"That's The Herta Space Station" Himeko said, casually sipping her coffee as she pointed ahead.
A massive, high-tech structure drifted quietly in the vast universe.
Ena stared at the enormous station, her heart beating faster with excitement.
Seeing it with her own eyes felt completely different from seeing it in a game.
The Herta Space Station bears Herta name, but most of its funding is managed by its lead, Asta. Scholars from various places gather here. While they are far from being true geniuses, their abilities are still considered exceptional compared to ordinary people.
Most of them admire Herta, and some even revere her fanatically. Being part of the Herta Space Station is a source of pride. It is often said that aside from the name and a designated office, Herta herself has little involvement with the station. Even so, her name alone is enough to secure significant support from the IPC.
"The Herta Space Station was built with support from the Corporation, and Miss Herta of the Genius Society conducts her research there. From what I've heard, its defenses are very reliable. Compared to our past journeys, this one should be far less dangerous… which also means much safer."
Himeko turned her gaze toward Ena.
"This time, Mr. Welt and I will stay behind on the Astral Express. Ena, you've been wanting to join the Trailblaze, haven't you? We stopped you before because we were worried about your safety. But this time… you can go with March and the others."
"Really?" Ena eyes sparkled. "Thank you, Aunt Himeko"
Ena had long wanted to explore other worlds, but the planets they visited were often filled with conflict. As a physician with little combat ability, she was never allowed to go.
Herta Space Station, however, looked safe.
The system had said so before, though she hadn't fully believed it. But now, hearing Himeko say the same thing, that doubt slowly faded.
A safe place.
A peaceful stop along the Trailblaze.
Just imagining herself walking through the station in person brought a faint smile to her face.
"Try not to get carried away. You'll still need to be careful. Miss Herta keeps many Curios aboard the Space Station, and some of them can be quite dangerous. Once you're there, don't go wandering on your own" Himeko warned, noticing Ena excitement.
Then she looked toward March 7th and Dan Heng. "March, Dan Heng, I'm counting on you to look after Ena during this trip."
"Say less! This is basically an escort quest, right? I'll run full protection build, no damage taken, no escort failure, perfectly clear!"
March 7th summoned her bow and struck a pose of drawing it.
"Even if the Antimatter Legion spawns or some giant enemy crab pops up, I'll just kite, burst, and delete it! Easy clap!"
Dan Heng glanced at her briefly, then looked away. "…This is not a game" he said flatly.
"Everything is a game if you optimize hard enough" March shot back confidently.
"Right, right, little March is the best" Ena smiled, though for some reason, a faint chill ran across her scalp.
Still, she felt reassured having companions like them.
"Don't worry, I will do my best as well. And if anything unexpected happens, switch to the Path of Abundance immediately. Even if it's… uncomfortable for me, your safety takes priority."
Dan Heng crossed his arms, his expression as calm and distant as ever.
March 7th leaned slightly toward Ena and whispered "See? Classic tank mindset. Complains about debuffs but still prioritizes team survival."
"…I can hear you" Dan Heng said flatly.
Himeko let out a soft chuckle before speaking again.
"Actually, Dan Heng, there's something you might want to ask Miss Herta."
Dan Heng turned his gaze toward her. "What is it?"
"You were diagnosed by Ena before. However, she can only properly assist you while using the Path of Abundance. Since this is your first time at Herta Space Station, you could ask the Scholars if there are any Curios or devices that can suppress the Abundance aura."
She glanced at Ena, still on the Trailblaze Path.
"If such a method exists, Ena may be able to treat you more thoroughly."
March 7th immediately perked up again.
"Ooh! so this is like unlocking a debuff negation item? Hidden quest line! If we get that, Ena can swap builds mid-combat without triggering the debuff, this is huge!"
She pointed dramatically to the ceiling like she'd just discovered a meta-breaking mechanic.
"Build flexibility + survivability boost = S-tier synergy!"
Ena turned to her with a helpless smile. "…Please don't reduce this to game mechanics."
"…If it helps, I'll ask," Dan Heng said at last, his tone quiet but firm.
Despite his earlier words, there was no hesitation in his voice.
Everyone around Ena showed concern, leaving her unsure whether to laugh or cry. In a way, the blessing of Abundance made her the most difficult person to kill aboard the Astral Express.
which was exactly why back then she made a terrible decision.
