Chapter 982: [Proof of Leadership]

Chapter 982: Proof of a Leader

"You..." The leader of the Kunde race stared in astonishment, gazing blankly up at Han Xiao.

One man could overthrow our entire Kunde race? It was the first time he had ever heard such an arrogant self-introduction.

Just who on earth was this stranger before him?!

His instinct was to disbelieve, but in an instant, he realized he was facing a far more advanced civilization; the other side possessed a transcendent system where anything was possible, and he had to cast aside his own archaic notions.

He was unaware of Han Xiao's status within the Empire, yet anyone bold enough to speak such words must be a figure of unimaginable eminence.

Thinking this way, the self-introduction was indeed straightforward, instantly making his stature clear.

He himself was a prisoner with no bargaining chips, yet this eminent stranger, whom he had never met, had actually stepped forward to grant his final request?

Why... why was this?!

Pity? Charity?

Or was it a feigned promise to ensure his compliance?

His mind was filled with sheer bewilderment.

When he first made his demand, he had harbored no hope, never expecting anyone on the other side to actually respond.

For a moment, the Kunde leader found it utterly unbelievable, at a loss for words.

"Are you worried I'm joking?" Han Xiao glanced at him, speaking at a leisurely pace. "To put it bluntly, you have no value in being deceived by me; since I have promised you, I will certainly fulfill it."

The Kunde leader could not help but ask, "Why are you helping me?"

"Good question."

Han Xiao chuckled darkly. "My heart is brimming with humanistic care; I am charitable, helpful, and frequently bestow great mercy. Just consider it my sympathy for the plight of the Kunde race. Besides, handling your request is merely a trivial matter for me."

Beside him, the corner of Tarrokov's mouth twitched involuntarily.

Brother, could we please keep a shred of dignity?

You share half the blame for the Kunde race's defeat, you bastard! Acting as if we are the only villains here!

The thickness of that face could probably withstand a psionic cannon... well, it actually might.

While Tarrokov raged inwardly, the Kunde leader was moved beyond measure.

It was like a traveler who had reached the end of his road, collapsing to the ground and about to sink into the deepest darkness, only to see a hand reaching out from the last sliver of light in his vision, willing to pull him up.

"Thank you... To meet a figure like you at the twilight of my life is my fortune, but alas, I have nothing left to repay you."

The Kunde leader clenched his fists, suppressing his surging emotions, his tone brimming with gratitude and profound emotion.

"Hehe, it's fine, I require no repayment." Han Xiao laughed it off, a claim he himself did not believe.

Hearing this, the Kunde leader was moved even more deeply.

This man called Black Star was truly a good soul with the universe in his heart!

Smack!

Tarrokov covered his face, utterly speechless.

This scene was simply steeped in the absurdity of fate; his entire race had been crushed by this man, and yet you were still weeping with gratitude?!

I give up. Not only does he kill, but he also silently conquers the heart, making the enemy thank the murderer profusely without knowing the truth. What a twisted sense of humor!

At this very moment, Old Ta reached a conclusion:

—Black Star is indeed a lunatic.

It would be best to stay far away from him in the future; I'm nearly retired, and I must not be corrupted by him, lest I ruin my hard-earned reputation in my twilight years.

Han Xiao smiled, turned, and left, walking out of the interrogation room with Tarrokov, leaving the Kunde leader alone in the room, immersed in his gratitude.

Stepping out of the room, Tarrokov immediately turned to look at him, his face full of puzzlement.

"Black Star, what are you doing agreeing to his terms?"

He truly had not anticipated this turn of events; he had assumed Black Star was just tagging along for the ride, never expecting such a sudden move, nor could he fathom the motive.

Han Xiao spread his hands with a smile. "I'm in a good mood today and feel like being a good guy."

"So you weren't just indulging your twisted humor and playing a joke on him just now?"

"Of course not, I was being perfectly serious... wait, do I have a twisted sense of humor? Do you have some misunderstanding about me?"

Ignoring Han Xiao's retort, Tarrokov frowned.

"But you just declared your stance of non-interference in the Empire's handling of the matter before the Sovereign. Now you're saying you intend to change your attitude and support keeping these prisoners?"

"Ha, is there anything in this world that remains unchanged? I suddenly changed my mind, is that not allowed?" Han Xiao raised an eyebrow.

"I see." Tarrokov nodded. "I will report your opinion to the Sovereign later; as for whether those above consider it, that is no longer my concern."

"That is enough." Han Xiao smiled.

At this, Tarrokov glanced around and lowered his voice. "Tell me honestly, what exactly is your scheme?"

"Hm? Didn't I just say I'm in a good mood today?"

"Heh."

Tarrokov wore an expression that clearly said, 'I'm old, don't try to fool me.'

Seeing this, Han Xiao shook his head helplessly. "Fine, fine, I'll tell you. The population of the Kunde race numbers in the trillions, reaching the scale of a star cluster-level civilization. Although it will require a long period of cultural reformation, once that is complete, such a massive population is an invaluable resource. If settled in my territory, I could possess a vast workforce, consumer base, and military recruitment pool in the future... The Empire is vast and powerful, needing not the Kunde population, but for me, it is an opportunity for development."

