He boarded the Astral Express. This time, time did not rewind to the beginning of everything, to the instant Kafka awakened him.
Through the enormous train window, he watched the familiar people waving goodbye to him.
When the time came to part, the rippling shimmer that had lingered in Asta's lake-blue eyes, set in her exquisite, lovely face, finally turned into crystalline tears that slid down her jade-like cheeks.
Arlan placed his right hand on his left shoulder and looked at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with fond memories and expectations.
Having finished their final farewell song, the sea of Herta Puppets held hands, their lovely pale-purple eyes filled with his reflection.
The puppet girl in a purple dress, the most special one of all, had tears of reluctance glistening at the corners of her eyes. Her cherry lips parted slightly as she said something, but Lin Feng could no longer make out her words...
The many researchers of Herta Space Station also waved to him, bidding their hero farewell.
"Ah... I kept thinking about how to leave Herta Space Station."
"Now that it's actually time to leave, I'm a little reluctant..."
Muttering a few words to himself, Lin Feng watched the Starrail Platform recede amid the roar of the train's engines. He gently closed his eyes, an indescribable feeling spreading through his heart.
Yes, this was the Path Life he had hoped for, a real life in which he gained friendship and love, rather than remaining an uninvolved spectator. Only with all these bonds and loves did his life have true meaning.
``` [Ding! The host has boarded the Astral Express and left Azure Star's low orbit. The Herta Space Station Crisis Path storyline has ended.]
[Path anchored for this run: Elation. Accumulated Path Simulation Points: 3,060. Final evaluation: