Ch- 80 < Rival planning >

The world was in chaos, torn apart by the destruction caused by the Herrscher of Rock and corruption.

Panic was palpable in the air as civilians, desperate and angry, turned their fury towards the MOTH higher-ups.

The leaders who were supposed to protect them had failed, and now, with one continent obliterated, the remnants of civilization stood as a grim reminder of the devastation. The trust between the people and their protectors was shattered beyond repair.

In the wake of this catastrophe, the MOTH leaders scrambled to regain control. Power was slipping through their fingers like sand, and with the global economy in ruins, wealth and influence had lost their meaning.

In a desperate bid to salvage what little they had left, the leaders gathered in secret. Their decisions in the coming hours would determine the fate of what remained of humanity.

Jason, a man notorious for his radical ideas, was the first to speak up. His voice was heavy with desperation. "We need to experiment on the cores," he declared, his eyes burning with a fervor that made the others uneasy.

"Brawn mentioned that all the cores are in Mobius's possession," another leader interjected, trying to grasp the gravity of the situation.

Jason shook his head. "No, we managed to secure some of the cores from the Herrscher of Legion. We even have its main core in our hands."

The room fell into a tense silence. The weight of Jason's words hung in the air like a storm cloud. After a long, hesitant pause, the others reluctantly agreed to let the Omega group conduct the experiments. It was a dangerous move, one that could have far-reaching consequences, but in their eyes, there was no other option left.

**Ten Days Later**

Ten days passed, and the world remained in turmoil. Kevin had sent Kosma and Hua to search for Sakura, but their efforts yielded nothing. It was as if she had vanished from the face of the earth. Kevin suspected that Sakura might have sought refuge in her hometown, but even there, she was nowhere to be found.

"Where could she be?" Kevin muttered to himself, frustration evident in his voice.

As the days dragged on, Kevin knew that he needed something to give him an edge in the battles to come. He turned to Mei, who was deep in her own thoughts, her face reflecting the weight of the world's suffering.

"I need you to create a special suit for me, one that can host the core of the Herrscher of Stars," Kevin requested, his voice resolute.

Mei looked at him, understanding the gravity of his request. "I'll do it. The situation is the same with the blood core. Only pieces of it remain."

Kevin interrupted her, his tone more urgent. "The world is falling apart, Mei. People have stopped following rules and regulations. Some are even saying that judgment day has arrived."

Mei nodded, her concern evident. "What about the surgery to enhance your neuro cells? You know that procedure is only meant for underage candidates."

Kevin waved off her concerns, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, Mei. With Bronya's help, I can utilize her abilities to increase my reaction speed without any side effects."

Mei raised an eyebrow, her skepticism clear. "Bronya only said she was 90% sure it would work, Kevin. You know that, right?"

Kevin chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. "90% is still a good chance, isn't it?"

But Mei wasn't convinced. "Kevin, you're the one holding everyone together. If something happens to you…"

Her voice trailed off, the weight of her unspoken fears hanging in the air. Kevin fell silent, the gravity of her words sinking in. After a moment of reflection, he sighed. "Maybe it's time I take a little rest, at least for a while."

Returning home, Kevin's thoughts were a storm of conflicting emotions. The recent battles had taken a toll not only on his body but also on his mind. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Kevin decided to take some time off, hoping to find solace in the quiet of his room.

He sat down, trying to clear his mind. He had finally acquired the authorities he had been seeking, but instead of relief, a strange emptiness filled him. "What's wrong with me?" Kevin wondered, feeling detached from the world around him.

He activated his system, asking which authorities he had received from the Herrscher of Stars. The system's voice echoed in his mind, listing the new powers:

- Gravitational Manipulation

- Cosmic Forces Manipulation

- Celestial Object Manipulation

"And what about the Herrscher of Corruption?" Kevin asked, his tone eager yet hollow.

The system responded promptly:

- Dangerous Virus Control - The host can control viruses that can corrode and consume others.

- Technology Control

- Biology Control

- Data Manipulation

A smirk crossed Kevin's lips. "Finally, I got the authorities I really wanted," he muttered, leaning back in his chair. But as he gazed up at the ceiling, a dark thought crossed his mind. "I don't know… but the lives of innocents and others don't hurt as much as they would have in the past," he mused quietly. "Maybe I'm becoming resistant to people's deaths."

The thought disturbed him more than he expected.

As Kevin sat deep in thought, the sound of the front door opening pulled him back to reality. He rose from his chair and made his way to the entrance, where he found Elysia standing, her expression tired but warm.

"I'm all tired out," Elysia said softly as she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Kevin could tell from her body language what she wanted. Without a word, he slipped his arms under her and lifted her into a princess carry. Elysia let out a small giggle, resting her head against his chest as he carried her to the bedroom.

He gently laid her down on the bed, sitting beside her as she curled up on the soft blankets. Elysia looked up at him, her eyes filled with a mixture of affection and weariness.

Kevin brushed her hair gently, his earlier thoughts momentarily forgotten. "You've been working hard," he said softly.

Elysia nodded, closing her eyes as she relaxed. "It's been tough out there… clearing out the aftermath."

Kevin sighed, knowing all too well the burden she carried. "Yes, the Honkai energy is escalating rapidly, and with monsters spawning all over the world, the situation is becoming increasingly dire."

"Do you think… we'll ever find peace?" Elysia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kevin hesitated, unsure of how to answer. He glanced at her, seeing the weariness in her eyes. "I hope so," he finally said, his voice heavy with uncertainty. "But until then, we have to keep fighting."

Elysia opened her eyes and looked up at him, her gaze intense. "Kevin, you've been pushing yourself too hard. We all have. Maybe it's time we find a moment of peace for ourselves, even if it's just for a little while."

Kevin's expression softened as he looked at her. He realized she was right. The endless battles, the constant strain—it was wearing them all down. "You're right," he admitted. "Maybe we all need a little break."

Elysia can actually see that the toll on Kevin has effect his mentality. A little rest and comfort might improve his physical health.

A/N~ task complete and a new chapter.