The players were gone.
A week later…
The Minerva Star System, Planet Kronic Beam Ring.
After more than 2 centuries since they were sent on the mission to the unknown and distant Star System to expand the mineral resource reserves of the Nak State, the Nak Navy force was finally back.
They returned without receiving much fanfare.
Of the warships that were sent out, only 6 returned alongside an unknown warship, a warship called the Legolas Baron.
Seeing through the transparent screen that was opened on the walls of the Legolas Baron, Legolas and his companions finally laid their eyes on the home of the existence that had helped them win the war.
Like Planet Titania, it was a pure metal planet but it was even bigger.
And unlike Planet Titania that was untamed and undeveloped, Planet Kronic Beam Ring was far more developed. Across the face of the gray metal planet, different gigantic structures were everywhere that engaged in different activities.
From the distance, Legolas could see humungous machines digging into the metal ground as they mined valuable ore.
At other parts, he could see special machines transporting the mined ore to the factories where they would be purified for a mechanic's use.
The skies of this planet were not as congested with shuttles as Planet Crimson Ring, only specific and designated shuttles roamed the skies.
Literally no beasts or wildlife roamed this planet, everything was machine, the only beasts around were mechanic beasts.
At large parts of this planet, something even more prominent were erected, more giant versions of the mechanic workshop that Champion Onana erected in Planet Titania. Onana probably took his blueprint from this planet.
Everywhere and everyone in this planet seemed busy.
Planet Kronic Beam Ring was a huge industrial behemoth.
It was also a dreaded military outpost of the Nak Navy.
This was Admiral Zhao, the War Mechanic's home.
Champion Onana's familiar light frigate enabled them to escape the lengthy deep-scanning inspections at the space gates of this planet. Unlike other planets, there was a massive energy veil that covered this planet.
Most Grade A Supers couldn't even force their way in through the veil.
Planet Kronic Beam Ring was restricted to most outsiders, after going through the inspection and you were verified to enter, you could only enter this metal planet through any of the 4 space gates.
As soon as they were verified, they went in.
While all the warships were directed towards a special dock in the planet, only Champion Onana left and was allowed to enter the biggest building in the planet, the true home of the War Mechanic.
Standing at more than 100 kilometers, Legolas felt that this building towered up to heaven, it looked that imposing and majestic.
Champion Onana spoke with his master for 15 minutes, giving the official report of their mission success while reporting the major deaths including General Aztog's before Legolas was finally invited in with his students.
Only Christensen, Blade, and Uranus could follow him in.
Entering, he finally set his eyes on the Nak Admiral.
Like Legolas expected, despite being a mechanic, this Super was tall and imposing like a Pugilist. He had broad shoulders, a smooth-shaven chin uncharacteristic of old men and bright red hair.
Staring at Legolas, he nodded. "I've heard so much about you".
"It is a pleasure, Admiral".
The Nak Admiral stood up with a smile. "Thank you for saving my student's life, small Ona would have never made it alive without your help".
Champion Onana looked down.
"No need to feel disappointed about it, you all achieved a great feat out there, killing a Grade A Beast and one of such power is not a simple feat".
His eyes finally narrowed as they focused on Legolas. "Entering the Underworld, surviving it and even taming some of its Demon Asuras, I must say that it's been a long time since I ever met a Super like you".
"Very few have the nerves to pull that off, and even fewer has the power".
Legolas gave a polite smile.
Christensen, Blade, and Uranus were confused but they didn't show it.
Admiral Zhao stood up. "Do not worry, your secret is safe with me".
He stood up. "I heard that you have a favor to ask of me".
"Yes sir".
"Making a Grade A soul carrier mechanic body is not a hard endeavor for me, but still, it's a Grade A treasure, it's invaluable".
"Also, allowing you access to headquarter your mercenary group in one of the major Nak planets is an invaluable favor in itself".
He turned to look at Legolas. "What can you pay me?"
Legolas turned to look at Champion Onana, not seeing him say anything he hesitated, then he looked at the Nak Admiral with a look of conviction on his face.
"Tell me anything to do, if I can, I will do it to the best of my ability".
Admiral Zhao smiled. "You please me".
He threw a paper on the table, Legolas looked at it and saw 7 powerful Grade A Beasts that he could never forget, his eyes narrowed.
