At this point, Stelle was sweating profusely. Playing dumb, acting cute, pulling connections, and even escaping had all failed. Was her only fate to inexplicably sign a contract and become an indentured worker like Bailu?
No, she didn't want that!
But she'd seen the mechanics of that defense tower—it was the ultimate counter to her Flame Lance!
It was like playing the Simulated Universe, maxing out [Hunt] and [Erudition] for priority turns, only to be hit with "You're the challenger now" and realizing you have to control the boss, utterly powerless.
Yet, at this critical moment, Stelle's gaze caught a familiar figure in a black suit with blonde hair nearby—it was Aventurine, the same Aventurine she'd seen in the hotel lobby not long ago!
Her mind raced, and she made a ruthless decision: Owing money to the company was better than owing Penacony!
The company might be capitalist, but at least their employees still looked human. In Penacony? Don't kid yourself. Sunday would solemnly tell you, "Treat employees like people? That makes them apes. We don't take apes—go find Dr. Primitive."
So, Stelle raised her hand and shouted with all her might: "Hey—! Aventurine! Godfather! Look at me, please!"
"…"
Aventurine kept his head down, engrossed in something, as if he hadn't heard a thing.
Stelle grew frantic: "Help, Aventurine! Help—!!! Please, just look at me!"
Aventurine (exe. not responding).
"Miss, please cooperate and pay the fine, or we will take punitive measures against you," the musical note sprite said emotionlessly.
Stelle swallowed, instinctively stepping back. What now? Aventurine was zoning out again. Unless she ran right up to him, she could probably scream her throat raw, and he still wouldn't notice her.
But if she showed any intent to escape, her long legs, though impressive, probably couldn't outrun a laser.
What to do?
—"Miss, you have 30 seconds to comply. If you resist, we will take forceful measures."
The musical note sprite kept piling on the pressure.
Screw it!
Stelle gritted her teeth, took a deep breath, and turned to sprint toward Aventurine.
It was time to sacrifice her dignity!
Whoosh—
The moment she turned, the Clockie defense tower fired a laser, reaching her in just a single frame.
Boom!
Fortunately, Stelle was prepared. She summoned her Flame Lance, flames mixed with amber light enveloping her, leaving her unscathed.
About twenty meters left!
Stelle didn't dare delay. Before the tower's next attack, she took a giant step toward Aventurine, using "Leap of Faith"!
This parabolic arc would definitely reach him…
Thud.
Just as Stelle was about to reach Aventurine, a strong arm suddenly shot out from the side, grabbing her by the collar like a raccoon, stopping her just short of touching him.
Who? Who?!
The sudden drop from hope to despair stunned Stelle, then filled her with rage. Who dared ruin her plan? She was going to…
…?
The person grabbing her wore a breathable short-sleeved shirt, with damp purple hair still carrying the scent of a recent bath.
Her skin was fair, her slender arm deceptively delicate, yet it held unimaginable strength.
This person… so familiar!
Stelle's eyes widened as she looked at the purple-haired girl before her. A towering figure gradually formed in her mind. Though the two images overlapped heavily, she struggled to convince herself it was real.
Dr… Dr. Ratio, Veritas Ratio… why do you look like this?!
Gender-swapped? This… this isn't right, is it?
No, no, maybe it's not a gender swap. Maybe it's just this version of Dr. Ratio's little quirk. It's a dream, after all—wearing women's clothes shouldn't be a big deal, haha…
"Hm?"
With such a commotion, Aventurine finally noticed something was off. He turned around, blinked, and asked wearily, "Uh… what's going on? Who are you two?"
Ratio flicked Aventurine's forehead hard. "Idiot, I was gone for five minutes, and your damned habit kicked in again?"
Her voice was crisp and melodious, distinctly feminine.
Aventurine scratched his head. "Oh… it's, uh, Ratio… Sorry, I forgot you again. And who's this? She seems familiar…"
Hearing Aventurine notice her, Stelle flailed her limbs, gesturing wildly. "Aventurine, it's me, your good friend Stelle! We met in the hotel lobby, remember?"
"Stelle…?"
Aventurine frowned, thinking hard for a long time before shaking his head. "Don't remember."
Stelle: ???
Bro, we met just three system hours ago!
Your words are breaking my heart!
"Probably just another person trying to pull strings," Ratio said, furrowing her delicate brows and yanking Stelle closer, her tone sharp. "I don't care who you are, but I'm warning you: this money-losing fool may be a pain, but he's under my protection. Next time you try to pull connections, pick someone else."
Stelle, too overwhelmed by Ratio's transformation to care, clung desperately to her arm. "Wait, I can explain! I'm with the Astral Express…"
But before she could finish, Ratio flung her arm, tossing Stelle like a piece of chalk. "Negative score. Get lost!"
Whoosh—
Stelle's body shot into the sky like a cannonball, reaching its peak before free-falling and crashing into the ground, leaving a crater.
At that moment, the musical note sprites caught up, deftly restraining Stelle's arms and legs, rendering her unable to resist.
"Target deemed unable to pay the fine. Take her away, sign the labor contract," the musical note sprite declared.
Seeing this, Ratio shook her head, her eyes devoid of any pity. "…Hmph, another hopeless case."
"Aventurine, let's go."
"Jade Butterfly!" Stelle shouted, struggling. "No! Aventurine! Aventurine!"
"Aventurine, how am I supposed to live without you?!"
"Aventurine, don't go! Aventurine! Take me with you, Aventurine!"
"…"
"What's wrong?"
Ratio looked at Aventurine, who had suddenly stopped walking, and asked.
She knew this money-loser well—few things could make him pause.
Aventurine rubbed his head. "I feel like I've heard this girl's voice somewhere… I think I do know her."
"Tch, you know a lot of people," Ratio said, crossing her arms indifferently. "Do whatever you want, I don't care. I can't control your Strategic Investment Department anyway, and your screw-ups don't affect my profits."
Aventurine let out an "oh," then turned to the group of musical note sprites, his voice halting. "Let… go of that… girl…"