"Hmph, how ridiculous. Did you really think putting on a mech would make you invincible?"
"A mere Stellaron Hunter…"
Amidst the hundred opponents, a few mocking voices could be heard in response to Sam's words.
"Hmph, remember this. It was a Stellaron Hunter who saw you off on your ultimate departure." Sam wasn't angered by their taunts, but the flames on the battlefield burned even fiercer in response.
It seemed they would swallow all of them, reducing everything to ashes.
For these desperadoes, Sam felt not a shred of pity.
"Protocol approved. Executing Scorched Earth Operations." A glimmer flashed within Sam's green optical sensors, and in an instant, the entire arena was transformed into a sea of fire, devouring everything within.
"Hmph, stop putting on airs! Let's go! There are a hundred of us, we can't possibly lose to her!" Seeing Sam's overly dramatic display, the crowd couldn't help but want to rush forward, tear her mech apart, expose the pilot inside, and mock her mercilessly.
"Heh." Taking in their postures, Sam felt nothing but disdain in her heart.
If not for the bounty, she would never have come to a place like this.
She heard Clara didn't have any missions lately either… It had been so long since she'd last seen her…
Better finish this quickly, and then go meet her…
With that thought, Sam looked at the crowd. "You're lucky. I don't have a habit of toying with my prey."
"So, I shall grant you the swiftest death!"
With that, Sam pushed off with her legs, launching herself into the air, her entire form transforming into a pillar of flame that shot towards the sky.
The next second, countless fire-wreathed meteors streaked down from the heavens. Among them, the largest one bore Sam's distinct silhouette.
"I shall... set the seas ablaze!!!!"
The meteor crashed into the ground, unleashing a storm of flame. The breath of the inferno engulfed the entire venue, swallowing all living beings and structures whole.
When the storm subsided, all that remained was a patch of utterly scorched earth and a solitary silver-white figure.
Those hundred individuals had long since turned to ashes, vanished from this land…
"Stellaron Hunter, Sam!"
Sam swept her gaze around the surroundings and proclaimed her name aloud.
"Let us congratulate… Stellaron Hunter, Sam, on her victory!"
As Sam's and the announcer's voices faded, the cheers from the audience in the stands reached another crescendo.
Listening to the relentless roar of the crowd, Sam's heart remained utterly unmoved.
She lifted her foot and, with the bearing of a conqueror, strode off the burnt-out battlefield.
Sam didn't notice that in an inconspicuous corner, Clara was holding a memory crystal, having recorded the entire process from start to finish.
'Sam, oh Sam~ For this clip, I won't delete it for anything less than ten million credits, oh~'
…
"This wasn't the deal."
"Why is it only ten thousand?"
Inside the prize claim area, Sam looked at the ten thousand credits before her, her tone carrying a hint of danger.
"W-well… you see, it's like this…" The person in charge, feeling the pressure emanating from Sam, hurriedly pulled out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat pouring down his face.
"The combat arena was constructed from premium stone, each piece worth a fortune."
"But your single attack reduced the entire venue to scorched earth."
"Therefore, the repair costs for the venue should rightfully be fully covered by you…"
Sam took a deep breath upon hearing this. Her flat tone revealed no emotion:
"So that cost nine hundred and ninety-nine thousand, correct?"
"Um… a-actually… it's more than that." Trembling under the immense pressure Sam exuded, the manager stammered out the words.
"The total value has already exceeded a hundred million…"
"This ten thousand… is from our boss to you…"
"Hmph." Sam snorted coldly, scooped up all ten thousand credits, and left.
…
"Sigh." Looking at the ten thousand credits in her hand, Sam couldn't help but let out a sigh.
Life is tough. Sam sighs.
"Whatever, it's better than nothing." Sam tucked the credits into her small pouch and prepared to leave the planet.
"Hi~ Long time no see, did you miss me?"
Just as Sam was about to take off, a hand patted her on the shoulder.
"!" Sam's heart jolted, and flames erupted from her entire body.
"Whoa now, no need to be so hasty."
As the words fell, the flames covering Sam were completely extinguished. No matter how she tried to control them, they refused to reignite.
But instead of feeling shock or fear, Sam's heart was filled with joy.
In Sam's memory, only one person could achieve something like this.
Sam turned her head and, sure enough, it was the figure she had in mind.
"Clara, it's you."
"Couldn't you appear in a normal way?"
"Is saying hello from behind not a normal way?" Hearing Sam's words, Clara tilted her head slightly in confusion.
"But appearing without a trace of your presence is really unsettling."
"Okay↑ okay↓, next time for sure." Clara spread her hands and gave a playful smile.
"What brings you here?"
"Haven't seen you in so long, I missed you, of course~" Clara wrapped her arms around Sam's mech, trying to feel its…
Well… cold, hard metal.
"Hey… Sam." Clara, feeling a bit awkward pressed against the mech, let go and spoke slowly.
"Look, we're meeting again after so long. You can't just stay inside your mech the whole time."
"With me here, you don't need to worry about that… whatever-it's-called syndrome."
Sam: …
Under Clara's expectant gaze, Sam finally nodded.
The next moment, the mech gradually dissolved. Then flames surged, revealing a girl with white hair.
The flames rushed into a pale-green object in the girl's hand until they were completely extinguished.
Seeing the girl now before her, Clara's eyes lit up, and she immediately pulled her into a hug.
"Mmm~ Firefly, it's been a while."
Breathing in Firefly's scent, Clara couldn't help but show a satisfied smile.
"Yes, Clara, it's been a long time." Feeling Clara's closeness, Firefly also revealed a gentle smile, opening her arms to embrace her in return.
Their embrace didn't last too long before they separated.
"Firefly, I have something I want to show you." Looking at Firefly's face, Clara's eyes sparkled with a mischievous glint.
"What is it?"
In response, Clara unhurriedly—who knows from where—produced a memory crystal and handed it to Firefly.
"Here, look. Guaranteed to be a surprise, oh~"
Firefly: ?
Puzzled, Firefly took the memory crystal and began to watch.
"Ah!!!"
The next second, Firefly's face flushed bright red, and she immediately moved to destroy the stone.
"Not allowed." Clara stopped her with a swift motion.
"You have to watch it all."
"I don't want to!!!"
"Be good~ Listen to me~"
…
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