"I'm sorry. Due to certain reasons, there are some things... I can't fully disclose to you right now. But there are other things I should be honest about.
'The Clockmaker's Legacy' is indeed something I desire, but that doesn't mean we have to part ways or become adversaries—at least... I don't want that to happen."
After Firefly spoke these words, the protagonist was given dialogue options:
[I hope so too.]
[I can't make any promises...]
[I can't trust someone who hides things.]
[Who exactly are you?]
Guinaifen pondered for a moment before muttering to herself, "Even though I can tell Firefly is hiding something, she's genuinely a good girl. I believe she wouldn't harm us."
"It's just a feeling!"
"Xiao Guizi's judgment about people has always been spot-on!"
Without hesitation, she selected the first option: [I hope so too.]
Viewers in the livestream chat also chimed in enthusiastically:
"She just wants to survive—what's wrong with that?"
"Wuuu, turn off the background music!"
"Can Firefly cure her illness if she gets the Legacy?"
"If that's the case... then I have no choice but to attend the Penacony Grand Festival and secure the Clockmaker's Legacy!"
"This secret base is about to become a viral check-in spot."
"Damn it! I was just feeling sad, but now that 'viral check-in' comment ruined the mood—who said that?!"
---
Hotel Lounge
Watching this scene unfold in the game's storyline, Firefly felt a complicated mix of emotions.
For the first time, her existence had been revealed to so many people, and her illness had been exposed...
To be known by so many as "Firefly"—this was a feeling she had never experienced before.
Even for her, it would take some time to adjust.
After taking several deep breaths, she finally calmed down somewhat.
"This is... nice."
"As Firefly, I've left so many traces in this world..."
Then, a line spoken by her in-game counterpart made her freeze in surprise.
"I dreamed of a scorched wasteland, a budding sprout breaking through the soil. It bloomed under the morning sun and whispered to me..."
These words... were something deeply personal, buried in Firefly's heart.
Yet, Yu Ling actually knew them—and even included them in the game!
"Could it be... that Yu Ling possesses something akin to a [Script]?"
"One that records the lives of all beings in the universe...?"
At this moment, in Firefly's mind, Yu Ling's image had risen to near-divine heights—almost comparable to an Aeon.
And perhaps... only Firefly herself knew that this line had a second half:
"I dreamed of a scorched wasteland, a budding sprout breaking through the soil. It bloomed under the morning sun and whispered to me: 'Like a firefly diving into flames—to die is to be reborn.'"
Before she could reminisce further, the game's version of her gave yet another answer.
"Do you remember the question on the invitation—'Why does life slumber?'"
"Look, in this land of dreams, everything is permitted, everything is possible. The unbearable past vanishes like bubbles, and the dreaded tomorrow never arrives."
"Why do people choose to slumber? I think... it's because they fear waking from the 'dream.'"
Firefly's lips parted slightly, as if... she was witnessing a version of herself from another world.
When she had watched the game's story before, she hadn't felt such a deep resonance.
But now, Firefly realized—This game understands me better than I understand myself.
Some truths existed in her heart, but putting them into words was another matter entirely.
And Honkai: Star Rail had accomplished just that.
No wonder this game had become a masterpiece influencing the entire universe!
Today, Firefly finally understood its unique charm.
---
Livestream Footage
Guinaifen wiped the corners of her eyes with a tissue and sighed:
"I still don't know if she's friend or foe, but at this moment, I wish her all the beauty in the cosmos~"
"Thank you..."
Firefly was deeply moved.
This game—transcending time and space—had forged a connection between two girls who had never met.
It was nothing short of miraculous.
"Time to take a photo with Firefly!"
Guinaifen cheered as the game presented her with two choices: [Accept] or [Decline].
"Who in their right mind would refuse a photo with Firefly?!"
As she adjusted the camera angle, the background music swelled.
"Wait, let me prepare..."
After Firefly spoke this line, the screen abruptly faded to black, leaving only subtitles at the bottom.
"Alright! Let's begin."
Guinaifen's hand trembled slightly—the pitch-black background gave her an ominous feeling.
"X...!?"
She recalled some of the game's side quest endings.
Given Yu Ling's storytelling style...
If tragedy were to strike, the next scene might play out like this:
The shutter clicks—But in the photo, only the protagonist stands alone.
Beside them, Firefly... vanishes in that very instant.
The more Guinaifen thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.
She almost didn't dare to proceed.
Surely not...
It can't be...
Yu Ling wouldn't do this to us now, right?!
With a deep breath, she clicked [Continue].
"Say cheese—!"
A bright, cheerful selfie appeared on the screen.
In the photo, the two girls flashed peace signs—
The protagonist, Stelle, exuded confidence, while Firefly looked sweet and happy.
A moment of perfect serenity.
...
"Xiao Guizi, you scared me to death!"
"OSAS..."
"The BGM was carrying the tension!"
"I accidentally burst into tears."
"Firefly even tied up her hair for this!"
"They're both so adorable!"
"This... is true art."
"The sunlight in the background frames their genuine smiles."
"This moment—this beauty—will last forever here."
"We must protect this happiness!"
...
Realizing she had overthought it, Guinaifen let out a relieved sigh.
"As expected, Yu Ling isn't that cruel..."
"They wouldn't drop a tragedy bomb right after we just met Firefly."
"This storyline is so heartwarming and healing!"
"I hereby declare: Honkai: Star Rail is truly a bright, positive, and uplifting game!"
Then, an in-game notification popped up—a message from [The Astral Express Family]:
[Himeko: Everyone, having fun?]
[March 7th: Fun, sure...]
[March 7th: But something feels off...]
[March 7th: Like an unreal, indescribable weirdness.]
[Stelle: Well, we are in a dream.]
[March 7th: I met a man with a plaster head at the auction. He left without doing anything—super suspicious!]
[Welt: I've also made some unsettling discoveries. It's complicated—we should discuss in person.]
[Himeko: Same here.]
[Himeko: Time to return to reality.]
[Himeko: Gather in my room.]
"Huh?"
Guinaifen blinked in confusion.
...
"So while our protagonist was enjoying a lovely date, everyone else was sensing something wrong?"
"What's wrong? Everything seems fine to me~"
"A plaster-headed man? Dad, is that you?!"
"This story is so sweet! Logging in!"
"Now I really don't want to wake up."
"March 7th, don't contact me anymore—I don't want Firefly to misunderstand (doge)."
Firefly spoke regretfully: "You're leaving already? Time flies..."
"I should return to reality too. Let's part ways here at 'The Golden Hour.'"
As Firefly finished speaking, a notification appeared:
[Obtained Item: "If I Can Stop One Heart From Breaking"]
Guinaifen's eyes lit up.
"Nice! We even got a music disc!"
"I'm gonna loop this track nonstop on the Express!"
To be continued…
Advance 100 Chapters are up on my Patreon!
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