Han Xiao had initially thought that the Subterranean Mutants had to build their nests near the mineral veins and couldn't move them, but Melos's report changed his mind. It turned out that the Subterranean Mutants could move on their own?!
This concept is like finally reaching the high ground and preparing to destroy the enemy's crystal, only to find that the enemy has carried the crystal and escaped!
"They actually ran away on their own. Could it be because of my intrusion into their nest last time?"
Han Xiao was quite surprised and made some deductions.
The entire nest besieged him, an intruder, yet he escaped with ease, even losing many of his own kind in the process. Although only a few thousand of the alien species were killed, the other Subterranean Mutants felt as if they were there, thanks to the wide-area mental connection. In other words, he alone terrified tens of millions of Subterranean Mutants in this tribe, leaving them with indelible psychological trauma.
The instinct to fear the strong is innate, so the alien species in Nest 1 regarded him as their natural enemy, leading to their mass migration. The wide-area telepathic connection provided the Subterranean Mutants with highly efficient decision-making capabilities...
That should be correct.
Han Xiao rubbed the back of his neck, feeling that he was pretty much right. The Subterranean Mutants had animalistic habits and would retreat when faced with insurmountable danger.
This situation suddenly opened his eyes.
Sunil's primary reason for exterminating the Subterranean Mutants Subterranean Mutants was to destroy the Whispering Stone veins protected by them. However, it has now been confirmed that the Subterranean Mutants can actually mine and transport the ore themselves. Since they can migrate, this conflict can now be resolved.
The problem would be solved if the Subterranean Mutants took the Whispering Stone and left Planet Sunil, finding a new home on an uninhabited planet. This way, Sunil wouldn't have to carry out the extermination of his race, making it the optimal solution for both sides.
Han Xiao frowned, immediately realizing the difficulties. This approach seemed good, but its feasibility was actually very low. It would require capturing hundreds of millions of Subterranean Mutants one by one, selecting a habitable uninhabited planet, and preparing a large number of spaceships for relocation, which would require dozens of times the manpower and resources.
If they could relocate, Sunil would have left long ago.
Clearly, Sunil didn't have that ability, and they didn't want to abandon the home they had worked so hard to build.
Therefore, eliminating the Subterranean Mutants races is more cost-effective and a permanent solution. For Sunil, preserving the Subterranean Mutants would be a complete waste of resources; destruction is always the easiest option.
"Therefore, if relocation is to replace genocide, external forces must intervene, such as large conglomerates..."
Han Xiao frowned. So here's the question: what's the point of spending so many resources to relocate the Subterranean Mutants? Can the benefits brought by an uncivilized race compare to the expenses of interstellar migration? If the costs can't be repaid, then the value of the rescue will be greatly reduced.
Based on the terms of the employment agreement, Subterranean Mutants would be redundant.
Now, it is certain that Sunil will definitely carry out his plan to exterminate the entire clan.
This means that the life and death of a species depends on its own whim.
So, to save them or not...?
Han Xiao hesitated. There was no room for maneuver in the conflict between races, but now another possibility had emerged. Even if Sunil was aware of it, he would never bring it up. So as long as Han Xiao did not make any suggestions, the expedition would continue until the Subterranean Mutants were completely wiped out.
He was originally just an executor, only needing to fulfill his employer's requirements. But when he realized the new method, his role changed. He was no longer a simple mercenary, but became the only decision-maker who could determine the survival of a species. The pressure of making decisions fell on his shoulders.
When there is no other choice, Han Xiao will not have any psychological burden, but the situation is different. A weak species cannot even Dominion its own life and death, but he has the power to decide the survival of an entire race.
After thinking for a long time, Han Xiao sighed, "Melos, continue the operation, attack the other nest."
"Clear."
Melos hung up the call.
Han Xiao put away his communicator, called Sylvia over, and asked her to supervise the construction team. Then he left the construction site and went to find Fording was enjoying the natural atmosphere in the forest.
