Chapter 95: Speedrun Task with Asta
Boom!
Stelle swung her bat forcefully, sending a Voidranger flying. In the sealed-off area of the space station, there were still many monsters from the Antimatter Legion roaming around. Though they were just stragglers, they still posed a certain level of danger.
As a justice-driven Trailblazer, Stelle took the lead in heading to these areas to eliminate the monsters. All for the revival of the space station! For the smiles of the staff!
And for the money.
The space station's rewards were very generous. Although the next destination of the Trailblaze was still unknown, having fun definitely required money. Stelle decided to make a big profit while the train was stationed here.
"But honestly, beating up these small fry is so boring..." Stelle muttered to herself.
A few more Voidrangers rushed at her, and she casually smashed them into pieces with her bat.
"Yawn..." Stelle yawned, rubbing her eyes. "Can't stop yawning..."
Her phone buzzed in her pocket.
"Another new commission? Hope it's something interesting..." Stelle took out her phone to check the new message.
To her surprise, it wasn't a commission message but an invitation to join a group chat.
"What's this?"
Stelle blinked and clicked to join the chat.
**["Unknown Invites 'Face-Taker' into the Group Chat]**
**[Unknown: I've always suspected her.]**
**[Martian Robot: Spill the beans.]**
**[Bill Gates-1: Spill the beans.]**
**[Unlicensed Pilot: How much wealth is hidden in such a big space station? Think about it, just think carefully.]**
**[Martian Robot: Watch your words, she's Herta's student.]**
**[Unlicensed Pilot: So what if she's a student? Can't we talk about her?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: Her, huh?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: She has a lot of dirt on her.]**
**[Martian Robot: Elaborate.]**
"Could they be talking about...?" Stelle muttered, stowing her bat away and starting to type with both hands while fighting off a Voidranger.
"Annoying!" Stelle headbutted the Voidranger, making its head fly off, and continued to type in the chat.
**[Face-Taker: Who are you talking about?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: Newcomer, do you know the rules here?]**
**[Martian Robot: Asta]**
**[Unlicensed Pilot: That little brat Asta.]**
**[Martian Robot: Stop interrupting, @A Fox in the Vineyard, continue.]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: You've probably heard about the embezzlement scandal, right?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: Those piles of packages in the reception hall? All addressed to our young station master.]**
**[Unlicensed Pilot: No wonder the budget's so tight, all the money went there.]**
Stelle frowned. She remembered seeing those packages too.
Another Voidranger charged at her. Stelle didn't even bother to look up. She sidestepped the attack, tripped the Voidranger, and then stomped its head into pieces, all while her eyes remained on her phone as she continued typing.
**[Face-Taker: Bought with personal funds?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: Of course it's personal funds! Why else would the station master fill out reimbursement forms? Do you think she's stupid?]**
**[Martian Robot: Maybe she bought them herself.]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: Who else could afford those things except Herta?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: I caught Alan from the defense department sneaking around the front desk. If he wasn't so guilty, I wouldn't have noticed.]**
**[Martian Robot: Now that you mention it... I did see Alan acting suspiciously while collecting some packages.]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: See? Matches perfectly.]**
**[Face-Taker: So, Asta is lining her pockets?]**
**[Bill Gates-1: I don't know. @A Fox in the Vineyard said it, not me.]**
**[Unknown: I've been waiting for something big, but is this it? Just this?]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: I'm still investigating the source of her huge assets, but it's not time to release the info yet.]**
**[A Fox in the Vineyard: Just wait, big news is coming to the space station in a few days!]**
**[Unknown: It better be.]**
"Why do people still have time to spread rumors when the space station is so busy and there are monsters roaming around?" Stelle sighed.
A burst of energy suddenly shot towards her. Stelle swung her bat, smashing the energy burst into a brilliant display of blue light. A towering Stomper, resembling a centaur, slowly approached Stelle.
"Finally, something interesting..." Stelle licked her lips.
Woosh—
The Stomper charged at her like a heavy tank.
"Come on." Stelle stood her ground.
In an instant, the Stomper was upon her, the rush of air blowing her bangs back. Then, the Stomper raised its front hooves high and slammed down on Stelle.
Facing the heavy blow, Stelle remained fearless. She reached out and caught the Stomper's front hooves with her hands.
Boom——!
The tremendous force applied to her body caused the metal floor beneath her to dent.
"Hmph!"
With a cold snort, Stelle's right hand erupted with terrifying power, and she pulled sharply.
Rip—!
With a violent tearing sound, Stelle ripped off one of the Stomper's front hooves and threw it aside. Her now-free right hand grabbed her bat and swung it at the Stomper's body.
Crack——!
The Stomper's armor shattered like brittle cookies, fragments flying everywhere.
Another hit.
Crack——!
The Stomper's massive body collapsed to the ground. Stelle held a giant Flame Lance, sparks floating around her.
"It's over."
The Flame Lance plunged down, piercing through the Stomper's body and into the ground. The Stomper's body, now with a large hole, still trembled and reached out towards Stelle, attempting one final attack.
But as Stelle said, it was already over.
With a twist of the lance's hilt, fire roared out like a volcanic eruption. The Stomper's body was consumed by the flames, soon turning to ashes, leaving only a circle of blackened scorch marks.
...
...
——————————————
Stelle found Himeko and told her about the rumors.
"Sigh... Asta's position as station master is really tough." Himeko shook her head. "The Legion just left, and now people are spreading rumors..."
"I thought everyone in the space station was smart." Stelle shrugged.
"They are, but where there are people, there are conflicts." Himeko smiled. "Stelle, do you want to get involved in this?"
Stelle nodded, "I hate people who spread rumors."
"If you ask for my opinion... instead of working hard to debunk the rumors, why not directly find the person who started them?" Himeko suggested.
Stelle's eyes lit up, "Beat up the rumor spreader, my favorite episode."
"Don't get too excited. Can you find the rumor spreader? The one called 'A Fox in the Vineyard'?" Himeko asked.
Stelle's expression fell, "My least favorite episode."
"How about this, I have a friend who supposedly knows all the gossip in the space station." Himeko gave Stelle the clue to a person nicknamed "The Gossiper."
With the clue in hand, Stelle excitedly left. Then, Gu Tang walked over.
"Himeko, what were you and Stelle talking about?" he asked curiously.
"It's about some rumors involving Asta..." Himeko explained the situation to Gu Tang.
After hearing the description, Gu Tang thought for a moment and then asked, "Did Stelle tell you the name of the group chat?"
Himeko touched her chin, "I think it was... 'Herta's Single-Fan Club.'"
Gu Tang took out his phone and started searching. He found it quickly. Then, he put on a peculiar-looking glove, seemingly made of various scraps, typical of Gu Tang's style.
"This one, A Fox in the Vineyard, right?" Gu Tang confirmed.
Himeko, watching his actions in confusion, nodded, "Yes, that's right. But what are you...?"
Gu Tang reached his gloved hand into the phone screen.
Yes, he reached into the screen.
Himeko's eyes widened, her mouth hanging open in astonishment. Then, Gu Tang fumbled around for a bit and pulled out a person.
It was a young man with black-framed glasses and side-swept bangs. His glasses were askew on his nose, and his eyes were filled with fear and confusion.
Gu Tang casually tossed the young man onto the ground.
"This is him, A Fox in the Vineyard."
"Ah... I... I don't even know what to say..." Himeko scratched her head, her beautiful red hair now a bit disheveled.