Chapter 183: Preparations for an Uncertain War

Liam stared at the rotating globe in his consciousness space, his attention fixed on the world belonging to a player named Leo.

He had already decided on his next target, but choosing a planet to invade and actually preparing for the invasion were two entirely different matters, especially when he knew so little about the opponent waiting on the other side.

"Leo, huh?"

He leaned back slightly, reviewing the information he had gathered so far.

There was nothing particularly reassuring about the limited records available to him, and although he could identify the planet he intended to invade, he had yet to establish how powerful its owner was or what kinds of civilizations existed beneath its skies.

That uncertainty bothered him.

Liam preferred to make decisions based on information rather than blindly throwing himself into situations and hoping things would work out.

He had survived this long by observing, experimenting, and carefully considering the consequences of his actions, and he had no intention of abandoning that approach simply because another player had become his next target.

Unfortunately, the planetary system was no longer as useful as it once had been.

Ever since he became an anomaly, the information it provided had grown increasingly difficult to interpret.

Some functions remained accessible, but the explanations behind them were often incomplete, leaving him unable to understand certain aspects of the system that had once seemed relatively straightforward.

He could still use his abilities.

Understanding everything they represented was another matter entirely.

Liam opened the available interface and examined the information associated with his next target, hoping to find something that might help him evaluate Leo’s strength. The records provided little of practical value, however, and he eventually closed the display without obtaining the answer he wanted.

"Of course. Why would things be easy?"

He did not bother trying again immediately. Repeating the same action without a reason to expect a different result was a waste of time, and Liam had more productive ways to prepare for an invasion than staring at an incomplete interface.

Instead, he decided to approach the problem from another direction.

Astral Projection.

The ability allowed him to extend his consciousness beyond his immediate surroundings, giving him the opportunity to observe distant locations without physically traveling to them.

If the planetary system could not provide a reliable assessment of Leo’s world, then direct observation might reveal enough information to help him make a more informed decision.

Liam activated the skill.

The familiar surroundings of his consciousness space faded from his awareness as his perspective shifted beyond the boundaries of his own planet. The darkness of space stretched around him, filled with distant celestial bodies, until the world he had chosen as his target gradually entered his field of view.

There it was.

Leo’s planet appeared beneath the light of its distant star, its vast oceans and sprawling continents clearly visible from above.

Liam approached cautiously, focusing on the planet’s general condition before attempting to examine its inhabitants or the forces that might be available to its owner.

At first glance, the world seemed relatively stable.

There were numerous signs of civilization scattered across its surface, with settlements occupying different regions and stretches of wilderness separating the more developed areas.

Nothing about the planet’s appearance immediately suggested that it was exceptionally vulnerable, nor did its condition provide any reliable indication of the strength of the player governing it.

Liam narrowed his attention toward the regions where signs of civilization were most prominent.

He wanted to determine whether Leo possessed powerful civilizations capable of resisting an invasion, or whether the planet’s inhabitants were still developing under relatively ordinary circumstances.

Even a rough understanding of the world would be preferable to entering blindly, particularly when a single unexpected ability could complicate the entire operation.

He tried to examine the planet through the system’s usual framework.

Nothing useful appeared.

Liam paused, then attempted to obtain a more direct assessment of Leo’s strength. The system offered no clear measurement, leaving him unable to determine the other player’s authority or the extent of his available abilities.

His expression remained calm, but the result was disappointing. "So much for an easy assessment."

He withdrew his attention from the interface and continued observing the planet through Astral Projection. If he could not determine Leo’s strength numerically, then he would have to rely on visible evidence, identifying anything unusual and gathering as much information as possible before the invasion began.

He examined the planet’s surface for a while longer, taking note of its general geography and the distribution of its settlements. He could not learn everything through distant observation, but he was beginning to understand the environment in which the coming conflict would take place.

Eventually, Liam returned his consciousness to his own world.

The familiar white space reappeared around him, and he allowed himself a moment to organize his thoughts. He had obtained some useful information about Leo’s planet, but the most important question remained unanswered: how would the other player respond when an invasion actually began?

There was only one way to find out.

Liam began reviewing his own available abilities, considering which ones would be most useful during the opening stages of the conflict. He did not intend to spend resources recklessly or unleash everything at once, because doing so would reveal more of his capabilities than necessary before he understood the nature of the opposition.

A measured approach would be better.

First, he would establish a foothold and observe Leo’s response. Once he understood how the other player defended his world, Liam could decide whether to advance more aggressively or adjust his approach based on the circumstances.

It was a simple plan, but it left room for adaptation.

He also considered the possibility that Leo might possess abilities that were difficult to detect through Astral Projection. Liam had encountered enough unusual circumstances to know that appearances could be misleading, and the absence of visible threats did not mean that the planet lacked effective defenses.

Underestimating his opponent would accomplish nothing.

"Let’s assume he has something worth worrying about."

That way, even an unexpected obstacle would not completely disrupt his plans. Liam had no reason to convince himself that victory would be effortless, and he would rather prepare for a difficult confrontation than discover too late that he had overlooked something important.

He returned to the globe and studied Leo’s planet one last time.

The other player was probably unaware that he had already been selected as a target. Somewhere beneath that distant sky, civilizations continued their daily routines, their inhabitants pursuing their own ambitions without realizing that another planetary consciousness was examining their world.

Liam found the thought mildly amusing.

From his perspective, the planet was a collection of unfamiliar regions, civilizations, and possibilities waiting to be explored. For those living on it, however, an invasion could mean the beginning of a conflict that would reshape their lives.

He did not dwell on that distinction for long.

His purpose was not to reassure Leo or make the upcoming encounter fair. He wanted to test his abilities, learn more about the system through actual experience, and determine how another planetary player would respond when faced with an external threat.

If he learned something valuable along the way, then the invasion would serve its purpose regardless of how complicated the process became.

Liam closed the remaining displays and allowed the globe to continue rotating in silence.

The preparations were nearly complete, and there was little reason to delay once he had settled on his approach. He would begin cautiously, observe the initial response, and adjust his actions according to whatever information the conflict revealed.

"All right, Leo. Let’s see what your world has to offer."

His attention remained on the distant planet for a few moments longer before he finally turned away. The decision had already been made, and although he could not predict every consequence, he was ready to take the next step.

The coming invasion would provide answers that observation alone could never guarantee.

And Liam intended to learn as much as he could.