Endless darkness, like being suspended in the vacuum of space.
No sound, no light, only a weightless floating sensation.
Bai He’s consciousness flickered like a faint spark, slowly rekindling in the chaos.
“Where am I…?” she thought groggily.
The last fragments of her memory were the pink-furred fox-eared girl’s teasing smile and the portal of light that had swallowed her.
Her vision gradually cleared.
She found herself not in a void, but in what resembled a personal space.
Beneath her feet was smooth, mirror-like black ground that reflected no image, surrounded by endless darkness on all sides.
Only the small area she occupied was bathed in a soft white glow from an unknown source.
What surprised her more was a figure standing with their back to her, appearing to organize several glowing screens floating in midair.
It was a girl who looked fairly young, with silvery-white hair like moonlight woven into strands, the ends slightly curled and cascading down her back.
She wore a simple white outfit with a futuristic feel, and her frame was small and delicate.
Bai He blinked, and a mischievous impulse bubbled up like air in soda.
She crept closer on tiptoe, holding her breath, until she was almost touching that silky white hair, then suddenly leaned in and shouted: “Rua!” Wah!
The white-haired girl jumped straight up, letting out a short, startled little gasp like a frightened animal.
She spun around, her beautiful amethyst-like eyes wide open, filled with shock and a hint of annoyance, her pale cheeks instantly flushing pink.
“You…
why didn’t you say anything when you woke up!” The girl clutched her chest, glaring at Bai He with puffed cheeks.
Bai He couldn’t help but laugh at her reaction.
“Sorry, sorry, I couldn’t help it.
Hello there~ My name is Bai He.
Where is this…?” She looked around, full of curiosity.
The white-haired girl huffed and turned her face away, but quickly looked back, trying hard to put on a serious expression, though her slightly puffed cheeks made her look anything but intimidating.
“My name is Daria, and I’m your system guide spirit.
This is my…
well, my personal system space.
It’s also where you’ll temporarily stay for important operations, like claiming rewards or selecting skills.” “System guide spirit?
Daria?” Bai He’s eyes lit up.
“So that Fox Immortal was telling the truth?
I really did transmigrate, and I have a system?” “Of course it’s true!” Daria planted her hands on her hips, trying to establish authority.
“This system is very impressive!
I’m responsible for guiding you to adapt to the new world, issuing quests and rewards, and helping you…
um…
become a qualified ‘wicked sister’?” She tilted her head uncertainly at the end.
“We can talk about the ‘wicked sister’ thing later,” Bai He said cheerfully, leaning in and reaching out to pinch Daria’s cheek.
“You looked so cute when you got scared just now, Daria~” Slap!
Daria swatted away her “claws,” stepping back, her blush still lingering.
She put on a fierce warning look: “No touching!
And if you ever scare me like that again…” She raised one hand, and with a crackle, a tiny, dazzling blue spark of electricity jumped between her fingertips.
“I’ll electrocute you, you menace!” Bai He wasn’t scared at all by the spark.
If anything, she seemed more interested.
“Wow!
Daria, you can shoot lightning?
So cool!
Are all system spirits this amazing?” Daria retracted the spark and lifted her chin slightly, a hint of pride showing.
“That’s just basic stuff.
Anyway, now that you’re awake, it’s time to give you your newbie package.
It’s a transmigrator’s benefit, so cherish it!” “Newbie package!” Bai He’s eyes immediately sparkled.
She rubbed her hands together like a child anticipating a red envelope.
“Hurry, hurry, let me see what’s inside!” Daria waved her small hand, and a large, semi-transparent screen with blue flowing light appeared before Bai He.
At the center of the screen was an ornate virtual gift box, slowly rotating.
“Core content of the newbie package: choose any three initial skills or talents.” Daria pointed at the box, explaining.
“Once selected, they will bind to your soul and cannot be changed, so choose carefully.
Now, browse the list.” With her words, the gift box burst with a pop into countless tiny particles of light, then reassembled into a long, scrolling list of hundreds of skill names and brief descriptions flashing before Bai He’s eyes at dizzying speed.
“Good heavens…
so many?” Bai He was astonished.
“‘Elemental Affinity,’ ‘Weapon Master,’ ‘Basic Precognition,’ ‘Spatial Folding,’ ‘Telepathy’…
what are all these?
I’m going to have a choice paralysis!” She browsed carefully, her mind racing.
The world of Honkai: Star Rail was no peaceful playground.
Stellaron crises, Abundance abominations, the Antimatter Legion…
she couldn’t survive without some ability to protect herself.
She recalled the dangerous scenes from the game, and her identity as Robin and Sunday’s older sister.
