"What!?"
"The game starts with the space station being attacked by the Antimatter Legion? The plot is exactly the same as what we experienced in reality!?"
"What!?"
"The Express Crew, Kafka, and Silver Wolf are also playable characters in this game? With their own ultimate skill close-ups?"
"What!?"
"Our exploration journey on Jarilo-VI was turned into a main quest? You followed it all the way through? And there are people live-streaming it online!?"
After listening to Himeko and Welt's explanation.
March 7th plopped down onto the floor of the train car.
She looked completely dazed.
Who am I?
Where am I?
What have I done?
The sheer amount of information overloaded her brain, frying her CPU.
Stelle wasn't doing much better either.
Originally, this exploration journey had gone quite smoothly, with a rather satisfying ending. She had even managed to swipe the Supreme Guardian's weapon.
But now, the appearance of this game completely shattered the joy of victory, leaving behind endless question marks.
"What the hell happened in the universe while I was out exploring!?"
"Who the hell made this damn mobile game!?"
"Even the time I hid in a hotel closet to scare people got exposed!"
"How am I, the Galactic Batting Star, supposed to survive in the universe after this?"
When she finds the developer, she's definitely going to charge at him with her newly acquired lance!
Compared to the two girls' disheveled states, Dan Heng appeared much calmer.
As expected of the cool-headed "Little Azure Dragon" who had weathered countless storms.
He sat silently in the corner of the train car, scrolling through content related to Honkai: Star Rail on his phone.
From time to time, his brows furrowed, and his gaze darkened.
Being suddenly exposed to the entire universe, even he couldn't remain completely composed.
Fame meant nothing to him.
What mattered was...
He carried a debt of vengeance.
If that person saw him, even if he had changed his appearance, he would be recognized at a glance.
And that person would undoubtedly pursue him relentlessly.
Not even the Astral Express could offer him protection.
Dan Heng didn't want to drag his companions on the train into danger because of his own troubles.
A decision began to form in his mind.
—Perhaps, it was time to disembark.
At that moment.
The train's intercom suddenly sounded.
"Testing, testing—this is the Conductor speaking."
"All passengers, please gather in the main hall immediately for an emergency meeting!"
"Repeat, gather in the main hall immediately for an emergency meeting!"
Upon arriving in the hall.
Everyone else was already there.
March 7th and Stelle were holding their heads, seemingly still unable to fully process all the information.
Though they looked better than when they had first been struck by the shocking news.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Pom cleared his throat and spoke: "Regarding the game Honkai: Star Rail, Himeko and Welt have already informed me."
"This game is developed with our Astral Express as its theme, exposing many of the train's well-kept secrets."
"And every single passenger here, including yours truly, without exception!"
"Has become a character in the game!"
"Although he did a pretty good job, Pom..."
"But without consulting us beforehand, this behavior has seriously violated the privacy rights of the train and its passengers!"
"I believe we must stand against this game to the very end!"
Pom declared with a firm tone.
Under normal circumstances, March 7th would have eagerly chimed in with a "Yeah! Let's fight to the end!"
But at this moment, she paid no attention to Pom's words.
Instead, she leaned over and whispered to Stelle beside her: "You said you're going to pull for Himeko?"
"Funny, I'm planning to pull for her too!"
"Then we'll get Mr. Yang as well, and with you and me, we'll form an invincible Express team lineup..."
Pom marched over to March 7th, hands on his hips, and sternly asked: "Passenger March 7th and the passenger beside you... what are you two doing!?"
March 7th guiltily lowered her head, like a student caught whispering in class.
Pom clearly wasn't going to let her off so easily, preparing to launch into a lengthy lecture.
At that moment.
Himeko suddenly spoke up: "Little March, Stelle... if you two hadn't returned to the train early, where would you be on Jarilo-VI right now?"
"Huh?"
Caught off guard by Himeko's question, March 7th was momentarily stunned.
Stelle, however, instinctively replied: "Probably... at Bronya's inauguration ceremony?"
"Oh right, Bronya even sent us an invitation, but we haven't had the chance to reply yet."
Hearing this, Himeko's expression turned grave.
She projected a screen in front of everyone.
"Then, take a look at this."
On the screen.
A live stream of Honkai: Star Rail was playing.
After the battle ended, the story continued.
What was currently being shown...
Was the scene of Stelle, March 7th, and Dan Heng attending Bronya's inauguration ceremony in the square!
The train car fell into complete silence!
The air seemed to freeze!
After a long while, it was Dan Heng who finally broke the deadlock with a low voice.
"The developer... predicted our actions?"
Mr. Yang adjusted his glasses, his expression equally serious, and said: "I think... it's not a prediction."
"If nothing unexpected happened, this is the exact scenario you should be experiencing right now."
"This is the trajectory of the future."
As soon as these words were spoken.
The atmosphere grew even more tense!
March asked in an uncertain tone: "So, from this moment on, the game has surpassed our exploration journey and is showing us the future?"
"Most likely, yes."
"This... this is just too ridiculous!"
"I'd rather believe we've run into a ghost!"
To be continued…
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