The Legendary Mechanic

by <unknown>

  The name (Life Return) sure was not an exaggeration. Aurora was only Grade B now, so when she reached Grade A, her regeneration power would probably be even stronger than his. Sadly, her Esper ability did not have a high combat capability. However, her ability and Hila’s ability definitely made up for each other’s weaknesses.

  After the three of them chatted for a while, Hila said with a serious face, “How do you plan to arrange us?”

  “I shall bring you to meet the officers of the army first.”

  Hila shook her head. “Before you came back, Sylvia took us to meet all the high-ranking officers. She said that when you’re back, you’ll personally decide our positions.”

  During the Mutation Disaster in Version 2.0, the most senior members of the army had all met Hila. They knew that her relationship with Han Xiao was not usual, so they definitely treated them well.

  “Since that’s the case, let’s get down to business then,” Han Xiao said. “The two of you will follow me as my bodyguards first. After you know more about how the army operates, I’ll then arrange official high-ranking positions for you.”

  “No problem.” Hila nodded.

  Han Xiao thought for a moment then said, “Rest a few days, then I will bring you guys along.”

  Hila, however, shook her head and rejected that. “There’s no need; we have rested enough. Give us missions as soon as possible. I want to test my true strength.”

  Why are you in more of a hurry than me? Han Xiao smiled, contemplated for a while, and then nodded. “Okay. We shall head out tomorrow. I’ll take you guys to war.”

  He planned to keep a low profile for some time while reaping the players’ Experience and cultivating Hila’s potential personally.

  In the West Wind Star System, Star Zone 11…

  This was the border Star System that had been invaded before any others. The forces of the Bloodshed Land stationed there were the largest. They had built around a hundred strongholds spread across the various Star Zones in the West Wind Star System. Section Zero had set up perimeters at some strategically important places to prevent the Bloodshed Land from invading the areas around West Wind.

  Perimeter 027 was one of them, with numerous Section Zero members garrisoned there throughout the year. The Black Star Army’s fleet was in it as well, and the people stationed here rotated in shifts.

  Other than the occasional large-scale military operations, perimeters were where battles occurred the most regularly. The Bloodshed Land tried to penetrate the perimeters time after time. The troops at the perimeters also sent small fleets to disrupt and attack the Bloodshed Land strongholds regularly. Those perimeters were the ‘frontlines’ of the war.

  After the Kant Star System battle ended, the players started to explore freely. Han Xiao had yet to cancel the fifty percent off sale for those taking part in the war. The requirement to enjoy this benefit was to continue participating in the war. Hence, in the more than a month Han Xiao took to travel back and forth, most of the players were scattered across the various perimeters where there were countless battles. This was also the usual way of taking part in the secret war main storyline.

  There were also players that did not take part in the main storyline. Some went to do mercenary missions, some went to explore around, and some guild players bought mining devices and small carrier ships and went to become miners on the resource planets under the Black Star Army.

  More than 20,000 players gathered at Perimeter 027, participating in the daily combat missions.

  Not long ago, a Bloodshed Land fleet had attacked the perimeter but failed. The stationed troops were now cleaning up the battlefield. In the military space station office, the commander of Perimeter 027, Rexson, was looking at the troops outside the window cleaning the wreckages while listening to his deputy report the result of the battle.

  “The enemy lost eighty-six small battleships and nineteen heavy frigates. We lost thirty-eight battleships. As for casualties… ahem, it’s unknown for the enemy. The casualties on our side are being calculated right now. The initial estimate is that the damage is very small…”

  “All thanks to the Black Star Army again?” Rexson said with a relaxed expression.

  “Yes. The Immortals of the Black Star Army destroyed many of the enemy battleships through close-quarter battles. Since they don’t need any retreat plans, we did not suffer any extra casualties…”

  The deputy swallowed his saliva. It was written on the battle report that after landing on the enemy battleships through the charge cabin, many of them instantly detonated the charge cabin and did not consider retreating at all. Some even landed while carrying nuclear bombs. These people were extremely brave.

  “Ever since the Black Star Army sent a few dozen thousand Immortals, the combat pressure on our side decreased tremendously. These people are born warriors.” Rexson took a deep breath.

  It had been two months since the version started. A lot of players had reached level 100 and completed their Promotion Missions one after another, getting the opportunity to experience Race Evolution. The versatility of the players increased once again. The first batch of players had finally entered Grade B.

  Although they were just the weakest kind of Grade Bs, the increase in their Grade still made a powerful impact. The mid-tier combatant standard of the Black Star Army instantly increased an entire level. As more than a million of those Supers were sent into the various perimeter battlefields, the situation of many of those perimeters immediately became much better.

  For Perimeter 027, the twenty thousand or so Grade B players secured victories for all the recent skirmishes at the perimeter. Rexson could not have been more satisfied with the Black Star Army’s players.

  The first batch of Black Star Army players were no longer disposable forces like before; they had the ability to make decisive impacts to small scale skirmishes. The players discussed this on the forums. Bun-Hit-Dog mentioned Frenzied Sword’s theory during his video and said that as the players became stronger with the version updates, their influence on the world would grow bigger as well, and they would be widely recognized.

