Run!
In that instant, Brandon made the smartest choice of his life.
He retreated explosively!
But Aizen Ryker was faster!
Speed · Gold!
Thunderclap · Flash Step!
Just a moment.
A blue electric arc flashed.
To the onlookers, Ryker was still sitting, but in a blink, he appeared in front of Brandon.
So fast!
A simple Iai slash!
The mirror-smooth blade reflected Aizen's handsome face, cutting through the air effortlessly.
A perfect slash mark remained in the void!
Rip——
Like tearing paper.
In everyone's stunned gaze, Brandon, the Uncrowned King of Meteor City, split in half!
His face still held a terrified expression, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Gulp..."
The other Elders below almost popped their eyes out, swallowing saliva frantically. Hearts pounding.
Too strong!
This guy is a monster.
"Hm?"
Aizen Ryker frowned slightly.
The Brandon he just killed turned into flames and dissipated.
Not bad.
Fire Clone!
Hehe, used it at the last second, even deceiving Ryker's senses.
Looking out, a figure appeared a hundred meters away—Brandon, fleeing for his life.
Gone was his usual composure. Only panic and terror remained.
The massive fire attack earlier drained his stamina. Even fleeing left him gasping for air.
And in Brandon's terrified eyes, he saw Ryker closing in rapidly!
Too fast!
He only saw afterimages and ripples of lightning.
Does this guy have no weaknesses?
He hadn't even seen Ryker's true power yet.
But he had already lost completely.
"DON'T KILL ME!! I'M WITH THE TROUPE!!"
Brandon screamed, cold sweat pouring.
He knew if he didn't shout, his head would roll!
"Hm?"
Aizen Ryker stopped, looking at the panting old man with slight surprise.
"Troupe?"
"Yes yes yes, Lord! I work for the Phantom Troupe! If you kill me, you offend them! They are top-tier world criminals with billions in bounties!"
"I'm not threatening you, Lord. Just saying, killing a nobody like me isn't worth offending them."
Brandon's heart nearly jumped out. Seeing Ryker stop, he spilled everything about his connection to the Phantom Troupe.
Ryker understood.
This guy was a puppet supported by the Troupe.
He scouted talent and funneled tax money to them.
Basically, Meteor City was controlled by the Troupe from the shadows. Brandon was just the public tax collector.
Seeing Ryker pause, Brandon regained some hope.
As expected.
He fears the Troupe.
They were lawless monsters who could destroy nations.
Being wanted worldwide meant they were trouble. No one wanted to mess with a team like that.
Compared to a guy with a fixed base, they were infinitely more annoying.
"Lord... your strength is amazing. If you want, I can recommend you to the Troupe!"
Brandon squeezed out a smile on his old orange-peel face.
Phantom Troupe, huh...
Even if they left, they still have deep ties here.
Anyway...
For me, the Troupe is a massive hidden dungeon. Farming them all would skyrocket my stats.
As for Brandon thinking Ryker feared them? Bullshit. Ryker wanted to find them.
Ideally, kill Chrollo Lucilfer directly.
Chrollo's Skill Hunter could steal abilities, but it was cumbersome compared to Ryker's system.
"Oh, how do you contact them? Give me their contact info."
Aizen Ryker smiled at the trembling old man.
"L-Lord... I... no, this subordinate dares not hide it. I don't have direct contact. They come every six months to collect taxes and offer protection."
Brandon told the truth.
"Is that so? No phone number or letters?"
Ryker rubbed his chin, smiling.
"N-No. I swear! They are world criminals; they wouldn't leave traces like that."
Brandon explained. "But don't worry! When they come, I will recommend you! With your strength, you'll definitely join them!"
"Oh... is that so! Then you don't need to live anymore."
Aizen Ryker smiled.
What?
Brandon thought he misheard. His smile vanished instantly, face turning wall-white.
"NO—You can't do this! I am Brandon! The strongest in Meteor City!! If I die! We die together!"
