"Ah… this place isn't good. The Master Diviner would have to walk a long way, and there's no benefit for me either… Let's meet up ahead."
Kafka turned sideways, muttering incomprehensible words as she walked toward the deeper recesses of the area.
The two controlled Cloud Knights by her side leaped down from the shipping containers. Subsequently, other controlled and hidden Cloud Knights revealed themselves from the surroundings, brandishing their guandaos and closing in on the Astral Express crew.
"Prepare for battle, but do not harm them."
Welt lifted his cane and assumed a combat stance, reminding the others beside him.
"Don't worry, they're just being controlled. Knocking them out will be enough," Wende said with a smile. Incapacitating people without taking their lives was his area of expertise.
He didn't even need to switch to his five-star template; he could accomplish this just fine in his four-star state!
"Condense!"
Wende's brow furrowed, and dozens of lightning needles materialized behind him.
Swish!!
A Cloud Knight's guandao cleaved down toward Wende's face with the force to split a mountain.
"Go!"
With a command from Wende, hundreds of lightning needles shot out in unison. Under Wende's precise control, each needle pierced into the acupuncture points of every controlled Cloud Knight and released an electric current.
BZZZZZZT!
For a moment, it was a chaotic dance of electrified bodies.
"Er… are they really going to be okay?"
Looking at the Cloud Knights, who were now emitting black smoke, Tingyun asked Wende weakly.
"Rest assured, the physical fortitude of Xianzhou natives can withstand it. This will just make them take a short nap," Wende said with a reassuring smile to put her at ease.
But…
Looking at the Cloud Knights, who were charred black from the electricity… Tingyun couldn't help but ask in her mind…
"Are the bodies of Xianzhou natives really that resistant to electricity?"
March 7th didn't have any doubts as she looked at the Cloud Knights on the ground, but her gaze toward Stelle was filled with curiosity.
Given the degree to which Stelle got zapped by Wende every day, was it possible that Wende's definition of "normal" was relative to Stelle's tolerance?
"Let's hurry and chase Kafka!" Welt said, pushing up his glasses. It was best to leave these Cloud Knights here for a while. They had already cleared out the nearby Abundance Abominations, so they would be safe lying here.
Welt looked at the Cloud Knights, still emitting black smoke, and silently raised his head.
They probably won't catch a cold either.
"Charge! Kafka! Here we come!"
Little March shouted and then dashed off with great momentum in the direction Kafka had disappeared.
The group followed Kafka's tracks and found her figure once again. She was standing behind a large door, chuckling softly at them.
"Everyone… more haste, less speed."
Kafka smiled mysteriously, then closed the doors.
The large gate locked with a thud, once again cutting off their pursuit.
"Damn it! That woman is toying with us again! There's no way to get through!" March stomped her foot. They had been played by this woman the entire time!
"March, don't be hasty."
Welt placed a hand on the impatient March. The more anxious they became, the more it would benefit the enemy.
"Damn it! Kafka! Why! Why are you avoiding me! The pain! It's too painful!!!"
Sister Guoguo covered her face and wailed. This feeling, like chasing after her own unattainable high-school crush! To think she would encounter it in a game!!!
[This is where a sad little tune should play.]
[She stands elegantly on the other side of the door, my love! My dearest love! For her! I am willing to give everything!]
[Culture bro, vivo 50!]
[The atmosphere has suddenly turned very 'rejected-loser.' Do you guys have any idea why?]
[I dunno?]
[Zoe! Twilight! Aspect! You will pay for this ahhhhhh!]
[Hey, you're on the wrong channel!]
[Look, the options are up!]
The stream chat returned to the main topic, and Sister Guoguo, having ended her dark and twisted state, looked at the in-game options and fell into deep thought.
[Option 1: Look at Wende.]
[Option 2: Look at Welt.]
[Option 3: Look at Tingyun.]
"This… looking at someone won't trigger a special plot like before, will it?" Sister Guoguo said, a little uncertain.
[You'll pick Wende anyway.]
[You'll pick Wende anyway x2]
[x3]
[xN!]
"Tch, so boring."
Sister Guoguo curled her lip in disdain.
"Is that the kind of person you think I am?"
[Yes.]
[yes.]
[はい]
[ใช่]
[Are you guys holding an international friendship exchange meeting here?]
"Tch."
Sister Guoguo clicked her tongue disdainfully, then, amidst the stream's chorus of "as expected," she chose to look at Wende.
Stare…
Stelle looked at Wende, her golden eyes filled with anticipation and pleading, like a pitiful little raccoon begging for instant noodles.
Oh no…
Seeing Stelle's gaze, Wende sensed trouble.
For a brief moment, he was actually moved by that look!
"Alright… leave it to me."
Wende nodded with understanding.
Under the astonished gazes of the others, Wende walked straight to the sealed gate and slowly reached out his hand.
Bzzzt…
Clack…
The tightly locked gate slowly swung open. On the other side of the door, Kafka stared at Wende, who had just unlocked it, with a look of pure astonishment.
"?"
"?"
[?]
[Alright, alright, Wende has been officially crowned the Lockpick Tool.]
[I mean, he's had that title before, it just wasn't as explosive as this time…]
[I just came from Kakaya's stream, he chose to look at Tingyun, and Tingyun led him on a detour hahahaha!]
[The ones who picked Old Yang also took a detour.]
[So this was basically a level-skip!]
[Seeing the surprised look on Kafka's face, I… got hard.]
[Screenshotting this, I've got my material for tonight!]
[Kafka: Wende? When did you get here?]
[Stelle: That's right, I love you too.]
[No, no, no, it should be, Stelle: Hehehe! Kafka and Wende, I love you both the same!]
"Kafka! You have nowhere left to run!"
March drew her bow and aimed it at the stunned Kafka.
Stelle also silently moved in front of Kafka, assuming a fighting stance.
"Surrender now, and you can maintain some dignity."
A white glint flashed across Welt's glasses.
Wende stood behind Stelle, holding a lightning needle, his other hand resting on the system panel.
Should I test the five-star panel on her here…
"Heh… it seems I've underestimated you… however…"
A cold glint flashed from Kafka's long sword.
"This, too, is within the [Future]."