"If the Matra are out, does that mean a certain joke-telling General Mahamatra will be here soon too?"
As the hovercar arrived at Sumeru City Gate and Little Bear saw the Matra conducting inspections, he finally couldn't hold back his exasperation.
The comment section erupted into a flurry of activity the moment the Matra appeared.
[Oh no, is that joke-telling General Mahamatra really coming?]
[Oh my god, it's the master of dad jokes! We're doomed!]
[Hiss... Why does this feel so familiar?]
[Can't even roast it anymore—this is actually Sumeru City! (facepalm)]
"I doubt that joke-loving General Mahamatra will appear," Little Bear said, shaking his head and chuckling as he read the comments. "He wasn't featured in the version's promotional video."
With no mention in the preview videos and no leaks on any platforms, either this character doesn't exist at all, or he simply won't be appearing in the current version.
It was a little disappointing he wasn't there, but thinking about it another way, now that the weather had turned so cold, perhaps Mihoyo was protecting players from catching a cold by keeping the joke-telling General Mahamatra away...
Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Little Bear focused his attention back on the screen and resumed playing through the storyline.
In the game, thanks to Lumina's presence, the group entered Sumeru City with ease.
After entering Sumeru City, the game first provided a comprehensive visual tour of the city.
Once the tour concluded, Little Bear, controlling Stelle, followed Lumina and March 7th as they walked through Sumeru City's streets. As they walked, a pitch-black hero suddenly caught their eye.
As the camera panned, the pitch-black hero's towering figure loomed before them.
[How majestic, how silent, how beautiful... Without realizing it, you found yourself inexplicably drawn forward, approaching the hero's glowing highlight.]
[Press F to interact.]
"I didn't expect to find trash cans in Sumeru City too."
Little Bear stared at the shimmering trash can before him, its surface glowing with intermittent highlights. For reasons he couldn't explain, his body moved of its own accord, controlling Stelle in the game. He guided her to the trash can and pressed F to initiate a conversation.
"Hey, what are you up to? About to have another one of your nonsensical, heartfelt talks with your trash can?"
But instead of the expected dialogue with the trash can, a line of text from March 7th popped up. The screen went black, and the perspective shifted back to Lumina and March 7th.
[Unfinished Business]
An achievement was unlocked, and five Stellar Jade were claimed...
[March 7th, do you even realize what you've done?!]
[Damn it, March 7th! I'm going to teach you a lesson tonight!]
[If you're going to be so heartless, March 7th, don't blame me for being ruthless!]
[March 7th, you interrupted my date with the trash can! In that case, you'll have to replace it as my date!]
It was clear that despite ultimately earning an achievement and five Stellar Jade, the group remained deeply dissatisfied with March 7th's actions.
"What do you two think?"
The game didn't pause despite the group's disapproval of March 7th's actions. Instead, several options popped up on the screen, determined by their choice of hotel:
[1. Just pick one at random.]
[2. I'm a little curious about the couples' hotel.]
[3. The trash can is just the right size to fit a person.]
"Ugh... I really want to choose 3, but I'm also a little curious about what 2 is like..." Little Bear fell into a state of dilemma as he stared at the three options on the screen.
After a moment of deliberation, he ultimately selected option 3.
Although this was a 12+ game, and even choosing the couples' hotel would likely pose no real issues...
But what if? What if Mihoyo pulled a major stunt that got his live stream banned?
So, after layers of cautious consideration, Little Bear opted to spend the night with a trash can.
"Are you never going to quit?!" In the game, hearing Stelle's outrageous words, March 7th planted her hands on her hips, her expression one of utter disbelief.
"Fine, fine. You can spend the night with your trashcan buddy. Sister Lumina and I are leaving now."
But a moment later, March 7th's expression softened with resignation as she walked over to Lumina and whispered something.
Lumina glanced at the notice board, nodded, but didn't abandon Stelle as March 7th had suggested.
"Stelle, if you like trashcans so much, I'll have one delivered to your hotel room later. Would that be okay?"
[Fine...]
[I want ten!]
Little Bear didn't hesitate for a moment, immediately selecting the second option.
"Hey, don't push your luck!" March 7th's face fell again.
Hearing this, Stelle realized her request might be a bit much and scratched the back of her head sheepishly.
"Let's go, then." Lumina smiled warmly, unfazed by Stelle's little quirk, and the conversation ended.
The Player-controlled Stelle was now in free mode, able to roam freely through Sumeru City's open areas.
The quest marker pointed toward a hotel located two hundred meters away...