Back in the past — Oasis, Platinumgrey Building
The training hall echoed with the sound of fists and feet clashing. Lars staggered back, his body covered in bruises, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. Yet despite the punishment, he pressed forward, faster and stronger with every strike.
Zion pushes on, anger flashing in his eyes as his son landed a flurry of clean punches and sharp kicks across his guard. Lars weaved through counterattacks, parrying blows with uncanny precision. A final hook sent Zion stumbling, his nose breaking under the impact.
Zion froze, shocked,
"In raw speed and power… he's surpassing me."
Snarling, he extended his hand, summoning a colossal data fist through data conversion. With a single crushing blow, he knocked Lars to the floor.
Wiping the blood from his nose, Zion stared down at him.
"So that's how it works… Son, you're impressive in your own unique way."
Moments later — Rubyfire Building
The glass doors slid open as Zion stepped inside. A desk robot scanned him in, its mechanical voice welcoming him.
He found Gilga finishing his drills, dismissing his pawns with a clap. The room shimmered, walls shifting until they became a pristine meeting hall.
Zion spoke first.
"My son Lars is entering the 110th Star Games. I suggest you work with him—together, at least one of you has a chance to reach Godhood."
Gilga, sipping tea while scrolling through a digital screen, froze mid-drink. He spat it out in disbelief.
"Lars Platinumgrey? Based on this data, he's barely tapped into ultra thinking. You expect me to work with someone beneath me? He's not even fit to be my rival—let alone be God's chosen."
Zion leaned forward, his voice firm.
"Forget the data. I've got hands on experience with him myself. Lars is different from the other noble heirs. He's special. The more punishment he takes, the deeper he can tap into his ultra levels. Even I couldn't outmatch him."
Gilga's eyes narrowed. After a pause, he smirked.
"Interesting. Fine. Send him to the stadium—I'll see what he's really worth."
Moments later — Stadium
The crowd roared as the fight ended. Lars collapsed to his knees, battered and bloodied.
Gilga looked down at him, expression unreadable. Then, a smile spreads across his face.
"You're quite different. Let's join forces—for the Star Games."
After the match — Rubyfire Meeting Room
Gilga leaned back, recalling the fight.
"Your son is indeed special. His ultra levels adapt as he receives damage. But there's a flaw. After resting, he loses nearly 70% of what he gained. And another flaw—his growth is scaled. If his next battle isn't harder than the last, he stagnates. He must fight constantly, always against stronger opponents, to evolve."
Zion's eyes gleamed. "Then you're the only person who can push him to that limit."
Back in the present — Deep Forest
The sun broke through the canopy, illuminating a field of shattered trees and frozen craters. Lars lay on the ground, chest heaving, sweat dripping into the dirt.
His wand pulsed faintly, restoring his stamina. Slowly, he stood, wiping his mouth.
"That should be enough… Now I understand the full extent of both chosen powers. All that remains is refining my Ultra levels."
Closing his eyes, Lars focused. His consciousness split—two separate streams of thought flowing at once. One mind directed his chosen powers, the other with his ice chosen power. They moved in harmony, overlapping, enhancing.
His eyes snapped open, glowing with realization.
"This… this must be the next stage of Ultra! With this, I can wield both powers at once, and use them at a higher level than before."
A laugh escaped his lips, wild with exhilaration.
"After all those battles… I am getting stronger! Father, are you watching?! I'm more capable of becoming a God now!"
Meanwhile — Deep in the Dungeon
Gaia and her crew of Cyan Spark workers continued digging, collecting resources with methodical precision. The dim glow of their tech-lamps flickered across stone walls as Hopper returned from scouting, his face serious.
He approached Gaia in a tent.
"I searched as much as I could, but this dungeon is massive. I didn't want to wander too far and risk getting trapped in another puzzle room. The only thing I found was a silver gate."
Gaia nodded, brushing the dust off her gloves.
"It's fine. I'm done with my meetings with Taeo anyway. I'll come with you from now on."
Before she could say more, her headset beeped. She tapped the side and a worker's voice came through, urgent.
"Lady Gaia, we've found something you'll want to see."
She and Hopper hurried to one of the ore sites. The Cyan Spark workers had dug a deep tunnel into the wall. At the end, a faint glow shimmered—a magic barrier sealing off a vast chamber beyond.
Through the translucent veil, Gaia spots a massive open hall, lined with countless coffins. At the far end, high upon a staircase, rested a single coffin adorned with intricate, luminous markings.
Her eyes widened.
