Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
Kedua pemerhati itu cenagnal teluo main story line buat para penonton lalu dilanjutin sama topik utama episode — Han Xiao. Sebagai karakter utama di Planet Aquamarine, Han Xiao sering dibicarakan di forum-forum, apig pemain dari planet lain pun nemu dia lewat acara itu.
Han Xiao mengangkat alisnya pas liat. Bukan pertama kalinya namanya muncul di Galaxy Times. Lumrah aja soalnya dia rajin banget mempopularin diri di mata pemain.
Sejak Han Xiao buka rahasia identitasnya dan berbagai plot point di balik layar, Galaxy Times berhasil bikin versi main story line-nya sendiri buat Planet Aquamarine. Para pemain pun cukup setuju sama penjelasan mereka, soalnya logis banget.
Dari sudut pandang pemain, Han Xiao punya peran penting di cerita [Enam Negara dan Germinal]. Udah dipastikan sama kejadiannya, penghargaan terbarunya malah nambah ketegasan pentingnya dia di main story line, bikin makin banyak pemain yang tertarik sama dia.
"Aku lumayan terkenal di Planet Aquamarine, tapi popularitasku terbatas buat pemain dari planet lain. Kena liputan Galaxy Times karena aksi terbaruku ini bisa dihitung juga sebagai iklan," kalon Han Xiao.
Pemerhati perempuan lanjutkan segmennya. "Dari penjelasan di atas, Black Phantom main playernya di cerita [Enam Negara dan Germinal]. Dengan info yang dikumpulin pemain, kita bisa nyokot asumsi bolong bahwa setiap main story line bakal punya karakter kunci seperti Han Xiao, alias karakter utama planet. Bisa dibilang bahwa setiap main story line di setiap planet dimulai sama kayak Han Xiao..."
Han Xiao ngangguk beberapa kali pas dengar itu.
Sejatinya karakter utama cerita [Enam Negara dan Germinal] itu pemimpin Germinal... Tapi, eh, itu nggak penting.
Pemerhati laki-laki lanjut pas pemerhati perempuan henti bicara. "Logisnya, semua NPC mampu memulai event sendiri-sendiri, dan semakin kuat dan berpengalaman seorang NPC, semakin beragam juga story line yang bisa dia bawa ke planet.
Jadi, ini juga berarti karakter utama main story line terbatas sama peta dimana mereka berada. Di kasus Black Phantom, dia lagi tren di main story Planet Aquamarine, tapi berarti dia bakal tetap jadi NPC penting di masa depan? Kemungkinan besar nggak. Area aktivitasnya terbatas di planet pemula yang dia jalani, dan begitu travel antar galaksi ke unlock di versi berikutnya, penting-penting NPC kayak dia bakal jadi fodder aja."
"Di sisi lain, NPC yang punya koneksi dengan organisasi atau entitas galaksi bakal punya potensi paling gede buat pengaruh cerita ke depan. Planet pemula lain, Ice Winter Planet, yang dulu dikendurikan sama Hell Demons — entitas galaksi yang gila — lebih cenderung punya NPC yang bakal berkembang ke bab berikutnya Galaxy. Planet seperti Planet Aquamarine dan Planet Longtune yang peradabananya belum maju, prospeknya lebih tipis..."
Show ini bahas segala macam topik, ada yang setuju, ada yang nggung. Begitu pemerhati selesai analisis tentang Planet Aquamarine, mereka pindah ke wawancara pemain pro. Han Xiao nggak tertarik dan berhenti nonton.
Dia kira show ini bakal banter puji-puji dia, eh ternyata hanya balik menyuntiknya di akhir. Tapi, pemerhati memang bener juga. Seperti cara pemain level 1 kena bully sama bos di desa pemula, tapi begitu naik level, bos-bos itu jadi makanan kecil. Han Xiao juga sadar bahwa Planet Aquamarine itu nggak luar biasa untuk planet pemula.
Tapi itu nggak berarti dia bakal duduk manis. Begitu dia mikirin rencana, dia tersenyum lebar dan katanya, "Ayo kita lihat nanti..."
...
Bam!
Pintu ruang alkimia pertama dilipat lalu dorong keras hingga melemparnya ke hingganya, menghancarkan semua peralatan di atas meja. Emerald Grass yang punggungnya ke pintu kejut dan berbalik untuk melihat apa yang terjadi. Yang dia lihat hanyalah sosok berambut merah nyala yang berjalan dengan maksud tidak senaman ke arahnya.
