"Based on the coordinates, the target's not far ahead."
"Why not just land at the destination?"
Stelle was curious, so Adrian shared a story from the past.
"Once, I was cruising with some old friends in a snow rover on Tycho's Ammonium Star. We accidentally crashed into the Tycho Grand Arena… disrupted the event, and the match had to be stopped."
Adrian remembered vividly: "Oh, it was a thrilling game. The offensive team's thrusters were almost burned out. At the last second… the game-winning shot was missed because of our intrusion."
"As for how we crashed in… well, we smashed a huge hole in the outer facade, so all the Trailblazers and I had to work for free for three months to repair the arena's severe exterior damage."
Dan Heng and March 7th exchanged glances. Dan Heng spread his hands: "Looks like you're truly cut out to be a Trailblazer, even reenacting our predecessors' wisdom."
March 7th had also once smashed a hole in the Tycho Grand Arena.
"That half-month of mandatory labor for the Trailblaze path…"
"I said don't bring it up!"
March 7th pouted. Having her embarrassing moment mentioned felt awkward, especially with Dan Heng's subtle jab.
"You all have stories?"
Stelle hadn't expected such a past. Respect!
"Times have changed. You guys got off with half a month's labor. Back in our day, our whole crew slaved away for three months."
"And because a certain someone stirred trouble, wanting to relive the snow rover crash, we almost turned three months into three years."
Adrian shook his head lightly, his gaze distant, as if piercing the veil of time back to those dusty memories.
"That's some serious work ethic."
Stelle gave Adrian a thumbs-up. That spirit was worth learning from!
"Every step must be cautious. We know little about this world, so we need to stay vigilant," Dan Heng warned.
"Well said! But the spirit of [Trailblaze] is to boldly explore the unknown. Let's go!" March 7th was brimming with energy.
The four trekked through the snow, taking down several Rift creatures spawned by the Stellaron Core along the way.
"Hey, this trash can lid's pretty handy for fighting, though it's no match for my bat."
"Who in their right mind throws a trash can lid like a frisbee?!"
March 7th teased. Stelle had been using ranged attacks the whole way when she was supposed to be the archer!
Be a proper melee batter, will you?
Dan Heng was also struck by an idea. Since the Doomsday Beast fight, he'd been considering ranged combat.
Stelle's weapon seemed to have a suction mechanism, returning after being thrown.
"From now on, I'm the righteous Trash Can侠!"
Stelle struck a pose, hands on hips. Her love for the trash can lid stemmed from the Aeon of Eternity.
The image of THEM using a trash can lid to pummel the Aeon of Destruction left an indelible mark on her.
"Hey, did you see that? Something's moving…" March 7th's sharp eyes caught a shifting snow pile nearby.
"Stelle, a great Trailblazer knows when to toss bait to scout the path," Adrian whispered in her ear.
"Got it."
Without hesitation, Stelle hurled the trash can lid toward the snow pile, tracing a perfect arc and landing precisely.
Clang!
"Ow!"
A shrill yelp erupted from deep within the snow. A blue-haired man jumped out, clutching his backside.
"Come on, sister, was that necessary? Hiding in the snow's no big crime. No need to hit me, right?"
"Hey, I hit you on purpose! What's with the stalking?" March 7th summoned her ice bow. Hiding in the snow in this freezing weather? What kind of good guy does that?
Sampo sized up the group, stepping back when he saw a familiar face.
"Uh, but it's not the heroes' fault! Haha, I popped up too suddenly. That hit was deserved, fair, and necessary! How else would I meet three new friends, right? Hahaha…"
"Three? Aren't there four of us?"
"Talking about new friends, March," Dan Heng said, eyeing Sampo. "Looks like he's not a native of this planet."
"Exactly! Family doesn't fight family. That'd be redundant, right, Boss Adrian?"
Sampo rubbed his hands and sidled up to Adrian. Stelle stepped in front of him.
"Who's family with you? Name yourself first!"
Stelle could tell this blue-haired guy was no good.
"Sampo Koski, pleasure to meet you."
Dan Heng and the others introduced themselves, their gazes settling on Adrian and Sampo.
"Wow, Teacher Adrian, you actually know this guy?"
"Met him a few times," Adrian said, keeping it brief. "No need to worry. He's just a peddler, took a commission from me."
"Commission? What's that?"
"Searching for relics of the Aeon of Eternity."
"Huh? Aeon relics? He's that capable?"
March 7th had underestimated Sampo. Seems like the first stranger you meet on any planet is never simple!
"Ouch, that stings."
Sampo kept his smile, but inwardly he groaned. You're the real fictionologist, spinning tales like it's nothing.
This Aeon's sense of mischief rivaled his own god of Elation.
Considering his god of Elation was chummy with THEM, even visiting THEIR Church to spread [Elation], stirring up chaos and conflict…
Sampo didn't judge. His [Elation] had limits.
"A peddler on this planet?"
Dan Heng didn't drop his guard. On a snowbound world eroded by a Stellaron Core and crawling with Rift creatures, what kind of goods could there be?
"You don't know, buddy. This planet still has human settlements—our dear Belobog."
Sampo took on the role of guide, explaining:
"[The City of Preservation], [The Ever-Standing City], [Humanity's Last Bastion Against the Blizzard]… sounds grandiose, but it's all true. Humans can only survive inside those iron walls."
"I've said this much—you get it, right? I was just trying to snag some ancient [Preservation] relics for a quick buck… then you guys made such a ruckus, I thought the Silvermane Guards were coming."
"Business has been rough lately. Cut me some slack, friends. Don't worry, Sampo never hogs the loot. There's plenty of treasure to go around, haha."
Sampo patted his chest, assuring the group of his sincere enthusiasm.
Hearing the unfamiliar term, Stelle asked, "What's the Silvermane Guards?"
"Ugh, the Silvermane Guards are Belobog's army, enforcers, police… those guys are so rigid, always picking fights with folks in my line of work."
"Enough small talk. Running into an acquaintance here is fate, but we're not familiar with the roads. Lead us into the city."
"You got it, Boss Adrian. I'm always happy to help. Haha, kindness is Sampo Koski's middle name! Boss Adrian's friends are my friends."
"Follow me, folks, and keep it quiet. Don't let the Guards spot us."
Dan Heng kept his eyes on Sampo as he led the way. Stelle pulled out her phone to game. March 7th, trailing the group, chatted with Adrian.
"He's pretty warm-hearted. Didn't expect to meet someone you know on this planet. Small world, huh?"
"Maybe we'll run into more familiar faces on the next planet?"
Adrian shrugged. "Who knows."
On the Xianzhou Luofu, not many knew him. He spent most of his time holed up in the milk tea shop, occasionally popping over to Aurum Alley for tea.