Star Rail, Single Draw Acheron at the Start

Acheron took Aventurine's words and spoke, her gaze still fixed on Caelus.

"Someone has already done it."

Aventurine was also looking at Caelus. Being stared at by both of them made Caelus a little embarrassed. He hadn't expected that the secret he was keeping for Robin would be guessed by these two. It was quite logical, after all, everyone knew he had been attacked by a Memory Zone Meme, and Robin had also been attacked. Their situations were almost identical, leaving only the "eldest brother" in the dark.

"I couldn't find that Memory Zone Meme, but I can use the method of death I found to get to that place."

Aventurine said. At this point, his purpose in provoking Acheron was fully revealed. While others would wake up in the Dream Pool after being killed by external forces in their dreams, those killed by someone like Acheron would not.

"You are indeed very fortunate. Fate has brought our paths together, and I happen to be equipped with a sharp blade, sharp enough to cut through the veil of sweet dreams and sever the brand of Harmony on you."

Acheron said to Aventurine. It could be said that no one else could do what Aventurine intended to do except her, and she happened to be in Penacony. If this was also due to Aventurine's good luck, Caelus could only say that this guy was truly formidable.

"I have never lost a gamble where my life was on the line."

Aventurine said with a smile, but he quickly shook his head and continued sincerely.

"But that doesn't mean I'm absolutely sure I can get there. I wasn't lying earlier. If I really die and don't reach that place, it will indeed pave the way for the company's negotiations."

"So whether you live or die, you win. That's the reason you're gambling with your life."

Caelus was truly impressed by Aventurine's calculations. He was really different from those gamblers who risked their lives at the slightest provocation. Nine out of ten of those gamblers died in vain, but Aventurine's death would be incredibly meaningful.

There was only one way for Aventurine to lose: if Acheron watched his gamble with cold indifference, remaining silent. In that case, whether he gained benefits for the company or resolved the curse on him would be meaningless.

"Old Aventurine, I thought you had some secret way to resist the curse Sunday put on you, but it turns out you're just using death to resist it."

Caelus said, patting Aventurine's shoulder. Aventurine's expression twisted slightly at this. He really wanted to ask Caelus if he wanted to switch places with him. Ever since he arrived in Penacony, he had been watched by Sunday's people, even when going to the restroom. After entering the dream, all his belongings were confiscated. While others could at least enjoy themselves in the dream with Credits, he was like a beggar.

And Aventurine had accomplished so much in the guise of a beggar, yet Caelus said he was just like that. It was unbearable, but seeing Acheron beside him, Aventurine endured it.

"Then, by that logic, isn't Acheron your savior?" Caelus continued.

"That's right. If she hadn't severed the brand of Harmony, I might have become a choir member singing for Sunday by now."

Aventurine did not deny this. He truly had to thank Acheron for saving his life, as no one else could have done it.

"Acheron and I are very close. What's hers is mine, and what's mine is still mine. So you can just return this favor to me directly."

"?"

Aventurine looked at Caelus with an indescribable gaze, then looked at Acheron again. His meaning was that Acheron could just cut Caelus down right now. Why would a woman with her capabilities like such a shameless person?

"No need for thanks. When I marry Topaz, remember to give us a big red envelope. Billions, even trillions, are fine. A small gift carries great meaning."

"If you can really marry Topaz, you'll definitely get a generous red envelope, but..."

Aventurine said helplessly. His relationship with Topaz was one of life-and-death trust, but he suspected Caelus was deceiving him, though he had no proof.

Chapter 99: Not a Request, But a Plea

"Old Aventurine, I have another request. Share the information about Jade with me."

Caelus changed the subject, bringing it to Jade, which immediately made Aventurine vigilant. Caelus was always up to no good when talking about women.

"What do you want to do?"

"Isn't this called preparing for the future? When I'm with Topaz, I'll definitely have to interact with other Ten Stonehearts. Besides, the name Jade sounds like a gentle older sister."

