My Honkai Star Rail: Reversing All Phenomena

Asta was also considering the detailed rules.

The novel's sole male protagonist would be Hua Yi; that needed no special explanation.

Facts could not be distorted by portraying the hero as some vile villain or ambitious schemer. Character archetypes like an innocent youth, the boy next door, or an overbearing CEO were allowed, and the setting did not have to be limited to the Space Station.

As for the prize, would two hundred million Credits be enough to motivate everyone...?

Wait, wouldn't that make everyone in the group immediately guess my true identity? There probably weren't many people in the entire Space Station who could casually put up two hundred million Credits as prize money for an internal writing contest.

Maybe less. One hundred million Credits?

I should check the rewards offered for writing contests of a similar scale elsewhere in the universe—two hundred thousand?

Wouldn't that be a little too little? Add another zero. It would be a prize they could receive in the short term; otherwise, it would not do justice to the group members' efforts.

"For the first Writing Contest, I plan to rank entries based on download numbers and reader feedback. The top three will split one Million Credits. After that, every group member who meets the contest rules and whose novel meets certain standards of quality and word count can also share a total prize pool of no less than one Million Credits. What do you all think?"

"So the Group Leader is putting up at least two Million Credits as prizes just like that? Seriously?!"

"What an incredible reward! Even the bonus for completing one of my projects isn't anywhere near this much!"

"While the slow-witted group members are still marveling at the Group Leader's generosity, smart me has already started planning. I'll start writing the moment I get off work."

The Fan Group was buzzing with excitement. A certain Galaxy Bat Hero who wished to remain anonymous, [Face-Tanking Ultimate], was tempted too. She had even tried pinning someone against a wall before, so with real-life experience to draw upon, even if she could not compare to the literary girls in the group, she only needed to meet the minimum standard the Group Leader had mentioned. She could at least get a participation prize.

Although the ten million Credits Hua Yi had given her were enough for financial freedom, she still felt embarrassed spending money she had gotten for nothing. It would be different if she earned it herself.

She hurried back to her residence and began writing furiously.

Not long ago, Hua Yi had handed a Key of Enlightenment to an engineer the Interastral Peace Corporation had stationed at the Space Station to assist with post-disaster reconstruction.

Just as Director Topaz had said, the Corporation personnel had received clear orders. They accepted the box containing the Path Product with utmost respect and caution, promising to deliver it safely to their superiors. They even proactively stated that if Hua Yi had any other instructions, they would cooperate to the fullest extent.

It was effectively equivalent to gaining the authority to mobilize a portion of the Corporation's employees.

But Hua Yi's attention was not on the Interastral Peace Corporation for the moment.

In essence, the Key of Enlightenment was a fairly limited Path Product, utterly overshadowed by a Domain Anchor capable of crossing star systems.

The former could still be used for research and could benefit Walkers of [Wisdom], as well as expert Scholars who had not embarked upon a Path. The latter was more exclusive to Nameless, consumed immense amounts of energy with every use, and offered returns inferior to the routes controlled by the Corporation.

Hua Yi was an individual, not a commercial organization like the Interastral Peace Corporation. What he needed to consider had never been costs and returns on a monetary level.

As the Astral Express blazed a trail through the universe, the routes it traveled became usable Stellar Tracks. Once the major powers developed them further, they became stable Stellar Routes.

And Domain Anchors were representative products of The Trailblaze Path. Wherever the train had passed, such things were bound to have been left behind. The only differences were whether they had been damaged, whether they had been activated, and whether the energy and environmental conditions required for teleportation were sufficient.

Rather than use his current understanding of [The Path of Exploration] to search for Domain Anchors within the Space Station himself, Hua Yi chose to approach the Express crew.

He soon found a red-haired figure standing alone in the researchers' lounge, holding the railing and looking out at the scenery. After watching her briefly, he walked over with measured steps.

"Has Miss Himeko been settling in comfortably?"

