The Falling Vodka Girl

After leaving the Golden Courtyard, Luo Mo headed straight to the company at Kallen's request. The incident with the purple light explosion above ARC City had to be addressed, and Luo Mo was already working on a cover story.

He couldn't keep relying on the same old excuses. Schicksal was getting too much attention lately, and their standard "natural gas explosion" explanations were wearing thin.

Right now, he was on the phone with Kallen, discussing the situation. He walked over to the window, looking out into the night.

"So, you're saying that Schicksal wants me to come up with a better way to explain the disappearance of the Life Sciences Pharmaceutical company headquarters in the ARC City Industrial Zone?" Luo Mo asked.

"Well...yes," Kallen coughed, sounding a bit embarrassed. "We've been overusing the gas explosion excuse. I was hoping you might have some fresh ideas to handle this."

"..." Luo Mo sighed, a hint of amusement in his voice. "Well then, why don't we just say Mihoyo messed up and accidentally teleported a whole city into their new game?"

"A new game already? And what's this about teleportation?" Kallen sounded confused.

"Just kidding, it's not even close to being ready," Luo Mo chuckled, glancing at the bustling activity within the company.

Despite the late hour, the place was humming with energy – workers pulling triple shifts without any signs of slowing down.

"Honestly, stick to the usual excuses," he said with a tinge of resignation. "Even if we told the truth about this kind of incident, no one would buy it."

"Agreed. Also, we've received reports from Durandal and the others. It seems this time isn't some kind of in-game event gone wrong. Apparently, it was Raiden Mei who stepped in and saved ARC City in reality," Kallen explained.

"Mei?" Luo Mo sounded surprised, but a note of understanding crept into his voice. "That makes sense, I suppose."

Kiana's always the optimist, but Mei... Mei has a way of connecting with the game on a deeper level. She understands the pain and the struggles depicted in it. It's not just about the action with her.

Plus, let's be honest, Mei's life hasn't exactly been a joyride, unlike Kiana's ups and downs. I still remember those moments in the game where she watched with such sadness in her eyes, her hands clenched tight.

Perhaps, without knowing it, Mei had already communicated with her inner personality and evolve to 'Red Electric Dragon', Luo Mo thought.

"Hey there, boss! Still working this late?" A burst of energy filled the corridor as a pink-haired girl bounced into view, grinning at Luo Mo with a flash of her little tiger teeth.

"Rozaliya, slow down! I can barely keep up," a tired voice followed. A blue-haired girl trailed behind, panting slightly as she caught up with her pink-haired sister.

Luo Mo frowned at the two. "What are you two still doing here so late? Don't you have school tomorrow?" A flicker of worry crossed his face.

Did his company start exploiting child labor so quickly? No, this is not possible.

 The programs he'd discussed with the local government were all for adults.. Luo Mo's face froze. The compensation was a small matter, but if word of this got out… it could tarnish his company's reputation.

"Hey boss! We couldn't wait any longer to find out when our big moment is coming! And the whole idol thing – the vodka girl is ready to rock it! Just say the word!" Rozaliya beamed, her usual boundless energy practically crackling in the air.

She'd been buzzing with excitement ever since she found out about the idol project, and keeping track of its progress was her top priority.

"Vodka girl...idol...ready...always..." Liliya echoed in a quieter, almost monotone voice. Her eyes drooped slightly, making it clear she'd much rather be asleep right now.

Luo Mo watched the sisters, a slight headache starting to form. He took a moment to compose himself, then offered a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, your storyline is coming right up. Get ready, because you could be stepping into the spotlight any day now."

"But now, can you explain why you two are still hanging around here so late?" Luo Mo asked. There was a flicker of amusement in his eyes, but he didn't completely buy their story.

"Oh, that's easy! Sister Bronya said she'd pick us up tonight from Anti-Entropy and take us back to the academy," Rozaliya chirped, a picture of innocence.

"Right, and have you considered what happens if she forgets?" Luo Mo raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing on his lips. He had a strong suspicion these two weren't just innocently waiting around.

"Hey, it's fun here..." Rozaliya started, a mischievous glint in her eyes, but then gave a little yelp as Liliya swiftly clamped a hand over her mouth.

