Star Rank Hunter

Chapter 402: The New “Tapir Extermination” Task Force

Prisa used to be a total enigma. People used to think that she was an independent Hunter who belonged to no one. Although she wasn’t as “independent” as Oskulos was, her background was relatively clean compared to her peers.

Later, it was gradually revealed that she was very close with one of the three titans of Sector S, Golden Beginning. However, those intel might necessarily be true or comprehensive just like now.

Prisa mentioned her “nephew”, and Gen Xingfu had definitely brought up Cillin before. However Prisa’s tone made Cillin think that she was referring to someone else.

Prisa hadn’t come to speak with Cillin though. After Gen Xingfu and Gen Xingji had departed the premises with Cillin, Prisa asked Onesta about the meeting. Onesta did not go into details but told her about the key points.

“Dream Tapir?” Prisa said with a frown. She was growing annoyed with the term as of late. The conflict between the Armies was nearing its end, and some of Miracle’s supporters had adapted their stances to the change in circumstances as a matter of course.

After Oros died, the amount of support behind Miracle began decreasing sharply. As the eight Armies fought each other overtly and covertly, this issue had only become more obvious.

Prisa sighed. “Why would he want to get involved in that?”

In Prisa’s opinion, this wasn’t a matter Cillin should get involved in. Not only was it a pure net negative from a Hunter’s perspective, he might even lose his life because of it.

There was no such thing as absolute right or wrong regarding the matter of Miracle. What you might think was right might result in a tragic outcome—Si Fang was one such example. Back then, some of the people locked up in the top security prison were unforgivable criminals only because that was the label they were slapped with.

Prisa took this matter with the utmost seriousness exactly because she understood why this was so important, the way things were trending toward, and how important Cillin was for Angenia and the Gen family members. So, after thinking for a moment, she rushed back to the courtyard and spoke with Angenia, who was still sitting in the courtyard and thinking about something.

The same night, Angina sought Cillin out for a talk. As a senior, Angina did not just treat Cillin like her own grandson, she cherished him more than even her actual grandchildren, Gen Xingfu and Gen Xingji. That was why she mulled over the matter for a moment and spoke with Cillin alone after dinner.

She did not object to Cillin’s decision immediately. She wanted to hear from him first. She was confident that a man Genya raised could not be foolish or blind.

“As you know, master does not hail from GAL. He is born in a different galaxy,” Cillin began while Angenia sat in front of him and waited for his explanation.

Angina knew of some of Genya’s secrets, and this was one of them. She just wasn’t too clear on the details. Therefore, she kept quiet and waited for Cillin to continue.

“I possess the means to cross over to his galaxy, but I can only bring so many people with me. The technology is still being developed. This is one of the reasons master chose to stay behind.”

As the woman who elevated Golden Beginning to its current extent, Angenia figured out many things just from these few sentences.

“He… hasn’t changed at all. He does not wish to become our burden even a little.” Angenia sighed. Considering the current circumstances, Genya would definitely become a primary target of some people if he showed up now with a paltry force. Even if Angenia, his son, and his whole clan did not mind, Genya would never put them in such a situation.

After taking a look at Angenia’s expression, Cillin continued, “As far as I know, Grim Reaper and Ji Feng know that I possess this technology. There may be others. Assuming the disaster erupts in full force, one or all of these people would definitely force me to open the passage. This is not a good thing for GAL or Mist Bodhisattva, not to mention that I cannot simply run away with just a select few people.”

Cillin had a feeling that the reason Yin Wushe contacted him this soon and even leaked some intel from time to time wasn’t just because of Wheeze. It was very likely that he knew Cillin possessed the technology as well. If the disaster happened, Yin Wushe would definitely want to take his men away from GAL, and the man who possessed the means to leave GAL was none other than him. ṟ𝘈ɴ∅ᛒЁ𝒮

Why else would the old man extend him an olive branch after so many years of quiet observation, and during a time of chaos no less?

