"Drop your weapons and raise your hands!"
The commander of the Virtual Universe Company forces issued a final warning through a loudspeaker.
"You are completely surrounded. Any resistance is futile!"
Faced with such an overwhelming gap in power, Karl and the others finally accepted reality. They were veteran mercenaries with years of combat experience, but before a colossal force like the Virtual Universe Company, they had no chance of fighting back.
"We surrender."
Karl lowered his weapon helplessly.
"But I demand to know this man's real identity!"
"Mr. Rowan is a senior researcher of the Virtual Universe Company and one of its core members," the commander replied coldly. "An attack against him is an attack against the Company itself. That is something we will never tolerate."
The moment they heard that, Karl and the others froze.
A senior researcher?
A core member?
They had never imagined that the seemingly ordinary young man was actually someone of such status within the Virtual Universe Company.
No wonder their actions had triggered such a devastating response.
"A senior researcher? A core member?"
Old Wu stammered in disbelief.
"How is that possible? He looks so young."
"The Virtual Universe Company does not judge people by age," the commander explained. "Talent and ability are what matter."
The members of the Black Shark Mercenary Group were quickly taken into custody.
Serious consequences awaited them.
Attacking a member of the Virtual Universe Company was not merely a criminal act. It was considered a direct challenge to one of the most powerful organizations in the universe.
"Mr. Rowan, are you injured?"
The commander personally approached him.
"I'm fine. Thank you for arriving in time," Rowan replied sincerely. "If you had been any later, things could have become much worse."
"Protecting Company personnel is our duty," the commander said firmly. "Anyone who attacks one of our members is challenging the Company itself. We will not allow that."
"What happens to them now?" Rowan asked.
"They will be transferred to the Cosmic Tribunal for trial," the commander answered. "Based on their crimes, they could face decades of imprisonment or even life sentences. Karl in particular is charged with robbery, murder, assault on Company personnel, and several other serious offenses."
Rowan felt somewhat conflicted.
The mercenaries certainly deserved punishment, yet seeing the despair on their faces stirred a trace of sympathy within him.
Still, they had chosen this path themselves.
Now they would have to bear the consequences.
"Mr. Rowan, you may board safely now," the escort frigate's captain said. "We will depart for headquarters immediately."
"Very well. Let's go."
The headquarters of the Virtual Universe Company was located on a massive artificial planet.
The entire world had been constructed by the Company itself, representing one of humanity's greatest technological achievements.
As the frigate passed through the planetary defense barrier, Rowan looked through the viewport at the familiar skyline beyond.
A feeling of homecoming rose within him.
"Welcome back to headquarters, Mr. Rowan," the captain said as they prepared to land. "I hope you enjoyed your vacation."
"I certainly gained a lot from it. Thank you for the escort."
Though the adventure had not gone as expected, it had given him invaluable experience.
The frigate landed smoothly on a private platform.
After gathering his belongings, Rowan stepped off the ship.
The atmosphere at headquarters was carefully regulated year-round, maintaining perfect temperature and humidity. The environment felt remarkably comfortable.
"Rowan! You're finally back!"
A familiar voice called out from the distance.
Turning around, Rowan saw Dr. Hayashi approaching.
The middle-aged scholar specialized in the study of universal laws and had spent decades working for the Company. He was one of Rowan's oldest friends within the research division.
"Dr. Hayashi, it's been a while."
Rowan shook his hand.
"How has your research been progressing?"
"Quite well," Dr. Hayashi replied enthusiastically. "We've recently made some breakthroughs regarding spatial laws."
Then he seemed to remember something.
"Oh, by the way, Luna returned yesterday."
"Where is she now?"
"Probably at the Research Center. I saw her organizing her mission report earlier."
He lowered his voice slightly.
"And the department director asked me to inform you that there's an important mission assignment meeting tomorrow morning. Both you and Luna are required to attend."
"A mission already?"
Rowan looked surprised.
"I thought I'd get a few days of rest."
Dr. Hayashi laughed.
"Well, that's what happens when you're the department's most reliable duo. Important missions naturally go to the most capable people."
"In that case, I'll go find Luna and learn what's going on."
"Good idea. She'll probably be happy to see you."
Dr. Hayashi waved goodbye.
"I still have experiments to run."
As Rowan walked toward the Research Center, he encountered many familiar colleagues along the way.
Despite being an enormous organization, the Virtual Universe Company maintained a surprisingly warm atmosphere.
The research division, in particular, often felt more like a family than a workplace.
The Research Center itself was a towering structure filled with cutting-edge laboratories and vast databases.
When Rowan arrived at Luna's usual office area, he immediately spotted her.
She sat behind her desk organizing documents.
Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders like moonlight.
Her skin was flawless, her features elegant and refined.
Most striking of all were her deep blue eyes, which reflected both intelligence and unwavering determination.
One glance was enough to tell anyone she was extraordinary.
"Luna, I'm back."
Rowan spoke softly, careful not to interrupt her work.
Luna looked up.
The moment she saw him, a brilliant smile bloomed across her face.
"Rowan! You're finally back! I thought you'd keep wandering around forever."
Rowan laughed.
"I was tempted, but I can't avoid work forever."
He stepped closer.
"I heard you only returned yesterday. How did your mission go?"
"It was extremely rewarding."
Luna stood and smoothed her uniform.
"We discovered the ruins of a previously unknown ancient civilization and recovered a huge amount of valuable data."
Then she looked at him curiously.
"What about you? Any interesting experiences during your vacation?"
"It's a long story."
Rowan briefly summarized his adventure in the Mist Forbidden Zone, carefully omitting the more sensitive details.
"I didn't obtain what I originally hoped for, but it was certainly unforgettable."
"The Mist Forbidden Zone?"
Luna's expression became thoughtful.
