Chapter 471: Is This Version of Star Rail Just One Massive Virus Mod?!
"See? I told you no one would recognize us after changing outfits!"
"I'll give it to you, you're actually right!"
Paperfold University, Color Dream Avenue.
A spark of excitement flashed in March 7th's eyes.
Changing into a different set of clothes, wearing a wig, and colored contacts.
Forget about other people—even she could barely recognize herself now!
The journey here had been smooth sailing without any obstacles.
A few students had even mistaken her for a newly enrolled junior, enthusiastically coming over to ask if she needed any help.
Bustling crowds, an endless array of stalls.
It completely matched every fantasy she had ever held about college life.
Even though before this, neither March 7th nor Stelle had any clear concept of what a university was like.
"Look, that stall is selling posters of the Stellaron Hunters!"
"There's even a Penacony Haunted edition of the wanted posters! You've gotta buy one of those, right?"
"Ooh ooh, look, there's my—I mean, March 7th's Light Cone standee! Merchandise is already out right after the release, these people move so fast!"
March 7th's eyes darted around in dazzled amazement.
Apart from the basic club booths in the university, most of the stalls here were related to Honkai: Star Rail!
Clearly, the wind of Honkai: Star Rail had swept across Penacony.
It had already become the most prestigious and trendy cultural phenomenon today.
They arrived at the central stage.
Even though some time had passed since the preview PV was released, a huge crowd of students was still gathered here!
After all, the next version's storyline would take place right here at Paperfold University!
This was undoubtedly massive news for the students of Paperfold University!
Intense discussions echoed around them.
"By the way, looking at the PV, a lot of Sweetdream Troupes are going to go out of control, right? Is it going to be dangerous?"
"Relax! As soon as the PV finished playing, the school administration conducted a thorough inspection of all the Sweetdream Troupes on campus and increased security. It'll definitely be fine."
"Yeah, the next version looks like a super fun one, and this is a school. What could possibly go wrong?"
"I feel like there are several times more people on campus today. It feels like all of Penacony has shown up!"
"I need to hurry up and restock my inventory to seize this overwhelming flood of traffic and fortune!"
Just then, a sharp burst of static crackled through all the loudspeakers across the campus.
Immediately after, what sounded like the principal's voice rang out.
"Hello, students."
"Recently, our Paperfold University has drawn considerable attention across the cosmos, with many tourists visiting our campus out of admiration..."
"All of this is thanks to the preview PV of Honkai: Star Rail, which featured many scenes of our university."
"Amidst the celebration and excitement, I would like to remind everyone:"
"Among the numerous visiting tourists, besides passionate players, there may also be some uninvited guests."
"As students of Paperfold University, you must set a good example."
March 7th and Stelle looked toward the loudspeakers.
March 7th whispered, "The 'uninvited guests' he mentioned... he's not talking about us, right?"
"You're overthinking it. We're galactic superstars now. What do they call it? An incognito visit?"
Just as everyone thought the principal's speech was over, his voice sounded again, as if he had suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, a little creature called the Slumbernana Monkey has become quite popular recently. I watched it too—it's very cute."
"The Slumbernana Monkey lives in the Slumbernana Hour, leading a carefree life..."
"This aligns very well with the spirit of our Paperfold University—vibrant dreams, free ideals."
"I hope everyone unleashes their individuality to the fullest and shows the players across the universe the true spirit of our Paperfold University students!"
Bzzzt!
The broadcast ended.
Cheers erupted from many students!
This meant the principal was publicly supporting their events and festivities!
On the giant screen, which had been playing the preview PV for Honkai: Star Rail on a loop, the style suddenly took a drastic turn!
Several monkeys with "intellectual" gazes appeared on the screen.
Immediately after, an array of arranged bananas appeared, accompanied by brainwashing, hypnotic music:
"Banana! Banana! Banana! Banana! Banana!"
The cheerful atmosphere instantly froze.
Everyone stood rooted to the spot, staring blankly at the content appearing on the big screen, completely bewildered!
The ice cream in March 7th's hand melted and dripped onto her hand without her even realizing it.
Her mouth hung wide open, as if she had been hit by a paralyzing spell.
As the Slumbernana Monkey spun and leaped continuously on screen, quite a while passed before someone finally reacted.
"Holy shit!?"
"What the heck is this?!"
"Mental pollution!"
"Where's my Star Rail preview PV? Switch it back!"
"Did the school's computer catch a virus?"
"I didn't eat any bad mushrooms, did I?!"
"This is way too surreal!"
***
The scene's reaction was being broadcast live to a computer.
Inside the laboratory, Professor Bananas was silently observing everything from behind the scenes.
Soon, some students snapped out of their daze!
Realization dawned on them: "I remember now! This is the Slumbernana Monkey!"
"Oh, oh, that thing that just became popular..."
"I heard our school actually has quite a few Banana fans, and they even formed a 'Slumbernana Club'!"
"I really don't get what's so good about this thing. Compared to Star Rail, it's not even on the same level."
"My evaluation: it doesn't even hold a candle to a single strand of Star Rail!"
"People who like Slumbernana Monkey must be a bit weird in the head."
"Change the channel quickly! If you like this kind of niche stuff, watch it privately on your own. Hurry up and put my preview PV back on! I haven't watched it enough yet!"
Professor Bananas' expressions froze slightly!
He had already cranked the strength of the memetic virus to the absolute maximum!
According to experimental data, anyone who saw the video should have been infected instantly, completely immersed in their love for the Slumbernana Monkey, unable to pull themselves out.
But now!
They were still muttering about that damn Honkai: Star Rail!
How could this be?!
Suddenly, a look of horror washed over Professor Bananas' face!
"Could it be... could it be...?!"
"Is Honkai: Star Rail actually an even more terrifying memetic virus, nana?"
"It has already covered the entire universe! Is that why the Slumbernana Monkey isn't working at all?"
Professor Bananas immediately activated the highest level of monitoring.
However, a moment later, the cold experimental results informed him that Honkai: Star Rail wasn't some memetic virus, but a turn-based game in the truest sense.
Of course, there was another possibility: the existence of this game transcended his own cognition, so even the monitoring equipment for memetic viruses couldn't detect it.
"No, I'm overthinking it."
Professor Bananas paced back and forth in the laboratory, trying to rationalize it to himself.
"Memetic viruses cause a subtle cognitive distortion."
"Like rain gently moistening things silently..."
"It will ferment over time and spread from person to person."
"Right now, it's just because it hasn't reached the expected timeframe yet."
"Give the Slumbernana Monkey a little time."
"It will definitely suppress Honkai: Star Rail and create a craze of its own."
Professor Bananas nodded, convincing himself that this must be the case!
Suddenly, a sharp notification chime sounded from an electronic device nearby.
[Honkai: Star Rail Version 2.6 will officially update in half a system hour! Log in quickly and become the most liberated Trailblazer together!]
Professor Bananas' hand trembled slightly!
It was clearly just an ad push, yet it gave him the feeling that a disaster was imminent!
"The new version's story..."
"I must... watch it too!"
"I'm not like those players..."
"This is for research... for science, nana!"