Hearing this, Tarrokov broke into an 'I knew it' smile.

Right, this is the Black Star I know; how could he possibly be bestowing great mercy?

You truly are something else.

Thinking it over carefully, Tarrokov found no flaw in Han Xiao's plan—if the Empire kept the Kunde people, they would need to choose a place to settle them, and population greatly influences prosperity; by then, allies would surely eye this piece of fat meat. In his view, Black Star was simply making his claim in advance.

As for granting the so-called last wish... he knew Han Xiao's nature all too well; this was most likely just a formality, an excuse.

Taking advantage of Tarrokov's contemplation, Han Xiao quietly glanced at the prompt on his panel.

[You have accepted the S-Rank Quest [The Kunde Leader's Last Wish]!]

[Quest Introduction: The Kunde race has been defeated in the war, and the entire race has become prisoners of the Empire, their future uncertain. In despair, the Kunde leader, harboring a will to die, has made a final request to you.]

[Quest Requirements: 1. Settle the Kunde race, providing them sanctuary during the period of cultural reformation.]

[2. Exact revenge on the mastermind who used the Kunde race against the Crimson Dynasty.]

[Failure Condition: The total population of the Kunde race falls below 80% of the number at the start of the quest.]

[Completing the first requirement, Reward — 6 billion Experience, Kunde Race Favorability +10000 (Current relationship is -1500, relationship [Hatred]), Random Reward x2, Political Asset (Kunde Race) +4.]

[The Kunde race enters the [Age of Awakening], Transcendent Awakening Rate +10%.]

[Completing the second requirement, Reward — 12 billion Experience, Kunde Race Favorability +15000, Designated Blank Character Card x1, Specialty - [Oath of Vengeance], Specialty - [Proof of a Leader], Special Skill - [Wrath of the Kunde].]

[[Oath of Vengeance]: The more cumulative health you lose, the higher your damage becomes, with the bonus stacking up to a maximum of 25%. It resets upon leaving combat. This effect can apply to summons, mechanical equipment...]

[[Proof of a Leader]: When you are the leader of a faction, you receive comprehensive bonuses. The magnitude of the bonus increases with the scale and level of the faction, with no upper limit.]

[[Wrath of the Kunde]: Status-type skill. Upon activation, you lose 5% of your maximum health per second, lasting up to 40 seconds. You gain a 2.0x total bonus coefficient to mental resistance, all damage +5%, Intelligence -5%, Charisma -20%, Luck -10%. Simultaneously, you become immune to all abnormal mental states other than [Wrath]. Skill cooldown: 5 minutes — Let fury fill your mind!]

Upon reading the mission briefing just now, Han Xiao had already resolved to take on this quest, for the rewards had exceeded his wildest expectations, delivering a tremendous surprise!

They were simply too lavish!

Han Xiao's face remained an impassive mask, yet inwardly, his heart was blooming with unbridled joy.

Though the leader of the Kunde race was no Awakened, his stature as the sovereign of a Star Cluster-level civilization granted him an exceedingly high reward quota.

The first objective offered standard experience and random rewards, but what truly caught Han Xiao's attention was the staggering reward of four political assets, which, beyond boosting experience gain, equated to wielding substantial influence over the Kunde.

The Empire sought to reshape the Kunde into a vassal civilization, but even with a broken leg, the foundation of a Star Cluster-level power still remained.

Han Xiao's words to Tlalrokov were no mere fabrication; if the Kunde were settled within his own territory, their vast population would yield him immense benefits.

Upon completing the mission, the Kunde would usher in a new era, and their Awakened awakening rate would rise; ten percent might seem trifling, but applied to a population in the trillions, it was no small figure. The rewards also included a massive boost to Kunde affinity, elevating their relationship directly to [Revered], signifying that the Kunde would, to a certain extent, become his own allies, with the Awakened serving as a wellspring of recruits.

However, most S-rank mission briefings were rather terse; the first objective demanded providing sanctuary, without specifying the extent required for completion. Han Xiao estimated it would only be deemed successful once the Empire lifted its blockade on the Kunde, meaning it would take a long time and leave him rather passive.

The second objective, however, was an entirely different matter.

At the behest of the Kunde leader, the goal was to exact revenge upon the shadowy mastermind who had manipulated them, which was far more proactive.

It was precisely the rewards for this second objective that solidified Han Xiao's resolve to accept the mission.

The designated character card went without saying—it was a treasure in its own right—but the three abilities offered as rewards nearly blinded him with their brilliance.

[Vow of Vengeance], an exceedingly practical specialty, and one that suited him perfectly.

For an ordinary person, this specialty's effect meant that the lower their health, the higher their damage; by the time the maximum damage bonus was stacked, they would be clinging to a sliver of health, akin to a berserker on the brink of death.

Yet, with Han Xiao's health regeneration rate, once the maximum damage bonus was stacked, his health would replenish in mere moments, making that twenty-five percent damage boost feel like a gift from the heavens, practically handed to him for free!

