Hey guys, I uploaded the first chapter of the novel I mentioned in the mission a few chapters ago. Just a small teaser of what's to come.
Check out the novel: Honkai Simulator: Start with Confessing to The Herrscher of Finality
We're looking at around 45 chapters that I'm gonna upload on the 1st (so far).
Make that number even higher by becoming a Free Member!
Patreon.com/ThatGreatStuff
******
"The spear tip is ignited!"
In a fleeting illustration, the Trailblazer wielding the flame spear resembled a blazing Butterfly of Song. Bronya and Seele stood supporting her on either side, while Gepard and Serval loomed behind them. United as one, they charged fearlessly forward!
From the moment Guinaifen started playing this game, he had always been captivated by the illustrations displayed during character ultimate abilities. Each image perfectly captured the characters' styles and traits, adding to his growing fondness for the game. The Hero of Preservation's illustration took it to another level entirely!
"Flame Spear, Charge!"
The riding spear rose, flames intertwining around it.
Amidst countless sparks, the Trailblazer surged ahead against the tide, charging with unstoppable momentum.
Leaving a scorching trail in their wake!
Halos appeared all around, like multiple volcanoes erupting simultaneously.
Then,
bathed in towering inferno,
the Trailblazer thrust the flame spear into the ground.
Behind them, an even more intense pillar of fire erupted!
Its blazing light soared skyward, threatening to consume everything!
"Holy smokes! This Hero of Preservation's ultimate is insane—so cool!"
"Everyone, check out the background during his ultimate—it's Jarilo!"
"A new skill! A new Ultimate! This protagonist might surpass five-star characters now!"
"It says 'trial version' in the bottom left corner? Doesn't matter! If this Stelle state enters the card pool, I'm definitely grabbing it!"
"That weapon looks amazing! Perfect for the Trailblazer!"
"The visual effects are way too over-the-top!"
With a devastating punch from the Creation Engine, Cocolia's health bar emptied, transitioning her to phase two.
"The sole redemption..."
[Prelude to Genesis]
Cocolia began charging up her power. At the center of her head, Imaginary energy surged, coalescing into a dazzling orb.
Yet Guinaifen remained unfazed!
With the Hero of Preservation's ultimate ability and the Creation Engine's mighty punches, she was utterly confident in defeating even Cocolia's second form!
Her mood mirrored the accompanying soundtrack—intensely exhilarated and brimming with assurance!
The Hero of Preservation raised a shield wall, ready to block Cocolia's impending attack.
In Guinaifen's view, once they weathered this strike, victory would be virtually assured!
It was now Cocolia's turn to act. Her breathing grew increasingly labored as she roared, "The power of the Stellaron is with me... You all... are merely struggling in vain before the collapse of the old world!"
As her words echoed out,
the background music paused for a brief moment, just one second.
Then, it erupted with full force!
"We made a choice, to fight against your fate!"
The moment this voice boomed, Guinaifen felt her scalp explode with intensity!
Her pupils rapidly widened, completely astounded by the scene unfolding before her eyes!
Cocolia stood aloft, raising the radiant energy in her hand.
Above, concentric circles of golden storm clouds had formed.
The light coalesced into numerous conical structures, intertwining to create a star remnant emanating an aura of destruction!
Shadows engulfed the sky, casting down towards the earth.
"Let me personally forge the magnificent new world!"
The previous background music was already incredibly rousing.
But no one anticipated what came next!
It escalated even further, becoming explosively intense!
Not just Guinaifen, but all viewers watching the live stream felt their scalps tingle with excitement!
In disbelief, they stared at the spectacle, eyes wide and jaws dropped open, unable to regain composure for quite some time.
"Just who's the villain here?! Cocolia seems determined to stop us at any cost, ah ha ha ha!" Guinaifen oscillated between tears and laughter, overwhelmed with emotion.
"I thought I was doomed when those meteorites started raining down!"
"But not yet...not yet!"
"Light up the spear tip!"
"Activating the ultimate Preservation ability amidst this soundtrack is insanely thrilling!"
"I feel like I've gone utterly mad!"
Within the Live Streaming Room, each viewer was extraordinarily excited!
"My head feels like it's about to steam up!"
"What is this song?! What game is this?!"
"I literally jumped off my chair with excitement!"
"When that music kicked in, I felt ready to confront the Aeon itself!"
"Wow, is this leading to the grand finale?!"
Meanwhile, at the base of Everwinter Hill.
Old Yang had arrived and was observing the battle unfolding on the snowy plains, his gaze frequently lingering on the massive Creation Engine. As a fan of giant robots, Old Yang held a special fascination for them, unable to forget Alaha's legacy.
Of course, visiting Jarilo-Jarilo-VI wasn't solely about seeing this colossal machine. His primary concern was ensuring March and the others' safety. Now that the outcome seemed clear, Old Yang finally felt relieved.
"It looks like I won't need to intervene this time."
Watching Seele, Bronya, and their lively figures, Old Yang experienced a momentary sense of nostalgia, as if transported back to his homeland, fighting alongside his former comrades...
"Whew..." Old Yang composed himself.
It was no longer appropriate for him to step in. The final resolution should be left for these young warriors to choose themselves.
He took out his phone instead.
Seeking a quiet corner, Old Yang planned to complete the unfinished storyline from earlier.
The broader plot had been set in motion,
but within the game, the battle was just beginning.
Naturally, Old Yang chose the male protagonist.
As he watched Caelus raise his flame spear, pointing it towards the figure in the sky, Old Yang was taken aback!
Similar! It looked incredibly similar!
All that was missing was shouting those three words:
"Flame Unsheathed!"
