"Miss Black Swan, we've fully grasped the current situation. Returning to your initial proposal..."
"May I ask what reason the Garden of Recollection has for choosing to cooperate with the Astral Express?"
Himeko stared at Black Swan, asking solemnly.
Black Swan nodded slightly.
She explained, "Well, allow me to correct that... this is my personal request, not on behalf of the Garden. The answer is simple, Miss Himeko, I just want to make an exchange... an exchange of memories~"
"Outside of my duties, I have some... personal aesthetic pursuits. I am a Memokeeper, but also a collector. I want to witness those crystal-clear, dazzling precious memories—isn't that easy to understand?"
"And you, the Nameless of the Astral Express, practitioners of the Trailblaze path... I believe in your potential, and I believe in the unique brilliance you will shine on this stage."
"That's why I want to be friends with all of you. The convergence of nightmares and beautiful dreams... is the perfect cradle for memories."
Guinaifen quipped, "In short, she's just after our high-quality memories."
The train crew wasn't idle either.
They engaged in some analysis and discussion.
Himeko speculated, "The person who sent the Nameless cipher and the mastermind behind the Dreamscape anomaly are from the same faction... possibly even the same person."
Meanwhile, Old Yang released a communication.
The sender was... Silver Wolf.
On the screen was her personal emoji.
"Ahem, can you hear me? Astral Express, long time no see—having fun in Penacony?"
"Let's get serious. I know you're investigating the anomalies in Penacony, and frankly, we're quite happy to see it. The deeper you dig, the more likely you are to uncover the truth behind the beautiful dream."
"The family is hiding something, isn't it? We've also got some firsthand information. Now, I've decided to generously share it with everyone. It's just a pity—the lovely vacation is about to end."
"Input this code into your Dreamscape Pool, that device you use to dream, and take a look at the hidden map! I've packed the coordinates for you, here, just copy it with one click."
"And—I'm sure you've already heard about Sam. Look forward to it! That guy has a straightforward personality and loves fair competition. He'll definitely get along with you all. I hope you don't get overwhelmed by his enthusiasm!"
"Oh, he asked me to tell you: in the unreachable dream, the play is about to begin—keep it up, all the factions are on the move. Nameless, don't fall too far behind!"
As Silver Wolf's voice echoed.
The live stream was flooded with fans of the Stellaron Hunters.
...
"Wolfie!!"
"It feels so familiar seeing Silver Wolf, finally meeting someone familiar outside the Astral Express Crew."
"Sam is coming too!"
"Looking forward to Sam's skills!"
"Actually, the Stellaron Hunters are quite trustworthy at the moment, no conflicts of interest and we've cooperated before."
"Feels like the Stellaron Hunters are like the off-field friends helping the train, lol."
"By the way, what are the requirements to join the Stellaron Hunters?"
"Everyone's coming to Penacony for the big showdown, huh?"
...
The true face of the Dreamscape.
Undoubtedly, it's a very mysterious statement.
After watching this communication.
The Astral Express Crew has decided to cooperate with Black Swan.
Once everything is prepared.
They input Silver Wolf's code into the Dreamscape Pool.
Entering the Primordial Dreamscape.
During this period.
There was also an additional dialogue with Black Swan.
Guinaifen naturally didn't miss it either.
"Can you confirm Firefly's safety?"
"Don't worry, it's a one-way door that only leads to the waking reality. Unless the girl has a strong will and refuses to wake up from the dream… How could that be? She must be rubbing her eyes somewhere in the hotel right now."
Lying down in the Dream Pool.
After the animation of sinking into the deep sea.
They arrived once again in this dangerous Primordial Dreamscape.
Black Swan appeared by her side.
Explaining that after stepping into the Memory Zone, everyone had scattered.
Only she had found Stelle.
To reunite with the others, they would need to continue moving forward in the Memory Zone.
Fortunately, Black Swan, as a Memokeeper, was an excellent guide.
Along the way.
They could see members of the Dreamjolt Troupe lying on the ground everywhere.
After passing through the corridor and arriving at a hall-like space.
Stelle and Black Swan stood on the stairs.
