Honkai Star Rail: Survive. Adapt. Overcome.

The atmosphere at the mine entrance was tense. The traces of a recent fight lingered in the air.

Bloodstains covered some rocks, broken tools were scattered across the ground, and several structures seemed to have been damaged in the conflict.

The group advanced cautiously, analyzing the scene.

"This doesn't look good…"

March 7th frowned as she looked around.

"Too much destruction for just a scuffle between miners and vagrants."

Dan Heng nodded.

"This doesn't seem like a simple fight. Something more serious happened here."

Seele examined the combat traces with a grimace.

"Tch… I didn't think things had escalated this much."

Before they could discuss further, a familiar voice interrupted them.

"Oh, thank goodness you're here!"

Natasha came running from an improvised camp near the mine entrance.

Her relieved expression focused on Aleph first.

"Aleph! Are you okay? I heard rumors that you were seen near the conflict zone."

Aleph scratched the back of his neck, looking slightly embarrassed, and nodded.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Actually…"

He pulled out a bag of supplies and handed it to her.

"This is for you. It took me longer than I expected to get them, but here they are."

Natasha blinked in surprise before taking the bag and inspecting it.

Her expression softened.

"…You did a good job. Thank you, Aleph."

Aleph felt a small wave of happiness upon seeing Natasha's grateful smile.

A pang of relief hit him—Seele had arrived at the perfect time. If he hadn't been able to find supplies…

He preferred not to imagine the consequences.

March 7th looked at them curiously.

"Since when are you her employee?"

"I'm not her employee! I just… owed her a favor."

Dan Heng raised an eyebrow.

"Huh, so you do have some sense of responsibility after all."

Aleph scoffed.

"…Shut up."

Seele interrupted their conversation.

"Natasha, what's happening here?"

Natasha sighed, her expression turning serious again.

"What you know is the same as what we know. Miners and vagrants clashed over a mineral vein. Wildfire tried to mediate, but the fight escalated too much. Now we have too many injured and too few resources to treat them."

Stelle looked around, noticing several people being treated by Natasha's assistants.

"How many wounded are there?"

"More than I expected."

Natasha sighed as she closed the supply bag.

"Many aren't in any condition to fight, but if this keeps up, we might have more casualties before the day is over."

Seele clenched her fists.

"Tch… Damn it. We can't let this continue."

Dan Heng crossed his arms.

"The only way to resolve this is to go straight to the source of the problem."

Natasha looked at them with concern.

"If you're going in, be careful. We don't know how bad things have gotten in there."

Aleph gave her a confident smile.

"Don't worry. We'll make sure we don't come back in pieces."

Natasha stared at him for a moment before sighing.

"You better."

With those words, the group prepared to head into the mine.

***********

The inside of the mine was dark and damp, lit only by a few flickering lamps hanging from the ceiling.

The sound of dripping water and the echo of footsteps against the stone made the atmosphere feel even more tense.

"This place gives me a bad feeling…"

March 7th murmured as she walked cautiously.

Seele, leading the way, nodded with a frown.

"The tension between the miners and the vagrants has always been high, but I've rarely seen it escalate to something like this."

Dan Heng analyzed the tracks on the ground.

"The marks suggest there was a confrontation here, but there's no blood."

Aleph took a closer look at the walls.

"This wasn't just a fight between groups. There are impacts on the rock, like something much stronger was here."

Just as the group began to suspect something wasn't right, they heard voices ahead.

"Get off your pedestal, princess!"

The mocking, resentful tone made them all stop in their tracks.

Stelle was the first to react, dashing toward the voice.

When they arrived at the scene, they found a group of vagrants surrounding a lone figure.

Bronya.

The heiress of Belobog stood her ground, firmly holding her rifle.

The vagrants around her looked at her with contempt.

"What's someone like you doing in this dump?"

"Came to see up close how the trash abandoned by the Upper City lives?"

"Or do you think a few pretty words will make us forget what was done to us?"

