Battle Of Planets

Chapter 84: Ryuk
A young man, around 26, sat by the window of a penthouse in Babylon. He had short, dark hair, a muscular frame, and a circular disc-like Meta-bot embedded in his chest. He held a book in his hands, his keen eyes scanning the pages, thoroughly engrossed.The door to his spacious room swung open, and Steve walked in. He looked tired yet somewhat excited.

”Ryuk,” Steve called.

Ryuk hardly acknowledged him, giving only a brief glance before resuming his reading.

”We’ve discovered a new method,” Steve continued, stepping closer. ”Or rather, Elria did. With it, you could rise directly to General rank—standing on equal footing with Albert.”

At that moment, Ryuk shut his book and stood up from the window ledge. His gaze shifted to the towering cityscape beyond the glass walls. ”Elria... That’s where you sent Sir Victor’s family, right?”

Steve nodded. ”Yes. And this method? It probably belonged to him as well.”

A Ryuk stayed silent for a long moment, unable to find the right words to carry the conversation forward. He placed a hand against the glass and watched the shimmering city lights below. ”He was certainly something. He knew about my meta-bot, even if it was just through guesswork and predictions.”

Steve moved to stand beside him, his gaze distant. ”If only he were alive... his family wouldn’t be caught in this mess. Despite all our efforts, we’re failing to protect them from Albert and Justin.”

Ryuk stayed silent.

”Anyway,” Steve continued, ”the initial trials were successful. Utopia will soon assume the project.”

”I’m not going anywhere, Steve,” Ryuk’s voice was flat. ”Let others have this chance; I can manage on my own.”

”Don’t say that, Ryuk,” Steve nearly pleaded. ”I know you could gain those points with far less effort than others, but this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And you are not taking anyone’s opportunity...everyone will go through this sooner or later.”

Ryuk exhaled and turned away from the glass. ”Then I will go last. Let others take this enhancement first. I will feel less guilty about taking shortcuts that way.

Steve sighed. ”Sometimes, shortcuts lead us to where we need to be. We have only a few months left; you’re our best hope. If you turn your back on this, who else will step up? The world needs you, Ryuk.”

Ryuk mumbled, ”Do they? There are many amazing people in this world, right? More than me.” He looked down at his feet. ”Fine, if you say so, but I’m not going to Utopia.”

Steve hesitated. ”This isn’t just about enhancement, Ryuk. This is your chance to escape this hellhole and make a name for yourself in Utopia—the strongest city. Their General is eager to have you in his army.”

Ryuk shook his head. ”You are my only family, Steve. You took in an orphan like me, and now, when I can stand on my own, you want me to run away?” He leaned back against the window, staring at the city lights. ”I’m not afraid of him, Steve. What I am afraid of is being bored out of my mind if I move to the ’safest place.”

Ryuk tried to crack a joke, but Steve didn’t laugh.

Steve pushed back his spectacles. ”You should stop reading novels, kid. You’re getting too wrapped up in fiction.”

”No,” Ryuk said without hesitation. ”You know that is my only way to escape everything; otherwise, I will get bored to death in this cell-like room.”

Steve crossed his arms. ”Then accept the enhancement. Otherwise, you can say goodbye to your books.”

Ryuk’s eyes narrowed. ”you are an evil old man,”

”Oh, I am,” Steve said with a smirk. ”And before you try to argue, I’ve already ordered a dozen new books for you. So, think it over carefully.”

Ryuk paused, as if his very existence depended on that decision. ”Tch. Fine. Let’s get this over with.”

Steve smirked as he turned toward the door. ”Good. We’ll start preparations right away. And Ryuk... you’ll finally get to meet your so-called rival—Mark, the world’s ’greatest genius.’ You’d better be ready.”

Ryuk barely glanced up from his book. ”Genius?” He repeated. Who cares? All he wants is quiet time and books to read.

Steve chuckled. ”Anyway, they are serious about relocating part of RD. Not the entire thing, but a significant branch will be moving under Utopia’s control. I will be overseeing the one that remains here.”

