Meteor Fall Master in the 'Starry Abyss'

"R-103 carbine, VK-74 vertical rifle—where did those involved in medical aid get standard-issue weapons?"

Li Aozi, wary of biochemists' potential traps, refrained from touching the equipment, but Nomi, formerly of the Rose Army, lit up as she prised bullets from the bullet holes and began searching the bodies of the Vigilants.

After a search, she was deeply puzzled by the active-duty weapons all the Vigilants carried.

"I'm not familiar with firearms. Is there something special about them?" Li Aozi had largely forgotten the information on early weapons and equipment, so he asked.

"Military weapons in the Four Nations are basically of two types, either self-developed or purchased directly from GTB—I've heard that GTB's firearms are crafted so exquisitely, they don't seem like mass-produced instruments of death, but rather like elegant pieces of art. I'd actually like to steal a few to see."

Nomi shook a rifle; being petite, she needed to use both hands to hold up the Vigilants' rifles that required an exoskeleton and prosthetics—her small frame juxtaposed with the huge gun looked somewhat comical.

Nomi pouted:

"Look, this one says FPM-RFI—it means Frost Plated military, Lai Fu Light Arms Industry."

"I know about Lai Fu Light Arms, Frost Plated's largest military-industrial complex." Hearing a familiar name, Li Aozi frowned even more, "Are you sure? This is a manufacturer that exclusively supplies the Frost Plated National Defense Army."

"Of course I'm sure! Look, there's also a serial number here—RFQAJ2200121, ah..."

Li Aozi's gray eyes flashed with a glint of insight, sensing something, but to be cautious, he still asked, "What does that mean?"

Nomi answered:

"It means... this gun was manufactured on January 21st of this year."

To put it more directly, it meant that the Mingji Humanitarian Rescue Organization had just completed a transaction with Frost Plated's leading military-industrial complex in January of this year.

Nomi's statement sank Li Aozi into deep thought.

To the people of the Outer World, the Four Nations aren't just countries; they're considered sanctuaries, utopias, even akin to the celestial paradises of myths—Eden.

By deploying large-scale hemispheric cities, the Four Nations monopolize all the world's energy and minerals, even sunlight.

The red and black Ershan clouds envelop the entire atmosphere of the Azure Star, without sunlight, trees can't survive; without sunlight, the Earth remains frozen for long periods, and due to the low temperatures and differing terrains, storms ravage, directly blowing away the nutrients in the soil.

Without these basic survival conditions, no biological communities could ever emerge in the Outer World.

Thus, people only ever smuggle into the Four Nations, including Li Aozi, as no one would willingly stay in the Outer World. Its extremely harsh conditions are simply not conducive to life.

It's precisely because the Four Nations monopolize energy and resources that the oppression of border towns and the Outer World is even more unbridled, leading to the rise of resistance groups like the Rose Army.

Energy is life, resources are lifelines, the Four Nations control the fate of all beings, and from this perspective, any pursuit of the Four Nations by Outer World organizations likely results in these groups aligning with the power holding their fate.

In other words, if an Outer World organization makes contact with the Four Nations, then that organization could essentially be considered part of the Four Nations.

In times past, it wasn't that no one had explored this storyline, but because the Frost Plated nation itself was relatively isolated in terms of information, and Frost Plated players were overwhelmed with navigating Fourth Rule, gender discrimination, a hostile leveling environment, endless specialties, who had time to concern themselves with a prolonged "Mutant" themed task?

Players truly delved into the "Not to be Remembered" mission storyline only after the 3.0 version, treating it as casual conversation fodder post-dinner or during chats.

Version 3.0? Azure Star was already blown up by players! It would be odd if they could unearth deeper story elements then.

"Mingji Humanitarian Rescue Organization… the Professor said this organization was established to prolong the humanity of the Outer World. However, her statement makes it sound like Mingji Humanity is an Outer World organization."

Li Aozi twirled a blade tip between his fingers, pondering.

"Bio-mechanical guards, imprisonment of ordinary people, military dealings with the Four Nations, rumors in the Outer World have always insisted 'Mingji Humanity was conducting taboo human experiments'…"

These matters, intricate and seemingly unrelated, but once related to the 'Four Nations,' didn't seem so elusive after all.

