[Resource time has exceeded 300 hours]
[The simulator has enabled new features]
[Space Hulk: Salvage]
Note: A Space Hulk is a vast amalgamation of countless wrecked battleships fused with other wreckage. They have wandered through the boundless universe and even the Warp for tens of thousands of years. Any force that enters to investigate will suffer catastrophic losses. However, beneath the many crises lie countless forgotten treasures, including terrifying creations capable of easily destroying planets or even entire star systems...
[Current number of salvages: zero]
[Remaining number of salvages: zero]
[Spend cooldown time to obtain salvage attempts (ratio: one hour equals one salvage)?]
Nolan frowned slightly. He read through the simulator's new feature introduction, then fell silent.
Was the simulator trying to accelerate his resource consumption? This was just a gacha mechanic from mobile games, dressed up in 40K terminology.
Nolan was one hundred percent certain the simulator's new feature didn't even have a pity system.
If resources became truly abundant in the future, he might actually try it. But right now, with so much cooldown time available, wouldn't it be better to use it directly for simulations?
That said...
Nolan still spent one hour to redeem a single salvage attempt. Just to support the simulator. Keep the machine spirit pleased, so to speak.
[Current number of salvages: one]
[Countdown to salvage completion: 59 minutes and 59 seconds]
Nolan clicked his tongue and shook his head with a sigh. The salvage also required time to complete. His interest in the new feature diminished even further.
He turned and left the abandoned store.
With the resource channel temporarily secured, Nolan planned to continue his grand project of building a secret base. But just as he left Queens and headed toward the library, his phone rang.
His aunt.
The recruitment notice posted a few days ago had already borne fruit. A candidate had arrived, and Nolan needed to come conduct the interview.
Nolan turned his scooter around and headed for the Evening Hearth restaurant.
Half an hour later, he arrived at the restaurant. The moment he entered, he saw a young man around twenty years old sitting in a chair, chatting pleasantly with his aunt.
Nolan approached without speaking.
His aunt stood up, her face bright with a smile. "Nolan, this is Jason. He's an international student. He's looking for part time to lighten his family's financial burden. He saw our recruitment notice and came in to ask about it."
The young man named Jason wore rimless glasses. He was tall and thin, with a scholarly air about him. When he saw Nolan approaching, he quickly stood and offered a polite greeting.
Nolan smiled and nodded. "Columbia University? NYU? Or..."
"New York Institute of Technology." Jason smiled shyly.
Nolan nodded, his eyes shifting to his aunt's beaming face. "Aunt, have you discussed salary and other details with him?"
His aunt seemed particularly happy today. The cheerful smile on her face was constant.
After hearing Nolan's question, she nodded quickly. "Yes, we just talked about it. Jason usually needs to attend classes and study, so this would only be part-time work..."
"I'll try my best to compress my rest and study time to free up hours for work," Jason interjected, his shy smile persisting. He seemed genuinely eager for the position, mustering courage to speak directly to Nolan.
Apparently, he'd already figured out who made the real decisions at the restaurant.
"That's not necessary. You came abroad to further your education. The restaurant is usually only busy during lunch, dinner, and holidays." Nolan waved his hand dismissively. "Three hours of part-time work daily. An hour and a half each at lunch and dinner. If you're willing to come during holidays, I can give you full-time pay and overtime rates. How does that sound?"
Jason lowered his head slightly, as if calculating potential earnings.
"That's very generous! Thank you!"
He raised his head and bowed slightly to both Nolan and his aunt, expressing genuine gratitude.
Nolan had always appreciated polite people. He found himself liking the young man more and more.
After exchanging glances with his aunt, Nolan nodded. "That settles it. Welcome to The Evening Hearth. However, we haven't opened yet. It'll probably get busy in a few days. If you have time, feel free to come get familiar with the environment. Don't worry, my aunt will calculate your wages properly."
Both parties were satisfied. His aunt had a new helper. Nolan could save energy for his own projects.
After Nolan exchanged contact information with Jason, the young man proposed returning to the restaurant tomorrow morning. Since there wasn't much to do currently, Nolan readily agreed.
Once Jason left, Nolan had no immediate desire to head to the library. While chatting with his aunt, he reopened the simulator.
He stared at the salvage timer as it slowly counted down.
He wanted to see what the simulator's new feature could actually produce.
The young man Jason walked briskly through the streets. His expression occasionally revealed traces of joy and relief. He would stop periodically to examine goods displayed in shop windows, or glance at men and women passing by.
Just like any new international student or tourist, Jason appeared full of curiosity and wonder for all the unfamiliar things around him.
Half an hour later, after wandering extensively, Jason entered a supermarket. When he emerged, he carried not only a bag of snacks and drinks but also a disposable phone.
The shy smile remained on his face. He adjusted his rimless glasses and walked out of the neighborhood with his purchases.
Next, Jason seemed to lose his way. He wandered into a remote street. However, he didn't turn back. Instead, he appeared to enjoy the thrill of minor adventure.
When Jason entered an even more secluded and deserted alley, his entire demeanor transformed dramatically.
If Jason had been merely a shy overseas student before, now he was a weapon forged in the fires of war.
Jason's expression became completely blank. He exhaled softly. His fingers moved with practiced precision across the disposable phone's keypad, entering a series of complex, seemingly random numbers.
He dialed.
About ten seconds later, familiar language reached his ears. His native tongue.
"Secure line connected. Number One waiting online."
"It's me. Reporting status." A middle-aged male voice, deep and authoritative, came through the connection.
Jason took a deep breath and spoke in his hometown dialect. "Director Zheng, everything proceeded smoothly. I have successfully joined the target's sphere of influence."
"Be careful in word and deed. If necessary, even at the cost of your life, you must protect the safety of the target's family members." Xian Zheng's voice carried heavy weight.
"Sir, the target appears to be just an ordinary person. Is S.P.E.A.R effort truly warranted?"
Jason's eyes, hidden behind his glasses, showed doubt.
Xian Zheng on the other end fell into silence. Just when Jason thought the secure line had been disconnected, the deep voice returned.
"Mr. Zhang Heng once made a prediction." The man's words came slowly, deliberately. "If humanity wishes to successfully 'slay gods,' the target must be present."
A pause.
"It must be him."
Jason stood motionless in the alley, processing this information. His scholarly facade had vanished entirely, replaced by the focused intensity of a trained operative receiving mission-critical orders.
He understood now. This wasn't just protection detail. This was something far more significant.
Somewhere, somehow, Mr. Zhang Heng had foreseen a future where gods walked the Earth. And Nolan was the key to humanity's survival against them.
Jason pocketed the disposable phone carefully. The shy smile gradually returned to his face as he adjusted his rimless glasses and walked back toward brighter streets.
To any observer, he was simply a lost student finding his way back to familiar territory.
But behind those rimless glasses, his eyes held new purpose.
Nolan had no idea his new employee was anything but what he appeared to be.
And for now, that was exactly how Jason needed things to remain.