Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'
Chapter 200 - 024. Curse of Gamma Phase

Chapter 200: 024. Curse of Gamma Phase

"This is my story," Li Aozi said, taking a drink with a frustrated expression.

"I truly admire these people’s courage and passion, but their strength and thinking are not up to standard; their blood has flowed in vain, wasted on meaningless battles."

"Then, why did you come to find me?"

As Barnum tried to snatch back his bottle of alcohol, Li Aozi flicked his wrist and immediately swatted his hand away, then seriously said to him,

"Barnum, I plan to change tactics and save the nation through a roundabout strategy. I wonder, would you like to return to the comfortable life you once had?"

"Yes!"

Without giving it a second thought, Barnum blurted out,

"I was living well, earning a good income, and my job was leisurely. Having so many kind and enthusiastic Grantians around me, truth be told, I’ve long considered this place my home."

Very good, Li Aozi nodded, Barnum’s reaction was within his expectations.

Frost Plated men who run away seldom return, unlike the steadfast patriots, Du Zexin or David Lyn, let alone someone like Barnum, a king without any backing.

Several talents emerged from Grante Duchy, and Barnum was one of them.

Barnum Ziegrin, he rose up late, only reaching the stars after version 2.5, where he contacted the "Fine Artistry" series’ "Architect" legacy, and truly began a legendary life.

In the future, he would be known by an imposing title: Empire Hero.

For someone from an indigenous civilization like Azure Star to receive the highest honor from the Narrative-Level Civilization "Empire of Heralds" was extremely rare among all narrative-level civilizations.

Li Aozi was here not just to undertake a task but also to recruit some promising individuals from this place.

As an entrepreneur starting from scratch, Li Aozi had so far garnered support from only Sky Ring and Triangle Town, but he still lacked capable and loyal subordinates.

Li Aozi was neither adept at management nor at technology, but as it is widely known, business owners understand little about technology.

A boss just needs to boast, outline big visions, sketch blueprints, attract investments, have a long-term vision, possess decisive courage, and unite people. For the rest, they shouldn’t meddle but instead trust the money to let professionals handle their tasks.

Li Aozi’s "Charm" attribute was very high, and Barnum was quickly stirred by his rhetoric, deciding to join Li Aozi’s team. In a moment of fervor, he agreed to act together with him.

But as they prepared to leave, Barnum suddenly came to his senses:

"But now, the city is under martial law, what are we going out to do?"

"Kidnapping."

——————————

"Report on the attack."

"Six infantry armored vehicles in the garrison’s mechanized battalion were destroyed, 17 people were killed, 8 severely injured, and 12 civilians were hit by stray bullets and shelling... This major incident could only be suppressed with the help of the Third Rule of Frost Plated."

Bang!

Duke Gamos Luwenqi Grante suddenly slammed his hand on the desk, his purplish eyes instantly cleared of confusion and murkiness. His secretary, caught off guard, immediately collapsed to the ground, now realizing that the man before him, who had ruled the Duchy for two centuries, was indeed a Gamma Phase powerhouse.

Gamos’ shoulders trembled violently as he grabbed the oxygen mask beside him, placed it over his face, and took in deep breaths for a minute to calm down. The physiological monitoring system on his wrist beeped, displaying a low blood oxygen saturation.

"Huff..."

Be calm, stay calm.

Any emotion would affect his physiological anomalies, and what he could least afford was a hormonal disorder.

Gamos Luwenqi Grante removed his oxygen mask and looked at his dried palms, remained silent for a long time before saying to himself,

"Is this the price..."

From the perspective of mortals, those at the Gamma Phase appeared like heavenly gods descended from ancient myths, easily dominating the battlefield, able to advance or retreat at will, their transcended lives blessed with lengthy lifespans.

It was hard not to wonder if the heroes from those dynastic myths were actually the Gamma Phase powerhouses in reality.

They had clearly distinguished themselves from the mortals, naturally dominating a group of mediocre, short-lived humans.

However, Gamos knew clearer: this planet refused to support powerhouses like him.

The resources of Azure Star were not enough to keep him alive.

He could feel his heart had become a high-consumption engine, his brain consuming astonishing amounts of energy every second.

The thin oxygen content couldn’t keep him healthy for long; as the doctors concluded, he was perpetually suffering from altitude sickness on Azure Star, no different from an oxygen-depleted highland. No amount of food, whether fats or carbohydrates, could produce surplus energy within him; merely sustaining the basic metabolism wasn’t possible with the food available, he had to import specially made high-energy synthetic liquids from Frost Plated, consuming 45,000 Derby daily.

The burden on his organs was unbearably heavy; his overly powerful lung functions were mostly dormant, but just maintaining the expansion of the heavy lobes caused his ribs pain occasionally. He dared not sneeze, as a single one might break his ribs.

His digestive system also caused him immense suffering; his body’s frightening energy consumption surpassed the simplicity of nutrient pastes and solutions he was limited to, gradually draining his stomach and intestines of their vigor.

As a Shaman, his robust physique and potent soul should have been sources of pride, but now they had become the prisons trapping him.

How ridiculous!

He had spent nearly 120 years ascending to the Gamma Phase altar, once dominating far and wide, even starting to stand confidently against the Frost Plated People.

Yet, Frost Plated never esteemed him highly.

Yes, they knew too well. In the history of Frost Plated, there had been a few Gamma Phase powerhouses. They understood all too well the cursed power this entailed.

Gamos had seen Gamma Phase powerhouses of Frost Plated; under their complete technology, not only could they maintain their health but also dash into the battlefield, slaughter their enemies, and become terrifying war machines.

Yet he had turned into a mass of rotting protein.

Even the Fairy Spirit and Power of Nature residing within his soul, with the strengthening of his soul, had turned into poisons. Moment by moment, they greedily coveted his body.

"The world rejects me, this planet despises me. They don’t want the powerful to live, nor do they allow extraordinary powers to emerge!"

He said sorrowfully.

The daytime attacks were trivial compared to the gradual withering of his body; Gamos only truly hated himself.

By now, the Duke cared little for power, only wishing to find freedom from such pain.

And the key to his life and death was in the hands of the Frost Plated People.

The secretary sat on the ground shivering, silent, the biological oppression preventing him from controlling his own body.

After a long silence, the Duke shook his head and said,

"Call Malis over."