Chapter 7: Oil

"Traveler?" March Seven asked with a puzzled frown.

Gu Tang nodded, "Yes, five years ago, I suddenly appeared at the Herta Space Station. At first, I thought I had traveled from some planet, but later, based on Herta's research, I'm not even from this universe."

He sighed as he spoke, "Actually, I've been searching for a way to go back these past few years, but I haven't found any clues. Sometimes I wonder… if even the people in the Genius Society have no idea, am I destined never to return home?"

Gu Tang didn't dislike this universe; there were many interesting and novel things here. But the world that nurtured him, the world that shaped him, he still missed it dearly. Even if compared to this vast universe, that small planet was plain and unremarkable, the memories and nostalgia made it the most beautiful place.

Star observed Gu Tang's profile. His face was as calm as ever, like a carefully crafted sculpture, flawless. But the trembling pupils betrayed the tumultuous thoughts within his mind.

"As I thought, there are still similarities," Star reached out and gently held Gu Tang's hand.

"Are there?" Gu Tang looked at her.

"Yes, there are. For example, opening your eyes to find a completely unfamiliar world," Star's golden eyes looked into Gu Tang's, "And the longing for one's past… March Seven and I want to recover our lost memories, while you want to return to your hometown."

Gu Tang looked into Star's eyes and recalled the day he first arrived at the space station. Back then, he only had two skills, and his stats didn't even break ten thousand. The whole world was filled with unknowns and dangers.

"Hmph… maybe you're right," Gu Tang looked away and said slowly.

"Hey… Gu Tang, after this space station incident is over, why don't you come with us on the Astral Express?" March Seven suddenly suggested.

This puzzled Gu Tang, "Huh? Why do you have that idea?"

"Hehe, I'm not bragging, but our Astral Express constantly explores unknown boundaries. Every day, we see new things. In this regard, even the Genius Society can't compare to us," March Seven said proudly, clearly proud of her identity as a Trailblazer.

"If there are no clues in the existing universe, then we'll look in the unknown universe," March Seven smiled at Gu Tang, "By constantly exploring new planets with the train, maybe you'll find clues to return to your hometown."

Gu Tang seemed to ponder this, "I see… that's actually a good idea. I'll think about it."

As he said this, he seemed to remember something and smiled slightly. This was the first time March Seven had seen Gu Tang smile. It was like a scorching bullet piercing her chest in an instant. The bullet hole oozed sweet nectar, a sweetness that permeated her entire being.

"Thank you, March Seven. If I can keep adventuring with you, maybe… I won't even care about going back," he said to March Seven.

"Hahaha! It's because I'm so charming," March Seven laughed energetically for a few moments. Then she quickly turned around, showing the back of her head to Gu Tang. She used her hand to fiddle with her hair, making sure it covered her blushing ears.

"Ugh… could it be that I'm being wooed? No way, no way, March Seven is not that easy to win over," March Seven kept telling herself while clutching her chest.

[Ding! March Seven's favorability +15]

Star still held Gu Tang's hand, looking at him, lost in thought.

"If only I weren't socially anxious, I could gain more favorability," Gu Tang thought regretfully.

[Social Anxiety]

[Level: 1]

[Effect: You have a certain degree of social anxiety, resulting in a -15% increase in favorability during dialogue scenes.]

[Review: Don't look, your 20 charisma increases favorability by +150%]

March Seven was stunned, unable to speak. Neither Gu Tang nor Star were good at chatting. Thus, an awkward silence ensued.

"Hmm? Why is the atmosphere so weird here?" Dan Heng returned, holding a toolbox.

"Dan Heng! You're finally back!" March Seven jumped up instantly. She never thought she'd rely on Dan Heng to break the ice one day.

"Why so excited? Anyway, I've got the parts," Dan Heng handed the toolbox to Gu Tang.

"Great, watch me fix this thing in no time," Gu Tang took the toolbox, exuding confidence.

"Oh, I also found the elevator maintenance manual in the warehouse," Dan Heng pulled out a small booklet.

Gu Tang waved it off, "No need for that."

"Let me see it," Star took the manual and started flipping through it.

