Finally, after being destroyed 276 times in succession.
The ruined white clock tower no longer restored itself completely.
Crack...
As the crisp sound of shattering rang out across heaven and earth.
Everything in Lin Chen's field of vision.
Broke apart like shards of a mirror.
And ultimately returned to endless darkness.
A somewhat familiar floral fragrance.
Drew closer, accompanied by warm, orchid-scented breath.
Lin Chen seemed to hear a gentle call.
"Lin Chen... you idiot, wake up!"
"It's almost time for your appointment with Asta..."
When Lin Chen opened his eyes.
He found himself slumped on the Starrail Platform of Herta Space Station.
Not far behind him stood the brightly lit Astral Express.
And at that moment, March 7th had her arms folded across her chest.
Her adorable, jade-white face was full of displeasure.
"Hmph? Finally done pretending, are you?"
"If you don't want to go to Azure Star, just say so."
"Putting on an act in front of me..."
Her cheeks puffed out sulkily.
A hint of impatience appeared in March 7th's beautiful pink-and-blue eyes.
Lin Chen shook his head hard.
Trying his best to remain calm.
His gaze fell on his watch, and he saw that it was exactly 10:30.
Memories from not so long ago resurfaced.
Lin Chen suddenly felt a chill down his spine.
The unease in his heart rose to its peak.
Everything before him seemed to have returned to the very beginning.
Moreover, this was not the dream world.
It was what had happened on the first night.
The girl beside him was no different from March 7th in either manner or personality.
If he had to describe it.
Time... seemed to have flowed backward.
"System, check the state of my sanity!"
His heartbeat suddenly quickening.
Lin Chen issued an order directly to the system.
[Scan complete. The host's sanity has not been affected by any external influence and is completely normal.]
The system's answer left Lin Chen frozen in place.
Could everything before me be the true reality?
And from the moment I first set foot on Herta Space Station.
All the crises and adventures I experienced.
Were nothing but fantasies conjured up in my mind?
If that were really the case.
Then had my bonds with March 7th and Asta never existed?
Did those conquest points and system rewards not exist either?
But that strange notion lingered for only an instant.
Before Lin Chen dismissed it completely.
Because when he opened the system inventory.
Lin Chen found that all those conquest points and reward items were still there.
On the Conqueror Legion's command panel.
The available combat units were still the same twenty-six Space Marines.
"Looks like this is far from simple..."
Turning to look at March 7th beside him.
Lin Chen's lips curved slightly into an intrigued smile.
Although the girl beside him was no different from the March 7th he remembered.
If some uncanny entity really did exist.
That could completely seal off and overturn space or perception.
Then everything he saw might not necessarily be real.
"Lin Chen, you idiot, what are you standing around for?"
"Hurry up!"
March 7th was still urging him on, interrupting his thoughts.
Lin Chen said nothing more.
And simply followed March 7th.
Taking the familiar route they had come by.
They arrived at the Master Control Zone of Herta Space Station.
Although it was already late at night.
Beneath the overhead curtain wall that offered a view of the sea of stars.
Quite a few researchers were still hurrying about with documents in their arms.
Hearing March 7th call out, the girl with long pink hair.
Slowly turned around, revealing a rather friendly smile.
Lin Chen's figure was reflected in her beautiful lake-blue eyes.
Her gaze seemed especially attentive and earnest.
"Asta, I'm leaving Lin Chen in your care."
"He's lost all his memories, just like me."
"If possible, could you arrange a job for him on Herta Space Station?"
"With your current authority, something this minor shouldn't be difficult, right?"
With her arms folded across her chest, March 7th made the suggestion earnestly.
"Mm... leave it to me."
"An honored guest of the Astral Express is also a friend of Madam Herta."
"I'll do my best to meet any needs Mr. Lin Chen may have!"
The girl with long pink hair smiled sweetly.
Rippling light seemed to dance within her clear, beautiful eyes.
"Oh? So the plot is different this time?"
"The second ending of the sailor's parable?"
Watching everything unfold before him.
Lin Chen remained silent, an intrigued smile playing on his lips.
"Mr. Lin Chen... here is the key to your cabin."
"Please don't lose it."
She gently placed the key to cabin 0002 in Lin Chen's palm.
Asta smiled faintly, her expression full of tenderness.
Hooking the key card's ring lightly with his fingertip.
Lin Chen tossed it aside.
"Mr. Lin Chen... you..."
A trace of surprise appeared on her lovely face.
The beautiful station manager raised her delicate eyebrows and could not help protesting softly.
"Rather than cabin 0002."
"I'd prefer Miss Asta's bedroom."
"You said you'd do your best to meet my requests. Surely you won't go back on your word, Miss Asta?"
Stepping forward, he took Asta's cool, silky hand.
The smile on Lin Chen's face became increasingly unrestrained.
"Shh..."
A slender, jade-like finger rested against Lin Chen's lips.
Asta gave Lin Chen a meaningful look.
"Come over after midnight..."
"Don't let March 7th know. I'm afraid it might cause unnecessary trouble."
Bringing her rosy lips closer, Asta spoke softly.
"Hey... what exactly are you two whispering about?"
"Lin Chen, don't even think about trying anything funny with Asta."
"Or... I'll freeze you into a giant block of ice!"
Striding over, she dragged Lin Chen aside.
March 7th knitted her delicate brows, putting on a stern, serious expression.
"All right... stop acting!"
"It's time this farce came to an end!"
Lin Chen smiled and shook his head, having already confirmed certain facts.
He had lost what patience he originally had.
Whether this was a dream or reality.
As long as his memories and the system-created things that could prove his past remained.
Everything before him was nothing but an illusion to him.
"Lin Chen, you idiot, what are you talking about?"
"Mr. Lin Chen, I don't understand what you mean..."
Faced with Lin Chen's unpredictable response.
Asta and March 7th were both utterly shocked.
"Having fun, are you?"
"Since you like playing games, let's play something more interesting."
As the words left his mouth, the smile faded from Lin Chen's face.
His expression became exceptionally cold and stern.
He snapped his fingers.
Amid a broad expanse of shimmering light.
The soldiers of the Conqueror Legion appeared once more.
"Tychus, see that Central Broadcasting Tower?"
"The usual drill. You know what to do."
His gaze rose, sweeping over the diamond-shaped spire in the center of the Master Control Zone.
Lin Chen spoke slowly.
Before you continue