"Report on the current battle situation." Topaz took a deep breath, forcing herself to remain calm. As the supreme commander and leader of the fleet, she could not afford to lose her composure under any circumstances.
"Director Topaz, this Stellaron Hunter on the wanted list far exceeds our expectations in terms of strength. What's even more bizarre is that no matter how severe his injuries are, they heal within minutes. At present, our fleet has already suffered over 50% losses." The assistant beside Topaz reported while compiling data transmitted from various battleships, their voice filled with fear.
"Director Topaz, we urgently need your decision!"
"Haaah... This really is..." Topaz massaged her forehead in frustration, while her other hand vigorously stroked Numby, as if trying to alleviate some of the tension.
"Assistant Mason, relay my orders!" Topaz took another deep breath, her light-blue eyes revealing a hint of determination.
"All remaining fleets are to retreat immediately! Additionally, prepare a shuttle for me!"
"Understood! Wait... D-Director Topaz, you... you can't possibly mean..." The assistant named Mason seemed to have realized something, their face twisting into an expression of disbelief, their words stumbling.
Could it be... Director Topaz intends to use herself as bait to cover our retreat?
"This is my mistake." Topaz smiled bitterly. "If I hadn't ordered the attack on the Stellaron Hunter, we wouldn't be in this situation."
"So, this time... I'll bear the consequences myself."
——————————
Deep space, central zone of the fleet...
"Ha!" Blocking the battleship's barrage of attacks, Blade swung his shattered sword in an arc. In an instant, the heavily armed cosmic cruiser was split apart by a cyan sword aura, exploding violently before turning into cosmic debris.
"Hmm? Heh, trying to run now?" Noticing the IPC battleships that had been desperately attacking him moments ago now fleeing at high speed into the depths of space, Blade sheathed Shard Sword and sneered coldly.
He had no intention of chasing these fleeing IPC battleships, now no different from beaten dogs.
Truth be told, the only thing on Blade's mind right now was Dan Feng. If the fleet hadn't attacked him first, he wouldn't have even spared them a glance.
"Heh heh... Dan Feng, I'm coming..."
Blade closed his eyes, sensing Dan Feng's presence once more. After confirming the general direction, he set off again, this time toward Jarilo-VI.
——————————
Meanwhile, aboard an IPC shuttle...
Topaz and Numby stared at each other, at a loss for words. Watching the direction Blade had left in, Topaz awkwardly rubbed her nose.
It seemed... perhaps... maybe...
Her sacrifice wasn't even needed at all!
"Numby, do you think I was just... overthinking things?" After a long silence, Topaz finally managed to squeeze out those words.
Numby: "Oink... oink?" (Can you even understand me?)
"Sigh... Today really is my Waterloo in the battles of life." Topaz shook her head helplessly.
This time, she had led a team to Jarilo-VI to collect debts, but before even arriving, the IPC fleet had already been nearly wiped out. Although it was to fight a Stellaron Hunter, she would likely face demotion over this.
"Let me check how far we are from Jarilo-VI... Hmm, three light-years... With this shuttle's energy reserves, reaching it shouldn't be a problem." Topaz muttered to herself before composing a message and sending it to Assistant Mason.
'All personnel are to return to the Interastral Peace Corporation for recovery. The debt collection mission on Jarilo-VI will be handled by me alone.'
——————————
"Esteemed guests, this is the entrance to the Underworld. Please... be very careful."
At the entrance connecting Belobog's Overworld and Underworld, a heavily bruised Gepard spoke solemnly to Yun Fan and the others, explaining the precautions they should take when heading to the Underworld.
However, his current appearance was somewhat... comical. Tsk tsk, such a handsome young man beaten into a swollen mess—truly a pity.
"Hahaha, thanks for the advice, Brother Gepard. But don't you already know how strong I am?" Yun Fan grinned, patting Gepard's shoulder while raising a fist teasingly.
"…" Gepard winced at the words. This guy wasn't boasting about his strength—he was outright provoking him, damn it!
"Well then, we'll be on our way." Seeing Gepard's pained expression, Yun Fan decided not to tease him further. Instead, he reached out and gave the man's shoulder two more light pats.
"Hum—!"
As Yun Fan's hand made contact, Gepard felt a warm current flow through his body. He could clearly sense the Path energy Yun Fan had stripped from him yesterday returning—and even more refined than before.
"Mr. Yun Fan, thank you for your generosity!" In that moment, all of Gepard's resentment and dissatisfaction toward Yun Fan vanished. Even his tone unconsciously became respectful.
"No need. In terms of stance, we are allies, not enemies. Though we had some... unpleasant clashes before, as the saying goes, no discord, no concord. Consider it fate." Yun Fan shook his head slightly, his tone carrying a hint of sentiment. But what he truly thought—only he himself knew.
"I was the shallow one, Mr. Yun Fan. Once you return victorious from the Underworld, I shall host a welcome banquet in your honor to express my respect!"
"Haha, then I'll thank you in advance."
Watching Yun Fan and his group depart the Overworld and step into the passage leading to the Underworld, Gepard couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Mr. Yun Fan is truly an extraordinary man!"
If my sister could find such an ideal partner... maybe she wouldn't be so wild all the time?
For some reason, that thought suddenly popped into Gepard's head. And once it appeared, he couldn't suppress it.
Gazing at the now-sealed passage door, he mused to himself:
Once Mr. Yun Fan returns... I'll find a way to introduce him to my sister. If she doesn't like him... well, there's always Lynx...