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"The hidden scale has emerged."
"The moon hides in the cave, the azure dragon purifies the world!"
Under the ultimate attack of Imbibitor Lunae Dan Heng, the first health bar of the Memory Zone Meme, Something Unto Death, had been completely depleted.
Guinaifen's confidence returned to her face.
"Little Gui, I just carefully examined this monster's mechanics."
"Its instant-kill skill isn't a true instant-kill!"
"It's somewhat similar to Svarog's grab."
"We can break it by attacking, and if it's Damage Over Time (DoT), it can make the controlled character escape the [Dream Death] state faster!"
There were two red dots on the health bar.
Guinaifen knew.
This meant the monster had a second phase.
And often, the second phase was even more ferocious than the first!
At that moment.
The monster actually locked its health!
[Like Water Fading into Water]
It remained hidden in the darkness.
Launching a surprise attack on the characters!
This time.
It caused two characters to enter the [Dream Death] state at once.
Including Little Gui's main DPS, Dan Heng!
Guinaifen's mouth hung open.
Her hands spread wide.
The meaning was clear—
How the hell am I supposed to fight this!?
Suddenly.
The scene shifted.
Entering into the storyline—
Stelle's bat fell to the side.
She was half-kneeling on the ground.
A testament to the intensity of the battle.
Looking to the other side.
Guinaifen's scalp tingled!
"Ahhh!!"
"Why is Firefly caught by it!?"
The monster's hand firmly grasped Firefly.
Lifting her into the air.
Strangely.
Firefly wasn't panicking like an ordinary girl.
Not only was she fearless.
But her fists were clenched!
Yet they loosened slightly…
This small detail was noticed by some of the players watching.
But no one would have thought.
That Firefly was still hiding her strength at this moment!
They only saw it as her unwillingness to give up!
...
"Ahhhh! Let Firefly go!"
"How did Firefly get caught by the monster!?"
"Isn't our protagonist of the Destruction attribute? Why isn't it attacking us first?"
"Could there be something on Firefly that's attracting the monster?"
"Firefly is so brave... even though she's caught by this monster, she's still fighting back."
"Save her! Save her!"
"Stelle, stop acting and unleash your hidden power already!"
...
Hotel lounge area.
Firefly saw the scene of herself being caught by the monster.
She was slightly surprised.
She muttered to herself, "This... should also be part of the [script], right...?"
She noticed the small action of her clenched fist.
Clearly, she had instinctively wanted to transform into Sam.
Ignite the seas!
This monster, though it looked eerie and terrifying.
Firefly was confident.
She could subdue it!
Once she entered the [Complete Combustion] state.
No matter how ferocious this meme was.
It would only end up being roasted...!
The reason for her confusion was that with the emergence of Honkai: Star Rail in reality.
Elio's [script] had become obsolete.
Firefly hadn't received a more detailed [script] either.
She was now just like the other players.
She didn't know what would happen next in the story.
She could only speculate and understand from her own perspective.
And just then.
As expected!
Reinforcements arrived.
...
A purple arc of light flashed past Firefly.
Quickly forming a symmetrical pattern on the ground!
To be precise.
It was a magic circle.
The moment the magic circle formed.
A crystalized claw burst through the mirror from below!
Then.
More crystal arms emerged from below!
They all grabbed onto Something Unto Death.
Forcing it to release Firefly.
Then.
Lifted it high into the air.
And slammed it hard against the ceiling of the room!
"Boom!"
Below.
The voice of a mature woman echoed.
"If you don't grasp the correct method..."
"You won't be able to escape unscathed..."
"From the shadow of death."
On the television nearby.
At some unknown time.
Black Swan had appeared there!
In her hand, a strange magical artifact was spinning.
Cards were swirling around her artifact.
Little Gui showed a look of surprise.
And the barrage of comments.
Instantly erupted!
...
"Miss Black Swan!!!"
"The Memokeeper makes a heroic entrance!"
"The Riddlers are here."
"Big Sis Black is so reassuring!"
"Good, good, Black Swan is still alive!"
"Just for this, I must pull for Black Swan, right?"
"My Big Sis Black escaped from Acheron's grasp and now she's here to save us. Who else can do that!?"
...
[Entering Battle]
Moving into the second phase.
Firefly asked, "You are...?"
"Relax, little one, I'm on your side."
"You can call me... Memokeeper Black Swan."
On the right side of the battle interface.
