The familiar crushing pressure of the Memory Zone returned, squeezing Hanxing's nerves inch by inch. After a long stretch of torment, Hanxing finally landed on the ground in the Golden Hour once more.
"You're finally back. I've been waiting for you for a while." Firefly's voice reached Hanxing before he could see her. "You... why didn't you come out of the Dream Pool?" Hanxing asked, a little puzzled. "What? Didn't you go through Black Swan's door yourself? Silver Wolf brought me back," Firefly replied, equally confused.
"Hey, finally back?" Silver Wolf's projection appeared nearby, interrupting their conversation. She looked at the two of them. "Didn't feel too good entering the dream again, did it?" Hanxing shook his head. "It really didn't. Are we that short on funds? Didn't you consider buying a bed at the hotel?"
"It's not about the money," Silver Wolf said helplessly. "We're still wanted criminals. If we swaggered into a place in the spotlight like Penacony, who would those IPC guys arrest if not us?"
"Back to business." Silver Wolf's expression grew serious. "Our goal is still to draw the Astral Express into the game. Next, I'll send them the coordinates of that dangerous dreamscape, so I'm taking you two down there now."
"How..." Before Hanxing could finish, a data rift appeared beneath their feet, and the two of them plunged straight through the floor. "That's how you go down!" Silver Wolf shouted after them, and her projection vanished.
"Let me share the information I've received." In reality, the Astral Express's internal meeting was nearing its end, and Welt was the last to speak. "According to reliable information, some people have spotted a tall man in silver armor on Penacony. I asked the Hound Family about him and visited quite a few guests who claimed to have seen this intruder..."
"...And then I received this. Caelus, I've sent it to you. Open it and take a look." Welt tapped at his phone for a while, and Caelus took out his own phone and opened the group chat.
"Ahem, can you hear me? Astral Express, long time no see-having fun on Penacony?" As the voice message played, a chibi Silver Wolf appeared on Caelus's phone, holding a megaphone.
"That's... that little hacker girl!" March 7th quickly recognized her. "Speaking of which, I remember Miss Black Swan saying that two other people fell into that place some time ago... Do you remember what they looked like?" Himeko looked at Black Swan, seeking confirmation.
"That's right. One was a young man with a bit of an artsy air, and the other was a gentle-looking young girl," Black Swan said. "I imagine they only fell in there by accident, so I rescued them. But what puzzled me was that I couldn't find their rooms..."
"They were probably just ordinary stowaways. That doesn't seem to be our concern..." March 7th spoke up again. "Let's get back to that little hacker girl's message."
"On a serious note, I know you've all been investigating the strange things happening on Penacony. In fact, we're very happy to see it. The deeper you investigate, the better your chances of learning the truth behind the sweet dream."
"The Family is hiding something, aren't they? We have firsthand information too. Now, I've decided to be generous and share it with you. It's just a shame-your lovely vacation is about to end."
"Enter this code into your Dream Pool, that device you use to dream, and go check out the hidden map! I've packaged the location and coordinates for you. Here, just copy them with one click."
"And-you've probably already heard about Sam and Hanxing. Look forward to it! You've already met Hanxing, and Sam is a straightforward guy who likes fair and honorable contests. I'm sure you'll get along with him. Hope you don't get overwhelmed by their enthusiasm!"
"Oh, and Hanxing asked me to pass this on: In an unreachable dream, the show is about to begin-good luck, all the factions are making their moves. Nameless, don't fall too far behind!" With that, the message ended, and the meeting room fell briefly silent.
"Those Stellaron Hunters... they're even scheming on Penacony. They just won't leave us alone!" March 7th said indignantly. "The situation is clear now. The Planet of Festivities is far more complicated than it appears. The factions surrounding the Clockmaker's Legacy, including the Family, each have their own objectives and keep one another in check." Welt paused, then continued:
"If this Legacy really is a Stellaron, it's only a matter of time before innocent people are caught up in the struggle. 'Molten Knight' Sam is reportedly a remnant of the Glamoth Iron Cavalry, a genetically modified warrior from birth. He thinks differently from ordinary people and acts decisively, leaving no room for compromise. He's a dangerous individual, no less so than Kafka or Blade."
"This is a threat. The hidden map Silver Wolf mentioned must be the Dream Hotel under lockdown. For what comes next, we do need to visit the site." "So, we of the Astral Express have had a reason to enter the game all along," Caelus said firmly.
