Chapter 6:
Lin Yan paced back and forth across the bridge, boots clanking loudly against the metal floor.
"Star," he said, rubbing his temples, "how long is that goddamn robot you sent out going to take to bring back one ton of resources?"
"Estimated time: five hours."
Lin Yan stopped walking so fast he nearly tripped.
"…Five hours?"
"Correct."
"Five hours for one ton?" He pointed at the empty space ahead of him. "Did I send it to mine crystal—or to negotiate prices with the rocks?"
"Mining efficiency is within acceptable parameters."
Lin Yan sighed deeply and collapsed into the captain's chair. "I'm surrounded by geniuses."
His eyes drifted to the glowing vial in his hand.
The gene syrup pulsed softly, like it was alive.
Lin Yan swallowed.
"Star," he said, standing back up, "I've decided. I'm taking the gene potion."
There was no hesitation.
"Excellent choice."
"Initiating protection mode."
"Protection mode—wait, wait—"
The ship roared to life.
Blue energy surged from the walls, snapping into place around Lin Yan like invisible chains. The floor lit up with glowing symbols, and the air vibrated violently.
Lin Yan's hair stood on end.
"…Next time," he muttered, "say something before you turn me into a science experiment."
"Noted."
He took a deep breath, raised the vial—
—and drank it in one gulp.
The world exploded.
Pain slammed into him from every direction. His knees buckled, and he crashed onto the floor, convulsing violently.
"A—AAAGH!"
Black blood erupted from his skin like smoke, splattering across the deck. His bones glowed red-hot, cracking and reshaping. He felt his spine stretch, compress, then snap back into place.
Lin Yan clawed at the floor, nails scraping metal.
"STAR!" he screamed. "I TAKE IT BACK—"
"Request denied."
"…OF COURSE IT IS!"
His skeleton burned like a phoenix wrapped in fire. His organs felt shredded, then forcibly stitched together by invisible hands.
The pain lasted seconds.
Then minutes.
Then eternity.
Finally—
Darkness swallowed him whole.
Five hours later.
Lin Yan's fingers twitched.
His eyes snapped open.
He sucked in a sharp breath and rolled onto his side, coughing violently.
"…I'm alive?" he croaked.
He slowly pushed himself up—and immediately punched a hole in the metal wall by accident.
The bridge went silent.
Lin Yan stared at his fist.
"…Oops."
DING. DING.
"Status update: You did not die."
Lin Yan's eye twitched.
"…Were you expecting me to die?"
"Negative."
"Then why does that sound like a surprise?"
"Clarification: Survival probability was 12.7%."
"…STAR."
"However, waking up this early exceeded expectations."
Lin Yan dragged a hand down his face. "I need a refund on this system."
The console beeped again.
"Update: Resource-collection unit has returned."
Lin Yan straightened and jumped to his feet—
—and accidentally bent the floor.
"…Okay," he said slowly, lifting his foot. "That's new."
Energy rippled faintly beneath his skin.
He clenched his fist. The air trembled.
A grin spread across his face.
"I don't know how strong I am now," Lin Yan said.
Then he glanced at the clock.
The grin vanished.
"…But I know I'm very late."
"Bluestar time: 5:12 PM."
Lin Yan spun toward the exit.
"My team's going to think I died."
"That assumption would be reasonable."
"Stop helping."
He sprinted toward the hangar, each step cracking metal.
"Star! Fastest exit route. Now!"
"Warning: Sudden departure may draw attention."
Lin Yan laughed breathlessly.
"After today? That's tomorrow's problem."
Behind him, the ancient ship hummed softly.
Deep within its core—
Something awakened.