"What are you two doing?" FrostNova saw the two squatting by the entrance and came over to ask.
Who knew FrostNova's voice would instantly alert the Warp Trotter to their presence? It immediately turned around, trembling as it faced them.
"Oops, the observation is going to fail," Lynx said with some disappointment.
The Warp Trotter let out a frightened whimper. Several portals gradually appeared around it, and from within emerged two monsters wielding axes – one blue, one red.
Aren't these those two zero-frame startup guys?
No wind-up, instant attack as soon as someone gets close.
The monsters, seemingly formed entirely of elements, roared and charged over, axes raised.
And then....
"Miss Lynx, stand back a bit," Theresia warned.
"Uh... okay," Lynx quickly retreated to the side.
Unique ice crystals began to form around FrostNova, but before she could launch an attack, both monsters were melted by a black spell emanating from an Originium-shaped object.
Melted on a material level.
FrostNova stared at Theresia's hand. Several black ring-like objects had suddenly appeared on her fingers. It was the power emanating from these that had crushed those things.
The Warp Trotter saw its summoned monsters get insta-killed. Tucking its tail between its legs, it opened a portal and tried to flee, only to be instantly caught by FrostNova.
Gripping the Warp Trotter's plump body through her glove, FrostNova looked towards the other two.
"Should we kill it?"
As if understanding human speech, the Warp Trotter frantically struggled. A heavy bag suddenly popped out of the still-fading portal.
Lynx approached and opened the loosely sealed bag.
"It's gold!"
Correct, a whole bag of heavy gold.
This little fellow actually tried to bribe them with this stuff.
But unfortunately, for avid explorers, the Warp Trotter itself was more valuable.
Lynx put the bag away, turned, and looked back at the Warp Trotter, which was now rubbing its short legs together pleadingly.
"Let's capture it."
"With what?" FrostNova asked. She couldn't possibly carry it like this the whole way.
"Let me." As soon as Theresia spoke, several threads slowly intertwined, binding the Warp Trotter's round body.
This was little Lynx's instruction, it has nothing to do with Teacher Te.
The Warp Trotter continuously twisted its body, trying to break free from the seemingly fragile threads, but evidently, it was all futile.
"You stole our human gold, so you must confess your crime, understand?" Lynx poked the Warp Trotter's nose and said seriously.
The Warp Trotter, however, had stopped reacting. Its ears drooped, wearing an expression of utter despair.
It died (not really).
"Miss FrostNova, may I trouble you with something?" Theresia suddenly said to FrostNova.
"Go ahead.." FrostNova didn't refuse, nor did she agree.
"Help me hold this," Theresia took out the motionless little Originium Slug from her person.
"This is.. an Originium Slug." FrostNova recognized the thing in her hand but didn't refuse, taking it instead.
After all, in her understanding, Originium Slugs were nothing more than the lowest form of cannon fodder.
Theresia manipulated the threads again, wrapping the Originium Slug's body as well, then placed it side-by-side with the Warp Trotter.
The threads began to expand outwards once more, forming a shell resembling a bag around the two creatures, which was then gradually sealed.
"This should do it." Theresia even thoughtfully created a handle for easy carrying.
"Are you planning to raise pets now?" FrostNova couldn't understand, but she didn't say anything.
The hobbies of the strong are none of my concern.
"Handing it over to you, Little Tian An," Theresia gently closed her eyes, and the rings on her fingers vanished along with them.
"Mmph..... Huh?" Tian An was still dreaming sweetly of having Theresia and Amiya in her arms when she was suddenly dragged back online by a mysterious force.
"Where am I?" Tian An was completely bewildered. How did she end up here?
"Little Tian An, remember to feed them," Theresia reminded her, then fell silent.
Food? Feed them Originium? Where is there Originium here?
Tian An emerged from the tent, constantly looking around.
Snow, still snow. There was only an endless snowfield here.
"Everyone, we can go now," Lynx shouldered the simple "pet" carrier Theresia had made and said with renewed energy.
Hearing this, FrostNova followed suit.
"Aren't you taking this tent?"
"Uh... it's already damaged anyway. Let's just leave it as a landmark for future explorations," Lynx had one bag on her back and carried another in her hand. Seeing her laden with bags evoked Tian An's buried memories.
Before Tian An could figure things out, the other two were already walking far ahead.
"W-wait for me!" Tian An quickly ran to catch up.
Teacher Te, maybe let me know the situation before going offline....
"I've already sent a message to my brother. Once I take you back to the defense post, you can go straight to him to register. They'll arrange for someone to send you back directly," Lynx walked at the front, speaking naturally.
Wait... Lynx? Lynx's brother.... Isn't that Gepard?!
Oh no.
Although Gepard was a good person, at this critical juncture, she and FrostNova would probably be treated as intruders and locked up.
"No need, we can go back ourselves," Tian An proactively refused.
"Hmm... But to return to the city, you must pass through the station," Lynx said.
Right now, Tian An desperately wanted to use her phone to contact the Express crew, but unfortunately, her phone hadn't come down with her at all. Even Big Daddy's figure hadn't come along.
If Big Daddy had also transformed, those Silvermane Guards would be in for a world of hurt.
"Miss FrostNova, we should find a chance to leave," Tian An walked up to FrostNova and whispered quietly.
"Why?" FrostNova was completely confused.
"We're undocumented personnel. We'll be discovered if we go there."
"Then can't we just explain things clearly to them?" FrostNova seemed to have already accepted interdimensional travel as commonplace.
Seeing that explaining things to FrostNova would take too long, Tian An had no choice but to figure things out herself.
"By the way, which district are you from? So I can take you to the nearest city gate," Lynx twisted the cap on her steaming thermos, warm breath misting from her mouth.
"Ursus...." FrostNova was about to answer but was stopped by Tian An.
Why don't you just say you're from Rim Billiton?
Tian An made a "shh" gesture, then answered herself, "Miss Lynx, just head towards the nearest one, that'll be fine."
FrostNova looks cold and ruthless, but deep down, she's still just a white rabbit.
FrostNova buried her questions in her heart. Honestly, rather than finding some main city, she wanted more to return to her own world, no matter how chaotic and absurd that world was.