Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

Two figures in coffee-colored uniforms, adorned with the Bloodhound Family insignia, stood firmly at the doorway.

Their expressions were stern, their hawk-like, sharp gaze piercing the air, constantly scrutinizing everyone in the room.

"Routine Family inspection. If everything is confirmed to be in order, we will leave immediately."

The cold metal accessories on their uniforms and the weapons at their waists glinted coldly under the harsh light.

This sudden intrusion made Firefly jump instantly. She 倏地 (suddenly) sidestepped, hiding behind Daziel's broad back as if her very soul had taken flight in terror.

Her body trembled like a leaf, the coolness of her fingertips brushing against Daziel's skin.

Daziel felt the trembling behind him and sighed inwardly. Firefly, in front of him, truly never missed a moment to meticulously maintain her persona of a frail, pitiful damsel, her acting flawlessly natural.

In this respect, she was much more professional than Sparkle.

After all, when Sparkle was playing Robin, she had unconsciously slipped up in front of Sunday.

When it came to acting, Firefly was the MVP; Sparkle was just a freeloader who got lucky!

Sparkle was clearly unaware that Daziel was looking down on her.

She currently affected a lazy posture of someone completely detached from the situation, a playful smirk on her lips, her eyes dancing with an excited glint that reveled in potential chaos.

Sparkle spoke in a coquettish voice, revealing her true nature as a chaos-seeker:

"Officers of the Hounds, you must take a good look. We are all law-abiding tourists from afar. No contraband, no illicit activities, absolutely none."

As she spoke, she even pulled her skirt down a bit, reducing the exposed portion of her thighs.

One of the Bloodhound Family members scrutinized Sparkle sharply, a barely perceptible suspicion in his eyes.

"Wait, something's not right!"

He took a step forward, his nostrils flaring, sniffing the air meticulously like a hound.

"There's a lingering scent… a custom-mixed Dream Bubble! A very special kind!"

He stopped abruptly, his voice suddenly turning cold. "You lot, were you secretly indulging in prohibited Dream Bubbles just now? There have been quite a few cases recently of people causing a ruckus after getting high on that stuff!"

His voice was like an icicle, piercing straight to the heart.

Daziel's hand instinctively tightened around the still-warm Dream Bubble in his pocket.

They absolutely cannot find this thing!

After all, Firefly's eager display in the dream, begging to play 'baseball' with him, was for his eyes only.

If worst comes to worst… I'll have to resort to force. The worst that can happen is getting kicked out of Penacony.

Thinking this, a cold glint flashed in Daziel's eyes; he was prepared to draw his bat.

The other Hound member's gaze swept across everyone in the room, every corner, like a high-powered searchlight, cold and relentless.

When his eyes fell upon Firefly, who was trembling and pale behind Daziel, his movements abruptly froze.

"…"

His voice rose, tinged with surprise and confirmation. "Silver hair… Could the stowaway on the wanted list… be her?!"

The word "stowaway," like a bucket of ice-cold water mixed with shards of ice, poured down from the heavens, instantly freezing the air in the entire private room.

Even the light seemed to become thick and stagnant, pressing down, making it hard to breathe.

The color instantly drained from Firefly's face, leaving it ashen white. Fear, like an invisible giant hand, gripped her throat, dragging her whole being towards an abyss. Her body swayed uncontrollably, almost collapsing.

The eerie smirk on Sparkle's lips, relishing the chaos, seemed to curve upwards a little more, as if she were keenly assessing how much "fun" this unexpected accident could add to her script.

The Bloodhound Family member's voice rose sharply. "Little girl, whether you're that stowaway or not, you're coming with us first!"

Just as he finished speaking and raised his arm, revealing a gleaming metal restraining device—

"Tsk, and here I thought it was some earth-shattering case, causing such a big fuss."

A lazy, somewhat raspy voice that spoke of worldly experience, like a stone dropped into a calm lake, rippled out from the doorway.

The voice wasn't loud, yet it contained an undeniable sense of power, instantly capturing everyone's attention.

All eyes turned towards the sound.