"Apa kamu mau?" Emerald Grass cemas menegaskan pelita itu. Janur-janguru mulai tumbuh dari peti kardus di sekitar dan menari di udara seperti ular berbisa.
Energi merah gelap mengelilingi Hila, dengan mata yang juga terbakar cahaya merah, dia berkata dengan suara sejuk, "Berikan."
Emerald Grass mendongkolkan kening dan berjalan ke samping sambil mengungkapkan sebaris tabung reaksi, masing-masing berisi cairan merah terang. Dia bertengah dan bertanya, "Apa kamu maksud potions ini? Ini semua dikembangkan dari DNA saudaramu. Mau mencobanya? Efeknya cukup mengesankan."
Hila, tanpa ragu-ragu, mengangkat tangan dan memanaskan energi merahnya ke arah tabung reaksi. Emerald Grass mengutuk diam-diam dan buru-buru menggerakkan tanamannya untuk memblokir serangan Hila demi melindungi ramuan-ramuannya.
Bam!
Gelombang energi merah gelap memotong janguru seperti pisau panas, potongan bersih menyemprotkan jus hijau ke semua sisi. Emerald Grass hampir tertipu, dan dinding di sekitarnya hancur.
"Gila!" Emerald Grass gigit katanya dan berusaha keras untuk memblokir serangan Hila. Gelombang energi merah bertemu dengan tanaman berulang kali, menyebabkan ledakan yang menggema di seluruh ruangan dan serpihan-serpihan yang berserakan.
Tentara di luar cemas, dan tidak tahu harus membantu siapa.
"Cepat, beri tahu Tuan Hitam Phantom tentang ini!" Kapral tentara langsung memutuskan dan berbalik. Tapi sebelum dia bisa pergi jauh, bayangan hitam muncul di ujung jalan dan meluncur cepat. Itu Han Xiao.
Han Xiao selalu memantau ruang alkimia, dan begitu dia melihat pertarungan dimulai, dia buru-buru ke sana. "Berhenti!"
Kening Emerald Grass berkeringat. Kekuatannya tidak sekuat Hila dalam pertarungan langsung, dan dia takut dia akan terluka begitu berhenti menggunakan kekuatannya. "Aku akan berhenti jika dia berhenti."
Ekspresi Hila tak berubah sebab dia sudah mempersiapkan diri untuk membunuh Emerald Grass.
Han Xiao mengerutkan kening, dan cahaya biru redup mulai berkumpul di bawah kakinya. Ia dengan ringan melompat, menyebabkan energi ini menyebar melalui lantai, memicu gempa kecil yang membelah tanah.
Bwee!
Delapan panah senapan terbuka dari tanah, dan terdengar suara roda gigi yang bersuara. Mereka dengan cepat berubah menjadi senapan mini dan ditujukan langsung ke kedua lawan yang bertarung.
Jebakan Senapan Mini Mobile. Karya baru. Mereka diletakkan di semua area penting di tempat bertahan dan hanya bisa diaktifkan oleh Han Xiao.
"Aku rasa kamu lupa siapa yang memiliki tempat ini," kata Han Xiao dengan suara rendah.
Hila mengertakkan gigi tapi mundur pada akhirnya, meskipun ekspresi membunuhnya masih terlihat. Emerald Grass akhirnya rileks dan menghela napas saat menggosok ketuanya. Dia baru saja diserang di pikirannya oleh Hila dan sekarat kepala.
"Kamu tidak memenuhi janjimu untuk melindungi saudaraku." Hila menoleh dan menatap langsung ke mata Han Xiao.
Han Xiao menghela napas seperti tak ada harapan. "Kamu berlebihan."
Emerald Grass mengangkat salah satu tabung reaksi. "Hem. Aku bikin ini pakai DNA dari rambut Aurora. Aku hanya lagi daur ulang. Aku tidak benar-benar melukai saudaramu. Kenapa kamu marah?‽"
"Kamu tidak bisa!" kata Hila dengan suara dingin. Baginya, tindakan Emerald Grass terlalu mirip dengan Germinal, dan itu membuatnya teringat pengalaman menyakitkan dari masa lalu.
Tidak ada yang mau mundur, dan otak Han Xiao mulai terasa sakit. Konflik dengan sekutu tidak mudah untuk diselesaikan.
Se saat itu, Aurora berjalan santai dengan wheelchair, dengan Bear Cub yang menggantung di kakinya.
