The blue and white Beta-class spaceship, Vanguard, took off at exactly 12 PM.

​After that, it streaked across the sky faster than any rocket. However, it didn’t rely on old-fashioned rocket thrusters; instead, it utilized advanced plasma thrusters.

​For Neo, the experience was completely foreign. He watched through the transparent glass as the captains navigated through the airspace, moving smoothly without a single bump or error. It felt as if he were inside a high-end luxury limousine, breaking through the clouds, the troposphere, the stratosphere, the mesosphere, and the thermosphere.

​Within ten minutes, the ship broke through Earth’s gravitational pull and successfully reached the exosphere. The moment they entered orbit, the tense atmosphere inside the ship relaxed, and everyone exhaled a collective breath of relief.

​"Ladies and gentlemen, we have successfully crossed the first threshold of this mission. Cheers!" Captain Ajaz said, turning back with an easygoing smile.

​Everyone smiled at his words. But Neo looked through the rear monitor, watching the familiar blue home planet shrink rapidly.

He didn’t know what exactly he was feeling. There was a lingering reluctance to leave, but also a refreshing excitement to explore the unknown.

​"Everything feels so fascinating... I have never been to space before," he said to Moon.

​Moon glanced back at him with a knowing look. "I think I understand what you must be feeling right now. It’s the kind of happiness one feels when they leave a cage. But no one will tell you the ugly truth: there is no true freedom in this universe. There is always a bigger fish in this pond. And trust me, right now, you’re just a frog at the bottom of the well."

​Neo was momentarily speechless.

"Umm, you don’t have to sound so cruel when you say that, Moon. I know the path is difficult, but I won’t give up so easily," he said confidently.

"Let’s see how long you keep up this confidence of yours," she said, turning away.

Whether she was silently encouraging him or mocking him, he wasn’t sure.

Captain Ajaz clapped, drawing everyone’s attention.

"Alright crew. After we pass through the asteroid belt, we’ll initiate the warp drive," Ajax announced, his hands moving across the holographic navigation charts.

"The jump to the Blue Slime system will take approximately six hours. Use that time for final gear checks and mental preparation. Once we drop out of warp, we are in a hot zone."

Hum! Humm! Hummm!

​The Vanguard hummed as it approached the edge of the solar system.

The asteroid belt loomed ahead like a chaotic dance of jagged rocks suspended in the void.

Deus took the manual controls, letting his fingers dance across the interface.

The ship banked and dove, moving through the debris field with a grace that made Neo’s stomach flip.

​"Warning: Particle interference increasing," the ship’s AI chimed in a melodic, synthetic voice.

​"Stabilizing," Deus grunted, eyes focused.

​Neo watched as a massive asteroid, nearly the size of a city block, drifted past the viewport. He could also see the glint of rare minerals on its surface, which was a reminder of the vast wealth floating just out of reach in the vacuum.

​"Initiating Warp Sequence in five... four... three..."

​Neo felt a sudden change in the air pressure.

The metallic luster of his bones seemed to vibrate in sympathy with the ship’s core.

​"Two... one... Mark!"

​Outside the glass, the stars didn’t just move; they stretched. The black void of space was replaced by a swirling tunnel of iridescent blues and violets.

The "Slingshot Effect" hit Neo like a physical weight, pinning him against his seat as the Vanguard folded space-time to leap across the light-years.

After a while, Ajaz unbuckled his harness.

​"Warp is now stable, Crew. We’re in the pipe now. Six hours until planet-fall."

​The bridge became a flurry of activity as the veterans moved to their respective stations.

Angelica began calibrating a series of medical drones, while Max and Flameboy headed toward the weapon locker to check on their resources.

​Moon stood up and walked toward the back of the ship, pausing briefly next to Neo.

​"Since you’re so determined not to be a ’frog in a well,’ come with me," she commanded without looking back. "The training room in the sub-deck has a gravity simulator. If you can’t handle a 1.5g environment, you won’t last ten minutes against a High-Grade Slime."

"Very well."

​Neo didn’t hesitate. He unstrapped himself and followed her calmly. This was exactly the chance he needed to test the limits of his Musical Blade-Storm Body before the real fight began.

​[ 5 hours later: ]

​Inside the training room, the atmosphere was one of exhaustion and ragged breaths.

The gravity had been cranked up, making every movement feel like he was wading through molasses.

Neo was drenched in sweat, huffing for breath as he maintained a defensive stance.

Moon stood across from him, looking entirely unfazed.

​"These spiritual blades of yours are quite unique and fast, but they lack the piercing power to penetrate tough objects. You need to focus on energy control if you to overcome this weakness."

​Neo nodded and wiped the salt water from his eyes. "Again," he growled.

​He channeled his energy, feeling the Spirit-Iron shard within his cells resonate. This time, instead of a thin whistle, a loud metalic vibration echoed throughout the room.

Swoosh...swoosh...

Suddenly two shimmering blades of sound manifested around his forearms, glowing with a dangerous silver light.

​Just as he was about to strike, the ship suddenly jolted.

At the same time, a violent alarm blared through evey corner, and the blue warp tunnel outside began to dim.

​[ WARNING: UNKNOWN INTERFERENCE DETECTED ]

[ EMERGENCY WARP DROP INITIATED ]

​"What’s happening?" Neo shouted as he struggled to keep his balance as the gravity altered erratically.

​Moon’s expression turned frigid. "We’ve been pulled out of the warp tunnel. Someone... or something... set a trap here."

Neo’s eyes narrowed.

"Moon, could they be those damned space pirates I heard about?" he asked curiously.

Moon didn’t deny it.

"There’s a possibility. But don’t worry. As long as I am here no one can harm you," she said, becoming battle ready.

"Ahem," Neo could only cough awkwardly.

"How come I become the damsel in distress here?"

​