide. the crew must not have known either. this whole thing... it smells of a setup."

    "it is as you say," lilla interjected gently, her soft voice silencing the growing chatter. "the beast''s presence was no accident. the timing of the sale of the planet, the appearance of the tier 3 beast, and the subsequent destruction of the cruiser are too closely aligned to be mere coincidence."

    the room fell quiet again as everyone considered the implications.

 Chapter 206 Human council. (3) Madame Rose.

    "and now," lilla said after a moment, her gray eyes scanning the table, "that we are all on the same page, i have a proposition to make." she allowed a slight smile to grace her lips, though her tone remained as measured and composed as ever.

    the captains and politicians leaned in slightly with their curiosity piqued.

    one of the destroyer captains cleared his throat, breaking the silence. "a proposition, holy maiden? if i may ask, what exactly do you have in mind?"

    lilla gestured to the hologram of the oceanic planet, the shimmering blue sphere spinning slowly above the table.

    "the oceanic world represents an opportunity. it is strategically valuable, not only for its resources but also for its location. however, its history has made it a target of interest for powerful factions."

    "the tier 3 beast, the mysterious sale to a ghost company, and the massacre of the cruiser all suggest that someone intended to destabilize the region." discover exclusive tales on empire

    one of the politicians frowned. "and yet, after all that, the planet is still unclaimed. if someone went to such lengths, why have they abandoned it now?"

    "perhaps they haven''t," lilla replied, her tone steady.

    the younger destroyer captain, still bristling slightly from his earlier exchange with the holographic politician, leaned forward. "and what is your suggestion, holy maiden? do you want us to take the planet by force?"

    lilla shook her head. "not by force, no. at least, not yet. instead, we must claim the planet with purpose. we must secure it not just militarily but also economically. establishing our foothold there will send a clear message to the galaxy."

    "humanity is no longer a fragmented race of outcasts. we are organized. we are determined. and we are not afraid to take what we need to survive."

    the room buzzed with murmurs of agreement, but one of the holographic politicians raised a hand.

    "forgive me, holy maiden," he began, his tone cautious, "but wouldn''t claiming the planet outright invite retaliation from whoever orchestrated these events? if they placed the tier 3 beast there, surely they could launch other... less conventional attacks."

    "that is why we must act swiftly and decisively," lilla replied. "our allies have already shown their ability to defend our holdings. the hive minds have intercepted every pirate, mercenary, and rogue force sent to attack us. their assistance will ensure that no outside force can disrupt our plans on the oceanic world."

    the mention of the hive minds caused a ripple of unease across the room.

    another destroyer captain, older and more gritty, frowned deeply. "with all due respect, holy maiden, relying on the hive minds is... risky. they''re unpredictable, and their motives are unknown. if we grow too dependent on their protection, it could lead to disaster."

    lilla nodded slightly, acknowledging his concern. "you''re right to be cautious. the hive minds are not allies in the traditional sense. they are a force of nature, and we must never forget that."

    "however, their interests align with ours, and we would be fools not to use this window of opportunity to strengthen ourselves."

    the room fell silent again as her words hung in the air.

    even as a hologram, the force of her personality was palpable. her stern, wrinkled face was framed by a luxurious mane of red hair, and she leaned on her iconic holographic cane, which flickered faintly with a regal golden hue.

    despite her age, her voice carried the authority of a battlefield general and the sharp wit of a seasoned diplomat.

    for a moment, there was an awkward silence, as if the entire room held its breath.

    "hold on, madame rose!" lilla exclaimed, standing up from her seat in alarm. her usual composure gave way to genuine concern. "please don''t exert yourself! you have to take care of your health!"

    madame rose turned her holographic glare toward lilla, her cane pointing accusingly at the younger woman. "oh, shut it, you too, girl! i''m healthier than the brains of these bastards, which are clearly full of shit!"

    her cane swung dramatically toward one of the politicians and one of the destroyer captains, who both looked down in shame, unable to meet her eyes.

    the council chamber was deadly silent now, no one daring to interrupt madame rose.

    madame rose, after all, was more than just an older stateswoman. she was a living legend. as the founder of the human council of ten, she had been instrumental in shaping the fledgling human empire after their liberation.

    her personal wealth rivaled that of the galaxy''s lesser nobles, and her contributions to the empire''s budget accounted for nearly 50% of its total funding.

    but even more than her influence and wealth, she carried a secret few in the council knew: she was lilla''s adoptive grandmother, a relationship that granted her immense sway even over the holy maiden herself.

    though this fact was kept from the general populace, those within the council knew better than to challenge madame rose''s authority.

    madame rose huffed loudly, as if daring anyone to object. "now, where were we?" she said with her tone dripping with sarcasm. "ah yes, the part where you''re all acting like a bunch of spineless fools. let me make this very clear: lilla will be going to meet the angel."

    "but, madame rose¡ª!" one of the politicians shouted, only to be cut off by the sharp tap of her cane against the holographic floor.

    "don''t you ''but'' me, you miserable idiot!" madame rose snapped. "you lot seem to forget that humanity didn''t claw its way out of slavery by cowering in fear! yes, it''s dangerous. yes, it could be a trap. but sitting on our asses and doing nothing is far more dangerous. or do you all intend to keep hiding behind lilla''s skirts forever?"

    the captain she had pointed at earlier flinched as if physically struck.

    madame rose continued with her voice rising with passion. "the angel is awake. and if you all had half a brain between you, you''d realize that means something is about to happen. something big. he''s not calling for lilla out of boredom; there''s a reason, and she''s going to find out what it is. do i make myself clear?"

    the council chamber was silent, the weight of her words pressing down on everyone like a physical force.

    lilla, still standing, let out a soft sigh and smiled faintly. "madame rose, please don''t scare them too much," she said gently with her tone affectionate.

    "hmph, if they''re scared, they deserve it," madame rose muttered, though the corners of her mouth twitched as if suppressing a grin.

 Chapter 208 The storm that is approaching.

    lilla sighed softly; her gray eyes remained closed as she answered. "i will say this only once. try not to make rude remarks while you''re here. the machines aboard this ship are fiercely loyal to their leader, and they won''t forgive you for insulting him, even unintentionally. be careful of your tongues."

    the maid nodded quickly, her face pale as she straightened her posture.

    the group continued in silence; the soft hum of cleopatra''s systems was the only sound as the bot maid led them through gleaming halls and automated doors.

    when they finally arrived at the gym, the doors slid open to reveal the vast space dominated by the massive pool. the water shimmered under the soft lighting, casting faint reflections onto the walls. but at first glance, the pool seemed empty.

    "are you sure he''s here?" one of the maids asked hesitantly while glancing around the room.

    the bot maid didn''t answer with words. instead, it raised a metallic finger and pointed toward the pool''s metallic stairs, where small ripples could be seen disturbing the water.

    everyone turned their gaze toward the stairs with curiosity mixed with unease.

    moments later, a figure began to emerge from the water. at first, they couldn''t make out much from the broad outline of someone rising slowly while the water cascaded down the figure''s body as they stepped closer to the edge.

    the first detail they noticed was his height since he was tall, easily over 2 meters, and his imposing presence was amplified by his silence. his long black hair clung to his face and shoulders, obscuring his features but giving him an almost ethereal, otherworldly appearance.

    then there were his muscles, chiseled and gleaming under the pool''s lights. every movement emphasized his physical power, his skin marked with faint golden scars that looked like glowing circuitry etched into his body.

    these marks were remnants of both his battles and his enhancements that added a strange but undeniable allure to his already commanding presence.

    as the last water dripped off him, rex reached up with one hand and pushed his wet hair back, revealing his face at last. his golden eyes burned like embers, sharp and piercing as they scanned the group that had just arrived.

    the scene was something out of a storybook, a commanding figure emerging from the depths like a mythological sexy god.

    the effect on the room was immediate.

    the maid''s faces flushed bright red, their nervous whispers dying in their throats. even the templars, disciplined as they were, couldn''t help but glance at each other awkwardly, clearly affected by rex''s overwhelming presence.

    experience new stories on empire

    and then there was lilla.

    despite all her training in composure and grace, she felt her breath hitch as rex''s piercing gaze locked onto her. her gray eyes widened slightly, and she couldn''t stop herself from gulping, the sound painfully loud in her ears.

    she quickly straightened her posture, trying to regain her usual calm demeanor, but the faint pink tint on her cheeks betrayed her.

    "yes," rex confirmed with a small nod. "but she''s busy right now with the twins. they''ve caused quite the chaos on the ship today. so, it was left to me to deliver the message she wanted to share with you."

    lilla couldn''t help but let out a soft chuckle, imagining the twins running circles around cleo. "i see," she said. "and what message does cleo have for me?"

    rex leaned back slightly, his golden eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "well," he began, "she said this, you should take better care of the little mice inside your house.''"

    lilla tilted her head slightly with confusion flickering across her face. "mice?"

    rex continued with his tone, even and calm. "she said, there are some mice that are trying to get food from a neighbor in a different house. but this neighbor will only feed them if they bring valuable stuff with them.''"

    he stopped speaking and simply stared at her, letting the weight of cleo''s words settle.

    lilla''s expression darkened slightly, her graceful composure shifting as her mind worked quickly to decipher the metaphor. "you''re saying," she began, her voice calm but edged with steel, "that there''s someone selling information about the human empire to a third party?"

    "well," rex replied while shrugging slightly, "that''s what she said. not that i know much about these sorts of things myself." he leaned forward, his golden eyes meeting hers. "but there''s one more thing she told me to tell you."

    lilla''s heart sank slightly, though her expression remained neutral. "what is it?" she asked after a few moments of silence.

    rex paused as though choosing his words carefully before speaking in a soft, almost casual tone. "she said that theres an old human saying in ancient texts: a dog that bites the hand that feeds him is better off dead.''"

    though rex''s voice carried no malice, the words hit lilla like hammers. she stiffened slightly, her serene mask cracking for a brief moment.

    to anyone else, it would have seemed like an insignificant metaphor, but to lilla, the meaning was painfully clear: cleo was fully aware of humanity''s true stance toward the kaelzars and, worse, toward rex himself.

    the silence that followed was deafening. lilla''s mind raced her thoughts in a tangled web of concern and calculation. if cleo truly knew the extent of the human council''s distrust of the kaelzars, then it meant they were being watched far more closely than they realized.

    lilla forced a smile onto her face, though it felt hollow. "i will keep that in mind," she said with her voice soft but slightly strained.

    rex tilted his head slightly, his sharp golden eyes studying her for a moment before nodding. "good," he said simply. he then stood, picking up the dumbbell again and resuming his workout without another word, as though the conversation hadn''t shaken the very foundation of lilla''s resolve.

    but for lilla, the words echoed in her mind like a storm.

    after sitting in silence for a few more minutes, lilla finally stood and excused herself, her voice steady despite the turmoil brewing within her. as she exited the gym, her maids and guards fell into step behind her, but none of them dared to ask about what had transpired inside.

    once alone in her quarters aboard the cleopatra, lilla sat down heavily on a cushioned chair, her elegant hands trembling slightly as she replayed rex''s words in her mind.

    "a dog that bites the hand that feeds him is better off dead...."

 Chapter 209 The storm that is approaching. (2) Cooldown [R17]

    as the doors to the gym slid open, a flock of small white robotic birds flew in, their mechanical wings fluttering with a faint hum as they circled the room. they darted gracefully through the air, their luminous eyes scanning the area as they filled the space with a serene, almost magical presence.

    trailing behind them was cleo, with her usual composed demeanor slightly frayed as she entered the gym. her long black hair flowed like a dark river behind her, her golden eyes gleaming with faint irritation.

    rex, still shirtless and doing push-ups with ease, didn''t look up immediately. instead, he chuckled lightly, his voice echoing in the quiet gym. "welcome back," he said while finishing his final rep and standing up. "how did it go with the twins?"

    cleo let out an exaggerated sigh, running her fingers through her hair as though trying to brush away her frustration. "i don''t know where i went wrong," she began, her tone unusually emotional.

    "i was so sure i taught them everything they needed to know! strategy, logistics, supply operations... i even drilled them in thousands of ways to take down a target! and yet¡ª" she threw her hands up in the air, clearly exasperated.

    "they still made a mess! do you know they almost lost a mauler juggernaut? a mauler, rex! those things are not cheap! the repairs alone will cost more credits than i want to think about."

    rex laughed openly, his deep voice warm and playful. he walked toward cleo, his broad frame towering over her as he reached out to gently ruffle her hair. "hahaha, i told you before, keeping them jailed in a golden cage wouldn''t do them any good. you''ve been spoiling them too much, cleo."

    cleo hit his hand, glaring up at him but failing to hide the faint pink blush creeping onto her cheeks. she grabbed rex''s massive hand and tried to wrestle it away from her head, but her efforts were futile against his sheer strength.

    "spoiling them?" she retorted, her voice rising slightly in protest. "i raised them exactly the way the kaelzars do! i followed all the protocols and archive guides for young kaelzars! exactly!"

    rex grinned, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "and that''s your problem," he said while crossing his arms as he leaned closer to her.

    "cleo, you''ve been raising them like pure-blooded kaelzar kids. i don''t know how absurdly overpowered kaelzar children are, but the twins... they''re more human than you think. you can throw all the theory and training at them you want, but if they''ve never actually applied it in real-world situations and then you toss them into the wild, they''ll just end up running around like headless chickens."

    cleo opened her mouth to argue, but the words caught in her throat. for all her expertise in warfare and strategy, there was an uncomfortable truth to rex''s words, and it gnawed at her pride.

    before she could respond, rex stepped forward and, with zero warning, scooped her up into his arms, carrying her effortlessly like a princess.

    "w-wait! what are you doing?" cleo shouted, her composure completely shattered as she squirmed in his grip. "put me down, rex! what''s with all this touchy behavior today?"

    rex grinned down at her, his sharp teeth flashing in a playful smirk. "cleo, you need to relax," he said, his voice dripping with mischief. "you''re way too emotional right now, and it''s making you tense. i''ve got just the thing to cool you down."

    cleo''s golden eyes narrowed suspiciously. "what do you mean by that? rex, what are you planning?"

    cleo huffed softly, though she couldn''t quite suppress the small smile tugging at her lips. for all his antics, rex had succeeded in one thing: the tension and frustration she had been carrying just moments ago were now gone, replaced with a strange sense of calm.

    "fine," she muttered while resting her forehead against his shoulder as she let herself relax in his arms. "you win. but next time, i''m throwing you into the pool."

    rex laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the gym. "deal," he said, holding her close as they floated in the water together.

    rex swam toward one of the ropes dividing the lanes of the pool, gently placing cleo so that she sat atop it. the rope dipped slightly under her weight, causing ripples to spread across the water.

    she looked at him with a raised eyebrow, her usual composed demeanor returning as she balanced herself gracefully on the rope.

    rex reached out, gently lifting cleo''s chin with one hand, his thumb brushing against her lips with a deliberate slowness. his golden eyes locked onto hers, filled with that familiar mix of playfulness and intensity.

    cleo didn''t look away, her golden gaze meeting his with the cool, composed air of the "ice queen" she was often nicknamed for. "what are you trying to do now?" she asked with her voice as steady and sharp as ever, though there was a faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.

    "well," rex began, his lips quirking into a half-smile, "i threw you into the pool fully clothed, and since i like swimming in cold water, the pool''s a bit chilly right now. i wouldn''t want you catching a cold or anything, so..."

    he paused, leaning closer, the mischievous glint in his eyes unmistakable. "i guess i''ll have to warm you up somehow."

    cleo raised an eyebrow, her composure intact despite his antics. "oh?" she said, tilting her head slightly. "but didn''t you just say you wanted to cool me down? now you''re trying to warm me up? you''re a walking contradiction, rex."

    rex chuckled while his hand trailed gently down from her chin to trace the line of her jaw. "you should know by now," he replied, his voice dropping to a softer, teasing tone, "that i''m a bit of a hypocrite."

    cleo smirked faintly, her cool demeanor unshaken. she reached up, resting her hand gently over his, as though humoring his antics.

    she muttered, "hmph," a tiny sound of amusement slipping past her lips; after all, that was the only response cleo could muster at the moment, as she began to look rex in the eyes and suck his thumb with her rosy, soft lips while he was also staring at her.

    as rex let his thumb be sucked, he grinned. "it''s always fascinating," he said, his voice thoughtful now, "how soft and warm you are... even though your body is mostly nanomaterial."

    cleo tilted her head slightly at the comment, always the perfectionist when it came to correcting misunderstandings, no matter the situation. "the warmth," she said while stopping sucking rex''s thumb and her voice carrying that familiar icy sharpness, "comes from my energy core''s heat dispersion system. it''s efficient."

    rex nodded, obviously less attentive to her explanation than she would have liked. gently, he traced the curve of her neck with his hand, letting it fall downward. his golden eyes gleamed with curiosity as he put his hand on one of her soft breasts and asked, "and the softness?"

    cleo was beginning to reply, using her natural instinct to explain what was driving her, but before she could say anything more, rex leaned closer and held her cheek while he said softly, "you can answer later," as his lips drifted over hers in a long, warm kiss.

 Chapter 210 The storm that is approaching. (3) Cooldown[R18]

    "wait a second," cleo said firmly while gently pushing rex back, or more accurately, rex allowed himself to be pushed.

    "is something wrong?" he asked, a teasing grin forming as his fingers lightly brushed hers, causing her breath to hitch.

    "we can''t... do this here," she said while her voice wavered as she tried to keep her composure. "what if someone sees us? or what if you lose your balance and sink?"

    rex chuckled softly, his confidence unwavering. "that''s your excuse? you underestimate me, cleo. i picked up a little trick last time i fought that beast." as he spoke, he suddenly stopped floating, his body steady as though standing on solid ground beneath the water.

    "what? how are you?" cleo''s curiosity got the better of her. she squinted while peering into the water and realized rex was standing on a glowing honeycomb-like shield beneath his feet.

    "see? no more excuses," he said playfully while stepping closer. he placed his hands lightly on her waist, pulling her toward him with a grin.

    "and as for someone seeing us... there''s no one but the machines, and we can always erase their memories later. if the others show up, well... let them have something to talk about," he teased her while his voice dropped to a low murmur.

    cleo''s protests faltered as she felt the warmth of his touch and the intensity in his gaze. her cheeks flushed while her resolve slipped as she let herself be drawn closer. rex''s touch was careful, yet there was an undeniable heat behind it, and cleo found herself unable to look away from him.

    "rex..." she whispered, her voice barely audible over the sound of the water lapping around them.

    her fingers brushed over his chest, tracing the lines of his muscles almost instinctively. his steady breathing and the weight of his presence drew her in, her earlier hesitations fading into the background.

    at this point, cleo has run out of excuses and has simply allowed herself to get stripped by rex while glancing at him with a passive and horny face, which has only made him harder.

    when cleo was entirely undressed, rex took one of her wrists and drew it toward his rigid rod, moving his head close to her ear. "you know what to do now." when cleo heard those words, she moved her hands slowly from rex''s neck to his lower body, delighting in the sensation of his ab''s muscles.

    once her hands were on his firm rod, she carefully took it before thinking about something "it looks bigger than i remember." she mumbled as she saw her small arm struggle to fully shut around it; it was thicker than her own arm and appeared to be about the same size.

    she then softly touched his balls with one hand while moving one of her fingers from the top of his rod to where his balls were, then moving it up and playing with the head of his rod while occasionally looking at rex.

    "do you like it?" she asked while playing with his rod head and making eye contact with him; cleo''s cute face with her tiny blush and the lust that was drawn on her face forced rex''s rod to twitch like crazy.

    "enough with the teasing; move your hands like i taught you before," rex whispered while somewhat panting.

    "you... made such a mess," cleo said breathlessly while resting her head against rex''s chest, her arms wrapped around him. "the bot maids are going to have to clean this up later. you''re such a brute."

    rex chuckled, his voice deep and full of mischief. "i don''t mind leaving it like this. let''s just say my legacy lives on," he teased her while planting a soft kiss on her forehead.

    cleo groaned, rolling her eyes. "first of all, gross. and second, you do realize this pool has regenerative properties, right? whatever you leave behind might stick around a lot longer than you think," she said, her tone half-scolding but laced with affection.

    "well then," rex said with mock grandeur, dramatically raising his arms, "let them live free!"

    cleo snorted, smacking his arm lightly. "rex... i''m serious. if the twins or one of the human envoys uses the pool, you could accidentally create a diplomatic incident!" she said, trying to keep a straight face.

    the moment the word "pregnancy" left her lips, cleo felt a subtle shift in rex. she froze, glancing up at him, only to see his mischievous grin returning. his energy shifted, and she could feel the tension in his body building again.

    "wait... no way," she stammered, her voice rising in alarm. "don''t even think about it! i''m still sore!" cleo''s eyes widened, spinning with panic as rex''s grin grew wider. experience new stories on empire

    "you''re too adorable when you panic," rex said with a low chuckle while pulling her closer as she playfully tried to wriggle free.

    none of them realized that, at that very moment, lilla had returned to the gym. she''d been eager to speak with rex about an urgent discovery she had made, something too important to wait.

    but when she arrived, what she stumbled upon left her completely stunned. from her hidden vantage point, she saw rex and cleo in the pool, locked in an incredibly massacre.

    lilla froze, her breath hitching as the scene played out before her eyes, leaving her unsure of what to do.

    she hadn''t meant to stay, but her curiosity and something she couldn''t quite place, rooted her to the spot. even when her heart pounded in her chest and her face grew impossibly warm, she couldn''t tear herself away.

    only when the two began to emerge from the pool for what appeared to be another round did lilla manage to slip away with her mind racing and her cheeks burning.

    once she reached the safety of her assigned room aboard the ship, lilla shut the door behind her and leaned against it, her breathing uneven.

    "what did i just see.....?" she murmured with her voice barely audible while her hands flew to her flushed face, which was still hot to the touch.

    her thoughts were in disarray, replaying the sight of rex''s powerful presence and the chemistry between him and cleo. lilla''s legs felt weak, and she found herself absentmindedly pressing her thighs together, trying to calm the strange, unfamiliar warmth spreading through her.

    "no way... what was that?" she whispered to herself, pacing the small room in an effort to shake off the overwhelming feelings. but no matter how hard she tried, the memory lingered, leaving her both flustered and deeply conflicted.

 Chapter 211 The storm that is approaching.(4) Revenant.

    while rex and cleo enjoyed their brief moment of romance in the tranquil confines of the cleopatra''s pool, a completely different scenario was happening far across the galaxy, one rife with violence, destruction, and conquest of a pre-ftl world.

    the world below was a graveyard, littered with the bodies of its native inhabitants. the small gray-skinned aliens, who stood just 1.5 meters tall, had fought valiantly with their crude, gunpowder-based weapons, but their technology was fatally outmatched.

    they were a race stuck in the industrial period, with machinery that ran on fossil fuels and weaponry that was little more than toys against the monstrous invaders that had descended on them.

    a vast armada of alien ships hovered over the planet''s atmosphere. these spacecraft were unlike anything else the galaxy''s other civilizations had ever built; they were made from rock and crystal, with jagged, unnatural patterns that testified to their makers'' savage efficiency.

    corvettes and frigates showered down bombardments on the surface, their crystalline weapons reducing the final pockets of resistance to ash. carriers, meanwhile, sent forth waves of smaller vessels that swarmed like angry hornets, scouting and transferring reinforcement in order to destroy any remaining defenders.

    it was no battle. it was a slaughter.

    amidst the carnage stood a massive figure, six meters tall. he stood atop a mountain of corpses, his crystalline armor shining against the blood-red sky.

    the light bounced off the jagged edges of his huge form, giving him an almost ethereal look, as if he were more than just a conqueror, something beyond the mortal realm.

    this was the revenant, a name spoken with fear throughout many imprisoned worlds. his body, made of living crystal and thick alloys, emitted a faint, strange glow. his hollow, blazing eyes examined the battlefield with disinterest, as if the thousands of souls lost before him were mere particles of dust.

    another figure approached with heavy footsteps, breaking the revenant''s silence.

    a four-meter-tall crystalline golem approached, its huge body blazing faintly and bearing two different crystals lodged in its shoulders. the golem kneeled before the revenant, its massive bulk forcing the ground to shake.

    "great revenant," the golem said, its deep, gravelly voice echoing over the battlefield. "the world is ours. the rebel forces have nearly been decimated. the conquest has been a complete success."

    the revenant tilted slightly and stepped down from the pile of bodies with slow, deliberate steps. each step crushed the unfortunate victims beneath his feet, the sound of cracked bones and twisted flesh reverberating across the barren battlefield.

    "good," the revenant said with his voice sounding cold and mechanical, devoid of any emotion. "take all of these carbon-based lifeforms. enslave them. once the slaves are secured, begin depleting the planet''s resources." find more adventures on empire

    "i want this planet to become dry, desolate, and lifeless. its sole worth right now is to feed our forges and produce more fighters."

    the golem nodded. "it shall be done, great revenant."

    as the revenant resumed his slow descent, his soulless eyes looked at the blazing wreckage of the alien capital. fires blazed in the distance, sending plumes of smoke up to choke the scarlet sky.

    the air was thick with ash and the metallic tang of blood, but the revenant paid no attention. this was a situation he''d conducted numerous times before.

    she hesitated, her fingers twitching nervously as she played with a loose thread on her sleeve. "also, rex..." she paused before continuing, her voice becoming softer. "i can''t become pregnant. even if i wanted to, my body is not suitable for reproduction. it was not built for that."

    rex paused for a moment with his hands still in her hair. "you can''t?" he asked gently.

    cleo nodded, her face incomprehensible. "to have a child, i''d need to recreate my true body, the one i was destined to have before everything broke apart. however, i require living metal, which is becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. i''ve been looking for it nonstop, but...

    her words drifted off, filled with resentment and regret.

    rex leaned forward, brushing her hair aside to kiss the nape of her neck. "it''s all right, cleo," he replied quietly, his deep voice comforting her. "i told you already, didn''t i? i will help you look for it. we will find it together, regardless of how long it takes; we have all the time in the cosmos, after all."

    cleo smiled faintly as he spoke, bending her head slightly so his lips might linger on her skin. "you are too patient with me," she muttered.

    rex placed his arms around her waist, bringing her closer. "and you are worth it," he said without hesitation.

    cleo shifted slightly in his lap and raised her head to gaze at him. "but if you really want a child, we could always use the artificial procreation chambers that my people used to produce more of us."

    her tone seemed controlled, but rex detected reluctance in her voice. she didn''t want that; she preferred something genuine, natural.

    rex rested his chin on top of her head, his arms still holding her securely. "that''s not necessary," he said firmly. "i want this to be our journey. i can wait, cleo. we''re practically immortal, remember? there''s no rush."

    cleo closed her eyes again, a rare relief softening her features.

    as the quiet time stretched on, rex changed the subject, his voice more casual now. "how is our fleet strength coming along? what is the status of our forces?"

    when he asked, cleo produced multiple holo screens with a flick of her fingers. the displays illuminated the area, displaying comprehensive schematics and statistics for their expanding fleet.

    she pointed to the first hologram, which displayed cleopatra in all her magnificence. "we currently have the flagship cleopatra," she explained, her voice taking on its typical critical tone.

    "we recently completed repairs on the dreadnought-class warship liberator. in addition, we''ve introduced two leviathan-class carriers and various smaller ships, such as corvettes for anti-fighter operations and support frigates for supplies and maintenance."

    rex leaned forward slightly, zooming in on the hologram of the leviathan-class carriers. the ships were shaped like crescent moons, their sleek designs reminiscent of cleo''s people''s advanced engineering.

    "mmm, impressive," rex remarked. "and what can you tell me about these leviathan carriers? what are their specs?"

    cleo swiped at the holo screen, pulling up additional data. "the leviathan-class carriers were one of the earlier cruiser designs my people used," she explained. "while they aren''t as specialized as some of the more advanced models, they''re highly cost-effective and versatile."

 Chapter 212 The storm that is approaching. (5) War?

    she pointed to a diagram of the carrier''s inside.

    "each one has many floors dedicated to fighter bays, which can hold up to 500 fighters."

    "the hull is coated in energy-absorbing material, making it difficult to detect, and it is outfitted with massive energy shields, graviton beam projectors for controlling opposing ships, and repair drones for in-combat maintenance."

    rex nodded attentively. "not bad," he said. "we''re building a pretty solid navy under our command."

    cleo crossed her arms, her voice becoming somewhat angry. "we could have had additional carriers, but someone insisted on building a prohibitively expensive dreadnought for carlos."

    rex couldn''t help but laugh. "oh, cleo. come on. it was your fault. you told me the dreadnought had the finest defensive capabilities, and carlos is, well, frail in comparison to us, so i felt he needed it."

    cleo pouted little as her golden eyes narrowed. "fragile or not, that ship ate up a significant portion of our budget! we could have had at least three additional carriers by now."

    while still smiling, rex leaned forward and poked her cheek. "you do realize you''re adorable when you''re mad?"

    cleo pushed his hand away, but the tiny pink on her cheeks betrayed her. "hmph. don''t think i''ll let you off the hook so easily," she whispered, her tone softening.

    rex leaned back with his arms still wrapped around her. "alright, alright. i''ll take responsibility for the disaster. but admit it, it''s a damn fine ship."

    cleo rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. "of course it''s a fine ship! i made it after all!" she shouted.

    the mood in the conference room was tense, with the weight of the meeting bearing down on everyone there.

    sitting at the head of the table, rex sat back in his chair, his golden eyes half-lidded with boredom. cleo stood straight behind him, her typical cold demeanor giving her the air of an untouchable queen.

    to their left, ys was casually lying in her chair, twirling one of her braids carelessly; her cheeky grin contrasted sharply with the serious tone of the meeting. the twins sat close to ys, fidgeting and whispering, seemingly uninterested in formal politics.

    on the other side of the table stood lilla, her golden hair cascading over her shoulders as she wore her usual serene appearance. behind her stood her personal guards, their white and crimson power armor shining in the lights, and her maids, who waited silently with their gazes lowered.

    cleo''s piercing voice cut through the silence like a razor. "lilla, holy maiden of the human empire, you have requested a meeting with the actual ruler of the kaelzars, and the request has been granted. so, i must question, why are you silent?"

    her golden eyes stared at lilla, unblinking and chilly.

    lilla pondered for a little while, attempting to recall the sentences she had carefully practiced. but as she opened her mouth, her thoughts betrayed her, flashing back to the moment she accidentally stumbled upon cleo and rex in their private moment.

    her demeanor wavered, her cheeks flushing slightly as she pushed the memories away and forced herself to concentrate.

    "let me make one thing clear, lilla," he murmured, his voice dangerously calm. "we aren''t your mercenaries or servants."

    "we are your allies, and alliances are formed out of respect or mutually beneficial advantages. what you''ve brought here today is more than just an insult; it''s a claim that you believe we''re fools."

    lilla''s cool demeanor finally began to shatter. "that was not my purpose," she clarified hastily, her voice becoming softer.

    rex scoffed and leaned closer. "intentions do not matter. actions matter. and your "empire''s" actions? they reeks of disrespect."

    cleo took a step forward, resting her hand on rex''s arm to calm him down slightly. her voice was chilly, clear, and sharp.

    "you may be the holy maiden of your people, lilla," she added, "but you must understand that alliances are not one-sided. if you believe that we will sacrifice our resources, ships, and lives for your convenience, you are greatly mistaken."

    rex stood up, his eyes still burning with rage, but his tone softened slightly as he spoke again. "i''ll explain what we''re going to do, lilla," he continued.

    experience more on empire

    "we''re going to show your empire some respect, the kind of respect that only comes when you remember what it means to be weak and defenseless."

    the threat hung in the air like a storm cloud, and the weight of his words sent a shiver through the room.

    "hold on a second, sir! i think your actions are going too far." lilla stood up and shouted, her voice trembling with defiance.

    "ha? i''m the one going too far? after you had the nerve to spit in my face?!" rex shouted back, his voice shaking the room like a violent storm. "go run to your masters or whatever the hell they are and tell them we''re going to war!"

    his words echoed off the walls, leaving a suffocating silence in their wake. rex''s glare burned into lilla as he jabbed a finger toward the door. "i won''t attack you right now, but you and your pack of ungrateful bastards better get off my ship!"

    the air in the room was thick with tension. lilla''s mouth opened as if to speak, but no words came. her hands curled into trembling fists, her frustration palpable. everyone waited for her next move, but what happened instead caught them all by surprise. someone else stood up.

    "darling, it''s not polite to speak to a young and beautiful girl like that," ys said, her voice soft yet firm as she walked toward lilla. she wrapped her arms around her from behind, pulling her close in a comforting gesture.

    "why don''t we all take a moment to sit down and calm ourselves? maybe then we can ask the right questions before we do something we''ll regret," ys continued, her tone soothing but carrying an undeniable authority.

    she guided lilla back to her chair, her hands firm but gentle as she urged her to sit.

    rex''s eyes followed ys''s every move, his expression dark and unreadable. his gaze shifted toward cleo, who gave him a subtle nod of approval. with a heavy sigh, rex returned to his seat, the tension in the room beginning to ease as he leaned back, though his eyes never left lilla.

    "now then, little lilla," ys said, her voice dipping into something almost playful as her hands rested lightly on the girl''s shoulders.

    "why don''t you tell us what your true intentions are with all of this?" her fingers traced calming circles on lilla''s tense shoulders, her eyes narrowing as she waited for a response.

 Chapter 213 The storm that is approaching. (6) Lilla stance.

    thanks to ys, the suffocating tension in the meeting room had finally started to fade. lilla exhaled a heavy, defeated sigh before waving her hand toward her escorts. "leave us. the rest of this conversation will be completely private."

    her guards hesitated, their expressions filled with concern, but after several moments of convincing and a stern glare from lilla, they reluctantly obeyed and filed out of the room. the heavy door shut behind them with a dull thud, leaving only lilla, rex, ys, and cleo at the table.

    now alone, lilla turned her full attention to rex. his golden eyes bore into her like burning embers; his anger was palpable, his jaw clenched tight.

    her gray eyes met his at last, though it took all her courage to hold his fiery gaze. "first of all, i want to say this wasn''t my idea. i''m not saying that to excuse myself from the responsibility of being here, but i need everyone in this room to understand my stance on this matter."

    lilla said with her voice steady, though her hands trembled faintly at her sides.

    there was a reason she rarely opened her eyes fully around rex. she could sense his presence even with them closed, but the moment her gaze fell on him, the truth of his nature was laid bare before her, more vivid than she could bear.

    as her gray eyes widened, the image of the man in front of her shifted. the rex she saw was no longer the fiery, wrathful figure of the moment. instead, she saw a being of impossible beauty.

    his skin gleamed like porcelain, showered with a silvery light that seemed to emanate from within. his hair, usually a deep black, was now a radiant white, and his golden eyes had turned to shimmering silver, each holding the glimmer of stars within them.

    it was the same vision she had seen as a child, the same ethereal radiance she had once associated with the lady in white.no?v(el)b\\jnn

    even as she tried to steady her breathing, rex''s voice thundered across the room, bringing her back into the harsh reality of the moment.

    "even if you say that now, it doesn''t change a damn thing! you''re all stabbing us in the back! how do you expect any relationship between us to remain intact when you bring us this... this abomination of a contract?!"

    his fist slammed against the table with a deafening crack, his anger spilling over like a tidal wave.

    ys sighed and placed her hand lightly on rex''s, her touch a stark contrast to his violent outburst. "darling, please stop interrupting her," she said with her voice calm and soothing but with an edge of firmness.

    "i know how unreasonable you can be when you''re angry, just like that kaelzar girl sitting beside you, but for my sake, let the little saintess finish what she has to say."

    her words caught rex off guard. he stared at ys in disbelief, his fiery temper momentarily subdued. it wasn''t just her unexpected defense of lilla that struck him, but also the way she carried herself now, graceful, mature, and composed, so unlike her usual playful and childlike demeanor. read latest stories on empire

    with a heavy sigh, rex leaned back in his chair, his gaze cold and distant as he folded his arms across his chest. "fine," he said, his tone sharp as a blade. "you can continue, saintess of the human race."

    "you can''t claim the other humans are innocent, saintess of the human race. if this contract were to go through, no matter what variables were in play, every single human would benefit from it. there are no innocents here, saintess."

    cleo''s words struck like hammers, each one deliberate, each one sharp. lilla flinched slightly but didn''t look away. even as cleo''s cold tone sent shivers down her spine, lilla stood her ground, knowing that she could not afford to falter now.

    lilla couldn''t find any words to refute what cleo had said. as much as she wanted to, the truth of her statement was undeniable.

    "this so-called human empire hasn''t even lasted ten years, and it''s already showing signs of internal infighting," cleo said coldly, her expression as unyielding as steel.

    with a wave of her hand, she summoned several holo-screens, each displaying damning evidence gathered by her spies embedded within the human ranks.

    the screens floated around the room, each one illuminating the dark truth. they showed rampant corruption among human officers and high-ranking officials, their greed and betrayal laid bare.

    there were records of secret deals made with alien races, pacts to sell military grade weapons and restricted technology, and equipment meant solely for human defense. the humans had bartered away their future for personal gain, undermining their fragile empire piece by piece.

    "as you can see, this has been going on for months," cleo continued, her voice cutting through the air like ice. "the ambition of your race is astonishing, even to me. so tell me, saintess, do you have an excuse for this as well?"

    lilla stood frozen as more holo screens appeared, circling her like specters of guilt. each one displayed a new layer of treachery, a new betrayal, a new failure of the system she had once believed in.

    her gray eyes scanned the damning evidence, her heart sinking deeper with every passing moment.

    she had believed, truly believed, that she was leading humanity down a righteous path. but what cleo was showing her shattered that illusion. it was as if the very foundation of her faith had been ripped out from under her, leaving her stranded and hollow.

    the overwhelming weight of the truth bore down on her shoulders, making it harder to breathe. cleo''s words, sharp and relentless, reverberated in her mind.

    "do you have an excuse?"

    lilla''s lips trembled as she searched for something to say, anything that could lessen the impact of what she was seeing. but no words came. how could there be? everything she was seeing was real. and the worst part? she hadn''t known. she had been blind to it all.

    the room fell silent, save for the hum of the holo screens. lilla''s chest tightened as the proof of humanity''s sins surrounded her, their greed and corruption pressing in from all sides. her gray eyes began to water, her vision blurring as the truth became unbearable.

    her knees wavered, and her head lowered as a single tear escaped and slid down her cheek. then another. and another.

 Chapter 214 The storm that is approaching. (7) Lilla feelings.

    tears fell freely from her beautiful eyes as the weight of everything consumed her. the righteous road she thought she had walked had been a lie, a facade built on the shadows of betrayal.

    the humans she had vowed to lead were far from innocent, and the realization broke something deep inside her.

    for several moments, lilla stood there in silence, her head bowed, her tears pooling at her feet. it wasn''t anger or defiance that filled the room now; it was sorrow, raw and unrelenting, a pain that cleo could see clearly.

    but cleo didn''t stop. she crossed her arms, her voice cold and unyielding. "this is the empire you''re trying to defend, saintess. a crumbling system that would betray even its allies for profit. so tell me, is this the righteousness you spoke of?" read latest stories on empire

    lilla didn''t answer. she couldn''t. the weight of it all crushed her voice into silence, and all she could do was cry.

    "okay, everyone, let''s stop here. there''s no need to keep pushing this now that it''s come to this. how about we take a breather and continue later?"

    ys said while rising gracefully from her seat and walking toward lilla. her voice, though calm, carried a weight that silenced the room for a moment.

    "this isn''t over yet, ys. not just because she¡ª" cleo said, her cold tone unwavering, but ys cut her off before she could finish.

    "i said we will take a break!" ys shouted, her usual gentle demeanor cracking. her sharp eyes narrowed, and in an instant, they shifted, becoming slit-like, like those of a snake. the intensity of her stare locked cleo in place, filling the room with an undeniable tension.

    cleo raised an eyebrow, unfazed by the display, but before she could retaliate, rex placed a hand firmly on her shoulder. "okay, let''s go with what ys suggested. we do need a breather," he said calmly, his tone more of an order than a suggestion.

    though cleo wasn''t afraid of ys, rex''s intervention was enough to cool her temper. the last thing he wanted was a clash between the two of them, especially now, with relations with the humans already strained to the breaking point. a confrontation here could tip the scales into a three-sided war, something he couldn''t allow.

    ys gave rex a warm smile, her mood instantly shifting. "i knew you were on my side, darling~" she said with a playful lilt, wrapping an arm around lilla and gently helping her to her feet. lilla''s legs felt weak beneath her, but she didn''t resist as ys guided her toward a hidden exit at the back of the room.

    ys spoke softly to lilla as they walked. "come on, let''s get you out of here. no one needs to see you like this, not even your escorts." the hidden door closed behind them with a quiet hiss, leaving the room in a heavy silence.

    only rex and cleo remained now, the air still thick with unspoken tension since the twins had left at the same time as lilla''s escorts, leaving rex and cleo to face the aftermath of the meeting alone.

    rex leaned back in his chair, resting his head against its back as he closed his eyes. "so, cleo," he began, his voice quieter now, "what are your thoughts on all of this? about the humans, from your race''s point of view?"

    "but... but everything she said was true, ys," lilla whispered, her voice breaking as fresh tears welled up in her gray eyes. "tell me, ys... everything i''ve done... was it all wrong?" her trembling gaze locked onto ys''s green eyes, searching desperately for reassurance.

    ys tilted her head slightly, her emerald gaze warm and steady. instead of answering, she reached for lilla''s hands and gave them a gentle squeeze. "first, tell me what it is that you wanted to do," she asked with her voice soft and full of maternal care.

    lilla hesitated, her tears falling freely now, each word a struggle to say. "i wanted my people, the human race, to rise again," she began, her voice quivering.

    "i wanted us to stop being slaves, to regain our pride and dignity. and i thought... i thought we could repay rex and cleo for helping us reach that goal by showing them the same light i saw when i was a child."

    her voice cracked, and her breathing hitched as she spoke. "but it''s like... it''s like everyone''s forgotten what we''re supposed to be fighting for. they''ve taken their own path, driven by greed and ambition, and they''ve abandoned the purpose of our rise."

    "i don''t know what else to do, ys. i''m so tired!" she broke down completely, burying her face in her hands as her sobs grew louder. "i''m not as strong or collected as they think i am! i''m not a leader; i''m just a crybaby!"

    the confession spilled out of her like a torrent, raw and unfiltered. it was the truth she had hidden from everyone, the truth she had been too afraid to admit, even to herself. but in ys''s presence, it felt natural to let it all out, as though she had returned to being the little girl who had once clung to ys for comfort.

    ys watched her cry, her expression softening as a sense of understanding washed over her. memories of lilla as a child flashed through her mind, and as those emotions swelled, something within her began to shift.

    her body started to change, almost imperceptibly at first. her childlike features faded away, replaced by those of a mature, charming woman.

    her delicate frame grew taller, her presence more commanding, but her movements remained gentle and soothing. she wrapped her arms around lilla, pulling her into a warm embrace.

    "you''re not a crybaby," ys whispered as she stroked lilla''s hair, letting the girl bury her face in her chest. "you''re just carrying too much on your shoulders. let it out, lilla. let it all out."

    the greenhouse fell quiet, save for the soft rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. lilla clung to ys, her sobs gradually subsiding as she felt ys warmth envelop her.

    in that moment, it didn''t matter that she was a leader or a symbol for her people. she was just lilla, a girl who needed someone to tell her it was okay to feel weak.

    while ys held lilla tightly in her arms, offering comfort through her warmth and steady presence, the door to the greenhouse hissed open.

    the faint hum of its mechanism cut through the soft chirping of the exotic birds, and the sound of slow, deliberate footsteps echoed across the lush space. someone had entered and was walking directly toward them.

 Chapter 215 The storm that is approaching. (8)

    ys sharp senses were the first to pick up on the intruder. she turned her head slightly, her vibrant green eyes narrowing as she focused on the figure approaching through the dense greenery.

    for a moment, her body tensed, ready to shield lilla if necessary, but as the figure stepped into view, a glimmer of relief flickered across her face.

    she exhaled softly and loosened her hold on lilla, though she did not entirely let go. instead, she chose to remain still, her gaze fixed on the new arrival as they drew closer.

    ys had already decided to let them approach without interference. whoever this was, she had deemed their presence neither hostile nor unwelcome, at least for now.

    lilla, still nestled against ys''s chest, had yet to notice the intruder. her shoulders quivered slightly as she tried to control her uneven breathing, her tear-streaked face hidden from view.

    the footsteps grew louder, each one echoing faintly in the vast space. the atmosphere of the greenhouse shifted slightly, the stillness giving way to a faint tension as the figure moved closer to the two women.

    ys''s expression remained neutral, but her piercing gaze tracked every step. she waited, silently curious as to what the newcomer intended.

    "who..." lilla finally whispered, her voice hoarse and weak, as she sensed ys''s attention shift away from her. slowly, she lifted her head, her swollen, tear-streaked eyes blinking as she turned to see who had entered.

    "it''s just me. no need to be scared," rex said as he stepped into view, his deep voice cutting through the quiet hum of the greenhouse. he stopped a few feet from the girls, his broad back turned to them as he looked toward the artificial waterfall cascading gently into the lake.

    his tone was calm, though it carried a weight that was hard to ignore. "i didn''t come here to continue the argument from earlier, and i won''t pretend to be sorry for the actions i was ready to take against those who dare betray us. but..."

    he paused for a moment, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "i do want to say i''m sorry to you."

    ys tilted her head, her sharp green eyes watching rex closely, but she remained silent. lilla stirred slightly, wiping at her swollen eyes, her face still buried in the comfort of ys''s embrace as she processed his words.

    "i should have listened to what you had to say until the end," rex continued, his voice softer now. "but i let my rage get the better of me. i failed you in that moment, and for that, i apologize."

    he reached down and picked up a handful of small crystals from the neatly manicured ground, tossing one absently into the artificial lake. the splash was faint, barely audible above the sounds of the birds and the waterfall.

    his golden eyes flickered with something uncharacteristically vulnerable as he gazed at the rippling water. "while we''re here, in this calm and quiet place, i don''t want to talk to the holy maiden of the human race. i want to talk to lilla, the little girl i saved all those years ago."

    he shifted slightly, still lying on the grass, his golden eyes glancing at lilla. "what is it you want to do?"

    lilla hesitated for a moment, staring down at the trembling hands resting in her lap. but then she clenched her fists, her resolve hardening as she looked up at rex, her gray eyes blazing with renewed determination.

    "i... i want to fix the human empire!" she shouted, her voice ringing out through the greenhouse. "i want to make things right... how they should have been from the very start!"

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    for a brief moment, rex blinked at her in silence before letting out an awkward, almost exasperated laugh. "well, that''s impossible, you know?" he said while scratching the back of his head and grinning at her like she''d just declared she wanted to move a mountain with her bare hands.

    "i know it''ll be hard!" lilla shot back, raising her voice even more. "but i don''t think it''s impossible!" her words carried a fiery defiance, and her determination filled the space around her like a tangible force.

    rex''s grin faded slightly as he sat up, resting his elbows on his knees. his expression grew more serious, though his tone remained light. "the thing is, cleo already predicted you''d say something like that," he said bluntly, his gaze meeting hers.

    "she said the organization you''ve built is already doomed to fail... but that you can at least save some of it."

    lilla froze, her breath catching in her throat. her mind raced, the weight of his words settling heavily on her shoulders. her fingers gripped the fabric of her dress tightly as she swallowed the lump in her throat.

    "what... what did cleo say?" she asked hesitantly, her voice trembling. "how... how can i save some of them?"

    rex leaned back slightly, his golden eyes glinting with an odd mixture of sympathy and honesty. he had no intention of softening the truth for her. "well," he said, his voice casual but carrying a weight of finality.

    "she said you should use the popularity you''ve got as the holy maiden of the human race. use it to rise above the others and create a faction of your own. start a new organization, one where you hold all the authority."

    lilla stared at him, her gray eyes wide with surprise. she had expected a harsher answer, something cruel or cutting. instead, what he had said made a strange kind of sense; it was terrifying, yes, but logical.

    "you need to cut out the rot before it spreads," rex continued, watching her reaction closely. "you won''t be able to save everyone, and you sure as hell won''t be able to fix the mess the human empire''s already become. but if you can take the right people with you and build something stronger... you''ll have a chance to start fresh."

    lilla remained quiet, her hands still clutching her dress as her thoughts swirled. the idea of abandoning the very empire she had dedicated herself to building felt like betrayal.

    but at the same time, if she stayed, if she kept trying to fix what was already falling apart, would it truly make any difference?

 Chapter 216 The storm that is approaching. (9) Tier 9 Creature.

    "you don''t have to decide right now," rex said while lying back down on the grass and folding his hands behind his head. his tone was lighter now, almost teasing.

    "take a minute. think it through. it''s not every day someone tells you to overthrow your own empire and start from scratch, after all."

    despite herself, lilla let out a faint, shaky laugh at his words. her chest still felt heavy with doubt, but a tiny spark of hope had ignited within her. maybe, just maybe, there was a path forward, one she hadn''t seen before.

    ys, who had remained silent throughout the conversation, gently rested a hand on lilla''s shoulder, her emerald eyes warm and understanding. "whatever path you choose, lilla," she said softly. "you can count on me."

    the reassurance made lilla''s lips tremble, and she blinked back fresh tears. for the first time in what felt like forever, she didn''t feel entirely lost.

    lilla stood up from the beach chair, where she''d been resting with ys, and asked, "so, what do you think i should do from now on to achieve that?"

    rex, with a smirk on his face, closed his eyes and said, "like hell, i know. i''m just the messenger; you should only kiss the messenger, not ask him hard questions."

    lilla''s response left her momentarily dumbfounded, but then she kneeled beside rex and gently kissed his forehead. the kiss startled him, and he lifted his torso off the ground, staring at lilla as she walked away.

    "w-what...?" rex touched his forehead, now humid from the kiss. he turned to ys and asked, "what the hell just happened?"

    ys saw lilla''s face had been bright red after kissing rex''s forehead. with a dangerous smile, ys said, "i saw how you were cheating on me and making a move on a little girl; that''s what happened."

    rex stood up, defensive. "i''m the victim here! i was just lying there doing nothing. how could i flirt with her?"no?v(el)b\\jnn

    ys appeared behind him in an instant and whispered, "you''re being too defensive, darling. could it be you really liked that kiss, and now your mind is full of younger girls?"

    rex turned around and grabbed ys by her arms. "i''m telling you it''s not like that!"

    ys licked her lips and said, "he~, prove it then."

    rex kissed her fiercely, without romance. surprisingly, that was how ys liked it.

    after a few minutes of intense kissing, rex stopped. "is that enough proof?"

    ys smiled barely noticeably and said, "barely~ but i''ll let it pass this time."

    while rex and ys were caught up in their heated exchange, lilla had already made her way back to the meeting room through the secret passage ys had used earlier to smuggle her out.

    lilla hesitated, her mind racing as she considered cleo''s words. slowly, she made her way to the chair next to cleo and sat down, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped the armrests. her voice was soft and hesitant, but there was a spark of hope in her eyes.

    "well... i don''t know if this counts, but..."

    lilla hesitated for a moment, gathering her thoughts before launching into an explanation. she began recounting what she knew about the lady in white, the mysterious, otherworldly figure who had visited her when she was a child.

    she spoke of the "gift" the lady had bestowed upon her in exchange for her eyes and the price she had paid to receive it. the details were sparse, but she also mentioned the son the lady in white had spoken of.

    cleo listened intently, her expression calm but her mind clearly working to process the information. when lilla finished, the room was silent for a moment, the weight of her story hanging in the air.

    "mmm. interesting," cleo finally said while leaning back slightly as she tapped her chin in thought.

    "if what you''re saying is true, this entity could be one of the superior ancient races, beings that only emerge when a new galaxy is formed. there''s not much reliable information about them in the records we have, but..."

    cleo trailed off as her tone grew more serious: "lucky for you; my race has fought against one of these entities before."

    with that, cleo raised her hand, summoning a single holo screen. this one was unlike any lilla had seen before. its surface was marked with glaring red warnings, flashing symbols, and countless layers of encryption.

    thousands of locks began to unlock in rapid succession as cleo worked with frightening efficiency, her fingers moving faster than the eye could follow.

    "what i''m about to show you," cleo said, her tone dropping to something almost ominous, "is classified information. no one outside of the kaelzar royal family and a few select individuals has ever seen this. you are to take this knowledge to your grave. do you understand me?"

    lilla swallowed hard but nodded, her gray eyes unwavering as she met cleo''s icy gaze. "yes, i understand. i won''t speak of this to anyone."

    cleo studied her for a moment, her piercing gaze searching for any trace of doubt or deception in lilla''s face. when she was satisfied that the saintess was speaking the truth, she nodded and continued working.

    the final locks on the holo screen clicked open, and cleo gestured for lilla to watch closely. "this is one of the most forbidden recordings in our archives. pay attention. it will give you an idea of what you may be dealing with."

    the holo screen flickered for a moment before stabilizing. the recording showed a scene that could only be described as breathtaking and terrifying.

    "emperor xynithar," a deep, resonant voice said as the camera panned across a fleet of kaelzar ships, each one massive and bristling with weapons. find your next adventure on empire

    the one that spoke was a kaelzar clad in exquisite white power armor with glowing azure lights. he stood tall at over five meters, his imposing form dwarfing those around him.

    his voice carried a sense of urgency as he spoke to the golden figure standing at the forefront. "the royal fleet and all the princesses with their forces are in position. the planet-destroyer weapons are fully charged and awaiting your command."

 Chapter 217: The storm that is approaching. (10) Tier 9 Creature.

    the camera shifted to focus on the "emperor" mentioned by the armored figure. emperor xynithar was a being unlike anything lilla had ever seen.

    his body gleamed like molten gold, his enormous form towering over even the kaelzar in white armor. every movement he made radiated power, and his glowing eyes burned with an intensity that felt almost alive.

    "understood," xynithar said, his voice calm and deep with a tone of absolute authority. his gaze was fixed on a red dwarf planet in the distance, its surface cracked and unstable, glowing faintly with an ominous light.

    the planet looked as though it were barely holding itself together, its fractures pulsing like veins beneath its crust.

    xynithar¡¯s gaze didn¡¯t waver as he gave his next order. "archive all footage of this battle. restrict access to the royal family¡¯s archives only. you are responsible for this, memory keeper."

    "as you command, my emperor," the white-armored kaelzar replied, bowing his head in deference.

    the footage continued, shifting to display the fleet¡¯s formation. thousands of ships hovered in perfect synchronicity, their massive weapons aimed at the dwarf planet. the planet-destroyer weapons hummed with energy, their glow intensifying as they prepared to fire.

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    lilla couldn¡¯t tear her eyes away. the power and coordination displayed in the recording were staggering, but it was the planet itself that sent a chill down her spine. something about it felt... alive.

    before she could voice her thoughts, cleo paused the recording. the image froze on the fleet moments before the planet-destroyer weapons were unleashed. cleo turned to lilla, her expression grim.

    "the entity you spoke of, the lady in white, may be something similar to what was encountered here," cleo explained, gesturing to the frozen image of the cracked planet. "this was no ordinary celestial body. it was... inhabited. or perhaps it was the entity itself, its body so vast that it took the form of a planet."

    lilla¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the image.

    "if you plan to use this lady in white as the figurehead or deity of your movement," cleo continued,

    "you need to understand what you¡¯re dealing with. these beings don¡¯t follow mortal logic. they have their own agendas, their own unfathomable goals. even if they grant you power, the price they demand may be more than you¡¯re prepared to pay."

    cleo leaned back in her chair, folding her arms as she regarded lilla seriously. "so, i ask you again, saintess. do you still plan to invoke this entity for your cause? or will you reconsider?"

    lilla clenched her hands together, her mind reeling with the implications of what she had just seen. but despite her fear, there was also a spark of determination in her eyes. she had come this far, so turning back now wasn¡¯t an option.

    "i want to see the video first and decide later on," lilla said firmly with her gray eyes locked onto the recording, refusing to waver.

    "very well," cleo replied, her tone as neutral as ever. with a flick of her hand, she resumed the recording.

    the footage continued, the kaelzar fleet still in perfect formation. emperor xynithar remained a towering figure of calm authority, his glowing golden body a stark contrast to the dark, fractured red dwarf planet before him.

    smaller ships were obliterated in seconds, their remains scattering into the void like ashes in the wind. but the time bought by their sacrifice was enough.

    "world destroyer cannons locked on target," an artificial voice announced.

    the camera focused on the creature one last time as the massive weapons prepared to fire. its roar shook the screen again, the tentacles thrashing in an attempt to retaliate, but the energy signatures of the world-class destroyers were too overwhelming.

    "fire," xynithar commanded, his tone devoid of hesitation.

    the next moment, the recording went white.

    for several minutes, there was nothing on the screen but an unbroken expanse of bright, blinding light. lilla stared, waiting, her hands clutching the edges of her chair. "what happened? is the video over?" she asked, her voice breaking the silence.

    "negative," cleo replied, her tone steady. "what you¡¯re seeing is the aftereffect of the world-class destroyer weapons. each one is powerful enough to obliterate a planet. when you fire hundreds of them simultaneously at a single point, the result is a collapse in localized reality."

    "the sheer amount of energy released creates... nothingness. reality itself fractures for several minutes, unable to sustain the level of force exerted."

    lilla¡¯s eyes widened. "i¡¯ve never read about anything like this before. was your race really that powerful? when did you find out about this effect?"

    cleo¡¯s lips twitched into a faint smile, though it didn¡¯t reach her eyes. "the same moment this recording was made," she said simply.

    "this battle taught us many things, and among them was the cost of facing a creature of this magnitude. the fact that we had to rely on that level of weaponry just to hold it back... should tell you how dangerous it truly was."

    the white screen began to fade, the recording speeding up until the aftereffects dissipated. lilla leaned forward slightly, her heart pounding as she waited to see what came next.

    once the video finally came back, the blinding white faded to reveal a battlefield unlike anything lilla had ever seen. the other worlds in the sector were completely obliterated by the devastating power of the world-class destroyer cannons.

    but in its place, the monstrous entity still stood, its massive, crimson form looming over the wreckage of the kaelzar fleet.

    the golden figure of emperor xynithar was locked in combat with the creature. his colossal form moved with a precision and fluidity that defied his enormous size.

    energy radiated from him with every strike, each blow powerful enough to split mountains. and yet, even after taking the brunt of the devastating attack from the fleet¡¯s cannons, the creature endured.

    its right arm had been obliterated, reduced to nothingness by the overwhelming force of the attack, but to lilla¡¯s horror, the severed limb was slowly regenerating. black slime oozed from the wound, reshaping itself into muscles, bones, and flesh. it was as if the very laws of nature bent to its will, refusing to let it die.

    lilla could hardly breathe as the battle raged on. the creature let out another deafening roar, its black tentacles thrashing wildly as they lashed out at everything in their path.

    each tentacle moved with horrifying speed and precision, slicing through kaelzar ships and weapon platforms as though they were made of paper.

 Chapter 218 The storm that is approaching. (11)

    entire sections of the fleet were obliterated in seconds, and even the smaller kaelzar war machines were struggling to keep their distance.

    "look closely," cleo said, breaking the silence. her voice was cold and steady as her eyes stayed fixed on the screen.

    "this creature took a direct hit from hundreds of world-class destroyer cannons and survived. that arm is regenerating right now, right? it''ll be fully restored in less than a few minutes."

    "this is the kind of entity you might be invoking if you rely on the lady in white. are you starting to understand the scale of what you could be dealing with?"

    lilla didn''t respond, her wide eyes fixed on the screen as the kaelzars rallied to fight.

    massive kaelzar warships hovered into view, deploying an array of heavy weapons that unleashed a storm of firepower against the creature.

    at the same time, towering warfare megaconstructions descended from above, their impossibly large frames dwarfing even the creature itself. these behemoths bristled with weaponry and shields, designed solely for battles of this magnitude.

    but even these titanic reinforcements weren''t enough to turn the tide. the creature''s attacks were relentless, its black tentacles swiping through the kaelzars'' forces with horrifying efficiency.

    more powerhouses from the kaelzar royal forces began to join the battle. tier 7 warriors, clad in gleaming armor and wielding weapons that crackled with terrifying energy, surged forward like a tide of light.

    each of these warriors was a powerhouse in their own right, capable of leveling cities with ease. they attacked the creature in coordinated waves, using formations and tactics honed over centuries of battle.

    yet, even with their combined strength, it wasn''t enough.

    every time the creature struck, its blows carried an unimaginable force, sending the tier 7 warriors flying like scattered leaves. many of them perished instantly, their bodies obliterated in an instant by the sheer power of the attacks.

    others were sent back to their respawn spots, where they would regenerate a new body and return to the battlefield moments later.

    lilla''s mouth went dry as she watched. the kaelzars were throwing everything they had at the creature, and still, they struggled to contain it.

    "respawn spots?" lilla asked, breaking her silence. her voice was quiet, almost trembling. "what are those?" read the latest on empire

    cleo glanced at her briefly before returning her gaze to the recording. "advanced kaelzar technology," she explained.

    "for those above tier 5, their consciousness and memories are stored in a data bank. when their bodies are destroyed, they can regenerate a new one at a designated location."

    cleo raised an eyebrow; her curiosity piqued even further. "why to her son?" she asked, resting her hands on the table as she leaned closer. "from what i understand of most religions, they pray directly to a powerful deity, not to a creation or subordinate of it."

    lilla clasped her hands together tightly, her nervous fingers still fidgeting. "well... remember how i mentioned that i have an idea about who her son might be?"

    "i remember," cleo replied, her voice calm but firm. "but you haven''t provided any actual information about this mysterious son yet." she folded her hands and waited patiently, her piercing gaze locked on lilla.

    lilla took another deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. "the thing is..." she began, her voice quieter now, "i think rex is the son of that entity. the son of the lady in white."

    cleo''s expression didn''t change, but the silence that followed was deafening. her golden eyes bore into lilla''s, clearly processing the statement, waiting for her to continue.

    "as i''ve already told you, my eyes are... different," lilla said while trying to gather her thoughts. "you already know about the gift she gave me and how i can see things as they truly are. and that''s why i think rex is her son."

    cleo tilted her head slightly, a spark of intrigue flickering across her usually stoic face. "and how do your eyes confirm that?"

    lilla hesitated again, playing with her fingers as she tried to find the right words. finally, she just blurted it out. "the rex i see with my eyes... he doesn''t look like the rex you all see. he looks completely different. he looks like the lady in white, but in a male form, his skin, his hair, even his eyes. he''s her reflection, but as a man."

    cleo''s expression remained neutral, though her fingers tapped the surface of the table thoughtfully.

    "if what i''m saying is true," lilla continued, her voice growing more confident, "then directing the calls and prayers toward rex would be much safer. we wouldn''t be invoking the void or any unknown entities."

    "we''d be calling on him specifically. that way, we''d be controlling the focus of the religion, and the risk of summoning something else, something dangerous, would drastically decrease."

    when she finished speaking, lilla looked at cleo nervously, waiting for her reaction.

    cleo finally leaned back in her chair, her lips curving into the faintest smile. she nodded slowly, her mind clearly processing the implications of lilla''s plan. "i see," she said after a long pause.

    "if what you say is true, then your approach does make sense. by focusing the prayers and worship on rex, you''re effectively minimizing the danger of calling on the void. if he truly is connected to the lady in white, then he could act as a stabilizing intermediary."

    cleo tapped her chin thoughtfully before continuing. "and since you see rex differently with your eyes, you could use that to your advantage. the statues and symbols for your new religion could be modeled after the rex you see and not the one everyone else does."

    "that way, the humans wouldn''t suspect that you''re aligning yourself with us or selling out to the kaelzars. it''s... a smart move, lilla."

    lilla felt a wave of relief wash over her as she saw cleo nodding in approval. but she also noticed a faint glimmer of amusement in cleo''s eyes, as though she was finding this entire situation deeply entertaining in her own way.

 Chapter 219 The storm that is approaching. (12)

    a few days later, following the tense discussions in the meeting room, cleo and lilla had reached a mutual understanding.

    with negotiations finalized, the human envoy departed the cleopatra, marking the beginning of a new chapter, one that would inevitably lead to massive conflict within the human empire. the seeds for an internal war were sown, and lilla knew she''d have to prepare for the storm ahead.

    meanwhile, once all the diplomatic obligations were finally out of the way, rex wasted no time. he took his small fleet and left the sector, setting a course to the trading station located within a sprawling asteroid belt.

    the station, with its massive construction bays and bustling shipyards, became the perfect place for the next phase of their preparations.

    for the next two months, the cleopatra underwent significant upgrades to its weaponry and shielding systems. alongside this, cleo spearheaded the production of advanced fighter and bomber units.

    among the new designs was the wraith-class fighter; however, the star of the new fighter fleet was the venom-class bomber, a cutting-edge bomber unit designed specifically for high-impact strikes.

    the venom-class bomber was a sight to behold. its wide-bodied frame was reinforced with heavy hull plating and glowing energy vents running along its sleek sides.

    its wingtips flared outward, and bomb bay doors lined its underside, capable of deploying devastating payloads. equipped with plasma bomb bays, heavy torpedo launchers, magnetic shielding, and anti-fighter laserturrets, it was built to deliver overwhelming firepower.

    but as formidable as it was, the bomber came with one glaring flaw: it was slow... painfully slow. with practically no energy shield capability and limited maneuverability, the venom-class bomber was the definition of a glass cannon. its survivability relied entirely on tactical precision and heavy fighter escort.

    this drawback became a point of contention during training, leading rex to commission a new addition to the cleopatra, the game room.

    the game room was a high-tech simulation chamber, featuring spherical pods that allowed users to practice simulated battles.

    the pods could replicate scenarios spanning ground, air, water, and space warfare using both existing and experimental units designed by cleo. it was an efficient way to train without wasting valuable resources or risking lives.

    "dammit, cleo!" rex shouted as he emerged from one of the simulation pods, his hair disheveled and his face flushed with frustration. "can''t you do something about these damn turtle-slow bombers? i can''t even get them to the objective without enemy fighters tearing them apart!"

    cleo, standing nearby with her ever-composed demeanor, handed him a cold bottle of water. "negative," she replied calmly. "increasing their speed without adding an energy shield would be far too dangerous for the pilots. they''d be sitting ducks the moment they were detected."

    rex groaned, uncapping the water bottle and taking a long drink before retorting, "then at least give them an energy shield! anything to stop them from getting shredded out there!"

    cleo shook her head, her golden eyes glinting with amusement as she summoned a holoscreen in mid-air.

    "also impossible. adding an energy shield would increase their energy output significantly, making them detectable from far greater distances. worse, if a bomb were to detonate inside the shield due to malfunction, it could cause a chain reaction, annihilating the entire bomber. look,"

    she said, gesturing to the screen, which displayed footage of one of her test runs.

    "and what about our defenses?" rex asked, tearing his eyes away from the holo screens to glance at cleo. "how are they coming along? are we ready for them?"

    "negative," cleo responded bluntly. she flicked her wrist, and a new series of holo screens appeared, displaying real-time progress reports on the station''s upgrades.

    "while the anti-fighter and bomber defensive towers on the station are operational, we''re still waiting for completion of the new energy core reactor and the military-grade dual energy shield. without those, our defenses are still incomplete."

    enjoy exclusive adventures from empire

    rex clicked his tongue in frustration but nodded. "i''ll leave that to you, then," he said while leaning back into the pod''s cockpit. "keep me updated on their movements. i''ll handle this simulation for now."

    "understood," cleo replied with a short nod. as rex settled into the simulation, she turned on her heel and left the game room, her mind already shifting to the many tasks ahead of her.

    as cleo walked through the sleek corridors of the cleopatra, her focus was interrupted by a familiar and unwelcome voice.

    "hello there, cold beauty~"

    cleo''s eyes narrowed slightly as ys appeared beside her, waving playfully and tilting her head to catch cleo''s face. ys''s movements were carefree and unbothered, the polar opposite of cleo''s rigid and disciplined demeanor.

    "what do you want, y''ssera?" cleo asked, her voice laced with its usual chill. it was a tone she reserved exclusively for ys, a voice that always carried an undercurrent of tension and... something darker.

    despite the years they had spent together, cleo could never bring herself to truly accept ys. after all, ys was a khryssari, a species responsible for exterminating much of cleo''s own race. even now, the sight of ys''s playful grin was enough to stir old, bitter memories.

    ys, undeterred by cleo''s cold tone, placed a finger on her cheek and made an exaggeratedly cute face. "oh~, come on~, don''t be so bitter with me," she said while pouting slightly. "how can you be so cold to someone as cute as me?"

    cleo sighed audibly, her patience wearing thin. "every time you come to me, it''s because you want something," she said, her voice flat. "so, what is it this time, y''ssera?"

    "hehe~," ys giggled, twirling a lock of her hair as she walked alongside cleo. "you know me so well! ehem..." she paused dramatically, her playful tone dropping into something far more serious. "i came with a message from my mother, and it''s for you."

    cleo froze mid-step. her golden eyes narrowed as she turned to face ys fully. "your mother?" she repeated, her tone sharp.

    the mention of one of the hive minds, the supreme leaders of the khryssari, was enough to immediately command cleo''s attention. even with all her power, the hive minds were beings she had to approach with caution.

    seeing cleo stop, ys gave her a wide grin, clearly relishing the reaction. "that''s right," ys said, her voice dripping with satisfaction. "she asked me to deliver this to you personally. so, cold beauty, are you going to listen, or do i have to make you~?"

    cleo''s hands clenched into fists at her sides for a brief moment before relaxing. her expression remained icy, though there was now a faint edge of wariness in her eyes. "i''m listening," she said.

    "good~," ys said with a teasing sing-song lilt. she leaned in closer, her grin widening. "it''s about the revenant ascendancy."

 Chapter 220 Confrontation.

    "what do the hive minds want with the revenant ascendancy?" cleo asked sharply, her piercing golden eyes locking onto ys''s playful emerald ones. her patience was already running thin, and she wasn''t in the mood for ys''s games.

    "well," ys began, tilting her head with an innocent smile that only made cleo''s irritation increase further. "as i''m sure you already know, their ships are made of minerals. my mom wants to see if they''re... how do i put it... good nutrients for our troops."

    she said this with the same carefree tone one might use to comment on the weather, her voice light and whimsical.

    cleo''s gaze hardened. "so, what you''re saying is the hive minds want to devour the remains of the revenant fleet? is that it?"

    "not exactly," ys replied, her smile widening ever so slightly. "what she wants are the remains of the battle. it doesn''t matter whose remains they are... yours, the revenant''s, anyone''s really. she doesn''t care."

    cleo''s expression darkened further, her displeasure etched clearly across her face. as usual, ys seemed entirely unbothered, as if she hadn''t just dropped a deeply unsettling revelation.

    "ah! but don''t misunderstand," ys added, clasping her hands behind her back and leaning forward slightly with an air of mock innocence. "i''ll still fight alongside you guys. after all, it''s my duty to fight with my darling husband~."

    her voice was as sweet as honey, but her teasing tone cut through cleo''s growing frustration like a knife.

    cleo''s fists clenched at her sides, her patience reaching its limit. "so what is the point of telling me this?" she asked coldly. "if your mother isn''t sending reinforcements, why are you wasting my time with this useless information?"

    ys''s grin didn''t falter. instead, her eyes glimmered with mischief as she tilted her head the other way. "well, it''s because she wants to talk with my darling rex first. then, maybe she''ll decide what to do, whether to send reinforcements or not."

    cleo''s composure finally broke. her fury erupted as she slammed ys against the cold metallic wall of the corridor, her hands gripping ys''s arms with crushing force. "do you think i''m an imbecile?!" she shouted, her voice echoing off the walls.

    ys blinked, clearly unfazed by cleo''s sudden outburst. if anything, her grin grew wider. "hey~, i don''t mind being pushed to the wall," she teased with her voice as infuriatingly carefree as ever, "but i''d definitely prefer if rex was the one doing it instead of you~."

    "don''t joke with me, y''ssera!" cleo shouted, her grip tightening as her golden eyes burned with rage. "do you think i''m a toy for your miserable race? do you think the hive minds are untouchable? do you think there''s no one in this galaxy capable of defeating them!?"

    ys''s playful demeanor didn''t falter. if anything, she seemed to enjoy cleo''s fury, as if it were a game to her. "mmm~? i don''t know why you''re yelling at me," ys said with a sly smile. "i''m not the one who told you those things, you know. i''m just the messenger~."

    the carefree tone in ys''s voice only served to infuriate cleo further, but after a few seconds of silence, she let out a heavy sigh. her grip on ys''s arms loosened, and she stepped back, regaining her composure.

    rex''s playful smirk returned as he raised both eyebrows. "hold on a second, what''s wrong with my genes? i''m pretty sure ys said mine were of legendary quality, you know," he said while grinning as he opened the blanket to invite her to join him in bed.

    cleo let out a small huff, walking toward the bed and slipping under the blanket next to him. she rested her head on his chest, her silver hair spilling over his shoulder like liquid moonlight.

    "it''s not that simple," she said, her voice softer now as her fingers idly traced patterns on his chest.

    "usually, when the queen of a swarm selects potential partners, it''s because she''s looking for something specific. maybe genes from a species with incredible defense or a race that possesses a unique supernatural ability that she wants to introduce into her ranks."

    "in your case..." cleo hesitated, her golden eyes flickering with uncertainty. "you''re originally human. and humans aren''t exactly well studied species. at least, not in the same way as some of the other advanced races."

    "so what you''re saying is that there''s a high chance she''ll decide i''m not worth keeping around?" rex asked, his tone casual as he began gently patting cleo''s head.

    "affirmative," cleo replied, her voice laced with reluctance.

    "and if she does come to that conclusion... there''s a chance she''ll try to kill you. worse, i don''t know if i''d be able to stop her. we don''t know how strong this queen is, and ys... she might not be able to help you either. she''s still under the control of the queen, no matter how free she appears to be."

    rex fell silent for a moment, his hand continuing its soothing motion through cleo''s hair as he processed her words. despite the heavy implications of what she was saying, his expression remained calm, even thoughtful.

    "you''re really worried about me, huh?" rex finally said while a faint smile tugged at his lips.

    cleo didn''t answer immediately. instead, she buried her face slightly into his chest, her voice muffled but tinged with frustration. "of course i am, you idiot," she said quietly. "you''re reckless and arrogant, and you never take things seriously until it''s too late. how could i not worry?"

    rex chuckled softly, the sound rumbling through his chest. "well, i don''t plan on dying anytime soon," he said confidently. "and besides, if she''s as picky as you say, then i just have to make myself irresistible, right? maybe show off these legendary genes ys was bragging about."

    cleo groaned, lifting her head just enough to glare at him. "this isn''t a joke, rex."

    "i know, i know," he said, his grin softening into something more genuine. "i''ll be careful, cleo. i promise."

    cleo studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes searching his for any trace of doubt or insincerity. finally, she let out a sigh and rested her head back on his chest. "you''d better," she muttered. continue your journey on empire

    for a while, the two of them lay there in comfortable silence, the tension in the room gradually fading. cleo''s breathing grew softer, her body relaxing against his as her eyelids began to droop.

 Chapter 221 Confrontation. (2)

    after several more days of preparation, the long-anticipated meeting with the queen of the khryssari was finally here. despite cleo''s warnings and his own doubts, rex had decided to go through with it. discover hidden content at empire

    part of him was genuinely curious, curious to meet someone from one of the strongest factions in the galaxy, a faction that could rival even the megacorps in power.

    but circumstances were far from ideal. the revenant ascendancy fleet was closing in and could arrive at any moment. because of this, cleo, the twins, and the majority of cleopatra''s forces had to remain behind to prepare for the potential battle.

    cleo had argued, in no uncertain terms, that taking anyone else along would only increase the danger to both rex and themselves. rex, as usual, brushed off her concern with his usual confidence, but now, standing at the edge of ys''s organic battleship, he couldn''t help but feel a small knot of unease forming in his gut.

    "darling~, are you ready to go and meet mother?" ys asked sweetly, wrapping her arms around him from behind, her voice brimming with excitement.

    rex chuckled softly, adjusting the seals on his full power armor. "well, i''m as ready as i''ll ever be."

    his armor gleamed under the dim lighting of the docking bay, its advanced plating and systems fully functional, including his helmet, which he would need to wear at all times once inside ys''s "ship."

    the khryssari vessel, as he''d learned, wasn''t exactly a traditional starship. it was a living, breathing beast, a massive bio-organic battleship with no oxygen supply or artificial gravity. for all intents and purposes, stepping inside without life support was a death sentence.

    the moment they boarded, rex could already feel the unsettling squish beneath his boots. the "floor" was some kind of pulsating organic material, warm and slightly damp. around them, in the dim bioluminescent glow, the massive shapes of khryssari warriors loomed in every corner, most of them appearing to be asleep, or, at least, dormant.

    the warriors were massive, towering over rex even in his armor. their exoskeletons were heavy and segmented, and their grotesque mandibles looked more than capable of snapping a tank in two.

    mounted on their backs were strange, organic energy cannons that looked both alien and terrifyingly powerful.

    rex froze for a moment, glancing around nervously before leaning back slightly to whisper to ys, who had somehow climbed onto his back like a humanoid backpack.

    "erm... are you sure these dudes aren''t going to wake up looking for a midnight snack and decide i''m a tasty chicken leg?"

    ys giggled while resting her chin on his shoulder as she hugged him from behind. "mmm? nope, don''t worry, darling! you''ve got my mark on you. these guys are totally loyal to me; they''d never hurt you! in fact, they''ll treat you almost the same as they treat me."

    rex raised an eyebrow under his helmet, still glancing warily at the massive warriors. "i feel like ''almost'' is doing a lot of heavy lifting in that sentence."

    ys giggled again, clearly enjoying his discomfort. "oh, come on, don''t be such a worrywart~," she said, playfully poking the side of his helmet.

    "well then," rex sighed, deciding to move on, "anything i should know about your mother? like, i don''t know... things i definitely shouldn''t say in front of her."

    ys tilted her head, her expression turning thoughtful for a brief moment. "mmm, not really," she said finally while shrugging. "you just have to answer whatever she asks. but if you don''t feel like answering, just ignore her~. that''s what i always do."

    "completely serious~!" ys said cheerfully, patting the bed again.

    with a reluctant groan, rex made a small jump onto the bed, landing with a soft "squish." his face twisted in discomfort as the bed sank slightly beneath his weight, the sensation oddly warm and... alive. "don''t tell me..." he muttered, trying to ignore the goosebumps running up his arms. "this bed is also part of the ship, isn''t it?"

    "of course it is!" ys said, puffing up her chest with pride. "everything you see in here is part of me. well, part of my ship, which is an extension of me. it''s the result of hundreds of years of genetic modifications and fine-tuning! amazing, isn''t it?"

    rex grimaced, doing his best to shove the mental image of himself lying on a giant organ out of his mind. "amazing isn''t exactly the word i''d use..." he muttered under his breath.

    ys, clearly oblivious to his discomfort, climbed onto the bed beside him and wrapped her arms around him. "don''t be shy, darling~! the bed is nice and soft, isn''t it?"

    "yeah, if i ignore the fact that it feels like i''m lying on a big intestine, sure," rex replied dryly, shifting uncomfortably.

    before ys could respond, a low hum began reverberating through the ship as it prepared to enter the wormhole. the organic walls pulsed faintly, and the lights dimmed as the massive bio-organic vessel aligned itself.

    the sensation was strange and alien, like the ship itself was alive and bracing for impact.

    when the destroyer entered the wormhole, rex immediately felt the intense pressure against his body, like a gravitational force pulling him in multiple directions at once. but to his surprise, it wasn''t unbearable.

    "huh," rex muttered to himself, adjusting slightly on the squishy bed. "this isn''t so bad. i thought it would feel worse."

    ys giggled from beside him, her chin resting on his shoulder. "that''s because you''re not a normal human anymore, silly. your body''s far stronger than it used to be. if a regular human were exposed to this level of pressure, they''d... well..."

    she paused, her grin turning mischievous. "let''s just say they''d make a great plate of spaghetti~."

    rex blinked, his face hidden behind his helmet, but he let out an audible groan. "yeah, thanks for that lovely mental image."

    after several hours of traveling through the wormhole, the ship finally emerged on the other side, arriving at their destination: the hanarix sector.

    rex sat up and climbed off the bed, eager to get away from its unsettlingly squishy surface. he made his way toward one of the massive "windows" of the destroyer, which wasn''t made of glass but rather a strange translucent membrane that pulsed faintly with the ship''s movements.

    what he saw outside left him momentarily speechless.

    the entire sector was alive with activity, a vast expanse filled with the swarming forces of the khryssari. thousands upon thousands of bio-organic ships filled the void, each one unique in size and form.

    some were small and dart-like, swarming like a school of predatory fish, while others were larger, hulking vessels that moved with a slow, deliberate grace. it was an overwhelming sight, like watching a hive of wasps, each one lethal in its own right.

    but what truly caught rex''s attention were the hive minds supercapital ships.

 Chapter 222 Confrontation. (3)

    floating in the distance were two colossal vessels, each an awe-inspiring 15 kilometers in diameter. their spherical shapes bristled with protruding spines, extending outward in irregular patterns like starfish.

    their exoskeletons were a dark, bone-like material, jagged, and organic in structure. glowing green cracks spread across their surfaces, pulsing faintly like veins carrying some kind of energy through their massive frames.

    they didn''t look like ships. they looked like small planets that had been transformed into horrifying war machines.

    "what the hell?" rex muttered, his voice low. he stepped closer to the window, staring in awe at the supercapital ships. the sheer size of them was staggering; nothing in his fleet or even the megacorps could compare to something on this scale.

    "those are the khryssari pride and joy," ys said as she came up behind him, her voice unusually soft. "the kragnarok-class planet devourer. they''re the queen''s personal vessels, built over centuries. each one is capable of wiping out an entire star system on its own~."

    rex turned his head slightly to look at her. "you''re saying those things can destroy entire systems?"

    she nodded, a faint smile playing on her lips. "mhmm~! but don''t worry, darling. they''re not here to destroy anything today. mother doesn''t like wasting their energy unless it''s absolutely necessary."no?v(el)b\\jnn

    rex let out a small breath, turning back to look at the ships. "good to know," he said dryly.

    as the destroyer began its approach to one of the super capitals, rex could see even more of the khryssari forces spread across the sector.

    there were fleets of bio-ships that moved in perfect synchronicity, defensive swarms circling the kragnarok-class planet devourer like living shields. the sheer coordination and unity of the khryssari forces were both impressive and deeply unsettling.

    "welcome to my home," ys said with a grin, resting her chin on his shoulder again. "mother''s waiting~."

    rex stared out the window, the weight of what he was about to face settling over him. "yeah," he muttered. "this is going to be fun."

    the moment ys''s living destroyer entered the hangar bay of one of the khryssari supercapital ships, rex couldn''t help but feel like an ant in the presence of titanic gods.

    the sheer scale of the hangar was overwhelming; it stretched endlessly in every direction, its walls pulsating faintly with a green bioluminescent glow. every living organism here seemed insanely large, far surpassing anything rex had encountered before.

    thousands of khryssari of varying sizes and shapes filled the hangar, their forms darting through the air or lumbering across the ground with precision and purpose. even the smallest creatures rex could spot were massive, standing at least four or five meters tall.

    the largest ones, hulking monstrosities covered in thick, chitinous armor, were more akin to walking skyscrapers, their every step shaking the organic floor.

    but despite the overwhelming size and power of everything around them, rex noticed something odd, none of these terrifying creatures dared to cross ys''s path. every khryssari they passed either stepped aside, flew higher, or outright froze as if trying to avoid her altogether.

    even those that were much larger and undoubtedly more powerful seemed to shrink under her presence.

    "ys..." rex muttered, his voice carrying a mix of curiosity and caution as his gaze followed a massive khryssari scuttling out of their way. "what did you do to these cute and poor massive destruction beasts to make them stay the hell away from you?"

    "who are those guys?" rex asked while pointing at the approaching warriors with a small, nervous gesture.

    ys''s playful demeanor shifted slightly as she climbed off rex''s back, her expression becoming a bit more serious. "oh, them?" she said casually, brushing off her dress. "those are my mother''s sons."

    rex stiffened, his instincts immediately going on high alert. "her sons?" he repeated, his voice low and cautious.

    "yup," ys said with a slight grin, stepping behind rex and peeking over his shoulder as though she were hiding.

    the sight of ys, the ever confident, carefree ys, hiding behind him made rex tense even further. "wait a second," he muttered, glancing back at her. "why the hell are you hiding? you''re her actual daughter, aren''t you?"

    "well, technically, yes," ys admitted, her voice unusually quiet. "but they''re, um... my mom''s sons from when she was still a princess. they were made before i was, so they''re technically my older brothers. and..."

    "and what?" rex prompted, his nerves on edge.

    "and they''re kind of... possessive about her," ys said sheepishly, avoiding his gaze.

    rex turned back toward the approaching warriors, his body instinctively tensing as they stopped a few meters away. their eyes locked onto him with a piercing intensity, their expressions unreadable but unmistakably hostile.

    "well, this is going to be fun," rex muttered under his breath.

    "well, well, well. look who we have here," the khryssari champion said, his voice oozing mockery as he stepped forward, coming to a halt just a meter away from rex and ys. his piercing green eyes scanned them with clear disdain, his mandibles clicking slightly as if he were holding back laughter.

    the champion was humanoid in shape but distinctly alien in appearance. his four legs, jointed like those of an insect, supported his tall, imposing frame, and his carapace-covered back glistened under the faint bioluminescent glow of the hangar.

    a pair of translucent wings peeked out from beneath his armored shell, twitching faintly as though anticipating battle. behind him, the other nine khryssari champions also arrived, each similarly humanoid but with varying features, some had additional arms, some had fewer, while others had limbs shaped like jagged blades.

    each of them radiated the raw, predatory presence of a tier 6 being.

    the champion''s glowing green eyes flicked dismissively to ys, and his mandibles curled into a smirk. "and for the mother''s sake, what is that horrendous appearance you''re using right now, y''ssera?" his tone was full of mockery, his wings twitching with amusement.

    he leaned forward slightly, his face inches from hers. "and what''s this? weren''t you already a tier 3 being the last time i saw you? how is it that you''ve regressed back to tier 2? not only are you uglier than before, but now you''re even more useless."

    he laughed cruelly, the sound echoing through the massive hangar. "hahahaha! no wonder mother sent you away like the failed experiment you are!"

    ys didn''t respond immediately. her usual carefree demeanor was gone, replaced with a stoic expression as she stood her ground behind rex.

    she didn''t flinch under the champion''s verbal assault, but rex could see the subtle tension in her body, the way her fingers twitched slightly as if holding back the urge to retaliate.

 Chapter 223 Confrontation. (4)

    the champion''s laugh grew louder, almost maniacal, as he pointed at ys with one of his clawed hands. "tell me, little sister," he said mockingly, his voice dripping with venom.

    "what''s next? are you going to regress to tier 1 and start licking the dirt beneath our feet? hah! you might as well crawl back to whatever gutter mother dumped you in!"

    explore more adventures at empire

    the laughter stopped abruptly with the sharp, mechanical sound of a shotgun being reloaded.

    the champion''s glowing eyes snapped to rex, his wings stilling as he noticed the plasma shotgun aimed squarely at his head.

    rex''s voice cut through the hangar like a blade. "i don''t know who you are or what rank you have here," he said, his tone low and menacing, "but the one you''re insulting is my wife. so i''d really appreciate it if you..."

    he raised the shotgun slightly, steadying his aim directly at the champion''s forehead. "shut the fuck up and step away from my girl!"

    the hangar fell into a tense silence.

    the champion''s mandibles twitched in surprise for a brief moment, but then his expression shifted into something more sinister. his wings spread slightly, glowing faintly as his towering frame loomed over rex.

    "and what are you going to do with that toy, human?" the champion sneered, his voice full of contempt. "do you even realize where you are? who you''re pointing that thing at?"

    his green eyes glinted with amusement as his mandibles curved into a sharp grin. "you''re a little insect standing in a hive of giants, and you think you can bark orders at me?"

    rex didn''t budge. his stance was steady, the shotgun unwavering in his grip. "i don''t care if you''re a giant, a god, or the queen herself," he growled. "what you will do is stop insulting my wife, or i swear to god, i''ll paint this hangar with whatever color your blood is."

    the champion''s smile faltered for a split second, but it returned quickly as he let out a deep, guttural chuckle. "bold words, little human," he said while taking a single step closer. the barrel of the shotgun was now almost pressed against his forehead.

    "but do you have the guts to pull the trigger? do you really think you''ll live long enough to see the aftermath?"

    ys, who had remained silent up until now, finally spoke. her voice was soft, almost amused, but carried an underlying sharpness. "i wouldn''t test him if i were you, t''kalthar."

    t''kalthar turned his gaze to ys, his mandibles twitching in irritation. "and why is that, little sister?" he asked mockingly.

    ys smirked, stepping out from behind rex and crossing her arms. "because rex isn''t like anyone you''ve dealt with before. he doesn''t bluff."

    rex tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes gleaming behind his helmet. "she''s right, you know," he said. "the last guy who called my bluff? let''s just say he didn''t live long enough to regret it."

    rex stopped dead in his tracks. he could feel his blood turn cold as he slowly turned his head to look at ys. "wait... are you telling me... your mother saw me trying to blow her son''s head off?"

    "yup~!" ys said with a silly laugh, her innocent grin almost infuriatingly carefree.

    rex''s shoulders slumped slightly as he muttered under his breath, "oh, i am so dead."

    "hehe~! don''t worry, darling," ys said, patting his arm reassuringly. "mother doesn''t really care about fights between her sons. she can just make more of them anytime she wants, you know? she only cares about the greater good of the swarm. losing one or two sons doesn''t make much of a difference to her."

    rex let out a long, exasperated sigh, running a hand down his helmeted face. "yeah, real reassuring. you''re telling me she doesn''t care if i kill one of her kids. great. that''s not terrifying at all."

    ys giggled again, clearly enjoying his discomfort. but her playful demeanor shifted slightly when rex asked his next question.

    "so... i remember i heard somewhere that a khryssari queen can only produce one daughter in her entire lifetime," rex said, his tone curious but cautious. "does that make you her favorite or something? is that why these guys hate you so much? are they just jealous because you''re her golden child?"

    ys''s smile dimmed for a moment, her gaze lowering slightly. "not exactly," she said quietly. "what they said before was true, you know. i was a failed experiment for her."

    rex frowned; his curiosity piqued, but his heart tugged slightly at her tone. "what do you mean?"

    ys took a deep breath before explaining. "when i was created, mother used the genes of a void creature that she and my aunts defeated after years of fighting. it was supposed to create a being that could reach unimaginable power..."

    "a perfect mix of void and khryssari traits. but what she got... was me." she gestured to herself with a weak smile. "i can barely reach tier 3. that''s nothing compared to what she hoped for. in her eyes, i''m a disappointment. a failed experiment."

    rex looked at her, unsure of what to say. but before he could respond, ys''s smile returned in full force. "but enough about me~!" she said cheerfully, pointing ahead of them. "we''re almost at mother''s chambers!"

    rex followed her gaze, and his eyes widened slightly at the sight before him.

    in the distance, the queen''s chamber loomed like an alien fortress. it was a massive, spherical structure that dwarfed even the colossal khryssari ships around it.

    the chamber was surrounded by thousands of khryssari of all sizes and forms, each one patrolling with a precision that was both awe-inspiring and deeply unnerving. the sphere itself pulsed faintly with green light, its surface covered in organic, bone-like structures that twisted outward like jagged spines.

    "that''s... impressive," rex muttered while staring at the gargantuan structure.

    ys grinned, leaning against him playfully. "told you~! mother always makes an entrance."

    as they approached the entrance to the queen''s chamber, rex couldn''t help but feel his pulse quicken. the sheer size of the structure was daunting enough, but it was the two massive figures stationed in front of the entrance that made him instinctively tighten his grip.

 Chapter 224 Confrontation. (5)

    the doorkeepers were unlike anything rex had encountered before. they stood at nearly 15 meters tall, their grotesque, insectoid frames covered in thick, gleaming black exoskeletons that radiated a faint green glow through jagged cracks.

    their six limbs were built for destruction; two massive arms wielded long, spear-like weapons that pulsed with an ominous energy, while their lower limbs looked like they could crush steel beams with ease.

    each of their heads was adorned with massive, curved horns, and their glowing, predatory eyes scanned the approaching group with cold precision.

    as soon as the champions'' group and rex came within a certain distance of the entrance, the doorkeepers moved.

    with deliberate, thunderous steps, they advanced forward, blocking the path. the sound of their heavy limbs meeting the organic ground reverberated through the hangar. they crossed their energy spears in front of the group in one smooth motion, the tips of the weapons humming with dangerous power.

    rex froze in his tracks, his instincts screaming at him to be on high alert. his suit''s scanners activated almost instantly, analyzing the immense energy readings emanating from the doorkeepers.

    [scan complete.]

    threat level: tier 6 (peak).

    warning: individuals detected possess stellar energy manipulation and enhanced organic durability. combat is not recommended without appropriate support.

    rex''s breath hitched slightly. these weren''t just guards; they were some of the strongest beings he had ever seen. if he made one wrong move, these doorkeepers could end him before he even had time to react.

    the champions accompanying rex stopped in unison, their movements calm and rehearsed, as if this were a routine occurrence for them. one of the khryssari champions stepped forward, and it was t''kalthar.

    "we are here under the orders of the hive queen," t''kalthar said, his voice firm but respectful as he addressed the towering guards.

    the doorkeepers tilted their massive heads slightly, their glowing eyes narrowing as they processed his words. but they didn''t move their spears. instead, one of them spoke, its voice deep and guttural, vibrating through the air like the rumble of an earthquake.

    "the human," it growled, its massive, chitinous face turning toward rex. "step forward."

    rex stiffened, his muscles tensing. the weight of the tier 6 creature''s gaze felt suffocating, like he was being crushed under an invisible force.

    "well, darling~," ys said from beside him, her usual playful tone doing little to hide the slight edge of nervousness in her voice. "looks like they want to have a chat with you."

    rex shot her a sidelong glance, his voice low. "what kind of chat involves two walking tanks blocking my path with spears?"

    ys giggled, though it was clear she was trying to ease the tension. "don''t worry, they just want to assess you! think of it as a little... test."

    "a test?" rex muttered, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "great. i love tests. they''re so much fun."

    still, rex knew he didn''t have much choice. the doorkeepers massive frames loomed over him, their unblinking eyes locked onto his every move. if he hesitated too long or showed any signs of weakness, it might be interpreted as an insult, or worse, a threat.

    taking a deep breath, rex stepped forward, his boots sinking slightly into the organic floor as he moved past t''kalthar and the other champions. he could feel their eyes on him, but it was the oppressive gaze of the doorkeepers that made his skin crawl.

    the immense pressure in the room hit him like a tidal wave, a force that made the air feel heavier, the walls seem closer, and every step feel like a battle against gravity itself.

    this was a level of energy unlike anything rex had ever encountered before, an aura of power that seemed to warp the very space around it.

    rex gritted his teeth, his armor straining slightly as he forced himself to move forward. his hud was blaring multiple warnings in his vision, the words "extreme gravitational stress detected" flashing across the screen.

    "are you okay, darling?" ys asked, her usual teasing tone absent as she placed a hand on his arm to steady him. she was kneeling now, clearly accustomed to the weight of her mother''s overwhelming presence.

    rex, on the other hand, refused to kneel. his legs trembled slightly, his body straining against the invisible force trying to crush him, but his determination burned brighter than the pain. "don''t worry," he said through clenched teeth, his voice unwavering.

    "i''m good. nothing''s going to make me kneel. not today, not ever, unless i''m dead. let''s just hope i don''t die today." enjoy new tales from empire

    she gave him a small, worried smile but said nothing, her admiration for him shining through her expression.

    with each agonizing step, rex forced his legs to move forward. the chamber stretched out before them, impossibly vast and ornate in its alien design. the organic walls shimmered faintly, pulsing with green bioluminescent light that seemed to mimic the rhythm of a heartbeat.

    massive tendrils and spires rose from the floor and ceiling, creating a surreal, cathedral like atmosphere.

    after several minutes of walking through the oppressive environment, they finally arrived at what appeared to be the queen''s throne, a massive, elevated platform carved directly from the organic structure of the chamber itself. it was adorned with intricate patterns of glowing green veins, resembling the circulatory system of a living being.

    and there she was.

    rex''s breath caught in his throat as he laid eyes on the hive queen for the first time.

    she was a towering figure, nearly 20 meters tall, her body exuding an aura of regal dominance and unparalleled power. her shimmering, iridescent black exoskeleton reflected the dim light in eerie, shifting patterns, creating an almost hypnotic effect.

    her elongated thorax and abdomen gave her a commanding presence, making her look like a living monument to both beauty and terror.

    her legs, sharp and silver-like, clung to the edges of her throne with elegance and menace. her wings, though folded neatly behind her, unfolded slightly as she stirred, revealing intricate translucent blue veins that glowed faintly, like the night sky etched onto fragile glass.

    her head was crowned with a massive crest, giving her the appearance of royalty beyond comprehension. six glowing green eyes stared down at rex, burning with intelligence, predatory cunning, and an almost supernatural awareness.

    her long, elegant mandibles twitched faintly, a subtle reminder of her raw physical power.

    his scanners immediately flashed an alert in his hud:

    [scan complete.]

    threat level: tier 7 (peak).

    warning: run.

    rex''s hands clenched slightly, his instincts screaming at him to leave, to run, to escape this overwhelming presence. but he stood his ground, even as every fiber of his being told him he was standing in front of a living god.

 Chapter 225 Confrontation.(6) The Queen.

    all around him, the khryssari champions kneeled without hesitation. even ys had dropped to one knee, bowing her head respectfully. rex, however, remained standing, his gaze locked onto the queen.

    the hive queen''s voice broke the silence, and it was nothing like what rex expected. it was smooth, charming, and teasing, with a melodic tone that felt completely out of place given her appearance.

    "so~," she said, her voice reverberating gently through the chamber, "you''re the human i''ve heard so much about from my daughter." discover exclusive tales on empire

    rex remained silent, unsure of how to respond. his body was still frozen in awe and tension, his mind racing as he tried to process everything around him.

    the queen tilted her head slightly, her glowing green eyes narrowing in amusement as she noticed his hesitation. "mmmm, it seems that this form might be... a little intimidating for you."

    her tone was teasing, almost playful, though the raw power behind her words made it impossible to mistake her for anything less than a supreme being.

    she extended one of her smaller, slender appendages toward ys, brushing it gently against her daughter''s face. a tiny droplet of ys''s blood glistened on the tip of the appendage as the queen withdrew it, inspecting it with curiosity.

    "allow me to fix that," she said with a faint smile.

    with that, the massive figure of the hive queen shifted, lowering herself into a resting position that resembled her usual sleep posture. from the crest of her head, a smaller, humanoid form began to emerge, encased in a translucent, shimmering membrane.

    the process was surreal and unsettling, the humanoid figure slowly detaching from the queen''s larger form like a butterfly emerging from a chrysalis.

    once fully separated, the membrane around the humanoid figure dissolved, transforming into an almost transparent dress that clung elegantly to her new body.

    standing before rex now was a humanoid woman of striking beauty. her skin had the same iridescent black shimmer as her larger form, and her eyes glowed faintly green, giving her an otherworldly appearance.

    her hair was long and silken, falling in dark waves that reflected a faint blue sheen. despite the overwhelming aura of power she still carried, her new form was far less physically imposing, though no less intimidating.

    she took a single step forward, her movements graceful and deliberate. before rex could react, she was suddenly standing directly in front of him, her glowing green eyes peering into his own through his helmet.

    "is this look more pleasing to you~?" the queen asked softly, her voice still carrying that teasing, melodic tone.

    rex instinctively stepped back half a step while his body tense, though he quickly caught himself and forced his feet to stay planted. his mind raced as he tried to find the right words, but her sudden proximity and the sheer weight of her presence made it difficult to think clearly.

    rex swallowed hard, his voice finally finding its way out of his throat. "well, you definitely know how to make an entrance," he said dryly, though his tone betrayed the nervous tension running through his body.

    the queen chuckled softly, her voice like silk. "and you," she said, "know how to amuse me. perhaps this meeting will be more interesting than i expected~."

    "darling~," she purred, her breath warm against his helmet as her hand trailed lightly across his chest.

    rex turned sharply, but she was gone, her teasing laughter echoing faintly through the chamber. he whipped his head back toward her throne, only to find her seated casually once more, her green eyes glinting with amusement.

    "now then," xytrallia said, as though nothing had happened, "since the introductions are over, let''s get into the topic, yes~?" she leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand.

    rex''s guard remained up, but he nodded. "i hope you don''t mind if i ask the first question. what kind of race do you come from?"

    the moment she asked, xytrallia''s glowing eyes pulsed again, and rex felt an unsettling sensation ripple through his body. it was as if she were peeling back every layer of him, examining him down to his very core.

    he suddenly felt exposed, as though there was no point in lying, not that it would even work.

    "well," rex began, forcing himself to remain composed, "since you already know my name, i''m assuming ys told you plenty about me. so i''ll just confirm it... i''m human... or, at least, i was. right now, i''m half-human and half-kaelzar."

    xytrallia tilted her head, her smile widening slightly. "half-human, half-kaelzar," she echoed, as if savoring the words. her gaze briefly lingered on him, and rex got the distinct feeling she wasn''t just looking at him; she was analyzing him.

    he shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep his focus away from her since her almost transparent dress, which clung to her figure in all the wrong (or perhaps all the right) ways, wasn''t helping.

    "mmm, yes, i do recall the kaelzars," xytrallia said casually, her tone laced with a faint edge of boredom. "boring creatures. too rigid. too proud. it''s no wonder they went extinct."

    "the higher queen at the time despised them, you know, for what they did. they thought themselves untouchable. look where that got them."

    her expression shifted slightly, becoming more curious. she leaned forward, her glowing eyes narrowing. "but...are you sure you''re human?"

    rex blinked, confused. "what do you mean? of course i''m human... well, half-human now, like i said."

    xytrallia tapped her lips thoughtfully, her gaze never leaving him. "mmm... i wonder."

    rex frowned. "what''s that supposed to mean?"

    she chuckled softly, reclining once more. "oh, nothing~," she said teasingly. "i just find it amusing. you seem so certain of what you are, and yet... there''s something about you, something... different. something even you don''t seem to understand."

    rex blinked, his stance slightly stiff as he processed the hive queen''s sudden shift in demeanor. she had moved closer to him, kneeling gracefully just a meter away, her glowing green eyes locked onto his with an intensity that made him feel like she was staring straight into his soul.

    her iridescent black skin shimmered faintly in the dim light, and her playful yet commanding aura made the hairs on the back of rex''s neck stand on end.

 Chapter 226 Confrontation. (7)

    "well then," xytrallia said while her tone was light but laced with authority, "since you''ve already asked your question, i suppose it''s my turn now." she smiled with a sharp, dangerous smile that carried both elegance and menace. "you see, i pride myself on being fair. one question for one question."

    she tilted her head slightly, her long, dark hair cascading over one shoulder as her glowing green eyes narrowed. "so... go ahead," she said with a teasing lilt, her voice soft yet commanding. "ask me your next question, rex. i''ll allow it."no?v(el)b\\jnn

    the proximity and intensity of her gaze made rex''s muscles tighten instinctively. for a moment, he debated what he could ask her or what he should ask her. this wasn''t a casual conversation; every word exchanged here had weight, and every question was a gamble.

    after a few seconds of deliberation, rex decided to push back, carefully choosing his words to test her in return. "alright," he said after straightening his posture slightly. "since we''re taking turns, and you''re clearly someone who knows more than you let on, i''ll ask something simple."

    her smile widened, the sharpness in her expression softening just a fraction as her eyes glinted with amusement. "oh? i like your confidence, rex. go on, then. ask."

    rex held her gaze, his voice calm but firm. "what exactly are you hoping to achieve with this meeting? why did you call for me specifically?"

    the queen let out a low hum, leaning back slightly as if pondering his question. her long, elegant fingers rested lightly on her chin, and her glowing green eyes flickered faintly, as though reflecting some unseen light.

    "ah, an excellent question," she said after a pause, her voice carrying an almost melodic tone of approval. "and bold, too. most would be too intimidated to ask such a direct question of me. i like that about you."

    she shifted her weight slightly, her translucent dress shimmering faintly as she rested her elbow on her knee, her head tilting once more. "as for why i called you here..." her smile turned enigmatic, her tone teasing yet cryptic. "let''s just say i''m... curious. you, rex, are not quite what you appear to be, and that intrigues me. and when something intrigues me, i like to take a closer look."

    her glowing eyes narrowed slightly, and rex could feel the weight of her gaze intensify. "you''re... different," she said, her voice softening, though it still carried a sharp edge. "you''ve been touched by powers that should be beyond your reach. you''re like a puzzle, rex, one i haven''t fully solved yet. that makes you... valuable."

    rex frowned slightly, her words stirring unease within him. "valuable how?" he asked cautiously.

    "ah-ah," she said while raising a slender finger. "it''s still my turn for a question, darling. don''t get greedy now."

    she leaned forward once more, her glowing green eyes locking onto his with an intensity that made his chest tighten. "now, my turn. since you''re human or, at least, partially human, allow me to ask you something about your oh so fascinating species."

    her voice dropped slightly, becoming almost a whisper. "how far are you willing to go to protect the ones you care about?"

    the question hung in the air like a blade, sharp and heavy. rex could feel the weight behind it, the subtle challenge in her tone, as if she were testing something deeper than just his resolve.

    "i see," she said slowly, her voice quieter this time, as if she were speaking to herself. "while the answer i was hoping for wasn''t quite that one, your explanation does bring about... a similar result."

    she fell into thought for a brief moment, her glowing eyes shimmering faintly. when she finally spoke again, her tone had shifted; now it was lighter, almost playful, but still carried a subtle weight.

    "well, well, well," she said with a devilish smile spreading across her lips. "you''ve managed to surprise me, rex. and not many people can do that. your answer... it''s unconventional. but it''s made me realize something new, and that''s put me in a rather good mood."

    her smile widened, her sharp teeth gleaming faintly in the dim green light of the chamber. "so, in light of that," she continued, her voice dripping with mischief.

    "i''ll offer you something. a reward, if you will. you may ask for one thing... anything you desire. and if it''s within my power to grant it, and it''s not too troublesome, i might just concede it to you."

    she leaned forward slightly, her glowing eyes locking onto his with a predatory intensity. "but do be careful what you ask for, darling~," she added with a teasing lilt, "because i don''t grant wishes lightly."

    rex blinked, his mind racing at her unexpected offer. he wasn''t sure if this was an opportunity... or a trap. still, the prospect of being able to ask something of xytrallia, one of the most powerful beings he had ever encountered, was not something to take lightly.

    "alright," rex said, his voice steady as he straightened his posture. "if you''re offering, i''ll take you up on that."

    xytrallia grinned, her expression both amused and expectant. "oh, i knew you would. so, darling~," she said while resting her chin on her hand once more. "what is it you desire? power? knowledge? protection? or... perhaps something else entirely?"

    when rex heard xytrallia''s last words and saw her licking her lips, he could tell she was thoroughly enjoying this little game. her amusement was clear in her mischievous grin, and that only pushed him to meet her challenge with his own confidence.

    "well, since i''m being offered this opportunity to wish for something, i''ll take it," rex answered, his voice firm and deliberate. "i want you to help us three times against enemies that attack us." he folded his arms and stood tall, waiting for her reaction, his golden eyes gleaming behind his helmet.

    for a brief moment, xytrallia didn''t say anything, and her expression was unreadable. then, slowly, a wide, sharp smile spread across her lips. "mmm... yes," she purred, her voice dripping with mock approval. "i was expecting you to ask for something like that."

    but then her smile turned sly while her glowing green eyes narrowed slightly. "however..."

    in an instant, she vanished from her throne, reappearing directly behind rex. he barely had time to react before he felt her long, slender arms wrap around his torso in an almost intimate embrace. her cool fingers brushed over his chestplate, tracing patterns against the hard surface of his armor.

    "you''re more greedy than i thought, darling," xytrallia teased him with her lips just inches from his ear. her voice was so smooth, so sultry, that it sent an involuntary shiver down rex''s spine. "three times? my, my... that''s quite the demand."

 Chapter 227 Confrontation. (8) The deal.

    rex''s posture stiffened, and his hands instinctively reached up to grab hers, stopping her from continuing her wandering touches. "look," he said, trying to mask his discomfort with an awkward laugh. "i don''t think it''s that unreasonable, is it? a little help here and there¡ª"

    "one time," xytrallia interrupted with her tone soft but firm, "i can agree to. but the other two times..." she leaned closer, her green eyes glowing faintly as her fingers paused under his hands.

    "for those, i''ll have to ask for an exchange. you see, i''m a fair queen, and i don''t break my own rules, now do i?" her voice was like velvet, utterly captivating and yet tinged with a dangerous undertone that made rex''s pulse quicken.

    rex let out another nervous chuckle, trying his best to remain composed as xytrallia''s presence enveloped him like a predator toying with its prey. "well," he began, carefully prying her hands off his chest and stepping forward to put a bit of distance between them.

    "i don''t think i have anything of too much value to trade for those two favors." he turned back to face her, offering her an awkward but determined grin. "and i definitely don''t plan on becoming a slave again. so... how about we just put it on my tab? you know, small payments over the years? i could even pay with interest!"

    for the first time, xytrallia looked genuinely caught off guard. her glowing eyes widened slightly, and she blinked several times in disbelief, as if she hadn''t fully processed what rex had just said.

    then, after a long pause, her lips curled into a smile so wide that it bordered dangerous. her melodious laughter filled the chamber, echoing off the organic walls like a haunting symphony.

    "hahaha! oh, you truly are a bold one, aren''t you?" xytrallia said, her laughter gradually subsiding as she crossed her legs and reclined gracefully back on her throne. "putting it on your tab, hmm? small payments, you say? oh, rex, you''ve amused me far more than i expected today."

    she leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as her glowing green eyes studied him with newfound curiosity. "you don''t even realize it, do you? most would cower before me, begging for the smallest crumb of mercy. but you..."

    she let out a soft chuckle, shaking her head in disbelief. "you dare to negotiate with me as though we''re equals. i find that... delightful."

    rex relaxed slightly, though he remained cautious. "so... does that mean we have a deal?"

    xytrallia''s smile turned sharper, her glowing eyes narrowing slightly. "let''s call it a partial deal," she said, her voice teasing. "i''ll grant you my aid once, without conditions. but for the other two times..."

    she tapped her fingers against the armrest of her throne, a thoughtful look crossing her face. "i''ll allow you to earn them. let''s say... a favor for a favor. each time you call upon me, you''ll owe me something in return. something equally valuable."

    rex frowned slightly, weighing her words. "and what exactly would you consider equally valuable?"

    xytrallia grinned, leaning back with a satisfied expression. "oh, don''t worry, darling. i''m sure we can come to an arrangement when the time comes. for now, just know that i won''t demand anything unreasonable. i''ll simply ask for what i believe is fair. after all, i''m nothing if not reasonable, wouldn''t you agree?"

    she tilted her head, flashing an innocent grin that could''ve melted the coldest heart or, in rex''s case, his helmet visor.

    rex crossed his arms, pretending to think it over. "mmm, tempting. but if you''re already giving me two free calls, why not just throw in a third? you know, as a sign of true remorse." he shot her a thumbs-up like he''d just struck the best deal of the century.

    xytrallia burst into laughter, throwing her head back. "hahaha! nice try, rex. your boldness really knows no bounds. fine, fine, ask your question already!" she wiped an imaginary tear from her eye, her laugh lingering in the air.

    "alright, here''s one for you," rex said while leaning forward slightly, his voice dropping into a mock-serious tone. "what can i say or do right now to convince you to make that third call free too?" under the helmet, a smirk spread across his face, not that she could see it.

    xytrallia''s glowing green eyes widened slightly at rex''s bold question, and for a moment, there was silence in the chamber.

    then, suddenly, she threw her head back and let out a melodic, genuine laugh, the kind that reverberated off the organic walls and sent a faint chill down rex''s spine. it was a laugh filled with both amusement and intrigue, as if she had just discovered a delightful new toy to play with.

    "hahaha! oh, rex, you really are something, aren''t you?" xytrallia said while lowering her head and brushing a strand of shimmering hair behind her ear.

    her lips curled into a wicked, teasing smile as her glowing eyes locked onto him. "you''re not only bold; you''re shameless. negotiating for free favors from me? how cheeky of you, darling."

    she leaned forward slightly, resting her chin on her hand as her smile widened. "well, i must admit, i am curious to see what you''ll come up with. so, go ahead. what do you think you could possibly offer me that would convince me to give you that third free favor? i''m dying to hear it."

    rex crossed his arms and tilted his head slightly, his golden eyes hidden behind his helmet. "well," he said with his voice being calm and confident.

    "i don''t know you well enough to guess what you truly want, but i''ve noticed you''re a fan of boldness. and if there''s one thing i know, it''s that sometimes people or queens find value in the unexpected."

    xytrallia raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued by his words. "oh? go on," she urged, her tone playful but tinged with genuine curiosity.

    rex took a step closer, his posture relaxed but deliberate. "how about this? i''ll give you my word. no tricks, no games. the next time you ask me for something that does not attempt against my life or those i love, i''ll agree to it without hesitation. that''s my offer. one favor, freely given, from me to you."

    xytrallia''s expression shifted, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied him. for a moment, she said nothing, her glowing gaze piercing into him like a scalpel. it was clear she was weighing the sincerity of his words, testing him in a way only she could.

    "you''re quite confident, aren''t you?" she said finally, her voice soft but laced with amusement. "offering me your word, as if that alone is enough to sway me. tell me, rex, why should i value your word? what makes it worth more than the words of countless others who''ve knelt before me?"

    rex smirked under his helmet, the sharpness of her question not shaking him in the slightest. "because unlike the others, i haven''t knelt. and i don''t plan to."

 Chapter 228 Confrontation. (9) Sacrifice.

    xytrallia''s eyes widened slightly at his response, and for the briefest moment, a flicker of surprise crossed her face. then, her lips curled into a slow, dangerous smile.

    "you are such a fascinating little human," she said with her voice practically dripping with delight. "bold, confident, and utterly unshakable. it''s almost enough to make me forgive your audacity..."

    she leaned back in her seat, tapping her fingers rhythmically against the armrest of her throne as she considered his offer. "alright, rex," she said after a long pause; her tone was still playful but carrying a hint of sharpness.

    "after speaking with you for just a few minutes, i think i''ve come up with the perfect way for you to repay me for that last favor," xytrallia said with a sly smile, and before rex could process her words, the ground beneath him gave way, and a massive hole swallowed him up.

    "whoa! what the¡ª?!" rex shouted as he fell, his body flailing uncontrollably. he barely had time to register what was happening before he landed with an unceremonious splash into a thick, amber colored pool.

    "damn it, i thought i was going to die!" rex grumbled as he surfaced, his armor dripping with the golden liquid. the substance clung to him like some sort of weird gelatin.

    "what the hell is this stuff?" he muttered while activating his plasma shields to stand on the goo''s surface. but even with his tech, balancing on it felt like trying to walk on half-melted marshmallows.

    a familiar voice chimed in from behind him. "hehehe, are you ready to pay for that favor now~?"

    rex spun around and froze. there was xytrallia, standing on the edge of the pool... stark naked. his brain short circuited for a moment, and he reflexively raised one hand to block the view. "uh¡ªuh¡ªwhat?! xytrallia, seriously, what is this?! where am i? and why... why are you not wearing anything?!"

    her grin widened as she stepped gracefully onto the amber surface, completely at ease. "relax, darling~. this is my private nutrient pool, filled with all the minerals and organic material one could ever need for health and vitality. i refined it myself, you know." she twirled a finger through the air as if showing off her craftsmanship.

    "that''s... great, but also not answering why i''m here!" rex stammered, trying desperately not to look anywhere inappropriate. he could feel the heat rising to his face, even through his helmet.

    "and can you, uh, please stop trying to pull my helmet off? i kinda need it to breathe!" he batted away her hands as she made a surprisingly determined attempt to remove it.

    "oh, don''t be such a baby," xytrallia teased him with her tone dripping with amusement. "see those algae over there?" she pointed to glowing green patches along the pool''s edge.

    "they produce oxygen, and those membranes surrounding us? they keep this space isolated from the vacuum of space. you''ll be fine." with a quick tug, she successfully popped his helmet off.

    rex took a deep breath, realizing she was right. the air here was oddly refreshing, with a faint minty aroma. "okay, fine. but that still doesn''t explain why i''m here. or why you''re here. or why you''re, uh..." he gestured vaguely in her direction, avoiding eye contact. "...not dressed."

    the trading station itself, though incapable of launching direct attacks, was no soft target. two military-grade energy shields hummed with power, enveloping the station in a protective bubble, while a plasma honeycomb shield clung tightly to the exterior like a second skin, an extra layer of defense in case enemy fighters breached the energy barriers.

    surrounding the station, a network of weapon platforms stood ready to light up the void. while their firepower couldn''t dent medium-sized enemy vessels, it was more than enough to swat down fighters like flies.

    cleo''s commands extended to the fleet and the weapon platforms, but inside the trading station, the twins lyra and nyra were in charge of the militia and their blood legion, which had been stationed there to repel any siege pods or boarding attempts.

    "sis, are you nervous? ''cause i really am," lyra admitted while clutching her stomach, which had started to ache from anxiety.

    "mmm?" nyra mumbled, not even looking up as she casually munched on an energy bar. "i''m not really nervous. it''s not like this is the first time we''ve fought on the front lines, you know?"

    lyra sighed, exasperated. "i knew you were going to say something like that, sis. but... it''s different now, you know? before, we were just commanding machines¡ªsoldiers we could repair or revive as long as their main memories stayed intact...."

    "but now, we have civilians here... people. real people. if they die, they''re gone. for good." she gazed at the militia members working tirelessly alongside the blood legion to build barricades, her worry etched into her face.

    nyra finally looked up, locking eyes with her twin. her usual playful expression was gone, replaced by something steely and unyielding. "you''re right about that," she said, her tone unusually serious.

    "but here''s the thing, we just have to do what we''re ordered to do. i''m not saying you shouldn''t care for your troops or show mercy when you can, but those are things only the strong have the privilege to do." nyra paused, her gaze unwavering. "and i hate to break it to you, lyra, but we''re not strong enough for that yet."

    for a moment, lyra was stunned. she had never seen her sister this serious before. "i''m... surprised," she admitted with her voice soft. "i didn''t expect you to call yourself weak."

    "oh, shut it!" nyra shot back with her usual spark, returning. "i didn''t say i was weak! i said we''re not strong enough yet. there''s a difference, you dummy!" before lyra could respond, nyra grinned mischievously and delivered a sharp smack to her sister''s butt.

    "hey!" lyra yelled, spinning around to retaliate, but before she could do anything, nyra scooped her up and slung her over her shoulder like a sack of flour.

    "put me down!" lyra protested while kicking her legs, but nyra just laughed and kept walking, ignoring her twin''s protests.

    the sight of the two sisters'' playful bickering brought smiles to some of the soldiers and militia members working nearby. for many of them, this moment of lightheartedness would be the last bit of levity they would see..

    war had a way of stealing those little moments.

 Chapter 229 Confrontation. (10) First contact

    [hostile fleet detected. activating alert level 3. civilians, proceed to the fortified shelter immediately. all combat-ready individuals report to the armory to defend the station. i repeat...]

    the cold, mechanical voice of the trading station''s ai echoed throughout the station, accompanied by flashing orange lights. designed by cleo herself, the ai was a crucial part of the station''s defenses, managing the energy shields and overseeing the weapon platforms.

    cleo stood at the heart of the command center, her calm demeanor masking the storm of calculations running through her mind. the enemy had arrived. and they were wasting no time.

    "the enemy fleet is here," cleo stated, her voice sharp and commanding. "deploying stealthy explosive drones. attention all fighter squadrons: be ready to deploy on my signal." her fingers danced across multiple consoles, sending hundreds of commands in the span of seconds.

    [alert. enemy fighters incoming.]

    "deploy fighters from carrier one," cleo ordered. moments later, the hangar doors of the leviathan-class carrier opened, releasing wave after wave of kaelzar fighters into the void. the sleek ships ignited their engines, accelerating to intercept the approaching enemy.

    [hostile fighter squadron contact in: 10 minus 4...]

    [3...]

    [2...]

    [contact.]

    the first clash was sudden and violent. the kaelzar fighters, designed for speed and firepower, unleashed a storm of plasma bolts and missiles. but the revenant fighters, shaped like jagged, obsidian rocks, employed brutal tactics, ramming their opponents with their reinforced hulls.

    their pointed, crystalline structures smashed through kaelzar ships like blades, leaving destruction in their wake.

    cleo''s eyes narrowed as she watched the battle unfold on the holographic display. the kaelzar ships were fast and deadly, but their superior firepower was being neutralized by the suicidal tactics of the revenant fighters.

    "fighter squadrons are being dispatched at an incredible rate," cleo muttered, her voice calm despite the rising tension. "initiating countermeasures... adapting to enemy tactics." with a few swift commands, she reprogrammed the fighters to focus on evasion, sacrificing some firepower in exchange for better survival odds.

    the shift in strategy stabilized the battle, tilting it into a delicate balance.

    meanwhile, aboard the revenant fleet''s command vessel, a towering golem with a glowing crystal embedded in its forehead stood before his leader. the golem''s voice rumbled like grinding stone. "great rock, the enemy has adapted to our tactics. what are your orders?"

    the great rock, an imposing figure whose chest radiated a sinister purple light, stood unmoving, his voice dry and emotionless. "it matters not. those are mere inferior golems. their deaths are inconsequential."

    his glowing eyes flickered as he turned toward the tactical display. "prepare the long-range launchers. we will target their larger vessels."

    back on the cleopatra, the station''s ai issued another warning.

    [warning: enemy large vessels are preparing to make a move. insufficient data to analyze enemy strategy. requesting more information.]

    "hey, welcome back~," she said softly, her voice carrying an almost teasing warmth.

    "what the hell just happened?" rex groaned while bringing a hand to his head as a dull, rhythmic pulse throbbed through his temples. "feels like i got hit by a starship."

    xytrallia chuckled, her laughter as sweet as it was mischievous. "mmm, i wonder~?" she said, her tone playful as she shifted slightly, now sitting up on top of him. "all i can tell you... is that it worked." her hand rested lightly on her stomach, the gesture almost casual, but meaningful.

    "what worked?" rex muttered, struggling to piece together his fragmented memory. his thoughts felt like broken shards scattered across a dark floor. "i don''t remember doing much..."

    leaning in closer, xytrallia gave him a sly smile, her lips brushing his ear as she whispered, "well, what do you think... papa~?"

    the word sent a cold shiver down rex''s spine, followed immediately by a flash of heat. he froze, staring at her in shock as the puzzle pieces suddenly clicked together. the memories rushed back, all the moments of intimacy and the surreal haze that had followed.

    "wait, wait, wait," rex stammered while grabbing xytrallia by the arms as he stared at her with wide eyes. "are you saying that... right now... inside you... is my son?"

    xytrallia tilted her head slightly, her expression softening into something unexpectedly vulnerable. "indeed," she said, her voice quieter but still laced with confidence. "why? are you displeased that your firstborn will be born from this queen?"

    "what?! no!" rex''s grip on her arms tightened, but his tone was filled with excitement rather than fear. "i don''t care about that! i''m going to be a father!"

    without hesitation, rex pulled xytrallia into a tight embrace, his emotions pouring out like a flood. for xytrallia, this moment of pure, unfiltered love was alien and overwhelming.

    as a queen, she had never experienced anything like this before. her previous offspring were born from enemies, creatures she had killed and devoured, using their nucleos to create her brood. but this... this was different.

    rex wasn''t just another source of material for her hive. he was her partner.

    and while rex was blissfully unaware of the deeper implications of what had just happened, xytrallia was all too aware. khryssari females were notoriously protective of their partners, driven by instincts that bordered on obsessive.

    in many ways, they were as loving as they were dangerous, an instinctive blend of devotion and possessiveness that most species couldn''t comprehend.

    "i-i-i know you''re excited," xytrallia stammered, her usual confidence wavering for just a moment. "but... can you please let me go now? we don''t have time for this. my explorers have reported that the enemy is already at your base." despite her words, part of her didn''t want him to let go.

    rex immediately snapped out of his euphoric haze, his mind switching back into soldier mode. "oh right! the trading station!" he said while releasing her and standing up in a hurry. "i''ll meet you in the throne room!"

    summoning his wings, rex launched himself upward, flying toward the same opening he had fallen through earlier. xytrallia watched him leave, her glowing green eyes lingering on the fading shimmer of his wings.

    for a moment, the room fell silent. slowly, xytrallia placed a hand on her stomach, her fingers brushing gently over the spot where new life was growing. it was a strange, intoxicating feeling, one she had never known in all her centuries as queen.

    this child wasn''t just another tool of war for her swarm. for the first time, she felt something foreign yet addictive: motherly love. it coursed through her, lighting a fire in her soul that no battle or conquest ever had.

    "this feeling..." she whispered to herself, her voice trembling slightly. "it''s dangerous. but... i want more of it."

 Chapter 230 Trust.

    once rex had secured the help he needed after making what could only be described as the greatest sacrifice of his life, the battle between the kaelzar forces and the revenant ascendancy remained locked in a tense stalemate.

    cleo''s tireless updates to the fighters maneuvers had kept the revenant fleet at bay, forcing their larger ships closer to the trading station, right into a vulnerable position where swarms of fighters and bombers could slip under their energy shields to strike their hulls directly.

    however, standard tactics dictated that larger ships wouldn''t commit until the outcome of the fighter skirmish tipped in one side''s favor. for now, the two fleets exchanged long-range artillery fire, making a deadly lightshow in the void while both sides bided their time.

    cleo stood at the command station aboard the cleopatra, her mind racing while she felt that something was off, the kind of unease that even battle-hardened instincts couldn''t explain. she leaned forward, her piercing gaze locked on the tactical display.

    "order: run scanners at maximum capacity," she commanded. her voice was calm, but the urgency beneath it was unmistakable. "the revenant wouldn''t just sit here wasting resources. this doesn''t feel right."

    and after several minutes, her intuition proved correct.

    [warning: multiple wormhole energy signatures detected above the trading station.]

    cleo''s head snapped toward the reinforced glass of the cleopatra''s bridge. her eyes widened as she watched wormholes rip open in the fabric of space, just above the trading station.

    from the glowing, chaotic voids emerged three massive revenant ships, identical to the ones they had already been engaging.

    "damn it," cleo muttered under her breath.

    [warning: enemy drop pods detected. activating weapon platform defenses.]

    hundreds of drop pods rained down like a deadly meteor shower, streaking toward the trading station. the station''s four weapon platforms sprang to life, their laser turrets and guided missiles firing relentlessly.

    many of the pods were destroyed mid-flight, erupting in fiery bursts that lit up the surrounding void. but the sheer number of pods was overwhelming, making some slip past the defenses, hurtling toward the station''s hull.

    "nyra, lyra," cleo called through her communicator, her tone sharp and commanding. "prepare for station combat. enemy forces are boarding."

    inside the trading station, chaos erupted.

    "everyone, brace for multiple impacts! enemy boarding parties incoming!" nyra''s voice boomed through the station''s speakers.

    the first wave of drop pods smashed into the station with deafening force, the impacts rattling the entire structure. some pods pierced through weaker hull sections, breaching into the station''s interior. while the aegis units remained steadfast, the militia forces were a different story.

    panic spread like wildfire.

    "it''s over! we can''t defend against this!"

    "we''re doomed!"

    nyra charged headfirst into the fray, her blades a blur of crimson light as she cut through the first golem she encountered. it roared in defiance, but she didn''t stop, moving with deadly precision.

    the revenant golem raised its massive fist, the jagged crystalline surface gleaming ominously under the flickering emergency lights. it had already smashed countless defenders like if they were insects, and this one, this tiny figure in black and crimson armor, looked no different to it. just another bug to crush.

    it swung down with the full weight of its monstrous strength, aiming to splatter nyra against the wall like it had done to so many others.

    but it made a fatal mistake.

    nyra dodged the attack effortlessly, her movements as quick and fluid as a shadow. the golem''s fist slammed into the wall with a deafening crash, sending cracks spiderwebbing across the metal. before it could recover, nyra sprang into action.

    her twin crimson blades gleamed as they cut through the golem''s massive arm with ease. the jagged crystalline limb fell to the ground, shattering into useless shards as if it were made of brittle glass.

    before the golem could even process the damage, nyra used the wall as a springboard, leaping with inhuman agility. in a flash, her blades sliced through its neck, severing its glowing purple head cleanly from its shoulders. the entire maneuver took less than three seconds.

    the headless body staggered for a moment before collapsing with a thunderous crash.

    the militia defenders nearby, who had been frozen in terror moments earlier, snapped back into action, but unfortunately they opened fire wildly, emptying their clips into the lifeless golem''s corpse, their panic overriding any sense of logic.

    "stop wasting ammo!" nyra shouted; her voice was sharp and commanding. her words cut through the chaos, and the militia finally stopped firing, lowering their weapons as they looked at her in awe.

    she stepped forward, her black power armor glowing faintly with its crimson highlights, making her look as imposing as she was dangerous. her twin blades hummed softly with residual energy as she sheated them back into their sheaths.

    "i already killed it," she said, her voice dripping with exasperation. "what are you guys so afraid of? they''re just walking rocks! shoot their damn heads! once their heads are gone, they''re as good as dead. i haven''t found an enemy yet that doesn''t die when you destroy its head."

    the militia members exchanged uncertain glances but ultimately nodded. despite the almost childish tone of her voice, nyra''s presence was commanding, and her display of skill left no room for doubt.

    "well then," nyra continued, her tone shifting to something more authoritative, "seeing that all of you finally calmed down, you''re all under my command now. we''re going to set up defensive positions at the station''s checkpoints. follow me!"

    the militia hesitated for a moment, then scrambled to obey. her confidence was contagious, and for the first time since the revenant invasion began, they felt like they had a fighting chance.

    meanwhile, elsewhere in the station, lyra monitored the situation from the command room. her eyes darted between various camera feeds, her fingers flying over the console as she directed the blood legion reinforcements into the battle.

    "unit alpha, secure the western wing. unit beta, reinforce sector c, hostiles are breaching the secondary storage decks. move now!" lyra''s voice was steady, but her clenched jaw betrayed her concern.

    through the cameras, she could see the devastation caused by the revenant invaders. the militia defenders were falling back, their positions overrun by the relentless golems. she gritted her teeth and keyed in another command.

    "send in blood legion units to support nyra''s position. prioritize choke points and high-value areas."

    at the fortified staircase leading to the command room, the station guards were making their stand. the stairway was a large, open area designed to accommodate the heavy foot traffic of traders visiting the station''s supply stores.

    but now, it had become the last line of defense for the command room and the ai systems that controlled the station''s shields.

 Chapter 231 Trust. (2) Brother.

    the guards had fortified the space with makeshift barriers, mounted turrets, and crates hastily repurposed as cover. the air was thick with tension as they braced for the inevitable.

    "sir! the militia defensive forces have been overrun!" one of the guards shouted, the panic creeping into his voice. "scouts report that the invaders are heading straight for us. do you think they know the command room is here?"

    the captain of the guard, a grizzled veteran with a robotic eye, stood firm, his plasma rifle resting across his chest. "it doesn''t matter if they know or not. it''s standard enemy tactics to target the command center. all that matters is we hold this position."

    he gestured toward the barricades. "this is the choke point. if they want to get to the command room, they''ll have to come through us first. so hold the line, no matter what!"

    the guards nodded, though some of their hands were shaking as they gripped their weapons.

    your journey continues at empire

    then came the sound they had all been dreading, the thunderous pounding of footsteps. the revenant golems were approaching.

    "positions! get ready!" the captain shouted the orders.

    moments later, the first golems appeared at the far end of the corridor. their towering forms gleamed under the emergency lights, their glowing purple crystals casting eerie reflections on the walls.

    the guards opened fire immediately, filling the air with the deafening sound of plasma bolts and energy blasts. the first golem took a direct hit to its shoulder, staggering for a moment before continuing its advance.

    "focus fire on the heads!" the captain shouted.

    the guards adjusted their aim, targeting the glowing crystals embedded in the golems heads. it took concentrated fire, but one of the golems finally fell, its head shattering like glass as it crumpled to the ground.

    the victory was short-lived since more golems surged forward, their crystalline limbs cutting through the barriers like paper. the guards fought desperately, but they were being pushed back inch by inch.

    "hold the line!" the captain shouted, his voice a beacon of determination amidst the chaos.

    in the midst of the battle, lyra''s voice crackled through nyra''s communicator.

    "nyra! the invaders are pushing toward the command room. the guards are holding them off, but they won''t last long."

    nyra''s eyes narrowed as she led her makeshift militia team through the station''s labyrinthine corridors. "tell them to hold on. i''m on my way. and send whatever blood legion units you can spare to back them up!"

    "i''m already on it," lyra replied while her voice was clearly tense. "just don''t do anything reckless!"

    nyra smirked, her crimson blades humming with energy as she picked up her pace. "reckless? me? pffff."

    "sir! the plasma turrets are working fine against the golems; we should focus them toward the place with more go¡ª"

    meanwhile, the younger brother had started crawling toward the command room, dragging himself across the blood-slicked floor with every ounce of strength he had left. but after just a few meters, he stopped. his heart twisted in his chest, and he couldn''t bring himself to leave.

    turning around, he saw his brother still manning the plasma gun, shouting curses and defiantly firing into the oncoming tide of golems. but the deadly blue crystals were already in the air, streaking toward him.

    "brother! come with me!" the younger brother screamed, his voice breaking as tears streamed down his face.

    the older brother turned briefly; his face lit with determination. "what the hell are you still doing here? get the hell ou¡ª"

    his words were drowned out by an explosion. a crystal detonated just in front of him, shattering into a cloud of bluish smoke that consumed his figure.

    the younger brother froze, his outstretched hand trembling as he stared into the haze.

    "nooooooo!" he screamed, his voice raw with anguish. the sound tore through the halls, carrying with it the pain of a soul ripped apart.

    the younger brother collapsed, his body trembling as his grief consumed him. the blood pooling beneath him grew wider, but he no longer cared. the pain in his leg was nothing compared to the hole torn in his heart.

    and yet, even as the revenant golems advanced, he gritted his teeth, pulling himself forward once more. his brother''s sacrifice had bought him time, and he just wasted it.

    [hostiles detected. order: blood legion, destroy them.]

    the injured guard''s ears perked up at the mechanical voice cutting through the chaos. it was cold, calculated, yet oddly familiar. he''d heard it before during drills, back when this station had felt like a safe haven. but now, in the heat of battle, the voice seemed to carry a weight it never had before.

    with trembling hands, he turned his head toward the thick cloud of bluish smoke where his brother had been just moments ago. he expected nothing but silence, destruction, and the finality of death.

    but then... he saw it.

    from the haze, a faint red glow began to pulse, growing stronger and brighter with each passing second.

    before the injured guard could process what was happening, a sharp crack pierced the air, and a searing red plasma bolt shot out of the smoke, striking one of the revenant golems square in the head.

    the massive creature staggered for a moment before collapsing with a heavy thud, its crystalline skull shattered like glass.

    the sound of heavy, metallic footsteps echoed behind him.

    he turned his head to see a towering figure standing over him, just to see it was a blood legion aegis unit. this particular unit was unlike the others he had seen before. its frame was bulkier, its design sleeker, and its crimson lights radiated an almost menacing glow.

    yet, despite its intimidating appearance, this aegis unit was outfitted with modifications specifically for medical assistance, a testament to cleo''s relentless innovation.

    [allied force in need of urgent medical assistance confirmed. proceeding to treat.]

 Chapter 232 Trust.(3)

    several mechanical tentacles extended from the aegis unit''s back with a quiet hum. one tentacle began cutting away the shredded fabric of the injured guard''s uniform, while another applied a cool, glowing gel directly to the wound.no?v(el)b\\jnn

    the third tentacle, equipped with a precision laser, expertly cauterized the severed blood vessels, sealing the injury with incredible speed and efficiency.

    to his surprise, the guard felt no pain. the gel numbed the wound entirely, replacing the agony with a strange, soothing sensation.

    but it was then that he heard a voice he could recognize anywhere.

    "b-brother...?" he whispered, his voice hoarse, disbelief etched across his face.

    "thank your lucky stars, because i''m right here, little bro!"

    the injured guard''s heart nearly stopped as he turned back toward the smoke. from the haze, his older brother emerged, alive and very much intact. his uniform was tattered, and his face was covered in soot, but there was a wide, cocky grin plastered across his face.

    "w-what... how... you... i..." the injured guard stammered, his mind struggling to process what he was seeing.

    "ha! you thought i was dead?" his brother laughed, clapping a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "so did i, honestly. hell of an experience, i''ll tell you that. but lucky for me, that big guy over there wasn''t ready to let me bite the dust!"

    he pointed toward the hulking figure standing at the edge of the smoke. it wasn''t an aegis unit. no, this was something far more terrifying. towering at nearly three meters tall, the new tyrant-class heavy infantry unit stood like a juggernaut of war.

    its armor was reinforced with overlapping plates that gleamed dark crimson under the station''s flickering lights, and its weapon systems hummed ominously with latent energy.

    the tyrant-class unit held a massive plasma cannon in one hand, its barrel still glowing red-hot from recent use. on the other hand, it gripped a melee weapon that resembled a halberd, with its edges crackling with energy. the glowing red eyes embedded in its helmet scanned the battlefield, assessing threats with eerie precision.

    "that thing saved you?" the injured guard asked, still trying to wrap his head around the situation.

    "saved me? ha! more like it stomped through those rock bastards like they were nothing and pulled me out of the fire. i swear, i''ve never seen anything like it," his brother said, his grin never faltering.

    the older brother crouched down, sliding an arm under his sibling''s shoulder to help him stand. "come on, we need to move. the command room''s just ahead. they''ve got doctors waiting for you there."

    the injured guard winced as he tried to put weight on his good leg. "i... i can''t walk on this," he muttered, frustration and pain lacing his voice.

    "don''t worry about that; i''ve got you." the older brother adjusted his grip, practically lifting his injured sibling off the ground as he began retreating toward the command room. "i''m not letting you die here. not today."

    the injured guard glanced back toward the battlefield one last time. the aegis unit that had treated him was already moving on to assist other wounded soldiers, its mechanical tentacles working tirelessly.

    the tyrant-class heavy infantry was wading into the chaos, cutting down revenant golems with brutal efficiency. plasma bolts and energy blasts illuminated the corridor, but the towering war machine remained unstoppable, carving a path of destruction through the enemy forces.

    for the first time since the invasion began, the injured guard felt a flicker of hope.

    [request: advance through the hole and engage hostile forces to prevent further destruction inside the facility. awaiting permission.]

    the tyrant''s deep, mechanical voice echoed through the station as it relayed its request to command. just as the transmission ended, another revenant golem crawled through the breach, only to be met with a devastating swing of the tyrant''s halberd.

    the weapon cleaved through the golem''s head in a single, fluid motion, sending its shattered remains tumbling back into the void.

    lyra, standing in the command room, watched the scene unfold on her holoscreens. the battle was far from over, but for the first time, the defenders had gained momentum. the blood legion was proving itself as a force to be reckoned with.

    she turned to the holo-screen displaying the tyrant unit''s glowing red visage. "permission granted. advance through the breach, but retreat if you encounter resistance too powerful to handle. we can''t afford to lose you."

    [permission received.]

    the tyrant unit''s eyes flared brighter for a moment before it issued orders to the nearby blood legion forces.

    [squads 4 and 5 follow me.]

    with flawless coordination, the blood legion began pouring through the breach. each unit''s feet were magnetized to the surface of the station''s hull, allowing them to move across the exterior without being flung into the void of space.

    the sight of crimson lights streaking across the hull like a swarm of mechanical predators was both haunting and awe-inspiring.

    the revenant golems on the hull turned to meet the new threat, their crystal weapons glowing as they prepared to launch another barrage. but the blood legion was already moving, advancing with terrifying speed and precision.

    plasma rifles flared to life, cutting down the nearest enemies with pinpoint accuracy while the tyrant unit led the charge, its halberd crackling with raw energy.

    the hull of the trading station became a new battlefield, one where the blood legion fought to reclaim every inch of ground.

    "it seems the twins are performing better than i anticipated," cleo murmured to herself while watching the holographic display of the battle in the trading station.

    the crimson lights of the blood legion units glimmered as they swarmed out of the station to meet the revenant forces head-on. the sight of the tyrant-class units carving through the crystalline golems brought a faint smile to her lips.

    but her focus quickly shifted. outside the station, the revenant fleet was still holding its position, bombarding her forces from a distance, waiting for an opening. cleo knew that letting them linger any longer was dangerous; they needed to strike back before the enemy could consolidate their gains.

    "well then," cleo said as she straightened her posture, her voice calm yet resolute. "it''s time to launch our counterattack. system, transmit the attack coordinates to the holy maiden. let''s see if she is as loyal as she claims to be."

    [coordinates sent. holy maiden has acknowledged receipt. awaiting order.]

    cleo didn''t respond immediately. instead, she turned and walked toward the center of the command room, where a regal throne-like chair awaited her. she lowered herself into the seat with deliberate grace, resting her hands on the armrests as the faint hum of the ship''s systems filled the room.

    closing her eyes, she allowed her main consciousness to leave her body, her neural link connecting her directly to the cleopatra''s internal systems.

    within moments, her mind synchronized with the battleship, and her holographic avatar materialized outside the ship, standing atop the enormous barrel of its primary cannon.

 Chapter 233 Trust. (4)

    The avatar of Cleo appeared as a shimmering, semi-transparent figure, her form still retaining the elegance and authority she commanded in the physical world. The hologram''s golden hues flickered against the backdrop of the void, making her appear almost divine.

    She raised one hand, pointing her finger directly at the closest Revenant vessel, one of the hulking monstrosities of jagged crystals and dark metal, looming ominously near the station.

    The Cleopatra''s primary cannons began to shift and rotate, their massive barrels aligning with the hostile vessel. The sound of the ship''s internal mechanisms humming to life reverberated across the void as the weapon systems locked onto their target.

    Cleo''s voice echoed, both in the command room and across the communication network of her fleet. It was calm and absolute, yet carried a weight that demanded obedience.

    "Fire."

    The Cleopatra''s main cannon unleashed its fury. A blinding beam of energy erupted from the barrel, cutting through the darkness of space like a lance of molten fire. The sheer power of the shot illuminated the battlefield, momentarily overpowering even the glow of the trading station''s lights.

    The beam struck the Revenant vessel dead-on, slamming into its shields with a cataclysmic force. For a brief moment, the vessel''s crystalline barrier shimmered, struggling to hold against the overwhelming assault.

    But it wasn''t enough. The energy beam pierced through the shields and tore into the hull, igniting a chain reaction within the ship''s core.

    The hostile vessel erupted in a massive explosion, shards of crystal and debris scattering across the void. The shockwave rippled outward, causing smaller Revenant vessels nearby to falter and adjust their positions.

    On the Cleopatra, Cleo''s holographic avatar lowered her hand, her expression neutral as she surveyed the aftermath of the strike. The destroyed Revenant vessel had created a gap in their formation, a gap she intended to exploit.

    "System, relay the updated battle map to all fleet units," Cleo commanded. "Order all carriers to deploy heavy bombers through the opening. Prioritize their engines."

    [Orders acknowledged. Heavy bombers deploying.]

    Cleo''s consciousness returned to her physical body, her eyes opening as she sat on the throne. She tapped her fingers against the armrest, her mind already racing through potential countermeasures in case the Revenant fleet retaliated.

    "Great Rock, the heavy transport ships are under attack. One of them has already been destroyed, and the remaining ones have lost their engines. Should we send reinforcements?" A revenant golem officer asked, his voice calm yet tinged with urgency.

    "Hmph," the Great Rock grunted dismissively, his towering crystalline form radiating an aura of authority. "There is no need for you to panic. Tell them to overload their cores and take as many enemy fighters with them as they can. Their sacrifice will not be in vain."

    The Great Rock''s words carried no sympathy, no hesitation. To him, the lives of their soldiers were mere resources, expendable, and easily replaced. After all, billions of golems could be produced from the next conquered world.

    "Understood, Great Rock," the officer said while bowing slightly. He held a glowing crystal in his hand and prepared to transmit the self-destruct orders to the stranded transports.

    Now, she was no longer just a rising figure. She was a symbol. A saintess. A divinity in the eyes of her followers.

    Inside the command room, her presence was treated as sacred. Her throne, veiled in alien silk to preserve her "divine purity," was surrounded by several priestesses.

    These women, sworn virgins consecrated to the "Goddess of the White Light," chanted softly, their prayers filling the room with an ethereal hum.

    From behind the veil, Lilla finally spoke, her voice calm yet commanding. "Hold fire for now. Let them come to us. Position the destroyers to flank their main vessels. If they focus on our flagship, we''ll take their center while our pincers close around them. And ensure no one questions our divine mission. There is no room for hesitation."

    The officer bowed deeply once again. "Yes, Saintess. Your will shall be done."

    As the officers relayed her commands, Lilla leaned back on her throne, her fingers tracing the edges of the silk draped over her lap. The battle ahead would be difficult, but it would also be a statement.

    Her lips curled into a faint smile.

    "This is no longer just a battle," she whispered to herself. "This is a demonstration of faith."

    Outside, the main carrier and its accompanying destroyers began shifting into position, their weapons systems primed and ready. The Revenant fleet loomed ahead, a menacing wall of crystalline vessels preparing to unleash their fury.

    But Lilla''s forces were undeterred. The faithful did not fear death. They feared failure, and they would not fail their saintess.

    The Revenant fleet and Lilla''s fleet shifted their formations, both adjusting to gain the upper hand while delivering relentless volleys of turret fire across the void.

    The stars were painted with the glow of plasma bolts, energy blasts, and streaks of burning debris as both fleets sent out their fighters to clash in the chaos of the battlefield.

    The Revenant fighters, jagged and erratic in their movements, darted through the void like angry hornets, aiming to sabotage the destroyers. Meanwhile, Lilla''s fighters, sleek, fast, and disciplined, moved to defend their ships, their movements guided by faith in their goddess and orders from their commanders.

    "Red Wing Leader to squad." The commanding voice cut through the squad''s comms. "Our mission is to defend the second destroyer. Bring upon them the divine punishment in the name of the Goddess!"

    "Understood, Red Leader!" the squad members replied in unison as their formation split into groups of three, each maneuvering to intercept the incoming Revenant fighters.

    Among them was Erik, the youngest and newest member of the squad, his fingers trembling slightly as they gripped the controls of his fighter. This was his first live battle, and he could feel the weight of it pressing down on his chest.

    "Young Erik!" Red Leader''s voice broke through his thoughts, firm yet teasing. "I hope you''re ready for your first live battle! Try not to die out there, or your father''ll kill me! Just follow my lead and back me up. Got it?"

    Erik took a deep breath and forced a laugh, trying to sound braver than he felt. "Understood! I''ll always follow your butt, sir!"

 Chapter 234 Trust. (5)

    For a second, there was silence on the comms. Then¡ª

    "The hell you just say?!" Red Leader''s voice came back, indignant but laced with humor. "Listen, kid, I''m flattered, but I''m sorry to break it to you; I''m not into dudes! Better introduce me to your mom instead. Now she looked fine. Like a good-aged wine, you know?"

    "What?!" Erik yelled back, nearly choking on his words as he swerved to avoid a stray plasma bolt. "I don''t know who you think my mom is, but she''s been dead for years! Who the hell are you talking about?!"

    There was a brief pause before Red Leader''s laughter exploded over the comms. "Mmm? What? Dead? Oh, shit, kid... I think I just said something I shouldn''t have! HAHAHA! Don''t tell your dad, alright?"

    Erik groaned, half-exasperated, half-amused. "You''re unbelievable! Focus on the fight, Red Leader!"

    "Relax, rookie, I got this. Keep my six clear, and I''ll introduce you to a bottle of wine when we get back. Deal?"

    "Deal, just stay alive long enough for that, alright?" Erik said, finally letting a genuine laugh slip through, even as his nerves burned in the heat of battle.

    The chatter between the two pilots barely masked the chaos around them. Revenant fighters darted in with their kamikaze tactics, slamming into shields or aiming for weak spots on the destroyers.

    But Lilla''s fighters, disciplined and well-coordinated, intercepted them, thinning their numbers one by one.

    "Erik, on your right!" Red Leader''s voice snapped Erik''s focus to an incoming fighter. The jagged Revenant ship had locked onto Erik''s fighter, its crystal nose glowing as it prepared to fire.

    "I see it!" Erik shouted, yanking his controls hard to the left. His fighter spiraled just in time to avoid the shot, but the Revenant ship was still tailing him.

    "Hold on, kid, I''m coming!" Red Leader said while his fighter swooped down like a hawk. With a quick burst of plasma fire, he obliterated the Revenant fighter in a shower of glowing shards. "That''s one less for you to worry about! You owe me, rookie!"

    Erik exhaled shakily, his grip on the controls relaxing slightly. "Thanks, Red Leader. I''ll pay you back out here, I promise."

    "Damn right you will! Now stay sharp! This isn''t over yet!"

    As the battle raged on, the fighters of Lilla''s fleet held their ground, protecting the destroyers with everything they had. For them, it wasn''t just a mission; it was a divine duty, a sacred cause in the name of their goddess.

    Far above the chaos, aboard the carrier, the Saintess herself watched the battle unfold through a holoscreen, her expression serene yet focused. The Revenant forces had underestimated her zealots, and they were beginning to pay the price.

    Lilla''s voice echoed through the ship''s comms, calm and resolute: "Hold the line. Protect the faithful. Bring divine judgment upon our enemies."

    Her words reverberated through the hearts of her followers, reigniting their courage as the battle continued to escalate.

    Nyra turned toward him, her grin hidden beneath the visor of her power armor. The crimson lights on her suit flared to life as her helmet fully covered her head, the faint hum of energy coursing through the armor''s systems.

    She reached over her shoulder and drew her second blade from its sheath, the weapon glowing with an ominous crimson hue.

    "Don''t worry," she said, her voice now distorted slightly by her helmet''s speaker. "This choke point isn''t falling anytime soon. These ugly bastards can''t even get past the guys behind me. Besides, I''ll be back before you know it. Try not to die while I''m gone, alright?"

    The comms officer stared at her in disbelief as she strode off toward the west entrance. Despite the chaos and danger surrounding her, Nyra''s confidence was unshakable.

    At the west entrance, the situation was dire. Revenant golems continued to pour in, their jagged crystalline forms glinting menacingly as they pushed through the narrow corridors.

    The Blood Legion units stationed there were holding the line, but barely. The golems relentless assault was beginning to overwhelm even their disciplined ranks.

    The sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor as Nyra approached, her glowing armor casting an eerie red light ahead of her. The Blood Legion soldiers turned briefly to look at her, their targeting systems acknowledging her presence with quick, curt flashes.

    "Hold the line!" Nyra shouted as she sprinted into the fray, her twin blades a blur of motion. She leaped toward the nearest golem, slashing clean through its arm before spinning and driving her second blade into its core.

    The creature shattered into a spray of glowing shards as its broken body crumpled to the ground.

    Another golem lunged at her, swinging its massive crystalline arm like a hammer. Nyra dove under the blow and slashed upward with both blades, severing the arm at the elbow. She followed through with a quick, brutal thrust into its neck, taking its head clean off.

    "Let''s show these oversized pebbles what happens when they mess with my station!" she shouted, her voice ringing out over the sounds of battle.

    The Blood Legion soldiers, inspired by her presence, redoubled their efforts. Plasma rifles flared as they focused fire on the golems heads, shattering their crystalline cores with ruthless efficiency. The tide of battle at the west entrance began to shift in favor of the defenders, and Nyra''s presence was the catalyst.

    As the last of the golems in the immediate area fell, Nyra stood amidst the glowing debris, her breathing steady despite the effort she''d exerted. She turned to the Blood Legion soldiers, her twin blades dripping with the glowing remnants of shattered cores.

    "Reinforce this position and hold it until those mounted guns arrive," she commanded. "We''re not losing this entrance, got it?"

    [Affirmative. Holding position.]

    Nyra nodded, already turning to head back to the main choke point. The battle was far from over, but as long as she and the Blood Legion continued to fight, the Revenant invaders wouldn''t win this day.

    "Wow... since when did Nyra become this amazing?" Lyra muttered to herself, her eyes glued to the monitors in the command room. The screens showed her twin sister slicing through Revenant golems like they were nothing more than fragile toys.

    Nyra''s precision, speed, and confidence seemed almost superhuman. For a brief moment, Lyra''s heart swelled with pride as she watched her twin command the battlefield with such ferocity and grace.

    But Lyra''s admiration distracted her from something far more dangerous.

 Chapter 235 Trust. (6) Superior enemies.

    Just outside the reinforced door of the surveillance room, a new threat loomed. A Revenant golem, smaller than the ones they''d faced before, stood ominously in the hallway. Barely two meters tall, it was almost unimpressive compared to its larger counterparts. But what it lacked in size, it more than made up for in menace.

    On its shoulders rested two glowing blue crystals, crackling faintly with arcs of energy. The crystals exuded a dangerous aura, pulsing rhythmically like a heartbeat.

    Unlike the other golems, which lumbered with brutish simplicity, this one moved with an eerie precision. Its glowing bluish eyes flickered as it scanned its surroundings, its jagged crystalline limbs twitching slightly as if preparing for a strike.

    It wasn''t just another foot soldier. This golem was different. It was faster. Smarter. Deadlier.

    The golem stopped in front of the door to the surveillance room, its head tilting slightly as if analyzing the door. Then, without hesitation, it raised one crystalline arm. Energy surged through the blue crystals on its shoulders, concentrating into the tip of its outstretched limb.

    A sharp, piercing crack echoed through the hallway as the golem fired a concentrated bolt of energy directly at the door.

    Inside the room, Lyra flinched as a sudden, deafening bang reverberated through the walls. She turned sharply, her attention torn away from the monitors. "What the hell was that?!" she muttered, her heart already pounding fast as she stared at the door.

    The reinforced metal groaned under the impact, faint scorch marks appearing around the center. Another crack followed, and this time the door buckled slightly, a faint dent forming where the energy had struck.

    A third, deafening crack echoed through the room, and before anyone could react, the reinforced metallic door was sent flying across the space. It slammed into the monitors with a catastrophic crash, shattering half of them in a burst of sparks and broken glass.

    The room filled with the acrid scent of burning circuits as the door clattered to the ground.

    The Revenant golem stepped through the ruined doorway, its movements unnervingly slow and deliberate. Its glowing blue crystals pulsed faintly as its red eyes scanned the room, locking onto every corner with chilling precision.

    The air seemed to grow heavier, the faint hum of its power filling the silence like a predator stalking its prey.

    From the shadows to its right, Lyra emerged, her twin pistols aimed directly at the golem''s head. Without hesitation, she pulled both triggers, the loud sound of gunfire echoing in the stillness.

    But what happened next froze her in place.

    The bullets stopped midair.

    Just a few centimeters from the golem''s head, the projectiles hovered, suspended as if time itself had been frozen. A faint, shimmering energy field surrounded the golem''s head, rippling like disturbed water. Lyra''s breath hitched, her mind struggling to process what she was seeing.

    The golem''s head turned slowly toward her, its crystalline shoulders glowing brighter. The right crystal began to pulse as arcs of energy crackled along its arm. It raised its hand, pointing directly at Lyra''s face, its glowing blue eyes narrowing as if preparing to strike.

    But before the golem could fire, a deafening lion roar erupted inside the room, shaking the very walls. The roar was primal, furious, and filled with raw power.

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    Lyra hesitated for a moment before swallowing hard. "It''s... a Tier 3 peak creature."

    Gustav''s tail flicked in agitation as he let out a low growl. "Peak? You''re telling me we''re up against something at the top of Tier 3?"

    Lyra nodded as she quickly switched the ammunition in her pistols to explosive rounds. "Yep, we''re screwed."

    Gustav smirked, his blue eyes narrowing as he crouched slightly, ready to pounce. "Screwed? Speak for yourself, princess. I''m just getting started."

    The golem stepped forward, its glowing crystals crackling ominously as it prepared another attack. Lyra raised her pistols, her explosive rounds locked and loaded, while Gustav shifted his weight, the air around him growing tense with anticipation.

    "Guess we''ll find out if your''master can keep up," Gustav muttered, his grin widening.

    "Shut up and fight!" Lyra snapped, her voice shaking slightly as the golem charged forward, its glowing crystals lighting up the corridor.

    "I''ll take the front! You just make sure not to shoot me in the back!" Gustav roared as he lunged forward, his powerful frame barreling toward the golem with reckless determination.

    The crystalline golem didn''t hesitate. The blue crystals on its shoulders pulsed, releasing rapid-fire energy bolts that streaked toward Gustav. He dodged as many as he could, his movements surprisingly agile for his size. The shots he couldn''t avoid slammed into his honeycomb shield, causing it to flicker with every hit.

    "Damn shield''s holding... for now," Gustav muttered to himself, his claws flexing as he closed the gap.

    Once in range, Gustav unleashed a flurry of punches, each one aimed directly at the golem''s head. His fists crashed into the invisible force field protecting the creature, the impact sending small shockwaves rippling through the air. But despite the sheer power behind his strikes, the barrier held firm, the golem remaining completely unharmed.

    "WHAT THE HELL IS THIS SHIT?!" Gustav shouted in frustration, landing punch after punch with no effect.

    The golem''s eyes flared brighter as if responding to his anger. Without warning, the blue crystals on its shoulders discharged two bolts of lightning at point-blank range. The searing electricity struck Gustav square in the chest, sending him flying backward.

    With a resounding crash, Gustav hit the cold metallic floor, his body skidding several meters before coming to a stop. He groaned, his muscles spasming as residual electricity coursed through his body, locking him in place.

    "This fucker..." Gustav growled through gritted teeth, his claws digging into the floor as he tried to push himself up. But the electricity surging through his body left him momentarily paralyzed, his limbs stiff and unresponsive.

    Before the golem could press its advantage, a series of loud shots echoed through the corridor. From the ceiling, Lyra fired several rounds at the golem''s face, each shot perfectly aimed at its head.

