Chapter Sixty-Three: More Payment Required

Harvey headed straight for a planet called Kirf, a pale green world more than twelve hundred light-years away from Xandar. Upon arrival, he took a sweeping glance over the planet's terrain. He soon noticed that, within a span of ten thousand miles, eight massive insect hives had been constructed atop various volcanoes, while medium and small hives were densely packed beneath the surface. Countless hideous, red-skinned insects swarmed in orderly fashion like ants, each diligently performing its assigned task.

Around each of the large hives, solid defensive lines had been established, with vast troops stationed there, alongside several strangely dressed individuals of peculiar appearance, resting in the shade. Harvey observed these people thoughtfully, deducing they were likely here to pursue a Level One bounty.

Just then, his attention was caught by an enormous crimson insect, its body sprawled out as thick tentacles burrowed deep into the earth, drawing energy from the magma below. Its bloated, revolting abdomen glowed with an eerie light, silhouettes writhing within—clearly brooding countless new insectoids.

The eight immense hives encircled the great insect’s lair at various points across the region, forming an irregular perimeter. It was obvious that this monster, rooted in the planetary core and feasting on magma, was the very target he had come to eliminate. However, its deep underground location meant that ordinary means would hardly suffice.

Though Harvey was confident he could handle it, he reasoned that it was only fair to discuss an increase in payment with the bounty’s issuer. If the creature was not properly dealt with, killing it would do little good—its spawn would simply multiply.

A void-black portal appeared at Harvey’s feet, and in an instant, he materialized before a military camp. The planet’s natives were mostly green-skinned, bearing a resemblance to the Namekians from Dragon Ball in his former life.

Harvey’s sudden arrival startled the camp. Weapons were instantly raised, and the air filled with the synchronized rustle of drawn arms, the entire encampment bristling with tension.

A green-skinned man, his face marked by scars, raised a hand to calm the others. “Who are you? What is your purpose here?” he demanded, eyeing the stranger clad in golden battle armor.

“My name is Kassadin. I’ve taken the bounty on the insect queen,” Harvey replied evenly. “However, I find the twenty million reward a bit insufficient. I’d like to renegotiate. Bring someone with the authority to talk terms.”

The scarred man responded, “Kassadin, is it? I’m Brighton, the commander here. If you’re taking a Level Three bounty, you’re at least a Level Two hunter, and I respect that. It means you possess capabilities beyond the ordinary.” His tone grew harder. “But you’re not the only Level Two hunter who’s tried to take out the insect queen. Most left with their tails between their legs after a brief attempt. I hope you won’t be like them.”

Brighton’s chest bristled with medals, his uniform stiff, his bearing fierce. “That’s not my concern,” Harvey replied coolly. “If you’ll raise the payment, I’ll kill your insect queen.” He ignored the sarcasm in Brighton’s words.

Harvey’s bluntness elicited laughter from the soldiers nearby. “Let me warn you,” Brighton said, “You’re not the first to ask for a higher price. But none succeeded. That damned queen is deep underground, in the heart of those insect lairs. Many have been eaten alive trying. But if you can actually kill her, we’ll give you not just twenty million, but fifty million—hell, a hundred million or more if you want. Just say the word, and it’s yours.”

Harvey was only planning to ask for thirty or forty million, since the task wasn’t particularly difficult for him. But the planet’s dire situation suggested there was room to negotiate for more. He hadn’t expected Brighton to offer an even higher price without prompting.

“This task isn’t that difficult for me, so I’ll settle for a hundred million. Remember your promise—I despise those who break their word,” Harvey said, sweeping his gaze across the camp. His eyes were so cold and piercing that those who met them felt as if some monstrous predator had them in its sights, every cell in their bodies trembling.

Then, before everyone’s eyes, Harvey vanished.

A moment later, an ear-splitting sonic boom shattered the sky above, blowing apart the cloud cover. A visible shockwave rippled across the heavens, and though the event occurred high overhead, the resulting force shattered glass throughout the camp.

Many were knocked off their feet, thrown about like rag dolls. Yet these were battle-hardened soldiers, and despite the suddenness of the shock, they had the presence of mind to minimize injury.

“What the hell was that?” gasped one of the soldiers who had just been laughing, staring up at the rare, cloudless sky in disbelief.

Others in the camp, witnessing such inhuman power, were filled with dread. They had seen many bounty hunters before—some with powers fast enough to break the sound barrier—but none who could unleash such devastation. And unlike the previous superhuman, who could barely manage supersonic speed and could not fly, this self-styled Kassadin not only soared through the air but did so at terrifying velocity. Had that shockwave erupted at ground level instead of at such altitude, they would all have been torn to shreds.

Brighton recalled Kassadin’s words, and if the man truly slew the insect queen, he would personally see that the reward was paid—even if it meant emptying his own treasury. That is, if it could be done at all, though he did not hold much hope.

Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet, pebbles leaping into the air—a harbinger of disaster. Brighton’s face went pale as he barked, “Damn it, did that lunatic use an energy weapon? Everyone, to the transports!”

The soldiers felt the tremors and their expressions turned grim. In seconds, they rushed to the transports and evacuated the camp.

“Damn it! Did he even read the bounty requirements?” Brighton fumed in the warship’s command center, watching through the instruments as cracks snaked across the quivering ground.

For years, they had fought the alien insect swarm, whose nests were entrenched in dormant volcanoes. They dared not use heavy energy weapons—any eruption could trigger a chain reaction, setting off neighboring volcanoes and devastating the planet’s environment. Otherwise, with their level of technology, wiping out the hives would be a simple matter.

But because they couldn’t use their strongest weapons, they were forced into brutal, costly ground assaults year after year, paying dearly in both lives and treasure.