"The hidden scale has emerged."
"The moon veiled in the cavern, the azure dragon purges the world!"
Under the ultimate attack of Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae, the first health bar of the Meme
"Something Unto Death" had been completely depleted.
Guinaifen's confidence returned to her face.
"Xiao Gui just carefully checked this monster's mechanics," she said.
"That instant-kill skill of its isn't actually an instant kill!"
"It's somewhat similar to Svarog's grab."
"We can break it by attacking, and if it's sustained damage, the controlled character can escape the [Dreamdeath] state even faster!"
There were two red markers on the health bar.
Guinaifen knew—this meant the monster had a second phase.
And usually, the second phase was even fiercer than the first!
Just then—The monster suddenly entered damage immunity!
[Like Water Fades in Water]
Still lurking in the darkness, it launched a surprise attack on the team!
This time, it inflicted the [Dream] state on two characters at once—
Including Guinaifen's main DPS, Dan Heng • Imbibitor Lunae!
Guinaifen's mouth fell open.
She spread her hands helplessly.
The meaning was clear—How the hell am I supposed to fight this now!?
Suddenly—The scene shifted.
The story cut in.
Stelle's bat lay discarded on the ground.
She was half-kneeling, panting—A clear sign of the intense battle that had just taken place.
Looking to the other side—Guinaifen's scalp went numb!
"AHHHHH!!"
"Why is Firefly the one it grabbed!?"
The monster's claw was tightly locked around Firefly, lifting her into the air.
Strangely, Firefly wasn't panicking like an ordinary girl would.
Not only was she fearless—Her fists were clenched tight...Yet loosened slightly...
This small detail was noticed by some of the watching players.
But no one would've guessed—Firefly was still hiding her strength at a time like this!
They only thought it was showing her unwillingness to surrender!
"AAAAAH LET FIREFLY GO!"
"Why did the monster grab Firefly of all people!?"
"Isn't our protagonist the Destruction path? Why didn't it attack us first!?"
"Does Firefly have something that attracts the monster?"
"Firefly is so... even after being caught, she's still resisting..."
"Save her! SAVE HER!"
"Stelle, stop holding back, unleash your hidden power already!"
...
Hotel Lounge Area
Firefly, watching the scene where she was captured by the monster, was slightly surprised.
She murmured to herself, "This... must also be part of the [Script], right...?"
She noticed her own small gesture of clenching her fists—A subconscious urge to transform into SAM and ignite the seas!
This Meme, no matter how eerie and terrifying it looked—Firefly was confident she could overpower it!
Once she activated [Full Burn] mode—No matter how vicious this Meme was, It would only end up charred to a crisp!
The reason for her hesitation was simple—In reality, with the emergence of Honkai: Star Rail,
Elio's [Script] had become obsolete.
Firefly hadn't received any updated [Script] details either.
Right now, she was just like any other player—Unaware of what would happen next in the story.
She could only speculate and interpret things from her own perspective.
And just then— As expected! Reinforcements arrived.
A streak of violet light flashed past Firefly.
On the ground, a symmetrical pattern rapidly formed—More accurately, a magic circle.
The moment the circle took shape—
A crystalline claw shattered through the mirrored surface beneath!
Then— More crystal arms reached out from below!
They seized "Something Unto Death," forcing it to release Firefly.
Then—They lifted the monster high and slammed it into the ceiling!
BOOM!
Below, a mature woman's voice spoke:
"If you don't grasp the correct method..."
"...then escaping unscathed from the shadow of 'Death'..."
"...is impossible."
On a nearby television screen— Black Swan had appeared at some point!
A strange artifact hovered in her hand, Surrounded by spinning cards.
Guinaifen gasped in surprise.
Meanwhile—The chat exploded!
"BLACK SWAN IS HERE!!"
"The Memokeeper's epic save!"
"The riddler has arrived."
"Black Swan is so reliable!"
"YES! Black Swan's still alive!"
"Just for this, I have to pull for her!"
"Our girl escaped from Acheron's hands and still made it here to save us—who else could do that!?"
[Entering Battle]
Transitioning into the second phase—Firefly asked, "You are...?"