Besides, assuming the disaster erupted in full force, the most Cillin could bring with him was the Eleventh Squad. However, most of his members’ homes, friends, and families were in GAL. Angenia and her family, Mo Heng, Lung, and many, many more friends and acquaintances were all in GAL as well.

His roots were here. How could he leave? How could he bear to leave alone?

Once a person had run away one time, they would run away a second and a third time. The first time they ran away would also inflict upon them the deepest shadow. They would always remember the fact that they had abandoned their hometown, their former comrades, everyone. They would remember their betrayal.

There was nothing more a Hunter loathed than betrayal.

Hunters do not subscribe to absolute obedience. Usually, they acted based on their feelings.

Shi Tang’s research was nearing the end, but if the disaster took place before it could be completed, then there was no way he could evacuate everyone in time.

Even Moon had revealed some of the key points of the technology to Shi Tang for the sake of his last lost brother, Chip. They all wished for the technology to attain completion sooner.

Cillin told Angenia a lot of things, but not everything. The reason he said all this was to show her his determination.

Angenia knew that Cillin’s explanation wasn’t comprehensive after listening to the end, but she did not pry. Knowing that Cillin was determined, she did not try to change his mind directly. Instead, she said, “Miracle has research bases all around GAL. Some are known to the military, and some are top secret bases only a handful are aware of.”

“From what I heard from Onesta, these people are seriously crazy, especially considering what he and his comrades went through was just the beginning. They thought that everything regarding Dream Tapir was destroyed, but in reality backup copies of the intel and even partially intact samples managed to slip through the cracks… Just where did they go? Not even Si Fang, a meticulous person, was able to find them. All things considered, it is unlikely the Armies would be able to remove all these threats perfectly even if they were to join hands.”

“Exactly. Should such a time come to be, the disaster would not simply break out in one place. It would happen across the entire galaxy at nearly the same time. Who could avoid it then?” Cillin crossed his hands over his knees and said, “Should such a disaster take place, I will inform them to open the passage and send you and your family over first.”

“Please don’t.” Angenia turned down his offer immediately. “You said it yourself. The technology isn’t complete yet, and you can only transfer a limited amount of people over to the other side. Golden Beginning is a big organization. I cannot run away if only for the sake of everyone who addressed me as their ‘Queen’.”

“What about Gensheng and Gen Xingfu?”

“They won’t leave either.” Angenia smiled. “I know how they are.”

A pause later, Cillin asked, “How much time do we have left?”

“According to Prisa, some of the important management personnel of Miracle committed suicide not long after they were captured. They all died with mad grins on their faces. The military couldn’t be sure when the disaster would happen either—we’re talking about a bunch of crazies after all. I also heard that they haven’t found the thing that could control the Dream Tapirs yet; the Mother.”

“Miracle managed to preserve some samples, but only one experiment succeeded when they restarted their research: the Mother. I’m sure Onesta had already told you the solution to the Dream Tapir crisis. The Mother could control these virus carriers, so if we find the Mother, this crisis would resolve itself. Unfortunately, the Armies were unable to locate it yet.”

Prisa was the one who told Angenia these things, and now she was telling them to Cillin. By doing so, she was indirectly telling him that there wasn’t really much he could do to help even if he wanted to, nor was his help necessary.

Finding the Mother was probably the only solution to this crisis. The massive Armies and various political entities and big clans were searching for it as well. In comparison, Cillin’s force might as well be a drop in the ocean.

“So what?” Cillin smiled. “I will stay with you. I do not dare to return to my master alone.”

Cillin contacted Eudy after the conversation with Angenia.

Ji Feng was plotting to reshuffle the status quo. Already, he was collecting resources en masse. Should a fight break out, he would definitely avoid the most populous Sectors. This would also allow him to evade the upcoming disaster to a great degree. So, Cillin ordered Eudy to muster the Eleventh Squadron and operate with Vanguard.

