Chapter 323: Planet Poaching

Chapter 323: Planet Poaching

Jack sat in a chair of the Sages starship, right above the ravaged surface of the moon. Everything hurt, including his mind, but he had won. That was all that mattered.

Nice ship, he said, panting.

Do you like it? Its the same one I got in the Integration Auction.

Really?

Of course! Well, I did make some upgrades. Like this.

The ship jumped through space and reappeared in orbit around Earth. Jack chuckled. They had already checked Galicias body and ensured she was dead. Good job.

Before we go down, however, said the Sage, there is someone I want you to meet.

Space shimmered inside the starship, and a man walked out. He had long dark hair, red eyes, and wore flowing black robes. Yet, despite his intimidating appearance, his feet were in flip-flops, and his face a held a playful smirk on the verge of breaking into a smile. He instantly struck Jack as a likable guy.

Immediately after that, however, Jacks eyes went wide as saucers, because he had scanned this person.The initial instance of this chapter being available happened at N0v3l.Bin.

???, Level ??? (B-Grade)

Faction: -

Title: Planet Devourer

B-Grade!?

Hey, said the man.

Jack jumped to his feet, grimacing as a thousand little pains made themselves known. Hello, he said. Im Jack. Jack Rust.

Oh, I know. I watched your battle; very impressive. The man reached out a hand, which Jack shook. My name is Jonas. Nice to meet you.

Likewise!

Jack was stunned. This was a B-Grade. A legendary existence. Actually, it was the first B-Grade he ever met in person, and he seemed soapproachable.

Allow me, the Sage intervened with a wry smile. This is Jonas Evergreen, Head Envoy of the Black Hole Church, though most people refer to him as the Heavenly Spoon Sovereign. And, just so were clear, Head Envoy means that hes the strongest B-Grade disciple of the entire Black Hole Church. Presently, that makes him one of the strongest people in this galaxy, if not the strongest.

Jack fought back the urge to gulp. Instead, he raised a brow. If youre trying to impress me, you succeeded, he said.

I like him, said the sovereign, then turned to Jack. There is no need for respectful salutes, kowtowing, and the like. I have seen your potential; if nothing goes wrong, then one day you could become an Envoy, too.

Thatsgreat? Thank you for the praise, Sovereign. Then, since this guy seemed cool, Jack took the courage to add, If you dont mind me asking, what does your title refer to?

Oh, this thing. Its my weapon. He reached into his robes and removed a tiny silver spoon. There was nothing special about it. Jack could use it to stir his tea.

I see, he replied, not daring to ask anything more. Thank you.

The sovereign came to oversee the resolution of our agreement, the Sage said. He prevented the Hand of God and Animal Kingdom from interfering in your battle, and he will also handle the poaching of this planet. The seven C-Grades that helped us escape Hell were his subordinates.

Jack nodded. Thank you for everything, sovereign, he said, this time meaning it from his heart.

It was little trouble. I didnt even have to fight, the sovereign replied, shrugging it off. Now, since we dont have much time, how about you go find your people and prepare them for what is about to happen? We can chat more after your planet is safe.

Your planet is safe. Those words rang in Jacks mind again and again. He struggled to believe them. His body was still flooded by adrenaline from the battle, and his mind remained there.

Had it finally happened? Had he finally saved Earth?

It felt like a dream.

If I may, he asked quickly, what exactly is about to happen?

We will transfer your planet outside System space. It will remain in this galaxy, and there will be ways for you to teleport in and out of System space, but the planet itself will be almost impossible to track. You will also maintain access to the System, but its a faulty thing that wont be able to trace you, so dont worry about it. Now, if some cultivator happens to stumble upon your planet, you can only blame your bad luck.

Do you mean that the Animal Kingdom will no longer be able to touch us?

The sovereign raised an amused brow. And here I thought you were smart. Yes, thats exactly what I mean.

Relief overtook Jack. Thank you, Sovereign, he said again, bowing slightly. The sovereign laughed.

Go, he said. You have thirty minutes.

Jack didnt linger anymore. With a final grateful glance at the B-Grade sovereignand a questioning one at the Sagehe teleported away, reaching the Integration Starship on the planets surface.

