Chapter 37: The Thirteen Flame-Chasers
Congratulations to Kafka from the Honkai: Star Rail world for winning the opportunity to answer!
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Kafka: Oh, I truly didn't expect it to be me! ]
Kafka's success in snatching the answering opportunity left the denizens of the three worlds feeling rather dejected, particularly the folks from the Interastral Peace Corporation in the Honkai: Star Rail universe, who were gnashing their teeth in frustration. Some even loudly challenged the review livestream: Why should a Stellaron Hunter be allowed to answer?
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Kafka: I know many are envious of me, but I shall answer regardless. The Sages believed Lesser Lord Kusanali lacked the wisdom of Greater Lord Rukkhadevata, nor did she possess the martial strength of other deities. They deemed her unfit for the mantle of the Dendro Archon, which is why they conspired to forge a god. ]
"Are you certain of your answer?"
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Kafka: I am certain! ]
"Answer correct. Reward distribution in progress!"
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Otto: This question was devoid of any suspense; even a simpleton could have answered it! ]
[ Genshin Impact - Arataki Itto: Wait, you all knew what the answer was? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Siegfried: You didn't? ]
At this, the people across the three worlds froze, staring at Arataki Itto with strange expressions, waiting for his answer.
[ Genshin Impact - Arataki Itto: I don't know! ]
[ Others: … ]
[ Genshin Impact - Kujou Sara: Enough, you foolish Oni! Stop embarrassing our world here! ]
[ Genshin Impact - Kuki Shinobu: My apologies, Lady Kujou, and everyone else. It is my fault for failing to keep our boss in line. I shall take him away now! ]
By now, the denizens of the Genshin Impact world were covering their faces, feeling utterly mortified, while the inhabitants of the other two worlds erupted into uncontrollable laughter.
"Congratulations to Kafka from Honkai: Star Rail for receiving the reward: Emotional Completion!"
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Kafka: Emotional completion? ]
Within the Stellaron Hunter base, Kafka stared at the reward displayed on the livestream, momentarily stunned. She had been born without the capacity for fear, or indeed, several other trivial emotions.
Yet, a split second later, a bizarre sensation surged into her heart. She turned to look at Silver Wolf.
Silver Wolf, sensing Kafka's gaze, understood her intent instantly. She nodded, grabbed a tablet, and began playing a horror story. As the narrative delved deeper, a trace of fear slowly began to stir in the depths of Kafka's heart.
"I have truly completed my emotions?" Kafka raised a hand to her chest, gently closing her eyes as a turbulent emotion took root within her.
"Perhaps this is not so bad." Opening her eyes once more, a bewitching smile curled upon her lips.
…
As Kafka processed her reward, questions arose within the livestream.
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kiana: Emotional completion? What kind of strange reward is that? ]
[ Genshin Impact - Zhongli: Every person is born with emotions—kindness, joy, fear, and so on, both positive and negative. But what is meant by 'completing' them? ]
The denizens of Honkai Impact 3rd and Genshin Impact turned their gaze toward those from the Honkai: Star Rail universe.
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Blade: Kafka was born on a unique planet. Its inhabitants are born without the capacity for fear and lack certain other emotions. That is why, before any mission, Kafka always wears that smile—leaving you unable to discern her true feelings. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Pardofelis: Born without fear? How amazing! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Mobius: Born without fear, you say? If I could capture her for study… ]
[ Genshin Impact - Dottore: Someone born without fear… if I could obtain a sample of Ms. Kafka's genes, perhaps I could manufacture soldiers who know no terror! ]
At this moment, several sinister factions across the three worlds felt their interest piqued. If they could obtain even a trace of genetic material from Kafka's people, they might cultivate soldiers who knew no fear of death, and then…
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Sam: Hmph. Trying to target Kafka? You're still too green. If she were that easy to capture, the IPC would have snatched her up long ago, rather than offering such a high bounty. ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Topaz: This Stellaron Hunter is correct. If Kafka were truly that easy to capture, our Corporation would have hauled her in already! ]
"Everyone, pause for a moment. We shall now view a snippet of text to set the stage for tomorrow's review!"
[ Genshin Impact - Kaedehara Kazuha: Is this telling us in advance what tomorrow's topic will be? ]
[ Honkai: Star Rail - Asta: Is it akin to a teaser or a preview? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Theresa: Oh, letting us know what's coming in advance? ]
"Let the most powerful suffer the solitude of salvation. [ Deliverance ]
Let the most sincere be masked by betrayal. [ Human/Ego ]
Let the most compassionate be manipulated by fate. [ Discipline ]
Let the most elegant erase the capital of arrogance. [ Gold ]
Let the most complex be unable to dance upon the stage. [ Helix ]
Let the most insane abandon the meaning of survival. [ Decimation ]
Let the most enlightened fall into the trap of self-obsession. [ Bodhi ]
Let the most devoted lose their only tether. [ Setsuna ]
Let the most aspiring shatter the ideals of the past. [ Daybreak ]
Let the most studious fall into the infinite abyss of life and death. [ Infinity ]
Let the most innocent wander the ocean of darkness. [ Stars ]
Let the most humble seal away the emotions they cherish. [ Vicissitudes ]
Let the most joyful experience the true meaning of pain. [ Reverie ]"
"Preview concluded. Until tomorrow!"
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kevin: … ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Elysia: Oh, masked by betrayal! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Aponia: Manipulated by fate? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Eden: Erase the capital of arrogance? Then let me see it. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Vill-V: No longer able to perform? Perhaps that is a fitting ending. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kalpas: Enemies, kill them. Blockers, kill them. Hidden threats, kill them. All anomalies, kill them…! ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Su: I am but an observer. The path ahead is yours to decide. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Sakura: Sister… ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Kosma: Incarnate as a hero… ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Mobius: Falling into infinite life and death because of one's thirst for knowledge. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Griseo: What is wrong, everyone? ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Hua: Sealing away emotions. ]
[ Honkai Impact 3rd - Pardofelis: Huh? What do these thirteen sentences mean? ]
At this moment, within the headquarters of the Previous Era's Moth to the Flame:
"Then let us witness the future!" Kevin looked up at the livestream in the sky, a faint smile gracing his features.
The others smiled as well, save for Griseo and Pardofelis, who scratched their heads, gazing at the others with curiosity.
…