2: Intend

Awakening.

That is right, this is a world where high-end technology and supernatural power coexist.

While being escorted by the imperial fleet to Blackstone Star, he had inadvertently witnessed a big shot dressed as an officer detach from a cool mecha and, with a single point of his finger, instantly freeze a mutated Galaxy Beast at least a thousand meters long into an ice sculpture.

According to the information obtained over these years, the Empire would break protocol to recruit those who awakened powerful abilities, regardless of their status or background.

Of course, awakening required high fees, and the failure rate was extremely high. After each failure, the cost required for the next attempt would increase exponentially.

The Star Mechanic teacher who saved him had failed seven consecutive times, exhausting his savings. He had been so anxious to earn more money for an eighth awakening attempt that he risked taking on a large modification order, only to be murdered for his goods in the end.

Yet despite this, it remained the most feasible plan to quickly escape Blackstone Star.

The only concern was that he had transmigrated from another world, and he did not know if he could awaken abilities like the beings of this world.

"No matter what, I have to give it a try."

Zhang Huaiyuan quickly made up his mind.

Without a legitimate identity, he would not be able to move an inch even if he escaped Blackstone Star.

And staying behind, for a Star Mechanic of his most ordinary level, the best outcome would just be becoming a slave exploited by some mercenary corps, working day and night.

"However, I really need to consider how to get there."

Zhang Huaiyuan tapped the integrated device on his wrist, and a virtual light screen appeared, displaying a partial star map of Blackstone Star, covered with dense markings of various sizes.

One spot in the northwest corner was particularly large; it was the area stationed by the Star Dome Empire officials. It was said that there was a medium-sized vein of Star Brilliance Ore there.

That was an extremely important type of ore. It was required for the power supply of some energy weapons and the minting of star coins, representing immeasurable wealth. Consequently, a prosperous zone had developed around the periphery of the entire mining area.

The only place in the entire Blackstone Star System to awaken supernatural powers was also located there.

"The Fifth Temporary Survival Zone is in the southwest corner, separated only by the Third, Seventh, and Ninth Temporary Survival Zones. The distance is not too far. However, I will have to pass through a small Disaster Zone. With my current abilities, if I encounter a mutated beast above F-class, I will almost certainly die."

"Moreover, raiders run rampant in the Seventh and Ninth Temporary Survival Zones. Avoiding them completely is impossible. It seems there is only one way."

Zhang Huaiyuan silently calculated for a moment and put away the star map.

For some reason, there were no man-made safe shipping lanes on Blackstone Star.

To travel long distances in a short time, one either needed to be powerful enough to pilot a starship across the star sea directly.

Or, one had to pay those mercenary corps for an escort.

"It seems this money cannot be saved."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head.

If he only had to pass through the first five Temporary Survival Zones, he could consider spending two years slowly making his way there, but he did not dare take the risk of passing through the chaotic 7th and 9th zones.

"Power assist system, activate."

Having made up his mind, Zhang Huaiyuan activated the simple exoskeleton device on his feet and headed straight for the nearest gathering point.

Ten days later, the Fifth Temporary Survival Zone, Atok Camp.

"Finally arrived."

Looking at the area shrouded by the pale blue Ion Shield before him, Zhang Huaiyuan felt much more relaxed.

This was one of the six core control zones of the Dark Annihilation Mercenary Corps in the Fifth Temporary Survival Zone, stationed with a large number of elite soldiers. No one dared to cause trouble here.

"Stop right there."

Almost the moment he appeared, two well-equipped soldiers walked up to him and blocked his path.

Zhang Huaiyuan calmly glanced at the weapons held by the two men; surging electric currents flowed over the black gun barrels.

Thor Type III improved kinetic rifle!

Although it was also an obsolete Imperial model, it was at least eighty years more advanced than the Thor Type II that Boss Wu had, and the power was incomparable.

"Two sirs."

Zhang Huaiyuan cooperatively stopped.

Beep! One of the soldiers took out a flashlight-like device, and a bright white light shone on him.

About twenty seconds later, the light turned pale green, indicating that he was not carrying any contraband with excessive energy reactions, nor did he have a record of causing trouble.

Seeing this, the two soldiers' expressions softened slightly. One said, "After entering the camp, you must follow the rules set by the Dark Annihilation Mercenary Corps. Furthermore, for every day you stay in the camp, you must pay a 100 Star Coin retention fee. Do you understand?"

"Understood."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded: "Two sirs, I came here this time just to hire your corps to escort me to the Imperial Mining Zone."

"Oh?"

The two soldiers looked at each other upon hearing this, and a slight smile squeezed onto their indifferent faces: "Little brother, is this your first time here?"

"I have been to another camp, but this is my first time in Atok. I hope the Two Brothers can give me some pointers."

Sensing the change in their tone, Zhang Huaiyuan naturally drew the address closer.

"Easy enough. Since you want to cooperate with our Dark Annihilation, you are our honored guest. Take this."

Receiving an affirmative reply, one of them produced a black brick about two fingers wide from his hand, his attitude becoming much more enthusiastic.

"This... is too valuable..."

Zhang Huaiyuan saw at a glance that it was exactly the same as the tool he had previously used to master the basic language of this world.

"Little brother, do not be so polite. It just records the rules and regulations of the camp and introductions to various functional areas. Understanding them will save you a lot of unnecessary trouble."

One soldier laughed.

"Then thank you, Two Brothers. I wonder if there is anything I can do for you?"

Zhang Huaiyuan stopped refusing, reached out to take the item, and said seriously.

"Actually, there is one thing..."

Seeing the other party was so sensible, the two soldiers showed satisfied smiles: "Little brother, are you not going to hire our people to escort you to the Imperial Mining Zone? We hope that when you place the order, you can write our names in the referrer column."

So they wanted to earn some extra money.

Zhang Huaiyuan felt relieved upon hearing this; this was just a small favor for him, so he immediately affirmed: "That is only natural. May I ask the names of the Two Brothers?"

"Below the captain level, we all go by numbers. You just need to fill in numbers 171 and 172."

"Got it."

Zhang Huaiyuan nodded: "Two Brothers, if there is nothing else, I will take my leave."

"Good, do not forget to use 'Enlightenment'." The two soldiers reminded him with a smile.

After bidding farewell to the two, Zhang Huaiyuan walked straight through the passage of the Ion Shield and entered the camp.

Immediately, a scene of prosperity, different from the desolation of the periphery, came into view.

Tall buildings stood in great numbers, crowds bustled, and all kinds of cool spaceships crisscrossed...

"It almost feels a bit like home..."

Zhang Huaiyuan stopped to watch for a moment, somewhat lost in thought.

It was a long while before he reached out to take out the black brick given by the gatekeeper soldiers.

The method of using this disposable supernatural item to quickly master certain knowledge was very simple.

He took a deep breath, raised his hand holding the brick, and slammed it onto his head.

Bang! The brick shattered in response, and the black substance inside quickly merged into his mind under the drive of supernatural power.

The layout of the entire camp was immediately clear in his mind.

"It really is convenient, just a bit hard on the head. It seems that no matter where you are, the acquisition of knowledge comes at a price."

Zhang Huaiyuan shook his head and walked toward his destination according to the location distribution in his mind.