"I'll give your suggestion some serious thought, Miss March."
"As nice as the Astral Express is, I don't have any compelling reason to stay."
His gaze drifted toward the glittering sea of stars beyond the corridor's windows.
He watched the star rail stretch toward the horizon like a golden thread.
Lin Chen spoke with a deliberately indifferent expression.
From March 7th's words, Lin Chen could more or less tell.
March 7th was quite fond of him now.
After all, who would care where someone went if they didn't care about that person at all?
Lin Chen still remembered.
When he had first arrived at Herta Space Station last night.
That little brat March 7th had wanted him as far away as possible.
That way, she could get out of paying him altogether.
The obvious change in March 7th's attitude toward him.
Seemed to fit the [intermediate bond] the system had mentioned.
But now, Lin Chen had more things to consider.
He didn't want to beg Himeko to give him a chance to board the Astral Express.
That would make him look a little too desperate.
What he wanted was an official invitation from the Astral Express.
Then he could board with every right to be there.
"The Uncanny crisis on Herta Space Station is over."
"And it suddenly occurred to me that staying on Herta Space Station."
"And working as a security guard or something wouldn't be so bad."
"At least I'd have an easy life..."
"Asta probably wouldn't mind finding me a job, either."
Watching March 7th fall silent again.
Lin Chen felt mischievous once more and wanted to tease the cute girl beside him.
Lin Chen did know a thing or two about winning girls over.
After all, a guy who groveled over a girl would end up with nothing.
If he could really stir up a girl's emotions.
He might just make some unexpected progress.
"Hey! You idiot!"
"Can't you have a little ambition?"
"A master Demon Hunter would settle for being a security guard on the Space Station?"
"Hmph... don't tell me you've got your eye on Asta?"
Her slender, jade-like hands clenched into fists.
March 7th, the pretty girl hopping in agitation, puffed out her cheeks.
Her pink-and-blue eyes were filled with shock.
"Hm? You figured me out already?"
"Miss March, it seems you have the makings of a detective."
Seeing the familiar March 7th return.
Lin Chen teased her offhandedly.
Sure enough, he preferred the lively March 7th who was always brimming with energy.
"Y-you big jerk!"
"Get those weird ideas out of your head already!"
"Besides, Asta could never like you."
"Yeah, absolutely never!"
As she spoke, March 7th kept her cheeks puffed out.
An unusual look flickered in her beautiful eyes, and her willow-leaf brows furrowed.
Although March 7th also felt that Lin Chen was joking.
At the mention of Asta's name.
She still felt an involuntary pang in her heart.
Compared with Asta, she really didn't seem to have any advantages.
Asta was not only beautiful, but also knowledgeable and well-read.
She was also unbelievably rich.
And March 7th was just the least accomplished of the Nameless aboard the Astral Express.
She didn't even have any memories of her past.
"Ahem... let's leave that aside for now."
"We're at Cabin 0276."
"Come on, Miss March. Let's head inside and get some rest."
Looking at the slightly dented cabin door before him.
Lin Chen stopped and spoke slowly.
Order seemed to be returning to the Space Station.
He had already seen quite a few researchers moving freely through the corridors they had passed.
As for this cabin, which had once left him with terrifying memories.
Lin Chen wanted to go back and see.
Whether that old book was still there.
"Come on, my foot!"
"Who wants to stay with you?"
"Don't tell me you're still trying to trick me into thinking you need protection?"
"I'm going back to my own room... bye!"
Her gaze swept over the number plate on Cabin 0276's door.
March 7th hesitated briefly.
Then, after leaving him with those words, she swaggered away.
Using the keycard he carried to unlock Cabin 0276's door.
Lin Chen returned to the somewhat familiar room.
Everything before him was just as it had been when he left that morning.
On the desk with its simple, futuristic design.
The old book that should have been sitting there.
Had vanished without a trace, just as he had expected.
"Sure enough, it looks like everything's over."
"I'll get some sleep first. After all that running around, I'm feeling a little tired."
Looking at the somewhat familiar, soft bed.
Lin Chen felt drowsiness wash over him.
It was already half past two in the morning.
The eerie singing at midnight had disappeared.
Lin Chen no longer felt quite so wary and guarded.
During his earlier battle with the [Deep-Sea Nightmare].
Keeping his nerves stretched to the limit had taken quite a toll on him.
Lying on the large, snow-white bed.
Lin Chen soon drifted off to sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, the endless darkness before his eyes dispersed.
Dazzling sunlight shone through his eyelids.
The lively chatter of a bustling crowd filled his ears.
A familiar briny smell mingled with the gentle, warm breeze.
Lin Chen groggily opened his eyes.
And found himself in a bustling marketplace.
Closely packed buildings with blue roofs and white walls surrounded him.
On either side of the cobblestone slope.
Stalls laden with fruit and spices offered a dazzling array of goods.
"Sir, you're from the distant east, aren't you?"
"Would you like some fresh apples?"
A bearded vendor by the roadside called out warmly to Lin Chen.
He smiled and waved a hand to indicate that he didn't need any.
Lin Chen followed the rather narrow alley.
Strolling toward the mountaintop.
I was just in a residential cabin on Herta Space Station, wasn't I?
How did I suddenly end up here?
Abruptly coming to his senses, Lin Chen couldn't help frowning.
Is this a dream?
But this dream seems a little too real.
His fingers lightly brushed the white wall along the street.
The rough texture of stone mixed with earth.
Left Lin Chen somewhat startled.
Ordinary dreams usually contained only vague outlines and impressions.
They certainly wouldn't have such clear, distinct textures.
Besides, dreams were always an extension of reality.
Lin Chen couldn't remember ever visiting anywhere like this.
Or studying images of a city like the one before him in any detail.
A faint sense of foreboding.
Lingered in Lin Chen's heart.
Quickening his pace, Lin Chen soon followed the uneven path.
To a higher spot on the hillside.
Gazing into the distance.
Lin Chen saw an endless expanse of azure sea.
And bustling crowds boarding ships in a busy harbor.
"Dong, dong, dong..."
The distant, melodious tolling of a bell drifted over.
At the end of the harbor pier, an old-fashioned sailing ship raised its white sails.
The sailors aboard cheered and leaped with excitement, seemingly performing a departure ceremony.
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