Honkai, Survive

Dan Heng corrected him, "No matter what material it is, it's definitely not an ice sculpture."

"That's true, it's actually quite warm in the city. Hey, there seem to be a lot of kids gathered over there, let's go closer and take a look?"

Driven by curiosity, the Stellaron Spirit approached the children, wanting to touch it.

Fang Jie didn't need to. This guy pretended to be an adult, pretended to be a child, pretended to be aloof and cool. He could go sit at Dan Heng's table!

Fang Jie gazed at the inscription monument from afar, his eyes filled with both familiarity and strangeness. Dan Heng beside him asked a question that even little March 7th could see: "You seem to know a lot about us, no, not just us, but about this Belobog as well."

To be honest, this was beyond being a natural acquaintance. Mr. Welt, who had been searching for his homeland all along without success, suddenly found a clue...

Alright, the name 'Fang Jie' sounded too much like a con artist from the Company.

"It's like I've seen it in books, but this is my first time seeing it in person."

Fang Jie had nothing to hide. The galaxy was vast and could accommodate anything.

"To put it metaphorically, I'm a player on their second playthrough."

Dan Heng: "?"

He thought carefully and tentatively asked, "Stellaron Hunters?"

There was evidence that behind the 'Star' were those Stellaron Hunters. The leader of the Stellaron Hunters, Elio, was a madman who claimed to see destiny and pursued the most dangerous things in the universe.

"No," Fang Jie shook his head. "Although I've seen their stories, I'm different from the 'slaves of destiny'."

He also didn't fight against the Destruction, nor had he seen the prophecy of Terminus.

The evidence was his predicted path and the Forbidden Zone Supreme's Second Honkai eruption.

To be honest, this future made him a bit nervous, but since he was here, he was here.

"Mhm," Dan Heng's expression didn't reveal whether he believed him or not. "I've asked my questions. As for the rest, I believe Mr. Welt will make the final decision."

"Aren't you going to ask about Belobog's story? It's not as peaceful as it looks."

Dan Heng's eyes were strange. The peace you're talking about... we just opened the gates of Belobog. To be honest, Dan Heng wouldn't be surprised if that somewhat eccentric Great Guardian turned hostile.

Even Cocolia's strangeness wouldn't seem strange anymore. They had to have some defensive capabilities.

"No need. Trailblazing is about exploring the unknown."

"I suppose so."

Fang Jie strongly agreed with Dan Heng's viewpoint.

Although this planet had the disaster of the Stellar Nucleus, under the train's observation, there were no Aeon-level powers. For the Astral Express, it wasn't a major problem.

They even arranged for Dan Heng to lead the newcomers on their trailblazing journey.

'Explore unknown worlds and blaze your trail; understand the local culture and ecology, and integrate into them; establish connections with new worlds, sharing their joys and sorrows; connect worlds with worlds, forging an unending path.' This was the creed of the Nameless.

Even the Stellaron Hunters, who knew so much, didn't 'spoil' things. They just made arrangements at the right time, allowing the 'Star' to trailblaze.

"You don't mind if I also participate in the trailblazing on this planet, do you?"

Fang Jie was quite serious. If Dan Heng felt it wasn't okay, he would compromise and directly find their landing pod in exchange for getting on the train.

"The Nameless never mind such things, but if I may be so bold, your trailblazing..." Dan Heng only reminded him because the other two weren't around.

Don't learn from the Company's market development department. That guy was fired by Pom-Pom.

Fang Jie understood and smiled, "What can I do? I can't just ignore her, but I also can't manage her properly. I don't have the strength you do, Dan Heng, nor the wisdom of Welt. I've just started my journey and made quite a few blunders."

To put it bluntly, his foresight was 'a taste of it' and didn't involve details at all. He felt a bit overwhelmed by the real unfolding world, yet he valued it all and didn't want to act recklessly.

Kevin was still watching in the Sea of Quantum, Kiana Kaslana was still dominating the End Times, not to mention the Astral Express were all good people. Choose your faction.

