His gaze was fixed on the tip of the knife, his fingertips gliding along the Blades, the cold, sharp sensation traveling through his nerve endings to his brain.
In the room, Rotel sat at the table, habitually stroking the black blade that had accompanied him throughout his assassination career. The light from the recessed desk lamp did not reflect off the blade; his weapon was made of a light-absorbing material, as black and profound as the universe.
Rotel's eyes were unfocused, and his mood was not as calm as the expression behind the mask.
He had been with the Black Star Army for several days, but he was like a ghost, completely out of place in the lively atmosphere of the legion, maintaining his solitary style.
Rotel chose to travel a long way to contact the Black Star Army because the Sorokin had been captured. On one hand, he wanted to see what kind of person Black Star was who had defeated the Sorokin; on the other hand, he was also lost and confused.
The Sorokin stole his innate talent, which has always been his nightmare. Rotel dislikes sleeping because he is awakened by nightmares every midnight. Assassinate Sorokin is his only goal.
Now, the Sorokin has been defeated, and he has lost his chance for Revenge. Rotel has no other hobbies, all his friends are dead, he is withdrawn and doesn't like to communicate with others. He has no ambition and doesn't know what he should do in the future. Should he continue to assassinate criminals on the Fallen Ark? Or should he put away his sword and wander around? Or should he find a planet to retire and settle down?
Feeling lost in life, Rotel instinctively came to the Black Star Army Black Star, deciding to serve them for a while to repay their kindness. He planned to leave someday when he felt he had done so.
While he was lost in thought, the doorbell suddenly rang. Rotel snapped out of his daze, instinctively tightening his grip on his weapon, before realizing he was safe and loosening his grip.
He sheathed the black blade, stood up, and opened the door, where Black Star stood.
The two stared at each other in silence for a while before Rotel slowly spoke:
"... Is something the matter?"
"We haven't had a proper talk yet, and I happen to have some free time now... Would you like to stand at the door and talk to me?" Han Xiao nodded.
Rotel paused, then stepped aside to open the door.
Han Xiao stepped inside, glanced around the room casually, then sat down on the sofa in the living room. He gestured with his chin toward the seat opposite him, indicating that Rotel should sit down.
After Rotel sat down opposite him, Han Xiao stared at him and pondered:
"I've been keeping an eye on you. Judging from your resume, you're a powerful Calamity Grade assassin. I value you highly, which is why I haven't rushed to assign you a position."
"Um."
Han Xiao tilted his head. "You don't seem to talk much."
"Yes."
Rotel responded with a curt reply.
Han Xiao smiled. "Feeling lost isn't a good feeling, is it?"
Upon hearing this, Rotel's brow twitched.
"Believe me, I understand your thoughts. You're different from Shazik; he genuinely wanted to repay me. But I can see you're different. Your only goal is the Sorokin. Now that you've lost your enemy, you don't know what to do, so you decided to serve me for a while, right?"
Han Xiao spoke slowly. The resume submitted by Rotel did not mention his past experiences, but based on the information from his previous life, Han Xiao was very clear about Rotel's experiences and personality, and thus easily deduced his thoughts.
"... Yes." Rotel exhaled and nodded.
"I can see that you are obsessed with the Sorokin, so I guess your hatred for the Sorokin is not just about the destruction of your home. You may have faced the Sorokin directly and witnessed his terror, and he has become your nightmare."
Rotel stared in astonishment. These were secrets he kept hidden deep inside, not written in his resume, and rarely revealed to outsiders. How did Black Star figure it out?
The two exchanged very few words. Could Black Star's insight be so terrifying that he could guess my thoughts and past so accurately after only a few meetings?
"... You're right. I've seen the Sorokin before. I'm an ability user whose powers were taken from me." Rotel suppressed his inner shock, maintaining a stoic expression, and said in a low voice.
"You're really lucky to still be alive."
He knew that Rotel's hatred for the Sorokin was even more profound. After all, anyone would be unhappy if their innate abilities were taken away. Even though Rotel defied fate and gained the same powerful strength, he still harbored resentment.
Han Xiao comforted him, "To have your current strength, you must have suffered a lot."
Upon hearing this, a flicker of emotion crossed Rotel's eyes, as if he were lost in some unpleasant memory, but he quickly regained his composure, lowered his head, and remained silent, a strange feeling spreading through his heart.
Having spent so many years alone without any friends or companions, Rotel was deeply moved to find that Han Xiao understood him, to hear his comfort, and to see his sincere smile.
It's been so long since anyone cared about me...
If an ordinary person had said this, Rotel wouldn't have thought much of it. As a Calamity Grade powerhouse, he wasn't easily persuaded. However, Black Star was a Beyond Grade A, and in front of him, Calamity Grade was nothing but a junior. Black Star was a big shot far above him, and it was only because he received such attention from a big shot that Rotel's reaction was amplified.
