["…It does fit the stereotypical impression that Galaxy Rangers give people." Welt did not force Stelle to continue recalling and simply sighed: "These people… are all kinds of strange, unpredictable, and like to travel alone. Sigh, no wonder they would be suspected."]
[Stelle found March 7th on the street. She stared at the grand theater floating in the distance and murmured: "I don't know if it's too sudden, but I always feel… Miss Robin isn't dead and is still living well somewhere. Everything is just a… prank…"]
["Because, isn't this inside a dream? How could anyone die in the Land of Dreams? Shouldn't only good things happen… right?"]
[After experiencing these events, March 7th's mood had clearly dropped as well. She said she just wanted to drink a cold, refreshing soda to calm down.]
[The two returned to Clockie's statue to regroup. Based on the current clues, Himeko suggested starting the investigation with the two murder cases.]
[However, there was one point she was also curious about: "If a person dies in the dream, what about them in reality? Since the Family has authorized us, why don't we first return to reality and verify Miss Firefly's situation at the hotel… We can also inquire about Miss Robin's news while we're at it."]
["How about this? We split into two groups. There are some matters in the dreamscape that I'm concerned about. I want to investigate them first and meet up with you later." Welt proposed.]
[Although Himeko was also curious, she didn't ask much. After the group made their agreement, they parted ways.]
——
Sword Art Online.
"Will they be the same as us?"
Asuna paused. She lowered her head to gaze at the reflection rippling in her cup, which showed her slightly furrowed brows. "…Dying from brain damage caused by microwaves."
Looking back now, Penacony really resembled the situation when they first experienced that game: Everyone entered a virtual world, thinking they could gain wonderful things there, yet they were also shrouded by the shadow of "death."
If they died in the game, they would also die in reality.
"Most likely they would die…" Kirito took a deep breath. "If people who suffered 'death' in the dream returned to reality in a sober state, the truth about 'death' that the Family has been concealing would have spread long ago. The reason people believe Penacony's dreamscape is absolutely safe is precisely because of this unbreakable guarantee."
"For thousands of years there have been no rumors about 'death.' The Family must have tampered with it. Right now, Firefly and Robin have either already had their physical bodies destroyed, or their bodies are still alive but the Family erased their memories of this period in Penacony… I can only think of these two explanations."
——
[After the others walked far away, Welt's gaze fixed steadily on a certain corner.]
["..." Welt's eyes sharpened: "Honored guest, would you please come out and show yourself?"]
[Hearing the footsteps behind him, Welt turned around. However, the moment his gaze landed on Acheron, his pupils suddenly contracted and he couldn't help sucking in a breath of cold air.]
[This… this resemblance is too strong!?]
[Acheron said expressionlessly: "Being stared at like this also makes me feel troubled."]
[Welt quickly adjusted: "Pardon me. My name is Welt Yang, a member of the Astral Express. I believe you have already met my companions."]
["Welt…" Acheron pondered.]
[Welt's gaze darkened: "What about this name?"]
[Acheron did not answer directly but asked in return: "…Before that, won't you ask my name?"]
["That probably won't be necessary, Miss Acheron. You are now a well-known figure in Penacony. Someone claims you are the true culprit behind this string of murders—the Annihilation Gang who came to the banquet also died miserably under your blade. And now, you are attempting to stir up another bloody storm in Penacony."]
["Annihilation Gang." Acheron turned around. "'Died miserably'… That Duke transformed his dying body into blazing flames and sacrificed himself for his cause. He was a firm and heroic Pathstrider. Even if he was a villain, he should not be slandered like this."]
——
Honkai Impact 3rd.
"Pfft—"
Tesla suddenly laughed out loud and elbowed Welt beside her. "Look at that expression of yours. You actually got scared by Mei in another world?"
"Come on, that's not Mei." Welt pushed up his glasses and took a sip of the now-cold bitter coffee. "At least not completely, right? Mei doesn't have such—"
He stopped mid-sentence, unsure how to describe this "Mei" lady. It was mainly her eyes. They were also a pair of beautiful purple eyes, but Mei's gaze was never this empty.
Empty to the point… there was almost nothing, only a desolate wilderness remaining.
"You weren't about to say mature, were you? Acheron is indeed a bit more mature than Mei." Tesla made a "hehe" laughing sound.
"Moreover, among the counterparts that have appeared so far, this 'Miss Mei' is probably the strongest. She's even more dangerous than that Silver Wolf who joined the Stellaron Hunters and can easily rewrite reality." She spoke while chewing her bubble gum. "And I have a premonition… Her strength is probably on par with Jing Yuan, or even a little stronger."
"Stronger than Jing Yuan… Your guess has no basis, does it?"
"So it's just a guess." Tesla blew a big bubble.
Although this "Mei" was very strong, Welt did not feel at ease about it at all. The fact that she could become an Emanator was enough to show that she had walked far enough on a certain Path to catch the gaze of an Aeon. But if that Path wasn't [Hunt], then what was it? This made him both curious and unable to help feeling worried.
——
["Moreover, there is no shortage of suspicious individuals who came by invitation. Do they really think… a long blade is more dangerous than the [Black Hole] in your hand?" Acheron said lightly.]
[Welt's expression changed drastically in an instant.]
["…Very sharp intuition. Even the Family couldn't identify the true nature of this cane." Welt's gaze behind his glasses suddenly became sharp. "So you must also understand, Miss Acheron, that peering into a black hole is not a wise move. As a potentially dangerous individual, your understanding of us has already reached an uncomfortable level—"]
["Reveal your true identity and state your purpose. Otherwise, brace yourself for gravitational disintegration"]
[Facing the immediate threat, Acheron's expression did not change in the slightest: "That kind of thing probably won't happen… But if it can reduce the wariness of you Nameless, I am happy to oblige."]
["Whether you believe it or not, Galaxy Ranger, Acheron… this is my current identity. And my visit to Penacony is only for a long-cherished [wish]."]