No! I absolutely cannot let this pervert misunderstanding stick! Otherwise, how will I ever face the Astral Express Crew again?!
Astro made a decision.
Since the surveillance already captured the energy anomaly.
Since Herta already suspected an entity on the level of the tavern clown.
Since they would be traveling together in the future.
Then, when facing danger, he couldn't always find an excuse to slip away and transform, like a certain Dagu Member, could he?
That would be too stupid; he'd be exposed sooner or later!
Instead of being treated as a pervert with a special fetish for Shota Puppets, he might as well... flip the table himself!
"Hey! Herta! Stop slandering me!"
Astro suddenly raised his voice, forcibly pulling everyone's attention back to himself.
The awkwardness on his face instantly vanished, replaced by the indignation of being misunderstood.
"What I like..."
He deliberately drew out his tone, his gaze sweeping over the Herta Puppet.
Then, his gaze settled on himself, and his tone suddenly changed.
"...is THIS!"
The moment he finished speaking.
He concentrated his mind and fiercely poked the glowing [Herta Puppet (Four-star • Erudition)] icon in his mind!
Astro's outline blurred instantly, and his height visibly shrunk.
The ill-fitting Space Station casual wear he wore was replaced by a set of exquisite and complicated little skirts.
Smooth brown shoulder-length hair replaced his original black hair.
A living Loli Puppet, distinct in style from the Herta Puppet (Shota version) next to him but equally delicate.
appeared in Astro's original spot.
"What are you looking at?"
Astro (Herta) crossed his arms, imitating the arrogant tone of Herta he remembered.
He spoke to the stunned crowd in Herta's crisp original voice.
"What I like is this!"
He even deliberately shook his head, letting the brown strands of hair flutter.
Dead silence.
A dead silence even more profound than before.
If Herta's previous accusation only caused shock and subtle association.
Then this sudden, unannounced transformation of a living person right before their eyes.
Especially into another version of the Herta Puppet, was utterly disruptive.
But the most shocked, naturally, was Herta.
On that delicate little face, the usual indifference showed an unexpected expression for the first time.
He remained silent for a full three seconds.
"...I see."
The Herta Puppet (Shota version)'s voice quickly sounded again.
His small body circled Astro (Herta) for a short distance.
His gaze was like evaluating an unexpected but... rather pleasing exhibit.
"Hmph."
He let out a soft hmph, his tone slightly strange.
"Although the decoration is redundant and the overall efficiency is low..."
"...but this understanding of the external manifestation of elegance and excellence... shows some taste."
His words contained three parts disdain, three parts pickiness, and the remaining four parts... sounded like a roundabout way of saying, "Your female version of me is quite convincing; good aesthetic sense"?
Astro (Herta) almost couldn't maintain his facial expression.
Why didn't Herta react according to the script?!
Shouldn't you be using your sharp tongue?! Shouldn't you be criticizing me for arbitrarily changing your gender image?
What's with this "you look quite nice like this" attitude?!
So, this thick-browed, big-eyed Shota is also a hidden narcissist?!
March 7th next to him finally recovered his voice from the shock.
He blinked, looked at the two Hertas, and mumbled softly:
"Mr. Herta... is he complimenting Astro's transformation... saying it looks good? Why does it feel strange..."
The Herta Puppet seemed satisfied with his own evaluation. He crossed his arms and looked down his nose at Astro (Herta):
"So, this is your interest? And your ability?"
Astro (Herta) maintained that arrogant posture, nodded, and said confidently:
"That's right. Got a problem with that?"
He wasn't in a hurry to change back. Since there was no drain, he maintained this form while talking to Herta.
It felt... quite invigorating?
At least the height difference wasn't so vast, which was psychologically more comfortable.
Herta leaned in closer, almost touching Astro (Herta)'s face, examining him carefully.
His gaze wasn't like looking at a person; it was more like admiring an extremely satisfactory work of art.
"Problem? No, interesting, very interesting."
He stepped back slightly, crossing his arms.
He made a thoughtful expression with that shota face, though it looked more like a child pretending to be an adult.
"It seems simple paid research is no longer enough to match this level of interest."
Herta announced, his tone filled with the enthusiasm of having found a new toy.
"How about we make a new deal, Astro?"
He extended a small finger, pointing at the "Herta (Loli version) Puppet" form that Astro was currently maintaining.
"You cooperate with my research—safely, of course.
And I..."
A flash of brilliance appeared in his eyes.
"I can help you upgrade this current form of yours.
I've seen the data. Although the puppet you transformed into is identical to the puppet I manufactured, save for the appearance"
"I can use my professional expertise to conduct comprehensive design optimization and performance enhancement on this puppet form."
He tilted his head, his tone slightly seductive:
"Think about it: a stronger, more durable, and more functional transformation.
Wouldn't that be much more cost-effective than simply using this current replica? How about that as part of your compensation?"
Astro (Herta) was stunned.
Upgrade? Enhance the transformation form?
This proposal was completely beyond his expectation.
He had originally thought Herta would either continue threatening him or haggle for more research authority.
He never expected the other party to immediately target the skin he transformed into and even want to personally mod it?
He had to admit, this proposal... was quite tempting.
The [Herta Puppet] icon in his mind was indeed only four-star.
Moreover, the proficiency level in the game might not be perfect.
If optimization by Herta himself could truly make this transformation stronger and more practical... But there's no free lunch in the world, especially one provided by Herta.
Astro (Herta) didn't agree immediately. Instead, imitating Herta's habitual picky tone, he retorted:
"Upgrade? Sounds good.
But what's the cost? Besides cooperating with your research, it probably involves more than just periodic check-ups, right?
You wouldn't be trying to take the opportunity to install some kind of backdoor or monitoring program into this form, would you?"
"Suspicion is a researcher's virtue."
The Herta Puppet didn't deny it; instead, he said frankly.
"Necessary security monitoring and underlying data recording are the foundation of cooperation.
But I can guarantee that no modules with active control or harmful properties will be implanted.
My interest lies in observing phenomena and optimizing design, not in creating an obedient puppet.
That's too inefficient and too boring."
He stared intently at Astro:
"How about it? A practical ability whose potential is excavated and enhanced, in exchange for some innocuous data and limited cooperation.
This transaction, for you, doesn't seem like a loss.
After all, your current form..."
He deliberately drew out his tone
"Aside from being slightly better looking, it is essentially no different from my standard puppets."
These words were slightly provocative but hit close to Astro's thoughts.
He truly needed stronger self-preservation capabilities, especially in this damned gender-bent world.
Astro (Herta) was silent for a few seconds, his gaze sweeping over the Astral Express Crew members nearby, who had various expressions.
March 7th wore a bewildered expression of "that sounds powerful but I don't understand it," and Dan Heng maintained his usual poker face.
Himeko and Welt seemed to be waiting for his decision, showing no intention to interfere.
As for Sister Caelus, she was still staring blankly at the protagonist, as if nothing concerned her.