Villain Retirement

Nothing really happens on the planet of Febuvan. Unlike Hotis 4J and the other border settlements, they were just used as recharge stations by the ships that came their way—most of their visitors did not even step out of their vehicles.

One could say their crystal planet is mesmerizing at first sight—but anything interesting about their small planet stops there; once you've seen a single scenery, you've seen them all.

Nothing really happens on the planet of Febuvan… until today, that is.

"Riley Ross! It's a Ranker!"

"What do we even do!?"

Right now, in one of Febuvan's city ports, a life-changing event that could be said second only to their introduction to the Known Universe is happening—a Ranker is in their grasp.

Riley Ross—measured to be a Galactic-level Threat, a monster that had only made his debut in the Known Universe and yet is already in the Top 100 most dangerous criminals in the entire cosmos. Even in the 100, the number of Galactic-level Threats could only be counted in one human hand.

"We… we're not equipped to handle something like this! Call the Guardians, the Lahestia, just call anyone!"

And of course, what could Febuvan's local police even do but just panic? They could barely even contain the thugs that were pretending to be members of the Innovia pirates, what would they even do with a Galactic-level Threat?

The febuvanirs could really only dance with their long legs as they looked at each other, asking themselves what to do. Riley Ross was cooperating now and even quietly sitting in one of their cells, but they were not stupid enough to believe that he could not just set himself free and start wreaking havoc.

The sheriff of the port city, Fablu, was probably the most lost out of everyone on the planet. His eyes, just watching as his men pranced around; some, even surrendering their guns and badge to him.

He can't blame any of them, after all. If he had the choice, he would do the same because, in the first place, their planet didn't have the kind of authority, much less firepower to apprehend a Ranker.

And as to how Riley Ross was even in their cells?

"That's enough!" Sheriff Fablu slammed his hand on his desk, causing a crack to slither in the air as webs started to form on the crystal furniture,

"Are all of you forgetting something here!?"

And as Sheriff Fablu stood up, the panicked steps of the other officers started to slow down; their eyes, focusing on him.

"You all should be ashamed of your silly display of cowardice! You are embarrassing me in front of our guest!" Sheriff Fablue then once again sat down as he sighed; the furrow on his eyebrows, very slowly disappearing as he looked at the individual sitting at the other side of his desk,

"I apologize for my men. We… don't see much action here, Mr. Paragon."

"It is quite alright, Officer Fablu. I am used to people's fears."

"N…no, they're not afraid of you. Please, don't misunderstand, Mr. Paragon," Sheriff Fablu's voice became meek with each word that escaped his mouth; his eyes, not even daring to look at the individual in front of him.

The man was completely covered in a cloak; the only things visible were his eyes, clear enough to reflect even Fablu's black silhouette. His eyes were gentle, but Sheriff Fablu knew they were anything but.

After all, only another monster could subdue another.

The individual in front of him, Paragon, just casually waltzed inside their station a few moments ago… dragging along with him one of the most dangerous terrorists in the entire Known Universe.

Sheriff Fablu was scared, terrified like the rest of his men—his fears, however, were slightly alleviated as soon as the cloaked individual started to speak to him.

And as the two of them were now sitting at his office, Sheriff Fablu once again took a subtle peek at his translator, which still showed that the language the cloaked individual was using…

…is Themarian.

"No one… no one is afraid of you here, Mr. Paragon," Fablu gulped as he tried his best to smile, "The… the only thing we have for you here is respect. They… they just don't know who you are yet. Wk—Forgive me, I…I am usually an eloquent person. It… It's really just hard to focus since I am in the presence of a god."

"...I'm not a god."

"Of course! I… I didn't mean anything by it, Mr. Paragon!" Sheriff Fablu quickly lowered his head, "I'm just… I am in awe of your presence. It's the first time I am seeing a Themarian."

"And it seems mighty obvious that my presence here is reducing all of your focus," Paragon—Riley let out a very long and deep sigh as he stood up, "I shall take my leave, Sheriff Fablu."

"Leave?" Fablu's eyes almost popped out of their sockets as soon as he heard Paragon's words, "What… what about Riley Ross? We're not… equipped to handle a prisoner of his caliber."

"You don't have to worry, I'll kill him before I leave," Riley shrugged, "I will leave the body here so you can claim credit however you want."

"Thank you! Thank you! We will—"

And before Fablu could finish his words, he could not help but flinch as Paragon suddenly stretched his palm toward him.

"...Sir?" Fablu once again gulped as he glanced at Paragon, but quickly looked away.

"The bounty. I need the money, Sheriff Fablu."

"The… bounty?" Sheriff Fablu blinked a couple of times as he stared at Paragon's palm, "We… we don't have that kind of credit. We need to contact the Hunter's Association for that."

"Hm."

"Please don't kill us!"

And with just a small, tiny deep hum from Paragon, Fablu quickly fell to the floor and started groveling, "Please… please."

"I am not going to kill you just because you can't give me money, Sheriff Fablu. I am a superhero."

"...A what?" Fablu very slowly tried to look up.

"But since you can't give me money…

…may I request something else?"

***

"We didn't know they were with you!"

"Yes, you arrested them because of the ball of metal, correct?"

"Y… yes, we didn't know that—"

"I did that. It was a pirate ship and I compressed it with my bare hands, Sheriff Fablu"

"It… it all makes sense now. You, what are you doing!? Get Mr. Paragon's friend out!"

"..."

Hera and Nana, who had just previously witnessed Riley being dragged into the hallway in chains, could really only keep their mouths shut as they watched as another Riley stood in front of their cells, requesting them to be released.

Nana's cell was the first to open. The officer that was previously ignoring her before, now only has a smile on her face… even offering her refreshments.

"It… It's okay," Nana awkwardly smiled as she made her way beside the cloaked Riley.

"Captain Nana."

"S…Sir R—Paragon!?" Nana's entire being shook as she almost blurted out Riley's name.

"Good to have you back, where are your children?"

"They are—"

"We are getting them out as we speak!" Sheriff Fablu let out a nervous chuckle, "We… we didn't harm any of your friends, not even a single hair."

"Hm," Riley only nodded in response before looking at Hera, "Why are you not opening her cell yet?"

"That—we need to process her first, Mr. Paragon," a small drop of sweat instantly appeared on Fablu's ebony forehead, "Please, we can just wait outside while— Kh!"

"R—Paragon!? What are you doing!?" Hera, who had her mouth completely shut so she wouldn't accidentally blurt out things she shouldn't, could not help but scream as Riley suddenly grabbed Fablu by the neck and lifted him up.

"You… you will release her."

"...Paragon?" Hera took a few steps back as she heard something she had never heard before— a loud, and deep tremor in Riley's voice.

"Release her… now!"