"Well? Pretty interesting, wasn't it?" Silver Wolf's projection appeared beside Firefly and Hanxing, next to the surveillance footage she had just hacked into. "Quite a show. But next time, it'd be best if you brought us down a little more gently," Hanxing said weakly.
Before long, Silver Wolf's projection vanished, leaving only Hanxing and Firefly nearby. "We're bored anyway. How about looking around?" Hanxing glanced at the silent Firefly beside him, a trace of foreboding rising in his heart. "You go ahead. I'll... go to the lobby first." Firefly seemed to have sensed something too. The great hand of "fate" seemed to be drawing closer.
"All right..." Hanxing could do nothing about it. After all, "fate" could not be defied. He hadn't believed that before, but life among the Stellaron Hunters had left him unable to say either way.
With that, Hanxing vanished. When he appeared again, he was on a high spot where he was unlikely to be noticed. In fact, if he wanted, he could make himself look like a box or something else in other people's eyes. He had only come here for a wider view.
"Strange. There seems to be someone else's presence here..." Black Swan and Caelus appeared in Hanxing's view through the hotel doors. The other person they meant was naturally not Hanxing, but the woman with a tachi in front of them.
"Ah... it's her? How is that possible?" Black Swan seemed somewhat surprised by the newcomer. "Is there... no staff here?" For some reason, the woman's voice was as calm as water, yet carried an unimaginable killing intent.
"Huh? What are you two doing here?" The woman turned around, a little surprised to see Caelus and Black Swan. "You... got lost again?" Caelus's question was somewhat hard not to laugh at, but the woman answered seriously, "I wouldn't put it that way. I just don't know where I am."
"You two, let's save the greetings for later..." Black Swan spoke up from the side. The Dreamjolt Troupe in front of them demanded more of their attention. "How about we join forces to drive these hospitable children away first?"
"I'd be honored. Thank you both for your help, then." With that, the woman and the other two rushed forward and quickly dealt with the problem before them.
"It's finally quiet. Why are you two here?" the woman asked once everything had been dealt with. "As a matter of fact, that's what we wanted to ask you."
"Perhaps it isn't as complicated as you think. I owe it all to... a Masked Fool. Perhaps something I said without thinking hurt her... After a burst of dazzling colors, I found myself here," the woman said. "A Masked Fool? Sparkle?" Hanxing was a little puzzled by that, but it seemed as though some power had deliberately been applied to those words, giving him a slight jolt as he eavesdropped.
"You... aren't hiding anything, are you?" Black Swan asked cautiously, but the woman's voice held a hint of irony. "Hiding something? I don't think I could do that in front of a Memokeeper."
"But you could in front of me?" Caelus asked a question that left Hanxing baffled, but the woman simply answered, "No, that's not what I meant. It was just a... figure of speech."
"You two arrived just in time. This dreamscape is fraught with danger. Since our goals align, why don't we travel together?" the woman continued. "I can protect you from harm. In the Memory Zone, I also need a Memokeeper's help, and... if we run into the Family, one more person means one more explanation."
"This... what do you think, Caelus?" Black Swan's expression made it clear that she was somewhat suspicious of the woman, so she left the choice to Caelus. "Having one more person isn't a bad thing," Caelus said.
"Thank you, Caelus... I'm truly grateful." After thanking him, the woman turned to Black Swan. "I'm also glad we can travel together again, Miss Black Swan."
"Mm... let's hope so." Black Swan's tone still held a hint of doubt, but the woman glanced at Hanxing in the distance, pretending it was a casual look.
She... saw me? Hanxing was a little surprised. With his psychic abilities, Harmony's Tuning, and Penacony's inherent advantage as a Memory Zone, he could ensure that even ordinary Emanators couldn't see him, yet she had spotted his position with a casual glance. This one's no simple character either...
Watching them leave his field of vision, Hanxing soon called up Silver Wolf's projection. "Well? Can you find out where that one came from?"
"'Galaxy Ranger' Acheron. That's the registration record she left in the hotel lobby," Silver Wolf said. Hanxing activated Star Eyes, enhanced by the power of Harmony, and glanced at Acheron from afar.
"The Path of Nihility, and her Path energy is unimaginably high... Could she be an Emanator of Nihility?" Hanxing was somewhat uncertain, but decided to keep following them.
"What's wrong?" Caelus looked at Acheron in some confusion as she suddenly stopped. "Nothing..." Acheron kept what she felt to herself. "Let's go."