Chapter 167: Otto Plays Sanka Saga! The Dastardly Electric Donkey Yae Kasumi! (1W)
Su Mu had informed Bianca beforehand that she would be participating in Theresa's livestream. Being a perfectionist, Bianca spent the entire night cramming the Honkai Impact 3rd lore. Now, she was undoubtedly a qualified "Honkai-ologist" (roughly).
In short, she was no longer completely in the dark. However, to be honest, seeing it for herself was a shock. Although she had heard the stories before, they perfectly matched the personalities of the real-life prototypes—it was like watching a play performed by people she knew in another world. After actually experiencing it, she realized it wasn't an exaggeration. The world-building and background settings were incredibly detailed; through these stories, Bianca felt as if she were seeing a world truly being eroded by the Honkai and the people struggling to fight within it.
After reviewing all the current stories, Bianca felt a mix of surprise and growing admiration for Su Mu. In her eyes, being able to perfectly integrate real-life figures into a game made him a true genius. Amidst her sentiment, she couldn't help but wonder. They say an author inevitably injects personal feelings into their work... and the story of Honkai 3rd was clearly no exception.
Therefore... The Trio were each more tragic than the last. Every member of the protagonist group had a convoluted and painful past. Was this Su Mu's "personal feeling"? Especially after seeing Kiana being tortured in various plots, she began to frown. Does Su Mu actually like Kiana? Does he have a good impression of her? It feels like there's a lot of malice here. Knowing Kiana's prototype and still torturing her like this—are you sure this is 'affection' and not pure hatred?
But Bianca quickly dismissed that thought. Honestly, following that logic, there were too many people Su Mu was "malicious" toward. Bronya and Seele's separation, Theresa's tragic birth, even the past of the big villain Otto Apocalypse, and the heart-wrenching romance between Yae Sakura and Kallen...
Could it be that Su Mu wasn't targeting a specific character, but the entire world? Does he hate the whole world? But from her conversations with him, he didn't seem to have world-ending tendencies. On the contrary, for some reason, Bianca felt like she was talking to her mother, Cecilia... a softness would occasionally flash in his eyes, as if he were looking at a junior.
Bianca couldn't figure out why Su Mu wrote so many malicious plots. Did he have a twisted pleasure in watching pitiful girls be tortured in his writing? She had a way to get the answer: ask him directly.
"No, impossible. I like everyone very much, and I love this world," Su Mu replied solemnly. "I'll tell you a secret: I'm actually a mad scientist. My other name is Rintaro Okabe. I have the ability to observe different world lines, and this Honkai 3rd story is the result of my observations of another world."
Bianca was stunned: "So you have superpowers?!"
Su Mu lowered his voice mysteriously: "Shh, this is a secret between us, Bianca. Don't tell anyone."
Bianca stood at attention immediately: "Rest assured, I will not fail your trust!"
Seeing the "Goose" stand at attention, Su Mu couldn't help but chuckle. She actually believed it? Truly the Goose!
Bianca glanced at Theresa, who was busy debugging equipment, and looked at Su Mu curiously. "Do you and Auntie interact often?"
Su Mu nodded; there was no need to hide it. "Theresa is a MiHoYo partner, we have some business dealings. Since she's Kiana's elder, we occasionally chat about Kiana."
Bianca: "About Kiana? In what sense?"
Su Mu spread his hands: "About how to train a 'social waste' who would starve to death into a 'social waste' who can barely survive on her own."
Bianca was instantly filled with respect, giving him a firm thumbs-up. "You are the true hero."
she knew well how hard her sister's bad habits were to correct. But Su Mu had actually transformed Kiana into someone who could survive; this step from zero to one might look small, but it was a massive stride in Kiana's life! Bianca wanted to probe further: "But I don't understand, why do you do such a thankless task? Reforming Kiana shouldn't be part of your job."
Su Mu sighed: "I don't want to see a headline one day about our company CEO starving to death at home.... If you want to call me kind-hearted, look at it this way: Bianca, if you saw an abandoned kitten on the street about to starve, would you just stand by?"
"Of course not!" Bianca answered decisively.
