章 188: Go to the Moon!
[10 Minutes before launch]
[9:15 PM]
At night with a starry sky.
["The final check has been completed. The pre-launch is ready to go."]
Kouro stared at the rocket used as a means of transportation to the moon, Arahato itself was inserted into the modified payload section of the rocket.
He had only prepared a few dozen high-level Health potions and SP potions.
Why didn't he prepare bombs or anything else like he had done earlier against Ayame?
Because those things were useless in the face of Sirin who had the ability to manipulate space, especially with her new power.
He then took out Abyssal Edge from his 'inventory' before summoning Ji Xuanyuan and Dark Ji Xuanyuan.
A portal with a dark purple color like an abyss from the underworld appeared in front of Kouro before taking out Ji Xuanyuan and Dark Ji Xuanyuan from within.
They were blinking a few times before subconsciously looking at each other with blank expressions, as if not understanding the situation.
"Strange... Didn't our souls merge into one before melting?" said Dark Ji Xuanyuan.
Ji Xuanyuan nodded her head before realizing something, she looked down at her feet that were stepping on the ground before feeling a chill from the blowing wind making her expression change instantly.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter also seemed to have realized that they already had physical bodies, they both patted their bodies several times, inhaled deeply and even jumped up and down to prove that they did have physical bodies.
"Hey... We... Are we alive again?" said Ji Xuanyuan with a look of disbelief.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter nodded her head slowly before turning to look at Kouro who was staring at them with an innocent expression.
"Uhhh... Hi?" said Kouro hesitantly.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter then with her head bowed walked slowly towards Kouro before placing both hands on Kouro's shoulders.
"Uh... What's wrong?" asked Kouro with a strange expression, this was the first time he had seen Ji Xuanyuan Alter react like this.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter didn't say anything she just patted Kouro's shoulder a few times before holding both of Kouro's cheeks and bringing his face closer to her.
Kouro who had his face held wanted to say something but when he saw Ji Xuanyuan Alter's expression, he closed his mouth again and fell silent.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter then rested her head on Kouro's chest.
Her expression at that time was crying like a child, with red cheeks, and tears escaping from both eyes and flowing down her cheeks.
"*Hiks*... *Hiks*... I'm alive... I'm alive... Without being restrained..."
Ji Xuanyuan Alter is different from Ji Xuanyuan, she was born from Ji Xuanyuan's negative traits accumulated over thousands of years.
She never saw the blue sky, starry night and so on because since she came to consciousness she only had one thought in her mind that kept her alive.
'Protect the seal of the Honkai Beast Chiyou.'
She knew what the blue sky, starry night and so on were from Ji Xuanyuan's own memories, but she knew that she was not the one who saw it all.
She was therefore curious as to how beautiful the outside world was that it made Ji Xuanyuan willing to sacrifice herself to seal the Honkai Beast Chiyou.
But she kept all those feelings in and locked them deep in her heart because she knew that she was destined to protect Chiyou's seal forever.
She closed her eyes waiting in solitude enduring the loneliness of guarding that seal, but that all changed when the seal began to weaken and finally woke Chiyou.
It also woke her up and made her meet the first and last person she met, Kouro.
She fought fiercely with him before finally losing to Kouro. It was also her first and last fight against someone. In the last moments of her life, she somehow remembered her curious obsession with the outside world.
'What a pity... I don't know how beautiful the outside world is...'
That was her last thought before closing her eyes and letting death call her, or so she thought.
Before she knew it, she opened her eyes only to realize that she had transformed into Xuanyuan's sword spirit along with Ji Xuanyuan herself.
It was then that her little obsession to see the outside world was realized and as the years went by, her obsession also turned into wholeheartedly helping her owner, Kouro.
Of course, her feelings for Kouro also grew but she kept those feelings deep in her heart as she knew that it was impossible for her to be together with Kouro.
She was a spirit, without a physical body she could not touch things... And touch Kouro.
Only Ji Xuanyuan was aware of her feelings for Kouro, but she told her to keep it a secret.
What's more, she had also taken Kouro's first kiss which she thought was more than enough for her.
That's what she originally thought, but now...
Ji Xuanyuan Alter cried loudly releasing all the pressure she had piled up in her heart and leaned her head on Kouro's chest.
Kouro who didn't know why Dark Ji Xuanyuan was crying could only awkwardly scratch his cheek and coincidentally turned his head to look at Ji Xuanyuan.
Ji Xuanyuan who was stared at by Kouro then made a gesture to 'hug' Ji Xuanyuan Alter.
