Chapter 334: The Game's Special Thanks? The Post-Credits Scene Reveals… No Survivors?!
[ Talk to Black Swan and wait for the warp to begin ]
Guinaifen saw the prompt on the interface.
At this moment, inside the parlor car, all was quiet.
Everyone was sitting in their respective seats.
The river of stars outside the window flowed silently.
Black Swan said gently, "Oh? You're here. Your reflection is mirrored among the stars in the window… Hehe, it makes you look a little indistinct."
"So, how was it? This journey of sweet dreams… was it to your satisfaction?"
[ I felt like there was still something left to be desired… ]
"That slight feeling of regret and melancholy… Yes, I quite like memories with such a long-lasting aftertaste too."
"Then… would you return that little parting gift to me? I can't wait any longer."
[ Submit Item: Order of Destiny ]
Seeing this item, Guinaifen was stunned for a moment.
She lamented, "So it was this thing?"
"Black Swan, you actually still remembered!"
"So stingy! You didn't even leave it for us as a souvenir."
However, upon taking back the parting gift, Black Swan's expression changed slightly!
She let out a surprised and doubtful sound!
"Oh, it's nothing…"
"I just… found a very interesting place in your memory."
"Before I tell you the reason… I must apologize to you, Trailblazer. Actually, the parting gift I gave you wasn't a compass of the Memory Zone… but merely an empty Light Cone."
"Do you remember when we first entered the dream hotel, and I asked your companions for a few accessories? Their functions are similar."
"This way, I could sense you at any time, so I could step in to help whenever you encountered danger."
"But… that wasn't its most fundamental function."
"Light Cones are slices of light used to encapsulate and solidify phenomena [ memories ]. This empty Light Cone is the same."
"It can record your memories in their most vivid form, and then… be enjoyed and played with by me, becoming a unique recollection."
…
"This…"
"Good heavens, a portable surveillance camera, is it?!"
"As expected of the Garden of Recollection."
"The word 'play with' is used very subtly…"
"So Black Swan was actually coveting our memories!"
"Give it to her! Let her play with them!"
…
Black Swan continued, "Everything in the world comes from the power of spirit and spirituality—and this power is memory. If we wish to avoid being left behind by the world, we must let the world remember us… or, reshape the world with our memories."
"Life seems long, yet we can only extract a mere handful of powerful memories: some joyful, some sad, some light, some heavy… But you are different, Trailblazer."
"Memory is the reflection of the future. From that reflection, I can see your unique value. You can create memories that captivate the world… Your memories can reflect the future direction of the universe."
"And those memories… will be as brilliant as the countless stars visible right here in this window."
[ You're making me blush a little… ]
"How cute. But, do you know the deeper reason why I did this?"
"The reason is simple—in this grand and ostentatious dream of the Family, only you experienced the entire process firsthand."
This line of subtitles was even specially highlighted in a key color!
Guinaifen showed a solemn expression!
This was Feathered Spirit's hint to the players!
This sentence was going to be extremely crucial!
Experienced the entire process firsthand?
Was there some special meaning behind this?
Just as she was about to press further, Black Swan said, "Don't be impatient. I will reveal the answer… but now is not the time."
"Look back at your friends. Each of them is cheering for the next destination, full of anticipation for their respective present and future. If we spoil everything now, wouldn't that be a total buzzkill?"
"I want to choose a good time, a time when you are completely relaxed… Perhaps, every time the night grows blurry, and every moment you are about to fall asleep, is the most suitable."
"How about we pick a night? I will prepare candlelight, fragrance, and a soft couch to create a comfortable dreamland for you. Then, I will tell you that answer as a little bedtime story to coax you to sleep…"
The players in the live stream immediately grew anxious!
…
"Still speaking in riddles!"
"Oh no, I feel like my brain is about to grow!"
"What's the situation? We were just choosing the next destination, but Black Swan's words are making me feel uneasy."
"Just dance with me and you'll behave."
"A bedtime story, hehe… I like it!"
