This scene was something Stelle had imagined, but she never thought it would come so quickly. Where exactly had things gone wrong? She didn't know. All she knew was that if looks could kill, these two girls—one pink, one silver—would already be reenacting a scene straight out of The Boys. What should she do? What could she do? Was this her fault?
"By the way, we haven't formally introduced ourselves, have we?" March 7th said with a bright smile, extending her hand. "I'm March 7th, a Nameless of the Astral Express, Stelle's partner through life and death."
March 7th, inwardly: …Heh, no matter who you are, you can't touch the bond and camaraderie I share with her as her companion. If you're the third wheel, you'd better know your place and bow down!
Firefly's eyes narrowed slightly. Hmph, trying to suppress her with so-called companionship? When Stelle was with me, we went through life-and-death battles ten times more than you've ever experienced! If I could speak freely, what do you, little pink-hair, have to compete with me? Third wheel? Strictly speaking, you're the third wheel!
Firefly gently took March 7th's hand, smiling. "Hello, I'm Firefly, just a small, insignificant person. I was in a tough spot before, and Stelle helped me out. To show my gratitude, I'm now her guide."
"Oh— so you're a guide," March 7th said, feigning surprise. "Then I have to question your qualifications as a guide, Miss Firefly. This hotel is clearly unsafe, yet you brought Stelle here… What's your real intention?"
"On that point, it was indeed my oversight," Firefly said with an apologetic look, her gaze sincerely turning to Stelle. "Stelle, I don't expect your forgiveness, but to make up for it, I'm willing to be your guide for life, free of charge. Whatever you need, you can leave it to me."
Caught off guard by Firefly suddenly addressing her, Stelle nodded blankly, then shook her head just as blankly.
"Stelle, I know you're new to this place, so it's normal to get a little carried away," March 7th said, also looking at Stelle. "But even if you don't have a guide, you still have me! I can totally take on the role of your guide and show you all sorts of new experiences!"
"I guarantee I'd do a much better job than Miss Firefly."
Stelle: Huh? (°ー°〃) March, why does what you're saying sound so weird? Why do I have a bad feeling about this?
Firefly sighed. "Miss March 7th, it seems we need to settle our differences this way. You're so pretty… such a shame."
March 7th: "Hahaha, is that really okay? You're pretty cute yourself, you know."
"Miss March 7th, how about we both take a step back? Pretend you were never here. How's that?"
"Miss Firefly, you're quite the joker."
"…"
The two exchanged smiles, and the atmosphere suddenly turned eerily warm.
Stelle: ? She couldn't understand! She genuinely couldn't make sense of these two girls! What… were they smiling about?
Click—
At that moment, the sound of Sparkle's camera shutter broke the false tranquility—
March 7th/Firefly (instantly switching to battle mode): "I absolutely won't forgive you!"
"Taste this! Hidden Moon in the Cavern, Azure Dragon Cleanses the World! Hah—!"
An ice dragon materialized out of thin air, following the tip of March 7th's Cloud-Piercing Strike as she charged forward!
Mysterious Narrator of the Honkai: Star Rail World: Although this is Dan Heng's skill, Dan Heng controls water, while March 7th controls ice. As everyone knows, ice and water are different states of the same substance, so ice = water, and March 7th = Dan Heng. So it's not strange that March 7th can use this move, right?
But Firefly showed no sign of panic. As the saying goes, when soldiers come, block them; when water comes, dam it. Whatever move the opponent used, she just needed to counter with the right skill.
"That paradise may be unreachable for me, Savor it in my place... Hmph!!"
A cyan aura of killing intent emanated from the light sword in her hand, surging forward with her charge!
Mysterious Narrator of the Honkai: Star Rail World: As everyone knows, Blade uses a sword and is a swordsman, while Firefly also uses a sword and is a swordswoman. Therefore, Firefly = Blade. So it's not strange that Firefly can use this move, right?
Bang!
Their attacks clashed in an instant. At that moment, Stelle seemed to see two silhouettes—one cyan, one red—standing behind each of them, locked in a fierce struggle.
Seriously, do you both have to fight this fiercely?
Crack crack crack—
Due to the skills countering each other, the cyan silhouette was quickly overwhelmed and ground down by the red one. March 7th showed the first signs of weakness, letting out a muffled grunt and retreating several steps.
"No, stop fighting!"
Stelle tried to intervene, but her voice was too weak, drowned out by the blazing determination of the two girls.
"Great Desolate Imprisoning Heaven Finger!"
March 7th roared, hurling her Cloud-Piercing Strike like a javelin. The terrifying power of her Path formed a massive finger, crackling with thunderous might as it shot toward Firefly!
Stelle, watching from the side: ??? That's your skill?
"Secret Technique: Side-to-Side Dodge!"
Firefly sneered, her body beginning to sway left and right at superhuman speed, so fast she left afterimages!
Stelle, watching from the side: ??? Ladies, please, put away your supernatural powers! If you keep fighting like this, the hotel's going to be flattened, and even the Great Path will be worn away!
Swish—
The Cloud-Piercing Strike pierced through an afterimage, whistling down the corridor and accidentally smashing into the head of a certain Duke who had fled long ago.
"Hahahaha—"
Sparkle, watching the spectacle from the sidelines, was laughing so hard she could barely breathe. This was it! This was exactly what a Masked Fool like her should be witnessing!
It's back—the feeling's back!
"You little—Sparkle! Did you orchestrate this?"
Sparkle's laughter naturally caught Stelle's attention. The latter, somewhat annoyed, grabbed Sparkle's face. "You damned Masked Fool, are you begging for a beating or what?"
As everyone knows, Masked Fools can't be judged by normal standards. Wherever they go, chaos and disorder follow. If you're dealing with a Masked Fool with some moral bottom line, that's one thing—but Sparkle… hmph! Even if she didn't know what kind of twisted version this universe's Sparkle had become, suspecting her first was always the right move!
"Little gray-hair, let go of me! Show some respect to the great Lady Sparkle!"
Being manhandled like a child clearly irritated Sparkle. She ground her teeth, her tone carrying a hint of threat. "If you don't let go, Lady Sparkle will show you what true madness is…"
March 7th and Firefly suddenly stopped fighting, turning to look at her in unison: "Hm?"
Sparkle: "…Uh, ever heard of Crazy Thursday? I'll treat you to a Celestial Wing Burger."
March 7th and Firefly nodded, then resumed their supernatural showdown.
"…Wait."
Just as she let out a sigh of relief, Sparkle suddenly realized something was off. She looked at Stelle, puzzled. "This is our first meeting, isn't it?"
"How do you know who I am?"