Battle Of Planets

Chapter 118: I am Ready
Tyson read the new rules flashing across the screen, just like everyone else.A metallic mound near the chamber’s large sealed gate—shaped like an ant hill—began to shift. From its center, a glowing key floated up, as if the hill were spitting out treasure.

All eyes turned to it.

[ At the beginning of each round, random Power Points will be distributed. One of you have to be chosen to receive the key. ]

[ The Key Holder will gain the ability to summon allies using Power Points earned from killing monsters and completing tasks. ]

[ Once the key is taken, a button will appear for the Key Holder to register—informing their team inside the dungeon that they are ready to fight beside them. ]

Murmurs spread. This wasn’t just a matter of charging in and clearing levels as a group anymore.

Everything now depended on who got the key—on who entered first—and what they chose to do.

Some faces turned grim. Others, calculating. But then... the Rogues started smiling.

They understood the loophole. Not everyone could fight in dungeons. Most of their weaker members could stay out and safe. Let the Rangers go in. Let them fight. Let them die.

Then the system spoke again.

[ The Key Holder will have the ability to summon... and force summon. ]

The room froze.

Did it just say force summon?

A chill crept up many spines.

That meant the Key Holder could drag anyone into the dungeon—whether they agreed or not. If the wrong person got the key... they could summon their enemies inside, helpless, exposed.

The room’s mood soured in an instant.

Across the chamber, Mills—the Rogue-ranked General—narrowed his eyes and glared at Edward.

Now it made sense why Edward was so focused on the becoming leader so he can control things inside the battle room.

That was why Edward had pushed to become a leader. He was playing a long game. He could assert the right for key as leader ... and have his trusted Rangers take it instead.

Then, from the safety of command, he could order them to force summon Rogues inside, one by one—to die.

Mills clenched his fists. ”Favorable for the Rangers,” he growled under his breath. ”Bastards...”

Edward looked calmly at the Rogues, then back at the screen as more rules scrolled by.

”You... you knew this, didn’t you?” Mills said, his voice accusatory.

Edward didn’t respond.

”Shut up,” one of the Ranger captains snapped. ”He’s our leader. Show some respect.”

”Or what?” Mills growled, stepping forward, face darkening. ”I’d prefer to die here than be butchered in front of the entire world.”

A heavy silence followed.

Because it was true.

The moment anyone stepped into the dungeon, the live broadcast would begin—streamed directly to Earth.

Everyone would be watching. Their screams, their deaths... would be entertainment.

[ After the Key Holder’s death, the next person in the summoning queue will receive the key, followed by the third, and so on... ]

The system kept speaking, unmoved by the growing chaos.

And now the Rogues paused. They realized they had a weapon of their own.

All they had to do... was kill the Key Holder.

That way, they could seize control. But even then—they’d still have to clear the map, or die trying.

Across the chamber, several people slumped to the ground in panic. Others just stood, frozen in place. all they see is a death trap.

This wasn’t a team mission anymore. Some of them would go in alone. Some would be summoned into hell even if they dont want to...all because one of their own wanted it.

Would their teammates save them? Or leave them to die?

Now they understood—why only eight people survived the last time.

Not because they were the strongest. But because everyone else had played a different game—a darker game.

They had schemed behind the scenes, whispered lies, faked loyalty... And when the world watched them as honorable warriors,

They had already abandoned their comrades, betrayed trust, and ran away in fear.

The room was silent for a long moment until another message came.

On the screen, a wheel began spinning—randomly allocating points for the first round.

[ Ding! 74 Power Points ]

[ One warrior can enter the first map ]

[ The map is already set—and familiar to all ]

[ A Sand Desert ]

The metallic key shimmered on the ant-hill-shaped pedestal, glowing with heat as if begging to be taken.

Some Rogues shifted in place, tempted to make a dash for it—but they didn’t move. Taking the key meant walking straight into the jaws of death. It not only holds power but also the risk of death.

