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Caelus, Wake Up, You Cosmic Hero
Although Caelus held a baseball bat, he knowingly stepped aside. He had a fair grasp of his own limits. A battle at this level had basically nothing to do with him; it was enough to go through the motions. Even if he wanted to risk his life, he had to be capable of it first.
Caelus kept his eyes fixed on Acheron. She stepped forward, and the Doomsday Beast noticed her approach. This war machine with four arms embodied the word "monster" to perfection. Its thick arms slammed into the ground like stone pillars, while the wings on its back blotted out the sky and blocked all scenery behind it.
Roar!
The Doomsday Beast let out a roar and raised its right arm to smash Acheron. Its inborn purpose was destruction; every living thing that approached it would be crushed into powder. But just as its arm was about to fall, its sluggish mind suddenly sensed that something was wrong. Its arm seemed to have become lighter. The next moment, the raised arm spun away and slammed into the outspread wing behind it with a smack.
Even the Doomsday Beast froze for a moment. It had no eyes on its head, yet it turned to look at its severed arm. Then rage surged within it. Its remaining three arms rose together and smashed toward Acheron. One thick arm unfolded into the shape of a cannon barrel, while the two smaller arms gathered energy. The wings behind it lit up one segment at a time, countless balls of light gathering atop them. The next second, those light spheres would unleash energy beams and sweep away everything before them.
"Life is but morning dew; body and name shall both perish. Lethe bears no ripples, guiding the wandering across."
Acheron's movements were exceptionally concise. She merely raised her sheath and swung it. Streaks of crimson blade light flew forth. She had not even drawn her sword, making her meaning obvious: something like the Doomsday Beast was not worthy of making her unsheathe it. In theory, blade light was a form of energy that could be unleashed whether she drew her sword or not. Those red flashes were faster than the Doomsday Beast's charge-up. In the blink of an eye, its enormous wings shattered completely, and its three remaining arms were severed and fell to the ground.
"Hiss..."
March 7th sucked in a breath. She had actually taken advantage of the chaos to fire an arrow just now, but the energy arrow had bounced off the Doomsday Beast's shell like a feather. Yet Acheron had broken through its defenses with mere blade light, chopping it down into little more than a dragon-shaped stick. March 7th did not dare imagine that level of combat power.
The Doomsday Beast now looked utterly miserable. Its once imposing exterior had become tattered beyond recognition. Its arms and wings were gone, leaving only its torso. Seeing that it was about to die, it did not flee. Instead, it raised its head and fired all the energy it had gathered but failed to release earlier.
The energy beam came extremely suddenly. Acheron was not afraid of it; even taking it head-on would not injure her. But the Doomsday Beast had not aimed at her. Its target was the distant archer, March 7th. Killing the backline first in a team battle was universal wisdom, and of course the Doomsday Beast understood that. As long as it could take one person down with it, dying would not be a loss.
March 7th was terrified stiff. She watched the energy beam shoot toward her, and her legs seemed to stop working. Just as she closed her eyes and prepared to take the blow head-on, she heard a baseball bat hit the ground. Caelus had thrown away his weapon and rushed in front of March 7th, spreading his arms to take the fatal strike himself.
"Caelus, why?"
March 7th's mouth fell open as she stared dumbfounded at Caelus's back. They had only just met, yet he was willing to risk his life to save her. March 7th had never imagined such a thing.
"A hero can't run away in the middle of battle."
Caelus felt as though his body was about to melt, but he still raised one hand in a thumbs-up behind his back as he spoke to March 7th. He did not want to die, but neither could he watch a pretty girl like March 7th die for nothing. Right now, he was the only one who could do this.
The energy beam unleashed by the Doomsday Beast had begun to detonate. Even though Acheron had rushed forward and cut off the Doomsday Beast's head, the energy that was supposed to explode could not be erased. Caelus felt that he might really die here, but he was unwilling to accept it. He had not even seen his mother or aunt yet. How could he die here?
"Bearing the name of a savior, I can't lose!"
Caelus's tightly shut eyes snapped open. With a hoarse cry, he drew upon the mysterious energy within his body. At that moment, a sphere burst out of his chest, forming a dazzling golden glow before him and absorbing every last bit of energy fired by the Doomsday Beast.
