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nAll of this happened while the Nova Universe was still celebrating and oblivious. A severe ‘virus’ had penetrated its system and was growing exponentially in power, and it was unknown if the universe’s natural defenses and ‘immune system’ would be able to withstand its eventual explosion.

nSeven days passed quickly, and many events occurred around the entire universe that were banal or exemplary depending on the socio-economic, geo-politic, and militaristic elements of each sector.

nHowever, with an omniscient viewpoint, one would notice that there was a quick subjugation of many planets in entire galaxies, often targeting level 1 and below civilizations while transforming them, leaving those at level 2 and upwards alone… for now.

nBut that was not what was remarkable about today.

nWhat would forever go down in the history of the Nova Universe was a certain event that no one could have ever dreamed of happening actually occurring during the early morning of the Solar Galaxy’s central planet, Corvinus.

nCorvinus was special to the Nova Universe because not only was it the center of all political, social, and economic matters concerning the entirety of known civilization universe-wide, but also because it was a terraformed planet which housed the Zero Gate in its core.

nCorvinus was also home to the two most important institutions in the universe, the Nova Academy and the Nova Force. The former was created to train young students and newcomers in the world of superpowers to become adept in not only managing their power, but also spelunking within the Zero Gate.

nMeanwhile, the Nova Force was for graduates of the Nova academy as well as various powerhouses around the universe who awakened superpowers or acquired them later in life to be trained into capable warriors for fighting in the First Gate.

nEvery citizen of the Nova Universe wanted to be a part of one of these two institutions because they promised prestige, wealth, and power beyond compare. Anyone who was someone in this universe had either been to one or both of these institutions without exception.

nInterestingly, the Nova Academy and Force appointed their overall leaders through an internal selection system that occurred behind closed doors, much like how the Vatican handled electing a new pope.

nNo one knew the criteria for choosing or who exactly it was done, only that when it was time for a change, the selection would be announced and the candidates would undertake some sort of trial or pilgrimage, coming out with one of them as the new leader. 𝘳𝑎.𝒸ℴ

nThis was how it had been for generations upon generations, in fact from the very moment that the two institutions were founded even.

nAs the two pinnacle institutions, their prestige was not only high, but so was their martial might. At any given time, more than 90% of the universe’s strongest powers were concentrated here if they were not in the First Gate doing tasks.

nTo attack the Planet Corvinus never even occurred to the minds of even the most paranoid fellows. In fact, it was often said that taking up a guard position on this planet defense force was seen as a free vacation with paid benefits, something that many common soldiers fought for earnestly.

nSo the lackluster and delayed response that occurred when the Supreme Mecha appeared in the space above the planet was not too shocking, but this situation quickly changed when the Supreme Mecha pointed a finger upwards.

nTo the shock and confusion of all those monitoring the spatial grid of Planet Corvinus, a giant tear in space formed that began to expand further and further, looking like a huge snake eye in the void.

nFrom that tear, a moon-sized monster that had a spherical body covered with wretched red skin that had a giant eye and a huge maw full of razor-sharp teeth as well as countless tentacle appendages that also had individual eyes on their tips emerged from within with a silent roar since sound couldn’t travel in space.

nIt was a Chaos Beholder that was summoned from subspace using 9th-rank spatial magic. This being, upon appearance, immediately focused all its eyes on the ripe and lively Planet Corvinus, a hint of greed and rapacious intent appeared in all its eyes as it gazed on the planet.

nImmediately, a strange wave emerged from its eyes that could not be detected by simpler technology that traveled rapidly through space, traveling through the void around the Chaos Beholder for millions of light-years in every direction.

nHowever, these waves were harmless to all beings unless they made eye contact of any kind with one of the Chaos Beholder’s eyes, and in this case, all the members of the defense force who were monitoring its existence from their various monitors and screens were immediately besieged by these waves imperceptibly.

nRight away, they went slack-jawed as their eyes glazed over, becoming like zombies. With foolish expressions of joy, they began to enter various codes and commands that would simultaneously lower all defenses, blind all surveillance, and make it easy for the Supreme Mecha to take over the planet’s systems.

nJust as this was about to succeed, a counter wave of psychic force swept over all the soldiers who were dazed, causing the light to return to their eyes as they glanced around with shock and confusion, not understanding what had just happened.

n“Focus! All of you had almost been done in by that strange beast!” A strong feminine voice sounded, causing all the members of the defense force to feel shocked as they stood up to salute.

nA woman had appeared in the command center of the entire defense force’s huge headquarters that spanned nearly an entire small continent. Her body glowed with a blue outline and her eyes shone with a light blue hue as psychic power emanated from her in great force, repelling the waves from the Chaos Beholder.

nShe was tall and quite voluptuous, with wheat-colored skin and flowing blue hair that matched her azure-colored eyes. She wore a casual suit of light green nanite armor that hugged her amazing body tightly, meant not for attraction but for functionality as it possessed many high-tech abilities that could make the difference in a typical battle.

nHowever, none of the men nor women here could even dare to have thought in that direction about her, for this woman was one of the pillars of their entire universe!

n“Salute, Commander Serena!” Everyone saluted in a military fashion, utmost respect on their faces.

nCommander Serena waved her hand casually. “Salute warriors of Nova. Quickly return to your positions and sound a planetary alarm about this intruder.”

nEveryone acknowledged the order and sat down, getting to work furiously in dealing with the threat before them. No one felt that this response was exaggerated because they had nearly all been wiped by this monster without even being in its proximity, so it was clearly not something to be trifled with.

nMeanwhile, in space, the Chaos Beholder’s eyes narrowed coldly when it sensed the strong repulsive force of an opposing psyche. Its waves had already pervaded most of space around here and it was aware that there were many powerful beings here, concentrated on this planet especially.

nHowever, it was not phased and even became much greedier, intending to fully swallow this planet and all its inhabitants slowly in order to savor the taste. It sneered when it sensed that the planet began to dispatch fighter units into space to take it down.

nThe defense force did have a pretty impressive armada though. There was one Destroyer-class Command Ship, two Star-Class Frigates, nearly 50 Battle-Class Battleships, and over 100,000 Interceptor-Class fighter ships.

nThat was not even counting the drones, support and repair ships, as well as bomber ships.

nThis was more than enough to conquer some entire galaxies alone, concentrated singularly on one planet. This went to show that even through complacency, the denizens of the Nova Universe were serious about their central planet’s defense.

nThey charged into space, angling towards the gigantic Chaos Beholder which was only matched in size by the Destroyer-class ship which was even only 60% of its size.

nThe many tentacles of the Chaos Beholder began to stretch and flourish, giving one the illusion that the Chaos Beholder was… stretching its legs?… before a fight. 𝘳.𝑐ℴ

nThe moment some of the Interceptor-class ships got into range, they began firing their plasma guns wantonly at the Chaos Beholder. However, when the impressive beams of condensed light struck the skin of the Chaos Beholder, they seemed to be no different to its durability.

nIn fact, it only stretched out many of its tentacles at a speed that seemed to be near that of a blur, casually smashing hundreds of fighters into space debris with each swing. The amount of carnage it dealt in mere seconds shocked everyone, even Commander Serena who was watching with a severe expression.

nShe realized that this monster would not be taken down by conventional tactics and would require some… special… treatment.

n𝑖𝘦𝑎.𝗇t

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