I Hate Cliffhanger Hounds Most in This Life!

While the players were still buzzing with discussion, Ye Li had already regrouped with Bronya, Kiana, and Mei.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, the four began swapping intel.

"So, Bronya, when you say you've 'seen these before,' do you mean back when you were still with Anti-Entropy?"

As Mei asked, the video thoughtfully provided subtitle narration for the viewers.

Anti-Entropy, once the North American branch of the Schicksal Organization, later broke away for unknown reasons.

Bronya nodded.

"Mm. This battleship has very clear Anti-Entropy traits in its design style, concept, and logo. So Bronya has an idea—she wants to put these mechs to good use..."

With that, Bronya started cracking the mechs' operation permissions.

Seeing this, a flood of comments expressed unease.

My Bronya, be careful! If you know this ship might be sent by the enemy, how can you still use it?

I feel like this can't be that simple. There's gotta be a trap later, right?

Drop the 'gotta.' My gut says there's definitely a trap!

Just then, Ye Li, who had been silent for a while, suddenly spoke up.

"Bronya, I think your idea is great, but since this is an unknown battleship, while you're cracking it, please also keep an eye out for any anomalies."

"Anomalies?" Though Bronya looked puzzled, she still nodded. "Okay, Bronya will be careful."

Sure enough, as she worked on hacking the mechs, Bronya discovered a trojan virus disguised as Honkai Energy in an obscure corner of the system.

Without Ye Li's warning, she might have treated it as a simple Honkai Energy leak.

Thinking this over, Bronya looked up again at Ye Li, who was chatting with Kiana and Mei behind her.

"Again...?"

Back in reality, when viewers saw Bronya uncover the hidden threat in the system thanks to Ye Li's reminder, they finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Thank goodness my adoptive father warned her, or I really don't know how many traps these girls would've stepped into.

But seriously, Ye Li feels way too prescient. It's like he knows everything, as if he's read the script?

Now that you mention it, I get that vibe too.

Could Ye Li be the final big bad later? Did he orchestrate all this?

I think it's possible. He's strong, handsome, and thoughtful—if he doesn't have some ulterior motive for these girls, it's hard to explain.

Unlike the other three somewhat inexperienced Valkyries, Ye Li's decisiveness and savvy sparked discussion.

Many questioned Ye Li's identity and motives, with some even suspecting he was the mastermind behind it all, the ultimate villain.

As netizens debated heatedly, Ye Li and the main crew smoothly arrived at the Moonlight Throne's main control room.

Seeing no enemies there, hacking expert Bronya prepared to crack the system.

But she was stunned: "No login password?! All operation permissions open... How is this possible?"

Just as everyone was puzzled, Bronya found an email in the main computer.

When she read it aloud, everyone present—including all the viewers watching the video in the real world—was shocked!

"Dear Kiana, hello!

This Moonlight Throne is finally being returned to you after fourteen years. You will ascend the throne and shape a new world.

But before that, you need to find four 'keys.'

Conquering Lightning, Plague's Flame, Storm of Desire, Silent Death... Oh, and the ship's navigation password is your birthday~"

"Wait! Why is this letter addressed to me?" Kiana blurted out in utter confusion.

Just then, Himeko's voice came through the communicator. "Kiana, any leads? Do you know anyone who'd write you a letter like this?"

"I have no clue!"

Kiana scratched the back of her head, puzzled. "I don't remember having a friend rich enough to give me a battleship!"

"Besides, my deadbeat dad who ran off wouldn't be so pretentious. Could it be... some secret admirer of mine?"

As if a lightbulb went off, Kiana clapped her hands. "Oh—right!"

Just when everyone thought she'd reveal a clue, she instead ran over to Mei, took her hand, and said:

"Mei, Mei! Sure, a rich gift is tempting, but my heart will always belong to you!"

Kiana's Bug Talk earned an eye roll from Himeko, who had hoped Kiana's surprise meant she'd remembered something useful.

Ignoring the girls' flirty chatter over the communicator, Himeko pondered the letter's meaning.

Conquering Lightning, Storm of Desire...

Suddenly, something clicked. Himeko spoke into the communicator: "Kiana! Tell Bronya your birthday!"

"Huh? Why would I just tell you my birthday out of nowhere..." Kiana grumbled reluctantly. "Himeko, you don't actually believe this prank, do you?"

"Bronya, Kiana's birthday is December 7th," Ye Li suddenly interjected.

"Huh?! Ye Li!"

As Ye Li's words fell, Bronya also successfully unlocked the battleship's navigation permissions.

Navigation destination changed. New destination: St. Freya Academy.

As the electronic system voice rang out, Kiana exclaimed in surprise: "Huh? The launch code really is my birthday?"

"Kiana, don't worry. Once we fly the battleship back to St. Freya Academy, I believe everything will come to light. From what we've seen so far, whoever sent this ship doesn't seem to have ill intentions..."

Real World—

When Kiana and the others successfully started the fighter and prepared to return, many netizens breathed a long sigh of relief.

Finally. Finally, they could head back.

And, whether from the battleship's appearance or the full-of-prestige name "Moonlight Throne," this vessel clearly held many unknown secrets.

If it could be used by the protagonist team, it would also lay a solid foundation for their future fight against the Honkai.

Glancing at the video's dwindling progress bar, many viewers spammed bullet comments like "Not enough!" and "Update faster!"

However, just as everyone thought things were wrapping up, a piercing alarm suddenly blared.

"Valkyrie System."

Then the scene shifted to Bronya, who was piloting the battleship.

"Abnormal biochip detected... Forcing emergency system override. Rebooting."

"Switching to elimination mode. Eliminate all surrounding enemies."

As a strange mechanical roar echoed through the scene, Bronya was enveloped in an eerie red glow, and her body slowly began to show dark red patterns and pitch-black armor.

Then, she slowly opened her right hand, unleashing a barrage of cannon fire that shook everyone present, violently sweeping across the entire area.

And what made it even more despairing—

As Bronya turned dark, the previously disabled Anti-Entropy mechs also turned aggressive toward Kiana and the others.

Battle was imminent!

Seeing this, the netizens who had just been sighing in relief all typed a question mark in the bullet comments.

???

Wait, bro!

What the hell kind of plot twist is this? One of the protagonist team defects? Seriously?

When I type a question mark, it's not because I have a problem—it's because I think you have a problem!

You cliffhanger bastard, die!!!

Even Kiana herself, watching the video, stared blankly at the now-black screen.

That's it?

I didn't get to see enough of me and Mei being lovey-dovey!

Good grief—compared to Bronya's dark transformation, our little Kiana cares more about not getting enough screen time with Mei.

(Bronya: Hello.)

And so, amidst the barrage of netizen complaints, the prologue of this video titled "Honkai Impact 3rd" came to an end.

Though the video was over, the battle in its comment section had only just begun!