Chapter 206: The Penacony Main Quest begins! The foreshadowing of the Nameless of the past!
The Reverie Hotel.
Acheron's room.
"What are you doing in my room?"
Hearing the cold interrogation from behind.
Black Swan was slightly startled!
She had not anticipated Acheron's perception to be so acute!
Even within the dreamscape, she could detect her presence, approaching in the form of a meme.
However.
Black Swan did not panic.
As a Memokeeper.
She had encountered such situations quite a few times while collecting memories.
Steading her mind a fraction.
She spoke in an affectedly relaxed tone: "To be frank, I am quite curious about you."
"I am Black Swan, a Memokeeper of the Garden of Recollection."
"Let us make an exchange."
Acheron looked at Black Swan coldly.
Noncommittal.
Just as Black Swan intended to continue speaking.
The television in the room.
Suddenly flickered.
Transitioning from a SoulGlad commercial to a news broadcast interface.
The host's voice rang out.
"Good evening, dear tourists chasing dreams in Penacony!"
"We interrupt this program to bring you a real-time news flash—"
"The cosmic-tier game developed by Feathered Spirit, [ Honkai: Star Rail ], has just ushered in its brand-NEW VERSION!!!"
"It is reported that the content of this version will be a Trailblaze journey in Penacony!"
"The representative of the Iris Family has already secured a collaboration with the renowned streamer—Little Gui, Guinaifen."
"Dear tourists, you may choose to enter the dreamscape to experience the new version's content yourselves, or you can follow the streamer's perspective to appreciate and discuss the latest storyline together."
"We will set up collective viewing points for the live broadcast in all major popular areas."
"…The Family will continue to provide you with the highest quality of service…"
The new version of [ Honkai: Star Rail ]…
Updating at this very moment?
Even Black Swan could not help but be momentarily stunned.
She found herself caught in a dilemma.
Should she remain here and entangle herself with Acheron, or find a place to watch the latest version's storyline first?
Previously, players had leaked on the forums.
The first limited five-star character of the new version was highly likely to be herself!
Then, within the game, she would certainly have a corresponding storyline!
And at this moment.
Acheron spoke: "I have absolutely no interest in your exchange."
"Leave this place, Memokeeper."
"It is for the best, for both of us."
Black Swan offered a captivating smile.
Only children make choices.
She wanted it all!
"I, too, would like to just leave, but unfortunately."
"I have discovered something quite extraordinary."
Black Swan approached the music box on the desk.
Gently touching a scorched mark at the base of the music box with her finger.
"You are not the owner of this music box, are you, beautiful Ranger?"
"Its true owner met a tragic end in the Ever-Flame Mansion just a day ago."
"As a Memokeeper, and simultaneously a player of [ Honkai: Star Rail ], I naturally cannot simply let this go."
Acheron sighed softly: "What exactly do you want?"
Seeing the other party compromise.
Black Swan's smile grew even more radiant.
Almost exuding an infinite, mesmerizing charm.
"I wish to share a dance with you."
"—It is as simple as that."
"In exchange, I am willing to keep this secret for you｀～."
Black Swan looked toward the music box.
Acheron gave a slight nod.
Tentatively extending her hand.
While Black Swan gently lowered her hand.
"No need to be so hasty."
"You see, the Penacony storyline has already begun. We might as well sit down together, watch this latest narrative first, and then take what we each require."
"In this new version, I am honored to have become a playable character in the game."
"You must harbor some wariness toward me, yes? Fret not, within the storyline, you shall see exactly what kind of person I am."
Acheron paused for a moment.
Wariness?
Not exactly…
She merely found it somewhat troublesome.
After all, she was a Memokeeper; if she were to draw her blade, it would inevitably cause a certain degree of destruction within the hotel.
In that case, she would likely be unable to continue her stay in Penacony so smoothly.
And regarding the latest game storyline.
Acheron was also somewhat intrigued.
"Feathered Spirit… to even be able to brand my traces and craft them into the game's narrative."
"This is fine as well. There are many things I will no longer need to expend energy to forcefully memorize."
"Whenever I forget, I can simply watch the storyline again…"
Acheron raised her head.
At this moment, she even harbored a sliver of hope.
That Feathered Spirit could arrange as much storyline for her as possible.
However.
Acheron knew.
This was bound to be an extravagant hope.
Her past and future.
Were far too profound.
Even she herself, when gazing into and recalling them, would feel an ever-deepening sense of [ Nihility ].
This kind of [ Nihility ]…
Even [ Honkai: Star Rail ] would likely find it difficult to replicate, wouldn't it?
The television in the room had already automatically switched to the corresponding live stream.
It was none other than the galaxy-renowned streamer.
Little Gui, Guinaifen.
...
"Recalling the experiences of the most recent period… becoming a Nameless, following the Express Crew embarking on Trailblaze journeys one after another."
"Little Gui feels as if she's in a dream…"
"In the past, I couldn't even dare to believe the galaxy was this vast, with soul-stirring stories unfolding in every corner of the universe."
"Alright, the opening remarks are done."
"Let's officially begin the main storyline of Penacony!"
On the screen of the live stream.
It was the scene of the Astral Express navigating solitarily through the cosmos.
Little Gui gave a gentle tap.
Officially entering the game.
After claiming the [ Express Supply ],
The golden Trailblaze Mission prompt instantly popped up!
