it is Arknights!

"Ah~~~~ Warm home…"

Staggering into the innermost room of Penguin Logistics, Li Lin threw himself onto the bed, not even taking off his clothes. Feeling the joy of rest transmitted from every cell in his body, he couldn't help but let out a long, satisfied sigh.

This room was originally a storage room/warehouse. Sora and Croissant shared one dorm room, Texas and Exusiai shared another. There were a few other operators, but they all had external dormitories, so they basically didn't come here. The rooms further back were used as storage rooms. And Li Lin's assigned room at the very end was the tidied-up warehouse. Although it was hastily tidied, it had everything it should.

Just, how should I put it, the soundproofing was still a bit problematic. Soon, excited cheers came from Croissant's single room opposite, along with the sound of muttering calculations about spending money and making arrangements. Although Croissant earned a lot, her expenses were equally not small. That equipment and those miscellaneous items were all extremely valuable. Today's run of one urgent and four ordinary deliveries would make her happy for quite a while. In contrast, there was no movement from Exusiai and Texas's room next door. Unsure what the two were doing. After lying on the bed waiting for a while, Li Lin fought off his drowsiness, got up, and dragged his body to the small table.

"Ah… gotta work hard on the setting today and prepare the new book… although nobody reads it…"

Opening the notebook, Li Lin held the paper money and started staring at the blank page, thinking.

The settings he originally wrote were all burned away in that artillery fire from Meteorite's incident; all that remained was one outline page. But having an outline page was useless now, since many of the sci-fi and fantasy ideas he conceived already existed in this world. So Li Lin thought for a moment and decided to write about things that didn't exist in this world.

For example, the most outstanding batch of settings from the previous world. Although writing the novel might be troublesome, excellent settings could attract a group of die-hard fans. In this world where reader preferences were currently uncertain, throwing out a few brilliant settings first was always right. But since there was nothing left to write about in biotech, should he switch to some more fantasy worlds? Like Lord of the Rings? World of Warcraft? Warhammer Fantasy?

Or… an epic setting like Warhammer 40K?

Writing a novel with such a background, even if it yielded no results, the outstanding setting would attract a group of followers, right?

Looking at the blank notebook, Li Lin thought for a moment and decided to start with the setting aspect again. The places selling novels around here weren't systematic, and Li Lin wasn't sure what kind of novels were popular around here. But good settings themselves could attract some people; laying the foundation first was always right.

But just as he put pen to paper and wrote down the first millennium, he heard the sound of the door to the next room opening. Footsteps walked from the next room to his own door, followed by a gentle knock.

"Is that Exusiai? Just come in. When have you ever knocked on my door when I'm in the room…"

"It's me."

"T-Texas?!"

What is she doing here?

Li Lin was instantly startled, quickly stood up, and pulled open the door.

Texas, neatly dressed, stood at Li Lin's doorway chewing on a Pocky stick, looking Li Lin up and down, who was slightly thin and pale from vomiting and diarrhea. This terrifying female driver slash vanguard operator poked her head in, glanced at the notebook on Li Lin's desk, and raised an eyebrow.

"Preparing to write a novel?"

"Ah, haven't started writing yet…"

"Don't write for now. Judging from your performance today, your physique is quite problematic, needs training. Follow me."

"Can't we train here?"

"Don't tell me you thought Penguin Logistics doesn't have any training ground?"

"…"

Your dorm is cramped like a pigeon coop, and now you tell me you actually have a training ground?

Looking at Texas's matter-of-fact expression, Li Lin looked somewhat sorrowfully at the notebook behind him with not a single word written, and followed dejectedly behind the girl. Towards Texas, he inexplicably felt a sense of guilt. On one hand, it was possibly tricking her good female friend (好姬友 - hǎo jīyǒu - good 'lesbian' friend/close female friend), on the other hand, Texas encountered him at his most miserable state, so there was always an inexplicable feeling of not wanting to meet her.

Moreover, Texas always had this 'strictly business' demeanor; although she was a beautiful girl, being around her wasn't like being with Exusiai and Croissant where one could chat freely about anything. Li Lin could only follow Texas with a bitter face into the underground structure of this building.

With a casual knock from Texas, under the illumination of the lights, a very spacious-looking training ground appeared before Li Lin.

"I apologize for my actions today, I indeed didn't consider your personal issues. Causing you much suffering during the journey, I feel very sorry about that. But your physique is really too weak. Unable to resist many things. Even traveling itself can be very dangerous. During these ten days, I will work hard to train you. At the very least, you should perform somewhat better than now when facing some expedited deliveries."

'Weng'

Texas calmly took out two sword hilts from her waist pouch and flicked them slightly. Pale orange pillars of light appeared instantly, emitting specks of unsettling, fragmented iridescence. It was the beautiful radiance brought by Originium Arts under effect. It was also a fantastical art that Li Lin currently couldn't touch.

"Besides, high-intensity confrontation will also make you forget doing some boring things."

"…?????"

Wh-why?

Looking at the serious-faced Texas, Li Lin could feel the change in atmosphere.

A dull pressure coming from all directions like an impending rainstorm. Although not as conspicuous and piercing as killing intent, one could still feel the newcomer's intention and determination. But as a dead otaku, Li Lin really didn't have much martial arts skill; he could only recall the medieval fencing techniques he had seen before, looked at the weapons inserted at the edge, awkwardly picked up a rapier, flicked it towards Texas, considering his state confirmed.

Mm, if we fight, I'll definitely die. Li Lin looked at Texas standing fixed before him, revealing a slightly sincere smile. Striving to express his goodwill and affirmation towards Texas, and this job of his, from the most genuine angle.

"Ah, um, I actually seriously suggest we train a bit first, really."

"…Are you ready? I'm coming."

Looking at Li Lin awkwardly holding the rapier, her hair tips instantly dyed crimson , Texas's expression turned sharp, and she disappeared instantly on the training ground.