Kouro who saw her gesture only blinked a few times before hugging Ji Xuanyuan Alter and patting her back.
"It's okay... You tried so hard..." Kouro said softly.
Although he did not know why Ji Xuanyuan Alter was crying, but Kouro finally learned that she was a fragile girl.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter suddenly spontaneously hugged him tightly.
"Etto... Ji Xuanyuan Alter-"
"Please, let me do this a little longer. " Dark Ji Xuanyuan said softly like an ordinary girl.
Hearing her soft voice, as a man of course he did not refuse her, with a helpless sigh Kouro patted her while looking up at the bright full moon.
Not far from him, Siegfried was stroking his chin with an expression that could be understood by all men and next to him was Ashborn who was folding his arms.
As an only dog, Ashborn swore that he did not feel jealous of Kouro at all.
"Well, well, well. I didn't expect Kouro-kun to be able to do such a bold act..." Siegfried said in an annoying tone while nudging Ashborn with his elbow.
Although he didn't know the two twin girls, but they both seemed to be close to Kouro, especially the one who was hugging Kouro tightly while crying.
Siegfried's words made Ashborn feel more annoyed, especially with his annoying tone, if it wasn't because they were allies, Siegfried would have died in a terrible condition.
"I'll go up first with Mr. Welt, tell Kouro to get on the Rocket, Siegfried." Ashborn said calmly before leaving.
Siegfried nodded with an infuriating smile that made Ashborn's eyebrows twitch.
Ashborn really swore that he didn't feel jealous of Kouro at all.
But he swore that he really felt annoyed towards Siegfried.
After all, when you have a clear goal to achieve, women will only slow you down and prevent you from reaching that goal.
...
After a few minutes of silence, Ji Xuanyuan Alter released Kouro before retreating with a calm expression as if nothing had happened.
Only Kouro's shirt was wet with her tears which was the only evidence that she had ever cried.
Seeing Ji Xuanyuan Alter's calm expression, Kouro involuntarily chuckled.
"What?" asked Dark Ji Xuanyuan with cold eyes as if Kouro said something for which she would kill him.
Kouro who felt her cold gaze immediately shook his head at high speed, even so, he was still reminded of how fragile Ji Xuanyuan Alter was but even so he unconsciously patted her head.
"You've tried so hard to hold it in... It's okay to cry... I'm always here for you." Kouro said with a smile.
(E/D: Andrew Tate comes in and punches Kouro before leaving like a Gigachad.)
Ji Xuanyuan Alter instantly turned red like an apple with her mouth open.
'Wh-what the hell is that!!! Isn't that a confession?! He confessed to me who is a widow?'
Embarrassed, Ji Xuanyuan Alter subconsciously clenched her fist and hit Kouro.
"Wa-wait! If you hit me I'll pass out!" Kouro said as he waved his hand frantically to stop her.
After all, Ji Xuanyuan Alter now had physical abilities on par with Kouro, if she hit him who knows what would happen to Kouro.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter's fist stopped inches away from Kouro's face and created a very strong gust of wind.
*Swoosh!*
Kouro patted his chest with a relieved expression before trying to calm Ji Xuanyuan Alter down.
Ji Xuanyuan Alter ignored his words and with folded arms went away from Kouro approaching Ji Xuanyuan with a sullen expression.
Looking at Ji Xuanyuan Alter who was acting like that, Ji Xuanyuan just covered her mouth holding back laughter before finally turning her head to look at Kouro.
"Kouro-sama, you called us not just for this, right?"
"Ah... Yes, I called you guys because I want you to go find someone important before protecting her."
"Who? Your mother?" asked Ji Xuanyuan.
"My mother is important, but not her, I want you two to find this woman, I believe she is in Serbia in a certain military district and in prison for some reason. And also if you meet the silver-haired man named Alexey and his wife Alexandra. I hope you can protect them all." Kouro said seriously.
He took out three photos, the first photo showed a young Cocolia, while the second and third photos were of Bronya's parents.
He used his connection with World Serpent to find information about them, he wanted at least in this world, Bronya would not lose her parents so that she could live properly.
He had also actually searched for information about Seele's parents who were fortunately in an area close to where Aponia lived.
As for Ayame's own parents... Kouro had his own plans with Aponia's help towards them.
Ji Xuanyuan took the photo before nodding her head and looking at Kouro with a serious expression.
"Be careful, Kouro-sama."
"Hmph! Not that I'm worried about you! But you have to survive no matter what!" said Ji Xuanyuan Alter.
Kouro nodded his head and said goodbye to the two of them before quickly leaving towards the rocket.
