[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-first-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an":3,"chapter-first-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an-first-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an-chapter-358":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","First Intergalactic Emperor: Starting With The Ancient Goddess",{"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},1601372,2070,"Chapter 358: Starfall Arena (vi)","first-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an-chapter-358",358,"\u003Cp>The three figures had no faction tags.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>’Those aren’t players... or NPCs.’\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard noticed his gaze. \"Sir? What is it—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the black-clad figures jumped from the catwalk and landed directly in their path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil squad aimed their rifles instantly, screaming:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"INTRUDER!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHAT IS THAT—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHO ARE—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The intruder flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Literally flickered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its body split into a dozen holographic projections as the bullets passed through empty air. The projections moved around Xavier, circling him in a ghostly dance, then collapsed into a single point directly behind him—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And vanished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The squad froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier exhaled as he read the text that appeared on his HUD. \"Hologram decoys. Red herrings.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"WHAT DOES THAT EVEN—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another explosion shook the hallway — the Juggernauts had breached the inner ring.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"THEY’RE IN— HEROIC IS IN THE COURTYARD—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"FALL BACK! FALL BACK NOW—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fanboy grabbed Xavier’s wrist again. \"We need to get you to Core Room— now!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They pushed forward just as Heroic players broke through the corridor behind them. Energy bolts streaked past Xavier’s shoulder. A Heroic assassin leapt through the smoke, only to get tackled by three Evil defenders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The entire hallway erupted in hand-to-hand combat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fanboy shoved Xavier through a blast door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"GO— I’LL HOLD THEM OFF—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before Xavier could respond, another Elite Heroic squad came crashing down through the overhead glass, rolling onto the walkway with practiced precision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Leading them was a player in sleek silver armor, twin daggers spinning in her hands —AstraNova, the Phase 1 MVP runner-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She locked eyes with Xavier immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"VIP spotted.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Evil squad screamed at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"STOP HER—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"SHE’S THE ONE FROM PHASE 1—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"SHE’S TOO FAST—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AstraNova dashed forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her daggers sliced through three defenders in the span of a breath, her movements fluid and deadly. She grabbed Xavier by the forearm, spun him behind her, and raised a shield generator with her off-hand just in time to block a barrage of plasma bolts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Move,\" she said, voice sharp. \"We’re getting you out.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier allowed himself to be pulled along, partly amused, partly curious how well she’d do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heroic reinforcements poured in from the broken ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evil defenders rallied in a countercharge from the opposite end.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The corridor became a tunnel of fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AstraNova dragged Xavier into the tight shield wall formed by Heroic players.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Protect the VIP!\" she shouted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Watch the flanks!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Jugg Squad is pushing through the courtyard — sync with them!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They moved as a solid unit, shields forward, pushing through the fortress as explosions rumbled around them. Xavier walked within their protective formation, glancing at the minimap.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The extraction point was close. They were almost there.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Almost.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then the earth beneath them shook with a vibration he remembered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A terrifying, familiar thrum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the opposite end of the hall emerged another Elite player — cloaked in sleek black armor with a massive railgun slung over his shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zer0Blade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The #1 Phase 1 MVP.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He raised the cannon and shouted, \"DROP. THE. VIP.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AstraNova snarled, \"Come take him.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heroic players clashed with Evil elites in the cramped corridor. Zer0Blade vaulted off the wall, unloading a barrage that scattered Heroic defenders and shattered their shield wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>AstraNova pivoted, pulling Xavier tightly behind her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Just a bit more— almost there— we can still—\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A stray missile exploded above the corridor, collapsing the ceiling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blast knocked everyone off their feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier hit the ground, sliding across broken tiles, the world spinning around him as smoke filled the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Through the haze, a hand grabbed his wrist again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A masked figure pulled him out of the collapsing corridor and into a side passage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They sprinted together past burning control rooms and fallen turrets, the faint roars of Juggernauts shaking the halls behind them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The masked player finally dragged him into a sealed maintenance room and slammed the door shut behind them. The metal walls vibrated with distant explosions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Slowly, the figure turned toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And lifted the mask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xavier stared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the same guy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The same fanboy guard from Phase 1. He was the first person to run into Xavier when the event began.