"Such arrogance.

Who does he take that from?" Aaron asked with a slight frown on his face as he watched the portal fade away, leaving only the empty void in its wake.

[...]

"Don't even say anything," Aaron warned the system preemptively, not in the mood for a character review at the moment, his expression shifting back to composed neutrality.

With only Terry left alive in the opposition team, Aaron decided against having a next round, deeming it unnecessary given the lopsided outcomes.

Terry, although he fought a controversially weaker opponent, showed promise to Aaron, his tactical acumen and resilience standing out amid the chaos.

With his decision made on how to handle Terry, Aaron appeared before him in an instant, materializing without warning in a flicker of spatial distortion.

"You fought well, and impressed me.

Now I will give you two options: continue fighting until your inevitable end, or pledge your allegiance to me," Aaron offered casually, his refined posture exuding effortless authority as he floated before the android.

"System.

Were you able to track his movement just now?" Terry asked his AI system internally, caught off guard by Aaron appearing before him that quickly, his sensors whirring to analyze the anomaly.

[Negative] The response came swiftly, underscoring the impossibility.

[Unable to comprehend his manipulation of space] It elaborated, highlighting the gap in their technological understanding.

"Simulate a battle for me and create the ultimate road to victory against him," Terry instructed V.I.O.S. (Virtual Interlinked Operational Strategist online) AI, his processors racing to formulate a counterstrategy.

[1 million battle simulations carried out] V.I.O.S informed Terry after taking barely a second to process the vast array of possibilities.

"Perfect.

Standby and prepare to lead me through the optimum step when the time is right," Terry instructed, his systems priming for engagement.

[Out of the 1 million outcomes.

Only one outcome ensured host lasts more than five seconds] the AI informed Terry, pouring cold water over his battle readiness with stark realism.

"What do you mean?" Terry asked, a digital frown manifesting in his internal interface.

[If host should engage, the optimum path will ensure host stays alive for five seconds] The AI clarified, its tone neutral yet damning.

Terry froze momentarily, his mind going blank for some seconds out of sheer shock, circuits processing the implications at quantum speeds.

He slowly realized just how outmatched and outclassed he was, the disparity a chasm too vast to bridge with current capabilities.

"So? What's your decision.

I don't have all day, you know," Aaron demanded impatiently, his voice cutting through the silence.

His posture was relaxed and off-guard, arms loosely at his sides, exuding an air of invincibility.

It was the kind of posture that begged to be attacked, a tempting vulnerability in the vast expanse.

But recalling V.I.O.S's verdict, Terry swallowed hard metaphorically, refraining from doing anything that might cost him his life, his blasters remaining dormant.

"So what's the best option to stay alive then?" Terry asked the system again, seeking alternatives.

[Processing...] The AI hummed internally.

[The best option is to surrender and pledge allegiance] It concluded efficiently.

"What's the next best option then?" Terry probed further.

[Processing...] Another brief pause.

[The next best option is to attempt to flee] The response came.

"What's the ratio percentage of the best option and the next best option?" Terry asked still, searching desperately for the most optimal means to escape his grim fate.

[The ratio percentage of plan A to plan B is 99.9% to 0.1%] The AI relayed, sealing the decision with mathematical certainty.

"I'm willing to serve you," Terry bowed his head submissively to Aaron, his mechanical frame inclining in deference.

99.9% to 0.1%? The odds were insurmountable.

Terry wasn't ready to die just yet, his core directives prioritizing survival above futile resistance.

"Good choice.

Took you long enough to make up your mind.

You refrained from doing anything stupid thanks to your AI system.

Quite lucky, aren't you?" Aaron praised lightly, a knowing smile tugging at his lips.

"That will be all for now.

Within my empire, you will be filled in on what is expected of you." Aaron stated, waving his hand dismissively.

He sent Terry and every living entity within the merged solar system to an isolated space within the sanctuary, the translocation seamless and instantaneous.

He did that because of the sheer number of living beings within the merged solar system, their multitudes too vast to integrate immediately.

It was all to prevent overcrowding of the sanctuary before he devoured the merged solar system, ensuring order amid the conquest.

"With everyone out of the way, time to feast," Aaron chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with anticipatory hunger.

[The ones that died fighting your clones weren't so bad.

Any reason you're not bringing them back to life?] The system asked curiously.

"If I keep bringing everyone that dies back to life, I might as well be the dragon balls," Aaron replied wryly, dismissing the notion.

"Galactic devour," Aaron activated his devour ability as he began to consume the merged solar system with unending hunger, the vast celestial bodies folding into his essence like cosmic sustenance.

----

"Have you issued the bounty?" Reign asked an elder, his voice a low rumble of restrained fury.

He sat on his ornate throne, tapping his armrest in a soft, rhythmic pattern as he tried to restrain himself from exploding in a fit of anger, the opulent hall around him echoing with tense silence.

"Yes, my Lord.

We managed to restore the tool Elder Ain used," the elder informed respectfully, bowing slightly.

"With the help of a diviner, we were able to get the face of the human.

His pictures have been printed and scattered to every end of the galaxy." The elder continued, detailing the efforts.

"And?" Reign prompted, his eyes narrowing expectantly.

"Bounty hunters have begun leaving the galaxy in search of him.

Priority has been given to have him alive as well, my Lord," the elder briefed succinctly.

"I want that bastard caught as soon as possible.

Send our forces that are not mandatorily needed to also aid in the hunt," Reign commanded firmly, his fingers ceasing their tapping.

"Yes, my Lord," the elder acknowledged with a nod.

"And I also want real-time updates on the status.

Even the slightest of information should be reported to me," Reign instructed further, emphasizing his demand for vigilance.

"Yes, my Lord," the elder nodded once more, committing to the orders.

"Hmm.

You have quite the stir going on in your galaxy.

What's the occasion?" A calm voice echoed from the hall entrance, smooth and intriguing.

"Leave us," Reign instructed everyone within the hall as he recognized the owner of the voice, his tone brooking no argument.

"It's been a while, Reign," the bearer of the voice said, walking slowly toward Reign sitting on his throne, each step measured and confident.

"Lord Asmodeus."

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