On Major Zarok's mothership, navigating through the intricate corridors where Astrylite soldiers hurried, in a discreet room deep within the ship, Rylokian was chained to a floating platform of black color.

"Ugh!"

He was subjected to the 'Tormentisys' torture machine, with closed eyes, groaning in pain as a laser slowly cut through his chest; the burning sensation was unbearable!

Blood flowed through his body, dripping onto the platform, eventually forming a large pool on the floor.

Trapped in this place, Rylokian had lost track of time.

Clink, clank!

Driven by pain, he exerted force on his limbs as if trying to break the chains that relentlessly pierced his body with ultrasonic waves. However, the material was so advanced that not even a Xenotech-powered armor at full strength could break them...

Rylokian's mind was a whirlwind of chaos, a mix of regret, anger, frustration, and confusion.

Why had he taken this job?

As a third-rate mercenary, he already had a comfortable life. Although he ventured into dangerous places to earn a few Lumi Units, at least he wasn't tied to the worst battalion of his race!

It was the second-worst decision he had ever made in his life.

He had been blinded by the promise of a large number of units, and now he regretted not having reflected a bit more at that moment...

Rylokian envisioned those days when he was treated like a young master, the future owner of hundreds of thousands of planetary systems. When he had the power to decide the fate of a low-ranking planet, like this horrible world where he had spent five hundred years doing the work that only machines should do.

At what point did everything go wrong? Was it when his older brother befriended that bastard?

"N-no..."

His voice, interrupted by screams of pain, echoed throughout the room.

While it was true that it all started with the foolishness of his younger brother, in reality, if he had let him die that day instead of saving him, everything would have been different.

That had been the worst decision of his life: showing mercy. Something frowned upon in his race, and now he understood the reason.

If at that moment he had shown cruelty, he would surely be aboard a top-quality battleship, exploring the most exotic places in the galaxy, all while enjoying a glass of the most luxurious drink reserved for the most important figures in the Lumineos sector.

But all those were foolish dreams now...

Not much time had passed since the torture began, but his mind was already lost in thoughts about things that would probably never happen.

Zzzzrrrrrm...

Suddenly, the door opened, and Zarok's two guards entered. Both lacked helmets, exposing faces that, while not ugly, exuded a presence that tempted one to give them a punch. It seemed as if they were constantly mocking and belittling everyone around them.

"Did you enjoy your moment of peace?" taunted one of the guards, with black mushroom-shaped hair and a thin face displaying a contemptuous smile.

"..."

Unfortunately, Rylokian remained silent, offering no response.

The black-haired guard observed this with anger, muttering under his breath as he uncomfortably touched the back of his neck.

"Leave him be; he hasn't accepted that his life is ruined. It's the price he has to pay for stealing something from a noble," casually commented the other guard, with long blue hair and large cheeks. He continued speaking with a mocking tone, "I still don't understand why he made such a stupid stand. You should know that if he had really escaped with the Sonarix parts, they would have eventually found him. Look at that slippery rat Valis, stealing from megacorporations for two thousand years, thinking he's untouchable, and in the end? Locked up for life."

The other guard nodded, "Another arrogant guy beyond the norm who thought playing with an Ascendant's son was a good idea."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

As he finished speaking, he touched his neck again in annoyance, "This thing won't leave me alone. I really don't care if Eldran's stupid base was attacked. That's someone else's job!"

Although their words sounded like senseless nonsense, from their HoloSync, they were seeing a lot of alert signals. All indicating that a high-power explosion had been registered at Captain Eldran's base, with reports of casualties among the soldiers, putting the entire battalion in a state of war.

Despite this, they had no intentions of moving elsewhere. They were enjoying what they were doing, punishing this traitor.

To avoid further annoyance, he turned off the device.

"...It's been bothering me too, but we can't be cut off, so I'll endure it," said the guard with long hair as he approached the platform, eager to intensify Rylokian's torture.

Both conversed calmly, as if they were busy with some trivial task that was of no great importance.

Rylokian, on the other hand, slowly opened his eyes. In his gaze now shone arrogance and something new: cruelty. He had made a firm decision. He would no longer be compassionate to anyone. If trouble came from doing good, his path would now be tainted with evil. He would not think of anyone's well-being but his own!

The black-haired guard, clenching his fists, exclaimed, "This damn traitor, I told you not to look at me like that!"

Zzzzrrrrrm...

