"Oh~ It seems the Lumina we fought in the Version 1.7 Promotional Video was actually an impostor!"
In the real world, Little Bear watched as the eerie Lumina transformed into a crimson-clad figure. His earlier anxiety began to ease slightly.
While he couldn't gauge the eerie Lumina's true strength, it certainly couldn't compare to the Lumina whose very being radiated invincibility!
Besides, since this eerie Lumina was an enemy—a creature of the Abyss—Lady Lumina herself would never stand idly by while Sumeru was threatened.
Therefore, this storyline would undoubtedly end with a triumphant resolution!
Little Bear reassured himself inwardly.
[Even so... I really like this Abyss-manifested Lumina. If she stepped on my face, I'd probably die from bliss ԅ(♡'♡ԅ)]
[It's not that the original isn't good, but the bootleg version offers better value!]
[Hey, is it possible that this eerie Lumina is actually the real Lumina, just corrupted by the Abyss? (pondering)]
[[ Honkai: Star Rail ] can officially announce its grand finale now (facepalm). Even Lumina, who could easily obliterate a Lord Ravager and is an Emanator of Abundance, has been completely corrupted by the Abyss. What's the point in fighting anymore...?]
[Don't worry, our Nahida, the super-duper adorable Lord of Wisdom, will personally erase the Eerie Lumina and Lumina herself from existence. Then everyone will forget them, everyone will be happy, Sumeru City will host a dumpling-making party, and finally, they'll all happily go on vacation to Penacony (laughs).]
[Hiss... Why does this plot sound so familiar? It's like I've experienced it somewhere before... (rubs forehead thoughtfully)]
"I still say the same thing: the same plot can't happen twice. Mihoyo isn't stupid," Little Bear replied to the audience's plot prediction, finding it strangely familiar himself but sticking to his initial statement.
"And this Nahida... she seems awfully mysterious too," Little Bear muttered, watching the in-game scene of Nahida holding a large green book, referred to as the Lord of Wisdom by the Eerie Lumina.
"As expected of the Lord of Wisdom of Sumeru, truly living up to her reputation..."
Now that she knew she had been exposed, the gentle smile on Lumina's pale face vanished, replaced by an icy indifference.
Her entire body was enveloped in a crimson, eerie mist. Her waist-length white-green hair and white dress had turned blood-red... Though her face remained the same, her aura had transformed completely.
"I'm curious," the Eerie Lumina said, her gaze fixed on Nahida's serious expression. "How did you see through me so quickly?"
"It's quite simple," Nahida replied calmly, her eyes fixed on the Eerie Lumina. "Lady Lumina would never speak to me in such a tone or with such a demeanor."
"Oh?" The Eerie Lumina raised an eyebrow in surprise at this answer. "So you're very familiar with that wretched Woman, then?"
"Yet I found no trace of you in her memories."
A flicker of confusion crossed the Eerie Lumina's crimson eyes. She still couldn't fathom how Nahida had seen through her disguise so easily.
The Pink-Haired Fool was understandable. She'd spent considerable time "close" to the wretched woman, so it made sense she could sense something was off.
But Nahida... Eerie Lumina detected only the faintest, almost imperceptible trace of the wretched woman's aura on her. This meant they had likely spent less than a single Hour together—hardly any interaction at all.
If they'd spent less than an Hour together, what difference was there between her and a stranger?
Aside from her slight resemblance to the wretched woman, Eerie Lumina couldn't discern anything particularly special about Nahida.
If it hadn't been for the complete absence of the wretched woman's aura on Nahida, Eerie Lumina would have almost suspected she was the wretched woman in disguise...
"You... Who are you? Where's Sister Lumina?!" Watching Eerie Lumina's contemplative expression, March 7th finally snapped. She stepped in front of Nahida, her face burning with anger as she demanded an answer.
"Hmm? You're completely unaffected by any mental influence?" Hearing this, Eerie Lumina turned a puzzled gaze toward March 7th, who stood before her, vibrant and full of life. Confusion immediately filled its mind.
Never mind Nahida, the Eerie Lumina thought, but why isn't this Astral Express insect affected at all?
