The news that Shattered World will soon be open for exploration in its fourth phase has swept the world like a hurricane.
The entire universe had been waiting for this day for far too long, and every star system was bustling with activity as civilizations and civilian organizations in various regions were recruiting soldiers and horses on a large scale.
Besides the forces at large, countless interstellar citizens are also taking action, eager to travel to the new star system, and many want to try their luck, look for opportunities to make a fortune, or choose a place to settle down.
Countless troops and resources have been mobilized, and the Empire has only confirmed the timeline. Before the Shattered World truly opens, so many people and resources will be waiting in the Shattered Star Ring. Obviously, the Shattered Star Ring will quickly become saturated and bustling in the short term.
Just like a diversion, the emergence of a new star system will distribute the population and resources of the entire Explored Universe, and even the original structure of each star system will be affected.
A massive wave of immigration gradually took shape, surging from all directions towards the Shattered World, like a new gold rush, with the tide of the times carrying one life after another forward.
The surface of the reddish-brown mineral planet is covered with mining wells, transport vehicles travel between mining factories, prisoners wearing special mining armor dig for ore in the veins, and plumes of industrial exhaust rise from various refineries like fingers pointing to the sky.
A deep and somber circular prison sits in a mountain crater, the deep starry sky casting a cool glow on its iron-gray exterior.
"Congratulations on your release from prison."
Stepping across the line between freedom and imprisonment, even the air filled with industrial fumes seemed fresh and sweet. Seeing the usually stern prison guards smile at him, Evans felt as if he had been transported to another world.
The heavy, stuffy, and sweat-smelling prison miner's armor was finally behind him. He was now dressed in simple civilian clothes and carrying only a light suitcase. He couldn't remember the last time he felt so relaxed.
A hovercraft was parked not far away; it was the prison shuttle bus, responsible for transporting prisoners to the outer space airport. At that moment, a man in military uniform stood beside the vehicle, waving with a joyful expression.
Although they hadn't seen each other for many years, Evans recognized the man in military uniform waiting for him at a glance—his childhood friend.
He couldn't help but laugh, quickly stepped forward, and gave the other person a heavy hug; the sound of their thick chest muscles colliding was dull.
"I've come to pick you up. How have you been doing in prison all these years?"
"Work, meals, sleep—every day is the same."
After many years apart, the two were overjoyed to be reunited and had so much to say to each other.
Evans grabbed his childhood friend's arm, looked him up and down, and exclaimed, "Time flies! Before I went to jail, you were just a skinny little kid running around after me with snot bubbles coming out of your nose. I never imagined you'd be a soldier now."
"You've changed a lot too! Let's not stand here, let's get in the car."
The two took a shuttle bus to the airport, then a directional flight, and spent several tens of minutes arriving at the nearby colony. They chatted happily the whole way.
The mineral planet where this prison is located is an industry built around the colony, bringing together all sorts of prisoners who work as miners and laborers on the mineral planet.
Back in the bustling city, his childhood friend had already booked a room at a famous hotel and was treating Evans to a welcome dinner.
Having spent many years in prison, Evans hadn't eaten anything other than nutritional paste in a long time. He wolfed down his food, devouring 80% of it by himself, until he was completely stuffed.
Holding his bulging belly, Evans let out a satisfied sigh.
At this moment, his childhood friend took out a box, placed it on the table, and opened it. Inside were essential items such as an interstellar communicator and a translator, as well as a simple, lightweight folded mech suit.
"I've prepared all of these things for you, and I've even opened an account for you with 15,000 Enas in it."
"I'll take the rest of the things, but you can take these back, Enas. I don't need them. I get a meager salary working in prison, and I've saved up some money." Evans waved his hand.
"How can this be? You saved my life before. If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have the life I have now. Please accept my gratitude," my childhood friend said loudly.
He was always grateful to Evans, Evans had been imprisoned for killing a villainous superhuman to protect him.
Superhuman abilities can amplify the dark side of some people. Some enjoy the privileges and conveniences of superhumans, but turn around and seek a sense of superiority from ordinary people, taking pleasure in abusing, insulting, and mocking them, and using their abilities to commit evil.
The two had once encountered such a superhuman, whose lives were threatened. Evans was just a mortal, yet he managed to kill the Grade E- rank villain.
His childhood friend has now become a sergeant and has been diagnosed with Esper Gene, awakening into a superhuman. However, Evans was diagnosed with no Esper Gene and will remain an ordinary person for the rest of his life. He has always felt sorry for Evans.
With Evans ' abilities, if he also has the talent of a superhuman, he will definitely be much stronger than me in the future.
Alas, this is fate.
"Haha, I appreciate the thought, but I don't want your money. If we're brothers, don't even think about repaying me with material things." Evans's smile was hearty, and his attitude was firm.
"If you'd like, you can come stay at my place," my childhood friend persisted.
"You're already married, so I won't bother you."
"If you want to join the army, I can find someone to get your criminal record wiped."
"No need. I'm just an ordinary person. I'd only be cannon fodder if I joined the army." Evans knew he could never become a superhuman, but he didn't really care.
He didn't have the bad habit of lamenting the unfairness of fate. In his view, it was better to do more than to lament.
"So what are your plans for the future?" my childhood friend asked helplessly.
"Well, let's find a job first, and we'll talk about the rest later."
Evans picked up his communicator, opened the online channel, browsed the latest job postings, and was immediately taken aback.
The job postings were densely packed, and regardless of the organization behind them, the first core requirement was always exactly the same.
Work Location: Shattered World!
As long as you meet this requirement and you're not a wanted criminal, we'll take you no matter what you do!
My childhood friend peeked over and shook his head, saying, "The Crimson Dynasty finally confirmed the opening date of the Shattered World a while ago, and forces from all regions are frantically recruiting people willing to go to the Shattered World. The whole universe is buzzing with excitement."
Evans pursed his lips. In his memory, the concept of the Shattered World was still stuck in the Crimson Tide period. During his time in prison, he was isolated from the world, and the outside world had changed drastically.
Looking down at the screen full of recruitment information, Evans slowly nodded.
"Shattered World... Let's go take a look."
"It's finally going to open soon."
Star Pupil Protoss, Sisko stood by the window, his seven eyes gazing at the city's night view outside, his heart surging with emotion.
After the Lighthouse Star incident, he kept a low profile and quietly recuperated.
After more than a decade of fading, the negative impact of being forced by Han Xiao to announce the transfer of ownership of the Evolution Cube has been largely eliminated, and he remains a great leader in the eyes of most people.
Although they were very close, because he was Arcane, he could only watch helplessly as Black Star and Tyrant gained the upper hand in the Shattered World. Sisko felt both envious and impatient. He had been waiting for the day when the world would open up to the public for a long time and wanted to get a share of the pie.
In his view, the Shattered World is also an opportunity for the Star Pupil Protoss. They are constantly hampered in this hellish place of the Shattered Star Ring, and this situation will become more and more serious as Black Star and the Tyrant expand. He has no choice but to open up a new way out for the Star Pupil Protoss.
In this way, the Arcane Church would have an excuse to intervene and strongly support itself, thereby gaining more benefits in the Shattered World, and the Star Pupil Protoss would also benefit greatly.
Whenever Sisko thought about the past, Han Xiao's image would involuntarily appear in his mind.
"Black Star... He too has been dormant for over a decade. It seems that after reaching the peak of the Peak Beyond Grade A, he has also stagnated..."