I see. So Kiana is just a cat about to starve in Su Mu's eyes? Su Mu just couldn't bear to see the cute kitten Kiana die on the street, so he did all those things? ....I feel Kiana's win rate is even lower now! she's basically being treated as a pet! Thinking of her sister's bumpy road to romance, Bianca felt helpless; this mission was harder than expected.
"It seems you two are getting along quite well." The debugging finished, Theresa looked over. Today, she wore a long black knit cardigan over a silver-white silk shirt, the collar slightly open to reveal her collarbone. Her gaze fell on Su Mu and happened to meet his. After a brief pause, she suddenly looked away like a startled rabbit.
Su Mu was confused. Is there something on my face?
"Ahem, anyway, the stream is about to start.... Su Mu, did you bring your mask?" Theresa quickly regained her composure and asked.
"Why the mask?" Bianca was puzzled. It was her first time in a stream, so she didn't know the conventions.
"Because if he doesn't wear a mask, he'll definitely be recognized and hit with a Judah on the street," Theresa said huffily, hands on her hips. "Thanks to his 'diligence' as the Honkai 3rd writer, the people wanting to send him blades could probably line up all the way across Arc City."
Su Mu expertly pulled out his mask to put it on.
"You don't need the mask in my stream." Theresa gestured for him to put it down. she used the mouse to click a few times on the computer, and Su Mu's 3D virtual avatar appeared on the screen. "I had a friend make this 3D avatar. I think you can use it whenever you join someone else's stream from now on. After all, you don't want to wear a mask every single time, right?"
Su Mu was stunned. The level of detail on the avatar was higher than he expected; it clearly took a lot of effort. While it differed from his real self, it retained several characteristics—it was at least 80 to 90 percent similar. Wait, am I becoming a V-Tuber today? Is the next step 'milking' the audience for donations?
"How is it? The avatar is pretty good, right? Hum-hum~" A proud expression appeared on Theresa's face. Her entire being seemed to be telling Su Mu: "Praise me! Praise me!"
"Was this your idea, Theresa?" "Hum-hum, of course! Don't underestimate the wisdom of a mature woman, little Su Mu!" "True, you shouldn't possess such earth-shattering wisdom." "? What's that supposed to mean? You're being too disrespectful to your elders!" Theresa widened her eyes and huffed at him. "Hmph, I'll show you for questioning me!"
Her mouse clicked rapidly. Su Mu watched as the jacket and pants on the screen instantly transformed into a pink dress.
"Pfft!" Su Mu nearly spat. Wait, this 3D avatar has a dress-up feature?
"Hum-hum-hum! This is your punishment for disrespect! If you don't apologize and call me 'Auntie' properly, I'll make you stream in a dress!" Theresa regained her smugness, showing off the JK, Lolita, and Qipao options to Su Mu.
Beside them, Bianca's eyes widened as if she had discovered a new world. "This is interesting! Did you design all these clothes, Auntie? There are quite a few striking designs."
"Actually, Sirin designed them. See? Aren't they pretty?" "Sirin has talent in this area? I'm ashamed; as her big sister, I only found out today...."
Su Mu covered his forehead. Are you both just forcing Sirin's designs onto me? Is this some kind of ritual torture?
Fortunately, the farce ended when the stream went live. Theresa ultimately didn't make Su Mu's avatar wear the skirt. Once live, fans flooded in.
[? Wait, what? Am I in the wrong room?]
[Who is the male avatar next to TeRiRi?]
[Holy crap, is that the Old Thief! Look at the clothes—it's Su Mu's classic outfit!]
[What's the situation? The Old Thief is a V-Tuber now? Where does he stream? Give me the room number; I need to solo him!!]
The viewers were shocked by the appearance of Su Mu's avatar. Theresa explained the situation.
[LMAO, so the Old Thief knows wearing a mask is tiring too?]
[I say just show your face. We players aren't demons; we just want to send you a few crates of razor blades.]
[Is that Mr. Su Mu, the MiHoYo Game Director and Honkai 3rd lead writer?]
[Holy crap, doxxed!]
[Memes aside, it's better he doesn't show his face, or I really fear he'll be stabbed on the street.]
