[Popularity +10, +10, +10…]
In Guinaifen's livestream.
The current viewership had more than tripled her usual numbers!
A significant portion of the audience was watching the story unfold with both tension and excitement.
If the game's content was truly based on real events, then today would be a day to witness history.
At this moment.
The two Stellaron Hunters, Kafka and Silver Wolf, had arrived at a monitoring room within the [Herta] Space Station.
Using her technical skills, Silver Wolf had pinpointed the location of the Stellaron.
"There's an independent security system… It seems that to Herta, the [Stellaron] is no ordinary artifact," Silver Wolf remarked.
"Can you retrieve it?"
"Of course. In the realm of hacking, even the genius Herta is no match for me."
After the dialogue ended.
Kafka stepped forward and grasped the golden orb in her hand.
This was the legendary Stellaron!
Silver Wolf, meanwhile, was calmly operating on the screen.
She projected an image in front of Kafka.
"The vessel is ready."
"You make the decision."
At this moment.
The screen in front of Guinaifen and all the players was completely dominated by the images of two characters.
One male, one female.
Both had gray hair and wore long black coats.
Beside each character was a corresponding line of text.
—Activate Vessel [Stelle]
—Activate Vessel [Trailblazer]
Kafka: "Elio said this choice will change many things."
Silver Wolf: "Elio also said that the one who makes this choice must be you."
This scene left Guinaifen completely stunned.
What's going on!?
Weren't the Stellaron Hunters here to steal the Stellaron?
Why are we suddenly choosing a character now!?
"Everyone, I'm a bit confused. What's happening here?"
...
"Don't worry, streamer, I'm just as lost as you are!"
"Isn't this Herta's collection room? Why does it suddenly feel like a delivery room?"
"Could this be the real protagonist?"
"Why hesitate? Definitely choose Stelle! Look at those legs!"
...
Guinaifen licked her lips.
After comparing the two, she felt the female character was cuter.
She looked honest and straightforward, just like herself.
So she immediately chose the vessel.
For convenience, she used the original name—Stelle.
Once the choice was made.
A bundle of data was sent to Silver Wolf.
Beside the two, Stelle's body began to materialize.
Kafka, holding the Stellaron in one hand, tiptoed over to Stelle.
She leaned in close.
And asked, "How much does she remember?"
"At least, she'll remember you."
"Heh…"
Kafka wrapped one arm around Stelle's waist, while the other hand pressed the Stellaron against Stelle's chest.
"Time to wake up."
Without any preamble or preparation.
She simply shoved the Stellaron inside!
Guinaifen was completely dumbfounded.
Is this how the Stellaron is used?
Just shove it in like that!?
She took a deep breath.
Perhaps it was the strong sense of immersion, but Guinaifen felt a tightness in her own chest, as if something had been shoved inside her.
The scene shifted.
To a first-person perspective.
This was likely the protagonist, Stelle, who had just been awakened by the Stellaron.
At the same time.
Three dialogue options appeared on the right.
[Where… is this…?]
[Kafka…?]
[…Who… are you?]
Guinaifen decisively chose the second option.
At this moment, Kafka was looking at the protagonist with a "gentle" smile.
However, given the information everyone had received about how cunning and dangerous the Stellaron Hunters were…
Guinaifen couldn't help but feel that Kafka's smile hid a knife.
Hearing the response.
Kafka's eyes widened in pleasant surprise.
"Great, you remember me."
She glanced back at Silver Wolf.
Then spoke again: "[Listen to me]: Your mind is in chaos right now. You don't know who you are, why you're here, or what you should do next. You feel familiar with me, but you're not sure if you should trust me—"
"—But none of that matters. What matters is that I'm leaving, and I'm leaving you alone in this space station. So from now on, you don't need to think about the past, nor do you need to doubt yourself."
"[Listen to me]: You will face many dangers ahead, trapped in terrifying situations. But you will also encounter many wonderful things. You will have companions like family, and embark on adventures beyond your wildest dreams."
"And at the end of your journey, all the mysteries that trouble you will be solved."
"This is the future Elio foresaw and the future you will reach… Do you like it?"
[I like it… probably.]
[I don't want this…]
[Where are you going…]
Guinaifen didn't rush to choose.
She rubbed her chin thoughtfully, pouting slightly.
"Everyone! Is Kafka some kind of riddler? What does all this mean?"
"Is there anyone in the chat who can explain?"
The comments flooded in.
...
[Chat]
"The phrase [Listen to me] was specially highlighted by the developers. Clearly, they're reminding us that these three words are different from the rest."
"That's obvious, isn't it?"
"The color of [Listen to me] is different because you need to declare a function before calling it."
"Did someone from the Erudition Society show up?"
"Stop arguing, I'm the one who's right!—This is Kafka's Verbal Spirit ability, similar to using psychological hints to control someone's actions."
"Wow! Kafka's that powerful? If I met her, wouldn't I just be turned into a clown?"
"Relax, you'll never meet her in your life. Besides, you're already a clown."
To be continued…