Colonial Suit

Cosmic Mercenaries, Fourth World, Yakmel Star Region.┃- ┃First-Level Branch.

Los Melt.

This is an ancient Hillt name, meaning 'Hero Who Opens Time and Space.' Legend says the establishment of this branch holds an incomprehensible significance, so it's publicly designated as 'Extreme Alert Level' by the Cosmic Mercenaries. 'Extreme Alert' means any attack on this branch is considered a declaration of war against all Cosmic Mercenaries. The Cosmic Mercenaries will disregard all rules to retaliate to the fullest extent and will not accept mediation or reconciliation from any force until they deem the other party has paid enough. This is an extremely serious alert level, second only to the 'Ultra-Limit Alert Level' in the Cosmic Mercenaries system. It is also regarded as one of the most inviolable rules in the universe.

This shows how important Los Melt is. Of course, it also explains why this branch has so much traffic.

Its mission posting volume is nearly half of all mercenary branches in the Fifth World, and it also boasts numerous A-level missions coveted by mercenaries. The reward for each mission is astronomical. Even Planet-level mercenaries would be tempted.

However, this means nothing to Blood瞳. He doesn't plan to make a living in the Fourth World. He's only here for identity verification and review. With his current level, only a large branch like Los Melt is qualified to conduct the review. Moreover, he's a direct mercenary of the headquarters.

It's a joke, really. Since Blood瞳 became a direct mercenary, he has never accepted a single mercenary mission. This is partly due to his rapid progress in strength and partly due to his own reasons. But in any case, such behavior is discouraged. If it continues, the mercenary headquarters will definitely lower his treatment level.

After all, there's no free lunch in any world. Since the mercenary headquarters has given Blood瞳 good treatment, he must provide corresponding services, unless… he can reach the Planet-level.

Inside the enormous bubble, there are crowds of people shuttling back and forth. Some are Cosmic Mercenaries, and others are ordinary visitors. They are of various races and shapes. They fly at high speed through invisible tracks in the bubble, but every time they fly for a while, they flash and suddenly disappear without a trace. Similarly, many people suddenly appear from flashes and then leave contentedly.

These flashes rise and fall in the bubble, as dense as stars, and also emit a '**' sound, which is quite spectacular.

"This is?" Blood瞳 looked at this scene in confusion and asked softly.

"This is our Los Melt. You didn't think it was built on this planet, did you?" Hek replied with a deadly smile, nonchalantly.

"Not built on the planet?" Blood瞳 was even more confused. "Then where is it built?"

"A place you can't imagine," Hek said mysteriously, then took out his smart device and operated it a few times. Soon, he looked up and said to everyone, "Okay, follow me in. But I have to remind you, the security level will drop after we pass through the partition. In other words, we may be attacked, so you'd better not stray too far from me."

"Attacked here?" Robbie was startled. "Why? Isn't this the Fourth World? Or is it not a safe zone?"

"You're right, priest boy," Hek replied lazily. "Although this is the Fourth World, don't assume it's necessarily safe here. You see, Los Melt's security system is very special. It only provides protection to visitors, but it's not so strict with Cosmic Mercenaries. You can't expect that group of violent guys to obey the rules, can you? So, heighten your vigilance. If you're spotted by enemies, I can't guarantee you won't be ambushed. The mercenary branch won't spend an extra star coin for you."

"I see," Robbie whispered thoughtfully. In Blood瞳's team, he was considered knowledgeable. But after all, this is the Fourth World, and many common sense and rules are beyond his reach. It's inevitable to have omissions.

As they spoke, the group followed Hek to the center of the giant bubble. Immediately afterward, a flash of light lit up, and they disappeared into the void.

At the same time, a handsome blue-haired teenager also walked out of the flash. He noticed something and looked at the location where Blood瞳 and others disappeared.

"Huh? Am I seeing things? They're here too?" He frowned slightly, muttering in confusion. But after a while, he shook his head and smiled bitterly. "Impossible, they can't be here. I must be seeing things."

With that, he turned and left the giant bubble, never looking back...

With a flash of light, Blood瞳 and the others felt a blur before their eyes and appeared in an unfamiliar space. Looking around, it was like a vast starry sky, with no distinction between heaven and earth. Everything around was black, but countless light spheres dotted everywhere, illuminating the place in detail.

