[Initial Simulation Pod, Fallen Yellow-Grade Training Zone Holographic Simulation Experience Store]
Tendo lay down in the simulation pod. The metal hatch slowly closed, isolating the outside light.
He leaned against the inner wall. A faint electrical current sound hummed in the confined space. The pupils under his black eye patch narrowed slightly.
The next second, the world before his eyes changed.
"A rookie? No..."
It was clearly the same simulation pod and the same simulated scenario.
But as Tendo opened his eyes, a plot completely different from what Chen Kong had experienced earlier appeared before the inter-dimensional audience at Site 13.
Unlike the 'arrogance' he showed when meeting Chen Kong, the look in Enite's eyes as he gazed at the silver-haired young man was filled with surprise.
Because he sensed an aura from the youth before him that should not exist in this era.
An aura... called 'rules.'
"You are not a native, and not even a person of this era."
Enite's tone was very serious and completely certain.
Tendo didn't directly respond to his words. Instead, he looked at the surrounding 'apocalyptic war vehicle' with interest.
The interior walls of the carriage were covered in scratches. Dried blood stains remained on the seats. A few rusty Star Energy Grenades lay in the corner.
These relics, which he had only seen in history museums, now truly appeared before him.
It must be admitted that the simulation pod's authenticity was quite good.
At this moment, Tendo clearly felt the sensation of Star Energy flowing in his body. Even his skin's rejection of the ozone smell was felt vividly. Everything was so real that it was difficult to distinguish between illusion and reality.
After briefly experiencing the effect of the 'Initial Simulation Pod,' Tendo turned to look at the 'younger version' of Enite and smiled, "How did you figure it out?"
"It's simple."
Enite said as he pushed open the carriage door.
Instantly, a purple sandstorm poured in, blowing his unkempt black, fragmented hair.
"You should know that in this era, there is no one whose depth I cannot fathom, no one who has walked ahead of me. Unless you come from an even more distant future."
Enite's tone was full of conviction and extreme self-confidence.
It was as if he was the 'only one' of this era.
But Tendo had shattered this notion.
Therefore, the only explanation was that Tendo was not a person of this era.
"Is that so..."
Tendo was noncommittal about Enite's words.
After all, this was the first time Tendo had heard such a line from someone else.
He knew that lines like that used to be his exclusive domain.
In this regard, the young Enite was indeed remarkably similar to himself.
"Let's go. It's rare to meet someone this interesting. I'll have to take things a bit more seriously today."
With that, Enite stepped out of the carriage.
Soon, Tendo also left the carriage and stepped outside.
Immediately upon exiting the vehicle, Tendo felt a faint tremor coming from the sandy ground.
On the horizon in the distance, a rusted metal plaque was inscribed with the words: 'United States Star Beast Clearance Team - Quicksand Star Outpost.'
These were things that had not appeared before the inter-dimensional audience during Chen Kong's simulation experience.
Through these details, the inter-dimensional audience's thoughts immediately began to diverge.
[Site 13 Comment Section]
'United States Star Beast Clearance Team—could this be the predecessor of the Star Envoy Association?!'
'Why is the plot different from Chen Kong's? Could Tendo have triggered some hidden scenario?'
'Enite can actually tell that Tendo is from the future. His perception is terrifying!'
'Plus one to the comment above!'
Under the curious gaze of the inter-dimensional audience, the two quickly arrived in front of the collapsed library.
Unlike the scene Chen Kong encountered, outside the library ruins, there were no scattered Star Beasts. Instead, dense swarms of Quicksand Star Black Ants guarded the entrance. Their crimson eyes stared at the invaders, and the air was filled with a pungent pheromone scent.
"Your turn?"
Enite turned sideways, a hint of expectation in his eyes.
He genuinely wanted to see what abilities this young man from the future possessed.
Tendo nodded, then walked straight toward the ant colony.
Without any superfluous movements, he simply raised his right hand slightly.
Vector Reversal.
Rumble!
An invisible Vector Field spread out. The Quicksand Star Black Ants, which were originally charging at Tendo, suddenly seemed to be grabbed by an invisible giant hand, suspended in mid-air.
Their bodies twisted at bizarre angles, and the sound of cracking exoskeletons rose and fell.
In just a few seconds, the once-dense ant colony transformed into a pile of twisted corpses, all falling onto the sandy ground, without a chance to resist.
Enite raised an eyebrow, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Impressive."
This level of absolute control over Star Source and the absolute utilization of Star Energy was something even he couldn't do better than Tendo.
"It's alright."
Tendo's reply to Enite's praise remained flat.
To him, eliminating these Level 2 Star Beasts was no different from crushing ants. There was nothing to be proud of.
After a brief exchange, the two entered the library ruins one after the other.
After passing through a shattered hall and many old bookshelves, the scene before their eyes greatly surprised the inter-dimensional audience.
In the underground space deep within the ruins, thousands of people wearing tattered clothes were imprisoned.
They were men and women, all ragged and pale, toiling like humble miners, carrying basket after basket of Quicksand Star ore, and placing these ores sequentially into designated warehouses.
[Site 13 Comment Section]
'Star Beasts actually capture humans as slaves?!'
'This scene wasn't in Chen Kong's simulation, was it?'
'I feel like the Production Team is playing a big game of chess.'
"Should we save them first?"
Enite looked at Tendo.
"Whatever."
Tendo shrugged, then walked over to a nearby bookshelf, flipping through these 'Old Era' books.
It was as if these Old Era books were more attractive to him than saving these Old Era people.
Meanwhile, the Quicksand Star Black Ants in the underground nest, having long sensed the invaders, rushed toward the two men.
Enite charged forward first, Star Energy converging in his fist, and he shattered the exoskeleton of the foremost soldier ant with a single punch.
Tendo continued to browse the bookshelf, acting as if the surrounding battle had nothing to do with him.
Regardless of whether he intervened or not, the result would be the same.
In that case, why should he intervene?
Although Enite noticed Tendo 'slacking off,' he didn't show much reaction.
Because he clearly knew that it was difficult to forcefully demand someone like Tendo to do anything.
Moreover, against a mere few small ants, he, Enite... was enough by himself.