In the lush forest, Fording sat cross-legged under a tree, and invisible psychic energy rippled through the air—a manifestation of a psychic master cultivating their spiritual power.
Telekinesis is a mixture of physical strength and mental power. Similar abilities can be awakened in the Esper Class, but telekinetic masters are able to be included in the Five Superpower Systems because they have a complete systematic training system. As long as someone is talented, they can master telekinesis through training without needing genetic mutations in the Esper Class.
What brings you here?
Sensing Han Xiao's footsteps, Fording opened his eyes, offering a polite smile, but unable to hide the distant look in his eyes.
Fording strongly opposed the Black Star Army's mercenary campaign, which involved the massacre of an indigenous race, crossing his bottom line. As a result, Fording's attitude towards Han Xiao underwent a subtle change.
"I'd like to ask you for a favor, just like last time: to research the wide-area telepathy of the Subterranean Mutants and try to communicate with them," Han Xiao said slowly.
"Didn't I already refuse? My answer remains the same."
Fording didn't hesitate; he knew the war wasn't wrong, but he still didn't want to become an accomplice in the massacre.
Han Xiao wasn't surprised; based on his understanding of Fording, the guy tended to be neutral and benevolent.
"You've misunderstood. This time it's not the same reason as last time..."
Han Xiao explained his idea of relocating the Subterranean Mutants, then smiled faintly, "If we can establish a bridge for communication, perhaps this hypothetical scenario can become a reality."
Fording's eyes suddenly lit up, and he abruptly stood up. "Are you serious?!"
"You know my reputation." Han Xiao smiled.
Fording gazed at Han Xiao, then suddenly revealed a gentle smile that would make any girl scream, bathing the surroundings in a warm hue.
"I knew I hadn't misjudged you. Let's go, I'll do everything I can to help you."
The two looked at each other and smiled.
It was Han Xiao who made the decision to invite Fording for help; he chose to protect the Subterranean Mutants.
It wasn't because he was suddenly struck by kindness, but because he advocated for sustainable development.
Sunil's employment is a one-time event, while genocide is a permanent solution. Migration, on the other hand, leaves behind Subterranean Mutants with potential benefits, essentially yielding double the harvest from a vegetable patch.
The Subterranean Mutants is a race with great potential and may have the opportunity to become a new NPC resource site. It is worth investing in. Although the initial investment is not small, Han Xiao now has the capital to splurge. Transplant the chives, dig a hole, bury some soil, and count one, two, three, four, five.
Mental communication avoids the problem of language barriers. If a consensus can be reached with the Subterranean Mutants Subterranean Mutants they can voluntarily leave Planet Sunil, they can gather together on their own, saving a lot of energy and avoiding the need to capture them one by one.
However, given the level of civilization of the Subterranean Mutants, they may not be able to understand the concepts of "universe" and "planet." They have never even looked up at the starry sky. Therefore, the only way is to make the Subterranean Mutants feel the threat of death, just like this time, and use fear to dominate them, so that they will surrender in order to survive.
Therefore, a certain amount of slaughter is still necessary.
In addition, there is another reason for doing this: the epic feeling of saving a race is obviously more grand, and players will prefer this role of playing a savior, thus developing a greater sense of belonging to the Black Star Army.
Of course, winning back Fording's favor was also a reason; Han Xiao didn't want his "leeks" (a term for inexperienced men) to pull him out of the ground and run away.
Half an hour later, in the underground world.
The expeditionary force set up a temporary camp, and the lighting equipment made the pitch-black underground world as bright as day. Sunil's armored units stood guard and imposed martial law on the perimeter.
Melos has received the next instructions and is leading his army toward Nest No. 2, marked on the map.
Upon reaching the edge of the lair, the vanguard quickly encountered a large group of Subterranean Mutants, numbering about three or four hundred.
"Holy crap, this looks way uglier than the photo."
Many players showed disgusted expressions, especially many female players who turned pale. In this age of judging by appearance, the Subterranean Mutants alien monster with insect-like features is simply an unforgivable heretic.
