By now, everyone had finished explaining things to Pom-Pom.
Pom-Pom had learned about what everyone had encountered at the Space Station.
What it found most unbelievable was that Theresa had actually become an Emanator of Elation.
Moreover, it was most afraid of the Masked Fools; it had been pranked miserably by them in the past!
“Well, Passenger Theresa, you need to make a three-point agreement with the Conductor.”
“First, you cannot prank or tease other passengers on the Astral Express.
You cannot use Astral Express funds to buy other animals, not even insects!
Finally, you cannot play jokes on the Conductor, mess with the Conductor’s food, or damage the Astral Express.
Especially that last one—Passenger Theresa, do you understand?”
Pom-Pom looked up at Theresa to finalize the agreement.
[Understood, Master.
Thank you, Conductor~]
“Mm-hmm, I understand.
I’m not the type to do anything for amusement at all costs.
To me, that would actually be quite repulsive.”
Theresa explained to Pom-Pom with a drop of sweat on her brow, ignoring the Homu System’s antics.
Pom-Pom sighed in relief upon hearing this; after all, it had been treated quite badly by a previous Trailblazer.
{As for how badly the Conductor was pranked, you can refer to Akivili’s Dream Bubble; I won’t go into detail here.}
“Also, everyone doesn’t need to worry so much.
I’m not a true Emanator of Elation yet because I haven’t put on the mask.
I have a hunch that the mask is a one-time use item, as you all saw it absorb a massive amount of Power of Elation from Aha the Elation.”
“I have a strong intuition that once I wear that mask, irreversible changes will occur.
I might become stronger, but whether I’ll become ‘wiser’ is unknown.
So, I’ve decided not to wear it unless it’s a critical moment.”
Theresa’s words left everyone in deep thought.
After all, they had all witnessed the transformation of that strange mask after it absorbed such a vast amount of Power of Elation—changing from an ominous Stone Mask into a sophisticated jade-like one.
[My Little Cutie, the way you talk makes it sound like putting on the Golden Hoop—once it’s on, there’s no going back.
Are you too deep into ‘Black Myth: Wukong’?
Why not send me 328 so I can become the Destined One~]
The Homu System’s snark made Theresa feel helpless.
She only then realized her words did indeed have the vibe of Sun Wukong putting on the Golden Hoop.
“Just to be safe, Theresa, you should maintain the status quo.
Although your combat power has helped us a lot, neither I nor the others would want you to take unnecessary risks.”
Welt looked at Theresa and spoke seriously.
Theresa nodded; becoming Theresa was already a huge win for her, and she didn’t want to put on a mask and turn into some weirdo.
[You don’t need to worry about that, Little Cutie.
The essence of the Stone Mask is an ascension of the life-tier.
Even this system isn’t quite sure what changes will occur after it absorbs the power of that God of Amusement, but it won’t be negative.
After all, He calls you ‘Little Cutie’ too, right?]
Wouldn’t that be drop-dead gorgeous?
Ahhh, this system is getting excited!
Why am I just a system?
Curse that Immortal Dragon o(╥﹏╥)o]
Theresa listened to the Homu System’s rambling with a sweatdrop.
She actually liked Luna Kindred quite a bit.
After all, what Captain doesn’t love their official pairing?
She’s so beautiful and…
well, ‘big,’ and she’s gentle to her own while swinging a chainsaw at enemies.
How cool is that!?
“Everyone, take a rest.
Tomorrow, the Astral Express will begin its warp jump to the next stop: Jarilo-VI.”
Pom-Pom told everyone to rest.
At that moment, Welt cleared his throat, causing Stelle and March 7th—who were about to pry open the puppet’s legs—to freeze up.
“As a man, there are some things I’d rather not get involved in, but are you sure you want to investigate Herta’s puppet in full view of everyone in the Express parlor?”
Welt asked awkwardly, looking at the equally awkward Stelle and March 7th.
The two of them gave an embarrassed laugh.
“Let’s go, Theresa.
We’ll take you to your new room.”
March 7th led Stelle and Theresa to Theresa’s new room.
The room had already been prepared by Pom-Pom.
It was styled in pink and blue, with a thick, soft mattress just like March 7th’s, covered in light and fluffy bedding.
Furthermore, the room was equipped with a computer.
Although she didn’t know where Pom-Pom had pulled it from, Theresa felt the specs probably weren’t too bad.
“Hmm, not bad, not bad at all.
It has a nice girly style.
And this bed is quite big—how about we all sleep together tonight?”
March 7th suggested excitedly, looking at the two-meter-wide bed.
“Huh?
That…
isn’t that inappropriate?
This is my first time sleeping with other girls.
I don’t know if I’ll be used to it.”
Theresa shouted, her face flushing.
After all, she used to be a boy; she wasn’t the ‘real’ Theresa.
[You were clearly a femboy, okay?]
{Get lost!}
Theresa snapped back at the Homu System in her mind.
[(*^▽^*) Hehe.
You’re cute even when you’re angry.]
Theresa tried her best to ignore it.
Even though it was her best friend transformed into a system, and she heard it was working hard to take on a human form, right now it had just become a professional heckler. Follow the newest chapters on novelping(.)com.
“Theresa, come see how to turn on the Herta Puppet.
Do we press this ‘Happy Bean’?”
March 7th asked curiously.
Since they were all girls, she was quite blunt about it.
[Oho, ‘Happy Bean.’ A pair of A’s, can’t beat that~]
The Homu System started acting up again.
Theresa secretly clenched her fist.
Don’t think she didn’t understand the system was mocking her for being flat!
“Emm, let me see.”
With a slight blush, Theresa explored the Herta Puppet.
Finally, she found a button in the center of its chest and pressed it out of curiosity.
[Beep.
Herta Puppet booting up.
Please do not press buttons randomly, or I’ll show you an explosion.]
[Please enter the Secret Key.]
The Herta Puppet’s mechanical voice rang out.
Theresa, March 7th, and Stelle were instantly bewildered.
How were they supposed to know the key?
But Theresa recalled that when Herta took everyone to the office, she had indeed entered a password, and it was in Pinyin.
The Homu System reminded her.
“Right, I remember now.
It’s the transliteration of ‘Herta is the World’s Cutest.'”
“But how do we input it?
There’s only one button.”
As Theresa spoke in confusion, the Herta Puppet’s rigid expression became lively.
[Secret Key detected.
Activation successful.
Please select service mode: Housekeeping Mode, Pleasure Mode, Combat Mode.]
The trio’s eyes lit up.
Theresa’s eyes darted around.
“Pleasure Mode!”
Theresa shouted excitedly.
March 7th and Stelle looked at her in shock; they hadn’t expected Theresa to be like this.
[Selection failed.
This mode is locked.
Defaulting to Housekeeping Mode.]
[You want to play with me?
You’re dreaming!
This is a recording from Herta herself.]
The Herta Puppet said, looking at the group.