The cabin door slid open.
Stelle and March 7th came in chattering nonstop, their hands loaded down with Belobog-themed souvenirs and bags of snacks. Stelle looked satisfied as she started counting her "loot," while March 7th bounced around excitedly—then immediately spotted Huo Linfei sprawled on the sofa, wearing the face of a man who had given up on life.
"Huo Linfei! We're back!"
March 7th shoved all the bags into Stelle's arms, keeping only her adorable blue camera. Like a cheerful little bird, she hopped to the sofa.
"Look, look! I took sooo many photos! Qlipoth Fort—no, the Solwarm Festival was super fun! There were giant ice sculptures! Serval's performance was INSANE! And—oh!—the flatbread Lynx recommended smelled amazing…"
She rattled on, already flipping through photos, eager to share.
Huo Linfei forced himself upright, dragged a weak smile onto his face, and tried to focus on the images—pictures overflowing with joy and light.
This was the third time he'd been ejected from that damned Simulated Universe—killed by the Shark King's "Black Sea Abyss," that same move laced with that bizarre burning sensation. The mental exhaustion was worse than any physical fatigue.
[Three consecutive one-shots by the same technique detected. Comparative data analysis indicates an anomaly.]
[Recommendation: Check whether a critical combat module has been lost.]
[Or perhaps it's simply a decline in condition?]
Huo Linfei rolled his eyes internally. He couldn't be bothered with a system that enjoyed the spectacle. All his energy was spent fighting the tidal pull of sleep—and the lingering, deep-in-the-mind ache of that residual burn.
"Eh? What's wrong?" March 7th quickly noticed. She stopped flipping through photos, worry on her face. "You look really tired… and your complexion's not great. Didn't you rest well?"
Huo Linfei managed a thin smile. "I'm fine. Just… a bit tired."
March 7th blinked, then suddenly remembered something. She rummaged in her small bag and pulled out a fuzzy handmade snowfield bear plush.
The craftsmanship was a little clumsy—clearly homemade—but it was adorable. More importantly, on its chest was pinned a delicate snowflake ornament made from blue-and-pink crystals, almost identical to the snowflake on her own outfit.
"This is for you!"
She pressed it into Huo Linfei's hands, cheeks faintly pink with embarrassment.
"I made it at the craft stall with the shop lady! I set the snowflake myself—and it matches mine! I hope it brings you good luck, and you feel better soon!"
Holding the soft plush—warm with the weight of a girl's sincere intention—Huo Linfei felt something in his chest loosen. The irritation and exhaustion thinned, just a little.
"Thanks, March," he said softly.
He carefully set the snowfield bear on the sofa armrest.
At that moment, Himeko walked over with her signature coffee cup. Her voice was gentle, but she repeated the announcement clearly—as if making sure everyone heard.
"Everyone, one more notice. According to our planned itinerary and the invitation we received, our next destination is the Planet of Festivities—Penacony. Please prepare in advance."
Pom-Pom hopped into view too, broadcasting:
"Attention, passengers, attention, pah! The Express is making final adjustments before warp, pah! Please return to your seats or rooms as soon as possible to ensure safety, pah!"
March 7th looked around curiously. "Huh? Where's Dan Heng? Still soaking in the archives?"
Nearby, Welt Yang adjusted his glasses and answered, "Dan Heng has already gone back to his room to prepare."
The chatter, Pom-Pom's broadcast, the steady hum of the engine… to Huo Linfei—crushed under extreme fatigue—it all began to blur, grow distant, like hearing the world through thick glass.
Continuous high-intensity combat inside the Simulated Universe always came with heavy mental drain. His eyelids sank. His consciousness slipped into darkness.
"Penacony… land of dreams… hope I can… dream… a good dream…"
…
In the cold, silent vacuum of space, Huo Linfei drifted weightlessly. The galaxy around him was brilliant—yet impossibly far.
A nameless loneliness wrapped around him.
Without warning, a gigantic hand—made of shadow and starlight—reached out of the deep black and silently grabbed toward him. The pressure was suffocating, as if it would crush him and the space around him into nothing.
He couldn't dodge.
Instinctively he tried to move his energy, to resist, to evade—yet his body was unbearably heavy, unable to shift at all.
Hummmm…
At the instant the palm was about to come down—
A strange flame erupted from behind him.
It carried no heat at all.
The fire was almost transparent—pale, ghostly white—burning quietly with no light, no warmth, as if it were merely distorted shadow.
It drifted up to meet the shadow-hand.
No explosion. No sound.
The moment the pale fire touched it, the massive hand dissolved—like a painting thrown into the void—melting from the point of contact, breaking down into the most basic particles, vanishing without a trace, as if it had never existed.
Huo Linfei jolted awake on the sofa, heart racing, the oppressive pressure of that shadow-hand still clinging to his mind.
The cabin was unusually quiet. Only the faint hum of the engine at minimum output remained. Soft lights illuminated the empty sofa and coffee table—where his half-finished water sat, along with the snowfield bear plush March 7th had given him.
