While Elysia and Eden led everyone in a heartfelt chorus of "Nightglow" to send Himeko off,that was just one small corner of Honkai Impact 3rd's growing world.
Across the internet—players were waging a far louder, far wilder battle.
On Tieba, Weibo, forums everywhere, the outrage boiled over.
[URGENT! Seeking the address of the Honkai Impact 3rd writing team! I have some lovely "souvenirs" I'd like to send them!][So sweet! So sweet it hurts! This game's story is too sweet! If you don't cry, are you even human?!][Daily tribute to Himeko's True Love Thread! Hundred posts a day, no exceptions!][Everyone! Unite! If we work together, we can FORCE miHoYo to change the story!]
At first, Honkai Impact 3rd was just a relatively niche mobile game, popular mainly in anime circles.
But now—because of The Last Lesson—
It had broken through.
Into mainstream awareness.
Curiosity is an irresistible human instinct.
Countless people, who normally wouldn't have paid any attention to a "weird mobile anime game,"suddenly found their gaze drawn to Honkai Impact 3rd.
What kind of story could shatter players like this?
The wildfire had already been lit.
And it was spreading.
"Uh, Hokuto, things might be getting... a little dangerous,"Kiana, Bronya, and Rita rushed into the office.
Today was Saturday.
Even though the story update had launched,Hokuto hadn't forced anyone to work overtime.
He'd simply said:"Feel free to come in if you want."
Result:
They all came anyway.
"It's normal for players to be emotional,"Hokuto said, calmly tapping out a few last lines on his laptop.
Seeing his nonchalant attitude, Rita couldn't help but ask:
"Are you not worried something might happen?This could get out of control—like pouring oil on fire."
"Yeah, yeah!" Kiana chimed in,"Hokuto, maybe you should change the story?It's such a shame for Aunt Himeko to die..."
Hokuto turned to look at the group.
"You all feel that way?"
"I trust that you know better than anyone how the story of Honkai Impact 3rd should unfold,"Durandal said with quiet conviction.
"If you believe it's right, I'll support you."
"Big Sis..."Kiana murmured.
"It's not about right or wrong,"Hokuto said, stepping forward.
"It's about this—"
"If you carefully analyze the story, you'll realize that Himeko's ending was inevitable."
"Rather than clumsily bringing her back to life and destroying everything the story has built—it's better to let her legacy be carried forward.Through Kiana."
Hearing his words, the girls finally understood.
Hokuto paused briefly,glancing at his long-forgotten system panel.
[Current Honkai Impact 3rd user count: 2,356,123]
According to his calculations,if he could hit ten million users,he would unlock the next game from the system.
And now, after completing Honkai Impact 3rd—
He had an even bolder idea:
The Honkai Multiverse Project.
Frankly speaking,Honkai Impact 3rd's worldbuilding was perfectly suited for a multiverse.
"If you're truly that heartbroken..."Hokuto smiled,"Maybe we can let Himeko appear in another game."
"Another game?" *N
The girls blinked.
"Of course.""You didn't think I planned to only make one game, did you?"
He said it so seriously that none of them dared to laugh.
"Our goal is global domination."
"..."
The girls hesitated.
"But that's for the future,"Hokuto waved it off lightly.
"For now—let's focus on making Honkai Impact 3rd the best it can be."
He glanced around.
"By the way...where's Mei?"
"Mei's here too,"Kiana said.
"But you said we could do whatever we wanted,so she went to voice chat with Elysia."
"She's probably still playing Honkai Impact 3rd with her right now."
"...?"
Hokuto's expression subtly shifted.
Wait.What?
Elysia?
Even though he'd already seen many characters from Honkai Impact 3rd manifesting here...
Hearing Elysia's name still gave him a jolt.
Feigning ignorance, he asked:
"Elysia? Who's that?"
"She's a super popular VTuber on PiliPili,"Kiana explained."Whenever we launch a new game, Mei always asks her to help promote it."
"miHoYo's been lucky to have her support."
Kiana didn't know much about Elysia personally.Just what Mei had told her.
But she had a very good impression of her.
"Hmm... if that's the case,"Hokuto smiled slyly,"Should we go thank her?"
"Uhh... what if we interrupt something?"Kiana hesitated.
Hokuto felt a little awkward.
After all, he couldn't seem too desperate to meet Fairy.
Luckily, Fu Hua spoke up:
"Actually," Fu Hua said softly,"With Elysia's personality,having a bunch of cute girls show up would make her very happy."
"Oh?""You sound like you know her really well," Hokuto teased.
"Yes.We're friends,"Fu Hua replied calmly.
"Ooooh~"The girls immediately pounced.
"Fu Hua, you've been keeping secrets! Spill everything!"
Under siege from their teasing,Fu Hua cast Hokuto a desperate look for help.
Realizing this was his chance,Hokuto coughed lightly.
"Ahem,""Since Fu Hua says Elysia wouldn't mind—let's go visit them."
He turned to Fu Hua.
"Would you mind leading the way?"
"Of course," Fu Hua said quickly,eager to escape.
She turned and strode ahead.
Hokuto followed.The others followed him.
And together they made their way toward the work area.
There, Mei was quietly singing into her mic:
"I wish to awaken from eternal dreams,""Soon the endless night will fall,""I will become the last light shining through it all...""The love I gave you is what I cherish most...""So please, live bravely... live on..."
"It's Nightglow,"Hokuto thought, heart aching slightly.
After all, he'd spent hours perfecting the CG for that very song.
He motioned for the others to slow down,softening their steps.
Together, they tiptoed over to Mei's side,silently observing her livestream.
They realized—
She and Elysia were singing for Himeko.
"Ugh..."Kiana clutched Himeko's sleeve tightly, trying not to cry.
The others stood quietly,watching.
Waiting.
Eventually, the song came to its bittersweet end.
"Whoo~~"
Mei exhaled deeply,calming her overwhelmed heart.
Then—
She turned.
And froze.
Surrounding her was a whole crowd.
She nearly jumped.
"S-Sir—uh, Boss!"She scrambled to correct herself, avoiding revealing Hokuto's real name.
"Boss?"Elysia's voice piped up in Mei's headset.
"Who's there with you?"
"Um... the boss of miHoYo," Mei said casually."And also... the lead writer."
And with that innocent comment—
The livestream exploded.