Cronus' system: Against the gods

Chapter 79 Don't unlock it

Moments after the Hydra let out it's final breath, the high-tech infrastructure of Astral City had already started working. Drones swarmed over the wreckage like a cloud of fireflies, their mechanical limbs working tirelessly. They descended upon buildings, shattered streets, and scorched landscapes, efficiently initiating the reconstruction process.

The city's automated systems had already assessed the damage. Holographic projections flickered in mid-air, displaying real-time updates on structural stability and public safety. A voice echoed through the city streets. "Damage report processing: All civilians, please proceed to designated safe zones. Reconstruction drones have been deployed."

On the streets, Self-driving emergency vehicles moved to and fro scanning for Civilians who may have been trapped or injured. Some drones were equipped with a system capable of delivering full-scale surgery if necessary. Even the roads, which had been torn apart by the Hydra's massive feet, began to repair themselves.

"By the gods!" Hercules muttered in astonishment. "Thy city rebuilds itself faster than Hephaestus could forge a blade!"

"Yeah, that's Astral City for you" Jefferson added, a slight grin on his face.

Suddenly, five men all dressed in silver and golden suits approached Jefferson, their expressions serious. From Rex's point of view, they were just like the robots, do their job and go!" Honestly, couldn't they even smile at the Heroes who just saved their ass!

"How dare you kid!" One of the men looked at Rex, his brows furrowing in anger.

Rex was startled "Shit! How did he?!..."

The man walked towards Rex, each step carrying a loud thud "I dare you to have such thoughts again and I'll traumatize you till you break!"

Rex was at a loss for words as he stared at the stats before his eyes:

Name: Austine Valenbrook

Race: Human

Class: Tier one Expert Level

Ability: Telepathy

Strength: ???

Agility: ???

Endurance: ???

Intelligence: ???

"Damn! Fuck telepathy!" Rex cursed inwardly. Wait, he heard it again!!!

The man suddenly threw a punch at Rex, the punch making gusts of wind shoot out from his elbows as it closed in on Rex's face. Rex couldn't even react, he was rooted to the spot, unable to even move a finger.

Suddenly, the man's hands were caught mid-air by Jefferson who shot him a cold stare. Jefferson's grip was like a steel vice, halting Austine Valenbrook's fist mere inches from Rex's face.

The tension crackled in the air as the wind from the punch whipped around them, sending dust and loose debris scattering. Austine's eyes blazed with fury, but Jefferson's cold stare was unwavering, commanding respect and authority.

"That's enough," Jefferson said, his voice dangerously calm. "Our heroes don't deserve your threats, least of all after facing down the Hydra."

Austine Valenbrook clenched his jaw, glaring at Jefferson before snatching his arm back. The other four Valenbrook men, all equally regal and intimidating in their silver and gold suits, stepped forward.

Their presence was commanding, and they exuded an air of entitlement as if the city were theirs to command. Austine straightened his lapels and raised his chin.

"We of the Valenbrook household," Austine declared, his voice smooth but laced with arrogance, "have a vested interest in the spoils of this battle. It is our funding, over fifty percent of Astral City's annual budget that enables the development of this very infrastructure.

The Hydra's remains, and most importantly, its crystal, belong to us by right. It's our compensation, our reward for ensuring the city's future remains bright."

Murmurs rippled through the members of the military. The Valenbrooks were powerful, their wealth and influence woven deeply into Astral City's foundations but that doesn't mean they could just come and take over what they didn't earn.

"What the heck!" Rex almost screamed out in anger. Just what was wrong with this dude's skull?

Just as he had this thought, Austine glared at him again, his eyes twitching in anger but now, Rex couldn't care less. After all, Jefferson, a demigod was by his side. Who'd dare touch him?

"And what gives you the right to think you own that? Where were you men when we were fighting off the Hydra? Where were your men?" Jefferson replied, his tone chilly and intense.

Normally, during such occasions, everyone capable of fighting was to join forces. The Valenbrook family could've sent out members from their hunter guild to help out but no.....they had to wait till the battle was complete before walking in.

Austine's face flushed with indignation as Jefferson's words hung in the air, sharp and biting. His perfectly combed hair and immaculate golden suit seemed almost comical against the fury twisting his features.

"How dare you question our commitment!" Austine spat, his voice rising. "We contribute more to this city's prosperity than anyone else! Our funding..."

Jefferson cut him off, stepping forward until he was mere inches from Austine, his eyes like flint. "Funding," Jefferson snapped, "doesn't mean you get to pick up the spoils after we've bled and fought to protect this city. Your money doesn't make up for cowardice."

