Unexplained Anxiety

(Second update, please vote and collect)

For the next two days, Xiao Ran continued to stay in the Archangel's hangar whenever he had free time. Watching the Ginn being disassembled and modified, gradually taking the shape he envisioned, Xiao Ran couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. However, in two days, even with the entire maintenance crew working together, they couldn't accomplish much.

Currently, the Ginn's arms had been repaired and equipped with spare hands from the Strike Gundam, and the shoulder armor on both sides had been installed, making it barely capable of combat deployment. The Ginn's original right shoulder armor was moved to the left, while the right side used spare parts from the Strike Gundam. While these modifications seemed simple, they were actually quite troublesome.

The wiring for the power supply, the integration of interfaces, and other aspects all required significant time for debugging, not to mention the issue of the unit's balance.

Fortunately, Kira would also come to the hangar to help when he had free time. With the participation of this strongest Coordinator, the Ginn's modifications, though troublesome and slower, were progressing well overall without any major issues. Especially in terms of unit parameters and systems, he solved many problems for the maintenance crew.

Xiao Ran also noticed that Kira always took too long when delivering food to Lacus, and would disappear for a period at night, about half an hour to an hour. Of course, this wasn't to say that Kira and Lacus had any improper relationship, but rather that as fellow Coordinators, the two were simply confiding in each other, which Xiao Ran found a bit amusing.

If it were him, Xiao Ran, heh heh, as long as the shovel was dug well, no corner couldn't be dug up, he would have already made a decisive move.

When the advance fleet information from the Eighth Fleet reached the Archangel, everyone on the Archangel, except for Xiao Ran who had already seen through everything, was filled with laughter and joy, happy about their imminent safety. Especially the civilians on the Archangel; if they had alcohol, they might have already gotten drunk on board.

Amidst this liveliness, Xiao Ran calmly, even with a hint of anxiety, urged the maintenance crew to continue the Ginn's modification work. However, for most of the maintenance crew, who were about to rendezvous with the Eighth Fleet, there was no need to waste time continuing the Ginn's modification. Ultimately, under Sergeant Maddox's order, they reluctantly continued.

Seeing the unmotivated maintenance crew half-heartedly modifying the Ginn, Xiao Ran was helpless. He didn't know what to say. He couldn't exactly say that the Eighth Fleet would soon be wiped out and that the Archangel would have to rely on itself. If he, Xiao Ran, dared to say that, he was sure everyone on the ship would think he was crazy.

On the way to rendezvous with the advance team of the Eighth Fleet, Kira found Xiao Ran. He didn't know what Kira had heard from Tolle and Sai, but as soon as he found Xiao Ran, he blurted out a lot of things, urgently wanting to ask Xiao Ran for help in sending Lacus and the green-clad pilot Moriya away.

Seeing Kira's worried expression, Xiao Ran rubbed his forehead with a headache. He comforted Kira properly and promised to find a way to send Lacus and the others away when the time was right, which finally made Kira leave with a hint of apprehension.

After Kira left, Xiao Ran stood up and paced back and forth in the room, his expression changing rapidly: "It's not long until we rendezvous with the advance fleet. It goes without saying that saving Frey's father will definitely trigger a side mission. But if I save him, Frey's fate will definitely change, thus affecting the fate of the entire Archangel."

"Should I do it or not?"

"Kira is a bit stronger now than in the original plot. If Frey's fate changes, without the unspoken matters between Frey and Kira, the plot might also lead to huge changes. I can't take such a risk. Moreover, I can't just stand by and watch as Cagalli doesn't hide her feelings for Kira because Frey doesn't join, such a thing is not to be done, it's too much of a sin."

"But I've been on the Archangel for so long, and I haven't even triggered a single side mission, let alone a side mission that doesn't affect the main plot. Without missions, there are no rewards. When will I be able to catch up to those aliens who are born with higher stats than me?"

"Among the skills I currently possess, apart from Space Combat Proficiency which increases combat power, the other two skills are completely useless in combat. Even though my stats have been strengthened, they still don't reach the average level of those alien participants. The only advantage I have is that I am on the side of the main character of the plot. If I calmly follow the plot, I will eventually gain something, but it's too slow and there aren't many choices."

"Either give up controlling the plot and risk triggering side missions, encountering all sorts of dangers, or life or death..."

"Tch." Xiao Ran gritted his teeth and clenched his right fist, hitting his left palm with a "snap." "Why am I thinking so much? The plot should unfold as it should. My advantage is my knowledge of the plot, and I must not give up this advantage. But I can't give up on side missions either. I can try all side missions that don't affect the plot."

"This world is a novice world. Except for physical fitness, everyone starts at the same starting line. It's impossible to intervene in the plot in such a short time. Even if I knew the plot and joined the Archangel, it would be the same. The further we go, the more likely other participants will obtain mechas or even status, and their chances of intervening in the plot will also increase. At that time, the plot will also change. And this period now, when the plot hasn't changed and I have intervened in the plot, is my personal golden time."

"I should seize this time well, follow the plot to gain more benefits and advantages for myself. Even the plot characters are a great advantage that can be utilized. With these helps, even if the plot is changed by participants, don't I, Xiao Ran, still have the power to fight those participants!"

Thinking of this, Xiao Ran felt relieved and no longer conflicted: "I'll see how it goes. If I save him, I save him. Getting the reward is what I deserve. If I don't save him, then it's Frey's father's life. If he's destined to die, no one can be blamed."

Ever since Xiao Ran received the mission reward and obtained the D-class General Mecha Piloting skill, coupled with Kira capturing the Ginn and bringing back Lacus, Xiao Ran had inexplicably felt a sense of urgency. He always felt that he wasn't strong enough, that he was still in danger, and he wanted to become stronger and unstoppable. He also wanted to drive an MS and wreak havoc in this world like Kira and Athrun.

With these thoughts, Xiao Ran would spend his free time in the hangar, immersed in virtual combat. After obtaining the Ginn, he was even more eager for it to be modified immediately so that it could become his, Xiao Ran's, combat power, allowing him to become stronger in battle and gain more benefits. However, the inefficiency of the maintenance crew made Xiao Ran, who knew that a fierce battle was imminent, increasingly anxious. The fact that he couldn't say much also made him feel deeply helpless.

Especially Kira's hurried appearance when he came to find Xiao Ran, it touched Xiao Ran's nerves, which had been tense since he arrived in this world, making him restless and anxious. He began to think of ways to obtain more rewards from other sources, which was to save Frey's father and trigger a side mission.

The method to save him was naturally the same as in the original plot: bring Lacus to the bridge. It was just that the timing was slightly earlier, which would naturally allow the battle to stop and save the target. However, after thinking it over and over, the more he thought about it, the more Xiao Ran felt he couldn't do it, and he gradually calmed himself down.

He reminded himself not to try to change the plot so early, and not to try to trigger side missions by deviating from the protection of the plot characters when he was still so vulnerable.

At some point, Xiao Ran, who was already lying in bed, rubbed his slightly aching head and closed his eyes unknowingly, falling into a deep sleep.

A few hours later, a rapid alarm sound rang out, causing Xiao Ran to snap his eyes open. Extreme displeasure flashed in his eyes.

"Wuwu..."

"All personnel, second combat configuration! All personnel, second combat configuration! Lieutenant Junior Grade Kira, please prepare for deployment! Lieutenant Xiao Ran, please proceed to the bridge immediately..."

"Repeat, all personnel, second combat configuration! All personnel, second combat configuration..."