Xianzhou Luofu, Central Starskiff Haven Plaza
When the silver-white mecha appeared on screen, many people immediately pointed excitedly at the display!
"Wooooooah!"
"It's SAM!!!"
"The final member of the Stellaron Hunters!"
"Is he finally making his debut in Penacony?"
"Now the whole team's complete!"
"I love this mech's fighting style so much!"
"When is Sam coming to the gacha? I'm saving up!"
However— When everyone got a clear look at Sam's opponent, they couldn't help but gasp in shock!
"There's someone even stronger?!"
"Hiss... who is this powerhouse?"
"She's actually overpowering Sam?!"
"This woman's strength seems terrifying!"
"She doesn't look like a local from Penacony..."
Just as the crowd buzzed with confusion, the scene shifted again.
"Close your eyes, open them, and time rewinds—next dream of that night, we'll meet again~"
Stelle leaped into the air, a golden light gathering in her hands—
Before slamming it down onto the ground with full force!
For a moment, the entire screen was engulfed in radiance!
And then— Within the golden light, Stelle transformed into a giant trash can!
Delivering a powerful punch toward their opponent!
Meanwhile, the enemy on the other side—wreathed in dark blue energy—
Was Sampo Koski!
"Huh?!"
"What the hell?!"
"Stelle's true form is a giant trash can?!"
"So our protagonist is actually a sentient trash can?!"
"Even my man Sampo gets screentime?"
"Glad to see the protagonist's mental state is as stable as ever... by which I mean completely unhinged."
The song was now reaching its conclusion, transitioning into a soft, wordless hum.
The visuals changed once more— Stelle sat on a rooftop, her back turned to a young girl facing them.
But something was off about her. Her body shimmered with a kaleidoscopic glow—the same harmless-looking girl from earlier.
Yet as the perspective shifted, she dissolved into a rain of light... and vanished.
"What just happened?!"
"That's a death flag!"
"She was only on screen for a minute and she's already gone?!"
"I didn't even get to learn her name........."
"Did Stelle cry just now?"
"Holy crap, does anyone know this girl? Warn her not to go to Penacony!"
Then— The background darkened into an abyss, save for a single blinding ring of light—
Resembling a black hole.
The purple-haired woman lifted her head, a trail of bloody tears streaming down her face.
Sam, meanwhile, faded into the glow.
Finally— the video ended with Stelle and Clockie dancing together.
"HOLY CRAP! The last ten seconds packed in so much tragedy?!"
"Why was that woman crying?! Who even is she?!"
"Sam disappeared too—does this mean he dies in Penacony?!"
"Kafka and Silver Wolf, come save him!"
"Did the purple-haired woman kill Sam? Is that why she's crying?"
"No way! Sam's the Stellaron Hunters' strongest fighter—how could some spacey-looking lady threaten him?!"
"Out of everyone in the video, she's the most suspicious!!"
"We need to investigate her!"
"Just what is her deal?!"
---
Aboard the Astral Express
"Her background must be significant!"
In the observatory car, the Express Crew had just finished watching "Sleepless Night's" OP.
The song itself was excellent, but the real focus was the future glimpses hidden in the video!
March 7th speculated:
"I think that purple-haired woman's gonna be a major boss in Penacony!"
"She'll definitely play a huge role in the story!"
"If we decide to go to Penacony, we can't afford to provoke her!"
She turned to Welt Yang.
"Old Yang, what do you think her deal is?"
Seeing Welt lost in thought, March assumed he'd noticed some crucial detail.
However— Welt's mind was currently reeling.
Another familiar face in this game's story...
Honestly, at this point, he was almost numb to it.
But this woman wasn't just any old acquaintance—she was a comrade.
Raiden Mei.
Yet—
Welt knew this couldn't possibly be the same person who'd crossed the Star Gate with him.
Though her face and aura were nearly identical, there was an innate coldness and detachment to her.