Survive and clear the map... or die alone, triggering a new map for someone else.

Edward closed his eyes briefly. He had hoped for more points. Enough to go in himself.To lead. To protect. But with only 74... he had no choice but to rely on someone else.

He scanned the room. Even the Rangers were staring at their feet—no one dared meet his gaze. No one wanted to be an example. No one wanted to be first and die without much knowledge of what was in there and how to deal with it.

They were new, most of them. Still clinging to their illusions. Still hoping to survive by staying out of it.

Then Edward looked at Alex—who looked ready. And then at Tyson. ”Tyson. Come here,” he said.

The room stilled. Tyson hesitated before stepping forward. All eyes followed him.

His teammates flinched but said nothing. They didn’t want to be in his place. This wasn’t a simulation. It was real. there was no waking up in the simulation pod but dying directly.

He walked up to Edward. Edward placed a firm hand on his shoulder and turned to address everyone.

”I know you don’t trust me,” he began, his voice steady. ”But I’m not like the others. I lead by example. I don’t give orders—I take responsibility.”

The crowd listened, unsure.

”This is my son,” Edward continued, ”and I’m sending him first.”

Alex stepped forward. ”Dad, let me go. I’ll go first.”

”You’ll go second,” Edward replied calmly. ”You don’t like asking for help. Let Tyson do that. It’s not your style, is it?”

Alex paused. He hated how accurate that was. He was a solo warrior. He would die before asking Tyson for help.

Edward had purposely taken Tyson as the first warrior. He has seen the emerging qualities of a leader from him, unlike his son who always does things on his own.

”Sir, are you sure?” Elena spoke up—a Ranger captain. Her voice trembled. ”They’re your sons. Sending them first means...”

She glanced at Tyson. ”Please reconsider this.”

”No, Captain,” Edward said firmly. ”I know my sons. They need this.”

He turned back to Tyson and looked into his eyes. ”You have to trust me, son.”

Tyson nodded slowly. He scanned the crowd—most looked away, and some met his gaze with pity. They knew he was scared.

”This will be the first—and the easiest—dungeon of them all,” Edward said softly, only to him. ”You both need to adapt faster than anyone else. As your father... this is all I can do for you.”

Tyson took a breath. ”Yes, Dad. I’ll do it.”

”No, I will do it,” Alex muttered, stepping closer. ”You stay back... and hide after summoning me there”

Tyson ignored him and stepped forward. The key floated toward him, humming with energy.

Silently, he donned his white armor. Then, with purpose, he approached the massive metal door.

He inserted the key into the lock, and twisted— The door slid open with a hiss. he paused taking a deep breath in.

His white meta-bot blicked on his chest as if telling him you are not alone and never will be. Tyson glanced back at the other briefly.

This could be the last time he would see familiar faces, this could be the last time he will ever be here and remembered.

Blue waved, silently as if telling him to be careful or maybe mocking him. Tyson was not sure, and he never cared.

Tyson stepped through— And vanished.

---

Back on Earth, the screens lit up.

All televisions, phones, and public displays momentarily went black— Then flickered to life with a new broadcast.

A lone White Ranger stood in the heart of a vast desert. Winds howled across the dunes, and sand danced violently under the sun. He looked small. Isolated. And nervous.

Back in Utopia in his private office, Max clenched his fists behind his back. Watching the broadcast through the AI screen.

”My friend... you chose to lead. Unlike me.” He lowered his gaze. ”This... will decide the fate of us all.”

---

Back in Elria.

Seraphina gripped the arms of her chair, Beside her, Lucy stood frozen, her face drained of color.

At home, Mrs. Winters sat in front of her television, mouth slightly open, stunned into silence.

A door slammed upstairs— Nancy came running down, breathless, her heart racing. She had heard her mother call out.

She skidded to a halt, eyes locking on the screen.

The white armor. The stance. The way he looked around, unsure but determined.

Her lips trembled. Her breath caught. ”T-Tyson...”