178: Chapter 176

The moment she put it on, a burst of uncontrollable, massive laughter erupted from both on and off the stage!

"Hahahahahaha!!!"

"Wonyoung! You're literally aquarius itself!!"

"A walking mineral water advertisement come to life!!"

"It's so vivid! Hahaha!"

"Who designed this headgear? They're a genius!"

Even Kwon Eunbi, wearing the Lion headgear, couldn't help but cover her face (actually the mouth area) with her paws (on the headgear). The small scales on Kim Minju's libra headgear were shaking wildly.

Jang Wonyoung felt her vision dim (the eye holes weren't large), and then the deafening laughter from the surroundings surged in like a tide. She didn't need to look to know what she looked like right now. Emotions of shame, despair, and a desire to vanish instantly erupted like a volcano! She clenched her small fists so hard that her knuckles turned white.

Just then, the large screen above the arena (the one that had previously shown the "Defeat" animation) switched its display at the perfect time, giving Jang Wonyoung a massive close-up!

On the screen, the slender girl wearing the giant mineral water bottle headgear and a water-blue tracksuit stood helplessly (and comically) among a group of companions also wearing bizarre headgear, creating a highly impactful and comedic scene.

"Ya—!!!!"

Jang Wonyoung saw herself on the big screen through the eye holes of the headgear and finally couldn't help but let out a short scream, a mix of shame and breakdown. She subconsciously tried to raise her hand to cover her face (the headgear), but her hand could only touch the fuzzy "bottle body."

It's over. The "darkest" moment of her career was born. And it was on the streets of Myeong-dong, being live-streamed (recorded)!

Just as Jang Wonyoung (and the other members wearing the shameful headgear) felt like they had suffered social death and their souls were halfway out of their bodies—

Zzz... Click.

A slight static noise suddenly sounded inside everyone's headgear.

Following that, Jiang Zhiyu's familiar voice, carrying a bit of laziness and a mischievous smile, rang clearly in their ears, as if whispering right beside them:

"Ciallo～(∠・ω＜ )⌒★! Can everyone hear me? Channel test, channel test~"

(Everyone's inner thoughts: Yes! We can hear you loud and clear! What kind of advanced tech is this?! There are headphones in the headgear?!)

Jiang Zhiyu's voice continued, his tone becoming slightly more serious (?):

"Good, the communication is clear. Now, back to business."

"Star Saints, you're all aware of the current situation. Our 'Pisces Sausage Saintess' Yena-xi has unfortunately been abducted by the Star Demons Claws, her fate unknown (exaggerated), and the sausage stall is also in jeopardy."

"As teammates, as Star Envoys burdened with the mission of returning to the Star Palace, we cannot sit idly by!"

"So, the next script—oh no, the plan—is very simple."

His voice carried a "everything is under control" composure:

"Please take your seats and conduct a brief, team-bonding tactical discussion centered around the core issue of 'how to rescue Choi Yena'."

"I've already mapped out the direction of the discussion for you. Everyone, feel free to improvise and fill in the details—"

He paused and began assigning "roles" and "dialogue directions" to everyone, like a director explaining a scene:

"First, everyone needs to express 'furious indignation' and 'worry' about your companion being captured. This is the emotional foundation."

"Then, as the Libra Chief Judge, Kim Minju-xi, you need to propose the viewpoint of 'analyzing calmly and planning for the long term,' reflecting the rationality of libra."

"Following that, Wonyoung-xi, as the 'Star Spring Guide,' you can agree with Minju, emphasizing that 'acting rashly might lead into a trap,' showing the wisdom of aquarius."

"But!" Jiang Zhiyu's tone shifted, becoming provocative, "Ultimately, our leader, Kwon Eunbi-xi of leo, needs to make the final decision! You must show the decisiveness and responsibility of a leo, using leader-like words to refute the 'conservatives' and firmly propose the resolution to 'act immediately and save our companion'!"

"Finally, all members unify their thoughts, with high morale, check your respective 'weapons' (those endorsed products) and props, and prepare to set out!"

He spoke quickly but clearly:

"Remember, the discussion process should be natural, with interaction and conflict (acting), finally reaching a consensus. Keep the time within three to five minutes."

