These words buzzed relentlessly in Shinji's mind, forming a suffocating aura called "failure."
Just as this despair threatened to drown him—
[Ding!]
A clear electronic chime sounded, as if resonating directly inside his brain, bursting without warning.
[Host detected facing a major career turning point…]
[System binding…]
[Binding successful.]
[Host: Shinji (Captain)]
[Current world's pan-entertainment index assessment: Low.
Missing key IPs: Honkai series, Star Rail series, Genshin Impact series… (List too long, collapsed)]
[Newbie guide mission issued:]
[Mission Content: Before the worldline convergence (completion of bankruptcy liquidation), successfully complete the development and construction of all basic content for Chapter 1 of the game Honkai Impact 3rd.]
[Mission Reward: System-assisted development module (Junior) unlocked.]
[Failure Penalty: None (Worldline convergence is the penalty itself).]
[Accept mission?]
Shinji's breath caught.
A translucent blue screen, visible only to him, appeared before his eyes, the cold text radiating undeniable authority.
The system's prompt still echoed in his mind, and the list of "missing IPs" felt like a key, instantly unlocking a sealed gate deep in his memories.
It wasn't an illusion.
Those worlds, those characters, and those stories were not mere fantasies of a past life or gaps in this world.
They had existed. Or rather, they should exist.
And now, there was a chance to bring them back into this world.
Bankruptcy liquidation? Debt crisis? Childhood friends waiting to rescue him?
To hell with all that.
A burning determination surged from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head, dispelling the remaining dizziness and despair.
Shinji sprang up abruptly from the sofa, moving so suddenly that an empty soda can tumbled to the floor with a loud clang.
The sound startled the lifeless office crowd.
Kiana removed her earphones, blinking her bright blue eyes as she asked, "Captain? You're finally awake. Was it a nightmare, or were you dreaming about payday?"
Her tone carried a hint of habitual teasing, but her eyes betrayed faint concern.
Mei closed her sketchbook, silently observing him with a questioning gaze.
Bronya stopped writing and turned her head.
Dan Heng looked away from his code. Stelle rubbed her eyes. March 7th also paused her spinning pen.
All eyes were fixed on him, carrying exhaustion, confusion, and a faint sense of doomsday numbness.
Shinji drew a deep breath, filling his lungs with the stale air of the dilapidated office, yet he had never felt clearer.
He walked to his desk and picked up the "Preliminary Opinion on Asset Liquidation."
Without looking, he crumpled it into a ball, along with the stack of bills and the landlord's ultimatum beneath it.
Amid everyone's stunned stares, he swung his arm in a wide arc—
The paper ball landed perfectly in the trash can in the corner, grazing the edge of a half-dead ivy pot with a dull thud.
"Liquidation? Liquidation, my ass!"
His voice was not loud, but it carried an unmistakable decisiveness that resonated through the quiet office.
"Everyone, listen up,"
Shinji scanned the room, his gaze sweeping over every familiar and youthful face.
"From today onward, 'Under the Starry Sky' Studio is taking a new path."
He paused, meeting Kiana's raised eyebrow of surprise, Mei's slightly widened eyes, and Bronya's suddenly brightened gaze.
And then, addressing the varying degrees of confusion and curiosity in the others, he spoke the name slowly and deliberately:
"Our first project—"
"Honkai Impact 3rd."
"A story… about girls fighting for all that is beautiful in the world."
The office fell silent for a few seconds.
"Honkai… 3rd?"
Stelle was the first to speak, scratching her messy gray hair.
"Boss, this name sounds a bit… chuunibyou. And what does 'Honkai' mean?"
"Sounds like some cheap horror game title," Kiana muttered, curling her lip, yet she straightened in her seat.
A spark of interest lit her blue eyes. "But 'fighting for all that is beautiful in the world'?
Who thought of that? It's actually kind of cool."
Mei said nothing, merely tilting her head, a thoughtful look swirling in her purple eyes.
Dan Heng adjusted his glasses and asked calmly, "Shinji, do you have the new technical proposal and project plan? Core gameplay, engine choice, art style, development cycle, budget…"
He didn't finish, but the meaning was clear: don't let this be another castle in the air.
Shinji raised his hand, silencing their questions.
He could not yet produce a fully matured plan; the system's existence had to remain a secret.
Those specific details required him to "recall" and "integrate," but he had to ignite this fire first.
"I'll provide everyone with the detailed plan within three days.
But the direction can be set right now." His gaze burned fiercely.
"What we're creating won't be stereotypical or crude.
We will deliver a top-tier, fluid 3D action experience, with characters and a story that truly moves people.
We must build a vast, realistic world!
"Kiana, Mei," he said, looking at his two childhood friends,
"your artistic skills must reach their absolute peak.
Dan Heng, Bronya, we need a brand-new, efficient engine framework to support magnificent battles.
Stelle, March 7th, we need whimsical ideas to enrich this story."
His tone radiated undeniable confidence, a certainty bordering on arrogance, yet strangely infectious.
Even Dan Heng, normally cautious, relaxed his brow slightly.
"Hmph, sounds good, at least," Kiana huffed, leaning back in her chair, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth.
"This lady wants to see what you can pull off. Just don't come back in three days with doodles from the draft box."
"I'll do my best," Mei said softly, fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of her sketchbook.
Bronya nodded, her attention returning to her computer.
Dan Heng remained silent for a moment, pushing up his non-existent glasses. "I need a technical feasibility analysis as soon as possible."
"Wow, a new project!" March 7th seemed perked up. "Boss, can the standard for our meals be raised this time? No more convenience store rice balls all the time!"
Stelle looked thoughtfully at Shinji and murmured, "Creating a new story… seems a bit more interesting than being a Baseball Hero?"
The sudden "new course" seemed to lift the team's morale slightly.
Though the road ahead remained shrouded in mist, at least those on the sinking ship had momentarily lifted their gaze from the hole beneath their feet to the unknown horizon.
"If you want to read 5 and 12 advance Chapter.
Please Visit: https://www.patreon.com/c/Dinos2_0"