✨ CHAPTER THIRTY — SSS DEPLOYMENT: PHASE ONE ✨
The three SSS enforcers stood like statues, their presence warping the air around them. Each movement radiated threat, every glance a calculated judgment.
Aiden tightened his fists, golden aura flaring.
"Maya, Dara—stick tight. We're not surviving this by splitting up."
Maya's barrier pulsed with silver light, wrapping around them like a second skin.
"I can enhance your attacks," she said softly, "but we have to move together. Timing is everything."
Dara gulped audibly. "Timing? Timing's my weak spot! I'm more of a 'run and hope' kind of guy."
Aiden shot him a glance.
"Then don't get in the way."
The lead enforcer lifted its massive spear, energy crackling along the shaft.
"Phase One: Elimination Protocol."
In unison, the three units surged forward. Their speed was beyond anything Aiden had faced. Even the Seraph Triad had been predictable. These enforcers—SSS-rank—moved like instinct made flesh.
The speed enforcer struck first, landing behind Aiden with a blur. His foot collided with Aiden's back, sending him skidding across rubble.
WHAM—!! Concrete cracked under the impact.
Dara stumbled backward, watching wide-eyed.
"Bro—he's faster than your golden aura by a lot! Are you sure you're okay?"
Aiden got to his feet immediately, fists glowing hotter.
"They're testing me. Not just me—but how I fight with Maya."
The force enforcer slammed the ground beside him, shockwave spreading outward. Aiden barely maintained balance, feeling the ground crack beneath his boots.
Maya raised her hands.
"Golden Starlight—amplify!"
A surge of energy connected to Aiden's aura. The golden light extended from his fists, trailing streaks of starlight as he lunged at the nearest enforcer.
The enforcer swung its spear, but the enhanced punch caught it mid-strike.
CLANG—!! Sparks flew, armor cracking slightly.
Dara found himself behind them, clinging to debris for cover.
"Okay… that was cool, but now they're angry."
The third enforcer, the coordinator, raised its gauntlets. Silver lines traced in the air, forming a network that connected the other two enforcers.
Maya whispered urgently, "They're synchronizing. If one moves, the others predict instantly."
Aiden smirked faintly, eyes narrowing.
"Then let's make them guess."
He dashed forward, faster than the eye could track, striking the speed enforcer from an angle that seemed impossible. The golden energy wrapped around the blow, sending sparks across the enforcer's armor.
The coordinator flinched slightly, its network flickering.
"Anomaly detected. Escalation required."
The force enforcer charged simultaneously, hammering the rooftop with a series of shockwave strikes. Aiden blocked two of them but was pushed back, forcing Maya to reinforce the barrier.
Dara jumped into the fray, swinging a twisted metal pipe at a slight angle, more to distract than damage. Surprisingly, one enforcer paused, recalculating.
Aiden grinned.
"Nice distraction, Dara. Keep them guessing."
Maya's silver glow expanded further, threading around Aiden's fists like circuitry.
"Now, combine."
Aiden's next attack was synchronized with Maya's energy support. Golden fists struck in rapid succession, each blow faster than the enforcers could anticipate. The speed enforcer faltered under the barrage, the force enforcer staggered from the combined pressure.
The coordinator's eyes glowed brighter.
"This… is… inefficient. Escalate countermeasures."
The SSS units regrouped, energy flaring. The rooftop trembled under their synchronized might.
Aiden and Maya shared a glance—no words were needed. They had adapted once. They could adapt again.
But even with coordination, Dara's voice broke through, panicked:
"Bro… I'm not gonna survive Phase One if this keeps up!"
Aiden shouted back, golden aura flaring higher:
"Then survive with us! Keep moving!"
The first SSS wave was here. And Phase One had only just begun.