Penacony might look like a dream, but undercurrents ran deep beneath the surface, and even the “Family” wasn’t necessarily a unified front.
“First, I need strong individual combat ability…” Her gaze locked onto one skill: [Martial Artist].
Skill Description: [Martial Artist] Origin: ???
(Suspected to be related to a game with a certain “biohazard” mode) Effects: Base Enhancement: Permanently increases the striking power, hardness, and destructive force of fists, palms, elbows, knees, and other body parts.
Unarmed combat techniques are greatly improved.
Hunter Transformation: Can actively activate the “Hunter” form.
Upon transformation, physical capabilities (strength, speed, reflexes, defense) are greatly enhanced.
The body is covered in an extremely thin but tough shimmering energy layer, and the pupils turn bright gold.
Attacks gain bonus damage against “abnormal,” “evil,” and “twisted” targets.
Form Limitation: Transformation duration and consumption depend on the host’s physical constitution and mental state.
The stronger the constitution, the longer the sustainable duration and the smaller the side effects.
(Warning: Excessive overuse may lead to physical collapse.) Note: With a mortal body, perform the feats of a hunter of gods.
Sounds cool, but be careful not to let the power consume you.
“This is the one!” Bai He didn’t hesitate.
Strong close-quarters combat ability, plus a transformation, sounded very reassuring, especially for catching enemies off guard.
She didn’t want to spend her days swinging weapons bigger than she was.
“Confirm selection [Martial Artist]?” Daria confirmed.
“Confirmed!” Bai He nodded.
On the screen, the [Martial Artist] option lit up, then transformed into a stream of light that merged into Bai He’s body.
She instantly felt a warm current surge through her entire being, especially her limbs, as if they were filled with power.
Many unarmed combat techniques and methods of generating force also appeared in her mind.
“Next, the second one…” Bai He continued browsing.
Offense alone wasn’t enough; survival came first.
In a universe full of danger, recovery ability was crucial.
Soon, she found her target: [Ultra Regeneration].
Skill Description: [Ultra Regeneration] Origin: Blessing from the Aeon of Abundance (Suspected to be related to “Abundance” power, but with its will and side effects stripped away) Effects: Rapid Healing: Greatly accelerates wound healing speed.
Minor cuts and stabs can heal within tens of seconds.
Severe injuries like broken bones can recover within hours.
Energy Repair: Consumes stamina (life energy) to accelerate the regeneration process, even allowing limb reattachment (requires a “large” amount of energy and time).
Survival Assurance: As long as there’s a breath left (meaning the life source hasn’t completely dissipated and some consciousness remains), it can sustain life and initiate a slow repair process.
Also has strong resistance to diseases, toxins, and the like.
Note: As long as you’re not completely dead, you can slowly get back up.
But be aware that regeneration consumes a “huge” amount of energy, and overuse may lead to extreme weakness.
“Pick this one!” Bai He decided immediately.
This was practically the mark of an immortal cockroach.
Paired with the constitution requirement of [Martial Artist], it was a perfect match.
Can’t die, can recover quickly, survival ability skyrockets.
The second stream of light merged into her body, and Bai He felt her cells becoming more active, brimming with vitality.
“Good, two core skills selected.” Daria recorded.
“You have one more choice.
Please consider carefully whether you need an auxiliary, functional, or special growth skill.” Bai He looked at the dazzling list and fell into hesitation again.
“Summoning”?
“Alchemy”?
“Hacking Mastery”?
“Luck Enhancement”?
Each one seemed useful.
She scratched her head, unsure.
“Daria, any suggestions?
What should I pick for the third one?” She decided to consult the local “expert.” Daria floated closer, looking at the screen.
A stream of data flashed through her amethyst-like eyes, and she pointed at a less conspicuous option near the bottom of the list.
“For a beginner, and especially for long-term development, I personally recommend this one: [Free Daily Shop].” Skill/Authority Description: [Free Daily Shop] Type: System Add-on Function Effects: Shop Unlock: Permanently unlocks a special shop entrance in the system interface.
Daily Refresh: Shop items refresh randomly every day, covering a wide variety of categories, possibly including skill books, materials, weapons (time-limited trial or permanent), consumables, and even some strange special-effect items.
Free Claim: Can claim (purchase) three items for free every day (regardless of their original price).
After three items, additional purchases require system points (obtained through completing quests).
Note: The joy of freeloading is beyond your imagination!
It’s like opening a mystery box every day!
(System points?
What are those?
No need to worry about them during the newbie phase!) “Three free things every day?
Random ones?” Bai He’s eyes turned into stars.
