The Omnitrix. Max. Ben...
Kevin's expression shifted through shock and disbelief as he absorbed all the information Vilgax had revealed about Asher.
This massive influx of knowledge would take him time to fully process and understand.
"So, how about it? Do you want to work with me to eliminate that kid Asher and take back the Omnitrix on his wrist?" Although Vilgax phrased it as a question, his tone carried an edge of dominance that brooked no refusal.
"Of course! I'd be happy to cooperate!"
With nowhere else to turn, Kevin forced a smile and released his goodwill toward the Mechadroid. Inside, however, his thoughts churned with dark ambitions.
"Very good." Vilgax's mechanical voice hummed with satisfaction. "Don't rush to confront Asher just yet. We still need to make some arrangements before we can deal with him properly."
A conspiracy against Asher began to take shape.
Meanwhile, the target of their scheming sat comfortably in his room, clinking soda bottles with Ben and Gwen in celebration.
Asher turned on the TV program, catching several reports about Heatblast and Four Arms. Though the coverage wasn't extensive, their exploits were gradually gaining public attention and building recognition.
"It's past nine o'clock in the evening. You three need to get to bed."
When the time came, Max checked his phone, displaying the current time on the screen. His words carried the irresistible authority of a grandfather who'd raised heroes.
"I'm pretty sleepy too."
Asher picked up the remote control, turned off the TV, and collapsed onto his bed. The others followed suit, settling into their respective sleeping arrangements one by one.
The night passed without incident.
Early the next morning, Asher woke up, took a shower, and watched TV for a while until Max and the others rose. Then everyone headed downstairs to grab breakfast.
"Looks like nothing happened today," Gwen said happily while watching the news on the large TV in the restaurant.
"Well, now I can be certain that the perpetrator is Kevin. His fate won't be an easy one," Asher said with a knowing smile.
"We have urgent breaking news! The commercial district in this city has been attacked. A group of armed robbers is currently ransacking the shopping street. Citizens are advised to avoid the area. The robbers possess numerous firearms and should be considered extremely dangerous..."
The peaceful morning shattered as urgent news flashed across the screen. Another group of criminals, this time armed robbers with an arsenal of weapons terrorizing the commercial district.
"Damn. Such a beautiful morning ruined by these bastards. After I catch them, I'm definitely teaching them a lesson." Despite his complaints, Asher's body moved honestly. He stood up immediately and rushed with Max and the others toward the old RV, speeding toward the commercial district.
Since there were no shortcuts near the commercial district, they could only take the main road. The RV couldn't engage its full-speed mode in regular traffic, so they had to drive at a normal pace toward their destination.
When they arrived at the commercial district, a loud explosion echoed through the streets.
BOOM!
A woman with slicked-back red hair and blood-red lipstick, armed with a submachine gun, stood with a group of underlings. They fired at the windows and entrances of several stores, demanding that the shop owners hand over their money immediately.
"All right, time for the hero to make his entrance."
Asher pushed open the car door, surveying the group of robbers, and raised his wrist toward the Omnitrix.
BOOM!
At that same moment, an engine roar thundered through the sky.
Asher looked up. His expression froze instantly, and he quickly dove behind a nearby building.
After Max, Ben, and the others exited the vehicle, Asher called them over and they huddled together behind cover.
"Asher, what's going on?" Ben asked in confusion.
"Look up there!" Asher's expression was complicated as he pointed at the rapidly moving figure in the sky.
Everyone's eyes followed his gesture.
It was... a fully armored Kevin!
This time, Kevin sported a cannon mounted on his chest, with multiple octopus-like mechanical tentacles extending from his back, a fusion that resembled Iron Man merged with Doctor Octopus.
His complexion looked healthy and strong, and the armor covering his body had been significantly enhanced. This stood in stark contrast to his previous battered appearance after their last encounter.
"Kevin? But he's already..." Gwen looked at Asher in confusion.
She, Ben, Max, and Asher had all witnessed Kevin's demise together.
In everyone's memory, Kevin had been severely injured and struck by the subway car. Even if he'd somehow survived, he shouldn't look like this, upgraded, enhanced, and more dangerous than ever.
"Don't worry." Asher took a deep breath and spoke calmly. "Let's see what he's planning first. It seems he's also here for those robbers. If he intends to deal with them, we can take advantage of the situation. Let Kevin handle those criminals while I deal with Kevin myself."
But what the hell had Kevin been upgraded with? Regardless, Asher felt absolute confidence in defeating him.
"Good idea." Max nodded in agreement.
BOOM!
Kevin landed heavily on the ground. The upgraded armor made his landing louder, leaving a massive crater in the pavement.
"What kind of monster is this?!" The red-haired woman clutched her submachine gun, immediately aiming the muzzle at Kevin's body with a nervous expression.
She could see clearly, this kid was covered in cannons and weapons. He was a walking humanoid artillery platform!
"Don't move! Or we'll kill you too!" Several other robbers also threatened him with hoarse voices, though their trembling hands betrayed that their hearts weren't as fierce as their words suggested.
Asher watched carefully, expecting Kevin to mercilessly slaughter these people without hesitation.
But Kevin smiled coldly, displaying a somewhat playful expression. "You don't really think those toy guns in your hands can pose any threat to me, do you?"
"Don't get cocky!" The red-haired woman's shock transformed into anger as she tried to maintain her composure and continue her threats.
Kevin didn't waste words. He raised his right palm directly and fired a laser toward the red-haired woman.
BANG!
The ground exploded with a massive crater. Thick smoke spread in all directions along with the terrifying shockwave. The nearest group of robbers was blown away by the explosion's force, tumbling across the pavement.
The red-haired woman fell hard to the ground. Her submachine gun clattered away to the side, but she didn't reach for it.
Her expression remained blank and stunned. The massive explosion at such close range had left her completely shell-shocked.
Until Kevin approached her directly, she didn't recover. Her expression filled with terror as she kept begging for mercy. "What do you want? Money? I can give you lots of money, millions, tens of millions!"
Kevin's heart jumped when he heard those numbers.
But then he remembered his conversation with Vilgax. No! I'm a man who's going to accomplish great things!
"My goal isn't money. My goal is you!"