Knowing Ji Feng’s abilities, Cillin was sure that he was privy to some of the behind-the-scenes intel and the fact that a grand disaster was coming. However, Hunters were people who constantly roamed the universe. They naturally suffered less damage and could even choose to avoid the heart of the disaster.

Cillin had also contacted Moon in private.

“Please help Shi Tang and speed up the research. Time is short… Also, please take everyone to Mist Bodhisattva should an accident occur.”

Moon remained silent for a moment before answering, “Affirmative.” It was a serious and official answer.

“What about you?” Moon asked.

“Don’t worry about us. Wheeze, Czedow and I will be fine.”

Moon fell silent once more.

After the conversation with Cillin was complete, every piece of equipment in the Eleventh Squad’s base suffered a malfunction for a second time. Why? Because Moon was overthinking, of course.

The next day early morning, Prisa personally paid Cillin a visit.

“My nephew would like to speak with you, Cillin,” said Prisa with a helpless expression.

Prisa led Cillin to a private room. Just looking at the surrounding equipment, Cillin knew that this was going to be an extremely confidential conversation.

Just who was the other party that this level of secrecy was necessary?

To Cillin’s surprise, Prisa left after bringing him to the room. A holo screen soon popped up, and Cillin recognized the person on the screen instantly. One might say that he was a familiar face.

“Long time no see, Cillin.”

Cillin smiled back and said, “I had no idea that you are the ‘nephew’ Prisa spoke up. Long time no see, Ci Jincheng.”

In the screen, Ci Jincheng shrugged. “It’s a mess alright. If I have to sum it up in one sentence, I guess it’ll be, ‘the fucked up love affair between a top security prison inmate and a local’.”

Cillin could not help but let out a chuckle. It must have been quite the story for Ci Jincheng to swear like this.

“So? What’s so urgent that a Star Rank Hunter has to act as a messenger?” Cillin asked.

“I heard that you’re getting yourself involved with the Dream Tapir?”

“I’m just doing what I can. I’m aware how small my force is, but it’s better than to do nothing at all,” Cillin replied.

Ci Jincheng fell silent for a moment before asking, “Are you sure?”

“Mm.”

“In that case, I want you to join me.” Ci Jincheng smiled. “I’m planning to set up an anti-Dream Tapir task force.”

“The military should already have such a task force, no?”

“Yes, but I want to make my own. For one, my voice is weak in that task force. Two, my opinion conflicts with that of the person-in-charge.” What Ci Jincheng left unsaid was the fact that the Ci Family was screwing with him as well. An anti-Dream Tapir task force would obviously have to venture into a disaster zone, and the Ci Family was unwilling to risk Ci Jincheng at all.

However, Ci Jincheng was clearly a stubborn and uncontrollable mule. After learning from Prisa that Cillin was planning to get involved, he immediately rushed to create a plan; the plan to build his own Tapir Extermination task force.

“Who else is in the task force?” Cillin asked.

Ci Jincheng winked at him. ‘Everyone in our hostel is in. Yue Lou, Kang Man, Pride, Allen and more will be joining in as well.”

Feeling a pang while listening to the list of names of familiar people he hadn’t met for a long time, Cillin said, “Alright, I’ll join. I gotta ask though. Are you sure the Ji Family will agree to Pride joining your task force?”

“Pride said he’ll deal with this himself.”

“I’ll be bringing a man and a cat with me.”

“Czedow and Wheeze, right? No problem. Just follow my aunt to my place when it is time. I’ve already spoken to her about it.”

“Your place?”

“Yep. I have a research base on a small planet.”

“Got it. I’ll contact you then.”

The day after he arrived at the headquarters of Golden Beginning, Cillin left together with Prisa. They had left separately before meeting up again outside the borders of Sector S. Therefore, no one including Gen Xingfu knew that Prisa and Cillin were planning to “elope”.