“That’s like opening blind boxes!
I love it!
I’ll pick this!” This kind of continuous resource acquisition clearly had more long-term value than a fixed skill.
“Confirm selection of [Free Daily Shop] authority.” Daria confirmed again.
The third stream of light, carrying a cheerful hue, merged into Bai He’s body.
She could feel that a shop icon flashing with a “¥0” symbol had appeared in her system interface.
“Newbie package core rewards distributed.
Skills and authorities bound.” Daria announced, then waved her hand again, dismissing the screen.
“Now, you’re ready to enter the new world.
The gate has been opened for you.” A familiar, softly glowing white door appeared not far from Bai He.
“Wait!” Bai He looked at Daria’s businesslike, ready-to-send-her-off demeanor, and her gaze fell on that silky silver-white hair that looked so satisfying to touch.
Her mischievous impulse stirred again.
She suddenly reached out with her “claws,” and with lightning speed, vigorously ruffled Daria’s little head twice.
“Ah!
Thank you, Daria!
You’re the cutest and most reliable system spirit in the whole world!” Bai He said cheerfully.
Wah!
“You…
you again!” Daria was caught off guard, her hair sticking up in all directions like an angry kitten.
She let out that startled Hah!
gasp again, sparks crackling between her fingertips.
“Bai He!
You menace!
Get in there now!” Bai He laughed heartily, satisfied, and turned to stride toward the gate.
She waved back at Daria without looking.
“I know, I know!
See you next time, little sparky Daria~” With curiosity about the new world, a hint of nervousness, and the excitement of her newfound power, Bai He stepped through the gate.
…
Bright white light engulfed her once more, but this time it felt different from being forcibly shoved through.
It felt more like a gentle teleportation.
The weightlessness and dizziness returned, but much milder than before.
After what felt like an instant, or perhaps an eternity, her consciousness resurfaced.
Her original name was Bai He, but now, in this world, she was Mercy.
The first thing she noticed was the difference in her body.
It was much smaller and softer, with delicate limbs.
She was lying on something soft, her nose filled with a warm, comforting scent, like sun-dried cotton mixed with sweet floral and fruity notes.
She moved her fingers and slowly opened her eyes.
What greeted her was an ornately decorated ceiling, with soft lighting simulating the glow of early morning.
She was lying in a child’s bed with soft goose-yellow sheets.
The room was spacious, filled with various cute plush toys and brightly colored furniture.
Abstract, childlike paintings hung on the walls.
She propped herself up on her arms and sat up, feeling something strange at the back of her head.
It was itchy, as if something extra was there.
She reached up instinctively and touched…
soft feathers.
A pair of small wings, like those of a baby bird, grew on either side of the back of her head.
“This is…
a Halovian’s halo?” Mercy realized immediately.
She couldn’t wait to climb out of bed and run barefoot to the full-length mirror in the corner of the room.
The mirror reflected a little girl around five or six years old.
Her skin was fair, her features delicate as a porcelain doll, with traces of her previous life’s appearance in her brows and eyes, but much prettier, carrying an otherworldly, ethereal quality.
The most striking feature was the pair of pure white, fluffy little wings behind her head, trembling slightly with her movements.
She wore a comfortable white nightgown, looking like a little angel.
“I really did become a Halovian child…
and Robin and Sunday’s older sister…” Mercy looked at herself in the mirror, her feelings complicated.
There was novelty, excitement, and a hint of uncertainty about the unknown.
Just then, the door creaked open a crack, and a little head peeked in.
It was a girl of a similar age, with short, slightly curled sky-blue hair styled cutely, and big sapphire-like eyes looking in with curiosity and a hint of shyness.
Behind her head, there was also a pair of small, white halo wings.
It was unmistakably a young Robin!
Little Robin was carefully holding a delicate small plate in her hands, on which sat a soft, fluffy cream cake topped with fresh strawberries.
Seeing that Mercy was already standing in front of the mirror, she seemed to relax a little.
In a soft, slightly nasal little voice, she said, “Sister…
you’re awake?
Mom bought really tasty cake and asked me to bring you a piece.
Brother Sunday is already waiting for us downstairs.” She smiled, bright and innocent, like a little sun.
Mercy looked at this tiny, future galactic songstress, and her heart melted instantly, as if wrapped in a soft cloud.
This was her little sister!
A living, moving, smiling Robin who brought her cake!
She immediately turned around, a big smile spreading across her face.
She stepped forward and, without a word, opened her arms to embrace little Robin, along with the cake in her hands, in a gentle but warm hug.
“Mm!
Sister knows!