"Nice work, everyone. This might be a unique scenario."
She raised her wrist console, firing a mini-laser at the barrier. The shot fizzled harmlessly.
"Not enough power."
With a quick motion, she summoned her mecha suit, plates of armored steel assembling around her. She then summons the Robotic dragon's core—a glowing crystalline engine—and slotted it into her chest cavity.
The suit roared to life, its frame shifting, scales forming as draconic features emerged. The chest glowed brighter and brighter—until Gaia unleashed a devastating energy blast that shattered the barrier into shards of light.
Hopper gave a sharp hand signal.
"Workers return to base!"
The crew scrambled out as Gaia stepped into the chamber, her scanners sweeping across the vast interior. Her HUD highlighted the distant ornate coffin.
"That one… it's radiating massive energy."
Hopper tightened his grip on his laser rifle, flanking her as they advanced.
They were halfway across the chamber when the floor pulsed—waves of magic energy surging through the air. The entire room lit up as glowing lines traced across the stone.
Gaia froze, eyes darting as her scanners beeped frantically.
"Something's changed… all the coffins are radiating energy now."
The lids rattled. Then—
One by one, the coffins burst open. Mage skeletons clawed their way out, each gripping a staff thrumming with power. The chamber filled with a chorus of unholy chants.
Suddenly, fireballs, ice bolts, electric spheres, whirling gusts, torrents of water, and jagged stones shot through the air in a chaotic storm of spells.
Gaia snapped her giant robotic wings open.
"Get down, Hopper!"
He dove for cover as the mecha's wings flared into massive metallic shields, deflecting the barrage in a blaze of explosions. The chamber shook with magic impacts.
When the smoke cleared, Gaia's voice rang out.
"Time to counterattack!"
Her wings split open, unleashing a storm of laser fire. Palm-cannons flared as precise beams shredded through the skeletal mages.
Beside her, Hopper rolled to his knee, raising his rifle and firing bursts of light that cut down any enemies slipping past her onslaught.
The chamber become a battlefield of technology and necromancy clashing in a blinding storm.
Moments later, the last skeleton mage fell, its brittle staff clattering against stone. Silence returned to the chamber—only Gaia's mecha suit humming as faint smoke curled from the wreckage.
She and Hopper ascended the grand staircase, step by step, toward the ornate coffin resting at the top. The lid was etched with glowing runes, pulsing faintly.
Gaia placed both armored hands on it and slowly pushed.
The coffin opened, revealing a skeletal figure unlike the others. Its bones gleamed faintly, and in its grip was a shimmering staff. Around its neck hung a silver key.
Gaia reached forward.
"There it is."
Her fingers closed around the key—
The skeleton's hand shot up, seizing her mecha arm. A surge of energy paralyzed her as a distorted voice erupted, rapid and incomprehensible, chanting in an ancient tongue.
A violent pulse of magic blasted outward from the coffin, hurling Hopper backward. He tumbled down the stairs, his rifle clattering away.
Gaia struggled, locked in the skeleton's grip—until the corpse crumbled into dust. The ashes swirled upward, funneling into her suit, seeping through and into her very body.
Her eyes rolled back. Her body convulsed as she then sees a vision
Darkness. Then—
She sees planets exploding in violent bursts, fragments scattering into void. A faint light zipped through the stars, chasing a colossal dungeon spaceship.
Coming closer to view, a winged creature bathed in radiant power soared closer, ready to strike. Just as it lunged, a portal tore open—swallowing the dungeon ship whole. The creature roared, thwarted, and vanished into the endless dark.
The vision shifted.
The dungeon spaceship descended upon Doom Planet, unleashing war upon its natives. The scene fast-forwarded—a King stands atop a massive crater leaking green energy. Without hesitation, he dives in.
The dungeon ship followed, weaving through violent energy waves. Bursts tore into its hull, ensnaring it in a web of green light. But the King pressed onward, plunging deeper.
At the crater's heart, a glowing sphere of pure energy radiated blinding power. The King dove into it—vanishing—only to reappear in an ancient realm where a towering T-rex awaited.
The beast roared, shaking the ground. The King summoned his weapon. The two forces clashed—
And the vision shattered.
Back to Reality
Gaia collapsed, her body jerking. But before she hit the ground, Hopper sprinted up the stairs, catching her in his arms.
"Lady Gaia! Are you alright?!"
Her eyes flickered open, sweat streaking her brow. She steadied her breath.
"I… saw something. But it didn't make much sense."
