The dazzling golden star cast brilliant rays into the office atop the high-rise, bathing it in radiant gold.
Xi Yan drew the curtains, plunging the spacious office into darkness. Dim blue light strips lined the desk and walls, and the holographic screen gave off a faint glow.
A red light hung directly above the desk, aimed at the doorway. Anyone who entered could see nothing but that piercing red glare.
The cold-blooded Marshal sat behind it, visible only as a hazy silhouette.
Then, one day, Ailiveer came in to report on her work and nearly thought she had wandered into a villainous boss's lair. She was so frightened that she ran right out of her little leather shoes. That was when Xi Yan knew he had gotten it right.
That's exactly it!
Xi Yan loved this atmosphere.
He liked hiding in the darkness. Those pitch-black shadows were like a cozy bed prepared just for him.
In this setting, his thoughts grew clearer, and he could commit all sorts of misdeeds with a perfectly clear conscience.
Like making life miserable for these Stone People.
"Heh heh... Stone People... Stone People covered in minerals."
A gleam shone in Xi Yan's pitch-black eyes, too bright for even the lights to obscure, as he sang softly.
"Gently slice their limbs away~ Lock them in a lightless corner~ Feed them industrial waste~ Lovely Stone People~ Stone People~ Hurry and make ore, hurry and make ore..."
"Peel away the stone skin layer by layer~ Dig out the precious minerals~ Minerals are flesh and blood~ Alloys are brains~ And volatile motes and gas..."
"Hehehehe..."
Watching the video coming through on his computer, Xi Yan flashed a smile that suggested excellent mental health.
"Heeheehee~ Lovely aliens, delicious no matter what they look like! Lovely Stone People, smash them