You wanted healing, but you wrote Honkai Impact 3rd?

["Being judged by top-tier artists as having only this tiny flaw is already super strong—unlike me, I can't even spot where the details fall short!"]

["The more they analyze it like this, the more I want to see it! gkd! gkd!"]

["The show's director got a treasure like Su Nian—isn't his grin practically touching the sun by now?"]

They guessed far too accurately. If Su Nian could hear their discussion, he'd be breaking out in a cold sweat, wondering if this world without Honkai had somehow developed psychic powers.

Otherwise, how could they read what was in his mind?

Just as the three judges said, Su Nian had indeed planned it that way.

Everyone is the protagonist of their own story, isn't that right?

Setting only one "protagonist" is indeed the traditional approach, but the effect isn't optimal.

From Kevin's perspective, he could see those things; from someone else's perspective, it's a different view entirely.

For instance, the one primarily dealing with the Eighth Herrscher this time was Su, and the others were people connected to him—detailed stories fit best from his perspective.

There were also plenty of parts Su Nian hadn't written yet.

For example, Blanca and Griseo, who also fell into the Eighth Herrscher's clutches. Griseo lost her mother in this disaster, and it was during this catastrophe that she was taken to Mobius's operating table.

The Hypermutation Surgery was the method to keep Griseo alive back then.

Another example was Dessidobia, the Moth of the Fire's first psychic-type warrior. In this incident, due to the Herrscher of Consciousness's suppression on the mental level, she tragically perished.

Her relationships leaned more toward Cosmo's side, which Su Nian also didn't write.

And... another witness to the Eighth Honkai Outbreak... Chijie.

The Eighth Herrscher dragged him into the dream as well...

Then promptly got a thorough beating.

Su Nian didn't include any of these things in Kevin's character card.

But...

Just when everyone thought Su Nian would keep writing, his hands left the keyboard.

Chapter 19: Quickly, Fetch Doctor Mobius

Su Nian used the mouse to open several new documents and labeled them with the word "Character." Including Kevin's, there were thirteen in total.

The part he was writing now was Kevin's character card.

But likewise, it was time for Su Nian to start on the other character cards...

Although many people hadn't yet appeared in Su Nian's story, according to the timeline, quite a few Flame Chasers had already debuted by now.

If Su Nian remembered correctly, by the Eighth Honkai Outbreak, Griseo had already become a Flame Chaser.

Excluding Vill-V, whose timeline was unknown.

That left only Pardofelis, Hua, and Chijie who hadn't undergone the Hypermutation Surgery yet.

It was time to start building their character cards.

[Character: Elysia]

[Character: Aponia]

[Character: Eden]

He set up the character cards in the order of the Flame Chasers, first writing down the names, waiting to flesh them out later.

Su Nian looked up again at the broadcast in the studio, which was once more announcing the time.

[Please pay attention to the time, contestants. Four hours have passed. Please manage your creative time well.]

[The show has prepared lunch, snacks, and desserts for everyone. If needed, please order meals on your computer. Remember to arrange rest time reasonably.]

Su Nian set aside his current work for now. The timing was just right.

Time to eat.

His stomach sent a timely pang of hunger, his biological clock punctually reminding him to replenish his nutrients.

He'd think about the next part of the story during the meal break...

Crush them all!

Su Nian was resting again, and this time he hadn't stopped at a critical cliffhanger.

But the audience was still grumbling.

Su Nian was the biggest highlight of this competition.

Now that he was resting, countless viewers in the livestream room were watching him ponder what to eat for lunch.

Under normal circumstances, even if Su Nian were this strong, appearing online would still get comments that he needed more practice.

But now the audience couldn't stay stubborn—this was even more agonizing than a chapter break.

He'd suddenly dropped twelve character cards, and several character names were ones Su Nian had never even mentioned before.

[Don't tell me it's time for a break again? No way! Cutting off like that is torture.]

[Don't stop there, don't stop there! I'm gonna throw a fit—I'm already throwing a fit.]

[Bro, I'm begging you, just give us a little more. Just a little, big bro. I swear I won't read anymore after this, just let me see Eden one more time. Please! Big bro! Give us one more update! This hurts so much.]

[I strongly suggest the show crew remove that warning bell.]

But now it wasn't just Su Nian's time to rest—the show crew needed a break too, and so did the judges.

"The opening ceremony of this competition has concluded. Thank you to all the distinguished guests for attending. You can claim travel and meal expenses on the official website with your ticket, and all audience members are eligible for the lucky draw."

"All contestants' livestream rooms remain open, so you can continue following the competition online."

Kevin's expression was grim. He hadn't thought much of the number thirteen at first.

But every name that appeared was someone he knew. When combined with the scenes he'd seen in Su Nian's writing, something was undeniably wrong.

Now that the audience was dismissed, he could discuss the visions he'd witnessed.

