Retrieval mission

The newcomer's black uniform bore the emblems of a crescent moon and a traveler. There was no mistaking the insignia of the Nightwalkers.

As Tianyang spotted him, the man noticed him too. He stepped forward and saluted. "It's an honor to meet you, sir. Nightwalker Private Yan Bing, reporting!"

The man named Yan Bing looked a little older than Tianyang, but he seemed to be an ordinary person rather than an Ascender.

It was Tianyang's first time being addressed as "sir." He felt a little awkward, but also a little excited. "At... at ease. Have orders come down from above?"

Yan Bing had thick eyebrows and large eyes, and looked like a warmhearted sort. He set a silver-gray mechanical equipment case beside Tianyang's feet. "This is your issued equipment, and there's this. Officer Lin Yang asked me to give it to you personally. He said he'd contact you later. As for whether there's a mission, I don't know."

He took out a communicator and solemnly placed it in Tianyang's hands.

Tianyang accepted it and nodded. "Thanks for making the trip."

Yan Bing straightened again and saluted. "It's my honor to serve you!"

He smiled, then left.

Carrying the equipment case and communicator, Tianyang opened the door and went inside.

He had barely set them on his bed when the communicator rang with an incoming call request.

Once he accepted it, Lin Yang's image appeared on the screen.

"You received everything?" Lin Yang was holding a scheduling tablet and seemed to be working.

Tianyang answered loudly, "Yes, sir!"

Lin Yang put down the tablet and said evenly, "We don't yet know your abilities or specialties, so we've only issued you standard equipment. Use it for now. After a while, we'll make adjustments based on your performance during missions. Alternatively, you can order custom equipment from the Fortress's weapons dealers. You and the military will each cover half the cost."

"Oh, there's something else I need to tell you first. During tomorrow's electronic eye surgery, a recorder will be installed in the eye to collect data on your class. In return, you'll receive a special allowance on top of your monthly base salary. I don't know the exact amount, but it shouldn't be small."

Tianyang said happily, "Thank you, sir!"

Lin Yang shook his head. "Don't thank me. You're entitled to it. Lastly, you've been assigned a mission. I'll send the details to your communicator shortly. That's all. Over!"

Tianyang saluted, and the call ended.

Putting down the communicator, the boy opened the equipment case. Inside were several folding storage compartments containing a combat knife, a rifle, a suit of armor, and a Nightwalker uniform.

These were standard-issue items reserved for Ascenders. The case's electronic screen also provided detailed descriptions of the equipment.

First was the combat knife. Its full name was the [High-Vibration Particle Combat Knife], and it could sever objects at the molecular level. It was made from a special metal found in Inverse Realm No. 78, which was sturdy and highly resistant to wear.

The combat knife and its sheath were predominantly black, with dark-yellow nonslip grooves only on the handle. Understated and restrained, yet exceptionally sharp, it won Tianyang over at once.

Next came the rifle. Compared with the Assault Rifles used by the Gathering Team, this weapon, called the [Assaulter Star Essence Rifle], was more compact. Its firepower, however, far surpassed theirs.

Star essence was one of the ways the Fortress made use of the Star Marrow Pillar.

Breaking down and processing the Star Marrow Pillar yielded a crystal-like substance of highly concentrated energy. It was called a star essence mass, or star crystal for short. Diluting it produced a luminous gas known as star essence.

Inhaling star essence could briefly enhance an Ascender's abilities, allowing it to serve as a stimulant.

It could also be stored in gas magazines and used as ammunition for star essence firearms.

For example, a single star essence magazine allowed the Assaulter to fire more than five hundred shots. Its dedicated cooling system ensured that sustained fire would not result in unfortunate incidents such as [jamming] or a magazine exploding from overload.

The rifle also came with a long-range scope and a folding tripod. Switching its firing mode to sniping allowed it to function as a sniper rifle, though it still fell somewhat short of specialized sniper equipment.

The Assaulter Defense Armor was made from a special composite material. What made it special was the inclusion of star crystal fragments-scraps from the Star Marrow Pillar.

Even so, armor containing star crystal fragments offered strong protection against certain attacks from the Children of Darkness, particularly those with contaminating or invasive properties.

The armor also came with a multipurpose belt containing a portable toolkit, an energy pack, and high-energy rations, enough to support an Ascender living alone in the Inverse Realm for a time.

This equipment made it clear just how highly the Fortress valued Ascenders. Ordinary soldiers, even troops like Storm who also fought in the Inverse Realm, were not issued equipment made from the Star Marrow Pillar.

Last was the uniform. The Nightwalker uniform was a long, black, high-collared coat with a double-breasted design. A silver military emblem adorned the chest, while the epaulets bore silver bars against a black background and a single star insignia, marking the rank of second lieutenant.

This was the lowest military rank held by any Ascender in the Fortress!

Tianyang excitedly put on the uniform and found that it fit surprisingly well. Certain special design features allowed him to move freely while wearing it, and its specialized fabric was resistant to wear.

Of course, even if it wore through, he could request a replacement. The Nightwalkers could afford that much of a subsidy.

Suddenly, he heard the front door open. His mother seemed to be home. Tianyang hurriedly took off the uniform, not wanting to upset Nanfei by letting her see it.

After hiding the mechanical equipment case under his bed, Tianyang cautiously opened his door. Sure enough, it was his mother.

She carried a bag and was taking packets of dried vegetables out of it. She appeared to have just returned from the market on Shadow Street.

Tianyang took a deep breath and stepped out of his bedroom. "Mom, you're back?"

Nanfei did not look up. "Yes. Just wait a little longer. I'll make your dinner now."

Tianyang called out, "Mom, I have something to tell you."

He wanted to apologize, but Nanfei seemed intent on avoiding the subject. "Tell me later. It's getting late. Even if you aren't hungry, I am."

She put the things away and headed into the kitchen.

After dinner, Nanfei went out again, saying she had work at the bar.

With no other choice, Tianyang returned to his room. A document had arrived on his communicator. He opened it and found that it was a mission briefing.

The Nightwalkers were going to retrieve the Star Marrow Pillar Tianyang had discovered. Ling Feng ordered him to report to the Transfer Platform the morning after next.

He would temporarily join the Raven Squad as their guide.

The mission's base reward was two hundred contribution points. Any additional rewards would depend on his performance during the mission.

The briefing also included information on the Raven Squad's captain. Looking at the man in the photograph, with his deep-set gaze, thick stubble, and weathered face, Tianyang hoped this captain named Han Shu would be easy to get along with.