Chapter 56. Void Drifter: The Most Rational, Most Mature Kiana?

Elysia was curious about how miHoYo would portray Kevin in Honkai Impact 3rd.

Kiana continued progressing through the main story.

Viewers in the livestream were focused—Kevin's performance in the last cutscene had been filled with oppressive force.

Especially when Kevin gripped Judgment of Shamash.

That feeling of a storm brewing on the horizon made everyone aware that a dramatic climax was coming.

The scene transitioned—

To nighttime in Arc City.

At the outskirts of Arc City, a small-scale Honkai outbreak was erupting. Honkai Beasts and stationed troops were locked in fierce combat. However, the endless beast tide gradually pushed the mech units to the brink.

The effects in this segment were excellent.

Using an aerial view, the audience was shown an in-engine animation of a Honkai Emperor annihilating mechs—this kind of real-time cutscene was a novel technique in this world.

It immediately caught the eyes of many in the industry.

They picked up pens and jotted down insights in already scribbled-through notebooks.

They couldn't help but marvel at how impressive Honkai Impact 3rd was.

There was always something new to amaze them.

"I've filled up my notebook. Anyone have a spare?"

"You're already on your third notebook? Still want more?"

"You think I want to? It's just that Honkai Impact 3rd is so amazing! The deeper I study it, the more awe I feel!"

"Honkai Impact 3rd is amazing, sure, but the people who made it are even more amazing."

"They're all amazing, now hurry and pass me a new notebook! My inspiration's about to vanish!"

The plot continued. Just as the mechs were about to be annihilated, a shadow dual-wielding pistols entered the battlefield.

It was Kiana—the character players had long awaited!

With Fu Hua's guidance and a month of training, Kiana's combat ability had vastly improved. Dealing with a few Honkai Beasts was now effortless.

The nearby soldiers were shocked, calling her superhuman.

While they stood stunned, Kiana took down all the Honkai Beasts. But since she was still a wanted person, she couldn't linger and quickly disappeared from sight.

She moved with the swift efficiency of someone mature and sharp.

Then the perspective shifted again—

It turned out that Jackal had discovered Kiana's whereabouts.

To prevent Kiana from interfering with her plan, Jackal leaked Kiana's location to Schicksal, drawing in Rita.

This raised players' expectations for the coming story.

A righteous vigilante wandering the city to save civilians, facing off against two large organizations with different agendas—

In Arc City, a city being slowly consumed by the Honkai—

What kind of breathtaking drama was about to unfold?

The livestream barrage lit up with discussions on plot progression.

In an era where most players skip mobile game stories, such a scene was rare.

It even made many indie studios reflect: maybe players don't hate story, they just hate boring and uninspired ones?

They couldn't match AAA-level tech, but if they found their own creative path, they might still succeed.

The influence of Honkai Impact 3rd was quietly expanding.

The plot didn't disappoint.

Rita followed various clues and uncovered World Serpent's involvement through Shencheng Pharmaceuticals—it seemed they were preparing something sinister.

She also found information on Kiana.

From subtle clues, she inferred that she could simply wait at the scene of the Honkai Beasts' appearance to catch her.

Soon, Rita encountered Kiana again at a site overrun with Beasts.

Amid the darkness cast by Honkai Beasts and Deadwalkers, Kiana danced like a shadow. Gunfire and explosions flared.

As the flashes subsided, Kiana landed.

Under the night sky, her white hair shone like moonlight. At her feet, a mountain of corpses lay in shadow.

She tilted her head slightly, paused in silence, then suddenly spoke:

"Still hiding? Come out."

Her voice was calmer than before—so much more composed.

The livestream audience was ecstatic.

[Whoa! That tone—Kiana's so cool!]

[Is this really Kiana? The paramecium's grown up!]

[Such a rational, mature Kiana! Void Drifter, I love you!]

Even Kiana herself, despite knowing the script, got excited seeing this scene.

"Kiana really is the coolest!"

"That's the Kiana in the game." Himeko commented.

"Eh? Himeko-sensei, are you saying I'm not as good as the game version?"

Kiana protested, "Void Drifter Kiana may be mature, but I'm not bad either!"

