https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-120-Rust-Iron-District-Has-Everything-Except-Conscience-/13687972/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-122-I-Will-Find-You-No-Matter-the-Cost/13687986/
Chapter 121: The Flawed 'Memory' — Kalolin 【Monthly Ticket Bonus】
Clang—!
With a thunderous crash, the Blood Skull sub-leader Cesaro—just moments ago bellowing threats to force Old Jack to hand over the 'Silver Knight'—was now violently ejected from the Rust Nail Bar.
He landed face-first on the street, sprawled in a grotesquely undignified pose, his rear thrust high into the air.
“Boss!”
The gang members left outside rushed forward, eager to help him up.
But before they could even touch him, a series of black shadows shot out from the bar one after another—each crashing down atop Cesaro, piling him into a chaotic, writhing heap.
The remaining thugs froze, eyes wide with fear, staring at the darkened doorway.
Moments later, a towering figure emerged from the shadows—over two meters tall, wearing a tattered suit, his head crowned with a pair of sharp, curved horns. The sheer presence of the man sent chills through the air.
“Go on~”
Liu Ma whistled cheerfully, tossing the last two Blood Skull lackeys out like trash, joining the pile beneath Cesaro.
Afterward, Liu Ma brushed imaginary dust from his jacket with a flourish. Then, pulling out a handkerchief, he began polishing his prized horns with a smirk.
“See, old man? I told you—these bony skeletons weren’t even warm-up for me.”
Old Jack leaned against the bar, a lit cigar dangling from his lips. His double-barreled Steam Shotgun still steamed from the heat of recent fire.
He exhaled a slow, curling smoke ring, his voice laced with the wisdom of someone who’d seen it all.
“Kid, one mouse is nothing. But a whole nest of them?”
He paused, eyes glinting.
“Then we wait until they’ve gathered enough.”
Liu Ma slid the handkerchief into his pocket, stretching lazily—only to freeze mid-motion.
His data terminal chimed.
Beep-beep-beep! Your most beloved Big Sister is calling! Your most beloved Big Sister is calling!
The sugary, over-the-top ringtone sent a jolt through Liu Ma’s massive frame.
The 2.2-meter-tall suit-clad brute went rigid.
Trembling, he pulled out the device, staring at the screen where “Big Sister” flashed insistently.
“G-Grandpa! I’ll leave the rest to you—I’ve gotta take this call!”
Without waiting, Liu Ma bolted to the far corner of the bar, hunched over like a guilty child.
“Yes! Yes! You’re right! I’m sorry, please don’t yell—just let me explain—”
Old Jack’s ears perked up, his eyes glinting with quiet amusement. His curiosity was now in full bloom.
Though he couldn’t hear the conversation, fragments floated through the air—words like “rehabilitation plan,” “society restructuring,” “underworld rules,” and “corporate expansion.”
Old Jack exhaled another smoke ring, his expression shifting.
He’d thought Liu Ma was just a hot-headed kid, fresh from the streets.
But now? The boy’s past was clearly far more complicated than he’d imagined.
No ordinary gang could afford someone like Liu Ma—someone with the potential of a true Stellar Envoy.
This wasn’t just a crew. This was a faction.
And not just any faction.
At that very moment, the reaction across Station 13’s Dimensional Audience was just as stunned.
They’d believed Liu Ma’s lie—thought he was just some guy working a legit job in a real company!
“Shocked! A minotaur man just did this in broad daylight!”
“Dude, what about the ‘corporate job’ you promised? You’re clearly in a yakuza gang!”
“So now even gangs care about branding?”
“Who the heck is this ‘Big Sister’?”
In the midst of the audience’s growing curiosity, Liu Ma was already drenched in sweat.
“Yes! I’ll handle it!”
“I swear, this time I won’t mess up—I promise, Big Sister!”
Eventually, the voice on the other end seemed to relent.
The call ended.
Liu Ma collapsed onto the sofa, drained, as if every ounce of energy had been siphoned from him.
Even when the Hidden Star Society Xian Nv Zuo had beaten him senseless, he hadn’t looked this exhausted.
It was clear—this “Big Sister” wasn’t just feared.
She was beloved.
And Liu Ma’s fear wasn’t born of terror… but of loyalty.
After the last of the Blood Skulls were dealt with, Old Jack approached, clapping Liu Ma on the shoulder.
“Come on. Let’s go check on that young White Eagle.”
“You two really gave me a headache this time.”
Liu Ma stood at once, falling into step beside the old man as they climbed the stairs.
And just as they reached the second floor, the scene shifted.
【New Federation, Seven Floating Cities · Star Track Corridor】
【Stellar Envoy Association Headquarters, Star Track · First Mechanical Research Institute】
Late afternoon sunlight filtered through the lab’s reinforced glass, casting a golden glow across the garden.
A silver-haired woman sat alone at a white round table, her emerald eyes reflecting the gentle ripples in her teacup—steaming black tea, a delicate blend of black tea and floral notes.
What was strange?
She was alone.
Yet two afternoon tea sets sat on the table.
As if waiting.
Only the lab’s researchers knew the truth.
She wasn’t waiting for anyone.
It was just… a habit.
Not just tea.
Not just sweets.
Any treat, any small trinket—she always set two.
Even if no one had ever seen her give the second one away.
Even the two dolphin plushies—pink and blue—always sat in their designated spots on her desk.
Like they held something beyond ordinary meaning.
Kalolin stared at her reflection in the coffee cup, whispering to herself, so softly only she could hear:
“…Memory was wrong.”
She picked up a slice of strawberry cake, lifting it with elegant precision.
And ate.
But her face showed no emotion.
No delight.
No pleasure.
As if consuming the cake were not a desire—but a task.
Routine.
And even she didn’t know why.
She didn’t like sweets.
Not really.
Yet she kept doing this.
Always.
(End of Chapter)
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