Chapter 4: Turn-Based Game—Time for a Meta Shift?

At Herta Space Station, the post-disaster reconstruction efforts had concluded.

The surviving researchers resumed their usual peaceful and leisurely lives.

In a meeting room, one slacking-off scientist discreetly scrolled through his phone under the table. Compared to his colleague droning on at the podium, he found spending time on games far more meaningful.

He opened the section for new releases and started scrolling down.

Suddenly, he spotted "Honkai: Star Rail."

"Star Rail?"

"Aren't these the same Nameless travelers who assisted us recently with their Astral Express?"

"I remember it being parked at the space station's Railway Platform for some time!"

"How intriguing! Let me take a look!"

On Xianzhou Luofu:

Qingque was indulging in his usual leisurely slacking off. However, due to stern warnings from the terrifying leader of the Divination Commission recently, he could no longer openly shirk work. Instead, he seized moments during breaks to browse Yuzhao discreetly.

"Little Guizi seems to have started streaming lately; let's check it out."

"Huh? Why did he switch from variety shows to gaming streams?"

"Wait, wait, wait!"

"You sure this is a game?"

"Aren't these wanted criminals Kafka and Herta? I saw their warrants just this morning!"

"Oh-ho, now that's intriguing!"

"Forget cards after work today, I want to see what this game's storyline is all about!"

Onboard the Astral Express.

In the vast cabin, aside from Pom-Pom the conductor, only Welt and Himeko remained present.

Old Yang sat by the window in the Parlor Car, engrossed in reading a book.

Outside, a planet blanketed in ice and snow stretched before them.

However, he wasn't fully focused on his reading, occasionally glancing at the scenery outside.

Himeko approached with a cup of coffee and took a seat nearby.

"Worried about that child?"

"Understandably so," Old Yang replied with a smile. "This is their first Trailblazing journey after all; it's natural to feel concerned."

"No, young people need opportunities for growth," said Old Yang.

"Then why not relax a bit? How about trying this new blend of coffee I've just prepared?"

Gazing at the dark liquid in front of him, Old Yang suddenly felt a tightness in his throat and a dryness in his mouth.

He hastily reached for his phone.

"Uh... no, thank you. When I unwind, I prefer playing games or something similar."

In truth, there were no games installed on Old Yang's phone. So, he opened the section for new releases, intending to download one casually to avoid suspicion.

Suddenly, amidst the dizzying array of game titles, one particular name caught his attention.

Himeko keenly noticed the change in Old Yang's expression and asked, "What seems to be the matter?"

"Take a look at this game."

"Honkai: Star Rail? It appears to be themed around our Astral Express."

"You're right." Old Yang adjusted his glasses. "Its logo features a train icon."

"In the past, some developers incorporated train elements into their games. However, since they weren't actual passengers on the Astral Express like The Nameless, their creations often veered wildly from reality, bearing little resemblance to our genuine Trailblazing journey."

Old Yang understood that Himeko was being quite diplomatic. Rather than describing them as "wildly imaginative," it would have been more accurate to call those games outright nonsensical.

They were simply trashy attempts to capitalize on the popularity of the Astral Express.

Clearly, Himeko assumed this new game would be similar, already expecting the worst.

However, Old Yang didn't share her sentiment.

Instead of focusing on the latter part of the title, he paid closer attention to its prefix:

Honkai!

Hopefully, the game developers used "Honkai" as an adjective rather than referring to the concept of chaos and destruction he had imagined.

"Well, since we're both free for once, why don't we take a look at this game together?"

"Sounds good," Himeko enthusiastically agreed. "Just so you know, if it turns out to be one of those cheap, poorly made games, I won't stick around."

Unbeknownst to Lin Yu, his newly released mobile game had already begun attracting attention from certain individuals across the Galaxy.

At that moment, alongside Guinaifen's live stream, the turn-based gameplay of "Honkai: Stellar Rail" was about to be unveiled—

Another Stellaron Hunter's voice echoed behind the screen:

"Can this mission at least let me have some fun? The previous ones were incredibly dull."

"My apologies. Today's task is indeed tedious—merely placing the target inside," Kafka responded. Then, her tone shifted, "But I won't stop you if you want to spice things up. After all..."

As she finished speaking, the space cabin door automatically opened.

Kafka stepped forward, hands resting on her hips.

Facing her were three menacing Voidrangers!

"After all, what isn't scripted by Elio doesn't matter!"

She drew her dual pistols.

Her pupils dilated instantly.

A joyful smile curved her lips, as if reaching the climax of an impromptu performance!

It seemed like the next moment would show Kafka unleashing a barrage with her submachine guns against the Voidrangers.

Most viewers, including Guinaifen, didn't fully grasp the earlier conversation. However, they understood one thing:

The Stellaron Hunters were planning something significant!

A battle with the Antimatter Legion was inevitable!

This scene confirmed their expectations.

Just as the dramatic tension reached its peak, however, the video abruptly paused.

Cracks then appeared on the screen.

When it resumed, both sides—the allies and enemies—were positioned for a turn-based combat sequence, standing stationary.

"Huh?"

"I've already taken off my pants for this scene, and you show me this?"

"If I'm not mistaken, that's a turn-based game!"

"Feeling a bit let down; I thought it would be more epic."

"I was genuinely intrigued at first, with such a promising start, but turns out it's just a turn-based game."

"This gameplay style is so outdated!"