[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt":3,"chapter-building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-14":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Building Interstellar Empire With Universal Synthesis",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1509082,1960,"Chapter 14: MOON","building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-14",14,"\u003Cp>\"Assignments can come later.\" The Vice Captain’s gaze settled on Neo, \"First, someone needs to teach this rookie the basics. I don’t want unnecessary trouble when those space worms come knocking.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flame Boy leaned back in his chair with a scoff:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, yeah... but who’s doing it?\" \"Because I’m definitely not volunteering.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max raised both hands in surrender. \"Don’t look at me, Captain. I’m fully booked this week. Besides, I can’t neglect my love. Angelica gets anxious when I’m not around.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angelica, the young woman with short purple hair, shot him a sharp glare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Do you want a beating, Max? We’re partners, not lovers.\" she snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone let out a chuckle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Ajaz sighed and rubbed his temple before his gaze turned toward the most unusual member of the team.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bald muscular man sat cross-legged on his chair, dressed in nothing but a thin orange cloth wrapped around his waist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His most noticeble trait: strange markings covered his entire body, looking almost alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Monk, what about you?\" Ajax asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk brought his palms together calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amitabha. This humble one must pray in all thirty-six directions for the success of our next holy mission.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max burst into laughter, \"Thirty-six directions? Seriously? Who even recruited a monk into a space crew? What are we supposed to do, chant our enemies to death?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk’s expression remained serene, untouched by mockery.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He replied gently,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amitabha, may the holy one enlighten your ignorant and restless soul.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max’s grin stiffened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, his face turned red.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Y-you—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room broke into quiet laughter, even a few of the previously bored members showing faint amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And now, at last, everyone’s eyes turned to the last member of the crew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo’s eyes followed theirs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as his eyes landed on that person’s face, a bolt of electricity ran through his entire body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was simply too beautiful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pale white porcelain skin, long white hair that cascaded like moonlight, ghostly silver eyes that entranced anyone who looked at them, and a figure crafted by the Goddess of Love herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She looked almost his age, but held a solid temperament, as if she were the reincarnation of some ancient being.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wearing that white and blue neon suit, just like his, she looked almost divine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo wasn’t particularly a person who got attracted to females so easily, but this time it genuinely struck his heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a while, he couldn’t think straight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moon, do you have some time?\" Ajax asked, but it held no forcefulness. Rather, it sounded careful and considerate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’So her name is Moon. Sounds beautiful,’ Neo muttered internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Moon’s ghostly eyes bore into his, he felt nervous for some reason. It eerily resembled a teenager who had just asked her out and was waiting for her answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His palms were sweating, so he hid them behind his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon looked at him with a piercing gaze, as if trying to see through layers of reality to find his true self.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone waited for her answer, although most of them already thought it would be no, as she had never shown any particular interest in being a partner with anyone ever since she transferred here 3 months ago.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, when she spoke, everyone was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I do.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just two words, but they expressed her intent clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo exhaled in relief, as if an invisible burden had been lifted off his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The others, though, were still trying to comprehend why she agreed to take on this burden when she could have refused it easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Are you sure, Moon?\" Captain Ajaz asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes, Moon. Did you think it over carefully? I mean, you don’t have to do this if you don’t want to,\" Angelica also inquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Apparently, they were close enough to ask about each other’s whereabouts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yeah, don’t bother with this deadbeat rookie. You must have other jobs,\" added Flameboy, snickering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite all that, Moon’s expression didn’t change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was clearly adamant about becoming Neo’s partner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Ajaz and Vice Captain Deus shared a nod of agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Very well then. From today, Neo and Moon will be partners. And with this, our Hydra crew will finally have all of its 9 heads.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Congratulations, everyone!\" Agnes clapped lightly, showing a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monk clasped his hands in prayer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Amitabha, may the great one bestow their immeasurable blessings upon our journey on this path.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hey, hey, you think just praying and clapping will be enough?\" Max interrupted, grinning. \"Captains, why don’t we all go to a bar to celebrate?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angelica scoffed, \"You want to go to a bar at this hour? Look outside, stupid. It’s afternoon.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So what if it’s afternoon, my love.\" Max added. \"We’re going to celebrate, not looking fo hookers. You know how loyal am I to you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Angelica snorted, clearly unconvinced.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Flameboy laughed wildly, \"Haha. Then it’s final. We’re going to drink some booze and fire up the floor.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mr. Deus, as usual, let out a disappointed sigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What a bunch of useless slackers.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ajax placed a hand on his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let’s give them a day off, Mr. Deus. They have been working hard for the past few weeks.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Fine,\" Deus grumbled, but agreed. \"But only one day.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the next minute, Captain Ajax took all of them to the parking area, where three neatly polished, glossy aero cars were waiting for them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max’s grin widened as he noticed a particular black car that looked like a jaguar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He immediately hopped onto the shotgun seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Whoa—Captain! Don’t tell me this beauty is yours?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Ajax calmly clicked a few controls on his wristband, then said,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Yes. But the front seat is not for you, boy. Go to the back seat, now.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Max’s face fell. But as his eyes darted between Ajax and Lady Agnes, he understood something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He let out a naughty smile. \"Way to go, Captain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shut up!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Angelica, you will sit with me then.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Wai—hey! Don’t just decide that—!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Angelica could finish, he pulled her to the back seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Monk and Flameboy got into Mr. Deus’ car.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Ajax looked at Neo and Moon, then at the last car, which was white in color.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Moon, you know how to drive, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moon nodded expressionlessly, her hands behind her back. \"Yes, Captain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Then, you carry your partner to the usual location. You can do that, right?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a Grade S driving license, Captain,\" she answered coolly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Captain Ajax smiled. \"Ah, I almost forgot that you’re a spaceship pilot like us as well. What would this small aero car mean to you? Anyway, follow us closely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Neo just nodded from time to time. He didn’t have any particular interest on going to bars. He thought these kind of activities as a waste of time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since it was their Crew’s first gathering, he decided to be respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beside, he was with her. There was no way this ride would be boring.\u003C\u002Fp>",1153,"2026-06-06T04:59:14.316Z",1,"novelbin.me","11f8a65bad9a99f498e26e0012ef74aef1f9898f0d8f7b6816b8b2da4b3cc57f","building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-15","building-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-chapter-13",102,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fbuilding-interstellar-empire-with-universal-synt-cover.jpg"]