Miracles may seem spontaneous, but they don't just happen out of nowhere.
The success of Honkai Impact 3rd was never just about one person—every single member of miHoYo played a vital role.
Hokuto saw himself as nothing more than a guide, someone who helped accelerate the process.
After all, everyone at miHoYo was talented. What they'd lacked was simply a trigger—a catalyst.
Perhaps, in the original version of this world's story, the script would've gone like this:
miHoYo collapses. Everyone is scattered. They each go through highs and lows, trials and heartbreak. Then, one day, Kiana—or maybe someone else—has a spark of genius. A breakthrough.
And with that single idea, she sets out to reunite her old teammates.
Through laughter, tears, love, and conflict, they come together once more.
Together, they overcome countless obstacles—driven by love and courage—and finally develop a game that takes the entire world by storm.
A game etched forever into the annals of gaming history.
If it were anyone else, that story might've seemed too dramatic.
But for them? It fit perfectly.
"Pfft… I've been writing scripts nonstop lately. My thoughts are all over the place," Hokuto chuckled to himself.
He set down his pen and glanced at the documents on his desk—plot outlines for Honkai Impact 3rd, Chapters 5 through 9.
"This arc…"
Riiing—riiing—
The sudden ring of the office phone cut off his thoughts.
"Hokuto, someone from Game Day reached out," Rita said on the line. "They're requesting a short interview. Are you free tomorrow?"
"Game Day?" Hokuto searched his inherited memories.
In this world, Game Day hadn't folded in 2019—in fact, it had grown even more influential, now one of the most prestigious game publications in the country.
For them to reach out this fast?
Honkai Impact 3rd was clearly more of a phenomenon than even he expected.
"I'm free any time. Just have them come straight to the studio… wait, is that going to be okay for you all?"
Hokuto suddenly realized—miHoYo was staffed entirely with Honkai characters.
Characters who weren't just in the game, but the real-world people they were based on. And they had worked on Honkai Impact 3rd too.
If that information got out…
The impact would be explosive.
Then again, even if they wanted to keep it a secret, in today's hyper-connected world? That would be next to impossible.
"The general consensus is—we'll just let it happen," Rita replied. "If people are meant to find out, they'll find out eventually."
"Then go ahead and invite Game Day to the office."
"Understood."
About half an hour later—
Two young women stepped out of the elevator.
The one in front was a senior staffer; the one behind her was an intern.
"Sis Qing, what should I do once we're inside?" the intern asked nervously.
"Just stay calm, Yuyu," Qing replied with a composed smile. "Watch and learn. That's all."
The two made their way into miHoYo's studio with light steps.
Rita had already been waiting by the entrance. Upon hearing the door open, she approached with her signature smile.
"Are you from Game Day?"
"Yes, I'm—"
But Qing froze mid-sentence the moment her eyes landed on Rita.
She'd done her homework. She'd studied Honkai Impact 3rd before the interview.
And even though Rita hadn't appeared much in the currently released chapters, her "perfect maid" persona had already left a strong impression.
"Rita?!"
The same veteran reporter who'd just told her intern to stay calm… was now the first to lose it.
"That's me," Rita replied with a playful blink.
Then she curtsied gracefully and said in an elegant voice, "S-rank Valkyrie of Schicksal, Rita Rossweisse."
"Hhhss—this… this can't be real?!"
"Sis Qing, calm down!" whispered the intern, Yuyu.
She hadn't played Honkai yet. Because she hadn't done her prep, she actually remained the calmer of the two.
Sometimes, ignorance really is bliss.
Qing exhaled deeply. "Hoo… sorry, I lost my composure."
Then, curiosity got the better of her. "Are you really Rita Rossweisse?"
Rita gave a gentle nod. "Although, I'm not a Valkyrie or anything like that. That was just a little joke to break the ice."
"…Then how did you end up in Honkai Impact 3rd?"
That question came straight from a seasoned journalist's instincts.
"Well…"
Rita tilted her head slightly, then shook it with a faint smile. "It's a long story. And it involves some personal details. I'm afraid I can't go into it."
"For now, please come with me. I'll take you to see Mr. Hokuto."
She pivoted smoothly and led them deeper into the studio. Qing had no choice but to swallow her curiosity and follow.
They happened to pass by the main workstations.
Out of the corner of her eye, Qing spotted a few familiar silhouettes—and almost tripped over her own feet.
Kiana? Himeko? Mei?!
Bronya was also there, though in her adult form and lacking her signature twin drills, so she wasn't immediately recognizable.
Still… was this really a development studio?
Why did it feel like every employee looked like a character from Honkai Impact 3rd?
Well, except for the tall blonde one. She seemed… different.
As Qing's thoughts swirled in chaos, they arrived at the office.
Knock knock knock—
"Mr. Hokuto, the guests from Game Day are here."
"Please, come in."
Rita opened the door and guided the two women into the room.
Qing kept stealing glances at Rita—and thinking about all the "Valkyries" outside.
Finally, she couldn't resist.
"Mr. Hokuto, may I ask a personal question?"
"Go ahead."
"In Honkai Impact 3rd… does the Overseer of Schicksal happen to look just like you?"
Hokuto chuckled and shook his head.
"Of course not. The characters were modeled after our staff purely as a matter of convenience."
He'd lied so many times, he didn't even blush anymore.
Qing clearly didn't believe him, but seeing he didn't want to elaborate, she buried her curiosity.
She took out her notebook and switched into full interview mode.
"Mr. Hokuto, I have a few questions I'd like to ask."
"Ask anything you'd like. I'll do my best to answer."
"What inspired you to create Honkai Impact 3rd?"
Hokuto folded his hands on the desk, confidence beaming from his smile.
"Well, besides the obvious reasons everyone knows… our true goal was to create a game that's wholesome, uplifting, and inspiring. A game that fills players with hope for the future."
"…That's a very lofty ambition," Qing said politely.
"I think once people see the new content coming in the next updates, they'll understand exactly what I mean."
"So you're quite confident in the upcoming story arcs?"
"Absolutely. I believe Honkai Impact 3rd is a high-quality title—one that truly warms the heart."
Hokuto wore the same radiant expression throughout.
This very statement of his would later be immortalized by the internet.
Once the new story arc launched and sent emotional shockwaves through the playerbase, screenshots of Hokuto's quote flooded every meme board:
"Wholesome, uplifting, inspiring.""Heartwarming content.""A warrior of love."
And the memes? They were glorious.