Before Hua Yi spoke, Himeko had already heard his footsteps. She turned toward the sound and offered him a gentle smile.

"Don't let my being the Navigator of the Astral Express fool you. Herta often comes up with all sorts of strange ideas and then makes requests. I came to the Space Station several times before to bring her things. If we really counted it up, I've probably spent more time at the Space Station than you have."

She carried herself with a maturity and intellect fitting her appearance, like an older sister one could freely confide one's troubles to. She showed concern for this young hero, who was clearly extraordinarily talented and powerful yet remained humble and courteous.

"This Space Station is located in the middle of space. Even though the main body of the starship and the later expansions together are enormous, it is still small and constrained compared with a planet. I heard that you're actually a newcomer to the Space Station and haven't been here long. Have you adjusted well, Hua Yi?"

"I've gained a great deal of knowledge here and met many friends. Rather than simply adjusting, I would say I've come to like it."

He liked Herta Space Station...

If any researcher or scholar had heard Hua Yi's answer, they would have been overjoyed. Yet ever since the battle against the Doomsday Beast ended, Himeko had wanted to invite this outstanding young man aboard the Astral Express.

Her smile remained gentle and intelligent. There was not the slightest intent to deliberately belittle the Space Station or forcefully weaken his sense of belonging.

For now, the two were simply chatting as friends should.

There were no malicious motives, no need for excessive formalities. They could joke around and talk about whatever came to mind.

"When I was in university, I studied Interstellar Navigation dynamics. Later, I became a scientist. If we really counted it up, I can understand some of the projects on the Space Station and even help with research—so, can you tell that I have the air of a researcher?"

"I can. That rationality, composure, and calmness. But I think Miss Himeko would still suit a beer better than the coffee in her hand, or even fighting while holding my Godfall Sword."

"Really? Is that a compliment or a tease? By the way, I'll pour you a cup of coffee too."

She and the Train

Of course, Hua Yi had not forgotten how March 7th had signaled with her eyes that he absolutely must not drink Himeko's coffee.

"Thank you."

Yet he did not refuse. He accepted the Navigator's kindness.

Few coffees could be described as thick, but the cup before him absolutely deserved the term.

The liquid that should have flowed smoothly was slightly sluggish, as if it were about to solidify.

The intensely exaggerated aroma of coffee did not drift into his nostrils in the usual sense. It charged forward bravely, intent on staining not only the person about to taste it but even the air around him, turning everything into a kingdom of coffee.

Everything about this cup of coffee suggested it was no ordinary brew. But Hua Yi was someone who could face a Legion Attack head-on, so naturally he would not back down. He lifted the black, semi-solid beverage and took a sip.

An extreme bitterness exploded across his tongue. The slight sourness and sweetness mixed within became mere supporting leaves, bringing out the bitterness of the concentrated coffee to its fullest. The instant it entered his mouth, it transformed into a roaring torrent that rushed straight to the crown of his head. As he swallowed, it felt as though a deep, dark aura invaded his internal organs, bitterness seeping through him from the inside out.

"How is it? 727"

"...If you mean how the coffee tastes afterward, all I can say is that it certainly wakes one up. But if Miss Himeko wants to know my impression of you, someone who brews coffee and always drinks it herself—then you're remarkably good at enduring hardship."

Hearing Hua Yi's evaluation, Himeko could not help but laugh.

"You're quite good with words. You told the truth without forgetting to compliment me twice. This time, that should count as a compliment, right?"

"This time and last time were both compliments."

"Compared with instant coffee brewed from packets, I select and grind the Coffee Beans myself and try different proportions. There should be some personal flair to it. If it leaves a distinct impression, then it has met my expectations."

Himeko also knew that the coffee she brewed did not suit the general public's tastes. Whenever she held a steaming coffee pot, March 7th would stay far away.

Without deliberately waiting for Hua Yi to continue tasting the coffee or forcing him to finish it in one go, the Navigator continued.

