Lower District. When Welt and Dan Heng arrived, the battle was already over. Amid the ruins, a pile of company employees and drone soldiers lay scattered on the ground. Only a petite, white-haired girl in red stood alone, clearly the last one standing.
"That's... Clara?"
Dan Heng's eyes narrowed. He hadn't interacted much with Clara, but he knew she was far more than her cute appearance suggested. He said with some concern, "The company people... she didn't beat them all to death, did she?"
If that were the case, the conflict between Belobog and the company would be irreconcilable.
"No!! How is it so badly injured?"
At that moment, Welt suddenly let out a grief-stricken cry and rushed toward the pile of bodies.
It? Was he referring to... Skott?
Dan Heng's gaze followed Welt's path, landing on a company employee lying at Clara's feet—none other than Skott, whom they'd seen not long ago.
"...It seems Mr. Welt also recognizes Skott's importance. After all, this guy is one of the company's representatives. If something happens to him, convincing the company to back off will be even harder."
"But right now, Skott's in a dire situation. If we step in as 'heroes who saved his life,' we could make him owe us a favor, which would help with negotiations later."
"As expected of Mr. Welt, thinking so far ahead..."
Biaji! (sound of stomping)
Welt, completely ignoring Skott, stepped over his body and slid to a stop beside Svarog in a dramatic kneel. "Svarog—!"
"Are you going to die? Can I turn you into a figurine?!"
Dan Heng: ...
Dan Heng sighed slightly. Well, he should be used to this by now.
"Yo? It's you guys?"
Seeing Dan Heng and Welt approach, Clara said with some surprise, "What's with today? Why's everyone back?"
Dan Heng explained why they'd returned and the situation with the company's debt collection...
"A debt? The old Belobog's debt has nothing to do with my new Belobog," Clara said, puzzled.
Dan Heng couldn't help but facepalm. "Clara, that kind of argument only works when both sides are on equal footing. Otherwise, the final say still lies with the other party."
"Oh... I get it."
Clara nodded. "Alright then, since Belobog does owe them money, I'll let them off this time. So, can the debt be written off now?"
After all, she wasn't unreasonable. In a sense, every Belobog citizen shared part of this debt, so she decided to be merciful and spare the creditor's life.
That way, her share of the debt would be cleared, right?
Dan Heng hesitated, glancing at Skott on the ground, and asked quietly, "Uh... is he completely knocked out right now?"
At this, Clara paused, then immediately understood—Dan Heng had something to discuss with her.
So she raised her foot again and stomped hard on Skott's head—
Thud!
"There, now he's definitely out cold," Clara said, dusting off her hands with satisfaction.
Dan Heng: ...
"Here's the thing: to give us some leverage in negotiations, I'd like you to help us put on a little act."
Dan Heng explained, "If, when Mr. Skott wakes up, he finds he was saved by passing Nameless, wouldn't he feel grateful and maybe give ground at the negotiation table?"
Clara gave Dan Heng a strange look. "That idea... hm, I get it, you're his ally after all."
"I'm fine with it."
...
Mysterious Narrator of the Honkai: Star Rail World: And so, The Lone Wolf's Adventure, Act One: A Wolf Fallen to the Plains, begins filming.
Starring: Skott, Dan Heng, Clara, Welt. Guest Appearance: Svarog.
"Ha... ha..."
Skott woke up amid intense jostling, feeling like he was being carried on someone's back while they ran at full speed. The violent bouncing irritated him, accustomed as he was to luxury. "Why are you running? You're shaking me to death! Slow down, slow down!"
"...Mr. Skott, you're awake?"
The young man in front of him glanced back, breathing heavily, his pace not slowing in the slightest. "Sorry, but that thing is still chasing us."
Skott froze, immediately sensing something was off—
Wasn't he knocked out by that monstrous little girl? What was going on now?
"Hahahaha—run, maybe you all will die~!"
A maniacal laugh came from behind, and the familiar voice sent a shiver through Skott—it was that white-haired little girl's voice!
What was happening?
Skott turned his head. Despite the young man in front running at superhuman speed, he still couldn't shake the shadowy figure behind them—Clara was even faster!
"Run, run faster! Dead legs, move!!"
Skott panicked, urging Dan Heng ahead.
Whoosh—
A sharp whistling sound rang out as Clara casually picked up Svarog and hurled it like a javelin toward them!
Boom!
Dan Heng leaped with all his might, dodging the attack. Svarog crashed into the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
...
"Huff—huff—"
Behind a secluded ruined building, Dan Heng set Skott down. "Mr. Skott, it should be safe here for now."
"Who are you? Did you just save me?" Skott asked.
Dan Heng: "I'm a Nameless from the Astral Express. I was passing by and saw that monster about to finish you off. Out of duty, I saved you from her clutches."
Skott paused, then beamed with joy. "That's great! Quick, keep doing your duty and get me out of here!"
Dan Heng: ...
"I'm afraid that's not possible, Mr. Skott."
"What?!"
Hearing Dan Heng refuse, Skott's face darkened. "What's that supposed to mean? Didn't you say it's your duty to save innocent people like me in danger? What, scared of that little girl now?"
"Is your so-called 'duty' just talk?"
"Get up! Carry me out of this awful place! Once it's done, I'll pay for a banner to honor you!"
Dan Heng shook his head regretfully. "I'm sorry, Mr. Skott. It's not that I don't want to take you, but the entire Lower District is that white-haired girl's territory. If we move recklessly, she'll spot us."
"The only way to break through Clara's blockade is for me to draw her away, taking her fire, so you can..."
"I totally agree!"
Before Dan Heng could finish, Skott eagerly cut him off. "No time to waste—go out and sell yourself!"