[Battle Concluded]
March 7th let out a soft sigh, rubbing her arms as she glanced around.
The surroundings were still eerily empty.
She shivered slightly, as if feeling a chill, and instinctively huddled closer into the corner before continuing with the story.
At the far end of the Curio Collection Room, a new chamber had appeared.
Not only was Dan Heng—who had vanished earlier—now standing there, but a new character had also materialized!
March 7th immediately recognized her.
"A [Memokeeper] from the Garden of Recollection!?"
She had never met a Memokeeper in real life, but she knew of their existence through the game.
The [Memokeeper] spoke in a persuasive tone:
"Miss March, please do not continue delving into the past."
"Leave the Matrix of Prescience and return to reality. The past is not worth exploring—it will only bring you harm."
"You're the one who should leave!"
March 7th's tone was firm, her determination unshaken.
Then—
Fu Xuan's voice, which had disappeared earlier, suddenly rang out again!
And like a divine savior descending from the heavens, she manifested in front of March 7th in physical form!
"The Garden of Recollection? You're from the Nous' faction?"
"Was it you who blocked my observation?"
"What are your intentions with this girl? No matter what schemes you harbor—"
"Stealing another's memories, blinding them like leaves over their eyes—"
"I cannot allow this!"
March 7th's eyes sparkled with admiration.
Fu Xuan's entrance was so cool!
Right at the moment she needed help the most!
That petite figure now radiated an immense sense of security.
March 7th silently marveled.
From this day forward, her opinion of Fu Xuan had completely changed!
No longer the long-winded, overly talkative Fu Xuan—now, she was the utterly reliable Master Diviner!
After Fu Xuan's declaration, the [Memokeeper] sighed. "It seems we must resort to extreme measures."
Fu Xuan, undeterred, turned to March 7th.
"Miss March, this may feel uncomfortable, but I will now intervene in your memory world to help you clear these obstacles."
[Battle Begins]
Fortunately, the enemies that appeared in these battles were familiar foes—like the Antimatter Legion's Voidrangers.
Though her current team was dubbed the "Quantum Fleet," it still lacked a true Quantum Harmony character.
Still, it handled most situations without issue.
And [Fu Xuan]?
An absolute game-changer.
March 7th decided then and there—once this quest was over, she had to pull for at least a 0+1 Fu Xuan!
With that thought, the eerie atmosphere seemed to lessen.
After the battle, the surroundings shifted again.
This time, the space station transformed into…the Astral Express' passenger cabins!
March 7th couldn't help but glance toward the cabin door.
Now, the game's setting matched her real environment—the immersion was instant.
Thankfully, Fu Xuan was still by her side.
When March 7th expressed her gratitude, Fu Xuan responded resolutely:
"Hmph, I promised to look after you."
"As one who has benefited from the Nous' wisdom, I cannot tolerate those who obstruct others from seeking the truth."
"But why would the Garden of Recollection try to stop me?" March 7th asked.
Fu Xuan replied, "The Garden has factions with conflicting agendas. A mere self-proclaimed title doesn't reveal their true motives."
"This is the Astral Express, yes? It seems you're nearing the source of your memories."
"Do you remember where you were first discovered?"
"They… placed the ice that sealed me in the very cabin I live in now."
"Then traverse this train and find your room."
March 7th began moving through the cabins.
The usually warm and familiar corridors now felt… wrong.
She couldn't pinpoint why—maybe it was the lingering unease from the story's eerie tone.
And still, no sign of Mr. Yang, Himeko, or Stelle.
Where had they gone?
Suddenly—
SCREEEECH—!
A sharp, distorted noise blared from the screen.
The visuals glitched into static snow.
"AHHH—!!"
March 7th nearly threw her phone in fright, barely managing to hold on.
In the game, it seemed she had entered a memory.
The screen now had a sepia-toned, aged filter.
"Phew…"
March patted her chest, calming herself.
This memory quest was way too creepy!
Like a midnight horror flick!
In the memory, Mr. Yang appeared first.
"Dan Heng, let's break this ice together… There might still be someone alive inside."
A few steps forward, Himeko's figure emerged.
"Be careful not to hurt her…"
Dan Heng added, "I know what I'm doing. Pom-Pom, prepare a recovery pod."
