I opened a shop on the Astral Train

After settling with Ying and Paimon, March 7 moved to a more open area, brimming with determination.

"Alright! This time, I'll definitely land on my feet!" she declared.

Paimon tilted her head in curiosity. "What is March doing?"

March 7 grinned. "I'm attempting the 'train jump challenge'—landing without falling. So far, I haven't succeeded."

Paimon blinked in confusion, unable to understand the appeal of such an activity.

Himeko chuckled and explained. "When the train jumps, the sudden acceleration throws the human body off balance. That's why March sees it as a challenge."

Paimon's eyes widened in realization. "Ohhh, I get it now! I'd better sit tight so I don't get thrown around."

She quickly plopped down beside Ying, gripping her hand tightly as if bracing for dear life.

Soon, Pam's voice came through the train's PA system.

"Hey, hey, hey! Attention, passengers! The train is about to change direction. Please find a seat and remain seated. Do not lean out of the windows."

The train suddenly accelerated, and Yuri felt an immense force press against his back as his vision blurred, swallowed by countless streaks of light.

A few minutes later, his sight cleared, revealing a planet blanketed in ice and snow through the window.

Yarilo VI—the first chapter of the Stellaron Crisis storyline.

Predictably, March 7 had fallen flat on her back.

"Owww! That hurt!" she groaned, rubbing her head before glancing out the window. "Is this Yarilo VI?"

At that moment, the carriage doors slid open, and Pam waddled in on her tiny legs.

"The stability rate of the star rail ahead is too low. Jump aborted. Duration of delay: indefinite."

March 7's jaw dropped. "What?! Indefinite?! You've gotta be kidding me!"

Himeko, Walter, and the others gathered around.

"As expected, it's another Stellaron issue," Himeko sighed.

At the mention of the Stellaron, Kevin instinctively touched the place where it had been implanted in his body.

Walter reassured him, "Yes, but unlike the one in your body, this Stellaron is highly unstable and disruptive. Yours is harmless."

Kevin exhaled in relief.

Himeko pulled up the train's database, scanning records of the planet below. Her brow furrowed. "The data doesn't match… Yarilo VI has changed significantly."

Then, she turned to the younger crew members. "If we resolve the Stellaron, we can resume our journey. You three should handle this yourselves—it's a good opportunity for you to gain experience."

Dan Heng, March 7, and Kevin exchanged glances before nodding in agreement.

Ying, noticing that everyone was occupied, decided to return home for now.

Recalling the coordinates in her mind, she opened a portal and stepped through it with Paimon. From now on, she could visit Yuri's shop whenever she wanted.

Meanwhile, Kevin, Dan Heng, and March 7 boarded a landing craft and descended toward the planet's surface.

Yuri, watching the icy expanse of Yarilo VI, suddenly felt the urge to explore.

"Himeko, mind lending me a landing craft?" he asked.

Himeko smirked. "Go ahead. Just don't get yourself into trouble."

Riding the craft, Yuri soon landed in a vast frozen wasteland.

Scattered across the ice were eerie humanoid figures—frozen solid.

Yuri approached one and pressed his fingers against it. A surge of dark-golden energy pulsed from his hand, shattering every ice statue within view.

These frozen soldiers, remnants of Imaginary corruption, would have become a major problem once the Stellaron was dealt with. Better to eliminate them now.

This was also a chance for Yuri to test his abilities in real combat.

Bracing himself against the bitter cold, he moved forward toward Belobog.

The icy wind bit at his skin, making him shiver. "System, got anything for cold resistance?"

[Notification: The host can purchase a cold-resistant gift pack or a special item from the 'Elf Series.' Recommended: Fire Elf—Rios.]

Yuri's eyes lit up. He had unlocked the 'Elf Series' through a previous quest.

Opening the system menu, he found the selection of elves—characters he recognized from an old game in his past life. The game told the story of robots searching for an infinite energy source in space.

Among them was the fire elf, Rios.

He checked the price.

