Tension hangs between the ruined battlefield.
The ground is cracked and uneven, smoke drifting through the air like fading ghosts of the battle.
Paul lands on the ground. He clenches his fist, knuckles white.
"I have to do this. No option left."
He looks at Qin.
Qin crosses his arms and swings his tail slowly through the air — a casual motion, yet filled with silent dominance.
"What are you thinking, idiot? Don't tell me now you also want to fight. It's a big joke!"
Qin laughs.
His eyes glow with cruelty and turn deep red as they lock onto Paul.
The air feels heavier, as if his presence itself bends the surroundings.
Paul looks down at the ground. He charges up in his enhanced state. Energy ripples across his body, small sparks dancing around his fists.
"Useless," Qin smirks.
Paul rushes toward Qin and throws repeated blows, back to back.
Fists cut through air.
Qin dodges effortlessly — minimal
movement, like a predator conserving energy.
He grabs Paul with one hand.
"Is this your limit?" Qin says.
Fear reflects on Paul's face. He looks at Qin, but before he can react,
Qin strikes near his neck with his tail.
The impact sends Paul crashing into the mountains. Rocks explode outward. Dust and debris fill the air.
Paul slides down the rocky surface, blood dripping from his mouth.
Qin lands and walks toward him with slow, deliberate steps.
Paul is still standing, legs trembling.
"I hope Romen would be here. His Limit Breaker can save us all!"
He turns his head toward Punk.
Punk lies far away, motionless — no sign of movement.
"Is punk gone ?
Paul clenches his fists and closes his eyes.
He charges a punch toward Qin while screaming.
"You just proved you are the biggest fool of all of them!"
Qin dodges as if the attack never existed.
He counters with a single punch. It connects with brutal precision.
A hole forms in Paul's gut.
Paul drops to his knees.
"Help me…"
His voice echoes, weak and broken.
But no one is there.
Qin looks at the remaining creatures kneeling on the ground.
He glances at the four members of his army.
"I know your worth is only under my boots. But I can still give you a chance."
Paul is shocked. He doesn't understand what Qin means.
"And what's that?" he asks.
Qin smiles.
"I offer you a seat to become commander of my army. It's big, but all positions are not filled .
Two options:
Die
Commander
Choose," Qin says.
"Live as my soldier or die like the rest."
Paul doesn't answer. His hands shake.
Memories of Romen surface in his mind — Romen fighting, refusing to surrender, standing for Earth.
If Paul accepts, he might survive until Romen returns — and use that opportunity later.
If he refuses…
"I… accept."
Silence spreads across the battlefield.
"Congratulations. You are not going to die now," Qin says.
Paul's hands still tremble.
"Can I ask you something?"
Qin becomes irritated and steps closer instantly.
Paul's face floods with fear.
"Uh… did I ask something wrong?"
Qin smiles.
"No. But you forgot to add: my lord."
Paul exhales in relief.
"Oh… I'm sorry, my lord."
Qin smiles.
"Good. Listen."
He explains:
"This planet is not our final target. My father was the ruler of our species. Only we two remain.
We usually travel to empty planets and establish bases. Our purpose is simple — rule the universe.
It's far, so our first goal is the galaxy.
Earth is special."
Qin smirks, watching Punk collapse.
"You see? Limit Breaker burns fuel. Temporary fire. Once it empties, you return to dust."
He glances at Punk's fallen body.
"That is why your aura vanished. Your body reached its limit. Mine has no such weakness.
Paul listens, uneasy.
"So Limit Breaker is… a peak?"
Qin laughs.
"A beginning. A taste. Real strength is permanent. Evolution. Not bursts." Power is permanent. Built, not borrowed."
His expression turns cold—dominant, almost bored.
"I stand here because I evolved. You only surged."
"Because if we overtake Earth, we can create an army of Ascension Gods.
Earth humans often break their limits. Most Ascension Gods originate from mortals.
When we learned Earth was isolated, my father saw an opportunity. A chance that comes once in a century.
So we came."
Paul processes the information. Staying as commander might give him access to knowledge — and an eventual opportunity to betray Qin when Romen returns.
Qin's expression hardens.
"But that worm killed my father in front of me."
He smiles again.
"Anyway, he is not alive anymore.
I did not expect the Limit Breaker of these mortals. Romen stood against a Conflict God. He is different.
His Limit Breaker is the main obstacle. And now Punk reached it too."
One of the remaining four creatures speaks.
"My lord, it is time for the cruelty test."
Qin smiles.
"I almost forgot."
"Let's do it."
Paul becomes scared.
"What is this cruelty test?"
Qin looks at him.
"It proves your worth."
"Now my order — go to the city and destroy it. Kill all remaining humans."
Paul is shocked.
"What!"
His voice shakes.
"Sorry, my lord. I can't do that."
Qin shouts aggressively.
"I hate hearing no."
"Do it, or die."
Paul looks toward the sky.
Romen…
At Romen's house, conditions do not improve.
Lancia sits beside him. Romen still suffers, screaming in pain but unaware.
Marina cries.
"Stop!" Lancia says.
Sin will arrive any minute.
The doorbell rings. Marina opens it.
"Sin!"
Sin holds a basket filled with herbs and leaves Lancia requested.
"Good boy," Marina says, eyes watery.
"This is useless," she shouts.
"It cannot cure poison from alien contact."
"It can," Lancia responds seriously.
"I studied everything. I am a medical student.
I took blood samples and poison samples from Romen.
His immunity weakens. His heart weakens.
The cure requires specific herbs — the ones in Sin's basket."
Lancia takes the basket.
"Give me ten minutes."
Marina hesitates.
"Will it work?"
"Yes. If I am not wrong, his body capacity and limits are already beyond average."
Marina gives the drink to Romen.
He drinks it.
No immediate improvement.
Marina doubts Lancia.
Is she really capable?
Romen still suffers in intense pain, hand on his heart.
On the battlefield:
Qin speaks loudly and angrily.
"I hate waiting."
"Go — that is my order."
Paul's hands shake. He closes his fist.
"I can't."
He flies away.
Qin follows with his army.
"You cannot simply walk away!"
Midway, Qin smiles.
"Smart."
Paul reaches the city.
He stops and looks at Qin and the army.
"I will destroy the city."
Qin replies calmly.
"I want both."
Paul hesitates.
"Go!" Qin orders.
Paul points toward a building.
He hesitates.
Qin becomes irritated.
"And then?"
Romen opens his eyes.
Chapter ends.