A GOD'S WAY OF JUDGEMENT

Ronan woke up to the soft chime of an AI warning him, “Warning: battery level at 19%.”

He groaned, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “Not again,” he muttered, swinging his legs over the side of the bed. He pushed himself up, mind still heavy from the night’s dreams.

He made his way to the sleek dining table, where he could see the hidden compartment beneath it. Inside lay a new battery—his heart’s power source. With a deep breath, Ronan reached in, retrieving the shiny new battery, its surface gleaming under the soft morning light.

After a moment's hesitation, he pressed a button on his chest, and the old battery slid out with a faint hiss. He quickly replaced it, hearing the reassuring click as it locked into place.

“Let’s get this day started,” he said to himself, feeling a surge of energy course through him.

He walked toward the dining table, where a small drone hovered silently, its sensors detecting his presence. It promptly delivered a steaming cup of coffee, the rich aroma filling the air. Alongside it came a tablet crafted from advanced technology—godly tech meant for beings with immense power like him.

Ronan picked up the tablet and let it dissolve in his mouth, savoring the burst of nutrients that flooded his system. “Much better,” he said, taking a sip of his coffee, the warmth spreading through him.

After finishing his meal, he moved to the bathroom, the air thickening with steam as he turned on the shower. The warm water cascaded over him, washing away sleep and the weight of the world.

Glancing at his reflection in the fogged-up glass of the shower door, he admired his upper body, a testament to years of training—muscles honed and defined. Just beneath the skin, his heart pulsed faintly, a marvel of engineering visible through translucent flesh. It was not just a vessel of life; it was a source of energy and power, a reminder of what he had become.

Stepping out of the shower, droplets glistening on his skin, he moved toward the cupboard. He opened it to reveal an array of sleek equipment. One orb, shimmering with energy, caught his eye.

Ronan reached for it, and the orb transformed into a compact suit of armor that flowed over his body like liquid metal. “Perfect,” he murmured, appreciating the familiar embrace of the suit.

As he finished getting ready, he felt a sense of anticipation build within him. Just then, a small drone zipped into the room, carrying a set of bike keys. It hovered in front of him, waiting patiently.

“Thanks,” Ronan said, taking the keys with a nod.

Opening the door, the world outside greeted him with fresh air. To his right, his bike—a sleek black machine—glided toward him, its self-driving capabilities engaging. As he approached, the bike responded, positioning itself perfectly for him to mount.

Once on the bike, the suit’s technology added a matching helmet to complete his look. With a click, he activated the self-start mechanism. The bike roared to life beneath him, its low growl hinting at raw power.

He pulled out his phone and called Alex. “Hey, I’ll pick you up.”

“Sure,” Alex replied, his voice crackling through the speaker. “But we need to head to the camp first. The college is planning some outdoor training.”

Ronan’s heart sank slightly as he realized he had missed the notification about the training session. “Right. I’ll get us there,” he said, mentally adjusting his plans.

As Ronan tore down the road, the visor of his helmet flickered to life with a notification from Z. “The bus is in a little trouble,” Z informed him.

“Great,” Ronan muttered. “We need to speed up. Hang on tight and don’t move an inch.”

With a determined twist of the throttle, the bike shot forward, the speedometer soaring to 300 km/h. The world around them blurred as Ronan expertly wove through traffic.

As they approached the scene, the bus sat ominously at the roadside, surrounded by masked men and frightened students. Ronan knew time was of the essence. He drifted the bike to a stop, tires skidding on the asphalt, and raised his hand. A gun materialized in his grip as if summoned from thin air. He aimed and fired, the bullet striking one of the perpetrators in the leg.

The masked men turned, shock evident in their eyes. “Who the hell are you?” one shouted, his bravado faltering.

“Just a guy who doesn’t like bullies,” Ronan replied coolly, his helmet retracting to reveal his fierce expression.

Without hesitation, he shot the man he had injured in the head, the sound echoing like thunder. The other men opened fire, but Ronan was faster. He grabbed the body of the fallen man, using it as a shield against their bullets.

With a swift motion, he seized the knife embedded in the body’s side and hurled it at one of the attackers. The blade struck true, embedding itself in the man’s head. Blood erupted in a violent spray, momentarily distracting the remaining thugs.

One of the masked men turned, his face draining of color as he recognized Ronan. “No way,” he breathed.

“Where’s your gang leader?” Ronan demanded, his voice low and dangerous. The man, suddenly terrified, pointed shakily to a figure at the back of the group.

