In the lobby of the temporary base, everyone was going about their business when the television screen in the room flickered, broadcasting a news report.
"Noriosse Emergency Report: Ten minutes ago, the western edge of City Number Four was vandalized. Three city blocks were destroyed, and the train station was paralyzed. Casualties and economic losses are being tallied. It is understood that the aftermath of a battle between superhumans is the cause of the destruction. Further details are under investigation. The Public Security Bureau has intervened. Below are images from the scene..."
This news immediately attracted everyone's attention. Sylvia banged on the door of the mechanical modification room, calling for Han Xiao, who was obsessed with mechanics, to come out and watch TV.
The news report showed footage of the scene: dozens of high-rise buildings collapsed, reduced to ruins, billowing black smoke. Just ten minutes ago, the area was bustling with activity, but in a matter of minutes, it was completely destroyed. Security team drones were conducting rescue operations. The scene was chaotic, with bodies being stuffed into body bags and left to scatter in a mess.
"No wonder I felt a tremor just now; I thought it was an earthquake," said Volga's Eldest.
Wilsander, cleaning his wings with a brush, shrugged and said, "Is this a war?"
Han Xiao pondered, "Such a high level of destruction in such a short time suggests that the two sides involved possess Calamity Grade combat power..."
He immediately thought of Nagokin, whom he had met once; the timing was right, and he felt the possibility was quite high.
However, this had nothing to do with them. Since no mission had been triggered with Nagokin and there was no benefit to it, Han Xiao wouldn't meddle.
beep beep...
Just then, the communicator suddenly rang, and an unfamiliar communication request came in. Han Xiao accepted the request.
The next moment, Nagokin's figure appeared on the screen, panting heavily, covered in blood, battered and bruised, looking utterly wretched.
"Black Star... please help me." Nagokin's voice was strained.
Not long ago, Nagokin was ambushed by DarkStar. He fought a bloody battle, but the aftershocks destroyed three city blocks, and all the elite warriors he led were killed. The strange, Calamity Grade superhuman turned them into ashes in an instant, without even a scream.
Those were his old subordinates who had fought alongside him for a long time. Their easy killing enraged Nagokin, but he had to force himself to remain calm and deal with the two powerful enemies.
Although he was the only one left, Nagokin had no intention of making a strategic retreat. He knew the principle of fighting to the death to survive, and if he could exchange a powerful enemy for one, he would not have lost out.
Even among the Calamity Grade enemies, there are varying degrees of strength. Nagokin's strength was not significantly greater than that of Anur and Ashes. Facing a siege, he was at a complete disadvantage. Both of his opponents were formidable Esper Class, and in a short exchange, he was already covered in wounds.
The fierce battle quickly alerted the security team, who arrived swiftly. Anur initially wanted to pursue relentlessly, but after weighing the options, he chose to retreat temporarily, unwilling to be pursued by the security team. The ambush did not achieve his expected result. He had intended to quickly kill the A Tier expert, Goddora, but Nagokin was a physically strong martial artist with thick skin and flesh, and he could only inflict serious injuries.
Fortunately, Nagokin was a big muscleman, otherwise he would have been dead long ago.
Dragging his severely wounded body away from the scene, Nagokin did not immediately bandage his deep, bone-revealing wounds. His first action was to contact headquarters and, enduring excruciating pain, report his ordeal. The Goddora War Bureau was shocked and immediately issued orders for Nagokin to stand by, under no circumstances should he take any risks, and his own survival should be the top priority.
He requested reinforcements from headquarters, but the journey would take time, and relying on headquarters was no longer an option. Giving up and retreating were not in his vocabulary; even if he was alone, he would stop DarkStar from achieving its goal.
Just as he was hesitating about whether to go back, Nagokin suddenly remembered Black Star, whom he had met once at the port.
Perhaps... only mercenaries can help me.
Noriosse is quite remote, and there aren't many mercenaries operating in the vicinity. The Black Star Mercenary Group is probably the strongest mercenary group in Noriosse for the time being, so we can only seek their help.
Nagokin had refused Han Xiao's help back then, but now he was actively seeking it out. This was too shameful. He hadn't expected this to happen, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and contact Han Xiao —losing a little face was no problem at all for the sake of the mission.
"Nagokin?" Han Xiao's eyes widened in surprise. He had guessed correctly; Nagokin was connected to the news—severely wounded by an unknown enemy. His request for help was clearly related to this matter. Nagokin's men had all disappeared, presumably wiped out, leaving him with no one to rely on. That's why he was asking for mercenaries' help.
In just a moment of pause, Han Xiao pieced together the general situation. He remembered Nagokin's crippled appearance in his previous life, but upon closer inspection, although Nagokin was covered in blood, his body was still intact.
"I was on a mission to Noriosse to rescue a defector from DarkStar Owenn. DarkStar had also sent a team to Pursuit him down; there were two Grade A superhumans among them. I was ambushed..."
Nagokin explained the situation in detail.
Although he knew that revealing the fact that there were two powerful A Tier enemies might make Han Xiao hesitate to help, Nagokin's personality wouldn't allow him to hide the enemy's strength and deceive the mercenary. He was straightforward, and even if he knew the mercenary might refuse his request because of this, he would still tell the truth.
