Facing the rapidly approaching, ominously purple-glowing, giant syringe with a needle thick enough to be used as a knitting needle, and the seemingly tangible black shadow (a psychological effect) looming behind Doctor Natasha, the last line of defense in Stella (as Hook)'s mind completely collapsed!
"I confess! I'll confess everything! Just don't jab me—!!"
She squeezed her eyes shut, screaming at the top of her lungs with all her might, her little arms and legs flailing wildly in the air, as if she could already feel the terrifying sensation of that cold needle piercing her skin.
"Oh~?"
The anticipated sharp pain did not arrive. Instead, it was replaced by Natasha's voice, still gentle, but now laced with a hint of amusement and realization.
Stella (as Hook) cautiously opened one eye, only to find that the terrifying, giant syringe had been casually placed back onto the tray beside her by Natasha.
The doctor was standing by the bed, hands folded in front of her, watching her with a "this is how it should have been" smile, looking quite composed.
"Now, tell me."
Natasha tilted her head slightly, her tone soft yet carrying an unquestionable air of inquiry.
"Who, exactly, are you?"
Stella knew that if she kept pretending, the next thing she faced might not just be a "vaccine."
She steeled her heart and shifted her thoughts rapidly!
Pale blue data light particles instantly enveloped her little body. Amidst the light, her figure rapidly elongated and changed.
For the first time, unmasked astonishment clearly flickered in Natasha's usually gentle and calm eyes.
She watched as the little girl on the hospital bed vanished before her eyes as if by magic, replaced by a tall young woman with long gray hair and an unfamiliar face.
This change wasn't just in appearance; her clothing and aura were completely different too!
"I, I'm called Stella! I'm a Trailblazer from the Astral Express! I came from the sky... ah no, from other stars in the universe!"
Stella held her hands high, speaking at a rapid-fire pace, spilling everything out as if she were shelling beans, terrified that if she spoke too slowly, that syringe would be picked up again.
"It's Sampo! That blue-haired wanted criminal! He made me transform into Hook, saying it would be easier to gain trust in the Lower District and I wouldn't be treated as a suspicious person! He even shoved me into that deadly mine cart and pushed me down! I was forced into this! I don't have any malicious intent toward the Lower District! I'm just a passing, weak-chick passenger with slightly strange abilities!"
She finished in one breath, then nervously watched Natasha, observing her reaction, ready to add details or plead for mercy again based on any change in her expression.
Natasha didn't speak immediately.
The surprise on her face gradually faded, replaced by a mixture of curiosity, scrutiny, and a hint of... expected realization.
She watched Stella quietly for a few seconds, then suddenly stepped forward and reached out.
"Eep! What are you doing?!"
Stella recoiled in fright, but the hospital bed was only so big; there was nowhere to run.
Natasha's hand precisely pinched one side of Stella's cheek with moderate force, but enough to make Stella feel the pressure of being "controlled."
"Ouch! Stop pinching! Everything I said is true!"
Stella protested incoherently, trying to break free, but Natasha's fingers were as steady as a rock.
"Open your mouth."
Natasha commanded in an unquestionable tone, her other hand having already gently gripped Stella's chin at some point.
Stella: "?! (Is she going to check my teeth?!)"
Forced by "tyrannical power," Stella reluctantly opened her mouth.
Natasha leaned in closer, carefully observing her teeth, tongue, and the inner walls of her mouth, even gently touching them with a sterilized tongue depressor, her gaze as focused as if she were examining a rare specimen.
"Hmm... skin texture is real, body temperature is normal, oral structure is complete, no common energy residues or structural blurring from illusions or optical camouflage..."
Natasha muttered to herself while examining, completely in her professional doctor's tone.
"The instantaneous changes in muscle texture and bone contour also conform to biological characteristics rather than mechanical transformation... Truly... an incredible ability."
She finally released her hand, stepped back, and looked at Stella, who was still rubbing her reddened cheek with a look of grievance and terror. The last trace of doubt vanished from her eyes, replaced by pure research interest and a hint of apology.
"Ahem..."
Natasha coughed lightly, seemingly wanting to explain her slightly rough "physical verification" and the previous "syringe intimidation," putting that habitual, gentle smile that made people feel like a spring breeze back on her face.
