Although Ellis had not explained everything in detail, Lucas already understood.
At this moment, Los Angeles was like a sealed cylindrical space.
At the bottom of this space lay a fault line constantly generating destructive energy.
The seismic energy had nowhere to escape and could only collide repeatedly within this enclosed zone, growing stronger and stronger through continuous accumulation.
If this continued, Los Angeles and the surrounding cities would be completely annihilated—not merely destroyed in the ordinary sense, but erased at the geological level.
More terrifying still, this situation was equivalent to burying an ultra–high-yield hydrogen bomb beneath America.
Once it detonated, the entire continent would be blasted open.
The chain reaction would devastate the American continental shelf, triggering catastrophic earthquakes and massive magma eruptions.
Every living being across America would be wiped out.
And it wouldn't stop there.
America was one of the most volcanically active regions on Earth.
Within the United States alone, there were three supervolcanoes, not to mention those in Canada.
If they erupted in succession, it wouldn't be a localized disaster—it would be a planetary catastrophe.
Volcanic ash would blanket most of the Earth, blocking sunlight entirely.
The planet would plunge into an ice age, and the land environment would become completely hostile to life.
Extinction would be inevitable.
---
At the same time, the Seismological Bureau submitted its latest report to Ellis.
As he read through the data, his expression grew heavier with every line.
This was no longer about saving a city or even millions of lives.
It was about the survival of hundreds of millions in the United States, and potentially billions of humans and countless other lifeforms worldwide.
And evacuation?
That was no longer an option.
In the face of a supervolcanic eruption, even underground bunkers designed to withstand nuclear strikes would be utterly useless.
"Have the other countries been informed?" Ellis asked, turning to the Secretary of State, Evan.
"They've already sent inquiries," Evan replied grimly.
"But they were blocked immediately."
"They're probably cursing us right now," Ellis said with a bitter laugh.
"After all, the source is in America."
"Not just them," he continued.
"Even we have no solution."
"What about the response task force?" Ellis asked.
"Have they found anything?"
Evan shook his head.
"All available scientists have been gathered into an emergency online conference."
"But they're arguing nonstop. No one has a viable solution."
"Either the required technology doesn't exist yet, or there simply isn't enough time."
"They admitted they're out of options. That's why I brought these materials to you."
Ellis leaned back in his chair with a helpless smile.
"So… we don't even have a shred of hope left?"
"In the face of natural disasters, humanity's so-called advanced technology is nothing more than a joke."
Evan hesitated, then spoke carefully.
"Mr. President… weren't you just speaking with him earlier?"
"He saved over ten million people. Shouldn't we ask if he can help again?"
"I already did," Ellis replied quietly.
"But he hasn't responded."
"That likely means… even he may be powerless this time."
Evan's expression shifted, then he said firmly,
"Perhaps… perhaps he just hasn't had time to reply yet."
Ellis tilted his head back, staring at the ceiling.
"When did the fate of America begin depending on one man—again and again?"
"For people like us… isn't that the most silent form of mockery?"
Evan fell silent.
---
Meanwhile, Lucas had already arrived above Los Angeles.
As the earthquake intensified, every structure representing human civilization had collapsed.
Looking down, not a single building remained intact.
With the ground splitting open, glowing red magma and scorching heat were now clearly visible beneath the surface.
Lucas immediately released his ki, extending his perception deep underground.
Five hundred meters.
One thousand meters.
Fifteen hundred meters.
Two thousand meters.
Soon—
At a depth of over 4,600 meters, Lucas detected something abnormal.
Without hesitation, he dove straight into a massive fissure.
Following the locked energy signature, he ignored falling debris entirely.
Soil and stone melted instantly upon contact with the aura covering his body.
The next moment, sensing Lucas's rapid approach, the mysterious presence suddenly accelerated.
At the same time, the energy buildup beneath Los Angeles—which had been rising uncontrollably—abruptly stopped.
"So it really is you."
Lucas instantly sensed the change and confirmed that this unknown entity was the source of the super earthquake.
He pushed his speed to the absolute limit, closing the distance rapidly.
In less than fifteen seconds, the gap between them shrank to under five meters.
Realizing escape was impossible, the mysterious being suddenly halted.
Then—
To Lucas's surprise, it charged straight at him.
"?"
The next instant, a blue light tore through the layers of earth and stone ahead.
The blue glow accelerated at a terrifying rate, far faster than before, hurtling directly toward Lucas.
Within those mere five meters, its speed jumped from hundreds of meters per second to tens of thousands of meters per second in a single meter of travel.
Even Tony Stark in his Mark armor—or even Thor himself—would have been severely injured, unable to react in time.
But Lucas was different.
The moment the entity stopped, he sensed danger and entered full combat readiness.
By the time the blue light appeared, energy had already gathered in his fist.
In Super Saiyan full-power state, Lucas possessed complete control over his energy—absolute precision and output.
As he swung his fist, the condensed power erupted instantly.
When the blue mass entered the three-meter range, a golden energy wave surged forward to meet it.
The two forces collided deep underground—
And in an instant, a massive gold-and-white explosion of light erupted beneath the earth.
...
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