Legend Is The Supreme Soldier

by Stayrr

Ye Chong was a denizen of Trash Planet-12. On one fateful day, he discovered a treasure that would forever alter his destiny from a pile of junk – Mu Shang, an unknown machine with artificial intelligence and a lost memory. Together, they venture into the vast galaxy as the isolated “caveman” that was Ye Chong began absorbing all sorts of knowledge and meeting people from all walks

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Ye Chong was a denizen of Trash Planet-12. On one fateful day, he discovered a treasure that would forever alter his destiny from a pile of junk – Mu Shang, an unknown machine with artificial intelligence and a lost memory. Together, they venture into the vast galaxy as the isolated "caveman" that was Ye Chong began absorbing all sorts of knowledge and meeting people from all walks of life. He gradually discovers more and more about his own mysterious past as well as his partner's. Read to find out more!

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Legend of the Supreme Soldier #Chapter 1 - Treasure and Trash - Read Legend of the Supreme Soldier Chapter 1 - Treasure and Trash Online - All Page - Novel Next

Chapter 1: Treasure and Trash

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Trash Planet-12 was one of many trash planets in the Fal star system.

Its eponymous function was for trash disposal. As science continued to advance into the space age, humanity's lifestyles underwent a paradigm shift. Life became comfortable, tranquil, and the initial urgent concerns about resources and ecological balance had diminished due to advancement of humankind beyond the skies. As more new planets were discovered and humanity's space technology matured, society developed more hectic and humanistic lifestyles, and trash. The costs of recycling were too high, but leaving trash around would have negative impacts on society's living environment, not to mention the inevitable discontentment that would follow. The solution adopted by the nations was to dispose of their waste on these so-called "trash planets". Trash planets were either naturally lacking or artificially deprived of resources and not to mention uninhabited, which made them ideal landfills for trash.

Under grey skies, a variety of trash formed a mountainous landscape - the land is silent, the air dead. Cool metals gleamed with unique metallic coldness, but dust had masked their original shine, only an occasional spot untouched by rust would remind one of their former glory.

On this apparently lifeless trash planet, one would have thought no human

could exist, considering the harsh environment, devoid of food and water, lacked the necessities for survival. There was only one thing here - trash!

Ye Chong raised his head to study the antiquated analogue clock, found three years ago at the foot of a particular mountain of trash, ten kilometers away. Its touch-based motion sensor was damaged then, which took Ye Chong a week of fixing to function again. The clock now replaced its predecessor, an even more outdated pendulum clock.

It was now 3:42 FT (Fal Time), and Ye Chong knew that in another 13 minutes, the weather outside would reach the day's most suitable temperature for heading outdoors, and this decent climate would end at 6:17 FT. At other hours, the weather outside would either be as scorching as an oven or as cold as the peak of winter.

According to routine, there should be a scheduled trash disposal last night. Ye Chong considered for a trip outside today, to see if he can score some new goods. Not that he was lacking in food, that engulfer he caught last time still had a great half of it left, enough for another 3 days. Besides, there was still a good stock of organic liquid food left, but they tasted far worse than fresh meat,; more like wax, which had been left alone for quite a while.

It was 3:55 FT, and Ye Chong sprinted out of his home in a blink of an eye. Time was precious to Ye Chong. The current location where the automated trash disposal ship discharged of its cargo was half an hour's journey away from his hideout, which implied that Ye Chong's hour-long trip to his destination left him with only less than half an hour's time to forage.

Ye Chong scampered through the labyrinth of trash like an agile creature with incredible swiftness. He was very familiar with the ins and outs of the local landscape, and Ye Chong believed he could still find his way through even with his eyes closed.

The headwind whistled past his ears, and Ye Chong enjoyed the satisfaction that came with his speed. But he was always alert of his surroundings, for survival on a trash planet would mean violent encounters with all sorts of mutated life forms.

Trash planets were unsuited for human habitation, but for mutated life forms, they were no doubt, heaven. The hostile environment was nothing to the highly adaptable mutants. Local resources were bountiful- trash, for the rat-like engulfer, was food, and so on this very planet, their numbers grew exponentially.

This planet was also unlike its cousins that were untouched by humanity, popular spots for mech pilots to tempt their fate. No mech pilot would want to lay a foot on a forbidding place like this. Without the mechs hunting them down, the mutants flourished in the absence of their greatest enemy.

Ye Chong's home was in the middle of a mountain of trash, the route leading to it was a crack not more than four meters wide. Jutting metal beams on the exterior made for a dangerous looking fa?ade for the route's entrance.

Ye Chong did not slow down, his stride long and powerful - one would have mistaken his movements as that of a primate, the agility astonishing. But there were no spectators on this trash planet, and this amazing moment belonged to him and him alone.

Ye Chong pushed hard with his legs and leapt through the air, and as he reached the peak of the jump, he grabbed onto a horizontal titanium beam that was suspended midair. He then swung around it and did a few flips before landing steadily on the trash mountain.

Ye Chong came to a halt and used his right index finger to caress the nondescript jet-black metallic ring on his left ring finger while calling out softly, "Winnie!".

A greyish-green mech appeared before Ye Chong, and he mumbled out of habit, "If only I can find a neural receiver this time, voice command sucks." He slipped easily into the pilot's seat.

Winnie's built was like the average mech, around ten meters tall, with a thickset bulky body and equally thickset limbs, all amounting to the looks of a metallic lump, and the undeniably bald head was a comical touch. By virtue of age, the mech's exterior appeared dull, but the rounded shoulders and knee joints embedded irregularly with barbed hooks added points for a merciless impression. Winnie's body was scattered with wounds of all kinds, like scratches and bite marks, and the sight was ghastly. But Winnie was obviously well-cared-for, boasting a spotless exterior; all proof how much Ye Chong cherished the machine.

If not for Winnie, Ye Chong may not have lived till today - at least as far as Ye Chong believed, he could not have survived through more than two engulfers without a mech, and the rodents out here were never found with less than five in a group. On this trash planet, being weak was synonymous to a quick death, the law of natural selection fully adopted by the ways of the local inhabitants.

There was one person whose story reveals a close relation between a man and a mech, and that was Ye Chong's foster father. Ye Chong only knew him as Gao Shi Chang, the rest of his background remained a mystery. According to his foster father, he was initially the only man on the trash planet, until one day he found a boy, with the words "Ye Chong" written on his body. As to how his foster father arrived on this trash planet, and his former occupation, the man was ever so tight lipped about them.

This mech was the result of his foster father's foraging. It was originally a mech made for public use, which, after his foster father's interminable modifications, was nearly unrecognizsable for what it once was. According to him, in the outside world, almost everyone owned a mech, but since most of them were recycled upon disposal, it was hard to find one on trash planets without a good deal of luck. Under his foster father's influence, Ye Chong developed great interest in mechs, and his foster father was generous in sharing his knowledge,; the duo frequently engaged in exciting discussions around the very much aged mech processor at home. The mech was named Winnie which, according to his foster father, was a classic brand of engines for outdated mechs.

Unlike his foster father's preference for modifications, Ye Chong had an almost innate instinct and sensitivity in maneuvering the mech just as it is. As such, Winnie was always piloted by him. His foster father once mentioned that Ye Chong would make for a fine pilot one day.

After a close encounter with five engulfers that led to an intense battle and a successful escape, Ye Chong began to train himself conscientiously for the actual combat. After his first taste of fresh rat meat, he could never take interest in the organic liquid food churned out from the food producer machine.

Ceaseless ordeals in actual combat meant Ye Chong was no longer his old, innocent self, with the exception of a few terrifying and ferocious creatures that Ye Chong would never dare approach. All other life forms were no longer a threat to Ye Chong. but, if Ye Chong was careless, these creatures could still be potentially fatal.

Unfortunately, Winnie was too old, such that even after all those adjustments, the lack of good parts and tools meant that Winnie was already as good as it would ever be. The fatal flaw would be Winnie's brain, which was too outdated.

His foster father might have been an expert in the mechanics, but he was absolutely clueless about mech processors.

The man once said, for any mech, if the engine is its heart, then the processor is its soul.

Ye Chong felt restricted in many ways, piloting the current mech.

Winnie's only slightly redeeming feature was its pair of bionic eyes. When Ye Chong brought them to his foster father's attention, even he had no idea what model it was, with only a rough idea that it could be a new model from recent years. After all, he had wandered on the trash planet for decades, whatever advances beyond the planet, he could not obscure.

It was thanks to this pair of modern bionic eyes, that Ye Chong escaped from danger time and again.

Although Winnie was old, until such time where a newer mech could be found, Winnie was Ye Chong's only choice.

Ye Chong carefully upped the speed for Winnie until 80% of its maximum speed, as this allowed for a faster travel with room for emergency adjustments.

The travel was smooth, and Ye Chong arrived at his destination without obstructions. Anywhere he laid eyes on was filled with trash, but there were distinct areas where the trash were more recent additions, and these were Ye Chong's goals for the day.

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"Scanning commenced!" Winnie's voice was unrushed, with a slowness akin to an aging senior, Ye Chong thought helplessly, but he scanned his surroundings warily. For once, Winnie carried out a full scan with its eyes but will cease all other functions thus, Ye Chong will have to be fully alert for threats.

Ye Chong examined some corners where mutated lifeforms could possibly emerge from, all the while muttering, "Come on old buddy, you got to do some good today, I haven't had any new stuff in a while! Come on now… Come on…" Eventually, Ye Chong began humming a little tune. All alone on this trash planet, if he went on for some time without uttering a word, Ye Chong was not sure if he ever could again and so, despite the lack of another person to interact with, talking to himself had slowly become routine.

Ye Chong maintained a casual fa?ade, but his slightly tense posture spoke of his state of high vigilance.

"Scanning completed!" The announcement was like music to his ears. Ye Chong exhaled deeply in relief.

"Switch to High Alert Mode!" Ye Chong gave Winnie the order, and immediately scrutinized the scan results relayed from the processor; a few red patches on the scanned images looking particularly conspicuous. Ye Chong could not contain his excitement - it seemed that the forage this time would be fruitful.

Scavenging in the trash heaps. Ye Chong spitted out grains of sand that made their way into his mouth from the mech's crevices.

"Damn it! Not one of them is useful, by the Heavens, surely I could not be so unlucky!" Ye Chong wailed, his initial excitement gone without a trace. He had searched through many spots,; all ending up with useless junk, and now only the last spot remained, with the smallest object on the list. Based on the size, Ye Chong could not figure out what it could possibly be used for, but better a mistake than a missed opportunity as he dived headlong into the mountainous heap of trash.

Ye Chong half laid on a chair, munching on freshly roasted engulfer's meat, as he toyed with today's only object of value.

It seemed to be a metallic hanging ornament with a dull metallic shine, and only the size of three fingernails. It was roundish with a perimeter lined with a curved blade, and its surface densely covered with queer patterns that seemed indistinguishable, but possibly based on some unknown underlying principles. Sadly, a chipped corner and some cracks along the blade told the story of a damaged, secondary article.

Ye Chong murmured, "What is this? What a strange material!"

His thumb gently caressed the edge of the blade, and a thin cut appeared which Ye Chong felt nothing from, until the sight of crimson brought on a flicker of pain.

"Very sharp indeed!" Ye Chong was slightly surprised. "Surely this gimmick is not a hidden weapon?!" Ye Chong watched as a drop of blood hanged off the edge of the blade, from the cut earlier.

Lo and behold, a mysterious phenomenon occurred!

Beyond the bounds of possibility, the blade unexpectedly absorbed the blood, much like a sponge. A blood-absorbing metal? Ye Chong jumped back in shock. There was no mistake, he touched it, and the blade was undeniably metal! Ye Chong bet that the scene he just witnessed was no illusion.

The eeriness showed no signs of stopping.

The blood-fed ornament emitted a light buzzing sound, the curved blade retracted into the body of the ornament, and the cryptic patterns on its surface began to move. The ornament behaved as though a machine grinding in operations, and Ye Chong's blood was the catalyst.

Ye Chong was completely dumbfounded!

A voice resonated without warning in Ye Chong's mind, "Di-proton examination completed, brainwave matched, brainwave locked!"

Ye Chong frantically exclaimed, "Who's there! Come out!" His vision sharpened as he scanned his surroundings, his hand quietly reaching for the dagger holstered on his leg.

"Are you sure?" The same voice sounded uncertain.

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Chapter 2: Man and Machine

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"Are you sure?" The same voice sounded uncertain.

"Nonsense! Just show yourself and we'll see!" Ye Chong's expression betrayed mild impatience, but the intensity of his gaze were a contrast to his apparent emotions. Ye Chong arched his body slightly, like a bow ready to fire, prepared to deliver a fatal blow.

"Then I'm coming out!" The voice maintained its level tone.

Immediately, the room dimmed, and Ye Chong did not manage a reaction before hearing a deafening rumble as a huge wave of trash engulfed him whole.

The trash planet fell silent again.

After a long stillness, in a trash heap near a Pulsed Signal Relay Station, a hand suddenly emerged from the heap, and a filthy man climbed his way out of the trash heap.

Cough… cough…*

"Bad things come in threes, huh…" Ye Chong cursed as he shook the little rocks and sand grains out of his clothing. Up to this point, Ye Chong could not understand what had happened.

Could it be that, this was the legendary mode of self-destruction?

He looked on at the sorry sight of the area, the entrance to his home no longer there - everywhere was just trash and more trash. Ye Chong shuddered at the aftermath- how long would it take to carve out another entrance?

Ye Chong cursed murderously under his breath, "Once I find you, you little scum, I will make you pay!" The fury in him burned like a lasting wildfire.

As Ye Chong stared at the perpetrator of this whole incident, he found himself speechless.

The route-digging took three whole days, and the thought of the long and arduous process fueled Ye Chong's anger towards the perpetrator to new unprecedented heights.

But when Ye Chong tried to deal with the perpetrator, the fire would not catch.

Its metallic shell, aesthetic and powerful, the alternating blue-and-white laser coating pristine, the mech's surface completely spotless despite being amongst filthy and disgusting trash. When Ye Chong found it, it was just quietly standing there, firmly, as though nothing in existence could ever perturb it.

Ye Chong knew at first glance that he had found real treasure!

If the first glance at the mech gave him joy, a second glance made Ye Chong understand profoundly the meaning of pain within joy.

A huge scar extended from its left shoulder to its waist, even exposing part of its engine to the air, and the entire left arm was missing. It was as though a one-of-a-kind exquisite painting of perfection was forcefully ripped in half.

This was a human-shaped mech, with a height of around twelve meters, its body painted with alternating blues and whites, with an elongated overall design, a world's difference from Winnie's thickset bulkiness. The mech's body radiated a faint, mysterious metallic luster, the protective armor panels on the chest were like the abs of well-development muscles, but not cumbersomely so. The icy cold profile had edges that looked as though they cut, and hosted an enigmatic pair of blue bionic eyes that blinked rhythmically, emanating a supernatural charm.

Ye Chong was stunned, as he starred at the dilapidated mech that destroyed his home. For a moment, Ye Chong was thoroughly captivated by this damaged but unique mech, as though the mech had bewitched his entire being with magic.

"*Beep* self-assessment completed, engine functions at 86%, left limb functions at 0%, cabin functions at 97%, other parts are fully functional!"

The gender-neutral voice interrupted Ye Chong out of his fantasies.

Ye Chong blurted, "Waah, this is the real deal, a self-assessing mech!" If one looked closely, one could see Ye Chong's mouth gaping wide enough to fit an engulfer's thigh and even drooling.

The damaged mech suddenly spoke, "Hello!"

A mech that greets, Ye Chong thought in a daze, and greeted back instinctively, "Hello!"

The mech continued, "My name is Mu Shang, you can call me Mu!"

Ye Chong was still not out of his reverie, "Oh, I'm Ye Chong, you can call me Ye!"

Abruptly, Ye Chong came back to his senses and flinched as though burned on the ass. He pointed at the damaged mech and stammered, "You - you - you - you can talk?"

The damaged mech that was Mu Shang nodded gracefully, "At a certain level, your observation is accurate!"

Ye Chong repeated in disbelief, "A mech that speaks?"

"Um-hum!"

With the addition of Mu Shang, Ye Chong's home inevitably grew in space to thrice its original size. From Mu Shang, Ye Chong came to realize that the hanging ornament was Mu Shang's spatial control, but Mu Shang seemed to prefer being outside than in the alternate dimension. Ye Chong was also grateful for the company - for a sixteen-year-old, loneliness was almost unbearable.

Ye Chong sat down heavily, finally finished with his work, and completely exhausted. Mu Shang imitated Ye Chong's actions, as it swooshed down to a sitting position beside Ye Chong with a loud thud. Dust erupted into the air, and Ye Chong was caught off guard amidst the chaos as he was sent tumbling to a corner by the strong gust. As he rose, face frozen in anger, what he found was Mu Shang had smashed a large hole in the ground, and the mech was still sitting comfortably in the hole as it looked back with innocent eyes.

Under the lighting, the tiny human and the huge machine sat side by side.

Ye Chong asked curiously, "Mu, what happened to you?"

Mu Shang answered, "Information corrupted, reason is unknown!"

Ye Chong gulped down a mouthful of water and laughed. "Hah, if it must be because you are actually not powerful enough, to be beaten up like that!"

Mu Shang replied, "Information corrupted, reason is unknown!"

Ye Chong's laughter ended abruptly, and he moped. "Oh come one, can't you be a little more interesting? Don't just be like 'information this', 'information that'!"

Mu Shang tilted its head in confusion. "Interesting? What is 'interesting'?"

Ye Chong scratched his head in frustration, for he was stumped. "Er, er, that question is, hmm, a bit complicated, er, let's talk about something else, Mu, are you actually male or female?"

… … …

Ye Chong sat in Mu Shang's cabin, stupefied, as he stared in obvious disbelief, his hand caressing this and that in absolute adoration and admiration. "Mu, you must be one of the best mechs there is, aren't you?"

Mu replied evenly, "Information archive indicates that the answer is negative. Calculation indicates the probability of inclusion in the top 500 ranking mechs as 26%, in the 501th to 600th ranking range as 63%, beyond the 600th ranking as 11%."

Ye Chong gasped in astonishment. "500 mechs? Are there so many more great mechs? But, back to your point, being in the top 500 is not too shabby! In any case, you're definitely better than Winnie!"

Naturally, Ye Chong did not fully understand the implications of Mu Shang ranking within the top 500, even in its current state of dilapidation. Ye Chong had always dreamed of owning a mech more advanced than Winnie one day, and then he would march forth and challenge the trash planet's most ferocious mutants in battle. What would the giant iron lizard's meat taste like? Ye Chong licked his lips without realizing it. Hah, the time will come when I crown myself as King of this trash planet!

Mu Shang heartlessly cut short his fantasy. "Winnie's strength cannot be calculated!"

Ye Shang immediately pulled a face, "I know that!" "Mu, can I be your pilot?" he asked with anticipation.

"Denied!"

Cries* Oh well, it looks like he'll have to pilot Winnie himself!

Ye Chong was deeply saddened, but he caught on to a puzzling aspect. "Then why do you have a cabin?"

Mu Shang was silent for a few second before responding. "Information is corrupted, query is impossible!"

"Then do you remember who made you?" Ye Chong asked, interested.

"Information is corrupted, query is impossible!"

The ever so lonely Ye Chong was deeply absorbed in the conversation, and just as he was about to continue with the questions, a sudden alarm buzzed softly, as Mu Shang announced, "Energy level depleted!" Upon inspection of the energy indication display, the level was a hair's breadth away from zeroing out.

Since Trash Planet-12 was situated close to a star, it had a nearly unlimited supply of solar energy, or at least Ye Chong never faced problems with energy supply. But when he used up all his backup energy cells on Mu Shang and found that it did not even recover 10% of its full capacity, Ye Chong was confounded!

As Mu Shang connected directly to the solar panels, Ye Chong was speechless, and prayed that the energy cell circulating his house would last until Mu Shang was finished charging that day.

Mu Shang was quiet throughout the charging process, and Ye Chong, bored with the whole process, dozed off.

The next day, as Ye Chong rubbed off the sleepiness of his tired eyes, he found that Mu Shang looked a little different. The machine's surface looked as if it was coated with an extra layer of shine that added to the mysteriousness of the mech.

Ye Chong gasped, "Mu, you looked beautiful all of a sudden!"

Mu Shang seemed to understand Ye Chong's meaning of 'beautiful', and explained, "This is the photon excitation effect, where an adequate energy supply produces a lifelike shine on metallic surfaces, the basic theory is that …"

Ye Chong sported his baggy eyelids and couldn't stop yawning.

Mu Shang seemed to enjoy the lecturing, showing no signs of stopping. "Other theories involved are actually quite simple, they can be classified into the following fields …"

Ye Chong bowed his head, like a monk in meditation, and one would notice upon close inspection that a line of "moisture" had formed on his lap, forming a big patch of dampness on his trousers.

Mu Shang was not quite finished. "And so, from here one can reach the conclusion that a mech's strength …"

A thundering snore cut off Mu Shang's lecture. Mu Shang looked angrily towards the source of the sound, and saw Ye Chong snoring rhythmically through his nose, incessantly, and his shoulders rose and fell with his heavy breathing.

Mu Shang humphed in anger!

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Chapter 3: In Good Company

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In some corner of a trash mountain, two mechs laid in ambush behind some trash, and about a hundred meters away were five engulfers scavenging through the trash for food, occasionally scanning their surroundings for threat. Ye Chong scrutinized the layout of the land and proceeded with a short discussion with Mu Shang.

Ye Chong piloted Winnie carefully, slowly approaching the five engulfers, taking cover behind various debris along the way. They stopped about twenty meters away from the engulfers, and Ye Chong exhaled in relief, as things were going smoothly so far. Ye Chong intended to move, when a sudden gust of wind blew passed him and straight towards the engulfers. Ye Chong cursed inwardly, revved up his mech's speed to maximum and headed straight for the engulfers.

Winnie sprinted towards the engulfers like a blasted cannonball.

But it was too late, when the gust struck, the engulfers caught their scent with their keen sense of smell, and scampered to escape.

Ye Chong kept his cool guiding Winnie and targeted one of the engulfers, for when the creatures escaped into the trash heaps, it would be nearly impossible to get them. Ye Chong ignored the other four engulfers and pursued the remaining rodent securely.

The air whizzed past his ears, and Ye Chong felt as though his blood was rushing, burning even. The world as he perceived it gradually slowed as his brain registered the excitement; his breathing shortened as though every breath took every effort he could muster, and his chest rose and fell in sync with his breathing. Every exhale burned through his nose, as though he was breathing fire.

As he closed in on the engulfer, Ye Chong's hands kept steady, and began to regulate his breathing.

Abruptly, Winnie ferociously flung a dagger, a resounding *clink* marked the weapon's landing not three meters ahead of the engulfer. The creature was running at full speed, and upon setting its eyes on the dagger, foresaw its potential bloody demise.

The engulfer made a seemingly impossible twist, as it landed its forelegs on the flat side of the dagger and thrusted. It bounced off the dagger with its forward momentum, unharmed from the whole ordeal, executing a most remarkable feat.

The engulfer's eye gleamed as if rejoicing the fact that it would survive the day.

However, before the triumph was over, a sharp breeze headed straight for the engulfer, and even the creature's mediocre hearing could identify the horrors that came with it. The air squalling through the barbs on Winnie's knee joints shrieked dreadfully. If the machine's knees came into contact, the results would be fatal!

Of all the life forms that could survive in the trash planet, none were honorable - even when facing the seemingly hopeless situation at hand, the engulfer would not surrender!

The engulfer arched its back, suspended momentarily in midair and as Winnie's knee came into range, it dynamically bounced off the knee barbs with its forelegs, redirecting its momentum above ambushing Winnie's neck.

Puff*

A faint wheeze can be heard as the bards pierced the engulfer's forelegs and sliced through its vulnerable soft belly; drawing some scars on its hind legs.

On the trash planet, a wound this severe implied certain death but that was not the engulfer's concern - the objective was to land a mighty blow on the enemy before its imminent demise! It mattered not if the blow was no threat to the enemy!

Its fearsome teeth glistened coldly - these teeth that could cut through metal were the engulfer's last hope to leave an unforgettable mark on its nemesis!

The engulfer's determination was akin to one's realization of one's soul, its act of self-sacrifice radiating with the utmost force of its life! The engulfer truly believed that this attack would be the most intense one throughout its entire existence!

It's getting closer now, the enemy's neck grew clearer in view, and the engulfer felt an adrenaline rush! Just one more second, no, half a second! Just half a second was all it needed to execute the most splendid and glorious attack in its life!

Its eyes were burning! Like fire, a blazing euphoria!

Within seconds, the fire within extinguished!

A silent blade that rose from below unhindered slashed the engulfer in half! In a flash, fresh blood and organs showered from above, splashing onto the rust-red soil below.

Ye Chong finally simmered down!

He looked up, and saw Mu Shang observing quietly some distance away. The engulfer was hung on a seven meters long titanium pole. Mu Shang's strategy was simpler - Ye Chong positioned the mech right where one of the engulfers was escaping towards making the oblivious engulfer defenseless against Mu Shang's lightning speed and accuracy.

Ye Chong waved at Mu Shang from afar. "Hey!"

He picked up the both parts of his severed engulfer!

Ye Chong boasted to the mech, obviously pleased. "Well? My skills are not bad after all!"

Mu Shang replied flatly, "A complete disappointment!"

Ye Chong did a double take. "What? A complete disappointment? Were you even watching?" To be criticized so mercilessly at something he took most pride in was not doing wonders to Ye Chong's dignity.

Mu Shang did not ease up. "With the exception of mediocre battle skills, your flying skills, shooting skills and tactical accomplishments were extremely crude. Your experience in real battle is not assessable due to the lack of information!"

"No way!" Ye Chong's eyes widened with a face of disbelief.

Mu Shang shrugged; the image of amusing eccentricity. "Of course, error in assessments stands at 0.3%."

Ye Chong refused to give in. "You must be real jealous to bring me down like that!"

Mu Shang, "The possibility of that is nil!"

"Then it must be because my mech's too old, haha! That must be it. One day I'll give you a try!"

Mu Shang paused, and continued in an odd tone, "There were thirty one escape routes in the trash heaps, how did you know one of the engulfers would pass by where I was positioned?"

"Hehe, awesome right? It was instinct!" Ye Chong announced, pleased.

"Instinct?" Mu Shang's bionic eyes glowed in response.

"Information insufficient, calculation is impossible!"

Ye Chong scoffed at that. "Calculate? If you can calculate it, then it wouldn't be called instinct!"

Mu Shang replied calmly, "It is only an event with a small probability!"

"What? You're saying it was a coincidence? Just luck? I'm telling you …" Ye Chong exclaimed in frenzy.

………

Two shadows stretched longer and longer under the setting star. The spire that was the Pulse Signal Relay Station near Ye Chong's hideout could be seen from afar, like a landmark, showing the way home.

