Coalition of Planets.
"You're saying our fleet lost contact at Earth?"
"Not only that, you've also received reports that the Viltrumites have abandoned all their territories across the universe, even abandoned their homeworld, and collectively migrated to Earth to settle?"
Thaedus, leader of the Coalition of Planets, was utterly incredulous after hearing his subordinate's report.
"According to our observations," his chief scientist explained, "the reason for the Viltrumites' mass migration may be because Earthlings and Viltrumites share remarkably similar appearances and genetics. Children born from Viltrumite-human unions might possess combat power rivaling pureblooded Viltrumites."
"Then we absolutely cannot leave these Viltrumites unchecked."
With this thought, Thaedus retrieved a vial of genetic virus from his long-sealed safe. This was the ultimate virus Thaedus had once used to destroy the entire Viltrumite civilization.
"We absolutely cannot allow Viltrumite numbers to recover. Otherwise, it will be a disaster for the entire universe."
Thaedus knew this all too well. He understood the Viltrumites perfectly—because he was one himself.
"Convene a meeting of the Coalition council! We may need to have our final battle with the Viltrumites."
Thaedus clenched his fist. After a long internal struggle, he'd finally made his decision.
"Yes, sir."
After Thaedus made his decision, his secretary immediately nodded and turned to leave the leader's office.
"Perhaps it's time to come clean with the entire Coalition of Planets."
Thaedus watched his secretary's retreating figure, his inner resolve growing stronger.
"Allen, come here! I need to train you personally."
With this thought, Thaedus summoned Allen, currently the Coalition's strongest fighter and the one Thaedus had secretly chosen as the future leader who would succeed him.
"I hope Allen truly lives up to his creation's purpose—possessing potential that surpasses the Viltrumites. Please don't disappoint me."
Thaedus thought silently to himself.
One week later.
Since the school held its graduation ceremony, Eden had been on complete vacation. However, he maintained his habit of being leisurely during the day and running simulations at night.
Of course, Eden would also make appearances at both The Order and the Guardians of the Globe—one dark, one light—occasionally checking in on them to remind them he was always watching.
Beyond that, the chaos Cecil had worried about from the Viltrumites arriving on Earth never materialized. Instead, Earth's crime rate was plummeting.
Petty thieves and pickpockets in parts of Europe had become remarkably well-behaved thanks to the Viltrumites settling in those countries.
Incidentally, Kregg had found eight girlfriends across Earth's seven continents (excluding Antarctica) and was currently managing his time like a proper Viltrumite.
Every night, the other Viltrumites could see Kregg's form streaking across the sky like a meteor.
Night.
"Isn't he tired?"
At the Kent residence, Eden watched Kregg's nightly time management routine through the window. He shrugged wordlessly and headed back inside to prepare for his routine simulation training.
By the way, after three more weeks of simulations, Eden could now beat Emperor Mark to death with pure physical combat in under a minute.
Currently, Eden was simulating against dimensional lords from the Invincible universe, though he'd occasionally beat up Evil Mark to blow off steam.
"Hmm?"
However, just as Eden was about to start his simulation, he suddenly sensed something. He turned his head, locking onto something beneath the fruit trees in the garden. In a flash, he disappeared from his room and appeared in the garden, capturing the object.
"A hovering camera?"
"Cecil is watching me?"
Eden pinched the sphere in his hand, raising an eyebrow. "That doesn't make sense."
With that thought, Eden lost interest in continuing his simulation and headed straight to the Global Defense Agency.
Well, Mark gets a day off today.
Global Defense Agency.
Since the Kent family had stopped interfering with the Agency's affairs, Cecil had returned to his regular schedule, always in bed by ten PM.
"Cecil, wake up."
Just as Cecil had turned off the lights and gotten into bed, Eden's voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
"Damn it! I thought I was hallucinating."
Cecil's eyes snapped open. Seeing Eden, he relaxed slightly.
"Eden, what brings you here?"
Cecil, in his pajamas, sat up and asked.
"You know this thing?"
Eden tossed the hovering camera to Cecil.
"This is one of my cameras?"
Cecil examined it, frowning slightly. After studying it, he looked up at Eden. "Eden, where did you find this?"
"My family's garden."
Eden answered truthfully.
"Impossible! I would never use that to spy on you. Unless I'd gone insane."
