"Then, according to Elio's script, it seems we've run into an unexpected situation, haven't we?"
Kafka smiled.
"Hm?"
Silver Wolf froze for a moment and thought back carefully.
"What do you think the chances are of an error or unexpected situation appearing in a script guided by Elio?"
"Practically zero!"
Silver Wolf answered without hesitation.
"Exactly. So this time, not only did we encounter an unexpected situation, we encountered it twice."
"Twice?"
"That's right, twice!"
Kafka reached out and poured herself a cup of tea, savoring it elegantly.
"You mean the person hiding in the warehouse when we first arrived, and that country girl we ran into on the way back?"
"Exactly!"
Kafka nodded.
"You mean..."
"If I'm not mistaken, the person hiding in the warehouse was that child we encountered later."
"But even so..."
"She was the unexpected variable in the script! And because of her appearance, the script's unexpected variables gained even more possible directions..."
That was how Kafka explained it.
Beep, beep, beep.
Just then, Kafka's terminal received a message notification.
She picked up the terminal and looked at the message. Her brows furrowed slightly at first, then she let out a sigh.
"What is it?"
"It's from Elio. He said that just now, the original scenario where only Stelle boarded the train changed. There's now one more person."
"Uh..."
Silver Wolf was dumbfounded.
Kafka had just said that the country girl was an unexpected variable who had disrupted the script's course, and immediately afterward, the Astral Express crew gained another passenger.
That was a little too accurate.
"Which direction will things head in next?"
Kafka walked to the spaceship's window and gazed at the endless universe outside, thinking to herself.
Meanwhile, Liuge and Stelle, who had already boarded the Astral Express, were each assigned a room.
However, while Liuge peacefully tidied up his room, Stelle would occasionally run over to visit March 7th, claiming it was to strengthen their bond.
"Passenger Liuge, these are the toiletries and fresh bedding prepared for you. If you need anything else, please purchase it yourself after we stop at the next station."
At that moment, a small figure resembling a plush toy, dressed in a conductor's uniform, entered Liuge's room while carrying a pile of things.
"Thanks for your hard work, Pam Train Conductor."
Liuge reached out to take the items from Pam's hands, casually taking away the golden orb floating above Pam's head at the same time.
Obtained Stat-Stick [Luck] Quality · Gold Effect: After equipping it, you have a higher chance of gaining the favor of women, while also receiving the blessing of good luck.
Liuge's eyes immediately widened.
As expected of the Astral Express's mascot. Even the Stat-Stick it gave was this badass.
Liuge did not care about gaining women's favor. What he cared about was good luck.
Well, he hoped the luck stat could make up for his terrible gacha luck.
Even if it merely balanced things out and brought him up to an ordinary person's level, that would be fine.
Liuge was so happy that he nearly picked Pam up and gave her a thorough rubbing.
"It's nothing. Taking care of passengers is one of the necessary rules."
"Can you keep me company while I sleep?"
The instant those words fell, Liuge saw Pam abruptly retreat four or five steps, staring at him with wary eyes.
"Passenger Liuge, please watch your words. Pam is the conductor, not a mascot, and even less of a body pillow!"
"Ahem, Pam. Was such an intense reaction really necessary?"
Liuge was speechless.
"No. Before you, Passenger March 7th said the same thing. She even put it into action."
"..."
Alright, someone had already made the first move.
"Alright, jokes aside. I'll go see what Passenger Stelle needs first."
After saying that, Pam marched off toward Stelle's room on her short little legs.
Liuge opened his mouth. He really wanted to say that Stelle was probably slacking off in March 7th's room right now.
But judging by Pam's expression, he knew stopping Pam would probably be useless, so he said nothing.
After nearly an hour of busy work, Liuge looked around his room and silently nodded.
It was now about one-third similar to what he had before transmigrating.
After finishing everything, he flopped onto the soft bed and opened Aether Edit.
Looking at the five newly added Stat-Sticks marked with "new" in the Stat-Stick Library, the corners of his mouth rose slightly.
