Chapter 36: The Trailblazer's Secret! A Monumental Scene Reawakens!
In Little Gui Zi's live stream, the tension was palpable. After an intense battle where Himeko's railgun provided critical support, the Creation Engine finally powered down temporarily. But this victory was fleeting—just the first step in a much larger fight.
Cocolia still hovered above the machine, her presence looming as the true threat.
At that moment, Stelle exchanged glances with her companions and leaped into action, climbing the massive steel arm of the Creation Engine like a bridge. "I've got your back!" Bronya called out, picking off every enemy that dared to block their path with pinpoint accuracy.
Suddenly, the Creation Engine roared back to life, its arm tilting vertically and sending Stelle sliding downward. Just then, ghostly blue butterflies fluttered past them, and Seele transformed into a blur, racing upward.
"Grab hold of me!" they shouted, locking hands with Stelle. Together, they swung like a pendulum, using the momentum to propel Stelle higher onto the next level of the towering structure.
Finally, at the peak, Dan Heng drove his spear into a narrow gap, creating a crucial anchor point! The sequence unfolded so seamlessly that Guinaifen was left speechless, overcome with excitement. She couldn't help but burst into applause.
"Our Star Rail protagonist is absolutely incredible!"
"Their teamwork is flawless!"
"Cocolia, there's nowhere left for you to run!"
"That combo move was mind-blowing! It's got me fired up!"
Atop the Creation Engine's shoulder, Stelle finally came face-to-face with Cocolia. Without hesitation, Cocolia enveloped herself in ice and snow, transforming into a new, terrifying form. Icy thorns covered her body, and her skin darkened to resemble the night sky, leaving only faint traces of humanity behind.
Her voice echoed from within this chilling shell: "Listen... Feel the surge of power... Hear it singing..."
"The promise granted to me by the Stellaron is the only hope for this world..."
"Seven hundred years ago, it expelled the Antimatter Legion—and today, it will erase your existence as well!"
Guinaifen was utterly stunned. She had expected a climactic showdown between humans, or perhaps even against colossal robots. But now, confronting Cocolia revealed she could transform entirely, exuding an overwhelming aura akin to challenging divine beings themselves!
The rapid background music mixed with howling winds created a suffocating atmosphere of tension and despair among the viewers. And in reality, the stakes weren't far off. At this point, only the protagonist remained to fight alone—no teammates, no backup, nothing.
As [Cocolia, Mother of Delusions], she retained her vulnerabilities to Fire, Lightning, and Quantum attributes. Yet, each attack dealt mere hundreds of damage, unable to penetrate her elemental shields.
"How are we supposed to beat her?!" Guinaifen cried out, watching their health bar dwindle while knowing more stages of Cocolia's transformation awaited. Tears welled up in her eyes.
"This is impossible!"
"Could it be scripted for some plot twist?"
"The Astral Express Crew's journey can't end here, right? Surely the game's storyline has been crafted carefully."
"I won't give up! Is there anyone who can help us?!"
Cocolia completed her charge, summoning a shimmering ring of frost before her. Her proclamation rang out coldly:
"Humans... always weak and foolish, constantly overestimating yourselves."
"Let me grant you despair!"
In that instant, Guinaifen and all the players held their breaths, hearts skipping a beat. An ice spear launched from Cocolia's hand, piercing straight through Stelle's chest. Defiantly, Stelle closed her eyes as her indestructible bat slipped from her grasp, and she fell from the Creation Engine's shoulder.
Guinaifen was paralyzed with shock, tears glistening in her eyes. The stream chat went completely silent. No one saw this coming.
But just seconds later... Stelle's eyes snapped open again, finding herself in a strange, otherworldly space. Guinaifen gasped, her grief replaced by astonishment and awe. The battle wasn't over yet! Viewers realized this marked the climax of the storyline—the pivotal turning point.
Everyone froze, not daring to blink. The whistling wind, Cocolia's declaration, and the tense music faded momentarily, replaced by serene silence.
"Is this... the universe?" Stelle murmured, gazing around. Nebulae, meteorites, and asteroid belts floated in the void. At the center stood something resembling entwined tree roots encasing a radiant crimson light that pierced the heavens.
"I was fighting Cocolia... so why am I here...?"
"...Last time I came here, Nanook glanced at me briefly. Could it be..." Unconsciously, she began walking toward the glowing presence.
Moments ago, it had been a desperate struggle for survival, but now she traversed an ethereal realm. The stark contrast sent shivers down Guinaifen's spine, raising goosebumps on her skin.
As Stelle walked, scenes from Belobog played out around her like phantoms—her military guards, former friends, even her own daughter. Cocolia had chosen a path of secrecy and detachment, leading to this very moment. Step by step, events converged until Guinaifen found herself near the spiraling tree roots.
There stood a young girl.
"This city is weeping... The power of Preservation is fading."
"In the end... we could not withstand the will of the Stellaron."
The girl introduced herself as [Will of the Protector], seemingly a manifestation of spirit and intent. With an ethereal voice, she continued, "...but we have no right to blame anyone."
"For seven centuries, the rift has grown wider every second. What we leave for our successors is neither faith nor wealth—but boundless despair. Watching the home under the vow of Preservation disappear before our eyes... is torment. Coupled with those persistent, seductive whispers..."
"Even the strongest will cannot escape wavering; this day was destined to arrive. His protection... is fated to leave us."
["—There will always be those who remain unshaken."]
Guinaifen chose this response decisively.
"You—"
"A mere passerby, yet willing to shoulder the fate of an entire world..."
"Well then. What more do I have to lose...? And what is there left not to try?"
"Touch the glow of Amber, Trailblazer. See if the will you [Preserve] within your heart is strong enough... strong enough to attract Their gaze."
The girl's gaze fixed on the radiant light at the center. Beneath it lay the riding spear, now free of ice and snow, revealing its true form—an amber-like shaft and a handle forged from black basalt. Red light swirled around it like dancing flames.
Approaching the spear, Stelle's resolve hardened. She extended her hand and grasped its handle. In that instant, players across the universe held their breaths! Guinaifen clutched the game controller tightly, almost crushing it with sheer determination—it felt as though she were holding the defiant Amber Spear herself!
Inside Herta Space Station, countless players watched the live stream on large screens. Asta had arranged ample seating, ensuring everyone could comfortably follow the unfolding narrative. Yet, at this moment—
Everyone involuntarily stood up, captivated! Researchers rose as one, eyes glued to the screen, yearning to leap into the scene and witness this extraordinary moment firsthand!
Inside the train carriage, Himeko's gaze grew deep and contemplative. Her slender fingers rested against her chest, momentarily forgetting to move, reflecting on the fantastical sight before her eyes. Such wonders were unimaginable, never seen in reality!
Within that brief instant, Stelle's mental world experienced a surreal and awe-inspiring journey. Without witnessing the game's storyline, how could one truly grasp its essence?