"You idiot, Rozaliya!" Liliya hissed, her eyes wide with alarm. "If you keep flapping your gums, we'll get busted for sure!"

Rozaliya locked her big, earnest eyes on Luo Mo. "Boss, we're good kids, really! We would never dream of disobeying our sister," she insisted, her voice dripping with sincerity. The problem was, her eyes held just a hint of mischief that totally contradicted her words.

Luo Mo paused, studying the girls for a moment. He couldn't quite shake the feeling that something wasn't adding up. With a slight smirk, he reached for his phone. "Let's see about that, shall we?"

"Hey Bronya—"

Instantly, Rozaliya and Liliya sprang into action, a panicked look flashing between them as they scrambled to stop him from making the call.

...

Bronya stifled a yawn, the long day in ARC City finally catching up to her. She glanced at Seele, who was lost in quiet contemplation of the moon. A wave of warmth washed over Bronya.

Had she forgotten something? It didn't seem to matter right now. With Seele beside her, what could be more important than this moment?

The moonlight painted Seele's face with a soft, ethereal glow. Her long lashes fluttered, and a blush crept onto her cheeks as if sensing Bronya's gaze. It was a shy, fleeting blush, but oh so endearing.

Bronya smiled to herself, returning to the book in her hands. Seele's quiet presence was all the acceptance she needed.

Who makes Seele so precious, so unbearably cute? Bronya's heart swelled with affection.

[Hey, that's my Seele; don't look at it! My, my! ] Some people are secretly stamping their feet and venting their anger in the space of consciousness.

Dammit, I was here first! Well, not technically, but I'm the one who jumped into action when danger struck!

'brenye oneh chan' 'brenye oneh chan'

but your sister didn't save you all herself, she even had to ask the "boss" and that man(Fu hua:?) for help to get you out of that damm place,

Your sister who obeys the "boss" even makes me wonder what their agreement is, maybe in seven or Eight years you will find a mini sister who says "auntie" hahaha.

forget that, this so-called 'sister' and the school principal fainting at the drop of a hat? That's a total embarrassment.

"Other me, cut it out. Maybe Sister Bronya just likes the scenery over there," a timid voice replies, tinged with doubt.

[Seriously?] A mental eyebrow shoots up. Hey, do you actually believe that? And could you please stop blushing and looking all flustered?

[No way! If you won't step up, I will!] Frustration crackles through the mental outburst.

"Wait – it's okay now. I...I just want some time with Sister Bronya," a softer voice pleads, tinged with a hint of desperation.

[Ha! Your precious Sister Bronya is the biggest threat right now!] The voice scoffs, laced with a bitter edge.

[Picture it: she'll strip you bare, scrub you down, then devour every last bit of you!]

Seele's cheeks flush, but she doesn't argue. Instead, she gently lifts a lock of her hair, letting the moonlight shimmer through it even more clearly. There's a flicker of defiance in her eyes.

Suddenly, a jarring phone ringtone shatters the tense atmosphere, a discordant note that makes Bronya scowl in annoyance. With a sigh, she answers the call, the interruption unwelcome.

She also knew that not many people knew her phone number, and it couldn't be a harassing call. Speaking of harassment, Speaking of nuisance, those recent hacking attacks were starting to grate on her nerves. 

Every time she tried to track the source, the location would shift, a frustrating game of digital hide-and-seek.

"Bronya—" a familiar voice came through the line.

Ah, so it was the big boss himself. Bronya's expression remained stoic. "Yes, boss?" she replied, her tone neutral.

Luo Mo felt that the other party's mood seemed a little wrong, He pushed the thought aside for now. His focus shifted instantly to the alarming report from Su Lu – those two, Rozaliya and Liliya, had been causing absolute chaos in the company!

The carnage left in their wake was... impressive. A prized model car reduced to mangled plastic, the game console by the door a smoking ruin, and the recording studio...well, let's just say it looked like a hurricane had blown through.

But according to Su Lu, the real damage was to her sanity. Apparently, babysitting those two whirlwinds was pure torture. Luo Mo privately disagreed – kids will be kids, right?

But now, someone had to answer for this mess. Naturally, that meant calling Bronya to the carpet.