Caelus was very interested in Jade. It was indeed unexpected that the company sent three representatives this time. However, he knew nothing about Jade. If it were a man, he wouldn't have said anything.

"A gentle sister? That's not wrong."

Aventurine thought of Jade's appearance and nodded. She was indeed quite gentle. Aventurine was able to join the company because he demonstrated his value and was recognized by Jade.

Aventurine then shared some information about Jade with Caelus. This was not selling out a teammate but helping Caelus, lest he be completely taken advantage of by that woman. Aventurine was quite kind-hearted.

After the conversation, Acheron took Caelus away from the brief dream. Aventurine glanced at the dark Void again. It equally shrouded everyone, instilling fear, yet compelling them to relentlessly advance towards the end of death.

"When we get out, you and I might not be in the same place. Do what you want to do."

Acheron seemed to have thought of something and said before parting with Caelus. Caelus, understanding Aventurine's purpose, knew what she meant. Now, both he and Aventurine should have been sent to Dreamflow Reef by Acheron, but Acheron did not seem to be going.

"Okay, be careful."

Caelus didn't know why Acheron wasn't going to Dreamflow Reef, but she surely had her own purpose. After leaving this word of concern, the two temporarily parted ways.

Acheron opened her eyes. Before her was the dilapidated movie screen of Klauek Film Park. Due to Aventurine's angle, Acheron had also split the movie screen when she unleashed that slash. Even the sky was stained with red cracks of the Void. And now, the master of this dream had to appear to face her due to Acheron's powerful destructive force.

"This grand festival has gathered too many uninvited guests. Even though Harmony is all-encompassing, for the peace of Penacony, I must issue a notice of eviction to some of them."

Unbeknownst to Acheron, a group of people had appeared behind her. They were dressed differently and belonged to different races, with no commonalities found. Yet, when they spoke, their words were perfectly synchronized, as if one person was speaking.

"The Star of the Festival cannot contain you, puppet of the Void. Those who live in the shadows should not step into the light."

The speaker said, and Acheron turned her head to look behind her. Seeing the large group of people before her, she was not surprised. Instead, she wondered how Caelus would react if he heard these words. He would surely retort cleverly and infuriate the speaker to the point of losing his temper, but unfortunately, she lacked such eloquence.

"Regarding living in the shadows, we should have no difference. At least when conversing with others, you should reveal your true appearance, Dream Master of Penacony."

Acheron retorted. The speaker did not seem surprised that their identity had been revealed, nor did they show any emotional fluctuation.

"My mortal form has long since dissipated. The one hundred and seven thousand five hundred and thirty-six children of the Oak Family are my eyes and ears. When the time comes, I will spread joy throughout this beautiful dream, and when necessary, I will banish sin from this paradise on my behalf."

The Dream Master spoke words that were difficult to comprehend. It was unclear how he managed to control so many people, likely related to the power of Harmony. Although he was not an Envoy of Harmony, he had already come a long way on this path.

"It sounds like you want me to leave Penacony."

Acheron crossed her arms, her face showing no fear or anger, just a simple statement.

"I'm glad you have some self-awareness. Unfortunately, I didn't invite you."

The crowd gathered by the Dream Master spoke in unison. It was clear he was confident in his abilities and prepared to forcibly expel Acheron.

"You think you can do it," Acheron said.

"Are you threatening me?"

The Dream Master began to sense something was wrong. He could use force, but he hadn't expected Acheron to do the same. Though it sounded ridiculous, that's truly what he thought. No one could use violence in his dreams, but a small exception had appeared before him.

"Mm... I used a period. It's a... statement."

Acheron felt the Dream Master didn't understand her meaning, so she patiently explained. To the Dream Master, her explanation felt more like mockery.

"You're not the first person to show such malice after learning my identity, nor will you be the last. This situation has happened too many times. When faced with my questions, most people would retort, 'What's wrong with that?'"

"But the answer... has always been 'something is wrong.'"

Acheron's words displeased the Dream Master. He finally understood. Acheron meant that her previous statements were rhetorical questions, yet she had still made her way here unimpeded. The fate of those who came before was obvious.

