: Not a buddy? Are we really going to die?

"Finally off work, I'm exhausted."

"Who can argue with that? Working overtime every day is driving us crazy."

"When will these miserable days end?!"

Alvard Star, the Alvard Project Office of the Interstellar Peace Company's Marketing Department.

Several company employees who had just finished get off work were on their way to the cafeteria.

Not long after, they arrived at the cafeteria, got their food, and sat down to eat together.

There was a man lying on the table next to them, seemingly exhausted and resting.

They didn't pay any attention and continued eating their meal.

As they ate, some people couldn't help but start gossiping.

"Hey, have you heard? Lately, a lot of our market development projects have been sabotaged!"

"I heard that the Zissia project headquarters in the Ducadre system was blown to smithereens! All the development equipment was reduced to scrap metal! The warehouses were completely looted, not a single thing was left!"

"The Okanwa project site too! I heard the entire project site was blown up and set off like fireworks!"

"That's not all, the Lania project site next door is in an even worse situation!"

Their original plan was to secretly instigate a civil war between two indigenous tribes, and then take over the planet after one of them eliminated the other.

Before anything even happened, the two indigenous tribes, who were originally at odds, suddenly formed an alliance!

The project manager was about to use force to suppress the unrest when he discovered that all the weapons and equipment were gone!

Then they were beaten senseless by the local tribesmen and slunk back to headquarters.

"So many projects have been ruined in just a few days, the higher-ups must be furious, right?"

"I heard our minister is quite calm."

"Of course he was calm; it wasn't him who got blown up."

"Cough cough..."

The employees exchanged glances and immediately changed the subject.

"By the way, who exactly is targeting our market development department?"

"I think his name is... Fireworks? I heard he's a masked fool."

"The Masked Fool, huh? No wonder. Those lunatics are capable of anything."

"I heard that at our supervisor's insistence, she's been put on the wanted list with a 20 billion reward!"

"What does this have to do with us? That's something the higher-ups should be worried about."

"Exactly! With only a few thousand dollars a month, why work yourself to the bone?"

"Speaking of which, we're pretty close to the Lania project site. Is Hanabi coming here too?"

"Dude, don't jinx it! My girlfriend and I have been in a long-distance relationship for three years, and I'm planning to go back and propose tomorrow during my vacation. Please, no accidents today!"

"Who can argue with that? I've been working away from home for five years, and I'll be able to go back to see my daughter tomorrow!"

"I heard that our minister has been working for thirty years and has always had a smooth career without any problems. He will retire after finishing this project."

Just then, the man sleeping next to him suddenly woke up with a sharp, explosive sound.

"Minister! I want to go home!"

"I want to go home now!"

He shouted as he rushed out of the cafeteria as if his life depended on it.

The employees chatting nearby looked at each other and scratched their heads.

"What happened? Why is his face so pale?"

"No, he's probably under too much pressure and has gone crazy."

At this moment, Allen, who was sitting alone eating, was already drenched in sweat.

Not a buddy?

Are you guys stacking buffs?

It's a doomed situation, isn't it?

Just then, background music started playing in the cafeteria.

♪It is a long day without you my friend,

And I will...

Okay, okay, is this how you play it?

They're even playing that plane crash song, huh?!

You have no choice but to die, right?

Looks like we'll have to use our ultimate weapon to counter it!

Allen took out his terminal and found the girl he had secretly loved for ten years in his contacts.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Allen: Sanli, actually, I've liked you for ten years!

Sanli: I've been waiting for these words for ten years, and I've finally heard them!

I like you too, Allen!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

……

???

Not a buddy?

That's not fair!

Is death really inevitable?

Wait, why is the table shaking?

Was there an earthquake?

Spicy!

This is really serious!

No, no, I think I can still be saved!

Allen casually threw down his chopsticks and rushed out of the cafeteria.

As a result, just as he ran out of the cafeteria, he froze instantly, his eyes glazed over, and he muttered to himself:

"This time, I'm really doomed..."

A figure appeared in the sky ahead.

She was just a thin girl who was less than 1.5 meters tall and didn't seem to have any intimidating presence.

However, above her raised hand, there was a meteorite!

A brown meteorite, so large it blotted out the sun, pierced through the thick clouds, carrying with it fragments of rock and mud, and slowly fell toward the ground!

