Chapter 39 — The greatest weapon ever created

As Ryuen got out of the limousine, he began walking toward the Nova Corp building, completely ignoring the crowd surrounding it. Two bodyguards dressed in black suits followed closely behind him, one walking on each side.

For a few seconds, the riot outside Nova Corp fell silent.

However, the people's expressions quickly twisted with anger as they redirected their fury toward Ryuen.

"Purple Braver! You bastard! Where the hell have you been?!"

"Why aren't you protecting us?! Why is Blue Braver the only one showing his face?!"

People screamed and tried to reach Ryuen, but his two bodyguards immediately stepped forward, keeping the angry crowd at bay.

Ryuen completely ignored them as he continued walking, his gaze hidden behind his sunglasses.

"All your movies suck!"

"Cowards! All the Bravers are cowards!"

"Just resign and die, you useless bastards!"

Although Ryuen appeared almost unfazed, the veins bulging across his forehead betrayed his irritation.

The crowd couldn't see his eyes behind his glasses, but they were nearly bloodshot with rage.

For a brief moment, the thought of unleashing his powers and slashing the entire crowd into tiny pieces of flesh crossed his mind.

However, he suppressed the urge and continued toward the building.

After entering the facility, Ryuen made a small gesture toward his bodyguards, signaling them to wait outside.

Just beyond the entrance, in the spacious lobby, stood a young man with short blonde hair. He greeted Ryuen with an elegant yet slightly arrogant smile.

"I would have appreciated it if you had used the back entrance."

The man who greeted him was none other than Dr. Gero Sullivan himself.

"...Right now, both your reputation and mine are in the gutter. It's not good for either of us to be seen doing business together..."

Gero commented with a smile.

Ryuen merely chuckled, showing no concern for his words.

"...Don't waste my time. You know why I'm here..."

"...Yes, yes..."

Gero replied as he walked toward a nearby elevator. Ryuen followed him inside, and the doors closed behind them.

As the elevator began to ascend, Gero started talking.

"...It's ironic... Despite the fiasco during the assault at the mall, business is booming more than ever..."

Gero continued speaking, but Ryuen remained silent, showing no interest in his words.

"...Ever since the government discovered that my Stellar Energy weapons were capable of seriously injuring Greed, the funding for mass-producing these weapons hasn't stopped pouring in."

Stolen story; please report.

Finally, having heard enough, Ryuen spoke.

"...I don't care about your business... I came here for what you promised me..."

"...Right... Strictly business, then..."

Gero muttered with a slightly disappointed smile.

When the elevator doors opened, an enormous laboratory came into view.

The facility was filled with hundreds of technicians and researchers working at numerous stations. Some were developing new Stellar Energy weapons, while others were testing experimental armor modeled after the suits worn by the Next Generation Bravers.

Elsewhere, military personnel were developing conventional weapons infused with Stellar Energy, including handguns, grenades, and even short blades.

The laboratory was a vast, brightly lit complex filled with advanced machinery, holographic displays, and robotic arms. The constant hum of equipment mixed with the voices of researchers discussing their latest results, creating an atmosphere of relentless activity.

However, Ryuen's attention was focused entirely on the center of the laboratory.

There, inside a massive cylindrical containment chamber, stood a purple combat suit.

Dozens of robotic arms surrounded the armor, carefully assembling its components while technicians monitored the process through nearby screens.

Ryuen's lips slowly curled into a vicious smile.

Even from a distance, he could feel the tremendous Stellar Energy radiating from the armor's core. He had never sensed anything quite like it before.

With growing excitement, he approached the cylindrical chamber, his eyes fixed on the magnificent armor within.

"...Thanks to your Braver device, we were able to develop this advanced combat suit. Its design was specifically tailored to amplify your unique abilities..."

Gero explained as he approached Ryuen.

Ryuen could barely contain his excitement. A low chuckle escaped his lips as he admired the armor.

After suffering a humiliating defeat at Wrath's hands during the shopping mall battle, Ryuen had contacted Gero a few days later, demanding a weapon powerful enough to crush the Witches.

In exchange, Gero had asked for only one thing: Ryuen's Braver device.

It was an opportunity he couldn't afford to miss. For the first time, he would have access to one of the seven original devices created by the late Dr. Willow, allowing him to study its unique properties firsthand.

Ryuen accepted the deal without hesitation.

With one of the original Braver devices in his possession, Gero had made enormous advancements in his Stellar Energy technology.

And now, an armor designed specifically for Ryuen stood before him.

Gero began speaking again.

"...It will take at least another two weeks to complete it, but once it's finished..."

He paused, a smile spreading across his face.

"...It will be the greatest weapon ever created."

Ryuen lowered his head as a small chuckle escaped his lips.

"...Ha..."

Then, his chuckle erupted into a vicious, uncontrollable laugh.

"...Hahahahahahahaha!"

Once this armor was in his hands, he would prove to everyone who truly stood at the top.

It didn't matter if the Witches were his former friends.

He would crush them.

He would kill them.

And he would prove to the entire world that the one who stood at the top was none other than Ryuen Shimada.

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Meanwhile, the military car carrying Yuki reached the end of the bridge and approached the entrance gates of Military Base Delta 55.

The enormous gates were reinforced with thick steel plating, towering concrete walls, and several mounted defense systems. Armed guards stood watch from elevated observation posts, while security cameras scanned every vehicle approaching the entrance.

As the military car drew near, the guards checked its credentials before the massive gates slowly began to open.

The vehicle passed through, entering the heavily fortified base.

Shortly afterward, Yuki stepped out of the car.

Beyond the entrance, a vast military training ground stretched across the base. Numerous soldiers could be seen testing newly developed mechanized combat suits equipped with Stellar Energy weaponry. Standing nearly five meters tall, these massive machines resembled walking fortresses, their armored frames designed to withstand heavy attacks while delivering devastating firepower.

Nearby, other soldiers were training with the new Stellar Energy rifles, attempting to adapt to the immense recoil produced by their shots. The weapons were almost a dozen times more powerful than conventional rifles, making them difficult to handle without proper training.

The sound of gunfire echoed across the training grounds as soldiers practiced firing at heavily reinforced targets.

As Yuki observed the scene, two military personnel approached her.

"Colonel Yuki, General Horikita wishes to see you in his office."

Yuki nodded before following the two soldiers toward the command building.

Her father was waiting for her.