Night had fallen.
After settling things with the Order, Eden returned to the Kent Residence. Dinner was quick, routine. Soon after, he stretched out on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
"Can't sleep."
He lay there for a while, restless. Maybe it was habit. Lately, every night meant diving into a simulation before sleep. It had become muscle memory. Like brushing your teeth before bed—except with more broken bones.
"If I'm not sleeping, I might as well train. No point wasting time."
His thoughts narrowed.
"Simulation: start."
The System stirred, its voice ringing in his head for the first time in days.
[Here.]
[Master, who do you plan to fight tonight?]
"Warm-up first. Give me four Elite Viltrumites."
Originally, he'd been planning to spar with Battle Beast again. But that bastard's body was built like a brick wall. Even with Eden's current stats way above his, it still took days of constant pounding to bring him down.
At least now Eden wasn't stuck in some stalemate like Thragg versus Battle Beast—endless slugfests that dragged on for days. No, for him it was a one-sided beatdown that just happened to take forty-eight hours.
So, four elites instead. Their teamwork was legendary—together, they could hold down Thragg before he'd ever fought Battle Beast, which basically put their combined power at about three-and-a-half Thraggs. Give or take.
And unlike Battle Beast, Viltrumite elites had weaker durability. Kryptonian powers were perfect for exploiting that. Against them, Eden could wrap things up in hours, not days.
[Opponents selected: four Elite Viltrumites.]
[Location: vacuum of space.]
Reality peeled away. The bedroom dissolved, replaced by endless stars.
Eden blinked—and there they were. Four silhouettes floated before him: Conquest, Anissa, Nolan in his Viltrumite battle armor, and General Kregg.
"Well damn." Eden smirked. "That's a lot nastier than a generic 'Four Horsemen' setup."
Conquest's voice cut into the others' minds through his communicator. "That's our target? I thought the enemy was supposed to be some kind of beast."
"Who cares? Kill him," Nolan replied flatly.
Anissa laughed. "Hear that? Conquest is stalling now. Since when did you start asking so many questions?"
"Say that again, brat."
"What, you think I'm scared of you?"
Kregg stepped in before they ripped each other apart. "Enough. He's strong. Don't underestimate him. Hit hard and finish it."
The four launched as one—meteors tearing through the void. Out here, with no atmosphere to drag them down, their speed was insane. Their power, doubled.
"Perfect!"
Eden didn't back off. He surged forward, fists clenched, not even bothering to use Heat Vision.
The first clash came fast: Eden versus Conquest.
The result? Instant. Eden didn't budge an inch. Conquest, on the other hand, hit him like he'd just slammed headfirst into a planet. Bones creaked, his body screamed, his comms buzzed with static.
Not good! Conquest thought, panic flashing. This guy's body… it's like Thragg's.
Plan A—now!
It was their only chance. The special formation they'd built to deal with the Regent himself.
Eden didn't care. He'd already crushed Conquest's alloy arm and had his hand wrapped tight around the Viltrumite's throat, ready to end it.
"Move!"
The others reacted fast. Nolan, Anissa, and Kregg hit him at once from three angles, fists linking their force together into one monstrous strike. The impact blasted Eden across the stars, forcing him to release Conquest.
Conquest floated, shaking, but alive. He wasn't stupid—get caught solo again and Eden would erase him instantly.
"What the hell…"
Eden steadied himself, eyes narrowing as the four fell into rhythm, their movements sharpened, efficient. This wasn't random brawling. They were treating him like Thragg. Maybe worse.
"Interesting."
His grin widened. He shot forward again.
But this time, they didn't break. Conquest and Kregg blocked head-on while Anissa and Nolan hammered him from the side. The teamwork was clean—too clean.
Eden was knocked back, blood slicking his nose. He wiped it away, laughing.
"Good hit."
He blurred forward again. This time, Heat Vision lit the void—twin beams slicing across Anissa's chest and sending her reeling.
"Lasers?!"
The shock bought him the second he needed. Eden appeared in front of Conquest and snapped his neck without hesitation.
"Look at me and lose focus? Dumb move."
He ripped the comms from Conquest's ear, crushing it in his palm. His cold gaze fell on the three still standing.
"Next."
"Together!" Nolan barked.
The three charged in unison.
Eden only laughed.
Three wasn't four. And against him, that made all the difference.
It was no battle. Just slaughter.
"System. End simulation."
[As you command.]
The stars vanished. His room returned. Eden sat on his bed, calm, collected.
"No good. I'm not like Thragg. Kryptonian powers let me dominate groups, unless the enemy has long-range too."
The thought burned in his head. Fighting elites one-on-four wasn't enough anymore. It wasn't pressure. Not real growth.
Then the idea hit him.
"Who says I need one opponent at a time?"
His lips curled into a smile.
"System. Load both Thragg and Battle Beast. Together."
[Are you sure?]
"I'm sure. Dead sure."
[As you wish.]
The simulation began to shift.
...
[Simulation Opponents: Viltrumite Regent Thragg and Battle Beast]
[Simulation Location: Uninhabited planet]
The System's electronic chime echoed.