Still...that face filled him with an odd sense of reassurance.
March poked him, snapping him out of his thoughts.
Welt adjusted his glasses.
"I believe... she's not an enemy."
"She might even be trustworthy."
March's eyes widened.
"Huh?!"
"Old Yang, you can't be serious!"
"This is textbook judging-a-book-by-its-cover behavior!"
"With Luocha, no matter how nice he acted, you were always suspicious of him!"
"But this woman shows up for two seconds and you're like 'yep, she's cool'?!"
"Old Yang, tell me—did someone like her exist in your hometown?!"
"What did she do? What were her powers?!"
Welt pushed up his glasses, overwhelmed by March's rapid-fire questions.
Himeko interjected thoughtfully:
"I think... Welt's first impressions carry weight."
"As he's said before, many characters in this world resemble people from his past, yet follow different paths."
"His experience gives us a reference point—better than going in blind."
March nodded slowly.
"Wow, Himeko, that makes so much sense!"
"But still......... why haven't I met any 'familiar faces'?"
Stelle smirked.
"You don't have a tragic backstory like Old Yang. Your past is a total blank slate."
Welt coughed.
"'Tragic' might be an overstatement."
"I'd describe my past as... tumultuous yet extraordinary."
Stelle's eyes gleamed.
"Old Yang, you should take notes from Yu Ling—turn your life into a game!"
"Maybe it'll blow up across the universe like Honkai: Star Rail!"
Welt sighed.
"Ahem... let's table that for now."
---
Penacony, The Reverie Hotel
Firefly led Acheron to her room, even marking key locations like the restaurant, ballroom, and pool on a map.
It might've been unnecessary, but she wanted to be thorough.
Acheron smiled faintly.
"Thank you, Firefly."
"I'll remember your name."
Firefly returned the smile.
Even if the game's story hinted at a future battle between them—one where she might die by Acheron's blade—
Right now, there was no direct conflict between them.
Thanks to Honkai: Star Rail, Elio's script had already been derailed.
Maybe...they wouldn't have to be enemies after all.
"I'll take my leave now. If you need anything, just message me."
"Mm."
As Firefly exited, a hotel guest walked past Acheron's door, their phone playing "Sleepless Night."
After watching, the guest scratched their head.
"Wait... didn't I see a woman this morning who looked just like the one in the video?"
"She's that strong?!"
The guest continued down the hall, unaware that the "Reverie Hotel Guide" in their hand—
Featured a cover image of a certain Memokeeper.
Black Swan.
Suddenly, the illustration moved.
In the blink of an eye, Black Swan materialized outside Acheron's door.
A sly smile curled her lips.
"Well, well... what do we have here?"
"A self-proclaimed 'Galaxy Ranger' named Acheron..."
"Who, in Yu Ling's video, displayed extraordinary power in mere seconds of screentime."
"Your memories... must be priceless."
She stepped forward— The solid door offered no resistance as she phased straight through.
Inside, Acheron lay peacefully in the dream-pool, already submerged in the Dreamscape.
Black Swan frowned.
"Tch. I'll have to follow her into the dream to glimpse her memories."
But for now—
There were other clues.
Like the invitation on the table, shaped like a music box.
Its "temperature" and "texture" didn't match Acheron's aura.
Black Swan's eyes narrowed as she read its memories.
The voice of Duke Inferno echoed in her mind.
"A Galaxy Ranger?"
"The Ever-Flame Mansion has no dealings with such people."
"But... fine. I'm in a good mood today. Let her in."
"Yes, Father."
Black Swan's pulse quickened.
This single conversation confirmed a critical fact.
Before Duke Inferno's death—Acheron had visited the Ever-Flame Mansion.
Meaning...the truth behind the infamous assassination—
Was standing right here.
Just as Black Swan prepared to delve deeper, to gauge Acheron's true strength—A cold voice whispered behind her.
"What are you doing in my room?"
To be continued...