In the days that followed, human harassment across the Southvale continent didn't let up—but they'd gotten smarter about it. Now, instead of launching full-scale attacks, they'd just fly a few circles overhead before retreating. No major clashes broke out.
Still, the tension in the air was thickening.
It felt like the calm before a storm.
As time crept by, nearly three weeks passed before Ethan finally finished absorbing the three crystal cores he'd hunted down earlier.
Something about him had shifted—subtly, but unmistakably. His entire presence felt different now.
He stepped out of his room and headed into the lab.
Everything inside was running smoothly, systems humming along like clockwork.
"Boss!" PhD and Hammerhead spotted him and hurried over.
Hammerhead had adjusted well to the lab environment over the past few weeks. He'd picked up a lot and was now a competent little assistant.
Ethan gave a small nod. "How's everything looking?"
