Of five people, three are designated drivers

Seeing March 7th suddenly turn cold, returning to her usual self, Lin Chen...

The corners of Lin Chen's mouth lifted, and he nodded in satisfaction.

Sure enough, the old March 7th was the cutest. This felt so nice.

"I was only joking. Don't take it seriously, Little March."

"And you hit way too hard, girl. I think my leg's broken."

He pulled a face, putting on a pained expression.

Lin Chen suddenly felt that, if he hadn't embarked on the Path of Conquest...

Being a Juggler of Elation wouldn't have been a bad choice either.

"Stop pretending! I only used 5.2% of my strength. It didn't hurt at all!"

"You're not an ordinary person. How could you be that fragile?"

Turning her cute face aside, March 7th spoke in exasperation.

After their adventure together last night...

March 7th was fairly certain that Lin Chen was no ordinary person.

Even that terrifying red-clad entity of the Uncanny had been captured and destroyed by him.

Lin Chen's true identity really ought to have been a master Demon Hunter.

"Lin Chen... could you answer my question properly? I'm serious this time!"

"Of course, don't get the wrong idea. I only mean traveling together."

"Just as teammates and companions. I... I don't mean anything else."

"Right, after leaving the Astral Express, I'll have to find a way to earn Credits!"

Her slender, jade-like fingers twisted together, and her gaze wandered.

She looked toward the end of the corridor ahead, pretending to be relaxed and composed.

"I'd be happy to..."

"Traveling without that silly March 7th by my side would be a lot less fun."

Suddenly stopping, Lin Chen nodded gently.

What exactly had happened after March 7th returned to the Astral Express?

Lin Chen had no way of knowing.

But judging by the situation before him, March 7th was already considering a backup plan.

Clearly, things weren't as simple as he'd imagined.

On a related note...

Lin Chen also felt that March 7th's attitude toward him seemed to have changed noticeably.

If she chose to travel with him after leaving the Astral Express...

Did that mean he held a reasonably important place in her heart?

Considering the system's earlier [Intermediate Bond] notification...

Lin Chen felt that, with a little more effort, he might really win March 7th over.

"Oh... got it!"

She nodded gently, a fleeting hint of tenderness appearing at the corners of her mouth.

March 7th's tightly knitted brows slowly relaxed as well.

After returning to Cabin 0276 together in an unspoken understanding...

Lin Chen quietly waited for time to pass.

Letting March 7th get some rest, Lin Chen opened Honkai: Star Rail Glory again.

Sure enough...

The moment Wolf Girl saw Lin Chen come online, she sent another invitation.

Thinking back to what had happened in Asta's cabin that day...

Lin Chen felt a little embarrassed.

He took Wolf Girl along and played more than a dozen matches in a row.

During this time, Wolf Girl's friend [Undying Blade] also joined them.

But in Lin Chen's opinion, there seemed to be something a little off about this guy.

Every so often, he'd blurt out something inexplicable. Hmm... he was a bit of an edgelord.

[Undying Blade: Of five people, three are designated drivers. You... are not one of them!]

[Invincible Cheng Ge: Can't five people ride in one car? Why do you need three designated drivers?]

[Unbeatable Wolf: (Sweating profusely emoji) x10.]

[Undying Blade: Typo...]

[Undying Blade: Though this beautiful sight lies beyond my reach, I can still invite you all to admire it...]

[Invincible Cheng Ge: I'm begging you, could you stop charging into the enemy team and feeding them kills?]

[From another perspective, your deaths really are spectacular. You find a new way every time...]

[Unbeatable Wolf: Exactly! You idiot, you've fed the enemy so many kills!]

[Undying Blade: Cheng Ge... I don't know you. That is a good thing for you.]

[Things never end well for those I remember...]

"Does this guy have a screw loose...?"

"Whatever. Since he's Wolf Girl's friend, I'll let it slide."

Unable to make much sense of him, in the matches that followed...

Lin Chen rarely spoke to [Undying Blade].

After all, their minds didn't seem to exist in the same dimension.

After [Undying Blade] played a few matches...

He suddenly logged off without another word.

[Invincible Cheng Ge: Little Wolf, is he always like this?]

[Unbeatable Wolf: Yep, yep... always. You'll get used to it, Master.]

[Let's not invite him next time. He can't do anything except charge in and die...]

[Invincible Cheng Ge: Little Wolf, I have a mission tonight too, so I'm logging off.]

[Remember to get some rest early. Girls get dark circles if they keep staying up late.]

[Unbeatable Wolf: Okay, Master. I'll keep that in mind...]

After closing Honkai: Star Rail Glory...

Seeing that it was almost the appointed time, Lin Chen woke March 7th up from the bed.

The two headed to the Master Control Zone of Herta Space Station.

Before long...

Beneath the enormous overhead starfield display, amid a vast array of floating screens...

Lin Chen spotted Asta, who was busily operating the Terminal equipment.

"Mr. Lin Chen, March 7th... you're here!"

"What exactly is the plan for tonight?"

"You can tell me now, can't you?"

Asta raised her delicate brows slightly, curiosity appearing on her pretty face.

"Asta, is it just you?"

"Don't we have anyone else helping us?"

Looking at the beautiful young station manager, who was still hard at work...

Lin Chen couldn't help frowning.

When they'd parted that afternoon, he'd clearly given Asta five little pills.

That should have been enough to awaken at least two powerful people aboard the Space Station.

"Mr. Lin Chen... oh, you mean that."

"How strange. What on earth is Arlan doing?"

"He was always punctual before!"

Her delicate brows knitting slightly, Asta muttered a complaint.

Just then...

Clack, clack, clack...

Accompanied by the sound of metal combat boots striking the alloy floor...

A figure in light armor slowly approached, carrying a large alloy blade.

Short, gray-white hair and purplish-red eyes.

The young girl before them wore blue trousers and silver light armor.

The weapon in his hand looked quite heavy.

"What a dashing girl."

"But he certainly looks the part of a warrior."

"He looks a lot more reliable than Asta..."

Resting his chin on one hand, Lin Chen sized up the girl in combat gear.

He offered his assessment.

Hmm... his skin seemed a little dark, but none of that mattered.

What he needed now was truly capable backup.

"Young lady... I'm here."

Leaning the Alloy Warblade to one side, the girl with short, gray-white hair spoke softly.

"How many times have I told you? Don't call me young lady! Call me station manager!"

"Yes, station manager."

"You... you're Arlan? No way! How did you end up like this?"

Asta, who had still been busy working, turned her head.

When she saw the girl with short gray hair standing before her...

Asta's pupils abruptly contracted, her pretty face filled with shock.