Kafka paid no mind to Silver Wolf’s shouting.
She simply maintained her smile and walked toward her own vice-chair position.
Zao Wu, on the other hand, was subjected to a “coercive” glare from Silver Wolf.
He had no choice but to go to her side and temporarily sit in the seat that originally belonged to Sam.
He didn’t quite understand what Silver Wolf meant by… “being eaten by the bad woman.” After all, Zao Wu had only existed in this world for a very short time since his birth, less than a month.
Although his ability to think and analyze had astounded even a genius cosmic hacker like Silver Wolf.
In fields of knowledge he had yet to touch, he was still like a blank slate, waiting for someone to fill it with words or colors.
Silver Wolf was the one who had smeared the most vibrant colors onto Zao Wu’s blank page.
Thanks to her, the Zao Wu of today could easily be called a “minor god of gaming.” If Silver Wolf had played gal-games, Zao Wu might have learned something about romance.
Fortunately, she had no interest in that genre.
Otherwise, one would truly worry about her painting Zao Wu with… yellowish colors.
Silver Wolf didn’t even have a chance to properly interrogate Zao Wu about what on earth he did last night!
Don’t you dare tell me you went and did… A cough from Kafka, followed by the crisp sound of a pistol being placed on the table.
The atmosphere in the room instantly became much more serious.
Even Blade awoke from his light slumber, a bloody anticipation glinting in his crimson pupils.
Is it time for another mission?
Is it time to take another step closer to the end, to my death?
“First, allow me to convey two important messages on behalf of our irresponsible leader and the organization’s mascot, Elio.” “One, let us welcome our new member.” As she said this, Kafka looked at the handsome boy beside Silver Wolf with eyes full of approval, gentleness, and many other swirling, unnamed emotions.
“Congratulations, Zao Wu.” “Your observation period is over.
From this day forward, you are a member of the Stellaron Hunters.” Zao Wu couldn’t describe his feelings at that moment.
Excitement and elation were certain.
But there were also many… indescribable feelings stirring in his heart.
Was it the feeling of being acknowledged and affirmed?
Of having a new reason for existence?
Or was it because the distance between him and Kafka… had imperceptibly shortened once again?
Clap, clap, clap.
Blade applauded with a blank expression.
In truth, from the moment Zao Wu had finally learned that person’s sword technique two days ago, successfully executing “Fleeting Blossom, Celestial Cascade,” He had already acknowledged him.
As for Silver Wolf’s expression, it could only be described as spectacular.
It nearly rivaled her reaction the last time she got banned by a game company!
Wait!
What on earth happened in just one night!
Don’t tell me Zao Wu rode the bad woman’s coattails for a promotion!
Anything but that!
At that moment, a feeling of “it’s already over before it even began” swirled chaotically in Silver Wolf’s heart.
But she didn’t have the blonde pigtails + childhood friend attributes… Wait a minute—did she actually count as a childhood friend?
Silver Wolf and Zao Wu had spent these past days together in close proximity.
At least in Silver Wolf’s eyes, they had already formed a bond that was more than just friendship.
Thud!
Feeling a little overwhelmed, Silver Wolf suddenly dropped her head onto the conference table with a crisp sound.
A nice sound meant a nice head.
Although Zao Wu had not yet recovered from the pleasant surprise of becoming a Stellaron Hunter.
He still expressed his concern for Sister Silver Wolf at the first opportunity.
“Sister Silver Wolf, are you okay?” “…For now, I’m not dead yet, I guess.” Silver Wolf clutched her reddening forehead, straightening her upper body with a wronged expression.
Zao Wu let out a long sigh of relief.
“As long as you’re okay.
Sister Silver Wolf is my most important friend.” THUD!
“Huh?
Again!?” This time, Silver Wolf was down for the count.
Zao Wu stood beside her, a look of innocent and worried confusion on his face.
Kafka narrowed her eyes, easily seeing through the little girl’s petty schemes.
Should I say our Zao Wu is just that charming?
He could even attract Silver Wolf enough to pull her away from her virtual world and back to reality.
Although, for her, reality was probably just another large-scale immersive simulation game.
But Zao Wu’s position in it would certainly not be that of an NPC.
He would be a player, wouldn’t he?
The woman smiled faintly and returned to the main topic.
“Second, regarding the upcoming mission.” “It’s related to the Trailblazing Astral Express that has just set sail.” “However, we must first make a trip to the Herta Space Station, which is docked in the near-earth orbit of the Blue Planet.” “And while we’re at it, we’ll attract some big guys over~” —o— On the star rail named “The Trailblaze,” a train, styled in black and gold with a retro yet magnificent design, traveled quietly.
It was the sole beacon of hope in this vast, empty, seemingly nihilistic sea of stars.
Inside the Astral Express, a lop-eared, rabbit-like creature wearing a red uniform and a conductor’s hat stood and spoke like a human.
It was happily cleaning the red velvet carpet inside the carriage, humming an indiscernible tune.
However, contrary to what many might expect, it was not a steward or a mascot on the Astral Express.
…Well, maybe it was a mascot.
But it was also the most important conductor on the train!
Its name was “Pom-Pom”!
Today, Pom-Pom was diligently cleaning the train as usual.
Behind him, a young girl with short pink hair and dreamy eyes that shifted between blue and pink, which danced with a mischievous light, was tiptoeing, carefully approaching the cute, fluffy little Pom-Pom.
And then… “Gotcha!
I am the Stellaron Hunter Kafka!
If you don’t want to lose your life, be a good boy and let me pet you!” Saying this, the quirky girl, whose name was read as Kafka but written as March 7th, scooped Pom-Pom up and blissfully snuggled her face into its fluffy body~ “Waaah, help!
Help, Pom!” Poor Pom-Pom actually believed March 7th’s words, struggling with its short arms and legs.
After all, Kafka and the Stellaron Hunters she led were, throughout the entire universe, if not utterly vicious, then at least infamous.
If the Astral Express were truly attacked by the Stellaron Hunters… Pom-Pom probably wouldn’t know what to do.
Perhaps… hiding behind Miss Himeko would be a good idea?
“Little March, stop bullying Pom-Pom.
Come and try the new coffee I brewed~” A gentle, mature, and graceful female voice drifted over.
Not only did it allow the panicked Pom-Pom to identify the prankster and escape from the girl’s embrace, landing softly on the floor.
“March 7th!
You’re the worst, Pom!” It also caused March 7th’s face to darken instantly.
“Sister Himeko!
Anything but that!” — PS: Please, please leave comments and vote~ The readers’ thoughts are very important to the author!
—o—