"Ah, Russell, I'm sorry…"
Mark and Eve realized something was wrong and quickly separated, not daring to meet each other's eyes.
"…Forget it. I can't count on them at all."
Seeing these two innocent high schoolers, who had never been in a relationship, blushing furiously and hesitating instead of immediately jumping back into battle, what else could Russell say?
Look at the villains who've been executing a single plan with unwavering focus for decades—and meanwhile, the heroes are busy falling in love in the middle of the battlefield.
Truly classic.
"One last breath to finish you all off." With a sigh, Russell's eyes sharpened as he stared at the massive Flaxan army.
With all the powerful laser main battle tanks destroyed, the remaining laser rifles were little more than tickles to him. He no longer had to hold back.
Going all out, Russell shot across the battlefield faster than the speed of sound.
Punches, knees, sweeping kicks…
Any Flaxan who took even one blow from Russell exploded into a mist of blood.
Centuries of combat experience from the Warrior Queen flowed through him, turning every part of Russell's body into a deadly weapon.
From a bird's-eye view, his movement across the battlefield resembled the ruthless crimson finger of death itself—wherever it swept, it brought inevitable doom!
"Retreat! Retreat!"
With massive casualties, the Flaxan commander—enhanced through bio-surgical modifications—stared in horror at the blurred silhouette of the terrifying killer and screamed the order to retreat.
Russell pursued them all the way to the last Flaxan stepping into the portal, crushing his neck with his iron grip and tossing the body aside like garbage.
Behind him lay a field of mangled alien corpses.
As his slender figure, the one who had once again massacred their army, swept his gaze across the battlefield, fear swept over the Flaxan remote command room. The air turned stiflingly silent, like an invisible hand was clutching everyone's throat.
The Flaxan generals scrambled to shut down the portal, terrified that figure would follow them back through.
But they were overthinking it. Russell had no interest in chasing them to a world without superhumans.
The arc-powered portal shut down, marking the end of the second Flaxan invasion—and once again, they had been repelled by what was essentially one man's strength alone!
As the battle ended, people who had taken shelter in nearby buildings emerged, cheering for the superhero who had saved them.
Some still shaken clapped anxiously, casting worried glances toward the city center where the interdimensional portal had closed.
Last time, the Flaxan army had been completely wiped out in an utter rout. Yet just a day later, these green-skinned, antennaed aliens managed to field another well-organized elite force.
What was going on—did their population respawn on a timer?
...
Soon after, as the global defense bureau was interviewed by major news networks, shocking details came to light—on the Flaxan side, time flows far faster. While only a day had passed on Earth, more than ten years had gone by for the invaders.
Even on a planet where mythological gods occasionally try to conquer the world or demons show up to destroy it, this revelation was enough to make people finally pay attention.
The world began to urgently discuss how to deal with this alien race known as the Flaxans.
"Good evening, this is Global Link. I'm your host, Caitlin Meyers. It's been 24 hours since the second Flaxan invasion was repelled by young superheroes like Infinite, Invincible Kid, and Atomic Girl.
Thankfully, the third invasion hasn't come immediately upon our discovery of the Flaxans. But we all know this isn't over. The Flaxans are surely preparing an even more terrifying attack."
In the brightly lit studio, Caitlin Meyers adjusted her earpiece, her expression serious. Behind her, a holographic screen looped footage from three days ago—the second Flaxan invasion—where soldiers in blue-white armor were swiftly defeated by a hooded figure.
In the corner of the screen, a red alert flashed continuously: 1 Earth Day = 15 Flaxan Years
On the right side of the studio, military strategy expert Raymond Coles—former tactical advisor for the Global Defense Bureau—called up projected data with a grim expression.
"This isn't just a matter of technological disparity," his voice rasped like sandpaper. "The Flaxan main battle laser rifles used in their second invasion have already gone through at least two iterations since the first."
"Their firepower has increased by a factor of three or four."
"During the first invasion, they were already twenty years ahead of us technologically. But this time…"
"It won't be long before Earth's technology is as primitive as sticks and stones compared to theirs. When that happens, they'll easily dismantle our entire global defense system."
"I respectfully disagree with Mr. Coles." On the other side of the table sat a placard labeled "Wildcatman Williams, Former Power Alliance Member"—a gentle-looking middle-aged man who spoke earnestly to the audience.
"As a retired superhero, I must remind everyone that many past global crises have been resolved by extraordinary heroes with both power and character."
"This Flaxan invasion was no exception. Look at the hero code-named 'Infinite'—aside from his somewhat casual hoodie and mask, he's strong, fearless, and full of potential. He represents the new generation of superheroes."
The screen behind him shifted to a still image of Infinite swinging a tank like a sledgehammer into another tank. Metal debris flew in all directions, the ground cracked—it was a moment frozen in raw, explosive force.
"And then there's Invincible Kid, Atomic Girl, and the others…"
Scenes from the battle played one after another.
"As someone from the older generation of heroes, I feel reassured. The spirit of superheroes lives on."
He turned to the audience, speaking with conviction.
"This is our greatest advantage over the Flaxans—we have brave, powerful superheroes. They don't.
Technology has never been our strong suit. But generation after generation, our superheroes have always stood guard over our world."
"Take Omni-Man, for example—Earth's strongest superhero…"
In the hallway of the Global Defense Bureau Hospital, Mark slapped Russell's shoulder excitedly as he watched the rebroadcast on his phone. "Russell, look! They mentioned you, me, and Dad!"
He had seen the show when it first aired, but as Russell glanced at the screen and saw the former hero praising Omni-Man as Earth's eternal protector, the corner of his mouth twitched.
"Heh… Sure. Great."
—What a cursed jinx.
"Nolan…" Just then, a joyful voice called out from the hospital room.
Russell and Mark exchanged a look, and Mark quickly pocketed his phone. The two of them rushed in—and sure enough, the tall, imposing man who had been unconscious for two days finally opened his eyes.
"You're finally awake, Nolan."
Aunt Debbie buried her face in her husband's broad chest, her shoulders trembling as she cried tears of relief.
"Mark… Russell…"
Omni-Man, still slightly weak, gently stroked his wife's back and smiled at the two boys.
.....
[300PS= 1Bonus chapter]
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