"You're very confident, but please remember, the Family is humble, but never weak. The Harmony's melodies spread throughout the universe. If you refuse, and that long blade is unsheathed even a fraction, you will never escape the Infinite Lord's wrath for the rest of your life."

Seeing Acheron's stubbornness, the Dream Master resorted to his tried-and-true threat. Why did the IPC use peaceful means to reclaim Penacony? Of course, it was because Penacony was under Harmony's protection. As the Dream Master said, once someone broke the rules, the Infinite Lord would descend. That being was an Envoy of Harmony, a leading figure of Harmony's military faction, and the embodiment of Harmony's combat power. All the skills they used were combat-oriented, not the support roles people stereotypically imagined.

"Then you will die. I mean... all of you."

Acheron accepted the Dream Master's threat, silencing him with a single sentence. If he had known, he wouldn't have been so glib as to mention his 107,536 child-clones. As long as one of them survived, the Dream Master would live. But now, it seemed he wouldn't.

"Ah, um."

The Dream Master looked up at the sky, now tinged red by the Void. It took him all his might to repair even a small part of it, let alone face Acheron, who could cause such an effect with a casual slash.

"What I just said was, unfortunately, I didn't mean to ask you to leave Penacony, but to beg."

As the Dream Master spoke, everyone's faces broke into smiles. Begging Acheron to leave Penacony made much more sense.

"Why are you going soft so quickly?"

Acheron also showed a surprised expression. She thought the Dream Master would fight her to the bitter end, but she hadn't expected him to back down so easily. It felt like Caelus had possessed him.

"Ahem, as I said before, Penacony welcomes all guests. But due to some unforeseen circumstances, I must ask some guests to leave early. This is a technical adjustment, unrelated to my personal will."

The Dream Master coughed and said, he finally understood. The stubborn feared the resolute, and the resolute feared those who didn't care about their lives. Now, he had encountered someone who didn't care about their life.

Imagine a billionaire with billions in assets encountering a desperate fugitive on the road. What would he do? He'd shout that he had bodyguards behind him and that they'd beat the fugitive to death if he dared to touch him. But the bodyguards were a bit far away. Still, it didn't matter. Before the bodyguards arrived, the billionaire could perform all sorts of flashy ways to die.

Whether the Infinite Lord could avenge him, the Dream Master didn't know. He only knew that if the conversation broke down again, he would truly die. If he was dead, what would happen to Acheron would be none of his concern. Therefore, the most important thing was to preserve his own life. Penacony couldn't be without him for a day. This was all for the sake of Penacony's countless lives. What was wrong with bowing his head a little?

The Dream Master knew he still had his best years ahead of him, and the entire Penacony. Why should he trade his life with a Void Envoy, and not even be sure he could win? Acheron's threat needed no embellishment; the Dream Master firmly believed she wasn't bluffing. She followed the Path of the Void; how could her thinking be normal?

PS: Please collect, recommend, and vote monthly.

Chapter 100: Mom Found You

"As you say, I will leave."

Acheron spoke. The Dream Master breathed a huge sigh of relief. He knew he had won the gamble. Although dangerous, this woman was reasonable. She was the type who yielded to gentleness rather than force, which was a good sign.

"A very wise choice."

The Dream Master said in a hoarse voice. This gamble had no winner or loser; it was just a normal exchange, and the best possible outcome.

"But I have one condition. If any of the people on the Star Rail Express die, then Penacony will cease to exist."

Acheron walked past the Dream Master, leaving behind those words. The Dream Master suddenly turned his head, looking at Acheron's retreating figure.

"Your power is clearly a gift from the slumbering Unformed. It's unfathomable, like a tributary flowing from the abyss, bringing death and sin to all beings."

"Acheron... lives up to your name."

"Those born on the other shore cannot find a home on this shore. Yet you have found someone who accepts you. With a weakness, are you still a self-destroyer of the Void?"

