Song Chi sat alone on the edge of the hangar platform, legs dangling over the void, the cold metal biting into his palms. The F-4 fighter jet hovered silently a few meters away, its sleek silhouette casting long shadows under the artificial lights of the academy hangar. No one had bothered him since the ceremony ended; most students were still celebrating their awakenings in groups, comparing cores and bragging about grades.
He exhaled slowly, then focused inward.
Let's see what this "lucky" piece of junk actually looks like.
A faint hum vibrated through his mind as the familiar holographic interface unfolded before his eyes—semi-transparent blue runes glowing softly against the backdrop of the fighter jet.
[Spirit Core – Vessel Interface]
Owner: Song Chi
Class: Assault (Fighter Jet Type)
Rank: D-Rank ★☆☆☆☆
Level: 1 / 5
[Core Parameters]
Output: 52 units/sec
Capacity: 1,800 units
Sync Rate: 76%
Energy Level: 1,800 / 1,800 units
Attack: 48 base (from Auxiliary Weapons)
(+0 from innate skills & offensive modules – none installed)
(+1,200 burst from Main Weapon – not added to base)
Speed: 1,350 mph base (from Flight System)
(+0 from modules & innate abilities)
Shield Durability: 800 / 1,200
Module/Hardpoint Slots: 0 / 3 (3 free)
Innate Abilities: 1 (Locked)
Transformation (Tiger Beast Mode – Locked until Green grade)
Innate Skills: 0
[Weapon System]
Main Weapon (Mass Destruction / Strategic Finisher)
Name: Scrap Cluster Bomb Launcher
Grade: Scrap
Firepower: 1,200 area kinetic damage (radius 400 m)
Fire Rate: 1 shot / 120 seconds
Energy Cost: 1,600 units per shot
Additional Skill: Shrapnel Spread (minor bleed DoT to survivors)
Auxiliary Weapons (Sustained / Artillery Combat)
Primary Auxiliary:
Name: Light Pulse Cannon Turret (Single)
Grade: Scrap
Firepower: 42 energy damage per pulse
Fire Rate: 3.8 pulses/sec
Energy Cost: 180 units per volley
Cooldown: 4 seconds
Activated Skill: None
[Ship Body – Overall Toughness Rating: 120 (Low)]
Outer Armor:
Name: Basic Alloy Plating
Grade: Scrap
Stats: 18% Kinetic / 12% Energy deflection
Durability: 1,050 / 1,200
Inner Frame (Structural HP):
Name: Standard Chassis Frame
Grade: Scrap
Stats: 2,400 / 2,400
HP Recovery Rate: 12 HP/min (out of combat)
G-Force Resistance: 8 G
Durability: 2,300 / 2,400
[Flight System]
Name: Basic Jet Thrusters
Grade: Scrap
Max Speed: 1,350 mph (no warp capability)
Agility: Low
Environment Adaptation: Atmospheric only
Durability: 1,800 / 2,000
[Engine System]
Name: Single-Heart Combustion Core
Grade: Scrap
Stats:
Thrust-to-Weight: 1.8 : 1
Overdrive: 140% output for 6 seconds (high risk of hull strain)
Energy Cost: 900 units to initiate
Cooldown: 90 seconds after use
Durability: 2,100 / 2,400
[Energy System]
Name: Basic Condensate Cell
Grade: Scrap
Stats:
Max Capacity: 1,800 units
Current Energy Level: 1,800 / 1,800 units
Recharge Rate: 48 units/min
Efficiency: 68%
Overload Tolerance: Very Low
Durability: 1,900 / 2,400
Song Chi stared at the numbers, lips twisting into a bitter smile.
*Half the stats of a normal Common-grade ship. No auto-cannon system. Three hardpoints, all empty. Even the engine looks like it's about to cough up smoke. Colorless my ass… It's just gray with extra steps.*
He closed the interface with a mental flick and leaned back, staring at the F-4.
*Still… It's mine. And it's fast. Perhaps fast enough to compensate for being weak.*
He stood up, dusted off his uniform, and walked toward the northern part of the academy where the mission hall for third-year students stood tall like an ancient pine tree. The mission hall was built in a circular structure, resembling a coiling dragon with its head resting on its tail.
The third-year students who had just awakened could be seen moving in and out of the mission hall. To leave the asteroid shield that protected the academy zone from external dangers, one needed either a pass or to be a high-level cultivator with a significant position.
For students, they had to register as hunters, which required successful mission submissions before approval. The new awakeners were all gathered here in the school mission hall to take a mission that would allow them to venture beyond the living asteroid belt.
Having just awakened and eager to see the outside world, the final-year students filled the area around the mission hall in large groups. The mission hall was used by the academy to release missions for awakeners and fighters who were students, preparing them for the Hunter Certification Exam. Some said the mission hall was connected to the Hunters Association and received its mission list from there.