[True. If he's stabbed, who's going to fill the missing pieces of the plot for me?]
Most players accepted the new avatar quickly. Since he never showed his face anyway, an avatar was at least a "face," right?
[Wait? Didn't you guys notice something off? Why is the Old Thief in TeRiRi's room!]
[Holy crap?! Is the Old Thief with TeRiRi right now!]
[??? Did the Old Thief really succeed in chasing his idol? First the TeRiRi collab skin, now appearing in her stream. Is he really a TeRiRi fan?!]
[Shocking! MiHoYo Director Su Mu suspected of using company funds to chase stars?]
[Old Thief, what are you doing? Don't you dare lay a hand on TeRiRi! she's the President's aunt!]
Seeing the rapid-fire comments, Bianca looked at Theresa and Su Mu with a very weird gaze. Her eyes seemed to ask: What exactly is going on?
"It's just a joke, just a joke! Bianca, don't take it seriously!" Theresa explained quickly, but her panicked look only made it seem more suspicious to Bianca.
Bianca recalled Rita's theory that Su Mu had special feelings for Theresa; otherwise, why the custom event plots for her? Is Rita's guess real? The reason Su Mu and Kiana haven't progressed... is because he likes her aunt?! No, it can't be real, right?
Bianca was about to ask directly, but Theresa turned on the camera in front of Bianca so the audience could see her.
[DURANDAL??]
[Holy crap, isn't that Schicksal's strongest S-rank, Durandal? Is TeRiRi that powerful? Not only is the Old Thief here, but Durandal is making her debut too!]
[Wow! The real Goose looks even better than the game version! She feels... beautiful and cool!]
[Lord Durandal, I'm your fan!!]
The stream exploded when they saw Durandal. This was her first time appearing on social media. Although her in-game appearances were few, the image of the cold and powerful blonde knight had long since conquered the players. Bianca stared at the enthusiastic comments, then looked at Su Mu for help. she had never seen such a scene. Many comments were friendly greetings, showing no fear—only straightforward praise and affection.
"Respond to them, Bianca."
Encouraged by Su Mu, Bianca looked back at the camera. she was naturally nervous. "I am Bianca Durandal Kaslana. Hello everyone."
[Is Durandal really Kiana's sister? She has such an aura! Completely different from the President!]
[Yes, the flowing gold hair, the sharp eyes... she looks like a very serious and bold person at a glance!]
The praise made Bianca cough, her face turning pink. "There is no need for praise. You do not know what kind of person I am, so I feel undeserving."
[The Goose is shy?]
[God! Is she a tsundere! confirmed, she really is the President's sister!]
[Wuhu! The Goose is getting a new battlesuit soon! I'm definitely going to pull until I'm broke!]
Watching Bianca being "besieged" by the comments and looking flustered, Su Mu found it endearing. Even someone as perfect as Bianca had things she wasn't good at... as the saying goes, no one is perfect. After chatting with the players, Bianca's nerves settled, and she gradually began discussing various topics.
"Things I like? Cute animals. Seeing small animals makes me feel better." "Motto? I have several, but my favorite recently is: 'Every winner has a beginning; only by daring to start can one find the path to success.'"
The atmosphere was better than Su Mu expected, which was a major reason he chose Theresa's stream. Theresa often did "chatting" streams, so her fans were "talented people" who were "nice to talk to"... This gave Bianca a fresh experience. she felt as if she were communicating as an equal with people from all over, without them being inhibited by her status. Seeing her serious look, Su Mu nodded; the first step was more successful than he had imagined.
While TeRiRi was streaming, Otto Apocalypse was in his office having a face-off with a pink-haired fox.
"Is that Ms. Yae? I've missed you dearly these past few days. I wonder what you've been up to? If you have difficulties, feel free to ask me; we are friends, after all. I won't stand by."
"Hehe, no need for Mr. Otto to worry. I was just handling some studio matters...."
Kallen Kaslana sat in Otto's chair, looking up at the two "greeting" each other. "It was the deadline, right? Sakura's manga was due, and Rin locked her in a dark room to finish it...."