The world around Eden shifted violently.
This was supposed to be the clash between Thragg and Battle Beast—the battle to determine who was truly the strongest in the universe.
But Eden's arrival brought the fight to a standstill.
"Child… I don't know whose blood runs in your veins," Thragg said, voice low and commanding. "But this isn't your place. Do not interrupt this sacred duel. Trust your Regent."
Eden only chuckled.
"Hah. I thought maybe you'd planted him here as an ambush, Thragg. Afraid of me? Like the countless weaklings who died under my blade?" Battle Beast hefted his massive cleaver onto his shoulder, grinning like a predator.
"First, he isn't my assassin," Thragg sneered. "Second, why would I fear you? You're nothing but a house cat compared to me."
"Bullshit!" Battle Beast roared, eyes alight with bloodlust. "When you're dead, I'll wear your hide as a coat!"
"When you're dead, I'll mount your head in my trophy hall," Thragg shot back coldly.
Two warriors, both devoted to the thrill of combat. The tension between them was a powder keg waiting to ignite.
FZZZT!
Before fists could fly, a burning red beam slashed through the air, vaporizing the atmosphere into plasma and carving a molten trench between them.
"It's rude to ignore someone stronger than both of you," Eden said, his Heat Vision fading from his eyes.
Thragg turned, studying him. "Not Viltrumite… half-breed. You're a mix of our bloodline and something else."
"You claim you're stronger than me?" Battle Beast laughed. "Forget it, Thragg. I've changed my mind. I'll kill this boy first, then fight you."
He strode forward, sword raised high. Thragg crossed his arms and watched silently.
"You're courting death, child," Battle Beast growled.
BOOM!
Eden's fist smashed into him before he could blink, sending the Beast flying across the barren plain.
"Strong…" Thragg's pupils tightened. But he didn't move. Let the Beast fend for himself.
FZZZT!
The beams lit up again, locking onto Thragg this time. Eden's voice was cold: "I told you. You're both in this."
Thragg uncrossed his arms. "You brought this on yourself."
"This prey is mine," Battle Beast snarled as he staggered back, blood dripping, eyes blazing with delight.
"Then let's see whose claim stands," Thragg replied flatly.
BOOM!
The three collided. The shockwave cracked the skies, tsunamis of dust and force ripping across the planet.
In orbit, a hidden fleet watched in horror as fireballs bloomed across the surface.
"Monsters…" a soldier whispered, wiping cold sweat from his brow.
Hours later.
"End simulation."
The alarm Eden had set finally rang. His bruised, bloodied body collapsed onto his bed as the scene dissolved.
"Hahh…" He let out a long breath, a tired smile tugging at his lips. "Guess this is the first time I didn't finish off my opponents in a sim."
He chuckled. "But damn, that was the most fun I've had."
One against two—he'd been brutalized. But Thragg and Battle Beast hadn't walked away unscathed either.
Inside the Simulation.
"Gone?" Thragg spat blood, his right eye swollen shut, nose broken, face a crimson mask. He froze when Eden suddenly vanished. Then he shook his head and turned toward Battle Beast.
"Do we continue?" Thragg rasped.
Battle Beast ripped off the remains of his armor, his tail missing a segment, Heat Vision burns still glowing across his chest. "Fight? Go find a medic, Regent. I've lost interest."
He didn't look back as he walked away.
Back in the real world.
Eden washed up quickly and headed downstairs.
"Eden, your coffee and breakfast." Donald placed a tray in front of him the moment he sat down.
Cecil was right behind him, handing over a schedule. "Here's today's agenda."
"Thanks." Eden took a sip, scanned the paper, and frowned. "The Guardians of the Globe's second squad tryouts started at six this morning? It's already been two hours."
"Yeah. Too many passed prelims," Cecil explained. "Even starting at dawn, it won't wrap until noon."
"Then I'll show up at ten." Eden nodded, decision made.
Something else clicked in his mind. "Wait. My parents. They're not going to the tryouts, are they?"
"We invited them," Cecil said carefully. "But no. Your mother—the great Omni-Woman—doesn't approve of how I operate."
He didn't add the rest: And truth be told, I fear her more than anyone.
"Good." Eden exhaled, relieved.
Hawaii.
"Clark, love… don't you think it's strange?" Nolanne swirled her coffee spoon, eyes narrowing. They'd been resting nearly a month.
"What's on your mind, dear?"
"It's too quiet. This planet is unnervingly quiet. Don't tell me all those lawless supervillains saw us on vacation and decided to take one too."
"Maybe they all turned over a new leaf?" Clark suggested.
Nolanne arched a brow. "Seriously?"
"Uh… maybe the other heroes finally started pulling their weight," he corrected quickly.
---
Note: Sorry for the delay... got a bit busy irl. Oh and also, the MC's mother is now properly referred to as "Omni-Woman" and "Nolanne" instead of "Omni-Man" to the outside world to avoid confusion. I know it was pretty weird to start with, sorry about that! I've updated the old chapters aswell.