Chapter 52: Legal Zero Dollar Shopping
In Version 1.0, players were born on novice planets and lived through the local storms of their homeworlds.
In Version 2.0, the curtain rose on the star sea.
Factions began recruiting players offworld, starships replaced caravans, and the map of adventure expanded from one planet to the entire galaxy.
The Liuli Star beneath Hodell's feet was exactly that kind of world.
A novice planet.
A starting point.
A place that would one day be left behind by countless players rushing toward the stars.
In the original timeline, Liuli Star had another name.
Sodrian.
And that was also Troy's title.
Hodell's expression turned strange.
Naming a planet after yourself… that style really did remind him of a certain shameless Mechanic from the future.
Which also meant one thing.
In the original trajectory, Troy's [Perfect Parasitism] plan had actually succeeded.
Hodell leaned back in his chair and slowly exhaled.
"So The School really is useless…"
Now that the pieces had connected, the overall timeline became much clearer.
Before the open beta, Troy successfully seized power from within.
In Version 1.0, Liuli Star later attached itself to a galaxy level civilization as a remote autonomous territory. It was nominally absorbed, but in practice retained a great deal of self rule. As for what happened in the middle, what deal was struck, and what blood was spilled to make it happen, the novel had never explained in detail.
Later, when the [Perfect Parasitism] plan was exposed in Version 2.0, that same galaxy level civilization immediately turned on Troy for political convenience. The plan was too dangerous, too sensitive, too disgusting. No power with half a brain would publicly admit it had tolerated such a thing inside its sphere.
Troy resisted. The rebellion was crushed. He led his fleet into exile.
After outside forces intervened, the players of Liuli Star were also dragged onto the interstellar stage. Some joined the suppressing civilization, some scattered into nearby galaxies, some became freelancers, and some ended up in strange corners of the star sea like loose nails kicked off a workbench.
As for Troy himself, his later fate was miserable.
Hodell remembered it clearly.
At that stage, Troy was already being hunted like a stray dog. His fleet had been repeatedly beaten down, his territory shattered, and his political enemies had done everything possible to make sure he had no road left to walk. If he were captured, his end would be far worse than death.
So he sought out Han Xiao.
He wanted refuge.
He wanted to use Black Star's influence and territory to slip through a stargate and escape the Central Star Sea.
Han Xiao refused.
Naturally.
After that, Troy fled toward the border gaps of the Central Star Sea, then later joined the Fallen Ark, that nest of mad dogs under the EsGod.
Hodell even remembered one funny detail.
Han Xiao had quietly planted a mark on Troy back then, intending to use him as a movable surveillance bug to track the EsGod's movements.
As for the result…
There was no result.
Troy never amounted to anything more.
Hodell turned his head and looked out the window at the calm starry sky.
The corners of his lips slowly lifted.
"Safe."
This was the Crimson Empire's homeland region.
One of the three universe level civilizations sat overhead like a mountain pressing down on the stars.
The explored universe was centered around the three universe level civilizations, whose home regions formed the true heart of the star sea. The Central Star Sea was not just prosperous. It was absurdly prosperous. Powerhouses gathered there like clouds. Wealth, technology, fleets, high civilization politics, ancient secrets, it all converged there.
The Constellation Corridor, where Liuli Star was located, was one of the three great pieces of that center.
A novice planet planted in the yard of a universe level civilization.
What kind of concept was that?
Hodell only had one thought.
"The sense of security is overwhelming."
Before this, he had been walking a tightrope.
From the academy to the General Administration, from Phantom to the Dark Feather Alliance, every step had been over a knife edge. In truth, once he had the means to move independently, he could have considered running long ago.
But running meant giving up the main storyline.
And giving up the main storyline meant giving up the resources, opportunities, and explosive growth only the heart of the storm could provide.
So he endured.
Now it was different.
Now he knew Liuli Star was a player planet.
That meant the future would grow leeks.
Fresh, energetic, self motivated leeks.
