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Not long ago, aboard the Astral Express, a heavy silence filled the Observation Car.
Dan Heng and Himeko were repeatedly reviewing the surveillance footage showing Kafka's holographic appearance.
"It's simple. This Stellaron has nothing to do with us, but the Xianzhou assigned the blame to the Stellaron Hunters..." Kafka's voice echoed through the speakers.
"Stop!"
Dan Heng, usually the pillar of stoic calm, was visibly agitated—a rare crack in his armor. On the monitor, as Kafka's words faded, another holographic projection flickered into view beside her: a man with long, dark greenish-black hair, eyes the color of fresh blood, and tattered bandages peeking out from beneath his ancient tunic.
When Dan Heng saw that man—Blade—his pupils contracted into pinpricks.
"Do you know him?" Himeko asked, her voice laced with concern.
Dan Heng took a deep, shuddering breath to steady himself, though his hands still trembled. "The Xianzhou is dangerous. If he is there... then Welt, March 7th, Stelle, and Kenta... they are all in mortal peril."
Himeko frowned. "He is connected to... the past you are trying to outrun, isn't he?"
"Yes," Dan Heng whispered, his gaze fixed on the floor. "I can't leave them alone. I fear my debts have finally caught up, and I've dragged the Express into the crossfire."
Himeko offered a warm, reassuring smile. "Don't overthink things, Dan Heng. The rules say the Express remains at a stop for seven standard days. Passengers are free to spend that time as they wish." She leaned in, her eyes encouraging. "Go. It's better than living with the regret of what might happen if you don't."
Dan Heng looked up, his resolve hardening. "Understood."
Stargazer Navalia
Kenta stood by a jade railing, his hands clasped behind his back, watching the starskiffs zip through the air below like schools of silver fish.
"Sushang, where should we go?" he asked suddenly. His tone was heavy with existential weight, the classic "Philosopher's Time" that follows a particularly taxing... encounter.
"Huh?"
The young girl beside him tilted her head. She had brown twin pigtails and wore the bright yellow and white uniform of a Cloud Knight recruit. A greatsword, nearly twice her size, was slung over her back. Her eyes held a clarity that suggested she had never been burdened by a single complex thought.
"Weren't you going to the Exalting Sanctum?" Li Sushang scratched her head. "I was thinking of hitting up Aurum Alley later for some deep-fried finger food."
Kenta: "..."
He let out a soft, weary chuckle. "You misunderstand, friend. I was talking about the ultimate goal of our lives. What is the point of it all?"
"To get you to the Sanctum first, and then the fries," Sushang replied instantly. "Maybe a cup of Immortal's Delight tea if I'm feeling fancy."
Kenta smiled. It was hard to stay depressed around someone so delightfully simple. "Then, Sushang... why did you bring me to Stargazer Navalia instead of the Exalting Sanctum?"
Sushang froze. She let out a series of embarrassed, awkward laughs. "Ahaha... well, I just transferred here from the Yaoqing Xianzhou. I'm... still working on my internal GPS."
Kenta had met her right after staggering out of the alleyway where Kafka had left him. Seeing his disheveled clothes and dazed expression, she had offered to help. Learning she was a Cloud Knight, Kenta had thought he'd found a shortcut.
"Sigh." He rubbed his temples. "Sushang, if you're lost, maybe don't offer to lead the way next time."
"I'm sorry! But I couldn't just leave you looking so miserable!" she defended herself. "Besides, this area is a restricted zone! We have to find an exit!"
Kenta could only nod. He followed her deeper into the docks, but soon, the unmistakable sound of clashing steel echoed from a nearby plaza.
"Fighting? Oh no, Brother Kenta, someone's in trouble!" Sushang's professional ethics kicked in. Before Kenta could even warn her, she had unslung her massive sword and charged toward the noise.
When Kenta caught up, he found Sushang facing a pack of Mara-Struck soldiers. But she wasn't alone. Two men stood by her side.
Kenta's eyes widened. "Dan Heng? What are you doing here?"
He didn't have time to process his friend's surprise appearance because his gaze shifted to the man next to him. The man wore elegant, traveler's robes. He was tall, blonde, and possessed a face so handsome it felt almost artificial. His green eyes were calm, like emeralds.
Kenta's eyebrow twitched violently. An image of a certain "Overseer" from the memories of his previous life flashed in his mind.
Kenta: "..." "Woc! It's Otto Apocalypse!"
Meanwhile, in another part of the Luofu...
Welt Yang, who was currently tracking Kafka with Stelle and March, felt his right eyelid twitch uncontrollably. A sudden, cold shiver of pure dread raced down his spine.
"Did I... not sleep enough last night?" Welt muttered, wiping a bead of cold sweat from his brow. He didn't know why, but he suddenly felt the urge to summon a black hole.
Back at the Docks
"Phew—thank you, Luo... er, Brother Luocha," Sushang panted, leaning on her sword after the last monster fell.
The man named Luocha shook his head gracefully. "It was nothing. You stepped forward to save me; it is only right that I return the favor." He spoke with the refined politeness of a true gentleman.
Dan Heng stood back, his eyes narrowed. He didn't trust the man with the coffin, but he had more pressing concerns—like finding his team.
Sushang finally looked around. "Wait! Where did Kenta go—?"
WHOOSH!
A sonic boom of displaced air arrived before her voice could finish. A violent gust of wind forced everyone to shield their eyes. When they looked up, a shadow was plummeting from the sky like a vengeful meteor.
"You bastard Otto! This strike is for Kiana!"
Kenta's Shard of the Void was unsheathed, its jagged edge wreathed in roaring Black Flames. He fell toward Luocha with the momentum of a falling star, the air screaming as he brought the blade down.
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