Chapter 1

C-class Supers are the pinnacle of combat power on Aquamarine. They possess strong physical resistance and greater destructive power. Even in the vast universe, the C-class is considered a watershed for basic strength, the "basic standard for planetary exploration warriors".

Reaching level 60 doesn't guarantee C-class status; it depends on the differences in skills, talents, and attributes. Most level 60 characters on Aquamarine are only D+, while people like Bennett are C-class. There are only about twenty C-class individuals on the entire planet.

Han Xiao had joined the ranks of the elite.

He now had even greater confidence.

Since he had decided to go to the battlefield, early preparations were essential.

After advancing to the [Magnetic Ring Mechanic], Han Xiao's mechanical skills improved a level. He spent a few days reinforcing his existing equipment again and creating some new machines that he might need.

However, he didn't delay too much. After all, Germination's situation was deteriorating, and they might turn Aurora into a reagent at any time. To save her, he had to hurry.

When he was ready, Han Xiao called Huang Yu over that evening and instructed, "I'll be away for a while, about half a month if nothing goes wrong. During this time, you will manage the daily affairs of the shelter."

*I'm already managing it...* Huang Yu refrained from saying this and asked, "Sir, where are you going?"

"Don't ask what you shouldn't." Han Xiao hoisted his equipment bag, making to leave, and finally said, "The construction of the shelter is on the right track. Don't mess things up, or you'll suffer the consequences."

Huang Yu shuddered and quickly agreed.

Han Xiao left the room and headed to the helipad, where the helicopter was already waiting.

On the way, he observed the current state of the shelter. Players were coming and going in an endless stream, full of activity. In addition to construction, the newly joined vagrant residents frequently hired players to do simple jobs, forming the prototype of the player city he envisioned.

Han Xiao intended to act alone this time to save people.

The Six Nations had blockaded the Andea battlefield. Approaching as a third party would result in being shot down as an enemy. Reaching the battlefield wouldn't be easy; Han Xiao couldn't recklessly approach by plane as he had done before. He had to enter the battlefield through official channels.

...

On the coast of the Southern Continent, at the Stardragon Yan Port Base, three heavy transport planes were undergoing pre-flight checks. They were tasked with transoceanic transport of important materials. In the small square next to the planes, hundreds of people with different attire were either sitting or standing. None of them wore Stardragon military uniforms, but they all exuded an aura of being difficult to provoke. They were clearly divided into groups of varying sizes, sizing each other up.

These people were mercenaries belonging to different organizations. Such a large-scale war would inevitably involve mercenaries, and the Six Nations didn't object to using them.

Mercenaries were like hyenas searching for the scent of blood, flocking to various wars for profit. All the world cares for is profit. Even some contract killers from the Blood Pact Society wanted to get involved. Most contract killers were only affiliated with the Dark Net, not officially subordinate and not under its command.

Many mercenaries were Supers, forces that the Six Nations desperately needed. One could never have too many Supers. The victorious side of a war would receive assistance from all sides, and the flexible use of this assistance could expand their advantage. The ground war between the Six Nations and Germination was currently at a stalemate, and the large number of super soldiers developed by Germination was causing considerable trouble for the ground forces of the Six Nations, so they needed manpower.

In the thousands of battlefields, large and small, in Andea, mercenaries played a role in small-scale encounters and in completing tactical missions, where quality was more important than quantity.

These mercenaries were about to board the transport planes to the Andea continent. They were currently chatting idly. Most of them were crude men with no discipline and loud voices. The Stardragon soldiers standing guard with guns next to them were annoyed, but they couldn't scold the mercenaries due to orders from above.

Surrounded by the noisy environment, Qin Yuan folded his arms and surveyed the surroundings, his tone playful.

"Blade Mercenary Group, Aries Mercenary Group, Ice Sculpture Mercenary Group... tsk, tsk, quite a few people have come. They all want to make war profits and make a fortune. Assassins are also joining in the fun: Killer Crol of Poison Bee, Blood Pact's Ghost-level assassin 'Shattered Shadow'. These two have the biggest names among the assassins."

Qin Yuan was a well-known mercenary, and his mercenary group was considered top-tier among these people. He frequently received attention and scrutiny. Several others shared the same treatment, including Crol of Poison Bee and Shattered Shadow. These two assassins also had impressive records to prove their strength.