As soon as they stabilized, Robbie gasped. "Oh, my God…"

Before them, a colossal steel creation appeared. This thing was at least thousands of kilometers in diameter, as huge as a city. Its body was roughly spherical, densely covered with automated machinery. Countless points of light flickered on it, like stars. Visibly, there were many figures shuttling around, entering and exiting this huge steel creation.

"What is this thing… so big, so magnificent!" Little Bossie opened his mouth slightly, his eyes full of curiosity.

"This is the real body of Los Melt," Hek replied with a smile. "The most famous intelligent mechanical collective in the Fourth World. A completely self-sufficient war fortress. If it were outside, even a hundred Comet-level star pirates wouldn't be able to get close to it."

As he spoke, he flew forward first. After a while, he brought everyone to the side of the fortress. Looking up here, the fortress seemed even more enormous. The crowd was as small as dust in front of it.

A group of people had been waiting here for a long time. Seeing the arrival of the group, they saluted in unison. "Welcome, esteemed Lord Hek."

"Alright, skip the formalities. You know I don't like that," Hek waved his hand indifferently and asked directly, "Have the services I requested been prepared? Also, where is Old Kels?"

"Lord Kels is waiting for you in District Six," a man in a blue tight-fitting uniform replied, looking capable.

"As for the services you requested, everything is ready. Verification including the Comet-level can begin at any time. But Lord Blood瞳, whom you mentioned…"

"What?" Hek's eyes flashed. "Is there an accident?"

"Yes," the man replied seriously. "Lord Kels will personally preside over his verification. So, there will be a waiting period."

"Kels will personally handle it?" Hearing this, Hek's face finally became serious. He frowned and thought for a while, then asked, "Why? Does he need to care about this kind of thing? I remember he hasn't been involved in verification matters for a long time."

"That's true, but this time is special," the man replied, then turned to look at the group. His eyes stopped on Blood瞳.

At that moment, everyone felt the hostility in his eyes.

“Lord Blood瞳… is a direct mercenary of the headquarters. But he hasn't performed a single mission since his last verification. So Lord Kels said he doesn't like people who get something for nothing, and he especially dislikes people who abuse relationships in the mercenary system. He will personally oversee this verification."

"That old geezer!" Hek frowned immediately. He snorted coldly. "I think his skin is itching. Does he think I won't beat him up just because he's old?"

"I'm sorry, Lord Hek," the man lowered his head awkwardly, not daring to respond to Hek's words.

You should know that Hek's anger is a disaster even in the Fourth World. The most troublesome guy among the Nine Kings of Star Shattering is not famous for nothing. Although Hek has rarely taken action in recent years, which of his actions has not been shocking? In the entire Fourth World, apart from those few gods who have never shown up, no one is Hek's opponent.

Even the Old Kels they were talking about… isn't.

However, Hek was too lazy to pay attention to such a small character. He snorted coldly and said, "Take me to see Kels. Also, arrange the Comet-level verification immediately."

"Yes, Lord Hek," the man hurriedly agreed, sweat already visible on his forehead.

In just a few words, he felt like he had walked back and forth on the edge of life and death. His whole body was soaked in cold sweat.

Then Hek ignored him and flew into the fortress with Blood瞳.

Through a huge mechanical passage, the group quickly arrived inside the fortress. This place was like a steel jungle. There were flying automated machines everywhere, as if it were a world completely constructed of steel. Faintly, they could see many visitors shuttling around. The place was bustling with people.

However, these had nothing to do with the group. Led by the man, they soon arrived in a luxurious room, and then staff took Robbie and the others to conduct the verification. Watching Robbie and the others disappear through the door, Hek said to Blood瞳.

"You come with me to see Kels. I want to see what tricks this old geezer has."

"…………" Blood瞳 remained silent. After a while, he said softly, "Lord, you don't have to be angry for me…"

"No need to say more. I just can't stand this," Hek waved his hand, interrupting Blood瞳. Then he said coldly, "This matter is not as simple as you think… You'll know when we get there."

"Los Melt… when did it become this guy's private territory?" As he spoke, a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Hek was angry, and things were serious.