Now, about Vlossana, Edgar said, then took Jack aside and explained the entire thing.

I see, Jack replied sadly. Ill speak with her in a moment, but if she is healed as you say, she can come with us. She will need a safe place to recover.

Edgar nodded.

As for you, Jack continued, even though your soul is cracked and you cannot cultivate anymore, it isnt the end of the world. The Earth will know peace for a long time. It will be the perfect place for someone of your powers.

Edgar smiled widely. Thats exactly what I hope, he replied warmly. I plan to create a wizard academy. I think it will be great.

I think so too, Jack replied, smiling back. And, you know, I will not stop adventuring. I still have a long way to go. If I find a treasure that can repair your soul, or at least help you reach the D-Grade, Ill certainly get it for you. After all, it was me who released that devil from his prison.

Thats perfect. Thank you, Jack.

No problem.

At that point, Vivi walked closer. I also want to talk to you about something, she said, lookingbashful?

Sure, Jack replied, and Edgar walked away. What is it?

Are you satisfied with how the professor and I led the alliance in your absence?

Satisfied? Of course. I was never the leader, anyway; just a punching guy. And occasionally a spanking one.

She rolled her eyes. Well, this is not what I wanted to tell you. Are you ready?

Ready for what?

She smiled. I am pregnant with your child. It happened eleven months ago, but I delayed the pregnancy through Dao medicine.

Jack froze. What? he said, his mind reeling. No amount of life or death battles could have prepared him for this.

Vivi laughed. I said, youre going to be a father!

Jack remained stunned for a good while. Then, suddenly, his mouth split into a wide grin, and he laughed to the sky. Alright! he shouted proudly. A father!

This brought a whole slew of complications to the table. For starters, he didnt even know Vivi that well. How would they handle a child? Would they be together or not? However, he was confident that everything would work out. Though Jack would need to leave Earth again soonfor now, they had some time.

Plus, he was the strongest man on Earth, goddammit. If he wasnt ready to become a father, no one was!

The future was bright!

***

The Sage stood on the prow of his tiny starship, admiring the blue and green planet underneath. The Heavenly Spoon Sovereign stood by his side as an equal.

We are ready, said the sovereign. My subordinates have prepared the nine corners. If you have nothing to add, we can begin the teleportation.

The Sage looked over Earth. It was a cozy little planetfull of weak people with kind intentions. He liked most of them.

Thinking back to his days as a homeless beggar, he smirked and shook his head. Then, in a moment of curiosity, he once again attempted to delve into Jack Rusts future. He saw great wars. Hints of the Old Gods and the Immortals. The Animal Kingdom would come after him with everything they had, and the Hand of God would stop at nothing to get him. They may have been blocked for now, but the real battle was only getting started.

He also saw Jack in the headquarters of the Black Hole Churchthe Cathedralwhere he would soon train, if everything went well.

I wonder he asked himself, how far will he reach?

Yet, the future came out blank. Even his divination powers could not see that deep. He would have to find out the mortal way, by living it out. But isnt that the best way? he asked himself, then smiled wryly. He really, really looked forward to the future. It would be so exciting.

Im ready, he told the sovereign. Please start.

And here I thought you would reminisce forever. The sovereign laughed. Then, he took out his tiny silver spoon. It shone with dark green light. Similar light erupted in columns based on nine equidistant places on the planet, each column many miles wide and reaching the top of Earths atmosphere. A tremendously large, dark green spoon appeared below Earth, cupping the entire planet in its groove. Then, with a smooth motion, the sovereign scooped it all up.

Go, he muttered through gritted teeth. The starship blinked away. And with it, Earth and the moon also disappeared, gone forever from the solar system that had housed them for billions of years.

It was the end of an era and the start of a new one: the era of Jack Rust.

Meanwhile, not even the Sage knew that Jack had inadvertently set several important events into motion. Like a butterfly effect, the echoes of his actions spread across the universe, compiling into a domino of coincidences that affected even the highest of forces.

A council of Gods gathered around a star. It is time, rumbled a planet-sized form oozing darkness.

Three robots, completely identical if not for the numbers drawn on their faceless heads, stood up at the same time. We have enough, they all said together.

A great war was starting. And Jack Rust, despite not knowing it yet, would be in its midst.