    The bullets flew straight and true, but just like before, they stopped midair, suspended by the golem''s invisible force field.

 Chapter 236 Trust. (7)

    "Of course that''s still working," Lyra muttered under her breath. Then, with a triumphant grin, she shouted, "But! That won''t work twice!"

    The bullets, suspended just inches from the golem''s face, suddenly exploded. A chain of fiery blasts erupted around its head, shattering the invisible barrier that had protected it so far.

    The golem staggered slightly, its shield no longer intact, but the damage was minimal. The crystalline armor on its head was scorched but far from broken.

    "Nice! So at least this works!" Lyra cheered, ejecting her spent clip and quickly reaching for another.

    But the golem, seemingly unfazed by the loss of its shield, turned its glowing red eyes toward her. The blue crystals on its shoulders flared as it unleashed a barrage of energy shots, each one crackling with deadly intensity.

    "Hey! Wait! This is against the rules!" Lyra shouted as she bolted across the ceiling, her boots magnetized to the metallic surface. She zigzagged to avoid the blasts, her movements frantic but calculated.

    "The villain''s supposed to let the hero reload! That''s how this works! THIS IS CHEATING!"

    The golem''s shots followed her relentlessly, each blast narrowly missing as she weaved between support beams and conduits. Sparks flew as stray bolts struck the ceiling around her, but Lyra kept moving, her face a mix of panic and determination.

    On the ground, Gustav let out a guttural growl, his frustration boiling over as he watched Lyra dart around like a frantic rabbit. With a deep breath, he summoned every ounce of strength in his body and let out a powerful roar.

    The sound wasn''t just noise; it carried a concussive force that rippled through the air, slamming into the golem and momentarily disrupting its attack. The barrage of energy shots ceased as the creature stumbled back, its systems recalibrating in response to the shockwave.

    "What the hell are you doing up there?!" Gustav shouted, finally managing to push himself to his feet. His fur bristled with irritation as he cracked his neck, his muscles loosening from the numbing effects of the lightning. "Can''t you do anything besides RUNNING AWAY?!"

    "I am doing something!" Lyra shot back, sliding into a new position and slamming her fresh clip into her pistol. "It''s called staying alive! Try it sometime!"

    Gustav let out a low, feral growl, his sharp teeth bared in a grimace. "Staying alive won''t mean shit if we don''t kill this thing first!"

    Without waiting for a response, Gustav charged at the golem again, his body a blur of motion as he closed the distance. His roars echoed through the corridor, each one filled with raw fury. This time, he aimed lower, targeting the golem''s legs. If he couldn''t break its head, he''d bring it to its knees.

    The golem turned its attention back to Gustav, its crystals crackling with renewed energy. But Gustav was faster this time. He ducked under a blast of lightning and slammed his claws into the joint of the golem''s left leg.

    The force of the blow sent shards of crystal flying, and the golem''s movements faltered slightly."Got you now, you shiny bastard!" Gustav snarled, gripping the golem''s leg and twisting with all his strength.

    As the creature staggered, Lyra took the opportunity to fire another round of explosive bullets, this time aiming for the exposed joints in the golem''s shoulders. The rounds detonated on impact, sending shards of crystal flying and destabilizing the creature''s balance even further.

    The instant it reached Gustav, it unleashed a flurry of punches, each blow landing with bone-rattling force. "Why you little sh¡ª!" Gustav growled while trying to counterattack, but the golem grabbed him by the face mid-sentence.

    With terrifying strength, the golem slammed Gustav''s head onto its remaining knee. The impact echoed through the corridor as Gustav''s body went limp, collapsing to the floor in a heap. Small arcs of electricity continued to spark across his body, his breathing shallow but still present.

    "Gustav!" Lyra yelled, panic flashing across her face as she quickly scrambled to her feet. Without hesitation, she summoned her bloody tentacles, the nanomaterial-reinforced tendrils surging out from her back like writhing serpents.

    With a flick of her wrist, she sent them whipping toward the golem, each tentacle aiming to grab and crush the creature.

    The golem, however, moved faster than she expected. Its crystals flared, and it suddenly levitated off the ground, gliding out of range of her tentacles with unnatural grace. The sight made Lyra''s stomach sink.

    "Eh.... this... just became impossible, no?" She muttered to herself, her voice trembling slightly as she stared at the golem hovering above the corridor.

    Her eyes darted toward Gustav''s motionless form on the ground, the faint sizzle of electricity still sparking off his fur. He was alive, but barely. And if this fight continued, she wasn''t sure she could keep herself alive, let alone him.

    The golem turned its glowing bluish gaze back to Lyra, its presence radiating menace. It raised both of its arms, the blue crystals on its shoulders flaring brightly as it unleashed a barrage of lightning bolts.

    "Shit!" Lyra hissed while her tentacles snapped into position to block the attacks. Each time the lightning struck one of her tentacles, it disintegrated instantly, the nanomaterial unable to withstand the sheer power of the energy.

    She kept summoning more, but the lightning barrage was relentless, tearing through them faster than she could regenerate. Read chapters at empire

    "This is not how I planned to die today!" Lyra shouted, diving to the side to avoid a bolt that tore through the floor where she''d been standing. She rolled across the ground, her power armor absorbing the impact, but her HUD was flashing warnings about system strain.

    Her mind raced as she struggled to think of a solution. The golem wasn''t just stronger; it was smarter, faster, and seemingly impossible to put down. The only reason she was still alive was because it hadn''t managed to pin her down yet, but how long could she keep dodging?

    "Come on, Lyra... think!" she muttered to herself, sweat beading on her forehead as she ducked behind a piece of fallen debris. "Nyra would never let me hear the end of it if I died here!"

    The golem stopped firing for a brief moment, as if assessing the battlefield. Its glowing eyes scanned the area, searching for its prey. Lyra peeked out from behind her cover, gripping her pistols tightly. Her hands were trembling, but her expression hardened.

    "Alright, you shiny asshole," she whispered, switching the ammo in her guns to something stronger, armor-piercing explosive rounds. "If you want me, come and get me."

    The golem''s eyes locked onto her position, and the blue crystals flared again, preparing another attack.

    Lyra took a deep breath, steadying her aim. "Let''s see if you can block this, you overgrown light bulb!"

 Chapter 237 Trust. (8) Lyra full power.

    Lyra leapt out of cover, her eyes blazing with determination as she charged at the golem. The golem immediately retaliated, releasing a barrage of lightning bolts in her direction. Your journey continues on empire

    She weaved through the corridor, dodging most of the attacks with amazing agility, though the close proximity of the strikes left the air around her crackling with static.

    Her twin pistols fired relentlessly, filling the space with the sharp cracks of gunfire. While most of her shots missed their mark, a few found their target, striking different parts of the golem''s crystalline body.

    The armor-piercing rounds burrowed a few centimeters into its structure before detonating, creating larger cracks and deeper holes in its once-impenetrable form.

    The golem faltered slightly but continued its advance, undeterred by the damage. Lyra grinned despite herself. "Oh, what''s wrong? Feeling the heat yet?" She taunted, her voice laced with adrenaline as she closed the distance.

    When she was finally within a few meters, Lyra summoned her bloody nanomaterial tentacles once more, the crimson tendrils lashing out and coiling around the golem''s arms and legs. The golem raised its fists to punch the tentacles away, but Lyra was faster this time, manipulating the tentacles to bind the golem in place.

    "Haha! Gotcha now!" Lyra shouted, her grin widening. The golem struggled against the tentacles, its movements jerky and erratic as it tried to break free. "Now what? Weren''t you all high and mighty a second ago? Try to free yourself from this, you shiny bastard!"

    But as the words left her lips, the golem''s glowing blue eyes locked onto hers. It didn''t struggle this time. Instead, its remaining blue crystal flared with a brilliant, blinding light with the intensity of a miniature sun.

    "What the hell¡ª?" Lyra muttered, her confidence flickering.

    Then, without warning, one of the golem''s shoulder crystals shattered into hundreds of pieces, sending shards flying in every direction. The instant the crystal broke, an enormous discharge of electricity erupted from its body, the power radiating outward in an explosive wave.

    The surge hit Lyra point blank.

    "Aghhh!" she screamed as the shockwave tore through her tentacles, shattering them into useless fragments of nanomaterial. The force sent her flying backward like a ragdoll, her body slamming into the cold metallic floor with a sickening thud.

    The attack carried the raw power of a Tier 3 entity, and for Lyra, who was only at Tier 2, it was devastating. Her power armor was left in shambles, pieces of it broken and sparking, exposing parts of her body.

    Blood streamed down her face from cuts and ruptured vessels, the coppery taste filling her mouth as she lay sprawled on the ground, smoke rising faintly from her damaged suit.

    "Cough... cough... haaa..." Lyra wheezed while blood dripped from her lips as she struggled to breathe. Her chest heaved with shallow, labored breaths, and her vision blurred as she tried to lift herself off the floor.

    Despite her body screaming in protest, Lyra gritted her teeth and forced her trembling hand to grip the ground. She knew Gustav wouldn''t last much longer. And she couldn''t let him die after he was trying to save her.

    Lyra, with great effort, managed to roll onto her back, her battered body screaming in protest. Her hands trembled as she reached toward a compartment on her armor''s leg. She pressed the button, and the compartment hissed open slowly, revealing a small bag of shimmering golden blood.

    The sight of the blood brought a faint smile to her bloodied lips. "Heh... thanks for warming it," she muttered weakly, the heat from the golem''s earlier lightning attacks having warmed the bag to the perfect temperature.

    There was no time to savor it, no time to relish her favorite drink. With no hesitation, Lyra bared her sharp fangs and sank them into the blood bag, sucking down its contents as fast as her body would allow.

    Rex''s blood, golden, intoxicating, and impossibly potent, hit her system like a surge of raw energy. Normally, the twins drink this blood in the privacy of their heavily reinforced room, taking their time to indulge in its effects.

    The blood was not just sustenance for them; it was an aphrodisiac, a genetic awakener, and an enhancer that pushed their bloodline abilities to their absolute limit.

    This overwhelming power came at a cost. The twins bodies would enter a berserk state after consuming Rex''s blood, their primal instincts overtaking their rationality. Cleo, ever practical, had designed their room like a high-security prison for the galaxy''s worst psychopaths, using the strongest metals she could obtain.

    Every time they drank, Cleo would simply toss them into the room to fight each other until exhaustion overtook them.

    But now, Lyra didn''t have the luxury of a safe space to lose control.

    As the golden blood coursed through her veins, her face flushed bright red, and small, involuntary moans escaped her lips. Her crimson eyes slowly shifted, becoming a mesmerizing silver hue that glowed faintly in the dim light. Her silver hair began to emit a soft white light, the glow spreading across her entire body like a radiant aura.

    Meanwhile, Gustav, still on the ground after being flung across the room by another lightning strike, groaned in pain. His vision blurred, and his body refused to move. When he finally managed to open his eyes, he saw Lyra crouching next to him, her glowing form practically radiating madness.

    "Are you tired already, little kitty?" Lyra teased while poking Gustav''s cheek with childlike playfulness. Her silver eyes sparkled with unhinged energy as she tilted her head, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "Do you want some catnip? Oh, wait... never mind. That''s super illegal in the galaxy. Sorry for mentioning it."

    Gustav''s eyes widened as he took in her transformed appearance, his lips curling into a faint smirk despite his pain. "Ha... I was right. You really are one crazy bitch," he muttered before his head dropped to the side, unconscious.

    Lyra blinked, staring at him for a moment before pouting. "Oh! How rude! I was even trying to get you a nice treat, and you call me a bitch? Bad kitty..." She poked his cheek again. "Hey, kitty, did you die? ... Can I eat you?"

    Before she could continue her antics, a sharp crack of electricity broke through her thoughts. The golem, battered but still functioning, fired another lightning bolt directly at her.

    Without even thinking, Lyra''s body reacted. In an instant, a pair of massive white bat-like wings erupted from her back, their glowing surfaces shimmering as they blocked the lightning bolt effortlessly. The attack dissipated against the wings, the energy scattering harmlessly around her.

 Chapter 238 Trust. (9)

    "Haaaaaa..." Lyra let out a long sigh while stretching her glowing wings lazily before folding them back. Her face twisted into a manic grin as she tilted her head, her silver eyes locking onto the golem.

    "There are only rude guys around! Seriously, are there no nice guys left in this galaxy? Or is everyone just this annoying?"

    Her voice dropped into a low, sultry tone as she placed one hand on her cheek, her expression shifting into something unsettlingly adoring. "Oh, well... Rex is the only one. That''s why I can''t help but be crazy for him... Don''t you agree?"

    The golem, undeterred by her strange words, simply raised its remaining hand. Its last blue crystal flickered weakly, gathering energy for one final attack.

    Lyra''s wings folded neatly behind her as she straightened, while her body was slightly bent to the right with one hand still resting on her flushed cheek. Her grin widened, her eyes glowing brighter. "Hmph. Fine. Let''s see what you''ve got, you shiny piece of trash."

    The golem''s crystal flared, the energy building slowly as cracks spread across its surface. But before the attack could be unleashed, a series of white flashes lit up the corridor.

    The flashes were so fast, so precise, that they were barely visible to the naked eye.

    The next moment, the golem frozen in place. Its body seemed intact for a split second, but then it began to fall apart. Its legs crumbled, its arms dropped to the floor, and its torso and head were all that remained intact.

    "Mmm? Is it over this fast? Wasn''t all-powerful a minute ago? What happened? Did you break down or something?" Lyra teased the golem with her voice laced with mock disappointment.

    The golem, or what was left of it, hung limp in the air, impaled by Lyra''s glowing white tentacles. The once mighty creature that had nearly killed both her and Gustav now looked like a pitiful husk, its body twitching faintly as sparks flickered from its shattered core.

    Lyra tilted her head, her glowing silver eyes narrowing as she leaned in closer, inspecting the golem. "Mmmm... how weird... Its eyes are all dark now," she muttered while poking the golem''s cracked torso with one finger. A playful grin spread across her face. "Don''t tell me I killed it by accident... HAHA! Dumb me!"

    She giggled at her own joke, hitting the side of her head lightly as if scolding herself for being careless. But as she made this ridiculous gesture, her white tentacles abruptly coiled tighter around the golem''s shattered body, cutting it into hundreds of tiny pieces.

    Bits of crystal and metal clattered to the floor, scattering like glittering debris around Lyra''s feet. She didn''t even glance at the mess she''d made, already turning her attention elsewhere.

    One of her tentacles snaked toward the unconscious Gustav, coiling around his body like a lazy serpent. She dragged him across the ground toward her, his limp form bumping slightly against the debris-strewn floor.

    "Mmm... you''re heavier than I remember, Kitty," she said absentmindedly as she walked toward the blue crystal that had fallen from the golem''s destroyed shoulder. It was cracked in several places, with faint streams of light leaking from its fractured surface, but it still radiated power.

    Lyra crouched down and picked it up, holding it delicately in her hands as though it were a priceless artifact.

    "Hehehe... I wonder if Rex would like this souvenir~?" She pondered while tilting her head and smiling sweetly as if she were talking to herself.

    "Aw, but I missed you, sis!" Lyra replied with a pout, tightening her grip around Nyra''s neck. Her glowing silver eyes sparkled with mischief as she leaned in closer. "Besides, look! I brought a present!"

    With one of her tentacles, Lyra raised the cracked blue crystal she''d taken from the golem, holding it up like a trophy.

    Nyra''s eyes widened. "What the hell is that?"

    "It''s a souvenir!" Lyra chirped. "Do you think Rex will like it? I think it''s super shiny!"

    Nyra groaned, her head tilting back as she tried to process the absurdity of her sister''s behavior. "Lyra... this isn''t exactly the time for this. The enemy is still attacking!"

    "Oh, relax! I killed the big guy already!" Lyra said with a giggle, finally releasing her grip and hopping off Nyra. She landed gracefully on her feet, twirling once before looking around.

    Nyra sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Fine. If you''re here, make yourself useful. Go reinforce the west choke point; those militia guys can''t hold it on their own for long."

    Lyra beamed and gave a mock salute. "Aye aye, captain! Anything for you, sis!"

    As Lyra dashed off toward her new assignment, Nyra shook her head, muttering under her breath, "She''s completely insane..."

    "But then again... where have I seen that crystal before?" Nyra muttered to herself, her sharp crimson eyes narrowing as she tried to piece together the fragments of her memory. The glowing blue crystal Lyra had flaunted earlier tugged at something in her mind, a nagging sense of familiarity she couldn''t quite place.

    Her train of thought was abruptly cut off by the shout of a nearby communications guard. "Ma''am! Those slender golems are coming again! The scanner''s readings indicate there are four of them this time!"

    Nyra snapped out of her reverie, her expression immediately hardening as she shifted back into command mode. "Send the coordinates to the light artillery team," she ordered with her voice being sharp and commanding. "Blow them to pieces before they get any closer!"

    As the guard relayed her orders, Nyra casually reached into one of the pouches on her armor and pulled out a small snack. It was a bar made of some kind of chocolate mixed with synthetic blood, a concoction Cleo had specially designed for the twins.

    Unlike the organic beast blood or Rex''s golden blood, this snack didn''t provide any kind of insane power boost. However, it was enough to keep their bodies operating at optimal levels during long missions.

    It was also an immensely popular reward among the other blood assassins in Cleo''s employ, who considered it a rare delicacy.

    Nyra unwrapped the snack with a practiced flick of her fingers, taking a small bite as she watched the distant artillery team prepare to fire. "Mmm... not bad. Sweet with just the right amount of tang. Master really does spoil us."

    A few seconds later, the heavy explosive sounds of the light artillery fire echoed across the station. The guns fired a relentless barrage of explosive shells toward the approaching slender golems. The ground shook faintly with each impact, and the golems'' silhouettes flickered through the haze of smoke and fire. Find more adventures on empire

 Chapter 239 Trust. (10)

    The bombardment continued until the last of the four golems had been obliterated, their shattered remains littering the battlefield in jagged, glowing fragments.

    "It''s still so weird," Nyra mused aloud, finishing her snack as she gazed at the destruction through the tactical display on her HUD. "Those golems have such terrifying energy readings, but they''re so... dumb. Do they even have brains, or are they just shiny rocks with legs?"

    The communications guard nearby coughed awkwardly, unsure if that was a rhetorical question.

    Nyra didn''t wait for an answer. Her eyes scanned the debris, and her gaze landed on one of the crystals scattered among the wreckage. It glimmered faintly, similar to the one Lyra had shown her earlier, though this one was a slightly different color.

    "Mmm?" Nyra squinted at the crystal, tilting her head as realization began to dawn on her. "AH! So that''s where I''ve seen it before!"

    The memory clicked into place. The crystal Lyra had brought her was nearly identical to the ones embedded in the slender golems. The only real difference was the color; Lyra''s was blue, while these were a dimmer shade of teal.

    Nyra smirked, placing a hand on her hip as she glanced at the tactical display again. "Well, that explains a lot. If this new golem was the one that nearly stripped Lyra naked and forced her to use the golden blood, then that just means my order was the right call!"

    She laughed lightly to herself, feeling a swell of pride in her own tactical genius. "Good thing I had those light artillery machines set up in advance. Otherwise, things might''ve ended badly. Hehe!"

    The communications guard glanced at her, raising an eyebrow. "Ma''am... didn''t you approve the artillery deployment because you said you wanted to make a ''big, flashy show'' for the militia to boost morale?"

    Nyra turned to him, her crimson eyes narrowing dangerously. "Do you want a promotion, or do you want me to toss you out of the nearest airlock?"No?v(el)B\\jnn

    The guard immediately straightened. "Uh, no, ma''am! Your tactical decision was brilliant, ma''am! Absolutely genius!"

    "That''s what I thought," Nyra said with a satisfied grin, turning her attention back to the monitors. Her smirk lingered as she glanced once more at the crystal fragments on the screen.

    "Well, Lyra... looks like your shiny souvenir has more to it than meets the eye," she muttered to herself.

    As the station''s defenses held strong and the artillery fire ceased, Nyra made a mental note to investigate the crystals further once the battle was over. Something about them didn''t sit right with her, and if there was one thing she''d learned from Rex, it was to never ignore her gut feeling.

    "Greetings, Lady Cleo," Lilla''s holo screen form appeared next to Cleo''s own holographic projection. Her expression was composed but carried a faint trace of tension, and her head was slightly bowed as a sign of respect. "As agreed, I have brought all the forces I could muster to aid you in this battle."

    Cleo glanced at Lilla''s fleet through her HUD; it was a formation of disciplined ships composed of a carrier and destroyers under the banner of Lilla''s Zealot faction within the human empire. A faint smile played on Cleo''s lips, though her golden eyes glinted with something colder.

    Back aboard Lilla''s flagship, the priestesses standing near her hidden throne were left stunned by what they had just heard. The conversation had been both a revelation and a warning. Not only did it confirm the looming threat of civil war within the human empire, but it also revealed the precarious nature of their alliances.

    The council''s refusal to send reinforcements had exposed a deep fracture within their ranks, and the Kaelzar''s willingness to turn hostile against humanity only underscored the fragility of the situation. But at the same time, the priestesses were filled with awe and admiration for their holy maiden.

    "She truly is blessed by the divine," one of the priestesses murmured while her voice trembled.

    Another nodded, her hands clasped together in prayer. "To have the ear of Lady Cleo... and to secure her loyalty... the holy maiden is greater than we ever imagined."

    Their whispered praises filled the room, the blue flames of the ceremonial torches casting an ethereal glow over their faces.

    Lilla sat silently within her hidden throne, concealed behind layers of alien silk. Her expression was unreadable, but a faint smirk tugged at the corners of her lips.

    She had played her part perfectly, planting the seeds of loyalty and awe in the minds of her followers while simultaneously solidifying her alliance with Cleo.

    "Order: Execute the following commands... full assault is authorized. Main cannons, prepare to fire on my signal."

    Cleo''s voice echoed through the command bridge of the Cleopatra. It was calm, precise, and unwavering, the kind of tone that inspired both awe and discipline in all who heard it. Around her, the Kaelzar officers carried out her orders with mechanical efficiency, the ship''s systems humming as they powered up for the final strike.

    The Cleopatra and the Liberator turned their massive main cannons toward the Revenant''s flagship, their long barrels glowing faintly as they charged up energy. Meanwhile, the Leviathan-Class carriers flanking her deployed their long-range missile systems, their racks swiveling into position and locking onto their targets.

    On the holographic display before Cleo, the Revenant''s main ship loomed like a monolith of destruction, its jagged crystalline structure pulsating with ominous energy. This was the heart of the enemy fleet, the command vessel from which the Revenant coordinated their forces.

    If it fell, the rest of their fleet would crumble like the fragile constructs they were.

    Cleo raised her right hand, her slender index finger extended like the barrel of a gun. She pointed directly at the Revenant flagship, her glowing golden eyes locked onto the target.

    As her finger remained aimed, several tech circles materialized around her arm, spinning into existence one by one. Each circle was inscribed with intricate Kaelzar symbols and numbers, their meaning understood only by her and the systems she controlled.

    The circles glowed red at first, spinning rapidly as they calculated firing trajectories, weapon synchronization, and power output.

    "Status: Cannons aligning. Calculations in progress."

 Chapter 240 Big loss.

    The circles began to slow, their red hue fading into yellow as the final adjustments were made. Slowly but surely, the yellow began to turn green, one circle at a time. The rotation stopped completely when all the circles were glowing a steady green.

    "Status: All green. Main cannons ready," Cleo said, her voice perfectly even.

    Her glowing golden eyes narrowed slightly as she lowered her finger, mimicking the act of pulling a trigger. Her lips curved into a faint, almost absentminded smile as she whispered one word...

    "Bang."

    The action was so subtle, so seemingly insignificant, and yet it carried an unmistakable weight. Cleo had spent so much time with Rex that, unknowingly, some of his mannerisms and quirks had imprinted on her.

    This small gesture, a finger gun and a whispering bang, was a reflection of that, a quiet echo of the human who had left his mark on her.No?v(el)B\\jnn

    The moment she gave the signal, the green circles around her arm flared to life, shifting into a brilliant blue.

    The Cleopatra and the Liberator fired simultaneously, their main cannons unleashing beams of energy that roared across the void like lances of pure light. The beams illuminated the battlefield, cutting through the darkness of space as they tore toward their target.

    At the same time, the Leviathan-Class carriers launched their payload of long-range missiles, dozens of them streaking through the void in perfect formation. The missiles left glowing trails behind them as they locked onto the Revenant flagship, their guidance systems ensuring pinpoint accuracy.

    The sheer coordination of the assault was breathtaking, a testament to Cleo''s tactical genius and the technological superiority of the Kaelzar fleet.

    On the Revenant flagship, alarms blared as the enemy''s combined firepower converged on their ship. The jagged crystalline vessel trembled as its shields flared to life, trying desperately to absorb the incoming attack.

    "Great Rock! The enemy fleet has launched a full-scale assault on us!" one of the golems reported, its deep, gravelly voice filled with urgency.

    The Great Rock, the towering commander of the Revenant forces, stood motionless at the center of the command deck, its glowing purple crystal chest pulsating faintly. "Do not panic. Our shields will hold. They cannot pierce the power of the Revenant Ascendancy so easily."

    But even as the Great Rock spoke, cracks began to form along the crystalline surface of their shield. The energy from the Kaelzar cannons was immense, each beam tearing away at the defenses with relentless force.

    The long-range missiles struck next, detonating with devastating precision. Each explosion rocked the flagship, causing entire sections of the ship to fracture and collapse. Fire and debris spilled into the void as the shields flickered and failed entirely, leaving the vessel vulnerable.

    "Our shields are gone! Damage is spreading across multiple decks!" Another golem shouted with its voice laced with panic.

    The Great Rock''s eyes flared briefly before dimming. It realized too late that this was no ordinary assault; this was a coordinated, calculated death blow.

    Back aboard the Cleopatra, Cleo''s gaze remained fixed on the holographic display, watching as the Revenant flagship was engulfed in explosions. A faint hum of satisfaction escaped her as she whispered to herself, "And that''s checkmate."

    Cleo''s sharp and calculating eyes noticed the missing crystal on his shoulder. She deduced immediately that he must have used its energy to create the warp signature that allowed him to escape the destruction of his ship.

    "Mmm," Cleo murmured while tilting her head slightly as she observed him. "Seeing as you''ve decided to show yourself in front of me like this, can I take it as you surrendering yourself?" Her voice was calm, with an edge of cold curiosity.

    "Take it however you want," the Great Rock growled, his remaining crystals starting to glow faintly, their hue shifting to a more intense purple.

    Cleo''s golden eyes glinted as she crossed her arms. "Well then, let me ask you, why are you attacking us?"

    The Great Rock chuckled darkly. "Heh. There''s not much of a reason. Just orders from the Great Revenant."

    Cleo''s eyes narrowed slightly. "Orders from your master? Then I''ll assume there''s no deeper strategy behind this pointless destruction." She sighed softly. "Well, since you''ve already lost the battle, don''t resist and prepare to be captured."

    As she spoke, her golden eyes briefly flared with a faint light. In response, two battle drones emerged from the transport ship behind her, their sleek designs equipped with energy emitters. The drones encircled the Great Rock, projecting a powerful energy shield around him like a glowing bubble, trapping him inside.

    The Great Rock let out a low, guttural laugh. "Kukuku... do you really think you''ve already won?"

    Cleo stared at him, her expression as neutral as ever. "According to the data gathered from the battlefield, yes. I have already won."

    Despite her calm response, there was a nagging feeling in the back of her mind, an intuition that something wasn''t right.

    "Kukukuku..." The Great Rock''s laugh grew louder and more unhinged, his voice echoing through the void of space. Cleo''s eyes sharpened as her instincts kicked in, her gaze fixed on the glowing crystals on his shoulders. Their light was intensifying, becoming almost blinding.

    Before she could react, a red holo-screen flashed next to her.

    {Warning: Multiple powerful explosions were detected inside the trading station. The structural integrity of the station is at risk.}

    Cleo''s head snapped toward the screen as her mind raced. She quickly turned her attention back to the Great Rock, her eyes widening slightly as she noticed his crystals glowing even brighter, their purple energy radiating outward in chaotic waves.

    "For the Great Revenant!" The Great Rock shouted out, his voice filled with fanatic fervor. "Long live the Conqueror!"

    Cleo''s golden eyes narrowed in realization as the crystals on the Great Rock''s shoulders began to crack. "No..."

    Before she could issue an order or move, the two remaining crystals exploded simultaneously, unleashing a massive surge of energy.

    The explosion didn''t just release a wave of destructive force; it also created massive space distortions, rending the fabric of reality itself. The distortions grew larger with each passing second, warping the debris field and sending shockwaves rippling through the surrounding area.

    The nearby fighter squadrons and Cleo''s transport ship were thrown off course, their systems struggling to compensate for the sudden gravitational anomalies. Cleo''s glowing wings flared brightly as she stabilized herself in the chaos, her floating swords spinning defensively around her.

 Chapter 241 Big Loss. (2)

    "Damn it," she muttered while her calm composure slipped slightly. Her HUD flared with multiple alerts as the distortions continued to expand, threatening to engulf the entire sector.

    Through the chaos, Cleo''s voice rang out, sharp and commanding. "All units, retreat to safe zones immediately! Engage emergency protocols and focus on containing the spatial anomalies. Do not engage further!"

    As she issued orders, Cleo''s mind worked at full speed. The trading station was in danger, the spatial distortions threatened to consume everything nearby, and the Great Rock''s final act of defiance had thrown the entire battle into disarray.

    A few minutes before the explosions inside the trading station, Lyra had finished clearing out the remaining golems that threatened their defensive area.

    Her white glow had dimmed considerably, the radiant energy that once enveloped her now flickering faintly like the last embers of a dying flame. Her silver eyes, once brilliant and otherworldly, were slowly reverting to their usual crimson hue. She looked utterly drained.

    "Sis... I''ve already taken care of the enemies... but I''m feeling really sleepy right now," Lyra said groggily, staggering slightly as she appeared next to Nyra, who was busy directing the troops.

    Nyra glanced at her twin and immediately noticed her state of exhaustion. "Oh! Good work out there, sis! I expected no less from my little sister!" She said while patting her head, her tone light and teasing.

    "You can go rest over there, find a corner, and collapse or something. But before you do, can you show me that crystal again?"

    There was a mischievous glint in Nyra''s crimson eyes. She had been waiting for this moment, planning to tease her sister mercilessly once Lyra saw how many of the same crystals she herself had collected from the defeated golems.

    "Mmm? Oh, you mean this one?" Lyra mumbled sleepily, reaching into a small backpack she had found earlier. She pulled out the blue crystal she had been carrying, holding it up for Nyra to see.

    But the moment the crystal was exposed to open air, it began to vibrate violently in Lyra''s hand. Before either twin could react, the crystal suddenly detonated, releasing a massive electric wave that surged through the room.

    The shockwave sent Nyra flying backward, her body slamming against the ground a few meters away. Lyra, who had been holding the crystal, bore the full brunt of the electric discharge. Her body convulsed uncontrollably as arcs of electricity danced across her skin, the sheer force of the energy overwhelming her.

    "LYRA!" Nyra screamed, her voice cutting through the chaos, and without hesitation, she sprang to her feet and dashed toward her sister, tackling her just as another surge of energy crackled through the air.

    Nyra used her own body to shield Lyra, crashing into a nearby wall with enough force to leave a dent in the reinforced metal. She winced from the impact but ignored the pain, immediately checking on Lyra''s condition.

    "Lyra! Lyra! Say something!" Nyra called her out while lightly slapping her sister''s cheeks in an attempt to wake her up. But there was no response. Lyra''s body lay limp in her arms, her breathing shallow.

    Panic surged through Nyra as she quickly checked her sister''s pulse. To her relief, she found it; it was weak but steady.

    "Thank the stars... you''re okay," Nyra whispered while letting out a shaky breath as she hugged Lyra tightly. Her twin had avoided the worst of it, though just barely. Lyra''s bloodline and awakened form had saved her life. If she''d been an ordinary human, the electric wave would have undoubtedly killed her on the spot.

    Her mind raced as she tried to process what had just happened. The crystals weren''t just remnants of the golems; they were weapons, deliberately designed to detonate after a delay. The implications were chilling.

    Still, there was no time to dwell on it. The station was at risk of collapse, and she had to get Lyra to safety.

    As she ran, she activated her communicator, her voice sharp and urgent. "Master! We have a situation. The golem crystals are rigged to explode. The trading station''s structural integrity is compromised. I''m getting Lyra out, but we need reinforcements for evacuation now!"

    She didn''t wait for a response, focusing all her energy on moving forward. Behind her, the station continued to tremble, the destruction spreading as more crystals detonated in a chain reaction.

    The situation inside the trading station was deteriorating at an alarming rate. The explosions caused by the golem crystals had not only torn massive holes in the hull, but they were also creating deadly vacuums that dragged anyone too close toward the void of open space.

    Those unlucky enough to be caught near the breaches suffered terrible fates; screams were abruptly silenced as militia members were pulled into the void, their bodies twisting and contorting painfully before succumbing to the freezing, suffocating emptiness.

    The station guards, clad in their standard-issue uniforms with reinforced helmets, fared slightly better. Their suits offered limited protection against the extreme cold of space, buying them a few precious minutes of survival. But even then, their odds of making it out alive were slim.

    "FUCK!" Nyra shouted, her voice filled with equal parts rage and desperation as she sprinted through the trembling corridors with Lyra strapped to her back.

    Ahead of her, the massive explosion from earlier had left a gaping hole in the station''s hull, and the structural damage was only getting worse. The trading station was slowly tearing itself apart, the tremors growing stronger with each passing second.

    The only thing keeping the station from splitting in half entirely was the honeycomb plasma shield, which flickered and strained under the pressure. It was the last line of defense preventing the station''s complete destruction, but Nyra knew it wouldn''t hold for long.

    She adjusted her grip on Lyra, tightening the tentacles that secured her unconscious sister to her back and pressed on. Her crimson eyes darted around, scanning for a path to safety.

    A sharp beep echoed in her ear, followed by Cleo''s calm, unshaken voice through her communicator. "Nyra, listen closely. I''m unable to send help right now. You''ll have to get out of there on your own."

    "What?!" Nyra shouted while nearly stumbling over a loose panel on the floor. "What the hell do you mean you can''t send help?!"

    Cleo''s voice remained steady, though there was an urgency beneath her usual calm demeanor. "I''ll send the coordinates for the nearest hangar to your position. Take a transport ship and evacuate immediately. Good luck."

    "Wait! Master! What do you¡ª" Nyra''s words were cut off as the line went dead.

    "Master! MASTER!" Nyra screamed into the communicator, but there was no response.

    Gritting her teeth, Nyra cursed under her breath while her mind worked overtime. Cleo''s calm demeanor was unnerving; she never sounded like that unless something big was happening. Whatever had Cleo''s attention must have been catastrophic enough to prevent her from sending aid.

    "What the hell is going on up there?" Nyra muttered to herself as she picked up her pace, her boots pounding against the trembling floor.

 Chapter 242 Big Loss. (3)

    While gritting her teeth, Nyra cursed under her breath, her mind racing. Cleo''s calm demeanor was unnerving; she never sounded like that unless something big was happening. Whatever had Cleo''s attention must have been catastrophic enough to prevent her from sending aid.

    "What the hell is going on up there?" Nyra muttered to herself as she picked up her pace, her boots pounding against the trembling floor.

    Once Cleo cut the communication line with Nyra, her attention returned to the massive space crack that loomed ominously in front of the Cleopatra. Her mind raced as she analyzed the situation, the faint hum of the ship''s systems serving as the only background noise in the tense command room.

    From the void of the crack emerged an object of terrifying scale, a colossal asteroid, several kilometers in size, slowly pulling itself into the physical plane. Cleo''s golden eyes narrowed as she initiated a scan of the object, her fingers flying across the holographic interface.

    "Its trajectory is clear... the trading station," Cleo muttered to herself. The asteroid''s path was locked onto the already battered station, and its sheer size guaranteed total annihilation if it made contact.

    Her initial decision was swift and calculated. "Order: All fleet units under my command are to focus fire on the asteroid. We''ll blow it up before it fully emerges from the crack."

    The fleet began to mobilize, their long-range weapons locking onto the asteroid. However, just as the first orders were about to be executed, Cleo''s HUD lit up with new data. The asteroid wasn''t just a massive rock; it was glowing faintly, radiating a familiar, unsettling purplish energy.

    Cleo''s eyes widened slightly, her sharp instincts flaring. "Cancel all firing orders immediately. Stand by for further instructions."

    Her mind churned as she analyzed the data, trying to piece together what was happening. "Deploy recon drones. Priority: Full scan of the asteroid."

    Hundreds of drones launched from the frigates surrounding the Cleopatra, their sleek forms racing toward the asteroid like a swarm of fireflies. Each drone began feeding real-time data back to the flagship, and within seconds, a 4D hologram of the asteroid began constructing itself in front of Cleo.

    Layer by layer, the asteroid was digitally dissected, revealing its internal structure. Cleo''s gaze sharpened as the hologram reached the core and her suspicions were finally confirmed.

    Embedded in the center of the asteroid was a massive purplish crystal, pulsating with energy that matched the readings from the Great Rock''s crystals. But this crystal was far larger, with its power exponentially increasing.

    "Tsk," Cleo muttered with a hint of frustration slipping into her otherwise calm demeanor. "So in the end, my instincts were right. Something is wrong."

    The asteroid wasn''t just a weapon; it was a trap. If destroyed recklessly, the energy within the crystal could trigger catastrophic consequences. Cleo''s mind raced as she closed her eyes, running simulations through her neural interface.

    "Running simulation: Detonate the asteroid."

    The results were displayed almost instantly:

    Result: Total destruction of the sector due to a massive space-time crack.

    Cleo frowned. "....."

    "Running simulation: Intercept the asteroid with obelisks."

    The simulation ran again, and the results appeared:

    "All ships, prepare for immediate evacuation procedures. Prioritize transporting civilians and personnel from the trading station. Fighters, focus on suppressing any remaining threats."

    While Cleo was stopping the asteroid with meticulous precision and monumental effort, Nyra was sprinting for her life through the chaos-ridden trading station. Her breath came in sharp, ragged bursts, and her crimson eyes darted around for threats.

    Her personal shield flickered weakly around her, on the verge of breaking after enduring too many close calls.

    "FUCK! What now?! Are they insane or something? DAMN ROCK BRAINS!" Nyra screamed as yet another golem came barreling toward her down the corridor.

    Before she could react, the golem detonated, the blast sending her skidding across the floor, her body coated in a fine layer of dust and debris. She coughed and spat, shaking her head clear as her shield blinked dangerously, flickering like a dying lightbulb.

    "Mmmm? Sis... where are we right now?" a weak, groggy voice mumbled from behind her.

    Nyra''s eyes widened slightly as she felt Lyra stirring on her back.

    "Lyra! You''re awake! Thank the stars!" Nyra exclaimed, relief flooding her voice. But the relief was short-lived as she remembered the hellish situation she was still in.

    "And as for where we are... I HAVE NO FUCKING CLUE! I''ve been trying to reach the hangar, but these crazy golems keep charging at me and exploding! I had to keep changing directions to avoid getting turned into a pile of ash! And to make things worse, Master hasn''t updated the coordinates she sent me before!"

    Nyra tapped furiously at the device on her arm, glaring at the glitching GPS. The screen flickered and changed directions randomly, utterly useless in helping her navigate the labyrinth of collapsing corridors.

    "So... you''re saying my life depends on you," Lyra said, her voice heavy with sarcasm. "And you got us lost, so I''ll probably die in terrible suffering because of some kamikaze golems?"

    Lyra''s hand weakly reached up to grab a fistful of Nyra''s hair, pulling it as hard as she could in her weakened state.

    "Yep, that''s more or less accurate," Nyra deadpanned, letting out a frustrated sigh. "And could you NOT pull my hair? What are you, a toddler?"

    Lyra grumbled something unintelligible and continued to weakly gnaw on a strand of Nyra''s silver hair.

    Nyra suddenly stopped in her tracks, breathing heavily as she leaned against the wall for a moment. "...Hey, Lyra... Say, do you think the little cat is dead by now or something?"

    Lyra''s tired crimson eyes blinked open with confusion written on her face. "Wait... Did you leave him there after the explosions!?"

    "Of course I did! You were my priority!" Nyra shot back without hesitation, resuming her frantic pace through the dimly lit corridor. The only light came from flickering emergency panels and the faint glow of exposed wires hanging loosely from the ceiling.

    Lyra sighed dramatically. "Well... cats have multiple lives, don''t they? So I guess he''ll be alive somehow... I hope."

    "Yeah, let''s hope," Nyra muttered, rolling her eyes as she turned a corner. Her steps faltered when her gaze landed on yet another golem standing ominously in the distance, its jagged body radiating faint energy.

    "Oh great, another walking bomb," she groaned.

 Chapter 243 Big Loss. (4)

    "Leave him to me, sis," Lyra said, her voice groggy but tinged with quiet determination. With a weak, shaky motion, she raised her arm and slowly pulled one of her handguns from Nyra''s holster. "At least I can move this hand."

    "Are you sure? You don''t exactly look combat-ready," Nyra replied, doubt evident in her tone as she eyed her sister''s trembling hand.

    "Just... trust me, okay? I''ve got this," Lyra said, offering a small, tired smirk.

    Nyra shrugged. "Fine, little sis. I''ll leave it to you." Without another word, she broke into a full sprint, charging straight at the golem. The massive figure lurched into motion, its heavy footsteps echoing through the corridor as it barreled toward them.

    The tension thickened as the distance between them closed rapidly. Lyra steadied her aim, her finger hovering over the trigger despite her weakened state.

    "Come on... just a little closer..." Lyra whispered to herself. When the golem was mere meters away, she pulled the trigger.

    The sound of the gunshot echoed through the corridor, followed by the metallic clang of the golem''s head being blown clean off. Its massive body froze mid-stride before collapsing onto the floor in a heap of motionless metal.

    "HA! Nice shot, Lyra!" Nyra cheered as she leapt over the fallen golem without breaking her stride.

    But Lyra didn''t share her enthusiasm. "Ah..." she muttered, looking back at the weapon in her hand... or rather, what should have been in her hand.

    "What happened? Are you okay? Does it hurt?" Nyra asked while glancing back at her sister while still running full tilt down the corridor.

    "No, I''m okay," Lyra replied sheepishly. "It''s just... the gun flew out of my hand when I shot. I guess my strength hasn''t returned yet. Hehe..."

    Nyra let out an exasperated sigh, shaking her head. "Unbelievable. You kill the golem like a badass, and then that happens. I don''t know if I should laugh or cry."

    Lyra gave a weak chuckle while resting her head against Nyra''s shoulder. "Well, at least we''re still alive, right? That counts for something."

    Nyra snorted. "Yeah, for now. Let''s see how long that lasts."

    [Attention all residents on the station: The structural integrity has fallen to 15%. Total collapse estimated in 10 minutes. I repeat...]No?v(el)B\\jnn

    The station AI''s voice echoed through the corridors like the tolling of a death knell. Its cold, clinical tone made the grim reality even harder to stomach, as if it were calmly counting down the remaining minutes of life for everyone trapped aboard.

    "This is really nerve-wracking!" Nyra growled, her voice tinged with panic and frustration as she sprinted down the corridor. Lyra was still clinging to her back, her silver hair occasionally slapping Nyra''s face as they raced through the collapsing station.

    "Whoever programmed this AI is a psychopath! Who in their right mind thinks it''s a good idea to tell people exactly how much time they have left before they die?! I don''t need to hear a countdown to my funeral!"

    Nyra gritted her teeth and started moving again, her boots clanging loudly against the metal floor as she ran uphill, trying to keep ahead of the collapsing structure. "Damn it, master!, where''s that updated GPS?! I can''t die here! I''m too good-looking for this!"

    Lyra let out a breathless laugh. "Well, at least you''ll die beautiful, right?"

    Nyra shot her an annoyed glare. "Not helping, Lyra!"

    As the explosions grew louder and the corridor tilted further, Nyra knew they didn''t have much time left. The station was tearing itself apart around them, and the only way out was to find the hangar.

    But with the GPS offline and the constant chaos of falling debris and rogue golems, it was starting to feel like a losing battle.

    Still, Nyra wasn''t about to give up. Not while her sister was counting on her.

    "Hold on tight," she muttered under her breath, determination burning in her crimson eyes. "We''re getting out of here. No way am I letting some stupid rocks be the end of us."

    With that, she pushed forward, running as fast as she could through the collapsing station, dodging falling debris and narrowly avoiding disaster at every turn. The clock was ticking, but Nyra refused to let it run out.

    But, as the universe so often seems to mock those in desperate situations, Nyra''s resolve was immediately tested by a new nightmare. The trading station''s hull, which had already endured far more than it was ever designed for, finally gave up the fight.

    The shield that once protected the station was gone, and now both sides of the structure were being pulled apart by the relentless force of the vacuum of space.

    The massive change in pressure between the inside and the void was wreaking havoc, tearing through the station''s weakened frame like paper. Sections of the hull began crumpling and collapsing, the station groaning in agony as it succumbed to the inevitable.

    For Nyra and Lyra, who were in the middle of climbing a towering metal staircase to what they hoped was safety, disaster struck at the worst possible moment.

    The metal staircase shuddered violently beneath them, its bolts screeching as they were ripped from their sockets. Without warning, the entire structure gave way with a deafening crashing sound, plummeting downward into the gaping void below.

    "Oh no..." Nyra''s heart dropped as she felt the staircase collapse beneath her feet. "LYRA! GRAB ME TIGHT! NOW!"

    Lyra, barely conscious and still weak, didn''t even hesitate. Her arms, shaky but determined, wrapped tightly around Nyra''s neck as the two of them plunged downward.

    Nyra acted on instinct, her body moving faster than her thoughts. With a sharp grunt, she extended her tentacles, sending two of them shooting out toward the walls on either side of the collapsing shaft.

    The metallic tendrils pierced through the damaged walls with a loud CLANG, anchoring themselves firmly in place.

    The force of their fall yanked them hard as the tentacles caught, and Nyra winced as her body jerked from the sudden stop. She gritted her teeth, bracing against the pressure while using another tentacle to coil securely around Lyra, holding her sister close to her chest.

 Chapter 244 Big Loss.(5)

    The echoes of twisted metal and distant explosions reverberated around them as they dangled precariously in the void left by the collapsed staircase. Dust and debris floated in the weightless air, illuminated by the eerie red glow of the station''s emergency lights.

    "You okay, sis!?" Nyra shouted, her voice strained as she fought to maintain her grip.

    Lyra groaned softly while her head was resting against Nyra''s shoulder. "I''ve been better..." she mumbled, her voice weak but laced with sarcasm. "This isn''t exactly helping me recover, you know..."

    "Yeah, well, you''re welcome," Nyra snapped, panting as she adjusted her tentacles to secure their position. "If I''d let go, you''d be floating through space right now. So maybe save the complaints for later!"

    Nyra glanced around, her crimson eyes scanning for any sign of escape. The shaft they were suspended in stretched endlessly upward and downward into darkness, with faint flickers of distant flames visible through gaps in the walls.

    The air was filled with the creaks and groans of the station''s failing structure, a grim reminder that time was running out.

    "Alright, I''m climbing up," Nyra said through gritted teeth. "I don''t know where this leads, but anywhere''s better than here."

    Lyra nodded weakly, her arms still draped around Nyra''s neck. "Just... don''t drop me, okay?"

    "Wasn''t planning on it," Nyra muttered, rolling her eyes as she began hoisting them upward. Her metallic tentacles pierced the walls with a loud metalic sound, pulling them higher with each movement.

    Sweat dripped down Nyra''s forehead as she climbed, the strain of carrying both her sister and her own weight taking its toll. The walls groaned and shuddered with every motion, and debris rained down from above, narrowly missing them as they ascended.

    "This is insane..." Nyra grumbled under her breath. "If I survive this, I''m asking Master for a damn vacation. Somewhere without killer robots, space debris, and¡ª"

    Her words were cut off as another violent tremor shook the station. One of her tentacles slipped from the wall, sending them dangling precariously for a moment before she regained her grip.

    "Nyra!" Lyra gasped, her grip tightening instinctively.

    "I''m fine! I''m fine!" Nyra snapped, though her heart pounded fast. "Just hold on. I''m not letting us die here."

    As they neared the top of the shaft, a new sound reached their ears... one that sent a chill down Nyra''s spine.

    Heavy footsteps.

    "Oh, you''ve got to be kidding me," Nyra muttered, her voice dripping with disbelief.

    Sure enough, a golem appeared at the edge of the shaft above them. Its jagged form was silhouetted by the red emergency lights, its glowing eyes locking onto the twins with chilling intensity.

    "Sis..." Lyra whispered weakly. "Please tell me you have a plan for this."

    Nyra stared up at the golem, her jaw clenching as it stepped closer, its weight causing the platform to creak ominously.

    "Oh, I''ve got a plan," Nyra said, her tone heavy with sarcasm. "Step one: Climb faster. Step two: Hope it''s dumb enough to fall."

    "That''s your plan?!" Lyra shouted, though her voice lacked strength.

    Then, with a final, deafening cracking sound, the station tore itself apart.

    The corridor split in half, and the twins were ejected into the void of space, spiraling uncontrollably as debris tumbled around them. Explosions flashed in the distance, lighting up the wreckage like a dying star.

    The two clung to each other, floating helplessly as the remains of the trading station were pulled further into the abyss.

    For a long moment, they simply watched the destruction unfold, their crimson eyes reflecting the burning wreckage. Neither spoke. They just held onto each other, hoping... praying, they wouldn''t be separated.

    Then, out of the darkness, a blinding golden light appeared.

    At first, it was distant... a streak of radiance cutting through the wreckage. But it was moving fast, slicing through debris as if it weren''t even there.

    "Hey, Cleo! I found two twins floating in the wreckage!" A familiar voice rang out through their comms. "Since I found them, they''re mine now, right?"

    The moment the twins heard that voice, their hearts skipped a beat. Their faces flushed, a mixture of relief and something else entirely flooding their systems.

    "REX!" they shouted in unison, their voices filled with pure, unfiltered joy.

    Before they could say more, two massive hands grabbed them, one each, effortlessly pulling them from the void.

    The grip was firm, protective, and impossibly strong. When they finally registered what was happening, they looked up, and there he was.

    Rex, in his full three-meter-tall combat form, with his usual golden energy radiating off him like a beacon. His armor gleamed under the distant explosions, and his crimson eyes, hidden behind his helmet''s visor, locked onto them with silent reassurance.

    They were safe.

    Nyra blinked up at him, her face turning redder by the second. "Took you long enough, you dumbass!"

    Lyra, on the other hand, buried her face in his chest, sighing in relief. "Rex... I love you right now..."

    Rex let out a low chuckle, his grip tightening ever so slightly to ensure they wouldn''t slip away. "Yeah, yeah. You can fight over who gets to thank me later. For now... let''s get you two home."

    As Rex flew through the wreckage, the twins clinging tightly to him, Nyra squinted at his glowing golden aura, her crimson eyes struggling against the brightness.

    "But... Rex..." she muttered while pressing her forehead against his armor to shield her eyes. "How the hell are you even here right now? Weren''t you supposed to be with Y''s mom?"

    At her question, Rex stiffened slightly, though it was barely noticeable.

    "Ah, yes... I was..." he hesitated, his deep voice carrying an odd mix of guilt and awkwardness. "With her... mom..." He coughed. "Ahem. But thanks to her, we got here just in time."

    Before the twins could press him for details, Rex shifted his grip on them and rotated their bodies so they were facing the station.

    "Look over there," he said. "See for yourselves."

 Chapter 245 Cooperation.

    The moment Nyra and Lyra opened their eyes and took in the sight before them, their exhaustion momentarily faded, replaced by stunned disbelief.

    The ruined trading station, which they had assumed was completely abandoned and doomed, was now swarming with massive, monstrous creatures.

    These towering beasts, easily the size of the Kaelzar Mauler Juggernauts, were ripping apart what was left of the station''s hull, but not in the way the twins had expected.

    Instead of destroying for the sake of mindless carnage, the creatures were entering the collapsing station, forcing their way through debris with sheer brute strength.

    And as they emerged again... they were carrying survivors.

    The grotesque, biomechanical monsters, creatures unlike anything the twins had seen before, were delicately cradling the civilians, guards, and even Aegis units in their massive clawed hands.

    One by one, they ferried the survivors toward the Kaelzar frigates, passing them off to waiting medical teams before returning to retrieve more.

    Lyra blinked in utter confusion. "Are... are those things actually helping? What the hell am I looking at right now?"

    Nyra''s jaw tightened, her instincts still screaming that something wasn''t right. "I don''t trust this... Those things don''t look like rescuers. They look like nightmares."

    Rex exhaled through his nose, his grip on them steady. "Yeah, well..." He looked away, almost sheepishly. "Let''s just say Xytrallia has a very different way of doing things."

    The twins both turned their heads toward him at the same time.

    "Wait... WAIT." Nyra''s eyes widened. "Are you telling me¡ª"

    "These monsters are khryssari?!" Lyra shouted, her voice rising.

    Rex scratched the back of his helmet with one hand while still holding onto them with the other. "Ehh... yeah. She calls them ''Void Crawlers.'' Apparently, they''re some kind of elite bio-warriors bred specifically for ''high-risk rescue operations.''"

    "HIGH-RISK RESCUE?!" Nyra shouted while gesturing wildly toward the abominations crawling through the wreckage. "THEY LOOK LIKE THEY EAT BABIES FOR BREAKFAST, REX!"

    Lyra, still pressed against his chest, just sighed. "You know what? I''m too tired to process this. I''m just gonna assume they''re the good guys and hope I don''t get eaten."

    Nyra grumbled but didn''t argue. "Fine. But if one of those things even looks at me funny, I''m gutting it."

    Rex chuckled, adjusting his hold on them as he prepared to move again. "Yeah, yeah. Just hold tight. We''re not done yet."

    As they soared through the debris-filled void, Lyra, still nestled in Rex''s grasp, tilted her head up with a curious expression.

    "By the way, Rex..." she asked, her tired but inquisitive crimson eyes blinking up at him. "How the hell did you guys even get here this fast? I was sure it took days to travel this distance. Even if we were fighting for three days straight, you should''ve still taken longer to arrive."

    Nyra, who had finally calmed down from her near-death adrenaline rush, frowned slightly. "Yeah, that''s actually a good question. You better not tell me you just ''flew really fast.''"

    Rex chuckled, the glow of his golden aura illuminating the edges of his armored frame. "Well, you see... that''s a long story."

    A Few Minutes Before the Collapse of the Trading Station...

    Cleo stood at the heart of the Cleopatra''s command center, her golden eyes fixed on the massive meteorite still hurtling toward the doomed station.

    Despite the combined efforts of her fleet and the obelisks, they were losing.

    The obelisks, her most advanced creation, had successfully slowed the meteorite''s descent... but only just. The monstrous rock was already halfway to impact, and the energy reserves of the allied human ships were draining fast.

    From atop the main obelisk, Mini Cleo''s holographic form flickered violently, the electromagnetic storm disrupting her projection. "Original body! We can''t hold this much longer!"

    Cleo remained silent, her fingers clenched around the controls.

    "Even with the additional power from the allied human fleet, it''s not enough!" Mini Cleo continued, her usually cheerful tone now laced with static. "I highly recommend diverting the remaining energy into an escape maneuver before it''s too late!"

    Cleo''s lips pressed into a thin line. "Recommendation rejected."

    Mini Cleo''s flickering hologram blinked in confusion. "But¡ª"

    "While it would be the logical solution," Cleo cut in, her voice unwavering, "the people inside that station are also my people. As their ruler, I will use every resource at my disposal to ensure that as many of them as possible escape."

    Cleo blinked.

    She exhaled sharply.

    And then, for the first time in hours... possibly even days, she let out a small, relieved smirk.

    "Took you long enough, Rex."

    Back in the Present...

    Nyra and Lyra stared at Rex.

    Then they stared at each other.

    Then they stared at Rex again.

    Finally, Nyra pointed a shaking finger at his face. "Are you telling me... some kind of space god-planet monster ATE the meteorite?!"

    "Yeah, pretty much," Rex replied nonchalantly. "Cool, right?"

    "NO, THAT''S NOT COOL! THAT''S TERRIFYING!" Nyra snapped, her voice rising. "Where the hell did that thing even COME from?!"

    Lyra, still dazed, just let out a weak chuckle. "Rex... You absolute menace..."

    Rex just grinned behind his visor. "What can I say? I make friends in strange places."

    "Rex." Nyra''s voice was deadly serious now. "Did you just bring ANOTHER problem into our already chaotic lives?"

    Rex pretended to think about it. "Mmm... Maybe?"

    Lyra groaned and buried her face against his armor. "I don''t even care anymore... just get us home before my brain melts..."

    Rex chuckled as he tightened his hold on them. "Yeah, yeah. Hold on tight."

    Meanwhile, Cleo barely had time to process what was happening before a voice that was smooth and teasing, filled the dimly lit command room of the Cleopatra.

    "Well, hello there~"

    In an instant, a figure materialized before her, it was not a hologram, not a projection, but the real, physical form of Xytrallia.

    Cleo''s golden eyes flickered with weary irritation. She was exhausted, her core was nearly depleted, her systems were still rerouting power, and now this.

    She stared at the intruder from her throne, her body heavy with fatigue. "Who are you?" she asked, her voice steady but lacking its usual commanding edge.

    Xytrallia tilted her head, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips. "Ah~, is this how you treat your savior? After all the wonderful things Rex said about you? Did he lie to me?"

    She placed a delicate, clawed finger against her lips, feigning deep thought, though the amusement in her glowing green eyes made it clear she was enjoying this far more than she should.

    Cleo exhaled sharply, placing both hands on the armrests of her throne as she slowly pushed herself to stand, her movements deliberate, defiant.

    "I don''t know what Rex told you about me," she said, her tone edged with quiet authority, "but I don''t recall inviting you onto my ship. So don''t expect any courtesy from me."

    Xytrallia chuckled, the sound a mix of delight and intrigue. "Oh dear~, I remember your kind being so dreadfully dull. Always obsessing over protocol, rules, and hierarchy... But somehow, you don''t act like one of them~."

    Before Cleo could react, Xytrallia vanished from where she stood, reappearing directly in front of her in an instant.

    Cleo didn''t flinch.

    But she did stiffen when Xytrallia''s cool fingers gently tilted her chin up.

    The queen''s smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable. "Uhum~, fascinating... If it weren''t for the composition of your energy, I wouldn''t have even realized you were Kaelzar."

    Her voice dipped into something more curious, almost hungry. "I''ve never seen one of your kind try so hard to look human... when your entire race has always believed organics to be beneath them~."

 Chapter 246 Cooperation. (2) Feelings.

    Cleo stood motionless, her stoic expression betraying nothing as she regarded the queen before her. After a tense pause, she finally spoke.

    "Times change, Khryssari queen. And it seems... they''ve changed for you as well. Who would''ve thought the mighty Khryssari monarch would appear before someone like me... with a small, humanoid form and so... fragile? Your kind always preferred grander, more imposing forms."

    A slow, knowing smile spread across Xytrallia''s lips. "Oh my, how dull you''ve become," she teased, her voice dripping with amusement. "Tell me, when did you realize it was me? Could it be that my regal presence is simply impossible to disguise?"

    She leaned in, resting her face against Cleo''s chest, her warmth cutting through the cold air between them.

    That was Cleo''s limit.

    Summoning the last of her strength, she materialized a short sword in her hand, aiming straight for Xytrallia''s stomach. But before she could strike, an unseen force slammed into her, hurling her backward. Her body crashed against the reinforced window with a sharp thud.

    Pinned there by an invisible pressure, Cleo gritted her teeth as Xytrallia calmly placed a protective hand over her stomach.

    "Don''t," the queen warned, her voice suddenly sharp. "Don''t ever try that again."

    Cleo''s eyes narrowed and with her instinct taking over, she activated her X-ray vision, scanning past layers of flesh and muscle until she saw it.

    An egg. Nestled within Xytrallia''s womb.

    A slow smirk curled on Cleo''s lips, despite the crushing force holding her in place. "Well, well... even the almighty queen has something to protect," she said with her voice laced with dark amusement.

    "I wonder... how would you keep that precious egg safe if I blew up this ship? Even you, trapped in that fragile humanoid form, wouldn''t be able to withstand the blast."

    Xytrallia''s glowing green eyes locked onto hers, brimming with silent confidence. And then, she laughed.

    "Ahahaha, you wouldn''t dare." She pressed a hand to her stomach, rubbing it almost tenderly. "After all, this child''s father is none other than your beloved¡ª"

    Cleo''s breath hitched.

    Her face, usually unreadable, flickered just for a second with a flash of something raw, something vulnerable.

    Xytrallia saw it. And she relished it.

    With a smirk, she released her grip on Cleo, letting her crumple onto the cold metal floor like a discarded puppet. "Such a rude welcome," she sighed dramatically. "I only came to say hello. Oh well... we''ll meet again soon~."

    With those final words, Xytrallia vanished, leaving nothing but an empty space where she had stood.

    Cleo remained there, motionless. The icy floor pressed against her palms, her long black hair spilling over her face while she clenched her fists so tightly her knuckles turned white.

    This feeling... this gnawing, twisting sensation in her chest.... was new. Unfamiliar. It wasn''t anger. It wasn''t mere frustration.

    It was something deeper. Something sharper.

    Jealousy.

    The realization struck her like a blade. And because it was the first time she had ever felt it, she had no idea how to process it.

    So, her body reacted the only way it knew how.

    The emotion swelled inside her, thick and suffocating, until it had nowhere left to go. It condensed, transformed, and escaped in the form of a single, silent tear rolling down her cheek.

    She blinked, startled by the sensation. Lifting her hand, she caught the tear on the tip of her finger, holding it up as if studying an anomaly.

    [Scan complete.]

    Her eyes that were usually cold, composed, and unreadable were now brimming with tears. Real, glistening tears.

    His breath caught. "Cleo... are you... are you crying?" he stammered, his voice laced with disbelief.

    She clenched her fists, trembling. "SO WHAT IF I''M CRYING?!" she screamed, her voice cracking. "I CAN''T CRY JUST BECAUSE I''M A MACHINE?!"

    Rex took a step closer, raising his hands in a calming gesture. "No, wait, that''s not what I meant. I¡ª"

    "I DON''T CARE WHAT YOU MEANT, REX!" she cut him off, her body shaking. "I... I..."

    [Warning: Emotional anomaly detected... Attempting correction...]

    Her system''s automated voice rang in her mind, but she barely registered it.

    "Cleo, talk to me," Rex pleaded, reaching for her.

    She let out a bitter, choked laugh. "TELL ME, REX! WHY AM I FEELING LIKE THIS?!?" she shouted, the raw frustration in her voice making Rex freeze. "LOGIC SAYS YOU DID NOTHING WRONG! IT''S NORMAL FOR ORGANIC LIFE FORMS TO REPRODUCE, TO LEAVE BEHIND A LEGACY, BUT I¡ª!!"

    [Warning: Critical error... Unable to correct emotional anomaly...]

    "Cleo! What are you saying!?" Rex grabbed her by the shoulders, his eyes wide with concern.

    She let out a ragged breath, her expression a mix of anger and anguish. "DON''T YOU KNOW WHAT I''M TALKING ABOUT?!" She cried. "I''M TALKING ABOUT YOU AND THAT FUCKING KHRYSSARI QUEEN AND THE NEW LIFE GROWING INSIDE HER!"

    As soon as the words left her mouth, a sharp pain shot through her chest. It wasn''t physical, and yet it hurt more than anything she had ever experienced.

    Rex''s hands slowly loosened their grip. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.

    Her systems frantically worked to suppress the storm of emotions inside her, trying to overwrite the turmoil with logic and reason.... but emotions weren''t something that could be rewritten like a line of code.

    "I..." Rex finally spoke, his voice hesitant. "I don''t know what you want me to say. But... yes. It''s true. The baby inside Xytrallia is mine."

    Cleo''s breath hitched. The tears came faster now, spilling down her cheeks as her entire body trembled.

    But it wasn''t just the fact that he had been with someone else.

    It wasn''t even the fact that he had created life with another.

    No, the thing that hurt the most was something deeper. Something she couldn''t even begin to explain.

    She clenched her fists, her breath coming out in sharp, uneven gasps. "So..." she whispered, her voice barely audible, "since you finally have someone who can give you offspring... does that mean you won''t love me anymore?"

    The question shattered him.

    Her words had no logic... no reason. And yet, in this moment, Cleo wasn''t following logic.

    Without thinking, Rex pulled her into a fierce embrace, pressing her head against his chest.

    "What the hell are you talking about, Cleo?!" His voice was rough, filled with lots of emotions.

    Cleo barely moved, her small hands gripping the fabric of his black T-shirt.

    "Why..." she whispered against him, her voice so broken it made his chest ache. "Why do you think I would stop loving you?"

    She trembled in his arms. "Because..."

 Chapter 247 Cooperation. (3) Alliance

    She swallowed hard. "Because I can''t give you offspring. A consort who can''t bear children... will eventually be discarded for someone who can."

    Rex stiffened.

    Then, without hesitation, he tightened his grip around her, his heart pounding.

    "That''s the dumbest thing I''ve ever heard."

    Cleo''s breath hitched, but she didn''t pull away.

    "Listen to me," he murmured, his voice softer now, his hand cradling the back of her head. "You think love is just about having children? You think I care about that more than you?"

    She didn''t answer, but he felt her fingers clutch at his shirt just a little tighter.

    "Cleo... you''re irreplaceable to me. Do you understand that?" His voice was barely above a whisper now. "Nothing, no one could ever change that."

    "Did you hear me?" Rex asked while gently patting Cleo''s head.

    But she didn''t respond.

    With a quiet sigh, he didn''t push her for an answer. Instead, he simply scooped her up into his arms and carried her over to the command bridge''s throne. Sitting down, he adjusted her in his lap, holding her close.

    For a long moment, neither of them spoke.

    "I don''t know much about the Kaelzar Empire," Rex admitted, his voice soft. "You don''t talk about it much. But if I''m supposed to be the new leader of your people... I have the power to change laws, don''t I?"

    Cleo gave a small nod, still resting her head against his chest.

    "Well then," he continued with a small smile playing on his lips, "you''re going to have to teach me about your laws. Something tells me there are some pretty extreme ones in there." He chuckled lightly, but when Cleo didn''t react, his expression softened again.

    His arms tightened around her just a little. "So... all of this," he murmured, "was because you thought I was going to abandon you?"

    Cleo shook her head. "No..."

    Rex frowned slightly. "Then why?"

    There was a pause. A deep breath.

    And then, finally, Cleo whispered, "Because... I was jealous."

    The moment she said it, something inside her eased. As if an invisible weight had been lifted from her chest.

    Rex took her hand in his, rubbing slow circles against her palm. "And... why were you jealous?"

    Cleo hesitated. Then with her voice barely above a whisper, she confessed, "Because she can give you an offspring. And I... won''t be able to. Not for who knows how many years. I don''t even know if there''s any living metal left out there. I mean, I know some still exists in the megacorps, but it''s impossible to get our hands on it..."

    She let out a shaky breath, a fresh tear slipping down her cheek.

    Rex exhaled, his grip on her hand tightening slightly.

    "Well..." He hesitated for a second, then chuckled. "I don''t know if I should tell you this now or save it for later, but... I guess I can give you a little spoiler." He smirked. "I got some living met¡ª"

    Before he could even finish his sentence, Cleo shot up like a lightning bolt and pinned him down, straddling his lap.

    Her eyes were wide, staring at him as if she had just heard the most unbelievable thing in the universe.

    "And lastly..." Rex turned toward Xytrallia. "We have Xytrallia, Queen of the Hive Minds."

    The moment those words left his lips, Lilla stiffened.

    Her breath hitched, and her fingers twitched slightly, since a Hive Queen was standing right next to her.

    The Hive Minds, a species feared and revered across the galaxy. Entire civilizations had fallen to their collective will, their power unparalleled. And now, here was one of their queens, standing calmly in the same room as if it were nothing.

    Lilla swallowed, forcing herself to maintain her composure. But Rex had definitely noticed her reaction.

    He smirked slightly before continuing.

    "Now then," he said while folding his arms. "I invited you all here to discuss a few important topics. The first?"

    His eyes swept across them, sharp and calculating.

    "I want to propose an alliance between our three factions."

    He then made a pause.

    His voice remained steady, firm. "I want to establish a trade and defense pact between us, one that benefits all our people. With our combined forces, we can protect our interests, share resources, and create a power that no one will dare challenge."

    He leaned back slightly, waiting.

    "So... what do you all think?"

    The air grew thick with tension while everyone was waiting for someone to talk first.

    A tense silence hung in the air as the proposal settled over the gathered leaders.

    Thankfully for the others, Xytrallia was the first to speak.

    "What I see," she said, her voice smooth but edged with calculation, "is that only the Kaelzars and the... humans stand to gain the most from this alliance. My Hive has no need for protection."

    She paused, her glowing eyes sweeping over the other representatives, gauging their reactions.

    "However," she continued, "the trade aspect does interest me. The megacorps have restricted our ability to engage in commerce and most factions fear dealing with us. This alliance could provide access to much-needed resources."

    She tilted her head slightly. "So, I am against the defensive pact... but in favor of the trading alliance."

    With that, she fell silent again, her decision final.

    Next, Lilla stepped forward.

    "Our forces are still weak," she admitted, her tone level but firm. "Both in trade and military strength." She glanced at Xytrallia briefly before continuing, "But we are growing, rapidly. In a few years, we will be strong enough to stand as equal partners in both trade and defense."

    She exhaled softly. "Right now, what we need most is protection, a defensive alliance to safeguard our people while we continue expanding. But trade is also crucial. So, I am in favor of both the trading and defensive alliances."

    Finally, all eyes turned to Cleo.

    She crossed her arms, her expression unreadable as she considered her words.

    "We, the Kaelzars, do not require a defensive alliance." Her voice was as neutral as ever, but her words carried undeniable weight. "Our priority has always been acquiring resources to sustain our war machine. Materials to build our forces are always in short supply."

    Her gaze flickered toward Lilla. "However, since the Human Empire does require military support, I am willing to support both alliances, trade and defense."

    With that, she fell silent, waiting for the next response.

 Chapter 248 Cooperation.(4)

    Rex stood in the center, listening carefully to each side. He took in every argument, every hesitation, and every concern; once everyone had said their piece, he finally spoke.

    "I''ve heard all your thoughts on this alliance," he said, his voice calm yet resolute. "While a strong trade network is a solid foundation, I want this to be a defensive alliance as well. For that to happen..."

    He turned toward Xytrallia, his gaze locking onto hers.

    "What would it take for you to accept a defensive alliance with us?" he asked with his voice being unusually steady. "I understand that, right now, you don''t gain anything from it. But look at it from this perspective: if you support us, if you protect our assets, we will grow."

    "Our military will expand, our economy will strengthen. In time, we could even stand against the megacorps."

    He took a slow step forward.

    "By then, our trade alone would be a force to be reckoned with. The flow of resources between us would be massive. Think of it not as a sacrifice, but as an investment, one that will yield long-term gains for you and your Hive."

    He fell silent, waiting for her answer.

    Xytrallia''s piercing green eyes studied him, unreadable. Then, after a long moment, she finally spoke.

    "What you say does sound promising," she admitted. "But my Hive cannot work for free. We require vast amounts of resources, and the fastest way to obtain them is through war or planetary expansion." She exhaled softly, resting a hand on her stomach. "The best I can offer is one year of protection."

    She paused before continuing, "Use this year wisely. Show us that your forces can grow, that your power can rise. If, by the end of that time, you prove yourselves... we will discuss a longer arrangement. Until then, my Hive will stand as your shield."

    Then, as if the discussion had already concluded in her mind, Xytrallia went silent, her hands gently cradling her womb, being lost in a moment of quiet contemplation.

    Rex smiled slightly since that was good enough.

    "Then it''s settled," he said. "We now have a provisional alliance. I hope this is the beginning of something that will benefit us all."

    The discussion continued for a little while longer, finalizing specific conditions and limitations before the meeting finally ended. One by one, the representatives departed from the garden.

    And soon, only Rex and Cleo remained.

    They sat near the edge of the artificial lake, the soft glow of the garden''s bioluminescent plants reflecting off the water.

    Rex let out a sigh, rolling his shoulders before pulling off his boots and dipping his feet into the cool water.

    "So," he murmured while leaning back on his hands, "since the station got blown to hell, and I''m pretty sure this place isn''t safe anymore, do you have any ideas on where we should go next?"

    Cleo, who had been gazing at the shimmering lake, nodded.

    "I have a few options."

    She lifted her hand, and with a ripple of shifting nanomaterial, three small, bird-like drones formed in her palm. The drones fluttered into the air, hovering around her before spreading their wings.

    Their beaks opened, and three holographic 4D planet projections appeared before them.

    "This," when Cleo said that, her golden eyes glowed softly in the dim light, "is our best option right now."

    A gentle breeze swept through the garden, making her dark hair dance in the air. Rex found himself momentarily distracted... since she looked breathtaking in this moment, the soft glow of the projections casting subtle highlights along her features.

    His fingers tapped against his knee as he thought.

    "Mmm... so this is the same planet where that Tier 4 creature was last time, right?" He turned his gaze toward Cleo. "Isn''t this way too dangerous? What if another Tier 4 shows up and beats the shit out of us?"

    He studied Cleo''s expression with his curiosity fully piqued.

    Cleo''s golden eyes glimmered as she pulled up fresh data on her holographic interface. "There''s no Tier 4 creature on Aquaria anymore," she declared, her voice steady.

    "According to my research, that beast shouldn''t have been there in the first place. A corporation this small wouldn''t have the resources to contain or manage something of that caliber."

    With a swift motion, she swiped her hand, revealing images of a decimated facility, twisted metal, shattered domes, and scorched ocean platforms stretching across the screen.

    "The real cause of the destruction," she continued while zooming in on the images, "was an orbital bombardment. Not the creature."

    Rex leaned closer, his eyes narrowing as he studied the charred wreckage. "Orbital bombardment? That''s... unusual." His mind raced, piecing together the implications.

    Then, another thought struck him.

    "Wait," he muttered, pulling up his arm device. "Have you heard anything from Carlos?" His fingers scrolled through his messages, but his inbox was empty.

    Cleo shook her head. "Nothing. The last update I got was from Sharon. She said they''d be out of contact for a while. Apparently, they''re moving into one of Nexum''s more secure facilities."

    Rex exhaled slowly, his brow furrowing. Nexum''s secure zones were notorious; once you entered, you vanished from the grid entirely.

    He shook off the thought for now.

    "So," Cleo said while breaking the silence, "which planet are you leaning toward?"

    Rex crossed his arms, weighing the options one last time. "Let''s go with Aquaria," he decided. "Those oceanic creatures could be a solid source of income, and the scans show plenty of valuable minerals underwater. Plus, the trade route is relatively safe, and¡ª" He smirked. "¡ªNo mystery monsters lurking around to eat us."

    Cleo nodded while closing the holograms with a flick of her wrist. The shimmering images dissolved, reabsorbing into her nanomaterial.

    "Then it''s settled," she confirmed.

    Rex stretched his arms behind his head. "Oh, before I forget," he added, "remember the living metal I mentioned? It''s in the hangar. Xytrallia dropped it off earlier, and the twins are guarding it."

    The moment the words left his mouth, Cleo shot up like a rocket, her eyes wide with excitement.

    Without a word, she sprinted out of the garden.

    Rex blinked, then burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Hey! Wait for me!" he called while chasing after her.

    By the time Rex reached the hangar, Cleo was already standing before a massive container filled with chromatic liquid metal. The substance shimmered under the artificial lights, shifting through iridescent hues as if it were alive.

    The twins, Nyra and Lyra, stood nearby, watching the strange material with curiosity.

    Rex walked up with his hands on his hips. "So... this is the famous living metal?"

    Nyra tilted her head. "Oh? This is it?" She folded her arms. "I don''t get it. What even is living metal?"

    "Yes, this is living metal," Rex confirmed, peering at the container. "But honestly? I have no idea how it works." He glanced at Cleo, who hadn''t moved an inch since entering the room.

 Chapter 249 Cooperation. (5) Dinner.

    Cleo was completely entranced, her hands resting gently on the edge of the container, her eyes glowing faintly.

    Rex smirked. "Well," he muttered, "looks like Cleo''s too busy being obsessed to explain it to us."

    He turned to the twins. "Come on, let''s leave her alone with it for now."

    Before they could protest, he playfully nudged them toward the exit. "Let''s go find something else to do," he said with a grin.

    As they left the hangar, Cleo remained still with her gaze fixed on the shimmering liquid.

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the galaxy...

    Carlos found himself in what was easily the most uncomfortable situation of his life.

    He sat at a massive dining table, so absurdly long that it felt like he needed a shuttle just to reach the other end. The surface was laden with exquisite dishes, their aromas mingling into a tantalizing blend of high-class cuisine.

    At the head of the table sat an old man whose presence alone was suffocating. He radiated an overwhelming aura of raw power, a quiet menace that made Carlos'' stomach churn.

    And beside the old man, all smiles and ease, sat Sharon.

    Carlos, on the other hand?

    He was practically exiled to the far end of the table, feeling like an intruder in this opulent setting.

    left alone with his thoughts.

    {What the hell am I doing here? Why did I even agree to this?!}

    His stomach twisted, not from hunger but from sheer awkwardness.

    {This atmosphere is killing me! And seriously, what''s with this ridiculously huge table? Do they need an intercom just to talk across it? And wait... is this table made of natural wood? Who the hell is this guy to afford something like this?!}

    Before Carlos could spiral further into his internal complaints, the old man''s deep voice cut through the silence like a blade.

    "Young man."

    Carlos nearly jumped.

    "My little girl has been telling me all about you," the old man said, his piercing gaze locking onto Carlos. "Your name is Carlos, correct?"

    Carlos swallowed hard.

    "Y-Yes, sir. I''m Carlos. Nice to meet you." His words came out stiff, his voice cracking slightly under the weight of his nerves.

    The old man hummed, leaning back slightly. "I see."

    Then, with an almost casual air, he asked, "Tell me... how exactly did you and my daughter meet? Carlos felt a sudden pressure settle around him, with an invisible force pressing down on his chest.

    It wasn''t crushing, not enough to harm him, but just enough to make breathing difficult. Just enough to remind him who was in control here.

    His body tensed. His throat tightened. He struggled to form words when....

    "Father! Stop doing that!" Sharon''s sharp voice sliced through the tension, her tone filled with irritation. "There''s no need for you to be so rude!" She scolded her father.

    The pressure immediately lifted after that.

    The old man exhaled, shaking his head as if amused by his daughter''s outburst.

    The weight of his words pressed down on the room.

    Sharon hesitated for the first time but she inhaled deeply, her expression momentarily faltering. Then, slowly, she locked eyes with her father.

    "Father..." she began speaking with her voice being softer.

    "I know you married me to the CEO so that I could have a secure life... in case something happened to you."

    She clenched her fists slightly.

    "But I..." She hesitated while glancing downward for a split second. "I overheard a conversation between the CEO and a woman."

    Carlos felt the tension in the room tighten like a noose.

    The old man''s face didn''t change, but his eyes sharpened.

    Sharon swallowed before speaking once again. "They were talking about..." She fell silent.

    Sharon''s father took a deep breath, his fingers gripping the armrests of his chair as he fought to contain his simmering rage. His voice, however, remained eerily calm.

    "What exactly were they talking about, sweetheart?"

    Sharon hesitated, her hands tightening slightly in her lap. Then, with a steadying breath, she finally answered.

    Experience more tales on empire

    "The woman said that her negotiations with NovaSyn Industries'' CEO... regarding the marriage of her daughter to the Nexum CEO... were already settled." She swallowed hard.

    "And with their combined influence... they planned to take you down." The words hung heavy in the air, each one echoing like a death knell.

    Sharon didn''t dare look up; she knew exactly what expression her father wore right now. A long, tense silence followed, the weight of her revelation pressing down on the room.

    Then, her father let out a slow, deep sigh before standing from his chair. "The dinner is over," he said, his voice clipped. "If you''re still hungry, feel free to order something to your rooms."

    With that, he turned and left the dining room without another word. Carlos sat frozen for a few moments before finally exhaling loudly, slumping back in his chair.

    "Damn," he muttered while running a hand through his hair. "I thought I was gonna die back there. Your father is... really something."

    But Sharon didn''t respond. She just sat completely still, her expression unreadable, lost in thought.

    Carlos frowned and Slowly, he got up and walked toward her, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

    "Sharon?" he murmured while resting his chin against her shoulder. "Are you okay?"

    She blinked a few times, as if snapping out of a trance. Then, with a small smile, she leaned her cheek into his hand.

    "Yeah... sorry, I just got a little lost in thought, hehe," she admitted softly. Then, nudging his hand playfully, she added, "Wanna go to my room and order some food? I saw you didn''t even get to eat anything."

    Carlos chuckled. "So you noticed that, huh?" He sighed dramatically. "Your dad really scares the hell out of me... but yeah, let''s go. I''m starving."

    With that, they left the dining hall together.

    Meanwhile...

    Sharon''s father walked through the long, dimly lit halls of his estate, his mind racing. He entered his private office and, without hesitation, moved a set of books from a nearby shelf. With a soft mechanical hum, a section of the wall slid open, revealing a hidden passageway.

    Inside, a sleek elevator stood waiting and without pause, he stepped inside.

    The doors sealed shut behind him, and the elevator began its silent descent deep underground.

 Chapter 250 The enemy in the shadows.

    Read new adventures at empire@@@@

    The elevator descended for what felt like an eternity; the soft hum of machinery was the only sound in the enclosed space. When the doors finally slid open, Sharon''s father stepped into a vast, high-tech underground facility.

    The walls were lined with holographic displays, flickering with streams of data, star maps, and encrypted communications. The air was cool and sterile, carrying the faint scent of ozone.

    At the center of the room stood a circular console, its surface alive with glowing interfaces. A figure in a dark suit, face obscured by a hood, turned to greet him.

    "You''re late," the figure said with its voice distorted by a modulator. "We''ve been waiting."

    Sharon''s father didn''t flinch. "I had to deal with... family matters," he replied curtly, his tone leaving no room for further questions. He strode to the console, his fingers dancing across the holographic keys. "What''s the status of the operation?"

    The hooded figure stepped closer, its presence unnervingly silent. "NovaSyn and Nexum''s CEO are moving faster than we anticipated. Their alliance is more than just a marriage; it''s a consolidation of power. If they succeed, they''ll control nearly half of the galactic trade routes within the year."

    Sharon''s father''s jaw tightened. "And the other factions?"

    "The Syndicate is watching, but they won''t act unless provoked. As for the Free Colonies... they''re too fragmented to pose a threat. For now."

    He nodded, his mind racing. "Then we''ll have to accelerate our plans. If NovaSyn and Nexum want a war, we''ll give them one. But on our terms."

    The hooded figure tilted its head slightly. "And what of your daughter? She''s already caught in the crossfire. If they suspect she knows anything..."

    "Sharon is stronger than she looks," he interrupted, his voice firm. "She''s my daughter, after all. But I''ll make sure she''s protected. She''s not part of this."

    The figure hesitated, then gave a slow nod. "As you wish. But remember, sentimentality can be a weakness. Don''t let it cloud your judgment."

    Sharon''s father''s eyes narrowed, a flicker of anger breaking through his calm exterior. "I don''t need your advice. Just make sure your people are ready. We move at dawn."

    Without another word, the hooded figure turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving him alone in the cavernous room. He stared at the holographic displays, the intricate web of alliances and betrayals playing out before his eyes.

    For a moment, he allowed himself a rare moment of vulnerability, his shoulders sagging under the weight of his responsibilities.

    But it was only a moment.

    Straightening his posture, he activated a secure comm channel. A hologram flickered to life, revealing the face of a grizzled man with a cybernetic eye.

    "It''s time," Sharon''s father said, his voice cold and commanding. "Initiate Protocol Eclipse."

    The man on the screen grinned, a predatory gleam in his eye. "About damn time. I''ll rally the troops."

    The hologram vanished, leaving the room in silence once more. Sharon''s father took a deep breath, his expression hardening. He had built his empire from nothing, fought tooth and nail to protect it, and he wasn''t about to let some upstart corporations tear it down.

    Not without a fight.

    Meanwhile, upstairs, Sharon and Carlos sat in her room with a spread of food between them. Despite the earlier tension, they were laughing, the weight of the evening momentarily forgotten. But as Sharon glanced out the window at the sprawling city lights, her smile faded.

    "Carlos," she said softly, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "Do you ever feel like... there''s something bigger going on? Something we''re not being told?"

    Carlos paused, a forkful of food halfway to his mouth. He set it down, his expression turning serious. "Yeah," he admitted. "I''ve felt it for a while now. Your dad... he''s not just some businessman, is he?"

    Sharon shook her head, her eyes distant. "I don''t know. But whatever it is... I think it''s about to blow up in our faces."

    Carlos reached over, taking her hand in his. "Whatever happens, we''ll face it together. Okay?"

    She smiled faintly, squeezing his hand. "Okay."

    If looks could kill, Percival wouldn''t just be dead; he''d have her cane lodged so far up his ass he''d be coughing up splinters for the rest of his life.

    {Tch. A lowly slave, and yet she sits among the Viceroys of my Nexum? Laughable. It doesn''t matter. Once I have absolute power, she''ll be the first to die.}

    But for now... he played his part.

    He leaned forward slightly, his smile never faltering.

    "Now then... shall we begin?"

    Percival let the tension settle before finally speaking, his voice rich with dramatics.

    "Seeing that I have everyone''s attention and knowing that your time is as valuable as gold, I will get straight to the point," he began, placing a hand over his heart for effect.

    "As you all know, as CEO, it is my duty to ensure peace among us so that we may unite our strength against the other megacorps!"

    His voice rose with conviction, his expression grave, and then, after a deep breath, his face twisted into a look of pained reluctance.

    "HOWEVER!" he suddenly shouted, lowering his head as if it physically pained him to speak his next words.

    The room stilled, waiting.

    Percival clenched his jaw. Then, with a dramatic pause, he finally uttered, "While it pains me deeply... I must bring forth unfortunate news." His shoulders shook slightly, as if he was holding back immense sorrow.

    "Viceroy Kael Vortigan... has betrayed us!"

    A sharp silence followed.

    "That is impossible!" shouted the old, grumpy man, his hologram flickering slightly with the force of his rage. "Where is your proof!?"

    Percival sighed theatrically, shaking his head.

    "Oh, but I do have proof."

    He lifted a hand, and the large screen to their left came to life. "If you would all be so kind as to direct your attention to the screen," he said smoothly.

    The holographic display shifted to a live transmission with a planetary view of Kael Vortigan''s stronghold.

    On the screen, the planet''s defenses were being activated, heavy artillery, ion cannons, and shield generators coming online. Meanwhile, above the surface, a fleet was beginning to assemble in the upper atmosphere.

    A slow murmur ran through the room.

    Percival allowed the images to do most of the talking.

    "This," he finally said, gesturing to the screen, "is happening right now... thanks to one of our loyal agents who saw the Viceroy''s actions as a threat to our corporation."

    He clasped his hands together. "So, I have gathered you all here today... so we can deal with him together."

    "I see..."

    The one who spoke was Viceroy Pax, a man known for his love of wealth above all else. He sipped at an exotic herbal drink with his posture being oddly relaxed.

    "So, you want to use our armies and fleets to deal with Kael Vortigan?" He raised an eyebrow, tapping his fingers on the table. "While I can see the efficiency in such an action... I must ask... what''s in it for us?"

    His eyes gleamed with calculation and anticipation.

 Chapter 251 The enemy in the shadows. {2}

    "This is time I will never get back, and if I''m not seeing any credits come out of this, I won''t be joining. Time is money, after all."

    Percival clenched his jaw internally but kept his pleasant smile.

    {Tsk. This damn money rat... I''ll kill him next... after the human slave}

    But on the outside, he simply let out a lighthearted chuckle.

    "Oh, but of course, Viceroy Pax!" he exclaimed.

    His hands spread in a welcoming gesture.

    "Everything the traitor owns, from his ships, his factories, his resources... EVERYTHING!! can be divided among all of you once we have dealt with him."

    He smiled warmly.

    "After all, I seek only to eliminate a traitor for the greater good of our corporation." He gave a light shrug. "Riches? Pfft, what use are they to me?"

    Pax studied him for a moment. Then, he smirked.

    "Hmm... I see. If that''s the case, then I''ll join your war."

    His mind was already running through potential profits, calculating how much he could strip from Kael Vortigan''s assets.

    Percival grinned.

    "Marvelous! I knew you were a reasonable man!" He gestured dramatically, arms wide.

    Then, his gaze flickered to the remaining three Viceroys.

    "Now then," he said smoothly. "What do the rest of you say?"

    The fate of Kael Vortigan and the corporation itself hung on their answer.

    The first to break the silence was Viceroy Isolde Blackthorn, Percival''s own mother.

    She let out a soft, sultry chuckle before speaking.

    "You know I''m always on your side, my dear son~." Percival''s smile widened ever so slightly.

    {Ahh~ My beautiful mother... I knew I could always count on you. Such loyalty... such elegance... If only you weren''t my mother... Haa~ Just the thought of it excites me...}

    Keeping his composure, he nodded. "Mm, I expected nothing less from you."

    His gaze then shifted to the remaining two Viceroys, Madame Rose and the old muscle-headed midget, Zedekiah Blackwire.

    "And what about you two?"

    Zedekiah grumbled while crossing his thick arms.

    "Bah, I''ll join too," he muttered. "I always wanted that old bastard''s long-range cannon technology. If you promise to hand it over to me, I''m in!"

    Percival''s smile never wavered. "Of course, Viceroy Blackwire. Consider it yours already."

    With that, he turned toward Madame Rose, the only one left to answer.

    "Now, Madame Rose," he said smoothly. "What would it take for you to join us?"

    The elderly woman scoffed, gripping her cane tighter.

    "Hmph! I don''t want anything from that old man," she sneered. "Unlike the rest of you, I''m not a damn thief!"

    She lifted her cane, pointing it toward everyone in the room.

    "All I want is a written promise. Signed by every single one of you, including you, sissy CEO."@@@@

    She narrowed her eyes. "A guarantee on paper that none of you will ever touch my assets or my family."

    "Doesn''t matter. We always knew our ranks were riddled with his spies. Let him think we''re playing into his hands for now." His sharp gaze flickered toward another officer.

    "More importantly, what about our spies? Any new intelligence?"

    Before the officer could answer, the command room doors suddenly burst open.

    A soldier sprinted in, his breath ragged. "Sir! I have urgent news from one of our spies sent before he was killed!" The room fell silent.

    Kael turned sharply, his expression darkening. "Out with it! Now!"

    The soldier gulped before blurting out the devastating report.

    "The CEO of Nexum has finished his meeting with the four Viceroys... and they''ve all agreed to aid him in attacking us!" A heavy silence followed.

    Some officers exchanged nervous glances, while others clenched their fists, their jaws tightening. Kael, however, remained unshaken.

    After a long moment, he let out a slow exhale, as if this outcome had already been expected.

    "So, it''s war then."

    His voice was cold. Resigned. But within it burned a fierce resolve. He turned back toward his console, issuing orders without hesitation.

    "Continue with the civilian evacuation plan. Get as many people off-world as possible."

    His eyes hardened.

    "Even if we fall today... we''ll make damn sure we take as many of them with us as we can!"

    A roar of determination erupted from the officers and soldiers around him, their fear momentarily replaced with steeled resolve. A Moment of Reflection

    As his men hurried to execute his commands, Kael reached inside his uniform, pulling out a small silver pendant. He clicked it open, revealing an old photograph inside. It was a paper photo, a rarity in this age of holograms.

    Inside, a younger version of himself stood beside Sharon''s mother, who cradled baby Sharon in her arms. A soft, bitter chuckle escaped his lips.

    {You always loved old things... paper photos instead of holograms. You said it made memories feel real.}

    He traced his thumb over the face of his late wife, memories of her warmth flashing through his mind. For the first time in years, Kael allowed himself a moment of weakness, a moment of grief.

    But the moment was cut short.

    A loud alarm suddenly blared across the underground facility, its urgent wail sending the base into high alert. An officer shouted over the noise.

    "Sir! The Nexum fleet has arrived!"

    Kael''s nostalgia vanished instantly, his war instincts snapping back into place.

    His silver pendant clicked shut, and he tucked it back into his chest pocket before turning sharply. "Numbers! Get me a visual!"

    Another officer quickly tapped into their stealth satellites, broadcasting the live feed onto the main screen. The image was staggering.

    A vast fleet loomed in orbit, blotting out the stars like a massive storm front.

    Another officer began shouting updates.

    "Enemy fleet count¡ª200... 432... 788... 1,200... Their numbers keep increasing!"

    Kael clenched his jaw. He had expected overwhelming forces, but to see it was something else.

    "Tch... Doesn''t matter," he growled. "We knew this wouldn''t be a fair fight."

    He turned to face his soldiers, his voice carrying across the room.

    "Our best estimates put them at 10,000 effective units. If anyone here wants to flee, now is your only chance. But mark my words, anyone who deserts once the battle starts will not be forgiven."

    The room remained quiet.

    No one moved.

    No one ran.

 Chapter 252 The enemy in the shadows. {3} Quality vs Quantity

    Instead, his officers stood taller, their eyes burning with the same defiance that Kael himself carried.

    Satisfied with this, Sharon''s dad gave a curt nod.

    Behind him, a team of soldiers approached, carrying his power armor, a massive, custom-built exosuit, enhanced with heavy shielding and built for one purpose... war.

    Next came his family''s shield, emblazoned with his house emblem.

    And finally, his patriarch''s sword, a weapon passed down for generations, carrying the weight of his lineage. Vortigan stood tall, fully prepared for the battle of his life.

    "Sir! The enemy fleet is breaking into orbit! What are your orders?!" One of the officers shouted, his voice sharp and urgent, but not shaken. There was no fear, only discipline.

    Vortigan''s eyes flickered to the holographic display, where enemy ships loomed like a steel storm in the dark sky. He exhaled slowly with a controlled breath, then moved with purpose.

    "Activate the weapon platforms and bring the planetary defenses online. I want them torn apart before they even touch the ground!" His voice rang through the command center like a hammer striking iron.

    As he spoke, he stepped into his power armor, the abyss-black plating gleaming under the cold artificial lights. Silver energy pulsed along its frame, the emblem of Nexum Dynamics, a white octopus etched proudly on his chest. Over the armor draped a regal cape, bearing the sigil of his house, a white wildcat with three tails, the mark of his bloodline.

    "Understood, sir!"

    The room erupted. Officers relayed commands, voices overlapping in a storm of urgency. Screens flickered with battle data as sirens wailed.

    Deep beneath the planet''s surface, the ground shuddered. Massive defensive platforms surged upward, emerging from hidden vaults. Towering cannons locked onto their targets, while swarms of interceptors rocketed into the sky.

    The moment the enemy ships entered range, chaos ignited. Blazing energy bolts and high-velocity projectiles tore through the void, ripping through frigates and transports alike. Some ships buckled instantly with their hulls crumpling under the relentless assault.

    Others veered off course, spiraling into destruction. The sky became a battlefield of fire and ruin.

    Inside the enemy flagship, far above the chaos, Percival watched with cold amusement. He stood still as the ship trembled under light enemy fire, a sharp contrast to the frantic movements of the officers around him. One of them approached, bowing slightly before speaking.

    "Sir, the traitors have begun firing on our fleet. We''re losing a significant number of ships. What are your orders?"

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    Percival barely glanced at him. A slow, deliberate smirk tugged at his lips. "No need for concern. These losses are within acceptable margins. We anticipated Vortigan''s treachery. His refusal to share his most advanced weaponry was just another crime to add to his name. But no matter..."

    He rolled his shoulders while stretching his arms. The polished plates of his armor glowed with a faint blue energy, humming with barely contained power. "I suppose I should make an appearance, raise morale."

    He turned sharply, making his way toward the hangar bay. The officer hesitated, then spoke again. "Sir, should I summon the Abyss team?"

    Percival chuckled. "Of course. Have them meet me in the launch bay. Those platforms won''t destroy themselves." The last thing he saw before the elevator doors shut was the flickering holographic display, showing the battle raging below.

    A quiet sigh escaped him, but in his mind, satisfaction burned like a steady flame.

    "Mmm? HAHAHA! What was that!? An ant trying to stop me... ME!? Seriously!? At least send the old man out here instead of his mutt! Don''t you think so too... VICTOR? Or should I say... Mercenary King!"

    His voice carried across the battlefield, defying distance, vibrating in the chests of those who heard it. The sheer presence of a Tier 7 powerhouse was enough to make reality itself tremble.

    Then, from the wreckage of the destroyed cannon, movement. A lone figure emerged, rolling his shoulders, resetting a dislocated arm with a sickening crack. He exhaled sharply, then stood tall.

    A long, dark cloak billowed around him, the emblem on his back unmistakable, a pair of metallic wings with five stars. The mark of a man who had fought his way to the top with nothing but blood and steel.

    Victor, the Mercenary King, smiled.

    "Hah. I''m glad someone that high up in the megacorps actually knows my name." His voice was rough, but there was amusement in it, as if he had been waiting for this moment.

    Percival scoffed while crossing his arms. "Tsk, if flattery makes a dog like you wag its tail, why don''t you just join me? I can praise you every day if that''s what it takes to keep you happy." He extended his hand, mockingly, as if offering a deal.

    Victor chuckled. "Hah. No thanks." His eyes glinted dangerously, his smirk widening. "And honestly, do you really think you have the time to chat with me? Because last I checked... your fleet was getting torn apart."

    He raised a finger and pointed toward the sky.

    Percival turned sharply, his eyes narrowed as he saw what Victor meant. His fleet. His elite warriors. His Tier 5s.

    They were dying.

    On another weapon platform, one of his strongest warriors, a Tier 5 powerhouse, was being overwhelmed. Not by equals. Not by fellow Tier 5s. But by mercenaries. Tier 4s. Tier 3s.

    One after another, they struck, moving with deadly precision. The elite warrior lashed out, tearing through some, but they kept coming, swarming like wolves taking down a bear.

    Percival''s expression darkened. His smile was gone. His amusement vanished.

    "...What the hell is going on?"

    Without another word, he vanished, moving instantly toward the battlefield, Victor watched him go, rolling his neck before tightening the grip on his weapons.

    "Oh? Getting serious now?" He smirked while stepping forward. "Good. I was starting to get bored."

    {What the hell do they think they are doing?}

    Percival''s blood boiled. His Elites... his Tier 5 warriors, were being torn apart by Tier 4 mercenaries. It was unthinkable. Disgraceful. His fists clenched so tightly that his gauntlets groaned under the pressure.

    His gaze locked onto one of his warriors, a seasoned Tier 5, stumbling back as a Tier 4 mercenary severed his arm with a brutal strike. Blood sprayed across the platform while the mercenary smirked.

    Something in Percival snapped.

    In an instant, he dropped from the sky like a meteor, crashing onto the weapon platform with such force that the entire structure detonated beneath him. A thunderous shockwave erupted outward, sending soldiers and debris flying in every direction.

    Metal beams groaned and snapped like twigs. Smoke and fire swallowed the battlefield in an instant.

 Chapter 253 The enemy in the shadows. {4}

    The weaker mercenaries were obliterated before they even realized what had happened. Their bodies were flung into the air, caught in the sheer force of the explosion.

    But the strongest Tier 4s, the ones foolish enough to stand against him, managed to withstand the impact. Some staggered, barely holding their ground, their faces contorted in shock.

    Percival grinned.

    {Good. That means I can kill them with my own hands!}

    One second he stood in the middle of the ruined platform. The next, he was right in front of the nearest Tier 4 mercenary, his fist already pulling back. The mercenary''s eyes widened. There was no time to react. No time to scream. Percival was going to erase him from existence.

    But then¡ª

    Victor''s foot slammed into Percival''s ribs, sending him hurtling sideways like a cannonball. He smashed into the platform''s reinforced steel walls with an earth-shaking impact, leaving behind a crater where he had struck. The entire structure trembled from the force of the collision.

    Smoke and dust filled the air.

    Victor lowered his leg and cracked his neck with a small smirk tugging at his lips.

    "Heh. You looked like you were having fun, Percival. Mind if I join in?"

    The battlefield fell silent for a moment. Then, from within the crater, a low chuckle echoed.

    Then a laugh.

    Then a roar of amusement.

    The dust began to settle, revealing Percival standing up, his eyes burning with something far more dangerous than rage.

    "Oh, well... I think I fucked up. Let''s talk this out calmly. Percival? Perci? Little Per¡ª"

    Before Victor could finish, Percival was already there.

    In the blink of an eye, the battlefield erupted into chaos once more. Their fists collided, sending shockwaves through the air as they fought with pure, relentless aggression. Sparks flew, steel groaned under the force of their attacks, and the very air trembled around them.

    To an outsider, it looked like an even match, a perfect clash of titans.

    But that was a lie and Victor knew it.

    He was trading injuries for hits, barely keeping pace. Every blow he landed cost him something, like an open wound, a fractured bone, or another drop of blood spilled into the void. He was Tier 6, peak, a powerhouse in his own right, feared across the galaxy.

    But Percival? Percival was Tier 7. A monster. The only reason Victor was still breathing was because Percival was holding back, restrained by the presence of his own forces in the area. If Percival went all out, he would tear through his own men just as easily as he tore through his enemies.

    And Victor was not willing to bet his life on that restraint holding forever.

    Then it happened... a single opening... a single mistake and Percival took it.

    A devastating kick sent Victor hurtling through the sky like a cannonball. He had no time to react before his body slammed into the nearest weapon platform, the impact reducing it to rubble on contact. Metal and fire exploded outward as the entire structure crumbled, burying him beneath it.

    Victor rolled his eyes while stretching his sore limbs as he stumbled out of the wreckage. "Tsk, so you called just to mock me? Here I am, risking my ass to help you, and this is what I get?"

    [Hah, well, if it makes you feel better, I called for a reason.] Vortigan''s tone grew serious. [Percival has started a full-scale invasion. We need to regroup at the mansion and patch you up before we see what that bastard has planned next.]

    Victor sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Yeah, yeah, I''m coming."

    He tried to teleport but nothing happened.

    He cursed under his breath. His body was too beaten down, his energy reserves too low to use instant space movement.

    "Tsk... whatever." He spotted a large piece of floating debris; he then waved his hand and lifted it with his remaining energy. Slowly, it hovered under him, and with a lazy motion, he laid down, folding his arms behind his head.

    Might as well enjoy the show while he floated back to base.... above him, the war in space raged on, ships clashing like gods in the heavens... and down below, hell was about to begin.

    A few minutes before all hell broke loose, Carlos and Sharon were having dinner in one of the guest rooms where Carlos was staying.

    "Say... what do you think your father will do to me if he finds out we already did it... sometimes?" Carlos asked, finishing his dish.

    "Mmm, not sure," Sharon mused, swirling her glass of wine. "My father is against polygamy, you know? He sees it as a blasphemous act for his religion... so what we did is clearly a sin in his eyes. He''d probably burn the both of us."

    Carlos froze, his face turning ashen as the color drained from his skin. His blood felt like it had turned to ice.

    Sharon burst into laughter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Hahah, I''m joking, Carlos. My father doesn''t give a damn about religion. He''s not against it, but he doesn''t support it either. He just lets them be. Ah, but he does hunt down those cults that always end up summoning void creatures. Now, those are ugly things," she said, giving Carlos a charming smile.

    "Well, I just hope we¨D" Before Carlos could finish, a deafening explosion shook the mansion, followed by another and another. Hundreds of explosions echoed in the distance, accompanied by the unmistakable sound of laser fire.

    "What the hell was that!?" Carlos exclaimed while his cybernetic military implants activated instantly, flooding his system with adrenaline and preparing him for combat.

    The door to the guest room burst open.

    "Lady Sharon! Your father has told me to..." The maid who entered froze mid-sentence, her eyes widening at the unexpected scene before her.

    "Relax, Carlos, she''s just a maid," Sharon said calmly, though her tone carried a hint of amusement. "And by the way... can you please... stop touching my chest?" She pointed at his hand, which was firmly planted on her chest.

    Carlos followed her gaze, his eyes landing on his own hand. "Well... I don''t know if I want to let go... I think they missed me¨D"

    {The hell!? Carlos, think with the other head! The one on your shoulders!} His rational mind screamed at him, snapping him back to reality.

    "Ahem, I mean... my apologies, Lady Sharon. It''s just that the explosion startled me, and all I could think of was protecting you. Ahem." Carlos spoke as he stood up and helped her to her feet.

    Sharon let out a soft chuckle. "Well, there you have it, Anais. Nothing unusual is happening here. So, why have you come? Are we under attack?" She asked, her voice calm and composed.

    "Oh... yes, as you said, Lady Sharon. Your father instructed me to escort you to safety. He also asked me to tell your... companion to report to the defensive forces. He said that if Carlos wishes to stand at your level, he must first grow stronger," the maid replied, bowing slightly.

    "So, my father already knew. Haha, as always, I can''t hide anything from him. Who is attacking us?" Sharon inquired, but the maid remained silent.

    "Hmm, I see. I suppose my father doesn''t want this information spreading. Well, you heard him, Carlos. What will you do? Even though he said you could still come with me, this isn''t your fight, after all," Sharon said, extending her hand toward Carlos.

    "Well... I..."

 Chapter 254 The enemy in the shadows. {5}

    Carlos hesitated for a few seconds while thinking of several things and while he did that, the explosions outside were growing louder, and the urgency in the maid''s voice was impossible to ignore.

    He glanced at Sharon, who had her hand still extended toward him; her expression was calm but expectant. Then he looked back at the maid, who stood silently, waiting for his decision.

    "Well..." Carlos began, his voice steadying as he made up his mind. "If your father thinks I need to prove myself, then I''m not going to run and hide. I''ll join the defensive forces. I''m not just going to stand by while you''re in danger."

    Sharon''s lips curved into a small, approving smile. "I thought you''d say that," she said while lowering her hand. "Just promise me you''ll be careful. My father''s tests aren''t exactly... forgiving."

    Carlos nodded, his jaw tightening with determination. "I''ll be fine. I''ve been through worse."

    The maid stepped forward; her tone was now respectful but still firm. "Then follow me, sir. I''ll take you to the command center. Lady Sharon, please come with me as well. We need to get you to safety."

    Sharon shook her head. "No, Anais. I''m not hiding while my home is under attack. Take Carlos to the defensive forces, and I''ll head to the command center myself. My father will need all the help he can get."

    The maid hesitated, clearly torn between her orders and Sharon''s resolve. But after a moment, she nodded. "As you wish, Lady Sharon. Please be careful."

    Carlos gave Sharon one last look, his expression a mix of concern and determination. "Stay safe," he said quietly.

    "You too," she replied, her voice soft but unwavering. "I''ll see you when this is over."

    With that, the maid led Carlos out of the room, leaving Sharon alone for a moment. She took a deep breath, her composed demeanor faltering just slightly as the weight of the situation settled in.

    But she quickly straightened with her resolve hardened. She had a role to play, and she wasn''t about to let her father or Carlos down.

    As Carlos followed the maid through the winding halls of the mansion, the sounds of battle grew louder. The walls trembled with each explosion, and the air was thick with tension. Carlos clenched his fists, his cybernetic implants humming with readiness. He didn''t know what was waiting for him out there, but he was ready to face it.

    For Sharon.

    The maid stopped at a heavy set of doors, turning to Carlos. "This is as far as I go. The command center of the defensive forces is through here. Good luck, sir."

    Carlos nodded, his expression grim but determined. "Thanks."

    He pushed the doors open and stepped inside, the chaos of the command center immediately engulfing him. Officers shouted orders, holographic displays flickered with battle data, and the air was thick with the scent of sweat and metal.

    "So, the great man has finally decided to join us!"

    Carlos barely had a second to react before a heavy slap landed on his back, nearly knocking the air out of his lungs. The voice behind him was deep and amused, oozing confidence. He turned quickly with his instincts on high alert.

    Standing before him was a man a full head taller, grinning broadly with perfectly white teeth. His build was imposing, his presence commanding. But something about him felt... off.

    "Mmm? Do I know you?" Carlos asked, already inputting a series of commands into his arm device with practiced ease. He didn''t need to look at his device since his fingers had memorized the motions long ago.

    "Oh, that''s right," the man chuckled. "I haven''t introduced myself yet." He took a step closer, throwing an arm around Carlos''s shoulders as if they were old friends. "Name''s Vire, steward of this mansion."

    Carlos was covered in scars, jagged, deep, and layered from countless battles. His cybernetics gleamed under the lights, a dark metallic gray, seamlessly integrated into his flesh. But what caught their attention the most were the six metallic ports embedded along his spine.

    And another just below his neck.... the room stayed quiet for a moment longer. Then Vire let out a low chuckle.

    "Well, now," he muttered, his mechanical fingers flexing. "Aren''t you full of surprises?"

    Carlos simply smirked while cracking his neck as he stepped toward his towering armor.

    "You haven''t seen anything yet."

    Carlos took a slow breath, steadying himself as he stepped toward his battle armor. The massive, three-meter-tall machine knelt before him, its gray steel plating gleaming under the overhead lights.

    It was an imposing figure, a war machine built for destruction but to Carlos, it was something else entirely. It was an extension of himself.

    As he approached, the back of the armor hissed open, revealing the neural interface chamber inside. Without hesitation, Carlos stepped in, feeling the cold steel against his skin.

    The moment he settled into place, the suit came alive.

    [Identity confirmed. Initializing neural link with battle armor: Argos.]

    The AI''s voice was calm and precise as six black cables slithered from the interior, snapping into place along Carlos''s spine. A sharp jolt ran through his body as the neural sync began, his nerves burning for a split second before the pain faded into a familiar hum.

    Then, the final connection... a seventh cable extended, plugging directly into the port beneath his neck.

    For a brief moment, Carlos felt nothing. Just silence. Then¡ª

    [Connection successful. Status: all systems green. Battle armor Argos is fully operational. Welcome back, Carlos.]

    Carlos opened his eyes. Except they weren''t his anymore.

    He was seeing through Argos now, his field of vision expanding as the battle armor''s sensors became his own senses. He flexed his fingers, and the massive armored hands responded flawlessly. A single step forward, and the floor trembled beneath his weight.

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    "Alright," Carlos said with his voice now amplified through Argos''s external speakers. "I''m ready. When are we moving out?"

    The squad around him nodded, their own armor sets now fully activated. No more small talk. It was time for war.

    Above them, the planet burned in hundreds of different colors.

    The orbital defenses had crumbled, leaving the surface exposed. From the sky, the Nexum fleet descended in full force, warships blotting out the stars as they deployed millions of troops. Drop pods rained like meteors, their fiery trails streaking across the sky as they slammed into the ground, unloading wave after wave of heavily armed soldiers and mechanized units.

    The defenders were ready.

 Chapter 255 The last stand.

    As soon as the first Nexum troops hit the surface, they were greeted by fire and fury. Trenches, bunkers, and hardened defensive lines stretched for miles, turning the battlefield into a killing field.

    Artillery cannons roared, sending massive shockwaves through the earth. Railguns fired from fortified positions, ripping through enemy transport ships before they could even touch down.@@@@

    This was not a battle of thousands against thousands; this was millions against millions, the kind of war that only those who had conquered worlds before had ever seen.

    In the heart of Nexum''s flagship command deck, Percival sat in absolute comfort.

    Lounging in his throne-like chair, he barely paid attention to the battlefield unfolding before him. One slave girl knelt beside him, carefully feeding him fruit, while another gently fanned air onto his face, keeping him cool as the war raged below.

    One of his officers approached with urgency in his tone. "Sir! The enemy defenders have established a strong defensive line! Our ground forces are being stopped cold!"

    Percival sighed while lazily waving a hand. "Isn''t it obvious?" He stretched slightly, accepting another piece of fruit between his teeth. "Order an orbital bombardment on their positions. We don''t have time to waste."

    The officer hesitated for a brief moment. "But, sir... our own troops are already engaging them. If we begin orbital strikes now¡ª"

    Percival''s eyes flickered with irritation.

    {This damn fool, always talking back to my orders! who do they think they are!?}

    "We don''t have time to be concerned with casualties. Destroy them all." His lips curled into a cruel smirk. "And hurry it up. We don''t know when those pestering war reporters will show up and ruin the fun."

    The officer stiffened but quickly saluted. "Understood, sir!"

    As he turned to relay the order, Percival let out a soft chuckle, his gaze returning to the battlefield display.

    {Let them fight.... Let them burn.... and meanwhile I will be banging this slave right here, Hahaha}

    "Sir Vortigan! The enemy offensive has been halted in the north and east! The south and west are still struggling, but at this rate, we should be able to stop them there too!"

    The officer''s voice rang through the room, filled with urgency but edged with a hint of hope. Vortigan leaned back slightly, arms crossed, his gaze shifting toward Victor, who stood beside him, relaxed but sharp-eyed.

    "Well, I''ll be damned," Vortigan muttered while tossing a small orb of purified water into his mouth and chewing it before swallowing. "Your strategy actually worked, Victor."

    Victor let out a gruff laugh while shaking his head. "Of course it worked. That sissy Perci doesn''t have the tactical experience I do. He''s still sucking on his mama''s tits. He needs years before he can even think about outmaneuvering me." He popped a similar water orb into his mouth, biting down with a grin.

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    Vortigan exhaled while shaking his head. "I don''t think he''s stopping anytime soon... you know the rumors, right?"

    Victor froze for a second, then narrowed his eyes. "...Dude. Gross. That''s not the image I need in my head right now."

    Vortigan smirked but didn''t reply. Instead, he grabbed his coat from the chair and turned toward the exit.

    "By the way," Victor called after him, "is my niece in a safe place?"

    Vortigan paused for a moment before speaking. "Of course. I had her sent through the secret escape route to the polar region. She didn''t take it well, though. I had to put her to sleep to get her to comply. She was adamant about joining the war."

    Victor sighed. "Kids these days don''t know what they''re saying..."

    Vortigan didn''t reply. He just kept walking.

    His lips curled into a wide, perverse grin as he reclined in his command throne, savoring every explosion like the finest art. He ran a hand over the trembling form of the slave kneeling beside him, fingers tightening in her hair as he drowned in ecstasy, for both the massacre below and his own climaxing pleasure.

    "Hahahaha! Yes! Yes! That is the fate of all traitors!" He threw his head back, gasping in pleasure. "Do not stop! Reduce them all to dust!"

    The officers on the bridge shifted uncomfortably, but no one dared speak.

    Vortigan stood rigid with his teeth clenched so tightly that blood seeped from his gums. His fists trembled at his sides, nails digging into his palms so hard they threatened to pierce the skin.

    "Is everything ready?" His voice was low, guttural, filled with barely contained fury.

    "Yes, sir," an officer responded, though his voice shook. His eyes were still red, barely holding back tears for the sacrifices made from his comrades

    Vortigan inhaled sharply. The rage, the sorrow, the overwhelming grief.. he forced it down, condensing it into something sharp and deadly.

    "Then do it. Make those bastards taste our revenge."

    The officers moved instantly, their fingers flying over control panels as they transmitted the final activation codes.

    Percival was still lost in his twisted pleasure when the first alarm screamed through the flagship.

    "Sir!" an officer shouted in panic. "Multiple intercontinental missiles have been launched from the surface! They are targeting our deployed troops!"

    Percival''s eyes snapped open, the pleasure vanishing in an instant.

    "What!?" He lunged forward, violently shoving the slave away with enough force that her frail body cracked against the wall, her lifeless form crumpling to the floor. He didn''t even glance at her.

    "Who the fuck allowed this!?" He shouted.

    Before anyone could answer, one of the main screens flickered; it was hacked.

    Percival''s fury twisted into something uglier as Victor''s grinning face appeared, lifting a middle finger with a smug laugh. "Hahahaha! Hope you like my gift, little mommy''s boy!"

    The screen immediately cut out, but the damage was done. Percival''s entire body shook with rage.

    "FUCKING DOG!"

    With a roar, he pulled out his handgun and fired point-blank at the screen, shattering it into sparks and glass.

    But no amount of screaming could change what was coming. The intercontinental missiles hit their targets with merciless precision.

    They weren''t just ordinary warheads. They were anti-matter bombs, each one designed to annihilate everything within a contained radius, erasing all organic and inorganic matter in an instant.

    Massive shockwaves tore through the battlefield as the missiles detonated. Fire and energy ripped apart entire platoons, their bodies dissolving into nothingness before they could even scream.

    The ground trembled under the force of the explosions. Thousands of Nexum soldiers were wiped out in mere seconds.

    The sky, once a battlefield of ships and drop pods, was now filled with flaming wreckage. The planet''s surface that was already ruined became an even greater hellscape, with both sides suffering unimaginable losses.

    Now, no one was winning.

    Now, it was nothing but carnage.

 Chapter 256 The last stand. {2}

    Percival''s fists clenched so tightly that his armored gloves groaned under the pressure. His breath came in sharp, ragged gasps, his body trembling with pure, unfiltered rage.

    "How dare those traitors do something like this!" he shouted, his voice shaking the command deck. "Send down more troops! I want them wiped out! Every single one of them! I don''t care what our losses are!"

    His eyes burned with fury as he turned toward his officers. "And send the Viceroys. Order them to hunt that fucking dog!" The officer standing closest to him barely managed a bow before bolting toward the communications team, relaying out Percival''s orders.

    "Sir Vortigan! The Nexum fleet is on the move again! They''re deploying more troops!"

    The command center was a storm of activity with officers scrambling as new warnings flashed across the tactical displays.

    Vortigan exhaled through his nose while cracking his knuckles. "Mmm... so the brat enjoyed our little gift." He rolled his shoulders and turned to the room. "Well then, gentlemen, let''s make him pay for it."

    He slammed his fist onto the table, his voice sharp as a blade. "Redirect twenty percent of our planetary defense cannons to their landing zones! I want every one of those bastards blasted apart before their boots even touch our ground!"

    "Understood, sir!"

    Within minutes, the colossal planetary cannons rotated, their barrels locking onto the new landing coordinates.

    Then, they open fire.

    Massive bolts of high-energy plasma and railgun slugs the size of houses ripped through the descending Nexum ships, detonating them mid-air. Transport after transport burst apart like glass; their occupants disintegrated before they could even scream.

    Those that managed to touch down crashed in flames, the survivors barely stumbling out before another round of targeted artillery strikes reduced them to nothing.

    The cycle continued relentlessly. Every time the Nexum forces tried to switch landing zones, the planetary defense adjusted, wiping them out before they could gain a foothold.

    Victor, watching from a higher vantage point, burst into laughter.

    "Hahaha! What a bunch of morons! Is this really all they have?" He leaned back while crossing his arms, his grin stretching. "Even for a low-tier corporation, this is pathetic. And this is supposed to be a megacorp? A galactic power?"

    He wiped a tear from his eye, still chuckling. "Ah, all my blessings to that sissy brat for being so damn stupid." His laughter, however, was cut short when a blur of motion appeared next to him.

    Before Victor could react, something slammed into his face with the force of a meteor. His body was sent flying, tumbling through the sky for several kilometers before he finally managed to stabilize himself.

    "What the fuck was that!?" he growled while shaking off the dizziness as he rubbed his aching jaw. His eyes darted around, scanning for his attacker.

    Then he saw it.

    Floating a short distance away was a humanoid octopus, its body thick with oversized muscle, its black skin gleaming under the dim light of the burning battlefield. Your next chapter awaits on My Virtual Library Empire

    "Fucking midget," Victor muttered, spitting blood as he cracked his neck. "I should have known."

    Isolde giggled while floating beside the short, battle-hardened midget known as Blackwire. "Oh dear, what can I say? There''s only so much you can do with such poor materials. Not my fault, you see."

    Victor cracked his knuckles, his smirk growing wider. "I''ve been punched twice already. Once by a midget and once by a grandma with a cane. My reputation''s gonna take a hit if I don''t return the favor."

    Twin sword handles snapped into his palms from his hip, and with the press of a button, plasma blades ignited in a blinding flash.

    Blackwire let out a sharp laugh. "Now this is what I was waiting for!" In a blink, he vanished, reappearing right beside Victor. The air around them crackled as they activated Tier 6 space-bending abilities, allowing near-instant movement across the battlefield.

    As Victor clashed with Isolde and Blackwire in a whirlwind of destruction, Pax materialized beside Madame Rose. "Time is money, Madame. We should get to work."

    She scoffed. "Hmph, I don''t need you to tell me!"

    Meanwhile, chaos erupted across the battlefield. Isolde''s creatures were spreading like wildfire, tearing through the defensive lines with terrifying efficiency. Her spider-like abominations churned out more monstrosities by the second, overwhelming the already struggling soldiers.

    "Sarge! We''ve lost the fifth defensive line!" A soldier shouted while firing desperately at an advancing creature. "We need to fall back to the captain''s zone and reinforce the sixth!"

    The sergeant gritted his teeth, hesitating for only a second before reaching for his communicator. But before he could give the order, a massive mechanical arm clamped around his wrist.

    "Whoa there," a calm voice said. "No need to retreat just yet. High command''s sending reinforcements any minute now. Till then, we hold the line."

    The elite guards snapped their weapons toward the newcomer. "Identify yourself!"

    The stranger chuckled, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Oh, pardon me. Memory''s not as sharp as it used to be. I''m Vire, steward of my lord''s mansion. At your service." His smirk deepened as he gestured toward the sky. "But forget introductions. My friend up there is much more eager to make an entrance."

    The sergeant followed his gaze just in time to see something enormous plummeting from above. A massive humanoid figure rocketed downward, crashing headlong into the enemy horde with earth-shattering force.

    [Battle Armor Argos engaging the enemy. Weapons free.]

    The mechanized warrior moved like a force of nature. Argos reached out, seized a monstrous creature by the skull, and crushed it effortlessly, like it was nothing more than a lump of soft clay.

    Then, with a heavy mechanical whir, four massive miniguns emerged from Argos''s back, their barrels spinning as targeting systems locked onto incoming threats.

    [Aiming assistance activated.]

    Carlos smirked beneath his helmet. "Thanks, Arg. I''ll leave the long-range weapons to you. I''ll handle things up close." His grip tightened as he readied himself. "Deploy the halberd."

    [Understood. Launching Halberd.]

    From behind Argos, a sleek gray rectangle shot into the sky like a missile. For a brief moment, it hovered in the sky, then its form twisted and expanded, shifting in midair. Plates unfolded, metal realigned, and within seconds, the object transformed into a towering halberd, its razor-sharp blade gleaming in the battlefield''s chaos.

    Carlos reached out, catching it effortlessly as it came down. Sparks crackled along the weapon''s edge, energy coursing through its core.

    "Time to carve a path through the enemy"@@@@

 Chapter 257 The last stand. {3} Kael Vortigan

    The Argos''s miniguns erupted with a deafening roar, unleashing a torrent of bullets that tore through the advancing horde like a hurricane of death. Shell casings rained down in a metallic symphony, clattering against the ground as Carlos surged forward with his massive halberd gleaming under the dim light.

    Each swing of the weapon cleaved through mutated flesh with brutal precision, sending grotesque limbs and shattered bodies flying in every direction. Yet, for every creature he felled, twenty more seemed to rise from the shadows, drawn to the chaos like moths to a flame.

    But the Argos was no ordinary suit of armor. It wasn''t just a machine, it was a living, breathing entity, the culmination of Cleo''s genius. Battle armor engineering had never been her forte, but AI development? That was her domain.

    Instead of crafting something mass-produced, she had imbued Argos with intelligence, making it a one of a kind marvel. Powered by a Tier 3 Low core, the suit regarded the swarming creatures as nothing more than pests, its systems calculating every move with cold, unerring precision.

    Behind the frontlines, Vire shoved the sergeant forward with a smirk, his voice cutting through the cacophony. "What are you all standing around for? Go help the rookie! He''s strong, but even he can''t hold the line forever. Move it!"

    Carlos''s relentless assault had shifted the tide of battle. The creatures, once an unstoppable wave, now fixated on him as their primary target, their grotesque forms surging toward the towering gray giant.

    The defensive forces, battered but unbroken, seized the opportunity to regroup, their spirits reignited by the sight of Carlos holding the line.

    "Listen up, Fifth Division!" the sergeant shouted, his voice carrying over the din of battle as he raised his laser handgun high. "We shoot these abominations to hell! We hold this ground, or we die trying!"

    The soldiers roared in response, their voices a thunderous chorus of defiance. Gunfire erupted in a blinding cascade of light and sound, the air thick with the acrid smell of burning plasma and scorched flesh.

    "Follow the stone giant!"

    "Light ''em up!"

    "Hell yeah! Time to test out this baby!" one soldier cackled, hefting a missile launcher onto his shoulder. The weapon roared, sending a fiery projectile into the heart of the horde, the explosion illuminating the battlefield in a brief, blinding flash.

    But the shift in the battle hadn''t gone unnoticed. Across the field, the Nexum forces watched with growing unease. Their officer sneered, his eyes narrowing as he observed Carlos carving through the horde with terrifying efficiency. "Shoot that gray giant down!" he shouted, his voice dripping with venom.

    A lower-ranking officer hesitated with his voice trembling. "Sir, our troops are engaging him in close combat! We''ll hit them too!"

    The officer''s face twisted into a mask of disgust. "What troops? Those things aren''t ours anymore. Lady Isolde turned them. They''re just cannon fodder now. Obliterate them all!"

    There was no room for argument. Orders were orders.

    [WARNING: Multiple hostiles detected. They are carrying electric rifles and low-grade explosives.]

    Carlos didn''t falter, his halberd a blur of motion as Argos''s systems registered the incoming fire. "Are they strong enough to breach our shield?" he asked with his voice calm despite the chaos.@@@@

    Anais hesitated, her expression softening with sympathy. "My lady, the Lord is only thinking of your safety. He¡ª"

    "I know what he''s thinking," Sharon interrupted, her tail curling tightly around her side. "You don''t have to explain it to me." She turned her gaze back to the window, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears.

    "It''s just... I was the one who convinced Carlos to visit my home planet with me. And now he''s caught in this nightmare. He could die out there, and all I can do is watch."

    A single tear slipped down her cheek, and she quickly wiped it away, her usual bright demeanor dimmed by an overwhelming sense of guilt. She felt powerless, trapped in a gilded cage while the people she cared about fought for their lives.

    Meanwhile, the war raged on, its fury unrelenting. Madame Rose and Pax led a coordinated assault on two of the planet''s critical power stations, key sources of energy for the defensive planetary cannons in the sector.

    Their forces moved with surgical precision, splitting into two fleets and deploying waves of soldiers onto the ground. The stations shields were formidable, impervious to artillery and bombardment from the outside. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

    But they had one fatal flaw: while they repelled external attacks, they couldn''t stop physical entry. Troops and mechanized units poured through the barriers, turning the battle into a grueling siege. It was only a matter of time before the defenders were overwhelmed.

    Then, without warning, the sky itself seemed to split open.

    A streak of black and silver tore through the heavens like a vengeful comet, moving faster than the eye could follow. It crashed into Pax''s flagship with a deafening roar, slicing through the massive warship as if it were made of paper.

    The vessel split clean in half, explosions rippling along its structure before it plummeted toward the ground in a fiery cascade. But the comet didn''t stop there, it shot toward the next ship, then the next, cutting through the Nexum fleet with ruthless, unstoppable precision.

    Finally, it came to a halt, hovering above the power station like a harbinger of doom.

    A booming voice erupted across the battlefield, shaking the air and the ground beneath it.

    "MY NAME IS KAEL VORTIGAN! LORD OF THIS PLANET! BRING ME THAT SISSY HERE, OR DIE IN SHAME LIKE THE PUPPET YOU ARE!"

    His words echoed not only across the world but beyond it, carried by sheer force of will of a Tier 7 powerhouse. The moment his voice rang out, the tide of battle shifted. The allied forces erupted in cheers, their morale soaring like a wildfire.

    With renewed vigor, they pressed forward, their attacks gaining ferocity. The Nexum troops, once pushing the defenders back, now found themselves struggling against the sudden surge of resistance.

    On a distant battlefield, Madame Rose exhaled sharply, her sharp eyes narrowing as she watched the spectacle unfold. A small smirk played on her lips, and she raised her voice to meet his challenge, her words carrying across the chaos with equal force.

    "Tsk. Still as loud as ever, Vortigan."

    She stood atop a ruined building, several kilometers away from him, her presence as commanding as his. The air between them crackled with tension, a silent acknowledgment of the clash to come.

 Chapter 258 The last stand. {4}

    Vortigan''s gaze settled on Madame Rose, his expression unreadable. "So... even you have thrown in with that sissy? I have to admit, I''m surprised. Given your history with him, I thought you''d be the last to take his side."

    Madame Rose scoffed while brushing a hand over her long, feathered jacket, a rare treasure from a distant paradise world. "Hmph. Don''t be ridiculous. I have no interest in that brat, the one who still reeks of his mother''s milk. I simply have my own reasons for being here. That''s all." With a swift motion, she shrugged off the elegant jacket, letting it fall behind her.

    Vortigan sighed while shaking his head. "So it''s come to this, then... What a shame." He raised his blade, pointing it toward an empty stretch of air. "And are you planning to keep hiding, Pax?"

    A slow, deliberate clapping echoed through the battlefield as Pax shimmered into view, his presence distorting the space around him. His grin was wide, his black eyes gleaming with amusement.

    "Well done. Not just anyone can see through my cloaking. Then again, I suppose I shouldn''t be surprised since Tier 7 powerhouses do live up to their reputation." His face tentacles curled behind his head as a dark, menacing helmet materialized over his skull.

    "It''s a shame things had to come to this, but don''t worry. I''ll make excellent use of your resources once you''re out of the way."

    Vortigan didn''t even flinch. Instead, he slid his sword back into its sheath with slow, deliberate precision and turned his gaze skyward. He was looking for someone. "You''re not worth my time. Move aside before I kill you both."

    Pax smirked. "Did you hear that, Madame Rose? He just called you an old, decrepit woman. I didn''t say it; he did." His voice dripped with mockery.

    Madame Rose''s fiery eyes snapped toward him. "Shut the fuck up, Pax." And then, before his very eyes, she began to change.

    Her once-aged body shed its wrinkles, her skin smoothing, her frame growing leaner, stronger. Her once silver-streaked hair blazed into its true form, a cascade of vibrant, flaming red. Experience more content on My Virtual Library Empire

    Pax''s amusement vanished. His eyes widened with disbelief written across his face. "Wait... since when are humans capable of cellular alteration!?" His voice carried a sharp edge of alarm.

    Madame Rose smirked. "As if I''d tell you, seafood!"

    With a burst of heat, she shot forward like a meteor, flames trailing in her wake. She collided with Vortigan in midair, the impact sending a scorching shockwave across the battlefield, igniting the very sky.

    Sparks flew as her cane, crafted from a rare metal resistant to her infernal heat, clashed with Vortigan''s blade, a weapon forged from a material that absorbed and returned the force of impact. Every strike she landed was countered, every powerful blow redirected. She was strong, but he had the edge.

    And then Pax lunged in.

    Two against one. But even with the numbers on their side, Vortigan remained unshaken. His shield, made of the same rare material as his sword, absorbed most of their attacks, and those that slipped through were expertly deflected with swift, precise parries.

    Then, in a flash, he struck.

    His boot connected squarely with Madame Rose''s stomach, the force of the blow sending her hurtling backward like a flaming comet. She crashed into a mid-sized warship with a deafening explosion, the hull crumpling beneath the impact.

    But before he could finish, Vortigan was already moving. In a blur of motion, he closed the distance between them, his blade slicing through the air with deadly precision. Pax barely had time to raise his weapon in defense, but the force of Vortigan''s strike sent him flying backward, crashing into the ground with a bone-jarring impact.

    Vortigan stood tall with his blade gleaming in the light of the flames. "This is your last chance, Pax. Surrender, or I''ll end you here and now."

    Pax struggled to his feet, his body trembling with pain and fury. He knew he was outmatched, but his pride wouldn''t let him back down. "You think you''ve won? You''re a fool, Vortigan! This war is far from over!"

    Vortigan''s expression hardened. "So be it."

    He raised his blade, the air around him crackling with energy as he prepared to deliver the final blow. But before he could strike, a sudden explosion rocked the battlefield, drawing his attention. In the distance, a massive warship was descending from the sky, its hull bristling with weapons.

    Madame Rose''s eyes narrowed as she recognized the ship. "Reinforcements?" she muttered, her voice tinged with suspicion.

    Pax let out a dark laugh, his grin returning. "Looks like the game''s not over yet, Vortigan."

    Vortigan''s gaze shifted between Pax and the incoming warship, his expression unreadable. For the first time, a flicker of uncertainty crossed his face. But it was gone in an instant, replaced by his usual steely resolve.

    "Fine," he said, his voice calm but firm. "If you want a war, I''ll give you a war."

    The battlefield erupted into chaos once more as the reinforcements joined the fray. Vortigan, Madame Rose, and Pax clashed again, their powers shaking the very foundations of the planet.

    "Sir Pax! The main cannons are now in range of the energy station. Should we proceed?" The captain of the destroyer, newly arrived in orbit under Pax''s command, spoke through the communicator, his voice sharp with anticipation.

    But before Pax could answer, "Puahh!"

    Vortigan''s blade plunged straight through his abdomen. The world tilted while pain moved through him as the steel bit deep. Blood spilled, but instead of a scream, Pax threw his head back and laughed.

    "Fire! FIRE!! AHAHAHAHA!" His voice echoed wildly, his manic grin widening.

    Vortigan''s eyes flashed with fury. "WHAT!? PAX! HAVE YOU GONE INSANE!?"

    With a snarl, he wrenched his sword free and swung Pax''s impaled body like a ragdoll, hurling him straight into Madame Rose, who had been lunging in for an attack. The collision sent them both careening toward the ground, their impact unleashing a massive flaming shockwave that tore through the battlefield, incinerating defenders and attackers alike.

    Above them, the captain of the destroyer hesitated only a moment before confirming, "Understood, Sir Pax! Main cannons loaded! FIRE!"

    A heartbeat later, the sky screamed.

 Chapter 259 The last stand. {5} Beast awakened.

    Blazing projectiles erupted from the destroyer''s cannons, streaking through the darkness like falling stars. The explosive shells hurtled toward the energy station where Vortigan wasn''t defending.

    His expression darkened. "NOOOOO!!" His roar split the heavens as he vanished.

    In an instant, he reappeared between the station and the incoming barrage. His sword ignited with raw, rippling energy, his movements fueled by sheer desperation. With precise, powerful swings, he carved through the air, his blade slicing the very fabric of space-time.

    The shockwaves of his strikes detonated several of the shells mid-flight and seconds later, fiery explosions burst around him.

    But it wasn''t enough.

    More shells broke past him, too fast to intercept. His teeth clenched as he teleported again, this time directly into their path. Raising his shield with one hand, he reached out with the other, grabbing an incoming shell.

    The force of it threatened to crush his arm, but with a defiant snarl, he hurled it into another projectile, causing them both to explode before reaching the station; the final shell slammed into his shield.

    A blinding explosion tore through the air, engulfing Vortigan in fire and concussive force. Even for a Tier 7 powerhouse, taking a destroyer''s main cannon shell head-on was no small feat. The impact sent him hurtling backward, crashing through the energy station''s shield, shattering it in a cascade of shimmering light.

    The station still stood. But its last line of defense was gone. And Vortigan lay motionless in the rubble; the battlefield fell silent for a single, breathless moment.

    Then, chaos erupted anew.

    The defenders, witnessing their lord''s fall, let out a collective cry of despair. The Nexum forces, emboldened by the sight, surged forward with renewed ferocity. The energy station, now vulnerable, became the focal point of the battle.

    Soldiers from both sides clashed in a frenzy of gunfire, blades, and raw desperation. The air was thick with the acrid stench of burning metal and the cries of the dying.

    Madame Rose emerged from the crater where she and Pax had landed, her fiery aura flickering but undiminished. She glanced at Pax, who lay sprawled nearby, clutching his bleeding abdomen. His laughter had faded, replaced by a grimace of pain, but his eyes still gleamed with a dangerous light.

    "You..." she growled with her voice low and full of anger. "You''re willing to destroy everything just to win, aren''t you?"

    Pax coughed blood, staining his lips as he grinned up at her. "Winning is all that matters, Rose. You of all people should understand that."

    Her eyes narrowed, but before she could respond, a deafening roar echoed across the battlefield. Both of them turned to see Vortigan rising from the rubble, his body battered but unbroken. His armor was scorched, his shield cracked, but his eyes burned with an unyielding fury.

    "PAX!" he shouted, his voice shaking the ground. "YOU WILL PAY FOR THIS!"

    Pax''s grin widened, though his face was pale from blood loss. "Oh, Vortigan... you always were so dramatic. But you''re too late. The station''s shield is down. Your planet is mine."

    Madame Rose''s eyes widened in alarm. "Vortigan, don''t!"

    But it was too late. With a final, defiant roar, Vortigan slammed the orb into the ground. The energy surged outward, engulfing the battlefield in a blinding light. The last thing Pax saw was Vortigan''s determined face, his eyes filled with a grim resolve.

    For centuries, the megacorporations had known of the existence of living worlds, planets that housed immense, slumbering entities within their cores.

    These worlds were more than just celestial bodies; they were self-sustaining ecosystems with their resources regenerating year after year. Control over such a world meant limitless power, and the megacorps had done everything in their grasp to claim them.

    Pax''s world was one of them. But there was one rule, one absolute law that governed these worlds: no matter what happens, the planet''s nucleus must never be disturbed.

    Deep beneath the surface, in the very heart of the world, the great entity slumbered... ancient... dormant... waiting...

    And Vortigan had just broken the law.

    The orb he had slammed into the ground was no ordinary weapon. It was a catalyst designed to trigger a chain of buried nuclear warheads, embedded deep beneath the planet''s crust. The moment the detonations began, the earth itself trembled as if in agony.

    Far above, the Nexum fleet stationed in orbit watched in stunned silence as deep cracks split across the planet''s surface. The fractures spread like veins of molten fire, glowing ominously against the void of space. And then¡ª

    The world shattered from its very center; the land broke apart as something colossal emerged.

    A massive head, covered in layers of earth and stone, pushed its way free from the planet''s core, sending entire continents crumbling away like the fragile shell of a broken egg. Shaking off the debris, the beast lifted itself from its millennia-long slumber, its form stretching beyond comprehension.

    Then it roared.

    The sound ripped through the vacuum of space, a frequency so powerful that it resonated across the sector, warping signals and rattling starships in orbit. The very fabric of reality seemed to shake beneath its voice.

    The Nexum fleet, once a formidable force, now seemed like a swarm of insects in the face of the awakened titan. Ships that had been poised for conquest now scrambled to retreat, their commanders shouting orders in panic.

    But it was too late. The colossal entity, with its form still partially encased in the remnants of the planet, turned its gaze upward. Its eyes, glowing with an ancient, primal fury, locked onto the fleet.

    With a single, earth-shattering motion, it raised a massive limb, a clawed hand that dwarfed even the largest warships, and then it swiped through the fleet. The impact was catastrophic.

    Ships were crushed like tin cans, their hulls crumpling under the sheer force. Explosions rippled through the fleet as fuel lines ruptured and reactors overloaded, lighting up the void with a cascade of fiery destruction.

    On the surface, the ground continued to fracture and collapse, swallowing entire armies and cities alike. Vortigan, still standing amidst the chaos, watched in grim silence as the world he had fought to protect was torn apart. His face was a mask of sorrow and resolve, his blade still gripped tightly in his hand.

    Madame Rose, with her fiery aura flickering weakly, staggered to her feet. She stared at the rising titan, her expression a mix of awe and horror. "What have you done, Vortigan....?" she whispered, her voice barely audible over the cacophony of destruction. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire

 Chapter 260 Madness

    Vortigan didn''t answer. His eyes were fixed on the titan, his mind oddly calm. He had known the risks when he activated the catalyst, but he had also known that allowing Pax to claim the planet would have been a fate worse than death.

    Now, the only hope was to contain the entity before it could wreak havoc across the galaxy.

    Pax, still bleeding and barely conscious, let out a weak laugh. "You... you''ve doomed us all, Vortigan," he said with his voice filled with bitter amusement. "The great Lord of the Planet... reduced to a destroyer of worlds."

    Vortigan turned to him, his expression hard. "I did what I had to do. And if this is the price, then so be it."@@@@

    With that, he raised his blade, its edge glowing with a fierce, determined light. "Rose," he said, his voice steady. "If you''ve ever cared about this galaxy, now''s the time to join forces."

    Madame Rose hesitated for a moment, then nodded. Her fiery aura flared back to life, her cane glowing with intense heat. "Let''s finish this," she said with her voice filled with resolve.

    Together, they charged toward the titan, their powers blazing like twin suns against the darkness. The battle that followed was unlike anything the galaxy had ever seen. Vortigan''s blade clashed against the titan''s massive limbs, each strike sending shockwaves through the air. Madame Rose''s flames engulfed the creature, scorching its ancient hide and forcing it to recoil.

    But the titan was no ordinary foe. Its strength was immense, its endurance seemingly limitless. Every blow they landed only seemed to enrage it further, its roars shaking the very stars.

    As the battle raged on, the remnants of the Nexum fleet regrouped, their commanders realizing that their only chance of survival lay in aiding Vortigan. Ships that had once been enemies now turned their weapons on the titan, their lasers and missiles striking its massive form.

    "No... no... NOOO!! THIS CAN''T BE HAPPENING! HAS THAT DAMNED OLD MAN LOST HIS MIND!? THERE''S NO WAY WE CAN DEFEAT THAT THING WITH OUR CURRENT FLEET!" Percival''s voice thundered across the command bridge, raw with desperation and fury.

    He hurled a datapad across the room, the screen shattering against the wall as sparks flew. His officers flinched, their faces pale as they watched their commander unravel.

    "Order the fleet to retreat! NOW!" Percival shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade. He stormed toward the exit, his boots clanging against the metal floor, but not before snatching a handgun from a guard stationed at the door.

    The weapon gleamed ominously in his grip, a silent warning to anyone who dared challenge him.

    One brave or foolish officer stepped forward, his voice trembling. "B-but, sir! If we abandon the beast now, it could unleash a catastrophe across the galaxy! We can''t just¡ª"

    "THAT''S THE POINT!" Percival shouted while spinning on his heel to face the man. His eyes burned with a manic intensity as he leveled the handgun at the officer. "We retreat, let Vortigan take the fall, and rally the megacorps to clean up this mess. If anyone here has a problem with that, speak now."

    The cold click of the gun''s safety being disengaged echoed through the room.

    "That''s my final gift to you..." Victor murmured with a bitter smirk tugging at his lips. "Some venom from that bitch, Isolde..."

    His breathing slowed, each exhale heavier than the last. The world around him, the cacophony of war, the titanic beast''s earth-shaking roars, the chaos of battle.... felt distant now, like a fading dream. It was all slipping away.

    "I''m sorry, Sharon... my dear niece..." Victor''s voice was barely audible now, his words tinged with regret. "I always wanted to tell you who I was. But by the time I found you, my path was already set. Vengeance had clouded my sight for too long... The best I could do was watch from the shadows, watching you grow strong, grow free... but now..."

    A tired exhale escaped him, his body growing heavier as the life drained from him.

    "Now I''ve avenged your mother''s killer."

    His body relaxed, the tension of a lifetime of rage and bloodshed finally releasing. After all these years... after all the planning, the fighting, the sacrifices... there was nothing left to do. And for the first time in decades, Victor felt peace.

    A warmth covered his eyes, soft and comforting... while a familiar scent filled his fading senses, something sweet, something he hadn''t smelled in years. His lips curled into the faintest smile.

    "This smell... So, you''ve come for me... my dear sister..."

    With those last words, Victor, the Mercenary King, a Tier 6 powerhouse, a legend in his own right... breathed his last.

    Meanwhile, Pax was far from dead.

    His body twisted and contorted, his flesh sizzling as Isolde''s venom ate away at him. His veins turned black, his muscles locking in agony. His eyes bulged with panic, desperation clawing at his mind. He knew Isolde''s poisons, knew they could kill even a Tier 6 powerhouse in minutes.

    "Aasfgs... awjrn... curse you..." Pax''s words were garbled, his mouth unable to form coherent speech. His mind raced with thoughts fragmenting under the sheer pain. He had to move. Had to find Isolde. Had to get the antidote.

    His fingers clawed at the ground, digging into the dirt as he struggled to push himself up. His body spasmed violently, every movement sending waves of agony through him. But he couldn''t stop. He couldn''t die here. Not like this.

    And then¡ª

    A shadow loomed over him.

    "Mmm?" A voice, casual and unimpressed, broke the silence.

    "...Eww. What the fuck is that?"

 Chapter 261 Madness. {2}

    The figure stepped closer, its heavy steps crunching against the debris. Pax''s vision blurred, but he could make out the silhouette of someone huge, someone who didn''t belong here. The figure crouched down, tilting his head as he examined him with a mix of curiosity and disgust.

    "You''re a mess," the voice said, almost amused. "What kind of freak are you supposed to be?"

    Pax tried to speak, to beg, to threaten, but all that came out was a gurgling, incoherent noise. The figure sighed, standing up and brushing off his hands.

    "Well, whatever. Not my problem."

    With that, the shadow turned and walked away, leaving Pax to writhe in agony, his body slowly succumbing to the venom. The last thing he saw before his vision faded completely was the retreating figure, disappearing into the darkness of the destroyed city.

    "What!? And you''re telling me this just now!?" Carlos snapped, his voice sharp with frustration. He spun on his heel, his instincts screaming at him to go back and finish the job. Pax was a monster, a threat that needed to be eradicated, especially in his weakened state.

    But before he could take a single step, Argos intervened.

    [There is no need.]

    The AI''s voice was calm, almost unnervingly so.

    [Scans indicate he is heavily injured and suffering from severe poisoning. It is only a matter of time before he succumbs. Eliminating him now would be a waste of resources. More importantly, we have an objective, reaching the spaceport and securing a ship for extraction. We cannot afford to lose time.]

    A holographic image of Pax''s broken, writhing body flashed across Carlos''s HUD, confirming Argos''s assessment. The once-mighty Viceroy was a shadow of his former self, his body twisted and convulsing as the venom coursed through his veins.

    Carlos exhaled sharply, his fists clenching and unclenching as he wrestled with the urge to go back. "Mmm... yeah. You''re right." He forced himself to turn away, pushing the thought of Pax from his mind. "How far to the spaceport? You said there was one in this city."

    [The objective is 20 kilometers from our current position. I recommend activating propulsion systems for faster travel.]

    Carlos let out a bitter chuckle while shaking his head. "And you don''t think I want to do that? Seriously, Argos, I swear you''re bugged. We barely have enough energy left to keep systems stable, let alone fire up the propulsors. Hell, you don''t even have enough power to activate Halberd. That damn reactor is recharging way too slowly... We need to let Cleo know about this."

    [Understood. Upgrade request has been logged. The issue will be reported to the Kaelzar factory once long-range communication is reestablished.]

    Carlos nodded while following the holographic path displayed on his HUD. He moved carefully through the ruins of the shattered city, every step feeling heavier than the last. The weight of exhaustion pressed on him, but he couldn''t afford to slow down.

    He glanced toward the sky, silently praying that the Titan wouldn''t shift its rampage toward this side of the planet.

    His voice dropped slightly, his tone edged with unease. "You think that poisonous bitch is still after us?"

    [Negative.]

    Vortigan, battered but still standing, scoffed. "Hmph. None of this would''ve happened if you bastards hadn''t come to invade my world!" His eyes flickered, scanning the battlefield. "Speaking of which... where the fuck is Percival!?"

    Madame Rose snorted, her lips curling into a bitter smirk. "Who the hell cares? Probably ran off to hide under his mama''s skirt like the sissy he is!" Her breath was ragged now, her energy nearly drained. Even standing took effort.

    Vortigan glanced at her, taking in the way her shoulders heaved, the way sweat dripped down her pale face. He sighed while shaking his head.

    "Rose... You need to retreat." His voice was quieter now, firm but steady. "There''s no point in staying. Just you and me? There''s no way we''re bringing that thing down. Get out while you still can."

    She glared at him but didn''t speak.

    "And don''t even try to argue," he continued. "You''re barely¡ª"

    Before he could finish, a fireball shot past his face, close enough to singe his cheek. Vortigan''s expression darkened as the flames flickered out behind him. Madame Rose stood there with her fists clenched and her eyes burning with fury.

    "What''s the point of playing the fucking hero when you''re the one who unleashed this thing onto the galaxy!?" Her voice cracked, raw with rage. "Do you have any idea how many will die because of you!?"

    Vortigan stared at her, his eyes unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he let out a slow, tired chuckle.

    "Hmph. Who cares?" He muttered, his voice eerily calm. "I''ll be dead by then." He turned away from her, gripping his sword tightly. "Let history find whatever scapegoat it wants. I don''t care anymore."

    He took a step forward. His body began to glow with dark gray and silver energy pulsing around him, growing brighter with each passing second.

    "Go, Rose. Retreat."

    She clenched her jaw, every part of her screaming to stop him, but she knew he wouldn''t listen. There was no talking him out of this. Vortigan had made his choice.

    With a final, defiant roar, Vortigan launched himself forward. Like a black-and-gray comet, he became a streak of light against the void, charging straight toward the Titan, a final stand against the beast that had shared his world for centuries.

    And this time, he didn''t plan on coming back.

    Madame Rose watched him go, her fists trembling at her sides. For a moment, she hesitated between staying to fight and following his command. But deep down, she knew he was right. There was nothing more they could do.

    With a bitter curse, she turned and fled, her fiery wings carrying her away from the battlefield. Behind her, Vortigan''s energy flared like a dying star, a final act of defiance against the Titan.

    Amidst the chaos, the transport ship meant to carry Sharon to safety lay in ruins, its twisted metal frame smoldering against the shattered landscape. The evacuation had failed.

    And Sharon...

    She lay motionless among the wreckage, her breathing shallow. A jagged metal bar had pierced straight through her abdomen, pinning her to the cold steel beneath her. Blood pooled around the wound, staining her once beautiful white dress...

 Chapter 262 Madness. {3}

    "M-My... l-lady..." Anais choked out, her voice trembling as she crawled across the metallic floor of the wrecked ship. She had been right next to Sharon when they were shot down... when their escape route became a death trap.

    Now, with her right arm shattered and her body barely holding together after the impact, she still forced herself forward. Her legs wobbled like those of a newborn fawn as she approached the woman she had sworn to protect.

    "No... no, no, no¡ªMy Lady! This can''t be happening...!" Her cry was raw, desperate.

    A jagged metal bar had impaled Sharon''s body, pinning her lifelessly against the ruined couch. Blood dripped steadily onto the cold floor, pooling beneath her. Continue reading on My Virtual Library Empire

    Anais''s trembling hand reached for her laser knife. With only her left arm still usable, she tried to cut through the bar, but the trembling in her fingers made it impossible to get a proper grip. Her vision blurred, and her mind spun. She barely registered the faint echoes of voices in the distance until they were too close.

    {Voices...? Other survivors!?}

    For a fleeting moment, hope flickered. But then her instincts screamed at her.

    {No... something''s wrong. I don''t recognize the language. And the only man on board was the pilot. That means...}

    A realization struck her like ice down her spine.

    {They''re the ones who shot us down....}

    With her heart pounding, she stumbled toward the nearest metal door and pressed herself against the wall. Her breathing was erratic, her body heavy with pain, but she had no choice; she had to fight.

    Clutching her laser knife with her only functioning hand, she stole a quick glance at her arm device. Normally, its automatic translation system would decipher any unknown language instantly.

    But the screen only flickered with garbled symbols.@@@@

    {EMP attack.... That''s why our ship went down so easily... Our shields never even had a chance.}

    The voices grew louder while boots stomped against the wreckage, then the door hissed open. Anais didn''t hesitate. With every ounce of remaining strength, she lunged, aiming to plunge her laser knife into the first soldier''s skull.

    But her attack never landed.

    A personal energy shield flared to life, stopping her blade just inches from his face. The soldier snarled in surprise before slamming a gauntleted hand across her cheek. The impact sent her sprawling onto the cold floor, her vision flashing white.

    More soldiers rushed in, their weapons pointed at her while one of them shouted something incomprehensible.

    "&$¡ê&$% $",$¡ê%¡ê" The others laughed after hearing what he said.

    The first soldier knelt beside her and grabbed her by the legs, dragging her toward him. Anais weakly reached for her knife, but her fingers barely moved. Her body refused to obey. The pain, the exhaustion, the sheer hopelessness... it crushed her.

    The remaining soldier hesitated for a moment, then turned his weapon toward Anais. Her tear-streaked face met his cold, unfeeling gaze. Without a word, he fired two shots into her legs.

    "AHHHHH!" Anais''s scream echoed through the room, a raw, gut-wrenching sound that seemed to pierce the very air. She writhed in agony, her body convulsing as blood pooled beneath her. The soldier watched dispassionately for a moment before turning and sprinting after his leader, leaving her to suffer in silence.

    Minutes dragged by, each one an eternity of pain. The gunfire outside continued unabated, the relentless cacophony of battle growing louder and more intense. Anais clenched her teeth, her mind racing.

    {They must be fighting our troops...}

    She thought while her heart swelled with a faint glimmer of hope. She turned her head weakly, her eyes falling on Sharon, who lay motionless beside her. Her chest rose and fell faintly, but her breaths were shallow, almost imperceptible.

    {My lady...}

    Anais''s heart ached as she forced herself to focus. Gritting her teeth against the searing pain in her legs and arm, she pushed herself up, her body trembling with the effort... while using the wall for support, she dragged herself toward the gaping hole in the ship''s hull where the soldiers had entered.

    Every step was agony, every movement a battle against her own broken body. But she refused to give up. With a final, desperate effort, she stumbled through the hole and collapsed onto the ground outside.

    Before she could even catch her breath, a deafening crash shook the earth. Anais flinched as something heavy slammed into the ground beside her, sending a spray of dirt and debris into the air. She turned her head slowly while her eyes widened in shock.

    It was one of the soldiers, the same man who had shot her just moments ago. His body was twisted and broken, his lifeless eyes staring blankly at the sky. Anais''s breath caught in her throat as she looked up, her gaze drawn to the scene unfolding before her.

    A towering figure stood amidst the chaos, glowing with radiant golden light. His massive form moved with impossible speed and precision, cutting through the Nexum soldiers like a force of nature.

    Bullets ricocheted harmlessly off his gray armor, deflected by some unseen power. Tanks fired shells at him, but he caught one mid-air, his massive hand enveloping the explosive projectile in a shimmering white shield.

    [The enemies of the Kaelzars shall be exterminated.]

    His voice boomed like thunder, resonating with an otherworldly power. With a single, fluid motion, he hurled the shell back at the tank. It pierced through the armored vehicle like paper, detonating inside with a blinding explosion that lit up the battlefield.

    The scene outside the ship was one of chaos and destruction. The gray giant, glowing with an otherworldly golden light, moved with a terrifying grace, his massive form cutting through the Nexum soldiers like a scythe through wheat.

    Bullets ricocheted off his glowing armor, and his every step seemed to shake the ground. The soldiers, once so confident and brutal, were now scrambling in panic, their weapons useless against this unstoppable force.

    While lying on the ground near the ship''s wreckage, Anais could barely comprehend what she was seeing. The pain from her wounds was overwhelming, but the sight before her was so surreal that it momentarily eclipsed her agony.

    The giant''s voice, deep and resonant, echoed across the battlefield, declaring the annihilation of the Kaelzar''s enemies. It was a voice that carried both authority and an ancient, almost primal power.

    The giant raised his hand, and a shimmering white shield formed around him, deflecting another barrage of gunfire. He then turned his attention to a group of soldiers who were attempting to flank him.

    With a single, sweeping motion, he sent them flying, their bodies crumpling like ragdolls. The remaining soldiers, realizing the futility of their efforts, began to retreat, but the giant was relentless. He moved with a purpose, his glowing eyes scanning the battlefield for any remaining threats.

 Chapter 263 Escape.

    Anais, despite her pain, felt a glimmer of hope. This giant, whoever or whatever he was, was clearly not aligned with the Nexum soldiers. He was fighting against them, and for the first time since the attack began, she felt that there might be a chance for survival. She tried to call out to him, but her voice was weak, barely a whisper over the din of battle.

    The giant, however, seemed to sense her presence. He turned his head, his glowing eyes locking onto hers for a brief moment. Anais felt a strange sensation, as if he was reading her, understanding her pain and her desperation.

    Then, without a word, he turned back to the battlefield, continuing his relentless assault on the Nexum forces.

    Anais knew she had to move. The ship was no longer safe, and the battle was too close. She gritted her teeth, ignoring the searing pain in her legs, and began to crawl toward the relative safety of a nearby pile of debris.

    Every movement was agony, but she forced herself to keep going, driven by the instinct to survive.

    As she reached the debris, she heard a loud explosion behind her. She turned her head just in time to see the giant rip the turret off another tank and hurl it into a group of soldiers. The explosion that followed was deafening, and the shockwave knocked her back, sending a fresh wave of pain through her body.

    But the giant was unharmed. He stood amidst the flames and smoke, his golden light undiminished, a symbol of unstoppable power. Anais watched as he raised his hand once more, and a beam of light shot out, obliterating the remaining Nexum forces in an instant.

    The battlefield fell silent, save for the crackling of flames and the distant sound of collapsing debris. The giant stood tall, his task complete. He turned once more to look at Anais.

    The towering gray giant took a step forward, his colossal frame casting an imposing shadow over Anais. The ground trembled beneath his weight as he loomed closer, his golden-lit sensors scanning her with mechanical precision.

    His voice, cold and devoid of emotion, echoed through the chaos like a thunderclap.

    [Anatomical structure does not match Nexum soldiers. Insufficient data. Query: Are you a mercenary?]

    Anais stared up at him, her breath catching in her throat. The sheer scale of his presence was overwhelming, his armor gleamed under the dim light, and his glowing sensors seemed to pierce through her very soul. She swallowed hard, her voice trembling as she answered.

