A week passed in the blink of an eye.

​Within this timeframe, he learned everything about piloting spaceships and successfully earned a C-tier driving license for both air and space. This was obviously not enough to become a professional aero car driver, but he believed he had gained the necessary training to survive any unfavorable situation.

​However, it wasn’t just driving that he learned. Through his personal lessons with Moon, he gained a deeper understanding of Beyonders.

​She explained that every Beyonder follows a different path. Some become Spell Casters, while others become Body Developers. Some choose to become mechanical lifeforms, and others focus strictly on game-like skill mechanics. There are healers, diviners, and Beast Tamers. Some even set their feet on the path of the legendary cultivators to achieve immortality, even though that journey is notoriously difficult.

​To truly begin as a Beyonder on their intended path, they must discover the methods on their own. The vast Universal System exists solely to facilitate that. Using the System, they can reach out to other worlds and purchase whatever is necessary for their specific journey.

Universal Credits was the only currency.

​However, one rule remained absolute: no one can follow two paths. For example, a Body Developer cannot wield spells or magic, as the human physique was not designed to handle both simultaneously. If a person tries to break this unwritten rule, they will either end up crippled or die an early death. In this regard, controlling one’s greed is the only rational option.

​After absorbing all of this, Neo fell into deep thought about his own future.

​"What should I become? A muscle freak? A magician? A crafter? Or should I become a Beast Tamer instead?"

​Even then uncertainty gnawed at him. "Is it even the right choice? What if I fall behind everyone else?"

​He had sighed.

"There are so many different choices. If I make a mistake right now, I’m surely going to regret it later. Hence, I shouldn’t be hasty just yet. For now, I will practice with my Musical Blade-Storm Body so I can perform better in the upcoming mission om the Blue Slime planet."

​His determination was set.

​He secretly trained with his spirit blades whenever he found time at home. At first, it was difficult; the manifestation and control of the energy were far from easy. However, each time he practiced, his proficiency increased steadily.

​By the end of the week, he had become capable of defeating beginner Beyonders with ease. Whether he would be able to hold his own against those above that level, he wasn’t sure. after all, he had never fought anyone of that caliber yet.

​Beyonder ranks differ in many ways since there are near-infinite paths. However, from Moon, he learned that the universally accepted order consists of 9 tiers:

Type 9: Beginner

​Type 8: Adept

​Type 7: Superhuman

​Type 6: Meta-human

​Type 5: Ascender

​Type 4: Legend

​Type 3: Mystique

​Type 2: Saint

​Type 1: Demi-God

Type 9 is the lowest, while Type 1 is the highest.

Neo currently stood on the lowest, Type -9.

Even then, comparing him to a ordinary beginner will be a great mistake. After all, he had an unique talent.

And if we talk about ordinary mortals, he had left them in the dust. Though he also knew the hard truth: with advanced weapons in hand even a mortal can harm him.

There is no shame in denying that. It only made him alert, humble.

​With the seven-day deadline finally reaching its end, the day of the mission had arrived.

Neo checked his gear one last time, feeling the cold hum of the Spirit-Iron in his very marrow. It was time to leave for Planet Blue Slime.

At the door before his departure, his mother and sister sent him off with tears in their eyes, and they were not fake.

​The pillar of their family was heading toward the distant, unknown stars; it was impossible for them not to feel reluctant. However, the reality of the world made them more understanding. A lion shouldn’t be trapped inside a cage; he was meant to rule.

​Nina sniffed and reminded her brother of his promise.

​"Brother, I promise I will ace the final test even if you’re not around. You must come back to see it. Otherwise, note this: I’ll never dream of becoming a pilot again. I’ll feel guilty for the rest of my life."

​Neo laughed faintly, though there were unwanted tears at the corners of his eyes.

​"I’ll come back," he said in a murmuring tone, though Nina heard it clearly. And that made her smile.

The next scene unfolded when Neo met up with the rest of the crew, who were waiting for him in front of the primary transport ship.

​The hangar was bustling with activity. Many other mercenary teams, including the Vice President of Apex Nebula himself, had come to see the Hydra Crew off.

The smell of cosmic fuel and low-frequency hum of warp engines filled the air.

​"Glad you could make it, carrier boy," Flameboy called out, leaning against the boarding ramp with his arms crossed. "I thought maybe you’d chickened out and decided to stay home with your mommy."

​Neo ignored him. His eyes fixed on the massive vessel before them. It was a shiny blue-white vessel approximately two-storey tall and wide, armored corvette designed for long-range travel and rapid atmospheric entry.

The name [The Vanguard ] was painted in bold, white lettering across its hull.

​The Vice President, a stern man with silver-plated cybernetic eyes, shook Captain Ajaz’s hand.

"This mission has the eyes of the Earth’s elite on it, Captain. The Rothschilds don’t tolerate failure well, but they reward success even better. Bring the girl home."

​"We intend to, Sir. Do not worry," Ajaz replied with small laugh.

He then turned to his crew, noticing Neo for a split second before addressing the group.

"Everyone, board now! We’re burning daylight, and every second we waste is a second that little girl spends alone on a planet of slimes."

​Moon walked past Neo, her silver hair shimmering under the hangar’s artificial lights.

As she brushed by, she spoke in a voice so low only he could hear. "Don’t let the pressure get to you, Neo. Focus on your breathing." 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

​"Got it," Neo replied, feeling an influx of adrenaline.

He then followed her up the ramp.

As the heavy airlock doors hissed shut, sealing them inside the pressurized cabin, a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

He was no longer a slum boy in the Western District, he was now a Explorer of the stars.

Vice Captain Deus’s voice boomed accross the cockpit without the need of an intercom:

​"Engines at eighty percent. Preparing for atmospheric exit in T-minus sixty seconds."

The space inside was enough to live comfortably.

​Neo tried to strap himself into one of crash seats, just beside Moon.

"Wait, let me help you."

She guided him with the care of an experienced partner.

Once again, in this close proximity, he got to smell her unique feminine scent. He felt at peace.

Also then, the metallic sheen of his new physique reacted to the vibrating energy of the ship.

He closed his eyes, visualizing the Spirit-Iron in his blood.

"Let’s do this Neo. You can do it."

​

He was all pumped up, not knowing this journey will be the turning point if his life.