Bronya remained calm, but anyone could tell the situation was precarious.

Seele didn't hesitate and stepped forward.

"Back off from her!"

Her firm voice echoed, making some of the vagrants turn toward her.

Aleph crossed his arms and let out a chuckle.

"Well, well. Never thought I'd see the day when someone felt bold enough to corner an armed soldier."

The vagrants frowned, annoyed by the interruption.

"This isn't your business."

"When you try to gang up on someone, it becomes our business!"

March 7th said, crossing her arms.

Bronya frowned and slightly lowered her weapon, assessing the situation.

Seele stepped forward, standing beside Bronya.

"I don't know what you're trying to accomplish here, but if you think attacking a single person will change anything, then you're more desperate than I thought."

One of the vagrants stepped closer, his face twisted with anger.

"So what?! People like her left us here to die!"

Aleph took a step forward.

"And what do you think will happen if you attack her? Will you feel better? Will it prove something? Or do you really believe this makes you any better than them?"

The vagrants fell silent for a moment.

Dan Heng sighed.

"If you really hate the Upper City, you should focus your energy on something more productive than this."

Bronya finally spoke up.

"I came here to understand the truth behind this conflict. If you truly believe that those above don't care about you, then let me prove you wrong."

The vagrants exchanged glances, clearly divided.

In the end, one of them scoffed and took a step back.

"Tsk… I don't want to waste any more time on this."

One by one, they began to disperse, though the resentment in their eyes remained.

Once they were finally alone, Bronya sighed and looked at them.

"I wasn't expecting to run into you here."

March 7th stretched a little.

"Same here. What are you doing here, Bronya?"

Bronya put away her rifle and looked at the mine seriously.

"Trying to understand what's going on."

Seele crossed her arms.

"And what's your conclusion so far?"

Bronya sighed.

"The dispute started when the miners discovered a large mineral vein. Fearing that others would take most of the profits, they tried to keep it a secret."

She pointed toward the deeper part of the mine.

"But the vagrants found out and decided they weren't going to let them have it. The fight escalated too quickly, and Wildfire tried to intervene, but by that point, there was already too much hostility between both groups."

Dan Heng nodded slowly.

"That explains the tension… but it doesn't explain what we saw outside."

Bronya pressed her lips together.

"That's the problem. Just when the fight reached its peak… something happened."

March 7th raised an eyebrow.

"Something?"

Bronya looked down the path leading to the vein.

"Robots. They suddenly appeared and drove everyone out. Not just the vagrants and miners… but Wildfire as well."

Aleph frowned.

"Robots? From where?"

Bronya looked at Seele.

"…Svarog."

Seele tensed.

"What? Svarog took the vein?"

Bronya nodded.

"He did it in a way that no one could stop him. He didn't destroy the mine, didn't leave anyone seriously injured, but he made it clear that the vein now belongs to him."

Dan Heng closed his eyes for a moment.

"Then this is no longer just a conflict between miners and vagrants. There's a third player on the board now."

Stelle glanced at Seele.

"Who's Svarog?"

Seele grimaced before answering.

"An extremely advanced robot. He controls a group of machines in the Underworld and has been protecting the survivors for years… but under his own rules."

March 7th blinked.

"So, is he an ally or an enemy?"

Seele crossed her arms.

"That depends on the situation, though he's pretty hostile toward Wildfire. But one thing's for sure—if Svarog decided the vein is his, he won't give it up easily."

Aleph sighed.

"So, what do we do now?"

Seele looked at Bronya with a serious expression.

"We go deeper into the mine and take back the vein before he locks it down completely."

Bronya nodded.

"If we really want to resolve this conflict, we need answers. And the only way to get them is by facing Svarog head-on."

The group prepared to move forward.

*************

The air inside the mine grew denser as they advanced.

The rocky walls were uneven, and in some areas, there were clear signs of recent, hastily done excavations.