    "N-no! I''m not with them!" she stammered, her words barely audible over the distant roar of battle. "I was just a maid... I worked in the mansion of the planetary lord! Please, you have to help my lady... she''s still inside the wreckage, and she''s badly hurt!"@@@@

    Before the giant could respond, another voice erupted, sharp, urgent, and filled with raw emotion.

    "What!?"

    Anais flinched, her eyes darting toward the source of the outburst. It wasn''t the cold, mechanical tone of the giant. This voice was human, desperate... and achingly familiar.

    "Let me out, Argos! I have to find Sharon, now!"

    [Negative. Warzone conditions remain active. Probability of ambush: 75%. Strategic risk is unacceptable. I cannot¡ª]

    "I don''t care! Just let me out while you stand guard!"

    For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a reluctant hiss of hydraulics, the back of the armored titan split open. Carlos then jumped out. His boots hit the ground with a resounding thud, and without a second''s hesitation, he sprinted toward the burning wreckage, his movements fueled by sheer determination.

    His jaw tightened as he clenched his fists, the weight of the situation pressing down on him.

    Anais, still supported by Argos, watched Carlos with a mix of awe and fear. The man who had just moments ago been a desperate, frantic figure was now a hardened warrior, his demeanor cold and calculating. He moved with purpose, his every action radiating intensity.

    "Carlos..." Anais said, her voice weak but insistent. "What... what are you going to do now?"

    Carlos didn''t answer immediately. He finished gathering weapons and ammunition from the fallen soldiers, then turned to face her. His eyes, sharp and piercing, met hers. "We''re getting out of here. This place is a death trap, and if we stay, we''re as good as dead."

    "But... my lady..." Anais glanced toward Argos. "She''s still in critical condition. We can''t just leave her like this!"

    "We''re not leaving her," Carlos said with his voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Argos will keep her stable until we can get her to proper medical facilities."

    "But right now, we need to move. The Nexum forces won''t stay gone for long, and when they come back, they''ll bring reinforcements. We''re not sticking around to find out what that looks like."

    Anais swallowed hard; she wanted to argue, to insist that they stay and fight, but she knew he was right. She was in no condition to fight, and Carlos, despite his determination, was only one man. Even with Argos, they couldn''t hold off an entire army.

    "Where... where will we go?" She asked, her voice trembling.

    Carlos''s expression softened slightly, though his tone remained firm. "There''s an outpost not far from here. If we can reach it, we''ll be safe for a while, at least. Argos can guide us there."

    [Confirmed. The allied Kaelzar outpost is approximately 12 kilometers northeast of this location. Estimated travel time: 2 hours on foot.]

    Anais''s heart sank. Twelve kilometers. With her injuries, it might as well have been a hundred. She looked down at her legs, still throbbing with pain despite the medigel treatment. "I... I don''t know if I can make it that far."

    Carlos stepped closer, his gaze unwavering. "You don''t have a choice. If you stay here, you''re dead. If you come with us, you might live. So you''re coming."

    Before Anais could respond, Carlos turned to Argos. "Can you carry her?"

    [Affirmative. I can transport the injured feline without compromising mobility or combat readiness.]

    "Good. Do it."

    Without another word, Argos carefully lifted Anais into his massive arms, cradling her like a child. She gasped at the sudden movement, but Argos''s grip was secure, and she felt surprisingly safe despite the circumstances.

    Carlos slung the rifles over his shoulder and checked the ammunition on his belt. "Let''s move. Stay close, and keep your eyes open. We''re not out of danger yet."

    The trio began their trek across the battlefield, stepping over debris and bodies as they made their way toward the tree line. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and burning metal, and the distant sound of engines hinted at the possibility of more Nexum forces on the horizon.

    Anais clung to Argos while her mind raced with questions. Who was Carlos? Why was he here? And what was his connection to the Kaelzars? But now wasn''t the time for answers. Now was the time to survive.

 Chapter 264 New world.

    [Year 5609 ¨C Imperial Galactic System]

    [Good morning, citizens around the galaxy! Or whatever time it is in your world!, you''re watching your favorite interstellar news channel! It''s been nearly two years since the monstrous beast was unleashed upon the stars, and the latest attempt by the Megacorps Coalition Fleet to bring them down has been...]

    [A total failure!!...again! That''s right, dear viewers, even the might of the Coalition wasn''t enough to stand against this nightmare! But don''t lose hope! After almost two years of defeat, the Megacorps are preparing for a final, all-out assault in just three months!]

    [And here''s the biggest twist yet... rumors are spreading that the CEOs of the most powerful megacorps will personally join the battle! This might just go down as the most legendary showdown in galactic history! Now, in other news¡ª]

    Click.

    Rex shut off the massive holo-screen dominating the living room wall. With the same remote, he tapped a button, and the floor-to-ceiling curtains slid open, revealing a breathtaking yet eerie sight of an endless ocean.

    His home stood atop a colossal floating megastructure, still under construction, and surrounded by the constant hum of industrial progress.

    Drones zipped through the air like mechanical insects, welding, assembling, and maintaining the station''s framework. High above, fighter squadrons patrolled the skies, scanning for threats, while deep beneath the waves, massive shadows shifted predators lurking in the depths, waiting for an opportunity to strike.

    Rex exhaled and glanced down at his legs, then smirked. Explore more stories with My Virtual Library Empire

    With one finger, he poked Cleo''s cheek.

    "Hey, I knew you were going to run off the moment the news started... Well, they''re over now. Wake up."

    Curled up on the couch, Cleo didn''t move at first, her head resting on his lap like a lazy cat. Unlike before, now that she had regained her original body, she could switch between consciousness and full-body rest as she pleased, vanishing and returning at will.

    And lately, she''d spent almost all her free time around him.

    Her ears twitched slightly, then¡ª

    "I-I didn''t run away!" She blurted, lifting her head with a huff. "I was just... resting my eyes a little!"

    Rex raised an eyebrow, unimpressed.

    Cleo stretched her arms with a lazy groan, her abyss-black hair falling over her shoulders. With her usual high-tech combat gear replaced by just a white tank top and tight hot pants, she blended in far too well with the relaxed oceanic lifestyle of the base.

    Rex had no doubt this was the twins influence since they all had to fight underwater against the monstrous sea creatures, so lighter clothing had become a necessity.

    Rex smirked. "Uh-huh. Sure. That''s, what... the hundredth time you''ve used that excuse?" He reached over and pinched her cheeks, pulling them just enough to make her lips pucker into a silly fish-like shape.

    "Hmph!" Cleo swatted at his hands, glaring. "It''s because I already know what they''re going to say! The news is just the same story on repeat, the beast is too strong, another fleet failed, maybe next time we''ll win... boring! The real reason you watch it is because of that newscaster girl, isn''t it?" She narrowed her eyes, suspicion written all over her face.

    Rex chuckled. "Ha! Please. That girl doesn''t even compare to you. I''ve been exposed to your beauty for too long! I''m immune to lesser ones now. You''ve ruined me."

    In its hand, it held a weapon unlike anything Rex had ever seen, a blade that crackled with dark energy, as if it was alive.

    The figure turned to face them, its gaze locking onto Rex. For a moment, there was silence; the tension in the room was palpable.

    Then, the figure spoke, its voice deep and resonant, echoing with an otherworldly tone.

    "You are not my target. Stand aside."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed. "Not a chance. You''re trespassing, and you''re armed. Drop the weapon, and we''ll talk."

    The figure tilted its head, as if considering his words. Then, with a speed that defied comprehension, it lunged.

    Rex barely had time to react, diving to the side as the blade sliced through the air where he had just been standing. Cleo was already in motion, her form blurring as she closed the distance between herself and the intruder.

    She struck with precision, her energy blade clashing against the dark weapon in a shower of sparks.

    "Rex, we need to contain it!" Cleo shouted, her voice strained as she parried another strike. "It''s too fast; we can''t outpace it!"

    Rex was already moving, his pistols blazing as he fired a barrage of energy shots at the figure. The projectiles struck its armor, but to his dismay, they seemed to have little effect. The figure barely flinched, its focus remaining on Cleo.

    "Cleo, fall back!" Rex ordered, his mind racing for a solution. "We need to¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the figure unleashed a burst of dark energy, sending Cleo flying across the room. She hit the wall with a sickening thud, her form flickering as she struggled to regain her footing.

    Rex''s heart pounded in his chest as he realized the gravity of the situation. This wasn''t just an intruder; it was something far beyond their capabilities. But he couldn''t back down. Not now.

    "You want a fight?" Rex growled while holstering his pistols and activating a pair of energy gauntlets. "Fine. Let''s dance."

    The figure turned to face him, its crimson eyes burning with intensity. For a moment, there was silence. Then, with a roar, Rex charged.

    The battle that followed was a blur of motion and energy, the two combatants trading blows with ferocious intensity. Rex fought with everything he had, his gauntlets crackling with power as he struck at the figure''s armor.

    But no matter how hard he hit, the figure seemed unfazed, its movements precise and calculated. Just as Rex began to falter, a voice echoed through the room.

    "Enough."

    The figure froze, its blade inches from Rex''s throat. Rex turned his head, his eyes widening as he saw Cleo standing behind the figure, her hand pressed against its back. Her form was glowing with a brilliant light, her eyes blazing with determination.

    "You''re not the only one with tricks," she said, her voice cold and steady. "Now, stand down."

    For a moment, the figure remained still. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, it lowered its blade and stepped back.

    Rex let out a breath he didn''t realize he was holding, his body trembling with exhaustion. "What... what just happened?"

 Chapter 265 New world. {2}

    Cleo''s glow faded as she lowered her hand. "I... I don''t know. I just... acted on instinct. But it worked."

    The figure turned to face them, its crimson eyes dimming slightly. "You are... different. Not like the others."

    Rex frowned. "What are you talking about? Who are you?"

    The figure hesitated, as if struggling to find the right words. Then, it spoke, its voice softer now, almost... human.

    "I am... a shadow. A remnant of a forgotten war. I came here seeking answers... but perhaps... I have found something else."

    Rex exchanged a glance with Cleo. Whatever this thing was, it wasn''t just a mindless intruder. There was more to it... much more.

    "Answers?" Rex asked cautiously. "What kind of answers?"@@@@

    The figure''s gaze shifted to Cleo; its expression under its helmet was unreadable. "The kind that could change everything."

    The armored figure knelt before Cleo, his massive frame lowering in a gesture of deep reverence. With a sharp hiss of decompression, his helmet deactivated, the plates splitting apart to reveal the face beneath... a haunting visage of metal and shadow, a testament to countless battles fought and lost.

    "I salute the royal family of the Kaelzars, descendants of the great Emperor Xynithar."

    His face was a ruin, a grotesque tapestry of scars and shattered machinery. Only one eye remained, its faint glow flickering weakly, as if clinging to the last vestiges of life. A jagged claw mark tore across his metallic skull, so deep and brutal it looked as though some monstrous force had tried to rip his head clean off.

    Rex''s eyes narrowed as he stepped forward, his gut twisting at the sight. But there was something more pressing gnawing at him.

    "Hold on... Are you a Kaelzar like Cleo?" He asked while his gaze darted between the kneeling warrior and Cleo, who stood frozen, her usual composure shattered by the weight of the moment.

    The shadow didn''t hesitate.

    "Negative," he said, his voice cold and mechanical, devoid of hesitation. "I am nothing more than a shadow. I cannot call myself a Kaelzar... not like her royal highness, Princess Cleo."

    He remained kneeling, head bowed, like a soldier awaiting judgment.

    Rex exchanged a glance with Cleo. She was silent with her expression unreadable, but for the first time, Rex noticed a flicker of something in her eyes, something like pain, regret, or perhaps even guilt.

    Rex clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "Alright... then what the hell is a Shadow?"

    Cleo took a slow, measured breath, as if steadying herself for what came next. "Shadows are those who were once Kaelzars," she said with a voice softer than Rex had ever heard it.

    "When a Kaelzar''s fleet is annihilated, when their main body is destroyed, and there is nothing left... they can transfer their consciousness into specially designed war bodies."

    Rex frowned, his brow furrowing. "So it''s a second chance?"

    Cleo shook her head, her gaze distant. "No. It''s a coffin. A final stand. These bodies grant immense power, but at a terrible cost; they consume all of the Kaelzar''s computational abilities. They become locked in those metal husks... until death."

    Her words hung in the air, heavy and unshakable, like a funeral dirge.

    For the first time since Rex had met her, Cleo looked genuinely distant, as if she was lost in memories she''d rather forget. He knew better than to push her further.

    Instead, he turned his focus back to the Shadow, his eyes sharpening.

    Cleo and Rex exchanged a look, a silent conversation passing between them. Then Cleo gave a small nod, her expression unreadable but her eyes softening just slightly.

    "Come. Follow us; we''ll take you to the nearest exit."

    With that, Rex turned and walked alongside Cleo, the Shadow trailing closely behind. As they moved through the station''s corridors, the Shadow silently observed his surroundings.

    Aegis Units, smaller, streamlined war machines, stood guard in perfect formations, their sleek designs unlike anything he had ever seen. Through the reinforced glass panels, he saw fighter squadrons patrolling the skies, while colossal construction drones moved with precision, assembling and repairing the ever-growing megastructure.

    So much had changed.

    So much was alien to him.

    Finally, they reached the exterior. As the pressurized doors slid open, the Shadow stepped forward, his heavy frame casting a long shadow against the platform.

    Before him stretched an unfamiliar sky.

    A brilliant white sun burned in the heavens, its glow reflecting off the ocean below. For a long moment, he stood motionless, staring upward, his single eye absorbing the sight as if committing it to memory.

    "...A sky I have never seen before," he murmured, his voice tinged with something akin to wonder. "The mega-sun of my homeworld, surrounded by its living metal rings... That is what I should be looking upon."

    Slowly, he turned, his gaze settling on Cleo.

    Then, with a mechanical click, he reached behind his head and retrieved a small, intricate memory device. It glinted in the sunlight, a tiny relic of a bygone era.

    "Take this, Princess." He extended the device toward her, his movements deliberate, almost reverent. "I do not know how corrupted my memory has become after a thousand years in this body, but within it... are the blueprints of my army and fleet."

    Cleo hesitated for a fraction of a second, her fingers hovering over the device as if unsure whether to accept it. Then, with a quiet resolve, she took it, her grip firm.

    "Perhaps," the Shadow continued, "some of them may still be intact. Perhaps... something in there will be of use to you."

    For a long moment, Cleo said nothing. She simply stared at the small, metallic fragment of history resting in her palm; her expression was unreadable, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of something like grief, gratitude, or perhaps both.

    Then, she closed her fingers around it.

    "I have received your will, oh Shadow of a distant past." The Shadow gave a slow nod, his eye dimming further as if in acceptance.

    "...Glory to the Kaelzars."

    And then... his eye flickered once, twice... before the light finally died.

    The Shadow''s body slumped forward, falling to his knees... lifeless.

    Rex stiffened, his mind racing. "Wait... why did he do that!?"

    Cleo let out a quiet sigh with her fingers still wrapped around the memory device. "Because he lost his purpose."

    She turned slightly, watching as an Aegis Unit stepped forward to retrieve the fallen warrior''s body, its movements precise and respectful.

    "A shadow with an incomplete code... is nothing more than a war machine without reason. And that is something the proud Kaelzars would never allow themselves to become...."

 Chapter 266 New World. {3} memories.

    Rex clenched his jaw, his fists tightening at his sides. "But... he seemed rational. He still thought, still felt¡ª"

    Cleo shook her head, her voice steady but tinged with something almost mournful. "No. He only seemed normal. But in truth, he was already broken." She paused, her gaze drifting to the lifeless body of the warrior who had fought for a kingdom that no longer existed.

    "If he had been whole, he never would have attacked me. The Shadows are connected to the royal family; they would always know who I am, even without having seen me before."

    She looked down at the memory device in her hand, her expression unreadable.

    "The simple fact that he couldn''t recognize me... is what made him choose to enter eternal slumber."

    Rex exhaled slowly, watching as the Aegis Unit carried the Shadow''s body away, its movements almost ceremonial.

    A warrior of a fallen empire.

    A soldier who had outlived his war.

    He had finally, after a thousand years, allowed himself to rest.

    Cleo placed a hand on the Shadow''s lifeless frame. For a moment, she lingered, her fingers brushing against the cold, scarred metal as if paying silent homage to a warrior who had fought for a kingdom long lost. Then, with a quiet resolve, she straightened and turned to Rex.@@@@

    "Well then, I will take care of his body now," she said, her voice calm but carrying an undercurrent of determination. "There is so much information I can extract from this coffin. It might give us insights into lost Kaelzar technology."

    She paused, her gaze flickering to Rex with a small smirk tugging at the corner of her lips. "But as for you, it is time to go see Carlos. He is probably losing his mind from boredom by now. It has not even been a month since he woke up, so do him a favor and visit."

    Before Rex could protest, Cleo stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. The embrace was brief but warm, a rare moment of vulnerability from the usually composed princess. Then, just as quickly, she pulled away and started toward her lab, her mind already consumed with the task ahead.

    Rex sighed deeply as he watched her disappear down the corridor, her figure swallowed by the sterile, metallic walls of the facility.

    "I think I''m starting to miss the days when I was just an office slave," he muttered to himself while running a hand through his hair. A beat passed before he chuckled and shook his head. "Nah."

    With that, he turned on his heel and made his way to the medical wing.

    The sterile scent of the facility greeted him as he entered, the soft hum of medical machines filling the air. His eyes immediately landed on the large regeneration tank at the center of the room, where Carlos was floating, suspended in translucent blue liquid.

    Tubes and wires connected him to the machinery, his body bathed in the eerie glow of the tank. Rex grinned as he stepped closer, his usual casual demeanor returning.

    "Hey, buddy. Good to see that your bald head is still shining as bright as this damn sun out here."

    Carlos, upon hearing that, simply lifted his middle finger in response, his movements slow but deliberate.

    Rex burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the quiet room. "Seeing as you can move your finger, I''d say you''re feeling better."

    Carlos exhaled, his breath creating small bubbles that drifted upward. He pushed himself closer to the glass, his movements sluggish but controlled.

    "As good as I can be while stuck in this damn water tank," he muttered, his voice muffled but still carrying his trademark gruffness.

    The room fell into complete silence.

    Carlos''s breathing turned ragged. His hands trembled, then curled into fists. His entire body tensed as if he were trying to force himself to stay still.

    Then he slammed his fist against the glass of the medical tank.

    "You are telling me that Sharon was pregnant this whole time!?" His voice was raw, almost breaking. Rex immediately pointed at the tranquilizer button.

    "Yes, she is. The growth has been paused for a little under a month, but that will not last forever. We do not have anyone here who can safely incubate a human hybrid, and the artificial incubators we have are designed for Kaelzars and eggs. We have nothing for her."

    He hesitated before adding in a quieter voice, "Next time, use protection, man."

    Carlos shot him a murderous glare.

    Rex raised his hands in defense. "I am just saying."

    Carlos turned away while pressing his forehead against the glass, his breath fogging up the surface. His shoulders shook.

    Rex had seen his friend go through hell before. He had seen him charge into battle without fear, stand against impossible odds, and survive when no one else could.

    But this... this was different.

    This time, Carlos was completely powerless.

    And Rex knew that was tearing him apart.

    Rex let out a slow breath while watching as Carlos stood motionless in the tank. The silence stretched between them, thick with unspoken fear.

    "So... what is your decision?" Rex asked, his voice quieter now. "Do we save Sharon over the kid or..."

    He hesitated, letting the words hang in the air. His throat felt tight, but he forced himself to continue.

    "Listen. It does not matter what you choose, man. I will always be by your side. But you have to decide fast. Time is running out."

    Carlos remained frozen, his back still turned.

    Seconds passed. Then more.

    Finally, his voice came, barely above a whisper.

    "Can''t... Can''t we save both?"

    He did not turn around. Did not lift his head.

    Rex closed his eyes for a brief moment, forcing himself to be steady. He had already asked Cleo the same question. He had already heard the answer.

 Chapter 267 New World. {4}

    "I think that is impossible... at least for now." His voice was heavy, knowing how much those words would crush Carlos. "Cleo is still searching for a way. But you know how it is. Advanced medical technology for humans is rare in this galaxy...."

    Carlos''s fingers curled against the glass, his breathing uneven.

    Rex exhaled slowly, his own frustration boiling beneath the surface. "Because who would create technology for slaves..."

    The words left a bitter taste in his mouth.

    Carlos''s voice trembled as he spoke, his eyes locked onto Rex''s with a desperation that cut deeper than any wound. The raw anguish in his gaze was almost unbearable, a silent plea that carried the weight of a man teetering on the edge of despair.

    "Is there really no hope to save both of them?" His breath hitched, his hands curling into fists so tight his knuckles turned white. "I can''t lose another loved one, Rex... Please... please..."

    Rex''s chest tightened at the sight of his friend''s face. That look... it was the same one from that day. The same raw agony, the same unbearable weight of a choice no man should ever have to make.

    His mind drifted back, back to the day Carlos''s wife died.

    She had gone into labor in one of those dimly lit back-alley clinics, the kind that illegal medics ran in hidden corners of the city. Because in this galaxy, normal office workers, people like Carlos and Rex, could never afford a real hospital. They were expendable. Disposable.

    The delivery went wrong and Carlos was given a choice... save his wife or save their unborn son.

    He had been moments away from choosing her, from refusing to let go, from selfishly clinging to the woman he loved. But she had slapped him hard, fiercely, her eyes filled with more fire than fear.

    "If you choose me over our son," she had whispered, her voice trembling but resolute, "I will take my own life to follow him."

    And so he had chosen.

    His son had lived. His wife had died.

    For years, Carlos blamed himself, drowning in guilt so deep that nothing could pull him out. Nothing, until Rex had beaten the living hell out of him, knocking some sense back into him, and forced him to see what he still had.

    Little Erik. His son. His reason to keep going.

    And now... he was standing in front of Rex again, carrying the same unbearable pain.

    Rex let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair. His usual bravado was gone, replaced by a quiet, steady resolve.

    "I don''t know, Carlos." His voice was soft but firm. "Cleo hasn''t found anything yet, but she''s still looking. The problem is our galactic-range antenna isn''t fully built, so she has to use the Cleopatra''s systems to search the web. It''s going to take time."

    Carlos gritted his teeth, his knuckles pressing against the glass of the medical tank. His body shook, the weight of his fear and helplessness threatening to crush him. "Please... please, do everything you can to find a way to save them..."

    His voice was breaking, each word a fragile thread holding him together.

    Rex exhaled, already knowing this was coming.

    "I knew you would say that." He pulled up a holoscreen, scanning through medical inventory records. "We don''t have much time, but we can still keep Sharon in suspended sleep for a little longer. The real problem is the chemicals needed to stop the baby''s growth."

    Rex glanced at Lyra''s face, noticing the slight nervous twitch at the corner of her lips.

    {Hah. As always, you suck at lying, Lyra.}

    Shaking his head with a small smirk, he reached up and ruffled both their heads, making a complete mess of their hair.

    "Put some shoes on. This is still a construction zone. The last thing I need is you stepping on a stray screw and whining about it for the next week."

    Before they could retaliate, he stood up and stretched, rolling the tension out of his shoulders. Then, without another word, he turned and started walking toward the training room.

    Behind him, the twins exchanged a glance before scrambling after him, their goal now clear... revenge.

    If he was going to mess up their hair, they were going to mess up his too.

    Meanwhile, deep inside her lab, Cleo worked in silence. The glow of various data streams reflected against her pale skin, the hum of processing units filling the space around her. Her lab was a sanctuary of order and precision, a stark contrast to the chaos unfolding elsewhere on the station.

    Her gaze remained locked onto the lifeless Shadow''s body lying on the table before her.

    {This... coffin.}

    A vessel of war. A relic of a past that refused to stay buried.

    Her fingers moved swiftly over the console, entering command codes with practiced precision. A spark of anticipation flickered in her eyes as she muttered under her breath.

    "Now... let''s see where you have been all this time."

    More than anything, she wanted to know how this Shadow had managed to infiltrate her station without triggering a single scanner. That should have been impossible.

    "System. Show the last recorded coordinates of the Shadow."

    [Understood.]

    A pulse of energy rippled through the lab as the main holo-projector came to life. A vast galactic map unfolded in the air before her, thousands of stars glowing like scattered embers in an eternal void.

    Then, slowly, a glowing red trail traced a path through the galaxy. The Shadow''s journey.

    Cleo''s eyes narrowed as the route came into focus. It stopped on a planet, then the signal vanished only to reappear again on this oceanic world.

    Her fingers flew over the console as she zoomed in on the location where the signal had disappeared. The planet''s data loaded instantly, scrolling across her screen.

    [Nebulous-Type Planet]

    A slow smirk formed on Cleo''s lips.

    "I knew it..." she whispered, her voice barely audible.

 Chapter 268 Human civil war.

    This confirmed her suspicions. That world. That ancient, ruined planet lost in swirling clouds and forgotten history. It was connected to her people.

    Somehow, in some way, the remnants of Kaelzar technology still slumbered there.

    Her mind raced with possibilities, but she forced herself to focus. That mystery would have to wait. Right now, she had something more immediate to uncover.

    Her gaze dropped to the small, unassuming memory device in her hand.

    "Now... let''s see what secrets you hold," she murmured.

    With steady hands, she inserted the device into the scanner, then leaned back, watching as the data began to decrypt.

    Cleo stood motionless as hundreds of holo-screens flickered to life around her, their blue glow illuminating her face like a constellation of cold, digital stars. Her sharp eyes darted from one display to another, scanning rapidly as data flooded in.

    But as she watched, screen after screen shifted from blue to red, the legacy of a system ravaged by time and decay.

    "Tsk. Is everything here corrupted?" She muttered, frustration lacing her voice. More and more red filled her vision, the corrupted files mocking her with their inaccessibility.

    Then a flash of green light appeared.

    Her eyes widened while her fingers moved instantly to zoom in on the single uncorrupted data file. Her heart quickened as she began to parse the contents.

    "Let''s see... just a specter drone... rapid-fire laser turrets, target acquisition systems, self-repair modules." She exhaled, tilting her head. "Well, at least it''s better than my current combat drones."

    She was about to keep searching when something else caught her eye.

    Another green screen.

    Her heart skipped a beat as she quickly opened it. The moment she saw what was inside, her breath hitched.

    Her pupils dilated.

    "This is... this is it!"

    Every other screen around her vanished as she focused entirely on this one. The room seemed to fade away, the hum of machinery dulling to a distant murmur. Whatever was in this file... it was something far beyond simple drones or weaponry. It was something important.

    Something game-changing.

    Discover more stories at My Virtual Library Empire@@@@

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the galaxy, another storm was brewing.

    For nearly two years, Lilla''s power had grown unchecked. Both politically and militarily, her influence had reached a level where the Human Senate could no longer turn a blind eye.

    She had become too strong, too independent. And with Madame Rose, her most powerful ally, having disappeared without a trace, the Senate saw their opportunity.

    A secret meeting had been called. The room was dimly lit, filled with the murmurs of politicians and high-ranking military officials. The air was thick with tension, a silent war waged in the space between their words.

    A man cleared his throat while standing at the head of the table. His cold, calculating gaze swept over the gathered officials, his presence commanding the room.

    "So, the situation is clear. We can no longer allow Lilla to continue unchecked. She is a threat to the stability of our newborn empire. It is time to remove her." His voice was firm, absolute, leaving no room for dissent. "Is everyone in favor of this plan?"

    "Because it is not fun if she does not fight back!" His wild grin stretched across his face as he slammed a fist on the table, the impact echoing like a thunderclap.

    "I was born a hunter. What is the thrill in slaughtering prey that does not struggle? I want her to feel the walls closing in, to fight desperately for her life, to crawl before me as her fate becomes inescapable!"

    His voice dropped lower, filled with something primal, something that made the blood run cold. "Even a rabbit, when cornered, will bite. And that is what I live for. A worthy hunt. A prey that refuses to die easily."

    His eyes flickered toward the far end of the room.

    A young maid stood there, frozen in horror, her trembling hands clutching the tray she had been carrying. Her breath came in short gasps, her legs locked in place as fear paralyzed her.

    The general''s grin widened, his teeth gleaming like a predator''s.

    "Speaking of prey..."

    He raised the gun and pulled the trigger.

    The shot was instant. The maid barely had time to scream before the bullet pierced her skull, her body crumpling lifelessly to the ground.

    A silence more deafening than the gunfire filled the room.

    The general took a step forward, nudging the maid''s body with the tip of his boot before leaning down and speaking directly into the communicator she had been carrying.

    "That is two of your spies down, Saintess." His voice was mocking, taunting. "I hope you are listening. Prepare yourself. Clean your neck for me. I will mount your head where everyone can see it."

    Inside the temple, the air was heavy with tension.

    Lilla sat in complete silence, her expression unreadable as the transmission played out. The counsil scheming. The general''s madness. The cold executions. Every word had reached her ears, yet she had not spoken once.

    Across from her, one of the priestesses turned off the communicator, her fingers trembling slightly.

    "Saintess... should we call the paladins?" she asked hesitantly, her voice barely above a whisper.

    Lilla closed her eyes for a moment, inhaling deeply.

    {Cleo was right....She had been right all along.}

    A deep sadness settled in her chest, but it did not last long. It hardened into something else. Something unshakable.

    She opened her beautiful gray eyes.

    "There is no need to call the paladins," she said, standing up as several priestesses moved to her side, already preparing for what was to come.

    "Inform the High Inquisitor," she commanded, her voice calm but firm. "The time has come."

    Two of the priestesses immediately bowed and left the chamber. Others moved to her side, swiftly unfastening the ceremonial robes she wore. They replaced them with something far more fitting.

    A sleek, pristine suit of white power armor.

    Lilla''s expression remained steady as the final pieces were secured, the armor humming softly as it came to life.

    "The first Holy Crusade begins now."

 Chapter 269 Human civil war. {2}

    After the humans seized control of Nexum''s facilities on the commercial planet of Nakor, their influence spread like wildfire. With a firm grip on key technologies and a thriving black market supplying military-grade weapons to criminal syndicates and mafia factions, they quickly rose to power.

    Their presence became so overwhelming that even the planet''s official guards dared not challenge them. The streets of Nakor, once bustling with trade and commerce, now whispered of fear and submission.

    This dominance allowed Lilla to establish a temple on the outskirts of Nakor''s main commercial city, a place where she could train her growing zealot forces in secrecy. Her paladins, clad in power armor reminiscent of ancient human knights, stood as the generals of this holy army.

    The armor, a masterpiece forged by Cleo, was a marvel of engineering and control. It enhanced the strength and resilience of its wearer, but beneath its divine exterior lay a hidden safeguard, an explosive command that only Lilla could activate.

    A failsafe, in case loyalty ever wavered. But such an event was nearly impossible since Paladins were not ordinary soldiers. They were fanatics, bound by unshakable devotion.

    While Lilla herself was not a warrior, her true power lay in something far more dangerous. She possessed the rare and terrifying ability to bend minds with words alone. Like a master orator, a charismatic ruler who could lead entire nations into ruin yet have their people worship them for it, she turned mere men and women into zealots. Her voice was a weapon, her presence a force of nature.

    She did not need to fight. That was what her brother was for.

    He had ascended to the rank of High Inquisitor, the supreme commander of the Order of the Five Paladins. He led their forces into war, while Lilla commanded another five elite female paladins, the ones who never left her side, sworn to protect her and the Holy City at all costs.

    These paladins were more than warriors. They were humanity''s deadliest champions, enhanced by psychic abilities unlocked through the brutal experimentation of the Nexum scientists, scientists whom Lilla had personally condemned to death. Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

    And now, their faith would be tested.

    A priestess entered the chamber, her footsteps silent against the cold marble floor. She bowed deeply before speaking, her voice trembling with a mix of reverence and urgency.

    "Saintess, our stealth drones have located the pagan assault force."

    Lilla remained still, her eyes closed, her presence radiating calm amidst the storm.

    "Display it."

    The holoscreen flickered to life, projecting a grainy yet unmistakable image of the advancing army. The sheer scale of the force was staggering, a sea of soldiers, vehicles, and weaponry stretching as far as the eye could see.

    The priestess''s voice was measured, but tension laced her words.

    "Their estimated numbers are between two hundred thousand and three hundred thousand soldiers, accompanied by nearly one thousand armored vehicles, including tanks."

    Lilla exhaled slowly, her expression unreadable. "That is only their land invasion force. I doubt that is the full extent of their military strength. What of their fleet?"

    The priestess hesitated, her fingers tightening against the sleeves of her robe.

    "We do not know, Saintess. Our spy drones have been destroyed. Our infiltrators... have been eliminated. We are blind in that regard."

    For a long moment, there was silence. The weight of the unknown pressed down on the room, the air thick with anticipation.

    Then, Lilla''s voice came, calm and absolute.

    The golden towers. The towering temple at its heart. The crimson glow of the defensive barriers flickering against the encroaching darkness.

    A hunter''s patience was the difference between a clean kill and a costly battle.

    He exhaled slowly, his breath visible in the cold air.

    "Hold the siege," he ordered, his voice calm but firm. "A true hunter knows when to strike. We wait until nightfall."

    The officer hesitated, his eyes flickering with uncertainty, but he did not question his command. With a sharp nod, he turned and relayed the order.

    Around them, the invading armies stood poised.

    Four powerful human generals led four separate divisions, each commanding tens of thousands of soldiers, each overseeing lines of heavily armored vehicles and mobile artillery platforms. Their numbers were overwhelming, their firepower unmatched.

    Yet, the tension in the air belonged to them. Not to the defenders.

    No, the attackers were the ones who felt unease creeping into their bones.

    Because standing at the gates of the Holy City, clad in immaculate white power armor, was their Saintess.

    Lilla.

    The living symbol of divine will. The voice of their god.

    She stood unmoving, framed by the towering entrance of the temple, the crimson glow of her armor casting an ethereal light around her. Her presence alone was enough to make the defenders morale soar to unbreakable heights.

    For in their eyes, as long as the Saintess stood, their god was with them.

    And if their god was with them... then no force in the universe could stand against them.

    Nightfall had finally arrived.

    General Jiro stepped out of his massive command vehicle, the cool night air filling his lungs as he took a slow, deliberate breath. The battlefield stretched before him, a sea of shadows and flickering lights, the distant glow of the Holy City''s defenses casting an eerie luminescence across the horizon.

    He exhaled, his eyes narrowing as he gazed at the shimmering barrier that had stood as an impenetrable fortress for so long.

    The time had come.

    Reaching for his communicator, he spoke with absolute authority, his voice cutting through the stillness like a blade.

    "It''s time. Fire the shield disruptors."

    A moment of silence followed.... but then ,the night erupted into chaos.

    A series of violent explosions shook the air, their shockwaves rippling through the battlefield like the wrath of a vengeful god. Brilliant streaks of energy sliced through the darkness, massive projectiles slamming into the Holy City''s barriers with earth-shattering force. The ground trembled beneath the onslaught, the very air vibrating with the fury of the assault.

 Chapter 270 Human civil war. {3}

    The shimmering golden shield that had protected the city for so long flickered under the relentless barrage. Then, slowly, massive holes began to form, cracks spreading like fractures in glass.

    Each impact sent electromagnetic pulses surging through the city, plunging entire districts into darkness. The once-impenetrable defenses of the Holy City crumbled before his eyes.

    Jiro watched the spectacle unfold from the multiple holo-screens surrounding him, his lips curling into a smirk as the city''s vulnerabilities were laid bare.

    "Now is the moment," he declared, his voice calm, almost amused. "Their shields are down."

    He turned slightly, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he addressed his commanders.

    "All units! open fire. Destroy their walls."

    The order was met with an immediate, thunderous response.

    Artillery cannons roared, their shells screaming through the air before smashing into the Holy City''s outer fortifications. Tanks unleashed relentless barrages, each explosion sending debris flying in all directions. Flames rose high into the night sky, casting an ominous glow over the battlefield as breach after breach was torn into the walls.

    Then, finally, the great walls of the Holy City fell.

    Jiro took one last breath, inhaling the scent of burning stone and destruction. The air was thick with the acrid stench of war, the taste of victory already on his tongue.

    Then he gave the final order.

    "Everyone!! Charge!!! Pillage, slaughter, and burn everything in your path! Any beautiful women you find inside belong to whoever takes them first!"

    A monstrous roar erupted from the invading forces, a cacophony of bloodlust and greed. Like a tidal wave of steel and flesh, the massive human army surged forward, pouring through the shattered defenses in an all-out assault. The ground shook beneath their advance, the sound of their war cries echoing across the battlefield.

    While the galaxy outside burned in chaos and war, deep within the heart of her domain, Xytrallia lay submerged in her amber pool. The thick, amber substance pulsed with warmth, radiating both power and nourishment, its viscous currents swirling around her like a living embrace.

    The chamber was a sanctuary of stillness, a stark contrast to the devastation unfolding beyond its walls.

    Cradled gently in her arms was an egg... her egg, a creation unlike any before it.

    She caressed its smooth, shimmering surface with delicate fingers, her touch reverent. This was no ordinary offspring. Unlike the countless broods she had spawned for the swarm, bred solely for war and strength, this one was different.

    This one was precious.

    This was the first she had conceived with a mate.

    For the first time in her existence, she had experienced something beyond duty, beyond instinct... something deeper. And so, she poured every ounce of her being into this single life, nurturing it with her aura, saturating it with the richest nutrients from the amber pool.

    The egg glowed faintly, its surface shimmering with an otherworldly light, as if responding to her touch.

    It was hers.

    And she would destroy anyone who dared threaten it.

    The serene silence of the chamber was interrupted by the soft flutter of wings. A single firefly, glowing with an ethereal green light, drifted into the amber pool. It hovered for a moment before landing gently on Xytrallia''s ear.

    She opened her eyes.

    Her gaze, glowing with a soft, green luminescence, flickered with understanding.

    "I see... so those two have come."

    "Syri... you... overstepped... this time..." Krilthea''s slow, deliberate voice carried through the tension, her telepathic words lacking the aggression of a challenge since she knew... She knew exactly why Xytrallia had reacted so violently.

    This was not just another brood... This was not just another offspring.... This was her firstborn with a mate.

    And right now she was a creature of instinct, of primal nature; so Xytrallia''s rage was absolute.

    Syrixith hesitated, her amusement from before now completely gone. Her aura faltered, the playful edge in her voice replaced by caution.

    "Erm... Xytri, I... I did not mean to threaten your egg," she said carefully, retracting her power and lowering her voice. "I misspoke. I regret my words. Please, appease your fury."

    A cold silence followed. Xytrallia did not speak.

    She simply watched, her green eyes glowing with an intensity that could pierce through the void itself. She then let out a sharp exhale. With a slow, measured motion, she withdrew her aura.

    At the same time, she sent a silent command to her swarm, which had already encircled the two rival Hive Queens, their bodies coiled and ready to devour. The order was clear.

    Stand down.

    The swarm hesitated, their hunger for battle lingering in the air. But they obeyed, their forms retreating into the shadows, their presence fading like a receding tide.

    Syrixith let out a breath she did not realize she had been holding, her form visibly relaxing as the tension eased.

    Krilthea, ever the tactician, chose to break the silence first.

    "So... who is... your mate?" She asked, her slow, careful words free of mockery, her tone carrying genuine curiosity.

    Syrixith immediately latched onto the question, her previous nervousness forgotten as intrigue took over.

    "Oh right! That is what I wanted to ask as well!" Syrixith chimed in, her telepathic tone now brimming with excitement. "Who, exactly, managed to make the Warmonger Xytri abandon her war-breeding ways and choose a mate?".

    Xytrallia remained silent.

    Seconds passed. Then minutes.

    The void between them stretched, thick with unspoken tension. The other two queens waited, their immense presences unwavering, their curiosity sharpening like blades.

    Finally, Xytrallia spoke.

    Her voice was quieter this time, as if she herself was still trying to grasp the reality of her own words.

    "Well... he is a human."

    Even as she said it, her own confusion lingered in the air. Your next read is at My Virtual Library Empire

    For all her power, for all her knowledge, the weight of those words still felt strange to her.

    A hive queen, a being of the swarm choosing a human as her mate?

    For the first time in their long existences, Syrixith and Krilthea spoke in unison.

    "A human?"

    Their voices, projected telepathically, rang with disbelief.

    Neither of them had expected that.@@@@

 Chapter 271 Human civil war. {4}

    Krilthea remained silent for several long seconds, her massive form looming in the void like a shadow cast by a dying star. Then, slowly, she spoke, her telepathic voice carrying the weight of millennia.

    "What... is... a human?"

    Her words were slow and deliberate, as if she were digging through the vast archives of her ancient memory. She had fought countless species, crushed empires, and devoured civilizations, yet the name carried no weight.

    Syrixith, on the other hand, let out a light chuckle, her tone laced with mild amusement.

    "Aren''t those one of the slave races?" She mused, her voice dripping with playful curiosity. "I vaguely remember them being pathetically weak... useless, even as laborers. Did you really end up mating with a human, Xytri?"

    There was no mockery in her words, just pure, intrigued disbelief.

    Xytrallia let out a soft giggle, her green eyes gleaming with amusement.

    "Yes. Though I believe he is human, his genetic structure is... strange. His DNA carried the traits of three separate species," she said, her mind drifting back to the moment she first kissed him, the moment she tasted his genetic imprint and unraveled the mystery within.

    Syrixith''s curiosity sharpened, her telepathic presence leaning in with palpable interest.

    "Three races?" Her voice turned more intrigued. "Then what were the other two?" Xytrallia''s green eyes gleamed with amusement.

    "One of them was the Kaelzars, and the¡ª"

    She never finished her sentence since Krilthea''s aura detonated like a violent star going supernova. The void trembled under the sheer force of her fury.

    "KAELZARS!"

    Her telepathic voice shook the very fabric of space itself. Her massive flagship screeched, its energy surging wildly, its weapons priming as if ready to obliterate anything in sight. Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

    Her rage was absolute.@@@@

    Her aura darkened and grew heavier with each passing second, the vast hatred within her threatening to spiral out of control. Xytrallia barely flinched, her green eyes narrowing as she faced the storm of Krilthea''s wrath.

    "Calm yourself, Krilthea," she said, her tone shifting from playful to commanding. "I know you hold a deep grudge against the Kaelzars. They killed your daughter, but I do not need to remind you of the destruction you wrought upon them in return." Her voice was steady, unyielding.

    "You wiped them from existence...." Krilthea''s aura continued to burn like a dying sun, her telepathic presence a maelstrom of fury and grief. Xytrallia pressed on, her words cutting through the chaos.

    "And while it is true that my mate carries Kaelzar DNA, he was human before his genetic fusion. He has nothing to do with the sins of the past. Your rage is misplaced."

    For several long moments, Krilthea remained frozen, the intensity of her hatred radiating through the void like a living force.

    Then, ever so slowly, she exhaled.

    "...I know."

    Her aura, though still heavy, began to recede. Her flagship''s energy stabilized. The storm of fury within her settled into a controlled inferno rather than a mindless blaze. Xytrallia smirked, her green eyes glinting with satisfaction.

    Syrixith, sensing the tension breaking, seized the moment to change the subject.

    "Well then!" Her voice regained its playful edge. "Have you chosen a battlefield for your youngborn''s hatching?"

    And amidst the chaos, Jiro''s laughter echoed over the comms, his voice filled with pure, untamed exhilaration.

    "WELL PLAYED, SAINTESS! WELL PLAYED!"

    The moment the bombs erupted, the ground beneath the soldiers vanished in a deafening explosion, followed by a shockwave that ripped through the battlefield, shattering bodies, obliterating steel, and flinging debris high into the sky before it all came crashing down into the gaping crater left behind.

    Thousands perished in an instant.The once-beautiful Holy City, revered and sacred, had become a graveyard of smoke and ruin. Dust choked the air, thick as a funeral shroud, and through the swirling haze, the survivors staggered, coughing, bleeding, disoriented.

    That was when they heard it... screams... guttural, raw, that were cut short.

    "NO! NO! HYYAAAA¡ª!"

    "SOMEON¡ª!"

    "THEY''RE¡ª!"

    Then came the gunfire, hundreds of shots ringing out in every direction, chaotic, desperate. But the generals, watching from afar, saw nothing. The dust cloaked the battlefield in shadows.... Only those inside the slaughter knew the truth. And the truth was a nightmare.

    Out of the haze, they came... bare-chested with their faces hidden behind white raven masks while wielding axes dripping with blood. They moved like demons, unstoppable, frenzied, their bodies slick with sweat and blood. The cultists of the Holy City, sinners seeking redemption through carnage.

    Their only rite of passage? To stain their white masks with the blood of the unholy. Only then would they earn the right to fight alongside the Zealots, the chosen warriors of the Saintess. After witnessing this, the soldiers panicked.

    "SHOOT THEM! THEY''RE NOT EVEN WEARING ARMOR!" a lieutenant shouted out, rallying his men. "A SINGLE BULLET WILL SEND THEM TO THEIR FAKE GOD! FIRE!"

    Bullets tore through the charging fanatics, but they didn''t stop.A shot to the stomach? They kept running. A bullet to the leg? They crawled forward, clawing at the dirt, snarling like rabid beasts. Only a shot to the head could end them.

    And in the chaos, with the dust blinding them, headshots were hard to land. The soldiers morale plummeted. Every time one of them faltered, a masked fanatic was already there with its axe swinging, carving flesh from bone.

    Overseeing it all, far from the carnage, stood Paladin Seris. She watched the massacre unfold on a flickering monitor, her sharp eyes scanning the remaining numbers. The plan had worked. The enemy had been lured into the ruins of the Holy City, right where she wanted them.

    Now, the second phase would begin. A crusader approached while saluting sharply. "Paladin, the enemy soldiers are regrouping in the kill zone. The cultists are falling faster now."

    Seris exhaled slowly, with her eyes locked on the thermal imaging. Her expression remained cold and unshaken."Then it is time," she murmured. "Send in the Zealots. Have them form a defensive line. Deploy the field shields; we hold our ground against their artillery."

    "Understood, Paladin. May the Lady in White protect us all," the crusader said before leaving."

    "Phew... that was close." General Jiro exhaled while standing at a safe distance, watching the devastation unfold before him. Fires raged, smoke twisted into the sky, and the screams of dying soldiers still echoed through the ruined battlefield.

    Did he care? Not in the slightest. Limbs and bodies, shattered or broken... all was expendable. The battlefield had always been a meat grinder, and today was no different. Jiro adjusted his communicator, clearing his throat before releying his orders.

    "Attention, all generals! We''re pulling back! The enemy has ambushed us, and we''ve suffered heavy casualties. We need to regroup with the main offensive force before we waste any more men here!"

    Silence overwelmed the communication for a few minutes.

    Then, a crackling voice cut through the static. "That''s impossible, General Jiro! The main offensive force... they were ambushed too!"

    Jiro''s stomach dropped. "W-what!?" His voice came out hoarse, disbelief twisting his expression.

    {That couldn''t be right. They had the numbers, the strategy... how could the enemy be this coordinated?}

 Chapter 272 Human Civil War. {5}

    Another general''s voice came through the comms, grim and heavy.

    "It''s true. Reports just came in. The moment the Holy City blew up, our main force walked into a trap in the forest. They were hit just as hard as we were."

    Jiro clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms."Damn it! Do we have any intel on the Saintess? Is she there?" The radio crackled again. "No reports yet. The main force must be in total disarray if we aren''t getting updates."

    Jiro gritted his teeth. His plan was unraveling, slipping through his fingers like sand in a storm. They had underestimated the enemy badly but he wasn''t about to roll over and die. "Doesn''t matter!" he shouted with his eyes burning with fury.

    "We pull back NOW and hit them from the rear! ORDER YOUR MEN! WE''RE NOT DYING LIKE DOGS!"The battlefield was already a graveyard, but Jiro refused to let it become his.

    The moment he turned to retreat into his vehicle, his breath hitched, since standing right there, mere steps away, was Lilla, with her piercing gaze locked onto him. Flanking her were two paladins, their armor gleaming under the dim light, their presence radiating an aura of unyielding resolve.

    "We meet again, General Jiro," she said with her voice calm yet laced with something ominous, a quiet storm brewing beneath her words.

    A few hours earlier...

    The ground trembled beneath the march of half a million soldiers. The vast army, a seething mass of humans, mercenaries, and criminal factions, poured out of the principal city, advancing toward the Holy City like an unstoppable tide.

    Overhead, the sky was streaked with movement from four destroyers, a lone cruiser, and hundreds of fighters and frigates loomed in orbit, their presence a silent promise of devastation.

    At the heart of this colossal force rode General Akara, a man whose ambitions were as twisted as his desires. He sat atop a command tank, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. This was not just war. This was a performance, a show of dominance.

    "The time has come, my citizens, my warriors!" Akara shouted out, his voice booming across the assembled forces. "Today, we cleanse the world of those fanatics! Today, we take what is rightfully ours! March!"

    The army roared in response, their ranks surging forward in three mighty columns. The ground shook beneath their boots, the air thick with the stench of sweat, oil, and gunpowder.

    On the command tank, a councilman lounged lazily, swirling a goblet of rich, red wine. He smirked as he turned to Akara, his voice dripping with amusement.

    "Tell me, General, is this display truly necessary? All of our forces... just to capture a saintess?" His tone was light, but beneath it lay something else, something like greed, thinly veiled.

    Akara chuckled, his grin sharp and predatory. "Necessary? Hardly. This is a spectacle, a reminder of our strength. By the time we arrive, our troops will have already taken the Holy City and will be pillaging, reveling... indulging." His smile twisted into something darker, something that made the councilman''s smirk falter for a moment. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire

    The councilman laughed, taking another slow sip of his wine. "And the saintess? Surely, she won''t be in one piece when you get there, or at least her holes won''t be."

    Akara''s expression darkened, but there was hunger in his eyes, a primal need that bordered on obsession. "I have ensured that no one touches her. I''ve paid handsomely to make sure of it." He leaned back, exhaling through his nose. "She belongs to me. We are... deeply in love."@@@@

    Their laughter filled the air, thick with filth, but then¡ª

    Flaming debris crashed into the massed soldiers, crushing bodies, igniting the dry undergrowth, and turning the battlefield into a hellscape of fire and falling metal. But the real nightmare had only just begun.Slow, looming, unstoppable... the bombers arrived.

    These were no ordinary bombers since they were armed as gunboats, heavily armored, and loaded with payloads of death. Each one carried fifty thousand kilograms of incendiary bombs, and with the enemy forces so densely packed together in the forest below...The world ignited.

    The first wave of bombs tore through the canopy, detonating with horrifying precision. Firestorms erupted across the battlefield, spreading like a living thing, consuming everything in its path. Screams of burning soldiers filled the air, their bodies engulfed in flames.

    And it didn''t stop there. The bombers, hovering like vultures, opened fire with armor-piercing rounds, shredding the survivors who tried to flee.It was pure slaughter. A scene pulled straight from a nightmare.

    "G-General! We can''t hold out! We''re being burned alive! Your orders¡ª!"

    "General, what do we do?!"

    "GENERAL¡ª"

    General Akara didn''t answer.

    He had fallen to his knees, his mouth hanging open in silent horror. He never saw this coming. Never planned for this. His forces... his invincible army... were dying by the thousands, screaming, burning, breaking.

    And worst of all? His command was in shambles. Officers shouted over each other, issuing conflicting orders, their voices lost in the storm of fire and war.

    Akara''s breath came in ragged gasps. His mind screamed for clarity, but all he could hear were the dying wails of his men, the roar of fire consuming flesh, and the mechanical whine of incoming bombers. His hands trembled as he gripped the comms.

    "E-EVERYONE! R-RUN TO THE FRONT! IT''S OUR ONLY EXIT! DESTROYERS!!! SHOOT DOWN THAT CRUISER, NOW!"

    The order was desperate, barely holding together under the weight of panic, but it was something.For a brief moment, the soldiers hesitated but then, as if grasping at a dying hope, they ran.

    Hundreds, then thousands, surged forward, fleeing the hellish inferno behind them. Fire and smoke chased their heels, bombers still screaming overhead. Some collapsed mid-sprint, their bodies consumed by flame, their screams cut short.

    But still, the rest ran toward salvation. Toward the front.And there, waiting for them, stood a wall of zealots.Their plasma shields locked together like a glowing, unbreakable barrier. Their faces, hidden behind unwavering helmets, betrayed no emotion.

    The first wave of fleeing soldiers collided with the shield wall and was cut down instantly.From behind the wall, more Zealots raised their rifles. A barrage of red streaks filled the burning forest.Laser fire tore into the panicked masses, cutting through flesh and bone like paper.

    The red glow of the shots mixed with the fire behind them, casting everything in an eerie, hellish light.Panic turned into something else... into blind, feral terror.

    The soldiers broke. They scattered in all directions, some dropping their weapons, some screaming as they trampled their own wounded. Many, in their desperation, ran toward the burning forest.

    Because a laser shot would kill you instantly. But fire? If you were lucky, you might survive.But that, too, was a mistake.

 Chapter 273 Human Civil War. {6} Void Creatures.

    The Crusades were waiting... the Saintess''s elite.

    They lurked in the burning trees, their military-grade cybernetic limbs glinting in the firelight. Their arms and legs, once human, were now precision-forged weapons. Their eyes? Ripped from their skulls, replaced with sensors that saw through the smoke, through the dark, through the chaos.

    Their armor was thick; their personal shields were unbreakable. And in the madness of the firestorm with all the screaming and the death... they descended upon the survivors.

    A squad of four sprinted through the inferno, their breath ragged, their uniforms slick with sweat and soot. The fire around them crackled and roared, devouring the forest in waves of blistering heat.

    They didn''t look back. They didn''t let themselves think about the horrors unfolding behind them, about the screams of dying comrades, about the crusaders cutting through their ranks as if they were nothing more than weeds to be plucked.

    They only cared about one thing... survival.

    So far, they had been lucky. Despite the lasers streaking through the smoke, despite the crusaders hunting them like vermin, they''d managed to stay ahead of death.

    But luck never lasts forever.

    A shadow loomed ahead, standing amidst the raging fire like an immovable statue. The flames coiled around his golden armor, licking at the metal as if they were alive, as if they were... welcoming him.

    The soldiers skidded to a halt. Their lungs burned from the hot air while their hands trembled after they saw what was in front of them... it wasn''t just another crusader.

    That was a Paladin.

    The sheer weight of his presence crushed down on them, heavier than the fire, heavier than the fear in their hearts. The golden sheen of his armor shone brighter than the inferno itself, his very stance radiating an authority beyond human comprehension.

    A smirk tugged at his lips.

    "Tsk. And here I was, hoping I wouldn''t have to dirty my hands with filth like you." He exhaled through his nose while shaking his head. "But I suppose it''s my duty to rid this world of the pagans who dared to defile the Holy City."

    From the other side of the battlefield, Lilla''s brother listened to what the paladin said through the communicator. He couldn''t help but feel... awkward.

    After all, the one who actually blew up the city... was his sister.

    One of the soldiers snapped, raising his rifle. "Tsk! We don''t give a damn who you are! Open fire!"

    The others followed instantly, unloading everything they had. Blue flashes of electromagnetic rounds tore through the smoke, streaking straight for the paladin only to vanish the moment they touched the fire.

    The bullets never reached him. They never even came close.

    The paladin let out a tired sigh while slowly, almost lazily, he reached for the hilt at his waist. The moment he began unsheathing his sword, the flames around him stirred, twisting, bending, and merging with the blade.

    By the time it was fully drawn, the weapon wasn''t just metal anymore. It was fire itself. A blade of pure, burning light.

    The soldiers courage snapped.

    "May the Lady in White burn your pagan souls!"

    With a single sweeping arc, the paladin swung his sword.

    A wave of fire erupted from the blade, surging forward like a tidal wave of flame. The four men barely had time to scream before the fire engulfed them whole.

    Within seconds, only charred corpses remained.

    "Tsk! There''s nothing we can do for them anymore!" His voice was sharp and urgent. "Get us back into space! We need to escape their firing range before we become the next target! Send the fighters!! Intercept them now!"

    Outside, the stricken destroyer began its slow descent, flames trailing behind it as gravity dragged it down. The admiral didn''t watch it fall. He couldn''t afford to.

    The air was thick with tension, the distant sounds of war a dull roar on the horizon.

    General Jiro stood calmly, with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable. Then, with an elegant, almost mocking motion, he gave a small bow.

    "Oh, Saintess, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit on this beautiful night?"

    Lilla did not answer immediately. Instead, she simply stared at him.

    Her gray eyes, sharp as silver blades, bore into him, studying, dissecting, and understanding. The silence stretched between them, thick and suffocating, before she finally spoke.

    "I was wondering how you uncovered my spies within the Human Empire." Her voice was soft, but beneath it lay something cold. Unshaken. Absolute.

    She took a step forward.

    "But now that I see you..." Her eyes narrowed. "It makes sense."

    At her words, Jiro''s smile slowly widened.

    And then... he changed.

    His body stretched, his limbs growing taller... thinner... unnatural. His uniform seemed to melt into something else, shifting with his form but his grin never faltered.

    Then he laughed.

    "HAHAHA! So that''s why the higher-ups warned me never to show myself to you!" His voice was no longer human. It rippled, layered with something deeper, something wrong.

    And then his gaze locked onto her.

    "Those eyes of yours... they''re quite something, aren''t they?"

    The paladins moved instantly.

    Their swords flashed, shields raised, stepping between Lilla and the creature that had once been Jiro. They did not hesitate. They did not flinch.

    Lilla''s expression remained unmoved, her silver eyes locked onto the grotesque abomination that had once been General Jiro. His body, now a twisted horror of the void, pulsed and writhed, shifting in unnatural ways, as if space itself struggled to contain his existence.

    The air around him seemed to warp, the light bending unnaturally as his form defied the laws of reality.

    "So, you''ve finally shown your true form, monster." Her voice was steady, unwavering, cutting through the tension like a blade. "It seems Cleo''s warning saved my followers from sharing your fate."

    The thing that had been Jiro let out a low, gurgling chuckle, a sound that was wrong in every sense, a noise that seemed to crawl into the mind and fester there.

    "Hahaha... well, I suppose that doesn''t matter now." His elongated jaw twisted into a grin, far too wide for anything human, his teeth glinting like shards of broken glass. "You see, I''ve already infected thousands."

    His void-black limbs flexed, his stance shifting into something predatory, his movements fluid and alien. The ground beneath him seemed to darken, as if the very earth recoiled from his presence.

    "And since you''ve so kindly saved me the trouble of hunting you down, I should at least thank you... before I take those beautiful eyes of yours for myself."

 Chapter 274 Human Civil War. {7} Lykos

    The ruins of the once-great Holy City were now a battlefield of horrors.

    Everywhere, the remnants of the Human Empire''s soldiers convulsed, their bodies warping, twisting, breaking apart, and reforming into something monstrous. Their spines cracked and elongated, limbs stretching far too long, jagged bone protrusions bursting through their armor like spears.

    Their faces... unrecognizable, twisted into grotesque masks of agony and rage. What were once men had become something else. And they would not die easily.

    It took nearly twenty cultists to bring down a single one of these abominations, hacking and blasting away at flesh that refused to stay dead. The air was thick with the stench of burning metal and charred flesh, the screams of the dying mingling with the guttural roars of the void-touched.

    But the worst was still to come.

    At the center of the battlefield, standing amidst the burning wreckage of temples and towers, stood three towering figures. The other three generals.

    Their bodies had undergone the same void-fueled transformation as Jiro, their already formidable strength now beyond human comprehension. Their forms loomed like nightmares given flesh, their presence radiating an overwhelming, malevolent energy that made the air itself feel heavy.

    And together, they stood against Paladin Seris.

    Her golden armor, though scorched and battered, still gleamed beneath the firelit sky. Her breath came heavy, but her stance never wavered. Her sword, glowing with a golden laser, burned with a light that seemed to push back the encroaching darkness.

    Three against one.

    "KYAHAHAHA! Is this all the so-called Paladins of the Lady in White can do?! How pathetic!"

    The laughter of the void general echoed through the Holy City, sharp and grating, filled with mockery. His distorted form twitched with amusement, his elongated limbs flexing as he took slow, deliberate steps.

    "And to think the higher-ups were actually worried about you."

    Another of the twisted generals smirked, his clawed fingers trailing lazily along the rubble as he paced in a slow circle around Seris.

    "Well, let''s give them a little credit. Where else have you seen a mere human wielding a Tier 3 energy source?" His voice was laced with something between curiosity and disdain.

    The third general, hunched and seething with raw power, let out a low, gurgling chuckle.

    "Hmmm... Aren''t they just full of surprises? I never imagined that the weakest, most insignificant race in the galaxy would turn out to be perfect vessels for the void." His grin stretched too wide, too unnatural. "That explains why they''re useless for anything else... they were born to serve us! KYAHAHAHA!"

    Seris remained silent, her sword raised, her eyes sharp and unyielding. The three abominations continued circling her, their unnatural hunger thick in the air.

    And then... they pounced.@@@@

    Three hulking forms lunged at once, claws like jagged blades tearing toward her.

    But Seris was not so easily taken.

    Her gift of precognition, though nowhere near as powerful as Lilla''s, allowed her to see three seconds into the future, just enough to dodge at the last possible moment, just enough to twist and counter with precision.

    One of the creatures let out a snarl as her sword carved through its side, molten-black blood sizzling against the steel. But it wasn''t enough.

    Their speed was overwhelming. Their strength was far beyond anything she could handle alone, and before she could reposition, a monstrous claw struck her head-on. The force shattered her helmet, fracturing her skull beneath the impact.

    Seris was sent flying, slamming into a collapsed wall with a sickening crunch. Dust and debris exploded outward, burying her in a haze of broken stone.

    She coughed with her lungs burning in pain. Her bones were broken, her vision swam, but through the haze, she spotted her sword that was just centimeters away.

    Her fingers trembled, struggling to reach it.

    {Move...}

    {Move, damn it....}

    But the pain was too much. Even the smallest motion sent white-hot agony through her shattered limbs.

    "Fire at those creatures! Save the Paladin!" A sudden hail of laser fire streaked through the air from a squad of crusaders who had seen Seris fall and they did not hesitate to rush to help her.

    Their rifles lit up the battlefield, blasts slamming into the void-infested generals. One of them snarled while raising a clawed hand to shield his face from the onslaught.

    "Tsk. These damn, annoying husks."

    Her body tensed. She closed her eyes, accepting what was to come. Any second now, its jaws would close around her throat.

    But then¡ª

    A warm, rough tongue slid across her cheek.

    Her breath hitched.

    Again, the creature licked the blood from her face, its massive tongue dragging across her skin in slow, careful strokes. And as it continued...

    It began to change; the tongue shrank, the massive, furred body shrank, and the deep snarls softened into something quieter, something... human.

    Seris''s eyes flew open and what she saw stole the breath from her lungs.

    Gone was the towering beast.

    In its place was a young boy... no older than fifteen.

    His body, though lean and muscular, was human in shape. But his skin¡ª

    It was black as the void, yet shimmering like a night sky filled with countless stars. He simply knelt there before her, breathing hard, his silver eyes still locked onto hers.

    Seris couldn''t comprehend what he wanted.

    {What... are you?}

    Seris''s mind hurted as she stared at the boy before her.

    His silver, wolf-like eyes never wavered from hers... unblinking, unreadable, then, to her shock, he answered.

    "Not a what... but a who." His voice was soft, yet unnervingly steady. "I''m Lykos."

    Her breath hitched.

    {You... can read my mind?}

    Lykos tilted his head slightly, his long, light green hair slipping over his shoulder like silk.

    "Can."

    A single word. Simple. Absolute.

    Seris''s fingers curled weakly against the scorched ground.

    {Then... why did you save me?}

    For the first time, the boy blinked.

    "Mmm?" He made a thoughtful sound, then shook his head. "I saved no one. I''m just waiting for you to die so I can eat you."

    Seris froze.

    "My mother told me not to kill humans," Lykos continued, his tone disturbingly innocent, as if reciting a childhood lesson. "But she said it''s okay to consume them once they''re dead."

    A smile small, childlike, utterly devoid of malice curved his lips.

    Seris let out a weak, shuddering breath.

    {Ha... that isn''t nice...}

    Blood dripped from her lips as she coughed again, her body trembling.

    Lykos blinked once. Twice. Then he inched closer, his expression blank.

    "Mmm? It isn''t?"

 Chapter 275 Human Civil War. {8}

    Before Seris could respond, his face was suddenly right in front of hers, and without warning, his tongue slid across her lips, licking away the blood.

    A violent shiver ran through her body.

    {WHAT ARE YOU DOING!, DON''T LICK ME!}

    Lykos tilted his head again, unconcerned.

    "Don''t worry," he said calmly, "I''m listening to my mom. I won''t eat you till you''re dead."@@@@

    He gazed at her unblinking, unwavering.

    "I''m just tasting you first."

    Seris stared back, her heart hammering against her ribs. Those feral silver eyes held no hatred. No cruelty.

    Just hunger.

    Seris stared down at her sword, her breath ragged while her hands trembled. She tried one last time to lift it, to force her body to obey, but her strength was gone. The blade remained where it was, heavy and unmoving.

    Across from her, Lykos watched in silence. His silver eyes darkened while a low growl rumbled in his throat.

    "Do not dare," he said with his voice sharp as a blade. "If you even try, I will have to kill you." His posture shifted while his muscles coiled, ready to strike.

    Seris let out a weak, bitter laugh.

    {So what if you kill me? Nothing will change. I will die anyway, and you''ll still end up eating me. It''s no different than if you just did it yourself.}

    She reached for the sword again. Her fingers barely curled around the hilt before slipping away. No strength left. Nothing.

    Lykos hesitated. For the first time since hatching, doubt crept into his mind. He was strong, born a Tier 3 entity the moment he cracked free from his shell, but he was still only four hours old. Knowledge had been placed in his mind from hunting, fighting, and survival... but knowing was different from understanding.

    He frowned while rubbing the side of his head. "If you die right now... does that mean I killed you? Did I break my mother''s rule?"

    Seris blinked. {"What? That''s not¡ªI mean, yes. Exactly that."}

    "But if you die, it isn''t my fault. I didn''t crush your bones."

    Seris forced herself to sit up straighter.

    {"Watching me die when you could have done something... That''s the same as killing me."}

    Her vision blurred. Her head felt too heavy. Words spilled out before she even knew what she was saying.

    Lykos took a step back, startled. "W-what!?"

    From above, unseen but ever watchful, Xytrallia narrowed her eyes. The great mother of the Khryssari had raised many children, each sharp, ruthless, and instinct-driven. But this one... this one was different. He was slow. Gullible. And somehow... strangely cute in her eyes...

    She exhaled in something like amusement.

    Jiro snarled while his eyes flicked to the side, where the same spear as before was coming back, again and again.

    Your journey continues on My Virtual Library Empire

    Every time he deflected it, it returned with the same deadly speed. It was forcing him to dodge, forcing him to reposition, keeping him from overwhelming the paladin in front of him.

    "Saintess, we''re in position!" one of the crusaders reported through the communicator. "Awaiting your signal!"

    Lilla didn''t hesitate before ordering. "Activate the cage."

    A deep hum filled the air as the trap was set.

    Energy surged in a wide arc around the battlefield. The paladins, still locked in combat, didn''t look back, but they didn''t need to.

    They knew it wasn''t necessary. In one swift motion, Lilla summoned the huge white hands, massive glowing constructs that appeared next to the paladins. They grabbed them and pulled them clear of the closing perimeter.

    Jiro''s eyes widened. "What!?"

    The laser cage snapped shut.

    "You really think this can hold me?" Jiro shouted, his muscles tensing. He crouched low, then launched toward the weakest point in the cage, the section still finishing its connection.

    He almost made it to the exit hole, but then¡ª

    A massive, white-hot fist slammed into him from above.

    The impact was thunderous, the force sending him crashing back into the center of the cage. Smoke curled from his body as he skidded to a stop, his eyes flickering with fury.

    Outside, Lilla lowered her glowing hand. "You were saying?"

    "Kukuk, do you think you''ve got me trapped?" The void creature scoffed, its voice sounding like a rusty gate scraping against concrete.

    "This laser cage is a futile attempt to hold me captive; it''s a waste of energy, and when it inevitably collapses, I will unleash my wrath upon all of you... KUAHAHA!" The creature''s maniacal laughter sent shivers down the spines of the crusaders.

    Lilla stood tall with her eyes locked onto the void creature''s twisted form. "Shrink it," she commanded, her voice firm and resolute.

    In an instant, the laser cage began to contract, its walls closing in on the creature with merciless precision. The air was filled with the acrid smell of burning flesh as even the slightest movement set off a maelstrom of flames that danced across the creature''s body.

    The paladin''s voice rang out, laced with urgency. "What are you all staring at? Hold it tight now!" The crusaders sprang into action, producing lengthy rods with U-shaped tips that they used to restrain the creature.

    As they attached the rods to its body, a restraining device sprang to life, injecting a potent cocktail of drugs into its system. The void creature''s struggles grew weaker as the sedatives took hold.

    "Kukuku... what you''re doing is... useless," the creature muttered, its eyelids drooping as it fought against the darkness closing in. "You won''t get any information from me... I don''t feel pain..."

    Lilla''s smile was icy as she waved goodbye in a sweeping gesture. "Don''t worry, I know someone who would love to dissect you and extract every last shred of knowledge from your mind. So rest tight... you won''t be waking up again." Her words were laced with an unnerving certainty that sent a chill down the spines of even her allies.

    The void monster''s response was barely audible as it slurred out a faint "W-what...?" before finally succumbing to the darkness.

    The paladin stood over the creature, her spear poised at its head in case it stirred. "Bring the transport ship and chains! Put this abomination in cryostasis; it''s coming with us." Her voice was firm and commanding as she oversaw the preparation for their departure.

 Chapter 276: Human Civil War. {9}

    Now subdued and immobilized, it was prepared for transport. The crusaders worked swiftly, their movements precise and coordinated, as they secured the creature with heavy chains and loaded it into the cryotank.

    The hum of the transport ship¡¯s engines grew louder as it descended, its metallic hull gleaming under the dim light of the battlefield.

    Lilla stood watch, her sharp eyes never leaving the void creature. Her expression was a mix of determination and cold calculation. She knew the stakes were high; this creature, though it claimed to be a mere pawn, held secrets that could tell them more about the void.

    The paladin at her side tightened her grip on her spear with her stance unwavering.

    "Make sure the cryotank is sealed tightly," Lilla ordered, her voice cutting through the noise. "We can¡¯t afford any mistakes. This thing is more dangerous than it looks."

    The crusaders nodded, double-checking the locks and seals on the tank. The void creature¡¯s form was barely visible through the frosted glass, its grotesque features now still and lifeless. But everyone present knew better than to underestimate it.

    The void had a way of twisting reality, of defying expectations.

    As the transport ship¡¯s ramp closed, Lilla turned to the paladin. "You¡¯ll accompany the cargo. I¡¯ll follow shortly. If it so much as twitches, you know what to do."

    The paladin gave a curt nod. "Understood. It won¡¯t wake up."

    With that, the ship lifted off, its engines roaring as it ascended into the sky. Lilla watched it go, her mind already racing ahead to the next steps. They needed to extract the information from the creature, and she knew just the person for the job.

    As the ship disappeared into the clouds, Lilla allowed herself a moment of quiet satisfaction. They had captured one of the void¡¯s creatures, a rare and significant victory. But she also knew this was just the beginning. The void was vast, and its forces were relentless.

    "Let¡¯s move," she said to the remaining crusaders. "We still have work to do."

    As the Crusaders scrambled to mobilize the vehicles delivered by the transport ships, their engines roared to life in a symphony of urgency.

    The forest ahead burned like a hellish inferno, its flames clawing at the sky, when Lilla¡¯s arm device buzzed sharply, cutting through the cacophony.

    "Lilla, thank the heavens you answered," her brother¡¯s voice crackled through the device, calm yet edged with something darker.

    "What¡¯s happening? Is the situation worsening?" Lilla asked while sliding into the armored vehicle with practiced ease. The door slammed shut behind her, sealing her in the metallic tank of war.

    "Worsening? No... not for us," her brother replied, his tone almost casual. "The ambush went perfectly. My forces are mopping up the stragglers, those desperate enough to try escaping the trap. It¡¯ll take time, though. The enemy brought a huge army, after all." Behind his words, Lilla heard a sickening thud, followed by a guttural scream that made her blood run cold.

    The general¡¯s threats against Lilla had crossed a line, and in this world, there was no room for mercy when it came to protecting those you loved.

    "Make sure it¡¯s thorough," he said to the inquisitors, his voice devoid of any warmth. "We can¡¯t afford any loose ends."

    The inquisitors nodded, their movements precise and deliberate. They adjusted the general¡¯s position on the rocks, ensuring that the flames would do their work efficiently. The fire crackled and roared, a fitting backdrop to the grim tableau.

    As the general¡¯s body was consumed by the flames, Lilla¡¯s brother turned away, his mind already shifting to the next phase of their plan. He pulled out a small device from his pocket, a holographic map of the battlefield flickering to life.

    The ambush had been a success, but there was still much to be done. The enemy¡¯s forces were relentless, and they would not rest until every last one of their enemies was eradicated.

    "Prepare the troops," he said to the inquisitors. "We move out in ten minutes. The forest is lost, but we can still secure the perimeter and ensure no one escapes."

    The inquisitors saluted and moved to carry out his orders, their black and red armor gleaming in the firelight. Lilla¡¯s brother took one last look at the burning forest, his expression unreadable.

    The war was far from over, and he knew that the sacrifices they made today were just the beginning.

    As he turned to leave, a faint smile played on his lips. "Roasted pig..." he muttered to himself, the dark humor returning for a brief moment.

    Meanwhile, Seris gasped awake, her body trembling from the lingering pain of her transformation. Every breath felt foreign, every movement surreal... as if she had been reborn in a body not entirely her own.

    Blinking away the haze, she lifted her gaze and found Lykos standing a few steps away, speaking with a group of crusaders.

    Her voice came out hoarse, uncertain. "What... is happening here?"

    Find your next adventure on novelhall.Co?m

    One of the crusaders turned sharply at the sound of her voice. His armor clinked as he stepped forward, bowing slightly. "Paladin! This boy here claims that you are his... and that he was protecting you while you rested." His words were careful and deliberate, as if unsure of the right way to phrase them.

    Seris parted her lips to deny it, "I¡¯m n¡ª" but the moment her eyes met Lykos¡¯s, something caught in her throat. She hesitated while a long breath escaped her as she looked away.

    "It¡¯s not that I¡¯m his... We made a deal. He helped me recover." Her voice was quieter now, almost reluctant, as she pushed herself to her feet and slid her sword back into its scabbard.

    The tension in the air was thick as she strode toward Lykos; her steps were slow and measured. She tried to meet his gaze, but something about it unsettled her and made her hesitate in a way she wasn¡¯t used to.

    "Now then," she said at last, her voice low but firm. "Who are you... and why are you wandering in a human war zone?"@@@@

 Chapter 277: Fisherman.

    Lykos¡¯s silver eyes locked onto Seris¡¯s, gleaming like shards of moonlight in the darkness. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath as he hesitated, his lips parting as if the words themselves were heavy, burdened by the weight of truth.

    Finally, he spoke; his voice was low and deliberate, each syllable echoing like a distant thunderclap.

    "I¡¯m feeding myself... to grow."

    A cold shiver raced down Seris¡¯s spine, her instincts screaming in warning. Deep down, she had already known what his answer would be, but hearing it aloud made it all too real. Her voice, steady despite the unease coiling in her chest, cut through the tension.

    "And what exactly are you feeding on?" Your next chapter awaits on novelhall.Co?m

    Lykos¡¯s expression remained impassive, his tone as cold and detached as the void itself. "The corpses scattered across the battlefield. And the creatures I¡¯ve hunted."

    Her fingers twitched, instinctively tightening around the hilt of her sword. She didn¡¯t need to look around to confirm it, since the wasteland was barren, devoid of any beasts. Only the fallen bodies of humans littered the ground. The realization struck her like a blade to the gut: Lykos had been feeding on them. On her kind.

    For a heartbeat, her body tensed, every muscle coiled like a spring, ready to strike. Her instincts screamed at her to end him, to cut him down before he could grow stronger, before he could become an even greater threat. But then, with a heavy, shuddering breath, she forced herself to relax, her grip on the sword loosening.

    {I figured as much...}

    she thought bitterly, her mind flashing back to their first encounter.

    {After all, he wanted to eat me too, didn¡¯t he?}

    Slowly, deliberately, she released her sword and met Lykos¡¯s gaze once more; her voice was steady despite the storm raging within her. "So... what now?"

    Lykos didn¡¯t answer immediately. Instead, he tilted his head back, his silver eyes scanning the darkened sky as if searching for something or someone. The silence between them stretched, thick and suffocating, filled with unspoken words and unresolved tension. Finally, his gaze returned to her, his expression as inscrutable as ever.

    "Mother is calling," he murmured, his voice being barely above a whisper, yet carrying an eerie weight. "It¡¯s time for me to leave. But don¡¯t forget our deal... Your body is mine."

    Seris¡¯s breath caught in her throat, her heart pounding like a war drum. "W-what¡ª?"

    Before she could finish, a sudden, deafening flapping sound filled the air as massive black-feathered wings erupted from Lykos¡¯s back, their inky darkness swallowing the light.

    Before Ys could retort, something cold and wet pressed against Rex¡¯s cheek. He turned his head to find Nyra standing beside him, holding out a chilled beer.

    She was dressed in a sleek black swimsuit that clung to her figure, the contrast of her pale skin against the dark fabric making her look effortlessly striking. Her silver hair caught the sunlight, shimmering like liquid metal as she tilted her head, her expression as cool and unreadable as ever.

    "Oh! Nyra, my dear," Rex said while taking the beer with a playful grin. "Have you finally decided to join this old man in discovering the joys of fishing?"

    Nyra rolled her eyes as she sank into the beach chair next to him, reaching into a cooling container for a bottle of juice. "What¡¯s the point of fishing?" she said while cracking open the bottle with a flick of her wrist.

    "If I wanted a big fish, I could just dive in and grab one. This just looks like a huge waste of time."

    Rex clicked his tongue in mock disappointment while wagging a finger at her. "Tsk, tsk, tsk... Kids these days have no appreciation for the fine art of fishing! It¡¯s not just about the catch; it¡¯s about the experience. The patience, the skill, the¡ª"

    "Boredom," Nyra interrupted while taking a sip of her juice. "Don¡¯t forget the boredom."

    Meanwhile, Ys had started sniffing at the beer Rex held with her curiosity piqued. "Mmm? What is this? I¡¯ve never seen anything like it before. Also... why are you talking like some grandpa all of a sudden?"

    Rex took a long, satisfying gulp of the beer while sighing contentedly before answering. "This, my dear Ys, is beer. I had to pester Cleo for days to brew some for us. She fought me on it at first, saying it was illogical, a waste of resources. But after a lot of convincing and pointing out how profitable alcohol is in a sector full of pirates, she finally gave in."

    Nyra smirked while stretching out lazily under the sun. "Ignore him, Ys. He had too much free time and spent it watching old fishing videos. Now, he actually thinks he¡¯s some wise old fisherman."

    Rex only laughed while raising his beer in a toast to his newfound "expertise." The sunlight glinted off the bottle as he took another swig, his grin widening. "You¡¯re just jealous of my skills, Nyra. Admit it."

    Ys giggled, plopping down onto the metallic floor beside him. "Well, if you¡¯re such a prodigy, maybe you should cook us something. Let¡¯s see if you¡¯re as good as you claim."

    Rex¡¯s eyes sparkled with mischief. "Challenge accepted. But first, I need to catch something worth cooking. And with all this noise, the fish are probably halfway to the next sector by now."

    Nyra snorted while leaning back in her chair. "Good. Maybe then you¡¯ll give up on this ridiculous hobby."

    "W-what! What do you mean by ridiculous? Take it back! I have you know that Lyra actually likes fishing too! Tell them, Lyra!" Rex said while gazing at Lyra, who was coming toward them while eating from a big bag of chips.

    "Erm... what do you want me to say?"

 Chapter 278 Fisherman. {2}

    "Don''t listen to the so-called old man, sis," Nyra scoffed while leaning back in her chair. "He''s just trying to use that smug, handsome face of his to trick you into saying you like fishing."

    Nyra leaned back in her chair, her mischievous grin widening as she flicked an ice cube toward Rex. He caught it effortlessly, deflecting it back at her with a single flick of his finger. The cube sailed through the air, landing squarely in the middle of her chest.

    "AHHH! It''s cold!" Nyra shrieked, leaping out of her chair and frantically brushing the ice away. Her dramatic flailing only made Rex laugh harder, his deep voice echoing across the water.

    "Ha! Serves you right!" Rex teased, his eyes glinting with amusement. He turned to Lyra, who was sitting quietly, her cheeks already flushing under the weight of their attention. "So, Lyra, be a good girl and tell her the truth."

    Lyra hesitated, her fingers fidgeting with the hem of her dress. "Well... it is true I like fishing..." she admitted softly, her voice barely above a whisper. Her cheeks turned a deeper shade of pink as both Rex and Nyra stared at her.

    "Tsk! You little traitor!" Nyra exclaimed with her voice dripping with mock betrayal. Before Lyra could react, Nyra lunged forward, scooping her up in her arms and leaping off the dock into the ocean below. The two sisters hit the water with a loud splash, sending ripples across the surface.

    Rex sighed while shaking his head as he watched the scene unfold. "And... there goes my dinner..." he muttered, though a sly grin crept onto his face. "Oh, wait... If I remember correctly, some fish are attracted to the sound..." His voice dropped to a whisper, and a devilish smirk spread across his features.

    In the water, Lyra surfaced while sputtering and glaring at Nyra. "Why did you do that!" she shouted while splashing water toward her sister''s face. Nyra laughed while dodging the spray and retaliating with a wave of her own.

    "Hahah, that''s the destiny of traitors! Sadly, it wasn''t a pool of magma!" Nyra taunted, her laughter ringing out across the waves.

    From the dock, Rex cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Hey, you two troublemakers! Make more noise!"

    Nyra paused, treading water as she squinted up at him. "Ha? Has he already gotten a sunstroke and gone crazy?" She asked while glancing at Lyra.

    Rex rolled his eyes, muttering under his breath, "Tsk, the youngest never listens to their elders." He strode over to the cooling device, pulling out a bag of ice cubes. "I... said... make... MORE NOISE!" With that, he began hurling ice cubes at the twins, his aim precise and relentless.

    "Kyaaaa!" Lyra screamed while ducking under the water to avoid the icy projectiles.

    "Have you really gone crazy because of the sun or what!" Nyra shot back, her voice rising in defiance. She summoned her tentacles, sending massive waves of water crashing toward Rex. The force of the water knocked him off balance, drenching him completely while getting the unsuspecting Ys washed away by the water.

    The chaos only escalated. The noise, the splashing, and the sight of Nyra''s tentacles thrashing in the water made her look like a wounded sea beast struggling for survival. Unbeknownst to them, the commotion had attracted the attention of a massive predator that was lurking beneath the surface.

    In an instant, the water erupted as a colossal fish burst from the depths, its jaws wide open and rows of razor-sharp teeth glinting in the sunlight. Nyra barely had time to react. She thrust out her tentacles, bracing herself against the creature''s powerful jaws as it lunged toward her.

    "W-what!?" Nyra gasped, her eyes wide with shock. The fish''s momentum carried it out of the water, its massive body arcing through the air with Nyra trapped in its grasp. For a moment, it seemed as though she would be swallowed whole.

    "S-Sister!" Lyra screamed, her voice filled with panic. She started to dive after them, but Rex''s voice stopped her in her tracks.

    She turned to Ys, who simply shrugged, her expression unreadable. "It wasn''t a bomb. It was a hook."

    Both twins stared at her, their confusion evident. "A... hook?"

    Before they could process that revelation, Rex let out a triumphant yell. "Ohhh, here he is!"

    With one final, powerful pull, he yanked the massive fish from the water. The creature soared through the air, its scales glistening under the sunlight, its sheer size leaving everyone momentarily speechless.

    But the awe lasted only a second because in the next instant, Rex materialized a laser handgun out of thin air and fired a single, precise shot straight into the fish''s eye.

    The shot was instantaneous. The fish went limp, its massive body collapsing onto the dock with a heavy thud.

    The twins stood there, mouths slightly open, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.

    Still whistling happily, Rex reeled in his now-dead catch, dragging the massive carcass onto the dock with a satisfied grin.

    Nyra blinked with her voice tinged with confusion. "Lyra... is this how fishing works?"

    Lyra let out an awkward laugh while scratching the back of her head. "Erm... mostly? But... I don''t think the laser shot was part of it..."

    Nyra was silent for a moment, her gaze shifting between the fish and Rex. Then, without warning, she burst into laughter. "Pffft¡ªHahaha! That is the Rex I know!" she cackled, doubling over with laughter, her voice echoing across the dock.

    Rex merely shrugged with his smirk never fading. "What can I say? I''m full of surprises."

    Hours passed, and the dock had become a lively hub of activity. The scent of roasted fish filled the air as Rex, beer in hand, tended to the grill with an air of satisfaction. Around him, bot maids bustled about, expertly cleaning and preparing the freshly caught fish.

    Nearby, the twins lounged on a bench, completely absorbed in a game on their shared datapad, their fingers moving rapidly across the screen. Ys, meanwhile, stood beside Rex, idly chatting with him as the warm evening breeze rolled in from the sea.

    Then, without warning, the doors to the dock slid open with a hiss.

    "Guys! Get ready; we''re leaving tomorrow!"

    Cleo strode in, barely looking up from the glowing holo-screens hovering around her. Lines of data scrolled rapidly across the projections as her fingers danced through the air, issuing commands to the trading legion to stock up on supplies.

    Rex barely spared her a glance since he was busy biting off a chunk of fish. "Mmm? And where exactly are we going?" Stay tuned to My Virtual Library Empire

 Chapter 279 Mist planet.

    Rex let out a heavy sigh, the sound echoing faintly as Cleo disappeared behind the sliding door. His gaze lingered on the spot where she had stood, his brow furrowed in thought.

    He glanced down at his half-eaten fish, then at the others seated around the dock. "Did she seriously come all the way here just to say that?" He muttered, more to himself than anyone else. "She could''ve just sent a message... Was she really that excited?"

    Nyra stood abruptly, her chair scraping against the floor. She stretched her arms lazily with a smirk playing on her lips. "Well, if she went through all that trouble, it must be something big. Come on, sis," she said while grabbing Lyra''s hand before she could protest. "Let''s go ask her."

    Lyra barely had time to yelp as Nyra dragged her toward the station doors. Rex shot to his feet, his chair tipping backward with a clatter. "Hey, wait! I want to know too!" he called out, already jogging to catch up.

    But then, mid-stride, he remembered Ys, and without breaking pace, he veered toward her, scooped her up with practiced ease, and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

    "Wha¡ª?! Rex!" Ys protested with her voice muffled as she flailed half-heartedly against his grip.

    "No time! You''re coming too," Rex declared, his tone leaving no room for argument. Ignoring her grumbling, he broke into a sprint, the station''s fluorescent lights blurring past as he ran toward Cleo''s lab, the one place she was almost certainly holed up.

    The lab doors hissed open, revealing a dimly lit chamber bathed in the eerie glow of holographic screens. Cleo stood at the center, her silhouette framed by a swirling vortex of data streams and shimmering projections. She was utterly absorbed, her fingers dancing across invisible interfaces, her golden eyes reflecting the cascading light.

    Rex stepped inside, his boots clicking against the polished floor. "Alright, Cleo," he said with his voice cutting through the hum of machinery. "Spill it. Where are we going? You dropped a cryptic message and vanished. What''s going on?"

    Since she didn''t respond, he strode forward, his hand slicing through the holographic barrier to grab her wrist. He pulled her out of the digital storm, forcing her to face him. And that was when he really saw her.

    Her skin was paler than usual, almost translucent under the harsh light. Her posture was rigid, her shoulders tense, and there was a faint flicker in her eyes, a telltale sign he''d seen before. Without hesitation, he activated his HUD, running a quick scan. His brow furrowed as the results flashed across his vision.

    "Cleo... when was the last time you rested?" he asked, his voice low but firm. "Your energy levels are barely at five percent."@@@@

    Cleo blinked, as if the concept of rest was foreign to her. "Rest is unnecessary," she replied, her tone neutral as always. "I can detach from my physical form and continue working in holographic mode. Your concerns are unfounded."

    She waved a hand dismissively, summoning a fresh wave of holo-screens that encircled Rex like a digital cage. But he wasn''t having it.

    "Yeah, no," Rex said while exhaling sharply. "We''re done here." He turned to the others, his voice leaving no room for argument. "Meeting''s over. You all go rest. I''m dealing with this workaholic myself."

    Before Cleo could protest further, he scooped her up in his arms, her lithe frame fitting effortlessly against his chest. She opened her mouth to object, but Rex was already striding out of the lab, his determination unwavering.

    The soft glow of the jacuzzi cast a serene light over the room, the world outside fading into insignificance. In that moment, there was no lab, no research, no endless stream of data, just the two of them, wrapped in the quiet comfort of each other''s presence.

    An hour had passed since they left the jacuzzi, and the warmth of the water still clung to their skin like a second layer. Now, wrapped in nothing but their bathrobes, Rex lay sprawled across the couch with his head resting comfortably on Cleo''s lap.

    His long, damp hair fanned out over her legs, glistening under the soft glow of the room''s ambient lighting. Cleo''s fingers moved methodically through his hair, brushing through the strands with a gentleness that belied her usual stoic demeanor.

    The low hum of a hairdryer filled the air, its warmth mingling with the lingering steam from the jacuzzi. Rex let out a contented sigh while his eyes were half-closed. "So... are you finally going to tell me what had you so entranced in your lab?"

    Cleo didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she absorbed the nanomaterial of the hairdryer back into her body, the device dissolving into a fine silver mist that shimmered briefly before vanishing.

    But she didn''t stop touching his hair; her fingers continued their slow, rhythmic movements, as if the act itself grounded her.

    "Do you remember the shadow warrior we found a few days ago?" Her voice was softer than usual, almost contemplative, as if she were weighing her words carefully.

    Rex cracked one eye open, peering up at her. "Yeah, I remember. That''s what you were obsessing over?"

    Cleo''s fingers paused for the briefest of moments before resuming their gentle strokes. "I don''t know if ''obsessing'' is the right word, but... yes. That''s the reason."

    With a flick of her hand, several holo-screens materialized around them, their soft glow casting faint shadows across the room. "I was going through the travel logs stored in its body. One of the locations caught my attention, the Mist Planet that I showed you before."

    Rex shifted slightly, propping himself up on one elbow to get a better look at the floating projections. "Yeah, I remember. You said it was one of the best spots to set up a base. What about it?"

    Cleo''s golden eyes reflected the screens as she expanded one of the images, revealing satellite footage of the mist-covered world. The planet''s surface was shrouded in swirling gray clouds, with only faint glimpses of jagged terrain visible beneath.

    "I believe there''s something hidden there, something my people left behind."

    Rex''s expression sharpened, his earlier relaxation replaced by focused intensity. "Go on."

    Cleo pulled up another screen, displaying complex schematics alongside video logs. "From the data I recovered, the shadow warrior likely used a high-tech warp device located on the Mist Planet. These long-range teleportation systems are typically used by my kind to resupply war machinery. If that technology is still active..."

    "Then whoever controls it would have the ability to transport forces instantly across space," Rex finished for her, his gaze darkening. "That would explain why you were so damn interested in this place."

 Chapter 280 Mist planet. {2}

    Rex reached out and flicked through the images, scanning each one carefully until his finger froze over a particular video feed. The footage was grainy, obscured by the thick mist that blanketed the planet''s surface.

    But through the haze, something massive loomed. Dim red lights pulsed through the fog, shifting as the shape moved. It was hard to make out any clear details, but there was no mistaking its sheer scale. Whatever it was, it was huge.

    "Hold on... what is that?" Rex asked while enlarging the screen.

    Cleo''s eyes narrowed as she analyzed the footage. "I don''t have enough data to determine its exact nature, but I can tell you one thing... it''s not a native creature. Judging by its structure and movement patterns, it''s an artificial construct. A machine."

    She swiped through additional images, revealing different angles of the hulking figure obscured by mist. Each frame offered a slightly clearer view, but the creature or machine remained enigmatic, its purpose and capabilities a mystery.

    Rex exhaled slowly while running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just what we need... another mystery threat in an already dangerous place."

    He leaned back against Cleo''s lap while staring at the ceiling in thought before glancing at her again. "What about the native creatures? You mentioned them before. If we''re heading there, I''d rather not go in blind. Learned my lesson the hard way with that Tier 4 bastard."

    Cleo''s fingers stilled for a moment as she pulled up yet another set of data files. The screens shifted, displaying a series of biological scans and environmental readings. The images were unsettling, vaguely humanoid shapes with elongated limbs, glowing eyes, and skin that seemed to shimmer like the mist itself.

    "That," she murmured, her voice low and measured, "is where things get even more complicated."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "Complicated how?"

    Cleo zoomed in on one of the scans, highlighting a peculiar energy signature emanating from the creatures.

    "The native lifeforms on the Mist Planet are... unique. They''re not just predators or territorial beasts. They''re symbiotic with the planet''s environment, drawing energy directly from the mist. Their biology is intertwined with the planet''s ecosystem in ways I''ve never seen before. And if provoked..."

    She trailed off, her gaze distant, as if recalling something she''d rather forget. Rex sat up fully now, his expression serious. "If provoked, what?"

    Cleo met his eyes, her golden irises gleaming with an intensity that sent a chill down his spine. "If provoked, they become something else entirely. They merge with the mist, becoming nearly invisible, and their strength increases exponentially. They''re not just dangerous; they''re unpredictable."

    "And if we''re going to the Mist Planet, we''ll need to be prepared for more than just a machine lurking in the fog."

    Rex leaned back while letting out a low whistle. "So, let me get this straight. We''ve got a planet covered in mist that''s basically alive, native creatures that can turn into nightmare fuel at the drop of a hat, and a giant mystery machine that might be a war asset from your people. Did I miss anything?"

    Cleo''s lips twitched with the faintest hint of a smile playing at the corners. "Not to mention the possibility of other factions already being there, drawn by the same technology."

    Cleo''s expression turned smug, her golden eyes glinting with satisfaction. "Each convoy is commanded by a Tyrant-Class Heavy Infantry unit, supported by 200 to 300 Aegis units for security. Pirates won''t stand a chance, not with that level of firepower."

    Rex let out a low chuckle while shaking his head. "Tyrants, huh? Last time I checked, they weren''t exactly the diplomatic type... Are you sure they''re the best choice for handling trade negotiations?"

    At that, Cleo flicked his forehead with a sharp, deliberate motion.

    "Ow¡ªwhat was that for?" Rex winced while rubbing the spot where her finger had struck.

    Cleo''s gaze was sharp, her golden eyes piercing through his feigned innocence. "Don''t act like you don''t know," she said, her voice cool but tinged with amusement. "You think I wouldn''t figure out that you installed the Rex Virus into them?"

    Rex immediately averted his eyes, a sheepish grin spreading across his face. "Cough, cough¡ªI have no idea what you''re talking about."

    Cleo smirked since she was clearly enjoying his discomfort. "Nice try," she said while leaning in slightly, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "These new Tyrant units have that virus embedded in their code. So don''t act surprised."

    Rex let out a defeated sigh while raising his hands in mock surrender. "Fine, fine. But still... do you have any footage of one of these ''successful'' trade negotiations? I want to see how well they''re actually doing."

    Cleo''s smirk widened, her golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "Of course," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "Let''s take a look, shall we?"

    With a wave of her hand, a new holo-screen flickered to life, its surface shimmering with the promise of having something entertaining on it.

    The holo-screen shimmered into existence while casting a soft glow across the room. The footage was crisp and clear, showing a bustling spaceport teeming with activity.

    Massive cargo ships loomed in the background, their hulls gleaming under the harsh artificial light of the docking bay. Workers in exosuits moved with mechanical precision, loading and unloading crates onto conveyor belts that snaked through the port like metallic veins.

    But the focal point of the scene was impossible to miss, a towering Tyrant-Class Heavy Infantry unit with its hulking frame clad in matte-black armor that seemed to absorb the light around it. The unit stood at the center of the port, its presence commanding immediate attention.

    Rex leaned forward, his drowsiness forgotten as he watched the scene unfold. "Alright, let''s see how this plays out."

    The camera zoomed in on the Tyrant as a group of traders approached. Their leader was a wiry man with a sharp suit and a sharper smile. He gestured animatedly, clearly trying to negotiate terms.

    The Tyrant''s response was immediate, with a deep, synthesized voice rumbling through the feed, cutting through the noise of the port.

    [Terms non-negotiable. Payment upfront. No exceptions.]

 Chapter 281 Mist planet. {3}

    The trader''s smile faltered, but he quickly recovered, launching into a rapid-fire spiel about market fluctuations and the value of long-term partnerships. The Tyrant didn''t budge. Its glowing golden visor remained fixed on the man, unblinking and unyielding.

    [Payment. Upfront.]

    The trader''s confidence wavered, and he glanced nervously at his companions. One of them stepped forward, a burly figure with a cybernetic arm, and tried to assert dominance. "Listen, tin can, we''ve been doing this for years. You don''t just¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the Tyrant''s massive hand shot out, grabbing the man by the front of his jacket and lifting him off the ground with terrifying ease. The feed crackled with the sound of the man''s choked gasp as the Tyrant leaned in, its voice low and menacing.

    [Payment. Upfront. Or leave.]

    The trader''s leader quickly intervened, waving his hands frantically. "Alright, alright! Upfront it is! No need for violence!"

    The Tyrant released the man, who stumbled back while clutching his chest. The leader hastily pulled out a data pad, tapping furiously to transfer the credits. The Tyrant''s visor flickered as it processed the transaction, then gave a single nod.

    [Transaction complete. Proceed with loading.]

    The traders scrambled to comply, their earlier bravado replaced with hurried efficiency. The Tyrant stood watch, its imposing figure a silent reminder of who was in charge.

    Rex let out a low whistle while leaning back against Cleo''s lap. "Well, that''s one way to handle negotiations. Brutal, but effective."

    Cleo''s fingers resumed their gentle movements through his hair, her expression one of quiet satisfaction. "Efficiency is key. The Rex Virus ensures they prioritize results without unnecessary bloodshed. And as you can see, it works."

    Rex chuckled while shaking his head. "I''ll admit, I didn''t think they''d be that... direct. But hey, if it gets the job done, who am I to argue?"@@@@

    Cleo''s smirk returned, her golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Exactly. And with the Tyrants handling the trade routes, we can focus on the Mist Planet without worrying about supply lines."

    Rex nodded, his mind already racing ahead. "Speaking of which... what''s the timeline for the invasion? When do we move?"

    Cleo''s expression turned serious, her fingers stilling for a moment. "We''ll begin preparations immediately. The fleet will be ready to depart within 48 hours. Once we arrive, we''ll need to move quickly, establish the perimeter, deploy the factories, and secure the warp device before anyone else does."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed, his earlier drowsiness replaced by focused intensity. "And the mist creatures? What''s the plan for dealing with them?"

    Cleo''s fingers resumed their gentle strokes, her voice calm but firm. "We''ll deploy specialized units equipped with thermal and motion sensors to track them through the mist. The factories will prioritize producing anti-mist weaponry, sonic disruptors, and EMP grenades to disorient them. And if necessary..."

    She paused, her gaze distant as if weighing the options. "We''ll use the Tyrants to hold the line. Their armor is resistant to most forms of energy, and their firepower should be enough to keep the creatures at bay."

    One by one, the frigates followed, their sleek forms slicing through the waves with precision. Kilometers away, the second aircraft carrier surfaced, its towering silhouette pushing through the ocean like a mountain emerging from the sea.

    As the fleet ascended into open sky, Cleo''s voice resonated across the command channels, calm and commanding. "Activating second defensive layer... Plasma shields deployed. Main energy shields initializing. Stand by."

    A faint hum vibrated through the ships as spherical blue energy fields formed around each vessel. Within seconds, the shields shimmered and faded, becoming invisible to the naked eye but their presence was undeniable, a protective barrier against any potential threats.

    "Defensive layers active. Preparing for warp jump."

    Rex exhaled slowly, his gaze sweeping over the fleet as it aligned in perfect formation. The sight was awe-inspiring, a symphony of power and precision.

    "3..." Cleo''s voice echoed through the bridge, steady and unwavering.

    A low pulse reverberated through the ships, the energy fields reaching critical charge.

    "2..."

    The surrounding sky seemed to bend, the very fabric of reality warping as the fleet prepared to leap into the void.

    "1... Jump."

    In an instant, the entire fleet vanished. Streaks of light burned into the atmosphere, leaving behind a trail of brilliance as the ships propelled themselves into the unknown.

    A second later, the darkness returned, the ocean settling as if the fleet had never been there.

    High above, beyond the gravitational pull of the planet, the fleet reappeared hovering in perfect synchronization against the infinite backdrop of space.

    "Safe distance achieved. Initiating wormhole device activation. Estimated time until full fleet transit: three imperial minutes."

    The countdown had begun.

    Cleo stood at the center of the bridge, a commanding presence amidst a sea of hovering holo-screens. Her golden eyes flickered with intensity as they darted across endless streams of data, her mind processing calculations and strategies at lightning speed.

    The soft hum of the fleet''s systems filled the air, a constant reminder of the power at her fingertips. The bridge was bathed in the cool, ethereal glow of tactical displays, casting an almost otherworldly light over the scene.

    Rex, meanwhile, made his way to his command chair with the casual swagger of a man who owned the stars. He sank into the seat with a sigh, his fingers drumming lazily against the armrest as he got comfortable.

    But before he could fully relax, the twins materialized on either side of him like shadows given form.

 Chapter 282 Mist planet. {4} First contact.

    Nyra, ever the bold one, plopped herself onto one armrest without a second thought, her smirk as sharp as a blade. Lyra, on the other hand, hesitated, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush as she fidgeted with the hem of her uniform.

    "S-So... Rex..." Lyra began, her voice soft and uncertain. "Nyra wants to know what we''ll be doing in this battle. What''s our post?"

    Nyra shot her sister a sideways glance with her smirk widening. "Oh, come on, Lyra. Don''t drag me into your shyness. You''re the one who wanted to ask."

    Lyra''s blush deepened, and she averted her gaze, muttering something under her breath that even Rex''s sharp ears couldn''t catch.

    Rex arched a brow, his lips curling into a playful grin. "Oh? You mean you''re not just here to take over my personal space?"

    Nyra let out a mischievous chuckle while leaning back as if she owned the chair. "Well, someone''s got to keep you on your toes, Rex. Can''t have you getting too comfortable."

    From her station, Cleo finally spoke, her voice calm but laced with authority. "Right. That reminds me..." She turned slightly, her holo-screens adjusting seamlessly as she reallocated command authority. "Rex will be leading ground operations. I''ll be handling air support and logistics."

    Rex scratched the back of his head, his grin turning sheepish. "Yeah, I almost forgot about that part... but as for you two¡ª"

    He paused, his smirk returning as he glanced between the twins. Nyra leaned in, her eyes gleaming with anticipation, while Lyra fidgeted nervously, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

    "You''re going to love this," Rex said, his tone dripping with mischief.

    Nyra''s smirk turned into a full-blown grin. "Oh, this is going to be good."

    Lyra, on the other hand, looked like she wasn''t sure whether to be excited or terrified. "W-What do you mean, Rex?"

    Rex leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees as he locked eyes with the twins. "You two are going to be my personal strike team. Nyra, you''ll be on the front lines with me, causing chaos and keeping the enemy on their toes. Lyra, you''ll be providing sniper support from a hidden vantage point. Think you can handle it?"

    Nyra''s grin widened, her excitement palpable. "Oh, I was born for this."

    Lyra, though still visibly nervous, nodded slowly. "I-I''ll do my best, Rex."

    Cleo''s voice cut through the moment, her tone as steady as ever. "Assignments confirmed. Nyra and Lyra, report to the armory for gear preparation. Rex, I''ll brief you on the ground op details once the fleet reaches the Mist Planet."

    Rex leaned back in his chair with his smirk never fading. "Sounds like a plan. Let''s show the Mist Planet what we''re made of."

    As the twins hurried off to the armory, Rex''s gaze drifted back to the holo-screens, his mind already racing with strategies and possibilities. The battle ahead would be fierce, but with Cleo''s brilliance, the twins'' skills, and his own unshakable determination, he knew they were ready for anything, or at least he hoped so.

    After several long hours inside the wormhole, the fleet finally emerged into real space, arriving at their destination... the Mist Planet.

    The fleet hung in the void above the Mist Planet like a silent sentinel poised for war. The planet below was a swirling mass of gray and white, its surface obscured by an ever-shifting mist that seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The atmosphere was thick, oppressive, and alive with an eerie energy that set every nerve on edge.

    Cleo''s voice broke the tense silence, calm and precise. "Deploying radars and signal drones."

    A long sigh came through the comms; Lyra''s exasperation was audible. "This is why I told you not to sleep during the briefing."

    "Tch. Summarize it for me."

    "The creatures generate the mist." Lyra''s voice was edged with patience. "If it''s moving... that means they''re moving."

    Nyra''s sharp grin spread, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Ha! Finally. Attention, Blood Legion, form up! Defensive perimeter in place, five-hundred-meter distance from the plateau''s edge! We''ll need reaction time if they''re hostile!"

    The Blood Legion moved like clockwork, their movements precise and coordinated as they expanded outward, forming a tactical formation. The Aegis units took up positions, their plasma rifles at the ready, while the laser drones hovered above, scanning the mist for any sign of movement.

    Lyra''s voice carried across the comms, calm and commanding. "No one fires first. We confirm hostility before engaging."

    Then, they finally got visual contact.

    The first mist creature emerged from the fog, stepping into view like a nightmare dragged from the unknown. It was biomechanical, insectoid in shape, its exoskeleton a dull, metallic gray.

    Razor-sharp mandibles twitched, and its body pulsed with mist, leaking vapor from unseen vents. There were no visible eyes, no clear means of perception. And yet, when the faint whir of plasma rifles activated nearby, it reacted instantly.

    The creature let out a chilling, unnatural screech, a sound that sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened soldiers.

    And then, it charged.

    Nyra''s grin disappeared and was replaced by a look of fierce determination. "Yeah, Lyra? Pretty sure that thing''s not friendly. Open fire now!"

    The instant Lyra gave the order, a volley of plasma rounds tore through the air. The energy bolts struck true, impacting the creature''s armored frame. For a split second, it shuddered, twitched, and then collapsed, motionless.

    Then Nyra exhaled, her voice tinged with relief. "Well... that was fast."

    Lyra didn''t look away from the fog, her grip tightening on her rifle. "Don''t get comfortable."

    Because even as the first corpse hit the ground, the mist kept moving. And this time, it wasn''t just one.

    From the depths of the fog, dozens... then hundreds of the creatures emerged, their metallic bodies glinting faintly in the dim light. The mist swirled around them, as if feeding on their movements, and their screeches filled the air, a cacophony of nightmares made real.

    Nyra''s voice crackled over the comms, sharp and urgent. "Blood Legion, hold the line! Don''t let them break through!"

    The plateau''s edge became a battlefield, plasma fire lighting up the mist as the Blood Legion fought to hold their ground. The creatures came in waves, their movements erratic and unpredictable, but the Aegis units held firm; their precision and discipline were unmatched.

    Rex watched from the bridge, his expression grim. "Cleo, we need reinforcements. Send in the second wave."

    Cleo''s fingers danced across her holo-screens, her voice calm but urgent. "Second wave deploying. ETA: two minutes."

 Chapter 283 Mist Planet. {5}

    Rex watched the live feed from the scout drones, his jaw tightening as the battlefield unfolded before him. The plateau was a chaotic storm of plasma fire, screeching mist creatures, and the relentless advance of the fog itself.

    The creatures were endless, a writhing, churning tide of biomechanical nightmares that seemed to surge forward with a mindless, unyielding ferocity. But what worried him more than their numbers was the mist.

    It wasn''t just a passive veil; it was alive, expanding and thickening as the creatures pushed forward, swallowing the terrain like a predator closing in on its prey.

    His gaze flickered to another feed of Aegis units, their black-and-red armor gleaming under the flickering light of gunfire, who were falling one by one, overwhelmed by the sheer weight of the horde. The plateau''s edge was a slaughterhouse, and the Blood Legion was barely holding the line.

    "Nyra." Rex''s voice cut through the comms, firm and unwavering. "Take 500 Aegis units and push down the mountain from the west."

    "Okay, but let me just say... this sounds like a terrible idea."

    On-screen, Nyra stood atop one of the operational defense turrets with her arms crossed as she scanned the battlefield. Her usual bravado was tinged with a rare hint of unease. "If I head down alone, I''ll be surrounded. And let me tell you, getting eaten by those ugly things is not on my to-do list today."

    Rex smirked while leaning forward in his command chair, his fingers steepled. "Don''t worry. You''ll have air support. The frigates are standing by for orbital bombardment, and Cleo is deploying bombers to clear out the densest mist pockets. You''ll have plenty of firepower to work with."

    Nyra exhaled while cracking her knuckles. "Alright then... guess I''m going."

    She took a deep breath before activating her comms.

    "Squad One, with me! Lyra, you''re in charge of the remaining squads!"

    Without another word, she leapt off the turret, her boots hitting the ground with a sharp thud. She sprinted toward the plateau''s edge, her twin swords flashing as she cut down anything that got in her way.

    Her movements were like a deadly dance, weaving between lunging creatures with fluid precision. Every step forward was marked by a severed limb, a flash of crimson, or a dying shriek. Behind her, the Aegis units moved in perfect synchronization, firing calculated bursts into the advancing horde.

    But the real test was still ahead. Nyra skidded to a stop at the plateau''s edge, staring down into the abyss below.

    {Nine kilometers.....}

    She swallowed hard.

    {I was never a fan of jumping from high places...}

    Her helmet snapped into place, the visor dimming as it locked onto her trajectory. She took a breath and then jumped.

    The wind rushed past her, howling against her armor as she plunged through the thick layers of mist. The world blurred around her, the ground rushing up at an alarming speed.

    {IT''S SO DAMN TALL¡ª!!}

    Behind her, 500 Aegis units followed, their dark forms slicing through the air like falling daggers. The remaining 1,500 stayed behind under Lyra''s command, holding the plateau at all costs.

    As Nyra descended, squadrons of fighters roared past her, missiles streaking downward and detonating in bright bursts across the mist-covered terrain. The sheer scale of the battle hit her like a shockwave; this wasn''t a small skirmish. This was war.

    Her breathing stayed measured. Her mind was clear.

    "Master! The situation up here is under control. You can send in the construction teams!" Lyra reported between shots, her voice composed yet urgent.

    Back on the Cleopatra, Cleo was already in motion.

    "Understood. Deploying cargo and construction drones now."

    With a flick of her wrist, thousands of drones emerged from their carriers, descending toward the plateau. Their task: to build the factories, the beating heart of their war effort.

    One facility would produce weapons and ammunition, ensuring their forces never ran dry. The other would manufacture Aegis units, replenishing their numbers in real-time.

    But with such immense value came immense vulnerability.

    If either factory fell, their entire operation would be crippled.

    Rex''s jaw tightened as he stared at the blackened holo-screen, the words "NO SIGNAL" pulsing like a grim reminder of their vulnerability.

    The mist wasn''t just a physical barrier; it was a weapon, a living, breathing entity that seemed to actively work against them. His mind raced, calculating the risks, the unknowns, and the potential fallout of their current strategy.

    "How long can the drones last down there?" he asked, his voice low but edged with urgency.

    Cleo''s fingers danced across her holo-screens, her golden eyes flickering as she processed the data. "At full shielding capacity? Ten minutes, maximum. After that, the EMP will fry their systems. We''ll lose communication, and they''ll be sitting ducks."

    Rex''s frown deepened. "And Nyra?"

    Cleo hesitated, a rare crack in her otherwise unshakable composure. "Without visual confirmation, it''s impossible to say. But if the mist is disrupting our drones, it''s likely affecting her armor''s systems as well. She''s strong, but..."

    She didn''t need to finish the sentence. Rex knew what she meant. Nyra was a force of nature on the battlefield, but even she had limits. And the Mist Planet seemed determined to push them all to the brink.

    Rex leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he stared at the tactical displays. The plateau was holding for now. Lyra''s precise sniper fire and the Aegis units'' disciplined formations were keeping the creatures at bay.

    But the factories were still under construction, and the longer they took, the more vulnerable they became.

    "Cleo," Rex said, his voice steady but firm. "We need eyes on Nyra. Now."

    Cleo nodded, her expression hardening as she input a series of commands. "I''ll deploy a high-altitude reconnaissance drone. It won''t last long, but it should give us a brief window to assess her situation."

    The drone launched from the Cleopatra, its sleek form cutting through the atmosphere as it descended toward the mist-covered battlefield. The feed flickered to life on the bridge''s main holo-screen, revealing a chaotic scene below.

    Nyra was a blur of motion, her twin swords flashing as she carved through the mist creatures with brutal efficiency. The Aegis units around her fought valiantly, but their numbers were dwindling, their formations buckling under the relentless assault. The mist swirled around them, thick and suffocating, as if it were alive and actively working to isolate them.

    Rex''s grip tightened on the armrest of his chair. "She''s holding, but she''s cut off. We need to reinforce her position."

 Chapter 284 Mist Planet. {6} New unit.

    Cleo''s fingers moved swiftly across her screens. "I''m rerouting a squadron of bombers to her location. They''ll clear a path and buy her some time."

    Rex nodded while his eyes never left the feed. "Do it. And get those factories online as fast as possible. We''re running out of time."

    As the bombers streaked toward Nyra''s position, Rex''s mind raced. The Mist Planet was proving to be far more dangerous than they had anticipated. The creatures were relentless, the mist was a constant threat, and their forces were stretched thin. But they couldn''t afford to fail.

    "Lyra," Rex said while activating the comms. "How''s the plateau holding?"

    Lyra''s voice came through, calm and composed despite the chaos around her. "We''re holding, Master. The northern and southern slopes are secure for now, but the creatures are relentless. We need those factories operational as soon as possible."

    "Understood," Rex replied. "Cleo''s deploying the construction drones now. Hold the line a little longer."

    "Understood," Lyra said with her steady voice. "We''ll hold."

    Rex leaned back in his chair, his gaze shifting to the holo-screen showing the construction progress. The factories were taking shape, their skeletal frames rising from the plateau like beacons of hope. But they weren''t online yet, and every second counted.

    The reconnaissance drone''s feed flickered, the image distorting as the mist''s EMP pulse began to take its toll. Rex''s heart sank as the screen went black once more.

    "Drone''s down," Cleo reported, her voice tight. "We''re blind again."

    Rex exhaled slowly, "We need a new plan. We can''t keep throwing resources into the mist and hoping for the best."

    Cleo''s golden eyes met his with a flicker of determination in their depths. "Agreed. I''ll recalibrate the drones to operate in shorter bursts. It''s not ideal, but it might buy us enough time to get the factories online."

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    Rex nodded. "Do it. And keep me updated on Nyra''s status. We can''t lose her."

    As Cleo worked, Rex turned his attention back to the tactical displays. The battle was far from over, and the Mist Planet was proving to be a formidable enemy. But they had come too far to turn back now.

    The battle had raged for two relentless hours.

    Nyra''s muscles burned, her breathing was heavier than she wanted to admit, and her armor was splattered with acidic residue. Her twin swords had long since lost their pristine shine, now coated in the grayish remains of the creatures she had cut down by the thousands.

    But the harvesters, as Cleo had named them, kept coming.

    The scout drones had recorded footage of the creatures dragging fallen Aegis units into the mist, disappearing into the depths with unsettling efficiency. Their purpose was still a mystery, but one thing was certain... their numbers were still endless.

    And they were evolving.

    Not only could they spit acid, but the constant EMP pulses within the mist had crippled the Aegis defenses. Their shields, once capable of withstanding dozens of hits, could now only take three direct acid strikes before failing entirely.

    Nyra''s forces had been cut down from 500 to just 236 units.

    The new unit landed with a soft thud, its movements fluid and precise. It was humanoid in shape, but its design was unlike anything Nyra had seen before. Its armor was a deep, matte black, with glowing blue lines tracing intricate patterns across its surface.

    Nyra crossed her arms, her smirk turning into a grin. "Well, well. Aren''t you a fancy one?"

    The unit stepped forward, her movements eerily silent. When she spoke, her voice was calm and measured, with a slight synthetic undertone.

    [General Nyra. I am Unit X-7, your direct liaison with Central Command. I have been deployed to assist in coordinating your efforts and ensuring mission success.]

    Nyra raised an eyebrow. "Assist, huh? You sure you''re not here to babysit me?"

    X-7''s head tilted slightly, her glowing eyes narrowing as if it were studying her.

    [My primary function is to provide tactical support and real-time data analysis. However, if you require assistance in maintaining operational discipline, I am equipped to provide that as well.]

    Nyra let out a short laugh while shaking her head. "Cheeky little thing, aren''t you? Alright, X-7, let''s see what you''ve got. We''ve got a swarm of harvesters to deal with, and I''m not exactly in the mood to lose any more of my units."

    X-7''s head straightened, and the glowing lines on her body pulsed faintly. [Understood. I am establishing a secure connection with Central Command and integrating with your tactical network. Please stand by.]

    Nyra watched as X-7''s body seemed to come alive, the glowing lines flickering rapidly as it processed data. Within moments, a series of holo-screens materialized around it, displaying real-time battlefield information, enemy movements, and the status of their forces.

    [Connection established,] X-7 announced. [I am now fully integrated with your command network. General Nyra, I recommend we consolidate our forces and establish a stronger defensive perimeter. The harvesters are adapting to our tactics, and their numbers are increasing. We must act quickly.]

    Nyra nodded, her grin fading as she focused on the task at hand. "Alright, X-7. Let''s get to work. Tyrants, form up on me. We''re pushing forward and linking up with the reinforcements. Aegis units, hold the line and cover our advance."

    The Tyrants moved into position, their massive frames towering over Nyra as they prepared to lead the charge. X-7 fell in beside her, its movements smooth and precise.

    [General, I am detecting a significant concentration of harvesters to the east. They appear to be massing for a coordinated assault. I recommend we neutralize that threat before it reaches our lines.]

    Nyra''s eyes narrowed as she glanced in the direction X-7 indicated. "Got it. Let''s move."

    With a sharp gesture, she signaled the advance. The Tyrants surged forward, their plasma-coated blades cutting through the mist and the harvesters alike.

    Nyra followed close behind, her twin swords flashing as she carved a path through the enemy. X-7 moved with her, her glowing lines pulsing in time with her movements as it provided real-time updates and tactical suggestions.

    The battle was far from over, but with the reinforcements and X-7''s support, Nyra felt a renewed sense of determination.

    As they pushed forward, Nyra couldn''t help but glance at X-7. "You know, for a walking computer, you''re not half bad."

    X-7''s head tilted slightly, the glowing slit narrowing again. [Thank you, General. I will take that as a compliment.]

    Nyra barely flinched as she parried a streak of acid, the corrosive liquid sizzling as it splattered against her twin blades. The moment she deflected the attack, a barrage of plasma fire rained down, shredding through the incoming wave of harvesters in a brilliant cascade of energy.

    She let out a breath, her muscles coiled and tense. "So, what''s your strategy? Just rush east with this small amount of firepower?"

 Chapter 285 Mist Planet. {7}

    [Of course not, General. We are merely the distraction. The real offensive force is coming from above.]

    Nyra''s head snapped toward X-7, the newly deployed unit standing unfazed amid the battlefield. She lifted a metallic hand, pointing skyward.

    Instinctively, Nyra followed her gaze... that was when she heard it.

    A deep, distant roar, growing louder by the second, a sound unmistakable in its sheer intensity.

    Something was falling.

    And it was falling fast.

    Nyra''s eyes widened as realization struck her.

    "Wait... You¡ª! Don''t tell me¡ª!!"

    Nyra''s heart hammered against her ribs, each beat echoing the thunderous roar of incoming ordnance. The air itself seemed to scream as the piercing whistle of incendiary bombs sliced through the chaos, growing louder, closer... inescapable.

    Her gaze shot upward, and her breath hitched. The sky was alive with fire, a rain of destruction hurtling straight toward them.

    "Oh, hell no!" she shouted out, her instincts screaming at her to run, to dive, to do anything to escape the impending inferno. But before her muscles could react, a shimmering barrier of light erupted around her, trapping her in place.

    "Hey! What the¡ª?!" She shouted with her voice sharp with frustration.

    Just beyond the translucent plasma shield, X-7 stood with infuriating calm, her posture immaculate, hands folded neatly in front of her. Her voice was as smooth and unflappable as ever.

    [There is no need to panic, General. Aegis units are resistant to heat. The enemy is not.]

    Nyra''s glare could have melted steel. "I don''t know if you''ve noticed, but I''m also not fireproof!"

    X-7 tilted her head slightly, her expression unchanging. [Fear not, General. While this humble maid has limited combat capabilities, I am quite adept at field protection. You will be safe within this barrier. My calculations indicate that I can sustain it until the flames subside to a tolerable level.

    Then, as if to add insult to injury, X-7 performed a flawless bow, the edges of her maid dress delicately pinched between his fingers. It was as though they were at a royal gala, not standing in the middle of a battlefield about to be consumed by fire.

    Nyra''s eye twitched. "You should''ve told me that before I tried to run!"@@@@

    [Understood, General. I will take that into consideration.]

    Before she could retort, the first wave of incendiary bombs struck.

    A wall of fire erupted across the battlefield, devouring everything in its path. The harvesters shrieks of agony were drowned out by the roar of the flames, their grotesque forms disintegrating into ash within seconds.

    Those that tried to flee were cut down mercilessly by the Aegis units, their plasma fire carving through the chaos with surgical precision.

    Meanwhile, the Maulers unleashed their full might, their massive plasma cannons turning entire swaths of the battlefield into molten hellscapes. Each thunderous blast vaporized hundreds of harvesters, their ranks thinning rapidly under the relentless assault.

    From the command bridge, Cleo watched the carnage unfold through her scout drones. Her golden eyes narrowed as she noticed a sudden shift in the enemy''s movements.

    "Harvesters are pulling back," she observed, her voice cool but edged with tension.

    Rex, standing beside her at the holo-table, crossed his arms, his gaze locked on the retreating forces. "Mmm... That''s bad."

    The leftmost squad halted immediately, their weapons snapping into high alert formation.

    Then, without warning, blinding white light erupted from the mist.

    It was instantaneous, overwhelming... as if dozens of high-intensity flashbangs had detonated at once. The Aegis units staggered, their sensors overloaded, their vision flickering, and their targeting systems scrambled.

    And in that single, disorienting second, the Harvesters struck.

    The nightmarish creatures lunged from the fog, their razor limbs slashing, their acid spitting in lethal arcs. Blinded and defenseless, the Aegis units fell, one by one. Once they were defeated, they were dragged into the mist, their forms vanishing without a trace.

    The remaining five Aegis scouts, watching through their HUDs, saw only one thing: their squadmates signals vanishing from the map.

    Without hesitation, the leader of the remaining team sent out a command.

    [Retreat.]

    The squad turned, moving quickly but carefully, heading back toward the Kaelzar frontlines. Their weapons were raised, scanning every shadow, the mist pressing in around them like a living thing.

    They had barely made it half a kilometer when the ground trembled.

    From the mist, towering crystalline figures emerged.

    The Aegis units opened fire immediately, their plasma bolts streaking through the fog, striking the gleaming golems, only for the shots to do nothing, or worse, to be absorbed.

    The golems pulsed, their crystal forms glowing brighter, as if they were feeding on the energy.

    [Weapons ineffective]

    one of the Aegis reported.

    [Keep moving]

    another commanded.

    But it was too late.

    The golems advanced, faster than anticipated, cutting down the Aegis scouts in a matter of minutes. Their energy shields fizzled uselessly against the raw strength of the crystalline monsters.

    And soon, they, too, were gone, but not all was lost.

    Far above the battlefield, several small drones detached from the backs of the fallen Aegis scouts.

    Silent. Unnoticed.

    They shot into the sky, rising high above the mist, escaping the deadly EMP interference. Their mission: to deliver a warning to the front lines that something far worse than the Harvesters lurked in the mist.

    Deep beneath the lake, something stirred.

    Six glowing, bluish eyes flickered open, their eerie light cutting through the inky darkness of the abyss. The eyes burned with an ancient, otherworldly intelligence, their gaze piercing through the murky depths as if they could see beyond the water, beyond the mist.

    For a moment, the creature remained still, its massive form shrouded in shadow. It seemed to sense something, a ripple in the void, a disturbance in the fragile balance of its slumber.

    Then, slowly, the deep waters came to life.

 Chapter 286 Leviathan.

    Pulses of bioluminescent light rippled outward, cascading like waves from the creature''s colossal body. The glow spread like a heartbeat, each pulse illuminating more of the abyss, revealing the sheer scale of the entity hidden within.

    Its form was monstrous, coiled and serpentine, with armored plates that shimmered faintly in the light. It was a leviathan, a titan of the deep, its presence both awe-inspiring and terrifying.

    Surrounding the behemoth, hundreds of thousands of drifting, jellyfish-like beings pulsed in unison, their delicate tendrils swaying as they floated through the abyss.

    Their lights shimmered and danced, forming an otherworldly constellation beneath the water''s surface. Each creature moved in perfect harmony with the others, as if guided by a single, unseen will.

    The leviathan''s eyes narrowed, their glow intensifying. A low, resonant hum began to emanate from its body, vibrating through the water and sending ripples across the lakebed. The jellyfish-like beings responded instantly, their lights flaring brighter, their movements becoming more agitated.

    A presence had disturbed the stillness.

    The leviathan shifted, its massive coils unfurling with a grace that belied its size. The water around it churned, currents swirling as it began to rise. The jellyfish-like creatures followed, their lights forming a glowing halo around the titan as it ascended.

    Above, the surface of the lake remained eerily calm, the mist clinging to it like a shroud. But beneath, the abyss was waking.....

    The battlefield had been a relentless storm of chaos for six grueling hours.

    Wave after wave of Harvesters had hurled themselves at the Kaelzar defensive line, their grotesque forms surging forward with mindless ferocity. Nyra and Lyra had held the line, their leadership and determination unyielding, but the cost had been steep, 200 Aegis units lost, their shattered remains littering the battlefield.

    Even the mighty Maulers, with their plasma cannons roaring with fury, were running dangerously low on ammunition. Above, the skies were eerily quiet as bomber squadrons retreated to refuel and rearm, leaving the twins to face the onslaught with dwindling resources.

    Now, as the latest wave of Harvesters receded into the mist, a fragile silence settled over the battlefield. Nyra and Lyra collapsed onto the cold, hard ground with their bodies trembling with exhaustion. The air was bitingly cold, the mist clinging to their skin like a damp shroud.

    "Sis... I''m so dead tired..." Lyra muttered, her voice barely audible. She lay sprawled beside Nyra, her arms limp at her sides, her sniper rifle resting uselessly across her lap. "I swear my arm feels like jelly after firing this thing for hours..."

    Nyra let out a deep, ragged sigh, her chest rising and falling as she struggled to catch her breath. "Ha... now imagine me. I''ve been fighting nonstop for nearly six hours! It''s like fighting the whole damn world!" She reached for a cold juice bottle, her fingers trembling as she unscrewed the cap.

    She took a long sip, the icy liquid soothing her parched throat, but it did little to warm her. "And don''t even get me started on the weather. It''s so damn cold down here. Even my juice is practically frozen!" she grumbled while tugging her thermal cloak tighter around her shoulders. "I''d kill for a cup of hot chocolate right now."

    Lyra sighed while pulling her own thermal cloak closer. Her breath formed tiny clouds in the frigid air as she stared up at the thick, unrelenting mist. "Do you think we''ll be stuck here for a whole year, sis?"

    Nyra shifted slightly, her tired eyes scanning the oppressive fog that surrounded them. "Mmm, I don''t know. We''re supposed to be searching for... something. I honestly forgot what. But since we only have a vague idea of where it might be, we''re basically blind." She exhaled sharply, her frustration palpable. "Literally."

    Lyra tilted her head back, trying to catch a glimpse of the sky, but all she saw were faint flickers of distant drone lights, swallowed almost instantly by the dense fog. "I swear... I''m going to have nightmares about this mist for the rest of my life."

    "That''s not good," Nyra muttered, her voice grim.

    Lyra nodded, her expression equally serious. "No. It''s not...."

    Nyra''s jaw tightened as the weight of the footage settled in her mind. The colossal creature, the eerie bioluminescent lights, and the synchronized movements of the jellyfish-like beings... it all painted a picture of something far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

    This wasn''t just a skirmish with the Harvesters anymore. This was something more powerful.

    She turned to X-7, her voice firm and commanding despite her exhaustion. "We have to inform Rex immediately. Send the footage via a cargo drone and relay the discovery through the transmitter. He needs to see this for himself."

    Nyra tried to stand, but the moment she pushed herself up, a sharp stiffness shot through her limbs. Six hours of nonstop combat had left her body nearly unresponsive. She grimaced, forcing herself to her feet through sheer willpower.

    X-7, ever composed, offered a graceful bow. [Understood, General. The transmission will be sent at once.]

    Without another word, she turned on her heel and disappeared into the mist, her maid dress swaying faintly as she moved with inhuman precision.

    The following day, the Kaelzar frontline had been reinforced.

    Another 1,000 soldiers from the 201st Legion had arrived, their armored forms a welcome sight amidst the battered defenses.

    Along with them came much-needed ammunition, energy cells, and resupply crates for the exhausted troops. But alongside the reinforcements came something else... new orders from central command.

    Nyra and Lyra stood side by side, reviewing the details displayed on the holo-screen. The glowing text illuminated their tired faces, casting faint shadows across the rocky ground.

    Lyra blinked, her brow furrowing as she read the orders. "Wait... Rex wants us to take 500 soldiers and investigate the area where that giant creature was spotted?"

    She rubbed her eyes, half-expecting the words to change. But they remained the same, glaring back at her in stark, unyielding letters.

    [Affirmative, General. Those are the direct orders from central command.] X-7 deactivated the holo-screen, her golden eyes unwavering as she addressed the twins.

    Nyra let out a slow breath, rubbing her temple as she processed the information. "Not that I mind, but who''s taking command of the frontline while we''re gone?"

    She reached for a blood bag, tearing into it with her fangs. The warm, iron-rich liquid coursed through her system almost instantly, replenishing her drained strength. She could feel the fatigue ebbing away, replaced by a renewed sense of focus.

    X-7 extended a gloved hand, presenting a small black transmitter. Its surface gleamed faintly in the dim light.

    [I will oversee the frontlines in your absence. Should reinforcements be required, simply activate this transmitter, and I will dispatch additional forces immediately.]

 Chapter 287 Leviathan. {2}

    Nyra took the device, tossing it between her fingers with a practiced ease before tucking it into her belt. She glanced at Lyra, who was still staring at the spot where the holo-screen had been, her expression was a mix of disbelief and resignation.

    "Alright then," Nyra said, her tone brisk. "If everything''s already been decided, we might as well get moving. The sooner we finish this, the better."

    Before Lyra could respond, Nyra grabbed her arm and started pulling her toward the gathered forces. Lyra stumbled slightly, her boots scraping against the rocky ground as she tried to keep up.

    "H-Hey! I can walk on my own, you know!" Lyra protested, though there was no real heat in her voice. She quickly matched her sister''s pace, falling into step beside her.

    Ahead, rows of Aegis units stood in tight formations, their plasma rifles gleaming faintly in the mist. Nyra quickly selected two squads of 250 Blood Legion units per group and with their forces assembled, they marched into the mist.

    As they moved, Nyra couldn''t help but notice something unsettling... the fog was thicker than before... much thicker.

    It clung to them like a living thing, reducing visibility to mere meters. The air felt heavier, colder, as if the mist itself was alive and watching. A bad feeling settled in her gut, a primal instinct warning her that they were walking into something far more dangerous than they realized.

    Lyra must have felt it too, because she glanced at Nyra and talked to her in a low voice. "Sis... this doesn''t feel right."

    Nyra nodded while her eyes scanned the swirling fog ahead. "I know. But we don''t have a choice. Whatever''s out there, we need to find it before it finds us."

    The mist seemed to close in around them, its oppressive weight pressing down on their shoulders.

    "Sis... do you remember those horror movies we watched last month?"

    Lyra''s voice was barely above a whisper as she stepped closer to Nyra. Around them, their troops fanned out, cautiously searching the mist-covered lake, their silhouettes barely visible through the dense fog.

    Nyra let out a slow breath, her fingers tightening around her blades. "Yes, I remember. But I''m pretty sure now isn''t the best time to bring that up... especially when we''re standing in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mist so thick I can''t even see my own damn fingers."

    Lyra swallowed hard. "I... I know, but I can''t stop thinking about that one movie. The one where there''s a serial killer lurking in a city covered in mist..."

    Her eyes flicked in every direction, watching, waiting, then... they heard it.

    In the distance, the sharp, rapid bursts of plasma rifle fire echoed through the fog. A moment later, the ground shuddered beneath their feet, sensing a deep, rhythmic tremor, as if something massive was moving toward them.

    Nyra''s instincts screamed.

    "Lyra! Come on!"

    She grabbed her sister''s arm, yanking her toward the nearest vantage point of a large, jagged rock formation jutting out from the uneven terrain. With a single leap, they landed atop it, Nyra immediately started scanning their surroundings while Lyra activated her laser sniper rifle.@@@@

    The mist swirled, shifting ominously around them.

    Lyra''s fingers flew over her arm-mounted comm device. "Squad One and Two! Suspend the search and regroup at my position! Now!"

    But their victory was short-lived.

    More golems were closing in, their heavy footsteps shaking the ground. The mist seemed to thicken around them, reducing visibility even further.

    Nyra and Lyra stood back-to-back, their weapons at the ready.

    "This is bad," Lyra muttered, her voice trembling slightly.

    "Yeah," Nyra agreed, her grip tightening on her blades. "But we''re not going down without a fight."

    The golems charged, their crystalline forms glinting in the dim light. The twins braced themselves, their resolve unshakable.

    And then, a familiar voice crackled through their comms.

    [Generals, reinforcements are en route. Hold your position.]

    Nyra''s eyes widened. "X-7? How the hell¡ª?"

    [The mist''s interference is sporadic. I managed to establish a brief connection. Reinforcements will arrive in approximately two minutes.]

    Lyra let out a relieved laugh. "Two minutes? We can handle that."

    Nyra smirked, her blades gleaming as she faced the approaching golems. "I hope so."

    The twins charged forward, their movements synchronized as they met the crystal golems head-on.

    Nyra moved like a wraith, her form a blur of darkness as she danced between the crushing blows of the two towering golems. Their massive crystal fists hammered into the ground with earth-shattering force, fracturing stone and sending shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

    But Nyra was a tempest, swift and untouchable. Her twin blades flickered like lightning, striking against the golems crystalline bodies with surgical precision. Yet, for all her skill, her attacks barely left a mark. No blood. No nerves to sever. The golems were relentless, unfeeling but that didn''t matter. Nyra wasn''t trying to kill them.

    She was buying time.

    Across the battlefield, Lyra had abandoned her sniper rifle, her hands now gripping dual handguns loaded with armor-piercing rounds. She moved like a phantom, her every step calculated, her every shot a masterpiece of precision.

    The golems swung at her, their fists carving through the air with bone-crushing force, but she was always just out of reach. Her bullets struck true, each round punching nearly 10 centimeters into the crystalline bodies of the creatures. But the problem was that the core was buried 30 centimeters deep. Her shots weren''t enough.

    But they didn''t need to win. They just needed to hold the line for three more minutes.

    And then... A deep, mechanical voice boomed across the battlefield, cutting through the chaos like a thunderclap. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

    [Unidentified enemy detected. Proceeding to exterminating.]

    The Mauler Juggernauts had arrived.

 Chapter 288 Leviathan. {3}

    The two colossal war machines stormed onto the battlefield, their towering frames dwarfing even the Aegis reinforcements that flanked them. Three hundred Aegis units fanned out behind the Maulers, their weapons primed and ready.

    The Maulers plasma cannons hummed to life, the barrels glowing an ominous blue as they locked onto the crystalline giants.

    The golems barely had time to react before the Maulers unleashed hell. A torrent of high-powered plasma rounds tore through the air, streaking toward the golems like comets. The first volley struck dead-on, the energy searing into the creatures crystalline forms.

    For a moment, the golems glowed while their bodies attempted to absorb the immense power, but this time, it was too much. The energy surged beyond their limits, and with a deafening crack, they shattered.

    Crystalline limbs exploded in a cascade of light, with fragments raining down like shards of broken glass. All that remained were their legs, standing like eerie monuments to their destruction.

    But the battle was far from over.

    The remaining golems, sensing the true threat, turned their attention to the Maulers. And then they charged... Brute force meets brutal engineering

    One of the Maulers detected the incoming threat, its systems whirring to life.

    [enemy in close proximity. Activating chainsaw module.]

    The closest golem swung its massive fist, the blow colliding with the Mauler''s left arm. But the war machine didn''t falter. Instead, it countered with brutal efficiency, raising its plasma cannon to block the impact while its right arm transformed.

    With a roar, a serrated chainsaw blade erupted from its forearm, spinning to life with a deafening growl.

    The golem''s arm came down again, but this time, the Mauler met it head-on. The chainsaw tore through crystal-like paper, carving through the golem''s arm with terrifying ease.

    The creature let out a haunting, unnatural screech, its body recoiling as it tried to retreat but the Mauler didn''t stop. It drove the chainsaw deeper, shredding through the golem''s torso in a shower of sparks and shards.

    And when the blade finally reached the core, the golem collapsed, its body disintegrating into dust.

    For a moment, the battlefield fell silent, the air thick with the weight of what had just transpired.

    Nyra exhaled sharply, her grip tightening on her swords as she watched the Mauler step back, its chainsaw still dripping with crystalline fragments. "Damn," she muttered, her voice now being a mix of awe and unease. "Remind me to never piss off one of those things."

    Lyra let out a breathless chuckle while her hands were still gripping her handguns. "Agreed."

    Lyra slung her sniper rifle over her shoulder, bending down to retrieve it from the debris, when a sudden, chilling realization froze her in place. Her blood turned into ice.

    "Wait... Sis..." Her voice was low, trembling with dread. "Do you remember what attracted those ugly creatures?"

    She took a cautious step backward, her eyes darting across the mist-shrouded battlefield, scanning for movement.

    Nyra, still catching her breath, barely glanced over. "Mmm? Yeah, why?"

    Lyra''s response was cut off by a sudden, guttural roar that echoed from the depths. The surface of the lake erupted as a massive, serpentine creature burst forth, its scales glistening like polished obsidian. Its jaws were lined with rows of jagged teeth, and its eyes glowed with a malevolent light.

    The creature lunged at the Mauler, its massive body coiling around the war machine. The Mauler''s chainsaw blade roared to life, slicing through the creature''s scales, but it was like trying to cut through steel. The serpent tightened its grip, and the Mauler''s frame groaned under the pressure.

    Nyra leapt from the Mauler''s back, landing on a nearby rock. She raised her twin blades, her eyes locked on the creature. "Lyra, we need to take this thing down! now!"

    Lyra, still partially blind, fumbled for her handguns. "I''m trying, but I can''t see a damn thing!"

    The Harvesters continued to swarm, the golems pressed their attack, and the serpent tightened its grip on the Mauler. The battlefield was a maelstrom of chaos, and Nyra knew they were running out of time.

    But as she stood there, blades in hand, a grim determination settled over her. They had faced impossible odds before, and they had always found a way to survive.

    Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

    This time would be no different...

    Or so she thought.

    The massive serpent''s jaws clamped down with bone-crushing force, shattering the Mauler''s shield as if it were brittle glass. Its fangs, long as daggers, sank deep into the reinforced plating, the metal groaning and bending under the pressure until nothing remained but mangled scraps.

    With terrifying ease, the beast lifted the ruined Mauler from the lake, its coils writhing, its sheer size expanding before their very eyes.

    Nyra''s breath hitched. Her fingers tightened around her twin blades, the weight of the situation pressing down on her like a suffocating fog. "Oh, damn..." The words barely left her lips before the cold, mechanical voice of her scanner confirmed her worst fear.

    [Scan complete.]

    Threat Level: Tier 4 (Middle).

    [Warning: Enemy vastly exceeds your power level. Distress signal sent. Recommended course of action.... RUN.]

    {Run? Theres nowhere to run!}

    The Mauler''s power was Tier 3 Middle. Nyra and Lyra, even together, barely scraped the peak of Tier 2. Against a Tier 4 Middle beast, they weren''t warriors, they were just prey. Even if they injected the golden blood, their max limit was Tier 3 Middle. Not enough.... not even close.

    The serpent''s piercing bluish eyes locked onto them. Hungry. Calculating.

    Water surged as it coiled, it muscles rippling beneath its glistening scales. The ground beneath their boots trembled. It was toying with them.

    Nyra swallowed hard while her mind raced. "Lyra, we''re not getting out of this easily. Reinforcements are coming, but we need to buy time." Her voice was steady, but her pulse thundered in her ears, each heartbeat a drum of impending doom.

    Lyra met her gaze, jaw clenched while her hands tightening around her handguns. No hesitation. No fear. Just resolve.

    Nyra exhaled sharply, then shouted out a sharp command. "Golden blood! NOW!!"

 Chapter 289 Leviathan.{4} Sisters.

    Their power armor whirred to life, the system responding instantly. Syringes hissed as the golden blood was injected into their veins. Fire roared through their bodies, a surge of raw power that burned away fatigue and fear.

    Their vision sharpened, their reflexes heightened, and their strength amplified. But even with the golden blood, they were still outmatched.

    The serpent lunged, its massive body uncoiling like a spring, its jaws wide open, ready to devour them whole.

    Nyra and Lyra moved as one, their movements synchronized by years of battle and unspoken trust. Nyra''s twin blades flashed, striking at the creature''s scales, while Lyra''s handguns barked, each shot aimed at the serpent''s glowing eyes. Sparks flew as their attacks connected, but the beast barely flinched.

    The serpent''s tail whipped around like a blur of motion that sent Nyra flying. She hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Lyra dodged the follow-up strike, her movements a blur as she unleashed a barrage of armor-piercing rounds into the creature''s underbelly.

    The bullets tore through its scales, drawing blood, but the wounds were still too superficial.

    The serpent roared with a sound that shook the very air and lunged again. Nyra rolled to her feet, her blades slicing through the air as she met the creature head-on. She struck with everything she had, her attacks a flurry of precision and desperation.

    But the serpent was relentless, its sheer size and power overwhelming.

    Lyra''s voice crackled through the comms, strained but determined. "Sis, we can''t keep this up! We need a plan!"

    Nyra grated her teeth while her mind raced. The golden blood was burning through their systems; the power surge was already beginning to wane. They were running out of time.

    Then she saw it.... a glimmer of hope. The serpent''s underbelly, where Lyra''s shots had drawn blood, was slightly softer, less armored. A weak point.

    "Lyra!" Nyra shouted while dodging another strike. "Aim for the underbelly! We need to hit it with everything we''ve got!"

    Lyra didn''t hesitate. She holstered one of her handguns, pulling a grenade from her belt. "On your mark!" Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

    Nyra charged, her blades a blur as she drew the serpent''s attention. The creature lunged at her, its jaws snapping shut inches from her face. She ducked, sliding beneath its massive body, and struck upward with all her strength. Her blades pierced the softer scales, drawing a roar of pain from the beast.

    "NOW!" Nyra screamed.

    Lyra hurled the grenade, the explosive arcing through the air and lodging itself in the wound Nyra had created. The serpent thrashed, its massive body writhing in agony, but it was too late.

    The grenade detonated, the explosion tearing through the creature''s underbelly. Blood and meat sprayed in all directions as the serpent let out a final, deafening roar. Its massive body collapsed, shaking the ground as it fell.

    Nyra and Lyra stood there, breathing heavily, their bodies trembling from the adrenaline and the effects of the golden blood. The battlefield was silent, the swarm of Harvesters momentarily stunned by the death of their monstrous ally.

    But the silence didn''t last....

    The twins had no idea... no one truly did until they stood face-to-face with one, just how terrifying a Tier 4 creature could be.

    Rex knew. He''d fought one before. An Oceanic Tier 4, a leviathan of the deep, a monstrosity that defied reason. Even with the Kaelzar Emperor Halo, an artifact of unimaginable power, it had taken a near-infinite surge of energy just to pierce its hide.

    And even that hadn''t been enough. It had required the combined might of the Human Empire''s allied fleet, raining down relentless firepower, to finally bring the beast down. It had taken everything.... every resource, every ounce of strength, every shred of willpower.

    So how in the hell could a grenade even scratch this one?

    A single name formed in his mind, cold and sharp like a dagger to the soul.

    {Nyra...}

    Without hesitation, Rex activated Overdrive Mode. His body surged with energy, his systems roaring to life as he launched himself into the sky, streaking toward the last place he could feel them.

    No. Not them.

    Just Lyra.

    Nyra''s presence was fading.

    The battlefield was a nightmare frozen in time. The air hung heavy with the acrid stench of burning metal and organic matter, the ground littered with the shattered remains of Aegis units and the grotesque bodies of Harvesters.

    The Leviathan loomed over it all, its six luminous eyes glowing with malevolent intelligence, its massive form coiled like a predator ready to strike again.

    Nyra lay crumpled on the ground, her body broken and bleeding. The lasers had torn through her with surgical precision, leaving gaping wounds that pulsed with searing pain.

    Her leg was nearly severed, her chest and abdomen riddled with holes. Blood pooled beneath her, dark and glistening in the eerie light of the mist. Her twin blades lay scattered nearby, their edges dulled and chipped from the battle.

    But even as her vision blurred and her strength faded, Nyra''s mind was clear. She could hear Lyra''s scream, distant and muffled, as if it were coming from another world. She wanted to call out, to reassure her sister, but her voice wouldn''t come.

    All she could do was watch as the Leviathan turned its gaze toward Lyra, its eyes narrowing with predatory intent.

    The creature''s massive body shifted, its scales scraping against the ground like a thousand knives. It was preparing to strike again, and this time, Lyra wouldn''t be fast enough to escape.

    Nyra''s heart clenched. No. Not Lyra. Not like this.

    With the last of her strength, she reached for the golden blood injector strapped to her wrist. Her fingers trembled as she fumbled with the mechanism, her vision swimming in and out of focus. She had to do something. Anything. Even if it killed her.

    The injector hissed as it released its final dose of golden blood into her veins. Fire erupted in her body, a surge of power that burned through the pain and exhaustion. Her vision sharpened, her muscles tensed, and for a moment, she felt alive again.

    But it wasn''t enough. Not to fight. Not to win. Only to move.

    Nyra''s body screamed in protest as she forced herself to her feet. Her leg buckled, but she caught herself, leaning heavily on one of her blades. Blood dripped from her wounds, staining the ground beneath her, but she didn''t stop. She couldn''t.

    The Leviathan''s eyes locked onto her, its gaze cold and calculating. It knew she was no threat. It knew she was already dead. But Nyra didn''t care. She raised her blade, her grip tightening despite the pain.

    "Hey!" she shouted, her voice hoarse but defiant. "Over here, you overgrown worm!"

    The Leviathan''s head tilted, almost as if it were amused. Then, with a speed that defied its size, it lunged.

    Nyra didn''t flinch. She couldn''t. Instead, she threw herself forward, her blade aimed at the creature''s nearest eye. It was a desperate, suicidal move.... but it was all she had.

    The blade struck true, piercing the Leviathan''s eye and sinking deep into the soft tissue beneath. The creature roared, its body thrashing as it recoiled from the attack. Nyra was thrown away, her body slamming into the ground with bone-jarring force.

    She didn''t get up....

 Chapter 290 Leviathan. {5} Tier 5

    Lyra''s scream echoed across the battlefield, raw and anguished. She scrambled to her feet, her handguns firing wildly at the Leviathan as she rushed to Nyra''s side. The creature''s remaining eyes glowed with fury, but it didn''t attack.

    Instead, it retreated, its massive form slithering back into the mist, leaving the twins alone on the blood-soaked ground.

    Lyra dropped to her knees beside Nyra, her hands trembling as she reached for her sister. "No, no, no... Nyra, stay with me! Please!"

    Nyra''s eyes fluttered open, her gaze unfocused but filled with a quiet determination. She reached up, her bloodied hand brushing against Lyra''s cheek. "Lyra... run..."

    "No!" Lyra''s voice broke, tears streaming down her face. "I''m not leaving my family behind! Not again!"

    Nyra''s lips curled into a faint smile, her hand falling limp at her side. "Stubborn... as always..."

    Her eyes closed, and her body stopped moving.

    Lyra''s scream tore through the air, a sound of pure, unrelenting grief. She clutched Nyra''s lifeless body to her chest, her sobs shaking her entire frame. The battlefield was silent, the mist closing in around them like a shroud.

    And then, from the sky, a streak of light.

    Rex landed with a force that shook the ground, his body crackling with energy. His eyes burned with fury as he took in the scene before him.... the shattered remains of the Maulers, the bodies of the Aegis units, and the twins. One alive, one not.

    His gaze locked onto Nyra''s lifeless form, and something inside him shattered.

    Then, the sky itself seemed to tremble.

    Rex unleashed a soul-piercing roar, a sound so primal, so furious, that it tore through the battlefield like a tidal wave of raw power. A shockwave erupted from him, sweeping outward in all directions with such force that the thick mist blanketing the land was obliterated... vanishing for kilometers in an instant.

    For the first time, the battlefield was laid bare.

    The creatures lurking within the fog never stood a chance. Those caught in the blast were ripped apart by sheer force. The crystalline golems, even with their hulking and nearly indestructible bodies, cracked like fragile glass, their bodies splintering under the pressure.

    And the jellyfish-like entities? They didn''t even get a moment to react. The second Rex''s energy touched them, they simply ceased to exist.

    On the planet''s orbit, alarms flared.

    Cleo felt it instantly. A cold, unnatural spike in energy. Something wrong. Something impossible.

    Then, the Cleopatra system confirmed it.

    [WARNING. TIER 5 ANOMALY DETECTED. SOURCE UNKNOWN.]

    Her hands clenched into fists. {What... is happening down there?}

    A sickening dread settled in her stomach as a single name whispered through her mind.

    {Voidwalker...}

    But Cleo wasn''t the only one who felt it.

    Thousands of years away, across the vast reaches of space and time, a woman clad in flowing white robes stood motionless beneath an endless sky. The Lady in White.

    She lifted her gaze, her shimmering silver eyes suddenly wet with tears.@@@@

    She had prayed this moment would never come.

    "Don''t let anger consume you, my son," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper. A single tear traced its way down her porcelain cheek. "Please... don''t lose yourself."

    Back on the battlefield, Rex was no longer Rex.

    The nanomaterial coating his body began to disintegrate, unable to contain the explosive surge of his power.

    His once-white wings? Now blacker than the abyss.

    His once-golden eyes? Now like twin black holes, devouring all light.

    His once-radiant silver aura, a beacon of hope? Now a writhing mass of pure darkness.

    The fight was over. And yet...

    When Rex descended, stepping toward the twins, it wasn''t relief that filled the air.

    It was fear.

    A sharp, suffocating, all-consuming fear.

    "STOP! Don''t COME NEAR US!" Lyra''s voice shattered the silence.

    She stood protectively over Nyra, her body trembling, her eyes wide with pure, primal terror.

    Stay updated through My Virtual Library Empire

    Rex stopped mid-step. His expression flickered. Confusion. Hurt.

    "Lyra..." His voice was low, uncertain. But when he looked into her eyes, he understood.

    It wasn''t just his appearance.... It wasn''t just what he had done.

    It was the aura radiating from him, a suffocating force of terror itself. Even without meaning to, he was drowning her in it.

    With his fists clenched. He took a slow, shaky breath and forced himself to kneel before them, his wings folding behind him. He tried to push it all down. The rage, the power, the darkness threatening to swallow him whole.

    "It''s okay, Lyra," he murmured with his voice softer now, careful. "I would never hurt you. I would never hurt Nyra. You don''t have to be afraid when I''m here."

    Her breath hitched but she didn''t move.

    "Now, please," Rex continued, his gaze flickering to Nyra''s lifeless body. "Let me see her wounds."

    Lyra''s lip quivered. Her chest rose and fell in shallow, ragged breaths. She turned her head slightly, looking down at Nyra''s still, unmoving form.

    And then... her composure broke.

    A choked sob escaped her lips. Her knees buckled as tears began streaming down her face.

    "Rex... I... Nyra... she..."

    She couldn''t even say it.

    Rex didn''t answer. He simply reached out, gently placing his hand on her head. A comforting gesture. A silent promise.

    Then, his fingers brushed against Nyra''s cheek.

    And something happened.

    Something... impossible.

    In a white garden, soft, fragrant petals drifted through the air, swirling like delicate whispers in the wind. The sky above was endless, untouched. A place between worlds.

    Nyra blinks, confused. She wasn''t in pain anymore. She wasn''t on the battlefield. She was somewhere else.

    And standing before her was a beautiful woman in white.

    The woman''s presence was calm yet powerful, her silver eyes watching Nyra with an unreadable expression. She raised a delicate hand, and at her silent command, the white flowers at her feet shifted, twisted... until they formed two elegant, throne-like chairs.

    The woman smiled softly. "Sit with me."

    Nyra''s eyes narrowed. "Who the hell are you? Where am I?"

    The woman in white chuckled with a soft, knowing sound.

    "I have many names my child." She gracefully took a seat in one of the flower-shaped chairs, then gestured toward the empty one.

    "There''s still time before he comes. Let''s talk, shall we?"

 Chapter 291 Who are you?

    Nyra hesitated at first...

    The air around her seemed to still, as if the world itself held its breath. Before her stood a woman whose beauty was not of this earth; she was radiant, silver-white, and shimmering with an otherworldly glow.

    Her presence was both soothing and unnerving, like the calm before a storm. Nyra felt the weight of something ancient, something vast, pressing against her chest. This was no ordinary being. This was... something beyond comprehension.

    For a moment, doubt clawed at her. Her instincts screamed to run, to flee from the unknown. But Nyra was not one to back down. With a sharp exhale, she steeled herself and sat down, her crimson eyes locking onto the Lady in White with a fiery intensity.

    "Alright," Nyra said with her voice cutting through the silence like a blade. "So, are you finally going to tell me who you are?"

    This time, her tone was firm, less wary, and more commanding. She wasn''t asking. She was demanding.

    The Lady in White chuckled with a sound so soft and melodic it seemed to dance on the air. Her amusement was palpable, as if Nyra''s impatience was a delightful little quirk she found endearing. Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire

    "As I''ve already said, little one," the lady began, her voice like a gentle breeze, "I have had many names over my short millennia of existence." She folded her hands elegantly in her lap, her movements fluid and deliberate.

    "Some have called me the Celestial Pearl. The boldest of adventurers have whispered my name as The Starry Companion. The dreamers, the poets, those with souls touched by art, have named me The Muse."

    She paused, her lips curving into a small, almost nostalgic smile. "And most recently, a little child I met not too long ago called me The Lady in White."

    Nyra blinked, her expression being unreadable. Then, in true Nyra fashion, she crossed her arms, gave a slow nod, and said, "Mmm. Never heard of you. Yep."

    The Lady in White laughed with a warm, genuine sound that seemed to fill the space around them. It wasn''t mocking; it was affectionate, as if Nyra''s blunt honesty was a rare treasure. Her gaze softened, becoming almost maternal, patient, knowing, and filled with an infinite understanding.

    "I''d be surprised if you had, little Nyra," she admitted while tilting her head slightly. "But... I had thought some of your people might still remember me."

    Nyra''s brows furrowed. "My people?"

    "Yes."@@@@

    A heavy pause hung between them, thick with unspoken meaning.

    "Wait," Nyra said, her voice being sharp. "You mean humans?"

    The Lady in White''s lips curved into an amused smile, and she rested a delicate hand against her glowing cheek. "Oh my... Do you truly believe you are human?"

    Nyra stiffened, her body going rigid. "I''m... not?"

    The Lady''s expression softened, her silver eyes filled with a quiet sadness. "Mmm. While it is true that your people share a connection with the humans, you are not the same. The humans created by my sister were gifted superior mental abilities. But your kind... were made for something else. Something greater. You were given superior physical capabilities."

    Her gaze held Nyra''s, steady and unyielding. "But the moment that blood runs dry¡ª" she added, her tone calm yet final. "You will truly die."

    Silence fell, thick and oppressive. Nyra''s fingers curled into fists, her nails digging into her palms. "So... I''m just waiting for the end?" she muttered, her voice hollow. "That''s it? No way out?"

    With her head lowered and her crimson eyes darkening with despair. "Is there no way for you to help me?"

    The Lady in White tilted her head slightly, her expression thoughtful. "Well," she mused, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, "some people these days call me a goddess... but I am not one."

    She lifted two slender fingers, the gesture deliberate and graceful. "That being said, there are two ways for you to escape death."

    Nyra''s breath hitched, her heart pounding in her chest. "Two...?" she echoed, her voice barely audible.

    "Tell me. What are they?" she demanded with her voice sharp with desperation.

    The Lady in White''s expression remained calm, her silver eyes unreadable. "The first option," she began, her tone measured, "is for you to become one of my flowers here in my sanctuary."

    Nyra frowned, her brow furrowing in confusion. "What?"

    "What people call a''soul'' is merely a recording of what you are. A whisper of yourself, made of pure energy. "And energy¡ª" the Lady''s voice was steady, unwavering"¡ªis neither created nor destroyed. It only transforms."

    She gestured gracefully to the glowing white flowers surrounding them, their petals shimmering like fragments of moonlight. "Using that energy, I could turn you into one of my flowers. That way, you would never die. You would remain here... in my garden. For all eternity."

    Nyra''s stomach twisted, a wave of revulsion washing over her. "That''s not an option," she said instantly while shaking her head. "I''m not spending eternity as a flower."

    The Lady in White smiled knowingly, as if she had expected this response. "I didn''t think it would be."

    "Then tell me the second one," Nyra asked with her voice sharper now, edged with desperation.

    For the first time, something amusing flickered in the Lady''s expression. A small, almost mischievous smile graced her lips. "Ah, the second option..." she mused, her tone light, almost playful.

    She rose from her chair, her movements fluid and graceful, and turned toward the endless expanse of the white garden. "Well, that one depends on him."