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Chapter 4: Brave New World

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Ye Chong chewed on roasted engulfer's meat as he stared fixated at the schematics for Mu Shang's inner structures before him. It took plenty of convincing for Ye Chong to get Mu Shang to agree to this. The designs were too complex and ingenious, as Ye Chong admired inwardly. Under his foster father's guidance, Ye Chong was definitely qualified to be an expert in mechanics, but the schematics before him did not make much sense, meaning he would have to decipher it bit by bit, but this also dramatically raised his high opinion for the designer.

After half a day, Ye Chong felt his eyes went arid, and so he shifted his vision away from the schematics and peeked at the static Mu Shang by his side, and made an impertinent remark. "Mu, best not waste your efforts, this Pulse Signal Relay Station is not so easy to hack! Why, back then, my foster father tried numerous times and never succeeded."

Mu Shang was inert, as though Ye Chong never spoke.

Ye Chong began his quirky habit of talking to himself again, as he mumbled against the schematics, "Mu, it's not personal, but let's stop trying with this impossible task, you should use your spare time to teach me instead. I mean, I've stared at this tattered schematics for a good part of the day and my head hurts. But the designer behind this must be a genius, tsk tsk. Amazing, amazing…"

Mu Shang suddenly spoke up, "Hacking complete!"

Ye Chong's eyes did not leave the schematics while he replied in reflex, "What? Hacking complete? I say Mu, when did you learn to joke? Hah, not bad, not bad. You're improving! But Mu, a failure is a failure, for something impossible like this, your failure is expected, and so, no one is going to laugh at you…"

Mu Shang ignored Ye Chong and continued, "Fal star system's weekly news review, Renaissance's new space station, the S.S. Hui Tan will begin accepting new citizens this Monday, the first phase of new citizens will enjoy the following benefits…"

Ye Chong's eyes glazed for a bit, his hands paused from whatever he was up to, and shook his head vigorously before speaking in disbelief, "You, you really did it?"

Mu Shang replied calmly, "Undeniably so!"

Ye Chong asked carefully, "Are you sure?"

Mu Shang, "I am sure!"

"Hah, hahaha, I can finally learn about the outside world, I can finally learn about the outside world…" Ye Chong jumped with glee, and hit the ceiling with excessive force.

Bang*

Ye Chong was oblivious, as he continued to run about his house in excitement, fully relishing in his joy.

Mu Shang observed Ye Chong's emotional response, his cool face softening around the edges, but the moment was over in a flash as it resumed its usual composure.

Ye Chong carefully sat in Mu Shang's cabin, put on the helmet, and laid down silently on the soft seating, but he heart was anything but calm - there was excitement, hope, curiosity, and a little trepidation against the unknown setting. These plethora of emotions kept him agitated, unable to calm down.

Mu Shang's voice rang in his ear, "Ye, ready?"

For some reason, Mu Shang's voice had a calming effect on Ye Chong. Ye Chong took a deep breath, and answered steadily, "Ready!"

Just as he finished, Ye Chong's vision changed dramatically.

Ye Chong shook his head dizzily, and Mu Shang's voice returned when he felt better, "Users accessing the virtual net for the first time would usually experience dizziness, this is normal, and has no negative health consequences."

Ye Chong had a rough idea what that meant, and began to examine his surroundings.

The first thing he saw was a screen made up of intertwined light rays in a wide range of colors, those vibrant hues fluctuated and moved as though they were alive, creating and recreating new palettes!

The strong contrasts in sight moved Ye Chong like never before!

For Ye Chong, who grew up on a trash planet, the world was made up of only metallic blacks and whites, the yellow from the star's rays, and the sweeping color of rust. He never thought colors could be so dazzling, so rich!

Ye Chong stood there, mystified, as he took in the most stunning view before him!

Someone passed by Ye Chong, noticed the look on his face, and swore under his breath, "Idiot!"

That swearing woke Ye Chong up from his fascination. Ye Chong could not help but felt a little bitterness, what would these upper class people know about his hard life? Fortunately, Ye Chong was not one to wallow in self-pity. After feeling lost for a while, Ye Chong picked himself back up.

As though sensing his change, Mu Shang, who was silent up until then, finally spoke up, "Ye, you can walk through the light screen now!"

Ye Chong obeyed, and came upon a huge square. The square was displaying all sorts of machines that Ye Chong could not even identify, and the middle of the square was occupied by a large electronic display, broadcasting all sorts of news and information.

"The Central Square is the news area, this is also my first time here, why don't you have a look around yourself, if there are any problems just call for me in your mind, as I can detect your brainwave signal! Alright! It's settled!"

Mu Shang's voice ended abruptly, leaving only silence.

Ye Chong smile wryly inside, but his worries were quickly replaced by intense curiosity. Ye Chong observed around him inquisitively, as he began to explore the area.

More than a decade's worth of survival instinct led Ye Chong to be highly vigilant in unfamiliar territory. He kept himself about two meters away from anyone around him at all times, as that was his best striking range, so that he could respond in time to any unexpected circumstances.

The ability to navigate quickly through the dense and irregular trash terrain on his home planet also added to his skillset, as he moved like a fish, slipping through the crowd smoothly and with style. On top of that, compared to the relaxing, strolling pace adopted by everyone else, Ye Chong moved as though he was in a rush for something urgent, but that was only because on the trash planet, every second was precious - it may be a matter of better returns, or a matter of life and death!

Ye Chong was like a vicious predatory fish wandering amongst the carefree, slow-witted fishes, obviously out of place, and a bit of an eyesore.

His foster father once said, outside of trash planets, humans live in peace and happiness - no countless life-threatening mutated lifeforms, no daily scheduled storms, no food-scavenging through the trash heaps. Instead, they wear bright clothing, eat fresh and fancy meals, living a life of peace and leisure. They go to school every day, with many friends, and they have many different kinds of mechs.

Ye Chong once asked his foster father longingly if it was paradise out there, but his foster father said no. Ye Chong was baffled - if a place like that wasn't paradise then what else can it be? The young Ye Chong had spent countless occasions imagining the outside world as he thought it should be like - the mysterious, promised land of dreams-come-true.

Now, Ye Chong could finally experience the world he had long wished for!

Ye Chong could not really understand what he felt at the moment, as he walked on absentmindedly, not knowing where he really was.

Ye Chong stared blankly at the ceiling.

He did not exactly remember how he got back, his mind occupied by a lingering emotion, one that he couldn't really recognize. He would need time to process the day's experience.

Mu Shang said nothing, his silence made it hard for anyone to guess what lightning-speed calculations were running through his processor.

The ceiling was as it always was, unchanged, and the night was as silent as every other before it.

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Chapter 5: Training Day

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Ever since then, Ye Chong began to explore in earnest the mysterious and enchanting outside world. Out there, one can find almost anything, limited only by one's imagination. Ye Chong quickly warmed up to this illusory but undeniably real world. It took him no time to grow out of his initial shyness and be in his element.

And Mu Shang was up to something every day, coming and going as he pleased, disappearing almost immediately after accessing the virtual net every time.

Ye Chong's favourite place was a large township called Gutista. Various mechs were sold here, along with their weird parts and accessories. But most importantly, here was the meeting spot for many mech enthusiasts, where they frequently gather to exchange their thoughts on the machines. They were mostly mech engineers or professionals. The township's manager even installed a medium scaled mech information archive here, which Ye Chong was always appreciative of.

Ye Chong enjoyed the area's deep scholarly atmosphere, while the locals also happily embraced this eager and forthright young man, taking him under their wings. Through their guidance, Ye Chong began to understand how outdated his knowledge was, but it made sense.

Since all he knew were taught by his foster father, and the man had been isolated from the outside world for decades, it would only be weird if something from decades ago remained relevant today. Fortunately, Ye Chong had a solid foundation, and now he fully understood why his foster father was so strict with his foundation studies.

His solid foundation also made learning easier, as he took in new knowledge with great speed, and earned the favours of the older men.

Today, as soon as he reached home, Ye Chong slipped into Mu Shang's cabin and put on the combat helmet. Although Ye Chong adored the virtual world, he did not lose himself in it. He understood that the trash planet was his real world, and if he became too immersed with the other world, he would face real danger on this treacherous trash planet! Ye Chong kept his defenses up every time he went outside, with his full attention, free of distractions.

Once on the virtual net, Ye Chong went straight to Gutista. But before he could catch his breath, Mu Shang's voice came up in his head, "Ye, let me take you somewhere."

Ye Chong felt intrigued. Mu was usually up to something these few days, absent from his own explorations.

Ye Chong followed Mu Shang's instructions as he turned left and right, finally arriving in front of a huge building. Many people bustled in and out of the structure, and the place teemed with life.

Ye Chong asked, curiously, "Mu, what is this place?"

Mu Shang explained, "This is the mech pilot's NR training centre, offering basic modules for pilots' NR training and a platform for pilots to compare notes. Your skills were self-taught, and many of them were illogical. I came about this place by accident and did an analysis of the training content, and while I believe there is a 7.63% imperfection in content, training here would be immensely helpful to improve your strength."

Ye Chong felt uncertain. "NR training? What's NR training?"

Mu Shang replied, "The full term is Neurosensory Reflexivity Training, it allows your neural system to remember specific manoeuvres. To execute manoeuvres that are up to standard in reality would require large amount of training for your body to achieve the required memory standard. However, a reasonable NR training would greatly reduce this training time."

Ye Chong began to have a grasp of things. "Oh, so it's like that!" Regardless, if Mu Shang said it is beneficial, then it must be so, Ye Chong's inner voice concurred.

The pilot's NR training centre was built by the Fal Association for Mech Pilots, and formed part of the available basic facilities in the virtual world.

Ye Chong advanced into the main hall, neatly lined with many pillars. Some people could be seen passing by the pillars and vanished into thin air after a burst of light, and others seemed to flash into existence.

The current Ye Chong was no longer an amateur - he casually walked to a nearby pillar, lightly tapped on the pillar with his finger, and a semi-transparent screen appeared before his eyes.

Mu Shang introduced, "There are three areas above where we stand - the basic training area, the mixed training area, and the battle area. Since this is your first time, let's try out the battle area."

Right after Mu Shang finished, the screen display altered, showcasing the opponents for each room, and the number of audiences. Ye Chong picked one of the occupied rooms at random.

Swish* and he was in the room, standing before a black mech. Ye Chong immediately recognized this as a beginner's common choice of the Blackbird model, due to its ease of control, gentle learning curve and affordable price.

However, its functionality was at par with its status as an entry-level mech, armed with only a magnetic sword, platinum shield and two alloy daggers, not to mention the two redundant heat ray guns on its shoulders, with such low effectiveness that Ye Chong could not possibly count on them (but in reality, it's because Ye Chong did not really know how to shoot).

The Blackbird looked like a huge, black bird, with two horizontal wings that could extend out like a pair of real wings, allowing beginners steadier flight in the atmosphere. Below the wings were two rows of secondary engines, although their functions were limited. Beneath the Blackbird's abdomen were two mechanical arms that could use the magnetic sword and alloy daggers. The heat ray guns were on the Blackbird's rear, the elongated neck allowing a wider range of shooting from different angles, although with the gun's power and Ye Chong's skill, or the lack of both, this advantaged was wasted.

But even if this was just an ordinary low-level mech, Ye Chong was already very excited - compared to Winnie, this mech's functionalities were much better.

Ye Chong entered the mech's cabin eagerly.

When Ye Chong had a good look at his opponent's mech, he could not help but felt greatly discouraged.

If his own mech was like an inconspicuous little bird, then the opponent's would be a glorious king of the birds - a phoenix! Its long elegant lines were like an artistic masterpiece, its dazzling and colourful wings and tailfins were like the phoenix's feathers, emanating an aura of great beauty. The flaming redness of the mech's body was a suffocating zeal. Even standing still, the mech exhibited an indescribable calmness and pride.

Its name mirrored its appearance - Shadow Phoenix, as fast as the shadow, as magnificent as the phoenix.

The Shadow Phoenix II model, the considerable amount of time spent at Gutista had made Ye Chong very familiar with it. Compared with the Blackbird, the two mechs were not even at the same level. The Shadow Phoenix II was a classic long-range attack mech, with great speed and advanced shooting systems as its signature features. Besides that, its beautiful exterior made it a popular choice for members of the female community. However, to Ye Chong, those nearly useless wings were a burden, and what use was an attractive appearance if it became the constant attention of the enemy?

Without time for further pondering, Ye Chong received the signal to begin.

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Chapter 6: The Wavy Leap

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Almost simultaneously both of the mechs moved. A glaring light shone upon Ye Chong who had hid himself under the titanium shield caused him to tumble. It happened so quickly that it left Ye Chong standing up clumsily and helplessly finding out that he had been shot. The shield failed to perform its essential function to protect. The bullet penetrated it effortlessly straight to the edge of Ye Chong's rib on the left.

The opponent was perplexed realizing the fact that the shot was not able to finish Ye Chong off. Ye Chong in the meantime had discarded the titanium shield for it was deemed useless. He sprinted for his life, hiding behind rocks or any kind of debris to distract the opponent.

But the opponent was clearly equipped with battle skills. The calmness in the adversary suggested the trick did not work. SP-II's strength was thoroughly demonstrated through the second shot. No suspense, no drama, nothing epic.

After being knocked down countlessly, Ye Chong was enraged with his eyes reddened, demanding a rematch again continuously. Mu Shang's voice nonchalantly rang in his ears, "There are scientifically 62 kinds of strategic ways to dodge a shot, do you need me to teach you one?"

Ye Chong replied with a tantrum, "You rusty nuts and bolts! You just watched me die a gazillion times and all you could do was lie there and talk? Was that on purpose? Man, you really don't care much, do you?"

Mu Shang on the other hand responded with laid-back attitude, "Well, according to psychology, humans are more prone to remember pain and failure with a probability of 90 to 96% and by chance of 52 to 63%, the individual would utilize the experience as a motivating factor. Thus, I believe that by now the experience had successfully been imprinted on your mind, had it not?"

Ye Chong leaped out of his mech as he spat, "You… You… You! You are good!" He had an urge to smash this piece of blabbering trash in front of him into pieces.

Mu Shang couldn't be bothered and pulled out a visual from nowhere. Ye Chong contained his fury and swallowed his anger as he closely viewed the video clip. It was a brief video clip that lasted less than 10 seconds. There was no space for Ye Chong to figure things out as his eyes were glued on every frame of the clip as Mu Shang's words echoed, "Look carefully!"

It was the same Raven-form mech but it was more nimble, so agile that it could perform non-orderly wave movements as smooth as the ripples in the sea. There was no point of stagnation, making its next move extremely unpredictable.

It was then that Ye Chong realized the beauty of the highest craft! His blood was burning as passion grew in him tremendously; the amazing skills the expert held could potentially be his! The desire!

Sun Xuelin couldn't help but gaze at the opponent named YC before her in awe, even though they were never at the same level; YC would always stand back up one defeat after another, a great tenacity that no commoner could muster.

The victory that came easily one time after another did not satisfy Xuelin. YC was undeniably a rookie in this; the mech he used justified it. A Raven is always a symbol for rookies. There was nothing triumphant about a victory won against a newbie to a person who had been properly trained since young like her.

And more strangely, whenever she received battle requests from YC, she could never resist clicking the "Accept" button in which the outsiders would only find the fight to be pointlessly boring. Of course a man of bravery should always be given a chance. Xuelin thought in order to comfort herself. She didn't notice at all, the curiosity that rose which bubbled deep inside her.

What kind of a person is YC?

At a place far, far away from Trash Planet-12, Xuelin bit her cherry lips, her expressive brows tightened, her sweet face melted into bitter ponders as this time, YC no longer sent battle requests to her but instead remained silent.

Is he finally giving up?

Xuelin exhaled a sign of relief. Well, if it wasn't the time to give up… The simple functions of a Raven could never dodge an attack from her SP-II. Right, time to give this rookie a lecture about the basics!

Before Xuelin could lift her lips, the battle request popped up in her face.

Are you not done yet? Your struggle is pointless! You should recognize the differences between both parties! Xuelin grumbled in her mind. Her hands acted faster than her mind and before she was aware, she had already hit the "Accept" button on the screen.

Hehe, just one more round I guess? Xuelin snickered as her expression lit up as bright as snow.

Ye Chong stared the ground between his Raven and the opponent's SP, his mind kept replaying the episode of the battle he experienced as his body cowered reflecting his anxiety.

Mu Shang once again interrupted with a nonchalant voice, "This set of dodging moves is called the Non-Orderly Wavy Leap. The key here is non-orderly. Focus on that." That was all he said, all he was willing and wanted to say. No more.

Ye Chong was angered to the point where he was clenching his teeth, but he couldn't do anything about Mu Shang. He could only put on his thinking cap, wondering how in the hell world would he figure out the meaning behind non-orderly. Easier said than done!

Non-orderly… non-orderly… non-orderly. He muttered the word repetitively.

Time waits for no one. Before Ye Chong could figure out what the heck non-orderly meant, the opponent had already accepted his request.

Ye Chong ignored all the confusions and could only focus on the previous incident. There's no time for non-orderly or whatever the heck it was! Think! That very orbit without any signs of movement, that amazing curve!

After maneuvering Raven for so many times, Ye Chong could finally have a better understanding on the properties of his machinery, rather than theories he could only recall before. This too gave him the painful truth that it would be nearly impossible for this mech to perform any fancy curves or leaps. Raven's computing system could never solve such complicated calculations! Very well then! It's only up to me now!

The only thing Ye Chong found fortunate was his piloting skill - that developed from everything he had been through with Winnie whose processor was far worse than Raven's!

Ye Chong started breathing heavily, his every breath as deep as an old accordion.

Beep!

Ye Chong's arm began moving! Raven flew like an arrow in a curve rather than a straight line it propelled in.

Almost instantaneously, Ye Chong was about to become a crater in the ground as he stood right before by the attack.

Ye Chong was too busy to take care of that; his eyes fixated on the ground, his blood boiled like the hot iron, as heat rushed to his head. Ye Chong executed a sequence of moves, one after another in an overwhelming speed without any hesitation. Raven was able to maintain its velocity at its peak!

Ye Chong's hands heightened with speed so much so that he couldn't figure out whether the vapor from his sweat caused the afterimages of his chains of gestures. But he was too focused to give two thoughts about it! Like, who cares!

Xuelin was doing what she usually did, aiming and firing; but she missed. She brushed it off like it was nothing thinking it was merely beginner's luck. YC had dodged one or two shots randomly before this match with pure luck. In the end, his defeat was inevitable! Nothing was to be gained but a defeat rubbed in his face.

As time passed, Xuelin felt something was wrong…

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Chapter 7: Burn and Rest

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There were a few instances where Xuelin was about to fire, but something distressing was holding her back which made her awfully uneasy. The gun she held faith at all times disappointed her, as if troubled by her emotions, and started to miss on every single shot.

Xuelin instantly pinpointed the peculiarity in YC's movement. It appeared sinuous yet wasn't at the same time.

Hmph! Trying to dodge my shots like a serpent huh? Too na?ve, too na?ve! Xuelin thought as she felt a sudden rage.

It's not a big deal to master the curvature skill because everyone has their own set of techniques, including YC. After engaging in countless of battles, it will be possible for one to identify these distinctive skills. The regularities in YC's curvature skill had already been spotted seeing that there were hardly any variations which Xuelin couldn't recognize!

She began to study and calculate his movements in her mind while her eyes locked on YC, picking out every variation in his movements, while waiting for the right time to shoot.

When the time came, she fired without hesitation.

Xuelin stared in bewilderment as the shot she fired missed!

As though he had foreseen this, he dodged the bullet with a twinkle in his eyes. Was this another case of his beginner's luck again or was there something more? Xuelin was flabbergasted as her thoughts circled in confusion. Taken aback by the whole ordeal, she went rampant on a barrel of firing on the field. Maybe it was a blessing from the God when one of her shots finally went through YC's left shoulder causing him to lose balance.

Ye Chong on the other hand was completely soaked by his sweat and his hands felt heavier over time; as if they were starting to move on their own, seemingly twitching if this went on. He bit his lips out of panic and was already bleeding before he noticed it. In the midst of adrenaline rush, he felt a shudder from his mech which came to his realization that he was shot! Despite that, his hands continued to key in commands, as there was no time for him to find out the damaged part of his machinery.

Xuelin gushed with excitement for her successful shot that left YC hanging like a broken wind-up robot toy. A golden opportunity awaited before her! There's no way she could miss this! She loaded her gun and was prepared to send YC a final blow! Ironically, it was the hit that made YC's movements go haywire and became even more unpredictable than before. Naturally, it was not good news for Xuelin.

Coming to her senses on the aftermath, Xuelin's distress caused her firing to run wild on the field again! Meanwhile, Ye Chong finally caught sight of his opponent which triggered him, as well as his hands! It was as if they were electrified as they entered the commands at great speed!

It's getting closer now. It's coming!

Hiya!! Ye Chong roared like thunder in his compartment.

The opponent froze, taken aback by his scream. Was this a trap? Was there a plan B that she was not aware of? He no longer cared and had already drawn his magnetic sword from his back while his left hand reached for the alloy dagger tied to his left ankle.

As long as I can get close enough, the opponent would be dead meat!

He asserted himself and swung his sword; creating a buzzing echo formed from the magnetic waves of his sword. There was no resistance from the opponent as he sliced right through the throat. He was surprised at how simple it was. He was expecting a final struggle from the opponent as an inflicted wound on a machine's throat was as fatal as it was on humans but there was no retaliation!

How could one make such an amateur mistake?

Having to live on Trash Planet-12 long enough he showed no mercy. He felt indifferent as he penetrated his dagger deeply and accurately like a serpent sinking its teeth into its prey; right on the upper chest of SP which would be the pilot's cabin. What YC heard next after the screeching sounds of metal shredding was the sound of applause for his victory.

In the meantime, Xuelin stared blankly in dismay at her floating chair; the network helmet she just disconnected was left levitating in the air. That very menacing figure that travelled speedily, that violent and direct attack, that tenacious bravery, lingered in the thoughts of Xuelin, haunting her.

Xuelin shifted to the dining table right after as it was dinner time.

Her father Ninghai saw her so lost in her thoughts that she ignored the scrumptious dinner on the table, pondering. He then beckoned to his wife but she just shook her head in helplessness of the situation. He asked her daughter, "Linny, what's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Xuelin was startled as she wondered what had gotten into her and yet on the outside, she forced a smile, "Nothing. It's just that… I met an oddity on the battlefield today."

An oddity? Her father was intrigued.

"What kind of an oddity?" he inquired.

Xuelin's father was a skillful pilot of mechs. All of Xuelin's skills were taught personally by him. It was only then that Xuelin remembered the fact that her father was of such a superior rank in her field, he must have been experienced enough to solve this oddity for her! She then began to narrate the entire sequence of events to her father.

As soon as she mentioned about how YC failed again and again, Ninghai nodded his head in approval, "Good. I do agree this guy is pretty bold!" The conversation became light-hearted as she spoke on. When she talked about the final match with YC and how he portrayed extremely strange curvature skills as he drove towards her, her father's face stiffened.

He asked for more details about the last match as he tried to stress on the whole incident to help her recollect her thoughts on details she might have missed. Her father reacted seriously, "If you were right on what you have described, this guy could have used a Non-Orderly Wavy Leap.

A set of dodging skills like this would only be known by advanced pilots. This is simply because not only does it requires a high-level manual piloting skill, it also requires a mech that is advanced enough. Only a sophisticated processor with a sophisticated mech could execute the complication in this set of calculation input."

"But… but… he was only using a Raven!" Xuelin was puzzled.

"And that's why this was such an eye-opener to me. Theoretically and under normal circumstances, a Raven could never complete such an execution. Reason being is that it has limited processing capabilities even with a master piloting it. Thus, there could only be one explanation for this. He must have modified it by installing a powerful processor into the mech."

Xuelin gasped in disbelief, "But I still think he's just a random rookie from out of nowhere!"

Seeing his daughter making such a statement, he snorted, "So what even if he's just a random rookie from out of nowhere? Can't a rookie modify his own machinery? Plus, it could have been his teacher or his senior who did the modifications for him to ensure compatibility with his special way of combat. But well this guy sure is something to be able to perfectly perform movements of such complexity!"

Still not convinced, Xuelin rebutted, "Well then, why did he not use it in the very beginning? Why only execute it after a myriad of lost matches?"

Startled, her father replied, "Oh, this part, huh? Well it's… probably… because… umm… uhhhhh… ugh, Xuelin, let's just finish up our dinner. We have already discussed this at length and look! The dinner got cold!"

Ninghai's mother beamed at her husband who led himself into such an awkward situation.

Even if Xuelin's father's deduction made sense, somehow she still thought there was something amiss. The reality didn't seem to be like what he had said to her. However, she could not point out exactly why she felt awry. Her gut's feeling said so!

Nevertheless, just like how her father never expected that someone could perform this set of moves manually without the aid of the processor, Xuelin too never expected it in her mind.

The discussion was a cliffhanger of embarrassment as she knocked her head which felt like it was about to explode from her contemplation.

"Fine! Whatever! Never mind! Screw this! I'll just ask him myself the next time we meet. Simple!" she thought.

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Chapter 8: Rehabilitation

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Ye Chong had just gotten himself into a sticky situation. He crawled out of his cabin, as if he just swam back to the shore, all drenched, drained of energy and fatigued. Something went wrong with him!

His hands looked fine but his fingers were squirming - Ughh! Ughhhh! - An ache that felt like it was seizing his bone marrows, rushing through his spines, and bombarding his brain one wave after another. If it wasn't for his great endurance, he might have passed out right away. He wheezed, barely catching his breath while his face turned pale from immense pain.

Despite the excruciating pain, both of his hands appeared alright to him. They were not swelling and there were no cramps. They seemed perfectly fine that not even a strand of hair was lost. Not a single one!

Mu Shang performed a thorough inspection of his body and expressionlessly diagnosed, "A symptom from overusing the senses, the neurological network connecting both your spinal cord and your hands had undergone abusive utilization that surpassed its capacity, thus causing the pain. The symptom will be temporary and will not cause permanent damage to your body. Resting adequately would be sufficient."

The diagnosis received comments from Ye Chong packed with sarcasm, "Resting adequately? How the hell would I be able to rest adequately with such injuries? I can't even rest in peace!"

"There's a way to minimize the pain." stated Mu Shang. That caught Ye Chong's attention, "Are you sure?" A pain that felt endless would torture him till death before he could overcome it, but if there's a way… The statement sparked hope in Ye Chong.

Mu Shang continued elaborating, "This method requires neither medication nor any form of injection, it is safe and effective. You can feel its effects immediately…" Excited, Ye Chong interrupted the explanation, "Then, let's proceed with it!"

"Are you sure about this?" Mu Shang halted and lowered his head, as he asked.

For some reason, the question suddenly sent chills down his spine. This doesn't seem right… that face of Mu… I shoul- Ouch!

