"Who are you people? How dare you attack us in the lower city?"
The leader of the vagrants, a small boss, was both shocked and frightened. He scrutinized the three individuals who had suddenly struck but could not find the red armband belonging to "Wildfire" on their arms.
Not from Wildfire? Then how dare these people make a move?
"I have already said, I am the Galactic Baseballer, a messenger from the heavens, the embodiment of justice!" Stelle declared while trotting over to pick up the baseball bat.
As cool as throwing the bat had been, retrieving it now was awkward and embarrassing.
Hearing Stelle's blatant self-praise, Dan Heng's mouth twitched, but he accepted the setup. "Stelle, March, we should have reached the lower city by now, but the situation here is unclear. We should not stay long."
"Let us take the child and find a safe place to stay first."
"Roger that!" Stelle dashed forward in a swift stride, stopping in front of Hook and smiling as she extended a hand. "Little Hoo—ahem, little girl, come with big bro—ahem, big sister me. We will protect you."
Whether before or after transmigrating, Stelle herself had always liked little girls. Of course, she was not a lolicon—liking little lolis does not necessarily mean being a lolicon. Usually, it is because they had no playmates as children and grew up wanting to play with childlike companions, which shows they have retained their childlike heart.
From this, it can be deduced how loving people who like little girls are!
Moreover, this version of Hook clearly belonged to the well-behaved and adorable little girl type like Clara. No one could resist that.
Hook blinked her big eyes, revealing a pair of cute little fangs. "Mm, hello, big sister! Hook likes big sister!"
…
Natasha navigated through various alleys in the lower city—routes not yet fully controlled by the vagrants. Since most vagrants were concentrated in the mining areas, they were unfamiliar with the small paths of Boulder Town.
At the moment, her eyes were filled with anxiety. Not long ago, Mr. Fersman had approached her, saying his daughter Hook was missing and hoping to enlist the help of Wildfire members to search for her. With vagrants now dominating the lower city, no one could predict how low those ruffians would stoop.
"Hook…"
At the thought of the little blonde girl who always called her "Sister Natasha," Natasha unconsciously quickened her pace. After searching for who knows how long, at a corner of a small path, she suddenly spotted a familiar silhouette.
Natasha immediately hid behind a nearby trash can, calmly observing the figures not far away. There were three of them, all adults by their build, but one shadow had the distinct shape of Hook's uniquely styled hat.
Had vagrants captured Hook and taken her hat?
Natasha silently raised her hand cannon. Perhaps at times, she was just a weak and powerless ordinary woman, but if there was something she had to do, no matter how dangerous, she would not hesitate in the slightest.
Tap, tap, tap…
The footsteps grew closer. Just as Natasha prepared to use force to subdue this "vagrant" team, she saw Hook riding on the shoulders of a gray-haired girl, the two chatting and laughing.
She was also familiar with that gray-haired girl—it was Stelle, who had helped her yesterday.
Behind these two were Dan Heng and March 7th, both of whom she had met yesterday.
"Who is there?!"
In the moment Natasha was lost in thought, March 7th was the first to notice someone nearby. But just as she drew her weapon, she recognized the woman they had briefly met yesterday and exclaimed in surprise, "Miss Natasha?"
"Natasha?"
"Sister Natasha?"
Stelle and Hook turned their heads simultaneously. Upon seeing Natasha, the latter's small face immediately showed a trace of timidity. "S-Sister Natasha, sorry, you must have come out to look for Hook…"
"Hook!"
Natasha took two steps forward, her clear eyes filled with reproachful anger. "Boulder Town is so dangerous right now, yet you still dared to sneak out alone to play? Do you have any idea how worried your father is?"
Hook did not dare speak for a moment, shrinking back fearfully behind Stelle's head.
"Uh…" Stelle scratched her head, then lifted Hook by the armpits and handed her to Natasha. "Well… the child did not mean it. She said there is no food at home and wanted to scavenge some leftovers or something."
Earlier, on the way here, Hook had roughly explained the situation in ordinary lower city households. It was mostly similar to what Natasha had said yesterday, but the one thing Natasha had not mentioned was that residents of the lower city were now struggling even to eat.
No wonder Natasha had gone to the upper city to procure supplies yesterday.
Hearing this, a look of apology appeared on Natasha's pretty face. "…Everyone, I am sorry. The things you helped me buy yesterday… did not make it to the hands of the lower city residents. Those vagrants are more greedy and cunning than I imagined. I…"
"This is not your fault, Miss Natasha." Stelle comforted her, patting her shoulder. "In the end, everything will turn out fine."
"Correct. We are the Nameless of the Astral Express. Our mission is to salvage the fading hope of every world," Dan Heng explained. "Miss Natasha, based on what you said yesterday, there are still some members of Wildfire in the lower city who have not been captured. Could you take us to see them?"
Natasha did not agree immediately. She was not unwilling to tell these people, but at this critical juncture, she could not reveal it so easily.
On a personal level, she was willing to trust Stelle and the others, but if anything went wrong… the lower city would be completely doomed.
"Sister Natasha, Sister Stelle and the others are not bad people," Hook said, holding Natasha's arm and speaking softly.
"…You three, please come with me first."
After a brief moment of hesitation, Natasha sighed and spoke.
…
In a small alley, Natasha cautiously scanned the surroundings before pulling out a key and leading everyone into a room.
The space inside was considerable, filled with the smell of disinfectant. The lighting was dim, just enough to see the path. By the faint light, a few sickbeds could barely be made out, each with someone lying on it.
"Hook?"
A surprised voice suddenly rang out from the darkness, startling Stelle. A burly figure emerged from the shadows and emotionally embraced Hook. "Where did you run off to? If something happened to you, how would your old dad go on living?!"
"Wah… Dad, Hook did not mean to. Hook saw that Dad had not eaten for two days… Hook wanted to help Dad…"
"Dad told you… never mind. It is fine as long as you are safe, it is fine as long as you are safe."
Fersman looked up, tears glistening in his eyes. "Miss Natasha, I… I really do not know how to thank you. Thank you, truly, thank you so much!"
"Mr. Fersman, I did not help much this time. It was these friends who saved Hook," Natasha quickly waved her hands in denial. "If you really want to thank them, do me a favor and find Oleg for me."