"Holy crap! Is Sampo talking directly to us through the screen?"
"Sampo, you sly dog!"
"The Elation! He mentioned the Elation!"
"So he's a suspected Masked Fool under the Aeon of Elation? Those guys only show up to stir the pot when a civilization is stagnant!"
"Is it possible? Sampo is actually the game developer! He's Yu Ling!"
...
At the Interastral Peace Corporation (IPC).
Following Topaz's investment mission on Jarilo-VI, another major task was laid before the executives.
"So. Who is willing to take on this assignment?Apprehend the suspected developer of Honkai: Star Rail, Sampo Koski."
Aventurine, from the Strategic Investment Department, replied, "It won't be that simple. If the developer Yu Ling really were Sampo, why would he deliberately expose his identity at the end?"
"But right now, we have no other leads on Yu Ling. We cannot rule out the possibility that the developer is simply being clever."
Aventurine: "Fair enough. There's still some time before we head to Penacony. I'll take this case."
"Aventurine, if Sampo really is the developer, he surely has hidden cards. I suggest you prioritize the recovery of Penacony. Don't end up failing both assignments."
Aventurine: "Thanks for the advice. However, I have my own chips. There's no need for you to worry."
...
On the Astral Express.
March 7th took a massive, frustrated bite out of a piece of fruit.
"That Sampo! He hid it so deep, even he managed to trick me!"
"If it weren't for this cutscene in the game, I really would've thought he was just a Jarilo-VI local!"
Himeko walked over to comfort her. "Alright, little March, don't be so upset."
"Welt and I analyzed it. It's highly likely Sampo is a Masked Fool. Aha's followers are unpredictable, but he didn't actually do anything to harm you. In fact, he helped out in quite a few places."
"Even so... the next time I see him, I'm still going to give him a good thrashing!"
Stelle nodded vigorously beside her, clearly sharing the sentiment.
After venting about Sampo for a while, the group turned their attention back to the plot.
A "peaceful" night passed at the Goethe Hotel.
It was time to leave Jarilo-VI and return to the Express.
Under a clear sky.
A shining star soared upward, piercing the clouds.
Inside Qlipoth Fort, Seele and Bronya, who were in the middle of a heated argument over the priorities of urban reconstruction, suddenly fell silent.
Seele pointed out the window. "Bronya, look!"
Watching the meteor streak across the heavens, the two stopped their bickering and shared a smile of relief.
"I wonder... will they face many more hardships on their journey?" Bronya sighed.
"Yeah... maybe even more danger than what we face here."
"But we will overcome. Even if it means arguments like this have to continue forever..."
"Hey, I'm pretty good at arguing."
The two looked like an old married couple making up after a spat.
March 7th grabbed Stelle and shook her excitedly.
"They really are perfect for each other!"
"This is so nice. This ending is way more complete than when we had to rush back in reality!"
...
In Guinaifen's livestream.
Looking at the scene, Guinaifen also wore a doting, "auntie-like" smile.
"Hehehe..."
The viewers immediately teased her.
Shipping is fine, but wipe the drool off your chin!
You're live, girl! Maintain your image!
Guinaifen retorted, "What drool! These are tears! They just happen to be leaking from the corner of my mouth, okay!"
She looked back at the game interface, her smile slowly fading.
"Phew..."
"It's that time again."
"Do you guys think there will be more new content?"
A flurry of bullet chats appeared in the stream.
"I'm March 7th! We just got back from Jarilo-VI. I'll bet ten Star Rail Passes that there won't be a new main story! The Express crew hasn't even decided where to go next!"
"If you're March 7th, then I'm Dan Heng!"
"Objectively speaking, the game's progress has already surpassed reality. Any further and it's not reflecting realityit's predicting the future."
"True. It's impossible for there to be more main story."
"Even if it ends here, this game is already legendary."
"The streamer is going too fast. I'm still doing the [To the Faint Star] side quest at the Space Station."
"Believe in Yu Ling. Yu Ling is my god!"
Guinaifen felt her nerves tensing up along with the viewers.
She squeezed one eye shut and tapped the screen gently.
[New Mission: The Silent Galaxy]
[Talk to Pom-Pom and prepare to start the next journey.]
"AAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!"
Guinaifen let out a high-pitched squeal.
"It's real! There's another journey!"
"This game is literally invincible!!"
"I really... I don't know what to say anymore!!"
"Yu Ling, you're the GOAT!!!!"
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