[Fire Spirit: Rios (Complete Form)]

Combat Power: Half-Step Commander

Price: 200,000 Star Coins

Discounted Price: 20,000 Star Coins

A half-step commander-level combatant for just 20,000? No hesitation needed.

Yuri confirmed the purchase, and the system deducted the coins.

In a flash of flames, a magnificent reindeer with a fiery aura appeared before him.

"Hello, Yuri. It's our first meeting. Please take care of me in the future."

Yuri wasn't surprised that Rios could speak—some high-level elves possessed human-like intelligence.

He smiled. "Likewise, Rios. Let's get along."

Rios stepped forward, allowing Yuri to climb onto his back. As soon as he touched the fire-covered fur, the flames extinguished at his fingertips, preventing burns.

With Rios by his side, the snow around them melted instantly. The cold no longer bothered him.

Meanwhile, Kevin, Dan Heng, and March 7 had been thoroughly deceived by Sampo and were now locked in battle with Gepard, a high-ranking officer of Belobog's Silvermane Guards.

Kevin fired two rounds from the Skyfire Executioner at Gepard.

Gepard slammed his violin case against the ground, summoning a barrier. "Surrender, intruders! Your attacks are useless against me!"

March 7 scoffed. "We weren't trying to fight you, but now that you've said that, don't blame us for going all out! Dan Heng! Kevin! Let's go!"

Dan Heng tightened his grip on his Cloudpiercer spear and lunged, taking down several Silvermane soldiers in a single strike.

March 7 drew her bow and fired a charged arrow infused with destructive energy at Gepard.

Kevin, gripping the Skyfire Executioner, roared, "Skyfire—Unsheath!"

The weapon glowed brilliantly as he dashed forward, slashing at Gepard.

Gepard barely managed to deflect March 7's arrow when Kevin appeared before him, his blade descending.

The instant Gepard's violin case clashed with Skyfire Executioner, the case was cleaved in two, and Gepard was sent flying backward.

Kevin landed gracefully, wiping his nose with a smug grin. "So? Still think my attacks are ineffective?"

March 7 jogged over, eyes gleaming as she admired Kevin's weapon. "You're so lucky to have drawn that! When we get back, I'm definitely getting a weapon from Yuri's shop!"

Upon hearing this, Kevin pointed to a treasure chest not far away.

"Hey, isn't that some Stellar Jade over there? After we deal with these guys, let's go open the treasure chest."

March 7 immediately agreed. It seemed like Belobog had quite a few treasure chests lying around—she had already spotted several ordinary ones nearby.

Without Gepard's shield, all the Silvermane Guards were swiftly taken down by Dan Heng.

March 7 sighed, looking at Gepard. "Why won't you listen? We're not working with that guy."

Kevin patted her shoulder. "March, show him the photo. Didn't you take a picture of their planet?"

March 7 blinked, then quickly rummaged through her belongings and pulled out a photo, showing it to Gepard.

After studying it, Gepard finally realized that March 7 and her companions weren't aligned with Sampo.

He vaguely recalled reading in old records that, before the Eternal Freeze, alien visitors would occasionally come to Yarilo-VI. He hadn't expected to see one in his lifetime.

This was beyond his jurisdiction. After some thought, he decided to take them to meet the Supreme Guardian.

In Belobog.

Yuri had managed to "convince" a local to guide him.

"My friend, we agreed—once we reach Belobog, you'll let me go," the man whined.

In a narrow alley, a man named Sampo pleaded with Yuri.

Sampo had originally planned to head back and set up his next scheme, but halfway there, he had been grabbed and turned into an unwilling tour guide.

And worse—the person who grabbed him was terrifyingly strong. Especially that talking deer, whose power felt dangerously close to that of an Aeon's Messenger.

Yuri sighed. "Hurry up and take me to the city center."

"The Upper City's boring right now," he continued. "Cocolia's in charge. If she sees me, she might find an excuse to arrest me."

While Yuri wasn't afraid of Cocolia or the Stellaron's influence, dealing with them would be a hassle. Better to go to the Underworld first.