Nonetheless the pain forced him acquiesce, "Yes, I'm sure!"

Bam! A blow slammed right into the artery of his neck! He blacked out and the only thought that surged through his mind was man… it… it worked!

The voice of Mu Shang ran through the room, calm and still, "Execution completed." As he sat before the fainted Ye Chong.

After waking up, Ye Chong could sense the transformation in his body clearly, especially in his hands. Everything felt incoherent. His body responded slower than his mind, his coordination was literally out of sync, no longer as compatible as it used to be.

Mu Shang added, "That is because your coordination has been disrupted. Your senses did improve tremendously beyond the limits you used to have, however your physical body remained the same as before and faced problems in coping with the processing speed of your mind. Consequently, you will feel sluggishness in your physical body but in actuality it is just your mind speeding up."

Ye Chong understood the side effects described by Mu Shang and stopped entering the virtual web for the next few days. Instead, he performed physical training, especially dedicated to his hands.

On a platform about half a square meter in size, he concentrated on controlling six marbles and rolled them between his hands back and forth, netting all marbles in his hand and moving them at high velocity and rate of collision, in an ever-changing orbit. The velocity increased over time and beads of sweat could be discerned on Ye Chong's forehead as his hands caught up with the speedy movement. Gradually the beads of sweat came falling down like droplets of rain on his forehead. His hands rushed like shadows overlapping till afterimages began to form. It's coming back!

In the end, he lost control and the marbles were scattered all over the place. He breathed heavily and ditched the marbles on the floor. Man this was too tiring! Mu Shang at the side evaluated Ye Chong, "It was still not satisfactory, but well, you passed!"

After finally ending his boring marble rolling days, Ye Chong started wondering if those marbles were purposely made by Mu Shang to torture people, both body and soul. Deep in his heart, he still adored Mu Shang. At least, thanks to Mu Shang, his hands felt like his own again and moved with better dexterity too.

Oh Winnie. Getting back to Winnie again was wonderful. It was heartwarming to see his broken partner again after taking a break from mech driving for so long. All this while, Ye Chong had been busy with the marble training and so his usual daily hunting was taken over by Mu Shang ever since his injury. Ye Chong was astounded by the fact that he couldn't find any other form of wounds on the prey Mu Shang hunted other than the small hole on the neck.

He frenzied in the field with Winnie, one mountain of dump after another while Mu Shang tailed behind at a fixed distance. That was the moment he could actually distinguish the changes in his hands before and after, more specifically the increased agility in his hands. As joyful as he was, he then remembered the steps Mu Shang taught him before. That Non-Orderly Wavy Leap which allowed him to taste the fruit of victory the very first time kindled the eagerness in him. He switched to the highest gear and chained with a variety of calculations, performed a live performance on the spot, with that great leap he adored.

Winnie at her age clumsily made a few disoriented orbits of different kinds under his control. Sometimes large and sometimes small. Sometimes it was a straight curve and sometimes it was a zigzag. And that wasn't all from Ye Chong!

Being absolutely worked up, he continued making wavy leaps that were more condensed. In a brief period of time, Winnie began moving in tiny wavy steps at full speed. Unlike the disoriented curves before, they were all constant and orderly, while Ye Chong was still in the mood of making even smaller curves.

Ye Chong had grand plans of his own. Right when he was on his attempt to further downsize his steps, a loud noise drummed his ears. Winnie was finally unable to withstand the complexity and had broken into half.

Wham! Right at her waist!

Ye Chong's joy became fear. He did not manage to call Mu Shang for help as he had been thrown like a meteorite, all the way to the huge pile of dumps nearby along with the upper half of Winnie. Ye Chong had a concussion and was buried by the pile he crashed into.

Darkness blinded Ye Chong.

When Ye Chong… wait, technically it was Winnie, not me. Again. When Winnie got pulled out from the deep piles of trash by Mu Shang, Ye Chong saw the teasing expression of Mu Shang's contrary to the usual expressionless face he put up, and it was extremely frustrating. The frustration intensified when Ye Chong was on his way home - he waws being carried by Mu Shang like a disabled person. The helplessness! And the teasing from Mu Shang he anticipated!

He was frustrated, yet he was truly helpless without Winnie. Mu would never allow Ye Chong to pilot him either. Moreover, a rookie riding on a beginner? That felt too absurd.

Can't help it. I am too weak in contrast!

The foremost issue was still losing his mech. No matter how old Winnie was, she was still significant to Ye Chong's life, if there was no replacement that is. By then he could only plead Mu to bring Winnie's lower part of her body back. Regretting the consequences of his excitement, his heart turned cold. He should have known how aged Winnie already was and should've been aware of how long she had served him over the ages. It was a miracle for her to last this long and now she was damaged in a way that is fatal even for ordinary mechs. It would be hopeless to get her fixed, especially when it happened in a place where there was nothing else other than piles and piles of trash.

Never forgetting to spice up the situation with sarcasm Mu said, "Ye, I can't stop myself but to tell you the ultimate truth of cruelty. The possibility to get Winnie fully repaired would be 1% and below! So stop gambling with a chance this low! It is against the value theory! In layman's terms, it's not worth it!"

Sorrow could be seen in Ye Chong when the realization of his helplessness struck him. He went into Mu Shang's cabin and then, into the virtual web.

Mu Shang didn't seem to feel like behaving empatheticcally as his words echoed, "According to statistics, you have yet to master the 68 kinds of basic courses. This is the list!" Stuffed right in his face was the absurdly long list to which he responded with ignorance as drove on. The robot went silent for a bit and spat out, "Ye, if one day your skills surpasses me, I would let you ride me."

He halted, got out and walked away, without making a sound or throwing a tantrum.

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Chapter 9: Bucking Up

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It was almost the 8th year since Winnie started staying by his side. They had been through thick and thin, and rode through piles of garbage of varying heights. Winnie shielded him from raids and protected him from extreme weather. Winnie was the reason for his survival. It was his reassurance in life. She might be worn out but in her lay the kindest elderly soul he could have asked for, in which she faithfully and dutifully fulfilled by serving her owner for the past few years.

Something felt trapped within Ye Chong. What was it? Through all the years that Ye Chong lived, there was only once when he felt such a sensation, and it was during his father's death.

Is this grief?

He whispered to himself.

I wonder if papa was doing fine on the other side?

Holding his chin, he thought in an endearing misery.

For the whole day, he spent his time alone at a deserted spot on the planet. After that, he made his way to the training center and called Mu Shang.

"Mu, show me the course plan!" he said in a casual tone.

…

In the meantime, Xuelin was irritatedly occupied.

These few days she searched every single room on the battlefield, longing for a rematch with that person that left her with more questions than answers. That YC guy. Though disappointment slapped her in the face again and again upon seeing rooms with anyone else other than YC, she was not going to give up. If YC could face failure or any kind of letdown over and over again, so could she. The encouragement rang in her head.

Yet, this is going to be another wild goose chase today!

The day seemed to be anticlimactic as expected. Meh! I'll just go and visit Cousin Shew. She should be at the basic training field.

Cousin Shew was the daughter of her second aunt and they had been good friends since childhood. Unfortunately, Cousin Shew had failed her mech examination several times before. Her mother thought of Xuelin's father, Sun Ninghai, while she was thinking of a solution. She then begged the great man to enlighten her poor daughter so she could pass. Still, the man was great for a reason. He was so engaged in his work routine, he didn't even have the leisure to keep the promise. As a result, the promise was inherited by Xuelin.

The basic training field was used to its vacancy. At most, there would only be a few people using it. Most pilots-in-training did not fancy the NR training for its efficiency in comparison to actual hands-on pilot training. In addition, these were so elementary that everyone had mastered the training back during their early childhood. The emptiness of the field was justified.

Idly, Xuelin browsed through the rooms on the field. The room Cousin Shew was in was soon found and she entered immediately. It was a spacious, open land with a number of obstacles on the ground. Cousin Shew was unsteadily walking through. Xuelin did not intend to interrupt the training her hardworking cousin was having. She just watched on at the spectator stands.

Wait, there's another person!

A dark silhouette slithered through the obstacles at an overwhelming speed. Who would still train here with such standard of piloting? She went to have a closer look.

Wha! She was dumbfounded. That… That…

That has to be YC! YC! She hopped excitedly. Yes! It's him! It's him! The wound she made that day was still on the left shoulder of his Raven! And the scratches on the rib! Yes! It must be him!

Is this what they mean by "God never disappoints the studious" and "Heaven would help those who help themselves"?

She mumbled.

Ye Chong frowned as he checked out the data shown on Raven. Almost. He muttered. He was so close to Mu's standards. It was so near, yet so far. How many times have he tried already yet he still couldn't pass?

"Ye, with your learning capacity and basic theoretical knowledge, it would not be hard to complete the basic training courses, instead it would be a piece of cake! But if you find such standards satisfactory, you should never think of touching me. At all!"

"Most people deny the significance of training. However, they are so foolishly wrong!"

Mu Shang sounded like a hermit in his teaching, sassy and aloof and this brought up a raging storm in Ye Chong, an unstoppable one!

"According to my calculations, 99.328% of actions of high complexity are actually derivations from basic execution. Thus, I could daringly conclude that, basic executions are the root of all pilot's skills!" Ye Chong reflected on the statement.

Mu Shang pulled out a detailed list of parameters, "Ye, these are the training requirements I had prepared for you. The standard has been tailored for Raven's capacity accordingly. Just do everything on this list!" Mu Shang's mechanical eyes blinked.

"Remember, Ye, never acknowledge the existence of limits within you!"

Ye Chong took the suggestion with pleasure. After staying on Trash Planet-12, he was more than eager to try improvising himself. Nonetheless, he forgot about Mu's hysteria, the capricious and mischievous nature of his. Those parameters… were impossible to achieve by Raven's capacity… at all!

He faced the reality of this after going through the training. He worked on them through days and nights, whimpering, spitting blood and then he finally made it. Just one of them. That was an achievement joyous enough to make him cry.

"Good job, Ye." Mu Shang smiled, "But you still need a little bit more momentum. Yes, yes, a motivating factor is what you would need! I should implement a system that includes rewards and punishment. How about this? If you fail to fulfill at minimum one (1) subject on the list after this, you would be having an organic liquid diet for a week. That'd be good! Yes!"

Mu sneered on as Ye Chong witnessed it. He didn't have a choice, without Winnie, only Mu could do the hunting! You fox! Ugh!

Ye Chong hated liquid diet, flow food, fluid food, or whatever you name it! He hated it with a passion since he was young, be it organic or not. He had to make it! By hook or by crook!

Soon it was the last day of the week, if he did not succeed, he was going to be fed with the infamous white, sticky, gooey liquid food for real! Just by looking at it was enough to choke him. It was so digusting that only a man who had lost his mind would consider eating it!

What was the problem? Why could he not make it? Ye Chong knew Mu well. He would never simply set parameters that a Raven could not fulfill. But why, why was it always so close? Ye Chong was collecting his thoughts pitifully.

…

Cousin Shew who was in training spotted her cousin on the stands, in which she quickly piloted her Raven towards. That did not go too well, however. Her skills were way too incompetent that the Raven was led to a floating metal pole.

Bang! Cousin Shew panicked, screaming and shouting loudly until the entire field could hear her.

The scream alerted Xuelin who was staring at YC since the beginning. She was horrified seeing the Raven her cousin drove stuck in mid-air and was apparently going to fall anytime soon.

"This is bad!" she thought.

Cousin Shew had always portrayed a fragile, timid impression since her childhood and that was why she never thought of driving a mech. If she ever fell, the shock would land her in bed for the next few months! Or even worse, a trauma in her memories forever! Then, she would not even dare to approach a mech ever again!

Xuelin immediately got onto her SP-II and moved towards Cousin Shew at maximum speed, hoping to grab her before she fell. But there were too many random obstacles in the air, and those halted her. Cousin Shew would hit the ground in no time and she could not reach her! Tears flooded her eyes as it was filled with anxiety. No!

Meanwhile, the scream from Cousin Shew had also alarmed Ye Chong as he turned his head and noticed a mech of the same Raven he piloted too. He did not hesitate and began inputting commands, his Raven glided to its compatriot on a whim.

Perhaps it was the conscience sunken deep in his mind, in which he wished for a companion more than anybody else after his lonely days with Mu. There was no time to think, and those scattered obstacles relived the scenery of the hunting field he used to go to. The set of inputs he learned over the past week flashed in his mind. As if awakening, he subconsciously began inserting commands without difficulty. He turned out to be much slower than usual in the end!

Ye Chong's Raven weaved its way through the flock of obstacles, like a breeze on a spring day, naturally, freely and directly. Right when the other Raven was about 3 meters from the ground, his Raven caught it in one go. He gradually decelerated and made one last glide for a short distance. He then landed successfully.

"There! All done!" he exclaimed as he put down the Raven.

About 2 seconds later an SP-II came after him. It must be the ally of the Raven. He speculated enviously while the mech was landing right in front of him. That seemed, oddly familiar… ahh! This was the SP-II he matched with the first day he was here! He nodded slightly in respect as he watched it inching towards him.

He intuitively took a look at the processor. What?!

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Chapter 10: Dummy Ends

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I actually completed the training!?

Ye Chong's brain jammed for a bit seeing the notification on the interface. How the heck did he even get it done?! He hopped onto Raven and started going through the training programs, disregarding the number of tries and the ways he had done them. The parameters were all fulfilled, which perplexed Ye Chong.

How did I even make it?

…

Ugh, nevermind!

He wasn't that keen to get to the core of this mystery anyway! What was more important lay in fact that there was noteworthy advancement made in his piloting skill and most importantly, no liquid diet the following week! Oh joy!

He did not stay any longer and ejected himself from the virtual web. To the marble training! The marbles were waiting for him! Though he had recovered from the desynchronized body movement symptom, Mu added marble training to his daily training schedule ever since Winnie got damaged. It might seemed meaningless at first, but after the training, Ye Chong learned the fact that speed was indeed… not everything!

Returning to the virtual web, Xuelin was trying to calm her poor cousin down, as she probably was intimidated from her near-death experience a moment before. Xuelin held great appreciation towards YC. Thanks to him, Cousin Shew was saved right at the nick of time.

Imagine if this YC guy was never there, oh the tragedy that could have happened. Wait… Her mind drifted to another perspective of this incident. He was at a location further away from her yet he managed to make it there before her. Add to the fact that the velocity of his machinery was apparently higher than her… Fear shrouded her thoughts in which immense curiosity soon dipped through. How did he elevate his ability at this rate? Or the match with him was just one of his warm-up activities last time? Was there indeed a let up from him?

Her pupils quivered in anxiety, her hair slid over her shoulder tussled in worries, while her body shuddered in thin fragility; Cousin Shew's pale face frigidly portrayed the panic that lingered in her heart, like a distressed flower bud trapped in a storm of winter, pitifully arousing the empathy of its witnesses.

Xuelin lovingly caressed the poor flower, combing her smooth hair with her fingers. Cousin Shew couldn't hold it in anymore as she melted completely in Xuelin's embrace, sobbing out her every horror. Xuelin's fingers slipped through her shoulder, comforting her like a big sister.

In actuality, their ages did not differ much. Cousin Shew was just younger by about 10 days, but her fickle innocence justified her relationship with Xuelin, being the little sister walking behind Xuelin the whole time. In fact, Xuelin too, loves and cares about her little sister, for she was stronger in nature and was aided by her father's teachings.

Under her protection, nobody would even dare touch the petite flower. To Cousin Shew, she is her protector. About two years ago, her aunt and the entire family moved out and so they forcibly parted, yet her dependency on Xuelin never faded.

"Now, don't cry, don't cry, Shewie, let's go home first okay? G-o. H-o-m-e!"

She nodded in obedience and exited the virtual web under her cousin's escort. Xuelin took a glance at the battlefield before clicking the exit button…

Did he notice me? That I was the one who shot him… Was the nod for me? When I was landing…

Confusion cloaked her once more, without her even knowing why.

…

The second day, Ye Chong resumed his daily training with a brand new parameter to be cleared. This time, there was a different content in a different room. On the first day, it was still this parameter that was crudely executed by Ye Chong even though he was fully attentive. He was hard at work absorbed in his training that he did not see two uninvited guests approaching him. They had observed him for quite some time.

Was that even the YC guy I knew from the battlefield yesterday? This guy that caused me anxiety? It was Xuelin, whose mouth gaped large enough to fit in a hard-boiled egg as she watched on. She couldn't believe her eyes upon seeing that YC guy that was doing everything… so clumsily.

From an expert falling to an amateur again, even if this was conducted in the basic training field, it was still as shocking as a human eating an aliens, not to mention the training was something she had accomplished when she was about 8 to 9 years old.

Yet, his performance was extremely uncoordinated. The shock in Xuelin just skyrocketed from surely, to very, to immensely, and to extremely, and it was still multiplying!

Hasn't he done his basic course? If he did, why is he still here? And doing it this badly? If he did not, how in the world could he execute expert-only wavy steps? Beginner's luck? Is he hacking?

The only conclusion that these clues could lead to was - this was really an oddity!

Cousin Shew had her eyes fixed on that Raven-in-training. In her eyes sparkled the biggest mystery of mankind, and of what she was thinking. The YC guy might have been unskillful, but he still had the attention from the two girls on the stand throughout the training.

"Hey, what? Shewie, why are you still here? Are you going to do your training?" Xuelin managed to pull her eyes away and asked. Shewie, the lass, was standing all upright, watching that man piloting his Raven, while not even moving a muscle of her own. "Don't tell me… you were frightened by the incident yesterday? Were you?" This connected the circuit back in Cousin Shew's head, her face reddened right away, "Ah! Uh, um, ah, uh, uhh, I… I'll… I'll do it right now!" She tripped on her way to her Raven.

Likewise to her pilot tripping, the Raven tripped a few times in the air as well, seemingly about to fall down again anytime soon, "Don't worry Shewie, it's going to be alright, just calm down, I'm here, right here!" in cold sweat she said.

The Raven was bewildered as it entered the field. "What's wrong, Shewie?" Xuelin asked, seeing the Raven just hovering in the air. She then heard sniffs and sobs, "Xuelin, I think I… I… I… I forgot everything I learned yesterday!"

…

…

……

Holding her forehead, Xuelin breathed deeply, those words were a strong fainting spell. Ye Chong with his focus about all the meals he could possibly have for the following weeks literally failed to notice the interesting sisters at the stands doing their Titanic git. If the sisters were to come closer, they might have overheard the madness in the cabin of the training Raven, "Meat. Meat. I need meat. Hand me the meat and no one gets hurt…"

Mu Shang was such a stern and demanding teacher. Even Ye Chong's toes could tell that, the training this time must be another bottomless trap hole of hell difficulty where he had to crawl out by clawing his way with his Raven. He repeated his monotonous training and lost the sense of time. He only found his stomach rumbling inside him due to his hunger when Mu Shang decided to give him a kind reminder of his dinner time.

Exit. Ye Chong pressed, leaving the interesting sisters staring at the blank spot he left, astonished.

Ever since then, it seemed to have become their additional routine to check the YC guy out daily.

Of course even a so-called "incompetent" greenhorn like Ye Chong would have noticed. Being alert anytime, anywhere was the survival sense ingrained in Ye Chong. But the two mechs were merely watching him from afar, hovering in the air quietly, with no other interference coming from them.

He feigned ignorance. But still… he did not get it. The content of his training had nothing sophisticated, in fact, it was also minimal. Weren't they annoyed by it?

It was none of his business anyway.

He just continued training as they watched on. He told himself that if he did not work hard enough, the muddy pile of unknown substance would await him at the dining table when he got home. Liquid diet for the next week! The trio never talked to each other, at most, they nodded at each other.

Time passed and Ye Chong made a breakthrough in his training. He could manipulate 10 metal marbles at once for one and a half hour continuously, along with his improved physique. He could feel the strength increasing with certainty. Speed-wise, he was 5 times faster, and strength-wise, he was 7 times stronger. As for reaction speed, he became 11 times faster compared to the past. The puzzling part of his development was that his weight had hardly increased. Even Mu Shang did not expect this.

By then, Ye Chong could already hunt simple creatures on his own without relying on any mech. He could prove his strength in this aspect.

He was holding a thin blade in his right hand and a nicely roasted drumstick from the engulfer, as he swiftly sliced pieces of them with the blade while they formed circles as they fell. He gently picked them up with the point of his blade, and tossed them into his mouth. As he got faster and faster, it almost reached the point of a bazooka firing multiple slices of meat into his mouth. Ye Chong thoroughly enjoyed the sensation of such a feast.

In the process, he discovered that if he could slice the meat thinner than ever, the scent of the grill could be retained while the texture would turn softer, like a heavenly touch on his tongue melting away into wonderful grease. The thinner the better!

The drumstick shrunk over time, and soon after that, only a stalk of bone remained in his grip. It glowed brightly, looking clean as if it had been washed, wiped and waxed.

He exhaled and tossed the bone away, stretching his back. "Mu, all things listed in the basic course were completed yesterday. What is there for today?"

The training days seemed tough yet it was more accomplishing than the days he had lived before. However, losing sight of his goal had made him dazed once again.

And that was the time he recalled the SP-II and Raven he saw every time, hovering over the field. We didn't even speak… I just nodded when they nodded too! I wonder if we would ever meet again… A sense of longing suddenly grew in Ye Chong for the two strange yet familiar friends he made.

I think I ought to tell them that I will no longer go to the training field tomorrow onwar- Wait. Maybe not, meh. Ye Chong decided against it right away. Friend? Pfft. What if we were just acquaintances? I guess I'm the one who has been thinking too much. We aren't from the same world in the end! Seems like it would be better to leave it just like this. If I were able to leave Trash Planet-12, maybe I would still stand a chance, but…

Ye Chong started his wild imagination on the scenarios of the what-ifs if he did or did not befriend them officially.

Mu Shang on the other side of the room mumbled, "Practical. We are doing practicals. Gain some experience from it, then we can proceed to the more advanced courses." The answer from Mu Shang was more exciting than the silly fantasies in Ye Chong's head, in which he ended instantly.

"Practical? Alright! I love practical! Man do you know how boring it is to train all day and night?"

After training all this while, he could finally obtain the opportunity to flaunt his moves. Ye Chong looked forward to his practical day with much enthusiasm!

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Chapter 11: Against a God

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Ye Chong stared at the mech before him, thoughts racing through his mind. Here was a ten-meter tall humanoid mech, armed with a silver shield on its left shoulder that glistened like mercury under the soft interior lighting. The fire sabre wielded by its right hand was a flame shaped into a weapon. Its grey body was elegant, and the golden ornaments on its forehead were a stunning addition to its appearance.

This was obviously a modified mech. Its dual axle shield functions at above average compared to other accessories, but his Raven's magnetic sword would barely be able to scratch it. Although the fire sabre was a medium level weapon, it would probably only take a few hits to cleave the Raven in half - a strike on a weak point of his mech would be fatal. The mech's body structure was well designed for defending against attacks, and its good weight distribution avoided overloading the mech's engine. There were also a few weapons for long range attacks.

This was a brilliant creation! Ye Chong realized as he examined the mech thoroughly.

If Ye Chong were to judge this mech, he would summarize it in one word - graceful! Despite being equipped with various mid-level accessories, a well-rounded pilot could do plenty of damage with it.

Ye Chong believed its engine was probably either a Parham or a Swordfish-IV, for only these two engine models could bring out the best of the mech and its accessories.

A mech that could do well in both attack and defense which was also armed with long-ranged and short-ranged attacks would be a formidable opponent. Ye Chong found it hard to believe that he would meet such a strong opponent in his first battle.

However, Ye Chong was not troubled by negative emotions such as fear and worry. Life on the trash planet made him realize that the types of enemies he battled was beyond his control. There was only one concern - how to defeat the enemy!

Ye Chong wanted to use his ray guns but even a direct hit would hardly be a threat to the enemy.

What about alloy daggers? Oh dear, the daggers would surely yield under the opponent's sturdy structure. He thought to himself.

Fortunately, all hope was not lost, for his magnetic sword could withstand some damages though it would take three strikes on the same spot to break the mech's armor; which would be a great difficulty.

Ye Chong mused at the thought.

Ye Chong analyzed the mech for its weaknesses. He had learned from experience that no adversary was perfect; a well-aimed strike at the most vulnerable spot would tip the scales in battle, and that was the key to winning against stronger opponents.

Undoubtedly, the throat was the most vulnerable spot in the majority of humanoid mechs due to the presence of high density of photon nodes. Even a little damage could cause the mech to malfunction, and the neck's extremely bulky armor greatly reduced its flexibility. Others would find the throat an awkward position to defend against with the exception of heavily armed mechs. However, that was common knowledge amongst mech pilots, therefore it would be expected to find the throat carefully guarded.

Ye Chong eventually dismissed this approach.

As for the pilot's cabin, it will be a no-brainer that pilots would not leave themselves exposed! Unlike the throat, a humanoid mech's pilot cabin is located at its chest area where the armor is thickest. Even if Ye Chong managed to burst through the cabin area with his magnetic sword, it would take at least a dozen strikes to damage the armor. The odds of him surviving so many close range attacks with the fire sabre wielded by his opponentdid not look promising.

What now? Ye Chong grew desperate in planning his strategies.

But time waits for no man - with the soft ring of the bell, the battle began!

Ye Chong cleared his mind and focused on his opponent.

Jeb sat casually in his mech, smiling mesmerizingly under his aquiline nose; his golden hair was naturally wavy, much like a prince from a fairy tale. His posture was elegant, and his movements majestic. His intense brown eyes studied the Raven with a hint of sneer.

Jeb scoffed, "Truly, one does not learn to fear what one does not understand! How dare you challenge my dear Apollo with a Raven? Ah, looks like yours truly will have to teach you a lesson!" The scorn in his tone was apparent.

Jeb decided to give Ye Chong a little "lecture". When the countdown of the battle ended, he charged straight for the Raven with his prized Apollo. He did not bother to activate the mech's shooting systems, or his dual axle shield.

The Raven remained static as though surrendering to its faith awaiting for a fatal blow.

"Ah, what a poor and unlucky fellow! A battle with yours truly was your greatest misfortune!" Jeb mocked. These days, Jeb was not feeling exactly cheery, and this battle served as an opportunity to vent off his displeasures. I shouldn't finish him off so soon, Jeb snickered darkly.

As both opponents closed in on one another, Jeb whipped out his fire sabre; the flames flickering menacingly, as it yearns for damage.

Jeb anticipated for his opponent to be outright panicking and flustering. As the Raven's wings received a heavy blow from his attack, the game of cat and mouse finally commenced. Jeb smiled wickedly, delighted with the destruction.

The game has only just begun! Jeb thought pleasingly.

There was no shooting involved despite being the fastest and safest strategy against his Raven which confuses Ye Chong.

Jeb's mech closed in slowly, and Ye Chong thought it was odd. If his opponent chose a close-ranged battle, why not take advantage of the mech's speed?

