"I was wrong, I was really wrong."
"I thought Sparkle's button was just a joke."
"But after watching the character PV Monodrama, I realized…"
"She's really crazy!"
"This button might actually blow Penacony sky-high!!"
"I've calmed down now, after watching the PV, I've truly calmed down!"
Guinaifen sighed with emotion.
After finishing the remaining SoulGlad, she still felt a bit unsatisfied.
She went to the bathroom to wash her face before returning to continue her livestream.
Because Sparkle's PV was just too overwhelming!
She was afraid her excitement might get the better of her and affect the upcoming story livestream.
"Alright, Little Gui is now completely calm."
"Sparkle's PV is toxic! I advise everyone not to watch it multiple times, or you might get influenced and turn into a jokester!"
"Let's continue with the story livestream!"
Returning to the game interface.
The perspective shifted back to the Trailblazer.
The cliffhanger that had made Little Gui slam the table earlier was now being continued!
Firefly spoke: "Everything has returned to the beginning. You once stepped into the Golden Hour from here, and now you will step into the true exile of Penacony."
"I'm glad to be traveling with you again. Now, I can finally reveal the whole truth to you. As you can see… my other name is Stellaron Hunter: Sam."
At this moment.
Three options appeared for the Trailblazer.
[Are you… okay?]
[You deceived me…]
[Are you… Firefly's soul?]
Guinaifen thought for a moment and chose the third option.
Hoping to lighten the heavy atmosphere of the reunion with a humorous opening.
Firefly then explained: "I know you have many questions… Do you remember when we encountered death in A Strange Dream? At that time, I was gripped by the meme…"
"At the moment it was about to strike, I saw the reflection of another dreamscape in its terrifying pupil."
"Based on the script's hints, I had some Conjectures about that meme. So I had Silver Wolf send out invitations to guide everyone to the dream hotel…"
The screen flashed back a few times.
Showing the scene where Firefly was gripped by the meme, her teeth clenched and fists tightened.
And the interface where Silver Wolf sent the invitation message to the Astral Express.
These were all parts of the story they had experienced.
Guinaifen remembered them clearly.
Now everything was connected!
She continued listening to Firefly's next words.
"I originally planned to summon death in front of you, to reveal the mystery in a more direct way and invite you into the game. But things didn't go as planned. I couldn't defy the script, and I didn't even have time to explain to you."
"As you saw, I was pierced by the blade of death. The heavy pressure of the memory substance… it exploded in my mind, as if it were real."
"But after the momentary numbness faded, I found my body unharmed."
"I was indeed still alive, and as I had thought—I had arrived at a place completely different from the dream. Beneath Penacony's dreamscape lies another, more primitive and chaotic realm of memories. Its name is… the Exile."
The flashback showed Sam charging toward the Trailblazer.
Guinaifen couldn't help but exclaim, "Oh!"
At that moment, the chat exploded with comments!
…
"I knew it!"
"I told you! Sam had no intention of harming us back then!"
"If she wanted to hurt us, why would she just charge at us with her hand extended?"
"From the current perspective, this posture clearly says: I can't take it anymore! I'm going to capture you and lay everything bare!"
"Sam is indeed my good sister!"
"Wait, wait! So, death appears to be caused by someone, but in reality, it's about taking the target to the land of exile?"
"Ah, this..."
"Quiet, I'm thinking!"
...
Firefly continued, "So I returned to the hotel in the Dreamscape, wanting to tell you about its existence. But I couldn't reveal my identity openly, so I had to find a way to divert the attention of those traveling with you and take you away from the battlefield."
"After that, all my attempts ended in failure. Until recently, a crimson blade light shattered the high walls in the dream, causing you to fall into this deeper layer of the Dreamscape, and I was finally able to wake you and your companions one by one..."
"That's everything that happened before."
[I'm completely confused!]
Guinaifen was dumbfounded.
She rubbed her arms.
Muttering to herself, "So... so Acheron really did slash everyone present to [death]?"
"Because only true death in Penacony can reach this land of exile..."
"Good heavens!"
"It's getting more and more mysterious..."
"Luckily, we can understand this through the storyline, otherwise, who in reality would believe this?"
Click the screen.
Continue the story.
Firefly: "I know it's hard to believe all this unconditionally. I just want to say, you're very close to the final answer. Just one more thing, and I can prove it to you..."
"Next, let's leave this place... please close your eyes."
"Then take a deep breath, and in your mind, outline the contours of the Dreamscape, remember... absolutely do not open your eyes."
The screen turned dark at this moment.
Only Firefly's gentle voice echoed in the background.
"Three..."
"Two..."
"One..."
"Don't be afraid, the one who welcomes us... is here."
Suddenly, a sharp scream appeared in the background.
Followed by a corresponding subtitle.
[After the sharp scream, thick and fierce memory essence surged into your chest, churning and raging. Your consciousness, like a piece of paper in a whirlpool, crumbled, dissolved, and scattered in the rolling turbid flow.]
[Countless voices resonated through the memory essence like rolling thunder, among which an echo was particularly clear. You knew it came from the girl beside you, your hearts beating to the same rhythm, calm, and then calmer...]
[Until in the silent darkness, memories rippled with tiny waves...]
...
"Holy crap, is this some kind of summoning ritual?"
"Are the protagonist and Firefly being strung together by memes here?"
"Wow! Such an exciting scene and you're not showing a gameplay video?"
"Death: I'm freaking coming!"
"There's a legend about this in Penacony's urban myths, so it's true?"
"So closing your eyes in a dream is the incantation for death?"
"Don't forget~ closing your eyes~ is how you wake up~"
"Damn! So the lyrics of 'Sleepless Night' had already hinted at everything?"
"Is there any brave soul willing to try if this is true in the Dreamscape?"
"It's legit, this is the storyline of 'Honkai: Star Rail', what do you think it is, some rumor?"
...
Golden Hour.
A relatively quiet street.
Several young people sat on the ground.
The TV in front of them was broadcasting the live storyline.
Seeing this.
One of the bolder young men suggested, "How about we try the method Firefly mentioned?"
"Maybe it really will summon death?"
"That monster is a bit terrifying. I felt nervous just seeing it in the game, let alone facing it in person!"
"Don't be afraid, trust in Honkai: Star Rail! We can't die in the Dreamscape! Plus, we might even get to visit the legendary land of exile!"
"If we hurry, we might even be the first to discover The Watchmaker's legacy!"
"In that case, let's bet on it!"
"All or nothing!"
The young men joined hands.
Forming a circle.
They closed their eyes.
As the story dictated.
They began to visualize the outline of the Dreamscape in their minds.
A few seconds passed!
And then, they actually heard a piercing shriek!
The most timid of the young men was already trembling, but he still didn't dare open his eyes.
Something Unto Death appeared before them as promised.
Looking at the group holding hands.
Death paused for a moment.
Seemingly puzzled.
But it still adhered to its professional duty.
Sending each of the young men to the land of exile.
After finishing its task.
It was about to retreat into the darkness.
Suddenly!
It sensed the same summoning nearby once again!
Someone was calling it again!
Mianmian immediately rushed in the corresponding direction.
She sent the two people there on their way.
Soon after.
Signals started coming in from nearby!
One, two, four, ten...
"Gurgle..."
Something Unto Death was completely stunned!
It couldn't help but let out an extremely frustrated sound!
What on earth is going on today!
Why are so many people suddenly heading to the exile zone!
It's manually guiding people, after all.
This is going to exhaust the meme to death!
Something Unto Death flexed its claws.
A light flickered in its purple eyes.
As if to say...
I quit!
I'm going back to find Gallagher!
Wuwu... that's it...