A new ability had awakened.
Brain Activation.
It was classified as a passive power, one that stimulated and enhanced the brain itself, allowing neural reactions to occur at speeds comparable to a supercomputer. In simple terms, it was an enormous increase in cognitive ability, effectively boosting intelligence to an extraordinary level.
Ethan Drake quickly felt the effects. His mind moved faster than it ever had before, thoughts forming and connecting in ways that felt almost effortless. Information surfaced instantly whenever he needed it, and his memory had sharpened to an astonishing degree. Even things he had merely glanced at earlier in the day could now be recalled with perfect clarity if he focused for a moment.
The transformation made him realize just how dramatically his perception had changed. Details he once overlooked now appeared obvious, and the logic behind complex situations seemed easier to grasp. The enhancement wasn't simply knowledge; it was the ability to process and organize information with incredible efficiency.
Alongside that power, another new ability had appeared.
Super Roar.
Despite the name, it wasn't some ordinary sonic attack or simple intimidation tactic. The ability was far more destructive than the label suggested. It functioned as a devastating area-of-effect technique capable of annihilating everything within range.
Standing on the balcony of the mountain palace, Ethan glanced toward the distant forest. A massive section of woodland had been completely flattened earlier that day, the trees ripped apart and the terrain stripped bare.
The destruction had been caused by that single ability.
From miles away, the devastation still looked unreal. Entire sections of the forest had been erased as though a giant hand had swept across the land.
"Your Majesty, it's time for lunch."
A cheerful voice drifted into the room as someone approached from behind.
Lucini stepped inside gracefully, wearing a loose nightgown that swayed softly as she moved. After the many nights she had spent with Ethan, her once slender figure had become noticeably fuller and more alluring, her tall frame carrying a quiet elegance that was hard to ignore.
Her eyes sparkled with playful warmth as she leaned slightly against the doorway.
Ethan glanced at her and smiled faintly. "I was planning to eat lunch," he said calmly. "But if you're here, you'll be joining me."
At the same time, far beyond the palace and the mountains of Neptune, another scene was unfolding.
The reconnaissance vessel Aquarius slowly lifted off from the planet's surface. Its engines roared to life as the ship accelerated upward, piercing through Neptune's atmosphere before disappearing into the vast darkness of space.
The Kryptonians possessed powerful technology, including the Material Printer capable of manufacturing a wide range of equipment and supplies.
However, even such advanced devices had their limitations.
Some high-precision composite materials simply couldn't be produced locally. These specialized resources required complex industrial processes that the printer could not replicate.
After Ethan's earlier confrontation with General Zod, the World Engine had suffered significant damage. The battle had strained multiple systems, and the heavy artillery used during the assault on Neptune had consumed a large portion of the available ammunition reserves.
Repairs were now necessary.
To restore the equipment and replenish supplies, certain rare materials had to be acquired from outside sources.
Under Lilith's direction as adjutant, a team had been dispatched to handle the procurement. The mission was led by Faora, who commanded the expedition aboard the Aquarius.
Their destination was a neutral world known as Xandar.
Faora's combat ability made her the ideal leader for such an operation. Even among Kryptonian elite warriors, she ranked among the most formidable fighters. With her commanding the mission, there was little reason to worry about security.
Like Lilith, Faora served as one of Ethan's trusted adjutants.
Her short black hair and icy demeanor gave her an almost intimidating presence, and many soldiers quietly referred to her as an "ice queen." Despite that reputation, her loyalty to Ethan and Krypton was unquestionable.
Neither Ethan nor his people realized that danger had already begun to gather in the shadows.
A storm was quietly forming around them.
Xandar.
The famous neutral planet existed outside the authority of any major empire. It was a thriving world known throughout the galaxy as a center of trade and diplomacy.
Many people believed the planet's defenses were weaker than they truly were.
In films and stories, Xandar's security force—the Nova Corps—was often portrayed as little more than fighter pilots flying sleek starships through space.
The reality was very different.
The Nova Corps was an enormous military organization composed of powerful warriors and advanced technology. Among its ranks were numerous individuals capable of manipulating cosmic energy and flying freely through space using their own strength.
This formidable defense was precisely why Ronan the Accuser of the Kree Empire had struggled to conquer the planet.
For years he had attempted to crush Xandar, yet every effort had ended in failure. Eventually the Kree Empire had been forced into negotiations, reluctantly signing a peace agreement with the stubborn world.
"Damn Xandar," Ronan growled.
Standing inside his warship, he stared through the observation window at the blue-green planet slowly growing larger in the distance. His fists clenched as fury burned across his face.
"One day I'll bury every last one of you in hell."
A subordinate standing nearby hesitated before speaking carefully. "Lord Ronan… Xandar will surely fall one day, just as you wish. But at the moment we should focus on the mission."
Ronan turned sharply, fixing the soldier with a cold and murderous glare. The subordinate instantly fell silent under the weight of that gaze.
After a moment, Ronan exhaled slowly and forced his anger down.
He remembered the real reason he had come here.
"The target has already left Xandar?" he asked.
"Yes," the subordinate replied quickly. "We observed several Kryptonians during their visit. However, we did not see the young Kryptonian known as Superman."
Ronan's expression darkened.
"That brat isn't there?"
He muttered the words through clenched teeth.
The Aquarius had arrived at Xandar to purchase supplies, but they were no longer alone.
Hidden in the darkness of space, a predator had already locked onto them.
Ever since Ethan Drake had destroyed an entire Kree fleet with his own strength, the Supreme Military Council of the Kree Empire had begun paying close attention to the surviving Kryptonians.
The empire had never forgotten its long-standing hatred of Krypton.
For more than a month, their intelligence network—one that stretched across vast regions of the galaxy—had been quietly tracking the movements of Krypton's remnants.
At last, they had discovered their location.
"Lord Ronan, should we attack?" one officer suggested cautiously.
Ronan immediately shook his head.
"Are you insane?" he snapped. "This is Xandar's territory. If we start a fight here, we'll provoke the Nova Corps. We'll wait until their ship leaves the system."
Unlike the chaotic world where Ethan had first landed, Xandar maintained strict order throughout its domain.
No one dared violate the law within its sphere of influence.
Even Ronan the Accuser understood the consequences of starting a battle here.
Yet despite that restraint, Ronan's mind remained focused on a single target.
The Kryptonian survivors themselves were not his primary concern.
What truly mattered was the new generation of Kryptonian Superman.
Years of warfare had sharpened Ronan's instincts, and those instincts were screaming a warning.
If that young Kryptonian was allowed to grow stronger, the consequences could be disastrous.
"Don't alert them," Ronan ordered coldly.
His eyes narrowed as he considered the situation carefully.
"That boy isn't on Xandar. But the supplies those Kryptonians purchased clearly show they have a base somewhere nearby."
He paused for a moment before issuing another command.
"Erase all traces of our presence. Use every tracking method we have and follow the Aquarius. I want to know exactly where their base is located."
His voice turned colder with every word.
"And one more thing."
"Immediately mobilize additional Kree fleets. When the time comes, we will wipe out every one of those Kryptonian survivors."
A cruel smile slowly spread across Ronan's face.
As for the young Kryptonian Superman…
Ronan clenched his fists and laughed quietly, the sound filled with savage anticipation.
"Brat… do you think I don't know what Kryptonians fear most?"
"And nothing pleases me more than killing a genius."
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