As the mech's fire sabre attacked his left wing, Ye Chong was even more confused. Why ignore vulnerable spots of the Raven to unnecessarily strike at a left wing? Even the dual axle shield was not utilized, leaving its chest defenseless. The fire sabre's attack was also more style than substance - the quivering flames only for show; the attack itself weak and badly angled. Thoughts raced through his mind as he contemplated about reasons behind these forms of attack.

Ye Chong was bewildered thinking that a pilot armed with such marvels was making absurd ambushes!

Regardless, Ye Chong was presented with a golden opportunity, and he would not miss it!

The Raven instantaneously accelerated reaching its maximum speed as Ye Chong sidestepped, dodging the fire sabre effortlessly. His magnetic sword hooked upwards at an angle and scraped past the enemy; leaving a gash of five-centimeters deep and was about one meter long across the enemy's hull. The gash stood out like a condescending smirk. Before the enemy could retaliate, the Raven took advantage of its momentum and aimed its left wing at the opponent's chest.

The two mechs met at high speed, and with a loud *BANG* they clashed and bounced off each other awkwardly to the sides.

Ye Chong was prepared for the high speed collision, and maneuvered away with ease. His basic training had taught him how to handle collisions, and Mu Shang's strict coaching regimen allowed him to decide where to land right when the current collision occurred.

Ye Chong adjusted the controls with astounding swiftness, and the Raven's twelve secondary engines located along its sides roared to life like music to his ears, angling the mech with precision. He managed to power up in split seconds.

All twelve secondary engines rumbled in sync - the Raven, now twenty centimeters from the ground, paused slightly in mid-air - as the claws on its right limb flexed out and its wings angled accordingly. The Raven sprang off the ground like a graceful raptor, and headed back for the skies.

The black mech flew along a graceful arc, and at the peak of its parabolic trajectory was the Apollo, still recovering from the collision.

Even as an entry level mech, the Raven's maximum speed was not to be underestimated. In a blink of an eye, the Raven was already at Apollo's tail.

Jeb was still dazed and unresponsive from the collision, and Apollo was left without its pilot.

Its throat came into view, and Ye Chong locked in on his opponent's most vulnerable spot like a predator ready to pounce on its prey.

Ye Chong howled in anticipation, and thrust his magnetic sword with breathtaking speed into Apollo's throat - much like a knight of ancient times charging with his lance at full speed towards the enemy's throat. The force of the lunge greatly exceeded Ye Chong's expectations as the Apollo was flung far across the battlefield like a puppet; its thickset neck now barely intact, and the photon circuits all jumbled up.

The seemingly impossible victory was overcome almost by instinct.

Ye Chong had won!

Chapter 12: Onwards and Upwards

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His opponent asked for a rematch, but Ye Chong ignored him. The way he saw it, the deliberate mistakes committed by his adversary would have cost his life a dozen times, and what Ye Chong needed was an expert that could sharpen his skills to grow stronger, not a brazen fool like him.

Mu Shang swiftly appeared by his side. "Hmm, not a bad performance, but the opponent was pathetic!"

Ye Chong nodded in agreement.

Mu Shang asked, "However, it seems that the Raven can no longer keep up with your battle skills. Hmm, are you interested in using another mech?"

Ye Chong beamed at Mu Shang's suggestions. "A new mech? What model?"

"What are your thoughts on the Apollo?" Mu Shang inquired.

Ye Chong speculated before replying, "It's alright! It's pretty agile with thoughtful modifications!"

"You win points for every victory in battle, and these points can be traded for new mechs or accessories at the maintenance hub, as mech modifications are allowed here. Of course, I advise that you refrain from using modified mechs for now even though you are not entirely new to it. My suggestion would be for you to get familiar with various mechs before exploring the options offered by modifications." Mu Shang explained.

Mu Shang barely finished his little speech before Ye Chong headed straight for the maintenance hub. The spacious main hall exhibited a great variety of mechs, and Ye Chong eyed the displays like an eagle as he wandered around the displayed mechs, occasionally petting or caressing the machines, unable to hide his excitement.

Ye Chong instantly realized that every mech was labelled with the amount of points required for redemption. He fumbled with his phone scrolling through his incoming messages and finally found what he was looking for - a thousand points under his name. Ye Chong heaved a sigh of relief - fortunately, the Green Wolf mech offered two models, and each only cost three hundred points. Looks like I have quite a number of points. Ye Chong thought gleefully.

Ye Chong decided to heed Mu Shang's advice as Mu was never one for thoughtless opinions.

Even though he eyed the other mechs longingly, his decision was finalized - he decided on a sophisticated Green Wolf-I.

The Green Wolf was a quadruped; built very much like a wolf, with a double-bladed light sabre held in its mouth - both sides of the weapon are capable of activating laser sabers of half a meter long. The Green Wolf model was a classic mech for land battles although it lacked the Raven's wings; rendering flight impossible, and its engines were not designed for optimum performance in space. On land, however, the mech's powerful drive, agile movements and commensurate speed made it a popular model.

Compared to the Raven, the Green Wolf came with quite a few upgrades.

Mu Shang appeared like a spirit before Ye Chong, and threw a quick glance at the Green Wolf behind him before commenting in earnest, "Tis' an alliance between beasts!"

Ye Chong glared back at Mu Shang. "You dare compare me to a beast?!"

Mu Shang replied lazily, "Are you not one?"

"Of course I'm not!" Ye Chong defiantly sulked.

"Then what are you?" Mu Shang retorted.

Ye Chong declared shamelessly, "I am the king of beasts!"

Mu Shang was flabbergasted, and couldn't help but surrender and roll its eyes. "Definitely like a beast!"

Ye Chong stood proudly with his arms akimbo, and the background music began to play the roar of a thousand beasts. The music changed abruptly replaced by the raucous cries of beasts having sex. Ye Chong felt goose bumps all over him, and immediately begged Mu Shang for mercy.

Mu Shang chuckled, and reasoned languidly, "But you are the King-- of-- Beasts!"

Ye Chong pulled a face.

Mu Shang tossed a name list to Ye Chong. " The names recorded here are those who have a winning rate of over 90%, and had registered for training here within the last three months. You should challenge them one at a time. Oh, and do remember to start from the last one on the list."

Sun Xuelin and Xiu stared at the empty training ground in dismay.

Xiu announced flatly, "Xuelin, he's not here." Inside the Raven's cabin, tears began to flow down her delicate contour.

Xuelin was enraged. "That bastard, he's crossed the line, we've known each other for so long how can he just upped and left without so much as a goodbye? This is too much. I'm going to give him a real beating the next time we meet!" She had completely forgotten her losing track record against Ye Chong.

"Let's check out the battle grounds!" Xuelin said as she grabbed Xiu by the arm.

They searched the battle areas one by one, but there was neither a sight of the Raven, nor the one who piloted it.

They were not aware of Ye Chong replacing the Raven for another mech, and were also ignorant of the fact that he had left the battle area for Gutista right before their arrival on the battle grounds.

"Hey! Young man, what're you up to these days? Haven't seen you in a while!" An elderly man greeted Ye Chong as he was on his way to Gutista.

Ye Chong gave a slight bow. "Grandpa Xu, how do you do? My schedule's a little hectic with training these days, hence the absence." The elderly named Xu was someone Ye Chong respected dearly, for he was an old engineer who was generous with his teachings, and Ye Chong had benefited much from the old man.

Grandpa Xu chortled, "This old man is doing quite well, and this young man here is still as polite as always! What a nice lad, them old folks must be happy to see you there! Well then, I must be off, you enjoy yourself young man!"

Ye Chong smiled bashfully. "I will, have a good day Grandpa Xu!"

Ye Chong visited the central hub of an association in Gutista called Aurora. The association was infamous; its members consisting mainly of retired mech engineers and pilots of high stature with great knowledge on all things mech. The conglomeration of these individuals was a force to reckon with. Many existing companies consulted with them for their renowned expertise. The eccentricities of the association's members were also well known where each member offered a unique set of skills and experience. The fact that the members retired with enviable pensions made financial rewards ineffective as a means of gaining their assistance. If they find someone amenable, they would offer help even if unasked for; if one is unpleasant, even a shipload of gold would not change their minds. Their disregard for money was always a cause of concern by various companies.

However, the stakes were high, so the superiors have to lower their sights and dance to the members' peculiar tunes, while secretly cursing them for their humiliation. It did not help that most Aurora members were well-versed in the art of politics and negotiations - the company executives who were used to taking advantage of others had found their match!

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Chapter 13: A Kind of Peace

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Ye Chong was the only Aurora member under the age of fifty.

His membership was the result of an accident. In one of his early days in the virtual world, Ye Chong entered the Aurora's central hub by accident. However, none of the members paid him any attention, as they were either engrossed in some group discussion or conducting their own research. Ye Chong, driven by curiosity, approached the noisiest group in the room, and was surprised to find that they were discussing the piping designs for mech engines. Ye Chong was very much interested, and soon became absorbed with the discussion at hand.

There were two old men who proposed two different design solutions, and both were stubbornly defending their own positions.

Ye Chong was reminded of Mu Shang's engine schematics, and inadvertently spoke up, suggesting an entirely new approach. Suddenly, the group went very quiet. The two factions were speechless, as they stared in surprise at the young newcomer that appeared out of the blue!

Ye Chong gulped.

That was how Ye Chong was introduced to the elderly group, and one of them eventually came up with the idea of accepting Ye Chong as a member of Aurora. This won the immediate approval from almost everyone, and Ye Chong did not get a chance to say anything before being taken into their fold.

And so, Ye Chong unexpectedly became a member of Aurora.

Ye Chong was not entirely happy with the outcome. He had always thought that he had inherited most of his Papa's skill and knowledge, and was somewhat confident with his expertise in mechanical modifications; but here in Aurora, everyone was at least a few levels above him, and that was a hard fact to swallow.

Unwilling to lag behind, Ye Chong upped his game and began the long and hard journey of further educating himself.

No matter which field he studied, these old timers had ensured that it was thoroughly explored and well researched, leaving a large gap for him to catch up. Fortunately for Ye Chong, who had a solid foundation in these fields, could absorb and adapt the resources around him like a hungry whirlpool.

In time, Ye Chong's innate talent, impeccable learning skills, and solid foundation were noticed by the other members.

These old men have had their moments of glory, enjoying prestigious reputations in their own expertise, but many of them were without a predecessor of choice, because a good student was hard to come by!

Over time, they grew interested in Ye Chong, as if he was the one they were all waiting for. They welcomed his questions, and let him in on many of their latest findings, further adding to the list of things Ye Chong had to catch up with. However, Ye Chong continued his studies with unhindered curiosity, and this gained the approval of his seniors.

In the end, Ye Chong became Aurora's one and only apprentice, and a shared one at that.

He entered into the hub, and the old timers all came up to him.

"Ah, isn't this our young lad? Haven't seen you in a few days, did you get to understand the formula I taught you last time? You didn't? No matter, we can still look at it from a different perspective, for example "

The voice was interrupted by another angry one. "You old fool, don't keep annoying our young lad with questions, if you drive him nuts, I'll hold you accountable!" The same voice continued, "Hey young lad, come on here, let me see if you've grown taller. Oh, still the same old, eh? Nothing to worry about, the human body is only flesh and bones, but it's your character and knowledge that matters most! I have a few papers here that I've been working on these past few years, you can have a look at them when you're free!"

"Huh, old Du, what an ingenious approach! How could I have not thought of that? I should start compiling my own work too!"

The elderly named Du was smiling with delight, exceedingly pleased with himself. Ye Chong, however, stood amongst the elderly, with the info chip from Du in hand, thrown off by the conversational exchanges.

Inside, there was an extravagantly decorated dwelling room.

Jeb's handsome facial features wore a twisted expression, as though a noble and graceful lord had transformed into a horrifying demon.

Damn it, today's loss was completely unexpected. Jeb recalled how his gloating act must seem like a clown's clumsy performance in the eyes of his opponent, and his anger stoked into a flaming rage.

The series of unfortunate events that befell him these past few days had stretched his endurance to the maximum, and Jeb could not take it anymore - he flung his virtual world hyperlink into the intricately patterned carpet, breaking the device into pieces.

Just the thought of the imposter made Jeb see red. How he cursed and cursed the damned bastard.

This is not the end! Definitely not! Jeb howled inaudibly in his mind.

I, the magnificent Jeb, cannot possibly lose to a scum like that. I will make him pay for this, I'll kill him, that's right! I'll kill him! By then, Jeb was far from rational, his eyes bloodshot from his manic state. Jeb could not help but laugh as he imagined his opponent begging for mercy under his sword.

A few minutes later, Jeb finally cooled down and regained his composure and grace. He grabbed the comms device from the table and imperiously summoned, "Butler Qiu, get over here!"

A professional looking man gave a fist wrapping salute and a slight bow before Jeb - this was his family's butler, Qiu.

Jeb spoke through gritted teeth, "Butler Qiu, find out everything about the NR Training Center's pilot registered under the name YC. I want to know everything about him, understand? Everything!"

The butler's lowered eyes darkened for a moment - whoever this YC is, they must have angered the reckless young master. He knew well enough that his young master was good only in his looks, as he was always uninterested in learning, frequently engaged with idle sport and had the bitter peculiarity of never leaving insults unavenged. Those who offended him never end up well, and many have suffered as a result.

Qiu sighed deeply - someone will suffer again this time!

But superficially, he exaggerated an obedient "Yes, sir," and accepted his orders with due courtesy, for he would not dare to offend the young master for fear of losing his job. Moreover, the current situation was an opportunity for him, if appropriately handled.

It's not too hard to please someone like Jeb - simply acting like the perfect servant would keep him happy, unlike dealing with his elder brother, the eldest young master. Qiu suppressed a shiver from thinking about the cunning man and his impenetrable thoughts.

Jeb was satisfied with his butler's response, for he derived his sense of superiority from those of lower stature. Contented, he waved the butler away with pretentious grace.

Hehehe, you little fool, I'll get to you yet, and let you realize the horrible consequences of offending yours truly!

Jeb tipped his wine glass and sipped on three-centuries-old naturally brewed red wine. He studied the glass intently, his thoughts unknown to anyone, safe for himself. The crimson drink glowed softly under the dim lighting, radiating an ominous, bloody aroma that promised certain death.

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Chapter 14: Unravelling Secrets

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Angel evaded the seemingly random traps and the wandering electrically-activated mines very carefully.

Hmph, so what if they're the MPA*? He managed to slip into their internal system after all, as if the place was left unguarded. Angel was secretly pleased with himself.

Today, photon processors offered more and more capabilities for mechs - one could even say that it was the mech's most important component. The MPA may give the impression of consisting mainly of mech pilots, but the association had enlisted a wide range of other experts related to mechs. Amongst the ranks, the Mavericks number quite a few.

While Angel was generally capable, entering the MPA's interior ground was still a feat he was quite proud of.

However, it would not do to be careless here, for dangers lurked around every possible corner, and if his presence alerted the Mavericks who served as guards for the area, escape will be more than difficult!

This was a crucial job - if he succeeded, the pay will be enough to support his spending spree for a good while. Angel knew that there were other Mavericks who received the same offer, and that made him eager to prove himself to be a cut above the rest.

The portal before Angel emitted a bright rainbow colored spectrum; steam escaped through the cracks, as though the portal would lead to a fairyland.

Angel suspiciously eyed the portal. As a Maverick with more than a few years under his belt, Angel came to realize that a dazzling appearance was often a cover for a potentially fatal trap.

Angel bent down to reach for the floor with his right hand, and closed his eyes - and an almost faint ripple spread out from where he stood.

This was one of Angel's two unique skills, called the Ripple. Every Maverick had their own unique skills, and these skills represent the Maverick's attainment and achievement in their respective fields. Ripple was Angel's - it was used to scan the surroundings without triggering sensors or traps, and could even be undetectable by other Mavericks. The skill was a complementary addition to his trap setting expertise, and his skillset made him an excellent choice for clandestine jobs. Other Mavericks may have attributed his past successes to his excellent intuition on traps and their locations, but it was all a cover for his true skill.

His other unique skill would be Epiphyte - like the eponymous group of organisms, Epiphyte would not harm its target, but once activated, it would cling on tightly to the target till Angel allowed otherwise. It was a very reliable skill, and efficient for tracking. Angel's reputation was largely built on these two skills.

…

Angel focused on the feedback from his Ripple.

One, two… Angel counted silently to eight. Eight tiers! What stroke of luck, to have an eight-tiered security barrier!

Angel did a double take on the situation, sensing something was possibly amiss.

Without absolute certainty, Angel did not dare to make his next move. Instead, he went through his memories meticulously.

That's not right! He finally figured out what gave rise to his uneasiness. On his way in, he would not have avoided all those concealed traps without his Ripple! The MPA's hired Mavericks were good, so it would be illogical for the security barrier to be easier to break than the earlier security measures.

An eight-tiered security barrier may not be simple to hack, but for a Maverick who could venture this far into the MPA's domain, it would seem like child's play! Angel concluded decisively - there must be some other hidden trick! Right! That must be it.

Angel closed his eyes and activated Ripple again, calmly analyzing the feedback with care.

It took thirty minutes, but Angel finally re-opened his eyes and exhaled slowly in relief.

What astonishing programming! While the barrier appeared to eight-tiered, each tier was connected to the others based on some intricate principles, effectively creating an extra tier of security - which meant, there were actually nine tiers! If one had hacked through the barriers through usual means, it would surely have triggered a trap.

Astounding! What an astounding way of linking between security tiers! His first ever encounter with such mechanism, and he had nearly fell for it! He thanked his lucky stars for being extra careful!

While the security barrier was complex, Angel had managed a good grasp of its inner workings, and felt reasonably confident. However, as he began hacking, a green shadow flashed past his vision, catching him off guard!

What was that? Angel, who was very much surprised, stopped his hacking. The portal before him was still glowing brightly, painting a rainbow hue over his surroundings.

Was the green flicker an illusion? Angel wasn't certain. As he studied his surroundings carefully with the hopes of finding the source of that green flash, the portal's bright, colorful glow greatly inhibited his search. In the end, he found nothing.

Perhaps it was really an illusion? Angel was unsure. If only the portal would stop glowing -

Angel started. That's right, why is the portal glowing? Could it be… Could it be… a means to hide something?"

Angel thought it through and began to see the sense in his reasoning. He avoided making sudden movements, and merely scanned his surroundings.

And there it was! Angel nearly went blind with the searching, but he could now see the dim green flash - it was a thin sliver of green light, concealed by the portal's brighter glow.

It was concealed, even after using his Ripple detection. It was a first for Angel, and he could not help admiring the masterpiece! However, since he had found it, then…

Angel gave the mysterious portal another look - in his eyes, which mirrored a fair maiden's pair, beckoning him with open arms.

Butler Qiu began respectfully, "Second young master, regarding your orders last time, there have been some developments!"

Jeb was overjoyed. "Really? Where's he from? His real name? Haha, he will not get away this time!" He sobered, and continued ruthlessly. "Hehe, your offense against me has doomed you!"

Qiu had more to say, but was obviously hesitant.

Jeb noticed and frowned, displeased. "Come on, just spill it! Could it be that he is from a family of high standing?"

The butler bowed a little. "That's not it, it's just that… Well…"

Jeb grew impatient. "Just tell it as it is, none of this nonsense!"

Qiu grew nervous. "Young master, after you ordered for this information, I had hired a few capable Mavericks to investigate. While the training center's security was commendable, they still managed to bypass it and access and information archives. It's just that… It's just that, the whole thing looks suspicious!"

"Suspicious?" Jeb inquired.

Qiu grew increasingly edgy, as he knew that the second young master before him was quite temperamental. With the current delicate balance within the family, he must always be on his guard, for any error on his part would have disastrous consequences. If the matter at hand was not satisfyingly handled, the second young master might throw a tantrum, and that would spell punishment, or even his expulsion from the Luo Family. Qiu, who was careful in nature, dreaded the possibilities ahead.

He replied shortly, "Yes, in the information archives, we searched through all of the ID's, but could not find this YC character, not even one with a similar name."

Jeb was stunned. "Not even one? That's impossible! I saw it, clear as day! It must be right!"

Qiu maneuvered through the conversation smoothly. "Of course, this servant believes in the young master's sharp eyes, you could not have possibly seen it wrong!" Seeing Jeb preening as expected, he continued, "But that's what's so suspicious about this, why would there be no records of him in the archives? Access to the virtual world requires identification of some sort, it would have been impossible otherwise!"

Jeb began to realize the situation clearly. "That's it, this is impossible!"

Qiu continued, "This servant was thinking, perhaps YC is a Maverick too?"

Jeb beamed and followed his logic. "That's right! Hah! That must be it! Only Mavericks could do something like this!"

Mavericks were people who could bypass limitations set in the virtual world through their skills in using photon processors. They were talented specialists of these processors, and so had an unimaginable advantage over the average person in the virtual world.

Qiu continued, "And so this servant thought, one would need to fight fire with fire. This servant has entrusted a few Mavericks associated with the Luo family to investigate his background!"

Jeb prodded impatiently. "And what have you found about his background?"

The butler's expression grew even stranger.

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Chapter 15: Mavericks

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Angel was disturbed.

The last mission went perfectly well, considering that out of the five Mavericks that were sent, he alone managed to deliver, while the others failed with the final portal. Just the thought of solving that remarkable trap brightened Angel's mood, and the edges of his mouth lifted a little.

The mission was, honestly, quite a challenge, but Angel found the reward too high to resist. Such a high pay; besides, this was not the first time he served the Luo family, and they had been reliable clients. Most importantly, the job was practically made for someone like him.

The Luo family was interested in someone, and with such a lucrative reward, Angel could only imagine the person to be someone of high standing, or a skillful mech pilot they might be considering to hire. While he had a few good guesses, nothing prepared him for the truth.

There were no records whatsoever on the so-called YC character in the information archive. If he had not copied some of the records to show the Luo family, they might not even believe that he made it into the system!

When Angel accepted the fact that the archives had nothing on YC, he felt a sense of fear.

What if YC was also a Maverick?

The thought had haunted Angel ever since the mission.

While Mavericks were just like any other person in the real world, they became obvious outcasts in the virtual world. Here, they were not bound by the same rules that govern the average user; instead, they were powerful, and in the eyes of others, almost invincible.

But was that indeed so?

Angel smiled ironically as he thought of those rumors. There were many unwritten rules for Mavericks, placing a huge restriction on most of them. This was even more so for independent Mavericks who had no specific allegiance, and Angel was one such Maverick.

One of the rules that Angel observed strictly was to avoid taking on missions that involve other Mavericks.

There was no real way to compare the strength between Mavericks, as each had their own field of specialty. Even within the same field, a beginner with remarkable ingenuity might best an experienced opponent. After all, creativity could work miracles.

Angel was not interested in battles between Mavericks. Usually, a user is hyperlinked to the virtual world via electromagnetic wave stimulation of neural signals in the brain, which creates a resonance between the brainwaves and the virtual world. While hacking into the hyperlink device proves difficult, it was not entirely impossible.

Angel once witnessed a rival pair of exceptional Mavericks engage in a fierce battle, and it ended with the loser braindead. This was the first time he realized the extent of a Maverick's capabilities and the harshness of the virtual world.

Fortunately, Mavericks who could push past this final barrier were few and far between, and represented the cream of the crop. Most of them understood the weight of their powers and would not use them carelessly. They even took the extra step of binding each other to a set of rules far stricter than for the average Maverick to curb atrocities in the virtual world.

Never offend a Maverick, however weak one may seem to be.

Perusing the facilities of the NR Training Centre without proper registration did not seem like the acts of a lesser Maverick, if he or she was indeed one.

Angel felt fear spreading deep within, for he dreaded enraging another Maverick, and possibly one that was much stronger than him.

But the matter was not over.

The Luo Family had entrusted him with another mission - to find out YC's true history. It could be anything, like an address, or a name. The mission came with the expected extravagant price tag offered by his client.

All things said, Angel felt that he should not refuse the offer. The Luo family had been his main client, and they had gotten familiar with each other. Besides, this offer was similarly suitable for a Maverick of his skill, and the return was more than acceptable - it was the highest price he had ever been offered.

But Angel was still hesitant.

What if the opponent was in fact the most powerful Maverick?

Angel knew himself very well - he was like a mole, quick to identify hidden traps, but disadvantaged in a direct encounter. If this YC character was a Maverick, he would have to prepare for the possibility of being a target of revenge.

If the last mission was a small offense, this mission would cross the line. The greatest fear of a Maverick was to have one's real identity exposed. In the real world, a Maverick is as vulnerable as anyone else - without the ability to defend oneself, losing anonymity would inevitably lead to losing one's freedom, and possibly, one's life.

Angel dared not accept the current mission lightly. His mind was still clear, not too affected by the Luo family's excessiveness. He understood that accepting it might lead to a struggle with a powerful Maverick that would only end with death, or even a joint attack by other Mavericks, considering the fact that what he was about to do was a huge taboo for their kind!

But still he could not decide, the sky-high financial reward was very, very persuasive - just this one mission would support him comfortably for the next decade. Angel had a 70% confidence level of doing what needed to be done without the target noticing, for his Epiphyte had never failed him before.

"This mission is really giving me a headache." Angel sighed as he massaged his temples. He should refuse it, but the money, the temptation! He should accept it, but what if he could not live long enough to enjoy his reward?

Suddenly, Angel had an epiphany - why not meet this YC character and assess his mettle before deciding?

Based on intel from the Luo family, Angel arrived at the NR Training Center, disguised as a tourist.

Once there, he found his target shortly - YC.

YC seemed to be just finished with a battle, heading outwards with his mech. Angel began to trail him, interested to know who this YC actually was.

Amongst the passersby, YC seemed to blend in.

Suddenly, Angel noticed something, and did a double take!

Mavericks!

The people who just passed by YC, they were all Mavericks! Angel could feel the cogwheels in his head turning - it must be that some other Mavericks had accepted the job! The Luo family had always preferred to hire a few Mavericks for tougher missions. Based on the aura of those few, they certainly must be!

Are they planning to do something here and now?

Angel decided to stay aside and observe. After all, he should take the opportunity of investigating YC without getting personally involved.

Angel focused silently, and his Ripple began to spread outwards, informing him of all the details of his surroundings in great clarity.

Well done! They're indeed masters of their trade, picking the perfect opening, and moving almost imperceptibly in the background. Angel felt great admiration towards these Mavericks! They were experts, and worked together seamlessly like second nature - the sight was one to behold!

But what happened next made Angel's blood froze - that moment was one that would stick with him forever!

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Chapter 16: Abyssal Rule

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Ye Chong exited the battlefield on his knees in exhaustion. Man that was one annoying guy! Are there even cubs in the jungle? Why was everyone on the list prepared by Mu felt like they were on steroids or something? They were so tough that one couldn't win without losing a tooth or two. While Ye Chong was consumed in his thoughts of his battle, something was brewing.