Ronan closed the distance to the leader, lifting him effortlessly by the throat. “I don’t play games,” he said, eyes cold and unwavering.

Just then, a heavily armed car resembling a tank screeched to a halt, engines rumbling. With a swift motion, Ronan hurled the leader toward the trunk of the vehicle, where he was caught and whisked away, leaving chaos in his wake.

With blood splattered across his clothes, Ronan turned toward the students and teachers, a warm, reassuring smile breaking through the intensity of the moment. “Are you all alright?” he asked, his tone kind yet commanding.

The students and teachers, shaken but relieved, looked up at him with wide eyes, their fear transforming into admiration. In that instant, Ronan Arcanveil was no longer just a name associated with terror; he was a hero who had come to their rescue.

As the dust settled and the chaos began to fade, Alex made his way toward Ronan, a mixture of concern and disbelief etched across his face. He glanced at Ronan, taking in the blood smeared across his clothes.

“Ronan, you’re all bloody now,” Alex said, shaking his head slightly. “Looks like all that time you spent readying yourself went to waste.”

Ronan chuckled softly, the tension easing. “Maybe, but it was worth it to save them,” he replied, gesturing to the students and teachers. “A little blood never hurt anyone, right?”

Alex raised an eyebrow, half-amused and half-concerned. “You’re insane, you know that? You could have just called for help.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Ronan shot back with a playful grin, despite the gravity of the situation. “Besides, I can handle myself.”

Alex couldn’t help but admire Ronan’s confidence. “I guess so,” he said, looking around at the stunned faces of those he had saved. “But seriously, what’s next for you?”

“Let’s just say this is only the beginning,” Ronan replied, his expression turning serious. “There’s a lot more to come, and I need you with me.”

“Yeah, of course. But just remember, I’m not ready for any more bloodshed,” Alex said, his voice steady yet laced with concern.

“Neither am I,” Ronan assured him, the weight of their new reality settling between them. “But sometimes, it’s unavoidable.”

As the sounds of sirens approached in the distance.

“Hands where I can see them! You’re under arrest!” one officer barked, leveling his weapon at Ronan.

While the officer recited the standard protocol, Ronan strode forward, locking eyes with him. The intensity of his gaze sent a ripple of unease through the officer. “Are you sure you want to do this, officer?” Ronan asked, his voice steady and low.

Alex, standing a few feet away, felt a chill run down his spine at Ronan's unwavering confidence. He glanced between the police and Ronan, his heart racing. This was the man he admired, but now he was witnessing a different side—someone who seemed ready to face the authorities without a hint of fear.

The officer hesitated, the weight of Ronan's presence palpable. “Let’s have a word, okay?” he finally said, uncertainty creeping into his tone.

“Seems like you’re trying to cover up your mistake,” Ronan replied smoothly, stepping closer, his demeanor shifting from calm to commanding. “Instead of acknowledging me as a hero for saving these kids, you want to charge me with the murder of four terrorists? The very ones I took down to protect them?”

Alex felt his breath catch. He wanted to intervene, to defuse the situation, but he was frozen in place, captivated by Ronan's raw power. He had always seen Ronan as someone who could handle anything, but now he realized just how dangerous that strength could be.

Ronan took a deliberate step forward, and the officer instinctively backed away. “They were armed, officer. I acted in defense of innocent lives. What makes you think I can't take out two officers right here and now?” His voice carried a weight that was hard to ignore.

Alex's heart raced as he watched the officer’s resolve crumble. Fear flickered in the officer’s eyes, and Alex couldn’t help but feel a mix of admiration and concern for Ronan. This wasn’t just bravado; Ronan was ready to stand his ground against anyone, even the police.

The officer swallowed hard, his grip on the weapon wavering. “You must be mistaken,” Ronan continued, gesturing to the blood splattered across his clothes. “It’s not my blood; it’s theirs.” The realization washed over the officer, the fear evident in his eyes as he took a step back.

With a defeated sigh, the officers exchanged glances, their bravado quickly fading. They began to pull away, opting to handle the police formalities regarding the kidnapping rather than confront the power standing before them.

As the officers retreated, Alex exhaled a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. He turned to Ronan, his eyes wide with a mixture of awe and concern. “That was… intense,” he said, trying to process what had just happened. “You really scared them.”

Ronan, still bloodied and imposing, looked at Alex with a faint smirk. “Sometimes, fear is the best way to ensure safety,” he replied, a glint of something dark and knowing in his eyes.

Alex nodded slowly, grappling with the reality of Ronan’s words and actions. He admired Ronan's strength but couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of a much darker path.

