As the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, Su Luo stepped forward to smooth things over.
He cleared his throat twice. "Ahem, Kiana's cooking skills are actually not bad. It's just that when she cooks, she likes to add some... peculiar ingredients, which leads to the final product being..."
He thought for a moment, picking a more euphemistic term.
"...not entirely satisfactory."
"I didn't expect Mr. Otto to have such a high opinion of Kiana," Elysia replied.
Kiana: Elysia, where did you hear Su Luo giving her a high opinion?
If Kiana weren't currently being held down by Himeko, she probably would have jumped up.
Su Luo, likely noticing Kiana's expression wasn't right, cleared his throat again and quickly steered the conversation back on topic.
Ultimately, why the topic had strayed to such an extent was, in itself, a question worth pondering deeply.
Perhaps, maybe, probably...
This was the 'chemical reaction' that occurred when these Honkai Impact 3rd characters gathered.
"Enough idle chatter. The audience is still anticipating the subsequent plot."
[Actually... I wouldn't mind if you all chatted a bit longer. It feels quite interesting.]
[So it's not just me who feels this way?]
[23333, Miss Elf is practically the treasure of BiliBili! The source of all joy!]
[That being said, shouldn't you all be more concerned about the plot? Kiana's life is still hanging in the balance!]
[Ah! Right, right, right!]
The moment Kiana was mentioned, the atmosphere in the livestream visibly tensed up again.
Su Luo spoke at the opportune moment, "Himeko, play the subsequent CG we've already prepared for everyone."
"Alright."
Himeko nodded, then moved the mouse to click on a certain folder on the computer. From a pile of videos, she opened one.
The screen was pitch black at the beginning.
A narrator explained to the players:
World Serpent's conspiracy quietly dissipated amidst the dazzling blaze.
No one knew what happened... Only she was chasing the meteor's trajectory, running.
The sound of rapid panting, fire engine sirens, and ambulance sirens, all jumbled together, instantly made the atmosphere exceptionally tense.
"Kiana...!"
Tears welled in Mei's eyes as she ran along the road, chasing the meteor in the sky.
She couldn't imagine what kind of injuries Kiana had suffered in the explosion just now, nor Kiana's current state.
The more she thought about it, the more worried and anxious she became. Panic, like wild grass, filled every corner of her heart.
Right now, she just wanted to run faster, even faster.
The sooner she reached Kiana's side, the better.
Because Kiana definitely needed her right now!
She also wanted to help Kiana!
She didn't want Kiana to endure everything alone anymore.
She didn't want to, never again!
[My heart aches for Mei!]
[Can't Benares come out to catch Kiana? Benares, make a move!]
...
The story continued.
Mei didn't know that while she was desperately chasing Kiana, Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, Durandal, had already arrived in Skyfall City.
She looked at the still bustling and noisy Skyfall City, then looked up at the sky, seemingly understanding something.
Durandal plunged Abyss Flower into the ground, activating the power of this Sixth Divine Key, the Key of Creation.
In an instant, an intense white light flared. Amidst the shaking of the earth and mountains, a giant tree actually shot up from the ground, emitting a brilliant white radiance, reaching out to welcome the falling starlight.
And that starlight falling from the sky was none other than Kiana, who had just saved Skyfall City.
Durandal used the power of Abyss Flower to catch her and began to heal her injuries.
As the white light continuously merged into Kiana's body, her originally gruesome injuries recovered and improved at a speed visible to the naked eye.
However, although her physical injuries were treated, Kiana's spirit had suffered severe trauma in the explosion.
Therefore, she remained unconscious.
In the center, surrounded by the giant tree, the unconscious white-haired girl lay on a tree trunk. Durandal extended a hand clad in a bright silver knight's gauntlet, wanting to touch Kiana's cheek.
"Kiana!"
Just then, Mei arrived at the scene. Her trembling voice fully conveyed her current unease, surprise, and joy.
"Ah!"
Then, she let out a cry of surprise, looking up from below with an expression of disbelief at the knightly figure with long, pale-golden hair, leaning on a knight's lance—Durandal.
Their eyes met.
The CG ended here.
It was clear that Kiana should be fine; the players' wishes had been fulfilled.
However, what followed was new anticipation.
The players never thought they would one day have such fervent enthusiasm for a game's plot, like following a seasonal anime.
[No way! This is too short! What will happen between Durandal and Mei in the end? Will they fight?]
[I'll start: Durandal: Beauty is only fitting for the strong.]
[At least Kiana should be okay? That's good enough. Kiana and Mei will have a chance to get back together eventually. The scriptwriter wouldn't drag out their reunion until the grand finale, right?]
[Person above, please don't jinx it! I'm panicking.]
"Everyone, don't worry."
Su Luo saw the bullet comments and said with a smile, "Kiana and Mei will reunite very soon."
He paused, then added, somewhat inexplicably, "The scene at that time should be very 'touching' to people's hearts."