"Ye! Look out!" Mu Shang's voice rang in Ye Chong's head, like a bell. "What is it?!" He looked around, tensed. "There are four Mavericks identified nearby! One located at the corner, identity unknown." A hologram of an overview of the area appeared before Ye Chong with locations of the unknown individuals marked by Mu Shang

"Mavericks? What is that?" Ye Chong questioned in curiosity.

"Currently it is not possible to make a clear and concise explanation here. We will talk about this when we get back. We are not aware of their intentions too!" Stealthily, the Mavericks surrounded Ye Chong. He could not tell if they did it intentionally or not and as he lifted his leg slowly stepping to the right, they moved in sync as well; maintaining a circular orbit around him. Ye Chong's brows furrowed and sighed in frustration as he put his fingers down on the control panel, ready to launch an attack anytime, "Ye! We are under attack! Do we strike back?" beeped Mu Shang.

Even though Ye Chong could not see Mu Shang from the cabin, he still rolled his eyes and snorted, "Duh! Of course we are striking back! What else are we going to do? Even rats would counterattack with their fangs, so are we waiting here to rot away with time?"

"Oh." Mu Shang flatly responded, "I see."

…

Angel's eyes glistened in anticipation, scrutinizing every detail surrounding her. Waves crashing in a unique rhythm; Angel's acute sense of sight picks up surrounding features such as the needle on clock at the lobby that struck at a quarter past nine and 32 seconds.

Oblivious of what was happening, YC made no moves since he was not able to sense any apparent danger. On the other hand, an expert with keen eyes like Angel was aware of the situation YC was in; it was evident that the Mavericks had placed a surge seeker on YC. It only needed a few seconds for the device to link with the system of the target and by then it would be too late for them to discover and eliminate it. Everyone in the galaxy would have access to YC's database! The only effective way to tackle the surge seeker is to avoid it but as soon as it is attached on you, the fun begins!

The debate here would be; could YC be just another commoner?

Angel scoffed in disgust at a ridiculous pay by the Luo family to effortlessly wipe out a commoner like YC. Tension rumbled at the pit of Angel's stomach with regret. While he could have finish YC off with a few strikes and receive that handsome pay, he decided to monitor the victim from afar. He was certain that even his bone eater would outperform the outdated surge seeker easily. Just when Angel started to drown in remorse, the situation changed dramatically on the battlefield!

A screeching cry can be heard that brings chill down your spine. Angel's lips were moving inarticulately but no words could be heard. A formless pressure crushed Angel; his body was locked and stuck as if imprisoned in a grip by an invisible hand. No limbs can be moved except for his befuddled thoughts! Angel could not budge as all eyes were fixed on YC.

Time seemed to have frozen in place like a three-dimensional projected hologram, a one-of-a-kind disturbing stillness. Angel struggled as he choked out words but failed as the space had turned into a vacuum with no medium but dead silence. Angel's pupils filled with the deepest fear; his mind thrashing like dark vines creeping up all over one's body.

YC made no further moves, other than a cold stare plastered on his face.

Angel's heart felt colder than an iceberg and a snowfield! He panicked as realization sunk into him that YC was looking right into his soul; he moaned internally at his awaited doom. YC's stare impaled the heart like a glacial spike, breaking through the fragile sense of security, obliterating all hopes in sheer coldness. Angel closed his eyes as he begged for mercy. Please!

In a blink of an eye, the field changed again!

A black hole was formed as it swallowed YC into an abyss that could bring forth the darkest fear of any individuals. Slowly, it engulfed everything nearby. Soon, Angel too was mercilessly sucked in by this dark force. The eyes detected nothing but darkness as Angel lost consciousness.

…

Angel gently peeled open his eyes.

He sat up thunderstruck by the encounter just awhile ago. It felt like it was a dream that only lasted a brief second and he's back to reality. Was the abyss part of the dream or was it something else? Angel questioned but dared not figure it out.

He glanced at the clock; a quarter past nine 35 seconds! It has only been 3 seconds?!

Recollecting the sequence of events, YC had already vanished into thin air but it was only 3 seconds and he had already escaped. Angel was absolutely sure that YC was there. There was no way a man could run that fast!

Angel walked away and instantaneously he saw the four mavericks from before who had been there in the same posture and position much like a sculpture.

Something was not right, Angel held his steps as the waves wavered in his hands spread between them, but no anomaly was found. After a few hours, the mavericks still remained as sculpture-like; no words were uttered while a passerby was amazed by such lively looking sculptures in the area. Angel wanted to have a closer look so he blended in with the pedestrians and walked towards the sculptures.

Pale and lifeless. Those were the words Angel thought upon seeing their faces. A frantic sharp ringing in his head made Angel anxious.

A face of such kind was not new to him. This is the second time he had experienced this particular symptom. The first time was during the aftermath of two defeated ultimate mavericks in a battle; their souls were completely drained due to brain neural damage. It was the exact kind of face he saw!

He shuddered and trembled in fear, feeling the chills up his spine as he choked on his saliva; the drought in his throat froze his movements.

It… It … It was not a dream…

Ever-expanding black hole, constant coldness, deafening silence; everything came crashing down and circulating through his mind as he picked up the pieces. The feeling was disturbing and frightening. Angel could not endure it any longer as he let out a shriek and disconnected right after.

…

"So…"

"Mu, what is this maverick you had been mumbling about? How is it that I had never heard of it?"

"Mavericks are the experts in utilizing processors at the virtual world with special abilities. They are known as the ones in the gray area for they stand between life and death, the black and white, could be both benign and malignant. Hence, the name. Mavericks denote the field they hold expertise in so much it felt like a walk in the park."

Ye Chong had lost his interests at the mention of processors. "Eh, is it? I don't really care about some processor professor in the field, so what happened to them anyway?"

"Permanent neurological brain damage."

"Permanent neurological… what? What do you mean?"

"It's the state that would eventually lead to either death or dementia."

Ye Chong raised his brows, "Oh, very well. Then they will be obedient as ever!" At Trash Planet-12, if a man showed mercy to his enemies, he would be as good as the skeletons on the floor. He would be nothing more than bones on the ground. Ye Chong had already gotten used to a life of fight or perish so death was nothing new to him!

"Oh wait!" He turned to Mu Shang.

"Isn't there another guy in the corner?"

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Chapter 17: That YC Guy

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Mu Shang sneered, "You'll know by then."

This fight was no other than a walk in the park; like a stone skimming across the water, one ripple after another with no huge impact. On a more important note, Ye Chong had fallen in love with the life he had gotten which was filled with entertainment and adventure. He had never felt so accomplished before! It was like he was born ready to battle with various classes of people with different mechs. The contentment of his life made him giddy with excitement.

Ye Chong would head to the streets of Gudista for a stroll and talk to the elders there to pass his free time. Besides that, he would also carry on with his ever-changing courses of training after he has finished his virtual world punching session on a daily basis. Compared to the days occupied by scavenging for food and defeating mutants on Trash Planet-12, the current way of life is more fitting for an active and healthy teenager like Ye Chong.

As for the trainings on the list Mu gave, he had already crossed out more than half of them by now!

Ye Chong never knew how prominent his image was throughout the galaxy for a hermit he once was. YC the fighter, who never rest on his laurels, had defeated one opponent after another. It had become the talk of the town among the NR trainees at the FMPA ever since his glorious battle with the Shield of Thorns.

Shield of Thorns was known as the one whom piloted mech "Lorcupine" which was ranked at 82 in the FMPA offensive forces; notorious for possessing both skills and strength, and had gained tons of fans with his distinctive style of fighting. The battle ring was always flooded with spectators if he was in the battlefield.

A man so great was in the end defeated by Ye Chong with a final blow to the head.

Despite the impressive triumph, everyone thought there was nothing extraordinary about the battle. Any individual would have to face defeat one day with no exceptions to the top fighter in EMPA, the Son of Light, who averagely gets knocked out around 10 times a year. Therefore, the Shield of Thorns must have some breaks in his consecutive victories.

What was astounding was the fact that Ye Chong's mech was only a Lacherl.

Lacherl, namely the soldier major is a humanoid mech with low specification and built with a sturdy shell; providing an astronomical defense compared to other mechs of the same level. Additionally, it also has a mediocre or even unbearable speed and mobility, inferring it to be more of a threatening defensive niche in the field. It was especially threatening when the high speed ranged shooting technique became a trend among the fighters; which just happened to be the biggest counter towards its guard, thus killing the population of Lacherl users close to extinction.

Spectators booed at Ye Chong continuously upon seeing him maneuvering a Lacherl into the battlefield. Lordcupine, categorized under OU (Overused) for its premium quality and high ranking in offensive forces would have crashed this wall easily in one blow.

Ye Chong found such expertise absolutely unnecessary and tediously lengthy in mastering the skills. It was too complex for a mere child who had never been through much like him to understand. But frankly speaking, he likes the Lacherl because not only was she the first humanoid model he piloted in the training field, she also looked quite similar to Winnie; in spite of her weight, she moves considerably faster than good old Winnie.

A premium model dueling with a novice model can be compared to an armored warrior fighting a naked farmer.

Nothing much can be expected from the result seeing that there would be no dramatic twist or the what-ifs. The spectators watched in agreement that the Shield of Thorns' effortless victory would be justifiable from the model of Ye Chong's mech. It was a wrong model to begin with but the unforeseen circumstances before the audiences had them gawping in awe and surprise.

Lacherl swoops down and struck its opponent. It took the Shield of Thorns by surprise as he sneers in discontentment. How badly does she want to taste death? Spectators booed in disbelief at YC, a hero of the zeroes. Suddenly, the room was filled with silence as everyone stared at next spectacle with wide eyes.

Judging from their reactions, everyone had the same thought; how does a heavy machine like Lacherl move this fast?

Jaws dropped as they continued to observe the battle. Lacherl circled Lorcupine swiftly and every swing of the sword confused the Shield of Thorns. At times when he thought to have gotten the sequence of the attack, Lacher1 managed to pull a different trick. In the end, he failed to even land an attack on the highness, Lacherl.

Lorcupine was dazed in confusion; he was the one who owned a premium mech but was struck down by a novice mech. It dawned on him that the Lacher1 looks different as if it was upgraded into a brand new model.

Could it be that the Lacherl have been modified? Did he replace the engine? How could Lorcupine not land a single strike even if Lacher1 was modified with marvelous craftsman skills? Are you freaking kidding me?!

Thoughts raced through his mind in frustration.

Still, that was the reality even if it was unbelievable. The Lacherl piloted by Ye Chong had the upper-hand throughout the fight. However, Shield of Thorns was not a weak one either; he is well-rounded in offensiveness and defensiveness. He is like a sword as good as it's a shield, the traditional combination worked wonders in his hands, with various kinds of defense techniques - blocking, cancelling, grinding and breaking. Holding up against Lacherl impeccably with the occasional glow of his sword coming from his sequence of defense, a prime manifestation of Lord Porcupine himself; in the shield of the thorns, one prick and you'll pay for it.

Ye Chong was ignorant as he did not produce the opportunity for a strike back and he calmly carried on his inputs.

Such a rare scene indeed! The fight was so overwhelming it had everyone on the edge of their seats amazed by the tension of the battle. They immediately whipped out their hologram recorders to capture this precious fight. Right after the fight ended, the scenes were posted into a discussion forum which attracted enough attention to be crowned as the top news on the site.

Fans had gone through the visuals and were astounded by the skillfulness of YC as they all agreed from their discovery that the Lacherl was an original, unmodified model and that her speed was already at its maximum. The difference was however, YC piloted her in a fair set of movement with sharp turning points rapidly done between each step and by the time Mr. Shield of Thorns could land an attack, YC would have placed her at a safer point; an illusion created that the Lacherl outsped the Lorcupine.

In addition, the heftiness of Lacherl was an advantage YC utilized. According to the analysis based on the visuals, the direction of the sword was aligned with the direction of impulse from Lacherl herself in every strike. To put it simply, every attack made had an enormous amount of kinetic energy under the highest speed of the mech, making Lacherl into a killer machine; brandishing to land a strike. Without a doubt, Lacher1 was an intimidating opponent.

Regardless of the mech's model, be it a fighting type or the shooting type, the core would always be the speed of control. When the speed of mech is high, maintaining the accuracy of inputs would have been highly difficult even with the aid of a powerful processor. Technically, when the mech reaches a velocity that passes the highest capacity by more than 70%, the struggle to maintain an accurate input would steeply increase. While YC broke the speed cap and was still able to glide like a bird, the other pilots who were watching couldn't help but to salute him out of deep respect.

To think that those outcomes of the investigation were already astonishing, there's more. One attentive pilot calculated YC's movements; in 3 seconds, within a distance of mere 100 meters, YC had already executed sharp low-angled turnings eight times! When the results were posted on the site, the pressure was exerted and the anxiety brewed!

Such technique was called the Low Angled Turning, the most practical and yet the most challenging technique to perform by the speedy models. Well, almost all pilots knew the trick but it was still the hardest one to play out. The sharp turnings while traveling at maximum speed would constantly bring discomfort to the pilot's body which would heighten as the speed increases.

Eight continuous Low Angled Turnings in three seconds was a baffling accomplishment. It was almost as if YC was a mutated ape from another galaxy.

The community thought that is was preposterous and started doubting if the calculation was done correctly or not. The network was a virtual reality. If he couldn't do it outside the virtual world, he could never do it here. The system would have prompted him about 'system failure' right away!

Questions filled the air about a man achieving the unachievable. Could a mortal's body be this durable?

Anyone that knew about the mysterious YC started to monitor him as fans awaited more mind-boggling matches to test the limits of their hearts.

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Chapter 18: Turn in Events

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YC is like a never-ending cave of treasure where one will not see the end because there's always a new trick up his sleeves that constantly caught everyone by surprise.

Skills ranged from the Thomas' Spin to the Wavy Step were classic moves that were like bread and butter to the pilots. As fundamental as they were, the skills became something that was extraordinary when executed by YC at the same time deadly as well. Moreover, his emergence shattered the dogma of how advanced techniques would win them all, and the superstitions of how a premium mech would determine victory in the general public. The trends have evolved into a new era where basic moves were in the spotlight once again.

There were even some who identified and compiled every set of moves used by YC in the visuals available as new references in the textbooks.

Not once did YC ever comment about his reputation. He had unfailingly challenged three pilots a day and vanished right after. No one could tell who he was and no one would know where he came from. He would always remain a mystery among the community which had initiated a cult of his fandom; those that crazed for his appearance and craved for his flaunt of skills.

Contrary to the habits of the pilots, YC had never operated only one particular kind of mech. Instead, he changed them regularly and all of them also happened to be the pre-made models. Pre-made models were more of the majority than modified models in the field. These models were mostly used of commoners like YC due to the fact that they could not afford to modify their mechs which would cost them a fortune. Plus, these standard models have stark disadvantages compared to the modified models but despite that, YC brought life into them. Every single ounce of the mechs' capacity had been utilized, their wills were resuscitated and the continuous episode of the weak surpassing the strong replayed on the battlefield.

Whenever YC piloted a different type of mech, a brand new variation of strategies would get showcased and it would be beyond everyone else's imagination! The ending of his moves could hardly be predicted like the master among the experts, every input was under his control and anything under his vicinity could be killing weaponry. Once the champion fighter, the Son of Light commented, "If he were to pilot a mech of the same level as mine, I'm not even sure whether I could take him down!"

The visuals of YC's battles were the hottest items in the virtual world.

YC could be seen as rather impulsive fighter to the other world, but he could not care less. Ye Chong was not concerned about whoever that sang for his victories and thirsted for his fights; his life would not be altered by them. The battles that he partook up until now was to sharpen his ability and to improvise the chance of survival on this dying planet of trash.

Without a doubt his mentor Mu Shang was amazed. "Hmm, this is a good trick. You could think about keeping it." Mu Shang praised as he watched Ye Chong performed a Low Angled Turning.

Later in the days, Ye Chong had a new daily task at hand which is to pilot Mu Shang! Wow, Mu actually pulled off a significant low angled turning about 20 times in three seconds! That is scary! Ye Chong mumbled to himself.

The first ride ended up as quite a horrifying experience to Ye Chong. He had to drag his feet out of the cabin with his face drained of color and his legs trembled. Before he could even utter a word, he threw up drastically and was forced to take a break for the next few days despite having a strong physique.

"Dammit Mu! How could you do this to me! You actually shut down the cabin pressure buffering system?" Ye Chong muttered in complain as he flopped on the bed while shooting a glare at Mu who was smirking at the side. Hmph!

"The side effect does not seem too bad. Hmmm, we could still increase intensity!" Ye Chong was exasperated but with a final blow, he was knocked out!

Mu was definitely not joking around and as expected, he really did raise the intensity by turning it up a notch!

Fortunately, Ye Chong too was not a typical fighter. With buffed up muscles like a mutated ape, he made it through the first few days of piloting Mu and as time passed, such training had become the easiest part of his day.

…

Jeb shrieked, "What?! We had lost contact?"

Butler Chew responded, "Yes! I too have not the slightest idea on what's going on, but we had indeed lost contact with the four mavericks we sent. They seemed to have disappeared… I suspect…"

"What do you suspect?"

Butler Chew glanced at his master, "I sus…suspect… they could be in grave danger!"

"Grave danger? What do you mean?"

"I had heard from Sir Luo that the mavericks hold the ability to disrupt the neurological system of a man's brain through the network of the virtual world, given they were strong enough… I speculated… were these happened to be…"

"For real?!" Jeb was fuming in disbelief. "Why does a man like me have never heard of such story? Are you pulling my legs?"

"No sire. There's no way I would dare to offend your greatness." The butler quickly begged for forgiveness, "I shall fulfill all the orders by your greatness, whatever it take, on my own. I would and only would do it by myself. If it's for your greatness, how would I dare to be negligent and let others take over?"

"Of course you wouldn't dare!" Jeb snorted. He hesitated for a moment, "Is this the end of the whole episode?" Jeb knew very well ever since he was born into a big family like this about the dangers of making enemies in the field; especially those who lurk in darkness whom he couldn't see.

Butler Chew exhaled in relief knowing that he would be the last one to die even in the worst case scenario. "Master is such a decisive and forgiving leader!" At the same time, he did not forget to butter up to Jeb. Jeb snickered at his compliment and felt overjoyed.

It has been three days since Angel had vaporized from the virtual world!

Day by day he feared and regretted of what he had done and wondered why he would be so impulsive as to accept that foolish request! The nightmare haunted him like a skeleton in the closet, clouding his mind.

He was furious! For a maverick like him, being forbidden to go on virtual web was like a bird losing its wings to fly! Regardless, he dared not oppose his own will; if virtual web was his wings, he would rather not to lose his life over it. For three days he curled up in the gloomy cottage, feeling a little insecure.

The fifth day came and the former glory gleam on his face was long gone. Now, all that was left were the horrors which prevailed from the torture he had been through.

On the eighth day, he snapped!

His wrinkled hands reached out to the helmet at the corner. If he were to die, an instant death was always better than suffering in pain.

Well, what am I even thinking? Maybe the guy didn't even recognize me at all. I'm just overthinking. Why would he care!?

His fingers gently caressed the round surface of the helmet. The expression plastered on his face was like one in a trance as he thought to himself; to go or not to go? The decisions drummed in his head. He still could not come to a decision.

At last, biting his teeth, he put on his helmet and logged in!

He became calm as he stood in a moving crowd and looked upon the virtual world.

He walked for few hours yet nothing had happened but a wave of relief washed over him. Apparently, it was indeed him overthinking things.

Tranquility started filling his heart as he began to hum and strolled towards a gathering spot for mavericks to get some info because there were still doubts that nagged in him.

Who was this YC? I had never heard of a maverick of such kind? He queried and would absolutely like to find out more about this guy.

And out of a sudden, the world shook!

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Chapter 19: Sudden Attack

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The ground shook and Angel felt sunken, as he was pulled beyond his own weight. He could barely react in time as he lost control of his body. It might be happening in the virtual world yet his body was soaked with cold sweat. A mystical voice boomed into his ears, "You have finally come! I have waited long enough!"

Angel replied in a trembled voice, "Who… Who are you?" He acted frankly, for it was perhaps the last day or the last moment of his life. The reason being that he would really want to know the identity of this man among the Mavericks, not with vengeance, but with admiration. YC had earned his respect during the battle before for his outstanding performance in any aspect of the field that Angel could not compete. Like an alpine mountain in his career, steep and craggy, YC became the idol in his mind. If he were to be dead afterwards, due to YC, Angel would be fine and have no complaint with that fact. He was prepared for the consequences, knowing the fact that YC could have been a member of the Mavericks all this while.

Angel froze alone in a distorted posture in place. There wasn't anybody around.

A fading voice flashed before him, "Keke, haven't you done your research? How could you still not know who I am?" The question had Angel pale and frightened, "I know I am impotent to you. But why the trickery? It's not funny."

… A moment of silence struck the place.

The voice lingered apologetically, "I'm sorry for what I've done just now!" And it dramatically turned into a blood-thirsty voice, "But I know. You are certain of why I am here. Aren't you?"

Angel shuddered. I knew it! What's coming to him would arrive in the end. Well, there wouldn't be a need for him to keep hiding anymore. Angel then confessed everything, from how he got his deal, to how he hacked into the core of the training ground, without holding back.

He was ready for death as he closed his eyes, with his mouth shut tightly immediately after the confession.

…

… He awaited his death, but nothing occurred. And by the time he had realized it, his body regained its mobility.

"If you want to kill me, just do it already!"

His shaking voice trailed off in the street where a few pedestrians had their eyes fixed on Angel in deep pity, as if seeing an idiot in his own melodrama.

Did he… let go of me… for real? He was in disbelief. He tried lifting himself up from his feet. The unforgettable voice from the previous oblivion was not ringing in his ears anymore. Angel, who held back his flooding tears, slammed the logout button at light speed!

At Luo's Research Center.

The manager rested in his cozy armchair, setting his eyes upon the view of the outside world through the highly transparent glass window. He watched the people below hurry by, as a feeling of serenity surged through his body, for he knew that this very research institute is the heart of the Luo family and is significant to what kept their family going strong. Due to Luo's authority, the existence of this institute had been safely protected in secret. The strength of this research center! It would be among the first few in the entire Fal galaxy. The lord of this family entrusted him with this center. What faith in his capability! He had thought so, as he snickered. An outsider earning this much of trust from the lord, this is more than a mere achievement.

But well, I heard there was a dispute between the young master and the lord… wonder if it's true… Sigh… every family has their own difficulty, not even the great lord, wise and decisive, could prevent this. Still, this was very strange. The young master had always been known for his gentle and humble nature, a genuine man, and a likeable character to the lord. Then why the dispute? Almost everyone in the house presumed the young master was to be the successor to the Luo family, even the lord himself claimed in a few occasions that the young master could take his legacy and become the next prominent figure in the family. Does that mean he is now keener towards the younger master? It couldn't be! That young man only knew how to spend his rotten life wallowing in his gambling and prostitution! There was not once he caused problem without raising the name of the Luo family. Oh, all the nonsense he had done! The people hate him! Even the lord hates him to the bone! The lord couldn't have been this dim-witted, could he?

The fiasco panicked everyone under the roof. There hadn't been good news coming from the authority and nobody wanted to know the details, for it would cost their head if they knew about it!

His pondering was interrupted by the alarm that came wailing.

Luo Renhuo jumped up from his chair and rushed to the lobby, upholding his nature of responsibility, always being in the frontline, as complimented by his lord.

The institute had descended into chaos. The researchers scurried around in fear.

He scowled and shouted, "What's with the panic! Everyone, get back into your positions! Mo Lianfu, what's going on?" His steadiness influenced the men and the situation became under control. His reputation among the men had pacified the institute!

A slender man quickly reported, "Manager, we have been attacked! Our processor was damaged and we have lost control! What should we do? We are doomed at this rate!"

"Lost control?" His head was bombarded by bewilderment for a while, with his eyes reflecting the horrified look of Mo Lianfu awaiting for further commands.

Luo Ren was finally conscious, surely he could not go wrong at this stage, if not, everything else would go wrong!

They sprinted to the processor control room, where the usually empty room was crowded by people by then. None of the crowd were tranquil.

An aged researcher waved at them.

"Elder Mo, how's the situation? Could we retrieve control?" Manager's tone was somber, but he tried maintaining respect towards Elder Mo,for he was Mo Lianfu's grandfather, who also happened to be the senior researcher in the institute. Even the lord would address him as Elder Mo.

Elder Mo shook his head, "It's really, really bad. The attacker might have been a Maverick, who snuck in stealthily into our institute. Ohh… how could we have not notice! The shame!" Elder Mo felt sorry for his helplessness.

"Is there really no way to resolve this?" Manager Luo nervously asked.

Elder Mo pointed his fingers towards ten men in helmets, "Well we would have to depend on them. They are the experts among the Mavericks we could find, hopefully they could at least trace the attacker in the virtual network." He pondered, "It would be best if you inform the lord right away and call for aid!"

Manager Luo went to connect with the communicator on the spot, as the research institute held great significance, all the reporting goes to the master, directly!

Connection failed. Connection failed. Connection failed. He tried connecting for sometime but all of them failed. The manager's face further drained. An intuition pulsed within him that something bad had happened. What if the lord was attacked too? His heart skipped a beat. This is a planned attack! Everything was well chained and well guarded! And they could only passively stay. Who in the world is this brilliant attacker?

He whispered, "Elder Mo, stay here and watch over everybody. I'll go get backup from the lord." And he jumped right through the window.

Wait! This is the 80th floor of the building! Manager!

As he fell freely in the air, his right pointing finger and middle finger fondled the mech warping button and in an instant, a blazing red humanoid mech appeared before him. He grabbed the right arm swiftly and slid into the cabin.

All engines on! Full speed due northwest!

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Chapter 20: Aftermath

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When Manager Luo made his arrival at Luo's HQ, he finally realized how serious the situation had turned out.

The Luos suffered immense loss this time! It is beyond calculation! When he saw the lord, he couldn't believe his eyes. The sulky man in his elderly was the wisest leader of the family for the past 200 years. The confidence, grace and exerting pride were no longer seen by then. The lord before him was merely an elder in despair. There wasn't much for him to do anymore, thus the manager backed away.

This time, the resultant attack caused an estimated loss that everyone in the house feared. A fatal blow in the record of the Luo's reign. If it wasn't for the young master who took over the place straightaway after the raid, the chaos would not have ended just yet.

The raid's source was inferred to have come from the virtual world as all units that made direct connection to the virtual world were involved in the attack. Moreover though, in this raid the attacker had also applied indirect attacks with external forces, meaning the inputs were too from the network. After some analysis made by Luo's own technicians, these attacks were believed to be done singlehandedly. That means, there could only be one man on the other side!

If it's so, it would be terrorizing! One man? One man who could perform such detailed planning with such complicated calculation, instantaneously on all units? Does he have shadow partners or something? At this point, everyone showed disbelief.

