Chapter 12: Miss Pink Fairy?

After the girls finished watching the short animation, Mo Li asked calmly, "What do you think?"

Youlander was the first to respond. "I have to admit, it's really well done."

"Boss," Bronya interjected, "which studio did you commission for this short film? If domestic studios can achieve this level, Guoman's future doesn't seem bleak."

Bronya nodded in agreement, adding, "The soundtrack is amazing, too. I'd say the emotional impact of the video owes about 30% to its music."

After experiencing Version 1.1, the girls admired Mo Li even more. Though Bronya's expression remained stoic, her eyes seemed to sparkle when she looked at him.

Even Rita chimed in with a playful tone. "Boss, I'm finding myself appreciating you more and more~."

Mo Li blinked, feeling slightly uncomfortable under their collective gaze. "Alright, alright, enough with the flattery," he said, waving his hand dismissively. "You should believe me now, right? This game is absolutely bug-free, so stop bringing up internal testing. And by the way, the soundtrack for this short film isn't perfect yet."

"Not perfect?" Bronya tilted her head, surprised.

Mo Li nodded. "I have another track in mind. Paired with the animation for The Queen's Arrival, it'll make the visuals even more stunning. But…" He paused, glancing around. "Do any of you have vocal skills? You'll need at least some basic singing ability."

Truthfully, the game's dubbing, soundtrack, and animations were all provided by the system. Mo Li's intent in involving the girls wasn't out of necessity but to give them a sense of participation. If they were limited to announcements and maintenance, their attachment to the game might remain shallow. By involving them in dubbing and singing, he hoped they'd develop a deeper connection.

To his surprise, not only could the girls dub characters well, but their singing skills were also excellent—comparable to professional voice actors. While they lacked the polished technique of trained singers, this was something a little practice could fix. After just two days of training, Ji Zi had flawlessly recorded the song Befall.

Finally, after much anticipation, Honkai Impact III launched to the public, attracting the attention of 30 million eager players.

Zhang Ming, one such player, was so excited about the launch that he took the day off just to experience the game. As the release time approached, his gaming group chat buzzed with activity.

"I've preloaded the game and created my account. Why hasn't MiHoYo opened the servers yet?!"

"MiHoYo: Patience. Just one more minute to go."

"I really hope this game doesn't disappoint."

"Kiana… sha sha…"

"Penguin's launching a mobile game too. Anyone planning to try it out?"

"Ha! I don't need to. I already know what to expect from them."

"Hey, you could be our scout. Check out their game and report back."

"Sure thing. Be back soon!"

Meanwhile, countless streamers on platforms like Bilibili and Douyin began live broadcasts of Honkai Impact III.

Since Mo Li hadn't conducted any closed beta tests, the only ones who had played the game before launch were the girls in the studio. As a result, no detailed gameplay information had leaked online, leaving the player base in suspense.

Despite this, Mo Li had cleverly maintained the game's hype. Every few days, he released short teaser videos with a countdown to the launch. Each video showcased stunning combat visuals, but no other details about the game were revealed.

These teasers only increased players' impatience. Popular characters like White Knight Moonlight and Queen of Thunder's Ghost Armor quickly became fan favorites. Lines such as "Lightwing unfolds!" and "Thunderbolt! Burst!" paired with dazzling special effects were enough to keep fans talking.

The diversity of characters was another key draw. From white-haired lolis and stoic girls to red-haired mature women and elegant maids, there was a character to suit everyone's taste. Even players who weren't typically into anime-style games found themselves intrigued.

Desperate for early access, some players were willing to pay outrageous sums. One wealthy fan even offered ¥100,000 for an internal testing account, propelling Honkai Impact III to the top of trending topics on social media. Mo Li eventually had to issue an official statement clarifying that there would be no closed beta. The girls teased him relentlessly for "torturing" the fans.

On the day of the public beta, excitement peaked. Nearly every gaming streamer, whether out of genuine interest or for views, chose to broadcast Honkai Impact III.

At the same time, a popular Bilibili creator known as Miss Pink Fairy also launched her live stream. With millions of fans, she was one of the platform's biggest stars. However, her fame wasn't due solely to her beauty; it was her cheerful, innocent personality and unique content that endeared her to her audience.

Unfortunately for her fans, her live streams were infrequent—barely once a month. But whenever she did stream, her room would become a lively hub of activity.

Today was no exception.

"Hey~ Did you miss me?"

A pink-haired girl with an infectious smile waved at the camera. Her crescent-shaped eyebrows and radiant face gave her an ethereal, fairy-like appearance. There was an almost childlike innocence in her laughter that immediately lifted the mood of everyone watching.

The chat exploded with activity:

[She's so adorable! I can't take it!]

[Miss Pink Fairy has blessed us with her presence!]

[Wait, doesn't she look like Alicia?]

[No way. Are you saying MiHoYo based Alicia on her?]

Miss Pink Fairy's introduction was short, but her charm made it impossible for viewers to look away. As she booted up Honkai Impact III, the screen transitioned to the game's title sequence.

"This is my first time trying this game," she said with a giggle. "I hope I don't embarrass myself too much."

Her honesty and lighthearted demeanor endeared her to the audience even further.

Back in Zhang Ming's world, the servers finally went live. He clicked "Start Game" the moment it became available.

The opening animation immediately captivated him. Gorgeous visuals, intense music, and emotionally charged narration set the stage for what was clearly a high-stakes story. As Zhang Ming advanced through the tutorial, he couldn't help but marvel at the game's fluid combat system and stunning character designs.

Meanwhile, his group chat buzzed with messages:

"This game is insane!"

"Penguin's mobile game can't even compare."

"Bro, did you see that ultimate move?!"

Zhang Ming was too immersed to reply. The more he played, the more impressed he became. Every detail, from the soundtrack to the voice acting, exuded quality. It was clear that Honkai Impact III wasn't just a game—it was an experience.

Back in Miss Pink Fairy's stream, her audience was equally captivated. As she navigated the game, her reactions ranged from awe to excitement.

"Wow, look at those effects!" she exclaimed during a particularly flashy battle sequence. "This is so much fun!"

Her enthusiasm was infectious. Viewers flooded the chat with comments praising both the game and her endearing personality.

[This stream is everything I needed today.]

[I wasn't planning to play this game, but now I have to!]

[Miss Fairy's reactions are so pure. She's the best.]

By the end of her stream, Honkai Impact III had gained even more traction. Miss Pink Fairy herself was hooked, promising her audience she'd stream the game again soon.

As the day progressed, it became clear that Mo Li's gamble had paid off. By refusing to conduct a closed beta and carefully controlling the flow of information, he'd created a level of hype few games could match.

Now, as players across the globe immersed themselves in the world of Honkai Impact III, Mo Li sat back, satisfied. The excitement, the joy, the frustration—it was all part of the experience he'd envisioned.

For now, his job was done.

But this was just the beginning.