Making Asta Cry

He saw shock and panic in Lin Chen's eyes.

The girl with long pink hair draped over her shoulders pressed her rosy lips together, revealing a slightly smug smile.

Her cool, silky fingertips curled gently.

Asta guided Lin Chen's palm a little higher, bringing it against the soft curves beneath her white nightwear.

"Mr. Lin Chen... I wasn't lying, was I?"

"It really does feel a little uncomfortable here. My heart is beating so fast..."

She dipped her head slightly, bringing her beautiful face closer to Lin Chen.

Asta's voice sounded sweet and melodious, with a hint of seduction woven through it.

He felt her warm, delicately fragrant breath brush his neck.

And the soft, silky sensation against his palm.

Lin Chen remained silent, angels and demons waging a fierce battle in his heart.

The situation before him was clear.

Asta was obviously trying to seduce him, and she kept upping the ante.

So how exactly should he respond?

Simply give in?

Or quickly push the beautiful girl away and stop before he went too far?

For once, Lin Chen found himself unable to decide.

No... I need to stay calm.

March 7th might be back any second. If she sees this...

Even jumping into the galaxy won't wash away my guilt.

March 7th's sweet, playful expression came to mind, bringing Lin Chen back to his senses a little.

In the end, reason tipped the scales against desire.

He needed to work on strengthening his bond with March 7th and gain influence on a world scale.

Only then could he receive more system rewards.

If he fell for Asta's tricks because of the temptation right in front of him...

Wouldn't that mean throwing away something far more valuable for a petty gain?

When that happened, Himeko might well take March 7th's side too.

And put him straight on the Astral Express's blacklist...

"Asta... enough is enough!"

"Helping you escape the calamity of The Uncanny and regain your sanity was already more than generous of me."

"If you have any other designs on me, forget them now."

He pulled his hand away and took a step back, distancing himself from Asta's temptation.

Lin Chen's expression turned cold as he put on a stern, serious face.

He had never imagined it.

An old hand like him actually had such a righteous side.

[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have formed an initial bond with Asta, a key figure in the world of Honkai: Star Rail!]

[Ground armored vehicle—Hellfire Battlewagon x1 has been deposited in the system inventory.]

[Congratulations, host. You have formed an intermediate bond with Asta, a key figure in the world of Honkai: Star Rail!]

[Commander-exclusive equipment-Myriad Nan Alloy Armor x1 has been deposited in the system inventory.]

Just as Lin Chen was marveling at his own noble and righteous character...

The system's cold, mechanical voice rang out in his mind.

Leaving him frozen on the spot.

Holy shit... you dumbass system, are you messing with me?

Asta counts as a key figure in the world's storyline too?

Lin Chen was completely stunned. The joy of having stood firm in the name of righteousness all but evaporated.

If he had known Asta possessed the same qualities as March 7th...

Wouldn't it have been better not to reject her just now?

If he could take his relationship with Asta further, wouldn't he hit the jackpot?

After all, the rewards the system had given him this time were genuinely good.

And Asta had been so captivating just now that he had barely been able to bring himself to refuse her.

[For the function that detects a target's traits, please refer to page 137 of the System Operating Manual...]

[The system will provide a corresponding assessment upon the host's request.]

[No request was previously received from the host. Unprompted reminders fall outside the scope of service.]

Faced with Lin Chen's shock and complaints, the system offered its explanation without the slightest hurry.

Fine, fine! You're always right!

Picking on a newbie host because I don't know system law, huh?

System, show me the rewards I just received!

He took a deep breath, doing his best to settle his emotions rather than argue with the system.

Ever practical, Lin Chen decided to inspect his gains first.

A moment later, the relevant item information appeared on the auxiliary screen before Lin Chen.

[Armored vehicle: Hellfire Battlewagon.]

[A highly mobile light armored vehicle that roams vast battlefields in the age of all-out interstellar warfare.]

[Equipped with the "Hellfire" plasma flamethrower system, capable of dealing massive damage to biological targets.]

[Commander-exclusive equipment-Myriad Nan Alloy Armor.]

[Light armor developed around the "Myriad" micro-scale intelligent core, featuring high strength and broad adaptability.]

[Can reconfigure itself into a defensive structure of any surface area according to the user's thoughts.]

The Hellfire Battlewagon, huh... looks pretty fierce.

Whatever else happens, I finally have a ride.

As for this [Myriad Nan Alloy Armor], it looks pretty good too.

I was just worrying that I didn't have enough ways to stay alive. This really couldn't have come at a better time...

Delighted, Lin Chen immediately took the new armor out of the system inventory.

He briefly pictured its appearance in his mind.

The next instant, clothing with a faint metallic sheen appeared on his body.

It was incredibly soft and light, fitting him as comfortably as casual clothes.

He felt no discomfort whatsoever.

For convenience and appearance, Lin Chen did not cover his entire body with the [Myriad Nan Alloy Armor].

Otherwise, he probably would have looked like some kind of technological freak.

With his new equipment on, most of Lin Chen's resentment toward the system faded.

Though the damn system often caused ridiculous mishaps with its delayed responses...

The rewards this time were good enough that he decided not to dwell on it.

"So... you really do already have someone in your heart, Mr. Lin Chen."

"Compared to March 7th, I must seem like a hateful woman to Lin Chen, don't I?"

The gentle smile faded from her fair, delicate face.

She bit her rosy lip, draining the soft flesh of its usual lustrous color.

Lin Chen's figure was reflected in Asta's clear, lake-blue eyes.

Shimmering ripples seemed to spread through them.

With her delicate hands clasped before her chest, Asta's slender brows drew together slightly.

She looked disappointed and hurt.

"Asta..."

Looking at the girl whose beautiful eyes seemed to brim with glistening tears...

Lin Chen wanted to offer a few words of comfort.

But his mind blanked for a moment, leaving him at a loss for words.

He seemed to have been a little too harsh earlier.

Yet suddenly changing his tune now would feel rather inconsistent.

"You don't have to say anything, Mr. Lin Chen..."

"I already understand."

"I could never match March 7th's innocence and sweetness."

"Perhaps, in Lin Chen's eyes, Asta is just a proud, scheming, wicked woman!"

Biting her rosy lip, Asta finished speaking.

Then she turned away and climbed onto the soft, snow-white bed.

And wrapped her entire body tightly in the thick blanket.