Chapter 192: Destiny's Scriptwriter
On the way back to the Stellaron Hunters' starship, Firefly's mood was inexplicably complex. She secretly glanced at you, finding you staring blankly at the starry sky. Good thing… Saber is gone, and Rin didn't try to keep him… Wait, why should she care?
Clearly before… our relationship was so bad. But why, after this mission… do I feel so at ease with him by my side? And there's also a… strange feeling… That feeling was unfamiliar, making her heart race.
"Firefly?" Your voice suddenly rang out, startling her.
"Ah! Wh-what is it?"
"You seem distracted," you said. "Is your Entropic Loss Syndrome still bothering you?"
"I'm fine now… Thank you." Because of your concern, that strange feeling in her heart intensified.
The airship slowly docked in the hangar. The hatch opened, and Kafka was already waiting, leaning against the wall, holding a glass of red wine. "Welcome back. How was the mission?"
"Completed smoothly," you said, handing her the container with the Stellaron.
"Oh? As expected of the new recruit I favored," her gaze lingered on you. "So, as per our agreement… I'll give you a reward." She extended a finger, gently lifted your chin, her wine-red eyes filled with temptation. "What do you want? Money? Equipment? Or…" she leaned closer, her breath like an orchid. "Or do you want…"
Firefly watched, and a sudden, nameless anger surged within her. "Kafka! Stop teasing the new recruit!"
Kafka looked at her with interest. "Oh my, what's wrong, Firefly? Are you jealous?"
"Who-who's jealous!" Firefly's face was as red as a tomato.
"Alright, alright," Kafka smiled and stepped back, looking at you. "So, what do you want?"
You were silent for a moment, then said something that surprised both of them. "I want to leave the Stellaron Hunters."
Kafka's smile faltered slightly. Firefly was completely stunned. "Wh-what? Why?!" she rushed to you, grabbing your clothes. "Is it something I did wrong? Did I hold you back? If it's my problem, I can change! I promise I won't hit you anymore! If you think it's dangerous, I can protect you!"
Looking at her agitated expression, you were somewhat surprised. "It's not your problem, Firefly."
At this moment, Kafka spoke. "You… remembered?" She was very calm, as if she had already anticipated this.
You nodded. "Yes. I want to go back to the Xianzhou to take a look."
Firefly panicked, running to Kafka. "Kafka, don't let him go! Think of something!"
Kafka raised an eyebrow. "What? Now you want to keep him? Didn't someone used to chase him and hit him every day?"
"Ugh…" Firefly stammered, "Losing such combat power would be a loss for us!"
Kafka looked at her flustered appearance, a smile playing on her lips. "Alright, as you wish." She turned to you. "Don't be in such a hurry. Actually, Elio wants to see you. It's not too late to make your decision after you've met him."
Elio? The leader of the Stellaron Hunters, the "Slave of Fate."
"He… wants to see me?"
"Yes, he's already waiting." Kafka pointed to a room at the end of the corridor. "Go, listen to what he has to say. Perhaps it will change your mind."
You hesitated, but ultimately decided to go. You pushed open the door to an ordinary, empty conference room. "Elio?" you called out tentatively.
"I'm here," a childish voice rang out. You looked around, still seeing no one.
"Here, down below."
You lowered your head and discovered—on the floor sat a black cat. Pure black fur, golden pupils, staring at you unblinkingly. It elegantly jumped onto the table.
"Nice to meet you, Orion. I am Elio."
You were stunned. "You are…"
"What?" the black cat tilted its head. "Didn't expect the leader of the Stellaron Hunters to be a cat?"
"…It is quite unexpected," you said truthfully.
"Appearance is just a facade," Elio leisurely licked his paw. "What's important is that I know what you want. Or rather…" A glint flashed in his golden cat eyes. "I know what you want to find."
[Inorin Note:
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