"Where did everyone go?"
"Ah, Passenger Huo Linfei—you're finally awake, pah." Pom-Pom's voice came from nearby. The conductor was holding a small cleaning robot, apparently doing chores.
"Pom-Pom? Where's everyone else?" Huo Linfei rubbed his still-throbbing temples, voice rough with sleep.
"Himeko and the others said you looked very tired, so they didn't wake you, pah," Pom-Pom explained. "The Express has already arrived at Penacony for a while now, pah. The other passengers went ahead to the Reverie Hotel to check in, pah."
Already arrived?
I slept that long?
Huo Linfei shook his still-foggy head, trying to drive the chaos of dreams and the Simulated Universe fatigue out of his skull.
"Understood. Thank you, Pom-Pom."
He stood, carefully tucked the snowfield bear into his pocket, drew a deep breath, and headed for the exit.
The hotel lobby was vast—like a plaza—its dome ceiling projecting shifting, dreamlike light. The air was thick with sweet fragrance and gentle background music. Guests of every possible kind streamed past: strange outfits, distinct species traits, dazzling variety—everything screaming "planet of festivities."
"This place… is seriously overwhelming…"
Still half-asleep, his brain sluggish, Huo Linfei followed the signs by instinct. His plain clothes and lost expression made him stick out among the excited, meticulously styled crowds.
A uniformed attendant with a perfect professional smile noticed him—eyes snapping to the special Astral Express ticket pinned on his chest.
"Good afternoon, sir." The attendant approached smoothly. "Are you a guest of the Astral Express?"
Huo Linfei took a couple seconds to register the question, then nodded. "Ah… yes."
"Welcome to the Reverie Hotel. Your companions have already checked in and entered their rooms to rest." The attendant maintained immaculate etiquette. "Your room is ready as well, and you may check in at any time. Would you like me to take you there now?"
Huo Linfei desperately needed direction. He nodded. "Yes, please. Thanks."
"Right this way."
The attendant led him through luxurious corridors that felt like a maze, stopping at last before an ornate door.
"This is your Dream Passport. It records all your information here. It also includes several assistance functions—if you have questions, it can provide basic help."
He used the Dream Passport to unlock the door, stepped aside, and handed it to Huo Linfei.
The room was even larger than it looked from outside—decor blending luxury and dreamlike aesthetics. Most eye-catching was a small pool in the center, glowing with a faint azure light:
The Dream Pool.
"This is the hotel's signature feature—the Dream Pool," the attendant introduced enthusiastically. "Simply immerse yourself, and you can connect to Penacony's unique dream network, experience various beautiful dreams woven by the Dreamweavers, or participate in pre-festival events. We wish you—"
Knock knock knock—
A polite but clear knocking interrupted him.
Both Huo Linfei and the attendant froze. At this hour… who could it be?
Huo Linfei opened the door.
Outside stood a gray-haired young man.
Handsome. Quiet and reserved in demeanor. A black coat crisscrossed with yellow straps—and the special Express ticket pinned near his collar was especially eye-catching.
Huo Linfei stared at him. The face felt… a little familiar, like he'd seen it somewhere. But his sleep-heavy mind was a lump of paste; he couldn't place it.
A passenger from the Express? Someone from Belobog?
"Uh… who are you looking for?" Huo Linfei asked cautiously.
The gray-haired young man looked at him, and something extremely complex flashed through his eyes—surprise, perhaps, or confirmation—before settling back into calm. He smiled slightly, voice warm.
"Sorry to bother you. Excuse me—are you Mr. Huo Linfei of the Astral Express?"
Join here to read ahead.
In Star Rail, Ultra-Beast Armored — Have I Caught "Equilibrium"? l (Chapter 80)
Uma Musume, But I Only Have Five Years Left to Live (Chapter 175)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Doctor, Not a Bangboo (Chapter 115)
Ben Tennyson Wants to Join the Justice League (Chapter 126)
TYPE-MOON: Redemption Beginning with the Holy Grail War (Chapter105)
Yu-Gi-Oh! — Transmigrated into the White Dragon Girl (Chapter100)
"Is this chat group even serious?" (Chapter82)
I, Lord Ravager, Utterly Loyal! (Chapter134)
Can Playing Games Save the World? 65
Crossover Anime Multiverse: The Demon Hunter of an Unnatural World 70
From Junkman to Wasteland 66
Weekly Refresh of Overpowered 31
I'm Grinding Proficiency Like 46
From Kiana, Lord Ravager, Onwa 87
Honkai: Is This Still the Prev 42
Elf: My Starter Pokémon Is Inc 65
Warhammer: My Primarch Is Remi 79
From Demon Slayer to Grand Ass 64
The Way the Umamusume Look at 68
Uma Musume, but My Cheat Power 73
Naruto: Weaving the Future, Be 45
Zenless Zone Zero, but Kamen R 49
Multiverse Crossover: The Perf 45
My Cyberpsycho Girlfriend 45
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