Bronya, Seele, and Aleph took the lead, while Dan Heng, Stelle, and March 7th covered the rear.

Each of them kept their weapons at the ready.

"If the miners and vagrants have already been driven out, we should encounter less resistance… in theory."

Dan Heng commented in an analytical tone.

"In theory," Aleph repeated with a grimace. "But in my experience, when things seem too easy, it usually means we're walking straight into a trap."

Seele scoffed.

"For the first time, I actually agree with you."

March 7th tilted her head curiously.

"Since when do you two get along so well?"

"I don't get along with him!" Seele immediately snapped, looking irritated.

Aleph shrugged with a grin.

"What she means is that she's slowly realizing my incredible charisma and charm."

Seele shot him a sharp glare.

"If you keep talking, I swear I'll knock you out and pretend we never met."

March 7th giggled.

"Aww, how cute. Give it a couple more days, and you'll be calling each other by cute nicknames."

"That's not happening!" Seele shouted.

"If that made any sense, shouldn't you and him be a better match? When you two fought a few hours ago, it really felt like someone should've told you to get a room."

"Me? With her/him? Not in their wildest dreams!"

March 7th and Aleph spoke at the same time.

Dan Heng sighed.

"Focus. There's movement ahead."

The joke ended in an instant.

The group tensed as they spotted a group of miners further ahead.

They didn't seem armed, but from the looks on their faces, they were clearly terrified.

"Something's not right," Bronya said, furrowing her brow.

The miners flinched at their presence, stepping back as if ready to flee.

"We're not your enemies!"

Seele raised her hands in a calming gesture.

"We're here to stop this conflict before anyone else gets hurt."

One of the miners, an older man with scarred hands from years of labor, eyed her warily.

"And what guarantees that you won't harm us?"

Bronya stepped forward.

"I didn't come here to hurt anyone. I came to understand the truth behind this dispute and prevent further fighting."

The older man studied her for a moment before speaking.

"We… just wanted what was rightfully ours. We worked hard in this mine. But when the vagrants found out, everything spiraled out of control."

Another miner, younger, clenched his fists.

"They attacked us! They tried to take what belongs to us!"

Seele frowned.

"That bunch of freeloaders… figures."

The younger miner averted his gaze, avoiding a response.

Before the conversation could continue, a noise echoed from the cave's entrance.

The miners tensed.

"They found us!"

Before anyone could react, a group of vagrants appeared at the mine's entrance.

Some carried improvised weapons—pipes, metal bars, shovels, and a few sharp tools. Others had real weapons, though rusty or cracked.

The tension exploded in an instant.

"Those bastards are trying to make a deal with the Guard!"

One of the vagrants shouted angrily as he stepped forward.

The miners huddled together nervously, unarmed and defenseless.

"We didn't come here to fight!"

Bronya shouted, but the vagrants were already too agitated to listen to reason.

"Because of you, Wildfire left us behind!"

"You stole the little we had!"

The shouting grew louder.

Aleph sighed as he stretched his arms.

"Are you telling me we came here to stop a fight and ended up in another one?"

Seele frowned.

"If we don't do something fast, this will turn into a bloodbath."

Dan Heng nodded.

"We have no choice."

Seele stepped forward, glaring at the vagrants.

"I'll give you one warning."

She clenched her fists.

"If you cross this line with the intent to attack, we will stop you."

One of the vagrants spat on the ground.

"And what are you gonna do, huh?! You won't stop us that easily!"

March 7th smiled confidently.

"Oh, buddy… you just made a huge mistake."

The vagrants didn't understand until it was too late.

************

The vagrants didn't wait any longer and charged.

Aleph, Seele, and the others sprang into action immediately.

Stelle moved first, blocking a vagrant's pipe strike with her bat.

"Let me show you what a real blunt weapon can do."

The impact echoed through the mine, kicking up dust and small rocks as the vagrant was sent flying.

Dan Heng smoothly dodged an attack, sidestepping before striking with the base of his spear, disarming one of the assailants.

