"Bang!"
The old wooden door slammed shut as Limon sealed the room behind him.
He had to clean up the scene.
Despite its chaos, the "Filthy Valley" had its own rules. Though people vanished daily without a trace, the area near the valley floor was under the watch of the enforcement squads. Killing a "store owner" under their protection in broad daylight would be seen as a provocation.
Owning a shop in this region was no small feat. There was a high chance Zhang Meng had ties to some powerful faction within the "Filthy Valley." Limon couldn't afford to be reckless.
He dragged Zhang Meng's lifeless body into a corner storage room. It had to be said—Limon's handiwork was precise. Since Zhang Meng's death, not a single drop of blood had spilled. The sharp iron rod had pierced deep into the throat, stopping any blood flow while leaving only a faint red trace around the wound.
Once everything was tidied up, Limon glanced back at the disheveled shop. Apart from the nuclear material crystal, he hadn't touched anything else. It was hard to say what that last look meant.
When the faint light outside filtered into the dimly lit shop, Limon's shadow was nowhere to be seen.
All that remained was the creak of the wooden door swinging and the distant clamor of the valley.
Limon left the shop without hesitation, heading straight back to the "home" he had lived in for over twenty years.
The place wasn't comfortable, but it gave him a sense of security.
"Master, space transmission will create spatial vibrations. Please move to a safe distance from the transmission point!"
The AI's words jolted Limon to attention. Placing the nuclear material crystal on the ground, he backed away toward the door.
"Master, your current environment is filled with threats. The base has sufficient energy to conduct one transmission. I recommend transporting armed personnel to ensure your safety!"
"Master, the radioactive crystal can be converted into a large amount of energy. However, long-distance transmissions will consume vast amounts of energy. Calculations show the crystal can power two round-trip transmissions. The recommended volume of transported goods is limited to five cubic meters; larger volumes will exponentially increase energy consumption."
Space transmission?
Limon's mind raced. If humanity possessed such advanced technology, the mutant beasts that plagued the world would have been eradicated long ago. The planet's devastated environment might even be restored to its natural state.
But such thoughts were pointless now. Surviving the immediate crisis took priority.
"Armed personnel? Anything I should know?" Limon asked.
"The units available are divided into two categories with different weapons and skills," the AI responded.
"Mobilized Infantry: Economical equipment but strong physical prowess."
"Allied Soldiers: Equipped with superior gear and advanced combat training."
"Master, you can review the price list. The law of equivalent exchange cannot be altered—you must give to receive!"
A futuristic list materialized in Limon's vision, as if projected before his eyes. Invisible to others, it was accessible only to him.
The list was extensive, though only the first page was visible, neatly categorized into military and civilian sections.
The prices were steep.
Mobilized Infantry cost 100 energy points each, with details about their equipment and weapons clearly listed. Allied Soldiers were twice as expensive. Judging by their weapons alone, the difference between the two wasn't obvious.
Mobilized Infantry carried AK-series rifles known for their firepower. In contrast, the Allied Soldiers wielded M-series weapons, which were inferior in sheer damage. The higher cost of Allied Soldiers likely stemmed from their advanced gear.
While Mobilized Infantry wore basic military coats, Allied Soldiers were decked out in state-of-the-art equipment, offering near-total protection. They were armed to the teeth.
Regardless, Limon had to pay a price to acquire them energy points.
In the corner of the list, his current energy balance was displayed: 1000 points. This was the base amount granted to him.
"Transmission array initializing. Imperial Forward Base auxiliary energy engaged. Energy transfer in progress… 5%, 15%, 45%, 85%, 100%!"
"Transmission array activated!"
As the AI's voice fell silent, a gust of wind suddenly swept through the dim room.
A vortex of visible energy formed, its center point glowing faintly.
"Crackle… crackle…" Electric currents buzzed and flickered as the glow expanded.
In an instant, the light burst outward, forming a web of electricity that danced wildly, illuminating the dark space as though it were daylight.
A few breaths later, the chaotic energy abruptly vanished, as suddenly as it had appeared.
The radioactive crystal Limon had placed on the floor was gone as well.
"Energy points consumed: 500. Energy points obtained: 2000!"
The AI's voice echoed in Limon's mind.
Starting with 1000 points, the transmission cost 500. The radioactive crystal had generated 2000 points in return. Limon now had 2500 energy points at his disposal.
Frowning, he began to calculate.
2500 points wasn't a fortune. If he used it all to recruit Mobilized Infantry, he could summon 25 soldiers. Recruiting Allied Soldiers would yield even fewer just one squad.
To ensure future transmissions, Limon had to retain a minimum of 500 points. That left only 2000 points for immediate use.
"Master, you must ensure logistical support for the troops. Consider food, water, all essential supplies, and sufficient ammunition reserves," the AI reminded.
It wasn't wrong.
Though Limon didn't know where the soldiers came from, they were undoubtedly human. They would need food and water to survive. Their weapons also required maintenance, spare parts, and, most critically, ammunition.
A soldier could only carry a limited amount of ammo at most a few hundred rounds. Once the bullets were gone, even the best rifle would be no better than a stick.
After a moment of thought, Limon made up his mind.