On a spaceship emblazoned with the logo of the Interastral Peace Corporation, Topaz adjusted her appearance in the mirror while keeping an eye on Honkai: Star Rail content. Suddenly, the screen on her right flickered, and a new message popped up automatically.
[Jade: Wait, I just saw it—you actually bought it?]
[Jade: What kind of deal did you strike with Yu Ling to get IPC members turned into playable characters? Even you and that piggy made it into the gacha pool?!]
Topaz scoffed and replied:
[What's wrong with IPC members? We're all hardworking young people. It's only natural Yu Ling picked us for the gacha.]
[Jade: Seriously, judging from past storylines, I feel like Yu Ling has a tendency to portray the IPC as villains. And let's be real, most people in the corporation are scumbags.]
[Jade: This time, though, you making it into the gacha really surprised me. I might have to take back some of my earlier opinions.]
[That's it? You messaged me just to say that?]
[Jade: Of course not. I'm here to remind you—speed up the Penacony mission. Once you've made up your mind, bring me that thing ASAP.]
[Ok, talk later. I've got to go explain my skills now.]
Closing the chat window, Topaz patted the piggy, Numby, on the seat beside her.
"Ready?"
"Then let's begin."
Pressing the holographic projection button, Topaz and Numby's perspective instantly shifted. Through the projection, they appeared live in the grand event hall!
The audience erupted into tsunami-like cheers:
"Director Topaz!!!"
"Director Topaz!!!"
Topaz raised her hands, signaling for silence. The seats below were packed, each person glowing with the IPC emblem. From the stage, it looked like a sea of stars.
"Everyone, today we won't be discussing traditional rules or philosophies."
"What I will explain is Yu Ling's design philosophy behind Topaz as a character in Honkai: Star Rail—her skills, and the deeper meaning behind them from the developers!"
"As we all know,"
"The Strategic Investment Department helps upgrade traditional industries, empowers products through trade alliances, and drives sustainable regional economic growth!"
"And the design concept of Topaz in the game follows the same logic."
"Everyone, take a look—"
The screen displayed Topaz and Zhangzhang entering battle.
"The Dream-Realizing Investor, The Umbrella Collector on Rainy Days... These are how outsiders describe me."
"Some praise, some criticize, but I believe there's one thing they'll all agree on—"
"Mature investment principles and professional expertise!"
"Only by meeting this standard can you achieve such perfect synergy with an adorable piggy."
Topaz spoke with confidence, the spotlight shining on her face as if she were glowing. The employees below were electrified!
"Now this is what you call expertise!"
"She actually deciphered Yu Ling's design intent? Even extrapolated the developers' deeper meaning? Holy crap!"
"I had no idea Topaz and Numby's design embodied the core philosophy of the Strategic Investment Department!"
"Incredible! So Yu Ling has been paying attention to our company's employees all along!"
At that moment, the screen showcased Topaz's Skill.
Topaz explained:
"As a member of the Special Debt Enforcement Unit, the ability to enforce payments is naturally essential."
"As shown, the Skill [Payment Trouble?] marks a single enemy with [Proof of Debt], increasing the damage they take from follow-up attacks."
"Then, Zhangzhang is thrown at the target, dealing additional Fire DMG."
Beside her, Zhangzhang crossed its front hooves, basking in the spotlight, and struck a pose as if saying, "Take this—Super Headbutt!"
This livestream was naturally being watched by countless players outside the IPC.
Hearing Topaz's explanation, the audience was stunned—then ecstatic!
"[Increases follow-up attack damage?!] Oh my god! We finally see this description!"
"Our poor Jing Yuan's long-awaited support... has finally arrived!"
"With Fu Xuan for survival and now Topaz for DPS, the team's complete! The meta's shifting!"
"I never thought, in this era of Destruction DPS dominance, Jing Yuan would get buffed!"
"He's finally getting his well-deserved upgrade!"
"Jing Yuan mains rise again!"
Back in the hall, Topaz began introducing her Ultimate:
"The battlefield is like the market—ever-changing."
"As a skilled investor, you must strike at the perfect moment to maximize returns!"
"And the Ultimate [Turn Loss into Profit] embodies this philosophy."
"Upon activation, Numby enters [Soaring Surge!] state, increasing its own ATK and CRIT DMG..."