"Speaking of which," Nomi suddenly realized something, lifting a wrench and looking at Li Aozi, "Wasn't that group of Mingji doctors pretty good to you? Why suddenly turn against them? Or are you thinking of helping those messy bandits take over here and then demanding benefits? If it's the latter, I'd advise you not to think of the people of the Outer World as being so naive and kind…"

"What does it matter whom I oppose?" Li Aozi appeared unconcerned.

"Hah? You look so decent, yet the way you speak… Tsk tsk, are you that inhumane?" Nomi was slightly surprised, "I'm fighting these villains because I have a past with them, but what's your motive?"

"Is Mingji Humanity good?"

"No, not at all. Have you ever seen a good person who kidnaps beautiful girls, performs surgery on their kidneys, keeps them confined, and makes a bunch of canned rotten fish and stinky shrimp people?"

"Then why not fight?" Li Aozi glanced at her oddly, "When normal people see someone who has committed evil deeds, they feel pity if they don't bully them a bit, and no matter what you do to such people, neither morality nor conscience would condemn you, so why not do it?"

"Eh, I heard you're not from the Four Nations, right? How come you have no sense of law and order?"

"Law?" Li Aozi smiled, "Where there is authority, there is law—is there any in the Outer World?"

Nomi looked at him unexpectedly, then broke into a grin:

"Congratulations, you've mastered the rules of survival in the Outer World."

Mastered? Li Aozi shrugged; he had been in this place for at least two versions.

The Outer World is a lawless land, and those seeking to continue humanity here... are all madmen.

"This is a domain where beasts survive; humans shouldn't come here, nor should they seek the so-called light of humanity."

Thinking this, Li Aozi suddenly had a new idea.

Previously, players had only unearthed that neither Mingji Humanity nor the White Fang Guild were good entities, but their methods involved progressing through the storyline and collecting textual materials.

This method can't be said to be inaccurate; it just omits some information.

Because players usually follow the standard procedure, at most they destroy both the White Fang Guild and Mingji Humanity once, then later explore the plot based on the remaining items and information.

But if it involves the Four Nations... "Not to be Remembered" is more than just "Unethical Doctor vs. Evil Bandit Gang."

In his heart, Li Aozi was scheming; in fact, he had already activated the fourth line, which was the Rose Army.

How to maximize benefits and completely unveil the secrets behind Mingji Humanity were actually the same thing for Li Aozi.

"If it's just about securing the guaranteed income, sure, but my strength has grown, and I can try for more rewards..."

Then why not do it?

Li Aozi was not a greedy person, but knowingly letting go of something he could potentially achieve and letting opportunities slip away for no reason—why bother?

Moreover, if his thinking was correct, maybe the entire task process of "Not to be Remembered" could be cut in half, and in just half a month, he would be able to seize the task rewards loaded with bounty. Then, he could go wherever he wanted.

Let's do it!

Li Aozi made up his mind, adjusted the plan, and made a slight tweak.

"Who are we hitting next?"

After a short rest, Nomi poked at Li Aozi's shoulder and asked:

"It's quite quiet around here; how about we rest a bit more and then run off while they're busy biting each other?"

"We're going after White Fang," Li Aozi said.

Nomi was startled:

"Huh? Are you crazy? You've seen all the terrible things Mingji's doctors have done; why are you still helping them..."

"Who said I'm helping Mingji? Mingji may not be good, but White Fang is truly a pack of inhumane scoundrels—both they and them, everyone needs to die."

Li Aozi tapped his temple.

The plan was set, just waiting to be implemented.

"But, you'll need to play along with me for a bit."

"Play along? What are you planning? Aren't we just running away?"

"Idiot." Li Aozi looked disdainfully at the shorty, "Do you have three shoulders or six legs, or do Mingji and White Fang not have vehicles? Or do you think I can magically pull a cheese bread out of thin air for you?"

"Give me a break (Civilization Frost Plating) (Quality Outer World)! I've been struggling out here for years; don't you think I know that? Besides, why don't you just go out there and steal their vehicles?"

Nomi's face reddened, then his eyes suddenly brightened:

"—Speaking of cheese bread... where is it? Where is it?"