Chapter 53 : Chapter 53 The Spark of Conflict Returns
"Behind the tenth thoracic vertebra?"
"So, he can be killed after all."
Pier Point, Interstellar Peace Corporation.
After the mission to track down the Author of *honkai: star rail* was strictly canceled by upper management, Topaz was inexplicably given several days off.
It was strange.
The whole thing was so sudden—management demanded the investigation, then swiftly canceled it.
The specifics were so secretive that even Jade couldn't reveal much, or perhaps she herself had very little information.
So, Topaz took advantage of the holiday, created a new game account to try playing herself, but due to slow progress, ended up catching up on the story by watching livestreams.
Coincidentally, the livestream hosted by Guinaifen was currently the most popular within the Xianzhou.
Perhaps even Guinaifen herself was unaware that many high-profile figures—people she'd never even met—were lurking in her stream.
As she watched, Topaz found herself genuinely moved, or perhaps it was just her naturally empathetic nature.
Tiresias's sacrifice, Trianne's noble self-sacrifice.
But the game did have its merits, as she spotted quite a few familiar faces.
Among them was—
[Aventurine: The Pioneer's approach is rather unexpected...]
Topaz would never mistake that username.
Aventurine used this exact name on his social circles, so she decisively tried to contact him.
[Strategic Investment Department · Topaz]: "Is this you?"
[Screenshot.jpg]
[Strategic Investment Department · Topaz]: "The company gave you time off too, huh? Even though management banned it, you still showed up here. Don't tell me you're investigating privately?"
[...]
[Strategic Investment Department · Aventurine]: "Boring. I should've known better than to comment."
[Strategic Investment Department · Aventurine]: "But that's not my intention. You know, when management gives a direct order like that, even if they offered me the job, I wouldn't take it—let alone conduct a private investigation."
That was the truth.
They weren't eager to take on every assignment. Initially, their reluctance stemmed from the case involving just a game—too low-stakes with little reward.
Now, their reluctance was because the risks far outweighed any potential gains.
Management had personally ordered no one to touch it, likely with the approval of a company partner—that Genius.
At this level, investigating a game developer?
Aren't they afraid the investigation might eventually lead back to an Emanator?
Even a P45-level companybackbone might not be able to handle that.
[Strategic Investment Department · Aventurine]: "I'm just here to gather more information, to stack some chips for myself against any future upheavals."
[Strategic Investment Department · Aventurine]: "Aren't you doing the same?"
Clearly, despite their many ideological differences, the two had reached a consensus on this point.
When matters involved the Board of Directors, upper management, and such, it was no longer something they could decide privately.
In such situations, even if they had ideas, they had to carefully weigh whether they were prepared to face the potential consequences.
So, both simply wanted to observe the game.
That was all.
...
The conversation between Mydei and Phainon deeply moved the players.
Then Mydei entered the trial, while Phainon went to join the Chrysos Heirs, preparing together to face the Fire Thief.
The players were now fully engaged. If they couldn't save Trianne, they could at least make the one who harmed her pay!
Passing through the layers of stubborn rock in Kremnos City, the formerLone Army of Suspended Edge, who had waited for Mydei to become king, spontaneously organized to hold off the Fire Thief and the Black Tide Creation.
Along the way, Guinaifen saw too many people fallen on the ground.
Until they reached the center of Kremnos City's arena, surrounded by a ring of rising bonfires, scattered ruins and debris, and a pitch-black sky.
By now, the Fire Thief had been locked in combat with Anaxa for some time.
"Finally here."
Anaxa shifted his perspective; the two were locked in a fierce battle.
Following the original plan, Hesitation immediately flew out, and in a burst of light, Kremnos City instantly transformed from night to day!
Then the screen split.
[Battle Start]
"What? We can control now?" Guinaifen's eyes lit up.
Having hacked throughLittle monsters along the way, she was long bored—finally, a boss to fight!
Besides, if it weren't for this guy, Trianne wouldn't have...
So, Guinaifen had been itching to use her C6 Herta toTorture severely this monster and avenge Trianne!
"Folks, our chance for revenge is finally here! Watch my C6 Herta unleash her ultimate and crush him!"
[You go, Guinaifen! Avenge Trianne!]
[If it weren't for this Fire Thief, Trianne wouldn't have...]
The second encounter with the Fire Thief wasn't too difficult, especially with Guinaifen's C6 setup. She quickly depleted his two lives.
But it wasn't over.
After the battle ended, the scene shifted. The Fire Thief, raising his Moonblade, was about to strike Anaxa.
Unfortunately for him, it played right into their hands. While Anaxa restrained him and retrieved the Seed of Time from his grasp, Tribbie seized the moment to open the Gate of a Hundred Worlds and teleport everyone away.
The Fire Thief was tenacious. He tore open the Gate of a Hundred Worlds and tried to pursue.
At the critical moment, a red crystal bloomed!
Boom——!
"How pathetic, Deliverer."
A familiar voice echoed.
"It's Mydei!"
Everyone turned abruptly.
Beneath the blade of the Heaven's Scourge, Mydei walked forward slowly, surrounded by clusters of red crystals.
The crystals accompanying his advance continuously pierced the already-sealed Fire Thief.
Mydei seemed completely transformed now.
But, cool!
So incredibly cool!
This visual effect alone—regardless of the story—is a must-pull?!
And when they re-entered battle with the Fire Thief, Guinaifen suddenly noticed an extra skill button on the right.
"What's this?"
"It looks like... a throne made of crystal." Guinaifen was instantly intrigued.
Each time her character attacked, this skill would accumulate a bit of energy.
Until the moment the energy was fully charged, the Mydei icon popped up:
[Let my dynasty burn, in tribute to 'strife'—]
Without Hesitation.
Activate the skill!
The next second, a low, rushing hum echoed in her ears.
Mydei satHigh above on a throne of red crystal, with layers of crystals spreading and thrusting from beneath his feet.
The moment they struck the Fire Thief, he simultaneously crushed the crystal in his hand. The giant red crystal pillar shooting toward the sky immediately exploded!
Boom——
[Oh my god, this skill's damage is insane! It dealt hundreds of thousands!]
[Chicken God indeed! These visuals are absolutely stunning,Not losing at all Aglaea.]
[Cool, these effects are seriously cool. I have to pull for him!]
With Mydei's assistance, Guinaifen quicklySpeedrun the Fire Thief boss battle.
Immediately after, dark souls of the Fire Thief swooped down from the sky, clashing with Mydei, Phainon, and the others.
At the critical moment, Phainon blocked a sword strike for Mydei, and Mydei countered with a backhand punch.
The surging lion's fist,Enveloped the Fire Thief, was encased in blazing red crystals and slammed against the city wall.
Meanwhile, Mydei seemed to haveThunderous force descending upon him: "Heroic souls of strife, heed my call..."
As he chanted, crystals gathered into a mass, forming a spear rivaling Nikador's.
"I am the Spear of Heaven's Scourge."
"The necessary pain of this world—!!!"
Massive wings of strife unfurled behind him. The colossal spear,galloping and racing, erupted in a burst of light, engulfing the Fire Thief and half of Kremnos City, shattering everything into pieces.
Like a firework scattering in all directions, dazzling andvigorous!
[Holy mother of—!]
[So intense!]
[Witness! Kremnos City welcomes a new god!]
[Beyond cool! These effects feel so real, as if it's happening right before my eyes?!]
[Reality, I feel like this *is* reality!]
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