A tall man in a casual black shirt and a white vest strolled in unhurriedly. He had stubble on his chin, his eyes holding a hint of world-weary cynicism and fatigue.

He conveniently blocked part of the harsh light streaming in from the doorway, casting a strangely reassuring shadow behind him.

The newcomer was Gallagher.

His languid demeanor, as if he had just woken up in some bar, stood in stark contrast to the Hounds' taut, rigid, and imposing presence.

He looked like a mere passerby, casually checking out the commotion.

Yet, the intangible aura emanating from Gallagher prevented anyone from underestimating him in the slightest.

The two Hound members, who had been arrogant and ready to act moments before, visibly stiffened the instant they recognized Gallagher's face.

Their tense demeanor deflated rapidly like a punctured balloon, their attitude undergoing a complete 180-degree turn, even tinged with a respect and hesitation they themselves might not have been aware of.

Gallagher's gaze casually swept across the scene, finally settling on Firefly, who was still shaken and had been identified as a "stowaway."

He let out a soft snort, filled with undisguised mockery.

"Stowaway?"

Gallagher drawled, his gaze shifting to the Hound member who had recognized Firefly. "I recall the Family's wanted notice describing a silver-colored tin robot, right?"

The sarcasm in his tone became more pronounced:

"Yelling and screaming at such a delicate little flower who looks like a gust of wind could knock her over. Are your eyes failing you, or are your heads not screwed on right? Making a blunder like arresting the wrong person is quite foolish and would bring shame to the Bloodhound Family."

That Hound member was rendered speechless by his words, his face under the mask presumably turning beet red, yet he couldn't utter a single word of rebuttal.

Gallagher then slowly turned his gaze to the other Hound who had mentioned the Dream Bubble.

"As for that prohibited Dream Bubble you mentioned…"

He dragged out his words. "If they really did indulge in that stuff, as you claim, shouldn't they be busy doing something… hmm, detrimental to public morals and Penacony's good order right about now?"

He glanced meaningfully at Daziel and Firefly. Although they still looked flustered, their clothes were relatively neat, and there was nothing obviously amiss.

"Take a good look at them now,"

Gallagher spread his hands, his tone carrying a "isn't it obvious?" kind of teasing. "Do they look like they just 'had their fill' and didn't even have time to tidy themselves up?"

These words, while seemingly defending Daziel and the others, cleverly used their relatively "clean and tidy" state to deliberately ignore some of the earlier titillating chaos, skillfully deflecting the accusation of "indulging in prohibited Dream Bubbles."

Under Gallagher's well-reasoned and clearly authoritative rebuttal, the two Hound members completely lost their earlier arrogance.

They could only stammer, speechless, and didn't pursue the matter further.

"Alright, there's nothing for you here. Go patrol wherever you're supposed to patrol."

Gallagher waved his hand impatiently, his tone carrying a natural, undeniable air of command.

The two Hound members looked at each other, then back and forth, hesitating.

Gallagher's eyes narrowed slightly, sweeping over the two, his voice suddenly taking on a faint hint of pressure.

"Or is it that… my word, Gallagher's word, no longer carries any weight with you young lads these days?"

"Never! Not at all, Mr. Gallagher!"

Upon hearing this, the two Hound members reacted like cats whose tails had been stepped on. They hurriedly bowed, their attitude extremely respectful.

They dared not voice any further objections and almost fled as they quickly turned around.

"Click."

With a soft sound, Gallagher casually closed the door to the private room from behind him, completely shutting out the noise and glaring light from outside.

In the small space, the light became dim and ambiguous, leaving only him, Daziel, Firefly, and Sparkle.

The air seemed to stagnate, the atmosphere once again becoming subtle and tense.

Gallagher turned around, his previous lazy, 頹廢 (decadent/world-weary) demeanor gone. His eyes became as deep as an ancient well, a sharp glint flashing within them as he looked directly at Daziel.

"Young Mr. Nameless."

The moment he spoke, he accurately identified Daziel.

"As far as I know, you and Mr. Aventurine, one of the Ten Stonehearts from the Interastral Peace Corporation, seem to have privately reached a less-than-official deal?"