"You've read countless materials at the Space Station, so you should know that the Astral Express disappeared for quite a long time."

"I heard it was damaged."

"Yes. Back then, I had lost my way. I kept walking through the night, unable to recognize my surroundings and lost as to the direction of my life. Lying on muddy ground, I looked up at the stars."

Hua Yi was a qualified listener, serious and patient as he watched Himeko share her story.

"At that time, I saw shooting stars. One, two, three... Then came many tiny, dazzling, flickering lights. Finally, a magnificent blaze tore through the night."

"I can imagine the sight. It must have been beautiful."

"Yes, it was beautiful beyond words. I chased the shooting stars to the end of the land and the beginning of the sea. At the coastline, the tide pushed against a stranded train. It was all alone. Like me, it seemed to have lost its way. I stepped inside the train, and the scenery beyond the windows began to change. It showed me countless magnificent and fantastical worlds. Those worlds were far away, beyond my homeland, yet they were also close. One could reach them by taking the train."

"So Miss Himeko fixed the Astral Express right away?"

"Not right away. It took a very long time. After the first phase of repairs, the train briefly started up and carried me over my homeland's skies. I could see the road home at a glance. Looking down from above, the return journey was within reach. Even my homeland's sea seemed insignificant."

Later, Himeko chose to embark on the journey.

The Astral Express had brought her home when she was lost, and she also wanted to bring the train home, pursuing the legendary starting point of [The Path of Exploration].

"The journey of exploration means leaving familiar places and traveling to unfamiliar worlds. You may meet many people along the way, but they come and go in a hurry. Even the [Conductor] may not accompany the train from beginning to end. This journey is lonely. No one can ever walk exactly the same path as another."

As the waist-length red-haired Navigator finished speaking, Hua Yi, who had been listening carefully all along, suddenly began looking around.

"Let me see whether March 7th is nearby. If she finds out that Miss Himeko said the journey is lonely, she'll inevitably start doubting herself. She'll wonder what terrible oversight she committed, what unforgivable sin she made, to make a trusted companion seem like she's all alone."

"What are you thinking? I wasn't confiding negative emotions in you. I was only describing the overall feeling of [The Path of Exploration]. More than nine hundred Amber Eras ago, throughout the long history of the Astral Express, people continually became passengers, and people continually left. There were many Navigators before me, and after me, there will still be those who continue the train's story."

"At least the Navigator I know is Miss Himeko."

Was that supposed to comfort her?

Himeko had not expected herself to unknowingly speak so much about her past and feelings.

The atmosphere when chatting with Hua Yi was entirely different from when she spoke with March 7th. When facing the energetic girl, Himeko was usually the listener, occasionally reminding Little March when she acted rashly or failed to think things through. She was completely the older sister.

Yet when she was with Hua Yi, Himeko herself had become more talkative. Without much notice, she had even brought up things she normally would not casually share.

After all, Hua Yi was reliable enough and steady enough. The praise he had previously given that suited a researcher fit him perfectly as well. Not to mention, he could control the rhythm of a conversation, joking or offering comfort at just the right time to keep the other person's emotions from turning negative.

In a daze, Himeko realized in surprise that she seemed to have become the one being looked after.

"You... I've shared so many stories. In exchange, how about you tell me the story of that Godfall Sword of yours? It looks rather special."

"First, I need to emphasize that the name [Godfall Sword Surtur] is by no means a provocation toward the Aeons. It originates from a fantasy mythology independent of the Aeon system. In the legend, Surtur was the name of a fire giant who held a sword of light and stood at the border of Muspelheim, guarding the realm until Ragnarok arrived."

As Hua Yi recounted the myth, he condensed the Crimson Greatsword once more and offered it to Himeko.

Such generosity made the Navigator's eyes shimmer. She accepted the weapon with both hands. It had previously been wrapped in Hellfire, yet now it was not hot at all.