At a glance, they saw a woman in the center of the hall confronting the monsters of the Dreamjolt Troupe.
"Acheron!!!"
Guinaifen exclaimed in surprise!
"Finally, we see her again!"
"I was wondering who was so powerful, clearing all these small monsters for us along the way?"
Acheron also expressed slight surprise: "Oh, it's you guys?"
[You… got lost again?]
"Well, not exactly. I just don't know where I am."
Black Swan said helplessly: "Ladies, let's save the small talk for later… Shall we work together to send these hospitable children on their way?"
[Entering battle]
A prompt appeared on the interface: [For the next part of the journey, Black Swan will assist in battle.]
Black Swan's support skill appeared on the right side of the interface.
Guinaifen took a closer look.
She had thought Acheron would also become a trial character.
But in fact, she didn't.
It was a bit of a pity not being able to witness Acheron's skills.
After dealing with these Dreamjolt Troupe members.
Acheron suggested: "You two came at the right time. This Dreamscape is full of dangers. Since we share the same goal, why not travel together?"
"I can protect you from harm. In the Memory Zone, I also need the assistance of a Memokeeper, and… if we encounter the Family, having one more person always helps with explanations."
Black Swan hesitated: "Well… What do you think, Stelle?"
[Having more people isn't a bad thing.]
[We can trust Acheron.]
[Let's just forget it…]
[No, absolutely not.]
Four options were presented.
Guinaifen knew.
In the game Honkai: Star Rail.
Sometimes, choices mattered.
"Acheron's identity is still unclear. We still don't know why she came to Penacony…"
"And there's something inside her that seems like a second personality…"
"I think we should just forget it."
[Let's just forget it…]
Acheron's reaction was unexpected: "Sorry… I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it?"
[I mean, no…]
Acheron repeated again: "Sorry… I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat it?"
Guinaifen was stunned.
She immediately realized!
"A threat!"
"This is a blatant threat!"
"I can already imagine that white-haired version of Acheron staring at us with a cold expression…"
"If she says one more word, she might just scatter our ashes, right?"
Indeed.
The next dialogue options.
Both turned into identical choices.
[What I mean is, no problem.]
[What I mean is, no problem.]
The only difference was.
The text below was in bright red.
After making the selection.
Stelle also muttered in her heart, "(What's going on? That subtle feeling is back again...)"
Only then did Acheron speak softly, "Thank you, Stelle… I'm truly grateful."
"I'm also glad to be traveling with you again, Miss Black Swan."
Black Swan whispered, "Hmm… I hope so."
...
"Seriously?"
"I had no choice!"
"This is kind of terrifying. They can even forcibly change our will?"
"After watching Rondo Across Countless Kalpas, I realized Black Swan's inner thoughts at that moment: Stay away from me!!!"
"Black Swan: I'm not happy."
"How could she be happy after nearly being slaughtered in her memories?"
"No wonder Black Swan can be a Memokeeper. After going through something like that, she only showed slight wariness when meeting Acheron again. That kind of composure is unmatched."
"Traveling with this lady, I'm really afraid she might stab me in the back at any moment."
...
In Acheron's room.
Seeing the stream chat, where both the streamer and the viewers expressed wariness toward her.
Acheron shook her head in confusion.
Pointing at her own face, she said, "Am I really that scary?"
Black Swan nodded fiercely in her heart!
But on the surface, she maintained a calm demeanor and said, "Miss Acheron, we're now on the same boat, so I think it's necessary to remind you."
"According to the plot and… some related content, you've already been subconsciously regarded as the most threatening enemy by many."
"If your location is exposed now, it's likely that many factions, out of sheer fear, will choose to strike first."
Hearing this.
Acheron fell into silence.
She looked at the dream pool in the room.
And murmured, "Could it be… that even this land of dreams cannot accommodate a… Self-Annihilator?"
"Miss Acheron, what are you saying?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Let's continue watching the plot."
"For now, both in and out of the game, we've formed a temporary alliance. This can be considered a kind of fate, right?"
Black Swan sighed.
Yes.
What a fate… indeed.