Stelle and March 7th watched curiously as the two overage lolis sized each other up.
"What are you looking at?"
Herta reflexively shouted at Theresa.
"I'm looking at how pretty you are!"
Theresa said directly as she looked at Herta. Herta stared at her in surprise, while Theresa smiled and met her gaze.
"Oh? You've got some nerve, little girl. You're not even afraid of me."
It was the first time Herta had seen someone so bold, and she looked at Theresa curiously.
"You're so cute. Why would I be afraid?"
"And I'm not 'little girl.' My name is Theresa."
I'm not called 'Hey.' My name is Chu Yuxun~
The Herta Space Station System started messing around too. Theresa kept a straight face, afraid she would laugh, while inwardly complaining that the system was too wicked.
Theresa looked at Herta and explained. Hearing such blunt words for the first time, Herta was briefly stunned, and the Puppet's face flushed slightly.
"Thanks. I know I'm pretty too!"
Herta looked at Theresa confidently.
Everyone smiled as they watched the two lolis face off, finding it especially amusing.
"I heard the Stellaron Hunters saved the Space Station, right, Asta?"
Herta looked at Asta and asked.
"Yes, Ms. Herta. Thanks to the Stellaron Hunters' assistance, the Space Station was able to survive the Antimatter Legion's invasion. Theresa in particular helped us tremendously, allowing the security personnel and researchers to be rescued."
Arlan explained to Herta.
"Mm, thank you for stepping in. I knew you wouldn't just stand by."
"How about this? The train's repair fees and supply costs this time will all be waived."
Herta made the suggestion to Himeko and Welt.
"Ms. Herta, are you sure? I estimate this train repair alone will cost over ten million Credit Points."
Himeko looked at Herta for confirmation.
"It's nothing. Not just this time—I'll waive the train repair fees ten more times in the future. There aren't many Stellaron Hunters still committed to trailblazing. If you hadn't helped us this time, Herta Space Station would probably have become space junk already."
Herta thanked everyone. Her emotional intelligence might not have been great, but she could still show gratitude when it was due.
"How could we accept that?"
Welt smiled and spoke politely to Herta.
"I don't go back on my word. You protected the Space Station, so giving the train a few free repairs is nothing."
Herta's words made everyone nod happily.
Warning, warning, high-energy reaction detected approaching!
The Space Station's alarms interrupted the conversation. Researchers headed for the shelters under the escort of the security department.
"Help!"
"Hehe—aaah! The Antimatter Legion is here!"
Some of the researchers cried out in panic. After all, they were merely frail academics.
Roar!
Amid the piercing alarms, a massive shadow swept past the Space Station, then clung to its protective barrier and stretched out its claws, trying to pierce through it.
"Watch out! The Antimatter Legion is attacking!"
"That's the Antimatter Legion's Star-Level strategic weapon—the Doomsday Beast. It's something we can't fight!"
"Everyone, evacuate!"
Arlan shouted.
The Doomsday Beast was forged by the Antimatter Legion from fragments of the Twilight Ancient Beast and the myriad resentful remains within the War Furnace. It possessed the Wraith Hand and Calamity Shadow Tail, imprisoning the unresolved wills of countless living beings. The Doomsday Beast displayed complex emotions such as rage, grief, and delusional joy. At its core was an engine powered by dark matter, symbolizing the power of destruction and rebirth. It looked like this: "Let me handle it!"*2
Theresa and Welt spoke at the same time. Then they paused and smiled at each other.
"Old Yang, you're still the same."
Theresa stared at the Doomsday Beast overhead and smiled at Welt.
"The Academy Head is the same as well. How do you plan to deal with it? Don't tell me..."
Welt watched Theresa summon Judas before the astonished crowd and asked.
"Does it even need to be said? This is my first stop!"
"Welt, use the Star of Eden to deploy a shield and block the Divine Blessing Barrier's erosion. Leave that giant monster to me!"
Theresa gripped the Oath of Judah, which was light as a feather to her, and spoke to Welt. Welt nodded. Theresa's combat ability was far from weak. Though people often teased her as the Judas Launcher, this small figure carried great responsibility.
"Are you sure you'll be all right? The Divine Blessing Barrier is dangerous for someone with Vishnu Factor like you."
Welt told everyone to begin evacuating. Stelle shook her head and resolutely stayed to fight alongside them. Though she had known them only briefly, she liked how harmonious and warm the Stellaron Hunters were.
"I'm staying too! Get down here!"
March 7th shouted at the Doomsday Beast. The beast stared at her, then actually tore through the shield and landed before them.
"..."
Everyone looked helplessly at the stunned March 7th. The girl smiled awkwardly.
"I'll see this through to the end too!"
Himeko said excitedly. She did not know why, but seeing Theresa beside her made her feel fired up as well.
"Seeing Sister Himeko this fired up feels so rare~"
March 7th complained as she held her Compound Bow.
"I agree with March 7th."
Dan Heng said, holding the Cloud-Piercer Spear.
Welt said nothing. Instead, he placed a black-and-gold shield around everyone. With that shield, they felt much more confident.
"Don't hold back. Give it everything you've got."
Herta spoke to the Stellaron Hunters from beside Asta. Her words relaxed them greatly. At the very least, they no longer had to worry about paying for anything they broke.
Roar!
The Doomsday Beast swung down a claw. Theresa's short legs sprang into action as she swung Judas to meet it. She did not notice her eyes turning pale red—the Vishnu Factor had begun to activate. She did not know how strong the Doomsday Beast was, but after hearing it was Star-Level, she decided to stop holding back.
Bang!
Awooo!
Theresa swung Judas heavily into the Doomsday Beast's incoming left hand, accompanied by a thunderous blast and the beast's pained howl.
Theresa landed on the ground, and the heavy Judas smashed a pit into the floor. The Doomsday Beast roared furiously at her.
"Then I'm starting, Old Yang!"
Theresa shouted. Welt nodded, indicating that his Black Hole barrier would protect everyone from the Divine Blessing Barrier's effects. After all, they were both Divine Keys.
"Oath of Judah, Zero Rated Power, Divine Blessing Barrier—Directional Deployment!"
"Clatter~"
As Theresa deployed the Oath of Judah, everyone watched in astonishment as thirteen spears shot from the golden cross and pierced into the void, followed by the sound of rattling chains.
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