Asta turned her head with a smile that captivated all who saw her.
When introducing a new character, Su Chen knew to give a grand close-up shot.
The camera had to pan from top to bottom her delicate feet were essential
before finally focusing on Asta's face in an extreme close-up, perfectly satisfying everyone's screenshot desires.
Afterward, Asta engaged in a lengthy discussion with the Express crew,
aimed at informing the audience that the space station's true owner was Herta,
whose power was unfathomable and who was a prodigy favored by an Aeon.
Due to the Antimatter Legion's invasion, the station's researchers were in a state of panic.
Asta lowered her head slightly, her tone tinged with complaint as she looked at everyone in the space station.
"I sent countless messages, but none were answered. Ms. Himeko, you know how she is to her, this station is just a storage room for followers and curios. She doesn't take it seriously at all!"
Himeko comforted Asta. "I figured as much. Don't worry, I'll also message Herta, telling her we've brought the curio she wanted. At least that might pique her interest."
A faint smile appeared on Asta's face, dispelling her earlier gloom. "That would be a huge help!"
After the others left, Caelus approached Asta. "Hi, Station Head Asta!"
"Hello, you're… Caelus, right? What would you like to know?"
"I want to learn more about you!"
"I'm the station head of the Herta Space Station, but… in truth, I'm just a steward managing things on Ms. Herta's behalf.
Ms. Herta is a genius, but handling opinionated researchers or responding diplomatically to the Intelligentsia Guild's provocations
those are beyond her capabilities. Fortunately, I excel in those areas.
Hehe! Scholars are much easier to deal with than the squabbling old men back home.
No matter how much they lecture me ahem 'Astronomical studies don't generate economic value,' they wouldn't dare breathe a word of dissent in front of Ms. Herta.
Any problem can be solved by saying it's Ms. Herta's will. After all, Herta herself is the embodiment of 'wisdom.'
Sigh, thanks to her, I can sleep counting stars. Otherwise, I'd have to go back and inherit the family business. Just thinking about it terrifies me."
——
[Silver Wolf's Current Boyfriend: How terrifying! Forced to inherit a fortune?!]
[Kafka's Dog: 'Fail and you'll have to go back to your billion-dollar inheritance' is that it?]
[It's miHoYo Not Hoyoverse: Pray, are these the words of mortals?]
[Asta Is My Wife: I don't care Asta's drop-dead gorgeous! And she's rich? Talk about skipping decades of struggle.]
[Kafka's Dog: She is stunning… but where's Kafka? I don't know how much longer I can hold on!]
[Silver Wolf's Current Boyfriend: Silver Wolf! My Silver Wolf! Where are you?!]
——
After conversing with Asta, Caelus (played by Su Chen) began exploring the space station.
The plot became slice-of-life yet never dull, packed with internet memes in the dialogue.
Thanks to the Herta Space Station's unique realism and the abundance of background actors,
viewers didn't feel like they were watching a web series
but as if they'd stepped into a fully realized Honkai: Star Rail world.
Far from bored, the audience reveled in it.
——
The morning alarm rang, but the young man's eyes remained glued to his phone screen.
He binge-watched Honkai: Star Rail, episode after episode, as if he'd taken endless mint gum—completely unable to stop!
Even on his commute, he kept his head down.
"Ouch!" He rubbed his stiff neck. "Pain… so much pain!"
Glancing around the subway car, he was shocked to see nearly everyone else also staring at their phones.
Focusing his ears, he realized they were all watching Honkai: Star Rail too!
[Silver Wolf's Current Boyfriend: Holy crap, almost everyone in this subway car is watching Star Rail!]
[Himeko Love Me Again: Kinda surreal. Just got to work, and everyone's talking about it. Haven't seen a web series go this viral since Nirvana in Fire!]
[Kafka's Dog: Star Rail puts in the effort even the slice-of-life parts aren't boring. After being tortured by formulaic series, this is a godsend. No wonder it's blowing up!]
[It's miHoYo Not Hoyoverse: Put in the work, and success will follow.]
[Asta Is My Wife: Gotta go more episodes to binge!]
——
After witnessing life across the station, Caelus regrouped with Asta and Himeko.
Then—
"WARNING!"
"ALERT!"
"DANGER!"
"!!!"
Red text flooded the main control sector's screens.
The camera cut to the station's exterior, where a monstrous claw tore through its defenses.
A massive screen appeared before Asta, displaying a gargantuan beast attempting to breach the station.
Fear overwhelming fear gripped every soul aboard.
They knew they were in space, not on land nowhere to run, nowhere to hide.
If the shields failed, death was certain.
Panic saturated the air.
Even the towering Voidranger: Tramplers were mere ants before this monstrosity.
"Take the Express and leave!" Asta glanced at Himeko before staring resolutely at the screen. "I'll stay!"
"But" March 7th stepped forward to object.
Himeko gave Caelus a meaningful look and pulled him along. "Let's go!"
Soon, the Express crew's earpieces crackled with Asta's fragmented voice.
"The support sector's shields won't last… hurry…
Leave this… to me…
Go… now…"
...
Himeko led the trio to the support sector.
Once Asta's comms cut out completely, she turned to them. "We've lost contact."
Dan Heng: "Should we go back? A reminder: that's a Doomsday Beast the Legion's anti-planetary weapon."
Subtitles explained "anti-planetary": capable of suppressing or disrupting an entire world.
Himeko pondered. "This station was built by Herta. Unless an Emanator of Destruction intervenes, it'll hold."
March 7th looked toward the main control sector. "But… we can't just run away…"
Dan Heng elaborated grimly. "The Doomsday Beast shreds shields like paper. With Herta absent, the station's defenses are no match for the Legion.
The Legion bears the blessing of the Aeon Nanook. They came prepared the people here can't stop them."
"Which is why we must leave and take Caelus with us." Himeko's words drew everyone's gaze to Caelus.
Dan Heng stroked his chin. "I see. He's the key."
"The one who can turn the tide unless I'm mistaken!"
The audience now understood
Himeko knew Caelus' sudden appearance might make him the Legion's target,
hence her insistence on bringing him along.
After further discussion, they prepared to head for the platform where the Express was docked, reuniting with Welt Yang.
Soon,
the group jogged toward the platform,
with March 7th charging ahead.
"Wait, March!" Dan Heng grabbed her arm.
"Huh?" She turned in confusion.
Just then
A colossal shadow swooped overhead.
Everyone looked up to see the dragon-like Doomsday Beast soaring above.
Himeko's expression darkened. "It actually followed us?"
Her eyes locked onto Caelus.
Suddenly,
March 7th nocked an ice arrow and shouted at the sky,
"Get down here!"
The next moment,
the Doomsday Beast dove straight at them,
kicking up a massive dust cloud on impact!
"Stay sharp!" Himeko warned, summoning her weapon.
Now filling the entire screen, the Doomsday Beast's sheer size dwarfed the Express crew.
An oppressive aura washed over the viewers.
"ROOOOAR!!!!!"
The camera trembled from the beast's roar.
Sweat dripped from the audience's palms they knew:
The Doomsday Beast boss fight had begun!