"On it, Pom!"
March 7th murmured, "This… is the memory of when the Express crew found me?"
"But I don't even remember this myself…"
Fu Xuan explained, "You remember more than you realize—you just don't know it yet."
Seeing her own rescue from a third-person perspective was… surreal.
March 7th licked her lips, her heartbeat quickening.
Eagerly, she advanced to the next scene.
But—upon opening the cabin door, she was back at the starting point!
She pressed forward.
As she moved through the cabins, a voice echoed persistently in the background—
pleading, urgent.
"Do not look back. Keep moving forward."
"Do not look back. The path ahead is all that matters."
"Do not look back. Keep moving forward."
March 7th knew—it was the [Memokeeper] again, trying to interfere.
She shrugged, muttering to herself, "Why's this [Memokeeper] acting like a ghost…?"
The moment she said it, the air around her seemed to grow even colder.
"It's just my imagination!"
"Yeah! Definitely just in my head!"
Near the corridor window, Himeko's silhouette appeared.
She gazed at the stars outside, murmuring, "The substance sealing that child resembles ice, yet lacks its physical properties. How strange."
"These crystals exhibit at least six different phase structures under varying conditions. 'Six-Phased Ice'… The galaxy truly is an unfathomable enigma."
March 7th whispered, "Sorry, Himeko… I'm in a hurry, can't chat now…"
Interacting with the door again—yep, back to the start.
"Seriously trapped in this loop…"
March 7th was stunned.
Then she glanced around.
Why did this feel just like the game's scenario?
Was she… inside someone's [memory] right now?
"No, no, no… Impossible!"
"Reality is singular and absolute!"
"Doubting that means doubting my own existence!"
This time, the cabin's occupants had changed—now, it was Mr. Yang and Pom-Pom.
Mr. Yang spoke softly, "Of course I want to take her in. Basic morality dictates that if we found her, we must care for her."
"But… I worry about the implications of housing an unknown entity on the Express…"
Pom-Pom replied cheerfully, "The Astral Express welcomes everyone, Pom! Don't worry—just make the right choice now, and Pom-Pom will handle everything else, Pom!"
"With your reassurance, I feel a little better. I just hope she'll be happy here… and not scared off by us oddballs."
"No worries, Pom! Pom-Pom already said—the Astral Express welcomes everyone, Pom!"
Reading this exchange, March 7th's tension eased slightly.
"Sniff… Mr. Yang's so kind! Pom-Pom's the best!"
"Once this quest is over, I'm giving you the biggest hug!"
Then—a thought struck her.
The [Memokeeper] kept insisting she not look back.
So…what if she did?
She rotated the camera—turning around.
Peeking through half-closed eyes (in case something terrifying appeared),
she saw…just the starting cabin door.
Selecting [Open Door], the scene shifted.
A warm, familiar sight greeted her.
Pink walls, scattered photos and decorations, haphazardly strewn belongings…this was her room!
Exactly as she remembered—except for one difference.
At the center of the room, a shimmering, multicolored block of ice hovered midair.
Fu Xuan stated, "This must be the 'anomaly.' It seems our journey has reached its end."
"One final confirmation—are you certain you wish to uncover your lost past?"
At this point, there was no turning back.
"A Trailblazer never retreats—not when the truth is so close!"
March 7th raised her finger, hovering over the [Yes… I'm sure] option.
Meanwhile—the invisible Memokeepers surrounding her all stood up in unison.
Some had already transparent hands outstretched, ready to reach into March 7th's mind.
"We can't risk the later plot revealing the [truth]… We must erase her memory."
"This memory—especially this one—must not be recalled. It's not yet time!"
The [Memokeeper] stepped forward, blocking March 7th protectively.
Though her face was masked, her resolve was unmistakable.
"Everyone, you saw the earlier plot."
"[I] already attempted to dissuade her within her memories."
"Just as we're doing now, at this critical moment, the in-game 'I' will do everything possible to make her understand—to stop her from digging further."
"So… trust her."
The other Memokeepers fell silent.
The [Memokeeper]'s words had swayed them.
They withdrew, hesitating.
And at that exact moment—March 7th tapped the dialogue option!
To be continued…
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