Honkai: Star Rail. Getting chased by players! [5]

In Reality

In Kakaya’s live stream, everyone was confused by the appearance of that unfamiliar male voice. While it wasn’t unheard of for MiHoYo to change the initial plot, they typically wouldn’t make such a sudden adjustment right at launch.

As the chat continued to discuss and speculate, the live stream screen started moving again.

Zzzzzzz!

Flashes of lightning streaked across the once-dark screen, followed by a few soft groans from Stelle. Finally, our sleepy beauty slowly opened her drowsy eyes.

The moment the live stream audience saw the person in front of them, they collectively lost it!

【WTF! Look at that character! Those broad shoulders! That strong build! That chiseled face! Is this my long-lost waifu?!】

【Wait a second! A guy? Really?】

【Whoa, they really changed the plot! And added a new character! Sure, I miss the kiss scene, but seeing this... hehe, I’ll allow it!】

【OMG! My XP is triggered! Black hair, purple eyes, that handsome face! And that body! Those pecs are about to burst through the shirt!】

Kakaya sat in his chair, totally stunned. His brain was about to overheat—had they really changed the plot and added a new character? This was beyond unexpected!

Players progressing through the same part of the main story were also noticing the changes. While some complained that adding a new character and altering the plot right at launch was unreasonable, others were too busy enjoying the new content to care. Many simply said, “My XP has been triggered! Keep going!”

Behind the scenes, a familiar rhythm was already starting to spread as people adjusted to the main storyline’s new direction.

...

Herta Space Station

Stelle opened her golden eyes, staring blankly at the man in front of her.

Puff...

She suddenly spat out a small cloud of black smoke.

“She’s awake! It really worked!”

March 7th exclaimed, rushing forward to crouch in front of Stelle, waving her hand in front of Stelle's dazed eyes.

“Uh... where am I? And why does my whole body feel tingly?”

Stelle asked, confused, looking at the pink-haired girl in front of her. For some reason, her eyes were a bit out of focus.

“Well... this is Herta Space Station, and we’re passengers from the Astral Express. As for why your whole body feels tingly...”

March 7th shot an accusatory glare at Cava.

Cava (looking away).

“Anyway, are you alright now? Are you hurt anywhere? Oh, what’s your name?”

March 7th asked with concern, looking at the still-dazed Stelle.

“Uh... aside from feeling a little numb, I’m okay. My name is Stelle.”

As Stelle answered, Cava glanced down at his index finger, wondering if he had gone a little overboard with the shock. Had he fried her brain?

Pa-Pa-Pa-Pam~

Suddenly, Pom-Pom’s cheerful ringtone echoed from March 7th’s waist. While Stelle looked on in confusion, March 7th excitedly answered the call.

“Hello? Can you hear me? March, the station’s communications are back online. I’m in the control module with Asta. We’ve cleared the Voidrangers here. Hurry and join us!”

“Oh, great! We’re on our way!”

March 7th nodded and hung up the phone.

“Alright, let’s go! Don’t worry, we’ll get you there safely!”

March 7th assured Stelle, pounding her chest with confidence.

At the same time, Dan Heng received a message on his phone.

“March, you go ahead. Asta just sent me a message. Alan from the defense team went missing nearby. I need to find him and bring him back.”

“Okay, be careful.”

And so, March 7th led two newcomers, Stelle and Cava, toward the control module. Stelle held a baseball bat she found somewhere, walking at the front with March 7th, while Cava followed behind.

Watching March 7th chatting away with Stelle as they walked, Cava’s eyes deepened with thought.

Although the story had deviated slightly, the main events were still progressing along their original path. Cava’s presence had only delayed the train crew’s arrival at the space station by a little, but it hadn’t changed anything significant.

Along the way, they encountered a few more Voidrangers, but Cava dealt with them easily using his lightning needles. As Stelle continued to watch him with keen interest, Cava started feeling a bit uncomfortable.

So this is what it feels like to be watched by the protagonist...

“By the way, are you really from the space station? And why aren’t you wearing the station uniform?”

March 7th asked, pinching her chin in thought, puzzled by Stelle’s clueless behavior.

“I don’t really remember...”

Stelle closed her eyes and tried to recall something, but her mind was blank. In the end, she shook her head, though she didn’t stop rummaging through the boxes around her.

“So that’s how it is... Wait! Don’t go through other people’s things! Cava, stop her!”

March 7th exclaimed, watching Stelle rummage through a chest. She turned to Cava with pleading eyes.

“Uh...”

Cava stroked his chin, thoughtfully examining the pile of loot Stelle had uncovered. Casually, he picked up an adventure log and tucked it into his jacket.

“Hey! Put that back!”

Seeing Cava join in, March 7th angrily tapped him on the head with her longbow.

“Uh... cough, cough. I couldn’t help it, couldn’t help it...”

Cava awkwardly cleared his throat and tried to explain.

For some reason, he thought he saw Stelle glance at him with a look of approval.

After some minor setbacks, the three of them finally reunited with Dan Heng and Alan, and they all made their way to the control module.

...

In Reality

In Kakaya’s live stream, Kakaya had just met the Astral Express "trio" and was about to dive into the next combat section of the game.

Meanwhile, the chat was still buzzing over the fact that Stelle had been woken up with an electric shock.

【Whoa! So this guy is a lightning type?!】

【How brutal! How could you shock a “fragile” girl like Stelle?! Here! Shock me instead!】

【Is this the "Turtle Carrying a Barbershop"?】

Kakaya, glancing at the chat, seemed to realize something and immediately opened the character menu to check Cava’s stats.

At first glance, Kakaya couldn’t believe what he saw and shouted in surprise.

“Huh? Abundance! He’s a healer?!”

Rubbing his sleep-deprived eyes, Kakaya looked again at the "Path" section of Cava’s profile.

Yep, no mistake. He really was Abundance! MiHoYo had generously given players a healer!

【Does this mean we now have two healers? Even free-to-play players can set up two teams now!】

Players focused on team strength and synergy were thrilled, cheering as if it were New Year’s Eve.

Of course, others, after learning that Cava was a healer, became even more unhinged...

【Ahhh! I want to drink Cava’s healing juice!】

【No wonder his chest is so huge! It’s all for me!】

“Uh... Mods, please mute them, thank you.”

Kakaya sighed at the absurd chat comments. People going crazy was one thing, but some guys joining in was just too much! Enough already!