Moreover, it applied to summons and mechanical equipment alike, directly amplifying the output of his entire mechanical legion!

[Proof of Leadership] was the most formidable of these abilities, truly miraculous; in his past life, it had been immensely famous among players, earning the moniker of a "half-template."

Players, too, could possess this very ability!

Only as the leader of a faction could one activate the specialty's effects, carrying a distinctly template-like essence. Players, likewise, could establish their own armed organizations just like the Awakened, recruiting ordinary NPCs, and a guild itself was a form of faction, recognized by this specialty.

In future versions, players would gain a steady channel to acquire [Proof of Leadership], and to activate this specialty, a multitude of players would forge their own factions or form cliques, ushering their careers into a new phase.

The magnitude of the specialty's bonus depended on the faction's scale; for ordinary players lacking funds, time, or influence, possessing this specialty would be of little use, whereas the wealthy, studios, and grand guilds could maximize its potential, with only a rare few reaping substantial benefits.

In his past life, as a lone wolf, Han Xiao had never activated [Proof of Leadership], yet he knew full well the magnitude of its bonuses... it was exceptionally formidable!

"If I possessed this specialty now, the effect... would be simply unimaginable!"

Han Xiao thrilled in secret; he now harbored an intense passion for any ability that could drastically elevate his strength.

The final skill, [Wrath of the Kunde], also made his eyes light up, for it was a superb ability.

A total multiplier of 2.0x for mental resistance meant his defenses were doubled, a truly staggering figure!

Mental fortitude had always been Han Xiao's weak point, and any ability that could enhance mental resistance would inevitably catch his eye.

Furthermore, throughout the skill's duration, he would be immune to all negative mental states, an utterly broken effect that essentially granted immunity to all mind-control skills.

The skill consumed health, draining five percent per second, emptying his health bar in twenty seconds, with the state lasting a maximum of forty seconds; the percentage-based drain was fierce, and an ordinary person could only sustain it for a few seconds at most.

But Han Xiao's current health regeneration rate was no slouch either; based on his total health pool, under optimal conditions, the regeneration from blood-to-mana conversion equated to recovering roughly ten percent of his health per second, easily sustaining him to keep it active for the full forty seconds, which was no problem for him.

The only thing that puzzled Han Xiao was the skill's name.

—If one was enraged, shouldn't it increase attack power? Why was it enhancing durability instead?

Was this the very essence of impotent fury, the legendary "if you have what it takes, just kill me"?

"These three skills are all highly practical; as long as I complete the mission, my actual combat power will surge significantly, especially [Proof of Leadership], which is best obtained as early as possible," Han Xiao mused inwardly.

The second objective was to exact revenge on the shadowy mastermind; the mission did not explain to what extent revenge would constitute success, requiring him to figure out the method himself, much like the Gordemer bloodline mission of the past.

However, such lavish rewards were truly tempting, and Han Xiao resolved to do whatever it took to complete this mission.

To have such an unexpected delight on this journey filled his heart with immense joy.

...

Dismissing the remote projection and returning to his office, Tlalrokov immediately contacted Ulan Riel, sending over the interrogation records from just now, while simultaneously reporting Han Xiao's recent actions to the Sovereign.

"You mean to say that after inspecting the prisoners, Black Star changed his stance and expressed his support for their assimilation?"

"Yes."

"Hmm..." Ulan Riel mused thoughtfully, "And his reasoning?"

"He claimed it was for the sake of population resources..." Tlalrokov recounted Han Xiao's words verbatim.

Ulan Riel narrowed her eyes and nodded slowly, "Since it is the opinion of an ally, it must be given serious consideration."

On the scales of the Empire's interests, Black Star's position far outweighed that of the defeated Kunde; after all, pillars of the nation were rare, while vassal races were a dime a dozen.

Moreover, Black Star was a crucial contributor to this war, and his opinions would carry significant weight within the Empire.

In truth, for the Empire, settling the Kunde was a rather mundane affair, not of paramount importance; placing them within the Black Star Legion's territory posed no issue, as it would not only boost the population of an ally's domain but also allow the ally to assist in supervision, saving a considerable amount of manpower.

However, Black Star was not the Empire's only ally, and whether to hand over this lucrative prize to him would require balancing the opinions of all parties first.

As for dealing with the shadowy mastermind, it was not merely the Kunde leader's desire; the Empire harbored the very same intention.

Although the Kunde were the ones they fought, the true culprits were those Super Star Cluster-level and Star Cluster-level civilizations that had handed over the technology in a package, and the Empire had no habit of letting the chief offenders slip away.

Even setting aside the desire for revenge... the exploration of the Shining World was far from over, and if those scheming adversaries were to stage another Kunde-like spectacle, cultivating more native civilizations to cause trouble, it would greatly hinder the Empire's progress.

For both public and private reasons, the Empire could not easily tolerate the shadowy figures behind the scenes continuing to stir up trouble.

Han Xiao's stance played perfectly into the Empire's hands.

"Since that is the case, we must conduct a thorough investigation to determine exactly which faction dropped those ships upon the Kunde."

A cold glint flashed in Ulan Riel's eyes.