On the screen, a massive dragon-like creature was tearing through the orange grid-like shield outside the space station!
The sturdy dragon claws clashed violently with the shield, sparking flashes of light in the vast cosmos.
But these ripples did not last long, because the dragon claws soon pushed through the force field and broke in.
In an instant, the screen lit up with countless red exclamation marks!
Was it really this powerful?
Bai Ming was momentarily stunned.
At the same time, seeing the red exclamation marks flashing on the screen, Asta immediately realized that this attack was far from simple!
She quickly made a judgment.
"Activate the emergency protocol!" Asta ordered, then turned to look at Himeko beside her.
"The intensity of this assault is unusual."
"You take the train and leave."
"I'll stay behind!"
"Eh?!"
Hearing this, Bai Ming immediately spoke up: "Asta, aren't you coming with us?"
"Well…"
Asta turned back, her expression somewhat complicated.
Just as Bai Ming was about to say something more, Himeko—who had been silent for a while—reached out, pulled her back, and said: "Don't ask too many questions. Let's go."
"This…"
Although it didn't feel right to just leave like this, since it was Himeko's request, Bai Ming had no reason to refuse.
"March, let's go!"
"…"
"March?"
"Don't touch me!" March 7th grumbled, pouting. "I can walk on my own!"
"…"
Bai Ming bit her lip and looked at March 7th beside her.
"Honestly! Naughty kids who don't listen deserve a spanking!"
"W-what?!"
Before March 7th could fully process Bai Ming's words, she was hoisted over Bai Ming's shoulder.
Under Himeko's astonished gaze, Bai Ming endured March 7th's fists—whose attack power had risen to 2—and said with a serious expression: "Alright! I've got March 7th under control. Where should we go now?"
"…This way."
"And Dan Heng, don't stay so far away from us."
"Sigh…" Dan Heng let out a soft sigh. "So you noticed after all."
A few minutes later—
Inside the space station's Support Zone.
This area connected the Master Control Zone and the platform.
Once through here, they would reach their destination.
"The shields in the Support Zone won't hold much longer either. You need to hurry…"
"We'll… hurry…"
After these fragmented words, the communication fell silent.
"The comms are down," Himeko said, looking at her phone.
"Should we go back?" Dan Heng asked. "Just a reminder—that's a Doomsday Beast, the Legion's anti-planetary weapon."
"Eh?! Doomsday Beast?!" Bai Ming exclaimed.
"What's wrong?" Dan Heng looked at Bai Ming. "Is there something unusual about that name?"
"N-no, nothing!" Bai Ming waved her hands repeatedly.
Doomsday Beast?
That name sounded dozens of levels more intimidating than Benares…
Could it be a super-sized Benares?!
Himeko, however, smiled calmly.
"Although Asta funded this space station, the main structure is still under Herta's responsibility. As long as the Emanators of Destruction don't intervene, this place should remain secure."
"But we can't just run away like this, can we?" Bai Ming couldn't help but say. "After all, Asta, she…"
At this point, Dan Heng cut in: "The Doomsday Beast can tear through the shields effortlessly. With Herta absent, the defense systems here are too fragile against the Antimatter Legion."
"The Legion possesses blessings from the Aeon Nanook. They came prepared—the people here won't be able to hold them off."
"Deceiving and ambushing us, huh!" Bai Ming looked displeased. "How awful! That big Benares is just too much?!"
"Big Benares?"
Himeko looked curiously at Bai Ming, who had just said this.
"What's that?"
"Nothing!"
"…"
Himeko hesitated for a moment but didn't press further on the topic. "Just as Dan Heng said, we must leave from here."
Himeko's gaze fell on Bai Ming.
"And we have to take you with us."
"Eh?!" Bai Ming was surprised.
"Her?" Dan Heng pursed his lips in thought.
"Is that so? So… Bai Ming is important?"
"I believe she is the one who can turn the tide. Of course—I could be wrong." As she said this, Himeko looked gently at Bai Ming.
"But rather than doubting, I prefer to believe in Bai Ming. To believe in her potential."
"Sister Himeko… I'm so touched."
Himeko's words warmed Bai Ming's heart.
"Then what can I do for you?"
"How about we get married! Sister Himeko, what do you think?!"
As she said this, Bai Ming's eyes shone with fervor.
Her enthusiasm made it hard to doubt that she was joking.
It seemed that if Himeko agreed, she would immediately take Himeko's hand and go register.
Of course—having experienced this once before, Himeko's immunity had clearly increased significantly. She even turned the tables:
"Sure, that's certainly possible. However, shouldn't you ask what Little March thinks? I feel like she might want to eat you."
"Eh? Eat me?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, Bai Ming felt a bite on her shoulder.
She turned to look—March 7th had lowered her head and bitten Bai Ming's shoulder through her coat!
"March, ouch, ouch, ouch!"
Watching the familiar dynamic between March 7th and Bai Ming, Dan Heng sighed softly and said:
"Alright, in that case, what should we do next?"
At Dan Heng's words, Himeko also became more serious.
"This is the Support Zone where maintenance crew work. It leads to the nearest platform."
"We'll head there and meet up with Welt."
Huh?
Welt?
Hearing this surname, Bai Ming slightly furrowed her brow.
Why did it sound somewhat familiar?
"Eh?"
Hearing Himeko's words, March 7th temporarily released Bai Ming's shoulder.
"Uncle Yang? Uncle Yang is here too? Wasn't he staying on the train?"
Uncle Yang?
Zzt—
A flash of white light went off in Bai Ming's mind.
"Um! Excuse me!" she said.
"What is it?" Himeko looked over.
"Although this might be impolite!" Bai Ming met Himeko's gaze. "But the Uncle Yang you mentioned—is his full name Welt Yang?"
"Yes." Himeko nodded.
"Brown hair, uses a cane, and wears black-framed glasses?"
"…"
Himeko looked at Bai Ming with curiosity.
"Bai Ming, how do you know that? Have you met him before?"
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A/n: Hey over on my patreon there are currently two for the time being exclusive books which are
Life Simulator: Starting in Genshin Impact!
Zenless Zone Zero: Loving Daily Life Starting in New Eridu
patreon.com/deadlygoober