Surprise bonus chapter! Happy reading!
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Chapter 201: The future great enemy is standing right beside me!
[ No past and no future, that's what I need (that's what I need) ]
[ The groove takes it over, we'll wait and see ]
[ Even I might blank out, you and me ]
As that line was sung, Sparkle made her appearance!
She skipped and hopped along the streets of the Golden Hour, followed by a school of red goldfish.
At the Exalting Sanctum plaza.
A young girl who was drinking Immortal's Delight suddenly widened her eyes!
She was none other than Sparkle, who had come out in disguise to find some fun!
"Good thing I had the foresight~"
At this moment, she had changed into a simple outfit: black casual wear, her hair let down, and a pair of round-framed glasses. She looked just like a student still in school; no one would ever associate her with the Masked Fool—Sparkle.
"'No past and no future, that's what I need '?"
"Hmm… this lyric fits my style quite well."
"I wonder what kind of brilliant performance this Great Sparkle-sama will have in the Penacony plot?"
She continued to watch along with all the players in the plaza.
The next person to appear was within expectations.
A new character leaked along with Sparkle—Black Swan!
Ever since "Fables About the Stars Part 1" was released, this Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection could be said to have gained a certain level of fame throughout the universe!
Right now, Black Swan was set against a backdrop of blue flower stamens, drawing a card from the air.
In the next moment, a black figure flashed through the darkness.
Because it was too fast, many players couldn't see exactly what it was.
But Sparkle saw it!
That was a Memory Zone Meme!
And it wasn't an ordinary one; it had a more dangerous and ominous appearance!
"As expected, the sweet dream of Penacony isn't as good as it looks on the surface…"
"If this kind of dangerous creature were made public, the number of Dreamseekers going to Penacony would probably be cut in half."
"Hehe, did they think blocking the information would keep it from being discovered?"
"Honkai: Star Rail… keep those leaks coming!"
…
[ I thought that dream could light our way ]
The melody of the music slowed down.
In this scene, a silver-haired girl appeared.
Holding fireworks in both hands, she spun around happily.
Just as the players in the plaza were guessing the identity of this innocent and cute girl, the lyrics "Oh, be my savior, take me away…" played, and the scene shifted.
The girl actually fell from the top of a skyscraper!
Like a falling star, she left behind a trail of fading starlight.
Startled gasps immediately rose from the scene!
"Who is this little girl?"
"Such a cute girl! She makes you want to protect her."
"She'll probably appear in the Penacony plot too!"
"She feels like an ordinary girl, the type with no combat power."
"The transition here is so smooth!"
"I give the drum beat here ten thousand points, I love it!"
The screen gave a close-up of Aventurine.
He lightly touched the brim of his hat, the ornaments by his ears shimmering brilliantly.
It was as if the whisper of this segment was voiced by him personally.
[ Take me away… ]
…
Penacony.
The Reverie Hotel.
Looking at the screen before her, Firefly's mouth hung open in surprise.
Even Elio's script only described her "role" in a few brief lines.
But in the video released by Feathered Spirit, she could clearly see the things she would experience in Penacony in the future!
And, most importantly.
The person in the video wasn't SAM.
It was herself!
"To be able to leave a mark in Feathered Spirit's video as 'Firefly,' it's really nice…"
A glimmer of light shone in Firefly's eyes.
It could be said that "Honkai: Star Rail" had brought her unprecedented hope and conviction.
Elio's script was no longer the only destiny.
"Perhaps, we can all stop being slaves to fate…"
Just as Firefly was feeling sentimental, a tall woman suddenly walked over.
She asked politely, "Hello, miss, could you help me see where this room number is?"
Firefly turned around.
She saw that the woman beside her had long purple hair, and there was a hint of confusion in her eyes.
"Ah, please wait a moment, let me finish watching this video, okay?"
"Of course."
The woman stood beside Firefly, expressionless.
