The Master Control Zone had never looked so beautiful as Yoru walks in slowly, the others following closely behind. He lets Stelle continue to hold Arlan up as he starts to stray further from the group.
"So," Stelle starts. "What was that drone?"
"Himeko," Dan Heng says calmly, looking at the red haired woman in front of the group as they walk further into the zone.
Quickly separating from the group, Yoru makes his way toward a corner of the zone. He knew, from the game, that it was only going to be a moment of peace.
The Doomsday Beast would appear, causing more havoc on the station. If Yoru wanted to live, he knew he needed to stick with their group.
But first...
Yoru reopens the system. Looking towards the amount of rolls he has, he notes that he only has 1 roll to his name.
"I've never been the patient type."
If he had rolls, he would roll. That was just the type of player he was.
Taking a deep breath, he pushes the roll button. The hologram blanks out for a small while, before reappearing.
"Ha. Ha."
"New Ability: Enhanced Ugly Face"
"Can I reroll?"
Unfortunately, Yoru gets no reply.
Moving to the information tab, he tries to figure out the perks of the ability that he got stuck with.
"Enhanced Ugly Face - You can make a really, REALLY ugly face if you try hard enough (you don't have to try too hard)."
"... is this thing sentient? It's calling me ugly."
Checking his pockets to no avail, he looks around unable to find a mirror. He debates looking at a window, but he was scared to check if he got uglier than he was before. "I'll look later then."
Looking back up from his corner, Yoru looks around for the Express crew. After a small while, he spots them on the opposite end of the Master Control Zone. It seems they were going around, helping the researchers—just like they had done in-game.
Making his way over, he stops behind the group as they talk to another researcher. Yoru wasn't the best at starting conversations, and he knew that. He stood there awkwardly for a bit, before mustering up some courage.
"Hi."
Dan Heng, standing in the back, turns around. "Yoru. You disappeared for a few minutes. Did you have something to do?"
"I was rolling."
"Hm. That's certainly an unconventional way of referring to something."
March, seemingly listening to this conversation, pops in with a cheery attitude. "Rolling on the floor?"
Yoru blanks. "... y—wait, no?"
As Yoru racks his brain on how to get out of this situation, Himeko joins the conversation, thankfully bailing Yoru out.
"Ah, you must be Yoru. March spoke about you earlier. I'm Himeko, navigator of the Astral Express."
"It's nice to meet you," Yoru speaks with respect in his tone. "I've heard about you."
"We were just about to head back to Lady Asta to give a report. Won't you come with us?"
"Sure." Yoru accepts without hesitation. He needs to stay with the group to maximize his survival, after all. He doesn't need to die young.
The group, Stelle, March, Dan Heng, Himeko, and Yoru walk along the platform towards the middle of the Control Zone, where Asta manages the station.
As soon as the group reaches the middle, Asta turns to greet the group. Before any words could be exchanged, multiple red warning signs flicker on again.
All eyes dart to the screen—a video of the Doomsday Beast digging its claws into the shield of the Space Station.
Without missing a beat, Asta turns to the group. "Take the express and leave."
"... do I go with them?" Yoru points to himself, looking at Asta.
Asta looks over Yoru for a second, noting his outfit. "You should stay here."
Yoru holds his breath at this. If he can't go with the group, he might have some more trouble in the station.
"Uhm," March starts. "Can't Yoru come with us?"
Yoru looks to March. "Did I really make such a good impression?"
"I think he should come with us." Stelle raises her hand slightly.
Sighing, Asta turns herself back to the screen. "Go ahead, then."
With a sigh of relief, Yoru follows the Express crew out of the Master Control Zone into the Supply Zone.
Himeko's communicator was on during the run towards the Supply Zone. Asta's voice crackled on the communicator.
"The supply zone's defense shield won't hold much longer. You all need to hurry... I'll be here, you've got to fend them off..."
The communications suddenly buzz out, and cut.
"... We lost communications." Himeko explains calmly, turning around to face the squad.
"Are you thinking of going back?" Dan Heng looks at Himeko, questioning her intentions. "Let me remind you, that's the Doomsday Beast, the Legion's planet destroyer."
Himeko shakes her head. "The space station is Herta's creation. As long as a Lord Ravager doesn't intervene, there should be no problems."
"We can't just run away like this, right..?" March looks around at the group, as if trying to garner support to go help.
Dan Heng shakes his head. "The Doomsday beast can rip the shield like tearing paper. Herta isn't here, either. The station is too weak to stand against the Legion."
With a heavy sigh, he continues. "Either way, the Legion has the blessing of the Aeon, Nanook. They cam prepared, everyone here is not."
"That's why we're taking Stelle with us." Himeko motions to Stelle, who stands there, a flabbergasted look on her face.
March, Dan Heng, and Yoru look towards Stelle.
"Stelle?" Dan Heng asks. "She's... that important?"
"She's the one who can help us turn the tides," Himeko responds. "Of course, I may be wrong."
Dan Heng nods. "As you say so. What should we do next?"
"This is the supply zone where the maintenance crew works. There's a path that leads to the nearest railway platform," Himeko explains, gesturing over to a large door. "Let's head over there and meet up with Welt."
"Didn't he stay on the Express?" March, unlike her companions, seems confused at this revelation. Yoru had to stifle a chuckle despite his own response to the situation.
"The Express tracks us in real time," Dan Heng says, looking at March. "With a huge change in the station, Mr. Yang wouldn't have not noticed."
"I can almost guarantee that your Mr. Yang is already on his way," Himeko says, reassuring the group. "Right now, we might be able to handle things if it's just the Doomsday Beast. If the Destruction's Emanator were to appear..."
"I still feel that things won't be going as planned." Stelle speaks up for the first time in the conversation, adding her growing suspicions.
"We should be fine," Himeko says, trying to quell the suspicions Stelle has. "Let's hurry up and get out of here. I can explain later."
"So, what am I doing here?" Yoru raises his hand.
"Just tag along, hehe!" March responds cheerfully, following behind the group that had already started their path towards the railway.
"I feel like sticking with them was more of a death wish than a safety measure..."