084. Domination, autocracy, reliance of the stars.
The distant sky began to brighten, with a sliver of sunlight piercing the gray night, scattering across the dome like scissors slicing through a tattered sky.
"When I became the top recruit in boot camp, everyone sneered at me. They isolated me, pushed me away, thinking I was too competitive and flashy."
"I used to feel hurt and confused, but I remembered my father's motto—"
Li Aozi said, "'It's not about whether I should, but because I can, so I do it.'"
Nikita glanced at Li Aozi.
If he had a head, Nikita imagined he'd probably have a grin on his face.
"Even though they weren't kind to me, when we got to the battlefield, I dragged my brothers with shattered legs out of the trenches, providing cover for those who had once been cold and distant toward me, doing my utmost to save each comrade."
"Because I could, I did it."
"In the end, I saved 138 comrades, eliminated 71 enemies, delayed an entire opposing brigade, and was awarded the Valor Medal. The people called me a mutated hero of Vanlenkov, a Purple-Gold Combat Mercenary. Our Supreme Leader Kalmets awarded me the honor personally."
Nikita said with a sigh:
"Throughout my life, I lived by my father's creed: If I can do it, I will. It may just be a small effort for me, but if I can help more people by my will alone, and not because someone forced me to, then I'll do it."
"They called me a hero—but really, I just did what I could. I'm not selfless; what I seek is to always live by my own will."
"I don't know what you think, young man. To me, there's nothing more impressive than 'I can, so I did.'"
Li Aozi fell silent.
He turned, gazing into the distant clouds.
Clenching the fabric over his chest, he felt the dawn's golden light washing over his body like a cavalry charge.
The long night shattered.
Radiant golden light surged through the darkness, roaring silently toward the earth. His skin warmed as his blood surged, filling him with an indescribable feeling that rose from his feet to the top of his head.
[Tomorrow has arrived; make your choice.]
[Choice B—Stay and Fight; (No benefits will be given)]
Nomi, Qiu Ran, Du Zexin, Alexia—portraits of the people he'd encountered flashed before his eyes.
From the bank in the Frost-Plated border county to the cosmic heights above the dome, his journey hadn't been perfect, but each action brought change to this world.
Some had died; others had lived.
He reached out, trying to grasp something intangible.
Once, he had struggled with all his might, failing to break through a train door, leading to Qiu Ran's death.
Back then, Li Aozi hadn't understood why he felt such regret over the death of a stranger with no special connection to him, someone rather plain-looking.
Now, he understood.
"I don't want to just break down a door—I want to seize fate by the throat."
Li Aozi clenched his fist.
Deep down, he hated himself. Hated his own lack of control over everything.
It wasn't a matter of whether Qiu Ran deserved saving but of whether he could save her.
Thinking about it, the notion seemed godlike. No one told a god what they should do; the only principle left was "can or can't."
"If it's something I can do, then I must be the one to do it."
Li Aozi's body began to rise. Nikita, watching him, was astonished:
"You've already made up your mind?"
"Go pack your things." Li Aozi said, "I'll fetch your son-in-law. In a few days, I'll send you to a safe planet where you can get medical treatment for free."
Nikita blinked.
"Are you serious? Only narrative-level civilizations can cure my daughter's illness—"
"If it's just about suppressing the curse," Li Aozi replied with a smile, "even magical civilizations can do that."
Nikita stood frozen.
"Wait, hold on—Leoz, no, Lord Leoz, why are you doing this? My answer surely didn't deserve such a reward?!"
[Tyrant Form Activated]
"Because I can."
As Li Aozi spoke, his head re-formed, drawing in meteors, metal, and blue auras from the void to create a sharp-edged helmet. The energy solidified around him into silver-white armor, blue porcelain skin glowing with bright yellow light.
A hum filled the air—
The crystalline eyes of the helmet lit up with golden radiance. In the next moment, Li Aozi vanished, leaving a trail of Mach rings in his wake.
[Mission Conditions Met]
C. "Tomorrow Remains Uncertain" — Tomorrow has arrived; make your choice.
Reward: Random Reward (based on mission rating; higher ratings yield better rewards)
Mission rating calculation in progress…
No teammates died in this mission (√)
Soren Nikita shared his past with you (√)
Witnessed the sunrise (√)
Hidden: You made a unique, personal decision.
[Choice]—Stay in Vanlenkov, drive out Viral.Z!
This choice grants no rewards or benefits, but it is unique, a choice made by you alone.
History and the stars will bear witness.
[Calculation complete. Mission rating: Exceptional]
[Would you like to unlock the random reward?]
[Reward processing…]
[You obtained [Dominion]/[Craft] Class Knowledge: "Law of Energy Conservation"]
——————————
[Item Name]: "Law of Energy Conservation"
[Type]: Data Carrier/Advanced Knowledge
[Quality]: Common Durable
[Attributes]: A data carrier containing advanced knowledge.
Prerequisites: Limited to [Dominion] Class / [Craft] Class, etc.
[Description]: The carrier itself isn't important; the crucial part is the knowledge it contains about the nature and conversion of energy, which can greatly benefit you.
"The total amount of energy is constant, the universe expands infinitely, and so does Omega Energy. Phenomena once deemed impossible can actually be explained scientifically. The natives once called extraordinary powers 'magic,' but to reiterate, advanced science is indistinguishable from magic."
By learning this knowledge, you will gain a new skill—"Energy Refining Technique," allowing you to periodically extract energy from space to randomly enhance your physical attributes.
[Learning Effects]:
General Effect: "Mass-Energy Effect" — Every time you use a potion, you recover 1.3% of your maximum mana.
[Omega Energy] Exclusive Effect: "Mystical Deconstruction" — Accumulate relevant knowledge to continuously uncover the source of your Omega Energy, enhancing its adaptability and unlocking the origin of each Omega sequence—"Sequence Omega."
Upon learning, immediately upgrade the development level of a non-core Omega Energy skill by one.
—————————
"Warning! Unknown flying object, you have entered Viral.Z Corporation's restricted airspace. Reduce speed and leave immediately, or we will engage to shoot you down! Warning, repeating, you have entered restricted airspace—"
Crack!
Li Aozi casually crushed an anti-air missile, its flames and shrapnel brushing past him as he twisted midair, dodging lasers and anti-air spells through skillful maneuvering and gravitational manipulation.
Li Aozi felt a surge of exhilaration.
Jania flew out from the void beside him, keeping pace as she said:
'Are you sure about this? Taking on a narrative-level civilization…'
"There are plenty of corporations under the United Consortium."
'Something tells me that's not your only reason.'
"I know where Julian is."
'—Hey, it's not… there, is it?'
"Yep, it's Viral.Z."
Li Aozi said:
"I've known from the start, but now I'm ready to go through with it."
Jania gave Li Aozi a long look.
'You know, you're actually pretty interesting in some ways, kid.'
She grinned, transforming into a sword that flew alongside Li Aozi as he tore through the clouds, diving toward the ever-closer Viral.Z Tower below:
'Alright then, let's cause some mayhem!'
[You have gained preliminary recognition from the artifact, temporarily unlocking artifact skills.]
[Skill Unlock—"Armed Empire"]
[Skill Unlock—"Fiery Iron Sovereign"]
"Come on, Leoz, show these followers of Red King some fine blacksmithing!"