Sampo raised his hands in surrender. "My dear friend, the entrance to the Underworld is sealed off! I can't take you down!"

Yuri smirked and kicked Sampo lightly on the rear. "Hurry up. Don't you have a secret passage? Just take me there."

Sampo's eyes widened in shock. How does this guy know about my secret passage?!

He was certain this was Yuri's first time in Belobog, so how did he seem so familiar with him? Was he an old drinking buddy from the tavern? No, impossible—this guy didn't have the aura of someone who followed The Path of Elation.

Sampo sighed in resignation. Fine, better to take him down than get another kick.

Grumbling under his breath, he led Yuri through his secret passage.

Following Sampo's hidden route, Yuri successfully arrived in the Underworld.

The air was thick with the acrid scent of coal dust, making him wrinkle his nose in discomfort.

The real Underworld was far worse than he had imagined—slag piles, broken machinery, and abandoned tools littered the streets.

Yuri turned to ask Sampo for directions to Natasha's clinic, only to realize the man had already slipped away.

Great. Now what?

Yuri had planned to go straight to Natasha. As the leader of "Wildfire," she was responsible for the Underworld's resources. If anyone could help him gather enough Stellar Jade, it was her.

Left with no choice, he began asking around while searching for her clinic.

As he walked, Yuri suddenly felt something crash into his side.

"Oof!"

A small yelp followed, and Yuri turned to see a little girl with short golden hair sitting on the ground, rubbing her forehead.

He recognized her instantly—this was the infamous "Dark Lord" Hook.

Yuri knelt and helped her up. "You okay, Hook?"

Hook blinked. "I'm fine."

Then, she narrowed her eyes. "Wait—how do you know my name?"

Yuri chuckled. "Who doesn't know the great and powerful Lord Hook?"

Hook puffed out her chest, clearly pleased. "Hmph! Of course! You've got good eyes, recognizing me right away!"

She patted Yuri's thigh in approval—the highest place she could reach.

"What's your name?" she asked.

"Yuri."

"Hmm… Alright, Yuri, what do you want?" Hook tilted her head.

"I need to find Natasha. Do you know where she is?"

At the mention of Natasha, Hook flinched.

"T-The old witch?!"

Yuri sighed. Hook really was scared of Natasha—just hearing her name made her nervous.

"Yeah, Hook. I need to talk to her. Do you know where she is?"

Hook squinted at Yuri, trying to judge whether he was trustworthy. The old witch might be scary, but she was always nice to Hook. She couldn't just bring some random stranger to her.

Noticing her hesitation, Yuri reached into his pocket and pulled out a bag of rainbow candies.

"If Lord Hook takes me to Natasha, this bag of candy is yours."

Hook's eyes sparkled. "Candy? I don't remember seeing that kind before."

Yuri opened the package and handed her a piece. "Here, try it."

Hook hesitated for a moment, then popped the candy into her mouth.

The moment it touched her tongue, it melted instantly—its sweet and tangy flavor lighting up her expression.

"Mmm! So good!"

Yuri dangled the bag teasingly. "So, will you take me to her? Don't worry—I'm here to do business, not cause trouble."

Hook hesitated. He's still a stranger… but… but the candy is so delicious…

In the end, temptation won.

"Alright! But no funny business, got it?!" Hook declared, hugging the bag of rainbow candies like a treasure.

As they walked, she clutched the candy tightly, stopping every few steps to make sure none had fallen out.

Yuri, watching her, smiled helplessly. Guess some things are universal—kids and their love for sweets.

Opening his system shop, he browsed for a moment before purchasing a small panda-shaped backpack for 1 Star Coin.

"Here, Hook. This is for you."

Hook's eyes widened. "Whoa! This bag is so cute! Is it really for me?"

Yuri took the candies from her arms and tucked them neatly into the backpack.

"Yup. This way, you won't have to worry about dropping your candy."

He placed the backpack on her shoulders.

Hook wiggled her arms, adjusting to the weight, before swinging the bag side to side with a huge grin.

"Hehehe~ Thanks, Yuri!"