He then saw Siegfried who waved his hand, "Kouro! Mr Welt and the others have been waiting for you!"
Hearing this, Kouro nodded his head before galloping off.
A moment later he was in front of the entrance to the rocket cockpit, he saw that Ashborn, Welt, and Higokumaru were waiting for him.
Kouro then entered and sat in the empty centre seat and fastened the seat belt then said while scratching his head.
"Sorry, I'm late."
"That's okay. After all, you seem to be doing something important." Higokumaru said while looking at Kouro's wet clothes.
Feeling her gaze, Kouro smiled in embarrassment.
Seeing that everyone was already inside the cockpit, Welt then turned on several buttons, one of which made the entrance door close tightly.
The expressions of everyone seated looked very serious making the atmosphere very tense and silent.
["Yellowstone to center: You can count down to launch."] Einstein's voice came from the speakers above their heads.
"Copy," said Welt.
["Activating flight recorders and auto-control systems."]
"Check."
["Re-entry controls."]
"Check."
["Guidance controls."]
"Check."
["Dynamic flight controls."]
"Check."
After turning it all on, Welt then said, "Yellowstone to center, you have command."
[Copy, 2 minutes before launch. Aerosurface profile and main engine gimbal are in good order. "]
["Launchpad sound suppression activated."]
'17 seconds.' Kouro thought.
["Main Engine H2 burnoff system activated."]
...
["Ignition sequence start."]
'10 seconds. '
9 seconds.
8 seconds.
7 seconds.
..
3 seconds.
["Ignition."]
The rocket began to emit flames from the thrusters, Welt and the others felt it shake slightly.
*"Whroom!!!"
2 seconds.
'1 second!' Kouro thought with shining eyes.
["The rocket has been launched."]
The rocket then quickly rocketed upwards at a high speed making Kouro and the others feel shaky, when it was above an altitude of 100,000 thousand feet, Welt turned on a certain button before saying.
"Preparing for IC (One-Charlie) mode."
(A/N: One-Charlie mode is the abort mode from an altitude of 30.5 KM (100,000 thousand feet) onwards.)
"Activate rocket booster." Just as Welt turned on this button.
Kouro and Ashborn felt the sudden tightening of gravity and even the lack of oxygen fortunately both of their bodies were very strong.
Although Kouro still doubted whether he could breathe in the vacuum of the moon because of that he was on guard carrying an Astronaut suit in his inventory.
And for your information, Higokumaru has merged with Arahato because she is a Herrscher of Corruption who can infect anything including robots.
"Target height has been reached, preparing for the second phase, Yellowstone."
Kouro could see that they had entered the atmosphere.
["Prepare to Jettison payload fairing."]
"Roger that. Releasing Payload Fairing. Higokumaru begin trying to move Arahato."
["Understood."] Higokumaru's voice rang out before Arahato could be seen moving its limbs without any problems.
Staring at the control screen showing Arahato's status, Welt then said, "Arahato is good and can move without any problems."
["The Ignition has started. Arahato has entered orbit."] Higokumaru said.
"Look, we're out of the atmosphere." Ashborn said to Kouro while pointing to the rocket window beside him.
Kouro followed his gaze only to have his eyes widen.
The night-blue earth with a bright yellow sheen created an unforgettable sight for anyone who saw it for themselves.
"That's really beautiful." was all Kouro could say, he was not good with words.
At first, he was afraid that this scene would make him feel small and helpless.
But it didn't, there was only a steady calm in his heart and his determination became even stronger to solidify his goal to protect the earth, the home of mankind.
Kouro sighed, his flight to the moon was indeed an experience like no other he could have.
He then chatted with Ashborn and Welt and Higokumaru who occasionally joined in the conversation, they all quickly became familiar and during the 48-hour flight, the four of them discussed almost everything they had experienced.
...
[Daily quest: Preparation to become stronger]
Push-ups 100/100
Sit-ups 100/100
Curl-up 100/100
Squat 100/100
Run 10/10 Km
Kouro with a sweaty body stared at the system interface before receiving daily rewards except [Status Recovery].
He was able to sweat because he increased his own gravity using [Dominator's Touch].
"Kouro, we're almost there," Welt said while looking at Kouro strangely.
After all, who wouldn't find it strange to see someone exercising in such a precarious situation Kouro simply explained that he was doing it to distract his nerves.
Kouro nodded his head in response to Welt's words before walking to his seat.
He stared at the moon from the window with a worried expression.
A bad feeling rose in his heart even with Higokumaru, Welt, and Ashborn with him.
He only hoped that his premonition was wrong.
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