"Oh? You're so certain you can catch me? And you're not afraid I might have backup?"
Silver Wolf crossed her arms, looking at Screwllum with utmost confidence. Did he think she'd be standing here if she didn't have an ace up her sleeve? He shouldn't underestimate the unity within the Stellaron Hunters. The worst that could happen is she'd get a lecture when she got back and have her allowance docked. And that little bit of allowance was less than what she made from a single hack!
"No, that is not our intention. Miss Silver Wolf is truly a talented hacker with extraordinary courage. Given time, her achievements will be no less than that of this cartridge's former owner."
Screwllum shook his head, offering praise for Silver Wolf and acknowledging her skills as a hacker.
"It has been an honor to cross paths with you again, but I'm afraid we will not have a winner this time."
"What... what do you mean by that?"
Stelle watched the exchange between the two geniuses with a bewildered expression. It felt like she understood the whole story, but at the same time, she didn't understand it at all.
All in all, she had successfully completed the commission. The genius hacker who had broken into the Simulated Universe and the space station had rage-quit the simulation after Herta banned a total of eighty-six of her accounts—seventy-six max-level ones, plus ten newly leveled ones.
This whole confrontation was like two adults playing an advanced game with a child. But no matter how smart the child was, how could she possibly win against cunning adults?
---o---
"Damn it, damn it, DAMN IT!! My accounts! MY ACCOUNTS!!!"
In a dark corner where no one would see, Silver Wolf threw a tantrum, crying and flailing. Fortunately, people rarely came here, and she had already disabled the surveillance cameras, giving her a space to vent her frustration.
At the end of the day, she was still just a kid. No amount of terrifying talent could change that fact.
"Hah, that was so satisfying! I finally taught that arrogant little brat a good lesson."
Watching the crying and screaming Silver Wolf on the monitor, Herta decisively pulled out her phone and started recording the spectacular scene.
Looking at the "arrogant" person right in front of her, Stelle didn't know what to do. She just glanced at Screwllum, as if asking when this would all be over. She was getting a little hungry.
"Herta, are you satisfied with this outcome?"
"Hmm, it's alright. But all we could really do was toy with her a bit. Even though her real body is on the station right now, we can't hand her over to the Corporation."
Herta's tone was light and cheerful. Having taught a lesson to the little hacker who was always eyeing her "collection," her previously suppressed mood improved by leaps and bounds.
"So, why not hand her over to the Corporation?"
For some reason, Stelle posed this question to them.
"Because she is a Stellaron Hunter. The Corporation cannot hold her," Screwllum stated bluntly.
"If Miss Silver Wolf were to be captured, the other Stellaron Hunters would undoubtedly mobilize their full force. While that presents an excellent opportunity to capture them all in one fell swoop, the Stellaron Hunters' true strength and their objectives are shrouded in mystery. It is better to leave some leeway than to make an enemy of them."
"Exactly. So, aren't you going to meet the person who managed to paralyze the entire Simulated Universe? You must be curious about him, right? Oh, and a reminder, your dinner tonight is also being prepared by him... Tsk, why did I even install this function on myself in the first place?"
Herta didn't understand her own design choice, but she wouldn't question Screwllum—at least not when it came to his physical body.
"In that case, I will have to trouble Miss Stelle to lead the way."
Although Screwllum had no expression, Stelle could feel that he was smiling.
---o---
"Hello, I am Screwllum. A pleasure to meet you."
Screwllum extended a hand amicably toward Wende.
"Hello, Mr. Screwllum. I've heard much about you. I am Wende, the quartermaster of the Astral Express."
Wende replied very formally. While this was the first time he had heard of this individual, seeing the grand preparations Asta had made, he knew this guest had to be someone extraordinary.
However... judging by this important figure's demeanor, he seemed quite interested in him.
"Mr. Wende, Asta has mentioned your culinary skills to me. I look forward to it."
Screwllum gave Wende a friendly nod.
"Yes, I am grateful for Station Head Asta's high praise. It is my honor to be able to present this dinner for you."
Wende replied in a very official tone.
"Wende! What delicious food did you make today!"
After the reception for Screwllum, the rest of the Express crew finally arrived at the space station. March 7th waved at Wende from a distance. That black bread from yesterday had left her hungry all night. Although Wende's heart had softened in the end and he'd made her a separate small meal, how could that compare to one of his meticulously prepared feasts!
"Slow down, watch the steps."
Wende smiled and reminded March. Tripping on the Express was one thing, but tripping on the space station would be quite embarrassing.
"By the way, did Uncle Yang not come?" Wende asked, a little puzzled as he looked at Himeko and Dan Heng.
"No, Uncle Yang said he would cover Himeko's shift this time. He went back with Pom-Pom," Dan Heng nodded.
"I see... I forgot that someone needs to stay on duty on the Express."
Wende nodded in understanding. He then glanced around, and after confirming no one was paying attention, he discreetly handed a lunch box to March 7th.
"March, later, go to the logistics area and get some food for Uncle Yang. Make sure you don't get caught."
Wende whispered to March.
"Mhm, don't worry, I guarantee mission accomplishment!"
Taking the lunch box from Wende, March patted her chest confidently.
"Haha, it seems you're still thinking about your Uncle Yang," Himeko chuckled, watching the two of them acting as if they were thieves.
"Since I'm the one cooking, how could I leave out one of our own family?"
Wende shrugged, then glanced at a nearby surveillance camera, the smile in his eyes deepening.
---o---
At the same time, in Silver Wolf's hiding spot.
"How strange... how did this guy find me? Could it be that woman Herta..."
Putting her recovered shoe back on, Silver Wolf stared at the exquisite lunch box before her, her mind unable to process the situation.
"Whatever, I'm not going to think about it. Maybe it's compensation from those two... Nom...!!! This guy's cooking... is actually this delicious?"