"Apologies, Ms. Stella. Just now... well, because it involved the safety of that child, Hook, I had to be cautious. The environment of the Lower District is complex, and we must remain vigilant against any anomalies. Your ability is indeed beyond common sense; please understand."
Stella pouted, rubbing her still-aching cheek, looking at Natasha with an accusatory gaze, and muttered under her breath: "Understand... very much understand..."
Understand that you almost scared me to death!
Just then—
"Gurgle... gurgle..."
An extremely loud, long, and seemingly abyssal stomach growl broke the slightly awkward atmosphere in the room with absolute clarity.
"..."
Stella's face turned beet red instantly, her hands slammed over her uncooperative stomach, wishing she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
From being knocked out by Sampo, to the energy consumption of fighting monsters, to the mine cart scare and the clinic fright, this body of hers had long since run out of energy.
She looked up, eyes teary, at Natasha, and asked in a voice as faint as a mosquito's hum: "Um... Doctor... is there... anything to eat here? Anything will do..."
Watching this "visitor from beyond the stars" who had just been "interrogated" (?) by her, now clutching her stomach and looking at her with imploring eyes, the last trace of severity in Natasha's eyes melted into helplessness and a hint of amusement.
"Yes, of course. Wait a moment."
She turned and walked toward a storage cabinet in the corner of the clinic that looked quite old, opened the door, and took out a...
A rectangular object that was dark brown, rock-hard in texture, rough on the surface, and looked like it could be used directly as a brick.
Stella craned her neck to get a look, and an ominous premonition rose in her heart.
Natasha placed the "brick" on the table and fished out a small, sturdy-looking, sharp-toothed carpenter's saw from somewhere!
Stella: "!!! (Wait! Why are you taking out a saw?!)"
Natasha skillfully secured the "brick," then picked up the saw, aimed it at one end, and began to saw—"scritch—scratch—"!
The saw blade rubbed against the "brick," producing a teeth-gritting sound, as if sawing dry wood or frozen leather, even sending off a few crumbs!
Stella watched dumbfounded, her jaw nearly hitting the floor.
Is, is this really food?! Are you sure it's not construction debris or some kind of new fuel block?!
Soon, Natasha sawed off a slice of "brick" about two fingers thick.
She placed this "achievement" into a clean bowl, then picked up the kettle that had been boiling nearby and poured the scalding hot water over it with a "splash."
The "brick slice" rolled slightly in the boiling water, its color seemingly darkening a bit, but its overall form... remained unmoved.
The water in the bowl was quickly dyed a suspicious dark brown.
Natasha handed the bowl and a fork to Stella on the bed, saying gently: "Conditions are limited. This is the most common black bread in the Lower District. Although it's a bit hard, soaking it until soft makes it quite filling and nutritious."
Stella looked at the dark brown, unidentified solid in the bowl that "remained unmoved" in the boiling water as if mocking her, and then looked at the fork in her hand that clearly couldn't pry it apart, and fell into a long silence.
Can this thing... really be eaten? Soaked soft?
How long would that take? Her stomach was already protesting; what it needed was something it could digest immediately, right now!
Under Natasha's slightly puzzled and encouraging gaze, Stella took a deep breath, as if having made a certain decision.
She set down the bowl, and then... reached into the inner pocket of her jacket.
After fumbling for a few moments, she pulled out a silver, gleaming metal can with a cute cartoon pattern on it, labeled "Interstellar Standard Beef."
"Um... Doctor."
Stella held up the can, and amidst Natasha's slightly stunned gaze, offered an awkward but polite smile.
"I think I'll... just eat this one I brought with me."
She skillfully found the pull-tab and opened it with a "click."
Instantly, a scent mixed with grease and meat, completely different from the smell of disinfectant and herbs in the clinic, and full of the aroma of "modern industrial food," began to waft through the air.
Natasha looked at the opened can of luncheon meat, with its pink, tender, and glistening meat, and then looked at the bowl of stubbornly tough black bread soup in her own hand. For the first time, a trace of extreme, minute "cognitive shock" and "bewilderment" appeared on her perfect, gentle smile.
This visitor from beyond the stars... was really well prepared (?), indeed.