Thank you, our little Robin~” Mercy’s voice unconsciously became incredibly tender.
She nuzzled Robin’s soft cheek.
“The cake looks delicious.
Let’s go downstairs and share it with Brother Sunday and Mom, okay?” Little Robin was a bit stunned by her sister’s sudden hug, but then her smile grew even brighter, and she nodded enthusiastically.
“Okay~” Mercy let her go, took the small plate from her hands, and naturally took her soft little hand.
“Shall we go, then?” Mm!
Robin held her sister’s hand tightly in return.
The two sisters walked hand in hand out of the room.
Outside was a hallway carpeted with soft rugs, decorated in an elegant and cozy style, clearly a well-off household.
They descended the spiral staircase and arrived at the spacious living room.
In the living room, sunlight streamed through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, making the space bright and warm.
A little boy in a little gentleman’s shirt and suspenders sat quietly on the sofa, intently reading a book with illustrations that were bigger than his small hands.
He had light blue hair, and the halo behind his head was a pale gold, already taking the shape of the future neat ring.
His expression was focused, with a composure beyond his years.
This was a young Sunday.
Hearing footsteps on the stairs, Sunday looked up and saw Mercy and Robin coming down hand in hand.
He closed his book and placed it on his lap, giving Mercy a slight nod.
His tone was calm and polite: “Good morning, Sister.” Mercy looked at her little brother, already acting like a little grown-up, and found him both amusing and adorable.
She smiled and replied, “Good morning, Sunday.
What are you reading?” “A picture book about myths and legends from different civilizations across the stars,” Sunday answered, his gaze falling on the cake Mercy was carrying.
“Mother said we would have tea together after you woke up.” Just then, an elegant woman in a long dress walked out from the adjacent open kitchen.
She was beautiful, with a gentle and graceful demeanor.
Her blue hair was tied in a loose bun at the back of her head, and her halo was mature, spreading out like wings.
Her features bore a striking resemblance to the adult Robin’s, but with more of the tenderness and love that came with age.
She carried a tray in her hands with black tea and several delicate cups.
Seeing all three children in the living room, she smiled warmly.
“You’re all up?
Perfect, the tea is ready.” Mercy looked at this unfamiliar woman, yet one who felt deeply familiar from the original body’s buried memories.
A flood of memories surged forth at just the right moment: warm embraces, gentle lullabies, bedtime stories, and love for this family and her little siblings…
These emotions were so real that they instantly filled the strangeness and unease she had felt upon arriving.
She put down the cake plate and, like a happy little bird, ran over and threw her arms around her mother’s waist, burying her face in her fragrant dress.
In a childlike, coaxing voice, she said, “Thank you, Mom~ The cake looks so good!
You’re the best, Mom!” Her mother was briefly startled by her daughter’s sudden, unusually enthusiastic hug.
Then her eyes softened with even deeper affection.
She set down the tray and gently hugged Mercy back, stroking her hair and the soft little wings behind her head.
“Good girl.
Why are you being so clingy today, Mercy?
Did you have a nice dream?” Mercy shook her head vigorously in her mother’s embrace, her voice muffled: “I didn’t have a nice dream, but seeing Mom, seeing Robin and Sunday, makes me so happy, happier than eating cake!” Robin also ran over and hugged her mother’s other leg, looking up with her little face: “Mom, I’m happy too!” Though Sunday was still sitting on the sofa, watching his mother, sister, and little sister, the corner of his mouth curved upward into a tiny, almost imperceptible smile.
Their mother looked at her daughters gathered around her, and her son sitting quietly nearby, her eyes filled with happiness and gentle warmth.
“Good, good.
Mom is very happy too.
Come, let’s sit down together and have tea and cake.” Sunlight filled the living room.
The fragrance of tea mixed with the sweetness of cake, accompanied by the cheerful chatter of the children (mostly Mercy and Robin) and their mother’s gentle responses, painted a warm and beautiful family scene.
Mercy sat on the soft sofa, taking small bites of the delicious cake, watching little Robin sip her tea, Sunday quietly reading, and their mother smiling as she refilled their cups.
She felt a strange sense of satisfaction and belonging.
The world of Honkai: Star Rail…
seemed to be starting off in a pretty wonderful way.
And she, Mercy, as the eldest daughter of this family, the elder sister of Robin and Sunday, her story had officially begun.
What kind of waves would this “wicked sister,” armed with the power of [Martial Artist] and the [Free Daily Shop], stir up in Penacony and among the “Family”?
She licked the cream off the corner of her lips, a hint of cunning and anticipation flickering in her eyes, far beyond her apparent age.