Chapter 72: Firefly-chan!
[Driven by her determination to save Firefly, Stelle blazed through numerous puzzles and soon approached the hotel lobby.
"I dreamed of scorched earth, a single sprout breaking through the soil. It bloomed toward the morning sun, whispering to me..."
"Why do people choose to slumber? I think..."
"...it's because they fear waking from the [dream]."
Emerging from the elevator, Stelle seemed to hear Firefly's murmurs. She sprinted anxiously toward the lobby, terrified she might be too late. Soon, Stelle arrived where Firefly stood. Sensing someone behind her, Firefly turned—and upon seeing Stelle, smiled softly. Stelle rushed toward her in worry, but above them, within the violet haze, that monster appeared once more! Ignoring Stelle entirely, it lunged straight for Firefly, lifting her into the air before driving its bladed tail straight through her chest. It happened too fast—neither Stelle nor Acheron could react in time. Tears spilled from Firefly's eyes as she gazed at Stelle. "I'm... sorry..."
[Death's Shadow] yanked its blade free and flung her to the ground. Stelle dropped her bat and lunged forward, desperate to catch her—but the moment she embraced Firefly, the girl dissolved into shimmering liquid before her eyes. The monster vanished unscathed, leaving Stelle shattered with grief.]
[Stelle]:"FIREFLY!!!"
Even knowing the real Firefly was unharmed, she couldn't help but feel the agony of her in-game self.
[Otto]:"To watch someone you love die before your eyes, powerless to stop it... I understand your pain."
[Huohuo]:"Miss Firefly... Sniff... Waaah~"
[Tail]:"Ugh, crybaby. Relax, there's gotta be a twist coming!"
[Elysia]:"Wasn't this supposed to be a lighthearted, happy vacation? Why did it turn out like this?"
[Mobius]:"Firefly should be fine. Even just from the chat's info, I know she—or rather, SAM—is the strongest fighter among the Stellaron Hunters. Dying without resistance? Impossible."
[Sparkle]:"Little gray-haired girl, Firefy spent all her savings shopping with you~"
[Sampo]:"Firefly took you to her secret hideout and shared her secrets with you~"
[Aha]:"And you, my friend? You couldn't save her life—couldn't even give her one last hug~"
[Stelle]:"Stop it! I couldn't do anything!"
[Firefly]:"Alright, don't be sad. This was all part of the script—I'll be fine!"
[Acheron and Black Swan took turns comforting Stelle until she finally calmed down. Once Stelle stabilized, Black Swan decided to check on Miss Himeko and March 7th's safety first.
After Black Swan left, Stelle briefly lashed out at Acheron before regaining composure—right now, uncovering the truth mattered most. Acheron offered Stelle a solemn warning:
"Once, someone told me... [Show no mercy to your enemies—that is cruelty to yourself. But you must recognize who your true enemy is...]"
"...And understand the meaning and cost behind swinging that blade."
"That is the only advice a bloodstained sinner like me can give you."
Soon, Black Swan returned with news: They'd been intercepted by The Family earlier and never ventured deep into the dream. Himeko wanted Stelle to return to reality first and regroup later at Clockie's statue.]
[Sakura]:"? Weird... Why does Miss Acheron's speech sound so familiar?"
[Pardofelis]:"Isn't that just how Sakura talks? Feels like something she'd say."
[Vill-V]:"If true, the parallels between Izumo and us grow even stronger."
[March 7th]:"With so many cosmic counterparts out there, one more 'Stellar parallel' isn't too weird, right?"
[Kiana]:"The dreamscape's so dangerous now—Aunt Himeko, please stay safe!"
[Murata Himeko]:"I'm perfectly fine. Ever since you learned I might die in battle someday, you've been extra worried. Just focus on your studies—that's the best help you can give me!" [Black Swan noted that Stelle's psyche was still unstable and advised against teleporting. Acheron, however, wanted to linger a few minutes—she had unfinished business.
Stelle watched as Acheron walked to where Firefly had vanished. Pausing there, she pressed her lips together and lowered her gaze. After a long moment, she bent down, gathering something unseen in her hands before standing again. "May death end your long dream... and guide you back... to the waking world."]
[Silver Wolf]:"Pfft—how does it feel watching someone mourn you?"
[Firefly]:"...It feels... really weird." [After waiting briefly, Black Swan led the way onward. Along the path, Acheron and she suddenly sensed the surrounding Memoria grow scorching hot—as if something were burning...
Passing through a corridor into a grand hall, they found it littered with charred monster remains. Black Swan analyzed the killer's methods through memory traces—likely someone erasing clues about Firefly. To find answers before the culprit did, the trio sped up their search. Rushing to a room holding Firefly's traces, Black Swan reconstructed its memories with her powers. From this, they deduced Firefly had come here with a companion—one who seemingly betrayed her, leading to her being chased into the lobby and killed by [Death]. Following Firefly's fading echoes back to the lobby, they were met not by a girl needing rescue—but by Stellaron Hunter: SAM. "A Galaxy Ranger... and a Memokeeper."
"Leave now, and no one gets hurt.""Otherwise—you all die."
Without another word, SAM attacked. Mid-battle, Black Swan teleported Stelle away—straight into Aventurine's presence.]
[Stelle]:"SAM's here! Firefly really is okay!"
[Firefly]:"So... in your theory, SAM betrayed me? I... betrayed myself?"
[Honkai Star Rail·Welt]:"Hard to believe a delicate girl like you pilots that armored behemoth."
[Honkai Star Rail·Welt]:"That mech is seriously cool though—the sleek frame, the vibrant colors..."
[March 7th]:"Mr. Yang, it IS awesome... but is it THAT awesome?"
[Honkai Impact·Welt]:"It's faith! Unshakable faith! MECHS RULE!!"
Inside the Elysian Realm, Welt proudly manifested a SAM armor replica before Kosma. Unlike his future self, he still wielded the Herrscher of Reason's power—of course he could construct it. Sure, aside from looks, he designed everything else himself. Never mind performance—just admit it looks spot-on!