Chapter 524: C-Rank Event
Chapter 524: C-Rank Event
After exchanging brief greetings, Feng Bu Jue followed the two peculiar Heroes toward their destination.
Accompanied by General He and several soldiers, they soon arrived at the base’s Hangar No. 4.
Inside the hangar stood numerous standard-issue mechs of the Shrugging Planet Army. Among them, a small spacecraft stood out, distinct in both design and color. Its dimensions were approximately 15 meters long, 8 meters wide, and 6 meters tall—shaped like a shoe missing its upper rim. The hull was primarily cerulean, accented with orange-yellow. A line of black text adorned the side: [Cosmic Superhero Alliance].
"Hmm… this must be some language widely recognized across the cosmos", Feng Bu Jue mused, staring at the untranslated inscription. "Come to think of it, this scenario world’s setting is far more complex than I imagined… I wonder how many member states and intelligent races exist in their so-called ‘Galactic Federation,’ and what diplomatic relations and cultural exchanges are like between their planets…"
As he pondered, the group reached the spacecraft.
General He and the Shrugging Planet humans halted. The general spoke, "Then I’ll see you off here. The runway’s been cleared—depart whenever you’re ready."
"Thank you for everything, General", Feng Bu Jue politely replied.
"Don’t mention it, Poker Hero", General He said. "Superheroes are guardians of the universe. Supporting you is only right."
After exchanging more pleasantries, Feng Bu Jue bid farewell to the Shrugging Planet humans and boarded the Heroes’ spacecraft.
The interior was surprisingly ordinary, resembling sci-fi movie sets. The corridors, doors, and seats were all proportioned for human-sized beings.
The two Heroes guided Feng Bu Jue to the cockpit, seating him in the third pilot’s seat and reminding him to fasten his safety belt.
"You’re pretty lucky, Poker Hero", said the Pili Dancer Warrior, glancing sideways as he activated the ship’s systems. "The climate on Shrugging Planet is quite similar to Earth’s." He paused. "If you’d landed on a hostile world with no intelligent life, you’d be in real danger."
"True", Feng Bu Jue replied. "If I’d been teleported to a planet without an atmosphere, I’d be dead. But…" He inwardly smirked, knowing the system would never place a player in a deadly environment. This wasn’t luck—it was inevitability.
"Oh, Poker Hero", the Tap Monster Guest suddenly turned. "You haven’t registered with the Alliance yet, have you?"
"To my shame…" Feng Bu Jue feigned embarrassment. "I only just learned about the Cosmic Superhero Alliance today."
"Hah… You really are clueless", Tap Monster Guest chuckled.
"That’s not a bad thing", Pili Dancer Warrior interjected. "It proves Poker Hero became a Hero purely for justice."
Feng Bu Jue’s expression subtly shifted. He caught the subtle undertone—So not everyone here became a Hero for justice… Profit must be involved…
Outwardly calm, he asked, "Then… what are the requirements to join the Alliance? If possible, I’d like to join your Organization."
"Of course there are requirements", Tap Monster Guest replied. "But don’t worry. I heard from General He that you can easily destroy Hypermetal on their planet. With that power level, obtaining the basic ‘Hero Qualification’ should be no problem."
As they spoke, Pili Dancer Warrior finished pre-flight checks. He grabbed a walkie-talkie, adjusted the frequency, and called, "General He, this is Pili Dancer Warrior. We’re ready for departure. Requesting clearance for takeoff."
"Understood. Use Runway No. 3 outside the hangar. The gate is open, and navigation lights are ready", General He’s voice crackled through the device.
"Roger. Thank you again, General."
As they spoke, the ship vibrated. The thrusters roared to life, the power palpable even through the seat.
Feng Bu Jue realized this was his first spaceflight—virtual or not, the thrill was real.
"You’ll head straight to the Alliance with us, Poker Hero", Pili Dancer Warrior said, steering the ship. "Or we can drop you back to Earth first if needed."
"No need. I’ll go directly with you", Feng Bu Jue replied.
"Are you sure?" Pili Dancer Warrior pressed. "Your family and friends on Earth must be worried—"
"No need", Feng Bu Jue interrupted, deliberately adopting a weary tone. "I’ve no one left."
"I see…" Pili Dancer Warrior fell silent, focusing on piloting.
Tap Monster Guest glanced back, his expression unreadable.
"Hmph… My acting’s too flawless. Even I admire myself…" Feng Bu Jue mused, maintaining his somber demeanor.
Clearly, he’d embraced his role—the tragic Poker Hero with a past too painful to revisit. By avoiding questions, he sidestepped the risk of exposure. A brilliant move.
———
Five minutes later, the ship pierced Shrugging Planet’s atmosphere, entering space.
Feng Bu Jue felt no weightlessness—the artificial gravity system was clearly active.
Beep—Beep—
As Pili Dancer Warrior prepared to activate the jump drive, the comms panel beeped. The call was from Headquarters. He pressed a button. "This is Curry Ship. Pili Dancer Warrior speaking."
"This ship’s name’s a bit… edgy…" Feng Bu Jue thought. "Both crew members are A3s… Not racist, but definitely stereotyping…"
He hadn’t yet realized his own use of "A3" was equally prejudiced.
"Pili Dancer Warrior, how’s your mission progressing?"
"We’ve found an Earth Hero who wishes to join the Alliance. We’re en route to return him."
"Hold on. The Alliance just received a C-Rank Event alert near your coordinates. Can you investigate first?"
"Of course", Pili Dancer Warrior agreed. "Duty-bound."
"Note this is only a C-Rank, but stay safe", the voice warned.
"Understood. We’ll report if anything arises."
"Coordinates transmitted. Good luck."
"Thanks."
After disconnecting, Tap Monster Guest chuckled, "Busy Cosmic Year lately."
Pili Dancer Warrior adjusted course based on the new coordinates. Turning to Feng Bu Jue, he said, "Poker Hero, sorry—we’ll need a detour first."
"No problem", Feng Bu Jue replied. "Mind explaining—what’s a C-Rank Event?"
Tap Monster Guest grinned. "It’s the Alliance’s crisis classification." He exchanged glances with Pili Dancer Warrior. "Strictly, we shouldn’t share details with outsiders… But since you’re a Hero and might join us—"
"Truly an honor", Feng Bu Jue bowed.
"C-Rank Events are crises capable of destroying a planet", Tap Monster Guest revealed.
"Whew… Destroying a planet’s only C-Rank? Frieza-level might barely reach A-Rank…"
"Serious?" Feng Bu Jue feigned shock.
"Not too bad from the universe’s perspective", Tap Monster Guest shrugged. "Usually, local Heroes handle C-Ranks. But if they’re overwhelmed or request aid, we intervene."
"And this time…?"
Pili Dancer Warrior answered, "The alert came from Zhazhazha Planet. Not far."
"Let me guess…" Feng Bu Jue interrupted. "A Shrugging Planet colony?"
"Correct", Pili Dancer Warrior nodded. "Centuries ago, it was uninhabitable. Climate shifts made it livable. By interstellar law and Galactic Federation rules, Shrugging Planet humans claimed it, naming it officially."
Feng Bu Jue nodded, feigning realization.
"Though advanced technologically, Shrugging Planet humans are weak in combat. They have a few Heroes, but…" Tap Monster Guest pulled up data. "Their capabilities can’t handle a C-Rank Event."
"Moreover", Pili Dancer Warrior added, "the Alliance has no record of Superheroes on Zhazhazha Planet."
"I see", Feng Bu Jue said. "So you two must intervene. And… is there anything I can assist with?"
(End of Chapter)
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