Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

The jarring buzz of his phone vibrated against the pillow, an insistent insect drone dragging Daziel back to consciousness.

He blinked his eyes open, vision blurring then sharpening on the familiar scene of March 7th's room.

Soft mattress, pink curtains, and the warm curve pressed against his side –

March 7th was nestled beside him, her breathing soft and even in sleep.

Ever since that night he'd carried her to her room and ended up sleeping beside her, Daziel had made a habit of sneaking in from his cramped storage compartment in the dead of night.

Compared to the cold, unyielding cardboard box, this offered not only a plush, spacious bed, but also a warm, pliant March 7th...

In every conceivable way, this was the superior option.

March 7th's Corruption Value was also climbing steadily, now registering at 64%.

While the increase wasn't as explosive as that frantic night with Topaz, it was a consistent, gentle rise.

Daziel had once resisted the notion of raising character Corruption Values, but now…

Though Little March might voice strong objections, her body communicated a different truth.

Daziel reasoned that this wasn't truly a violation of his principles.

"Mmm…"

A soft sigh escaped March 7th's lips.

She shifted, her head nestling into his chest with the trusting languor of a kitten.

A faint smile touched the corners of Daziel's mouth as he gazed down at March 7th, sleeping peacefully in his arms. He gently brushed a stray strand of hair from her forehead before reaching for the phone on the nightstand.

The screen displayed an unknown number. Daziel frowned, a flicker of unease stirring within him.

He answered the call, lowering his voice to avoid disturbing the still-sleeping March 7th.

"Hello?"

A drawling female voice drifted from the other end, laced with playful intrigue. "Hi, Ah-Qiong, did you sleep well? ... Or perhaps I should call you Daziel now?"

Daziel's eyes snapped wide open, sleep instantly banished.

He recognized Kafka's voice immediately.

Could this be the companion mission, "Letter from a Strange Woman"...?

Daziel's grip tightened on the phone, his knuckles paling slightly.

He glanced cautiously towards the door, confirming their privacy before lowering his voice further. "Kafka? How did you get my number?"

A light chuckle, like wind chimes, drifted through the line. Kafka's voice remained soft, but with an undercurrent of undeniable purpose. "Does it truly matter? I simply need to… ask for your help. You wouldn't refuse, would you?"

Daziel's brow furrowed deeper, his tone laced with skepticism. "You say you're Kafka, but are you really? This could easily be some voice modulator. After all, I don't have Kafka's number."

Silence hung in the air for a moment, then Kafka's soft laughter returned, tinged with playful exasperation. "It seems you still doubt me, Daziel."

Immediately after, a video call request flashed across his screen.

Daziel was taken aback. Again, the plot was deviating from his memories?

In the original storyline, Kafka had sent a text, then proven her identity with a chest photo. Now, it was a direct video call?

He hesitated. He was only in his boxers – wouldn't a video call be… awkward?

"You wouldn't be just waking up, and completely… unclothed, would you?"

Kafka's voice purred again, a playful tease. "Just answer it when I tell you to. What haven't I already seen from you when I woke you up? What are you suddenly getting shy about?"

A faint flush warmed Daziel's cheeks. This woman truly had no filter.

He took a deep breath and finally answered the video call.

Kafka's image resolved on the screen, clear and sharp.

She wore her signature black coat over a white shirt, black tights, and purple stockings. The round-framed sunglasses perched on her head added a touch of playful nonchalance.

A playful smile curved her lips as she leaned back languidly in her chair, the background suggesting a dimly lit room.

"Is this proof enough for you?" Kafka's voice held a smile.

Daziel nodded quickly, his eyes flickering away. "Enough, enough. It's really you."

"But you… you've kept yourself in excellent shape~ Not bad, just like before... but who is that nestled beside you? Intriguing. Planning to find me a daughter-in-law?"

Kafka's gaze drifted over Daziel, head tilting in feigned curiosity, as if trying to peer into the scene beside him.

Daziel's face flushed crimson at her words. "Can you just get to the point? Stop talking about this."

Kafka chuckled lightly, her smile fading, her tone turning serious. "Blade's Mara-struck state is becoming critical."

Daziel froze, stunned.

"But you know," Kafka continued, her voice carrying a note of weary understanding, "the Xianzhou's wanted order for him hasn't been rescinded. He's still a top-priority fugitive."

Kafka sighed faintly, her tone hinting at helplessness. "I can't leave him until he recovers. So… I need your help now, Daziel."

"How do you want me to help?" Daziel asked, brows furrowed.

"Naturally, you come to me."

Kafka's voice was gentle, persuasive. "I'll send you the coordinates."

Just as Daziel was about to press for details, his phone buzzed with a text message, displaying a set of coordinates.

"You must come. I'll be waiting~"

With those subtly charged words, Kafka ended the call.

Daziel stared at his phone screen, a knot of confusion tightening in his stomach.

He tried to text back, to ask for more information, but the chat window flashed an error message: "Sending error. Chat partner does not exist."

Daziel sighed, rubbing his forehead.

This enigmatic woman Kafka, always shrouded in mystery…

According to his memory of the original storyline, Kafka had initially contacted him via text, her identity confirmed by a suggestive photo. Not this… brazen video call.

Knowing the plot's trajectory, he knew the Stellaron Hunters weren't enemies of the Astral Express crew.

Yet, the "Letter from a Strange Woman" mission unfolded quite early in the narrative. When interacting with Kafka then, many dialogue options still reflected a degree of hostility.

There were even two distinct endings for this quest: refusing Kafka's requests five times, achieving a "true free will" ending, or choosing to assist her…

So, what attitude should he adopt toward this… cheap "Mom" of his?

Should he be amicable, cooperative? Or…

Should he make choices designed to provoke and frustrate her?

In the original game, neither choice seemed to drastically alter the overarching narrative. Would it be the same in this world?

Daziel sank into thought.

"What's wrong?"

March 7th's voice, still laced with sleepiness, broke through his reverie.

Daziel turned to see her awake, rubbing sleep from her eyes, looking at him with gentle concern.

"Nothing," Daziel said, shaking his head. He didn't want to worry her. "Just a… wrong number."

_________

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