Song Chi stood in front of the imposing mission hall, feeling a mix of anticipation and nervousness. As a student who came from the orphanage, Song Chi rarely interacted with his peers, always appearing as an introvert. His only friend in school so far was Fatty Lou—and that was because they were both from the same orphanage home, which made them get along well.
Since a young age, Song Chi had always been self-reliant, handling things on his own without seeking anyone's help—not even Fatty Lou's. But as he stood in front of the complex, he realized he would need teammates. It was impossible for newbies or recently awakened students to take missions solo. Only experienced old-timers and certified hunters were allowed to venture out alone.
Song Chi watched as his classmates made plans, some eager to embark on missions together, while others returned home to celebrate their awakenings.
In the distance, he overheard a group discussing a daring mission to hunt a creature known as the Void Fire Chicken. The creature was rumored to inhabit the Class D Shattered Asteroid Belt known as the Crimson Veil. The Void Fire Chicken was a coveted target, known for its rare feathers that could enhance spirit cores and its fiery essence that could be harnessed for powerful potions.
Shattered asteroid belts, as the name suggested, were unsafe for human habitation but home to void monsters and similar threats. These belts were graded from D (lowest and safest for beginners) to Extreme (highest and most dangerous, even for apex-level hunters). The Crimson Veil was a D-class shattered asteroid belt located next to the Starfire Xi asteroid zone. The place was said to contain numerous fire-type void monsters and was a frequent destination for D-class hunters.
"Hey, Song Chi, do you have a group yet?"
Lost in his thoughts, a voice startled him. Song Chi turned to see a girl walking up to him. It was Lin Mei—a girl with bright eyes and an adventurous spirit. She had always been kind to him, often encouraging him during their studies.
"Uh… no," Song Chi replied, flustered.
"I don't have anyone to go with," he added hesitantly.
"Then you should join us! We could use your spirit core. A fighter jet can give us an advantageous edge when fighting in numbers," Lin Mei insisted.
"But… my spirit grade is bad!" Song Chi murmured, voicing his worries.
"Oh, don't worry about that. We've got everything covered for the main attack. You'll just need to provide support and firepower," Lin Mei said, waving her hands dismissively.
"Alright, I'll join you guys," he said after considering for a moment.
"Good! Come, let me introduce you to the others," Lin Mei said, dragging him toward the other three classmates.
Approaching the group of two boys and a girl, Song Chi recognized all of them from the same class as him. Probably why none of them raised an issue when Lin Mei invited him. Despite having a trash-grade spirit core, Song Chi had always topped the class in aerial confrontation during VR simulation classes and practice. And with his F-4 fighter jet, Song Chi—despite the low-grade budget plane—would be useful to them.
Lin Mei gestured to the group.
"This is Song Chi. Assault class, colorless-grade Fighter Jet. He's joining us."
The quiet boy with glasses stepped forward first.
"I'm Han Wei. Reconnaissance class, Common-grade Falcon Interceptor. I will handle scouting, sensor sweeps, and early warning."
The tall, muscular guy grinned and flexed one arm.
"Zhao Qiang. Heavy class, Common-grade Iron Turtle Tank. I will soak damage so you guys can stay alive."
The short-haired girl bounced on her toes and gave a cheerful wave.
"Xia Yu! Carrier class, Common-grade Drone Hive."
Lin Mei smiled and finished the introductions.
"I'm Lin Mei. Support class, Uncommon-grade Frost Phoenix Mothership. ."
She looked at the whole group.
"Assault, Recon, Heavy, Carrier, Support. We've got a balanced team. Let's register and head out."
The five quickly registered as a team and boarded the academy shuttle.
Thirty minutes later, the shuttle dropped out of warp near the edge of the **Shattered Asteroid Belt**—a chaotic field of tumbling rocks, faint nebula wisps, and the occasional glint of valuable ore.
The pilot's voice crackled over the intercom.
"Class D teams, this is your first practical. Your target is a mid-sized Void Fire Chicken. Eliminate it and collect its core. Coordinates uploaded. Begin."
Song Chi leaned toward the viewport and narrowed his eyes.
Far ahead, a cluster of shadowy, fiery creatures weaved between asteroids—each the size of a small house. At the center floated a larger one, its body pulsing with crimson light, feathers flickering like living flames.
"That's the alpha," Lin Mei said quietly. "We'll need to draw it out."
Song Chi cracked his knuckles.
"Leave that part to me."
He focused inward again, summoning the F-4 fighter jet once more. The jet materialized outside the shuttle, engines flaring to life.
The five teammates launched from the shuttle bay, engines roaring as they streaked toward the swarm of void fire chicken