"Stellaron!"
The moment Himeko saw the sphere, she realized what it was. She knew her guess had been correct. The Star Rail Express had dealt with Stellarons before, and she had suspected that Caelus was somehow connected to one. But no one had expected him to contain a Stellaron within his body.
At this moment, Caelus's consciousness had drifted far away. He felt himself floating amid the stars of the universe. When he finally opened his eyes, he saw a giant who appeared male standing before him. The giant's body could no longer be described as merely enormous; planets beside him were no more than toys in the palm of a hand. He had long white hair and intimidating golden eyes, and he gazed down at Caelus with lofty detachment.
"Oh? Why are your eyes so wide? Trying to scare me?"
Caelus was not afraid of the giant before him. He had already died once; why would he fear this strangely shaped fellow? Besides, he disliked the way the other man looked at him. He immediately raised his middle finger in provocation.
The giant did not react to Caelus's provocation. He simply stared at Caelus in silence, much like a human seeing an ant on the ground raise its forelimbs at them—utterly insignificant.
"Uh, this plot feels familiar. Are you about to give me a transformation device, merge with me, and have me save the world?"
Seeing that the giant ignored him, Caelus scratched his head and spoke. Just as he reluctantly prepared to accept it, the giant vanished, and his consciousness gradually returned to his body.
I'm Not Clean Anymore
"Kids, I'm back."
After sitting up from the ground, Caelus spoke. Seeing him return from the dead, March 7th excitedly cried as she wrapped her arms tightly around him.
"You idiot, what were you doing? Why did you save me?"
It was the first time March 7th had ever been saved like that. One thing was certain: Caelus had left an indelible impression on her. Not everyone could make a gesture like risking their life to save another person.
"Because you saved me earlier too. Did you think about why when you saved me?"
Caelus smiled and patted March 7th on the back. He liked pretty girls, especially pretty and kind girls. Now that he had made a good start, if they spent more time together, would March 7th not become his March wife? This gamble with his life had paid off.
"That was... I just did it casually. It's not like I risked my life like you did."
March 7th awkwardly loosened her arms from around Caelus. They had met by chance and saved each other, which could be considered a fine tale. Unfortunately, they would have no connection in the future. She would only remember that she had saved a good person who knew how to repay kindness.
"Caelus, did you see something just now?"
Himeko asked with concern. This was also the first time in her life she had seen someone as unusual as Caelus. Taking a Destruction cannon head-on and surviving was one thing, but he had even absorbed the Stellaron back into his body. Was that something a human could do?
"Yeah. I saw a white-haired man. He just stared at me for ages, like he wanted my body. Disgusting."
Caelus described what had happened to him. When he mentioned that the leering giant had golden cracks across his body, as though golden blood flowed within them, Himeko's expression became extremely strange.
"The one you saw was actually an Aeon—the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook."
Himeko spoke with a somewhat odd smile. Ordinary people could never meet an Aeon face-to-face in their entire lives. This kid Caelus was clever enough to call one disgusting the moment they met. Fortunately, the Aeon did not bother arguing with him.
"What? Himeko, are you sure? Why would an idiot like him get to see an Aeon?"
March 7th was completely thrown off. Even she had never seen an Aeon. Never mind whether that was fortunate or not, Nanook was one of the most notorious Aeons in the universe, at T1 level. As for the T0 giant bug, it had long since died, and who knew how high the grass on its grave had grown.
"Aeons are capable of thought as well, but few things can draw their attention. The reason it turned its gaze upon him was likely because it was drawn to Caelus's unusual nature. And those watched by an Aeon will usually receive that Aeon's blessing. In other words, you should have already set foot upon the Path of Destruction."
Himeko explained to Caelus. For anyone, merely being glanced at by an Aeon was immense fortune. Like Caelus, even without doing anything, he had received Destruction's blessing.
"?"
Caelus pulled open his clothes and looked at his chest. There was nothing visible there, but he could indeed vaguely sense a mark resembling a shattered tower on his body.
"What was that guy thinking? Taking me on as his underling? I haven't even agreed yet."
Caelus spoke unhappily. He had never considered stepping onto the Path of Destruction. March 7th had told him plenty about the awful things the Anti-Matter Legion did. They did not do a single thing that could remotely be called human, and even if he were Nanook's personally chosen lackey, he would not do it.