This seemingly casual question made Daziel's pupils contract sharply, his heart skipping a beat.

How did he know?

Gallagher, as if he could read minds, quirked his lips into an enigmatic smile and explained faintly:

"Penacony, this city of beautiful dreams, has never lacked the keen noses of the Hounds and their omnipresent ears."

"Especially in a place like Oti Mall, teeming with people and a confluence of information, it's almost impossible to leave no trace."

He paused briefly, his gaze shifting between Daziel and Firefly, who wore differing expressions, finally settling back on Daziel. His tone carried a subtle hint of inquiry and enticement:

"Your and Mr. Aventurine's target seems to be the sister of the Charmony Festival's director, the Halovian songstress, Miss Robin?"

"If that's the case," Gallagher's eyes grew even deeper, "perhaps, I can offer you some necessary assistance."

Sparkle chuckled from the side, interjecting, "My, Mr. Gallagher, are you such a do-gooder, performing a kind deed every day? Aren't you going to do your Penacony security work?"

Gallagher glanced at Sparkle, his tone calm and steady.

"When the Family falls ill, it naturally breeds some vermin and shadows. It is the duty of us in the Bloodhound Family to root out these hidden elements and clean them up."

Daziel's mind raced, his brain working at high speed.

Gallagher's appearance was too coincidental, the timing terrifyingly precise.

Penacony was a place of turbulent undercurrents; even his and Aventurine's secretive deal hadn't completely escaped the eyes and ears here.

He carefully studied the man before him, outwardly decadent but inwardly sharp, quickly recalling Gallagher's actions and stance in the original plot.

Weighing the pros and cons, understanding the truth through Robin is a must.

If this man before me can provide clues, that would be for the best.

Otherwise, waiting for Aventurine to send information, who knows how long that will take…

The risk is worth it.

Daziel finally made his decision. He nodded slightly and replied in a deep voice, "We do indeed need your help, Mr. Gallagher."

An unreadable curve touched Gallagher's lips. He seemed unsurprised by Daziel's answer, as if everything was under his control.

He casually took out his mobile device.

"Let's exchange contact information…"

After a simple exchange of information, Daziel's terminal received a highly encrypted message.

Opening the message, he found Robin's detailed itinerary for the next few days, with times specified down to the minute, and several weak points in surveillance camera coverage and patrol blind spots clearly marked.

One time and place was specially highlighted: [Four hours later, the back alley of the Penacony Grand Theater.]

A short note was appended at the end of the message: [It's safest there; the Hounds' patrol routes will deliberately avoid it.]

"Thanks."

Daziel put away his mobile, his voice low, expressing basic gratitude.

Gallagher waved his hand casually, reverting to his carefree, nonchalant demeanor.

"Don't misunderstand, I have my own calculations and objectives too."

His gaze once again swept over the three people in the room, pausing on Firefly's flushed cheeks and Daziel's slightly unnatural expression.

"Penacony officially prohibits immoral activities, but well…"

He paused, a meaningful, somewhat teasing and knowing smile on his face.

"As long as you don't make too much of a commotion next, making it known to everyone, I can usually… pretend I didn't see anything."

With that, Gallagher turned and reached for the door of the private room.

"Alright, I won't disturb your… refined pursuits any longer. Please, continue."

"Click."

The door closed again, shutting out the outside light and sound, but trapping the roomful of ambiguity, unresolved tension, and the subtle implication left by Gallagher's final words, completely sealing them within this small space.

The air seemed to instantly become thick and scorching.

Firefly's cheeks were as red as ripe apples, the blush spreading all the way to her delicate earlobes, even her neck was tinged with a faint pink.

Her body trembled slightly, her eyes darting away, not daring to look at Daziel or Sparkle.

Sparkle let out a "pfft" of laughter, the crisp sound breaking the suffocating silence.

"Oh my, oh my, it was so thrilling and exciting just now, a matter of life and death, you know,"

Sparkle dragged out her words, then abruptly lifted Firefly's skirt, her tone full of undisguised mockery, "and yet someone still managed to get soaking wet down there, even her body is shaking."