What, do you want to be a bug?

As long as you connect with Welt, everything will be alright.

We, the main characters, all operate as a team. Let him teach me how to roam in the world of Honkai 3 without capsizing. Old Yang is a history teacher.

As for this galaxy... the same logic applies. With the Astral Express backing him up, he could avoid a lot, a lot of trouble.

Compared to that, Belobog's value was also there, but it really wasn't much. And compared to the upper city, the lower city was indeed more worth looking forward to.

"My... strength?"

Dan Heng didn't want to discuss this topic, nor did he want to know what future Fang Jie knew about him. He always felt it wasn't a good thing.

However, he finally understood one thing. No wonder Fang Jie seemed so unlike a Nameless. This person might actually be unconsciously resistant to the unknown. Without being able to overcome this thought, he couldn't deeply engage in trailblazing.

On the other side, the 'Star' and March 7th had already mixed in with the children, shouting, "Sister Pe~la~!"

"...Please, some adults, don't imitate children as if nothing happened!"

How rare. Pela, your cute round face truly delights me. Why didn't you come to take a beating when so many Silvermane Guards were dispatched earlier?

It's fine, I'll beat you next time.

Also, because they had beaten too many Silvermane Guards today, Gepard didn't recommend them to the 'Eternal Engine' workshop. They took a leisurely tour, and Fang Jie received news from Gepard about Great Guardian Cocolia's meeting tomorrow.

"I'm looking forward to it."

Fang Jie smiled. With his buffer, the Astral Express could play for another day without having to maintain a tense state for negotiations with Cocolia, escape, and being wanted.

"See you tomorrow."

Meanwhile, at Clipper Fort.

Cocolia gazed at Bronya. "My daughter, you look so disheartened. This won't do. As acting Great Guardian, if you don't lift your spirits and maintain an imposing aura, those who watch you will also waver."

"Mother, I just..."

Bronya made no effort to hide her dejection.

"I'm sorry, I've always struggled to understand some of your actions, Mother, especially ordering the Silvermane Guards to charge into the Cleft. I feel such sacrifices are meaningless. You can't... I'm truly sorry."

When faced with circumstances beyond their control, people always lament their powerlessness.

Bronya was no different. It wasn't that her resolve to protect Belobog, to protect human civilization, had wavered. It was that she didn't know how she could overcome one steep challenge after another. If visitors from beyond the stars could so easily destroy Belobog, what could the Silvermane Guards protect?

So weak, so powerless.

Cocolia's frustration subsided in an instant. She looked at Bronya with surprise. "I'm glad you realize this, my daughter."

For a long time, she had been tormented by the despair that came with the title of 'Great Guardian.'

The 18th, Belobog had passed to her, tasking her with its continued protection... But there would be no 19th. After clinging to existence for seven hundred years, Cocolia couldn't hand over Belobog, whose Subterranean Sui Energy reserves were now counted in mere days, to Bronya.

Yes, the Subterranean Marrow that sustained Belobog's life was about to be depleted.

This was the result of a painful decision made over a decade ago to cut off supplies to the lower city, a sacrifice that had allowed them to last this long. Where else could she possibly cut back this time?

Soon, the Subterranean髓 Energy would run out.

Soon, the Eternal Freeze would become unstoppable.

Soon, Belobog would fall.

Miracles no longer favored Belobog. Even if a Pathstrider... If another individual who surpassed the first Great Guardian could be born amidst this civilization's life-or-death struggle, Cocolia would be willing to believe in miracles.

But there was no one. She was Belobog's strongest, and no one could break through her to find a better path. In the end, everything would perish.

No exceptions.

No salvation.

No hope.

There was no need to burden Bronya with such pain. Cocolia had chosen a new path, one that... no longer relied on 'Preservation,' one that weakened 'Preservation' and embraced a new world.

"Bronya, if you are truly sad, take tomorrow off. To welcome these guests from beyond the stars and bring joy to Belobog's citizens, go organize a material distribution. Ensure the supplies are ample."