Above the coffin, the silver key and staff rose into the air, glowing. Gaia reached up, clutching the key.
Lines of magical text shimmered above the staff:
"One-time use. Open a portal for one person to escape Doom Planet… and double their current points."
Gaia smiles faintly, gripping the staff.
"This will be useful… on the ninth day."
The staff dissolved, fading into digital particles.
Meanwhile at the Gates of the Silver Castle
Rose dozed lightly, her back against the cold castle wall. Nearby, Yuri lay sprawled out, and Ortis rubbed his eyes, yawning.
"How much longer do we have to wait?" Ortis muttered, fighting sleep.
Without opening her eyes, Rose replied,
"Not much longer. Gaia's smart—she'll get here eventually."
Suddenly, a magic circle ignited on the ground nearby. A crimson glow expanded, humming with power.
From it emerged a towering red orc, nearly thirteen feet tall, with four massive arms.
Suddenly with a booming CRASH, the orc's fists obliterated the two stone golems standing guard and quickly gets Rose and the other's attention.
The beast straightened, exhaling deeply.
"Ahh… humans. My master has summoned me… to rid of the intruders."
His deep voice carried both menace and nostalgia.
"It's been… so long. The air has changed. The ages have passed me by."
Rose's eyes snapped open. She grabbed her spear, rising smoothly to her feet.
"As ugly as you are, you sure like to talk!"
She charged in, spear thrusting—only for the orc to catch it effortlessly with one massive hand.
He chuckled.
"Of course… after so long in darkness, I must savor life while it lasts. Who knows if this will be my final task."
Ortis yelled, charging with his sword.
"Let her go!"
His blade struck the orc's arm—yet didn't even pierce the skin.
The orc glanced at the mark, unimpressed.
"Have humans grown weaker… with the ages?"
With a sudden sweep of his arms, he sent both Rose and Ortis flying back. They smashed into the ground beside Yuri who stops running.
Yuri froze in terror.
"We should've gone with the others…"
The orc approached, looming, and tossed their weapons toward them with a grin.
"Again. Fight as if your life depends on it. At least make me bleed."
Rose dragged herself up, gripping her spear again. Her stance hardened.
Ortis rises too, blood on his lip but fire in his eyes.
Yuri hesitated, fear gripping him.
"We're no match for him… not without Lady Gaia…"
Ortis shouted, voice cracking with desperation,
"What choice do we have?! We can't die without being at Lady Gaia's side! That would be the worst way to go—and the worst impression we could leave her! We can't fall here, not after messing up in that puzzle room!"
Yuri clenched his fists, trembling, then nodded.
"You're right… If we die before redeeming ourselves, Lady Gaia would think lowly of us. We… we can't let that happen."
Rose let out a battle cry, charging forward again.
As she neared the orc, she slammed her spear into the ground. The impact propelled her high into the air, leaving her weapon behind.
The orc tilted his head upwards, intrigued.
"Hmmm… I've never seen this style before."
Rose soared over him. As she landed behind the orc, her palm lit up with a magnetic circle.
The spear, still lodged in the floor before the orc, jerked violently—rocketing upward and stabbing into his chest.
The orc froze, then looked down at the weapon embedded in him. A trickle of blood slid down his chest.
A deep laugh rumbled from his throat.
"That… was amazing! You've managed to draw some blood!"
With one hand, he yanked the spear free and tossed it back to Rose. His grin widened, savage and eager.
"Now with that kind of effort you shall be reward an honorable death, I shall demonstrate a small glimpse of my power to you. Witness this power as you will never see it again! "
The orc grips his chest wound, the trickle of blood rising and twisting into the shape of a short staff. He smirks, holding it up in disappointment.
"Heh… not much blood spilled. So this is all it can conjure into a weapon," he says, his voice dripping with amusement. "But no matter—I'll change it into something far more spectacular!"
With another surge of magic, the crimson staff morphs, reshaping itself into a gleaming blood-forged nunchaku.
The orc spins it once with pride—only to suddenly realize Ortis has been hacking at his back the entire time, while Yuri's fists slam into him nonstop. Yet their strikes don't leave so much as a scratch.
The orc pauses for a short moment and then two of his massive arms shoot backward, slamming Ortis and Yuri into the ground with bone-crushing force with their butts facing upwards.
The orc clears his throat and says
"Sorry about that," the orc chuckles darkly. His grin vanishes as his stance sharpens. "On guard, human. You shall face death with grace!"
He crouches low, eyes blazing, blood nunchaku whirling as he prepares to strike in earnest.