Honkai: Star Rail. Getting chased by players! [9]

“Attack its hands and the dark matter engine in the middle! Those are its weak points!”

Himeko shouted to everyone, pulling out her trusty toolbox.

Inside the space station, using the orbital cannon could damage the station due to its immense power, so Himeko typically fought using drones and gadgets. But now, with the protective shield of Herta Space Station breached and them being in the outer support module, using the orbital cannon wouldn’t pose much risk to the station.

“March!”

“Got it!”

Dan Heng and March 7th took their positions on either side. Dan Heng charged forward while March 7th summoned a shield to protect him, firing arrows to harass the Doomsday Beast.

Himeko, true to her style, controlled her drones, engaging the beast at close range.

“Stelle, be careful.”

Cava glanced at Stelle, who was gripping a baseball bat and radiating fighting spirit, reminding her to stay safe.

“Don’t worry, I’ve got this!”

Stelle smiled at Cava before following Dan Heng’s lead in the charge.

Watching the four work together, Cava knew he couldn’t stand idly by. After all, he was part of the Astral Express too.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

Three lightning needles formed in Cava’s hand, which he directed toward the Doomsday Beast’s dark matter engine.

Thud, thud, thud!

The needles left only faint marks on the engine, and Cava clicked his tongue in frustration. He had forgotten that his character had the lowest attack power in the game!

“Looks like healers aren’t meant to deal damage... what a waste…”

Cava sighed and quickly formed another set of needles, this time aimed at his teammates.

Dan Heng, dodging the beast’s arm, suddenly felt a tingling sensation behind him, and his body seemed to become lighter.

“Thanks!”

Dan Heng knew it was Cava’s doing, and though he wasn’t sure if Cava could hear him, he thanked him anyway. With his spear in hand, he struck the Doomsday Beast’s arm with a powerful wind-element attack.

“Break!”

Dan Heng’s attack shattered the armor on the Doomsday Beast’s left arm.

“Nice job, Dan Heng! I won’t fall behind!”

Also empowered by Cava’s buff, March 7th’s fighting spirit soared. She fired an arrow made of solid ice, freezing the Doomsday Beast’s right arm.

With both of the beast’s arms now disabled, Himeko’s orbital cannon had finished charging.

Boom!

A beam shot down from the sky, engulfing the Doomsday Beast and shattering its dark matter engine.

With its engine destroyed, the Doomsday Beast lost its ability to move, collapsing onto the platform. Seizing the opportunity, Stelle rushed in, baseball bat in hand, aiming for the beast’s head.

“ROAR!!!!”

But as expected from a planetary weapon of the Antimatter Legion, the Doomsday Beast wasn’t so easily defeated.

Just as Stelle was about to land her blow, the beast’s previously shattered arms and engine regenerated instantly. A gust of wind, infused with the power of destruction, hurled Stelle through the air.

“Watch out!”

Cava caught Stelle in his arms, surprise filling his eyes as he watched the Doomsday Beast rise again.

He had thought real-life combat wouldn’t follow game logic, but this thing... it actually had a second phase!

“Everyone, be alert!”

Himeko warned, watching the now airborne Doomsday Beast nervously. The orbital cannon hadn’t recharged yet—they’d have to endure the next attack.

“March! Cava! Get ready to defend!”

In the heat of the moment, Himeko called on the two members of the crew with defensive abilities.

“Leave it to me!”

March 7th quickly summoned a six-fold ice shield, enveloping everyone in its protective embrace. Cava, meanwhile, prepared his lightning needles, but instead of destruction, they now carried the healing power of Abundance, waiting to be released.

“I’ve gotta say, real combat is way tougher than turn-based battles!”

Cava mused as he set Stelle down, failing to notice the blush spreading across her cheeks—a reaction clearly unrelated to any injuries.

Whoosh!

A powerful gust of wind heralded the Doomsday Beast’s next move. Its wings spread wide, and behind it, dozens of beams of destructive energy began gathering at a single point. The energy swirled around the dark matter engine, ready to unleash devastation.

Boom!!!!

The beams, resembling Himeko’s orbital cannon strikes, rained down on the group.

The entire support module shook violently as the once-smooth platform was reduced to rubble by the assault.

Thankfully, the crew dodged in time, and March 7th’s ice shield absorbed most of the damage, leaving everyone with only minor injuries.

“Heal!”

Cava’s restorative needles quickly healed their wounds and even buffed them with enhanced strength.

“Thanks, Cava! You’re a lifesaver!”

Himeko thanked him as she took advantage of the Doomsday Beast’s momentary vulnerability, firing the newly recharged orbital cannon and piercing its head.

Sensing danger, the Doomsday Beast unleashed one final destructive attack, aimed directly at the now-exposed March 7th.

“March! Watch out!”

Himeko and Dan Heng shouted in unison, but in that critical moment, a figure leaped in front of her, taking the hit with their body.

That figure was Stelle!

As if following destiny, or perhaps the natural progression of events, Cava watched as Stelle seemed to awaken some new power. She sprinted toward March 7th faster than anyone could react, her small frame gradually engulfed in a brilliant light.

Suddenly, a force even more terrifying than the Doomsday Beast’s beam surged from Stelle’s body.

The Doomsday Beast was instantly melted by the overwhelming energy, and the rest of the crew was paralyzed by the sheer power radiating from Stelle.

In Stelle’s perspective, a familiar, gentle voice echoed in her mind. At the same time, a pair of golden eyes, cold and unfeeling, stared down at her.

It was the gaze of Nanook, the Aeon of Destruction!

For a brief moment, Stelle thought she saw the Aeon’s gaze shift slightly, as if acknowledging her presence...

Then, with a sharp crack, her vision went dark.

On the platform

March 7th cradled the unconscious Stelle in her arms, gently brushing the dust from her face. She looked down at Stelle’s peaceful expression and smiled.

“Thank you…”

Gazing at Stelle’s quiet face, March 7th then turned to look at the newcomer.

“Uncle Yang! Thank goodness you arrived just in time! Otherwise, we’d all be done for!”

Welt, surveying the devastation on the platform, adjusted his glasses.

“It’s over for now. Let’s talk somewhere safer.”

Before leaving, Welt cast a meaningful glance at Cava.

Feeling Welt’s gaze, Cava sighed inwardly.

After all...

It wasn’t just Stelle who had drawn Nanook’s attention. The Aeon of Destruction had also glanced at him—though seemingly without much interest, just a fleeting look.

At that moment, on Cava’s character interface, a symbol of Destruction flickered briefly beside the Path of Abundance. But Cava hadn’t noticed.