Belobog – Qliphoth Fort
Inside the grand halls of Qliphoth Fort, Aventurine and Topaz took a rare break to watch Blade's character PV, "[A Lost Soul]."
Aventurine clapped lightly, impressed.
"Not bad. This PV's production value is top-tier."
"From a corporate perspective, it's a goldmine."
Topaz smirked. "When has Ling Yu ever released a PV that wasn't a masterpiece?"
"Some idiots at the IPC tried copying this game—all of them flopped."
Aventurine leaned back lazily.
"Even I can tell—this game is one of a kind. Only fools would try imitating it."
"If I were in the Development Department, I wouldn't copy. I'd collaborate with Ling Yu."
Topaz rolled her eyes. "Dream on."
"The whole IPC's been hunting for Ling Yu and hasn't found a single hair."
"Thinking you can partner with them? Keep fantasizing."
Aventurine polished his glasses with an embroidered cloth, unfazed.
"Dreaming? You're right—my next mission is about dreams."
"And I know—with enough profit, even the most elusive will cooperate."
Topaz scoffed. "Then why not ask Ling Yu to add you to the game?"
"Give you a whole storyline, a flashy PV... You'd be a galaxy-wide star!"
Aventurine waved her off.
"My past? Not worth telling. I'd rather bet on something bigger."
"Though, if they add your pig, maybe a duo skill—"
Numby shot up, ready to pounce.
Aventurine instantly surrendered.
"Okay, okay! I yield!"
He straightened his coat, feigning nonchalance—but Numby kept circling, eyes locked.
Aventurine sighed. "Shouldn't have joked."
"Fine, as apology—here's some IPC intel."
Topaz perked up. Corporate employees—always pragmatic.
Aventurine pulled up a screen, sliding it to her.
"Blade's banner revenue—topped the charts in hours."
"Every new character does this. Jing Yuan's banner broke the payment system."
"The higher-ups are furious."
"So now... they're planning countermeasures."
Topaz's eyes narrowed. Interesting.
"What countermeasures?"
Aventurine tapped Blade's image.
"Stellaron Hunters—wanted by the IPC, yet beloved thanks to Star Rail."
"They'll 'expose' future characters—like Kafka's crimes—to turn players against them."
"Classic smear campaign. Maybe even hire trolls."
Topaz shook her head. "Pathetic."
"Hope they lose everything."
Aventurine chuckled. "Enough gossip. Let's check on Lady Bronya."
Belobog – Underground
Seele and Natasha watched the projection screen, while Sampo played Honkai: Star Rail in the corner.
The game had reached Belobog's finale—recounting their journey through the Trailblazer's eyes.
[Bronya's message: The decade-long blockade ends today.]
[The cable cars reopen. The Underground breathes free under the same sky.]
Seele was stunned. The game kept shattering her expectations.
Natasha remained composed, though her pupils flickered. She'd accepted most of it.
Sampo grinned. "See? Told you it was amazing."
"Fighting the Fragmentum, the Stellaron—they made it epic."
"No wonder it's a galaxy-wide hit!"
Seele exhaled sharply.
Sampo hesitated. "Uh... This is my main account."
"People rent my supports for 80,000 Credits a day—"
Seele grabbed the phone, clumsily maneuvering the controls—but quickly got the hang of it.
She followed the quest marker to the cable car operator.
[About the cable cars...]
Operator: "You—the Underground's saviors! Operating the first post-blockade ride is an honor!"
[Show me your license.]
[Is this thing safe...?]
Seele picked the second option.
Operator: "Relax! In my 20-year career, there've been... uh... almost no accidents!"
"Ahem—ready to board?"
[Take the children up for fresh air.]
Seele tapped it—reliving the moment the blockade lifted.
Back then, it had happened too fast for emotions to sink in.
Now? The impact hit harder.
The scene shifted—Natasha and Oleg leading Hook, Clara, and the children to the surface.
Hook: "W-Woah! This 'ceiling' is huge!"
Natasha: "That's not a ceiling... It's the sky."
"This... is the Overworld. The air... smells different, doesn't it?"
Clara (softly): "No more rust or machine dust..."
Oleg (laughing): "Breathe deep, kids! This is freedom!"
Natasha (musing): "Strange... On the ride up, I thought of so much to do."
"But now... I just want to sit, watch the crowds... and do nothing all day."
Oleg: "Enjoy the peace, Natasha. You've earned it."
She hadn't expected this moment to be recreated.
Now, watching it—the emotions rushed back, deeper than before.
"This game... is too well-made."
"Seeing this... makes every struggle worth it."
Seele blinked rapidly, eyes bright and fierce.
"I know what to tell Bronya now!"
"Let her see this! Let the IPC see it!"
"Our planet's future won't be handed to them!"
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