Chapter 8 — Cosmic Contract: Alpha Bride

"Be careful! It's an energy storm!" "Hac Tieu! Avoid that meteorite!" "Du Tham!" "Thanh Huyen!" Then there was an earth-shattering explosion, like tearing through the whole space - resounding and shocking all senses! What followed... was absolute silence. On the public channel, there was no longer any sound. There was only the faint sound of the oxygen depletion alarm in my spacesuit, and the sound of my heart beating more and more clearly. They... what happened? Swept away by an energy storm? Hit by a meteorite? Or... have you met the enemy? An indescribable cold feeling instantly gripped my whole body. I have succeeded. I got rid of them. But… why don't I feel happy at all? My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, with a dull pain. Impossible... Lang Da, isn't this what you always wanted? Free! Escape from their control! I shook my head vigorously, trying to dispel the emotions I shouldn't have. Now is not the time to think! I must survive! I carefully poked my head out from my hiding place. Outside it was still chaotic, the aftershocks of the energy storm had not completely dissipated, debris was floating everywhere. The landing ship... also seemed to have disappeared without a trace. I leaned on the thrusters, struggling to move through the chaotic meteorite field, looking for any possibility to leave this place. I don't know how much time passed — when my oxygen was almost exhausted, hope was about to fade, I discovered a large piece of wreck, seemingly blown by the shock wave of the explosion. Looking at the design, it doesn't look like an Imperial ship, but looks like the type used by space pirates. I don't have the mind to think much anymore. Summoning all my last strength, I pried open the emergency compartment door of the wreck and crawled inside. Inside was extremely chaotic, but the life support system was still temporarily working. And… there's a simple lifeboat that still looks usable! Heaven is not perfect! Without hesitation, I crawled inside, set the coordinates to the nearest neutral space station, and pressed the start button. The lifeboat shot out of the wreck, rushing towards the outside of the K-7 belt. 20 I collapsed in the cramped space of the lifeboat, looking through the window at the chaotic space that was getting farther and farther away, my heart was filled with hundreds of worries. I'm free. I… am truly free. But... Zhou Yu Tham's last call filled with worry... Hac Tieu's grumpy but caring words... Tham Thanh Huyen's coldness hiding his tension... Along with... that horrifying explosion... They... Can't think anymore. They are Enigma, powerful monsters — how can they die so easily? Maybe… just separated by the explosion. Maybe… they've already returned. Yes, that's for sure. I closed my eyes and forced myself not to think about anything else. The life capsule crossed the vast sea of stars, finally reaching the neutral space station located in a lawless, heavenless area. I used the valuable parts I picked up from the wreck to exchange for some common currency and bought a cargo ship ticket to the most remote and secluded star region. There was no Imperial power there, no annoying pairing numbers, and even less of those three dispersing ghosts of Enigma. I can start all over again, living a free life as I wish. Standing in front of the cargo spacecraft window, looking at the endless starry sky outside, I took a deep breath. It's over. It's all… over. Lang Da, looking forward. The cargo spacecraft swayed along the stardust-covered route, the engine making a low rumble. I leaned against the cold metal wall of the train compartment, looking out at the strange and desolate space outside that was passing quickly by. This place is okay

called the Forgotten Zone — the outermost edge of the Empire's territory, where the light of law and order cannot reach. Chaotic. Barren. But it means freedom. I have succeeded. Really got rid of them. The energy storm and sudden explosion in the K-7 asteroid belt, became the perfect cover for my escape. Those three powerful Enigmas, even though there seemed to be nothing they couldn't do, ultimately couldn't overcome the power of the universe. Or... because they were looking for me too urgently, they let their guard down? That thought was like a small thorn that pricked my heart little by little — light but sharp, painful but impossible to ignore. I shook my head vigorously, trying to get rid of that thought. Lang Da, don't forget what they did to you! Whether they live or die — what does it have to do with you?! I took a deep breath, trying to focus all my thoughts on the new life before me. Using a fake name and the last of my money, I rented a small room in the underground slums of a mining planet. The air here is murky, filled with the smell of motor oil, sweat and some cheap energy fluid. The surrounding neighbors are either destitute miners, or people with shady looks and unknown backgrounds. Compared to Bach Duc Academy or the high life of the Lang family — this place is like hell.