Conquer the world?
Sorry, I didn't have ambitions that big yet.
Conquer the beauties of Honkai: Star Rail?
Hmm, now that sounded good...
Through sheer chance, he had unlocked the system's starter gift pack.
Lin Chen decided to bid farewell to his days of slacking off.
He would begin his journey of conquest at Herta Space Station.
At the end of the train's corridor, the clicking of high heels drew closer.
The elegant fragrance of white orchid perfume mingled with the rich aroma of coffee.
"That blue planet looks a lot like your home, doesn't it?"
"Azure Star, Ms. Herta's homeworld."
"In this age of rampant Stellaron disasters, it's something of a sanctuary."
A gentle, soothing voice reached his ears.
With his outlook already utterly transformed, Lin Chen snapped out of his wicked fantasies.
Beside the train's mirror-bright window stood a woman.
Her crimson hair cascaded to her waist, and the corners of the mature beauty's rose-pink lips curved slightly upward.
Her gentle smile was more captivating than the brilliant stars outside.
Clear ripples of light seemed to shimmer in her beautiful amber eyes.
Her simple, pure-white gown traced the graceful curves of her slender figure.
The gown's V-shaped neckline was slightly askew.
The breathtaking sight of her full, snow-white peaks lay right before his eyes.
As expected of Himeko. Her combat power was miles above March 7th's...
As his gaze drifted slightly downward, Lin Chen marveled sincerely to himself.
During his several weeks aboard the Astral Express, Lin Chen had always behaved himself.
He had always had an eye for spotting and appreciating beauty.
But this was truly the first time he had studied Himeko's stunning figure as closely as he did tonight.
Although Himeko, the self-proclaimed scientist before him, was calm, rational, and gentle.
Lin Chen had no doubt about one thing.
Had he crossed the line before, Himeko might well have dumped him on some wilderness planet along their route.
Pom-Pom had told him in private.
The suitcase Himeko carried was packed with lethal weapons.
"Little fellow... it's rude to look at girls like that."
"I won't hold it against you too much, but you'd better be careful in the future..."
"Some women in positions of power aren't nearly as good-tempered as I am."
She folded her right arm across her chest, covering the deep cleavage between those magnificent snowy peaks.
She took a small sip of coffee from her white porcelain cup.
The gentle smile faded from Himeko's face, replaced by a somewhat stern expression.
Himeko had originally wanted to have a proper talk with Lin Chen about his plans and dreams for the future.
Now, however, she had lost interest.
Still, as someone more experienced, Himeko intended to give Lin Chen a word of warning.
"Please don't misunderstand, Himeko."
"We're about to part ways. I just wanted to remember what you look like."
"Thank you for all the care and kindness you've shown me."
"My journey aboard the Astral Express will be the most unforgettable memory of my life."
Lin Chen shifted his gaze to the vast sea of stars beyond the window and spoke with feigned detachment.
He was merely spouting nonsense with a straight face.
But Lin Chen still put on a convincing act. He couldn't let Himeko think he was a total lecher.
At Lin Chen's reply, the pupils in Himeko's beautiful amber eyes narrowed slightly, then slowly relaxed.
Had I really misjudged him? Himeko wasn't sure.
Still, hearing Lin Chen's words left Himeko with a faint sense of melancholy.
The Astral Express traveled through the vast sea of stars, stopping along the way, and many people had been passing guests.
But whenever the time came to say goodbye.
Only Himeko knew that she was never as detached and carefree as she appeared.
"The Astral Express will make a brief stop at Herta Space Station."
"I've already contacted them to arrange permanent residency on Azure Star for you."
"Don't worry too much about the train. Take care of yourself..."
Her willow-leaf brows relaxed slightly as she set her coffee cup aside.
Himeko's exquisite face remained as composed and dignified as ever, but an unusual emotion flickered in her beautiful eyes.
Although such a hurried farewell seemed rather cold.
Lin Chen didn't belong here, after all. Going to Azure Star and starting over was where his future lay.
Was she kicking me out already?
No... I had to farm a little more influence before leaving.
Lin Chen wasn't particularly bothered by Himeko's cool attitude.
But remembering the [Starsea Conqueror] system, he decided to milk this opportunity first.
Since he had been able to trigger an initial bond with March 7th.
Perhaps he could do the same with Himeko?
The system had mentioned several times that the world of Honkai: Star Rail was full of indescribable threats.
If he didn't build up more resources, he might drop dead the moment he set foot on Herta Space Station.
At that thought, Lin Chen stopped hesitating and boldly stepped forward.
He placed both hands on Himeko's slender waist and pulled the mature beauty into his arms.
A full, springy softness like marshmallows pressed against his chest.
Through the silky fabric of her gown, Lin Chen could clearly feel the texture of Himeko's skin and the warmth of her body.
Her crimson hair scattered in disarray, brushing his ears with a tingling sensation.
With their bodies so close, the elegant perfume grew even more intoxicating.
"You..."
The pupils in her beautiful amber eyes abruptly contracted.
Himeko was always dignified and steady, remaining unruffled in the face of every kind of crisis.
Yet now, a trace of panic appeared on her jade-white face.
Ever since she had discovered the Astral Express on the coast of her homeworld as a girl.
Even Himeko could no longer remember how many years had passed.
But Himeko knew very well that she had never had this degree of physical contact with a man.
Indeed, although she always regarded herself as the senior, she had always been alone.
As the Astral Express's navigator, she had eyes only for her dream of exploring the stars.
Thump, thump...
At that moment, faced with Lin Chen's sudden ambush.
Himeko felt her heartbeat inexplicably quicken.
She couldn't tell whether it was because she had been startled.
Or because those mysterious feelings described in books were stirring within her.
"What exactly do you think you're doing?"
Recovering from her shock, Himeko's beautiful eyes took on a cold, piercing look.
Although she wanted to shove Lin Chen away and give him a thorough thrashing.
As the more mature of the two, Himeko decided to give Lin Chen a chance to explain first.
Whatever else he might be, in her eyes, Lin Chen was a guest the Astral Express had rescued.
"A hug is the most basic courtesy when saying goodbye to family. That's the one thing I still remember."
"You know I've lost almost all my memories, Himeko."
"Although my time aboard the train has been short, I see you as my own older sister."
"Yes... not just you, but March 7th, Pom-Pom, and Uncle Yang, too. You're all the family I treasure most..."
Since he had already decided to take this gamble.
Faced with Himeko's questioning, Lin Chen cast aside all shame and continued deploying his art of bullshit.
He had no choice. This damned system seemed to be lagging; even now, no reward notification had popped up.
Before you continue