Felicity didn't return to her room. Instead, she headed off in the opposite direction.
As a nominal guest of Herta, her authority was actually greater than that of ordinary researchers. By simply presenting her identity card, she could unlock a certain level of access.
At the very least, the upper levels of the space station were completely accessible to her.
Her target, naturally, was the location of that powerful life energy outside the space station.
If even a Voidranger Trampler could blast a hole through her arm, perhaps the thing outside could obliterate her in an instant?
Perhaps.
Felicity strode forward cheerfully, her gaze sweeping over the shattered walls until she easily found the gaping hole left by the explosion.
Countless Voidrangers had swarmed in through this opening.
Felicity was quite curious—were the numbers of Voidrangers truly infinite? Otherwise, how could such a suicidal tactic sustain them through multiple battles?
Might as well help Asta along the way.
With that thought, Felicity raised her hand and gave a gentle wave. Instantly, a row of rootless trees materialized in the cosmic space before her. Under the authority of the Abundance Path, vibrant green life force stubbornly bloomed even in the vacuum of space.
The Voidrangers possessed no intelligence. Even the relatively scarce and more powerful Tramplers merely had stronger combat instincts.
Without thought, there was no fear. Thus, when they detected Felicity's presence, they fearlessly surged forward, scrambling to tear her apart.
The emerald leaves swayed slightly, and as they trembled, a vine lashed out violently toward the charging Voidrangers. Any Voidranger touched by it had its life force completely drained, transforming into useless space debris drifting aimlessly away.
"It's almost like Plants vs. Zombies," Felicity murmured with a faint smile, her gaze shifting as she tried to locate the most powerful presence among the myriad life signals.
—Found it.
In fact, the creature made no effort to conceal its presence. It circled around the space station as if searching for something.
Soon, it noticed Felicity.
A colossal shadow tore through space, its wings stirring gales strong enough to send nearby Voidrangers flying. It landed before Felicity, tilting its head back and emitting a terrifying screech.
"Roar—"
It resembled a dragon, with an excessively long but seemingly useless tail and wings for flight. Yet its midsection had a humanoid form, encased entirely in purple scale armor. Around what appeared to be its chest, a core-like object pulsed with violet light.
"...Hmm," Felicity rested her chin on her hand, studying the enemy for a moment before gently shaking her head.
"Though several tiers stronger than a Trampler, its power still seems... insufficient."
This level of strength was nowhere near enough to kill her.
Might as well help Asta resolve this nuisance.
Felicity puckered her lips, glanced back at the ongoing Plants vs. Zombies scene behind her, then returned her focus to the Doomsday Beast before her.
She raised her hand, and a massive wooden spear coalesced above her head.
The Doomsday Beast seemed to sense danger. It quickly ascended slightly, and a purple magic circle materialized behind it. Dozens of golden specks of light shimmered around its body, resembling a sky full of stars.
At its chest, the object suspected to be its core also began to glow.
Felicity blinked and flicked her finger, launching the wooden spear. It cut through the void, piercing straight into the core on the Doomsday Beast's chest.
*Sss—*
The wooden spear pierced through the core, simultaneously impaling the Doomsday Beast's entire body. The half-charged attack was instantly interrupted, and its massive frame plummeted rapidly like a deflated balloon.
Felicity clapped her hands lightly. She could sense the Doomsday Beast's life force fading—it seemed this had been the strongest attacker in the space station assault. In that case, it was about time for her to head back.
But just then, a life force even more powerful than the Doomsday Beast's suddenly caught her attention. She instinctively turned toward the direction it emanated from.
In the cosmic void, a tall, upright man drifted slowly toward Felicity.
Dressed in a gray-brown formal suit, draped with a gray cape, and leaning solely on a cane, the brown-haired man appeared like a shadowy silhouette.
As if noticing Felicity's scrutinizing gaze, he finally halted his approach, gently adjusted his glasses, and spoke first:
"I am Welt Yang, a Nameless of the Astral Express. May I ask for your esteemed name, senior?"
Ah, Welt.
Felicity observed him, confirming his identity only after he introduced himself.
Welt was also a passenger aboard the Astral Express, but he rarely disembarked. Even someone as idle as Felicity had only seen him a handful of times.
If not for a faint impression, Felicity might have attacked the moment Welt approached.
"I am Felicity, sort of the... assistant station master of Herta Space Station?"
Felicity pondered briefly before recalling the role Herta had casually assigned her.
To avoid misunderstandings, she paused before adding, "Not the assistant to the acting station master."
Not the assistant to the acting station master?
Welt was slightly taken aback. Aside from the acting station master, Herta Space Station had only one true owner—the lady of the Genius Society #83, Herta herself.
He glanced at the ongoing "plants vs. zombies" spectacle not far away and nodded calmly.
In terms of strength alone, Felicity certainly qualified as Herta's assistant, and she had no reason to deceive him.
"The Astral Express happened to pass by and witnessed the space station facing this calamity. We've come to offer support," Welt explained to Felicity.
"Mm, I've already heard the details from your companions March 7th and Dan Heng. The situation is mostly resolved now, so let's each handle our duties and report back," Felicity replied, nodding at Welt. Since she knew he was an ally, there was no need to waste time on small talk.
"No, I'm afraid it's not over yet."
Just as Felicity turned to leave, Welt suddenly spoke up, stopping her. He pointed at the Doomsday Beast, which had been impaled by Felicity's Abundance spear, and slowly explained:
"The Doomsday Beast has imprisoned the unresolved and undying will of all living beings. Its core is an engine powered by dark matter—even if its body is pierced, it won't die so easily."
"...?"
Felicity froze for a moment, then whirled around. Sure enough, she saw the colossal figure streaking toward the space station at breakneck speed.
"Why didn't you say so earlier?!"