The Near-Realm District had always been one giant service area. It could not keep anyone; those who remained were all service providers.
Even if your work and life had nothing to do with service, in essence, you were still serving the people in the core districts.
Since that was the case, it was better to embrace it willingly. Securing the chance to provide services was the way to survive in the Near-Realm District.
The Tao Crystal Star System was the most typical of Near-Realm Star Systems, and "Butcher" was the most typical kind of "service provider" in the Near-Realm District. He had opened his "slaughterhouse" in uninhabited deep space far from habitable zones. No signboard, no GG—he made his living entirely through bottomless service for the respectable ladies and gentlemen behind the "Boundary Curtain," along with the reputation that earned him.
These days, low-cost startups all focused on niche verticals—targeted services for a limited number of high-net-worth clients.
Butcher had worked himself to the bone for years before finally building up a stable client base, along with several upstream and downstream middlemen who were barely trustworthy. He was very careful to maintain those relationships.
Old Tao, whom he was calling now, was an experienced middleman with considerable standing in the Tao Crystal Star System's circles. No matter what, Butcher had to show him some respect.
But when Old Tao contacted him this time, his tone was clearly flustered and furious.
"Where's that Sky Abyss Remnant Tribe officer?"
"Uh, I already disposed of him."
"So soon?"
"This is soon?"
No matter where one was, Celestial materials were highly useful. It was simply that the Boundary Curtain kept a tight grip on such things, with too many connections to deal with, making the overall costs too high. The channels in the Near-Realm