The Gamer who traveled to Honkai: Star Rail

Elysia could feel the Earth undergoing a transformation, and, after contemplating for a while, she smiled at Pei Guang. "Hmm~ It seems like what you're saying might be true. In that case, should I call you Planetary Chief? Or maybe Leader?"

If anyone else had made the same claims as Pei Guang, she wouldn't have believed them. But someone who could alter an entire planet in an instant and neutralize the Fragmentum's erosion? That wasn't something a human or even the Antimatter Legion could achieve.

For the people of this planet, the Antimatter Legion was one threat, and the Fragmentum spreading from the Stellaron was another. As long as the Stellaron existed, the Fragmentum would remain a constant danger.

Yet now, the Fragmentum's expansion had halted, and for the first time in ages, Elysia felt a weight lifted from her shoulders.

Belief wasn't built on words but on actions. While she was inclined to believe Pei Guang, she wasn't entirely convinced: she'd have to carefully test what kind of person he really was.

When Elysia asked how she should address him, Pei Guang casually replied, "However's easiest for you. My friends call me Ah Guang, so you can use that, my name, or whatever you prefer."

"Ah Guang?" Elysia repeated, her tone light.

"Ellie~," Pei Guang responded playfully.

Pei Guang didn't care much about titles, but what surprised him was how quickly Elysia believed his words. Normally, wouldn't an NPC refuse to believe the player until they went through a series of events to prove themselves?

When he first met March 7th, it had taken quite a while for her to trust him. Yet here Elysia was, readily accepting his claims after a brief conversation.

Such a naïve girl, he thought. She'd probably let herself be sweet-talked into starting a family soccer team with him.

Of course, Pei Guang overlooked an important fact: it wasn't just the gullible who could believe; those who were smart enough to see the truth could also place their trust. Partial belief? That was as good as full trust in Pei Guang's book. After all, in years of gaming, he'd learned that if someone believed even a little, they'd come around eventually.

The truth was, Pei Guang's demonstration left Elysia little room for doubt. The desperate state of this world only reinforced her need to rely on him. If he was even remotely a traditional hero, then for the people of Earth, he represented their only hope.

Elysia was aware that the greatest danger to humanity here wasn't a doomsday beast alone. The corrupt behavior of the upper echelons—celebrating mid-crisis with champagne—was equally disheartening.

Though she was one of the MOTHs' Flame-Chasers and wielded some influence, it wasn't enough to counteract the selfishness of the government leaders and factions with ulterior motives.

With the Antimatter Legion's attacks temporarily abated, the very organization formed to combat them—the MOTHs—was becoming a target for those same factions.

If the legion truly retreated or were defeated, Elysia would be delighted. Even though the Fragmentum's spread was worsening, she had ways to keep it under control.

If that day came, she could finally live like an ordinary girl: strolling through shopping districts, buying clothes, snacking on treats, and celebrating holidays with her companions. Power and fame? She didn't care about those at all.

However she knew that the Antimatter Legion could never truly disappear. Even if one doomsday beast were eliminated, there would still be two, three, ten, or even a hundred more across the universe.

Even with weapons specifically designed to target the doomsday beasts, it wouldn't mean much. Just a few star systems away, the legion's Lord Ravager lay in wait.

In this context, giving up might seem like the only logical choice, but Elysia wasn't ready to abandon hope. Even though the enemy was overwhelmingly powerful, Earth's humanity still had a sliver of a chance. If someone could gain the gaze of an Aeon or become a Pathstrider under a divine Path, then the possibility of preserving Earth's flame of civilization remained.

She was determined to fight alongside humanity, to challenge fate head-on. Even if they ultimately failed, Elysia believed that the will of Earth's people would endure and be passed on.

If this star system truly belonged to Pei Guang, then it was a monumental stroke of fortune. She believed him when he claimed to own this planet and star system—after all, he had no reason to lie.

