Chapter 61. Follow-Up CG, “Meteoric Salvation” Sparks Heated Discussion

As the atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, Hokuto took the initiative to smooth things over.

He cleared his throat twice. "Ahem—Kiana's cooking isn't that bad, it's just that when she cooks, she tends to throw in some... unusual ingredients. That's why the end result is..."

He paused to choose a more tactful phrase.

"Less than ideal."

"Didn't expect Mr. Otto to hold Kiana in such high regard," Elysia replied innocently.

Kiana: Elysia, how in the world did you hear that as praise?!

If Himeko hadn't been holding her down, Kiana would've jumped up by now.

Hokuto, noticing Kiana's expression darken, cleared his throat again and quickly returned to the main topic.

Really, how did they even stray this far off topic to begin with? It was something worth reflecting on.

Maybe, possibly, probably...

That's just the kind of "chemical reaction" that happens when Honkai Impact 3rd characters gather together.

"Let's not digress too much—the viewers are still waiting for the continuation."

[Honestly… I wouldn't mind if you guys kept chatting, this is hilarious.]

[Wait, I'm not the only one who thinks that?!]

[23333, Miss Pink Elf♪ is the soul of pilipili! My source of joy!]

[Okay but seriously, let's not forget the plot. Isn't Kiana still missing?!]

[Ahh! Right, right!!]

The moment Kiana was mentioned, the livestream chat visibly turned tense.

Hokuto spoke at the right time: "Himeko, show them the CG we've already finished."

"Got it."

Himeko nodded and clicked into a folder on the computer, selecting one of the videos.

The screen started out pitch-black.

A narrator began explaining to the players:

"World Serpent's plot quietly dissolved in a burst of blinding flames.

No one knows what truly happened… Only she,

is still chasing the path of a falling star."

Rapid breathing. The wail of sirens—fire trucks and ambulances.

The mix of chaotic noise made the mood intensely suffocating.

"Kiana…!"

Tears welled in Mei's eyes as she ran down the road, chasing the meteor streaking across the sky.

She couldn't begin to imagine what kind of injuries Kiana might have sustained in that explosion. She didn't even know Kiana's current condition.

The more she thought, the more frantic she became.

Panic, like wild weeds, consumed every corner of her heart.

She just wanted to run faster. Faster.

The sooner she could reach Kiana, the better.

Because right now, Kiana surely needed her.

She wanted to help Kiana.

She didn't want her to bear it all alone anymore.

Not again—not ever.

[My heart aches for Mei.]

[Can't Baby Dragon go pick up Kiana? MOVE, BABY DRAGON!!]

...

The story continued.

Unbeknownst to Mei, as she ran desperately toward Kiana,

Durandal, Schicksal's strongest Valkyrie, had already arrived in Arc City.

She looked at the city—still bustling with life—and then turned her eyes to the sky, as if understanding something.

Durandal planted Black Abyss White Flower into the ground, activating the Sixth Divine Key: Key of Creation

In an instant—

A blinding white light erupted. Amid tremors that shook the ground,

a towering tree shot up from the earth, emitting dazzling white radiance, rising to meet the falling star.

And that falling star—was Kiana, who had just saved Arc City.

Using the power of Black Abyss White Flower, Durandal caught her and began healing her injuries.

As light poured into Kiana's body, her wounds visibly healed at incredible speed.

But even though her physical wounds recovered, her mind had been devastated by the earlier explosion.

So she remained unconscious.

At the tree's center, Kiana—white-haired and unconscious—lay across the trunk.

Durandal reached out with her gloved hand, fingertips trembling, gently attempting to touch Kiana's cheek.

"Kiana!"

Right then, Mei arrived, voice shaking with fear, shock, and relief.

"Ah!"

She gasped, staring up at the golden-haired knight gripping a lance—Durandal.

Their eyes met.

The CG ended here.

It was clear now—Kiana was safe. The players' prayers had been answered.

But alongside that relief came a new anticipation.

No one had expected to be this invested in a game's story arc—like chasing a weekly anime.

[No way! That was way too short! What happens next between Durandal and Mei? Do they fight?!]

[Let me guess: Durandal—"A beauty like this is meant only for the strong."]

[Well, Kiana seems okay. That's enough for now. Surely Kiana and Mei will reunite soon. The writers wouldn't drag it out until the finale... right?]

[Don't jinx it!! I'm getting nervous now.]