The attacker did not leave any form of trail, not even his input calculations. Statistics depicted that right at the first moment of the attack, there had already been 89 Mavericks and more than 200 technicians at an attempt to stop the coming attack in the virtual network. The figure showed a steep increase to 152 mavericks and about 400 technicians online. The manpower of the Luo's was so powerful, even the Ji family, the expert of the experts for the processor that would not be easy to take on, yet they failed to even identify the attacker. The attack could not be stopped. They could only watch everything that was happening before them.

Who is this attacker? Why is he attacking the Luo? Revenge? Anger? Other kinds of motive? The questions puzzled the young master who had just taken over. Luo Heng was disturbed. If he could not find out who the attacker was, then he would have to bear the upcoming attacks unknowingly. This is really bad for the family! This would be equivalent to being choked by the attacker as all the business running under the institute had connections with the virtual world!

People around speculated that this could be done purposely by other competing families in Fal, as it seemed they could be the only suspects. But only Luo Heng was well aware that it could never be them. The 4 major families that held the veins of technological development in Fal, the Luo, the Yuan, the Gu and the Ji families. They all shared similar strengths. Even if the second strongest Ji families could not have wounded the Luo this hard. Plus, the connections between the families were more than just complications. There had been various occasions where they had cross-family marriages, balancing out the mutuality among them carefully. He believed that such kind of attack would not benefit any of them in the long run and none of the family would be this short-sighted.

Out of the blue, the communicator buzzed on the desk.

He knotted his brows briefly. Haven't I told them that I do not want to be disturbed at the moment?

He pressed the accept button, a partially translucent interface showed up before him. Oddly enough, there wasn't anything on the screen and a dubious voice came from the other side, "Greetings. It was such a pity that I could not appear to celebrate this occasion. Oh, I almost forgot! Congratulations on becoming the successor of the family!"

You have finally showed up huh! Luo Heng almost could not hold his agitation, "Who are you! And why are you attacking the Luo! What has the Luo family done to you?"

The voice replied teasingly, "Well for that, you have to ask your own brother! To avoid any unnecessary inconvenience, I decided to demonstrate a little bit of my capability, just enough to warn you all!"

Jeb! Luo Heng roared in his heart, "Very well then, how would you like to end this?" Luo Heng acknowledged the difference between them, thus he put them aside inferiorly.

The person tittered in the communicator, "I've already said, this is merely a forewarning. If you all could leave me alone, perhaps I could save some more time and not waste it on things like this! So, my recommendation would be, you all should abort any kinds of actions against me. Of course, this is only my two-cents. If you have confidence in your men, you could just disregard it and let it slip by like a winter breeze. But, you better be prepared for my next attack!"

What a blatant threat! Dammit! The young master cursed in his mind, but there's nothing else better than this for things to end. The Luo currently needed time more than anything else, to rebuild forces. He weakly responded, "Are you sincere in your words?"

"Certainly. Honesty is always my virtue!"

"Alright then! We have a deal!"

A knock on the door resounded from the other side of the room,

"Hmm, looks like it is time for me to leave. Good bye!" The screen darkened as the call was hung up.

"Come in!"

His assistance walked in and humbly reminded, "Master, your break time is over, next on the schedule would be …"

"Go get Jeb right now!"

At the Fal Mech-Pilot Association (FMPA), the shortie was chatting with the tallie.

The tallie laughed, "Did you check out that match with YC?"

"I did!" The shortie nodded.

"How was it?"

"He has very firm foundation in his skills. Not many men could be better in this regard!"

The tallie was a bit surprised, "Oh, that means you think that he is underperforming in everything else than the basic moves?"

"Yes, I do agree the fact that he still needs some tweaks in other aspects of piloting, but I must say, he sure had some shocking growth over time!"

The tallie agreed, "Right! His talent is beyond expertise! A bright future lies ahead of him!"

"Yeahhh!"

"What's your count on him?"

Shortie was proud, "In 3 years, he would still not even be my opponent!"

The tallie giggled, "What about 3 years after?"

"Well it would have to depend on his rate of improvement! But at this point, there's a high chance he could easily surpass me in 3 years…"

The tallie lowered his voice, "I guess they had started to notice him, haven't they?"

"Such talent, with such a grand debut he made in the battlefield, how he could expect they would not notice?"

"Do you think he would be chosen?"

The shortie asserted, "Of course he would!"

"Are you sure?"

The shortie was serious in his tone, "That man was as if he was born for mech!"

"But… the FMPA says they don't even have a profile for him!"

"Well then, just let them be bothered with that, we watch our match!"

The tallie chuckled, "Right!"

Chapter 21: Into the Woods

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As expected, nothing else mattered to Ye Chong - nothing but the opponent before him.

The battlefield was set the woods; which was not commonly used since most mech pilots today combat in space. Even within the atmosphere, battles usually took place in the sky, which was why mech models that specialized in shooting became conventional.

Shooting was always Ye Chong's Achilles' heel, since he had never so much as to wield even the most rudimentary model of ray guns. The galaxy's government had strict policies on weapon disposal - this meant that Ye Chong had lived with only physical ammunitions, and that space pirates would not be able to resupply their ammunition from trash planets.

NR Training without physical feedback had its limits since mental and physical developments are complementary, and one cannot improve without the other. Ye Chong faced the exact same problem during his shooting practice, and even Mu Shang could not offer any further assistance.

The thought of Mu Shang lifted his spirits, and Ye Chong smiled a little, wondering what the mech was up to these days.

Ah, distraction amidst a battle was bad - Ye Chong quickly gathered his thoughts.

The mech he was using now was a deep purple Dark Shadow; a high level assault type model. The body was thin and elongated that enabled high agility at a close range; it stood at eight and a half meters tall, shorter than the average height of ten meters. The mech was equipped remarkably - two durable magnetic daggers that looked as dark as night, its quality far better than that of the Raven's. Unlike laser sabers, they blend into darkness; a perpetual threat that remained largely hidden from sight. A thirty-centimeter long sickle adorned both its wrists respectively - these double-edged blades were made of densely compressed metal alloys, capable of slicing through most mech armors. Ye Chong approved in particular the way the sickle was further coated with black paint to avoid unwanted glaring. The mech's calves were similarly armed. Other concealed weapons like retractable blades from the tip of its feet could be found on numerous parts of the mech, and Ye Chong, who was always one for guiles and craftiness appreciated them a lot. This was far more acceptable than his little trick of attaching the barbs on Winnie.

If the mech was coated with black paint all over, it would be perfect, thought Ye Chong.

The Dark Shadow was an unorthodox choice. It had no long-ranged weapons, which meant the pilot must be skillful enough in combat at close range. Since long-ranged attacks were currently typical, this mech model was widely ignored. On the other hand, in order to improve flexibility, the mech's body armor was deliberately constructed thin which made it a vulnerable target. Moreover, while the Dark Shadow could manage impressively over a short period, its low energy storage meant that long distance travel was nearly impossible; essentially making it obsolete for space travel. These were the many reasons this particular model was left in the dust.

Ye Chong was familiar with all the peculiarities of the Dark Shadow, so he opposed of the popular opinion. Since Dark Shadow was designed for assassination purposes, undoubtedly it was unsuited for one-on-one battles. One should not blame the design of a mech when it performed poorly in something it was not intended for.

His opponent's mech was a modified one - eight bazookas that gave the impression of a porcupine, a pair of 50k grade double barrel particle cannons, and another pair of 20k grade photon gun made up part of its arsenal. Compared to guns, they looked more like full-sized cannons! There were two more supersonic guns; their attacks could penetrate through armor and strike the pilot's body directly, causing nausea and dizziness. The smallest weapon holstered at the waist however, was what bothered Ye Chong the most - a Fallilang laser sniper rifle. Laser rifles were known to have impeccable aiming, and the Fallilang was legendary - a fifteen-kilometer shot would have an error margin of half a millimeter, and its laser intensity could burn through the armor of all but a few of the best mechs. There was also a ten-mega pulse heat ray gun for wide range attacks, covering the mech's blind spots. The mech looked odd; perhaps even ugly would better describe it, for it looked more like a moving fortress than a mech.

Ye Chong thought it looked like a heavily armed castle in the air.

Look at the side of that body - it could surely hold much more power than the Dark Shadow, therefore afford dragging the battle all day and all night. Ye Chong cursed inside - this was his first time facing such a crazy mech.

Due to the varied geography and topology of the battleground, both participants of the battle would be sent to separate random locations within it.

Time to enter the woods. Ye Chong thought coldly. One of the Dark Shadow's coveted features was its capability to reverse locating system. Deep within the labyrinths of the woods, it would be difficult to catch on to the Dark Shadow.

Ye Chong moved through the thicket cautiously, unaware that silence had spread throughout the audience.

As Ye Chong began to gain popularity, more and more people came to view his battles. Today, the audience seats were fully occupied, and multiple screens available on the viewing podium caught Ye Chong's movements from every possible angle.

It was easy to understand the audiences' surprise. While the Dark Shadow was famed for its agility, Ye Chong still managed to make his way through the trees at a remarkably fast pace without slowing down; much like an unimpeded gust of wind. How was that possible? The spectators were shocked! Wild trunks and thick vines sprawled throughout the primeval forest; even a slow journey through the woods would have to be made with care.

Ye Chong was one that possessed terrifying skills!

However, these were merely survival skills for Ye Chong. The trash planet's maze of waste materials was far worse to maneuver through compared to the current landscape; to hunt for the mutants that live amongst the trash meant that the hunter had to move faster and better than his prey, for the alternative menu of disgusting liquid food was appalling! Even when Ye Chong first began piloting Winnie, he did not have to worry about the matter anymore. Mu's training further sharpened his skills, and Ye Chong could now find his way through challenging territory with ease.

Out of the blue, a deafening crackle boomed from the southwest.

Ye Chong hunched in anticipation like a panther, approaching the source of the sound silently. His sharp movements won another gasp of admiration from the audience.

Ye Chong hid behind a particularly dense area of the tree canopy, carefully observing his opponent.

The opponent mech had no intentions of battling with Ye Chong amongst the trees. Instead, it stayed in midair and cleared a wide perimeter around itself with its firepower. Once Ye Chong entered the clearing, there would be no place to hide from the deadly threats of the laser beams and cannon fire.

Ye Chong was in deep trouble!

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Chapter 22: A Chance Reunion

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Ye Chong was still flushed with indignation, the pain from being torn apart earlier still lingered within him.

The opponent was unexpectedly cunning to lay a trap amidst the trees. The blasts used to clear a perimeter around it were merely a bait; the trees surrounding the clearing was littered with mines, forming a circular minefield, and Ye Chong triggered the mines when he approached the clearing. What's more, the opponent detected Ye Chong immediately when the mines were triggered, and so the chain reaction of the explosive mines combined with cannon fire from the opponent led to his instantaneous and thorough annihilation! A swift death!

The spectators were wildly impressed with Invincible Firepower's strategies - the three cannon blasts used to clear the perimeter not only managed to create a leveled clearing, but also avoid triggering the mines surrounding it thus, showing great expertise in firepower control. However, the most exciting of all was how the mech noticed YC almost immediately after he triggered the mines, but at that time, both were still separated by a few enormous trees, blocking one's view of the other!

From then on, Invincible Firepower rose to fame!

That particular battle also encouraged a wider range of battle strategies, and many mech accessories that were previously left in the cold were receiving newfound attention!

Of course, this was all irrelevant for Ye Chong. He had yet to figure out a way to beat Invincible Firepower, the greatest weakness of all short range mechs! Ye Chong grew frustrated as he continued to devise ways to defeat the mech.

In a blink of an eye, his surroundings changed, and Ye Chong found himself transported elsewhere.

Without a doubt, this must be Mu Shang's doing!

Mu Shang spoke anxiously, "Ye, look for the news with ID 020242985." It did not sound like its usual calm self.

Ye Chong looked around and realized that he was at the main area of the News Square, with a news screen display before him. Ye Chong was perplexed. "What is it, Mu?"

"You'll know when you see it!" Its somber voice glazed with menace.

Ye Chong keyed in the ID, and a news piece came to live - when he fathomed the headlines, Ye Chong paled immediately.

Xiu had been at Sun Xuelin's house for days. Xiu's parents, who were Sun Xuelin's second aunt and partner, had been transferred to the Luo galaxy. The trip there was long and dangerous so it was arranged for Xiu to stay with the Sun family, under the care of Sun Haining and his wife. For convenience, Xiu had transferred to Sun Xuelin's school. Sun Xuelin's parents were fond of their delicate and gentle niece, and saw to her every need. Moreover, Sun Xuelin and Xiu were close like sisters.

During dinner, Sun Haining asked after his niece's studies. "Xiu, will you and Xuelin be having an exam for your mech subject this year?"

Xiu, who had just transferred was still unfamiliar with such things. She cocked her head slightly, and casted her puppy eyes at Sun Xuelin, asking for help.

Su Xuelin nodded, "Yeah! Everyone in school has to!"

Xiu's lips thinned, unsatisfied with the school's policy, but she still managed to look adorable.

Sun Xuelin's mother served more fare on Xiu's plate, and spoke softly, "Then you'll have to work hard! Xuelin can help with your studies. Oh, I remember you two were attending daily trainings at the NR Training Center. How did that go?"

At the mention of the NR Training Center, Xiu slumped a little, and focused on her meal, unwilling to speak. Sun Xuelin was also looking a little awkward while stuffing herself mechanically.

Her mother was surprised. "Ah, Xuelin, I thought you never liked celery! Whatever led to a change of mind?"

Sun Xuelin blushed intensely, but continued to fill her mouth indiscriminately as if nothing was wrong.

Xiu, who was feeling a little down, cannot suppress a slight chuckle.

Sun Haining appeared to be oblivious of the duo's emotional turn. "Xuelin, that YC guy that you mentioned last time is amazing!"

Sun Xuelin and Xiu both let out an unintentional gasp, and stared at Sun Haining.

Her father reminded them, "Did you forget about him? The guy whom you said was skilled at piloting the Raven and performed a Wavy Leap?"

Sun Xuelin grew anxious. "What about the YC guy?" Xiu stared at Sun Haining with her pearly eyes, interested in the conversation.

Sun Haining was pleased to have the attention of the two young girls, but kept that to himself. Instead, he went off tangent. "Oh dear me, my plate is empty. Hmm, my favorite dish is the sweet and sour fish, it is simply wonderful! Hah!"

Xiu was stunned speechless by the man's diversion.

Sun Xuelin, however, was already familiar with her father's gimmicks; she immediately grabbed a large bowlful of sweet and sour fish and emptied it into her father's plate in one smooth motion, obviously well-versed in her role as a daughter.

Xiu observed her hosts bug-eyed as Sun Haining's wife gave a discrete laugh, used to their antics.

Sun Haining chewed on a piece of fish, and closed his eyes to savor the taste. "Ah, this is good food…"

He opened his eyes to the glaring eyes of his daughter, empty bowl trembling in her right hand on the verge of eruption. Sun Haining sobered a little and decided to not push any further. "Haven't you heard about the YC guy? He's going viral on the net, his battle videos are the hottest things around, and even I have watched a few of them… The man's got skills! Hmm…" he continued.

Clunk* Sun Haining lay spread-eagled on the floor with a huge bowl covered on his face, and his next words muffled by the bowl.

Sun Xuelin made a face and pulled Xiu along to her room. Her laughs ringing softly like wind chimes.

Sun Xuelin's mother called from behind her, "Finish your meal first!"

Sun Xuelin yelled back, "We're finished!"

Her mother chided fondly, "What a difficult child!"

"Dear, could you help me take this bowl off of my face… That young lady sure put her strength into it!"

"Well you did tease her first, so you deserved it!"

"Oh heavens, my hair… Oh…" he exclaimed as his wife chuckled at his current state.

It turned out that he was always in the battle grounds! The two girls exchanged a smile, and logged on to the virtual world hurriedly.

Sun Xuelin and Xiu watched YC's battle videos in fascination - who would have thought he had switched mechs, and seemed to have behaved more maturely. The uninitiated Xiu might thought YC looked cooler in his recent battles, but Xuelin understood that the guy had improved tremendously, and lauded the moments where his wisdom brought him success in battles.

"Xiu, let's go watch him battle tomorrow!"

"Let's go!" Xiu nodded in agreement!

What they did not know was, at that moment, light-years away, Ye Chong was facing the greatest crisis he had ever encountered!

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Chapter 23: Iron Will

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"On February 8th, that is, next Thursday, there will be a massive stellar flare in the trash planet cluster. The planets that will have a greater impact would be trash planets 6, 9 and 13. Public interplanetary travels will remain unaffected. However, to avoid unnecessary damages, the Environment Department will halt all trash disposals scheduled for these three trash planets. The government appeals to the public to reduce waste disposal during these times to cooperate with the Environment Department's efforts."

Stellar flare?! Ye Chong felt a little unsteady upon hearing the news.

He laughed harshly. After so many years of enduring his life on that Godforsaken planet, it seemed that he was not destined to leave it, ever.

A stellar flare was destructive to all forms of life. It was like a comb that groomed the extents of its reach, and eliminating all life in its path.

Ye Chong climbed out of Mu's cabin being scared out of his wits.

Upon his return, Mu gasped, "This is bad. The pulse signals are cut off!"

Ye Chong shrugged at Mu's worry as he was too distracted.

His and Mu's connection with the outside world was severed. Ye Chong slumped lazily on his chair feeling unreasonably at peace. Ye Chong had made his peace with death after surviving on this trash planet for years while escaping countless of demise along the way. Although, he felt a little helpless for he had struggled relentlessly to survive and believed that he could overcome his destiny, but it seemed that fate was ignorant of his efforts. Now, he realized that he was nothing but a speck of dust amongst the stars, and could not help but feel a little bitter.

Mu did not speak, but its electronic blinking eyes suggested that its photon processor was racing for a solution.

The duo kept their silence in the darkness, interrupted only by the haunting flashes of Mu Shang's bionic eyes.

The next morning, Mu woke Ye Chong up.

The first thought that came to Ye Chong's mind was to begin his physical training, but that was immediately replaced by the realization that his life was about to end in a few days. No human body could withstand a stellar flare; not even with Ye Chong's intensive training, and so he dismissed his plans.

Mu on the other hand was focused on something else. "Ye, there's something I have to tell you!"

"What is it?" The mech looked solemn, and Ye Chong thought it appeared funny. Fortunately, Mu will not die with him because stellar flares were harmless against non-organic matter. Ye Chong took solace in that, but Mu will have to face the loneliness that he himself had gone through. Now, that was something Ye Chong would like to find out - what would Mu be like without anyone else to talk to!

"Ye, based on my calculations, we still have a chance of survival!" Mu exclaimed in all seriousness.

"Chance? What chance? What do you have in mind?" Ye Chong asked skeptically.

Mu, "We leave this planet!"

Ye Chong immediately put a hand on Mu's forehead to examine its temperature. "Mu, did you get short-circuited from all the tension? Leave this planet? How can we do that without a space ship? If it was possible, I would not have continued to stay in this awful place."

Mu was unperturbed. "Based on my calculations, while I have no experience in space travel, the attempt is still theoretically possible!"

"Theoretically? What do you mean?"

Mu explained, "I did a few simulations, and the probability of success is nonzero!"

Ye Chong fixed his eyes on the mech. "How much is that?"

Mu replied calmly, "About 20 to 47 percent!"

Ye Chong stroked his chin, evaluating the odds. "Hmm, it's a little low…"

"And your decision is?"

Ye Chong gave a strong and decisive wave of his arm while declaring firmly, "We'll do it! Of course we will, it's better than sitting around doing nothing!"

"Very well," Mu Shang calmly responded.

Ye Chong looked at the mech intensely. "You don't have to do this. The stellar flare will not harm you. You don't have to take the risks for me."

Mu Shang opposed coldly, "Based on value theory, this decision would yield the maximum value."

Ye Chong smirked, and shrugged. "Sure, whatever you say. Now, what do we have to do?"

"Repair the pilot's cabin, and replenish our energy supply. I will require a great amount of energy!"

The pair made haste to gather all the energy cells, and connected them to the solar panels.

Ye Chong sat in the pilot's cabin and inspected the palm-sized hole on the left wall. By the seared edges of the hole, it must have been the result of a laser weapon. Ye Chong sighed dishearteningly, "This will not be easy, and we don't have the required materials or the tools!"

"If you can't fix it, the chances of your survival in the cabin are zero!" Mu said sternly.

Ye Chong was despondent, but gritted his teeth and continued to resolve the problem. Materials, materials… Ye Chong mumbled quietly. The metals in the trash were not fit for interstellar travel, so what now?

What he needed was a strong and resilient material with good impact endurance; preferably flat pieces since he did not have the tools to shape the raw material.

Unexpectedly, Ye Chong finally pieced the puzzles together - he knew exactly where to get what he wanted!

Mu flew past mountains and mountains of trash with Ye Chong sitting in its cabin, and enjoying the thrill of the rapid flight. But the hole in the cabin whizzed from the winds, dampening his mood.

"Are you sure they are useful?" Mu Shang asked, evidently doubtful.

Ye Chong replied unconvincingly, "It should be… I remembered even Winnie could not pierce through them."

Ye Chong was referring to the scales of the iron lizard. The creature sat firmly on top of the trash planet's food chain. It was vicious, and boasted impossible strength, but the most troublesome feature of all was the defensive system of scales covering its body - scales that were so strong, they defy metallic blades and bullets.

Ye Chong had found an iron lizard's nest by accident once, but dared not have purposes to fight the beast. He was certain that Winnie would not be able to withstand a blow from the reptile's humongous tail. He had also witnessed the lizard's clash with a group of crimson newts which ended in minutes. The lizard had plunged its way mightily through the newts, unhindered by the greater number of its enemies, and that left a deep impression in Ye Chong. The sharp claws of the crimson newts would normally slice through metal, but they left no marks on the scales of the great lizard. That too was something that Ye Chong remembered, and was now convinced they were exactly what he needed.

They were closing in on the lizard's nest, and Ye Chong signaled Mu Shang to slow down.

The seven-meter long titanium pole was sharpened to a point, gleaming coldly.

As expected, the iron lizard was in there, delightfully savoring the meat of a crimson newt. Newt meat was good fare, and was the lizard's favorite food as well. Ye Chong knew how delicious the crimson newts can be too, but those creatures hide well, and were not easy prey; only the iron lizard could put their claws to the challenge and claim them as food.

As Mu Shang flew calmly towards the lizard, Ye Chong bubbled in excitement - this was going to be a duel between the strongest of Trash Planet 6, how could he not?

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Chapter 24: Lizard Slayer

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Mu stepped forward elegantly, as if strolling leisurely through a garden, giving no signs of what he was about to do. One of his arms wielded a seven-meter long titanium pole, pointed at an angle towards the feasting iron lizard.

The lizard's brown body was covered with a thick layer of powdery blue scales. It rose, as if aware of somebody approaching with an intention to kill, and its blood red eyes locked onto Mu Shang. Ye Chong, despite sitting inside Mu Shang's cabin, felt a cold shudder.

The lizard looked fearsome enough lying around its meal; now that it raised its head, it looked like an armor-clad hill, casting a large shadow on the ground.

Mu Shang kept his thoughts to himself, silently observing the beast from where it stood, as though he was God looking down arrogantly from high above, and the lizard was but an insignificant ant.

The lizard behaved cautiously, as though sensing the dangers ahead. It scratched the earth with its forelegs repeatedly and growled.

Ye Chong was viewing the exchange from an entirely different perspective. With his helmet on, he could see his surroundings from various angles thanks to Mu Shang's numerously concealed cameras. A seamless integration with the photon processor meant that Ye Chong felt as though he was not in the cabin, but right in front of the lizard itself.

Ye Chong gaped, for this… This was too amazing! Although Ye Chong had gone through NR Training and piloted a few mechs, not one of them could compare to Mu Shang - all the other mechs could only show the external view from multiple display screens.

For the very first time, Ye Chong thought of Mu Shang's origins as shrouded in mystery.

Before he could reflect any further, his view abruptly changed, and a rotating hologram of the iron lizard appeared before him, until a beep was sounded. The hologram was overlaid with a network of tiny squares and a square below the lizard's chin turned red.

Ye Chong heard an unfamiliar electrically synthesized voice declare, "Scanning completed, target confirmed!"

Mu leapt from a tall mountain of trash, silent like a bat. If the full moon was behind the mech, one might mistake it as a Prince from the orbiting natural satellite in all its elegance and reserve, fatally alluring.

Can a mech have human qualities? Ye Chong could not believe his eyes, but the events were unfolding right before him, and the truth was undeniable.

Suddenly, his vision shifted, and Ye Chong found himself staring right into the lizard's eyes. Ye Chong felt his heart race - at this distance, he could even make out the peculiar patterns on the lizard's scales.

If anyone were there to witness what had happened, they would have described it as an inexplicable event - Mu Shang was in mid-air as he suddenly vanished, and appeared just as unexpectedly to the side of the lizard's head. It was as if the mech broke the rules of space and time, appearing and disappearing at will.

That was why Ye Chong suddenly found the lizard right before him.

The lizard was also surprised; its large head raised, and its hind legs stepped back.

Right when the lizard raised its head, there was a flash of silver - the titanium pole's sharp end drew a silver arc in the air, reflecting light off its tip. Mu had swung the pole fast and steady, and the wind shrieked as though the weapon had damaged the fabric of space itself.

SHIICK! The pole penetrated deep into the lizard's exposed throat. The iron lizard's eyes widened, its maroon eyes fixed on Mu. The mech did not return the gesture, but retreated to about twenty meters away from the lizard and observed his work.

The lizard seemed to come a realization of what had happened. It whined piercingly in vain, its voice echoing through mountains of trash, until it fell silent. The lizard's huge eyes were devoid of life, as the creature was finally dead. Saliva mixed with blood drooled from the edges of its mouth, trickling out from the inch-wide gaps between its teeth onto the ground.

This was the first time Ye Chong witnessed Mu's true strength! And it was strong as hell!

Ye Chong could not forget that fatal blow from the titanium pole - that scene with the silver arc coupled with the whiz from the weapon's swing through the air kept playing in his head over and over again.

He did not really hear Mu asking him to start peeling the scales, as he was still very much distracted and was in a daze.

It took him awhile to shake off the euphoria and began removing the lizard's scales.

Ye Chong spoke as he worked, "Mu, that stab of yours was perfect! Absolutely perfect!"

Mu was unmoved. "Perfect? Far from it! That stab was lacking something that is most important!"

Ye Chong was baffled, as his hands stopped working. "What's this most important thing?"

Mu stopped working too, and patiently explained, "It's the spirit! Although that stab of mine was perfect in terms of power, angle and opportunity, it still lacked spirit, or rather, it lacked a soul! While I do not know who said this, but it was stored in my memory chip. I believe there must be something right about this statement. However, I had been unable to grasp what it is. My skills have already utilized the potential of today's photon processors to its maximum, but in end, I am not human! This soul thing seemed to be something unique to humans!"