"Additionally, when an enemy marked with [Proof of Debt] is hit by a Basic ATK, Skill, or Ultimate, Zhangzhang's action is Advanced Forward."
The employees gasped in awe.
"Just this animation alone makes me want to pull! That profit surge effect is so satisfying!"
"As an investor, I must have her!"
"I feel like after pulling Topaz and Numby, I'll turn my stocks around and hit the limit-up!"
Soon, after explaining her mechanics, Topaz bowed slightly and concluded:
"Everyone, remember—"
"High risk, high reward."
"Objectively speaking, I'd advise you to wait and assess before deciding."
"Whether you pull for this character depends on your roster, budget, and other factors..."
The employees immediately protested:
"Director Topaz, how could we not pull for you?!"
"The first 5-star character from our own company! The prestige is undeniable!"
"Director Topaz is too charming! If not for her, I'd have resigned ages ago!"
"So professional! She even helps open treasure chests and find piggies! Leading us to prosperity!"
Hearing their fervor, Topaz smiled on stage and declared:
"But from a personal perspective—"
"My advice is..."
"PULL! All employees, roll for me like your lives depend on it!"
"Topaz is a future-proof investment! Make the choice you won't regret!"
The hall erupted in cheers! Confetti burst in the air, golden ribbons fluttering down as the atmosphere reached its peak.
Every employee felt their blood boiling, their passion ignited—ready to return to their posts and work overtime for a week straight! After securing their bonuses, they'd pour every penny into Honkai: Star Rail to pull for Topaz's Light Cone and Eidolons!
After all—
This was a character personally endorsed by Director Topaz herself!
Following her lead?
Guaranteed profits, no losses!
...
—Aboard the Astral Express.
Witnessing the grand and fanatical scene from the IPC livestream, March 7th felt her throat go dry.
"Why do I feel... like I'm being swayed by her?"
"I kinda want to pull for Topaz now too..."
"Ack—Stelle, quick, talk me out of it!"
Stelle scratched her head and said, "March, correct me if I'm wrong, but since launch, has there ever been a character you didn't want to pull for?"
March 7th sighed helplessly.
"Yeah, but I can't help it!"
"The characters Yu Ling picks for the gacha are just too perfect!"
"Even if I wasn't interested at first—like with Silver Wolf—after finishing their story quests, I always end up wanting them!"
"Yu Ling, you absolute menace! You're draining my wallet dry!"
Beside them, Himeko and Mr. Yang shook their heads with a smile.
That was just March for you—once she got excited, she threw all caution to the wind.
Which also meant that while she had every character, only a handful were actually built properly.
"Nope, nope, I can't keep watching this stream."
"These IPC folks are way too persuasive—before you know it, they'll rope you in!"
"I'm gonna check out Guinaifen's stream instead~"
Switching to Guinaifen's channel, the viewership was just as high—if not higher than the IPC's official broadcast!
Right now, Guinaifen was controlling her in-game avatar, fighting alongside Kafka as part of a DoT team.
Judging by her delighted expression, the results were pretty good!
"Honestly, I'm pretty satisfied with my performance in-game."
"The only downside is that my kit doesn't synergize with Sushang's at all. Before testing, I thought maybe we could team up, but turns out they're completely different playstyles."
"Putting them together is like forcing an eight-inch foot into a seven-inch shoe—awkward!"
The chat exploded:
[She's still so obsessed with Sushang!]
[Tragic. Guinaifen and Sushang really don't work together. (Double mains in despair)]
[At this point, Sushang's practically a meme pick. Sadge.]
[Guinaifen: We all have bright futures… just not together.]
After finishing her in-game prep, Guinaifen opened her messages, leisurely scrolling through them.
She had planned to jump straight into the main story after the update, but with so many new quests popping up, it was hard to tell which one was the "real" main plot.
Then—
Guinaifen's eyes widened.
Among the messages, she found one… from herself:
[Guinaifen: Recommended for you!]
GhostSighting! Young girl stumbles into abandoned garden, haunted by wandering spirits—near-death experience!
#Thrilling #Horror #AbandonedGardenHidesGhosts – scenes so intense, you'll choke!
[LIVE] Paranormal Investigation! Two girls trapped in ruins, almost possessed! One terrified, the other still unconscious! Not suitable for viewers under 200!
[Cinematic Horror] Unexplained phenomena! What lurks in the depths of the cursed garden?!
"Huh?!"