Some viewers had just calmed down from their excitement, only to be pulled back in by this real-world banter.

Seeing her pout, Himeko sighed and pinched Kiana's cheek, then added sincerely:

"Yeah. I wish you'd stay this way forever."

"Himeko-sensei..."

[Himeko-sensei is so gentle. I can't believe I never noticed before. I'm going to pull for her right now.]

[I want Himeko-onee-san to treat me that gently too! Kiana, draw your sword!!]

[Kiana, draw your sword! +1]

[Kiana, draw your sword! +2]

"???"

"Himeko-sensei is mine!" Kiana shouted.

Viewers wouldn't back down either.

Soon, the chat was filled with joyful "fighting" between Kiana and the audience over Himeko.

Finally, Himeko couldn't take it anymore and chopped Kiana on the head.

"Go continue playing Honkai Impact 3rd." she said grumpily.

"O-okay!"

Kiana held her head and nodded before rushing back to the game.

The story resumed.

In the game, once Kiana said she had detected someone nearby—

Rita stepped out, and together with the Immortal Blades, surrounded her.

However, Rita didn't attack immediately. She calmly began a conversation.

She explained that the frequent attacks on Arc City were likely caused by a Herrscher—Kiana—being present.

Thus, she asked Kiana to return to Schicksal for treatment.

Naturally, Kiana rejected this "offer." The conversation broke down, and they had to fight.

But before the fight escalated, Kiana asked:

"Which is more important—stopping the disaster, or catching me?"

Rita's reply was swift: capturing Kiana would end the city's suffering.

At the height of their standoff—

Kiana used the Herrscher of the Void's power to leave. But before she vanished, she handed Rita an IC card and a vial of serum.

She told Rita that with these, she would understand what was really happening at Shencheng Pharmaceuticals.

Rita looked at the items in her hand but chose not to pursue.

Just like how she once let a humanoid mech go—she wasn't just Otto's obedient tool. She had her own mind. Her own will.

This moment made Rita's character more vivid.

What she had once said—"A person has two hands, one to take, one to give"—wasn't empty talk.

Later, as she investigated Shencheng Pharmaceuticals and discovered horrific human modification experiments tied to the Stigmata Project—

And realized that World Serpent was preparing to use the city's entire population in an experiment. Success would awaken stigmata and prevent Honkai. Failure meant death, becoming the walking dead.

[Let me get this straight. Every time I think I understand this story, Honkai slaps me and says: "You don't know sh*t."]

[Using 30 million people for experiments? World Serpent is insane.]

[Joke of the day: if we wipe out humanity before the Honkai does, the Honkai won't have anyone to kill. Flawless logic.]

Realizing the truth, Rita decisively changed plans.

She abandoned the mission to capture Kiana, prioritizing the safety of Arc City's citizens.

This helped players understand her character even more, and won her many fans.

The plot now reached a turning point.

The scene switched to Kiana, who had been investigating the Arc City outskirts and located the key location—Shencheng Pharmaceuticals' industrial zone.

Her sudden display of strategy surprised even Fu Hua.

Kiana claimed it was thanks to wandering.

Such a confusing claim—

"Himeko-sensei." Kiana paused.

"Hm?"

"Can wandering really increase intelligence?" she asked, puzzled.

"Of course not." Himeko replied firmly.

"Then… the Kiana in-game lied?!" Kiana exclaimed.

Himeko shook her head gently, like a teacher: "Kiana, wandering doesn't make you smarter. But loneliness might. Because loneliness is a terrifying emotion—it changes people."

She smiled faintly: "But don't worry. We'll never let you be alone."

[So what Himeko is really saying is—Kiana, you'll always be a goofball.]

[Pfft~~ Sorry, I couldn't help but laugh. Himeko's personality is exactly like in-game.]

[True. Just… is it also true she's forever single?]

"..." Himeko.

[No way! Someone as gentle as Himeko just doesn't want to date, that's all.]

Seeing this comment, Himeko nodded slightly.

"I'll let you in on a secret—Himeko-sensei actually…"

"Kiana! Do you have anything else you want to say?"

With a "kind and gentle" smile, Himeko made Kiana shudder.