Otto laughed mercilessly. "Pfft, Ms. Yae, I didn't think you were such a hopeless procrastinator. No wonder you vanished... you were locked up for missing a deadline!"
Yae Sakura narrowed her eyes, pointing at the mountain of files on the desk. "Mr. Otto, you are the last person who should speak. Have those files not been piling up since last week? I bet you spent all your working hours playing games, didn't you?"
The two looked ready to start a fire when Kallen shouted: "Wow! There's an SP Sakura character this time? Let me see! Darkbolt Jonin, a dual-wielding ninja!" Kallen's voice drew their attention.
Looking at the ninja-outfitted "Electric Donkey" on the screen, Otto was speechless. "Ms. Yae, did you bribe my friend Su Mu? You died in the main plot, yet you get a new battlesuit?"
"Hehe, perhaps because I am too charming? High-popularity characters can do whatever they want. Didn't you know how high Mei and my popularity were during the New Year event?"
"Guh—if Kallen's character hadn't been withheld then, your duo wouldn't have been so arrogant!"
Amidst the arguing, Kallen opened the new event story, Sanka Saga, and began playing.
["So...."]
["Is not being able to see the light a misfortune?"]
[A pink-haired girl in ninja attire leaned against a pillar, battered and exhausted.]
[The girl looked toward someone nearby—a figure in a black robe whose face was hidden.]
[she asked that question.]
[Silence spread through the air, dry and cold, carrying the sharp scent of early winter.]
["I" opened my mouth but ultimately failed to turn my thoughts into words.]
[It was surely not an inquiry seeking an answer, but a mix of a bitter smile, self-mockery, or an even deeper, darker emotion.]
[Then....]
["Needing light is the true misfortune."]
[she answered her own question. I could only stare blankly at the flickering shadows behind her, as if something was being bred within them.]
["Why do humans... always obsess over how to be loved?"]
["In the long years, I have always pondered this question."]
["It must be because we can never fall in love with [Living in the Moment]."]
["Someone once told me that when she was.... [She]."]
["But to this day, I still do not understand the meaning of those words."]
["So, I can only keep watching you.... watching you, who was born because of her."]
["Until I find the words she couldn't say from you."]
["After all, you are me yesterday, and I am you tomorrow...."]
["I have no answers, and I have nothing to say to you."]
["Even so, if I must say something to the 'me' of yesterday...."]
["Tomorrow, you must also...."]
Otto and Yae Sakura stopped arguing as the monologue ended. Both looked confused by the dialogue. "Is that Sakura's voice? Who is she talking to?" Kallen was baffled. Who was "I," and who was Sakura talking to? It seemed nonsensical.
"Most likely a flashback or flash-forward?" Otto, now an experienced Captain after a year, had his own insights. "Mhm.... is it a story in a special parallel world, like A Midsummer Night's Fantasy?"
With that thought, they forgot to argue and focused on the hidden story. The story began with two characters: [Kasumi] and the [Ferryman]. Although Kasumi looked exactly like Yae Sakura, she didn't seem to be her. she was a member of the Overseer's secret unit, the "Shadow." she even stated, "I am the Overseer's shadow, nothing more."
"? The Overseer's secret unit?" Otto froze, then looked at Yae Sakura with a smug smirk. "So, this Kasumi is my subordinate? Oh—that's wonderful! I believe this ninja named Kasumi will become Overseer Otto's right-hand woman!"
The ninja named Kasumi looked identical to Yae Sakura. Maybe she was a parallel version, and "Kasumi" was a codename... Regardless, Otto felt this was a win! Having a rival work for him was too satisfying!
Yae Sakura remained expressionless. "Hmph, Lord Overseer, don't get ahead of yourself. Be careful of a ninja stabbing you in the back. And it doesn't necessarily mean the Overseer is Otto Apocalypse, does it?"
Otto laughed: "If not me, who? Kallen?" In the Honkai 3rd world, the word "Overseer" immediately made players think of Otto Apocalypse. It was a standard character setting!
