A large S glinted in the distance, unmistakable. Even as a transmigrator, Liam couldn't ignore it. The emblem was too famous—not just an American icon, but a symbol of Krypton itself: the family crest of the El family.
Thoughts raced through Liam's mind. Could it be Superman's spaceship? No—if Superman had arrived, Batman would already be active, and the Man of Steel might even be working at the Daily Planet by now.
If not him… then perhaps another El family member who had fallen from Krypton. Supergirl came to mind immediately—the most famous of the Superman family after Superman himself.
Liam's sensors flickered. He was about to scan the area for traces when his armor suddenly beeped.
Enemy attack!
Turning, Liam's eyes widened. A strange figure had appeared in the woods behind him, seemingly materializing from nowhere.
At first glance, it looked human—but closer inspection revealed something far stranger. Nearly two meters tall, its body triangular and slender, with two horn-like protrusions on its head. A pair of glowing, compound eyes glimmered in the moonlight. Its terrifying face lacked a mouth, but curved, tooth-like structures opened and closed, giving it an eerie, predatory appearance.
Its lower limbs were unique, green and armored, sinews coiled for power. Its arms ended in serrated, scythe-like blades.
A humanoid mantis.
"Hmph. A primitive planet with a civilization of three, just a bunch of weaklings," the creature sneered telepathically. "Li-Bagu… your blood will feed my blades!"
Though Liam had never heard this alien language, telepathy allowed him to understand perfectly.
He didn't flinch. Aliens were nothing new; by human standards, he himself was practically an alien now. But the intent in the creature's words was clear: it was about to strike.
With a sudden burst, the Mantis-man launched into motion. Transparent shockwaves trailed his green feet, propelling him forward with explosive force. Rocks cracked and dust erupted as he skipped across the ground like a skipping stone, his speed staggering.
"Can you keep up with me?"
Before Liam could react, the creature's scythe-arm struck—but he was already gone. In the blink of an eye, Liam's thrusters ignited, propelling him faster than the Mantis-man could perceive. He had barely moved, yet in the mantis's eyes, he had vanished.
Instinctively, the creature swung behind him—clang!—the serrated blade landed squarely in Liam's armored palm. Sparks flew, but the red-and-silver Ultra Armor stood unmoving, absorbing the strike.
The mantis shrieked, electricity coursing through its body as Liam's armor delivered a feedback surge. Black smoke hissed from the creature as pain contorted its alien features.
What is this? it thought, panic rising. This isn't a level three planet warrior… this is impossible!
Before the mantis could fully comprehend, Liam struck. A single, precise uppercut sent the creature soaring into the night sky, its entire body rocketing upward like a missile. Liam activated his thrusters, overtaking the Mantis-man mid-air, rotating his body with perfect precision.
Single-leg cyclone!
A spinning, propulsive kick slammed into the mantis, breaking its composure entirely. Green blood sprayed, carapace cracking, as the creature tumbled through the sky before crashing into the ground below with a deafening thud, carving a massive crater.
Liam descended gracefully, thrusters stabilizing him. He had prepared a Spacium Energy combo, but the Mantis-man was already reduced to a mangled, pixelated heap. There was no need for follow-up—he had been defeated before Liam even unleashed his full strength.
So much for tough talk, Liam muttered, shaking his head. DC is dangerous, but some of you are just weak and arrogant.
His armor buzzed. Life signs detected.
Liam's sensors pinpointed a nearby location. Flying quickly, he found a small girl huddled in the bushes. Blonde hair, blue eyes, delicate features—still holding a trace of childlike innocence. She trembled, but her life signs were stable.
Liam touched down carefully, scanning for any other threats. The battle was over—for now—but the forest was far from safe.