"Bronya, just give it some thought," Luo Mo said, his smile masking a hint of mischief. "Did you, by any chance, leave two small, destructive forces behind at the company?"

"Boss, Liliya has nothing to do with me! I swear!" Rozaliya's voice piped up, dripping with exaggerated innocence.

"Stupid sister, if you're gonna lie, at least don't drag me into it!" Liliya shot back, annoyance lacing her tone.

"Hey! We promised to stick together forever! How could I defend myself without bringing you up?" Rozaliya protested, flashing an indignant pout.

Bronya rubbed her temples, the beginnings of a headache threatening to take hold. Suddenly, it all clicked. Of course. Those two...

"These two idiots..." Bronya smiled bitterly.

"Alright, boss, I get it," she said, regaining her composure. "But it's way too late to rush back now. How about we let them 'crash' at the company for the night? Security's there anyway, they should be fine."

"Hey, hey, how could I do that?" Luo Mo said, dissatisfied,

"Well, that's up to you, boss," Bronya replied, her tone cool and collected. "But let's be real, those two aren't exactly helpless infants." There was a slight pause, then she raised her voice. "Hey, Rozaliya, Liliya! Looks like I'm stuck here for tonight. You're free to head home or keep exploring."

Luo Mo cut in before they could respond, a playful smirk on his face. "So, busy honeymooning with Seele that you forgot about your dear sisters, did you?" With a mischievous chuckle, he hung up the phone.

Turning around, he was met with an unexpected sight. The two "helpless infants" had somehow conjured a tent and were bouncing with excitement, ready to turn the company into their personal campground.

He could hear their excited whispers: "Vodka Girl, the first St. Freya adventure begins!" and other enthusiastic nonsense.

A cloud passed over Luo Mo's face. This was a headache. The principal clearly didn't have a wide social circle, and he couldn't just leave two kids on their own.

Where on earth could he put them?

His own place? No, no, that was out of the question. A flicker of guilt crossed his mind – that thought was way too inappropriate. Luo Mo shook his head, determined to banish any such ideas.

He scanned the staff roster, looking for a solution. Someone would have to step up, but who? His finger paused on a familiar name.

Susannah?

A wry smile played on his lips. How convenient. He couldn't help but recall her recent blunder. Well, turnabout is fair play, right? Perhaps it was time for her to face a little 'punishment' of her own.

...

A hotel in ARC City,

Kiana tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. Her mind was a whirlwind – two images warring for attention.

On one side, the heroic [Sky Ranger] blazing a trail through the game world, and that final, desperate starburst.

On the other, Mei, soaring through the real sky, a radiant incarnation of thunder and lightning.

Kiana rolled onto her side, eyes drawn to Mei sleeping peacefully beside her. In the soft moonlight, each eyelash a delicate shadow, Mei's face seemed bathed in an ethereal glow.

A small, contented smile played on her lips, and Kiana felt a pang of envy. Mei always seemed to sleep so soundly after those...events.

"Well..." Kiana sighed, rolling onto her back. Now she understood, at least a little, why Mei had seemed so tormented, so desperate in the game.

It was just the first night, and with Mei by his side, she felt resentful and unjust in her heart, feeling like a ball of fire was burning.

She looked at the dark ceiling, her thoughts lingering for a long time.

She stared at the shadowy ceiling, her thoughts swirling. Bronya, forging ahead on her path towards the Herrscher of Reason.

Mei, determined to control the tempestuous power of the Herrscher of Thunder.

And Kiana? Despite all her training, it seemed she had no such drive, no clear path. The others had grand, dangerous goals – a reason to fight, to prove themselves worthy of their roles.

Perhaps...perhaps she was too comfortable. Her reality lacked the stark dangers, the pain, the trials her friends were facing.

My only goal is to get stronger, but it feels...hollow. Mom's there to guide me, I don't face the kind of danger that could break me. Can that really make me a hero?

Kiana had doubts about herself. She pulled up the quilt, covered her head, and continued to think.

But...no. That's not right.

"Heroes don't have to be forged by endless suffering."

Watching the game, her heart aches for those who endure those impossible trials. her determination to get stronger isn't pointless.

