Herta Space Station.
Master Control Zone.
“We are finally safe.”
“I am completely exhausted.”
March 7th collapsed onto a nearby sofa.
She looked as though she had spent every last bit of energy she possessed.
“Where did Himeko go?”
“She said she would come down and support us.”
“I cannot reach her terminal either.”
Dan Heng surveyed the area.
“Perhaps she encountered a particularly dangerous enemy.”
“There is no reason to worry.”
“She is Himeko.”
“She can take care of herself.”
Numerous station researchers had gathered throughout the Master Control Zone.
Fear remained visible on nearly every face.
The Antimatter Legion’s invasion had clearly shaken them.
With Himeko absent, Dan Heng naturally assumed responsibility for leading the group.
He approached Asta.
“Have you tried contacting Madam Herta?”
“I have.”
Asta sighed helplessly.
“Kai helped Madam Herta test the Simulated Universe not long ago.”
“She is probably analyzing the experimental data.”
“She has not replied to any of my messages.”
“Please do not worry.”
“We will help eliminate the remaining Antimatter Legion forces.”
Asta smiled with relief.
“Thank you.”
A mournful cry suddenly echoed from nearby.
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Stelle was kneeling on the floor in despair.
One hand stretched forward as though she were reaching for something precious that had been cruelly taken from her.
Kai stood before her with a wicked smile.
She held a small station trash can in one hand while searching through it with the other.
“Step away from that trash can.”
“Let me search it.”
Stelle’s furious shouting accomplished nothing.
Kai continued investigating the container without mercy.
A moment later, she pulled a completely new automated floor-cleaning robot from inside.
“Impressive.”
“This trash can has excellent loot.”
“I cannot believe there was actually something valuable in here.”
Kai stored the robot and casually tossed the trash can aside.
It rolled across the floor and stopped beside Stelle.
Stelle immediately embraced it.
The container was now completely empty.
“No.”
Kai crouched beside her and whispered into her ear.
“You have excellent taste.”
“That trash can was premium.”
“Hehe.”
Kai walked away.
Stelle remained on the floor, clutching the empty trash can as though she had suffered an irreversible tragedy.
Melodramatic music seemed to appear from nowhere.
It sounded like the soundtrack to a devastating breakup scene.
Dan Heng remained silent.
March stared at Stelle.
“It was one trash can.”
“Why are you grieving?”
Stelle slowly shook her head.
Her voice became low and strangely dramatic.
“You do not understand.”
“That was not an ordinary trash can.”
“It was one of those incredibly rare ones.”
March hesitated.
“Rare in what way?”
“It was a trash can.”
Silence filled the room.
Stelle’s answer left Dan Heng, March, and Asta without words.
Kai made a strangled sound from the sofa.
Then she burst into uncontrollable laughter.
She rolled back and forth across the cushions while clutching her stomach.
Even Kai had underestimated Stelle’s natural talent for absurdity.
Asta looked apologetically toward the others.
“Please do not misunderstand.”
“Kai is normally very kind and well-behaved.”
Her voice gradually became quieter.
Even she was beginning to doubt that statement.
Kai had always treated Herta, Asta, Arlan, and Peppy kindly.
She had also behaved perfectly during most of her stay aboard the station.
Why did she become such a menace whenever she met someone new?
A tremendous explosion suddenly shook the Master Control Zone.
Warning alarms immediately began sounding.
A video feed appeared across the main display.
Another Doomsday Beast was attacking the station’s protective barrier.
Asta rushed to Kai and took her hand.
“Kai, could you deal with that Doomsday Beast?”
“Yes.”
Kai agreed before Asta could finish asking.
Asta immediately embraced her.
“Thank you, Kai.”
“Kai would never refuse a request from her bestie.”
“Do not worry.”
“That creature will not cause any serious trouble.”
Kai was determined to remain close to her wealthy bestie.
A single Doomsday Beast was nothing.
Asta could have asked Kai to challenge Aha, and Kai would have considered it.
Why Aha instead of Nanook?
Kai could not defeat Nanook.
She had no shame in admitting that.
…
Somewhere in the universe, Aha began laughing about how little respect they received.
Asta released Kai and approached Dan Heng.
“Mr.
Dan Heng, perhaps you should return to the Astral Express.”
“Kai is here, so the station will be safe.”
Kai rose from the sofa.
“I will escort everyone back first.”
“Then Kai can return and play with that creature.”
Dan Heng paused.
He had not expected Kai to volunteer to protect them.
Perhaps she was not as dangerous as he had assumed.
After a brief hesitation, he spoke.
“Thank you.”
March smiled brightly.
“Thank you, Kai.”
“You really are a good person.”
Stelle stared at them.
“How is she good?”
“She stole the treasure from my beloved trash can.”
“Does no one care about my suffering?”
“Friendship is dead.”
Stelle walked into a corner.
She found a small piece of metal and began drawing miserable circles on the floor.
Dan Heng said nothing.
March said nothing.
Kai nearly started laughing again.
March grabbed Stelle’s hand and pulled her upright.
“That is enough dramatic acting.”
“We need to leave.”
After saying goodbye to Asta, the four of them traveled through the Supply Zone toward the Astral Express.
March pointed ahead.
“Look.”
“The platform is right there.”
Kai followed her gaze.
The Astral Express stood upon the broad platform ahead of them.
A roar suddenly thundered above the group.
Everyone looked upward.
The Doomsday Beast that had been attacking the station’s barrier was now circling directly overhead.
March pointed at it confidently.
“Perfect timing.”
“We have Kai with us.”
“You do not scare us.”
She waved toward the enormous creature.
“Come down here.”
The Doomsday Beast immediately began descending.
March stared at it.
She had not expected it to accept the invitation so quickly.
The creature probably felt unfairly criticized.
March had called it down.
Now she looked unhappy because she had listened.
The Doomsday Beast crashed onto the platform before them.
March immediately hid behind Kai and cautiously peeked around her.
“Go, Kai.”
“This is your moment.”
“Defeat it in one hit like the last one.”
Stelle also looked toward Kai expectantly.
Kai was annoying.
There was no denying that.
However, she was undeniably powerful.
The creature before them radiated an oppressive force.
Kai was probably the only person present who could defeat it easily.
Even Dan Heng gave her a solemn nod.
“We are relying on you.”
Under their expectant gazes, Kai nodded confidently.
“Of course.”
“There is no problem.”
“Leave everything to Kai.”
She patted her chest and gave them a reassuring expression.
Then Kai took one step backward.
She gently moved March, Stelle, and Dan Heng in front of herself.
Before anyone could react, she turned around and sprinted toward the Astral Express.
“See you later, losers.”
Silence descended upon the platform.
March, Stelle, and Dan Heng looked at one another.
None of them had expected the situation to develop this way.
March finally released a furious scream.
“You can defeat it in one attack.”
“Why are you running away?”
“Kai, you absolute menace.”
Kai ignored her completely.
Stopping was not an option.
There was no reason to fight the Doomsday Beast when Stelle was there.
The creature would keep the three of them occupied while Kai boarded the Astral Express and handled something far more important.
There was still one essential tradition she had not fulfilled.
As Kai imagined what was about to happen, her smile became increasingly dangerous.
Mr.
Yang.
Are you ready?
Kai is coming.
Hehe.
◉◉◉◉◉
Save to library!