A support attack from Black Swan appeared.
Tap to trigger.
Immediately, a magic circle appeared beneath Something Unto Death.
Then, withered and emaciated hands burst forth from below!
Guinaifen exclaimed, "Black Swan's skill is a bit darker in tone than I imagined."
"Look at these arms bursting out from the ground."
"If I hadn't seen Black Swan's actions, I would have thought Something Unto Death had unleashed its ultimate move."
"But then again."
"Using the bizarre to counter the bizarre..."
"It's quite fitting!"
With Black Swan's support.
And having already understood the monster's mechanics.
In no time.
They defeated Something Unto Death in the second phase!
Entering the story sequence.
Black Swan picked up a card.
The pattern on the back of the card glowed with a golden light.
And Something Unto Death was instantly trapped within the magic circle.
A tremendous pressure was pulling at it.
Causing it to let out terrifying roars.
Guinaifen clenched her fist tightly.
Excitedly, she said, "So strong, the memory's prestige is really high!"
"But this monster is truly terrifying."
"Even now, it feels like it's still radiating killing intent!"
"It's even still roaring!"
"I suspect it has no sense of pain, nor any emotions..."
Black Swan took out another card.
Softly, she said, "Until next time."
"Let's go."
The card flew past Stelle and Firefly.
Opening a teleportation channel.
Firefly reacted quickly.
Immediately grabbing Stelle and rushing towards the channel.
The screen went black.
The urgent background music gradually faded.
Seemingly indicating that Stelle and Firefly had temporarily escaped danger.
In front of the live stream.
Seeing that both she and Stelle had escaped.
Firefly let out a slight sigh of relief.
"It seems it was just a close call."
Just as she finished her remark.
A voice suddenly sounded beside her.
"That might not be the case."
Hearing the voice.
Firefly was momentarily stunned.
Then she smiled slightly!
"Silver Wolf... you're here."
Firefly stood up to greet her.
But upon seeing the figure that appeared beside her.
She showed a look of surprise.
"Huh?"
"Why isn't it a hologram?"
"Has your technical prowess improved again? This projection is almost indistinguishable from a real person now?"
As she spoke.
Firefly stepped forward, playfully reaching out to touch Silver Wolf's head.
However.
To her surprise.
There was actually a tactile sensation!
It was a physical body!
"Ah?"
"Can holographic projections now simulate tactile sensations so realistically?"
As the words fell.
The sound of high heels clicking echoed from the stairwell nearby.
Firefly looked over.
And was startled once again!
"Kafka... you're here too?"
Kafka smiled softly.
She hung her sunglasses on her head.
And made a gesture to hug Firefly.
By now.
Firefly had realized.
It wasn't a holographic projection.
It was Kafka and Silver Wolf in the flesh!
"Didn't Elio's script say... Penacony didn't have any scenes for you two?"
"Why did you come here personally?"
Silver Wolf casually blew a bubble.
And said, "Script?"
"Who even looks at that stuff anymore?"
"I just follow the story of 'Honkai: Star Rail' directly."
Kafka naturally sat down opposite Firefly.
And explained, "The script is now invalid, and even Elio can no longer continue as Destiny's Slave."
"So, we're acting completely freely now."
Kafka exuded a sense of ease and laziness.
As if for her.
This "free action" was much more enjoyable than following the script before!
Silver Wolf glanced at Firefly and teased, "You're quite carefree."
"Do you know that the Iris Family is looking for you everywhere?"
"They want you to become their family's artist, help you debut, and mold you into a galactic idol."
Firefly: "..."
"It seems my image in the story has really left an impression..."
Silver Wolf looked at the somewhat elated Firefly.
And reminded her, "When your true identity is exposed, and Sam's image comes out, I bet they'll be so scared they'll withdraw the offers they sent you overnight..."
Firefly smiled calmly.
To be honest, she never wanted to become some kind of galactic superstar.
Just being able to appear in the story as Firefly, leaving a brief trace, was already enough to satisfy her.
"By the way..."
"What exactly are you all here for...?"
Kafka glanced at the scenery outside the corridor.
This was the upper level of the guest area.
Rows of corridors and rooms resembled a honeycomb.
This sense of order and uniformity made Kafka slightly dissatisfied.
But when she thought of the chaos and unpredictable future, a hint of pleasure appeared on her face.
She replied, "Of course, for just one thing."
"To help you survive."