The kind that would run around doing work for experience and call it fun.
Hodell's mood brightened instantly.
"In that case, a lot of plans can be redrawn."
He had been enduring up to this point because he needed to.
Now, he could start thinking ahead.
Much farther ahead.
…
Oluson New District.
Warehouse No. 7.
On paper, it belonged to a certain influential figure.
In practice, it was a transit hub for the Obsidian Group, several underground factions, and whoever else had enough money to grease the right hands.
The night was quiet.
Then the alloy gate exploded inward.
Boom!
Before the dust had even settled, fully armed gendarmes from the Special Review Team stormed in like a flood.
"Special review! Hands on your heads! Everyone squat down! Resist and you die!"
Wagner's roar echoed through the warehouse, thick with killing intent.
The warehouse manager came running out in a panic, waving papers like a drowning man clutching seaweed.
"This is a legal bonded zone! You can't just break in! You need a search warrant!"
Bang.
A magitech cannon round blasted a shallow crater into the floor right beside his shoes.
The manager froze.
Hodell stepped through the ruined gate carrying a silver hand cannon in one hand as casually as if he were carrying a walking stick. His black leather boots crunched over broken gravel.
This thing really did feel good in the hand.
The only problem was that every shot burned money.
He walked past the terrified manager without sparing him a glance and headed deeper inside.
"According to intelligence leads, this site contains prohibited materials that threaten public safety."
His voice was cold and unhurried.
"Everything here is now under seizure."
To the ordinary gendarmes, the warehouse was just a chaotic pile of ore, scrap, crates, sealed liquids, dismantled parts, and contraband of unclear use.
To Hodell's [Energy Vision], it was another world.
Streams of light crossed over one another in the dark.
Red, gold, blue, pale green, dirty violet.
Energy glows rose from stacks of materials like ghost flames.
He stopped beside a rust stained container and tapped it once.
[High Purity Krypton Gold Ore (Unrefined): Core material used in advanced magic conductive prosthetics and shield generators.]
Hodell's expression immediately turned grave.
"Wagner."
"Sir!"
"The radiation and energy contamination on this crate are both severely abnormal. This is highly likely to be raw material connected to Troy's Aberration manufacturing process."
He spoke with complete seriousness.
"Apply a special grade seal. Send it back to the Special Review Team's independent evidence room. I will personally conduct the decontamination and analysis."
Wagner's back straightened even more.
"Yes, sir! For the safety of the citizens!"
Hodell nodded with satisfaction and moved on.
Soon, he stopped in front of another heap.
[Standard Magic Conductive Construct Wreckage: Failed product. Contains special magic pattern circuit technology. Can be used for blueprint analysis or repair studies.]
Hodell narrowed his eyes.
"This is evidence of illegal magical experimentation. Pack it up. I'll dismantle it tonight."
"Yes, sir!"
Then a gendarme hurried over with an account book in both hands, face pale.
"Sir! We found this in the safe!"
His finger shook as he pointed toward the front page.
A special inspection exemption seal from the Ministry of Magic.
That mark alone would make most investigators hesitate.
Hodell took the book, thumb brushing the seal of privilege.
Normally, Ministry of Magic affairs were outside his core responsibility.
But at this stage, nothing in Oluson was truly outside his responsibility anymore.
"Don't panic," Hodell said calmly. "Even if the sky falls, I'll be the one holding it up."
By the time he returned to the General Administration building, it was deep into the night.
His so called "evidence room" was nearly full.
Crates were stacked everywhere, boxed reagents lined the shelves, dismantled parts occupied half the floor, and several sealed containers gave off dangerous energy readings even through isolation layers.
Hodell locked the door behind him and stood alone in the middle of the room.
For a brief, glorious moment, he felt exactly like a dragon returning to its treasure hoard.
He picked up a potion glowing with an eerie light and drove it straight into the side of his neck without hesitation.
Sss.
Cold fluid rushed into his bloodstream.