"You don't need to agree. Aeons do whatever they want. You've seen the things the Anti-Matter Legion does," Himeko said.
"It's over. I'm not clean anymore. How is this any different from a mark of shame?"
Caelus clutched his head and wailed. He could already imagine getting a girlfriend in the future, being asked what Path he followed, and then being looked at like trash after saying Destruction. It might even affect his chances of becoming a civil servant.
"Of course it isn't like that. There are many people on the Path of Destruction. The power of a Path is merely power; it will not alter your way of thinking, at least not before you become an Emanator."
Himeko comforted him gently, making Caelus feel a little better. So people only hated Nanook and the Anti-Matter Legion, not the Path of Destruction itself.
"I get it. My rank as an underling just isn't high enough. I have to become an Emanator before I can collude with an Aeon."
Caelus felt relieved. From now on, he would just slack off. He would avoid using Destruction's power whenever possible. If he still became an Emanator that way, then Nanook could only be blind.
"Let's go. We should return and find Asta. You and Acheron deserve great credit for defeating the Doomsday Beast. She will definitely thank you."
Himeko smiled. She felt as though she had picked up a treasure. A young man containing a Stellaron who had also been watched by Nanook—someone like that was perfect for keeping close and observing. She needed to find a way to lure him aboard the train.
Everyone had looked grim when they arrived, but they returned beaming. March 7th had returned to her goofy-girl self and was already thinking about what to eat when they got back.
"Acheron, what Path do you follow?"
Caelus had only just learned of the concept of Paths. They were like attributes of power, and naturally he was curious about Acheron, the strongest member of the group.
"A Pathstrider, of course. The Hunt."
Acheron answered with a calm expression. It was a lie. She was not good at lying, but this was a well-intentioned lie. Knowing too much would not benefit the others. If she explained further, her identity as a Pathstrider would fall apart, so she needed to fill in the gaps appropriately.
"Oh, I've never heard of that Path."
Caelus knew very little about Paths. He did not even know how many Aeons existed in the universe. Every Aeon represented a Path, and those who could obtain the power of a Path were considered outstanding among intelligent life. Most people had no connection to such powers at all.
"It's the same as Dan Heng's. By the way, I follow Preservation."
March 7th told Caelus with a smile, revealing both Dan Heng's Path and her own.
"No wonder you could give me protection. Nice, nice, nice. Good, good, good."
Although Caelus did not understand what the Path of Preservation was for, March 7th's performance had shown him that it existed to protect others. Delighted, he cupped March 7th's cheeks and rubbed her pink hair all over.
"Stop rubbing my face and hair!"
March 7th protested unwillingly, but she did not kick Caelus away. After all, he was her lifesaver. A girl's attitude toward the person who saved her life was naturally complicated. When the story of a hero saving a beauty happened to her, she could not help feeling deeply affected.
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Rich Lady, I'm Starving!
When the group returned to the Master Control Zone of the Space Station, Asta had already come out to greet them. She knew the Doomsday Beast was not an enemy the Space Station could handle, but with the Space Station's outside help, it had been driven away and countless lives had been saved. As stationmaster, she naturally had to thank them in person.
"Thank you, everyone from the train crew. I won't let you risk your lives for nothing. Just tell me what you want. I may not have much else, but I do have some Credits."
Asta first bowed to Himeko and the others in thanks. Earlier, she could only hide behind the monitors and watch them fight for their lives, which naturally made her feel terrible. Proper gratitude was a must; otherwise, she might not even have survived to leave today.
March 7th made a toothache-inducing expression. She knew exactly how many Credits Asta meant by "some." Credits were the universe's universal electronic currency, and the numbers Asta could command were about as vast as the difference in combat ability between mortals and Aeons.
"You."
Before Himeko could speak, Caelus had already raised a hand and pointed at Asta. The stationmaster froze slightly, then pointed at herself, looking confused.
"Hehe, who gives themselves away as a gift? Nice try. Besides, there's only one of me. It's not as though you train crew can split me up."
After realizing what Caelus meant, Asta chuckled and brushed off his unreasonable request. She was not angry; instead, she smoothly made a joke of it. Caelus became a little depressed, his expression revealing everything and making Asta laugh.