"Su... Boss." It was Kiana who spoke. "Have you already thought out the subsequent plot?"
Su Luo nodded. "Mm, the entire plot of Honkai Impact 3rd has long been in my head."
"Oh!"
Kiana became excited. You had to know, their curiosity about Honkai Impact 3rd's subsequent plot was even greater than the players', if not more so.
After all, their sense of immersion was strong!
So, Kiana naturally hoped that the in-game Kiana and Mei could reunite.
"Since Boss, you've said so, then Kiana and Mei will indeed reunite soon."
"Hehe~~ Kiana is so strong now, Mei will definitely be very envious then."
"..." Su Luo blinked.
Hard to say. He really couldn't say anything for sure.
"Ahem, Kiana, Himeko, say goodbye to everyone. This livestream should end now."
"Oh, okay." *2
Kiana, probably because she learned that the in-game Kiana and Mei would reunite soon, had a big smile on her face:
"Wishing everyone good health, success in your work, happiness for your families, and may all your wishes come true. Today's livestream ends here."
"Kiana, what kind of lines are those?" Himeko flicked Kiana's forehead with a finger, exasperated.
The bullet comments, however,纷纷表示 (expressed one after another):
[It's fine, it's fine! This Kiana is perfect! I've been healed!]
[May Kiana and Himeko also have success in their work and good health. Just stay this wonderful.]
[Right, right, can you reveal what the upcoming side story will be about?]
It was unclear who read out that last bullet comment.
In an instant.
Kiana: "..."
Himeko: "..."
Theresa, who had been watching the show from the side, had an even more drastic change in expression.
Stargazer! Her Stargazer!
Su Luo was simply inhuman!!
Sob sob sob~~
"Ending the stream, ending the stream." Himeko pretended not to hear and closed the livestream.
After the livestream ended, Kiana stared at Su Luo with a gloomy expression.
The others busied themselves as if nothing had happened; no one discussed the side story.
There was a strange feeling that this matter was unspeakable.
Who could blame them? Su Luo had not only faithfully restored "The Day You Vanished with the Stars" but had even added extra material to it.
"Kiana, don't look at me like that."
"..."
"I just added a little something that would leave a lasting... impression."
"..."
Kiana finally retracted her gaze and said gloomily, "Yes, a lasting impression. As the original author, I didn't even know the story could unfold like this."
She sighed lightly. "Su Luo, you truly are amazing."
Her use of 'amazing' actually had two meanings.
First, although the supplementary story Su Luo added was a bit of a "knife," it was definitely a masterstroke that brought the whole thing to life. This was very amazing.
Second, Su Luo's ability to steer any story in such a "knifing" direction was, in a certain sense, also very amazing, even more astonishing than the first point.
"You flatter me~"
Su Luo, seeing Kiana was no longer dwelling on it, chuckled lightly and glanced at the system panel out of the corner of his eye.
[Honkai Impact 3rd Current User Statistics: 9,217,633.]
Looks like it's time to prepare double bonuses for Kiana and the others.
...
...
The miHoYo livestream matter came to a temporary close.
But the waves stirred up by Honkai Impact 3rd, following the end of the livestream and the actions of the players, were now spreading.
Not to mention those UP Masters who were once again editing misleadingly sweet Honkai Impact 3rd clips to trick people.
Nor the posts that were mushrooming in major forums, such as...
'Skyfall Meteor! A masterpiece with full marks for both sentiment and quality!'
'The impact of Skyfall Meteor is too strong; my whole body is numb right now.'
'You're all watching Kiana, little do you know Otto's plan has already succeeded.'
'Eden's heartfelt performance, the theme song "Starfall" has shaken me for a whole year!'
And so on, posts where players eagerly shared their thoughts.
Others had to pay to get on trending lists; for Honkai Impact 3rd, it was more like, 'Brothers, charge! There's still one spot in the top ten trending that isn't Honkai Impact 3rd!'
But compared to these praises, this shock, what certain players and their friends experienced was...
Player A: Bro, Honkai Impact 3rd updated its main story today. Have you played it?
Friend: Not yet, busy studying.
Player A: Let me tell you, miHoYo's new animated short "Skyfall Meteor" is super good!
Friend: New short? I'll watch it then. It's just a few minutes, won't delay things.
Starts watching the short film.
At the beginning.
Friend (smiling): So cool! So handsome! The parkour is really awesome!
Watching the middle part.
Friend (completely absorbed): miHoYo's CG quality is, as always, ridiculously high!
Friend (analyzing): Time Fracture? Ultimate Evasion?
Notices the BGM change.
Friend (smile fading): Kiana? No… don't.
Himeko appears.
The friend's face is now devoid of any smile.
Kiana flies into the sky holding the bomb.
The friend's whole body tenses, eyes glued to the screen.
Until Kiana detonates the bomb.
Friend (breaking down): miHoYo, you've done all kinds of evil! Kiana, ahhhhh!
Player A, standing by, felt a sense of utter catharsis.