"Th-this is an ad I sent?!"
"So in-game me is also a streamer? Though my views seem kinda low if I'm resorting to spam ads..."
She selected the dialogue option:
[I'm interested—don't leave, I'll be right there!]
[Guinaifen: Hurry! I need someone as curious as you!]
[Guinaifen: I'm at Aurum Alley—look for the red-haired foreigner!]
After the exchange, a prompt appeared:
[Accept Quest: [Sojourners' Ghastly Reverie]?]
[Watch the preview before starting—click to play.]
Guinaifen froze, then her face lit up with excitement.
"No way… a golden quest?!"
"AAAAAHHHH!!"
"I thought this was just a text event!"
She immediately hit play, eager to see what the quest was about.
The video began—showing Guinaifen livestreaming outdoors.
Streaming herself watching her own stream? This was meta.
On-screen, Guinaifen whispered nervously into the camera:
"Folks, something's really not right here—"
Mid-sentence, the screen glitched—as if from interference—before cutting to:
"Like, follow, and share! Support Gui—"
Then, the camera shook violently.
A shadow darted past in the background.
"Did something just move?!"
Suddenly, Sushang appeared on-screen, brandishing her greatsword bravely.
"D-Don't panic! I've got this… probably."
She glanced to the side—then screamed.
"AAAAAAAAHHHH!!"
The scene shifted to a silver-haired girl staring blankly into the camera, her expression eerily vacant.
Behind her, ghostly green flames flickered.
Guinaifen, oblivious, ran toward her excitedly.
"Lady Huohuo! You're finally here!"
Then, two more figures emerged from the darkness.
The first was a tall woman with white hair covering her face, dark sunken eyes, and a lifeless gaze—so terrifying Guinaifen recoiled.
"A GHOST?!"
The second was a slender girl with cold features and crimson eyes that glowed ominously in the dark.
If not for her previous story appearances, Guinaifen would've mistaken her for a ghost too.
"It's Xueyi! Our old friend from the Ten-Lords Commission!"
"She showed up briefly in Dan Heng's arc—she's one of their judges!"
"You all remember her, right? Looks like she's got a role in this quest too!"
"Which means… the white-haired 'ghost' and the girl named Huohuo are probably judges as well."
The preview ended.
Guinaifen clenched her fists, buzzing with excitement.
"This quest looks amazing!"
"Three Ten-Lords judges at once?!"
"Plus me and Sushang ghost-hunting? What if the ghosts are real?!"
"Folks, we're doing this quest now! I need to know what's going on!"
Back on the Astral Express, March 7th—now equally hyped after watching the preview—was torn.
"Ugh! I wanna experience it myself and watch Gui's stream!"
"If only I could split in two..."
Himeko chuckled.
"No need to choose. Dan Heng mentioned this quest isn't plot-critical—it's just about his reunion
with the others on the Luofu."
"Mr. Yang and I will follow that. You and Stelle can watch Guinaifen."
"We'll recap anything important later."
March beamed and hugged her.
"Himeko, you're the best!"
Suddenly, Pom-Pom came sprinting in, phone in hand.
"No! We're doing this quest first!"
"The Express has another unwanted guest!"
"First [Night of Universal Hallucinations], now this? I refuse to ignore it!"
[An unsigned letter lies quietly in the passenger cabin. No one saw it arrive—just as no one knows who it's for.]
Pom-Pom projected the screen, urging Stelle to interact with the glowing letter.
[The page is unmistakably Xianzhou-made, yet the sender and recipient's names are blurred—only faint ink strokes flicker briefly.]
[As you unfold it, the ink reforms, as if an invisible hand is rewriting the message.]
It read: [Since your return to the inverted sea, memories long sunken have surely resurfaced. Per our old pact, we shall revisit the past—and raise a toast to it.]
Mr. Yang adjusted his glasses.
"This must be related to Dan Heng."
"The quest is called… [Clouds Leave No Trace]?"
"Perhaps he's confronting his past with the High-Cloud Quintet."
Himeko checked her phone.
"I just contacted him. He, Jing Yuan, Jingliu, and Blade are doing this quest."
March gasped.
"A High-Cloud Quintet reunion?!"
"This is too good! I wanna see both!"
Himeko smiled.
"Then it's settled. We'll divide and conquer."
March cheered.
"Best. Day. Ever!"
To be continued…
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