"Old Swan is quite romantic."
"I'm already one year old, yet I still need to listen to a story to fall asleep~"
…
Suddenly, Pom-Pom's voice rang out!
"Hey—hey, hey—Attention, all passengers—"
"The Express is about to warp—The Express is about to warp—Please sit tight and hold on, pom!"
Black Swan smiled slightly.
"Hehe, it seems we are finally about to set off. There are still so many shining memories waiting for us in the distance… Shall we stop our chat here for now?"
"Ah, right. As a small compensation for teasing you with that empty Light Cone, I want to leave you with a sentence. It holds a very important meaning for me…"
"Life is a winding labyrinth; except for memories, we have nothing."
"You must keep it well in your heart, okay?"
…
Guinaifen rubbed her arms.
Why did she suddenly feel a chill down her spine for some reason?
An illusion!
It must be an illusion!
She then said to the camera, "Guys, the warp is about to start!"
"To be honest, I'm quite looking forward to the new map of the next stop."
"And the foreshadowing Black Swan left here…"
"I wonder when it will be revealed?"
With that, she clicked the screen.
She thought a warp animation would appear.
However, a line of subtitles appeared instead!
[ Amber Era 2158, the first year of the era, the universe returned once more to its proper orbit. The sparks of conspiracy smoldered in the dreamland of Penacony; before they could rage into a wildfire, they became a spark on Qlipoth's anvil, vanishing in an instant. ]
Black Swan softly read the content of the subtitles.
It was like the curtain call after a play ended.
[ The dead and those who should die slept as before, and the living were able to sleep soundly. Everyone clamored loudly in silence, each going their own way. The galaxy glowed with the vitality it should have at the beginning of every era, the cost being merely the slight sorrow of a pair of siblings. ]
[ Babies are being born, stars are extinguishing. The silver rail is laying out. The story of the Astral Express has come to a temporary close, and it has also begun anew. ]
[ Time rolls forward, and the journey of Trailblaze will also turn to a new chapter. ]
The live stream was instantly filled with question marks!
With Black Swan's narration, many players also gradually realized what was happening.
…
"Waaaaah…"
"It's over~"
"Is it really over? Is it truly finished… Will we meet again? Waaaaah, Star Rail, how am I supposed to live without you?"
"It can be considered a perfect curtain call."
"Congratulations on the completion, thank you for the company~"
"May this journey lead us starward."
"From now on, it's our story."
"Group photo to commemorate the finale!"
"This counts as Sunday achieving his ideal at the cost of sacrificing himself…"
"This prosperous world is as you wished."
"I'm going to create an alt account and start all over again!"
…
[ The Dreamscape of Penacony, End ]
[ "Honkai: Star Rail" ]
[ Starring: Trailblazer ]
[ … ]
The names of the cast appeared one by one.
This made all the players even more certain…
[ Honkai: Star Rail ] was truly finished here!
Guinaifen looked at her own face reflected in the black screen.
For a moment, her feelings were complex, and she felt a sense of loss.
Until the final subtitles appeared.
[ Script Supervisor: Elio ]
[ In Eternal Memory of:
Razalina
Tiernan
Lagwork-Char-Mikhail ]
[ May This Journey Lead Us Starward ]
Seeing the last line, Guinaifen was sure.
The plot had truly come to a temporary close!
"Well then…"
"Little Gui is also going to end the stream here to sort out her emotions."
"Thank you, everyone…"
Halfway through her sentence, she suddenly froze!
Because!
Black Swan's voice rang out once more!
"You feel very relaxed now, don't you? Then…"
"Now, it's time to tell you a little bedtime story."
An easter egg!
Guinaifen was instantly overjoyed!
Her fingertip was still hovering right before closing the game.
However…
Black Swan's next sentence struck her like a bolt from the blue!
Her scalp went numb!
She doubted if there was something wrong with her eyes!
"Let's jump to the conclusion first: in the confrontation against Sunday, everyone on the Express, and even everyone in Penacony, failed. No one survived."
???????