X-C100 was a transportation hub for the X Star Zone of the Star System. Most of the traffic between the zones designated by the Galactic Alliance passed through X-C100. Tens of thousands of aircraft and starships took off and landed there every day. Xilin's destination was the D to M Star Zone, part of the Galactic Alliance's rapidly developing Free Trade Zone. The X Star Zone, by contrast, was lagging behind.
As for the A to C Star Zone, you couldn't simply set foot there and expect to get by. Zone A was full of political organizations, and the Galactic Alliance's joint government was based there. Zone B had many academies, along with plenty of financial and trade activity. Zone C, meanwhile, was mostly a military stronghold. The Star Alliance's most famous military academy—the Star Alliance Military Academy—was there. People in the Star Alliance called the ABC Three Star Zones the "Shining Three Stars Zone." They weren't places just anyone could visit. The waters ran deep, and you could be wiped out for no reason at any moment.
Sitting in a restaurant near the airport, Xilin rested his chin in his hand and watched the scene outside. Compared with Brown Earth Star's jumbled bustle, the X-C100 transit star was orderly everywhere. From huge cargo starships to the flying cars speeding overhead, everything moved like clockwork. It truly was the transportation hub of the X Star Zone.
Xilin had bought a newspaper. Its animated displays and the parade of big-name headlines made every day feel new. He sipped his tea. His ticket to the K Star Zone was already bought; all he had to do was wait.
Whether sitting, drinking tea, or holding the newspaper, Xilin gave the impression of someone with impeccable manners. He'd been raised that way by Yuanye, and there was no telling he'd come from the slums. Of course, it was just a front to match his current appearance. If Xilin wanted to come across as a hooligan, he could do that just as easily.
"Hey, sweetheart, do you have any tables free?"
A young man with shoulder-length brown curls and sunglasses walked into the restaurant, carrying a large black case. The top two buttons of his flashy shirt were undone, revealing a well-built chest and showing off his explosive masculine appeal. He flirted with the female server, his gaze shamelessly fixed on her ample breasts.
There was a robot server nearby, but he deliberately went to the female server at the other end of the counter to hit on her. It was a common enough occurrence, and she was clearly used to it. Still smiling, she replied, "I'm sorry, there aren't any free tables, but there are seats available. Would you like to wait, or sit with someone else at an occupied table..."
"Oh, so there aren't any left! What a shame!"
The young man scanned the restaurant through his sunglasses, then settled his gaze on the table where Xilin was sitting.
"I'll take that table. I'll squeeze in with that kid."
"Of course. Right this way."
The server's smile stiffened a little. It was a standard six-person table, and only one person was sitting there. Even with this man joining him, there would be only two. What was there to squeeze into?
Several other tables in the restaurant had only one or two people at them, but Dias had chosen this one. The kid gave him a strange feeling—he couldn't put his finger on it—and he also looked vaguely familiar. Dias couldn't remember where he'd seen him.
He carelessly set his case beside him and sat down across from Xilin. Even inside the restaurant, he had no intention of taking off his sunglasses. It could only be put down to "trying to look cool."
Taking the menu from the server, he swiped his finger across it, flipping through the dishes one by one.
"Yeah, I'll start with these."
"Certainly. Just a moment."
After placing his order, Dias turned to Xilin, who was reading the newspaper. "Hey, kid. Waiting for a flight?"
Xilin looked up and smiled elegantly, wearing an expression that said, "I have impeccable manners." "Yes, uncle."
U-Uncle?
This brat had actually called the handsome, dashing, dazzling, and charming Dias "uncle"?! If one of his underlings had said that, Dias would have smacked him with the sole of his shoe. But this was interesting.
Ever since Dias had walked into the restaurant, Xilin had been keeping an eye on him. He knew nothing about this young man, but he could tell he was strong—stronger than anyone Xilin had ever met. When Dias had called seventeen-year-old Xilin a "kid," Xilin hadn't gotten angry. He'd just called him "uncle" in return.
Dias burst out laughing. He picked up the glass of wine that had just been brought over and downed it in one go. "I'm waiting too. I've already bought a ticket to the K Star Zone. What about you?"
"Me too."
"Well, looks like we're kindred spirits."
The server who brought over the snacks rolled her eyes at that. Kindred spirits, my foot. Eight out of ten people here were probably waiting for the same flight to the K Star Zone. So this was the only "person" he'd found kindred? Did he think everyone else was an under-evolved ape?...
"Thanks, sweetheart!" As he spoke, Dias lightly traced a finger over the server's pale hand, his gesture full of flirtation.
"You're welcome." She kept smiling and ignored him outright.
Dias didn't mind. He turned back and chatted with Xilin as if nothing had happened, commenting on the day's news, mostly with scorn and criticism. Xilin spent most of the time listening quietly, only nodding or offering a few words when Dias asked him something. Meanwhile, Dias gradually edged his backside closer to Xilin. Though Xilin seemed relaxed, he was tense inside, every muscle ready to move at a moment's notice.
"Ah, we've talked so much, but I haven't even introduced myself." Dias leaned close to Xilin, his face full of undisguised pride as he said mysteriously, "My name is Dias."
Then Dias leaned back against the soft chair, folded his arms, and grinned smugly. His expression seemed to say: Behold! Bow down! You're in the presence of a god!
Transparent partitions surrounded each table, so people on the other side couldn't hear the conversation. When Dias said this, he casually blocked his mouth with his arm. People outside couldn't see his lips, so there was no way to tell what he'd said by reading them.
Xilin blinked, still not sure what the man was so pleased with. "Oh. My name is Xilin."
"..."
Xilin's reaction left Dias momentarily speechless.
That didn't make sense. If Xilin belonged to one of those families, he should know who Dias was.
Dias gave Xilin a strange look, then said with great interest, "You're a funny one!"
Xilin: "..."
What was so funny?
"Ahem. Well, I guess that means we're acquainted now. Xilin, nice to meet you." Dias held out his hand.
Xilin stared at the offered hand for a second, then smiled and reached out. "It's nice to meet you too, Mr. Dias."
Their hands met and parted at once, but Xilin was genuinely shocked. When he came into contact with someone, the chip inside him fed back information. From that feedback, he learned that Dias's Gene Level was actually A-level!
Xilin had already met some people here, but the highest level among them had been B. He hadn't expected to run into someone of this caliber so soon.
A Hunter?
A handshake wasn't usually a formal greeting, but Hunters liked handshakes and embraces. They used them to test each other, and clashing strength was an effective way for most Hunters to socialize. Accepting such a greeting took courage; overestimating yourself could leave you badly injured or even dead.
But Dias saw that Xilin was only briefly surprised before accepting the gesture. He couldn't help but marvel at the kid's mettle. Dias hadn't tried anything during the handshake, but Xilin had returned it calmly and without fear. The kid was interesting. Was he just missing a screw, or was he the sort who hid his true strength?
Probably the latter, Dias thought. But Xilin's reaction made it clear he genuinely didn't know who Dias was. What family did the kid belong to? Xilin had only given his name, without mentioning a surname. Dias couldn't very well ask, but he was certainly curious.
Right then, the boarding announcement sounded. More than eighty percent of the people in the restaurant got up and headed for the terminal. Dias insisted on going in with Xilin. Several thousand people were taking the flight. Xilin had chosen neither first nor third class, but middle class. To his surprise, Dias had chosen middle class too, and had even switched seats with someone so he could sit next to Xilin. Even in the cabin, Dias showed no sign of taking off his sunglasses.
Xilin had a feeling this journey wouldn't go smoothly.
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