Chapter 108: I Am Groot

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In the vast expanse of the cosmic starry sky,

A spacecraft is rapidly traversing through space-time.

Buzz! 

As space trembles, ripples emerge.

The spacecraft suddenly leaves the temporal node and appears in a dark void of stars.

"Captain, we've arrived at the Knowhere!"

There's actually no need for a report. At this moment, Peter has already seen ahead of the spacecraft a planet-sized skull-shaped celestial body.

"It's said that this planet was formed from the skull of a deceased deity."

Seeing the curious gaze of Peter towards the Knowhere, Valor explained beside him.

"God..."

Looking at the planet-sized skull and the faint residual breath within it, Peter could also confirm that this statement might indeed be true.

"What encounters could have caused such a powerful god to fall here?"

However, Peter was more curious about what kind of encounter could have caused a deity to fall here.

"Let's go in!"

Putting away his curiosity, Peter slowly spoke up.

Immediately, following Peter's command, the spacecraft slowly passed through the eye socket of the skull and landed at the port.

"Make sure to guard the ship. Once we come back, immediately start it up and leave."

Peter took the lead in stepping out of the spacecraft, and most of the other crew members followed suit.

Meanwhile, Valor stayed behind with a few crew members to watch over their spacecraft, and he instructed them,

"Don't worry, Vice Captain Valor."

That's right, Valor was appointed as Vice Captain at this moment.

After giving instructions, Valor took a few quick steps and caught up with Peter ahead.

"Captain, are we going straight to find the Collector now?"

Although still feeling somewhat worried about this operation, Valor couldn't help but ask.

"No rush, the Collector isn't going anywhere."

"It's my first time here, so let's take a tour around first before we get down to business."

Peter, who came to the universe for the first time, was originally here for sightseeing and exploration.

At this moment, his face was filled with amazement as he looked at the strange and bizarre extraterrestrial creatures in the Knowhere.

"Alright, Captain, your call."

Although Valor had been to the Knowhere before, he naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to disturb Peter's excitement at this moment.

And so, under Peter's lead, accompanied by a dozen or so fierce-looking plunderers, they walked on the chaotic streets of the Knowherre.

Although this was the famous chaotic region of the universe, where crimes happened as frequently as eating a meal due to the lack of laws, and where many old hands specifically targeted newcomers like them with extremely vicious methods,

But, seeing the dozen or so fierce individuals following behind Peter,

Finally, no one came to cause trouble for them proactively.

...

After wandering for several hours,

Peter basically toured around the Knowhere.

The strange and bizarre aliens, as well as various novel things, also fully satisfied his curiosity about the universe.

"Let's go, we've pretty much seen everything. It's time to go find the Collector and 'borrow' some money to spend."

Immediately, Peter no longer hesitated and prepared to fulfill the true purpose of coming to the Knowhere.

"Captain, you're wise!"

The crew members behind him flattered Peter and followed him towards the most luxurious area of the Knowhere.

While Peter was leisurely exploring the Knowhere, Valor was not idle either. He sent people to inquire about the whereabouts of the Collector.

As the master of the Knowhere, the Collector naturally resided in the most prosperous area of the Knowhere.

"Huh? What's that?"

Suddenly, on the way to the area where the Collector was located, Peter inadvertently caught sight of a figure that seemed somewhat familiar to him.

He saw a figure resembling a withered tree trunk, currently locked inside a special cage.

Under the guard of a dozen or so extraterrestrial mercenaries, they were slowly walking along the road, seemingly heading to the same destination as Peter and his group.

"Captain, those people are from the Butcher Mercenary Group, one of the most infamous mercenary groups in the universe."

Noticing Peter's gaze, Valor whispered an introduction to him.

"Oh? You know them?"

Peter couldn't help but feel curious.

"We're somewhat acquainted. However, these guys are rampant in the entire universe, doing whatever they please without any scruples. They take on any task and commit any evil deed."

