Honkai: Star Rail. Getting chased by players! [4]

Zzzzzzz!

The two Voidrangers guarding the exit of the platform trembled before collapsing to the ground. Two lightning needles, formed from elemental energy, silently pierced the back of their necks, ending their lives on the spot.

“Wow! Cava, you’re amazing! You dealt with them so easily!”

March 7th looked at Cava, her eyes sparkling with admiration. She had planned to team up with Dan Heng to take down one Voidranger each, but Cava, who had been following them quietly, stepped forward and effortlessly eliminated both enemies with his flying needles.

“It’s nothing, just a sneak attack.”

Cava smiled modestly at the cute March 7th standing before him.

Dan Heng, standing nearby, was also impressed by Cava's skill. However, something about that move felt oddly familiar...

Dan Heng narrowed his eyes as he watched the lightning needles dissipate along with the two Voidrangers. That sense of déjà vu was getting stronger.

“Alright, let’s keep moving. I’ve got a bad feeling the space station is in big trouble.”

Dan Heng shook his head. Now wasn’t the time for distractions. Finding out what was happening at the space station was the top priority.

“Alright! Let’s go!”

March 7th slung her camera back onto her belt and casually removed her arm from around Cava’s neck, picking up her longbow as she moved to the front of the group.

“Uh...”

Cava awkwardly rubbed his neck. Having a girl pull him in for a photo like that... it was a first for him in both lives...

After clearing the two Voidrangers near the platform, the path ahead became much smoother.

As they made their way through the support module, they encountered a few more Voidrangers, but the three of them dispatched them with ease.

At the sight of a sealed door ahead, Dan Heng frowned.

“Hey! Anyone there? Open the door for us!”

March 7th walked up to the door and knocked loudly. Then, with her hands on her hips, she yelled at the door, demanding to be let in.

“March, there might be—”

Dan Heng quickly realized her shouting might attract more Voidrangers. He was about to warn her when, unexpectedly, the door opened!

Dan Heng: "..."

“Huh? Dan Heng, what did you say?”

March 7th looked back at Dan Heng, confused by his speechless expression.

“Never mind... Let’s go in.”

Dan Heng was the first to step through the door, followed by a puzzled March 7th, and behind them, Cava, who was trying his best to stifle his laughter after witnessing Dan Heng’s reaction.

Inside the module, a few staff members from the space station were anxiously speaking with Dan Heng. Judging by their expressions, they seemed quite distressed.

“So that’s what’s going on. The space station’s communications are being jammed by some kind of signal, so none of your messages are getting out. Meanwhile, a large number of Voidrangers have appeared outside, and without any combat personnel, you’re stuck here waiting for rescue.”

Dan Heng rubbed his chin as he carefully analyzed the situation.

“That’s right. It’s not just the platform; there are Voidrangers throughout the support module as well. We’ve been trapped here, hoping for help.”

The staff member explained helplessly. He was just in charge of receiving incoming travelers and had no combat ability. The other staff members were office workers and couldn’t be relied on for fighting either.

“So that means... Himeko is in danger!”

March 7th exclaimed, suddenly remembering that Himeko had entered the space station from another platform.

“Don’t worry. Himeko is quite strong.”

Dan Heng recalled the image of Himeko controlling her drones during their Trailblazing journey, cutting down enemies left and right. It was hard to associate that image with the normally gentle Himeko.

“Still... the fact that such a big incident is happening and the station’s defense department hasn’t responded yet means there are likely enemies inside the station as well.”

Dan Heng thought aloud, then turned to the station staff.

“For now, stay here and don’t leave. We’ve cleared the enemies on this side of the platform, but there might still be stragglers.”

“We understand.”

After nodding to the staff, Dan Heng looked over at Cava and March 7th, who were chatting about something.

“March, Cava, let’s go. This attack on the space station doesn’t seem as simple as we thought.”

The three of them continued deeper into Herta Space Station.

...

In Reality

A well-known content creator on AC Station, "Kakaya," was live-streaming his early game progress. As someone who had access to the internal beta, he was already familiar with this well-crafted, turn-based game, and after playing through both beta phases, he had memorized the early game plot.

“Alright, now it’s time to choose my character! I’m definitely picking ‘Stelle’!”

Kakaya chatted with his viewers as he selected the female avatar and named his character “Kakayat.”

Although he had seen the upcoming dialogue countless times, he showed it on stream to enhance the viewing experience for his audience. After they finished reading, he proceeded to make his choices.

“I’m leaving. I’m going to abandon you at this space station.”

A violet-haired beauty spoke softly to Stelle, her expression filled with tenderness and reluctance.

【Mom, don’t leave!】

【Kafka is my waifu forever!】

【What?! You traitor, how dare you lust after your own mother?!】

...

Watching the flood of hilarious comments in the chat, Kakaya was thrilled. This was exactly the kind of live-streaming effect he had been hoping for!

Dragging his mouse, he selected the dialogue option, 【No, I don’t want to.】 As Kafka’s figure faded from view, the chat erupted in even louder cries of anguish.

【Mom! Take me with you, Mom!】

【Kafka! How will I survive without you?!】

【What a deadbeat! So, you’re gonna abandon me just like that?!】

【Take me away! Waaaah!】

The chat was filled with dramatic reactions, as if the viewers themselves were the ones playing the game.

As Kafka left, the protagonist’s screen gradually faded to black, and soon after, a bright, energetic voice filled the stream.

“Huh? Strange. Why is someone passed out here?”

【March 7th! March 7th! She’s my waifu forever!】

【Dude, you just said Kafka was your waifu!】

【It’s the voice of the lovely entangler!】

“Don’t worry, leave it to me!”

Suddenly, a gentle male voice that had never been heard before echoed through the stream.

“Huh? Did they change the plot? I don’t remember this happening before.”

Kakaya was just as confused as his viewers. Wasn’t this supposed to be the part where Dan Heng asks March 7th to prepare for CPR?

“Alright! I’ll leave it to you, Cava!”

【Cava? Who’s that? I’ve never heard of him before!】

【Is he a new character added after the official release?】

【No way! Did they actually rewrite the main plot just to add a new character?】

While Kakaya’s viewers were still busy speculating, in the world of Honkai: Star Rail, Cava stood over the unconscious, silver-haired girl, feeling a wave of emotion wash over him.

“So, this world chose Stelle... It looks like I won’t have the chance to talk about salvation in front of the other version.”

Looking at the girl’s peaceful sleeping face, Cava sighed and shook his head, then extended his index finger, precisely releasing a small arc of electricity to a specific point beneath her nose...