The video rolled on.
A Door That Shouldn't Be Open
Steluna followed the corridor signs and soon arrived at her assigned room.
She slowed.
"…That's strange. Why is my door open?"
Frowning, she stepped closer — and froze.
Inside her room stood a familiar figure.
Aventurine.
He turned smoothly, a lazy smile playing at his lips.
"What a coincidence. We will meet again."
"Friend!" Steluna replied instinctively, still riding on the goodwill of recently received credit transfers. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Of course, friend."
He gestured casually around the room.
"Relax. This room used to be mine… until half an hour ago."
"The luckiest floor, the luckiest number, the luckiest view — it took quite some effort to secure this perfect spot. And now? I've generously handed it over to you."
His smile widened, polished and insincere.
"Treasure it well."
Steluna blinked.
"You gave this room to me?"
"Did you really think the Family would just offer it for free?" Aventurine scoffed.
"This is Penacony — a land where countless people spend half their lives just to earn a ticket into the Daydream Hotel. The guests staying here aren't nobodies."
He folded his arms.
"If I hadn't handled things discreetly, do you think the Family would risk offending all those VIPs just to accommodate some 'uninvited guest' like you?"
"So, sit. Let's talk. Whether you like it or not, I've earned the right, haven't I?"
The air grew heavy.
Polite smiles had turned into veiled accusation.
And then came the pressure.
Chat Erupts
Steluna slammed the screen.
"Are you seriously guilt-tripping me right now?! PUA tactics?!"
"I didn't ask you to give up the room! If it weren't for you, I'd have already stolen Dan Heng's room fair and square!"
Furina clapped excitedly.
"Yes! The villain finally stops pretending!"
Xiangling leaned forward.
"Go on then, Aventurine — defend yourself!"
Himeko narrowed her eyes.
"Whatever your intentions are, the Astral Express will not accept them."
Lumine: "We refuse!"
Paimon: "GA GA, REFUSE!!!"
Aventurine stared at the flood of messages in real time, genuinely speechless.
Boothill scoffed.
"Corporate scum, always the same."
"…Do I know you?" Aventurine asked coolly.
"Don't care. I hate the IPC. Problem?" Boothill grinned.
"…Moving on."
The Real Purpose
Back in the video.
"I think you should speak to Himeko or Mr. Welt," Steluna said bluntly. "I'm not the one who negotiates."
Aventurine's eyes sharpened.
"You're mistaken. You're precisely the one I want."
His tone lowered.
"Penacony is not as peaceful as it looks. The Family has eyes everywhere. I won't speak plainly — but I think you understand."
"My objective is simple: retrieve assets that rightfully belong to the IPC."
"If you help me, the rewards will be generous. And you'll earn the protection of Preservation itself."
Steluna stiffened.
Then his voice softened — dangerous, persuasive.
"You're special, you know. Special enough to flip the entire table."
"That power you carry… don't you want to use it? Escape it? Master it? Become known across the galaxy because of it?"
He leaned closer.
"That terrifying, coveted force… the one resting in your grasp…"
"Star Core carrier… Miss Steluna."
The air went icy cold.
A calculated mix of temptation and threat.
The Crew Snaps
Dan Heng's voice turned sharp.
"So even that information has reached the IPC…"
"You have no right to fix your sights on her, Aventurine."
March stepped forward in fury.
"Back off! She's ours!"
Pom-Pom slammed the desk.
"If you so much as touch a single hair on her head, I'll personally report you to the IPC's highest office! Pom!"
Himeko's gaze burned.
"Don't ruin your future over one reckless move."
Welt's voice dropped, heavy as iron.
"The Express will not permit you to lay a finger on her."
Steluna sniffed dramatically.
"You guys… I'm actually crying…"
A Gambler Revealed
In the video, her voice trembled.
"How do you know about the Star Core?"
Aventurine chuckled softly.
"I don't."
Pause.
"I do now."
The entire chat froze.
Hu Tao: "WHAT?!"
"You were bluffing this whole time?!"
Itto: "Despicable! That's cheating!"
Ayato smiled faintly.
"Masterful psychological warfare…"
Scaramouche scoffed.
"Pathetic trickery from a cheap gambler."
Childe grinned.
"Hey, at least I fight fair."
Doctor: "You're simply too stupid to grasp strategy."
Chaos erupted — until Steluna yelled:
"EVERYONE SHUT UP. I'M WATCHING."
Silence.
The Game Begins
Back in the room.
"You don't need to answer immediately," Aventurine said coolly.
"Take your time. Consult your companions. Even try to turn me into your pawn — I welcome it."
"I never make losing bets."
He turned to leave, then paused.
"Oh, one more thing before I go."
A playful glint surfaced in his eyes.
"Let's play a game."
A single chip flew into the air — vanished — and reappeared as two clenched fists.
"Left. Or right?"
Pressure flooded the room.
The air felt suffocating. Steluna's palms dampened.
"Choose wisely."
He stepped forward.
"…Actually, forget it."
His smirk widened.
"Because the game has already begun."
His hands opened.
Empty.
Her heart jolted.
The chip lay inside her own palm.
"You can't refuse.
You have no excuse.
And no escape."
His eyes gleamed — sharp, predatory.
Steluna's thoughts trembled.
Then—
BANG!
The door slammed open.
A cold, commanding presence stormed in.
A woman stood there, aura razor-sharp, eyes blazing.
Her gaze swept over them both.
"You two…"
She stepped forward with authority.
"WHAT are you doing in my room?"
Her presence shattered the tension instantly.
Steluna's breath finally released.
And Aventurine's smile… slowly faltered.
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