I’ll be the Red Ranger
Chapter 126 – Moles

- Oliver -

Just a few steps away, the mission leader—Alex—stood with his head severed from his body.

A high-pitched ringing filled Oliver's ears, drowning out the chaos around him. Time seemed to freeze as his mind struggled to process the surreal horror unfolding before his eyes. The image of Alex reduced to a lifeless form, his head brutally removed, was almost beyond comprehension.

Blood, viscera, and fragments of bone splattered across the clearing, painting the lush foliage with macabre strokes of crimson. The metallic scent of blood mixed with the earthy aroma of the forest, creating a sickening blend that turned Oliver's stomach.

Instinctively, he raised a trembling hand to his helmet, wiping away the warm blood that obscured his visor. His vision cleared just in time to see the betrayal manifesting around him.

"Eliminate them all. Leave no witnesses." The voice sliced through the ringing in his ears like a cold blade. It was a voice he recognized—a Ranger's voice—and that realization sent a chill down his spine.

Spinning toward the forest edge, Oliver's eyes widened as he saw two of the Red Rangers advancing with weapons drawn, their postures aggressive and uncompromising. Not far from them, a Yellow Ranger stood with a heavy rifle leveled directly at him, the barrel still smoking from its recent discharge.

Muffled screams echoed through the chaos—Chloe's voice, filled with shock and confusion—but they seemed distant, almost muted by the adrenaline surging through his veins. Instinct overtook reason. Without a second thought, Oliver charged toward the Yellow Ranger, determination fueling his every step. He couldn't allow him the chance to fire again.

[Observation] he commanded mentally, desperately attempting to activate his ability. But there was nothing—no enhancement, no attack and defense lines—only the stark reality of his situation. The ability was canceled out, useless against the Ranger’s level.

‘Why?! Why are they attacking us?’ His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and despair. Betrayal cut deeper than any blade, and the sight of his fellow Rangers turning against them was almost too much to bear.

[Prometheus] Oliver invoked, summoning every ounce of power within him. If his [Observation] wouldn't work, he'd have to rely on raw strength.

‘If this was enough to surprise a General, maybe it'll surprise a Ranger,’ Oliver thought, recalling the fight against Wiz. As he closed the distance, he channeled his massive energy into his fist, feeling the Z Crystal within his gauntlet resonate and amplify his power.

The Yellow Ranger eyed him with contempt, apparently unshaken by the rookie's bold advance. To him, Oliver was just a novice—a Blue Ranger, no less—hardly a threat in close combat. He continued reloading his rifle with practiced ease, a hint of a smirk playing at the corner of his mouth.

Time seemed to slow. Oliver's senses sharpened, adrenaline heightening his perception. He could see every detail—the subtle shift in the Yellow Ranger's stance, the glint of his visor, the way the light caught the edges of his armor.

He read his opponent's expectations: disbelief that Oliver would dare attack head-on, confidence that the assault would be futile.

But the Yellow Ranger was wrong.

As Oliver's fist connected with the armored chest, there was a moment of silence—a brief heartbeat where everything hung in the balance. Then, a blinding light erupted from the point of impact. A thunderous explosion shattered the air, its force rippling outward like a shockwave.

Everyone on the battlefield paused, eyes drawn to the epicenter of the blast. They witnessed the raw, untamed power of someone who had achieved over 80% synchronization with a Z Crystal—a feat unheard of for someone so new.

A beam of pure energy surged from Oliver's hand, engulfing the Yellow Ranger. The armor, designed to withstand immense force, crumpled like paper under the onslaught. The energy punched a gaping hole through his midsection, vaporizing flesh and metal alike. The Yellow Ranger didn't even have time to scream—a look of stunned disbelief frozen on his face as he collapsed.

The beam continued beyond its initial target, searing into the ground and carving out a massive crater. The earth shook, and debris flew in all directions. Smoke and dust billowed upward, momentarily obscuring the battlefield.

Shockwaves from the blast knocked back nearby combatants, friend and foe alike. The two Red Rangers stumbled, momentarily off balance. Chloe shielded her eyes, her screams lost amid the deafening roar.

Oliver stood at the center of the devastation, his arm still extended, smoke rising from his gauntlet. His breathing was ragged, but his eyes burned with anger and hurt.

At the corner of his vision, a new notification flashed.

| New Trait unlocked

| Ranger Killer [Secret Trait]

| Kill a Ranger

| [Click to Redeem]

"What the hell is this?! Wasn't he supposed to be a rookie?" one of the Red Rangers shouted to his comrade, disbelief lacing his words.

But Chloe was already on the move. The Yellow Ranger didn't wait for the traitors to regroup. With twin daggers glinting in her hands, she launched herself forward. Her form became a whirlwind of motion—a relentless flurry of attacks that left the Red Ranger scrambling. Every slash and thrust consumed the space around him, cutting off any avenue of escape.

"Did you think you could come here, sabotage our mission, and walk away alive?!" Chloe's voice erupted from deep within her, a feral growl that echoed through the trees. Her eyes burned with a fierce intensity, and each movement was charged with fury.

The speed of her assaults rivaled what Oliver could achieve using [Prometheus], yet there was no visible Energy coursing through her body. She moved with sheer raw skill and determination, a tempest of vengeance.

The remaining Red Ranger didn't wait to witness the outcome. Panic flashed across his face as he turned and bolted into the forest, branches snapping underfoot as he disappeared into the shadows.

It didn't take long. Chloe's blades found their mark, slipping past the Red Ranger's defenses. She drove them into him with unyielding force, again and again, her breaths ragged. She continued her relentless assault until he lay utterly motionless, the light fading from his eyes.

Only then did Oliver realize he was on his knees, the tumult of the battle catching up to him. His arm was shattered—fractures spiderwebbing through his armor. It wasn't as devastating as the injury he'd sustained fighting the General when his arm had been torn off completely, but the pain was sharp, a reminder of the immense power he wielded—and the limits he was still learning to control.

Gritting his teeth, he struggled to his feet, cradling his injured arm. The clearing was a scene of grim aftermath. Chloe stood over Alex's lifeless body, her shoulders heaving with each breath.

On the opposite side of the clearing, another grim sight caught Oliver's eye. The body of a Yellow Ranger was sprawled across the ground; a smoking wound burned through his chest. He had no chance to defend himself; the attack had been swift and merciless.

But the worst revelation awaited him. Under the shadow of a towering tree, he saw Emma. The usually composed and analytical Ranger was swaying gently, a haunting motion that sent a chill through Oliver. He forced his shaky legs to move, closing the distance between them.

As he drew nearer, the heartbreaking reality came into focus. Emma was cradling Elliot's lifeless body, her arms wrapped tightly around him as she rocked back and forth. Tears streamed down her face, her sobs raw and unrestrained.

"No! No! Elliot, please," she cried, her voice breaking with each word. "Please come back... please..." She repeated his name like a mantra, as if sheer willpower could bridge the chasm between life and death.

Oliver's chest tightened, grief and anger swirling inside him. The weight of the loss pressed down on him, but he knew they couldn't afford to lose themselves in sorrow, not here, not now.

He moved cautiously toward Emma, his own pain momentarily forgotten. "Emma," he spoke softly, his voice barely above a whisper. "We have to go."

She didn't seem to hear him, her gaze locked onto Elliot's face. Oliver knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Emma, please. It's not safe here."

Her eyes flickered to him, glazed with distraught. "They… Elliot…" It was the only thing she managed to utter between heartbreaking sobs.