Super Spender

“Before you complete my mission, try not to be discovered by these aliens. Otherwise, I can assure you that you will regret it,” Zero stated matter-of-factly.

Finn squinted, slightly puzzled by Zero’s comment, then hesitated before saying, “I’ll take your advice into consideration. But can you tell me why these people are here?” Finn had noticed that the spacecraft below was not targeting him. Otherwise, it would have emerged in the Belmare Country.

“They’re probably here for the Icarus Insect Species,” Zero’s statement stunned Finn. They’re already fixating on me nanoseconds after my appearance?

Before Finn could voice his question, Zero took the initiative to explain, “It’s evident that they have been monitoring Earth without interfering with its development. However, if something beyond human control occurs on Earth, they will certainly interfere. The current situation clearly falls under that category. But don’t worry, they likely haven’t detected the Insect Species. They are probably conducting routine investigation.”

Finn sighed with relief but his tension returned immediately. Even if it’s a standard investigation, what happens if they can’t dodge it? What if they discover our presence? Finn felt a sudden sense of relief, grateful that he hadn’t used the Insect Species units right off the bat. If he had, he might have attracted the aliens’ attention. But from Zero’s words, it seemed that these folk might not be affiliated with the previous man.

“What does this emblem signify? Zero, do you know?” Finn pointed towards the insignia on the ship below and asked.

“I’m afraid I don’t. But it should belong to an official star-level organization,” Zero remarked and disappeared before Finn could inquire further. Finn was on the verge of swearing out loud. Damn it, how could you not know? If you didn’t, how could you claim it to be an official organization? It’s just an emblem. Who said a private organization couldn’t use such an emblem? What does that have to do with official organizations?!

However, with Zero gone, Finn was left without recourse. Regardless, he took Zero’s warning seriously and believed Zero wouldn’t have joked about such a matter. The two people below had begun their descent quickly while the spacecraft exhibited no changes. Finn tilted his head in thought, hesitated shortly, and then asked, “Olivia, could you deploy a surveillance device so I can grasp what they’re discussing?”

“Red Storm has a compact detection device, but I cannot confirm whether it can evade the adversary’s detection systems.” Olivia responded concisely.

After some hesitation, Finn gritted his teeth. He was unwilling to leave just like this. Slowly, he operated the Red Storm to descend. Initially, the altitude difference between both sides was merely a few hundred meters. As Finn descended, he managed to attain a clearer view of the spaceship below. When the distance reduced to roughly 140 meters, Finn ceased his actions as the anti-detection system on Red Storm had turned from green to red. This indicated that Red Storm’s anti-detection system had detected the enemy’s means of surveillance.

If they got closer, the anti-detection system would fail to completely shield them from the adversary’s detection methods and they would be instantly exposed. Although this distance was rather broad, if their conversation wasn’t especially shielded, he could capture it using Red Storm’s system. Whether he could comprehend their language was another question. But he could listen first and worry later. He wasn’t sure when those two would return.

But Finn could afford the luxury of waiting here. Red Storm had ample energy capacity. As time ticked away slowly, daylight began to break. Finn finally spotted his targets. Not only had they returned, they had brought back a sample — apparently a parasite — encased in a glass-like container.

“How did it go?” A person inside the spaceship asked as soon as the hatch opened. The language spoken was surprisingly Flame Nation’s language!

“No complications. It seems like a new variant born from the combination of a mutation-virus carried by the meteorite and an ancient creature from this planet. It’s not very infectious. But based on our preliminary detection, they have robust malleability. Furthermore, this object doesn’t have reproductive abilities. We suspect there might be larger variant organism mother bodies,” the man replied.

“What’s the danger level evaluation?” the person inside the spaceship asked.

“Medium Level 3.”

“Well, although it’s a challenge for the humans on this planet, it’s still within manageable limits. We’re preparing to retreat. Did you leave any traces behind?”

“No, we’ve both cleaned up.”

“Very well, prepare to return to the warship. Nevertheless, increase part of the detection system. We’ve the next fixed-point surveillance operation scheduled for a stellar year away and we don’t have time to linger in such remote regions. Moreover, this star area is a private domain and doesn’t fall within our jurisdiction.”

“Understood.” With this response, the man and woman quickly re-entered the spaceship which quickly ascended and exited the area. Finn remained still, quietly waiting at his original location. However, waves of shock surged within his mind from the floodgate of information revealed by their brief conversation.

What Finn couldn’t help but grow exasperated with was the realization that Earth had become private star territory without the knowledge of its inhabitants. It was a helpless feeling as if one’s backyard, home to countless ants, was sold without the ants’ knowledge, leaving the buyer to decide how to remodel it. Finn was experiencing such emotions intensively.

To these aliens, humans on Earth were no different from ants. Throughout human history, we’ve always felt solitary, unable to encounter extraterrestrial civilizations. However, it seemed that they not only existed but were also constantly around us. They even surveilled the entire development of Earth. The moment humans became aware of this, they felt like birds caged, exhibited by extraterrestrials.

In fact, human development occurred under their watchful eyes. Yet, humans perceived their cage as the entire universe and believed they were the only intelligent civilization. Seemingly, there was no worse feeling in the world.