A sphere of violet energy materialized out of thin air. Its raw power twisted the space around it, distorting the air with ripples. After a brief shimmer, a phantom clad in purple armor curled into existence before Felicity.
Then—
It collapsed to the ground without resistance.
The movement was fluid. Seamless.
As the cause of it all, Felicity only yawned and idly twirled a strand of hair, clearly more bored than impressed.
"Hm… That makes fifteen. Maybe this much is enough to heal Arlan's injuries?"
She sounded uncertain. Not surprising—she rarely used this ability. Absorbing the life force of others and channeling it into someone else for healing… it definitely gave off the vibe of a villain's trick.
"Looks like this path's just about cleared out. Time to check on Arlan."
Felicity stretched casually.
Monsters of this level posed no threat to her. In truth, she didn't even have to lift a finger. The enormous flower she summoned was more than enough to drain the enemies' vitality and return it to her like tribute.
She vaguely remembered hearing Dan Heng and March 7th talk about these armored creatures. All part of the Antimatter Legion, apparently. And they served under some high-ranking figure… someone called a Lord Ravager?
With a title like that, they must have quite a few creative ways to kill someone.
But how was she supposed to get their attention? Would slaying more of their soldiers make them notice her?
Felicity pursed her lips, shaking off the thought before it took root.
She arrived at the monitoring room.
Arlan's energy signature was coming from inside.
...
Inside, Arlan held his breath as he crouched in the shadows.
His limbs were tightly wrapped in emergency bandages—though they should've been white, they were soaked through with blood, stained a deep, ominous red.
Cold sweat beaded on his forehead. His nerves were stretched like taut wires.
Following Asta's instructions, he'd stayed behind to cover the evacuation. Only after the last staff member had boarded the elevator did he retreat.
He remained alone, fending off wave after wave of attackers. Skilled in martial arts and armed with a heavy sword, he had cut down one after another with tenacious resolve.
But the enemy came like a tide. Weak, yes—but endless. Like locusts, they swarmed without care for their lives.
With no other option, Arlan had sealed off the elevator and taken refuge in the monitoring room.
If no help arrived, he would not survive.
Step. Step. Step.
Footsteps?
Even on the brink of collapse, Arlan forced himself to lift his sword, pain flaring from the injury in his dominant hand. He kept his gaze fixed on the door, refusing to go down unready.
"Mexi mexi~"
A light, cheery voice rang out. It was female—clear and bright, oddly out of place in the grim silence of the battlefield.
Felicity peeked her head through the door, flashing a radiant smile when her eyes landed on him.
"Morning, Mr. Arlan~"
"Ms. Felicity…"
Arlan exhaled in relief, his tension melting away as recognition set in.
He'd heard from Miss Asta—Felicity was an acquaintance of Madam Herta. That alone spoke volumes. And the fact she'd reached him so easily, without even a scratch, confirmed it.
"Can you tell me exactly what happened?"
Felicity stepped up beside him and lifted a hand. A soft green glow bloomed in her palm.
"Hold still. I'll patch you up."
Though she'd already gotten a rough picture from Dan Heng and March 7th, Arlan, as head of Security, might have deeper insights.
"I… don't know much, honestly. The Legion's arrival was sudden… Our defense systems went down without warning, and they appeared right after."
He shook his head. Halfway through, his voice faltered for a moment. Then he continued:
"Miss—Stationmaster Asta took charge of evacuating everyone. I was tasked with holding the line. I thought I had it under control but… it seems I underestimated them."
"I see."
Felicity gave a small nod.
The treatment neared completion, so she let the healing light dissipate and asked with a tilt of her head:
"How are you feeling?"
"I… think I'm fine?"
Arlan reflexively moved his injured hand—and blinked in surprise. The pain was gone.
He tore off the soaked bandage and found smooth, unbroken skin where a wound had once been.
"This is…"
"Now that you're up, let's go. We need to regroup with Asta."
Felicity gestured forward.
"Yes, but… the elevator's locked down. I don't have the key to open it..."
Arlan scratched his head in slight embarrassment.
"Then look for the Astral Express crew. Asta brought them here to assist. They probably have the key."
Felicity waved off the concern with a breezy tone, completely unconcerned about being stuck.
"Understood."
Arlan nodded.
Without wasting any time, the two began moving toward the atrium. The virtual soldiers they encountered were effortlessly handled by Felicity's flower, and they made swift progress.
"Hey, Dan Heng, use your mysterious all-knowing brain and fix this already!"
March 7th's animated voice echoed from a distance. The pink-haired girl turned to Dan Heng with hopeful eyes.
"I don't know how to fix that."
Dan Heng replied firmly.
The space elevator was no ordinary mechanism—it connected all the station's modules and stretched along The Blue's equator. If knowledge alone could repair that, it'd be a miracle.
Felicity quietly stepped up behind March 7th. Feeling a sudden urge to play a little prank, she leaned close and asked with mock suspicion:
"You broke it?"
"Wahhh...!"
March 7th jumped like a startled cat, stumbling toward Stelle before turning back in protest, cheeks puffed out.
"It was the Antimatter Legion! Not me, okay! 乆乆乆"
"Pft…"
Felicity couldn't hold back her laughter. She patted March 7th's shoulder, still grinning as she tried to soothe her.
"Alright, alright, I believe you."
"Seriously! Don't sneak up on people like that!"
March 7th huffed, patting her chest to calm her racing heart. Then she turned to Felicity with a pout.
"Next time, say something before you scare the life out of me!"
"This elevator wasn't working even before we got here. Any thoughts?"
Dan Heng asked, turning to the group.
He relaxed visibly upon seeing Arlan with Felicity. Even he hadn't noticed Felicity's approach—and truthfully, her sudden appearance had nearly made him draw his weapon.
"Let Arlan explain."
Felicity replied with a wink. She stepped aside, leaving Arlan standing out front.