She originally had no interest in the video before her, but after taking a glance, she said with some surprise, "The girl appearing in the video, is it you?"
Firefly gave an embarrassed smile. "Um… yes, I don't know why Feathered Spirit would have me appear in this video."
She secretly sighed in relief.
Luckily, Feathered Spirit didn't expose the secret of her being SAM!
Otherwise, this mission would be completely ruined.
"Feathered Spirit… is it…"
The purple-haired woman lowered her head, a look of realization appearing on her face.
"So it's a video he released. Then I'll watch it with you."
Firefly's gaze darkened slightly.
For some reason, she felt the woman beside her was strange.
Standing next to her felt like being near an invisible black hole!
The feeling was fleeting, and Firefly wasn't sure if it was just her imagination…
[ There's nothin' else left for me to do, Goin' to the other side, other side ]
With those lyrics, the screen showed the Astral Express Crew.
They were in different scenes.
For example, Dan Heng was deep in thought in a room filled with Memoriam.
Himeko was in a chaotic and strange space, surrounded by floating, broken dining tables and chairs.
And March 7th was taking photos in a miniature version of a skyscraper…
Up to this point, everything was fairly normal.
Although the art style was unique and the song's style was unconventional—sung in a trendy and cool way—the characters appearing were somewhat unexpected but still within reason.
However.
Following a powerful vocal transition…
[ I don't wanna be alone tonight ]
The scene shifted!
SAM actually appeared in the video!
Firefly's heart instantly skipped a beat!
Moreover, her form in the video wasn't the ordinary one.
It was the "Complete Combustion" state!
The flames had turned from red to green!
Only Firefly knew what this form meant!
She must have encountered an incredibly powerful opponent to activate this state!
Sure enough, in the next second, the ignited green flames seemed to turn into two wings made of fireflies, launching a high-speed charge in the air!
Firefly's pupils shrank slightly!
At this moment, her gaze was incredibly solemn.
She had to see clearly!
Exactly who was the enemy she was facing!
The target in the sky was getting closer and closer!
It was a figure radiating purple light.
As she approached, the figure swung out trails of purple blade light.
She dodged them one by one, finally reaching the target's side!
The opponent's face was cold as ice.
Purple highlights lit up in her eyes.
She raised the blade in her hand and slashed down.
A speck of red light suddenly flared!
Then it exploded directly, turning into a massive wave of blade light!
Even in the Complete Combustion state, Firefly couldn't dodge this strike.
The moment the two collided, a violent explosion occurred in that area!
And when Firefly saw the face of the one wielding the blade, a towering wave surged in her heart!
Her hands trembled slightly.
With some difficulty, she turned her head to look at the woman beside her!
That powerful opponent was none other than the very person who had just asked her for directions!
Heavens!
Even Elio's script wouldn't dare be written this way!
This woman, who looked "plain and unremarkable" and even a bit dazed, actually possessed such formidable strength?
Even in the Complete Combustion state, she seemed to be a hard match?
And in the future, she would have a battle with her!?
Firefly was stunned!
The woman, seeing this scene, was also somewhat surprised.
"Feathered Spirit's video…"
"To think even my footsteps could be left behind…"
Firefly's fist tightened slightly as she questioned, "Who exactly are you!?"
"Rest assured, I am no villain."
"I am… a Galaxy Ranger, Acheron."
Acheron thought Firefly perceived her as some dangerous element and continued to explain, "I only draw my blade against my opponents. You needn't be nervous."
Firefly looked at the other's calm face, not knowing what to say!
Galaxy Ranger?
Like I'd believe that!
If I weren't SAM herself, I might have fallen for it!
Fortunately, these outrageous emotions only occurred in her mind.
On the surface, Firefly didn't show any obvious or excessive behavior.
At least, her identity hadn't been exposed yet!
The other person didn't know she was the SAM in the video!
In that case…
She might still hold the initiative!