Walking towards the elevator heading back, Tian An felt a persistent unease in her heart.
That phrase, "Wherever you go, destruction follows," is it really true...?
She didn't think she posed any danger to the universe, nor had she knowingly offended anyone.
Ever since arriving in that hibernation pod, incidents had started occurring around her frequently, as if she attracted disaster.
Just moments ago, during that attack, Tian An almost thought she wouldn't live to see Teacher Xiao Te again.
Unexpectedly, Theresia's body can turn transparent... I don't remember her having that kind of ability either...
I really don't know what those lunatics see in me...
"Let's go, we're here," Dan Heng led the way, with Star to his right, Arlan to his left, and March 7th behind.
The four of them walked with Tian An surrounded in the middle. Anyone who didn't know better might think they were escorting a prisoner.
Even the main control section was likely still chaotic. It was evident that this invasion targeting the space station had caused significant casualties. If she didn't know it was the Anti-Matter Legion's doing, Tian An might have genuinely thought it was the work of that phantom shadow from earlier.
"Did you have any enemies in the past?" Star suddenly asked, her expression looking thoughtful.
"Enemies? Me? No," Tian An shook her head. Thinking back, besides hiding in her room playing games during holidays and hiding in her dorm playing games during school, she didn't seem to have much of a social life.
...Wait, that's not right. Weren't there a few times... going out?....
Ever since coming to the space station, Tian An felt like fragmented memories were surfacing more and more in her mind. Sometimes she'd remember something one way, only to immediately start questioning and contradicting herself.
She didn't know if there was something wrong with her brain or...
"How could someone like Theresia possibly have enemies? It couldn't be someone jealous of her beauty, right?" March 7th added.
That makes sense.
Although people like that might actually exist, that figure clearly didn't have that motive. It couldn't possibly be...
That one of my past lives ran off with its wife, could it?
"Look, it's a Light Cone!" March 7th exclaimed.
"Light Cone?" Star asked curiously. Having just been 'born,' she was like a curious baby right now.
"Mm, Light Cones are wondrous things. They are products of the Garden of Recollection, capable of carrying memories with them. They're incredibly powerful enhancement items. The Company spent a fortune acquiring them," Dan Heng explained.
He's right. So why is it that the Light Cones I buy always seem to be the wrong order?
So it was the Company messing with my pity rate!
"Regardless, I can only tell you that the origins of these few Light Cones are legitimate. Take them for self-defense," Arlan said.
Tian An, however, had already run outside to look at the platform near the large elevator shaft. A centaur-like enemy should be appearing there soon, then the group would get into a tough fight, and Himeko would come to save the day...
So, is there a way for them to get up there without fighting?
Of course...
Nope, buddy, nope. I, Tian An, only know how to stab people with crystals. Building staircases out of thin air is something for the future.
"Theresia, catch!" March 7th tossed a Light Cone towards her. Tian An was about to catch it with her hand, but the entire Light Cone passed straight through her body and fell to the floor.
"Huh? What's going on?" March 7th ran over bewildered, examining Theresia's body.
"Logically speaking, [Light Cones] are products of the Garden of Recollection. Anyone possessing consciousness and memory, under the blessing of a Path, should have a chance to use them."
He's right... but I'm not from this world. Guess I'll have to wait until that esteemed entity gets interested enough to make a personal appearance.
"Maybe I just don't meet the requirements," Tian An walked out on her own.
What kind of story are you hiding...?
Dan Heng watched Tian An's retreating back with a serious expression, contemplating all the possibilities surrounding her.
After equipping themselves, the group set off again. However, at Tian An's strong insistence, they sprinted directly into the area, advancing rapidly. Even Arlan, supported by Star, ran with effort.
Tian An wanted to test the possibility of arriving early. But, unsurprisingly, the moment March 7th uttered the line, "We're already at the elevator entrance? There weren't many enemies along the way either," she knew it was impossible.
The centaur-like figure from the 'script' accurately fired an arrow, which was then "predictably" blocked by Dan Heng. Tian An began to doubt whether this "script" could be changed at all.
But before she could dwell on it, the centaur creature suddenly seemed to go berserk, charging specifically towards Tian An. Seeing this, Dan Heng quickly shielded Tian An behind him.
This isn't right. I'm not a plot character, why is it attacking me?
While charging, the centaur raised its crossbow again. But just as it was about to fire, an arrow from March 7th interrupted it, forcing it to halt.
"Come hit me!" March 7th taunted, sticking her tongue out.
"Bleh~"
The centaur's attention was diverted, but it still hadn't given up its pursuit of Tian An. As it shifted its gaze back from March 7th, a flash of lightning sparked behind it.
It was Arlan.
He forced his injured body, taking advantage of the centaur's distracted attention, leaped up with his greatsword, and swung down towards it in a flash of lightning. However, before the blow could land, the centaur actually caught the blade directly with its hand, then forcefully flung it aside. Arlan was sent flying backwards.
Fortunately, Star caught him in time, but that final burst of exertion completely drained his strength.
And in that brief timing when the centaur slightly overexerted itself and needed to regain its balance!
Dan Heng chose to take the offensive. A faint crack appeared beneath his feet, and then suddenly erupting Originium crystals launched him forward. His spear, propelled by the momentum, stabbed fiercely into the creature's thigh. The centaur roared in anger, forcing back Dan Heng who was about to pull out the spear, and then violently slapped the spear shaft, sending Cloud-Piercer flying.
But before Dan Heng could retrieve it, March 7th's arrow struck Cloud-Piercer's handle, forcefully changing its trajectory.
"Star, now!" March 7th quickly shouted to Star.
Star immediately understood, whipping out her baseball bat and swinging forcefully. The flying spear was knocked back again, heading straight for the centaur. The creature tried to dodge, but found its four legs temporarily trapped by small mounds formed from Originium crystals.
Another heavy impact sounded as the centaur was knocked back several steps.
Dan Heng glanced at the people behind him.
"Nice work."
"But of course! Don't you know who we are!"
Their coordination was seamless, as if they had fought together countless times.
Tian An, meanwhile, was pondering.
How does the protagonist team, struggling against a single centaur now, end up fighting Emanators later on.....?
"Now, let's finish it in one go!"