Following this, Caelus engaged Cocolia in combat using his new Preservation stance. Each time the Creation Engine was utilized for an attack, Old Yang's breath quickened slightly.
The thunderous roar of metal and clashing steel felt as if he were personally piloting the robot!
When the battle with Cocolia entered its second phase, the sound of Wildfire reverberated, causing Old Yang to jolt in surprise!
He nearly dropped his phone, gripping it tightly while watching the intense scene unfold with anticipation!
Then, turning his attention to the completed battlefield on the other side, he took a deep breath and muttered, "Why does it feel like..."
"Is this game even more intense than reality?"
"Uncle Yang, our battle here is over."
"The remaining Stellarons are yours to seal!"
"We'll meet on the train later; this Trailblazing journey has been quite challenging!"
"And during the final confrontation, something truly shocking occurred!"
"You might have observed it from your vantage point above, but not as clearly as we experienced it firsthand."
As Old Yang read each message from March 7th, he couldn't help but smile wryly. He genuinely didn't know how to explain it all. Should he say:
"Your entire Trailblazing journey was crystal clear to us."
"We had a continuous viewpoint following you closely, with real-time tracking."
"We could even witness inner monologues and events unfolding within your mental worlds vividly!"
Nope!
It's best to let Himeko handle the explanation.
Old Yang promptly replied, "Alright, sealing the Stellarons is my responsibility."
"Remember to find Himeko; she has something important to show you."
March 7th responded with a Pom-Pom emoji giving a thumbs-up.
In Boulder Town...
March 7th, Dan Heng, and Stelle had reported their triumphant victory to Natasha and informed her that the lockdown on both upper and lower levels would soon be lifted.
This news swiftly spread through Wildfire's intelligence network.
Residents of the Underworld rushed onto the streets, as if celebrating a festival.
March 7th enjoyed this festive atmosphere and enthusiastically dragged Stelle and Dan Heng to various landmarks they had visited before, taking photos at each spot.
Dan Heng, expressionless, spoke up, "With the restrictions between upper and lower layers lifted, we can now use the cable car to return to the Overworld."
"Don't rush so much! There are still several places we haven't explored down here!" March 7th exclaimed, full of excitement. "Aren't you eager to meet Hook, Clara, and those kids again?"
Dan Heng shook his head. "I'm not particularly good with children."
At that moment,
Stelle opened her phone.
Suddenly, Stelle's smile froze.
"That's...a video from Himeko?"
March 7th leaned closer and grinned, "What is it? Did Ji Zi and Uncle Yang send us some praise?"
"Huh? It's a video?"
"Could they have recorded the process of sealing the Stellaron?"
"Quick, let's open it!"
Stelle was taken aback because the thumbnail showed her drawing the flame spear. However, this event occurred within a mental space akin to the cosmos—how could Himeko possibly capture such footage?
Perhaps...
Just a coincidence?
She tapped on the video.
A melodious tune instantly filled the air.
The scene that unfolded...
Was precisely her moment of drawing the spear within the mental world!
"How is this possible?!" Stelle stood stunned, her body completely rigid.
Beside her, March 7th's eyes widened, as if she too had turned to stone!
Seemingly isolated from the bustling crowd and children's chatter around them, their attention was wholly captivated by the content of the video.
Even Dan Heng, known for his icy demeanor, felt a ripple in his usually calm heart upon hearing the melody playing behind him. Just as he was about to inquire about the song, he noticed Stelle and March 7th staring at the phone screen with shock, already distancing themselves significantly ahead.
Dan Heng furrowed his brow, subconsciously reaching for his long spear.
Something about this scene felt...unsettling.
He swiftly approached the two of them just as the video displayed footage of someone engaged in battle. To his surprise, it was none other than himself!
"Realm of Illusion, Dream Unending."
"Shatter!"
The tip of the spear emerged from behind Cocolia, splattering ink across the screen like blood.
Next, Stelle's image appeared on the display:
[Unyielding Blaze Spear]
"The spearhead ignites."
"Spear of flames, charge forth!"
Flames seemed to leap out from the screen, forming a colossal pillar that soared towards the sky!
"Is this...a game...?" Dan Heng observed some typical gaming elements on the interface but still couldn't be certain due to the striking realism and additional special effects.
"Was this recorded during our fight with Cocolia?" Stelle asked, puzzled.
"No way! Our actual battle wasn't anything like this!"
"What's going on with this video? Could Ji Zi be messing with us by creating something like this?"
"But let's be honest, your combat scenes look seriously epic!"
"And me, what about me? Am I in there too?"
"Ji Zi wouldn't forget about me, would she?!"
As soon as these words were spoken...
March 7th indeed took action.
"Stand still now; I'll bless you right away."
[Shield Boost]
"Huh?"
"What?"
"Just that?"
"Why do both of you look so cool?! Why can't I just add some buffs like this?" March 7th pouted, feeling quite disheartened by the stark contrast between her abilities and theirs.
Dan Heng's gaze turned serious, and he said sternly, "Quiet down, March.
"We're approaching a crucial moment."
March sulkily puffed out her cheeks, seeking sympathy from Stelle with pleading eyes. However, her best friend completely ignored her, fully absorbed in the unfolding video scene.
"I shall personally forge a magnificent new world!!"
Cocolia unleashed the concentrated meteorite in her hand, accompanied by an immediate shift to vocal background music.
A shudder ran through Dan Heng's body.
Stelle's pupils contracted sharply, and the hairs on her back stood up!
March 7th's face was filled with shock, as if she had seen a ghost!
After a long moment, the trio gradually recovered from their astonishment.
"Is-this...this a game?"
"The combat scenes..."
"It feels even more intense than our actual battles!"