The two girls walked downstairs with their luggage and found the car sent by the Human Alliance to pick them up. Ye Xingyao opened the passenger door and was about to greet the driver, hoping he could help them open the trunk, when she saw the man in the driver’s seat and froze noticeably.
“Oh? Miss Ye Xin, good morning?”
Qiansui, wearing a suit, waved at her with a beaming smile.
“Oh, good morning, Mr. Qiansui. Could you help us open the trunk?”
Ye Xingyao returned the greeting politely, maintaining a slight distance.
Although she had met this person a few times and they had even fought side by side as comrades who faced life and death together, they weren’t really that close. Moreover… recalling their previous conversations, Ye Xingyao always felt that this guy had a thing for her. As someone with a male mentality—at least she thought so—she was very resistant to accepting the pursuit of an so-called outstanding man.
“Okay.”
Qiansui pressed a button on the car key, opening the trunk of the SUV-like vehicle so the two girls could put their backpacks inside.
“Hey, do you know him?”
When the two arrived at the trunk, Yi Shiyue lowered her voice and asked curiously.
“Yeah, he’s the guy who teamed up with me and Miss Jin Ming at that banquet. He’s one rank above me—he’s a Star-Dark level hunter.”
Ye Xingyao nodded, explaining.
After that small interlude, the two girls put away their luggage. Ye Xingyao took the passenger seat first, took off the small satchel hanging on her, and placed it on her lap.
“Xiaoyue, this is Mr. Qiansui, he’s sort of our hunter senior.”
“Mr. Qiansui, this is my partner, also a hunter.”
Under Ye Xingyao’s introduction, the two nodded at each other as a greeting.
Because their destination was the Wasteland. According to the information Hongye Qiu had given them, the living conditions in the Wasteland were far inferior to the city center of Satellite City. After all, even though Satellite City had distinct seasons, the Human Alliance regulated it to be warm in winter and cool in summer, with spring rain and autumn leaves. But in the Wasteland, they would face a more chaotic environment and extreme temperature differences between day and night.
So Ye Xingyao, as the theoretically weakest member of the Star Elf Wasteland Action Squad in terms of physical fitness, chose a battle skirt that was convenient for combat and could adapt to most environments. However, the design of the battle skirt was inspired by Magical Girls. Apart from the materials and some small details, calling it a sailor uniform wouldn’t be an exaggeration. This meant that wearing it made her look like a high school girl going on a spring outing.
“Next we’re going to Big Sister’s safehouse near here, right? There’s also a little girl. After I pick her up, I’ll just drop you off at the base near the Wasteland.”
Seeing the two girls were seated, Qiansui started the car and turned to confirm with Ye Xingyao next to him.
“Yes, thank you for the trouble.”
Ye Xingyao nodded, but she was still a bit puzzled.
“So, why are you the one picking us up?”
When they had negotiated with the Human Alliance, hoping to get some support, the Alliance had indeed arranged everything for them. However, the itinerary they planned still had a hint of surveillance. Although Ye Xingyao felt that the fewer people knew about her Star Elf identity the better, since they were under someone else’s roof, she had no choice but to agree. No one expected that the person sent to pick them up would be someone they both knew.
“Oh, Li Xiang said I was well-suited for this job, since we’ve met before. Also… I wanted to thank you properly. If it weren’t for you, that Magical Girl and I might have been seriously injured.”
“I heard you have a special way of using Magic Stones. In our last fight, you didn’t get to show your true abilities. Consider these Magic Stones as my thanks. I hope they can help you.”
When he mentioned this, Qiansui looked at her seriously, expressing his gratitude, and at the same time took out a bulging kraft paper bag and tossed it to Ye Xingyao in the passenger seat.
“Well… it was really just a small favor. You guys were the ones protecting me at the front. I’ll take these Magic Stones. They’re exactly what I need right now.”
Ye Xingyao scratched her hair in slight embarrassment. Being thanked by a stranger for the first time, she even felt a bit of satisfaction and secret joy. If she could occasionally help people by going with the flow, she would never be stingy with her actions. Just think of it as forming a good connection.
“Haha, Miss Ye Xin is such a straightforward girl.”
Qiansui laughed heartily, remarking. He had expected the girl to decline a little, but instead she accepted it as casually as passing a cigarette between buddies, which was different from other girls he knew. No wonder Big Sister had taken this guy under her wing. With such a personality, it must be much easier whether it’s being a hunter or pursuing someone as a partner.
“Oh, we’re here. Is that…?”
Soon they reached their destination. Qiansui slowed the car down considerably and drove slowly along the roadside. He quickly spotted a familiar golden figure. That little girl, wasn’t she the one from the banquet? In his memory, this golden-haired little girl was also an elf, but she had clashed with Mite and ended up losing after a fight.
“Mm.”
Ye Xingyao nodded, rolled down the window, and waved in Fumier’s direction.
“Fumier, over here!”
Hearing Ye Xingyao’s call, the little golden-haired girl who had been waiting somewhat dazedly immediately broke into a bright smile. Carrying her own small backpack, she came running over with a skip. Yi Shiyue opened the back door and welcomed her in. Once Fumier settled down with her backpack, the car started moving again.
“Is she the reason you’re going to the Wasteland this time?”
Qiansui looked curiously at the little golden-haired girl in the backseat through the rearview mirror.
“Well… we…”
Ye Xingyao’s expression stiffened. It seemed hard for her to explain why Fumier was with her…
“That’s right.”
Fumier nodded obediently, answering Qiansui’s question. Ye Xingyao shot her a grateful look. With her starting the explanation, it would be easier to continue. Fumier was really smart.
“Yeah, we plan to…”
“Alright, you don’t need to tell me the specifics. I have no right to ask anyway. Don’t worry, I know the rules.”
Qiansui interrupted Ye Xingyao’s explanation, making her let out a long sigh of relief, completely relaxing.
Sigh, if only monsters and elves could be so easy to talk to. Hope their Wasteland journey this time goes smoothly.
She asked about the Promotion Ritual she needed and learning how to use some new Elven vocabulary and such.