    Nyra blinked, her confusion deepening. "Him? Who¡ª"

    The Lady raised a hand, her silver eyes narrowing slightly. "It would be best if you covered your ears, little Nyra."

    Nyra barely had time to process the warning before the air around them shifted.

    A presence appeared in the garden, thick, malevolent, and suffocating; it split through the tranquility of the garden like a blade. Black energy surged, writhing and twisting as if alive, filling the air with a palpable sense of dread. It was as if the darkness itself had awakened, hungry and unrelenting.

 Chapter 292 Who Are You? {2}

    It came from nowhere, and yet it felt as though it had always been there, coiled in the shadows, waiting. The thing twisted in the sky above the garden like a writhing mass of darkness that defied the natural order.

    It moved like a living nightmare, its form shifting and pulsing as if it were alive. The moment it touched the air, a suffocating weight descended, pressing down on Nyra''s chest like a vice.

    Pain. Sorrow. Anguish.

    It wasn''t just a feeling; it was an invasion. A tidal wave of despair crashed over her, drowning her in emotions that weren''t her own. Her breath hitched, her knees buckled, and tears streamed down her face before she could even comprehend why. Her body trembled, every nerve alight with a raw, primal fear.

    "W-what is this...?" She gasped with her voice being barely a whisper, choked by the oppressive force in the air.

    The Lady in White stood beside her, serene as ever, though a faint glimmer of something like fondness? Amusement? flickered in her eyes. She sighed softly, as if scolding a mischievous child.

    "Oh my, what a naughty child," she murmured, her voice tone being almost affectionate.

    With a graceful wave of her hand, a shimmering dome of silver energy erupted around them, a barrier of light against the encroaching darkness. The air within the dome felt lighter and safer, but Nyra''s heart still pounded in her chest.

    She then could hear a sound... an scream.

    Not just any scream, a shattering, soul-rending wail that seemed to tear through the fabric of reality itself. The air cracked, splintering like glass, as shockwaves erupted from the heart of the darkness.

    They rippled outward, roaring like thunder, each one more violent than the last. The ground beneath Nyra''s feet trembled, and the garden around them seemed to wither, the vibrant colors leaching away into gray.

    And in the center of it all, something began to take shape.@@@@

    Humanoid, but wrong. Twisted. Its form was tall and imposing, its silhouette jagged and unnatural. Long, black wings unfurled from its back, stretching wide to blot out the sky.

    Its body pulsed with shadow, tendrils of black energy writhing around it like serpents, coiling and uncoiling in a grotesque dance. The air around it shimmered with heat, as if the very fabric of existence was burning away.

    It threw back its head.

    And screamed again.

    There, lying amidst the shattered remnants of darkness, was a man. His features were familiar... achingly so. His face, once twisted in agony, was now calm, though pale and worn.

    His long, dark hair framed his face, and his chest rose and fell with steady breaths. The black wings that had once blotted out the sky were gone, replaced by the faintest shimmer of light.

    Nyra''s eyes widened as recognition flooded her. Her knees nearly gave way, and she stumbled forward, her voice barely a whisper.

    "It''s... it''s you."

    The Lady in White smiled softly, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yes, my dear. It''s him. And now, it''s time to bring him back."

    Rex lay still with his eyes closed, his breathing shallow but steady. He looked peaceful, as if he were merely sleeping, though the faint lines of exhaustion etched into his face told a different story.

    Nyra''s heart raced as she stared at him with a whirlwind of emotions crashing over her. Without thinking, she rushed forward and dropped to her knees beside him, pulling him into a tight, desperate hug.

    "What are you doing here!?" she cried, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and panic. "Or more like, are you dead too!? What about Lyra? What happened!?" Her words tumbled out in a frantic rush as she cradled his head against her chest, her arms wrapped around him as if she could shield him from the world.

    Rex''s voice, weak but unmistakably his, broke through her torrent of questions. "Nyra... I can''t breathe. Can you please... remove your chest?" He mumbled, his words muffled against her.

    Despite his exhaustion and the pain etched into his every movement, a faint hint of his usual dry humor lingered in his tone. He might have been too worn out to fully appreciate the situation, but the faintest flicker of a smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.

    Nyra''s face flushed, but before she could respond, the Lady in White intervened. With a graceful wave of her hand, the silver chains and white flowers that had restrained Rex dissolved into shimmering light. The sudden release of his weight caught Nyra off guard, and she toppled backward onto the soft bed of white flowers with Rex collapsing on top of her.

    "Erm... I... what?" Nyra stammered, her mind short-circuiting as she found herself pinned beneath him. Rex''s head rested heavily on her chest, his face buried in the soft fabric of her clothing.

    Her arms flailed awkwardly for a moment before she finally settled, her cheeks burning with embarrassment.

    But Rex''s next words shattered any lingering awkwardness, replacing it with a deep, aching sorrow. "I''m sorry, Nyra," he murmured, his voice barely audible. "I caused your death... I don''t even have the face to see Lyra."

    His words were heavy with guilt, each one weighed down by the burden of his actions. He tried to push himself up, his arms trembling with the effort, but his body was too exhausted to cooperate.

    Before he could struggle further, Nyra''s arms wrapped around him again, pulling him back down. "Stop it," she said firmly, her voice cracking with emotion. "Just... stop. You''re here now. That''s all that matters." Her grip tightened, as if she could somehow transfer her feelings to him through the embrace.

 Chapter 293 Who Are You. {3} [R17]

    Rex hesitated, his body stiffening for a moment before he finally relented, sinking back into her hold. His breath hitched, and for the first time, the mask of stoicism he always wore began to crack. "I failed you," he whispered, his voice raw with regret. "I failed both of you."

    Nyra shook her head, her fingers threading through his hair in a gesture of comfort. "You didn''t fail us," she said softly. "You''re here. And we''re going to figure this out together. Lyra... she''s strong. She''ll understand. But you have to stop blaming yourself."@@@@

    The Lady in White watched the scene unfold with her expression being a mixture of fondness and sorrow. She kneeled beside them, her presence a calming force amidst the storm of emotions. Find your next read at My Virtual Library Empire

    "Rex," her voice was like a soothing melody.

    The Lady in White''s innocent gaze flickered between Rex and Nyra, her words hanging in the air like a thunderclap. "I''m sorry to interrupt your cute talk, but is it not like, you know, like Nyra is already dead?" She said while tilting her head slightly as if she were discussing the weather rather than the life-and-death situation at hand.

    Rex froze while his mind struggled to process her words. "What?" he stammered, his voice cracking. He had seen Nyra''s body, broken, bleeding, and lifeless. How could she be alive? His thoughts raced, a storm of confusion and disbelief.

    The Lady in White sighed, placing a delicate hand on her cheek. "Well, I already told Nyra there were two ways for her to not die, but she rejected the first option. So, there''s only the last option left," she explained, her tone matter-of-fact.

    Rex''s eyes widened, and he immediately tried to push himself up from Nyra''s embrace. "What is that option? If there''s a way to save her, we should do it right away!" he insisted, his voice being urgent. But Nyra, oddly determined, kept her arms locked around him, refusing to let him go.

    The Lady in White raised an eyebrow, amused by their antics. "Well, you and her are here not as souls but with your original body data transformed into pure energy. If I pinch you here," she said while reaching out and pinching Rex''s arm, "there will appear a pinch wound on the body you left behind before coming here."

    "Ouch, it hurts!" Rex yelled while glaring at her.

    She chuckled softly. "Well, does it?"

    Rex blinked, his mind racing to catch up. "Hold on, are you saying that these are our original bodies?" he asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.

    The Lady in White smiled, her expression being almost smug. "Oh my, aren''t you the smart one? But you''re also not entirely right. What you both are using is a perfect copy I made of your bodies. Think of it as a vessel to store your souls. The moment you leave this place, everything your body experienced here will be carried over to your original bodies. Think of it as a copy and paste."

    She finished her explanation with a proud smile, but Rex and Nyra exchanged blank looks, utterly lost.

    "And she said before she wasn''t a goddess..." Nyra whispered into Rex''s ear, her voice barely audible. But the Lady in White, with her otherworldly senses, heard every word. She cleared her throat, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush.

    But Nyra was not one to be deterred. With a fierce glint in her eye, she turned around and pinned Rex down, her small hands grasping his wrists as she straddled him.

    "Im not enough for you? Im not sexy in your eyes? Do you hate doing it with me that much?!"

    Her crimson eyes blazed with passion as she demanded to know if she wasn''t enough for him, if he found her unattractive or repulsive. The pain and vulnerability in her voice were palpable, making Rex''s heart ache with regret.

    "It''s not that," Rex began to explain, but Nyra silenced him with a gentle touch of her hand on his mouth. Her fingers were soft and warm against his lips, sending shivers down his spine.

    "You know... I''ve been in love with you since the day we met in the medical bay," Nyra confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "And I''m sure Lyra feels the same way. I want you to see me as a woman, not just a little girl." The sincerity in her words was unmistakable, and Rex felt his resolve crumbling beneath him.

    As Nyra slowly unzipped her jacket, revealing the slender curve of her abdomen and the delicate lace of her white lingerie, Rex''s breath caught in his throat.

    The sight of her bare skin was intoxicating, making his mind reel with desire. He couldn''t help but notice the way her breasts seemed to spill out of their confines, plump and inviting beneath the thin fabric.

    Nyra''s hand slid away from Rex''s mouth as she removed her jacket altogether, exposing herself fully. The only thing covering now were just those two pieces of white lingerie covering those perfect spheres.

    Rex couldn''t think straight anymore; all he could do was gulp down his nervousness as he stared at Nyra''s bared upper body. His thoughts betrayed him, and before long so did other parts, reacting without permission, taking control over rationality.

    Nyra felt something hard poking at the backside.

    {Wait.. is that... his...}

    Instead of being taken aback or offended by this sudden involuntary movement from beneath... rather than pushing away... she lowered further and pressed onto what had brushed against her butt, letting go an almost silent gasp when noticing increasing hardness underneath.

    As Nyra continued to rub against Rex, the tension between them became almost palpable. The air was thick with anticipation, and Rex''s body seemed to be responding of its own accord. Nyra''s eyes sparkled with a mixture of excitement and nervousness as she gazed at Rex, her face inches from his.

    Rex''s hands, which had been lying limp at his sides, suddenly stirred to life. They rose up to grasp Nyra''s hips, his fingers wrapping around her curves as if drawn by an irresistible force. Nyra''s breath caught in her throat as she felt his touch, her skin tingling with pleasure.

    Without thinking, Rex pulled Nyra closer, his lips brushing against hers in a gentle caress. The kiss was soft and tentative at first, but it quickly deepened into something more passionate. Nyra''s lips parted beneath his, allowing him to explore the depths of her mouth.

 Chapter 294 Who Are You? {4} fire in the blood. [R18]

    As they kissed, Nyra''s hands wandered over Rex''s chest, her fingers tracing the contours of his muscles. She could feel the heat emanating from his body, and it only served to fuel her own desire. Rex''s hands remained on her hips, holding her in place as he devoured her mouth.

    The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them lost in the intensity of their passion. Time itself seemed to slow down as they savored each other''s touch, their bodies speaking a language that words could never convey.

    In this moment, nothing else mattered.... not their past relationship as guardian and adopted sister and not the uncertainty of their future... all that existed was the present and the overwhelming attraction that had finally boiled over between them.

    Nyra broke away from the kiss while gasping softly for air. Her eyes met Rex, and what she saw took breath away once again... those dark orbs now shone with bright desire for one person alone... her.

    As Nyra gazed into Rex''s eyes, she saw the same desire reflected back at her. The air between them was electric, and she could feel the tension building like a ragin storm. Without a word, Rex pulled her back into a kiss, their lips crashing together in a passionate explosion.

    This time, there was no hesitation, no holding back. Their mouths moved in perfect sync, their tongues dancing together as they devoured each other. Nyra''s hands roamed over Rex''s body, tracing the contours of his muscles as she explored every inch of him.

    Rex''s hands were just as busy, caressing Nyra''s curves and sending shivers down her spine. He cupped her breasts in his palms, his thumbs brushing against her nipples and sending sparks of pleasure through her body. Nyra moaned into his mouth, her hips arching up to meet his as they ground against each other.

    The friction between them was building, and Nyra could feel herself getting closer and closer to the edge. She wrapped her legs around Rex''s waist, pulling him deeper into the cradle of her thighs as they moved together in perfect rhythm.

    Their kisses grew more frantic, their breathing heavier as they lost themselves in the moment. The world around them melted away, leaving only the two of them lost in a sea of passion and desire.

    As they broke apart for air, Nyra whispered into his ear, "Now..". Her voice was barely audible but loud enough for Rex to hear.

    Rex looked at Nyra with questioning eyes but before he could ask what she meant by "now,". She took matters into own hands, or rather mouth, reaching down between them, taking rex by surprise once again

    As Nyra''s mouth wrapped around Rex, he felt a jolt of pleasure run through his body. Her lips were soft and warm, and her tongue danced across his skin with a gentle yet insistent touch. Rex''s eyes widened in surprise, but he couldn''t help the moan that escaped his lips as Nyra began to move up and down.

    Rex gasped for air, his chest heaving as the fog of pleasure began to clear. His eyes widened as a sudden realization struck him. "Wait, Nyra," he panted, his voice tinged with both curiosity and disbelief.

    "When did you even take off your pants? I didn''t even notice." His gaze trailed down her body, lingering on her hips, now fully exposed and glistening faintly under a sheen of sweat. The sight was both mesmerizing and surreal. Explore new worlds at My Virtual Library Empire

    Nyra let out a low, devilish chuckle, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. "While I was... busy with my mouth," she purred, her voice dripping with playful arrogance. "You were too lost in it to notice anything else." Without missing a beat, she leaned in, her teeth grazing Rex''s shoulder in a teasing bite that sent a shiver down his spine.

    "Mmm, okay, fair point," Rex muttered with his strained voice. "But why the biting? It''s not like this body has¡ª" Before he could finish, he felt a strange, almost electric sensation as Nyra seemed to draw something from him, something intangible yet undeniably real. His words caught in his throat as a wave of realization washed over him.

    "Oh... well, never mind," Rex said, his tone shifting to one of awe. "These bodies are way too realistic to just be spares. There''s some seriously creepy stuff out there in the galaxy, huh?"

    Minutes passed in a haze, the air thick with the remnants of their shared energy. By the time Rex regained his bearings, they were both clothed again, though their disheveled hair and Nyra''s trembling legs betrayed what had just transpired. As if on cue, the Lady in White materialized behind them, her presence as calm and enigmatic as ever.

    "My, my," she said with her voice being a melodic blend of amusement and knowing. "It seems you two enjoyed yourselves quite thoroughly." Her eyes flicked to their tousled hair and Nyra''s unsteady stance with a faint smile playing on her lips.

    Rex cleared his throat, his cheeks flushing slightly. "Ahem, so... how is this supposed to help us get back to our original bodies and keep Nyra alive?" he asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. Despite everything, he couldn''t shake the doubt that something as primal as this could hold the key to something as profound as resurrection.

    The Lady in White chuckled softly, the sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze. "Oh, my dear boy," she began, her tone both patient and teasing, "the union of beings like us is not merely for procreation. It is an exchange of life energy that is raw, potent, and transformative. That energy is what will breathe new life into Nyra."

    She paused, her gaze lingering on Nyra, who blushed furiously under the scrutiny. "Though I must say," the Lady added, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper, "the energy you''ve released into her is... extraordinary. I can still sense it radiating from her. So vibrant, so full of life."

    Nyra''s face burned crimson, her mind racing as she misinterpreted the lady''s words. Rex, however, scratched his head, his brow furrowed in thought. "So... it''s like sex magic, right?" he ventured, trying to make sense of it all.

    In an instant, a spectral hand materialized behind Rex and delivered a sharp smack to the back of his head. "Ow!" he yelled while rubbing the spot. "What was that for?"

    The Lady in White sighed, her expression a mix of exasperation and fondness. "Do try to be less vulgar, my child. Choose your words with care; this is sacred, not something vulgar."

 Chapter 295 Joining the fun.

    "So... how does this work?" Rex asked, his voice tinged with both curiosity and unease. "You said she''s already full of se.... uh... that energy." He hesitated, catching himself before he could finish the sentence.

    A cold shudder ran down his spine as he glanced at the Lady in White. Her smile was serene, but there was something unnerving about it, something that made the air around them feel cold.

    "Ehem," Rex quickly corrected himself, his voice faltering slightly. "I mean, she''s already full of life energy, right? So... what''s next?"

    The Lady in White tilted her head with her expression softening, though her piercing gaze never wavered. "There''s nothing more for you to do, my dear. My sister and I will handle the rest. For now, I''ll send you back the same way I brought you here. Just close your eyes, and the next time you open them, you''ll be exactly where and when you were before you arrived."

    Your adventure continues at My Virtual Library Empire@@@@

    Rex and Nyra exchanged a glance, their faces a mix of relief and lingering doubt. Slowly, they closed their eyes. The Lady in White leaned forward, her lips brushing their foreheads in a gesture that was both tender and otherworldly. In an instant, their forms dissolved into shimmering silver dust, scattering like stardust into the void.

    As the last traces of their presence faded, another figure emerged from the garden''s ethereal glow. A woman adorned in a flowing green dress, her head crowned with elegant deer antlers, stepped gracefully beside the Lady in White. Her presence was calming, yet her expression carried a hint of concern.

    "Are you certain about this, little sister?" the Lady in Green asked, her voice gentle but firm. "You''re not in the best condition to be expending so much energy. This could... destabilize you further."

    The Lady in White''s smile didn''t falter, but her eyes hardened with resolve. "Sister, I won''t hear another word of it," she said with her tone, leaving no room for argument. "And don''t you dare bring it up again."

    She paused for a few seconds, her gaze drifting to the endless expanse of the garden. "It''s true that this will strain my body; perhaps even risk the void consuming me entirely. But there''s nothing a mother wouldn''t do for her child. Besides," she added, her voice lightening, "thanks to a little one of yours little ones who visited recently, I have just enough energy to spare for the ritual."

    The Lady in Green raised an eyebrow, her antlers catching the light as she tilted her head. "A child of mine? The only one I recall visiting you was the one you shared your eyes with, and that was years ago, little sister."

    The Lady in White chuckled softly, her laughter like the tinkling of distant chimes. "Oh my, has it really been that long? Time slips away so easily when you''ve lived for millions of years. I''ve never been good at keeping track."

    The Lady in Green sighed, her expression being a mix of exasperation and fondness. "You truly are something else, little sister." She waved her hand, and a delicate table fashioned from white roses materialized between them.

    "Thank you, my wife," Rex replied with a hint of warmth breaking through his otherwise composed tone. "I''ll see you in a few minutes."

    As he flew, the mist swirling around them like a living thing, Rex couldn''t help but glance down at Nyra''s peaceful face. She looked so serene, so alive, despite everything they had been through. Lyra, still clutching his arm, stared at her sister in awe, her earlier despair replaced by a fragile hope.

    The battlefield faded into the distance below them, the sounds of gunfire and screeching Harvesters growing faint. Ahead, the plateau loomed like a beacon of safety amidst the chaos. And above it all, the faint hum of an approaching transport ship signaled the beginning of their escape.

    Several weeks had passed since the harrowing events on the misty planet. The flow of materials required to keep the factories running at full capacity continued, though not without new challenges.

    Pirates had discovered the supply route and begun targeting the convoys, but the Kaelzars patrols proved more than capable of repelling their attacks, leaving the raiders battered and retreating.

    During this time, two major developments had shifted the balance of the operation. The first was the arrival of Carlos with his formidable dreadnought and the 198th Legion. Their presence added significant firepower and strategic depth to the mission.

    Not to be outdone, Lilla had also joined the fray, bringing with her the Holy Fleet and the devastating might of Ys Destroyer. Their combined forces now formed a formidable alliance, though the dynamics between the leaders remained as unpredictable as ever.

    The second major event was the unintended consequence of Lilla''s involvement. Once word of the operation on the misty planet spread thanks to the pirates, it seemed the entire galaxy took notice.

    Pirates, mercenaries, and even a noble from one of the megacorporations with apparently too much time on their hands had descended upon the region, drawn by the promise of opportunity or simply the thrill of chaos. The once-isolated operation had become a crowded battleground, with fleets from every corner of the galaxy vying for position.

    Despite the growing presence of outsiders, Rex''s forces had remained relatively quiet. The reason for this became clear when, shortly after returning to the Cleopatra, Rex collapsed.

    Advanced medical scans revealed it was nothing more than extreme physical and mental exhaustion. The solution was simple: rest. For days, he lay unconscious, his body and mind recovering from the strain of the mist planet''s ordeal. When he finally awoke, it was to a world that had grown far more complicated in his absence.

    But not all news was good. While Rex recuperated, Nyra began to experience troubling symptoms. Fatigue, dizziness, and prolonged periods of sleep plagued her. When she did wake, it was only to eat, and even then, she often vomited shortly after.

    Her condition was a source of growing concern, especially for Lyra, who hovered anxiously by her sister''s side.

    "Sis, this isn''t normal," Lyra said with her voice tinged with worry as she gently patted Nyra''s back. Nyra was hunched over the toilet, her body trembling as another wave of nausea overtook her. "We should ask Master what''s going on. This can''t just be exhaustion."

 Chapter 296 Joining the fun.{2}

    "F-fine... you go ask Master Cleo... I''ll stay here... in the bathroom." Nyra''s voice trembled, her words barely escaping her lips. She leaned heavily against the cold, metallic wall, her legs buckling beneath her.

    "I don''t think I can walk right now... and I feel like I''m going to¡ª" Her sentence was cut short as a wave of dizziness crashed over her, forcing her to clutch the sink for support. Her vision blurred, the room spinning around her. Even through her concern, she knew Lyra had no choice but to leave her behind and search for Cleo alone.

    Meanwhile, on the bridge of the command ship, Cleo stood amidst a sea of glowing holograms, her sharp eyes scanning the mist-shrouded planet below. The air was thick with tension as Lilla and Ys flanked her, their faces illuminated by the eerie blue light of the 4D hologram projecting the planet''s surface.

    The hologram revealed the chaotic movements of enemy forces scattered across the globe, their assault teams scrambling like ants in a storm.

    Lilla crossed her arms, her voice cutting through the silence. "By the looks of it, they have no idea what they''re searching for. Their assault parties are scattered everywhere with no coordination, no focus. I''d call that a small fortune for us, at least."

    Ys, lounging casually in her seat, popped a piece of fruit into her mouth, courtesy of a hovering bot maid. "Even if they figure it out, they won''t get close. Those golems and harvesters are a nightmare to deal with. And for the cybernetic troops? That mist is frying their systems. They''re stumbling blind."

    Lilla nodded, her expression turning grim. "The mist is affecting even my Paladins. I doubt we''ll be able to operate at even half our usual strength down there. If it''s hitting us this hard, the Kaelzar forces must be in complete disarray."

    Cleo remained silent, her gaze fixed on the swirling holographic screens surrounding her. Her fingers danced in the air, manipulating streams of data as she delved deeper into her work. The glow of the screens reflected in her eyes, giving her an almost otherworldly appearance.

    Lilla glanced at her, concern flickering across her face. "Miss Cleo... is something wrong?"

    Cleo blinks, as if pulled from a trance, and offers a faint smile. "Oh? No, nothing''s wrong. I was just hacking into the communications and databases of the other forces." With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a series of holographic screens, displaying two ominous logos that hovered in the air like specters.

    Ys leaned forward, her playful demeanor replaced by a sharp focus. "Is this... what I think it is?"

    Cleo''s voice was calm but carried an edge of warning. "Yes. The Syndicate and the Free Colonies. They''re here too. I''d recommend minimal contact with the Free Colonies... and absolutely none with the Syndicate."

    Lilla frowned while closing the holographic screens with a wave of her hand. "Why the caution? Aren''t they just like Nexum Dynamics? Rich, bored, and throwing their weight around?"@@@@

    Cleo''s expression darkened. "Nexum is a joke compared to these two. The Syndicate is... different. They were founded by six criminal warlords who decided to pool their resources. They have no morals, no limits. If it serves their interests, they''ll do anything."

    At the same time, the bot administered a series of injections to stabilize Nyra, whose pallor and weak breathing were deeply concerning.

    Lyra watched anxiously, her hands clenched into fists. "Master Cleo... what''s wrong with her? Please tell me she''s going to be okay."

    Cleo''s gaze remained fixed on the medical bot''s readings, her expression unreadable. "We''ll know soon enough," she said quietly.

    [The scanning has been completed.]

    The medical bot''s mechanical voice broke the silence as it handed a data pad to Cleo. The room felt heavy with anticipation; the faint hum of the medical equipment was the only sound accompanying Lyra''s nervous breathing.

    "So? What is it, Master? Is she okay? Or... is there something wrong with her?" Lyra''s voice trembled as she glanced between Cleo and Nyra, who lay still on the medical bed, her chest rising and falling faintly.

    Cleo studied the data pad for a moment, her expression being unreadable. Then, with her usual calm composure, she looked up and said, "There''s nothing wrong with her, Lyra. She''s just... creating new life inside of her."

    Enjoy new chapters from My Virtual Library Empire

    Lyra blinked while her brow furrowed in confusion. "Creating new life? What do you mean by that, Master?" Her wide, innocent eyes searched Cleo''s face for answers, leaving her momentarily at a loss for words.

    Cleo sighed softly, a rare hint of exasperation flickering across her features. "I''ll teach you about it later. For now, go and inform Rex that Nyra will be waiting for him in the medical bay. They have a lot to talk about. As for you, young lady," she added, fixing Lyra with a pointed look, "you''ll be coming with me. We have much to discuss."

    Without waiting for a response, Cleo turned and strode out of the medical bay, leaving Lyra standing there, utterly bewildered. The young girl glanced back at Nyra, her sister''s peaceful form, a stark contrast to the storm of questions swirling in her mind. After a moment, she shook herself and hurried off to find Rex.

    Some time later, Lyra returned to the medical bay while dragging a slightly irritated Rex behind her. "So... are you finally going to tell me why we''re here, or am I just supposed to guess?" Rex asked while raising an eyebrow as he looked down at Lyra.

    Lyra shrugged, her expression being a mix of frustration and confusion. "Even if I wanted to explain, I don''t know what''s going on! Master Cleo told me to bring you to Nyra and then leave the two of you alone. So, there you go. Take care of my sister. I have other things to do with Master!" With that, she practically shoved Rex into the medical bay before darting off, leaving him standing in the doorway.

    Rex let out a long sigh while running a hand through his hair. "What am I going to do with that kid?" he muttered while shaking his head as the door slid shut behind him.

    "Rex... is that you?" Nyra''s soft voice called out from behind the curtain surrounding the medical bed.

 Chapter 297 Blessing.

    Rex''s expression softened at the sound of her voice. "Mmm, well, yeah. What other guy do you know with a voice as deep and sexy as mine?" He joked while trying to lighten the mood as he walked toward her.

    But as he approached, he heard faint sobbing coming from behind the curtain. His playful demeanor vanished in an instant. He quickly pulled the curtain aside, revealing Nyra sitting on the bed, her knees drawn to her chest while tears streamed down her face.

    "Nyra?" Rex''s voice was gentle now, filled with concern. He sat down beside her, his hand instinctively reaching out to pat her head. "Why are you crying? What''s wrong?"

    Nyra looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen, her lower lip trembling. "Rex, I..." Her voice broke, and she buried her face in her hands, unable to continue.

    Rex''s heart ached at the sight. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. "Hey, it''s okay. Just tell me what''s going on."

    "I... I was talking with the medical bot a few minutes ago, and it gave me the results of my examination." Nyra choked out between sobs, her tears streaming down her face like a river she couldn''t hold back.

    Rex''s brow furrowed, his arms tightening around her. "Why are you crying? Is something wrong? I thought everything was fine now," he spoke with his voice being soft and comforting, trying to soothe her trembling form.

    "It''s not that there''s anything wrong with me... It''s just..." Nyra turned to face him, her crimson eyes glistening with tears, her cheeks flushed with emotion. "I''m pregnant, Rex. And I... I know you don''t love me... and that you already have Master Cleo and Ys... and that you probably just see me as a little girl, and you don''t want¡ª" Her words were cut off as Rex pulled her into a tight embrace, silencing her fears with his warmth.

    "Nyra, these are wonderful news!" Rex exclaimed with his voice brimming with joy. He pulled back just enough to press his forehead against hers, his hand gently cupping her tear-streaked face. His own emotions were raw, his voice trembling slightly as he asked, "Are you sure about this? Really sure?"

    Nyra nodded, her breath hitching. "Yes, I''m sure. The medical bot checked me multiple times because I asked it to... Are you... happy?" Her voice was small, almost disbelieving, as if she couldn''t fathom his reaction.

    "Happy? Nyra, I''m over the moon!" Rex laughed, the sound rich and full of life. He hugged her tightly again while spinning her slightly in his excitement. "I''m going to be a dad! Hahaha, suck it, Carlos! Now I''ll have a son or a daughter too! Who cares which it is? It''s ours!" His voice boomed through the medical bay, his joy uncontainable.

    Nyra''s mind raced, her thoughts a whirlwind of relief and disbelief.

    {Is he really this happy? Did I really suffer all this time alone, worrying for nothing? I''m such an idiot. I should''ve told him the moment I realized my symptoms might mean I was pregnant.}

    Her heart swelled with a mixture of guilt and overwhelming happiness.

    Clutching Rex''s shirt tightly in her hands, Nyra buried her face in his chest and began to cry again. But this time, her tears weren''t born of sadness; they were tears of pure, unbridled joy. Rex wanted their child. He was happy. He was happy. All those drama novels she''d watched, the ones where the father rejected the mother and child, had filled her with dread.

    But this... this was nothing like those stories. This was real. This was them.

    Rex held her close, his laughter softening into a warm, contented smile as he stroked her hair. "It''s okay, Nyra," he murmured. "We''re in this together. You, me, and our little one. Everything''s going to be okay."

    As Rex basked in his fleeting moment of bliss and his crew prepared to resume their assault on the mist-shrouded planet, another team from Lilla forces found themselves in a far less fortunate situation. Fate had dealt them a cruel hand... they had just come face to face with one of the Free Colonies squads.

    A guttural chuckle echoed through the communications.

    Silence fell over both squads.

    And then through the swirling mist came the first glint of razor-sharp mandibles.

    "They''re here! Hold the defensive formation! Fall back to the Kaelzar outpost now! Keep suppressing fire at all costs!"

    Seris squad began their retreat, moving with calculated precision. The air crackled with tension as a harvester lunged at a crusader''s shield, only to be vaporized by a retaliatory laser blast.

    In one fluid motion, the crusader deactivated his shield, swung his blade in a deadly arc, and beheaded the creature before reactivating his defenses. Behind him, the Zealots unleashed a relentless barrage of electric rifle fire, their shots illuminating the battlefield as they rained down on the endless horde of harvesters in the distance.

    The Free Colonies squad, however, stood their ground. Arrogant, ruthless, and undeniably elite, they mowed down harvesters with cold efficiency. Their disdain for others, especially women, was no secret, but their combat prowess was unmatched. They were a force to be reckoned with, their skill rivaling only the megacorps themselves.

    "Paladin! We''ve got a problem; a golem is charging straight for us! ETA: less than two minutes!" The crusader shouted, his voice cutting through the chaos as he cleaved through another harvester.

    {Tsk... This is bad. We don''t have the firepower to take down a golem. Even if I engage it, the most I can do is buy time. Damn this mist, it''s messing with my cybernetic implants...}

    "All units, keep falling back! I''ll hold off the golem. Zealots, provide cover fire; do not let those harvesters surround me!"

    "Understood, Paladin!" the Zealots responded in unison, their voices steady despite the looming threat.

    But before they could fully prepare, the ground trembled. The golem emerged from the mist, its massive form casting a shadow over the battlefield. Seris didn''t hesitate. With a powerful leap, she activated her plasma sword, its blade humming with lethal energy.

    She swung at the golem with all her might, but the creature blocked the strike effortlessly, its armored hand absorbing the impact without flinching.

    {Tsk. Just as I thought... not even a scratch. My strength isn''t enough. But oh well... I have its attention.}

    The battlefield fell silent for a split second, the weight of the moment pressing down on everyone. Seris gritted her teeth, her mind racing with strategies while the golem loomed over her, its glowing eyes piercing through the mist.

    The golem roared, its deafening roar shaking the very air. It raised a massive fist and slammed it downward; Seris barely evaded, rolling to the side as the impact shattered the ground beneath her.

    She wasn''t strong enough to destroy it. But she was fast enough to outmaneuver it.

    With precise movements, she led the golem''s attacks into the oncoming harvester swarm, forcing it to crush its own allies in the chaos. Step by step, she fought, retreating alongside her squad, buying time while waiting for an opening.

    As Seris squad fought desperately to retreat, their every move a battle against the relentless golem and the swarming harvesters, a silent awakening occurred far above them, in the cold, dark void.

    A pair of piercing green feral eyes snapped open, glowing with an otherworldly intensity. They were followed by another pair, and then another, until hundreds of luminous green eyes ignited like stars in the abyss. The faint hum of bioarmor powering up resonated through the silence of space, their intricate designs glowing with an eerie, bioluminescent light.

 Chapter 298 Yours.

    Paladin Seris and her forces had managed to retreat a few kilometers from the relentless pursuit of the golems main force, but the Harvesters were still hot on their trail. The situation was still dire.

    Seris now found herself staring down at two towering Golems, their hulking forms casting long, ominous shadows over the battlefield.

    Her Zealots, though valiant, were running dangerously low on ammo, their suppressing fire growing sporadic as the Harvesters closed in, their metallic limbs glinting with deadly intent.

    {What should I do?}

    she thought, her mind racing even as her body screamed for rest.

    {I''m exhausted, and these Golems... they''re like mountains. My attacks barely scratch them. And they don''t tire. They just keep coming... Shit...}

    She clenched her teeth while her grip tightened on her weapon.

    {At this point, the only option is to throw everything we have at them. If we can take down the Golems, maybe just maybe some of us can make it out alive}

    Her thoughts were interrupted as one of the golems lunged at her, its massive fist carving through the air like a wrecking ball. Seris twisted her body, her instincts screaming at her to move, but the fatigue of two relentless hours of combat had taken its toll.

    She managed to evade the worst of the blow, but the golem''s fist still grazed her leg, the impact sending her tumbling across the broken ground. She rolled to a stop, her armor scraping against the dirt, pain shooting up her side.

    {Tsk, I knew this was coming...}

    She thought, wincing as she pushed herself to her feet.

    {Well, there''s no other choice now. I''ll have to burn my holy energy. It''s the only way to buy us more time.}

    Seris was no ordinary warrior. Like all Paladins, she was a Tier 3 powerhouse, her physical abilities far beyond those of ordinary soldiers. But what set her apart were her two unique abilities.

    The first was her passive: precognition. For three fleeting seconds, she could foresee her enemy''s attacks, predicting their movements with uncanny accuracy. But it was a double-edged sword.@@@@

    Precognition meant nothing if her body couldn''t keep up. Years of grueling training had honed her reflexes to near perfection, turning what could have been a useless skill into a deadly weapon. Yet, even that wasn''t enough to earn her a place among the Holy Saintess''s ten Paladins.

    Lykos tilted his head, his voice a low-like guttural growl that seemed to reverberate through her very bones. "I''m here to feed myself. But that''s not the question you should be asking. Instead, it should be me asking you, What is someone as weak as you doing here?"

    Seris bristled at his words, her pride flaring even as fear gnawed at her. "What else would I be doing here? I''m fighting these things!" She shot back while trying to step away from him.

    But Lykos was faster. His clawed hand shot out, gripping her hips and pulling her close until his face was almost touching her helmet. She could feel the heat of his breath, the raw power radiating from his form.

    "You? Fighting?" Lykos sneered, his voice dripping with disdain. "Know your place, woman. Your body belongs to me. What would I do if someone or something ate you first?" His claw traced the edge of her helmet, the sharp tip scraping against the metal with a sound that made her skin crawl.

    Seris''s anger flared, overriding her fear. "Who are you to say I''m yours!?" she shouted while shoving against him with all her strength. For a moment, it seemed to work since Lykos released her, stepping back.

    Experience tales at My Virtual Library Empire

    But then, in the blink of an eye, he transformed. His humanoid form melted away, replaced by the towering, monstrous werewolf she had seen earlier. His roar was deafening, a primal sound that shook the air and sent shockwaves rippling through the ground. Seris was thrown off her feet, landing hard on her back as the force of his roar battered her senses.

    The human soldiers raised their weapons; their faces paled with fear, but Seris quickly raised a hand. "Hold your fire!" she commanded, her voice strained but firm. She didn''t know what Lykos was planning, but attacking him now would be suicide.

    To her surprise, Lykos didn''t press the attack. Instead, he turned away from her, his glowing eyes fixed on the mist that shrouded the battlefield. A low growl rumbled in his chest, a sound that sent a shiver down her spine. Something was out there... something even Lykos seemed wary of.

    Seris pushed herself to her feet while staring at the same place Lykos was watching.

    Seris''s eyes narrowed as she peered into the mist, the eerie green glow of the insect warrior''s bioplasma shots illuminating the chaos within. But it wasn''t just the green light that caught her attention.

    Streaks of red laser fire sliced through the fog, and the unmistakable hum of a red laser blade echoed in the distance. The clash of forces was unlike anything she had ever seen; it was a battle of titans, hidden within the veil of mist.

    "What is that, Lykos?" Seris asked with her voice tensing as she drew her sword. Her fingers moved swiftly, replacing the energy cell and igniting the plasma edge of her blade. The familiar hum of her weapon brought a small measure of comfort, but the sight of the red laser blade sent a chill down her spine.

    Lykos''s growl was low and menacing, his glowing green eyes fixed on the mist. "I don''t know," he admitted, his voice a gravelly rumble. "But it''s stronger than everyone here. Even me." His claws flexed, the green glow intensifying as he crouched low, ready to strike.

    Seris''s grip tightened on her sword. "Then... shouldn''t we retreat instead of waiting for that thing to come and kill us?" She asked, her voice steady despite the fear gnawing at her. The plasma edge of her blade flickered, casting a faint blue light across her armor.

    "Yes, you should run," Lykos said with his tone, leaving no room for argument. "I''ll keep it occupied while you and your people retreat. Otherwise, it will keep chasing us." His growl deepened as the enemy drew closer, the red laser blade cutting through the mist like a beacon of death.

 Chapter 299 Yours. {2}

    Seris hesitated, her pride warring with her instincts. "What do you mean? Who needs protection from you? Let''s¡ª" she wanted to say something, but Lykos cut her off with a roar that shook the air.

    "Leave now!" he bellowed, his voice a thunderous command. Before she could respond, he lunged forward, his massive form disappearing into the mist. The sound of claws meeting metal echoed through the battlefield, followed by the sharp crackle of energy as Lykos''s green claws clashed against the red blade.

    Seris stood frozen for a moment, her eyes straining to make sense of the chaos within the mist. The green glow of Lykos''s claws and the red light of the enemy''s blade illuminated the fog in brief, violent flashes.

    She could see the shadowy outline of Lykos''s massive form; his movements were like a blur of speed and power. But the enemy was relentless. The red blade flickered, its length shortening momentarily as it pierced through Lykos''s defenses, drawing blood. Each strike was precise, calculated, and devastating.

    The sound of the battle was deafening.... the clash of metal, the roar of Lykos, the hum of the red blade. Seris''s heart pounded in her chest as she watched, torn between the urge to fight and the need to protect her people.

    Lykos was holding his own, but it was clear the enemy was gaining the upper hand. The red laser shots that occasionally streaked through the mist only added to the danger, their deadly accuracy forcing Lykos to constantly evade.

    "Paladin!" one of her soldiers shouted, snapping her out of her thoughts. "We need to move!"

    She glanced back at her troops; their faces were pale but determined. They were ready to follow her lead, but she knew they stood no chance against whatever was in that mist. Lykos had bought them time, but it wouldn''t last forever.

    "Fall back!" Seris ordered, her voice cutting through the chaos. "Retreat to the Kaelzar outpost! Now!"

    As her soldiers began to move, Seris cast one last look into the mist. The green and red lights continued to clash, the battle raging on. For a moment, she thought she saw Lykos''s glowing eyes meet hers through the fog, a silent command to leave.

    The sound of the battle grew fainter as they retreated, but the image of Lykos''s bloodied form and the relentless red blade burned into her mind.

    The battlefield was a chaotic symphony of clashing metal, roaring beasts, and the hum of energy weapons. Seris watched as her troops retreated while the black insectoid warriors held the line against the relentless Harvesters.

    They were buying precious time, and for that, she was grateful. But her attention quickly shifted back to the real threat, the shadowy figure with the red blade.

    Lykos, now fully engaged in combat, could finally see the enemy clearly. It was a humanoid figure, its body entirely composed of black cybernetics, with glowing red lights pulsating across its frame.

    Its visor flickered ominously, and its movements were precise, mechanical, and utterly ruthless. The shadow''s voice was cold and mechanical as it spoke, its words dripping with disdain.@@@@

    "Enemy of the Kaelzars, you will be killed today. Your race is just a plague upon the galaxy!" the shadow declared while its red blade sliced through the air and severing one of Lykos''s legs. Lykos roared while crashing to the ground as his balance faltered.

    "Jump on my back." Continue reading at My Virtual Library Empire

    Lykos kneeled down, his massive form lowering to allow Seris to climb onto his back. She hesitated for only a moment before doing as he instructed, gripping his fur tightly as she settled into place. His voice was gruff, but there was an urgency in his tone that she couldn''t ignore.

    "Also, throw that thing you call a weapon; it''s useless. Instead, use this," Lykos said before his claw sliced through the air as he severed one of his own talons. He poured a stream of biomass over it, the substance writhing and reshaping itself until it formed a short green sword with a black grip. He handed it to Seris, his glowing eyes locking onto hers.

    "This is better than your so-called weapon," he growled.

    Seris frowned while holding the green sword up and comparing it to her plasma blade. "Isn''t this too small?" She asked, skepticism evident in her voice.

    Lykos let out a derisive snort. "Hmph, you''re so useless that you don''t even know about living weapons?" He mocked her with his attention already shifting back to the shadow, which was preparing for their next clash.

    "What do you mean, a living weapon? Hey!" Seris demanded an answer, but Lykos ignored her, his focus was now entirely on the shadow''s movements. His muscles tensed, ready to spring into action.

    "Tsk, just pour your energy into it and control it with the brain you probably don''t have!" Lykos snapped, his patience wearing thin. Before Seris could retort, he charged forward, his massive form barreling toward the shadow with terrifying speed.

    The clash was brutal. Lykos''s claws met the shadow''s red blades in a shower of sparks, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the air. The shadow countered with a swift kick, deflecting one of Lykos''s strikes and aiming a blade at his head.

    But before the blow could land, a long black whip with a glowing green blade at its tip lashed out, slicing through the air and forcing the shadow to retreat.

    The shadow leaped back, landing in a crouch several meters away. His visor flickered as he assessed the new threat. Seris stood on Lykos''s back, the green sword in her hand now transformed into a whip-like weapon, its blade glowing with an otherworldly light.

    "Not bad," Lykos muttered with a hint of approval in his voice. "Now, let''s see what else you can do."

    Seris smirked with her confidence growing as she felt the living weapon respond to her will. She poured her energy into it, and the whip extended further, its blade crackling with power. The shadow straightened, its twin red blades humming as it prepared for the next round.

    "You''re full of surprises," the shadow said with its mechanical voice being cold and calculating. "But it won''t save you."

    "We''ll see about that," Seris shot back, her grip tightening on the living weapon. Lykos let out a low growl, his wings spreading wide as he prepared to charge again.

    The battlefield was alive with tension, the air thick with the hum of energy weapons and the growls of the combatants. Seris and Lykos moved as one; their attacks synchronized as they pressed the shadow.

    The living whip lashed out, its blade slicing through the air with deadly precision, while Lykos''s claws struck with bone-crushing force.

 Chapter 300 Besieged.

    Meanwhile in the command bridge of Cleo''s forces was a flurry of activity as holo screens flickered with data and alerts.

    Cleo stood at the center with her expression grim as she monitored the situation. The scout drones and Aegis forces near the plateau were being destroyed at an alarming rate, and the source of the threat was becoming clearer with each passing moment.

    "What''s the matter? Is something wrong?" Lilla''s voice was tinged with concern as she and Ys turned their attention to Cleo.@@@@

    Cleo didn''t answer immediately. Instead, she summoned a series of holo screens, each displaying footage from the scout drones near the plateau. The images were chaotic and blurry, with flashes of movement, explosions, and the occasional glimpse of unidentified ships.

    She cycled through the feeds until one of the screens finally provided a clear image. She enlarged it, her eyes narrowing as she studied the details.

    "Oh, I recognize those kinds of ships," Ys said with her tone darkening. "Those are pirates." The holo screen displayed a fleet of small frigates and fighter ships; their jagged, patchwork designs were unmistakable.

    They were approaching the plateau in a spread-out formation, a tactic designed to minimize the impact of orbital bombardment. But orbital strikes weren''t an option at this point, since the pirates were already too close to the plateau.

    "Everyone, get ready," Cleo ordered with her voice being sharp and commanding. "By the look of it, they''re planning to assault the plateau. Prepare to move at a moment''s notice."

    As she spoke, her nanomachines began to materialize her power armor, the sleek, white, and golden plates forming around her body with practiced precision. Her focus remained on the holo screens with her mind racing as she analyzed the pirate fleet''s movements.

    Meanwhile, aboard the lead pirate frigate, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the tense command bridge of Cleo''s forces. The pirate boss, a burly man with a few more than a bit pounds of fat and a patch over one eye, stood at the center of the bridge with his arms crossed as he surveyed the plateau through the reinforced window.

    "Boss, are we really going to assault one of the forces here?" One of the pirates asked with his voice tinged with uncertainty. He was a scrawny man with a nervous twitch, clearly not convinced of the plan.

    "Of course I''m sure!" The pirate boss shouted out while slamming his fist on the console. "Our patron just told me they''re the weakest here and that they''re not backed by a big force. Easy prey!" He grinned while revealing a row of gold-capped teeth.

    "I see! The boss is always wise!" Another pirate chimed in with his tone dripping with sycophantic praise. He began rubbing the pirate boss''s shoulders with his hands trembling slightly.

    "Boss! The plateau is already in our main cannon''s range! Should we shoot them already?" Another pirate asked, his excitement palpable as he rubbed his hands together.

    The pirate boss let out a hearty laugh, his eyes fixed on the plateau as its energy shields flickered to life. "Hahah! See that, lads? They''ve spotted us! Who was the one that bought those camouflage upgrades? They''re absolutely shit!" He spat on the ground, with his expression turning sour.

    "Boss, it was you!" one of the pirates blurted out while laughing nervously. The room fell silent as the other pirates exchanged uneasy glances since everyone knew that it was one of those questions you shouldn''t answer, even if you knew the answer. Your next chapter is on My Virtual Library Empire

    "Oh, so it was you!" The pirate boss shouted out, his face turning red with anger. He drew his laser gun and fired several shots at the unfortunate pirate; his aim was erratic but eventually found its mark. The pirate crumpled to the ground, lifeless.

    She had prepared for a calculated assault, her defenses primed to absorb the first volley of attacks and her energy shield reinforced to withstand the initial barrage. But the first shot had missed entirely, throwing her calculations into disarray.

    "How is that possible? Did I really miscalculate it? No, there''s no chance I was wrong with the data!" Cleo muttered with her voice tinged with frustration. For the first time in a long while, she felt genuinely confused.

    "Could it be that the pirate boss is someone even more dangerous than I realized? ... This could be bad! I have to make a new strategy!"

    Her mind spun with possibilities, each more dire than the last. She couldn''t fathom that the pirate boss''s first shot was simply a result of terrible aim. To her, it had to be part of a larger, more insidious plan and this was just a feint designed to throw her off guard.

    The fact that the energy she had poured into reinforcing the shield had gone to waste only deepened her suspicion. This pirate boss, she concluded, was a master tactician, someone far more dangerous than she had initially thought.

    Her thoughts were interrupted as the rest of the pirate fleet opened fire. This time, their shots were on target, and to Cleo''s horror, the projectiles passed through the energy shield as if it weren''t even there.

    The plateau''s defenses were breached, and the impact of the phase-shift projectiles sent shockwaves through the ground, damaging structures and scattering her forces.

    {How is this possible? How does a pirate have phase-shift projectiles!? This pirate boss is too dangerous! We have to eliminate him here!!} Cleo''s mind raced with her earlier confusion replaced by a cold, calculating determination.

    The phase-shift projectiles were a game-changer. These advanced weapons utilized a unique material that could temporarily shift its phase, allowing it to bypass energy shields entirely.

    To Cleo, this wasn''t just a sign of the pirates technological prowess... it was proof that their leader was a formidable adversary, someone who had access to resources far beyond the reach of ordinary raiders.

    "All units, prioritize the pirate boss''s frigate!" Cleo shouted into the communicator with her voice being sharp and commanding. "He''s the key to their operation. Take him down, and the rest will fall!"

    As her forces scrambled to respond, Cleo couldn''t shake the feeling that she was missing something. The pirate boss''s erratic behavior, the missed shot, the phase-shift projectiles... it all pointed to a deeper, more dangerous threat.

    But what she didn''t realize was that the true danger lay not in the pirate boss''s intellect, but in his sheer unpredictability. While she was busy preparing for a master tactician, she was actually dealing with a bumbling fool whose incompetence was, ironically, his greatest weapon.

    The battle raged on, the plateau''s defenses straining under the relentless assault. Cleo''s forces fought valiantly, but the phase-shift projectiles continued to wreak havoc, bypassing their shields and striking at their heart.

    And all the while, the pirate boss stood on his frigate, blissfully unaware of the chaos he had unleashed, his gold-capped teeth gleaming as he laughed at the destruction below.

    "That''s how it''s done, lads!" he smirked while slapping the back of the nearest pirate. "Now, let''s finish this and claim our prize!"

    Little did he know, his "brilliant" strategy had turned him into the most dangerous man on the battlefield... not because of his skill, but because of his sheer, unrelenting incompetence.

    And Cleo, for all her intelligence and preparation, was about to learn a hard lesson: sometimes, the most unpredictable enemy is the one who doesn''t even know what they''re doing.

 Chapter 301 Besieged. {2}

    The plateau was in chaos. The pirate bombardment had shattered the energy shield, leaving the defenses vulnerable and the shield generators in ruins.

    The remaining generators struggled to maintain a smaller, localized shield around the factories, but it was a far cry from the impenetrable barrier that had once protected the entire plateau.

    Cleo''s forces scrambled to regroup, their Aegis units forming defensive lines as the pirates prepared to land.

    "Take the remaining energy generators and install them around the factories! Focus the air defense turrets around the station!" Cleo commanded with her voice, cutting through the din of explosions and alarms. "All units, prepare for combat!"

    She knew what was coming next. With the shield down, the pirates would do what they did best: board and overwhelm. The plateau was about to become a battlefield, and Cleo''s forces were outnumbered and outgunned. But she wasn''t about to go down without a fight.

    The pirate boss stood on the bridge of his frigate while his laughter echoed through the ship as he watched the plateau''s defenses crumble under the relentless bombardment.

    "Bahaha, now is the time, lads! Send some barrages to clean the zone even more before we land! Let''s show them the power of the Triad!" He shouted out while his gold-capped teeth gleamed in the dim light.

    The frigates under his command unleashed another volley of high-caliber projectiles, the explosions rocking the plateau and further weakening the defenses.

    The Aegis units, though equipped with personal energy shields, were no match for the sheer firepower of the pirate fleet. Their shields flickered and failed under the onslaught, leaving them exposed and vulnerable.

    Even as the barrage continued, the pirate transport ships began their descent with their engines roaring as they approached the plateau.

    Onboard, the elite forces of the pirate boss, all of them Tier 3 warriors clad in scavenged power armor and wielding an assortment of deadly weapons prepared for the fight. They were the best of the worst, hardened by years of raiding and pillaging, and they were eager to claim their prize.

    "Hahah, this air feels so nice!" One of the elites shouted with his voice filled with glee as the transport ship touched down.

    "What nice air!? This mist smells like your arse!" another retorted, eliciting a round of laughter from the group.

    "Bahaha, I wonder what good stuff we''ll find here!" A third pirate chimed in with his eyes gleaming with greed. Continue your journey with My Virtual Library Empire@@@@

    The moment the transport ships landed, the pirates poured out with their weapons at the ready. They were a motley crew, armed with everything from electric guns and laser rifles to crude melee weapons.

    Some wore outdated military power armor, its once-pristine surfaces now scarred and patched with scrap metal. They moved with a chaotic energy while their laughter and shouts filled the air as they charged into battle.

    [Hostile detected. Proceeding to eliminate.]

    "I like girls that are decisive!" the pirate elite taunted with his voice dripping with mockery as he raised his spear to block her strike. The impact was brutal, the force of Cleo''s attack driving him back several meters before he managed to plant his feet and halt his retreat.

    His grin widened, but there was a flicker of unease in his eyes. This woman was stronger than he had anticipated.

    "What are you all waiting for? Attack her too!" the pirate elite shouted with his voice cutting through the din of battle. The other elites, momentarily distracted by their own skirmishes, turned their attention to Cleo while their weapons gleamed with deadly intent.

    But Cleo wasn''t alone. Her voice rang out, clear and commanding, through the communicator. "Attention to all units, begin the counterattack!"

    The response was immediate. Ys, in her black serpent form, coiling with lethal grace, emerged from the shadows and lunged at one of the pirate elites with her fangs sinking into his armor with terrifying precision.

    Lilla and her brother, with their movements synchronized, engaged two more elites, their weapons flashing as they parried and struck with expert skill.

    Above, the allied fleet launched a coordinated assault on the pirate frigates, their fighters weaving through the sky like a swarm of angry wasps. The pirate bombardment, once a relentless onslaught, was now silenced as the frigates were forced to divert their attention to the aerial threat.

    For an hour, the battle raged on while the plateau trembled under the weight of the conflict. The Tier 3 fighters, with their strength and skill unmatched by the lesser combatants, clashed in a deadly dance of blades and energy.

    But as the dust settled, it became clear that Cleo''s forces were at a disadvantage. Though their quality was superior, the sheer number of pirate elites made this an eight against four.

    The two sides drew back with their fighters standing a kilometer apart, their breaths heavy and their bodies battered. Cleo''s golden blood dripped from a shallow wound on her cheek, a stark contrast to the silver gleam of her armor. The pirate elite who had wounded her licked his spear with his grin widening as he tasted her blood.

    "Bahaha, what''s the matter, beauty? Are you tired already?" He jeered while his voice dripped with arrogance. "Well, it''s not like I can''t let you live. If you promise to submit to me, I don''t mind letting you live! After all, that was the only reason I didn''t injure your little face too much, bahaha!"

    Cleo ignored his taunts and instead her mind racedas she assessed the situation. Her strategies, meticulously crafted and flawlessly executed, had all failed to turn the tide.

    The pirate boss''s unpredictability was his sheer incompetence masquerading as cunning had thrown her off balance. She didn''t know his next move, and that uncertainty was her greatest weakness.

    Her eyes flicked to her allies. Ys in her serpent form coiled protectively around her, hissing in defiance. Lilla and her brother stood ready, their weapons gleaming despite their fatigue. They were outnumbered, but they were not defeated.

    "We need to regroup," Cleo said with her voice being low but firm. "We can''t win this fight head-on. We need to outthink them."

    Ys nodded while her green eyes narrowed. "Agreed. But how? They have the numbers, and their elites are no pushovers."

    Cleo''s gaze shifted to the pirate elites, their laughter and jeers echoing across the battlefield. She clenched her fists while her mind raced through possibilities. The pirate boss was the key. If they could take him out, the rest would crumble. But how?

 Chapter 302 Besieged. {3}

    The battlefield was a storm of clashing steel, roaring energy, and the cries of combatants. Cleo''s forces, though outnumbered, fought with a desperate determination.

    While the pirate elites, emboldened by their numerical advantage, pressed the attack with relentless ferocity. But Cleo''s resolve was unshakable, even as her energy levels dwindled and her body screamed for rest.

    "Even so, we will have to do with the little strength we have," Cleo said with her voice being steady despite the exhaustion etched into her features. "Otherwise, we will have to bombard the planet from orbit and start over again, or abandon the expedition completely."

    She closed her eyes while taking a deep breath to steady herself. The stakes were too high to falter now.

    Ys, with her massive serpentine body coiled protectively around Cleo, hissed in agreement. "It''s four against eight... we''ll have to take care of two each. Do you guys think you can handle it?" she asked while her glowing green eyes flicked to Lilla and her brother. "And no offense, Cleo, but you''re not even half as strong as a normal Tier 3."

    Cleo nodded; her expression was grim. "Of course, I''m not as strong as a normal Tier 3 warrior. My specialty is in AI creation and optimization, not in fighting. Even so, I still have a way to fight. Everyone, use all your strength to hold them off. If we can keep them occupied long enough, the Kaelzar legions will be able to wipe out the rest of the pirates."

    With that, Cleo took to the sky while her golden eyes glowed brighter as she activated her overdrive mode. The air around her crackled with energy as six swords materialized in a circle behind her, their blades gleaming with a deadly light.

    [Activating overdrive... status all yellow... changing to limited overdrive mode... success... Battle Maiden mode activated.]

    For a brief moment, Cleo''s power surged to a Tier 3 peak, nearly touching the threshold of Tier 4. She was a force to be reckoned with, her presence commanding the battlefield as she launched herself at the pirate elites.

    "Everyone, attack!" she shouted with her voice cutting through the chaos. The six swords around her shot forward like guided missiles, with their trajectories being precise and deadly.

    "Hahah, here she comes! Move aside, she''s mine!" one of the pirate elites shouted while charging toward Cleo with reckless abandon. But before he could reach her, Ys''s massive serpent form lunged at him with her fangs bared.

    The pirate elite barely had time to raise his weapon in defense; his focus split between the incoming swords and the monstrous snake.

    The other pirate elites reacted quickly, deflecting Cleo''s swords and forcing Ys back with a coordinated counterattack. "Hahah, it seems you tried to be all cool and all that, but you almost got your ass handed to you by this little girl and her pet," one of them taunted while his voice dripped with mockery.

    "Who cares about that? Go and beat the annoying flies! I''ll take care of that beautiful girl; I know our love is mutual! How else would she be focused only on me?" The first pirate elite retorted while his face twisted into a grotesque, leering grin.

    The battle raged on, with both sides unleashing their full strength. Cleo''s forces fought valiantly, but the pirate elite''s numbers and stamina began to tell.

    Despite their superior skill and coordination, Cleo''s team was exhausted and their energy reserves were nearly depleted. The pirate elites, on the other hand, were still fresh, their laughter and taunts growing louder as they pressed their advantage.

    Cleo''s overdrive mode, once a beacon of hope, began to falter. Her power level dropped precipitously, from Tier 3 peak to Tier 3 low, as her energy reserves dwindled.

    "Don''t worry, Cleo," Carlos replied, with his tone being oddly calm despite the chaos. "Rex sent me ahead. He said he''d make some ''dramatic entrance'' or whatever. I''m just here to warm things up."

    Even as he spoke, Argos continued its merciless assault on the Elite pirate, now operating on autopilot. Carlos might as well have been watching a brutal action movie.

    "What are you talking about?" Cleo asked while her eyes darted between Carlos and the looming pirate boss.

    "Just look up," Carlos said with a smirk. "Trust me, Rex doesn''t do subtle."

    "HEY! Can you two shut the hell up? I''m standing right here, and you''re ignoring me like I''m some damn background character! I''ll kill you both for the disrespect!" The pirate boss shouted out with his voice dripping with venom.

    In one swift motion, he drew a sleek laser rifle from his back, its barrel glowing ominously as he took aim at Cleo and without hesitation, he fired.

    The air sizzled as the laser shot streaked toward Cleo. She barely managed to raise her energy shield in time, the barrier flickering weakly as it absorbed the blast. But her energy reserves were critically low, and the shield began to crack under the relentless assault.

    "Cleo! Hold on, I''m coming!" Carlos shouted with his voice being strained as he tried to push through to her. But two Tier 3 Elites intercepted him; their movements were swift and calculated.

    One was Lilla''s brother opponent, with his cybernetic arm crackling with energy, while the other was the pirate Carlos had supposedly taken down earlier and that now it was very much alive and furious.

    "Bwahaha! I love it when you struggle! It''s like music to my ears!" The Elite pirate cackled with his laughter being maniacal as he continued to rain fire on Cleo. Her body was still repairing itself from the earlier blow, leaving her immobilized and vulnerable.

    "You''ve got some nerve shooting at someone else woman!" A thunderous voice boomed, cutting through the chaos like a blade.

    The sound was deep, resonant, and carried an authority that made even the pirate boss pause. The mist around them seemed to part as the voice echoed, and for a moment, the battlefield fell silent.

    Cleo, while inside her energy shield that flickered and cracked under the relentless barrage of laser fire, managed a weak smile. She knew that voice.

    Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire

    Then, from above, a figure descended like a comet, wreathed in crackling energy. The ground trembled as he landed, the force of his impact sending shockwaves through the area. The mist cleared, revealing Rex, his presence commanding and his eyes blazing with fury.

    The pirate boss, momentarily stunned, quickly regained his composure. "Who the hell are you supposed to be?" he snarled while raising his laser rifle and firing a burst of shots at Rex. The beams struck Rex''s armor, but they barely left a scratch. The pirate boss''s eyes widened in disbelief.

    Rex didn''t even flinch. He simply raised a hand, and a surge of energy erupted from his palm, deflecting the next volley of shots with ease. "I''m the one who''s going to end your life," he said with his voice being calm yet laced with deadly intent.

    Cleo, still on the ground, watched as Rex stepped between her and the pirate boss, his massive frame shielding her from further harm. "Carlos, get her out of here," Rex ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.

 Chapter 303 Besieged. {4}

    Carlos, still inside Argos, nodded. "On it!" he said while disengaging from the pirate elites and rushing to Cleo''s side. The two remaining elites tried to intercept him, but Rex''s presence had shifted the balance of the battle.

    With a single, sweeping motion, Rex unleashed a wave of energy that sent the elites flying, their bodies crashing into the ground with bone-jarring force.

    "You''re not going anywhere," Rex said with his gaze locked onto the pirate boss. "You''ve caused enough damage. It''s time to pay for your crimes."

    The pirate boss, now visibly shaken, took a step back. "You think you can take me on? I''m a Tier 4 Mid! You''re nothing but a¡ª"

    Before he could finish, Rex was on him. His speed was blinding; his movements were like blurs as he closed the distance between them in an instant.

    The pirate boss barely had time to raise his weapon before Rex''s fist connected with his chest, the impact sending him flying across the battlefield. He crashed into the side of a ruined building, and seconds later the structure collapsed around him.

    Rex didn''t give him a chance to recover. He was on him again; his fists were like a relentless storm of blows that left the pirate boss no room to counterattack. The pirate''s cybernetic enhancements, once a source of pride, were now useless against Rex''s overwhelming strength and skill.

    Meanwhile, Carlos reached Cleo, his voice filled with concern. "Are you okay?" he asked while helping her to her feet.

    Cleo nodded, though her body ached with every movement. "Im still operational," she said with her voice sounding weak but determined. "Thanks to you and Rex."

    Carlos grinned. "Don''t mention it. Now, let''s get you out of here before things get even crazier."

    As Carlos helped Cleo to safety, Rex continued his assault on the pirate boss. The once-arrogant criminal was now a broken, battered mess, his cybernetic systems sparking and failing under the relentless onslaught. Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire

    With a devastating punch, Rex sent the pirate boss crashing to the ground.

    The pirate boss staggered to his feet with blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His face was twisted with rage while his eyes were burning with hatred as he pointed a trembling finger at Rex.

    "Ha... ha... ha... you little piece of shit! Do you really think a pretty face like yours can beat me?!" He spat a glob of blood onto the ground with his voice dripping with venom. "I wasn''t supposed to use this... it''s too damn expensive every time I let them out... but fuck you!"

    With a manic grin, he slammed a button on the device strapped to his arm. From one of the frigates hovering above the plateau, two massive metal containers detached and plummeted to the ground.

    slamming into the earth with a deafening crash. The pirate boss didn''t stick around to see what happened next. He turned and bolted toward the frigate while his laughter echoed across the battlefield. "Bahaha! Enjoy my little gift, you bastard!"

    The containers groaned and creaked as something inside began to stir. The sounds that followed were nothing short of horrifying deep, guttural roars that sent shivers down the spines of everyone nearby.

    It was as if two monstrous beings, born of pure chaos, were clawing their way out of the depths of hell.

    As he spoke, the golden halo on Rex''s back began to expand, its radiant light growing until it enveloped the entire pirate fleet.

    The pirates stared in awe and terror as the halo''s glow intensified, casting an otherworldly brilliance over the misty battlefield. Rex took a deep breath, his claymore sword gleaming as he raised it toward the pirate boss''s frigate.

    "Do it," Rex commanded with his voice steady and resolute.

    "Understood, boss! Activating the Emperor Sword!" Mini Cleo declared while standing proudly on Rex''s head and pointing her tiny finger toward the fleet.

    In an instant, a colossal golden sword materialized in the sky, its blade radiating pure energy. With a thunderous crack, the sword descended, piercing through several frigates as if they were made of paper.

    "HAAAAAAAA!" Rex roared, his voice echoing like a war cry. He swung his claymore, and the massive golden sword followed his movements, slicing through the pirate fleet with devastating precision. Frigates erupted into flames once their hulls split apart as the Emperor Sword carved a path of destruction.

    "What kind of monster is that!? Who said they were an easy target!? Get us out of here, now!" the pirate boss screamed, his bravado crumbling as he watched the golden sword turn toward his frigate.

    "Do you think everyone can just come and go after making a mess in my territory?" Rex growled, his voice dripping with menace. He extended his hand, and an energy field surged outward, slamming into the frigate and forcing it back, preventing its escape.

    The pirate boss snarled, his cybernetic enhancements flaring to life. "Hmph! You think you''re the only one who can pull off this trick!?" He unleashed his own energy field, pushing back against Rex''s with all his might. The two forces clashed, creating a visible shockwave that rippled through the air.

    Rex smirked while his eyes narrowed. "You do have some potential. But sadly, time''s up."

    Before the pirate boss could react, a golden light streaked through his frigate, passing through it like a ghost. For a moment, nothing happened, and the pirate boss let out a nervous laugh.

    "Mmm? What? Nothing? Hahaha! So it was just a hologram!? For a second there, I thought it was real! Now that I know your trick, there''s nothing you can¡ª"

    Rex snapped his fingers.

    The energy left behind by the Emperor Sword ignited, triggering a chain reaction of explosions across the pirate fleet. The frigates erupted in a spectacular display of fire and light, their shattered remains raining down like meteors.

    The pirate boss''s frigate was no exception, its hull consumed by a blinding explosion. And as the Emperor Sword had already sliced him in half, his body disintegrated in a burst of golden energy, adding to the magnificent display of destruction.

    The misty battlefield was now illuminated by the fiery aftermath, the once-menacing pirate fleet reduced to smoldering debris. Rex stood tall with his wings shimmering and his claymore resting at his side. Mini Cleo clapped her tiny hands, her voice filled with glee.

    "Mission complete, boss! That was amazing!"

    Rex smiled faintly while his gaze swept over the wreckage. "Let''s hope they remember this the next time they think about crossing us."

 Chapter 304 Lead by example.

    On a dimly lit, opulent room aboard one of the massive carriers orbiting the mist-shrouded planet. The air was thick with the scent of saltwater and exotic spices.

    In the center of the room, a towering shark man lounged in a glowing pool of water, his razor-sharp teeth tearing into a grotesque, tentacled sea creature. The sound of crunching echoed ominously as he devoured his meal with gusto.

    Suddenly, the door slid open with a hiss, and a nervous fishman scurried in while clutching a tray of more bizarre seafood. His gills flapped anxiously as he approached the pool. "Sir," he began speaking while his voice trembled, "the pirates we sent to test the waters against those robots... they were wiped out. Completely."

    The shark man paused mid-bite with a tentacle dangling from his jaws. He swallowed noisily and leaned back while his beady eyes narrowed. "Mmm, so how''d it go?" he rumbled while tossing another handful of food into his gaping maw.

    The fishman hesitated while his fins twitched. "Well, the pirates were defeated, but the robots didn''t come out unscathed. They''ve got a few Tier 3 fighters, nothing too impressive, but..." He trailed off while his voice faltered as he fidgeted with the tray.

    The shark man''s eyes locked onto him while glowing faintly in the dim light. "Spit it out," he growled while his voice was being low and dangerous.

    The fishman gulped.

    "They have a Tier 4 bionic warrior. We don''t know his exact sub-tier, but he took out the entire pirate fleet single-handedly with some kind of energy sword. And... there''s more. They''ve got a Khryssari with them."

    The shark man''s brow furrowed, and he leaned forward while the water sloshed around him. "A Khryssari? Here? In this backwater sector?" He chuckled darkly while his teeth glinted.

    "Mmm, interesting. I was getting bored babysitting that pampered noble who still smells like pee. A Tier 4 brawl might be just the fun I need. But a Khryssari... that could complicate things."

    He leaned back again with his grin widening. "Still, if it''s just a Tier 3 Khryssari champion, I could crush it without breaking a sweat. Might even enjoy it."

    The fishman''s trembling intensified, and he took a step back. "Sir, there''s... something else about the Khryssari..."

    The shark man''s grin faded. "What is it? Out with it!" he shouted while slamming his fist into the water and sending a wave splashing across the room.

    The fishman flinched while his voice was barely a whisper. "The Khryssari... it''s a female."

    The room fell silent. For a moment, the only sound was the faint hum of the ship''s engines. Then, with a sudden burst of motion, the shark man lunged out of the pool while the water cascaded off his massive frame.

    He grabbed the fishman by the shoulders with his claws digging in. "W-what did you say!?" he stammered while his voice was uncharacteristically shaky.

    "T-the Khryssari is a female, sir!" The fishman squeaked with his eyes wide with terror.

    The sharkman''s jaw dropped open, revealing rows of jagged teeth. Without warning, he snapped forward, engulfing the fishman''s head in one bite.

    The poor servant''s body went limp as the shark man chewed thoughtfully, then spat out the remains. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and grabbed a communicator from the edge of the pool.

    {On it, boss! Overdrive initiating now!}

    Mini Cleo''s voice chirped in his mind.

    {Overdrive activated. Status: all green. Energy reserves are insufficient for prolonged conflict. Summoning the Emperor Halo to convert natural energy into electric energy... Overdrive engaged!}

    To the humans, it happened in the blink of an eye. A radiant golden halo materialized on Rex''s back, its light piercing through the mist. His wings glowed with an otherworldly brilliance as he shot into the sky, leaving a trail of golden sparks in his wake.

    The Paladin, now in command, drew his sword and shouted orders with military precision. "Everyone, listen up! As the second-in-command, I''m taking charge! Spread out in a half-moon formation and begin the retreat! Anyone who tries to run will answer to me!"

    His voice was like steel, and that made the group move swiftly, falling into formation with practiced efficiency.

    As they retreated, the ground beneath them began to tremble. A low, guttural roar echoed through the mist, growing louder with each passing second. The humans exchanged uneasy glances; their faith in Rex was the only thing keeping their fear at bay.

    High above, Rex hovered, his energy claymore blazing in his hands. The mist below churned violently, and then it emerged, the colossal figure with its form shifting and indistinct, like a mountain given life. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent light, and its roar shook the very air.

    Rex''s voice boomed across the battlefield, calm yet commanding. "Stay on course! I''ll handle this."

    The humans didn''t need to be told twice. They quickened their pace, their formation tightening as they moved toward the safety of the plateau. Behind them, the clash of titans began. Rex''s golden light clashed with the monstrous figure''s shadowy form, the shockwaves of their battle rippling through the mist.

    The lead Paladin lowered his sword, his voice barely a whisper. "By the goddess... he truly is her chosen."

    The battle raged on, a dazzling display of light and shadow, as Rex stood between the humans and the unimaginable threat. And in that moment, the humans knew one thing for certain: they were witnessing something beyond mortal comprehension.

    The battlefield was chaos incarnate. The 201st Legion and the human Crusaders fought valiantly against the relentless tide of Harvesters and the lumbering golems that emerged from the mist.

    The air was thick with the sounds of clashing steel, energy blasts, and the guttural roars of their enemies. But amidst the chaos, the lead Paladin stood like a bastion of order, with his voice cutting through the din as he shouted out commands.

    "Left line, tighten up! Don''t spread out too much; you''ll get surrounded! Right line, fall back faster! You''re breaking formation!"

    His sword glowed faintly as he swung it in a wide arc, sending a shockwave rippling through the ground. The wave struck a golem square in the chest, shattering its core in an instant. The massive golem crumbled to the ground, its glowing eyes dimming as it fell.

    The Paladin''s ability made him a natural predator of the golems. With every strike, his shockwaves tore through their defenses, reducing them to rubble. But even as he fought, his eyes kept darting to the sky, where the mist churned violently.

    There, barely visible through the haze, was the silhouette of a colossal golem and its glowing eyes like twin suns piercing the fog. And circling it was a golden comet, growing brighter with every passing second.

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    "Guys, look at the sky!" one of the Crusaders shouted with his voice tinged with awe. Several fighters paused mid-battle, their eyes drawn upward to the spectacle unfolding above them.

 Chapter 305 Lead by example. {2}

    The golden comet was Rex using his Emperor Halo, which made him blaze like a miniature sun. His wings left trails of light as he darted around the massive golem, his energy claymore carving glowing arcs through the mist.

    The sheer scale of the battle above was staggering; it was a clash of titans that made the ground tremble with every impact.

    {Emperor Class Cannon fully loaded, enemy locked on. Can I fire now, boss?}

    Mini Cleo''s cheerful voice chirped in Rex''s mind. She hovered in front of him with her tiny form glowing with energy as she prepared the devastating weapon.

    Rex''s voice was calm but firm.

    {Do it.}

    Mini Cleo''s grin widened as she clapped her hands together. [Firing in 3... 2... 1...] Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire

    The sky lit up as the Emperor Class Cannon unleashed its power. A beam of pure golden energy shot forth, so bright it burned away the mist in its path.@@@@

    The beam struck the colossal golem square in the chest, piercing through its defenses like a hot knife through butter. For a moment, the battlefield fell silent as everyone watched in stunned awe.

    The golem let out a deafening roar while its glowing eyes flickered as it staggered backward. Then, with a final, earth-shaking crash, it collapsed, its massive form disintegrating into a cloud of dust and debris.

    The humans on the ground erupted into cheers with their morale soaring. The Paladin, however, remained focused. "Don''t get distracted! We''re not done yet!" he shouted while cleaving through another Harvester with a well-placed shockwave.

    Above, Rex hovered in the sky, his wings glowing faintly as he surveyed the battlefield. The golden light of the Emperor Halo began to dim since its energy was spent. Mini Cleo floated beside him with her tiny hands on her hips as she grinned proudly. "Not bad, huh, boss?"

    Rex allowed himself a small smile. "Not bad at all. But we''re not done yet. Let''s clean up the rest."

    {Lets go, boss! I also want to keep killing those little ugly beings!} Mini Cleo chirped with her tiny voice brimming with excitement. She materialized a pair of holographic sunglasses and perched herself on Rex''s head, summoning a miniature minigun that spun to life with a high-pitched whir.

    {Hahah, this little beast,} Rex thought while shaking his head slightly.

    {I wonder if Cleo is also as silly as her but she''s just hiding it?}

    Without wasting another moment, Rex dove from the sky like a golden meteor, slamming into the densest cluster of enemies.

    The impact sent shockwaves rippling outward while his energy-infused aura sliced through Harvesters and golems alike, reducing them to smoldering debris in an instant. The ground cracked beneath him, and the mist around him evaporated from the sheer heat of his descent.

    Meanwhile, Mini Cleo was having the time of her life while standing triumphantly on Rex''s head. She unleashed a barrage of holographic bullets from her minigun.

    Though only Rex and Cleo could see the projectiles, the little AI didn''t care. She giggled maniacally while her sunglasses glinted as she mowed down imaginary enemies. Rex decided not to ruin her fun and let her have her moment, focusing instead on the real threats around him.

    With each swing of his massive energy, Claymore, Rex carved through the enemy ranks like a scythe through wheat. Arcs of golden energy erupted from his blade, obliterating everything in their path.

    "Mini Cleo," Rex said while crouching down to examine the core, "do you think this counts as a beast core or a crystal ore? I mean, it came from a golem, basically a mountain made of minerals."

    {Mmmm, let me see...}

    Mini Cleo replied with her tiny form materializing on Rex''s shoulder. She used his optical sensors to scan the core, her holographic eyes flickering as she analyzed the data.

    After a moment, she nodded decisively.

    {According to the data, it''s definitely a beast core. Even if it''s the size of a house.}

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Well, that works. Call Cleo and tell her to send some frigates to haul this thing away. I''ll stick around and guard it just in case."

    {It''s done, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo chirped while her tiny hands typed on a holographic keyboard.

    {Oh, and by the way... there''s movement around us. Lots of it.}

    Rex''s eyes narrowed as Mini Cleo projected a minimap in front of him. Dozens of red dots were closing in, their movements deliberate and calculated. "Harvesters? Golems?" he asked while his hand instinctively tightened around the hilt of his energy claymore.

    {Negative, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo replied with her voice tinged with excitement.

    {They''re moving too slowly to be mindless beasts. And get this... there are several Tier 3 Advanced cyborgs in their group. Should we scare them?}

    She grinned mischievously while summoning a holographic nuclear bomb that she hugged tightly with her tiny arms.

    Rex sighed while shaking his head. "You don''t want to scare them.... you want to vaporize them, you little troublemaker. Let''s not start a war we don''t need. Activate the cloaking function and let''s see what they''re up to."

    {Roger that, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo said while snapping her fingers. A shimmering field of energy enveloped Rex, rendering him invisible to the naked eye. The minimap in front of him updated, showing the approaching figures in greater detail.

    The newcomers were a strange sight. They moved cautiously with their advanced cybernetic enhancements glinting in the dim light. Some carried heavy weapons, while others seemed to be scanning the area with sophisticated equipment.

    At the center of the group was a towering figure of a Tier 3 Advanced cyborg with a heavily armored frame and a glowing visor that obscured their face.

    Rex watched silently from his cloaked position, his white wings folded tightly against his back. Mini Cleo hovered beside him, her holographic form flickering faintly.

    {What do you think they want, Boss?} she whispered with her voice being barely audible.

 Chapter 306 Future.

    "Hard to say," Rex murmured while rubbing his chin. "But they''re not here to pick flowers. Let''s wait and see if they make a move on the core."

    The cyborgs stopped a short distance from the golem debris while their leader stepped forward to examine the remains. "This is it," the leader said with his voice distorted by his helmet. "The core''s still intact. Get the extraction team ready."

    Mini Cleo''s eyes widened.

    {Boss, they''re trying to steal our loot! Should I¡ª}

    "Not yet," Rex interrupted, his voice being calm but firm. "Let''s see how far they''re willing to go."

    The extraction team moved in with their equipment humming as they began to cut into the golem''s remains. Rex''s hand twitched, but he held his position. He wasn''t one to start a fight unnecessarily, but he also wasn''t about to let someone walk away with his hard-earned prize.

    Just as the cyborgs were about to secure the core, Rex deactivated his cloaking field, his white wings flaring to life. The sudden burst of light startled the cyborgs, and they scrambled to raise their weapons.

    "Looking for something?" Rex asked while his voice echoed across the battlefield. His energy claymore materialized in his hand, its blade crackling with power.

    The leader of the cyborgs stepped forward; his visor flickered as he assessed Rex. "We didn''t come here to fight," he said, his tone being cautious. "We''re here for the core. Name your price, and we''ll be on our way."

    Rex smirked. "The core''s not for sale. But if you''re looking for a fight, I''m happy to oblige."

    The cyborgs exchanged uneasy glances, their weapons wavering. Mini Cleo, still clutching her holographic nuclear bomb, giggled.

    {This is going to be fun, Boss!}

    Rex''s wings glowed brighter as he took a step forward. "Last chance to walk away."

    The leader hesitated, then signaled for his team to retreat. "This isn''t over," he said, his voice tinged with frustration.

    Rex watched as the cyborgs disappeared into the mist, his golden light fading as he relaxed. Mini Cleo pouted while her nuclear bomb disappeared with a flicker.

    {Aww, no fireworks?} Continue your journey on My Virtual Library Empire

    "Not today," Rex said while absorbing his claymore. "Let''s get this core to Cleo before anyone else gets any bright ideas."

    Several minutes later, the frigates arrived, their sleek forms cutting through the mist as they descended toward the battlefield. Mining and cargo drones spilled out like mechanical ants, swarming over the golem''s massive remains.

    Squads of Aegis units fanned out, securing the perimeter with military precision while the drones began the arduous task of extracting the colossal core.

    Rex watched from a distance, his white wings glowing faintly as he kept a vigilant eye on the operation. Mini Cleo hovered beside him with her tiny little arms crossed as she monitored the drones'' progress.

    {Boss, this is going to take a while. That core''s the size of a small building!}

    she said while her voice tinged with amusement.

    Mini Cleo grinned while summoning a holographic popcorn bucket.

    {This is gonna be fun.}

    Rex shook his head while a faint smile tugged at his lips.

    "You and your theatrics."

    As the mist swirled around them, the tension in the air was palpable. The Conqueror of Hanarix had been found, and the Syndicate''s gears were already turning.

    But Rex wasn''t one to be easily swayed by threats or temptations...

    "Rex, we''ve been offered an entire pleasure world, but they want us to¡ª" Cleo began speaking; her voice was calm and measured as she read from the holographic message floating in front of her.

    "Yes! Accept the job! It doesn''t matter what the job is! That''s a whole planet, you know!?" Rex interrupted while leaping out of his seat with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.

    His white wings flared slightly, and his eyes sparkled with excitement. For a moment, he looked less like a fearsome Tier 4 Bionic Warrior and more like a kid who''d just been told he could have all the candy in the store.

    Cleo sighed while pinching the bridge of her nose. "Rex, you should at least read the details before accepting something. The more amazing the reward sounds, the worse the request usually is."

    Rex froze mid-celebration, his wings drooping slightly. "Ehem, yes, you''re right. Sorry," he muttered while coughing awkwardly as he sat back down. "Alright, what do they want from us?"

    Cleo adjusted her glasses and resumed reading. "According to the card they sent, they want us to join the Syndicate. However, they don''t specify what role we''d have or what rank we''d be given." She projected the message onto a larger screen so everyone in the room could see it.

    Lilla, who had been quietly observing the conversation, then leaned forward. "I know a bit about the Syndicate. They started as a coalition of crime lords who pooled their resources to create a corporation. Over time, they grew into a megacorp, but... there are a lot of shady rumors about them."

    Rex turned to her; with his curiosity piqued. "What kind of rumors?"

    Lilla hesitated, her expression darkening. "The rumors say they don''t have a bottom line when it comes to business. They''re involved in everything from human trafficking to drugs, illegal weapons, and black-market implants. Basically, if it''s on the dark market, the Syndicate probably has a hand in it."

    Cleo nodded, her fingers dancing across a holographic keyboard. "Those aren''t just rumors," she said while summoning multiple screens filled with data.

    "It''s practically a fact. Their data storage wasn''t hard to hack... honestly, even Nexum''s systems were more secure. I''ve got access to their records, and let''s just say... they''re not exactly upstanding citizens."

    Rex leaned back in his chair, his earlier excitement replaced by a thoughtful frown. He took a deep breath, his wings folding neatly behind him. "Well, in that case, let''s table this discussion for later. We''ve still got a planet to secure, a necrotech world in standby to deal with, and now this Syndicate invitation. When did we become so popular?"

    Mini Cleo, who had been floating quietly in the corner, suddenly piped up.

    {Boss, I think it was around the time you started blowing up giant golems and glowing like a walking lighthouse. Just saying.}

    Rex shot her a glare, but the little AI just grinned, her holographic sunglasses sliding down her nose.

    {What? It''s true!}

 Chapter 307 Future. {2}

    Cleo ignored the banter; her focus was still on the Syndicate''s message. "Regardless of their reputation, we can''t afford to ignore this. The Syndicate isn''t the kind of organization you say ''no'' to lightly. If we decline, they might see it as an insult or worse, a challenge."

    Lilla nodded in agreement. "And if we accept, we''re essentially tying ourselves to a group of criminals. It''s a lose-lose situation unless we find a way to play this smart."

    Rex rubbed his temples while feeling the weight of their growing list of responsibilities. "Alright, let''s prioritize. First, we finish securing what we came for on this planet. Then we deal with the necrotech world. Once we''ve got those handled, we''ll figure out what to do about the Syndicate. Sound good?"

    Cleo and Lilla exchanged glances before nodding. "Agreed," Cleo said while closing the holographic screens. "But Rex, promise me one thing."

    "What''s that?" he asked while raising an eyebrow.

    "Next time someone offers you a planet, let me finish talking before you start celebrating."

    Rex chuckled while raising his hands in surrender. "Deal."

    As the meeting adjourned, the team dispersed to their respective tasks. Rex stayed behind for a moment while staring at the Syndicate''s invitation that was still floating in the air.

    His white wings glowed faintly as he muttered to himself, "A whole pleasure world, huh? Too bad it''s probably built on blood money."

    Mini Cleo floated over, patting him on the shoulder.

    {Cheer up, Boss. Maybe they''ll throw in a lifetime supply of holographic popcorn.}

    Rex smirked. "Your the only one that can eat holographic popcorn, thought...."

    While Rex and Mini Cleo were in the middle of one of their usual playful arguments, Rex spotted Cleo walking in the distance, her black hair catching the light as she moved with her usual calm efficiency.

    "Hey, Cleo!" he called out while waving a hand. "I forgot to ask you something that''s been bugging me for days ever since I got back from that fight with the giant golem."

    Cleo paused while turning to face him with her signature, composed expression. "Is it about your wings?" she asked, her sharp eyes already scanning the glowing, metallic appendages.

    "Yeah," Rex said while poking at one of the wings experimentally. "They used to disappear when I deactivated Overdrive, but now they''re just... stuck. Why can''t I hide them anymore?"

    Cleo stepped closer, her hand transforming into a scanner as she ran it over the wings. The soft hum of the device filled the air as she analyzed the data. After a moment, she nodded, her tone calm but intrigued. "Mmm, it seems you won''t be able to hide them anymore."

    Rex''s eyes widened. "What do you mean? Are you saying I''m stuck with these heavy wings on my back forever?"

    "That''s correct," Cleo replied, her voice steady. "According to the scan, your wings have fused with your skeletal structure. The nanomachines have essentially created their own bones, integrating them with yours. It''s... fascinating, really." She reached out, gently touching one of the wings as if marveling at her own handiwork.

    "Fascinating for you, maybe," Rex groaned while dropping to his knees dramatically. "But it''s annoying for me! I''ve been trying to sleep with these hard, metallic wings digging into my back for days. My whole body is sore!"

    {Original! My body is also sore!}

    Mini Cleo chimed in, popping up on Rex''s head and mimicking his dramatic pose.

    {Since I share all his senses, I''m suffering too! Can''t we just... cut them off?}

    Cleo blinked, her composed expression faltering for a moment. "This..."

    Mini Cleo, perched comfortably on his head, swung her tiny legs as she answered.

    {According to the original''s memories, she''s returned to the oceanic world.}

    Rex''s brow furrowed. "She left? Why? Did something happen?"

    {Well,}

    Mini Cleo began speaking, her tone unusually serious.

    {the original decided it was safer for her to go back. This misty world has shadows that are... sensitive to the Khryssari. Since we don''t know what''s else is lurking in the mist, it was better to send her home than risk something dangerous targeting her.}

    Rex sighed while running a hand through his hair. "I see... I''ve been so busy lately I haven''t had time to talk to any of them. Speaking of which, do you know where the twins are?"

    His mind flashed to Nyra''s radiant smile just a few days ago, after they''d made the decision to have the child. The memory brought a faint smile to his lips, but it quickly faded as Mini Cleo''s next words hit him.

    {Oh, they left too.}

    She said it casually, as if it were the most normal thing in the world.

    Rex froze mid-step. "Wait, what!? Where did they go? Did they leave with Ys?"

    {Not exactly}

    Mini Cleo replied, her holographic form flickering as she accessed more data.

    {Master received a request from the Blood Assassins under the twins command. They asked to take the twins back to their clan''s homeworld.}

    Rex''s eyes widened, and he slammed his fist against the metallic wall in frustration. The sound echoed down the hallway. "Why would Cleo allow that!? And why didn''t she tell me!?"

    Mini Cleo flinched at his outburst but quickly recovered. {According to the data I''m allowed to access, it''s because Blood Clan pregnancies are extremely rare. It''s apparently very difficult for their females to conceive. That''s one of the reasons such a powerful race lives in the shadows, they have trouble reproducing. And...}

    She hesitated, her tiny form fidgeting.

    "And what? Spit it out, Mini Cleo. You know I hate it when you keep secrets from me," Rex said, his voice low but firm. He reached up and gently poked her head with his finger.

    Mini Cleo sighed, her holographic shoulders slumping.

    {Well... the Blood Assassins said their pregnant women are often hunted by mercenaries and troops from other megacorporations. The Blood Clan is known for producing the best assassins in the galaxy thanks to their incredible strength, near-immortality, and eternal beauty. Pregnant women are especially targeted because... it''s easier to train a young Blood than to deal with an adult one.}

    Rex''s fists clenched, his wings flaring slightly as anger surged through him. "But if that''s the case, I could''ve protected her! I''m not some weakling... I''m a Tier 4 Bionic Warrior! I could''ve kept her safe!"

    Mini Cleo shook her head, her tone softening.

    {According to the original, she''s safer on the Blood Clan''s homeworld. It''s protected by a Tier 7 Void Warlord and several Tier 6 Stellar Commanders. Basically, she''s safer with them than with us. But they promised to keep in contact and let the twins visit from time to time. The Blood Clan values family bonds, and they won''t keep the family apart unless it''s absolutely necessary.}

    Rex''s jaw tightened as he processed the information. While Mini Cleo''s explanation sounded nice, something about it didn''t sit right with him. "If it isn''t necessary... huh?" he muttered, his voice tinged with suspicion.

 Chapter 308 Future. {3}

    Mini Cleo tilted her head, her tiny sunglasses sliding down her nose.

    {What''s wrong, Boss?}

    Rex crossed his arms, his white wings folding tightly against his back. "I don''t know. It just feels... off. The Blood Clan might value family, but they''re still assassins. What if they''re using Nyra and the baby for something? What if they''re not telling us everything?"

    Mini Cleo floated down to eye level, her expression unusually serious.

    {Boss, I get why you''re worried. But the original wouldn''t have agreed to this if she didn''t think it was the best option. And besides, Nyra''s tough. She wouldn''t let anyone use her or the baby.}

    Rex sighed while running a hand through his hair. "I know, I know. It''s just... I feel like I''m losing control of everything. First Ys, now the twins. What''s next? Are you going to leave too?"

    Mini Cleo gasped, her tiny hands flying to her chest in mock offense.

    {Leave you? Never! Who else would keep you out of trouble? Besides, I''m basically stuck with you and thats literally. You''re my ride!}

    Rex couldn''t help but chuckle at her antics, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Yeah, yeah. You''re stuck with me, and I''m stuck with you. Lucky me."

    Mini Cleo grinned, her holographic form glowing brighter.

    {Exactly! Now, let''s go find Cleo and figure out how to make your wings less of a pain. Literally.}

    As they walked down the hallway, Rex couldn''t shake the nagging feeling in the back of his mind. The Blood Clan''s promises sounded reassuring, but he knew better than to take things at face value.

    For now, he''d trust Cleo''s judgment, but he made a mental note to keep a closer eye on things. After all, when it came to protecting his family, Rex wasn''t about to take any chances.

    The meeting room was bathed in the soft glow of a 4D hologram, the misty planet rotating slowly in the center of the table. Lilla, Cleo, Carlos, and Rex stood around it, their faces illuminated by the flickering light.

    The atmosphere was tense, the weight of their impending decisions pressing down on them like the mist that shrouded the planet below.

    "Are you sure these are the right coordinates?" Lilla asked, her sharp eyes scanning the hologram. The area Cleo had marked was a blank spot on the map, a void in the data that made her uneasy.

    Cleo adjusted her glasses, her expression as composed as ever. "I''m not certain where the device is located, but this is our only lead. The other shadow captured by the human and Khryssari forces didn''t have any coordinates."

    "For now, this is all we have to work with." She gestured to the coordinates displayed on a secondary screen, the numbers glowing faintly.

    Rex leaned against the table, his metallic wings folded tightly against his back. He took a sip from a steaming cup of what looked like coffee, though it was probably something far more advanced. "Either way, we''re out of time. The other factions have already caught wind that we''re up to something. They''re moving their forces into position, and if we don''t act now, we''re going to be surrounded. Even with a dreadnought on our side, we''re outnumbered."

    Carlos, with an unusual cold and calculating demeanor, crossed his arms. "Do we have data on the enemy movements? Precise intel?"

    Rex nodded while setting his cup down. "We do. Mini Cleo, if you don''t mind."

    The room fell silent as the weight of their mission settled over them. The hologram continued to spin, the enemy forces closing in like a predator.

    As the meeting adjourned and the group dispersed to prepare for the operation, Rex lingered for a moment, staring at the hologram. Mini Cleo floated down to his shoulder, her tiny voice breaking the silence.

    {You worried, Boss?}

    Rex sighed, his white wings dimming slightly. "A little. But if there''s one thing I''ve learned, it''s that we''re at our best when our backs are against the wall."

    Mini Cleo grinned, her holographic form flickering.

    {Then let''s give them hell.}

    Rex smirked, his resolve hardening.

    "Yeah. Let''s show them what we''re made of."

    Three days had passed, and the battlefield was set. The forces were fully mobilized, their ranks bristling with Aegis units, human troops, and the formidable Tyrant units. Lilla and Carlos were already in position, commanding their respective flanks with precision and determination.

    The factories had been disassembled, their resources funneled into the war effort, and the plateau was now a staging ground for transport ships loaded with troops and supplies. All that remained was for Rex to make his grand entrance and kick the operation into high gear.

    In the hangar of the Cleopatra, Rex stood at the edge of the platform, his white wings glowing faintly in the dim light.

    Cleo stood beside him, her black hair catching the light as she adjusted her clothes; her expression was as composed as ever. Mini Cleo floated nearby, her tiny arms wrapped around a holographic nuclear bomb, her enthusiasm undiminished.

    "Rex, it''s time for you to head down," Cleo said, her voice calm but firm. "The operation can''t start without you."

    {Yeah, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo chimed in, bouncing excitedly.

    {Let''s go kick some asses!}

    Rex turned to face Cleo, a devilish smirk spreading across his face. Without warning, he reached out and grabbed her by the hip, pulling her closer to him. Cleo''s eyes widened slightly, but she didn''t resist.

    "Well," Rex said, his voice low and teasing, "since your man is about to go fight for you down there, wouldn''t it be good manners for the princess to gift me a kiss?" He leaned in, his golden eyes locking onto hers.

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    Cleo''s lips curved into a small, knowing smile. She raised a finger and pressed it gently against Rex''s lips, stopping him in his tracks.

    "If I''m not mistaken," she said, her tone playful but firm, "a lowly general wouldn''t dare kiss a princess. That would be... unthinkable. And the general might just find himself executed without ever knowing why."

 Chapter 309 Future. {4}

    Rex chuckled, his smirk widening. "Well, good thing Princess Cleo is madly in love with me... even if she won''t admit it. And I happen to know that this princess has a habit of doing things she''s not supposed to do." He leaned in again, this time nipping lightly at the finger she had pressed to his lips.

    Cleo''s breath hitched, her golden eyes narrowing slightly. "You''re insufferable," she murmured, though there was no real heat in her words. She hesitated for a moment, then sighed, her resolve crumbling. "Fine. But only because you''re about to risk your life down there."

    Before Rex could respond, Cleo closed the distance between them, her lips meeting his in a brief but delicious kiss. It was over almost as quickly as it began, but the warmth of it lingered, leaving Rex momentarily stunned.

    Mini Cleo, who had been watching the entire exchange with wide eyes, let out an exaggerated gasp.

    {Whoa! Boss, you''ve got game!}

    Cleo stepped back, her cheeks faintly flushed, though her expression quickly returned to its usual composure. "There. Now go. And try not to get yourself killed."

    Rex grinned, his wings flaring as he stepped back toward the edge of the platform. "Don''t worry, Princess. I''ll be back before you know it." He turned to Mini Cleo, who was still clutching her holographic bomb. "You ready, little troublemaker?"

    {Ready as I''ll ever be, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo replied, her tiny form glowing with excitement.

    With one last glance at Cleo, Rex spread his wings and leapt off the platform, diving toward the misty battlefield below. Mini Cleo followed close behind, her holographic bomb disappearing as she transformed into a glowing orb of light, ready to assist him in the fight.

    Cleo watched them go, her arms crossed as she stood at the edge of the platform. For a moment, her usual mask of calm slipped, revealing a flicker of worry. But then she straightened, her expression hardening.

    "Good luck, Rex," she murmured under her breath. "And don''t you dare make me regret that kiss."

    Rex descended from the sky like a golden comet, his radiant wings cutting through the mist with a brilliance that outshone even the faint glow of the planet''s atmosphere.

    He came to an abrupt halt just a few meters above the plateau, the sudden stop sending shockwaves rippling through the air. The sound was deafening, like thunder rolling across the battlefield, and it echoed for miles, announcing his arrival to friend and foe alike.

    "Well then," Rex said, his voice calm but carrying an undeniable weight, "it''s time to start this operation. Don''t expect me to give a long, emotive speech since I''m not good at those. But I know all of you don''t need one to get the job done."

    He turned around, his golden eyes locking onto the mark displayed on his HUD. With a deliberate motion, he raised his hand and pointed toward the coordinates.

    "Everyone, mobilize!" His voice boomed like a command from the heavens, so powerful and dominating that it didn''t need amplification through communications. Every soldier, every unit, and every ally within earshot felt the order resonate deep within them.

    In the blink of an eye, the plateau erupted into action. Hundreds of fighters from the allied forces surged forward, their engines roaring as they sped past Rex to scout ahead.

    The transport ships, loaded with Aegis units and Tyrant units, lifted off from the plateau in perfect formation, their thrusters glowing as they headed toward the coordinates.

    From the mist, the massive silhouette of the dreadnought Liberator emerged, its imposing frame casting a shadow over the battlefield. It advanced slowly but steadily, flanked by a fleet of frigates that buzzed around it like protective insects.

    "Yes," Cleo replied, her tone as composed as ever. "I''m detecting at least four Tier 4 Bionic Warriors heading your way. It seems phase two of the plan is working."

    Rex groaned while shaking his head in mock defeat. "I don''t think I like this kind of plan... I''m going to have to fight four Tier 4 warriors all by myself."

    Cleo''s voice took on a rare sarcastic edge, something Rex hadn''t heard from her before. "What''s wrong? Are you giving up already?"

    Rex''s eyes narrowed, and a devilish grin spread across his face. "Ha! Who''s giving up? Let''s do this! If I can take care of all four of them alone, you''ll sleep with me tonight!"

    he shouted, his voice booming with confidence. As he spoke, his body began to grow in size, the golden halo on his back surging with energy that poured into his system.

    There was a brief pause on the other end of the line before Cleo responded, her voice uncharacteristically shy. "If... if you can take all of them without losing any limbs, I guess I can consider it."

    Rex''s grin widened, and he pumped his fist in the air. "Ha! You said it yourself, so you better start picking out some good lingerie! I''m going to make you pregnant this time!" he shouted at the top of his lungs, his voice carrying far beyond the private channel.

    "Rex...." Cleo said, her tone a mix of exasperation and embarrassment, "even if we''re using a private channel, if you shout like that..." She trailed off, clearly flustered, a first for her.

    Before Rex could respond, a voice cut through the air, dripping with mockery. "Hahaha, you think is wise to be talking about this in the middle of a battlefield?"

    Rex turned to see one of the Tier 4 powerhouses hovering to his right, it armor gleaming in the misty light. The figure was imposing, but Rex wasn''t intimidated.

    "Let him be," another voice chimed in. This time, it came from a second Tier 4 powerhouse, who stood atop one of the transport ships a few meters away. "You''re just jealous, old man."

    The other two Tier 4 powerhouses appeared soon after, each taking up a position around Rex, effectively surrounding him. Rex crossed his arms, his whitewings flaring slightly.

    "Mmm, so it''s four against one? Aren''t you guys being a little unfair to poor little me?" he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. Behind him, Mini Cleo was already hard at work, crafting two nano claymores infused with Rex''s cosmic energy.

    One of the Tier 4 powerhouses, a hulking figure in heavy armor, looked Rex up and down before scoffing. "Little? You? Dude, you''re what... three meters tall? The only little thing about you is your dick!" The comment drew laughter from the other Tier 4 powerhouses, their voices full of mockery.

    Rex raised an eyebrow, his grin never faltering. "Mmm? How do you know my dick is small? Were you the one sucking it last night?" he shot back while dramatically covering his crotch with his hands.

    The armored powerhouse froze, his body trembling with rage. "Y-you!" he sputtered, pointing a shaking finger at Rex. It wasn''t clear if his face was red under his helmet, but his entire body shook like a leaf in the wind.

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    {Boss,} Mini Cleo said, her tiny voice filled with barely contained laughter

    {that guy is clearly angry. Why did he even try to mock you if he can''t handle it? Is he a masochist?}

    The other Tier 4 powerhouses were also struggling to keep their composure, their laughter now mixed with disbelief at Rex''s audacity.

 Chapter 310 Emperor sword.

    Rex smirked, his white wings glowing brighter as he raised his newly crafted nano claymores. "Alright, boys," he said, his voice calm but laced with menace. "Let''s see if you can back up all that talk."

    The battlefield fell silent for a moment, the tension palpable. Then, with a roar, the four Tier 4 powerhouses charged at Rex, their weapons blazing with energy. Rex met them head-on, his golden light cutting through the mist as the clash of titans began.

    The first clash was brutal. The combined force of the four Tier 4 warriors sent Rex flying backward, his body crashing into one of the transport ships. The impact caused a massive explosion, debris scattering in all directions as the ship was obliterated.

    "Hahaha, that was all? This guy only looks big, but his strength is trash!" one of the Tier 4 warriors laughed, his voice dripping with mockery.

    "Don''t let your guard down," another Tier 4 warned, nocking an energy arrow to his bow. "He''s not dead. I can still feel his energy."

    As if on cue, Rex emerged from the explosion in a matter of seconds, his wings flapping powerfully to stabilize him. He hovered in the air, his golden light undimmed, though his armor showed signs of damage.

    "Tsk, I''ll admit, I didn''t think it would be this hard to fight four cowards at the same time!" he taunted, his voice carrying over the battlefield.

    The Tier 4 noble who had been mocked earlier sneered, his voice filled with venom. "Why are you still trying to look powerful? You couldn''t even withstand our attack! If you surrender yourself and bow your head to me, I might spare your life and use you as a good Tier 4 slave."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, his smirk returning. "Damn, I knew it! You only want my body! But I''m sorry, I don''t swing that way!" he shouted back while dramatically covering his body with his arms.

    "Y-you!" the noble sputtered, his face turning red with rage beneath his helmet. Once again, he was left speechless. When it came to trash talk, it was clear that a spoiled noble was no match for someone who had spent his life in the slums.

    "Stop wasting your energy talking to him! Let''s just kill him already!" another Tier 4 shouted while charging at Rex with his weapon raised. The others followed suit, their attacks coordinated and relentless.

    {Mini Cleo! Is that thing ready yet!?}

    Rex asked through his mental link, parrying a strike from one Tier 4 before darting upward to dodge an energy arrow.

    {Not yet, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo replied, her voice strained.

    {The original sent me the ancient Kaelzar language for energy technique builds, but it''s hard to translate into your language.}

    {Tsk, I guess I''ll have to buy some more time. Hurry up with that thing, Mini Cleo!}

    Rex thought, his mind racing as he prepared to lure the Tier 4 warriors further away from the transport ships.

    Just as Rex was about to make his move, chains shot out from the mist, wrapping around his foot. "HAHAHA! Did you think you could run away after insulting me!?" the Tier 4 noble shouted while pulling Rex toward him.

    Before Rex could react, the noble delivered a powerful punch to his side, the impact sending a shockwave through the air. Rex''s vision blurred for a few seconds, leaving him vulnerable.

    The Tier 4 archer seized the opportunity, firing an energy arrow that struck Rex''s shield, shattering it instantly. The force of the explosion sent Rex tumbling through the air, his wings struggling to stabilize him.

    [When the Emperor''s Sword rises, the whispers of rebellion fall silent.]

    As Mini Cleo spoke, a colossal sword of pure energy began to materialize above Rex. It was a breathtaking sight, the blade radiating an otherworldly light that seemed to pierce through the misty atmosphere.

    The sheer pressure of the sword''s presence locked the Tier 4 warriors in place, their bodies frozen as if time itself had stopped.

    "W-what is that!?" one of the Tier 4 warriors stammered, his voice trembling with fear.

    "Who cares what it is? Shoot it down!" the noble screamed, his voice cracking under the strain. The Tier 4 warriors tried to attack, but their energy blasts were stopped midair by a honeycomb-like shield that surrounded Rex and Mini Cleo.

    [When the Emperor''s Sword falls, the balance of power shatters into a million pieces.]

    With those words, the colossal sword shattered into hundreds of thousands of smaller blades, each one glowing with the same radiant energy. Rex pointed his claymore toward the immobilized Tier 4 warriors, his expression calm but resolute.

    "Go," he said simply.

    The sea of energy swords rained down, a breathtaking cascade of light and power. The Tier 4 warriors could only watch in horror as the blades descended upon them.

    "NOOOOOOO!" the noble screamed, his voice filled with desperation. "SPARE MY LIFE, GREAT LORD!"

    "I WAS JUST FOLLOWING ORDERS!" another Tier 4 warrior pleaded, his voice breaking.

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    "AHHHHHHHHH!" a third screamed as the swords struck, their energy tearing through armor and flesh alike.

    Cleo, watching the scene through her Scout drones, couldn''t help but smile. This was one of her father''s favorite moves, a technique that had once brought entire armies to their knees.

    "Show them, Rex" She whispered, her fists tightening. "The Kaelzars aren''t dead yet. The time of our rise will come again."

    The battlefield fell silent as the last of the energy swords dissipated, leaving only Rex and Mini Cleo hovering in the air. The Tier 4 warriors were gone, their once-imposing forms reduced to nothingness. Rex lowered his claymore, the golden halo dimming as he took a deep breath.

    Mini Cleo floated beside him, her form shrinking back to its usual size.

    {Boss, that was... amazing!!}

    Rex smirked, his wings folding behind him. "Yeah, but let''s not do that again anytime soon. I feel like I just ran a marathon."

    As the mist began to clear, the transport convoy in the distance continued its journey, unharmed and unaware of the battle that had just taken place. Rex turned toward the horizon, his white wings glowing faintly.

    "Let''s get back to work. This mission isn''t over yet."

 Chapter 311 Emperor sword. {2}

    Meanwhile, on the flanks, Lilla and Carlos found themselves under heavy assault. The enemy forces, having detected the deaths of their Tier 4 warriors through their power armor''s vital sign monitors, had launched a full-scale attack.

    The humans and their robotic allies were outnumbered, but they held their ground with unwavering determination.

    The Tyrant units, though not as individually powerful as the Tier 3 Advanced Cyborgs of the enemy, proved to be a formidable force. Their sheer numbers and relentless coordination allowed them to support the Paladins and Lilla in repelling the assault.

    Carlos on his flank faced a similar onslaught but managed to hold the line with the help of the Aegis units and the Maulers.

    For now, phase three of the plan was proceeding smoothly. The defensive perimeter held, and the transport ships began their descent toward the coordinates, marking the start of phase four: the search for the advanced warp device.

    [Establish a defensive perimeter. Do not let those beasts come closer,]

    a Tyrant unit commanded, its voice mechanical but authoritative. The Aegis units moved into position, their weapons trained on the endless waves of Harvesters and Golems that surged toward them.

    Despite the relentless assault, the defensive line held firm, thanks to the combined might of the Tyrants and Maulers.

    The Harvesters and Golems, though numerous, stood no chance against the disciplined and coordinated defense.

    And their odds grew even slimmer when a golden comet streaked across the sky, descending toward the defensive line with incredible speed. It landed gracefully within the perimeter, revealing Rex, his white wings glowing faintly as he surveyed the battlefield.

    [Greetings, Kaelzar Supreme Commander], a Tyrant unit said while kneeling in respect.

    "Mmm, good work. At ease, soldier," Rex replied, his eyes scanning the massive ruins ahead. The ancient structure loomed like a forgotten titan, its shattered walls and crumbling towers a testament to its former glory. "Mini Cleo, do you have any idea what this place is?"

    Mini Cleo materialized on top of Rex''s head, her tiny form flickering as she accessed the data.

    {Mmm, according to the Original''s records, this appears to be a Kaelzar planetary fortress. But by the looks of it, it was destroyed hundreds of years ago.}

    Rex reached out, his hand brushing against the weathered stone of the fortress. "Mmm, I see. And just how strong was this thing when it was operational?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe.

    "I can answer that question," Cleo''s voice came from behind him. She landed gracefully beside Rex, her black hair catching the faint light filtering through the mist.

    Rex turned to her, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Hey there, my wife. What nice weather we''re having today, wouldn''t you say?" he said while striking an exaggerated pose.

    Cleo stared at him, her expression as unreadable as ever. She glanced up at the misty sky, then around at the desolate battlefield. "Do you consider this kind of weather pleasant? Is this what you call ''nice''?" she asked, her tone flat.

    Rex rubbed the back of his neck while chuckling awkwardly. "Well, not really... I was just trying to make small talk. Ehem... anyway, so how strong was this fortress back in its day?"

    Cleo glanced at him, her golden eyes reflecting the faint light of their surroundings. "Because the Kaelzars of that era were on a different scale entirely. If you think the Mauler is big, back in my time, it was just a scout unit. And the Aegis units? They didn''t even exist. I created them later... mostly to play with."

    Rex raised an eyebrow, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You created the Aegis units... to play with? Remind me not to get on your bad side."

    Cleo didn''t respond; her attention focused on the path ahead. The air grew colder, the silence more oppressive, as they descended further into the fortress.

    The walls were lined with ancient machinery, some still humming faintly with residual energy, while others were shattered beyond recognition.

    "So, how much longer do we have to go down to find this warp device?" Rex asked while glancing up at the endless staircase that seemed to stretch into infinity. The ceiling above was dark and foreboding, the faint glow of their lights barely piercing the gloom.

    "I don''t know," Cleo admitted, her voice echoing softly in the vast chamber. "The size of the fortress depends on how many forces were stationed here. Given how deep we''ve gone, it''s likely this place housed at least five million units... or a few exceptionally large ones."

    Rex whistled, impressed. "Five million? That''s a lot of firepower. No wonder the Khryssaris had to bring their main warriors."

    Before Cleo could respond, a deafening roar shattered the silence. The sound was so powerful that it felt like a physical force, slamming into Rex and Cleo with enough intensity to make them stagger. They instinctively covered their ears, their bodies trembling as the roar reverberated through the fortress.

    "What the hell was that!?" Rex shouted, his voice barely audible over the ringing in his ears.

    Cleo''s expression darkened, her golden eyes narrowing as she stared into the depths of the fortress. "Something big. And it''s coming this way."

    The ground beneath them began to tremble, the vibrations growing stronger with each passing second. From the shadows below, a massive shape began to emerge. Its body was covered in dark, metallic scales, and its eyes glowed with an ominous red light.

    It moved with a terrifying grace, its massive form scraping against the walls of the fortress as it ascended.

    [Warning: Unknown powerful energy source detected. All turrets and cannons are now targeting the entity.]

    The voice of the Liberator''s AI echoed through their comms, its tone urgent. Above ground, the Dreadnought''s weapons systems whirred to life, its massive cannons and turrets swiveling to aim at the entrance of the ruined fortress.

    Rex and Cleo exchanged a glance, their unease palpable. "We need to get out of here," Rex said, his voice tight with tension.

    Cleo nodded, her expression grim. "Agreed. But we can''t let that thing reach the surface. If it gets past the Liberator..."

    She didn''t need to finish the sentence. Rex understood the stakes. The robotic dragon, because that''s what it was, was nearly the size of the Dreadnought itself. If it reached the surface, it could wreak havoc on their forces and jeopardize the entire mission.

    The dragon let out another earth-shaking roar as it burst through the fortress''s entrance, its massive form silhouetted against the misty sky. Its glowing red eyes locked onto the Liberator, and for a moment, the battlefield fell silent.

    Then, with a thunderous crash, the dragon lunged toward the Dreadnought, its metallic claws gleaming in the dim light.

 Chapter 312 Emperor sword. {3}

    The moment the dragon spotted the Dreadnought Liberator and saw its weapons targeting it, the massive creature opened its jaws wide. Its throat began to glow with a dangerous red light, and the energy around it seemed to warp and twist as it was drawn into the dragon''s mouth. The air crackled with power, and the ground trembled beneath its feet.

    [Hostile actions detected. Firing all weapons.]

    The Liberator''s cannons and turrets roared to life, lighting up the misty sky with a barrage of energy blasts and explosive projectiles. The fireworks of destruction slammed into the dragon''s metallic body, sending shockwaves rippling through the air. But the dragon didn''t falter.

    Instead, it unleashed a devastating red laser beam from its mouth, the sheer force of the attack disintegrating the incoming projectiles mid-air. The beam struck the Dreadnought''s shields, causing them to flicker and strain under the immense pressure.

    For several tense minutes, the dragon''s laser beam raged against the Dreadnought, the two titans locked in a deadly standoff. Finally, the beam subsided, leaving behind a trail of smoke curling from the dragon''s jaws.

    It stared at the Dreadnought, its glowing red eyes filled with malice and intelligence.

    Rex and Cleo emerged from the fortress, flying at full speed just as the dragon''s attack ended. They landed on a nearby ridge, their eyes fixed on the colossal creature.

    "Cleo, don''t tell me that thing was part of the Kaelzar military," Rex said, his voice tinged with disbelief as he stared at the dragon.

    "I don''t know," Cleo admitted, her golden eyes narrowing as she analyzed the creature. "I don''t have any data on such beings. Even as a princess, it''s impossible for me to know everything about the Kaelzar Empire."

    [Threat level escalated to Level 3. Proceeding to use nuclear armament.]

    The Liberator''s AI system made the decision to escalate its response. The Dreadnought''s missile hangars opened, revealing rows of nuclear warheads. The AI had determined that the dragon posed a significant threat, one that could potentially damage the Dreadnought in a prolonged battle.

    "Not good! Everyone, take cover! Shields at maximum output!" Cleo commanded through the comms, her voice sharp and urgent. She grabbed Rex''s hand and pulled him back toward the fortress, her instincts screaming at her to find shelter.

    The Dreadnought launched nearly sixty nuclear missiles, their engines igniting as they streaked through the sky. Half of the smart-seeking missiles locked onto the dragon, their trajectories unwavering as they closed in on their target.

    The dragon let out a deafening roar, its massive wings unfurling with a thunderous snap. With a powerful flap, it launched itself into the sky, flying away from the planet''s surface as if it didn''t want the fortress or whatever lay beneath it to be damaged by the impending explosions.

    "Look out there! What is that!?" a soldier of the other forces shouted, his voice filled with terror.

    "What the hell is that monstrosity!?" another cried, his weapon trembling in his hands.

    "Could it be the same creature the megacorps have been hunting?!" a third voice added, panic spreading through the ranks.

    As the dragon reached a safe distance, its metallic scales began to shift and open, revealing glowing red lights beneath. The lights pulsed with energy, and within seconds, laser beams erupted from the dragon''s body, streaking through the void of space.

    The beams struck the incoming nuclear missiles, detonating them in a series of blinding explosions just outside the planet''s atmosphere.

    The resulting shockwave was catastrophic. The explosions lit up the sky like a second sun, their brilliance overwhelming sensors and blinding anyone who dared to look directly at them.

    The force of the detonations destroyed anything within a few kilometers of the blast radius, including several enemy ships that had been too close.

    [1... Initiating warp.]

    The Liberator''s form distorted, its massive frame shimmering as it vanished from space. The dragon''s railgun projectiles passed through the empty space where the Dreadnought had been moments before.

    The Liberator reappeared in orbit above one of the other faction''s fleets, its hull still smoldering from the dragon''s attack. Emergency repair drones swarmed over the damaged sections, extinguishing fires and patching breaches.

    [Internal damage detected. Initiating emergency repair drones.]

    The crew of the Liberator worked frantically to stabilize the ship, their voices tense but focused. Meanwhile, the fleet below was thrown into chaos.

    "W-why the hell did it appear above us!?" one of the faction commanders shouted, his voice filled with panic.

    "Quickly, shoot it down!" another ordered, his ships scrambling to target the Liberator.

    "Those bastards are trying to lure the dragon to us!" a third voice cried, his tone laced with fury.

    "Prepare the warp! We need to get out of here, now!" the first commander shouted out, his fleet already maneuvering to escape.

    The Liberator, still recovering from the dragon''s attack, loomed over the fleet like a specter. The other factions, now caught in the crossfire, were left scrambling to respond to the sudden threat.

    Rex and Cleo watched the chaos unfold from the planet''s surface, their expressions grim. "Well, that didn''t go as planned," Rex said, his voice dry.

    Cleo''s golden eyes narrowed as she analyzed the situation. "The dragon is more intelligent than we anticipated. It''s adapting to our tactics."

    Rex smirked, his wings flaring slightly. "Then we''ll just have to outsmart it. Let''s see how it handles a little chaos of its own."

    "Do you have a plan already?" Cleo asked, her golden eyes fixed on Rex''s face. She was back in her main body after the failed shot from the Cleopatra, her expression a mix of curiosity and concern.

    Rex grinned, his white wings flaring slightly as he landed on the ground and gently set Cleo down.

    "Indeed, I do. It seems the dragon is drawn to whoever''s the most annoying, right now, that''s the Liberator. But what if I become even more annoying and use the dragon to attack the other fleets?" His smile turned devilish, his eyes gleaming with mischief.

    Cleo raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "And how do you plan to do that?"

    Rex''s grin widened. "I''ll need your full support for this. Transfer yourself into my core. I''m going to need that giant transformation if I want this plan to succeed."

    Cleo studied him for a moment, then nodded. "Understood." She turned to the nearby Tyrant unit, her voice firm. "Tyrant, protect my body at all costs."

    The Tyrant unit saluted, its mechanical voice echoing. [Understood. Protecting the princess body.]

    With that, Cleo''s form shimmered, her consciousness leaving her physical body and merging with Rex''s core. The moment she fused with him, a surge of energy coursed through his system, his white wings glowing brighter than ever.

    [Overdrive activated... releasing limiters... increasing energy output... activating Kaelzar Battle Mechanoid Form.]

 Chapter 313 Emperor Sword. {4}

    Rex''s body began to change, his form expanding as his armor shifted and reconfigured. His wings grew larger, their silver light intensifying, and his claymore transformed into a massive energy blade that hummed with power.

    His height increased, his frame now towering over the battlefield as he took on the form of a Kaelzar Battle Mechanoid, a living weapon of war.

    The transformation was awe-inspiring, his presence radiating an overwhelming aura of power. The Tyrant unit guarding Cleo''s body stepped back, its sensors struggling to process the sheer energy emanating from Rex.

    "Alright," Rex said, his voice now deeper and more resonant. "Let''s see how the dragon likes this."

    With a powerful flap of his wings, Rex shot into the sky, his golden light cutting through the mist like a beacon. He soared toward the dragon, which was still hovering in orbit, its glowing red eyes fixed on the Liberator and the chaotic fleet below.

    As Rex approached, he unleashed a barrage of energy blasts from his wings, each one striking the dragon''s metallic scales with pinpoint accuracy. The creature roared in annoyance, its head snapping toward Rex as it registered the new threat.

    "That''s right, big guy! Look at me!" Rex shouted, his voice booming across the battlefield. He fired another volley of energy blasts, this time aiming for the dragon''s eyes. The creature flinched, its roar filled with rage as it turned its full attention toward Rex.

    Cleo''s voice echoed in his mind, her tone calm but firm.

    {You''ve got its attention. Now what?}

    "Now," Rex said, his grin widening, "we lead it on a little chase."

    With that, Rex darted toward one of the enemy fleets, his golden light trailing behind him like a comet. The dragon, now thoroughly annoyed, gave chase, its massive wings propelling it through the void with terrifying speed.

    The enemy fleet, already in disarray, panicked as they saw the dragon heading straight for them. "What the hell is that!?" one of the commanders shouted, his voice filled with terror.

    "It''s the dragon! And it''s coming right at us!" another cried, his ships scrambling to evade the incoming threat.

    Rex weaved through the fleet, his energy blasts striking enemy ships and drawing the dragon''s fire.

    The creature''s laser beam sliced through the void, obliterating anything in its path, including the enemy fleet. Ships exploded in brilliant flashes of light, their hulls torn apart by the dragon''s relentless attacks.

    Cleo''s voice echoed in his mind again, this time with a hint of amusement.

    {You''re enjoying this, aren''t you?}

    "Maybe a little," Rex admitted, dodging a barrage of enemy fire as he led the dragon on its destructive path. "But hey, if it works, it works."

    The dragon, now fully focused on Rex, continued its rampage through the enemy fleets. Its railgun cannons fired wildly, its silver projectiles tearing through enemy ships. The chaos was absolute, the battlefield a swirling maelstrom of fire and destruction.

    As Rex led the dragon further away from the Liberator and the fortress, Cleo''s voice came through once more.

    {The Liberator is safe for now. But we still need to deal with the dragon.}

    "Don''t worry," Rex said, his tone confident. "I''ve got one more trick up my sleeve."

    {Is that trick under your sleeve the ability I just gave for you?} Cleo''s voice echoed in Rex''s mind, her tone calm but with a subtle hint of teasing.

    Finally, with a deafening explosion, the dragon''s core detonated, its massive form disintegrating into a cloud of debris. The shockwave rippled through the battlefield, scattering the remaining enemy ships and silencing their weapons.

    Rex hovered in the void, his white wings dimming as he returned to his normal form. Cleo''s holographic form dissipated, her consciousness returning to her body as the fusion ended.

    {It''s done,} Cleo said, her voice calm but tinged with relief.

    {The dragon is destroyed.}

    Rex grinned, his wings folding behind him. "Told you I had a plan."

    Cleo''s voice held a hint of amusement.

    {You did. But let''s not make a habit of this.}

    "Hold on, my sensors are detecting something... it''s coming from the dragon''s debris!" Rex said, his voice tense as he stared at the scattered remains of the colossal beast.

    His golden wings flickered faintly as he watched in horror as streams of nanomaterial began to flow from the debris, converging and repairing the dragon''s shattered form.

    "No way in hell is this actually happening! Cleo, were your people zombies or something!? What the hell is going on!?"

    Rex shouted through the comms, his voice tinged with panic. He tried to move, to flee, but an invisible energy field locked him in place. His wings strained against the force, but it was no use, he couldn''t break free.

    {Rex! Quickly, escape!}

    Cleo''s voice came through the comms, her usual calm tone now edged with urgency.

    "That''s what I''m trying to do! But I can''t move!" Rex shouted, his frustration mounting as he struggled against the energy field. All he could do was move his mouth and blink.

    The dragon, now partially repaired, began to move toward Rex. Despite the void of space, it walked as if on solid ground, an invisible energy field allowed it to traverse the emptiness.

    Its massive form loomed closer, its glowing red eyes fixed on Rex. When it finally reached him, it lowered its head until its enormous face was just inches away from his.

    Rex, unable to move, could only stare into the dragon''s glowing eyes. "Just so you know, I haven''t taken a shower in days! If you eat me right now, I''ll upset your stomach!" he blurted out, his voice a mix of defiance and desperation.

    {That''s right! Boss hasn''t changed his underwear in days!}

    Mini Cleo chimed in, her tiny form peeking out from behind Rex''s back.

    Rex''s eyes widened. "That''s too much info, Mini Cleo! Be glad no one can see you other than me and Cleo!"

    While they were busy arguing, something unexpected happened. From the dragon''s forehead, a red tech crystal emerged, glowing faintly.

    The crystal pulsed with energy, and something began to materialize from within it. The air around Rex seemed to hum with power as the crystal''s light intensified.

    Rex''s eyes narrowed as he tried to make sense of what was happening. "What the...? Is that... a person?"

 Chapter 314 Emperor Sword. {5}

    From the crystal, a figure began to emerge, a humanoid form clad in sleek, crimson armor. The figure stepped out of the crystal, its movements fluid and deliberate. Its face was obscured by a helmet, but its presence was unmistakably powerful.

    The dragon remained still, its massive form now serving as a backdrop for the mysterious figure. The energy field holding Rex in place dissipated, and he stumbled slightly as he regained control of his body.

    "Who... who are you?" Rex asked, his voice cautious as he gripped his claymore tightly.

    The humanoid figure that emerged from the dragon''s head was unlike anything Rex had ever seen. She appeared to be a human female, but with a pair of radiant, fiery red wings that shimmered like molten lava.

    Her presence was both awe-inspiring and intimidating, her helmet visor locking onto Rex with an intensity that made his white wings flicker nervously.

    The girl floated closer to Rex, her movements graceful and deliberate. She tilted her head slightly, her mechanical voice crackling as she spoke in the same language Rex had used. "Before I answer your question, you must first answer one of mine."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed, his body tense as he prepared for anything.

    [Scan complete]

    [Threat Level: Tier 6 Stellar Commander (Middle).]

    [Warning: Host level is too low to face such a dangerous entity. The only option is trun..]

    Rex swallowed hard, his grip tightening on his claymore.

    {A Tier 6 entity?}

    Just when he thought the dragon was the biggest threat, this girl appeared, and she was even more dangerous.

    "Sure, ask," Rex said, his voice steady despite the tension coursing through him. "If I know the answer, I''ll try to answer."

    The girl''s glowing eyes bore into his. "Why can you use one of the Kaelzar Emperor''s abilities? Even though your use of it is not even one-third of its real power, it was unquestionably his ability. Now tell me, What is your relationship with my father?"

    Rex blinked, caught off guard by the question. "Your father? Wait... you mean the Kaelzar Emperor?"

    The girl nodded, her expression unreadable but her voice carrying a hint of urgency. "Yes. My father. Answer me."

    Rex took a deep breath, his mind racing. "Well, it''s true that I met the Kaelzar Emperor before. He gave me something... but this ability I used, I got it from my wife."

    "Your wife?" the girl repeated, her tone sharp. "And how is it that you met my father? Do you have proof?"

    She appeared next to Zynaria in an instant, her movements so fast they were almost imperceptible. With a casual punch, she struck Zynaria in the stomach, sending her flying through the void.

    "Is that all you have, little girl?" Xytrallia taunted, her voice dripping with mockery. Her words were effective, as Zynaria''s fiery wings flared brighter, her rage igniting.

    She charged at Xytrallia with incredible speed, each acceleration generating powerful shockwaves that rippled through space.

    The two clashed head-on, their battle becoming a blur of crimson and stellar energy. Zynaria wielded her spear with precision, each strike aimed at Xytrallia''s vital points.

    But Xytrallia fought with effortless grace, her small humanoid form glowing with stellar energy as she deflected and countered every attack. The battle was fierce, but it was clear that Xytrallia was toying with her opponent.

    Finally, Xytrallia raised a hand, summoning nearby meteorites with a flick of her wrist. The rocks hurtled toward Zynaria, striking her with devastating force. The impact left Zynaria injured and immobilized, her fiery wings flickering weakly.

    Xytrallia floated closer, her glowing eyes studying Zynaria with a mix of curiosity and amusement. "Oh my, a full body made of living metal? I''m so lucky today. But I wonder... should I eat you to make myself stronger? It''s really tempting... Mmm, oh, I know! I''ll take you as a gift for my cute son!"

    She extended her hand, forming a claw of pure energy to pull Zynaria toward her. Zynaria tried to struggle, but her injuries left her powerless to resist.

    "Wait! Hold on, Xytrallia!" Rex shouted, finally reaching the scene after the chaotic energy of their battle had calmed. He hovered nearby, his white wings glowing faintly as he tried to catch his breath.

    Xytrallia turned to him, her expression lighting up with delight. "Mmm? Rex! What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone cheerful as if they were meeting at a casual gathering rather than in the middle of a battlefield.

    Rex pointed at Zynaria, his voice urgent. "We actually came here for her."

    Find your next adventure on My Virtual Library Empire

    Xytrallia glanced at Zynaria, then back at Rex, her glowing eyes narrowing slightly as she considered his words. "Mmm, while I don''t really care if you have one or two servants to release stress, you can''t use this one, my love. She killed many of my sons in the last war."

    As she spoke, Xytrallia tightened her grip on Zynaria, causing the Kaelzar princess to scream in pain. Rex''s eyes widened, his wings flaring as he stepped forward. "Xytrallia, wait! She''s not just some servant... she''s Cleo''s sister!"

    Xytrallia paused, her glowing eyes flickering with surprise. "Cleo''s sister? That Kaelzar woman you call wife?" She tilted her head, her grip on Zynaria loosening slightly. "Mmm, this complicates things."

    Rex nodded, his expression turning serious. "She''s family. And if you hurt her, Cleo will never forgive you. Or me, for that matter."

    Xytrallia sighed, her playful demeanor returning. "Oh, fine. You''re lucky I''m in a good mood today." She released Zynaria, the energy claw dissipating as the Kaelzar princess floated weakly in the void.

    Rex quickly moved to Zynaria''s side, his wings forming a protective barrier around her. "Are you okay?" he asked with his voice filled with concern.

    Zynaria nodded weakly, her fiery wings flickering as she tried to regain her strength. "I''ll live... thanks to you."

 Chapter 315: Kaelzar princess.

    Xytrallia floated closer to Rex, her glowing eyes filled with a mix of amusement and affection. She leaned in while planting a soft kiss on his cheek.

    "Well then, since I can''t get what I wanted here, I''ll take my leave. It''s almost time to feed my son, after all," she said, her voice being playful. When she mentioned "my son," she winked at Rex, her tone carrying a hint of mischief.

    Before Rex could respond, she vanished, reappearing several kilometers away in the blink of an eye. With a wave of her hand, she opened a spatial crack leading to her fleet''s location.

    "Well then, let''s meet again soon," Xytrallia called out, her voice echoing through the void as she stepped into the crack. The spatial rift sealed behind her, leaving no trace of her presence.

    Rex let out a long, relieved sigh as he watched her disappear. He then looked down at Zynaria, who was cradled in his arms, her fiery wings flickering weakly. "You''re safe now," he murmured, his voice gentle.

    With a determined nod, he flew toward the Cleopatra, his wings cutting through the void at top speed.

    After several tense minutes, Rex finally reached Cleopatra''s hangar. The moment he landed, he shouted out orders to the Aegis units standing guard. "Quickly, bring the decontamination drones and the medic bots! Take her to the medical bay and inform Cleo immediately!"

    The Aegis units sprang into action, their movements precise and efficient. Zynaria was carefully transported to the medical bay, while Rex remained in the hangar for decontamination.

    The radiation from the dragon''s breath had seeped into his nanomaterial armor, and while he could usually withstand the natural radiation of space, the stellar energy from the dragon''s attacks was far more toxic.

    As the decontamination drones worked on him, Mini Cleo appeared, her tiny form holding a holographic radiation thermometer larger than herself.

    {Decontamination at 80%, Boss! We''re in the safe margin now!} she chirped, her voice filled with relief.

    Rex nodded, his expression weary. "Thanks, Mini Cleo. What''s Cleo doing right now?"

    {She''s in the medical bay with the red girl. She hasn''t left her side since they brought her in. It looks like she''s taken command of her maintenance and is doing her best to fix her... but there seem to be some problems, Boss.}

    Rex frowned, his concern growing. "What kind of problems?"

    {Don''t have enough data yet, so the best thing is to go and talk with the Original. Meanwhile, I''m going to sleep... Make sure to recharge yourself, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo said while yawning dramatically before curling up in a tiny sleeping bag and disappearing.

    Rex sighed while looking down at his hands and clenching his fists. {If she''s gone to sleep, it means I''m already at 10% of my energy reserves.}

    The realization hit him hard. {I''m still too weak. I can''t do anything when a real powerhouse shows up. I need to ask Cleo how I can become a Tier 5...}

    Cleo sighed, her golden eyes softening. "Because, while anyone with enough resources can reach Tier 4 through cybernetic or bionic implants, not everyone can withstand the stellar energy required to reach Tier 5. As you saw during the battle with my sister, your body becomes heavily contaminated by radiation when exposed to such power."

    She paused, her gaze drifting to Zynaria''s sleeping form. "But... I remember detecting a Tier 5 energy signature near your position a few days ago. Was that... you?"

    Rex frowned while trying to recall the battle against the Tier 4 leviathan on the mist planet. "I''m... not sure. I do remember feeling an incredible surge of power during that fight, but I haven''t been able to replicate it since. It''s like my body rejected it or something."

    Cleo''s eyes narrowed as she processed his words. "If that''s the case, then it''s possible your body can handle stellar energy, but only under specific conditions. For us Kaelzars, reaching higher tiers is a matter of upgrading our armaments and body parts to handle the energy. But for you... it''s different. I''ll need to investigate further."

    Rex nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. "So, it''s a dead end for now, huh? Well, I''ll leave that to you. In the meantime, I''ll go visit Carlos on the human ship. If anything happens, be sure to contact me."

    He stood up, stretching his wings before walking over to Cleo. Gently, he pulled her head toward him and planted a kiss on her cheek. Cleo''s eyes widened slightly, a faint blush appearing on her synthetic skin.

    "Mmm, I will," she said softly, her voice carrying a rare hint of shyness. "And Rex..."

    Rex paused at the door, turning to look back at her. "Yes?"

    "Thank you... for saving my sister," Cleo said, her voice tender and filled with gratitude.

    Rex smiled, his white wings glowing faintly. "There''s no need to thank me for that. After all, I just saved my sister-in-law. She''s family after all."

    With that, he left the medical bay, leaving a slightly flustered Cleo behind. She watched him go, her golden eyes lingering on the door for a moment before she turned back to Zynaria. A small smile tugged at her lips as she resumed her work, her hands moving with renewed determination.

    Meanwhile, Rex made his way to the human ship, his mind buzzing with thoughts of the battles ahead and the challenges they faced.

    The Kaelzar legacy was alive, and with Zynaria''s expertise and Cleo''s brilliance, they had a chance to rebuild what was lost. But first, they needed to survive the trials ahead.

    As he stepped onto the transport ship, Rex couldn''t help but feel a sense that he had forgotten something really important.

    The moment Rex left the medical bay, the room fell into a heavy silence, broken only by the soft hum of the machinery keeping Zynaria stable.

    Cleo''s hands hovered over her sister''s body, her golden eyes focused on the intricate repairs she was making. But then, a voice broke the stillness... a voice she hadn''t heard in centuries.

    "Sister-in-law, huh?... So that''s your type, little sis?"

    Cleo froze. Her hands stopped mid-motion, and her entire body began to tremble. The voice.... her sister''s voice... was weak but unmistakable.

    It was a voice she thought she''d never hear again, a voice that carried memories of a time long past, of a family and a legacy that had been torn apart.

 Chapter 316: Memories. {2}

    For a moment, Cleo couldn¡¯t move. Her synthetic heart, though not biological, seemed to pound in her chest as emotions she hadn¡¯t felt in centuries surged through her. Joy, relief, sorrow, and a deep, aching longing all collided at once, overwhelming her systems. Her golden eyes flickered while her usual composure shattered.

    "Zynaria..." Cleo whispered with her trembling voice. She turned to face her sister with her shaking hands as she reached out to touch Zynaria¡¯s face. "You¡¯re... awake."

    Zynaria¡¯s glowing red eyes blinked slowly, her metallic features softening as she looked at Cleo. Her voice was weak, but there was a playful edge to it, a hint of the sister Cleo remembered. "Of course I¡¯m awake. How could I sleep through all this...? You¡¯ve been busy, little sis."

    Cleo¡¯s lips twitched, a faint smile breaking through her shock. "You... you¡¯re impossible," she said with her voice cracking slightly. "Even after all these years, you¡¯re still teasing me."

    Zynaria chuckled softly, the sound faint but warm. "Someone has to do it after all. But seriously... a human? And a bionic warrior at that? I never thought I¡¯d see the day."

    Cleo¡¯s blush deepened, her golden eyes flickering as she looked away. "He¡¯s... different. Strong, kind, and... he saved you. He didn¡¯t have to, but he did."

    Zynaria¡¯s expression softened, her glowing eyes studying Cleo¡¯s face. "He sounds like a good man. And if he¡¯s earned your trust, then he¡¯s earned mine too." She paused, her voice growing quieter. "But... I¡¯m sorry, Cleo. For everything. For leaving you alone. For not being there when the empire fell."

    Cleo shook her head, her hands tightening around Zynaria¡¯s. "You have nothing to apologize for. You were fighting to protect us, just like I was. We both did what we had to do."

    Zynaria¡¯s glowing red eyes locked onto Cleo¡¯s golden ones; her voice was soft but filled with a weight that made the air in the medical bay feel heavier. "But... Cleo... tell me... how is it that our empire fell? What about our brothers and sisters? And our parents... what happened to them...?"

    Cleo let out a long sigh, her shoulders slumping as she shook her head. The memories of that day... the day the Kaelzar Empire fell were still vivid, etched into her core like a scar. She hesitated for a moment, her fingers fidgeting nervously before she finally spoke.

    "It was a massive invasion," Cleo began, her voice quiet but steady. "The Khryssari hive minds.... the Queens... launched a full-scale assault on our homeworld. Father called everyone back to defend it, but... while I was escorting a supply convoy to the frontline, we were ambushed by one of the Queens. The attack was relentless. We were completely overwhelmed."

    She paused, her golden eyes flickering as she relived the memory. "To save my life and the fortress module, I entered hibernation. I slept for a thousand years, drifting through space until my core ended up in Rex¡¯s hands. And well... the rest is another story."

    Zynaria¡¯s expression softened, her fiery wings flickering faintly as she absorbed Cleo¡¯s words. "And... our mother? What happened to her?"

    Cleo¡¯s gaze dropped to the floor, her voice barely above a whisper. "I don¡¯t know. The last message I received from her was that she was heading to a planet to defend it from a Khryssari hive fleet. After that... there was nothing. No word, no signal. She just... vanished."

    The room fell silent, the weight of their shared loss hanging heavily in the air. Zynaria¡¯s glowing eyes dimmed slightly as she processed the information. She turned her head, staring out the medical bay window at the distant stars, their light reflecting in her metallic features.

    "And what about you, big sis?" Cleo asked, her voice being gentle but filled with curiosity. "What happened to you?"

    Zynaria¡¯s expression grew distant, her mind struggling to piece together the fragmented memories. "I... don¡¯t know. My memory is confused. For me, it hasn¡¯t been hundreds of years. For me, it was only four months ago..."

    Rex leaned back, his expression being thoughtful. "Well, if it¡¯s something Ys came up with, I wouldn¡¯t worry too much. If she says she can do it, then she can do it. You can trust her, Carlos. She¡¯d never do anything to harm us, and you know it. So cheer up!"

    Carlos nodded, though his nervousness was still evident. "Yeah... I guess you¡¯re right."

    Rex reached over while snagging a piece of fruit from Carlos¡¯s plate. "Now that we¡¯ve settled that, can you finally tell me how you and Sharon ended up almost dead when you were just supposed to be visiting her father? And if possible, pick up where you left off."

    Carlos groaned, running a hand over his bald head. "You¡¯re not going to let that go, are you?"

    Rex grinned, lying back on the bed and staring up at the metallic ceiling. "Nope. Spill it, old man."

    Carlos sighed, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright. So, where did I leave off...?"

    Carlos began by summarizing the events that had unfolded since they arrived on the world controlled by Sharon¡¯s father.

    He recounted the tense meetings, the subtle threats, and the constant feeling that Sharon¡¯s father might decide to kill him at any moment. Rex listened intently, his golden wings flickering faintly as he absorbed every detail.

    "So, it was then that he awakened that big-ass monster the megacorps are so desperate to hunt?" Rex asked, leaning forward as the story reached its climax.

    Carlos nodded, his expression grim. "Yes. I don¡¯t know why he did it, but if we use logic, it seems he was out of options. The situation was dire, and he must have thought it was the only way to turn the tide."

    Rex whistled, his golden eyes wide with disbelief. "That¡¯s... insane. But I guess desperate times call for desperate measures."

    Carlos sighed, running a hand over his bald head. "Yeah. After that, things got even crazier. About an hour later, I found Sharon and her maid in a crashed transport ship. Sharon was in critical condition, so I had to act fast. I put her inside my battle suit to stabilize her, and then we made our way to the airport I¡¯d been searching for..."

    His voice trailed off, the weight of the memory pressing down on him. The room fell silent, the air heavy with the unspoken emotions of that bittersweet moment.

    Rex watched Carlos carefully, his usual playful demeanor replaced by a rare seriousness. "What happened next?" he asked, his voice being gentle.

    Carlos took a deep breath, his fingers tightening around the edge of the table. "We made it to the airport, but... it wasn¡¯t easy. Sharon¡¯s father¡¯s enemies were everywhere, and the monster he¡¯d awakened was tearing through everything in its path. I had to fight my way through while protecting Sharon and her maid. It was... hell."

    Experience new tales on novelhall.Co?m

    He paused, his eyes distant as he relived the memory. "When we finally reached the airport, I thought we were safe. But then...

 Chapter 317: Memories.{3}

    Carlos let out a loud sigh, his shoulders slumping as he took a long gulp from his beer bottle. "Those Nexum bastards ambushed us," he began speaking, his voice heavy with the weight of the memory.

    "In that fight, the maid who was with Sharon... she didn¡¯t make it. She died in the crossfire. As for me, I ended up with several gunshots across my body. Thankfully, I¡¯ve got cybernetic organs, so I didn¡¯t die from that."

    He paused, his grip tightening around the bottle. "After that, Argos took care of them easily while I provided cover fire. We finally managed to kill them all, and we found one of their transport ships nearby."

    "It seems they came there specifically to ambush us, not to escape. They had orders to completely eradicate that old man¡¯s family line..." Carlos took another swig of his beer while his expression darkened.

    Rex listened intently, his wings flickering faintly as he absorbed the story. "Mmm, I see. But thankfully, they failed. Sharon¡¯s alive, and she¡¯s being treated thanks to Ys. So, what happened to that monster?"

    Carlos set the bottle down, his eyes being distant. "When we finally took off from the planet, we could see Sharon¡¯s father using all his power to buy us time to escape. Argos told me the old man was staring at us while holding off that beast... At the end of the day, it¡¯s true that he released the monster, but the reason was the Nexum megacorp¡¯s invasion."

    He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small memory device, tossing it to Rex. "Here. Take this."

    Rex caught it, turning it over in his hands. "What¡¯s this?"

    "It¡¯s the recorded memory of Argos. All the footage of what happened on that world is in there." Carlos clenched his fist, his voice trembling as tears began to fall.

    "Rex, I know you think of me as your brother, and I think of you the same way. So, as my brother..." He stood up suddenly, his voice rising to a shout. "As my brother, help me take revenge on those motherfuckers!"

    Rex stood as well and placed a hand on Carlos¡¯s shoulder. His wings glowed faintly as he met Carlos¡¯s gaze. "Don¡¯t worry, Carlos. They¡¯ll pay for touching our family. I¡¯ll make sure of it. Now, try to rest. I¡¯ll do the same, and I¡¯ll inform you later about what we¡¯ll do next."

    Carlos nodded while his shoulders relaxed slightly as he wiped away his tears. "Thanks, Rex. I mean it."

    Rex gave him a reassuring smile before heading back to the Cleopatra. His energy levels were in the red, and he needed to recharge. The battles ahead would require everything he had.

    Weeks passed, and the events in the mist world spread like wildfire among the survivors of the other factions. Some sold footage of the battle to information brokers, while others spread rumors of vast riches hidden on the planet.

    The nobles, as always, were quick to place a bounty on Rex¡¯s head. They despised him for attacking one of their own with such ferocity and for inflicting heavy losses on their fleets, reducing them to shadows of their former strength.

    Meanwhile, Rex, the man at the center of it all, was sitting in a restaurant on one of Nexum¡¯s controlled worlds. The establishment was sleek and modern, its walls lined with holographic displays showcasing the latest news and entertainment. Rex sat at a table with Ys and Lilla, enjoying a rare moment of peace.

    Ys leaned back in her chair, her green eyes scanning the room. "You know, darling, you¡¯ve got a real talent for making enemies. Half the galaxy wants your head on a platter."

    Rex chuckled while taking a bite of his meal. "What can I say? I¡¯m just that charming."

    Lilla rolled her eyes. "More like a trouble magnet. But I have to admit, you¡¯ve got style. Taking on a noble fleet and living to tell the tale? That¡¯s impressive."

    Rex grinned. "Thanks, Lilla. But this is just the beginning. We¡¯ve got a lot of work to do."

    Ys raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly smile. "Oh? And what¡¯s the next move, oh great leader?"

    Rex leaned forward, his expression turning serious. "We¡¯re going to hit Nexum where it hurts. They think they can hit us and get away with it? They¡¯re about to learn just how wrong they are."

    "And how do you plan to do that, darling?" Ys asked while her green eyes gleamed with curiosity as she hugged Rex¡¯s arm. Her tone was playful, but there was a sharp edge to it, like a reminder that she was always calculating, always looking for something fun to do.

    Rex smirked while patting Ys¡¯s head affectionately. "Well, it¡¯s simple, actually. Since the news channels keep calling me ¡¯Conqueror,¡¯ why don¡¯t I live up to the name?"

    Lilla, who had been quietly sipping her tea or something that looked like tea, paused mid-sip. "You mean... you want to conquer new worlds?" she asked with her voice tinged with skepticism.

    Rex leaned back in his chair. "You almost got it right, Lilla. But no... I¡¯m not going to conquer new worlds. I¡¯m going to conquer Nexum worlds."

    Lilla¡¯s eyes widened. "But that¡¯s impossible, Rex! Every Nexum world has a Tier 5 planetary champion governing it. You can¡¯t just waltz in and take over!"

    Rex¡¯s smirk widened as he leaned closer to Lilla, his voice dropping to a whisper. "You¡¯re right about that, little Lilla. But you¡¯ve forgotten one important detail."

    His breath tickled her ear, and though her face was hidden behind her veil, her ears turned a bright red. "This planet doesn¡¯t have a Tier 5 protecting it. Nexum lost dozens of their Tier 5 champions in the fight against that huge monster. This world is now... unprotected."

    Lilla¡¯s ears twitched again, and she quickly took another sip of her tea to hide her flustered expression. "I see... so it¡¯s like that," she said with her voice being unusually sweet.

    Ys, who had been watching the exchange with a devilish smirk, couldn¡¯t resist teasing. "Oh, Lilla, your ears are so red. Is it the tea, or is someone getting a little too close for comfort?" Explore new worlds at novelhall.Co?m

    Lilla shot Ys a glare. "Shut it, Ys. This is serious."

    Rex, oblivious to the tension, leaned back and continued. "Well, even though I¡¯d love to take credit for this idea, it was Cleo who did all the annoying work to make this plan a reality. So, here¡¯s what we¡¯re going to do: we¡¯ll rally the forces around here that aren¡¯t happy with Nexum¡¯s administration and start a revolt big enough to cover the planet."

    Ys tilted her head while her eyes narrowed slightly. "And how do you plan to do that, exactly? Nexum may be weakened, but they¡¯re not helpless."

    Rex grinned. "We¡¯ll start small. Find the local resistance groups, the disgruntled workers, the people who¡¯ve been pushed too far. We¡¯ll give them the tools, the leadership, and the motivation to rise up. And once the fire starts, it¡¯ll spread faster than Nexum can contain it."

    Lilla set her teacup down, her expression becoming thoughtful. "It¡¯s risky. If we¡¯re caught, Nexum will throw everything they have at us."

    Rex¡¯s grin didn¡¯t waver. "That¡¯s why we¡¯ll be smart about it. We¡¯ll hit them where they least expect it, and by the time they realize what¡¯s happening, it¡¯ll be too late."

    Ys leaned closer, her lips curling into a sly smile. "You¡¯ve got a plan, don¡¯t you?"

    "Of course I have a plan," Rex said as he leaned back in his chair. "And that¡¯s why I brought the two of you with me. Ys, since you love to play, you¡¯ll be in charge of unifying all the criminal groups under your control. Use your charm, your wit, and whatever else you need to bring them to our side."

    Ys¡¯s eyes lit up with excitement, and she leaned in to kiss Rex¡¯s cheek. "Leave it to me, darling! I¡¯ll finally have some fun!"

    Rex turned to Lilla, his expression serious but encouraging. "Lilla, you¡¯ll take charge of the middle classes in this world. Open your church here and gain their support. I¡¯ve seen how good you are at converting people to your cause. If anyone can win them over, it¡¯s you."

    "Mmm, I¡¯ll do my best. But I¡¯m not sure how well my religion will resonate with non-human races. Still, since this aligns with my personal goals and doesn¡¯t conflict with my cult¡¯s wishes, you have my full support."

    Rex nodded with a satisfied smile on his face. "Well then, since we¡¯ve finished discussing the plan, let¡¯s finish eating and get down to business."

    As they resumed their meal, Ys tilted her head, her eyes narrowing playfully. "But darling, what will you be doing while we¡¯re out there working?"

    Rex grinned, "Oh, me? I¡¯ll be lazing around."

    Ys¡¯s eyes widened, and before Rex could react, she bit his arm hard. "Hey! Are you really going to bite your husband to death!? Those teeth of yours can tear through metal!" Rex exclaimed while trying to push her away.

    Ys finally let go while pouting as she crossed her arms. "Hmph! That¡¯s what you get for lying to me!"

    Rex rubbed the spot where she¡¯d bitten him, wincing slightly. "I wasn¡¯t lying! I¡¯ll seriously be lazing around... at high-society parties in the upper districts. I need to make connections with the rich merchants and nobles. It¡¯s an important part of the plan."

    Ys¡¯s pout turned into a sly smile. "Oh? So you¡¯ll be schmoozing with the elite while we do all the hard work? Typical."

    Rex chuckled, his golden eyes gleaming with mischief. "Hey, someone¡¯s got to wine and dine the people who control the money and influence. Besides, you know I¡¯m good at it."

 Chapter 318: Little green Devil.

    "Hurry up! Don¡¯t make me hit you again!" one of the slavers shouted out, his voice echoing through the dimly lit lower district of the Hive city. The air was thick with the stench of sweat and despair, the narrow streets crowded with the downtrodden and the desperate.

    "You damn slave! Can¡¯t you carry it correctly!? Uh!?" another slaver shouted while lashing out with a whip at a young boy who had stumbled under the weight of the cargo he was forced to carry.

    The boy cried out in pain, but the slavers showed no mercy; their laughter was cruel and unrelenting.

    The Hive city was a towering megastructure, hundreds of thousands of kilometers wide and stretching high into the sky.

    It was a common sight across the galaxy; it was a self-contained ecosystem where the wealthy lived in the upper districts, bathed in the light of the stars, while the lower districts were shrouded in perpetual darkness.

    Here, the poorest of the poor seeked out a living, their lives a constant struggle against poverty, crime, and exploitation.

    The lower districts were a haven for criminals, a place where the law rarely ventured. The slavers operated with impunity, capturing young and vulnerable individuals to sell as merchandise in the middle districts. Their victims ranged from children to young adults of various races, all destined for a life of servitude or worse.

    "Boss, how was your hunt today?" a new arrival asked, his voice dripping with greed as he approached the slaver boss.

    The boss, a burly man with a scar running down his face, grinned widely. "Ohh, brother! What brought you here?" he asked while opening his arms as if welcoming a long-lost friend.

    The newcomer, a slaver merchant, smirked. "I just came to see the quality of the new product I¡¯ll be selling tomorrow. Did we get something good this time?"

    The boss chuckled, his voice sounding rough and grating. "Not really, just common trash. But strong trash that¡¯ll sell for a good sum on the farms, haha!" He punctuated his words with another crack of his whip, striking a nearby kid who had fallen and disrupted the line.

    The merchant laughed, clearly enjoying the spectacle. "Hahah, I see the boss is still good at his work."

    But their laughter was interrupted by a new sound of a woman¡¯s voice that was light and mocking, cutting through the air like a knife. "Hahaha, and here I thought I was the cruel one."

    The slavers froze, their heads snapping toward the source of the voice. Standing behind them was a young woman with light green hair and a strikingly beautiful face.

    She sat perched on a public light post, her legs swinging carelessly as if she were a child enjoying a show. But there was something about her... something that sent a shiver down the spines of even the most hardened slavers.

    "Who¡¯s there!?" the slaver boss shouted, his voice tinged with unease.

    The girl tilted her head with her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Hmm? Who, me? I¡¯m just a little girl watching a show, just like all of you."

    The slaver merchant¡¯s eyes widened, and he nudged the boss urgently. "Quickly, boss! Capture her! She¡¯s definitely premium goods! We can get a lot of credits for her!"

    The boss hesitated for a moment, his instincts warning him that this girl was not what she seemed. But greed won out, and he shouted an order to his men. "Tsk! You heard him, lads! Go and capture her!"

    The slavers moved quickly, surrounding the girl with practiced efficiency. But she didn¡¯t flinch; her smile never wavered. Instead, she leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she addressed the slavers.

    "Let¡¯s see... mmm, this one... two... three... lots of them!" the little girl said while pointing at the slavers with her finger as she tried to count them. By the look of it, mathematics wasn¡¯t her forte.

    She tilted her head, her light green hair swaying as she swung her legs carelessly from her perch on the light post.

    "There¡¯s really a lot of you to capture me... mmm, what to do?" she mused, placing a finger on her lips as if deep in thought.

    The slaver merchant, sensing an opportunity, stepped forward with a greasy smile. "Heheh, don¡¯t worry, little girl. Come down already; we¡¯ll treat you really well. I can even give you some candy that I have in my car. Why don¡¯t you come with this uncle?"

    His voice was sickly sweet, but his eyes gleamed with greed as he imagined the credits she would fetch.

    Ys giggled, her leafy eyes sparkling with amusement. "Mmm, I¡¯m sorry, but my darling doesn¡¯t let me go with other men. You see, he¡¯s really a jealous man. Isn¡¯t he cute~?" She gave them a sweet smile; her tone was playful but laced with danger.

    The slaver boss, growing impatient, pulled out a handgun and aimed it at her. "Come down already, damn brat! Do it yourself, or I¡¯ll shoot you down!"

    Ys¡¯s gaze shifted to him, her glowing, leafy eyes narrowing slightly. "Mmm, that¡¯s not enough firepower. You¡¯ll need at least laser weapons to even injure me, mister."

    The slaver boss hesitated with a flicker of fear crossing his face. But before he could respond, Ys¡¯s expression shifted, her playful demeanor replaced by something far more sinister.

    "Well then, since I¡¯m pretty sure you¡¯re just another low-level grunt, I¡¯ll take care of all of you," she said while her voice sounded calm but carried an edge that sent chills down their spines.

    The slaver boss¡¯s eyes widened as Ys¡¯s glowing, leafy eyes flared brighter. "E-everyone, shoot her now!" he shouted while firing his handgun at her. The other slavers followed suit, their weapons lighting up the darkness with bursts of gunfire.

    But Ys simply raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

    The next second, the streetlights in a kilometer-wide radius exploded, plunging the area into total darkness. The only light came from the muzzle flashes of the slavers¡¯ weapons and the eerie glow of Ys¡¯s eyes.

    Then the screams began.

    "Ahhh, boss!"

    "N-no! Stay away! Ahhhhhhh!"

    "You won¡¯t take me, al¡ª"

    "Ahhh, my arm!"

    The slaver boss stumbled backward, his heart pounding as the sounds of his men being torn apart echoed around him. "W-what¡¯s happening here? Merchant, are you still there!? Somebody answer me!"

    he shouted, his voice trembling with fear. But there was no response.... only the sounds of chaos and the occasional flash of green light.

    "Mmm? That was all? It¡¯s really disappointing," Ys¡¯s voice whispered in his ear, so close it made him jump. He turned slowly, his breath catching in his throat as he came face-to-face with two huge pairs of predatory eyes glowing in the darkness. Explore hidden tales at novelhall.Co?m

    "Wha¡ª" he started, but before he could finish, he was gone.

    A few minutes later, an streetlight flickered back to life, illuminating the scene. Ys stood in the middle of the street, her glowing green eyes returning to their normal size. She looked around, her expression one of mild annoyance.

    "Mmm. Maybe next time I shouldn¡¯t explode the streetlights," she muttered. Then, with a wave of her hand, she called out, "Phantoms, give me some light~"

    From the shadows, several glowing green visors appeared, their eerie light illuminating the area as they began repairing the damaged streetlights. Ys watched them work with her hands on her hips.

    "Mmm, that¡¯s much better," she said, satisfied. Then she glanced at the time and pouted. "Mmm, it¡¯s already this late? I should call darling~!"

    She tapped her arm device, and Rex¡¯s voice came through. "Mmm? Ys? Is something the matter? Is everything down there going as planned?"

    "Ah... darling!!!" Ys whined, her tone suddenly sweet and playful. "There¡¯s just slavers here! I haven¡¯t found any big groups! Are you sure there are some criminal groups that are useful?" She pouted, her leafy eyes wide with mock disappointment.

    Rex chuckled on the other end of the line. "Patience, Ys. You¡¯ll find them. Just keep looking. And try not to blow up too much of the city, okay?"

    Ys grinned, her playful demeanor returning. "Fine, fine. But if I don¡¯t find anything interesting soon, I¡¯m coming back to bother you!"

    Rex laughed. "Deal. Now get back to work."

    As the call ended, Ys turned her gaze to the horizon, her glowing, leafy eyes narrowing with determination. "Alright, let¡¯s see what other trouble I can stir up," she murmured while a sly smile played on her lips.

    As the call with Ys ended, Rex leaned back in his seat. He glanced out the car window, taking in the glittering skyline of the high districts.

