A Few Days Later
The family heads congregated at the SSO headquarters, responding to the enigmatic invitation from Mask 07. Upon arrival, they found Yun already seated, his mask gleaming in the dim light. As the last of the family heads took their place, Yun began to speak, his voice low and measured.
"I am Yun, and I have a dream," he declared, his eyes gleaming with intensity. "A dream to traverse the vast expanse of the universe, to explore its secrets and wonders. But to achieve this dream, I require your assistance."
The room fell silent, the family heads listening intently, their faces inscrutable. Yun's gaze swept across the gathering, his voice unwavering.
"I need a spaceship, a vessel capable of carrying me across the cosmos. And I know that you are already endeavoring to build such a ship. However, I also know that your progress is hindered by numerous challenges, stemming from a lack of advanced technology and visionary leadership."
Yun's words hung in the air, his tone laced with a hint of urgency.
"If you continue on your current trajectory, I fear that your spaceship will not be completed even in the next 10,000 years. But I propose a different path, one that will enable us to overcome these obstacles and achieve our goals."
The room remained silent, the family heads pondering Yun's words, their expressions unreadable. Yet, a spark of intrigue had been ignited, a sense that Yun's vision might just be the catalyst for a new era of exploration and discovery.
Yun's voice was laced with a hint of concern as he addressed the family heads. "Don't worry, I haven't come to snatch away the half-finished spaceship you've prepared with so much effort. But let's be realistic – even if you somehow manage to complete this spaceship, will it truly be safe? Will it be able to protect you from the perils lurking in the vast expanse of the universe?"
He paused, his eyes scanning the room as he continued, "Forget defense for a moment – how much distance will your spaceship be able to cover in 100 years? Will you be able to venture beyond your galaxy with that spaceship? And who knows? By the time you finally prepare the spaceship, the people you want to save may have already succumbed to the ravages of time."
Yun's words hung in the air, a sobering reminder of the challenges that lay ahead. The family heads exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting the weight of Yun's questions. The silence was palpable, a sense of trepidation settling over the gathering as they contemplated the uncertainties of their endeavor.
Yun's eyes shone with enthusiasm as he addressed the family heads. "With the information I'm about to share with you, you'll be able to build a spaceship far superior to your current vessel in just a few decades. I possess a detailed blueprint of a ship called 'The Stellar Voyager', which boasts features you've only dreamed of, but lacked the advanced technology to implement. Teleportation, advanced AI, and other cutting-edge capabilities will be at your fingertips."
He paused, his voice filled with excitement. "This spaceship can cover an astonishing 1000 light years in just one year! And I'm not just offering you the design – I'm asking for your collaboration in building 'The Stellar Voyager'. You're already constructing your own spaceship for the same reasons I am – to witness the wonders of the universe firsthand, discover new habitable planets, encounter new lifeforms, and forge connections with new civilizations. All of this is possible with 'The Stellar Voyager'."
As Yun finished speaking, the room erupted into a flurry of whispers and excited murmurs, the family heads exchanging eager glances. The prospect of joining forces with Yun and accessing his advanced technology had ignited a spark of hope, a sense that together, they could achieve the impossible.
Yun's voice was firm and commanding, his eyes gleaming with a hint of warning. "If you're thinking of snatching this blueprint from me, get that idea out of your mind. You'll never be able to harm me. I'm well aware that you possess some ancient weapons and treasures, including those that can prolong your lifespan by 500 to 1000 years."
He paused, his tone taking on a slightly disdainful note. "And as for those who seek to live for 100,000 years, they're nothing but living corpses, clinging to life in the vain hope that you'll find the treasures of the dimensional doors and grant them immortality."
Yun's gaze swept across the room, his expression unyielding. "So, let's clear up this misunderstanding. I'm not here to be intimidated or exploited. I'm offering you a collaboration, a chance to work together to build 'The Stellar Voyager' and explore the wonders of the universe. But make no mistake, I won't be taken advantage of. The choice is yours."
Yun's words hung in the air, a challenge to the family heads. They exchanged uneasy glances, their faces reflecting a mix of emotions. Some seemed intrigued by Yun's proposal, while others appeared skeptical or even hostile.
