After that, Stelle and Nero entered the crowded room.
Because of the lesson from the previous researcher, Stelle consciously tried to block Nero from view after entering, to keep him from being noticed by the others.
Although Nero's fans were usually well-behaved, people like Richard had appeared before. And with so many people here, it was better to avoid trouble if possible.
Too bad they hadn't brought the green fish-head mask with them. If Nero turned into Benbo'er Ba at a time like this, nobody would deliberately come over.
Just as Stelle was thinking this, a voice came from beside her.
You could guard against it for a moment, but not forever; block the left side, and the right side would be exposed.
After only a brief lapse in attention, Nero was discovered.
It seemed to be another Ecology Department researcher. Unlike the spiky-haired one from before, this one had slicked-back hair.
He enthusiastically introduced something recorded on a computer screen to Nero.
"Nero, I didn't expect to see you here. It's great news that you've returned to Nero Space Station."
"Please take a look at this. Can you guess what it is? They say this was reconstructed through language... a low-budget version of Ruan Mei's life cultivation formula."
"It says, ten carats of spirituality, one ton of practice, thirty particles of starshock, and a tiny bit of poisoned wine."
"It once created a chair that never stopped talking. It wasn't capable of much, but it had a vicious mouth. It's already been chopped up and used as firewood."
"Let's try it. But first we need to choose the ingredients."
"Ah, sorry. I got a little excited seeing you. Earlier, when I saw you talking with my colleague about those suddenly appearing lifeforms, I thought of this and figured it might help."
Stelle stared at the scene in shock.
'So you only noticed Nero and your colleague and completely ignored me?'
'Also, why does it feel like you're staring at Nero the whole time while talking? Suddenly Nero's fans seem a little scary.'
'And didn't you just say something ridiculous? What do you mean by Nero Space Station? Isn't this Herta Space Station?'
"Thank you," Nero said happily. "You showed up at just the right time. But I'm not handling this alone. You can't ignore Stelle."
"I'm truly sorry, Nero. But please forgive me. Ever since I first saw your photo from the leader, you're the only one I've been able to see!"
"Ugh, that's disgusting. Stay away from me."
"How could this happen..."
The new Ecology Department researcher lost his dream.
"By the way, what exactly can this thing create... Let's add some enthusiasm first. Nero is always enthusiastic when dealing with everyone."
While Nero was talking with the creepy researcher, Stelle had already started fiddling with the life cultivation formula.
She was curious about it, so she decided to see what would happen if she mixed some of Nero's traits into it.
"Oh, you can add beauty. Then let's max that out. I've never seen anyone better-looking than Nero."
"Hmm... it says here that Ruan Mei shows different expressions while cultivating life... Why does it care about Ruan Mei's expression? I'm the one doing the cultivation right now..."
"There aren't any other options... Then let's choose a slight twitch at the corner of the mouth."
After Stelle finished her adjustments, the experimental platform suddenly let out a bang, followed by a burst of light and a cloud of white mist.
She had cultivated a milk-and-five-kernel-flavored lifeform.
As far as the flavor went, Stelle thought it matched pretty well. But she couldn't compliment its appearance.
It looked like a open-faced dumpling. Most importantly, its expression was nothing like Nero's. It wasn't cute at all. Instead, it looked like a delinquent, especially its eyes, which were practically filled with killing intent.
And why was the thing she created a open-faced dumpling?
The little Stellaron baby was stunned by the sight.
Looking closer, the Rice Dumpling even had ears and a tail. Although it looked a bit strange, it was still fairly cute. Fairly cute, but compared to someone used to looking at Nero, not particularly cute.
Its cry was soft enough, but why was it barking like a dog?
Under Stelle's shocked gaze, the milk-and-five-kernel-flavored lifeform she had cultivated didn't hesitate at all. It immediately jumped beside Nero and rubbed against his leg as if acting spoiled.
For a moment, Stelle had the urge to immediately report this to Peppy.
Nero picked up the little thing and rubbed it a few times before putting it back on the experimental platform.
At the same time, he said to Stelle, "Although Ruan Mei's personality is a bit... hard to accept, her sense of aesthetics when cultivating life is actually pretty good. This little Rice Dumpling is quite cute."
As soon as Nero finished speaking, the little creature on the platform puffed out its chest and let out a happy, excited cry.
Stelle froze slightly.
Because she seemed to see the little thing start glowing, just like Argenti.
But creating a little lifeform didn't seem to make any progress on Ruan Mei's request.
After that, Nero overheard other researchers in the room talking about Ruan Mei. One thing called "Cheesy Center" caught his attention.
According to the researchers, if you wanted Cheesy Center to appear, you had to draw heart-shaped graffiti in specific locations.
Stelle had played games with Silver Wolf at Herta Space Station before, so this sort of thing was easy for her.
However, just as she was about to get to work, a pale yellow Rice Dumpling dog appeared in front of her and Nero.
Although it still had the same soft and squishy appearance, the smug expression on its face was incredibly punchable.
The suddenly appearing pale yellow Rice Dumpling dog acted as if it owned the place and casually jumped onto the experimental platform.
The corner of Stelle's eye twitched as she looked at it.
"Uh... this guy..."
Under Nero and Stelle's gaze, the pale yellow Rice Dumpling dog started barking.
Its voice seemed to carry a melody, almost as if it were singing.
Just then, a researcher suddenly appeared beside them and said to the Rice Dumpling dog on the table, "Pay your respects to Cheesy Center!"
Then the researcher looked at Stelle and Nero.
"Y-You two, what are you standing around for? Can't you understand the language of a great being... Ah... Nero!"
After freezing for a moment, the researcher turned toward Cheesy Center.
"Sorry, Lord Cheesy Center. I respect you very much, but compared to Nero, you're worth absolutely nothing."
Stelle looked at the scene with a speechless expression.
She wondered if the station researchers had worked so long and lived such repetitive lives that something had gone wrong with their brains.
Also, was it really okay to say that so directly? This Rice Dumpling dog seemed pretty pitiful.
Though she did agree with the part about it not being comparable to Nero.