Interstellar: Return of the Villain
Chapter 96: Bluebone

Chapter 96: Bluebone

Everyone was stunned, trying to make sense of the chaos.

How could the healing plants lead to Oleg’s sudden explosion? One moment, he was alive, and the next, nothing remained but a bloody mess. A commander of a legion, that strong, wiped out just like that?

His bodyguards didn’t waste a second. Guns were drawn, aimed squarely at the medical team. "What happened? You killed the Vice Admiral!"

"We swear we didn’t! Those were definitely healing plants!" The medics were just as freaked out, scrambling for words.

They had used what should’ve been the best treatment. But their protests fell on deaf ears, with blame hovering over them like a dark cloud.

Lyra watched it all unfold from a distance, staying out of it. Oleg’s death was necessary; if he had survived, she knew he wouldn’t have let her walk away.

The bodyguards quickly restrained the medics and sent word to Oleg’s adjutant, who was back at the base in command.

When the news hit, the adjutant was blindsided at first. But then a thought crossed his mind, and a slight, almost imperceptible smile flickered on his lips before he quickly hid it. "Keep this under wraps for now. Get the level-nine herb back, or our losses will be even worse!"

The bodyguards paused, unsure at first but soon saw the logic.

And so, the Vice Admiral’s death remained a secret, at least for the time being. His remains—what little was left of him—along with the shards of his mecha and the remnants of those fatal herb pieces, were gathered up. All these would be crucial in the report once the true cause of his death was determined.

Meanwhile, the battle near Mine No. 7 was wrapping up.

With two level-seven Peculiars on the field, the queen bee didn’t stand a chance and soon fell into a deep pit.

The beast horde was decimated, the wounded were evacuated, and the survivors limped back to the temporary medical facility.

The remaining troops got busy clearing the battlefield.

Lyra arrived by helicopter just as Zinnia came over.

"Lyra, what are you doing here? The wyrm self-destructed earlier. Are you okay?" Zinnia rushed over, concern etched on her face.

"We got injured earlier, but the medics from the treatment center patched us up. So many people died, though." Lyra’s voice softened, a hint of sadness slipping through.

The new cadets, barely trained, were now face-to-face with the brutal reality of war.

The strong stench in the air made Lyra cough. "I’m fine."

In the heart of the battlefield, the medical team leader worked on treating Cohen and the others. But the tension was still thick, and everyone’s gaze kept drifting toward the pit with uneasy expressions.

"Lieutenant Commander Whyte, we should check if the beast is really dead," a Captain from the Phenix Legion suggested, standing up.

Cohen was in a bloodstained white uniform, his refined features hiding a steely resolve. He nodded. "No rush, we’ll go together."

"But what if that monster escapes?"

"Escape where? We’ve got the place locked down." Erin scoffed, throwing a pointed glance at a silent figure behind her. ’You really think we are just here for show?’

Just then, a housekeeper brought by Vivian stepped forward. "I need to investigate the energy mine as well. It’s the investors’ right."

The air grew tense.

There were still two level-nine plants down there, and now four groups were gunning for them!

Suddenly, the air crackled with energy as superpower particles collided.

This time, it wasn’t about beating the enemy—it was all about claiming the spoils.

Cohen stood like a towering figure, his face calm and steady.

With a simple wave, he unleashed a powerful energy, and as he spread his fingers and pressed down, an intense surge of gravity slowed everyone around him.

His psychokinetic powers were undeniable, and he quickly gained the upper hand.

The others could only watch in stunned silence as Kogar maneuvered his mecha into the deep pit.

Moments later, he emerged, clutching a glowing blue root-like object—the coveted level-nine advancement plant, Bluebone.

"Sir!" someone shouted, breaking the tense silence.

Cohen gripped the plant firmly. Then he lightly jumped back as he released the gravity hold.

"I really thought you were fair and selfless, Lieutenant Commander Whyte," the Captain of the Phenix Legion sneered, unable to hide his disdain.

"Just looking out for myself," Cohen replied coolly. Despite the slight fatigue settling in as he landed, his expression remained calm. "Besides, even if I were to hand it over, some folks wouldn’t let that slide."

Oleg’s death could have changed everything, but for now, Cohen stayed in the dark about it.

Realizing that prying the plant from Cohen’s grip was futile, the others turned on each other.

The tension erupted into another fierce battle, each side convinced they deserved the remained plant and fighting tooth and nail to claim it.

"What on earth? Why are they fighting?!" Zinnia gasped, eyes wide with shock.

"They’re after the level-nine plants," Lyra explained, her gaze fixed on the chaotic struggle.

Three level-sevens, backed by a group of level-sixes...

But before Lyra could formulate a plan, a group of ten masked individuals, all clad in nondescript jackets and armed to the teeth, burst onto the scene.

With no legion insignia, their origins were a mystery.

Kail’s instincts flared up, and he yelled at Lyra, "Run!"

The others were bewildered—why run? Who were these people?

Lyra scoffed, "Doesn’t matter where you run. I’m the one they’re after." She drew a sword from her Space Button and turned to the shocked interns. "If you want to stay alive, stay away from me."

"Lyra..." Zinnia whispered, words failing her as Thierry quickly pulled her back.

Gunshots suddenly rang out, aimed squarely at Lyra, but she dodged with impressive agility.

Kail wanted to jump in and help, but Zorion yanked him aside. "What are you thinking? You want to get yourself killed?"

Kail gritted his teeth, glaring at Zorion as he hissed, "What’s wrong with you people? Why do you have to kill her?"

The masked attackers closed in on Lyra. With her sword in hand, she scanned her surroundings.

Then, she activated a light shield, effortlessly deflecting the bullets that would have torn her apart.

In an instant, she unleashed a barrage of light beams that shattered their weapons.

Panic spread among the attackers as they tried to retreat, but before they could regroup, Lyra disappeared like a phantom.

Suddenly, she reappeared behind them, swiftly decapitating one with a clean strike.

Blood sprayed across her cold, focused face.

Moving with lethal precision, she drew her gun and shot another attacker dead.

The sight of the steaming blood left Zinnia and the others frozen in place. They were too stunned to figure which shocked them more, the sudden assault or Lyra’s ruthless retaliation.

"We have to help her!" Zinnia cried out, trying to rush forward, but Thierry held her back.

"Don’t! We’ll just make things worse. I’ve already contacted Cohen."

Cohen arrived on the scene quickly, finding several bodies already littering the ground.

Using his powers, he pinned everyone down, including Lyra. He demanded coldly, "Who are you? And how did you get in?"

’Who was so desperate to see Lyra dead?’ His gaze shifted to Zorion, suspicion beginning to take root.

At that moment, Lyra managed to break free from Cohen’s psychic grip. In a blur of motion, she cut down the immobilized mercenaries with terrifying efficiency.

Cohen froze, shocked, as did everyone else.

Even Zorion was caught off guard. He had never expected the people he brought to be taken out so swiftly.