Could I actually be a fake Emanator? Is the power Lord Nanook bestowed upon me a sham? Why, within my Domain, are these insects—whom I could crush by the dozens with a single slap—completely immune to my influence?
Deep self-doubt began to gnaw at the Eerie Lumina's heart.
The Eerie Lumina who stood before Nahida and the others was, of course, Phantylia in disguise. Though that wretched woman hadn't explicitly instructed her on what to do, Phantylia's innate Talent allowed her to perfectly embody the oppressive aura and villainous presence of a true final boss.
"What nonsense about mental influence? If you know what's good for you, release us immediately!" March 7th snapped, her silver teeth grinding nearly to dust. "Otherwise, the righteous and invincible Sister Lumina will pin you down and grind you into the dirt!"
March 7th had no idea what Phantylia was thinking. Seeing her impersonate Sister Lumina with such a malevolent aura, March 7th's silver teeth nearly shattered from grinding in fury.
Nahida is one thing—she's still just a kid, and it doesn't really matter if she looks like Sister Lumina. They're friends...
How dare this foul woman, radiating an aura of the bizarre and death, assume the form of Sister Lumina?!
Sister Lumina, the very embodiment of holiness and immaculateness! How could this detestable creature dare... dare... dare to defile her appearance by committing such vile acts?!
"Hmm... I see now. The ring on your finger is protecting you, is it?" Phantylia scrutinized March 7th from head to toe, quickly pinpointing the source of the problem.
Hearing Phantylia's chilling words, March 7th instinctively clutched the ring on her finger, glaring at Phantylia with growing animosity.
Though this was their first meeting, March 7th felt an unsettling sense of long-lost reunion, leaving her profoundly uneasy.
Similarly, Stelle beside her wore an expression of dawning recognition. Though it was her first time seeing this creature and her first exposure to the so-called Abyss, why did this sensation of familiarity cling to her?
Noting their reactions, Phantylia flashed a seductive smile. "This humble woman is called Phandrea, Sovereign of the Abyss Nightmares~"
"This humble one means no harm, I merely wish for you all to remain within this dream barrier, peacefully spending the rest of your days here."
(Characters will be addressed by the names associated with their current personas in subsequent chapters.)
Phandrea, disguised as Lumina, covered her mouth with a hand, emitting a series of silvery, bell-like giggles that resembled the laughter of a female ghost.
"This humble one, this humble one! Why don't you just die already?!" Hearing this Phandrea, wearing her own Sister Lumina's face and repeatedly calling herself "this humble one," March 7th wished she could shoot an arrow right through her on the spot!
"Oh my, oh dear... ahem, this adorable pink-haired beauty, your words and actions don't quite align, do they?"
"Would you like me to correct that for you?"
Phandrea, having grown accustomed to calling others "Benefactor" on the Xianzhou, nearly blurted out the word upon seeing March 7th's expression. Fortunately, as an Emanator of Destruction, her reflexes were sharp enough to retract the word just as it formed on her lips.
Otherwise, she would undoubtedly face a brutal beating from that wretched woman...
Recalling the various tortures Lumina had inflicted upon her before, Phandrea's soul couldn't help but tremble slightly.
"Correct you, my ass! Why are you using Sister Lumina's face? Change it to someone else right now!"
As Phandrea, still wearing Sister Lumina's face, continued to act in ways that completely shattered her character, the sound of March 7th's grinding teeth slowly filled the air.
At the same time, she uttered her first-ever curse word!
Though March 7th herself had never cursed before, remaining as pure as a blank sheet of paper... but even if she'd never eaten pork, she'd certainly seen pigs run!
Short video platforms aren't exactly friendly environments. March 7th had encountered plenty of insults and curses...
When she first encountered such language on short video platforms, March 7th was genuinely puzzled. Why, she wondered, when people were arguing, did they feel the need to drag in each other's families?
It was the other person who had wronged you; their family hadn't done anything wrong and shouldn't suffer for it...
But now, March 7th suddenly understood. Because the other party... was truly going too far!
March 7th glared at Phandrea, her eyes burning with rage, wishing she could burn her to ashes!
"Stop wasting your breath on her," Nahida whispered to March 7th, lowering her voice. "We need to get out of this dream realm barrier first."
