The ensuing tale of rescuing the hero-worshipping, muscle-bound enthusiast in the red cape, Socada, need not be recounted in great detail; two precisely aimed Psychic Storms decimated a large portion of the Speedlings and Mutalis, followed by a chaotic mêlée that finally pulled the red-caped warrior free.

Once rescued, Socada was severely battered, though he maintained his defiant and arrogant demeanor. He likely wouldn't have lasted much longer, so Fang Senyan's timely intervention was truly a blessing. Fortunately, human medicine proved effective even on the Protoss creatures (as seen in the game where Medics can heal Zealots), and Socada quickly recovered after a series of targeted medical injections.

Initially, Socada was quite astonished by the appearance of Fang Senyan, a mere human. After Aldaris offered an explanation, his perspective shifted rapidly, and he seemed to take a great liking to Fang Senyan, perhaps because both were anomalies capable of facing down a Mammoth in direct combat.

What truly dissatisfied Fang Senyan was Socada's firm insistence that he must possess some Protoss lineage—the justification being that only those with Protoss blood could possibly accomplish the feat of directly confronting a Mammoth. This bizarre deduction left Fang Senyan thoroughly exasperated, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

Apart from this peculiarity, Socada was generally endearing with his boisterous and forthright nature. He spoke loudly, which felt considerably better than the cold demeanor of Docheg, whose presence was accompanied by the rhythmic thrum of mechanical electronic music. However, Docheg's coldness as a Dragoon was attributed to physiological limitations rather than deliberate aloofness.

Once everyone had gathered, Fang Senyan naturally distributed some medicinal potions to foster camaraderie. Any warrior focused on combat was intensely interested in the drugs Fang Senyan concocted, as they promised comprehensive enhancements to personal strength.

Each individual reacted differently to the substances Fang Senyan had synthesized. Socada bluntly asked for several more bottles, but relented upon learning they had an expiration date. Docheg attempted to pry loose related formulas, curious about the possibility of mass production. Aldaris remained silent but accepted quite a substantial amount nonetheless.

After resting for about half an hour and largely recovering, the group managed to rally approximately a troop's worth of surviving soldiers. They planned to return to reinforce the base, but when they reached a certain distance from the Protoss stronghold, they clearly observed numerous light points dotting the hillside and structures taking shape, even sprawling onto the plains. While the scene was strangely beautiful, it carried an undeniable air of hasty recovery. Even though they had left, the memory of the Zerg's piercing shrieks and the explosions of the Photon Cannons still lingered...

The assembled group exchanged glances, struck by profound astonishment.

The current situation clearly indicated the cessation of major fighting and the commencement of reconstruction atop the ravaged ruins. Yet, when they had retreated, the Protoss base was precariously close to collapse, like a string pulled taut, threatening to snap with the slightest additional pressure.

Therefore, under normal circumstances, the Zerg should never have halted their assault; doing so would negate all previous efforts, throwing their gains into disarray!

Wasting such a clear opportunity for victory was utterly uncharacteristic, even impossible, for the Zerg. Unless absolutely forced, the Zerg would never retreat. What event, then, had occurred so suddenly to compel their abrupt withdrawal?

Regardless, the survival of the Protoss base was certainly positive news. As Fang Senyan entered the Protoss compound, although he noted widespread evidence of the brutal aftermath, the base was now enveloped in that unique Protoss atmosphere—simultaneously sacred and sharp—thanks to the extensive cleanup efforts by the Zealot probes.

Although marked as an ally of the Protoss, Fang Senyan’s remarkable feat of felling a Mammoth in his frail human body led both Socada and Docheg to believe he would be tacitly recognized as an "Allied Hero," a status that would grant him certain privileges within the Protoss base, albeit requiring further registration.

Fang Senyan naturally welcomed this positive development. He followed a Zealot to the Protoss main command center, the "Khala Nexus," a colossal structure outwardly resembling an Earth pyramid, yet adorned with numerous appendages that lent it a decidedly science-fiction, almost starship-like quality.

The outer wall of the Nexus was constructed from an unknown metal, etched with vast amounts of Protoss script. This script primarily comprised combinations of circles and line segments of varying lengths, appearing profoundly arcane.