Aurora tampak jauh lebih baik dibanding sebulan lalu. Rambutnya yang sempat kusut kini halus dan lurus; tubuhnya yang sempit kini agak berisi, dan ia bersinar dengan aura positif. Kekuatan yang lama ditahan akhirnya bebas, memungkinkannya tampil seperti manusia normal dalam sebulan.
"Sis, kenapa kamu bertarung sama dokter?" tanya Aurora dengan cemas.
Emerald Grass menoleh ke Hila lalu memberi penjelasan yang mendetail tentang apa yang terjadi.
Aurora tercengang. Ia mengedipkan mata beberapa kali lalu berkata, "Itu cuma rambut. Aku tidak peduli jika bisa membantu Kakak Han."
Dulu, hanya saudaranya yang memperlakukannya baik. Tapi kini, dengan Han Xiao yang peduli padanya juga, ia senang bisa berkontribusi. Dengan cara ini, dia merasa lebih nyaman karena sedikit melunasi kesepian Han Xiao.
Han Xiao tidak punya pendirian kuat tentang hal ini. Dia tahu Emerald Grass sedang eksperimen, tapi karena dia hanya menggunakan rambut, dia membiarkan saja. Jelas saja, Hila sedikit berlebihan kali ini.
Aurora tersenyum cerah dan berkata, "Sis, kamu tidak perlu khawatir. Aku tidaklah rapuh."
Hila tinggal diam sejenak lalu berbalik untuk pergi. "Baik."
Setelah kekacauan ini selesai, Han Xiao membiarkan tentera membersihkan. Emerald Grass mendekat ke sama dia sambil menampilkan senyum aneh. "Aku belum tahu sebelumnya ada banyak senapan di dekat ruang alkimia. Kamu sedang mengawasiku, kan?"
Han Xiao memberi dia pandangan.
"Hehe. Tenang saja. Aku bukan orang bodoh. Abis dari itu, aku adalah alat yang pernah kamu dapatkan. Alat tidak benar-benar punya hak untuk berkata."
Emerald Grass berputar dengan rambutnya sambil berkata itu dengan senyum tipis.
"Oh." Han Xiao hanya mengucapkan satu kata sambila berbalik pergi.
Senyuman Emerald Grass beku. Ini saja ya?
Apa reaksi yang sama? Dia tidak marah, tidak mencari alasan untuk dirinya sendiri. Dia tidak berusaha mengancam dia pun.
Apakah aku tidak penting?
...
Langit malam perlahan mendung.
Setelah seharian penuh membuat alat, Han Xiao memindahkan material ke dalam basis rahasianya. Di perjalanannya pulang, dia melihat sosok di atas balkon gedung di sebelahnya. Cahaya bulan lembut menerangi sisi kirinya Hila yang sedang menatap ke langit dengan tatapan kosong. Sepertinya dia sudah berdiri lama di sana.
Setelah berpikir sebentar, Han Xiao melompat ringan ke balkon.
Hila mendengar gerakannya dan bertanya dengan netral tanpa berbalik kepalanya, "Apa kamu bangun nanti juga?"
"Hanya melihat-lihat. Kenapa kamu bangun begitu larut malam?"
"Hem!" Hila tidak menjawab.
Lalu Han Xiao duduk di sampingnya dan mengerutkan kening. "Kamu agak berlebihan tadi pagi. Aku pikir kamu dulu tidaklah ini emosional."
Hila mengerutkan kening kecil. "Apa ini punya hubungan sama kamu?"
"Hubungannya apa?" Han Xiao menggoreskan pelipisannya dan berkata, "Aku pikir kamu tidak begitu dulu ketika kuhai selamatkan kamu dan saudaranya, bukan?"
Wajah Hila beku. Setelah tinggal diam sejenak, akhirnya ia menghela napas dan berkata perlahan, "Aku agak tersesat."
Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The two hosts carefully analyzed the main storyline for the audience and followed it with the episode’s main topic—Han Xiao. As the main character on Planet Aquamarine, Han Xiao’s character was frequently talked about on the forums, and other planets’ players were also able to get to know him from the show.
Han Xiao raised his eyebrow at this. It was not the first time that his name had appeared on Galaxy Times. It was a given, considering how much he had worked to raise his popularity among the players.
With Han Xiao revealing his own identity and many more plot points behind the scene, Galaxy Times was able to come up with their version of Planet Aquamarine’s main storyline. The players mainly agreed with what they said as well, as their explanation was pretty logical.