"Spirit…" Ye Chong murmured, as he fell into deep thought. All this while, he had thought himself to be an able mech pilot, and his battles seemed to prove the point. But watching Mu's attack earlier made him realize that he still had much to catch up with - as he was, he could not possibly evade that stabbing attack. However, Ye Chong kept himself optimistic. Being discouraged and feeling inferior would not help him - Ye Chong believed that, with hard work, he could achieve and even surpass Mu's abilities!

Mu lifted a piece of lizard scale and bended it here and there. "Not bad! Its strength is at 8.12, and its resilience is between 7.0 and 7.2. Such solid material coupled with high resilience is sure a rare find!"

The scale was placed on the ground, and Mu directed his right arm at it. A silver glow zoomed towards the scale, and Ye Chong heard a slight thump, as dust around the scale was sent flying in waves away from the center, where the scale lay.

Mu picked up the scale - besides a little mark at its center, the scale was largely untouched. Mu nodded approvingly. "This is good material. Ye, let us not waste any of it!"

Ye Chong agreed. "Of course, we might not come across something as good as this again!" There were cracks spreading outwards like spiderwebs where the scale laid, and Ye Chong shuddered internally.

The pair removed all the scales from the lizard's body. Ye Chong bet that the creature had never been so naked before! He had also collected bottles of the iron lizard's blood. Of course, he was also curious as to how the meat tasted like, and so Ye Chong severed off its front limb and brought it home, reluctantly leaving the rest of the lizard's huge carcass behind. Tsk tsk, too bad I need to get out of this place quick, or your meat would have lasted me a good long time!

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Chapter 25: Into Darkness

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"Are you sure about this?" Mu Shang skeptically asked.

Ye Chong shrugged helplessly and said, "I don't know, this stuff was always taken care of by my Papa, and I've only tried it a few times. Plus, we used giant landworms' blood back then, how can we get those now when we're running out of time? I just thought it might be worth trying to use the lizard's blood! It will be best if it works out, else we'll have to start digging for those worms!"

Ye Chong poured the iron lizard's blood into a container, added a few nameless ingredients, and heated the container with a stove placed underneath. A moment later, the liquid mixture started to bubble, and Ye Chong continuously stirred it with a stick. The liquid gradually turned red, then blue; the bluish glow on Ye Chong's face made him look like an evil witch concocting a cursed potion. Even the ever daring Mu flashed his bionic eyes in alarm.

They had obtained the iron lizard's scales, and those were indeed good for repairing the cabin, but soldering the scales with the metallic hull of the mech was a big problem! There were no tools at hand, and while one could say that one cannot make bricks without clay, having only clay without any appropriate tools did not mean bricks would come easy.

Fortunately, Ye Chong was bright, and came up with an alternative way! Back when he tried to attach the barbs on Winnie's knees, Papa had a few ideas and, after a few trials and errors, invented an odd formula to produce a strong binding agent. The formula was effective - or at least, Winnie's barbs had survived dozens of impacts without it falling off - and that was why Ye Chong was confident with the binding agent.

However, replacing landworm's blood with the iron lizard's might affect the results, and he was a little anxious about it.

Ye Chong carefully stirred the liquid in the container, and stopped when the liquid began to radiate a faint fragrant smell. As Ye Chong inhaled the alluring smell, he suddenly had a thought that, perhaps, this liquid would taste amazing… And just as quickly, he banished that devilish thought. Impulse is the devil, impulse is the devil… Ye Chong repeated the mantra in his mind, but when his vision passed by the stirring stick's end dipped in blue, Ye Chong could not help but swallow a hard gulp.

He took out two pieces of metal sheets, painted a layer of the binding agent on them, and immediately stuck them together and dropped them into the water tank beside him. The blue liquid squeezed out between the boards when it met with water and turned colourless in the blink of an eye.

Ye Chong scooped up the two metallic sheets and wiped them dry. He then passed them to Mu Shang.

"It's done?" Mu Shang asked.

Ye Chong replied carelessly, "I don't know, that's why I need you to test it!"

Mu took the boards and tested them a little. "They seem alright, but what we want is to bind biological and metallic materials together!"

Ye Chong smiled at that. "I've already thought of that!" He procured a tiny piece of iron lizard scale.

The experiment was a success, or at least, they were successful under these conditions!

Ye Chong then took the largest scale he could find, brushed on a thick layer of blue liquid, and slapped it over the large hole in the cabin. The hole was sealed firmly, but Ye Chong was not satisfied yet, and added a few more scales on top.

Mu Shang did not mince its words. "Your handiwork is absolutely ugly!"

Ye Chong observed the crude patching of the cabin's walls, and declared, "That may be, and I might not know much about it, but this could be an artwork of enormous depth! Do I need to patch another layer from the outside?"

Mu Shang replied, "That is not necessary. We do not have a ventilation system. If we patch from both sides, the air pressure inside would be fatal when we make a space jump!"

Ye Chong came to realize the implications. "Oh, understood! But what should we do with the leftover scales?" He pointed at the heap of iron lizard's scales on the floor. They had removed every single piece of scale from the lizard, but who would have thought they only needed a few? There were still many left, and it would be a waste to leave the scales behind, but how could they bring them all along?

Mu proclaimed, "There's still space in my alternate dimension, let's keep them there!"

Ye Chong, an athletic looking young man, appeared skinny before the huge Mu Shang. The pair sat side by side on the peak of a trash mountain closest to Ye Chong's home. Behind them was the towering structure of the Pulse Signal Relay Station. It was evening, and the orange-yellow radiance from the nearest star lent vitality and warmth to the desolate planet.

The duo sat quietly, just like that, unwilling to spoil the rare moment of peace and quiet!

The last of the star's shining rays vanished beyond the horizon. Mu spoke up, "The energy cells are charged! It's time for us to move!"

Ye Chong nodded. Although the most important step was finished, both of them still had plenty to do.

Ye Chong sat in the pilot's cabin. The initially spacious cabin was packed with all kinds of energy cells, till Ye Chong could not even move in his seat. With his helmet on, the outside view came clearly to his mind.

Suddenly, Ye Chong was hit with a pang of dismay - it was here where he and Papa had lived for more than a decade; he knew every nook and cranny of this place, and every trash mountain held traces of his many adventures.

Ye Chong let out a long, heavy breath.

No matter where he went, it was all for survival!

Ye Chong gave a long look at the place where he grew up in, and spoke hoarsely, "Mu, let's go!"

Mu Shang slowly rose to a low altitude, and abruptly accelerated vertically towards the sky.

Ye Chong watched as the Pulse Signal Relay Station beneath him grew smaller and smaller, until it became unrecognizable. Ye Chong was mesmerised!

Mu was fast. A thin layer of surging plasma enclosed the entire surface of the mech, and occasionally sparked due to friction with the air at high velocities. With Mu's speed, they would soon escape the gravitational pull of the trash planet and enter space!

Ye Chong took in the sight of the deep, dark space against the brilliant colours of the nebula - with silky faded reds and swirling smokes of blue, the nebula swam amongst the stars speckled across the infinite darkness of space. The sight was truly intoxicating!

Although this was his first time in space, Ye Chong was not interested in the view before him.

Mu spoke up, "Ye, active the pilot shield system, it's the green button on the third row from below your right armrest!"

Ye Chong acknowledged with an "Alright," and obeyed. A transparent screen came up from his seat and wrapped around him. Ye Chong touched the screen curiously, wrapped in an oval egg-like protective shield. The screen was soft and elastic, like some kind of rubber. This was his first time touching something like this.

Mu's voice rang, "Ye, no sudden movements now, we're going to accelerate!"

Ye Chong, "Accelerate?"

Mu Shang's reply was placid. "Yes, a space jump is only possible beyond a certain speed threshold. I only have a 41% chance of passing that threshold, and that was only in theory!"

Ye Chong was indifferent. "I'll follow your lead, it's not like I have a choice right?"

Mu Shang's engines roared to life, and they flew into the infinite darkness ahead!

What future awaited them ahead?

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Chapter 26: Unknown

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"Mu… Mu… Are you alright? Respond to me! Mu…" The interior of the cabin had turned into a vacuum as Ye Chong's sinister foreboding grew stronger and stronger. It was pitch-black in the helmet and he could not see a thing! He tried calling Mu in his mind desperately, but there was no response from Mu!

Ye Chong panicked in cold sweat. He had always been connected to Mu via brainwaves so how was it even possible to lose contact? Did anything bad happen to Mu?

Ye Chong hurriedly removed the helmet on his head. A glance through the transparent protective shield, he was astonished by the sight before him.

The cabin was messy and the batteries were floating randomly in the air. The iron lizard on the indentation was gone as well while the former hole with size of a palm had become large enough to fit a man by then. Every ounce of air in the cabin had leaked out while the rolling peels of walls of the interior were a horror. The cabin was dead silent with the lights blinking weakly.

What… What actually happened?

Ye Chong tried inhibiting the fear in him. Despite that, he could not help but shriek at the sight of Mu, "Mu…Mu… What happened to you? Come on! Reply me! Stop messing with me! Come… Come out al…already… I know you would be fine… you would surely be okay… You are so strong… who could defeat you… Mu… please… stop hiding… power on… power on…" Ye Chong let out hysteric screams.

His coarse voice bounced violently in the protective field yet there was no response; Ye Chong yelped in fatigue was as if the aged wolf howling in desperation.

He finally exhausted his stamina and slowly lost his consciousness, falling asleep in the shield.

BEEP. BEEP. BEEP. A blaring alarm surprised Ye Chong from his sleep as he jumped from his laying posture seeing a peculiar button beneath his seat flashing frantically.

With a closer look, it struck Ye Chong like lightning. He cursed at the misfortunes that tended to come all at once; catastrophes never come alone. The air supply in the shield is reaching its limit, and by then, the system would open up the shield automatically to prevent pilots from being suffocated to death.

Beep… The alarm stopped abruptly and the shield unlocked immediately. Ye Chong, unguarded, was blown up by the airflow from all sides. Without anything to hold on to, he was thrown brutally to the wall on his back. He looked around quickly and reacted quickly; he grabbed a hook on the wall of the cabin and stabilized his position. The sequence of the actions caused major discomfort in Ye Chong who was holding his breath the whole time who felt as if his lungs were burnt. He swallowed his saliva a few times while his left hand searched at his waist as he pulled a soft tube with a nozzle which he instantly stuffed into his mouth. Finally regaining his breath, Ye Chong's pale face finally had a tinge of color.

This precious emergency kit was kept carefully. Never knew it would be needed today! This is an antique kit sculptured gorgeously which attracted Ye Chong to take it home back then; he thought it would be a pretty good decoration, but he never expected his papa to identify its actual purpose right away. It was formerly an emergency supply kit produced by the famous Undine Corp 50 years ago. Nonetheless, Ye Chong did not recognize such kit as he tossed it right to his papa. Unexpectedly, there was once papa became extremely ill and Trash Planet-12 never had any form of medication. If you were sick, you had to bear with it. Endure sickness to survive or not death comes knocking at your door. Beyond Ye Chong's expectation, this very tiny kit eased papa's illness and he lived through it! That was when Ye Chong finally learned the value of his little kit.

Papa stated that this kit contains pure oxygen and is enough to supply an adult for 20 hours!

Ye Chong treasured this tiny case ever since which he never knew could save him at a time like this!

Ye Chong couldn't be bothered of how clumsily he acted. This emergency called for the right solution in split seconds! The kit could only supply two hours of oxygen since papa had already used it once; if carefully used, it could last 3 hours at most by estimation.

In other words, if he failed to find a solution to remedy the issue within 3 hours, then death by suffocation awaits!

He glanced at his surrounding and captured the entire situation in the cabin. Standing between life and death, Ye Chong was actually much calmer than he should be. Mu could be in danger and he could barely do a thing to help out. The in-built ventilation system has been damaged and the oxygen supply had fully depleted by leakage.

Am I really going to die here today? He laughed bitterly.

Such a huge indentation, was it caused by the crash?

Ye Chong stepped gently on the wall and propelled to the toolkit at the corner sluggishly. It felt awkward to be in zero-gravity. Ye Chong sensed uneasiness for he couldn't control his body strength freely like he was on the land which was a demanding requirement.

Ye Chong brushed off the thoughts because it was pointless.

He opened up the toolkit and found a durable fabric rope. He tied one end at the bottom of the driving seat and the other around himself. Due to the lack of gravity in space, if you were to float in the air without anything to hold onto, you should be expecting death anytime soon!

The idea of being dead in Mu's embrace doesn't seem too bad. Ye Chong forced a smile, trying to be optimistic in order to boost his will to survive so, he would be likelier to survive. Ye Chong continued to encourage himself.

Ye Chong thought of dispersing the fear towards the unknown deep in him; maybe this was the strong need of survival coming from inside of him.

He hovered over the indentation with caution.

The outside was dark like an abyss in the jaw of a gigantic monster; bottomless enough to engulf everything.

Ye Chong switched on the light tied to his wrist and took a deep breath from the oxygen supply of the kit and mustered his courage as he pressed at the edge of the crater and propelled out of the cabin.

The tightened nerves caused the muscles on Ye Chong's face to lose senses. It was this slight paralysis which Ye Chong was certain that this moment was the only time he could be this nervous his whole life.

What awaited him on the outside? Meteors? Mutated life forms or some other strange apparitions? To human beings, the unknown instilled the most fear.

The powerful light coming from his wrist shone everything around him!

He flinched at the sight before him and was at loss for words!

He gathered his thoughts and started to ponder on chain of events that led to this damage. A guess would be that Mu, at his intense velocity somehow crashed into a spaceship at its vertical orbit which it didn't dodge for some reason. In the end, Mu viciously thrust into the abdomen of the ship. The heavy crash was probably the cause of Mu's injury. Ye Chong speculated.

Half of Mu's body was still embedded inside the body of this spacecraft.

Exiting from Mu's cabin led him to a long and narrow corridor with debris floating in the air. Horrible wreckage was seen around the corridor. There were signs of scorches too. It seemed like there was a major explosion!

The lighting system of the spaceship appeared to have been completely obliterated. The darkness of the corridor sent chills to his spine. It exudes undefined creepiness. Ye Chong was aware of the situation but remained calm. He was encouraged at the thought of his chance for survival!

He scanned all corners of the corridor aided by the light on his arm as he cautiously drifted to the deepest side of the path.

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Chapter 27: Unknown II

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Ye Chong tightened the rope around him which only had a diameter of five millimeters; though it could endure a pulling force about a few ten tons. Ye Chong who had nothing to grab on could merely tiptoed on the walls and zigzagged his way forward. Even though he laid the tip of his foot on the wall, it was inaudible like a raccoon rummaging for food in the night with amazing dexterity.

At least the safety gate at the end of the corridor was wide open which actually saved Ye Chong some hassle.

There was a flight of stairs through the door. Ye Chong who possessed zero knowledge about spaceship designs had not the slightest idea of where he was and what danger that lurked in the location could do to him. He grew more careful as he held the handle of the stairs and walked down.

From nowhere, clanking sounds of metals can be heard a distance away. His heart froze and quickly switched off the light on his arm. Ye Chong had a habit of immediate response to avoid getting caught! Usually, individuals with delayed reaction faced the quickest death. His eyes were half opened as they tried to get used to the darkness. He stuck his ears onto the metallic walls and attempted to discern even the tiniest bit of noise.

Steps. Right, it's the sound of steps! Ye Chong was daringly sure of his guess! He estimated the direction of the source and lowered his body as he hovered downwards.

Searching in still darkness was definitely a trial to Ye Chong's senses!

It was complete darkness without even a flicker of light. While he knew nothing of the place, finding the unknown that was lurking in the dark was too much of a gamble.

Ye Chong wandered around and hoped he would not come face to face with the entity as he had lost a sense of direction. After leaving the staircases, he found out how awkward his situation was right away. He did not dare to switch the light back on, and in that moment he could only make it through by senses; the complexity in the layout of the place was beyond his prediction.

He was extremely glad that the ropes were still tied to him, and could not imagine how he would be able to get back into his cabin without it.

Suddenly, the sound grew louder as it gradually approached him. Ye Chong's breath stifled in fear, but continued to eavesdrop as he desired more information of the situation. A weird coincidence was every time when his ear touched the floor, all noises would disappear without warning; as if the hidden sounds he heard were his delusions.

A dense layer of goose bumps formed on him skin, and he couldn't help but shudder at the thought. Staying still to fight the unknown now would the best choice! He comforted himself.

He stayed still and anticipated for quite some time yet, nothing strange happened. Was it really because of his nerves that caused the delusion? He thought about the measly amount of time remained for the kit's oxygen supply with every second became extremely valuable. Ye Chong shook off his worry and believed he should discover the location of rescuing facilities as soon as possible where those seconds spent on his reaction time would determine his life or death!

He clenched his teeth in desperation of getting to the rescue supply, but he needed to sneak his way to it. He was afraid that even if there was another existence on this abandoned ship that happened to be an enemy, he would have been suffocated to death before the enemy could lay a finger on him!

He made up his mind and decided to persist on his journey to survive!

Who cares! I might become a walking target in the enemies' eyes, but I want my life now more than anything else!

He was going to switch his light back on but felt a yank!

Out of the blue, Ye Chong felt a strong pull from the bottom as if someone was dragging him down! He tensed and drew his dagger without much hesitation while swiping it at his right. As dark as it might be, he could clearly discern a flashing cold light.

He thought that his swift move would have landed, and yet he missed!

Ye Chong couldn't help but flinched, and in a brief moment, a loud thud can be heard as his body was smashed to the ground; fortunately his body was built, but still suffered dizziness from the collision.

Almost instantaneously, a white light blinded him, and he tumbled to the side in great shock. He hastily hid himself behind the huge cabinet floating behind him.

Ye Chong was in a pitiful situation with a series of unfortunate events. He never thought this habitual reaction of protecting himself would actually pay off.

Before he could wallow in self-pity, smash! A metal cabinet that weighed about 300 pounds came crashing down on Ye Chong. He took a blow that was a powerful as a mech's attack when he was temporarily blinded by the glaring light emitting from utmost darkness, and before he regained his vision to respond.

The giant cabinet fell from a three meter height right onto his body. His throat was locked with sweetness as he choked out a stream of blood that escaped from his mouth and lost consciousness afterwards.

All the lights flickered on and the debris that was initially floating in space settled on the ground one after another. As the gravity restored, the room felt more refreshed. The entrance at the stairs was shut and oxygen started filling the ship through the ceiling.

Of course Ye Chong had no idea what was going on. He was still flat on the ground, pinned under the cabinet with only his limbs sprawled out.

The door of the room was wrenched open as a dashing man entered with another fully armored man.

The dashing young man reported as if seeing land on the sea, "Number 2, there's one more person here!"

The armored man replied, "Young master, we would take a look, but chances are slim for his survival."

The young man assessed Ye Chong's state and expressed sympathy, "This is really bad. He got smashed pretty severely."

Number 2 came over to lift the heavy cabinet on its sides easily and tossed it to the other side. There wasn't much effort needed in removing the cabinet as if it was like a blob of foam.

He then flipped Ye Chong over and examined him thoroughly, astounded, "This man is still alive!"

The young man couldn't believe what he heard, "Impossible! Is this thing still a man?"

Number 2 too expressed disbelief, "It doesn't seem like a man of steel to me!" Ye Chong was a little more slender in contrast, contrary to his immense strength and deceitful appearance. Even Mu was surprised seeing how there was no significant growth in his weight while his strength boosted.

Number 2 furrowed his brows, "He looks foreign to me. Why have I not met this man before?"

"Right! I somehow have not seen him before too!" The young man agreed.

Number 2 glimpsed at Ye Chong and concluded, "The material and design of his clothing are unique… and rare too… We don't have such clothing in the spacecraft!"

The young man was bewildered, "So he's not from our ship? Then how did he get up here?"

It was still a mystery to Number 2 as he couldn't figure out much of an explanation. He scrutinized further and when he spotted the dagger in Ye Chong's hand, his pupil shrunk in fear. Number 2 recognized the dagger from experience and knew it was utterly meant for combative uses. The chills he got from seeing the dagger was telling him that it had not only robbed a life of one but many.

He snatched the dagger away fast with both of his hands. The young master ran into an unknown stranger who was actually holding a weapon of murder. Number 2 strictly opposed of saving Ye Chong's life even if he was deeply wounded! Caution was what he should possess; protecting the young master was what he should undertake!

Coincidentally, Ye Chong slowly regained consciousness, but he did not expect a metallic arm to grab him in split seconds after he opened his eyes.

The hair on his body stood, and his eyes widened like saucers!

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Chapter 28: Across Humanity

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Ye Chong was never expecting to see this after waking up at all!

Without much pondering, he identified the opponent as malicious, an enemy! If it's an enemy, then there's no need for mercy in Ye Chong's mindset. Even if it's just a hare at the front, we shall remedy it with a force used to capture a lion! This is what Ye Chong had learned from encounters with mutated lifeforms on Trash Planet-12 all these years and it had melted into his marrows, imprinted onto his bones!

There was no hesitation when Ye Chong's left hand dragged the arm all the way into his embrace, at lightning speed. Then his right hand took control, retrieved his dagger, and aimed it right at the throat of the enemy.

Number 2 was intensely terrified, he could only feel how powerless his arm was. Before he could act up, a blow to his throat had already choked him, which caused him to feel dizzy as he backed off gracelessly.

Who the hell is this individual? Agitation cloaked his eyes, he touched his throat uncontrollably; a deeply wounding strike tainted the shiny, unmarked armor of his. If he happened to be not in his armor just now, the blow to his head would have probably caused his head to be happily rolling on the floor like a chopped melon.

Ye Chong glared at the dagger in the grip of his arm, unsatisfied; trashes from Trash Planet are still trash, the quality of this dagger could hardly be guaranteed and the blade actually curved?! He discarded it right away.

Attacking without any sign of caution was also one of the good habits Ye Chong possessed.

His legs slightly lowered to charge up his jump. He then launched himself like a cannonball right at Number 2.

The armor on Number 2 was of miniature mech origin in actuality. It is exclusively tailored for fighters and does not come with an in-built dynamo. Thus, it heavily relies on the user's own strength in movements. The body is made out of light but highly sturdy material, of a special kind, in a way that it would not affect the fighter's movement speed significantly; to counteract such weakness from the absence of a dynamo, it also contains an elasticity switch at the legs. The specialty and most salient feature is its combat-aid system. Contrary to the usual mech, a miniature mech has a high performance visual capturing component, accompanied with an almost advanced processor, which would assist the fighter in providing information for reference by capturing every frame of the enemy's action and analyzing them on the spot.

A trained fighter would be able to exert forces few times more than his or her own strength by manipulating this mech!

And such mech has only been heard in research and development by a few major companies. A successful attempt has yet to be reported, but Ye Chong never thought he would see one here!

He couldn't resist but express a strong interest in his eyes! Although he never thought of letting up just because of this obsession. This was because eventually, even if he adored mech maniacally, he still had not reached the stage to give up his life for this.

Death had always been clinging on as an opponent ever since his birth and he had never once had a thought of losing to it!

It sounds like a better choice if he were to destroy the enemy first, then checking out the remains later.

Number 2 had a frightening discovery as his eyes stumbled upon the streaming data in the hologram before him, endlessly like a great waterfall. It never stopped updating with roaring hushes and it happened so fast he couldn't even glimpse a word of it!

Number 2 was also the decisive kind. Without much ado, he disregarded the data flooding before him and readied his posture to fight, concentrating, as his eyes fixated on Ye Chong with anticipation.

However the vast difference in strength utterly made him despair, for there's no way for him to capture Ye Chong's movements. Even if the system sometimes finally got a frame, he couldn't react to it immediately too. In the end he could only fight on intuitively. The fighting techniques used by his opponent were crude in his eyes, but he was f-a-s-t! And h-e-a-v-y! Every attack delivered by Ye Chong was like a breeze, as Number 2 could barely trace his silhouette. Hence, Number 2 depended on his instincts and past experience to counter the attacks; yet Ye Chong's punches delivered vicious blows. His arms might appear to be slender or even fragile as he lacked broad skeleton structures at first, but Number 2 was still having trouble holding on, as those fists in his eyes had already become two forceful mallets that were brandished!

THUP.THUP.THUP. The sound of fists upon the armor felt like raindrops hitting on leaves.

Ye Chong on the other hand was enjoying every single moment of the process, the person before him was as feeble as an engulfer and slow as a landworm. Nonetheless, his skills were undeniably good! A mere man that holds neither strength nor speed, could hold up for this long, and as such, a rare enemy. It was his first time fighting a living man outside the virtual world, considering how beings on Trash Planet-12 were mutated lifeforms, which consisted of either the engulfers of which he didn't care for a bit, or the iron lizards that he feared so much. Mu? He didn't even have the courage to think about it, especially after witnessing how Mu killed the iron lizard singlehandedly. His mind was set. There's no way to fight this monster. Yeah, Mu is not even a human to begin with!

The man before him was remarkable at his combative skills, but he sure knew how to stall with his solid shells outside, which would have shattered if they were produced with ordinary metal. Ye Chong was well aware that after the physical training conducted by Mu, he noticed that his strength dramatically increased. There was once that a marble training session did not go well and out of anger, he tapped the iron board beneath the marbles, which broke into pieces. That was a long time ago and Mu's demand on training had never stopped. He himself wasn't sure at all regarding on how much he had improved on his strength!

But wow, the shell had only dented on a few parts? It seems like I had not hit hard enough. Ye Chong thought. Number 2 could feel how the armor on his flesh was gradually dented by each punch the person pulled, which skyrocketed the terror in him, Is this person still human?!

He jumped to the back and shrieked, "Stop!!"

Ye Chong didn't seem to concern himself with the surrendering statement the armored guy made. He just grabbed his arms and pulled him into embrace, as his stability is disrupted by the overwhelming force. He fell and that was when Ye Chong delivered a kick at his abdomen using his knee. One heavy kick!

THUMP. The sound went off and Number 2 was on the ground, like a pool of mud.

Ye Chong by then nodded in satisfaction. It's not that he didn't hear him, it was simply… What has it to do with me? It would give him far more security to have an upper hand in the entire situation, especially in a foreign place like this!

Ye Chong turned to the young man, dazed at the side.

The dark pupils in the eyes of the young man were filled with infinite worry and dread. Upon seeing Ye Chong approaching, his body quivered helplessly.

Ye Chong untied the ropes around his waist and had just found out the fact that he was no longer floating. He cautiously pulled out the breathing tube of the kit from his mouth and breathed twice. Yes! I really can breathe! He was more than joyful.

A voice came from behind him, "Please don't hurt him! We surrender!" Number 2 grasping his stomach in pain, trying to get back into stance.

He turned around. This shellcrab is quite tenacious, isn't he?

