Central Starskiff Haven. Star Skiff Dock.
"I think... it's about time for me to go back."
"I had a great time with you."
"I hope... we'll have another chance like this."
By the platform, the wind tousled Robin's long hair.
Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears—sincere and moving.
Tatsuke nodded.
Just moments ago, the two had exchanged contact information.
Of course, Tatsuke hadn't used his main account tied to his "Yu Ling" identity, and Robin hadn't used her official one either...
Robin gently tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
This disguise had allowed her to experience this journey as an ordinary girl.
After spending this time together, she found herself increasingly drawn to the mysterious charm of the man before her...
But she didn't pry further.
Just as he hadn't asked about her true identity...
She reached out for a handshake farewell.
Tatsuke took her hand—then pulled her into a hug instead.
In life, why not be a little bolder?
Robin's cheeks flushed pink.
Though they had embraced earlier in Central Starskiff Haven Square, back then, the atmosphere had been right, with many couples around doing the same.
But this time... it was in broad daylight, in public.
Her heart raced like a startled deer.
If a reporter snapped this...
Tomorrow's headlines would surely scream: "Miss Robin Spotted with Secret Boyfriend at Luofu Station!"
Fortunately, the station was nearly empty at this hour—no paparazzi lying in wait.
After parting, Robin, still slightly flustered, distracted herself by pulling out her phone to book a ticket.
Tatsuke, meanwhile, opened the System Shop.
He remembered clearly—there were one-time-use teleportation items in the shop.
Sure enough, he found and purchased one immediately.
His current points balance was a number so large he couldn't be bothered to count it.
[Extract item?]
Three.
A capsule-like object materialized in his hand.
"No need for something as troublesome as a starship."
"Use this instead."
Tatsuke handed the capsule to Robin.
"What is it?"
"Imagine the place you want to go, then crush it. You'll be transported there instantly," Tatsuke explained, paraphrasing the item's description.
"That's incredible!"
"Don't tell me... you're really a Pathstrider of the Trailblaze?"
"Haha, just kidding. Then I'll borrow this miraculous item of yours to get home quickly."
"Mm, goodbye."
Robin took one last look at Tatsuke, then closed her eyes.
The next moment, her body was enveloped in a blue light—and she vanished from the station bench.
Tatsuke confirmed it: Robin had returned to Penacony, inside the Family's estate.
He even caught a glimpse of a stunned Sunday.
"Here you go, big bro—returning her safe and sound."
Tatsuke chuckled.
Just as he was about to close the System Shop, he noticed a golden item flickering in the top-left corner of the interface.
But unlike the usual golden items, this one alternated between gold and purple.
[Acheron - Character PV]
PVs related to the game were always gold, and Tatsuke typically bought them on sight.
But why was this one shifting colors?
He tapped on it and saw the full name:
[Honkai: Star Rail - Acheron Character PV: "Your Color" (Nihility Version)]
"Nihility Version?"
This was the first time Tatsuke had seen such a label.
[Purchase may yield the original version or trigger certain side effects.]
Tatsuke bought it without hesitation!
No particular reason—just pure curiosity about the side effects.
And the Nihility Version did not disappoint.
[Ding!]
[Side effect triggered!]
[This edited PV will auto-release in 30 minutes. For the next 12 hours, you cannot actively post any content on social platforms...]
"That's the side effect?"
"Heh... even if it's an edited version, it'll probably shock the players quite a bit."
After 12 hours, he could always re-release the full PV.
This could serve as a teaser.
---
Guinaifen's Livestream
With Acheron joining the party, the trio set off.
They soon arrived in a severely distorted space.
"We're here—there's an elevator, just like the one in the lobby. Taking it should get us to our destination."
Yet, upon selecting "Ride," the scene shifted.
Instead of entering the elevator, they found themselves in another chaotic space.
"See? I told you it wouldn't be that simple. Where is this?"
Black Swan immediately declared she would resort to "less elegant methods."
The screen darkened.
Black Swan's monologue appeared as text:
"Hmm... got it. I can see the heart of this dreamscape, the Family's people... and a few figures groping their way forward. Seems your friends aren't faring well either... One, two, three..."
"Wait, three? There's a third person trying to find their way to the lobby? Hold on... this is...?"
In the reflection of rippling water, a silhouette was shown mid-sprint.
The outline was unmistakable—it was Firefly!
Stelle immediately asked:
"[Firefly? Why is she here?]"
Black Swan sounded equally puzzled:
"I don't understand, but the memory zone carries traces of her presence... Does she have some reason to delve deeper into the dream?"
"Is she... running? No... fleeing? There's something behind her..."
"Everyone, we need to hurry."
Hearing the shift in Black Swan's tone, Guinaifen realized the situation was dire.
Her expression turned grave as she sped through the puzzle-solving, muttering:
"Why is Firefly still in the dream?"
"Didn't we hear she already woke up, rubbing her eyes in her hotel room?"
"I thought her part in this was over!"
The chat exploded:
"My Firefly! Why does she keep throwing herself into danger?!"
"Firefly went through Black Swan's portal, but the Trailblazer returned to reality—why didn't she?"
"Was she never really out to begin with?"
"Is it related to her Entropy Loss Syndrome? Can she not leave?"
"Everyone smash that like button! Get Gui to hurry and save Firefly!"
If the mood was tense before, Black Swan's next words escalated it to outright crisis:
"Just now, I caught fragments of a very familiar memory. The 'old friend' here isn't just her—there's also the third presence from your earlier encounter..."
"That Memory Zone Meme—it's there too."
"Move. Fast. Through here."
They reached the elevator and selected "Leave."
The screen plunged into darkness again.
Words materialized:
[The gate seals shut. You feel your thoughts churned by swirling currents, dragged into the depths, sinking, drowning. What scene will greet you when the doors reopen? Perhaps no one can say.]
[An indescribable fluid—darkness—creeps from your chest to your throat. Suffocation wells from within, submerging you. Then, a voice speaks...]
["I dreamed of scorched earth, a single bud breaking through the soil, blooming under the dawn, whispering to me..."]
[The final sigh belongs to no one identifiable.]
[Why do people choose to sleep? I think...]
[It's because they fear waking from the 'dream.']
Guinaifen read the passage carefully, her heart growing colder with each line—as if doused in ice water.
The livestream audience felt the same dread:
"This... these are Firefly's words from the rooftop..."
"Why the sudden flashback now? Feels like a death flag!"
"I feel like there's a hidden meaning here—some kind of code?"
"Firefly... will be okay, right?"
"I've got a bad feeling about this..."
"DANGER × 999"
"No way..."
"This is supposed to be a lighthearted, cheerful game... She'll be fine, right?"
To be continued…