From the players’ perspective, Han Xiao had an essential role in the [Six Nations and Germinal] storyline. Now that the story had already been set in stone, his recent achievements emphasized his importance in the main storyline, allowing more players to become interested in him.
“I am very famous on Planet Aquamarine, but my popularity is limited with the players from other planets. Getting reported on by Galaxy Times due to my recent actions could be counted as a kind of advertisement,” Han Xiao muttered.
The female host continued the segment. “According to the above, Black Phantom played a main role in the [Six Nations and Germinal] storyline. Based on the information gathered by the players, we can make bold assumptions that every single main storyline will have a key character like Han Xiao, otherwise known as the planet’s main character. We could even say that each planet’s main storyline was started by someone like Han Xiao...”
Han Xiao shook his head a few times when he heard that.
In truth, the main character of the [Six Nations and Germinal] storyline was the Germinal leader... But, ahem, that was not important.
The male host picked up when the female host stopped. “Logically, all NPCs are capable of starting events on their own, and the stronger and more experienced NPCs will be able to add diverse storylines into a planet’s story.
“So, this also means that main storyline characters are limited by the map they’re based in. In Black Phantom’s case, he is currently a hot topic in Planet Aquamarine’s main story, but does this mean that he will remain an important NPC in the future? Most likely not. His area of activity is limited to the beginner planet that he’s on, and once space travel is unlocked in future versions, once important NPCs such as him will just become fodder.
“On the other hand, those NPCs that have ties with galactic organizations or entities will have the highest potential to affect future plot development. Another beginner planet, Ice Winter Planet, was under the control of the Hell Demons, a powerful galactic entity, and is more likely to have NPCs who will develop into the later stages of Galaxy. Planets such as Planet Aquamarine and Planet Longtune with underdeveloped civilizations have less of a prospect...”
The show covered all sorts of topics, and some of the audience agreed while others argued against it. Once the hosts were done analyzing the situation on Planet Aquamarine, they moved onto interviewing the pro players. Han Xiao was not interested in this and stopped watching.
He had thought that the show was going to keep on praising him, but it turned out that they only turned around to backstab him in the end. However, the hosts did have a point. It was like how LV 1 players would get bullied by the bosses in the novice villages, but once the players leveled up, those bosses would become nothing but small fries. Han Xiao was also well aware the fact that Planet Aquamarine was not an impressive beginner planet.
But that did not mean that he was going to just do nothing.
Once he thought about his plan, he smirked and said, “We’ll see about that...”
...
Bang!
The alchemy room’s door was first twisted before being blown off its hinges and smashing into all the tools and equipment on the table. Emerald Grass, who had her back to the door, was shocked and turned around to see what had happened. All she saw was a figure by the door with blazing red hair who was walking toward her with enmity.
“What do you want?” Emerald Grass was alarmed and pointed at the intruder. Vines started to grow out of the surrounding crates and danced in the air like venomous snakes.
Hila was surrounded by a dark red energy, and with eyes also blazing with a crimson light, she said in a cold voice, “Give it.”
Emerald grass frowned and walked to the side as she revealed a row of test tubes on a table, each filled with some sort of bright red liquid. She shook her head and asked, “Do you mean these potions? These are all developed from your sister’s DNA. Do you want to try? They have pretty amazing effects.”
Hila, without even hesitating, raised her hand and shot out her red energy toward the test tubes. Emerald Grass cursed silently and hurriedly moved her plants to block Hila’s attack to protect the potions.
Bang!
The dark red energy waves cut through the vines like hot knife through butter, and the clean cuts sprayed green juice all over the place. Emerald Grass barely dodged the attacks, and the walls around her were all blasted right through.
“Lunatic!” Emerald Grass gritted her teeth and tried her best to block Hila’s attacks. The red energy waves clashed with the plants again and again, causing explosions to reverberate throughout the room and debris to fly all over the place.
The guards outside were frightened, and they did not know who to help.
“Quick, inform Lord Black Phantom about this!” The guard captain immediately made a decision and turned around. But before he could get very far, a black shadow had appeared at the end of the road and sped over. It was Han Xiao.
Han Xiao was always monitoring the alchemy room, and the moment he saw the fight begin, he rushed over. “Stop!”
Emerald Grass’s forehead was covered in sweat. Her powers were not as strong as Hila’s when it came to direct confrontations, and she was afraid that she would sustain injuries the moment she stopped using her powers. “I will stop if she stops.”