"Surrender?" He halted as this was his first experience in dealing with such a response. The mutated lifeforms on Trash Planet had never talked about surrendering, for they never feared death. They would just bite the enemy, even in their dying moments.

Surrender? Why surrender? Doesn't surrender mean being willingly treated into anything by the enemy? Wasn't that a demand for death too? Ye Chong had never seen a mutated lifeform giving in, letting its prey go when it gave up fighting back during an encounter. If it would still be death in the end, what's the point of surrendering? Ye Chong did not get it!

Number 2 added pitifully, "Yes, we surrender. But please don't hurt him!"

Ye Chong took a glance at the coward before him.

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Chapter 29: Across Inhumanity

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The young man who had a rather skinny appearance and pale skin, which was also dreadfully pale by then, was flattening his thin lips. He had that air of nobility, as he looked at himself rigidly, forcing himself to act calm, yet anxiety and insecurity flowed in the expression of his eyes, which exposed his actual thoughts.

Looking at the enemy getting up laboriously, Ye Chong was thinking about delivering more blows to completely extinguish the fighting will of the person. As he thought on, he gradually uttered, "I accept your surrender. But you have to get out of your mech first." Without the mech's protection, Ye Chong was confident that he could break his opponent in three snaps! If he misbehaved, that is. Plus he never thought of killing them from the beginning, he did it merely in self-defense; not to forget that his survival depended on these two, as everything on the spacecraft was truly foreign to him, he would need their guidance.

If the crumbling armored man honestly planned for a counterattack, Ye Chong would have absolutely smashed him to the ground first. He would not leave out any potential loophole to be turned as a threat against him.

Nonetheless, the person's immediate agreement was expected, "Alright!" How would he dare to have any form of hesitation anyway? The person before him was a violent striker, whose every attack could cost his life and strength-wise, they were two sides of a tangent. There's nothing to bargain to begin with, and thus he had to surrender. Number 2 was resolute too, for if it was a surrender, then it would be done straight away, just to prevent the intruder from shifting the blame to the young master. That was a scene he did not want to witness the most.

The young master at the side, was also holding curiosity as he stared at Number 2. Number 2 had been his bodyguard for years, but Number 2 always showed up in the armor he had already been used to seeing. Frankly speaking, he had yet to see what Number 2 looked like under that mech.

Number 2 acted quickly. His mech was rapidly warped into the alternate dimension.

The young man laid his eyes upon Number 2 without the armor. He was stunned. The scene before him was unbelievable. Number 2, who had responsibly protected him side by side for all these years, was never expected to be a woman, a total beauty to add as well!

Her golden hair hung on her shoulder like a waterfall's broad stream, a demure face that could look both sweet and solemn, with a pair of eyes that lustered like sapphires in the sky of a starry night, a charmingly slender physique; the fitting suit on her body illustrated her lovely curves, the body of a lusty devil that contained fair long legs that would leave men drooling.

Even if the young master had been living in a family of noblemen, who had seen a variety of beauties, he was still deeply captivated by Number 2, as his eyes were glued on her.

Meanwhile, Ye Chong was thinking, hmm… Great!

The mech seems to be manipulated by brainwaves!

He spoke blandly, "Hey, pass me the portal switch to your mech."

Number 2 had been observing Ye Chong's facial expression ever since the moment she left her mech. She had hardly revealed herself on the outside before, but she was outright confident about her appearance. Like the other bodyguards who were picked among the most beautiful to protect important members of the family, she was adopted and trained since childhood and what made her outstanding was her gift of loving charm. The instructor had once taught that if appearance and body were utilized well, it would be the final weapons, for the situation could be turned!

And… that was the moment she lost her entire confidence on her charm in front of Ye Chong.

This fearsome rascal actually ignored her, as if she never existed. Am I really not charming at all? Well at least she still had the young master's full attention - that was rather comforting. She had been serving the young master for 5 years and knew fairly well about this very young man before her. He would never think about anything negative about her. His eyes contained pure admiration!

She paused for a second, pulled a bracelet of artisan craft off her wrist and tossed it to Ye Chong.

Ye Chong caught it without hassle. He looked at it for a while and removed the miniature battery from it, which he then pocketed both items. Number 2, who had her eyes fixed on Ye Chong's skillfulness, had her hopes obliterated! Even if their strength differed a lot as well as giving in and staying benign, the man still remained cautious throughout the process. This was scary!

Ye Chong signaled her to come forward.

Number 2 came forward in anticipation.

Without hesitation, Ye Chong took the ropes from his body and tied her up, as he warned, "You better be not thinking of doing anything! If not… Hehehehe…" His actions were crude as if he was tying a mutated lifeform back on his planet, without showing much concern towards the frail beauty before him and brutal enough to bring tears in Number 2's eyes of pain. But the homicidal stare given by his eyes as he gave his warning sent chills down her spine.

Ye Chong walked towards the boy after that.

Number 2 boomed, "What are you going to do? You promised me not to hurt him! Remember your words! Keep your words!" Her voice was different from the time she spoke in her mech, it was rather crisp, clear and angelic.

Ye Chong did not even turn his head, "Hurt him? I never thought of that! But well, I still think it would be safer to tie him up!"

He walked in front of this young man. The boy lifted his chin in pride, forcibly using his stare in contempt and his dreadfully pale skin had reddened dramatically as his expression appeared calmer.

Number 2 panicked in her mind. She should have been aware that the young master was quite stubborn by nature. She helplessly begged the young master to not enrage the outsider or he would suffer.

Nevertheless, Ye Chong did not mind in fact. He could imagine if he himself was being bound by others, he would as put off like this young man as well. Even if the boy looked fragile, who could collapse within a moment, cautiously tied him up, from head to toe, like a dumpling. Back on his planet, every mutated lifeform had its own unique ability. So it would be undeniably foolish to judge an enemy by its cover.

Ye Chong's tying could never be claimed as gentle. Oh how could a delicate young man like this go through pain like this? As hearing the young master whimpered in aches, Number 2 at the side was in anguish!

Hmm… Finally I could relax.

Ye Chong didn't care much about his posture, as he just sat on the ground immediately.

Number 2 took a careful look of this inhumane being. Short, healthily tanned skin tone, a relatively ordinary face, except for the pair of sharp eyes, black hair with an appallingly terrible hairstyle; the hairstyling machine must have been in critical error when it did his haircut; a neatly proportioned body, without lumps of muscles, which was indirectly proportional to the frightening amount of strength within him. It was too deceiving!

Well for his age… She wasn't sure. He seemed young but his wariness and indifference towards life and death… made him more of a mature kind. The design and material of his clothing were really old, as if it was clothing used by refugees. However judging from the way he removed the battery from her mech, the expertise… he's obviously very familiar with the mech system. Could refugees have a mech?

Ye Chong broke silence, "Speak up. Who are you two?"

The two enslaved beings looked at each other awkwardly. Number 2, in an attempt to test him, asked, "You are not aware of our identity?"

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Chapter 30: Across Illogicality

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Ye Chong shook his head understandably, "I don't know! How the heck I'm supposed to know who you are at the very first glance of you both in my whole entire life?"

"Then why do you attack us?" Number 2 questioned unbelievably.

Ye Chong nonchalantly responded, "More like you guys did it first."

"I…I was just thinking of removing your dangerous-looking… dagger!" Number 2's pretty face was reddened with embarrassment.

Ye Chong simply made an "oh" and thought through the situation impartially… Apparently the discussion of such a topic was not really a rational act for both sides at the moment.

"Okay, listen. I can tell you all that I have not even the slightest interest in you guys. But I hope for mere cooperation. Or else, I wouldn't mind taking your lives as part of punishment for your misbehavior!" It was a blatant intimidating threat uttered from Ye Chong's mouth, yet the expression on his face was more natural than ever, a kind of tranquility and indifference that couldn't be explained, as if what he did was as normal as one's daily routine of eating and drinking.

Chill uncontrollably crept up their spines, like a sharp sword stuck ruthlessly right at their throats, while its eerie coldness permeated through the pores of their skins into every single cell of their bodies; Those words from Ye Chong, in that apathetic tone, were flooded with immense bloodthirstiness, overflowing the limits inevitably, like pouring more water into a full bucket of it, ready to be kicked as it spread everywhere.

"What kind of cooperation do you desire?" Number 2's voice was trembling a little. Fear could be felt. The young man was also uneasy, as cold sweat streamed through his forehead.

Ye Chong was pleased, seeing how his warning somehow magically worked out. But his facial expression remained unchanged, not even a bit. It was still as uninterested as he ignored Number 2 and inquired on, "Are there any other survivors on this craft?"

He stared at Number 2 with intense focus, eye to eye.

"No! The rest of us other than ourselves are dead!" She replied without much pause while shaking her head sincerely. The sexy lips of her tiny mouth moved in crimson seduction, the captivating charm unavoidably wafted without notice.

However Ye Chong wasn't infatuated at all and carried on with his inquiry, "So now… what are the rough coordinates of this stranded spaceship?"

"I dunno. You can only know that at the main control room!" She shook her head again.

"Then we shall go there now!" He bolted up.

Number 2 went on pleading, "Then could you pleaseeee untie us? We can't show you the way with these on!" Her expressive eyes shot a pitiful sight at Ye Chong, with a scarlet red blush on her cheeks, which would make any man sympathize upon her at first sight.

Still, Ye Chong was never going to get the hint, while he was finding the random red patches on her face strange. Why the heck this lady's face getting all red? Instead, the young master got the hint, as he was mesmerized by her looks. His eyes locked on her and he seemed to have forgotten where he was.

"Ohhhhhh! It's okay. Save your trouble!" He planned to ignore her recommendation and just lift them one on each side, as they weighed close to nothing in his hands. The lifting shocked the boy in his day-dream and it was fortunate enough that he regained his senses quickly enough to force curse words back into his guts. Imagine if he insensibly cursed this monster lifting him, he might be tossed right out of the ship on the spot. Number 2 felt ashamed of herself, her charm failed her the very first time in her entire career! What a steady man! Ye Chong slowly grew and became more unpredictable in her thoughts, with terror mushrooming about this man.

The sensation being lifted head down was causing discomfort, which was still fine for Number 2, since she had been sternly trained in her childhood. For countless times she had been through various kinds of discomfort way more than this. It was more like suffering, while this was just a piece of cake! Rather, it was real anguish for the young man beside her, since he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth and was raised thoughtfully. He was frail and Ye Chong's ropes were tight, constricting him with pain and discomfort, especially when Ye Chong was lifting him with gravity pulling his weight all the way down with ropes upon him. That was more than painful, which would make anyone wail.

"So, how do you get to the main control room?" Ye Chong didn't seem to care.

She shot a glance at the young master and signalled him to hold on, "From this room, go through the green door then turn right, there would be a corridor about 20 meters long. Enter the yellow door and that would be the main control room!" Number 2 was certain that she couldn't do anything at the moment, so she only could state where the control room exactly was.

He advanced one step forward and stopped, as he remembered Mu. What if Mu had rebooted himself and couldn't find his old pal? He must be worried! Well then, let's go for Mu first! The plan flashed in his thought and began spreading throughout his mind. Let's go for Mu first! He made up his mind and glanced at the "baggage" in his hands. There's no way he could leave them alone. I'll just hand-carry, save the check-ins. They aren't that heavy anyway.

So he carried them along and headed towards the stairs.

"Wait! The main control room isn't here! This is the wrong direction!" Number 2 shouted.

"I know." Ye Chong raised his shoulders casually. That shoulder-lift might be rather easy for him to do but it was uneasy for his "luggage". Poor Number 2 and the boy, being raised up and down quickly by the shoulder-lifts caused them to feel the inertia like a rollercoaster ride, as blood rushed in fluctuations, in which they grew dizzy.

Guided by the fabric ropes tied back on his own, Ye Chong walked fast. They arrived at the safety gate along the corridor fairly quickly.

The safety gate had been closed. Ye Chong recalled the door was open back when he was strolling through the place and so he asked, "Why is the door closed?"

"This… The corridor after the gate was damaged, to prevent casualty from air pressure difference, the gate was shut!" Ye Chong walked quickly, too quickly on his way there. The poor two "bags" in his hands were shaken so violently that it left them in utter dizziness. It took quite some time for Number 2 to recover just to explain to Ye Chong.

"So how do we open it?" He asked.

"Do you want to kill us?! It's vacuum on the outside! V-a-c-u-u-m!" She shrieked.

"Vacuum?" Ye Chong the fool asked on, "So what if it's vacuum?"

Number 2 nearly fainted after hearing such a stunning question from this man. Gosh, in what times are we living in? How did he manage to ask a question of common sense that could be answered by a 3-year-old? Thinking of how the superior bodyguard of a great family of noblemen losing to a man like this, Number 2 actually thought of slitting open her own throat. The young man on the other hand was astounded at first, as he couldn't help but snicker softly afterwards.

"Hey! What's wrong? What's up with that?" Ye Chong couldn't comprehend their reactions. They would never know how Ye Chong was raised throughout his age. He only got to make contact with the outside world after encountering Mu. Even in the virtual world, he at most would stay in the NRS training field or speak to the elders at the Aurora in Gudista. So he had zero knowledge about what everybody thought was common sense or elementary.

Well, since their lives were still determined by this man, Number 2 dared not to mock anymore, and enlightened him, "In vacuum there is no air. Going into a vacuum without any form of protection would lead to either suffocation or a burst in your bloodstream, considering how there is also a different level of pressure in your own blood vessels. When there is no air pressure outside, let's say, in a vacuum, the pressure in your bloodstream would force out your blood and you will bleed to death within a few seconds. Yes, every part of your body would be bleeding internally. So you need to wear a suit whenever you enter a vacuum space!"

"I am aware that you couldn't live without oxygen. But, keep the suit. I don't need it. You see, I walked in from there just now, without any s-u-i-t and I'm still fine?" Ye Chong didn't seem to care… once more.

No suit? No way! The corridor has a length of more than 50 meters at least! The gravity and the oxygen supply were solely recovered by the young master and myself! And we found this man who had entered the room way before that. Could… could it be? Could it be there's actually a human who could survive in vacuum without a suit and not be killed without having his bloodstream burst?

Is this man still a human being? That robust body… that even the mutated lifeforms could feel inferior of! Number 2 and the young man looked at each other awkwardly, as her pupils reflected her drained face, the horror that laid bare in her eyes!

Don't tell me he's actually born in a certain kind of barbaric village filled with beasts? I've heard of stories about how certain villages of beasts still retain cannibalism!

Oh the fear. Oh the fright. There was no other emotion other than panic in their eyes! Their faces were completely pale. Dreadfully pale as they thought on.

Oh lord! If you heard us, please save us!

Please hear our prayers!

Chapter 31: Questions

Translator: - - Editor: - -

The trio arrived at Mu's crash site.

Of course, they all wore pressure suits even the one who was wrongly assumed to have come from a land of beasts. In reality, both Number Two and the young master would like to watch Ye Chong embark in space without his pressure suit. Firstly, they were curious, and secondly, if he died from a stroke it would undoubtedly be good news for both her and the young master!

Unfortunately, Ye Chong ignored Number Two's instigation and put on his the pressure suit dutifully. Ye Chong wanted to avoid the limelight and acting like an average person would keep the attention away from him which in turn would help him survive longer - this was a principle he abided!

Number Two was dejected - the man before him lacked the usual impulse and haste of a teenager; instead, he was seasoned and steady in his actions. This bothered her the most and kept her on edge.

Since pressure suits were necessary, Ye Chong had untied both his captives. Without a doubt, he warned them against doing anything foolish before that.

Although the walkway was in vacuum, the gravity matrix was back online. Hence, they could move around without floating haphazardly like before, and can even walk like normal. The walkway lights were all switched on, and one could see everything clearly under the bright illumination.

When Number Two and the young master saw Mu, they both responded very differently!

Under the lighting, Ye Chong could finally identify every detail of his surroundings; Mu evidently crashed in the middle of the walkway. Its high velocity came with a great amount of energy, and the starship's thick armor could not stop Mu from entering. The impact forced open a large hole, and Mu, fresh from the impact with vessel's armor was depleted; sprawled between the entrance of the vessel and the outside of it. Mu looked like an onion planted in the soil that was the vessel.

Number Two was furious, and her eyes gleamed with rage - this was the real culprit. She thought of the destruction that ensued, killing everyone but her and the young master. The vessel was severely damaged in multiple areas and could no longer operate normally. All they could do now was to wait for rescue from other passing starships, but in the vast outer space, it would not be easy to locate another starship! It was almost hopeless! If they were to encounter space pirates, they would be unable to escape the fate of slavery - with her looks she could be in for something worse!

She grieved the deaths of her comrades but not to the point where she would hate Ye Chong. The most important thing now was the young master's safety! The young master's safety was her top priority! Due to her harsh training at an early age, she was apathetic towards the worldly ways. She was outstanding in her society, and had secured the title of Number Two ever since her induction. Being appointed early on as the personal escort of the young master, she was continuously reinforced with the thought of prioritizing the young master over all else. After all these years, that belief was now a part of her identity just like the designation of Number Two ever since the first day she joined the society.

How could she not be furious when the man standing before her was a threat to the young master?

Ye Chong was not oblivious to Number Two's rage, but he did not feel guilt. Whether the true culprit was himself or not, he did not think it to be a good reason. The way he saw it, everyone should be responsible for themselves; if you could not protect yourself from harm, then you were to blame. Similar to the relationship between a predator and a prey, surely you cannot hope for the predator to be charitable. Ye Chong had no objections in being the carnivore of a food chain - in fact, he would be delighted to, since he did not want to be at the mercy of someone else like the herbivores. Ye Chong believed in the basic principles of nature reflected by the mutants' way of life on the trash planet not those humanistic laws and morality which he did not have a single notion of!

The young master was very excited to see the strange mech, and had forgotten all about Ye Chong. "Heavens! It's beautiful! Ingenious! The one who created it must be a genius!" The young master scrambled towards the mech, his pale complexion turning a few shades redder from the excitement. He murmured incessantly to himself like some mad person.

Ye Chong ignored the madness, his heart constantly calling for Mu, but Mu did not move, as if he was asleep. He could not help but felt disheartened. After spending more than a year together, he and Mu had developed a deep bond; under Mu's guidance, he had grown much stronger than his earlier self. The upcoming stellar flare was no threat to Mu, and while Mu did not speak of it, Ye Chong knew that Mu ventured on this extremely risky mission for his sake. Mu was broken because of him.

Ye Chong stared blankly at Mu's hull that once emanated the most unique radiance now reflected a darker shade of obscurity. The one mech which Ye Chong thought to be the strongest of all was now covered in bruises. Ye Chong felt woeful and anguished. He took down the ornament that had always hung around his neck. Ye Chong did not use it again after the first time he cut his finger with it since Mu did not like staying in the alternate dimension, and he also preferred to have Mu for company. Who would have thought that the first time he used it to keep Mu would be under such circumstances.

Number Two stood behind Ye Chong, her expression unreadable - Ye Chong seemed to be distracted with his guard lowered. If she took this opportunity to sneak an attack, she might be able to kill him in one blow! However, should she fail, she and the young master would have to face the man's most violent retaliation. Just the thought of Ye Chong's monstrous attacks made her shudder! To attack? Or not to attack? Number Two contemplated - Ye Chong's ghostly speed and strong body made her heart squeeze in trepidation, and she felt all the more self-conscious!

Ye Chong did not notice Number Two's odd look. He sighed inwardly, and transported Mu into the alternate dimension.

The young master was climbing onto Mu with gleaming eyes, and his hands repeatedly caressing Mu's body like a lover, occasionally gasping in awe! As Ye Chong transported Mu, the young master did not expect the mech under him to disappear - he felt a sudden emptiness below him and exclaimed in surprise!

His shrieking interrupted Number Two out of her indecision, and when she saw the young master falling from midair, she was horrified - with a twist of her body and a powerful sprint, she dashed towards the young master. However, there was someone faster than her - Number Two saw a shadow passed by her, and the young master was caught mid-waist by Ye Chong. The young master was dangling in the air, waving his hands frantically. Ye Chong looked to Number Two, and tossed the young master to the loyal attendant.

Number Two rushed to grab hold of him, and gave Ye Chong a look of gratification as she consoled the terrified young master tenderly.

Ye Chong walked away without looking back, "Alright, we head for the control room now!" Number Two dared not hesitate under his unassailable tone for she did not want to offend the enigmatic man before her. At the very least, the feeling of being all tied up with rope was extremely unpleasant.

Number Two held the young master firmly and followed slowly behind Ye Chong. The young master who was still in her arms had not recovered from the shock, and looked as white as a ghost!

Who was this man? Even an amateur like Number Two can tell that the mech that Ye Chong kept was special, and one who possessed a mech like that was definitely not a commoner. For someone with a well-built physique, incredible speed and a mech like no other, who could he actually be?

Number Two questioned in her head, and continued to trail behind Ye Chong.

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Chapter 32: New Friends

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The bridge was a mess. The floor was scattered with random broken parts and fragments which made one to realize the intensity of Mu's impact!

Once she understood that Ye Chong was uninterested in being a threat to the young master's life, Number Two became cooperative. They were now all in this together, and if they did not help each other, the odds of survival were slim. In the face of Ye Chong's overwhelming strength, Number Two could only keep a low profile.

Ever since seeing Mu, the young master seemed to be in a daze and constantly murmured under his breath. Number Two knew it was a helpless situation - the young master was a nice person, not one to put on airs and always affectionate, but once he gets involved in something related to his research, he changed mood quickly. The young master was indifferent to matters of the family, but was invested in mech research, and had shown remarkable talent in the area. His dream was to become a mech engineer, but the first young mistress strongly disapproved! As the legal heir of the family, he did not get involved in general affairs but only focused on his research. All this time, family matters were dealt by the first young mistress with great difficulty.

Even this trip was hidden from the first young mistress by the young master. It was to get away from the life that he had grown weary of, but who would have thought that they would meet such an incident, and get to know a formidable master. Number Two was in deep regret; if she knew this would happen she would have stopped the young master from running away from home!

Number Two realized that her thoughts were irrelevant to the current situation and would affect her morale, so she struggled to banish these thoughts.

Ye Chong was completely clueless about starships, and needed an expert's advice.

"What do we do now?" Ye Chong asked

Number Two made a few adjustments to the controls and turned back to Ye Chong. "Our current condition is very critical, and the starship's propulsion systems are completely shut down. Plus, the hull took heavy damage with an aftermath of multiple cracks. Most importantly, the pulse signal transmitter is broken, and we cannot send a distress signal to request for rescue from other starships! Our current distance from the S.S. Zuo Yu is about 118 thousand kilometers, about eight days away by usual travel, but regrettably the emergency escape pods of this starship are damaged! If not, we could have taken the escape pods and head straight for S.S. Zuo Yu! Also, to our great misfortune " Number Two paused in amazement that both were listening attentively, and continued slowly, "- the S.S. Zuo Yu's patrol would only search a five-day travelling radius from the space station. That is to say, our only hope now is that a passing starship would find us." Number Two described the situation in a calm and organized manner. This made Ye Chong do a double take on the "exceedingly lousy" woman - she was not all that bad!

The young master was also alert once again, and began to inspect the bridge. As expected of a genius, it took him no time to begin restoration. His hands moved fluently like a magician while the parts and accessories danced to the unique melody of his tune. Number Two watched dreamily by the side as he worked.

Ye Chong could not help but be a little surprised at the young man - he did not expect that a fragile-looking fellow like him would be talented in mechanics. Ye Chong himself had some expertise in the field, but compared to the young man, Ye Chong thought himself to be far more inferior.

It seemed that there is always someone better out there, those elders were right. Ye Chong thought.

In reality, Ye Chong had only studied in Aurora for slightly more than a year, but the young master had begun his studies since young, with materials that were impossible to obtain on the desolate trash planets. It was inevitable that he was better than Ye Chong, and there was also the fact that the young master's family was deeply involved with mechs.

Ye Chong observed the young man's reconstruction, verifying much of what he had learnt, and got much out of the process. Ye Chong began to treat the duo more courteously without realizing it.

Regrettably, the starship's damages were too serious. The propulsion system was hopeless, and the air revitalization and thermal systems could not be fully restored, but the trio could at least rejoice at the availability of necessities for survival- the vessel's food and water supply were sufficient, and now the only thing they could do was wait.

They began chatting, but both sides were tactful enough to avoid asking about the other's background. The young master's name was Gu Shaoze, but his attendant's name was even weirder - she was called Number Two! But Ye Chong was not very interested in trivial matters. He politely gave a brief introduction of himself.

Conversation with Gu Shaoze was undeniably pleasant. They shared the same interests, and grew more excited as they spoke. Number Two watched them both with a smile, but her gaze was mostly on Gu Shaoze.

By now, Ye Chong was thoroughly impressed by Gu Shaoze. The young man's knowledge was far too advanced for his age, and Ye Chong believed that he must not be far behind the elders at Aurora, and could even be the forefront expert in certain areas.

On the other hand, Gu Shaoze was also looking at Ye Chong in a new light. He had thought the man before him to be a roughneck, but now it seemed that he was very knowledgeable in the mechanics of mechs. The man had original insights on matters, and could often identify the heart of the issue, as well as boasted a solid theoretical foundation. Compared to him, Ye Chong must fare quite well.

If only he knew that Ye Chong's practical experience was near zero, what would he have thought then!

The pair spoke with increasing enthusiasm, and began to feel a sense of appreciation for each other. Gu Shaoze might behave humbly on a regular basis, but he still had a hint of arrogance in him. It was rare for him to approve of someone, and now that he had, how could he not be fond of him? As for Ye Chong, this was his first time interacting with someone around the same age as him, whose true strength Ye Chong respected. It was understandable that Ye Chong established a good impression of him.

Number Two sat at the side, smiling lightly as the duo's conversation heated up. Who would have thought that, about an hour ago, both sides were like sworn enemies?

A commercial fleet formed by over thirty transport spaceships was flying steadily in space.

The chief, Jing Mo, sat on the commander's seat in bridge, deep in thought. He was about eight to nine days out from reaching the S.S. Zuo Yu. If everything went smoothly, the payment this time would be lucrative, with an additional of official medals of recognition for his services. He might be able to elevate his commercial qualification a level higher, and then he would be able to trade in mechs. Nowadays, businesses with qualifications to trade in mechs were few and far in between. What he could earn from mechs would be multiple times more than from his current goods.

The goods he was shipping this time from Tian Luo galaxy to Fal galaxy had took five whole months, and they had encountered a few crews of space pirates along the way. Fortunately, the squad of mech pilots he hired was capable, and they managed to escape unscathed. He thought of how he had hired this infamous squad of mech pilots despite the high costs. If not for his wisdom, they would have lost the goods for sure, and even their lives.

Ten days left! Let there not be any mishaps in these ten days! Jing Mo shut his eyes and prayed inwardly.

Out of the blue, a blaring alarm disrupted his prayers. Mo Jing opened his eyes, and his chest tightened!

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