Cecil's face went pale as he shook his head.
"I know. That's why I'm curious where it came from. I'm also curious who's watching our family."
Eden explained.
"I'll help you find out."
Cecil had calmed down now and nodded.
"Mm."
Eden left the camera with Cecil and returned home. The rest was Cecil's job—he still had simulations to run.
Global Defense Agency.
"Everyone up! Overtime!"
Cecil woke up the on-duty researchers and got to work.
"System, simulate!"
Meanwhile, Eden began a new simulation using the System.
[Simulating...]
[Character: World Shaper]
[Location: Alternate Universe]
The System quickly matched Eden with an opponent of comparable strength.
On a barren planet, the moment Eden appeared before the World Shaper, the being first panicked, then immediately ran while shouting: "Is your whole family insane?!"
"Hmm? What?"
Eden's eyes flashed with suspicion at seeing him flee. He asked the System: "What's going on?"
[Master, the World Shaper I've simulated for you is from the timeline after fighting your father Clark Kent, so he recognizes you, which is quite normal.]
The System's answer was flawless.
"Whoosh!"
After getting the System's explanation, Eden turned into a streak of lightning and charged toward the World Shaper.
"BOOM!!"
The moment Eden and World Shaper collided, the terrible shockwave swept across the entire barren planet.
One hour later.
"Refreshing!"
Eden finished his simulation.
"Are you insane?!"
This left only the World Shaper, who'd been thoroughly beaten by Eden. He cursed while summoning a faster-than-light spaceship: "Damn Kent family! I'm going to a universe where the Kent family will never bother me!"
World Shaper: "Does anyone understand this pain? First I get beaten up by Clark Kent, then I get beaten up by his son. Am I some punching bag or something? And does this bastard really think he can kill me?!
Earth.
Eden timed it perfectly, immediately heading to the Global Defense Agency after finishing his simulation.
"Cecil, any results?"
Eden found Cecil and asked.
"Robot, explain."
The exhausted Cecil, who'd been working all night with dark circles under his eyes, called Robot over directly.
"Eden, this device is remarkable. There's clearly a self-destruct program installed, but it didn't activate before you captured it. Do you understand what I mean?"
Robot held the camera Eden had captured.
"You mean it was deliberately captured by me?"
Eden instantly understood.
"Yes."
Robot nodded and continued, "Someone intended to use this to say hello to you."
"I think I know who."
After getting Robot's theory, realization flashed in Eden's eyes. He looked at Cecil beside him. "Cecil, bring me the Scientist Angstrom Levy. You should know where he is."
"Give me ten minutes."
Cecil immediately called ace agent Donald Ferguson.
Ten minutes later.
Angstrom Levy's secret laboratory.
"Hmm?"
Angstrom Levy had just finished shopping for supplies and was returning to continue his experiments when several men in black threw a hood over his head at the base entrance.
"Hey! What are you doing?! Let me go!"
Angstrom struggled continuously but to no avail. Ace agent Donald never missed.
And so, ten minutes later, Angstrom Levy was brought to the Global Defense Agency's highest security conference room.
"Mmph!"
Just when Angstrom was about to suffocate from struggling too much, the hood was finally removed. When he saw who was waiting for him in the room, he was completely stunned.
In the conference room sat Cecil Stedman, the Director of the Global Defense Agency who usually only appeared on TV, and a man in a black battlesuit who looked remarkably like Superman, both silently watching him.
"Who are you?!"
Angstrom Levy was somewhat panicked.
"You recognize this?"
Eden didn't waste words, directly tossing the captured camera to him.
"This is...?"
After examining the camera, Angstrom Levy's face went pale. "This is impossible!"
"So it really is yours?"
Cecil frowned, signaling Donald. Time for some 'enhanced interrogation techniques.'
"This is indeed mine... but it's impossible!"
Angstrom Levy kept shaking his head while handling the camera.
"Why is it impossible?"
Cecil pressed.
"Because I've only just finished the blueprints! I haven't had time to manufacture it—I don't have the funding! More importantly," Angstrom Levy pulled out his tablet from his backpack, bringing up his camera design blueprints, "this thing has gone through many iterations beyond my design. It's incredible."
"Damn. So if this thing isn't from this universe's Angstrom, then it's from another universe's Angstrom."
Eden seemed to realize something.