At this point, it's essential to elaborate on the Pilot system, starting with the mechas themselves.In this interstellar era, technology has advanced beyond imagination, resulting in a vast array of mecha models and types. Yet, when broken down, they fall into only two categories: one is the agile and portable personal mecha, and the other is the large-scale field combat mecha—like the Mammoth—developed specifically for warfare.By comparison, personal mechas are lighter, more affordable, and more maneuverable, with neural link as their sole operating mode. Field combat mechas, however, are a different story. They are larger, equipped with thicker armor and more powerful firepower, and support two operating modes: neural link and manual control. That said, neural link remains the primary choice in most cases; manual control is merely a backup for when the neural link malfunctions.As for the difference between the two modes… Well, it's analogous to controlling a marionette with strings versus directly possessing the marionette to move it. Once the neural link headset is worn, the visual signal and sensory simulator activate, allowing the mecha pilot to manipulate the mecha as deftly as their own body—even making the mecha's heavy steel frame perform incredible, high-difficulty maneuvers—right from the cockpit.The second key point to discuss is tied to the neural link, and it is also the most intuitive metric distinguishing ordinary people from professional Pilots: mecha synchronization rate.The mecha synchronization rate is a complex metric encompassing numerous comprehensive data points, and listing them all would be cumbersome. The most straightforward explanation is that it measures the depth of the neural link. A higher synchronization rate indicates a more complete neural connection and fuller control over the mecha.This is an innate talent and cannot be detected by any instrument. The synchronization rate of all Pilots is calculated after they enter a mecha by professionals, who synthesize data such as the delay between the mecha and neural commands, the precision of the mecha's movements, and the success rate of executing high-difficulty maneuvers. Statistics show that the average synchronization rate of most ordinary people is only around 20%.To become a professional Pilot, one's synchronization rate must reach at least 45%. Don't underestimate this 25% gap—it's the barrier that excludes 99.9% of people across the entire universe. The disparity between the number of ordinary people and professional Pilots is even greater than that between casual gamers (Bronze/Silver rank) and professional esports players.Coupled with the relatively low training costs for Pilots and their greater impact on the battlefield compared to other combat systems, nearly all civilizations value Pilots as treasures. Regardless of their rank, every Pilot is injected with the "Longevity Elixir," and they are entitled to a full range of benefits.Curly Hair was not only a Pilot but also had an exceptionally high synchronization rate of 64%—theoretically, he should have lived comfortably anywhere."If it weren't for the Boss, my sister and I would've starved to death long ago. My life was already his to begin with…" Curly Hair shrugged and replied to Lin Jie, but he didn't elaborate further.Lin Jie could tell Curly Hair had no intention of sharing more about the reasons. He nodded, about to get back to work, when a commotion in the distance caught his attention.Looking up, he saw a flying vehicle speeding over from afar before landing nearby. Several prison guards stepped out first and took up positions, followed by two young men in prison uniforms.The moment Curly Hair saw these two, his expression darkened."Do you know them?" Lin Jie noticed the change in Curly Hair's demeanor and glanced back at the two men.One of them was an ordinary human, while the other belonged to the rare Tanasi race. The Tanasi shared similar facial features with humans but had green skin all over their bodies. Their most distinctive trait was a tentacle-like appendage on their heads—said to be soft under normal circumstances, but it stiffens when they are extremely angry or excited, transforming from a limp braid into a rigid rod sticking straight up from their head."I do," Curly Hair nodded, his tone hostile, as he pointed at the two. "The human is Li Zhe, and the Tanasi is David. They're also participants in the Flag Capture Tournament. Their leader has a grudge against Boss Simon, and Li Zhe even took part in destroying the Mammoth during the melee.""I see… Then you can handle them yourself."As Li Zhe and David—the Tanasi—walked toward them, Lin Jie patted Curly Hair on the shoulder, turned around, and bent down to resume his search. For now, he was just doing odd jobs for Simon; his priority was to survive and find a way to escape the Ninth Prison. He had no desire to get involved in Simon's personal feuds."Wait a minute…" Lin Jie suddenly froze, as if drawn to something. His eyes sharpened, and he strode over.Meanwhile, Li Zhe and David had already reached Curly Hair."Dyson, never thought I'd run into you here," Li Zhe said, hands behind his back, eyeing Curly Hair with feigned surprise. "You're really naive, aren't you? Your mecha's already in such bad shape—you still plan on competing?""Why not?" Curly Hair's voice was cold and flat."Of course you can. I don't mind blowing you up again…" A wider smile spread across Li Zhe's face.Five rounds of the Flag Capture Tournament had already been held, and seven out of the twenty mechas (one from each of the Ninth Prison's twenty districts) had been destroyed. Inevitably, the Pilots had grown somewhat familiar with each other.Due to the rarity of professional Pilots and the generous benefits they enjoyed, plus the fact that only the lowest-ranked Private-class field combat mechas were used in the tournament, even the gray forces (underground organizations) that held power over the Karl Star Nation could not recruit high-ranked Pilots to compete on their behalf. Pilots like Li Zhe, who held the Vanguard rank, were already considered high-tier. Among the remaining twelve Pilots, only three were at his rank.Curly Hair was the only one with the quasi-Colonel rank—half a tier higher than Li Zhe. Despite the obvious gap in mecha performance, Curly Hair had still snatched two victories from them. Taking down someone like that, even through underhanded means, did nothing to diminish the sense of accomplishment Li Zhe felt. The only pity was that he had only damaged the cockpit, not killed Curly Hair."We'll see who blows up whom then!" Curly Hair shot back, stepping forward to glare directly at Li Zhe. He was on the verge of throwing a punch when David stepped in to stop him."Dyson, who do you still dream of taking down? Do you really think your mecha can still fight?" David spread his green hands and sneered. "You're just a Pilot—even if you know a little about mechanics, you're still only a Pilot. How can you fix a mecha? You don't even have a mechanic!""Oh right, I forgot about that until David mentioned it," Li Zhe added, his smile turning more mocking as he looked at Curly Hair. "Your mecha's so badly damaged—what makes you think you can compete? Just your shoddy mechanical maintenance skills?""Heh!" At this, Curly Hair suddenly laughed. "Well, sorry to disappoint you, but I do have a mechanic.""A mechanic? Where?" Li Zhe frowned.The mechanic who was supposed to enter the Ninth Prison with Curly Hair had been killed by the forces backing Li Zhe. Even so, Curly Hair had still won two matches in the first five rounds. If there really was a mechanic who could repair Curly Hair's mecha, the rest of the tournament would become far more challenging."Right there!"Curly Hair let out a cold laugh, turned around, and with a flourish, pointed at Lin Jie in the distance.In that moment, he felt a surge of pride—his biggest weakness had been addressed, and he could now face Li Zhe on a more level playing field. It was also his way of telling Li Zhe: "I have what you thought I didn't. Stop looking down on me."However, what happened next took everyone by surprise.Beneath the azure star, Lin Jie stood on the garbage mound, bending down to search patiently. Suddenly, it seemed he had found something. His face lit up, and he reached out to grab it.Then…Zap! Boom!For an instant, Lin Jie froze. After a few seconds of convulsing, his black hair stood on end. Then, as if struck by a punch, his body tilted backward and rolled down the pile of debris."Shit!"Curly Hair's face paled in shock at the sight. He forgot all about Li Zhe and David, and sprinted toward Lin Jie."Lin Jie! Lin Jie, are you okay?"
