Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

Topaz's gaze fixed on the communicator, the screen's cold light reflecting in her pupils, making them tighten slightly.

The caller ID displayed a name that sent a tremor through her fingertips, and the device nearly slipped from her grasp.

She subconsciously glanced towards the washroom. The door was slightly ajar, and in the quiet, the persistent drip of the faucet echoed clearly.

Her chapped lips pressed together, her throat tight, but finally, she tapped the answer button.

"Hello?" Her voice emerged hoarse, as if dragged from the depths of her chest.

"Topaz, mission progress report."

A deep, male voice resonated from the other end, distorted by a modulator that added a harsh electronic static to his tone.

Topaz's fingers unconsciously worried at the edge of the communicator, her knuckles stark white with pressure.

Silence stretched for a few seconds before she responded, her voice low, "Mission complete. The debt was settled by the Nameless of the Astral Express."

"Oh? The Nameless?"

The male voice chuckled, the electronic distortion making his laughter sound particularly grating. "Did they get their brains scrambled by a door panel, doing something like this… oh well, no matter who paid, as long as the money's in hand."

Topaz bit down on her lower lip, a metallic tang of blood rising to her tongue.

Releasing her lip, she drew a deep breath, her voice still trembling slightly. "About this year's supplies, could you prioritize our planet? Deliveries have been delayed… And the job assignments for our people, could they be… a little lighter?"

As she spoke, she reached for her mouthwash cup and started brushing her teeth.

The toothbrush moved in a mechanical rhythm inside her mouth, foam quickly bubbling over her lips.

She leaned over the sink and spat out a thick, white, toothpaste-laced fluid – the remnants of last night, still clinging to her throat, carrying a lingering, fishy odor.

"Hmm… I'll consider it."

The male voice responded dismissively, devoid of any warmth.

Topaz placed the mouthwash cup on the counter with a heavier thud than intended, cleared her throat, and tried to steady her voice. "Thank you, sir."

A tremor of suppressed emotion edged into her tone.

A sharp "beep" cut through the line as the call abruptly ended.

Topaz's hand went limp, and the communicator slid from her fingers, landing on the floor with a muted thunk.

A wave of exhaustion seemed to drain her strength. She slowly sank down, crouching on the floor, and covered her face with her hands, tears pushing their way between her fingers, tracing wet paths down her wrists.

Topaz couldn't pinpoint the reason for her tears. Was it the humiliation of the previous night, the precarious future of her planet, or perhaps a tangled knot of both?

Her shoulders shook with suppressed sobs, broken and ragged, as if forced from her chest – like a hurt child with no one to offer comfort.

After a long silence, her crying gradually faded, leaving only sporadic, shuddering breaths.

Topaz stood, walked to the sink, and turned on the cold faucet. The water splashed onto her face, mingling with tears and swirling down the drain. Then, she walked out of the washroom.

She saw that Daziel was gone. On the bed lay the clothes she'd worn the day before, neatly folded.

The sight of the folded clothes sparked a faint warmth within Topaz.

She went to the dressing mirror and stared at her reflection – a stranger staring back, eyes filled with shame.

Her silver hair was a mess, the marks from the tight collar still stubbornly visible on her neck. The character '正' (zheng - count) was scrawled at the root of her thigh in marker – she'd scrubbed at it in the washroom, but it wouldn't budge…

After a long moment before the mirror, Topaz finally inhaled deeply, turned, and went to get dressed.

...

Astral Express.

March 7th, who hadn't slept a wink all night, paced restlessly in her room, a knot of unease tightening in her stomach.

The usually meticulous beauty now sported prominent dark circles under her eyes, but she was too preoccupied to care.

She checked her phone repeatedly for messages from Daziel, each time met with disappointment.

"Where on earth did that guy go…"

March 7th muttered to herself, her voice laced with worry.

Suddenly, a knock echoed at the door.

"Knock knock knock…"

March 7th's heart leaped. She hurried to the door and flung it open.

Daziel stood in the doorway.

He looked tired, his usual vibrancy dimmed.

"Daziel! You're back!" March 7th exclaimed, relief making her eyes water.

"Yeah, I'm back," Daziel replied, his tone even.

"Where did you disappear to last night? Why didn't you answer my messages?"

March 7th pressed, a hint of reproach in her voice.

"I… I had some things to take care of. When I saw your message and knew you were worried, I came back to find you as soon as I was finished," Daziel said, his eyes flickering away.

"What things? More important than replying to my messages?" March 7th persisted.

"That… I'll explain later," Daziel deflected, not wanting March 7th to know about the night before.

"You…" March 7th started to question further, but then bit back her words.

She just looked at Daziel, her gaze filled with a tangle of emotions.

"Never mind, it's just good you're back," March 7th finally said, her tone laced with worry and a touch of helplessness. "That Topaz… she didn't bully you, did she?"

"Bully… Don't worry, she didn't bully me."

Daziel nodded and stepped into the room.

March 7th watched Daziel's retreating back, doubts still swirling in her mind.

She couldn't shake the feeling that Daziel was hiding something, but if he wasn't going to tell her, she didn't know how to ask.

"Forget it, don't dwell on it. As long as he's safe."

March 7th reassured herself internally.

She closed the door, then turned to Daziel. "Are you hungry? I'll get you something to eat."

"Yeah, sounds good."

Daziel said, he was indeed feeling hungry.

March 7th opened the door and headed for the train crew's kitchen.

Daziel sat on March 7th's bed, noticing the faint dampness and tear tracks on her pillow. He instantly understood.

He could guess that March 7th hadn't slept well at all.

"I'm sorry, Little March," Daziel murmured under his breath.

...

Train car.

Night was a dense, inky black. The vast universe and starry river seemed close enough to touch, drifting slowly past the Astral Express's transparent porthole.

Daziel sat alone on the plush sofa, his gaze calmly directed towards the endless starscape beyond the window, but inside, his thoughts churned like the celestial river before him, restless and surging.

The situation was this: Belobog's debt crisis was resolved, and the city was now on the path to recovery.

When Bronya learned that Daziel had truly provided the funds, she was overcome with emotion, tears welling in her eyes. She grabbed Daziel's hand, promising they would repay the debt as soon as possible.

Daziel waved it off. He didn't realistically expect Belobog to ever repay the sum, and simply told Bronya to relax and take their time.

Topaz had successfully completed the challenging project, not only maintaining her position but even receiving commendations from her superiors. The welfare benefits she'd requested for her home planet were also approved and implemented.

He just wondered what kind of expressions they would wear when they inevitably crossed paths again in the future…

Among the Express crew, Danheng remained indifferent to the resolution of the matter, while March 7th had been solely focused on Daziel's well-being.

Mr. Yang and Himeko were both intrigued by the origin of Daziel's sudden wealth. Daziel vaguely explained that he'd borrowed it from another friend.

Though neither seemed convinced by the explanation, thankfully, they didn't press the issue further.

The matter was, in essence, settled.

"But... this kind of resolution, is it really… not absurd?"

Daziel murmured to himself, his voice barely audible in the quiet train car.

He was questioning himself, and perhaps also the cold, mechanical voice that echoed only in his mind.

____________

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