[You have injected [Type III Gene Repair Potion]. Endurance +1. Max HP +50.]
Hodell closed his eyes for a second.
So this was what it felt like to be rich.
No.
To be legally rich.
This was the joy of lawful zero dollar shopping.
In the game, attribute boosting potions were always absurdly expensive. Some could only be used once. Others could be used repeatedly and were fought over by major guilds until people started insulting one another's entire bloodlines over allocation rights.
Now he had a room full of them.
He picked up the next bottle.
[You have consumed [Purple Glow Grass Juice]. Mystery +1.]
The next instant, the ceiling twisted.
Colors began to run.
Tiny rainbow colored people appeared in midair and started dancing some deeply offensive little jig above his head.
Hodell gripped the edge of the table and endured the hallucination without expression.
"Strong medicine," he muttered through clenched teeth. "The side effects are ridiculous."
Then the third.
Then the fourth.
By the time half an hour had passed, his face had cycled through red, white, and faintly sickly green. Sweat soaked his back. His head throbbed. His stomach felt like it wanted out.
But when he looked at the panel and saw another point of Mystery and Endurance added, he immediately felt the suffering had become much more philosophical.
Worth it.
It was all worth it.
"These mage world miracle pills really are good stuff," he said, wiping his face. "A pity there weren't more high grade items."
He stood up and flexed his fingers, feeling the subtle changes in his body.
At that moment, a faint tapping sound came from the window.
Tap. Tap tap.
Not the door.
The window.
The same reinforced, supposedly missile resistant special glass window.
Hodell raised a brow.
Then he waved a hand, shutting off the interior security field.
The window slid open soundlessly.
A shadow flipped inside.
Slim. Fast. Silent.
The figure landed without making so much as a shoe scrape. Then she pulled down her tactical goggles, revealing Lamia's pale but still sharp and beautiful face.
Her breathing was a little uneven.
Clearly, bypassing the General Administration's perimeter detection had not been effortless.
"Specialist Ryan," she said, then corrected herself with a faintly strange look, "No. I should call you Chief Investigator now."
She looked around the luxurious office and snorted.
"The old fossils really are treating you well. This place is over a hundred times better than the doghouse you lived in before."
"The General Administration's logistics staff are quite considerate," Hodell replied lazily from the sofa. "More importantly, when addressing me now, you should say 'sir.'"
Lamia ignored that and walked to the coffee table instead.
She placed a silver white refrigerated case on it with a dull thud.
The seal opened.
Pressure vented with a hiss.
Cold mist spilled out.
Inside lay a golden potion so bright it looked as though liquid starlight had been bottled and compressed.
Hodell's eyes narrowed instantly.
The energy response alone was astonishing.
"This," Lamia said, watching his expression, "was specially approved for you by the organization. A reward for your… outstanding performance in Oluson."
She paused.
"And for a new conclusion they've reached."
Hodell picked up the potion.
[Heavenly Glow Source Essence Supplement (Type II)]
[Description: Extracted from the spinal fluid of a rare magical beast during its death frenzy. After repeated filtration, refining, and stabilization, it becomes a highly valuable essence suitable for human use.]
[Effect: Endurance +3, Mystery +3, Charisma +3. High probability of awakening [Extraordinary Physique].]
Even Hodell's breathing paused for a beat.
This was truly good stuff.
Not market good.
Not wealthy good.
The sort of material that rarely even entered circulation.
Then he looked up.
"With a reward this heavy, I assume the job isn't simple."
He swirled the potion between two fingers.
"Go on. Do you want me to blow up the General Administration, or assassinate Elanis?"
Lamia's expression turned strangely awkward.
She avoided his eyes.
Then, after two full breaths, she finally spoke.
"It's not a combat mission."
"Then what? A suicide mission?"
Lamia suddenly straightened her back as if she had made some terrible decision.
Then she stared him in the eye and blurted:
"The organization wants to know whether you want a wife."
The room went silent.
