**Chapter 9: Character Selection! Kafka's Verbal Ability Unveiled**
**[Popularity +10, +10, +10...]**
Guinaifen's live stream had exploded in viewership—more than triple her usual numbers! A captivated audience watched with bated breath, fully immersed in the unfolding narrative. If this game truly mirrored reality, they were witnessing history in the making.
Meanwhile, Kafka and Silver Wolf had infiltrated a secure monitoring room within Herta Space Station. Silver Wolf's deft hacking had pinpointed the Stellaron's location.
*"Independent security system… Seems Herta doesn't treat this Stellaron as just another trinket,"* Silver Wolf mused.
*"Can we extract it?"*
*"Naturally. Even the great Herta can't outmatch me in cyberspace."*
With that, Kafka stepped forward, cradling the golden orb—the legendary Stellaron itself.
On another screen, Silver Wolf projected an image before Kafka.
*"The vessels are prepped."*
*"Your call."*
Suddenly, two figures dominated the screen—one male, one female. Both silver-haired, clad in sleek black coats. Beside them, two options flickered:
**—Activate Carrier [Stelle]**
**—Activate Carrier [Caelus]**
*"Elio said this choice would change many things,"* Kafka remarked.
*"He also said the decision had to be yours,"* Silver Wolf replied.
Guinaifen blinked in disbelief.
*Wait—weren't they here to steal the Stellaron? Why are we suddenly picking a vessel?!*
*"Guys, I'm lost. What's happening?"*
*"Forget the streamer—I'm baffled too!"*
*"Wasn't this Herta's vault? Now it's a delivery room?!"*
*"Is this the real protagonist reveal?"*
*"Why hesitate?! Pick Stelle—look at those legs!"*
Guinaifen licked her lips, comparing the options. The female protagonist, Stelle, had an innocent, earnest face—eerily relatable. Decision made.
For simplicity, she kept the default name—**Stelle**.
A data bundle transmitted to Silver Wolf, and Stelle's body began materializing. Kafka approached the newly formed figure, the Stellaron gleaming in her palm.
*"How much does she remember?"*
*"At least she remembers you."*
*"Ha…"*
In one fluid motion, Kafka slipped an arm around Stelle's waist—and plunged the Stellaron into her chest.
Guinaifen's jaw dropped.
*That's how you implant a Stellaron?! Just… shove it in?!*
She inhaled sharply, her own chest tightening in phantom sympathy.
The perspective shifted abruptly—**first-person**. Stelle's awakening.
Three dialogue options flashed:
**[This... is... where?]**
**[Kaf...fa?]**
**[...Who...are you?]**
Guinaifen chose the second.
Kafka's lips curled into a "gentle" smile—though given the Stellaron Hunters' notorious reputation, it carried an edge of menace.
*"Oh, wonderful! You remember me."*
She glanced at Silver Wolf, then back at Stelle.
*"[Listen closely]: Your mind is in chaos. You don't know who you are, why you're here, or what comes next. I seem familiar, yet you're unsure if you can trust me—*
*But none of that matters now. I must leave you here alone. So from this moment on, stop dwelling on the past. Stop doubting yourself.*
*Listen carefully: You'll face dangers. Escape nightmares. But you'll also find wonders—companions like family, adventures beyond imagination.*
*At the journey's end, every puzzle will unravel.*
*This is the future Elio foresaw… Do you like it?"*
**[I do... probably.]**
**[No, I don't...]**
**[Where are you going...?]**
Guinaifen paused, rubbing her chin.
*"Fam, is Kafka a riddle-wrapped enigma? What's she even saying?"*
Chat erupted:
***
*"The 'Listen to me' part was highlighted—production team's hinting at something!"*
*"No kidding, Sherlock."*
*"The color change means it's a function declaration!"*
*"Intelligentsia Guild members in chat?!"*
*"Enough debate—I'm right! It's Kafka's Linguistic Power. Psychological suggestion to control actions."*
*"Holy hell! So meeting Kafka = instant mind-control victim?!"*
*"Relax, you'll never meet her. Also, you're already a joke."*