Land of the Lost: Chapter 6

This anecdote was not fully retranslated 100%. Only lines or word choices that were mistranslated or poor localization choices were retranslated. Revisions made are tracked in red.

Revised English

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06 | Journey Begins

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A spaceship traverses the silent expanse of space.

The melodies of classical music and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee flow within the cabin, alleviating the monotony of the journey.

“All the treasure on the ships have been reclassified based on their planetary origins and returned to their rightful owners.” A hoarse voice overrides the elegant classical music, relaying messages from distant sources.

“Have you received your payment?”

“Working with you is always a treat. But with all these cosmic treasures, don’t you want to keep some for yourself?”

“How do you know I haven’t?”

Sylus glances at the floating, transparent orb, tiny blue lights dancing within it. They’re seemingly propelled by an unseen force, constantly gathering and dispersing.

“Do you have your eyes set on your next target already?”

Sylus reveals a cold smile.

“What, still hungry for more?”

“The best is always saved for you. We just want a little taste.”

“You better learn to quit while you’re ahead. The next target isn’t something can handle.”

Sylus impatiently flicks his finger, and the comms channel is abruptly cut off. A massive, holographic interstellar map then appears in the cabin. The floating orb suddenly convulses violently, its tiny lights breaking free and scattering across the map. They gradually regroup and point to a small planet. The map zooms in on the destination beneath the “Eye of Aether.” It’s encircled by holographic particles in constant flux, which indicates strong energy fluctuations.

Sylus observes the map with a faint, weary sigh. “I see it.” He slightly squints before commanding the cabin’s AI system. “Find me a suitable location.”

“Now searching. Please wait…” The electronic voice chimes in. “A location has been found for you. The area is currently experiencing substantial Protofield disturbances, creating a massive vortex of magnetic fields. This twists and refracts light, making it impossible for light to penetrate and forever shrouding the area in darkness.”

“In your eyes, do you really think I suit a place like that?” Sylus reclines in his seat, peering through the viewport where stardust sparkle brilliantly like diamond dust.

“Thank you for the special reward. Now switching to autopilot mode. Have a pleasant journey.” The spaceship glides through the floating dust cloud in the eternal darkness and heads to a distant horizon.

In a place starved of sunlight, only neon lights decorate the darkness. Towering skyscrapers fade into the clouds, shrouded in mist, exuding a perilous atmosphere into every street corner and lingering around every passerby.

Sylus wanders casually, hands in his pockets, as if navigating the liveliest part of town.

“If you don’t want to die, hand over everything you got,” a low and hostile voice says. It’s accompanied by the cold touch of a gun barrel.

Sylus turns his head, his eyes briefly scanning the large figure behind him. A slow chuckle escapes his lips.

“You’re the thirteenth one.”

Before the man can even utter a “what,” black-red mist inexorably twists his wrist, redirecting the pitch-black gun muzzle to his own temple.

“While I often enjoy killing time, no one likes flies buzzing around,” Sylus half-squints, his gaze drifting from the man’s well-decorated face down to his attire. He murmurs to himself thoughtfully. “Is it because I don’t look like a local?”

Under indifferent, cold scrutiny, the thug’s legs tremble. However, the other party’s question causes his brain to short out for a second.

“What’s fashionable to wear around here?”

“...Huh?”

The gun floating in midair presses impatiently against his scalp.

“It’s fashionable… to dress l-like that…” The thug points with trembling fingers at an advertisement repeating on a billboard screen—a man wearing a leather jacket sits astride a hefty motorcycle, zooming through neon-lit streets.

Sylus raises an eyebrow. “All right, then.

The N109 Zone is about to greet its new ruler.

Original Chinese