Who exactly was Su Nian? And what was the deal with his writing?

This question lingered in Kevin's mind.

The stadium lights dimmed as night fell. Though the audience was reluctant to leave, they knew it was time to go.

The show crew was truly generous. Other programs would have hired in-house actors for a live event like this, but they'd used that money to give back to their loyal viewers.

Under the guidance of security, the audience slowly filed out of the stadium. Kevin, his face heavy with concern, pulled Elysia aside and signaled Eden to follow. The three of them entered the lounge.

"...I saw a lot of things in Su Nian's story. I don't know if it's just my imagination."

Kevin's mind was in a daze.

He couldn't tell.

Couldn't tell if Su Nian's writing truly held some kind of magic.

Or if he was suffering from delusions, or simply too immersed in it.

To others, Su Nian's descriptions seemed no different from any good story.

But to him, it was a firsthand experience.

The more detailed Su Nian's writing, the more vivid Kevin's experience became. During the confrontation with the Herrscher in the Sixth Honkai Outbreak, Kevin could only see the scene and the events unfolding.

But in the Seventh Honkai Outbreak, he first felt a biting cold—likely tied to the setting of a body temperature perpetually below thirty degrees.

Then came the blazing flames all around, and the Herrscher-ified Himiko.

This couldn't be dismissed as coincidence, nor as him being too absorbed in the story.

What further supported Kevin's suspicion was this: Su Nian's writing didn't mention Hua.

But Kevin saw her.

Without a doubt, in those four words—"frail, thin girl"—he saw that young woman's face.

The exact same figure and features. Without question, it was Hua.

In the Eighth Honkai Outbreak's storyline, he saw Su with her eyes open.

...Too bizarre.

And yet, it carried a strange sense of reality.

He told the two of them everything he'd seen, already prepared to be sent to a psychiatrist.

"Kevin, so you felt it too? I thought you were just ignoring it, so I figured you couldn't see it." Elysia pretended to be a little troubled as she twirled the ends of her hair. "Actually, I saw it too~ Ever since I read the synopsis."

"But he wrote it so well, perfectly capturing my personality~ I couldn't bear to look away and think about it. Eden, you're the same, right?"

Eden shook her head. "Unfortunately, I haven't experienced what you two mentioned. My name only appeared briefly, just a mention."

"But he just wrote Eden's name too. Maybe it'll come later? After all, my dear Eden's charm never falls short?"

"Elysia, I don't think this is a good thing. No, I need to go ask him directly."

Now that he'd confirmed it wasn't just his own issue, Kevin wanted to go straight to Su Nian and demand an explanation.

"Don't rush, Kevin. It's not like it's hurting us. At least before we tip him off, let's find someone knowledgeable to consult first, shall we?"

The character cards Su Nian had set up also matched their friends' names.

As long as they didn't read the text, it had no effect on them.

And even if they did, it was just experiencing the plot firsthand.

At least, that's how it seemed for now.

Something this interesting—how could they just "hog" it all to themselves?

Elysia was a bit mischievous, but in certain matters, she was the senior. Kevin held back his impatience, ready to wait for this "knowledgeable person" to arrive.

Explosive update at midnight on Monday—four chapters minimum, five or so.

Thanks for the support. If you have time, check it out then?

Chapter 20, The Birth of the Stigmata Project

The wait was agonizing. Su Nian couldn't see it, but the resentment in the livestream audience could have sustained ten Evil Sword Immortals.

Su Nian lay quietly on the soft sofa, stretching her body. She picked up the tablet the production team had left on the table and began to rest.

The wealthy patron Eden had deep pockets, and the production team didn't skimp on conditions for the contestants. Anything they needed, they could order from the tablet without leaving the studio.

At that moment, Su Nian was pondering something every human contemplates: what to eat for lunch?

The story of the Previous Civilization was fairly short. Su Nian had already written up to the Eighth Honkai Outbreak from Kevin's perspective.

Today's task was just to organize the outline.

Su Nian wasn't in a hurry at all.

[I can't take this. I'm sharing Su Nian's livestream right now. I won't be the only one waiting for updates!]

[Speaking of which, Su Nian dropped a bombshell right from the start. What about the later prompts? Will she still have a story to write?]

[Don't ask. Geniuses' business is none of yours.]

[A good story is worth waiting for. Burn it for me after I die.]

When the lavish meal arrived, Su Nian ate while thinking about the next part of the plot.

The appearance of the Eighth Herrscher was quite important.

The Previous Civilization had left behind many plans. They had tried everything to defeat the Honkai.

The Previous Civilization's tech tree was all about dabbling in everything: Flame Chasers, Divine Keys, Armed Dolls, and the ultimate weapon, the Moonlight Throne...

Those were all branches of the tech tree the Previous Civilization had explored.

Along the way, they had also devised many plans.