  Real-time feedback was an important source of fun for the players. If the attitude of an NPC was the same toward max level players and new players, it would be way too boring. The factor that attracted the players the most in Galaxy was that immersive experience as if they were living in a real world.

  This time, Rexson suddenly received a notification. He glanced at it, and his expression changed drastically.

  “What happened?” the deputy hastily asked.

  “Quickly, make the preparations. His Excellency Black Star will be coming personally, and he’s almost here.” Rexson quickly walked out of the room.

  Rexson summoned the high-ranking officers and went to the dock. After a while, the Blacklight Stealth entered.

  Han Xiao brought along the two sisters and Feidin. Feidin had come of his own volition. He was worried about Han Xiao’s mental state, so he planned to always be around Han Xiao till Han Xiao recovered, just in case.

  As soon as they disembarked from the spaceship, Rexson approached them respectfully. To him, Han Xiao was someone that he would have no chance of coming into contact with usually. Han Xiao had gained the respect of all the Section Zero members through his battle results.

  “No need to be so formal. I would like to know about the situation of the Bloodshed Land strongholds nearby,” Han Xiao said with a smile.

  Rexson was flattered. He hastily invited Han Xiao and the others into the battle conference room, opened the tactical star map, and explained the situation.

  Han Xiao stared at the star map, nodded, and said, “Got it, I’m planning to attack Stronghold W-58.”

  Stronghold W-58 was the biggest hostile stronghold around Perimeter 027, and one Calamity Grade was stationed there. Rexson had never thought of attacking it, but once he heard what Han Xiao said, he was secretly content.

  “I need some helpers. Don’t worry, the
merit will all be yours.” Han Xiao smiled.

  Rexson nodded continuously and said, “I will send the perimeter fleet to work with you.”

  Although Han Xiao was not his direct boss, Rexson was not willing to give up this opportunity of gaining Han Xiao’s favor, not to mention that the merit of eliminating an enemy stronghold would all go to him.

  “Okay, we act in one day’s time.”

  Han Xiao nodded. He had gone to the perimeter this time to let Hila test her abilities, so of course, he was going to strike.

  Manudo was the Bloodshed Land Grade A Super stationed in Stronghold W-58. He was not very worried.

  Not long ago, he had received a message from spies that Black Star had appeared at Perimeter 027. He was the only Calamity Grade in the strongholds nearby. Since Black Star was already there, Manudo felt that he would not mind getting rid of a usual Calamity Grade like him on the way. His heart was half-frozen in fear.

  Manudo hastily reported this to the headquarters. To his surprise, the overall commander proactively contacted him.

  “There’s a very high chance that the Black Star will be attacking the stronghold you’re in now. However, don’t panic. I’m going to give you a mission.”

  “Is it retreat?” Manudo saw hope.

  “Of course not!” Jorde said with a deep voice. “I need you to do one thing-lure Black Star into fighting and battle with him.”

  “You can just tell me if you want me to kill myself…” Manudo felt the utmost despair.

  “Ahem, I will deploy the Calamity Grades around to support you. You’re not going to fight alone.” Jorde was practically speechless. The fearful name of Black Star was deeply carved into the hearts of the high-level combatants of the Bloodshed Land. There was nothing he could do about it. He could only explain, “Not long ago, Black Star fell into my trap. He’s not at his maximum strength now. I need you to test him.”

  Jorde wanted to speculate what damage Psyker’s weapon dealt to Han Xiao through observing Han Xiao’s reactions during battle. He could only feel relieved after seeing it with his own eyes.

  At the same time, on a desolate planet between Stronghold W-58 and Perimeter 027, Summer Night Flower and dozens of other players who had joined Klent arrived in spaceships.

  They were doing the main storyline mission of the Klent faction. As warriors of the Bloodshed Land, they were deployed to the stronghold near the perimeter to take part in small scale skirmishes just like the Black Star Army players.

  The Bloodshed Land had very strict rules. They were not allowed to explore freely like they could in the Black Star Army. Summer Night Flower and the others were not used to it. They could not help but to miss the treatment of the Black Star Army. Sadly, they only knew to treasure it after losing it.

  This time, Summer Night Flower and the others finally had some casual time. They had gone to this planet to wait for someone.

  Their position in the Bloodshed Land was not high, so their privileges could not be compared to when they were in the Black Star Army. Hence, Summer Night Flower contacted his friend who was still in the Black Star Army and told him to buy the fifty percent off products from the army for them. This planet was where they were going to make the exchange.

  Chapter 733. Protecting the Law |

  “Brother, are you here yet?”

  “Soon, soon.”

  A small spaceship was parked on the brown desolate land. Summer Night Flower and the others were waiting beside the spaceship.

  Very soon, another spaceship landed beside them. The people in it got out of the spaceship, looked around, and greeted Summer Night Flower.

  “Where’s the stuff?” Summer Night Flower approached.

  “Where’s the money?” the person helping to do the purchases replied.

  “Didn’t I make the transfer long ago?” Summer Night Flower said with resignation.

