Neo acquired the map the next day.

​This was not a standard paper map, however. It contained all kinds of notable information regarding every planet and star system. It highlighted which locations possessed the highest amounts of rare earth resources, which ones were living planets, and which were the most corrupted in terms of moral values.

​Among these planets, Neo found one where he could easily gain some soldiers for his empire. He currently had seven hundred scavengers, but they were nowhere near enough to challenge other planets.

​With his destination set, Neo said his farewells to his mother and sister, explaining that this journey could last for months.

​His mother and sister broke down in tears after hearing he would be leaving for months.

"Please, som, you must stay safe out there in the deep cosmos," his mother wept, clutching his hands tightly as tears streamed down her face.

​Nina wiped her own red, swollen eyes, stepping forward with a fierce look of determination overriding her sorrow.

"Don’t you dare forget about us while you are away, big brother. And don’t think you can leave me behind forever. I promise you, by the time you return, I will be a fully certified interstellar pilot. Next time you head into the stars, I will be the one flying your ship."

​"Haha," Neo smiled as a profound warmth in his chest.

He then drew both of them into a tight, comforting embrace.

"I will hold you to that promise, Nina. Take care of Mom while I am gone."

​Just as he was about to turn and finally make his departure, the door to the room slid open with a soft hiss.

​Another figure stepped into the room, instantly drawing their attention. It was Titania, the mature, striking woman with flowing platinum hair who had originally recognized his potential and recruited him into the Apex Nebula Mercenary group.

Her eyes scanned Neo with a complex mix of disappointment and curiosity.

"I had to come and ask you myself, Neo. Why have you not been joining the Hydra Crew for our recent operations? The crew has been waiting for their most promising rising star, yet you have completely vanished from our ranks."

​Neo met her sharp gaze calmly. He knew he owed her an honest answer for the opportunities she had provided him in the past.

​"My path has changed, Titania. During my time away, I realized my true goals and what I must build for my own future. I can no longer walk the path of a standard mercenary."

​He stepped forward, and offered her a sincere, respectful nod.

"But I will never forget where I started. Thank you for everything, Titania. Thank you for the kindness, the trust, and the guidance you showed me when you brought me into the Apex Nebula."

​Titania studied his face for a long moment, searching for any sign of hesitation. Finding none, she let out a defeated sigh.

"You always did have an aura that was far too big for a single crew, Neo. If your mind is made up, we will not hold you back. Just make sure you survive whatever grand destiny you are chasing."

"I will."

---

From there, Neo went directly into orbit.

​Inside the Ghost ship, he walked to the command seat, watching the vast space through the transparent front shield.

​Soon, Elena and Dr. Clark joined his side, the atmosphere serious.

​The ship’s AI, Ghost, blinked to life on the physical monitor.

​"Where to, Master?" Ghost asked directly, seemingly reading the atmosphere.

​Neo’s cold gaze locked onto the distant cluster of stars. The depth of his eyes told more than he needed to.

​"To the Eleven Star System."

​< Understood. Target locked. Distance: 3 Light Years. Estimated time of arrival: 15 days (Earth Standard Time). >

The journey was long and tedious. Neo decided to increase his Energy Reserve and improve his battle skills in the meantime.

​However, what he didn’t know was that during their departure through warp drive speed, a few spatial sensors in orbit sensed the Titan ship’s mainframe.

​Inside the Stellar Security Department:

Beep! Beep! Beep!

The sudden piercing alarm shattered the quiet atmosphere of the command center.

​Federal officers dressed in crisp, high-ranking military uniforms scrambled across the raised platforms, their fingers flying across glowing glass interfaces.

Stepping forward onto the central observation deck, the Section Director barked:

​"Report! What just triggered the deep-space proximity grid?"

​Following his command, a young analyst, looked up with wide eyes.

"Sir, we just captured a massive spatial distortion on the outer orbital perimeter. A vessel probably engaged warp drive inside the restricted terrestrial zone."

​The Director frowned, "An unauthorized warp? Trace the signature. Which faction or guild does the vessel belong to?"

​"That is the problem, Director.The spatial sensors did not just catch a typical engine flare. The sheer mass displacement indicates a hull size that defies our current registry. Our deep-scanners briefly bypassed their cloaking and pinged the vessel’s primary mainframe architecture before it crossed the event horizon."

​The analyst tapped his screen, transferring the collected telemetry to the main panoramic display in the center of the room.

​[ORBITAL SENSOR LOG: ENCRYPTED PROFILE DETECTED]

​Classification: Unknown / Out of Category

​Structural Footprint: Titan Class Core Signature

​Mainframe: Invisible

​Trajectory: unknown

​. The high-ranking officers stared at the data in utter disbelief. A Titan Class vessel was a cosmic dreadnought, a legendary tier of ship that only the highest echelons of the Federation military or the most ancient interstellar houses could dream of possessing.

For such a ship to appear in their orbit, completely unnoticed until the exact moment of its warp departure, was an unprecedented security failure.

The Director felt a cold sweat breaking out on the back of his neck.

​"Fuck. A Titan Class mainframe. And it originated from right under our noses? Track that trajectory immediately. We need to know who is operating that Titan class ship, and exactly what they are planning to do.

If it somehow linked to our enemies, inform the Federal Vanguard Immediately."