Chapter 133: The Butterfly That Flaps Its Wings

【Steam Capital, Transit Hub Between Upper and Lower Cities — Nut Junction Station】

"Shuimo, good morning."

"Morning."

At Nut Junction Station, Tian Dao walked down his private staff corridor, arriving at the door of his office.

He hadn’t even reached for the handle when chaos erupted from within—shouts, scurrying footsteps, and Dannika’s high-pitched, chip-munching voice rang out:

"Attention all! Follow my command—begin counting!"

"1!"

"2!"

"3!"

After a string of seven or eight responses, Dannika’s adorable, childish voice chimed in again:

"Excellent. Now I command you—proceed to act according to the Association’s regulations, on your own!"

"Yes!"

Moments later, a flurry of clattering, rustling, and clicking filled the room.

Tian Dao hadn’t even stepped inside, yet he already knew what was happening.

He shook his head with a sigh, then pushed open the office door.

A surreal scene unfolded before him.

There sat Dannika, curled up like a tiny queen in a chair twice her size, clutching a bulging bag of chips in her arms, little legs dangling as she barked orders at the chaos around her.

All around her, files—some sprouting tiny arms and legs—were moving on their own, obeying her whims.

These weren’t just documents. They were alive.

Some scurried on tiptoe toward the "Chief Stamp" perched atop a desk, shyly lifting their covers to await approval.

Others lined up before the "Pen Man," groaning softly as his nib scratched across their pages.

But most were crowded around the "Violation Folder," screaming in protest—like a chaotic marketplace.

Among the clamoring files, some had deliberately omitted key details.

Others were outright forgeries, their pages filled with lies.

To an ordinary person, this would’ve been a nightmare—endless, tedious, nearly impossible to detect the traps hidden in plain sight.

But thanks to Dannika’s unique ability—[Information Embodiment]—what used to be a grueling approval process had become effortless. One command, and the files moved themselves.

Still, there were minor complications.

Like this one.

"Wronged! Dannika-sama, I’m innocent! Truly, I did nothing wrong!"

Just as Dannika giggled, crunching on her chips, a file broke free from the crowd, flung itself onto its knees before her like a desperate petitioner.

Seeing the dramatic plea, the self-proclaimed "wise" Dannika set down her snack, straightened her posture, and—imitating Tian Dao’s most stern expression—puffed out her chest.

"Are you saying... the great Dannika-sama has wronged you?"

The pleading file trembled. Its paper surface glistened with simulated sweat.

"N-no! I merely followed the rules! I didn’t deceive the mighty Dannika-sama! Please, show mercy!"

In a flash of cunning, the file reached into its own belly and pulled out a stack of crisp, folded bills—held high like an offering.

"Dannika-sama, this is my humble gift—please take it for snacks!"

"Just spare me this time! I’ll obey the rules from now on—no cheating, no shortcuts!"

Dannika’s eyes instantly turned into glittering gold coins.

Her mouth watered. Drool dripped from the corner of her lips—already dreaming of mountains of candy, cookies, and every sweet treat she could buy.

But before she could speak, Tian Dao stepped in—snatching the money from the file’s hand.

"Dannika. Snacking on the job is one thing. But taking bribes?" He held up the bills, scolding her.

"Only because you’re not the Fifth Squad’s captain. Otherwise, I can’t even imagine what this place would become."

Dannika blinked—her golden eyes snapped back to normal. She stuck her tongue out, trying to play it cute.

"But, Shuimo… I didn’t take the money! I didn’t even accept it! I just said I’d think about it!"

You’re trying to take the cash and do nothing? Tian Dao sighed, rubbing his temples. He couldn’t tell who’d taught her this nonsense—she’d been so innocent, so sweet just a few days ago.

With a light flick to her forehead, he delivered a gentle reprimand.

Then, he picked up the file, used his Vector Control to dismantle the [Information Embodiment] seal Dannika had placed on it.

He scanned the contents.

The document was a shipment manifest from Rust Iron Hell · Zone 4.

And this kind of file—containing Stellar Energy items—required strict approval.

Only a licensed Stellar Envoy like Tian Dao could sign it off before it could be delivered to the Upper City.

Because both buyer and seller were always Stellar Envoys.

Managing their affairs, mediating their relationships—this was the core duty of the Stellar Envoy Association, and Tian Dao’s role as captain of the Fifth Squad.

[Document Name: Corrosive Gold Flower Concentrate ×3 Barrels]

[Estimated Value: 300,000 Stellar Energy Coins]

[Applicant: District 4 — Kelvar]

District 4. Corrosive Gold Flower.

The words clicked instantly.

Of course.

This was no accident.

This was a collaboration—deliberate, calculated—between the Blood Skulls of Zone 4 and certain high-ranking figures in the Upper City.

Tian Dao knew exactly what Corrosive Gold Flower meant.

And what its concentrated form represented.

The reason Rust Iron District had become the true Hell of Steam Capital wasn’t simply due to neglect by the Upper City.

There were deeper, darker reasons.

Certain trades—powerful, illegal, profitable—could only thrive in places like this.

If Rust Iron vanished, those secrets would be exposed to the light.

And that was something the elite of the Upper City simply couldn’t allow.

They weren’t ready to give up their power.

Still, Tian Dao didn’t act.

Not yet.

Because now wasn’t the time.

And change wouldn’t benefit him.

But the moment to reshape Steam Capital—the catalyst—was fast approaching.

Tian Dao picked up the file.

"Come on, Dannika. Let’s go to Rust Iron District."

"Okay!" Dannika leapt off the couch and sprinted to the corner, slinging her tiny backpack over her shoulders.

"Shuimo, where are we going?"

Tian Dao glanced at the Wanted Poster pinned prominently on his office wall, then tore it down.

"District 4 of Rust Iron Hell."

"Oh? So what are we doing this time?"

Tian Dao paused, adjusting his glasses.

The black frames glinted in the dim light.

A cold, calculating gleam flashed in his eyes.

"Capturing butterflies."

"Capturing butterflies?" Dannika’s eyes lit up. "Dannika loves catching butterflies!"

She grinned, her backpack bouncing as she dashed toward the elevator shaft—the descent into Rust Iron Hell.

As the elevator plunged downward, the air thickened with the unmistakable stench of rust and machine oil—the unique, suffocating scent of despair and madness that defined the lower district.

The display flickered:

10… 5… 3… 1…

Finally, the door opened to the cold, unyielding -1st Level.

Dannika, still believing she was on a butterfly hunt, yanked Tian Dao’s arm, eager to rush out.

"Come on! Hurry, Shuimo! We’re catching butterflies!"

Tian Dao stood at the entrance to Zone 4, eyes fixed on the flickering steam lamp above the gate.

His gaze—behind those lenses—was as deep and unreadable as the abyss.

The storm about to erupt in Rust Iron District had only just begun.

---

Reward Notice: Vivian Howard

Reason for Bounty: Suspected of secretly hiding a sacred relic of Gear Church.

Bounty Amount: 3,000,000 Stellar Energy Coins

Note: Though a First-Rank Stellar Envoy, she wields a unique Gear Church battle suit that grants her capabilities exceeding half of a Second-Rank Envoy. Exercise extreme caution.

PS: Two more chapters coming later today. Sorry for the delay—had some unexpected issues. Oz2!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end