The Subterranean Mutants also noticed the expeditionary force and approached, their tentacles waving as if curious about what these unprecedented upright beings were.
Thump thump thump--
The next moment, the armored forces unleashed a barrage of artillery fire!
Sunil, the armored soldier, had a cold and stern expression. He decisively pulled the trigger of his large-caliber armor-piercing assault rifle. The gunshot shattered the silence underground, and the blinding gunfire illuminated the ground. The dense rain of bullets easily tore apart the bodies of hundreds of Subterranean Mutants, turning them into a pile of minced meat.
"Proceed!"
The sergeants of each squad shouted loudly, Sunil's troops marched forward, their heavy armor pounding the ground, their steps perfectly synchronized, drawing sidelong glances from the players nearby.
Rumble rumble--
Just then, an earthquake-like sound erupted from the nest, the ground trembled slightly, and the roar of countless beasts rapidly approached.
"Defensive formation, hold the line!"
Sunil's troops quickly changed formation, stood ready, and prepared to withstand the attack.
Boom!!
A massive, dark torrent surged out from all the passages, and the number of alien species in Nest No. 2 reached tens of millions, flowing in continuously, causing the ground to tremble incessantly.
Just then, Melos finally spoke, his voice booming like thunder.
"Black Star Mercenaries, fire at will!"
Hundreds of thousands of players suddenly charged out, and the crowd lit up with colorful lights.
boom--
The two torrents collided violently, and war erupted!
Meanwhile, Han Xiao and Fording arrived at Sunil's research department and borrowed the dozen or so Subterranean Mutants they had captured alive.
The dozen or Subterranean Mutants were kept in separate enclosures, preventing them from coming into contact with each other. A small pile of Whispering Stone was placed between them to provide them with a wide-area telepathic connection.
"You're the expert, so I'm leaving it to you." Han Xiao gestured for him to proceed.
Fording smiled slightly and released his telekinesis to touch the Whispering Stone.
The Subterranean Mutants use the Whispering Stone as a communication base station, essentially a server. As long as a psychic adjusts their mental fluctuations to the creatures' frequency, they can log into the online chat channel of these dozen or Subterranean Mutants.
After adjusting for a moment, Fording's eyes lit up. "It's a success!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Fording's expression turned strange.
"What's wrong?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.
"Uh... it's not quite what I expected." Fording looked puzzled. "Accept my telepathic link, and I'll bring you in too."
Han Xiao nodded, sensing Fording's attempt to connect with his mind, and did not refuse.
The moment he accepted it, his vision suddenly split in two: one side was the real world, and the other side was a vast, white space that seemed to have no boundaries. This was the Psychic Network space, and he could sever the connection at any time.
The Subterranean Mutants and Fording are both inside, in the same location as in the real world. They are both blurry, luminous objects, and only their outlines can be seen.
Before Han Xiao could react, more than a dozen Subterranean Mutants began chattering and chirping through mental fluctuations.
"Wow, another fellow countryman has arrived."
"Why do you all look different? You're so ugly."
Han Xiao was taken aback. He hadn't expected to be mistaken for one of their own kind by the Subterranean Mutants. Given the aliens' level of understanding, they probably thought that all individuals who could log into the Psychic Network were of the same kind.
After chattering and asking questions for a while, the attention of these Subterranean Mutants quickly shifted, and they started talking to each other.
Why are we locked up?
"I don't know. Besides, you've already asked this question."
"Those long creatures are so strange; they fed us and even took our poop."
"Haha, I get it now, because our poop is food for those creatures!"
"Oh, I see! I get it! So the more we poop, the more they'll feed us!"
"How disgusting! There are even creatures that eat feces."
"Hehe, I just pooped a huge pile of poop, so I'm sure I'll be able to eat a really big meal next time."
Wow, that's amazing!
What the hell is this... Han Xiao's lips twitched as he listened. From the perspective of the Subterranean Mutants, this conclusion was actually quite reasonable and well-founded.
He had assumed these Subterranean Mutants were filled with deep-seated hatred, but it turned out they had this peculiar art style...