Han Xiao suddenly understood. He had sensed something when he met Owenn, but he had no information and had been kept in the dark. It was indeed related to DarkStar.
Who are the two A Tier superhumans on DarkStar?
"I don't know," Nagokin.
"What abilities do they have?"
"A being capable of turning a human body into dust, and manipulating vast amounts of micro-dust to condense into various weapons, could slowly peel away my flesh and blood if I didn't take any physical protective measures..."
Han Xiao's eyes flashed, and he said in a deep voice, "Carbon Element Control, Ashes!"
He had thought this guy had died in the fleet's bombardment, but he had actually escaped unscathed. Not only that, but it seemed that he had even successfully reached the Calamity Grade. When Dragon Calm first fought Ashes, Ashes was already a B+ level, far surpassing him. If it weren't for his own specialty countering Ash's trump card, he wouldn't have been able to fight Ash to a draw.
Ashes can almost instantly kill all carbon-based creatures of lower rank than him, which is an extremely troublesome ability, practically a god-tier skill for clearing out entire groups. Only Aroshia and himself are immune to it. Wilsander is a hybrid demon, and his body composition is unknown. If he weren't carbon-based, he might also be immune to the instant kill.
However, after Ashes reached A Tier, it's unclear what new uses his abilities had, but even his normal attacks were much more powerful than before.
"What is the other ability?" Han Xiao asked.
"He's a shapeshifter, capable of transforming into a strange flying creature, about four or five meters tall. He seems to possess the ability to control airflow, moving at an incredibly high speed, almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. When he flies, he creates a vortex of wind pressure, which not only protects him but also provides a degree of invisibility. It seems he uses some method to deflect light. Moreover, the faster he flies, the stronger the wind pressure he carries behind him becomes, sweeping and crushing everything in his path, like a wind pressure cannon."
"Transformation... Wind Pressure..."
Han Xiao's lips twitched. "Could it be the Wind Demon Anur?"
The number of A Tier superhumans on DarkStar is limited. Based on their abilities, Han Xiao could guess the identity of his opponent. Anur is a backbone of DarkStar, a veteran member, and a very troublesome opponent. After transforming, he can continuously accelerate. If he were to circle a planet a few times, the accumulated wind pressure would turn into a massive hurricane that would sweep across the surface.
These two are very troublesome. Han Xiao frowned and pondered. Before version 2.0, he didn't want to provoke DarkStar directly, but this time it was an opportunity to make contact with a Goddora A Tier superhuman. This was a channel to contact the higher-ups of Goddora. With Nagokin, it would be easier for him to gain people's trust when handing over the Mutation Source, and he could also discuss benefits.
Nagokin pursed his lips, waiting for Han Xiao's reply, secretly praying that he wouldn't be rejected; Han Xiao was his only savior at the moment.
Time seemed to stretch out with each breath. After a long while, Han Xiao slowly shook his head, "Fighting two A Tier opponents is too dangerous..."
Nagokin's expression stiffened; although he had expected it, he was still somewhat disappointed.
"... However, your mission isn't to kill him, is it?" Han Xiao changed the subject. "As long as Owenn leaves Noriosse safely, the matter will be resolved. The problem now is that your Goddora reinforcements need time to arrive. So, as long as you help Owenn evade DarkStar's pursuit and buy enough time, I can try to help you."
Nagokin's eyes lit up; he was overjoyed.
At this moment, a notification for a new task appeared on Han Xiao's screen.
[Nagakin's Request]
[Mission Brief: You have agreed to help Nagokin, whose mission is to rescue a traitor from the DarkStar.]
[Mission Requirements: 1. Assist Owenn in hiding until the main force of Goddora arrives. 2. Eliminate all Pursuit forces of DarkStar (completing either requirement will complete the mission)]
[Failure conditions: 1. Owenn dies. 2. Nagokin dies]
[Rewards: 5.8 million experience points, 24,000 Enas, +850 to Goddora's faction relationship, +30 to Owenn's favorability, +30 to Nagokin's favorability]
"Of the two mission requirements, stalling for time seems the only reliable option," Han Xiao thought to himself. Although killing all the enemies would be more direct, the opponent has two Calamity Grade, so he might as well just wash up and go to sleep.
The three main quests he had previously obtained included [The Alliance of Goddora], which had numerous objectives, including Anur and Ashes, who were designated targets for elimination. The rewards were extremely high, but Han Xiao only thought about it and knew that it was unlikely he could complete it.
Nagokin was about to ask how to cooperate when Han Xiao interrupted him, his eyes flashing.
"We're not enough people. Let me find you some more help."
Turning his head, Han Xiao gave instructions to Melos.
"We'll issue a recruitment notice through the Mercenary Alliance to all mercenaries in the vicinity of Noriosse. We want anyone who can come; as many as they can."
Melos asked, "Whose name should be listed as the publisher, Nagokin or Goddora?"
"No, their name doesn't work."
Han Xiao shook his head.
"Use my name."