"Relax, little girl. I'm on your side."
"You can call me... the Memokeeper, Black Swan."
On the right side of the battle interface, A Black Swan support attack option appeared.
A single tap triggered it—
Beneath "Something Unto Death," a magic circle formed.
Then— Skeletal, withered hands erupted from below!
Guinaifen remarked, "Black Swan's skill is darker than I imagined."
"Look at all these arms bursting from the ground..."
"If I hadn't seen Black Swan's animation, I'd have thought the monster was using its ultimate!"
"But then again..."
"Fighting horror with horror..."
"Actually works pretty well!"
With Black Swan's support— And now understanding the monster's mechanics—It didn't take long to defeat "Something Unto Death" in its second phase!
Cutting back to the story— Black Swan raised a card.
The pattern on its back glowed gold.
Trapped in the magic circle, "Something Unto Death" writhed under immense pressure— Letting out spine-chilling screeches.
Guinaifen clenched her fist excitedly:
"So strong! The Memory path's prestige is real!"
"But this monster is seriously terrifying..."
"Even now, it's still radiating killing intent!"
"It's still screeching!"
"I doubt it even feels pain... or has any emotions at all..."
Black Swan drew another card.
Softly, she said, "Till next time."
"Go. Now."
The card flew past Stelle and Firefly—Opening a teleportation passage.
Firefly reacted instantly.
Grabbing Stelle's hand, she dashed straight into the portal.
The screen faded to black.
The tense background music gradually quieted—Suggesting that Stelle and Firefly had temporarily escaped danger.
In Front of the Livestream
Seeing that both she and Stelle had gotten away, Firefly let out a small sigh of relief.
"Seems like it was just a scare after all."
Just as she finished speaking—A voice suddenly spoke beside her.
"Not necessarily."
Hearing it, Firefly froze.
Then, she smiled.
"Silver Wolf... you're here."
She stood up to greet her—But the moment she saw the figure beside her, Her expression turned to shock.
"Huh?"
"It's not a hologram this time?"
"Did your tech level up again? This projection feels just like a real person now!"
Reaching out, she playfully patted Silver Wolf's head—Only to freeze in surprise.
There was actual tactile feedback.
It was a physical body!
"Wait... what?"
"Since when can holograms simulate touch this realistically!?"
Just then—The sound of high heels clicking echoed from the hallway.
Firefly turned—And was stunned once more.
"Kafka... you're here too?"
Kafka chuckled lightly, Adjusting the sunglasses perched on her head.
She opened her arms for a hug.
By now, Firefly had figured it out.
These weren't holograms.
Kafka and Silver Wolf were here in person!
"But Elio's script said... Penacony didn't have any scenes for you two?"
"Why did you come here yourselves?"
Silver Wolf blew a bubble lazily.
"Script?"
"Who even follows that thing anymore?"
"I just watch Star Rail's story directly now."
Kafka naturally took a seat opposite Firefly.
She explained, "With the script invalid, even Elio can no longer act as the [Slave of Fate]."
"So now... we're acting purely on our own will."
Kafka exuded an air of ease and languor.
To her, this "free action" seemed far more enjoyable than following the script!
Silver Wolf glanced at Firefly and teased,
"You're pretty carefree, huh?"
"Do you even know the Iris Family's been searching everywhere for you?"
"They want you to become their artist—to debut you as a galactic idol."
Firefly: "..."
"Guess my in-story image left quite the impression..."
Silver Wolf smirked.
"Just wait till your real identity gets exposed."
"The moment SAM shows up, those people will probably revoke your offer overnight..."
Firefly smiled faintly.
Truthfully, she had no interest in becoming some big celebrity.
Just being able to appear in the story as Firefly, leaving even a fleeting mark—That was enough for her.
"But... why are you two really here?"
Kafka gazed at the view beyond the corridor.
They were in the upper levels of the guest area—Rows of hallways and rooms, arranged like a honeycomb.
The order and uniformity of it all made Kafka slightly displeased.
But thinking of the chaos and unpredictability of the future—A hint of delight surfaced on her face.
She answered:
"For one thing, of course."
"To help you... survive."
To be continued…
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