Realizing he was played, the old man entered a state of supreme rage.
He was desperate. He couldn't beat Ryker.
Defense, speed, power—Ryker outclassed him.
Only one way out: Mutually Assured Destruction.
Brandon's body swelled like a balloon, and the air temperature skyrocketed!
"BAD!!"
Behind them, Erica's face changed. She grabbed Lilian and retreated.
The other Elders realized the horror too.
They fled like rats.
"Hehe. Ignorance is the greatest fear."
Aizen Ryker shook his head and raised a hand.
Psychokinetic Nen!
Hum~
An invisible sphere wrapped around Brandon.
BOOM—
Everyone watched in shock as Brandon exploded like a blazing sun.
But no heat escaped. Just blinding light that swallowed Ryker.
When vision returned...
Horror.
Ryker stood there. His right arm was gone. His clothes were burnt. Half his face was scorched.
"My Lord—" Erica screamed.
Lilian's empty eyes finally showed emotion. She rushed forward.
"Aha!?"
"That idiot died to the old man's self-destruct!"
"Great! Today is my lucky day!"
"HAHAHA! Meteor City is ours now!"
"Stupid! Tanking a self-destruct head-on!! HAHAHAHA!"
Some Elders laughed maniacally.
Double kill!
Brandon dead. Knox dead. The Alien Demon dead.
Perfect outcome!
But some dared not speak, staring at Ryker.
Normal people die from that. But Ryker stood. Arm gone, face burnt... but standing.
"Lord!!!" Erica was terrified. If Ryker died, she was next.
Brandon's nuke was terrifying!
Phew—
Aizen Ryker exhaled a breath of turbid air.
His face showed no pain. Because it was a lightning mask.
His right arm was blown off.
But...
It hurt like hell...
Ryker switched to his main body at the last second to trigger the loot system.
He tanked it without Iron Skin or Enhancement defense. Just raw flesh.
To test the power of a self-destructing truck.
If he used defense, it wouldn't even scratch him.
No challenge.
"Hurts a bit. But the loot is rich!"
Ryker took a deep breath.
Then...
The severed arm grew back visibly!
Muscle, bone, skin.
True · Super Regeneration · Gold!
Unless the brain was destroyed instantly, he could regen anything by consuming stamina.
In seconds, Aizen Ryker was whole again.
Even the burnt hair was restored.
And Brandon gave a huge surprise.
[DING! You killed Brandon. Auto-Looting...]
[Acquired: [Manipulation Talent] (Gold), [Fire Nen] (Gold)!]
[Lucky Star Triggered: Designated Loot — [Fire Clone] (Purple)!]
[Fusing [Manipulation] (Double Purple + Gold)...]
[Fusing [Thunder Nen Beast] + [Nen Clone] + [Fire Clone]...]
[Congratulations! You learned a new skill: [Minor Five Elements Clone] (Gold)! Current Elements: Thunder, Fire.]
Heavenly sound.
Ryker discovered a trick with Lucky Star.
He could use it after the random loot trigger to guarantee missing pieces.
Perfect!
One wave fat! Manipulation is Gold now!
And a new skill: Minor Five Elements Clone!
The Purple Fire Clone fooled his senses. The Gold version would be even better.
Erica and Lilian were dumbfounded.
Ryker revived. Shirtless, muscles gleaming, no scars.
Erica trembled and had another orgasm on the spot.
"M-Monster!!"
"OMG! Am I dreaming?"
"Is he human? He healed instantly!"
The treacherous Elders were terrified. They turned to flee.
They just mocked him. Now they were dead meat.
"Wrong choices often come with heavy prices. Pity, you will be eliminated by this era."
Aizen Ryker shook his head in disappointment. He pointed at the fleeing figures.
Zap!
Imitation Hado · Byakurai!
Bucket-thick lightning bolts shot out, dazzling and piercing.
Striking the hearts of everyone present.
Accompanied by the screams of traitors.
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