Just as he was about to inflict more torture, the door opened. Both guards lowered their heads and said, "Major Zarok, welcome!" But, as much as they awaited his voice, there was no response. It was only when they looked up that they both startled.

They thought Zarok would be the only other person who would have access to this room.

"W-what are you doing here...?" stammered the guard with black mushroom-shaped hair nervously. The other guard remained silent, visibly disturbed.

It was Morynthia and Mykarion, the pair of siblings who had gotten involved in a problem that had nothing to do with them.

"So, your kind resorts to torturing with these toys, how amusing," resonated Morynthia's melodic and soft voice in the room. Despite having a beautiful voice, for the guards, it was as if they were on a frozen planet with temperatures capable of freezing almost anything.

The black-haired guard took a deep breath and determinedly declared, "You can't stay here; it's a restricted area for the Astry-"

Zzziuup! Thwack!

However, before he could finish his sentence, a long silver whip emerged next to her and instantly flung its sharp end towards the guard questioning their presence.

"Ouch!"

The guard groaned in pain, touched his cheek, and saw his black metallic glove stained with blood: "Y-you!"

Zzziuup!

"!"

But he fell silent as he saw how the whip struck just an inch from his right eye; a little more, and it might have burst like a water balloon.

Such a wound could not be easily healed; it was beyond the regenerative capabilities of his race. Although they could heal horrible wounds, like having their skin torn off or losing chunks of flesh, they couldn't regenerate any kind of limb, let alone their eyeballs.

They weren't immortal or anything...

Mykarion approached where Rylokian was and commented, "You're quite lucky. Now we have enough evidence to free you. You should thank that native you were talking about; it seems he hasn't exactly stayed still."

As she looked at this pitiful soldier, she reflected on everything that had happened since their arrival on this planet: the massive explosion revealing Xylyra's Sonarix's death, the massacre in a nest of creatures related to another important figure, and recently, the explosion of an entire island hosting a small Astrylite base.

Reports of casualties had even been received, unheard of on a low-ranking planet!

It was a constant succession of problems. Whoever was behind this wasn't playing; their approach was too direct. Almost as if they planned for everyone to realize their presence.

"!"

Rylokian opened his eyes as if he had won the lottery.

In his mind, a tide of thoughts roared, rising like threatening waves. That native... would have to pay for making him endure such an unpleasant moment!

As he pondered his situation, he doubted they would allow him to take any action...

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Mykarion grabbed the chains, and from his black armor, small flashes of light, like countless stars, gathered all over his arm. Effortlessly, he broke the chain holding Rylokian's right arm, then did the same with the left chain, and in a few seconds, all the chains were broken!

Gulp!

This made the two guards nervously swallow saliva.

They knew that even with Xenotech armors, they wouldn't be able to achieve such a feat. And yet, this man with a surprisingly thin armor had broken them as if they were mere twigs.

Still, why destroy one of Major Zarok's treasures? They could have asked to release him in a straightforward manner...

Morynthia gave an intimidating look to the guards, clearly enjoying the situation. Every time she narrowed her eyes, they sweated as if it were raining.

"How pathetic," she whispered with a disdainful look.

She stopped looking at them and exclaimed, "Alright, let's go now. Time is our main enemy at the moment!"

"...T-thank you for freeing me, but why do you need me?" asked Rylokian, confused. He didn't think he could contribute in any way to help these siblings. He lacked advanced weapons and wasn't stronger than them either.

Pat! Pat!

Giving him strong pats on the shoulder, making him frown in pain, she said, "Of course, you'll be of help. You're the first one who has had contact with that native. You've seen his technology and also heard his voice. Besides, I don't think you want to just stand by without being able to get revenge on that being who has caused you so much trouble, right...?"

When she finished speaking, he felt as if he were being bewitched. The flame of anger inside him grew, and with a cold look, he said, "Alright, I'll follow you. Where are we going?"

Although his tone was calm, he was actually excited; he would be allowed to be on the front lines!

"I like decisive people! First, go shower and change. When you're ready, we'll head to an artificial island that belonged to the civilization that once inhabited this world!" Her beautiful golden eyes shone with excitement; it was more than evident that she enjoyed seeing new things. She even found it interesting to explore the ruins of a simple Type Zero civilization.

"..."

They left the room, leaving the two guards in silence, exchanging confused looks as they had been completely ignored.

"...Should we contact Major Zarok?" asked the guard with black mushroom-shaped hair.

His companion nodded slowly.