Honkai Star Rail: Corruption System

"I… I… You…"

Daziel stammered, words catching in his throat. Complete sentences felt impossible.

Is this world system that powerful? Saving the world?* he thought, bewildered.

And those rewards… ridiculously exaggerated? Definitely not savior material.

What happened to the chill harem life in another world? Even a 12+ Star Rail space comedy would be better than this!

Why did the main quest turn into this bizarre "level-up-and-save-the-world" mess?!

"I know this is a lot to take in," Kafka's voice was gentle, laced with a plea, like a soft breeze brushing his ear with irresistible tenderness. "But since I've told you all this… promise me something first? Just think of it as… a small request from Mommy."

Daziel hesitated, then sighed and nodded. "Okay, I promise."

Hurting girls, though, was a line he'd never cross.

That was Daziel's bottom line.

So far, everything he'd done had been with consent…

Relief washed over Kafka's face, as if a tremendous burden had lifted. She patted Daziel's shoulder gently, her tone lightening. "Now," she said, "my turn to ask the questions…"

"You're going to ask me questions?" Daziel blinked, then nodded slowly.

Kafka rested a hand on her chin, her eyes holding a hint of anticipation, as if hiding a secret. "My question is… would you want to do that again with me… sometime?"

"Th-that…?" Daziel's face flared crimson. He stumbled over his words, speechless.

This question… this was way off topic, wasn't it?

Just as he struggled to find an answer…

"Okay, you're not allowed to answer!" Kafka cut him off playfully. "Because if you told the truth last time, your next answer must be a lie, right? You little fool, you'd definitely follow the game's rules just like me. See? You already know the answer. But… when a mother hears her child lie, it makes her sad. So, no answer allowed!"

"You— how can you do that? Ask a question and then say I can't answer? What are you doing?" Daziel's eyes widened in protest, his voice laced with helplessness.

"Just consider it a rule break!" Kafka chuckled, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "A girl's gotta break the rules sometimes. If you're unhappy…"

She leaned close, her breath warm against Daziel's ear, voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Then keep bullying me! Weren't you being very fierce when you were bullying Mommy just now? Hmm?"

"You… woman…" Daziel's face deepened to a scorching red. He stammered, lost for words, finally just sighing in defeat. "I really can't do anything with you."

"Hehe, alright, alright, it's getting late. You should get back. Don't keep that little girl waiting up all night." Kafka clasped her hands together, looking at Daziel expectantly, her tone laced with teasing. "So? Is she pretty? Is she my first daughter-in-law? Or… not even the first?"

Probably… not even the first!

But Daziel didn't dare voice that thought.

"Okay, fine, quiet! I'm going, I'm afraid of you, okay…?" Daziel's mouth twitched, he shook his head, and turned to leave the room.

"Wait, take this with you. It's… proof of our 'first time doing something naughty'." Kafka snatched up the handcuffs Daziel had used and tossed them into his arms.

"Wait… why are you giving me these?" Daziel looked confused.

"If you get a chance, use them again next time… maybe you could get a less tight pair? My wrists are a little sore from your enthusiastic movements just now." Kafka rubbed her wrists, feigning exaggerated pain.

Daziel's lips quirked into a slight smile. He tucked the handcuffs, still faintly warm from Kafka, into his pocket. "Okay, got it. Better ones next time… wait, why did I just assume there will be a next time?!"

"Because… our Daziel can never hide anything from Mommy." Kafka reached out and gently ruffled his hair.

"Tch!" Daziel pouted, but let her hand linger.

"Go on, go on… see you next time." Kafka withdrew her hand and waved goodbye.

"Goodbye!" Daziel turned and practically fled, not daring to look back.

He was terrified Kafka would hear the frantic thumping of his heart if he stayed even a moment longer.

…

The night was deep, moonlight like liquid silver spilled across the quiet path. Beneath the moon's glow, the towering ancient trees cast long, orderly shadows, whispering secrets of impending farewells.

A cool breeze stirred through the hall, carrying away the lingering, metallic tang of battle.

Kafka casually picked up the silk stocking she'd discarded earlier, using it to wipe away traces on the table's surface.

She stepped outside, watching Daziel walk away until his figure dwindled and finally disappeared around the corner of Aurum Alley.

Even long after he was gone, Kafka remained standing in the doorway, gazing into the distance, her expression unreadable, her thoughts a mystery.

After a long silence…

Blade emerged from the room, his usual cold composure firmly in place.

He stretched his neck, muscles and bones cracking with the movement. Confirming his body was unharmed, Blade turned to Kafka, his voice even. "Hey, Kafka. Can I go now?"

"Yes. The Mara is temporarily subdued. Avoid triggers, steer clear of familiar faces, and you should be fine." Kafka nodded, a subtle warning in her tone.

"Sorry, Kafka," Blade shook his head, a flicker of resolve in his eyes. "I'm afraid I can't agree to that. There's someone… someone I owe a great deal to. I have to see them."

Kafka raised an eyebrow, then chuckled softly. "Then it's your call. Elio didn't specify what happens after this anyway."

Blade nodded, starting to turn away, then paused, his gaze falling to Kafka's bare legs, noticing the discarded silk stocking in her hand. Understanding flickered in his eyes.

He frowned, asking, "Wait, Kafka… did you actually… do that with that kid?"

Kafka spread her hands in a gesture of mock helplessness. "What could I do? Our naive savior needs his stepping stones, and I just happen to be one of them. Besides, I didn't exactly resist. The first time the Command failed to control him, I accepted my fate."

"I met him once, later on," Blade said, a hint of doubt in his voice. "He seems to have that intense sense of justice, like a fantasy drama protagonist. Are you sure he can do what Elio predicted?"

"He will," Kafka said, her tone certain. "I've already nudged him towards being a little… badder. He used to be very obedient to me, and he will be again."

Kafka, with one hand, tugged up the zipper of her long boot, still not fully fastened, and with the other, instinctively touched the area over her heart.

Like Daziel's, her own heart hadn't calmed, still thumping a frantic rhythm.

She had heard his heartbeat a long time ago. As a mother, she knew her child best.

"If he really does it," Blade sneered, "I hope he remembers you in the future. According to Elio, you're just one of his countless women."

"Maybe he'll forget you in a heartbeat," Blade continued, "after all, he doesn't remember his past now."

Kafka thought of Daziel's performance on the table…

He'd said all those crude things, called her a sow, done all those… intense things, things that still left her a little sore.

But Kafka knew it was an act. A clumsy attempt to hide the nervousness churning inside him.

Deep down, Daziel was still a shy boy. She knew his character inside and out, after all the time they'd spent together.

Such a clueless little virgin…

So easy to manipulate.

"He will remember me," Kafka murmured, her voice soft but unwavering. "No matter what kind of women he meets in the future… I will always be the most special one to him."

_____

I started a new translation, this is a DxD fanfic with several shared anime. For now, I'm stocking chapters on Patreon, and I should publish on Webnovel next week. If you don't want to wait, I've already posted 10 chapters on Patreon.

🔗 patreon.com/Walnutchan

I put a lot of love into these translations and plan to add even more over time! Let's aim for the top of the site! Who knows... maybe I'll go crazy and drop even more chapters! 🚀🔥