"Such a remarkable physiological response, impressive, truly impressive."

Firefly was so mortified by Sparkle's words she wished she could find a hole to crawl into. Her fingertips curled tightly, almost tearing the hem of her skirt as she yanked it back down.

Daziel also felt a little uncomfortable. He coughed lightly and awkwardly averted his gaze.

Gallagher's last words were undoubtedly a tacit approval, even encouragement, of certain possibilities, which made the atmosphere even stranger.

Sparkle, as if things weren't lively enough, sidled up to Firefly and whispered something in her flushed ear.

Firefly's body suddenly stiffened, then she trembled even more violently, her eyes instantly welling up with moisture.

An indescribable, ambiguous atmosphere, like invisible vines, grew wildly in this small space, spreading.

Certain emotions and desires that had been forcibly suppressed, once ignited by external words and suggestions, were like a wildfire, no longer easily extinguished.

Just not now.

Four systemic hours quietly slipped by in anxious waiting and a subtle atmosphere.

Behind the Penacony Grand Theater, in a dark, damp alley reeking of complex odors.

This place was far from the neon brilliance and bustling crowds of the main thoroughfare. Only the faint, putrid smell from a pile of trash cans in the corner and the distant, indistinct clamor and glow of this city that never sleeps could be perceived.

The alley walls were cold and rough, stained with water from years without sunlight, trickling down to form murky little puddles on the uneven ground, reflecting the dim light of the streetlamp at the alley's entrance.

Occasionally, a night breeze would sweep through the narrow passage, bringing the unique cool air of this sleepless city and fine dust particles.

Daziel, Firefly, and Sparkle, like shadows 融入 (merged into) the darkness, huddled in the deepest part of the alley.

They were pressed close to smelly trash cans and a pile of unknown discarded items, minimizing their presence and aura.

Sparkle seemed somewhat bored. She toyed with her slender fingers and complained in a low voice:

"I really don't get why Penacony's dreamweavers would design such a filthy, smelly dump. It's practically a stain on a beautiful dream. Ah~ I really miss the floors in Oti Mall that were clean enough to reflect light."

Firefly snuggled tightly against Daziel, drawing in the masculine scent emanating from him, but her body still trembled slightly with nervousness.

She kept wringing her fingers, her voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, full of uncertainty:

"The information Mr. Gallagher gave us… is it really accurate? What if… what if she doesn't pass by here… or if there are other people…"

Daziel's gaze was as sharp as an eagle's, firmly locked on the only light source at the alley entrance. He clearly felt the slight tremor and unease radiating from Firefly.

His exhaled breath condensed into a small puff of white mist in the cool night air, then dissipated.

"I trust Mr. Gallagher. He wouldn't deceive us."

Daziel's voice was low and steady, carrying a reassuring strength. "Be patient, Firefly. Remember our plan, and stick to it."

He emphasized again, "Stay quiet, concentrate, and don't expose yourselves."

Sparkle pouted, seeming a little uninterested, but still fished out a roll of silver-gray heavy-duty tape from her pocket, twirling it nimbly between her fingers, making soft "swish-swish" sounds.

"Don't worry, my 'welcome present' has been ready for a long time,"

Sparkle licked her lips, her eyes glinting with excitement. "I guarantee it'll leave a lasting impression on that superstar, one she'll never forget."

Firefly took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart. She also tightened her grip on the specially made rope hidden behind her back, her knuckles turning slightly white from the force.

"I… I'm ready too."

Her voice still trembled a little, but her eyes held a new firmness.

Time, like a frozen hourglass, dripped by, second by second, in the oppressive silence.

The alley was terrifyingly quiet, so much so that they could almost hear each other's heartbeats.

Only the faint, distant strains of melodious music from the Grand Theater and the muffled sound of traffic from the city's main artery, like background noise from another world, reminded them that they were currently in the dark corners behind the glamorous facade of the bustling metropolis.

Suddenly!

The sound of high heels clicking on the ground, approaching from a distance, echoed crisply and rhythmically on the silent alley floor, shattering the suffocating stillness.

