"…In short, I used very harmonious methods to get this information from the Family, which allowed me to arrive in time."
Welt slammed the gas pedal of the truck, chuckling. "This is all thanks to you, Stelle. If I hadn't had you as my role model, I might've had to resort to using the power of the Star of Eden to pry their mouths open."
Me?
Stelle blinked, a bit confused. Me? Uncle Yang's role model? For real?
Hmm… Could it be a case of "the person involved is blind to their own strengths"? Maybe I don't notice my own qualities, but they're obvious to others?
Stelle grinned. Not bad, me!
"What's this about Himeko being in danger?" March 7th asked. "With Sister Himeko's strength… what could possibly threaten her?"
Welt's expression grew unusually serious. "I couldn't have imagined it either, until I ran into Mei… er, that lady from the Annihilation Gang."
Here's Welt's recollection:
"So, as long as you 'die' in the dream, you can reach the deepest dream in Penacony…"
Welt stood on the rooftop of The Reverie Hotel in the dream, thick clouds beneath him, indicating he was at least in the stratosphere.
He was too powerful—so powerful that ordinary methods couldn't kill him. Only the kinetic energy from a fall at this height could barely meet the threshold.
Whoosh—
Welt leaped off, a sense of weightlessness instantly engulfing him. The wind roared in his ears, his descent accelerating, the ground growing closer…
Swish—
Just as he was about to hit the ground, a blurry purple figure flashed before him like lightning, reaching out a hand and catching him by the waist…
Crack—
Due to the excessive speed of his fall, Welt's body bent into an inverted "U" shape, accompanied by the crisp sound of bones breaking.
Purple-haired woman: …
To be honest, if it weren't for the pain cap in the dream, Welt felt that impact would've been enough to knock him out on the spot.
He struggled to lift his head and looked at the kind-hearted purple-haired woman who had caught him. She had long purple hair, wore the Annihilation Gang's signature suit, and had a fiery crown atop her head. Her refined, beautiful face felt oddly familiar, like a distant acquaintance…
It was none other than Acheron from the Annihilation Gang.
Was this universe… some kind of massive Honkai?
"Are you okay, sir?"
Acheron poked at Welt's lower back, asking with concern, "Uncle? Should I carry you to get checked out? Oh… I almost forgot, this is a dream. No need for doctors."
Welt: Uncle?
You've ruined the image this face had in my mind!
Acheron helped Welt up, her tone warm and cheerful. "Uncle, you've got to look forward. There's nothing a drink can't fix. Besides… you can't really die in a dream, right?"
She's still calling me uncle… Fine, she meant well, so I'll watch my attitude.
Welt staggered forward a couple of steps. "Miss, you did a great job saving me, but next time, please don't. I have more important things to do. Thanks for your help~"
Acheron's expression shifted, shocked.
"Wait a second. That way of talking… Do you know a gray-haired girl?" Acheron asked.
Welt: "What's that? You know Stelle?"
Acheron snapped her fingers. "Perfect! I've been looking for you guys. It's urgent. Here's the deal: according to reliable sources, Mikhail is already dead! And the next one to die will be one of you Nameless…"
"Hold on," Stelle suddenly interrupted Welt's recollection, incredulous. "She figured out we're connected just from your tone? Isn't that a bit too hasty?"
Welt thought for a moment. "Maybe a little."
"A little?" Stelle clutched her head. "This… this doesn't even make sense!"
Welt waved dismissively. "Hey, this is just the simplified version for your benefit. The actual situation was much more complicated, and I don't remember all the details."
Stelle stroked her chin. "I think, Uncle Yang, your version of events probably went like this…"
Here's Stelle's speculative version:
The scene returns to the moment Welt lands. At that instant, the world seems to slow down, as if even the speed of a free fall from tens of kilometers becomes snail-like.
The world is cloaked in a shadow symbolizing [Nihility], with only a trace of red lingering. Acheron steps out from the crowd, reaching for Welt…
"Wait a second."
March 7th suddenly interrupted Stelle, puzzled. "Where'd you get this setup? Isn't Miss Acheron the leader of the Annihilation Gang, following [Destruction]? How did you tie her to [Nihility]? And slowing down time? That doesn't seem realistic either. Can [Destruction] even do that?"
Firefly nodded in agreement. "Yeah, Stelle, when we met Miss Acheron before, she didn't seem like someone from the Nihility faction. She was really warm."
Stelle: "Uh… but isn't this the most logical and coolest way for it to play out?"
March 7th shook her head. "Stelle, your idea's nice, but the motive's unclear. If you ask me, it should be like this…"
Here's March 7th's speculative version:
The scene picks up at the part where Acheron questions Welt's identity:
"Wait."
As Welt was about to leave, Acheron called out to him. She hesitated, then softly asked, "Do you… know Stelle? That gray-haired, lively, cheerful, kind, warm, friendly, likable, considerate… (omitting countless descriptors) adorable girl?"
Welt adjusted his glasses. "Heh… interesting. So you've noticed her charm too? I approve of your taste."
"But how did you know I'm connected to her?"
Acheron turned her head away. "You carry her aura. You must be companions who've spent a lot of time together… Am I right?"
"Sharp senses."
Acheron: "Since you're her companion, I can trust you unconditionally. According to reliable sources…"
March 7th's speculation ended, and she said seriously, "This version feels way more normal than the others."
Stelle: ???
How is this normal? March, don't think Acheron's like you, all… uh… actually, maybe she is…
Firefly nodded, for once agreeing with March 7th. "I think this one's more reasonable too."
"No, March, there's a bug in your version!"
Stelle pointed out gravely, "If you think Acheron identified Uncle Yang through my aura, then why did you say she has 'sharp senses'? That's clearly a matter of smell, not sight!"
March 7th gave a thumbs-up, earnestly saying, "As expected of Stelle, catching such a detailed issue."
Firefly clapped eagerly. "Stelle's so amazing~"
"Mhm, mhm."
"…!"
Welt listened to the cheerful, heartwarming chatter behind him and shook his head with a smile. Young people are so vibrant—happiness comes so easily to them.