Bloodstained White Dress

[Anomaly: No. 3769. Containment complete.]

[Current containment device: remaining space, 0...]

After Lin Chen dealt with the uncanny red dress, in his mind...

The system's cold, mechanical voice rang out once again.

On the pale blue screen that appeared before him as an auxiliary panel...

Detailed information about the red dress appeared as well.

[Anomaly: No. 3769.]

[Name: Bloodstained White Dress]

[A young female dancer died tragically in an accident.]

[Her pure white dancing dress was completely dyed red with blood.]

[A hundred years passed, and no one in the world remembered the dancer's name.]

[Only the Bloodstained White Dress remembered its owner's lingering obsession.]

[When the midnight bell tolls, a splash of crimson always wanders outside the windows of the sleepless.]

[Human women it deems sufficiently exceptional are chosen as its prey.]

[Perhaps its host will gain outstanding dancing talent.]

[But remember: a dance with the Bloodstained White Dress ends only in death...]

"So that's how it is... good thing it ran into March."

"Otherwise, another innocent girl probably would've suffered."

After murmuring to himself, Lin Chen carried the containment device over to where March 7th stood.

Although the young Trailblazer had been scared out of her wits, she had stayed where she was.

March 7th's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly as she looked at what Lin Chen was carrying.

She instinctively took a few steps back.

"It's okay now... this thing is just an inanimate object."

Seeing the lingering fear on March 7th's face, Lin Chen couldn't help chuckling.

It seemed the [Bloodstained White Dress] had already instilled an instinctive fear in March 7th.

"Honestly, I think this red dress has a pretty decent design."

"It should suit your figure."

"Himeko told me you like collecting all kinds of dresses, too."

"How about... I leave it with you for your collection?"

The corners of Lin Chen's lips lifted as he teased her.

Although this creepy thing had given him quite a scare at midnight, too...

Things were different now. An Anomaly that couldn't cause trouble was nothing to fear.

"No way... only an idiot would wear something like that!"

"By the way, Lin Chen, you actually have a way to deal with dangerous monsters like this."

"How come you never mentioned it back on the Express?"

March 7th looked away from the red dress inside the containment device.

A hint of surprise appeared on her beautiful face, still faintly streaked with tears.

If Lin Chen had impressive abilities of his own, wouldn't that give him a chance to stay aboard the Astral Express?

"Ahem... so that's what you're asking, March."

"Just now, I suddenly seemed to remember a lot of things."

"Maybe I used to be a Demon Hunter Master."

Shrugging, Lin Chen casually came up with an excuse.

"I remember now!"

"I remembered something else!"

"I remembered even more!"

Though the excuse was a little clichéd and far-fetched, it could just about explain his growth.

[The host's current containment space is limited.]

[Would you like to perform Field Decomposition on Anomaly No. 3769 to obtain additional space?]

The system's voice rang out in his mind again.

"Decompose it! Keeping this creepy thing is no use at all!"

Glancing at the red dress inside the containment device, Lin Chen answered decisively.

The next moment, the lantern in his hand erupted with dazzling green light again.

Countless densely packed runes formed a spiraling storm.

They ground the crimson fabric into nothingness.

At the instant it vanished, the crimson dress seemed to turn pure white once more...

[Field Decomposition of Anomaly No. 3769, Bloodstained White Dress, complete.]

[Congratulations, host. You have received 500 conquest points.]

[Additional reward: Low-Quality Sanity Pills x10. Deposited in the host's inventory.]

"Only 500 conquest points? So-so."

"Sanity Pills? And low-quality ones at that... what's that supposed to mean?"

Sensing Lin Chen's thoughts, the system immediately brought up the corresponding item information.

[Item: Low-Quality Sanity Pills.]

[Effect: Provides some therapeutic benefit to living beings whose sanity has been affected by uncanny disasters.]

[Note: This item is a low-quality version. Users will experience random side effects (mild), which will disappear within several days.]

"This bonus reward is kind of garbage."

"Mediocre effects, plus side effects. Is this stuff even fit for people to take?"

After reading the item information before him, Lin Chen felt rather disappointed.

Although the system mentioned that the side effects were minor and short-lived...

For humans whose sanity had collapsed, the pills could still serve as an emergency measure.

But there were only ten of them, far too few.

Deciding who to give them to really was a problem.

"The singing still hasn't stopped? Looks like we'll have to call it a night."

Having just dealt with his first Anomaly, Lin Chen was feeling fired up.

But he also knew that some things couldn't be rushed.

Although March 7th was powerful, the uncanny horrors had scared her out of her wits.

She had almost completely lost her will to fight.

As for him, he didn't yet have the ability to confront uncanny creations head-on.

"March... thanks for your hard work tonight."

"Go back and get some rest. See you tomorrow..."

Patting the girl beside him on the shoulder, Lin Chen started walking.

He headed straight back the way they had come.

He had only just entered residential cabin No. 0276.

When light footsteps followed behind him.

Taking a closer look, he found March 7th already standing at the door.

"What's wrong, March... is there something else you want to discuss?"

Sitting by the window and stretching, Lin Chen asked casually.

"Not really..."

With her hands behind her back, March 7th gently shook her head.

She surveyed the cabin, an unusual look flickering in her beautiful eyes.

"Actually... after giving it a lot of thought..."

"I've decided to stay here tonight to keep you safe!"

"That's right... that's exactly it!"

Her gaze shifted evasively, and she turned her cute little face aside, her voice rather faint.

"Ahem... I think you're scared, Miss March."

"What... don't dare go back to your room and sleep alone?"

Seeing March 7th's telltale pose when she lied, Lin Chen couldn't help chuckling.

Sure enough, even though the Bloodstained White Dress had been annihilated...

The psychological shadow it had left on March 7th was still far too deep.

"N-no, I'm not!"

"I'm just keeping my promise. I don't want anything to happen to you!"

March 7th puffed out her cheeks, a faint blush seemingly spreading across her fair, flawless face.

"All right, come in..."

Seeing how adorably goofy March 7th looked, Lin Chen decided not to tease her any further.

Thinking back, on the way to Herta Space Station...

Lin Chen had always felt that having March 7th by his side was the best way to handle a crisis.

Powerful backup at practically no cost-why wouldn't he make use of it?