This kid really knows how to play along!
Yu Zhou glanced at Cain's sly grin and couldn't help wondering — how could a boy barely sixteen or seventeen years old already understand that much?
"Cain, don't fool around," Yuzare said quietly.
At once, the young prince fell silent. After all, when his elder sister spoke, he listened — and more importantly, she was his captain in the Earth Defence Corps. Orders were orders.
"Hahaha!"
Keshiva burst out laughing, clearly amused by their exchange — or perhaps reminiscing about his own youthful days.
"I'm in no rush about my daughter's marriage," he said cheerfully. "When the time comes, as long as she likes the person, that's all that matters."
Yu Zhou just smiled, saying nothing more.
This "father-in-law," it seemed, was quite easy to talk to.
Then again, thirty million years later, this father-in-law probably no longer existed on Earth…
"Report! Anomalous activity detected on the ocean surface!"
A soldier from the Earth Defence Corps came running toward them, face pale and voice urgent.
Everyone turned toward the sea.
When they reached the shore, they saw it — the waves were surging wildly, and in one vast area, countless bubbles were rising from beneath the surface.
"What's going on?"
Cain frowned. He had never seen anything like this before.
Yuzare narrowed her eyes. After thinking for a moment, she gathered a sphere of light energy in her palm and hurled it into the bubbling sea.
BOOM!
A blinding flash erupted as the light sphere struck the surface.
In the next instant, an enormous explosion tore through the area, sending waves roaring skyward.
"The gas coming from the seabed is combustible," Keshiva said immediately, analysing the phenomenon.
Flames spread rapidly across the water — yet the bubbles kept rising.
Moments later, shapes began to emerge from within the blazing waves.
Crab-like monsters — huge creatures with gleaming metallic claws — began climbing out of the inferno, clacking their pincers menacingly as they advanced toward R'lyeh Island.
Leading them was one unlike the rest: a colossal black crab monster whose carapace gleamed like obsidian. Its appearance even vaguely resembled a Baltan alien.
CLANG!
A sharp metallic chime rang out as the leader clicked its claws together — and suddenly, the distant horizon began to rise.
The ocean swelled upward like a living wall of water, surging straight toward the island.
"Fall back!"
Yuzare shouted instantly.
Everyone retreated inland as the island's massive protective barrier activated, enveloping R'lyeh in shimmering light, ready to withstand the oncoming tide.
"Just a wave," Keshiva said confidently, eyes fixed on the sea. "No matter how high it rises, it won't break through this shield!"
But the crab monsters didn't stop.
They charged across the foaming waters toward R'lyeh, riding atop the waves.
"These creatures chose now to attack?" Cain muttered nervously. "Are they trying to crush R'lyeh in one blow?"
Yu Zhou wasn't nervous — only slightly speechless.
Because the army of crab monsters charging across the sea…
was doing so sideways.
The sight was so absurd it was almost funny.
Yuzare, however, remained silent. Her hands glowed softly as she condensed energy, preparing for battle.
BOOM!!!
A deep, thunderous impact rang out as the tidal wave slammed into the shield.
From inside, Yu Zhou could even see a few unfortunate fish splatters against the barrier — only to slide down lifelessly.
The crab monsters crashed against the barrier next, pounding it repeatedly with their iron claws.
Everyone — Yu Zhou, Yuzare, Keshiva, Cain, and the Corps soldiers — kept their eyes fixed on the dome, waiting for any sign of a crack.
Crack.
A faint sound. Barely audible, yet it made everyone's heart clench.
Then — with a resounding shatter! — the black leader crab brought down its massive claw, and the entire energy barrier fractured and collapsed.
"Open fire!"
Yuzare immediately gave the order.
The Defence Corps turned their electron cannons toward the horde, unleashing volleys of blazing plasma bolts.
At the same time, Yuzare hurled several concentrated light spheres into the oncoming swarm.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Explosions tore through the shore. Several crab monsters were blown apart instantly — their shells scattering across the sand.
But others retaliated.
Chunks of frozen mist erupted from their claws — icy projectiles that smashed into the cannons and the soldiers operating them, encasing both in thick layers of ice.
R'lyeh's defensive strength began to plummet.
There were simply too many of the crab monsters. The soldiers couldn't keep up.
If only they were as large as the monsters themselves — they could have fought hand-to-hand.
But they were only humans — ordinary, fragile humans.
Screams echoed through the battlefield. Some of the Corps members fell.
Yuzare focused her attacks on the black crab — she knew that taking down the leader was the key.
But its armour was unbelievably tough.
No matter how many light spheres she threw, none could pierce its shell — they merely sparked against it, barely leaving a mark.
Worse yet, her relentless assault finally drew its attention.
"It's coming this way!"
Cain's voice trembled as he drew his laser sword, ready to fight to the death.
Against such a towering monster, his courage alone was admirable.
Even though the creature scuttled sideways, its immense weight still made the ground quake with every step.
The black crab charged straight toward them, its massive claw descending like a falling mountain.
Yu Zhou raised his Dark Sparklence — his transformation device — and prepared to press the button.
But then he froze.
In front of him, his 'father-in-law', Keshiva, was already standing firm — holding a small metal rod, eyes fixed on the monster with unwavering resolve.
"Don't tell me…" Yu Zhou's eyes widened.
Beep.
Keshiva pressed the button on the device — a flash of light burst forth, and a dome-shaped energy barrier expanded outward, enveloping everyone.
Yu Zhou blinked.
"…Oh. I got excited for nothing."
Crack!
The barrier shattered immediately under a single blow from the crab's massive claw.
Another strike came crashing down.
Yuzare turned her head calmly toward Yu Zhou, as if silently asking him to take over.
Yu Zhou raised his black crystal rod high.
The wings on its sides unfolded, etched with glowing dark lines.
From every direction, shadows surged toward him, gathering like a living tide.
Bolts of violet lightning flickered through the air, dancing and crackling with raw power.
Everyone stared in awe as the light built to a blinding intensity—
And then, with a thunderous roar,
a silver-and-black giant fist smashed downward, colliding head-on with the monster's claw.