Ryuk yawned, flipping another page. ”Good for them. Let Mark play his genius role. I’m enjoying myself right here.”

Steve sighed and shook his head. ”You’re impossible.”

As Steve left the room, Ryuk’s smirked a little. His eyes lingered on the words before him: a world-renowned genius who learned to use aura at 40 power points.

He wasn’t interested in being a hero or caring about recognition, but the idea of being called a rival of genius without lifting a finger amused him.

Mark, the prodigious son of the strongest man alive, even Ryuk himself, did not grasp the concept of aura while being at 53 Power Point points, but he learned it at 40. That was indeed something else, and that’s why Ryuk became interested.

”Do you think he will be interesting? ” Ryuk whispered to something,

----

Utopia –

Mark huffed, kneeling on the cold floor of the research lab as wisps of purple smoke rose from his orange-black armor. His body trembled slightly, still adjusting to the surge of power coursing through him. The enhancement was complete.

A slow smile spread across his lips as he retracted his armor, revealing his sharp features. A golden lock of hair slipped from his bun and fell across his face. He barely noticed—his hands held his attention. They were shaking, a testament to the immense transformation he had just undergone.

Five full power points.

Only geniuses had ever achieved such a leap according to Victor’s method, and he had done it- just like his father, Max.

From the corner of the lab, Max proudly observed him. He, too, had undergone the enhancement, following in Edward’s footsteps. But this wasn’t merely about gaining strength—it was about becoming a leader deserving of his people.

Max has reached a power point total of 96, breaking his own record of 91 power points, a level no human has ever touched.

He was so close to 100, which is impossible for humans, but even Max knew he wouldn’t be able to cross that threshold no matter what- of course, unless he gets drafted into the tournament.

”Congratulations, Young Master,” a captain said admiringly. ”You’ve achieved 48 power points at such a young age... A genius like you is unprecedented.”

Max chuckled as he stepped forward. ”Now, now, Captain—don’t flatter him too much. He may be the first aura user at the lowest power level, but he’s still far from being number one.”

Mark stood, nodding appreciatively at the captain.

”I will do my best, Father,” Mark said with determination. ”I promise I will lead this world after you.”

Max shook his head, his expression resolute. ”Words hold no value, Mark, unless you back them up. The world has encountered many self-proclaimed geniuses. If you wish to distinguish yourself, you need to comprehend them, stand with them, and evolve alongside them. Otherwise, you’ll be left behind.”

Mark clenched his fists. ”Yes, Father.”

”Good.” Max exhaled, then turned toward the large screens. ”Go to Babylon as our envoy and tell them to begin the relocation of RD immediately.”

Mark nodded.

”Oh, and one more thing,” Max added with a smile. ”Try to convince that guy—Ryuk. He must come to us; that guy is humanity’s trump card.”

Mark stiffened.

Ryuk.

The confidential genius, the one rumored to be growing at an alarming rate, the one whose power was whispered about but never openly acknowledged. A man Mark had longed to meet and regard as his only rival.

Finally, he had his chance.

But Ryuk wouldn’t be the only obstacle in his way. If Mark genuinely wanted to reach the top, he had two more contenders to overcome.

The first was Tyson, the White Ranger—a new guy who recently gained fame. Mark had watched his fights and noted how he faced opponents far stronger than himself. He wasn’t the most powerful, but his tenacity was undeniable. Few could hold their ground against overwhelming odds the way Tyson did. That kind of willpower made him dangerous.

Then there was Alex—the man he once thought would be his true rival until he learned about Ryuk. At first, Mark never considered Alex a real threat, but his father had warned him never to underestimate Edward’s son. Alex carried the bloodline of a man even Max respected—not for his raw power, but for his sheer will to push forward, no matter the circumstances.

If Mark wanted to lead Utopia—someday to take his father’s place—he couldn’t simply be the strongest. He needed to confront these so-called geniuses, defeat them, and prove himself as their superior. Only then would they acknowledge him as their future leader.

Even his father, despite having over 90 power points, struggled to command men like them.

Mark clenched his fists.

If he wanted to lead them, he had to conquer them first.