"As for the operation code name..." Jiang Zhiyu seemed to think for a moment and then happily decided, "Let's call it—Operation 'Rescue Duck X'! (X stands for the unknown and danger, and also for sausages?)"

"Alright, the script framework is given, the stage is yours. Start your performance, Star Saints!"

Zzz... The static sound vanished, and Jiang Zhiyu's voice faded from their ears.

On the arena, the eleven girls wearing ridiculous constellation headgear looked at each other (though their expressions couldn't be seen clearly through the plush).

The air was silent for a few seconds.

Then, Kwon Eunbi (Lion headgear) was the first to move. She coughed and spoke in a voice that was muffled by the headgear, sounding somewhat low but trying to be serious:

"Everyone... Yena has been taken away."

She clenched her plush lion "paws," (trying to) make her voice sound filled with anger and gravity:

"Those damn Star Demons Claws! To use such despicable means! I... I will definitely not let them get away with this!"

With the leader's opening, the other members quickly entered the state (or rather, began executing PD Jiang's "script").

An Yujin (Goat headgear): "Eunbi Unnie is right! We must rescue Yena! And our sausage stall!" (The Furious Faction)

Miyawaki Sakura (Cherry Blossom Elf headgear?) added softly but firmly: "Yena is our companion, we cannot lose her." (The Worried Faction)

At this point, Kim Minju (libra headgear) shook her head, making the small scales on her head sway, and said in her usual soft but clear voice: "Unnies, please calm down first. Anger cannot solve the problem. The Star Demons Claws must have a motive for taking Yena; it might be a trap. We should analyze calmly first and make a detailed plan..." (The Calm Analysis Faction)

Jang Wonyoung (aquarius headgear) also quickly chimed in, her voice coming out of the headgear a bit muffled but trying to mimic a "wise" tone: "Minju Unnie has a point. We just went through a battle and have consumed a lot of energy. Moreover, since they didn't harm Yena Unnie immediately after capturing her, they might just want to lure us there. Chasing them rashly might lead us into an even more dangerous situation." (The Agreeing with Calmness Faction)

Kwon Eunbi (Lion headgear) listened to the "conservative" speeches, suddenly slapped her thigh (the plush paw hitting the plush leg made no sound), and raised her volume, showing the "leader's decisiveness":

"Minju, Wonyoung, you're both right! But—!"

She stood up (wearing the giant Lion headgear, her movements were a bit comical but she tried to be majestic) and looked around (through the eye holes) at everyone:

"For every minute we delay, Yena is in more danger! We are Star Saints! Partners who fight side by side! If we hesitate even when a companion is in danger because we're afraid of a trap, then what right do we have to talk about returning to the Star Palace and protecting the Sun God?!"

Her voice carried an (acted-out) passion:

"The plan can be made as we go! But the action must start immediately! I, Kwon Eunbi, in the name of the leo Star Envoy, decide—"

She raised her plush lion paw and pointed toward the foam board "portal" direction with a swirl painted on it (although Choi Yena had disappeared from there, the prop had been moved, so she was currently pointing toward the backstage):

"Set out immediately! Rescue Yena! Code name—'Rescue Duck X'!!"

"Rescue Duck X!" An Yujin (Goat headgear) responded immediately.

"Rescue Yena!" the others also shouted, the atmosphere (under the cover of the headgear) being stirred up.

"Good!" Kwon Eunbi (Lion headgear) nodded. "Now, everyone check your respective 'constellation weapons' and equipment! Prepare to move!"

Thus, a strange sight appeared on the stage: eleven girls wearing plush headgear in various animal, plant, and object shapes began to seriously check the miscellaneous sponsored products around them—toy hammers, juice, candy, instant noodles, soap, energy bars... as if they were truly some incredible holy weapons.

The audience below was already laughing so hard their stomachs ached, but they were also drawn in by this sudden "serious (?) tactical meeting" and "hot-blooded (?) call to action," curious about how they were going to "rescue the duck" next.

Meanwhile, the mastermind, Jiang Zhiyu, watched the group of girls in bizarre headgear "acting" seriously on the monitor screen backstage and nodded with satisfaction.

Plan successful.

Absurd, but effective. Shameful, but impressive.

Operation "Rescue Duck X" officially begins!