Hodell stared at her.
Lamia continued in a stiff, almost report like tone, clearly reciting something she wished she had not been ordered to say.
"Regarding the spatial talent you displayed at the tribunal, the organization has completed its assessment. They believe you have awakened the legendary quadruple helix gene. You are considered a perfect… Progenitor."
Hodell's expression became very complicated.
"Progenitor?"
Lamia's ears had already reddened, but she pressed on.
"If the talent is just a mutation, then it's non replicable. If it's atavism, then it has inheritance value."
She paused, then forced the rest out in one breath.
"The organization has already selected twelve high compatibility female Candidates for you."
Before Hodell could even blink, she finished the entire fatal sentence.
"They hope that before you either die in battle or suffer some other accident, you can leave behind offspring. Or at the very least, active genetic samples."
Then, perhaps because saying it that way still wasn't sufficiently horrifying, she added the final simplification.
"In short, the organization wants to call you back for breeding."
After speaking, Lamia looked like she wanted to erase her own memory.
Hodell looked at the golden potion in his hand, then at Lamia, then back at the potion.
So this wasn't just a reward.
This was preparation.
This was "nourish the body before mating season" in luxury packaging.
He was genuinely speechless for a moment.
The so called spatial talent was obviously not some local gene miracle. The [Chaos Path] did not sound like something Liuli Star should be producing on its own. That thing almost certainly came with his transmigration and system.
Even if The School squeezed him dry, there was no guarantee any child would inherit even one ten thousandth of what made him special.
But the stupidity of their conclusion confirmed another thing.
They had been fooled hard.
"Twelve?" Hodell raised a brow. "Only twelve? It seems the organization still lacks confidence in me."
Lamia's eyes widened.
"You think that's too few?!"
Hodell coughed lightly and waved the matter away.
"Just joking."
Then his expression cooled.
"Tell Reed I accept this honor."
Lamia blinked.
"But right now the Director General is watching me, the special delegation is about to arrive, and Elanis is looking at me like she wants to peel me open layer by layer. If this precious quadruple helix of mine goes wandering around now, my legs will be broken before I ever make it back."
He leaned back and spoke with calm certainty.
"Once the current matter is settled, and once I return with Troy's legacy…"
His gaze locked onto her.
"Then never mind twelve. Even if it's a hundred, I…"
"Enough! Shut up!"
Lamia exploded.
Her entire face had gone red. If she stayed any longer, she was probably going to die from secondhand embarrassment.
She jammed the tactical goggles back onto her face.
"In any case, the order has been delivered! You accepted the potion, so deal with the rest yourself!"
Then, after two quick steps toward the window, she stopped and threw one more sentence back at him.
"The people in the special delegation aren't easy to deal with. Be careful."
She hesitated.
Then added in a voice that somehow sounded more like flustered irritation than a warning:
"And don't get caught in bed."
With that, she jumped.
Hodell called after her.
"Lamia."
She stopped on the sill without turning back.
"What now?"
"You don't need to climb the window next time."
Hodell raised his wine glass toward her receding profile.
"If you're only delivering medicine, I have a key card."
Lamia nearly slipped off the twenty sixth floor.
She turned and shot him a murderous glare before vanishing into the night like she had been fired from a cannon.
The curtains flapped wildly in the cold wind left behind.
Hodell sat in silence for a few seconds.
Then the smile slowly faded from his face.
He looked down at the golden potion in his hand.
"Breeding…"
The mockery in his eyes deepened.
That was not just an absurd request.
It was a signal.
A sugar coated demand.
A gilded ultimatum.
The School's patience with him was running out.
If he remained useful, they wanted to preserve him.
If he ever ceased being useful, then what they wanted to preserve would not necessarily be him as a person.
Only what could be taken from him.
Hodell turned the bottle slowly in the light.
"Heh."
"This is getting more and more interesting."
.....
[If you don't want to wait for the next update, read 50 chapters ahead on P@treon.]
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