In reality, there was another reason... In order to open Rotel's heart, Han Xiao activated Morning Star's Character Summon Card while speaking.
--[A Smile Looking Back], Effect: Charm +688.
It seems to have proven quite effective...
"It's all in the past." Rotel took a breath, suppressing his rising emotions, and answered in a hoarse voice.
Han Xiao shook his head, and while the character card was still valid, he leaned forward and whispered:
"Don't keep it bottled up inside. You may be used to being alone, but you need to realize that no matter what the future holds, you are no longer alone. I am your boss, and I hope to know more about your experiences."
Rotel's throat bobbed slightly. He remained silent for a moment, initially feeling somewhat resistant, but remembering that Black Star was his benefactor, he made his decision and slowly began to recount his past.
Because he hadn't spoken this much in a long time, he was a little awkward at first, but he quickly got into the swing of things and became immersed in his emotions.
Having no one to confide in before, Rotel had kept the past locked away in her heart, a heavy burden. Now, having poured it all out, she felt much lighter and more cheerful.
Han Xiao listened quietly. In fact, he understood most of what Rotel said. The main reason for letting him speak was to open his heart and increase his favorability. After all, Rotel had just joined and there was no emotional foundation. Loyalty wouldn't fall from the sky; it needed to be cultivated slowly.
"That's right. I value you highly. If you'd like, I'm always willing to listen." Han Xiao nodded.
"... Thank you." Rotel exhaled a breath of stale air, feeling a sense of relief throughout his body. The fear of the Sorokin that had been lingering in his heart seemed to have lessened somewhat.
He was somewhat flattered and grateful that such an important figure as Black Star was willing to have a heart-to-heart talk with him.
"That's enough for today." Han Xiao stood up and smiled, "I hope that one day in the future, I can rely on you without worry."
"Hmm." Although Rotel was still sparing with words, his tone was completely different and less indifferent.
"Cheer up! I'll be assigning you a task soon, so don't be listless then. Goodbye."
Han Xiao walked towards the door, waving his hand with his back turned.
Rotel leaned against the door, watching Han Xiao's the Sight of Father's Back disappear around the corner, and felt much more relaxed.
My decision to join the Black Star Army seems to have been a good one.
A few days later, the Logistics Department's production line produced a large number of [Black Star Army Badges - Evolution], and after Han Xiao completed charging, they were officially shipped out.
Some players with nothing better to do went back to headquarters to pick up their goods, while buyers in the distant battlefield of the Gular Civilization had their goods delivered to their door by the legion's logistics system.
Soon, the first batch of players who purchased the item experienced its effects firsthand, and numerous review posts appeared on the forums immediately.
Players participating in the Gural Civil War used it in actual combat and recorded videos. Han Xiao opened a related popular post and watched the videos.
The scene depicts an airdrop battle, where players are clearing out resistance forces in the city. Meanwhile, a war bunker stands in a square, stockpiled with a large number of Ancient Emperor Party ground troops. Their firepower is fierce, and charging players are being blown up, forcing them to take cover.
After exchanging words among themselves, ten players wearing the [Black Star Army Badge - Evolution] stepped forward and raised their badges high.
"Ultraman, transform!"
A player, who appeared to be a chuunibyou (delusional) martial artist, roared, and the next moment, the bodies of the ten players suddenly swelled up, turning into aberrant higher life forms.
"RUA!" Ten enormous mutants charged out simultaneously, braving the artillery fire, and charged at high speed on all fours.
The powerful vitality withstood the concentrated fire. When the enemy suddenly saw a group of monsters breaking through the fire coverage, the fear on their faces was clearly visible, and their screams echoed through the sky.
Two mutants were shot down on their way to the front, while the rest charged into the enemy's position, smashing up hover tanks and destroying war bunkers. Their massive arms and claws unleashed a chaotic rampage, with blood and flesh flying everywhere – definitely a scene for adults only.
[Fist of the Supreme Testicle (OP): Personal experience, the ultimate evolution's combat effectiveness is off the charts, the mutant is excessively tanky, it's really perfect for attacking strong targets]
[Maple Moon: It's a bit ugly, but it's really useful...]
[Moon Shadow Flow: It's pretty cost-effective, but still very expensive. Charging it costs an extra 5000 Enas, which is a rip-off.]
[Moe Moon and Stars: Think about it, how can you become stronger without spending money? (Black Star smiles)]
Many players use the badges in dungeons; the Aberration is perfect as a main tank, ideal for taking down bosses.
Badge holders suddenly became popular for teaming up for dungeons, and almost every raid would include one badge holder.