One white, two blue, and two gold Stat-Sticks. He had specially picked them up while wandering around the master control zone before leaving.
Stat-Stick · Trash Can Quality · White Effect: No matter where you are, as long as you have equipped this Stat-Stick, your mouth will be a bottomless Trash Can.
Looking at this Stat-Stick, Liuge's mouth twitched.
Was this thing really necessary?
Stat-Stick · Childhood Sweetheart Quality · Blue Effect: After equipping this Stat-Stick, you will invisibly gain an aura known as Childhood Sweetheart. In the eyes of others, your presence will be both the most familiar and the most unfamiliar. Stat-Stick · Guardian Quality · Blue Effect: After equipping this Stat-Stick, when you protect others, you will prioritize protecting others.
The two blue Stat-Sticks had been picked up by Liuge in the security department.
However, judging by their names, Liuge could roughly guess who had dropped these two Stat-Sticks.
That's right, I'm talking about you—Arlan!
So hurry up and bring out your main account to protect your Childhood Sweetheart already!!!
After grumbling internally for a while, Liuge turned his gaze toward the remaining two gold Stat-Sticks.
Stat-Stick · Friend of Rich Women Quality · Gold Effect: After equipping this Stat-Stick, whenever you encounter a being with the rich woman attribute, regardless of the time, you will receive a gift. (Note: So what will you receive? A rich woman's happy ball, or a rich woman's joyful whip?)
"Hey, wouldn't this Stat-Stick be better without the note?!"
Why were all these new Stat-Sticks so useless?! They were not even as good as the mascot Pam had just given him.
Stat-Stick · Genius Quality · Gold Effect: A genius is a genius. Everything you do will be considered the profound meaning unique to a genius. (Note: Geniuses are on the left, madmen are on the right, and you... my friend, stand at the crossroads!)
Stelle: Trust me, coffee really isn't bitter at all.
Liuge's expression at that moment was exactly that of an old man staring at a phone on the subway.
What even was all this?
Although the effects of the gold Stat-Sticks were great, the notes really seemed unnecessary no matter how he looked at them.
After thinking for a moment, Liuge looked at the blue Stat-Stick · Guardian and pondered a little.
He reached out and separated the Stat-Stick skill Puppet Control, turning it back into Silk Thread and Puppet.
Stat-Stick: Puppet Quality · Gold Effect: Can be placed on an ownerless object, granting you 100% control over it. Silk Thread Quality · White Effect: You can try using it to fish. It's tough and unyielding.
Looking at the two separated Stat-Sticks, Liuge silently combined Puppet and Guardian.
However, there was no response at all, as though they simply could not be combined.
"Did I make a mistake somewhere?"
Liuge thought for a moment, his gaze lingering briefly on the Guardian Stat-Stick.
Guardian, guardian... without combat power, how could it count as a guardian?
With that thought in mind, Liuge added the extra white Stat-Sticks, Strength and Speed, into the combination as well.
And just as Liuge had expected, after adding the two basic attribute Stat-Sticks, the combination of Puppet and Guardian proceeded incredibly smoothly.
Right before him, a brand-new Stat-Stick marked with "new" appeared: Stat-Stick [War Machine Bodyguard].
Stat-Stick [War Machine Bodyguard] Quality · Gold Effect: Place it on an ownerless humanoid object to transform it into a guardian-type Battle-Ready Bodyguard possessing both strength and speed. (Trust me, he can beat fifty of you.)
No, why was this Stat-Stick insulting people too?
Slightly annoyed, Liuge's gaze was drawn to another purple Stat-Stick.
Stat-Stick · Holy Sword of Physics Quality · Purple Description: This is a golden mischievous little piggy, a Stat-Stick brought out from a region filled with chaos. It possesses the ability to clear one's mind.
"No, it was brought out from a chaotic region and clears people's minds? Why is this Stat-Stick so twisted?"
Still, how could a guardian not have a weapon?
You guys agree, right?
Thinking that, Liuge once again combined the purple Stat-Stick · Holy Sword of Physics into the Stat-Stick [War Machine Bodyguard].
Before you continue