Honkai: Star Rail, My Journey with Tom - Chapter 6

Li Ye straightened his clothes a little after being hauled off earlier, then walked back and glanced at Tom.

Taking the cue, Tom reached behind its back and somehow pulled out two small white flowers from seemingly nowhere. Flashing a bright, toothy grin, it handed one flower to March 7th and the other to Himeko.

Given that Li Ye was currently a “suspect,” it figured it wouldn’t hurt to earn some goodwill from the people around him.

Himeko’s amber-gold eyes flickered with a trace of surprise when she saw Tom, but she was experienced enough not to let it show. She gave a slight nod, accepted the flower, and said in a gentle voice,

“Thank you.”

Then, she turned her gaze toward Li Ye. Himeko didn’t hold any hostility toward him—just curiosity and a faint, almost imperceptible sense of goodwill.

After all, the appearance of another Astral Express was big news, even on a galactic scale.

As for that tiny bit of goodwill… perhaps it was because Li Ye’s situation reminded her, just a little, of her own past.

After all, it was only because of Himeko that the Astral Express had resumed its journey following the decease of Akivili.

One person, one train… and a mascot.

Himeko’s eyes shifted back to Tom.

Li Ye would have been completely exasperated if he had known what she was thinking, A mascot? Himeko had no idea what she was talking about. Tom wasn’t some mascot, it was his lifeline!

March 7th also took the flower Tom handed her, her eyes lighting up.

“Wow, I’ve never seen such a perfect storybook-style flower before! I have to keep this as a souvenir.”

Raising her camera with one hand, March 7th snapped a picture of the delicate bloom in her other.

Asta hesitated as she looked at Himeko, as if she wanted to say something but wasn’t sure how.

Himeko caught the hesitation immediately. A subtle smile curved her lips as she spoke in a calm, reassuring tone.

“Asta, this is Herta Space Station, your domain. You don’t have to be so reserved with us. We can discuss the matter of the second Astral Express later with Mr. Li Ye.”

“For now, the bigger priority is the Antimatter Legion’s impending attack.”

Asta let out a small breath of relief at that. Her lips curved into a slight smile as she nodded.

“Then I won’t hold back.”

Her expression turned serious as she shifted her focus to Li Ye.

“Mr. Li Ye, as a passenger of this second Astral Express, I trust you wouldn’t joke about something like this.”

“I’m the lead researcher of Herta Space Station. You can report directly to me. If what you’re saying is true, you’ll have our full support.”

Hearing the gravity in her voice, Li Ye gave a firm nod.

“I wouldn’t lie about this.”

“I don’t know exactly when it’ll happen, but it should be soon. And there’s about a seventy percent chance that the Stellaron Hunters will arrive alongside the Antimatter Legion.”

“But… the station won’t suffer any major losses in the end.”

The moment Asta heard that the Antimatter Legion and Stellaron Hunters might launch a joint attack, her vision nearly darkened. Her career as acting lead researcher flashed before her eyes.

After all, if the entire space station was obliterated, there wouldn’t be an acting lead researcher anymore. She’d have to pack up and go home to inherit the family business.

But Li Ye’s next words turned the storm clouds in her mind into clear skies.

So… the Stellaron Hunters weren’t sending their best combatants this time? Or maybe they weren’t here to destroy the station at all?

And with the Astral Express crew conveniently present, their combined strength would be more than enough to protect the Herta Space Station.

Still…

Asta’s gaze lingered on Li Ye, her curiosity deepening.

He had to be some kind of talent.

That wasn’t just him relaying intercepted intelligence—he had some kind of foresight. Something bordering on prophecy.

It wasn’t as precise as the legendary predictions of Elio, the Stellaron Hunters’ so-called “scriptwriter,” but it was still incredibly rare and valuable.

Maybe that was why he wasn’t a fighter. All his skill points had gone into predicting the future instead.

Could she bribe him into staying at the station?

And if so, what would it take? A Star Destroyer? Another Star Destroyer? Or maybe… numerous Star Destroyers?

Of course, that was only if what he said turned out to be true.

Himeko had also noticed something unusual about Li Ye. She tapped a finger thoughtfully against her chin before nodding.

“Either way, we should prepare.”

“Asta, the Astral Express won’t sit this one out. We’re here as allies of Herta Space Station, so put us where you need us in the fight.”

Asta didn’t hesitate. She simply nodded in return.

“Understood.”

Then, she turned to Arlan.

“Arlan, notify the station. Have all non-combat personnel evacuated to safety and get everyone ready for battle. Effective immediately.”

“Yes, Lead Researcher Asta!”

Arlan and the two guards with him quickly left to relay the orders.

Asta then turned back to Li Ye, her tone more thoughtful.

“As far as I know, you don’t have combat abilities.”

“Do you need the station’s protection? We can move you with the research team.”

Li Ye immediately shook his head.

No way.

He had to be out there.

Just now, he had discovered something incredible—being around people like Asta, Himeko, and March 7th actually boosted his exploration progress.

He already had four Star Rail Passes in the inventory.

All Li Ye did was meet a few people, while past-life players had to spend ages hunting for treasure chests to earn a single pull in Honkai: Star Rail!

If just standing here gave him rewards, then fighting monsters… or even meeting the Stellaron Hunters…

So far, everyone he’d met had been from the Stellar Warp. What if meeting someone from Character Event Warps gave him a guaranteed Star Rail Special Pass?

Li Ye fell into a beautiful daydream.

No way was he sitting this one out. If he got “protected,” he’d miss out on everything.

Smirking, Li Ye flexed his barely-there biceps and put on a cocky grin.

“Don’t worry, Miss Asta. I’m plenty strong.”

“Even if the Emanator of Destruction showed up, I could take them one-on-one.”

Seeing Li Ye flex, Tom quickly followed suit to help sell the bluff.

It bent its twig-like arm, and its biceps suddenly bulged. Then, another layer of muscle popped out. And another. And another—like some kind of absurd, muscle-stacking pyramid—until the final peak was taller than Tom itself.

Tom grinned confidently.

Asta looked between Li Ye’s modest muscles and Tom’s bizarre muscle tower.

She hesitated, lips parting slightly before she simply pressed them together and sighed.

“Then… I’ll leave the station in your capable hands, Mr. Li Ye. And… um…”

“Tom,” Li Ye supplied. “Its name is Tom.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you, too… Tom.”

Tom’s name settled into the vast galaxy of the Astral Express like a small pebble dropping into a still lake, sending out the faintest ripple.