Absolutely legitimate Star Iron, I've awakened the Underworld System?

　Mmm, so sweet!

　Bai Qiong remembered the Alpenliebe lollipops she ate in her past life...

　"Mmm...uh...it's so itchy!"

　Clara let out a soft moan, her voice tinged with sensitivity and discomfort.

　"Ding!"

　[Target Clara's corruption value increased by 2%]

　Current corruption level: 2%

　[Triggering keyword: Sensitive point]

　[Please keep up the good work, host. Have you considered that Clara sprains her ankle when she wears shoes precisely because her feet are too sensitive? If you keep licking, you might get some unexpected results...]

　Bai Qiong's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly looked up. He noticed that Clara's face had become even paler, but the wound on her arm seemed to have changed. The bluish-purple skin began to fade slowly, and the blood around the wound began to congeal.

　"This... really works?"

　Bai Qiong was somewhat surprised, but was immediately enveloped by an indescribable sense of guilt.

　Just then, March 7th returned with a basin of water. She saw Bai Qiong squatting at Clara's feet, and Clara's feet seemed to still have some water stains on them. She was stunned.

　"Bai Qiong, what... what are you doing?"

　March 7th's voice carried a hint of surprise and confusion.

　This was somewhat unexpected for Bai Qiong; he clearly hadn't anticipated that March 7th would return so quickly.

　Bai Qiong quickly stood up and explained somewhat flusteredly, "I... I was healing Clara's injuries. I just licked her feet, and her wounds seem to be healing. This is my new... Blessing of Abundance!"

　"Lick...feet?! A blessing of abundance?!"

　March 7th stared wide-eyed at Bai Qiong in disbelief. "Hey! I may be a bit slow, but could you at least come up with a better excuse? Your explanation is... way too weird! Can Feng Rao really pull off something like this?"

　“I…I don’t know either. Maybe you were blessed by Aha back then. Anyway, if you did that, her wounds would really get better.”

　Bai Qiong stammered, unable to say that it was because of a task issued by the system.

　"I do not believe!"

　March 7th shook her head, her tone tinged with anger, "You're definitely talking nonsense. You're just trying to take advantage of Clara!"

　"I don't!"

　Bai Qiong quickly retorted, "I really just wanted to save Clara, I swear!"

　"Then why did you lick her feet?! What kind of treatment method is this that's so outrageous?" March 7th asked aggressively.

　"me……"

　Bai Qiong was speechless for a moment; he didn't know how to explain.

Chapter Sixteen: Taking advantage of Schwarz's absence, he wreaks havoc on Clara.

　Just then, Clara groggily opened her eyes.

　She looked at Bai Qiong and San Yueqi and said weakly, "Brother Bai Qiong, Sister San Yueqi, what... what are you arguing about?"

　"No, we didn't fight! Clara, you've misunderstood!"

　Bai Qiong quickly explained.

　Upon hearing Clara speak on March 7th, he immediately put down the basin of water, went to Clara's side, and carefully examined her wounds.

　She noticed that Clara's thigh wound was indeed better than before; the bluish-purple skin had faded considerably, and the wound had begun to scab over.

　"This...how is this possible?!"

　March 7th murmured to herself, looking at Bai Qiong in disbelief, then at Clara's wound.

　"See, I didn't lie to you."

　Bai Qiong breathed a sigh of relief. He walked over to Clara and knelt down again. "Clara, how are you feeling? Does your wound still hurt?"

　Clara shook her head and said weakly, "It doesn't hurt anymore, it's just... itchy."

　That's because the wound is healing.

　As Bai Qiong spoke, he lowered his head again and gently licked Clara's instep.

　"Mmm... Ugh!"

　Clara let out another soft gasp, her voice tinged with sensitivity and discomfort, but she did not stop Bai Qiong's actions.

　"Ding!"

　[Target Clara's corruption value increased by 2%]

　Watching Clara's corruption value rise continuously, Bai Qiong felt somewhat apprehensive.

　It feels like they're taking advantage of Schwarz's absence to harm someone else's daughter.

　……

　at the same time……

　The wind and snow howled between the rock walls. Toppa stood in front of the towering cliff, looking up at the ice and snow-covered rock face, a glint of excitement flashing in his eyes.

　Schwarz's mechanical body stood silently beside her, its red mechanical eyes gleaming coldly in the dim light.

　"right here."

　Schwarzlo's voice was low and calm, as if he were stating a perfectly ordinary fact.

　Toppa raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on his lips.

　"Wow... I never expected it to be here."

　She glanced around, her gaze sweeping over the solid rocks, a hint of teasing in her voice, "But I don't see any mechs or weapons. These are all solid rocks around us, could it be..."

