Cameras

Exile Star, just as its name suggested.

It was a planet used by a Level 9 Civilization long ago to exile the most heinous criminals.

But after so much time had passed, Exile Star had gradually evolved from its initial chaos toward an established order, forming its own government.

Humanoid lifeforms still made up the bulk of the population, but there were also many other kinds of creatures. It was a planet where diverse species converged.

By now, the planet's governmental system had long been established. Only a tiny portion of the Resistance Army remained, isolated in one corner as it fought against the New Order.

But under the New Order, which had already won the people's support and possessed high-energy weapons, the destruction of that cornered Resistance Army was only a matter of time.

And because the war was nearing its end, more than ninety-nine percent of the planet remained peaceful.

Thus, extraterrestrial visitors often came to stop by. Few chose to settle down, but it was a decent place for tourism.

To attract tourists, the New Order of this planet had even opened a "battle viewing zone," where visitors could approach the frontline battlefield from something like God's Perspective.

Though the measure seemed somewhat dangerous, not a single incident had occurred so far. It had indeed drawn many thrill-seeking tourists to Exile Star.

Using the same method, Quintessa altered the alien visitor registration records, allowing Tang Chuan to land on the planet under a perfectly legitimate identity.

Following the procedures, he exchanged currency for the planet's digital cash through the official staff member assigned to receive him.

Led by the receptionist, Tang Chuan boarded a Shuttle bound for the city.

There was none of the stench from Heka Star this time. For only a small fee, he hired a humanoid male named Aivi as his guide for the day.

Aivi also helped him register a local communications number. He never brought up anything about VIP Clients; instead, he dutifully promoted the planet's various attractions to Tang Chuan.

"By the way, Mr. Tang Chuan, your records say you're a citizen of a Level 8 Civilization, right? But as far as I know, there are very few human citizens in that civilization. Are you a newly arrived immigrant?" Aivi asked casually.

Tang Chuan smiled. "No. My parents were the immigrants. I was born a citizen there."

Aivi nodded. "I see. As a guest from a Higher Civilization, we will certainly treat you with the utmost courtesy. However, to confirm your identity, please forgive my presumptuousness—may I see your civilization's special identification mark?"

Tang Chuan glanced at him, then rolled up his sleeve, revealing an unusual pattern on his arm.

Aivi gave him an apologetic look, took out a scanner, and swept it over the strange pattern, confirming Tang Chuan's identity as a Level 8 Civilization citizen.

After Tang Chuan lowered his sleeve, the "identity pattern" created by the Fantasy Weapon vanished. He said, "I've already gotten a general understanding of your planet. Go take care of your business. I'll look around on my own."

Aivi nodded. "All right. I've already given you my personal number. No matter which attraction or entertainment venue you visit, call me and I'll get you a discount of more than twenty percent."

"I understand. Go on, then," Tang Chuan replied.

Aivi gave a bow, entered his private Shuttle, and left.

Tang Chuan watched him go, then muttered to Quintessa, "Something feels off. There weren't so many procedures on Heka Star. This Aivi... he keeps giving me the feeling that he wants to pry into every detail about me. Is that normal?"

Quintessa answered, "This... could be considered normal. Some planets are extremely strict when verifying the identities of alien visitors. But there is one abnormality: wherever you go, certain pedestrians behind you turn their heads and examine you with strange looks."

Tang Chuan hesitated. "I noticed that too. Is it really abnormal? It's not that strange for them to be curious about aliens, is it?"

Quintessa said leisurely, "Normally, it would be. But the data shows that the proportion of pedestrians secretly observing you and looking at you with probing gazes is far higher than on other similar planets.

"Moreover, some of them are alien visitors themselves. This planet has a great many intelligent species, so they shouldn't be taking such an interest in someone as 'unremarkable' as you.

"As you walk down the street, you certainly haven't written the words 'alien visitor' on your forehead. How do they know you're an outsider?"

Tang Chuan frowned. "That is a bit of a problem... But from what you said, this planet's individual combat strength isn't particularly high, right?"

Quintessa nodded. "Mm. They will not pose a threat to your life."

Tang Chuan stopped dwelling on it. Looking at Nokton beside him, he said, "Let's go. Stop looking at everyone like prey—you're scaring the children. Tonight, I'll give you a task. Help me investigate whether this planet is hiding any problems."

Nokton answered solemnly, "All right!"

With Nokton and Chiliu, who was looking around from his shoulder, Tang Chuan arrived at a hotel.

He planned to secure a place to stay first, then explore the planet.

At the front desk, a waiter whose gender was impossible to distinguish, with an extremely burly body, two pairs of narrow eyes, and tentacles growing from its chin, said to Tang Chuan:

"Honored guest, please wait a moment. Before every stay, the top suite you selected must be inspected by dedicated personnel. To provide you with a completely flawless, comfortable environment, please wait briefly. It will be very quick."

Tang Chuan neither agreed nor objected and chose to wait.

About six or seven minutes later, the waiter approached. It was like a towering humanoid mountain, yet spoke with striking humility.

"This is your identification pattern. Please roll up your sleeve, and I'll apply it for you. When you check out, simply come have it removed."

As it spoke, it occasionally glanced at Tang Chuan's right forearm, hidden beneath his sleeve.

That was where Tang Chuan had shown Aivi the Level 8 Civilization identity pattern.

Tang Chuan looked at it and raised his left hand. "Put it on the back of my hand."

The waiter hesitated. "But the exposed back of your hand may affect your outward appearance..."

Tang Chuan shook his head. "It's fine. Stop dawdling. I've waited long enough."

Only then did the waiter take up the device and instantly imprint a small tattoo on the back of Tang Chuan's left hand. It contained the hotel's information and looked exactly like the logo on the hotel's sign.

The waiter put away the device. "Allow me to take you upstairs."

Tang Chuan refused. "No need. Just tell me which floor."

"The top floor. The only large suite there is yours," said the waiter.

Tang Chuan nodded and entered the lift pod, quickly arriving at the top floor.

The entire hotel was built in a pyramid-like shape. The suite at the very top was intended for the wealthy and powerful, and it cost a considerable sum.

There was only one room here. It was filled with high-tech furnishings and offered a view over half the city.

Tang Chuan swept the pattern on the back of his left hand across the door, and it automatically opened.

After entering, the Star Hunter looked around, the faint blue glow in his eyes flickering as though he were searching for something.

Tang Chuan used his Fantasy Attribute to create a slip of paper and handed it to the Star Hunter.

It read: Remove every hidden surveillance camera.

Nokton accepted the note, gave it a glance, crushed it directly, and tossed it into the fireplace.

Nodding, the Star Hunter began relying on his experience to search the massive room for hidden cameras.