Hila’s expression remained unchanged as she had already steeled herself to kill Emerald Grass.
Han Xiao frowned, and faint blue light started to gather under his feet. He lightly stepped, causing this energy to spread through the floor, causing a mini earthquake that split open the ground.
Buzz!
Eight metal gun barrels popped out of the ground, and one could hear sounds of gears locking into place. They quickly turned into mini turrets and were pointed straight at the two combatants.
Trap-type Mini Mobile Turret. A new creation. They were placed in all the important areas in the shelter and could only be activated by Han Xiao.
“I think you may be forgetting who owns this place,” Han Xiao said in a low voice.
Hila gritted her teeth but backed off in the end, albeit with a murderous expression still on her face. Emerald Grass finally relaxed and let out a breath as she massaged her temple. She had just been attacked in the mind by Hila’s shockwaves and was suffering from some painful headaches.
“You didn’t keep up your promise of protecting my sister.” Hila turned her head and stared right into Han Xiao’s eyes.
Han Xiao sighed helplessly. “You’re overreacting.”
Emerald Grass held up one of the test tubes. “Humph. I made these using the DNA I got from Aurora’s hair strands. I was just recycling. I didn’t even hurt your sisters. What’re you so mad about‽”
“You can’t!” Hila said in a cold voice. To her, Emerald Grass’s actions were too similar to Germinal’s, and it made her remember some painful memories from the past.
Neither wanted to back off, and Han Xiao’s head was starting to hurt. Conflict with allies was not easy to resolve.
At this moment, Aurora strolled over in her wheelchair, with the bear cub swinging back and forth on her legs.
Aurora looked much better than she had done a month ago. Her once shriveled hair had become soft and smooth; her once bony body had started to take on some weight, and she was emitting a positive and shiny aura. Her power that had been suppressed for so long was finally released, and it allowed her to look like a normal person again within a month.
“Sis, why are you fighting with the doctor?” Aurora asked in a worried tone.
Emerald Grass stared at Hila and then gave a thorough explanation of what had happened.
Aurora was shocked. She blinked a few times, then said, “It’s just some hair. I don’t really mind if it can help Uncle Han.”
Before, there was only her sister who treated her well. But now, with Han Xiao caring for her too, she was happy to contribute in any way she could. This way, she would feel better as she was somewhat paying back Han Xiao’s favor.
Han Xiao did not really have an opinion about this. He knew that Emerald Grass was conducting experiments, but since she only used some hair, he had just turned a blind eye to it. Hila had definitely overreacted a bit this time.
Aurora gave of a bright smile and said, “Sis, you don’t have to worry. I’m not that fragile.”
Hila remained silent for a while before she turned around and started to walk away. “Okay.”
After this whole fiasco, Han Xiao let the guards take care of the cleanup. Emerald Grass walked up to him and had an odd smile on her face. “I didn’t know there were this many turrets near the alchemy room. You’re keeping a watch over me, aren’t you?”
Han Xiao gave her a glance.
“Hehe. Don’t worry. I’m not a fool. After all, I’m a tool that you obtained. Tools aren’t supposed to have a say in anything.” Emerald Grass twirled around with her hair as she said that with a faint smile.
“Oh.” Han Xiao turned and left after only saying a word.
Emerald Grass’s expression froze. That’s it?
What kind of reaction was that? He was not angry, nor was he trying to give himself an excuse. He did not even try to threaten her or anything.
Am I that unimportant?
...
The curtains of the night were drawing to a close.
After a whole day of manufacturing tools, Han Xiao moved the materials into his secret base. On the way back, he saw a figure standing on the balcony of the building next door. The gentle moonlight shone on the right-side of Hila’s body, and he could see her staring blankly into the night sky. It seemed like she had been standing there for a while.
After thinking for a moment, Han Xiao lightly leapt onto the balcony.
Hila heard the movement and asked emotionlessly without turning her head, “What’re you doing up here?”
“Just looking around. Why are still up this late in the night?”
“Humph!” Hila did not reply.
Han Xiao then took a seat to the side and shook his head. “You were a bit too extreme today. I don’t think you were that hotheaded in the past.”
Hila frowned. “What’s that got to do with you?”
“What’s it got to do with me?” Han Xiao touched his chin and muttered, “I don’t think you said that back when I saved you and your sister, did you?”
Hila’s face froze. After remaining silent for a while longer, she finally let out a sigh and said slowly, “I’m just a bit lost.”
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