The Gamer who traveled to Honkai: Star Rail

Asta concluded that it wasn't her but Pei Guang who was different. Or perhaps he had a unique ability to directly enhance things using refined Aether? As she pondered this, he turned to March 7th.

"Bring your weapon too, and I'll enhance it for you. You can't face tougher enemies without good equipment."

"My weapon…"

March 7th took out the bow she created with her ice powers and asked curiously, "I made this bow with my own ability. Can you still enhance it?"

"Is it your weapon?"

"Of course!"

Pei Guang, full of confidence, replied, "Then there's no problem!"

After saying that, he took March 7th's ice bow, and something even more bizarre happened. As he applied the refined Aether, it merged into the weapon.

When Pei Guang handed the bow back, March 7th held it and sensed the change. "How amazing, it really feels stronger, even if only a little."

With the weapon enhancements complete, Pei Guang raised his wooden sword. "Let's go! Let's take on the big side quest! We'll continue enhancing our weapons when we return."

"Ooohh!!!"

Stelle raised her baseball bat to match Pei Guang's energy.

March 7th looked at her bow, hesitated for a moment, and then raised it too. Shouting a battle cry, the three of them eagerly set off on their mission.

Pei Guang's thoughts were simple: the mission reward was generous, so it was a priority.

Stelle's thoughts were even simpler: she wanted to test the feel of her enhanced bat.

As for March 7th, she felt that staying with Pei Guang and Stelle would definitely lead to some fun experiences. Being with Pei Guang was especially entertaining: after all, the other two big shots on the train were too serious, and although Dan Heng didn't seem to mind much, he was quite reserved.

But Pei Guang and Stelle were different. She felt a youthful energy with them and loved the sense of camaraderie, the laughter, and the occasional mishaps that made everything so much more interesting.

Watching the three of them walk away, Asta was no longer smiling.

"Enhancements, huh?"

Asta shook her head. She could tell that Pei Guang's enhancements had indeed made those seemingly ordinary weapons a little stronger. She also noticed something Pei Guang and the others hadn't: the enhanced weapons emitted a faint glow.

She then turned to her telescope, but also pulled out her phone to order some condensed Aether for a same-hour delivery.

"Oh no, I've spent too much pocket money this month. If a starship goes on sale, I might be a bit short... But I have to try. What if I'm right? If not, I'll just ask for more allowance."

Thinking about the possibility of getting a starship and considering the value of having enhanced 'weapons,' she weighed her options and decided the latter was more important. If necessary, she could always ask for a bit more money. After all, she'd been so well-behaved for years, never asking for more. They'd give it to her, just this once.

Because, according to her analysis, Pei Guang's enhancement is likely a combination of refining aether with some special power to make weapons and tools more durable. The glow on those items is probably aether particles attached to the weapon. If that's true, she could spend a little pocket money to get a shiny telescope filled with aether particles. It would be such a great deal!

Besides, Star Destroyers are something she's waited for years to buy, but no one has ever sold one, and she has often lost out in bidding wars due to poor signal reception. Instead of gambling on the chance that there might be a warship for sale this month, why not let Pei Guang give it a try?

Meanwhile, Pei Guang and his group had also left the safe zone and entered the danger zone.

The trio's fighting style was simple and direct, with Pei Guang and Stelle taking the front and back positions, while March 7th was sandwiched in between. As Pei Guang explored, he checked things like boxes and trash cans, and anything that could be taken was sorted and stored in his inventory space.

Stelle also learned by example, using a baseball bat to smash and knock things, occasionally picking up some fuses to stash away.

Watching this, March 7th asked curiously, "We aren't going to have enemies coming from behind us, right?"

She looked back at the safe zone and felt that this level of caution might be a bit much.

But Pei Guang shook his head and said, "No, no, no! You never know what kind of weird abilities enemies might have. For example, if Stelle and I were both at the front, and someone snuck up and took out your kidneys, by the time we noticed, your kidneys could've already been transplanted. You're a squishy long-range character, and you're our support + shield. At best, the two of us are just DPS. Supports are a constant, while DPS characters come and go. In team fights, the DPS can die, but the support must survive!"

Stelle admired him and said, "As expected of Pei Guang! I've learned so much!"

As the 'senior,' Pei Guang graciously accepted the praise: "These are just basic techniques, don't worry! The two of us are in this together, and I'll teach you all the tricks. March, you don't need to worry either! With us two on either side, no one will be able to sneak up and take your kidneys."

March 7th: "..."

March 7th thought that although she could barely understand what he was saying, when put together, it all sounded a bit nonsensical.

As the three continued their conversation, they arrived at a T-junction. Ahead was a completely sealed room, and to the left was a long hallway. The three cautiously peeked out and saw two patrolling marauders standing not far ahead.

"Careful! There are enemies ahead."

Following Stelle's pointing, Pei Guang saw two marauders from the Antimatter Legion guarding a sensor door. Unsure if there were more enemies inside, they didn't act recklessly.

March 7th took out her bow, readying an ice-made arrow on the string, prepared to shoot at any moment: "There are many enemies, let me handle it."

Seeing March 7th's intention to engage head-on, Pei Guang shook his head, "Direct combat during the main story is out of necessity, but this is a side quest. We need to use some strategy. Listen up, an adventurer isn't just a brute who swings swords or a bloodthirsty villain. An adventurer is a wise person who overcomes enemies with their wits."

March 7th replied, "Alright, alright, fine, go ahead and tell us your plan."

Pei Guang pulled out a bag of trash. Seeing this, March 7th was shocked and showed a look of disdain: "Where did you get that? Stay away from me! It stinks!!"

Stelle asked in confusion, "What use does this have?" 

She recalled Pei Guang's previous teachings but couldn't figure out how trash bags could influence a battle.

March 7th instinctively took a few steps back, while Stelle watched curiously. Pei Guang remained expressionless and said, "Just picked it up along the way. I know it's quite real, but I didn't expect it to smell this strong. But don't worry, it's just a strong smell. I checked the bag, and there's no residue, so nothing will get on us. I even reserved a separate storage slot just for trash. Otherwise, no matter how clean the space is, I'd still have a physiological reaction. The trash isn't important, what's important is strategy! You two stay put and get ready for an ambush. I'll attract their attention."

March 7th still couldn't figure out their combat strategy. After all, whenever she teamed up with Pei Guang, it was always a direct encounter. Besides, what use could a trash bag have in a fight?

But Stelle knew what he intended to do: when they rescued people, it was always through ambushes and although she didn't know why Pei Guang would use a trash bag, she knew he was planning another sneak attack.

Stelle turned to March 7th and said, "In a moment, follow me, and we'll ambush from behind."

March 7th asked, "How can we ambush them from behind?"

Stelle gave a knowing look and said, "Trust in Pei Guang's wisdom!"

So, under the watchful eyes of the two girls, Pei Guang walked over with the trash.

The two marauders guarding the door spotted Pei Guang. Seeing him, they didn't immediately charge forward, as his aura was simply too terrifying.

This presence, as if a ghost or god had descended, was so intense that even March 7th felt her body tremble, and the Six-Phased Ice within her responded instinctively. On the other hand, Stelle, who had snuck around the Antimatter Legion's rear with Pei Guang before, was ready for the ambush. She gripped her baseball bat, fully prepared to smash any approaching enemy's head.