Earth's limited resources weren't worth starting a war over with other civilizations or the legion. And as for the extreme possibility that Pei Guang was drawn here by her looks? She dismissed it. 

She was confident in her appearance and figure, but in a universe with billions upon billions of people, finding someone more beautiful wasn't exactly a tall order.

Eliminating all the unlikely scenarios left only the seemingly absurd as the truth: this planet—and even this star system—belonged to Pei Guang, and he was here to drive off those invading his property.

Based on this reasoning, his arrival amidst an army of legion forces meant he either possessed strength the legion dared not provoke or the power to face them head-on.

Of course, Elysia's assumption wasn't entirely correct. The truth was much simpler: Pei Guang had accidentally entered the wrong coordinates, mistaking this place for his actual domain. Since the system had assigned him what appeared to be a solar system template, he assumed it must be based on his home planet. He hadn't thought about it further.

What? Could this actually be his home? As Pei Guang always said: "No way. My people don't have such wildly colorful hair." The sheer variety of hair colors here alone confirmed to him that this wasn't his birthplace.

Meanwhile, Elysia felt a measure of relief—relief that she had acted on her instincts and requested to investigate this place personally. Had someone else come in her stead, today's events might have spiraled out of control.

Sometimes, knowing a little but not enough could lead to even greater trouble.

With her thoughts settled, Elysia firmed her resolve and extended an invitation to Pei Guang. "Ah Guang~ Since this planet is part of your domain, why not see what humanity has built over millions of years? Witness the grandeur of Earth's cities and the brilliance of its civilization."

Pei Guang's eyes lit up. "Of course, I want to see it! I've been curious about how my planet's development has turned out. I originally came early to set up a proper welcome area for my friends, but if there's something ready-made, I might as well use it."

Elysia smiled. "Then follow me. Oh, by the way, do your companions include any girls? If so, I know a perfect spot for them."

Pei Guang nodded. "Yep, two girls. Let's go straight to this great place you mentioned."

Elysia's curiosity was piqued. "Oh? And these two girls are your—?"

Pei Guang quickly corrected her. "Companions! We fight, loot, and have an absolute blast together!"

Elysia blinked, tilting her head in confusion. "?"

When Pei Guang used the term "companions," Elysia initially thought it might have been a matter of linguistic nuance or cultural difference. In her view, these two might have been his lovers, girlfriends, or close friends.

But after listening to his explanation, it really seemed like they were... actual companions? Wait, what?!

As Elysia guided Pei Guang, who had just arrived on the planet, back to the city, another significant event was unfolding elsewhere. On Earth, a dormant doomsday beast suddenly stirred.

It had detected a change on this planet—someone had broken through the legion's blockade and arrived. Whoever this person was, they clearly had a death wish. Regardless of their identity, the beast was determined to grant them the equal treatment of annihilation.

The legion intended to carry out their Aeon's aesthetic of obliteration, but before that could happen, the doomsday beast would ensure that this spark of hope daring to ignite in this world was snuffed out.

However, the doomsday beast didn't realize that this time, it was facing an old adversary. Or rather, it was Pei Guang's old adversary. For the beast, this wasn't merely a new enemy—it was its final one.

Meanwhile, aboard the Astral Express, Stelle approached a recently awakened March 7th.

"March, Ah Guang ran off to have fun again!"

March 7th stretched, checking her messages. "Oh! Ah Guang messaged me about that. He said he was heading to his planet first to check things out. Once you're awake, we can teleport over."

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go now!" Stelle urged.

"Let's move!" March 7th replied with her usual enthusiasm.

Without hesitation, the two of them activated the teleport function and appeared by Pei Guang's side. But when they arrived and saw a pink-haired girl standing next to him, March 7th froze in surprise.

Stelle, on the other hand, remained perfectly calm. A pink-haired girl, a flawless figure—hmm! Aside from their shared gender, there was no competition here. The advantage was clearly hers.