There was no point in running away, because the meteorite was enough to completely cover the entire project site and level it to the ground.

At their speed, there was no need for them to run at all.

Is this a doomed situation?

They're really not giving us any way out!

Do you really need to use a meteorite to kill me?

Allen felt extremely bitter at this moment.

As the meteorite above him drew closer and closer, Allen felt relieved.

He took out his terminal and reopened the chat window.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Allen: Sanli, I love you, I'm sorry...

Sanli: ? ? ?

Allen, what's wrong?

What happened?

Well, say it!

No matter what happens, I will stay with you!

……

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When I shut down the terminal, the meteorite was already right in front of me.

Allen closed his eyes, awaiting death.

"boom!"

"BOOM!"

……

"Done!"

"How many is this again?"

"Uh... I forgot."

"Never mind, it's not important."

The Alwade project site, on a mountaintop not far away.

Looking at the project office, which was now a complete mess, Xi Yao put away the button in her hand and nodded in satisfaction.

When that minister wakes up, he'll probably be pleasantly surprised, right?

Of course, it could also be from being frightened.

Hehe~

At this point, some of you might be wondering...

Xi Yao, Xi Yao, weren't all those people killed by the meteorite?

Xi Yao responded: Meteorite?

That's just an illusion.

She's not the Great Lord of Annihilation, nor is she a machine, so how could she possibly use a meteorite to hit someone?

Wait, wasn't it said that Hanabi was the one who destroyed the project office?

Why is Xi Yao here?

Blind student, you've discovered the key point!

That's right, these past few days, all the projects in the market development department have been sabotaged by her disguised as Hanabi.

The goal is actually quite simple: to attract the fireworks.

Considering that the train would stay at the space station for a while before heading to Yalilo, Xi Yao decided to go out and have some fun first.

Then she thought of a place.

The tavern at the end of the world.

This is where masked fools gather.

I heard that everyone there is a genius, and they all have a wonderful way of speaking.

Xi Yao really wanted to see it for herself.

However, before she even set off, a very serious problem confronted her.

She didn't know where the tavern was!

Other places can be reached using navigation.

But most people don't really know where a tavern is.

Generally speaking, only the Masked Fool knows the exact location of the tavern; if you want to go to the tavern, you can only find someone to take you there.

Admittedly, there are quite a few masked fools, but Xi Yao only knows a handful of them.

Unsurprisingly, old Sambo is probably still living like a hermit in Belleburg.

Giovanni appears to still be developing the Ether Front.

Zhong Shan released animals into the fairy boat.

It seems that only the fireworks are doing nothing.

Therefore, she became Xi Yao's target.

Of course, besides the fact that this guy was relatively free, Xi Yao had another reason for looking for her.

Hanabi was so shallow, Xi Yao had long wanted to catch her and teach her a good lesson.

However, Hanabi's whereabouts are elusive, making it difficult to find her.

Therefore, Xi Yao decided to let her take the initiative to come to her.

The method is quite simple: just turn into fireworks to find some fun and lure her out.

At this point, some of you might be wondering,

Why are all the victims projects from the market development department?

Was Xi Yao targeting her on purpose?

Xi Yao responded: That's really not true!

I, Xi Yao, have always acted with integrity, fairness, and impartiality.

There was absolutely no intention to target any particular person or department.

The main reason is that we happened to encounter several market development projects in a few star systems.

That's right!

It's all just a coincidence!

Really!

Looking at the bounty on the terminal, which had risen to 25 billion, Xi Yao smiled slightly.

"Oh dear~"

"Our legendary minister is so kind!"

"Wow, she's already increased Hanabi-sama's value so quickly!"

"By the way, how many projects have I blasted up again?"

"Never mind, it's not important, it's just something I did."

"But Hanabi should have received the news by now, right?"

"Given her personality, she'll definitely come looking for this imposter."

"Next, it's time to prepare a surprise for her~"

"Hehe~"

...

P.S.: Dates are still in short supply!

Have a happy day today!

My toothache is gone!

I feel so much better!

Great!

Wishing all my lovely friends good health!

Also, thank you everyone for the gifts!

Chu~

ど＞ ᎑ ＜う♡