Chapter 76: Skyward Wanderer

David still felt uneasy as he boarded the aircraft. This medium-sized flyer, clearly lacking any protective armor, hardly inspired confidence in its safety. He almost regretted entrusting his life to such a craft.

“David, don’t worry,” Jim said with a smile, noticing the look on David’s face. “This is a Sky Cruiser, equipped with an energy shield. It may not have any weaponry, but safety is never a concern.”

“This is already the safest way to travel on Rock Planet,” Myron added.

Once inside the Sky Cruiser, David noticed there were few seats—just thirty in total. Each seat was spaced far apart to ensure comfort.

“Energy shields require a lot of space, so there are fewer seats, which is why tickets for the Sky Cruiser are so expensive. Luckily, thanks to the invitation cards, the tickets are covered by the Titan Consortium this time!” Jim, familiar with the Sky Cruiser, explained in a low voice.

As Jim spoke, David wondered what benefit the Titan Consortium gained from all this. Spending so much just to hold an auction seemed like a losing proposition.

The Sky Cruiser shuddered slightly, then tilted upward at a ninety-degree angle, shooting straight into the sky. Instantly, the seats tightened, wrapping around David and pinning him firmly in place. Looking around, he saw the others taking it in stride, as if they were used to it.

After a full two minutes of ascent, the Sky Cruiser finally leveled out.

“David, exhilarating, isn’t it?” Myron asked with a grin. He’d hoped to see discomfort on David’s face, but David’s physique now far surpassed his own. If Myron could handle the pressure, there was no way David would show any sign of distress.

“Does it always take off like this?” The seat released him, and David steadied his nerves, asking curiously. Ordinary people wouldn’t be able to withstand such forces.

Suddenly, he realized that ordinary citizens of Rock Planet had neither the right nor the qualification to leave the city—only those with sufficient clearance could. Perhaps this was part of the reason. David himself didn’t have clearance; he could only board the Sky Cruiser thanks to Myron’s invitation card. It seemed this was also a way to protect ordinary people.

“There’s an air defense system above the cities, so the skies overhead are very safe. The Sky Cruiser rockets up to fifteen thousand meters, where you rarely encounter Zerg, making flight relatively safe,” Myron explained quietly.

David nodded. There weren’t any particularly powerful Zerg on Rock Planet; even among the second-tier Zerg, few could fly that high.

Once in level flight, some passengers napped, others watched the videos provided, and a few spoke softly among themselves.

Myron and De Quincy were seated with David, Jim, and Daly between them, ensuring the two wouldn’t interact directly. Thus, the atmosphere aboard the Sky Cruiser was pleasant. Jim chatted about his views on various firearms, Daly chimed in, and David listened with curiosity.

Mid-conversation, the seats tightened again. This time, David was prepared; he relaxed his body, letting the seat envelop him more comfortably.

The Sky Cruiser plunged straight down. Despite his strength, David’s stomach still churned.

“Damn it, every time, all for safety!” Myron was the first to complain, his face a little pale.

“Maybe next time we should bring a barf bag for you, Myron!” De Quincy teased, seizing the opportunity.

“De Quincy, you—!” Myron shot him a fierce glare.

Jim quickly positioned himself between them to block their line of sight, preventing a quarrel in the cabin.

The Sky Cruiser landed smoothly. Only then did David finally relax—he didn’t care for the helpless feeling of being aloft, where his own safety was out of his hands.

Upon disembarking, David found himself at an air terminal far larger than the one in Pellan City, with over a dozen Sky Cruisers visible.

Exiting the terminal, he spotted several hovercars parked outside, all bearing the same insignia—the Titan Consortium’s mark.

“Looks like we won’t need to call a car,” Jim said to the group with a smile.

Approaching a hovercar, Jim produced his invitation card, and the vehicle’s door opened automatically.

Once inside, David found the hovercar’s interior remarkably luxurious, spacious enough for eight, and kept at a comfortable twenty-five degrees.

There was no driver; the seat was empty, with only the console screen flickering.

“Welcome, esteemed guests. Reception Hovercar No. 32 is at your service. Destination: Titan Hotel,” the intelligent system announced in perfect Federation Standard.

The hovercar set off, and an onboard cooler slid open.

“Distinguished guests, please help yourselves to beverages,” the system intoned again.

“The Titan Consortium really thinks of everything,” Jim remarked, smiling.

He took glasses from the side, placing one in front of each person, and poured wine and juice accordingly—wine for himself and Daly, juice for David, Myron, and De Quincy.

“It’s a shame—such fine wine, but you three are underage, so Daly and I will have to enjoy it for you,” Jim observed, examining the bottle before pouring.

David, Myron, and De Quincy were not yet adults. At home, sneaking a drink would be no issue, but in an official vehicle like this, they dared not break the law.

Music began to play, the gentle melodies and drinks quickly soothing away the fatigue from their journey.

Stepping out of the hovercar, David was greeted by a hotel that resembled a blue sapphire. Its exterior was entirely sheathed in glass panels, though unlike any he’d seen before—this glass was a crystalline blue, captivating all who gazed upon it. The Titan Consortium’s insignia was also prominently displayed.

“It’s beautiful,” Myron murmured in awe.

“Myron, be mindful. From here on, everyone you meet will be a rising star from their city,” Jim reminded him gravely.

“Don’t embarrass Pellan City, or you’ll be grounded when you get home!” De Quincy teased.

“De Quincy, mind your own business,” Myron shot back in a low voice, but he quickly composed himself, adopting a more serious demeanor.

David followed the group inside, unconcerned. He was no privileged military heir and took the opportunity to admire the surroundings as they entered.

From the lobby onward, the hotel was filled almost entirely with young people.

“No one here is over thirty. The older generation only arrives in the afternoon, when the auction begins,” Jim explained softly to David.

“Why does the Titan Consortium hold this kind of event?” David finally asked, unable to hold back his curiosity after seeing so many young talents gathered together.

“The Titan Consortium wants to recruit and support promising individuals. They call it an auction, but everyone knows the real purpose. It’s not just them—other consortia host similar events,” Jim replied, greeting acquaintances with a nod as he spoke.

“This year, Pellan City doesn’t have any outstanding candidates. Our invitation quota went to waste,” Daly said, somewhat helplessly.

“It’s you two who wasted it. I invited David, after all. Besides, aren’t David and I both exceptional talents?” Myron retorted immediately.

“David is a genius. As for you—who can say?” De Quincy jabbed.

“All right, no bickering here,” Jim said sternly. He was the senior among them, both in age and position, and his word carried weight. He turned to David. “The Titan Consortium’s support is an excellent opportunity. They don’t ask too much—just that when you achieve something, they can use your name, and when they need you, you lend them a hand.”

With forty million credits in his secret account, plus a forty percent stake in two hotels, David had amassed quite a fortune already, and the idea of further sponsorship held little appeal for him.