"They even frequently capture some endangered species in the universe and sell them at high prices."

"So their reputation among the mercenary groups in the universe is extremely notorious. We've had several clashes with them in order to complete some tasks."

"However, their strength is not to be underestimated, which is why they haven't been wiped out."

Valor stared at those figures, his eyes flashing with a hint of anger and resentment.

It seemed that they were indeed quite formidable opponents.

"In that case, it's easy!"

Since they were already not on good terms, Peter naturally didn't hesitate much.

He directly quickened his pace and swiftly caught up with those people.

...

"Hey, isn't this Captain Valor, who's about to lose his pants due to a failed mission? What, come to beg for food in the Knowhere?"

As Peter blocked their path with his people,

From the crowd of the other side, a burly figure, composed of chunks of yellow stones, resembling the Thing from the Fantastic Four, slowly emerged.

After giving Peter a slightly curious glance, he shifted his gaze to Valor behind Peter, sneering.

"Hmph, even if we were really begging, we would never stoop as low as you, making a living by selling people."

Valor retorted without hesitation.

"Haha, Valor, you're really amusing. For so many years, you've been adhering to your meaningless principles. What has it brought you in the end?"

"Not only were you expelled from the entire Raider Legion for doing something out of line, but even your subordinates have to suffer with you."

"Valor's crew, if you feel like there's no future with Valor, why not join our Butcher Mercenary Group? I can definitely lead you to a life of luxury and pleasure!"

At this moment, this guy not only mocked Valor but also shamelessly dug at his crew right in front of him.

"You see, this is our loot this time. The Collector is about to buy him for a billion."

He then pointed excitedly at a peculiar creature resembling a withered tree trunk, locked in a cage behind him.

"A billion? How is that possible? Just a small sapling, yet it's worth so much?"

Undoubtedly, what the other side said also piqued the interest of everyone around.

Even Valor's former subordinates couldn't help but gaze at the small sapling with greedy eyes.

After all, a billion could buy a large spacecraft. Even the reward for their previous task of finding the Universal Spirit Ball was only barely ten million.

"Hmph! Even if you give me an intergalactic empire, I would never make a living by selling people!"

Valor coldly snorted, causing his crew members behind him to react, looking nervously at Peter, afraid that he might have noticed their greedy glances just now.

"Oh? Valor, it seems like you're no longer the true master of your mercenary group now, huh?"

Indeed, those who could survive in the universe were not fools.

Just by judging from the crew's expressions, this guy shifted his gaze back to Peter in the front, reevaluating him.

"Hmm? Who's this scrawny chick? Did you give up your captaincy to him?"

However, this guy, although somewhat intelligent, wasn't very bright.

Facing Peter, who was several times leaner than him, he directly mocked.

"Scum, watch your mouth. This is our new captain!"

Facing someone who mocked their captain, a clever crew member stepped forward without hesitation and cursed at him.

"Huh? A new captain?"

"Hehe, Valor, you're becoming more and more ridiculous. You actually let such a guy snatch the captaincy from you."

"Would you like me to lend a hand and teach him a lesson, to help you reclaim your captaincy?"

This guy's words not only belittled Peter but also mocked Valor.

Instantly, Valor's eyes turned icy, and he was about to pout and whistle without hesitation.

But suddenly remembering that his Yaka arrow had been broken by Peter and not yet repaired, he could only awkwardly reveal a embarrassed expression.

"You talk too much."

At this moment, Peter finally spoke up, slowly walking towards them with a casual expression.

"Now I declare, you're being robbed. Quickly kneel down with your hands on your head, or suffer the consequences..."

"Hahaha... What's this little guy saying? Rob us? Is he joking!"

Facing Peter, who was slowly approaching them, the group of people burst into laughter as if they had heard the biggest joke in the world.

"But, you've also angered me. Today, I'll let you know that not everyone is as easy to bully as Valor, that useless captain!"

