StarCraft: Everyone wants the Queen

"It will take about seven hours to reach Suxiu City from here."

Vina counted on her fingers and said, "The journey isn't far. Once we go to the black market and bring back the herbs to heal your leg, we can set off!"

Hearing this, Shen Qingqing couldn't help but ask, "Vina, why are you helping me?"

They could have easily pretended not to see it, so why did they help her like this?

“Because we’re friends,” Vina said honestly, her bright eyes sparkling.

"And I also want to go out and see the world, don't you think so, Fourteen?"

As he spoke, he nudged Fourteen with his elbow.

Fourteen lowered his eyes and hummed casually, "Yes."

"You're kidding me! You always give me such perfunctory answers."

Vina was so angry that she turned her head away and ignored him, instead discussing with Shen Qingqing where they should go after buying the herbs.

"I've heard there are all sorts of strange and wonderful things on the black market, but I've only been there once in my life." Vina skipped and hopped ahead, looking just like a mischievous and adorable little rabbit.

Her bright eyes were full of curiosity. "Back then, it was the female mother who took me there."

"Your female mother?" Shen Qingqing asked curiously.

Suddenly, I realized that in this vast forest, I had only ever seen a few insects, and the people they spoke of had never appeared.

"Yes, the mother who gave birth to me and raised me."

Speaking of the female, Vina's eyes were full of tenderness. "She was the best Zerg to me, well... apart from Fourteen and the High Priest."

After thinking about it, I still think it's better to add that sentence: "Since I came here, those two bugs have been the ones who have been the best to me."

Seemingly afraid that Shen Qingqing wouldn't understand, Vina turned around with her hands behind her back and smiled sweetly, "I was sold to the black market. My mother was injured and was captured by bandits, so she had no choice but to stuff me into the box."

"They eventually caught him, but luckily he ran into the high priest and his men."

When the high priest was mentioned, a smile unconsciously appeared on Vina's face.

"The high priest bought me and raised me; that's how Fourteen carried me back down this road."

She then opened her arms, wanting Fourteen to carry her on his back, but Fourteen remained unmoved.

"Don't you have legs of your own?"

“Qingqing, look at him,” Vina said, pouting as she hid behind Shen Qingqing. “Hmph, now he’s just putting on airs.”

"..." Fourteen was speechless. "Do you mean I'm like you, acting crazy all the time?"

"Crazy? Me?" Vina bristled as if her tail had been stepped on. "Little Fourteen, who are you calling a liar? Stop right there! I'll tear your mouth apart!"

Shen Qingqing chuckled, a hint of joy involuntarily appearing at the corners of her mouth.

They seem to be childhood sweethearts, inseparable since they were little.

Despite hiding deep in the forest, Fourteen couldn't escape Vina's clutches and was dragged back by her little braid.

"You still don't have my speed, hmph."

Vina was extremely pleased with herself and hurriedly called Shen Qingqing over to help her keep an eye on things. The fair-skinned girl and the wild and unruly boy looked especially well-matched standing together.

"Alright, stop fooling around," Fourteen pulled the braid back from the clutches of the devil, his expression turning stern. "After passing the rocky mountain ahead, we'll reach the black market. Remember to stick close to me."

"Ah."

Having temporarily regained her mobility after consuming the crystal core, Shen Qingqing followed behind them, never leaving their side.

This is what Vina said. It's dangerous here, especially for a fragile Zerg like her. She could easily be captured and sold, so she told her to stay close.

"This place is a melting pot of all sorts of people, Qingqing, grab my clothes."

For some reason, she always felt that ever since they appeared, the orcs in the black market seemed to have their eyes on them.

But when she turned around to look, those gazes suddenly vanished.

Is it her illusion?

Shen Qingqing thought it might be because they hadn't rested properly lately. All three of them were wearing the masks that Fourteen had given them, so they couldn't possibly be recognized.

Surprisingly, the black market here was quite large. She had thought that a market on such a primitive planet would just be a place where people set up stalls to buy things, but she was surprised to find that it was so well-organized.

It was even divided into different areas according to different types of goods, including medicines, utensils, fabrics, and exotic animals.

The entire black market was quiet yet orderly. Each person wearing a mask either walked or stopped, communicating quietly with the stall owners in a language she couldn't understand.

Completely different from the scenes on TV where fighting and violence are commonplace, he only came to his senses when Vina pulled him away.

"What are you spacing out for? We've been calling you for ages and you haven't responded."

"Huh? Did you call me?"

Seeing that Shen Qingqing's confused look didn't seem like she was lying, Fourteen frowned and asked, "Did you see something, or did someone pass by in front of you?"

"People? I don't think there are any. No, it seems like someone walked by with flowers." Shen Qingqing's words were a bit incoherent. After smelling a fragrance, she only felt a headache coming on.

Before she could say anything, Fourteen grabbed one of them with each hand and left.

"It's not safe here, let me take you to get some fresh air first."

After they left, those who had been at the stalls stopped in their tracks, their eyes gleaming with a desire for money.

Fourteen was responsible for keeping watch on the outskirts of the black market, while also being vigilant for any possible emergencies.

The high priest had said that this female was no ordinary person and that the two of them must escort her safely back to the royal planet.

He said, "Your mission will be complete once you've taken her to meet the actual ruler of the Zerg."

He added, "You've been by my side for so many years, consider this your way of repaying me. Go wherever you two go, just don't cause me any trouble."

He kept rubbing the small ball in his hand, thinking he'd return it to her when he had the chance.

Forget it, let Vina do this embarrassing thing.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine, it's just..." Shen Qingqing swallowed, indicating that there were too many people around and it was difficult to explain.

Once they reached a secluded corner, they spoke up, "I think I can sense someone following us."

"Moreover, the other side seems to have come prepared."

Fourteen and Vina exchanged a strange glance. They had noticed it too, but they hadn't expected the female in front of them to be so perceptive.

Silently placing the small round ball in his arms, Fourteen looked up and gestured, "And there seem to be quite a few of them."

"Are you so sure?" Vina asked doubtfully.

"Look, they're right behind us."

A large group of people had appeared behind them without them noticing, with the leader, Leopard Head, holding a spiked club, seemingly preparing to launch a sneak attack.

After being discovered, he awkwardly shrank back, revealing an innocent smile.

But the scar that runs almost across his entire face, from the left eyebrow to the corner of his mouth, adds a touch of horror to his smile.

"A newcomer?" asked a wolf clan member with an armband on his arm.

"Ah."

"No wonder I don't understand the rules here."

The orcs behind them burst into laughter.

The other side was numerous and their laughter was so loud it was almost deafening, that Shen Qingqing couldn't help but cover her ears.

The werewolf orc carried his weapon on his back, seemingly unconcerned about it being stolen.

Green eyes darted back and forth between Vina and Shen Qingqing, as if they had some wicked idea.

"Alright then, since you're new here, we'll collect some protection money first."

"you--"

He pointed with his large hand to Vina and Shen Qingqing behind him, a mocking smile appearing on his lips.

"Just offer us a female for our amusement, and we'll let you go this time, how about that?"