    This was the realm of the rich and powerful, a place where towering skyscrapers were adorned with neon lights and the streets were lined with luxury vehicles.

    Bars, strip clubs, and casinos dominated the landscape, their flashing signs promising endless indulgence. It was a sin city for the elite, a playground where the wealthy could lose themselves in excess.

    But Rex wasn¡¯t here for the entertainment. Tonight, he had a different mission. He had invited himself to one of the most prestigious night galas in the city, an exclusive event attended only by the most powerful and influential individuals on the planet.

    Officially, it was hosted by the Nexum representative of the world, but Rex knew better. This was a gathering of the galaxy¡¯s movers and shakers, and he intended to make the most of it.

    The car slowed as it approached the entrance to the gala venue, a sprawling mansion surrounded by manicured gardens and guarded by a small army of security personnel. The driver pulled up to the gate, where a guard in a crisp uniform stepped forward.

    "Good evening, dear guest," the guard said, bowing slightly. "May I scan your invitation?"

 Chapter 319 319: Chaos.

    Rex didn''t respond immediately. Instead, he lowered the window just enough to show the invitation card code, his golden eyes glinting with amusement as he watched the guard''s reaction.

    The guard, clearly accustomed to dealing with the elite, didn''t miss a beat. He pulled out a small scanning device and aimed it at the card.

    {Mini Cleo, it''s your turn,}

    {Leave it to me, Boss!} Mini Cleo''s cheerful voice echoed in his mind.

    The guard frowned as the scanner beeped, its screen flashing with an error message. He tried again, but the result was the same. "I''m sorry, sir, but there seems to be an issue with your invitation. Could you¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the scanner''s screen flickered, and a new message appeared: "Access Granted. Welcome, VIP Guest."

    The guard blinked, clearly confused but unwilling to question a high-profile attendee. He straightened and gestured for the car to proceed. "My apologies for the delay, sir. Enjoy the gala."

    Rex gave a small nod, the window sliding back up as the car rolled forward. Once inside, he smirked, "Nice work, Mini Cleo."

    {Anytime, Boss!}

    Mini Cleo chirped, her holographic form appearing briefly on the car''s dashboard.

    {But don''t forget, you owe me a new set of holographic sunglasses for this.}

    Rex chuckled. "Deal."

    As the car pulled up to the mansion''s grand entrance, Rex stepped out, his white glowin coat catched the light and drawn the attention of nearby guests. He adjusted his suit, his expression calm but confident as he made his way inside.

    The gala was in full swing, the air filled with the sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and the soft strains of live music.

    The room was a sea of elegance, with guests dressed in the finest attire, their conversations a mix of business deals and idle gossip. Rex moved through the crowd with ease, his presence commanding attention even as he remained understated.

    His golden eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of the powerful and the corrupt. These were the people who controlled the world, the ones who profited from the suffering of those in the lower districts.

    As he accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, Rex''s lips curled into a sly smile.

    Rex stood by the massive glass window, swirling his champagne lazily in his glass while gazing down at the neon-lit city below. The skyline flickered with holograms, and the muffled hum of distant music filled the luxurious penthouse. He took a slow sip before speaking.

    {Mini Cleo, have you finished scanning everyone''s faces here?}

    Mini Cleo chirped in his head, her voice playful yet efficient.

    {Yes, boss! I got the three most influential people on this planet! Wanna see their pretty mugs?}

    With a soft beep, three faces flashed onto his HUD.

    Rex raised an eyebrow. {Alright, hit me. Who are they?}

    Mini Cleo''s voice took on an almost dramatic tone. {First up, the old guy in white, the big deal, supreme leader of the armed forces. He runs this place with an iron fist. Since there''s no Tier 5 powerhouse here right now, he''s top dog.}

    The image zoomed in on a stern-looking man with a grizzled beard and sharp eyes, the kind of guy who looked like he hadn''t smiled in decades.

    {Next, we have the lady in black. She was married to the previous Tier 5 powerhouse. Now that he''s gone, she''s calling the shots, at least until her kid grows up.}

    A striking woman with piercing emerald eyes and a cold, calculating expression appeared on his display. Even through the screen, Rex could tell she wasn''t someone to mess with.

    {And the third? Lemme guess. The kid?} He exhaled while already suspecting the answer.

    {Bingo!}

    Mini Cleo flashed an image of a tiny girl with big, round eyes and an adorably pouty expression. {This little munchkin is technically the third most powerful person here, not because she''s a genius or anything, but because the Council of Elders is propping her up like a puppet queen. They plan to pull the strings while she plays tea party.}

    As Mini Cleo displayed a set of scheming old faces, each more conniving than the last Rex smirked.

    {Classic. Bunch of old geezers hiding behind a kid. Pathetic.} He took another sip of champagne.

    That''s when Mini Cleo''s voice cut in, her tone suddenly urgent.

    {Uh, boss?}

    {What?}

    {Look to your right.}

    A massive blinking arrow appeared in his HUD, pointing directly beside him.

    Rex slowly turned his head, only to come face to face with the very same little girl from the picture.

    She was just standing there, arms crossed, her tiny back resting against the wall, watching him with a deadpan expression. She had probably been there for who knows how long while he rambled about her fate.

    Rex blinked....

    The girl blinked back....

    Mini Cleo''s voice cracked with amusement. {Congratulations, boss. You just talked sh*t about the third most powerful person on this planet right in front of her.}

    Rex cleared his throat, lowering his champagne glass.

    The little girl narrowed her eyes.

    "...Yo," he said casually.

    The girl kept staring. Then, slowly, her lips curled into the tiniest smirk.

    {This night just got interesting...} Rex thought while sweating like a pig.

    "Who are you, mister?" The little girl asked while tilting her head as her big, round eyes locked onto Rex.

    Rex let out a slow exhale. {Damn, those eyes could burn through steel.}

    "Oh? Me?" He waved a hand dismissively. "Just another rich guy in this shity oversized room, that''s all." He took a sip of his champagne while deliberately avoiding eye contact.

    The little girl frowned. "What does shity mean, mister?"

    Mini Cleo snickered in his head.

    {Congratulations, boss! You just corrupted a pure, innocent soul!}

    Suddenly, a pair of glowing holographic devil horns popped up on Rex''s HUD, Mini Cleo''s little way of messing with him.

    {Oh, shut it.}

    Rex cleared his throat. "Ehem. It''s just an expression from where I''m from. Everyone says it."

    Mini Cleo gave him a deadpan stare. {Wow... how lame.}

    The little girl giggled while covering her mouth with her tiny hands. "Mister, I''ve spent years in the educational capsule.... I know that''s a bad word."

    Rex sighed. "Fine, you got me. It''s a bad word. But let''s keep it a secret, yeah?" He put a finger to his lips.

    She giggled again. "Hmm... maybe. But only if you do something for me."

    Rex groaned internally. {Great. Now I''m being blackmailed by a little girl. How far have I fallen...? At least Carlos isn''t here to see this.}

    {Oh, don''t worry, boss! I''m watching everything!}

    {YOU. SHUT. IT.}

    Resigned, Rex crouched down to her level. "Fine, you win. What do you want?"

    The girl''s smile faded. She took a deep breath, then looked him straight in the eyes.

    "I know you''re not supposed to be here, mister."

    Rex''s grip on his champagne glass tightened. His eye twitched slightly. {Smart kid...}

    "But that''s why... you''re the only one I can ask this." Her voice trembled slightly. "Please... protect me."

    Rex narrowed his eyes. There it was... fear. Genuine, raw fear.

    He leaned in, lowering his voice. "Alright, two things. One, how do you know I''m not supposed to be here? Two, what do you need protection from?"

    The girl parted her lips to answer but then...

    {BOSS! INCOMING LASER STRIKE!}

    Before the words even registered, Rex''s coat exploded into motion. The seemingly harmless white fabric shifted, transforming into sleek, metallic wings. The feathers folded inward like a shield.

    A searing red laser tore through the reinforced glass behind him, striking directly against his wings. Sparks erupted as the blast dissipated against the nanotech, but the impact still sent a heavy vibration up his spine.

    "KYAAAA!"

    "What was that?!"

    "Someone call the guards!"

    "LET ME OUT! I''M TOO IMPORTANT TO DIE HERE!"

    Panic detonated through the party. Socialites in expensive suits and flowing gowns screamed as more laser beams rained into the room. The crowd stampeded toward the exits, pushing and shoving, desperate to escape.

    More beams zeroed in on Rex who remained perfectly still. His wings absorbed each blast like a sponge drinking in water. Not a single shot touched the girl.

    He exhaled slowly. Then, he smirked. "Well... now you''ve got my attention."

    The room was chaos. Tables overturned, glass shattered, and the once-elegant gala had devolved into a scene of panic.

    Rex stood tall amidst the turmoil, his wings glowing brighter as they absorbed the relentless barrage of laser fire. The little girl clung to his leg, her tiny hands trembling but her eyes wide with a mix of fear and awe.

    "Stay close," Rex said, his voice calm but firm. He didn''t wait for her response. With a flick of his wrist, his wings expanded, creating a protective barrier around them. The lasers continued to rain down, but Rex''s nanotech wings held strong, deflecting each blast with ease.

    {Boss, I''m tracking the source of the attacks,} Mini Cleo''s voice chimed in his head. {They''re coming from the rooftops across the street. Three snipers, heavily armed.}

    Rex''s golden eyes narrowed. "Got it. Keep an eye on the girl. I''ll handle this."

    He turned to the little girl, crouching down to her level. "Listen carefully. I need you to stay right here, behind my wings. No matter what happens, don''t move. Understand?"

    She nodded, her small face pale but determined. "I-I understand."

    Rex gave her a reassuring smile. "Good girl. I''ll be back before you know it."

    With that, he straightened, his wings folding back into their sleek, metallic form. The lasers were still coming, but Rex moved with precision, weaving through the chaos like a shadow. His wings flared, deflecting another blast as he made his way toward the nearest window.

    "Time to crash their party," he muttered, his smirk returning.

    {Boss, you''re not seriously thinking of¡ª}

 Chapter 320 320: Chaos. {2}

    Before Mini Cleo could finish, Rex leaped through the shattered window, his wings snapping open to carry him into the night. The cold air rushed past him as he soared toward the rooftops, his golden light cutting through the darkness like a beacon.

    The snipers didn''t stand a chance.

    The first one barely had time to react before Rex was on him, his wings slicing through the air like blades. The sniper''s weapon clattered to the ground as he fell unconscious. The second sniper managed to fire off a shot, but Rex dodged it effortlessly while closing the distance in an instant. A swift strike to the jaw, and the second sniper was down.

    The third sniper tried to flee, but Rex was faster. He landed in front of the man, his wings glowing ominously in the dark. "Going somewhere?" Rex asked with his voice being cold.

    The sniper raised his weapon, but Rex''s wings snapped forward, disarming him in an instant. The man stumbled backward, his eyes wide with fear. "W-who are you?!"

    Rex''s smirk returned. "Just a guy who doesn''t like being shot at."

    With a single, precise strike, the third sniper was out cold.

    Rex stood on the rooftop, his wings folding back as he surveyed the scene. The attack had been stopped, but he knew this was far from over. Someone had sent these snipers, and he intended to find out who.

    {Boss, the girl''s still safe, but we''ve got company,} Mini Cleo warned. {Nexum security forces are closing in on the gala. They''re not happy.}

    Rex sighed while running a hand through his hair. "Of course they''re not. Alright, let''s get back before things get even messier."

    He leaped off the rooftop, his wings carrying him back to the gala in seconds. The little girl was right where he''d left her, her eyes lighting up as he landed beside her.

    "You came back!" she exclaimed, with her voice filled with relief.

    Rex crouched down, his wings forming a protective barrier around them. "I told you I would, didn''t I? Now, let''s get you out of here."

    As he scooped her up, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed through the room. Nexum security forces burst in, their weapons drawn and their expressions grim.

    "Freeze! Put the girl down and surrender!" one of the guards shouted.

    Rex sighed, his golden eyes narrowing. "You guys really don''t know when to quit, do you?"

    With a flick of his wrist, his wings expanded, deflecting the first volley of stun rounds. The little girl clung to him with her small hands, gripping his shirt tightly.

    "Hold on tight," Rex said, his voice calm. "This might get bumpy."

    With that, he leaped into the air, his wings carrying them through the shattered window and into the night sky. The city lights blurred past as they soared through the sky, the sounds of chaos fading behind them.

    The little girl looked up at him, her eyes wide with wonder. "You''re... amazing."

    Rex chuckled, his white wings glowing faintly in the dark. "Yeah, well, don''t let it get around. I''ve got a reputation to maintain."

    As they disappeared into the night, Rex couldn''t help but feel a sense of satisfaction. The mission was far from over, but for now, he''d saved the girl and sent a clear message to whoever was behind the attack.

    The wind howled as Rex soared through the night sky, his wings glinting under the pale moonlight. Below, the city sprawled like a labyrinth of neon and shadows.

    With a sharp twist, he descended into a narrow alley, his wings folding and morphing seamlessly into the sleek, high-tech coat he''d worn earlier. Cleo''s investigation had saved him; since now that he couldn''t remove his wings anymore, she''d reprogrammed the living metal to shift forms.

    Rex crouched low, his eyes scanning the darkness. The alley reeked of damp concrete and rust, the perfect place to disappear for now. He turned to the little girl beside him, her wide, mismatched eyes glowing faintly in the dark.

    One eye was a deep green glowing bionic, while the other was a shimmering cybernetic orb that seemed to pierce through his very soul.

    "We''ll hide here for a while," Rex muttered, his voice being low but urgent. "If we keep flying, the patrols will pick us up like flies. Now, care to explain what the hell that was back there?" He gestured vaguely toward the sky, where a hail of sniper fire had nearly turned them into Swiss cheese.

    The girl blinked while her tiny fingers poked at her eyes as if they were toys. "Well, you see, mister, my dad gave me these upgrades. One bionic, one cybernetic. It makes me really good at spotting trouble. And strangers. And trouble caused by strangers." She grinned while revealing a gap-toothed smile that was equal parts adorable and unsettling.

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Cute. But that doesn''t explain why half the city''s trying to turn us into target practice. Spill it, kid."

    She hesitated, her small fists clenching. "A few days ago... I found out something. My mom and the Supreme Commander... they''re... together. And they''re planning to kill me. They want their secret son to take over the planet." Her voice trembled, but her cybernetic eye glowed brighter, betraying a flicker of anger.

    Rex whistled low. "Well, damn. You''re not just in trouble... you''re royally screwed." He rubbed his chin, his HUD flickering as Mini Cleo fed him data from the swarm of micro-drones she''d deployed.

    {No hostiles yet, boss!.}

    "But wait, weren''t you supposed to be under the Elder Council''s protection? What happened to those old windbags?"

    The girl scoffed, her tiny frame shaking with indignation. "Those hyenas? All they care about is power! They''d sell their own mothers for a shot at the throne!" Her voice cracked, and for a moment, she looked like she might cry.

    Rex felt a pang of discomfort; he was great at fighting, not so much at handling emotional kids. Awkwardly, he reached out and patted her head.

    "Uh... there, there," he said while cringing at his own awkwardness. "So, um, how''d you even know to come to me? What if I couldn''t fight? Or worse, what if I was one of their assassins?"

    The girl pushed his hand away, her cybernetic eye narrowing. "Pfft. Impossible. After my dad, you''re the strongest person on this planet. My eyes don''t lie, you''re Tier 4. I can see it." She crossed her arms while looking far too smug for someone who''d just escaped a sniper ambush.

    Rex smirked. "Those eyes of yours must''ve cost a fortune. But still, you took a huge risk trusting me. What if I''d said no?"

    She tilted her head, her grin widening. "Because I know who you are, mister. You''re the Celestial Conqueror. I''ve seen you on the news. You''re a hero." Her voice was filled with awe, but Rex couldn''t help but laugh.

    "Hero? Kid, I''m just a guy trying to survive. But... I guess I can''t leave you hanging." He stood, his coat shifting slightly as the living metal adjusted to his movements. "Alright, here''s the plan: we stay off the grid, find out who''s really pulling the strings, and then¡ª"

    A sudden ping on his HUD cut him off. Mini Cleo''s voice buzzed in his ear. "Boss!, we''ve got company. Five hostiles, closing fast. And they''re not here to chat."

    Rex sighed while cracking his knuckles. "Of course they are. Kid, stay behind me. Things are about to get messy."

    The girl''s eyes sparkled with excitement. "Finally! Some action!"

    As the sound of boots echoed down the alley, Rex couldn''t help but chuckle. "You''re a strange kid, you know that?"

    "Takes one to know one, mister," she shot back with her grin never fading.

    The first attacker rounded the corner, and Rex''s wings burst from his coat, gleaming like blades.

    The alley erupted into chaos. The first attacker lunged at Rex with a plasma blade humming in his hand.

    Rex''s wings snapped forward, deflecting the strike with a metallic clang. The force sent the attacker stumbling back, but two more were already closing in, their weapons glowing ominously in the dark.

    "Kid, stay close!" Rex shouted out, his voice cutting through the noise. He spun, his wings slicing through the air like twin scythes, forcing the attackers to retreat.

    But they were well-trained and equipped with military-grade cybernetics, by the looks of it. This wasn''t just some random hit squad; these were professionals.

    The little girl, however, didn''t seem fazed. She darted behind a dumpster, her mismatched eyes scanning the scene with unnerving precision.

    "Mister, there''s a weak spot in their formation! The one on the left, his shield generator is overheating!" she called out, her voice surprisingly calm for a child in the middle of a firefight.

    Rex didn''t question it. He lunged at the leftmost attacker, his wings slamming into the man''s chest. The shield flickered and died, and Rex followed up with a brutal punch that sent the man crashing into a wall. One down.

    But the others weren''t waiting. A hail of energy bolts lit up the alley, forcing Rex to dive for cover.

    {Mini Cleo, any bright ideas?} he muttered, his HUD flashing as Mini Cleo analyzed the situation.

    {Incoming!} Cleo''s voice chirped in his ear. {Three more hostiles are approaching from the south. And... oh no. They''ve got a heavy.}

    "A heavy?!" Rex groaned. "Of course they do. Why wouldn''t they?"

    The ground shook as the "heavy" made its entrance, a hulking mech suit, its armor bristling with weapons. The pilot''s voice boomed through a loudspeaker. "Surrender the girl, and we''ll make your death quick."

    Rex smirked while cracking his neck. "Yeah, not happening." He turned to the girl, who was peeking out from behind the dumpster. "Kid, you''re full of surprises. Got any more tricks up your sleeve?"

    She grinned while pulling out a small device from her pocket. It looked like a toy, but the way her cybernetic eye gleamed told him otherwise. "My dad gave me this. It''s an EMP pulse. One burst, and that mech''s toast."

 Chapter 321 321: Chaos. {3}

    "Do it," he said finally. "But make it count."

    The girl nodded, her tiny fingers flicking a switch on the device. A high-pitched whine filled the air, and for a moment, everything went still.

    Then, with a blinding flash, the EMP pulse erupted. The mech staggered, its systems shorting out, and the other attackers cybernetics were also deactivated.

    Rex''s wings folded back into his coat, the living metal temporarily inert. "Alright, time to do this the old-fashioned way," he said while cracking his knuckles.

    The remaining attackers hesitated, clearly not expecting their tech to fail. Rex didn''t give them time to recover. He charged at them; his fists were like a blur as he took down one enemy after another. The girl watched in awe, her cybernetic eye tracking every move.

    When the last attacker hit the ground, Rex turned to her while breathing heavily. "Not bad for a guy as handsome as me, huh?"

    She beamed. "You''re amazing, mister!"

    "Yeah, yeah, don''t get used to it," Rex said, though he couldn''t hide a small smile. "Now, let''s get out of here before more show up."

    As they slipped out of the alley, the girl tugged on his sleeve. "Where are we going?"

    "Somewhere safe," Rex replied. "And then... we''re going to pay your mom and the Supreme Commander a little visit. If they want a war, they''ve got one."

    The girl''s eyes lit up. "Really? You''re going to help me take them down?"

    Rex glanced at her, his expression serious. "Kid, you''ve got guts. And those eyes of yours might just give us the edge we need. But this isn''t going to be easy. Are you ready for that?"

    She nodded while her tiny fists clenched. "I''m ready."

    "Good," Rex said, his voice low. "Because things are about to get a whole lot worse before they get better."

    As they disappeared into the shadows, the city''s neon lights flickered overhead, casting long, twisting shadows. Somewhere in the distance, a siren wailed.

    The Nexum reinforcements arrived minutes after Rex and the little girl had slipped away. The alley was now a battlefield of scorch marks, shattered debris, and the groans of defeated soldiers.

    The night sky buzzed with the hum of transport ships, their blinding searchlights sweeping the area like the eyes of an angry god. But Rex and his tiny companion were long gone, vanishing into the labyrinthine underbelly of the city.

    Hours later, after a tense journey through shadowed streets and hidden pathways while being guided by Mini Cleo''s calm and playful voice, they finally reached their base.

    It was a nondescript building tucked away in a forgotten corner of the city, its exterior worn and unassuming. But inside, it was a fortress of advanced tech and hidden comforts.

    The moment Rex opened the door, Ys pounced on him like a cat. "Daaarliiing~, did you miss me?" she purred while wrapping her arms around his neck and locking her legs around his hips.

    Her light green hair shimmered under the soft light of the room, and her playful grin was as radiant as ever.

    Rex sighed while patting her head with a mix of affection and exasperation. "Nupe."

    Ys pouted, her lower lip jutting out dramatically. "Buuuu, you''re so mean!" Her eyes then flicked to the little girl peeking out from behind Rex''s leg. "And who''s this? Did you pick up a stray kitty, darling?"

    Rex gently pried Ys off him and set her down. "First, let me go so I can explain. Second, is there anything to eat? For me and the kid. She looks like she hasn''t eaten in days."

    Ys tilted her head, her playful demeanor shifting to concern. "Of course, darling. Let me see what we have." She floated over to the refrigerator, her movements as graceful as ever as she pulled out a couple of organic bars.

    These weren''t the bland, paste-like rations from food printers; these were the good stuff, made from dehydrated organic materials. Just pull the cord, and they were ready to eat.

    Rex handed one to the little girl, who took it with trembling hands. She stared at it for a moment, as if unsure it was real, before tearing into it like a starving animal.

    Rex watched her for a moment, his expression softening, before sitting down on the sofa. Ys joined him, lying down and using his leg as a pillow while he explained everything that had happened.

    "Mmm, I see..."Ys said once he finished, her fingers idly tracing patterns on his knee. "So that''s the situation. I told Mom about it, and she said it''s a good opportunity for us."

    Rex nodded while his gaze fixed on the little girl as she devoured her food. "As expected of her. She thought the same as me."

    Ys propped herself up on one elbow with her eyes narrowing slightly. "So, little girl, you asked for my darling''s help, and he''s willing to give it. But you have to promise something first."

    The girl looked up with her cheeks stuffed with food. "What is it, miss?" she mumbled through a mouthful.

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "First, don''t talk with your mouth full. Mind your manners, little lady. Were you starving for days or something?" He reached out and poked her rosy cheek; his tone was teasing but gentle.

    The girl blushed, quickly swallowing her food. "I''m sorry. I was just so hungry... I haven''t eaten or drunk anything for days."

    Rex''s expression darkened. "Why is that? Wait... don''t tell me." His jaw tightened as the realization hit him.

    The little girl let out a bitter laugh, her mismatched eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Yes, it''s exactly what you''re thinking. All the food and water they gave me was poisoned. Thanks to my eyes, I could detect it, so I didn''t eat or drink any of it." Her voice broke, and tears began to stream down her face.

    Rex''s hands clenched into fists; his fury was palpable. Even though his ultimate goal was to conquer worlds and resurrect the Kaelzar Empire to fulfill his promise to Cleo, he wasn''t heartless.

    He still had a soul, a sense of right and wrong. And seeing someone harm a child... a child for their own gain, ignited a fire in him that he hadn''t felt in a long time.

    Ys sat up, her playful demeanor gone. "Darling..." she said with her voice soft but firm.

    Rex took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. He looked at the little girl, his expression was a mix of anger and determination.

    "Listen to me," he said, his voice steady but intense. "You''re safe now. No one''s going to hurt you. And those people? They''re going to pay for what they''ve done. I promise you that."

    The girl wiped her tears, her cybernetic eye glowing faintly. "Thank you, mister."

    Rex nodded, then glanced at Ys. "We need to plan our next move. This isn''t just about her anymore. This is about sending a message."

    Ys smirked while her playful energy returned. "Oh, darling, you know I love it when you get all heroic."

    Rex rolled his eyes but couldn''t suppress a small smile. "Yeah, yeah. Let''s just focus on not getting killed, alright?"

    As the little girl finished her food, Rex leaned back on the sofa while his mind was racing.

    The little girl quickly wiped away her tears while straightening her back as if trying to regain some dignity. Then, as if remembering something, she turned to Y''ssera.

    "Oh right, miss... you said I had to promise something first. What was it?" Her voice was steady now, but her small hands remained clenched at her sides.

    Y''s smiled, her green, serpent-like eyes gleaming under the dim lights. "Nothing much, young one. Our mission here is simple.... take this planet under our control. In return, we''ll help you rid yourself of the ''pest.''" She tilted her head slightly. "All we ask is that you come under our banner. How does that sound?"

    The girl''s fingers tightened further. "You mean... making me a puppet ruler? Like the Elders wanted?"

    Rex let out a loud laugh. "Hah! Hell no!" He leaned forward while grinning. "Why would we need a puppet king when a friendly one is better? All you have to do is swear loyalty to me and give us 40% of the planet''s income. That''s half of what you''re paying Nexum right now, isn''t it?"

    The girl blinked. "Wait... we pay Nexum 80% of our income?"

    Rex smirked while crossing his arms. "You really need better accountants, kid."

    The little girl frowned but remained thoughtful. "...I don''t see a problem with that. But.... are you going to help us with a fleet? A world without a military is prime prey for slavers and pirates." She looked directly into Rex''s eyes, her expression more calculating now.

    "Don''t worry about that. Our soldiers are mass-produced in batches. We''ll set up manufacturing facilities here, and your world will have military strength rivaling a commercial hub," Rex assured her. Then, with a small grin, he added, "Of course, you cover the material costs."

    The girl narrowed her eyes. "So... they''re droids? Or something similar?"

    Rex chuckled. "Something similar, but stronger. You''ll see soon enough."

    Y''ssera smirked at the exchange but said nothing.

    The girl inhaled deeply, her young face carrying the weight of far too many burdens. "I''ll need to see proof of your strength first."

    Rex''s grin widened. "Oh, you''ll see. Once we hit the Hive City, you''ll know exactly what we''re capable of. When the war is over, we''ll have this conversation again, and then you can decide what''s best for you."

    The girl didn''t respond immediately because she already knew the truth.

    Once Rex crushed the Hive City, there would be no real choice left for her. The moment his army took over, any resistance would be meaningless.

    But...

    It was still better than being poisoned to death by her mother.

    She clenched her fists even tighter, her voice barely above a whisper. "Alright, mister." Show me your power."

    A smirk tugged at Rex''s lips. "Pleasure doing business with you!"

 Chapter 322 322: Chaos. {4}

    Meanwhile, a sleek, armored vehicle sped through the neon-lit streets of the Hive City, flanked by a convoy of Nexum military escorts.

    Inside, the Supreme Commander sat with his arms crossed; his expression was a mix of irritation and cold calculation. Beside him, the little girl''s mother, a woman whose beauty was matched only by her ruthlessness, glared at him, her face still red from the slap he''d delivered moments ago.

    "You had one job," she hissed, her voice trembling with barely contained rage. "One job! And you couldn''t even do that. How could you let that bastard escape with her?!"

    The Commander''s eyes narrowed, his voice becoming low and dangerous. "Don''t you dare blame me, you useless woman. You had months to poison her. Months! And yet, here we are, cleaning up your mess."

    She recoiled slightly, her hand instinctively touching her cheek where he''d struck her. "But what about that man? What if he helps her? What if they come after us?"

    The Commander leaned back while a devilish smirk spread across his face. "That man? Whoever he is, he''s nothing. Even if he''s strong, he''s just one person. And this world? It''s mine. Every soldier, every weapon, every resource, it all answers to me. That brat can run all she wants, but she''s alone. And alone, she''s nothing."

    The woman frowned; her curiosity piqued despite her anger. "What do you mean? Why are you so confident?"

    The Commander let out a quiet, mocking laugh. "Let''s just say... I have a contingency plan. One that even her father couldn''t have stopped, had he been alive."

    Hidden deep beneath the icy wasteland of the planet''s north pole, a secret facility buzzed with activity.

    Scientists in white coats moved through the dimly lit corridors with their faces illuminated by the cold glow of monitors and control panels. At the heart of the facility, encased in a massive cryo-chamber, was a creature of unimaginable power.

    The lead scientist, a man with sharp features and a calculating gaze, studied the stats displayed on his screen. His eyes lingered on one line in particular: Tier 5 Peak. A smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

    "Sir," one of his assistants called out, "the Commander has requested an update. He wants to know if the asset is ready."

    The lead scientist didn''t look up. "Tell him it''s almost time. The beast is stable, and the awakening sequence is nearly complete. Soon, he''ll have his ultimate weapon."

    The assistant nodded and hurried off, leaving the scientist alone with the sleeping titan. He placed a hand on the cryo-chamber, his reflection distorted in the frosted glass. "Soon," he whispered. "Soon, the world will tremble."

    Meanwhile In the heart of the Hive City, the Elder Council convened in their grand chamber, a room adorned with ancient tapestries and glowing holograms of the planet''s history. The mood was tense, the air thick with frustration and fear.

    "Have we found any trace of the girl?" one Elder demanded, his voice echoing through the chamber. "Or are we just sitting here, waiting for the Supreme Commander to tighten his grip on the city?"

    Another Elder, a woman with sharp eyes and a sharper tongue, shook her head. "Our forces have found nothing. No sign of her, no leads. It''s as if she vanished into thin air."

    A third Elder, a burly man with a deep voice, slammed his fist on the table. "And what of the Commander? His forces are everywhere, using martial law as an excuse to seize control. If he finds her before we do¡ª"

    "Enough," a commanding voice cut through the chaos. All eyes turned to the Grand Elder, a figure of immense presence and authority. He stood at the head of the table with his hands clasped behind his back. "Bickering will get us nowhere. What we need is action."

    The room fell silent as the Grand Elder continued. "Send our agents to search for the girl. Use our spies to feed the Commander''s forces false leads. Keep him distracted while we find her. And when we do... we''ll decide her fate."

    The other Elders nodded; their expressions were grim but determined. "As you command, Grand Elder," one of them said, bowing slightly before hurrying out of the room to carry out his orders.

    As the Supreme Commander plotted, the Elders schemed, and the scientists prepared to unleash their monstrous creation, Rex, Ys, and the little girl finalized their plans in the safety of their hidden base. The city outside was already covered in enough full to make it explode in total chaos, and the spark was about to be lit.

    In one of the hidden rooms of Rex''s hideout, a massive device hummed with energy, its surface covered in glowing runes and intricate circuitry.

    The batteries powering it were powerful enough to fuel the Hive City for a century, but here they were only dedicated to a single, monumental task. Rex stood before it, arms crossed, his expression being a mix of anticipation and impatience.

    "Mini Cleo, turn it on. I don''t have the patience to figure out how this thing works," he said, his voice echoing in the dimly lit room.

    {Activating the warp device now, boss!} Mini Cleo''s cheerful voice chirped.

    The device roared to life, its core glowing brighter and brighter until the air itself seemed to crackle with energy. A portal swirled into existence, and from it stepped Zynaria, her tall, imposing figure clad in sleek, battle-ready armor.

    "Greetings, little emperor," she said while making a strange hand gesture that Rex assumed was some kind of formal greeting. He shrugged it off.

    "Nice to see you too, sister-in-law. Is everything ready on the other side?" Rex asked while leading her out of the room and into the living area.

    Zynaria nodded while her sharp eyes were scanning the hideout. "Affirmative. The 5th Sister is overseeing the fleet as we speak. It will take two more days to fully supply the ships and another day to reach this sector. We''ll be ready."

    Rex grinned. "Good. Make yourself comfortable here while we wait. I''ll be checking the cloaking and shield devices. This city''s about to become a war zone, and I don''t want us caught in the crossfire."

    As Rex moved to inspect the defenses, he waved at the little girl, who had been quietly watching TV. "Come on, kid. You''re with me. Time to learn how to stay alive in a war zone."

    The girl scrambled to her feet, her mismatched eyes wide with curiosity and a hint of fear. Meanwhile, Ys was sprawled on the floor, her upper body slumped off the sofa, her legs still dangling on the cushions. She snored softly, completely unfazed by the chaos brewing outside.

    Hours later, the Supreme Commander''s voice echoed across the planet, broadcast on every screen and speaker. His face was stern and unyielding, filling the airwaves as he delivered his message.

    "Citizens of Runek, I come to you with grave news. The Elder Council, in their greed and corruption, have kidnapped the daughter of our beloved late leader. Her mother, in her desperation, has turned to me for help. I will not rest until the girl is found and the traitors are brought to justice!"

    The declaration was a masterstroke of propaganda. Within minutes, Nexum forces began raiding the Elder-owned businesses, confiscating assets, and arresting anyone connected to the Council. The city that was already on edge, erupted into chaos.

    But the Elders weren''t about to take this lying down. Under the orders of the Grand Elder, their private armies that were hidden for years in secret bases across the planet finally mobilized. Counterattacks were launched against Nexum forces, and soon, the city was a battlefield.

    Skirmishes broke out in every district. Explosions rocked the streets, and the sky was filled with the roar of fighter ships and the streaks of energy weapons. Civilians fled in panic, while soldiers and mercenaries clashed in brutal, unrelenting combat.

    Back at the hideout, Rex watched the chaos unfold through a holographic display. "Well, that escalated quickly," he muttered, his tone being almost amused. "Looks like the Commander and the Elders are doing our job for us."

    The little girl stood beside him, her cybernetic eye flickering as she processed the scenes of destruction. "This... this is my fault," she whispered while her voice trembled.

    Rex glanced down at her, his expression softening. "No, kid. This was always going to happen. The Commander and the Elders were just waiting for an excuse to go at each other''s throats. You''re just the spark that lit the fuse."

    Lira looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mix of guilt and determination. "But... what about the people? They''re innocent. They don''t deserve this."

    Rex sighed while crouching down to her level. "You''re right. They don''t. But sometimes, to fix something, you have to break it first. We''ll end this war, and when we do, we''ll make sure the people are taken care of. That''s a promise."

    Before Lira could respond, the ground shook violently, and the sound of an explosion echoed in the distance. Rex straightened, his wings instinctively flaring out. "Looks like the party''s getting closer. Time to move."

    Rex, Ys, and Zynaria moved swiftly through the hideout, preparing for the inevitable. The little girl stayed close, her small frame dwarfed by the towering figures around her. Mini Cleo''s voice buzzed in their ears, providing updates on the fighting.

    {Enemy forces are converging on our location, boss. We''ve got Nexum troops to the east and Elder mercenaries to the west. They''ll be here in minutes.}

    Rex smirked, cracking his knuckles. "Perfect. Let''s give them a warm welcome."

 Chapter 323 323: Hive city war.

    "Mini Cleo! Activate the shields! And send some drones outside. I want to see what''s going on. It''s impossible for them to detect us unless they''ve got a Tier 6 powerhouse with them, and I highly doubt that."

    Rex''s voice was calm but laced with an edge of curiosity. He strode toward the living room, where a wall of glowing screens flickered to life, casting an eerie blue light across his face.

    {You got it, boss! Releasing the stealth drones!} Mini Cleo chirped with her voice being a mix of sass and efficiency.

    The drones slipped out of the hideout like shadows, their tiny forms blending seamlessly into the chaos outside. What they revealed was nothing short of a warzone. Just a few meters away, one of the largest skirmishes in recent memory was unfolding.

    The forces of the Elders, with their overwhelming numbers, were pushing hard against the Supreme Commander''s elite troops, who were better equipped but outmatched. The clash was brutal; it was a symphony of explosions, gunfire, and the occasional whoosh of energy blades slicing through the air.

    But then, things escalated.

    Tier 2 elites from both sides stormed into the fray, their powers lighting up the battlefield like a fireworks display gone wrong.

    The sky wasn''t spared either; hundreds of fighters darted through the air, locked in a deadly dance for supremacy. Rex''s eyes narrowed as he noticed something chilling... neither side gave a damn about the civilians.

    Fighters spiraled out of the sky, crashing into towering buildings and obliterating homes. Civilians caught in the crossfire were mowed down by stray bullets or vaporized in explosions. The streets ran red, and the air was thick with smoke and screams.

    "Damn," Rex muttered while crossing his arms and shaking his head. "These guys are savages. Do they not realize there''s no point in winning if there''s no one left to rule? Or are they just that stupid?"

    Ys voice was of cold pragmatism while she leaned against him, her tone dripping with sarcasm.

    "Darling, this is how all conquest wars go. When you''ve got hundreds of thousands of expendable bodies, who cares if a few million more die? They''ll just import more or buy slaves. It''s how it works."

    She smirked, hugging his arm like they were watching a bad reality show instead of a massacre.

    Meanwhile, in another room, Zynaria was doing her best to keep her cool. The little girl she was tending to was oblivious, but Zynaria''s mind was elsewhere.

    Her blood boiled every time she thought about Ys. To her, the war between the Kaelzars and Khryssari wasn''t ancient history; it was fresh, raw, and personal. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms, until a notification from Cleo snapped her out of it.

    "Young Emperor," Zynaria said while stepping into the living room with the poise of a warrior queen. "5th Sister just reported that the fleet has arrived. But there''s a problem."

    Rex turned, his gaze sharp. "What kind of problem?"

    Zynaria swiped her hand, and a holo-screen materialized, showing a massive space battle raging just outside the planet''s atmosphere.

    Nexum ships clashed with their fleet in a dazzling display of laser fire and explosions. "The Nexum fleet is blocking us. 5th Sister is engaged in combat. It''ll be a few minutes before she can deploy troops."

    Rex''s jaw tightened. "Of course. Just when things couldn''t get more complicated." He glanced back at the screens showing the chaos outside.

    "Mini Cleo, keep those drones active. I want eyes on everything. And Ys¡ª" He shot her a look. "Try not to provoke Zynaria. We''ve got enough problems without you two starting another war in here."

    Ys smirked while flipping her hair. "No promises, darling."

    Zynaria''s eyes narrowed, her hand twitching toward the hilt of her blade. "You''re not even my opponent."

    Rex sighed while running a hand through his hair. "Great. Just great. Alright, people, let''s focus. We''ve got a planet to save, a fleet to coordinate, and a war to survive. And for the love of the stars, can someone get me a drink?"

    Meanwhile, high above the planet, the fleet battle raged on like a dazzling spectacle of destruction and strategy.

    The combined Kaelzar and human fleet was holding its own, thanks to the two newly constructed destroyers that now tipped the scales in their favor.

    These behemoths of war were a testament to ingenuity and desperation, their sleek designs bristling with enough firepower to take on medium-sized fleets single-handedly.

    The Kaelzar ships were a marvel of advanced technology; their shields were nearly impenetrable, their weapons precise and devastating.

    They moved with a grace that belied their destructive potential, like predators stalking their prey. The human ships, on the other hand, were a different beast entirely. While their shields and weaponry were modest compared to their Kaelzar allies,

    they made up for it with sheer durability. Their hulls, reinforced with a revolutionary alloy developed by the brilliant and slightly eccentric Professor Oscar, were a nightmare for enemy lasers.

    This miracle material, a blend of rare minerals and sheer stubbornness, could withstand heat that would melt conventional hulls like butter.

    The catch? It was astronomically expensive to produce, so it was only applied to the sides of the ships and the bridge. This led to the human fleet''s signature tactic: the "turtle maneuver."

    They''d turn their ships sideways, presenting their reinforced flanks to the enemy, and absorb punishment like a boxer with an iron jaw. Slow? Yes. But nearly indestructible? Absolutely.

    "Lilla, we''ve arrived at the landing point. Start sending the troops." Cleo''s voice crackled through the communicator, calm and authoritative.

    "Understood. Deploying drop pods as planned," Lilla replied, her tone steady. She closed the channel and turned to one of her priestesses, a silent understanding passing between them. With a single nod, the priestess sprang into action, her fingers flying over her communicator.

    "The Saints have spoken! Mobilize the believers! Our mission is to save the civilians; leave the enemy to our allies." Her voice echoed through the fleet, and within moments, hundreds of drop pods launched from both the Kaelzar and human ships.

    They streaked through the atmosphere like fiery comets, a rain of hope descending upon the war-torn planet below.

    On the ground, chaos reigned. The Supreme Commander was shouting orders; his voice was even hoarse from shouting, when one of his officers came sprinting toward him, nearly tripping over his own boots.

    "Sir! We''ve got a new situation!" the officer gasped while dropping to one knee. "Something''s coming down from the sky!"

    At the same time, on the Elders'' side, a mercenary burst into their command tent; his face was pale. "Elders! It''s not good! There''s something falling from the sky!, hundreds of somethings!"

    "What did you say!?" both the Elders and the Supreme Commander roared in unison, their voices echoing across the battlefield.

    For a brief moment, the two sworn enemies shared a look of mutual dread. Whatever was coming wasn''t part of their plans.

    The drop pods hurtled toward the surface, their fiery trails lighting up the sky. Civilians looked up in awe and terror, while soldiers on both sides paused mid-fight, their weapons lowering as they stared at the heavens.

    The pods slammed into the ground with thunderous impacts, kicking up clouds of dust and debris. Hatches hissed open, and from within emerged the combined forces of the Kaelzar and human armies, a tide of armored warriors and battle-hardened soldiers ready to turn the tide of the war.

    Rex, watching from his hideout, couldn''t help but smirk. "Well, it looks like the cavalry''s here. About time."

    Ys leaned against him, her smirk matching his. "Let''s just hope they don''t trip over their own boots on the way down."

    The battlefield fell silent for a heartbeat, as if the planet itself was holding its breath. Then, with a roar that shook the ground, the new arrivals charged into the fray, their war cries echoing across the city.

    Without wasting another second, the Aegis Legions surged into the fray. Their mission was clear: secure a safe zone for the civilians, a sanctuary amidst the chaos.

    Moving with precision and discipline, they carved a path through the battlefield, their advanced armor gleaming under the smoke-filled sky.

    Meanwhile, the human forces, Paladins, Crusaders, and Zealots, fanned out across the city, their orders ringing in their ears. Find the civilians. Protect them at all costs.

    These two new forces quickly became the dominant players in the conflict. Not only were they formidable in combat, but they also had the advantage of constant reinforcements from orbit.

    The Supreme Commander''s forces, already stretched thin, now faced an enemy that seemed to grow stronger by the minute.

    Up in orbit, the Nexum Fleet, which was loyal to the Supreme Commander, found themselves in a desperate situation.

    Cleo had ordered one of her carriers to intercept any transport ships or drop pods attempting to reinforce the enemy. The carrier''s AI, cold and efficient, launched swarms of fighters to hunt down and destroy their targets. The Nexum reinforcements never stood a chance.

    On the ground, the Supreme Commander seethed with rage.

    "Who the hell are they!?" he shouted whil;e slamming his fist on the command table.

    "They''re not part of the Elders'' Council. That means they''re outsiders... invaders!" His eyes narrowed as a sly grin spread across his face.

    "If that''s the case, I can use this to my advantage. I''ll call for reinforcements from the nearby Nexum fleets. They''ll have no choice but to respond. After all, we''re being invaded by pirates!"

    He turned to one of his officers, his voice sharp and commanding. "You! Send an aid request to all Nexum forces in the sector. Tell them we''re under attack by a pirate fleet. Move!"

    The officer nodded, his fingers flying over the console. But instead of the confirmation tone he expected, all he heard was static. He tried again, his brow furrowing in frustration. Still, nothing.

    "Commander..." the officer said while his voice trembled. "The communication lines are down! We''re cut off!"

 Chapter 324 324: Hive city war. {2}

    The Supreme Commander''s face turned ashen. "What do you mean, down!?" he was shouting while storming over to the console. He stared at the flickering screen, his mind racing. "How is this possible? Who could have¡ª"

    Before he could finish, the ground shook violently, the sound of distant explosions echoed through the command center.

    The lights flickered, and the hum of machinery sputtered. Outside, the sky was lit up with streaks of fire as drop pods and fighters clashed in a deadly dance.

    On the battlefield, the Aegis Legions and human forces continued their relentless advance. The safe zone was growing while the civilians were being ushered to safety under the watchful eyes of their protectors.

    The tide of the war was turning, and the Supreme Commander knew it. Cut off from reinforcements and with his forces crumbling, he was running out of options.

    But in the shadows, a new threat loomed. The Elders, watching from their hidden stronghold, began to mobilize their own reserves.

    "Have we got any news about these invaders?" The Great Elder''s voice boomed through the dimly lit chamber, echoing off the ornate walls.

    He reclined in his massive chair while savoring a steaming cup of some dark, fragrant liquid. On the table before him, a plate of what appeared to be roasted insects sat untouched, their glossy exoskeletons glinting in the flickering light.

    One of the elders stepped forward while bowing slightly. "Little to none, Great Elder. All we know is that they are outsiders, and their fleet is currently engaged in battle with the Nexum fleet."

    He gestured to a holo-screen, which was displaying grainy footage of the space battle above. Explosions lit up the void, and ships clashed in a deadly ballet of destruction.

    The Great Elder leaned forward while his sharp eyes scanned the images. "Any identifications? Symbols, markings, anything that could tell us who they are?" He swiped through the photos, his fingers brushing against the holograms as if he could pluck the answers from thin air.

    Another Elder, clad in battle-ready gear, shook his head. "Nothing conclusive, Great Elder. We''ve tried to reach our spies within the Nexum fleet, but all communications have been cut. It''s not the work of the Supreme Commander; our scouts report that his forces are equally crippled. They''re struggling to coordinate as well."

    The Great Elder''s lips curled into a frown. "Mmm. So, these invaders possess technology superior to ours. They''ve disabled our communications with ease."

    His cane was tapping rhythmically against the floor. "No matter. We''ll use the local transmission devices within our control. Elders, prepare to mobilize. We move out immediately."

    With a groan of effort, the Great Elder rose from his throne while leaning heavily on his cane. He shuffled toward a hidden door to the left of his chair, its surface blending seamlessly with the wall until it hissed open, revealing a shadowy passage beyond.

    "Understood, Great Elder!" The other Elders answered in unison while rising from their seats and filing out of the chamber with purpose. The room, once filled with tension, now buzzed with the energy of impending action.

    Meanwhile, the Supreme Commander was pacing in his command center; his frustration was already palpable. Years of meticulous planning were unraveled in a single day by an unforeseen invasion.

    "How is the situation in the Hive City?" he shouted out while turning to an officer who was hunched over a console, monitoring scout drone feeds.

    The officer hesitated, his voice tight with unease. "Not good, sir. Our troops have ground to a halt. With communications down, they''ve defaulted to standard protocols for such scenarios, holding their positions and awaiting orders." He pulled up a series of holo screens, displaying footage from the drones.

    The Supreme Commander''s eyes narrowed as he grabbed one of the screens, zooming in on a particular scene. "What is this?" he muttered, his voice clearly low and dangerous.

    The footage showed the invaders, soldiers in unfamiliar armor, herding civilians toward a fortified zone. The area was heavily guarded, a stark contrast to the chaos engulfing the rest of the city.

    "It appears they''re establishing a safe zone, sir," the officer explained cautiously. "They''re rounding up civilians and protecting them. It''s... unusual."

    The Supreme Commander''s jaw tightened. "Unusual? It''s a damn strategy. They''re winning the hearts of the people while we''re stuck here, blind and deaf."

    He slammed his fist on the console, causing the holo screens to flicker. "Find a way to restore communications. Now. I need to know who these invaders are and what they want."

    "No... wait... I have a better idea," the Supreme Commander said, his voice dripping with malice while a grin spread across his face... a grin so dark and twisted that even the devil himself might have hesitated to claim it. "Fix the Hive City speakers first. Let''s see how these saviors handle a little... chaos."

    The officer nodded while his fingers flew over the console. Within minutes, the city''s ancient speaker system crackled to life, its distorted hum echoing through the streets. The Supreme Commander leaned back with his grin widening. "Let''s see how they like playing the hero when the people turn on them."

    In the safe zone established by the Kaelzar and human forces, the atmosphere was tense but hopeful. Medics from both factions worked tirelessly, their hands moving with precision as they tended to the wounded.

    The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the low murmur of voices, a stark contrast to the chaos outside.

    Among the civilians was a pregnant woman of an alien race, her body bruised and battered, her multiple eyes filled with fear.

    She clung to her husband, her voice trembling as she spoke. "Husband... what do you think will happen to us?" Her words were barely above a whisper; the weight of despair was pressing down on her.

    Her husband, equally injured, winced as he adjusted his position. Blood seeped through the makeshift bandages wrapped around his torso, and the bullet wound in his shoulder pulsed with pain.

    Despite his injuries, his grip tightened on the handgun hidden beneath his jacket. "I don''t know," he admitted, his voice strained. "If they''re keeping us here, it''s probably to capture us. They''re likely slavers."

    The woman''s eyes widened in horror. "S-slavers?! Husband, we can''t let that happen! We have to run! I don''t want our child to be born into slavery!"

    Her voice rose in panic while tears streamed down her face. Her hands instinctively cradled her stomach, as if she could shield her unborn child from the nightmare unfolding around them.

    The commotion drew the attention of a nearby Tyrant unit, the towering Kaelzar warrior clad in imposing armor. His massive frame and warm, almost glowing appearance should have been comforting, but to the terrified couple, he was a nightmare come to life.

    The husband staggered to his feet, positioning himself between the Tyrant and his wife, his handgun trembling in his grip.

    The Tyrant raised a hand, reaching toward his back. The husband''s mind raced, convinced the warrior was drawing his massive sword.

    Without hesitation, he fired his handgun at point-blank range, the sharp crack of gunfire echoing through the safe zone. Everyone froze, their eyes snapping toward the scene.

    But the bullets did nothing. The Tyrant''s advanced shields absorbed the shots effortlessly, not even registering a scratch. When the husband''s gun clicked empty, he could only stare in horror; his body trembled with fear and exhaustion.

    The Tyrant, unfazed, continued his motion, retrieving not a weapon but a small medical kit from his backpack. His deep, resonant voice broke the silence.

    [Multiple injuries detected. Medical attention is required. Sending assistance code... Please wait for a medical unit. In the meantime, use this painkiller to relieve your pain. Administer it to the pregnant female behind you. Caution: it is dangerous if misused.]

    He extended the painkiller toward the husband, his massive hand surprisingly gentle. The husband hesitated; his mind struggled to process what had just happened. Slowly, he took the painkiller, his eyes never leaving the Tyrant''s impassive visor.

    Without another word, the Tyrant turned and returned to his post; his movements were calm and deliberate.

    The safe zone erupted into murmurs from the civilians and soldiers alike that were stunned by the encounter. The husband sank to his knees while clutching the painkiller in one hand and his wife''s hand in the other.

    "They''re... not slavers," he whispered, his voice breaking. "They''re here to help."

    His wife nodded with her tears now mixed with relief. "Maybe... maybe there''s still hope for us."

    But outside the safe zone, the Supreme Commander''s plan was unfolding. The city''s speakers crackled to life, his voice booming through the streets.

    "Citizens of the Hive City! Do not be fooled by these invaders! They are not your saviors, they are your captors! Rise up! Fight for your freedom!"

    tone dripping with faux sympathy. "I don''t know how to deliver this news, but my soldiers fighting against these invaders in space have detected something... horrifying..."

    "They''re preparing to bombard the Hive City from orbit. My spies have confirmed it... they''re gathering people in one place to kill them all at once. I couldn''t believe it at first, but... it seems it''s all true."

    The words hung in the air like a death sentence, spreading panic like wildfire. Civilians who had just begun to feel a glimmer of hope now looked at the Kaelzar and human forces with suspicion and fear.

    Whispers turned to shouts, and the safe zone teetered on the brink of chaos.

    As the transmission continued, the night sky above the Hive City began to change. A deep, ominous crimson glow spread across the heavens, as if the stars themselves were bleeding.

    Then, without warning, the sky erupted....

    Massive laser beams, each one brighter than the sun, streaked down from orbit, cutting through the atmosphere like divine wrath. The ground trembled as the beams hurtled toward the safe zone, their targets were unmistakable.

 Chapter 325 325: Hive city war. {3}

    Inside the safe zone, the pregnant woman and her husband clung to each other, their eyes wide with terror as they stared at the crimson-lit sky. "Husband... is this it? Is this how it ends?" she whispered to her husband while her voice was breaking as she hugged her stomach.

    Before he could answer, the Tyrant unit who had helped them earlier stepped forward, his massive frame casting a shadow over the couple. His deep, resonant voice cut through the panic. [Incoming orbital strike detected. Activating emergency shielding.]

    The ground beneath them hummed as energy shields flared to life, their blue glow contrasting sharply with the red light above.

    The Tyrant raised his arm, and a holographic display projected from his gauntlet, showing the trajectory of the laser beams. [Impact in 10 seconds. All personnel, brace for shockwaves.]

    The humans and Kaelzar soldiers moved with practiced precision, ushering civilians into reinforced shelters and activating additional layers of shielding. The pregnant woman and her husband were gently but firmly guided toward a bunker, the Tyrant''s massive hand steadying them as they moved.

    Outside, the laser beams struck. The ground shook violently, and a deafening roar filled the air as the beams collided with the energy shields.

    The shields held, but only for a few seconds before cracks began to form, spiderwebbing across their surface as the sheer force of the bombardment threatened to overwhelm them.

    The Supreme Commander, watching from his command center, smirked as he saw the explosions light up the horizon. "Let''s see how they handle this," he muttered, his voice filled with dark satisfaction.

    But his triumph was short-lived....

    Zynaria materialized in the center of the refugee safe zone, her glowing red hair whipping wildly in the chaos.

    The air crackled with energy as the Nexum destroyer''s laser beams slammed into the energy shields, sending shockwaves rippling through the ground. Civilians screamed, soldiers scrambled, and the sky burned with the fury of an orbital bombardment.

    "Are you sure you only want me to do that, 5th sister?" Zynaria''s voice cut through the pandemonium; it was calm yet laced with a hint of mischief. She tilted her head, her glowing eyes scanning the heavens as her HUD locked onto the incoming laser beams.

    Cleo''s voice crackled through the communicator, cool and collected. "Yes, 3rd sister. It''s too early to reveal you to the enemy. We don''t know what tricks they''re hiding. Just deflect the lasers and make it look like the shields did the work. Understood?"

    Zynaria smirked, her lips curling into a devilish grin. "Understood. But you owe me a favor after this." She raised a single finger, her gaze sharpening as her HUD finished its calculations. The world seemed to slow as her eyes flashed with an otherworldly light.

    "Begone," she whispered, her voice barely audible over the roar of destruction.

    In an instant, space itself fractured above the shields. Jagged cracks split the sky, swallowing the laser beams and hurling them into the infinite void of space. The ground trembled, and the refugees stared in awe as the bombardment ceased. The shields held... or so it seemed.

    On the bridge of the Nexum destroyer, the supreme commander slammed his fist onto the console; his face was red with rage. "What!? How is this possible!? That energy generator shouldn''t be able to withstand an orbital bombardment! Do they have a fortress hidden down there or something!?"

    His officers exchanged nervous glances, none daring to speak. The commander''s fury was legendary, but this... this was something else. His carefully laid plans were crumbling before his eyes, and he had no idea why.

    Meanwhile, Cleo leaned back in her chair with a sly smile playing on her lips. She had been waiting for this moment. Years of staying by Rex''s side had taught her more than just strategy; it had taught her the art of face slapping. And oh, how she loved it.

    With a flick of her wrist, she hijacked every communication channel in the hive city. Screens flickered to life, displaying a stark white background with a strange, glowing emblem, a symbol no one recognized but everyone would remember.

    ["This is the Kaelzar admiral of the fleet currently engaged against the corrupt Nexum forces,"]

    Cleo''s voice echoed through the city, calm and commanding.

    ["The so-called supreme commander of this planet has chosen to bombard the very safe zones meant to protect civilians. He claims it is our fault, but fear not. Thanks to the bravery of our soldiers, everyone is safe."]

    The civilians hearing this got their fear momentarily replaced by confusion. Even the hostile soldiers hesitated, their weapons lowering as they listened.

    ["I know some of you still doubt us,"] Cleo continued, her tone softening. ["But we are here to aid the legitimate heir of the last governor. And to prove it, allow me to reveal the truth."]

    The screens shifted, displaying damning evidence of the supreme commander''s treachery secret deals, hidden agendas, and the cold-blooded plan to sacrifice the hive city for his own gain. The city erupted in outrage, the once-divided populace now united against a common enemy.

    As the transmission ended, the screens went dark, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. Cleo leaned back, her smile widening. "Let''s see how he struggled out of this one."

    Back on his base, the supreme commander stared at the blank screen, his face was already pale.

    "Cut the transmission! Cut it now!" he shouted out, but it was too late. The damage was done. His officers exchanged uneasy glances, and for the first time, he felt the weight of their doubt.

    "Sir," one officer ventured cautiously, "what do we do now?"

    The commander''s jaw tightened. "We fight. And we win. Or we die trying."

    On the ground, Zynaria stretched lazily, her glowing hair settling as the chaos subsided. "Well, that was fun," she said to no one in particular.

    The Grand Elder''s laughter echoed through the dimly lit chamber like a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers down the spines of those present.

    His grip tightened on his ornate cane, the knuckles of his hand turning white as he stared at the screens displaying Cleo''s damning broadcast.

    "Hohoho, it seems they''ve got us good this time," he chuckled, though his eyes burned with a cold, calculating fury.

    The other Elders shifted uncomfortably, their faces pale as the evidence of their corruption and the Grand Elder''s particularly scandalous secrets played out for the entire hive city to see. Even his closest allies averted their eyes, too horrified to speak.

    "Well," the Grand Elder said to break the tense silence, "it seems we''ll have to accelerate our plans. Prepare the troops. We strike at the sunrise."

    Through the night, the hive city was eerily quiet. The Kaelzar legions patrolled the streets, their presence a silent warning to anyone who dared cause trouble. But beneath the surface, two titanic forces were preparing for a clash that would shake the very foundations of the city.

    The Grand Elder, now fully in command of the combined forces of the Elder Council, amassed an army of nearly one hundred thousand strong.

    Infantry, mechanized units, armored vehicles, and fighters, all marched under his banner, their eyes fixed on the lower levels where the supreme commander''s fortress loomed like a dark monolith.

    Meanwhile, the supreme commander, knowing the Grand Elder''s movements, had fortified his position with everything he had.

    His eighty thousand troops stood ready, their weapons gleaming under the artificial light of the lower levels. Defensive walls, turrets, and trenches surrounded his fortress, a testament to his determination to hold out until Nexum reinforcements arrived.

    "Commander," a scout officer knelt before him, his voice trembling slightly. "The Elders are advancing. They''ll be here by dawn. What are your orders?"

    The supreme commander smirked, his confidence still unshaken. "We''ve made our preparations. All we need to do is hold the line until reinforcements arrive. Let them come. We''ll crush them against our walls."

    As he spoke, the mother of the little girl approached with her hips swaying seductively. She was flanked by maids, their heads bowed in deference. "Honey," she purred, grasping his arm and pressing it against her ample chest. "have you eaten anything"?

    The commander chuckled and pulled her close. "Don''t worry, my love. I''ve made all the necessary preparations. We''ll hold out until the reinforcements arrive. Then, we''ll wipe out those invaders and take back what''s ours."

    She pouted, her voice dripping with faux concern. "But why is that old fossil attacking us instead of the invaders? It doesn''t make sense."

    The commander''s smirk turned into a sneer. "That old fool is nothing but a bootlicker. He probably thinks he can offer our heads to the invaders in exchange for a safe escape. Pathetic." He pushed her away gently, his voice rising to a thunderous roar that echoed across the fortress.

    "EVERYONE! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!"

    The troops roared in response, their voices shaking the very ground. The supreme commander, a Tier 4 peak Bionic Warrior, stood tall, his presence alone enough to inspire both fear and loyalty in his men.

    As dawn broke, the hive city''s lower levels became a battlefield. The Grand Elder''s forces descended like a tidal wave; their numbers were overwhelming.

    Tanks rumbled forward, fighters streaked across the sky, and infantry marched in perfect formation. It was a show of force meant to intimidate, to crush the enemy before the battle even began.

    But the supreme commander''s forces were ready. Defensive turrets roared to life, artillery shells rained down, and the air was filled with the deafening sound of clashing metal and explosions. The two armies collided in a storm of fire and steel, each side fighting with a ferocity born of desperation.

 Chapter 326 326: Hive City War. {4}

    "Grand Elder, it seems we have plenty of moles on our side," the third Elder reported; his voice was tinged with frustration.

    "The commander was already waiting for us. We''ve been fighting for two hours, and we still haven''t pierced their first line of defense. What should we do?"

    The Grand Elder chuckled, his long white beard swaying as he rubbed it thoughtfully. "Hohoho, don''t trouble yourself over this. Even though we haven''t broken through, it''s because I ordered it so."

    The third Elder blinked while his brow furrowed in confusion. "How so? Aren''t we here to use the commander as a bargaining chip with the invaders?"

    The Grand Elder''s laughter deepened like a low, rumbling sound that sent a chill down the spines of those around him.

    "Hohoho, of course, third Elder. But I also have no intention of wasting our troops in a pointless slaughter. Even if we secure the supreme commander''s head, we''ll need a strong force intact. They, too, are a valuable bargaining chip."

    As he spoke, a distant rumble echoed through the air, growing louder with each passing moment. The Grand Elder''s eyes gleamed with satisfaction as he turned to look behind him.

    "And by the look of it, we won''t have to wait much longer. What I''ve been waiting for has finally arrived."

    The Elders followed his gaze, their eyes widening as eight missile launcher vehicles and a dozen or so of field artillery rolled into position, their crews working swiftly to prepare for the impending bombardment. The third Elder''s puzzled expression melted into one of awe.

    "Ohhh, so this was your plan all along! Grand Elder, your strategic mind is truly unparalleled!" he exclaimed while clapping his hands in admiration.

    The Grand Elder smirked, his eyes narrowing with satisfaction. "Indeed. Now, fourth Elder, I grant you the honor of initiating our real counterattack." He handed the fourth Elder a small flare gun, its polished surface gleaming in the dim light.

    The 4th Elder accepted it with a bow, his hands trembling slightly with anticipation. He raised the flare gun, aimed it skyward, and fired.

    A brilliant red streak shot into the air, bursting into a dazzling flare that illuminated the battlefield.

    The artillery teams, seeing the signal, sprang into action. "The signal has been given! Begin the bombardment!" the officer in charge shouted out, his voice carrying over the din of preparation.

    The sky erupted with the roar of missile launches and the thunderous crack of field artillery. White trails streaked across the heavens, followed by the glowing arcs of artillery shells. For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.

    One second.... Two seconds.... then.....

    The lower levels of the hive city trembled as if struck by a cataclysmic earthquake. Explosions ripped through the defensive lines, reducing buildings to rubble and obliterating everything in their path. The screams of the dying were drowned out by the deafening roar of destruction.

    "Hohoho," the Grand Elder chuckled, his voice dripping with dark amusement. "Fourth Elder, order the troops to advance. It''s time to claim our victory."

    The Elders scrambled to relay his orders as the Grand Elder settled into his command chariot, a massive, heavily armored vehicle designed for battlefield command. Though it lacked offensive weaponry, its reinforced hull and powerful energy shield made it nearly impervious to attack.

    As the chariot rumbled forward, the Grand Elder leaned back, his fingers steepled in front of him. "Let''s see how the supreme commander enjoys a taste of his own medicine."

    Meanwhile, in the heart of the supreme commander''s fortress, chaos reigned. "Supreme Commander! It''s not good! We''ve lost control of the entire first defensive line!" an officer reported while kneeling before his leader with a look of panic.

    The supreme commander''s expression remained stoic, though a flicker of irritation crossed his face. "Hmph. It doesn''t matter. I never expected to hold the first line. That''s why I concentrated our shield generators on the third and fourth lines."

    The officer hesitated, his voice trembling as he asked, "Then... what about the second line, Commander?"

    The supreme commander''s face darkened, his jaw tightening as he turned to face the officer. The look in his eyes was one of cold, calculated ruthlessness... a look that sent a shiver down the officer''s spine. For a moment, the room seemed to grow colder, the air thick with unspoken dread.

    The officer swallowed hard, his mouth dry. He didn''t dare ask again.

    As the bombardment continued and the Grand Elder''s forces advanced, the battlefield became a hellscape of fire and death.

    Two titans of power clashed, their armies tearing each other apart in a desperate bid for dominance. And high above it all, Cleo watched through her monitors, her lips curling into a sly smile.

    "Let them destroy each other," she murmured; her voice was calm and calculating. "It saves us the trouble."

    Zynaria, lounging nearby, grinned. "You''re evil, you know that? I like it."

    Cleo shrugged. "They brought this on themselves. Now, let''s see how long they last before they realize they''re just pawns in our game."

    After several grueling hours, the Elders had finally seized control of the supreme commander''s first defensive line, pushing the battlefront to the second line.

    The two forces were now mere meters apart, locked in a brutal, close-quarters struggle. The air was thick with the acrid smell of smoke and blood, the ground littered with the wreckage of tanks, the bodies of fallen soldiers, and the shattered remnants of armored vehicles.

    It was a scene of total carnage....

    The Elders continued their relentless assault, sending wave after wave of infantry supported by tanks and armored vehicles.

    While the supreme commander''s troops fought valiantly, they were slowly being pushed back, inch by bloody inch, toward the third defensive line. The tide of battle seemed to be turning in the Elders'' favor... or so it appeared.

    "Grand Elder," the Second Elder spoke, his voice brimming with excitement, "it''s only a matter of time before we fully conquer the second defensive line. Should we press the offensive to save time and ammunition? We could end this quickly."

    The Grand Elder stroked his long white beard, his sharp eyes scanning the battlefield. Despite the apparent advantage, a nagging feeling gnawed at the back of his mind.

    Decades of scheming in the shadows, striking deals, and outmaneuvering his enemies had honed his instincts to a razor''s edge. He could feel it... something wasn''t right.

    He turned to the Second Elder, his gaze piercing his very soul. "Very well. You may send some of your troops to speed things up... but..." he added, his voice dropping to a cautionary tone, "do not commit your elite forces or tanks. Keep it simple. We must not overextend ourselves."

    The Second Elder''s face lit up with enthusiasm. "Of course, Grand Elder! I''ll make sure this battle is over in no time!" He turned to one of his guards and relayed his orders. "Mobilize five thousand of my private troops. Send them in now!"

    Within minutes, five thousand soldiers surged forward like a flesh wave, crashing against the already weakened second defensive line.

    The supreme commander''s forces, battered and exhausted, began to falter under the onslaught. The Elders'' troops pushed deeper, their momentum seemingly unstoppable.

    From his command post, the supreme commander watched the chaos unfold. His lips curled into a manic grin as he entered a series of commands into the device on his arm. His laughter echoed through the room, dark and unhinged, sending a chill down the spines of his officers.

    "Let them come," he muttered, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light. "Let them think they''ve won. They''ll soon learn the price of their arrogance."

    On the battlefield, the Elders troops celebrated their apparent victory, their cheers ringing out as they advanced.

    But their celebration was short-lived. Suddenly, the ground beneath them began to tremble. A low, ominous hum filled the air, growing louder with each passing second.

    "What''s happening!?" one of the soldiers shouted with his voice tinged with panic.

    Before anyone could answer, the ground erupted. Hidden beneath the second defensive line were a series of seismic charges, planted by the supreme commander''s forces and activated by his command.

    The explosions tore through the Elders troops, sending bodies and debris flying in all directions. The once-advancing wave of soldiers was now a scattered, broken force.

    The Grand Elder''s eyes widened as he watched the devastation unfold. His instincts had been right. "Fall back!" he roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Fall back now!"

    But it was too late. The supreme commander''s forces, lying in wait behind the third defensive line, launched a counterattack.

    Artillery shells rained down on the disoriented Elders'' troops, while armored vehicles surged forward to cut off their retreat. The tide of battle had shifted once again.

    High above the battlefield, Cleo watched through her monitors; her expression was unreadable. "Fools," she murmured. "They never learn."

    Zynaria, lounging nearby while smirking. "Looks like the supreme commander had a few tricks up his sleeve after all. This just got interesting."

    Cleo''s lips curled into a sly smile. "Let them weaken each other. When the time is right, we''ll step in and clean up the mess."

    After a full day of relentless fighting, the battlefield was a grim testament to the cost of war.

    The Elders, who had begun their assault with a formidable force of one hundred thousand troops, now found themselves staring at the harsh reality of their losses....

    Nearly twenty thousand soldiers lay dead or wounded, their bodies strewn across the shattered remains of the first and second defensive lines.

    The once-proud advance had been crushed, their gains erased by the supreme commander''s cunning strategy. They were back at square one... and the mood in the Elders camp was anything but optimistic.

 Chapter 327 327: Hive City War. {5}

    The Grand Elder sat in his command chariot; his expression was unreadable as he surveyed the battlefield through a holographic display.

    The air around him was thick with tension, the silence broken only by the occasional crackle of distant gunfire and the low hum of the chariot''s engines. His advisors and fellow Elders stood nearby, their faces pale, their confidence shaken.

    "Grand Elder," the Third Elder spoke cautiously, "our losses are... significant. The troops are demoralized, and the supreme commander''s forces have retaken the second defensive line. What are your orders?"

    The Grand Elder stroked his long white beard, his sharp eyes narrowing as he considered the situation. "Hohoho," he chuckled softly, though there was no humor in his voice. "It seems our dear supreme commander is more resourceful than we anticipated. But this is far from over."

    He turned to his advisors, his gaze sweeping over them like a predator sizing up its prey. "Recall our forces. Consolidate our position. We will not waste more lives on reckless assaults. Let the supreme commander grow complacent in his victory. When the time is right, we will strike again, and this time, we will not underestimate him."

    Meanwhile, in the supreme commander''s fortress, the mood was decidedly more triumphant. The commander stood atop the defensive walls with his arms crossed as he looked out over the battlefield.

    The bodies of fallen enemies littered the ground like a grim reminder of the day''s hard-fought victory. His officers stood nearby, their faces flushed with pride.

    "Commander," one of his lieutenants said, saluting sharply, "the enemy has been pushed back to their original positions. Our defenses held, just as you predicted."

    The supreme commander smirked, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction. "Of course they did. Those old fools thought they could overwhelm us with numbers. But numbers mean nothing without strategy."

    He turned to his officers, his voice rising with confidence. "Let them lick their wounds and regroup. By the time they realize their mistake, it will be too late."

    Back in the Elders camp, the Second Elder approached the Grand Elder, his face etched with frustration. "Grand Elder, we cannot afford to wait. The longer we delay, the stronger the supreme commander becomes. We must strike now, while he''s still recovering!"

    The Grand Elder''s eyes flicked toward the Second Elder; his expression was calm but laced with warning. "Patience, Second Elder. Rushing headlong into battle is what cost us twenty thousand troops today. We will not make the same mistake twice."

    The Second Elder opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. He bowed his head and stepped back, his fists clenched at his sides.

    As night fell over the hive city, the battlefield grew eerily quiet, the calm before the storm. Both sides licked their wounds, their leaders plotting their next moves.

    As the night sky above the hive city lit up with the chaotic dance of hundreds of fighters, the battlefield below seemed almost tranquil in comparison. Small skirmishes still flared along the second defensive line, but the real action was happening high above, where the fate of the planet was being decided.

    Cleo''s holographic form stood atop the Cleopatra''s main cannon; her glowing figure was like a beacon of calm amidst the chaos. Her hands moved with precision as she manually coordinated the ship''s defensive turrets, picking off Nexum fighters with ruthless efficiency.

    "Carrier 01, keep intercepting the Nexum transport ships and fighters. Carrier 02, prioritize defensive maneuvers over the fleet. Focus on the Nexum fleet''s new arrivals," she commanded, her voice being steady and authoritative as always.

    The newly arrived Nexum fleet was a formidable force with hundreds of frigates, four massive carriers, and one colossal dreadnought.

    It was a standard megacorp defense formation, designed to fend off pirate invasions. But tonight, they weren''t dealing with pirates; they were dealing with the Allied fleet of Rex.

    "Fifth sister, should I give you a hand?" Zynaria''s voice crackled through the comms, her tone dripping with excitement. She was already stretching, ready to open a space crack and dive into the fray.

    "There''s no need for you to come out yet, third sister," Cleo replied, her eyes never leaving the holographic display in front of her.

    "They''re just throwing waves of fighters at us. Annoying, but not a threat. And their dreadnought? Please. We''ve got our own surprise coming... right... about... now."

    As if on cue, space itself seemed to warp and distort one kilometer to the right of the Nexum fleet. Three enormous ships began to materialize, their sleek, white hulls gleaming under the starlight.

    Golden light cascaded from their surfaces, giving them an almost divine appearance. Two of the ships were the size of elite destroyers, but the one in the middle was a monstrous dreadnought that dwarfed even the Nexum''s flagship.

    On the bridge of the Nexum dreadnought, panic erupted. "Sir! We have hostiles to our right! What are your orders?" an officer shouted, his voice trembling as the radar lit up with the new arrivals.

    The captain''s face went pale as he stared at the holo screen. "Prepare to engage! Tell the carriers to ready the warp jump!" he shouted out his order, though his voice lacked its usual confidence.

    He knew what those ships were... and he knew what they were capable of.

    On the bridge of the Liberator, Carlos stood with his hands clasped behind his back while a cold, determined look appeared in his eyes. The Nexum fleet had no idea what was about to hit them.

    "Attention to all ships," Carlos said, his voice calm but commanding. "Focus fire on the carriers. Ignore the dreadnought. Weapons free."

    The two destroyers flanking the Liberator opened fire first, their plasma cannons slamming into the nearest carrier''s shields. The shields held barely but they were already cracking under the strain.

    Then, the Liberator''s main cannon fired, a compressed plasma projectile streaking through the void like a shooting star.

    The projectile struck the carrier''s shields, expanding into a massive ball of energy that engulfed a third of the ship. The shields shattered, leaving the carrier defenseless.

    Moments later, a barrage of missiles from the destroyers slammed into the carrier''s hull. These weren''t ordinary missiles; they were nuclear warheads.

    The explosion was blinding, a miniature sun erupting in the darkness of space. The carrier was torn apart, its debris scattering in every direction.

    Carlos smirked while his middle finger raised defiantly toward the Nexum fleet. "Enjoy the new sun, motherfuckers!" he shouted, his voice filled with anger. After what had happened to Sharon, Carlos had no mercy left for anyone flying the Nexum flag.

    Back on the Cleopatra, Zynaria watched the explosion with a grin. "Well, that was dramatic," she said while sitting lazily on the ship throne "Think they got the message?"

    Cleo''s holographic form flickered as she turned to face Zynaria. "Oh, they got it. But just in case they didn''t..." She gestured toward the remaining Nexum ships. "Let''s make sure they never forget."

    The battle raged on, the Nexum fleet now scrambling to regroup. But with the Liberator and its escorts joining the fray, the tide had turned decisively. The hive city below watched in awe as the sky became a battlefield, the fate of the planet hanging in the balance.

    As the sun rose on the second day, the hive city was bathed in an eerie, golden light. The two forces on the planet, exhausted but relentless, were preparing for another all-out war. The air was thick with tension, a clear sign of the calm before the storm.

    On the third defensive line, the supreme commander sat atop the wall, enjoying a hearty breakfast with the little girl''s mother. The scene was almost surreal, a moment of quiet defiance amidst the chaos. He took a sip of his coffee while his eyes scanned the horizon.

    "Tell the troops to abandon the second defensive line," he said casually, as if discussing the weather. "There''s no point fighting over burned earth. And something tells me the Elders are thinking the same."

    The woman beside him raised an eyebrow, her lips curling into a sly smile. "You always did have a knack for predicting their moves."

    The commander smirked. "It''s not prediction. It''s experience."

    Just as he had anticipated, the Elders forces began their assault with a thunderous artillery barrage.

    Shells rained down on the already devastated second defensive line, sending plumes of smoke and debris into the air. The few remaining squads of the supreme commander''s forces scattered, retreating to the safety of the third line.

    When the bombardment finally ceased, the Elder''s forces advanced, their eyes fixed on the third defensive line.

    But as their artillery shifted to the new coordinates, their shells were met with an impenetrable energy shield. The explosions lit up the barrier like fireworks, but not a single shell made it through.

    The Grand Elder watched from his command post, his long white beard swaying in the morning breeze. "Hohoho," he chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. "So, they''ve deployed an energy shield this time. Clever. But it won''t save them."

    He rose from his seat, his presence commanding the attention of everyone around him. The other Elders saluted him with respect, their faces a mix of admiration and fear.

    "Prepare yourselves for a full frontal assault!" the Grand Elder declared, his voice booming across the battlefield. "While those shields may protect them from our artillery, they cannot stop us from breaching their defenses. Elders! Rally your forces! Today, we take the commander''s head!"

    As he spoke, the Grand Elder removed his fur coat, revealing a body augmented with powerful cybernetics. His muscles gleamed under the sunlight, a testament to his strength and resilience.

    His guards moved swiftly, attaching pieces of his power armor, each click and hiss echoing with finality.

 Chapter 328: Hive City War. {6}

    Meanwhile, far above the battlefield, Rex sat atop a towering building, his golden eyes glowing as his long vision activated. He watched the unfolding chaos with a calm detachment, his expression unreadable.

    "So, it has begun," he murmured, his voice low and steady. "Are our preparations ready, Ys?"

    Ys, perched comfortably on Rex''s lap, nuzzled her head against his chin. "Of course, darling~," she purred, her voice dripping with playful confidence. "My warriors are always ready to fight. And little Lilla''s troops are in position too. We''re just waiting for your order."

    Rex''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. Let''s wait a little longer. We''ll only move once their leaders join the battle."

    His golden eyes glowed brighter, his vision piercing through the distance as he watched the Elders and the supreme commander prepare for their final clash. The stage was set, the players in position. All that remained was for the real game to begin.

    On the ground, the Elders elite forces gathered, their weapons gleaming in the sunlight. The Grand Elder, now fully armored, stood at the forefront, his presence inspiring both awe and dread. He raised his hand, signaling the advance.

    "Forward!" he shouted out, his voice carrying across the battlefield as a powerful thunder. "For glory! For victory!"

    The Elders forces surged forward like a tidal wave of steel and fury crashing toward the third defensive line. The supreme commander, watching from the wall, tightened his grip on his coffee cup.

    "Let them come," he said; his voice was calm but laced with determination. "We''ll be waiting."

    High above, Rex leaned back, his golden eyes still fixed on the battlefield. "It''s almost time," he said softly. "Let''s see how this plays out."

    On the second day, as the chaotic battle raged in the skies above the planet, the two ground forces clashed in a brutal, all-out war.

    The Grand Elder, no longer holding back, unleashed the full might of his army. Every Elder, each a formidable Tier 3 Advanced Cyborg, took to the battlefield, leading their elite units into the fray.

    Mechanized infantry, armored vehicles, and advanced war machines rolled forward, a relentless tide of destruction aimed at the supreme commander''s forces.

    "Sir, it''s as you predicted," the supreme commander''s second-in-command reported; his voice was steady despite the chaos unfolding around them. "They''ve launched a full frontal assault. What are your orders?"

    The supreme commander, still sipping his coffee atop the defensive wall, didn''t even flinch. "Let them take the third defensive line," he said calmly, his eyes fixed on the battlefield.

    "But make them work for it. I want a good fight, enough to keep them distracted. You have my authority to mobilize our Elites and Tier 3 Officers. Try to slow the Elders down. If you can injure them, good. If you can kill them, even better."

    He pointed toward the distant figure of the Grand Elder. "But be careful with him. If he moves toward you, retreat immediately. We''re buying time, not throwing away our best troops."

    The second-in-command saluted sharply. "Understood, my lord. I''ll make sure your orders are carried out." With that, he descended the wall, shouting orders as he prepared the Elites for the coming battle.

    Meanwhile, the Elders forces had already breached the third defensive line. The defenders fought valiantly, but the sheer numbers and firepower of the attackers made their efforts seem futile. That is, until the supreme commander''s Elites arrived.

    "Elites against Elites!" the second-in-command shouted out while planting the supreme commander''s flag atop a battered bunker. "Don''t let them walk over our fallen brothers! Fight back!"

    His voice carried across the battlefield like a rallying cry that ignited a spark of hope in the defenders.

    The arrival of the Elites was a game-changer. Tier 3 officers clashed with the Elders, their battles shaking the ground and lighting up the sky with bursts of energy. The tide of the battle shifted, if only for a moment, as the defenders pushed back with renewed ferocity.

    "The general is here!" someone shouted.

    "Follow the general!"

    "Push them back!"

    The defenders morale soared, and the third defensive line became a slaughterhouse. Blood of all colors painted the streets like a macabre masterpiece of war.

    The air was thick with the stench of burning metal, ozone, and death. Explosions rocked the ground, and the screams of the dying mingled with the roar of gunfire and the clash of steel.

    The Grand Elder watched from a distance, his cybernetic eyes scanning the battlefield. "Hohoho," he chuckled, his voice sounding low and menacing. "So, they still have some fight left in them. Good.... Let''s see how long they last."

    He turned to his personal guard, his power armor gleaming in the sunlight. "Prepare my chariot. It''s time I joined the fray."

    High above, Rex observed the carnage through his long vision, his golden eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. "It''s getting messy down there," he remarked, his tone calm but tinged with amusement.

    Ys, still perched on his lap, giggled. "Messy is an understatement. It''s a bloodbath."

    Rex''s lips curled into a faint smile. "Let them exhaust themselves. When the time is right, we''ll step in and clean up the mess."

    On the ground, the battle raged on like a brutal dance of death and destruction. The third defensive line had become a no-man''s-land, a place where only the strongest or the luckiest survived.

    "Darling~, look over there!" Ys grabbed Rex''s face, turning it sharply toward the chaos unfolding in the distance.

    Rex''s eyes widened as he saw the Grand Elder charging onto the battlefield, mounted on what could only be described as a flying death machine, an air bike bristling with guns. And not just a few guns. Lots of guns. The kind of guns that made you question your life choices.

    "Hohoho! I feel young again!" the Grand Elder shouted out, his voice echoing across the battlefield like a man who had just discovered the fountain of youth and decided to weaponize it.

    "Seems these old bones still have some fight left!" Behind him, a squadron of veteran soldiers followed, each riding their own air bikes.

    They swooped in like a swarm of mechanical hornets, pulverizing defensive structures with surgical precision before vanishing as quickly as they appeared, leaving only smoke and confusion in their wake.

    "Ha! So the old man finally decided to join the fun!" the Supreme Commander shouted out happily, with a triumphant grin spreading across his face.

    He turned to a nearby officer, his voice dripping with excitement. "You! Send the order to my second-in-command. Tell him to initiate the operation. Let''s see how the old geezer handles this!"

    Hours later, the Elders forces had breached the third defensive line. Victory seemed within reach. But then, against all expectations, they stopped.

    Not only did they stop, they retreated. Back to the second line. The Supreme Commander''s jaw dropped, his triumphant grin twisting into a snarl.

    "What is the meaning of this?!" he shouted angrily while slamming his fist into the defensive wall. The impact sent cracks spiderwebbing through the structure, and a chunk of it crumbled to the ground. "How could they stop now?!"

    "We don''t know, Commander!" an officer stammered while kneeling beside him with his head bowed so low it was practically touching the ground. "We kept the plan strictly among the officers. No leaks, I swear!"

    "Tsk. Useless! All of you!" The Supreme Commander snatched a nearby cup and hurled it at the officer''s head. The impact was brutal, and blood trickled down the man''s face, but he didn''t dare move.

    The Commander''s rage was a force of nature, and no one wanted to be in its path.

    Meanwhile, back at the Elders'' camp, the mood was equally tense but for entirely different reasons.

    "Grand Elder! Why have you ordered the retreat?!" the Second Elder shouted, his face red with frustration. "It cost us everything to take the third line! We should be pushing forward, not falling back!"

    "Hohoho," the Grand Elder chuckled, his calm demeanor a stark contrast to the fiery tempers around him. "Does everyone here feel the same?"

    "Yes, Grand Elder!" the others answered in unison, their voices a mix of anger and confusion. "Please, explain your reasoning!"

    "Hohoho," he laughed while stroking his long beard with the serenity of a man who had seen it all. "There''s no grand reason, my friends. Just a hunch."

    "A hunch?!" the Second Elder exploded, his voice cracking like a whip. "You''re gambling with our lives on a hunch?!"

    The Grand Elder''s eyes twinkled with mischief. "Don''t underestimate my hunches, young one. I''ve spent a lifetime plotting against others... and being plotted against. Do you truly believe the Supreme Commander has nothing prepared for us? He''s as cunning as a weasel."

    The room fell silent, the weight of his words sinking in. Finally, the Third Elder stepped forward, his voice calm but probing. "If the Commander does have a trap waiting for us, what''s our next move?"

    "Patience, Third Elder," the Grand Elder replied, his gaze drifting toward the sky. "While the Commander is indeed cunning, he has the temper of a young bull. And I''ve already set the stage to make that bull charge."

    As if on cue, the distant hum of engines filled the air. The Elders looked up just as a fleet of bombers appeared on the horizon, streaking toward the Supreme Commander''s fortress at breakneck speed. The Grand Elder''s smile widened.

    "Hohoho. Let''s see how he likes a taste of his own medicine."

    "Ys, get going; what we needed to join the war is finally here." Rex looked at the bombers while Mini Cleo showed him what kind of bombs they were carrying.

 Chapter 329 329: Hive City War. {7}

    "Commander! There''s a bomber squad incoming!" an officer shouted; his voice was trembling as he pointed toward the left flank of the Hive City.

    The Supreme Commander''s eyes narrowed as he followed the officer''s finger, spotting the distant silhouettes of bombers streaking through the sky like birds of prey.

    "Relax," the Commander said, his voice dripping with false confidence. "Our shields can withstand several payloads. Let the anti-air defenses handle them." But even as he spoke, his eyes remained locked on the approaching bombers, a gnawing unease settling in his gut.

    The bombers drew closer, their engines roaring like thunder. Then, in a horrifying moment of clarity, the Supreme Commander realized his mistake. The bombs weren''t ordinary explosives... they were phase-shift bombs, designed to bypass energy shields entirely.

    "Phase-shift bombs!" he shouted out with his voice cracking with panic. In a blur of motion, he sprinted toward the little girl''s mother, scooping her up and leaping from the fortress just as the bombs began to rain down.

    The world seemed to slow as the first bomb pierced the shield, followed by hundreds more. The fortress erupted in a cataclysmic explosion, the shockwave hurling the Commander and his charge through the air like ragdolls.

    When the dust settled, the fortress was gone. Reduced to rubble. The main energy generator was obliterated, and the once-impenetrable shield flickered weakly since its power was crippled.

    The Supreme Commander stared at the ruins while his hands trembled with rage. Years of planning, countless credits, and untold sacrifices.... gone in an instant.

    "AHHHHHHHHHH!!!" His roar of frustration echoed across the battlefield, a primal scream of fury and despair. To the Grand Elder, watching from afar, it was music to his ears.

    "Hohoho," the Grand Elder chuckled while stroking his long white beard with a mischievous grin. "It seems he didn''t like my little gift. Fourth Elder! Order the artillery squad to target what''s left of that shield. Let''s finish this."

    "Understood, Grand Elder!" The Fourth Elder saluted and dashed off to relay the orders. Moments later, the deep, resonant boom of field artillery filled the air, each shot a death knell for the weakened shield. The ground shook as shells rained down, pounding the remnants of the fortress into oblivion.

    "Return fire!" the Supreme Commander bellowed, his voice cutting through the chaos. Officers scrambled to help him into his armor, their hands shaking as they fastened the plates. The time for strategy was over. Now, it was war.

    The battlefield erupted into chaos. Thousands of soldiers clashed, their weapons lighting up the smoke-choked air with bursts of energy and fire.

    Explosions rocked the ground, sending shockwaves through the ranks of both armies. The Elders forces charged headlong into the fray; their momentum was unrelenting despite the relentless bombardment from the Commander''s artillery.

    For three days, the battle raged. The sky was a canvas of fire and smoke, the ground a graveyard of broken machines and fallen soldiers. And then, as the sun dipped below the horizon on the third day, the two leaders finally came face to face.

    "Hohoho," the Grand Elder cackled while stepping off his air bike with the grace of a man half his age. He tapped his cane, and with a sharp click, a hidden blade slid free, gleaming in the dim light.

    "It seems neither of our plans went quite as expected. Isn''t that right, Commander?"

    "Hmph. All of this.... everything is because of you!!, you damned old man!" the Supreme Commander spat, floating a few meters above the ground. In one hand, he clutched the severed head of one of the Elders elite soldiers.

    With a sickening crunch, he crushed it, tossing the lifeless body toward the Grand Elder.

    The Grand Elder didn''t flinch and with a flick of his blade, he cleaved the body in two, the halves falling harmlessly to the ground. "Such theatrics," he said, his voice dripping with amusement. "But tell me, Commander.... do you really think you can win this fight?"

    The Supreme Commander''s eyes burned with hatred. "I don''t need to win. I just need to kill you."

    The air crackled with tension as the two leaders squared off, the battlefield around them fading into the background. This wasn''t just a clash of armies; it was a clash of wills, of ideologies, of lifetimes of hatred and ambition.

    The tension between the Supreme Commander and the Grand Elder was palpable; their eyes locked in a silent battle of wills.

    Both men stood frozen, waiting for the other to make the first move. The air around them crackled with energy, the battlefield holding its breath as if even the chaos of war paused to witness this moment.

    And then, as they were finally going to make their move.....

    A dazzling golden comet streaked down from the heavens, slamming into the ground between them with the force of a meteor. The shockwave sent both leaders stumbling back, their weapons raised defensively as dust and debris filled the air.

    "Hahah! Finally, you guys are in the same spot!" a voice rang out, cheerful and slightly unhinged. As the dust settled, Rex stood there, his grin wide and his eyes sparkling with mischief.

    "Do you have any idea how hard it was for me to just sit back and watch all the fun without being able to join in? And why the hell do I sound like a battle maniac right now?" He scratched his head while feigning confusion.

    The Supreme Commander''s face twisted in rage. "Who do you think you are, standing between us like this?!" he shouted angrily while his spear materialized in his hand, its liquid metal surface shimmering ominously.

    "Oh, come on, Commander! You''ve been stalking us for days! Have you already forgotten your first love?" Rex dropped to his knees dramatically, clutching his chest as if wounded. The Grand Elder, meanwhile, studied Rex with a mix of curiosity and caution.

    There was something about this young man... something dangerous.

    "Hohoho," the Grand Elder chuckled; his voice was calm but laced with intrigue. "And who might you be, young fellow?"

    "Oh, me? I''m just¡ª" Rex tried to answer, but before he could finish, Mini Cleo materialized in front of him, her tiny form glowing with urgency.

    {Be careful, boss!}

    She shouted, her voice high-pitched and frantic. In an instant, Rex''s white coat transformed into a pair of magnificent wings, shielding him just as the Supreme Commander''s spear hurtled toward his head.

    The weapon clanged against the wings, sparks flying as it was deflected.

    {Pew! I successfully blocked the attack! Praise me, boss!}

    Mini Cleo struck a smug pose with her tiny hands on her hips.

    {Like hell I''ll praise you! Just look at that smug face of yours! If I praise you, you''ll become even more insufferable!} Rex shook his head, his wings folding back into a coat as he sighed in exasperation.

    "That''s not a nice way to talk, Commander," Rex said while wagging a finger at the Supreme Commander like a scolding parent. "Where did you learn your manners from?"

    "Ahhh, you''re dead!" the Supreme Commander bellowed, yanking his spear back and charging at Rex with a fury that could level mountains.

    But Rex dodged effortlessly, his movements fluid and almost playful, as if this were nothing more than a game. The Grand Elder watched the spectacle with a raised eyebrow, his cane-sword resting casually in his hand.

    Just as the Grand Elder was about to intervene, he felt the presence of a faint, almost imperceptible shift in the air. Before he could react, a soft, girlish chuckle echoed behind him. He turned, his eyes narrowing as a figure materialized out of thin air.

    "Well, well," Ys purred, her voice dripping with playful menace as she floated gracefully in front of the Grand Elder, her butterfly-like green wings shimmering in the dim light.

    "I was really hoping you''d join the battle against my darling. Now, what should I do~?"

    The Grand Elder''s eyes narrowed, his grip tightening on his cane-sword. "Hohoho, and who might you be, little girl?" he asked; his tone was calm but laced with caution.

    While she didn''t seem like a significant threat, something about her presence set off alarms in his mind. He wasn''t about to act impulsively, not when the air around her felt so... wrong.

    "Oh, I''m just a little girl who was supposed to carry out the annoying Kaelzar girl''s plan," Ys said with a mock pout, her voice sing-song and teasing. "But since you''re still here, I wonder if the plan is still the same... What do you think, Lilla?"

    The Grand Elder followed her gaze upward, his eyes widening as he saw another young girl descending from the sky.

    She walked as if the air was made of solid water, each step sending ripples through the atmosphere and was accompanied by the faint, melodic chime of bells. Her presence was serene, almost ethereal, but the Grand Elder wasn''t fooled. There was danger here... danger he couldn''t yet fully grasp.

    "We should stick to the plan," Lilla said; her voice was soft but firm. Her eyes, now fully open, locked onto the Grand Elder with an intensity that made even his seasoned heart skip a beat. "We''ll just ask the Grand Elder to stay put."

    The Grand Elder chuckled, though his guard remained high. "Hohoho, you two young girls are having quite the dangerous conversation. But even if you try to make me stay put, you won''t be able to stop my army of nearly 70,000 strong."

    Ys giggled, her wings fluttering as she tilted her head coyly. "Heheh, well... that''s where you''re wrong. You''re actually standing on my army right now, you know~?" With that, she stomped her foot lightly on the ground, sending a small shockwave rippling outward.

    The Grand Elder''s eyes widened as the ground beneath him began to tremble violently, as if an earthquake were tearing through the battlefield. "This...!" he muttered, his instincts screaming at him to move.

 Chapter 330: Hive City War. {8}

    Before he could react, a Khryssari warrior burst from the ground beneath him, its razor-sharp claws slashing toward his chest.

    The Grand Elder moved with the speed of a seasoned warrior, leaping backward and slicing the creature into four clean pieces with a single swing of his cane-sword.

    But as the pieces of the Khryssari warrior fell to the ground, more began to emerge... dozens, then hundreds, their chitinous bodies glistening in the dim light. The Grand Elder''s army, once a formidable force, now faced a new and terrifying enemy rising from beneath their feet.

    Ys floated higher, her laughter ringing out like a melody. "Oh, Grand Elder~, you might want to rethink your strategy. My army doesn''t need numbers... it just needs me."

    As the words left Ys''s lips, a sudden, otherworldly glow emanated from her forehead. The air around her seemed to shimmer, and from the light emerged a crown.

    This one was made entirely of emerald-green energy, its form flickering and pulsing like a living flame. Ys eyes glowed with an ancient, almost sentient intelligence, and her wings spread wide, casting an eerie green hue over the battlefield.

    The Grand Elder froze, his cane-sword halfway raised. "What... is that?" he muttered, his voice barely above a whisper.

    Ys giggled, her voice light and playful, but her eyes glinted with something far more sinister. "Oh, this? This is just a little gift from my mother. You see, Grand Elder, you''re not just dealing with me anymore. You''re dealing with her."

    Ys spread her wings, and suddenly, the air grew heavy, as if the very atmosphere was bending to her will.

    The Khryssari warriors, still emerging from the ground, seemed to grow more frenzied, their movements sharper, more coordinated. It was as if the crown presence had awakened something primal within them.

    Lilla, still floating above, watched the scene with a serene smile. "The plan is proceeding as expected," she said; her voice was calm but carried an edge of finality. "The Grand Elder''s army will fall, and the Hive City will be ours."

    The Grand Elder''s mind raced. He had faced countless enemies in his long life, but this... this was something entirely new. The crown energy felt... alive, as if it were feeding off the chaos around it.

    He tightened his grip on his cane sword, his instincts screaming at him to act, but for the first time in decades, he hesitated.

    Ys tilted her head, her wings fluttering as she floated closer. "Don''t look so worried, Grand Elder. This will all be over soon~."

    Lilla, still hovering above, closed her eyes and raised her hands. The air around her shimmered, and the faint sound of bells grew louder, almost deafening. "Let''s see how long you can last," she said softly, her voice carrying an eerie calm.

    The Grand Elder rose into the air, his cane sword glowing faintly as he floated a few meters away from Ys and Lilla.

    Below him, chaos reigned. His army, once a disciplined force, was now under siege from the black, chitinous monsters that had erupted from the ground.

    The Supreme Commander''s forces weren''t faring any better; both sides were being torn apart by the relentless Khryssari swarm.

    And then there was the silence. The thunderous roar of artillery had ceased entirely. The Grand Elder''s sharp eyes scanned the horizon, noting the absence of his once-deadly barrage.

    It didn''t take long for him to piece it together. "Hohoho," he chuckled, though his voice carried a hint of unease.

    "I must admit, I wasn''t expecting this kind of event. And by the look of it, you two are from the fleet besieging the planet, am I right?" He stroked his beard thoughtfully, his gaze shifting between Ys and Lilla.

    Lilla smiled faintly, her hand delicately covering her mouth as she spoke, the sleeve of her dress swaying gently in the breeze. "I must praise your discerning eyes. It''s true, we arrived with that fleet. And so? What about it?"

    The Grand Elder''s chuckle deepened. "Hohoh, well then, I think there''s been a misunderstanding. You see, I was planning to surrender to you¡ª"

    Ys cut him off with a wave of her hand, her butterfly wings fluttering impatiently. "I think you''re the one misunderstanding something. Our objective here isn''t to conquer this world. It''s to take it over and place the legitimate ruler in power. After all, she''s already sworn her loyalty to my darling~." Her voice was sweet, almost sing-song, but her eyes glinted with malice.

    Before the Grand Elder could respond, Ys pointed a finger at him, and the sky erupted with movement. Dozens... hundreds of Khryssari Skydancers descended upon him, their wings slicing through the air like blades.

    The Grand Elder''s eyes widened as the swarm closed in, their razor-sharp claws and bioplasma attacks lighting up the sky.

    "Tsk! Everyone, hear my order! Attack the monsters that dared to interrupt our battlefield! They''re invaders!" the Grand Elder shouted out, his voice carrying across the chaos. But even as his soldiers scrambled to obey, he was forced to retreat, darting through the air to evade the relentless swarm.

    "Don''t even try to run away!" Lilla''s voice rang out, calm but commanding. She raised her hand, and a massive, glowing white palm materialized in the air, slamming down toward the Grand Elder.

    He raised his cane-sword, blocking the attack with a grunt, but the force of the impact halted his escape just long enough for the swarm to catch up.

    In an instant, the Grand Elder was engulfed in a writhing ball of teeth, claws, and acid. The Khryssari Skydancers attacked with frenzied precision, their bioplasma shots lighting up the sky like fireworks.

    Yet, even as the swarm closed in, the Grand Elder fought back with the ferocity of a cornered beast. His cane sword flashed, cutting through the creatures with deadly efficiency. The bodies of Khryssari rained down from the sky, torn apart by his relentless strikes.

    "How long do you think you can trap him there?" Lilla asked, her voice calm as she floated beside Ys, watching the chaotic scene unfold.

    Ys closed her eyes, her emerald crown glowing brighter as she concentrated. "Mmm, by the look of it... 8 minutes. Maybe 10 if I focus hard enough."

    The crown''s energy pulsed, its connection to the swarm allowing Ys to possess and control the Khryssari with terrifying precision, a power inherited from her mother.

    Lilla''s expression remained unreadable, though a flicker of concern crossed her features. "I just hope it''s enough time for Rex to deal with the Supreme Commander. Otherwise, fighting two Tier 4 peak masters at once will be... problematic."

    Ys opened her eyes, her gaze fixed on the swirling mass of Khryssari. "Don''t worry. My darling can handle it. He always does~."

    While Ys and Lilla kept the Grand Elder occupied, Rex and the Supreme Commander clashed a few kilometers away.

    Their battle had begun in the air, with Rex''s superior aerial combat skills forcing the Supreme Commander to rethink his strategy.

    Realizing he was outmatched in the skies, the Commander made a tactical retreat to the ground, landing with a thunderous crash that sent shockwaves through the battlefield.

    Rex had no choice but to follow. The moment his feet touched the ground, the Supreme Commander shouted an order, and a barrage of gunfire erupted from the surrounding soldiers.

    While the bullets posed little threat to Rex, the constant assault was an annoyance, draining his energy shield bit by bit. To minimize the damage, Rex stayed close to the Supreme Commander like glue, forcing the soldiers to hold their fire for fear of hitting their leader.

    "Hahah! What''s the matter? Is this all you''ve got?" the Supreme Commander taunted, a triumphant grin spreading across his face as he finally landed a solid punch on Rex''s jaw. The impact sent Rex skidding back a few feet, but he quickly recovered, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth.

    "Bold words for someone who keeps running to his daddies for help!" Rex shot back, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

    He lunged forward, his blade flashing as he closed the distance between them. The two clashed again, their blows sending shockwaves through the air.

    While the Supreme Commander''s superior technique and decades of combat experience gave him an edge, Rex''s raw power and adaptability kept him in the fight.

    Meanwhile, Mini Cleo hovered nearby, her tiny form glowing with energy as she controlled two flying swords. The blades danced through the air, cutting down soldiers with ruthless efficiency.

    {Pew pew! Take that, you cannon fodder!} she chirped, her smug grin widening with every enemy she dispatched.

    After several intense minutes, Rex saw an opening. With a swift, calculated strike, he drove his blade through the Supreme Commander''s shoulder.

    The Commander let out a roar of pain, his eyes blazing with fury. Without hesitation, he severed his own arm to free himself, leaping back to create distance between them.

    "Haaaaa! How dare you?!" the Supreme Commander bellowed, clutching the stump where his arm had been. Blood poured from the wound, but his rage seemed to outweigh the pain.

    Rex smirked while lifting his sword triumphantly. The Commander''s severed arm was still impaled on the blade like a macabre trophy.

    "What? That''s all you''ve got? And here I thought you were something special, given how big your mouth was just a few minutes ago. But now you''re giving me arms as gifts? You''re such a nice guy~," Rex teased him while waving the arm like a flag.

    The Supreme Commander''s face twisted with rage, his remaining hand clenching into a fist. "You''ll pay for this, you insolent brat!"

    Rex''s smirk widened. "Oh, I''d love to see you try. But let''s be honest, you''re running out of limbs to lose."

 Chapter 331: Hive City War. {9}

    The Supreme Commander locked eyes with Rex, with an unreadable expression flickering across his face. Then, without a word, he turned and ran away, moving with unnatural speed.

    Rex smirked. "Oh, you think I''m just gonna let you run?" He planted his foot firmly, his muscles coiling as he prepared to launch after him.

    "WAIT! DON''T CHASE HIM!" Lilla''s voice exploded through his communicator, urgency crackling in every syllable. "Forget him and get over here! The Grand Elder''s about to break free!"

    Rex exhaled sharply, watching the Supreme Commander disappear into the distance. "Tch. Lucky bastard."

    With a snap of his wings, he propelled himself into the air, a sonic boom ripping in his wake. "Alright, I''m on my way!"

    Meanwhile, on the other side, Lilla stole a glance at Ys. "Think you can hold him off for three or four minutes?"

    Ys wiped a trickle of sweat from her brow, her breath coming in heavy pants. "Well, I¡ª"

    Before she could speak, the ground shook violently as an explosion erupted mere meters away.

    The shockwave sent debris flying, a cloud of dust swallowing the battlefield. As the smoke cleared, the towering figure of the Grand Elder emerged from the smoke with his robes tattered, his body adorned with shallow cuts, yet his stance remained unshaken.

    He stood amidst the remains of the thousands of Skydancers, their bodies lying motionless at his feet.

    He tilted his head, with a chuckle escaping his lips. "Hohoho... It''s been ages since I had such a good workout." His voice was friendly, almost playful, but his eyes burned with uncontained fury.

    Then, without warning, he lunged.

    Ys barely had time to react before she was forced into a brutal clash, her hands morphing into massive claws, glowing with an ominous green energy. She met the Grand Elder head-on, their blows sending shockwaves through the air.

    Lilla, hovering in the distance, unleashed a barrage of silver rings of energy. While individually they lacked the power to wound him, they were relentlessly homing in on their target no matter how he dodged.

    But the Grand Elder was no ordinary foe.

    A Tier 4 powerhouse at the peak of his strength, refined through centuries of battle. Against Lilla, he was superior in every way. Against Ys, the gap in raw power was simply too vast since she was only a Tier 3 Middle, while Lilla was barely at Tier 3 Peak.

    With a knowing smirk, the Grand Elder gripped his cane sword, pouring his full strength into a devastating strike.

    Ys braced herself, but the impact was monstrous. She was sent hurtling into the ground like a meteor, the force carving out a massive crater where she landed. A thick cloud of dust billowed into the air, obscuring her from view.

    The Grand Elder stroked his beard, chuckling as he waited for the dust to settle. "Hohoh, I do hope you''re not too broken, little girl. It would be a shame if that was all you had."

    Meanwhile, Lilla found herself surrounded. The Third Elder and hundreds of elite warriors closed in around her. Outnumbered and outmatched, she gritted her teeth.

    "Well, well... Who do you think you are, striking another man''s wife, slamming her into the ground, and making a mess of her hair?"

    A deep, commanding voice cut through the dust cloud where Ys had crashed moments earlier. The Grand Elder shuddered, a chill crawling down his spine.

    With a single powerful flap of his wings, Rex dispersed the dust in an instant, revealing himself standing there with Ys cradled in his arms and his gaze locked onto the Grand Elder.

    "Hmm... So it was you." The Grand Elder''s voice was eerily calm. "Where''s the Supreme Commander?"

    The Grand Elder swallowed hard, dread twisting his gut, but he couldn''t stop himself from asking even if he feared the answer.

    "Who? Ah... You mean that coward who ran away?" Rex glanced down at Ys. "Little wife, toss him that thing you''re holding."

    Ys blinked, only now realizing she was clutching a severed arm. "Eww! Darling, this is disgusting!" she shrieked, hurling it at the Grand Elder. He barely dodged, his face twisting in disgust.

    "There''s your answer," Rex said coldly. "He fled after I took that arm from him. No idea where he is now... but I''ll hunt him down later. First, though... I''m going to kill you for laying a finger on my wife."

    His voice dropped, becoming lethally soft. "Honey, go play with Lilla over there. She could use your help. I''ll handle this one."

    Gently, he set Ys down and ruffled her hair. She blushed, nodding before darting off toward Lilla.

    "Hohoh! You think I''ll let that bastard escape?" The Grand Elder snarled, his muscles coiling as he prepared to lunge after her, but a crushing gravitational pulse smashed him into the ground, pinning him like a bug.

    "First, you hit her. Then you insult her." Rex''s voice was like a whisper, yet it carried the weight of death.

    "I was going to make this quick... but now? Now I''m angry. And when I''m angry..." He crouched mere centimeters from the Grand Elder''s face, his eyes so cold they seemed to freeze the blood in the man''s veins. "...I do very bad things."

    "Mini Cleo," Rex called while extending his hand. "Bring out that corrosive substance Cleo wanted to test in combat. We''ve just found the perfect subject."

    A dagger materialized in his grip, its blade glistening with a sinister, unknown liquid.

    {There you go, Boss! Ready to record all the data!} Mini Cleo''s holographic form flickered to life, perched mockingly on the Grand Elder''s head.

    "N-no... NO! WAIT! WE CAN MAKE A DEAL¡ª"

    His screams tore through the air.

    As Rex conducted his "pain-free experiment" on the Grand Elder, Ys shifted into her true form, a colossal black serpent, her obsidian scales glistening under the battlefield''s haze.

    Curved horns arched from her skull, and her emerald eyes burned with eerie light as she slithered forward, arriving just in time to aid Lilla.

    Lilla stood encircled by elites, her breath ragged, her laser blasts growing sporadic. But the moment Ys shadow fell over them, the tide turned.

    Ys maw snapped shut, swallowing a dozen elites whole. Lilla, seizing the opportunity, leapt onto Ys head, bracing herself between the serpent''s horns. With renewed vigor, she unleashed a barrage of silver lasers, carving through the remaining foes like a scythe through wheat.

    Just then, the sky roared.

    The Aegis Legions descended like a storm of armored soldiers propelled by jet thrusters, their landing shaking the earth. They hit the battlefield in perfect formation, shields locking, rifles charging. Now, three armies clashed in the chaos, each fighting with desperate fury.

    But the Kaelzars Legions and the Khryssari were different.

    The Aegis Legions were engineered for endurance, methodical, unyielding, and built for wars of attrition. The Khryssari, however, were raw, primal destruction, a race honed for short, explosive annihilation.

    And together? They were unstoppable.

    Like a living siege engine, their combined forces carved through enemy lines, claiming ground with terrifying efficiency. Losses were minimal. Momentum was absolute.

    This wasn''t a battle anymore.

    It was a slaughter.

    The battle outside the atmosphere had reached its brutal conclusion. The Nexum patrol fleet was nothing more than floating wreckage, its ships torn apart, drifting lifelessly in the void.

    The Humans and Kaelzar drones swarmed the debris like mechanical vultures, salvaging what they could because ammunition wasn''t free after all.

    Meanwhile, far below, a lone transport ship hurtled toward the planet''s north pole. Inside, the Supreme Commander sat hunched over, his face pale, his breaths shallow. Medics frantically worked on his severed arm, trying to stabilize him.

    If he weren''t a Tier 4 powerhouse, he''d already be dead from blood loss.

    "Fuck!" He slammed his remaining fist against the metal wall, denting it. His voice was a mix of rage and disbelief.

    "How the fuck did I end up like this?! For years... YEARS! everything was perfect! I was this close to claiming the damn planet! And then... those bastards... those invaders had to show up and ruin everything!"

    His voice trailed off as a realization struck him.

    {No. This wasn''t their fault. If they were just mindless invaders, why were they helping that little brat?}

    His bloodshot eyes widened.

    "Yes... That''s it... It''s HER fault!" His expression twisted into something feral, a grin stretching unnaturally across his face. "That little brat... When I kill everyone here, I''ll make sure to eat her. Kukuku... Yes... That''ll be my reward..."

    His laughter echoed through the cramped transport bay, sending a chill down the spines of the medics. But just as suddenly as it came, he straightened himself, coughing. "Ahem." His voice turned ice-cold.

    "You there," he shouted at a nearby guard, who stiffened at attention.

    "Sir?"

    "Patch me through to the chief scientist. We have... something to discuss."

    Hours Later

    With the enemy fleet shattered, Cleo deployed waves of bombers and gunboats from the carriers. The final cleanup was swift and decisive, reducing the battlefield to little more than smoldering ruins.

    The once-mighty armies of the Supreme Commander and the Grand Elder had been crushed. The survivors? No more than a thousand on each side, most of them surrendering rather than facing total annihilation.

    The battlefield fell silent, the last echoes of gunfire swallowed by the wind. Smoke curled from scorched earth, and the stench of blood hung thick in the air.

    Rex stood atop a ruined war machine, surveying the aftermath, corpses of elites, shattered mechs, and the hollow-eyed survivors kneeling in surrender.

    "Mini Cleo," he called, his voice cutting through the quiet. "Status?"

    A holographic screen flickered to life beside him, displaying Mini Cleo''s cute features.

    {Orbital control secured. Their fleet''s debris is being processed for scrap. And...}

    She paused while thinning her little lips. {We''ve lost the Supreme Commander''s transport signal. He vanished near the northern ice cap.}

 Chapter 332: Hive City War. {10}

    Rex''s knuckles cracked. "He''s hiding like a rat. Let him." His gaze shifted to Ys, now back in human form, giggling as she poked a surrendered soldier''s dented helmet. "We''ve got what we came for."

    But Lilla wasn''t celebrating. She stared northward while narrowing her eyes. "That coward won''t stop. He''ll dig up something worse; men like him always do."

    Rex smirked. "Good. Saves me the trouble of hunting him down later."

    Meanwhile, beneath the planet''s polar ice, the Supreme Commander limped through a hidden facility, his boots clicking on obsidian floors. The walls pulsed with bioluminescent veins, and the air reeked of ozone and decay.

    Before him was the Chief Scientist, a gaunt figure with too many mechanical limbs bowed. "The Aurora Protocol is ready, Commander. But the cost¡ª"

    "I don''t care if it burns this planet to cinders," the Commander spat. "If I can''t rule it, no one will."

    A massive console hummed to life, revealing a hologram of a massive beast.

    "Wake it up," he ordered.

    "But, sir... even if I wanted to wake it up, it won''t respond! We still don''t have a pilot for the main interface! The last test subject died just yesterday; his brain exploded after barely an hour of neural sync!"

    The Chief Scientist''s voice was frayed with desperation, his hands trembling as he gestured toward the monstrous machine.

    He had tried, again and again, to convince the Supreme Commander to abandon this suicide mission and to flee the planet with what little research remained. But reason had long since left the commander''s eyes.

    "Enough." The Supreme Commander''s voice was a blade of ice. "Connect me to the Beast. Once it''s done, take whoever''s left and run. Find my brother''s colony and continue your work there."

    Without hesitation, he began stripping off his armor, his scarred body already tensing for the agony to come. The Chief Scientist swallowed hard, fingers flying over the console as he input the final activation codes.

    Meanwhile, Cleo''s sensors flared to life, cutting through the static of the orbital graveyard.

    Her fleet''s augmented scanners, which were far superior to the others fleet''s standard range, picked up a surge of energy at the planet''s north pole. A anomaly. A threat.

    [Deploying space probe...]

    [Probe activated. Zooming in on target.]

    The feed sharpened. Even through the enemy''s camouflage, their thermal dampeners, and their scrambling tech, they couldn''t hide from X-ray penetration of the space probe. Shadows resolved into figures, and Cleo could finally see the guards in defensive positions and a hidden facility pulsing with unstable energy.

    [Establishing link with Rex...]

    "Cleo? Everything okay?" Rex''s voice was calm, but the distant screams in the background betrayed the carnage he''d just wrought. He sat atop the wreckage of a tank, blood and smoke hanging thick in the air.

    "Orbit''s secure, but we''ve got a problem. The north pole energy spike and there are traces of hidden activity. I''m betting that''s where the Supreme Commander fled. Sending coordinates now."

    Her fingers flicked across the interface, relaying the data through Mini Cleo''s network.

    {Coordinates received! Uploading to your HUD now boss!}

    A crimson arrow blazed across Rex''s vision, searing the path forward. "Got it. Moving out soon... just one last thing to clean up." The transmission cut. His gaze fell to the broken figure at his feet.

    The Grand Elder, once a Tier 4 Peak powerhouse, a titan of flesh and fury, was now little more than a withered husk. His muscles had atrophied mid-battle, his skin clinging to bone like parchment. A failed experiment. A necessary sacrifice.

    "Did we get enough data, Mini Cleo?" Rex asked while watching as Mini Cleo materialized beside him, clad in a mock scientist''s coat and glasses. She twirled a holographic stylus while grinning.

    {Oh, absolutely, boss! But one test subject? Barely an appetizer. We''ll need more! lots more!} She perched on his shoulder, already transmitting the findings to Cleo.

    Rex exhaled, summoning a spear of crackling energy. "Then let''s not waste this one. Thank you for your... contribution, Grand Elder."

    After an hour of flight, pushing his wings to their screaming limit, Rex finally reached the coordinates.

    The moment he breached the kill zone, the Supreme Commander''s last defenses erupted in fury. Auto-turrets spun to life, plasma batteries whined as they charged, and a storm of bullets and searing laserfire filled the air.

    "Cleo! Any time now would be fantastic!" Rex snarled while weaving through the barrage with predatory grace. He kept just enough distance from the hideout, his eyes locked on the hangar bays. No one escapes. Not this time.

    [WARNING: ORBITAL BOMBARDMENT INBOUND. CLEAR THE AREA.]

    The alert flashed across his HUD a heartbeat before the sky split open.

    The first shell from the Cleopatra struck like the fist of a vengeful god. The mountain, fortified, hidden, untouchable.... disintegrated in four thunderous impacts.

    But the bombardment didn''t stop. For three agonizing minutes, the world shook as high-yield explosives turned rock to vapor, the shockwaves rippling outward like a quake.

    For a single, breathless second, the night held still.

    Then the sky turned gold.

    A plasma lance from the Liberator Dreadnought seared downward like a column of raw annihilation.

    The beam carved through the ruins like a scalpel through flesh, melting stone to glass, boiling the snowfields to steam. When it faded, all that remained was a gaping, molten crater, a wound in the earth.

    Rex let out a low whistle. "You sure that wasn''t overkill?" He poked Mini Cleo, who lounged on his shoulder, now sporting sleek black shades as she watched the fireworks.

    [Overkill? Boss, we''re hunting roaches. You don''t stop stomping until you see the chitin crack!]

    With a flick of her wrist, she tossed a holographic nuclear warhead into the crater for emphasis. The projection detonated in a silent, mocking mushroom cloud over the devastation.

    [INCOMING TRANSMISSION]

    Rex tapped his earpiece with eyes still fixed on the smoldering pit. "Yeah? What''s up?"

    Cleo''s voice was razor-sharp. "Rex, we''ve got a problem. Scanners just picked up a Tier 5 energy signature. Low at first, but it''s climbing. Fast. Now it''s Mid-Tier. And it''s¡ª"

    The crater moved.

    Molten rock sloughed away as something massive clawed its way free. A lizard-like behemoth, its hide charred and blistered, flesh knitting itself back together faster than the burns could take hold.

    Muscles the size of tanks coiled beneath its regenerating skin and its eyes glowing like dying stars locked onto Rex.

    A dry chuckle escaped him. "Yeah... I''m not fighting that. Cleo? How about another round of ''turn-it-into-glass''?"

    The beast''s roar split the air like thunder, its eyes burning with primal fury as it locked onto Rex. The ground trembled beneath its weight, its regenerated flesh steaming in the frozen wind.

    "Orbital strikes would be useless now," Cleo''s voice crackled in Rex''s ear, tense but controlled. "The fleet''s reserves are depleted. At best, we could stall it for minutes¡ªbut no more. Still... you need not worry. There''s someone else who will handle this."

    Rex opened his mouth to ask who but then a space crack tore open behind him.

    A jagged rift in space yawned wide, and from its depths, a crimson laser beam thicker than a battleship came out. It struck the beast head-on, forcing it back, its monstrous arms rising to shield itself as the beam seared into its flesh.

    For an eternity of seconds, the energy poured forth, scorching the earth and melting snow into geysers of steam.

    Then, silence.

    The beam faded and from the rift emerged Zynaria with her wings of fire, casting an eerie glow across the battlefield. Her crimson hair shimmered like liquid embers, and her gaze cold and regal settled first on Rex, then on the beast already regenerating its ruined limbs.

    "Rest, young Emperor," she said, her voice a melody of steel and smoke. "This one is mine."

    The beast roared with a sound that shook the mountains. It charged, its claws carving trenches in the earth as it closed the distance with terrifying speed.

    Zynaria didn''t flinch.

    Twin halos of red light ignited around her wrists, and from them, living metal surged forth like a flood of molten steel, writhing, twisting, and taking shape. The silhouette of the dragon Rex had fought before began forming, but the beast was too fast. It wouldn''t wait.

    "Fuck! She won''t finish in time!" Rex shouted out. "Mini Cleo! gimme a hand!"

    He shot forward, boots slamming onto the half-formed dragon''s head as Mini Cleo expanded beside him, her form blazing with stellar energy. No longer hidden, her presence burned like a newborn star.

    {"WHEN THE EMPEROR''S SWORD RISES... THE WHISPERS OF REBELLION FALL SILENT."}

    Her voice echoed across the battlefield as she raised a colossal blade of pure stellar fire. The sword''s power crashed down, freezing the beast mid-lunge, its muscles locked in defiance.

    But the strain was immediate as space itself fractured around the creature, cracks spiderwebbing through reality as it fought against the binding.

    It was breaking free.

    What Rex didn''t know was that Zynaria had never needed his help.

    She could''ve halted the beast alone. His intervention forced her to abandon the technique she''d prepared... yet instead of irritation, something unfamiliar stirred within her.

    For a Kaelzar, bodies were disposable. Consciousness could be transferred; death was a temporary inconvenience. But this? This was different.

    This was... the feeling of being protected...

    "Go," Zynaria commanded, her voice cutting through the chaos.

    The red dragon, now fully formed, unleashed a roar that split the sky. It took flight, circling above the trapped beast as the railguns along its wings hummed to life, charging with lethal intent.

    The beast tried even harder to brake free from the Emperor''s Stance....

    Then the storm of hyper-accelerated rounds descended....

 Chapter 333: The Beastâ€™s Last Standâ€¦ Or Was It?

    The battlefield was silent, save for the crackling embers of destruction. The once-mighty beast lay in ruin, its grotesque form torn apart by a relentless bombardment of electromagnetic shells.

    Zynaria carefully scanned the area, her eyes narrowing at the sight of the beast. "No life detected within several kilometers," she confirmed, her voice tinged with both satisfaction and disbelief. Even for her, such overwhelming firepower felt... excessive.

    A gust of wind kicked up ash and dust as Rex landed atop the creature''s remains with his hands on his hips. He let out a low whistle.

    "Damn, this thing looks gruesome," he muttered while giving a nearby chunk of flesh a casual kick. It squelched under his boot. "Are you absolutely sure this thing is dead?"

    "Affirmative," Zynaria stated, stepping out from the dragon''s forehead. "My scanners detect no life in the vicinity except for you and me."

    Rex stretched lazily. "Then... what''s that?"

    Zynaria followed his gaze, only to freeze in surprise.

    From within the beast''s carcass, a hand, long, gnarled, and twitching, clawed its way out of the shredded remains.

    Her sensors flickered wildly, the readings erratic. "Impossible... There''s no way I miscalculated! My scanners still register no signs of life!"

    A low, guttural chuckle echoed through the air.

    "Kukuku... I didn''t see this coming," a warped voice rasped. "A fucking Kaelzar... still alive."

    The Supreme Commander emerged or at least, what was left of him. His body was no longer his own. Half of it had twisted into something unnatural... grotesquely elongated limbs, pulsing blackened flesh, and an ever-shifting mass of bone and tendrils.

    His face retained a hint of its original octopus-like features, but the other half... was a nightmare beyond description.

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Well, Zynaria, if you''re saying there''s nothing alive out here, I think your scanners have a serious bug." He pointed lazily at the abomination. "Because that ugly bastard is definitely moving."

    Zynaria, however, was too focused on something else, something deep in her memory, an elusive detail she couldn''t quite grasp.

    {Where have I seen this before...?}

    Before she could dwell on it further, Cleo descended from the sky, landing beside Rex.

    Her presence alone shifted the air, her ethereal glow casting a cold contrast against the corpse-laden battlefield. She gazed at the writhing Supreme Commander with something between disgust and curiosity.

    "It''s normal that your scanners failed, Third Sister," she said smoothly, her eyes locked onto the abomination. "This creature isn''t alive in the way other races are. It''s a Voidspawn, a mere fragment of something far worse."

    Before the Supreme Commander could react, chains of pure energy shot from Cleo''s hands, wrapping around his grotesque limbs with an audible crack of bones.

    Then, her five floating swords moved like vipers.

    Each blade impaled him, from his limbs, torso, and finally, his spine. He was bound, restrained, writhing in fury but unable to escape.

    "A Voidspawn?" Zynaria whispered while her mind raced, trying to remember something.

    Cleo nodded, unfazed. "Affirmative. Our allies captured one alive some time ago. I ran experiments." Her voice was clinical, detached. "They are creatures from the Void. They don''t truly die. Decapitate them, incinerate them... if given time, they regenerate completely."

    Rex narrowed his eyes. "So, you found a way to kill them?"

    Cleo gave a slight smirk while raising her palm. A slow, deliberate construction began to appear on it. "Not exactly killing."

    A shimmering, transparent cube materialized in her hands. Within it, a swirling black void churned ominously.

    Zynaria was the first to react, her voice carrying a note of rare approval. "Hoh? A compacted black hole? That... would certainly do the trick."

    Taking the cube from Cleo, she stepped forward.

    The Supreme Commander... no, the Voidspawn thrashed violently, its malformed limbs stretching unnaturally against the chains. Its voice crackled with something dark and inhuman.

    "You think you can erase me...?"

    Zynaria''s grip tightened around the cube. "Let''s find out."

    The Supreme Commander''s massive form convulsed as the tiny cube''s gravitational pull wrenched him inward, his limbs twisting grotesquely as space itself seemed to warp around him.

    Bones cracked, flesh stretched and tore, then, with a sickening pop, the last of him vanished into the impossible void within the cube.

    Rex''s stomach lurched. He turned away, bile rising in his throat. The wet, crunching echoes of the void creature''s final moments still rang in his skull.

    "That was... disgusting." He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, forcing down another wave of nausea. "I won''t be able to eat meat for a while. Just the thought of chewing¡ª" He shuddered. "Water rations for me, I guess."

    A heavy chunk of flesh that had once been the Supreme Commander''s armored forearm slumped wetly onto the ground beside him. Rex kicked it, half-expecting it to twitch. It didn''t.

    "So," he muttered, "what do we do with all this... meat?" The battlefield was littered with gore, steaming in the cold air.

    Cleo didn''t even look up from her holographic displays. "Already handled. A drone battalion is en route to dismantle and package the remains. High-density organic matter like this fetches a premium in the black markets."

    Rex exhaled while rolling his stiff shoulders. "Good. Then I''ll head back to the city and oversee the cleanup." His wings flexed, the iridescent membranes catching the dim light.

    Zynaria inclined her head in a small bow. "I will remain with Fifth Sister. There may yet be stragglers lurking in the ruins." Her voice was calm, but the way her fingers lingered near her blade betrayed her readiness.

    Rex nodded. "Stay sharp." With a powerful downstroke, he launched into the ashen sky.

    The city had been broken before. It would heal again.

    Cleo''s legions moved with mechanical precision, clearing debris, reinforcing shattered infrastructure, and patrolling the streets with silent lethality.

    The Aegis units didn''t negotiate. They didn''t issue warnings. A single suspicious movement earned a plasma round through the chest and the lower levels had learned that lesson quickly.

    Even the most brazen underworld lords kept their heads down. For now.

    By the eleventh day, the scars of battle were fading. Commerce trickled back, first with Cleo''s own trade convoys, then with cautious outsiders drawn by rumors of stability.

    Rex''s new policy also helped to restore the commerce; any merchant who docked in the sector received a fighter escort to the nearest jump gate.

    "Safe passage is the best advertisement," Cleo had remarked while watching another convoy depart.

    Rex smirked. "That, and the fact that we''re not eating them."

    Cleo let out a small chuckle. "Indeed it is... well, it''s time to talk to the little girl about submitting to us. Let''s get going." She turned and walked away, her confidence unwavering as always.

    Rex, however, lingered on the balcony of the mansion, overlooking the vast hive city below.

    From up here, he could see the sprawling metal labyrinth of the hive, stretching far into the horizon.

    Beyond the city, endless fields of unfamiliar crops swayed under artificial sunlight, sustained by rivers that relied on ice shipments from distant trade convoys. And now... all of it belonged to him.

    Even if the little girl refused to submit, she had no real choice. This world was already in his grasp.

    The sound of heavy boots echoed behind him; they were familiar and unmistakable.

    "We''ve come a long way from home, huh, baldy?"

    Carlos smirked, a bitter edge to his expression. "Don''t even remind me, or I might actually cry. Who would''ve thought back then that two slave brats from the slums would end up here?"

    Carlos stepped up beside him, offering one of the two drinks he carried.

    Rex eyed the can, then Carlos. "You really think it''s a good idea to drink before an important meeting?"

    "Oh, come on, don''t be a sissy. One can isn''t gonna knock you out." Carlos popped it open and started drinking.

    Rex rolled his eyes. "You know what? Screw it." He cracked his can open and took a swig.

    They stood there in silence for a moment, the city lights flickering below them like stars trapped under a steel sky.

    "By the way, how''s Sharon?" Rex finally asked.

    Carlos''s face softened. "She''s fine. That grandma-loli doctor told me her injuries are completely healed. The baby''s safe... as if nothing ever happened." He smiled, but his eyes glistened slightly.

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Oh, don''t tell me you''re about to cry. Weren''t you just calling me a sissy?" He smirked.

    Carlos scoffed. "Oh, fuck off!" He took another big gulp of his drink, but his voice lowered. "...Listen, I''ve been thinking."

    Rex glanced at him.

    "What do you feel after all this? Being one of the guys responsible for killing hundreds of soldiers... and the civilians who got caught in the crossfire?"

    Rex exhaled slowly, his gaze dropping to the streets below. Hundreds of drones moved like ants, working tirelessly to rebuild.

    "Honestly? I don''t know." His voice was distant. "Cleo''s suppressing some of my emotions, so... I don''t know what I''m supposed to feel. Right now, it''s like they''re just numbers to me. Their deaths don''t weigh on me at all."

    His fingers tightened around the can. "Maybe I wasn''t human before... and now, I definitely am not anymore."

    Carlos snorted. "Bullshit."

    Rex blinked.

    "I don''t know what Cleo told you, but you''re more human than anyone I''ve ever met." Carlos leaned on the railing, staring at the city.

    "You say you feel nothing, but you were the one who ordered a safe zone for civilians. You cared enough to protect them. As for the soldiers? Who gives a damn? They were paid to kill, and they died doing their job. Do you think any of them would''ve given a shit if you died back then?"

    Rex stayed quiet.

 Chapter 334 334: A new era.

    Carlos turned to him while grinning. "Stop being a crybaby and man up, Rex. Especially now that you just conquered a goddamn world!"

    He downed the rest of his beer and smacked Rex on the back. "Anyway, I''ll be counting on you to send my kid to the best damn school in your domain!"

    Rex let out a dry chuckle. "Yeah, yeah. Just don''t expect free tuition."

    Carlos let out a loud laugh. "Asshole."

    The city hummed below them like a silent witness to their rise.

    The heavy doors of the meeting chamber hissed shut behind Rex and Carlos. The room was already filled with Cleo at the head of the table, Zynaria standing like a statue behind her, and the defeated world''s administrators seated stiffly in their chairs.

    At the center, the little girl clutched the edge of the table, her knuckles white.

    Cleo rose, her holographic displays flickering to life. "Now that we''re all here¡ª"

    Rex''s hand landed on her shoulder, gently but firmly pressing her back into her seat.

    "I''ll take this one, my lovely wife." His voice was calm, almost playful, but his eyes were cold as they swept the room. He lingered on the little girl. She didn''t flinch, but her gaze dropped to the polished tabletop.

    "The usual playbook after conquering a world is simple," Rex continued while circling the table like a predator. "Execute the old rulers. Enslave the populace. Strip the planet bare for profit." He paused behind the little girl''s chair. "But I''m not interested in usual.''"

    A murmur rippled through the administrators but Rex ignored them.

    "Here''s my offer: You keep your titles. Your lives. Even most of your luxuries. But 80% of this world''s income now flows to us."

    He tapped a finger on the little girl''s shoulder. "In return? We turn this backwater into something worth ruling. Drones. Troops. Shipyards. Security so tight even the Nexum wouldn''t bother glancing this way."

    The little girl finally looked up. "And how do we know you won''t just bleed us dry and leave?"

    Rex smirked. "Because a corpse can''t pay taxes."

    Carlos leaned forward while putting his elbows on the table. "What if the Nexum does come knocking? We''re pouring resources into a world on their doorstep."

    Cleo flicked her wrist. A holographic star map erupted above the table.

    Cleo''s fingers danced across the holographic interface, causing the star map to zoom out dramatically.

    The Nexum Empire''s territory burned crimson across the display, their central systems pulsing like an angry heart. Their newly conquered world blinked blue at the very edge, a lonely outpost in the vast interstellar gulf.

    "The risk is negligible," Cleo stated, her voice carrying the weight of centuries of strategic analysis.

    "This world has always been expendable to them... a border colony they only remember when they need cannon fodder for their wars." She highlighted several flashing red dots along the frontier.

    "Pirate warlords raid these sectors monthly, and the Nexum haven''t bothered to respond in over a decade."

    The hologram shifted to show comparative fleet movements, with Nexum armadas consistently clustering around their core worlds. Rex studied the patterns with a commander''s eye before nodding.

    "Exactly as Cleo said," he affirmed while straightening his posture.

    "With two worlds under our banner now, our economic base will expand exponentially." His gaze grew more intense as he leaned forward.

    "But here''s the crucial difference... our Oceanic world is pure Kaelzar territory. Automated defenses, loyal forces, no political complications."

    He paused meaningfully before continuing, "Every new world we take from here will be different. Each will have its own mix of species, factions, and competing loyalties." Rex''s eyes flicked to Cleo, passing her the verbal baton with a nearly imperceptible tilt of his head.

    Cleo seamlessly picked up the thread, her voice dropping to a more ominous register. "Which presents our most immediate challenge..." The hologram changed again, now showing population statistics and ethnic distributions across their new territory.

    "How do we maintain control over a dozen different races who''ve known nothing but Nexum oppression or worse, complete neglect?"

    The administrators shifted uncomfortably in their seats. The little girl finally lifted her eyes from the table, a spark of something unreadable flashing in their depths.

    The girl''s whisper cut through the tension like a knife. "By... showing them a new path?" Her voice trembled, but her eyes held a spark of something Rex hadn''t seen before, it was not fear, but cautious hope.

    Rex''s smile widened, revealing just a hint of fang. "Exactly." He spread his hands like an evangelist preaching to converts.

    "Race? Origin? Meaningless. Credits talk louder than bloodlines." His armored boots clicked against the marble floor as he paced. "This world''s fertile belts could feed entire sectors. We''ll put millions to work and they will be too busy earning good wages to dream of rebellion."

    The holographic display shifted to show agricultural projections, yields tripling under Kaelzar farming tech. One administrator gasped at the numbers.

    "But make no mistake," Rex''s voice turned to ice as he stopped abruptly. "Our investment comes with ironclad rules." The display changed to show a planet under military lockdown.

    "Private armies will be treated as treason. Not just the perpetrators will be wiped out, but their whole bloodlines will be erased." His gauntlet clenched with a hydraulic whine.

    "And before you think of fleeing..." The star map reappeared with kill zones marked in crimson. "The only armed ships between here and the galactic core will be ours, or our registered allies." His open palm gestured to Lilla, the motion both honorary and imprisoning.

    "T-this is tyranny!" A rotund man stood, his jowls quivering.

    "How dare you strip us of self-defense!" A military-cut woman slammed her fist on the table.

    Zynaria''s sword left its sheath with a crystalline ring that silenced the room. "You mistake mercy for weakness." Her eyes narrowed. "The Young Emperor could have turned your palaces into charnel houses. Your precious ''private forces''?" She snorted. "Our lowest-tier drones outmatch your best soldiers."

    Rex raised a single finger. Zynaria''s blade froze mid-swing. The administrators recoiled as if the gesture alone could decapitate them.

    "You misunderstand," Rex said softly. "This isn''t a negotiation about power." He leaned in, his shadow swallowing the dissenters.

    "It''s an education about survival. Work with us, and your people eat better than ever before. Oppose us..." The hologram displayed the Oceanic World, a fully automated paradise with not a single non-Kaelzar in sight.

    "Well. We''ve already proven we don''t need you."

    The little girl''s small hand suddenly gripped the edge of the table. "Enough." All eyes turned to the girl. "They''re offering more than the Nexum ever did." Her gaze locked with Rex''s. "But we''ll need guarantees about the food distribution quotas."

    Rex''s smile returned. Now the real negotiation could begin.

    Meanwhile, after months of relentless effort following their hard-won agreement, the intergalactic news networks erupted in a frenzy, broadcasting shocking reports across the galaxy: the Tier 8 beast, a monstrous scourge that had ravaged entire systems unchecked, had finally been slain.

    The kill had required the combined might of the megacorps, pooling their resources in a desperate, coordinated assault. Yet while this victory should have been a moment of triumph, no one could bring themselves to celebrate... not when the cost had been so catastrophic.

    The beast''s rampage had left behind a trail of devastation... over 200 worlds reduced to lifeless husks, countless lives snuffed out in an instant.

    Even the megacorps, with their near-limitless arsenals, had suffered staggering losses that came from entire fleets obliterated, super capital ships torn apart like scrap, and resources drained beyond measure.

    But the true horror lay in the death toll among the galaxy''s most powerful warriors. The reports confirmed that at least 600 Tier 6 powerhouses had perished during the grueling, protracted hunt.

    And most chilling of all, five Tier 7 powerhouses, beings of near-legendary strength, had fallen in the final confrontation.

    The galaxy held its breath. The beast was dead... but at what price?

    But once the great hunt was finally over, the fleeting unity of the megacorps shattered like glass, giving way to the one force that always prevailed in the end: greed.

    Each corporation, hungry for dominance, clawed for the largest share of the slain beast''s remains, its flesh, bones, and cosmic essence holding unimaginable value.

    Skirmishes erupted like wildfire along the borders of their territories, turning neutral zones into battlegrounds as mercenary fleets and corporate enforcers clashed in brutal, unregulated combat.

    It was the same old story, playing out yet again across the stars. Greed, not survival, was the true architect of war in this galaxy.

    And as always, the normal citizens and rank-and-file soldiers could do nothing but watch, trapped under the suffocating control of the neural chips embedded in their skulls, those insidious devices the megacorps used to leash their workers, ensuring obedience through pain or worse.

    But Rex? Rex didn''t give a damn about their petty wars.

    To him, the chaos was a gift, a perfect smokescreen to push deeper into Nexum''s borders and seize another world for his growing empire. Yet even as opportunity blazed before him, his focus lay elsewhere.

    Thanks to the coordinates Cleo had extracted from the Blood Clan''s homeworld, his fleet now drifted just beyond the orbit of a long-lost planet. This wasn''t about conquest. Not today.

    Rex had come for the twins.

    The planet hung in the void like a scar against the stars, its surface a jagged tapestry of obsidian spires and crimson rivers, clear evidence of the Blood Clan''s twisted legacy. Rex''s warships lingered in the silence of high orbit, their weapons idle but systems ready for anything.

 Chapter 335 335: Blood clan world.

    The only ones who dared to venture this time were Rex and Zynaria, not merely because the others were entangled in their own foolishly demanding affairs but because the mission itself was full of unknown dangers.

    The Blood Clan was a shadowy enigma, a name whispered in cautionary tales, their true strength veiled in mystery. All that was known was their overwhelming power, a force that could snuff out lesser beings without a second thought.

    That was precisely why Zynaria, a Tier 6 powerhouse whose mastery over spatial distortions made her nigh untouchable, had accompanied Rex. Even if a Tier 7 entity sought to ensnare them, she could slip through the fabric of reality itself, ensuring their escape.

    Rex gazed through the reinforced viewport of their transport ship, his gaze sweeping across the desolate expanse before them.

    The system was a graveyard of crimson hues, a world bathed in eerie, blood-like light, its surface cracked and barren. The only illumination came from a lone white dwarf, its pale glow casting long, skeletal shadows across the dead planet.

    "Are you sure these are the coordinates?" Rex muttered, skepticism lacing his voice. "Not that I''m doubting you or anything, but... there''s nothing here. Just a hellscape that looks like it crawled out of a nightmare. Who in their right mind would live here?"

    Zynaria''s crimson eyes flickered with data streams as she processed the readings.

    "Affirmative. The coordinates are precise. According to intelligence, we must transmit an encoded signal upon arrival. They will then dispatch an escort." Her fingers danced over the console, deploying stealth drones toward the planet''s surface.

    "Initial scans indicate subterranean movement. It appears they reside beneath the crust."

    Rex exhaled sharply. "Underground. Clever. No wonder their world looks like something straight out of a horror holo-flick." His fingers tapped restlessly against the armrest of his seat before he suddenly stiffened, spotting movement in the distance.

    "Hey, Little Red..." He pointed toward the viewport, where sleek, dagger-like fighters were streaking toward them. "You absolutely sure you sent the right signal?"

    "Affirmative. They should be the escor¡ª"

    A shrill alarm blared through the ship''s systems.

    [Warning. Multiple missile locks detected.]

    Zynaria''s body tensed, her instincts flaring. "Not good. Young Emperor, come here!"

    Before Rex could react, she yanked him toward her, her arms wrapping around him in a vice-like grip. His face was abruptly smothered against the soft warmth of her chest as space itself rippled around them.

    A fraction of a second later, the missiles struck.

    The transport ship''s shields might as well have been paper since they dissolved instantly under the barrage, the vessel erupting into a fireball of molten debris.

    As the flames dissipated, a sleek, predatory frigate shimmered into visibility, its stealth systems disengaging just meters from the wreckage.

    Inside the frigate''s command deck, a female figure draped in black armor observed the destruction with cold detachment. One of her subordinates knelt before her, and with his voice laced with reverence, he spoke.

    "My Lady, the intruders have been eliminated."

    The woman''s lips curled into a smirk until her senses prickled. "No. They escaped." Her fingers tightened around her goblet of freshly spilled blood. "I felt the distortion of a spatial displacement. They''re already on the surface."

    The planet was a labyrinth of hidden fortresses and kill zones. Without guidance, the fugitives would never breach the underground sanctuaries. But that didn''t mean they were safe.

    "Issue a command," she hissed. "Activate the bounty network. Release a kill order on all outsiders. Grant the Fledglings and hunters full purge authority. I would rather bathe this world in innocent blood than let a single rat slip through."

    The assassins bowed and vanished to carry out her decree.

    Once she was alone, the woman reached into her pocket, retrieving a small, obsidian device. With a press of her thumb, a hologram flickered to life with an ancient-looking grandma perched upon a throne of bleached skulls, her eyes burning with malevolent intelligence.

    "Elder..." The assassin prostrated herself. "Your Ancillae has fulfilled her task. However... there has been a complication."

    The Elder''s voice was a dry, venomous rasp. "I know. They yet breathe. I sense their presence upon the world." A pulse of coordinates flashed across the device. "Find them. Finish this. Do not fail me again."

    The transmission severed, leaving the assassin in silence while her fingers curled into fists.

    Somewhere on the blood-soaked surface below, Rex and Zynaria came out from a space crack.

    "I knew it! handing them over to the fucking Blood Clan was a bad idea!" Rex snarled, his fist slamming into a jagged boulder with enough force to reduce it to dust. "This wasn''t a mistake! it was a goddamn setup!"

    Zynaria''s crimson eyes flickered with diagnostics as she assessed their situation. "Young Emperor, the disruption is worsening. My spatial travel systems are being actively jammed, and scanners are unreliable. Another teleportation attempt would be... inadvisable."

    She reached into her dimensional pouch and retrieved two sleek black coats lined with pulsing red neon circuitry, handing one to Rex. "We locate an entrance. The orbital scan I took before our descent will serve as our map."

    Rex grunted while pulling an oxygen mask from his golden storage circle. Even with his Kaelzar bloodline granting him resilience, prolonged exposure to this toxic wasteland would wear him down. "Fine. But if we run into any of those bat-faced freaks, I''m not shaking hands."

    Days passed in a blur of motion.

    They sprinted across the rust-colored wastes, never stopping, never slowing. The planet''s oppressive atmosphere clung to them like a curse, the air thick with the metallic tang of blood and decay.

    Finally, on the horizon, a sprawling settlement emerged of crude structures of sand and stone, illuminated by flickering bioluminescent fungus.

    The inhabitants were humanoid bats, their leathery wings fused with their arms, their faces a grotesque fusion of mammal and predator.

    Merchants hawked wares in guttural clicks while armored enforcers patrolled the streets. Despite its grim appearance, the town thrived as a haven for mercenaries and fugitives, judging by the numerous trade vessels docked nearby.

    Rex smirked while leaning toward Zynaria. "Damn... I think I''m the last handsome man on this rock. Try not to slaughter anyone just because they''re uglier than a necrotic wound, yeah?"

    Zynaria blinked; her expression was unreadable. "W-what? I wasn''t¡ª Ah. You are engaging in that... teasing behavior again."**

    "Hah! Maybe?" Rex''s grin faded as a prickle of unease crawled down his spine. "Wait... someone''s watching us. And not in the ''oh, what a dashing rogue'' kind of way."

    Beneath his coat, his fingers twitched, nanomachines swirling into the form of a laser pistol. Zynaria, meanwhile, primed her defensive matrices, ready to erect barriers at a moment''s notice.

    The bat-folk shuffled past, their beady eyes darting toward the outsiders but none approached. Yet.

    Rex exhaled. "Alright. Let''s move. If this is a merc town, there''s gotta be someone who knows how to get underground."

    But as they stepped forward, a shadow detached itself from the alleyway ahead.

    A figure, clad in Blood Clan insignia, smiled like a predator recognizing its prey.

    The figure stepped forward, their Blood Clan sigil glinting under the sickly glow of the fungal lights. A jagged scar ran down his face; it was a deliberate mark of loyalty, carved in ritual.

    "You''re far from home, outsiders," the agent said in a low, menacing tone, his fingers drumming against the hilt of a serrated dagger. "The Ancillae wants you alive. But she didn''t say... intact."

    Rex''s grip tightened on his concealed weapon. "Yeah? Tell your Ancillae to get in line. I''ve got a list of people who want a piece of me... most of them prettier than you."

    Zynaria''s voice cut through the tension like a blade. "Young Emperor. There are seven more. Two on the rooftops. Five in the crowd." Her pupils dilated, combat subroutines flooding her systems. "They''ve been tracking us since we entered."

    The vampire laughed with a wet, gurgling sound. "Clever machine. But it won''t save you."

    A whistle pierced the air and the marketplace erupted in chaos.

    Bat-folk merchants screamed, scattering as hidden Blood Clan operatives lunged from the shadows. Daggers dripped with paralytic venom. Guns hummed to life, charged with searing crimson energy, the Clan''s signature hemo-rounds, designed to liquefy organs on impact.

    Rex moved first.

    His nanomachine pistol morphed mid-draw, expanding into a brutal plasma rifle. He fired without aiming with a wild, sweeping shot that forced the rooftop snipers to duck. "Little Red! Doorway on your left, go!"

    Zynaria''s barriers flared, deflecting a hail of gunfire. "Negative. I prioritize your survival over retreat." She seized a stall''s metal support beam, ripping it free with a screech of twisting metal, and swung it, crushing two assassins into the sandstone walls.

    The lead vampire snarled, slamming a fist into his chest. "Let''s see how you deal with our clan drug!"

    His veins bulged black while his muscles contorted as enhancements surged through him. He then blurred, closing the distance in a heartbeat with his dagger aimed for Rex''s throat.

    But Zynaria intercepted him at an incredible speed.

    Her hand clamped around the agent''s wrist, crushing bone. But the vampire grinned, spitting a mist of acid blood into her eyes.

    Her optics fizzled, systems scrambling making a half-second of vulnerability.

    Rex''s boot met the vampire''s ribs, sending him skidding back. "Oh, you bitch¡ª" He raised his rifle to finish the vampire off but then a new voice boomed across the square.

    "ENOUGH.

    A mountain of a man clad in scavenged power armor stomped forward, flanked by a dozen battle-scarred mercenaries. His tri-barreled shotgun rested on his shoulder, the muzzle still smoking from the warning shot he''d fired into the air.

 Chapter 336: Blood Clan World. {2}

    "This is my town!" he shouted out. "You Clan rats want a fight? You bring tribute first."

    The Blood Clan agent spat blood, his eyes burning with anger. "This doesn''t concern you, filth!"

    The mercenary captain laughed, showing his shotgun. "Wrong. Dead bodies scare off customers." He glanced at Rex. "You. The loud one. You''re either stupid or valuable. Either way, you pay me, or I feed you to them."

    Rex grinned. "How about a third option?" He tapped his wrist device and a hologram flickered to life with an star map, with a single coordinate pulsing. "You get us underground... and I''ll give you the location of the Blood Clan''s main vault in this zone."

    the captain''s grin turned feral with greed. "Well, well... Now we''re talking."

    "What are you even saying in front of me?! Are you all so stupid that you don''t fear what the Clan will do once they find out what you just said here!?"

    The vampire''s voice was a razor-edged snarl, his crimson eyes burning with fury as he glared at the mercenaries.

    His pale fingers twitched while showing his claws half-extended, as if restraining himself from tearing into them right then and there.

    Yet, the mercenaries didn''t even flinch; they kept murmuring among themselves, their laughter rough and mocking, as if he were nothing more than background noise.

    The mercenary boss finally turned to face the vampire with a smirk that didn''t reach his cold, calculating eyes.

    "Oh? Why should I give a damn about what your Clan thinks?" He exhaled a plume of smoke from the cigar between his teeth, the acrid scent mixing with the damp air. "After all, they don''t give a fuck about low-level nobodies like you."

    Before the vampire could retort, the merc boss let out a sharp, piercing whistle.

    The response was instantaneous.

    A series of high-pitched hisses cut through the air in the form of laser shots that were precise and lethal, searing through the vampire''s body and skull in perfect synchronization.

    His expression barely had time to twist into shock before he collapsed like a smoldering husk. His companions met the same fate, their bodies jerking as invisible snipers picked them off with ruthless efficiency.

    The merc boss nudged one of the corpses with his boot, then turned his attention to Rex, his gaze sweeping over him from head to toe like a predator sizing up prey.

    "What?" He grinned, revealing a row of filed-down metal teeth. "It''s always good to have some snipers here and there, no? Now, tell me... why do you want to get into the underground?"

    Rex didn''t blink. He crossed his arms; his stance was relaxed but his eyes were sharp and unyielding. "Well, I don''t think that''s any of your business. I''m hiring you and paying you to take us there. Nothing else, nothing more. So, where''s the vehicle? Or should we jog the whole damn way?"

    Behind him, Zynaria stood silent, her posture was deceptively calm. But beneath the folds of her cloak, her fingers twitched, releasing a swarm of spider drones that were tiny, nearly invisible machines that skittered into the shadows, their sensors scanning for heat signatures, movement, anything that might betray the positions of those hidden snipers.

    The merc boss let out a booming laugh while slapping his thigh as if Rex had told the funniest joke in the world. "Hahah! Indeed, indeed! My mistake, dear customer."

    He spread his arms in mock surrender. "Follow me! my transport''s waiting on the outskirts. My ship''s parked there, and we''ll move out immediately."

    Without another word, he turned and strode off, his heavy boots kicking up dust. Rex and Zytaria followed in silence, their senses alert, their muscles coiled tight.

    The journey was anything but comfortable.

    The vehicle was a hulking, mass-produced brute of rusted metal and reinforced plating, its wheels grinding against the uneven terrain with a bone-rattling growl.

    Unlike the sleek grav-tech transports of the inner systems, this thing was built for function, not comfort; every jolt, every rock sent vibrations through the cabin, making teeth clatter and bones ache.

    The landscape outside was a jagged wasteland of cracked earth and jagged rock formations, the sky a bruised purple streaked with smoke from distant industrial fires.

    More than once, bestial howls echoed in the distance, and snarling creatures that were some mutated, some simply starving, lunged from the shadows, only to be gunned down by the mercenary guards before they could reach the convoy.

    Their precision was practiced, effortless, a clear sign this was routine for them.

    Days passed like this, an endless cycle of rough travel, sporadic attacks, and the oppressive weight of the unknown.

    Then, finally, the merc boss brought the vehicle to a halt in the middle of nowhere. The engines died with a sputtering cough, and dust settled around them like a shroud.

    "Well then, dear customers," the merc boss announced, his grin stretching wide. "We''ve arrived at the nearest entrance."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed. He activated his enhanced vision: thermal, ultraviolet, motion-tracking... they were like layers of perception peeling back the illusion before him.

    And there it was.

    Cloaked in stealth tech, nearly undetectable to the naked eye, stood the entrance, guarded by figures in sleek armor, their forms flickering in and out of visibility. The entire area was shielded with a massive, hidden complex disguised as a barren wasteland.

    "Well, here we are, customer," the merc boss said, his voice thick with the promise of payment. He extended a calloused hand, the fingers scarred from years of trigger pulls and knife fights. "Now, about those coordinates..."

    Rex didn''t move. His gaze locked onto the merc boss, a slow, knowing smirk curling at the edge of his lips.

    "Not yet, boss," he said, his voice smooth but edged with something unreadable. "There''s still something I want you to do for me."

    The merc boss''s expression darkened, his cybernetic eye flickering with a dull red warning glow. "This wasn''t part of the contract."

    Rex shrugged, feigning nonchalance, but his stance was coiled and ready. "Don''t worry, boss. I know it''s extra. And for that..." He paused, letting the silence stretch just long enough to be uncomfortable. "I''ll pay you 100k credits. As a bonus."

    For a heartbeat, the merc boss didn''t react, But then like a starving wolf catching the scent of blood, his pupils dilated. Rex could swear he saw the man''s eyes gleam, the greed practically radiating off him.

    "Deal!" the merc boss shouted, his earlier irritation vanishing like smoke. "So, what do you want me to do?"

    Rex reached into his coat and produced a small, unassuming case. He flicked it open, revealing a dozen metallic spheres, each no larger than a thumbnail, their surfaces etched with faint, pulsating runes.

    "Nothing too hard," Rex said while snapping the case shut again. "Send one of your men into the underground city. He''ll carry these. All he has to do is toss them in different places... alleys, rooftops, sewer grates, wherever. Once they''re placed, he can leave. Or stay and drink himself stupid for all I care."

    He tilted his head. "Meanwhile, you will take us somewhere else. Middle of nowhere, far from here. Once we confirm the package is delivered, you get your credits."

    He extended his hand, waiting.

    The merc boss hesitated for only a second before gripping it, his grin revealing a row of sharpened metal teeth. "Mmm. You have a deal, dear customer."

    Hours passed and the mercs had left, their transport roaring into the wasteland, kicking up dust in its wake. Rex and Zynaria stood in the silence of the barren landscape, the only sound the distant howl of wind over jagged rock.

    Then Zynaria nodded at Rex.

    Zynaria''s spider drones had done their work. The metallic spheres were in position, scattered like hidden seeds across the undercity''s underbelly.

    Rex exhaled, pulling a bottle of water from his storage and taking a long swig. The mercenary''s payment of 100k credits had already been transferred. No loose ends.

    "Well," he said while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Can we get inside now?"

    Zynaria didn''t answer immediately. Her eyes glowed faintly as she processed the drone feeds, ensuring no anomalies. Finally, she spoke.

    "Affirmative. I''ve located a derelict structure on the outskirts. Energy barrier is active, stellar signatures will be masked." She turned to him, extending a slender hand. "Shall we proceed?"

    Rex took it without hesitation.

    Zynaria''s free hand moved in a precise, arcane gesture. The air before them ripped like a jagged tear in reality itself, swirling with unstable violet energy.

    Without a word, they stepped through.

    The world twisted, compressed, then they were inside.

    The derelict building was exactly as Zynaria had described: crumbling walls, rusted support beams, and the scent of damp metal and old decay. But most importantly, hidden.

    Rex smirked. "Perfect."

    The derelict building groaned around them, its rusted beams protesting some long-forgotten weight.

    Dust motes swirled in the dim light filtering through cracked ventilation shafts, painting the air in shades of sickly yellow. Somewhere in the distance, the rhythmic thrum of machinery vibrated through the walls.

    Zynaria''s fingers flickered with holographic readouts as she interfaced with her spider drones. "Scans complete. The spheres are active. No security breaches detected... yet."

    Rex strode to a crumbling window, peering through the grime-streaked glass. Below, the undercity sprawled like a mechanical beast with neon-lit slums stacked atop each other, walkways buzzing with hover-traffic, and the occasional flash of armed patrols weaving through the shadows.

    "Good," Rex muttered. "Now we wait for the¡ª"

    A sudden blare of alarms cut him off.

 Chapter 337 337: Blood Clan world. {3}

    "What in the world is happening? Didn''t you assure me we were safe in this place?" Rex''s voice was sharp with urgency as he darted toward the grime-streaked window, pressing close to the cracked glass to peer into the dimly lit streets beyond.

    A tense silence lingered before Zynaria responded; her tone was measured yet edged with caution.

    "Do not fret, young Emperor. Their hunt is not for us. It appears another intruder has breached the Blood Clan''s underground city and judging by the commotion, they must be at least Tier 6 or higher."

    "Since the ones pursuing him are an entire squadron of Tier 6 elites, flanked by a handful of Tier 5 and 4 powerhouses."

    Even as she spoke, her nimble fingers danced through the air, weaving intricate strands of energy as she crafted more spider drones, tiny, shadow-cloaked scouts, along with a swarm of nearly invisible mosquito drones.

    Their purpose was to surveil the labyrinthine alleys while keeping vigilant watch over the movements near their hidden refuge.

    "Well, since contacting Cleo or the others is impossible right now, I''ll scout the city alone," Rex declared, his voice firm. "Moving together would only draw more suspicion. Stay here, monitor the situation, and we''ll coordinate through the comms."

    Zynaria merely nodded, her focus unbroken as she continued her work, her crimson eyes flickering with the glow of holographic data streams. Without another word, Rex slipped out of the hideout, melting into the shadows of the slums.

    The narrow, filth-ridden streets were alive with the furtive movements of the Blood Clan''s lowest caste... wretched souls bound by hunger and desperation.

    As Rex moved among them, a few hollow-eyed figures turned to glance at him, their nostrils flaring as if scenting the air. Yet, just as quickly, they averted their gazes, returning to their wretched affairs.

    The Blood Clan possessed an innate ability to detect the essence of any race through their blood, a trait that made outsiders easy prey. But Rex was no ordinary intruder.

    His heritage was a fusion of Kaelzar blood and nanomachine-infused enhancements, a hybrid composition that masked his true nature. To the Blood Clan''s senses, he was just another faceless dweller in the slums, invisible to the patrols hunting for trespassers.

