Chapter 22: Pei Guang is Targeted, The Trio’s Bet

Chapter 22: Pei Guang is Targeted, The Trio's Bet

The live stream had reached its climax. After a brief pep talk, Pei Guang had already raised his wooden sword: "For our treasure chest! TATAKAE!"

At this moment, Stelle was also fired up and she raised her baseball bat: "TATAKAE!"

March 7th completely abandoned her hesitation, her eyes sparkling with excitement: "TATAKAE!"

Shouting "TATAKAE," the three of them charged towards the treasure chest. However, the group's plan completely failed because the staff member guarding the chest, who was in a daze, saw Pei Guang and actively invited them to open the chest.

In front of the computer, Himeko and Welt were watching the three of them fooling around with great interest. While they were doing that, Dan Heng, who was out for a walk, heard the commotion and came over.

"What are those three doing?"

Himeko pondered for a moment before answering, "They are strategizing on how to take a treasure chest from ordinary people and conducting a pre-battle briefing. But the enemy's unexpected actions rendered all their preparations useless."

Welt: "Isn't it interesting?"

Himeko: "Indeed, it's been a long time since I've seen such lively young people."

Dan Heng fell silent. He understood every word and phrase Himeko said, but when put together, they were a bit perplexing.

"Come over and take a look. For the next world we also have plans for you all to take action together."

Dan Heng nodded. "Alright."

But as he moved closer to watch the trio's antics, he began to worry about the upcoming joint mission in the next world. Taking care of two people was manageable, but three seemed like it would be a bit troublesome.

Elsewhere, in a certain special chat group.

Herta: "They're quite interesting."

A few seconds later, she retracted the message.

Herta: "Sorry, wrong group."

For the members of this group, a retraction was useless. The girl with the codename "Silver Wolf" retrieved the deleted content, curiously clicked on the link, and watched. When she saw the gray-haired girl in the video, she called out to Kafka, who was beside her.

"I've got something interesting to show you."

Kafka: "Interesting?"

She received the message from Silver Wolf, and the moment she opened it, her face turned dark.

Kafka entered the livestream and watched the whole process: loudly plotting for the treasure chest, drugging, kidnapping, assassination — the plans were so unique they made her cringe. What on earth is this? She's only been away for less than a day, and this is what they've turned into?

Look at what the three in the stream are doing. Sneak attack? Tell me, how is slowly walking in plain sight considered sneaking? They've planned an ambush, but why are they having a tearful exchange with them?

And why are they getting teary-eyed over opening a chest? Isn't it just an ordinary chest?! The contents aren't even worth a thousand credits altogether, and yet they're crying? And why are they giving away credits just to open a box? They're giving away three thousand, no less!

Is this really the "Stelle" that's supposed to achieve the desired future? Could the prophecy be wrong?

While Kafka was grimacing as she watched the livestream, Silver Wolf spoke up beside her.

"Kafka, I found something interesting and sent it to you. Haha!"

At this moment, Silver Wolf admitted that she was entertained by these people; they were truly hilarious.

Asta sent a highlight video through the internet, and although it was encrypted, it was nothing for a genius like Silver Wolf. Thus, she obtained the highlight video edited by Asta. She watched it as she sent it to Kafka.

How should she describe this? These three can only be described as talented, especially with the dance at the end. This simple yet catchy dance made her stand up and unconsciously move to the rhythm after watching it.

"Like this… like this, and then~ like this~ Kafka, am I doing it right?"

Kafka's face now bore only a mask. Most people would find it amusing, but watching it made her fume with anger. Yet, because she had other things to do, she couldn't do anything about it for now.

"Pei Guang? I've got my eyes on you now."

She could see that the one leading Stelle astray was this strange man. But oddly enough, there was no mention of a man named Pei Guang in the prophecy. This can only mean two things: either this man won't board the train and thus won't interact with Stelle in the future, or this man is outside the prophecy's scope. Clearly, he is bound to board the train: otherwise, he wouldn't have such a good relationship with the train's crew.

At this moment, Silver Wolf was quickly typing on her keyboard: "This man seems to have appeared suddenly at the space station, right after we left. I investigated all data from when we arrived until we left, and there's no traceable source of this man. Additionally, the weapon he wields is quite peculiar. It's a wooden sword with game-like properties: it's indestructible and always penetrates defenses. It seems to have many other unknown functions. However, there's not enough data to analyze this further."

"Is that so? If he does board the Astral Express, we're bound to meet sooner or later."

Kafka smiled faintly. In a few days, she'd have to see what special tricks this man has.

Meanwhile, Pei Guang was unaware that he had already caught someone's attention. But what was he doing right now?

