Chapter 15: Time to Spin

"Alright, alright, Herta, there's still serious business to discuss," Himeko urged from the side.

"Hmph... fine. We'll deal with the rest later when there's no one around," Herta reluctantly released her hold.

Gu Tang quickly pushed her away.

Herta flicked her hair and looked at Stelle, "So now the Stellaron is inside this little girl? Hmph... let me take a good look..."

Himeko introduced Herta to Stelle, "Stelle, this is the first time you've met, right? This is Herta, the owner of the space station and the 83rd member of the Genius Society."

"When you introduce me, do it properly. Why mention the club? I have so many extraordinary achievements, any of which sound better than the 83rd member," Herta complained, frowning.

"Why is she a robot?" Stelle curiously tilted her head, observing Herta's doll-like joints.

"The one you're seeing is a doll I made. I'm controlling it to talk to you," Herta casually explained Stelle's curiosity, then moved closer to Stelle, examining her body carefully while muttering, "Amazing, it took me quite some effort to restrain this dormant Stellaron. Yet someone managed it with just this little girl's body—how was it done?"

"And the Stellaron is still very stable inside Stelle," Himeko added from the side.

Herta nodded, "This girl has a special constitution, very valuable for research..."

"What's a Stellaron?" Stelle asked.

Clearly, she still knew nothing about the little thing inside her body.

March 7th chimed in, "I remember our train encountering it before. Anyway, wherever there's a Stellaron, there's trouble."

Danheng explained, "It's known as the cancer of the cosmos, not only containing immense and uncontrollable energy but also causing Stellarons to spawn, disrupting interstellar routes. It can destroy a planet, even an entire starfield."

Gu Tang added simply, "Bad thing."

Hearing the descriptions, Stelle felt uneasy.

"Something this dangerous is inside me?" Stelle worriedly touched her chest.

"Yes, yes, let me help you. It's not comfortable having a bomb inside your body, right? You should know, I'm only interested in you now. Once I lose that interest, even if you beg me, I won't research you," Herta said bluntly.

"Stelle, if you don't like her tone, you can feel free to beat her up," Gu Tang suggested to Stelle.

"Understand this, Stelle, Herta wants you to stay at her space station," Himeko reminded Stelle.

"Moreover, if you stay at the space station, you can be with Gu Tang," Herta continued to persuade.

"That's not fair! Using Gu Tang as bait!" March 7th protested, turning to Danheng, "Danheng, think of something."

Danheng thought for a moment, then looked at Herta, "How about this, we'll lend you March 7th for research. In exchange, let Gu Tang join our train."

March 7th: "?"

Stelle: "Huh? What about me?"

Herta looked interestedly at March 7th, "Hmph... a girl found in ice, I must admit, quite tempting..."

"Ji... Himeko~~~" March 7th cried, throwing herself into Himeko's arms.

Himeko patted March 7th's head, then looked at Stelle, "Stelle, you have another option. There's an Astral Express on the platform. If you want, you can join us."

"Astral Express..." Stelle muttered to herself.

Himeko continued, "The train has dealt with Stellaron before. What you're worried about is what we're seeking answers for. Besides... we can always come back to let Herta do research. She's very interested right now."

"In that case..." Herta looked at Gu Tang, "Gu Tang, you go with this little girl on the train."

"Really?" March 7th lifted her head from Himeko's arms.

"Why?" Gu Tang crossed his arms and looked at Herta.

"Because we need to collect data. Without data, how can I conduct research? You need to scan this girl's body daily and protect her, don't let her die at the edge of the universe," Herta explained impatiently.

"What about my job as your assistant?" Gu Tang asked.

His main source of income was working as Herta's assistant.

"I'm about to start a big project with other members of the Genius Society, meaning I won't need an assistant for now. Don't worry, you'll still get paid," Herta waved her hand.

"Hmph... fine, consider it a business trip," Gu Tang agreed, expressionless.

"Great! We've got two new companions!" March 7th cheered, raising her fists.

Danheng looked at Gu Tang, feeling pleased, "Looks like it's not time for us to part yet, buddy."

"Alright, that's settled. Gu Tang, change out of that lab coat. It doesn't suit you at all," Herta instructed Gu Tang, then looked at Stelle, "Girl, come to my office later. I have something good for you."

After saying this, Herta turned, flicking her hair, and left without looking back.

Stelle watched her leave and sighed, "What a self-centered person..."

"In the Genius Society, Herta is actually one of the more agreeable ones," Himeko explained to Stelle, helplessly.

"No worries, if a genius doesn't speak nicely, you just hit them with your bat. That's a universal language," Gu Tang suggested.

…

…

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Gu Tang returned to his room.

Himeko took March 7th and Danheng back to the train, while Herta and Stelle discussed the big project in her office.

He was there to change his clothes.

Though he liked the scientist feel of the lab coat, he had to admit it wasn't suitable for traveling.

He had just stepped into the room.

Click.

A pair of metal handcuffs firmly locked him in place.

The cuffs extended several chains, fixing him to the spot.

"What the..." Gu Tang frowned.

In the center of the room, Herta was smiling at him.

"What are you up to now, Herta?" Gu Tang asked impatiently.

Herta slowly approached him, "Didn't I say before, we'd continue later when there's no one around? Here is just perfect."

As she walked, she began to shed her clothing, leaving a trail of gothic attire on the floor.

Her petite doll-like body exuded a peculiar beauty.

Gu Tang frowned, "I thought you were discussing the simulated universe with Stelle."

"Of course, that's ongoing too. Did you think multitasking was difficult for me? Besides..." Herta licked her lips, "Isn't this more exciting?"

She confidently touched her abdomen, "This body is specially modified by me. Its suction would impress even the Aeon of Nihility. And there's a secret weapon, a pleasant surprise for you."

"Secret weapon?" Gu Tang was puzzled.

Herta gave a thumbs-up, "It spins inside... 2000 RPM. In other words... time to spin? Spin?"

Gu Tang immediately tried to break free from the handcuffs.

"It's useless, those are strong enough to restrain a planetary-level beast," Herta opened her arms and lunged at Gu Tang like a fierce kitten, "Become my star slave, Gu Tang!"

Crack—!

The handcuffs were forcibly torn apart by Gu Tang.

Boom!

Herta, who had lunged, was punched away by him.

Herta's body rolled several times on the ground before hitting the wall.

She lay on the ground, her hair spread out covering her body, and spoke faintly, "You've humiliated the genius Herta..."