Some players saw a business opportunity in this, pooled their money to buy badges, and then hired them to join dungeon raiding teams, charging only a fee slightly higher than the cost of the badges, specifically catering to players who couldn't afford them.
Players were very proactive, and various creative uses were quickly discussed on the forum. Han Xiao followed the discussion for a while out of curiosity, then closed the forum, as there was something more important to do right now.
The Crimson Dynasty has officially reached an agreement on the issue of Evolutionary Totem. Han Xiao has signed a formal trade agreement with the Empire to provide Evolutionary Totem to the Empire on a long-term basis. It is expected that 100 million totem devices will be supplied within five years, and all of them will have a maximum charging period of twenty years. The Empire will pay for the manufacturing costs and "fuel fees".
Because of the relationship between the two sides, Han Xiao can't make much money from the Empire. His goal is to make money from other civilizations. An important clause of the agreement is that Han Xiao has the right to sell Evolutionary Totem to other allied civilizations, and the profits go entirely to the Black Star Army.
Instead of waiting for the legacy of the Sorokin to be gradually revealed, the empire took the initiative to announce the existence of the Evolutionary Totem to the entire universe, causing a huge stir and making countless civilizations excited!
The civilizations in the Shattered Star Ring that had already cooperated with Han Xiao were also shocked. No matter how you looked at it, the cost-effectiveness of using Evolution Cube was far inferior to that of Evolutionary Totem!
Countless civilizations couldn't sit still any longer. In no time, the Legion's phone numbers were bombarded with calls as countless people contacted Han Xiao, hoping to purchase the Evolutionary Totem.
Han Xiao instructed Phillip to post the trade agreement with the Empire, informing these civilizations that as long as they gained the Empire's recognition, they could purchase the Evolutionary Totem, thus shifting the problems and pressures to the Empire.
Han Xiao directly traded with the allied civilizations that had joined long ago, signing agreements for multiple large-scale purchases. The number of totem devices pre-sold reached tens of millions, and the business covered various star regions.
His pricing of the Evolutionary Totem was not as "cheap" as the Ovitan Badge, because the Black Star Army made a huge profit from this deal, and their cash flow became incredibly abundant!
Evolutionary Totem have become a stable faction specialty of the Black Star Army. Such high profits naturally attract the envy of many forces. However, the combination of the Black Star Army and the Crimson Dynasty is enough to dispel the bad intentions of most forces.
The bigger the business, the stronger the protection it needs, and the Black Star Army now has the strength to monopolize this piece of the pie.
The Black Star Army alone is a dominant force in the Shattered Star Ring, with countless local civilizations as its partners. Its power is immense, and this level of Beyond Grade A power already stands at the top of the cosmic food chain.
As for Black Star, the owner of the Evolution Cube, after the Battle of Lighthouse Star and the Sorokin's Fall, the whole universe knows that he is extremely difficult to deal with. Even the Arcane Church and the Sorokin have fallen. Few people would be so confident that they can definitely defeat him.
Moreover, Black Star is not alone in the Shattered Star Ring. Of the other four Beyond Grade A- ranks in the Shattered Star Ring, three have cooperative relationships with Black Star. His network of connections is terrifying.
Furthermore, the Shattered Star Ring has an excellent geographical location, adjacent to the Shattered World. The Empire has deployed over 100 million fleets in the Shattered World, which can support the Shattered Star Ring at any time. Even the Federation of Light, the nominal owner of the Shattered Star Ring, turns a blind eye to it. Few forces dare to cause trouble in the Shattered Star Ring.
Due to various concerns, no force dared to act rashly or take risks, and they tacitly accepted the trading rules established by the empire.
Han Xiao naturally didn't forget his own people. Every legion branch and training camp was equipped with Evolutionary Totem. Bennett's Planet Aquamarine, also received the benefit of Evolutionary Totem for free. He didn't forget the Black Spirit Race either. Han Xiao specially sent an Apostle Weapon to plant an Evolutionary Totem and led some mechanical troops to guard the planet where the Black Spirit Race was located.
Seeing their archenemy make a fortune through the Evolution Cube, the Star Pupil Protoss were furious. People had already reduced their criticism of Sisko a lot recently, but seeing the Black Star Army's success, many people were heartbroken and accused Sisko of missing a golden opportunity to develop civilization.
The overwhelming criticism within the civilization left Sisko feeling very frustrated.
Heber, who was also in the War Realm, was in a bad mood. He felt that his position in the Shattered Star Ring was becoming increasingly unstable, but there was nothing he could do. He could only watch helplessly as Han Xiao was aggressively building up his forces, and he felt as sour as if he had eaten a lemon.
Just as the Evolutionary Totem was attracting widespread attention throughout the universe, Han Xiao received a special challenge.
From Ames.