Preparing for the Leap

By now, everyone had more or less finished talking with Pam, and Pam had learned about what happened on the Space Station—especially the fact that Theresa had become an Envoy of Joy, which was the hardest thing for it to believe. What it feared most were the Masked Fools; it had been tormented by them terribly before!

"Then, Passenger Theresa, you need to agree to three rules with the Conductor."

"First, no pranks or teasing other passengers inside the train. Second, no using train funds to buy any other animals—not even bugs! Finally, no joking around with the Conductor, sabotaging the Conductor's food, or causing trouble on the train. Especially that last one, Passenger Theresa, do you understand?"

Pam looked up at Theresa as it laid out the agreement.

[Disciple understands, thank you, Conductor~]

"Mm-hmm, I understand. I'm not the type to throw everything away for a laugh; that would just make me hateful and annoying."

Theresa explained to Pam with an awkward sweatdrop, ignoring the Herta Space Station System's antics. Pam breathed a sigh of relief, remembering how badly it had been tormented by the Stellaron Hunters back in the day.

{For reference on how badly the Conductor was tormented, you can check out Aqevili's Dream Bubbles. We won't go into detail here.}

"Besides, everyone doesn't need to worry that much. I'm not a true Envoy of Joy yet, because I haven't put on the mask. I have a gut feeling that mask is one-time use. You all saw how it absorbed so much of Joyful Aha's Power of Joy."

"I have a strong intuition that once I put on that mask, I'll undergo an irreversible change. Maybe I'll become stronger. But whether I'll become wiser, I have no idea. So I've decided—unless it's a critical moment, I won't dare put it on."

Theresa's words made everyone thoughtful. After all, they had all witnessed how that strange mask transformed after absorbing such a vast amount of Power of Joy, changing from a sinister stone mask into a wise jade one.

[My little cutie, the way you're talking sounds like you're about to put on the Golden Fillet and never go back. Did Black Myth: Wukong marinate you that deep? How about you V me 328 and let me become the Chosen One~]

The Herta Space Station System's jab made Theresa helpless. She only then realized her words had a strong vibe of Sun Wukong about to don the Golden Fillet.

"Just to be safe, Theresa, stay as you are. Your combat power has helped everyone a lot, but if it means taking unnecessary risks, neither I nor anyone else will let you do that."

Welt looked at Theresa seriously as he spoke. Theresa nodded. After all, becoming Theresa was already a huge win; she didn't want to put on that mask and turn into some weirdo.

[Little cutie, you don't need to worry about that. The essence of the Stone Mask is an upgrade in life level. As for what changes happen after absorbing that God of Mischief's power, this system isn't too sure either. But it won't be negative. After all, He called you 'little cutie,' right?]

[Hmm, maybe it'll turn you into a beautiful Otsukiyo. Wouldn't that be stunning? Ahhh, this system is getting excited! Why am I a system, you坑爹的 Immortal Dragon o(╥﹏╥)o]

Theresa listened to the Herta Space Station System's rambling with a sweatdrop. She did like Otsukiyo quite a bit. After all, what captain doesn't love their official partner? So beautiful, so big, gentle and caring to her own people, and swinging a chainsaw at enemies—how thrilling was that!

"Everyone, get some rest. Tomorrow the train will begin its warp to the next stop, Jarilo-VI."

Pam told everyone to rest. Just then, Welt coughed, making Stelle and March 7th, who were about to pry open the Herta automaton's legs, freeze with awkward expressions.

"There are some things I'd rather not get involved in as a man, but are you two sure you want to investigate the Herta automaton in full view of everyone in the train hall?"

Welt asked awkwardly, looking at Stelle and the embarrassed March 7th. The two of them gave awkward smiles.

"Come on, Theresa, we'll take you to your new room."

March 7th led Stelle and Theresa to Theresa's new room. The room had already been tidied up by Pam. The style was powder blue, and the bed was the same thick, soft mattress as March 7th's, covered with plush, light bedding.

There was also a computer in the room. Though Theresa had no idea where Pam had pulled it from, she felt the specs probably weren't too shabby.

"Mm, not bad, not bad. It's got a bit of a girly vibe. And this bed is pretty big—how about we all sleep together tonight?"

March 7th suggested excitedly, eyeing the two-meter-wide bed.

"Huh? Isn't that a bit inappropriate? This is my first time sleeping with other girls. I don't know if I'll be used to it."

Theresa shouted, her face red and ears burning. After all, she had been a guy before; she wasn't the real Theresa.

[Clearly a little girl, you mean.]

{Shut up!}

Theresa silently cursed the Herta Space Station System in her mind.

[(^▽^) Hehe. You're cute when you're mad too.]

Theresa tried her best to ignore it. Even though it was her best buddy turned into a system, hearing it say it was working toward becoming human-shaped and had now become the designated joker was annoying.

"Theresa, come see how to turn on the Herta automaton. Is it by pressing that happy bean?"

March 7th asked curiously. Since they were all girls, she just blurted it out bluntly.

[Oh ho, happy bean. Pair of Aces. Can't afford~]

The Herta Space Station System started acting up again. Theresa clenched her fist secretly. Don't think she didn't understand it was mocking her flat chest!

"Emm, let me take a look."

Theresa blushed a little as she explored the Herta automaton. Finally, she found a button in the center of its chest. Curious, she pressed it.

[Beep. Herta automaton starting up. Please do not press randomly, or I'll blow up in your face.]

[Please enter the passkey.]

The Herta automaton's lifeless voice came through. But Theresa, March 7th, and Stelle were all at a loss. How were they supposed to know the passkey?

But Theresa thought back. When Herta took them to her office, she did input a password. It was pinyin.

[heitashijiediyikeai]

The Herta Space Station System reminded her.

"Alright, I remember now. It's the pinyin for 'Herta, the world's number one cutie.'"

"But how do I input it? There's only one button."

As Theresa voiced her confusion, the Herta automaton's stiff expression became lively.

[Passkey detected. Startup successful. Please select service mode: Housekeeping Mode, Sensual Mode, Combat Mode.]

The three of them brightened up at once, Theresa's eyes darting around.

"Sensual Mode!"

Theresa called out excitedly. March 7th and Stelle stared at her in shock—they hadn't expected this side of Theresa.

[Selection failed. This mode is locked. Defaulting to Housekeeping Mode.]

[You want to play me? You're overthinking it! This is Herta's own recording.]

The Herta automaton said, looking at the group.

Today's beauty: Theresa is so cute.