Large, transparent crystals, each exceeding five meters in length, were embedded at the four corners of the Nexus, and an even larger crystal, at least ten meters across, floated above the spire. These crystals were refined from Pandoran Ore collected by the Zealot probes and presented a truly magnificent spectacle.

These structures were far from mere ornamentation; they served crucial functions. Upon detecting an external threat, the five crystals would resonate in harmony, emitting a deep blue light to form an immensely powerful energy shield, protecting the Nexus from destruction. When rapid healing and recovery were required post-battle, the crystals would convert their energy into a healing aura, radiating green light to mend the units within the structure.

Upon entering the Protoss base, Fang Senyan naturally attracted numerous gazes, some openly hostile. Fortunately, the red-caped Socada walked beside him. Sensing undue scrutiny, the war-mad warrior glared back with a provocative intensity. Socada was practically an idol among the numerous Zealots, and the other Protoss, recognizing his distinctive hammer, knew better than to cause trouble. Thus, Fang Senyan proceeded smoothly, avoiding significant hassle.

Stepping through the great doors of the Nexus, Fang Senyan was suddenly overcome by an indescribable sense of ethereal purity, as if his very mind had been momentarily shaken and then washed clean with clear water. The vast interior space gave him the feeling of being underwater—a supremely clear, untainted aquatic environment, like water recently melted from an ancient glacier, yet without any bubbles or difficulty breathing.

At that moment, the arrogant and defiant Socada abruptly dropped to one knee on the floor, his posture one of utter reverence and fear:

"Lord Uraki! You have not merely descended here in spirit!"

A soft, ancient voice responded slowly:

"If my essence had not arrived, this entire base would have fallen long ago. How else could we have held out until the 'Crimson Grasp' was complete?"

Socada looked up in astonishment:

"But if you were here already, why did you not emerge to fight?"

Though Socada's question was presumptuous, this Lord Uraki seemed unusually indulgent, offering an explanation:

"That is because... cough, cough."

The Lord Uraki's violent coughing fit lasted a full ten minutes before subsiding, the quiet, crystal-clear tranquility of the entire base seeming to vibrate with the spasms. He gasped for breath wearily, but Fang Senyan had already quietly whispered to the naive Socada:

"It seems now that the Lord was intentionally luring the Zerg into a war of attrition. If he had appeared, the enemy's Overmind would have shamefully retreated."

Although Fang Senyan spoke softly, nothing could escape the notice of Uraki, a powerful Protoss leader. Fang Senyan's assessment, clearly meant to attract attention, clearly succeeded.

Indeed, although the main body of Uraki was invisible, Fang Senyan clearly felt an intense, precise energy scan pass over him. Soon, the Lord responded with a distinct coolness:

"Human, I first thank you for standing with the great Protoss. You have earned our friendship; I hope you cherish and maintain it diligently, for it will be the most valuable asset of your life."

The arrogance and hauteur of the Protoss were vividly displayed in that single sentence. Fang Senyan respectfully bowed, though inwardly he sneered:

This planet's Pandoran Crystals and GAS mineral resources have already undergone massive extraction; therefore, the remaining veins are finite. Furthermore, the crystals carried on long-distance interstellar flights are also limited. This means one thing: the forces theoretically producible by both the Protoss and the Zerg will be constrained to a smaller scale.

You old fox avoided direct confrontation, naturally intending to use your defensive advantage to grind down the Zerg forces. In this scenario, the aggressively attacking Zerg will suffer the greater losses. The harder they attack now, the fewer bargaining chips they will hold later... I now understand. Someone on the Zerg side must have seen through your intentions, realizing that the Protoss's current 'last stand' posture is feigned. Hence, they have decisively retreated. Your coughing and injury strongly suggest you were greedy for a minor advantage during the pursuit, fell into an ambush, and were struck by an enemy of your own caliber!

Uraki clearly had little desire to converse with Fang Senyan. Without even manifesting a physical form, a ball of blue light appeared and momentarily pulsed over Fang Senyan's brow, officially confirming his "Hero" allied status. This meant Fang Senyan was entitled to the same privileges afforded to Socada and the others.

Immediately afterward, Fang Senyan was propelled out of the Nexus by a force both gentle and resolute—it seemed the leader did not wish him to linger inside for a moment longer.

Headache. Took medicine, going to sleep now. Will resume when I wake up. RS