Chapter 50: Double the Kafka, Double the Fun!
"Wow! My first ten-pull and I already got a gold!" March 7th cheered excitedly in the Parlor Car.
"Of course! Pretty girls always have the best luck!" she added with a confident grin.
Dan Heng barely glanced at her, his mind still troubled. The memory of Blade's smirk as he swung his sword haunted him.
His name had been called in the new main storyline. What awaited him and Dan Heng on the Xianzhou? At this moment, Dan Heng felt helpless against fate.
Or rather—
It felt like being slowly roasted over flames!
Dan Heng hoped the plot would hurry to his part. Whether it meant life or death, he just wanted it over with.
In his eyes, chaos on the Xianzhou Luofu was inevitable. A final showdown between him and Blade was coming, and their friends on the Express would surely step in to help.
The outcome?
Victory… or mutual destruction.
If his companions got hurt because of him—
That was a price he couldn't bear.
"If only I knew the ending in advance, maybe I could change it," Dan Heng thought, sinking deeper into despair.
Meanwhile, March 7th was in high spirits, eagerly checking her gacha results.
Beside her, Stelle watched with equal excitement.
"It should be the next one!"
"Ready?"
March 7th nodded vigorously.
With a tap—
Five golden stars!
The background shimmered with the [Erudition] symbol.
March 7th instantly recognized it and nearly screamed with joy.
"Erudition! It's Erudition!"
"Out of all the five-stars, only Himeko is Erudition!"
"I got Himeko!"
From the couch, the real Himeko sighed, muttering, "What strange words..."
March 7th blinked. "Huh? That was weird..."
The glow faded, revealing—not the character, but Himeko's five-star Light Cone, [Night on the Galactic Railroad].
In the artwork, Himeko sat gracefully atop a train engine, her white dress draped elegantly, fiery red hair cascading freely as she gazed at the stars. The cosmos swirled above her in mesmerizing spirals.
"Whoaa~" March 7th leaned in, eyes sparkling. "It's Himeko's signature Light Cone!"
"So pretty..."
Stelle nodded approvingly. "Definitely worth it!"
"But... I don't even have Himeko yet. Feels like this Light Cone should only be hers..."
"Ah, I get it!" Stelle gasped. "It's a gacha trap!"
"First, they dangle the signature Light Cone, then make you whale for the character!"
"Ugh! Even knowing their tricks, I'd still swipe my card for her!"
Just then, Himeko walked over. "The new story's starting. Are you two joining?"
"Yes!" they answered in unison, quickly putting their phones away.
Everyone gathered on the couches, including Pom-Pom, and focused on the unfolding storyline.
Pom-Pom appeared first on screen.
"Ladies and gentlemen! The Leap Route Conference begins now!"
"First, Pom-Pom thanks all Nameless passengers for resolving this station's crisis, allowing our train to journey onward across the stars!"
"Next, your conductor will announce our next destination—"
Just as everyone held their breath—
A hologram of a woman suddenly materialized.
She held a black umbrella, her delicate face peeking from beneath its rim with a faint smile.
"Long time no see, Astral Express crew."
"I am Kafka."
"Perfect timing. Everyone's here—well, almost everyone." She strolled past them casually.
Himeko narrowed her eyes. "No need for pleasantries, Stellaron Hunter."
Kafka chuckled. "Himeko, was it?"
"Forgive my intrusion, but after hearing my request, you'll understand why I came."
"I'm asking you... to change your destination."
Himeko's voice turned icy. "You've wasted your time, Kafka. We have no interest in your schemes. If you want to talk, visit us in person—then we'll see."
Kafka smiled. "Have any of you heard of... the Luofu?"
---
Back in the Parlor Car, everyone's expressions shifted.
The livestream played out on the cabin screens, mirroring the events in real-time—as if the game's story was unfolding around them.
Luckily, the subtitles reminded them this was just a game.
March 7th gasped. "It's really her!"
"And she wants us to reroute to Luofu? No way we're listening to her, right?"
"I refuse to let her manipulate us!"
Pom-Pom jumped up. "Passenger March 7th is correct!"
"The Stellaron Hunters are dangerous, and the Xianzhou Alliance is no better."
"Pom-Pom suggests—stick to the original plan and head straight to Penacony!"
March 7th felt validated. "If Kafka actually shows up here like in the story..."
"I—I swear, I'll throw the first punch!"
Stelle smirked. "Hey, that's my line."
Then—
At the far end of the carriage, holographic particles shimmered into existence.
And standing there was...
Kafka.
Now, two Kafkas stood in the room—one on-screen, one in reality.
March 7th froze. She'd just been boasting, and now the real Kafka appeared?!
Worst. Timing. Ever.
Stelle's eyes darted between them, a slow grin forming.
"Two Kafkas? Two mommies!"
"Double the fun!"