    Emerging from the squalor, Rex stepped onto the main road, a stark contrast to the slums. The wide avenue pulsed with life from merchants hawking wares, mercenaries clad in battle-scarred armor, and slaves shuffling under the weight of heavy collars.

    Two distinct groups dominated the crowd: those bound in servitude and those who wore the insignias of hired blades.

    "Mini Cleo," Rex murmured under his breath, his voice barely a whisper. "Any trace of the twins?"

    A tiny holographic figure materialized on his shoulder, her digital wings fluttering in agitation.

    {Negative, Boss. There''s some kind of interference down here... something disrupting my scanners. And that''s not all...} She wiped nonexistent sweat from her brow, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial hush.

    {I''ve had to dodge bursts of stellar energy radiating from the high-tier powerhouses lurking around. This place is crawling with them!}

    Rex''s lips curled into a grim smirk. "Mmm. So we''ve wandered straight into the tiger''s den, huh?"

    Mini Cleo''s tiny form shimmered as she conjured a miniature hunter''s rifle and tipped a comically oversized hat onto her head. {Seems that way, Boss. And this cave is absolutely packed with tigers.}

    "Well," Rex let out a small chuckle while poking her holographic head with a finger, "if you want to steal a tiger cub, you''ve got to venture into the cave first. Speaking of which, did you manage to transmit the city''s structural data?"

    {Aye, Boss!} She saluted, then quickly added, {But I''d recommend finding a secure spot before pulling up the holograms. Displaying classified intel in the middle of the street? Not the brightest idea.}

    Her antics drew a rare chuckle from Rex, a momentary reprieve from the tension coiling in his chest. If not for her, he might''ve already resorted to carving a bloody path through the city in sheer frustration.

    "Well..." His gaze lifted, scanning the neon-lit signs until one in particular caught his eye. "Looks like I''ve found the perfect place for a little... privacy."

    Before them loomed a garish, blood-red sign, its flickering letters spelling out:

    [BLOODY RAIN NIGHT CLUB]

    Rex and Mini Cleo exchanged a glance.

    This was either the best or worst idea yet.

    Rex strode toward the entrance of the Bloody Rain Night Club, his boots clicking against the obsidian pavement.

    Unlike the neon-lit pleasure dens of other worlds, where throngs of eager patrons clamored for entry, this place stood eerily silent. No line, no bouncer checking lists, just two hulking lizardkin guards, their scaled hides glistening under the dim crimson glow of the club''s signage.

    As he approached, one of the reptilian sentinels snapped to attention, his forked tongue flicking out as he barred Rex''s path with a massive, clawed hand.

    "Halt!" the guard snarled, his voice a gravelly growl. "This establishment is exclusive to the Blood Clan or those bearing a VIP''s invitation. Reveal your face and present your identification."

    His grip tightened on Rex''s shoulder, the talons digging in just enough to remind him of the consequences of defiance.

    Rex exhaled slowly, irritation flickering in his eyes. Without a word, he reached up and pulled back his coat''s hood, letting the dim light wash over his features.

    The effect was immediate.

    The lizardman''s slit pupils dilated in shock, his armored frame stiffening as he took in Rex''s crimson eyes with a shade so deep it seemed to pulse with latent power and his long, bone-white hair cascading like a frozen waterfall down his back.

    In the Blood Clan, white hair was more than a rarity; it was a mark of supremacy. Only those whose bloodlines traced back to the ancient progenitors bore such a trait, and even then, only the purest of their kind manifested it in full.

    For Rex to possess it entirely, he might as well have been royalty.

    The guard''s demeanor shifted instantly, his earlier bravado crumbling into groveling deference.

    "F-Forgive our insolence, my lord!" he stammered while bowing so low his horns nearly scraped the ground. "We had no idea someone of your esteemed standing would¡ª"

    Rex silenced him with a raised hand, his expression one of bored impatience. "Enough. I have no interest in ceremony. Escort me to the VIP section and ensure no one speaks of my presence."

    With that, he tugged his hood back up, shrouding his face in shadow once more.

    The guard didn''t dare argue. With a hurried nod, he led Rex through the club''s heavy doors, past the writhing masses of dancers bathed in blood-red strobe lights, and up a gilded staircase to the exclusive VIP tier.

    The private chambers here were opulent, with plush couches, crystal decanters of vintage sanguine wine, and, of course, escorts of every exotic race imaginable, their collars marking them as the Blood Clan''s "hospitality."

    But Rex wasn''t here for distractions.

    No woman, no matter how alluring, could compare to his own queens, each more lethal than the last. The honeyed traps of this den held no sway over him.

    "Alright, Mini Cleo," he muttered while sinking into a velvet-lined sofa. "Pull up the city schematics. Let''s see if we can pinpoint the twins'' location."

    A holographic screen flickered to life before him, casting an eerie glow across his sharp features. Mini Cleo materialized beside it, clutching a tiny ruler like a field marshal preparing a battle plan.

    {Here''s what we''ve got so far, Boss!} she chirped while tapping the map. {Zynaria''s drones are still mapping, so it''s incomplete, but I''ve flagged key areas of interest.}

    Her tiny hands moved swiftly, highlighting sectors, the slave markets, the mercenary guildhalls, the subterranean docks... each a potential lead.

    Rex''s jaw tightened as he studied the sprawling, labyrinthine layout.

    "We''re fucked," he growled while dragging a hand through his hair. "This damn city is built like a flat disc... it''d take weeks to comb through every sector. There''s got to be a faster way."

    Mini Cleo chewed her lip, her wings fluttering anxiously.

    {Well...} she began, hesitating. {There is one option. But you''re not gonna like it.}

    Rex exhaled sharply, his fingers tightening into fists before relaxing again. The weight of their limited choices pressed down on him like a storm cloud, heavy and suffocating.

    His gaze, a turbulent mix of desperation and flickering hope, was locked onto Mini Cleo like a silent plea for a miracle, any miracle, even one wrapped in thorns.

    Mini Cleo hesitated, her holographic form flickering as if mirroring her unease. The words she was about to utter clung to her like shadows, knowing full well the storm they would unleash. But the mission demanded sacrifice, and time was a luxury they no longer possessed.

    {We can go to a slave market...}

    The words hung in the air like a blade suspended over silk. Rex''s expression darkened, a tempest of old wounds and smoldering rage flashing behind his eyes.

    Mini Cleo paused, watching him carefully, every micro-expression, every controlled breath. She knew the scars slavery had left on him, the vows he had sworn in blood and fire.

    But when he gave a slow, reluctant nod, she continued, her voice softer now, laced with reluctant urgency.

    {According to the data Zynaria just intercepted, the Blood Clan doesn''t just traffic slaves; they''ve built an empire on it. And tonight... there''s a private auction. Invitation-only. Elders and above.}

    She made another pause. The air grew thicker, charged with unspoken revulsion. Rex''s jaw clenched, but he didn''t interrupt. Mini Cleo''s projection dimmed slightly briefly.

 Chapter 338 338: Blood Clan world. {4}

    {They don''t just sell prisoners from their raids. They sell their own. Former warriors... disgraced nobles... anyone who defied the Clan''s laws or whose family did.}

    {Broken souls, stripped of dignity, paraded like relics at a market, their worth reduced to the number of bidders willing to claim them.}

    Upon hearing this, Rex exhaled slowly, his expression darkening. It wasn''t anything new to those who knew him; his hatred for slavery was no secret.

    The very notion of it clawed at his mind, a festering wound that never truly healed. So when the suggestion came for him to visit a slave auction house, it felt less like a plan and more like a cruel jest at his expense.

    "Sigh... why is this our only option?" Rex muttered, his voice carrying a weight of frustration as he glanced at Mini Cleo. He forced himself to suppress the disgust churning within him, but it lingered beneath the surface like a predator in waiting.

    {Because there are more upsides than downsides, boss.} Mini Cleo''s voice was as composed as ever, though Rex could sense the careful calculation behind her words.

    {We need someone from the Blood Clan who can give us a detailed layout of the city, someone who knows where we might find clues about the twins whereabouts.}

    {According to the auction data I managed to intercept, they''re planning to sell a Tier 6 Blood Clan female. She was sentenced to slavery for seducing someone she shouldn''t have.}

    As she spoke, a holographic screen materialized in front of him, casting a soft glow across his face. The image of a striking young woman filled the display, her crimson eyes holding a mix of defiance and despair.

    The auction house had taken care to present her in the most appealing way possible, but even through the sterile digital frame, Rex could see it... the quiet anger, the flickering embers of a soul refusing to be extinguished.

    "So... even in a clan full of assassins, there''s still room for petty drama, huh?" He scoffed while rubbing his temples.

    "Well, what you said does have merit. The advantages outweigh the risks... and we can grant her freedom once we''re done with our business here. Fine. Set the route for the auction house."

    He had barely started rising from his seat when the door to his VIP chamber swung open without warning.

    "Ah, welcome, dear noble!" A smooth, honeyed voice filled the room before Rex could react. "I am the proud owner of this exquisite establishment, and I must say, it is a rare honor to host someone of your esteemed status! To commemorate this occasion, I have prepared a drink most fitting for one of your caliber!"

    The Blood Clan member strode in with an air of confidence, a practiced smile curving his lips. Behind him, two guards closed the door with an audible thud, sealing them inside.

    The man, young and well-dressed, moved with the ease of someone who had done this dance a hundred times before, slipping onto the plush sofa beside Rex with an exaggerated flourish.

    Rex''s crimson eyes narrowed as he leaned back with one brow arched. "Oh? And what kind of drink would that be?"

    The young man''s smile widened into something sharper, almost predatory. Raising his hand, he snapped his fingers. Instantly, mechanical hisses echoed from above as hidden panels in the ceiling slid open.

    A split second later, a crimson cascade began to rain down from the sprinklers, thick droplets splattering against the lavish furnishings.

    {Don''t tell me... is this blood?} Rex''s mental voice reached Mini Cleo, his irritation laced with disbelief.

    {It is, boss! But don''t worry, I''ve already deployed the silent plasma shield, so you won''t be getting drenched in it!} Mini Cleo chimed in, standing atop the table in the center of the room.

    A tiny umbrella, far too comical for the grotesque scene unfolding, shielded her from the sanguine rain.

    The Blood Clan host spread his arms wide while tilting his head back as if reveling in the macabre display. His clothes were instantly soaked in deep crimson, his pale skin slick with the fresh offering. A chuckle rumbled from his throat, growing into a full-blown laugh.

    "Hahaha! So, dear elder, how do you like my gift? A welcoming gesture fitting for a guest of your stature, wouldn''t you agree?" His voice dripped with amusement while his eyes gleamed with a twisted kind of hospitality.

    Rex''s expression remained unreadable as he watched the man. His fingers drummed idly against his knee, but inside, the gears of his mind were already turning. This man was either making a statement or issuing a challenge. Either way, Rex had little patience for theatrics.

    He smirked slightly, his voice as cold as steel. "That depends... are you expecting me to drink it?"

    "Well, I don''t see why you shouldn''t..." The young Blood Clan noble leaned back with an indulgent grin, his fangs glinting under the dim lighting.

    "I promise you, this blood is the finest of the fine. While it won''t enhance your combat abilities, it will taste as sweet as your first kill... ah, that first sip of life''s essence... unforgettable."

    He sighed as if reminiscing about a cherished memory before his eyes darkened with sadistic glee. "This batch? It comes from the most tender little children we could buy at the auction."

    Lazily, he stuck his tongue out, letting a droplet of the raining blood land on it. He swirled it in his mouth, savoring the taste before swallowing with a satisfied hum.

    A thick silence settled over the room, stretching long and uncomfortable. The noble''s smirk wavered as he observed Rex, his predatory instincts sharpening.

    "Hmm... this is strange," he murmured, his amusement fading into scrutiny. "This is usually when imposters pretending to be Blood Clan members get furious, horrified... or slip up in their act. But you¡ª" He tilted his head, eyes narrowing. "I can''t sense anything from you. Not fear. Not anger. Not even disgust..."

    He rose from his seat; his movements were slow but deliberate, never once breaking eye contact with Rex.

    "Oh?" Rex arched a brow; his expression was unreadable. "And why do you think I''m a fake?"

    As soon as those words left his lips, Mini Cleo, ever the diligent guardian, silently activated Overdrive Mode, ready to engage at the first sign of hostility.

    The noble scoffed, a flicker of crimson energy crackling around his fingertips. "Well... for starters, there are no Tier 4 Elders. Every Blood Clan Elder is at least Tier 6. Secondly, no Elder travels without an entourage of hundreds of servants and war slaves."

    His gaze flickered over Rex''s attire with clear disdain. "And then there''s that, a white coat? I see you''re wearing two. While uniqueness isn''t unheard of, that color is anything but normal."

    His grin returned, cruel and confident. "So, tell me, imposter... should I kill you now? Or would you prefer I turn you in for a hefty bounty?" He let his power rise, the crimson aura of a Tier 5 powerhouse spilling into the room like a thick fog, distorting the very air with its oppressive presence.

    Rex, however, merely started clapping.

    "I see." He smirked while leaning back into the plush cushions of the sofa, entirely unbothered. "So my disguise had a few flaws. Good to know. I''ll make sure to fix them next time."

    The noble''s eye twitched. "I don''t think you understand your situation. I can kill you anytime I¡ª"

    In a blur of movement, he lunged with his claws bared and aimed for Rex''s throat.

    But before he could even leave the ground, the air in front of him split open, a jagged rift in space itself. From within the shifting void, a sleek metallic hand shot out, seizing him by the throat with an unyielding grip.

    His attack was stopped mid-motion; his body was lifted effortlessly off the ground. His crimson aura flickered wildly, his power struggling against an unseen force that dwarfed his own.

    The rift widened, arcs of energy crackling at its edges, until finally Zynaria stepped through.

    Her cold, mechanical eyes glowed faintly as she emerged, her towering, sleek form exuding an aura of unshakable dominance. Her grip on the noble''s throat tightened slightly, and though she spoke no words, the message was clear.

    His arrogance had just met an immovable wall.

    "Well, thanks for the help, little red. Well then..." Rex stretched his arms before rising to his feet, his boots crunching softly against the cracked metallic flooring as he approached Zynaria.

    A smirk played on his lips as his sharp gaze fell upon the trembling figure before them. "How about we have a little chat?"

    The young blood clan member, however, could barely register Rex''s words. His body convulsed violently, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His crimson eyes, filled with terror, darted around in search of an escape that did not exist.

    He wasn''t just afraid; his very bloodline instincts screamed in horror.

    Zynaria''s expression was cold as the void of space; she let out a disdainful snort. Without a word, she extended her hand, and from her palm, shimmering tendrils of living metal slithered outward, moving with the fluidity of a serpent.

    The metallic chains coiled around the young man''s limbs like hungry serpents, lifting him momentarily before slamming him onto the ground with a sickening thud. The chains burrowed into the floor, locking him in place as if the very planet itself had decided to claim him.

    "Ha... do you... haaa... think... that you''re safe... with a Tier 6 bodyguard?" the blood clan member shouted out between struggling gasps. Yet, even in his agony, he forced out a grin that was twisted and arrogant.

    "Hahaha! Keep dreaming! The strength of my blood clan is so overwhelming that a mere Tier 6 machine is nothing!"

 Chapter 339 339: Blood Clan world. {5}

    His words sent a visible ripple of fury through Zynaria. Her crimson pupils sharpened into slits, her body stiffening with unrestrained ire. To compare a proud Kaelzar with mere machines, to soulless androids... it was the gravest of insults.

    Her lips curled into a sneer. The living metal chains suddenly convulsed, tightening like a constricting vice. In an instant, their smooth surface morphed into jagged thorns of gleaming steel that erupted from their links, burying themselves into the captive''s flesh.

    A strangled scream tore from his throat as fresh pain surged through his veins. But Zynaria wasn''t finished.

    A crackling hum filled the air, the very atmosphere vibrating with lethal energy. Bolts of raw electricity surged through the chains, crawling over the blood clan member''s body like a thousand stinging needles.

    His muscles spasmed uncontrollably, his breath turning into choked gasps as his arrogant defiance melted into sheer agony.

    Rex exhaled through his nose, placing a hand on Zynaria''s shoulder, his grip firm but not forceful. "Zynaria... I still have questions for him. Keep him alive." His voice carried no desperation, only cool authority, as if he were reminding a petulant child to play nice.

    Zynaria clicked her tongue in irritation. "Hmph! Fine! You''re lucky, trash," she scoffed, releasing her clenched fist. Instantly, the thorns retracted, and the electricity dissipated, leaving the blood clan member a trembling, gasping wreck.

    But as Zynaria cast a sidelong glance at him, her smirk returned. "Doesn''t mean I won''t have my fun later," she murmured, just loud enough for him to hear.

    Rex let out a long, drawn-out sigh, his gaze fixed on the young blood clan member sprawled before him.

    The once-proud noble was barely holding himself together, trembling from the torment he had just endured.

    Yet, despite his weakened state, his body persisted, slowly knitting itself back together as the wounds closed, feeding on the rivulets of blood raining down upon him. The regenerative abilities of his kind were indeed remarkable, but even that resilience had its limits.

    "Well..." Rex muttered while rubbing the back of his neck as he studied the scene before him. "I suppose we can finally have a civilized conversation... unless, of course, you''d like to experience that again?" His tone was almost casual as he lazily pointed a finger toward Zynaria.

    The Kaelzar princess crossed her arms, still radiating a quiet menace. The crimson glow in her eyes hadn''t faded, and the metallic chains still twitched, as if hungry to resume their cruel work.

    Rex leaned forward slightly, his smirk turning razor-sharp. "I wonder how much more it''ll hurt. But you won''t die from that alone, right? After all, your kind is... tough."

    He tapped his chin thoughtfully, his voice laced with mock curiosity. "Still, just because you can survive it doesn''t mean you don''t feel pain. And I bet every nerve in your body is still screaming, isn''t it?"

    He took a slow step back and, with deliberate ease, sat down on the table, his posture relaxed. The contrast between his composed demeanor and the pure terror etched across the blood clan member''s face made the scene all the more unsettling.

    The young noble''s breathing hitched, his composure finally cracking as fear took complete hold of him. "W-wait! I''ll talk! Please... spare me!" he blurted out, his voice barely above a whimper.

    What followed was a long, drawn-out interrogation. Several minutes passed in that dimly lit room, each moment stretching into an eternity for the captive.

    Question after question, the blood clan member spilled whatever information he had, his voice growing hoarse from his desperate confessions. But in the end, when Rex was certain there was nothing more of value left to extract, he exchanged a glance with Zynaria.

    Without a word, she lifted her hand, and reality itself seemed to ripple. A shimmering tear in space unfurled beside her, forming a dark rift, a doorway leading to a shadowy alleyway on some distant world. The scent of damp pavement and rust filled the air from the other side.

    Rex stepped toward the portal but hesitated, his boots halting just before crossing the threshold. He cast one final glance over his shoulder, first at the trembling, broken figure of the young noble, then at Zynaria. His expression was unreadable, but his next words carried an undeniable finality.

    "Do it painlessly."

    With that, he turned away, stepping through the rift and vanishing into the darkness beyond.

    Zynaria exhaled softly, rolling her shoulders before stretching out her hand. Liquid metal surged around her fingers, shaping itself with precise intent.

    In mere moments, a massive two-handed battle-axe took form, its onyx-black blade glowing with a deep, molten red along its edges. This was no ordinary weapon. It was a relic of the Kaelzars royal armory, an artifact awarded to her by her father himself as a trophy for slaying a void beast.

    That same void beast that had its essence now bound to her in the form of her dragon-like mobile suit. And now, its power would put an end to this pathetic wretch before her.

    She stepped forward, gripping the axe with one hand. The young blood clan noble barely had time to comprehend his fate before the blade cleaved through him in a single, brutal swing.

    The moment it met his flesh, a searing heat ignited from the weapon, cauterizing the wound instantaneously. There was no scream, no struggle. His body never had the chance to regenerate.

    There was only silence....

    Zynaria exhaled again while resting the massive axe against her shoulder as she stepped back toward the rift. Without a second glance, she walked through, the space crack sealing behind her, leaving behind nothing but the scorched remnants of a once-proud blood clan member.

    As Zynaria made her way back to the hideout, Rex was already at the entrance of the auction house. The grand structure loomed before him, its sleek obsidian walls reflecting the neon glow of the cityscape.

    A pair of armored guards stood watch at the massive double doors, their sharp, cybernetic gazes scanning every potential intruder. The moment Rex approached, they moved in unison, blocking his path with an outstretched hand.

    "Halt! This auction is private," one of the guards stated firmly, his visor flashing red as he scrutinized Rex. "Only those with an invitation may enter. Please present yours."

    Rex remained unfazed while casually sliding his hands into his coat pockets.

    {Mini Cleo, is it ready?} he asked through his mental link, his voice calm but expectant.

    A familiar energetic voice chirped in response. {Aye, boss! Showing the invitation now!}

    A split second later, a shimmering holo-screen materialized beside Rex, displaying a digital pass with the proper credentials. This time, it wasn''t a counterfeit. As much as Mini Cleo loved her tricks, even she admitted that faking an invitation was too risky.

    The auction organizers performed thorough verification scans, and if they had walked in with a fake, they would have been exposed the moment the real passholder arrived.

    Fortunately, their earlier "negotiations" with the nightclub owner had paid off. The man had an invitation, albeit one for the common seating rather than a private booth, but it would suffice.

    The guard took a moment to scan the pass, then gave a curt nod. "Thank you for your cooperation. You''re free to enter, customer."

    Rex smirked while stepping forward just as Mini Cleo''s small, glowing form zipped in front of him, blocking his way.

    {Boss!} she transmitted urgently, her bright digital eyes flashing with excitement. {Someone just entered the auction house without an invitation!}

    Rex arched an eyebrow. {And?}

    {He was using some really advanced cloaking tech!} she continued speaking while flailing her tiny arms dramatically. {But c''mon, compared to the original, these little imitations are laughable! So obviously, I picked him up on my scans!}

    Rex sighed, since his interest was barely piqued. He glanced in the direction Mini Cleo was pointing, his expression unreadable.

    {Stay put, Mini Cleo,} he instructed. {So what if someone slipped inside without an invitation? If it weren''t for our lucky encounter, we''d be doing the same thing.}

    Mini Cleo puffed up indignantly. {But, boss¡ª}

    {Our goal here isn''t to play security guard. We don''t care who sneaks in, unless they''re causing problems for us or for the ones making trouble for the blood clan. Now, stop fixating on it and let''s go.}

    With that, Rex made his way inside, weaving through the lavishly decorated corridors toward his assigned seat in the common section.

    Mini Cleo huffed while folding her tiny arms as she floated behind him, still casting glances toward the mysterious intruder''s last known location. Her curiosity was practically buzzing; was it just a skilled thief? A rival bidder? Or someone with an agenda far more interesting?

    Rex, however, didn''t bother looking back. Whatever it was, it wasn''t his problem. Not yet, anyway.

    After about an hour, the auction finally commenced. The dimly lit hall brightened with holographic displays showcasing the various items up for bidding. Yet, despite the grandeur of the event, Rex found himself unimpressed.

    Most of the auctioned goods were high-end gadgets, experimental weaponry, and specialized combat gear, tools meant to enhance the efficiency of the blood clan''s missions.

    To any regular mercenary or enforcer, these items would have been priceless assets, capable of turning the tide in battle. But to Rex?

    Completely useless.

    With his bio-nanotech enhancements and Zynaria''s living metal crafting, he could create far superior weapons on a whim. He had no need for overpriced toys when he could forge his own.

    He sighed while resting his chin on his knuckles as he lazily watched the bids escalate for a high-frequency plasma blade. His mind began to drift, the droning voice of the auctioneer acting as a lullaby.

    The faint hum of conversations around him only added to the monotony, and before long, Rex felt his eyelids growing heavy.

    {Maybe I should''ve let Mini Cleo chase after that cloaked guy... at least that would''ve been entertaining.}

    Just as he was about to doze off, the energy in the room shifted.

 Chapter 340 340: Blood Clan world. {6}

    The air became thick and suffocating, as if the very atmosphere had been tainted with something predatory and ancient. Every instinct in Rex''s body screamed at him with an unfamiliar sensation he hadn''t felt in years.

    The auctioneer girl, who had been confidently presenting the items, suddenly paused. Without explanation, she bowed and swiftly exited the stage. A moment later, an older man took her place.

    His presence alone sent a cold shiver down Rex''s spine.

    This wasn''t just some noble or high-ranking blood clan official. The sheer weight of his aura was dense, bloodthirsty, and overwhelming, pressing down on the entire room.

    It was as if the walls themselves recoiled from his existence. The low murmurs of the audience ceased instantly, replaced by an eerie, collective silence.

    For the first time in years, Rex felt his body instinctively react. His muscles tensed, his breath hitched, and his hands curled into fists before he even realized it.

    A sharp alarm rang through his mental link.

    {Boss! Be careful! That''s a Tier 7 powerhouse!} Mini Cleo''s voice rang in his head, urgency laced in every syllable.

    A holographic power scan appeared before him, highlighting the man''s energy signature in a glowing crimson. Tier 7. A level of strength so far above his own that it wasn''t even a comparison.

    This wasn''t someone who fought opponents; this was someone who eradicated them.

    Rex didn''t need to be told twice. He remained still, his expression carefully neutral, but inside, his mind raced with many paths to escape.

    {What the hell is a monster like that doing here?} Just as Rex thought that, the old man coughed.

    The old man let his piercing gaze sweep across the silent auction hall, his presence alone commanding absolute attention. There was no need for theatrics since his sheer existence was enough to instill fear and respect in the audience.

    "Well then," he began speaking; his voice sounded like the slow rumble of an impending storm. "As you all know, when it comes to the trading of criminals from the blood clan, a Patriarch of one of the great families oversees the auction."

    His lips curled into a chilling smirk. "Tonight, it is my turn." A heavy, anticipatory silence filled the room.

    The old man took deliberate steps forward, his boots clicking against the wooden platform. As he did, mechanical whirring filled the air. Suddenly, four square sections of the floor opened with a metallic hiss, revealing deep, dark pits beneath.

    A moment later, massive cages with thick bars reinforced with energy suppressors began to rise from the depths.

    Inside them stood four captives.

    They were blood clan members, their crimson eyes burning with silent fury. Though restrained, the deadly aura they radiated was unmistakable. Even in captivity, they carried themselves like predators.

    "This is the first round of goods," the old man announced, his voice laced with amusement. "Tier 4 clan members. The bidding starts at four million credits per bid!"

    The moment the words left his mouth, the hall erupted into a flurry of voices.

    Powerful figures, corporate envoys, and crime lords all began aggressively raising their bids. And it was no surprise. These weren''t just any captives; they were blood clan assassins.

    The best killers in the galaxy. Even though they were currently Tier 4, it was only a matter of time before they advanced to Tier 6, maybe even higher. To those who understood their worth, these warriors weren''t just slaves... they were investments.

    And, of course, their physical appeal only added to their value.

    The women among them possessed an almost supernatural beauty, an allure that was both predatory and intoxicating. But more than that, what made them so highly sought-after was the slave blood mark, a brutal ritual that ensured absolute loyalty.

    Unlike regular mercenaries or bodyguards, these warriors could never betray their owners. Once marked, they were bound to serve until death.

    There was no other place in the galaxy where one could buy a perfectly obedient and devastatingly lethal dog.

    Rex observed it all with mild disinterest while resting his head on his fist as he lounged back in his chair. The scene unfolding before him was predictable... ruthless billionaires and warlords throwing absurd amounts of credits at the auction, eager to outbid one another.

    {Where''s the girl you told me to buy, Mini Cleo?} he asked lazily through their mental link.

    Mini Cleo, who had been reclining on a holographic beach chair with oversized sunglasses on, responded with a relaxed wave of her tiny digital hand. {She''ll come out after the two Tier 5 slaves, so chill, boss~ No need to stress yet!}

    Rex sighed but didn''t press further. And so, the auction continued.

    For two long, grueling hours, more captives were paraded onto the stage, each bid war more intense than the last. The atmosphere in the room grew heavier with each sale, the hunger in the bidders eyes turning more feral.

    Then, finally, the moment arrived.

    The old man''s smirk widened as he stepped forward once again, spreading his arms. "Well then, dear customers!" His voice boomed across the hall, laced with an unmistakable excitement.

    "I don''t even need to announce what the main dish of tonight''s event is, do I? I''m certain you all already know."

    A murmur of anticipation rippled through the audience. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut with a blade.

    The old man chuckled darkly. "So then... let''s bring it up!"

    With another mechanical hum, the platform shifted once more. But this time, only a single section of the floor opened; it was far larger than before.

    From the depths below, an enormous black cage slowly emerged, its bars humming with suppression energy. It wasn''t just any cage; it was a containment unit, the kind designed to hold high-tier combatants.

    And inside it, standing in eerie silence, was a woman.

    A blood clan warrior.

    She didn''t look like the others who had been auctioned off earlier. There was no fear in her expression, no desperation. Instead, her crimson eyes burned with cold resignation.

    Even bound, even weakened, she exuded a terrifying presence, one that sent an instinctive shiver down Rex''s spine.

    Mini Cleo''s voice crackled urgently in his mind.

    {Boss, that''s her! The Tier 6 powerhouse I told you about!} Rex narrowed his eyes as he studied the woman in the cage..

    The old patriarch''s voice resonated through the hall, smooth yet commanding, carrying the weight of absolute authority.

    "As you all know, Tier 6 slaves are not to be sold for mere credits. Their value transcends monetary exchange, and a public bidding war could spark unnecessary bloodshed.

    "Instead, we shall conduct an item-for-item trade. You may submit your offers through the datapads provided at your seats."

    He leaned back, his cold gaze sweeping across the eager bidders. "I will personally evaluate each submission and select the one that most interests me. Now then... let the bidding begin!"

    A murmur of excitement rippled through the crowd as the bidders hastily tapped away on their datapads, each submitting an offer they believed would secure them the prized warrior.

    The old patriarch, maintaining a facade of leisure, settled into the ornate chair that his servants had brought for him. Yet, his fingers moved with purpose as he accessed the incoming offers.

    Meanwhile, Rex let out a sigh while watching the event unfold with mild amusement.

    "Well... there goes the sure way to get her," he muttered while drumming his fingers against the armrest. "If we can''t use credits, what else do we have to bid with?"

    His sharp gaze flicked toward Mini Cleo, who stiffened under his scrutiny.

    {W-wait, Boss!} she stammered, her tiny holographic form scrambling to hide behind the datapad. {I''m not for sale! I''m your brain, remember?!}

    Rex let out a low chuckle. "Hah! Relax, I''m just messing with you. Don''t be so dramatic." He smirked, his fingers hovering over the datapad as he pondered for a brief moment.

    "Besides... I do have something better than anything these greedy bastards could offer." With a confident flick of his wrist, he submitted his bid.

    Then, he leaned back with his expression hidden beneath the shadow of his black coat and waited.

    And just as he predicted... the reaction was priceless.

    The old patriarch, who had remained composed up until now, suddenly jolted forward. His eyes widened as he stared at the offer displayed on his screen. His hands tightened around the datapad, and for a moment, silence hung heavy in the air.

    Then, in a blur of motion, he leapt out of his chair.

    The movement was so abrupt that the entire auction hall froze. Even the most hardened bidders, men who had seen the horrors of war and the depths of galactic cruelty, stiffened in confusion. Murmurs of uncertainty rippled through the audience.

    Ignoring them all, the patriarch''s gaze darted across the room, scanning each chair number until his eyes locked onto Rex''s seat.

    The old man''s expression twisted into something unreadable, somewhere between disbelief and manic excitement. His fingers danced across his arm device, and without a single word, he opened a space crack and vanished.

    The hall fell into stunned silence.

    Rex merely tilted his head slightly, watching the event unfold. "So... I hit the jackpot, huh?"

    Before the confused audience could descend into chaos, the auction hostess stepped forward with practiced grace. Flashing a well-rehearsed smile, she cleared her throat and spoke in a soothing tone.

    "Ladies and gentlemen, please do not be alarmed. The patriarch has been called away for urgent business, but rest assured, the auction will proceed smoothly in his absence!"

    Her words did little to ease the growing tension, but no one dared challenge them.

 Chapter 341: Blood Clan world. {7}

    Meanwhile, across the city, the old patriarch materialized within the grand halls of his clan''s ancestral mansion. Without wasting a second, he activated his arm device, summoning the highest-ranking members of the blood clan.

    Minutes later, space cracks began opening above the estate like dark, swirling maws in the void. From these rifts emerged figures of immense power, from Elders, Matriarchs, and other Patriarchs, each an authority in their own right.

    These were not mere nobles or bureaucrats. These were monsters, battle-hardened beings who had survived countless wars, ruling over their respective bloodlines with an iron grip.

    Once the last of them had arrived, the old patriarch rose from his chair, his expression grave yet brimming with anticipation.

    "Well then," he began speaking, his voice carrying a weight that silenced all present. "I imagine you''re all wondering why I summoned you here."

    An old female Matriarch, draped in a cloak of flowing crimson, scoffed from her seat. "Hmph. I assume you have a very good reason for interrupting our affairs," she sneered.

    "And weren''t you supposed to be leading the auction tonight? Did you grow tired of playing merchant so quickly?"

    The patriarch shot her a sharp glance, his lips curling into a smirk. "Where do you think I just came from, you old snake?"

    Ignoring the murmurs of intrigue, he flicked his fingers across his arm device. The massive wooden table at the center of the room rumbled, shifting and morphing as a projection activated above it.

    And then, the offer was displayed for all to see.

    For a brief second, silence reigned....

    The eldest members of the blood clan, those who had lived for centuries, leapt to their feet, their eyes wide with something that resembled both shock and fear. Even those who had long mastered their emotions failed to conceal the raw disbelief on their faces.

    The younger blood clan leaders, however, merely exchanged confused glances, unable to grasp what had just transpired.

    One of them, a Tier 6 patriarch, furrowed his brow. "I don''t understand... What''s so special about this offer?"

    Before anyone could answer, one of the ancient Elders, with skin pale as moonlight and a suffocating presence, slowly turned his gaze toward the old patriarch. His voice, though barely above a whisper, carried the weight of a death sentence.

    "... Who made this bid?"

    The old patriarch exhaled deeply, a smirk forming on his lips.

    "I don''t know; the person in question was wearing a cloak that interfered with the scanner of my eye. However, I could still sense his presence, and his aura was not stronger than that of a Tier 4 Bionic warrior."

    The old patriarch''s words only deepened the confusion among those who already knew the implications. A murmur spread across the grand hall, hushed whispers exchanged between Elders and superiors.

    The weight of this revelation lingered in the air like a storm cloud about to burst. Then, one of the other patriarchs, his brow furrowed in contemplation, voiced the question that had been forming in everyone''s minds. "This individual... was it... female?"

    As soon as the words left his lips, every gaze in the room locked onto the old patriarch, their anticipation palpable. Silence reigned for a moment before the elder finally spoke, his voice steady. "Mmm, no... By the build of his body, he was undoubtedly a man."

    A collective sigh of relief echoed through the assembly, tension dissipating slightly. However, not everyone understood the significance of the inquiry.

    The newest Elders, unfamiliar with the underlying fear woven into the older generation''s reaction, exchanged perplexed glances. Finally, one among them, a young Elder of the blood clan, hesitantly raised his hand and voiced the question that lingered in the minds of the uninformed.

    "So... who are the Khryssari? Why is this event so important that it warranted an emergency assembly of all Elders and superiors? And why does it matter so much whether this person was male or female?"

    The room fell into a weighty silence. The old matriarch, with her presence as commanding as ever, let out a slow breath, her gaze sweeping across the chamber before she finally spoke.

    "It is understandable that you do not know. The Khryssari have not been encountered by this generation of Elders. But let me make one thing clear... They are not an enemy one can simply fight and defeat...."

    "They are a force of nature, relentless, unstoppable, beyond our control. If their swarm sets its sights on a world, that world is already lost."

    A shiver ran through the younger Elders, but the matriarch wasn''t finished. From the folds of her ornate robe, she withdrew a small recording device and activated it.

    "This was about four hundred years ago when I was still active beyond our natal world. Back then, I received a contract, a high-profile assassination. The target was a female."

    "The bounty for her head was two billion credits. Naturally, I assumed such a sum was because she was a megacorp heir or someone of similar importance. But I was gravely mistaken."

    A dim holographic projection flickered to life, displaying an aged recording. The Elders leaned forward, their eyes narrowing as they watched the footage unfold.

    The video showed the matriarch moving through the shadows, expertly infiltrating a heavily guarded building. Silent as a phantom, she navigated through the halls until she reached her target: a seemingly young girl lying asleep on a bed, her breathing slow and steady.

    But this was no ordinary child. Her form bore distinct insectoid features, chitinous armor plating, delicate antennae, and, most notably, two powerful blade-like appendages in place of arms.

    The tension in the room grew thick as the matriarch in the recording raised a dagger, poised to strike. Just as the blade was about to descend, space itself seemed to shatter beside her.

    A sudden, jagged rift tore open in the air, and from within, monstrous tentacles erupted, thrashing violently.

    The building trembled as the eldritch appendages tore through walls and furniture alike, sending the matriarch hurtling backward. The image froze at that moment, the still frame capturing the chaos and destruction.

    The matriarch exhaled slowly before speaking again, her voice calm but heavy with reminiscence.

    "That was the moment I lost my left arm. The being that emerged from that space crack was a Tier 6 powerhouse, and at the time, I was merely a Tier 5, mid-stage."

    "Even though the gap between our levels wasn''t insurmountable, I was completely powerless. I had no choice but to retreat."

    She raised her left arm, the one that had been lost in that fateful encounter. It gleamed in the dim light, a testament to both the past and the power of technology. "I survived, but at a cost. And that girl... she was no ordinary target. She was a Khryssari."

    A heavy silence followed her words, the gravity of her story settling over the assembly. Yet, some of the younger Elders remained skeptical.

    One of them, his curiosity outweighing his caution, spoke up. "But I still don''t understand why this should be such a cause for concern. We have Tier 6 powerhouses among us, even Tier 7 warriors. Why, then, should we fear them?"

    The old matriarch turned her gaze to him, her eyes cold and knowing. "Because you do not comprehend the true horror of the Khryssari. Strength alone is not enough. Their swarm is endless. Their reach extends beyond our understanding...."

    "And the last time a female Khryssari appeared... entire civilizations burned to the ground. If a male has appeared now, it changes nothing. But if a female appears once again... then, young Elder, we are already doomed."

    "The Khryssari are not just powerful. They are an extinction-level threat. A force of nature that reshapes the fate of entire civilizations. And we are not exempt from that fate."

    She resumed the video.

    The image flickered back to life, showing the chaos that had erupted within the target''s chamber. The Tier 6 creature that had emerged from the space crack was unlike anything the gathered Elders had ever seen.

    Its form was a grotesque yet elegant fusion of biological and eldritch horror, its chitinous exoskeleton shifting and pulsating, as if it were alive in ways beyond mere organic function.

    The moment it appeared, it let out a screech, warping the very air around it. The video feed glitched momentarily, distorting as if the sheer presence of the creature defied conventional physics.

    In the recording, the old matriarch, still youthful back then, had barely enough time to react before the thing''s tendrils shot toward her. With inhuman speed, she dodged, but not fast enough. One of the tendrils sliced through her left arm as if it were nothing.

    Blood sprayed across the walls, and the old matriarch in the video let out a scream of pain.

    Yet, the most terrifying part wasn''t her injury; it was the girl.

    The supposed target, the young Khryssari, had barely even woken up. She blinked groggily at the sight of the battle, stretched her arms, those bladed appendages glinting under the dim light and then, with the most casual of movements, vanished.

    Not teleported. Not phased away. She moved so fast that even the matriarch''s advanced tracking implants had no chance of locking onto her.

    The old matriarch leapt from the building, landing gracefully on the nearest rooftop. As she turned, the monstrous creature she had been battling unleashed its fury, shattering the colossal structure behind her, its massive form fully emerging from the space rift.

    Her breath caught as she glanced upward. The night sky burned with an eerie emerald glow, pulsating like a sickly aurora. A cold dread gripped her heart... the Khryssari fleet had arrived.

 Chapter 342: Blood Clan world. {7}

    The video finally concluded after showcasing an awe-inspiring yet terrifying sight... the skies of that distant world, entirely consumed by a massive swarm of colossal flying beasts.

    These creatures dwarfed even the tallest buildings, their darkened forms blotting out the sun as they soared through the atmosphere with an eerie grace. The sheer magnitude of the scene left every viewer in stunned silence, their minds struggling to process the implications of such an overwhelming force.

    After a long, tension-filled pause, the old matriarch exhaled deeply, her gaze lowering as she seemed to sink into her memories. Her voice, tinged with both weariness and the weight of her revelation, broke the silence.

    "After witnessing those events, I dedicated myself to uncovering every piece of knowledge I could find on the Khryssari. I took on missions and tasks not for credits but for information, delving into records both ancient and forbidden."

    "And it was during this relentless pursuit that I came to realize the terrible truth... The action I had planned to take that day would have been a grave mistake... one that could have very well led to the extinction of our entire race."

    Her solemn words sent a chill through the chamber. A younger Elder, visibly shaken by the video, hesitantly raised his hand, his voice uncertain yet desperate for clarity.

    "Matriarch... what exactly did you discover that led you to such a dire conclusion? What could possibly warrant such a catastrophic outcome?"

    The old matriarch lifted her gaze, her aged eyes glinting with the weight of knowledge few dared to seek.

    "The Khryssari are a unique race, one that defies the conventional structures of other species. Most of them are genderless or male; their society is built around a rigid hierarchy of soldiers, workers, and drones."

    "However, there exists a rare exception; a mere one percent of their kind are born female. These are not just any ordinary Khryssari... they are the queens, the true rulers of the swarm. And these beings... are monsters in their own right, each one standing at the pinnacle of Tier 7 power."

    A collective murmur spread through the room, the gravity of her words sinking in. The matriarch then manipulated the holoscreen, rewinding the footage to a seemingly inconspicuous moment, the image of the young Khryssari female, curled up and resting.

    Her form was smaller and more delicate compared to the rest, yet there was an undeniable presence surrounding her. One of the younger Elders gasped as realization dawned on him. His voice trembled as he spoke. "D-do you mean to say that... that one right there... is a Queen?"

    The old matriarch chuckled dryly while shaking her head. "No, child. That is not a Queen... not yet, at least. That young one is what we call a Princess, an immature Queen-in-the-making. And that is where the true danger lies."

    "You see, if you were to engage a full-fledged Queen in battle, the consequences would be dire, but ultimately, it would be a battle between you and her. However... if you were to kill a Princess..."

    She paused, letting the room hold its breath before delivering the final blow. "The entire swarm would descend upon your race, wiping out every last trace of your existence. There would be no escape, no mercy. It has only happened three times in recorded history, and each time, an entire civilization was erased as if it had never existed."

    "This knowledge was incredibly difficult to obtain, buried within the remnants of forgotten worlds and whispered in the shadows of the black market."

    "And now you understand... this is why this particular bid offer is of such immense importance. It has the power to change everything. It is the reason we are all gathered here today."

    A heavy silence followed her declaration, the weight of the revelation pressing down on everyone present. Finally, another voice broke the quiet, though it was laced with uncertainty.

    "So... that is why you asked whether it was male or female... It all makes sense now. But this bid... the ''Request to the Khryssari Queen Voucher''... is it truly as valuable as you claim? Or, more importantly... is it even real?"

    A sharp laugh erupted from the old patriarch; his booming voice was filled with conviction. "Valuable? You underestimate its worth! With such a voucher, one could command an entire Khryssari swarm, bringing entire planets to their knees."

    "Even the most powerful megacorporations would tremble before such power! With this in our hands, the possibilities are endless; we could conquer worlds, overthrow empires, and erase enemies with but a single command!"

    His words sent a ripple of shock through the assembly. The mere notion of wielding a force strong enough to challenge even a megacorporation was beyond comprehension for many in the room.

    Yet, doubt lingered. "And what of its authenticity?" another Elder questioned, his expression cautious. "If such an item truly exists, how can we be certain that it is not a mere fabrication? That it is not some elaborate deception?"

    The old patriarch''s expression hardened. "That, we do not know. The only way to determine its legitimacy is to confront the bidder directly and ascertain the truth for ourselves."

    Minutes passed in quiet deliberation before the old patriarch made his final move. With a decisive motion, he turned back to the auction house, his voice carrying through the halls.

    "The choice has been made. The bid I have selected has been finalized. This auction... is officially over."

    "The winner of the auction will be notified through their datapad. That concludes this year''s event! I hope we can all look forward to another successful auction next year!"

    The old patriarch''s voice echoed across the grand auction hall, signaling the end of the proceedings. The gathered elites, merchants, and warlords began murmuring amongst themselves, some pleased with their acquisitions, while others silently vowed to come better prepared for the next auction.

    A soft chime from his datapad drew Rex''s attention, and he quickly glanced down to see the notification: "Proceed to the upper floor to receive your slave and confirm payment details."

    Letting out a quiet sigh of relief, he leaned back slightly in his chair. "Damn... for a second there, I thought I was going to lose the bid," he muttered under his breath before rising to his feet. His posture remained relaxed, but his mind was already shifting into high alert.

    "Alright, let''s get moving, Mini Cleo. And don''t forget to keep scanning our surroundings... I don''t want any more surprises like the one in the nightclub..."

    {Don''t worry, boss! Leave it to me! No one''s getting past my radar! Not even that guy using stealth tech who''s been tailing us this whole time!}

    Mini Cleo''s voice, cheerful yet sharp, rang in his mind as she pointed behind him.

    For a moment, Rex was speechless. His eyes remained forward, but his senses flared, tension creeping up his spine.

    {Mini Cleo... if you knew someone was following us, you should''ve told me sooner...}

    He exhaled slowly while controlling his irritation....

    {Haa... whatever. Let''s just ignore him for now and head to the upper floors. I doubt he''ll make a move while we''re inside the auction house; there are at least a dozen Tier 6 energy signatures nearby. He''d be suicidal to try anything here.}

    With that thought, he adjusted his cloak slightly and began walking.

    Upon reaching the upper floor, Rex found the old patriarch waiting for him. Unlike before, there was no crowd, just the two of them and a single other figure standing nearby.

    The figure was a woman with crimson-red hair, shackled in energy cuffs, her piercing eyes glaring at him with silent defiance.

    The patriarch gestured toward the luxurious sofa across from him. "Welcome, young man. As promised, your acquisition is here." He lifted his wrinkled hand, revealing a small crystalline sigil.

    "And this... is the slave mark that binds her. However..." His tone shifted, his gaze narrowing slightly as he attempted to peer through the shadows of Rex''s cloak.

    Rex, unbothered, casually sat down, crossing one leg over the other. "Mmm. What seems to be the problem?"

    The patriarch leaned forward, his voice dropping slightly. "While it''s true that your bid was the most valuable to us... how do we verify that what you''re offering is real?"

    Rex exhaled softly, as if amused. "Ah, so that''s all. Of course, you''d have doubts." His fingers tapped against his knee. "But I assure you, the offer is one hundred percent real."

    He reached into his space storage and retrieved a small vial, holding it between his fingers. "And to prove it... allow me to introduce you to this little friend of mine."

    Inside the vial, a small, luminescent creature fluttered, a Khryssari firefly. Its tiny body emitted a faint, eerie glow, and to the untrained eye, it looked like nothing more than a fragile insect.

    However, the moment the old patriarch''s gaze landed on it, his expression subtly changed. He wasn''t just looking at the firefly; he was seeing something more.

    A thin, nearly imperceptible green energy thread extended from the firefly, linking it to something far beyond the confines of the auction house. The line was invisible to most beings under Tier 7, but to him, its presence was unmistakable.

    The old patriarch''s eyes lingered on the connection for a few moments before he let out a low chuckle.

    "Ah... well then. I can see now that your claim is indeed authentic." He leaned back while nodding in satisfaction. "As promised, the contract is yours. Simply place a drop of your blood onto this mark, and the binding will be completed."

    He passed the crystalline sigil to Rex, who examined it briefly before tucking it away.

 Chapter 343: Blood Clan world. {8}

    Without another word, Rex stood up, his new acquisition following behind him in silence.

    Navigating through the dark alleys beyond the auction house, Rex walked at a steady pace, his senses ever sharp. The woman trailed behind him, her shackles ensuring she wouldn''t stray far.

    But she said nothing... no protests, no questions. Just a quiet observation.

    Finally, after several minutes of weaving through the labyrinthine pathways, Rex came to a halt. His head tilted slightly, as if addressing the empty air.

    "Alright, I think this is far enough." His voice was calm, but his next words carried a weight of finality. "I''ll be waiting for you at the old harbor warehouse. You''d better come alone. And don''t even think about using your cloaking device; it''s just annoying since you''re completely visible to me."

    For a moment, nothing happened. Then, as if in response, a faint distortion flickered in the air behind him, a ripple in space, barely noticeable.

    Without another word, Rex extended his hand, and a shimmering space rift opened before him. He stepped through, leading the silent woman alongside him.

    The rift closed behind them, leaving only the empty alleyway... and the unseen watcher still lingering in the shadows.

    "Thanks, as always, Little Red," Rex said with a casual nod as he stepped further into the dimly lit warehouse. The air inside was still, filled with the scent of rusted metal and old dust.

    His voice, however, carried a different weight, less playful and more calculating. "Also, be ready. We''ve got an unwanted visitor arriving soon." He paused for a beat, then glanced over his shoulder at the woman trailing him silently.

    "No... wait, before anything else.... do you have a name?"

    He turned to face her directly, his gaze searching hers. The Tier 6 Blood Clan female, once a proud warrior of her kind, now stood there bound by the sigil of servitude. Her posture was obedient, unmoving, but her expression was empty... lifeless. Eyes like dried crimson wells, devoid of spark or resistance.

    No response. Not a word. Not a blink.

    Rex let out a heavy sigh and sat down on a nearby crate, resting his elbows on his knees. "Alright then, so be it," he muttered, his tone softening slightly. "Just stand next to me while we wait for our little guest to make his grand entrance."

    He leaned back slightly, gazing up at the flickering ceiling lights. His mind was already working ahead, thoughts racing through possibilities, until suddenly something clicked. His lips curled into a sly, knowing smirk.

    "Wait a second... I just got an idea."

    As if the universe heard his thoughts, a space rift tore itself open a few meters away, shimmering like glass rippling in water.

    A figure stepped out, a man dressed in a sleek, black cloak, his face hidden beneath a shadowed hood. He radiated calm danger, the kind only the truly capable carried with ease.

    Rex didn''t wait. The moment the man''s boots touched the ground, he raised a finger, directing it at the cloaked figure.

    "Go."

    Without hesitation, the Blood Clan female lunged forward, her movements fluid and predatory. She struck without using any stellar energy, relying solely on her raw physical prowess. Each blow was fast and precise, meant to kill.

    But the man didn''t counter.

    He moved like smoke in the wind, dodging, weaving, and parrying every strike with practiced ease. His cloak fluttered as he sidestepped her blows, not once striking back, not even summoning energy in response. His demeanor remained cold, detached, almost as if he knew her.

    Rex watched with sharp eyes and his arms crossed while his expression was unreadable.

    And when he saw what he needed to see, he spoke again. "That''s enough. Return."

    The female warrior halted immediately, retreating with the same mechanical silence as before. But this time... something was different.

    Rex tilted his head. Her eyes, which were still dulled and vacant, now glistened. Tears had formed, silently tracing down her cheeks.

    "Hah... so I was right after all..." Rex muttered while rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Then he paused. "And why the hell am I suddenly talking like Ys? Tch. I really need to spend less time around her..." He shook his head, brushing the thought away.

    His attention shifted back to the cloaked man. "Now then, I think it''s time you dropped the whole mysterious stranger act. Take a seat, any seat... crate, floor, whatever works for your aesthetic and let''s have a civilized conversation."

    His voice lowered, his tone losing its edge and becoming something colder, more dangerous. "Unless, of course, you want to turn this into a clash between Tier 6 powerhouses and let every single Blood Clan warrior in a three-kilometer radius know we''re here."

    He didn''t move a muscle, but his senses were on full alert, tracking the man''s every breath, every subtle twitch of his hands or shift of weight.

    Rex knew he wasn''t fast enough to match this man if things went south... but he didn''t need to be since Zynaria was.

    Hidden in the folds of surrounding space, invisible even to most Tier 6s, she was watching too. And if the man so much as twitched in the wrong direction, she''d intercept.

    And Rex would be gone before anyone could blink.

    The man stood motionless for a few tense seconds, the silence between them growing heavier with each breath. Then, without a word, he lifted his hand.

    A nearby wooden crate floated toward him, enveloped in a soft telekinetic glow. He lowered himself onto it, his movements calm but deliberate.

    "Well then," the man finally said, his voice low, roughened by frustration. "Normally, I''d start with introductions, but I''m already irritated as it is. So let''s just cut to the chase."

    He met Rex''s gaze or tried to, though the cloak''s hood still obscured Rex''s face.

    "Even if you''re following me, stalking me across the city, I''m not giving you the girl. She''s useful to me right now. That''s all you need to know."

    Rex''s tone had turned glacial, colder than the stale air of the underground warehouse. For the first time, the weight of his temper bled through his words.

    His composure frayed at the edges, the stress of recent days boiling just beneath the surface. He had no time for games, not with the twins still missing, not with this constant hunt dragging on.

    The cloaked man was silent at first, head bowed slightly. But then he spoke, his voice trembling not with fear but with the pain of someone who had lost far too much.

    "If... if you knew I was following you because of her... why invite me here?" His voice cracked. "You could''ve disappeared at any moment. One jump through a space rift and you''d be gone forever. I wouldn''t have had a chance to find her again."

    The man wasn''t wrong. One snap of the fingers and Rex could''ve vanished without a trace, leaving him behind. But Rex had his reasons. And he said them plainly.

    "Because I know the Blood Clan is looking for you."

    The moment the words left his mouth, the man was on his feet, body tensing as he instinctively fell into a defensive stance.

    "Whoa, calm down," Rex raised one hand, the other still tucked lazily in his cloak. "Let me finish." His voice stayed level, but there was a current of steel beneath it.

    "If they''re after you, then you''re not one of them anymore. And that makes you useful to me."

    He leaned back slightly, a flicker of amusement curling on his lips. "Besides... I''m curious. Tell me your story. Who knows? Once she''s no longer useful to me, I might just hand her over."

    Rex pulled a small bag of chips from his storage space, tore it open with one hand, and crunched down a handful while watching the other man closely.

    The silence stretched, and then, finally, the man exhaled a long, worn-out sigh and pulled back his hood.

    As expected, he was young. A Blood Clan male, unmistakable with his sharp beauty, crimson eyes, and elongated fangs. But there was something else there too... grief, guilt, and fury buried deep behind his expression.

    "That girl..." he began, voice low. "She''s my betrothed. We were promised to each other since we were young. But then one of the Elders¡ª" He paused, hands clenching into fists. "¡ªhe saw her and decided she should belong to him."

    Rex''s eyes narrowed slightly.

    "He ordered his men to seal her consciousness and take her to his chambers. But something must''ve gone wrong with the drug. She woke up, if only for a moment and in that moment of clarity... she struck him."

    The words hung in the air like a stormcloud.

    The man''s jaw tightened. His voice faltered as the next part neared.

    "I... I don''t know what exactly happened next. But from the scars she bears and the emptiness in her eyes now... I can imagine it. She tried to run. But the Elder''s guards, Tier 5s and Tier 6s, were everywhere...."

    "They overwhelmed her. And the next thing I knew, she''d been stripped of her status, declared rogue, and sold off like livestock."

    His gaze flicked to the woman standing silently beside Rex, her hands folded in front of her, the glow of the slave sigil faintly pulsing on her collar. Her dead eyes were fixed on the wall, unmoving, but a single tear was sliding down her cheek again.

    Rex let out a soft breath through his nose, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah... I got the picture. No need for the grim details." He didn''t need to hear the rest. He could already tell it had taken every ounce of strength for the young man to say even that much.

    "Well then..." Rex stood up and stretched slightly, reaching into his cloak once more. "How about a deal?"

 Chapter 344: Blood Clan world. {9} 14 & 24

    He held out a small chip in the center of his palm. Its sleek black surface shimmered faintly with embedded control runes.

    "I respect strength. I value usefulness. But more than that, I respect people who fight for their loved ones. if you join me and follow my command, I''ll release her this very instant. No more chains. No more ownership. Just freedom."

    He locked eyes with the man.

    "But in return, I want this control chip implanted in your cerebral cortex. A little insurance policy, you understand. You may love her... but that doesn''t mean I trust you yet."

    The warehouse fell silent again.

    The only sound was the faint rustle of the chip between Rex''s fingers... and the quiet, almost imperceptible sound of hope flickering to life in the eyes of the Blood Clan man.

    Even with Rex''s seemingly generous offer on the table, the young vampire hesitated. His instincts screamed at him that there was no guarantee Rex would keep his word. For all he knew, this could be a trap, a way to enslave not just the woman he loved but him as well.

    And yet... what other choice did he have?

    He looked at the girl one more time. Her body stood still, her presence ghost-like, and her eyes remained void of life. She was no longer herself. Whatever future they''d dreamed of together had been shattered.... and this was the only path that might let him piece even a fragment of it back together.

    With a heavy breath, the young vampire reached for one of his nails. Without flinching, he pressed it against his own forehead, cutting open a small incision just above the brow. A thin line of blood trickled down the bridge of his nose, staining his lips.

    Then, with trembling fingers, he grabbed the control chip from Rex''s hand and slowly pushed it into the wound.

    The pain was immediate.

    The chip''s tendrils unfurled like tiny mechanical roots, worming their way into his brain. His body convulsed, and a guttural scream tore from his throat as he collapsed to the ground, clutching at his head.

    He writhed in agony for minutes that felt like hours, every second a storm of burning wire and invading steel.

    Finally, the fit subsided. He lay on the ground, chest heaving, fingers twitching, sweat and blood soaking his face.

    "I... I''ve done what you asked," he said hoarsely while forcing himself upright with shaking arms. "Now... it''s your turn. Keep your word."

    Rex, who had been watching with his usual calm, raised an eyebrow. "Of course. I said I would, didn''t I?" he replied while brushing some nonexistent dust from his cloak. "But... uh, quick question... how exactly do I remove the slave seal?"

    There was an awkward silence. The young vampire blinked, eyes wide with disbelief.

    Then, mercifully, a space rift shimmered into existence nearby. Zynaria stepped through, her tall figure draped in her signature living metal armor, eyes glowing like molten gold.

    "I know how to remove it, young Emperor," she said without hesitation. "While it''s not the exact same seal, I''ve broken similar bindings from war slaves during our battles against the pirate lords. I can handle this."

    Rex nodded. "Go ahead. Just... try not to break her mind in the process, yeah?"

    "As you wish."

    With a flick of her fingers, Zynaria conjured restraints from her living metal, forming them into delicate but unbreakable chains. The enslaved woman was gently lowered to her knees.

    Next, Zynaria manifested a device that was spindly and terrifying, with dozens of needle-thin syringes that clicked into place around the woman''s body. One by one, the syringes pierced her skin, drawing out her blood to be analyzed and purified in real-time.

    The process was methodical, almost surgical. Clean blood was filtered and re-injected into her veins, while the tainted black blood infused with the curse of the slave seal was collected and isolated.

    For minutes that ticked by like hours, the machine worked in silence.

    Finally, the needles retracted. The black blood churned in the containment capsule like living ink, the last remnant of the seal.

    "It is done," Zynaria said calmly. "The seal has been fully extracted. She will regain her consciousness within the next few hours. However, I recommend we proceed with caution."

    She held up a sleek metallic collar. "This will suppress her access to stellar energy. It''s best to keep her restrained, at least until she fully stabilizes. We cannot predict how she''ll react once her mind returns."

    Rex studied the collar, then nodded. "Do it. We don''t need her blowing a hole through the warehouse on her way back to reality."

    Zynaria complied without question, securing the collar gently but firmly around the woman''s neck before locking her chains into place once more. The woman''s breathing had stabilized, and for the first time, there was a faint blush of color returning to her cheeks.

    Rex then turned his gaze back to the young man, who was still catching his breath, hands covered in blood and sweat.

    In his mind, Rex calculated quickly; he now had two Tier 6 powerhouses at his side. One bound by loyalty, the other by love. And if he played his cards right, he might soon have a third, the woman herself, if he could convince her to join his cause willingly.

    Even some high nobles in the megacorps couldn''t boast such strength at their back.

    "So," Rex said while brushing the dust off his coat as he stood and gave a stretch, his voice casual. "Do you guys have names or something?"

    The young vampire bowed his head slightly; his voice was cool and formal. "We don''t. Names were abandoned when we joined the Elite Blood Assassins. I''m 14th. She is 24th."

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Huh. Grim, but I get the vibe. Let''s stick with that for now. If either of you wants to choose a name later, just let me know; I''m crap at naming people anyway."

    He leaned back against a crate while crossing his arms. "Now listen up. Let me tell you why I''m here and what I want from you."

    And so, Rex explained. He spoke of the ambush in orbit. Of the twins. Of the betrayal that left him stranded and bleeding and how his sole purpose now was to tear apart the veil hiding his enemies and reclaim what was his.

    14th listened in silence, his crimson eyes slowly shifting from wary to resolute.

    When Rex finished, there was a pause. Then, without a word, 14th knelt and extended a dagger. Its handle was black, etched with veins of crimson crystallized blood that shimmered faintly.

    Rex blinked. "What''s this?"

    Even Mini Cleo didn''t know, flickering in his interface with a confused emoticon. {Uh... this one''s outta my database. Blood Clan rituals are like encrypted spaghetti code... makes no damn sense.}

    14th kept his head lowered. "Among the Elite, we swear no loyalty to a single master. Only to the Clan. But... should we ever meet someone worthy, we carry our loyalty daggers, ready to pledge ourselves."

    He looked up at Rex, eyes steady now. "And you, Rex... are worthy. You protect your own, no matter the odds. That is a man I can follow."

    Rex looked at the dagger, then at 14th. After a moment, he took it. The moment he did, the blade pulsed faintly with life, reacting to the bond just formed.

    Before Rex could say anything else, a harsh voice bellowed from outside.

    "Listen, scum! You are surrounded! Come out at once! And don''t even try a space rift; we''ve sealed the zone! Try it, and we''ll make sure a Tier 7 wipes you from existence!"

    Rex turned his head lazily toward the door. "Took them long enough."

    "Zynaria," he said calmly as he slid his cloak off his shoulders. His white wings unfurled with a ripple of motion, sleek and pristine, catching the light like blades of moonlight.

    "How many?"

    Zynaria closed her eyes for a moment, scanning. "Twenty Tier 4 Bionic Warriors, five Tier 5 Planetary Champions, and one Tier 6 Stellar Commander." Her voice remained unshaken. "Shall I summon my dragon and annihilate them?"

    Rex shook his head with a sigh. "No. We don''t need to blow up the whole district just yet. Let''s keep this quiet."

    He gave a glance at 14th. "You take the Tier 5s. Zynaria, the Tier 6 is yours."

    "And you, my lord?" 14th asked.

    Rex rolled his neck, the cracking sound echoing faintly. "I''ll stretch my wings with the Tier 4s. Let''s be quick and get out before backup arrives."

    Zynaria and 14th both nodded.

    Rex pushed open the warehouse doors and stepped out into the cold artificial light of the blood clan forces. Dozens of glowing eyes and weapons locked onto him.

    The wind stirred dust around his boots.

    He looked up at the soldiers, smiling coldly as his wings extended fully, casting a shadow of divine beauty and violence.

    The Blood Clan forces tensed; energy crackled around their weapons like a brewing storm.

    At the center of their formation stood the Tier 6 Stellar Commander, a towering figure encased in obsidian armor traced with blood-red veins of light, his face hidden behind a polished crimson visor.

    "You''ve made a grave mistake, outsider," the commander growled, his voice metallic and distorted through his helmet''s vox system. "Surrender now, and your death will be swift."

    Rex tilted his head ever so slightly. His smile was slow and sharp, like a blade being unsheathed.

    "I''ve heard that before," he replied coolly. "Spoiler alert... it never ends well for the ones who say it."

    The commander''s gauntlet clenched into a fist, signaling the kill order. "Eliminate him!"

 Chapter 345: Night glow.

    Just as commanded, the Tier 4 warriors of the Blood Clan unleashed a coordinated barrage of fire upon Rex.

    Each one of them was armed with a sleek, high-tech laser rifle that was no ordinary military-grade weapon. These were elite-grade precision beam cannons, crafted in the forges of Nexum Dynamics, capable of firing a singular, concentrated stream of searing energy.

    Unlike conventional pulse rifles that spat out bursts of light, these weapons projected a solid beam so intense it could carve through mobile suit hulls and remain active for over thirty seconds until the rifle''s coolant system overheated and forced a temporary shutdown.

    But even such overwhelming firepower fell short.

    The beams collided with Rex''s wings, which unfolded behind him like a divine storm made flesh, wings forged from living metal, their surface rippling like quicksilver, reinforced by a plasma-threaded honeycomb shield matrix.

    The relentless assault failed to leave even a scratch.

    "So... is that all you''ve got?" Rex said with a smirk, casually brushing a cloud of scorched dust from his shoulder as if swatting away an insect. His voice dripped with mockery.

    "H-how is that even possible!?" one of the Tier 4s cried out in disbelief, his hands trembling on the grip of his rifle.

    "Why are you panicking, fool?!" the squad''s commander, clearly the Tier 6 among them, snapped. "Can''t you see he''s just using a powerful defensive artifact? You two, go! Eliminate him!"

    With a sharp gesture, he ordered two Tier 5 elites forward. Though Rex had shown he could easily overpower a group of Tier 4s, the Tier 5s were a different story, each one a living weapon capable of shattering bunkers and leveling fortifications.

    The commander expected them to tear Rex apart in moments. But fate had other plans.

    As the two Tier 5s lunged forward with a speed that made the air crackle, space itself twisted unnaturally in front of them.

    Two crimson space rifts, like gashes torn in the fabric of reality, blinked into existence without warning. The momentum of their charge left them helpless, unable to stop in time. They vanished into the spatial anomalies without so much as a scream.

    Moments later, another rift tore open high above the ground and from it, the two Tier 5s fell like broken puppets, crashing to the earth with a sickening thud.

    Their bodies were limp and lifeless, their armor sliced open in a dozen places. Standing between them, stepping out of the rift as if from a curtain of smoke, was 14th.

    He held a long spear, the dark alloy of its shaft etched with ancient runes, its blade soaked crimson with fresh blood that sizzled and smoked against the metal. His presence radiated calm precision, like a blade unsheathed only when absolutely necessary.

    "Mmm... not bad," Rex said with an approving nod while clapping his hands slowly. "And here I thought you ran because you were too weak to fight alone. Seems I misjudged you, 14th. Well done."

    The sound of clapping echoed mockingly through the battlefield, grating on the nerves of the Blood Clan''s leader. His crimson aura flared violently in rage.

    "So, the traitor finally crawls out of hiding!" the leader shouted out, his voice thunderous.

    His blood pulsed unnaturally as it surged from his body, coalescing into the shape of a jagged, cruel sword twisting and writhing as if alive. "You will surrender now and prepare to be sold as a lowly, branded slave! You''ll regret betraying your blood!"

    Unbothered by the threat, Rex tilted his head slightly, a grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Well then," he said calmly while reaching out mentally through his neural interface, "are we ready, Mini Cleo?"

    {Yes, boss! All targets locked. Systems charged and primed. Ready when you are!} came the chirpy reply in his mind. The voice was digital but warm, like a small, charming echo of Cleo herself.

    With the confirmation received, Rex''s grin widened. Without another word, he clenched his fist and slammed it into the ground with tremendous force.

    The earth buckled beneath him as a shockwave exploded outward, sending a cyclone of dust, shattered stone, and debris into the air. Vision across the battlefield was instantly obscured.

    "Tch! Do you think a little dust can blind us?" the Blood Clan leader sneered, his voice filled with contempt.

    "You underestimate the Blood Clan, outsider! We do not need eyes to see! Our senses reach across kilometers; we feel every breath, every heartbeat, every drop of blood that dares to move!"

    But that... was exactly what Rex had planned for.

    Because what the Blood Clan didn''t know... what they couldn''t know was that the battlefield had already been rigged.

    In those few precious minutes, while they had focused their attention solely on him, Mini Cleo had deployed an array of trap constructs made from Kaelzar tech.

    The Kaelzar were not considered "living" by conventional definitions, nor were their machines. They didn''t emit the bio-signatures the Blood Clan''s senses could detect.

    And now, cloaked in the dust storm, dozens of chains made of nanomaterial, silent as shadows, began to emerge from their hiding spots, trapping all the Tier 4 warriors of the Blood Clan at the same time.

    "Tsk! Everyone here is so utterly useless! Seems like only an elite like myself is truly worthy of representing the Blood Clan''s might!" the Tier 6 Blood Clan commander spat, his voice thick with disdain as he glared at the smoldering remains of his subordinates.

    Though Rex''s strategy had been effective, surprisingly so, even the commander was no ordinary foe.

    He was a war-hardened juggernaut whose command over spatial manipulation bordered on the divine. With his mastery over stellar energy and dimensional force, he could easily break the bindings of the chains... or at least, he should''ve been able to if he had the time.

    Just as he began to surge stellar energy through his core, gathering it into radiant filaments that danced across his flesh, a shimmering silver space rift blinked into existence beside him like a whisper of death.

    From its depths came a sudden and ferocious barrage of dozens of high-velocity laser beams, crackling with kinetic and photonic energy, lanced out with pinpoint precision.

    They struck him in less than a blink, and in a desperate reflex, he was forced to channel all his gathered stellar energy into a defensive shield.

    The dome of burning crimson light flared violently as the beams slammed against it, lighting the battlefield in a blinding flash.

    "Who dares attack me?! Show yourself, coward!" the Blood Clan commander shouted out, his voice thunderous with indignation as he staggered backward, his shield scorched and flickering at the edges.

    His gamble had paid off barely. While he could enhance his body to a durability that rivaled neutronium alloy, even that wouldn''t be enough against weapons capable of piercing battleship hulls like paper.

    From the fading rift stepped a figure, walking not on solid ground but on the very air itself, each step cracking reality beneath her feet like glass under pressure.

    Flames rippled off her body, hair flowing like a river of fire, wings ablaze with dark-red energy. She looked less like a warrior and more like a cataclysm given form... a being that could level continents with her wrath.

    "Now, now... don''t be so angry," Zynaria said with a smirk, her voice smooth, confident, and just a little mocking.

    "I merely introduced myself the same way you introduced yourself to the young emperor. I hope my manners were acceptable... though I admit, I''m still learning the proper etiquette for dealing with arrogant, self-important warlords."

    "Tch! Rats do love to scurry together!" the Blood Clan leader snarled in fury, and his crimson aura exploded outward in a wild, violent burst, transforming him into a streaking comet of blood and wrath as he hurled himself through the sky toward Zynaria like a living missile.

    Zynaria met him head-on, her flames flaring even brighter. With a cry like a war goddess awakened, she too launched forward, becoming a comet of molten fire, leaving trails of dark-red light in her wake.

    Their clash was apocalyptic.

    Each impact of their battle shattered the space itself. Space buckled and cracked around them with every blow, violent shockwaves of fire and blood-red energy rippling out in all directions.

    Entire chunks of reality tore apart for brief moments then stitched themselves back together just as quickly, like a dying machine struggling to hold itself intact.

    Down below, Rex watched with a furrowed brow and an amused sigh. Even through his shield, waves of searing heat were licking at him, degrading the integrity of the plasma layer bit by bit.

    "Damn... remind me to never piss off Little Red," Rex muttered, squinting up at the aerial inferno. "That''s a whole lot of heat she''s cooking up. I swear, I could roast marshmallows from here..."

    His neural HUD began flashing red indicators.

    [warning: energy shield at 62% integrity.]

    "Right, time to move. 14th!" Rex called over his shoulder.

    "Yes, my lord?" 14th replied immediately, standing at attention with a spear in hand.

    "Keep those Tier 5s entertained for a while; Zynaria''s handling the loudmouth. I''ll take the Tier 4s for a little swim. The last thing I want is to be barbecued by friendly fire."

    "Understood, my lord. Consider it done," 14th said while bowing slightly and giving a traditional martial salute, spear twirling with precision as he moved to intercept the remaining threats.

    Rex turned, his cloak billowing behind him. On his left arm were nearly two dozen glowing chains that were thin yet unbreakable, each one pulsing with runic symbols, tethered to the Blood Clan Tier 4 warriors, all still restrained and writhing futilely against their bindings.

    "Alright, Mini Cleo," Rex said with a grin. "Time to go airborne."

    {Already synchronized, boss! Let''s give em a ride they won''t forget!}

 Chapter 346: Night glow. {2} Zynaria power.

    Rex extended his wings wide, each one shining like polished obsidian, with veins of glowing plasma coursing through them. With a single mighty flap, he took off, chains pulling taut as he dragged the screaming Tier 4s behind him like a cluster of cursed kites.

    He spun mid-air, performing a wide arc over a nearby lake, then with calculated precision, hurled the bound Blood Clan warriors into the water. They hit the surface with a chorus of splashes and panicked cries.

    Rex dove in right after them, twin claymores drawn and glowing with elemental fury.

    After that, it didn''t take long before the once-tranquil waters of the lake turned a deep crimson, tainted by the blood of the fallen.

    The silence was shattered only by the distant roars of battle, yet the lake remained eerily still, its surface a quiet grave for those who died beneath it, unseen and forgotten.

    Meanwhile, on the battlefield, 14th stood amidst the chaos, facing off directly against a squad of Tier 5 Blood Clan elites. Though he himself was a Tier 6, his strength, skill, and resilience were far beyond theirs.

    The sheer number of enemies pressing down on him from every side was a constant, grinding disadvantage. His raw power allowed him to endure, but not dominate.

    He followed Rex''s orders without hesitation, keeping the Tier 5s occupied with relentless aggression. His job wasn''t to win but to buy time, precious seconds that Zynaria desperately needed to conclude her own battle.

    And while she fought valiantly against the Blood Clan''s Tier 6 Commander, it was quickly becoming clear that this clash would not be easily won. The reason for that was simple.

    Zynaria possessed overwhelming explosive firepower, the kind that could melt tanks and crack mountains. However, what she had in fire and force, she lacked in speed.

    Her movements, while calculated and dangerous, were slower than most Tier 6 combatants. Her opponent, on the other hand, was an elite assassin of the Blood Clan, part of a feared sect that trained their entire lives in the art of silent death.

    Every breath they took was honed toward perfect agility, minimal motion, and lethality condensed into the smallest of actions. Their strikes were precise, surgical. A single cut could end a fight.

    But Zynaria was not an easy target. Her fire aura acted as a volatile shield, flaring with such intense heat that the assassin commander couldn''t even get close without risking total incineration. She wasn''t just hard to hit; she was deadly to approach.

    {Tsk! I''ve been fighting this damn woman for what feels like forever... and it''s not like we''re being subtle about it. This whole place should be shaking from the noise... so where the hell is my backup?!}

    The Blood Clan Commander cursed internally, his frustration rising every passing second. What he didn''t realize, however, was that the battlefield he thought was still part of the real world had already been turned into a trap.

    Unbeknownst to him, Zynaria had long since transformed the area into a controlled war zone using carefully concealed barrier generators and spatial distortion devices. This wasn''t crude tech; this was advanced Kaelzar technology, relics of a race long thought extinct.

    The barriers sealed all energy signatures within, preventing any signal, visual, auditory, or otherwise, from leaking out. To any outside observer, this battleground was nothing more than an abandoned warehouse and a quiet, untouched lake. But inside... it was a living inferno, a hidden hell.

    The Blood Clan Commander had no idea who he was truly fighting. How could he? The Kaelzar had supposedly perished a thousand years ago, purged from the galaxy''s memory, their name a whisper of a forgotten nightmare. But Zynaria was one of them. And that changed everything.

    The true terror of the Kaelzar wasn''t just their devastating power or their weapons of mass destruction. It was their capacity to learn and evolve.

    Every moment they fought, their systems analyzed, adapted, and refined. And the longer a Kaelzar fought an enemy, the narrower the gap became until victory was not just likely, but inevitable.

    Zynaria had been battling this assassin long enough.

    "Movement patterns fully deciphered. Combat strategy: updated."

    Her voice echoed with mechanical clarity, fused with a burning, ancient intellect. The flames surrounding her body began to condense, her fire aura shrinking, compressing into a tighter, more refined blaze.

    But with every inch it shrank, its temperature skyrocketed. The air shimmered violently around her, and even space itself seemed to bend beneath the pressure of her power.

    Her body now appeared as if it were forged from living fire, burning brighter, hotter, and more focused. Her axe, once large and intimidating, had grown even more colossal.

    It now towered at three times her height, its blade wreathed in heat that could melt through reinforced alloy like butter.

    The battlefield had changed once again...

    Zynaria''s hair flickered and danced like a sentient flame, each strand blazing with molten light as she fixed her burning gaze on the Blood Clan Commander.

    Across the ruined battlefield, he pulled something from his storage device, a small, jet-black capsule etched with crimson runes. The moment he crushed it between his teeth, the air around him quaked.

    His aura surged with unnatural force, expanding violently in all directions like a tsunami of bloodlust and dark energy. His once-flickering armor now blazed with a fierce crimson glow, its plates pulsing like a living organism feeding off his fury.

    "Hah! You''re not the only one who can ascend to new heights in an instant!" he shouted, his voice laced with madness and pride. "Don''t underestimate the Blood Clan, you flaming whore!"

    The ground beneath him cracked as he stepped forward, his power threatening to tear the space itself apart. His power armor, once merely a tool, now looked like a second skin, empowered, reinforced, and ready to carry him through the gates of hell.

    But Zynaria remained unfazed.

    Her expression didn''t shift. Her stance didn''t waver....

    "Useless struggling," she said. her voice was like the whisper of fire through dry grass, soft but filled with deadly intent. "I have already kept the Young Emperor waiting for too long. I will now execute you. Here. And now."

    She shifted into a battle stance, her massive axe resting on her shoulder like it weighed nothing, despite its enormous size. The weapon gleamed with radiant energy, its edges shimmering with micro-explosions of contained plasma.

    The Blood Clan Commander snarled in reply, his hatred boiling over. "Ha! Bold words for a whore! But is it true what you say? Then it''s about time I kill you and drag that fucking traitor and your little toy back in pieces!"

    He dropped into a crouched stance, coiled and ready to spring. But before he could make his move, Zynaria vanished.

    In a blur of heat and afterimages, she blinked across the battlefield, reappearing beside 14th like a comet landing silently on the ground.

    "14th," she said gently, her voice warmer now, softer. "You did well holding them at bay."

    Her eyes scanned his form, noting the deep gashes, the smoking armor, and the broken plating. His wounds ran deep, blood slowly trailing down his side. It was a miracle he was still standing.

    "You''re injured," she said with a faint frown. Then she reached into her dimensional pouch and pulled out a cylindrical injector filled with glowing silver-blue gel.

    "Here. My sister made this; it''s a medical gel laced with regenerative nanomachines. It''ll keep your internal organs from collapsing... at least until we find proper medical care. If you apply it to external wounds, it should stabilize you and stop the bleeding."

    14th looked at her with a flicker of gratitude, though pain still danced across his features. "I''m grateful you came... but the Blood Clan Commander is still alive. I saw him... he''s just... floating there. Unmoving."

    He lifted his head and pointed toward the sky.

    There, suspended in midair like a statue of war and rage, the Blood Clan Commander stood... his body unmoving, his aura frozen.

    Zynaria shook her head gently, a faint smile curling at the edge of her lips.

    "There''s no need to worry," she said. "I activated my Overdrive system to end him. The gap in power was... unacceptable. The only cost is a brief reaction delay in localized space."

    She turned her eyes skyward, her pupils glowing like twin suns. "After all, the heat output of that strike was comparable to a young supernova..."

    As her words echoed across the field, the world above began to fracture.

    Tiny rips in the sky appeared around the Blood Clan Commander like cracks on glass. One by one, they widened until reality itself tore open with a deafening roar.

    The space surrounding the Blood Commander shattered like a broken mirror, revealing a yawning rift to another realm, one filled with an endless ocean of fire.

    It was not merely fire, though.

    It was fury incarnate, an inferno of such intensity that even the light bent away from it. Lava-like storms churned across the sky within the rift, and ash fell like snow in reverse, pulled upwards instead of down.

    It was the aftermath of Zynaria''s strike.

    A single swing of her superheated axe had cleaved space-time itself, carving through dimensions and leaving only annihilation in its wake.

    And then, before their stunned eyes, the Blood Clan Commander began to fade.

    His once-mighty form, still locked in a last expression of rage and disbelief, crumbled like burned parchment.

    Piece by piece, his body turned to ash, scattering into the wind and drifting toward the firestorm behind him. As the rift slowly closed, sealing the gate to the infernal aftermath, the last traces of him vanished... swallowed by flames beyond comprehension.

    The battlefield went silent....

 Chapter 347: Night glow. {3}

    It didn''t take long before Rex erupted from the bloodstained lake in a single, thunderous leap.

    The crimson water exploded beneath him, cascading in all directions as he emerged from the depths like a titan reborn. Clad in his freshly upgraded power armor, sleek, silver, and glowing faintly with golden-blue accents, he landed with a heavy thud, the earth beneath his boots cracking slightly from the impact.

    His new armor was a masterpiece born of cooperation between Zynaria''s mobile suit expertise and Cleo''s brilliant AI engineering.

    Ten floating swords hovered around him in a circular formation, each inscribed with energy runes and moving in perfect synchronicity. These weren''t just ordinary blades; they were intelligent constructs, remotely piloted by Mini-Cleo, capable of both attack and defense with surgical precision.

    Rex casually deactivated his helmet, letting it dissolve back into his armor with a hiss of compressed steam. He looked around the battlefield, his lips curling into a grin.

    "Oh... looks like I missed the fun," he said with a chuckle while surveying the aftermath of carnage and scorched earth.

    His eyes fell upon Zynaria, still radiating heat like a forge goddess. "Also, damn... you look stunning in that form, Little Red."

    Zynaria turned slightly, her expression unreadable as always; her porcelain-like face gave nothing away, but her flame-wreathed hair flickered a little more brightly at his words.

    "Thank you for the compliment, Young Emperor," she replied, offering a subtle bow, formal yet elegant.

    Rex tilted his head. [Poker face as usual...] he thought. I wonder if she''s actually blushing under all that fire...

    A dry cough from nearby broke the moment.

    "Ahem... by the way," Rex said while pointing with a gauntleted hand toward the scattered figures kneeling on the charred battlefield. "What happened to them?"

    The Blood Clan''s Tier 5 warriors, once proud assassins, deadly and efficient... now looked utterly broken. They were on their knees, many of them shaking, their weapons discarded and their eyes hollow.

    Their clothes and armor were in tatters, drenched with sweat, blood, and the unmistakable scent of burnt ozone. Not one of them seemed willing or able to fight.

    It was almost pitiful to see warriors of their caliber brought so low. These were beings powerful enough to conquer continents, to lead armies, and to assassinate kings. And now... they were little more than shadows.

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "Seriously... what the hell happened to them?"

    14th, ever practical, was already rifling through their gear like a scavenger in paradise, looting weapons, artifacts, and rare tech components without a shred of shame.

    "My lord," 14th said while stuffing a glowing orb into his pouch, "they witnessed the sheer difference in power between themselves and Lady Zynaria. It seems reality finally hit them... and they realized resistance is meaningless. So, they chose to surrender."

    Rex whistled. "Damn... that bad, huh?"

    He squinted at one of the kneeling assassins. "Wait... weren''t they supposed to be, like, elite assassins? Don''t they usually carry hidden poison in case of capture? You know, to die before being tortured or interrogated?"

    14th snorted as he lifted a plasma dagger from a downed assassin. "That might be true for amateurs. But the assassins of our clan, true elites, are bred to be nearly immune to all known poisons. Suicide pills? Won''t work."

    "Our biology evolved past that. The only way to kill a Tier 5 assassin from our clan is total annihilation. Miniature nuclear detonation, high-grade antimatter, maybe a void implosion if you''re feeling fancy..."

    He paused, glancing toward the still-smoking space above them. "...Or what Lady Zynaria did. That one''s definitely not coming back."

    Rex gave a low, impressed whistle. He could still remember how the Blood Clan Commander had disintegrated, turned to dust, and scattered into a sea of fire and space rifts. It wasn''t just overkill... it was absolute erasure.

    "Well then," Rex said while clapping his hands together. "I think we''ve stayed here long enough. No clue how powerful that barrier was, but with an attack like that? I wouldn''t be surprised if we''ve got Tier 7 powerhouses sniffing around already." He turned to Zynaria, whose flame aura had finally started to dim.

    "Little Red, can you do the honors?"

    "Understood, Young Emperor."

    Zynaria raised her hand without a word. Her fingers shimmered with radiant energy, and with a single, graceful motion, she sliced the air open. A spiraling rift in space bloomed into existence, stable, clean, and glowing like a mirror of stars.

    Without hesitation, the group stepped through it. And then, silence returned.

    Seconds later, the barrier devices that Zynaria had embedded around the battlefield began to self-destruct. One by one, they detonated with sharp, crystalline pops, shattering into microscopic particles.

    The illusion was gone. The abandoned warehouse and quiet lake faded, revealing the true battlefield: a scorched wasteland of molten ground and warped gravity.

    With the energy suppression field offline, the built-up power that had been sealed inside burst outward in a massive wave, like the roar of a dragon finally released from its prison.

    It sent shockwaves across the region, igniting alarms in blood clan facilities and resonating across the local dimensional grid. Within seconds, multiple figures arrived.

    Tier 6 elites, clad in crimson power armor and bearing the sigils of the Blood Clan, emerged from teleportation fields. And behind them, floating silently with an aura so dense it twisted space, came a Tier 7 powerhouse, her presence like a black sun in the sky.

    "What happened here?"

    The words cut through the air like a blade of ice. The voice belonged to none other than the old Matriarch of the Blood Clan, a towering, regal figure clad in ceremonial crimson robes that shimmered faintly with dark energy.

    Her presence alone seemed to weigh down the air, making even the Tier 6 elites behind her lower their heads in deference.

    Her gaze swept across the battlefield, pausing on the sight of the Tier 5 assassins, once proud warriors now trembling and kneeling amidst scorched earth and shattered pride. The aftermath of Zynaria''s attack still lingered in the environment like the echo of a storm.

    For a long, suffocating moment, no one dared to speak.

    Finally, one of the assassins gathered what little strength he had left and attempted to rise. His limbs shook violently, and his bloodstained armor creaked under the strain. He only managed to get to one knee before collapsing again, face etched with shame.

    "R-reporting to the Matriarch..." he rasped, voice hoarse, eyes downcast. "It was the traitor... the one who abandoned the clan. H-he returned... and brought monsters with him. Even the Commander... was killed... by one of his helpers!"

    The Matriarch''s eyes narrowed, ancient and cold like twin rubies dulled by centuries. She took a step forward, the hem of her robe whispering across the ruined ground. Her silence was oppressive, suffocating.

    "Helpers?" she repeated slowly, as if tasting the word with disdain. "Are you telling me... someone else has turned against the clan?"

    "N-no, Matriarch!" the assassin stammered. "The ones assisting him were not from our ranks. Please allow me to describe them!"

    He straightened his back with effort, and despite the pain wracking his body, he began to speak. He described Zynaria with reverence and fear... her body of fire, her colossal axe, the way she carved a rift in space itself and reduced the Blood Commander to nothing but glowing ash.

    Then he spoke of the male figure, taller, clad in sleek silver armor with golden-blue veins of power coursing through it. Flying swords circled him like loyal wolves, and his aura carried the confidence of a sovereign.

    As the assassin spoke, a flicker of realization passed across the Matriarch''s face.

    {So... he hasn''t died after all...} she thought to herself, while her eyes hardened. {The child actually survived... and now, he returns with allies that can slaughter our Commanders as if they were vermin.}

    Without a word, she reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out a small, intricately carved obsidian token; it was her personal emblem as one of the ruling Matriarchs of the Blood Clan. The sigil on it pulsed with a dull, blood-red glow, imbued with ancient authority.

    She flicked the token toward one of the Tier 6 elites who had arrived with her. The air seemed to ripple as it flew, landing gently into the warrior''s outstretched hand.

    "You are to use my seal," the Matriarch said coldly. "Mobilize all available assassins. Comb through every shadow, every planet, if you must. Find the traitor... and those he walks with. There is no longer a need to bring them back alive."

    Her eyes burned with a hatred that had festered for decades.

    "Kill them on sight."

    With that final decree, the Matriarch raised her hand. A black rift in space tore open before her, swirling like a wound in reality. Without another glance, she stepped through and vanished, leaving behind only her scent, an unsettling blend of incense, old blood, and cold metal.

    The Tier 6 assassin who now held the token looked down at it for a moment, a slow, dangerous smile spreading across her lips.

    She was the same one who had ambushed Rex''s transport days ago, only to be thwarted and forced to retreat. Her pride had been wounded deeply, but now... she had a second chance, sanctioned by the Matriarch herself. Revenge was not just allowed... it was commanded.

    While chaos unfolded elsewhere with flames tearing the sky as ancient power clashed with sharpened hatred, the twins remained blissfully unaware.

    Safe within the velvet-lined walls of their secluded chamber, they played beneath the soft glow of crystal lights that shimmered like stars. Laughter echoed faintly, light and carefree, untouched by the bloodshed that danced ever closer to their hidden world.

 Chapter 348: Night glow. {4}

    After all... the Matriarch had gone to great lengths to ensure it.

    Though her heart was blackened by centuries of blood and vengeance, even she, being cold and calculative, had not been immune to their charm.

    The moment she had first laid eyes on them, she''d felt something stir in the hollow pit where her humanity used to be. Their hair, pure white like freshly fallen snow beneath moonlight, shimmered with a silken sheen. It was not just beautiful... it was sacred.

    To the Blood Clan, this was no ordinary pigmentation. It was a sign of an irrefutable mark of the Progenitor''s divine bloodline.

    That ancient, nearly forgotten purity had resurfaced in them, untainted and radiant. They were living relics of a time when the Blood Clan still ruled with grace and divinity, before ambition and rot had set in.

    She loved them. Not with the gentle love of a mother, but with the feverish obsession of one who sees a key to redemption... or power.

    And that was why she had ordered Rex''s death.

    After several tense hours had passed, the long-awaited moment finally came on the 24th: the female Blood Clan warrior whom Rex had purchased as a slave stirred from her deep, forced slumber.

    She had just begun to awaken from the effects of the recent blood extraction procedure, a cruel and painful process that would have left even the most hardened soul in a state of torpor.

    But she was no ordinary being. As consciousness returned to her, so did the instincts and pride of a Tier 6 powerhouse. The moment her eyes snapped open, glowing faintly red with fury and confusion, her body tensed with lethal intent.

    With a snarl and a sudden surge of stellar energy that shimmered like crimson lightning around her form, she lunged at Rex, ready to unleash a devastating blow fueled by both vengeance and instinct. At that distance, it would have been a death sentence.

    Fortunately, Zynaria reacted in the nick of time. In a blur of motion, her hand struck out and intercepted the warrior''s strike before it could land. Had she been even a second slower, Rex would have taken a point-blank hit from someone whose power eclipsed entire battalions.

    Even though Rex''s bionic-enhanced body had far surpassed the limits of a typical Tier 4 warrior, even verging on Tier 5 in terms of resilience and regeneration, the raw might of a Tier 6 combatant was something else entirely.

    They were monsters of war, able to channel and manipulate stellar energy with such precision that their mere presence could warp the environment around them. A single direct strike from such an entity was not unlike being hit by a kinetic warhead.

    Defeating one was a near-impossible task for most: it required either the coordinated assault of multiple Tier 5 elites, the relentless attrition of millions of expendable soldiers, the firepower of an advanced space fleet, or the intervention of another Tier 6 or a rare Tier 7 entity to even stand a chance.

    To put it plainly, a clean hit from that Tier 6 warrior at full power would have torn a gaping hole through Rex''s body, regardless of his upgrades.

    Later that night, after the little drama had passed, Rex found himself standing outside the modest, rock-like dwelling that Zynaria had managed to rent from one of the planet''s gruff locals.

    The small structure barely offered protection from the harsh environment of this forsaken world. Bitter winds howled across the barren landscape of the so-called "Death Planet," and the cold bit deep into bone and metal alike.

    Rex let out a long sigh, the breath escaping his lips as a cloud of white mist that quickly dissipated into the icy air.

    He stood there in silence, gazing out at the grim world before him, a place devoid of warmth, devoid of hope. His tall frame was outlined against the pale light of the distant stars, his shadow stretching across the rough terrain.

    {Is something the matter, boss?} a soft, digitized voice came from beside him. Mini Cleo, his loyal companion in her smaller form, looked up at him.

    She was bundled in thick, oversized clothes, too large for her petite frame, making her resemble a doll wrapped in blankets. Her mechanical eyes blinked with concern.

    "Nothing... it''s just..." Rex began speaking, his voice rough and heavy with emotion. "Looking at the two inside that house... watching them talk, even argue... it made me feel something I wasn''t ready for. Jealousy, maybe. Or longing."

    He lowered himself slowly to the ground, exhaling again as he let his body fall back into the cold dust with his arms folded behind his head. His eyes searched the sky... the endless expanse of darkness that stretched across this part of the universe.

    There were no moons here, no satellites casting silver light to break the void. It was unlike any world he had set foot on before. There was only shadow, silence, and the occasional flicker of firelight from the town nearby.

    "I miss them all... so damn much," he continued, his voice now like a whisper. "The twins... I wonder how they''re doing. I wonder if they''ve grown. I still don''t know if I''ll be holding a son or a daughter next... or what kind of life we''ll even be able to give them."

    He paused, taking in the unfamiliar constellations above. The stars here were sharp, almost cruel in their brilliance, casting no warmth... only reminders of distance and isolation.

    From the distance, the rowdy sounds of laughter and clinking glasses echoed through the cold night air. A group of mercenaries were gathered at a crude makeshift bar built from salvaged ship parts and alien stone, drinking, brawling, and pretending that their lives weren''t one bad contract away from being over.

    The rest of the town was eerily still, lit only by the glow of torches and open flames. It felt less like a settlement and more like some cursed medieval outpost, where technology had been swallowed by superstition and war.

    Rex closed his eyes, letting the noise and silence wash over him together.

    "This place..." he muttered. "It''s like a dying ember... and yet, somehow, it feels familiar."

    Mini Cleo sat down next to him, quiet for a while, then reached out and gently took his hand into her small, holographic hands.

    "Young Emperor?"

    The familiar, calm voice of Zynaria drifted into the stillness like a warm wind brushing through an ancient, forgotten forest.

    Rex slowly turned his head, his eyes finding her standing gracefully beside him... her tall, lithe frame outlined by the distant firelight of the mercenary camp behind her. Her crimson eyes, glowing faintly in the darkness, were focused on him with a mixture of curiosity and quiet concern.

    He smirked softly, the corners of his lips tugging upward as a glint of mischief returned to his tired gaze. "Oh, Little Red... you''re a feast for tired eyes. Why don''t you sit with me for a bit? The stars are quiet tonight. Let''s ruin that silence together."

    With a tilt of her head and the faintest of smiles dancing on her lips, Zynaria responded, not with words, but with action. A soft hum resonated in the air as she extended one hand, and in a smooth, elegant motion, a luxurious reclining chair manifested from solidified plasma and crystal constructs.

    It was the kind of seat you''d only ever see in the floating spas of oceanic pleasure-worlds, curved perfectly for comfort, gleaming with polished edges, and humming with temperature-adjusting runes. A seat fit for royalty.

    Zynaria, however, did not lie down like Rex had. She lowered herself with poise, sitting upright as though some ancient law still guided her posture. Even here... on a cold, moonless world forgotten by the galaxy, she carried herself as a daughter of kings.

    Though her people were gone, she had not forgotten who she was... a Kaelzar princess of the old star dynasties, a bloodline forged in suns and tempered by the fall of empires.

    Rex, now lying half-sideways in the dust, eyes still on the scattered stars above, finally spoke again.

    "So," he asked softly, "did she have anything useful to say? And how are things faring in the underground city?"

    Zynaria gave a curt nod, her eyes flicking toward a holographic projection that flickered to life beside her.

    "Affirmative. The interrogation yielded several key pieces of intel, most notably, the precise locations of some of the most powerful patriarchs and matriarchs still active in the Blood Clan''s hierarchy."

    "Additionally, it appears that one of the matriarchs has recently taken two promising young warriors under her wing."

    At those words, Rex''s relaxed expression hardened. His jaw clenched subtly, and a slow-burning fury flickered behind his gaze.

    "That''s probably the bitch who ordered those bastards to shoot us down..." he muttered, venom lacing every word. His hand instinctively curled into a fist, the memory of the ambush still fresh, still raw.

    Zynaria nodded in agreement. "Mmm. I reached the same conclusion. I''ve already deployed a unit of my personal recon drones. They are currently en route to the matriarch''s estate. Please give them a few more hours to complete the mapping."

    With a few elegant gestures, several holo-screens expanded in the air between them, showcasing a 3D schematic of the sprawling Blood Clan mansion.

    Red outlines marked likely defenses, and several points blinked, indicating locations of interest, energy signatures, movement patterns, and structural weaknesses. It was a fortress disguised as a palace.

    Rex''s eyes followed the displays in silence for a moment before he exhaled a long breath and turned toward her again.

 Chapter 349: Night glow. {5}

    "Thanks, Little Red... seriously. You always handle everything like it''s nothing. I mean it." His voice softened as he looked at her.

    Then, after a pause, his voice turned playful again, tinged with genuine curiosity. "Say... why do you always call me ''Young Emperor''? You know it always throws me off."

    Zynaria turned her head slightly toward him, her crimson gaze steady. For a moment, she said nothing. The firelight from the distant bar flickered in her eyes like dying suns, and her voice came soft, barely louder than a whisper carried on the wind.

    "Because you carry my father''s crown."

    Rex blinked while the air between them stilled.

    "That crown... it''s more than a beautifully adorned storage," she continued, her voice calm but threaded with emotion.

    "It was forged during the rise of the Kaelzar Dominion, a relic of honor, of duty. Whoever bears it is considered heir to the throne... even if that throne is long turned to dust. You carry it now, and that makes you our Young Emperor."

    She glanced away for a brief moment, her face composed as ever, but Rex had known her long enough to hear the quiet tremor in her voice.

    "Not that it matters much," she added. "There are only two of us left. A princess... and a young empress."

    The silence that followed wasn''t heavy... it was sacred. Rex sat up slightly, resting his elbows on his knees as he looked at her silhouette against the pitch-black sky.

    "I don''t know if I deserve that title," he admitted. "I''m no emperor."

    "You are," she replied firmly. "You just haven''t realized it yet."

    The stars above them twinkled on in silence, uncaring of bloodlines and forgotten crowns.

    Rex was just about to speak some half-formed thought that was lingering on his tongue when a sudden shift in the atmosphere pulled his attention elsewhere.

    From their quiet, secluded home on the edge of the settlement, something had changed in the distant village. The sounds of revelry and drunken cheer had vanished, replaced with chaos and alarm.

    From afar, figures could be seen darting in all directions, mercenaries scrambling, shouting orders, some rushing toward their vehicles, and others hastily loading weapons, armor, and supplies.

    "What the hell...?" Rex narrowed his eyes, watching the sudden pandemonium unfold.

    "What is happening in the village..." he muttered, then rose swiftly to his feet. Without wasting another breath, he turned to Zynaria. "Come, Little Red. Let''s go check it out, but keep airborne and cloaked. No need to expose ourselves yet."

    Zynaria nodded in silent agreement, and with a synchronized movement, both of them unfurled their wings. Hers, elegant and refined, glistened with a sheen of crimson light.

    His, heavier, edged with battle-worn alloy and humming with quiet energy. With a gust of force, they took off into the cold night sky, their bodies shimmering into invisibility as their cloaking fields activated mid-flight.

    As they soared above the village, the full scope of the chaos below came into view.

    Mercenaries were fortifying defensive positions, dragging out heavy plasma turrets, shielding generators, and every last scrap of makeshift armor.

    Others shouted out frenzied commands into comms, while some, clearly not keen on dying for a random dust-covered town, had already abandoned their posts and fled in speeders and dropships, disappearing into the night.

    The villagers were no less panicked; their doors were already slammed shut, windows were barred with anything from planks to metal sheets, and primitive security fields began flickering to life across rooftops.

    This wasn''t just some brawl about to break out... it was a siege.

    "Young Emperor," Zynaria said suddenly, her voice sharp and precise. "Something is approaching. Their numbers are rising rapidly... one thousand... two thousand... five thousand. They''re almost upon us. Visuals incoming."

    With a flick of her fingers, a holographic screen materialized before them. they were connected directly to the enhanced sensors in her eyes, showing Rex exactly what she saw in real time.

    As the screen zoomed in, Rex could see the approaching storm.

    A horde of monstrous creatures surged across the barren land like a crimson tide. Dozens became hundreds, then thousands. Their bodies glowed faintly, pulsing with the same dark red energy that painted the skies of cursed battlefields.

    No two were alike... some crawled, others bounded on muscular limbs. Some were built like siege engines, lumbering with the weight of a small tank, while others slithered like serpents made of bone and blade.

    But they all shared a common trait: heavy metal collars around their necks, each etched with glowing crimson runes pulsing in sync, like a grotesque heartbeat. The symbols radiated domination, rage, and control.

    "What are those things?" Rex asked while narrowing his eyes as he pinched and zoomed the holo screen.

    Zynaria''s voice was measured, but there was a hint of grim acknowledgment beneath it. "Warbeasts. Bio-engineered horrors designed solely for one purpose... destruction. They''re used by warlords and ancient factions to soften planetary resistance."

    "These ones, though... they weren''t just released randomly. They''ve been unleashed strategically and recently. That makes them different."

    She paused, her crimson eyes flickering with lines of alien text, thousands of characters and calculations running across her pupils like cascading data streams. "Probability of them being sent to find us is... high. Very high."

    Rex growled under his breath, his gaze drifting downward. The mercenaries were falling apart. Less than half remained within the village''s perimeter, desperately attempting to prepare defenses that, by the look of it, wouldn''t last ten minutes.

    The rest? Gone. Cowards or survivors... he couldn''t decide which yet.

    "Of course they''re here for us..." Rex muttered, his voice low and edged with steel. "Somebody doesn''t want us alive anymore."

    He clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking as energy began to course faintly through his veins. His bionic systems responded to his rising adrenaline, syncing with his combat protocols.

    Already, his HUD was calculating possible battle plans, damage forecasts, and terrain usage.

    "What''s the plan, Young Emperor?" Zynaria asked, her tone now professional. Rex''s eyes hardened as he looked over the trembling village below.

    "We can''t let those things massacre the people down there, not while we can still do something about it. Besides... if they''re looking for us, we might as well greet them first."

    "Say..." Rex''s voice was low as he looked toward the horde of monstrosities crawling toward the village like a plague, his right hand already shaping his powered claymore from the nanite-infused alloy stored in his bloodstream.

    The massive blade took form in an instant, its jagged edge humming with kinetic energy and a faint, dangerous glow. "If we move away from the village... would they follow us and leave the civilians alone?"

    Zynaria, still floating effortlessly beside him with her wings spread like the silent herald of a forgotten god, answered.

    "Negative," she replied, her tone colder than the night winds that swept the barren death planet.

    "Warbeasts are not deployed with discretion. Their programming is simple: annihilate everything. Life, structure, infrastructure... it doesn''t matter."

    "If it moves, they kill it. If it stands, they tear it down. Even if it delays them, they will raze this settlement to the ground."

    She turned her crimson eyes toward Rex, her expression unreadable, though something flickered in her gaze, perhaps curiosity, perhaps pity.

    "It would be an efficient tactic to fall back. Let the beasts expend their initial rage on the village. We could reposition and vanish through a space rift. No risk, minimal loss. Tactically sound."

    Rex looked at her then. Not with anger. Not with disappointment. But with something harder to define. His gaze carried weight, pain, and defiance.

    "I know you''re right," he said quietly, almost to himself. "Hell, in another life, maybe I would''ve agreed. Maybe I would''ve just walked away, watched from afar while the flames rose."

    He let out a dry, bitter chuckle as he stared down at the village below. The panic was palpable now. The shield erected by the mercenaries shimmered with unstable energy, already showing spiderweb cracks from the sheer force of the monstrous siege.

    The villagers... men, women, and children huddled in their homes, praying to whatever gods still bothered listening on this forsaken rock.

    "But I''m not that man anymore," Rex continued. "I didn''t come all this way just to bring my family back and become the kind of monster I used to fight. I''ve killed more than I can count. I''ve torn lives apart with my own hands. So yeah... maybe I''m a hypocrite."

    He inhaled deeply, the cold air turning to steam against the heat rising from his body as his systems prepared for war.

    "But I''m still not ready to kill innocents and sleep like it didn''t happen. I''m not there. Not yet."

    Zynaria was silent for a moment, studying him. And then, as if silently acknowledging his resolve, she gave a small nod.

    "The shield won''t last long," she said calmly. "They''ve surrounded the perimeter. The large beasts, those with reinforced tusks and carapace plating... they''re focusing their attacks on a single point in the barrier. If they continue, it will collapse in less than two minutes."

    "Then we''ll buy time," Rex said while gripping his claymore tightly as a surge of heat pulsed from his core and spread across his limbs. "We hold the line until the civilians can escape. We break open a corridor if we have to."

    He turned toward Zynaria, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Can you keep me from getting torn apart in the first sixty seconds?"

    "I can do better," she replied, her voice softer than before, almost fond. "I can make you look like a god of war."

    Rex chuckled darkly. "Then let''s go give them hell, Little Red."

    And with that, the two of them dove toward the village below... into the mouth of chaos, where nightmares clawed at the walls and hope was flickering like a dying ember.

 Chapter 350: Night glow. {6} Merc leader POV

    [40 Minutes before the tragedy]

    The night clung to the desert outpost like a second skin... thick, suffocating, and unrelenting. The air was a furnace''s breath, heavy with the scent of sweat, cheap alcohol, and the ever-present tang of gun oil.

    It was a night like any other in this gods-forsaken stretch of sand, where the only reprieve from the sun''s tyranny was the brief, beer-soaked respite of darkness.

    The mercenaries had claimed their usual spot outside the ramshackle tavern, a crumbling adobe structure that had long since surrendered to the elements.

    Inside, the laughter of locals and the occasional off-key strum of a guitar spilled into the streets, but out here, it was just the men, the Captain, his crew, and the weight of the choices that had led them to this moment.

    {Another night, another round of lukewarm piss they call beer....} The Captain smirked to himself, tilting his head back to drain the last of his drink. The liquid did little to quench the heat, but it numbed the edges just enough.

    He wasn''t a man built for garrison duty. No, he thrived in the chaos of firefights, in the split-second dances with death where a single misstep meant a bullet between the eyes.

    That was where he felt alive, where the world made sense. But time had a way of sanding down even the sharpest edges. His wife''s voice echoed in his mind, the way it had trembled with joy and exhaustion when she''d told him the news.... He was a father now.

    The thought should have filled him with warmth. Instead, it settled like a stone in his gut.

    What kind of man brings a child into this world when his own hands are stained red?

    He exhaled sharply, rubbing the back of his neck. This mission was a blessing, in its own way. Easy coin, minimal risk. No ambushes, no midnight raids, just babysitting some corporate fat cats who thought the desert needed another pipeline.

    It was the kind of job that let a man pretend, if only for a little while, that he wasn''t just another blade for hire.

    But the dreams... those never faded.

    Mercenary King....

    The title tasted bitter on his tongue. The last one had died screaming, they said... gutted like a pig in some back-alley. A fitting end for their kind. The Captain had known better than to chase that fantasy, even in his youth. And now? Now it was a ghost he couldn''t afford to mourn.

    A drunken cackle shattered his thoughts.

    "Hey! Captain! What are you doing, sulking out here all alone? Had enough of staring at our ugly mugs? I mean, I get it... my face ain''t winning any beauty contests, but Rick''s got that brooding pretty-boy thing going on. Bet you''d rather look at him, eh?"

    {Aron.... Of course it was Aron...}

    The man stumbled into view, his grin lopsided and his breath reeking of whatever swill passed for liquor in this hellhole. He was already three sheets to the wind, his cheeks flushed beneath the grime and stubble.

    {This little shit...}

    The Captain''s lips twitched despite himself. In one swift motion, he snagged Aron by the scruff of his neck, ruffling his hair like he''d done when the kid was still a scrawny brat stealing bread to survive.

    "Since when do I want to stare at any of your sorry asses? You''ve been drinking so much you''ve forgotten who signs your paychecks?"

    Aron just wheezed a laugh, swatting half-heartedly at the Captain''s grip. "C''mon, old man, you''d miss me if I was gone!"

    Damn right he would.

    Aron and Rick were both orphans, both too young to know better when they''d signed their lives away to the merc trade. The Captain hadn''t asked for them. Hadn''t wanted the responsibility. But the world had a way of dumping strays in his lap, and somehow, against all odds, they''d survived. Thrived, even.

    Now they were men. Skilled enough to lead their own crews if they wanted. But they stayed. Loyalty was a rare currency in their line of work.

    The Captain released Aron with a grunt, wiping his hand on his pants. "Where''s Rick? Still sulking in the APC?"

    Aron shrugged, taking another swig. "You know how he gets. Moody bastard nearly put a round in some drunk last week just for breathing too loud in his direction. Better to let him brood it out."

    The Captain sighed. Rick had always been the quieter of the two, the one who carried his scars where they didn''t show.

    For a moment, the night was still. Just the hum of distant conversation, the clink of bottles, and the whisper of the wind over the dunes.

    The two men drank in companionable silence, the foul aftertaste of the local brew clinging to their tongues like cheap medicine.

    It was swill... barely fit for human consumption but in a backwater desert outpost where the only alternative was fermented cactus juice, it might as well have been ambrosia.

    "Should''ve smuggled in a crate of proper lager," Aron muttered while wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.

    The Captain snorted. "And pay a fortune in interplanetary tariffs? Dream on."

    They both knew the truth: mercs like them weren''t drinking for the flavor. They drank to forget the heat, the sand in their boots, and the ghosts that followed them from one war zone to the next.

    But tonight, the universe had other plans.

    [ALERT: MASSIVE MOVEMENT DETECTED ¨C SOUTHERN SECTOR]

    The warning blared across the Captain''s neural HUD, a cold, mechanical voice slicing through the haze of alcohol and fatigue. His spine straightened instantly, decades of instinct overriding the sluggishness of age.

    Perimeter sensors tripped. Something big. Something fast.

    He was old, yes. But age had honed him, sharpened his senses like a blade worn down to its deadliest edge. He''d learned long ago that survival wasn''t about strength; it was about preparation.

    And so, every camp, every outpost, every piss-stained tavern they holed up in? He''d wired it with motion trackers, seismic readers, and thermal drones. A paranoid habit, some said.

    But tonight, it would save their lives.

    "EVERYONE UP!" His voice was a whip crack, slicing through the night. "Movement south, unknown numbers, unknown hostiles. But the scanners picked up warbeasts. We''re not waiting to find out if they''re friendly."

    The tavern''s patrons, mercs, locals, and the usual dregs of the frontier froze for half a second before chaos erupted. The Captain didn''t blame them. In their line of work, hesitation was a death sentence.

    "Aron!" He shouted out while tossing his empty bottle aside. "Sober up and get to the rooftops. Take the Hawks with you! I want eyes on everything that moves."

    Aron didn''t argue. In one fluid motion, he palmed the detox pill from his belt and dry-swallowed it. The drug hit his bloodstream instantly, purging the alcohol like a fire burning through dry kindling. Within two minutes, his pupils sharpened, and his stance steadied.

    {Good. Drunk men died fast...}

    Around them, the village became a storm of motion. Mercs under contract moved with practiced efficiency, barricades snapped into place, barrier generators hummed to life, and the whine of charging energy weapons filled the air. The rest? Some stayed out of obligation, others out of misplaced bravery.

    And then there were the cowards.

    The Captain watched, jaw tight, as a handful of hired guns melted into the shadows, their boots kicking up dust as they fled. No loyalty, no honor. Just rats abandoning a sinking ship.

    Let them run. He''d remember their faces.

    "Status?" he growled into his comm.

    "Fifty effectives, Captain."

    "Barriers at 80%. Ammo stocked. But..."

    "But?"

    That single word hung in the air like a guillotine''s blade. Fifty men against whatever nightmare was barreling toward them. His sensors had flagged the incoming force as massive and in his experience, that meant over two hundred.

    Then the first scream tore through the night.

    "CONTACT! SOUTHERN GATE! OH SWEET FUCK¡ª"

    The transmission cut into static. The Captain didn''t need the report. His augmented optics flickered to life, zooming in on the horizon and what he saw turned his blood to ice.

    Warbeasts. Not just one. Not just a pack.... A tidal wave of them.

    Six-meter lizards armored in bio-plated scales. Hyena-like monstrosities with too many eyes and jaws that unhinged like snakes. Things that slithered, things that crawled, things that moved in ways flesh shouldn''t.

    And they weren''t just approaching. They were surrounding the village.

    The Captain''s finger hovered over his rifle''s.

    "Open fire!!!" His voice roared above the chaos, raw with command, though the tremor of fear clawed at his throat.

    The sight before them was monstrous and unnatural, but years of hardened mercenary work had carved instinct deeper than terror. His men weren''t greenhorns either; they''d danced with death before. At his order, their discipline snapped into place like rifle bolts locking home.

    A storm of searing lasers and copper-jacketed bullets erupted from their fortified barrier, cutting through the smoke-choked air. The lasers hissed like vengeful spirits, their scorching beams biting deep into the warbeast''s hide.

    The copper slugs, however, sparked and ricocheted wildly off the medium warbeast''s armored plates, leaving only smears of molten metal in their wake. Still, they chewed through the smaller ones, limbs tore, blackened flesh split, yet the creatures didn''t slow.

    But if firepower alone could kill these things, warbeasts would''ve been scrap metal decades ago.

    The medium warbeast with their hides pocked with smoking craters didn''t flinch. No pain. No fear. Just relentless, grinding purpose.

    They slammed into the barrier again and again; the reinforced barrier groaned like a dying animal. Spiderweb cracks raced across the transparent alloy, each impact shuddering through the mercs'' boots.

    The captain''s jaw clenched. He knew that sound... He had heard it before, in the last seconds of overrun outposts.

 Chapter 351: Night glow. {7} losing it all.

    Then, like the toll of a funeral bell, it came... the high, crystalline shriek of shattering mirrors. The barrier exploded inward in a glittering hail, and the warbeast''s snarling maw filled his vision.

    "Push them back while we retreat to the second defensive line! Prepare the explosives NOW!"

    The mercenary captain''s voice roared over the cacophony of battle, his laser sword humming as it cleaved through the air, splitting the skull of a smaller warbeast in two with a searing hiss.

    The creature''s bisected head fell to the ground, its lifeless eyes still twitching with residual instinct. But his momentary triumph was met with brutal retribution.

    Before he could react, the warbeast''s clawed limb, a grotesque, sinewy appendage lined with serrated talons, lashed out in a death spasm.

    The captain''s arm, unprotected by even basic armor since it was a luxury far beyond the budget of low-tier mercs like them, offered no resistance. The flesh parted like wet parchment, his limb severed cleanly at the elbow. Blood sprayed in a crimson arc, painting the dirt beneath his boots.

    "Old man!"

    Aron''s scream tore through the chaos as he charged forward, his rifle discarded in his desperation to reach the wounded captain. But in his haste, he left his back exposed... and that turned out to be a fatal mistake.

    One of the warbeasts, its whip-like tail glistening with fresh blood, struck like a scorpion''s sting.

    The barbed tip punched through Aron''s chest with a sickening crunch, erupting from his sternum in a shower of gore. His body stiffened, eyes wide with shock, before collapsing into the mud like a broken marionette.

    "N-NOOO!"

    The captain''s grief erupted into blind fury.... he emptied his magazine into the warbeast''s hide, but the copper-jacketed rounds merely sparked against its thick, scaly skin.

    This was no ordinary beast; it was Tier 2, a predator that laughed at small-arms fire. The creature turned its grotesque, almost-humanoid face toward him, its maw splitting into a jagged grin of needle-like teeth. It delighted in his despair.

    But suddenly a thunderous barrage of high-caliber rounds rained down from above, shredding the warbeast''s flesh and severing its tail mid-lash. The beast howled, more annoyed than pained, before retreating into the writhing tide of its kin.

    "Old man! What the hell are you doing?! Aron''s gone! MOVE!"

    Rick''s voice was a lifeline. Perched atop their armored transport, he manned the mounted heavy machine gun, its barrel still smoking from the burst that had driven the beast back.

    The captain''s gaze flickered between Rick and Aron''s corpse... his glassy eyes, the gaping ruin of his chest....

    "Y-yes... You''re right, Rick. Let''s get out of¡ª"

    But before he could finish speaking, a searing lance of energy brighter than the sun erased the transport in an instant.

    The shockwave rippled outward, flattening half the village in a firestorm of molten metal and shattered stone. When the captain''s vision cleared, there was no sign of Rick... only smoldering wreckage.

    "R-Rick...?"

    His knees hit the ground. The world narrowed to the charred remains of the vehicle, the stench of burning fuel and flesh clogging his throat. Then, a shadow fell over him.

    Looming above the devastation stood a monster, a seven-meter-tall abomination, its armored hide bristling with organic weaponry. The air around its maw shimmered with residual heat, the telltale sign of another charged laser blast.

    "...FUCKING BEASTS!"

    The captain staggered upright with his teeth clenched while he drew his sidearm. One-handed, he fired... each round pinging harmlessly off the warbeast''s hide.

    It was less than a mosquito bite to the beast, but enough to draw its attention. The creature''s maw yawned open, energy coalescing into a killing light.

    {Ha... What the hell am I doing? A merc''s first rule is survival... not playing hero. But... they killed my boys. My family... Fine. Kiddos... Save me a drink in hell.}

    He closed his eyes and in the next instant the world turned white.

    {Mmm? This is taking too long... Hasn''t the beast eaten its breakfast today or what?}

    The old captain cracked open a single eye, half-expecting to see nothing but the blinding embrace of death. Instead, his vision was filled with a searing, crackling beam of energy that was frozen mid-air, mere inches from his face.

    Since a barrier was just inches away from his face... Not just any barrier, but a shimmering, honeycomb-like dome of pure white energy, its hexagonal segments pulsing with an otherworldly glow.

    The warbeast''s laser strained against it, distorting the air like heat haze, yet failing to pierce through. "W-what the hell is happening...?" the captain asked with his voice hoarse from smoke and exhaustion.

    His gaze darted around. The barrier encased what little remained of the village, its translucent walls humming with latent power. Inside, the surviving mercs still fought... desperate, bloodied, but now with renewed hope as the tide turned in their favor.

    Then he saw them... flying Swords....

    Dozens... no, hundreds of gleaming blades, hovering mid-air like a storm of silver. They moved with lethal precision, carving through the warbeast''s flesh as if it were parchment.

    Limbs were severed, torsos split, and monstrous heads rolled across the ground before their owners even realized they were dead.

    And then... light.... a brilliance so pure it hurt to look at.

    The captain''s eyes lifted, squinting against the radiance... and there, hovering above the battlefield like a vengeful seraph, was a winged figure.

    Clad in armor so pristine it seemed forged from moonlight itself, the being''s massive wings, feathered in blinding white, spread wide, casting an ethereal glow over the carnage below.

    Golden filigree traced the edges of his pauldrons and greaves, pulsing with an inner fire. If this wasn''t divine intervention, then nothing in this damned world was sacred.

    As the last warbeast inside the barrier collapsed into a twitching heap, the floating swords returned, orbiting the celestial warrior like a halo of steel.

    {Reporting! All hostiles within the barrier have been eliminated, Boss!}

    The voice was high-pitched, almost playful... yet it came from a tiny, armored figure perched atop one of the swords. A miniature knight, no taller than a bird, her visor tipped up to reveal a grinning face.

    The winged warrior merely nodded.

    "Mmm. Good work." His voice was calm, yet it carried the weight of a man who had long since grown accustomed to war. "Now then... I suppose it''s time for a proper cleanup. Mini Cleo, prepare the materials for the Emperor''s Sword."

    His gaze swept over the endless sea of warbeasts beyond the barrier. Thousands. Tens of thousands. A tide of fangs and claws, their roars shaking the earth.

    But before he could act....

    "There''s no need for that, Young Emperor."

    A new figure emerged from the rift in space beside him, her fire-red hair cascading over shoulders clad in battle armor. Her voice was serene, yet beneath it thrummed the quiet confidence of a warrior who had danced with gods.

    "After our battle with the Blood Clan''s Tier 6, I took the liberty of crafting it... and storing it within the spatial rift for moments such as this."

    A smirk tugged at the corner of Rex''s mouth.

    "Well then," he said while folding his arms as the air around them began to tremble with gathering power. "Let''s do that."

    The winged warrior raised his colossal sword, its blade humming with restrained power. With a single, deliberate motion, he pointed it toward the writhing tide of warbeasts like a silent command.

    Then, the sky split open.

    A deafening roar echoed from the heavens as a monstrous silhouette descended, wreathed in crimson energy. Its massive form blotted out the sun, its scales glowing like molten lava.

    two wings, each lined with jagged spines, spread wide as it hovered midair, radiating primal dominance.

    "BE CAREFUL! LOOK TO THE SKY!" The old captain''s voice was raw with panic. He stumbled back, certain the winged savior hadn''t noticed the new threat.

    But then...he felt it.... a gaze.

    Even through the helmet''s impassive visor, the captain knew the warrior was looking at him, not in alarm, but with eerie calm. As if to say: "Watch."

    The crimson beast halted its descent, suspended effortlessly. Its maw yawned open, revealing rows of serrated fangs and then it roared.

    The shockwave of the roar shattered the ground. Dust and debris erupted like geysers as the very earth trembled.

    And then hell rained down....

    Thousands of searing lasers erupted from the beast''s body, lancing through the warbeast tide like divine wrath. Flesh vaporized. Bones turned to ash. The stench of charred meat filled the air as the beams carved through the horde with surgical precision.

    But the horror wasn''t over.

    The beast''s maw glowed white-hot with a plasma beam, thicker than an ancient tree, erupting forth. It swept across the battlefield, annihilating the largest warbeasts in an instant.

    The Tier 2 monstrosities, once unstoppable, were reduced to screaming silhouettes before dissolving into nothingness.

    The assault lasted only minutes.

    When the light faded, less than a hundred warbeasts remained... crippled, limbless, their bodies smoldering. The survivors writhed, their agonized screeches a grim chorus.

    "Young Emperor," Zynaria murmured while bowing slightly. "The warbeasts have been eliminated. The remnants will perish within minutes."

    "Well done, Little Red." His voice was affectionate.

    Then, his helmet tilted upward, scanning the empty sky.

    "Now... I wonder if our friends will bother showing themselves... or if they''d rather hide like rats."

    His words were sharp and deliberate. Every survivor froze, their eyes darting skyward. And the heavens answered.

    A sound like shattering glass filled the air as six rifts tore open across the horizon. From each stepped a figure clad in blood-red armor, their auras suffocating those weaker than them.

    "T-THE FUCKING BLOOD CLAN! WAS IT THEM WHO DID THIS?!" a mercenary screamed, his voice cracking with rage and terror.

 Chapter 352: Night glow. {8}

    At the forefront stood the Tier 6 woman, the same one who had been given the token by the old matriarch. Her lips curled into a smirk as she twirled a dagger between her fingers.

    "Hahaha! No wonder you slipped away so easily," she said with a low voice. "If you''re this strong, crushing that arrogant fool who thought himself my better would''ve been child''s play for you."

    Rex crossed his arms. "I''ve got to say, you people are worse than stalkers. How''d you find us this fast?"

    She flicked her wrist, dismissing the question. "Oh, don''t flatter yourself. We didn''t stalk you. We just... unleashed our pets across the world to sniff you out." Her grin widened. "And thanks to that little spectacle you just made? Well. Here we are."

    "Honestly, if you''d just run away and ignored that trash down there, we might''ve never found you. But oh well, heroism has its costs, doesn''t it?"

    The woman let out a cruel, mocking chuckle as she glanced toward Rex and his group. Her lips curled into a sly smile, and her voice was filled with scorn.

    "Well then," she said, casually inspecting her long, blood-red nails. "You all know the orders. Go and kill every last one of them. Don''t disappoint the Matriarch again, or there will be consequences."

    As soon as she spoke those chilling words, two swirling crimson space rifts opened beside her. From each one stepped a figure of a deadly assassin from the Blood Clan, both Tier 6 Elites. Their presence alone sent waves of pressure into the air, as if death itself had arrived.

    Rex raised an eyebrow and let out a dramatic sigh, his tone playful despite the danger. He waved his hand dismissively.

    "Wait, hold on a second," he said dramatically. "Isn''t this a little unfair? I mean, look at me... I''m just a weak little Tier 4 guy. Are you really sending all that firepower just to take me out?"

    He shook his head in exaggerated disappointment, but then his expression shifted. A grin formed on his face, calm and confident.

    "...And that''s what I would''ve said before," he continued, his eyes gleaming. "But things have changed. Right now, I''d say we''re equals... or maybe, just maybe, we''re even stronger than you."

    As if summoned by those words, two figures emerged from a nearby space rift. It was 14th and 24th, both now equipped with sleek, powerful armor gifted to them by Zynaria just before her meeting with Rex. The armor pulsed with energy, radiating strength and advanced technology.

    Now the battlefield was set.

    On the Blood Clan''s side stood three fearsome Tier 6 powerhouses, accompanied by a group of Tier 3 and Tier 4 warriors. On Rex''s side, however, there were four Tier 6 powerhouses, including the massive dragon mobile suit.

    That machine alone could, if needed, crush multiple Tier 6 enemies with its overwhelming force.

    The tension in the air was so heavy it felt like gravity itself had increased. This was no ordinary skirmish; this was a battle between near-immortal beings, warriors whose power could shake the very fabric of space.

    For several long moments, no one made a move. Their eyes locked across the battlefield, and though their bodies were still, their stellar energies clashed like invisible titans.

    The pressure alone caused small cracks in space to appear around them, rippling with unstable energy.

    Meanwhile, far away from the battlefield, in a different part of the galaxy, Cleo was walking calmly through a newly constructed spaceport.

    It had only been finished a few months ago and stood proudly on the oceanic planet. The structure was enormous, so large that several destroyer-class ships were being built all at once across its vast platforms.

    Cleo walked gracefully down one of the wide roads that overlooked the sparkling ocean waters. The view was breathtaking, but she paid it no mind.

    Behind her followed a group of Tyrant-class imperial guards, their armor gleaming under the sun. Beside her floated two maid-bots, each carrying various tools and supplies meant for maintaining her bionic body.

    Everything was calm and quiet until her communication device buzzed.

    Without stopping, Cleo summoned a glowing holo screen in front of her and answered the call.

    [Lady Cleo]

    Came the respectful and mechanized voice from the other side.

    [The mission you assigned to this humble one has been completed. We have successfully infiltrated the next target world, which lies on the borders of Nexum Dynamics. I am sending you the data you requested now.]

    The report came from one of her elite phantom units that were silent, deadly, and always efficient.

    "Mmm, good work," Cleo replied with a calm nod. As soon as she ended the call, she opened the file that the phantom unit had just sent. A glowing data screen appeared in front of her, filled with charts, reports, and surveillance images.

    She scanned the contents quickly, her sharp eyes focusing on the details. According to the report, the planet''s space defense was laughable, barely worth mentioning.

    There was only a single destroyer-class ship orbiting it, backed by a few small frigates and a handful of fighter squadrons. In terms of space power, the planet was practically defenseless.

    However, things looked very different on the surface.

    On the planet itself, the story changed completely. The defenders numbered nearly four million troops, ranging from Tier 1 to Tier 3 warriors.

    In addition to that, there were several hundred thousand mechanized units and heavily armored squads stationed throughout the planet. Clearly, the enemy had focused more on ground defense than space superiority.

    Without delay, Cleo opened a private line and contacted two important figures: Lilla and Ys. A holo screen shimmered into view, showing their faces as they appeared from their separate ships.

    "Greetings, you two," Cleo said in her usual composed and elegant tone. "I now have all the information we needed. Our next target will be the planet at these coordinates." She transmitted the location. "We will begin our attack in exactly one week."

    Even as she spoke, Cleo was silently multitasking, her mind working faster than most humans could comprehend. Inside her neural interface, she sent encrypted commands to her command network, ordering her legions to begin preparations.

    Warships were being readied, fuel stocks filled, weapons checked, and troops placed on standby, all without a word needing to be spoken.

    Lilla raised an eyebrow at Cleo''s announcement. She looked thoughtful, her fingers gently tapping against her chin as she sat in her command chair, surrounded by glowing data feeds.

    "Mmm? One week?" Lilla asked, her voice curious. "While it''s true that we humans need food to survive, our glorious Holy Human Empire has more than enough supply fleets to feed us during a campaign. A long and steady siege would actually be in our favor. Why rush it?"

    Cleo didn''t seem bothered by the question. She answered smoothly, still calm and confident.

    "The reason is simple," she said while sharing more files through the holo network. "Yes, border worlds are usually the least defended within any empire. But this case is different."

    "They''ve already lost contact with one of their nearby planets. If they''re even slightly competent, they''ll know something is wrong. They''ll start looking into it soon, likely sending an investigation fleet."

    She gave them both a small nod. "Based on our intelligence, I estimate it will take them about two weeks to gather, dispatch, and reach this sector. That gives us a window of exactly one week to act before the reinforcements arrive."

    A pause followed her words as Lilla considered the strategy.

    Then Ys, lying comfortably on her bed aboard her ship, casually stretched her arms and smiled lazily. Her voice was soft but sharp.

    "Ahh... I see," Ys said with a little smirk. "So if we have only one week, does that mean... you''re planning to use both planets to trap the incoming fleet? A pincer move, right? If they attack one of the worlds, the other can ambush them from behind."

    "No matter which direction they choose, they''ll be surrounded."

    Cleo''s lips curled into a faint, approving smile. "Exactly."

    "Well then," Cleo said with a calm smile. "I''ll see you both in a few days. I''ve already sent the coordinates for our fleet''s rendezvous point. Make sure everything is ready by then."

    Without waiting for a reply, she ended the call. Her focus had already shifted to the destination in front of her. She had arrived.

    As she stepped forward, a pair of gigantic metallic doors slowly opened before her with a deep mechanical hum. The doors were thick and reinforced, carved with glowing symbols and the insignia of her empire.

    The chamber beyond them was massive, filled with dim blue light and the faint sound of machinery at work.

    As Cleo entered the grand hall, the air shimmered near the center. An artificial intelligence projected as a young woman dressed in sleek digital armor materialized from thin air and immediately dropped to one knee in a gesture of respect.

    [Greetings to the future Empress of the Kaelzars,] the AI said, her voice soft and full of reverence.

    Cleo nodded slightly, walking past her toward the massive structure at the heart of the chamber. It was a towering ship... no, more than that. It was a titan of war, a ship large enough to be mistaken for a floating fortress.

    Its hull gleamed like obsidian, laced with circuits and embedded energy veins. This was Cleo''s special project, one that could shift the balance of the stars.

    "Mmm, good work," Cleo said, her eyes calmly scanning the colossal warship. "What''s the current status of the project?"

    The AI stood and answered quickly, her tone being serious.

    [Answering to the Creator: the hull is complete and all defensive shields are functioning properly....]

    [However, the weapon systems are still offline. I had to disable them. My processing capacity is not enough to control everything at once. Leaving them active might cause accidental discharge or damage.]

    Cleo turned to look at the AI with a thoughtful expression.

 Chapter 353: Fortress.

    Cleo turned to look at the young AI with a thoughtful expression. The young digital entity was loyal and efficient, but Cleo could see the strain in her coding.

    She raised her hand, and with a flick of her fingers, the AI''s core began to rise slowly into view, hovering above her palm. It flickered with unstable light, glowing but clearly underpowered.

    "Mmm... I see the problem," Cleo said softly. "Your current core is too small for your frame and purpose. You''ve outgrown it."

    The AI looked down, almost ashamed.

    "But don''t worry," Cleo continued, her voice as calm as ever. "I''ll build a stronger one for you. Something worthy of your potential. But for now, we''re out of time."

    "Even without full weapon systems, this ship will still serve as a powerful mobile fortress. At the very least, its shields alone can act as a massive protective wall."

    She gently lowered the flickering core and placed it back within the AI''s chest. The lights around them pulsed faintly, as if the entire chamber acknowledged her words.

    "Well then, make sure the fortress is ready to depart within the next five hours," Cleo said calmly, her voice carrying quiet authority.

    With those final words, she continued walking toward the towering war fortress. Just its size alone placed it into the rare category of super-capital ships.

    It was a masterpiece of engineering, colossal in scale, intimidating in presence. The hull from the outside looked complete, gleaming like white steel under the spaceport lights.

    But inside, the story was different. The internal structure was still under heavy construction, with hundreds of thousands of construction drones flying, crawling, and gliding through every corridor, finishing rooms, welding plating, laying cables, and installing systems.

    This flying fortress was as large as two, maybe even three, megacities combined. Because of its size, regular walking or even using vehicles would be inefficient.

    Fortunately, the teleportation technology Cleo had recovered from the Misty Planet had changed everything. Hundreds of teleportation pads had been installed throughout the interior, allowing rapid movement across any section of the fortress in a matter of seconds.

    Without hesitation, Cleo stepped onto one of the pads. A gentle blue glow enveloped her for an instant before she vanished, reappearing inside the fortress''s command bridge.

    Even the bridge was breathtaking in scale. It wasn''t just a control room; it was the size of a small mansion, complete with towering walls lined with holographic interfaces and control panels.

    Massive reinforced windows surrounded the entire chamber in a full 360-degree view, giving her a panoramic look at the exterior of the fortress.

    Cleo calmly approached the center of the room and took her seat on the command throne, a specially designed control chair made exclusively for her.

    It didn''t just serve as a command station; it also connected directly to her neural network, allowing her to project her consciousness across the fortress. While her physical body remained safe and recharged inside the chair, her holographic form could operate freely across any sector.

    "How is the army mobilization progressing?" she asked while settling into the seat.

    A shimmer appeared beside her, and the young AI projection bowed slightly before answering.

    [Reporting to the Creator: two of the four destroyers are now docked and secured within the fortress hangars. Troop mobilization is still underway. As of now, we have 1.5 million combat units onboard, including the mechanized legions, service bots, and drone support teams.]

    Cleo gave a small nod, letting the numbers settle in her mind.

    "And the fighters and bombers? Are the bays filled to capacity?" she asked while releasing a quiet sigh.

    Thin metal arms extended from the chair, gently connecting to her back and temples, linking her with the system. Her consciousness began to shift as her holographic form flickered to life in front of the AI.

    The AI turned to look at the glowing image of her creator with admiration.

    [Reporting: out of the twenty fighter hangars, only fifty percent are currently filled. That brings the total to 1,250 fighters stationed and prepped. As for bombers, only twenty percent of capacity has been reached. We currently have 200 bombers onboard.]

    Cleo''s holographic form took a moment to review the data. Transparent images of the hangars, unit deployment status, and ship readiness floated around her like a constellation of information.

    "Mmm... that''s not bad," she said thoughtfully. "We''re behind schedule, but not by much. Increase the drone workforce in the hangars. I want them fully stocked within the next three hours. If we''re going to war, we won''t do it half-prepared."

    [Understood, Creator. Adjusting priority levels for drone labor now.]

    As the command was processed, thousands of drones across the ship changed course and sped toward the underfilled hangars. The fortress buzzed with focused energy, like a beast slowly awakening.

    A few hours later, the human fleet and the Khryssari fleet had gathered at the designated coordinates, waiting patiently in the cold silence of space. War was on the horizon.

    Y''Ssera''s fleet floated in tight formation. At the center of it was her personal warship, a bulky and deadly Carapace-Class Destroyer, designed in the unique style of her race.

    Its hull resembled an armored shell, covered in shimmering plates that pulsed faintly with bio-energy. Flanking her flagship were two other destroyers of the same class, each bristling with organic-looking weaponry and glowing energy pods.

    Further behind them, two Brood-Class Carriers lingered like floating hives. They were massive, their rounded bodies covered in launch pods and living chambers. These had been sent by Ys''s mother, who insisted on reinforcing her daughter''s fleet, just in case something went wrong.

    On the other side of the battlefield, Lilla''s fleet waited in perfect, cold precision. Her flagship, a heavy carrier cruiser painted in royal silver and crimson, stood proudly at the center. Surrounding it were four destroyers, sharp and angular in design, and a small wing of missile frigates, sleek and fast-moving like hunting birds in formation.

    The fleets held position, but Cleo''s fleet was still missing.

    Growing slightly impatient, Lilla opened a video transmission to Ys. The holo-screen lit up, revealing Y''Ssera in her private quarters, still on her bed, draped lazily across it, wearing what could only be described as nearly nothing.

    Her pale skin glowed faintly under the soft lights of her room, and she was hugging a large pillow like it was the only thing holding her to the waking world.

    "Hello there, Y''Ssera," Lilla said, raising an eyebrow. "Do you have any idea how much longer we''ll have to wait for Cleo?"

    "Mmm?" Ys blinked slowly, her voice heavy with sleep. "Didn''t I tell you? Cleo said her preparations are taking longer than expected, so she wants us to start moving first."

    "...Yes¡ªno! No, you didn''t!" Lilla''s tone rose a little, her lips forming a slight pout. "You absolutely did not tell me that!"

    "Mmm? No wonder you weren''t moving," Ys said with a yawn, rolling onto her back. "I was waiting for you to go ahead. You''ve just been floating there like a rock this whole time..."

    As she stretched, the soft fabric of her blanket shifted and shimmered. Then, as if responding to her will, the cloth moved across her body and began reshaping itself.

    In moments, it had transformed into a graceful black dress with flowing sleeves, glowing with delicate green energy veins that pulsed like they were alive. Ys ran a hand through her hair and finally sat up properly.

    "..." Lilla stared, then sighed in quiet exasperation. "Forget it. Let''s just begin the operation. The data Cleo sent us makes it clear that we have a strong advantage in fleet strength. The only real threat will be fighting on the ground, inside the cities."

    Lilla''s expression turned serious, her fingers gliding across her screen as she began giving orders to her fleet.

    "Let''s go, then. The faster we take this world, the faster we can prepare for the next one."

    "Roger that~" Ys replied with a smirk, her fleet already starting to shift and move forward.

    The silent void of space soon became filled with motion as both fleets slowly turned toward the distant planet, ready to begin their assault.

    A few hours later, on the outer-rim planet of Xylos, the captain of the planetary defense fleet was enjoying a sensual and indulgent evening in his private quarters.

    The room was dimly lit with soft amber lighting, the air filled with the scent of exotic oils and gentle music drifting from a hidden speaker.

    He was sprawled lazily across a wide, silk-covered bed, a half-finished bottle of violet wine on the nearby table. In his arms lay a local beauty, bare-skinned, flushed, and still catching her breath after their passionate encounter.

    Suddenly, the door to his chamber burst open.

    "Captain!" a young officer shouted breathlessly as he rushed inside. His uniform was slightly wrinkled from how fast he had run, and his voice trembled with urgency.

    "Please forgive the intrusion, but there''s an emergency! We''ve detected multiple wormhole signatures forming just a few kilometers from the edge of the system!"

    The woman on the bed gasped, quickly grabbing the nearby sheets and wrapping them around her body. She tried her best to hide herself, her cheeks burning red with embarrassment.

    The captain clicked his tongue in irritation, not even bothering to look surprised. Instead, he reached over to pour himself another glass of wine.

    "Tsk... All this panic for something we were expecting anyway?" he said casually while swirling the glass in his hand. "We already knew they''d come sooner or later. Our little informant made that quite clear...."

 Chapter 354: Fortress. {2}

    He slowly stood from the bed, stretching like a lazy predator. His body was marked with scars and medals, proof of both experience and indulgence.

    "Head to the bridge and make sure the fleet is on standby. I''ll be there once I''m properly dressed," he added while running a hand through his hair.

    Then, with a sideways glance at the officer still standing awkwardly in the doorway, he smirked.

    "And if you''re quite done staring at the girl, be a gentleman and escort her out, will you?"

    The officer gave a sharp nod, turning away quickly with a flustered expression as the woman gathered her things and scurried past him, avoiding eye contact.

    The captain, now alone, walked over to his wardrobe and began slipping into his uniform. His smirk never left his face.

    "So... the game begins," he muttered under his breath, eyes narrowing as he gazed at the stars beyond his window. "Let''s see if these invaders are as fearsome as the rumors say."

    Just as the captain stepped onto the bridge, the automatic doors slid open with a hiss. The lights inside the command center were dimmed, casting a bluish glow over the consoles and displays.

    Officers were working at their stations, eyes flicking between holographic screens and radar data. On the main view screen, the invading fleets of Y''Ssera and Lilla could be seen slowly forming up in space.

    The captain stood at the center of the bridge with his hands calmly resting behind his back. His sharp eyes scanned the enemy ships as they took their time arranging into formation.

    "Captain," one of the younger officers spoke up, glancing nervously at the screen. "Are we really just going to wait for them to finish assembling their fleet?"

    The captain didn''t move or blink. His voice came out smooth, composed, and steady, like a man who had seen war more times than most.

    "It doesn''t matter. If they want to waste time organizing themselves, that only benefits us. Let them play their little games... we''ll see what they plan to do soon enough."

    Suddenly, a new alert lit up on the side monitors.

    "Ah," the captain said, his tone shifting slightly. "It seems they''re finally on the move. Raise the shields. And send the command to the surface... activate the interplanetary barrier immediately."

    "Aye, sir!"

    Within moments, the planetary defense system roared to life. From the surface of Xylos, massive energy pillars shot upward into the sky, and in a flash of light, a colossal translucent shield wrapped itself around the entire planet. The barrier shimmered with a faint golden hue, like a second atmosphere.

    This wasn''t just any energy shield; it was an interplanetary-class defense barrier. It completely sealed off the planet from orbital bombardment and large-scale invasion forces.

    Now, the enemy would be forced to either attack the shield directly with their fleets or try to sneak inside using stealth and infiltration.

    Meanwhile, aboard one of the flagship destroyers, Lilla stood near a glowing console, her long robes catching the light of the surrounding holo screens. One of her priestesses approached and bowed slightly.

    "Saintess," the priestess reported, her voice respectful and calm, "the enemy has activated a planetary shield. It seems they were waiting for us."

    Lilla studied the information being shown. On the holographic screens, the barrier around the planet pulsed softly with energy.

    "I see. So they''re not as unprepared as we hoped," Lilla replied with a cool expression. "But this isn''t unexpected. That''s exactly why we brought such overwhelming force. We''ll break through eventually."

    She looked over the data again, scanning the enemy fleet movements carefully.

    "Though... the Kaelzar fleet is still not here. So we''ll have to begin without them. At the very least, the enemy fleet above the planet matches the numbers in the report. What do you think, Ys?"

    The view shifted as she opened a video call with Y''Ssera. Ys was lounging in a cushioned chair inside her ship, the glow of data screens lighting up her face. Her glowing black dress shimmered slightly, and her expression was calm but curious.

    "Mmm~ I don''t think this is their full strength," Ys replied, her voice soft and thoughtful. "A planet with an interplanetary shield... that usually means one of two things. Either it belongs to a major inner-world colony... or..."

    She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing as she studied a different section of space.

    "...Or there''s a hidden fleet nearby. A big one. Just waiting for the right time to strike."

    "Mmm? What do you mean by that?" Lilla asked, her brow furrowing slightly as she tried to sense something unusual around her.

    She reached out with her awareness, trying to detect any movement or presence but nothing came to her. No matter how hard she focused, she couldn''t feel a thing.

    "Well~," Ys replied in a sing-song voice, clearly amused, "this is kind of like a game of hide-and-seek, but the difference is... I already found them~." She giggled softly while raising her hand and pointing toward a spot in the distance that only she could see.

    "Now then~ my lovely baby ships, it''s time to wake things up a little~. Go make some noise up there for me."

    The moment those words left her lips, two massive carapace-class destroyers, living warships covered in thick, organic armor, roared to life. With an almost hungry energy, they surged forward at high speed, charging toward their targets with purpose and aggression.

    "Captain, we''re detecting two unidentified ships moving toward us at a rapid pace," one of the officers on the bridge reported, sounding a bit nervous. "They appear to be organic in structure. Should we engage them?"

    "Of course we should!" the captain shouted, his voice filled with authority and confidence. "Fire the main cannon! Launch every long-range missile and artillery shell we have! Don''t hold anything back!"

    The crew quickly followed the captain''s orders. Moments later, a blinding laser blast from the ship''s main cannon tore through space, hitting one of the charging destroyers directly.

    All around, missiles streaked through the void, followed by the rumble of long-range artillery shells. The barrage found its mark; explosions flared against the creature''s thick outer shell.

    But it wasn''t enough....

    Even though the concentrated firepower cracked the carapace, it didn''t do much damage. The outer shell of the destroyer was incredibly tough, like a natural fortress floating in space.

    The two organic warships kept moving, and within seconds, they vanished into warp space, disappearing from view in a brilliant flash.

    {Hmm... Did they retreat...?} The captain frowned while rubbing his chin as he considered what had just happened. {No, that doesn''t make sense... something''s wrong...}

    Suddenly, the ship''s alarm blared loudly, filling the command deck with flashing red lights and a deep, warning tone.

    [Warp energy had been detected very close.]

    "Captain! We''ve got an incoming warp signature right above us!" the same officer shouted in panic. "They''re jumping in directly over our position!"

    "What did you just say!?" the captain gasped, his eyes wide. His confident voice cracked slightly, replaced by disbelief and worry. "That''s impossible! There''s no way they could''ve known about our ambush!"

    Just then, the space above them shimmered. In a burst of energy, the two carapace-class destroyers emerged from their warp jump, right on top of the hidden fleet.

    With brutal precision, their massive pincers swung forward and collided with something that, at first, wasn''t even visible. But then, crunching metal and explosions lit up the dark. The hidden frigates, cloaked and lying in wait, were smashed apart and revealed by the surprise attack.

    "Tsk... So it''s come to this..." the captain growled under his breath, his frustration obvious. A bead of cold sweat rolled down the side of his face as he slammed his hand on the console. "Damn it! All ships, listen up! Begin the counterattack NOW!"

    His orders were followed instantly. The hidden fleet dropped their cloaking fields, revealing a massive number of ships. Without hesitation, they opened fire with everything they had. Streams of lasers, missiles, plasma bolts, and railgun rounds lit up the battlefield.

    This time, the tide was different.

    Under the overwhelming force of the full fleet''s firepower, the thick armor of the carapace-class destroyers began to break. Cracks spread across their bodies as multiple shots pierced their once-impenetrable shells.

    The living warships howled in pain... a sound both mechanical and organic, echoing through space like monstrous roars of anger and agony.

    But then, Ys spoke again, her voice soft and soothing like a mother calming her child.

    "That''s enough, my little ones. You''ve done well. Come back to me now~."

    As if obeying their mother''s gentle call, the two injured carapace destroyers vanished once more in a flash of warp energy. In the blink of an eye, they reappeared beside Ys''s flagship, floating quietly in formation.

    Their bodies were battered and wounded, pieces of their tough carapace broken and smoking. But even as they hovered near her, they were slowly beginning to regenerate, flesh stitching itself together, machinery rebooting.

    However, the cracks in their armored shells remained. No matter how fast they healed, that part of them would need more time or something stronger to fully recover.

    "Well, there you have it, my dear~," Ys said with a playful grin as she flopped back onto her bed, letting her legs kick up slightly. "The enemy prepared a big, shiny welcoming party just for us~. How thoughtful, don''t you think?"

    She giggled, clearly amused by the situation, even as the tension in the air grew heavier.

    Lilla stood nearby, arms crossed, her eyes focused on the tactical display floating in front of her. She let out a soft sigh.

    "It looks like things have taken a turn... now we''re the ones at a disadvantage." Her voice was calm, but the weight of the situation pressed against her chest like a heavy stone.

    There had been no word from Cleo yet, no updates, no signals. That silence only added to her worries.

 Chapter 355 355: Fortress. {3} The musician.

    We''ll need to hold out for a while," Lilla continued. "Since we haven''t heard anything from Cleo yet, let''s switch to a defensive stance. My fleet is built tough, and while it may not look like it, it can take a beating. So we''ll take the front line and act as the shield."

    Ys blinked, sitting up a bit as she listened with interest.

    "You, Ys," Lilla added, turning to her with a serious expression.

    "your ships are fast and can make almost instant warp jumps, right? So I want you to focus on the enemy''s larger ships. Hit them fast, hit them hard, and disappear before they can respond. Classic guerrilla tactics. Does that sound good to you?"

    Even though Lilla had already planned everything out in her mind, she still looked at Ys with genuine respect in her eyes.

    After all, Ys had lived much longer than she had, and she had seen more battles, fought more enemies, and carried wisdom that only came with time. It would''ve been foolish not to at least ask for her thoughts.

    Ys tilted her head and smiled, a glint of mischief and confidence dancing in her eyes. "Ooh~ a serious plan from the serious Lilla~. I like it. Sounds fun. Let''s poke some big, scary ships and run away before they can scream."

    Her grin widened.

    "I''ll make sure they regret ever throwing that welcome party.~"

    With everything that had happened so far, the attacking fleet no longer looked like the dominating force it had appeared to be just minutes ago.

    The confidence that once surrounded them had faded. Now, their formation looked more like a standard raid fleet from Nexum Dynamics nothing too special, just functional and solid.

    The shift in posture and strength made it almost certain that somewhere among the enemy was a Tier 5 powerhouse. That presence alone changed everything.

    "Oh my, it seems our dear guests have taken on a more defensive stance," the enemy fleet''s captain said with a wide grin.

    His voice was calm, amused, and almost theatrical. "Looks like we scared the living daylights out of them. Good. Now then, let''s not be rude. They''ve invited us to dance... so let''s begin the masquerade with a few little gifts."

    With a dramatic flourish, the captain reached to his side and pulled out a medium-sized silver stick, shaped like a conductor''s baton. Holding it in one hand, he began to move it with graceful precision, just like a master conductor guiding a grand orchestra.

    At that exact moment, as if following his rhythm, his fleet opened fire.

    Long-range cannons boomed in synchronized volleys, firing bright lances of plasma and energy across the dark void. Then, with a flick of the baton, another wave followed... this time, sleek guided missiles that streaked toward their targets in fiery arcs.

    As he moved his hand faster, the entire fleet began to push forward, advancing slowly but steadily toward the human-led alliance.

    On the human side, the destroyers took the brunt of the attack.

    Their thick, hulking frames and heavy armor absorbed most of the hits, rocking under the pressure but holding strong. As the ship systems rebooted, the defensive shields flickered back to life.

    However, they didn''t last long and were destroyed again in seconds under the intensity of the barrage. Still, even these fragile shields served their purpose. They bought just enough time for the hulls to hold firm without taking critical damage.

    "Now it''s our turn! All ships, return fire!" Lilla shouted, her voice echoing through the command bridge with determination.

    One by one, the human destroyers roared to life, their cannons launching explosive shells that lit up the battlefield. Each shot exploded against the advancing fleet''s energy barriers, shaking them with force and fire. The void between both fleets was now a storm of light and destruction.

    "Captain! We''re just 10 kilometers away from their front line!" an officer reported, urgency in his voice.

    A wicked smile crept across the enemy captain''s face. "Ah, excellent. Now it''s time to send flowers to our dance partner," he said while twirling his baton playfully.

    "Launch the fighters. Ready the bombers. After all, what''s better than a hidden gift... inside another gift?" His tone was joyful, like someone playing a game rather than leading a war. But behind that voice was strategy, power, and deadly intent.

    As his baton danced once more, hangar bays opened across his fleet. Dozens... then hundreds of thousands of fighter crafts soared out, followed closely by heavily armed bombers gliding like shadows. The masquerade had truly begun.

    "Little Lilla," Ys said with a mischievous glint in her eye, "it seems the one leading the enemy fleet is just too much for you to handle. So, I''ll be taking command from now on~; don''t even think about arguing. I won''t accept a no."

    Her tone was light and playful, but there was a sharp edge underneath. Ys had planned to sit back, relax, and let Lilla handle everything while she enjoyed the show.

    But after watching the enemy fleet''s commander... his precision, his presence, his dangerous elegance... she knew this was no ordinary battle. This was the kind of fight that could shift the tides of war. And that meant she couldn''t afford to stay idle.

    Lilla sighed softly, her shoulders dropping just a little. She hated to admit it, but Ys was right. This enemy leader was operating on another level. Her own strategies had held up so far, but if she kept going alone, things would spiral out of control fast.

    And more importantly, this wasn''t just about her pride, since hundreds of thousands of lives were counting on her. She had to swallow her ego.

    "Understood..." she replied quietly, her hand rising to her chest. She pressed her fingers together in a symbol of prayer. "May the White Goddess be with you, Ys..."

    Ys gave her a small smirk and tilted her head.

    A soft humming sound echoed around her as a radiant crown made of emerald-like energy shimmered into existence above her head. It glowed brighter with each pulse of power.

    In that moment, all the ships surrounding her shifted, responding, realigning, until every Khryssari vessel in her fleet fell under her direct command. The battlefield changed in an instant.

    "Mmmm~" Ys purred, eyes glowing with dangerous excitement, "I really love this feeling. Everyone, everything, under my control~ It''s delicious."

    Her grin widened into something feral, almost unhinged, but behind that madness lay unmatched intelligence and deadly grace.

    "Well then... let''s harvest these lovely resources that came right to our doorstep, my little child!" she declared.

    At her words, the massive Khryssari carriers opened their gates, releasing a swarm of flying Khryssari, biological terrors born for aerial combat. The sky around them filled with screeches and flashes as they launched themselves toward the enemy''s fighters with terrifying speed.

    "Lilla, my dear," Ys said over the comms in a sweet, sing-song voice, "I''ll use my children to hold them off from long range. You send your fighters in to guard the fleet. I can see some bombers hidden in their formation~ and it would be such a shame if they reached us, wouldn''t it?"

    Lilla nodded, already issuing orders.

    Meanwhile, in the heart of the aerial chaos, Ys focused her mind. Her presence reached into the swarm, seizing control of one of the elite Skydancers mid-flight.

    The moment she took command, its body surged with raw energy, empowered by Ys''s overwhelming combat power. With unnatural speed and precision, it tore through the enemy''s formation, disrupting their tight maneuvers and forcing them into disarray.

    But the Skydancer didn''t last long. A burst of enemy fire clipped its wings and sent it crashing down in a spiral of blood and fire.

    Unbothered, Ys simply slipped her mind into another unit nearby. The process repeated. Each time, the organism she controlled became faster, stronger, and more unpredictable. Wherever she moved, chaos followed.

    This was the terrifying truth behind the Khryssari Queens and Princesses. When they took direct control, they could amplify any unit''s abilities several times over. This was what made them nearly impossible to defeat in open war.

    "What are those monsters?!"

    "I can''t shake them off! They''re right on my tail! someone, help¡ª!"

    "Command, the squad leader is down! I repeat, the leader is down!"

    "This is bomber squad 45th... The ship''s been compromised! The enemy is tearing through the hull! I repeat, we''re breaking apart!"

    The desperate voices of pilots and bomber crews filled the comms in chaotic bursts. Static, screams, and cut-off cries mixed into a storm of noise that crackled through the control deck.

    Standing in the middle of it all, the Musician Captain kept his eyes gently closed, holding his baton delicately between his fingers. His face, once calm and amused, was now tightened in silent irritation.

    Not because of fear or because of the losses... no, it was something else.

    The melody... was ruined.

    The beautiful rhythm he had created, his graceful dance across the battlefield, was now a mess. The screams and panic shattered the harmony he had been conducting like a grand orchestra. And that, to him, was unforgivable.

    He opened his eyes slowly, the gleam in them no longer soft. "It seems," he said in a cold, poetic voice, "that I''ve changed dance partners... without even noticing."

    He clicked his tongue and spun the baton in his fingers. "Such rudeness. So uncultured. And when one is shown such bad manners... punishment is only fair."

    He turned to his officers. "Prepare the frigates warp devices. We''re going all in. Let''s show them what real rhythm feels like."

    Around him, officers stiffened, then nodded in unison, rushing to carry out his orders. Lights flickered across the command bridge as systems prepared for rapid deployment. The fleet began to hum not just with energy but with anticipation.

    This wasn''t just a counterattack. This was a performance!!.

 Chapter 356: Fortress. {4}

    And so began the next phase of the battle... a dance unlike any other. On one side, the Musician Captain, leading his fleet like a maestro, weaving plans and strikes with precision and style.

    His movements were calm, measured, and elegant... but full of deadly intent. On the other side stood Ys, the embodiment of chaos and instinct. Her control wasn''t cold or calculated. It was raw, passionate, and wild.

    She didn''t move pieces on a board; she became her units, driving them with ferocity and hunger. Every fighter she touched became a storm. Every moment she commanded, the enemy bent beneath her will.

    The battlefield transformed into a true ballet of war.

    Tactics versus Instinct.

    Discipline versus Frenzy.

    Order versus Madness.

    And at the center of it all, two commanders clashed, not face-to-face, but through the music of destruction, the rhythm of war.

    The next act of this symphony had begun.

    For a while, Ys had been holding her ground. With her sharp instincts and direct control over her soldiers, she had kept a fragile balance in the skies.

    The dogfight between the swarms of fighters raged on, and thanks to her guidance, her Khryssari skydancers had managed to keep up with the enemy''s skilled pilots. But that balance didn''t last.

    Everything changed the moment the enemy frigates joined the battle.

    These frigates weren''t meant to take on other large ships, but they were covered in anti-fighter turrets. Against other warships, they would have been nearly useless, but against fast, flying targets like Ys'' skydancers, they were deadly.

    The skies that were once chaotic but manageable had now become a storm of death. Khryssari units began falling from the air, their graceful dances interrupted by violent explosions.

    "Captain, the enemy is losing ground," one of the officers on the enemy command ship reported while watching a large 3D holographic display showing the entire battlefield.