People in the circle knew that the Poison Bee organization and the Blood Pact Society were rivals and hostile to each other, so these two assassins received the most attention. Many mercenaries were waiting to see a good show. However, the two were standing in the corner, temporarily at peace.

Shattered Shadow occasionally glanced at Crol, his eyes filled with apprehension. Crol's reputation was louder, and Shattered Shadow was wary that Crol would be unfavorable to him, filled with vigilance.

In contrast, Crol's attitude was very relaxed and casual. He closed his eyes to rest, his face calm and indifferent, not even looking at the crowd, appearing confident and aloof, ignoring Shattered Shadow's gaze, with a detached mindset.

Qin Yuan looked at them with great interest for a few moments, then suddenly saw the Stardragon soldiers in the distance making way for a person to enter.

"Another newcomer." Qin Yuan looked over, his playful gaze suddenly freezing, quickly turning to shock. He opened his mouth wide, unable to speak for a moment.

The others followed his gaze. The scene, which had just been noisy, suddenly seemed to freeze, silent as if sealed by ice. A look of astonishment climbed onto everyone's faces.

A figure in black clothes slowly approached, lingering at the edge of the group, yet attracting everyone in front to turn their heads to look. Whispers of surprise and uncertainty arose from the crowd.

"Why did someone like him come too?!"

"Black Phantom. He can represent the Dark Net. Is the Dark Net no longer neutral...?"

Han Xiao remained unmoved, standing quietly, not saying a word.

Black Phantom's name was like thunder, a legend of the Dark Net, immediately stealing all the attention. The crowd didn't expect someone of this level to be acting with them.

He wasn't on the same level at all. Just Han Xiao standing there made these mercenaries, who had just been so loud, clam up. The Stardragon soldiers next to them watched with amazement, feeling that their tormented ears were finally comfortable. They looked mockingly at the mercenaries who had just been so arrogant.

*Ha, let you be cocky, you're shrinking now, aren't you?*

Qin Yuan suddenly realized something and subconsciously looked in the direction of Shattered Shadow. Seeing this, the crowd suddenly understood and looked over.

Black Phantom was also a member of the Blood Pact Society.

Shattered Shadow didn't expect to see a legend of the same organization here. He wanted to step forward to talk, but he was afraid that he wouldn't be qualified to catch Han Xiao's eye. His eyes were filled with admiration and hesitation. However, Han Xiao's arrival was like a shot in the arm, immediately giving him confidence. Shattered Shadow glared fiercely at Crol, eager to make trouble, as if he was about to start something.

"Damn it, why did he come too?" Crol's back was already soaked with cold sweat, and the composure he had just shown had disappeared. Seeing Shattered Shadow's provocative gaze, he quickly turned his head, not daring to meet his eyes, and walked into the crowd, choosing to be an ostrich.

Shattered Shadow felt a sense of relief, his mind and body at ease. For the first time, he realized how great it felt to benefit from someone else's influence.

The atmosphere was strange, and everyone felt like they were living through each second. Finally, the planes were ready, and the Stardragon soldiers announced that boarding had begun. The mercenaries seemed to have discussed it, all making way for a path. At the end of the path was Han Xiao, utterly confused.

"You... cough, you go first." Qin Yuan coughed dryly, his tone respectful.

*Whoa, this treatment is pretty good. Am I that scary?* Han Xiao was dumbfounded. He shook his head, picked up his equipment bag, and boarded the plane first under the gaze of everyone. He casually found a seat, and only then did the others breathe a sigh of relief and board the plane.

Rumble...

After a period of shaking, the plane took off.

Han Xiao's official route to Andea was to choose to become a Stardragon mercenary. This was the easiest method. The reason he used the identity of Black Phantom instead of changing his face was that although the Six Nations accepted mercenaries to participate in the war, they would also look at resumes, and anyone who was untrustworthy would be excluded.

His Black Phantom identity not only had the experience of joining forces against Germination but was also a strong player in the Dark Net, making him very reliable, and his application was successfully approved. Of course, using the Black Phantom identity would have a negative impact on the Dark Net, which had always maintained a neutral stance, but in the eyes of the Grand Technician Han, these were all minor problems.

In fact, he had another option, which was to change his face and replace another mercenary, quietly boarding the plane, but he felt that if he could go through reasonable channels, he shouldn't cause too much trouble.

Just one word: stability!

The phone in his pocket vibrated. Han Xiao opened it and saw that it was a call from Bennett.

As soon as he answered, Bennett's roar shocked his eardrums.

"You get back here!"