Chapter 38: Duckling's Wardrobe Change

As the train roared to life, the residents of the Overworld watched in astonishment as the long-dormant locomotive surged forward with a deafening rumble and ground-shaking tremors, plunging into the Underworld tunnel. Perched atop the engine was a petite, white-haired young girl, her cross spinning wildly as she wielded spears to shatter the chains blocking their path.

The Overworlders murmured in awe as the train hurtled into the Underworld tunnel. Meanwhile, the Silvermane Guards rushed in panic to the station where the train had been parked, only to find their comrades sprawled unconscious across the platform. They frantically tried to rouse them, but Sampo's specially crafted smoke bombs had worked their magic. Everyone was sound asleep, utterly unawakable—hilarious!

The guards hastily called for reinforcements to evacuate the fallen comrades and Gepard, who lay among them. Gepard's situation was particularly comical.

Some guards burst into laughter at the sight of Captain Gepard lying stripped down to his underwear. Whether it was Sampo's lingering grudge or the irresistible allure of Gepard's valuable armor, the thief had stripped him completely bare, leaving only the man's last shred of dignity intact: his underpants.

"Ha ha, even Captain Gepard has his day!"

Several Silvermane Guards cheerfully hoisted the nearly naked Gepard onto their shoulders, while others playfully slapped his pale, bare buttocks, erupting in laughter. One slap turned into another, and before long, Gepard's rear was swollen, his reddened cheeks noticeably enlarged.

"..."

Pfft!

"Oh no, we're doomed!"

"We've swollen Captain Gepard's backside. Everyone keep quiet about this, or our days as Silvermane Guards are over!"

"Right, brothers. Not a word. If he asks what happened, we'll blame Sampo!"

"Exactly! Sampo must have been holding a grudge against Captain Gepard for imprisoning him. He knocked him out, stripped his armor, and gave him a spanking. That's exactly what happened!"

One Silvermane Guard chuckled merrily, and the others nodded in agreement, unanimously adopting this fabricated explanation.

Later, when Gepard awoke to a searing pain in his buttocks, he briefly wondered if someone had violated his rear.

But when he heard the Silvermane Guards' stifled laughter and their absurd explanation, Gepard's face cycled through shades of crimson and pale.

"Sampo!"

Gepard's furious roar, fueled by humiliation and rage, echoed throughout the Overworld. The Silvermane Guards exchanged guilty glances, knowing they could never admit to bruising his backside. If they did, the enraged Captain Gepard would surely flatten them.

Meanwhile, Sampo, driving the train toward the Underworld, suddenly felt an inexplicable chill run down his spine. Puzzled, he looked around and scratched his head, completely unaware that he was about to become the scapegoat for this entire debacle.

Theresa had already severed all the chains securing the train. She leaped onto the coupling between the carriages, pried open the door, and slipped inside.

"Good work, Theresa," Dan Heng said, watching her return with Bronya. "But are you serious about bringing her to the Underworld? Don't forget she's still wearing her Silvermane Guard uniform."

Theresa grinned. "It's all about Cocolia's fear of consequences. She wouldn't dare send a horde of Silvermane Guards down here. The people of the Underworld have been harboring resentment toward the Overworld for ages. If they see guards charging in, they won't stand idly by. They'll definitely start fighting back."

"Besides, the guards up there have their own duties. I bet Cocolia won't risk making any rash moves."

"Then I'll add another layer of security," Theresa said, smiling as she sat beside Bronya. "Her daughter will be with us, and I want her to see the real Belobog."

Dan Heng watched Theresa speak confidently, thinking she was surprisingly reliable when she wasn't being foolish. As for when she was being foolish, he was powerless. Firstly, as a fellow Nameless, and secondly, unless he evolved into Imbibitor Lunae, he had no hope of restraining her.

"Alright, I'll wake March 7th and Stelle now," Theresa said. "We need to get Duckling a change of clothes. It's practically suicide for her to wander around the Underworld, where hostility toward the Overworld runs deep, in her Silvermane Guards uniform."

Theresa pulled a bottle of Fengyoujing from the Homu Shop, unscrewed the cap, and held it under the noses of the still-slumbering March 7th and Stelle. The cool, pungent aroma jolted them awake with a sneeze. Theresa quickly pulled back to avoid getting the oil on their noses. The resulting stinging sensation would be unbearable!

(TL Note: Essentially Fengyoujing (风油精) is chinese medicated oil. Used for mosquito bites, headaches, clearing the mind, etc. Think Vicks vapor rub)

"Hachoo!"

March 7th and Stelle woke up, rubbing their noses and eyes, still groggy from sleep. Theresa quickly put away the Fengyoujing.

"You're awake," she said. "We're on our way to the Underworld now."

"Oh, and I brought Bronya along too," Theresa added. "We had to take her as a hostage to keep Cocolia from doing anything rash."

"I woke you up because I need your help changing her clothes," Theresa explained. "The Underworld is extremely hostile to Overworlders, especially the Silvermane Guards."

"Ugh, not gonna lie, that was a pretty good nap," Stelle yawned, rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah, it's a shame this stuff isn't used for better purposes, like developing a sleep aid," March 7th grumbled, also rubbing her eyes. "Imagine taking a deep breath and just passing out! Sampo's just wasting his money."

"Maybe the scarcity of resources here forced him to resort to this?" Theresa mused aloud.

"Didn't you say you were going to help her change?" Dan Heng reminded the three women. "There must be another compartment, right? And don't forget I'm a guy."

Theresa, cradling the unconscious Bronya, headed to another compartment. March 7th and Stelle eagerly followed, while Dan Heng closed his eyes to rest.

The three girls moved to another train compartment. March 7th and Stelle quickly drew the curtains, and then Theresa and the others began changing Bronya into a new dress—a figure-hugging, slightly provocative gown resembling a qipao.

To their surprise, they discovered that Bronya wasn't as petite as they had thought. She had been wearing a chest binder to flatten her figure. Once freed from the constricting garment, her slime-like breasts bounced and jiggled playfully before them. March 7th and Stelle excitedly grabbed and squeezed them, while Theresa watched, her face flushed crimson, her eyes darting back and forth with barely concealed curiosity.

They finally remembered they needed to dress the Duckling. They took the gown Theresa had provided and helped Bronya into it. To their surprise, Bronya looked stunning in the formal attire. With her chest no longer restrained, she exuded an unexpected allure.

[ "Get your hands on her already! This system wants to feel the texture too!" ] the Homu System cried out excitedly, eager to stir up trouble.

"Hmm, I think I'll pass," Theresa muttered, adjusting the Duckling's dress as she slept. [ For some reason, I'm actually feeling a bit envious, ] she thought in surprise.

[ "Hehe, you're being feminized! Under the influence of estrogen, you'll become increasingly feminine, Little Cutie! Don't resist—embrace your adorable Theresa side!" ] the Homu System chuckled mischievously.

[Ding! Unknown mission triggered: Accept your true self. Reward: Unknown.]