One of the family heads, a tall, imposing figure with a scar above his left eyebrow, spoke up. "What makes you think we need your help, Yun? We've been building our spaceship for generations. We don't need some outsider coming in and telling us how to do it better."
Yun smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Ah, but that's where you're wrong. You see, I have access to technology and knowledge that you can only dream of. And with my help, you'll be able to build a spaceship that will make your current vessel look like a toy."
The family heads murmured among themselves, clearly divided on what to do. After a moment, the scarred family head spoke up again. "Very well, Yun. We'll listen to your proposal. But if you're trying to deceive us, you'll regret it."
Yun nodded, his smile growing wider. "I'm not here to deceive you. I'm here to help you achieve your dreams. And together, we'll create something truly remarkable."
Yun's voice was steady as he addressed the family heads. "Those five treasures - yes, five, not four - are in my possession. Although I haven't used them yet, they don't grant immortality to their user."
With a swift motion, Yun retrieved the five treasures from the system storage and held them up for all to see. The air seemed to vibrate with anticipation as the treasures hummed with energy.
ZZZZT... KABOOM!
In an instant, one of the family heads sprang into action, weapon in hand, and struck at Yun with a fierce cry. A massive explosion rocked the ground, sending shockwaves in all directions. The blast radius was staggering - a full 5 kilometers of utter destruction, leaving nothing but the family heads and the five treasures intact.
The aftermath was eerie silence, punctuated only by the faint hum of the treasures. But despite the devastation, they saw Yun standing before them, completely unscathed. Not a single scratch marred his face or body. Enraged and bewildered, the family heads launched a fierce attack on Yun, unleashing a barrage of weapons fire. Yet, despite their combined efforts, Yun remained eerily unharmed.
As the energy from their weapons dwindled, Yun calmly removed his mask, revealing a hint of a smile. "Sigh, I knew this was going to happen. I warned you, didn't I?" His voice was laced with a mix of disappointment and amusement. "You can't harm me, no matter how hard you try. Whether you attack me with weapons, humanoid robots, superhumans, or even the most advanced technology from around the world - it won't make a difference. I may not be immortal, but I'm as close to it as one can get."
The family heads stared at Yun in disbelief, their faces pale and their eyes wide with fear. They had never encountered anyone like him before. His words hung in the air like a challenge, a declaration of his unparalleled power.
Yun's voice was firm and authoritative as he addressed the family heads. "I'm giving you a 100-year reprieve. We'll meet again at this exact location in a century, but next time, I expect you to come in person, without sending your superhumans in disguise. For the next 100 years, I'll live a normal life, without any disguise or protection. You're free to try and assassinate me if you wish, but I promise not to harm any member of your families during this time."
He paused, his gaze sweeping across the room. "This isn't a request, but an order. Don't think for a moment that I need your help to build spaceships. I have far greater plans and preparations to attend to, but I'm offering you an opportunity that few others will ever receive."
Yun's words hung in the air, a challenge and a promise that left the family heads stunned and intrigued. They knew that they had underestimated Yun, and that he was far more powerful than they had ever imagined. As they dispersed, each of them couldn't help but wonder what the next 100 years held, and whether they would be able to take advantage of the opportunity that Yun had presented to them.
Yun's voice was laced with a hint of intrigue as he addressed the family heads. "If you're willing to work for me, I'm prepared to offer rewards beyond your wildest dreams. I can extend your lifespan up to 1000 years, and not just yours, but also those of your loved ones who join me in this endeavor."
He paused, his eyes glinting with a knowing spark. "Don't assume that my humility and low profile over the years are signs of weakness. I've been biding my time, waiting for the perfect moment to strike."
With a swift and deadly motion, Yun eliminated the fake heads of the hidden families, his movements a blur of precision and power. As the last of them fell, he turned to leave, but not before storing the treasures in the system storage.
"Remember, I'm always watching, and I'll be back. Those who choose to work with me will be rewarded beyond their wildest dreams. Those who oppose me... will suffer a fate worse than death." With that, Yun vanished into the shadows, leaving behind a trail of mystery and awe.