    Tiny lights flickered across the screen, representing fighters and bombers in motion. "It''s only a matter of time before our fighters punch a hole through their defenses. Once that happens, the bombers can fly right through and hit their fleet."

    The Musician Captain, standing with calm elegance beside the display, slowly shook his head. His baton rested lightly between his fingers as his sharp eyes scanned the screen.

    "Not necessarily," he replied in a quiet, thoughtful tone. "It still feels like our opponent isn''t taking us seriously... like she''s playing with us. This new dance partner is no amateur. No... she''s an old soul. A veteran of the masquerades. We must not underestimate her. Keep moving forward, but with caution."

    Meanwhile, back on Ys'' flagship, a mischievous smile curled across her lips. Her beautiful face, usually calm and composed, now carried a sly, devilish expression.

    "Hehe~ it seems our partner has started to smell something funny," she whispered softly to herself. "But sadly for them... it''s already too late. The little mouse is inside the house."

    Just as she finished speaking, two enormous shapes began to appear behind the enemy fleet.

    They had been hidden using advanced stealth systems and warp tech, and now they emerged in full view, massive Khryssari carriers, the very ones her mother had secretly sent ahead of time, just in case things got serious.

    "Captain! We''ve detected an unknown signal... two large ships just appeared behind us!" an officer shouted in alarm.

    The captain''s eyes narrowed. He tilted his head slightly, his mind already racing.{What? Reinforcements from the planet below? That doesn''t make sense... All their remaining ships are already in the battle.....}

    Then his eyes widened in shock. Something about the shape... the energy signature... he recognized it.

    "No..." he whispered. "Those aren''t reinforcements. They''re predators."

    Back on her ship, Ys narrowed her glowing eyes. She was no longer smiling; now she was focused. Through her mental link, she spoke to her troops without words, and the air seemed to hum around her.

    "Go, my little ones," she said in a voice like a song, yet filled with deadly intent. "Show them the true strength of a Khryssari Princess!"

    And with that command, the two carriers opened their launch bays, and the sky behind the enemy fleet darkened. A storm had arrived.

    Hundreds of Swarmling-Class Fighters poured out in perfect formation, flying like a swarm of furious hornets. These were not the usual skydancers. These were the real weapons of the Khryssari.

    Each Swarmling-Class Fighter looked like a giant hornet, with sleek, curved bodies and glowing eyes.

    Twin forward-pointing stingers sat at the front, weapon mounts for their bio-Stinger Cannons. These cannons weren''t made of metal or steel; they were living weapons, organic and pulsing with deadly energy. They fired rapid bursts of concentrated bio-energy, glowing with a fierce violet hue.

    Faster, stronger, and far more aggressive than the smaller skydancers, the Hornets moved with deadly purpose.

    The balance of the battle had shifted once more.

    And now, it was Ys who led the dance.

    "Ku... kuku... HAHAHAHA!" The musician captain laughed loudly, his voice echoing through the bridge like a madman''s performance reaching its climax.

    "Well done, my dance partner! I wasn''t expecting such a devilish hand on my ass!" His eyes gleamed with excitement as the battlefield twisted into something far more dangerous and thrilling.

    "This! This is how a masquerade should be! Masks hiding truths, bold moves, mystery wrapped in elegance! We are not here to fight! we are here to perform!" The joy in his voice was clear.

    He wasn''t just amused; he was completely captivated. His heart was pounding, and his blood was rushing. Battles like this were rare for someone like him.

    Despite his flamboyant and theatrical personality, the musician captain wasn''t just some eccentric fool. He was one of Nexum Dynamics top elites, an experienced warrior who had commanded fleets in hundreds of skirmishes, wars, and large-scale operations.

    He was a rare talent, a true genius of war with real victories to his name. So why had someone like him ended up watching over a lonely border sector?

    Because of his love for women.

    More specifically, married women.

    His uncontrollable obsession had caused multiple scandals with the wives of important executives, and though his talent was undeniable, the higher-ups couldn''t tolerate the chaos he brought to their personal lives.

    As punishment, they banished him to the outer edges of their territory, hoping he''d rot in boredom. But today? Today was a glorious exception.

    "Transmit my orders!" he shouted, flinging off his captain''s cloak with a wild grin. His bare chest showed a complex tattoo of music notes wrapped around a skull.

    This was another of his habits... the more thrilled he got in battle, the more clothing he tossed aside. A weird quirk, but somehow fitting for someone like him.

    "Switch the fleet into anti-fighter formation! Begin all defensive measures right now!"

    As his orders echoed through the ship, his fleet quickly reacted. Large warships adjusted their positions and began activating special anti-air protocols.

    Cluster bombs were launched into the air, each one breaking apart mid-flight into thousands of small, deadly bomblets designed to scatter and destroy anything flying too close.

    These were the defensive fleet''s trump cards against fighter swarms and they were especially dangerous to Ys'' bio-mechanical hornet fighters.

    At the same time, the first waves of Khryssari Wraith-Class fighters, with their twin bio-Stinger Cannons blazing, had already started to swarm around the larger ships.

    They tore through exposed hulls, blasting turrets and engines, but now they had to maneuver carefully to avoid the deadly clouds of cluster munitions filling the air.

    Meanwhile, Ys, watching the battle unfold through her own displays, wiped a drop of sweat from her forehead. Though she looked calm and confident, her body was beginning to feel heavy.

    "Little Lilla, now''s your chance!" Ys said through the secure video line, her expression still playful, but her voice carried fatigue. "Their long-range firepower has been cut down by at least thirty percent. Push forward now, or we''ll lose the window I created!"

    Though she was a princess of the Khryssari and powerful in her own right, Ys was still only a Tier 3 powerhouse.

    To keep up with the pace of the battle, she had been personally controlling her fighters through the swarm link.. forcing her to channel a huge amount of mental energy into each unit. It was taking a toll on her, and she knew she couldn''t keep it up for much longer.

    "Understood!" Lilla responded immediately. Her voice rang with purpose as she stood tall in the center of her flagship''s command chamber. The light of the main screen reflected off her armor and crown. "All vessels, hear me now!"

    She raised her hand and made the sacred sign of her religion, her fingers forming the symbol of the White Goddess.

    "In the name of the White Goddess, I command you! full frontal assault! Advance with all your strength!"

    Her voice was powerful, full of divine conviction, and it sent a wave of courage through her fleet. Moments later, engines roared to life. The entire human fleet re-formed into an attack formation and surged forward like a wall of steel and fire.

    Dozens of hulking destroyers powered ahead, backed by cruisers and support ships. Artillery platforms began to fire volley after volley as the formation moved steadily toward the now-vulnerable enemy lines.

    The real battle for space supremacy had just begun.

    Meanwhile, down on the surface of the Blood Clan''s homeworld, an entirely different kind of battle was raging, one that shook the very ground beneath their feet.

    Unlike the massive fleets clashing in the skies above, this conflict was smaller in scale, with fewer soldiers involved. But what it lacked in size, it more than made up for in raw power.

 Chapter 357 357: Fortress. {5}

    Here, the clash was far more personal, brutal, and intense. Every blow was like thunder. Every explosion shook the ruins and scorched the red soil. This was not a battle of ships and strategy; it was a violent dance between monsters and heroes, warriors and beasts.

    And things were going downhill fast for Rex and his team.

    Their enemies were relentless, their numbers seemingly endless, and each wave of Blood Clan warriors brought stronger and more twisted foes into the fight. Despite all the strength Rex and his companions possessed, it was becoming harder and harder to hold their ground.

    The battlefield was turning into a nightmare, one where every second was a desperate struggle just to survive

    And just when things couldn''t get any worse, they did.

    The moment one of the Blood Clan patriarchs, an ancient and terrifying Tier 7 powerhouse, felt his descendants dying one after another like insects, he decided to enter the battlefield himself.

    The air twisted and the skies darkened as his presence descended upon the war-torn ground like a curse. His very aura was enough to make even seasoned powerhouses tremble.

    Thankfully, Zynaria and her massive dragon arrived just in time to intercept him. Though the patriarch was immensely powerful, the laws of the universe limited him while he was on his homeworld.

    He couldn''t unleash his full might, at least not yet. For the time being, Zynaria and her dragon were holding him at bay, fighting tooth and claw to keep the situation from spiraling completely out of control.

    But that battle was far from over. And far from safe.

    Meanwhile, back in orbit, the fleets of Lilla and Ys had finally closed in on the enemy forces. The last bit of distance vanished and with it, any chance of subtlety or strategy. All-out chaos exploded as the two sides collided.

    Turrets thundered. Cannons roared. Missiles streaked across the dark void like shooting stars with deadly intentions. The battle had entered a brutal, no-holds-barred, close-quarters phase.

    And up above the massive capital ships, the dogfight raged, now unfolding directly above the ships hulls.

    "Saintess! Destroyer Number Four is on the brink! The hull''s about to collapse! we can''t hold it any longer!" shouted one of the priestesses from the communications deck.

    Her voice was panicked but trained. "Also, Destroyer Two has been boarded! Enemy forces are inside; fighting has already broken out across multiple decks!"

    From the reinforced window of the bridge, Lilla watched the chaos unfold. Her gray eyes remained focused, even though her heart was heavy.

    "Tell Destroyer Four to retreat at once. Have them fire every last cannon at the closest enemy ship while falling back. Once they''re out of immediate danger, initiate a warp jump to the fallback coordinates. As for Destroyer Two¡ª"

    She was cut off mid-command by Ys, who appeared on-screen with a faint smile that didn''t quite reach her exhausted eyes.

    "Don''t worry about that one, Little Lilla~ I''ve already sent some of my children in to help. They should be boarding as we speak. Just make sure not to shoot them by accident, okay~?"

    "Their brains are about the size of peanuts. If they get hurt, they''ll start biting everyone in sight, friend or foe~."

    Even though Ys still spoke in her usual playful tone, the signs of fatigue were showing. Her face was pale, and her glow had dimmed. She had pushed herself past her limits by controlling too many units at once. Her strength was vast, but not infinite.

    Just as she had said, the interior of Destroyer Two had become a battleground. Human defenders were locked in fierce combat against enemy boarding parties.

    These weren''t just any invaders; they were a shock force, elite soldiers clad in advanced power armor, wielding experimental weapons that far exceeded what was usually seen in the outer systems.

    "Sir Crusader!" one of the Zealots cried out, blood staining his white armor. "The enemy''s too strong! The frontline Zealots are falling, and the Cultists are already gone! We can''t hold them much longer; the line is about to collapse! What are your orders?"

    The Crusader stood at the center of the hangar, sword drawn and armor gleaming with sacred runes. His expression didn''t waver.

    "I see... then we must make our stand here," he said calmly. "We will hold this ground, no matter the cost. If we fall, it will be so the next line may rise stronger."

    Though a Tier 2 warrior, not quite a Paladin, the Crusader still held great strength and even greater faith.

    He knew that against these foes, he might not survive. But he did not fear death. In the beliefs of the Holy Human Empire, a Crusader who died in holy battle would be reborn as a white rose in the Goddess''s eternal garden.

    And this faith wasn''t just a comforting lie... it was real.

    With no hesitation, the Crusader raised his blade high and roared, "For the Goddess! Let our deaths be the shield that protects our people!"

    Just when the remaining human defenders were about to make one last desperate charge at the invading force, everything suddenly changed.

    From the entrance of the hangar bay, a strange hum filled the air and then, in a flash of light, one of the Khryssari carriers appeared out of nowhere. It was like the very air had been cut open, and the ship simply stepped through.

    Without wasting a second, the carrier launched several large black spheres into the hangar. Each one was covered in eerie green glowing runes that pulsed like a heartbeat. The soldiers on both sides froze, unsure of what they were looking at.

    Then the black spheres exploded.

    A thick, sticky black goo burst out in all directions, coating the floor, walls, and even parts of the ceiling. The explosion wasn''t just for show; something was inside.

    From each sphere, five Khryssari warriors emerged, covered in organic armor that looked alive, their eyes burning with fierce determination.

    Without hesitation, they raised their bioplasma cannons and opened fire on the invaders.

    Green light bathed the hangar in pulses, the beams cutting through the air like knives. The effect was immediate; the invading soldiers who had just been winning a moment ago were now falling like leaves in a storm.

    Their high-tech armor offered no protection against the raw biological firepower of the Khryssari.

    These Khryssari warriors didn''t just shoot; they charged. Roaring, they rushed forward into brutal close combat, their claws and blades ripping through their enemies like paper. The fight turned into a slaughter.

    The Crusader stood in stunned silence, watching as his enemies were torn apart by this new wave of allies. These Khryssari warriors fought like monsters but monsters that were on his side.

    "This..." he muttered, unable to find the words.

    Moments ago, it had felt like certain death. Now, the tide had turned completely.

    "What are you all doing standing around like statues?!" the Crusader shouted at the stunned Zealots behind him. "Fight! Return fire! Assist our new allies! Unless you want them to do all the work!"

    His voice snapped them out of their trance, and the Zealots quickly regrouped, joining the Khryssari in pushing back the boarding force.

    Meanwhile, up in orbit, aboard the enemy command ship, the mood was very different.

    "Captain, we''ve lost contact with the boarding squad," one of the officers reported calmly.

    The Musician Captain didn''t seem angry. In fact, his lips curled into a delighted grin. He slowly hugged himself as if savoring the moment.

    "Mmm~ It seems one of my lovely musicians has left the masquerade early. How unfortunate. I had hoped he played a little longer," he said, his voice rich with amusement. "But no matter... It was only a small party I sent. A test. I just wanted to see how sincere my dear dance partner really was."

    He leaned back in his command chair, the light from the holographic screen dancing across his face like stage lights on a performer. Then he asked, lazily, "How many desserts do we still have on the table?"

    "Reporting in, Captain. Ammunition stocks are at 50%. We''ve switched to laser-based weapons to conserve our kinetic and explosive payloads," the officer replied after glancing at his data pad.

    "Ahh... that''s disappointing," the Musician Captain sighed while sipping from a tall bottle of crystal-clear water. "It seems... the masquerade must come to an end. It''s time to send the guests home. Have the servants prepare the carriages, yes?"

    As soon as the orders were relayed, the command ship''s systems came alive with new warp signatures. Across the battlefield, lights blinked and space shimmered as reinforcements began to arrive.

    Dozens of new vessels emerged from warp: fighters, bomber squads, heavily armed frigates equipped with specialized anti-capital ship missiles, and even hulky destroyers armed for long-range combat.

    Each ship was marked with the musician''s personal crest, a silver mask over a rose of black flames.

    This was the true fleet of the Musician Captain.

    And just as quickly as they had arrived, the reinforcements of the Musician Captain unleashed hell.

    The new ships didn''t waste even a second. From the moment they dropped out of warp, they began firing with full force.

    Beams of energy, swarms of missiles, and concentrated blasts lit up the dark void of space like fireworks. Their attack was precise, overwhelming, and merciless.

    Within minutes, one of the human destroyers was torn apart. Its hull cracked open like a tin can, spewing fire and debris in all directions.

    Not long after, one of the Khryssari carriers was struck by a storm of anti-capital ship missiles launched from the enemy frigates. The organic vessel screeched while burning and breaking apart before vanishing into a cloud of green and black wreckage.

    On Lilla''s bridge, alarms were blaring and the lights flashed red.

 Chapter 358: Fortress. {6}

    "Attention to all vessels!" Lilla shouted, standing tall even as her heart sank. "Retreat now! Prepare for warp jump immediately!"

    Her voice rang clear through the communication channels. She didn''t want to give this order, but it was the only option left. The battle was lost.

    And just beside her on the comm screen, the once-proud Ys was now lying on the floor of her ship''s bridge, completely drained. Her breaths were short and shallow, her elegant dress was torn in places, and her body was trembling with exhaustion.

    She had pushed herself past her limits, using every ounce of energy she had to command her children and keep them alive. But even a Khryssari princess had her limits.

    Her glowing eyes were dim now, and her voice was gone. The fierce smile she once wore had vanished.

    The attack on the planet Xylos... was a total defeat.

    "Mmm... it seems my lovely dance partner has finally grown tired," the musician captain murmured while closing his eyes in disappointment.

    His voice was soft, almost like a sigh carried on the wind of a fading melody. Around him, several elegant female officers were gently helping him put his uniform back on, fixing his buttons and cloak with great care.

    "What a shame, truly," he added with a dramatic tone. "The dance has become dull. No more thrill... no more rhythm. Let us end this, shall we? Send out the dreadnought. Let the grand finale begin."

    "Understood, sir!" one officer replied, snapping to attention. As soon as the order was given, the space above the defensive fleet shimmered like rippling water.

    Out of the invisible veil of stealth, a monstrous ship slowly revealed itself, a dreadnought of terrifying size and shape. Its armored hull was covered in heavy plating and strange glowing runes, and at its center, a massive main cannon protruded like the barrel of a divine judgment.

    [Dreadnought main cannon charging... 10%... 20%... 40%...]

    The weapon started to hum and glow, its energy building up with a rising whine that echoed through the void. A pulse of ominous red light flickered along the surface of the cannon, aimed squarely at the retreating fleet that had dared to attack the planet under the captain''s watch.

    "Sir, the main cannon is fully charged!" one of the officers announced while rushing to his side with a sleek data pad in hand. On its screen was a single large button, cold, glowing, and deadly.

    With an almost lazy sigh, the musician captain reached out, brushing his fingers through his silver hair before pressing the button. "Farewell, my sweet dissonant melody..."

    At that moment, the dreadnought fired. A thunderous beam of destructive energy shot out from the massive cannon, splitting the space between stars as it roared toward Lilla and Ys''s fleet like a lance of pure destruction.

    But just before the beam could strike its target, space itself cracked open.

    A gigantic wormhole suddenly burst into existence between the two fleets, swirling with brilliant blues and violent purples. And from that cosmic gateway, something unimaginable emerged, a structure so enormous it blocked the path of the beam entirely.

    The energy blast collided with a shimmering shield that covered the surface of the incoming entity. The shield flared briefly with radiant energy but held firm.

    [Alert: High-powered laser impact detected. External shield integrity at 99.8% and rising. All systems nominal.] The young AI''s calm voice echoed from within the mysterious fortress as she calmly assessed the damage through countless holo-screens inside the command center.

    Cleo narrowed her eyes, her digital avatar adjusting a strand of her black hair as she issued orders. "Deploy the main frigates to assist the allied fleet. Send out the destroyers and fighters. Initiate counterattack protocol immediately."

    Her voice was cold and composed, but behind it was the fury of a mother defending her children.

    And then, from the wormhole''s mouth, it fully emerged, not a ship, not a weapon, but a fortress floating in the cold emptiness of space.

    Its size was overwhelming. Massive white walls lined with glowing golden veins, spires reaching into the stars like iron towers of judgment, and massive turrets hidden beneath layers of armor.

    It looked like it had been pulled from a myth, a relic of a long-forgotten empire reborn.

    The musician captain''s smug grin faded as he looked at the display, his usually smooth voice cracking ever so slightly.

    "W-What the hell... is that?" he whispered, frozen in awe and confusion.

    For the first time in decades... he felt fear.

    "Forgive me for my late arrival," Cleo''s calm voice echoed through the holo-screen, her face appearing in a soft blue hue. Her expression was gentle but serious.

    "It took longer than expected to gather and organize the entire army onto the fortress. For now, allow your vessels to enter through hangars six and seven inside the fortress."

    "There, they will receive first-aid repairs, fresh ammunition, and rare materials to help regenerate damage."

    She paused for a moment, scanning the battlefield through multiple feeds. "Rest your forces. I will take over the battle for now."

    Ys let out a dramatic sigh of relief and rolled onto her side, collapsing onto her bed inside her private quarters. Her energy was drained, and her tone still held a hint of playful sarcasm.

    "It''s about time you showed up. I was starting to think you sent us to our deaths because of that whole drama in the past~."

    Cleo didn''t reply to the teasing.

    Lilla, on the other hand, stood near the reinforced window of the bridge, her face pale and strained but composed. She placed a hand over her chest and made a gesture of blessing with her other hand, forming the sacred symbol of her faith.

    "Yes... please don''t say such things, Ys," she said softly. "I''m truly glad you arrived when you did, Lady Cleo. This enemy... he is no ordinary foe. He fights with purpose and overwhelming force. I will send you the combat data from our battle so far. May it assist you in what comes next."

    "Affirmative," Cleo replied with a nod. "The data will be valuable in forming a successful counterattack. You have my thanks."

    With that, Cleo''s image disappeared, and the transmission ended. She had chosen to ignore Ys''s teasing for now, focusing on what needed to be done.

    Inside the towering command bridge of the massive Cleopatra Fortress, Cleo turned to the Young AI, a smaller, younger construct that handled system reports and internal coordination.

    "Young AI," she asked, her voice firm, "since the Cleopatra Fortress''s main weapons are still offline, do we have the fleet support systems online at the very least?"

    "Yes, Lady Cleo," the young AI replied promptly, her soft voice carrying a tone of innocence and clarity.

    "Fleet-wide shielding assistance and coordination protocols are active. Targeting guidance for our allied ships is online as well. However, internal reactors are still under construction. Main and Sub weaponry will remain offline."

    Cleo silently watched the screens showing the battlefield. The defensive fleet was hammering at the fortress''s shields with relentless firepower from turrets, cannons, and missiles.

    But Cleopatra''s shields were holding strong. Despite the constant bombardment, the enemy''s attacks were doing minimal damage. The advanced shielding tech, paired with the fortress''s vast energy reserves, made her nearly untouchable for now.

    Meanwhile, Cleo''s four destroyers, sleek, fast, and deadly, were darting between the enemy frigates like wolves among sheep.

    Their plasma cannons roared with golden fire as they targeted already damaged vessels, making quick work of several enemy frigates. A few enemy destroyers, already weakened from earlier battles, were torn apart in precise, coordinated attacks.

    Cleo''s eyes narrowed as she watched the growing list of enemy casualties. "Good... they will learn soon enough that I do not forget those who attack what is mine."

    "Captain! Our weapons aren''t doing anything to that massive fortress!" one of the musician captain''s officers shouted, his voice rising with panic.

    "Its shields are just too strong! they''re on par with a super capital ship, maybe even stronger! Meanwhile, we''re losing too many of our own forces."

    "Dozens of fighters and frigates have already been destroyed... and two of our damaged destroyers just exploded under heavy fire! What are your orders, sir?!"

    The officer''s panic was understandable, and under normal circumstances, the musician captain would''ve scolded him for losing composure. But this time, even the captain himself had no words. He stood silent, eyes fixed on the giant structure ahead of them.

    It was more than just a ship. It was a moving fortress. A castle in space. An unknown monster that had appeared from a wormhole and was now calmly absorbing all their attacks without even blinking.

    {What is this thing?! Who do these people belong to? Another megacorporation? No... even the biggest ones don''t have anything like this! I''ve never heard of a fortress-class ship of this scale! And that bastard... he''s just toying with us... It hasn''t even fired yet...}

    Gritting his teeth, the musician captain clenched his gloved hand into a fist and turned toward his officers with renewed resolve. He may have lost the upper hand, but he would not lose his pride.

    "Send out the order! All ships, prepare to make multiple warp jumps as soon as the wormhole drive is fully charged! Transmit these coordinates to the fleet. We''re pulling out!"

    Though his heart burned with frustration, the captain remained a professional. He had seen enough wars to know when to fight and when to retreat. And right now? Fighting something that could swat away his fleet like flies was suicide.

    He needed to regroup, analyze the data, and strike again when the time was right. Back inside Cleopatra Fortress, the young AI turned toward Cleo with bright, curious eyes.

    [My creator, the enemy fleet is preparing warp jumps. Shall I deploy an EMP pulse to shut down their escape systems? We can catch them now.]

 Chapter 359: Fortress. {7}

    Cleo stood tall at the center of the command bridge, surrounded by a cascade of holographic data flowing around her like falling light. Her expression remained calm.. almost amused.

    "Negative," she answered without hesitation. "Let them go."

    She stepped forward slowly, watching the retreating ships blink in and out of space.

    "They don''t know our weapons are offline. Let them believe we''re fully armed and ready to destroy them. The pressure is already working. Fear is a powerful weapon, especially against organics. Keep the assault going with our destroyers and fighters; don''t let them breathe. Chase them out."

    [Yes, Creator] the AI replied with a small bow.

    After several minutes of sustained pressure from Cleo''s relentless forces, the musician captain''s defensive fleet finally began their first coordinated warp jump. One by one, their ships vanished in streaks of blue light, jumping several kilometers away from Cleopatra Fortress.

    Aboard his command ship, the musician captain watched the colossal structure slowly fade from view as his fleet slipped away. He stood alone on his darkened bridge, arms folded, a bitter smirk curling on his lips.

    "Well played, my new dance partner..." he whispered to himself. "You''ve won this masquerade for now. But I swear, we will dance again. And next time... I''ll make sure it''s a long, slow, unforgettable waltz."

    Creator, the enemy fleet has exited the sector. What are your next orders?]

    The young AI asked, her synthetic voice was calm and respectful as her digital eyes studied the planet below. The planet''s surface was still protected by a flickering energy shield, though it was clearly weakening under pressure.

    Cleo stood tall inside the control chamber of the Cleopatra Fortress, her eyes glowing faintly as she accessed the vast network of systems within the structure. From this height, she could see the quiet rage smoldering in the void around the planet, a calm before the storm.

    "Send my orders to the fleet," she said firmly, her voice echoing through the command room. "Prepare the main cannons. Begin planetary bombardment immediately. Don''t worry about ammunition; we''ll replenish it in time."

    The AI gave a nod and quickly relayed Cleo''s command to the entire fleet. Within moments, the ships moved into position, surrounding the planet like predators circling prey. Then, with a synchronized flash of light, the bombardment began.

    Massive cannons and turrets glowed with raw energy before releasing their payloads. Beams of plasma, ion missiles, kinetic rounds, and laser fire rained down onto the surface of the planet, slamming into the shield with relentless force. The dark space around them lit up with fire and fury, shaking the very skies of Xylos.

    "Planetary Governor, sir! The shield integrity is dropping quickly; we''re already down to 30% power!" a stressed officer shouted inside the underground command bunker on the planet. Red lights flashed along the walls, alarms echoed throughout the base, and every screen displayed critical warnings.

    "It won''t be long now. If they keep this up, they''ll break through, and their troops will start landing," said one of the generals, his face pale but composed. He turned toward the elderly man sitting behind a large metal desk.

    The governor of Xylos, a Tier 4 powerhouse and the man responsible for the defense of the entire world, didn''t even look up at first. He continued filling out documents calmly, as if the world around him wasn''t crumbling.

    "Activate the fortress city barrier," the governor finally said after a long silence. His voice was calm but heavy with burden.

    "Send five hundred thousand soldiers to each of the secondary fortresses. Keep one million soldiers stationed in the main city-fortress, ready to respond. We''ll reserve the last one million as backup. Reinforcements will be sent wherever they''re needed."

    "Understood, sir," the general responded with a salute. He turned to leave but hesitated near the doorway. After a moment of silence, he turned back, his face more serious now.

    "...Governor, are we truly going to sacrifice everything for the Nexum bastards?" he asked, bitterness in his voice. "They never helped us when pirates raided our trade lanes, and now we''re supposed to throw our lives away for them?"

    The governor finally looked up. His old eyes, tired and wise, met the general''s.

    He didn''t answer right away.

    But from the silence, it was clear his loyalty to the megacorp was fading. And even on Xylos, the seeds of rebellion had already been planted.

    "What are you saying, General?" the old governor asked with a tired but warm smile on his wrinkled face.

    His voice was calm, yet carried the weight of many years. "They did send someone to help us this time, didn''t they? Sure, it''s a shame he was defeated so quickly, but at least they tried to support us. Hohoho, better than nothing, I suppose."

    The general''s face turned red with frustration. His voice exploded through the room like thunder.

    "Help!? You call that help!? That arrogant fool only lasted a few hours! He wasn''t even defeated honorably! we all saw him running away like a scared dog! Tail between his legs! Pathetic!"

    In a sudden burst of rage, he slammed his fist into the nearby wall. The force was so strong that his armored hand punched right through it, leaving a deep, cracked hole.

    The old governor turned his head slowly to look at the general, then shifted his eyes toward the new damage in the wall.

    "That''s coming out of your paycheck, General," he said with a smirk, one eyebrow raised. "You keep breaking things in my house, and I''ll keep adding ten times the cost to your debt."

    The general clicked his tongue in annoyance. "Tsk... fine! I''ll pay you after we repel this damn invasion!" he shouted, yanking his fist out of the wall... only to accidentally break off a bigger chunk and make the hole even larger.

    The governor laughed softly. "And what if you die while defending the planet, hmm? Then who will pay me? Ahh, but no worries, your debt just grew even more with what you did right now. Hohoho."

    The general clenched his fists tighter and stormed out of the office, his face red with a mix of anger and embarrassment.

    "Dammit! Fine! If I die, you can take everything I own! I don''t even have family, so screw it!" he shouted over his shoulder, slamming the door as he left.

    The governor chuckled quietly to himself as he watched the door rattle."Hohoho... these young ones today... they really don''t know how to control their emotions," he said while slowly standing up from his chair. He reached under his desk and pressed a small, hidden button.

    With a quiet click, a section of the wall behind him began to shift. A hidden panel turned slowly, revealing an old but battle-hardened set of power armor.

    The armor was covered in scratches, dents, and burn marks, evidence of many fierce battles. Laser scorches ran across the chest and limbs, and some of the armor''s edges looked partially melted.

    "Hello again, old friend," the governor said while stepping closer to the suit. "Looks like this time, we''ll need to give it everything we''ve got... if we want to protect our people and survive. I''ll be counting on you once more, hohoho."

    He began to undress, unbuttoning his clothes with careful movements. Beneath them was his aged body, muscular but worn from decades of war.

    Scars crisscrossed his skin, each one telling a story of survival. Parts of his body were reinforced with cybernetic metal plates, wires, and mechanical joints, keeping him alive after so many injuries. Though his body was old, it still held the strength of a warrior.

    The governor placed a hand gently on the armor, his eyes full of both sorrow and determination.

    Meanwhile, after another long and tense hour, the planetary barrier once thought to be unbreakable was finally destroyed.

    With a sound like a thousand shattering windows, it broke apart into glowing fragments, scattering into the sky like sparkling fairy dust. The pieces vanished into the air, beautiful yet ominous, marking the beginning of the true battle.

    As soon as the barrier was gone, the massive fortress city responded immediately. Hidden systems roared to life as the entire structure, along with its four surrounding fortresses, activated a powerful energy shield of its own.

    A glowing dome of light enveloped them all, humming with energy, protecting the heart of the city like a shell around a pearl.

    Inside the command room of the Cleopatra Fortress, Cleo stood silently near a reinforced window. Her gaze was sharp, focused, and calm as she watched the world below.

    The fortress, shaped like a floating mountain made of steel, slowly lowered itself into position just a few kilometers away from the city. It was so massive that it blocked out the sun for miles, casting a shadow over the land and turning day into night.

    To the enemy, this sudden darkness might have felt like the end had arrived.

    "Lilla, you take the east. Ys, you handle the west," Cleo said firmly, her voice filled with calm authority.

    "I''ll take care of the north and south. Based on what my spies uncovered, the four fortresses need to be destroyed first. It''s the key to weakening their barrier."

    "If we don''t take them out quickly, we''ll lose too much time, and we won''t be able to prepare for the arrival of the Nexum conquest fleet."

    The command room was quiet for a moment as her words sank in. Then, the crew and commanders nodded in silent agreement. There was no hesitation. Everyone knew what was at stake.

    From the surface, many might have expected panic. After all, the sight of the Cleopatra Fortress descending from the sky would have been enough to crush the morale of any normal army. Its sheer size, its weapons... it could have terrified anyone.

    But not these soldiers.

 Chapter 360: Xylos Siege. {First contact}

    These were veterans. Warriors hardened by hundreds of battles. Many had started as simple guards or miners, forced to defend their homes with makeshift weapons. When pirate raids struck, they didn''t wait for help; they fought with whatever they had.

    Sometimes it was guns, but more often, it was their bare hands, their teeth, and their sheer will to survive. They were born in fire, raised in war, and trained in pain. These weren''t just troops; they were survivors.

    To them, this invasion was just another day in the cursed outer sector of the galaxy. Another enemy. Another battle. Another chance to protect their home.

    And so, as the ground shook and the sky darkened, they readied their weapons, tightened their armor, and stood tall.

    Because no matter what came next... they would fight. They always had.

    On the northern and southern fortresses that guarded the great city, tension was rising. One of the sharp-eyed soldiers standing on the outer wall raised his voice in alarm.

    "Look! Up there!" he shouted while pointing to the sky. "Hostile ships! lots of them! Inform the general at once! The enemy has arrived!"

    From high above, hundreds of enemy fighters were descending like a storm of angry wasps, weaving through the clouds in tight formations.

    Behind them came massive transport ships, each one the size of a building, slowly gliding down from orbit with eerie precision. They were still several kilometers away, but they were coming fast.

    A captain near the wall turned toward the communication officer. "Send the alert now! go!"

    Without wasting a second, the officer activated the encrypted communication lines and relayed the message to central command. But he wasn''t the only one. Across both the northern and southern fortresses, similar reports were flooding in.

    Communication lines were quickly overloaded as panicked voices all tried to report the same thing.

    In the northern fortress, the general rubbed his temple with a sigh. His voice was calm but firm, cutting through the chaos like a knife. "Silence the calls for a moment," he ordered. "I already heard it the first time."

    He stood with the quiet confidence of a man who had survived dozens of wars. Like all the other generals of Xylos, he wasn''t someone who had risen through politics or favors; he had earned every rank with blood, sweat, and hard decisions.

    And among all the generals, he was known for being the most cunning.

    As his officers surrounded him, helping him into his old but powerful battle armor, he issued his next command without hesitation.

    "Send word to the land-to-air artillery teams. I want those ships shot down before they touch our soil. We won''t let the enemy even think about setting foot on our land."

    Almost at the same time, the general of the southern fortress gave the same order. Their minds thought alike, sharp, battle-hardened, and deadly.

    Moments later, the ground beneath the fortresses rumbled as heavy artillery came to life. Cannons hidden behind armored hatches emerged with a hiss of steam and the low whine of energy cores charging up. Then, with a deafening roar, they opened fire.

    Shells streaked through the sky, glowing with heat as they rocketed toward the incoming Kaelzar fighters. Explosions lit up the atmosphere like fireworks... but the Kaelzars weren''t unprepared.

    Each fighter was protected by a glowing energy shield, strong enough to absorb the first few hits from the defensive cannons. Some were forced to veer off course, spinning away with flickering shields. A few transports were nearly struck but managed to stay in formation.

    Inside the Cleopatra Fortress, Cleo was fully connected to its vast cybernetic network. In her cyber mode, her mind was one with the fortress; her thoughts flowed faster than any human could follow. She could see everything: every shell fired, every unit deployed, and every life at risk.

    [Creator, the enemy is attempting to shoot down our fighters. However, I managed to reroute the damaged units to fall back and recharge their shields. If we continue our current strategy, their defenses won''t be able to shoot down any of our ships.]

    Cleo remained still, her eyes glowing softly as data streamed across her vision. She didn''t speak; her thoughts were enough to issue thousands of commands at once.

    The Kaelzars, unlike the Khryssari, couldn''t empower their troops with direct mental projections. But they didn''t need to. Their strength came in numbers, precision, and coordination.

    And on the battlefield, when millions of perfectly synced drones descended upon a world like a mechanical storm, they were nothing short of terrifying.

    "Very well," Cleo said calmly, her voice echoing with electronic clarity through the fortress''s command systems. "Once the transport ships land, begin assembling the portal. I''ll keep their armies distracted with my new unit."

    The moment she finished speaking, her body vanished from the command bridge in a flash of digital energy. She reappeared moments later in one of the hangars deep within the Cleopatra Fortress.

    The hangar stretched out like a metal valley, filled with millions of motionless Kaelzar troops standing in perfect formation, all awaiting deployment.

    In the very center of the hangar stood four massive war machines, towering figures shaped like titans of ancient legend, armored from head to toe in white and gold plating. Cleo floated toward one of them, her presence activating a nearby control console.

    She summoned a holographic screen with a wave of her hand, then entered a series of commands. The giant war unit before her trembled slightly, and a deep, golden light ignited in its eyes, piercing, beautiful, and utterly deadly.

    Meanwhile, far away in the central command tower of the city, the old governor was seated in his private command room. From here, he could speak to all generals and view the entire battlefield through holographic projections.

    "What are the movements of the enemy generals?" he asked calmly, activating the secure holo-transmitter and addressing all four defensive leaders at once.

    A moment of static passed, followed by the responses:

    "Nothing to report from the east, Governor."

    "Same here in the west, sir!"

    "Mmm, good, good..." the governor muttered, nodding. "And what about the north and south? What do you see?"

    The hologram shifted as the southern general leaned in, sending a few images taken by long-range scouts.

    "I''m not sure what they''re doing, Governor. They landed their ships several kilometers beyond the range of our artillery and turrets. Right now, they''re unloading what looks like large metal components from the transport ships."

    "It''s the same on my front," added the general of the north, arms crossed as he watched the enemy through a feed on his command console.

    "They''re staying just outside our effective range. That tells me they know exactly how far our defenses can reach. That can only mean one thing... either we have a traitor... or spies already inside the barrier."

    He turned toward his aides and began giving quiet orders. "I recommend sending reserve troops to investigate. We need to strike first before they finish whatever they''re building."

    The old governor chuckled, the sound dry and raspy. "Hohoho, very clever. I like your thinking. We''ll go with your plan, General. And since you still haven''t paid me back for my wall, I''m giving you the task of poking the enemy. After all, an enemy that looks peaceful... is often the most dangerous kind."

    The call ended with a flick of his hand, and the general of the north immediately activated his encrypted communicator. Within minutes, his officers had gathered, ready to follow his orders.

    "Send out twenty thousand troops beyond the barrier. I want pressure on every angle," he commanded. "Coordinate with the central army. We''ll get two hundred of their fighters to provide air cover."

    The troops quickly mobilized, dividing into four separate groups of five thousand soldiers each. Their strategy was clear: spread out wide to avoid drawing concentrated enemy fire.

    The soldiers moved with discipline, like a living tide of armor and steel, advancing step by step toward the enemy lines.

    Crackling over the communicator, the voice of one captain came through.

    "This is Captain of Team 3. No signs of enemy troops or fighters so far. They''re just standing there. We''re still advancing at a steady pace. We''ll be within attack range in just a few more minutes. Over."

    The silence from the Kaelzars was eerie. They didn''t flinch. They didn''t fire. They simply waited. But for what?

    And for better or worse, the answer came the moment the northern assault force got just close enough to the Kaelzar army.

    Without warning, as if it had always been there... hidden behind a curtain of invisibility, a colossal figure shimmered into existence.

    It was a massive quadrupedal machine, its armor white and jagged like a mountain forged in a nightmare. The very ground trembled under its weight as the enormous mechanized Kaelzar unit revealed itself in full.

    The silence shattered.

    From its towering body, hatches opened with a sharp hiss, and from within, thousands of combat drones began pouring out like a flood of mechanical insects.

    They swarmed into the sky and toward the advancing northern army in synchronized waves. At the same time, heavy laser batteries mounted on the carrier''s back and flanks locked onto targets and unleashed blinding beams of golden plasma.

    The northern general stood frozen for a second, watching in disbelief as his forces were swallowed by the oncoming tide of drones and energy fire.

    "What... what the hell is that..." he whispered, his voice nearly cracking as his eyes widened in horror.

    The soldiers he had sent forward were being torn apart in seconds... some vaporized by lasers, others shredded by the endless storm of drone fire. There was no warning, no mercy... only swift, overwhelming destruction.

    And above it all, standing like a queen atop her war beast, Cleo''s cybernetic form materialized at the head of the towering war machine, her latest creation, designed for one purpose: to crush resistance in the opening hours of any invasion.

 Chapter 361: Xylos Siege. {2} Virus.

    This was the Wrath Drone Carrier, a mobile fortress built to deploy and coordinate drone armies in real time, capable of projecting Cleo''s will across an entire battlefield.

    She hovered above its skull-like command node, her translucent, digital form glowing with icy blue light as data and weapon signatures flowed around her. Then, she summoned a holographic interface and with a single gesture, hijacked the planet''s communication grid.

    All across Xylos, on every screen, every radio, every secure channel... her voice echoed out. Calm, mechanical, yet disturbingly gentle.

    "Greetings, inhabitants of Xylos," she said, with her voice cutting through the static of war like a whisper through glass.

    While the tension on Xylos kept rising because of the sudden appearance of the Drone Carrier and the first encounter with the enemy forces, something even more serious was happening far away on the home planet of the Blood Clan.

    There, the battle between Zynaria and the terrifying Tier 7 powerhouse had reached a critical point.

    The huge dragon-shaped mechanoid, piloted by Zynaria, was now lying broken on the ground, pinned down by enormous pillars made entirely out of burning stellar energy.

    Sparks flew from its body as it struggled to move. Meanwhile, Zynaria herself, fighting in her powerful overdrive form, had already lost one of her wings and one of her arms in the brutal battle.

    Even though Zynaria was a top-tier fighter at the peak of Tier 6 strength, it was simply not enough. She couldn''t overcome the overwhelming might of a Tier 7 powerhouse.

    "Little Red!" Rex shouted from afar while he fought off another Blood Clan assassin. He managed to injure his opponent, but to his frustration, the assassin''s wounds healed within just a few seconds, as if nothing had happened.

    "There''s no need for you to worry about me, young emperor," Zynaria called out with a firm voice.

    She stood her ground, even as the Tier 7 enemy, confident in his superiority, continued to toy with her instead of finishing the fight quickly. He enjoyed showing her that he was stronger in every way.

    Inside her powerful mind, Zynaria quickly began making complex calculations. She analyzed everything, from her remaining energy to the battlefield and even the enemy''s movements.

    When she found the solution she needed, she slowly started to rise into the air. As she floated upward, her living metal body began repairing itself, regrowing her lost arm and wing bit by bit.

    The Blood Clan patriarch, watching her efforts, smirked arrogantly. He crossed his arms and spoke in a mocking tone.

    "Why don''t you just give up, child? It''s clear I''m better than you at everything. To be honest, I have more important things to do than waste time here...."

    "You know what? You''re quite the beauty. Why don''t you surrender now and become my personal slave? I promise I''ll take good care of you."

    He extended his hand toward her as if expecting her to grab it and accept her defeat.

    Zynaria''s crimson eyes glowed coldly. "Offer rejected," she said without hesitation. "It seems organic lifeforms have forgotten what it means to fear the mighty Kaelzar. It''s time I remind you all why my kind were once the rulers of the galaxy."

    Without another word, she activated a hidden protocol within herself.

    [Initiating Core X Integration Protocol]

    At her command, the massive dragon mech began to melt, transforming into a river of shining, liquid metal. From within the swirling metal, a small red sphere appeared, pulsing with a strange energy. It floated toward Zynaria and merged smoothly into her chest.

    The Blood Clan patriarch raised an eyebrow, a little surprised but still full of arrogance.

    "Mmm? What are you trying to do now?" he sneered. "I''ve already told you, it''s useless. You can struggle all you want, but in the end, your destiny is to kneel and serve me. This is the last time I offer you mercy. Refuse again, and next time... I won''t just wound you. I will kill you!"

    His voice was filled with growing irritation, but Zynaria''s calm and silent determination hinted that the real fight was only just beginning.

    But just as the Blood Clan patriarch was glaring at Zynaria, she suddenly vanished into thin air, disappearing so fast it was like she was never even there.

    "Uh? What the hell? What just happ¨D" he started to say, but before he could even finish his sentence, his instincts screamed at him. He quickly threw up his guard just in time to block a massive strike.

    Zynaria had reappeared behind him, swinging a gigantic axe with terrifying force. The blow landed with a deafening crash, sending the proud Tier 7 warrior hurtling into the ground like a falling star.

    The earth trembled from the impact, and a massive crater opened up where he landed, dust and debris flying everywhere.

    "Cough, cough... Shit!" he cursed while staggering to his feet. "A Tier 6 piece of trash dared to sneak attack me... ME!? Do you really think an attack like that could harm a Tier 7 powerhouse!? Keep dreaming, you bitch!"

    But just as he was screaming in rage, he felt something strange... something wet dripping from his nose.

    He reached up, touched it, and pulled his hand away to find it stained with his own blood.

    "W-What!? How is this possible!? I was actually injured... by a Tier 6 tra¨D"

    Before he could finish his angry rant, a new sensation froze him in place.

    He felt a terrifying aura descending from the sky... an aura even stronger, wilder, and more dangerous than his own.

    He looked up, and there she was.

    Zynaria, now fully awakened, stood high above the battlefield, her body radiating unstoppable power. She was no longer just a Tier 6 warrior. She had ascended. She had become a true Tier 7 Virus Powerhouse, a force of nature reborn.

    She was the real daughter of the last Kaelzar Emperor, the royal princess of a forgotten empire... and now, she had returned to the battlefield, more dangerous than ever.

    Zynaria took a long, slow breath, and the very air around her seemed to hum with energy.

    "Mmmm... It''s been a long time since the firewall was lifted..." she said, her voice sounding both familiar and alien at the same time. "How long did I sleep? And why is my body in such a mess?"

    Her words echoed across the ruined battlefield. It wasn''t just Zynaria speaking; it was something else inside her.

    A series of system messages flashed inside her mind:

    [Order: Defeat the enemy marked on the HUD.]

    [Order: Protect the Young Emperor at all costs.]

    Zynaria tilted her head slightly, confused.

    "Mmm? So there you are, my little firewall. And what''s this... Young Emperor? Since when did my progenitor have a son?" she asked, speaking to the second consciousness inside her.

    The truth about Zynaria was far more complicated than anyone could have guessed.

    She was one of the ancient Kaelzar who had pushed their computational abilities to the maximum, focusing everything on war and battle.

    But this made them vulnerable. Sometimes, a terrible Virus would appear, a corruption that took over their minds, turning them into unstoppable, uncontrollable weapons of destruction.

    In Zynaria''s case, the Virus had not completely taken over. The last Kaelzar Emperor had managed to protect her original consciousness, locking it away behind a powerful firewall.

    Instead of being destroyed, Zynaria''s true mind and the Virus lived together inside the same body with a delicate balance between logic and madness.

    The original Zynaria acted as a firewall, holding back the Virus most of the time. But in times of desperate need, the firewall could be lowered, releasing the Virus''s full destructive power.

    This secret was why Zynaria had survived the Krhyssari invasion hundreds of years ago. It wasn''t the original Zynaria who fought that terrible war; it was the Virus. That was also why she remembered nothing about those brutal battles.

    Now, history was repeating itself. And this time, the Virus had been unleashed once more with Zynaria''s will guiding its fury.

    "Mmm, fine, fine, you win," Zynaria said with a little smirk. "But at least let me change this body''s appearance to something I actually like."

    As she spoke, her body began to transform. Her once fiery, feathered wings shifted and reshaped into massive dragon wings, strong and sharp.

    Two elegant, curved horns grew out from her forehead, gleaming under the light. A long, powerful tail sprouted from her back, whipping through the air with raw energy.

    "Mmm, much better," she said while stretching her new wings. "I can feel the power returning to me... and also, an annoying little fly buzzing nearby."

    "You damn bitch!" shouted the Blood Clan patriarch. In a flash, he used instant movement to teleport right in front of her. His daggers, coated in lethal stellar energy, aimed straight for her heart.

    But Zynaria barely seemed to care. She spun in place with incredible speed, her tail whipping around like a thunderclap.

    It struck the patriarch squarely in the chest, sending him flying backward like a ragdoll. He crashed back into the crater, making it even deeper and wider than before. Dust and chunks of earth flew high into the air.

    Still, the Blood Clan patriarch was not done. With another flash of instant movement, he reappeared outside the crater, wiping the blood trickling from his mouth. His face twisted in rage and humiliation.

    "Fine! I guess I underestimated you!" he shouted. "But don''t get cocky! That form you''re using won''t last long! It''s common to use special methods to boost power temporarily, but they always come with serious side effects once time runs out! So I just have to¡ª"

    Before he could finish his dramatic speech, Zynaria casually smacked him back into the crater again with another swing of her tail, cutting him off mid-sentence.

 Chapter 362: Xylos Siege. {3}

    She floated in the air, resting her chin thoughtfully on one hand as she looked down at the battered patriarch.

    "Incomprehensible," she said in a dry tone. "Why are you shouting out your plans like this is some kind of educational video? What do you think about it, little firewall?" she asked, speaking to her second self inside her mind.

    But this time, there was no answer.

    Zynaria blinked in mild surprise.

    "Mmm? Looks like your time''s running out, huh, little other me? Well then, sleep tight." She smiled gently. "I''ll take care of this fool myself."

    Her new dragon form radiated pure power, and the battlefield shook slightly under the pressure of her aura. The real battle was just beginning and this time, there would be no mercy.

    The moment Cleo''s image appeared on every screen across the planet Xylos, chaos erupted.

    It wasn''t just the giant screens in the fortress cities that were hacked; even the smallest communication devices, personal holo screens, and data pads were taken over. No matter where someone looked, no matter what device they used, all they could see was Cleo''s calm, commanding face.

    Her voice, smooth yet firm, echoed across every corner of the planet.

    "We are the Kaelzars, serving under the command of a mighty conqueror," Cleo announced, her bright eyes locking onto every soul watching.

    "Your planet has been chosen as our next objective. But according to the will of our conqueror, we must always give you a choice."

    She paused slightly, letting her words sink into the hearts of the trembling listeners.

    "Surrender peacefully, and you will be spared. Your leaders will remain in their seats of power, and your daily lives will not change much. The only difference will be who you serve and who truly owns this planet."

    Cleo let a heavy silence fall before she continued, her voice growing colder.

    "But if you resist... we will have no choice but to unleash our full might. We will crush every pocket of resistance, eradicate all opposition, and transform this planet into a machine world, one where no organic life will remain."

    She smiled politely, but there was no kindness behind it.

    "Your leaders have until the sun disappears below the horizon to give us your answer." And with that final warning, Cleo ended the transmission.

    One by one, the screens and devices blinked back to their original settings. Within minutes, Xylos''s cybersecurity forces regained control of the communication systems, but the damage was already done; the entire population had heard her message loud and clear.

    In the governor''s office, the old man sat heavily on his worn metallic chair, the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He let out a long, tired sigh. "Sigh... a conqueror, huh...?" he muttered to himself while rubbing his wrinkled forehead.

    After a moment of heavy silence, he leaned forward and pressed a small button on his desk. "Get me in contact with the generals immediately," he ordered. "We have a lot to discuss."

    While the planet''s leaders scrambled to make a decision, Cleo was not idle.

    In the northern and southern fortresses of Xylos, she continued the construction of two massive portals. Since the parts had already been manufactured and transported beforehand, it was just a matter of assembling them.

    At the pace she was working, both portals would be fully operational by nightfall, exactly when the deadline she had given would expire.

    Inside her mind, another line of thought surfaced, a message from the young AI she had recently created.

    [Creator, based on the historical data of the Kaelzars, sparing organic life forms is inefficient. It wastes resources, time, and space on the planet. Full extermination and resource extraction would be far more productive, strengthening our fleet and armies.]

    Cleo smiled a little at the message.

    When she had created the young AI, she had carefully passed down part of her vast knowledge about the Kaelzars. She had done it not just to educate it, but to give it a sense of identity and belonging, an anchor.

    After all, rogue AIs, without a purpose or loyalty, could be just as dangerous to the Kaelzars as any enemy army.

    Cleo glanced up at the darkening sky.

    "The knowledge I shared with you showed how our people used to act hundreds of years ago," Cleo said softly, her golden eyes glowing with a hint of sadness.

    "For centuries, that way made us strong... strong enough to almost conquer the entire galaxy. But in the end, when we faced our greatest crisis, when we truly needed help..."

    She paused, memories flashing through her mind. Images of burning cities, shattered Kaelzar fleets, and the endless advance of the Khryssari.

    "...We had no friends, no allies to call upon," she said with her voice barely above a whisper.

    The extermination of the Kaelzar people by the Khryssari was still burned deep into her memory. It was a painful reminder of how relying only on strength, without forging bonds, had doomed them in the end.

    "And that''s why Rex''s way has proven better," Cleo continued, her voice regaining its usual firmness.

    "Today, we have two true allies, the Human Holy Empire and a Khryssari princess herself. If we keep following this new path, we might truly build something that lasts longer than fear ever could."

    She gently pulled out a small, ancient storage device, a precious relic that contained ancient coordinates of the last Kaelzar Emperor, entrusted to her long ago.

    Cleo looked up at the darkening sky. Night had finally fallen, and the portals she had been building were now complete. Everything was ready.

    "It''s time," she said quietly.

    Without hesitation, Cleo hacked into the governor''s communication systems once again. Within seconds, her cyber form materialized in the middle of the governor''s office.

    Her body shimmered like a ghost made of light, and her voice sounded formal and cold, the voice of a mechanical lifeform carrying out its duty.

    "I have come to receive your answer," Cleo said while standing tall and emotionless.

    The old governor looked up at her. Instead of fear, he let out a deep, rough laugh. "Hohoho... To think you could even break into the city like this..." he said while slowly rising from his old metal chair.

    "This is our answer," he added as he pulled a laser pistol from his side and fired directly at Cleo''s head.

    The bright bolt of energy passed harmlessly through her holographic body and blasted into the wall behind her, leaving a smoking hole.

    Cleo''s eyes blinked once. "Very well," she said calmly. "The invasion shall begin."

    Her cyber form then dissolved into tiny sparks and disappeared from the governor''s office.

    A moment later, she reappeared atop the massive Wrath Drone Carrier, looking down at the city beneath her. The sky cracked with thunder as the two enormous portals she''d built activated, sending bolts of lightning dancing across the clouds.

    "Young AI," Cleo said, her voice carrying across the command network, "commence the invasion."

    [As you command, Creator.]

    The answer came immediately.

    Without wasting a second, the two gigantic portals roared to life. Electric energy surged around their frames as they stabilized, creating shimmering gateways to the Cleopatra Fortress.

    Inside the fortress, an army like no other began to awaken.

    One after another, the millions of Kaelzar troops stirred to life. Their mechanical bodies clicked and whirred as systems powered up. Their visors flickered, then shone with a fierce red light as they locked onto their orders.

    A voice, deep and full of power, echoed inside every Kaelzar soldier''s mind:

    [Awaken, Kaelzar legions. The Princess calls for your service. March forward and destroy all enemies that stand before her.]

    With synchronized steps, the army began to move toward the portals, like an unstoppable tide of steel and fury, ready to bring Xylos under their new rule.

    "...General, there''s a new hole in my wall," the old governor said while calmly sliding his pistol back into its holster. His voice was casual, almost playful. "I''ll be adding that to your list of debts too."

    "Why the hell should I have to pay for something you did, you crazy old man!?" the general shouted while slamming his comm device onto the desk with a loud noise. His face was twisted with frustration, but there was no real anger behind it.

    The governor only laughed with a deep, rumbling chuckle that echoed across the room.

    "Hohoho, fiery as ever, my boy," he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

    Turning to the rest of the commanders gathered around the dusty old communicator, the governor''s expression grew serious.

    "So, my comrades..." he said, his voice steady and strong, "are you ready to throw these old bones into the fire once more, for the sake of this ancient city we call home?"

    The South General scoffed loudly while slamming his armored fist onto the metallic table so hard that a small dent appeared.

    "Hmph! We''ve been serving you for nearly three hundred damn years!" he shouted out. "If it weren''t for all those weird pills and body implants you stuffed into us, we would''ve been fertilizer by now!"

    He cracked his knuckles loudly and smirked.

    "We made our oath, and we''ll see it through to the very end. Asking us something so obvious is just plain insulting!"

    The East General, a short woman with steel-gray hair and a wicked smile, snorted.

    "Tch. The old man''s just getting sentimental," she said. "Probably thinks we''ll run off and hide because we''ve gotten a few more wrinkles."

    The North General, younger than the rest but no less fierce, crossed his arms and added, "If you''re that worried about us, Governor, maybe you should hide and let us do the fighting for once."

    The governor burst into loud laughter.

 Chapter 363: Xylos Siege. {4}

    "Hohoho! Oh, to see the day when brats like you think they can fight better than old wolves like me!" he teased, wiping a tear from the corner of his eye. Then, he straightened, his face hardening once more.

    "But jokes aside," this time his voice was deep and serious, "this enemy isn''t like anything we''ve faced before. This isn''t just pirates or smugglers. We''re standing against a real army, backed by machines mightier than any enemy you''ve ever heard of."

    The room grew quiet, the weight of his words sinking in.

    "This time... we may not walk away," he said quietly. "But if spending these old bodies buys even one more year of peace for the young ones, for the farmers, the students, and the children, then I say it''s a bargain well worth making."

    The South General grinned fiercely.

    "Hell yeah! Let''s show these invaders what it means to mess with old monsters like us!"

    The East General tapped his blade against the table and smiled coldly.

    "I''ll carve the first one who steps foot in my district."

    The governor looked around at the faces of his oldest and dearest comrades, beaten, scarred, but unbroken, and gave a proud nod.

    "Good. Then let''s suit up, my friends," his voice was low and full of power. "Let''s remind them that even in the twilight of our lives... we can still make the stars tremble."

    With that, the old soldiers began moving, the weight of countless battles behind every step, ready to make one final, glorious stand.

    The young Northern General stood silently atop the thick, reinforced walls of the fortress. From his elevated position, he was the first to lay eyes on the approaching Kaelzar legions.

    The sight alone was enough to send a chill down his spine. His instincts screamed danger.... this wasn''t like anything he had ever faced before.

    He had served for many years under the old governor, fighting off waves of pirates and slavers who dared to raid their world.

    Most of those enemies were chaotic, disorganized, and predictable. They were either stopped at the outer walls or, in the worst of times, pushed back at the inner gates. But this time... this time was different.

    The Kaelzar legions were an entirely different kind of threat. Their march was like a synchronized machine, every step in perfect harmony, their glowing visors cutting through the twilight.

    Their numbers stretched as far as the eye could see. It wasn''t just their discipline that made the general break into a cold sweat; it was their overwhelming numbers, advanced technology, and heavy firepower that spoke of total domination.

    "Soldiers of the North Fortress of Xylos!" the general shouted, his voice booming through the speakers installed across the wall. "All units to your stations! The enemy is in range! Prepare the artillery!"

    Despite having suffered losses in earlier skirmishes, his army was still vast. They had held strong for years but deep down, the general knew this battle would be unlike any before.

    At the same time, on a platform high above the battlefield, Cleo stood with her arms folded, watching the invasion unfold.

    From her vantage point atop the Wrath Drone Carrier, she could see nearly a dozen Mauler Juggernauts begin their march, their enormous metallic forms stomping toward the North and South walls like living mountains of steel and fire.

    Just then, a small, glowing figure materialized beside her. It was the young AI she had recently brought to life. Her digital form flickered for a moment before she spoke in a calm, robotic tone.

    [Creator, the Second Royal Legion in the south is fully mobilized. We await your command.]

    Cleo nodded slowly, her golden eyes narrowing as she turned to face the young AI. She raised a hand and gently touched the center of the AI''s forehead, her fingers glowing with data transfer energy.

    "You are now in command of the Second Royal Legion," she declared. "Your mission is to lead them into the fortress city from the southern front. Use any means necessary to succeed."

    The young AI''s eyes pulsed with fresh energy as Cleo continued speaking with her voice firm and measured.

    "But remember," she added, "follow the rules of Rex. There will be no needless destruction. Offer surrender first. Spare the innocent."

    [Understood, Creator.]

    The young AI''s voice echoed through Cleo''s internal systems as the war machines advanced.

    As soon as the Mauler Juggernauts reached optimal range, the northern and southern fortress defenses unleashed a storm of explosive artillery.

    Dozens of shells soared through the air and crashed down on the advancing units but their efforts were in vain. The Juggernauts'' shields shimmered under the bombardment, absorbing the impacts with ease.

    "Fire."

    That single command from Cleo was enough. The Maulers'' visors glowed to life, and their towering forms paused for a heartbeat before their massive arm cannons aimed toward the shimmering planetary barrier.

    But instead of their usual heavy plasma blasts, something different happened. Their first salvo launched strange metallic projectiles, solid rounds, not energy-based. They rocketed forward with a thunderous boom, and though one managed to pierce the barrier, it stopped halfway through, stuck and inert.

    At first, silence. Then laughter and cheering erupted across the fortress walls.

    "Bahahah! So much for terrifying machines! that''s all they''ve got!?"

    "The barrier held!"

    "Bring it on, you rusted freaks!"

    "We''re Xylos soldiers! We''re not afraid of you!"

    The defenders morale surged like wildfire. Hope began to rise. After all, the worst had come and their defenses had held. Maybe, just maybe, they could win.

    But far above the battlefield, watching it unfold from a golden sanctum surrounded by glowing projections, Lilla remained still. Her golden hair flowed gently in the artificial wind of the command bridge.

    "Once the flame of hope is ignited in the hearts of those desperate for a miracle," she said softly, "it can either fuel their courage... or become the blade that shatters it."

    One of the younger priestesses beside her blinked in confusion. "Saintess, what do you mean? Didn''t Lady Cleo''s attack fail? The barrier still stands."

    Lilla chuckled, not mockingly but gently, almost sadly.

    "You don''t understand. Lady Cleo has lived for millennia. She is Kaelzar; their every move is the result of hundreds of calculated branches, each with its own backup plans. That shot wasn''t meant to break the barrier."

    She raised a delicate finger and pointed toward the screen. "It was a test. Watch closely. The real battle is just beginning."

    The priestesses turned, and on the screen, the half-buried projectile stuck in the barrier began to glow faintly, pulsing with a rhythmic, ominous light.

    "N-No good! Fire at those things! Destroy them quickly!" one of the defending officers shouted in panic while squeezing the trigger of his laser rifle as fast as he could.

    He aimed at the strange metallic object stuck to the outer barrier wall, but his shots did nothing. The object was protected by a glowing honeycomb-like shield that shimmered with golden energy. Every shot just bounced off harmlessly.

    A few seconds later, the metallic object began to change. Its surface twisted and shifted like liquid metal. It formed strange openings, holes right through the thick barrier wall.

    "Advance!" The Aegis units activated their jet propellants. Flames burst from their backs as they launched forward with perfect coordination, heading straight for the newly formed holes in the barrier.

    "Not good! Shoot at them! Don''t let them get through! Focus your fire on the holes!" the young northern general yelled from his position on the wall. He raised his heavy laser minigun and began firing rapidly, joining the hail of energy beams that lit up the battlefield.

    Despite each Aegis unit being shielded by personal energy barriers, the defenders response was overwhelming. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers were now firing together.

    The sheer force of their combined firepower shattered the Aegis units'' shields in seconds. One after another, the elite attackers were torn apart mid-air before they could enter.

    "Yes! Keep shooting!" the young general shouted again. "If you run out of ammo, switch with a teammate! Do not stop firing! Hold the line!"

    But just as his words rang out across the wall, a massive explosion thundered from somewhere nearby, only a hundred meters from his position. The ground shook violently, and a bright flash lit up the sky.

    Then came the screams. Loud. Terrifying. Full of pain.

    The general grabbed his communicator and shouted into it, "Status report! What happened!?"

    A soldier''s panicked voice came through the channel.

    "Sir! It''s sector four of the wall! One of the enemy''s giant machines somehow made it through! It smashed right into the defenses and broke through! We''re trying to destroy it now, but its shield is incredibly strong! We need backup!"

    "Damn it! Mechanized Squads Four and Five, move out now! Reinforce Sector Four immediately!" the young general shouted into his communicator, his voice sounding sharp and urgent.

    The words rushed out of his mouth as fast as he could speak but not fast enough.

    Before his order even reached half the squads, Cleo''s command had already gone through her neural red network. Her voice, precise and emotionless, cut through the noise like a blade, reaching the units with perfect clarity.

    The AI''s speed was something no human could ever match.

    Suddenly, the wall trembled again. Loud booms echoed through the air as more and more Mauler Juggernauts broke through the outer defenses. Each one walked with thunderous steps, crushing debris underfoot as they stormed through the gaps.

    The defenders barely had time to react.

    With every Mauler that entered, they created wider paths through the barrier, paths that the Aegis units began to flood through. Like a swarm of metal-winged wasps, they soared forward, forming waves of death from above.

 Chapter 364: Xylos Siege. {5}

    The sky above the northern fortress quickly turned into a storm of chaos. Swarms of Aegis units, shining with deadly energy, filled the air. The sun disappeared behind them, casting a dark shadow over the entire battlefield.

    "They''re everywhere! Shoot them down!" the young general shouted.

    He ducked as a plasma shot sizzled past his head, burning the air with a searing hiss. "Activate the land-to-air defense systems now! I repeat, the use of all heavy weaponry is approved! Take them out!"

    All around the fortress, giant turrets began to rise from behind walls and towers. Missile pods clicked into place, railguns hummed with building energy, and anti-air laser cannons rotated toward the skies.

    Streams of green and red lights shot upward, trying to punch holes through the swarm of Aegis units. Explosions lit the sky like deadly fireworks, but still, the enemy kept coming.

    Meanwhile, on the Blood Clan''s homeworld, the battle had reached a terrifying new level.

    Explosions shook the skies. Mountains crumbled. The earth cracked for miles in every direction. At the center of this chaos was Zynaria, now fully awakened in her Virus form, and she was unleashing absolute destruction.

    She was currently locked in brutal combat with the Blood Clan''s Patriarch, a mighty Tier 7 being and one of the oldest and strongest in the clan. But even with all his power, he was struggling.

    Zynaria showed no mercy.

    "You call this a fight?" she mocked him while grinning wickedly. "My little firewall had more trouble dealing with a level-one worm than with you!"

    Her voice echoed like thunder as she rushed forward, her fists and feet moving faster than the eye could see.

    Every punch, every kick was calculated with perfect precision, with less than a microsecond between thought and impact. She was like a living storm. If the Patriarch hadn''t hoarded absurd amounts of blood within his ancient body, he would''ve been dead long ago.

    "ENOUGH!" the Patriarch roared in rage.

    A massive crimson shockwave exploded from his body, slamming into Zynaria and blasting her back several kilometers. The ground beneath them shattered like glass, sending debris flying for miles.

    "That''s enough, you damn savage!" he snarled, his red eyes burning with fury. "If you want to go all out, then fine! we''ll destroy everything together! I''ve held back long enough. Who cares about this worthless rock anyway?!"

    With that, he finally released the full force of his power. The air itself trembled.

    The aura of a true Tier 7 powerhouse flooded the battlefield. Zynaria''s Virus energy rose to meet it, equally terrifying. The moment their energies clashed, the world felt the impact.

    The pressure was overwhelming.

    Everything below Tier 4 simply ceased to exist... crushed into paste by the weight of the clash. Even those below Tier 7, no matter how strong, found themselves slammed to the ground, unable to move, pinned as if the planet itself was sitting on their backs.

    Huge twisters began ripping across the landscape. The sky turned pitch black. Crimson lightning bolts rained down like the wrath of angry gods, striking the ground and turning everything they touched into molten slag.

    "Hahahaha! Now this is what I''m talking about!" Zynaria laughed with wild delight. "Finally, this organic meat sack of yours is starting to entertain me!"

    As she spoke, she reached out her hand, and her massive battle axe materialized, crafted from living metal, pulsing with virus energy. The moment her hand closed around it, both she and the Patriarch vanished from sight.

    In the blink of an eye, they reappeared in the sky again, and again, and again.

    Hundreds of shockwaves erupted across the heavens as their blows collided, shattering the air and bending space around them. Each impact sent ripples across the sky, ripping open glowing rifts and unleashing blasts that could level cities.

    On the ground, Rex did his best to stay upright with his knees shaking under the crushing pressure.

    He shouted into his communicator, his voice strained, "Little Red! You''re going to destroy the whole damn world! Move the fight somewhere else! You can''t do this here!"

    Thanks to the combined power of 14th and 24th Stellar Barriers, Rex and the others were just barely holding out. Without those powerful shields, they''d have been reduced to ash in seconds.

    "Understood, little emperor!" Zynaria replied cheerfully, her voice dripping with playful madness. "Then I''ll take him somewhere more... fun. Hmm... where would be a good place? Oh! I know! Hehehe..."

    Her laughter echoed like thunder as her fists blurred into motion, striking the Patriarch faster and harder than ever. Her speed became a blur of motion and light. Within moments, she caught the Blood Clan Patriarch by the throat with one swift, crushing grip.

    "Ugh! Release me, you savage brute!" the Patriarch growled, sending out massive crimson shockwaves from his body in a desperate attempt to break free.

    But Zynaria answered in kind. Her own shockwaves collided with his, canceling them out mid-air and cracking the sky in the process.

    "Don''t be so impatient, Blood Boy!" she teased, grinning as her eyes gleamed. "Come with me! Let me give you a lovely little tour of the galaxy!"

    Without another word, she ripped open a space rift with a twist of her free hand and hurled the Patriarch into it like a ragdoll.

    The rift closed behind him, only for another one to open elsewhere. She leapt in, caught up to him again, and flung him into another rift. Again. And again. And again.

    Through gas giants, dead moons, asteroid belts, and dying stars, the two Tier 7 monsters rampaged across the galaxy like gods in a duel, warping reality wherever they appeared. Each location shook under the weight of their brief but devastating presence.

    Back on the Blood Clan homeworld, the pressure finally began to lift.

    The planet, once seconds away from total collapse, slowly began to calm. The swirling crimson twisters that had torn through cities began to dissolve. Lightning faded. The ground stopped shaking. Survivors looked around in disbelief.... they were still alive.

    Meanwhile, on Xylos, the siege raged on.

    Hours had passed, and yet the defenders still held the southern and northern fortresses, even under constant attack by the Kaelzar legions.

    Artillery thundered in the distance. Energy blasts streaked across the sky like shooting stars. Smoke covered the battlefield in a choking blanket.

    From her command node inside the Cleopatra fortress, Cleo observed everything. Her many eyes watched the chaos below... calculating, adapting.

    "Amazing," she said softly, her digital voice filled with genuine respect. "It appears I underestimated their resolve. The resilience of the defensive army was not included in my models. They continue to surprise me."

    It was rare for Cleo to admit a mistake, but this was praise spoken from truth. Despite her overwhelming firepower, the defenders still stood strong, refusing to break.

    "It''s time to adjust strategy," she said while turning to a floating holographic screen. "I''ll join the battle at the northern fortress myself to hasten the outcome."

    She tapped a glowing panel and entered a secure code.

    [DESCENT OF PRIMARY CORE BODY CONFIRMED. ASSAULT POD READY. LAUNCHING IN 3... 2... 1... LAUNCHING.]

    From the heart of the Cleopatra fortress, a sleek, white drop pod launched into the sky. It was small but heavily shielded, surrounded by pulsing energy fields designed to resist even the heaviest fire.

    As the pod shot downward toward the northern fortress, Cleo''s current cyber-form began dissolving into sparkling particles of digital dust, her consciousness transferring into the pod as it descended.

    The defenders on the wall barely had time to react before the pod collided with the outer barrier.

    It emitted a massive pulse of disruptive energy, tearing open a hole just big enough for it to pass through. The pod slammed into the inner wall, cracking the stone and throwing up clouds of dust and debris.

    "Enemy contact! Get ready!" someone shouted.

    Dozens of soldiers and mechanized units swarmed the crash site.

    "Quickly! Surround it!"

    "Mount the heavy guns there! Be ready for anything!"

    One of the younger soldiers, sweat pouring down his face, turned to the commanding officer. "Sir, should we just blow it up now? Before anything comes out?"

    The captain gritted his teeth. "That would usually be the smart move... but we don''t know what''s inside. If it''s a thermal or plasma bomb, one wrong shot and we''re all vaporized..."

    "Captain! Look out!" another soldier screamed.

    Everyone turned just in time to see something move around the pod.

    Sparks began to crackle across its surface.

    Seconds later, a sudden burst of movement shook the battlefield.

    With a sharp hiss of pressure, the four metallic pillars of the drop pod blasted into the sky like missiles.

    The defenders looked up, confused only for horror to follow. While still airborne, the pillars rotated and unleashed deadly laser beams in every direction. Red lines of light sliced through the air, cutting through stone, steel and flesh.

    Several soldiers were torn apart before they could even scream.

    [Initiating overdrive... Battle Maiden mode: Activated. Status: All green. Deploying autonomous sword systems.]

    The robotic assistant voice inside Cleo''s armor echoed from inside the pod like a divine announcement.

    High above, the four laser-firing pillars shimmered and transformed, unfolding like mechanical flowers before reassembling into four elegant but deadly flying swords.

    They moved with terrifying precision, shooting downward and spinning at impossible angles, piercing through defenders as if they were paper.

    "Take cover!" the captain yelled. "Let the mechanized units intercept those blades! Don''t let them near the core positions!"

    Just then, with a loud metallic sound, the drop pod''s heavy doors burst open in all four directions. A thick cloud of white smoke exploded out, instantly covering the area in a dense fog.

    "Wh-what is that?! I can''t see anything!"

    "Aghhh! Something''s in the smoke!"

    "I¡ªI see lights! Someone''s here! The enemy is¡ª"

    "Help!"

    "She''s right behi¡ª!"

 Chapter 365: Xylos Siege. {6}

    Laser beams flickered wildly through the smoke, flashing like lightning in a storm. Screams echoed, overlapping with gunfire and crashing metal. No one could tell where the enemy was or how many of them there were. The smoke turned red with light and blood.

    "Everyone retreat from the smoke! Get out of there now!" the captain shouted while grabbing a wounded soldier and pulling him toward safety.

    He ran as fast as he could, heart pounding, boots slipping on blood-slick stone. Just as he broke out of the fog, he allowed himself a brief breath of relief.

    That was a mistake.

    A faint sound like a chime rang out behind him.

    He looked up slowly.

    Floating above him, untouched by the chaos, was she.

    Her figure was elegant and terrifying. Twin white wings extended from her back, glowing softly like a divine weapon. Her silver-white armor gleamed in the dim battlefield light, and her golden eyes locked onto the captain like a hunter finding its prey.

    In her hand was a long sword glowing, humming, eager to strike.

    Her calm voice was barely a whisper but it rang louder than a scream.

    "Goodbye."

    She raised her sword to deliver the final blow.

    "Do you think there''s no one here who can stop you?!"

    The voice rang out loud and fierce, cutting through the chaos like a lightning strike. Just as Cleo''s sword was about to take the captain''s head, the young northern general appeared in a flash, planting himself between Cleo and her target.

    His arm moved with perfect timing, catching her blade with his bare hands, stopping the killing blow just inches from the captain''s neck.

    Sparks flew from the hands of the general.

    Cleo''s glowing eyes flickered with faint curiosity, but not surprise. She didn''t care who she struck since her sword was made to kill. Yet for the first time, it didn''t reach its mark.

    "G-General!!"

    "The General''s here! We''re saved!"

    A wave of hope swept through the surviving soldiers. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they witnessed the northern general standing strong, locked in a deadly clash with the invader who had torn through their ranks like a storm.

    Cleo, a peak Tier 3 Kaelzar, floated effortlessly in the air with her wings spread wide and her sword humming with energy.

    But the general stood on solid ground, moving with his fists clenched and burning with energy. He was also Tier 3 peak, and his strength came from discipline, grit, and countless battles.

    They exchanged blows, each strike faster than the last. Cleo danced in the air like a professional dancer while the general launched powerful jumps, trying to keep up. Their weapons clashed, sending shockwaves in every direction.

    Though Cleo could fly and strike from above, the general''s timing and raw strength made up for it. Neither could land a decisive blow. The battle between them became a spectacle that inspired the soldiers to keep fighting.

    Hovering mid-air, Cleo tilted her head and gave a small nod of respect. "Praises. You are a praiseworthy opponent. You''ve stopped my strikes not once... but many times. I must commend your skill."

    Bullets and plasma shots flew past her as the defenders continued to fire, but her glowing wings emitted a pulsing energy field that blocked every attack like a divine shield.

    The general grunted, brushing dust from his shoulder. "Well, thank you," he said with a smirk, "but there''s no need to praise a man for doing his duty."

    With a battle cry, he leaped into the air again, aiming for her chest, but Cleo twisted effortlessly away and floated higher, avoiding the clash. He landed heavily, sweat dripping from his forehead, but his eyes remained sharp and focused.

    As the fight dragged on, Cleo made a decision.

    She stopped engaging the general directly and turned her attention to the real target: the fortress defenses.

    Gliding like a hawk, she moved across the walls, striking anti-air cannons, disabling missile launchers, and overloading energy grids with targeted blasts.

    The general chased her from spot to spot, desperately trying to stop her rampage but he couldn''t fly, and she was always one step ahead.

    "While I must say," Cleo said as she landed atop a shattered turret, her voice cool and elegant, "your troops are of good quality... in the end, they are limited by one thing... flesh."

    Her words stung like venom. The general turned his gaze across the battlefield and his heart sank.

    His soldiers were brave but they were exhausted. Many had been fighting for hours without rest. Their arms trembled, their movements slowed, and their shooting became less precise.

    There were no fresh reinforcements left to rotate in since every squad was already in combat, spread thin across the entire fortress, holding back endless waves of Kaelzar forces.

    And Cleo was right. No matter how hard they fought, their bodies were made of flesh, and the limit of the flesh was their weakness.

    "You see," Cleo''s voice echoed over the northern fortress like a divine judgment, smooth and cold.

    Her white wings glowed as her words boomed across the battlefield, carried by speakers and comms alike.

    "My legions can keep fighting for days without sleep or rest. But your soldiers? They bleed. They tire. They fall. I offer you one last chance...surrender now and be spared. Keep struggling... and be exterminated."

    A moment of tense silence passed.

    Then the northern general, with his blood running down his cheek, lifted his head. His eyes were fierce, filled with fire. "Hmph! Even if our bodies give in, we''ll fight with the strength of our souls! We will never surrender to invaders like you!"

    With a battle cry, he launched himself toward Cleo once again. Their weapons clashed in the air like thunder, the sheer force of their strikes cracking the air around them. But Cleo only smiled, as if the fight was a dance she''d already learned by heart.

    "Commendable," she said calmly while dodging a punch, "but you seem to have forgotten, this isn''t the only front I''m attacking."

    She twirled in midair like a blade of light, her wings extending sharply. With one strong flap, she struck the general square in the chest. The force of it hurled him through the air, smashing him into a wall. Dust and debris fell around his broken figure.

    "Down south," she continued, her voice now filled with icy pride, "one of my youngest creations leads the charge. And let''s just say... she hasn''t yet learned the concept of mercy."

    And Cleo wasn''t lying.

    While the north still held on through sheer willpower and leadership, the southern fortress was collapsing into ruin.

    The Kaelzar legions, led by the young AI, had already breached the walls. Now, they poured into the city like a flood of metal and fire.

    The skies screamed with the sound of Aegis units flying overhead, unleashing precise death. The ground trembled under the boots of Tyrant Units, whose massive bodies crushed stone and steel beneath them.

    The young AI gave no orders for surrender. No offer of mercy. No interest in negotiations.

    The Aegis Legions hunted every living thing inside the fortress. If it moved or even if it didn''t but was made of flesh, it was cut down.

    Tyrant Units grabbed wounded soldiers like ragdolls and used them as living shields, laughing in mechanical tones as they absorbed gunfire while swinging their massive swords through entire squads.

    Blood soaked the walls.

    Screams filled the air.

    And in the middle of it, the southern general stood his ground. Bruised, battered, and half-broken, he continued to fight. Plasma burned through his armor, shattering bone and ribs. Still, he held onto his weapon, rallying the last of his men.

    But three Mauler Juggernauts had surrounded him.

    Each of them stood like a walking mountain, their silver armor glinting under the firestorm above. They circled in close with their plasma cannons charging. The general could barely stand now and his breaths were shallow, his armor torn apart while blood poured from his side.

    He raised his weapon with trembling arms, a defiant fire still flickering in his eyes.

    "...Come on then," he growled. "Let''s finish this."

    But instead of what the Southern General was expecting, the massive Mauler Juggernauts didn''t move at all. They just stood there, completely still. Then, out of nowhere, a small glowing blue figure began to take shape a few meters in front of him. It floated above the ground like a ghost made of light.

    A cold, mechanical voice echoed from the figure.

    [Identity confirmed: Southern General.]

    [You have two choices: surrender and become our slave... or resist and die here, along with all your soldiers.]

    The figure was a young-looking AI, her voice calm but emotionless. Her glowing cybernetic eyes locked onto the general with a chilling intensity.

    The Southern General coughed, a bit of blood on his lips, but he laughed through the pain.

    "Heh... cough, cough... There are no slaves on Xylos!" he shouted proudly, his voice full of defiance. "Only warriors!"

    Without hesitating, he pulled out his handgun and fired at the AI. But the bullets passed straight through her since she was only a hologram.

    The shots continued past her ghostly body and clanged harmlessly against the armored shield of one of the towering Mauler Juggernauts.

    The AI didn''t flinch. She didn''t blink. She didn''t even react.

    [.......]

    She said nothing more. Her hologram flickered for a moment, then vanished completely, leaving only silence behind.

    Then, in the very next second, all three Mauler Juggernauts raised their heavy cannons and fired at the Southern General. The ground shook violently as explosions tore through the earth. Smoke and fire burst into the air, and chunks of metal and debris flew in every direction.

    When the dust finally settled, nothing of the Southern General remained.

    Nothing... except his feet, still standing where he had made his final stand.

 Chapter 366 366: Xylos Siege. {7}

    "Governor! Bad news! The Southern General has fallen in battle!"

    An officer burst into the grand chamber of the governor''s house, his face pale with panic. He had been monitoring the war through live feeds and battle reports, but now he ran with urgency to deliver the worst update yet.

    The old governor stood quietly by the tall window, gazing at the stormy night sky. Thunder rumbled in the distance, and the clouds above the city flickered with red flashes from the distant fighting.

    "So... you''ve gone ahead of me, old friend," he whispered, his voice low and heavy. A deep sigh escaped his lips, full of pain and silent grief.

    Still facing the window, he spoke again. "What about the southern fortress? Has the barrier pillar been destroyed?"

    "No, sir!" the officer replied quickly while straightening his posture. "All four barrier pillars are still active. It seems the enemy hasn''t located the southern one yet."

    The governor nodded slowly. "Good... then we still have time. Send my orders immediately: the Western and Eastern Generals are to send reinforcements to the Southern Fortress at once. We must protect that barrier pillar at all costs."

    His voice, though tired and rough with age, still carried authority. He turned his eyes back to the sky, watching as the flames of war lit up the horizon.

    Meanwhile, far to the north, the fortress there was locked in a brutal and relentless battle. Both sides fought fiercely, but the defenders had gained the upper hand thanks to the Northern General''s courage and skill.

    He had managed to stop the advance of one of the enemy''s most dangerous adversaries, Cleo.

    The battlefield was littered with rubble and wreckage. Among the debris, the general stood, breathing heavily and clutching a bleeding wound on his side. He looked down at the broken, motionless body of Cleo, and even in that state she was elegant and with a deadly charm.

    "I did it... I actually won," the Northern General said while coughing as he tried to catch his breath. "Is that all you''ve got?"

    Cleo''s eyes flickered with faint light, and her voice crackled with static. "Well done, General... This first round... is yours."

    Her words barely held together, her voice glitching like a failing machine.

    Then, with a strange calmness, she added, "Now then... shall we begin round two?"

    Her glowing eyes dimmed, and her body went completely still.

    The general''s eyes widened. "Round... two?"

    A terrible feeling crept into his gut. His instincts screamed at him. He looked up and saw something crashing down from the clouds.

    A second drop pod.

    "No... it can''t be..."

    The general ran, ignoring the pain in his ribs. When he arrived at the landing site, he saw chaos. His soldiers were being cut down one by one.

    And there, standing in the middle of the destruction, was Cleo once again.

    She turned toward him, her new body fresh and untouched, her eyes glowing brighter than before.

    "Nice to see you again, General," she said with a smug, mechanical grin. "I''ve upgraded. This body is fully optimized to counter your fighting style."

    She raised her arms. This time, instead of a power sword, she wore two heavy power fists built for close combat and brute force.

    The general stared at her in disbelief.

    "Hah... ha... what kind of joke is this?" he gasped, staggering slightly. "Just how many lives do you have?!"

    He clenched his fists, gathering what little strength he had left. He knew this might be his final stand. Still, he refused to back down.

    Cleo just smiled with a perfectly programmed expression. Back at Cleopatra Fortress, deep within enemy territory, hundreds of identical Cleo units stood in cryo-chambers, waiting to be activated.

    This was the terrifying truth of the Kaelzar AIs.

    They didn''t tire. They didn''t feel fear. They didn''t die like humans.

    As long as they had resources, they could keep fighting forever.

    And that, more than their strength or intelligence... was why the Kaelzar had once ruled the galaxy... and why they might do so again.

    "Look, little Lilla~ The enemy is sending more soldiers to the south. It seems Cleo''s plan is working just as expected," Ys said through a video call, her voice sweet and casual as she popped orange-colored fruit spheres into her mouth one by one.

    On the other end of the call, Lilla nodded, her eyes sharp with focus.

    "It looks like it''s our turn to join the battle, Lady Ys," she replied with a calm smile. "Well then... let''s give it our best."

    With that, she ended the call and immediately turned to her priestesses. "Relay my orders! prepare the next phase."

    Far away, in the Eastern Fortress, the Eastern General stood on the high wall, watching thousands of his troops marching southward to support the weakened southern line.

    Suddenly, the ground beneath the fortress began to tremble violently. It started as a low rumble, then escalated into a full-blown quake. The earth split with terrifying force, as if a massive beast was clawing its way up from below.

    From the center of the fortress grounds, three enormous, monstrous worms burst through the ground, their thick armored bodies writhing as they let out a deafening, soul-piercing screech.

    "Ahhhhh! My ears¡ª!"

    "It hurts! The sound...blood''s coming from my ears!"

    "I can''t hear anything!"

    "What''s that... coming out of their mouths!?"

    The soldiers clutched their heads in agony, many falling to the ground as the worms'' sound waves ruptured their eardrums. Before they could recover, the mouths of the worms opened wide, and from within, a nightmare began to spill out.

    Swarms of Khryssari warriors began to pour out like a black flood. Others rained down from the sky, having ridden inside the worms and launched from hidden aerial pods. As soon as they hit the ground, they began to tear into the disoriented soldiers with sharp claws and bioplasma shots.

    "Damn it! Did they think no one would be guarding this place!?" the Eastern General roared, blood streaking down his cheek as he jammed a command code into the fortress console.

    With a sharp hiss of steam and clanking metal, the fortress''s automatic turrets powered on. Massive guns rotated and began opening fire, spraying bullets and laser into the advancing swarm.

    "My warriors, fight back!" he shouted with all his might.

    At the same time, his words were instantly transmitted to every soldier''s arm device as text. It was a backup system he had personally developed, knowing that if something disabled their hearing, they''d still receive his commands.

    All across the fortress, dazed but loyal soldiers read the message and stood up again, raising their weapons. They began to fight back, though the swarm was overwhelming.

    Within seconds, the Eastern Fortress had turned into a battlefield of horror. The sky was blackened by the sheer number of Khryssari flying down. It was only a matter of time before nothing would remain but blood and bones.

    "Hahaha~ Go, my little pets. Feast to your heart''s content," Lilla whispered with a twisted smile, her spirit possessing one of the Khryssari warriors.

    She cackled gleefully as she crushed the skull of a defender soldier beneath her clawed foot, blood spraying across her armored shell.

    Meanwhile, the Western Fortress was still quiet. No attacks had reached it yet. For now, it was a place of uneasy calm.

    High above, the sky was filled with the sound of engines. Hundreds of transport ships continued descending, carrying reinforcements to the planet''s surface. The Holy Human Empire wasn''t ready to strike yet but they were preparing.

    One after another, the ships landed and opened their hatches. Soldiers in pristine armor marched out and formed ranks, ready for battle. Frigate-class ships descended slowly through the clouds, casting long shadows over the fortress.

    In a matter of minutes, the entire western sector was filled with disciplined troops, all standing by for the coming storm.

    "Lord Inquisitor, the troops are in full formation now," a paladin reported while kneeling before Lilla''s brother. "Their number has reached nearly twenty thousand, and more are arriving every minute."

    The Lord Inquisitor stood tall on the command platform of a black warship, his armor gleaming with holy sigils, his eyes fixed on the distant silhouette of the Western Fortress.

    Behind him, a large banner bearing the symbol of the Holy Human Empire fluttered in the cold wind.

    "Good," he said with a cold, steady voice. "Send my orders to the frigates. Prepare for anti-barrier bombardment. If they won''t come out... we will burn them alive beneath a rain of holy fire."

    The paladin bowed and quickly relayed the command. Across the fleet, captains responded with swift discipline. Inside the eight massive frigates hovering in the sky, crews rushed to their stations.

    Huge long-range cannons rotated into position, each one loaded with glowing phase shells, weapons designed to ignore physical defenses and pierce through barriers like they were air.

    "Lord Inquisitor," the paladin returned, holding out a silver-engraved communicator, "the preparations are complete. All ships await your command."

    Without hesitation, Lilla''s brother took the device, brought it to his lips, and thundered a single word...

    "Fire!"

    At once, all eight frigates roared as their cannons released a storm of light and death. The sky lit up as the glowing phase shells flew like shooting stars, hissing as they ripped through the air.

    As they neared the Western Fortress, the fortress''s defensive barrier flickered to life, a shimmering dome of energy meant to protect against outside attacks.

    But it was useless.

    The phase shells struck the barrier and passed through it like it wasn''t even there. There was a moment of silence.

    Then, the entire western wall of the fortress exploded into a ball of fire and metal. Buildings crumbled, soldiers were thrown through the air, and flames consumed everything in sight.

    From high above, Lilla''s brother watched the destruction with cold satisfaction while his eyes glowed faintly.

 Chapter 367: Xylos Siege. {8} Mother.

    "Keep the bombardment going; sooner or later, they''ll have to move. Either they''ll charge out to attack us, or they''ll fall back deeper into the city. Either way, it works in our favor."

    Lilla''s brother stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching the fiery spectacle with cold satisfaction. The sky burned red as explosions lit up the fortress walls, casting long, flickering shadows across the battlefield.

    Meanwhile, the Western general clenched his fists, his face grim under the glow of the raging fires. "All Western soldiers, listen to my command! Fall back to the bridge! We''ll make our stand there! the fortress is lost!"

    His voice boomed over the chaos. Charging out to meet the enemy now would be suicide, and holding the crumbling fortress any longer was impossible. Reluctantly, his troops began their retreat, their boots pounding against the bloodstained ground as smoke filled the air.

    From atop one of the towering war tanks, the Lord Inquisitor observed the enemy''s withdrawal on his flickering holo-screen.

    A slow, triumphant smirk spread across his face. "Send my orders to the Paladins. The Holy Legions will advance and claim that abandoned fortress. It will serve as our forward stronghold from this moment on."

    His voice dripped with arrogance as he watched his enemies scatter like rats. Victory was within his grasp.

    [Artificial body power remaining: 8%]

    A sharp, mechanical warning flashed across Cleo''s vision. Her battle body was failing; sparks hissed from cracked plating, and her movements grew sluggish.

    Four hours of brutal combat against the Northern General had drained her energy reserves to critical levels. Yet she stood firm, her glowing eyes locked onto her wounded opponent.

    The Northern General coughed, blood trickling from his split lip. His armor was dented, his body battered, but his spirit burned fiercely. "Well fought, General," Cleo admitted, her voice calm despite the damage. "I''d call this a draw... though your body is on the verge of collapse."

    "Hah! You can throw yourself at me a thousand times, but you''ll never take this fortress!" he shouted out while swaying on his feet but refusing to fall. His defiance echoed across the ruined battlefield.

    Cleo studied him silently for a long moment. Then, without another word, she turned and shot through the shattered barrier, streaking toward the distant Kaelzar portal like a silver comet.

    The Northern General watched her go, his vision blurring. As darkness crept in, his last sight was the pale morning sun breaking through the smoke... a fragile light in the midst of war. Then, his knees buckled, and he collapsed.

    Inside the Governor''s War Room, the old governor leaned back in his chair, his wrinkled face tight with exhaustion. "Report," he commanded while rubbing his temples.

    His secretary stood stiffly, datapad in hand. "Governor, the Southern Fortress has been breached. Our forces are now engaged in heavy combat at the bridge under the Second-in-Command''s leadership."

    The holographic display flickered as new data loaded. "We''ve lost all contact with the Eastern Fortress. The Western Front has also collapsed; the enemy now holds the fortress as their forward base, though they''ve made no further advances yet."

    The governor''s jaw tightened. "And the North?"

    "The Northern Fortress is heavily damaged but still stands. The Northern General is incapacitated but alive."

    Silence settled over the room as the governor absorbed the dire news. The war was far from over but the enemy''s grip was tightening.

    While Cleo''s forces tightened their grip on Xylos, the battle on the Blood Clan''s homeworld was unfolding in disaster.

    The moment Zynaria vanished with the Patriarch, Rex found himself abandoned, left with only 14th and 24th to face the full wrath of the Blood Clan and its ancient Matriarch.

    But then, the unthinkable happened.

    Once the Patriarch''s presence suddenly disappeared.

    In its place... three new horrors arrived.

    Three Tier 7 Patriarchs, each radiating suffocating stellar energy, descended upon the scene. Their crimson eyes burned with cold fury as they surveyed the carnage.

    Five minutes....

    That was all it took for them to break 14th and 24th.

    The two warriors, who had fought like demons, now lay battered with their bones shattered, armor split open, and their bodies barely clinging to life.

    And Rex?

    He was already on the ground, his massive form pinned beneath a storm of blades. He had unleashed the Emperor''s Sword Technique, a move that should have turned the tide.

    But the Patriarchs didn''t even flinch.

    With a mere flick of their wrists, they seized control of the attack, twisting the very energy of his strike against him. The swords he had summoned now hovered above him like a guillotine, their edges humming with stolen power.

    The oldest of the Patriarchs stepped forward, his voice sounding like a whisper of death.

    "Foolish child... Did you truly believe you could defy the Blood Clan on its own soil?"

    Rex''s vision blurred while kneeling on a pool of his own golden blood.

    The battle for Xylos might have been going well... but here, on this cursed world, defeat was closing in fast.

    Rex spat a mouthful of blood onto the scorched earth, his lips curling into a daring, bloodstained smirk.

    "Who the hell cares where I am?" His voice was ragged, but his defiance burned bright. "You touch what''s mine... I''ll burn your whole damn world down!"

    His shout echoed across the battlefield like a dying lion''s roar, fierce but fading. There was no real threat left in his words... only unbroken pride.

    The oldest Patriarch sighed while shaking his head like a disappointed god. Above him, a colossal spear of stellar energy materialized, its tip crackling with annihilation.

    "Such a waste," the Patriarch murmured. "With your strength, you could have risen to greatness. But recklessness has doomed you. Now, your only purpose is to feed our next generation."

    Rex chuckled while wiping blood from his chin. "Ha! If your future brats are as pathetic as this generation, your clan''s already dead!"

    Every word was a struggle, but he forced himself up onto his feet, his body trembling but unyielding. With his last ounce of strength, he raised his middle finger at the Matriarch, his grin wild and unrepentant.

    "You can all suck my dick in the next life!"

    The spear blazed toward him, its sheer pressure locking him in place. The air itself screamed as it tore through space... death, inevitable and bright.

    And in that final heartbeat, Rex''s thoughts turned to her.

    {So... this is it.}

    The world slowed.

    {I''m sorry, Cleo.}

    The spear''s light swallowed his vision.

    {I couldn''t... make your dream come true.}

    Rex braced for the end with his eyes locked onto the spear of stellar energy as it blazed toward him.

    Then everyone could hear a voice. Not just a sound, but a presence that resonated in the minds and souls of every living being on the planet.

    "Oh my..."

    The words were soft, almost playful, yet they carried the weight of a cosmic decree.

    "I wonder who is so daring as to try to kill the son of this goddess?"

    And just like that, the spear shattered.

    The deadly construct of stellar energy disintegrated into dust, its power unraveling like a forgotten dream.

    The Blood Clan erupted in fury and terror.

    "WHO IS IT!?" one of the Patriarchs shouted out, his voice trembling with rage and fear.

    "Playing ghost now?! SHOW YOURSELF!" the Matriarch shrieked, her crimson eyes darting wildly across the battlefield.

    A sigh echoed in their minds... light, mocking, and utterly terrifying.

    "Oh my, I know I''m all white and that... but to call me a ghost? A big no-no."

    Then, as if it was nothing, the sky tore open.

    A massive spatial rift split the heavens, and beyond it, A planet.

    Not just any planet... a celestial body of pure white, bathed in an ethereal silver glow. It radiated an otherworldly light, banishing the eternal darkness of the Blood Clan''s homeworld.

    "Look up there!"

    "What is that?!"

    "Since when did our planet have a MOON?!"

    Panic spread like wildfire. The Blood Clan''s warriors, their assassins, even the mighty Patriarchs all stood frozen, staring at the impossible sight.

    Then, the voice spoke again with a gentle yet inexorable tone.

    "Why are you still not kneeling before me?"

    And as if the universe itself obeyed, every member of the Blood Clan collapsed.

    A crushing, divine pressure slammed into them, driving them face-first into the dirt. Bones groaned. Armor cracked. The very air became a prison.

    "UGH! Such... power!" a Patriarch snarled, his face grinding into the earth.

    "Just WHO IS THIS?!" the Matriarch gasped, her body trembling under the force.

    Not a single one of them could lift their heads. Not the assassins. Not the elders. Not even the Tier 7 Patriarchs.

    They could only struggle, helpless, as the weight of a goddess pressed down upon them.

    And above it all, Rex, still standing, bloodied but unbroken, stared at the silver planet with widening eyes.

    Rex''s vision blurred, his body numb from pain and exhaustion... yet in his fading consciousness, the silver glow of the celestial planet burned brighter than anything he''d ever seen.

    "This is a first..." he murmured, blood trickling from the corner of his lips. "Didn''t know I''d get to see something so damn beautiful before dying..."

    The white planet... no, her home shimmered in his eyes like a dream.

    A soft sigh brushed past his ear. "I''m glad you like my home, my dear."

    Then, a gentle hand cradled his head before he could collapse. His body, broken and battered, was lifted with impossible care, his head resting against the lap of the woman who called herself his mother.

    Her touch was as light as stardust, her fingers brushing through his sweat-matted hair with a tenderness that made his chest ache.

    "But really," she chided, her voice a melody of fond exasperation, "why is it that every time we meet, you''re one step away from the abyss?"

    Her palm pressed against his cheek, wiping away blood and grime as if he were still a child who''d scraped his knees.

 Chapter 368: Xylos Siege. {9}

    "You must take better care of this body," she whispered, her tone laced with quiet sorrow. "Do you know how long I begged my elder sister for it? Thousands of years, my love. Thousands."

    The beautiful lady in white stood still, her long hair flowing like silk in the wind. She let out a quiet sigh, a soft, almost musical sound, but behind that gentle voice was a deep sadness.

    "That''s enough," she said, her eyes full of concern as she looked at Rex. "Let me heal you first. You look absolutely awful... like death itself brushed against you."

    As her words floated into the air, a soft silver light began to glow around her. The light slowly wrapped itself around Rex''s broken, wounded body.

    It sparkled gently, like the moon shining on a calm sea. Then the swords on him, the ones made from bright, burning stellar energy, began to melt away. They broke apart into tiny particles, drifting into the air like glowing dust, vanishing one by one.

    Rex''s injuries healed quickly, faster than any human medicine could ever manage. Cuts closed, bruises faded, and even shattered bones snapped back into place. In seconds, he looked almost as if he''d never been hurt at all.

    But just as the warmth in her face returned for a brief moment, her expression suddenly turned sharp and cold like ice. Her gaze moved to the Blood Clan warriors who had dared to betray their own master. Her beautiful eyes no longer showed kindness... only judgment.

    "To attack your own master..." her voice was hard as stone, "is something far worse than shameful. There''s an old human saying: ''A dog that bites its owner deserves death.'' And I happen to agree."

    She raised a single delicate finger into the air and without even a gesture of effort, the punishment began.

    All across the stars, inside every single Blood Clan warrior, the energy that powered them, the very stellar force they had stolen or absorbed, was pulled out violently.

    It didn''t matter where they were hiding. Some were buried beneath mountains, others hiding deep within space stations or other worlds entirely. But space itself bent and cracked.

    Shining lines of energy burst from the ground and sky, racing back toward the lady in white like streams flowing into the ocean.

    They couldn''t run. They couldn''t stop it... this was the Fall of the Blood Clan

    Panic broke out immediately.

    "W-What is this?!" one screamed while his eyes widened in terror. "What did she just do?!"

    "I can''t feel my power! It''s gone!"

    "No¡ªNO! I was Tier 6 just a second ago! Now I''m Tier 4¡ªTier 3¡ªAAAHHH!!"

    Weaker Blood Clan members dropped to their knees. Their bodies began to wither and crack like dry leaves. The energy that had kept them alive for centuries was now gone, and without it, their physical forms couldn''t hold together. Some simply turned to dust, vanishing as though they had never existed.

    Even the mighty elders, the terrifying Tier 7s who had ruled their kind for hundreds of years, could only scream and beg as their strength faded. Their proud, ancient faces twisted into fear. Their old hands, once full of power, now clawed helplessly at the air, trying to grasp what they had lost.

    But not everyone gave up.

    The old Matriarch with her eyes burning with fury, stood firm. Beside her, three powerful Patriarchs howled with rage. They forced themselves forward, resisting the drain with every drop of strength they had left.

    "You think this is enough to kill us?!" the Matriarch shouted. "You are wrong, witch!"

    Their weapons glowed with power as they lunged at the lady in white with their blades slicing through the air.

    But they never reached her.

    A deafening explosion of silver light lit up the sky. A towering knight in radiant silver armor appeared out of nowhere, descending like a god from the heavens.

    He had come from within a blooming white flower that suddenly grew behind the lady. The knight''s armor glowed with divine power, and his presence alone knocked the attacking elders backward, slamming them into the ground.

    "H-HOW?!" one Patriarch gasped. "A Tier 7... at peak level?! Since when did such monsters even exist?!"

    His voice trembled in disbelief as the knight''s pressure crushed his body, forcing him to the ground like an insect under a boot.

    The lady in white looked down on them, her smile full of scorn. "Hmph. As my sister''s creations used to say... ''You''re nothing but frogs living at the bottom of a well. You''ve never seen the sky above.''"

    She didn''t waste another word. Her voice rang like a bell as she gave her command.

    "My knights," she said calmly, "go find the twins... and my soon-to-be grandson. If anyone stands in your way... destroy them."

    As she spoke, the ground around her came alive. Dozens of white roses bloomed, growing instantly from the earth. Their petals unfolded slowly and from inside them stepped shining warriors with their silver armor gleaming in the light.

    Some looked like noble human knights. Others were shaped like massive minotaurs, fierce and unstoppable. A few were terrifying beasts with horns, wings, and claws, but all of them had the same blinding silver glow and sacred circles of light floating behind their backs.

    They didn''t speak. They didn''t hesitate. With heavy steps that shook the earth, they marched forward.

    At the edge of the Blood Clan''s hidden underground city, the entrance was quiet as always.

    The guards leaned lazily against the dark stone walls, chatting and yawning, their weapons carelessly resting at their sides.

    They were bored, and why wouldn''t they be? Important people didn''t walk through these gates since they simply teleported inside using rifts in space. These doors were meant for outsiders, low-ranked mercenaries, and weaklings. The guards believed there was no threat worth watching for.

    They were terribly, fatally wrong....

    Suddenly, the sky above the mountain cracked with a thunderous sound.

    A blinding flash lit up the sky as something massive plummeted from the heavens like a blazing star. The ground trembled violently as a colossal figure slammed into the earth with the force of a meteor strike.

    Stone cracked. Dust exploded outward. The air was filled with screams and the sound of bones breaking.

    The nearest guards were thrown like ragdolls; some smashed into the walls with sickening crunches, and others were flattened under chunks of shattered stone. Blood painted the ground.

    When the dust finally began to settle, a towering figure rose from the center of the crater. It was a Minotaur but not like anything they had ever seen.

    He was a mountain of muscle wrapped in flawless silver armor, every inch glowing with sacred power. His eyes burned with a cold, merciless light, and in his massive hands, he held a silver axe that thrummed with stellar energy. It pulsed with deadly power, its edge so sharp it hummed like a living thing.

    The surviving guards scrambled up in a frenzy with their eyes wide with panic.

    "W-We''re under attack!" one shouted with his voice cracking with fear.

    "Sound the alarm! Who dares to challenge the Blood Clan?!"

    A storm of laser fire erupted. Blazing bolts of red, blue, and green streaked through the air, slamming into the Minotaur from every direction.

    But it was like throwing sparks at a mountain.

    The blasts fizzled uselessly against his armor, not even leaving a mark. The silver plating didn''t dent and didn''t even get warm. The only thing the attacks achieved was making the Minotaur angrier.

    With a deafening roar that shook the skies, the beast lunged forward. His axe came down in a savage arc, cleaving through a group of guards in a single strike.

    screams were cut short as blood sprayed across the stone like red mist. Another swing carved through the air, sending shattered bodies flying like broken dolls. Walls cracked, and weapons shattered. Armor bent like paper.

    Within moments, the entrance had become a blood-soaked nightmare. The guards didn''t stand a chance.

    The Minotaur stopped only when all resistance was gone. Then, he turned his glowing gaze toward the enormous black gates of the city, the entrance to the Blood Clan''s hidden sanctuary.

    The doors were ancient, built from enchanted rare metals, and reinforced with layered protective shields. They had stood for centuries, made to withstand full-scale invasions.

    Most armies would have needed siege weapons, energy cannons, or weeks of relentless assault to even scratch them.

    The Minotaur raised his axe with both hands. He would need only one blow.

    The air began to tremble as a cyclone of stellar energy wrapped around him. Lightning cracked across his armor. The very ground beneath his hooves fractured from the pressure.

    Then, with a furious bellow, he swung. The sound echoed like the roar of the world itself splitting apart.

    The axe struck the gates with unstoppable force. the energy shield shattered. Stone exploded. The blast sent molten fragments flying in all directions, and in one single strike, the gates were torn in half... broken like brittle glass.

    The shockwave tore through the underground passages, shaking the city far below. Citizens and warriors alike felt the tremor beneath their feet. Panic spread like wildfire.

    The moment the massive gates shattered into rubble, a piercing alarm exploded through the underground city.

    Sirens screamed from every direction, echoing endlessly through the stone tunnels and towering cavern walls. Red warning lights began to flash in rhythmic pulses, turning the once-dark corridors into a nightmare of crimson and shadow.

    In a matter of seconds, chaos broke out.

    Armored soldiers rushed into formation, sprinting toward the ruined entrance. Their boots pounded against the steel walkways as command signals blared across comms.

    "City breach detected! All units report to the outer gate immediately!" shouted a sector captain, his voice cutting through the noise like a whip.

    But these weren''t proud warriors of the Blood Clan. They were enslaved fighters, mercenaries and captives forced into service. Their minds may have been shackled, but their bodies were still strong. They hadn''t been touched by the soul-draining wrath of the lady in white.

    And so, they charged toward their doom.

 Chapter 369: Xylos struggle

    The first wave of troops rounded the last corner, weapons ready. Pulse rifles lit up the dark like a storm of lightning, hurling dozens of blazing bolts at the silver-armored invader.

    The air filled with the deafening sound of ricochets. Sparks flew in all directions. But not a single shot pierced the Minotaur''s defenses.

    The beast stood tall and unmoved, his silver armor glowing with a pale light. A transparent barrier shimmered faintly around him from the energy of a shield woven from stellar force.

    "W-What is that thing?!" one soldier cried, while fear rose in his voice.

    "Captain! Our shots aren''t working! It''s shielded! we''re not even scratching it!"

    The captain cursed under his breath while his eyes narrowed. But then his lips twisted into a cruel smirk as he pointed deeper into the tunnel.

    "No problem," he said coldly. "We brought a toy of our own."

    A new sound thundered through the cavern; it was a deep, earthshaking roar of hydraulics and steel.

    From behind the advancing troops, a massive war machine stomped into view.

    It was a mechanical beast, nearly as tall as the Minotaur himself. Built from pitch-black metal laced with glowing crimson lines, the Blood Clan''s mobile suit was a brutal fusion of ancient strength and modern tech.

    Twin plasma cannons mounted on its shoulders crackled with building power, the whine of charging cores filling the air like the scream of an angry god.

    Its eyes glowed red as it locked onto its target.

    Walls shook with every heavy step as it took position. Slaves scattered to the sides, knowing better than to stay in its way.

    The Minotaur didn''t move. Didn''t speak. Didn''t show fear.

    Instead, he stepped forward, one massive hoof slamming into the ground like a war drum. His axe hummed with power, with stellar energy curling around the blade like fire dancing in a storm.

    Twin streams of blue-white death streaked through the air, slamming into the Minotaur''s shield with the force of a collapsing star. The entire entrance lit up, heat waves distorting the stone and melting metal into puddles.

    But when the smoke cleared...

    The Minotaur was still standing.

    He had braced himself, both hands gripping his axe, hooves buried deep into cracked stone. His shield flickered but it held.

    The silver-armored Minotaur roared like a beast unchained and charged straight at the massive mechanoid warrior.

    Sparks and energy flashed with every step he took, the ground cracking beneath his hooves. The mobile suit raised its arms, trying to block the blow but it was too slow.

    With a single, devastating swing of his colossal axe, the Minotaur cleaved the towering machine clean in half.

    Metal screamed. Wires tore apart. A burst of crimson and blue energy erupted into the air as the machine''s upper body slid away from the lower half, crashing to the ground in a shower of sparks and shattered steel.

    Without wasting a second, the Minotaur turned his fury toward the wave of battle slaves charging at them. His eyes burned like silver fire. He swung his axe again and again, each strike tearing through enemies like paper. Armor shattered, bodies flew, and blood painted the stone floors.

    The entrance was no longer a battlefield; it was a total massacre.

    Meanwhile, on the battle-scarred planet of Xylos, the Kaelzar legions continued to pour through the portals in an unstoppable tide. Wave after wave of twisted, alien soldiers joined the front lines without rest, pushing the defenders to the brink.

    Amidst the chaos, a secure communication channel opened with a soft chime.

    "Lilla, Ys, how is the situation on your sides?" Cleo asked with her voice being calm and commanding, despite the mayhem around her.

    Lilla answered first, with her tone being respectful as always.

    "We have taken the fortress as you requested, Lady Cleo," she reported. Her voice was firm, even as she sat in the comfort of her lavish bedroom. Two of her priestesses gently brushed her long, golden hair, their hands careful and steady.

    "Right now, we''re fighting on the bridge. At first, we thought it would be an easy victory... but the defenders are more stubborn than expected. They''re holding on with everything they''ve got."

    She let out a quiet sigh as one of the priestesses placed a golden hairpin gently on her hair.

    Cleo gave a small nod and switched to the next channel.

    "Understood. And you, Ys? What''s the status on your side?"

    A playful hum came through the line.

    "Mmm~... everything is going just as planned," Ys purred lazily. She was lounging on her bed, half-covered in silk sheets, casually eating an exotic fruit with glowing purple skin. Her pale legs were stretched out over soft pillows, and her soft green hair spilled across the mattress like liquid.

    "Just like little Lilla, we''ve taken our fortress and now we''re fighting on the bridge too. Once the humans finish on their end, we''ll cross and finish the job together~."

    She giggled, amused, as if the war was nothing more than a game.

    Back in her command center, Cleo stood tall before a holographic map glowing with red and silver lights.

    "Understood," she replied, her tone being sharper now. "I''ve secured the southern fortress. The northern general put up quite a fight and kept me busy longer than expected... but he''s out of combat right now. My forces are advancing, and the northern fortress is about to fall."

    She turned and tapped a command into her console, pulling up a different display.

    "Also, I''ve discovered something important, there are barrier amplifiers hidden underground beneath each of the main fortresses. That''s what''s been keeping their shields strong. I''m sending the coordinates to both of you now."

    The information blinked onto Lilla and Ys''s displays.

    "Destroy them as soon as possible. Once the amplifiers fall, the last of the resistance will crumble."

    By late afternoon, dark smoke rose like dying trees into the sky, and the stench of burnt metal filled the air. The old governor stood silently on a high balcony within the central city''s command tower, his face pale as he watched distant explosions flicker like dying stars.

    Two of the four barrier pillars had been destroyed.

    He clenched his fists. "It''s over," he muttered. "There''s no point in guarding something that''s already been exposed."

    He gave the order. "Retreat all forces to the bridges. Fortify the central city. Make them bleed for every step."

    Moments later, the remaining defenders withdrew to the four massive bridges that led directly into the heart of the city. The real war had just begun.

    The northern front quickly turned into hell.

    Endless waves of Kaelzar soldiers surged across the wide steel bridge, only to be met with a storm of resistance. Tanks fired without pause. Soldiers screamed and reloaded faster than ever before. The captains shouted orders above the chaos.

    "That''s it! Keep pushing them back!" shouted one captain from the top of a heavy tank, his energy sword glowing brightly in his hand. "If they take one meter, we take two! Show no mercy! kill every last invader!"

    The tank fired at his command, shaking the bridge with each blast.

    "Follow the captain! Keep shooting!" another officer yelled, rallying the troops.

    "AHH! Die, you damn microwave!" a soldier screamed in rage, unloading his laser rifle at a broken Kaelzar Aegis unit. The Aegis unit, missing its lower half, was still trying to reach for its weapon but the northern soldier made sure it never got the chance, riddling it with fire until it melted into slag.

    "Captain! They''re flanking us from the left! They''re using the stabilizing beams as cover!"

    The soldier turned to face the captain only to see a flash of something sharp and silver. One of the Kaelzar Phantom Assassins had already struck. The captain''s head flew clean off his shoulders.

    "AHH! Captain! You monsters!"

    The soldier fired wildly at the assassin, but the figure vanished into thin air with a shimmer, slipping into invisibility once more.

    All across the northern bridge, officers were being picked off, one after another. The Phantom units were everywhere, silent, fast, and merciless.

    On the western side, the battle was no less brutal but looked entirely different.

    Human soldiers advanced slowly, their movements covered by glowing energy shields that shimmered like glass under pressure. The defenders fired carefully, holding their lines and moving in formation.

    But the enemy they faced wasn''t a trained army.

    It was a mad tide of cultists, surging toward them in waves. Their weapons were primitive rusty blades, spiked clubs, and jagged pieces of metal. But they charged without fear, screaming, bleeding, and dying by the hundreds.

    And they never stopped.

    At first glance, it looked like madness. Suicide. But there was a terrifying logic behind it.

    Floating above the battlefield, high in the sky, was Lilla.

    Her golden hair danced in the wind. Her eyes glowed with power. She stood atop the air itself, each step rippling outward like waves across a calm lake as if the sky had turned to water beneath her feet.

    She was only a Tier 3 warrior, just like the defending generals. But she had something they didn''t... control over the mind.

    From above, she reached deep into the hearts of the cultists. She twisted their pain. Burned away their fear. Turned them into empty shells driven by only one command:

    Kill.

    They marched like zombies, soulless and unstoppable. And they would not stop until their bodies were torn to pieces or every drop of blood had left them.

    "DIE, DEMON!" shouted the western general with all his might.

    Unlike Lilla, he couldn''t fly. But he leaped with all his strength with a furious blaze of energy around his sword, determined to strike her down.

    Lilla looked at him with cold amusement. Her eyes gleamed. She took another step across the sky, the air beneath her feet rippling like a pond.

    She didn''t need to dodge. She didn''t need to lift a finger because the moment the general reached her, something far worse was waiting.

 Chapter 370: Xylos struggle. {2} Fairy dance.

    "You dare!?"

    A thunderclap roared across the battlefield, louder than any explosion, while a streak of bluish lightning tore down from the sky and struck the western general dead-on. The impact hurled him back like a ragdoll, smashing into the metal bridge with a deafening crash that sent sparks flying.

    "Cough¡ªcough! Who dares to strike this general!? Show yourself!" the western general growled while pushing himself up through the smoking crater he had made. His armor sizzled and sparked as his bloodshot eyes scanned the sky, only to lock onto a figure standing calmly above him.

    There, wrapped in swirling lightning, stood a man in sleek black armor traced with glowing red LED lines. The static in the air seemed to obey him, crackling along the bridge like a living thing.

    "I am the Grand Inquisitor, sworn blade of the Holy Maiden of the human race." His voice echoed with divine wrath. "And for the crime of daring to raise your sword against the holy maiden... I sentence you to death... by a thousand bolts of lightning!"

    In the blink of an eye, he vanished, then reappeared right in front of the general with lightning bursting from his fists.

    "You''re underestimating me a little too much, kid!" the general shouted while swinging his blade to block the incoming strike.

    The two Tier 3 warriors clashed at blinding speed, slamming fists and blades together in a flurry of movement. But it became clear within seconds that while both held similar power levels, the Inquisitor''s electrokinesis gave him the edge.

    Every strike was faster, every movement sharper. Bolts arced around him like living spears, zapping the ground and battering the general''s defenses.

    High above, Lilla observed them with her usual cold serenity while a paladin in ornate silver armor knelt beside her.

    "Saintess... should we assist the Lord Inquisitor?" she asked reverently.

    Lilla kept her eyes on the battlefield for a few silent seconds before answering. "No need," she finally said. "My inquisitor is more than capable. That general is already doomed."

    She turned toward the front lines with her golden hair shimmering like fire in the wind. "We must take this bridge today. Reinforce the vanguard. I''ll join them myself."

    "At once, Saintess!"

    And with that, Lilla began her descent toward the center of the bridge, each step upon the air sending ripples across the sky.

    [Western Bridge - Zone 4, Defensive Frontline]

    Explosions lit up the far end of the bridge like fireworks gone wrong. Inside a bombed-out position, the captain of Zone 4 winced in pain as a medic wrapped his bleeding leg.

    "Send the updated coordinates to the mortars! We need to break those damn shield lines!" he growled while gritting his teeth.

    The laser wound was clean, no shrapnel, no explosion, just a smoking hole through the thigh. It hurt like hell, but at least his leg was still attached.

    "Captain! Tank incoming!"

    The shout pulled his attention toward the northern edge of the bridge.

    A black human tank rumbled toward them, its twin machine guns blazing nonstop. Though the shots weren''t accurate, the sheer volume of fire was enough to pin down every soldier nearby.

    The battlefield lit up with ricochets and sparks as the tank advanced like a predator, ignoring the mortar shells that dented its hull without effect.

    "Tch! this thing''s armor is tougher than I thought." He turned to his comms. "Send a request to Zone 3. They should have anti-tank rockets!"

    [Western Bridge ¨C Zone 3]

    "Sir! We''ve received an aid request from Zone 4!" the comms officer called out to the Zone 3 captain. "They''re being suppressed by a black human tank and need flanking support with anti-tank rockets!"

    The Zone 3 captain didn''t hesitate even a second before replying.

    "Good. Send a strike team immediately. I want that tank gone!" He slammed his fist into the table. "If they fall, we''re next! so give them hell!"

    Moments later, four elite soldiers sprinted down the lower path with heavy rocket launchers slung across their backs and eyes locked on the distant rumble of the black tank ahead.

    "Squad leader! I see the tank! It''s about 600 meters away, straight ahead in that direction!" one of the anti-tank soldiers shouted, his voice tight and filled with panic.

    He held his binoculars so tightly against his face that the metal almost dug into his skin, desperately tracking the enormous war machine as it crawled through the smoke and rubble of the ruined battlefield. He didn''t want to lose sight of it, not even for a second.

    "Nice work! Sharp eyes!" the squad leader praised him with his voice being strong and firm as his body tensed up. He could feel the pressure in the air, thick and heavy. "Get the anti-tank missiles ready! do it now!"

    The team moved fast, their boots pounding the broken ground as they scrambled into position. Their fingers trembled slightly, not from fear, but from adrenaline as they grabbed the heavy launchers and locked the rockets into place.

    Metal clicked, gears hissed, and weapons snapped into firing mode. The sound was harsh but familiar. They had done this hundreds of times before.

    Each soldier took a deep breath while trying to calm their racing hearts. Ahead of them, the tank rolled forward like some kind of metal giant, slow but unstoppable. It was covered in thick armor plates and bristling with weapons while smoke swirled around it, making it seem like a monster stepping out of a nightmare.

    "Wait for my signal... Steady... FIRE!" the squad leader screamed while raising his arm.

    Four deadly missiles shot through the air, trailing fire and thick black smoke. The heat from the launchers was intense. The rockets raced toward the tank like angry dragons, and then each one struck with thunderous force. The ground shook like an earthquake had hit.

    Three of the missiles barely left a mark on the tank''s tough armor, just leaving scorched dents and smoke. But the fourth missile found a weak spot; it slammed into the side of the tank''s left track with a flash of light and a deafening explosion.

    The massive war machine groaned, then shuddered and came to a stop, its track blown apart and become useless. The tank was no longer moving. It was stuck.

    "Nice hit! Reload and take cover! NOW!" the squad leader shouted while already scanning the area. "They''ll try to track our position. Stay alert!"

    The broken tank was like a wounded animal now; while it was still big and dangerous, it was now vulnerable. From every direction, more attacks came; laser blasts, mortar rounds, and pulse shots rained down, hammering the tank again and again.

    It sparked and burned while smoke rose into the sky. You could almost hear it cry, like a dying beast.

    "Squad, get ready!" the leader ordered once more, his voice being sharp like a blade. "Aim for the middle this time! We finish this thing here and now, or none of us go home!"

    The soldiers gritted their teeth while gripping their weapons harder. Their faces were pale but determined.

    "FIRE!" Another missile streaked into the sky, cutting through smoke and wind like a spear.

    This time, the blast was massive. The tank didn''t just get damaged... it exploded completely.

    A huge fireball lit up the battlefield, bright as day. Burning pieces of twisted metal flew through the air, crashing into buildings and scattering across the ground. The blast wave knocked dust and dirt into the sky, and for a moment, the whole world seemed to shake.

    "Target destroyed! Excellent job, everyone!" the squad leader yelled while already slinging his pack over his shoulder. "Grab your gear! we''re moving! Get to the safe zone, now!"

    They turned to leave with their hearts pounding and ears still ringing from the explosion.

    But then something strange happened.

    "Guys... do you hear that?" one of the soldiers said quietly. His voice was trembling. He stopped walking and tilted his head, trying to listen through the distant noise of battle.

    "What? You mean the bridge falling? The mortars?" another soldier replied, snapping back without thinking.

    "No... it''s something else... sounds like... like little bells..."

    The sound grew louder.

    Ting... ting... ting...

    At first, it was soft, almost like wind chimes blowing gently in a summer breeze. But then it became clearer. Stronger. Like bells ringing in a storm.

    "LOOK! OVER THERE!" the first soldier suddenly screamed while pointing with a shaking hand toward a thick cloud of smoke.

    From the middle of the smoke cloud, the sound of chiming bells grew louder and louder... TING... TING... TING...

    Then, a figure of a woman appeared from inside the smoke.

    She was floating above the ground. Her armor was white, glowing softly, and covered in shining red lights that pulsed like a slow, steady heartbeat.

    Her presence felt unreal... like she came from a dream or a myth. With every step, waves of energy rippled outward, making the air shimmer around her. It was as if she walked on water that wasn''t there.

    The smoke curled around her, not hiding her, but moving aside like it respected her. The battlefield, once filled with noise and chaos, suddenly felt quiet, like it was holding its breath.

    The squad couldn''t move. They couldn''t speak. Their weapons hung loose in their hands. Every eye was locked on her, frozen in shock and awe.

    The sweet, haunting chime of the tinkerbells still filled the air... ting... ting... ting... like a lullaby in the middle of hell. The armored woman hovered above the battlefield.

    But then... a new sound cut through the melody.

    A deep, grinding roar, the sound of dozens of heavy engines firing up in the distance. The ground began to tremble, small pebbles bouncing as the vibrations grew stronger.

    Then, from the same smoke that had birthed the floating woman, shapes emerged.

    Tanks....

    Not just one or two, it was an entire column of them, their steel hulls scorched and scarred from battle, rolling forward like hungry wolves. Their cannons swiveled, searching for targets.

 Chapter 371: Xylos struggle. {3}

    Behind them, marching in perfect, terrifying unison, came thousands of human troops. Their boots struck the earth in a thunderous rhythm, their rifles gleaming under the fire-lit sky. Some wore heavy exo-suits, their mechanical limbs whirring with every step.

    Others carried flamethrowers, the fuel tanks hissing like angry serpents. This wasn''t just an attack... this was a full-scale assault.

    The squad leader''s blood turned to ice. His hands clenched around his rifle, his mind raced with fear-filled thoughts. They had just taken down one tank... and now... how were they supposed to stop dozens?

    "Fall back!" he screamed with his voice filled with panic. "Fall back NOW! We can''t hold this position!"

    The soldiers didn''t need to be told twice. They grabbed their gear, sprinting toward the nearest cover. But even as they ran, the truth settled over them like a suffocating fog... there was no escape.

    The human army was advancing too fast. The tanks cannons locked onto their position. The troops fanned out, cutting off every possible retreat.

    High above the chaos and thunder of the battlefield, inside her living, breathing flagship, Ys lounged like a lazy cat in the heart of her strange throne room.

    The walls pulsed around her with a soft, organic glow, like veins under skin, alive and watching. Her bed wasn''t made of metal or cushions, but of soft, glowing tissue that shimmered with blues and purples, like moonlight caught in jelly.

    She lay on her side with her beautiful green eyes half-lidded while a smirk danced on her lips as she gazed at the tiny firefly resting gently on her fingertip. Its little body glowed warmly, and from the light of its tail, a clear, magical hologram spread out in front of her.

    But this wasn''t just a regular image. No screens, no cameras. Ys saw everything below... every gunshot, every explosion, every cry for help through the firefly''s own eyes.

    The glowing projection showed it all, Lilla, her precious little girl, slicing through enemy lines with grace and fury.

    Her white armor shimmered like starlight, streaked with crimson energy. Around her, human tanks rolled forward, shaking the ground with each step. Soldiers scattered in panic, some screaming, some falling. The battlefield was madness, but to Ys, it was beautiful.

    "There you go, little Lilla~," she purred sweetly while tilting her head like a mother watching her child take their first steps. "See? Just a little push forward... and you''ll get stronger much faster." Her voice was light and playful, but behind her green eyes was something sharper. "I told you, didn''t I? My eyes never lie."

    With a slow, elegant stretch, Ys stood from her glowing bed. Her long limbs moved gracefully, and the living floor shifted slightly beneath her bare feet.

    She drifted toward the wide, membrane-like window that curved along one side of the chamber. With just a gentle touch of her hand, the surface rippled like water, then became clear, revealing the world below.

    The battlefield spread out like a living painting of ash-filled skies, broken machines, and rivers of smoke.

    Down below, thousands of worker drones swarmed across the ground like ants in a frenzy.

    They carried chunks of broken metal, glowing minerals dug from shattered bunkers, and even pieces of destroyed human war machines that still twitched with dying sparks. The drones were tireless, moving with purpose, dragging everything back to the fleet.

    The organic ships drank in the materials like hungry beasts. Wounds on their hulls closed slowly, pulsing and knitting together as if healing from within. It was strange but oddly beautiful.

    "Mmm, well then..." Ys murmured while tapping a finger against her chin thoughtfully. "If Lilla''s making her move, then maybe it''s time I push my side forward too~."

    She turned from the window, her gaze shifting to the back of the chamber, where a figure had been silently watching.

    It stood perfectly still, like a shadow given shape. Though smaller than Ys by a head, it was tall for its kind, slim and delicate, with long, spidery limbs ending in fingers that twitched slightly.

    Its silver exoskeleton shimmered faintly, reflecting the dim light of the chamber. From its arms and legs hung strange web-like threads that moved gently, even though there was no wind.

    Ys smiled, her voice turning sharp and sweet at once. "Since Mother sent you to help manage my swarm, I suppose it''s time you earned your place." She flicked her wrist with a lazy motion. "Go down there. Find their general. Take over his head. And be quick about it."

    The Khryssari said nothing. It didn''t even blink. Instead, its body bent and stretched like a spider preparing to leap. Then, without a sound, it slithered across the floor and slipped into one of the living launch pods.

    A second later, the pod shuddered and sealed itself around the creature, then shot it into the sky, hurling it toward the battlefield in a cocoon of muscle and tissue.

    Now alone, Ys let out a long, drawn-out sigh and collapsed back onto her bed like a bored queen. "Ha... darling~," she whispered softly, almost to herself. Her voice lost its sharpness, turning gentle. "I miss you... What are you doing right now, I wonder?"

    She stared at the ceiling, then at the hundreds of tiny glowing lights built into the top of her chamber. They weren''t stars, not really. Just biolights carefully arranged to mimic a night sky she barely remembered. But for a second, as she looked up at them, something in her expression changed.

    The cunning, teasing warlord disappeared. In her place was a quiet, lonely woman, staring at the false stars with a heavy heart.

    But the moment didn''t last.

    With a snap of her fingers, the firefly''s hologram flickered out. She rolled onto her side, her grin slowly returning, being sharp and full of secrets.

    The battlefield was pure chaos, filled with a roaring, endless storm of gunfire, screeching Khryssari, and the heavy thuds of armored boots slamming into rubble.

    But through the madness, the Eastern General moved with purpose, like a conductor guiding a violent orchestra. Every move was sharp. Every decision was fast.

    One moment, he was in the thick of it with his exo-armor glowing with power, his vibro-blade carving a path through insectoid monsters like they were made of paper. The next, he was back at the mobile command post, panting slightly as he downed a bitter energy drink and shouted out fresh orders.

    "Reinforce Sector Two now!" he shouted while sweat dripped from his jaw as he leaned over the tactical map. "They''re hammering it with everything they''ve got. They''re not clever, but they''re strong, and if that line falls, the whole eastern flank collapses!"

    One of his elite guards, a scarred veteran with soot on his face and grime on his armor, nodded and slammed a fresh magazine into his rifle. "Could be worse. At least we''re fighting bugs and not those cursed robots. Word is the Southern General got wiped on day one..."

    The room went quiet for a second while the general''s face twitched.... Just for a moment.

    Then he let out a rough, dry laugh. "That reckless bastard... Even when we were kids, he never knew when to quit." He stared off into the distance, his eyes foggy with memory, then took another gulp of his drink. "Guess it was only a matter of time. He probably died swinging, the old fool."

    He smirked, just a little. "He always liked to show up first. Probably got himself a good seat in the underworld and is saving us a spot."

    The guards chuckled, tired, with quiet laughs full of respect and sorrow.

    "You better be the last one to join him, General," one of them said while thumping his chest. His voice was firm. "We''re not letting you fall anytime soon."

    The general grinned while a flash of fire appeared in his eyes. "Talk big. Just make sure you back it up with bullets!" He crushed the empty can in one armored hand and tossed it aside.

    "Now move! By now, the bait''s pulled another swarm into the trap. Time to remind these alien freaks what it means to mess with us!"

    The Khryssari were terrifying... fast, brutal, and seemingly endless. But they were also wild. They charged without thinking, fought without fear, and didn''t understand tactics. The Eastern General knew how to use that.

    His troops pretended to retreat, falling back step by step through the wreckage of the bridge. They left behind trails of blood and smoke, baiting the enemy toward a narrow stretch of ruined mechanized units... a perfect kill zone.

    The Khryssari didn''t hesitate. They poured in, claws scraping, shrieks echoing through the shattered streets.

    Right into the jaws of the trap.

    "NOW!" the general shouted.

    Suddenly, the ground exploded.

    Heavy machine guns opened fire, pouring hot lead into the swarm. Flamethrowers lit up the streets like napalm, turning the air into a wall of fire. Grenades blasted apart alien bodies, scattering limbs like broken toys. Screams from both human and inhuman echoed into the smoky sky.

    The general charged in at the front, his exo-armor shining in the firelight. His vibro-blade roared to life with a high-pitched hum as he carved a bloody path through the panicked enemy. At his side, his guards fought like wolves, firing in tight bursts, never wasting a shot.

    The Khryssari never stood a chance.

    And just like before, the plan worked.

    The last few bugs fell twitching in the rubble. The street was quiet again, smoking, cracked, and littered with corpses, but for now, the general had won.

    He took a breath and looked over his shoulder.

    Then his comm crackled to life.

    "General! Something''s coming¡ªthrough the smoke! It''s not like the others! It''s¡ª"SSSSKKKT¡ª"

    The signal cut off.

 Chapter 372: Xylos struggle. {4} Learn to fear the swarm.

    "I didn''t catch that; say it again."

    The Eastern General''s voice crackled through the communication device strapped tightly to his left forearm. He leaned closer, gripping the receiver like a lifeline, but there was no reply.

    Only a hollow, hissing noise... the empty whisper of static. No words. No breath. Just silence.

    A cold weight pressed down on his chest like invisible iron. He exhaled slowly, trying to ignore the growing knot in his stomach.

    "...I don''t like this," he muttered under his breath while his eyes locked on the battlefield ahead. Smoke drifted across the field in thick, dirty clouds, blotting out the horizon and painting everything in shades of gray. "Something''s wrong. I can feel it... in my old bones."

    His instincts, sharpened by decades of war, were screaming. Something wasn''t right. Something was hiding in the smoke.

    He turned to one of his elite bodyguards, a towering soldier clad in reinforced armor and placed a firm, commanding hand on the man''s shoulder.

    "Stay here," the General ordered, his tone ironclad. "Gather what''s left of our units. Set up a fallback position behind the ruins and prepare a new ambush zone. Once that''s done, find me again."

    The soldier nodded and gave a crisp salute, his voice full of determination. "Leave it to me, General! I won''t fail you."

    The General didn''t stay to watch him go. He couldn''t afford to. Every second counted now.

    A few minutes earlier, a transmission had burst through the comms full of panic and static. A squad''s communications officer had screamed about something strange in the smoke. He hadn''t even finished his warning before the message cut off completely.

    And then... the nightmare began.

    From that thick, unnatural smoke, black tendrils had emerged... twisting, writhing things, slick and fast like living whips.

    They pulsed with glowing green veins, like spiderwebs lit from within by poison. Each tendril moved with a mind of its own, striking with deadly precision. They stabbed through armor like paper and tore through flesh like it was nothing.

    The screams didn''t last long.

    The moment the tendrils struck, the soldiers froze. Their limbs stiffened. Their eyes turned glassy, lit with the same sickly green glow that ran through the tendrils.

    They weren''t alive anymore. They had become puppets... lifeless marionettes controlled by something far more terrifying.... The Khryssari Swarm Weaver.

    This was Ys''s new unit, unleashed upon the Eastern Front. The Weaver wasn''t the strongest creature in the Swarm''s hierarchy. It wasn''t a Queen or even a Princess.

    But it didn''t need brute strength to be dangerous. It was the brain. A battlefield tactician. A creature that didn''t just command... it calculated.

    Its bioelectric mind was like a living supercomputer, taking raw, mindless Khryssari drones and turning them into a coordinated army of murderers. It was strength with strategy. Violence with vision. And worst of all?

    It could infect....

    Those who didn''t die from the tendrils'' strike didn''t survive intact. The corruption crept inside them. Rewrote them. Changed them. Turned them against their own brothers and sisters in arms. Silent. Invisible. Like a disease.

    And now, that infection was spreading across the Eastern Front... quietly, cruelly, like a shadow in the blood.

    The defenders had fought hard. For hours, they held the line with everything they had. Every trap, every ambush, every bullet had been used to push back the Swarm. They fought like wolves, fierce and desperate, and each skirmish had bought them a few more minutes of hope.

    But as the sun dipped below the horizon and night took hold, the air seemed to shift. The wind changed direction. The sounds of the battlefield grew quieter... too quiet.

    In the command tent, lit by the pale glow of flickering holograms, the Eastern General stood alone with his eyes narrowed. A glowing map hovered before him, showing blue lights for his troops and red for the enemy. Tiny symbols marked tunnel entrances, supply lines, and fallback zones.

    He tapped the side of the display.

    "Report," he said firmly. "Any strange movement from the enemy? Any changes?"

    A nearby captain stepped forward and shook his head.

    "Nothing so far, sir. They''re still attacking in waves, but it''s the same old pattern. No surprises. Even our simplest traps are working. At this rate, we should be ready for the bombing run. We can take out those tunnelers before they get too close to the frontline"

    The General''s jaw clenched. He didn''t trust how calm it sounded.

    "Good," he said. "Send the signal to the Eastern Hangar. I want the bombers airborne in thirty minutes. Make sure they''re escorted by gunboats loaded with heavy anti-air. No room for error. We lose those bombers, we lose our only opportunity to turn the tides."

    "Understood, General." The captain gave a respectful nod, saluted, and turned toward the tent''s exit.

    But as he stepped into the night, no one noticed the flicker in his eyes. For just a moment, barely a heartbeat...a pale green glow shimmered across his irises.

    "Mmmm~"

    Ys tilted her head while a thoughtful purr curled from her lips as she watched the battlefield through the glowing lens of her Firefly drone. The tiny insect floated in the air, projecting a shimmering view of the Eastern Front before her, like a living painting of war and ruin.

    Her luminous, gemstone-like eyes narrowed as she observed the chaos.

    The Weaver''s forces were dying rapidly, endlessly. Carapaced bodies fell like autumn leaves, piling into craters burned by lasers and shredded by gunfire. The sight had nearly bored her.

    "Tch, how predictable."

    "I was just about to crush that ugly little brain from here," she said aloud while tapping her chin with a porcelain-like finger. Her voice was light, almost whimsical, like she was commenting on a dull stage play.

    "It''s just tossing away soldiers like broken toys~ Sloppy and sad."

    She was ready to turn her attention elsewhere, already losing interest in what seemed like another wasteful effort by the Swarm''s lesser minds.

    But then... she felt it.

    A subtle ripple passed through the hive mind. A shift. Not panic. Not chaos. But thought. Tactic. A cold, calculating whisper threading its way through the Swarm''s network.

    Her lips slowly curled into a dangerous smile.

    "Oh my~" she purred, her voice dripping with delighted venom. "It seems this little Weaver has some teeth after all~" Her fingers twirled in the air, lazily dancing above the drone feed. "How curious. How clever~"

    She stretched out on her silken bed while her long, soft, green hair spilled over embroidered pillows. Her expression was alight with glee... like a child discovering a new toy had hidden features.

    "This kind of play isn''t normally to my taste... but hmm~ it''s entertaining enough. Very well. I''ll let it live a little longer. Just a little~"

    And with a playful flick of her wrist, she dismissed the drone feed, settling back to enjoy the growing spectacle like a queen watching flames dance across a chessboard.

    Back at the Eastern Front, the Captain no longer the man he had once been, walked through the camp with brisk purpose. His eyes still gleamed with faint humanity, but deep behind them pulsed that eerie green glow. The Weaver''s signature.

    He had already relayed the General''s commands, repeating them with flawless precision.

    "This is Captain Vely, Eastern Front Command. Identification Alpha-Seven-Niner-Zero. Orders relayed. Bombers authorized. Mission: Tunneler Suppression."

    No one questioned him. His tone was sharp, his presence calm. Just another officer doing his duty.

    Elsewhere, a young communications officer sprinted into the hangar, nearly collapsing as he reached the Air Force captain.

    "Sir!" he gasped. "Orders from the General! Immediate deployment! bombers and escorts! Target the tunnelers on the abandoned eastern fortress!

    The Air Force captain, unaware of the trap already closing around them, gave a firm nod. "Understood. We''ll be in the air in thirty minutes."

    Exactly half an hour later, thunder rolled across the Eastern Bridge... not from the sky, but from the tarmac. Bombers lined up like predators ready to strike, their dark forms sleek and brimming with death. Around them, gunboats hovered, their turrets loaded and tracking the skies.

    Below, soldiers cheered, waving and clapping like fans at a festival. They believed salvation had arrived.

    "This is Squad Leader Golden Four!" came a voice over the comms. "Enemy air units sighted ahead! Bombers! hold your course! No matter what, drop those bombs!"

    And then, the stars disappeared.

    Khryssari Skydancers descended from the night like a wave of living blades. Their wings shimmered like oil in moonlight, buzzing in unnatural rhythm. In moments, the dark sky turned into a writhing storm of chitin and death.

    The gunboats opened fire. laser turrets lit up the clouds in streaks of blue and white, ripping through Skydancers in blazing arcs. For every one that fell, ten more screamed down from the clouds.

    "Bomber Four reporting! taking heavy damage! Requesting imm¡ªAAAAGHH¡ª!"

    A fireball bloomed in the sky, swallowing the bomber and dozens of Skydancers. Then another explosion... then another. In mere moments, half the strike force had been wiped out.

    But the survivors pressed on, determined to complete their mission.

    "Leader Bomber to all units! target acquired! Activating payload now!"

    The pilot''s hands moved fast, flipping switches, setting the bombs. The targeting systems locked on. Green dots blinked across their display.

    "Countdown initiated! Ten-minus-two... seven... six... three... two... RELEASE!"

    The bombs fell like falling stars, dozens of them, heavy with high-impact plasma cores meant to incinerate anything beneath.

    And then... something impossible happened.

    The worms ate them.....

    They rose from the ground, vast segmented bodies with gaping maws opening like giant metal flowers. With a wet, bone-shaking sound, they swallowed the bombs mid-fall.... crunching them between armored jaws as if chewing on candy.

 Chapter 373 373: Xylos struggle. {5} Learn to fear the swarm II

    Ys clapped her hands together like a girl delighted by a surprise gift.

    "Ooooh~! So that was its plan!" she sang, giggling behind her fingertips. Her legs kicked playfully beneath her, as if she were watching a comedy unfold.

    "You clever, clever little Weaver~ You weren''t losing... You were baiting~"

    "Mmm~, while It''s true that the Khryssari worms really can devour anything. Not just solid things like metal or rock, but energy, fire.... even the air itself... they''re like living black holes. But even they aren''t unstoppable. Even they have a breaking point. And once that point is reached..."

    Ys smirked and gave a mischievous flick of her fingers. "Well... heheh~ Let''s see what happens next."

    In an instant, a storm of glowing lights filled the sky with thousands upon thousands of luminous fireflies appearing from thin air.

    They zipped and danced through the air like sparks from a divine forge, circling the monstrous worms from every direction. The creatures roared and twisted, confused and enraged, as the swarm clouded their senses.

    Ys''s eyes gleamed with excitement, her smile growing wider with every second. She looked like a playful goddess watching a grand game unfold, her joy only growing as the chaos escalated.

    Meanwhile, panic erupted inside the command tent.

    "General! We have a serious problem... the attack... it completely failed!" a breathless soldier burst through the entrance, nearly falling over in his haste. His face was ghostly pale with sweat dripping down his temples.

    "What?!" the general shouted out while spinning toward the man. "And the pilots?! What about the strike team?!"

    The soldier swallowed hard, trembling under the weight of the general''s furious grip."N-none of them made it back, sir! The insects... those flying things! they ripped through our ships like they were made of paper!"

    Before the general could process the nightmare unfolding, another scream echoed from outside the tent.

    "GENERAL! YOU NEED TO LEAVE¡ªNOW!"

    With barely enough time to think, the general shoved aside the canvas and dashed outside. And just then... a flash of blinding, searing light engulfed everything.

    The Khryssari worms had taken in every drop of energy from the bombs launched at them and it was far more than they could safely contain.

    Their long, armored bodies began to swell grotesquely, like water balloons filled to the brink of bursting. Their skin shimmered with a terrible, radiant glow that only grew brighter and hotter.

    And then.... with a sound like a mountain cracking in half, the worms exploded, not in pieces, but in power.

    Under the weaver''s command, the beasts released a terrifying storm of spheres made of pure energy, each one glowing like a miniature sun, each one charged with the power of a megaton blast.

    "TAKE COVER! GET TO THE BARRIER!" the general shouted with all his might, his voice ragged with desperation as he sprinted toward the city''s protective shield.

    But for most of his men, the warning came far too late.... within seconds, the sky rained death.

    The ground shattered as the energy orbs collided with devastating force. The battlefield became a sea of fire and destruction.

    Tremendous shockwaves tore across the land, tossing tanks, tearing apart bunkers, and flattening entire platoons in the blink of an eye. Soldiers were vaporized where they stood, their final screams lost in the roar of destruction.

    It felt like the wrath of a god had been unleashed. Even distant battlefields surrounding the fortress city quaked under the weight of the blast, as though the entire planet groaned in pain.

    Meanwhile, Somewhere Across the Galaxy...

    On the edge of a dead star system, a savage duel shook the emptiness of space.

    Zynaria''s colossal axe crashed into the Blood Clan Patriarch''s chest with brutal precision, the impact sending the Tier 7 powerhouse hurtling backward through the vacuum.

    He slammed into a floating asteroid so hard that the giant rock split clean in two. Chunks of stone drifted away like shattered ice on a black ocean.

    Zynaria floated above the wreckage, her crimson hair flowing like fire in the void. She twirled her axe lazily, her voice dripping with amusement.

    "Hahaha! That''s all you''ve got? I was expecting a real fight. Don''t tell me I crossed galaxies just to slap around a weak little boy with anger issues."

    The patriarch coughed while wiping blood from his mouth, his breathing ragged. His armor was dented and cracked, his limbs sore from the relentless blows.

    Every time their weapons clashed, the truth grew more obvious... he couldn''t win. Not in strength. Not in speed.

    "You savage beast!" he growled, pride burning in his chest. "If you''re so confident! then fight me without your weapon! Prove you''re a real warrior!"

    Zynaria blinked, then threw her head back in wild laughter.

    "PFFT¡ªHAHAHA! That''s rich! You''re the first Tier 7 coward I''ve ever met who''s afraid of a girl with an axe!"

    Her laughter rang through space like a melody of mockery, echoing between the drifting rocks and broken ships around them. Her enemy''s face twisted with rage, his hands clenched in fury.

    Just as the Blood Clan Patriarch gathered the last of his energy to charge against Zynaria one more time, but just as he was about to do it, a brilliant silver light flashed, swallowing him whole.

    He froze in place mid-lunge, his entire body locking up like a statue. The proud glow of his stellar energy dimmed almost instantly, fading faster than even he could understand.

    His eyes widened in horror as he realized he was being drained. Not just his strength... but his very essence.

    His skin began to crack and wrinkle, shriveling up like dry bark. His powerful muscles withered, shrinking into brittle cords. Time itself was turning against him. His youth, his power, even his memories... all were being stripped away, second by second.

    "N-Nooo! What... what did you do to me?! You damned¡ª" His voice cracked like dry leaves. His words faded before he could finish.

    In less than ten seconds, the once-mighty Tier 7 powerhouse... one of the Blood Clan''s most feared champions crumbled into nothing but dust. A soft breeze carried his remains into the endless black of space, as though the universe itself had erased him.

    Zynaria stared in stunned silence. Her hands gripped the shaft of her axe so tightly that the metal groaned beneath her fingers.

    "...What... just happened?"

    She flared her aura to its full strength, flooding the battlefield with dark crimson energy. Her senses stretched across every direction, scanning nearby planets, moons, asteroids, and even particles floating in space.

    Nothing. No enemy. No weapon. No force to explain it.

    Just silence....

    "...Well... I guess I did finish him off?" she muttered to herself while blinking in confusion. She scratched the back of her head until her eyes widened in panic.

    "Wait¡ªThe Young Emperor!"

    She didn''t hesitate. With a powerful swing of her axe, she sliced open the fabric of reality itself, creating a space rift.

    Then, without even pausing to breathe, she threw herself through.

    After several harsh and chaotic jumps across space, Zynaria finally burst through her last rift. The moment she emerged, the enormous crimson sphere of the Blood Clan''s homeworld filled her vision.

    Her body trembled slightly as she gasped for air.

    "Hah... Hah... That took way more energy than I expected..." she panted while beads of sweat trickled down her temples. "Please... let him be safe. If anything happened to him..."

    She gritted her teeth. "That little firewall AI is going to blast me with lectures for a month!"

    With a deep breath, she dove. Her body ignited with dark crimson fire as she shot through the planet''s atmosphere like a falling star, leaving a blazing trail in the night sky.

    "Young Emperor! Where are you?! Are you okay?!"

    Zynaria slammed into the earth like a comet, skidding to a stop just a few meters away from where Rex was lying, resting peacefully on the ground, completely unharmed.

    She let out a long breath of relief.

    "Thank the stars... He''s okay..."

    But that relief vanished the moment she noticed someone kneeling beside him.

    A woman... calm, graceful, and impossibly beautiful was brushing Rex''s hair with delicate fingers; her expression was gentle and warm.

    And in that instant, every alarm in Zynaria''s soul screamed at once.

    Her instincts flared no, exploded. The same instincts that had kept her alive through battles with cosmic beasts and godlike tyrants. This presence wasn''t just powerful. It was ancient. Terrifying.

    She had only felt this kind of fear twice before in her entire life...

    Once when she stood before the Planet-Devourer, a world-killing entity slain only by the Kaelzar Empire''s last emperor.

    And again when she faced the Void Dragon, the monster whose form had inspired her own draconic transformation.

    Now... she felt that exact same fear again.

    "WHO ARE YOU?!" Zynaria shouted out with her body erupting into flames as she ascended into her Sun Maiden Battle Form. Wings of fire spread wide behind her, and her armor glowed with radiant heat, bright enough to scorch the night air.

    But the woman didn''t flinch. She didn''t rise or fight back.

    Instead, she smiled sweetly and lifted a single, elegant finger to her lips.

    "Shhh... there''s no need for such aggression, my dear."

    Her voice was soft like the breeze before a storm. Beautiful. Gentle. But beneath it... there was weight. Timeless, cosmic weight. A presence that didn''t just command attention but demanded reverence.

    "I''m only here because of him," she said while nodding gently at Rex. "I would never harm my own child."

    She smiled again and in that moment, it was as if the stars themselves bent toward her light. Even Zynaria felt her heart stutter. Her cheeks warmed, not from the heat of battle, but from a deep, strange blush she couldn''t explain.

    "...His mother?" Zynaria whispered, her eyes wide in disbelief.

 Chapter 374: Xylos struggle. {6} Learn to fear the swarm III

    The war for the Planet of Xylos raged on with a brutal clash between a dying world''s desperate defenders and the cold, calculated advance of the Kaelzar war machine. Defenses crumbled. Skies burned. And somewhere in the cold void beyond the chaos, one man smiled.

    The infamous musician general lounged in his lavish private suite aboard the Eclipse, his personal flagship.

    The room glowed with soft, decadent light. Aromas of rare alien incense mixed with the metallic tang of space. Two exotic women lay draped across silk sheets behind him, their bodies bathed in the low amber glow.

    The musician general swirled his golden drink in a crystal glass, watching the liquid glimmer like a captured sun.

    "Is the fleet assembled?" he asked with his voice being smooth as velvet and thick with boredom and power.

    His officer stood at rigid attention while trying but failing to not look at the women on the bed. He swallowed audibly.

    "Affirmative, General. The fleet stands ready: one hundred destroyers, twenty heavy carriers, and thousands of bombers and fighter wings. Awaiting your orders."

    The general smirked while slowly sipping the golden liquid from his glass.

    "Excellent..." He set the glass down with a soft clink. "Prepare a synchronized wormhole jump. Destination... Xylos."

    He rose from his seat while brushing strands of silken hair from his shoulder.

    "Time to reintroduce myself."

    Meanwhile, from her throne of alloy and code, Cleo watched the carnage unfold. She sat within a towering command spire atop her flagship, the fortress-sized flagship armed with thousands of autonomous defense systems.

    Her throne pulsed with electric life, tubes and conduits connecting to her spine, limbs, and skull. Every second, energy surged into her body, keeping her battle body in a recharging state.

    "Report," she commanded. Her voice was emotionless and precise. "All fronts."

    A blue-hued hologram shimmered beside her, her young AI assistant, born from her own code.

    [Yes, Creator.]

    [The enemy''s southern command has been eliminated. The bridge is under Kaelzar control. My legions await your command to advance on the city''s final barrier.]

    Cleo watched silent feeds of fire and ash accompanied by the march of Kaelzar''s soldiers through the destroyed ruins of the fortress city slums.

    "The southern barrier pillar?" she asked with her eyes still locked on the chaos.

    [Located.]

    [It lies beneath the collapsed fortress. Excavation is ongoing. Estimated destruction within two imperial hours.]

    "Stay on target. No changes unless authorized."

    [Understood.]

    Then the AI''s expression shifted, her digital face turning sharply upward while her voice rose.

    [Creator¡ª! Multiple wormhole signatures detected. Outer orbit. Fast approach vectors.]

    Cleo''s eyes glowed brighter. "I''ve already seen them."

    With a flick of her fingers, dozens of holograms bloomed around her, each showing orbital trajectories and fleet configurations. Red markers began appearing that signaled the enemy vessels pouring from wormholes.

    She analyzed the situation in a blink.

    {"Shields up. Ground legions advancing. Fortress Weapon systems offline for recalibration. Fortress retreat... unacceptable.... then we use the external plan."}

    Suddenly the Sky turns Red from scarlet lances of energy erupt from the heavens. Dozens of beams slammed into the Cleopatra''s shields, carving molten scars across its armored skin. The entire carrier trembled with the force.

    Inside her throne, Cleo didn''t even flinch.

    "Report," she ordered.

    [Shields holding at 98%... dropping¡ª97.6%. And falling.]

    "Reroute all power from non-combat systems. Engines. Lighting. Life support."

    A moment passed.... then she added, "...Maintain life support only in the green zones."

    The Young AI blinked.

    [Acknowledged.]

    Outside, chaos reigned with hundreds of warships clashing above a planet already drowning in fire. But inside the command core of the Cleopatra, Cleo''s gaze narrowed and her expression became unreadable.

    She raised a single hand.

    "Activate the orbital countermeasure. Begin phase two."

    Even as the musician general''s fleet scorched the sky, Cleo was already preparing her reply.

    The thing about spaceship battles was simple, the one with the lower ground was at a huge advantage.

    Always position yourself below the enemy. That way, your ship''s cannons and turrets could target their underbelly, where armor was thin and engines were exposed. In a clash of destroyers and dreadnoughts, having a clean shot at the engines usually meant the difference between victory and floating debris.

    So when did you appear above the enemy fleet? You were practically begging for a beating. And that was exactly what Cleo was about to deliver to the musician general''s forces.

    "All allied vessels," Cleo ordered, voice sharp and unwavering, "concentrate all firepower on these coordinates. Do not exit the Cleopatra''s barrier; friendly fire will not be tolerated."

    "Human fleet preparing to fire!" came the reply from the general priest Lilla had entrusted with command of her fleet. The human destroyers realigned in disciplined formation, targeting systems locking onto the coordinates Cleo transmitted.

    Kaelzar destroyer AIs followed suit, cold and efficient. Targeting data streamed across every display.

    Meanwhile, Lilla''s voice rang through Cleo''s channel.

    "Well, I''d love to help, little Cleo~," she said with a theatrical sigh, shrugging exaggeratedly. "But you know my girls aren''t built for long-range fights. They''re brawlers. Guess I''ll just cheer you on from here!"

    Cleo''s eye twitched. She knew that it was total bullshit. But gods above, she still felt like slapping the side of Y''s head every time she spoke like that.

    Still, no time for distractions.

    "All vessels! open fire!"

    A chorus of thunder answered her command. Explosive shells, focused energy beams, and lances of plasma tore upward into the sky, ripping into the Nexum fleet.

    Cleo kept the Cleopatra rising slowly, just enough to keep the enemy fleet in range, but always staying below them. They''d made the mistake of warping in on top of her.

    Now they would learn why that was suicide.....

    "Tsk, tsk, tsk..." The Musician General clicked his tongue while stepping forward as the view of the planet bloomed before him.

    "To leave me... for another dance partner?" he sighed dramatically. "There really are no manners left on the battlefield."

    His eyes flickered with delight as his fleet emerged from all four directions, encircling the fortress city.

    While Cleo had been baited into engaging a portion of his fleet in orbit, the true maneuver was unfolding planetside.

    With the allied fleet lured upward, the musician general had sent his second wave directly to reinforce Xylos City. Within minutes, Nexum soldiers, fast, brutal, and well-armed, began pouring into the rear of the battlefield.

    They struck like ghosts, launching a coordinated surprise assault on the invading forces from behind.

    "Saintess! A new enemy force has appeared from the rear!" shouted out one of the priestesses, her voice trembling. "Our command post! it''s already been overrun!"

    Lilla turned slowly while her eyes opened as her expression changed. Around her, the battlefield crackled with renewed violence.

    She lifted her head toward the sky, calm as ever.

    "There''s no need to panic," she said softly. "Someone will take care of them."

    As if on cue, a massive white hand shimmered into existence... towering, radiant, and divine. It struck down from the heavens, shielding Lilla and her priestesses from a sudden barrage of concentrated laser fire.

    The defenders beams splashed harmlessly against its glowing surface.

    Lilla didn''t even flinch.

    "Heheheh~ And here I thought it was only that annoying Kaelzar who figured out my little secret~," Ys purred as she slid off her bed, stretching lazily like a cat preparing for bloodshed. "But it seems... my cute little Lilla noticed too..."

    Her lips curled into a dangerous smile as she pressed her hands to her flushed cheeks, a giddy madness glittering in her eyes.

    "Well, since there''s no point hiding it anymore... I may as well enjoy myself!!!" she said while her voice rose with manic delight.

    "I''ll show you all... what it really means to be a princess of the Khryssari!! HAHAHAH!"

    And at the crescendo of her laugh, a strange sound echoed across the battle-scarred planet, a cheer from the Khryssari forces below.

    Though monstrous in appearance, looking like horrific beings of flesh, teeth, and writhing tentacles... they expressed their joy in eerie synchronization. It was grotesque... and oddly cute.

    Their princess was pleased. And so, they were too.

    As if answering Ys''s will, the sky above Xylos twisted and tore open.

    From the void, a massive fleet surged into realspace, not in orderly formation like human vessels or Kaelzar dreadnoughts, but as a writhing swarm of organic horrors. Living ships of impossible design, from carapaced cruisers, pulsating frigates, and leviathan warbeasts, rushed toward the battlefield.

    It was not a fleet.... It was a hive.

    "G-General!" a radar officer cried out with his voice cracking with panic. "We''ve detected a massive number of unknown vessels approaching at full speed from orbit!"