[ The Sound and the Fury, Long Day's Journey Into Night, Start ]
At the same time.
Pom-Pom sent a message.
[ Pom-Pom: Hello, hello ]
[ March 7th: Hello, hello ]
[ Dan Heng: … ]
[ Stelle: Hello, hello ]
[ Welt: Alright, alright, let's hear what the conductor has to say first. ]
[ Himeko: Is it time to depart for the next stop? ]
[ Pom-Pom: That's right, Pom! The warp device has been fully calibrated. ]
[ Pom-Pom: But before we set off, the conductor has three things to emphasize. ]
[ Pom-Pom: So for this Express meeting, Pom-Pom is joining too. ]
[ March 7th: Yay! The usual rules then. ]
[ March 7th: Gathering in the Parlor Car~ ]
"It's finally happening!"
Little Gui rubbed her hands together in excitement.
Visuals OK.
Audio OK.
Microphone OK.
The hotel room was filled with a faint fragrance; everything was ready.
Guinaifen had completely immersed herself within it.
As if she had truly transformed into a Nameless, currently waiting aboard the Astral Express for the warp to commence.
...
The Astral Express.
Aside from Dan Heng.
The entire Express Crew had already gathered in the Parlor Car.
March 7th hurriedly replied to a few messages on her phone before hastily setting it down, terrified of missing even a single detail from the storyline stream.
"Dan Heng says everything is fine with him on the Luofu; once he finishes handling his affairs, he'll come to Penacony to rendezvous with us!"
"He's currently paying attention to the latest storyline, just like us!"
"Good, then there are no issues," Himeko nodded.
Pom-Pom held the remote control.
Turning the volume up a bit.
On the projection screen in the middle of the carriage.
It was the Astral Express within the game.
Pom-Pom saw themselves speaking at the warp meeting.
"All passengers should be aware by now, Pom? The destination for this trip is the Planet of Festivities, Penacony."
"Although the conductor knows everyone has been looking forward to that universe-renowned starry hotel for a long time, before we depart, there are three things I must remind you all of again."
"First, the Asdana star system where Penacony is located is teeming with memoria, and historically, it was one of the major macrovoids where the memory zone leaked. Even though thousands of years have passed, the memoria concentration ahead remains above average."
"Normally, there shouldn't be any major issues… but everyone's physical constitution is different. Should anyone experience dizziness, hallucinations, or memory distortions, you absolutely must not take it lightly!"
"Second, Penacony is the territory of the Harmony Family, and this is also the first time the Family has publicly issued an invitation to other factions. Remember, the Express is visiting as invited guests; the rules that must be followed, must absolutely be followed."
March 7th interjected: "Got it, when in Rome, do as the Romans do! Don't worry, Conductor, we definitely won't bring shame to the Nameless."
"Finally, the third point. Rather than a requirement… Pom-Pom would like to make a presumptuous request of everyone."
"If possible—I hope that during your vacation, you can spare some time to help inquire about the whereabouts of a few Nameless."
[ What Nameless? ]
Himeko smiled faintly and said, "I'll explain."
"Like most worlds the Express docks at, Penacony was once a stop on the Silver Rail. Thousands of years ago, this place was a frontier prison of the IPC; it was the Trailblaze that connected it to the myriad stars."
"At that time, the Astral Express also visited Penacony—just as journeys have their gatherings and partings, according to the Express logs, it seems a few passengers chose to stay here, selecting Penacony as their final stop."
[ After so long, can they still be found? ]
"Don't be nervous, just treat it as a ritual of returning to an old place. After the Express left, the Stellaron severed the worlds, and the ownership of Penacony changed hands several times."
"How those old Nameless who stayed behind fared later, what events they experienced, and what traces they left upon this world… tracing the footsteps of our predecessors is also a kind of adventure."
"Even if they left the stars, the Trailblaze of the Nameless would not end. The conductor thinks so too, right?"
"According to the passenger manifest, the three passengers who disembarked back then were named Tiernan, Legwork, and Razalina. They were the Express's guard, mechanic, and surveyor. Aside from that, there is no other information."
Seeing the information of these three passengers appear in the storyline.
Pom-Pom couldn't help but open their mouth slightly!
Tugging at Mr. Yang's trouser leg, they sighed, "Their names appeared in the storyline, Pom…"
"Then, there should be storylines related to the three of them later on, right?"
"Wuwuwu…"
"I really hope to see the experiences of the three of them in Penacony."
Himeko comforted, "Rest assured, Conductor."
"According to Feathered Spirit's usual habits, since a foreshadowing was laid down right at the beginning."
"It will certainly be retrieved later on."
"We should witness the experiences of these three former Nameless in the storyline."
Pom-Pom took two steps closer.
Pleasantly surprised: "Really…?"
"Of course. Although it's unlikely to appear in the main storyline, it will definitely be in the side missions. At the very least, there will be related items, a Light Cone… or a Relic?"
March 7th was somewhat astonished.
Leaning closer to Stelle.
She whispered, "Does it feel like Pom-Pom is about to cry just hearing these three names?"
"It seems the bond between that generation of Nameless and Pom-Pom was quite deep back then."
"I wonder if, many years from now, when we're no longer around, Pom-Pom will miss us this much when thinking of us?"
"Pfft, pfft, pfft, what am I saying?"
"Our Trailblaze journey will never end!"
"Free and unfettered, playing together until the sky goes dark, ton!".