Chapter 512: Hunter: The Chosen One is Actually Me?

"That old man kicked the bucket?" Li Yu was somewhat surprised. Although Horus and he didn't quite get along, they had coexisted fairly harmoniously recently.

It was mainly because he had harvested quite a bit of wool from Horus, and Horus had indeed done his utmost to protect him, although it was due to his stance.

However, some of the minor conflicts between the two previously didn't need to be brought up.

Suddenly receiving this news made Li Yu sigh deeply.

It was just that he still subconsciously used the [Eye of Hydra] ability. This was the ward he had placed on Horus back then.

The perspective shifted. This was a sealed cabin, surrounded by soldiers armed with live ammunition.

Due to the perspective, Li Yu could only see parts of Horus's limbs. His lower body had completely disappeared, the severed area incomparably charred and black. No vital signs could be seen, and there were no confinement measures.

This is a corpse?

This old man really kicked the bucket?

It was just that those soldiers didn't have any emblems on them, making it hard to identify who did it.

"News just received, Return Star has already issued an interstellar obituary. It should be true." Hunter was also somewhat melancholic.

He had just been assigning some daily tasks to the soldiers under him, so he hadn't followed along immediately.

After receiving this news, he hurriedly rushed over to notify Li Yu.

Horus had once confronted his old boss Augustus, and both had expressed high praise for each other, sharing a feeling of mutual appreciation.

Now his sudden death truly made him feel an inexplicable sorrow.

"Issued an obituary?" Li Yu felt somewhat surprised. How could an obituary be issued so quickly for news that was severely detrimental to Return Star?

Horus was a top-tier general of Return Star, with illustrious military achievements and extremely high internal prestige.

The news of his death would definitely cause turmoil within Return Star, which was extremely unfavorable for Return Star, which had just completed a regime change.

If they could conceal it, they definitely wouldn't announce it to the public, unless... even if Return Star didn't announce this news themselves, someone else would.

"How did he die? Wasn't he suppressing rebellions in the Southern Territory? Could those crooked melons and cracked jujubes really hurt him?"

Li Yu inquired.

Hunter didn't hesitate, opening his smart terminal and projecting a holographic screen with the general information on it.

"...Ambushed by unknown enemies in the Azka System... the fleet suffered heavy losses..."

The content of such publicly announced news was very brief, but Li Yu still sharply felt that something was wrong. The location of the Azka System wasn't considered close to the Guixing Frontier.

How massive must the ambush squad be to be able to kill Horus?

There were too many things wrong with this. It's just that he temporarily couldn't contact Klein from here, otherwise he would have to ask properly.

However, he wasn't too anxious to understand the specific details of this matter. After all, Horus was already dead. Even if he understood more, it would be useless.

"With Horus dead, the excellent situation just created for Klein will partially collapse, and her approval rating will definitely drop. No matter how you look at it, it seems like Titus's doing..." Li Yu pondered inwardly:

"...However, this guy doesn't seem like an idiot. Killing Horus... is too great a loss for Return Star, which is equivalent to his own loss. Would he do this?"

For a time, Li Yu also couldn't confirm whether it was Titus or not. After all, based on the impression from their previous interactions, this guy was actually quite smart.

Peyton was completely indifferent to this. He swiped on the holographic screen for a while and said: "By the way, the indigenous inhabitants of this world want to negotiate with you."

This sentence woke Li Yu from his deep thought. He raised his head, revealing a puzzled expression: "Negotiate?"

"Yes, they know that a new master has arrived here, and hope you can let them leave this place." Peyton said casually.

Ever since Li Yu took over this place, those indigenous inhabitants, due to the free-for-all battle at the world core back then, were extremely apprehensive and didn't dare to provoke these outsiders.

Although some conflicts erupted, they were still within a controllable range, so they could only temporarily treat them as if they didn't exist.

But this kind of self-deceiving thought obviously couldn't continue. After more than a month, they finally wanted to negotiate.

"It seems their inheritance hasn't been completely severed. They know some of the situation here." Li Yu was thoughtful: "They even know there's a world outside."

This group of indigenous inhabitants were actually descendants of the shipwrights of this Dimensional Ship. After a long period of reproduction and growth, they had turned into such an ethnic group.

