"A camera???" someone blurted out.
Yes, within Seth's hand was his very own seed, which took the form of a camera.
He was perplexed.
He really didn't know what to feel right now. Was this good?
Or was this trash?
Shifting his gaze to his teacher for an answer was, it was useless, as confusion was also visible on her face.
He sighed just as he was about to move back to his seat...
BOOM!!!
A resounding explosion rang out, the shockwave slamming into the school building. Cracks spread through the crimson walls of the structure, and the very ground shook, throwing all the staffs and students into disarray.
The school had to immediately evacuate students from the building in case of a collapse.
And this wasn't just happening here—it was happening worldwide.
Abruptly, a gigantic hologram-like screen appeared in the sky, depicting a cataclysmic battle that was being held in the sky.
The battle was too fast-paced for people to see the individuals in battle clearly.
Just as everyone was confused, a horrendous screeching sound rang out in everyone's head. The entire human race clutched their heads in pain—cybernoxes, irregulars, and normal civilians alike.
Suddenly, the noise stopped, and a voice rang out in everyone's head. It was an eerie voice that sounded both male and female, both old and young at the same time.
"GREETINGS, HUMANITY. WE ARE THE LUNARIANS, AND WE ARE HERE TO INHABIT YOUR PLANET."
"BUT FRET NOT."
"WE WILL NOT MINDLESSLY ATTACK YOUR RACE AND ENGAGE IN AN ALL-OUT WAR. ACCORDING TO THE SEVENTH SECTION OF THE UNIVERSAL GALACTIC CONSTITUTION, WE WILL CHALLENGE HUMANITY TO A TOTAL OF TWELVE DUELS BETWEEN OUR STRONGEST CHAMPIONS. FOLLOWING EACH LOSS, WE WILL LAUNCH AN ATTACK."
"THE BATTLES WILL TAKE PLACE EVERY NINETY EARTH DAYS."
"THE FIRST BATTLE, AS SHOWN ABOVE, HAS ALREADY PRECEDED, AND THE OUTCOME SHALL DETERMINE YOUR FATE."
"GOOD LUCK, HUMANITY."
And the transmission ended.
Confusion—that was the one word that could describe what all of humanity was feeling. This was their first contact with non-Earthlings, which was meant to be a good thing, except they were being attacked. But the aliens did not outright invade their planet; this was a complex situation.
Various world powers were put on alert after this transmission, recognizing the existence of an apocalyptic threat.
But right now, all that didn't matter. All humans had their eyes glued to the battle being showcased in the sky. Subconsciously, all humans at this moment had their goals aligned as they clenched their fists in anticipation and fear.
Watching their unknown champion battle for humanity, though the fight was very fast-paced, they finally got a chance to take a good look at a Lunarian when the two fighters separated briefly.
The Lunarians were humanoid creatures with metallic, mercury-like skin that rippled endlessly. Their bodies shone with a lustrous light as they reflected the sunlight. On the side of their heads was a single glowing horn, and their eyes were like pure white orbs of energy that pulsed faintly.
They were frightening and beautiful creatures.
As for the human, their figure was barely visible as they shone brightly like a star, preventing the masses from seeing their face. This phenomenon seemed to be tied to the individual's ability.
But based on their long hair and figure, the people were able to discern that it was a lady. They couldn't guess her ability, as the government always hid any details regarding the abilities of their top personnel.
---
At Elyon's Enforcers Headquarters...
Within a council room, a round table could be seen on which many important and powerful personnels were seated.
"Do you think Maya will win?" Admiral Kendrick voiced out, breaking the long silence that pervaded the room.
"We all know that if she can't, none of us stand a chance. She's undoubtedly the strongest within Elyon," General Carl responded, and everyone in the room nodded subtly, showing their agreement.
"I say we start making preparations for an evacuation. We just heard what those things said—they'll probably attack only our federation if we lose," Admiral Kozec suggested.
Just as someone was about to speak once more, they fell silent as the battle in the sky resumed.
This time, the figure who had been illuminating a bright white light had now undergone a change, as the light had become tainted with a crimson sheen. Following this eerie change, the very sun in the sky followed suit, now radiating a chilling crimson flare.
The two once more engaged in battle. Their attacks seemed to pack the full force of an asteroid, as most humans could feel the shockwaves even from afar. It was fortunate that the battle was taking place in a desolate area.
Their battle had forcibly terraformed the location—what was once a mountain had now become a valley.
But even at this the battle remained an even match...
Well, that was until...
"You humans haven't disappointed me in the slightest. You are very strong, but sadly, now I have to put an end to this," the Lunarian spoke, its unpleasant metal grinding voice ringing out.
Following this, it's figure began undulating fiercely.
The human warrior shot backwards, wary of its next move, and it spoke once more.
"Let me show you why I'm called the Eternal Replicator." It proclaimed.
Following this, its body split. Now there were two of him. Those two split, now there were four of him. And this went on and on until his numerous bodies blocked the very sky.
Seeing this sight, humans worldwide felt a chill.
Wasn't this a little too overpowered?
And worse, even with how many times he had duplicated himself, his aura had barely fluctuated.
He was still just as strong.
This... this was unfair, they all thought.
As for his opponent, she had barely managed to force an even battle with this monster all this while, but now...
What happened next was very predictable—she didn't even last a minute.
For those hoping he would be weaker after using this ability, well, they were very wrong...
It was a one-sided brutal gang beating.
Normally the efficiency of a hundred people while fighting a single individual was lesser than the effectiveness of ten.
As one had to take into account both space and the hindrance they'll all bring to each other.
But this Lunarian was different. All his bodies were in sync, none of them hindered another. In fact, each of their movements was measured and calculated, dealing damage with a chilling efficiency.
As humanity's champion was rapidly defeated, one of the Lunarian's bodies clamped its hands around her neck.
The light she was emitting dimmed.
Revealing her battered, bleeding, and defeated figure. Everyone could finally see her face as her body lost its crimson flare.
There, the people could finally recognize the figure.
"Mother," Seth shouted, eyes red.