Chapter 115: Farewell to Boone Once More

The police and military acted swiftly; the bodies on the ground were cleared away, the surface thoroughly cleaned, and the hole in the wall was replaced entirely with a panel of special alloy by the military engineering team.

“David, how about I have two of my men stay with you for a couple of days?” Lieutenant Elmer asked anxiously before leaving, clearly concerned.

David shook his head quickly. Having two armored soldiers guarding him would only arouse envy. He also feared it might jeopardize Lieutenant Elmer’s career prospects. At such a critical moment before promotion, Elmer could not afford any mistakes.

After seeing Lieutenant Elmer off, David didn’t linger in the hideout. Frankly, the hideout had lost its purpose. The yard had initially been purchased for secrecy, but as David’s fame grew, the property attracted more attention. Especially after this incident, most people in the city following the matter would soon know about his yard.

David was unbothered. He was waiting for the spaceship the city government had promised as a reward. Once it arrived, he could transfer the Beacon to that ship.

Back home, before he could even inspect the day’s spoils, he unexpectedly received a video call request from Mr. Boone.

Since parting ways with Mr. Boone in Labor City, they had barely been in touch. David had almost forgotten that Boone had offered to support him.

Previously in Labor City, David had declined Boone’s offer of sponsorship. Yet, the representative of the Titan Consortium seemed eager to meet him again.

Though David had already received an award from the Titan Consortium—earned through his own merit—he still felt obliged to maintain good relations, especially since Boone had given a favorable impression.

“Mr. David, I have arrived in Perlan City. I apologize for the delay in meeting you; the recent Zerg invasion kept me busy handling emergencies. I am currently at the Star Hotel. If you have time, may I invite you to lunch?” Boone’s tone was unusually courteous.

To be honest, David had no appetite at all. Anyone who had witnessed two people reduced to a pile of shredded flesh would feel the same.

Nonetheless, David agreed. Though Lieutenant Elmer had warned him against going out, this meeting was secure.

When the Type II Land Tiger armored vehicle stopped at the Star Hotel’s entrance, the hotel’s lobby manager hurried over.

“Welcome, Mr. David!” The lobby manager was a tall, young woman in a neat uniform. She bowed gracefully with a warm smile.

“No need for formalities. I have an appointment with Mr. Boone. Could you take me to him?” David said, still somewhat unaccustomed to such etiquette.

“Please follow me, Mr. David!” The lobby manager quickened her pace, frequently glancing back to ensure he was keeping up. She treated him as if he were a VIP.

Indeed, from the perspective of all Star Hotel employees, David was a prominent figure—the hotel’s owner was David’s father, Hans.

More importantly, it was out of respect for David as the city’s hero.

Along the way to the private room, everyone they encountered greeted David warmly.

David felt his smile stiffening; he already planned to leave Perlan City as quickly as possible. It was impossible to move about freely here now.

He didn’t know how other celebrities managed such attention—he had never been famous in either his past or current life.

“Mr. David, Mr. Boone is waiting for you inside!” The lobby manager knocked lightly on the door and then spoke to David.

“Please come in, Mr. David!” Boone opened the door himself, smiling warmly.

Behind him stood his deputy, Manson, and armored soldier Eaves. Both greeted David with friendly nods.

After David sat down, he noticed that Eaves did not take a seat but stood by the door, next to a container holding an exoskeleton armor.

“Mr. David, I understand the troubles you’ve recently faced. Eaves will ensure your security here,” Boone explained with a smile.

“Thank you, Mr. Eaves!” David expressed his gratitude.

“It’s an honor to serve you!” Eaves responded sincerely.

The reason for this respect was David’s receipt of the Silver Star Medal. For a high school student to earn such a military honor was enough to command the respect of many retired armored soldiers.

“Mr. David, why didn’t you tell me about your purchase of the Titan S600 transport ship? You’re slighting me!” Boone teased with a chuckle.

David was momentarily taken aback. The order for the Titan S600 should have come from the Perlan City government recently, yet Boone already knew about it.

“Mr. Boone, the city government awarded it to me. Everything was arranged by them,” David explained, knowing Boone wasn’t truly upset.

“The Titan Consortium values its friendship with you. Regarding your choice of the Titan S600 ship, I took the liberty of making some small configuration changes without altering the price,” Boone said as he opened the ID wristband on his arm and sent a file to David.

David accepted the file and opened it—a configuration list for the Titan S600 transport ship.

In the list, he noticed an addition: a warp drive engine had been installed, replacing the previously installed high-speed engine.

These were two entirely different types of engines. A warp drive enabled a ship to be classified as an interstellar spacecraft, capable of faster-than-light travel, while a high-speed engine was suitable only for short-range flights within a star system.

Of course, “short-range” was relative; smaller interstellar flights were still possible.

A ship with a warp drive could undertake long-distance interstellar travel.

Warp drives allowed faster-than-light flight; even the cheapest warp drives cost no less than tens of millions of credit points.

“Mr. Boone, this warp drive is incredibly expensive!” David immediately pointed out.

The Perlan City government had spent just over two million credits on the ship, but the Titan Consortium’s engine swap alone raised the ship’s value severalfold.

“Mr. David, this is the Consortium’s congratulation on your promotion to E-level clearance. Warp drives are only available on ships with E-level clearance. This is our gift to you,” Boone explained with a smile.

David continued to peruse the list and found that the ship was also equipped with an energy shield system, which alone was worth no less than five million credits.

“Mr. Boone, I am undeserving of such a grand gift from the Titan Consortium!” David shook his head in refusal.

“Mr. David, this is our sincere gesture. We only wish to forge a goodwill bond so that, should the Consortium face a crisis in the future, you might be able to lend a hand when you have the capability,” Boone said earnestly.

Boone had studied David’s growth history carefully. Notably, David had demonstrated near-mastery of the spear in Labor City, and later reports came of him single-handedly eliminating large numbers of Level One and Two Zerg with a remote sniper cannon.

Especially impressive was his resistance to the influence of the infesting brain Zerg—a testament to extraordinary mental fortitude and potential.

Because of this, the Consortium was willing to invest heavily to establish this bond.

“I’d like to know when I can receive the ship,” David asked.

Understanding the nature of their relationship, David made his own judgment. If he truly grew stronger, he would have the chance to repay the Consortium’s favor.

Right now, he indeed needed a ship like this—with an energy shield and warp drive, it was a vital means of survival in space.

Although he didn’t need it immediately, he was confident he wouldn’t stay on Rock Planet forever; he would venture out, and an interstellar ship was essential.

“Mr. David, you can visit the spaceport now to see your ship!” Boone gestured invitingly with a smile.

“What? The ship has already arrived in Perlan City?” David was taken aback. The Titan Consortium’s speed was astonishing. The city government had placed the order only days ago, yet the ship was already delivered.