Peyton briefly introduced: "Their population exceeds ten billion, divided into three factions that have been fighting each other for years. According to social model analysis, it should be to consume the surplus population. After all, the population this world can sustain is limited."

"The most powerful lifeform only has a combat power level of eight million, nothing to worry about."

Li Yu nodded. Claptrap had already become the Dimensional Consciousness. Dealing with them would only take minutes, it's just that Li Yu hadn't freed up his hands to focus on this matter yet.

"It's time to deal with them too. These leeks still want to run outside..."

Li Yu muttered a couple of sentences. He still valued this high-quality race quite a bit. They were perfect candidates for believers, and with a little training, they would be elite soldiers.

Li Yu and Peyton walked out of this experimental base. However, when they reached the door, Li Yu suddenly stopped, turned his head to look back, and was quite puzzled: "Hunter, what are you doing?"

At this moment, Hunter was lying on the thick glass panel, his gaze completely focused on the two black chains inside.

He didn't even hear Li Yu's question.

"Augustus has been resurrected!"

Li Yu raised his voice. Hunter suddenly shuddered, then turned his head resentfully and said grumpily: "If the general resurrects, he'll take you away first."

"This is just a beautiful wish of mine..." Li Yu sized up Hunter: "What was wrong with you just now? Even if you've been lonely for too long, you can't possibly have any thoughts about two chains."

"Although there are quite a few holes on them, a dry hole ruins the gun."

Hearing this, Hunter's expression darkened even further. But now was not the time to retort sarcastically. He hesitated for a moment and said: "I seem to feel that these two chains are calling me..."

"Hah?" Li Yu was somewhat puzzled, then suddenly understood: "The reason you've been absent-minded recently is because of this?"

"Yes, I had this feeling the first time I saw them in your hands, but at the time I thought it was an illusion." Hunter nodded, frowning slightly and said:

"It's just that recently, an inexplicable voice occasionally echoes in my ears."

"You've been chosen by it?" Li Yu had some speculations, and instantly turned back to look at those two chains.

"It should be something like that, but coming from your mouth, I always feel something is wrong," Hunter couldn't help but complain.

"Peyton, you said before that this thing can be picky about people, right?" Li Yu turned his head and asked.

And Peyton had long since come over, and immediately answered: "Yes, most Dimension Constructs will choose their own users."

"Although it seems random, they have their own selection criteria."

"Then this thing's taste is really poor enough." Li Yu crossed his arms, complaining mercilessly, still remembering how these two chains had resisted him.

"Indeed, Mr. Hunter himself has absolutely no value to speak of." Peyton strongly agreed, but then explained: "I'm talking about your body, not including your self-awareness, please don't misunderstand."

Although your body is trash, you are not... Hunter understood Peyton's meaning, but always felt that it would have been better if the other party hadn't explained.

That way, he could just treat it as a scientist's tactless remark.

Instead of suddenly realizing upon deep thought now that even his own self-awareness didn't seem to have much value either.

Hunter's gaze was resentful. All statements unfavorable to himself were treated as jealousy.

Thinking this way made him feel much more comfortable.

"Since it's taken a liking to you, then go try it..." Li Yu said to Hunter. The chains didn't want to be used by him, so leaving them there was a waste.

If Hunter could use them, then they would have some value.

"Is it dangerous?"

Hunter himself was actually cautious, asking Peyton, without any excitement of being the chosen one.

"Uncertain..." Peyton shook his head: "The information we hold on it is too scarce. Normally speaking, most Dimension Constructs pose no harm to their users. However, there are exceptions."

Hunter's expression was moody. The power of these two black chains was extraordinary. He had also witnessed the battle between Copy Man and Li Yu back then.

It would be a lie to say he didn't want them in his heart, but there might be unknown dangers...

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly smiled and said relaxedly: "Thinking too much. I've only got this one lousy life anyway, if I die, I die!"

"I was already just scraping by. Being able to follow you kid and witness the scenery from up high during this time has already made it worthwhile."

This guy sounded like he was stating his last words. Li Yu raised his eyebrows slightly and chuckled softly: "Don't worry. Even if you die, I can pull you back."

"Then you must definitely pay close attention." Hunter also smiled, then his expression turned solemn as he said to Peyton: "Open the observation room, I'm going in."

Peyton immediately operated on the holographic screen. Accompanied by a mechanical hum, the heavy blast door opened.