After opening someone else's treasure chest and disdainfully leaving behind three thousand credits, the three of them continued their treasure hunt. The space station isn't exactly huge, but over the course of five hours, the three managed to open twenty-one chests. But when they saw the twenty-first chest, they fell silent upon opening it. According to the list Asta provided, there should have been only twenty chests, but they ended up opening twenty-one.

March 7th: "Hey, do you think… the first chest we came across could've really been just a suitcase?"

Pei Guang: "Who knows! IWe've already opened it, so it's no big deal."

Stelle: "We've already opened it, so it's no big deal."

March 7th: "Are you just repeating him? Well, you're right~ But I didn't expect these chests to be so valuable."

Excluding the first chest that didn't count, the twenty chests yielded a total of 150,000 credits, over a hundred materials of various kinds, and even a number of rare items.

Pei Guang: "The way you put it, without these resources, how are we supposed to continue the main quest? Come on, let's go claim the rewards for the side quests we've completed, and I'll help you enhance your gear. With this space station dungeon cleared, the treasure chests gone, and the quests completed, it's time to level up and wait for the new dungeon to open~"

Star: "Okay!"

March 7th said eagerly: "I'm super excited to go on new adventures with you guys! Who knows what will happen next?"

Pei Guang rubbed his chin thoughtfully: "Let me guess! Since this is the beginner's area, our task here was to save the stranded and defeat the powerful enemies threatening this place, explore around, do some side quests, and then wait for the main quest."

"Based on my years of gaming experience, the first mission after leaving the beginner's area should be quite simple. The classic scenario would be reaching a new map, facing some sort of crisis, us stepping in to resolve it, the locals not trusting us, we get captured or put on a wanted list, then the crisis escalates, and the locals team up with us to solve it. Finally, we happily interact with the people of this new area and become friends. There will be various side quests involving rescuing people, finding things, and helping others along the way."

"After everything's done, we'll probably have to wait three days to a week for the new main quest and dungeon to open. In the meantime, we complete tasks, gather materials, upgrade equipment, and level up. I suspect that the reason there are no levels right now is because this is the beginner's area. The initial level is enough to clear it; new features will probably unlock in the new area. But I can't say for sure."

March 7th still seemed a bit confused by Pei Guang's words, but she caught the main point: "So, you're saying… that when we go to a new place, we'll be misunderstood? Then we'll get captured? No way! I've been to many worlds, and nothing like that ever happened~"

Pei Guang: "That's because we players weren't there! Without players, the main quest doesn't start, so everyone's happy. But once the main quest kicks in, conflict is inevitable. And according to my guess, the first chapter's main quest will be very straightforward, a conflict that the main characters can easily resolve. Also, if I were to guess, when we reach a new area, it's likely that some high-ranking official will use us as scapegoats. I actually hope I'm wrong though."

March 7th smirked mischievously: "No way, right?"

Pei Guang: "How about… we place a bet?"

March 7th: "Didn't you say you lose every time you gamble?"

Pei Guang nodded: "Exactly, that's why I need to think in reverse. If I'm going to bet, I have to go against my first instinct. What if I win? I refuse to believe I won't have a moment of defying fate."

March 7th was taken aback; she hadn't expected Pei Guang to be so shameless. No, wait! He was always shameless!

"Damn it! You tricked me! I'm not taking this bet."

Pei Guang: "Hehe, a move made is a move you can't take back. If you back out now, it means you're admitting defeat. And then Stelle will force you, remember? Just call it out if you want! But shouting will do you no good."

Stelle rolled up her sleeves: "Just call it out if you want! But shouting will do you no good."

March 7th pretended to smile maliciously: "Fine! I give in. But I want to up the stakes. If I win, you have to fulfill one of my requests! Any request!"

Pei Guang: "Do you really think I'll lose?"

Stelle also looked at Pei Guang: "Do you really think you'll win?"

Pei Guang was shocked: "You really have no confidence in me?!"

Stelle spread out her hands: "I don't mind! Whether I win or lose, I won't lose out. Now, I'm even hoping you'll lose."

Pei Guang asked, puzzled: "Then why are you siding with me?"

Stelle smiled: "Doesn't it just show how lucky you are?"

Seeing Stelle switch sides at the last moment, March 7th beamed brightly: "Ah Guang! You said that quitting counts as admitting defeat. You don't have the chance to back out now, and even if you scream your lungs out, it won't help."

In fact, as soon as Pei Guang said those words, March 7th felt that these things might actually come true. Why did she think so? Because every third world they visit, they end up as prisoners, and the next mission just happens to fit that cycle.

This time, March 7th had used Pei Guang's reverse psychology and her own uncertain tone to set a trap for him, and to her surprise, he walked right into it. In the next world, even if no one tries to capture them, she'll find a way to make sure they get caught!