『 "The Galaxy Rangers have been out of the spotlight for too long; we don't have that kind of universally recognized proof on us. But I've seen plenty of situations like this, and the solution is very simple…"
Boothill smiled and said, "Come on, you can ask me whatever you want, and see if my answers can win your trust. If you still find me suspicious after that, it won't be too late to kick me out."
"Why should I cooperate with you?" Dan Heng replied coldly. 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: I can tell Dan Heng is really annoyed; even his tone has changed.
〘Stelle〙: If you were eating hot pot and singing songs on the Express, and suddenly got hijacked by a Ranger, you'd be annoyed too.
....
『 Boothill wasn't angered by this, but just smiled. "If I really am a Galaxy Ranger, you definitely won't lose out by doing this."
Hearing this, Dan Heng sighed softly, then slowly asked, "Tell me, what kind of organization are the Galaxy Rangers?"
Boothill shrugged and chuckled helplessly, "Ha, brother, that's a tough question to answer. I can barely even call us an 'organization'."
He thought for a moment, then continued.
"It's nothing more than the fact that we all walk upon the Path of The Hunt, we all believe in our own version of justice, and none of us are particularly… popular with universal values."
Dan Heng frowned. This answer was far from convincing. "An answer like that won't win trust. It will only make your situation more dangerous."
A look of realization dawned on Boothill's face, and then he shrugged helplessly. "I guess you wanted to ask about some shared belief? But the Galaxy Rangers don't need that kind of thing. We gather together based on a shared bottom line."
Boothill paused slightly, his expression becoming exceptionally serious. "Do not bully the weak, do not slaughter the innocent… These oaths aren't some high-and-mighty beliefs; they are bottom lines that a person must absolutely never cross."
"As Galaxy Rangers, we only look at the bottom line. Whenever someone tries to trample on it, the vengeance of The Hunt will find them."
"And that's where the other meaning of bottom line comes in—as long as you don't cross it, you can do whatever the hell you want, understand?"
"Second question. Why look for trouble with the Astral Express?"
Boothill showed a look of helplessness and explained, "I told you, I didn't want to look for trouble with you guys. I have some business in Penacony, but I don't have an invitation, and the Family won't even let me through the hotel doors. So… I had no choice but to borrow the identity of a Nameless. The whole galaxy knows you are honored guests of the Family." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Ah, yes, yes, yes. Honored guests who don't even have their own rooms.
〘March 7th〙: So sarcastic! Alright, alright, didn't you end up staying there in the end anyway?
....
『 Pam muttered softly upon hearing this, "Aren't the Galaxy Rangers guests too?"
Boothill clapped his hands hard and said, "Oh! You hit the nail on the head… That's exactly why I'm here!"
"No harm in telling you. The Rangers are pursuing an imposter, a son of a nice lady posing as one of us. She's on Penacony right now."
"My informant is a Memokeeper. Just like all memetic entities, she appears out of nowhere and gone the next. She scares the fudge outta me. Still, she gave me some vital info."
"The person impersonating a Galaxy Ranger… who is it?" Dan Heng asked.
"Does that count as the third question?"
"Is it hard to answer?"
Boothill shook his head slightly. "Not hard. I'm just afraid you won't believe me if I say it."
"That person calls herself Acheron. According to our informant, she is very likely an… Emanator of Nihility." 』
『 ....』
〘March 7th〙: Was the informant Miss Black Swan?
〘Black Swan〙: I suppose so. However, the two of them have already met by now.
〘Acheron〙: I have also handed that relic over to him.
〘Lingsha〙: So is that relic very important? To make Acheron call a Ranger over in this manner.
〘Boothill〙: That thing is worthless to anyone who isn't a Galaxy Ranger. Only a Ranger can unleash its true value.
〘Stelle〙: Since Acheron's purpose in coming to Penacony has been achieved, do you still plan to go there in the future?
〘Acheron〙: Yes… I will. There is still a place I wish to visit, and I did promise someone a dance, did I not?
〘Black Swan〙: I am looking forward to it.
....
『 Dan Heng slowly shook his head, his tone firm. "That's impossible."
Boothill spread his hands helplessly and sighed, "See what I said? Don't worry, when I first got this news, my reaction was exactly the same as yours."
Dan Heng analyzed rationally, "IX never gives anyone so much as a first glance, and that's perfectly normal. What reason would THEY have to bequeath strength unto mortals?"
"Then you must know that Emanators can also hide their identities. In fact, for many people, doing so is better. Otherwise, it means stepping onto the grand stage of galactic conflict, or even… betraying the Path they walk," Boothill responded with a serious face.
"I had the good fortune of running into an Elation Emanator — its appearance was no different than that of those clowns. If it weren't through sheer luck that I got it drunk, I would have never known of its eminent status!"
"Even the purest Hunt has the Xianzhou Alliance in the light and the Galaxy Rangers in the shadows. Paths are, after all, concepts created by people. There must exist an outside world that surpasses your and my understanding."
"Thinking that Nihility has no Emanators… maybe it's just because we aren't Nihility enough."
"Hmm…" Dan Heng let out a soft hum and fell silent.
"So, do you understand now? Your companions are in danger right now—extremely dangerous, you could say. If you still don't believe me, you can go ahead and send them a message to see. But I'd advise you to move fast…"
"After all, neither of us knows what's happening in the Dreamscape, nor do we know how much of that Memokeeper's words are true…"
"And what exactly that Acheron… plans to do."
In Penacony, inside the Clock Studios Theme Park—
"...I don't intend to do anything," Acheron said calmly, looking at the screen she had slashed open. 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Lol.
〘March 7th〙: Saying that while standing in front of that screen feels a bit provocative.
....
『 The Pepeshi standing behind Acheron spoke up, "That is not up to you."
But his voice was not entirely the childish tone of a Pepeshi. Instead, it was the steady voice belonging to a ruler, a voice that drowned out the Pepeshi's original voice.
Three Family members stepped forward, speaking in unison.
"Do you know? People who arrive in the land of dreams for the first time will subconsciously stop their steps, confirming that they are still standing on solid ground. Then, they will invariably look up at the sky." 』
『 ....』
〘Stelle〙: Then how does my free fall count?
〘Hanabi〙: It counts as you being durable enough to survive the fall~
....
『 More Family members stepped forward, slowly closing in on Acheron.
"Whether in reality or in dreams, looking up at the sky is a human instinct. Since the day the Golden Hour was completed, it has always been there, watching over every night of sensory indulgence."
"But now, this night sky has been ruthlessly severed, stained with the haze of Nihility. And this process… took place in just a single strike."
"One strike… is not entirely accurate. It was actually two, but the second slash was rather swift," Acheron countered without turning her head.
"That is not the point."
"This grand festival has gathered too many uninvited guests. Even though the Harmony embraces all things, for the peace of Penacony, I must issue an eviction order to some of them…"
The familiar Nightglow Bird in the footage watched this scene silently.
"The Planet of Festivities has no room for you, puppet of Nihility. Those who live in the shadows should not step onto the brightly lit stage."
Acheron shook her head slightly. "Regarding living in the shadows, there should be no difference between us. At the very least, when speaking to others, you should reveal your true form…"
Having said that, Acheron turned around, looking at the Pepeshi standing in the center of the crowd, and continued.
"The Dreammaster of Penacony." 』
『 ....』