As the tension eased and the adrenaline faded, Ronan turned to Alex with a smirk. “Well, looks like my first day in college flopped again,” he said, shaking his head.

Alex laughed, the sound breaking the seriousness of the moment. “I guess that’s one way to make an entrance!” he replied, grinning. “You’ve really set the bar high for our college experience.”

Ronan chuckled, feeling lighter. “Who knew my first day would be about saving the day? Not quite what I expected.”

“I don’t think anyone saw this coming,” Alex said, still smiling. “Most people just worry about fitting in. You, on the other hand, just scared off the bad guys and the police.”

Ronan shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. “Just another day for me, right? Just call me Ronan Arcanveil.”

Alex nudged him playfully. “At least now we have a wild story to tell.”

“Yeah, the day I became a college legend,” Ronan said, laughing. “But honestly, I’d prefer a quieter college life from now on.”

“Same here,” Alex said, still chuckling. “Maybe we can aim for less drama and more study sessions?”

Ronan nodded, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “As long as there’s coffee, I’m in.”

After sharing a laugh with Alex, Ronan straightened up and said, “Z, activate blood cleanup function.”

As soon as he spoke, a soft hum filled the air. Ronan felt a strange sensation as the blood on him began to dissolve and float away, leaving his skin clean and unmarked.

Just then, Celia approached, her expression a mix of frustration and concern. She playfully tugged on his ear, her voice tinged with exasperation. “Not a single day of peace you’ve given me, Ronan!”

Ronan winced slightly but couldn’t suppress a grin. “You know I like to keep things interesting.”

Celia rolled her eyes, though a hint of a smile crept onto her lips. “Interesting? More like chaotic! What were you thinking, getting into a fight with armed men right before our first day?”

“I thought I was just being helpful,” Ronan replied, shrugging innocently. “Besides, I had to save the students and teachers.”

“Sure, but you could’ve let the police handle it,” she said, her tone softening. “You really know how to attract trouble, don’t you?”

“Maybe,” he admitted, “but I also know how to handle it.”

Celia sighed, letting go of his ear and crossing her arms. “Just promise me you’ll try to stay out of trouble… at least until after the first day of classes?”

Ronan nodded, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes. “No promises, but I’ll do my best.”

Celia’s expression shifted from irritation to concern as she added, “We tortured the man you caught and found out he was hired by the black market. But we don’t know who’s behind it.”

Ronan’s demeanor darkened, a cold edge to his voice as he replied, “Since we know where they originated from, why not destroy the entire black market?”

Alex, who had been listening quietly, shifted uneasily. “Ronan, that’s… extreme. Are you really considering that?”

“Do you remember what I said at the summit?” Ronan continued, his gaze steely. “If someone offends me, I will catch them, find out where they belong, and destroy it. Since we know he belongs to the black market, let’s make an announcement using Alpha.”

Celia frowned, sensing the weight of his resolve. “What kind of announcement?”

Ronan took a deep breath, his voice chillingly calm. “Say that the black market tried to hurt his right-hand man, Ronan. I want every country with a black market to patch things up with me by visiting me at the company. If they don’t, their countries will be wiped off the map.”

Alex’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can’t be serious! You’re talking about annihilating entire countries. Isn’t that going too far?”

“Fear is a powerful motivator,” Ronan said, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “They’ll see it’s in their best interest to come to me. If they don’t, they’ll learn what happens to those who cross me.”

“Ronan, this isn’t just a game,” Alex pressed, his voice rising slightly. “You’re talking about real people’s lives. What if they retaliate?”

Celia sighed, knowing there was no arguing with Ronan when he was like this. “Alex is right. You have to be careful. This isn’t just a game anymore.”

Ronan’s expression hardened as he looked between them. “I warned the world already. It’s up to them if they want to live or not. The black market started this game with me, and if they lose, they must pay the price.”

Alex exchanged a worried glance with Celia, his heart pounding. He knew Ronan had power, but this? This was a different level. “I just hope you know what you’re doing, Ronan.”

As Alpha’s announcement echoed throughout the world, chaos ensued. Leaders scrambled; their faces etched with panic as they realized the magnitude of the threat.

In hushed offices, some leaders made urgent calls to pressure the shadowy figures of the black market, while others searched for answers, desperate to ascertain whether such operations existed within their borders.

Citizens, gripped by fear, took to the streets, frantically trying to uncover any trace of the black market in their communities, hoping to protect themselves from the looming danger.

The world was plunged into turmoil, and amid the rising panic, one question loomed: who would be next to fall into Ronan's deadly game?