Translator: AnubisTL
"This won't work," Chen Jiang said, shaking his head. "First, becoming an interstellar pirate means automatically forfeiting many rights granted to citizens of the Galactic Federation, including the freedom to enter planets within the Federation's jurisdiction and engage in trade."
"That alone means losing a lot of convenience."
"For those useless one-star items, buying them with star coins is the quickest way to acquire them."
"Of course..." He paused, clicking his tongue. "Occasionally dabbling as an interstellar pirate isn't out of the question. For example, if a business rival suddenly dies on their way home, that's perfectly normal."
"But my turret's current firepower is unremarkable in space."
"Let's wait until I enhance it to +1000."
"Increase the caliber, extend the range, boost the rate of fire, and add more offensive set effects."
He still hadn't used the set effect "Nightfall," a support-type effect that would only be useful in specific situations.
"Alright."
Chen Jiang sniffed the air and smiled. "I smell meat. Are you grilling something?"
"Heh heh, Brother Jiang, your nose is sharp as ever! I did grill a little. Come on, let's go down and grab a bite."
"Grilling meat every day? Can't you mix it up?"
"I don't know how to make anything else."
"Wait here. Tomorrow, I'll go to Kindling City and grab a human player to cook for us."
"Really, Brother Jiang? I'll hold you to that!"
"Really, really. Come on, let's go down first."
"Alright!"
Chen Jiang shook his head helplessly and strode forward, leading the way.
He had asked the old man if they should just wipe out Shark Company to end the competition. Black Europe Company would automatically win the contract, saving them a fortune.
But the old man refused, explaining that Shark Company's controlled zone on the subhuman star strictly prohibited armed conflict, especially the use of such exaggeratedly powerful firearms.
Normally, such weapons would never be allowed onto the subhuman star and would be intercepted at the checkpoints. However, Shark Company had bypassed these defenses by using Remote Space Transmission, effectively smuggling the weapons in.
If everything went according to plan...
Such a massive disturbance here would inevitably attract investigation. After all, the sudden appearance of such a high-energy attack on the subhuman star would certainly prompt authorities to send investigators.
Of course, according to the old man, in the unregulated zone of the wilderness, where casualties were commonplace, even a slightly larger incident could be easily covered up with a small bribe.
As for the field army that had been completely vaporized, they didn't count as casualties.
The term "casualties" referred only to the deaths and injuries of registered citizens of the galactic federation.
The field army, to put it bluntly, was a group of mercenaries. While the federation wouldn't send troops to wipe them out, they also refused to recognize them as legitimate citizens.
It was essentially a policy of "I'll ignore you, but don't claim to be part of the galactic federation."
On the subhuman star, in the heart of a towering metropolis, a bald man stood before the floor-to-ceiling window of a thirty-third-floor office. His expression shifted between dark and uncertain, a deep-seated fear lurking in his eyes. He held a cup of coffee, gazing out at the cityscape.
He was the chairman of Shark Company.
Despite his efforts to remain calm, the hand holding the coffee trembled slightly.
He had already heard about the complete annihilation of the field army.
He had also seen the video.
At the moment the incident occurred, a civilian satellite orbiting the subhuman star happened to be passing over the wasteland, perfectly capturing the entire scene.
And at that precise moment, this civilian satellite was the only one in the area.
The satellite belonged to a small company.
The instant the incident happened, he immediately located the satellite that had been passing over the wasteland at that time and traced it back to its parent company.
After paying a substantial sum, he purchased the video footage and had the company delete all copies and backups from the satellite's memory.
As of now, he possessed the only existing copy of the video.
No other company had seen it, not even the small company that owned the satellite.
In fact, there were many such small companies.
Their business model was simple, though somewhat unscrupulous.
They would register a company, purchase a civilian satellite, apply for civilian satellite operating rights from the Interstellar Federation, and then equip the satellite with a high-definition camera.
The satellite would then orbit the planet 24 hours a day, continuously recording.
Thus, when someone committed a shameful act and wanted to prevent its exposure, they would search for the satellite that had passed overhead at that precise moment, identify the company behind it, and purchase the video.
In essence, it was blackmail.
But legal blackmail.
After watching the video, he couldn't calm down for a long time.
A barrel fully ten meters thick had extended from a Remote Space Transmission.
What followed defied all comprehension!
The massive light bullets that blotted out the sky like a hailstorm!
The Doomsday Bullet, whose blast nearly shattered the very air!
The Laser Column, a beam forty thousand meters long!
And the fireworks that filled the heavens!
All these diverse attacks had originated from that seemingly crude barrel—an utter impossibility!
And the absurdities didn't end there!
The barrel fired almost continuously. Each light bullet alone would have consumed a colossal amount of energy, yet it sustained this relentless bombardment for an extended period. How much energy could it possibly have used?
Why did it show no signs of running out of power?
These anomalies quickly led him to realize what the barrel truly was: an item!
Only an item could defy the laws of physics and perform such extraordinary feats!
All the absurdities suddenly made perfect sense once he realized his opponent possessed an item.
An item with such immense power had to be at least a four-star item—no, a five-star item was also possible!
"A five-star item..."
He stood by the window, his expression dazed, his lips pressed into a tight, silent line. Why would Wu Jinshen have access to someone who possessed a five-star item?
People at that level wouldn't even acknowledge their existence!
No, not just acknowledge—they wouldn't even grant them an audience!
And Wu Jinshen was a beggar by birth. How could he possibly have connections to someone of that caliber?
He couldn't comprehend it.
But he knew one thing: he had to beg Wu Jinshen for forgiveness. Otherwise, he wouldn't survive much longer.
Even within the regulated zones of the galactic federation.
Rules were restraints for those who obeyed them, not for those who defied them.
Soon, a communication window popped up before him.
A woman in professional attire appeared on the screen.
"Boss, Shark Company has publicly announced its unconditional withdrawal from the bidding. Black Europe Company will automatically win the contract."
"Black Europe Company has already delivered your goodwill gesture and compensation to Wu Jinshen."
"And all the various factions have been taken care of according to your instructions, boss."
"Hmm."
The bald man drained his coffee in one gulp, nodded expressionlessly, and hung up the call.
He was truly resentful.
He had a better background, superior abilities, and was far more intelligent than Wu Jinshen!
His plan had been flawless!
How could it have failed?
It was all because of that person who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, wielding a five-star item. This overwhelming force had crushed his spirit, leaving him utterly powerless to resist.
He didn't even dare utter a single protest.
To someone who possessed a five-star item, crushing him would be no more difficult than crushing an ant.
Still, he couldn't shake off the bitterness.
If this video could reach the hands of another powerful figure... He wouldn't dare act against someone with a five-star item himself, but who could say what another powerful figure might do?
No one could resist the allure of an offensive five-star item.
Yet he hesitated, knowing the risks were immense.
(End of the Chapter)
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