"This is the designated docking area for off-world ships on Punklorde? Why does it look so desolate? There's not even a single ship in sight…"
Having just stepped off the lander, March 7th stood on her tiptoes and looked around.
"This whole place is empty. There's nothing here."
"Hmm… What in the world happened here? There's not a single trace of a battle. That shouldn't be right. The last time I came to this port, there were plenty of ships… Besides, with the influence of the Stellaron, shouldn't all of Punklorde's ships be grounded?"
Topaz also looked puzzled. Something was wrong, very wrong. The place was far too clean, as if someone had intentionally swept it.
"Let's head into the city first and try to contact the local authorities. Miss Topaz, I hear you often come to Punklorde for business. You must be quite familiar with the area, correct?"
Himeko turned her gaze to Topaz.
"Yes, of course. I'm reasonably familiar with Punklorde. If you trust me, I'd be happy to lead the way."
Topaz nodded at the group.
"Alright. In that case, we'll be counting on you, Miss Topaz."
"Oh, by the way, I've been wondering since we saw it from above—that tall tower over there… what is it? It looks so grand."
March pointed towards the magnificent golden tower in the distance. Faint golden ripples seemed to emanate from it, spreading outwards.
"That is the Legendary Tower of Punklorde. Everyone should know what kind of place Punklorde is. They venerate individuals who have had a profound impact on their world as 'Legends,' and the Aether Cartridges of those Legends are stored in that tower. To the people of Punklorde, that tower is something of a spiritual pillar."
At this point, Topaz suddenly glanced at Stelle.
"That's right, Miss Stelle, didn't you have a run-in with that little hacker from Punklorde before? I happened to be looking through some files in the network department at the time. That little hacker is truly impressive. Grinding eighty-six accounts… it's unimaginable…" Topaz said with deep admiration.
---o---
"Don't be impulsive. Didn't you just grind another ten-plus accounts? Besides, those other accounts are in the past. Didn't you say you weren't going to hold a grudge over it?"
Kafka quickly grabbed hold of the nearly blood-raged Silver Wolf, gently covering her mouth as she tried to reason with her.
"Wuwuwawawa! My wuwu! Accounts!"
Silver Wolf glared at Topaz in the distance, her eyes shimmering with tears of indignation.
"Kafka, stop enjoying the show. We should get moving."
Blade shot a cold glance at the crying and fussing Silver Wolf and spoke to Kafka.
"Mm, coming."
Kafka nodded slightly. She looked at Silver Wolf with a hint of helplessness, shook her head, and then her eyes narrowed.
"[Listen to me], Little Wolf. We should be getting on with our mission. You've always been a good girl, haven't you?"
Holding Silver Wolf in her arms, Kafka gently stroked her smooth, gray hair and nodded in satisfaction.
"…"
Blade decisively turned his back on the scene. How annoying. There wasn't a single normal person on this team!
---o---
[Ding ding… You have one new friend request.]
Dan Heng shut off his phone without a change in expression. He could guess who was adding him even with his feet.
"Let's check out the New District first. All of the Neon Metropolis's government agencies have moved there. If anyone is leading the counterattack against the Stellaron, it could only be from there."
Topaz gave a brief introduction to the New District and then led the group towards it.
"Puh-woo!"
Numby, at Topaz's side, seemed to sense something and excitedly trotted off on its stubby legs.
"Huh? Did Numby find something good?"
Topaz stood with her hands on her hips, watching as Numby dug a few Stellar Jades out of a nearby trash heap and excitedly presented them to her.
"Oh! Good job, Numby!"
"!"
Stelle jolted at the sight of the two Stellar Jades. She stared at Numby, who was now being petted by Topaz, her eyes filled with fervent desire.
"Alright, let's get going!"
Topaz casually fed the Stellar Jades to Numby and then walked to the front of the group to lead the way.
---o---
Trailblazing Team Two
Wende, along with Tingyun and Jingliu, landed directly in the Old District, following the map Topaz had provided earlier.
However…
"It seems… our reception is not a friendly one."
Jingliu held her sword, Transience, its blade of solid ice aimed at the gang members who had them completely surrounded.
"Reception? You're the ones who've just arrived."
A cold female voice sounded from behind the gangsters. Two of them respectfully parted to make way for the person behind them, and Wende's group finally saw the speaker's face.
She had short, dark-red hair and golden eyes. A tailored suit gave her a meticulous air, while long leather boots accentuated her slender legs.
"Oh? Judging by your clothes… could you be merchants from the Xianzhou?"
Veyl raised an eyebrow at the three of them, crossing her arms as she looked at them with interest, her gaze lingering especially on…
"No, we are not merchants from the Xianzhou. But I wonder if you, miss, have ever heard a certain name."
"The Nameless."
Wende looked up, his purple eyes meeting her golden ones.
"…"
Upon hearing this name, Veyl's brow furrowed noticeably. She stared at Wende, a thoughtful expression on her face.
"I didn't expect… the renowned Nameless? Jack, tell the boys to put away their toys. We're extending our hospitality to these three."
Veyl spoke calmly to the muscular man beside her, then turned and walked back toward her motorcycle.
"Hey, you three are those… 'Nameless,' right?"
The man named Jack holstered his twin pistols, nonchalantly cleaned his ear with his pinky finger, and then gestured for the three of them with an "invitation."
"Let's go."
Wende glanced up at the drones circling in the sky above. He walked ahead of the two women, heading towards the gang's motorcycles.
Since they were a local gang, and their reaction to the name "Nameless" was so significant… Wende was certain that their leader… that woman with the short, dark-red hair, probably knew something. At the very least, she knew the origin of this disaster.
Looking ahead at Veyl, who had one foot propped on her motorcycle and was staring thoughtfully at the distant golden tower, Wende felt his conviction grow stronger.
---o---
"This is the Scrapyard? You came to this godforsaken place?"
Silver Wolf looked at Kafka in confusion. This was the place where she had first made a name for herself on Punklorde. Was there anything here she didn't know about? It was just a bunch of unhinged scavengers and some gangbangers.
"Little Wolf, did you know? It seems your cleanup last time… was a little incomplete."
Kafka turned her head to the side, revealing a chilling smile.