[Step ①: Open the metal panel on the left side of the control desk]

She looked up and saw Gu Tang kicking the left side of the control desk.

[Step ②: Carefully observe the indicator lights on the right side of the control desk]

She then noticed Gu Tang kicking the right side of the control desk.

[Step ③: Based on the indicator lights, replace the damaged parts and circuits]

Gu Tang smashed the parts and scattered them on the control desk like seasoning a steak.

[Step ④: Connect the power and restart the system using the safety commands]

Gu Tang ordered the system to start with his commanding voice.

Beep.

The control desk lit up green.

"Alright, done," Gu Tang nodded with satisfaction.

Star blinked and casually tossed the useless manual behind her.

"It's fixed just like that? Turns out we didn't encounter many enemies on the way, quite easy~" March Seven said with a smile.

Thud…

The ground suddenly shook, as if something heavy had fallen.

March Seven's smile became awkward, "Ugh, I had a bad feeling the moment I said it…"

"Shows you've grown, March," Dan Heng sighed, gripping his spear.

Everyone turned to look.

On the antigravity bridge, dozens of Voidrangers appeared with the spatial disturbance, exuding an aura of destruction.

The one causing the ground to shake was a massive Voidranger. Its upper body was humanoid, but its lower body resembled a beast, standing on all fours like a centaur from myth. The dangerous aura it emitted was far more potent than ordinary Voidrangers.

"Careful, that's a Stomper, much more dangerous than regular Voidrangers," Dan Heng warned.

Star gripped her bat, frowning, "This number is troublesome."

In this moment of crisis, Gu Tang stepped forward.

"Don't panic, this is when my magic tool comes into play," he took a small bottle from his belt and threw it at the Stomper.

The Stomper swatted the bottle in mid-air, shattering it.

And that was Gu Tang's intention.

[Name: Slippery Oil]

[Type: Hindering Tool]

[Level: 3]

[Effect: Greatly reduces friction between objects.]

[Review: Grease magic is useful in any world]

The transparent oil spread, covering the entire antigravity bridge. The Voidrangers tried to move but slipped and fell, helplessly rolling on the bridge. The more they struggled, the more oil they got on themselves, making it harder to control their bodies. Some Voidrangers couldn't even stand up.

Then the Stomper charged.

Its powerful four legs stomped on the ground.

Whoosh—

A slick sound echoed.

The Stomper's massive body slid off the antigravity bridge like a derailed train and plummeted into the depths of the space station.

"Haha, serves you right," March Seven excitedly stepped forward, drawing her bow, "Watch me send you all to the sky with my arrows."

She was very glad she was a long-range attacker. But too much excitement can lead to mistakes. For instance, March Seven took half a step too far and stepped on the oil.

"Eek!"

With a cry, March Seven slipped dramatically. Her right leg kicked high into the sky, forming an overhead kick pose. Like a roundhouse kick from Guile. She crashed heavily onto the ground, but since it was also covered in oil, she slid forward with the momentum.

"Help—me—!"

She rolled across the antigravity bridge like a pink bowling ball, knocking over all the Voidrangers. One by one, the Voidrangers fell over the edge. With that one hit, she took out half of the Voidrangers. A strong woman indeed.

"Hmm, that was quite efficient," Gu Tang nodded, placing his hand on Dan Heng's shoulder.

Dan Heng didn't look back, just stared ahead calmly, "Aren't we buddies…"

Gu Tang pushed Dan Heng forward.

And so, the cyan bowling ball flew by, knocking over more Voidrangers. Now, only a few Voidrangers remained on the bridge. One more round should finish them off.

"Gulp," Star swallowed nervously. She felt like she was next. Oh well, being a black and gray bowling ball might be embarrassing, but it was better than a dangerous fight.

Just as she stepped to the edge of the bridge, ready to accept her fate…

Gu Tang, carrying the unconscious Arlan, tossed him out.

Star: "?"

Thud, thud, thud.

The last few Voidrangers were knocked over too.

"All down," Gu Tang snapped his fingers. Then he noticed Star looking at him.

"The system identifies Arlan as an item," he explained.