"Mother?!"

Bronya couldn't believe Cocolia would say such a thing. Belobog's heating and material supply had always been on a knife's edge, barely enough to survive.

Supplies were limited, and hunger and cold were a constant reality.

Cocolia's expression was gentle. "Go, my daughter. Tomorrow, I have matters to discuss with the visitors. Afterward, I will give you a surprise that will help you no longer be lost, so that neither of us will be lost."

There was no more time. Any further hesitation, and even the Stellar Nucleus would be taken by the visitors.

She had already made up her mind.

Chapter Twenty-Three: Aha: This is Trailblazing

Goethe Hotel.

After a full day of sightseeing, Star felt she had a complete understanding of the local culture. It seemed she was only a step away from becoming a citizen of Belobog, just needing to get a number at the administrative office.

Everyone returned to the Goethe Hotel. The warm subterranean lamps and the fragrant tea scent lingering in the air brought a sense of peace.

There was still time to explore the hotel before officially washing up and resting. March 7th and Dan Heng also seemed to want to chat with her here...

What about Fang Jie?

"Sleep, sleep!!"

He rushed back to his room, completely ignoring March 7th's suggestion of a pillow fight and having no intention of joining the Astral Express squad's internal meeting.

He was still in the same room as that sleeping beauty... Wow~

Star understood how wonderful that must be. She often went to March 7th's room to nap on the Express; it was very comfortable.

Unaware that his reputation was being tarnished, Fang Jie was finally getting his second sleep in a long time, sleeping so soundly that he was practically dead to the world.

When he woke from his slumber, he found himself in a bizarre pose, with strange scribbles all over his body...

"Huh?"

He was surprised, astonished, and then enraged—who was so despicable! If they were going to attack him, they should have at least woken him up!

"Taking advantage of weakness is a phrase I dislike."

His loud accusations received no response. The perpetrator was quite unapologetic, like Oshino Meme, though she didn't eat donuts.

Wait, why were there three different handwriting styles?

"Ah!"

What happened to the Nameless? How did things turn out this way?

Fang Jie, helpless, stripped off his clothes and headed to the bathroom. After a thorough cleaning, he confirmed there were at least three sets of writing. Besides a crooked bat pattern right on his face, the other side of his face had a strange Pom-Pom drawing. The composition was extremely crude, and he suspected it might have even been photographed.

"I'll remember this grudge."

Gepard had notified him of their noon meeting. There was still time, so Fang Jie pushed open the window and gazed at the now bustling Belobog. It was already late, and he had slept in.

The Astral Express team was also gone from the hotel. March 7th and the Stellaron Spirit had probably fled to have fun out of guilt, while Dan Heng might be in the library.

And the streets were very lively.

"Is it a holiday?"

It was truly lively. Looking around, the streets and alleyways were filled with people, gathered near the Subterranean髓 Energy heaters, talking to each other. Places that seemed to be shops, guarded by Silvermane Guards, had long queues, and many people had smiles on their faces.

Even citizens whose homes had been consumed by the Cleft, whose Cleft phenomenon had spread into the city, some of whom were still panicked and despairing of losing all their property yesterday, now had much calmer and firmer expressions.

The supplies they received had solved their immediate crisis. Once they were full, they would have the strength to enter the Cleft and reclaim everything.

??? He wasn't afraid of death. Having lost everything was no different from being dead.

The Silvermane Guards blocking the Cleft were no longer as insistent, after all...

For some reason, the city defenses were short-handed and couldn't hold the line.

"It's already 'tomorrow.' It looks like they don't plan on living anymore."

Staring at this carnival-like festive atmosphere, Fang Jie could only think this.

He looked up and saw the bright starry sky, unclouded by the gloom, unclouded by the sun. Belobog's starry sky from seven hundred years ago was still here. He, along with the people here, faced the same sky.

After centuries of hardship, the people here were digging their own graves.