idk bro gimme a break

Across--- Pt4

"Captain Gepard" His name was called, Gepard turned and saw Dan heng emerging out of the door. He walked towards Dan heng, letting their figures meet in the middle, he reached for Dan heng's hand.

"A pleasure to see you, Mr. Dan Heng"

"Please, feel free to address me casually, Captain.." Dan heng insists as he rubs his nape "It would only be appropriate to do so"

Gepard gave him a small chuckle, his hand hovering on his lips "But, you are one of the people who saved my planet... To address you as such is nothing.. All I can give you is my outmost gratitude and respect" He lets out a short hum, smiling sheepishly "But I also can understand your discomfort, I apologize" He ended it with a bow and stared at Dan heng for some time. He does understand the burden that comes with bearing such huge accomplishment.

"No need to apologize" Dan heng sighs and smiles at him warily. "You deserve more for protecting Jarilo-VI, Captain"

Hearing Dan heng speak of Gepard's accomplishments, it didn't feel like he deserved it.. Not after he's out of the frontlines and across the galaxy seeking for a goddamn Aeon, out of all entities.

"Thank you, I think otherwise"

Dan heng looked like he gave up on the conversation. Their gaze drifts at the express' window, the view of the ice-y planet Gepard calls home. It looks so... big and vast yet it was just one of the planets out of many.

It has been months since the Astral express stopped by, Dan heng heard Himeko visited recently. He didn't go far enough to know what it is. Dealing with Xianzhou Luofu has put more things in his schedule. He felt bad for not visiting.

His gaze traveled back to Gepard "How's Belobog? It has been a while since I've visited"

Before Gepard answered, his solemn look didn't go unnoticed "It has been difficult dealing with the un-iced Legion.. but apart from that, it's doing good- we're just having difficulties, the Supreme Guardian received a notice about some debt from... the IPC" The captain is aware it is a confidential matter, but it is the Astral Express. He trust them enough.

Dan heng listened to his words. It doesn't take a genius to piece the chain of events together. Himeko must have gone there to settle this problem. "I see" His hand resting on his chin, he rubbed it and looked down momentarily "A debt? That's quite difficult to solve, especially, the planet has been sealed for more than 700 years." Dan heng crosses his arms "Why are they so enthusiastic about taking back the planet when you guys just resolved the stellaron problem? It seems a bit too sudden"

"Yes... But it is also overdue, besides... the IPC representative named Topaz told us, the geomarrow we have in the underground is more valuable than we thought. Not that we underestimated it, it is used as an energy supply or some sorts. It is the main power supply of Belobog, it is also in verge of depletion. To keep mining it underground is like chipping away Jarilo-VI bit by bit, one can only assume they see potential in geomarrow."

"Quite a predicament, Captain Gepard" Dan heng comments.

"Yeah.. We.. really didn't know how to solve it. The IPC representative was surprisingly reasonable, she've given us more time to settle the debt" Gepard pressed his lips into a thin line. "But to generate that much credits in a short span.."

Both of them shared a look, they both knew what the next words were.

It is impossible.

A heavy sigh came out of Dan heng's mouth. It was a pessimistic line of thought but that's the truth. The IPC had set Belobog up for failure.

Gepard can't fathom the pressure Lady Bronya feels. He wanted to help in that matter. However, in each passing day, the number of monsters lurking around is beginning to feel powerful. It has been hard to keep the monsters away from the walls.