Kiana's mind flashed back to Luo Mo's words. His reason for making games, he said, was to prevent those tragedies from happening in the real world.

I still remember the serious look in his eyes every time he spoke, hoping to replace the real scars with illusory scars, to keep those nightmares from ever becoming reality.

His eyes had searched hers, asking so earnestly, "Kiana, do you remember?" Back then, she'd even laughed it off.

But now, it seems not that far away...

A relentless tide of worry washes over her, one wave after another. She frets over nothing, over everything, unable to understand her own turmoil.

She clings to Himeko, haunted by a fear of loss even though her teacher seems healthy and strong.

She turned over again and saw the side window sill from the corner of her eye.

Restlessly, she rolls over again. From the corner of her eye, she sees the windowsill darken. It's a subtle shift, but it means Bronya's room has gone dark as well, her sister settling down for sleep.

"Ugh," Kiana lets out a soft sigh. This can't go on. If she doesn't get a grip, Bronya will surpass her in no time. Tomorrow, she'll propose training together. She has to!

...

"Vill-V, tell me again – is it true? Is Kevin really doing all this just to test something?" Elysia's voice echoed with a mix of desperation and disbelief.

She couldn't stop pacing, her restless energy mirroring the turmoil in her heart.

This was far from the first time she'd asked, but until she heard the words that would finally bring relief, the worry would gnaw at her.

"Relax, Elysia. Kevin has a backup plan, I'm sure of it." Vill-V lounged on the sofa, a picture of deceptive calm as she stirred her drink with languid movements. "He carries too much weight on his shoulders to risk everything on a gamble. But at the same time, he's not the kind to hope for a simple, clean success."

"However, if the trial fails, it represents the people of a city!" Elysia twirled her hair with her fingers and muttered.

She, the ever-confident champion, the one who always charged into the fray against the Herrschers...this time, she wasn't needed.

This wasn't a moment for her flashy victories. Even at half her usual strength, how many Herrschers could she defeat? Could she even make a dent?

Those who merely borrowed power through the stigmata could never truly overcome the Herrschers. Or could they? A flicker of doubt crossed her mind.

"Don't you always preach about having faith in humanity?" Mobius's voice broke into Elysia's thoughts, a cool counterpoint to her inner turmoil. The serpent-like glint in her eyes betrayed a hint of amusement at Elysia's uncharacteristic hesitation.

"And besides," she continued, exhaling a wisp of smoke, "Hua and that Durandal girl have gone to the city as well. Even if the worst happens, they'll manage to save lives. Maybe not the entire city, but enough to prevent a total catastrophe."

For a moment, Elysia was at a loss for words. Doubt and hope swirled within her, a tempest reflected in her wide eyes. How could she reconcile her belief in humanity with Kevin's ruthless pragmatism?

"Elysia," Kevin's voice cut through the tension, quiet but firm. "You trust the Herrschers, the ones you chose to carry this burden. Don't doubt them now."

Despite his stoic tone, Elysia sensed a subtle hopefulness in his words. He, the holder of the Stigma Project, had never placed all his faith in it. It wasn't about defeating the Honkai, but about something more nebulous, the nature of humanity in this new era.

"Oh?" Vill-V's voice interjected, a mischievous lilt in her tone as she fiddled with the antique radio. A moment later, static crackled, followed by a report.

[Unlike what was expected, it was Raiden Mei who saved the city, my Lord. ]

Vill-V's lips curved into a soft smile, a flicker of something resembling genuine warmth in her eyes. "So it worked after all."

The corner of Mobius' mouth twitched. She had actually been curious about the function of the radio in front of her, but because of the lesson she learned last time, she did not dare question the other party's function again, for fear of a demonstration.

But then again, calling Vill-V the co-author of the surveillance-world-snake-drama felt like exaggeration, didn't it?

"Think about it," Vill-V interrupted her inner debate, her tone smooth and persuasive. "Compared to those fuddy-duddy Schicksal reports, or Anti-Entropy's spin, Kevin's intel is the real deal, isn't it?"

"Huh—where's Mei?" A wave of excitement cut through Elysia apprehension. "This is amazing! I have to hear all about it from Mei when she's back! She's always in the thick of things. Mei rocks! ♪"