Astral Express: I'm a Big Villain, Starting by Annihilating the Astral Express Crew

## Chapter 46: Stelle and Firefly

The system paused for a moment, then responded:

[The scalability of Traits is not universal.]

[Lord of Ruin (Purple) can be upgraded further.]

[Upgrade to Gold quality: Requires 20,000 Villain Points.]

[Upgrade to Red quality: Requires 40,000 Villain Points.]

[Note: Upgrading the quality typically requires more Villain Points than directly exchanging for a Trait of the same quality.]

As expected!

Jiang Mo's heart rate quickened slightly.

The upgrade description attached to the [Premonition] Trait had already given him this suspicion.

Now, the system had confirmed it: the [Lord of Ruin] Trait could actually be upgraded!

Twenty thousand to go from purple to gold, forty thousand from gold to red… This price was practically highway robbery, ridiculously expensive.

But that also proved that the Trait's potential was far from simple.

Even without upgrading, the "specific effects unknown" part undoubtedly held a hidden secret.

He even thought of a possibility.

With [Lord of Ruin], perhaps the [Stellar Nucleus Essence] Gold Trait… wouldn't require Villain Points to exchange for, and he could obtain it himself?

After all, wasn't there a Stellar Nucleus in Belobog?

Hmm, that's a good idea, but…

That has to wait until the Astral Express crew arrives… To ensure they come.

Thinking of this, the corners of Jiang Mo's mouth lifted involuntarily.

Just as he was about to exchange, he suddenly remembered a question.

"System, if I choose this Trait, will entering the Path of Destruction affect my ability to obtain Traits from other Paths, or enter other Paths in the future?"

[No. It is precisely because the Host has a unique constitution that they can simulate countless Paths. The Host can freely enter any Path and switch between Paths at will.]

The system answered immediately.

Not bad, so I have the same constitution as Stelle?

Alright, let's gamble!

"Exchange for Lord of Ruin!"

[Confirm exchange for Purple Trait Lord of Ruin, consuming 6,000 Villain Points.]

[Lord of Ruin (Purple) has been permanently loaded onto the Host's template.]

An unspeakable, subtle sensation permeated the depths of Jiang Mo's consciousness.

It was as if an invisible brand had been etched onto his soul.

He suddenly felt as if he had established a connection with some distant and terrifying will.

Jiang Mo continued, "Exchange for Stealth!"

[Confirm exchange for Blue Trait Stealth, consuming 2,000 Villain Points.]

[Stealth (Blue) has been permanently loaded onto the Host's template.]

Excellent, [Lord of Ruin] combined with the ability of [Stealth] was a match made in heaven.

Even if that identity could bring some changes, at least he could hide it completely and avoid unnecessary trouble from being too flamboyant.

[Host Attribute Panel:]

[Name: Jiang Mo]

[Constitution: 10]

[Strength: 12+50 (Lord of Ruin Trait effect, Strength increases with age)]

[Agility: 12]

[Charm: 16]

[Loaded Permanent Traits: Trait Devour (Gold), Golden Threads of Fate (Gold), Lord of Ruin (Purple), Stealth (Blue), Silver Tongue (Blue), Rampage (Blue)]

[Remaining Villain Points: 460]

Jiang Mo's gaze swept across the attribute panel, and his pupils suddenly constricted when he saw the "Strength" column.

He was stunned.

Strength: 12+50?

This wasn't just an empty shell of an identity?

That Trait actually gave such a huge strength boost?!

And it increased with age?

This meant that as long as he lived long enough, this power would continuously accumulate, and eventually, he might actually reach the terrifying level of destroying stars with a flick of his fingers, as seen in the simulation!

This was true power!

Jiang Mo couldn't wait to clench his fists.

He could feel a surge of power within his body.

He looked at the wooden plank of the simple bed next to him, a plank that was thick and sturdy.

Taking a deep breath, he didn't exert any force, just casually threw a punch.

Logically, his own hand should be the one hurting...

But, it didn't hurt?!

"Bang!"

That thick wooden plank, under his casual punch, instantly exploded, turning into splinters that scattered in all directions!

Jiang Mo's hand stopped in mid-air, looking at his fist, and then at the splintered wood.

This was the power of destruction... even just the initial amplification was this terrifying!

This gamble had paid off big time!

And the gains from this simulation far exceeded expectations.

The Golden Threads of Fate could sense every breeze and rustle within its range, weaving an invisible intelligence network...

This ability would be his greatest asset, whether in the Underworld or when he ventured into the universe in the future.

The only shortcoming was the pitiful amount of remaining Villain Points.

He was back to square one again.

Jiang Mo looked again at the red-purple One Slash Obliteration and Zerg Nest, still unable to afford them.

However, he wasn't discouraged.

One must eat a meal bite by bite, and walk a road step by step.

The next simulation would be at 15 years old.

And the one after that would be at 18, when he came of age.

According to the time when the Astral Express first arrived on Jarilo-VI, there was a high probability that he would encounter those Trailblazers when he was eighteen.

At that time, whether he found a way to board the Express, or used them as a stepping stone to leave this cold planet, it would be easy.

His future shouldn't be in this Belobog Underworld, but in... the sea of stars!

Meanwhile, far beyond Jarilo-VI, at the other end of the vast universe.

In a restaurant.

A gray-haired, golden-eyed girl was sitting at the dining table, eating.

The girl picked up a piece of meat, ready to put it in her mouth.

Suddenly, the scene before her flickered.

She saw a black-haired boy she had never seen before appear across from her.

The boy had neat, short hair, deep and calm black eyes, and a face that was extraordinarily handsome.

The girl's spoon stopped in mid-air.

Her gaze was locked firmly on the boy, unable to move away even a fraction.

A strange sense of familiarity surged into her heart, so strong that it made her feel dazed.

Fuzzy fragments flashed through her mind, warm scenes, cruel scenes, and some feelings she didn't understand.

"A-Mo...?"

This unfamiliar name carried a deep, unforgettable feeling, slipping out of her mouth uncontrollably.

The girl herself was stunned.

A-Mo?

Who was this name?

Did she know him?

She was falling into confusion.

The "boy" across from her moved.

"Stelle, what's wrong?"

A familiar voice sounded.

A hand waved in front of Stelle's eyes.

Stelle suddenly came back to her senses, her pupils contracting sharply.

The black-haired boy she'd seen just moments ago was gone.

In his place was a silver-haired girl she knew all too well.

The lovely girl was looking at her with concern.

Stelle immediately realized her lapse.

"No, it's nothing," she said dismissively.

She shoved the meat in her mouth, forcing herself to calm down.

"Just a little tired lately," she offered as an excuse. "Let's keep eating, Firefly."

Firefly's brow remained furrowed.

"Are you sure you're okay?"

"Your eyes went blank just now; it scared me."

"If you're not feeling well, I'll talk to Kafka about the next mission and tell her to let you sit it out," she said earnestly.

A warm feeling welled up in Stelle's heart, but her mind was still filled with the image of that unfamiliar boy.

She shook her head. "I'm fine!"

"It's my first mission, how can I miss it?"

"Eat up, or your food will get cold."

She lowered her head and began to shovel rice into her mouth.

Stelle stopped talking, and unlike her usual boisterous and scatterbrained self, she now carried a hint of melancholy.

She didn't know what had just happened.