Chapter 28: Predators and Gambits

​[Derrick’s Private Chambers]

​The silence in the room was suffocating. The nobles had long stopped their bickering, leaving only the sound of the wind rattling the window panes.

​"Your Highness," the Prime Minister finally spoke, breaking the stillness.

"If we cannot find common ground with these 'Visitors,' managing them will be impossible. They won't even call themselves our allies.
They say our interests simply 'align.' What happens when that alignment ends?
Will they abandon us? Or will they do something much worse?"

​Derrick remained silent, his gaze fixed on the mahogany table.

​"They are ancient and alien," Daniel, the slave warrior, spoke up, his voice gravelly and calm.

"But they still look young. They look human."

​Derrick looked up, his brow furrowing.

"What are you implying, Daniel?"

​"I am thinking of the universal weakness of young men," Daniel replied bluntly.

"Two of them look barely twenty-five. I’d wager they are bachelors, too. Perhaps we should consider a honey trap."

​Duke Antonio’s face reddened.

"That is absurd! For a kingdom like Genova to stoop so low just because we are confused? It’s beneath us!"

​Daniel sighed.

"Duke Antonio, you are a noble to the core. You yourself called these men ancient, and His Highness compared them to dead stars.
If they are truly that divine, a simple trap will fail anyway. So what is the harm in a 'soft' attempt?
We send someone who isn't direct—someone who doesn't 'seduce,' but simply draws them in.
Makes them feel... tethered to this world."

​The room went silent again. No one moved. No one objected.

​"Does anyone have a better suggestion?" Daniel asked.

​Derrick let out a long, weary sigh.

"Fine. We will take this gamble. But Daniel... if this goes south, I will blame the entire plot on you to save the kingdom's face.
You will be executed. Are you still willing to proceed?"

​Daniel didn't blink. "If it is for the sake of our world, then yes."

---

​[The White Dimension]

​Kiel was drenched in sweat, his breath coming in ragged gasps. He was at the center of a high-level mana ritual,
the space around him distorting and groaning under the pressure of his power.

​Miyeru hovered nearby, her usual arrogance replaced by deep concern.

"Brother, is it over yet? How much longer must you hold this?"

​Kiel’s eyes suddenly snapped wide, pulsing with a frantic light.

"Miyeru! We’ve underestimated the Rangers. I can feel them...the predators are lurking toward this universe! It’s not the R100s. It’s not even the R200s."

​Miyeru froze.

"Then who?"

​"It’s the R300s," Kiel hissed, his face turning pale.

"Seven of them."

​"That’s impossible!" Miyeru cried.

"The Rebellion forces said they sealed this world's contact! HQ shouldn't even know where they are!"

​"And that’s why the Apex Predators are heading here through deep space at light speed," Kiel replied, his teeth gritted against the strain.

"We have around eight hours before they breach the universe boundary. Once they’re in, it’s a matter of minutes before they reach this solar system."

​Miyeru looked grim.

"Why would they send a top-tier combat division just to rescue a few maintenance officers?"

​"I don't know!" Kiel shouted.

"Unless... that Ranger R98! He mentioned knowing the R300s. We’ve underestimated that trash far more than we should have."

​"Then what do we do?"

​Kiel went quiet for a moment, calculating.

"I’m almost finished with the ritual. If it succeeds, we’ll have a fighting chance even against the 300s.
But if their objective is the maintenance officers, Miyeru... you have to hunt them down first. Don't hold back.
Those Rangers are weak, but their 'trash tactics' are effective. You must eliminate them before the Elites arrive.
I’ll stay here to finish the ritual. You have to do this alone."

​Miyeru’s expression hardened into a mask of pure resolve. She unsheathed her light-dagger, the purple glow reflecting in her eyes.

"Brother... I won't let us fail."

---

Chapter 28.5: The Dragon and the Damsel

​The evening air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and old stone.

The three Rangers walked toward the grand ballroom, their gait composed and rhythmic.

The slapstick banter from earlier had vanished, replaced by the rigid professionalism of men who knew the clock was ticking.

​"Is the plan really going to hold?" R56 asked in a low voice, his eyes scanning the periphery.