She listened to the epic of the fire giant. From Muspelheim to Asgard, the nine worlds gradually took shape through Hua Yi's words, while the legend of the Valkyrie, whose name meant female warrior, echoed in her ears.

A Cup of Coffee

Many times, [The Path of Exploration] meant following the unfinished road left by those before you and traveling farther than they had.

Before coming to Herta Space Station, Himeko would never have imagined that an originally ordinary Curio handover trip would bring so much turmoil and involve the Antimatter Legion.

A familiar place gave the journey new meaning. She had witnessed a hero who resisted [Destruction], a miracle in which no one died, and now she had heard a fantastical and magnificent mythology. She had gained much from this trip.

The Navigator's beautiful eyes watched Hua Yi as her hand gently stroked the blade of the Godfall Sword.

"I've heard similar myths, even exactly the same ones. There are quite a few such examples in the universe. Different planets, even those separated by many star systems, may still pass down the same epic tales."

"And yet Miss Himeko kept listening without looking away, making me keep expanding on it. So it was all wasted effort in the end."

"Because I felt that the story you told had been covered in a more brilliant and beautiful layer of color. I couldn't help wanting to hear more~"

If March 7th saw Himeko displaying such an unprecedented hint of girlishness, Sister Himeko, she would surely widen her eyes and pull out her camera to preserve the moment.

For the mature and elegant red-haired beauty to speak in that tone was undeniably an adorable contrast~.

Realizing that whether she was the storyteller or the listener, she had unconsciously fallen into Hua Yi's rhythm, Himeko gave a light cough.

"Tell me, a great hero who has been the center of attention at the Space Station suddenly came to find me and spent his precious free time chatting. You must have something you wanted to ask, right? I tried telling you about the past and present of [The Path of Exploration]. Did you get the answer you wanted?"

"The current me is still far from being able to claim that I have understood the principles of [The Path of Exploration]."

"Then—"

Realizing something, Himeko's eyes lit up.

"You intend to board the Astral Express?"

"Before that, I hope to learn about Domain Anchors."

"I see... To summarize simply, a normally functioning Domain Anchor is a teleportation tool used by Nameless. As long as enough energy is consumed, it can even cross star systems instantly. But under the influence of the Cancer of All Worlds, many problems have emerged."

"The Cancer of All Worlds, Stellarons. On the interstellar routes created by exploration, obscure substances disrupt the flow of Imaginary Energy. It is like encountering cliffs and chasms while climbing a mountain, or tsunamis and whirlpools while sailing the sea. What was once a smooth interstellar journey becomes uncertain, while worlds affected by Stellaron erosion are themselves fraught with danger."

Without the Navigator needing to explain in detail, Hua Yi understood what she meant.

"Even if all other conditions are met, a world covered by a Stellaron cannot use Domain Anchors, correct?"

"That's right. So one of the train's important missions is to find ways to clear the routes and resolve the Stellarons obstructing progress along the Stellar Tracks."

"Since Star can contain one Stellaron, I wonder whether she could add a second, then a third, continuously evolving like a multicore central processor. Four cores, even eight cores operating in parallel—then the Galaxy Bat Hero would truly be invincible."

Hearing Hua Yi's bold conjecture, Himeko looked utterly helpless.

"Sometimes I feel that you're unfathomable, and other times I feel that you have even more wild ideas than Little March. It may be rash to directly deny such a method of becoming stronger, but before Star can completely control the Stellaron inside her, it would be best not to casually introduce more uncertain variables."

"What a shame."

"Don't tell Star about such a dangerous idea. Given her personality, if she finds an opportunity, she will inevitably try it."

"Miss Himeko seems to know her well."

Was he trying to get information out of me?

The Navigator tilted her head.

"For the past dozen or so System Time, I've been chatting with Star nonstop, right up until just now. She went back to prepare for some competition she wants to enter. She said she wanted to earn Credits with her own two hands."