The Dream Master's voice held a hint of surprise. He never knew that the self-destroyer race could have things they cared about, or their own organizations. This way, Acheron was no longer invincible. She would be bound by her attachments.

"What if I'm not?" Acheron stopped walking.

"Then perhaps I will congratulate you. Leave, and don't come back."

The Dream Master nodded, indicating he accepted Acheron's threat. As long as Caelus and the others remained unharmed, he had no problem with it. Furthermore, he currently had no reason to act against the Star Rail Express.

Meanwhile, within the Dreamflow Reef, Caelus opened his eyes again to see the same grayish sky. The sky here was nothing like the beautiful Golden Hour. One was meticulously maintained and magnificent every day, while the other was neglected and desolate, with no comparison.

"You're awake."

A somewhat muffled male voice sounded. Caelus looked beside him and found a silver mecha with its back to him. It was looking up at the sky, but it was indeed speaking to Caelus.

"Sam? Did you save me? Thank you."

Caelus had seen Sam arrive to save the day earlier. Although he came at the wrong time and Aventurine was instantly defeated by Acheron's blade, Caelus was still touched by Sam's intention and spoke kindly now.

"I know you're confused, why I'm here, what my purpose is, and whether I'll harm the people on the train. All I can do is show you..."

Sam turned to look at Caelus. Caelus was surprised why he was speaking to him like this, but he soon saw the armor on Sam's body transform into flames. Lines converged within the flames, finally retracting into the transformation device on his right hand.

"My all."

Firefly looked at Caelus with gentle eyes. Caelus was dumbfounded. The scene was as shocking to him as if Aventurine had suddenly jumped out and started square dancing with Sunday, happily deciding Penacony's ownership, with the two of them splitting the world.

"You, you're Sam? A Stellaron Hunter?"

Caelus was rarely speechless with surprise, but at this moment, he was truly flustered. Even if he stuffed his head into a toilet, he never would have imagined that such a petite girl as Firefly was hidden beneath Sam's imposing exterior. A mecha with a beautiful girl piloting it – how cool was that, across the entire universe?

"Yes, Caelus, I lied to you. I'm sorry."

Firefly nodded and apologized to Caelus very sincerely. This was her biggest secret, something she couldn't reveal upon their first meeting.

"Wait a minute, my head's a bit scrambled. You know Kafka, my mom?" Caelus asked, rubbing his head.

"Of course, I do. She's the one who introduced us. And Silver Wolf, and Blade, we're a team."

Firefly said with a smile, feeling quite pleased when talking about her companions. It was a good ending for a warrior who had lost her battlefield to find her belonging.

"My mom said she wanted to introduce me to a pretty girl..."

Caelus remembered Kafka always nagging him about his blind dates. Looking at Firefly, he seemed to understand something.

"That would be me."

Firefly shyly pointed to her face. Kafka was her savior, so Firefly naturally took what Kafka said to heart. Kafka had said Caelus was a good kid, so she came to see for herself. She hadn't expected to be so captivated by him so quickly.

"Please tell my mom I'm very satisfied."

Caelus stepped forward, took Firefly's hands, and then held her happily. His mother really understood him; she'd already found such a wonderful girl for him. Caelus truly felt this motherly love and even felt his filial piety hardening!

"Actually, when Silver Wolf looked for you to play games before, I was on your team too."

Firefly said softly, leaning against Caelus. At this point, she didn't want to hide anything anymore. They had actually known each other before Penacony.

"You... you're that gay guy with the cute reaction images?"

Caelus stared at the beautiful girl in front of him in astonishment. The fact that she was Sam was already unbelievable enough, but to think she was also his in-game teammate – that imposing man who loved using cute reaction images.

"Gay guy?" Firefly asked, confused.

"Ah, no, I mean, big guy. Because the character you created in the game was huge," Caelus explained guiltily.

"Mhm, I think being big makes me feel secure. I can protect you."

Firefly said with a smile. This was also a way to conceal her identity, wanting to see what kind of person Caelus was beforehand. She hadn't felt it when they were playing games, but now that she was actually interacting with him, she realized how good he was.