March 7th fired an ice arrow, pinning two enemies to the ground.

Bronya used her rifle to shoot an energy projectile that exploded midair, forcing the vagrants to retreat.

Aleph moved swiftly, blocking an incoming strike aimed at the miners with a quick counterattack.

The vagrants soon realized something.

They were completely outmatched.

Seele was the last to move.

She appeared behind the vagrants' leader in a blink, her scythe glowing with a blue light.

"Still want to continue?"

Her tone was as sharp as her weapon.

The leader swallowed hard.

"...Tch. Damn it."

He gestured to the others.

"We're leaving!"

One by one, the vagrants retreated, disappearing into the tunnels.

The fight was over.

But before they could relax, a loud rumble echoed through the mine.

The ground trembled beneath their feet.

"What was that?"

March 7th asked, on high alert.

Bronya frowned.

"I don't know, but I don't like this at all."

The miners exchanged nervous glances.

Seele hardened her expression.

"We have to get to the ore vein."

Dan Heng nodded.

"If the fight drew too much attention, we could be in trouble."

Aleph decided to talk to Burroughs.

"Do you detect anything?"

[Warning: Unusual energy source detected in the vein.]

Aleph clenched his teeth.

"Yeah, we're definitely in trouble."

Stelle spun her bat.

"Then let's move."

Without wasting any more time, the group pressed deeper into the mine.

The passage narrowed as they descended.

The air grew heavier, a faint metallic sheen reflecting off the walls.

When they finally reached the vein, they were met with an army of robots.

Not simple mining machines, but reinforced automatons patrolling the area with precise movements.

Seele's eyes widened in surprise.

Before she could react, a mechanical voice echoed through the cavern.

A massive figure emerged from the mine's shadows.

A towering metal colossus with an imposing silhouette and a single glowing red eye in the center of its face.

A barefoot girl with white hair and red eyes stood beside it.

Bronya clenched her fists.

"This is bad."

Aleph felt a chill run down his spine.

"Burroughs…?"

[Warning: Extremely high threat level. Recommendation: Do not engage in direct combat. This enemy is out of your league. He is what prevents anyone from returning to the surface.]

Aleph sighed.

"Of course, it wasn't going to be easy."

Svarog gazed at them, emotionless.

[Leave. There is no need for conflict.]

Seele gritted her teeth.

"This vein doesn't belong to you!"

[All resources in the Underworld must be managed for survival.]

Svarog's voice was cold and calculated.

Dan Heng crossed his arms.

"...That's logical."

March 7th looked at him in disbelief.

"Whose side are you on?!"

Dan Heng ignored the question.

"But, Svarog… you're ignoring the root of the problem."

Svarog remained silent.

Stelle stepped forward.

"What do you plan to do with the vein?"

[Resources will be distributed according to the optimal calculations for Underworld's survival.]

Seele frowned.

"And what about Wildfire? They protect Underworld too!"

[Wildfire is an uncontrollable variable. Independent operations do not guarantee optimal results.]

Bronya stepped forward.

"So… you have no intention of yielding."

Svarog turned his mechanical eye toward her.

[Affirmative. I will not yield.]

Aleph felt a heavy weight in his chest.

"This isn't going to end well."

Svarog's robots began to move.

[Leave the area. This is your final warning.]

Dan Heng sighed.

"…Looks like we're not leaving without a fight."

Stelle spun her bat.

"Then let's fight."

Seele gripped her scythe.

"I'm ready."

Bronya adjusted her rifle.

"I won't let them drive us out of our own home."

Aleph closed his eyes for a moment before opening them with a tense smile.

"Well, I guess a little exercise won't hurt."

The robots activated all at once.

The battle for the vein was about to begin.

**********************************************************************************************

Chapter 6 is already about halfway written, so there's not much left to finish Jarillo-VI.

Ahhh, I'm a mess—I haven't even finished this fanfic, and I'm already planning one for Honkai Impact 3rd.