Chapter 25: Infiltration

The Shadow Servant appeared in front of the security optical computer and gently tapped on it, after which the permissions page appeared. 

The Shadow Servant didn't bother with the permissions page, instead quickly entering the password into the computer. If an incorrect password was entered thrice, the permissions page would be locked, and an alarm would be set off at the same time.

That was the security optical computer's last defense. However, if even an Electronic Warfare Retaliation master with a 98% Proficiency could not break through that defense, then Electronic Warfare Retaliation Proficiency didn't really have any value. 

Within 20 seconds, the permission page automatically disappeared, and the main operation interface appeared on the optical computer. 

David, who was drinking fruit juice in the reception hall, couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.

It was good that he could get by in this world just by relying on his Electronic Warfare Retaliation ability, which the Shadow Servant had greatly strengthened.

Although the Shadow Servant only had a hundred grams of power, which was practically useless when it came to an attack, it was enough for operating the optical computer.

The Shadow Servant opened a list of all the high-authority management personnel of the hotel, finding an account that had not been logged into for a long time. He turned on all the remote login permissions and installed a hidden program in the security optical computer. 

The function of the hidden program was to automatically remove any and all traces of the account that David controlled, thus turning it into a ghost account.

After performing the last step of the operation, he heard the sound of applause, which signified the end of Mayor Bernard's speech.

With the end of the speech, the reception officially began. Many guests whose statuses were high enough surrounded Mayor Bernard, while the rest of the guests made their way to other guests, who were of the same status as them. 

Everyone had put on the most gracious smiles they could manage, looking like well-mannered ladies and gentlemen with good upbringings. 

David noticed Bersha chatting with some of the ladies while his father, Hans, spoke to a young man who seemed to be in his twenties. The latter two seemed to be rather enthusiastic. 

At this moment, Hans saw David and waved him over.

David knew that Hans was trying to introduce him to people and create some connections. Although he did not want to make those connections, he did not want to harm his relationship with Hans, which had just improved. So, he walked over to them, holding onto his glass of fruit juice.

"Hans, so this is your son? He's not bad!" The young man was handsome, but he had a rather condescending tone and the attitude of an elder. 

"David, this is Uncle Galen, my brother through thick and thin, who went through all those life-and-death situations with me in Battlestar!" Hans introduced Galen to David with a smile.

David looked at the young man named Galen in surprise. According to Hans, Galen was at least fifty years old. Although the average lifespan of humans in the Star Federation was two hundred years, a fifty-year-old should not look as young as Galen did.

"Uncle Galen!" Nonetheless, David greeted him politely, pushing past his astonishment. 

"Since you've called me 'Uncle', I have to give you a gift. How about this? As long as you increase your strength and speed to the minimum standards for admittance to Nan University before the college entrance exam, I will help you enter the University's Armorer Department!" Galen said with a smile, looking at David.

David was amazed at Galen's generosity. Nan University was the best university on Planet Rocky and being admitted to it had been the goal of his predecessor. However, it was not easy for one to get a place in Nan University. 

800 kilograms of strength and the speed needed to complete a 100-meter sprint within 8.5 seconds were merely the basic criteria for participating in the examination. Once candidates reached that standard, they would have to sit for a test of their combat ability, after which Nan University would select the best of the best from the candidates 

"David, hurry up and thank your Uncle Galen!" Hans reminded David with a nudge. 

"Thank you, Uncle Galen!" David frantically thanked him, truly meaning it. 

"David, your father has never asked anyone for a favor throughout his entire life. However, after you got attacked this time, he looked to me for help. I will stay here for the time being and deal with the Sky Wolf Mercenary Corps," Galen told David after looking at Hans. 

"Galen, why are you saying that?" Hans asked, gently patting Galen. 

"Hans, what's wrong with you caring about your son? He was lucky enough to have escaped an attack from a group of Armorer mercenaries. Now there is no way that the Sky Wolf Mercenary Corps can escape. When the Fifth Fleet heard that your son had been attacked by the mercenaries of Star Federation, they immediately put the entire Planet Rocky on lockdown!" Galen stated.

"I had to trouble old friends for this!" Hans exclaimed as he shook his head.

