**Chapter 8: Old Yang: Is Honkai Still Following Me?**
*"Hurry up, streamer! Keep pushing the story forward!"
"I need to know if this game actually connects to reality!"
"Could this really be showing events from a Stellaron Hunter's perspective?"*
Guinaifen's tongue darted across her lips in anticipation.
If this game truly mirrored real events, things were about to get explosive.
In the game, Kafka turned to Silver Wolf with a question: *"What's our target location?"*
*"Take the left corridor deeper inside,"* Silver Wolf replied. *"There's a room containing a specific [Curio]."*
*"The [Stellaron] - the Cancer of All Worlds - is stored there?"*
*"It will reveal the Stellaron's location."*
***
At Herta Space Station, a scientist suddenly cursed aloud during an important meeting.
If earlier hints had been subtle...
Now with Silver Wolf's appearance and direct mention of the Stellaron... there could be no doubt!
This game was recreating actual events from the space station's recent history!
Unbelievably, some bold developer had turned their crisis into entertainment - and from the enemy's perspective no less!
The meeting's speaker froze mid-sentence.
Dozing colleagues jerked awake in shock.
The flushed manager looked like someone had just exposed his underwear on stage.
*"Have you lost your mind?!"*
*"No, sir! I'm not opposing you!"* The junior scientist scrambled to explain, *"I was reacting to this game!"*
*"You're playing games during MY meeting?!"*
*"Wait! That's not what I—"*
Five tense minutes later...
After frantic explanations, the chastised employee finally conveyed his discovery. Adjusting his glasses, the supervisor - after consulting nearby colleagues - ordered the live stream projected onto the conference room's main screen.
If these claims proved true, the implications were staggering. The game's developers possessed disturbingly accurate insider knowledge.
Was this some perpetrator's twisted way of boasting about their crimes? This blatant portrayal damaged both the space station's reputation and Lady Herta's standing!
Once verified, they'd need to immediately file complaints with the Interastral Peace Corporation.
How had such a game even been approved for distribution?
The entire conference room abandoned their work, eyes locked on the unfolding broadcast.
***
Meanwhile aboard the Astral Express...
Welt Yang and Himeko had already downloaded the game, progressing through its opening chapters.
Though unsettled by the storyline's eerie parallels to recent events, their years as Trailblazers kept their expressions neutral.
Until Silver Wolf appeared.
The moment the Stellaron Hunter's identity was revealed, Old Yang's jaw literally dropped.
That voice! That hacker aesthetic! That unmistakable silhouette!
No amount of hairstyle changes could disguise young Bronya!
*"Don't think swapping to a single ponytail fools me!"* Welt muttered in shock.
His right hand trembled as he reached for Himeko's coffee. The first sip hit like a freight train, sending liquid spraying across the table.
*"Pfft—!!"*
Himeko's eyes widened. *Was my brew really that terrible?*
But being Himeko - remarkably perceptive as always - she quickly understood.
When Silver Wolf appeared earlier, Welt's face had turned ghostly pale.
Clearly, this "Silver Wolf" character had triggered something profound.
Muttering apologies, Welt mopped up the mess with uncharacteristic clumsiness.
For someone who'd faced cosmic horrors without flinching, this reaction was telling.
First the game's ominous title - "Honkai."
Now familiar faces appearing out of nowhere.
The dual shocks left him feeling like Honkai itself was stalking him across dimensions.
Himeko placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. *"In an infinite universe, we were bound to encounter familiar echoes eventually."*
*"But remember - these are entirely new people with different lives."*
*"However similar their fates may seem, they're not the friends or enemies from your past."*
Adjusting his glasses, Welt gave a slow nod.
Yes.
This had to be coincidence.
Nothing more.
***
Back in Guinaifen's stream...
While retrieving the space station's Curio (the Stellaron), the Stellaron Hunters found themselves ambushed by Voidrangers.
As battle commenced,
a new ally joined their ranks - Silver Wolf!
Having mastered ultimate ability mechanics, Guinaifen eagerly tapped Silver Wolf's skill icon.
*"The combat experience needs optimization."*
The screen transformed as Silver Wolf's avatar enlarged dramatically.
Beneath her materialized a glowing game console interface.
With blinding speed, Silver Wolf's fingers flew across virtual controls.
The score counter skyrocketed: 0...333...
*"Hmph. Too slow for my taste."*
At 999 points, a golden streak - like a shooting star - lanced through the Voidranger.
Its health bar evaporated instantly as the creature collapsed into a swirling black hole.
The chat exploded:
*"NO WAY THEY ANIMATED SILVER WOLF'S ULTIMATE!"*
*"This is the flashiest combat sequence I've ever seen!"*
*"Just tuned in - is little Guizi playing a rhythm game now?"*
*"This game's too generous! Giving us premium characters for free?!"*
*"If this were reality, I'd play for a hundred years straight!"*