[...]
A long ellipsis hung on the system display.
Daziel pressed on, "Look, it's true I couldn't have pulled off those two insane missions without you. But… I'm starting to think these messed-up worldlines wouldn't even exist if it weren't for you. What do you make of that?"
[Host seems a touch biased.]
[Seriously though, if I told you again that I didn't cause these world changes, and that I honestly just want to help, would you actually believe me this time?]
Daziel shook his head, a humorless smile playing on his lips. "Even if you didn't start the anomalies, every mission you've thrown my way has, one way or another, nudged me closer to the edge. It's not like I'm blind to that."
"You keep playing the innocent system, all 'just following orders, no self-awareness.' But your voice, even when you try for that cold, detached thing, it's getting… suggestive. How am I supposed to trust a word you say?!"
Daziel finally looked up, eyes locked on the system, a flicker of something like fire in their depths. "Come on, answer me!"
[...]
The silence from the subtitles stretched, each ellipsis feeling heavier than the last.
[System luck must be terrible. An ura-world setting, and I get stuck with a protagonist who still wants to play hero of justice.]
(Note: "Ura-World" may refer to a concept or setting where there exists a "parallel world" with different rules from reality or the original world. In many stories, the protagonist may discover or be drawn into this "Ura-World," where they must face challenges, gain powers, or unravel secrets.)
[If only you were just plain evil, things would be so much simpler…]
[Honestly, I've developed a bit of respect for you, but… is this cooperation… ending?]
[Such a pity…]
Daziel could practically feel the system's dejection radiating from the text. But sympathy wasn't on the menu. He held the system's gaze, expression unwavering.
"No," Daziel finally said, breaking the silence. "Maybe I did want to be the simple hero before. But Kafka's right. This world… it needs a villainous savior. And if this world really is heading for the gutter, I'm not afraid to be that person."
"Assuming these drastic changes really weren't you, and your 'rewards' are actually meant to help me fix this 18+ mess and get back to 12+, then prove it to me."
[...]
[Host… you've really grown. I'm… happy for you.]
[But I'm sorry, I can't prove it right now.]
[I'll still send missions, of course, but… no more hints. No more nudges.]
[Someday, you'll understand that I'm telling the truth. If you truly want to save this world, you'll need what I offer.]
[Let's see… borrowing from that Fate series you like… even heroes of justice need 'mana replenishment,' right?]
"You even know about that?" Daziel's brow furrowed.
[Observed it while browsing your memory database in downtime.]
[Besides, don't forget, Honkai: Star Rail's getting a Fate collab in a few updates. That kind of setting is practically baked into the universe now.]
[Host, think of it as doing it for me this time, okay? Go get some 'mana replenishment' from those female characters!]
Daziel's mouth twitched. He took a long moment, then finally spoke, a hint of resignation in his voice. "Alright, fine. I'll trust you… for now. But keep your little schemes to yourself."
[Understood…]
"Since you're poking around in my head, you know I used to be glued to that novel website, Maoke, right?" Daziel asked, a flicker of curiosity now softening his gaze.
[Yes, I see it. What about it?]
"Just telling you not to give me 'suggestive guidance' doesn't feel like enough. Can you… you know, be like those useless system decorations in those novels? Just shut up, send the missions, and that's it? Honestly, you talk way too much. You're starting to give off major QB vibes, and that's only going to lead me down a rabbit hole." Daziel's words, though still pointed, held a touch of weary humor now.
[I'm sorry, Host, but… I'm afraid I can't. I'd… suffocate.]
Daziel's lips formed a pout. He glanced at the system's… aggrieved text display? And then said, "Okay, fine. But can you at least drop the 'host' thing? It's… weird. Like I'm a pig farmer. Call me… Master."
[This…]
['Master'…]
[I'm a little… embarrassed to say it.]
Embarrassed to say it…? A new thought sparked in Daziel's mind. "Wait, why? Don't tell me… is the person behind you… a woman?"
[...]
[That's… actually… correct.]
Daziel blinked. "…" "Wait, seriously?"
…
That conversation with the system… it had loosened something inside him. Maybe his clinging to that simple, black-and-white justice had been holding him back, making him timid, hesitant. In this messed-up ura-world? Maybe a villainous savior was the only answer.
"Things have gone too far to turn back now. Guess it's time to become a principled villain… or, more like, a righteous madman?" Daziel murmured to himself.
[Quack, Master! Looks like the magnetic field can kick into gear now!]
"Ugh, seriously, can you stop digging around in my memories? It's creeping me out." Daziel grimaced.
[Don't worry, Master! Just hoping you'll… equally enjoy all the women!]
"I… I just can't with you anymore…"
…
Actually, the moment he'd heard Topaz's forced cheerfulness as she bartered her very essence on the phone to her superiors, all for the sake of her planet, something had clicked. Naive justice? It wouldn't cut it here. This was 18+ Honkai: Star Rail. Cruel, chaotic, realistic, and utterly illogical.
That naive Daziel, the one who believed in simple heroism? He'd died the moment he'd slipped into Kafka's body. Kafka, who had used herself to teach him what "growing up" in this world really meant.
He was already knee-deep in this ura-world's web. Time to tear it apart from the inside. This… this wasn't the bright, innocent 12+ Honkai: Star Rail he knew! It should have been fixed ages ago! March 7th, with her pink belly markings and private photos with… that purple toy? Yeah, she was… something. But she wasn't his March 7th. Someday, he was going to take a cosmic sledgehammer to this damn ura-world and drag his goofy, innocent March 7th back from the brink.
From now on, anything that moved the needle, anything that helped restore this 18+ nightmare back to its original, pure form? He was all in. No hesitation.
My heart and my actions, clear as a mirror. Everything I do… is justice. That was his new creed. Etched in steel.
…
Back in Aurum Alley, back in the present. Now that Daziel's inner turmoil had settled, he wasn't rushing to find Sushang. He was no longer recoiling from the idea of… enhancement. And knowing Li (Big Pillow)'s current, altered thought process… telling her that getting intimate might unlock Aurum Alley's secrets? She'd probably jump at the chance.
But that was a last resort. Even with the system promising no more "hints," instinct still screamed caution. He just didn't trust it. Not completely. Not yet. If he couldn't tell truth from lies, better to tread carefully. Investigating a simple Aurum Alley incident shouldn't be that hard, right? He hoped.
_____
Hey there! I'm Wallnut-chan! 🌸 I'm translating this fanfic and restoring some +18 scenes that were cut from the original work—since explicit content isn't allowed in China. I went through everything carefully and reinserted the scenes while staying true to the story! Hope you enjoy it!
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