"Statesmen are not to be offended or insulted. This is a strict rule of thumb. Although you don't want real power and authority, you still have the honor and influence that goes with it," Galen said in a deep voice. He then looked at David and continued, "The Sky Wolf Mercenary Corps are finished. I'm going to stay here just in case they are forced to take desperate action and want to find trouble with David. In addition, I shall also take this opportunity to teach David. Given his current physical state, he will not be able to keep up with the progress, even if he is admitted to Nan University!"

"Mr. Galen, I wonder, could take my son along with you when you teach David?" asked a grinning Mayor Bernard, who had come to join in on their conversation at this moment.

David saw the teenager who was with Mayor Bernard and recognized him as Maron, the boy whom he had just talked to. At that moment, Maron greeted him.

"David, since you two are friends, Maron can come along with you!" Galen exclaimed in agreement when he saw the way that Maron was interacting with David. It didn't matter how many he had to teach, since he would be teaching them at the same time anyway.

David was about to say something, but Hans gave him a gentle nudge to silence him. It dawned upon him that there seemed to be a deal that he was unaware of.

After thinking about it, he realized that Maron had not chatted with him by accident. Rather, it was a deliberate action, Maron having an agenda for doing so.

However, after seeing Maron's somewhat flattering smile and humble attitude despite being the mayor's son, he was in no place to say anything.

At the same time, he recalled the fact that Maron had mentioned a big shot. It seemed that the big shot was the youthful-looking Galen.

"David, what weapon do you use?" Maron asked David as they stepped aside, not wanting to interrupt Hans, Galen, and Mayor Bernard's conversation, which they wanted no part in anyway.

"I learned how to use a longsword, but I'd like to try a warhammer in the future. I'd also like to see if I have a talent for being a sniper!" David answered, thinking of the 82% Intermediate Warhammer Mastery Knowledge Orb and the 20% Intermediate Sniper Knowledge Orb. He did not confirm anything, sounding rather ambiguous instead. 

"Why don't you want to continue learning to use the longsword? It's such a cool weapon, unlike the warhammer, which is physically exhausting to use on top of everything else!" refuted Maron, who seemed to be learning to master the longsword as well.

Before he could finish speaking, he was casually smacked on the head by Mayor Bernard. 

Although the volume of the two teenagers was low, the three adults near them could hear their conversation clearly.

"Mr. Galen, I'm sorry, but Maron doesn't know any better!" Mayor Bernard apologized, looking apologetically at Galen.

"It's alright, I'll make sure Maron changes his opinion in the next few days!" Galen said with a smile as he looked at Maron. 

Realizing Galen used to use the warhammer all the time, Maron was filled with regret and wished he had killed himself. No matter how foolish he may be, he knew that he had said something wrong. 

Fortunately, the three men did not pay much attention to the two of them. After some chiding, they continued on with their own conversation. 

"We're going to have a hard time from now on, aren't we?" Maron asked gloomily. 

"It's alright, it's a rare opportunity to be able to receive teachings," said David, who was looking forward to Galen's guidance. 

Lately, he had been stuck at the 99% Beginner level of Bodywork, which made it impossible for his attributes to be upgraded. Although he had been practicing hard, the difficulty only increased the more he progressed. 

He also knew that his Bodywork was the reason for his lack of foundation. It was the root of everything, but his previous mastery of Bodywork was very poor. After the sudden increase in the past few days, it took time to digest the advancements.

Besides, in the ten days he had been in this world, he hadn't had anyone to guide him through his training sessions. He needed someone to point out his flaws and give him pointers, helping him find out where he was lacking.

"Right, you mentioned something about a talent in sniping. Why don't I take you to a shooting range and test your talent sometime?" Maron offered enthusiastically.

"Sure, but not very soon. I've been rather busy lately," said David, who didn't want to refuse or accept his offer. He would have to wait to test his abilities until he had fused his body with the Sniper Knowledge Orbs.

"Of course, you've been very busy lately!" Maron said helplessly, shooting another glance at Galen. 

Mayor Bernard naturally would not stay around for too long. During a grand New Year's Eve reception such as this, he still had plenty of people he needed to socialize with. Although he didn't pass up on the opportunity to talk with Galen, he nonetheless left after chatting for a bit.