Guinaifen's Livestream
After experiencing [Akivili's Dream Bubble] at Dr. Edward's clinic, Guinaifen continued wandering aimlessly through the Oti Mall.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the station.
Two Bloodhound Family enforcers—a man and a woman—were chasing a silver-haired girl.
"Stop right there! You damn stowaway!"
The silver-haired girl glanced around frantically.
Upon spotting the Trailblazer, her face lit up with relief.
She sprinted toward them.
"P-please! Help me…!"
Guinaifen smirked.
[Protecting a beautiful girl is my sacred duty!]
Pointing at the girl, she declared: "Folks, isn't this the girl from the trailer? The one happily playing with fireworks!"
"Heh, never thought I'd run into her the moment I arrived at the Golden Hour!"
"Don't worry, little sister! With me here, no one's touching you!"
Guinaifen radiated confidence and bravado, every bit the protective big sister.
Battle Ensues
After defeating the Bloodhounds, a middle-aged man who seemed to be their superior approached.
"Enough, you pups—stand down."
The man glared at the girl, then berated his subordinates: "What the hell are you doing? Open your damn eyes! Does this girl look like the stowaway we're after?"
The female Bloodhound hesitated. "Huh? Then… who is she?"
"Are you blind? Brown hair, gray vest—this is the family's appointed Harmony Festival security officer!"
"O-oh… B-but sir, we were chasing this girl! She's suspicious—it's gotta be her!"
The man's expression darkened. "Bullshit. Read the damn report. Witnesses described a silver target. You idiots went after a silver-haired girl? How's that the same? And you picked a fight with guests?!"
"Get lost. I'll handle this."
The two Bloodhounds scurried away.
The man—now identified as Gallagher of the Bloodhound Family—turned to the Trailblazer and the girl.
"My sincerest apologies for this disgraceful spectacle."
"I am Gallagher of the Bloodhound Family. Those fools are my untrained whelps."
"Youth and stupidity led them to mistake a guest of Penacony for a criminal… Tch. A breach of etiquette. On behalf of the Bloodhounds, I offer my deepest regrets."
[A silver target…?]
"The Bloodhounds are the dreamscape's gatekeepers, responsible for security—including stowaway arrests."
"We received intel that troublemakers infiltrated Penacony under the festival's guise. With the Harmony Gala approaching, malicious actors lurk everywhere…"
Gallagher glanced at the girl.
Noting her unease, he reassured her: "Relax, miss. Clearly a misunderstanding. Someone as lovely as you couldn't possibly be a stowaway."
The girl exhaled in relief. "Thank you. Without your help, I… I don't know what I'd have done."
Guinaifen nodded vigorously.
"Exactly! How could such a cutie be a stowaway?"
"Stowaway? Silver target? Wait—Silver Wolf?"
"Silver Wolf's just got 'silver' in her name. Nothing about her looks silver!"
"Given the Sleepless Night OP, the stowaway's gotta be Sam…"
"100% Sam. No doubt."
"Are the Bloodhounds blind? A MECH and a girl—how'd they mix that up?!"
[Protecting beautiful girls is my sacred duty!]
"She's so harmless-looking—zero danger vibes. How'd the Bloodhounds screw this up?"
"Gallagher's got way better judgment."
"Yeah, no way it's her!"
Dream's Edge Hotel – Corridor
Firefly settled into a lounge area where a TV broadcasted Guinaifen's livestream.
Watching quietly, she jolted slightly upon seeing her in-game debut.
The barrage of protective comments made her scratch her head sheepishly.
"Sorry, everyone… I am that stowaway…"
Had the Trailblazer or Gallagher not intervened…
She might've actually ignited the sea!
Her next lines deepened her guilt.
"Though the Bloodhounds mistook me for a stowaway, I'm actually a local—Firefly of the Iris Family, a temporary performer!"
"When I'm not onstage, I work as a guide around Glaux Avenue. If you'd like, I can show you fun spots! Staying 'employed' might keep the enforcers off my back…"
Firefly sighed.
This was likely part of Elio's [script].
She never wanted to deceive anyone.
"Outside the mall's the grand plaza—let me treat you to something tasty~"
"Here we are! Ever heard the saying? In dreams, 'hunger' is the rarest spice."
"Most of Penacony's delicacies are here—Clockie Pizza, Oak Cake Rolls, Clover Salads… and classic SoulGlad! Order anything—my treat!"
...
Livestream Reactions
Guinaifen vibrated with excitement.
"Folks! Firefly's treating me! No holding back now!"
[I'll order the MOST expensive items!]
"Firefly's budget is 20,000 Credits—the total cost of everything here exactly matches that!"
As Guinaifen prepared to empty the Clock Diner's menu, she noticed a tooltip:
[The meager savings of Iris Family rookie performer Firefly. It's her hard-earned money—spend wisely.]
Guinaifen froze.
Just because Firefly offered didn't mean she should drain her savings!
To Guinaifen, Firefly's voice and demeanor screamed protect me—like a naive little sister.
She ultimately ordered only an Oak Cake Roll per Firefly's recommendation.
"All set? My treat then!"
"I love their Oak Cake Rolls—eat one daily."
[Won't the calories…?]
"I-It's fine! We're in a dream anyway…"
"Let's walk and eat! Next stop—"
Guinaifen nodded, savoring the virtual cake as if it were real.
Viewers flooded the chat:
[She's too pure… I'm crying!]
["Meager savings"…]
[I MUST PROTECT THAT SMILE!]
[I missed the note and bought everything! I'M A MONSTER!]
[I thought buying all was required! Hearing Firefly's tone after… I REGRET EVERYTHING!]
[You, streamer, are a SAINT for not bankrupting her!]
[You, my friend, are the TRUE "Moral Approval" incarnate.]
...
Watching the guilt-ridden chat, Firefly felt both amused and touched.
Thanks to Honkai: Star Rail's story, she could exist as Firefly—known and loved by players.
Something unimaginable before.
In high spirits, she opened Guinaifen's stream on her phone and typed:
"Don't feel bad! Firefly probably has more savings. Spend freely~"
The backlash was instant.
[WHAT KIND OF HEARTLESS COMMENT IS THIS?!]
[HOW DARE YOU?! Not your money, huh?!]
[YOU HAVE NO SOUL!]
[I tested it—she sounds devastated if you spend all 20k! Those were her life savings!]
[Oh? Think you're Firefly herself? WHO GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO SPEAK FOR HER?!]
To be continued…
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