Clack, clack, clack…

The footsteps sounded exceptionally clear in the empty alley, unhurried, carrying an innate, elegant rhythm.

A figure appeared at the alley entrance, her silhouette soft and graceful under the dim yellow streetlight.

The hazy moonlight fell upon her, illuminating her iconic hair, as smooth and radiant as a nightingale's wing, and her elegant posture, which couldn't be concealed even when she walked alone.

It was their long-awaited target—the Halovian superstar, Robin!

She seemed to have just finished a performance or an important social engagement and was now alone, a barely perceptible lightness in her steps.

She was even humming a tuneless melody under her breath, a relaxed, faint smile on her face, completely unaware that in the dark corner, three pairs of eyes were locked on her like predators, and deadly danger lurked quietly.

Daziel's pupils contracted sharply, adrenaline instantly surging to its peak!

He abruptly ducked lower, like a cheetah poised to strike, and issued the command to the two beside him, his voice decisive and cold, without a trace of hesitation:

"Go! Make your move!"

Before his words even faded, three figures shot out from the deepest darkness like arrows loosed from a bow!

Their speed was astonishing, stirring up a faint gust of wind. Almost in the instant Robin had just noticed the disturbance and looked up in surprise, they had already rushed before her like phantoms!

Robin's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment, a short gasp about to escape her throat—

Sparkle, quick-witted and deft, moved with incredible precision. The silver-gray tape in her hand shot out like a striking viper, instantly sealing Robin's lips horizontally!

"Mmph—!"

All screams and cries for help were choked back, leaving only a short, muffled whimper.

The entire action was clean and efficient, without any hesitation, filled with a certain brutal beauty.

At the same time, Firefly shed her feigned nervousness and fear, displaying astonishing efficiency.

The specially made rope in her hand, like a living serpent, snaked out with lightning speed.

The rope quickly wound around Robin's slender ankles. Firefly's fingers flew, expertly tying a secure dead knot.

Then, the rope extended upwards, and before Robin could react, it had bound her struggling arms behind her back, securing them tightly!

Daziel then strode forward, swiftly unfolding a large black cloth bag, big enough to hold an adult.

He brought it down over her head!

The bag, like the gaping maw of an abyss, instantly engulfed Robin's entire petite figure, cutting off her sight, her cries for help, and her futile struggles.

A series of frantic wriggles and more muffled whimpers immediately came from inside the bag, but they soon weakened due to lack of oxygen and restraint.

The entire abduction took place in a flash, from spotting the target to subduing her, all within a few short seconds.

The coordination of the three was seamless, swift, precise, and ruthless, as if they had rehearsed it countless times.

"Quick! To the car! Get out of here!"

Daziel barked, taking the lead by shouldering the black bag, which was still wriggling slightly. The heavy weight didn't slow him down.

The three quickly moved to the deeper end of the alley, where an inconspicuous, ordinary vehicle was parked, blending in perfectly with Penacony's common modes of transport.

The trunk popped open with a "thump."

Daziel unceremoniously tossed the bag containing Robin inside.

"Thump!"

The trunk lid closed heavily, completely sealing all struggles, whimpers, and despair within that small, dark space.

Sparkle swiftly pulled open the back car door, and Firefly followed closely, quickly ducking inside.

Daziel got into the driver's seat and started the engine almost simultaneously with closing his door.

The tires made an extremely faint sound as they gripped the damp ground.

The vehicle glided out of the dark alley like a ghost, merging without a ripple into Penacony's endless river of traffic, amidst the hazy, intoxicating lights of the night.

Soon, it vanished without a trace, as if it had never appeared in that alley.

_

Greetings! ✨ Walnut here!

🔥 AN INCREDIBLE OFFER IS ON THE TABLE! 🔥

We're only 17 members away from our 65-member goal! 🎯

The second we hit it, 10 BONUS CHAPTERS for ALL STORIES will be released to everyone. No exceptions!

🪦 Your membership is the key. Let's make it happen!

100 powerstones = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone! 5 reviews = +1 Bonus Chapter for everyone!

Secure your early access before it's too late!

👻 patreon.com/Walnutchan