　"Yes."

　Schwarz's mechanical eyes shifted slightly, his voice filled with absolute certainty, "Those weapons are hidden in the towering rock walls."

　Topa's smile widened, a knowing glint in his eyes.

　"No wonder! No wonder we couldn't find the so-called 'armory' anywhere—"

　Her voice suddenly paused, as if she had thought of something, and her tone was filled with surprise, "--Wait, you just said that those weapons have always been hidden here? That means... the builders of Arilo-VI didn't use these weapons at all during the great battle with the legions?"

　Schwarz's mechanical body trembled slightly, emitting a low hum.

　“These mechs have never left this place since they were built. After the company withdrew from this planet more than 700 years ago, no one has known how to activate these weapons.”

　His voice carried the weight of history, “Based on the design blueprints left by the company, the builders constructed the first batch of replica mechs. But in the resistance led by Alisa Rand, the main force was still human beings of flesh and blood.”

　A complex emotion flickered in Toppa's eyes as he murmured, "Oh, I see. The legends about this world are becoming more and more fascinating..."

　The wind and snow howled between the two of them. Topa's gaze returned to Swallow, his tone tinged with a hint of probing: "I want to ask you a question, Topa."

　Topa chuckled and waved his hand. "Hmm? Such a big robot, don't be so reserved~ Just ask."

　Schwarz's mechanical eyes flashed red, and his voice was low and slow: "'Without the company's intervention, this world would be doomed'—do you firmly believe this conclusion?"

　Toppa's smile froze slightly, and a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.

　"I believe……"

　She paused for a moment, then said in a low voice, "Before coming here, I read through countless cases and came to the same conclusion: none of the worlds that have been invaded by the 'Star Core' have been able to escape the fate of annihilation."

　Topa's voice carried a hint of helplessness and heaviness, "Even with the help of the Star Train, even if things seem to be looking good on the surface... these are just temporary respite."

　She looked up, her gaze meeting Schwarz's mechanical eyes. "Long-term crises often lurk beneath the surface of prosperity, completely undetectable to the average person."

　Schwarzlo remained silent for a moment, a faint red light flickering in his mechanical eyes.

　"learn."

　Topa paused for a moment after hearing this, then chuckled and said, "'Understand'? That's all? Aren't you going to offer your own opinion?"

　Schwarzko's voice remained calm: "The emotional readings indicate that your answer was sincere and accurate. That's all I want to confirm."

　He paused, then continued, "I have a different opinion from yours regarding the future of this planet. But my opinion is meaningless. I tried to rebel against you, but was easily defeated. What right do I have to offer any opinions?"

　Topa smiled with a hint of amusement and gently shook his head.

　"Ha, what an interesting fellow. If only all my colleagues were as self-aware as you!"

　She turned around, patted the piggy bank that had been following her—"Zhangzhang"—and said softly, "Let's go, Zhangzhang, let's go down and take a closer look."

　Toppa stepped forward, heading deeper into the rock face. Her fingers lightly traced the cold rock, a resolute glint in her eyes.

　She took out the data chip that was flashing with blue light from her bosom and murmured, "It's time."

　She inserted the chip into a hidden interface on the rock wall, and instantly, the entire rock wall began to shake, with snow and ice falling from above.

　The rock wall slowly cracked open, revealing a huge mechanical structure inside.

　Countless slumbering mechs awoke in the darkness, their red mechanical eyes lighting up one by one, like a sea of ​​stars twinkling in the darkness.

　Toppa's lips curled into a victorious smile as he whispered, "Time to get moving, creations that depend on the company's underlying code. With you all, plus the company's employees, even without that stone, no one in Belloberg can stop me now."

　Schwarzko's mechanical eyes flashed red, and his voice was low and complex: "Are you... really going to do this?"

　Toppa didn't turn around, but said softly, "This is the only option, Swaro. For the future of this planet, I have to do this. I have already informed the High Guardian of the specific solution through a letter, and she is probably already overwhelmed with worry."

　"However, whatever choice she makes is irrelevant. Unlike that guy, Sand Gold, I don't have a gambler's mentality. What I want is... to not afford to lose!"

　In the wind and snow, Toppa's figure appeared exceptionally lonely, yet incredibly resolute.

　Topa's fingers slid rapidly across the control panel, and the mechs stood in neat rows, awaiting her commands.

　Schwarz's mechanical body trembled slightly.

　Finally, he said in a low voice, "I hope your choice... is the right one."

Chapter Seventeen: If you keep licking, I'll...!

　Inside Cripper Castle, a somber atmosphere pervaded the entire hall.

　The ministers sat around a long table, their heated arguments rising and falling as if they were about to lift the roof off.