  “Ha, I just wanted to paint the atmosphere of an illegal trade. Didn’t it feel very dramatic?”

  The person chuckled. Seeing that Summer Night Flower was expressionless, he could only wipe the smile off his face awkwardly and take him into the cabin to see the stuff.

  “There, this is all the stuff you wanted. Count it. Don’t say I scammed you.”

  Summer Night Flower scanned through and calculated in his mind that the quantity was all correct. Only then did he say, “No need to, I trust you.”

  This time, the person helping to make the purchase rubbed his hands with a slightly embarrassed expression and said, “You know, we’ve known each other for many years. We’re quite close, right?”

  Summer Night Flower was a little confused. “What are you saying?”

  “I’m asking you, are we good friends that play together?”

  “Why?”

  “Since we’re friends, can you sacrifice yourself and let me kill you a few times to earn some bounties?” the person asked cautiously. “After all, you can’t accept the Bounty Missions from the army. Instead of letting others kill you, I can split thirty percent of the bounty with you.”

  “Piss off.” Summer Night Flower was speechless. Thirty percent? How is that little bounty reward going to make up for the experience I lose from dying?

  “Stop talking nonsense. You’ve brought the stuff, so I’m taking it away,” Summer Night Flower said as he was about to pick up the equipment.

  This time, the person suddenly pressed on his hand and chuckled, “No, I think it’s better for me to keep it for you temporarily.”

  “What do you mean? Are you trying to con me?” Summer Night Flower was furious. His friends around him all came closer with hostile looks on their faces, implying they would not hesitate to kill for the equipment.

  The person helping to buy the equipment did not panic at all. He slowly said, “This is for your own good. You might be robbed very soon if you’re carrying new equipment.”

  Summer Night Flower suddenly had a bad feeling

  At this time, the sound of spaceships landing came from outside. Small spaceships landed on the ground one after another, and a huge group of players rushed out.

  The expression of Summer Night Flower and the rest changed drastically. He knew that these people were there for the bounty. He turned to look at the person who had helped to purchase the equipment in disbelief. “You betrayed me?”

  “Look at it yourself.” The person curled his lips and took out the communicator. On it was the location of the person wanted by the army, which was the location of Summer Night Flower and the rest of the people. Their coordinates were constantly monitored. This trade was not a secret to the other players at all.

  “Why didn’t I know about this?” Summer Night Flower was stunned. Then he realized with resignation that his army program had automatically been uninstalled.

  The Phillip sub-program of these players became a background monitoring device that sent their coordinates to the nearby Black Star Army members at all times. It was like a constant reminder to the army members nearby. Summer Night Flower and the others were as conspicuous as sheep passing through a pack of wolves, except they did not know it at all.

  Only the players nearby would receive the coordinates. Summer Night Flower and the rest had only gone to Stronghold W-58 not long ago, so only the players in Perimeter 027 received the coordinates. They thought that this was just a mission reminder, so no one discussed it on the forums. Thus, Summer Night Flower and the rest had no idea.

  Suddenly, Summer Night Flower realized something. With a face of shock, he said, “Wait a minute, you knew that our coordinates were exposed all long, yet you didn’t tell me and even did not cancel the trade?”

  “Sorry, I’m the cop.”

  “Speak like a human being!”

  The person smiled and said, “Sigh, I have to make a living, okay? Since you’re already here, it’s a waste not to kill you. Like I said, instead of letting others take the bounty, just let me take it. I will split thirty percent with you.”

  Summer Night F
lower’s mouth shivered. He pointed at him and could not say a word.

  So, you had an ulterior motive all along!

  This was a trap!

  I saw you as a friend, but you wanted to deceive me?

  What happened to basic trust between people?

  If the furious looks on the Klent faction players around them could turn into knives, Summer Night Flower would have been sliced into a thousand pieces.

  Looking at the quickly approaching players, Summer Night Flower hastily raised his hand with a face full of grief. The person helping to do the purchase thought that he wanted to fight, so he quickly jumped back a few meters. To his surprise, Summer Night Flower stood in place and raised four fingers.

  “Forty percent!”

  The person’s eye sparkled. He kindly reminded Summer Night Flower and said, “Remember to choose the faction revive point when reviving, or you’ll get killed another time.”

  “Thank you so f*cking much!” Summer Night Flower clenched his teeth so hard it sounded like pieces of metal rubbing against each other.

  Woosh!

  With a familiar flash of white light, Summer Night Flower returned to Stronghold W-58. His face was filled with grief, but he had no tears to cry.

  This is so tiring. I shouldn’t have come to Klent…

  The moment Summer Night Flower thought that, he quickly eliminated it. He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down and convinced himself to believe in his analysis.

  Although the path ahead would be twisted, he still believed that the future of the Klent faction was brighter.

  “I will definitely be able to earn back the damages suffered now.” Summer Night Flower encouraged himself then left the revive point. He was not planning to become the target of the rage of the rest of the Klent players.

  This time, a message appeared on the interface. It was his friend that helped to make the purchase.

  “I’ll hold onto your stuff for now. Let’s find another time to meet again.”

  Summer Night Flower was filled with rage.

  You want to scam me another time?