At the same time, in Theresa's stream, she began playing the Sanka Saga story. In the game, the [Ferryman] was a mole planted by the Overseer in the Far East. Kasumi appeared there to collect the "Six Ways of Outer Paths," the forbidden books of the Far East that sealed the Calamity Fox. During the operation, the Ferryman would support her... but despite her caution, Kasumi fell into a trap.
["Remember to take off your shoes before entering someone's home. Didn't your mother teach you manners? You ill-mannered little fox."]
In a new CG, a voice of seductive elegance rang out. A beautiful woman sat on a roof beam, dressed in Warring States period attire. Her proud figure paired with chest wraps maximized her allure. And, of course, the signature thigh ring with a kunai hidden in it for self-defense... Undoubtedly, this woman was the definition of a femme fatale.
Higanbana, the underground queen of the Nightless Heaven. Of course, players knew her real name...
[Whoa! Rita??]
[Rita's outfit is too high-class!]
[The 'Herrscher of Thirst'! (Tactical lean-back)]
[Warring States style? Old Thief, are you releasing this skin or not! If you do, I'm buying it instantly!]
The moment Rita Rossweisse appeared, the audience concluded this was a parallel world story. Rita wasn't a Schicksal Valkyrie; she was an underground queen in a place called Nightless Heaven... In her dialogue with Kasumi, she showed clear hostility toward the Overseer. Higanbana intended to pry intel from Kasumi, who was helpless due to inhaling some gas. But Higanbana noted the night was long.
The prologue ended there, followed by Chapter 1: [Hell Way]. In this story, Kasumi and the Ferryman arrived in a town called Yae Town. Their target: the former leader of the Shadow Guard, [Raiden Mei]. In this world, Raiden Ryoma was in jail—again. Being Mei's dad seemed to mean being permanently stuck in prison... the urge to meme was high. Ryoma was imprisoned for touching taboos: researching "mechanical hosts that could completely replace the human shell" and "soul transfer." Among the original seals in the six scrolls, one possessed soul-related powers.
The [Hell Way] seal—the power of "Servant Souls."
Kasumi hid her presence to tail Raiden Mei, but another powerful presence appeared, ruining her plan. The presence made no attempt to hide, appearing directly before Mei....
[? Kallen??]
[Kallen? Whoa, I thought Kallen only existed in Otto's background slides. I didn't expect her to have a role in an event?]
[Kallen's outfit is so Japanese! Isn't she European?]
[Even Rita is a foreigner here. 'When in Rome,' I guess?]
Kallen's appearance was a surprise. "Little Pig Peppa"... no, "Cabbage Buyer"... no, Kallen Kaslana's screen time was normally too low. In the main story, she was a pure background figure... This person with a powerful aura wore [Sündenjäger] armor and had hair the color of snow and clouds...
["Buried in the cherry blossoms, three thousand white hairs. Falling in the heartless night, clouds filled with dust."]
["The person just now was the legendary figure who fought alongside the Miko five hundred years ago to suppress the Demon Fox and rebuilt Yae Town with one hand—the current ruler, City Lord [Kallen]."]
The Ferryman identified the newcomer to Kasumi. Hearing the true identity, Kasumi looked surprised. The viewers were equally stunned.
[Wait? What? Five hundred years ago, fought alongside the Miko to suppress the Fox.... that's the Yae Sakura and Kallen story, right?]
[I thought this story was unrelated to the main world, but now it seems different....]
[So this Kallen lived from that battle until now? And founded this Yae Town... which is obviously Yae Village, right?]
Seeing the theories, Su Mu cleared his throat. As a guest, he had to say something. "Actually, as you've guessed, the characters in this event are 'similar-but-different' versions of the main cast. This parallel world is a representation of a 'possibility,' like the world bubbles in Chapter 12."
Theresa spoke: "So, that battle with Hellmaru five hundred years ago was the branching point? In the main story, Great-Grandmother Kallen sacrificed herself in that battle."
Su Mu nodded: "Exactly. This parallel world shows another possibility—the possibility where Kallen lived."
"Su Mu, you said Kallen lived, which means...." Bianca caught the detail, her expression turning odd. "The one who died in her place was Yae Sakura?"
Su Mu gave a mysterious smile: "I won't spoil it. We have to preserve the player experience, after all."
