For the first time, Ethan's heart truly sank to rock bottom.
He knew it—
There was no way he could take that hit head-on.
And then—
A shadow dropped from the sky.
Boom!
It slammed hard into his back.
In the next instant, the Powered Combat Armor activated.
Metal components unfolded like a living creature, snapping into place and locking around him in a seamless embrace.
That familiar power surged back into his body—
Only this time, it felt even more stable. More complete.
Ethan whipped around.
Down below, in the direction of the lab zone, the scientists stood on the shattered defense platform, pumping their fists in the air.
One of them even threw up both arms in an exaggerated victory pose.
In that moment—
Ethan understood.
The final flaw in the armor had been fixed.
Every ounce of hesitation, every trace of despair—crushed in an instant.
He could feel the power roaring through him.
And then—
He smiled.