Suddenly, fueled by anger, the originally two-meter-tall figure, composed of stones, gradually swelled like muscles under his fury.

In an instant, his already burly figure grew even taller.

Then, a ferocious expression appeared on his face.

Without hesitation, using a fist larger than a sandbag, he fiercely slammed it towards Peter's head.

...

"Another poor soul!"

The surrounding spectators seemed to anticipate the upcoming outcome.

After all, this Butcher Mercenary Group, even in the Knowhere, was a notorious presence. Those who died at their hands numbered in the hundreds if not thousands.

And each one died in a cruel and brutal manner, their bodies smashed bone by bone with every punch, ultimately dying in endless agony.

"Great, another good show!"

However, in this chaotic place, kindness couldn't survive.

And at this moment, the onlookers were unusually excited. Not only did no one stop them, but they also cheered continuously, as if eagerly anticipating the cruel scene about to unfold.

"Captain!"

Even though the people behind Peter were slightly aware of his immense strength,

But at this moment, they couldn't help but worry for him.

However, their worries soon disappeared completely.

Because, as the opponent's huge fist thundered towards Peter,

Peter also slowly raised his right hand, clenched his fist, and met it head-on.

Boom! Crack!

After a loud noise, followed by a piercing sound of shattering.

"This guy has overestimated himself, daring to confront the captain. I'm afraid his entire body's bones have already been shattered."

Behind the stone man, all the crew members couldn't help but show excitement and mockery on their faces.

"Captain, how is this possible?"

However, soon, in their incredulous gaze,

Their brave and fearless captain's entire body actually shattered into pieces with a thunderous crash, scattering all over the ground.

And as the stones touched the ground, they turned directly into powder, drifting away with the wind.

"No, this can't be!"

"For the captain's revenge!"

Some people couldn't come back to their senses in disbelief.

And some felt extremely angry at the captain's death, quickly took out an energy gun, and aimed it directly at Peter, who was still standing there.

Even more clever folks chose to run away without hesitation.

However, as the one with the gun aimed at Peter, ready to fire, instantly found a dazzling red light flashing in front of him.

Then, his eyes suddenly split apart, his vision getting farther and blurrier.

The next moment, as the dazzling red light continued to flicker, including dozens of crew members who were fleeing, all died instantly under Peter's heated gaze.

"Wow! Amazing!"

At this moment, the surrounding audience was not scared by the bloody scene in front of them, but even cheered for Peter.

They hadn't seen such an exciting scene of retaliation for a long time.

"This... we were lucky enough to be smart back then!"

Looking at the various colored blood and human tissues flowing all over the ground, as well as the strange red light slowly dissipating in Peter's eyes,

Including Valor, all the crew members couldn't help but feel lucky.

Lucky that they didn't start a war with Peter back then.

Otherwise, the one who would have been cut in half right now might have been themselves.

And at this moment, Peter didn't care about the gaze of the surrounding people and the crew behind him, ignoring the nauseating blood flowing around.

His whole person slowly floated off the ground, came to the front of the cage, and glanced at the small sapling imprisoned inside.

Then, without hesitation, he punched the special cage.

Crack!

With one punch, the cage that could almost withstand energy cannon bombardment instantly shattered into pieces, not even leaving any residue.

And among them, the small sapling, even smaller than Peter, looked at Peter with pure and clear eyes.

"I am Groot (Thank you for saving me)!"

For some reason, Peter could understand the true meaning of what Groot said at the first meeting.

"You're welcome. From now on, you'll follow me!"

Peter didn't hesitate at all, directly accepting Groot as a companion.

Soon, they resumed their journey, continuing towards the location of the Collector.

However, among the crew members who were originally following Peter, there was now an additional peculiar figure.

A withered humanoid sapling.

With an innocent and curious expression, he looked around with clear eyes, occasionally exclaiming, "I am Groot."

...

(End of Chapter)

World Count: 2.2K

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