Though Su Mu was being vague, with his confirmation, the players had a basis for discussion. They began debating what a world where Kallen lived would look like.
[Eh? Kallen is alive, so Otto doesn't need to resurrect her? Are they together in this world?]
[The Overseer in this world should be Otto, right?]
[Wait, if it's Otto, why would he use someone who looks exactly like Yae Sakura as a subordinate?]
As they discussed, the plot continued. To get the Hell Way seal from Raiden Ryoma, Kasumi dressed in a kimono and posed as a dancer named [Kasumi-hime].
"Wow, Sakura's outfit is too beautiful! I really want to see the real Sakura wear that!" Kallen's eyes widened at the Shinobi dancer outfit, looking impatiently at Otto. "Otto, please? I really want to see Sakura wear that!"
Otto felt conflicted. His clothing company could make a replica easily. But making a dress for his rival to wear while being intimate with her lover... God, I'm not into that!
In the game, with the Ferryman's psychological guidance, Kasumi gained Mei's trust as a dancer. To find the seal left by Ryoma, Kasumi headed to the second seal location and defeated the puppets there. But Kallen sensed something was off and rushed to the location. To bait Kasumi, Kallen pretended to leave and then returned. Sensing a sound, Kallen appeared at the location instantly.
["Come out!"]
["Aya—"]
["Eh?"]
[The result was unexpected. she held a slender wrist as a woman in fine clothing was pulled from the bushes, looking somewhat disheveled.]
Seeing the CG of Kallen and Kasumi at close range, the stream burst into laughter.
[Checking Lord Otto's status!]
[Be strong, Lord Otto!]
[Come, Lord Otto, put on this hat. If you want to get by, you gotta wear a bit of green!]
[LMAO, world line convergence? Is Kallen being stolen by the pink fox a universal law??]
[Forgot the first half, forgot the second half, anyway, keep it up, Lord Otto!!]
"Su Mu, why is everyone cheering for Lord Otto?" Bianca looked at the comments, then back at Su Mu in confusion. "In my memory, Lord Otto, Lady Kallen, and Ms. Yae have always been on good terms...."
Theresa coughed: "Bianca, don't worry about their business.... it's all Grandma Kallen's 'karma'."
Bianca: "?" Theresa: "Have you heard of 'Monogamy'?" Bianca: "???"
Theresa whispered in Bianca's ear, and the latter's face turned bright red instantly. "There—there's such a thing! K-Kallen is truly amazing!" Bianca felt like a door to a new world had opened. So that's what monogamy meant? It truly refreshed her worldview!
Meanwhile, in Otto's office. Yae Sakura looked at Otto with a smile: "Oh dear, Mr. Otto, it seems I win this time."
Otto curled his lip: "Heh! Who knows if this Kasumi is you! maybe she's just a fox that looks like you. Why else is she called Kasumi and not Yae Sakura?"
Amidst Otto's stubbornness, the game continued.
["Who are you?"]
["Spare me, I have nothing. I was just taking a shortcut home through here."]
["Home? At this hour?"]
["I am a dancer from the Nightless Heaven."]
Kallen observed Kasumi, judging she didn't look like a martial artist.
["Lift your chin."]
[Before Kasumi could respond, she gently tilted the woman's chin up. The unexpected situation made her slightly agitated, and then....]
["Why.... are you... here?"]
["Eh?"]
["No, you aren't her. It's impossible for it to be her."]
["What... what are you saying?"]
["But those fox ears.... who are you?!"]
[The moment their eyes met, the woman ruling all of Yae Town fell into unprecedented chaos.]
[The face that shouldn't have appeared here made the depths of her memory ache.]
Kallen fled from Kasumi as if running away. It was all the Ferryman's plan. From the Ferryman's inner thoughts, players realized he had anticipated this... Clearly, he knew exactly what that face meant to Kallen.
From Kallen's reaction and the Ferryman's thoughts, Otto sensed something unusual. He looked at Yae Sakura with a half-smile. "If my guess is correct, Ms. Yae Sakura.... the 'you' in this world died five hundred years ago, didn't she?"
END OF CHAPTER
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