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was breathing hard, armor cracked, eyes shining with adrenaline.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I told you...\" he panted, voice trembling with pride.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"...I’m not letting anyone take you, even if I die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A final chime echoed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PHASE 2 COMPLETE.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>HEROIC EXTRACTION SUCCESSFUL.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>EVIL FACTION LOST.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside, the fortress roared with cheers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evil faction players screamed in frustration, but now they had more freedom in the next phase. They no longer had to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world around them began dissolving into gridlines again as the system prepped for Phase 3.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The guard sank to the floor, exhausted but grinning like a lunatic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"We’re taking you all the way to the end, Xavier. I swear it.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The walls around them flickered, preparing to reshape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phase 3 was coming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this time, the rules would be different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time...they were allowed to kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[PHASE 2 — RESULTS]\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TOTAL ACTIVE PLAYERS:623,017\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PHASE OUTCOME:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>HEROIC FACTION — VICTORY (EXTRACTION SUCCESSFUL).\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>EVIL VIP DEFENSE FAILED.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CASUALTIES THIS PHASE:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•Heroic Losses:112,984\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•Evil Losses:146,307\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PLAYERS ADVANCING TO PHASE 3:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>363,726 total→Heroic: 163,727||Evil: 199,999\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>TOP CONTRIBUTIONS:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•AstraNova— Led the final extraction push; 1,209 confirmed eliminations.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•Juggernaut Squad Theta— Breached inner ring using synchronized cannon bursts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•Shadowline (Heroic)— Disabled Black Spire’s gate shields for 38 seconds, enabling the rescue corridor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•Zer0Blade (Evil)— Held off Heroic flanks long enough to cause a near-fail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>•Titan Unit (System AI)— Unexpectedly reactivated for 12 seconds during the chaos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>NOTABLE MOMENTS:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Heroic forces stormed the citadel in a four-lane blitz.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Juggernaut charge broke the second wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Red herrings. \"intruder illusions\" misdirected both sides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• AstraNova’s squad secured the VIP during the final corridor collapse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• Extraction succeeded with02:17left on the timer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>FUNNIEST & DUMBEST DEATHS:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heroic player \"SpartanDad81\" forgot fall damage existed; jumped off the citadel yelling \"FOR XAVIER\" and died mid-scream. Evil player \"RogueBunny\" tried to melee a Juggernaut and was punted across the map. \"AquaDiver\" hacked the wrong panel and locked himself inside a supply closet until a grenade clipped through the wall and killed him. A squad of six Heroic players crashed their jetpacks into each other during a dramatic entrance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>BEST CHAOS MOMENTS:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Juggernaut stampede that bulldozed two entire hallways. AstraNova diving through falling debris to grab Xavier. The citadel gate exploding early because someone mis-threw a grenade. A random NPC mech punching a Heroic platoon off a bridge before despawning again. The three mysterious black \"intruder illusions\" causing both factions to panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>DEV COMMENTARY:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• \"We absolutely did NOT help either faction.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• \"The Titan Unit reactivation was a glitch. Probably.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• \"Those black assassins were not ours. No idea who coded them.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• \"The citadel wall exploding early was NOT intentional. Just some bug.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>• \"Everything is functioning as intended. Please stop emailing and tagging us on social medias.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Players knew damn well the dev team was having the time of their lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Xavier was also enjoying every single second. It was a nice and entertaining break from whatever had happened with him in the last few days, as well as the chaos that was waiting for him outside.\u003C\u002Fp>",1201,"2026-06-06T09:45:27.085Z",1,"novelbin.me","b8c916d4ff3409398dafe75ce529c3a7b4b02932b045b407ecf8d3fe7d4ffaf1","first-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an-chapter-359","first-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an-chapter-357",530,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffirst-intergalactic-emperor-starting-with-the-an-cover.jpg"]