Sparkle pressed the rewind button, and time reversed back to that day.
It so happened that, after a session of training, March 7th decided to roam the Luofu to unwind.
By chance, she ran into an old acquaintance.
It was none other than Huohuo and her sidekick, Tail.
Tail suddenly howled at the camera, "Pay attention to the subtitles! Who's whose sidekick? And make sure to add 'Mister' after my name, or I'll show up at your bedside tonight."
Thereafter, Tail's title was dutifully updated to "Mister Tail."
[Starting off with such a meme?]
[As expected of Director Sparkle—she gets it!]
[Director Sparkle, I'm such a fan!]
——
The plot then followed Huohuo encountering a talkative heliobus. With March 7th and Stelle's help, they successfully subdued it.
During this, Mister Tail suggested he could possess someone to help, but March 7th declined, refusing to take shortcuts.
Soon, the fifteen-day mark arrived.
March 7th received Scott's challenge letter.
Off-camera, Huohuo unexpectedly appeared beside Stelle and March 7th.
"Miss March 7th, Stelle, we heard Scott sent a challenge letter. We were wondering if we could do anything to help Miss March defeat Scott."
Stelle scratched her head, thinking, "Didn't we just get the letter a second ago? How'd they know already?"
March 7th smiled faintly. "Thanks, Huohuo. You've already helped a ton by teaching me how to handle exorcism tools! Thanks to everyone's support, even though I haven't been learning the sword for long, I'm confident I can take down the company's mechs."
"No, no, I'm the one who should thank you, Miss March 7th."
Mister Tail popped out from Huohuo's tail. "I remember that Scott guy got schooled by Stelle once already, didn't he? How's he got the guts to come back? Don't humans ever learn their lesson?"
March 7th sighed. "Mister Tail, you're off the mark. There's a saying, 'A gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years.' But Scott's a petty guy—I bet he can't even stomach an overnight grudge. Now he's got his chance. Still, just beating him like this… feels a bit… unsatisfying!"
Stelle gave a thumbs-up. "As expected of you, March 7th. Crushing Scott isn't satisfying enough?"
"Ugh… I can't explain it, it just feels not thrilling enough."
Mister Tail grinned wickedly. "I get it. For a guy who never learns his lesson, even thrashing him a thousand times won't make him truly yield. He'll never be sincerely convinced by a beating."
Huohuo turned to Tail. "Then… is there a way to make him lose and accept it wholeheartedly?"
Mister Tail declared that if Huohuo lifted his seal, he could delve into Scott's heart and make him genuinely concede!
"Just you wait—this Mister will make Scott reform completely, surrendering with full sincerity. Now that's satisfying!"
March 7th and Stelle clapped in unison. "Wow! As expected of Mister Tail!"
With Mister Tail's suggestion, Huohuo made some preparations. Then, March 7th and the group headed to Aurum Alley for the duel as planned…
As expected, Scott opened with his signature in-your-face taunts.
He even mentioned receiving a threatening letter with atrocious handwriting.
None of that mattered, though.
"Alright, enough talk, March 7th. Get ready to bark like a dog…"
Mid-taunt, Scott suddenly froze.
He stood stunned, his inner monologue beginning:
"I didn't even see her draw her sword. Time seemed to stop, and all I saw was a flash of green flame.
In that instant, I recalled my childhood, gazing across the sea, seeing a green light flickering behind the fog. Later, I learned it was that girl's house—the Lakshmi family.
Who lights a green lamp at home? Their family was really weird.
Why am I suddenly remembering this? Is this a flashback? Am I… already dead…?"
[Haha, isn't this The Great Gatsby?]
[This part's overflowing with memes. Is miHoYo going all out?]
[Star Rail's diving deeper into absurdity.]
——
The camera shifted.
Mister Tail appeared in a familiar setting.
"This must be Scott's inner world. Time for this old man to find his most twisted desires."
With that, Mister Tail began wandering.
He spotted two figures in the distance—one old, one young.
A middle-aged man bellowed, "Scott! Get over here right now!!!"
Seeing the man's furious, wide-eyed expression, Mister Tail's mind already conjured up a story.
"Oh, that must be his dad. Humans often say they 'spend a lifetime healing from childhood.' Scott's probably no exception. Maybe he was just a poor kid beaten by his father."
"Dad, it's the weekend—why're you yelling?" Little Scott yawned. "I was napping!"
Hearing this, Old Scott's anger flared even more. "Lazy bum, still napping… How many times have I told you? Do credits nap? Does the free market nap? Does the invisible hand nap? Forget it, we'll talk about that later."
His tone grew even more heated, flames practically visible above his head. "Pefana's parents came by earlier. They said Pefana broke his leg playing flystick ball, and you carried him to the hospital… They had to come thank 'their son's dear friend's father.'"
Mister Tail looked at Little Scott, feeling a pang of sympathy. "So, Scott was such a kind-hearted kid."
Old Scott grew angrier, practically jumping. "You little punk! Aren't you and Pefana rivals for the flystick team captain spot? Why're you playing friends with your competitor? Carrying him to the hospital… You're quite the caregiver, huh?
How many times have I told you, Linden Scott, our family crest is the 'Lone Wolf,' and our motto is 'No enemies, no friends, only prey.' Would you carry your prey to the hospital?"
"Man… growing up in a family like this, no wonder Little Scott's pitiful."
Mister Tail sighed at the scene.
Little Scott shrugged. "But… Dad, I broke his leg on purpose. If I didn't take him to the hospital, people would've suspected me…"
Mister Tail: "Huh???"
[I admit, I underestimated him!]
[Huh???]
[Why's my reaction the same as Tail's?]
[Hahaha, I let out a 'huh' too.]
[Shocking Mister Tail for a whole year.]
——
Old Scott's pupils dilated in shock, then he performed a dramatic face-swap. "Oh, I see… Sorry, Scott, I scolded you without knowing the full story. Dad apologizes."
"No worries, 'cause I love you most, Dad~"
Mister Tail was covered in mental black lines. "Uh… truly a dog father, no tiger son. Looks like there's no 'most twisted desire' here."
[Sorry, I couldn't hold it together.]
[Haha, I laughed so shamelessly.]
[Lone Wolf—that's the real Lone Wolf. Even Wolf Dignity couldn't keep its account safe.]
['Dog father, no tiger son' is too perfect.]
[Who wrote this script? Is miHoYo's writer mentally okay?]
——
Mister Tail continued wandering. This time, it was still the Scott father and son, but Scott was grown, and his father was hunched with age.
Beside them stood two company employees. "Old Scott, you're suspected of taking massive bribes. Come with us."
Mister Tail raised an eyebrow. "Oh, the old guy got caught. Haha."