Ryan's Room – Late Evening
The room was silent—except for the low hum of a holographic call.
— "Yan... aren't you watching the news?" — Annie's voice sounded tense on the other end.
Ryan frowned.
— "News? No... why?"
— "Turn it on. Now, Ryan."
Grabbing the remote, he activated the floating screen. Images erupted into view.Explosions. Fires. Screaming civilians. Entire buildings crumbling.A district of Herocity had turned into a war zone.
Reporters were shouting for safety.Low-rank heroes—Rank D and C—desperately tried to stop the villains... and failed.
These weren't ordinary villains.They glowed with unstable purple energy, their eyes bloodshot, their smiles feral.
— "What... what is this?" — Ryan whispered in disbelief. — "This is... Herocity?"
A red news ticker scrolled across the screen:
BREAKING: VILLAINS WITH NEW GOD-LIKE POWERS DEVASTATE HEROCITY — RENEGATES DECLARE WAR
His phone vibrated.
[RYU: GET TO THE PHOENIX HQ IMMEDIATELY. IT'S BAD.]
Ryan looked back at the screen. Annie's face was pale.
— "I have to go. It's urgent."
— "Me too. They called everyone to the Guild of a Thousand Lights. Abby just messaged me."
They hung up almost simultaneously.
🌩️ Stormbreak Residence
Inavy stood in silence, eyes locked onto the television. The destruction reflected in his crimson gaze. He said nothing—just stared.
Then he closed his eyes.
And it was as if time unraveled.
🌓 Seventeen Years Ago — Astral Plane
Across the void floated Tyrus, defeated.His eyes flickered like dying embers. Inavy hovered before him, his Chaos aura still raging.
Tyrus smiled through bloodied lips.
— "You've won… but this isn't the victory you think it is."
— "You are now a universal threat. A spark in the dark of the multiverse."
He coughed, weakly.
— "Others will come… galaxy emperors, kings of dead worlds, echoes of the void..."
— "Because where there is an Inavy… there will be war."
Tyrus closed his eyes for the last time.
— "I was only the beginning… of the birth pains."
Present – Inavy's Eyes Open
— "Did he already see… all of this?" — Inavy whispered.
🦅 Phoenix Guild HQ
The main hall of the Phoenix Guild was in chaos.Screens displayed live feeds of the city under siege.Members whispered to one another. Some were nervous. Others—terrified.
Darius stood in the center, arms crossed.Beside him, Zen Kagetsune leaned against the wall, eyes half-closed—as if he had seen this coming all along.Ethan was in discussion with Ryu, both with grim expressions.
Ryan ran in, breathless.The atmosphere was heavy. Serious. Dark.
Darius looked up and gave him a brief nod.
— "Glad you're here, Valeborn. Things are only going to get worse."
Ryan nodded silently. His eyes met those of Ethan and Ryu.No words were needed.
They understood.
💠 Guild of a Thousand Lights – War Room
Across the city, another emergency meeting was underway.
Kelvin Nox stood with his katana in hand, an imposing presence.The shadows around him seemed to move of their own accord.Kane Jayson stood beside him, quiet and observant.
Dante Valtier was studying a map, arms crossed, watching red danger markers flash across multiple zones.Annie had just arrived, accompanied by Abby Fountier, who looked stunned by the news.
The message was clear across all channels:
The Renegates no longer need Eliara.They've extracted what they wanted.And now… they've sold Human Singularity to the world.
End of Chapter 74 – The Beginning of the End