My Talent's Name Is Generator Chapter 775 The Mystery Island

Rudy gulped down his nerves.

The silence dragged on so intensely that even terror appeared to waver.

At last, he placed the rag aside with deliberate care and lifted his hands, showing open palms, ensuring no abrupt gestures.

"Fine," he murmured, his tone subdued, devoid of the barkeep's easygoing vibe. "I'll spill it."

The still chamber closed in tight, filled with scores of frozen forms halted in their breathing. Rudy shot a quick look their way, then fixed his gaze on me again.

"The Hollow Star doesn't function like folks imagine," he started. "No central hub, no glaring base to storm right into. They've created something... spread out."

I cocked my head a bit, paying close attention.

"Right in the heart of the Rubble Maw Ocean," Rudy went on, "lies an island. Most charts skip it or obscure it. Storms mask its position, Essence flows warp how it's seen. The locals dub it Mystery Island."

"An avian clan dwells there," Rudy explained. "My own people. Wings built for endless flights across the seas. They've held that spot longer than the present Feradros leader, or so they boast."

"And that's the link point," I stated.

Rudy dipped his head. "For this world, yeah. Each big planet in our solar setup has its own such spot. One group, one concealed outpost, one connection hub. Varying clans. Diverse ways. Identical role."

"Hollow Star," Knight whispered.

"They aren't the Hollow Star core," Rudy clarified. "They're go-betweens. Folks seeking intel head to them. When Hollow Star wants tasks handled, orders pass through via them."

I eased back a touch. "So the whole setup's been wired into their web right from the beginning."

"Indeed," Rudy replied softly. "And it's not limited to this system."

"Did Shera Ranthor approach you?"

Rudy paused, then affirmed with a nod. "Nearly ten years back. He wasn't sneaky about it. But Hollow Star had eyes on Feradros way earlier. Shera didn't bring fresh ideas. He merely locked in the alliance."

"Mutual gains," I noted.

"Spot on. Ferans passed along troop shifts, power splits, mission reports. Hollow Star fed back details on other species to the Ferans."

"What about the Eternals?" I probed. "Did they know of your dealings with them?"

Rudy exhaled without mirth. "All sides know. Nobody acts like they don't. And nobody minds."

I fixed my stare on him.

"They keep using your channels anyway," I pointed out.

"True," Rudy agreed. "Since knowledge equals strength. And strength ignores its sources."

I drummed my fingers softly on the bar. "So what's your exact offering?"

Rudy's gaze darted to my hand, then rose again. "Data collection. Subject monitoring. Shaking up politics. Eliminating pesky elements. Sometimes hiring fighters. Sometimes... wiping out traces."

Knight's tail flicked sharply once.

"And regarding me?" I questioned. "What intel does Hollow Star hold on me?"

Rudy swallowed once more. "On a personal level? Little. Your background's... murky. That fact alone sets them on edge."

"However," he added swiftly, "you're slotted on a pursuit roster."

I offered a slight grin. "I suspected as much."

"It's beyond a simple roster," Rudy elaborated. "It's ranked levels. You started low, just an oddity. Post-demon chaos and rift seals, you climbed ranks fast."

"How far up?" I inquired.

"Far enough for rewards to get set up," Rudy answered. "Not out in the open yet. Shared quietly. Among lone Transcendents."

"Saints?" Knight queried.

Rudy denied with a shake. "Not at this stage."

I acknowledged with a nod. "You aware of Hollow Star's real base location?"

"Nope," Rudy shot back right away. "Nobody is. Or if they were, they're gone now."

"What's waiting on Mystery Island?" I pressed.

Rudy wavered. "A portal. Temporary sort. But once triggered, it links to one of their outpost sites."

That sufficed.

I rose straight and clicked my fingers anew.

The halted realm breathed out as life stirred once more. Noise flooded the space with surprised inhales and tinkling cups. Drinkers blinked in bewilderment, some massaging their heads, others scanning about like they'd skipped a key moment.

Rudy sagged a fraction, his features blending ease with dread.

I bent forward near him.

"Keep this tavern going," I whispered. "Seal your lips. No alerts to anyone."

He bobbed his head fast. "I won't. Promise."

"You get what happens if you slip," I tacked on.

"Yeah."

I got up and pivoted. Knight trailed after.

We strolled back to the visitor quarters without haste, the evening breeze easing the strain. Indoors, I dismissed my calls one after another to the nucleus, retaining just Knight.

Steve and North stood ready by the time I called them to the docking bay.

I eyed the pair and declared, "Okay. Time to move."

Steve angled his head. "Move to where?"

I grinned, the sort that drew his resigned sigh upfront.

"To an island," I revealed. "Smack in the ocean's midst. Allegedly super hidden. Allegedly crucial."

North folded her arms, eyeing my face. "That screams complications."

"Just if you're against it," I shot back smoothly.

Steve chuckled briefly. "Let me hazard a guess. Somebody advised against it."

"More like they act as if it's not real," I countered. "Which screams it's our next stop."

North rolled her eyes, yet curiosity gleamed in her gaze. "Plan of attack?"

I lifted my shoulders. "We arrive, scout, pose some queries. If they play nice, perfect. Otherwise—" I opened my palms a bit. "We adapt."

I laughed lightly. "Fresh off a bash, Steve. No need to treat this like drudgery."

He beamed. "That I can support."

North edged nearer to me. "Then onward. I'm itching to see why it hides so deep."

I agreed, already facing the craft. "Fine by me. Feels like it's tracked us ages."

We climbed aboard the vessel parked by the quarters. As we rose, several Feran guard ships swung to block us, beacons pulsing alerts.

I extended a hand lazily and bore down.

All Ferans aboard the blocking crafts blacked out in air, veering off safely while our ride sailed past unhindered.

The sea sprawled before us, immense and shadowy.

Deep within, past standard trade paths, a faint ripple gleamed.

Mystery Island beckoned.

Our craft eased speed nearing the edge zone.

I positioned myself by the window, stare locked on the landmass forward.

"Seems we're rapping at Hollow Star's gate," Steve noted softly.

I grinned.

The craft dropped, lingering just off the island's beach.