Once, when Dan Heng was off the train, Ena decided to "experiment" with her limits. Holding a small utility knife, she hesitated for only a second. And then stabbed her own waist.
"Aaah?!" The pain hit instantly.
In games, damage and healing felt natural, almost trivial. But reality didn't come with damage numbers or muted sensations. It hurt. A lot!
Even though the wound healed quickly, her scream had already drawn everyone over.
By the time they arrived, Ena was clutching her side, eyes slightly teary.
"…Ena," Himeko said slowly.
March 7th stared in horror. "WHAT WAS THAT?! Self-damage test?! Are you trying to speedrun a bad ending?!"
Ena opened her mouth. "…I can explain!"
"You stabbed yourself!" March pointed.
The Conductor rushed forward immediately.
"Even with the Abundance blessing, you cannot harm your own body like that, pom!"
The Conductor puffed up, clearly furious.
"This is completely different from Trailblaze, pom!"
Amid the commotion, Welt stepped forward, adjusting his glasses as he examined Ena.
"Self-inflicted injury for the purpose of testing regeneration" he said calmly. "Not entirely uncommon, though certainly flawed."
Ena paused at his composed reaction. "…You're not going to scold me?"
Welt continued in the same steady tone, "That said, it remains both inefficient and dangerous."
March 7th pointed at him immediately. "See?! Even Uncle Welt says it's a bad strategy!"
Welt let out a quiet sigh. "…There are safer alternatives."
Ena lowered her gaze. "…I understand."
From the side, the Conductor puffed up.
"You better behave Passenger Ena. Don't turn into that certain someone, pom!"
...
Ena didn't know who the "certain someone" was, but judging by The Conductor reaction, it had to be someone troublesome. After that, anything sharp around her was temporarily taken away.
Even though her wounds healed almost instantly, it still hurt. Thinking back on it, she felt like a brainless paramecium. She sincerely assured the Conductor she wouldn't repeat such actions.
Ena turned her attention to The Herta Space Station.
The outline of the Herta Space Station grew larger in the distance, its massive structure drifting quietly in space.
"This Trailblaze journey will definitely go smoothly," Ena was absolutely certain.
"YYooo! That's a HUGE flag line!" March 7th voice suddenly echoed from the side. "That's like saying nothing can go wrong right before a boss fight!"
"…Please don't say things like that" Ena replied immediately.
March 7th leaned in, whispering like she'd just uncovered a hidden mechanic
"We are 100% entering an event trigger right now."
"…Stop it March." Ena said weakly somewhat spooked.
However, the moment they stepped onto the Herta Space Station, a deafening explosion rang out. Flames burst forth as debris scattered in all directions. Figures clad in grayish white armor humanoid, already breached the station. The so-called security measures were nothing more than a joke.
"Make way! we are Delivering Destruction grace!" The leading Void Ranger looked at the three people in front of him, ready to bestow destruction upon them.
Wait! what happened to it being safe?! What happened to there being no problems?!
Ena cursed inwardly, barely holding back the urge to yell at Chibi Circuit. March 7th and Dan Heng stepped in front of her without hesitation, shielding her. Meeting Dan Heng steady, reassuring gaze, Ena quietly switched to the Path of Abundance.
"Destruction is the only truth. Accept the grace of our lord and savior, Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction."
"What kind of scam grace is that? Hard pass. And you, humanoid dog thing, log out while you still can," she said, casually pulling back her bowstring.
"…Dog-thing?" The Void Ranger twitched. "Who are you calling that?! Say it again!"
March tilted her head slightly.
"Dog. Thing."
The Void Ranger was furious.
The Void Ranger charged forward.
The Void Ranger swung the blade in its hand.
The Void Ranger was one-shotted by an arrow.
March lowered her bow with a satisfied nod. "Trash mob."
Behind her, Ena blinked. "…That was fast."
Dan Heng didn't comment.
He had already moved his attention to the surroundings.
...
Elsewhere, deep within the Herta Space Station.
Two figures stepped into the chaos.
One carried herself with calm confidence, shoulder-length purple hair framing a composed expression.
The other, smaller in stature, with silver spiral braids, watched everything with quiet, unreadable eyes.