After getting up, Pei Guang looked out the window. The planet outside was a vast expanse of white, which captivated his gaze.
Previously, he could see the corresponding planets from the space station, but somehow, it didn't feel quite real. It just seemed like a texture, like something photoshopped. But this time, after experiencing the warp first-hand and seeing the planet, he felt like his entire being had been purified.
"A vast white world… Is this an Ice Age world? Is this our destination?"
Himeko walked over at that moment. "That's right. I imagine this expedition won't be easy."
Pei Guang couldn't help but joke: "If the train can't start, and we have to solve the crisis of this world before we can leave, that would be a real problem!"
As soon as he said that, Pom-Pom approached the group. "Spatial readings are abnormal. The Astral Express's stability rate has dropped to 12%. The stopover plan has changed from seven days to indefinite."
At that moment, everyone turned to look at Pei Guang. Although the veteran members had experienced this before, hearing it from a complete newcomer like Pei Guang made it feel strangely ominous.
Feeling the weight of their gazes, Pei Guang panicked: "This isn't my fault, okay? I just said it casually!"
Pom-Pom: "Aren't you surprised? It's indefinite, until the anomaly is resolved."
Welt walked out: "The initial test results are in: the source of the anomaly is still the Stellaron."
Pei Guang: "I get it—solve the world's crisis. Find the Stellaron causing this world's disaster, and either seal it, destroy it, or bring it back to completely eliminate the source of the crisis! I bet the population of this world is huddled together under the leadership of some leader, protecting humanity's survival. No need to gamble—this leader surely knows the location of the Stellaron, and maybe this world's imminent destruction is their doing. I'll have to fight my way through and bring the Stellaron back!"
Pei Guang pulled out a wooden sword and started hopping around.
Ignoring Pei Guang's antics, Himeko continued: "Your mission this time is just as Pei Guang said—find the Stellaron. Once you do, leave the rest to us."
March 7th: "Yay~ We get to fight together again. But Stelle, why are you jumping around?"
Stelle: "Pei Guang is also jumping."
Everyone looked at Pei Guang.
Pei Guang: "Huh? I find the plot a bit dull. Stelle, you focus on the story; I'll daydream for a bit."
At this moment, Pei Guang realized another major downside of a realistic game: you can't skip the plot. Damn it! He really wanted to speed through the story, but unfortunately, he couldn't even skip the quest waiting time, and it seemed like there was no way to speed up the plot either.
Listening to all sorts of terminology explanations was slightly boring for him. After over two days of inactivity, he just wanted to get into a big fight.
Who he was and where he was didn't matter—what mattered was being able to slaughter his way through, gather materials, and level up.
At this moment, Welt spoke with a hint of disappointment: "Once again, it's not our turn to act."
Himeko: "I know you really want to go, but we should let the young people go out on their own to build some camaraderie."
Pei Guang then approached Welt: "Old Welty! Is there something in this world that particularly interests you? If so, give me a quest, and I promise to handle it perfectly."
Hearing Pei Guang's words, Welt adjusted his glasses: "There are indeed a few things I'm concerned about—it's what you might call a man's romance."
At that moment, Pei Guang's gaze sharpened. Sensing his shift in mood, Welt also took him more seriously.
Pei Guang quietly uttered a single word: "Gundam?"
Welt's glasses flashed with a gleam: "You know that? But this is even bigger."
Pei Guang adopted a contemplative expression: "Is it cool?"
Welt: "According to the data I've collected, it's very big and very cool, but as for its strength..."
Pei Guang: "That doesn't matter. What's important is that it's romantic, right? Power is temporary, but coolness lasts a lifetime."
Welt's eyes gleamed: "You're absolutely right. So, this challenging task is yours."
Pei Guang: "I'll take on your task. Once I've sorted it out, I'll call you down, and we can enjoy it together."
Welt: "Can you fix it?"
Pei Guang: "Hmph! There's nothing that can stump a player. From fixing this thing to finding a fuse, there's nothing I haven't done. Even if I can't do it now, I'll learn when I get there. Don't underestimate a player's learning ability!"
Welt patted him on the shoulder: "You're one of the most promising young people I've ever met. If you need any support, feel free to contact me."
Pei Guang: "Naturally! But I'm curious—can this thing dance?"
Welt: "That's an interesting idea. You could try modifying it without affecting it too much."
On the other side, March 7th watched the two happily chatting and curiously asked Himeko: "Himeko... What's up with Uncle Yang? How could he get along so well with Pei Guang?"
Himeko smiled: "You'll find out when you start your mission. Oh, and you two should go find Dan Heng! He's probably already started organizing the ecological and survey data on Jarilo-VI. It never hurts to gather some intelligence before the journey begins."
Stelle went off to find Dan Heng, while March 7th looked out the window, at the planet outside. Gazing at the ice-covered world, she muttered to herself: "A planet covered in snow and ice... Will I find the answer I'm looking for here? If it's here, will he hate it?"
Pei Guang's sudden voice startled March 7th: "Hate it? Hate what?"
"Ah! Why are you sneaking up on people like that?!"
Pei Guang: "I didn't sneak up on you. I walked over here fair and square."
Startled, March 7th exclaimed: "Whew! You scared me. By the way, what were you talking about with Uncle Yang? You both seemed so happy."
Pei Guang put on a serious expression: "It's a man's romance."
March 7th: "Man's romance?"
Pei Guang pondered, "It's probably a kind of romance that 90% of men wouldn't refuse! This is the romance between Welt and me."
March 7th was shocked: "What? You and Uncle Welt are going to have a romantic relationship?!"
Pei Guang's eyes sparkled: "That's right! When the time comes, the two of us will enjoy our own kind of romance together."
March 7th was so startled that her mouth dropped open. They had agreed to travel together until the journey ended, so how did Pei Guang suddenly decide to go off and be romantic with Welt?
Seeing March 7th's shocked expression, Pei Guang explained: "Don't misunderstand; we're just going to experience the phrase 'power is temporary, but coolness lasts a lifetime'. Let me tell you, this is a secret between the two of us, so don't tell anyone else."
March 7th, now not confused anymore, teased, "No need to tell anyone! We all heard your conversation loud and clear. Besides, isn't it possible that those who are too cool might die faster than those who are strong, which is why coolness lasts a lifetime?"
Pei Guang responded, "Hah! How dare you disrupt my focus, take this—my ultimate move!"
"You can't catch me~ You can't catch me~"
Watching the two of them playfully bantering, Himeko took a sip of coffee and smiled. She looked at Welt beside her: "I didn't expect you two to have so much in common."
Welt gazed at the snow-covered planet: "The universe is vast. It's not surprising to meet someone with similar interests."