The other Valenbrook men bristled, but none of them dared to make a move.

Suddenly, a group of people in sleek black uniforms, embossed with crimson accents, approached with equal determination. These were the members of the Voss family, known for their control over the city's technological and energy sectors. At their head was Marcus Voss, a tall, imposing figure with piercing green eyes and a voice like tempered steel.

"The Valenbrooks always think money entitles them to everything," Marcus said, stepping forward. "But let's not forget who supplies the energy grids and technological advancements that keep Astral City running. Without our innovations, your funds would be meaningless, Austine. The Hydra's crystal should go to the Voss family. Our research divisions could harness its energy to revolutionize our defense systems and ensure this disaster never happens again."

The air grew thick with hostility as Austine and Marcus locked eyes. Both entourages bristled, fists clenched and tempers rising. The streetlights, still flickering back to life from the damage, cast sharp shadows across their faces, and it seemed a clash was inevitable.

"By Olympus, what a pitiful quarrel!" Hercules roared, slapping his knee. "Two families bickering over a dead lizard's shiny rock, when neither of you lifted a finger to help! Perhaps you should settle this with a contest of wits, though judging by the looks on your faces, you'd both lose!"

Jefferson's stern expression twitched, as if he were fighting a smile. Austine looked ready to explode, and Marcus's mouth tightened, but neither seemed willing to directly challenge the demigod's derisive humor.

"Silence that fool!" Austine demanded, his voice cracking with outrage.

Before a fight could erupt, Jefferson stepped between them, his presence like a boulder standing against a raging river. "Enough," he commanded, his voice cutting through the tension. "The Hydra's crystal is far too important to be a trophy for your family feuds."

The Valenbrooks and the Vosses both turned their attention to Jefferson, indignation written across their faces. But he continued, his gaze steely. "The crystal will remain in the hands of the military. It will be secured and studied to ensure Astral City's protection and stability. Your families may be powerful, but the safety of this city comes first. If either of you has a problem with that, you can take it up with the Astral Council."

Austine's face twisted in barely restrained fury. "The Astral Council?" he repeated, his voice dripping with disdain. "You think that body of bureaucrats will choose sides against the wealth and influence of the Valenbrook family?"

Marcus Voss snorted, his green eyes flashing. "It's not just about wealth, Austine," he countered. "Power, real power, comes from innovation, and that's what we bring to Astral City. But of course, the Valenbrooks wouldn't know that. You've always preferred throwing money at problems rather than solving them."

The Valenbrook men surged forward at the insult, their eyes glinting dangerously, but Marcus's entourage mirrored their aggression, hands hovering near energy batons and shield generators strapped to their waists. The tension threatened to boil over, like a pressure cooker ready to explode.

Austine jabbed a finger at Marcus, his voice rising. "If the crystal goes to your family, you'll use it to advance your technological stranglehold over the city. We'd be at your mercy—no, the crystal belongs in the hands of those who know how to invest it wisely."

Marcus's lips curled into a sneer. "Invest it? You mean hoard it away like a dragon's treasure until it serves your financial interests? Your greed has always blinded you, Austine."

Suddenly, one of the military men walked forward and whispered something in Jefferson's ears. Jefferson's eyes widened in shock as he heard the news.

Ignoring the family feud, he started walking toward the Hydra which was still on the floor, it's body emitting an eerie light. "This can't be....: He muttered.

"What's wrong?" Rex arched a brow as he noticed Jefferson.

Jefferson knelt beside the Hydra's neck stump where the final blow had been dealt. His hand hovered over the area, and with a deep frown, he muttered, "Where is it?"

Rex, who had followed Jefferson, now stepped forward. "What do you mean, 'Where is it?' The crystal should be... right there, right?" He pointed at the Hydra's chest

there was nothing. The Hydra's scales and flesh had been torn apart, but the cavity where its crystal heart should have been was empty, as if it had been extracted or never existed at all.

Jefferson's face darkened, his jaw clenched in disbelief. "This doesn't make sense," he growled. "The Hydra's core should be intact. We made sure it was weakened, but it shouldn't have... vanished."

Rex's heart pounded in his chest as the implications dawned on him. "Wait. Are you telling me someone stole the Hydra's crystal while we were fighting?"

The Valenbrooks and Vosses exchanged uneasy glances. Austine, for all his bluster, suddenly looked pale. "That's impossible," he sputtered. "How could anyone have done that? The Hydra fell just moments ago."

"Damn it!" Marcus swore. "How could we have let this happen?"

Austine Valenbrook was equally furious. "This is on all of you," he snarled, pointing at Jefferson and Rex. "You should have been more vigilant!"