Admiral Zhao looked at him. "They call themselves the Beast Priests".
"A Grade B Super like you shouldn't have privy to this information yet but after your heroics in your maiden planet, I feel that you can surprise me".
"My offer is this, actively hunt down the beasts working under the Beast Priests and search for any information that will let us know more about them".
"Do this and for my student's sake, I will fulfill your requests".
"Deal?"
"Deal".
…
A week later, 3 planets away from Planet Kronic Beam Ring, Planet Drifting Gaze where the Nightmare Mercenary group was headquartered…
Today, the Commander of this mercenary group received a package.
Ripping it open, Legolas finally found what he wanted.
'Finally!'
Like he promised, Admiral Zhao did a neat job, it was a mechanic body but having used nanotechnology and nanometals in its creation, it looked no different from a normal human body.
This was to be Aaron's vessel.
Before doing it, Legolas left Planet Drifting Gaze having fused with Bran and traveled into the deep reaches of space out of the gaze of any onlooker.
There, silently in space, he did it, tapping the gray apple tattoo on his wrist.
For the first time in a long time, the power of the gray world stirred.
Bzzz!
A few seconds of powerful spatial fluctuations later, the eyes of the machine body glowed yellow, it came to life.
Legolas looked into those eyes. "Aaron, is that you?"
The machine didn't respond, an unfathomable expression was on his face as he inspected his hands, his legs, even as he touched his body round.
His breath became shaky. "A-A real body, after so long…"
When the machine finally turned to look at him, Legolas understood that look in his eyes, gratitude.
Aaron hugged Legolas. "I am indebted to you for life".
…
A week passed…
[Nightmare Mercenary group has accepted mercenary mission: Cosmic Beast Hunt!]
[Nightmare Mercenary group has completed mercenary mission!]
[Nightmare Mercenary group has been rewarded with 10,000,000 Galactic Credits!]
[Your mercenary renown has increased!]
Legolas accepted missions non-stop with his mercenary group.
They roamed the stars across the territory of Nak Space, taking on different mercenary missions as they achieved incredible feats and earned a name for themselves, a Nak Champion being one of them also aided their journey.
A month passed…
-----
[Experience Points have been deducted!]
[You have leveled up your Summoner- Demi-God Summoner main class once to level 86]
…
[Insufficient Experience Points deducted!]
----
Legolas developed and grew stronger alongside his crew.
While they grew a name for themselves, they hardly stopped to rest and in the blink of an eye, it was already a year since they were in Nak Space.
Legolas obtained an important clue about the plans of the Beast Coalition, increasing his favorability with Admiral Zhao for the first time.
5 years passed…
The Nightmare Army finally made the great leap, they became only the 16th mercenary group to become recognized as a quasi-grade 1 mercenary group without having at least 1 Grade B+ Super in their ranks.
Another 10 years passed…
Legolas broke his limits, after countless mercenary missions and putting his life in danger time after time in space, he finally became a Grade B+ Summoner.
Since making their way to space, it was already 16 years and they all already underwent a lot of change both in power and personality, Uranus found a part of his inheritance and he was no longer a child.
After becoming a Grade B+ Summoner, Legolas made a name for himself.
His leadership qualities and crazy victories that he led his mercenary army to gave him the nickname the Nightmare Commander!
The Nightmare mercenary group expanded with time.
Now, they already had outposts in more than 6 planets.
Time kept on moving, another 34 years passed…
It was already 50 years since they arrived in galactic space.
During this time, Legolas and his students already became established veteran mercenaries of the Minerva Star System. The Nightmare mercenary group had hundreds of thousands of members spread across over 30 planets.
On that fateful day though, everything changed.
After more than 50 years since they left, the players came back.
-----
Version 3 Update Complete…
Updating Version 3 information…, please wait…
All Systems Successfully Updated!
…
Version 3 launch has been scheduled
Countdown till Version 3 launch: 10…, 9…, 8…
Countdown Complete
[Version 3: The Beast Coalition!]
----
As the 50 players who went to space returned to see an entirely different world and Nightmare Army, on that fateful day also, a significant event happened across the Minera Star System.
All electronic systems across the star system were hijacked.
A certain beast was broadcasted everywhere…, the Beast King!
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