Hidden Ending: Herta's Blind Spot

"Besides, judging by Herta's description, even after Aha's data was altered, he could still see through everything!"

"Say something! Heizi, say something! Let's see if you still dare slander my Aha!"

"Your Aha? My Aha!"

"Aha's most prestigious moment!"

More dialogue continued to appear in the story.

Aha: [I owe you an apology, truly. I lay in wait aboard your train for an entire year, all to blow it up along with your Nameless. I couldn't help myself. Sorry. He placed a hand over his chest in guilt and gave a solemn bow.]

Herta: [That bastard is still pretending. He's already realized you aren't Acheron.]

"Hahaha, as expected of Aha! He even dared to blow up the Trailblaze Star God's train!"

"I actually wanted to try it too, but sadly, I wasn't strong enough!"

"I'm Aha. V me 50, and I'll grant you every Blessing so you can go blow up the train right now!"

Aha in the story suddenly changed the subject.

Aha: [Let me ask you something, buddy: when can a fake become real?]

[--You seemed to see it, though you actually couldn't: the voice winked at you--]

Aha: [The answer is when you believe it's real! Keep it up, geniuses. You almost fooled me! It's fine, I'll forget everything and wait for you to fool me again! Farewell, "Acheron."]

Even after realizing he had been created as a fake, Aha was neither angry nor dejected. Instead, he looked forward to the day when the geniuses would fool him completely!

It had to be said, this was indeed very Elation!

If one day the Aha in the Simulated Universe became the true Aeon of Elation and appeared in reality, wouldn't that mean there were two Ahas in the world?

Interesting, truly interesting!

At that thought, some Masked Fools even gathered at the Tavern to discuss whether they should enter Herta Space Station and rescue this fake!

"Sure, that's very Elation!"

After that came the Path of Elation's Blessing selection, which was suited for characters built around follow-up attacks.

After finishing the test, just as Lao Mu was getting hooked on the mode and wanted to play another round, he discovered a mission prompt.

[Complete the Trailblaze Mission to unlock full access!]

"Damn it! You sneaky official devs!"

He had only just gotten into it, yet he was forcibly interrupted. The development team were absolute masters of stopping right at the climax!

With no other choice, he returned to the Main Story. It was now the part where he had to choose between joining the Star Rail Express or staying at Herta Space Station.

He currently needed to find Himeko and tell her his decision. On the way, he also spotted Dan Heng and March 7th.

"Star, I'll be waiting for you!"

Looking at March 7th by the roadside, Lao Mu clicked on her dialogue. In the end, that single line—"I'll be waiting for you"—won him over. But as a streamer, he still had to give his viewers something entertaining.

"Ahhh, how could anyone not choose the Star Rail Express?!"

Twisting about wildly in his chair, Lao Mu looked at the Barrage and said.

"You sneaky bastards! March 7th already said the carriage was empty and she was waiting for me to join the train! If I stayed at the Space Station, how disappointed would March 7th be?!"

The Barrage immediately began comforting him.

"Don't worry, streamer. March 7th is doing great with me. Her Eidolon is already maxed out!"

"Go in peace. I shall raise your wife, so you need not worry!"

"We'll remember the streamer who stayed at the Space Station! You can be the best man at my wedding with March 7th!"

Lao Mu was so irritated by the damn Barrage that he laughed, but he still opened his dialogue with Himeko.

Himeko: [So, have you made up your mind?]

Four options appeared before him. Besides boarding the train, talking to Himeko some more, and thinking about it again, there was actually an option to stay at the Space Station!

[I've decided to stay at the Space Station.]

At that moment, everyone stared intently at the screen, their hearts unconsciously rising into their throats.

When March 7th on the train saw that staying at the Space Station was truly an option, she couldn't help getting nervous, even though Star was right beside her.

After traveling together on the Trailblaze journey, Star had long become an indispensable part of her memories. Even in a game, they couldn't be separated!

Seeing March 7th's appearance, with her little hands clenched tightly into fists, Star couldn't help but smile.

"Relax. No matter how realistic this game is, it's still just a game. I'm right here. I'm not going anywhere!"

Feeling a pair of hands settle on her shoulders, March 7th turned around and saw Star behind her. She immediately felt much more at ease.

"Mm-hmm! Not a single one of our companions on the train can be missing!"

The story began to change from here.

Himeko: [Huh? But Herta...]

Star: [Herta and Asta both agreed.]

Himeko: [I see... Then I respect your decision as well. Take good care of yourself, Star. We'll come back to visit you often.]

Star: [All right, Ms. Himeko.]

Then the scene shifted to an image of the Star Rail Express about to depart, with everyone bidding you farewell.

[After careful consideration, you decided to decline Himeko's invitation. The whistle sounded as the Star Rail Express prepared to depart. The friends you had met by chance waved goodbye to you. Parting, like meeting, was sudden yet resolute.]

"Damn it, no way, they really left?!"

Watching March 7th wave goodbye to him while holding a Camera in the scene, Lao Mu was completely dumbfounded!