    The musician general didn''t look up immediately. He poured himself another glass of his shimmering golden drink, twirling it with practiced elegance.

    "Mmm? A guest at my masquerade, arriving uninvited?" he muttered while his lips curled in disdain. "How shameless! Do we have any information on this... new arrival?"

    "S-Sir... there''s a match in the archives," the officer stammered while trembling as he handed over a datapad. "But the file is under maximum security clearance. Only a fleet general can unlock it..."

    The musician general raised an eyebrow. "Oooh, now I am intrigued."

    He accepted the datapad with a flourish and input his personal override code that was reserved for emergencies and galactic-level threats.

    The screen flickered for a second and then single classification appeared:

    [HIVE MIND ¨C Galactic Threat Level]

    The musician general smile faltered, just slightly.

    "...Well," he said, sipping his drink, "this ball just became so much more dangerous."

 Chapter 375 375: Xylos struggle. {7} Learn to fear the swarm IV

    "All ships, listen up! This is a top-priority command!" a loud voice echoed through every ship''s communication system.

    "Transport ships, stay back! Keep sending reinforcements to support our ground defenders! All other combat vessels, move immediately to the coordinates being sent to you now!"

    From the bridge of her grand flagship, Ys stood watching the enemy fleet begin its full-speed advance. Engines roared to life as they charged toward the southern wall of the fortress city. A smirk formed on her face.

    "Ahh... you really think I''m just going to sit back and let you shift your forces?" she said, almost playfully, while her eyes gleamed with determination. "If there''s one thing I''ve learned from all those movies and shows I watched... it''s that you never give the hero a chance to transform."

    With a commanding gesture, she raised her hand and pointed toward a section of the sky where the musician general''s fleet was beginning to organize into a tight, defensive formation.

    Just then, the space above the planet shimmered and the Khryssari fleet arrived.

    This fleet was made of terrifying organic warships, their hulls pulsing and alive. Strange, twisting structures lined their surfaces, glowing faintly with ominous energy.

    At Ys''s silent command, these organic ships opened up. Sections of their living bodies peeled back to reveal bio-cannons and strange, fleshy turrets. A second later, they began to fire.

    It looked like a storm of glowing green rain, each drop a blast of deadly bioplasma streaking across the sky, aimed straight at the musician general''s formation.

    "Damn it, they got us good!" the general shouted while slamming a fist against the railing of his ship''s bridge. "Fire back! Don''t just stand there watching! return fire now!"

    And so, with weapons lighting up the sky, a fierce and violent battle erupted just above the fortress city.

    What was once a distant war was now visible to everyone. Civilians, who had once felt safe, began to panic. People ran through the streets, pointing to the sky where massive warships, some kilometers wide, clashed in a chaotic ballet of destruction.

    Explosions thundered above like angry gods fighting, and burning debris started falling from the heavens.

    Inside the fortress city''s main government building, a young secretary burst into the governor''s office. His face was pale with fear, and his voice cracked with panic.

    "Governor! Sir! It''s bad! there''s a full-scale fleet battle happening right above us!"

    "I know," the governor replied calmly, though his hands trembled slightly as he stared out the wide office window. The battle outside filled the skies like a terrifying dance of fire, light, and death.

    He turned from the window, his voice grim. "Send my orders. Tell our generals to fall back into the city. It''s no longer safe outside the energy barrier. Also, inform the engineers to reroute all power to the barrier. Keep life support on the lowest safe setting. We''re going to hide... like a turtle in its shell."

    Once his orders were delivered, the governor stood there in silence. The light from distant explosions reflected in his eyes as he clenched his fists, helpless to do more.

    Meanwhile, high above the fortress City the chaos continued.

    "This is the 54th wing squad leader," came a desperate voice over comms. "We can''t hold the destroyer Akilo anymore! It''s completely surrounded. Parts of the hull are on fire; we''re seeing green flames spreading everywhere. What are your new orders, commander?"

    But the musician general, sitting at the heart of the collapsing fleet, had no answers. His screen showed dozens of similar messages. Reports of damage.... Calls for retreat.... Cries for help....

    For every Khryssari ship they managed to destroy, two more emerged from the warp jump, instantly joining the fray. Their numbers were endless. Their firepower is unrelenting.

    The general''s face was covered in sweat. His fingers gripped the edge of his chair.

    The musician general let out a long, heavy sigh.... a sigh of defeat.

    "Order the entire fleet to retreat," he said bitterly; his voice was low but steady. "We''ve been beaten... like a stray dog in the gutter."

    It was a decision that would have shocked the high brass of any other megacorporation.

    Among those powerful warlords and corporate commanders, honor and pride were everything. They would rather burn with their ships in a glorious final stand than retreat with their reputations stained. Dying with pride meant more to them than living with shame.

    But the musician general? He didn''t care one bit about honor or pride.

    "Honor won''t feed my men. Pride won''t repair my ships," he had once told a junior officer. And today, he stood by those words. In the end, loyalty was all that truly mattered, and his fleet was filled with loyal soldiers who trusted him to lead them through fire and death.

    He wasn''t born into nobility. There was no golden cradle or family name behind his rise. He had clawed his way up, one brutal victory at a time. Every step of the ladder had been stained with blood and sweat.

    And in that long, punishing climb to power, he had come to value one thing above all: his people. His subordinates weren''t just numbers on a screen... they were the heart and soul of his command. His treasure. His responsibility.

    Even as the order to retreat was passed down, the fleet didn''t stop fighting. As they rose higher into the sky, battling to gain enough altitude to warp, every cannon and turret kept firing.

    Green plasma lit up the sky. The Khryssari swarm still chased them, relentless and alien, refusing to let go.

    "General!" an officer called from the front console, his voice filled with urgency. "All ships are ready to initiate warp jump! We''re just waiting for your final command!"

    The general didn''t hesitate. "We''ve done our part. We sent reinforcements to help defend the city, so no one can say we broke our deal." He raised his arm sharply. "Get us the hell out of here! Now!"

    "Understood, sir!"

    The officer turned back to his console, ready to send the signal that would carry the fleet away from the blood-soaked sky. But then... something strange happened.

    "General!" the officer shouted while turning around in alarm. "The communication link isn''t working! Every time I press the transmit key, it just... doesn''t respond! But the system shows the antenna is still online!"

    The general''s eyes narrowed. "What...?"

    And then, a flicker of golden light danced in the center of the bridge.

    A strange hum filled the air, and right in front of the general''s command chair, a cybernetic form began to appear, piece by piece, first her boots, then her long armored limbs, her flowing tech-draped cloak, and finally, her face.

    By the time her form fully materialized, the soldiers on the bridge were already surrounding her, weapons drawn, nervous fingers on triggers. Elite guards formed a tight circle, energy rifles aimed at her head and chest.

    "Who the hell are you!?" the musician general demanded an answer while stepping forward and drawing his crackling energy blade, which hummed with power as he leveled it at her throat.

    Cleo took a slow look around the bridge. Her expression remained calm, serene, almost bored, as if the weapons pointed at her were no more threatening than a gentle breeze.

    Her golden eyes gleamed faintly as she spoke; her voice was smooth and sharp like a polished blade.

    "I am Cleo, the Kaelzar princess. And I am here to offer you an opportunity."

    The general scowled. "What kind of opportunity?"

    "To surrender," Cleo said with a slight tilt of her head. "Peacefully."

    There was a pause. Then, the general burst out laughing, the sound wild and unhinged.

    "Surrender?" he shouted. "You must be joking! Dream on! You think just because you hijacked our comms, we''ll kneel? If I want to leave, I will! and there''s nothing you can do to stop me!"

    Without warning, he raised his pistol and fired straight at her head.

    The shot streaked through the air only to hit empty space. Cleo didn''t even flinch.

    The shot had missed.

    Cleo looked at him with something like pity. "Organic life forms really are foolish," she said while shaking her head softly.

    "Very well. I''ll take that as your answer."

    And with that, her form disintegrated into shimmering tech particles, disappearing as quickly as she had come, leaving behind a stunned bridge crew and a very uneasy general.

    "General!" a voice cried out in panic from one of the consoles. "The sensors have picked up a massive object descending from orbit! It''s coming straight from the planet''s upper atmosphere!"

    The officer''s hands flew across the controls, and in seconds, the main holoscreen lit up, displaying a huge visual feed from the ship''s external scanners.

    Everyone on the bridge fell silent.

    Through the thick clouds, something colossal was slowly breaking through. The sky darkened, and glowing golden light spread like ripples across the heavens.

    There it was... a titanic structure descending from orbit, wrapped in golden energy pulses that rippled outward for kilometers. A fortress unlike any other, The Cleopatra, the mobile Kaelzar stronghold.

    From its sides and underbelly, long fins and towers shimmered with pulsing veins of light. Gigantic thrusters slowed its descent, and with each pulse it released, the very air around it shimmered and twisted, as if space itself was cracking.

    "...Oh. F-fuck."

    The general''s face turned pale. His heart sank into his stomach. He jumped to his feet and shouted with raw urgency:

    "Full power to all engines! Forget everything else! just move! Scatter! Flee in all directions! Get us out of the range of that golden light! NOW!"

    The bridge lit up with warning lights and sirens. Officers scrambled to carry out the order, their fingers trembling over controls. The entire fleet began to accelerate, engines roaring at maximum output.

    But deep down, the general knew. He had seen this kind of light before. Years ago, during a brutal campaign on another world, he''d witnessed a capital ship release that same golden pulse.

 Chapter 376: Xylos struggle. {8}

    And he''d watched entire fleets get frozen in place, their warp drives scrambled, their reality-bending tech rendered useless. Ships had drifted helplessly while the enemy fleet''s weapons tore through them like paper.

    That golden wave wasn''t just light... it was a cage. A prison made of pure dimensional disruption. Once you were inside it, you couldn''t run. You couldn''t hide. You couldn''t even warp.

    It shut down escape itself.

    "All ships!" the general screamed into the emergency broadcast channel. "This is a death zone! If you stay in that golden light, you won''t be able to jump! Don''t fight! just RUN!"

    But the golden waves kept spreading, widening in rings like ripples across water... beautiful, glowing, and utterly deadly. The Cleopatra kept descending, slowly and steadily, like a divine hammer falling from heaven.

    "Hurry! Take us out of here, now!" the musician general shouted out, his voice echoing with desperation across the command bridge.

    But before anyone could respond, one of the bridge officers turned pale, his eyes widened with fear as he looked at his console. "S-Sir... we can''t!" he shouted. "The engines! someone has taken over the engine room! All propulsion systems are down! We''re not moving!"

    The general froze for a second, then gritted his teeth. "Tsk! Dammit all!" he growled, while stumbling back into his command chair and grabbing his hair with both hands. "It''s already too late..."

    While the golden waves from the descending Cleopatra fortress could block warp jumps and stop dimensional travel, they didn''t disable physical engines.

    But Cleo did. While she was standing on the musician general bridge earlier, speaking with cold confidence, she had secretly used the moment to launch a full-scale hack, not just of his flagship but of his entire fleet.

    Her control had spread like a digital virus, invisible and unstoppable. Inside Cleopatra''s AI chamber, the young Kaelzar artificial intelligence turned to Cleo. Her digital form shimmered, her piercing holographic eyes glowing icy blue.

    [Creator, we now control all enemy ships engines. Shall I shut them down completely?] she asked calmly, her voice smooth but emotionless.

    Cleo gently smiled, her golden eyes reflecting the lights of distant explosions in orbit.

    "There''s no need. If we can make them surrender willingly... we''ll gain an entire fleet without firing a single shot." She raised her hand and snapped her fingers.

    All across space, the fleet of the musician general shuddered as systems lit up and weapon systems roared to life. But this time, they weren''t aiming at Cleo or her allies. They were turning on each other.

    The turrets rotated. The cannons aligned. Targeting systems blinked red.

    "General!" the same officer shouted again, his face now bathed in the flickering red glow of internal alerts. "Our ships... they''re locking weapons on each other! Even our own vessel''s guns are moving... Look!"

    The general rushed to the reinforced viewing window. His heart sank as he watched the main plasma cannon of his flagship slowly turn... and point directly at one of his own cruisers.

    The general went still. His chest rose and fell with a long breath.

    Then, suddenly, he began to laugh.

    Not a laugh of madness but a tired, bitter laugh of a man who had gambled, lost, and still appreciated a good play.

    "Miss hologram really got us good..." he muttered, chuckling. "Hahaha... ah, screw it. Stop resisting. It''s over. We''ve been defeated." His voice was low but carried across the quiet bridge.

    Far below, on the surface of Xylos, the old governor stood in silence, watching the entire space battle unfold through his wide observation window.

    The sky above was filled with massive warships and glowing pulses. He had watched it all... from the initial clash to the fall of the musician general''s fleet.

    He closed his eyes and let out a long, tired sigh. "Secretary..." he said quietly.

    The young assistant turned quickly. "Yes, Governor?"

    "Send my orders to all defense forces. Everyone is to remain inside the barrier and await further instructions. No exceptions."

    The secretary hesitated. "But, Governor... what about the reinforcements still outside the barrier? They''re still fighting to reach us! If we don''t open the shields, they might¡ª"

    The old man raised his hand, stopping him. His voice was calm but heavy with weight.

    "If we lower the barrier now, we risk letting death in with them. We cannot save everyone... not this time."

    He turned back to the window, eyes fixed on the golden lights falling from the sky.

    "Let''s not add more names to the list of the lost."

    The governor stayed standing still in the heavy silence of his office while touching his old swords with his hand as if he was getting ready to do something big.

    [Northern Battlefield ¡ª Forest Zone]

    In the thick shadows of the night forest, the Nexum soldiers fought with grit and desperation.

    The once-silent woods were now a blazing war zone with laser bolts streaking through the trees, explosions rocking the earth, and distant screams echoing across the chaos.

    The darkness was no longer natural; it pulsed with flashes of red andblue as gunfire and drone lights danced like twisted fireflies.

    "Sir! We''re getting overrun! These damn drones are everywhere!" shouted the Nexum legion''s second-in-command.

    He ducked behind a shattered tree trunk, narrowly avoiding a stream of glowing laser from a drone zipping past. "If we don''t take out that giant-ass machine, it''s only a matter of time before we''re wiped out!"

    The captain of the northern Nexum legion stood on a ridge while overlooking the inferno below.

    His visor glowed as data fed into his helmet... casualty reports, drone swarm patterns, and tactical readings.

    But one image burned brighter than the rest, a massive drone carrier hovering like a mechanical god of death. Its core blazed with energy as it unleashed constant beams of focused light, carving through Nexum squads with terrifying precision.

    Above and below it, swarms of smaller drones rained laser fire and cluster bombs, tearing apart anything that moved.

    The captain clenched his jaw and shouted into his comms. "Transmit those coordinates to our armor units! All tank divisions, focus fire on the drone carrier! Bring that monster down! Once it''s destroyed, we''ll advance toward the fortress city and regroup with allied forces!"

    Within minutes, the thunder of tank cannons rolled across the battlefield. Explosive shells streaked into the sky, crashing into the drone carrier''s shimmering energy shield. Each impact weakened the barrier bit by bit... small victories carved through steel and fire.

    The Nexum soldiers rallied behind the sound of their artillery, pressing forward through the hellish forest with renewed determination.

    [Southern Flank ¡ª Outside the Fortress Walls]

    On the southern side of the fortress city, things looked very different.

    Here, the Kaelzar Legion, commanded by the young AI, had made strong gains at first, but now they were starting to falter.

    The Nexum soldiers, hardened by countless campaigns, had launched a brutal rear ambush, breaking through the AI''s outer defenses like a hammer through glass.

    While the young Kaelzar AI possessed superior intelligence, strategic calculation, and digital coordination, she had one critical weakness: inexperience. Faced with the chaotic pressure of a battlefield that didn''t follow logic or order, her mind buckled.

    Instead of focusing on one decisive response, she began to generate dozens... hundreds! of defensive strategies, all optimized by probability and simulations. But when she tried to implement them all at once, she overwhelmed her own forces.

    Conflicting commands poured through the Kaelzar chain of command. One squad was ordered to fall back, another to advance, and a third to flank... all at the same time. Units collided with one another, movements were delayed, and cohesion broke down.

    The Nexum soldiers, sensing hesitation, pushed even harder, unleashing firepower and aggression with terrifying efficiency. The Kaelzar line began to buckle under the pressure.

    The young AI''s voice echoed over internal comms, slightly shaky now."Initiate fallback protocol... no, switch to formation delta... wait¡ªconverge to point 37-B... cancel last¡ªno, execute counter-pattern..."

    It became painfully clear that the southern Nexum Legion was moments away from achieving total dominance.

    With the young AI of the Kaelzar forces faltering under pressure and confusion spreading through her ranks, it was only a matter of time before the Nexum soldiers reclaimed the conquered southern fortress.

    [Eastern Front ¨C Nexum Drop Zone]

    Far from the coordinated chaos of the major fronts, the Eastern battlefield had become a graveyard of scorched steel and broken dreams. This was the drop zone of the Nexum Legion that was now silent, charred, and soaked in the blood of its soldiers.

    One Nexum trooper with his armor scuffed and smeared with soot, cowered inside the hollowed remains of a tank, its once-mighty hull now sliced clean in half. Flames flickered around him, casting dancing shadows across his terrified face.

    He gripped his comms unit with trembling fingers. "Nexum soldier 345th... please... anyone, respond!" His voice was hoarse, cracking with desperation and total horror.

    "I repeat¡ªNexu¡ª"

    He froze mid-sentence when he heard a sound.

    Heavy, deliberate footsteps echoed across the ruined landscape. Each step was slow, unhurried... and yet each one pounded like thunder in his chest. He held his breath, his pulse raced like a drum, as the footsteps grew louder and closer. The air felt colder. Thicker.

    He whimpered quietly while his eyes widened in fear. "Please... just go away... please... hiiiii¡ª"

    The soldier slowly raised his sidearm toward his own head. His hand trembled violently, sweat mixing with grime on his skin. For a veteran of a megacorporation''s elite forces to even consider ending his own life, whatever was out there had to be far worse than death itself.

    But he didn''t get the chance.

    With a sickening crunch, a jagged black tentacle burst through the tank''s hull and through the soldier''s chest. Blood sprayed against the inside of the ruined metal, and the tank groaned as more tentacles wrapped around it like serpents.

 Chapter 377 377: Final Struggle.

    In seconds, the vehicle was ripped apart like paper, and the soldier was dragged out violently, coughing blood. "Cough¡ªcough! AH! NO! PLEASE!" he screamed, desperately reaching for his fallen handgun, just out of reach. He clawed the ground with his fingers, brushing the weapon...but it was too late.

    His fate had been sealed the moment they landed on this cursed battlefield.

    A monstrous figure loomed above him; it was towering, grotesque, and otherworldly. Tentacles writhed from its back like living shadows. Its armor was fused with flesh, pulsing with eerie green bioluminescence. The creature''s mouth opened slowly, revealing rows of serrated, blood-slicked teeth.

    Without hesitation, it pulled the soldier toward its maw and, in one swift, horrifying motion, bit his head clean off.

    Blood splattered the ground. The lifeless body slumped in the creature''s grip.

    This was a Khryssari Void Warrior, a nightmare given form. Normally reserved for boarding enemy ships, these beasts were rarely deployed on open battlefields.

    But Ys had a taste for fear....

    She didn''t just want to win. She wanted the enemy to feel true horror. And Void Warriors were terror made flesh.

    [Eastern Battlefield ¨C Human Side]

    Meanwhile, on the other side of the warfront, Lilla''s brother, known by all as the Lord Inquisitor, made a bold decision.

    He ordered all his forces to pull back and regroup inside the eastern fortress they had recently captured. Now, instead of attacking, they were the ones holding the walls, preparing for a long and brutal siege.

    Standing atop the inner ramparts of the damaged fortress, the Lord Inquisitor stared through a massive gap in the outer wall; it was the hole they had blasted open days earlier to break into the city.

    "Is the shield ready yet?" he asked, his voice sharp and commanding as he turned to one of his elite paladins, clad head-to-toe in heavy black armor.

    The paladin knelt before him with a bow of respect. "Not yet, my Lord. The enemy hasn''t stopped bombarding that area. It''s a constant barrage. Getting close is nearly impossible."

    The Inquisitor narrowed his eyes, deep in thought. His gloved hand rose to his chin, stroking it slowly.

    "Hmmm... if they keep hammering that section nonstop, then they likely won''t be able to breach it themselves either," he muttered, half to himself. "So why waste so much firepower there?"

    He turned slightly, his sharp gaze fixed on the battlefield beyond the walls. His mind worked quickly, considering possibilities.

    {There can only be two reasons for this kind of tactic...} he thought silently. {Either they are stalling... trying to buy time for something else or they''re planning to hit a different part of the wall. But where? And how?}

    He glanced toward the sky, then shook his head.

    {No... they can''t attack from the air. All their transport ships were either shot down or retreated. So what could they be planning? Are they trying to dig tunnels underneath? Or maybe... a hidden weapon?}

    Before he could think further, a sudden, deafening explosion tore through the air, louder than thunder, sharper than a scream. It was so powerful that it shook the ground beneath his feet and yanked him out of his thoughts.

    In the blink of an eye, an entire section of the fortress wall, far from the previously damaged area, was ripped apart in a blinding flash.

    Massive stone blocks and steel reinforcements were hurled into the air like pebbles, crashing down upon tanks, vehicles, and unfortunate soldiers, crushing them without mercy. A dense cloud of smoke and dust instantly filled the area.

    "What in the name of the Goddess was that?!" the Lord Inquisitor shouted out as he struggled to his feet, having been knocked down by the force of the shockwave.

    Coughing through the smoke, he looked around, his visor''s HUD flickering as it tried to adjust to the chaos.

    But all he could see were falling ashes, broken metal, and the silhouettes of soldiers stumbling through the thick gray fog. The fortress was under attack and the real siege had just begun.

    As the Lord Inquisitor stood amidst the smoke and swirling dust, his ears still rang from the explosion. The sound was distant and muffled, like he was underwater.

    He squinted through the gray haze, the world around him dim and distorted. His visor flickered as it tried to filter out the debris cloud, but visibility was almost nonexistent.

    Then he saw them... shapes, moving shadows slithering between the dust clouds. They were smaller than the usual enemies he had faced before, like the towering human rebels and the octopus Nexum soldiers.

    These new figures were quick, low to the ground, creeping, and circling like predators in a storm.

    Narrowing his eyes, the Inquisitor instinctively drew his spear, its shaft crackling with energy as he activated his Electrokinesis. Lightning sparked across his armor like a living net of electricity.

    "System," he commanded sharply, "begin sonar pulse sweeps. I want a readout of everything moving within twenty meters."

    His power armor obeyed instantly, releasing invisible waves through the smoke. The system began feeding data into his HUD, shapes outlined in flickering blue light. Some were friendly. Many were not.

    He began to move cautiously through the battlefield, each step heavy with purpose. The dizziness in his head was finally starting to fade, though the ringing in his ears lingered like a whisper in the back of his mind.

    As his senses cleared, the true horror of the scene unfolded before him.

    His soldiers were still fighting, although barely. Scattered and disoriented, they battled against things hidden in the smoke. The thunder of Nexum artillery roared in the distance, shaking the ground again and again.

    Explosions flashed like lightning strikes within a storm cloud, giving brief glimpses of soldiers, metal, and blood.

    Then, without warning, something emerged from behind him.

    A massive beast charged through the dust, a hulking creature that looked like a twisted version of a wolf, its fur matted with dark armor-like plating while its eyes glowed a cruel red. Its mouth opened, showing rows of jagged teeth.

    The Inquisitor didn''t hesitate. As the beast lunged, his Electrokinesis flared to life. A trap of lightning surrounded him, a defensive storm he had mastered through years of battle.

    The moment the war beast crossed the electric perimeter, it triggered a surge. A spear of lightning exploded outward, blasting the creature midair. It collapsed in a heap of scorched flesh and metal, lifeless before it even hit the ground.

    The Inquisitor pointed the tip of his spear at the smoldering corpse, inspecting the strange creature. "What in the blighted hells is this thing...?"

    He didn''t have time to wonder since more of the beasts began to emerge from the dust, snarling and howling, launching themselves at him from all directions.

    "Foul beasts! Know your place!" he roared, his voice echoing like thunder as he spun his spear with deadly grace.

    He fought like a storm given form, a blur of lightning and steel. Every strike of his spear was followed by a pulse of electric power, vaporizing flesh and bone, leaving only burning husks behind.

    Time seemed to slow. His movements were precise and efficient, each kill a work of brutal artistry. But even he was beginning to feel the weight of endless waves.

    Then, just as another pack of beasts lunged, salvation came from above.

    Bright red lasers rained from the sky, tearing through the dust and striking the creatures with pinpoint accuracy. Several beasts collapsed, sizzling where they stood. A squad of soldiers emerged from the smoke that was battle-worn but still fighting.

    "My Lord! Thank the stars you''re alive!" a voice shouted.

    It was the paladin who had stood beside him before the wall exploded. He limped forward, supported by two other soldiers, his armor dented and his body bloodied. He looked relieved just to see the Inquisitor still standing.

    "I''ve been searching for you since the blast," the paladin gasped, clearly wounded but refusing to rest.

    The Inquisitor stabbed another war beast through the head and hurled the twitching corpse into a nearby group, triggering a lightning burst that blasted the others apart in a crackling wave. He turned to the paladin without missing a beat.

    "Report. I want the full status. Now."

    The paladin took a breath while steadying himself. "From what I''ve gathered from surviving squads... the Nexum launched a coordinated strike with some kind of new siege weapon. Three more holes were blasted into the fortress wall. It''s barely a wall now... more like a collection of rubble trying to remember its purpose."

    He tried to smile but winced in pain while sweat and blood ran down his face.

    The Inquisitor''s gaze dropped to the paladin''s side and narrowed.

    "...And these cursed beasts? What of them? Has the Nexum breached our final line of defense?"

    The paladin hesitated, his expression turning grim. The Inquisitor followed his gaze down to the stump where the paladin''s arm should have been. Blood had been hastily sealed with cauterized metal, but the pain in his eyes said everything.

    "We don''t know where the beasts came from, my Lord," he said at last. "But... they''re not natural. They don''t move like anything we''ve fought before. The Nexum soldiers are still outside, but these things... these things are already inside the walls."

    The Lord Inquisitor looked back into the dust storm, where howls echoed and flashes of gunfire lit up shadows in the smoke. His grip on the spear tightened.

    "So," he muttered, voice low and dangerous, "they''ve unleashed monsters upon us to soften the blow... very well."

    His eyes glowed faintly as arcs of lightning danced across his armor once more.

 Chapter 378 378: Final Struggle. {2}

    The Lord Inquisitor''s sharp gaze dropped once more to his paladin''s missing arm; it was like a fresh reminder of the chaos that had just unfolded.

    He then glanced at the soldiers who stood beside the wounded man. They looked battered but still capable of fighting, far more stable than the one-armed paladin barely holding himself upright.

    "You''re no use to me like this," the Inquisitor said in a firm tone, though his voice carried a thread of concern beneath the steel.

    "Fall back and seek immediate medical attention. You are only permitted to return to the front once you''ve been outfitted with a new cybernetic limb. Take half the remaining soldiers with you. They''ll guard you on the way."

    The paladin hesitated, his pride flaring, but he knew better than to argue. With a respectful nod, he turned to leave with his escort.

    The Lord Inquisitor then raised his voice, directing it to the soldiers who remained. "The rest of you, with me! We''re restoring the chain of command in this sector with no exceptions!"

    Without another word, he surged forward, leading the charge through the smoke-choked ruins. For several long minutes, they swept through the shattered fortress interior, striking down every inhuman thing that crossed their path.

    His spear glowed with lightning, each thrust ending in a blinding flash and the smell of scorched flesh. Around him, his soldiers followed closely, emboldened by his strength and fury.

    Eventually, the heavy dust began to settle. The dense fog of ash and rubble thinned just enough to offer a clearer view of the devastation they had survived.

    Though the Nexum soldiers had failed to breach the fortress completely thanks to the valiant defense by the paladins and their troops, the cost of holding the line had been too heavy.....

    Of the Lord Inquisitor''s five elite paladins, one now lay dead beneath a collapsed wall, another was barely clinging to life, and the remaining three were wounded, ranging from moderate to near-critical condition.

    And if even his Tier 3 paladins, enhanced cyborgs with combat optimization far beyond normal soldiers, had suffered so badly, he didn''t even want to imagine the death toll among the regular human forces.

    He clenched his jaw and gritted his teeth, raw anger swelling inside him.

    "Damn it all!" he shouted while flinging a bottle of water across the ruins with all his strength. It shattered against a metal plate, the splash instantly absorbed by the dust.

    "These fucking parasites... they dare do this to our people?! They think they can walk into our territory and slaughter us like animals?!"

    Now seated beside one of his surviving paladins, the Lord Inquisitor allowed a medic to tend to the minor wounds on his arms and side, though he barely acknowledged them. His thoughts were heavy, burning.

    "It seems the heretic scum got the better of us this time," he growled. "We were this close to losing the entire western stronghold to those alien bastards..."

    He leaned back against a slab of debris, eyes staring blankly into the smoky sky above. Then suddenly, the sharp, delicate sound of bells rang in the air.

    The sound was soft, crystalline, like tiny chimes dancing on the wind, yet unmistakable. A sacred presence had arrived. Instantly, every soldier, paladin, and medic dropped what they were doing and turned toward the sound before falling to one knee in reverent unison.

    "We salute the Holy Maiden!" the Lord Inquisitor and his remaining paladins declared in one strong voice.

    From the heavens above, a radiant figure began descending gracefully. Lilla, the Holy Maiden, touched down with a weightless poise.

    Each step she took created ripples in the air beneath her, as if she walked on water. With every gentle step, the sound of bells followed, echoing like divine music across the battlefield.

    Her robes flowed like moonlight, her blonde hair untouched by dust or blood, her presence calming yet commanding. She was the embodiment of purity and power, and her arrival brought a strange peace to the ruined fortress.

    Still kneeling, the Lord Inquisitor raised his eyes and asked with restrained urgency, "Holy Maiden... may I ask.... have you returned because of our failure?"

    The question barely left his lips when one of Lilla''s loyal paladins, a woman clad in shimmering silver armor, stepped forward with fury in her eyes. She unsheathed her sword and pointed it at the Lord Inquisitor with a defiant stance.

    "How dare you question the Holy Maiden''s actions?!" she cried out, her voice full of righteous anger.

    The Inquisitor''s paladins instantly sprang to their feet, drawing their blades in defense of their commander. Sparks crackled in the air. Tension swelled.

    But the Lord Inquisitor, still kneeling, calmly raised one arm to halt his warriors. At the same time, Lilla raised her own hand.

    "There''s no need for this..." Lilla said softly, her voice like warm wind brushing against their ears. "We are all human. We are all of one blood, united under the light of the White Lady. Let us not turn blades against our own. That is the only sin our goddess cannot forgive."

    Her steps brought her closer to her brother, the Inquisitor. She looked down at him with soft eyes, full of sorrow and pride. Reaching out, she gently placed her hand upon him, her divine energy glowing faintly as it surged into his body. He felt strength return to his limbs and clarity to his mind.

    "I did come as soon as I could, after hearing of the battle," she said gently. "But it is not only your suffering that drew me here. A great shift is happening across the entire battlefield.... that is why I have come now."

    "Great changes?" The Lord Inquisitor muttered, his voice tinged with sarcasm as he glanced around at the shattered walls and the craters carved into the ground.

    "Aside from the gaping holes in our defenses and the waves of Nexum soldiers crawling outside our gates, I don''t see any other major shifts."

    "I''m not talking about those," Lilla replied, her tone this time was calm yet heavy with implication. Her ethereal form began to glide toward the ruined defensive line along the inner wall, her shimmering steps echoing like soft wind chimes. Her paladins fell into formation behind her, solemn and silent.

    The Lord Inquisitor narrowed his eyes and followed, curiosity overcoming fatigue.

    "The bridge lines have fallen," Lilla continued as she walked.

    "Our outer formations have been completely withdrawn. This has occurred not just here but all around the fortress city. The soldiers who once held the perimeter are now within the barrier walls. That is why I returned... to aid you directly in the city''s defense."

    Her words stopped him cold.

    The Lord Inquisitor frowned deeply, his mind quickly running through the implications. "You mean... the entire outer line fell back? Every front, every bridge, every checkpoint?"

    He scratched at his chin in disbelief. "I could see that happening with the insectoid front... those things are demons cloaked in chitin. But all of the defenses collapsing simultaneously? That''s no coincidence."

    Lilla let out a soft, brief laugh, not mocking, but rather sad and tired. "It wasn''t a collapse. Lady Cleo ordered a strategic withdrawal. She saw something... something that made her call us all back. We''re now to hold the fortress until new orders are given."

    They had reached the inner defense lines. From her elevated position near the crumbled ramparts, Lilla gazed out upon the battlefield.

    And what a sight it was.

    Tens of thousands of corpses littered the landscape... twisted and torn bodies of humans, cyborgs, alien warriors, and monstrous beasts.

    The ground was soaked in blood... red, green, blue, and black melding into a nightmarish oil painting of death. Armor and weapons lay discarded like broken toys on a battlefield that had become a graveyard.

    This... this was planetary conquest.

    And as terrible as it was, this battle was but a minor one compared to those fought on intermediate or core worlds... places where Tier 5 or Tier 6 defenders turned the very laws of physics into weapons.

    Lilla''s expression didn''t change.

    "Lord Inquisitor," she said softly while turning her blind gaze toward her brother. "Issue the order. Your troops are to form a perimeter around me and protect me with everything they have. I will lend you two of my personal paladins; use them as you see fit.

    "But I must begin the summoning ritual for the Goddess''s warriors. It is the only way we can reclaim momentum."

    She lowered herself slowly onto the bloodstained ground, her robes trailing through gore without hesitation or disgust. She did not flinch. She simply sat cross-legged with hands resting gently on her knees.

    The Lord Inquisitor stiffened, alarmed. "You would call upon them? Now? Are you sure about this, Saintess?" His voice cracked slightly, not out of fear, but out of concern for her.

    Lilla slowly opened her sightless gray eyes. Though blind, her gaze pierced through the very essence of those around her. She didn''t see flesh and blood; she saw aura. And the truth that came with it.

    Humans burned with a brilliant, singular light. Each race, each species, radiated with its own unique color. She could see them all.

    She smiled with a warm, childlike smile and raised her frail arm to show off a tiny, completely unimpressive bicep. "Don''t worry. I''m strong, you see?"

    The Lord Inquisitor sighed heavily while rubbing his temples. "As stubborn as ever..."

    He rose to his feet, electricity crackling around his boots as his armor systems reactivated, lifting him with a low hum.

    "You''ve all heard the Holy Maiden!" he shouted out, his voice echoing across the wall. "We hold this line with our lives! Guard her with everything you''ve got! For honor! For humanity! For the Lady in White!"

    A thunderous roar answered him.

    Then Lilla closed her eyes, and the air grew still.

    She inhaled slowly while a subtle glow began to emerge from her chest... at first dim like a spark in the dark, then swelling rapidly into a swirling vortex of white and violet stellar energy. The ground beneath her vibrated softly, pulsing in rhythm with her breath.

 Chapter 379 379: Final Struggle. {3} The duel.

    This power... was not something a Tier 5 could wield. Let alone someone below that. Yet somehow, impossibly, Lilla was doing it.

    Then, with a sudden burst of pressure, space itself cracked on either side of her with two small rifts tearing open with a sound like shattering glass.

    From within those fractures, massive silver hands emerged. Thick, plated fingers grasped at the edges of reality and pulled, widening the rifts just enough to allow their forms to squeeze through.

    Two towering warriors stepped into the world, clad in ornate silver armor that radiated divine light. Their horns curled like crowns, and silver roses were carved into every inch of their armor.

    Massive and powerful, they were minotaurs, otherworldly beings summoned from the realm of the Goddess herself, Tier 4 Middle-Class War Spirits of the Lady in White.

    "Go..." Lilla whispered, her voice barely audible, her body swaying from the strain. Her face had gone pale, her energy nearly depleted.

    The warriors let out thunderous, echoing roars that shook the walls, then charged forward with seismic force, each step leaving glowing prints in the ground. They charged toward the breach with silver warhammers in hand, smashing aside anything in their path.

    With the summoning of the goddess warriors, the tide of war had finally begun to shift. Nexum Dynamic''s reinforcements that were once a relentless tide pouring in from the four directions had been stalled, corralled, and violently repelled.

    Cleo''s command had proven absolute with strategic bombing runs that decimated enemy lines, striking with such precision that the Nexum offensive dissolved into chaos.

    Even the front led by the young AI, which had teetered dangerously close to collapse, was stabilized under a barrage of heavy ordnance. The enemy simply couldn''t compete with the overwhelming coordination Cleo''s network provided.

    And now, with the musician general''s fleet under her control as well, the entire battle had tipped decisively in favor of the Allied forces.

    Inside the fortress city, time ticked on.

    Several hours had passed since the retreat. The defensive forces, now shielded beneath the great energy barrier, were regrouping. The worst of the slaughter had ended for now.

    In a tall tower at the heart of the city, the old governor sat alone in his office. His shoulders were heavy with age and fatigue, his body slouched back in a weathered chair.

    Papers and data-slates cluttered his desk, but he paid them no mind. His hands rested calmly on the wood surface, fingers twitching occasionally, betraying the tension he refused to show on his face.

    Before him stood an empty chair... he wasn''t looking at it, but he was waiting.

    A soft, musical hum filled the air, no louder than a whisper and reality itself shimmered. Then, in a gentle burst of golden light, she appeared.

    "Well," she said, her tone as composed as ever, though the gleam in her golden eyes betrayed amusement, "we meet again, Governor."

    The old man chuckled softly; the sound was more like a tired wheeze than actual laughter.

    "Hohoho... indeed we do. A shame it couldn''t be under more pleasant circumstances." He raised a wrinkled hand and gestured toward the empty chair across from him. "Please. Forgive my lack of formality. Would you care for a seat?"

    Cleo tilted her head, her eyes scanning the room with mild curiosity. She looked at the chair for a long moment, as if debating whether to humor the gesture. Finally, with the smoothness of a queen descending onto her throne, she sat down.

    "Very well," she said, her voice cool and composed as ever. "You''ve been waiting for me. I assume that means you have something to say."

    She stared at him, her golden irises glowing faintly like twin suns, watching, calculating.

    The governor exhaled a long, heavy breath before speaking.

    "There''s no point in pretending anymore," he began, folding his hands together on the desk. "I''ve seen the battle reports. I''ve seen the feed from the outer districts. There''s not even the slightest chance of us winning this war."

    His gaze didn''t falter. His tone didn''t shake.

    "And yet," he continued, "you haven''t bombarded us into dust. Not with that glorious, impossible fleet of yours. You''ve restrained yourself. That tells me something."

    He leaned forward while narrowing his eyes.

    "You want something."

    A heavy silence filled the room.

    The governor didn''t blink while meeting Cleo''s eyes.

    "It is as you said," Cleo replied, her voice smooth as polished steel. "What I want is for you to surrender, unconditionally, of course."

    She leaned back slightly in her chair while her golden eyes glowed brighter.

    "Since you refused my offer the first time... all your followers and yourself will be executed. Publicly."

    The words hit the old governor like a slab of ice to the chest. For a long moment, he said nothing. The silence thickened between them.

    Then, slowly, he chuckled.

    "Hohoho... I see. Ruthless and efficient... as expected of a conqueror."

    His hands trembled slightly, but he clasped them tight to stop the shaking.

    "But what if," he said quietly, "I had another offer to make?"

    Cleo tilted her head. Her gaze sharpened.

    "Oh?" she said. "Then let''s hear it."

    He took a breath, long and measured.

    "Do you know the laws of the old empire?" he asked, his tone being formal now. "Specifically the law that grants nobles the right to propose a duel to avoid pointless slaughter?"

    Cleo''s expression didn''t change, but her eyes narrowed slightly.

    "A duel," she said, as if tasting the word. "You''re invoking an imperial tradition?"

    "Indeed," the old man replied while straightening his back. "I may not look like it, but I am a noble. Last of House Carvallos, descendant of the founding houses of this colony. I challenge you to a duel to end this bloodshed."

    He paused while letting the weight of his words settle.

    "If I win," he continued, "you will withdraw your army and never return. But if you win... this planet, and all it holds, will belong to you...."

    He watched her carefully, but her expression remained unreadable.

    "...But?" Cleo finally asked, sensing the unspoken condition.

    "But," he said, "if you win, I want your word, as a princess of the Kaelzar Empire... that you will spare the civilians. No retribution. No purging. You''ll treat my soldiers as your own. They were only following orders."

    Cleo met his gaze.

    Gone was the haughty pride. Gone was the tired smirk. What she saw in the old man''s eyes now was something different... unyielding will. The resolve of a man who knew he would die but refused to let others die with him.

    There was silence again. Then Cleo rose.

    "Very well."

    Her voice echoed in the room, firm and absolute.

    "The duel will take place in three days in these coordinates."

    The governor''s arm device beeped to life, displaying a location deep in the ruins outside the capital walls, a good neutral ground.

    "The duel will be public. All sides may witness the outcome. Win or lose..." she placed a hand over her chest, "...as a Princess of the Kaelzar Empire, I will honor the terms."

    The old governor let out a slow breath, his posture finally relaxing. A flicker of relief passed through his weathered face.

    Before he could speak, Cleo''s form flickered with light lines of luminous circuitry racing across her body as she dissolved into shimmering data.

    She was gone.

    The governor stared at the empty space where she''d been standing a few seconds ago.

    "...Three days," he whispered. "Just three more days."

    While everything on Xylos was moving toward its climax, millions of light-years away, another battle had already ended.

    On the blood-red skies of the Blood Clan''s homeworld, silence had taken hold. The invasion of the Lady in White''s army had lasted less than three hours.

    Once proud and fearsome, the Blood Clan had become a shadow of itself. Their stellar energy was gone, their ancient powerhouses had crumbled into dust, and what remained were pitiful battle slaves barely above Tier 2, utterly helpless against the storm that descended on them.

    The Lady in White''s forces were radiant, divine, and merciless; they swept through the underground cities. Tier 5 and Tier 6 warriors moved like reapers of fate, and in the face of their divine judgment, there was no resistance.

    Now, her soldiers patrolled the crimson-lit corridors, their silver armor gleaming in the dark. And somewhere deep within the conquered underground city, Rex finally stirred.

    "Mmm... Where am I...? Why is it... so soft...?"

    He blinked slowly, his vision swimming back into focus. He felt warmth beneath him. A soft blanket over him. A gentle scent he hadn''t smelled before.

    Then his eyes widened and he shot up.

    "The hell?! What are you doing here?! Did I finally die, or did you drag my soul out again?!"

    His voice cracked slightly as he instinctively took a defensive stance, one hand bracing his weight, the other reaching for a weapon that wasn''t there. There was a flicker of panic in his golden eyes, the kind of reaction only one person could provoke.

    Across from him, seated with perfect poise, was she.

    The Lady in White.

    She rested her chin delicately on her hand, her long silver hair cascading around her like silk.

    "Oh my... Is that how you greet your mother now?" she said while pouting theatrically. "After I went through all the trouble to come all the way here from my place? I didn''t even tell your aunt, you know? She''s going to scold me again."

    Rex''s face twitched. He quickly looked around to get his bearings.

    There Zynaria was sleeping against the wall, her body covered in light bandages, her breathing calm. Close by, 14th and 24th knelt protectively beside her with their eyes closed in a meditative state but alert beneath the surface.

    His gaze softened.

    "What... happened here?" Rex asked quietly, more to himself than anyone else.

 Chapter 380: Final Struggle. {4} The duel II

    The Lady in White gave him a look of half smile, half reverence.

    "You won, silly. That''s what happened."

    She stood up and gracefully walked toward him, her presence washing over the room like sunlight through stained glass.

    "You fought like a titan. I''m so proud of you." Then she knelt beside him and whispered, "The Blood Clan is no more."

    Rex stared at her.

    "What?"

    Her smile widened.

    "I took the liberty of cleaning up while you napped," she said sweetly while brushing imaginary dust off his shoulder. "Your allies were collapsing. You were unconscious. So I did what any good mother would do."

    She stood again, her dress fluttering slightly from the residual energy still radiating in the air.

    "I claimed their world. Every underground city. Every lab. Every drop of their precious blood."

    Rex ran a hand through his hair and looked at the sleeping Zynaria again. Then at 14th and 24th. Then back at the Lady.

    "I didn''t ask you to do that."

    "No, but I decided you needed it done."

    Rex sighed and leaned back against the wall while closing his eyes briefly.

    "...You''re insane."

    The Lady in White giggled like a child.

    "Thank you, dear. I love you too."

    Even though the Lady in White had used her incredible powers to heal most of Rex''s wounds from both inside and outside, his body was still far from fully recovered.

    His mechanical implants had drained almost all of his energy, and his organic parts had lost too much blood. It was like patching up a broken machine with missing fuel; he could barely stand, let alone fight.

    As Rex tried to move, wobbling on his feet, the Lady in White gently placed her hand on her cheek and let out a long sigh. "And where exactly do you think you''re going, mister?" she asked, with her voice sounding both amused and concerned.

    But Rex didn''t stop. Every step he took was slow, painful, and shaky... like dragging his feet through thick mud, but still, he kept going forward, stubborn as ever. "Where do you think?" he grunted through clenched teeth. "I came all the way to this cursed planet to get my girl and my son back. I''m not leaving without them."

    The Lady in White raised an eyebrow and smiled softly. "Oh, Rex... there''s no need for you to push yourself like this. I''ve already sent someone to bring them safely to you. They should arrive in just a few minutes," she said, her tone sounding calm and reassuring, like a mother comforting her child after a nightmare.

    But before Rex could respond, she waved her hand through the air in a graceful motion. Silver flowers suddenly bloomed around his feet, glowing softly like tiny stars.

    Before he could even react, shimmering white chains shot out from the flowers, wrapping tightly around his body and lifting him off the ground.

    "What the hell is this?! Let me go!" Rex shouted, his voice filled with rage and disbelief. He struggled with all his strength, but the chains didn''t even budge.

    In his current state, he couldn''t break free; he probably couldn''t even if he was at full power. These were no ordinary chains; they were forged from the stellar energy of the White Lady herself.

    "Stop struggling and be quiet for once," the Lady in White said, her voice being more stern now. "You''re not helping anyone by being stubborn. You need to rest to recover. Let your body heal instead of pushing it to the edge of death."

    As she spoke, the chains gently pulled Rex closer, hovering him in midair like a child being carried by invisible arms. There, he floated beside her, unable to do anything except glare and fume.

    [Meanwhile, on the planet Xylos¡ªjust a few kilometers from the fortress city, atop a tall plateau]

    The wind howled softly across the rocky plateau, carrying with it the scent of blood, steel, and ash from the battlefield below. This high ground was now the meeting point for a historic event, an unusual moment of peace in the middle of a brutal war.

    On one side of the plateau stood the leaders of the Alliance. In the center was Lilla, seated gracefully inside a beautifully adorned palanquin, its curtains woven from sacred silks that shimmered like moonlight.

    She was surrounded by her loyal paladins, each one clad in shining armor, and several high-ranking priestesses who whispered prayers into the wind.

    Just a short distance away stood Ys and Cleo, deep in a heated discussion. Their voices were low, but their energy sparked through the air like electricity, one sharp with logic, the other burning with passion.

    On the opposite side of the plateau stood the last hope of the planet''s defenders... the Old Governor. He wore his old and worn-out power armor, once a masterpiece of military engineering, now scratched and dented from countless battles.

    Yet he wore it with pride. His sword and shield were symbols of his command and legacy; they were carried beside him by the Northern and Western generals, his most trusted officers.

    The tension on the plateau was thick, like the calm before a storm. Both sides had gathered not for another clash but to witness something far rarer... a duel that would decide the fate of an entire world.

    Above the plateau, the sky was crowded with dozens of hovering drones. They floated like quiet metal birds, their lenses glowing as they captured every second of this historic moment.

    The feeds were being broadcast live across the galaxy from the command decks of battleships to civilian shelters deep underground.

    The Young AI, currently serving as the announcer of the duel, spoke clearly through every screen and speaker.

    "This is not just a battle; it is a moment that will decide the fate of an entire world. If the governor wins, the invasion ends. If Princess Cleo is victorious, the city and its people surrender unconditionally."

    Back on the ground, emotions were boiling over. The Northern General suddenly stepped forward, his voice loud and desperate.

    "Governor, please! I beg you to reconsider! Let me take your place in this duel!" he shouted while his hands trembled slightly as he gripped the governor''s sword tightly. His eyes were filled with worry and pain.

    But the Old Governor, ever calm, gave a small chuckle, the kind only someone who had seen too many wars could make.

    "Hohoho... And why would I let a young brat like you fight in my place when you haven''t even been able to beat me in a duel all these years?" he teased him while gently placing a heavy hand on the Northern General''s shoulder.

    He smiled warmly, his face worn with age but shining with pride. "It''s alright, kiddo. I''m not planning on dying just yet. Not until you finally pay me for that wall you blew up! Hohoho."

    He patted the young man''s shoulder a few times before turning to the Western General.... his oldest comrade-in-arms still alive and His eyes softened.

    "It''s been a long, hard journey, hasn''t it, my old friend?" the governor asked quietly, his voice thick with emotion.

    The Western General snorted and gave a short laugh. "Hard? What nonsense. It''s been a rose-paved road the entire time! Only someone as soft as you would say it was difficult!" His grin was sharp, filled with the energy of a man decades younger.

    Still grinning, he stepped forward to help his old friend fasten the ancient, weather-worn shield to his arm. Once done, he stepped back and saluted with a nod.

    "Now go on, you stubborn old horse. I''ll watch every second of this duel. Not even a blink will steal the outcome from my eyes," he said, his voice being firm with pride.

    The Old Governor looked up at the sky one last time... the same sky he had fought beneath for so many years.

    Now, it was blanketed in thick, dark clouds. The scent of rain was in the air, heavy and humid. The tropical storms were coming soon, as they always did. A fitting backdrop for what could be his final battle.

    With a slow breath, he began to walk forward... each step was steady, certain. Toward the center of the plateau. Toward the duel.

    Across from him, Cleo was already approaching. Her footsteps made no sound, yet her presence was overwhelming. Her long, black hair flowed behind her, untouched by the wind. In her right hand, a sword began to materialize... shaped from pure light and energy, sharp and elegant.

    Behind her, six short swords floated into view, orbiting her back like silent stars. Each blade shimmered with deadly precision, crafted by her will and linked directly to her mind.

    As the two figures neared the center of the plateau, the winds picked up, and silence fell over the crowd. Allies, enemies, and millions of distant watchers held their breath.

    The old governor gave Cleo a single respectful nod, and in response, Cleo simply stared back at him with her face being unreadable, calm like a still lake. Her golden eyes gleamed beneath the darkening sky, showing no emotion, no hesitation. Then, silently, both of their helmets activated.

    With a soft hiss of machinery and glimmers of light, sleek armor plates slid into place, first over the governor''s wrinkled face, then over Cleo''s perfect features, hiding both expressions behind cold steel and glowing visors.

    Above them, the clouds rolled and churned as the tropical storm finally arrived in full force. The sky turned nearly black, thunder crackled in the distance, and the wind carried the heavy scent of rain.

    Lightning forked across the heavens like the claws of an ancient beast. And as if nature itself waited for the perfect cue, the moment the first thunderclap echoed through the air, the governor struck.

    From the center of his shield, a massive beam of concentrated energy blasted forward with a thunderous roar. It screamed through the air, cutting a path of fire and smoke toward Cleo.

 Chapter 381: Final Struggle. {5} The duel III

    Just as the lightning lit up the plateau, she twisted her body with impossible grace, leaping into the air. The laser missed her by mere centimeters, the heat close enough to scorch the edges of her armor.

    And then she started her counterattack.

    While still mid-air, Cleo''s six short swords, hovering behind her like loyal wolves, launched forward at high speed. They spun and twisted as they closed the distance, aimed straight for the old governor like bolts of light.

    But the old warrior was no amateur. With a growl and a slam of his boots into the ground, he activated his secondary defense. A wide, pulsing energy barrier formed around him, catching all six blades in mid-flight. Sparks flew as metal clashed against energy.

    For a brief moment, the world held its breath.

    Then both of them returned to their starting positions. The governor stood tall and solid, shield at the ready. Cleo landed in a low stance, her swords circling behind her once again like orbiting moons.

    All of this happened in the blink of an eye.... then the sky opened up.

    Rain poured down like a broken dam, each drop heavy, loud, and relentless. It soaked everything in seconds. The plateau turned slick and gleaming under the downpour. Thunder roared again, louder now, closer.

    The storm had become part of the battlefield with its howling winds, pounding rain, and flashes of lightning. Nature itself seemed to roar with the fury of gods, matching the tension between these two warriors.

    "Hohoho, just as I expected from someone who came to conquer a world through blood and fire," the old governor said with a chuckle while raising his sword toward Cleo with unwavering resolve.

    His voice echoed with age and defiance, the kind of tone only someone who had lived through countless battles could have.

    "Through war?" Cleo replied coolly, her voice calm but sharp. Her eyes, glowing with that golden light, never left him.

    "I seem to remember that you were offered the chance to surrender before a single shot was fired. It was your pride, not our weapons, that wasted all those lives and resources."

    The old governor let out a short, bitter laugh as the storm raged around them. "In all my years, I''ve never met anyone who gives mercy as if it were free bread!" he shouted, the humor in his tone now replaced with fury.

    Then, like a cannonball, he charged once again at full power.

    The ground trembled under the weight of his powered armor, its blue energy circuits lighting up with every step. The engines roared at full output as he lowered his shield once more, then he fired another blinding laser beam at Cleo.

    But Cleo had already moved.

    To someone like her, someone that was a hyper-intelligent AI core and was equipped with predictive scanners, the attack was old news before it even started. Her advanced senses picked up the hum of energy build-up inside the governor''s shield before the beam even formed.

    Without hesitation, she flicked her wrist, and one of her floating swords shot out behind him like a flash of silver lightning.

    The governor''s instincts, honed by decades of warfare, flared to life. He knew the risk. His personal energy shield was his last line of defense, meant only for sneak attacks, and once spent, it couldn''t be used again during the duel.

    He had no choice.

    He spun on his heel, just in time to block the flying blade with his shield, the force of the impact sending sparks into the rain. That split-second decision meant he had to defend with both arms,... shield in one hand, sword in the other as Cleo pressed in.

    She now wielded two swords, moving like the storm itself. Her body twisted and spun with impossible grace. Every strike she made looked like part of a deadly dance, her steps timed with the rhythm of the thunder and rain.

    The governor, in contrast, stood like an ancient roble tree... tall, sturdy, and unbending. He took every blow with skill and strength, deflecting, parrying, and retaliating with calculated precision.

    Though his movements were less graceful, they were just as effective. He was a living fortress, one who had spent a lifetime surviving battles far worse than this.

    Steel clashed against steel again and again, their swords ringing out through the heavy rain as lightning flashed above them. It was not just a battle... it was a duel between two master swordsmen. A display of willpower, endurance, and technique.

    Minutes passed, but neither slowed. The storm did not let up. Neither did they.

    And then the unimaginable happened.

    Something changed in the governor''s movements. It was subtle at first... a slight hesitation in his footwork, a minor delay in raising his shield. But Cleo noticed it instantly.

    Her eyes narrowed.

    His speed dropped. His power armor, overloaded from the earlier energy discharge, was finally starting to falter. His movements grew sluggish, and his defense became flawed.

    Cleo seized the moment.

    With flawless timing, she sent one of her flying swords circling low, its blade cutting silently through the rain. The governor couldn''t react fast enough....

    The blade pierced through the side of his leg, embedding itself deep. The old governor let out a grunt... not of pain, but of frustration as his knee buckled slightly under him.

    The duel was far from over, but now, for the first time, the outcome had clearly shifted.

    Cleo stood tall, swords at the ready, rain dripping from her armor. Her golden eyes locked on her opponent

    The old governor, wounded but still upright, raised his shield once more. Even now, he refused to kneel.

    Cleo leapt backward, her movements light and fluid as she made several graceful backflips, creating distance between her and the old governor. She landed softly on the wet stone, her boots splashing into a shallow puddle of rainwater.

    "I can''t find the logic behind your actions," she said calmly, her voice carrying clearly through the downpour despite the thunder rumbling above them.

    As she spoke, her helmet began to fold away with a soft hiss of steam and shifting metal. Her long black hair spilled out, cascading down her back like silk. Her golden eyes, bright like twin suns in the storm, glowed softly under the falling rain.

    She looked at him with a mix of confusion and curiosity. "Why are you doing something so pointless... even when your body is already in that condition?"

    The old governor smiled, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth. He reached up and deactivated his helmet as well, letting it split apart and fold into the back of his armor with a clank.

    His white hair was soaked and clung to his weathered face. His eyes, bloodshot but burning with will, stared back at her.

    "Hohoho... It is precisely because my body is falling apart that I must do this," he said with a proud grin. "If these old bones, this last bit of blood I have, can be of use one final time... for my people and for my beautiful Xylos...then I will give everything I have left."

    As he spoke, the drones circling above zoomed in, broadcasting his tired, pained expression to every screen across the planet. People watching saw a man far past his prime but still standing tall in the rain.

    Blood ran from his mouth and eyes, and every breath he took seemed to shake his body. To the average viewer, it might have looked like these wounds were from the duel itself.

    But those present on the plateau knew better.

    Both sides, the Allied and the Xylosi, were equipped with all sorts of medical scanners and sensory tech. They could see what the cameras didn''t show... what Cleo had already confirmed with a single glance.

    When her golden eyes had scanned his body earlier, she discovered the truth: it wasn''t just age or battle fatigue.

    His body was suffering from cyber poison, a slow, cruel death caused by poor-quality cybernetic implants combined with cheap stimulant injections over years of service. His organs were failing, his blood was polluted, and his neural network was breaking down.

    The fact that he was still standing, much less fighting, was nothing short of a miracle.

    "A pointless act," Cleo said flatly; her tone was cold and unreadable. "There''s no logic in this. You could have chosen to surrender peacefully and spared yourself this."

    The old governor gave a wheezing laugh while wiping the blood from his lips with the back of his hand.

    "Hohoh... That''s what you think. But I''m sure... you already know the truth. You''ve seen my condition. And yet... you still go along with this old fool''s final wish, don''t you?" he said with a sad, knowing smile. "That alone proves it''s not so pointless, does it?"

    Cleo was silent....

    He took a deep breath, his chest rising shakily as he turned his face toward the dark skies above. "Now then... let''s give it everything we''ve got in one final clash. Let this old man die with honor."

    Suddenly, his power armor hissed loudly, and warning lights flared across his chestplate. A fresh injection of powerful stimulants was administered directly into his body.

    The effect was immediate as his stance straightened, his eyes regained sharpness, and his muscles surged with renewed strength.

    Cleo remained still for a second, then whispered something almost too quiet to hear.

    "Activating Overdrive."

    As soon as she said the words, her body lit up with pure white energy. From her back, elegant white wings burst forth like rays of light, glowing despite the storm around her. Her Kaelzar overdrive had been activated, her full combat mode, capable of leveling armies.

    But she didn''t take to the sky.

    Even though she could fly... soar above the battlefield and end it from above, she chose not to. She remained on the ground, standing at eye level with the dying warrior before her.

    She didn''t know why she did it. Everything about her Kaelzar nature, everything logical and tactical, screamed that she should use every advantage.

    But some part of her... some small, strange part... wanted to do this...

 Chapter 382: Final Struggle. {6} The duel IV

    It was an illogical decision. It was inefficient. It was unnecessary.

    And yet, she made it...

    The tropical storm intensified, the rain falling so heavily it blurred the world around them. Water poured from the skies in thick sheets, turning the once-sturdy plateau into a field of slippery mud.

    Every footstep now sank into the soft earth, and the roar of thunder filled the air like a war drum.

    Cleo stood still, her drenched black hair clinging to her armor, her golden eyes glowing faintly beneath the downpour. She didn''t care about the mud, the rain, or the storm; her focus remained locked on the warrior before her.

    "HAAAAAA!"

    This time, it was the old governor who charged forward, roaring with all the fury of his long-lost youth.

    His body, now flooded with more stimulants than blood, surged with false strength. His legs, forged with cybernetics and hardened by decades of war, plowed through the mud like it was nothing. For the first time in years, he felt invincible, just like in his prime.

    Cleo activated the laser edges of her twin swords, and with a sudden burst of speed, she dashed toward him. When they were close enough, the old governor launched himself into the air with a powerful leap, his sword aimed directly at her chest.

    But Cleo didn''t flinch.

    With a single, fluid motion, she raised one of her wings and blocked the strike. Then, with a mighty flap of that same wing, she deflected his sword completely.

    Spinning on her heel, she used her second wing to strike him mid-air, sending the old warrior flying backwards through the storm. While he was airborne, Cleo pointed at him, and her five remaining flying swords shot forward like spears of light.

    "COME ON! You think this is enough to take me down!?" the governor shouted through the wind, his voice still full of fire.

    He tried to swat the swords away with his shield, but being in midair made it almost impossible to properly counter. With no other choice, he activated his personal energy shield just in time to block the incoming blades.

    He crashed into the muddy ground, sending water and dirt flying in every direction. Back on his feet, he raised his shield again and managed to block the incoming flurry of blades... but Cleo was already there.

    She appeared before him like a shadow in the rain, her twin swords striking with deadly precision. Every slash, every movement became faster and more refined, as if she was learning him, breaking down his style piece by piece.

    Her eyes tracked every twitch of his muscles, every movement of his armor, predicting his next move before he even made it.

    The old governor''s shield was under relentless assault, groaning from the constant impact of her blades and the flying swords that circled like vultures. He couldn''t catch a breath, let alone launch a proper counterattack.

    From time to time, he tried firing his shield''s laser beam again, hoping to surprise her.

    But Cleo dodged each time with almost supernatural timing, countering immediately after with swift and merciless strikes.

    Minutes passed like hours. The duel had become one-sided. Cleo was faster, sharper, and growing stronger by the second. The old governor, once a sword master, was now just barely holding on.

    Then it happened.

    His shield flickered... just once... but Cleo noticed.

    He tried to adjust his stance, but his legs shook. The stimulants that had once made him feel unstoppable were burning out, and with them, all that remained was the corrosive pain of cyber poison.

    Years of cheap enhancements and bad injections were eating him alive from within.

    The shield finally shattered....

    Cleo reacted instantly. Her swords came down in a flash of light and steel, aiming straight for his chest.

    "THIS YOUNGSTER! DON''T UNDERESTIMATE ME!" the governor roared, managing to block one of the swords with his battered shield. But the second blade pierced through his lower abdomen; the sound of metal cutting through flesh was sharp and clear even in the storm.

    "Kuh!" Blood sprayed from his mouth, but still, he refused to fall.

    "I''m... not done YET!" he growled through clenched teeth.

    With one final burst of strength, he reached forward and grabbed Cleo''s wrist. Gritting his teeth, he spun her body around and hurled her away from him. She flew through the air but landed with the grace of a feline, sliding back on her feet and immediately regaining her balance.

    But in that moment, the five flying swords closed in from behind.

    Three of them struck true, one impaling his arm, another his leg, and the third embedding itself in his back.

    The old governor dropped to one knee while blood poured from his wounds.

    But he didn''t scream.

    He just stared at Cleo through the falling rain, his breath ragged, his eyes burning with something deeper than pain....

    The northern general clenched his fists as he watched the final blow fall. His whole body trembled with the urge to intervene... but he didn''t move. He knew what this meant. If he interrupted now... if he tried to save the governor, everything the old man had fought for and bled for would be wasted.

    So he stood there, motionless, while gritting his teeth so hard they almost cracked.His nails dug into his palms. Tears welled in his eyes, only to be lost in the endless rain washing over his face.

    The western general stood in solemn silence beside him, helplessly witnessing the last moments of his dearest friend.

    [Critical damage detected on the enemy. Releasing sword abilities.]

    "Denied. Keep them sealed," Cleo ordered coldly, her voice calm as ever.

    Her armor AI complied, keeping the hidden functions of her swords dormant. She could have ended this long ago. The blades had been ready to release lightning, acid, or poison, but she had chosen not to use any of them.

    This duel was not for overwhelming power. It was for honor.

    She walked slowly toward the old governor, her steps quiet against the mud, the rain soaking her armor and hair, her golden eyes never blinking.

    She stopped just a meter away.

    "Hohoho... So I''ve lost..." the old governor wheezed while blood dribbled from his mouth, his vision fading fast.

    "So it seems," Cleo replied in her usual composed voice while staring down at him.

    The rain mixed with the governor''s blood, painting red streams across the plateau. Cleo''s sensors read his vitals... there was no coming back from this.

    "I hope... you keep your word..." the governor said while lifting his head with great effort, locking eyes with Cleo one last time.

    "I''m a Kaelzar. I never go back on my word," she said without hesitation, her golden gaze unwavering.

    The governor chuckled weakly, almost fondly. Then, he lowered his head once more.

    Cleo activated the laser edge of her sword. With a single clean motion, she swung.

    The blade hissed through the rain... and the duel was over.

    She stared at the body for a second longer, then turned to the generals.

    With a flick of her wrist, the swords embedded in the governor''s body slid free, floating back into formation around her like loyal sentinels. Then, without a word, she turned and walked across the plateau. Lilla and Ys fell in behind her, silent, leaving the scene behind.

    The northern and western generals ran to the body. The governor''s corpse was still upright, kneeling in the mud, his armor cracked and his blood soaking the ground.

    "Let''s take him back to the city, kid," the western general said quietly while kneeling beside his fallen friend. He removed his cape and draped it gently over the old governor''s head, his hands reverent.

    The northern general didn''t answer....

    Instead, he dropped to his knees and punched the ground with all his strength, mud and water splashing in every direction.

    "HAAA! FUCKING OLD MAN!" he shouted out, voice cracking, full of grief. "ALWAYS DOING WHATEVER YOU WANT!"

    He stayed like that for a long moment, sobbing quietly as the rain poured down.

    Then, still trembling, he took off his own cape and helped cover the governor''s body. Together, the two generals lifted him and carried him toward the transport ship.... step by step, through the mud and rain.

    [Xylos ¨C Capital City, Three Hours Later]

    The rain hadn''t stopped. It poured endlessly over the towering skyline, washing over the buildings like a curtain of mourning.

    Holographic screens across the capital city flickered and glowed with the image of the governor''s final moments, broadcast from the drones that had recorded every second of the duel. Cleo''s cold expression. The old man''s final words. The flash of the laser blade. The fall of a hero.

    Every citizen had seen it....

    Every street, every alley, and every home went silent.

    Even the wind seemed to hold its breath.

    On the wide steps of the Governor''s Hall, a crowd had gathered in the storm. No one had told them to come. They just did. Men and women, elders and children, workers and soldiers.

    All stood shoulder to shoulder, staring at the massive screen that now showed only one thing... the governor''s final salute before the duel began. A still image, looped in quiet honor.

    An old woman in the crowd fell to her knees and sobbed quietly, her hands clutching a worn medallion bearing the governor''s insignia.

    A young boy beside her looked up at the screen, his face unreadable, clutching his father''s hand. His father didn''t say a word.... he just kept staring at the image of the man who had ruled Xylos for three decades.

    Inside a school dormitory, dozens of children sat in front of a projection. One girl began crying. A boy tried to comfort her but didn''t stop his own tears. The teacher stood behind them with his fists clenched and lips trembling, but no words came.

 Chapter 383 383: Ending a war to start another war.

    In the lower districts, where life was always harder, the reaction was different. Quiet fury. Grief hidden behind clenched jaws and narrowed eyes.

    Murmured curses toward the Kaelzars. Broken glasses thrown at walls. And yet... no uprising. Not yet. Just the kindling of something deeper.

    In the governor''s own home district, where his family shrine stood untouched for generations, people began lighting candles despite the rain. Digital flames flickered inside waterproof cases. Offerings of flowers, medals, and even children''s toys began piling up along the shrine walls.

    Meanwhile, inside the central command of the planetary defense force...

    The remaining military leaders gathered, soaked from the rain. The northern and western generals stood before the rest, carrying the wrapped body of the old governor on a hover-stretcher, protected under an energy field.

    No one spoke.

    The silence was absolute as they laid him in the central chamber, where honored dead were remembered. The western general stepped forward first while removing his cap and placing it gently on the governor''s chest.

    "He bought us peace... with his own life...."

    For most people in the galaxy, the death of a planetary governor wasn''t something that made them sad. In fact, it was often a cause for celebration since many of these governors were corrupt, selfish, and cruel.

    They saw the planets under their control not as homes for millions of people, but as their own private playgrounds... places where they could do whatever they pleased, without consequences.

    The higher authorities or those in charge of entire sectors or empires, usually didn''t care about what went on in those worlds.

    As long as the governors delivered what was required, like raw materials, military recruits, taxes, or energy credits, no one bothered to ask how those goals were achieved. Suffering and oppression on the surface were ignored, hidden beneath reports and numbers.

    But every once in a while, there came someone different. A rare soul, like the old governor of Xylos. He wasn''t perfect, but he gave everything he had... his youth, his health, even his blood... to try to improve the lives of the people under his care.

    He didn''t rule like a tyrant. He guided, protected, and built. He was one of the few who understood the weight of leadership, and he carried that burden with honor until the very end.

    Cleo, a Kaelzar of an ancient and powerful race that valued logic, precision, and cold reasoning, was not someone who often felt emotion. To her, respect was something earned only through proven worth, data, and achievement.

    But now, as she sat silently on the edge of a tall building, watching the people of Xylos gather for the funeral rites of their fallen governor, she felt something new. A quiet, heavy feeling she couldn''t name... something close to respect.

    Rain poured down around her, but she barely noticed. A small thermal coat was the only thing shielding her from the cold wind. She sat still, her glowing eyes watching the ceremony far below... watching the people lay flowers, bow their heads, and whisper prayers. She was alone, or so it seemed.

    "Say... Ys," Cleo said softly, not turning her head. "What do your people do when someone dies?"

    Though no one could see her with the naked eye, Cleo had long since upgraded her scanners. After spending years together, she could easily detect Ys now, even when the Khryssari girl used her biological cloaking to hide.

    The sensors picked up even the tiniest changes in the air, like the shift of dust in a breeze.

    A small pout formed on Ys''s face as she turned off her cloak and sat beside Cleo, opening a black umbrella to cover them both. "Hmph. Since when could you sense me that easily?" she asked in a playful tone. "You''re no fun anymore~"

    She kicked her feet gently as she continued, "Well... if it''s just another warrior from the swarm, we recycle them. Their bodies are eaten to make new warriors. You already knew that, though, didn''t you?"

    Cleo stayed quiet for a moment, still watching the funeral below. "What about someone important?" she asked. "Like a champion... or a princess?"

    Ys tilted her head, thinking for a second. "Hmm... If one of my brothers dies, Mother eats him. It helps her mind grow stronger. But if a princess dies, she gets absorbed by Mother too... only in a deeper way. She fuses into Mother''s body, forming a new core inside her. That core makes her more powerful... and live longer."

    Cleo slowly turned her head to look at Ys, her expression unreadable at first, then turning into one of mild shock. "...So is there anything your people don''t eat?" she asked, her voice half-genuine, half-joking.

    Ys simply shrugged her shoulders with a little smirk on her face. "Food is food," she replied playfully.

    Ys giggled softly, the umbrella swaying with the movement. "Hey, don''t look at me like that. Recycling is good for the hive. We don''t waste anything. Not even memories."

    Cleo turned her gaze back to the city below. Thousands of tiny lights dotted the streets with candles, holographic memorials, and processions moving slowly through the rain-soaked roads. The scent of incense mixed with ionized air and wet stone reached even this high.

    "You know..." Cleo murmured, "I thought this would be more straightforward. Take the city, eliminate resistance, and rebuild. Simple lines. Clean steps. But this... this wasn''t just a conquest."

    Ys tilted her head. "Is the little cold queen finally getting sentimental~?"

    Cleo didn''t answer. The rain kept falling, soaking her long black hair until it clung to her back like ink. Her golden eyes reflected the soft glow of the funeral fires.

    "It doesn''t make sense," Cleo finally said. "He could''ve surrendered. The outcome wouldn''t have changed. We would''ve taken over, and he would''ve lived. But he fought anyway. Not out of pride, not stupidity... but belief."

    Ys hummed thoughtfully. "Belief is powerful. It makes people brave. Or stupid. Sometimes both."

    "Kaelzars don''t act like that," Cleo said, almost to herself. "We serve the throne, execute commands, and optimize the path forward. Always forward. But now... now I wonder if efficiency is all there is."

    Ys nudged her gently with her elbow. "You know, for someone who was programmed... or born, whatever it is you Kaelzars do, you''re starting to sound very... squishy."

    Cleo actually let out a small laugh. It was quiet and brief, but it was there. "Maybe I''ve spent too much time around unpredictable lifeforms like you."

    "You''re welcome~." Ys grinned, fangs just barely showing. "So? Are you going to let the people mourn a bit longer? Or do we move on to phase two?"

    Cleo stood slowly, the thermal coat falling open as her wings briefly unfurled under the rain, shedding droplets like liquid silver. She didn''t answer immediately.

    "I''ll give them tonight," she finally said. "They deserve that much."

    And with that, she jumped off the edge of the building, her wings spreading wide as she glided silently down into the night, leaving Ys alone under the umbrella.

    The Khryssari princess watched her go, then looked back at the lights of Xylos.

    "She''s changing," Ys whispered, voice barely audible over the storm.

    And far below, the bells of the capital tolled once for the old governor.

    Once for the fallen.

    And once more... for the uncertain future to come.

    The night dragged on, heavy with sorrow. Across the city, the sound of mourning echoed like a wave crashing against stone.

    Hundreds of thousands of people had gathered to say their final goodbye to the old governor of Xylos... their leader, their protector. Many wept openly, holding candles and flowers, their hearts weighed down by grief.

    The sky above them remained a dark, endless gray, as if the planet itself was mourning along with them.

    But far from the sorrowful crowds, deep inside the grand office once belonging to the late governor, a storm of a different kind was brewing.

    A group of high-ranking military officers and advisors had gathered around a large, circular table.

    The room still carried the old governor''s scent and presence... his coat still hung by the wall, his medals untouched, and his favorite datapad left on the desk. Yet now, voices rose in frustration, anger, and fear.

    "Have you all gone mad!?" one of the officers suddenly shouted out while slamming a bottle of water across the table.

    It flew through the air and splashed against the chests of a few stunned colleagues. His eyes were wild, his face red with fury. "You''re actually thinking about surrendering to her? That damned witch!? Don''t you remember!? It was she who killed the governor!"

    He stood up while his hands trembled as his voice cracked with emotion. "We still have soldiers! hundreds of thousands of them! Brave men and women who would gladly lay down their lives to avenge him! Are we really going to throw all of that away?!"

    The room fell silent. No one moved. No one dared to speak. Only the soft hum of the old office''s air purifiers could be heard.

    Seeing no response, the officer turned his attention toward one man in particular. His eyes widened, veins bulging from his neck as he pointed a shaking finger. "You, Northern General! You''ve always been fierce! I know you think like me! We can still fight back! We don''t have to kneel to those invaders!"

    His voice cracked again, now teetering between desperation and madness. His pupils were dilated; sweat rolled down his temples. He looked like a man on the edge, burning with rage, fear, and denial.

    But instead of the fire he expected from the battle-hardened Northern General, the man simply let out a long, exhausted sigh. Quietly, the general pushed his chair back and stood up, his tall figure casting a heavy shadow across the room.

    He walked slowly toward the shouting officer.

    Without saying a word, he clenched his fist and, with practiced precision, punched the man straight in the face.

    The blow landed with a sickening sound. The officer stumbled backward, crashing to the floor while blood dripped from his nose as he groaned in pain and disbelief.

    Only then did the Northern General finally speak.

    "WHAT THE HELL DO YOU THINK YOU''RE SAYING!?"

 Chapter 384: Ending a war to start another war. {2}

    "Do you think our soldiers are machines!?" the Northern General shouted out, his voice shaking the walls of the room.

    He stepped forward while his eyes burned with fury. "What happens if we fight back and still lose? Will you personally comfort the families of every soldier who dies? Will you raise their children and bury their bodies?"

    He pointed a trembling finger at the officer while breathing heavily. "It was because of that damn old man! the governor you now dishonor is the reason you''re still alive! That you''re standing here, spewing reckless madness without thinking about the cost!"

    Despite his bloodied face and clearly broken nose, the officer pushed himself off the ground. He wiped the blood with his sleeve and stared back with blazing eyes, mad and defiant.

    "So what if we lose!?" he shouted back. "Isn''t it better to die fighting than live as slaves under that witch''s rule!? If our soldiers fall, then their families must rise up! They must fight too!"

    His eyes widened with a twisted kind of inspiration. "I know! We can turn everyone into a soldier! make the old pick up rifles, give women handguns, and even train the kids! They can all shoot a laser if we teach them!" His words spilled out like poison, faster and more frenzied.

    The other officers looked at him with disbelief, some stunned into silence, others clenching their fists. That was the last straw for the Northern General.

    He marched forward, grabbed the officer by the collar, and yanked him in close. The fury in his eyes now burned like a wildfire.

    "Do you even hear yourself!?" he shouted while spitting every word with disbelief. "You''re talking about using the very people we swore to protect as weapons! You''d turn them into sacrifices for your pride! What''s the point of fighting back if we become the monsters we hate!?"

    But as he stared into the officer''s eyes, the General suddenly froze.

    There was nothing left in that gaze... no reason, no mercy, no understanding. Only the unblinking stare of a man who had already gone off the edge. The eyes of a fanatic. A madman.

    The general''s voice dropped into a grim whisper. "...I see now. There''s no reasoning with you. You''ve already lost yourself."

    He released the officer with one hand and drew his sidearm with the other.

    "As your commanding officer... it''s my duty to put you down before you lead others into your madness."

    He raised the pistol and aimed it directly at the officer''s head.

    But before the shot could fire, a sudden force slammed into his arm. The gun jerked sideways as the Western General appeared out of nowhere, pushing his hand just in time.

    The blast missed and struck a set of decorative jars along the wall, shattering them into glass and dust.

    "That''s enough, kiddo," the Western General said firmly; his voice was calm but sharp as steel. He kept a hand on the Northern General''s shoulder and looked him in the eye.

    "Don''t let your anger decide for you." For a tense moment, the two generals stared at one another.

    Then the Northern General exhaled and lowered his gun. With a growl, he shoved the officer back onto the floor.

    The Western General turned toward the rest of the stunned room. "What are you all staring at? Call the guards. Arrest him. Now."

    Several aides rushed to obey. "And send some of my soldiers with him," he added coldly. "Don''t let him speak to anyone. If there are others who think like him, we''ll root them out before this madness spreads."

    As the officer was dragged out of the room, he was still screaming accusations and curses; the Western General slowly returned to his seat at the table. He looked over the others, his face lined with fatigue and grief, yet his posture remained composed.

    "I know what you''re feeling. I feel it too," he said with his voice being low but steady. "But now isn''t the time to follow our hearts. This time, we must use our heads."

    He paused, then continued with sorrow behind his words.

    "Thanks to my old friend, the governor, we were given a path forward. A way to survive. Not much will change for our people... only the name of the overlord we answer to. And if that''s the price for peace... then so be it...."

    After the chaos from the night before, the remaining meeting between the generals and officers continued without further incidents.

    The tension in the room was still heavy, but everyone knew that too much had already been said, and too many eyes were watching. They debated late into the night, whispering strategies, weighing the future, and bracing themselves for what came next.

    By the time the sky began to shift from black to gray, when the first shy ray of sunlight peeked over the jagged mountains in the distance, the leaders of Xylos stood together once more.

    They gathered on the muddy plateau outside the city, their boots sinking into wet earth, breath steaming in the cold morning air, as they waited for the conquerors to arrive.

    No one spoke even a word while they were waiting. Then, not long after, the deep hum of approaching engines broke the silence.

    A massive human transport ship descended from the clouds, its metal hull reflecting the weak morning light. It hovered above the ground for a brief moment before slowly lowering itself down with a hiss of steam and hydraulic gas. The ground trembled as it landed.

    The ramp of the transport opened with a hiss, and the first figures to emerge were four golden-armored paladins. Their polished armor gleamed, almost blinding in the faint light. Each of them carried a tall, majestic banner.

    The officers exchanged glances, already uneasy.

    Following the paladins, Cleo stepped onto the ramp. But rather than walking through the mud like everyone else, a staircase formed beneath her feet that was being crafted in real time from living metal, the same strange material that seemed to obey her every command.

    Each step shifted and shimmered, folding up from the earth like it was part of her body. She descended slowly, her expression calm and unreadable as ever.

    Next came Ys. Unlike Cleo, she had no issue stepping directly onto the muddy plateau. She moved with the casual grace of someone who didn''t care about appearances. The thick sludge clung to her boots, but she didn''t even glance down. For Ys, mud was mud... nothing more.

    Finally, Lilla emerged.

    She walked down as if she was gliding, her feet never touching the ground. Instead, she stepped on thin ripples of air that shimmered like the surface of a still lake. With each step, a gentle tinkling melody played with a soft, ethereal sound, almost like wind chimes or the sound of fairy bells.

    The moment that sound reached the ears of the Western General, he froze.

    His shoulders tensed, and a cold sweat formed on his brow. That sound... that haunting melody... He had heard it before during the final hours of the Battle of the Bridge.

    It was the sound that had echoed through the smoke and screams moments before Lilla''s forces unleashed their final, merciless assault. Ever since then, that melody had meant only one thing to him... death.

    His fingers clenched, but he said nothing. He simply endured.

    When the conquerors reached the center of the muddy field, Cleo raised her hand in a graceful motion. Instantly, the ground beneath them rippled like water, and from it rose a wide circular platform made entirely of gleaming living metal.

    In the center, a beautiful table took shape; it was flawless and polished, along with several chairs, each one grown from the metal like petals from a blooming flower.

    "Please," Cleo said politely, her voice smooth and mechanical yet gentle, "take a seat."

    She herself moved to the chair beside the largest and most elaborate one, settling in with elegance. Lilla and Ys followed, each taking a seat with the same calmness, as if this was nothing more than a diplomatic afternoon tea.

    The officers of Xylos hesitated at first. They looked at each other, confused and uncertain. The enemy... no, their new overlords were inviting them to sit at a table made from living metal, on a battlefield that had once been drenched in blood.

    What kind of meeting was this?

    Nothing was clear anymore. The lines between conqueror and diplomat, tyrant and savior, had never been so blurred.

    "If I may ask..." The Western General finally broke the silence; his voice was firm but respectful as he looked toward the strange, elegant table of living metal.

    His gaze stopped at the one empty chair crafted to be just as regal as the others, if not more. "Are we waiting for someone else?" he asked, voicing the question that had been sitting unspoken in the minds of every officer around him.

    Cleo, seated with her hands resting lightly on the armrests of her metallic chair, gave a small nod. "Indeed," she replied smoothly, her eyes glowing faintly with flickers of internal data streams. "He should be here any minute now..."

    Then, without finishing her sentence, her gaze shifted slightly as a new notification appeared in her HUD. Her expression didn''t change, but her tone softened. "Ah... it seems he''s arrived."

    No sooner had she said this than the air above the plateau shimmered violently. A low, vibrating hum rang out, deep and primal, like reality itself was being torn. In the space just beyond the table, three swirling crimson rifts tore open the sky with a sharp crackle, like claws raking through fabric.

    From the central rift, a tall figure stepped out... a woman with long, flowing crimson hair that glowed faintly, as if each strand was lit by inner fire.

    Her presence alone was enough to make the atmosphere grow heavy, like the air itself was holding its breath. Her eyes glowed with radiant menace, and her armor shimmered like it had been bathed in the blood of stars.

 Chapter 385: Ending a war to start another war. {3}

    From the other two rifts, two more figures emerged, one on each side. Both had striking white hair and equally intimidating auras; their movements were smooth and calculated. Their bodies radiated pure power that made them look silent, cold, and disciplined.

    One of the officers couldn''t hold it in. His voice cracked as he shouted, "T-Tier 6!"

    Shock spread across the plateau like a ripple through still water.

    "It can''t be..." another whispered, barely able to speak as sweat formed on his brow.

    "So they were going easy on us all this time!?" someone else shouted in disbelief, his voice caught somewhere between rage and despair.

    The northern general''s hands curled into tight fists. His jaw clenched while his muscles trembled. The realization hit him like a hammer to the chest....

    They had been toyed with. These beings... these monsters could have wiped Xylos off the map in mere hours if they had wanted to. Yet here they were, revealing themselves only now, after everything.

    Three Tier 6s....

    Even one of those legendary warriors was enough to destroy an entire city by themselves, bring it to rubble and leave no survivors. And now... there were three standing before them.

    The weight of that truth pressed down on everyone present like a storm cloud, dark and suffocating. It wasn''t just that they had lost... it was that they never even had a chance. The war had been decided long before the first shot was fired.

    "Could they be from one of the megacorporations?" The northern general muttered to himself, his eyes narrowed as he studied the banners fluttering in the wind.

    "But... I don''t recognize any of those emblems... Still, those warriors... those Tier 6s... they''re clearly nobles. Elite class. The best any megacorp can offer."

    He clenched his jaw, now eyeing the elegant, still-empty chair.

    {Wait a minute... if those Tier 6 nobles aren''t sitting in that chair... then just who is it meant for?}

    The thought struck him like a lightning bolt.

    {A CEO? Could it be someone even higher? A Tier 7...? No... it couldn''t¡ª}

    Before he could finish that terrifying thought, the ground suddenly began to tremble. The soil beneath everyone''s boots shook with a deep, rumbling force, strong enough to knock cups from tables and send loose equipment clattering to the ground. The officers exchanged looks of confusion and alarm.

    "An earthquake?" someone whispered.

    "That''s impossible... Xylos doesn''t have earthquakes," another said while his eyes widened in panic.

    And then... it happened.... the sky above them cracked.

    Thin, jagged lines of light like fractures in a glass dome began to spread across the heavens, glowing brighter with each second. The air rippled. The ground trembled harder.

    The clouds above twisted violently, and bolts of lightning struck down in every direction, screaming like angry spirits.

    The cracks widened. Time itself seemed to slow. And then it shattered.

    The sky broke apart like a mirror dropped from the heavens.

    From the gaping wound in space, a breathtaking sight emerged... a majestic, glowing blue planet floated in the distance, surrounded by a soft field of stars. Its moon, shining like molten silver, hovered beside it, casting pale light down onto the plateau. The battlefield had become a cathedral, and the stars were now its windows.

    Then she stepped through.

    A figure... no, a goddess... emerged from the rift. Towering at nearly five meters tall, she glided down as though walking on invisible threads of silk woven into the very air. With each step, the very fabric of space cracked beneath her delicate feet, unable to bear her powerful presence.

    Her face was hidden behind a shimmering silver veil, but that only added to her otherworldly beauty.

    Her dress flowed like liquid night, covered in constellations and trails of glowing petals that rained down with every step, vanishing as they touched the ground. Every movement she made was art... measured, graceful, and filled with unimaginable power.

    And then came the pressure.

    It fell like a wave across the plateau. A divine force that slammed down on the hearts and minds of all present.

    Everyone... every single soul collapsed to their knees. Their bodies gave out on instinct, as though kneeling was the only acceptable response to a presence so overwhelming, so utterly sacred.

    All except Cleo, Ys, and Lilla.

    They remained seated, calm, and composed while being shielded by a shimmering field of crimson light generated by the nearby Blood Clan assassins, and Zynaria''s protection surrounded them like an invisible fortress, holding the crushing pressure at bay.

    But something strange happened to the paladins, the elite golden warriors who stood behind Cleo, still holding their banners high.

    They were not crushed.

    Instead, their bodies trembled, not in fear... but in joy.

    Their eyes widened. Their breaths quickened. A radiant emotion lit up their faces, as if something deep inside their souls had just awakened. One of them dropped to his knees, not in pain, but in worship.

    They had seen this figure before.

    Not in person, but in sacred scriptures, in murals painted across temple walls, in the stories whispered by elders, and in the dreams of the faithful.

    This was no ordinary being.

    This was her....

    The one they called the Lady in White....

    The face of their religion... their divine protector.

    "Mmmm~ There''s indeed no danger here; you can come out now~." The Lady in White''s voice rang like a song in the wind; it was soft, elegant, and layered with power. She turned her veiled face slightly toward the rift still pulsing in the sky behind her.

    From within that glowing tear, another figure stepped through.

    Rex emerged, tall and imposing, his form matching the divine stature of the Lady in White. In his arms, he gently carried the twins, one nestled in each. Their small hands gripped onto pieces of his armor with their eyes wide at the alien world before them.

    But while the entire world around him knelt or gawked in stunned silence, Rex... felt nothing but pure, painful embarrassment.

    He was not used to this sort of entrance.

    {Why the hell is this necessary... this is way too much...} he thought to himself while his cheeks were burning under his helmet. At least the power armor hid his reddened ears and the way his shoulders tensed with awkwardness.

    He landed just outside the transport ship where the golden paladins still stood, frozen in reverent awe. His heavy boots struck the ground with purpose, but his movements were gentle. He set the twins down carefully.

    "Go rest in the transport," Rex told them softly. "I''ll be back once we''re done here."

    The twins nodded obediently and turned toward the ship, their small feet splashing slightly in the mud as they walked back inside, guarded instantly by two of the paladins.

    Rex straightened up and noticed the paladins watching him, not with curiosity, but with reverence, their expressions barely hidden behind their helmets.

    He simply gave them a nod in return.

    Then he began his walk toward the metallic platform, the throne of negotiations crafted by Cleo. And there she was... standing at its edge, waiting for him.

    She didn''t speak. She didn''t need to. Her golden eyes locked onto his the moment he drew near. She stood as a queen waiting for her king... not with longing, but with certainty. Like she knew he would always come back.

    "Thanks for waiting," Rex said with his voice being as low as a gentle whisper.

    As he approached, his towering form shimmered, metal folded inward, and nanostructures retreated as he shrank to a more human size. The living armor collapsed smoothly into the golden circle on his back like obedient liquid, leaving him clad in a sleek, dark command suit beneath.

    He reached the empty chair.

    The chair that had been waiting for him since the very beginning.

    He sat down...

    Cleo was about to follow, turning slightly to take her own seat, when Rex reached out and gently took her arm.

    Without a word, he pulled her toward him and settled her onto his lap. She didn''t resist... didn''t even blink. She simply gazed at him, unbothered, unreadable, her golden eyes shining like twin suns behind that elegant poker face.

    She didn''t speak.

    But the corners of her lips curved ever so slightly, as if her mechanical heart had just skipped a beat.

    "Well then, gentlemen," Rex began speaking, his voice being calm but resonant as he glanced at the assembled officers of Xylos.

    "Forgive me for the delay, but as you can imagine, traveling across the galaxy without wormhole tech is... well, let''s just say it''s a pain in the ass." He allowed himself a faint chuckle, shifting slightly with Cleo still on his lap.

    He was about to continue when¡ª

    "Wait a moment, my son."

    The voice of the Lady in White, sweet yet absolute, sliced through the air like silk wrapped around a blade.

    Rex stopped mid-sentence and turned toward her.

    "There is someone," she continued, her veiled face now turned to the far horizon, "carrying a great deal of anger. She''s coming... now."

    Everyone instinctively followed her gaze to what looked like nothing but empty air in the far distance.

    Then the sky tore again.

    A green space rift opened... smaller than the one the Lady in White had used, yes... but the power pouring out of it was no less terrifying.

    The air went thick. The very ground seemed to groan in protest beneath everyone''s feet. And from within the rift... something moved.

    A gargantuan creature, vaguely insectoid and covered in natural armor, began to push its way through the portal. Its limbs were clawed, its form partially obscured by layers of bio-energy.

    Behind it, several other titanic beasts followed... each one monstrous, each one bearing the unmistakable aura of pure, unfettered wrath. The air vibrated with their presence, their growls deep enough to make organs tremble.

 Chapter 386: Ending a war to start another war. {4}

    All of Xylos''s officers could do nothing but stare in horror, realizing their previous fear had only scratched the surface of what true power looked like.

    "Mom!?"

    Ys''s voice broke the tension like shattering glass.

    She stood up abruptly, panic wide in her bright eyes, her composure instantly slipping.

    Her body trembled... not in fear, but in alarm. Her voice cracked as she spoke again, softer this time.

    "...Why is she here...?"

    The Lady in White turned slightly, her tone still serene. "She is very upset, it seems."

    Rex raised a brow beneath his helmet. "Ys''s mother...?" He looked at Ys, then the rift, then back at the Lady in White. "This isn''t about Xylos, is it?"

    "No," she replied softly. "This is about me, it seems."

    Rex''s mind sharpened instantly, his hand reflexively wrapping around Cleo''s waist. "You?"

    "Yes," said the Lady, her voice was still calm but edged with intrigue. "It seems someone believes Im dangerous, you see~"

    Ys''s butterfly-like wings suddenly burst open from her back, glowing with a faint green light.

    With just a few strong flaps, she shot up into the sky like a beam of light and flew straight toward the enormous green space rift high above the plateau where her mother, the Hive Mind Queen, had just arrived.

    "Mom! What are you doing here!?" Ys shouted; her voice was full of frustration and panic.

    She stopped just outside the edge of the space rift, flapping her wings to stay in place in the air. "This planet already belongs to me! I claimed it first! So don''t even think about consuming it! I''m already sharing it with others!"

    Her finger pointed accusingly toward the enormous, armored figure at the center of the rift, Xytrallia, the Hive Mind Queen herself.

    The room beyond the rift was so massive that its size made even large cities look small. And there, Xytrallia sat like a mountain of power, her body covered in layers of organic armor, glowing with pulsing veins of green bio-energy.

    Xytrallia''s many eyes glowing emerald green slowly turned to focus on Ys, her daughter. Then, without a word, she shifted her gaze to the Lady in White, who stood calmly in the sky, as if the terrifying presence in front didn''t affect her at all.

    The tension in the air grew heavy as Xytrallia opened her massive, insect-like mouth. From within it, an emerald sphere emerged; it was perfectly round and glowing with energy.

    The sphere floated silently out from the space rift and hovered in the air above the others, casting a green light over everyone. Then, slowly, the rift behind it began to shrink and close.

    Everyone from Xylos, the generals, the officers, and even the battle-hardened soldiers couldn''t help but stare at the glowing sphere in awe and fear. No one blinked. No one spoke. They could feel the power inside it... something ancient, something dangerous.

    Suddenly, cracks began to spread across the surface of the emerald sphere. A soft humming noise filled the air as glowing lines formed across its surface like spiderwebs of light. And then the sphere broke open.

    From within stepped a mysterious figure. It was a woman, or at least something that looked mostly like one. Her skin was pitch black, like the endless void of space, but it shimmered faintly with starlight as if tiny constellations were embedded in her body.

    Two sharp, curved horns rose from her head, and in the center of her forehead sat a green crystal that pulsed with an eerie glow.

    Although her shape was humanoid, it was obvious to everyone that she wasn''t human. She turned her head slowly, her glowing green eyes scanning the area.

    She looked first at Ys, then at Cleo, Lilla, the generals, the paladins... and finally, her eyes rested on Rex. She stared at him for a few seconds longer than anyone else.

    Then, at last, she turned her eyes toward the Lady in White.

    Her voice didn''t come through sound but directly into the Lady in White''s mind, telepathic and calm, yet filled with a warning.

    "Why are you here?" she asked. "You know this breaks the old laws. Your actions are a violation of the ancient rules."

    The Lady in White raised her head slowly; her voice sounded sweet and calm, almost like a lullaby, yet there was a sharp edge beneath it. "Mmm? And since when do guardians get to question me?" she replied with a smile, "Whether I act or not is none of your concern, little guardian."

    A tense silence fell over the plateau. The Hive Queen''s green glow pulsed slightly. Then, she let out a long, deep sigh that vibrated through the air.

    "Your mere presence is a danger, even if you mean no harm," Xytrallia said firmly.

    "There are still other Titan Beasts sleeping in this sector, ones far older than either of us. This land belongs to one of them. If your power stirs him from his rest, you will not be able to stop him... not in your current state."

    The Lady in White''s smile faded only slightly, but she did not respond immediately. A Hive Mind like Xytrallia could see it clearly: what stood here now was just an astral projection, a fragment of the true being that dwelled elsewhere, far beyond their reach.

    And yet, even this projection held enough power to make entire armies kneel without lifting a finger.

    "So what if I''m not strong enough to fight that beast?" the Lady in White replied, her telepathic voice proud and unwavering. "I have a big sister over there who is. If anything goes wrong, she''ll handle it."

    Her tone carried a sense of certainty, even defiance. Though her voice echoed only in the minds of those attuned to it, the strength behind her words rippled through the astral plane like a wave of thunder.

    Xytrallia let out another long, weary sigh, her psychic presence shifting with unease."Yes... your sister could fight any Titan Beast in this entire galactic sector," she admitted. "But have you considered what the cost would be?"

    She paused, then continued in a more somber tone.

    "All the life forms caught between such titanic powers... cities, civilizations, entire ecosystems... gone in a flash. I don''t know exactly how strong you are right now... but I do know this, if things turn chaotic, you won''t be able to protect your son."

    Those words struck like daggers.

    For the Lady in White, an ancient being who had walked across galaxies and shaped stars with her will, there were few things in existence that could stir emotion within her. But this... this was one of them.

    In a mere instant, the sky above Xylos fractured.

    Cracks... thin as hairlines but stretching for kilometers spread out across the heavens like shattered glass. Dozens, then hundreds, then thousands of silver-lit rifts tore open the fabric of space itself.

    From within these rifts, enormous silver hands began to emerge, each one larger than a dreadnought-class battleship, armored in plates that shimmered with divine light. The air around the planet vibrated with divine pressure.

    "Are you threatening me?" the Lady in White''s voice boomed through the astral link, her presence now fully awakened and growing stronger by the second.

    Her aura slammed outward like a cosmic wave. Across multiple worlds nearby, entire populations collapsed to their knees, Tier 4s were crushed unconscious, Tier 5s were paralyzed, and even the Tier 6 elites guarding Rex''s team trembled beneath the divine pressure, sweat pouring from their faces as they struggled to stand.

    But Xytrallia did not flinch. Her mind remained calm, though the green vortex of energy around her began to grow in intensity, forming a protective cocoon of bio-psionic force.

    "I am not threatening you," she replied quietly. "I couldn''t threaten you. I am just a simple guardian... one that cares deeply for her daughter and someone else important to me."

    She looked briefly at Rex.

    "And your presence here, in this unstable state, puts them in danger. Especially now that... you''re infected."

    The last word rang out like the toll of a dark bell, and the entire field of tension rippled again. That word carried weight... Infected... It wasn''t thrown lightly, and it hinted at something far more sinister.

    The energy between them spiked again. Space twisted. Planets on the edge of nearby systems began to flicker in and out of view as the two cosmic forces nearly collided.

    And then suddenly everything stopped.

    A small, strange creature appeared between them.

    It was a stick insect. Thin, delicate, no bigger than a human hand. It stood upright on two hind legs, holding a green leaf above its head as if it were a flag of peace. It glowed faintly with soft, colorful energy that seemed to calm the violent currents around it.

    A wave of tranquility spread outward.

    In a single moment, both the Lady in White and Xytrallia felt their power suppressed, not by force, but by harmony. The surging stellar energies were sealed away gently, like flames being extinguished under the rain.

    A voice, soft and gentle like the breeze in an ancient forest, spoke directly into their minds.

    "Both of you... please, calm down."

    The scent of moss, trees, and blooming flowers filled the air. The tension in the atmosphere vanished like mist under sunlight.

    "Sister," the voice continued, "the guardian is right. You should not be here, not like this. Even if I can defeat the Titan Beast that sleeps beneath this planet... many innocent lives would be lost. Entire worlds would suffer. Even I would be gravely wounded by such a battle. So please... let''s not go down this path."

    The Lady in White, for all her divine power, slowly looked at the tiny stick insect with a complicated expression, one that mixed pride, annoyance, and affection.

    Xytrallia, meanwhile, narrowed her eyes, recognizing the third presence.

    It was her. The Eldest Sister. The one older than even the Lady in White. The one who had long withdrawn from the affairs of the stars, choosing to live in harmony with life itself.

 Chapter 387: Ending a war to start another war. {5} Cleopatra might.

    One of the most powerful beings in the known galaxy had just arrived on Xylos.

    This was no ordinary presence... it was her. The same legendary existence who had once led the Humanoid Titans into battle against the Titan Beasts millions of years ago, back when the galaxy was still young and the stars burned brighter and closer.

    When she first rose to command, she was already at the Peak of Tier 8... an unmatched power even then. But now, after eons of silence and solitude, her true strength had become unknowable.

    She had lived through cosmic ages, outlasted entire civilizations, and watched suns collapse into black holes. Her return... was nothing short of monumental.

    And yet, such a force had chosen a stick insect as her medium.

    It was a surreal sight: this tiny, unassuming creature now hovered in the sky between two of the galaxy''s most dangerous beings, calming the storm with a single flutter of its leaf.

    The moment she arrived, a calming wave spread across the planet.Everyone on Xylos could suddenly smell a mix of peaceful aromas, wet earth after rainfall, fresh green grass, salt from ocean waves, and the cold yet comforting breeze of a high mountain morning.

    The wind blew gently across the land, making trees sway and soldiers breathe easier.

    "Well then," the stick insect said in a soft, breezy voice that echoed in everyone''s minds, "since no one seems to object to my opinion... let''s call it a day. Everyone take a step back, alright?"

    The little insect then floated down and settled gently atop the Lady in White''s head like a crown of leaves, crossing its tiny arms while staring at Xytrallia.

    "Let this little mischief slide, yes?"

    Xytrallia did not respond immediately. Her glowing green eyes locked on the insect and the Lady in White. For nearly a full minute, she remained silent, her mind deep in thought.

    Finally, she replied with firm telepathic speech. "That cannot be allowed. She broke one of the ancient laws. If word of this gets out, the Titan Beasts could use it as an excuse to start another galactic war!"

    But the ancient being inside the insect simply chuckled; it was a soft, amused sound like wind chimes in a gentle breeze.

    "If we''re going to talk about ancient laws," she said with calm mischief, "then perhaps you should explain why you''ve violated them too? Wasn''t it forbidden for guardians to tamper with Titan genetics?"

    At that moment, Xytrallia felt it...

    A gaze...

    It came from far beyond the stars, yet it focused solely on her. A presence so vast and ancient that even her Hive-mind consciousness trembled under its weight.

    There was no aggression, no killing intent... but the sheer pressure of being watched by such a power was overwhelming. It was as if a god had opened its eyes just to look at her.

    She said nothing.

    The insect continued, its tone lighthearted yet commanding.

    "Well then, since there''s nothing more to discuss, I''ll be taking my little sister with me. Let''s leave before the beasts sense our presence."

    With a casual wave of the leaf in its hand, the stick insect disappeared in a swirl of soft green light.... vanishing along with the Lady in White. All that remained was a gentle shower of leaves falling from the sky, fluttering in the breeze like the closing curtain of a grand play.

    A moment later, the space rift behind them slowly sealed shut.

    Only Xytrallia remained floating in the sky. She let out a long, exhausted sigh, then opened her own emerald-colored rift. With one last glance toward the planet below, she disappeared through the rift, leaving only silence in her wake.

    Back on the surface, Rex stepped forward and looked around at the many Xylos officers, all of whom had collapsed unconscious under the divine pressure that had just lifted.

    He cleared his throat awkwardly and said, "Ahem... ahem... it seems the negotiations will have to wait until everyone regains consciousness."

    Several hours passed.

    Eventually, the talks resumed, though in a far calmer and humbler atmosphere.

    The planet Xylos officially joined the Alliance. Though they were granted a large degree of autonomy, two military outposts, one human and one Kaelzar, would be built to help protect the world from pirates, slavers, and other threats that frequently plagued the outer rim worlds.

    The trade agreement was simple but fair: Xylos would supply the Alliance with valuable metals and minerals mined from their mountainous terrain.

    In return, they would receive food, water, and essential goods and items they sorely lacked due to the planet''s rough, rocky environment, which made large-scale farming nearly impossible.

    Finally, there was the matter of tribute.

    Each year, 60% of the planet''s total commerce revenue in credits would be sent to the Alliance. It was a high price, but given the protection and trade benefits, the Xylosian leaders accepted it.

    And with that, the negotiations were finally concluded.

    But it had barely been in time.

    While the inhabitants of Xylos were busy repairing their cities, reforging their fortress walls, and burying their dead, the Allied Fleet remained on high alert, hovering in space between Planet Kator and Xylos, silently bracing for what was to come.

    The threat was clear: the Nexum Fleet was approaching.

    However, their point of arrival remained a mystery. No one knew which world they would strike first, so the fleet had taken a neutral stance, stationed precisely between the two planets, ready to respond instantly in either direction.

    Inside the floating Cleopatra Fortress, a warship so large it cast shadows across moons, a meeting was underway.

    The massive conference hall, if it could still be called that since it felt more like an imperial court from a forgotten age. At the very top of the chamber, upon a towering silver throne that shimmered like liquid moonlight, sat Rex, his expression unreadable.

    At his right, seated with elegance and quiet strength, were the women closest to him, commanders, warriors, lovers, and friends. Each one bore the air of power and confidence, yet today, there was tension in their eyes.

    "Lilla. Is your fleet still capable of fighting?" he asked directly, his voice firm but not hostile.

    Lilla gently placed her teacup back on its saucer, the sound soft but clear in the silent hall.

    "I''m ashamed to admit, we are not," she replied, her voice composed yet faintly bitter.

    "After our battle with the Nexum General Fleet, our ships were left in critical condition. Repairs on this scale cannot be done in the field. We need to retreat to a safe haven, somewhere with proper infrastructure, before we can be battle-ready again."

    Rex gave a slight nod. That answer was expected. He had already seen the wreckage of human vessels in the fortress shipyard; they were scarred, sparking, and barely held together.

    His gaze shifted to Ys, who was to his right.

    She looked up just as his eyes met hers, the bright glow in them faltering slightly.

    "And your fleet, Ys?" Rex asked, this time with hope in his voice. He had seen the recordings of the monstrous Khryssari fleet that had arrived under her command and had been devastating in power and numbers. They could turn the tide of a campaign alone.

    Ys puffed out her cheeks slightly and twirled a lock of her hair between her fingers. Her tone, though sweet, was tinged with regret.

    "While I want nothing more than to help my darling with anything he asks..." she said with a playful yet apologetic smile, "... I''m afraid I can''t summon the fleet again for a while."

    She paused, eyes lowering slightly.

    "Since we didn''t consume the planet after the battle, Mother recalled them to resupply and maintain their hibernation cycles. She also... gave me a direct order not to make any large-scale moves for the time being."

    A heavy silence followed her words.

    Rex leaned back in his throne, deep in thought. The fleets he could rely on were diminished or temporarily out of play. The Nexum''s arrival was inevitable... but his options were narrowing.

    [If I may speak,] a calm voice echoed across the room.

    The young AI appeared out of thin air in the center of the grand hall, her projection flickering softly like gentle light. She bowed slightly toward Rex, who remained seated high above on his majestic silver throne, still as a statue.

    Rex looked down and made a small gesture with his hand. "Speak."

    [Even if we don''t have support from the allied fleet, we still possess the Cleopatra Fortress,] the young AI said with quiet confidence, her voice precise and measured. [That alone should be more than enough to deal with a simple incursion fleet.]

    Rex leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on one hand as his other tapped the armrest.

    "Mmm... that sounds reassuring. But last I checked, weren''t most of the weapons still under construction or disabled due to maintenance?" he asked while raising an eyebrow as he stared at the AI.

    The young AI nodded respectfully.

    [You''re correct. However, based on our current pace, all remaining construction will be finished in two days. Maintenance on key systems will conclude in just one day. Everything is progressing faster than anticipated thanks to the support drones and the Kaelzar tech upgrades.]

    Rex''s expression shifted from mild concern to curiosity.

    "Alright then," he said, his voice growing firmer. "If you''re that confident, tell me... how heavily armed are we, exactly?"

    In response, the AI raised her hand. A 3D projection of the Cleopatra Fortress appeared in the air, glowing in soft blue light, rotating slowly to display every detail. As she spoke, colored highlights marked the various weapon systems.

    [As of now, when the upgrades are completed, the Cleopatra Fortress will have:]

    ¨C 300 laser turrets, designed for rapid-fire precision against light and medium ships.¨C 300 kinetic turrets, delivering heavy projectile barrages for breaking armor.¨C 100 plasma turrets, ideal for melting through shielding and hulls.¨C 100 long-range artillery cannons, meant to bombard enemy fleets from across the system.

    ¨C 6 main plasma cannons, the fortress''s primary siege weapons, capable of wiping out capital ships with a single blast.

    ¨C 200 rail cannons, with enough kinetic force to pierce through battleships.¨C 100 guided warheads, custom-built for strategic strikes.¨C 50 Torpedo launchers, especially useful against slow or shield-heavy vessels.¨C 50 missile launcher platforms, including both short- and long-range variants.]

 Chapter 388: Ending a war to start another war. {6}

    The display shifted, showing colored markers where each system was mounted. The fortress, seen now in all its glory, looked more like a floating city of war than a space station.

    Rex gave a low whistle, clearly impressed. "...Now that sounds like a proper fortress."

    He then shifted his gaze to the left side of the throne room, where a special guest sat guarded by two Aegis Units standing silently at his sides. This was no ordinary visitor. It was Lazien the Musician General, once a powerful fleet commander, now a war prisoner after his dramatic surrender to Cleo.

    The man exhaled deeply while swirling the drink in his glass.

    "Ha... to think I lost to a fake fortress. If I''d known it didn''t even have weapons at the time, maybe I could''ve dragged the fight out longer... No.... never mind." He shook his head with a half-smile.

    "Even unarmed, I was already defeated... by my own weapons. Maybe it''s time I start thinking about retirement?"

    Rex smirked while rubbing his temple. "Well, I haven''t finished reading the wall of text my wife calls a report... three hundred thousand words and counting... so I don''t know every detail yet..." He sighed.

    "But I do know one thing: you''re officially our war prisoner now. That much I got, right?"

    Lazien took another sip from his glass, nodding.

    "That''s correct. So... what''s going to happen to me now, Your Highness?"

    Rex leaned back while tapping his fingers against the throne''s armrest.

    "Hmm... what should we do with you?" He made a gesture with his fingers, mimicking counting money. "Say, how much do you think Nexum Dynamics would pay to get you back?"

    Lazien let out a hearty laugh, nearly choking on his drink.

    The Aegis Units didn''t share the humor. Reacting instantly, they raised their plasma rifles, aiming them squarely at his head.

    The general quickly raised both hands. "Hey, hey¡ªhold on! I''m not laughing at you, Your Highness." He cleared his throat. "It''s just... it seems you''re not too familiar with how the megacorps work."

    His grin returned, more amused than smug. "If you fought me in the Outer Rim, that means only one thing: I''ve already been discarded by the Noble Council."

    Rex raised an eyebrow. "So, what, are you a criminal or something?" Lazien made a nonchalant gesture with his hands.

    "Criminal? That''s such a harsh word. Let''s just say... I have a bad habit of enjoying my freedom a little too much." He smirked. "Drinking when I want, fighting how I want, and sleeping with whoever I want. That last one is what really got me into trouble."

    Rex''s face contorted slightly. "Let me guess, you slept with someone''s wife?"

    The general laughed again, but this time more like a charming rogue than a disgraced officer. "Wives. Daughters. Sisters. I never discriminated." He shrugged, as if it were all just part of life.

    "Not my fault those uptight nobles can''t keep their ladies satisfied. And as a man of culture, I simply couldn''t leave such lovely flowers to wither in loneliness." His tone sounded more like a playboy from a high-end nightclub than a hardened fleet commander.

    Rex shook his head, partly amused, partly annoyed. "You made that many enemies with your... lower head, and they didn''t kill you? Why send you to the Outer Rim instead of stripping your rank or ending you quietly?"

    Lazien leaned back with a grin.

    "Because I was too useful. Simple as that. I''ve commanded more successful raids and won more fleet battles than most of the clowns on the Council.

    "Killing me would''ve been bad for morale. But sending me out to the edge of the galaxy with half a fleet? That''s punishment and exile without the messy politics." He tilted his glass again.

    "Plus, they figured I''d either die out there... or be someone else''s problem. Looks like I became yours."

    Rex smirked slightly.

    "You''re not wrong. But whether you''re a problem... or an asset, that''s still up in the air."

    Rex stood from his throne and began walking toward the massive doors of the chamber. "Come. Let''s talk while we stretch our legs a bit. I heard there''s a fantastic green area in this fortress I''ve been dying to see."

    Lazien simply smiled and rose to his feet, following the silver-armored man as the two Aegis Units flanked him once more. Behind them, Cleo and the other girls quietly fell in line.

    As they exited the grand hall and entered the corridors of Cleopatra Fortress, Lazien''s eyes widened. The interior was unlike anything he''d ever seen.

    Patrolling squads moved past them every five minutes with flawless mechanical precision. Each patrol was led by a Tyrant Unit, towering and plated in dark alloy armor, followed by two lines of five Aegis Units, marching in synchronized steps like a clockwork phalanx. All were heavily armed and bore advanced loadouts.

    But that was only the beginning.

    As the group moved out of the narrower halls and into the wide arterial sectors of the fortress, the scale expanded dramatically. The patrols weren''t just infantry anymore.

    Armored tanks rumbled past, drones perched on their backs like hawks, scanning the surroundings. Massive bipedal walkers, machines Lazien had never seen before, strode between the roads, each step shaking the floor with weight and power.

    Above them, the ceiling arched high like a metal sky, and fighter patrols zipped through dedicated aerial corridors. Hangars opened and closed with humming energy shields, allowing starcraft to pass seamlessly into space and back.

    The entire structure felt alive, like a city, a bastion, and a machine of war all in one.

    Rex glanced sideways with a small smirk playing at his lips. "Amazing, right?"

    Lazien nodded slowly, still trying to take it all in. "Indeed... I''ve never seen anything like this before."

    Rex chuckled. "I had the same reaction when I saw it for the first time. Anyway, our transport''s here. Let''s talk somewhere more comfortable before we get stepped on by one of your ''former'' friends."

    A sleek, armored transport glided to a halt beside them. It gleamed silver and black; its design was sleek but clearly well-protected. Its doors opened with a hiss of steam and shifting panels.

    This wasn''t just any vehicle.

    Rex''s personal transport, built by Cleo herself, was the only one of its kind. Inside, it had spacious leather seating, tinted windows, an advanced holographic interface, and an atmosphere control system.

    More importantly, the AI pilot had full clearance to traverse every part of Cleopatra Fortress, even the restricted zones guarded by automatic defense systems. It could go anywhere, safely and without delay.

    Rex stepped inside, gesturing lazily for Lazien to follow.

    "Come on, General. Let''s see if the gardens live up to their reputation... and maybe talk about whether your talents still have a place in this new war."

    Once they were seated inside the luxurious transport, a sleek and spacious vehicle that hummed quietly as it moved through the fortress, Rex finally broke the silence.

    "So, tell me, General," Rex said with genuine curiosity in his voice, his silver eyes glinting slightly under the warm cabin lights. "From your perspective, how difficult would it be to launch a siege against this fortress?"

    He wasn''t just making conversation; he was truly looking for insight from someone who had spent decades commanding fleets in countless battles.

    Lazien leaned back into the plush seat, his expression turning thoughtful. He tapped a finger against his knee as he considered the question carefully. After a few minutes of silent thinking, he finally gave his answer.

    "Honestly," Lazien began, his tone serious, "until I see the full extent of your firepower in action, I can''t give a perfect answer. But..."

    He paused, recalling the patrols of armored soldiers, the tanks, the mechs, and the drone squadrons he had seen on their way to the transport. "Let''s assume the enemy managed to heavily damage the fortress''s engines and began a full-scale boarding operation using siege ships and drop pods."

    He nodded slowly, still processing. "Based on what little I''ve seen so far, I''d say it would take several million common foot soldiers, mmm, possibly even more. They''d also need at least a million heavy units, like siege tanks and walkers."

    "And to tip the scales in their favor, the enemy would require a few top-tier powerhouses, maybe Tier 5 or even Tier 6, to punch through key defenses and gain an upper hand in the siege."

    Rex nodded at the answer, quietly impressed. Meanwhile, Cleo, who sat gracefully behind him, remained silent. Part of her was pleased that Lazien acknowledged the fortress''s strength, but another part of her knew he hadn''t seen everything. Not even close.

    In her calculations, the Cleopatra Fortress had far more up its sleeve. She knew, without a doubt, that it could severely injure even a Tier 7 powerhouse under the right conditions.

    And if things ever got truly desperate, there was always the final option: self-destruction. But this wasn''t a simple explosion like other ships.

    The Cleopatra''s core would collapse in on itself, becoming a black hole that would devour everything nearby, including enemy ships and even space-time itself. This was the Kaelzars way of making sure no one ever stole their technology, no matter the cost.

    The conversation continued for a while longer. They exchanged a few more thoughts about hypothetical attacks and how they would counter them. As they spoke, the vehicle glided effortlessly through the vast corridors of the fortress.

    Eventually, the transport came to a slow stop in front of a towering structure, a giant dome, easily several kilometers wide, nestled in the heart of the fortress''s fourth level.

    The group exited the vehicle and approached a teleport platform. With a soft flash of light, they were instantly transported inside the dome.

    What they saw next left almost everyone stunned.

 Chapter 389: Ending a war to start another war. {7}

    Inside was nothing less than a paradise, an artificial Eden created through masterful engineering and precise environmental control. The interior was split into four massive biomes, each encased in shimmering transparent barriers that kept their climates perfectly stable and separated.

    To the left was a misty forest filled with tall, ancient trees and veils of fog that danced with soft light. Next to it was a pine forest blanketed in snow, where cool air swirled around frozen lakes and white-covered paths.

    To the right, a warm and sunny tropical beach stretched out under a simulated sky, complete with crystal-clear waters and the gentle sound of waves. The last section was a peaceful, open grassland covered in vibrant flowers and colorful fields that seemed to stretch into forever.

    And right in the middle of it all was a towering artificial mountain. Water cascaded down its face in a glittering waterfall, forming a serene river that flowed peacefully through all four biomes.

    Cleo remained expressionless, simply watching the others react. After all, she was the one who had designed this breathtaking place.

    "Well then," Rex said with a smile while stepping forward and stretching his arms. "How about we head to the beach and relax for a while? I''ve been looking forward to this moment."

    Without waiting for a reply, he began walking in the direction of the tropical section, clearly ready to enjoy some well-earned peace.

    Once they finally arrived at the beachside location within the massive greenhouse dome, Rex''s eyes quickly locked onto a small but stylish wooden cabin nestled near the palm trees.

    It looked almost out of place in such a high-tech fortress, but it gave off a cozy, relaxing vibe. In front of the cabin stood a sleek, humanoid robot bartender, polished to a shine, standing ever-ready behind the bar counter.

    Programmed to operate around the clock, the robot was there 24/7, always prepared to serve drinks to anyone who stopped by.

    Rex didn''t waste any time. He casually strolled up to the cabin and slid onto one of the high stools at the bar, then motioned for Lazien to take the seat next to him. The general, still slightly overwhelmed by the surreal setting, followed and sat down without a word.

    "Give us two of your strongest shots," Rex said with a relaxed tone, nodding at the robot bartender.

    The robot responded with a polite chime and began preparing the drinks. As it worked, Rex turned his head slightly toward Lazien, his expression calm but serious.

    "Well then, General," he said, "I''m sure you already know about the incoming fleet headed toward the planet we just took over. So tell me, do you have any solid intel on them?"

    The bartender placed two shimmering glass shots in front of them, filled with a strange glowing liquid that fizzed slightly. Lazien picked up his glass and stared at the contents for a moment before downing the entire shot in one smooth motion.

    "Ha..." Lazien exhaled as the drink burned down his throat. "Well, it''s not like I owe Nexum any loyalty anymore." He looked off into the distance, his expression unreadable.

    "While I''m not exactly sure if they''ve realized those planets have already fallen out of their hands, the fleet will still make a stop there regardless."

    Rex narrowed his eyes slightly. Although Lazien had answered, his response felt too vague... nothing Cleo hadn''t already uncovered through her data scans.

    "And why would they do that?" Rex asked again, his voice firmer this time, pressing for something more substantial.

    Lazien gave a dry chuckle and gestured for another drink. "That''s simple, my lord," he replied, before signaling the bartender for a cocktail instead of another shot. "That fleet isn''t just any random patrol force or standard deployment. No... this one is different. It''s a treasure fleet."

    Rex leaned back slightly, one eyebrow raised. "A treasure fleet? And what exactly is that supposed to be? I thought each world sent merchant convoys to deliver their tribute or taxes."

    "Hahaha, of course not," Lazien replied while shaking his head with a smirk. "That might be true for the inner systems, the rich worlds close to the core. Those have their own merchant fleets, trade hubs, and stable supply chains."

    "The mid-tier worlds... maybe. But the outer rim? Hah, they don''t even have proper mining ships, let alone merchant convoys."

    He paused to take a long sip of his cocktail before continuing, this time in a more serious tone.

    "And even if they did try to send convoys, they''d get raided by pirates or wiped out by rival factions. Too risky, too costly. So instead, the megacorps send these treasure fleets themselves."

    "They go from planet to planet, collecting taxes directly in the form of rare minerals, metallic credits, exotic goods, you name it. And because they carry so much wealth, they''re protected like royal vaults."

    Rex tapped his fingers on the counter thoughtfully. Lazien leaned closer, his voice dropping slightly.

    "So when I say this fleet is well-armed, I mean very well-armed. We''re talking two to three thousand vessels minimum. Warships, dreadnoughts, escort destroyers... maybe even a Titan-class battleship depending on the haul."

    He glanced at Rex, waiting for a reaction. But Rex''s expression didn''t change. He just calmly sipped his drink, eyes still locked on Lazien, unreadable.

    {He''s not reacting at all... Not a single twitch. Is he really that confident in his strength? Even if he''s got those Tier 6 monsters walking around him, there''s no way they alone could take on a full-blown treasure fleet....}

    {That kind of firepower could glass a planet if it wanted to. And those stronger beings... the ones who could tip the scale seem to have disappeared or gone silent. So what is he hiding this time? What secret weapon is he betting on?}

    As Lazien sat there silently, his mind spinning with speculation and uncertainty, he kept stealing glances at Rex, trying to decipher any clue, any crack in that calm exterior. But the man across from him remained a mystery wrapped in a grin.

    Meanwhile, Rex''s thoughts were... far less tactical.

    {Mmm... this cocktail is actually pretty damn good. It''s sweet, cold, with a bit of a kick... But I probably shouldn''t ask what''s in it. What if it''s made from some mutated alien fruit or... worse, some disgusting insect juice? Ugh. Just thinking about it gives me the chills.}

    Rex took another sip and smiled faintly, not because of any brilliant strategy or secret weapon, but because the drink was genuinely enjoyable.

    He didn''t even flinch at Lazien''s earlier warning about the treasure fleet, not because he wasn''t taking it seriously, but because he had no idea what it actually meant to face off against two to three thousand warships.

    In truth, Rex was just playing along. He was doing exactly what Cleo had told him to do: keep Lazien talking, get as much intel as possible, and make the man comfortable enough to loosen his tongue.

    While Rex sipped his drink and played the part of a relaxed leader, Cleo was silently running millions of calculations per second in the background.

    Her mind was a storm of data, strategy models, and predictions, preparing countermeasures, identifying enemy fleet routes, and analyzing potential weaknesses in the treasure fleet''s formation.

    The two girls accompanying them, meanwhile, were lost in their own world. They lounged on the artificial beach chairs, sipping colorful cocktails, enjoying the warmth of the synthetic sun, and occasionally throwing curious glances at the scenic landscape around them. For them, it was a rare moment of peace in the middle of a war.

    Then, Rex finally leaned forward, his expression turning a little more serious.

    "Well then, General," he said as he looked Lazien straight in the eyes. "The real reason I brought you here, to this little beach paradise, instead of just tossing you into one of my luxury cells... is because I want to make you an offer."

    Lazien blinked and sat up slightly straighter. "Oh? And what''s the point of offering me anything if the only choices I''ve got are ''yes'' or rot in prison?" His tone was sarcastic, but his eyes remained focused, still probing for some sign of Rex''s intentions.

    Rex chuckled softly and shrugged. "Fair point. But at least hear me out before you start whining. My offer''s still better than licking Nexum''s boots while they treat you like trash and toss you into war zones every time you sleep with someone''s wife."

    Lazien burst into a dry laugh, then finished the last of his cocktail in one gulp. He wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his uniform, clearly a bit tipsy now. The alcohol had loosened him up, and the tension in his shoulders began to fade.

    "Alright then," he said, setting the empty glass down with a light clink. "Go ahead. I''m listening. Blow me away with this amazing offer of yours."

    Rex leaned back casually, one leg crossed over the other, still holding his half-full glass.

    "Good," he said, his voice calm but firm. "Because what I''m offering... could change everything."

    Now, the one caught off guard wasn''t Lazien anymore... it was Cleo.

    Her expression, usually so composed and unreadable, faltered for the briefest of moments. Her artificial pupils widened, her lips parted ever so slightly, and her gaze snapped to Rex with a hint of confusion.

    What he had just said wasn''t part of the carefully planned script she had calculated beforehand. This "offer" that Rex was speaking of... it was news to her, too, since this wasn''t in her plans at all.

 Chapter 390: 0388 Ending a war to start another war. {8}

    {Rex? What are you doing? This wasn''t in the plan...} she asked him urgently through their private neural link, the mental channel they always kept open between them.

    Being so deeply connected, it wasn''t just communication; it was instinctual. She could feel the rhythm of his thoughts, the flow of his emotions.

    After all, half of Rex''s body was built from Cleo''s own original systems, merged with living tissue. In many ways, they were more than partners. They were two halves of a greater whole, linked in body, thought, and even soul.

    And yet, at that moment, Cleo felt something unexpected... distance. Rex didn''t answer her.

    Instead, he tilted his head ever so slightly and looked directly at her. A mischievous glint sparkled in his eyes, and a knowing smile curved across his lips. It was small and subtle but to Cleo, it spoke volumes.

    He was improvising.

    That flustered look on Cleo''s face was so rare that even Rex had only seen it a few times before, so this was enough to make his smirk grow wider. Her internal processors flickered through dozens of subroutines in an instant, trying to predict what he was about to do, what angle he was working from.

    But she couldn''t see it. He was off-script, and unpredictably so.

    {Rex... you better not mess this up...} she said with narrowed eyes, more flustered than angry. And despite herself, a faint simulated blush bloomed on her cheeks, subtle enough that only Rex, who knew every micron of her expression, could catch it.

    Rex didn''t reply through the link, but he raised his glass toward her in a silent toast, his expression full of that reckless charm she had grown to both love and fear.

    He was about to gamble.... and Cleo could only brace herself for what came next.

    "What if...." Rex began, his voice calm but full of conviction, "instead of crawling back to those squid-faced bastards with their tight collars and tighter rules... you joined me on my road to conquest?"

    He stood up slowly, his chair sliding back with a low scrape across the smooth floor. With steady steps, Rex walked behind Lazien and placed a firm but not unfriendly hand on the general''s shoulder.

    "I know your kind, General. You''re not built to follow orders blindly. You''re a man who likes freedom, who craves it. And where there''s freedom... there''s always ambition. And where ambition burns, greed isn''t far behind... it''s part of the package, isn''t it?"

    He chuckled softly and stepped out from under the shadow of the small bar''s awning into the artificial sunlight of the greenhouse''s simulated sky. The warm golden rays lit up his figure like a spotlight, and for a moment, Rex looked every bit the rising warlord he claimed to be.

    "So here''s my offer, plain and simple," Rex said, his tone sharper now, more focused. "Instead of licking boots and chasing scraps... why not rise higher? Why not become one of my generals? You''ve seen it with your own eyes, general, this fortress, the soldiers, the power I hold."

    "I''m not some petty warband leader. I''m what the megacorps would call a conqueror. I''ve already taken planets, and I''m just getting started. My strength is growing, and soon..." he paused for effect, letting the silence build tension. "Soon, we''ll be strong enough to topple one of the megacorps themselves."

    Rex turned his gaze to Lazien, a cocky but confident smirk dancing across his lips. There was fire in his eyes, the kind that made men believe, or fear, or both.

    "Now the question is..." he raised his hand, palm open toward Lazien, "before that day comes... what side will you stand on?"

    He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping lower, almost conspiratorial. "You can go back to them, earn your rank, maybe get a medal or two, and live a ''comfortable'' life in their cold metal hierarchy."

    "But you and I both know... you''ll never be more than what you are now. A common soldier with a nice title. You''re not one of their own. You''ll never sit at their table."

    He paused again, letting that reality sink in.

    "Or..." Rex continued, "you can gamble. Stand beside me. And maybe, just maybe... you''ll rise higher than you ever dreamed. Riches. Power. Worlds under your command. Or... nothing at all. That''s the game."

    He held his hand steady, waiting.

    Lazien stared at it, his eyes narrowed, and waited in silence.

    His thoughts were a storm. No matter which road he chose, his future would be changed forever. One path was safe and familiar, with walls and chains he had learned to live with. The other... wild, unpredictable, dangerous... but full of promise.

    In Nexum, he could stay a general. That was the ceiling. The highest he could ever climb. He wasn''t one of the squids. He wasn''t part of their inner circle. No matter how many battles he won or how many enemies he crushed, he''d never be more than a glorified servant.

    Just a uniform. A rank. A name forgotten in the next generation.

    But here... this madman offered him something more.

    A chance.

    And that was something Lazien hadn''t had in a very long time.

    Lazien let out a long, tired sigh. His eyes met Rex''s with reluctant respect before he reached out and gripped the offered hand.

    "You have a deal, My Lord," Lazien said with quiet finality. "I, my soldiers, and the entire fleet under my command are now at your disposal."

    He stood up straight, squaring his shoulders, his voice firm despite the weight of the choice he had just made.

    Rex grinned, clearly pleased. "Hahaha! Well done, General. Welcome to the team!" He gave Lazien a solid pat on the back.

    "Now then, I imagine the luxury cell you were in wasn''t exactly five-star, so why don''t we fix that? I''ll have one of the maid bots take you to one of our finest suites that is comfortable, quiet, and well-stocked with all the good stuff."

    Rex turned slightly, as if done, then stopped himself and glanced back at Lazien with a sly grin.

    "Oh, right.... almost forgot. There''s just one more thing."

    Before Lazien could react, Rex suddenly squeezed his hand tightly. A strange sound like a soft whirring echoed for a moment, followed by a sharp stab of pain.

    "Arrrgh!! What the hell¡ª?!"

    Lazien collapsed to the floor, unconscious, as a swarm of nanomachines invisibly surged into his bloodstream through the handshake.

    "Take him away," Rex ordered casually while waving his hand.

    Two tall Aegis units stepped forward immediately and lifted the general''s limp body, carrying him off like a package.

    From nearby, Cleo approached slowly, her long black hair catching the light like strands of silk. She stood before Rex in silence, her luminous golden eyes fixed on his face, glowing softly.

    Rex raised an eyebrow once he noticed her staring.

    "...What? Why the look?"

    "You deviated from the plan," she said calmly, her voice as smooth and cold as ever. "Why did you go through all that trouble? And what you did at the end, was that really necessary? He''s supposed to be your ally now, isn''t he?"

    Rex tilted his head and sighed. "Well, yeah. But listen... I don''t really know how dangerous a two-thousand-ship fleet is, but I do know you''re going to need every bit of firepower we can get. Our sleepy beauty over there."

    He thumbed lazily in Lazien''s direction, "has some very fine ships and experienced men. I''d rather have them fighting with us than against us."

    He walked over and leaned against the bar, looking up at the simulated blue sky with a casual smile. "And as for what I did to him... let''s just say I added a little insurance."

    He glanced at Cleo with a smirk. "I told Mini-Cleo to keep an eye on him. If he ever dares to have impure thoughts about you or the other girls..." Rex paused and pointed toward the hallway where Lazien had been taken. "He''s going to end up just like that."

    Cleo blinked once; her expression was unreadable as ever.

    "I''m not really into the whole ''watch-my-woman-get-ogled'' thing," Rex added with a shrug. "Call it jealousy, call it pride... but yeah, I''m not a cuck."

    Without waiting for a response, he reached out and pulled Cleo by the waist, gently spinning her around and bringing her against his chest. She didn''t resist, didn''t move, just looked up at him, perfectly composed.

    "You stink," she said, her face completely blank.

    Rex burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Of course I stink! I haven''t had a single decent break since this whole conquest business started. I''ve been covered in blood, sweat, and alien dust!"

    He scooped her up in one motion, throwing her gently over his shoulder like a victorious hunter with his prize. Cleo didn''t protest; she simply let it happen, eyes half-lidded, lips closed, completely unfazed.

    "Come on," Rex said. "We both deserve a proper bath."

    Later, inside one of the fortress''s most advanced bathing chambers, the maid bots had finished carefully washing their bodies with precision and care.

    The room itself looked more like something out of a high-end sci-fi palace, with polished chrome walls, multicolored lights that adapted to mood, and floors that gave off a gentle warmth with every step.

    Finally, Rex sank into the enormous, steaming jacuzzi. He let out a deep, relaxed breath as the hot water worked its way through his tense muscles.

    Cleo sat on his lap, her body as still and calm as ever. She rested lightly against him, as if she belonged there, her black hair floating lazily on the water''s surface.

    For a brief moment, there was no war, no politics, and no calculations.

    Just peace.

    A rare, beautiful silence.

 Chapter 391: Punishment. {R18}

    After a long moment of complete silence, Rex slowly opened his eyes. His gaze met Cleo''s. She was staring at him without blinking, her golden eyes filled with something intense... like she wanted to memorize his face forever after all the time they had spent apart.

    It was as if she feared forgetting even the smallest detail of him. Rex raised an eyebrow and asked gently, "What is it?"

    Cleo didn''t answer with words. Instead, she reached out and traced her finger lightly across Rex''s chest, right over one of the wounds he had gotten back on the Blood Clan''s planet.

    Although the lady in white had healed his organic body, that particular wound remained. The part of him that belonged to the Kaelzars, his mechanical side, was still damaged.

    The skin had not grown back there, leaving the machinery exposed, from where Soft golden light glowed from within the crack, giving it a haunting, ethereal beauty.

    Her finger moved in slow circles, as if caressing the pain itself, her touch delicate and curious.

    "How did you get these injuries?" Cleo finally asked; her voice was emotionless and cold, just like it always was, calm, mechanical, and flat, but not without meaning.

    "Oh, those?" Rex chuckled a little, though the laugh lacked joy. "Let''s just say I got a bit too confident. Thought I could take on more than I really could. I even tried using one of my own techniques, but I ended up getting smashed by it instead. A real mess, honestly."

    He gave a bittersweet laugh. Though he was smiling, there was sadness beneath it. At that moment, he had felt small... like a tiny insect pretending to be a king. The memory stung his pride deeply.

    Because when things truly got dangerous... when lives were at stake... he hadn''t been the one doing the saving. Others had to step in to rescue him. He hadn''t been strong enough to protect those he loved, and that truth weighed on him like chains.

    "I failed...." he whispered more to himself than to her.

    Cleo didn''t blink. She simply stared at him and said calmly, "It was my mistake."

    Rex turned toward her, surprised by the firmness in her words. "Why do you think that?"

    "If I hadn''t sent the twins to¡ª" she began speaking, but her sentence was cut off. Rex reached forward and gently squished her cheeks together, making her lips pucker like a fish.

    "Hey," he said with a small smirk. "The past is the past. It''s over. What matters is the present. We''re here now, together. So why keep beating ourselves up over something we can''t change?"

    He let go of her face, and Cleo simply continued to look at him. Her expression didn''t change, but something in the way she stared made it feel like she was listening with all her heart.

    "I still believe I deserve punishment for what I did. Even if I''m a princess of the Kaelzars, if I make a mistake that harms my people or those I care about, then I must take responsibility," she said firmly, her tone steady. "In this case, the only one with the authority to judge me... is you, Rex."

    Rex tilted his head, rubbing her cheek with his thumb as he spoke in a teasing voice. "Hmm... anything I want?"

    Cleo nodded without hesitation. "Affirmative."

    "Well then..." he said as he gently lifted her off his lap and stood up from the warm water of the jacuzzi.

    He walked over to the edge and sat down on the border, the artificial cool night air touching his damp skin. He looked at her with a playful grin and patted his thighs. "Come here. Lie down on your stomach across my legs."

    Cleo stared at him for a few seconds, her face unreadable as always... but then, without saying a word, she stood up from the water.

    The sight was something Rex wouldn''t forget.

    Her long, wet black hair cascaded down her body like a shimmering silk waterfall, clinging to her smooth skin as it trailed across her back and shoulders.

    The water beaded on her skin, reflecting the light and creating a mesmerizing, glistening effect that made her appear almost ethereal.

    Some strands of her hair playfully covered her chest, tantalizingly concealing and then revealing the curves beneath, inviting the imagination to explore what lay hidden. She moved with a grace that was almost hypnotic; her steps were silent and fluid as she approached him.

    Her eyes, deep and mysterious, remained locked onto his, never wavering, drawing him in and making his heart race with a mix of anticipation and desire.

    She seemed like a creature from myth, a water nymph or a spirit from ancient tales, beautiful and otherworldly, with a presence that was both enchanting and intensely erotic.

    She then complied with his request, lowering herself gently onto Rex''s outstretched legs, her body pressing against his as she got comfortable. "Pull your butt up," Rex commanded, his voice firm and authoritative, yet he made no move to touch her.

    Cleo paused, taking a moment to process the order and the implications of what she was about to do. A mix of embarrassment and excitement fluttered in her stomach, but she eventually obeyed, arching her back and lifting her hips, presenting herself to him in a vulnerable and exposed position.

    Rex''s eyes roamed over her, taking in the sight of her beautiful, exposed flesh. "Good girl," he murmured, his hands finally making contact with her body as he grabbed her buttocks, giving them a firm, possessive squeeze. "You have such a beautiful ass, Cleo. It''s a shame I have to punish you."

    Cleo could feel the heat of his hands on her skin, the sensation sending shivers down her spine. "Well then, since you wanted a punishment, even if I didn''t want to do it, I will have to follow the law and punish you."

    Rex continued, his voice a low growl as he began to knead her flesh, his fingers digging into her soft, yielding skin. "But don''t think you can cheat. Remove your pain resistance and increase your body sensitivity."

    Cleo opened her mouth to respond but thought better of it, snapping her mouth shut as she decided to follow his orders without question. As she increased her body''s sensitivity, a wave of sensation crashed over her, and she couldn''t help but let out a small, breathy moan, "Ahhhh."

    Her cheeks flushed a deep shade of pink as she heard the sound of her own voice, the embarrassment of her reaction mixing with the heightened sensations coursing through her body.

    She could feel everything more intensely now... the rough hands of Rex against her sensitive skin, the cool air on her exposed flesh, and the firm, demanding grip of his hands on her buttocks.

    She was completely at his mercy, her body betraying her with every heightened sensation, and she couldn''t wait to see what he would do next.

    Rex''s tone was laced with mockery as he delivered his line, "Well then... I just want you to know that this will hurt me more than it will do to you."

    His words hung in the air, heavy with sarcasm, giving Cleo no time to retort before his large, rough hand came crashing down on her upturned buttock with a resounding smack. "Ahhhh! Wait... what are you¡ª"

    Cleo''s words were cut off as another firm spank landed on her sensitive flesh, the sound echoing through the soundproof bathroom, thankfully ensuring their privacy. Her moans of pain and surprise filled the luxury space with a symphony of shame and arousal that only served to heighten her senses.

    Rex continued his assault on her senses, his hand connecting with her flesh again and again, each spank leaving a stinging impression on her skin.

    He only ceased when her buttocks were a deep, fiery red, resembling a lobster fresh from the boil. Without skipping a beat, he began to rub her inflamed skin, his rough hands soothing and stimulating her abused flesh.

    "So, what do you think, princess? Is this enough punishment?" he asked with a smug smirk playing on his lips, as he knew how proud and honest Cleo was. He intended to use her honesty against her, to draw out her admission in front of him.

    Cleo''s voice was a mere whisper, so low it was almost inaudible. ".....no...."

    Rex, feigning ignorance, leaned in closer. "What? Did you say something? I couldn''t hear it." He was enjoying this, drawing out her humiliation and pleasure.

    "I said no..." Cleo repeated, her voice a little louder this time, a mix of embarrassment and defiance in her tone.

    "No, what?" Rex pressed, his smirk growing wider, more predatory.

    "It wasn''t enough..." Cleo admitted shyly, her cheeks flushing a deep red to match her buttocks.

    Rex, relishing in her admission, continued to tease her. "What wasn''t enough? I don''t understand you; talk louder and explain better." His voice was a low growl, a command laced with amusement.

    "I SAID IT WASN''T ENOUGH PUNISH¨D" Cleo''s declaration was cut short as another firm spank landed on her sensitive flesh, the sound echoing through the room, a testament to their intense and erotic power dynamic.

    Rex''s voice was a low, dominant growl, a command from a predator who knew he was in control. "Well, since you didn''t answer my question and instead refused to admit your mistake, I will have to increase your punishment, princess. Now then, open your legs."

    His words left no room for argument, his intent clear and unyielding. Cleo started to protest, "But you didn''t give me time to¡ª"

    Rex cut her off mid-sentence, his voice a firm, unyielding command.

    "Open. Your. Legs. Princess."

    The tone was final, brooking no argument, and Cleo found herself unable to disobey. She hesitated for a moment, a mix of embarrassment and anticipation coursing through her veins, before slowly parting her thighs, exposing herself to him completely.

 Chapter 392: Changes in the galaxy.

    But just before Rex could carry out the "punishment" he had planned, Cleo suddenly froze. A sharp alert flashed across her HUD from a private emergency signal meant only for her eyes. In an instant, she stood up, serious and focused.

    "Mmm? What''s wrong?" Rex asked, blinking in surprise as the intimate moment between them dissolved like steam in the air.

    Cleo grabbed a towel without answering at first, her expression unreadable again. "Let''s get dressed. I''ll explain everything in the bedroom."

    She turned and walked out, leaving behind the warm mist of the jacuzzi. Something serious had clearly happened.

    A few minutes later, Rex stepped into the bedroom as well, now wearing nothing but a plain bathrobe. His hair was still wet and dripping slightly.

    He spotted Cleo sitting at the edge of the bed. One of the bot maids stood behind her, gently drying her long hair with mechanical precision. A second bot maid approached Rex and started to dry his hair as well.

    "So?" Rex asked casually, but his tone held a trace of concern. He leaned closer, trying to sneak a glance at the floating holo-screen Cleo was holding.

    Cleo expanded the screen with a flick of her fingers, her voice calm but tinged with tension. "The human outpost on the Necrotech world has been compromised."

    Rex''s eyebrows lifted slightly. "Compromised? That place is crawling with zombies. Weren''t there some really strong mutated ones there too?"

    "I don''t know the full story yet," Cleo replied. "But the alert didn''t come through regular channels. It came through the emergency distress line I had routed directly to the Kaelzar forward post on that planet. That means something very serious went wrong... and fast."

    As she spoke, she began playing the footage she had received.

    The first clips were from the security cameras positioned around the perimeter of the human outpost. The images showed squads of human soldiers, fully armored and heavily armed, holding their ground with ease.

    They were repelling waves of regular zombies and even a few of the mutated ones without too much trouble. Their firepower and defensive barriers seemed more than enough.

    Cleo fast-forwarded the feed. The footage now showed patrol units moving in and out of the outpost gates. They were hunting stray mutant zombies in the surrounding area before the creatures could gather and form more dangerous hordes. Everything looked normal, routine even.

    But then, the screen flickered and changed. Now the footage came from a different angle, not from the external cameras, but from the helmet cam of one of the soldiers.

    A label appeared:

    [Field Footage ¨C Soldier 593 / 2:30 a.m.]

    The screen jolted and shook as the camera recorded the soldier running down a dim hallway, breath heavy, boots slamming against metal floors.

    "Quickly! Block the door!" a soldier yelled while slamming a thick metal door behind him. He and three others had just taken shelter inside a storage room.

    "You over there! Help me move this wardrobe! we can use it to block the door!" someone shouted out.

    A struggling voice followed. "Ugh! It''s too heavy! I can''t lift it!"

    "Then push, damn it! One, two¡ªPUSH!"

    Together, the soldiers shoved the large metal wardrobe until it slammed into place in front of the door. Their breathing was heavy and ragged, echoing inside their helmets.

    "Uff... uff... that should be enough to stop the normal infected," one of them said between breaths.

    But the second he finished his sentence, loud bangs echoed from the other side of the door; something was slamming against it with inhuman force.

    The soldiers jumped in shock, immediately aiming their weapons at the entrance. The fear was thick in the air, almost suffocating. You could hear it in their voices, their fast breathing, and the trembling in the way they shouted commands.

    Their helmets picked up everything... the distant roar of gunfire, the blood-curdling screams of their comrades, and the gut-wrenching sounds of infected tearing into flesh just outside the room.

    The chaos outside felt like it was creeping in second by second.

    Rex leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "This... doesn''t look like a normal breach. That kind of panic, even among trained soldiers... Something else is out there, isn''t there?"

    Cleo nodded slowly, her gaze fixed on the screen. "This wasn''t just an infected surge. Something more dangerous must have appeared. Something we haven''t seen before."

    [Field Footage ¨C Soldier 593 / 3:26 a.m.]

    The scene from the helmet cam continued. The room was dim, lit only by the flickering emergency lights. Shadows danced across the walls as the soldiers sat in silence, surrounded by the distant groans and scratching of the infected outside.

    "Can you see anything out there?" asked Soldier 593, his voice tense and quiet. He looked over at another soldier crouched next to a narrow window, peeking through a crack between the metal boards.

    The soldier slowly turned his head and replied, "They''re still out there. Thousands of them. Just standing there, surrounding the outpost. It doesn''t look like they''re going anywhere... not for a long time."

    With a sigh, he dropped to the floor and hugged his rifle close to his chest, as if it were the only thing keeping him sane.

    "Damn it..." muttered another soldier, perched on the edge of a bunk bed. He glanced nervously toward the others. "What about that thing? That creature we saw earlier... did anyone get a better look at it?"

    The soldier who had just checked the window tensed. He didn''t speak right away. Then, slowly, he shook his head.

    "No. And I don''t want to," he said, his voice trembling. "Whatever it was... it wasn''t normal. It wasn''t infected like the others."

    The fear was thick in his voice, and the way his body slightly shook made it clear... he wasn''t exaggerating.

    Another voice broke the silence. "Rookie, any update on comms?" one of the older soldiers asked, looking at 593.

    Soldier 593 gave a tired shake of his head. "Still no signal. I already tried the emergency frequencies and the backups... nothing. It''s dead. I think the antenna might''ve been taken out."

    "You think that... thing did it?" asked the soldier closest to the blocked door. He was standing with his back to the others, watching the door like it might burst open at any second.

    There was a pause. Then the same soldier continued in a low voice, "...Before tonight, I would''ve said you''re crazy for thinking something like that. Infected are supposed to be brainless, just dumb beasts. But now?"

    He turned halfway toward them, his face pale. "After what we saw out there... I''m starting to think it''s possible." Silence hung heavy in the air again.

    "So what now?" asked the soldier on the bunk bed, breaking the uneasy stillness. "Do we just sit here and wait to die? Or maybe jump out the window and let the zombies tear us apart? At least it''d be over fast."

    His voice was bitter, hopeless. The words stung even more because nobody wanted to admit he might be right.

    "Oh, shut the hell up already!" snapped the soldier by the window. He hissed the words under his breath. "If you''ve got nothing useful to say, then keep your damn mouth shut!"

    The man on the bed just shrugged with a tired, bitter smile. "Hey, I''m just being honest. Let''s not pretend we''re getting out of this clean. I''ve got one bullet left in my sidearm... and this." He reached into his vest and pulled out a frag grenade. "Found it on a dead soldier outside before I ran back in."

    He held it up casually, as if showing off a toy but everyone''s eyes were drawn to it immediately.

    A heavy silence fell over the room again. They were running out of time, options, and hope.

    The only sounds were their breathing, the creaking of the metal walls, and the faint, continuous scratching and banging on the door. Like something was waiting... watching... and getting closer.

    [Field Footage ¨C Soldier 593 / 5:50 a.m.]

    "Hey, guys... come look at this!" the soldier who had been sitting near the window was now standing again with his eyes wide as he pressed his face to the narrow gap between the metal boards. His voice, though low, carried urgency.

    The others, startled by the sudden change in his tone, quickly got up from their spots on the floor and the bunks. One by one, they crowded around the window.

    "No freaking way..." Soldier 593 muttered, squinting through the gap. "There''s... there''s only three, maybe four infected out there..."

    The area outside, once a sea of undead bodies, now looked eerily empty. The moaning crowd had vanished, leaving just a few shambling figures dragging their limbs through the dust and smoke.

    "This is it! This is our chance!" said the soldier holding the grenade, hope lighting up his face for the first time in hours. "We should make a run for the Kaelzar outpost while we still can!"

    But another soldier quickly shut that idea down.

    "Are you insane?" he snapped. "We''re on the third floor. Even if you don''t break your legs jumping down, the Kaelzar outpost is ten kilometers from here! through open, infected territory!"

    The grenade-holder turned to him, frustration bubbling to the surface. "Then what do you suggest we do? Sit here like canned meat and wait to die? The sun rises at 7:00 a.m., and it''s already past 5:00. If we don''t escape now, we won''t be able to move at all!"

    He holstered his handgun with a shaking hand and marched toward the window, determination burning in his eyes. "And what if that creature comes back? Or worse... what if it never left?"

    His voice cracked with desperation. "I want to live, damn it! I''m not staying in here just to end up as dinner for something we don''t even understand!"

 Chapter 393: Changes in the galaxy. {2}

    As he reached to unseal the window, Soldier 593 and the first lookout lunged forward and stopped him, grabbing his arms.

    "Let me go! You idiots! This is our only chance!" he shouted furiously, trying to shake them off.

    But his voice was being so loud and filled with panic that it echoed through the room... and that was a costly mistake.

    The pounding on the metal door resumed with brutal force, louder and heavier than before. Something or several things, was now slamming against it with renewed hunger.

    The soldiers froze in place while every hair on their bodies stood up.

    They had been quiet for so long... and now the things outside knew where they were again.

    "Dammit! Look what you just did, you reckless idiot!" one of the soldiers shouted in fury as he punched the panicked man across the face.

    The hit landed hard, knocking the soldier off his feet and sending him crashing to the floor. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he gasped, dazed and stunned.

    "SHIT!" Soldier 593 yelled, his voice filled with desperation. "Everyone, helmets on now! Inject the stim fast! We''re not staying here to die! We''re jumping out that damn window and running like hell! There''s no other choice left!"

    Without wasting a second, he grabbed his assault rifle and rushed over to help unseal the heavy metal window. Meanwhile, the other two soldiers were holding back the door with all their strength as it buckled and bent under the constant pounding from the infected trying to break in.

    "It''s open! Let''s move, move, move!" another soldier shouted while the adrenaline surged through his body thanks to the stim.

    He leaped out of the window without hesitation. His military training kicked in mid-air, and though the fall was from the third floor, he hit the ground with a roll and only suffered a few scrapes and bruises.

    Next was Soldier 593. He wasn''t as graceful. His body twisted awkwardly during the fall, and when he landed, a sharp cry of pain echoed through the comms. He clutched his arm, clearly injured, but gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. The camera on his helmet caught it all.

    The last two soldiers followed quickly. Fortunately, the first one who jumped had already taken care of the few infected wandering outside, cutting them down with his combat machete in swift, brutal strokes.

    "Run! We have to get out of here now!" the soldier with the grenade shouted as he sprinted into the darkness. "If we stick to the forest and stay in the shadows, they might not catch us! The infected can''t see well in the dark!"

    The others didn''t need to be told twice. They followed him, their boots pounding against the dirt path as they disappeared into the dense, shadowy trees.

    Soldier 593, the newest member of the team, was already falling behind. Unlike the seasoned veterans, his stamina was limited.

    He gasped for air as he struggled to keep up, each breath sounding louder in the recording, mingling with the rustling of leaves and crunching of soil beneath his feet.

    But then... a strange, eerie noise pierced through the night. It sounded like a baby crying... it was soft and chilling.

    That unnatural sound was followed by something worse... the unmistakable screams of the infected, echoing through the forest like a wave of terror rolling toward them.

    "Hurry up, Rookie! Don''t stop!" the lead soldier shouted over the comms; his voice was sharp with urgency. "You''re too slow! That damn creature is coming after us! I can feel it! Don''t fall behind!"

    He didn''t look back. None of them did. They just ran. Because on that cursed night, hesitation meant death.

    [Field Footage ¨C Soldier 593 / 6:24 a.m.]

    After more than thirty minutes of nonstop running like desperate souls fleeing the jaws of death, the effects of the stim injections began to wear off.

    The temporary surge of energy that kept them going was gone, and now the full weight of exhaustion settled deep into their muscles.

    Their lungs burned, their legs trembled, and every step forward felt like dragging a boulder. No matter how tough or trained they were, they were still human... and humans could only take so much.

    "Hah... ugh... I can''t... I can''t run anymore..." Soldier 593 gasped out between ragged breaths. His legs wobbled like those of a newborn deer, unstable and weak, before finally giving out beneath him.

    He collapsed hard onto the dirt, his body rolling a short distance down the slope of the uneven forest path they had been following.

    For a while, nothing could be heard through his helmet except the harsh sound of his labored breathing. His chest rose and fell quickly as he lay on his back, staring up at the slowly brightening sky.

    The stars were starting to fade, and a faint bluish hue signaled the approach of dawn. That faint light was the only thing Rex and Cleo could see through the rookie''s helmet feed until a shadow moved across the lens.

    It was one of the other soldiers. His boots crunched softly against the dirt as he stopped beside the fallen rookie and extended his hand. He looked exhausted too, but his eyes were still burning with determination.

    "Come on, Rookie! Don''t give up on me now! We''re almost there; we only have three, maybe four kilometers left to reach the Kaelzar outpost!" he said, his voice heavy with urgency. "We''re so damn close!"

    "I... I can''t... run anymore, sir..." Soldier 593 replied weakly. His voice trembled, barely able to speak between gasps. "Just... leave me behind... it''s survival of the fittest, remember?"

    The veteran soldier didn''t answer at first. Instead, he pulled out a second stim injector from his belt pouch and jammed it into the rookie''s shoulder without warning. A sharp hiss followed as the chemicals rushed into Soldier 593''s bloodstream.

    "Wait for it to kick in," the vet said. "Do you still have any ammo left for your rifle?"

    The rookie blinked a few times as the stimulant surged through him. His heart rate spiked, and his strength started to return, if only temporarily. He slowly pushed himself back onto his feet.

    "Yeah... I have two magazines left... but that''s it."

    "Good," the vet nodded. "Give me one of those mags. Then you run straight to the Kaelzar outpost."

    Soldier 593 hesitated, confused and worried. "Hold on... what do you mean? Are you planning to stay behind!?"

    The veteran let out a tired chuckle. "Hah. Relax, Rookie. Whether I stay or go... it''s not going to change anything now."

    Then he reached up and removed his helmet, tossing it carelessly to the ground. The moment his neck was exposed, the rookie froze in place. His eyes widened in shock.

    Dark, tech-like marks crept slowly up the veteran''s neck, jagged black veins pulsing just beneath the skin, glowing faintly in places. The infection was spreading.

    "Y-you''re infected...? But how? When did it happen!?" Soldier 593 said while immediately pulling out his handgun and aiming it out of reflex.

    The veteran didn''t flinch. He just gave another bitter chuckle.

    "Probably when those bastards broke through the door at the outpost. I didn''t even feel it at first... too much adrenaline. But once that wore off, I could feel it... the burning under the skin, like something crawling inside me."

    He stepped forward slowly, not afraid of the gun pointed at him.

    "So now, listen up. Give me that magazine... and take this," he said while removing his dog tag and placing it into the rookie''s hand. "It''s got the mark of the Lady in White... our faith. My name and a contact number are on the back."

    Soldier 593 looked down at the silver tag while his fingers trembled.

    "When you reach the Kaelzar post, call that number. Tell my mother I died like a fucking hero!" the veteran said with a crooked grin and slapped the rookie''s shoulder. Then, as the distant shrieks of the infected echoed through the trees, he gave Soldier 593 a hard shove forward.

    "Now go! Don''t look back!"

    The rookie hesitated for only a second before stuffing the dog tag into his pouch and turning to run. His feet pounded against the forest floor as he sprinted away with renewed strength and purpose.

    A few minutes later, gunfire rang out behind him in sharp, controlled bursts from the veteran''s rifle, echoing through the trees.

    Soldier 593 didn''t stop running.

    He didn''t look back.

    [Field Footage ¨C Soldier 593 / 6:48 a.m.]

    After a few more minutes of running through the thick forest, Soldier 593''s legs were starting to burn again, and his breathing was becoming heavier.

    His heart pounded in his chest, not just from exhaustion, but from fear. The gunfire he had heard earlier... the brave, final stand of the infected soldier had gone silent.

    Now, all he could hear through his helmet''s microphone were the unsettling sounds of the infected. Low growls, raspy breathing, and strange gurgling noises echoed all around him.

    The forest no longer felt like a place of safety or shelter. It felt like a living nightmare, pressing in on him from every direction. His eyes darted through the darkness, searching for any sign of danger... or of help.

    Then, just ahead through the trees, he saw a familiar silhouette. One of the other soldiers, the one who had been standing near the window back at the outpost. His figure stood motionless in the middle of the forest path, like a statue frozen in time.

    Relief flooded over Soldier 593.

    "Thank god... I''m so glad to see you!" he shouted, still a few meters away. "But we can''t stop now! We''ve got to keep moving!"

    But the other soldier didn''t respond.

    He didn''t even turn his head.

    Confused, the rookie slowed down as he approached. His footsteps grew cautious, his instincts already screaming that something was wrong.

    "Hey...? Sir? Are you okay?" he asked again, now close enough to reach out.