"Mm-hmm, you're right," March 7th replied, gradually calming down. This wasn't the time to get hung up on that wretched woman's audacity in using Sister Lumina's appearance.
Since she's an enemy, it's simple. We'll just beat her senseless and teach her a lesson: Sister Lumina's face isn't something someone like you deserves to use...
"Let's do this first, and then..." Nahida glanced at Phandrea, noticing she hadn't made any moves. She gathered the others and began discussing plans and countermeasures right in front of Phandrea.
"Heh..." Phandrea watched their little antics with amusement, casually settling into a mid-air seat and crossing her legs. She leisurely observed their antics, completely unconcerned.
Under the overwhelming suppression of her absolute power, Phandrea felt no urgency whatsoever.
Haha! The Xianzhou's damned General isn't here, that Vidhyadhara Dead Dragonman isn't here, and even the wretched woman is gone. Do you three humans and one insect really think you can defeat me?
That tiny bug may radiate an Emanator's aura, but it's nothing more than a Pseudo-Emanator. The gap between a true Emanator and this creature is as vast as the heavens and the earth. At its core, it's no different from an ant. Phandrea didn't even deign to acknowledge it.
At this thought, Phandrea couldn't suppress the corners of her mouth from curling upward into a wild grin.
Ever since she encountered that wretched woman, her dignity as a Lord Ravager had been completely shattered. Anyone who didn't know better would think she was just some little cat sitting at the wretched woman's feet...
Just because a tiger doesn't roar doesn't mean it's a house cat, right?
Phandrea crossed her legs in mid-air, gazing down with utter disdain at the group below as they huddled to discuss their plans.
Today, I shall reveal a fragment of the Lord Ravager's true power!!!
-
"Understood?"
After finalizing their strategy in front of Phandrea, the group drew their weapons and assumed battle stances.
"Have you finished strategizing how to enjoy the destruction... ahem, I mean, how to fully relish everything the dream has to offer?" Seeing their readiness, Phandrea lazily uncrossed her legs. A crushing wave of oppressive energy surged forth, weighing down on everyone's hearts.
"Rejoice! A dream personally crafted by an Abyssal Sovereign deserves your unrestrained celebration!"
In the real world, as Phandrea's icy words faded, the game screen shattered, plunging into battle.
As expected, the enemy they faced in the battle was none other than Lumina in her boss form.
Seeing this, Little Bear and most of the viewers in the live stream finally let out a collective sigh of relief.
Although it was unclear why the red-haired, red-dressed Phandrea transformed into the white-haired, white-dressed Lumina, the White Moon, upon entering combat... it didn't matter. Just consider Phandrea a mere NPC. Honkai: Star Rail likely couldn't be bothered to create a unique boss for such a minor character and simply reused Lumina's form as a substitute.
"Hmm... something feels off here..." Since this was a story boss, the game didn't allow auto-combat. As Little Bear controlled his character in battle, he pondered the situation, quickly noticing something was amiss.
Honkai: Star Rail had specifically given this Phandrea a Lumina template, even changing her outfit. With her detailed model, imposing aura, and captivating dialogue, she could have easily been added to the gacha pool without controversy. Yet you're telling me she's just an NPC?
That's impossible...
Moreover, this boss only had a single health bar, lacking both the so-called "second phase" and the "final phase" showcased in the preview live stream...
Could it be... this Phandrea isn't the final boss after all?
Is the real final boss still Lumina herself?
Little Bear muttered to himself.
-
[Brothers, this Abyssal Sovereign, Phandrea, gives me such a familiar feeling... like I've seen her somewhere before?]
[Brothers, I just remembered this ultra-ultra-ultra-ultra-huge woman!]
[To be fair, Phandrea is just as arrogant as Phantylia. I can already imagine how her story will end.]
[Yeah, to be fair, if Phandrea and Lumina both stepped on me, I don't know how good it would feel (pervy).]
Since they weren't the ones in the fight, the viewers in the live stream went into full "crazed mode."
But this frenzy didn't last long. With only one health bar, Little Bear quickly defeated the boss.
However, instead of the expected cutscene, the screen went black, and the camera perspective shifted...