What if your Honkai Star Rail was like this?

Chapter 79: Chapter 79: It’s Kafka, Alright

If this version of Bailu were implemented in the game, there’s no doubt that her ”Tornado Destroys Celestial Sky” move would be her ultimate skill.

A dozen figures abruptly appeared from the air, sent flying by the sweeping water tornado. In an instant, the ground was littered with dazed, masked figures.

Bailu calmly withdrew her hand. In that moment, she seemed like a different person—no longer the lively, childish girl, but a composed and profound master. ”Hmph, a bunch of petty crooks daring to commit crimes in broad daylight here in Stargazer Navalia?”

”Running into me is just your bad luck,” Bailu said coolly, brushing off nonexistent dust from her clothes.

Buzz buzz—

At that moment, Stelle’s phone received a message—surprisingly from Bailu: Remember to play along (scheduled text).

Play along?

Stelle glanced around, slightly confused. Seeing the crowd’s astonished and curious expressions, she immediately understood.

”Wow! Look, isn’t that ’Luofu’s Number One Fist,’ Master Bailu? Wow, it’s really her!”

”What?! Master Bailu? That’s her?”

”Master Bailu, I’ve always been your fan!”

”Master Bailu, I’m your dog!”

Amid the crowd’s cheers, someone promptly pointed out, ”Yesterday, Master Bailu took down the IPC’s troublemakers with a single move, bringing glory to Xianzhou martial arts!”

”Ohhh, really? That’s so cool!”

”Master Bailu, Master Bailu, how can I become as awesome as you?!”

Bailu waved to the crowd. ”Sorry, everyone, I prefer to keep a low profile. I’m just an ordinary Xianzhou citizen. Though, I did master these skills with a unique training method in less than twenty years...”

”What? Only twenty years to master it? My goodness, Lady Bailu, teach me!”

”Only twenty years? I want in too!”

”Master Bailu is truly a prodigy!”

”...”

Bailu was inwardly blooming with joy but maintained her calm demeanor. ”Sigh, you guys are too much. But since we’ve crossed paths, I’ll reluctantly share. I teach at the Bai Clan Martial Arts School in Changle Tian. The twenty-year express course is currently at a twenty percent discount, but spots are filling up fast, so first come, first served!”

”...Damn, she’s trickier than I thought.”

A hidden figure in the air stared intently at Bailu from a distance, feeling a wave of relief. Thank goodness I didn’t rush in earlier, or I’d be lying on the ground like those guys.

But the sacrifice of those others was meaningful. The attacker’s gaze shifted from Bailu to a certain gray-haired girl.

From earlier observations, it was clear this gray-haired girl was close to Bailu. Capturing her would surely make Bailu hesitate to act.

Plus, this gray-haired girl looked harmless, with clear eyes like a college student—an easy target.

With that thought, the attacker slipped through the crowd, moving toward Stelle.

—Hah, getting this close so easily? This girl’s such a fool!

If he could use this gray-haired girl to take down Bailu, he’d be able to claim a lifetime’s worth of credits from that blond man, haha!

The thought made the attacker’s heart itch with excitement, but he repeatedly reminded himself: Don’t rush, I can’t rush. I need the perfect moment.

As the crowd gradually dispersed, Bailu was surrounded by a few enthusiastic fans, while Stelle waited boredly on the side. The attacker knew his chance had come!

He took two steps behind Stelle and struck like lightning—

”Achoo!”

Just as the attacker went to grab Stelle’s throat, she instinctively bent over to sneeze, causing his sneak attack to miss.

The attacker raised an eyebrow in surprise. This girl’s got some luck, huh?

Stelle felt an inexplicable sense of unease but couldn’t pinpoint it. As she turned to call Bailu, who’d finished dealing with her fans, a hand suddenly reached from behind and firmly locked around her neck.

Stelle was shocked. ?!!

Who was this? What was happening? Who did she even provoke?

”Big Sis Stelle!” Seeing this, Bailu pointed at the figure behind Stelle, furious. ”What do you people want?”

Stelle chimed in, ”Big bro! I’m a law-abiding citizen! Don’t kill me!”

”Shut up, my target’s only you, Bailu!” the attacker shouted. ”I’ve got no personal grudge against you, but someone’s offering fifty million credits to kidnap you! People die for wealth, birds die for food—don’t blame me!”

Bailu blinked, stunned. ”Fifty million? To kidnap me?”

Stelle: ”That’s not the point here!”

”That’s right, fifty million credits!” The attacker narrowed his eyes. ”You should know, for that kind of money, I’ll do anything! Surrender quietly now, and I’ll let your friend go!”

Bailu tilted her head, thinking. ”Wait, can I ask—after you kidnap me... where do you go to collect the money?”

Attacker: ”??? What’s that got to do with you?”

”Big bro, I’ve only known Bailu for half a day!” Stelle said pitifully. ”You’re grabbing me, so why should she surrender?”

The attacker roared in anger. ”I don’t care about your nonsense! I’m making my move now. I can’t escape, and if you don’t surrender, neither of you is leaving alive!”

”Hey, hey, hey! Big bro, calm down! If you want to run, just run—no one’s stopping you! Oh no, you’re really doing it—”

Click.

Just as the attacker was about to stab Stelle to show his resolve, the sound of high heels echoed. A strand of spider silk shot out from the side, sticking to the attacker’s knife.

Attacker: ?

Whoosh—

The silk trembled, instantly disarming the knife and flinging it to the ground.

The situation reversed in an instant. The attacker stared at his empty hand, looked up, and saw Bailu already standing in front of him.

Attacker: Wait!

Bailu tilted her head. ”Hm?”

A bead of cold sweat dripped down the attacker’s forehead. ”...Can we talk this out?”

Ah! Ohhh! (Tom-sensei’s dubbing.)

”That was close.” Stelle stepped back, heart pounding, letting out a slow breath. That knife had nearly grazed her neck. Thank goodness someone intervened...

Wait.

Who helped her?

”Stelle~”

At that moment, a familiar voice called out. Not far from Stelle, a purple-haired girl with a gentle gaze stood gracefully.

Seeing Stelle look over, she gave a playful wink. ”Hey~ Remember me?”

Stelle’s expression shifted: Surprise → Confusion → Fear → Numbness.