Fujiwara Chika:
"Welcome, newcomer!!"
Sagiri:
"Welcome, newcomer!!"
Himeko:
"Welcome, newcomer!!"
Yuu:
"Welcome, newcomer!!"
Zhongli:
"Welcome, newcomer."
Everyone popped out to warmly welcome Bronya.
Seeing the group members, Bronya widened her eyes—especially at Himeko and Zhongli.
Bronya:
"@Himeko, Professor Himeko?"
"@Zhongli, the Geo Archon from Liyue?"
"Goodness, is this for real?"
Himeko needed no explanation—she was someone who had once taught her.
And Zhongli? Bronya knew him too. She had just acquired Mihoyo, and one of the games they were about to release featured Zhongli as a god.
But now he appeared in the group chat?
She hadn't paid much attention earlier, but now, seeing them respond, Bronya finally realized.
These were familiar faces.
Himeko:
"You might be mistaking me for someone else. We're from different worlds."
"There's info in the group files. Check it out."
Himeko realized right away—this Bronya had mistaken her for someone else. She knew who Bronya was too, having played Honkai.
Turns out, her own world also had a Bronya.
Which meant this Bronya came from the same tree?
Fujiwara Chika:
"Big Duck Bronya... does your world have Honkai?"
Chika was curious too.
Was this post-Honkai Bronya or some other version?
Bronya:
"Ah! Got it now. Parallel worlds, right? Understood!!"
"Honkai? What's that? My world doesn't have that kind of thing."
Hearing Himeko's clarification, Bronya understood. A parallel version of Himeko, then.
Takumi recognizing her must be for the same reason.
Many novels said chat group members often came from worlds influenced by others—unless it was a low-tech setting, any modern world with an internet connection would have anime, manga, and light novels.
Like Zhongli—he was literally a character under her gaming company.
What a crazy cheat ability this was!
Takumi was surprised to hear Bronya had no knowledge of Honkai.
So she came from a world without Honkai?
A peaceful world without Honkai energy?
And Bronya was already an adult.
That was pretty ideal.
A beautiful, peaceful world.
And judging by how she called Himeko "teacher," the Himeko of Bronya's world must still be alive.
Himeko:
"So I exist in your world too?"
"Can you tell me more?"
She was curious about her alternate self.
At the moment, Himeko was sipping coffee aboard the Astral Express, gazing at her screen with interest.
What kind of life did her alternate self live?
Bronya didn't hold back—she began to explain in detail.
The two of them started chatting enthusiastically in the group.
Takumi didn't interrupt.
After understanding Bronya's situation, he turned his attention to the group shop.
Time to check in.
Since getting the End Cocoon from a previous sign-in, he hadn't received anything interesting in days.
A little disappointing—but not unexpected.
Points were supposed to be the normal sign-in reward.
He wondered if Bronya's arrival would trigger any new functions in the group store.
There were only eight members now.
Had they met any unlock conditions?
With that thought, Takumi tapped the check-in button.
Group System:
"Group member Takumi has signed in."
"Congratulations to group member Takumi for receiving: one Huazi cigarette."
...Wait, what was he just thinking?
A Huazi cigarette?
The others in the group noticed Takumi's reward.
Fujiwara Chika:
"Again with the item reward?!"
"Why are our sign-in rewards so different?!"
Takumi had received a game-breaking item his first day in the group, shooting him ahead instantly.
And now he got another item?
Was this for real?
Takumi:
"What the heck, really?"
"You want the Huazi? Give me some points, then."
He didn't see the fuss. If anything, he felt ripped off. Huazis weren't even worth much in the group.
If anyone wanted one, they could just upload a few.
Sagiri:
"Umm... smoking is bad for your health. Takumi-nii, please smoke less!"
Akeno:
"Unless it has special effects, it's definitely not as useful as points."
Bronya:
"You can get items from check-ins??"
Just joined, Bronya was shocked. She had just checked in and only got 10 points.
She hadn't known you could receive actual items.
Fujiwara Chika:
"Yes, it's possible! But only Takumi has ever gotten anything."
"He's absurdly lucky—got an insane item his first day!"
Bronya:
"!!!"
"So jealous!!"
Someone this lucky actually existed?
Takumi scanned the group store but saw no new changes.
Probably hadn't unlocked anything yet.
He glanced at the chat and shook his head.
Envy? Good. Let them envy.
Not like he was bragging about it.
He checked his reward—it was just a regular Huazi cigarette.
No buffs, no lifespan bonuses. He clicked his tongue and tossed it into his Imaginary Space.
That space was packed with stuff now, most of it generated by himself.
With that done, he rejoined the chat.
Bronya was asking about the Superpower Awakening Serum.
She'd clearly browsed the store already.
That was the only item that had caught her interest.
She really wanted superpowers.
Weapons? Didn't care.
Vehicles? None looked better than hers.
The serum was her main target.
Bronya:
"Can that Superpower Awakening Serum really grant powers?"
Fujiwara Chika:
"Yep! I got water control. I can create water out of thin air!"
"Though it's a bit weak."
"Sagiri got something called Mental Illustration."
Chika began explaining the serum and the powers they had received.