"That place is notoriously dangerous. Still, with your strength, I suppose you managed well."
She paused.
"I also heard you ran into trouble at a transit station. Dr. Hayashi mentioned something about it."
"Just a minor incident," Rowan replied. "Some mercenaries wanted revenge. The Company handled it."
"Good."
Luna nodded.
Then curiosity flashed in her eyes.
"Since we've both just finished our respective missions, how about a sparring match? I'm curious whether you've improved during your vacation."
"Exactly what I was thinking."
Rowan smiled.
"I'd like to see what you've gained as well. Besides, we have a new mission tomorrow. It wouldn't hurt to assess each other's condition beforehand."
"Then let's head to the training grounds."
The Virtual Universe Company's training complex was enormous.
It contained every conceivable environment, from vacuum chambers to high-gravity zones.
Its most advanced facilities were the gravity simulation rooms, capable of recreating the conditions of countless worlds.
"Which training room should we use?" Luna asked.
"The standard-gravity combat arena," Rowan replied. "We're only sparring. No need for extreme conditions."
They entered a circular arena one hundred meters across.
The walls and floor were constructed from special materials capable of enduring the full-force attacks of Star-Level warriors.
"How long has it been since our last spar?" Luna asked while stretching.
"About six months, I think."
Rowan nodded.
"You had just advanced to the seventh stage of the Star Level back then."
"And now?"
A confident smile appeared on her face.
"This mission helped me tremendously. I've stabilized at the middle phase of the eighth stage."
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"What about you? Your aura feels much deeper than before."
"I've made some progress too."
Rowan grinned.
"You'll find out soon enough."
The two stood fifty meters apart.
For Star-Level warriors, such a distance was practically meaningless, but it served well enough as a starting position.
"Let's begin."
Silver radiance slowly emerged from Luna's body.
"Same rules as always. A friendly spar."
"Of course."
Power began circulating through Rowan's body.
"You make the first move."
"Then don't blame me for being serious."
Luna smiled.
The next instant, she vanished.
Silver Moon Step.
Her signature movement technique.
It allowed her to shift positions instantaneously, making her movements nearly impossible to track.
Even opponents of the same level often struggled to follow her.
Yet Rowan remained calm.
His recent adventures had greatly sharpened both his instincts and combat experience.
Although he could no longer see her, he could sense subtle disturbances in the surrounding energy.
"Left side!"
He spun abruptly and punched toward empty space behind him.
Bang!
A collision echoed through the arena.
Luna's figure reappeared.
Her palm blocked his fist perfectly.
"Nice reaction."
She looked impressed.
"Much faster than before. Looks like your vacation wasn't wasted."
"You've improved too."
Rowan smiled.
"Silver Moon Step is even more refined now. If my combat instincts hadn't improved recently, I probably couldn't have kept up."
They separated and returned to their original distance.
The true spar was only beginning.
"This time I'll be serious."
The silver glow surrounding Luna intensified dramatically.
"Silver Moon Slash!"
A crescent-shaped blade of silver energy shot forward.
The attack carried terrifying destructive force.
It could slice through ordinary metals with ease, and even Star-Level warriors would hesitate to confront it directly.
Yet Rowan didn't move.
Instead, he slowly raised his right hand.
As he did, the surrounding space seemed to subtly distort.
A mysterious force gathered around him.
"Spatial Barrier."
His voice was calm.
The silver blade slammed into empty space before him.
It was as if it had struck an invisible wall.
A crisp impact rang out.
Then the attack shattered and dissipated.
Luna stared in shock.
"The Law of Space?"
"When did you start studying spatial laws?"
"One of the gains from this journey," Rowan replied casually.
"My understanding is still shallow, but I've learned the basics."
"Incredible."
Her eyes widened.
"The Law of Space is one of the hardest laws to comprehend. You managed to grasp it in such a short time?"
"Maybe talent. Maybe luck."
Rowan chose not to explain what had happened inside the ancient ruins.
"Now it's my turn."
His figure moved.
Unlike Luna's Silver Moon Step, Rowan's movements carried a strange rhythm.
He seemed to blend into the surrounding space itself.
"Spatial Step."
This was a movement technique he had developed after beginning to understand the Law of Space.
Though still incomplete, its potential was already astonishing.
For the first time, Luna felt genuine pressure.
Rowan's path was completely unpredictable.
It was as though he could appear from any direction at any moment.
Silver energy surged around her, forming a protective barrier.
"Above you!"
Rowan's voice suddenly rang out overhead.
A fist infused with spatial power descended from above.
Luna immediately raised both arms to block.
The impact stunned her.
Not only had Rowan's raw strength increased dramatically, but the law energy contained within the strike carried a truly dangerous edge.
"You've improved far too quickly," she said while resisting the force.
"This kind of progress can't be explained by common sense."
"Your Silver Moon Slash is much stronger too."
Rowan stepped back.
"And your understanding of the Moon Law has deepened. I can feel it."
"That's true."
Luna nodded.
"This mission gave me a much clearer understanding of the Moon Law."
Then she smiled wryly.
"But compared to your Law of Space, I'm still behind."
The spar continued for over an hour.
They tested one another in every aspect imaginable, from basic martial techniques to advanced law applications.
As the battle progressed, both gained a far clearer understanding of their partner's true strength.
Eventually, Luna raised a hand.
"Let's stop here."
She exhaled slowly.
"If we keep going, this won't be a spar anymore."
"It'll become a real battle."
Rowan nodded in agreement.
"Our strength has improved significantly."
A confident smile appeared on his face.
"Tomorrow's mission should be interesting."
The two of them sat down in the arena's resting area.
As they recovered their stamina, they began discussing everything they had learned from the match, preparing themselves for whatever challenge awaited them next.
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