Gen Xingji always accompanied Prisa on her adventures, but not this time. The Star Rank Hunter had left on her own after giving her some random excuse. Gen Xingji was unhappy for a long time because of this.

“Is this going to be a big one, Cillin?” On Cillin’s shoulder, Wheeze asked in a listless voice and specifically emphasized the words “big one”.

“Yes, it is.”

“You liar! I heard everything!” Wheeze pulled down its ear with a paw while complaining, “Why don’t we just leave? There’s no need to get involved in this mess.”

“No can do.”

“You humans are so complicated.” Wheeze sighed.

“I will be fine. You know I’m immune to those things.” Cillin gave Wheeze a scratch under the chin.

Ever since the close brush with the Zebra Virus, Cillin had developed a resistance toward many fatal viruses. Wheeze knew this. Cillin was fairly adept in such matters. Wheeze also knew this. However, it could not agree to doing something so major without receiving anything in return. If not long-lasting fame, then at least a big pile of credits. That was the only kind of exchange Wheeze would subscribe to. However, not only would they be receiving nada from this mission, they even had to sneak to their base. Just how unfair was that?

It would be nothing like the crisis at Mist Bodhisattva. Although the Zebra Virus outbreak was a small-scale incident, they had received plenty of rewards for their efforts. The successful establishment of the forum especially had gotten Wheeze addicted to the thrill of being famous.

Wheeze vented its feeling by scratching Cillin’s shirt with its claws. It disliked doing something for free, nor did it care if other people lived or died. The entire GAL including the hunting planet it was born could be destroyed, and it probably wouldn’t feel much at all.

“I’m doing this because it would save us some future trouble,” Cillin explained.

Wheeze did not understand what Cillin was trying to say, nor did it care to use its brain. After licking its paw, it curled into a ball and fell asleep on Cillin’s lap.

Prisa’s spaceplane did not bear any special symbol, but it encountered no obstacles from the moment they entered Sector C. Their flight path was rather unusual as well. It was clear some arrangements had been made.

Cillin was really surprised to learn that Prisa was descended from the Ci Family. This would explain why she was able to become a Star Rank Hunter. Her individual abilities aside, her connections must be pretty impressive as well.

The planet Ci Jincheng spoke up was at the edge of Sector C near Sector B. After GAL plunged into chaos, some of the famous schools in Sector B became a lot quieter than before. They were nowhere as lively and busy as they used to be. Many a force had collapsed as a result of this chaos, and many a student went from being a class above others to being so poor that they couldn’t even afford their tuition fee. Some students also never returned to school for security reasons due to politics.

As for the teachers, some veterans such as Mo Heng were snatched up by various forces especially those involved in engineering, medicine, materials and more. Practically everyone with important achievements under their belt were busy with all sorts of things. Of course they couldn’t afford the time to teach.

It was about this time Cillin realized that the last time he went to Seven Lights was a long time ago.

He was still thinking when Prisa informed him that they were nearing their destination.

The visuals of a planet appeared on his screen.

It was not a very habitable planet. In fact, the habitability of the planet wasn’t even C rank. As a result, the planet was covered in circular shields, and almost all of the bases in the shields were closed off from the environment.

From the outside, the planet looked terrible to put it mildly. However, it was a different outlook when they landed on the planet and entered the base.

“A synthetic steady-state environment?” Cillin sighed in admiration while looking left and right.

It was like multiple independent pocket worlds existed inside the base. There were forests, streams, and even four seasons a year. The air was cool and refreshing.

They were all artificially made. They employed a lot of new technology as well.

Wheeze immediately started rolling on the grass after entering the base. Like all cats, it rubbed its fur here and there to mark its territory and sniffed everything.

“Long time no see, Cillin!”

Someone called out to Cillin from nearby, but he wasn’t Ci Jincheng. He was one of Cillin’s schoolmates back then.

“Long time no see, Kang Man.”