Sampo: "You three look unfamiliar, and you came flying down from the sky. Could you be from beyond this world?"
March 7th: "That's right, we're Nameless from the Astral Express, here to find—"
Before she could finish, Leon cut in.
"We're visiting this place to pioneer new business channels and find reliable partners."
Hearing Leon say this, March 7th froze for a moment.
But she quickly grew cautious, quietly hiding her face behind Leon's back and adjusting her expression.
Nameless usually don't hide their motives, acting openly and honorably.
Unless—
They're dealing with someone with ulterior motives.
"When doing business away from home, you've got to keep your wits about you. I didn't know your background earlier, so I came off a bit aggressive—hope you don't mind."
Leon wore a sincere smile, stepping forward to offer Sampo a handshake.
Sampo shook his hand, also grinning warmly.
"I get it, I get it. I'm Sampo Koski. How should I address you three?"
"Leon."
"This girl's March 7th."
"Stelle."
Sampo's eyes flickered subtly, his expression turning enthusiastic.
"Earlier, Brother Leon mentioned looking for partners and expanding channels. May I ask what kind of business you're in?"
Leon smiled:
"We sell Nameless-brand clothing and drinks. All sorts of styles, guaranteed to have something for everyone to become the galaxy's coolest kid.
Our drinks include juices and brews—every sip leaves you wanting more."
The players nearly burst out laughing like geese.
You're here to Trailblaze this?
You're here for the Stellaron!
Ah Xian was laughing especially hard.
From the closed beta plot, she knew Sampo approached the Express crew with a purpose.
The difference was in the old plot—oh, no, wait.
In the Dan Heng route, he got stabbed and still kept up his banter and scams.
In the Leon route, the tables turned, and Sampo was the one getting played first.
She was growing more curious about how this would unfold.
Sampo rubbed his hands together:
"What a coincidence! Old Sampo happens to dabble in these things. Brother Leon, got any samples to let me broaden my horizons?"
Behind Leon, March 7th and Stelle couldn't help exchanging a glance.
This wasn't good—they might get exposed.
They weren't Nameless-brand clothing and drink merchants.
Their so-called clothing samples were just a few sets of daily clothes for changing, without even tags—anyone would see through it in a second.
As for drinks?
They had none!
Leon: "Of course, Brother Sampo, please take a look."
Seeing Leon perform a magic trick and pull out several sets of brand-new clothing, March 7th realized she was too young.
The old ginger's still the spiciest.
A doctor thinks of everything, with risk prevention on point.
But when she took a closer look and saw that all the clothes Leon produced were women's, she nearly couldn't hold back a quip.
Why's a grown man carrying women's clothing?
Were they for Himeko?
Or maybe… himself?
Stelle?
No, no, those were sheer silk pajamas, half-transparent!
Who casually gifts women such bold items?
Due to the game's 12+ rating, players obviously couldn't see these details.
"This material's something else! If marketed right and paired with hot sales channels, old Sampo guarantees it'd be a hit in Belobog!"
Leon: "If Brother Sampo's interested, why don't we find a good spot to discuss a partnership?"
He pulled out a bottle of liquor with company packaging and handed it to Sampo.
"We're new here, so consider this 300-year special brew a gift for Brother Sampo."
Sampo's eyes lit up as he took it: "Well said, well said! Old Sampo loves a win-win partnership…"
Whether it was Stelle, March 7th, or players in another world, they all felt a strange twinge.
What's this bizarre development?
The next scene made players understand.
???: "Suspect and accomplices spotted—arrest them immediately!"
"Oops, the cops are here. Old Sampo's gotta run—catch you later, friends…"
As Sampo's voice faded into the distance, March 7th looked over to see his figure reduced to a tiny black dot.
"Well, that guy's definitely shady!"
A group of soldiers in uniforms quickly surrounded them, weapons aimed at the trio.
March 7th: "Damn it, are we getting treated as wanted criminals again?"
Stelle, in a ghostly tone: "Again?"
Hearing the protagonist's single-word quip, laced with inexplicable complex emotions,
it just—
The corners of their mouths couldn't stay down.
It hit the spot.
The boomerang came back fast.
March 7th: "Is this the time to focus on that? That jerk even took the stuff Leon gave him!"
["Great start" "Definitely smooth sailing"]
[Getting treated as wanted criminals again—what a tonic!]
[MiHoYo protagonist tradition: standard procedure, don't panic, take a seat.]
Stelle: "So, Leon, fight or flee?"
Leon smiled calmly: "No rush. Just stand here and wait a few seconds."
March 7th, startled: "But they're closing in on us!"
Soldier: "Suspects, surrender now!"
As the weapons got closer, March 7th couldn't stay calm and instinctively drew her longbow.
Just as she was about to pull the string, a cold, authoritative voice rang out.
"Stop!"
The soldiers froze, parting to make way.
A blond soldier carrying a massive black metal case stepped forward, scanning Leon and the others.
His gaze then fell on the shuttle behind them, a flicker of surprise in his eyes.
"I've heard historians say that long ago, visitors from beyond often came here, but after the Eternal Freeze, no one has ever crossed the snow curtain again…"
Soldier: "The Captain means… these people are offworlders?"
① "That's right, we're aliens!"
② "The Captain's got sharp eyes. I hope you can discern right from wrong."
③ "We're here to discuss business partnerships."
Ah Xian picked the funniest-looking option.
???: "That machine behind you doesn't look like anything from Belobog.
I'm Gepard, Belobog's guard Captain. If you're truly offworlders, please provide further proof."
① "March, time to show off your photos."
② "Leon, spread your wings and take flight to show them."
③ "My bat's itching—let's spar to make friends!"
"No need to hesitate, fam—I'm definitely picking Leon!"
Stelle: "Leon, you're the one who best shows off our alien traits."
Leon gave a helpless smile: "You really know how to put me on the spot."
"Wow, such a doting tone—he's got a place for me in his heart. I'm in love!"
Ah Xian started swooning again.
A sudden gust of air hit, kicking up some frost and snow.
Gepard's expression sharpened, instinctively looking up, his face showing traces of shock.
What did he see?!
A person slowly descending from the sky, massive wings gently flapping.
A person… could actually fly?