What was going on? Wasn't I the protagonist? How did the train just leave?

Refusing to believe it, Lao Mu thought there would be some kind of twist later. But the Star Rail Express on-screen simply departed the star system where Jarilo-VI was located, and the story continued.

[After the Star Rail Express departed, the Space Station began reconstruction work in full swing, while you and Herta began researching the Stellaron. Before long, however, Herta lost interest in both you and the Stellaron. With Asta's arrangements, you became a researcher at the Space Station.]

"No, I didn't get on the train!"

Hidden Ending: Herta's Blind Spot

Seeing that the story showed no sign whatsoever of turning around, the viewers were delighted.

"Hahaha, congratulations to Lao Mu for clearing the game early!"

"This is so much fun! I never expected the game could be played like this!"

"Honkai: Star Rail speedrun Walkthrough!"

"No way, you can really choose not to join the Star Rail Express? I wanted to see what would happen, so thanks, Lao Mu. I'm already aboard the train!"

"A salute to the legendary Herta Space Station researcher, Lao Mu!"

"The end! Throw flowers!"

Amid the viewers' gloating, the story reached its final explanation.

[There, you lived a peaceful life. The Star Rail Express returned several times, then never sent word again. From travelers passing through the Space Station, you heard of the earth-shaking ending between the Star Rail Express and the Stellaron Hunters. Sometimes, you couldn't help wondering whether their future would have been different if you had boarded that train.]

[But that no longer had anything to do with you.]

The screen went dark. The words Honkai: Star Rail appeared, followed by a cast list like the credits at the end of a show, ending with a single sentence.

[May this journey lead us to the stars.]

Seeing Elio's name appear under the Script Direction, Silver Wolf looked at Kafka beside her in confusion.

"Was this in Elio's script too?"

Kafka appeared very calm upon seeing this ending.

"Mm. For that child, perhaps this ordinary ending isn't bad either."

Back at the Space Station, Asta watched the scenes after Star remained behind and remarked that it really did seem like something Ms. Herta would do.

Herta, standing beside her, was displeased. With her hands on her hips, she said.

"You make it sound as though I'm the kind of person who abandons people after using them!"

Asta: "Uh... Ms. Herta, it's not quite that serious..."

Herta crossed her arms, turned away, and gave a light snort.

"Hmph. So there's a Stellaron inside her—so what? Being researched by the great Ms. Herta for a while before staying at the Space Station as a researcher is treatment countless people would dream of! She should feel honored!"

"That may be true, but Ms. Herta, do you know what humility is?"

At the word "humility," Herta immediately fell silent, looking thoughtful. Clearly, this touched upon a genius's blind spot!

"Never mind. Forget I said anything."

On the train, March 7th grew somewhat melancholy as she watched the rapidly unfolding story on-screen. Even Dan Heng beside her let out a long sigh.

At the crossroads of life, every choice could alter the course of a person's entire life.

If you had the power to make a choice, then please don't make a decision you would regret!

"March, March, wake up!"

Star gently shook March 7th by the shoulders, finally bringing her back to her senses.

"Ah! What happens after this? Can the game still continue? I've already spent money on several top-ups!"

"Uh... So that's what you were worried about..."

Fortunately, the game simply restarted and returned to the initial login screen.

"Waaah, that scared me to death! This time, I'm definitely getting on the train with Himeko!"

Once they logged back in and returned to the choice scene, all the players who had experienced the Hidden Ending finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It had to be said, the development team was incredibly mischievous!

"Whew, that gave me a scare. When it exited to the menu, I almost thought my account had been deleted!"

Seeing that his account was still there, Lao Mu finally relaxed.

"You sneaky bastards, always making your streamer step on the landmines! Having you guys around is truly my good fortune!"

Fortunately, the popularity of his livestream surged again. Lao Mu resumed the story and decisively chose to board the train this time.

Himeko: [Come with me.]

The scene changed, and the camera slowly pulled back from the Star Rail Express. On the platform, March 7th stretched lazily and slowly walked toward the train.

"Let's go, let's go~"

Star stared at the Star Rail Express in a daze until Himeko behind her patted her on the shoulder.

"Get on board."

The train on the platform began to move. March 7th waved goodbye to Asta and the others who had come to see them off. With that, they parted ways and began a new journey!

A weathered BGM, "On the Journey," rose and drifted into their ears. Combined with the scene, it made everyone's hearts tremble!

The way to celebrate

The road leading to praise

I'll be waiting

Till we make it

Until we reach that destination

After the earlier experience of staying behind at the Space Station, boarding the Star Rail Express now and leaving Herta Space Station for the next unknown destination felt even more profound.

The music and visuals blended perfectly, creating an immensely evocative atmosphere!

At that moment, the viewers could feel that sense of about to set off on a journey!

"This BGM! My ears are getting pregnant!"

"Oh my god, the development team is too good at this! What a sudden sneak attack!"

"So amazing! Official devs, please make Honkai: Star Rail for the rest of your lives!"