"Wait, isn't Caelus your subordinate?"
March 7th raised her hand. Asta kept referring to the train crew, but she had not included Caelus among their companions. He had not even registered to board the train yet.
"No, isn't he one of your people?" Asta asked back in confusion.
"Then what about Sister Acheron?"
"No, she isn't either. Aren't those strange outfits standard issue for your train?"
Asta's words struck a sore spot. March 7th looked at her pretty dress and felt that Asta was definitely talking about Dan Heng.
Everyone's eyes turned to Caelus and Acheron. These two had unknown identities and did not belong to any faction, making them worth investigating. After all, the Anti-Matter Legion had brains too. For all they knew, this was some trick involving planted spies.
"Everyone, look at me. I have an announcement."
Caelus pushed away March 7th, who had been supporting him, walked to the center of the crowd, and raised both hands as he shouted. Everyone was looking at him, making Caelus a little embarrassed, but he still said it.
"I was born here. My mom can prove it."
Caelus's words made Asta's eyes widen. It sounded like a lie that would not fool even a ghost. This was a Space Station, not a hospital. How could anyone be born here? Pregnant researchers were sent to Mercury below the Space Station to give birth; there were no birth records here at all.
"I got lost on my way here. My destination was Penacony."
Acheron also gave her explanation for why she had come here, leaving Asta speechless. She felt that the Space Station must have exterior defenses, so how exactly had Acheron gotten lost and wandered inside?
"Where is Penacony?"
March 7th asked curiously. Among the people present, only Himeko could answer. The galaxy was unimaginably vast, and almost no one could remember the names and routes of every planet.
"About... one light-year away?"
Himeko gave an uncertain answer. Calculating the distance was difficult, and no one would truly travel at the speed of light. Usually, they moved through methods such as spatial jumps.
"That's way too far! How did you get lost all the way here?"
March 7th was completely thrown off. Normally, should getting lost not mean being near the destination? This distance was beyond absurd, and this was a Space Station that was not open to the public. How Acheron had gotten inside was deeply suspicious.
"My sense of direction is a little poor."
Acheron raised her right hand, slipped it into the broad sleeve of her left arm, and took out a white fruit. She brought it to her lips and took a crisp bite. Judging from its texture and color, it seemed to be a rather crunchy peach.
Caelus watched Acheron eat the peach with great relish. He remembered that he had not eaten anything since being born, and an envious expression appeared on his face. Seeing this, Acheron took another peach from her sleeve and handed it to him.
"Thanks, Acheron."
After accepting the peach, Caelus eagerly took a bite. It looked hard, but melted in his mouth. It could only be described as incredibly fresh and delicious.
"This is really good. Is it your favorite food?"
Caelus asked Acheron while eating the peach. The peaches looked like her rations, and learning about a friend's preferences was an important step.
"It gathers the joy and sweetness of life, and is equally fragile and fleeting... Such regret is beyond our control. Let it be."
Acheron spoke slowly, leaving the not particularly cultured Caelus stunned. After thinking it over, he decided that she was probably lamenting how delicious the peach was, only in a more artistic way. This also showed that Acheron had not merely been a warrior who knew how to fight. She was an educated person, perhaps even the young lady of some great family.
"Well, they don't seem like bad people to me. Even if they are, they're pretty cute. Let's put that aside for now. Damn Doomsday Beast—once I order a Star Destroyer, it'll know what it did wrong."
Watching Caelus and Acheron's simple exchange, Asta no longer cared to investigate their identities. She had seen it clearly earlier: Acheron had beaten the Doomsday Beast like its loving mother, while Caelus had blocked its fatal attack. These were not people she wanted to provoke.
"Star Destroyer?"
Caelus was very interested in that term. Still biting his peach, he walked to Asta's side and naturally joined her in looking at the universal marketplace on her phone screen.
"Yeah, the kind that can blow up a planet with one shot. Exciting, right?"
Asta explained. She planned to find some powerful bodyguards for her Space Station. The Doomsday Beast was an anti-planet weapon, so she would get an anti-planet weapon too. At worst, they could trade shots.
"That's awesome. I want one."
"No problem. I said earlier that I'd give you a reward. Then I'll arrange a Star Destroyer for you."
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