Hunter took a deep breath and walked straight in. Soon, the door closed again.

Li Yu and Peyton stood outside the observation room.

"Turn on all vital sign monitoring devices and pay close attention to his physical condition," Li Yu said.

Peyton nodded: "It's already prepared. Once he approaches the critical point, the freezing device will be activated, lowering the temperature to absolute zero and sealing everything."

Li Yu was noncommittal. The [Symbiotic Colonization Armor] on his arm receded, and the [Infinity Gauntlet] emerged.

He hadn't lied just now. Even if something really went wrong, he could use the [Reality Stone] to forcibly pull Hunter out of the life-and-death crisis.

Inside the observation room, Hunter cautiously approached the black chains. He could feel an inexplicable palpitation, as well as the strange murmurs echoing in his ears.

And accompanied by his approach, the Chains of Silence also began to vibrate rhythmically and emitted a special force field.

The two seemed very eager to meet each other.

Hunter's gaze was deep. He had already made up his mind. Without any hesitation, he directly grasped the chains with both hands.

In an instant, a purple spectral light bloomed, covering the entire observation room.

The Chains of Silence emitted an excited tremble. The ends of the chains began to pierce into Hunter's skin, wriggling within his flesh and blood. Purple patterns began to spread from his arms across his entire body.

This pain made Hunter unable to help arching his body backward, raising his head, and letting out a miserable wail.

At the same time, his pupils were also covered by the purple light. His field of vision rapidly changed. By the time he recovered his senses...

Hunter found himself suspended in the outer space layer of a massive planet, overlooking the planet below his feet.

Looking down from the starry sky, this planet was vast in area, overall presenting a verdant green color.

Blocks of brilliantly lit urban areas dotted the planet's surface, appearing to nurture a quite prosperous planet.

Then, the surface lights flickered rapidly, as if someone had pressed fast forward. Everything before his eyes advanced swiftly, like viewing flowers on horseback.

In distant orbit, a large fleet appeared at some unknown time. Hunter's expression focused slightly; it was actually [Augu].

The Blue Moon, which he himself commanded, was also impressively among them.

"This is... the Tartaria Campaign!?" Hunter quickly recalled this battle.

This was a battle that occurred sixteen years ago. Tartaria, a subordinate civilization of the Empire, was invaded by Evil Gods.

The ones who went to support were precisely the [Augu] fleet.

This war wasn't considered difficult. The [Augu] fleet effortlessly annihilated the enemies.

It was just that according to post-battle analysis, this wasn't an Evil God invasion.

It was merely because a dimensional rift had accidentally formed on this planet, and some special dimensional creatures had come to the Main Universe World.

Along with Hunter's memories, the scenes also advanced rapidly. As a newly promoted captain at the time, he led soldiers charging at the frontlines.

He had even personally decapitated the opponent's leader, a creature that looked like a werewolf species.

It was just that its entire body of fur was covered in purple patterns, and it also had chain patterns on its back. It was fully five meters tall and possessed formidable strength.

He decapitated the opponent, lifted the enemy's head high, and bathed in blood amidst the cheers of the soldiers. Those were his youthful years.

But along with the blood that seeped into the gaps of his armor, an unnatural purple light also merged into his corporeal form.

"So... that's how it is..." Hunter understood. The reason he was chosen seemed to be because of those dimensional creatures back then.

The scenes before his eyes shattered, and Hunter's perspective returned to reality. He once again felt a bone-deep pain.

It was just that the two people outside couldn't hear it. They were closely monitoring Hunter's vital signs through precision instruments.

Although the overall data had been fluctuating up and down, it maintained a healthy state.

Not much time passed. Accompanied by the gradual extinguishing of the purple light, Hunter knelt on the ground panting heavily. The black chains seemed to have merged into his arms and were being dragged on the ground.

"There is no improvement in his lifeform tier..." Peyton scanned Hunter. He was still a half-dead E-rank Genetic Evolution Body.

"The application level of these chains does not lie in elevating one's own lifeform tier." Li Yu wasn't surprised at this at all.

After all, the previous Copy Man himself was also very ordinary.

Hunter slowly stood up, seeming somewhat bewildered. He shook the chains on his arms, making a clattering sound. He wasn't quite used to it yet.

(End of Chapter)