Chapter 1

The returning field troops disbanded for rest and recuperation. Railton hopped along on one leg, preparing to find the "doctor" for repairs. Han Xiao whistled, signaling Railton to come over.

"It's you. You're still alive." Railton hopped over to Han Xiao.

"I should be asking you that." Han Xiao glanced at his severed limb.

"Ran into a few dangers, almost died." Railton glossed over it casually.

Although he wasn't extremely familiar with Han Xiao, Railton's expression eased a little seeing a familiar face he could call a friend still alive.

Han Xiao raised the toolbox in his hand and said, "You seem to need a skilled mechanic."

"Is it free this time?" Railton raised an eyebrow.

Han Xiao's eyes darted around. "Buy me a drink, the same bar as last time."

It was a period of respite between crises, and the officer, considering that the Black Star mercenary group had volunteered for field reconnaissance, once again gave Han Xiao special permission to enter the city.

Railton had a spare bionic arm, and Han Xiao quickly helped him install and repair it. Originally, Railton's right hand was the only flesh part of his body, but now it was also gone. He temporarily bandaged it up and didn't bother with it. His expression was calm, and he didn't care about losing his remaining right hand.

The two entered the city and, at Han Xiao's suggestion, went to Melos' bar. There were many customers drinking today, mostly civilians from the vicinity. While the soldiers fought bloody battles outside the city, most civilians hid in their homes or the official emergency shelters, while a few chose to dispel their fear with alcohol. Ninety percent of the shops in the city were closed during the crisis, but Melos' bar remained open, so there were quite a few customers, and it was somewhat noisy.

At the bar, Han Xiao said, "Two of your signature drinks."

"One." Railton interjected.

Melos drunkenly raised his head, recognized Han Xiao's face, and his expression changed. "It's you again!"

He remembered Han Xiao, the strange man who inexplicably came to his door seeking his brother's lost notes, and who seemed to know his secrets.

"What do you want this time?"

Han Xiao smiled. "Just came for a drink."

Melos stared at Han Xiao for a long time before reluctantly taking out a bottle of wine. Han Xiao didn't speak to him again, drinking his wine and chatting casually with Railton. Seeing this, Melos temporarily put aside his doubts, turned to greet other customers, and pricked up his ears to eavesdrop on Han Xiao and Railton's conversation.

Han Xiao glanced at Railton's severed arm. "Doesn't it hurt?"

Railton shook his head. "When I got the bionic implants, I had the doctor sever my sensory nerves. Injuries don't affect my combat power."

"You're an Esper; bionic implants will weaken your abilities. Why did you get them?"

Railton pursed his lips and said calmly, "Weaker is weaker, but this way I can live longer. The dead are useless."

"Choosing bionic implants to live longer, yet actively volunteering for the most dangerous field operations... your love for the race is truly profound." Han Xiao's eyes flashed, and he raised an eyebrow. "No one is born a hero. Your Sunils seem too selfless. There must be a reason. Why don't you tell me? I'm quite curious."

Railton was silent, his eyes revealing memories, and his tone fluctuated as if he couldn't remain calm whenever he recalled the past. He slowly said, "Like all other Sunils, I once had a perfect family. A stern father, a kind mother, and two younger sisters. When DarkStar attacked, I was just a child. I still remember the laser cannons falling from the sky, as thick as waterfalls, instantly turning the most magnificent buildings in the city center into ashes. We joined the fleeing crowds, and the military soldiers protected us. They knew they would die if they stayed behind, but they prioritized escorting us away."

"Unfortunately, my family didn't make it onto the Godoran rescue ship. They died on the way. A beam of laser turned my parents into ashes. I was just a terrified and broken child back then, only knowing how to cry, following the refugees numbly forward. Every day, the military would distribute very little food to the refugees. I was so hungry that I couldn't control myself. After receiving the food, I would secretly hide most of it, only giving a small portion to my sisters. At that time, I only wanted to live, not considering anything else. Then... my two sisters starved to death."

Railton paused, his tone low. "I still remember their unclosed eyes, their emaciated hands clutching my clothes. They stared at me, as if saying they were so hungry, but they were too weak to speak. Those two desperate eyes were etched into my eyes. My mind went blank. Those few seconds felt like a century. Only when their hands slipped weakly did I dare to breathe deeply. I was terrified then. I couldn't believe what I had done. If I had shared the food with my sisters, even if I was a little hungry, we could have survived. But I didn't understand anything at the time, only thinking about filling my own stomach, thinking that if I ate less, I would starve to death tomorrow..."

"I numbly followed the crowd onto the rescue ship, not knowing where the future lay. At that time, there were many children like me who had lost their families, and they were all given to the disabled veterans to raise. I and a group of children were assigned to a veteran and lived with him from then on. He raised us and taught us how to fight. He was a rude man, lacking patience, but he was a good man and a good soldier. Many of us Espers are orphans who were raised by the race back then."

"I gradually regarded that veteran as my adoptive father, but there was always a thorn in my heart. I felt that my past was too dark, and I always felt that I was a wicked person. If I told my adoptive father, would he drive me away? One day, I acted on impulse and told him about killing my sisters. He scolded me, but not because of my selfishness, but because he said I had the leisure to recall the past. I should spend that time training. He said the race was nearing destruction and didn't have time to be tied down by the past. Even if I was a heinous tyrant, as long as I picked up a gun to protect the race, I would only have one identity—a warrior. No one cares about my past, only what you can do..."

Han Xiao rubbed his chin. "What about that veteran?"

"When the first crisis came, the disabled soldiers could have been safely protected, but they took the initiative to apply to go to the battlefield, and then he sacrificed himself. I later learned that he belonged to the squad that protected our group of refugees. I once received food from him... Later, I became a mercenary." Railton shook his head. "The race has done me a great kindness, so now I contribute as much as I can."

"So your dedication is mainly to repay a debt?" Han Xiao turned his head and glanced at Melos, who was eavesdropping. Melos was expressionless, heavily slammed the empty wine bottle on the table, impatiently turned away, seemingly too lazy to listen to such a conversation.

"Not entirely, also for the continuation of the race." Sharing his story once in a while also diluted some of the sadness of losing his comrades this morning. Railton also wanted to know more about Han Xiao, and changed the subject. "Enough about me, let's talk about you, you..."

At this moment, Han Xiao suddenly stood up, interrupting. "Sorry, I have some private matters. I'll leave for a while."

Railton was immediately helpless. Shouldn't making friends be a two-way street? How could he run away after listening to my story? It felt like he was being taken advantage of.

Han Xiao went to the side, approached Melos, and said, "I want to talk to you alone."

Melos immediately looked wary. "What exactly is your purpose?"

This time, Han Xiao cut to the chase. "I know a lot about you, such as your strength, the legacy your brother left you, and so on. Perhaps you'd be interested in hearing about the future of the Sunil race."

The future?!

The word surprised Melos, making him even more uncertain of Han Xiao's intentions. He asked in confusion, "What exactly are you?"

"I am a seer, or you can call me... a prophet."

Han Xiao smiled strangely.

The reason he contacted Melos repeatedly was because he knew Melos's hidden identity—this guy was the protagonist of the Sunil race storyline!!

ps: (The strength of Nightstalker in the previous chapter was a mistake, it is D-level, not B-level, has been modified)