Before Helm could finish speaking, Anis bounced over cheerfully, holding out an ice pop and placing it near Mo Chen's mouth.
"Commander! For you!"
Mo Chen bit into it without hesitation, the cool sweetness instantly spreading through his mouth. While he chewed, his hand casually gave Anis's rear a squeeze.
"Commander! You're supposed to lick it, not bite!" Anis scolded playfully, clearly displeased with what she saw as wasteful behavior.
She slipped the ice pop into her own mouth and gave it a few licks—then noticed someone still standing nearby and looked a little embarrassed. She turned and offered the ice pop over.
"Helm, want some?"
Helm saw the bitten and already-licked treat and immediately took a few steps back, waving her hands quickly.
"No, thank you."
Her cheeks flushed at the intimate exchange happening in front of her.
A forbidden romance between a Nikke and the Commander?!
That phrase suddenly flashed through her mind like a scandalous headline.
Her face instantly turned bright red.
The rumors that the Commander especially favored Nikkes… they were true after all!
Seeing Helm refuse, Anis didn't insist. She instead leaned close to Mo Chen and muttered with frustration, "Commander, I got a new swimsuit… but the buttons are too tight, I can't get into it. Come to my room later."
R-Room?!
Helm's blush deepened.
After Anis walked off, Mo Chen noticed Helm's red face and found it odd. Curious, he asked, "What's wrong with you? Are you sick?"
Though… Nikkes weren't really supposed to get sick.
"No, no, nothing," Helm hurriedly replied, waving her hands and forcefully trying to look serious. But before she could speak again, Neon came running over.
"Master! Master!"
Mo Chen raised an eyebrow. "What now?"
Those two were always up to something.
Neon, clearly aggrieved, protested, "Why do I have to be the one grilling?! Anis is just lying around drinking cola, and I'm the one sweating at the grill."
So it was a tattletale mission.
Mo Chen instantly understood and adopted a serious tone.
"Neon, this isn't just work."
"It's not?"
Neon froze, clearly confused. If it wasn't work, then what was it?
Mo Chen kept a dead-serious expression and said, "It's to train your abilities."
"Train my abilities?"
"That's right. Never underestimate barbecue: grilling requires skill. From seasoning and marination to mastering heat control. Too little and it's raw, too much and it's overdone. A single degree off and the result is completely different."
"But… what does that have to do with training—wait, I get it!"
Neon suddenly lit up behind her glasses. "Heat… firepower—yes! It's all about firepower!"
Mo Chen gave her a pleased look, like a teacher watching his star student finally catch on.
"Exactly."
"On this ship, who else but me could take on this task?"
"Exactly."
Neon instantly turned solemn, pushing her glasses up the bridge of her nose. Her tone dropped dramatically. "To control fire upon the sea itself… this is the ultimate trial of my firepower!"
"Master, I understand now. Please judge my performance harshly: I must be tested!"
"Go on, then."
With a determined nod, Neon rolled up her sleeves and marched off with resolve burning in her eyes.
Helm looked between Mo Chen and Neon in stunned silence.
Was this… not just making someone do chores?
Mo Chen noticed Helm still dazed, so he returned to their earlier topic.
"What were you saying before?"
Helm shook her head, pushing aside her thoughts and speaking seriously. "I believe that, since we're on a mission, we should maintain alert status. The sea isn't like land—unpredictable dangers could appear at any moment. If we let our guard down, and Raptures attack, the consequences could be severe."
Mo Chen nodded. "You're absolutely right."
Helm sighed in relief. "Then, please—"
"Don't bring it up again."
"…Huh?"
Helm froze.
Mo Chen stood up from his lounge chair and walked to the ship's railing, letting the sea breeze wash over him. "What do you think of the ocean?"
Caught off guard, Helm followed his gaze and was left speechless.
Sunlight sparkled across the surface, the ocean shimmering with golden flecks like stars scattered over a blue silk canvas. The horizon far away blended sea and sky into one perfect line.
She had only seen the ocean in Ark's archive footage. Seeing it in person, she realized it was far more beautiful than any video could capture.
"Please don't change the subject," she said, snapping out of her thoughts.
Mo Chen sighed.
So stubborn.
"If a Rapture shows up, we'll just deal with it. No need to keep your nerves taut all the time. That'll only lead to faster fatigue. If something really happens, you'll be too exhausted to react properly."
"Besides," he added with a smirk, "don't we have the Admire? Are you saying you don't trust her capabilities?"
"No—I have absolute faith in the Admire."
"Then it's settled." Mo Chen handed her the melting ice pop. "Now go relax a little. Don't be the odd one out. That's your first lesson today—no tuition fee."
And with that, he walked away.
"Commander…" Helm murmured, wanting to stop him. But Mo Chen had already disappeared, and the icy touch in her hand reminded her of the melting popsicle.
Meanwhile, deep beneath the endless ocean.
A girl of ethereal beauty opened her dreamlike eyes. Her lips parted slightly, and her voice echoed in the silent deep—a soft, flat tone devoid of emotion.
"Why must you disturb me?"
In the pitch-black depths of the sea, specks of red light began to appear—at first faint, then multiplying rapidly like a galaxy of stars. Densely packed and glowing.
They were all Raptures.
Elsewhere.
Mo Chen suddenly felt a strange unease—a sensation as though something… or someone… was linked to him.
It was subtle but undeniable.
Then, someone handed him a grilled skewer. Mo Chen looked up—it was Rapi. He smiled and took it.
Rapi spoke up. "Commander, it's been three days since we set sail. We haven't encountered any Raptures—no sightings, not even wreckage."
Mo Chen didn't respond immediately. Instead, he pulled Rapi a little closer.
"You're standing too far away. I'm not gonna bite."