Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 801 - 582 set off! To the stars!

[Main Quest—Absolute Rule, Completed.]

[Absolute Rule (Epilogue): Along the path of your growth, you've seen countless sights you've never encountered before, forged lifelong friendships, and taken your first steps onto a corner of this world's stage. But the world remains vast for you. After completing a meticulously planned endeavor, new choices now lie before you. Every relational network you've ever known since your birth converges upon this planet, but the pursuit curse from the dominators during the nest purging leaves you deeply concerned for this planet's fate.

Should you remain on this planet, focusing on building defensive measures to prepare for the next wave of Bug Race attack? Or venture toward the unknown cosmic star field, guiding their pursuit toward a bigger stage in the vast universe while exploring new worlds?]

Pale blue subtitles intertwined and emerged before his eyes, and two mutually exclusive options finally materialized—

Explore the Universe √×

Develop the Planet √×

Faced with the choices laid out before him, Bai E instinctively used his thoughts to tap on the pale blue subtitles, wanting to examine the detailed requirements for each route…

Develop the Planet: Eliminate at least 90% of threats on the planet and establish sufficient ground and space defenses to confront the potential incoming Bug Race fleets.

Explore the Universe: Leave the planet, fly into the cosmos, and uncover the truth of the worlds…

Initially, Bai E thought the next steps would inevitably lead to the Star Sea, but unexpectedly, the main quest offered a second option.

Between the two paths provided, the development route on the planet was straightforward; Bai E could almost foresee his future of leading troops on expeditions, systematically eliminating threats like Bug nests, Orcs, artificial beings, and other calamity species threatening human life.

Yet such a future felt far too dull and rigid.

While clearing threats would indeed be necessary, establishing defense systems… what did that have to do with him?

That was work for talented minds in the scientific field. While Bai E had some grasp of technology, he held no interest in it whatsoever.

On the other hand, the option to explore the universe—though its description was brief and concise—was more than enough to stir a longing gaze toward the distant unknown.

A true man must conquer the universe!

He clicked on the option requirements merely to satisfy his curiosity; the inclination to explore the universe had never wavered in Bai E's heart.

Bai E's thoughts aggressively pointed at the "√" beneath "Explore the Universe," and a brand-new choice ushered him to a new journey—

[You have achieved clarity in your aspirations for the future. Main Quest—Departure, Activated.]

[Departure: You now possess the initial capital required for cosmic exploration. From this moment, begin constructing your own Cosmic Starship and venture forth into the unknown starry skies! Quest Requirement: Acquire foundational knowledge about the universe. Quest Reward: Spiritual Energy Level +1.]

What had unfolded within Bai E's consciousness appeared externally as no more than the span of a single breath.

Representatives of various factions standing before Bai E still waited for his next move.

Fixing his gaze on those expectant eyes, Bai E softly addressed the temporary leader of the Storm Battalion through their communicator, "Stone, that's enough. Order all warriors to retreat; tonight's operations have gone far enough."

Bai E certainly had plans to reform the city's current dynamics.

However, those changes required time to subtly take shape. On a night already stained with so much bloodshed, drastic reforms were impossible.

…

As dawn came and nightmares of sleepless unrest faded, those residents in The Lower City who hadn't participated in the turmoil cautiously emerged upon hearing the security patrol's alarm bells outside.

The iron thoroughfares were riddled with potholes; certain structural beams serving as load-bearing supports had even suffered deformation.

Over time, these structural damages would become critical, making repairs and maintenance the central theme of upcoming operations.

Countless uniformed soldiers were scattered across every corner of the city, clearing the burned, war-torn corpses—be it dead security team members or casualties from the rebel gangs. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm

Caravans carrying bodies had already hauled away a substantial number, yet the air still bore distinct traces of gunpowder and the bloody, metallic tang of iron.

For some, last night's chaos had been the final revelry of their lives.

But to the city, what it left behind was predominantly pain.

Of course… not all of it was pain.

Setting aside the brave security team members who had perished, the rebel gang forces soaked in an instinctive pursuit of chaos had nearly been obliterated in last night's strife—a small consolation for the city.

To remove these disruptors was akin to cutting away rotting flesh from a body; only then could the remaining parts move forward lightly and freely.

The city's official forces securing ultimate victory was nothing surprising to the residents. For them, survival until morning made the outcome inevitable.

What truly surprised them was the announcement looping on the city broadcast—

"During last night's unrest, the previous city ruler tragically perished. Bai E, the General, has now assumed the role of city ruler. Under Bai E's leadership, we believe our city will only grow stronger and brighter!"

"General Bai E?" Many residents were unfamiliar with the name.

But what did it matter?

The upper-echelon rulers had no shortage of unfamiliar names. The residents hardly cared who held power.

Regardless of who it was, their lives would remain the same.

It was still the military soldiers that were reliable.

They'd eradicated the Bug Race nest from the Black Rock District, securing Blackwater City's surroundings and enabling everyone to return to the surface.

Wait… Could this General Bai E be the actual hero of the military who spearheaded the operation against the Bug Race nest?

Otherwise, why would he have been chosen to take the reins?

After all, with the previous ruler's tragic demise, rumors circulating city-wide had already pointed out that Marshal Weslin, celebrated in the post-battle festivities, was merely a clown stealing credit.

If it was Bai E…

"It still doesn't concern us, does it?"

"Let's wait until the explorers confirm that there's no threat outside the city, then we'll move out and live elsewhere."

This sentiment simmered in the minds of many.

Although they'd miss out on the massive wealth that pioneers might reap, it was still better than suffocating amidst the moldy air of the city's underground—safer too.

Yet no one realized just how much this newly appointed city ruler would change their lives…