Night had fallen.
After saying goodbye to Captain Swan, everyone returned to the Rustbucket.
As Gwen climbed in, Grandpa Max stopped Ethen, who was about to get inside.
"What's wrong, Grandpa?"
Ethen looked puzzled.
Max spoke seriously. "Ethen, the Plumbers checked the lake. They found fragments of a sunken ship and a large amount of gray residue…"
"I was the one who took care of them," Ethen admitted without hesitation.
Max frowned, rubbing his forehead. "Ethen, wouldn't it have been better to let them be arrested?"
"They knew who we were. If we captured them alive, they'd become a threat to us!"
"Any threat needs to be eliminated at the root!" Ethen's voice was firm and unwavering.
"Oh… right. I forgot about that."
Max sighed. He couldn't really argue, so he said earnestly, "Ethen, remember to stay calm. Don't let your emotions take over."
"I understand, Grandpa," Ethen nodded.
Max released his shoulder, letting him climb into the Rustbucket.
As he watched Ethen leave, Max's expression softened with conflict.
Ethen's actions clearly clashed with the Plumbers' "no-kill" policy.
But…
"Ethen's combat power is already beyond what the Plumbers can offer him. It's not him who needs the Plumbers—it's us who need him," Max muttered to himself.
He could only hope that, over time, Ethen's mindset would change.
That night, they had dinner with the fish they'd caught during the day.
Afterward, everyone turned in for the night.
As usual, Ethen slept lightly. Around midnight, his eyes snapped open.
"Ding. The host's Devil Watch template has expired. Would you like to keep it permanently in your ability pool?"
"How much?" Ethen asked casually.
"Devil Watch. Price: 600 reward points."
"What the—!?" Ethen froze, eyes widening. "That's three times the price of the Ultimate Evolution Watch! No way I can afford that… Fine, let's just get today's sign-in reward."
"Ding. Congratulations to the host for obtaining the Omnitrix template…"
"The template acquired is: Error Omnitrix."
"Error Omnitrix: the most dangerous Omnitrix ever created. It possesses limitless functionality, no safety restrictions, and special combat-enhancing features. The only drawback—once activated, it can control its user."
Without hesitation, Ethen said, "Nope! Change it! Change it right now!"
He was brave enough to face the Devil Watch, but the Error Omnitrix. Even he knew better.
"Ding. The host's ability pool contains: First-Generation Omnitrix (Max Level). Replace current template?"
"Replace it!" Ethen commanded.
His right arm reverted to normal, and the familiar green Omnitrix appeared on his wrist once again.
"Much better."
He exhaled, finally at ease. "System, open my personal panel."
A digital display appeared before him.
Host: Ethen
Physique: Peak human level
Spirit: Excellent
Genetics: Human (partial resistance to alien DNA)
Skills: Advanced hand-to-hand combat, firearms mastery
Ability Pool: First-Generation Omnitrix (Max Level)
Reward Points: 40
"Forty points left… not bad."
"System, open the shop."
A virtual screen expanded in front of him, with three major categories:
Genes. Skills. Items.
"Can't afford gene upgrades, and I don't need new skills right now. Open the items tab."
The list unfolded:
Alien Gene Enhancer — 40 points
Mini Military Drone — 30 points
Plumber Combat Uniform (Special) — 10 points
Stone Guardian — 10 points
Unlike templates, these items were tangible — they could appear instantly in the real world.
Ethen's eyes landed on one. "System, what's the Plumber Combat Uniform?"
"Ding. This uniform automatically adapts to your body size, provides moderate defense, and regulates temperature — keeping you cool in summer and warm in winter."
"Nice! I'll take it."
"Ding. Purchase successful. 10 reward points deducted."
A neatly folded set of high-tech Plumber combat gear materialized on his bed.
Ethen picked it up and slipped it on. The material was surprisingly soft — even more comfortable than pajamas.
As he imagined a different look, the uniform shifted, transforming into a yellow-and-white T-shirt — perfectly fitted.
"Perfect."
Ethen smiled, lay back, and drifted off into a peaceful sleep.
The next morning, Max woke early. Seeing Ethen's right arm back to normal, he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I'm glad you're okay, kid."
He started up the Rustbucket and drove it out of the woods.
By the time the old vehicle rolled onto the open road, everyone was awake and ready for the next leg of their journey.
A new day had begun — and new adventures awaited.