Cosmic Beasts.

This was a broad classification. Any massive creature that roamed the stars with a size comparable to a planet was categorized as a Cosmic Beast.

Even within this category, individuals had different origins. That meant their abilities varied, and naturally, so did their strength.

The one currently devouring a star was far weaker than Caelum. The only thing they had in common was their size.

Because of its habit of consuming stars, this creature was known as Star Devourer.

It had drifted through the Milky Way for millions of years, spending its existence eating and sleeping in endless comfort, until it was targeted.

After swallowing a blazing star whole, Star Devourer showed a satisfied expression. It patted its belly, rolled over, and prepared to sleep.

Suddenly, cosmic energy surged and space twisted.

Caelum arrived in an instant, moving faster than light. His overwhelming presence stunned Star Devourer into stillness.

For a moment, it did not even know how to react.

After all, it had never encountered another Cosmic Beast in its entire life. Seeing one so suddenly caught it off guard.

It quickly snapped back to its senses. Its expression turned ferocious as massive energy gathered in its mouth and blasted toward Caelum.

The battle began instantly.

Some Cosmic Beasts developed intelligence through evolution.

Others were born with their power.

These creatures derived their strength from inheritance or mutation, not evolution. As a result, they lacked intelligence. Despite their immense power, they were no different from wild beasts.

They attacked anything they saw on instinct.

"Pathetic."

Caelum did not hold back. Cosmic energy surged into his throat as a deep, pitch black force erupted outward.

Star Devourer’s attack shattered instantly against Caelum’s Annihilation Roar. The overwhelming energy crushed forward and swallowed it whole.

In a single moment, Star Devourer was completely erased.

The residual force spread outward, annihilating nearby planets and asteroids, leaving behind empty space.

[Evolution Points +50000000000]

[Evolution Points: 63132987543]

Including what he already had, Caelum now possessed over 63 billion Evolution Points.

It looked like a massive number.

But one full upgrade now cost him 10 billion.

Not even enough for a single full enhancement.

He browsed Star Devourer’s transplant list, but his initial excitement faded quickly. This massive creature had nothing worth taking.

"Next."

According to his perception, dozens of Cosmic Beasts still existed within the Milky Way. Wiping them all out would bring in a huge amount of Evolution Points.

And that was not all.

Those life bearing planets could not be ignored either.

Destroying just one would yield at least 10 billion Evolution Points. Given the scale of the galaxy, there had to be plenty.

Bit by bit, it would add up.

Sweep the entire galaxy, and he might gather enough for the next evolution.

The thought alone energized him.

Stronger.

Stronger.

Even stronger.

No one ever thought they were strong enough. Caelum’s pursuit of power had no limit. If he wanted true freedom, he had to keep growing stronger.

And just like that, the Milky Way fell into disaster.

Even among Cosmic Beasts, Caelum stood at the absolute top. His enhancements were simply too extreme.

Not only was he a Tier 3 Lifeform with Hundredfold Enhancement, his attributes had been boosted to plus 500 across the board.

No Cosmic Beast could stand against him.

One encounter.

One Annihilation Roar.

Another Cosmic Beast erased.

Along with everything around it.

Stars. Planets. Gone.

Naturally, he did not spare any life bearing planets along the way.

Efficient and clean.

He did not even need to use Annihilation Roar.

A sweep of cosmic energy was enough to destroy a planet instantly.

Afterward, he would recreate new planets in the same location using cosmic energy.

Before long, life would emerge again.

Until the next harvest.

Caelum slaughtered Cosmic Beasts at will.

Destroyed planets at will.

Created planets at will.

He had effectively become the creator of the Milky Way.

[Evolution Points +40000000000]

[Evolution Points +15000000000]

[Evolution Points +60000000000]

[Evolution Points +30000000000]

[Evolution Points +12000000000]

Time in Evolution Battle Royale did not flow the same as in reality.

And after becoming a Cosmic Beast, Caelum’s sense of time had completely detached from normal perception.

Time meant nothing to him now.

One day.

"Hm?"

After killing another Cosmic Beast, Caelum suddenly sensed something unusual.

Something interesting had appeared within the galaxy.

He immediately turned and headed toward a certain planet.

On that planet, Derek was leading AXN’s strategy team in yet another exploration attempt.

This was their 356th run.

"Three hundred fifty six attempts..."

Derek stared at the sky, speechless.

Three hundred fifty five matches, and they had found nothing.

No clues.

No trace of the super beast.

His professionalism was unquestionable. Even so, he kept pushing forward, constantly revising their strategy.

But the team was reaching its limit.

Their mental state was collapsing.

After the game began, Derek quickly regrouped his scattered members. When they finally gathered, several of them were already on the verge of breaking.

"You have got to be kidding me!"

"Does this ever end?"

"Come on! Just give us a hint already! No, forget that, just tell me where the super beast is!"

Derek sighed.

He was starting to suspect the super beast was not tied to any trigger at all.

Maybe it had just been a one time coincidence.

Maybe everything they were doing was pointless.

At that moment, an invisible wave spread through the air. Space rippled and formed a gateway.

From within it, a radiant figure stepped out. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Pure white wings shimmered with light. Its body was crystal like and nearly transparent, refracting dazzling colors.

A strange entity appeared before them.

A crystal form adorned with twelve pristine wings.

The team was stunned.

They could not even tell whether it was alive or some kind of construct.

It had no eyes and no facial features.

Yet Derek felt as if it had glanced at them.

Then it spoke in a calm voice.

"Weak, insignificant lower lifeforms."