​"It’s the best option we’ve got," R98 replied, his gaze fixed forward.

"And right now, it’s the only one."

​The massive doors of the ballroom swung open.

The royal herald’s voice boomed, echoing off the vaulted ceilings: "The Visitors from the realms above Heaven are entering!"

​The music didn't stop, but the conversation did. Every head in the room turned as one.

The nobility starred in a silence that was more akin to prayer than curiosity. Crown Prince Derrick stepped forward immediately, meeting them at the threshold.

​"We welcome you to this special gathering," Derrick said, his tone formal yet wary.

"This ball signifies our first contact. We wish you a pleasant time."

​R98 met his gaze, his blue pupils pulsing with a faint, artificial light.

"We are satisfied with your hospitality."

​Derrick offered a sharp nod and retreated to tend to the other nobles, leaving the Rangers to navigate the sea of staring eyes.
Nearby, on a secluded balcony, Oralia stood alone, her back to the festivities as she stared at the stars.
She looked like a ghost, unaware of the "honey trap" or the cosmic predators closing in.

​A butler approached with a silver tray. The three Rangers' each took a glass of wine, their hands steady as they surveyed the room.

​"Hey," R98 whispered to R56, his voice barely audible over the violins.

"Did you finish the patch update? Paladin Level 7 to Level 10?"

​R56 took a slow sip of wine.

"Yeah. Now that the universe's firewall has stopped resisting us, I managed to download the Level 10 Mage package too.
In this world, that’s the kind of output that can one-shot a dragon. I’m locked and loaded."

​R98 nodded, then turned to R76.

"How long since we got the news about the R300s?"

​R76’s eyes were sharp, calculating.

"Three and a half hours. They’re well into the breach by now."

​"I see. They must have made their move," R98 muttered.

"Initiate the plan."

​R76 nodded. Before he slipped away into the shadows of the ballroom, he paused.

"R98... stay safe."

​"Of course," R98 replied.

​With R76 gone, R98 and R56 stood side-by-side, two silent observers in a room full of people who thought they were gods. R56 looked at the younger Ranger curiously.

"You know, kid... you’ve exceeded my expectations. Did you really train with the R300 Division? Are you one of those guys hiding your true power level?"

​R98 turned toward him slowly, his expression shifting into something deep, mysterious, and heavy—only to shatter into a mocking, trashy grin.

"What the hell, old hag?! I just blurted out that bullshit to confuse the Reality Siblings!"

​SLAP.

​R98 recoiled, a bright red handprint blooming on his face.

"Ow! What was that for?!" he sobbed, clutching his cheek.

"I just happened to know R357 from the 300s. Centuries ago, I got an internship under her. I was kicked out the day the contract ended!"

​R56 sighed, his hand still stinging.

"Yeah, I can see that. You’re a world-class slacker. But are you sure 'they' will make a move?"

​R98’s sobbing stopped instantly. He nodded, his face turning deadly serious.

"They definitely would."

​Suddenly, a young girl with flowing white hair tripped on the hem of her gown.

The young girl with flowing white hair tripped on the hem of her gown and stumbled forward.

Instinctively, R98 reached out, catching her before she hit the floor.

For a moment—

everything paused.

She was warm.

Too close.

Real.

Her fingers were still lightly holding onto his sleeve, and her wide eyes looked up at him in startled embarrassment.

“Ah—!”

She quickly stepped back, her face flushing crimson.

“I-I’m sorry…!”

R98 stood perfectly still.

For the briefest second, his “Alien God” mask cracked—not outwardly, but in the tiny stiffness of his hand, the unnatural pause in his breathing.

Then the mask returned.

“Don’t worry,” he said smoothly, stepping back and restoring the distance.

R56, watching from behind with a wine glass in hand, narrowed his eyes.

He had expected some grand, mysterious line.

Instead, he saw something far more dangerous.

Hesitation.

R56 took a slow sip.

“…You’re softer than you pretend, huh?”

R98 shot him a death glare.

“Shut up.”

​R56 gritted his teeth, his temple throbbing.

"Are you... are you serious right now?!"

 

​To be continued...

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