"Don't worry, everyone."

Hokuto smiled at the stream. "Kiana and Mei will reunite soon."

He paused, then added mysteriously: "That moment should be... rather moving."

"Hokuto-san…" It was Kiana who spoke, "Does that mean you've already planned out the next parts?"

Hokuto nodded. "Yeah. The entire Honkai Impact 3rd plot is already mapped out in my mind."

"Oh!"

Kiana lit up. After all, she was just as curious about the upcoming story as the players—maybe even more so.

Her connection to it was personal.

So of course she hoped that Kiana and Mei in-game would reunite.

"Well, since you said so, then Kiana and Mei are definitely reuniting soon!"

"Hehe~~ Kiana is so amazing now, Mei will definitely be jealous when she sees her!"

"..." Hokuto blinked.

Yeah... better not say anything.

"Ahem, Kiana, Himeko, say your goodbyes. This stream's about to end."

"Okay~" x2

Kiana, knowing Kiana and Mei would soon reunite, smiled brightly:

"Wishing everyone good health, smooth work, family happiness, and all the best! That's all for today's stream!"

"Kiana, what kind of line was that?" Himeko gave her a flick on the forehead.

But the chat responded warmly:

[It's fine—it's THIS Kiana that I love. So healing!]

[Hope Kiana and Himeko also stay healthy and happy forever.]

[By the way—can you give us a hint on what the upcoming side story will be about?]

Someone read that last comment aloud.

Suddenly—

Kiana: "..."

Himeko: "..."

And beside them, Theresa's expression completely changed.

Stargazing! Her Stargazing special!!

Hokuto, you're the worst!!

"End stream. End stream." Himeko pretended not to hear and shut down the broadcast.

Afterward, Kiana stared at Hokuto with a very grim face.

Everyone else pretended to be busy. Not a word about the side story.

It was as if it had become taboo.

Because not only had Hokuto faithfully recreated "The Day You Vanished with the Stars",

he even added extra pain to it.

"Kiana, don't look at me like that."

"..."

"I just added a bit of… unforgettable flavor."

"..."

Kiana finally turned her gaze away and murmured, "Yeah. Unforgettable.

Even I, the original author, didn't know the story could go that way."

She sighed. "Hokuto, you really are something."

And she meant it in two ways.

One: the additions were brutal, but they elevated the story.

Two: Hokuto had an unbelievable talent for twisting any tale into a tearjerker—which, in some ways, was more impressive.

"You flatter me~"

Seeing that Kiana wasn't holding a grudge anymore, Hokuto chuckled and glanced at the system panel.

[Honkai Impact 3rd Current Users: 9,217,633]

Time to prepare bonus checks for Kiana and the others.

...

...

The miHoYo stream wrapped up.

But the waves sparked by Honkai Impact 3rd continued to spread with the players' momentum.

Never mind the editors compiling sweet Kiana scenes into bait clips.

Never mind the flood of forum posts like—

"Meteoric Salvation! A perfect blend of emotion and quality!"

"Meteoric Salvation hit me like a truck. I'm still numb."

"You're all looking at Kiana, but don't forget—Otto's plan succeeded."

"Eden's theme song performance—'Starfall' shook me for an entire year!"

While others spent money to climb trending searches…

Honkai Impact 3rd fans stormed the list shouting:

"BROTHERS GO! How is there still ONE trending tag that isn't Honkai?!"

But even more than the praise—was this.

Player A: "Bro, Honkai just dropped a new main story update. You play it yet?"

Friend: "Not yet. Studying for exams."

Player A: "Let me tell you—miHoYo dropped a new short: Meteoric Salvation. It's insane."

Friend: "A new short? I'll check it out. A few minutes won't hurt."

They start watching.

At the start:

Friend (smiling): "Wow! So cool! The parkour is sick!"

Midway through:

Friend (focused): "miHoYo's CG quality is off the charts as usual."

Friend (analyzing): "Spatial rupture? Precision dodging?"

Then the BGM shifts.

Friend (smile fading): "Kiana? N-No... don't—"

Himeko appears.

The smile vanishes.

Kiana, bomb in hand, flies skyward.

Friend's whole body tenses, eyes locked on screen.

Then Kiana detonates the bomb.

Friend (breaking down): "MIHOYO YOU MONSTERS—KIANAAAAAA!!"

Player A, watching beside him, felt spiritually awakened.