The Trailblazer crew moved quickly through the bay, avoiding any fights to protect the man while conserving their energy.
After navigating an endless maze of cargo containers, they finally reached what looked like a clearing.
From the looks of it, they had found the control room.
"I'll climb the tower to get a vantage point," Welt said. "You two stay down here and protect him."
"Alright, Mr. Yang!"
"Huff… okay." Slightly exhausted from carrying him, Stelle put him on the ground, leaning him against one of the containers.
Now free from the stinking Qin, she breathed in the fresh air with satisfaction.
"Aww~ I wish you'd carry me more, miss beauty," Qin complained aloud.
What was even more annoying was his ability to keep talking.
Throughout the entire journey, not a single second passed without him blabbering about how his boss had been cheated on and kicked out of his own house.
With every sentence, her nose was assaulted by his alcoholic breath.
To make things worse, his hand boldly explored her body, making the experience unbearable.
"Ugh." Stelle could only massage her head, contemplating whether she should knock him unconscious again just to shut him up.
"Hey! Stelle, put that bat down!" March intervened before she could take action.
"My, M-buuurp~ My, it seems my talking has taken a toll on you~." He seemed aware of his own annoyance.
"Buuut yuu kno who else iz annoyying, my bos—"
Unable to take it anymore, Stelle swung her bat toward his head.
Swish.
But as the bat connected, his figure turned into mist, causing both her and March to freeze in surprise.
"Oh, miss, it's dangerous to swing that bat so recklessly." Hearing the familiar voice from above, they looked up to see him stumbling on top of a container.
Though still surprised, the sight of his unsteady footing made them both nervous, silently hoping he wouldn't fall.
While on top, he continued to boldly proclaim that he was a free man now, that no boss would ever rule him again. "Hahaha, I'm freeeeeee!"
"Hey! Get down from there!" March shouted, worried about his safety.
"No! You're not my boss - none of you are!"
With the shouting and the stumbling figure atop the containers, it was bound to draw attention.
Seeing movement behind him, both March and Stelle froze.
Before March could pull out her bow and fire, the denizens of Abundance charged at Qin's defenseless back.
"Watch out!"
The monstrosity slashed, yet only hit air.
"Oooh! Almost got me there." Appearing behind the monstrosity, Qin looked with interest at his own figure fading into the air.
Without hesitation, the creature slashed again, unfazed by his nimbleness.
"Oop! Haha, even my disciple can dodge that - are you even trying?"
Each time he dodged, he quipped at the mindless creature.
Screech-
The monstrosity screamed in rage.
"Wait, did I actually hit a sore spot?" He sobered and looked at his opponent in confusion.
The monster continued screaming into the air; only then did he realize.
"Calling for friends, huh?" he muttered before turning to the two girls. "Expect some company. This is going to be a party!"
As soon as he warned them, swarms of monsters appeared, surrounding them and blocking any escape.
"Umm… when is Mr. Yang coming back?" March asked nervously, gripping her bow.
"I—I think he'll notice the swarm below him soon," Stelle replied.
"Hoo hoo, what a group. You sure have many friends." The man, seemingly unbothered, somehow had a bottle in his hand.
"Wait - where did you get that bottle?!" March shouted.
"Haha, street magic." He downed the entire bottle, the scorching liquid buzzing through his mind and drumming in his chest.
With each breath, cyan flames flickered from his mouth.
"I call this one - street magic: Dragon's Breath!" Intoxicated and buzzing, he took a deep breath.
And then-
ROAAAR
Like a thunderous dragon, his shout became a wave of ghastly flames, freezing his opponent and everything behind it, creating a field of frozen land.
"Burp~ See that, girls? If you want to learn that, I'll gladly teach ya!"
"N-No thanks." March declined instinctively, still stunned.
"…." Stelle, speechless, almost forgot there were still enemies around.
"Too bad. If my disciple had gotten a junior, she would've been thrilled."
'Though true that Sushang would be happy, I probably would reject you if you accepted..'
He turned to the other monsters.
"What are you waiting for? Want me to give you a breath too?" He beckoned them forward.
"Don't challenge them!" March complained - but before she could say more, the monsters charged.
"Ugh, where is Mr. Yang?!" March fired multiple arrows at the incoming wave.
Stelle summoned her lance, bracing for battle.
Qin cracked his neck, ready to jump in - but before he could, several black holes appeared, instantly disintegrating the horde.
Looking up, they saw Welt slowly descending.
"Mr. Yang!"
"Sorry for being late, March, Stelle." Welt turned toward the man.
"For a man to be tested, I'm quite hurt." The mysterious man teased
"I… apologize, but I needed to know your intentions."
Welt had grown suspicious due to their 'accidental' encounter, and Qin's invisible skills made it seem deliberate. So he pretended to leave while observing from above.
But after seeing Qin protect them, Welt could deduce no hostile intent from him.
"Ahem. I understand. Pardon my late introduction - my name is Qin Shaoqing, a normal citizen of the Luofu. I'm guessing you're the Trailblazers?"
Welt raised an eyebrow.
"Well, the Trailblazers' reputation is known across the universe; how could I NOT know of your tales?" Qin had often heard tales of Akivili and the flying locomotive that crossed the stars.
To someone from Earth, it felt too surreal; more than that, it was repaired by one human
"And as for how I got here… I honestly don't know," Qin scratched his head. "I only remember blacking out."
Seeing he wasn't lying, Welt relaxed. "I... apologize once more for the inconvenience I've caused."
"No need. Protecting the younger generation while letting them grow on their own - it's a heavy duty."
Feeling a kindred spirit, Welt smiled.
'As if I know anything about it…' Qin inwardly muttered.
"Wait - so were you sober this entire time?" March asked, freezing the air.
Qin glanced at Stelle, who was gripping her lance, ready to beat him senseless.
"Ahem, I was truly drunk - trust me! I only sobered up because of the exciting fight-"
He barely dodged the incoming lance.
"Wa-Wait! Let's be civil!" Qin yelled as he dodged relentless strikes, using clones and phantom presence to confuse her.
But no matter how he tried to escape, Stelle always blocked his path.
'What a beast of an instinct!' Qin marveled in fear.
Welt and March watched silently.
March was amused.
Welt let Stelle vent her frustration.