After the "To Be Continued..." subtitle appeared, the screen briefly went black—then cut to a new scene.
The square in front of Penacony's Grand Theater.
Sunday stood by the railing, gazing into the distance, his silhouette framed against a desolate backdrop.
Then—
From behind him, Robin approached.
"Brother, I'm back."
The audience was instantly baffled!
Hadn't Robin just died?!
Why was she standing there, perfectly unharmed? Was this a flashback? Or another one of Aventurine's tricks?
Even Sunday's expression tightened, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind.
Honkai: Star Rail was, after all, a game with prophetic qualities. Sunday couldn't predict the future—he could only infer based on his own dialogue and tone.
In the game, his character responded with detached coolness:
"Welcome back. How are the preparations for the performance?"
"Going well. No need to worry."
"'Going well'?"
"Hmph. That's not good enough. You are the Family's pride. Don't let trivial emotions mar your perfect melody."
"Brother, you seem troubled... Did something happen? Is it about the guests who received the 'Clockmaker's Invitation'?"
Her tone and demeanor were identical to Robin's—yet her name displayed as "???".
Players immediately sensed something was off.
Sunday nodded.
"Indeed. Reports have reached me... 'Something Unto Death' has claimed some of them. Perhaps at another's behest."
"Since when did the nightmare known as 'Something Unto Death' descend upon Penacony? It strikes
indiscriminately, delivering the demise of the spirit to all equally..."
"But in the dream the Family has crafted, no misfortune should occur. It has shattered the order and peace of the realm... How detestable."
The "Robin" feigned surprise:
"Such a thing happened? Then... were there more victims?"
"Yes. Two. One stowaway... and..."
"... a dove."
Sunday's voice suddenly turned icy.
"Enough, Fool. Your actions chill me to the bone."
At these words, "Robin" transformed—revealing her true identity:
The Masked Fool, Sparkle!
"Oho~ Sharp as ever, Chicken Wings Boy."
Delighted by her own reveal, Sparkle perched on a nearby railing, legs swinging playfully. She seemed thrilled at the chaos she'd orchestrated—both in-game and in reality.
Gasps erupted around her:
"So it was Sparkle all along! I knew Robin couldn't have respawned that fast!"
"Sunday's composure is insane—how is he so calm after seeing his sister 'die' twice?!"
"No wonder he's the Family head. Legendary restraint."
"Sparkle's going too far, rubbing salt in the wound like this..."
"'Chicken Wings Boy'??? I'm wheezing—"
"You can tell Sunday's boiling inside. He's just too dignified to snap."
"My heart aches for Sunday..."
Sparkle's lips curled in satisfaction.
This game's plot had not only twisted the story—it had spilled into reality, creating glorious chaos.
Worth the trip to Penacony.
That "Yu Ling" guy truly had talent... She'd need to cozy up to him later. Maybe she could pry loose some spoilers.
Meanwhile, her in-game counterpart piled on the mockery:
"Just wondering~ Does the Family still plan to sit back and do nothing? Your poor little sister's already a goner, you know?"
"Don't you... want revenge for her?"
Sunday's reply was steel-edged:
"The time is not yet come. When the fated day arrives, I shall execute judgment with righteousness."
"Wow, even that won't crack you? Cold-blooded~ We might get along!"
"Tell you what—I can stand in for your sister at events. You don't want the public knowing the Harmonious Festivity's canceled, right?"
Sunday's voice dropped to subzero:
"The Family has its plans. Cease defiling my dear sister's name with your forked tongue, Fool."
"Fine, fine~ Just saying—I'm happy to help! Who could refuse a boy with piercings on his chicken wings?"
Still taunting. Still twisting the knife.
Though no one voiced it aloud, the crowd collectively pitied Sunday.
"Brother, your patience is god-tier."
"Sunday's self-control needs a nerf."
"I'm sorry, but Sparkle's roasting is hilarious—"
"When has Sunday ever been disrespected like this?!"
With that, Sparkle vanished.
Sunday remained at the railing, staring at the theater—as if addressing the air:
"Unnecessary. The culprit has already been exposed in His light. Soon, he shall fall by his own schemes."
"If he does not repent, His blade will be sharpened, His bow drawn, and the poison the wicked brewed shall pour upon their own heads."
"When that day comes, the godless outsider will learn he is but mortal... and plummet into the abyss—"
"And I shall be His herald, delivering glad tidings (and your funeral)—"
"Clockmaker."
[Clamor and Fury – Who Killed... Completed]
The subtitle marked the end of the current version's main story.
The audience exploded.
"GAIA—!!"
"Another cliffhanger?! AT THIS POINT?!"
"Yu Ling, drop the update NOW!!"
"I finished it and I'm more confused?!"
Sunday, however, focused on his final lines.
The use of "he" and "outsider" narrowed the suspect pool dramatically.
His gaze locked onto Aventurine.
The prime suspect.
Aventurine maintained a poker face—but internally, storms raged.
No way. It can't be me... Right?
Would he really resort to killing Robin to destabilize the Family?
Unthinkable. That wasn't a gamble—it was a suicidal tantrum.
But if not him...
Who else fit "he" and "outsider"?
Scanning the cast in his mind, one conclusion loomed:
It had to be him.
Meanwhile, Sunday finally reached Robin via comms. His demeanor flipped instantly:
"Robin. Where are you?"
"Is your location secure?"
"Listen—do not investigate 'Something Unto Death' in the dreamscape—"
Robin's cheerful voice cut in:
"Relax, brother~"
"I'm in the recording studio!"
"And guess what? Yu Ling reached out for a music collab!"
"He knew I'm working on my new album, Air Chrysalis, and sent two demos—'Lonely Swing in the Galaxy' and 'Wings of Hope and Feathers'!"
"The lyrics are exactly the inspiration I needed!"
"Yu Ling's a genius!"
Though relieved, Sunday frowned.
Between Family affairs and Penacony's crises, he'd neglected his sister lately.
Now, it felt like she'd been... stolen away?
Nearby, Aventurine's ears perked up.
A golden opportunity.
"If I secure exclusive rights to Yu Ling and Robin's collab album, the profits would be obscene..."
"This is a dream team partnership. The hype would be unreal!"
Then reality crashed back.
...I'm fighting for my life here, and I'm still thinking about profits?
Hopeless.
To be continued…